Chapter 27: After Sorrow comes Regret
Amidst the chaos, Izuku observed from the shadows, his twisted smirk hidden beneath the skull mask. The skirmish between Eraserhead and the villains unfolded like a macabre dance. The hero efficiently incapacitated his adversaries one by one, a calculated predator in the midst of the villainous prey.
The atmosphere buzzed with tension as Aizawa pressed on, unaware of the unseen menace observing his every move. Izuku, calculating and patient, waited for the opportune moment to strike. His eyes glinted with anticipation as he assessed Aizawa's fatigue, keenly aware that the hero's efficiency might wane as the confrontation wore on.
A villain with bullet-firing fingers fell victim to Eraserhead's tactical prowess, crashing to the ground unconscious. Izuku's twisted satisfaction grew, knowing that he held the key to exploiting the hero's weakness. As the battlefield dwindled, Aizawa's focus was stretched thin, creating an opening for Izuku to exploit.
A few seconds away from the present moment, Aizawa, unaware of the impending danger, continued to press forward. His exhaustion, however, began to weigh on him. Little did he know that the twisted mind behind the skull mask was preparing to pounce, waiting for the perfect moment to ensnare the hero in his own trap.
Meanwhile, back with the students, a new threat emerged through the entrance. A villain, composed of purplish smoke and dressed in formal wear, materialized before the unsuspecting students. The air thickened with apprehension as they faced an unknown adversary, separated only by the enigmatic veil of the smoke villain. The stage was set for a confrontation that would test the mettle of the students and plunge them deeper into the abyss of uncertainty.
Kurogiri's voice, smooth and unsettling, cut through the tense air, his presence a chilling reminder of the looming threat. The students and their teacher stood frozen, confronted by the ominous declaration from the enigmatic figure before them.
"Good day there, students and teacher of UA," Kurogiri's words oozed with an eerie calmness, belying the danger that lurked beneath the surface. "Sorry to drop in so unannounced."
His introduction sent shivers down their spines, the weight of his affiliation with the League of Villains hanging heavily in the air. The sinister intent behind his words reverberated through the room, casting a pall of uncertainty over the gathered group.
"I am Kurogiri," he continued, his voice a dark whisper that seemed to coil around their senses. "And I am with the League of Villains."
Each syllable dripped with malice, underscoring the gravity of their situation. The students exchanged wary glances, acutely aware of the imminent danger that loomed before them.
"Our goal?" Kurogiri's words lingered ominously in the air, a harbinger of impending doom. "To make All Might take his last breath."
The weight of his declaration hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the room as the students grappled with the magnitude of the threat before them. The gravity of the moment settled upon them, igniting a fierce determination to stand against the encroaching darkness and protect all that they held dear.
Bakugo and Kirishima's coordinated attack, fueled by their determination to protect, left Kurogiri seemingly unfazed. The mist-like villain merely stood, his form unaffected by the explosive blast and the rock-solid punch. A sinister smile played on his misty features.
"Ah, it appears that we have underestimated you heroes," Kurogiri's voice resonated, the mist around him swirling as he spoke. "However, you are UA's golden eggs, so I assume we should have expected this. Oh well, time to do what I am here for."
Without hesitation, Kurogiri manipulated his Quirk, summoning multiple warp gates that materialized beneath the unsuspecting students' feet. In an instant, they were swallowed by the swirling portals, leaving only a handful remaining.
Mashirao Ojiro, Ochaco Uraraka, Tenya Iida, and Mezo Shoji found themselves standing in the aftermath, their classmates scattered across unknown locations through Kurogiri's warped intervention. Thirteen, the teacher, stood resolute, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The air grew tense, uncertainty filling the void left by the vanished students. The battle had taken an unexpected turn, and the League of Villains had demonstrated the extent of their power. Now, the remaining heroes-in-training braced themselves for the trials that awaited, determined to rise to the occasion and rescue their friends.
Thirteen, determined to take control of the situation, activated her Quirk, Black Hole. The caps on her fingers opened, unleashing the force of her gravity-manipulating ability. A powerful suction force aimed at Kurogiri, intending to draw him into the inescapable void of her Quirk. However, just as the black hole effect began to manifest, a sudden gunshot echoed through the air.
The unexpected bullet found its mark, striking Thirteen in the shoulder. The force of the impact caused her to stagger, the pain evident on her face. A moment of shock rippled through the group as they realized their teacher had been injured in the line of duty.
Thirteen gritted her teeth, attempting to maintain focus on her Quirk despite the pain. The gunshot had introduced a new level of danger to an already chaotic situation, and the students now faced not only the formidable Kurogiri but also the unknown threat that had targeted their teacher. As the smoke from the gunshot cleared, tensions rose, and the heroes-in-training prepared for the challenges ahead.
Back at the center plaza.
Aizawa's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation, his gaze unwavering despite the chaos unfolding around him. The voice that addressed him carried an air of confidence, tinged with a hint of malice. It was clear that this individual knew more than just Aizawa's hero alias; they had delved into his personal identity.
The description of the assailant matched the unsettling presence Aizawa had sensed earlier. Curly green hair intertwined with streaks of darkness, and eyes that seemed to hold depths of darkness within them. The asymmetry of their gaze, one green and the other a void with a white core, added to the ominous aura surrounding the figure.
Aizawa's expression remained stoic, concealing any hint of apprehension or concern. His instincts sharpened, recognizing the gravity of the encounter. This was not merely a confrontation with another villain; it was a clash of wills, a test of resolve and determination.
"So, you've done your homework," Aizawa responded calmly, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "But knowing my name won't change the outcome of this encounter. What's your stake in all of this?" he demanded, his gaze piercing through the smoky haze that surrounded them.
The figure chuckled, before delving into straight up mad laughter. "Oh...Haha...You're too funny Aizawa...But you know beating me won't change anything. As of know your students are scattered thru the different zones..Some may survive, others won't...And at the end of it. I'll be smiling." The villain pulled the hammer back of the revolver, still it was not aimed at him, for a moment he was confused. The villain pulled the trigger and as the bullet ripped thru the air, it founds it mark in Thirteen her skull.
Aizawa's heart sank as the scene unfolded before him, the sound of the gunshot echoing in the air like a sinister symphony of despair. The laughter of the assailant reverberated, a chilling reminder of the cruelty that permeated the situation.
His instincts screamed for action, for retaliation against the villain who callously ended Thirteen's life with a single pull of the trigger. Yet, Aizawa's resolve remained unshaken, his expression a mask of determination in the face of adversity.
"Your actions won't go unpunished," Aizawa declared, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "You've made an enemy today, and I won't rest until justice is served."
Though grief and anger threatened to consume him, Aizawa remained focused on the task at hand. The safety of his students took precedence above all else, and he vowed to protect them at any cost.
As chaos engulfed the USJ and darkness threatened to overshadow hope, Aizawa stood as a beacon of strength and resilience, ready to confront the challenges ahead with unwavering resolve.
Aizawa's scarf fell to the ground in tatters as the villain skillfully cut through it with the dual knives in his hands. The capture weapon, once a symbol of Aizawa's prowess, now lay discarded—a casualty of the ongoing struggle. Aizawa narrowed his eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the challenge that lay ahead.
The villain, still grinning with a twisted delight, brandished the knives in a menacing manner. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the two opponents faced off, each calculating their next move. Aizawa, undeterred by the loss of his scarf, focused on the task at hand.
Without uttering a word, he lunged forward with remarkable speed, aiming to incapacitate the villain and put an end to the threat he posed. Aizawa's movements were swift and deliberate, a testament to his honed combat skills. The clash between hero and villain unfolded in a flurry of blades and calculated strikes, a dance of danger in the dimly lit USJ plaza.
The villain laughing while dodging every attack speaks. "You heroes...Always protecting...Did you know you could have stayed up there? You know when the mist guy came, you could have erased his quirk, gotten thru the exit and a fellow hero would not have died right now." The villain chuckles "Just shows how stupid the heroes have gotten."
Aizawa continued his relentless assault, undeterred by the villain's taunts. His eyes remained focused, his movements precise as he aimed to subdue the enemy before him. The words of the villain echoed in the air, but Aizawa remained silent, refusing to be drawn into a verbal exchange.
The clash between Eraserhead and the mysterious villain intensified, the sound of blades meeting capturing the eerie ambiance of the USJ. Despite the villain's agility and skill, Aizawa's determination and combat experience pushed him forward.
In a sudden twist, Aizawa activated his Quirk, Erasure, aiming to nullify the abilities of his adversary. The villain's laughter faltered for a moment as his knives lost their otherworldly gleam. Aizawa seized the opportunity, pressing the attack with renewed vigor.
As the battle raged on, the fate of the scattered students and the overall outcome of the USJ incident hung in the balance. The clash between hero and villain was a microcosm of the larger struggle unfolding within the confines of the training facility.
The villain's words cut through the tension, and Aizawa's eyes narrowed beneath the goggles of his hero costume. The ongoing battle had shifted momentarily as both combatants measured each other's strengths. The villain, still bound by Aizawa's capture weapon, continued to speak.
"You know a cool fact I learned about your quirk, Eraser?" The villain's tone held a disturbing mix of amusement and malevolence, but Aizawa remained silent, his focus unbroken. The capture weapon tightened its grip, restricting the villain's movements.
The mysterious figure chuckled. "It's not a one-button solution. It has a delay, doesn't it? A little lag before your target loses their powers. I wonder, does that ever make you anxious?" The laughter resumed, echoing in the tense atmosphere.
Aizawa's mind raced, processing the information. The villain's insight into Eraserhead's quirk revealed a depth of knowledge that sent a chill down Aizawa's spine. As the battle continued, Aizawa realized he faced not only a formidable opponent but someone who understood the intricacies of his own abilities.
The clash of Eraserhead's determination and the villain's eerie laughter continued, each moment carrying the weight of the students' safety and the hero's commitment to his duty.
The villain's laughter intensified, filling the air with an unsettling aura. "One... Two... Three... Four... Five..." Each count reverberated with a sinister undertone, setting the stage for what was to come. Aizawa braced himself, anticipating the villain's next move with a mixture of apprehension and resolve.
"Got ya," the villain chortled triumphantly. In an instant, a knife sliced through the air, finding its mark in Eraserhead's knee with a sickening thud. Aizawa winced against the sudden pain, but before he could react, a powerful punch crashed against his nose, sending shards of pain radiating through his skull.
The impact jarred Aizawa, momentarily disorienting him as blood trickled from his injured nose. Through the haze of pain, he gritted his teeth, refusing to succumb to the villain's onslaught. Every blow fueled his determination, reinforcing his commitment to protect his students at any cost.
As the battle raged on, Aizawa's resolve remained unyielding, a beacon of strength amid the chaos. With each passing moment, he pushed through the pain, his focus unwavering as he fought to safeguard the lives entrusted to his care.
Before the confrontation could escalate further, another figure surged forward, intent on seizing the advantage. It was the ringleader, the enigmatic man with the severed hand. Aizawa reacted swiftly, driving his elbow into the blue-haired villain's face with precision and force.
However, in the blink of an eye, the monstrous entity that stood beside the ringleader surged forward, its massive form eclipsing Aizawa's defenses. With devastating speed and power, the beast closed in, delivering a crushing blow directly to Aizawa's stomach.
The impact was like a thunderbolt, shattering bones and sending waves of searing pain coursing through Aizawa's body. Three ribs splintered under the force of the blow, leaving him reeling and gasping for breath as agony radiated from the epicenter of the strike.
In that moment of excruciating pain, Aizawa fought to maintain his focus, his mind racing with the urgency of the situation. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him, he refused to yield, drawing upon his inner reserves of strength and determination to weather the storm that threatened to engulf him.
The relentless assault continued as the monstrous assailant, with a vice-like grip, forced Aizawa's face against the unforgiving pavement. The pressure on his injured ribs compounded the searing pain, and the hero struggled against the overwhelming force.
Blood trickled from Aizawa's broken nose, staining the ground beneath him. Despite the dire situation, the hero's mind raced with thoughts of strategy and survival. He knew that succumbing to the pain and despair meant failure, and failure was not an option.
Summoning every ounce of resilience, Aizawa focused on the one advantage he still possessed—the power of his Quirk. With a determined effort, he activated his Erasure, targeting the Quirks of the assailants surrounding him. If he could neutralize their abilities, perhaps he could turn the tide of this brutal confrontation.
Aizawa's attempt to activate his Quirk met an unexpected resistance. The beastly assailant, undeterred by the Erasure, intensified the assault, driving the hero's face even harder into the unyielding surface. The pain surged through Aizawa's body, and his vision blurred as he fought to stay conscious.
In the midst of the brutal onslaught, a dark realization crept into Aizawa's thoughts. The League of Villains had meticulously planned this encounter, understanding the potential threat posed by his Quirk. Now, as the beast continued its merciless assault, Aizawa grappled with the harsh truth that his abilities might not be enough to overcome this formidable enemy.
The seconds ticked by, each one carrying the weight of the hero's struggle for survival.
As the oppressive voice echoed within the confines of the USJ dome, Aizawa felt an abrupt shift in the atmosphere. The green-haired villain ceased his maniacal laughter, the nomu stood motionless, and even the beastly assailant paused in his relentless assault.
The voice, laden with malevolence, had a chilling effect on Aizawa. He strained to comprehend the origin, but it seemed as though only he, the green-haired villain, and the nomu were attuned to its sinister cadence. Meanwhile, the ringleader, seemingly oblivious, continued his trivial lamentations about his injured nose.
"That would be enough then. We've already killed one hero; no need for a second one just yet," the voice decreed, dripping with malice. The unsettling command resonated with finality, as if the speaker held dominion over life and death itself. Aizawa's instinctual apprehension heightened, sensing that a force beyond his understanding had entered the fray.
Addressing the beastly henchman, the voice issued a final directive, "Beast or whatever your name is, knock him out, will you?" With that, Aizawa's eyes widened, a foreboding anticipation seizing him. Before he could react, the world around him plunged into darkness, and an intense pain reverberated within his skull.
In that disorienting moment, Aizawa's consciousness teetered on the precipice, the echoes of darkness intertwining with the haunting voice that lingered in his thoughts. The battle against the League of Villains had taken an unforeseen turn, and Aizawa, the indomitable hero, found himself ensnared in the malevolent designs of a sinister force.
As the veil of unconsciousness threatened to claim him, Aizawa pondered the ominous events unfolding around him and the challenges that lay ahead for UA and its students. The echoes of darkness resonated, leaving an indelible mark on the hero's journey into the unknown.