Hey all, I promised you some pretty crazy chapters in exchange for the last one, and I'm ready to deliver. This was a storyline I had been cooking up in my head for a while, especially with how the beats would translate into this world as opposed to the one for Edens Zero.
This chapter and the next three are going to be quite engaging. And I hope that everyone's prepared for the turmoil going forward as we get closer to wrapping up this season. Trust me, it's about to get crazy.
Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
THROUGH THE ROUGH
"Madame Kurenai…" Baku began as he knelt down, holding his right hand out as a microchip lied in his palm, "we've retrieved the software per your request," he confirmed as his boss took the chip into her hand, staring at it curiously between her fingers.
"Thank you, Baku," she said gratefully, "I take it that you and Garrot had a bit of trouble considering the time it took to get this, right?" she presumed to her subordinates, who were prostrated in front of her. The Whip Master Quirk user scoffed.
"We apologize for the delays," the lion-like man stated, lowering his head with shame, "No doubt thanks to Nino, our plans were leaked to the enemy," he inferred.
"So he survived…" Kurenai noted, exhaling a sigh, "Well, it's no matter now," she affirmed as she pocketed the microchip in her cleavage, "Soon enough, Endeavor and his cohorts will be coming to arrest me, only to wind up dead at my feet thanks to the now-completed Kurenai Dragoon," she proclaimed, turning and looking back at the massive mech that was built behind her.
"Homura Kogetsu's gunning for you, too…" Garrot mentioned, causing her to blink in surprise, "I think she's kill you the second she gets the chance," he pointed out additionally. Kurenai huffed.
"I wouldn't worry about that, Garrot," she assured, "Once she understands my reasons, she'll fall in line with me for certain," she noted confidently.
"Is that so?" another voice chimed in, causing her to glance back to see Elsie there with her arms crossed, standing alongside Gowen and Hyoga, "I fought her myself," she pointed out, "She's hell-bent on revenge against you," she affirmed.
"Oh, I'm not worried in the least," Kurenai retorted.
"You should be," the Oracion Seis member advised, "A hero's at their most dangerous when they're angered righteously," she remarked, causing the villainess to laugh heartily.
"Well, I suppose she has a good reason to be angry…" she admitted, "Even so, I'll tell her everything that she needs to hear," she declared, "And once she falls in line, it'll be over before anyone knows it," she added confidently. Elsie narrowed her lone eye.
"I suppose that concludes our business," she realized, turning around and walking off, "Be sure to pay us," she advised.
"Oh, but of course!" Kurenai responded, "After all, I do want to make sure all of my subordinates are treated fairly…" she noted, causing the Oracion Seis member to stop for a moment, "including the ones that'll be working under me again someday," she added callously.
Hey, you insulting the Princess?!" Gowen shouted, about to march over, only to be stopped by Hyoga as he held his left arm out in front of him.
"A word of advice," Elsie said, "If your path is only recognition, you'll never attain it," she stated, making Kurenai narrow her eyes, "The ones that'll win are those that deserve it," she finished, walking off without another word. Her colleagues followed. The well-dressed woman huffed again.
"Oh, I know I deserve that recognition…" she noted, looking back at the giant mech, "All that time and money won't go to waste…" she proclaimed.
OPENING
Insert "Kaibutsu" by Tani Yuuki
Opens with Rebecca getting into her winter costume, donning her cat ears and blue jacket before stepping out of the locker room. She smiles as she spots Izuku, Katsuki, Shoto, and Homura, as they're all gathered at the Endeavor Agency together. They walk into the main office, finding themselves greeted by Endeavor, Burnin, and the other sidekicks, ready to start another day of work.
We see the five interns struggling to keep up with Endeavor as he speeds ahead, saving lives and stopping villains. For a moment, he hesitates upon thinking of his family laughing at the dinner table without him. Meanwhile, Gowen is hanging out in an abandoned warehouse with Elsie and the rest of the crew, glancing out a window to see the Flame Hero he once worked under acting like more of a hero than he remembers. He turns away to gather with his colleagues, whom all don't notice the smirk on Jesse's face.
Elsewhere, Madame Kurenai marvels at the sight of the red mech suit being built for her, with her cohorts standing behind her. Nino grimaces worriedly before looking away. We get shots of the Paranormal Liberation Front, including Tomura as he enters a vat and closes his eyes, being sent into a deep slumber. Dabi is out in the city, overlooking how Endeavor and his interns are faring in fending off villains.
Katsuki blasts himself away from Baku, who swings blades of energy his way from his axe. Izuku protrudes his Blackwhip from his right arm, imitating Spider-Man as he swings about while evading the many Punishers heading his way. They're shot down by Rebecca, who winks with a grin before taking care of more foes.
Next, we find a scene of Homura coming face-to-face with Kurenai for the first time, as she opens her arms to welcome her. However, Shoto suddenly steps in between them, igniting the flames on his left side threateningly. Kurenai smirks, hopping into her mech as it towers over the two U.A. students. They take ready stances before starting a battle.
There are shots of Deadend Crow, Poseidon Shura, Tomura Shigaraki, God Acnoella, Elsie Crimson, and Saintfire Nox, as they all give off ominous auras. We also see the likes of Justice, Mirko, Holy, Eraser, Feather, and Cure, though the latter looks away. There's also shots of the other students on their internships, with Kleene and Ochaco flying alongside Nejire and Ryukyu, with Tsuyu riding aboard the Dragoon Hero's back. Weisz, Eijiro and Tetsutetsu gorge on takoyaki with Fat Gum, while Tamaki sulks in the corner, unable to keep up with their energy.
Kyoka and Mezo are interning under Gang Orca with Laguna and Hitoshi. The Tears Lover Quirk user notices that Kyoka's home screen on her phone is a picture of her and Rebecca from the school concert, which she blushes at. She yelps in embarrassment upon realizing that Laguna saw, while Mezo and Hitoshi blink in confusion. Shiki flies alongside Fumikage as they soar after Hawks, who's lost in thought over whatever the Paranormal Liberation Front is up to.
The song winds down with the interns at Endeavor's agency taking a much-needed break, having snacks and drinks atop the building's roof together. Rebecca lovingly leans against Izuku's shoulder, while Homura winds up holding hands with Shoto as they stare at the sunset together. Katsuki scoffs and trudges away, but not before taking one last glance at Rebecca and letting off the tiniest of smiles.
END OPENING
"The hell do you mean he's not talking?!" Katsuki roared in question back at the Endeavor Agency the next morning, gathered in the conference room with his classmates.
"It's exactly as we said," the Flame Hero confirmed as he closed his eyes momentarily, "Nino hasn't bothered to disclose any information about Kurenai's whereabouts," he pointed out, "All he did tell us was of their plans," he mentioned.
"Tch…" the Explosion Quirk user scoffed.
"There has to be a way we can get him to talk, right?" Rebecca guessed, "He wanted to help you, didn't he?" she inquired on.
"I think he might've just been covering his own ass," Burnin presumed in reply, "Either way, we're stuck," she confirmed to the group's frustration. Rebecca and Izuku sadly lowered their heads, while Katsuki looked away and crossed his arms over his chest.
"What about the Shining Star Heroes?" Shoto chimed in as he stepped forward, "We haven't seen them all morning…" he pointed out.
"They've gone back to UA as a precaution and to investigate those androids that Kurenai sent to help her men," his father explained in reply.
"Precaution?" Izuku repeated, earning a nod from Endeavor.
"With the fact that Kurenai likely knows the truth of what Valkyrie was, it's safer that they're protected at the school," he told him and the others, "Word like that getting out is only going to cause more trouble," he mentioned grimly. Homura tensed up, clenching her fists in frustration.
"So… what do we do now?" Rebecca asked.
"I guess our only option is scouting for Kurenai or her minions," Izuku assumed in reply, "If Nino's not talking about her base of operations, then the trail's cold…" he pointed out, putting his hand onto his chin.
"But I don't get that…" his girlfriend admitted, "He warned Endeavor about Kurenai, so why not tell him everything?" she wondered aloud.
"Bastard's probably just playing us…" Katsuki grumbled. As they continued to discuss the nuances of the situation, Homura left the room. Shoto and Enji took notice, blinking in surprise. Trotting down the halls, the Soul Blade Quirk user thought back to her struggles last night in failing to stop the villains from getting away, along with her strongest attack being thwarted by Elsie. Her whole body trembled with anger, but she was going to quell it for now. There was a more important matter to worry about.
"Come on, talk already!" Onima demanded of Nino in another room, where the bearded man was seated on a chair and cuffed to a table. He said nothing, much to the sidekick's frustration as he huffed.
"You know we can't threaten him, right?" Kido pointed out to his colleague, who sighed.
"Well, what else are we supposed to do?!" he asked emphatically, not noticing the door start to open.
"That'll be up to Endeavor, I guess…" his partner presumed in reply. Just then, they heard the door shut. They turned and blinked in surprise to see Homura there.
"V-Valkyrie?" Onima stuttered out.
"What are you doing here?" Kido asked.
"I'd like to try and talk with him," the Soul Blade Quirk user requested to their surprise, "Alone, please," she added.
"I… don't think that's a good idea…" Onima argued.
"We really shouldn't leave you alone in the room…" Kido mentioned seriously.
"I will only be a few moments," Homura assured to the pair, looking over to Nino, who seemed just as surprised. The pair of sidekicks exchanged a nervous look with each other.
"Okay… but only for two minutes, tops…" Onima decided in response, "If you're not done before then, we're pulling you out," he confirmed on.
"Don't go overboard, all right?" Kido advised, earning a nod from the Soul Blade Quirk user. The sidekicks departed from the room, allowing her to approach the table. Nino tensed up slightly.
"Why haven't you told them the location?" she inquired, "You know, don't you?" she presumed of him.
"…I do…" he confirmed in reply, "But I want you to know it first…" he added to her confusion, "Kurenai needs to be stopped, especially before she gets people killed," he affirmed as he clenched his fists.
"I can assure you that Endeavor and the rest of us will—"
"No, she needs to die," Nino stated firmly, interrupting Homura as her eyes slightly widened, "Even if she's captured, she'll have many ways to get herself out of that situation," he told her, "And I know that only you can kill her," he mentioned on. The Soul Blade Quirk user looked down in thought for a moment, remembering her fit of rage as she fought in the port last night. She took a deep breath.
"They won't let me go on my own…" she pointed out.
"Then allow me to come along and lead you there," Nino insisted, "I'll make certain that you make it to Kurenai before anyone else," he vowed. Homura clenched her fists. She knew in her heart that this wasn't the right call… but… A moment later, the door opened.
"Oh, done already?" Onima said in surprise upon seeing the Soul Blade Quirk user exit.
"He's willing to lead us to Kurenai's hideout," she confirmed to the shock of the sidekicks, "But he wants to come with us as well…" she mentioned.
"Come with us?" Kido repeated.
"I don't like the sound of that…" Onima admitted.
"We'll be certain to keep a close eye on him," Homura affirmed to her colleagues, "This time, Kurenai won't be getting away…" she vowed.
X
"Elsie was at the port?!" Justice exclaimed in shock from the conference room of the I.U.A.
"Calm down, James," Holy insisted beside him, having her arms folded over her chest, "Apparently, she was hired by Kurenai to act as support in order for their operation to succeed," she explained.
"And what would that operation be?" Eraser asked.
"They stole a valuable piece of software for a machine Kurenai is building," Feather answered as she stepped forward.
"Gah…" Justice groaned out in frustration, "Is Endeavor still on the case?" he inquired.
"He hasn't reached out, in case you're wondering," Holy confirmed as a reply.
"What?!" the Interstellar Hero exclaimed with widened eyes, "Why wouldn't he—?!"
"The situation's already murky as is, especially with the intelligence that Kurenai may have tampered with Valkyrie's body after killing her…" the dual-type Quirk user interjected thoroughly, "Plus, Homura Kogetsu, Valkyrie's successor is involved…" she mentioned, "I'm sure she has feelings about this matter similar to yours…" she pointed out. Justice rescinded from speaking further. "Tsubaki, have you been keeping track of Endeavor?" Holy asked of Feather, making her perk up as she opened her eyes.
"He's on the move," she confirmed. Elsewhere in Japan, it was late into the day as the Flame Hero was flying about as Katsuki and Izuku were hurrying after him. Below, both Homura and Rebecca were holding onto Shoto, who was carrying them along via an ice wave he created. They were following a sports car that was driving ahead, with the Flaming Sidekickers inside along with a cuffed Nino.
"Doesn't this totally feel like a trap?" Burnin inquired.
"Yes, but this was the only way we could apparently get Nino to cooperate with us," Endeavor confirmed over the communication line as he soared overhead, "Once we arrive at the location, we'll break in and search the premises," he told his colleagues, "Not a single villain, especially Kurenai, will escape," he proclaimed firmly.
"Tch," Katsuki scoffed as he blasted after him, "That goes without saying…" he grumbled out.
"What are we going to do if Elsie's still involved with them?" Izuku asked out of concern. Endeavor didn't respond for a moment.
"We'll have the IUA help out," he said, "For some reason, I have a strong feeling that Elsie's no longer concerning herself with this mess," he pointed out over the line, "Just be prepared for anything, all right?" he advised of his colleagues.
"Right," Rebecca responded. She glanced over to Homura, who appeared to be in deep thought. A worried look crossed the Cat Leaper Quirk user's face.
'I get why she's so on edge…' she noted to herself, 'but I hope it doesn't mean she's lost sight of the big picture here,' she mentioned inwardly. Shoto seemed just as concerned for the Soul Blade Quirk user, glancing over at her every few moments. A little while later, the entire group arrived at a large warehouse on the outskirts of Osaka.
"Oh, I'm not liking this…" Burnin remarked as she got out of the car with her fellow sidekicks, as Onima pulled Nino out as well.
"You sure this is the place?" he asked of the former criminal.
"Yes, it is…" he responded, "The Knight Gear couldn't be so easily moved while under construction, so it's been built underground here," he explained.
"This place…" Endeavor uttered, looking into the building curiously.
"You recognize it, don't you?" Nino presumed as he walked over, "This is where Kurenai killed Valkyrie," he confirmed, causing Homura to tense up.
"Wait, seriously?" Rebecca chimed in out of shock.
"Wouldn't they condemn the damn building if it was the scene of a murder?" Katsuki grumbled in question.
"Yeah, that's a good point…" Izuku noted, narrowing his eyes a little.
"Kurenai never did use this warehouse again," Nino told the group, "but because of that, I was able to create my own secret escape route from it," he explained on, "And now, it'll be our secret entrance," he added, turning to Endeavor. He held out his cuffed arms.
"Now what?" the Flame Hero asked.
"I won't be able to open the door for you like this," the former criminal proclaimed, "I promise, I won't run," he assured. The Hellflame Quirk user narrowed his eyes skeptically.
"Endeavor, please," Homura chimed in to his surprise as he looked over at her, "With everyone here, he has nowhere else to go," she pointed out.
"Homura…" Shoto uttered, quite shocked by her demeanor over the situation. So was Rebecca.
'Something feels off about all this…' she admitted inwardly, 'It's not just that Nino's finally willing to help us, but Homura's totally onboard and not getting all riled up…' she pointed out through her thoughts, 'Wait… wasn't it thanks to her that Nino finally decided to take us here?' she wondered, watching as Onima removed the former criminal's cuffs. He approached the door, letting his energy lines expand along his arm before he pressed his right hand up against the scanner next to it.
"It's a handprint scan?" Izuku inquired.
"A handprint scan designed to only grant access to my Ether," Nino confirmed in reply as the pad underneath his palm flashed green, "Since Kurenai never bothered to worry about this place anymore, she never took notice of the changes I made," he explained on. The door slowly opened up, revealing what was inside with the sound of a clank. There was what appeared to be a cellar at the other end of the building. "Down there will lead into Kurenai's hideout," he told the group, "After you," he offered, gesturing for Homura to proceed.
"Thank you," she said, walking in.
"Alright, let's get moving," Endeavor insisted, "Burnin, you and the sidekicks stay here with Nino," he advised, not noticing the former criminal turning to him, "The rest of us'll head in and—" Without warning, he suddenly found himself struck upside his head by a cybernetic energy arm that appeared from Nino.
"Endeavor!" Burnin yelped.
"The hell?!" Katsuki exclaimed, taking a ready stance with the others. Rebecca then noticed that Homura hadn't stopped. In fact, she had run to the cellar and slashed its doors open with her energy blade, hopping down the stairs.
"Homura, wait!" the Cat Leaper Quirk user called out, looking to dash after her. However, she found her path downstairs stopped as Nino had drawn three more energy arms from behind himself, thrusting them out at his foes. They jumped back to dodge the attacks.
"What are you doing?!" Izuku asked emphatically, "Don't you want us to stop Kurenai?!" he questioned of the former criminal, who raised his fists.
"Stop Kurenai?" he repeated, "You all don't get it…" he growled out, "Kurenai isn't someone you can just stop!" he shouted angrily, thrusting his energy arms towards his enemies, forcing them to dodge, "Even if you capture her, she'll find a way to escape and cause even more pain and suffering!" he pointed out, "The only way is to put an end to her life before her plans are enacted!" he proclaimed, "That's what Valkyrie's successor is willing to do!" he mentioned to everyone's shock, "Avenging her master will make Japan safer!" he affirmed on.
'So that's what's happening!' Rebecca realized, letting off a grimace, 'Homura… you're willing to go this far for something you don't even know Valkyrie would've wanted for you…?' she wondered inwardly, pulling out her Happy Blasters and firing onto her opponent, only for him to block with his four solidified energy arms.
"That won't work on me," he stated.
Nino! Quirk: Soul Arm!
His Ether-type power allows him to generate up to four extra arms made up of that weird energy, providing great offense and a strong defense! Nino can even have these arms go further than normal by mimicking motions with his arms. The length at which his arms can extend the furthest is about fifteen meters!
"Saint Louis Smash!" Izuku roared as he lunged in for a kick with his right leg, only for it to be blocked by the upper left arm energy arm of his foe. He then found himself knocked away, just as Katsuki tried to blast Nino with an explosion, only for it to be blocked as well before he wound up punched in the gut.
"Dammit, get out of our way!" Shoto bellowed as he unleashed a stream of fire onto the Soul Arm Quirk user, only for him to defend himself with all of his energy arms.
'This is bad…' Rebecca noted inwardly as she gritted her teeth, 'Homura could get herself killed if we can't get past Nino quicker!' she mentioned through her thoughts. She then blinked in realization. She holstered her Happy Blasters, taking a deep breath in concentration. Her markings at her ankles shined brightly. She opened her eyes.
"Alright, let's get moving," Endeavor insisted, just as Homura had entered the warehouse. The Cat Leaper Quirk user looked to see Nino prepping one of his energy arms while the Flame Hero was distracted. "The rest of us'll head in and—"
"Watch out!" Rebecca yelled, speeding in and tackling Nino aside before he could strike.
"What?!" he exclaimed in shock, while everyone else gasped out of surprise.
"Rebecca!" Izuku cried out, seeing her tumble over and hop back onto her feet.
"Hurry!" she yelled, "Homura's trying to take Kurenai out on her own!" she shouted to the group's shock.
"She's what?!" Endeavor exclaimed, while Nino grimaced.
"Homura, wait!" Shoto shouted, chasing after the Soul Blade Quirk user into the warehouse.
"Shoto!" Endeavor yelled before hurrying after his son alongside Katsuki, "Let's go, now!" he called out to his colleagues.
"Right!" his sidekicks all responded, heading after him into the building. Izuku stayed behind for a moment, looking back at his girlfriend worriedly.
"Rebecca…" he uttered out.
"I got this, don't worry," she assured, readying her Happy Blasters in her hands as she aimed them towards Nino, "Go stop Homura and get Kurenai!" she insisted of her boyfriend. He still seemed hesitant for a moment, but steeled himself as green bio-electricity crackled around his body. He rocketed off into the warehouse after the others, leaving the Cat Leaper Quirk user to face the bearded man alone. He clenched his teeth.
"You have no idea what Kurenai's capable of…" he pointed out.
"I've heard something like that before," Rebecca noted as she tightened her grip on her weapons, "But it's not like we're going to run away," she affirmed, "Not when our friend needs us…" she added. Hurrying down the underground halls, Homura had a fire of determination in her eyes. She blinked as she noticed a group of Punishers coming her way, all drawing their scepters. She growled as she recognized their stances.
Drawing her red energy blades in flashes of light into her hands, she roared as she charged in and slashed her android foes to pieces, zipping right past them as their bodies collapsed to the ground. She took a deep breath through her nose to calm herself, keeping her grip on her blades tight as she stood up firmly. There was nothing that would stop her from getting to Kurenai, not when there was so much at stake for her.
X
"This place is a damn maze…" Kido muttered as he and the others hurried through the halls in search of Homura.
"Nino must've told Valkyrie about the paths she'd need to take in order to get to Kurenai…" Burnin presumed.
"Hey, we don't know if—!"
"Shoto," Endeavor chimed in, interjecting his son, "I don't like thinking about it either," he admitted, "But if Valkyrie was withholding where exactly Kurenai is in this place, we can't take something like that lightly," he told him seriously. The Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user gritted his teeth in frustration.
"I still don't get why Nino would do this…" Onima admitted as they turned a corner, "Didn't he say that he came to us to warn you, Endeavor?" he inquired of his boss.
"I don't think he's betrayed us, not necessarily," he replied to everyone's confusion. Outside, the Soul Arm Quirk user swung his energy-formed arms out to strike Rebecca, knocking her down. She aimed her Happy Blasters and fired, only for her shots to end up blocked by her opponent, making her grimace. "His goal was to get rid of Kurenai permanently in all likelihood," the Flame Hero noted to his colleagues as they stopped around another corner, "And he knew that the only that'd maybe be willing to do such a thing would be Valkyrie…" he added with narrowed eyes.
"We've gotta catch up with her before it's too late!" Izuku insisted.
"Calm down," Endeavor advised, "We'll stop her, I promise," he vowed firmly. At that moment, he heard a rumble nearby.
"That must be her!" Shoto presumed as he ran out.
"Shoto, wait!" his father yelled. The Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user was caught by surprise as he looked to see that several Punishers were coming towards him. He growled, making a frost form along his right arm, while flames started to ignite around his left arm.
"Get out of our way!" he roared, unleashing a wave of ice first to entrap the incoming androids, followed by spraying them with fire. The Flame Hero stared in shock at his son's raw power on display. It was much more controlled than he remembered. But instead of feeling pride, he was concerned. He had never seen his son so stressed over such a situation before.
"Let's keep moving!" Izuku insisted as he ran out with the others. None of them seemed to notice that there were cameras watching them. From another room, Kurenai curiously eyed each of the security screens, including the one that Homura was upon. She watched as the Soul Blade Quirk user kept on cutting down Punishers sent her way.
"Seems I'll be seeing you soon…" she realized, "As for your friends, I'll give them something else to worry about…" she mentioned as she clicked something upon her left hand. From within the halls, Shoto and the others continued on ahead. All of a sudden though, the walls behind them burst open, with more Punishers coming out.
"Crap!" Burnin yelped, pivoting around and forming a spear of fire from her flaming hair to clash against one android's scepter.
"Burnin!" Izuku cried out.
"You guys keep going!" the Blazing Hair Quirk user insisted as her fellow sidekicks came over to assist, "We'll take these rust-buckets ourselves!" she affirmed confidently.
"Right, best of luck," Endeavor remarked in response, "Let's keep moving!" he insisted of his work study students.
"Right!" Izuku and Shoto replied, while Katsuki smirked. The latter of the trio blasted on ahead of his colleagues, hoping to make outpace them with ease. He thought back to the U.A. Entrance Exam, where he found himself losing in total points during the practical portion thanks to Homura. While he hated to admit it, she was strong. And that was proven when he saw her battle in the Sports Festival against strong opponents like Tenya and Shoto. If the finals had come down to him and her, he didn't know if he could win.
His thoughts were interrupted as a wall burst open ahead of him, with Baku emerging from it. He was rearing his axe back, ready to strike the Explosion Quirk user, who was still heading right toward him. The momentum he had built up couldn't just be killed in a split-second.
"Kacchan!" Izuku screamed, lunging out and grabbing his rival, zipping past their foe's axe as it was swung. They landed down and came to a stop safely.
"What the hell, ya damn nerd?!" the Explosion Quirk user shouted out, "What're grabbing me for?!" he questioned angrily.
"I'm trying to keep you from getting chopped in half!" his rival yelled back. As they bickered, the lion-like man stepped out into the hall.
"Endeavor, the Flame Hero…" he addressed, causing the Hellflame Quirk user to narrow his eyes, "I won't be stopping you," he confirmed to his surprise, "My goal is to make sure that you're the only one who makes it to Madame Kurenai," he told him.
"Is she afraid of dealing with anyone else?" Shoto inquired callously in response.
"Hmph," Baku scoffed, lunging out at him instantaneously to his shock. However, he found himself stopped as several black energy tendrils had wrapped around his body, keeping him in place. They had come from the left arm of Izuku, who clenched his teeth.
"Kacchan!" he yelled out.
"Don't tell me what to do!" the Explosion Quirk user roared as he blasted himself over, planting himself onto the lion-like man's back. He gasped before needing to endure a point-blank explosion. Though the tendrils around him dissipated, he was sent tumbling down the hall.
"We'll handle this guy!" Izuku declared as he stood up.
"Tch," his rival scoffed, "I could take him myself…" he grumbled out.
"Thanks, you two," Shoto said gratefully, hurrying onward past the One For All inheritor with Endeavor to follow. Baku got back onto his feet, growling.
"Don't get mad, kitty-kat…" Katsuki remarked as small explosions crackled off of his open hands, "You wanted Endeavor to get by, didn't ya?" he inquired rhetorically, while Izuku took on a ready stance.
"Hmph," the lion-like man scoffed, tightly gripping his battle axe.
'Todoroki… Kogetsu… Endeavor…' Izuku uttered inwardly, clenching his fists, 'Please don't get yourselves killed!' he pleaded through his thoughts as he lunged forward. The Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user kept along his path with his father, icing up Punishers that they came across with ease. However, he took notice of ones that had been already cut down.
"We're on the right path," he confirmed, narrowing his eyes a little.
"Shoto!" Endeavor exclaimed, quickly wrapping his arms around his son, protecting him from getting lashed by the whip that shot out at them. He winced from the attack, gritting his teeth as he felt his right arm go numb instantly.
"Damn, I didn't mean for you to get hit, Endeavor…" a familiar voice noted, getting the heroes' attention as they looked to see the figure of Garrot sauntering in, dragging his whip along, "Madame Kurenai does want you at full strength before she does away with you, after all…" he mentioned with a grin.
'This guy…' Shoto uttered inwardly, narrowing his eyes.
"Endeavor, you should go on ahead," he insisted of his father, causing him to lightly gasp in surprise.
"Shoto…" he uttered.
"If Kurenai wants you, then fine," the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user said, "But she'll have to deal with both you and Homura," he pointed out, "She'll definitely lose in that case," he affirmed confidently. The Flame Hero closed his eyes for a moment.
"All right… I'll leave this one to you," he decided, heading off. Garrot didn't do a thing, letting the Hellflame Quirk user pass.
"Hm," he scoffed with a chuckle, "You really think Endeavor's gonna win?" he inquired of his foe, who had ice start to form underneath his right foot.
"Why do you seem so confident in Kurenai?" he asked back, "She'll be fighting against Homura and Endeavor," he pointed out.
"Will she, though?" the Whip Master Quirk user questioned to his surprise, "If Homura's smart…" he continued, readying his whip as he coiled it, "she'll fall in line like a good little girl," he noted, licking his lips. Fire ignited around Shoto's scar as he gave off an angered look of surprise.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he inquired through a snarl. Meanwhile, the Soul Blade Quirk user herself stood over several bisected Punishers, breathing heavily with exhaustion. All that stood in her way now was but a single large bay door. She took a deep breath to relax herself, assuming a serious expression.
'Valkyrie…' she began through her thoughts, 'please watch over me,' she requested, readying another energy blade. However, before she could even think to slash the door open, it suddenly started opening on its own. She took a cautious step back, but stayed in a ready stance as the light from the next room shone upon her.
She could make out a lone figure just ahead. It was Kurenai. She turned to see Homura there, blinking in surprise. A smile crossed her face.
"So, you've finally made it…" she noted, "I'm so happy to see you," she mentioned. The Soul Blade Quirk user glared daggers back at her.
"I do not share the sentiment," she remarked, "My only joy is that I'll avenge my master by killing you…" she snarled, launching herself forward in an instant.
"Homura, please…" Kurenai said, "You shouldn't hurt your mother without an explanation…" she pointed out. In that instant, the Soul Blade Quirk user widened her eyes and gasped, screeching to a complete halt. Her blade was still pointed at the villainess, who smiled. "You've grown into such a beautiful young woman…" she noted, reaching over and putting her left hand onto Homura's extremities, as she was frozen with shock.
"You're… my…?" she tried to ask.
"It's been so long, my daughter…" Kurenai pointed out.
X
Rebecca grimaced upon seeing the damage left behind by just one of the punches from Nino's energy arms. He swung them out, continuing to mimic movements of a boxer all the while. His foe was barely managing to weave around them, firing off shots from her Happy Blasters, only for them to be blocked easily by her opponent.
"Oh, come on…" she complained, hopping back to avoid another punch that struck the ground. It was already as the sun set in the background. Nino pulled his energy arms back.
"We fought before back on I-Island," he recalled, "You acted as if you knew what we were planning from the outset," he pointed out, narrowing his eyes slightly, "I suppose that's how you knew I was going to help Valkyrie's successor…" he concluded.
"'Help'?" Rebecca repeated, clenching her teeth, "How does wanting to make Homura kill someone help her?!" she questioned angrily, "She's trying to be a hero!" she shouted.
"I'm sure even heroes have to make such difficult choices," Nino assumed, "Do you know the horrors that Kurenai has done under everyone's noses?" he inquired as he thrusted his energy fists out at the Cat Leaper Quirk user again, forcing her to fall back and dodge, "I was there when she killed Valkyrie!" he pointed out, "I tried to stop her!" he mentioned while managing to strike his foe across her stomach as she winced, "She was willing to go to those lengths in order to keep her building empire secret!" he mentioned, swiping his target's face with another energy fist. She stumbled back, but remained on her feet as she wiped away the blood trickling down the left corner of her lip.
"Her empire…?" she repeated.
"That's right…" the Soul Arm Quirk user said, "Valkyrie had shown up at the worst possible moment for her when she was on the cusp of bringing her goals to reality," he remembered, "The only way out she could see was killing her, even though she had done her a massive service…" he explained on.
"What do you mean?" Rebecca asked as she blinked in confusion.
"Valkyrie raised Kurenai's daughter," Nino answered. The Cat Leaper Quirk user's eyes widened in realization. "Now you know," he said, "And I hope that Homura never knows that the woman she's going to kill is her own mother," he added, thrusting his energy fists out at his foe again. Every sound drowned out in Rebecca's ears for a moment. As someone who lived a life without a biological mother, the fact that Homura's was the one responsible for killing her mentor made things all the more complicated. And the Cat Leaper Quirk user dropped her blasters, letting the wing-like markings at her ankles brighten and expand.
"I'm sure Homura'll never forgive who took Valkyrie's life…" she noted as she assumed her Overdrive, speeding right past the incoming fists as Nino gasped in surprise, "But there's no way I or anyone else would let her kill that person, even if she's her mother!" she declared with blue bio-electricity crackling around her. She swung her right leg out into her foe's stomach, sending him flying back before he crashed up against the wall of the warehouse, falling down onto his stomach. He tried to push himself up, but fell in a low groan. The Cat Leaper Quirk user transformed back to normal, reclaiming her blasters.
"You… don't understand…" her former foe grunted out, trying to push himself up.
"You're right, I don't," she responded as she walked over to him, "Why would Homura's own mother leave her daughter in Valkyrie's care?" she asked of him.
"That was her plan…" he answered to her surprise. Back inside, Baku swung his axe down at Izuku and Katsuki, who jumped back to evade the blow as the blade collided hard with the floor, sending splinters flying past the pair.
"So this bastard's Quirk's called Axe Master, right?" the Explosion Quirk user inquired of his rival, who landed beside him and nodded his head.
"I'm pretty sure Steiner beat him back on I-Island…" he recalled, narrowing his eyes as the lion-like man approached them, "If we're gonna win, we're gonna have to be fast," he advised, letting his green bio-electricity crackle around him. Huffing, Baku launched forward at his foes. The One For All inheritor grimaced.
'Crap, he's faster than I thought!' he exclaimed inwardly.
"Ha!" Katsuki laughed, aiming his left hand forward, "Figured you'd try for the full-frontal again, lion-face!" he yelled before blasting the incoming Axe Master Quirk user dead on with an explosion, "Heh!" he chuckled out.
"Not bad," Baku's voice echoed from behind, causing him to widen his eyes, "You almost got me that time," he admitted, about to swing his axe to slash the Explosion Quirk user from behind. However, he was ensnared by another set of black energy tendrils, yanking him away in the nick of time. As the lion-like man's attack missed, he suddenly found himself bombarded by the pressurized blasts of air launched thanks to flicking fingers of Izuku's left hand, as he pulled his rival over in the process.
"Kacchan, you okay?!" he immediately asked.
"The hell are you doing, ya damn nerd?!" the Explosion Quirk user roared in question, "I didn't need your damn help!" he proclaimed angrily.
"Of course you didn't…" Izuku muttered.
"This is growing tiresome…" Baku grumbled, getting his attention as he saw his foe holding his axe up, rearing it back, "Battle Axe…" he began as his weapon's blades shined a bright yellow, "SONIC WAVE!" he roared, unleashing crescent-shaped blades of energy out towards his foes.
"Move!" the One For All inheritor yelled, tackling Katsuki away as they ducked into another hall to evade the blades. Their foe huffed with a smirk.
Baku! Quirk: Axe Master!
With a specific weapon in hand, he can wield it as if it weighs nothing at all! Being basically an extension of his own body, he can also use his axe to unleash blades of light that not many can stop! With that axe, he's not gonna cut you any slack!
'Damn, he can used ranged attacks…' Izuku noted inwardly with a grimace, 'And that speed of his is a problem…' he mentioned through his thoughts, 'We need to find a way to catch him off guard…' he concluded to himself.
"What the hell…?" Katsuki growled out, getting his attention before he was grabbed by his mask and yanked over by his rival, "Why do you keep getting in the way, you damn nerd?!" he asked angrily.
"Huh?!" the One For All inheritor exclaimed, "I'm trying to keep you from getting yourself hurt, Kacchan!" he pointed out emphatically. Overhearing their arguing, Baku narrowed his eyes, stomping over. "We can't win this fight by just rushing in! You know that!" Izuku noted to his rival.
"Shut up!" he shouted back, "I can handle this lion bastard mysel—!" Without warning, the One For All inheritor smacked him in the face with his left hand. For a moment, he was left in shock. "D-Did you just…?" he started to ask in a growl.
"Yeah, I did," Izuku snarled back quietly as he grabbed the Explosion Quirk user by his collar, "And I've had it up to here with your crap for the longest time," he pointed out, "I want us to work together and get through this," he insisted on, "But that only works if you cooperate, you idiot!" he whispered angrily. Katsuki was admittedly shocked by his rival's sudden boldness. But then, he scoffed.
"Okay, so what's your plan?" he asked almost reluctantly. Baku approached the room the pair had entered. However, he was surprised to find the smoke billowing inside of it.
'A cover? How pointless,' he remarked inwardly, zipping into the room and swinging his axe swiftly to blow away the smoke. He saw that no one was in the room, at least from his perspective. All of a sudden, black energy tendrils wrapped around his right arm, making him yelp in surprise.
"Now, Kacchan!" Izuku yelled, having his Blackwhips hold the lion-like man's arm as tightly as possible. The Explosion Quirk user shot over, blasting their foe's axe out of his grasp as it clattered onto the ground.
"Damn you!" he roared, using his strength to yank the One For All inheritor over. However, he was prepared as he extended his left leg out. And in the meantime, Katsuki blasted out at the Axe Master Quirk user. He ultimately had to take a powerful kick to the back of his head and an explosion to his stomach. Unfortunately, it was enough to render him unconscious as he collapsed onto the floor.
"Hmph," the Explosion Quirk user scoffed, "I could've taken that axe outta his hands at any time…" he grumbled out. His rival rolled his eyes, not wanting to entertain a response.
"You guys!" Rebecca's voice called out, getting their attentions as they looked over to see her at the doorway.
"Rebecca!" her boyfriend exclaimed in relief, jogging over and immediately hugging her, "What happened with Nino?" he asked of her.
"I took him down, don't worry," she assured in reply as she pulled herself away, "Glad to see that you took care of the lion guy, too…" she mentioned.
"Huh," Katsuki huffed, walking past them, "If you two lovebirds are done, we gotta get after Todoroki and Endeavor to stop loose lips," he pointed out.
"Wait, hold on," Rebecca insisted.
"Ah, now what?!" the Explosion Quirk user shouted in frustration. He blinked in surprise upon noticing the troubled expression upon the ash blonde-haired girl's face.
"Rebecca?" Izuku said worriedly, "What is it?" he asked of her. Meanwhile, Shoto grimaced, seeing his waves of ice get instantly shattered apart by the lashing whip of Garrot, who was cackling all the while.
Garrot! Quirk: Whip Master!
When holding a whip in his hand, it's like an extension of his own body. He can have it move in any direction he wants, lashing through almost anyone and anything! There's no one like him who whips it good!
'If my ice isn't going to work… then how about this?!' the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user exclaimed, unleashing a stream of fire out toward his foe. He smirked, spinning his whip around in a way that created a torrent, blowing the flames apart as they seared past him. His opponent gasped.
"Surprised, huh?!" he presumed, "I've learned a few things ever since our little meet-and-greet back on I-Island!" he pointed out, "I might not be able to take Endeavor, but I can at least kill his stupid son!" he noted on, "Maybe that's gonna give me more rep, too!" he added excitedly. Shoto scoffed, ceasing his flames and unleashing a wave of ice. Garrot leapt over it, swinging his whip out and lashing his foe across the chest as a portion of his costume was torn away.
"Ah!" he yelped in agony, feeling a numbness start to overcome his body.
"Oh, don't pass out on me just yet!" his foe insisted, landing more and more lashes to his foe, not relenting in the slightest, "You're gonna be my greatest trophy after all!" he pointed out, cackling all the while. The Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user gritted his teeth, enduring the lashes as best he could. He then managed to take hold of his foe's whip in a split-second with his left hand, holding it tightly.
Garrot was admittedly surprised, but didn't think much of it. Knowing that the numbing agents coating his whip would render his enemy motionless soon enough, he felt that the fight was about to end. And it was. Igniting flames mightily around the left side of his body, Shoto had them spread out to the Whip Master Quirk user, who yelped in surprise, barely managing to let go of his burning weapon as it fell to the ground.
"That whip really is annoying…" the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user growled out, thrusting his left fist out to launch another stream of flames that struck his defenseless foe, making him cry out in pain. When the fire subsided, smoke wafted off of Garrot before he toppled over backwards onto the ground. Letting his flames go out, Shoto exhaled a few heavy breaths.
'I'm thankful that the numbness isn't too bad…' he noted to himself, 'Still, I need to be careful,' he affirmed inwardly, taking a few steps forward.
"Ergh…" the downed Garrot groaned. His eyes widened upon seeing the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user approach.
"Talk," he commanded, narrowing his own eyes, "What did you mean when said Homura would 'fall in line'?" he inquired. The frightened expression upon the Whip Master Quirk user's face twisted in a devious smirk.
"You don't even know who Homura really is to Madame Kurenai…" he pointed out.
"Then tell me," Shoto advised, holding a flame out threateningly to Garrot, who flinched slightly. Elsewhere in the labyrinth, Endeavor turned a corner, finding himself met with dozens of Punishers.
"Ergh…" he growled, "I don't have time for this!" he roared out, rocketing out at them.
X
"You're… my mother…?" Homura inquired of Kurenai, letting her energy blade disappear in her hands. The woman before her nodded, putting her left hand onto her daughter's cheek.
"It's been so long…" she noted, tearing up a little, "I was starting to think I'd never get the chance to see you again…" she admitted with a giggle. The Soul Blade Quirk user's eyes were shaking. The one who killed Valkyrie… was her own mother?! Conflicting thoughts raged in her mind. She didn't know what to do except step back cautiously. "I'm not surprised you're hesitant," Kurenai admitted, "You probably don't remember much of me," she concluded.
"What I remember… is you promising that you would return one day…" Homura recalled, "You said you just needed to raise enough money to support me…" she mentioned on.
"And that I did," her mother confirmed in reply, "But truthfully, I had to do some less than favorable things to get that money," she confessed as she turned away for a moment, "That's why I couldn't come and get you from the orphanage," she mentioned, "At least, not until you were ready…" she added further, causing the Soul Blade Quirk user to blink in confusion.
"What do you mean…?" she asked. Kurenai turned to face her.
"Twelve years ago was when we discovered that you weren't going to inherit a Quirk," she told her, "At least, I did," she corrected to her daughter's surprise, "I knew surviving in this world would be difficult without a Quirk, and the only other way you could get one was inheriting an Ether-type, something that we lacked," she explained on, "So I made the decision I found sensible at the time and sent you away," she mentioned, "While you were being raised at that orphanage, I was trying to build up a good life for the both of us," she kept going, "Even if it meant doing rather distasteful things," she added.
"You became a criminal…" Homura realized, clenching her fists.
"Homura, you have to understand," Kurenai insisted, "I did not appreciate having to do such things," she continued, "but the situations I found myself thrust in forced my hands," she affirmed, looking down ashamedly, "All I wanted was to give you a better life…" she admitted. Outside, Endeavor burned through more and more Punishers.
"I'm sorry to say that you never got the chance to provide me with that life," the Soul Blade Quirk user noted to her mother, regaining her composure as she reformed another energy sword in her right hand, "Valkyrie provided me with more than enough," she affirmed.
"And how do you think that came to be?" Kurenai questioned to her surprise, "Don't you find it strange that your orphanage was set ablaze, and Valkyrie just so happened to rescue you that day?" she inquired on rhetorically, "I had it planned out, all for you," she confirmed, causing Homura to gasp.
"Wh…What…?" she stuttered out.
"I wanted you to have an amazing Quirk…" her mother pointed out, "And Valkyrie's was just perfect!" she added with outstretched arms, "Not just manifesting blades, but weapons that can be shaped from them!" she mentioned on, "I had no intention of getting anyone killed in that fire, mind you…" she kept going as her daughter's eyes shook with disbelief, "but I knew that if Valkyrie saw someone as meek and timid as you amidst all those other children," she continued, "she'd take you in and make you strong," she affirmed, "And you look at you now!" she exclaimed, "Likely one of the top students of UA's Hero Course and with a bright future ahead!" she noted excitedly. Homura trembled.
"If… this is all true…" she began, causing Kurenai to blink in confusion, "why did you kill Valkyrie?" she questioned. In the meantime, another door was blasted open and Endeavor charged in through the smoke. Unfortunately, he found that the room he entered was empty.
"Damn…" he cursed, about to leave.
"Believe me, I didn't want to have her killed…" Kurenai's voice echoed, causing him to stop as his eyes widened. He went over to the window and spotted both the villainess and Homura there, standing just a few yards apart from each other. "But she was just so adamant about me doing my duty and all that nonsense…" she mentioned callously.
"What… do you mean…?" her daughter asked. Her mother sighed.
FLASHBACK
"I'm looking for a Kurenai Kogetsu," Valkyrie stated upon entering the room. The well-dressed woman widened her eyes upon seeing who had entered.
"Y-Yes, of course!" she stuttered out, "I'm right here!" she confirmed, walking over, "What can I do for the strongest of the Shining Star Heroes?" she inquired of her.
"You're Homura's mother, aren't you?" she questioned back, arching an eyebrow.
"Homura…?" Kurenai repeated in shock, "You know where she is?!" she inquired emphatically with distress in her voice, "I heard about that fire and—!"
"Calm down, she's been fine," Valkyrie interjected, putting her hands onto the woman's shoulders, "I've… actually been raising her in your stead," she pointed out.
"Really…?" the well-dressed woman questioned out of shock.
"Yeah," the Shining Star Hero responded with a nod, "She's even learned how to use my Quirk, Soul Blade," she mentioned.
"Oh, that's most wonderful!" Kurenai exclaimed, "Thank you so much for continuing to take such good care of her!" she added gratefully. Valkyrie glanced off to the side for a moment.
"I… can't keep raising her," she confirmed to the well-dressed woman's surprise, "The other day, she got held up in school for something she got involved in," she explained, "She was protecting another student, and the school wouldn't let her leave without a guardian to take her home," she mentioned further.
"I see…" Kurenai uttered, though she seemed uncaring.
"I can't look out for her when I'm on duty, and it's going to be problematic if she keeps getting involved in things that could leave her alone for too long…" Valkyrie told her, "So I'm going to relinquish my care of her to you," she declared, bowing her head.
"Hmm…" the well-dressed woman hummed, folding her arms over her chest, "I'm sorry, but I can't take her back for the moment," she apologized, turning and walking away.
"Huh?" the Shining Star Hero uttered in confusion, "Wait, hold on a sec!" she cried out, "Homura had said you only left her in that orphanage because you didn't have the support you needed to raise her," she recalled, walking after her, "But you seem to be doing pretty well for yourself now…" she noted, narrowing her eyes curiously.
"And while that may be the case, Homura's still too young to come back to me…" Kurenai retorted to the shock of Valkyrie.
"The hell's that supposed to mean?" she questioned, "Don't you want to see your daughter again?" she inquired on.
"Not when she's still too weak…" the well-dressed woman responded, "But I'm sure you'll be able to train her to be even stronger in just a few more years," she affirmed confidently. The Shining Star Hero paused in disbelief. She gnashed her teeth together, clenching her fists.
"I've always wanted to be a mother…" she pointed out, "and I did my best to raise Homura, even though I didn't have half a clue as to what I was doing sometimes…" she mentioned as Kurenai glanced back at her in annoyance, "Even so, I cherished those moments with her, because she felt like an actual daughter to me…" she confessed, "So why the hell would you want to not have those kinds of moments with her?!" she questioned angrily of the well-dressed woman.
"…Ugh…" she groaned out, "You're being too irritating…" she grumbled.
"I'm only trying to get you to—!" All of a sudden, Valkyrie felt something slam into her from her left side, widening her eyes to see the battle axe blade slashing through her hip. Baku swung mightily, sending her tumbling across the floor before she slammed up against the wall in a yelp.
"Apologies for the delay, Madame Kurenai," he remarked to his superior.
"No worries," she assured, watching as the Shining Star Hero tried to pick herself up, "I don't think she was planning on attacking me anyway," she affirmed confidently. She then blinked in surprise upon seeing the pieces of metal upon the ground, having expected there to be blood. A fluid did pour out from Valkyrie's hip as she got to her feet, letting out heavy breaths. "Well now…" Kurenai uttered curiously.
"What are you doing, Kurenai…?!" the Shining Star Hero questioned, attempting to rush out at her. However, a whip suddenly wrapped around her neck, originating from Garrot. "Wha—?! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" she shrieked as she felt herself get zapped, all while the Whip Master Quirk user chuckled.
"Oh man, it's been too long since I've gotten to torture a top hero like this!" he remarked, going over and kicking Valkyrie down to her knees as she grimaced in agony.
"How very interesting…" Kurenai noted upon approaching, "You're not human, but you feel pain like the rest of us…" she mentioned, putting her right hand onto her chin, "What exactly are you?" she wondered aloud. The Shining Star Hero lifted her head up.
"Do you even care about your daughter…?" she questioned, giving off a frustrated look.
"Of course I do!" the well-dressed woman proclaimed in response, "But I want her to become strong enough to be at my side!" she pointed out, "That's why I had you take care of her in the first place…" she added, much to Valkyrie's shock as her eyes widened, "I suppose that's over now…" she muttered in admittance, reaching her right hand out to the Soul Blade Quirk user, "It's a shame, but I do have a reputation to build…" she noted with a devious grin. The Shining Star Hero gritted her teeth, manifesting several blades in midair that rained down towards her foes. They leapt away to evade them in the nick of time, with Kurenai scoffing.
From there, it was a struggle. Valkyrie did everything she could to fight back in spite of her damages. In the end, she lost an arm and received substantial other injuries in exchange for dealing wounds to Garrot and Baku, whom had both protected Kurenai. She huffed proudly, stepping forward and extending her right hand out again.
"Don't be sad, Valkyrie," she advised as a red glow radiated off of her palm, "Homura will be in the best care possible when she's ready to come to my side," she promised. All the Shining Star Hero could do was accept her fate. As Kurenai placed her hand onto her face, she thought of the little girl she had helped raise, thinking of her like a daughter. And she'd never know if she was like a mother to her…
END FLASHBACK
Homura's eyes were shaking. She dropped the blade in her hands as it shattered against the floor. Endeavor was just as stunned. He had never realized that there was more to Valkyrie's death.
"So now you understand," Kurenai said, "I am thankful to Valkyrie, because she raised you to become one of the strongest young heroes in the country!" she pointed out, "And now, you're ready to come right to my side!" she affirmed on.
"Valkyrie… went to you because…" her daughter started to say, trembling as her eyes were watering, "She… died because…" she continued, thinking of her mentor's smiling face, "I…!" she whimpered out, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she screamed with dismay, collapsing to her knees and sobbing. Her mother blinked in surprise at her reaction, but then sighed.
"Homura, it's alright…" she assured, "Valkyrie's spirit and Quirk live on with you!" she noted, "And with that, you'll help me, won't you?" she presumed, all while the Soul Blade Quirk user cried. Up above in the windowed room, Endeavor clenched his fists and growled.
'Using her own daughter to further her ambitions…?!' he snarled inwardly, 'Someone like that is…!' he started to shout through his thoughts, only to stop as he blinked. He saw himself and Shoto in Kurenai and Homura's place. 'Someone like that… Someone… like…' he repeated to himself as he opened his hands. Did he really have any right to try and stop the Scarlet Woman, knowing that she was like him?
"Oh Homura, please stop crying…" she requested of her sobbing daughter, "Honestly, you're getting to be a little irritating now…" she admitted in annoyance. Homura still whimpered, her tears forming a small puddle in front of herself. "Ugh…" her mother groaned. All of a sudden, a rush of flames spewed into the room, causing her to gasp in surprise, while the Soul Blade Quirk user perked up from the sudden heat. Smoke filled the room as footsteps echoed. Kurenai smirked. "It's about time you showed yourself, Endeavor," she remarked, "I was beginning to think my Punisher Force was proving to be too much for you to handle," she admitted aloud, putting her right hand onto her hip, "But now you're finally here, and just in time for my daughter to see what I'm going to do to you," she affirmed confidently. However, she blinked in surprise. The smoke settled to reveal that it was Shoto who had entered the room. His father was still up watching from the windowed area.
"Shoto…" he uttered out, seeing his son walk over to Homura's side. She looked over at him with tears continuing to streak down her face.
"Shoto…?" she uttered out. He blinked in shock upon seeing such a dismayed expression from the Soul Blade Quirk user. He then turned toward Kurenai.
"So you're Homura's mother?" he inquired of her.
"So you overheard our little conversation then?" she presumed, exhaling a sigh, "I don't want to deal with Endeavor's half-baked son…" she grumbled out.
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you…" the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user remarked in response, taking a ready stance as ice formed beneath his right foot, while flames expelled from his left arm, "Because I'm going to be the one who takes you down," he vowed, much to everyone's shock.
ENDING
Insert "Believe" by Soushi Sakiyama
Opens with Homura waking up and preparing for the day, getting dressed in her school uniform before lying on her knees in front of her memorial to Valkyrie, offering a prayer before she heads off. As she gathers in the dorm common room with her classmates, she sees Shoto and smiles, walking off with him. She breathes out a puff of cold air, looking up at the partly cloudy winter sky.
Later, we see her at the Endeavor Agency, practicing with her energy blades against the fiery ones Burnin creates with her Quirk, all while the Flame Hero watches. As Homura's exhaustion catches up with her, Endeavor offers her a cup of tea to ease her. She accepts it, sipping it gratefully. We transition to her as a child, sitting on the porch of her old home with Valkyrie, as they smile at each other.
Being taught for years how to fight with Soul Blade, Homura never knew her teacher was actually an android. But that didn't matter to her either way, as she appreciated what Valkyrie had done for her. We cut to when the police showed up at her home one evening, with Naomasa telling her the unfortunate news of Valkyrie's death. We see the lifeless body of the Shining Star Hero, having many scarlet burns along her body, with a missing right arm and half of her face gone, revealing her robotic appearance underneath.
Back in the present, we see Homura still mourning over her teacher to this day. Things have only been harder after discovering that she was a machine all this time. She starts to tear up a little, but then suddenly has a hand come onto her back. She looks to her right to see a smiling Rebecca there, followed by turning to her left to find Izuku and Katsuki there, with the former flashing a kind grin.
A hand then extends for the Soul Blade Quirk user as she looks to see Shoto standing in front of her. She gratefully accepts it as tears prick her eyes. They walk off together, with Homura starting to lean against Shoto in the process…
END ENDING
Phew! What a doozy of a chapter! But things aren't over just yet! Up next is the event you've probably been waiting for: Shoto VS Kurenai! I promise that it'll be just as exciting as it sounds!
Thanks for reading, everyone! I'll see you next time!