( A/N: Warning for a lot of mentions of blood but I do not at all go into any actual gore other than that. Not the biggest fan of going super realistic and detailed with it comes to that part of violence. )
...
'Toshinori, when you find yourself at your limit, remember to look inside.'
The voice of Toshinori's master rang in his head as he faced All For One across the way. Her words were the fire that fueled him burning deep inside. Flames that were being fanned by the encouraging words of all those who believed in him. Believed in All Might.
'Remember why you clench your fist.'
He had to think. Had to remember where he started. What motivated him down this path.
'You must remember who you are and why you are here. Use this to help you push past your limit.'
Toshinori did. He thought back to that awkward Quirkless teenager he used to be with a lofty dream. A happy world full of happy people with no worries in the world because he was there to protect them. To assure them with a smile that everything would be alright. It had been his goal back then and it was still his goal now. As the Symbol of Peace, no matter what he would fight his hardest to win this fight.
Gran Torino finally was able to right himself after being knocked back by the strong attack from All For One. He was getting too old for this shit, but no way in hell was he leaving Toshinori to fight the Villain who killed Nana alone. She had been a mentor and a friend to them both and they would stand together to protect her legacy.
But Gran Torino wasn't sure how much help he could be considering how the battlefield had turned into even more of a disaster zone. There were deep gouges into the ground in a V shape running on either side of All Might. Proof of how large-scale of an attack that it was making him wonder how many more Toshinori could take. From look alone it didn't seem like even one with only one arm holding any of his power. It was a surprise that he even had any left.
"And there it is," All For One spoke as he lifted himself into the air. "All that remains of your strength, right, All Might? How terrifying."
The Villain sneered down at the battered and bloody husk of a Hero below him.
"Do you know that I have often dreamed of seeing you charge at me with your entrails painting the ground? Hmm, yes. Now that would be the finest of art."
From above, their battleground seemed like the beginnings of a masterpiece. All For One could see the various brush strokes they had made destroying the surrounding buildings. Piles of rubble and cracked earth with splattered patches of blood. The two of them have made quite a picture. All that was needed was All Might dead in a bloody mess as a final touch. Then he would take his son away from here and put an end to his foolish dreams of becoming a Hero. That was never to be his fate.
It is time.
All For One surged multiple Quirks into his arm and raised it to aim at All Might. The Hero below glared up at him but the Villain felt no fear. From up in the sky, he looked like nothing but an insignificant little bug ready to be squished under his feet.
"Let's see," All For One pondered wickedly. "I reckon you have, what, two punches left? Three at most? Let us test it, shall we?"
The Villain readied to fire his shot only to be stopped by an interrupting blast of fire from someone else. All Might was also surprised as he noticed that Endeavor and the other Heroes from the other raid had finally made it to the scene. Backup had arrived.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" Endeavor bellowed from the edges of the battlefield. He was absolutely furious at what he saw. "What the hell is with that weak little body!?"
All Might had never really gotten along well with Endeavor but he respected him as a fellow Hero. Perhaps more on the violent side than himself but a Hero none the less. He knew that Endeavor saw him as a rival always fighting to best him. To find out about his small form like this…well, it certainly would be a shock. As it was to everyone watching.
The Heroes had made it just in time. Tsukauchi and the police were handling the remaining Noumu now that they were all under control. The detective had taken charge and ordered the Heroes there to aid All Might against their foes. Seems there was only one left and a powerful one at that. It was their turn to join the fight against the Number One Villain.
All For One.
Edgeshot quickly pieced together that Tsukauchi already knew that there would be danger. Feared for his friend's life and sent them there to help in any way they could. And he was right now that they were there at the disaster zone that used to be Kamino Ward. What remained was a devastating backdrop to a horrifying scene. All Might weak and deformed below and a masked Villain floating above.
All For One observed the new arrivals and considered the implications of arriving now. The Noumu he had left them hadn't been particularly strong but for them to handle his little gifts so quickly was quite impressive. Considering what had happened in Hosu, he believed that much of the credit went to Endeavor.
"Impressive," the Villain said, his sightless eyes on the fiery Hero. "As to be expected of the man who fought and clawed his way to Number Two. How does it feel to see the Number One spot becoming so close to vacancy? I'm sure you can practically taste it."
Hidden, Izuku wanted to gag on that thought. No way in hell could Endeavor be allowed to become the Number One Hero. He wouldn't stand for it. Not with how that bastard wasn't even worthy of the title Hero let alone be considered the best of them all. He would do anything to not let that happen. But in this moment, he could do nothing but watch.
The suspense and tense atmosphere were maddening, but there was nothing Izuku could do except stay put. He feared that if he tried to leave All For One would use that same Quirk again to stop him. Or even use that teleporting Quirk to send him away to Shigaraki. And it wasn't like he could join the fight. Izuku felt like he would only make things worse if he tried. All Might was having a hard enough time without him mucking it up. So Izuku stayed.
So far though, other than not allowing him to escape with Katsuki, All For One had done nothing to him apparently satisfied with keeping him this close. The Villain was clearly confident he would come out victorious and most likely planning on dragging Izuku with him. Fear of that happening kept him rooted to his hiding spot defending himself with his gear. His collapsible shield was helping out a lot protecting him from falling debris.
Endeavor was shouting out complaints at All Might despite this very much not being the time. They were in the middle of a battle for their lives, dammit! Get your fucking head out of your ass, Endickvor! The world did not revolve around him and his personal failings. Especially since the resulting anger from them had bled to be felt by his own family. Though the bastard was oddly inspiring at the end of his tirade.
"STAND UP AND FIGHT!" Endeavor roared, his fire growing even hotter in his anger that Izuku swore he could feel it from where he hid. "SHOW THEM ALL WHY YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME!"
All Might considered his fellow Hero surprised by his support while All For One was far from impressed.
"If you are here to merely cheer him on," the Villain drawled in annoyance. "Then I would much prefer you remain silent."
All For One aimed his next attack at Endeavor only for it to be deflected by a length of black that shot at him.
"Think again, madman!" Edgeshot shouted as he reformed his head and rushed his string-like body around to the other side to become whole once more.
The fight was back on as the Heroes took action. Kamui Woods went after the fallen Heroes of the warehouse raid easily grabbing them with his Quirk and taking them to safety. He worried for them all but was most proud of Mt. Lady who was a fellow rookie Hero like himself. Present Mic followed after him to help knowing his Quirk would not do well in this situation and so focused on rescue. Tiger himself held Ragdoll close as he also picked up the civilian woman All Might had protected.
They were here. His fellow Hero brethren had come to aid the Number One Hero in his fight. Perhaps not on the front lines but anything that could help All Might to not hold back would fulfill their duties as Heroes. Together, they could help even out this fight.
Edgeshot and Endeavor were keeping All For One busy. Allowing for the others to help rescue those in danger as well as give All Might a much-needed rest. A small break to get his bearings and prepare himself for the next head-to-head fight. He had to conserve as much of his remaining energy as he could. All For One needed to be stopped once and for all.
...
Gran Torino watched him as All Might stood there in awe of his fellow Heroes helping him in any way they could. He was a wreck. Clearly on the verge of collapse though he refused to falter or give up. It just wasn't in his vocabulary to cry uncle. Not back when Nana had first met him and not now facing off against her killer. Standing his ground to be the pillar he had always aimed to be. All of Japan and the world was rooting for him and he knew that. For all of them, Gran Torino knew that All Might would endure.
The older Hero took note of the others taking the fallen and getting the hell out of there. Good. Less distractions for Toshinori to deal with. Then he could concentrate fully on the fight and do what he must to defeat All For One. But then Gran Torino suddenly remembered MIdoriya and blasted over to where the teen was hiding.
"Come on, kid," Gran Torino said as he landed suddenly making the boy jump. "We gotta get you out of here."
"N-no! I can't!" the teen exclaimed shaking his head earnestly. "Seriously, Gran Torino, sir. I can't leave!"
"You can't stay here, kid," the Hero admonished preparing to take the boy by force. "Now let's go!"
"NO!" the Quirkless teen screamed as he kicked the man away from him. He didn't understand!
Gran Torino was already battered and bruised from fighting Villains and Noumo. He had not expected the boy to give up a fight about leaving. Didn't he realize he was in danger here and needed to be evacuated? Taken out of harm's way where he would be safe and away from this mess. And yet for some reason he very much didn't want to go or as he said 'can't'.
"Why?" the Hero questioned, growing irritated by his resistance as he picked himself up. "Why 'can't' you leave?"
"Because I…because he…," the boy struggled to get out. It was as if he wasn't sure how to explain why. "I…I don't know what he'll do if I try to leave, sir. I don't think he'll let me."
"Won't let you?" Gran Torino asked, confused. "Who? Why?"
"All For One, sir," the kid answered with genuine fear in his voice as his words came tumbling out faster and faster. "W-when Katsuki was able to escape, there was a force inside me keeping me from going too. I don't feel it now but he could always use it again. And if I try to leave, what's to stop him from using that weird warping Quirk we saw earlier. He could send me away to where the League is and what if the Heroes can't find me again. I-I don't want to disappear like that!"
His words came out in a speeded jumble that Gran Torino could almost not understand. But he pieced enough together to get that the boy was scared. Afraid of being taken away by All For One but also not sure if he could leave. Finding himself stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Shit.
He was already seeing this kid was a heap load of trouble. It reminded him of Toshinori when he was younger. No, strike that. Toshinori was still trouble even up to this day. Guess he'll have to keep the boy safe not liking having Midoriya so close to the fight. However the unknown of All For One and his apparently fixation on the kid didn't allow for better circumstances.
I'm getting too old for this, Gran Torino thought as he hunkered down and turned to watch All Might and All For One fight.
...
Toshinori was grateful for the other Heroes and their efforts to help. That and the cries of the people reminding him that no matter what he looked like, he was still their Number One Hero. A pillar that had to remain strong and not break under All For One's unspeakable power. Their united cheers and support fueled All Might to keep fighting and be victorious as he always was. To live up to the title of Symbol of Peace.
He had to do this. For the people and the Heroes. For his students who held boundless admiration for him. It was all for them that he remained standing ready to take All For One down. With this drive, All Might faced the intimidating figure of the Villain floating up in the sky above. Never flinching even when black energy crackled around his growing arm readying yet another strong attack as he countered continuous attacks from Endeavor and Edgeshot. Fighting their hardest as he would too.
I will not stand down!
"How utterly pointless!" All For One sneered as he shot out his power again.
A pillar of air blasted down to the ground forcing the weakling Heroes away. He would not waste any more time with them and their insignificant efforts to stop him. With the field clear of distractions, he focused on All Might while still keeping his son's location in mind. It pleased him that Izuku knew not to try and escape again.
Smart boy.
Not surprising as he was his son. It was about time All For One finished this so that they could leave this place together. For Izuku to stop dwelling on his childish dreams of Heroism and start accepting his new reality. That it was his fate to be by his father's side as All For One ruled over a new world.
"Enough of this!" the Villain called out done with their annoying antics.
His arm started to spasm and expand as All For One loaded it with Quirk after Quirk.
"Springlike Limbs!"
His suit was ripping apart at the sheer amount of power and physical growth of the arm.
"Kinetic Booster times four! Strength Enhancer times three!"
His arm continued to grow as he kept listing off Quirks. It was mindboggling just how many he had.
"Multiplier! Hypertrophy! Rivets! Air Walk! Spear-like Bones!"
All Might glared up at the man who was the root of all evil in this world. The Villain's arm was now a twisted and mangled mess of Quirks revealing the monster he truly was underneath that unassuming suit.
"The shockwaves from before were merely a warm up," All For One stated as he glowered down at his unworthy nemesis. "Simply to wear you out as I knew it will take much more than that to kill you. With this ultimate combination of Quirks, I will finally end you."
Despite the intimidating sight All Might refused to back down. The Hero readied himself for the coming powerful attack. The mutated mess that was his arm was grotesque and huge. Elements of the different Quirks appearing like pock marks along the twisted flesh. There was so much power in that arm that it was leaking out in beams of red light. A fearsome sight but it would not stop All Might.
"You may think you still have a chance to beat me, All Might," the Villain leered. "But you are mistaken. While you do still possess One For All, it will do you no good. I can sense that it is shutting down in a way. Cutting you off to its great well of power. Your remaining strength is like a lingering ghost. Mere embers compared to the inferno it once was."
All Might does his best to ignore his troubling words. It was true he could not use One For All as he once had in the past, but that didn't matter right now because he could not lose. Not now when everything was at stake. The Hero readied his arm and willed One For All to not let him down now. Yellow energy sparked from his skin with his power.
"Your fire is waning, Hero," the Villain sneered. "Growing weaker each time you use it. Now it has reduced to nothing but a feeble spark."
All For One rushed towards All Might reaching for his foe as he reared his colossal hand into a powerful fist.
"I know of your offer to the boy," All For One revealed as he grew closer and closer to his enemy. "To pass on One For All to him and become your successor. Pity he did not accept."
Toshinori stared in horror that All For One knew about that. Was it the reason why he wanted Midoriya so badly? Was All Might the reason he was kidnapped?
Shit.
"It would have made this far easier if he had," All For One went on. "Then One For All would have finally been back in the family where it belongs."
Shock flashed in blue eyes for a moment at the implication of that. Back in the family? What did this monster mean by that? His concerned confusion was clear on his face even though he willed it away as quickly as it came. He still had an enemy to fight.
"I'm sure you are wondering the meaning behind my words," the Villain grinned from beneath his mask. "If Shigaraki being your master's grandson was devastating, I wonder how you will react to know who your almost chosen successor really is."
All Might stood strong forcing himself to not let All For One's words trip him up. Would not let himself falter so close to ending all of this. No matter what the Villain said, he would defeat him.
"Midoriya Izuku…"
Their fists were inching closer and closer as the Number One Villain fast approached the Number One Hero. The air was thick with tension but their convictions cut through it like a hot knife through butter. All For One believed this would be the perfect cherry on top of everything and act as the last straw to finally break All Might.
"…is my son."
The Villain purred the word as their fists clashed. He waited to see the exact moment when the Hero's heart would finally crack. But it never came. Yes, there was a jolt of disturbance however it was fleeting and quickly replaced by sheer anger. A loathing for this monster of a man who, if he were telling the truth, was willing to put his own child into unnecessary danger. All Might would prevail.
"RAAAAAAAH!" the Hero bellowed as he put everything he had into his punch.
His powered fist strained against the mangled mess of flesh, Quirks, and bone that was All For One's. The sheer force of the impact between them combined and became tangible. Fusing into a blinding ball of blue light that was shrill and as loud as a jet engine as it expanded until it snapped with a flash shooting out around them. Shock waves rolled from the colossal snap exploding into a cloud of dust and debris that obscured them from the world. All For One refused to stop as All Might refused to move. Stalemate. This the Villain could not allow.
"IMPACT RECOIL!"
The added Quirk caused All Might's arm to threaten to buckle as blood spurted out, but the Hero refused to relent and forced himself to stand his ground. All For One could not be allowed to win this fight. The Villain forced him back but All Might still matched his fist and would not give up. His mind kept wanting to go to Midoriya and this bastard's claims about him, but he could not allow such distractions.
"Regardless if young Midoriya is of your blood or not," All Might proclaimed, gritting his teeth through the painful strain. "You will not be winning this fight, All For One!"
"So resistant," All For One tutted with a grunt. "I see you're fighting to rekindle some of your former strength. A desperate attempt at best. But a wish to fulfill your duty and stop the inevitable just shows how pathetic you really are!"
The Villain willed his Quirks to force All Might back and finally beat his enemy into the ground where he belonged. Their fight had made this the perfect place for the death of their precious Symbol of Peace. A grave for their misguided hopes and trust in the fool they called their Number One Hero. But All Might would not go down so easily as he yelled in his efforts to keep fighting. Blood continued to splatter everywhere as the words of his master came to him in his mind.
'When you feel you've reached your limit and can't go on, you must remember who you are.'
I.
AM.
ALL MIGHT!
The Hero stamped his foot firmly down behind him with enough of One For All to brace him against the sheer force of All For One.
"I WILL BEAT YOU!" All Might proclaimed, eyes glinting a sharp blue as he planned his counter attack. "Not just as a Symbol but as a Hero and teacher! I will do as my master did for me for the future Heroes of this world! Until they are ready to take their place…"
With a boom, he finally planted a firm footing into the cracked ground and forced them to stop. He knew he needed to change things up to turn the fight in his favor. All Might clenched his other fist as yellow lightning energy formed around it.
"Your naïve resistance is embarrassing," the Villain sneered.
The Hero ignored him as his fist grew in strength and size.
"…I won't…"
"Perchance I was wrong."
All Might quickly shifted all his power from one arm to the other turning so that All For One's monstrous fist flew past him.
"…I refuse to die!"
He reared his powered-up arm and managed to punch All For One in the face hard. Advice that had been pounded into him by Gran Torino filled his mind. A head on fight against the Villain was impossible. He was too strong and had too many unknown Quirks. All Might needed to be smart, strategic. He had to use his wits to win this fight.
From their hiding place the older Hero and the Quirkless teen saw that he had used one of his arms as bait. A fine plan but it left the limb battered and even more blood came spurting out. Not to mention All For One was still standing.
"Clever. How unlike you," the Villain commented as he Quirked up his other arm to use the Hero's trick against him. "BUT YOU ARE STILL WEAK!"
But All Might wasn't done yet as he transferred his power back to his other arm. It was bloody and bruised and hurt like hell. The Hero ignored it and powered through the pain.
"HOW ABOUT NOW!?" All Might yelled as he really put his back into it.
The Number One Hero reared his powered arm back with all the strength he could muster from One For All. Tracing the pieces of his Quirk to the hidden pool of power within. The gifted Quirk from his master that Nana had graced him with so that he could become the Symbol of Peace he had always dreamed of since he was a teenager.
One For All was his as of now. Passed on from Hero to Hero who had all kept and cultivated it to the strength it was today. His Quirk was meant to bring joy and peace to the world filling everyone with hope. While Toshinori was losing touch with One For All, he held enough of its power to finally punch the lights out of All For One.
It was with this inherited power that he would finally take All For One down. He had to win. Had to beat this Villain down. Even with his arm battered and bruised All Might was going to defeat this evil man if it was the last thing he would ever do. All For One gasped in surprise and aimed an arm at the Hero. All Might growled as he dodged the hit that shot past him and exploded in flames where it impacted. Thankfully nowhere near where Izuku and Gran Torino were hiding.
All Might ran low at his foe paying the fire no mind. All For One was his only point of focus in that moment. With blood leaking from his mouth, the Hero yelled through the pain raking his body as he pushed himself past his limits.
GOODBYE, ALL FOR ONE!
With a twist of his foot, the Symbol of Peace put all of his might into this punch. He turned his body for the best angle and smashed his fist into All For One's mangled face. What remained of his mask broke under the power of One For All that flared into an inferno within the Hero.
"UNITED STATES OF SMASH!"
The hit was so strong that All Might forced All For One into the ground. The impact was intensely more powerful than before breaking the earth beneath the Villain. Rubble flew away from them in the resulting blast of wind that was like a tornado. The aftershock forced the helicopter and Gran Torino away. Izuku managed to stay put only by planting the edge of his shield firmly into the ground and bracing himself with his staff from the back.
The world grew strangely silent as the people watched with baited breath. Was it really over? The dust finally settled enough for them to see All For One on the ground motionless and All Might hunched over but still standing. There was no sign of his buffed-up form and blood was dripping from his mouth and down both of his arms. But despite all that, he was still standing.
All Might had won.
With the world watching, the Number One Hero shakily raised his arm to hold a firm fist in the air. All Might buffed up his arm one last time knowing the people were watching and needed to know that he was there. That everything was going to be alright now. In the air, the helicopter hovered and the reporter within allowed them all to see as they announced.
"ALL MIGHT WINS!"
Finally, he had done it. All Might defeated All For One. He could hear the people's cheers from all around at his victory. For them, he buffed up entirely even though it was just for show. Despite staggering a step in exhaustion, he had to show them that their chosen Symbol of Peace was still alive.
The other Heroes who were still conscious watched the scene unfold. Edgeshot voiced concerns that he was pushing himself after such an intense fight. But Gran Torino who had landed near them saw the posturing for what it was. That All Might knew he was still working and that this was his last job as the Number One Hero and Symbol of Peace.
All Might could hear the people cheering for him. He was glad he was able to bring them peace one last time. He held his bigger form a moment longer before the effort became too much. All Might grunted out a cough of blood as he released it and was skeletal once more. And yet they still shouted their praise.
All Might grasped onto the feeling of when he first harnessed One For All. It was like a string of light of different colors of the rainbow rolled up into a ball of white. The color of peace, honesty, and of new beginnings. Hopefully Toshinori would survive this fight so that he could find a worthy successor and help train them to be an even better Hero than he was. One worthy of continuing the legacy of One For All.
He knew this was his last fight as a Hero. One For All was nothing but a weak spark inside him. Now it was going to be the other Heroes' responsibility to keep fighting. He would still help them as best he could but All Might the strongest Hero was no more. After this, with young Midoriya's words as encouragement, he planned to advocate unity and teamwork amongst the Heroes. Together they will win the ongoing battle against evil.
Seeing an adventurous reporter and camera man peaking over now that the fight was over, All Might raised a lanky arm and said, "Now, it's your turn."
The people cheered even harder at his last message. All Might smiled as he lowered his arm and the reporters were escorted away by the arriving police securing the area. The battle was finally over.
...
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