"Miss, what are you doing here?" Sam asked innocently, while the twins and Melissa stared up ahead in silence. They couldn't believe what they had just heard from the two of them. Melissa slowly stepped towards her father.
"What does he mean that it's like you planned it?" She took another step forward and David could only stare at his daughter quietly. "Don't tell me that...you're the one behind this," Her voice broke a little as she didn't want to believe it. The thought of her father doing something like this didn't want to cross her mind, but she didn't mishear anything either...David looked at her in despair as he didn't confirm or deny anything to them. "This was all you...? Just to steal something? No, it can't be true!" She whimpered while standing just a few feet away from him.
His eyes shook and he couldn't look her in the eye for a brief moment. He couldn't lie to her...not even about this. "Yes, it is."
Melissa and the twins gasped towards him, as they felt betrayed. Especially considering their connection to All Might, which made it even worse. "Papa...how could you?!" Melissa cried out sadly.
"The professor is only trying to get back what was stolen," Sam interjected with a small frown, disappointed with himself as well. But not enough to not go through with this. "The invention inside this briefcase can amplify someone's Quirk."
Their eyes looked a bit conflicted after hearing this. "Wait, is that even possible?" Izuku frowned a bit, his eyebrows furrowed.
"And everything up until now was for this invention?" Izuka's eyes shook a bit and then she gave a disapproving frown.
"Yes. It's still being tested, of course. But unlike with drugs, this device can magnify a person's Quirk without doing any damage to their body or brain," Sam explained to the trio, David looking towards the ground. "Yet, despite that...our sponsors confiscated this prototype and our research data. Then they demanded that the project be abandoned. They worried that something like this would drastically affect the structure of superhuman society." David himself was devastated when the two of them were denied. "Fearing chaos, governments from different nations put pressure on your father to end it. That's why we did this."
"I can get my research back?" David turned around in surprise after hearing Sam out. "But how?"
"All we have to do is hire someone to steal it back for us," Sam informed while slightly in the shadows.
David groaned, looking away in exasperation. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Wait, listen. I'm not talking about using actual criminals, Professor." David let out a light gasp while looking up. If they pretended whoever they hired were villains... "We can hire people who will pretend to be villains and have them 'force' us to break in and take it," He stepped out into the light. "Of course, we'll order them not to harm anyone. And after it's done, we can continue our research somewhere else."
He turned away, thinking of how this would affect people—his daughter. "This is crazy."
"I know, but I wanna get that data back and keep working," Sam urged his boss. "Don't you feel the same way, Professor?" He received no response as he knew the answer. And he knew why David fought so hard to continue the project... "I've completed the preparations. We'll carry this out on the day of the I-Expo preopening when the tower's closed. The plan will begin alongside the reception since that's the only time when all the people involved will be together in the same place. We'll pull the strings in the background while the actors make it seem like I-Island has been taken over by villains."
And then the sponsors actually took away all of their equipment, the doors closing on the empty and dark room. David could only stand there, crestfallen over what had happened. All of it, just...gone like it was nothing.
"Professor?" Sam murmured quietly from behind.
The twins and Melissa were horrified at what they were hearing, and they couldn't ever see why he would do this to everyone. "I don't understand...There's something I'm missing, right? You'd never do this!"
"I'm so sorry," David told his daughter, the twins gasping.
"This doesn't make any sense!" Izuka turned to Melissa, who was shaking. Her eyes saddened at the girl; she didn't deserve to learn the news the way that she did. "The Papa I know and love wouldn't act like a villain, no matter what! So why, then? Why?" She cried out and he gritted his teeth, looking away.
"I had to for All Might." The three gasped, the twins more devastated as they knew the real reason. Because David still didn't know the truth behind One for All. "You three probably aren't aware of this. But his Quirk is disappearing."
Izuku gasped in terror while Izuka covered her mouth, shaking. She wanted to scream that it was for his own safety why, but...she knew that she couldn't do that. And the fact that this was all for the number one hero...it was just tragic things ended up like this. If All Might had stated the truth, maybe it would've prevented all of this. But that would've been at the cost of endangering Melissa and her father's life...
"However, if he uses this device, he'll be his old self. No. His abilities will be even stronger than they were! The number-one hero...the Symbol of Peace...can get his strength and light back again," He had a hopeful smile on his face, though his eyes were desperate to have that part of All Might's life back... "He can keep saving people. Just like he always has."
Izuku kept that horrified look on his face. The professor's upset because his friend's power is fading. This is happening, because All Might passed One for All onto me. He doesn't know.
He's desperate to help Mr. All Might, who can't tell him the truth. And no matter what his old friend says about it, he thinks he's doing the right thing...
"...Did you even consider how he'd feel once you tell him?" Izuka's bangs covered her eyes as she spoke with a bit of anger. David gasped a little as everyone's eyes were on her. "That you endangered people, including him, for his glory back? This won't bring him back if you're doing things this way. It'll only bring you guilt and regret...All Might can still be the number-one hero in our hearts...it's not about being stronger. It's about his legacy he'll leave behind..." She had a feeling All Might wouldn't even accept the device...
He bit his lip at her words, but didn't believe her. He wanted to see All Might in his prime for himself...no matter what anyone said. "Please," He took the briefcase from Sam. "Please just let me hand this device over to All Might. There's no time to remake it! When he's better, I don't care what kind of punishment I receive."
"They risked their lives!" Melissa cried out, everyone staring at her. "Deku, Izuka, and their classmates went through so much!" She then ripped off the rag from her injury, holding up her arm. "Do you know how dangerous this was?! How hard we were trying to save everyone on the island?!"
He gave an utter look of confusion as he had no idea that they were even fighting their way up here. "No, what do you mean? The villains are fake," He then turned to Sam, who kept silent. "It's all supposed to be an act!"
"Of course it was a performance," Wolfram spoke up with a smirk. The twins and Melissa gasped as they whipped around to see him standing in the distance. One of his henchmen was standing right next to him. "But the real act was pretending we weren't criminals."
"You're the boss!" Izuku snarled, immediately powering up. Izuka growled while preparing her bow. Wolfram touched the door, manipulating some metal from the ground. The twins grunted as they both got trapped in it, and then were pinned against the wall.
"Oh no, Deku! Izuka!" Melissa rushed over to them. The two struggled to break free, not even being able to tell her to not go towards them.
His Quirk lets him manipulate metal.
No one else knows we're here, and we're the only ones with fighting ability! Damn it...! Izuka gritted her teeth behind the metal over her mouth.
"You'd be smart not to resist," Wolfram walked over to the staircase. "Sam. Hand it over."
"Right!" Sam snatched the briefcase from David's hands. "Here you go!"
"Sam?" David flinched in disbelief over what was going on. "This was your plan? You were going to hand it over all along?"
Sam came to a stop, hugging the briefcase still. "You're the one who tricked me, Professor," He snarled back, looking bitter. "I've been your assistant for all these years, and you let them take our work. We could have had fame and fortune! But no," He glanced back, his eyes shaking as his greediness was finally showing. "I deserve more. I need to be rewarded. Otherwise my entire career was a complete waste of time!"
David growled while looking away, angry over this. He never once had a hint to what Sam was feeling. And what happened with the sponsors was something he couldn't even control...and yet, his own assistant was letting his selfishness get in the way.
"Here's the payment I promised you," Wolfram pointed a gun at Sam and then shot him!
David gasped sharply as Melissa turned around in horror. Izuka let out a small scream at this. "Sam!"
"No! Why? This isn't part of the plan!" Sam protested in fear, holding his shoulder as it was bleeding.
"Is it not?" Wolfram got closer, holding the gun still. "That's strange. Because it was always a part of mine," He then shot Sam again, the blood falling onto the briefcase. The twins gasped...as David had protected Sam by diving in front of him. He then fell to the ground in front of his assistant. Melissa gave a sharp gasp, shaking as blood pooled from her father.
"Professor...why?" Sam cried out in horror.
"Get outta here..." David grunted in pain instead of answering the question.
"PAPA!" Melissa screeched as she ran over to him.
"Stay back!" David warned and before she could reach him, Wolfram knocked her backwards. She grunted as she landed on her back, her hair flying out of the ponytail. "Melissa!"
"That's it," Izuka growled as the twins had to do something, and now. Izuku struggled against the metal while his sister closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath. I've already reached my limit, but I need to hold back the effects just this once...please! I have to help! She focused her flames as an orange glow started to appear from her hands. Another flame flickered from her upper arm, but it was relatively small.
Wolfram placed a foot on David's back. "Trying to play the hero after all this?" He mocked the Professor. "Too late for that. No matter what your reasons were...you've dirtied your hands now." Melissa could only look up in fear of what could happen to her father, tears in her eyes. All of their hope had been erased now... "Whether we're real villains or actors is irrelevant. You planned and committed an actual crime here. You're exactly the same as we are. You can no longer remain a respected scientist."
David shook at the fact that once this was all over...his reputation was ruined. If his work for the device was taken, he could very well have everything taken away...
"Or continue your research without shame. Your life is forever tainted by the darkness of villainy."
As the villain chuckled, Izuku continued to struggle from his binds. Izuka squeezed her eyes shut to make the flame bigger as much as possible.
"And if you want a future at all," He picked up David by the collar. "You'll be a good scientist and mass produce this device so I can sell it," He then used the back of the gun to knock David out. "Hey, take him to the roof."
"No..." Melissa murmured, getting his attention. Tears were streaming down her face as she looked up pleadingly. She could only imagine what they would do to him on the roof... "Please, no. Give him back!"
"That reminds me," He then pointed his gun right at the girl. "This'll be much easier if I get rid of the professor's attachments."
"Don't you hurt her!" The twins shouted as Izuku broke free, followed by Izuka having melted off the metal. The two then zipped over to the man.
"Smash!"
"Mercury Blast!" Izuka pointed her hands forward to fire towards the man. He touched the floor to make a wall out of metal appear. Izuku punched the wall just as Izuka's attack hit it, but it wasn't enough to break down the wall. She gritted her teeth as the fire only lightly melted it.
Melissa! The two turned towards her as she could only stare at them. They didn't need to say anything to her. We've got the professor and Sam. She flinched as she saw the look in their eyes, instantly having a feeling of what they were trying to convey. You save everyone else.
You can do this, Melissa. You're smart, brave, and you care about others. Don't worry about us.
She gave a determined look and then ran off towards the exit. Wolfram saw her running, though. "Stop her! Don't let 'er escape," He ordered to his henchman.
"Right!" He ran off after Melissa, the twins about to go after him. Wolfram created more walls out of metal to stop them in their tracks. The two growled as Izuku jumped around, Izuka taking flight on her star. Izuku landed in front of the henchman, and Izuka jumped off the star, landing behind the man.
"We won't let you past us!" Izuku snarled and Izuka gasped as she looked behind her.
"Izuku, look ou-" Both of them got hit with metal, bracing themselves.
"Don't make threats you can't live up to, kids!" Wolfram continuously attacked them and they tried their best to hold it back.
Everyone... He squeezed his eyes shut.
Everyone... Izuka held back the metal with her shield, her arms getting strained.
Everyone... Melissa ran down the hall.
All Might... The henchman could only stare as a bunch of smoke appeared, so he couldn't tell what was going on.
Bakugo...
Papa... Melissa was about to reach an intersection.
We will save you! Izuku gritted his teeth, Izuka growling as another flame appeared from her arm.
I will save you! Melissa turned on the control system, sitting in the chair as she got to work. I promise! Everything then went back to normal as all of the controls turned green.
Wolfram glanced over his shoulder in anger. "She got control of the security system?!" All of the gates in the hallway began to open as well. Then all of the robots started to shut down, including the ones that the classmates were fighting.
"What happened?' Katsuki asked in confusion.
"They just stopped," Ochaco blinked as she, Shoto, Eijiro, and Katsuki stared.
Kyoka was setting Momo free. Minoru and Denki were still worse for wear... Tenya then smiled knowingly. "Midoriya, Mido, and Melissa must've made it to the top!"
"I-Island's security system is now operating in normal mode," The female voice announced. All of the robots outside the tower turned back to normal and went off to do their normal duties. Rikido looked outside from the window.
"Oh hey, that's good."
"Yeah, my phone's working, too!" Hanta smiled as he showed the screen.
This also meant that the heroes were set free as their restraints came off. "Damn it!"
"What's happening?!" One of the henchmen was immediately knocked down by a hero, a second one punching the other. The whole crowd cheered happily. All Might then got to his feet, but his body was still emitting smoke.
Did you pull it off, young heroes? He ran off to go find the twins or the villains.
Wolfram had tied up David, and was now carrying him over his shoulder. They had left Sam behind to die. "Is it here?"
"Just landed," The henchman informed and Wolfram jumped out the door.
"Then we're leavin'."
"Yes, sir," The henchman followed without question.
A corner was covered in metal, only for green energy to spark from it. An explosion occurred as the twins fell to the ground. Izuku attempted to get up and then fell back onto the ground. Setting them free took a lot out of them...
"Come...on..." Izuka urged herself, her hand shaking. She looked towards the carnation Katsuki gave her, gasping sharply as it was now ash. She frowned, but decided to think on it later, they had more important things to do.
We have to rescue him...otherwise, why are we even here?
"I'll help you," Izuka offered immediately while slowly getting onto her feet, looking pretty exhausted.
"No, don't worry about me. The faster you get there, the better," He shook his head and she blinked in alarm at him. "Your height combined with your fast reflexes like Kacchan's means you have a slight advantage, allowing you to-"
"I get it, please don't continue," She interrupted a bit awkwardly at his usual muttering at a time like this. "Okay then, I'm off, meet you there...are you sure you're okay?" She frowned down at him in worry.
"I will be," He gave a weak smile. "Now hurry up before I throw you out the door! Don't think I won't do it."
She nodded sharply and ran off first, following the blood trail David left behind. She hoped that he'd be alright without her, but this was her brother she was thinking about. Izuku made it to the door, gritting his teeth.
The two of us may not be pros, but we'll do what we can do for now.
All Might continued running when his phone went off. "Melissa! What's happening?" He asked once he answered.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Melissa said in relief, looking at the security footage. "Papa's been taken by the villains, Uncle Might! And Deku and Izuka have gone after them!" She could see Izuku struggled to walk while Izuka looked very tired.
"Don't worry. I'm going to stop them!" All Might declared to ease her.
