AU NOTES
Hey cuh! You already know what the fuck 'bout to happen, b! Another chapter of Blood God, where I will go hard on the motherfucken pain! The previous 4-5 chapters have been build-up for the incoming storm that I'm about to unleash in the form of however many words I will put into this chapter!
Shit is about to get real, fucked and any other term you might want to use to describe an utterly out-of-pocket mess!
Warning for this chapter!
That's it! You get a singular, bold, italicized WARNING!
I love my Vampyr!Izuku and wish all the good of the world upon him, but unfortunately I all carry the burden of wanting to write decent stories that follow flow, cause and consequence and all the proper methods of story-telling, which forces me to make use of Chekov's gun and flash my writing prowess to make proper use of the villain I created called All For One.
Enjoy the chapter!
[XXX]
Blood for the Blood God
Chapter 37: [Final Death?]
[XXX]
[Location: unknown]
[Time: unknown.]
Drip…
…
…
…
…drip…
…
There it was once again.
…
Drip…
…
…
…
…drip…
That annoying sound that seemed bent on troubling him. A constant source of annoyance, always echoing in the very edges of his mind; it never revealed itself, content on being a remembrance, faded, yet never truly forgotten.
He wondered where he was, aware only of the void around him. Incorporeal. An all encroaching darkness that not even light could escape.
Make the deal! Finish it!
A voice echoed in his head, the vampire wondering to himself how he could know he had a head since all that he could see was the void. It was the only thing outside of his own consciousness that seemed to exist in this place. Yet, he could not bring himself to trust it. It made his body shiver in disgust and abhor, his entire being rejecting the sound.
He groaned, his head pounding as pressure suddenly began to ramp up. Still, he would not give in. If he gave up, he was sure that he would cease to exist. There was nothing to prove his theory, but something in his very soul assured that he could not finish this bargain. If he did, something very bad would happen.
A dark brewing built-up in his gut, the vampire feeling as if bile was just around his throat. A heavy pressure tried to flatten him and his mind, but he grits his teeth and clenched his fists, becoming more and more aware of his own body.
The strange fog that tried to take over his mind was repelled – if only barely – and finally the vampire could fill his lungs with air.
"Ahhh! *cough cough!" His mouth struggled and his lungs felt heavy, but finally he could think somewhat clearly. He could see his body. He could remember his name.
Izuku still felt terribly weak and nauseous, but the weight that tried to crush him eased. The pressure on his mind relented and he could finally see something.
He was not in his cell, that is for sure. During his imprisonment he had plenty of time to get used to the dull walls that soon were plastered in various tones of red, their shine only exacerbated by the harsh ceiling lights that made sleep almost impossible. The question that begged for an answer was: where was he?
It felt extremely familiar. Red and black tiles decorated the floors in intricate patterns and if Izuku squinted and focused his eyes he could barely spot the brick walls that made up this place. Anything was covered in a misty black-red fog that felt very different from anything else he had sensed, yet also seemed a fair bit familiar.
His heart thumped in a steady pace, the noise echoing in his ears and soothing him. It was a familiar thing.
The peculiar sound of the song of life and death; his song of life and death.
It began thumping louder, beckoning him towards a direction. He barely moved a step when the fog – that previously merely floated around – seemed to disagree with his action. His first step encountered heavy resistance from the formless mist, but Izuku was not dissuaded. He forced his body to move, to follow the song.
His feet felt as if encased in concrete and his body struggled almost as if submerged in molasses, yet the vampire pushed. He had something to accomplish, even if his memory was faulty. There was a reason for him to keep pushing, to not stop struggling.
He felt the distance shorten, the beckoning song increasing in tempo as he pushed through the fog towards the origin of the sound.
He was Midoriya Izuku! He would not be stopped!
*KA-CHING* *KLA-KACAM!*
"Arrhhhg!" The vampire released a pained groan as something pierced his legs, arms and back. Pointed, piercing pain spread from his body as the offending foreign bodies tried to stop him. Yet even under the vicious pain, Izuku continued to push towards the source of the song.
TAKE THE BARGAIN! SAVE HER! IT IS THE ONLY WAY!
"Shhhhhhhhh!" Izuku hissed as the pressure on his mind grew tenfold, almost making so that the vampire wished he could pierce his own brain to scramble the grey matter in an attempt to alleviate it. He fell to his knees, the sound of clinking chains echoing around.
They were unfamiliar to him. He knew chains, he used them to keep his own instincts from running loose. Yet, these were unfamiliar to him.
Black-red tendrils were shackling him. They were trying to take something away from him, but they were struggling. He was struggling against their hold. Against their wish to make him surrender.
He snarled, forcing his aching body to follow through. He was not a slave!
Struggling with all his might, Izuku slowly began to lift his knees from the floor, the effort making his mind blanket in searing-white pain, but he fought against the hold. He had to.
He would not relent, even if he had to crawl on the floor like a maggot!
His struggles brought him to the source of the sound that thumped in his ears: A raised throne sitting in the middle of a wrecked room. Beautiful paintings were carelessly tossed on the floor, some had their frames broken and others looked faded. Some were not even completed, but still none were in their correct place.
The tendrils digging into his flesh pulled and for a moment Izuku thought that he would pass out, so strong was the pain. Still, he took various deep breathes, his face a mess as drool freely dripped from his mouth. He had arrived where he was supposed to be.
The black-red tendrils thickened and became chains, the links not busy trying to restrain him sinking into the tile floor to try and keep him in place. The fog that lingered concentrated, forming a figure that was most likely looking at him.
Take the deal! Finish it!
It had no head or any distinguishing features for that matter. It was merely a humanoid frame, its head a wisp of black-red fog that billowed into the void. This…creature was the source of the terrible fog. The only possible feature that differentiated it from a mannequin was its smug grin, a faux smile that could not hide the infinite greed behind it.
It extended a hand towards him in a gesture of kindness.
"…it can be over, you know?"
Izuku ignored the limb and the voice, raising one foot to step on the ascending spiraling steps that lead towards the unfinished throne. He needed to reach it, there was something there that belonged to him.
"…all that pointless struggle is valiant, but utterly foolish. They will not accept you. You are a monster in their eyes."
The vampire tried to build a rumbling roar in his throat, but all that he managed to release was a pathetic grunt of pain, his flesh being pulled back by the chains. They almost pulled him away from the steps, but he refused to accept defeat. The teen got on his knees, his clawed fingers finding purchase on the steps as he dug into them with firm determination.
Some claws broke and exposed his fingers to the harsh stone of the steps, yet Izuku firmly held on. He had a throne to reach.
"…would it not be easier to just give up? You cannot be like them! They are pure! You are not! You carry a darkness within that will consume anything it comes close to. You are tainted. I understand you, I'm just like you. I'll ease your pain. You just need to make a bargain with me! It is for your own good! It will be just like a dream…"
Izuku could not bring himself to deny the words spoken by the figure. He was a monster. He was acutely aware that he could not be more different than most people.
…
…
…
That was his sin to carry. His burden to shoulder.
…
…
…
"…"
"…what do you say? That throne, it's your objective, right? I'll alleviate your burden. Pass it to me, the job of sitting upon it."
Izuku hissed, tears stinging his eyes as the piercing chains pulled him, testing his grip on the stone steps. He barely held on, his hands trembling as blood pooled under his remaining claws, flowing from the broken ones.
"…there is no need for struggles anymore. I am your savior. Trust me and let go."
Izuku released his left hand, his claws broken and incapable of finding any purchase on the stony steps. Only his right hand remained, most of his claws cracked and weak.
"Good, that's it. Rest easy! I'll carry it for you." The figure approached and beckoned with its hands.
…
…
…
"[Rage!]" Izuku pulled on the last of his strength and put it all in this one last blow. The blood that previously soaked and dripped uselessly from his left hand hardened into sharp claws. They aimed at the figure's face, sinking into the fog and cracking against something. His last-ditch blood claws were brittle things, but they stunned the figure. That was all that Izuku needed.
The tendrils-chains that pierced his flesh pulled again, but this time Izuku was ready. He fought back with all his remaining might, letting his skin and flesh be pulled until it ripped. An animalistic howl of pain left his mouth, but the vampire was free. He turned around in one quick motion and grabbed the tendril-chains, pulling them closer to himself.
"I WILL BE THE JUDGE OF MY OWN FATE!" He shouted, the flayed skin of his back spraying blood all over the steps. Yet his grip of the tendrils was uncontested. He pulled them until they were close to his mouth, the vampire chomping into them almost as if they were a meal. "I DECIDE WHAT BURDENS I CARRY!"
*CRACKKKKKKK!*
The links broke and the chains were separated, the vampire carrying the stolen links in his mouth as he began to ascend the steps in a rushed frenzy. Every second that went by his strength was sapped and he felt his power abandon him, but he could not stop. The Old Blood would not stop him!
The throne that lay atop the stairs was an unfinished thing. It seemed complete, but something was missing. Izuku cared not for it.
He approached it, finding a leather-bound book left on the seat. It was a book that he had seen before. He grabbed and stared at it, now understanding what was missing from the throne. It had a sole purpose: to house a sovereign.
The figure that had tempted him suddenly appeared before him, its cold fury contained and tempered. It found Izuku to be sitting on the throne, the leather-bound book dyeing itself crimson-red as the teen stared ahead, eyes challenging the specter.
The book lay open on his lap, blood flowing from its pages and into the vampire. Atop the throne only the ceiling of the ballroom existed, a decorated arch housing a few, select painting frames.
The figure let a smile spread on its lips, the vampire now challenging it with a vicious grin of his own.
"I am my own monster! I'm not making any bargains, All For One!"
"…I see…" The figure let the foggy mist dispel from its body, revealing the suited figure of the villain. "Very well, Midoriya Izuku." The man spoke in an amused tone, not at all bothered by the supremacy of the vampire in the battle of wills that had happened. "Enjoy your reign while it lasts, oh king in red!"
Izuku felt his blood boil, eager to respond to his call. The fog that permeated every inch of his mind being purged as a red mist began to consume it.
"I'll tear yours down, king in black!"
"I eagerly wait your challenge!" AFO replied, the amused tone never leaving. He began to dissipate, but Izuku could still hear his breathing, almost as if it was right by his ears.
[XXX]
[XXX]
All For One retracted his hand from the glass container, the various red-black tendrils that he used to interact with the body housed in the giant glass tube returning to his hand.
"It has been a fairly long time since I was rejected this badly." The man spoke in a fond tone, almost as if speaking of a dearly cherished family member. He turned his back on the glass container, walking towards a medical chair. Taking off his large and intimidating breathing mask apparatus, he sat on the comfort chair and waited.
Soon enough a purple-black warp in reality appeared, a diminutive and mustachioed elder exiting it with a hurried gait.
"Master, it was a bit reckless of you to use it like this." The elder was wearing a coat and thick-rimmed glasses, his hobbling steps carrying him close to the imposing villain. Rapidly, but with precise touches, the doctor began to connect the various machines that eased the burden on the man's body. "Was his quirk that appealing?"
AFO chuckled, taking a deep (and aided) breath, his lips splitting into a wide smile. "You have no idea, doctor! Nature truly is one fascinating thing, right? To create – rather spontaneously might I say – such a quirk so similar to mine! It truly is the work of art! He resisted [Nightmare], [Mind Hook] and [Siren's Song] all on his own, while also fiercely opposing my own quirk. Dare I say, he would have copied [All For One] if given the chance." The villain explained, his amused mood a mystery to his physician.
"Then, wouldn't you rather take his quirk away now that it is immature than to wait for further development?" The doctor asked, but his voice began to dip into excitement. "By your description he could reach Singularity." He fixed his gaze into the glass tube that the villain was previously connected with, watching the naked and unconscious body of Izuku float into a green fluid.
Right next to the teen also stood nine other glass tubes, the one immediate to his right housing an also unconscious Ragdoll. The other tubes were filled with a variety of Noumus, their skin dipping into a blue-ish black tone.
AFO chuckled. "Dear doctor, why would I ever do that? While his quirk is very delectable, it also is very loyal to its owner. Do you pluck an unripe fruit before it can reach its full maturity? That would spoil the taste." The villain hummed, his scarred head then moving towards the other end of the laboratory, where a few machines were busy. "Besides, he arrived with a bunch of gifts for us. It wouldn't be courteous for us to take more than our fair share."
The doctor nodded, finished with his check-ups on the man. He then moved towards the glass tube housing Izuku, his eyes hidden behind his thick lenses. He touched the glass, and soon enough the man was hurrying away from Izuku with wobbly steps. He rushed towards the closest Noumu besides the teen, the glass container housing the creature which was the base for the various copies the vampire had fought during his confinement. Touching the glass, Doctor Garaki finally could breath.
He immediately turned to his master, barely managing to avoid spilling the contents of his stomach on the floor. "Ahh…ahhh…ahh…that is something else for sure."
All For One's smile stretched further and further, the maliciousness that emanated from it without equal. "Right? [Replica] doesn't duplicate them at full power, but you can understand its potential."
The doctor took a few moments to compose himself. "All the more reason to take it now, before it can develop."
All For One shook his head. "Sentient quirks are some of the most troublesome for me to acquire. They do not settle down quietly and need to be coaxed into obedience. If I were to simply rip away [True Ancestor] from Midoriya, I'll most likely find myself too busy trying to wrestle control from it than find true use for it."
The doctor took to a thinking man's pose. "Hence why you used [Nightmare] and [Siren's Song]."
"Indeed, and yet," The villain hummed. "Midoriya has resisted them." He would have continued talking, but something seemed to have gathered his attention. "Doctor, be prepared to change locations and please put a rush on my request."
Garaki raised a brow in question, but soon furrowed his brows. "You mean to tell me…"
AFO's genuine smile dropped into a casual one, something most likely used for business. "Our hero friends have finally moved into action." The villain got comfortable in his chair, seeing the scientist rush to his worktable, the automatic machines previously working at their own leisure now being controlled by the man to put a hurry on the project.
They were building another mask, this one sleeker and less cumbersome than the bulky piece they had previously built. It was one thing to work with the common technology and blueprints; working with the knowledge how to hyper-weave materials and nano-tech was a different monster altogether.
You had your uses, Wolfram, but allow me to thank you, since you were far more beneficial in death. All For One mused, feeling his body beg for him to take another go at Izuku's. I haven't felt this excited since I last clashed with you, little brother! I can't wait to see what All Might can withstand this time!
[XXX]
[XXX]
[League of Villains' Main hideout – Shigaraki's base]
[Time: 20:27 P.M – 16 days after Midoriya Izuku's kidnapping]
"So, let me see if I got this right…" Magne pleaded, although one could see that the villain was clearly at his wit's end trying to deal with the situation in the hideout. Shigaraki had messaged everyone, his request that they gather back on the main hideout, as he wanted to settle some plans give some directions. A bit unusual, considering his modus operandi, but he was the leader of their flimsy alliance.
Much to Magne's surprise, most of the villains that were called did answer to the call. Dabi, Spinner, Twice, Toga and himself. They had lost a few members to the raid on UA's summer camp, but muscleheads and reckless villains would only get in the way. In all honesty Magne had half a mind to jump ship and only keep in contact with Kurogiri (since his bar was always stocked with the good stuff and he made decent company as a bartender), but he pushed it a bit more due to Toga.
Villain groups weren't exactly known for their cohesion and cooperation past the occasional robbery or mass attack, but the little blonde sociopath managed to worm herself in Magne's heart. That the girl would behave mostly as a high school girl was a bonus too, since Magne got to experience a bit of that phase that he never got to experience during his high school years.
"You want to 'get to know us?'" He repeated the words that the villain told them as they gathered around a table with drinks and food.
The lanky villain couldn't be clearly more out of his zone. He had his hoodie up and tight around his body, the bags under his eyelids a sight to behold. He – at the very least – ditched the various hands that made his villain outfit, their strong smell not something anyone wanted to be huffing in when eating sushi.
"I spent some time thinking, and noticed that outside of our banner and cause, I barely know anything about you." He explained, red pupils focusing on Toga. "If we are to make this thing work, I figured that I might as well know you. Understand what truly made you stay."
Dabi scoffed, but did gather a few fillets on his plate before speaking. "That's a tough sell, boss."
Shigaraki narrowed his eyes. However, much to the group's surprise, he did not blow into a rant or throw a temper tantrum. He took a deep breath, took his seat and motioned for Kurogiri to pour him a drink. "I got another video out to burn UA's rep, but these petty distractions don't amount to much when we consider who we are targeting. We need to strike where it truly hurts for them, and that is their idol."
Dabi ate his portion in silence, his eyes glancing at the blonde girl at the corner of the table. Himiko paid enough attention to her leader to not arise any suspicion, but Dabi had spent a fair amount of time observing and learning about people. Normally Toga would be impossible to read, but something recently had shaken her bad. And now their incompetent leader had gotten around to actually trying developing some leadership skills.
Did that monster move? Maybe he got dibs into our little guest? Shigaraki was putting the kid through the grinder, but maybe he was softening up the meat for his teacher? I guess that's the end of our little game, Toga-chan. Maybe better luck next time. He mused. Considering the future, it might be more productive for him to be a mercenary for the league instead of a full-fledged member. Less connection and risks that way; Giran had fixed him with the gig, he could do others alright.
The atmosphere around the villain hideout was fairly decent, all things considered. They were all relaxed, eating and drinking their fill. After ninety minutes of their gathering a knock on their front door occurred.
~knock knock~
"Pizza-la! Pizza-la!" A young voice echoed from the door, the villains all staring into each other, then focusing their gazes all back on their young leader, the man himself as confused as the rest of the group.
"You guys bought pizza?" Shigaraki curiously asked.
"That wasn't you?" Dabi quirked a brow up, eyes turning back to the front door.
"I'll get it." Himiko declared in her bubbly tone and stood up, bouncing steps taking her to the front door. Once she opened it, the girl was face to face with someone whom she never imagined she would meet.
Absolutely towering over her, a bright smile plastered over his lips (although it did not extend to his eyes) showing the pearly white teeth he was so famous for; bright blue spandex suit that hugged his frame and left no doubt as to the muscles that this man was packing. He carefully held a few boxes of pizza, offering the junk food to the villain girl as if it was the most common of happenstances.
"Thank you for choosing Pizza-la for tonight!" The booming voice of the symbol of peace reached all the way inside of the hideout, all the villains inside freezing stiff. Himiko robotically accepted the items, backing off inside as slowly as she could; she closed the door and set the pizzas on the coffee table nearby, turning to glance at the other villains, who were all looking at her with wide eyes.
"We are fucked." Toga stated, immediately throwing her body sideways, the door exploding under the power of the man's punch.
"SSSSSSSSSSSSMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH!"
Almost like a bomb had been set off, the door was blown off its hinges, air pressure being pushed inside the room and sweeping pretty much everything and everyone off their feet. Dust rose and blocked everyone's view, but that was not a problem for the task force gathered to tackle on the villains.
Before any of them could mount any measure of offense, someone zipped inside the hideout, loud smacking noises echoing as a speedster blitzed the group.
"You really ought to learn some self-control." An elder's voice echoed in the room, the dust closer to the door dispersing as the speedster appeared, holding on stand-by in case he was needed again. Dressed in a yellow and white costume with a bright-yellow cape, the silver-haired elder was someone very few people knew or remembered.
"Thank you for your efforts, Gran Torino-sensei." All Might's booming voice resounded, the man's tone completely different from the usual warm and friendly voice everyone was used to. This was All Might completely serious.
The elder scoffed, standing back and letting the police-hero joint task force begin to flood in the hideout, the dispersing dust revealing the two groups.
Twice and Spinner were out for the count, the lizard-man sporting visible bruises on him chin while the other masked villain foamed through his costume's mask. Magne nursed his arm close to his chest, having managed to mount a defense against the knockout blow. Dabi emerged from under the table, having used it as a shield (the furniture smashed into wood kindling) and Kurogiri did protect both himself and Shigaraki. Toga was out of sight, but there was no doubt that the villainess was still inside the hideout as there had been no time for her to make a stealthy escape.
The remaining villains quickly huddled together even while under the sights of the Symbol of Peace and the many policemen in riot gear, unwilling to simply submit to the hero. Shigaraki looked absolutely livid, his hands madly twitching as he stared All Might as hard as he could.
"YOU!" He snarled, almost rushing to attack the hero. Were it not Dabi's hand slamming into the lanky villain's chest, he would have probably merely rushed to his capture.
"Calm down, leader-san! I might not be fully committed to your little club, but you still need to pay me. Can't collect payment from a villain in prison." The half-burnt man explained, his other free limb already pointed at the heroes, blue flame sprouting atop his palm.
Magne took on a boxer's stance. "Some very pretty heroes have arrived. If I knew we were expecting visitors, I would have dressed a bit better." He jeered, but it was clear that the situation was far from ideal.
Besides All Might and the elder hero, someone else slowly entered the hideout, the figure making the group further widen their eyes in apprehension. His attire could not be mistaken, the navy-blue and red making for a very distinct scheme. The hair and mask also dead-giveaway towards the man's identity.
"I'm glad you took the time to accompany me, Edgeshot." The Symbol of Peace let his words resonate within the wrecked hideout, the identified hero merely nodding to him.
Anyone with working eyes could see that Edgeshot was not pleased. His normally neutral gaze had taken on a sharp edge that was unsettling for even the police and his fellow heroes.
"The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can focus our efforts into rescuing Midoriya." The shinobi hero's voice sent shivers down the villains' spines, the man's gaze firm and challenging. Shigaraki would never admit, but that smoldering gaze was setting off many alarm bells in his mind. Heroes were supposed to play by the rules, but right now it was clear that the shinobi was chomping at the bit, waiting for any excuse that he could use to slice his throat.
Ironically, it was All Might's presence that was holding Edgeshot back. Had this raid been under the shinobi hero's command, Shigaraki had a feeling that he would have found himself with a second smile carved on throat before he could have reacted. The very thought that All Might "saved" him infuriated the villain even further.
"EVERY TIME!" He spoke through gnashed teeth, clenching his hands into fists so hard that some blood began seeping from his palms.
Edgeshot grabbed a few shuriken and threw the projectiles towards a specific spot in the room, a figure suddenly appearing to the other policemen and even the heroes.
Toga's frame appeared into reality under a disguise, her usual form hidden as she turned into a common office lady, her hands sporting two knives that she used to defend herself from the ninja stars. She clicked her teeth in annoyance, having been found out by the stealth specialist. She did manage to reunite with her fellow villains, but the situation was still not improving for the group.
To make matters worse, spotlights began shining all around their hideout, an electronically enhanced voice loudly echoed due to a megaphone speaker.
/SHIGARAKI TOMURA AND LEAGUE OF VILLAINS, YOU ARE SURROUNDED! GIVE UP AND LET YOURSELVES BE APREHENDED! THIS WILL BE YOUR ONLY WARNING!/ Sansa's (detective Naomasa's trusted partner) voice echoed, the neko officer surrounded by even more reinforcements and heroes, Endeavor also observing the situation from his location. With their tight formation there would be no gaps for the villains to escape, the plan being meticulously scrutinized by Nezu, Aizawa and Tsukauchi ever since the young teen from 1-A had been taken.
At first the group was going to raid a warehouse on the far west side of Kamino, their hint for the location the faint signal of Izuku's Full Gauntlet that UA's principal managed to track down with the aid of the equipment's creator, Melissa Shield: that gave them a rough outline of the location, the following days being used to further narrow down the effective search area and likely places that could house the vampire without him breaking out on his own.
However, an anonymous source reached out to the higher ups and eventually information fell onto the police's lap about a second priority target, the location of the League of Villain's main hideout in Kamino ward's downtown area, which gave the heroes and the government the chance to finally apprehend the group and their troublesome leader.
Two task forces were prepared for the raid, their main goal to rapidly apprehend the villains without giving them any chance to flee or to mount any type of resistance.
The first group consisted of speedy and heavy-hitter individuals: All Might, Endeavor, Gran Torino, Edgeshot, and Mt. Lady made the team that would guarantee the capture of the villains. That was without mentioning the myriad of supporting heroes outside, all ready to act.
The second group – responsible for raiding the warehouse – was made of restrain and shutdown specialists that would stomp out any other villains as well as subdue a possible berserk Izuku. Considering the videos that had been used in the League of Villains' smear campaign against both UA and the young teen, it was taken into plan that the vampire might not initially be capable of recognizing friend from foe. Thus, the necessary members of the second squad being: Eraserhead, Kamui Woods, Best Jeanist and Tiger. Even Naomasa joined in.
Both groups had ample police and other hero agencies' support, but most of the Kamino Ward's force was instructed to aid the first group, the possibility of a fight breaking out warranting the precaution. Their plan was meticulous and covered any possible actions that the villains might take.
They would end this farce once and for all.
…
…
…
And yet, Endeavor could not dismiss the light tug in his gut. It was an instinct born out of his countless patrol hours and many cases dealing with all types of villain scum. There was something that they were missing, something that they were overlooking.
What was it?
"Have All Might finish this already." The flaming giant of muscle crossed his arms and barked his order at the neko officer. Sansa was startled at the sudden request but did grab his radio to relay the Second Top Ranker's request.
[XXX]
[XXX]
A lone warehouse on the border of Kamino Ward, just on the edge of Yokohama's prefecture. That was the second group's target. Izuku was being kept there, most likely under surveillance by a few other villains.
Nothing that they couldn't handle.
Naomasa watched through binoculars from a fair distance, barely managing to keep up with Aizawa's movements as the man and his fellow heroes closed in on the building, eager to avoid giving up any signs of their approach. They would take the villains by surprise and rescue Izuku for sure!
It took even Principal Nezu a while to uncover the hidden signal that Izuku's special equipment was sending, the villains would never see it coming.
"This is Eraserhead…no contact so far…over." Aizawa's whispering was transmitted into their comm units. Some tension dyed the pro-hero's voice, but that couldn't be helped. Aizawa had been on a hunt ever since the kidnapping happened, the man taking full responsibility for it.
About two weeks had gone by ever since Izuku was kidnapped. After the first week the League of Villains had begun putting out videos to harm Izuku's reputation, Naomasa only getting the worst of them yesterday, almost as if receiving a devil's invitation to witness a despairing show. Nonetheless, with their raid plans firmly established and their resolve emboldened by the harsh, villainous act against the teen, the heroes and the police acted.
Kamui Woods and Aizawa rendezvoused on the warehouse's rooftop while Beast Jeanist and Tiger sneaked closer to one of the side entrances on the ground floor, tension building up among the hidden police force that remained on stand-by far from their location to avoid any possible way that might give them away.
Naomasa himself had already prepped his own gear, waiting for just the heroes' command to get his forces to burst in the warehouse and finally end this nightmare.
The foursome of heroes entered the dark building in two points, ready to pincer-attack and subdue anyone guarding the place and avoid setting off alarms. Yet, strangely enough no one was present there besides the heroes and the junk that occupied the warehouse. Aizawa carefully began to sweep over the building, the other three following the hobo-looking hero's example and doing their own perimeter sweep.
"This is Kamui Woods, over…are we sure that this is the right place?" The young hero spoke into his comm unit, trying his best to keep his voice as low as possible.
"Nezu is not the type to make amateur mistakes, Woods. Do focus on your search; this is a villain's base, so of course it would be hidden." Aizawa quickly cut the younger hero, his orders sounding very harsh.
"Sorry…" Kamui's apology was suppressed, the man flinching at being admonished.
"Don't be so inelegant, Eraserhead. You won't be able to dissuade the public's worries if you are this brutish and poorly groomed." Jeanist's words were answered mostly by radio silence, a mere scoffing grunt being the most he managed to get as an apology out of the scruffy underground hero.
"Eraser is right." A curt answer came from their fourth member, Tiger. "We've barely begun our search, don't give up so easily. Lives are at stake here."
Tiger had as much personal interest in this search as UA's 1-A homeroom teacher. His teammate and fellow hero had also been kidnapped together with a student. Tiger, as the group's (the Wild, Wild Pussycats) main fighter and muscle felt disappointment in himself for failing to stop the villains back on the camp and allowing them such victory. He promised to make things right. They were to rescue both Izuku and Tomoko.
Kamui was going around a stack of metal containers as he listened to the radio chat, trying his best to search for the so hidden entrance that would lead them where they needed. "You are right, I apologize, Eraserhe–Woah!" Suddenly the hero had to dodge a gloved hand that tried to grab his face, immediately countering by launching a few wooden spikes out of his arms. "I am under attack! I repeat, I'm under attack!"
The three heroes were quick to zero-in on Kamui's location, the hero having to fend off a strange being that was quickly becoming a usual and eye-sore type of enemy for the civil servants. A bluish-black skinned Noumu, the creature guarding someone behind it.
The four heroes frowned as the dark warehouse was suddenly lit up, the ceiling lights brightening the whole place. The figure behind the Noumu was revealed, Tiger tightening his posture and preparing for combat.
"This is indeed the right place, Kamui. I remember seeing this one back on camp." Tiger exclaimed, pumping up his fighting spirit, just about ready to pounce upon the man.
The villain protected behind the Noumu shrugged his shoulders. "Hero-san, it is no good to be so tense, you know? Why don't I show you a magic trick?" Mr. Compress did an elegant bow, his mask hiding any expression from the heroes and only letting them gauge the enemy through his voice. There was a subtle tension in the villain's voice, the heroes unsure if it was due to the discovery of their hideout or something else.
"The show must go on! We can't have you getting in the way of the main act!" Compress theatrically played about behind the protection of his Noumu, suddenly being in possession of marbles between his fingers. There were about eight marbles on his hands and no doubt many more in his person, but the current ones were colored. Four deep-blues, one green, one yellow and two black ones. "It's show time!"
Damn, he was right. If things are this bad here, how is it on the boss's side? Compress let his thoughts swim inside his head, the man carefully depositing the green and yellow marbles on his suit's breast pocket, aware that he was under the careful watch of one of the most troublesome heroes out there: Eraserhead. Should he play his game wrong here, there was very little doubt that he would find himself arrested and thrown into a dark cell inside Tartarus.
The information that reached him was that the heroes' raids could not be stopped or redirected. So hungry for retribution were UA that the information barely slipped by and reached the villains as soon as the plan was decided, their mole cutting all contact soon after the information was relayed. The situation was truly serious, and the villains had only a very short time to react.
Were it not for the warning of their true leader, Compress would be one of the members that were bound to be caught off-guard. He then received a task that only someone with his quirk would be suited for. It was tiresome and his leader had vanished before he could relay more orders, but before that happened, the man left him with a command.
Hold the fort, his get-away was planned already.
Compress was a coward. It was how he had survived this far in the villain world. Carefully calculating risk and reward and bailing out if things truly went south, there was no doubt in his mind that if things were to sour up, he would be the first to bail. And yet here he was, squaring up to a group of very pissed off heroes and no doubt an incoming squad of policemen, all ready to dog-pile him if need be. If he were to use American terms, he was literally getting jumped. Why was he acting so differently, then?
Well, that was quite simple.
As much as he was a coward, he also enjoyed living too. You could bail out and bait your common group of thugs and wannabe villains easily enough, but when it came to the big leagues, a false step could spell his end; he still had much that he wanted to accomplish, and it would be rather difficult for him to do anything else should he betray the League of Villains. Not truly due to loyalty, but because their backer and true leader was the demon lord of the underworld.
Slighting All For One never resulted in anything good. Especially if the villain himself had ordered you to do something.
I thought my heart would jump out of my chest. Compress mused, throwing the blue marbles on the floor and canceling his quirk's power on them, suddenly gaining 4 new Noumus to aid in his efforts. He had to hold the fort and keep their precious assets safe until he was called for.
Easy, right?
The red glare of Eraserhead's eyes fully focused on him told another story.
Sighing, Mr. Compress readied himself for the fight of his life.
[XXX]
[XXX]
[UA Tower, UA's Main Campus]
[Time: 23:05 P.M – 16 days after Midoriya Izuku's kidnapping]
Melissa stared at the screen, the device displaying a few camera feeds from the policemen that were on the second squad tasked with Izuku's rescue. She had also being tasked with helping maintain Mei in her place, since if given the chance the girl would have leapt at it and infiltrated herself among the policemen to raid the warehouse. The two girls were safely secured inside UA, more specifically they were in the Principal's office, the furry Nezu with them watching the raid from the safe location.
Melissa's backup plans weren't ready for active testing, so her and Mei's build was not a viable way for that yet. The automatic suit still needed many tests, but it could be used by an individual. Of course just because someone could dress in an armored exo-suit it didn't mean they were invincible, but the armor could improve one's physical abilities to beyond human for a short period of time.
She wondered if she should have put on the suit to help in the raid.
She glanced at Nezu, finding the rat-bear-dog to be busy also staring at the many monitors on the wall. The American girl then let her gaze wonder over to Mei, finding the pink-haired girl to be strangely quiet, too busy with maintaining her focus on the screens. If Melissa felt depressed with the vampire's kidnapping, Mei's days without his presence must have been almost like torture. Hatsume was usually so energetic and erratic that seeing her this…subdued felt wrong. Mei was supposed to be zipping around the place, never on one place for too long. Having her sitting still, almost mute, it was uncomfortable for Melissa, and she barely knew Mei outside of the times Izuku spoke about her during their emails. Most of their time together here had been spent on cracking the Full Gauntlet's spliced geolocation coding and working on the blueprints and initial prototypes for the Avid-Series suits.
They remained on their seats, observing the situation with tense eyes. Even simply watching the camera feeds made their tension rise, the girls and the quirked animal wondering how the rescue would go. Plans could always be endlessly made and many measures could be calculated, but as a wise man once said: no plan survives first contact with the enemy.
That saying became reality right in front of their eyes. The police received their signal and rushed to help the vanguard attacking squad. They found the heroes locked in combat with a myriad of Noumus and one sole villain, the man dressed in what Melissa could identify as some sort of magician's attire, Nezu's beady eyes narrowing by the slightest of margins as he recognized the villain.
The white-furred creature was watching the events unfold from his own work desk, and as the fight began to heat up, he pulled one of his drawers and got himself a headset with a built-in microphone.
"This is Nezu, from UA headquarters, speaking. Requesting direct or assisted control of the police reinforcements, I need to confirm a suspicion." Nezu spoke into his headset's mic, his voice carrying a previously unseen edge. His normally smooth fur had a few wild spots, the principal's paws exposing his hidden claws. "Naomasa-san, are you there?"
Nezu might be civilized and highly intelligent, but in the end he was still an animal, with all the instincts to boot.
Melissa and Mei perked up, Nezu motioning for both to remain in their seats as the villain used his quirk and brought about a new wave of low grade Noumu upon the heroes and their police reinforcement. The principal quickly typed something on his computer, sound suddenly echoing all around the room.
/This is Naomasa together with the Second Raid Team. We are being currently suppressed by the villain Compress and his group of Noumus. What would you have us do?/ A male voice responded to Nezu's inquiry.
"Stealthily gather a few trusted men and circumvent the battle. Also, deploy the recon drone and relinquish control over. I'll guide you." Nezu firmly commanded, pressing another button on his keyboard and muting himself momentarily. "Hatsume-san, please go to that console and take control of the recon drone as soon as it is online. Melissa-san, please do assist Hatsume-san with her needs."
"Yessir!"
"Yes!"
Nezu then returned his focus back on the screens, thankful that he limited his office to only himself and the girls. The fewer people observed this raid and the possibly distressed state of Midoriya the better. The principal of Japan's top hero school still had to run a school, so his usual assistant (Midnight) was busy covering for Aizawa as he was one of the heroes spear-heading the second team's assault.
Nezu had his suspicions; the raid was as secretive as it could be, so for a villain to be waiting for the assault together with Noumus was very worrisome. He only hoped that Izuku could be safely rescued.
[XXX]
[XXX]
Shigaraki's rage had deafened him to most of All Might's recurrent speech as well as the other words of the heroes. His main team was suppressed and SSS-rank heroes invaded his hideout in a raid that he had almost no chance of escaping. Everything looked just about done. There was nothing more that could be done, if he were to believe All Might's words.
"…there is no place to run! You are done!" The Symbol of Peace finished his spiel, ready to place handcuffs on the villain.
Tomura hanged his head low, his awareness of the situation raised to the maximum. Kurogiri would not move fast enough to create a portal for them to flee before they would be attacked, the elder hero in yellow would make sure of that.
It truly looked like game over.
…
…
…
Then, the words of his teacher echoed in his mind.
…
…
…
No one came to rescue you, right? They left that to the heroes and uncaringly left you to rot on the curb. But I am here for you, Tomura. Sensei will always be here for you, to help you stand when you stumble. You merely need to…
…
…
…
The young villain scoffed, raising his head to stare right into All Might's eyes. The two stared at each other, the world seemingly becoming less important as the two exchanged gazes.
All Might widened his eyes as something triggered his fight-or-flight senses. An old feeling, primal and unrelenting.
"…Sensei," Shigaraki calmly said, the neutral and passive tone with which he spoke uncharacteristic of his earlier attitude. "…help me."
…
…
…
"Of course, Tomura." A voice masked by a synthetic filter echoed out, its origin unknown for all present in the room. "I told you that I'll always be there for you."
The room the heroes and villains were suddenly began to emanate a foul stench, a greyish-black sludge appearing out of thin air, various airborne pockets of the substance emerging. They immediately began spilling out, hands and feet emerging from the thick fluid, inhuman moans following as creatures were spat out from the sludge and began attacking the heroes.
"What!?" All Might was surprised by the event, but was quick to collect himself and aim a punch at one of the emerging creatures. How? That warp-villain hasn't moved!
Indeed, Kurogiri had yet to move or act out. His acrid yellow eyes were narrowed, and he was on guard, but nothing signaled that he was using his quirk.
All Might found himself being piled up on by the Noumus, as were his fellow heroes, the inhuman creatures rushing to attack them and push back the police force. Edgeshot drew out his blade and made a tiger hand-seal, his body thinning out until it resembled a red string, the hero slicing through all the creatures that tried to suppress him. Gran Torino rushed to try and get a hit on Kurogiri, but suddenly even the villain were spitting out the greyish sludge, all the villains looking considerably surprised at the ongoing event.
All Might crossed his arms, about five Noumu creatures hanging on his frame and trying their best to immobilize the hero. "They are trying to escape!" He shouted, pumping his muscles and executing one of his well-known techniques. "Oklahoma Smash!"
All the villains were spitting out the nauseating sludge, the fluid beginning to cover up the entirety of their bodies as more and more Noumus were being spawned into existence.
"I'd recommend against following us. I'm merely here as a guardian, watching out for my child." The chilling voice spoke again, the warning a clear threat.
All Might clenched his teeth as his move dispersed the Noumu that were hanging on him, Edgeshot making short work of the creatures by severing their heads. The heroes then realized that they were left with a mountain of Noumus, the creatures fleeing from the room and indiscriminately began to attack everyone in their surroundings, the support team behind now trying to contain the creatures from attacking nearby civilians and houses.
The Symbol of Peace was just about ready to jump into the fray to deal with the creatures when he felt a pull in his innards, a coughing fit escaping his lips momentarily. The next moment Gran Torino was by his side.
"Oi, you are pushing it unnecessarily again, you reckless fool!" The elder admonished the hero, glancing around and seeing that the other heroes were taking care of the situation. The creatures that All Might was about to target were now downed, their backs pierced by a few lances of flames, a certain muscled flaming hero already mobilizing his efforts into damage control. "Sometimes you gotta leave some work for others."
All Might panted a bit, but soon regained his breath. "I can still go on. I still haven't passed it on."
Gran Torino narrowed his eyes. "Didn't take ya for a fool, Toshi. If you die while holding it, the future will be mighty grim, especially with that old ghost still alive." The old hero commented, seeing the blonde regain his powerful stature.
"I know, but I still haven't made up my mind." All Might stated, glancing at his right hand and finding it sticky with blood. He raised his eyes upwards, tapping into the comm unit in his ear. "Second squad, how goes in your end? Have you managed to secure Midoriya-shonen?"
Static was wall that echoed in the earpiece, the hero finding a growing worry growing in his gut.
"Eraserhead?! Tiger?! Jeanist?!" The hero once more called out. Yet, communications were still unachieved, static being the only thing that echoed in his ear. Eventually All Might gave up, preparing to follow his instinct. If he moved now, he could arrive within five minutes. He glanced towards Endeavor, seeing the Second Top-Ranker already commission the police under his command. "Endeavor! The villains managed to flee! I'm following in pursuit!" All Might shouted over.
Endeavor looked up to the Symbol of Peace. "If you have time to waste speaking, you should already be gone! Hurry up!" Endeavor shouted back, rushing another Noumu and gut-checking the creature, his flames taking the shape of three pikes that pierced the bioweapon and charred it into uselessness.
All Might let a small smile grow in his lips before he knelt down. Pushing the floor of the building he was on with great force, the hero used the rebound to fling himself into the air, almost as if he was truly flying. A few meters behind the hero, Gran Torino tried to match the Symbol of Peace's speed.
"That stubborn streak of yours is almost the same as hers. She was gone too soon; she could stand with having taught you a bit more." The elder hero complained to the wind, rushing to try and keep up with All Might.
Endeavor watched as the two flew rapidly out of eyesight, the Flame Hero still feeling the unsettlement stir in his gut. He decided to put a rush on the job, feeling that All Might would need reinforcements.
…
…
…
…
Compress barely dodged the sharp claws of Tiger's cat-gloves, his suit damaged and tie severed by the glancing blow. He backed off just in time to escape from the grasp of Aizawa's special capture weapon, the remaining Noumus too busy dealing with Best Jeanist and Kamui Woods to assist him.
He patted his chest, feeling stinging pain course through his torso, his yellow gloves now sporting a crimson streak. He patted his chest again, trying to find the items that he had stashed there, only for a sinking feeling to emerge in his stomach as he did not feel the marbles.
The villain had little time to ponder, as more police members stormed in the warehouse, the reinforcement from the heroes had arrived. And to make matters worse, some sort of invisible attack slammed into him, Compress feeling his ears ring terribly and his body felt shaky and ill. One of his last Noumu beasts rushed his way, managing to pick him up before anyone else and retreat to the very corner of the building, the heroes circling and approaching, the remaining Noumu completely subdued.
"Ahhh hahaha…this is not exactly fair…" He whined, noticing the reason for his terrible nausea.
Gang Orca was there along with the police, the mafia-styled cetacean hero focusing his terrible eyes (and snout) on him. "Surrender, villain!"
Eraserhead noticed that after Tiger's attack the villain seemed terribly worried. The wound he had received was not that worrisome, so that got the underground hero thinking. His eyes scanned the warehouse's floor, suddenly finding a few marbles to be rolling out on the floor. The shine of his quirk were settled upon the marbles, the hero focusing on the ones that stood out from the bunch.
All the marbles shone, reflecting the light of the erasure hero's power. And almost like it was a trick of light, the marbles decompressed, and suddenly various big medical pods emerged from the marbles, along with a myriad of expensive looking equipment.
"Ahhh, now the boss is going to kill me for sure." Compress's voice echoed, the villain unsure of his next step, surrounded by heroes and police as he was.
Tiger examined one of the medical pods, eyes growing wide at the contents inside them. His cat glove immediately crashed against the medical equipment's glass, breaking it and causing the fluid inside to suddenly flush out. He was quick to secure the person inside his targeted pod, Gang Orca and Best Jeanist recognizing their fellow heroine.
""Ragdoll!""
Tiger carefully cradled the unconscious heroine in his arms, brushing a few wet locks of hair from her face. He tried to gently awake the woman, but she remained out for the moment.
Seeing Tomoko being rescued, Aizawa was quick to check upon the other pods. A few moments later, the hero laid eyes upon the mission's target. Their efforts were not in vain, Izuku was here, just about to be rescued. The erasure hero took a calmer approach to the situation and with a quick scan of the equipment he was able to find a button labeled release. Pressing it, the hero backed off a few steps, letting the pod do its job. It lit up, machinery beeping to life as steam hissed from one of its vents, the fluid properly being drained before the glass casing slid off, the unconscious and naked Midoriya Izuku finally rescued.
Jeanist was quick to wrap Compress with his own clothing fibers, finally also capturing the villain before he had a chance to escape.
"Hmm, what do we have here?" A baritone voice echoed inside the warehouse, the heroes and the police squad present finding chills to be going down their spines. They didn't have target to focus on, but it was clear that someone else had arrived here.
"Something is not right." Best Jeanist commented, returning his focus upon the only sentient captured villain. "What is going on?"
Compress shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea, but my guess is tha – ah! Hurgh!" Suddenly the mask that was firmly settled on the villain's face shifted, something spilling from the lower mouth-portion. Greyish sludge.
Best Jeanist was about to relay the information to the first squad when suddenly he flinched, his ear piece whining a terrible high pitch in his ear, the communication equipment useless for its function. The hero glanced around, finding that his fellow heroes were suffering the same problem, and in the police's case, their radios were sparking off.
"This combination was already great, but with her quirk it has become a sure communication killer, huh?" The baritone voice echoed again, the heroes soon finding their attention being called to the center of the warehouse. There was something there.
…
…
…
No.
There was someone.
Aizawa activated his quirk and looked towards the direction his instincts were screaming for him to avoid.
…
…
…
It wasn't enough.
…
…
…
A few meters up in the air. There he was.
Sporting perfectly polished shoes, a two-piece immaculate black suit, a straight red tie that did not look one millimeter out of place: the very image of a businessman.
…
…
…
Except for that.
…
…
…
A slick black mask that was fixed on the man's head and hid it from sight; his head was tilted down, almost as if they were looking at a man that had been sentenced to death by hanging execution. The mask only served to further add to that feeling, as it seemed to be built in resemblance to a skull.
…
…
…
"This is a fine mess, but don't worry Tomura. You only need to try and try again; I'll secure as many chances as you want. After all, how could I abandon her lovely grandson?" Mirth filled the voice of the man, the heroes and the police unsure of their next course of action. And then…
…
…
…
"Now, let's begin the clean-up, no?"
*Bzt bzt* *C-crackle C-crackle*
…
…
…
Izuku's eyes cracked open, the vampire's body suddenly expelling copious amounts of blood and shadow matter. He shot the rapidly formed tendrils towards the policemen and the heroes closest to him, trying to envelop them as best as he could as he felt the sudden change in pressure.
"Ninpou Hissatsu: Teppeki no Bogyo! (Shinobi Arts Ultimate Move: Ironclad Defense)"
Black-red lightning crackled around the suit-wearing man floating up in the warehouse, air gathering around his right arm and then rushing towards the ground floor, destroying absolutely everything in its path.
Izuku felt his blood and shadows be shaved away, doing his best to shield everyone in his range. The shockwave of air was shaving away at his already-low blood reserves, yet the vampire grits his teeth and did his best to endure.
Something stringy wrapped around his blood, reinforcing it and soaking up the life-fluid, doing its best to aid in his efforts as destruction was wrecked around. Izuku could feel the intention.
He was barely conscious, and his head throbbed in pounding pain, but there was something about it that he could recognize: The heroic intent.
The wish to protect, to save.
The burden upon him was eased by the reinforcing strings, his blood doing its best to work in tandem with the foreign power to resist the worse of the shockwave. He could feel the buildings around him crumble and break, but something solid got in the way of the destructive wind, further aiding his efforts in trying to save everyone.
The rushing and deafening wind continued for a good minute or two, Izuku unable to focus on anything that wasn't keeping his defenses.
It took a while for him to even understand what had happened, and even more time for the dirt cloud that formed to settle down. And as it did, Izuku's hazy eyes took in a sight straight out of an apocalyptic web-novel. There were no other words to describe it besides that.
There was a clearing created by the air blast, its power so great it had carved the ground until it hit the solid bedrock under the city. The buildings in the destruction's outer ring were devastated and looked ready to fall over, no lights beside that of the moon and the further far-off buildings giving some glow to the area. It looked like a bomb had gone off, their surroundings looking like the set of a war-movie. Izuku wasn't sure of their location, but by the degree of destruction he could sense, the wreckage went over and consumed just about half of whatever district they were at.
The vampire was barely conscious, fighting took and nail against his terrible headache and tired body. He glanced around, seeing one of the reasons why their defense against the life-threat had been successful. Mt. Lady was slowly returning to her normal size, her hero suit shredded and an absolute mess; the heroine had used her own body as a shield to help them withstand the impact that cleaved through the buildings.
Pulling on his power (and feeling nauseous at doing so), Izuku managed to pull in the remaining blood back into his body, his emaciated-looking frame regaining some of its vigor. The teen noticed some clothing strings scattered all around them, the person responsible for them emerging from the rubble.
"B-b-best J-j-jeanist…" Izuku managed to call out, his voice hoarse and feeble. The hero looked at him, seeing that Izuku was awake, if only barely. The man slowly began to make his way towards the vampire, wobbling and stepping hard.
The vampire's senses told him that everyone that he managed to cover with his blood and shadow matter had survived, although it was impossible to fully gauge the extent of their injuries. He could smell blood in the air, the usually so enticing scent now barely tickling his [Thirst]. Izuku had pushed himself to his very limits, the only reason he managed to wake up being [True Ancestor]. If he had time to gather his thoughts, the vampire would say that his control over his quirk had increased; unfortunately, right now there were bigger priorities to pay attention to.
Such as the sour, foul scent that began to emanate in the air. Besides the terrible menace floating up called All For One, Izuku could now spot a few other villains emerging from airborne piles of gray sludge. Best Jeanist finally reached the teen's side.
"How are you, Midoriya-kun?" The hero asked, seeing that Izuku was still naked. He made to use his quirk to get the teen something to cover up with, but Izuku raised a hand to stop the hero.
His shadows darkened and began to crawl up his legs like they were alive, going up until they covered the teen's crotch and finally gave him some decency. The teen looked pale and tired as all hell, but as the saying went; there is no rest for the wicked.
The villains looked around confused, wondering how and why they were teleported here.
"Kurogiri, please to take us to a proper location. There is only so much I can do with my own teleportation." The baritone voice echoed all around the field, Izuku perking up to the sound.
The gaseous villain was surprised at his sudden reallocation, but the voice of his master immediately got him out of his stupor. "Right away, master."
Yet, even as the warp villain tried his best to use his power, no new warp portals emerged. Kurogiri widened his acrid yellow eyes, further trying to push his power to answer him. Yet, no matter how hard he focused or pushed, he could not use his quirk.
"What's wrong, Kurogiri! Warp us already!" Shigaraki (managing to be the first to wipe the foul sludge from his tongue) shouted at his subordinate.
"I can't! My quirk won't work!" The villain explained.
Tomura knew who the only one capable of such feat. "EVERYTIME! All you heroes do is get in my damn way! Every time! Every time!" The lanky villain was once more on the edge, red pupils trying to find the hero causing the interference.
Suddenly something shot towards the villains, All For One raising a hand to send an air blast against it, the shockwave parrying the projectile and deflecting it. The attack spun in the air for a few moments before it stabbed into the rock a few meters away from the villain group, the crimson red spear unmistakable.
Shigaraki almost made to charge the direction the spear came from, but he was stopped by the raised hand of his villain-mentor.
"So, you finally decided to show up, huh?" The villain exclaimed with mirth in his voice, the group wondering if the villain was talking about Izuku.
The vampire himself hid behind a pile of rubble, somehow aware that AFO knew his position, yet was not talking about, neither was targeting him. Before he could move, he sensed someone familiar approach with unparalleled speed. Izuku heard the rushing wind, his eyes focusing on the incoming hero zeroing in on the masked villain.
"ALL FOR ONE!" All Might shouted, coming with two fists aimed at the suit-wearing menace. The villain merely waited for the incoming hero, raising his two hands to catch the two fists that came towards him. As the two touched hands, air pressure exploded after their contact, pushing everyone far from the two, the men measuring their strength in a contest that none would match.
"Heh, so you really came after me? I'm not here for a fight, you know? I just want to safely rescue Tomura and go home." All For One calmly explained himself, seemingly matching All Might's physical prowess with no problem. "[Impact Reversal]." With two simple words, it seemed as if physics bent the knee to the imposing villain; All Might was suddenly under twice the pressure from before and it didn't take long for him to be shot back, sailing through the air as if thrown like a toy.
As the two engaged, Shigaraki gathered his team. Toga, Dabi, Kurogiri and Magne were still in the fray, Spinner, Twice and Mr. Compress out for the time being. Due to the massive shockwave caused by the two titans clashing, Eraserhead's quirk no longer had an effect on them, but before the warp villain could flee, Shigaraki intervened.
"Not yet!" He exclaimed, mania apparent in his eyes. His calm and collected behavior from earlier was now gone, the villain madly staring at All Might as the hero was blown back. "With Sensei here we can win! We can finally kill All Might!" The lanky villain spoke with venomous spite dripping from his words.
Dabi stared at his supposed leader's back with hard eyes. He could respect that type of hateful commitment to someone's downfall, but the current situation did not allow for Shigaraki's antics. They couldn't even approach the two, let alone intervene in the fight to aid and assist AFO in finishing All Might. Still, he wasn't sure if he should intervene or not, his own personal vendetta being reflected in the back of his supposed leader. Dabi groaned internally.
"But before that, we kill that fucking brat!" The young villain exclaimed, red orbs focusing on the red spear impaled on the floor.
Toga, her previous disguise already off, drew her knives out. "Let's stab Izu-kyun! He will look so good dripping blood so desperately."
Kurogiri cut the group off before they could discuss anything more. "It would be foolish for us to remain here, Shigaraki! Master may be occupying All Might, but there might be an enormous number of reinforcements on their way here. We should take advantage of this opening and flee already."
Magne, nursing his broken arm close to his chest, backed the gaseous villain. "We were already caught off-guard! Remaining here will only give the heroes more time to organize themselves. We need to prioritize retreat to a safe location!"
"I'll not abandon Sensei here! I'll kill All Might! It is the only way!" Shigaraki spun in place and stared at Magne, his eyes deep with madness and mania. "If you are not with me, then you are against me!" Tomura raised a hand towards the hurt villain, making the group surprised at his determination.
It was at this moment that he appeared. Almost like a ghost, the only sign of his presence the appearance of a fog-like mist atop the group.
Izuku had warped right atop the villains. "[Blood Spear Burst.]" He whispered, his intent clear.
Shigaraki observed in slow motion the attack, the world crawling to a stop as his heart hammered in his chest. He glanced backwards, noticing that Izuku had managed to get the previous spear he launched back, using it now as an AOE short-range attack.
Dabi was extending an arm to launch a torrent of flames at Izuku, Toga was already rushing away from their current position and Magne opted to merely protected himself by using his arms (even the broken one) as shields against the attack. Kurogiri managed to create a warp gate to protect the group, Shigaraki turning his attacking hand towards the vampire.
"MIDORIYA!"
A pity that Izuku planned on it.
A second [warp] of his had the vampire crossing the warp gate, his new location being just in front of the gaseous villain.
Acrid yellow eyes stared in wide surprise. Crimson-red slit pupils stared deep into Kurogiri's. The vampire's orbs began to bleed.
"Wha–!"
"Despair in nightmares of blood and shadow; [Mesmerize: Tsukuyomi (Japanese Moon God)]" Izuku chanted, immediately backing off to dodge a jet of blue flames and the touch of Shigaraki's attack. The vampire managed to dodge the attacks of the villains, but then another air blast struck him midair, pushing him towards the group.
Izuku's hands clutched at his orbs, his headache increasing to a migraine, the blood flow from his eyes not diminishing in the slightest as he relied on his other senses to try and dodge the incoming attacks. Another overheated pillar of flames was sent his way, Shigaraki rushing to follow through and dust him from existence.
The flames suddenly went out and Izuku found himself being grabbed midair and taken off course, the vampire's sense of smell identifying his saviors. He closed his eyelids, his eyes useless for the time being.
"You gave us quite the scare, young shinobi. How about you take your lessons in stealth more seriously next time?" Edgeshot spoke, his body reforming from a thin string. Izuku smiled.
Shigaraki looked more than livid, his expression a mix of absolute hatred and hellish despise.
Reinforcements from the heroes had arrived.
The hero and teacher were then pushed by another wave of air, this time however it was not a direct attack, but a result of another titanic clash between All Might and All For One.
"There are so many of you here. This is unfair, we don't have your numbers." The Symbol of Fear exclaimed, although his tone would have you believe that the man didn't find his current situation a problem. Black-red lightning crackled along his arms, the masked man descending from his airborne position and touching the rock floor under him. Tendrils emerged from his fingers and pierced the ground, the black-red lightning crackled and travelled along the ground, splitting off into many other sparks and heading towards different directions almost as if heat-seeking missiles.
Edgeshot and Izuku had barely landed when the hero once more grabbed the vampire and began to zigzag almost as if dodging from something. Izuku could not see it, but his senses also warned him of the danger. His ears heard a myriad of pained grunts from many different directions, the smell of blood in the air increasing ten-fold.
"Now this is fair." All For One exclaimed in an amused tone, turning his body towards the immobile Kurogiri. "Tsk tsk, you can barely use your power, yet you cause this much havoc. You'd have made a fine subject. So much potential, only for it to end up as a waste in the heroes' hands." The villain muttered to himself, pointing his hands towards Kurogiri and letting his tendrils pierce the gaseous villain's body.
"Tomura. Go ahead and escape. I'll buy you as much time as you need. You are my successor." The villain called out, seeing Shigaraki turn to him with (surprisingly) tear-stained eyes.
"Sensei! We can do this! Don't abandon me!" The lanky villain shouted, his team wondering if the man went insane.
"As if I'd let any of you escape!" All Might's booming voice echoed across the battlefield, the hero rushing towards Kurogiri. The hero had a few cuts along his costume, something having had attacked him furtively.
All For One looked at the incoming hero and sighed. "Hmph, so uncivilized." His other free hand moved, following along the hero as he moved midair with the intent of flattening Shigaraki. A small flex of said hand paralyzed All Might midair for a few moments, a gray sludge appearing right behind him. "Have a companion, hero. I'm sure you'll love to catch up. After all, it has been so long since you have last seen each other." The bizarre giddiness that permeated every word the villain spoke made shivers go down the Symbol of Peace's spine.
However, he had little time to pay attention to said words, as soon he had to defend himself from a punch. The blow struck his defense like a comet, pushing him far away from the villain.
"[Forced Quirk Activation.]" All For One spoke, a portal finally opening behind Kurogiri's still unmoving frame. His tendrils returned, the villain then turning his gaze to the unmoving Shigaraki. "I told you before, right? I'll always be there for you. There is no need to panic. Just do as you please; for now you merely stumbled, but I'll pick up the slack." The man's tone was that of a proud parent willing to sacrifice anything for their child.
Tomura tried to run close to the villain, but All For One was done. He raised his free hand towards the lanky villain and suddenly a rush of air pushed Shigaraki and his close allies into the portal. The young villain's last image before he vanished through the portal was that of AFO's back.
AFO watched as All Might clashed against the teleported, black-colored Noumu. Even through his feature-hiding mask one could feel the change in the villain's mood; the supposed paternal figure was gone, and now only an amused villain remained.
"How is it, Symbol of Peace? Watching your hard efforts fail? Seeing that in the end, your plans amounted to nothing more than a child trying to grasp sand on their closed hand." All For One taunted, seeing All Might bob and weave to dodge the punches from the Female Noumu attacking him.
The hero ducked under a straight punch and countered with a mean uppercut, launching the creature in the air, allowing him to gut-check it and send if flying into a building. The hero turned to meet the villain, only to find him standing still, clapping.
"The disciple will eventually surpass the master, right? It is a tale as old as time." The villain did a small monologue, seeing the frown that marred the Symbol of Peace's face deepen.
"Your word-games are wasted on me, All For One! I will finish this!" All Might declared.
The villain stopped his slow claps. "My plans were to save Tomura and escape, but if you want a fight to the death, then I guess I must oblige." He said, raising his hand and charging an air blast. "Don't forget this though, hero. You wanted this fight."
"Carolina," All Might cocked a fist back, ready to begin his assault.
"Shigaraki Tomura is Shimura Nana's grandson." The words seemingly struck All Might, the hero not finishing his attack's name neither swinging his fist. "and right now you are battling her corpse, since she only became useful after her death. A rather pathetic user of One For All, who could only spout pretty words." The villain took the chance, seeing as his words struck a chord with the hero, and launched his powerful air blast.
All Might barely managed to swing his fist to counter, an enormous dust cloud emerging as the force hit him like a 10-ton truck.
"L-l-lies!" The hero shouted. He turned to the direction he sent the creature, only finding a trench carved by the momentum of her body due to his punch.
"Are you sure? Isn't that something I'd do, just to see that smile of yours crumble?" AFO gloated, raising his arms up as if hosting a show. "You have been meeting Shigaraki for a while now, but you could not recognize the progeny of your master? What a way to honor her legacy, huh? Beating her grandchild senseless and wishing to imprison him!" The giddy tone of the villain acquired a mocking edge. "I went so far in my efforts to get you two to meet, but I guess you were too busy playing about being the Symbol of Peace, right?"
All Might was left stunned, no words leaving his mouth as he tried to make sense of the information presented to him. He heard the creature snarl and charge him, the move it used being the same one he had seen his teacher use many times. The creature's black fist approached the hero, who couldn't help but see the frame of his teacher mirrored on the Female Noumu.
"S-sensei?" All Might muttered.
…
…
…
""Ninpou Hissatsu: Shutsugen Kira! (Shinobi Arts Ultimate Move: Apparition Killer)"" Two voices echoed, the figures of Izuku and Edgeshot attacking the Female Noumu and saving All Might from what would be a punishing Bullet Punch. The pro hero swung his kodachi and parried the punch away while Izuku aimed his larger blade at the creature's neck. A pity that doing so placed all the three in AFO's path.
"That's the heroic spirit, always pushing people to self-sacrifice. Makes a hero predictable." AFO exclaimed, letting lose another air blast.
The trio was separated as something yellow zipped in and tried its best to secure all of them. Gran Torino managed to rescue All Might and push Edgeshot out of the path of the air blast. As the following dust cloud settled, none could see the figure of Izuku or the Female Noumu.
"Toshi! Why are you letting him get to you!? Stop being reckless for once!" The elder hero complained, carrying the bigger man away and giving him some precious seconds of respite.
"Sir, sorry! I lost my composure." The hero apologized, but then noticed that missing vampire, one of the main objectives of the raids. "Midoriya-shonen?! Where is he?"
The elder hero shook his head, exasperated. "Haven't seen the hero brat, but I can tell that he's got some brass balls. You ain't seeing this kind of toughness in your average hero." Gran Torino commented, settling All Might on some rubble as they scanned the field, still finding the Symbol of Fear and Evil to be remaining still in his spot.
A helicopter began zipping around in the sky atop the group, no doubt some sort of media coverage, but the heroes had bigger things to worry about.
"Sacrificing one for the sake of many; shouldn't heroes save everyone? I remember very well, All Might. The despair you wrought among my colleagues as you took them down, one by one. Well, maybe with this you can learn to sympathize a bit more with us." The villain taunted, using his hands to point to his face, motioning into something that was akin to a smile. "Where is your smile, hero? She was always going on about you needing to smile, right? Dissuade their fears, then! Save their hearts, let them see your heroic spirit."
All Might grunted, just about ready to rush for another clash against the villain, but before he could, the hero fell into another coughing fit.
Gran Torino helped the hero, allowing All Might to lean on him. "Toshi, you…haven't you reached your limit a while ago?" The elder asked, noticing that the Symbol of Peace's face was losing the usual luster, a crooked image dyeing him. All Might was vanishing, and Toshinari Yagi was about to be exposed to the world.
"While I still haven't defeated him, I cannot allow myself to fall. I still have a student to fully rescue too." The hero grunted, but the conflict and pain in his eyes were clear. All Might was trying (and failing) to keep up with his moniker of Symbol of Peace.
Gran Torino sighed, aware that the situation was tense. "Well, if this is how things are going to go, at least play smart. Don't just rush towards him, his quirks this time seem focused on countering you. Be tricky, lay some traps, don't be a knobhead. I'll look for the spooky brat." Having given the hero some advice, Gran Torino left to search for their rescue target.
Even if he did not want to admit, the villain's words also had him shook. Sorahiko swallowed his worries and rushed his search. Nana deserved a proper death and burial, not having her corpse being used like a puppet by that monster. They had been forced to mourn her death without even a body for the burial, thinking that her body had been destroyed in the fight against AFO, but the man was truly vile. To go as low as to use her corpse as a puppet and even then rub it on Toshinori's face. Utterly despicable!
The elder zipped about in the outer skirts of the battlefield, observing the destruction and chaos caused by the quirk-stealing villain; it was nothing short of horrendous. Half of Kamino ward had been destroyed and to make matters worse, All For One managed to target and attack all the reinforcements so precisely that it was terrifying. Those that could have run interference in the fight (Eraserhead being the most prominent figure) had been put out of commission and even the police reinforcements were pinned down by wounds caused by his precise attacks.
It was a far-off thing, but Gran Torino managed to hear sounds of exertion coming from one of the most destroyed buildings that hadn't toppled. He rushed inside, but then had to slow down to move with caution, considering the building was engulfed in darkness. He carefully advanced inside until he reached the source of the noise. It was hard to see, so the elder took cover behind a pillar and let his eyes get used to the darkness inside. It also helped somewhat that something occasionally sparked with green sparks of lightning.
Sorahiko's eyes finally managed to get used to the dark interior, the timing just right for him to abandon his hiding spot, the vampire being bodily thrown towards it. Crashing against it and destroying the pillar, Izuku rolled off the momentum of his throw and sheathed his Odachi, reinforcing his arms with his [Blood Gauntlets] and fixing his stance.
The elder hero watched with wide eyes as the Female Noumu levitated a couple of inches off the ground, cocking her arms in the exact same manner that Nana would have done before she shot towards the vampire almost like a bullet.
Izuku managed to catch both fists within his gauntlet-clad hands, but the incredible speed with which the Female Noumu rushed him still carried both a few meters away, the vampire's feet dragging into the floor and digging rough trenches as he tried to stop the creature's rush. He also had to dodge a particularly nasty attempt of the Noumu of biting him. Her previously rough and misshapen teeth were now sharp fangs that threatened to slice his flesh to ribbons. The vampire was identifying a sort of primitive intelligence on the creature. It wasn't just roughly attacking him anymore, it was trying new strategies and attacks. It was now properly relying on its instincts to try and kill him. It was learning.
[Something about it feels terribly familiar. We do not like it.]
[Whatever the Old Blood has done to it, it has become too dangerous to be left alone]
[Let's quickly hunt it down. We are just about to reach our limits.]
The teen couldn't agree more with his quirk. This fight was taking just about everything he had left in the tank. His eyes had not regenerated so far, the damage accumulated to the orbs and the ocular nerve too great to be repaired under so short time. He was running on fumes, and even feeding would barely grant him a few more minutes. He needed to truly rest, but considering the situation that was not an available option.
He began to pull on his quirk, commanding [True Ancestor] in his blood to create its most foul combination.
The Female Noumu pressured him, her physical strength much greater than Izuku's. The teen groaned, but he flexed his grip, his gauntlet-claws managing to pierce the creature's flesh in their hands-locked state. Immediately activating [Coagulation], Izuku used the advantage of the creature's muscles locking in place for him to twist its arms, pushing it off balance and allowing him to execute a perfect side throw, slamming the Female Noumu on the floor.
The teen mounted his downed enemy and as it tried to resist the effects of its paralysis, Izuku grasped both its shoulders and slammed it back down. The Female Noumu snarled at him, Izuku responding much the same with a throaty hiss. He cracked his right eyelid open, his orb giving him a very rough sight of the Noumu. What he saw was deeply worrisome: Noumu normally had beady, dead-pan eyes; this Female Noumu, however, had changed. They became terrifying eyes. Her previously unresponsive orbs were now a carbon copy of Izuku's own slit pupils.
He sensed it.
Beating in unison with him.
His song of life and death was resonating with this Female Noumu.
It had something akin to [True Ancestor] running in its veins.
Izuku widened his single eye, a shiver running down his spine. How?!
[MASTER!]
The vampire felt the warning, but he was a second too late to follow through with it. The creature opened its mouth and Izuku's currently poor sight caught sight of its open mouth. The flesh inside its throat contorted and something was gathered in there. Before Izuku could react, the Female Noumu spat her attack. Luckily for him, his [Hunter Instincts] forced his body to move, the teen tilting his head to dodge.
Yet it was not enough.
"SHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Izuku hissed in pain as the attack hit his still-healing left orb, the crystal-like projectile trying its best to pierce through his eye-socket and into his brain. Worse yet, Izuku felt his entire body lock-up, almost as if something was squeezing his blood inside his veins. The effect reminded him of Stain's power.
The vampire's hold on the Female Noumu was cancelled and the being took immediate action to punish him. A jab knocked his head back and gave the creature enough room for it to act; it grabbed the immobile teen by his throat and spun around, now mounting atop him and raising a fist it no doubt intended to slam on his head. It was Gran Torino's timely intervention that saved Izuku from the devastating blow, the elder hero rushing in and kicking the Female Noumu off Izuku and away from the building.
The vampire felt his muscles ease-up and relax, his blood finally moving without any issue.
"Shit on a stick, kid! Stay still!" Gran Torino hurriedly tried to help Izuku, but the vampire held a hand up. "Don't be playing the tough man act now, boy!"
Izuku shook his head, left hand raising up to grab the end-piece of the crystal that was poking out. A firm hold on it and a deep breath later, Izuku quickly pulled the projectile off, suppressing a groan and a snarl at the same time. "Grrhnnmmm."
Gran Torino looked even more startled. "Fuck! Why did you do that?!" He yelled, seeing Izuku hold his left hand to the injured eye.
"I can heal it off, just give it some time." Izuku's voice was subdued, but moments later the vampire removed his hand, the crushed orb and damaged skin already clotting to stop the bleeding. "We have bigger things to worry about."
Sorahiko looked fed-up with the teen's behavior. "You ain't gonna be doing anything else besides waiting to get rescued, brat!"
Izuku stared back the elder hero, his one-eyed gaze an uncomfortable thing to be under.
"All Might most likely is pushing over his time limit. I can't afford to rest here or simply lay down. That man won't stop unless we do something to help All Might." Izuku spoke in a serious tone, seeing the elder give him a surprised look.
"You know?"
Izuku nodded. "Blood memories. Long story short, I know about One for All and All for One and what they imply." The teen spoke in a somber tone, seeing the elder hero grumble and complain about a certain foolish blonde-haired westaboo.
"I swear, this has to be the worst-kept secret ever." Gran Torino grumbled to himself. "You follow right behind me, kid. Don't be acting out, you really are not ready to be scraping around with them." The man stated and began to head out of the building, Izuku obeying the instructions, though somewhat frustrated.
It was true. He was not ready to fight at this level, the only thing that had allowed him to push this far was his regeneration, but no power was infallible. He might be able to amount some opposition, but truthfully, in front of people such as AFO, Izuku would be nothing more than a mild nuisance at best.
There was another earth-shaking exchange, Izuku glancing at Gran Torino and finding the hero to be worriedly glancing towards the available exit, seemingly unsure of what he was to do.
The vampire almost rushed ahead to check on the situation, but Gran Torino grabbed the vampire's left wrist, stopping any attempts dead on their tracks.
"It would be my luck, getting stuck with the rescue-target that wants to rush into the fire." The hero grumbled, but never released his hold on the teen's wrist. Izuku had to relent and properly follow through.
They barely reached the exit of the destroyed building when another shockwave ravaged the location. It was stronger than the previous ones and it seemed to be targeted all around the battlefield. Dust was raised and sight was blocked once more, Izuku trying to rely on his other senses to understand the situation. He took in air, filing his lungs and filtering as best as he could the scents that reached his nostrils, the vampire identifying one scent that got him worried: All Might's scent.
As dust settled down and his sight slowly improved in his right eye, Izuku managed to catch the hero's frame. The image sent shivers down his spine. Gran Torino noticed that the vampire was focused on a particular location, and he followed through, his grasp on the vampire's wrist loosening.
All Might had considerably bulked down, his face gaunt and hollow. The Symbol of Peace's true state was now exposed. Worse yet, the vampire could hear the roar of a helicopter's engine above them, most likely in an attempt to cover the fight.
Izuku's shadow darkened, and the vampire almost reached for his revolver, but his migraine and poor eyesight made him rethink his action. Were he to shoot, it would probably cause a myriad of problems. Yet he could not handle simply staying still, letting AFO think himself superior.
Speaking of the villain, Izuku let his sole eye scan the field for the man's presence, soon finding him to – quite arrogantly – still be standing in the same spot that he had arrived at.
"That's quite an ugly sight to be displaying to the world there, All Might. If you are going to end up scarred, at least have the decency of covering up." All for One taunted, pointing to his own undamaged mask. To make matters worse, Izuku saw the Female Noumu by the villain's side, serving as a sort of bodyguard. "Smile, hero. Give them hope! A hero's job is to make people feel safe, right?" All for One approached the Female Noumu from behind and used his hands to pull on the creature's cheeks, exposing a maul full of teeth, the expression a mockery of a smile. "She was always going on and on about it, right? Give your teacher a big smile, hero!"
"EEEEENNNNNNNOOOOOUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" All Might shouted, his aura making even the villain stop his act. The hero's eyes reflected a fire that could rarely be seen. "You have been always like this! Playing with people's lives, mocking their resolution! Destroying their dreams on your whims, almost as if playing god! I told you, villain! This ends today!" All Might focused on the villain, cocking his fist back, his previously failing body now exuding absolute power and strength.
All For One stopped playing about. "I guess I took it too far…" The villain muttered to himself, not apologetic at all. He pushed the Female Noumu's body in front of him, the creature ready to intercept the hero's attack.
All Might disappeared from his spot, cutting the distance between him and his target in the span of a second. He cocked his fist and steeled his heart, resolute in his conviction. He loved his dear teacher, but now her body was a mere puppet that was being used to desecrate her image. He would never forgive AFO. He needed to push past his limits right here and right now. There was still a rescue to be completed. Help me one last time, One for All!
He appeared right in front of his teacher's corrupted body, fist cocked and ready to deliver the ultimate blow that would finally put her to rest along with the foul villain.
"This might be bad…" AFO's voice displayed hints of annoyance, the villain raising his arms to mount a defense and possibly counter the hero.
Gran Torino observed the situation with hard eyes, unwilling to watch Nana (even if only her body) be put down for a second time, yet not wanting to avoid seeing the definite result.
Izuku, however, had no such reservations. And he was free from anything that would bind him or render him unable to assist in All Might's efforts. Indeed, he was no match for the so-called ultimate villain, but the meat-shield that was called Shimura Nana…
Izuku pushed his body. His head felt as if it was cracking from within and his body begged for rest, but it still obeyed the will of the vampire. Mist-like fog poured from every part of the teen's body and he roared. His frame disappeared from his location and reappeared right in between the Female Noumu and All Might – the teen facing the creature and displayed his naked back to his hero.
"This is my last assistance, sir…" Izuku muttered, his right arm drawing his Odachi one last time, the blade exiting its sheath with the explosive boost of one last [Jetstream]. The red blade barely bit into the Female Noumu's flesh, but Izuku's aim was not truly hurting it as it was getting him connected with its bloodstream and body. Pulling on [Coagulation] and [Warp] one last time, Izuku once more vanished from sight, bringing the Female Noumu with him and clearing a path for All Might to reach AFO.
"Midoriya-shonen…thank you for this assistance." All Might shouted, one hand grabbing the barebones defense that the villain tried to put up, the right fist cocked and aiming for the head. It was what should have killed the villain before, and it was what would kill him now.
…
…
…
"Settle down…" Izuku exhaustedly muttered to his captured target, hiding behind some rubble and he used his remaining eye and stared into the Female Noumu's eyes, using Tsukuyomi again. His right eye barely managed to push the mind-warping power into the creature's mind before it burst into a shower of blood, leaving Izuku once more blind. He hoped that his efforts paid off, since he was absolutely done.
He barely managed to push his body forward, falling into the Female Noumu's torso. He opened his mouth and his fangs barely pushed into the creature's skin, Izuku lacking the strength to even puncture it with his sharp fangs. He clenched his jaw around its neck and finally managed to pierce flesh, finally acquiring some sustenance from the creature that was not a disgusting sludge of nutritional, but foul clone-blood.
[MASTER! WATCH OUT! RESIST IT!]
"Hurkgh!" Izuku choked, the bare drops of crimson fluid that touched his throat being regurgitated. A foul stench overwhelmed his senses, and Izuku found himself vomiting a pile of gray sludge.
"What a pity. A fruit plucked far too early. You were too eager, Midoriya Izuku. Maybe in another life." The villain's voice resonated in his mind as [True Ancestor] tried its best to resist the pull. With how exhausted the vampire teen was, it was an exercise in futility. Izuku felt the sludge pour out of his mouth and envelop his body, forcefully dragging him back into the battlefield that he had just escaped from.
Considering his two out-of-commission eyes, the teen couldn't see the result of the fight, but it was clear that All Might had not been able to finish the villain. Worse yet, All For One had his grubby hands clamped tight around Izuku's face, the villain apparently unbothered by the bloody mess that he was grabbing.
He tried to raise his arms, to claw at the villain or even to use his mouth and bite him, but his body refused to move. It had already gone plus ultra and now it was completely out.
Black-red lightning crackled along the villain's hand, and Izuku felt his body react. It wanted to create as much distance as possible from the source, but it couldn't. The vampire felt sick to his stomach, his mind screaming loudly as it hoped stop the attacker. Nothing worked.
More and more, Izuku felt as if someone was invading his personal sanctum, the deepest parts of his mind were being roughly battered and no resistance seemed enough to stop this absolute monster. It was like trying to stuff a car through a pinhole. The vampire felt his body convulse, his last dregs of resistance being mocked as the King in Black cracked past his defenses and took from him the precious book that normally rested atop his lap in the throne.
Izuku barely felt his body hit the rough stone floor, his chest barely moving to indicate that he was breathing.
He felt weak, pathetic, and most importantly, empty.
There was no roar, no snicker, no killer intent, and no [Hunter Instincts].
Izuku could barely comprehend the situation, his mind weak and unable to focus on anything. He felt cold. Pain seemed to permeate just about every single cell in his body, his empty eye-sockets being the most prominent as they throbbed in pain.
His breathing was reduced to shallow, pathetic wheezes. His blood felt slow inside his veins. His head felt as if it was split open.
"If you want to blame anyone, blame your so-acclaimed hero." AFO's voice echoed in his ears, both distant and close.
…
…
…
"After all, he shouldn't have aimed for my head."
…
…
…
Izuku could feel it.
He had faced it quite a lot for someone so young. His power had allowed him to cheat it. However, it always comes to collect its due. Run as far as possible, it will – inevitable – catch up.
For a vampire like him, it may as well be a rather fitting end.
…
…
…
His [Final Death].
…
…
…
I…I'm sorry Mom, I was not strong enough…
…Mei…I'm sorry to be leaving you alone like this. Please, don't cry…
I love you.
…
…
…
[XXX]
(Ending: Komm, Susser Tod – M10 – Evangelion edits)
[TO BE CONTINUED]
AU END NOTES.
It all returns to nothing!
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Let there be carnage in the comments/reviews.
Until next chapter! See ya!