The team approached the Control Room, stopping in front of a large metal door with a control panel on the left. Melissa stepped forward, her hand hovering over the scanner with a steadying breath. She placed her palm on it, and the panel flashed green, sliding open the doors to reveal a spacious high-tech room. A low hum pulsed from dozens of polished monitors, pristine and unperturbed by the chaos beyond through the room.
Inside, two men stood by a central control console. One was stocky, with blond hair and a black tuxedo, holding a sleek metal case. The other had messy brown hair and wore a light gray three-piece suit. Melissa stifled a gasp and started forward, but Ochaco raised a finger to her lips, gesturing for everyone to stay hidden.
The stocky man spoke eagerly, practically vibrating with excitement as he opened the case to reveal a polished metal device. Ochaco squinted, enhancing her eyesight. It looked intricate, but she sensed no magic from it.
"You did it, Professor!" the man exclaimed. "We finally got it back."
"Yes," the Professor replied with a weary sigh, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "This device, my research—it's the culmination of my life's work. I would never let anyone else control it."
"Everything's going to plan, isn't it?" the stocky man continued, his tone too eager. "Even the villains are doing exactly what we need."
Melissa's heart plummeted, her wide eyes reflecting her shock. "Papa?"
Ochaco glanced at her, giving hand signals to Momo and Toru. Momo nodded, while Toru quietly moved into position, her form vanishing into the shadows.
"Thank you, Sam," the Professor said, glancing at the other man. "None of this would have been possible without you." He started up the stairs toward him, visibly relieved.
"Papa..." Melissa's voice trembled as she stepped out of hiding, her expression a mixture of pain and disbelief.
Both men turned at her voice, startled.
"Mel-Melissa..." David stammered, his eyes widening.
Sam quickly masked his surprise, his expression hardening. "Miss, what are you doing here?"
Melissa ignored him, staring at her father. "What do you mean, everything 'going to plan'? Are you...behind this whole takeover?" Her voice quivered, each word sharp with shock and accusation. "Tell me, Papa—is it true?"
David's shoulders slumped. "Yes," he admitted quietly, his gaze cast downward.
"Why?" Melissa stepped closer, her fists clenched at her sides. "Why would you do something like this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper but heavy with disbelief.
Sam interjected smoothly, raising the metal device. "The Professor is only reclaiming what was stolen from him," he said, offering Melissa a confident smile. "This invention amplifies Quirks mechanically, without the need for dangerous drugs or invasive procedures. The sponsors confiscated it and froze the research to protect their interests. So, the Professor and I took matters into our own hands."
This shocked everyone, including Ochaco. Nobody had ever heard of such device before. Her brows knitted, her suspicion mounting. "So you're telling me," she said, revealing herself, "that you brought in villains just to get your hands on a Quirk amplifier?"
David met her gaze, his expression earnest. "The villains aren't hurting anyone—they're only distracting the heroes, nothing more."
Ochaco studied him, her eyes narrowing. She could tell he genuinely believed what he was saying, but the security bots they'd encountered earlier opening fire and Sam's too-smooth demeanor told her otherwise. She felt a surge of relief knowing Toru was already in position. On the other hand, Sam reminded her of the those in coteries at Court. Always sucking up and punching down to advance their own agenda. In other words, a Fool.
Mina whispered, glancing at the others, "So he has no idea that this whole thing is out of his control?"
Melissa took a step forward, voice quivering as she locked her gaze on her father. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, trembling slightly. "You...you always told me science was about making the world better, about helping heroes." Her voice trembled, each word a sharp stab of betrayal. "But this?" She gestured around, her eyes glistening. "This isn't who you are, Papa."
David's face crumpled. "You didn't know about it, but ALL MIGHT's quirk is quickly disappearing. This is the only way to maintain the Symbol of Peace," he explained. "Please. Let me hand this over to ALL MIGHT! There is no longer enough time to remake it. After he gets it, I don't care what kind of punishment I receive!"
"But they are trying to hurt people!" Melissa protested, her eyes tearing up. "If the villains are only here as a distraction, then why did the security bots attack us? Why did they use lethal force against us, Papa?"
He stared at her, his face paling. "L-Lethal force?"
"Yeah. We were attacked before we entered the building. Do you really not know anything about that?"
Shocked, David turned to Sam. "What are they talking about? They were only supposed to be acting!"
"Of course, it was only an act," a new voice called out. A man with white coat over black military uniform stepped into the room, wearing a metal mask. Beside him, a man with light blond hair, wearing tactical military uniform over black long-sleeved shirt and pants. "The act of pretending to be fake villains," he smirked arrogantly as he taunted them.
He touched the metal door and the guard railings went straight to where Ochaco was. Before anyone could react, Ochaco appeared behind him, blade flashing in a precise arc. A spray of blood hit the air as his arm fell to the sterile ground with a heavy thud. Her blade, created by Momo, wasn't on par with the one she inherited from her mentor, but her magic more than compensated when dealing with a Normie.
"ARGGHH" he screamed, clutching his shoulder as his eyes widened at the sight of his bleeding arm. He touched the floor to have it target Ochaco, but she was too sidestepped his attacks, her focus steady. But he wasn't aiming only for her—A metal tendril whipped toward the case.
But this, too, was stopped by an oncoming acid projectile from Mina.
The man's companion, finally able to react, reached for his gun and aimed at Melissa, hoping it would distract the heroes long enough for an escape. He didn't notice the earphone jacks disassembling the pistol in his grip—until a hand suddenly touched his face, a sharp jolt of electricity surging through him.
Large chunks of metal shot toward them, forcing Ochaco to cast a Shield to protect everyone except Toru and David, who were covered by hers. Each impact made the barriers flicker, and Ochaco felt the strain as if a weight pressed against her.
Wolfram's eyes narrowed as he tightened his grip on the metal case, yanking Sam towards the exit. "We're leaving," he growled, already moving.
Ochaco tensed, knowing they couldn't let the villains escape with the Quirk Amplifier. But with the continued assault of metal debris pummeling her shield, her focus was divided.
Mina acted first, her Acid Quirk spraying a corrosive barrier that forced Wolfram and Sam to veer off course. They stumbled, but quickly regained their footing, darting through the doorway and disappearing from view.
Once they had made their escape, Ochaco took a steadying breath, surveying the aftermath. With the immediate threat gone for now, she could shift her attention to regrouping the team and containing the damage.
Before she could even begin delegating tasks, Mina suddenly tensed, her eyes widening. "Ochaco..." Mina's voice trembled, a shiver running down her spine. "I...I can feel Daddy. His Rage, it's - it's like the world is about to be consumed by fire."
Ochaco's brow furrowed with concern. "Is he alright? Does he need us there now?"
Before Mina could answer, the entire room shuddered with a tremendous, earth-shaking rumble. Ochaco braced herself as the tremors rolled through. The others looked around in alarm, the floor juddering beneath their feet. She windows shattered into a million shards from the pressure, it's as if a titan stomped the Earth, the tremor shook the foundations of the building itself, cracks appeared along the walls, and the roof threatened to cave in.
Then, the shaking subsided, and the silence that followed was almost eerie.
"Is that..." Melissa trailed off.
"Yeah, that's Daddy, alright," Mina answered. "He's going to be okay, I think. Just Exhausted. But he's coming this way." That amount of Rage is not something she felt from him before. And she didn't like it. Neither did The Voices, which returned to making their usually unintelligible noises, for that matter.
Ochaco looked at the pink-skinned girl. She knew there's more to it, but knowing Izuku is well enough to get here allowed her to feel relief. Whatever happened, she could just ask him about it later.
Once the quaking subsided, Ochaco turned to the team, "Is every one unharmed?"
The group nodded, shaken but unharmed.
"Good," she said. "Now, we have a few tasks I want you all to do. Melissa, David," she turned to them, her tone authoritative. "Get to the security room and restore control of the systems." Turning to Toru and Kyouka, she continued, "Toru, Kyouka - you two will accompany them for protection."
Melissa hesitated, her gaze flickering with uncertainty as she looked to her father. But Ochaco held her stare, her expression brooking no argument. "We cannot let them escape with that device. Go, now."
Nodding firmly, Melissa turned to David, the two of them hurrying out of the room, with Toru and Kyouka close behind.
"Kaminari-kun," Ochaco went on, her tone brooking no argument. "As soon as David and Melissa have the security system back online, free ALL MIGHT and the other heroes." She pulled an earpiece from her pocket, handing it to him. "Use this to stay in contact with Toru-chan."
"Wait, I have to go back down?! By myself!?" Denki protested. "That's crazy!"
"Unfortunately, yes. Izuku is on his way right now, but if he could not make it in time, ALL MIGHT's assistance would be a big help," she answered.
"We're at least a hundred-fifty floor above the surface," Denki exclaimed, "can I even make it back down before sunrise?"
Ochaco then used her Quirk on Denki, floating him in space. "I would go there myself if I can, but someone had to stop those two," she said before turning to Momo, who then made propellers, powered by electricity and handed it over to Denki.
"This propeller could be powered by your Quirk," Momo said. "You just need to think of using it."
Denki nodded, then flew towards the nearest window before making his way to the lower levels.
"Mina and I are going after Wolfram," Ochaco declared. "Momo, I want you to stay here with Eri. You could Veil yourselves until the situation is resolved."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Momo nodded.
"Do you have a plan, Ochaco?" Mina asked, her voice hesitant.
Ochaco hesitated. Her gaze flickered to Eri, whose eyes were wide and frightened. Her heart twisted at the sight. 'She doesn't deserve this,' Ochaco thought. 'None of them do.'
Ochaco looked back at Mina. "Not exactly, but we have no choice," she answered, her voice taut.
Mina's brows knitted with concern.
"Let us go," Ochaco said, already moving. "Stay safe," she called over her shoulder to Momo, her gaze lingering on Eri for a moment longer. 'We will bring this to an end, little one. I promise,' she thought, her expression solemn.
"We will," Momo nodded. "Be careful."
Turning away, Ochaco followed after Mina, the two of them quickly falling into step. They both easily climbed up dozens of stairs using Ochaco's Quirk. Once they reached the top, they saw the entrance, with the door open and the lock broken.
Ochaco approached, peering outside. The frigid air assaulted her senses. She was never good with the cold, and that would be a generous way to describe the wind from the tall tower right now.
The moon shone bright overhead, casting the island in emerald green glow. It was as if the world had been dyed in the color of Izuku's eyes, and her breath caught at the beauty of it.
She shook her head, not entertaining any distractions at the moment. Too much at stake.
Even without looking around, the two girls managed to find Wolfram, one armed and dragging a taut man towards the helicopter.
The two exchanged glances, knowing what needed to be done. But before Ochaco could dash towards their targets, Mina asked her to cast a Shield spell for them both. Ochaco did, then ran towards the chest. It's one thing to beat the villains, but they had to secure the tech at all cost.
Wolfram sensed her, so he turned his back on her. "You again?!" he roared, a hand touching the floor as he launched the debris.
Ochaco dodged them with ease, leaping up the air and casting a Shield on her right foot, jumping high, then crashing it towards him, kicking him in the face, her heels digging quite deep on it, which made him lose his hold of Sam.
"AGHH!" he roared, blood pouring out his mouth as he stumbled backwards, the impact sending him tumbling into the ground. He tried to reach for the case, but Ochaco was already upon him.
She kicked the Quirk Amplifier case away from him, and then punched him in the face, the force making him roll over, landing in front of Sam.
Meanwhile, Mina proceeded to melt off the helicopter using her acid, leaving Wolfram one less avenue of escape. Ochaco knew that with a Quirk as versatile as him, it would be hard to really restrain him but they had to limit his options, at least.
Wolfram spat a glob of crimson onto the concrete, the metallic tang of blood thick in the air. His face was a mess of purple-black bruising, nose twisted at an unnatural angle and jaw hanging slack. A guttural laugh bubbled up from his throat despite the pain, his eyes blazing with a madman's fever. "You're good, but you're still too naïve."
The two were shocked as Wolfram took out a device and wore it on his head they didn't know what it was, and it was too late when they pieced it together. It was the Amplifier and he took it out of the case well before the fight begun. Before the two could realize, they were struck by cubes of steel, three meters on each side, traveling towards them at relativistic speeds.
Thankful for Mina asking her to cast Shield, otherwise both of them would be paste on the concrete floor right now. But the weight of impact wasn't absorbed completely by the spell. She felt her muscles screaming at her. It reminded her of that time she had to jog the whole city from dawn to dusk without break. All at once.
"HahAHahAAHA!" The man cackled, his eyes gleaming. "This is true power!" He grabbed a hold of the floor, launching debris at them once more, the pieces moving at a speed beyond the human eye could track.
Mina was hit in the face, breaking her nose. Ochaco, however, was able to dodge it, then kicked him in the head. But it did nothing. It felt as if she kicked the wall of Camelot. She jumped back, landing where Mina is.
"Mina, are you okay?" She looked at her boyfriend's Chosen. A lot of blood was flowing from her broken nose. She didn't expect her to be hit like that. 'What happened to probability manipulation?'
"I-I'm fine. Let's finish this before Daddy arrives and steps in. With his Rage before, I don't know what he'd do to this guy."
"Aren't you getting tired? Don't worry, I'm not." Wolfram sneered. "The real party hasn't even started yet."
Ochaco scowled, her hands gripping her blade. "Then allow me to cut it short." She darted towards him, sword held in Wrath position. But a large cube of steel appeared between her and the man.
"It's useless. My power is limitless. Nothing can stand in my way."
Mina, still holding her broken nose. "Oh yeah, you say?" She then produced acid from her fingers, melting the steel into liquid.
Wolfram's eyes narrowed at the sight, his grip tightening. "What are you doing?"
"This," she answered as she targeted the Quirk Amplifier. But Wolfram's too fast. Whatever the device did, it clearly amplified more than just his Quirk.
Wary of the damage Mina's acid could do to the device, Wolfram changed tactics. He didn't give Mina enough credit, and now the tables were turning.
In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance, his fist about to smash to her face in, but felt it drifting away like the space itself curving around her. He instead was the one met with an acid-coated fist to the face, followed by a swift kick in the groin.
The man screamed in pain, clutching his crotch. This gave Mina the perfect opening, and was about to take off the device.
But the man's reflexes kicked in, and he managed to evade it, but not without the acid hitting his shoulders.
The skin on Wolfram's face sizzled, the smell of cooking flesh permeating the air. His eyes filled with fury as he launched a barrage of metal debris at her. But that just mere distraction. With the device, he didn't need to touch any metal to manipulate it. And Ochaco's sword is clearly made up of metal. With them distracted, he only needed to stab them with it.
"What the—!?"
To his surprise, he couldn't yank or control the sword. Not because his Quirk wasn't working on it, but because even with the amplifier, he couldn't even move it a centimeter. Her grip was just too strong.
Ochaco stared at him, her brow furrowed, a look of intense concentration on her face. The strain of the struggle was evident, and her knuckles were white. But she stood firm.
Wolfram's eyes widened in disbelief as the sword remained firmly in Ochaco's grip. "Impossible..." he growled, his remaining hand clenching into a fist. "This device should give me absolute control over all metal!"
The failure to dominate even a simple sword gnawed at him. These were just teenage girls - he should be crushing them effortlessly with his amplified power. Instead, one had melted his face with acid while the other somehow defied his metal manipulation.
"What's wrong?" Mina taunted, wiping blood from her nose with the back of her hand. "Having trouble with your new toy?"
Wolfram's fury peaked. The amplifier hummed as debris flowed toward him like mercury, steel plates fusing with his flesh. His face elongated into a metallic maw, eyes blazing with otherworldly light as he became a nightmarish fusion of man and machine.
"Ochaco..." Mina's voice held a note of warning as she shifted into a defensive stance.
"I see it," Ochaco responded, her grip tightening on her sword. Wolfram was becoming something else entirely.
The transformed villain let out a roar of pain and frustration as the acid began to eat away at his metallic flesh. Ochaco took advantage of the opening, slashing her sword in a fluid arc. But to her surprise, the blade seemed to glance off Wolfram's reinforced form, barely leaving a mark.
Wolfram's unnatural eyes burned with a twisted determination. "Persistent little pests," he growled, his voice a grating, metallic rumble. He sent jagged steel towards the girls, forcing them to hastily retreat.
The girls exchanged a quick glance, acknowledging the challenge before them.
Wolfram's fist slammed down to the ground, transforming it into a hole that threatened to swallow them whole. The two jumped out of the way, but it didn't stop. The villain continued the assault, alternating between making sinkholes or spikes that shoot incredibly fast for them, eventually turning even the building around into one massive hand.
But unlike what Wolfram thought, this was actually advantageous to them. Unlike the previous metals shot at them this one wasn't attached to anything. Which means Ochaco's Quirk gets its time to shine!
As the giant fist hurtled toward them, Ochaco seized the opportunity, killing its momentum with her touch. With a sharp inhale, she mustered all her strength and flung the massive structure straight back at Wolfram. It was faster than Wolfram anticipated, causing him to react too late as hundreds of tons of metal hit him directly once Ochaco released her Quirk.
Disorientend from the attack, Mina didn't waste the chance as she sprayed acid at the villain's arm, the corrosive liquid sizzling against his metallic flesh. But Wolfram quickly regained his bearings, lashing out at the two.
The two girls worked in tandem, Ochaco's graceful swordplay creating openings for Mina to strike with her acid. Yet despite their combined efforts, Wolfram's enhanced strength and durability allowed him to weather their attacks.
Ochaco's arms trembled under the strain, her mind fighting to maintain the magic even as her body begged for rest. Mina's movements were starting to lose some of their fluidity as fatigue set in. They were running out of options, but neither was willing to back down.
Wolfram let out a grating, metallic laugh. "You two are starting to bore me. It's time I ended this little game."
He sent waves of jagged metal debris hurtling toward the girls. Ochaco frantically raised a shield, but the relentless barrage slowly began to wear it down.
Mina's acid sprayed across the incoming shrapnel, melting some of it, but more kept coming. The two were being pushed back, step by step, as Wolfram's assault continued unabated.
Ochaco's arms trembled under the strain, her strength nearly spent. Mina's breathing grew labored, each dodge a struggle.
Just as it seemed the girls were about to be overwhelmed, they heard a familiar voice:
A low rumble shook the rooftop as ALL MIGHT descended like a comet, his voice booming across the battlefield. "FEAR NOT, YOUNG HEROES! I AM HERE!"
Ochaco's eyes widened as she felt the familiar presence, her magical senses attuned to the towering figure that had just arrived. "ALL MIGHT..." she breathed, relief flooding her features.
Mina, her movements growing more desperate as fatigue set in, felt a renewed sense of determination at the hero's arrival. "Thank goodness," she muttered, her lips curving into a tired smile.
ALL MIGHT's face set in fierce determination, he cast a steely glance at the villain. "YOU WILL NOT HARM THESE STUDENTS!"
Wolfram's eyes narrowed, a flicker of hesitation piercing his metallic features as he glared at the towering hero. "So, the famous ALL MIGHT finally arrives," he sneered, though the edge in his voice betrayed a crack in his bravado.
But he wasn't his ordinary self either. Wolfram let out a grating laugh, his metallic form shifting as he prepared to meet the new challenger. "You won't stop me, hero!" He lunged forward, conjuring a block of metal more massive than before and lashing out with blinding speed.
ALL MIGHT was ready. With a fluid motion, he intercepted the attack, his powerful fist colliding with the chunk of steel. The force of the impact shattered the metal and sent it flying backwards, the impact scattering the green clouds around them.
Wolfram roared in outrage, the amplifier pulsing as he summoned a barrage of debris and launched it at the hero. But ALL MIGHT was undeterred. He weaved through the assault, his movements almost effortless.
Ochaco and Mina watched, their expressions a mix of relief and anticipation. For now, the tide of the battle seemed to have turned in their favor. ALL MIGHT's arrival had been a much-needed boost, and the girls couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence as they witnessed the legendary hero's prowess. But they knew better than to let their guard down, for Wolfram's amplified Quirk was still a formidable threat.
The clash between the iconic hero and the monstrous villain continued to rage on, with ALL MIGHT's unwavering determination and experience seemingly giving him the upper hand. Ochaco and Mina steeled themselves, ready to lend their support should the need arise.
As The Hero began to gain the upper hand, driving Wolfram's attacks back with a series of thunderous blows, the transformed villain's expression twisted with growing frustration.
"No! NO! Not like this! You won't stop me!" Wolfram bellowed, his distorted voice laced with a manic edge while his metallic body shifted and contorted as he channeled more power from the Quirk Amplifier. The air around them crackled with energy, and the scattered debris suddenly lurched into motion.
Shards of metal, jagged and sharp, hurtled toward ALL MIGHT in a relentless barrage. The hero braced himself, batting away the projectiles with powerful swings of his fists, but the onslaught continued unabated.
Ochaco conjured a glowing Shield, deflecting the flying debris aimed at them. Mina, in turn, focused her probability manipulation, subtly altering the trajectories of the metal shards, causing them to veer off course.
Wolfram conjured a massive claw and slashed at All Might, who grabbed it mid-swing to pull him closer. But Wolfram had baited him—the claw split in two. One changed its shape to wrap around ALL MIGHT. The other split into tinier parts, and turned into hundreds of sharp spikes, the tip of the spike all aimed directly at ALL MIGHT.
Ochaco's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as she watched the scene unfold. 'At that range, those would surely kill him.'
Her brow furrowed in concentration as she continuously reinforced the Shield around him, while Mina's eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she anticipated Wolfram's next move.
It took all of Wolfram's concentration to hold ALL MIGHT but he could sense the tables turning in his favor, his glowing eyes burned with a twisted sense of triumph. "Your strength means nothing!" he roared, creating and unleashing a relentless barrage of metal projectiles. "I will crush you, hero, and take what is rightfully mine!"
ALL MIGHT worked on releasing himself from the villains' hold. It was taking way longer than he'd like, though slowly but surely, he could feel himself making progress. But even the mighty Symbol of Peace could feel the strain beginning to take its toll. The continuous use of his Muscle Form didn't do him any favor. He needed to find an opening after escaping, a chance to end this confrontation decisively.
Ochaco and Mina, their movements in perfect sync, worked tirelessly to support ALL MIGHT, deflecting and disrupting Wolfram's attacks. Despite their fatigue, they could feel their resolve hardening with every passing moment.
ALL MIGHT's legendary strength was being pushed to its limits, but with Ochaco and Mina's unwavering aid, he remained steadfast, determined to emerge victorious.
With the fight seemingly at stalemate, Ochaco turned to Mina. "Mina, I need you to focus on supporting ALL MIGHT. I have an idea, but I shall need a moment to prepare."
Mina nodded, her expression resolute. "Leave it to me, Princess. I'll do whatever I can to give you the opening you need." She drew deep into Izuku's power from their link.
Ochaco gripped her sword tightly, focusing her energy into the blade. She could feel the metal becoming denser, the edge sharper and more pronounced. The sword grew heavier in her hands, but she knew the additional mass would be crucial for what she had in mind.
As Mina redoubled her efforts, unleashing waves of corrosive acid and expertly manipulating the trajectories of Wolfram's metal attacks, Ochaco poured every ounce of her magical power into the enhanced sword.
Wolfram was completely consumed by his battle with ALL MIGHT, his full attention devoted to overwhelming the iconic hero. He failed to notice Ochaco's preparations, his glowing eyes narrowed in concentration as he fought to maintain the upper hand.
"Now, Mina!" Ochaco called out, her voice strained with the effort of channeling her power.
Mina understood immediately, shifting her focus to disrupting Wolfram's attacks and creating an opening. With every twist of her hand, Mina warped trajectories, letting go of subtlety as she bent probability to ensure projectiles missed their mark.
In that moment, Ochaco stepped forward, her enhanced sword gripped tightly in her hands. Ochaco's hands trembled as she poured every ounce of her energy into the blade, each second draining her reserves. But her gaze held steady—she would strike true, or she would fall trying. She took a deep breath, then with a mighty heave, she hurled the blade directly at Wolfram's exposed flank.
The transformed villain, caught off guard by Mina's timely intervention, had no time to react. The sword, infused with Ochaco's magical power, sliced through the air with tremendous force, aiming straight for Wolfram's monstrous form.
The villain tried to avoid it, but Mina's support made it impossible. An arm movement here, a twist of his body there. His body was obeying commands not his own as reality itself forced him to move and make openings. His flank was hit by the blade as it went through the other side.
Before he could recover, however, ALL MIGHT ripped the steel holding him, seizing the opportunity to finish the fight.
With a mighty jump, ALL MIGHT spinned in the air, his right fist, approaching Wolfram at unimaginable speed, "CALIFORNIA SMASH!"
The villain's monstrous form crumpled beneath the force of the impact, his metallic body twisted and shattered. A large shockwave scattered the green clouds as the ground underneath collapsed as Wolfram crashed all the way down to the lowest floor, leaving a large hole in the rooftop.
All Might landed beside Ochaco and Mina, his trademark smile shining brighter than ever but both noticed him being short of breath. "THANK YOU, THE TWO OF YOU. I ASSUME YOUNG KAMINARI WAS FOLLOWING YOUR ORDERS TO FREE THE HEROES, YOUNG PENDRAGON?"
"Yes. I thought it was our best chance."
"DON'T WORRY!" He flashed a wide smile and gave a thumbs-up, "I WILL PERSONALLY TALK TO ANYONE WHO RAISES AN ISSUE! NOW, YOU TWO SHOULD REST WHILE I DEAL WITH THE AFTERMATH DOWN THERE," he said before jumping down.
"Looks like you guys didn't need my help," a voice called out. Looking to the side, Izuku could be seen without his shirt and only wearing tattered jeans. "I felt Mina draw quite a lot of power from me so I tried to hurry."
On top of that, there was a lot of blood on his clothes and some skin is torn off, revealing the muscles underneath.
"You are hurt!" Ochaco ran towards him. "We need to get you healed right now!"
"It's okay, I'm fine." He chuckled. "The worst's been healed up and I'll be good as new in a few minutes. More importantly, how are you two?"
"I do not believe our state is any more important than yours," Ochaco countered, her brow furrowed.
"It is when I can heal anything short of dismemberment while you two don't," he shot back, his expression solemn. "Now, can you please tell me what happened here?"
"We're okay now, Daddy! We took down the baddies!" Mina called, a big grin on her face. Izuku noticed her bleeding nose and his expression turned grim.
"Where is the villain?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"Down the first floor," Mina replied, gesturing to the large hole. "Don't worry, Daddy. This won't leave a scratch."
"It better not be," he muttered. His emerald eyes flickered to Ochaco. He noticed the dark circles under her eyes. She looked exhausted. "Where are the others?"
Ochaco explained the tasks she gave everyone. "You should probably thank them for a job well-done, My Heart," she added.
"Ohh! Oh! I want a reward, Daddy!"
"Maybe you should wait for your turn again, Mina? You just had a date with him."
"Fine. It's worth the wait, anyway. Why are you topless, Daddy? Not that I'm complaining."
"This is not a good time, Mina," Ochaco interrupted before turning back to Izuku. "We should have Momo give you a shirt, at the very least."
Izuku let out a chuckle at the exchange. "Right. I'll explain what happened later, but for now..." he walked towards Ochaco and wrapped his arms around her and gave her a deep kiss. Izuku's hands wonder down to her ass and squeezed. Ochaco gasped, then kissed him back.
Izuku's tongue invaded her mouth, dominating her tongue, coaxing her, tasting her.
Izuku pulled away, a thread of saliva connecting their lips. He then went on to give her a hug, his head resting on her shoulders. "I'm so glad you're alright," he whispered.
"I am sorry I got in trouble."
"It's okay. I'm just glad you're safe," he replied, his voice soft and reassuring.
"Thank you, My Heart." Ochaco, despite being exhausted, couldn't help but return the smile. "I am glad you are well too."
Mina's eyes softened, watching the reunion. She knew Ochaco needed this moment with Izuku more than anyone. The tension in the room began to dissipate as she successfully apprehended Sam who tried to hide in the corner and approached with a triumphant grin.
"Mission accomplished, right, Princess?" she asked, nudging Ochaco playfully.
"Indeed," Ochaco replied, her gaze flickering to the unconscious figure slumped over Mina's shoulder. She frowned. "What are we going to do with him? We cannot just leave him here."
"Yeah. And that Quirk Amplifier...we can't have it falling into the wrong hands again," Mina said.
"No, we cannot," Ochaco agreed before turning to Izuku. "That is why I want your inventor friends to look after it."
Izuku nodded, already forming ideas. "Later. First, let's check on the others."
Without another word, the trio quickly made their way down the tower. It wasn't long before they were greeted by Momo, whom took down the Veil the second she Saw Ochaco and Mina. Eri, seeing her Papa, immediately ran to him and with incredible jumping height, wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Papa!"
"Hey, Eri," he greeted, holding her tightly. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
She shook her head. "Mama and others protected me."
"Good." He placed her down, giving her head a pat. "You're safe now."
"Are you hurt?" She looked worriedly at his exposed muscles.
"I'm okay. How about you, Yaoyorozu?"
"I am well, Izuku." She nodded, her eyes flickering to the bloodstain. But one look at Ochaco let her know that it was nothing serious. Rather, she created a white shirt and handed it over to him.
"How are the others?" Izuku asked, putting the shirt on. He noticed the fit was a little tight, but not uncomfortable enough to bother him.
"They are all currently waiting at the lobby downstairs right now. And don't worry. None of them are harmed."
Izuku nodded, turning to his girlfriend. "Let's go check on the others," he suggested.
The group headed towards the elevators and made their way down, where the rest of their friends were waiting. As they stepped off, a wave of cheers greeted them.
"There you are!" Toru exclaimed.
"You're okay!" Kyouka grinned.
"Welcome back, guys!" Denki said, giving them a thumbs-up.
"Glad you're all here," Izuku scanned the surroundings. He let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "How about we let them continue the event and let them forget about all this mess?"
"Will you all explain to me about this magic stuff, man?" Denki whispered.
Izuku's eyes widened, but immediately realized that there was no way he didn't see them use their magic. And he'll have to explain it to Katsuki and the rest later on anyway. "Sorry, I'll explain once Kacchan and the others are present. For now, I'd like you to wait for a little longer."
Denki let out a dissatisfied groan. "Seriously, since when are we in a fantasy flick?" He was about to continue before his attention was taken by a group of guests. "Alright. I'll go check if the ladies over there need something," he grinned before walking away.
Izuku and the others, including Melissa found a spot where there weren't people around. "First of all, I'd like to say that I'm glad to see you're all fine," he began. "I think you'll wanna know how things on my end went?"
"Yes," Melissa nodded. "Those bots shouldn't have been able to take so much of your time, nevermind wound you," she looked at the patch of red that stained the shirt he was wearing.
"Well, you see...It's...a long story," he started before going though what happened on his fight.
The scene rewinds, blurring the present as it plunges thirty minutes into the past, to Izuku standing before the Lich with his classmates behind him.
"You..." it hissed, its voice filled with malevolent glee. "There you are. The King."
"Todoroki-kun, are you able to move?" Izuku's voice was quiet but clear. He'll need to relocate the fight soon or risk large number of casualties. But first, they all need immediate medical attention, especially Fumikage and Katsuki. He wanted to grab the both of them and jumped to a hospital, but the Lich is too much of a threat to leave unattended even for a moment.
Shoto forced himself to nod. "Yes, but the others are—"
"Then take the injured and retreat," he said, his tone brooking no argument. "You will not survive this fight."
"What?!" Eijiro yelled, his eyes wide with shock. "We're not just gonna leave you—"
"This is not a request, Kirishima-kun," Izuku's voice was like iron.
He flinched. "But, I can still fight—"
"Just do as he says, Shitty Hair," Katsuki groaned, Eijiro's eyes widened but his protests died in his throat, and his shoulders slumped.
"Go." Izuku commanded.
Tsuyu swallowed, her eyes wide as she watched the exchange. "Midoriya-chan..."
Izuku turned towards her. He didn't want any of them to get caught in the crossfire. He had a feeling things will get much more complicated. But even so, he can't help but give her a comforting smile.
"Please, Tsu-chan..." he replied, his voice softening. "...be safe."
Tsuyu's gaze remained fixed on him, but before she could protest further, movement caught his attention. His gaze shifted back to the Lich, eyes narrowing as he assessed the battlefield. Too many civilians nearby. Too much risk of collateral damage. They needed space.
The Lich's hollow sockets gleamed with malicious glee. "The time has come, King-"
"You talk too much." Without warning, Izuku lunged forward, his palm grabbing onto the Lich's skull as he launched them both skyward, away from his friends and the civilians. At the apex of their ascent, he twisted, using the momentum to swing the Lich beneath him as they plummeted toward the ocean. But before they could hit the water, he drew a Three of a Kind, Ice manifesting at his command. The magic surged outward, transforming the sea into a vast island of crystalline ice, stretching for dozens of miles across and reaching down to the ocean floor. He aimed for a cluster of jagged spikes and drove the Lich down with bone-shattering force.
The creature's howl echoed across the frozen wasteland as its body shattered on impact, bones splintering and rotting flesh tearing apart. Black ichor spurted from its wounds, eating into the ice like acid. Before it could recover, Izuku jumped back to draw X and channeled magic into the blade until it blazed like a captured sun.
"Idiot! Don't—" X's warning cut through his mind, but Izuku was already moving, crossing the distance in a single fluid step. The blade arced down, aimed for a killing blow.
The Lich's movement was impossible—one moment in the path of his strike, the next simply...elsewhere. "Amateur," it spat, and then its claws were in him, ripping through muscle and bone. Blood sprayed across the ice, turning the crystalline surface crimson.
Izuku forced down the pain, his mind racing. 'That speed—impossible!' He pivoted, channeling One for All and swinging X for a counter-strike. The enhanced blade cleaved through the ice behind it like paper, splitting the frozen island in two, but the Lich was already gone. "Beh—" X's warning died as five claws struck and went through his body, before getting lifted into the air.
"It seems you haven't had enough." The Lich's voice dripped with contempt, its empty sockets burning with ancient hatred. "You think you can kill me so easily, child?"
But even impaled, Izuku wasn't finished. He twisted, using the Lich's own arm as leverage to wrench himself around and drive his heel into its skull. The impact freed him from its grasp, and he landed in a crouch several meters away, blood staining the ice beneath him.
His teeth ground together as he assessed the situation. Nothing was going as planned—the Lich was faster and stronger than he'd anticipated. Unbidden, images of Ochaco and Eri flashed through his mind. The burning agony in his wounds suddenly dulled—X's work, no doubt.
Time froze crystalline-still around them as X spoke. "What's wrong with you?!" the sword demanded. "You're rushing in like a novice. Even I can see you telegraphing every move."
"What else am I supposed to do, then? There could be more of these things around and are killing people by the hundreds as of this moment, where my family is at...I probably can't take them all, but I could get back and pick them off one by one if needed," he protested.
"Well, you're wasting more time by being impatient," X commented. "You're better than that. Now, think of a proper plan and do it properly, Boss."
He sighed. "Fine. I'm just worried about what could be happening to them, that's all," he admitted.
"I know. It'd be weird if you aren't. But you can't let your emotions cloud your judgment. Especially now."
"Any suggestions?"
"Stick to wide-area spells. A Lich isn't some training robot or dummy like a Minotaur—it can read your moves and match your speed."
"Or I could use Lightning to paralyze it temporarily before slashing it with you?"
"That...could work, but it'll be obvious if you do it now. It would be nice if you can use Barrier right now, but you don't have the sheath with you, so it looks like you'll have to rely on plain-old Shield spell for this."
"Don't worry. I can manage," he grinned. "How's the damage?"
"Shoulder bones, couple ribs, and punctured a lung. The last one would be bad even for most Evokers, but you're lucky you got me. Its Poison's weak—it's underestimating you."
"Well, let's make it regret that," he muttered.
Time resumed, and Izuku charged forward. The Lich's grin only widened. And right when the Lich is about to intercept his run with its claw, Izuku leaped toward the ocean, his breath still shallow, as each gasp reminding him of the damage he'd taken. X was working to patch his lung, but until then, he needed distance. As his foot hit the water's surface, he ran around to the Lich's back, fire already forming in his hands—a Four of a Kind.
The fireball streaked toward the creature, its heat distorting the very air around it. As it approached, the ocean's surface began to ripple, then bubble, then violently boil. Steam exploded upward in massive clouds, obscuring the battlefield in a thick white haze. For one breathtaking moment, the world held perfectly still—then light erupted from the impact point, so bright and pure that every corner of the planet experienced a flash of daylight simultaneously.
But Izuku wasn't done. Before the steam could settle, before the Lich could recover, he was already drawing his next hand, planning to overwhelm the creature before it could know what's happening. The cards of his Straight Flush manifested around him, crackling with building energy.
The resulting lightning bolt was nature's fury given form, thick as an ancient tree trunk and burning white-hot with power. The scenery was covered the entire island to give the Lich no place to run. There were no sounds from the spell or anything. Or at least none anyone could hear. Because it was as if the whole world has gone deaf for a moment.
But even this power wasn't enough to end the Lich. When the smoke cleared, and the void was filled with water, the Lich's body was barely recognizable. Its skin had melted off, revealing the rotting muscles and bones underneath. Its limbs had been charred and torn, its chest cracked and split, but its void-black stare still gleamed with malicious glee. "That's it, child...the hunt is no fun if you crumple like paper..." Its skeletal form reknitted itself, flesh reforming over charred bone, powered by the dark energy swirling around it. Every injury seemed to fuel its hatred.
Its words sent a chill down Izuku's spine. Despite the damage, the Lich still stood strong. He gritted his teeth.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted, flooded with memories of Her—across countless Lives and a thousand faces. Each one was 'the most beautiful that has ever graced the Earth in all the Worlds...'
Izuku's mind reeled back from the sudden emotions that threatened to wash him away. He didn't know where it came from, but...'This isn't the time for that!' he thought as he felt his injuries getting better.
Unfortunately, his brief reverie allowed the Lich to recover from his Lightning blast. It was gaining upon him in a heartbeat, its form moving with unnatural speed such as it's hard for even him to keep up. But thanks to X, he didn't have to.
Time froze, and the Lich stood still halfway from his location. Izuku used this chance to ready himself.
Upon gathering his thoughts, time resumed, and Izuku jumped back, intending to use Force in order to launch himself towards it and deliver a devastating blow to its spine. But the creature's sadistic smile widened as Lightning erupted from its bony hands, moving towards Izuku. "Let me show you what real Lightning magic looks like," it cackled.
He tried to avoid it, but it was going too fast. He pulled a Shield, but it went through the spell like hot knife through butter. The energy of the attack is so intense it painted the sky in ghostly colors. The Lightning bolt crashed into him, and everything went white. He couldn't see or hear anything. Then the pain came. It seared his nerves and burned his skin. Every nerve in his body was screaming in agony, he didn't register the feeling of falling down.
The Lich didn't waste the opening. Its claws wrapped around Izuku's throat as it intercepted his fall, and they shot skyward. Through blurred vision, Izuku recognized the massive research complex of I-Island growing larger beneath them. His heart sank.
'No,' Izuku thought desperately. 'Not here—'
The Lich dove, using Izuku's body as a battering ram. They crashed through the glass facade of the Central Research Tower, carving a destructive path through three floors of laboratories and offices. Each impact sent shockwaves of pain through his still-stunned body. The air filled with screams as researchers and staff fled the cascade of shattered glass and twisted metal.
"Do you feel it, King?" the Lich's voice dripped with malice. "The fear of your subjects? How easily their lives can be—ah."
It stopped suddenly, its hollow gaze fixing on something below. Izuku could barely make out what caught its attention: a little girl, no older than Eri, frozen in terror amidst the rubble. Then his wandered up as an I-beam careened directly down to the girl. Without thinking, he cast a Shield spell, barely saving her life as the chunk of metal bounced off the spell harmlessly.
The Lich watched in amusement as its grip on his throat tightened. "Watch closely," it hissed, throwing him to land by the girl's feet. Chelsea - that was her name, he realized as he heard her mother's desperate screams. The Lich grabbed the back of the girl's head, and Izuku saw himself in her terrified eyes - saw Eri's face overlaid with hers. The creature's claws began to glow with sickly green light. "I want you to see the light leave her eyes."
The world slowed. Izuku saw the fear in the girl's face, saw tears streaming down her cheeks. His body was still partially paralyzed, his limbs heavy as lead. But something deep inside him burned hotter than the lightning that had struck him.
'Move!'
With an incredible force of willpower, he commanded his body to move, his muscles screaming in protest. He summoned X with his right hand, slashing the impertinent arm keeping the girl in place. And in one fell swoop, he pulled the girl and put his own body between the Lich and the girl.
The Lich's claws sliced through his skin, going through his chest out his back. But the pain barely registered. He looked at the girl, her eyes wide at all the blood flowing out of him. He slowly stood up and showed her a wide smile. "It's going to be alright. Because I AM HERE!"
He turned to the creature and grabbed its arm, his grip crushing bone. "Wrong move," he growled, his voice barely human. With his free hand, he struck the creature's face with enough force to send it flying through five buildings before it flew towards the ocean, even farther than before.
Izuku's body screamed in protest with every movement, his muscles barely responding. His vision blurred, a combination of exhaustion and blood loss threatening to take him down. But he couldn't stop—not yet. He gathered all the power he could to jump after it while drawing Full House, connected to Rage.
He remembered what he was told by the vendor he bought it from. "Ye dunnae wanna fight angry, laddie. Too easy to lose yerself, and what comes out of the other side of the trench ain't the same man who walked in."
There, with the clouds around him, he made a decision and played them and then...then all he saw was red. Or rather, Green.
The sky, the ocean, the moon, and even the sun on the other side of the planet, none escaped as they all glowed emerald green. It was as if the world was rewritten in his image. Then Royal Flush manifested in his hands, each card humming with raw Force magic. As he began to channel the spell, reality itself began to waver and distort around him. Colors seemed to blur and blend, and the very air grew thick and heavy with potential energy.
Izuku felt the power building in his veins, far too much and far too fast. His hands trembled from the sheer effort of containing this much raw force. There was no turning back now. Even if he wanted to, the spell was simply too much.
When he finally released it, the sky shattered. Like cracks spreading through glass, fracture lines of pure emerald light spread across the heavens. Then, materializing from these breaks in reality, a massive fist of pure force took shape. It was mountainous and when it descended, it didn't fall so much as it erased the space between itself and its target, moving with the inexorable weight of a collapsing star.
The sheer force of the blow cracked the Earth's crust, and a massive crater formed as a result. The water surrounding the area evaporated instantly, and the ground shook violently, sending shockwaves throughout its every corner. A colossal cloud of dust rose into the air, encompassing the sky, and the world grew quiet.
A few moments pass and there weren't any signs of the Lich. He finally won. The spell released, and for a moment, the world itself seemed to hold its breath. Then reality snapped back, and Izuku started falling, heading towards the ocean floor as he gasped.
In a hurry, he casted a Pair connected to Ice in order to create a place to land. As he cast the spell, pain flooded his senses—X's attempts to numb it no longer enough to hold back the searing fire in his chest. His limbs felt like lead, and even his magic felt...wrong, as though something deep inside him had fractured.
"It's the backlash of your power. What was that?" X asked.
"I don't know. It never did that before," he said.
As his feet touched the ice, he lost his balance, landing on his back. "Shit! Are you okay, Boss?" X called out.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just...tired. Can you heal the rest?"
"I'll try, but that thing's claws got your heart. Your Healing and my Regeneration's the only reason why you can rest assure you won't be a corpse the next time Ochaco and Eri sees you."
"Crap. How long until you fix it?"
"Eh. It's going to be fine. The heart's not the most complicated organ in your body. Just give me a few minutes."
"That's good," he said, getting up as he drew power from One for All.
"Hey! You need to rest right now."
"Can't. I've to make sure there are no more of those things on the island."
"And if there are, what are you gonna do? Face them as you are now?"
"No. But I can be annoying to them to buy time."
"Yes, you are. Seriously, Boss. You can't keep rushing into danger like that. I know it's in your nature, but you should realize it isn't just your life's at stake here."
"This is about my destiny?"
"Yes. And the countless people who'd be doomed if you die. You need to think long-term about this."
"Not happening," he stubbornly said. "Besides, if I can't even save a scared little girl...how can I say I'll become someone who'd be able to save everyone?"
"Well, the time hasn't come yet, and the Lich could've easily killed you if it's a few milliseconds faster."
"But it didn't, so let's worry about the now and leave the future for later."
"You know what? Fine. Whatever." X sighed. "Do whatever the hell you want."
"That's the plan."
Izuku got ready to make his way back, but a sudden exhaustion took over him. The last thing he saw was feeling the cold ice the moment his face fell on it.
Going back to the present, he finished explaining his situation. "...and the next thing I knew, I felt Mina drawing power from me, so I got back here as soon as I could. Though everything's done when I arrived."
"So that's what happened," Melissa commented, gulping as she tried to take everything in. She could only imagine what could've happened if the creature he fought attacked without him around.
Seeing her thoughtful expression, Izuku cleared his throat. "Great job on handling the situation here. Sorry I left such a burden on your shoulders, but you all did a good job."
Melissa's lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you."
Izuku nodded. He was worried about the civilians caught on the brief moment the Lich wreaked havoc, but he already saw a couple of bots almost finished with the repair of the collateral damage on the way back.
"Why don't we visit the hospital to see everyone?" Mina's voice cut off his thought process.
"That is a good idea," Ochaco agreed.
"We should go together," Momo suggested before Seeing the hospital they went to.
"Yeah, we should," Izuku replied, already knowing what Momo was doing.
The party continued on while Izuku and the girls went to visit their classmates. The relieved mood upon getting out of the situation mostly unharmed quickly turned sour. The worst didn't happen, but what they learned weren't particularly encouraging either.
With the exception of Shoto, Tsuyu and Kirishima got off very lightly. Tsuyu's leg was in a cast, but she was told that she should be able to jump around once Recovery Girl uses her Quirk. But she would need to take a few days off, just in case.
Kirishima was the same, but with scarring that would remain from the injury.
They let out a sigh upon seeing these two, expecting the rest would be the same. But Katsuki's case was worse - he'd lost his left eye. The remains of it, along with the lodged ice, was surgically removed to prevent infection and other possible complications.
When he learned about it, Katsuki didn't look surprised, only gave a silent nod, his face set in grim acceptance. Izuku's jaw tightened as he took in the sight of his friend, his own gaze lingering on the patch where Bakugo's left eye had once been. A pang of guilt twisted in his chest, feeling it was his fault the Lich was there. Though he forced himself to keep his expression steady."
Moving onto the next room, Fumikage lost consciousness before they got him to his room and had a panic attack when he briefly woke up and had to be restrained. There were still no signs of Dark Shadow.
Despite being physically healed, Shoto didn't speak a single word. The doctor, a blonde woman with teal eyes, sporting a pair of horns and wings, told them that they were worried because they first thought he went into shock, but were relieved to know that he was simply silently processing what happened. There were little to no chance it will affect him psychologically based on the tests done, though upon knowing he went to UA, she recommended regular check-up with Hound Dog just in case.
They all went back to their hotel rooms and decided to rest early, considering the night's events.
At the airport, Melissa found them near the private terminal reserved for special guests. Most of Izuku's classmates had already departed, prioritized for treatment back in Japan. While unharmed, Izuku asked the girls to make sure they'd arrive at UA safely. Only Izuku, Ochaco, Eri, and ALL MIGHT remained, their flight scheduled for later that afternoon.
"I wanted to thank you properly," Melissa said, approaching them. "Both of you."
"You already did," Ochaco pointed out with a gentle smile.
"Not enough." Melissa shook her head. "You didn't hesitate to help catch the villains despite personal risks. And after seeing your classmates..." She glanced at Izuku. "I can only imagine what could have happened if that thing reached the civilians."
Izuku gave her a reassuring grin. "That's why we're here. Though I have to say, it's not just us who helped out."
"I barely did anything," she protested, but there was no heat behind her words.
"Don't sell yourself short. I saw bots rescuing civilians and were already repairing the buildings when I went back."
"AND THANKS TO YOU AND DAVE THAT YOUNG KAMINARI WAS A ABLE TO FREE US HEROES WITHOUT WORRIES," ALL MIGHT added.
"Well, that's mostly the island's automated response systems, though they have a tendency to be overzealous." She winced before turning to ALL MIGHT. "And we were already going to do that, UNCLE MIGHT. Really, without Ochaco's leadership, we wouldn't even have gone that far."
"I agree with Izuku and ALL MIGHT. Regardless of how much you believe each of us contributed, it was the combined efforts of everyone that made everything possible," Ochaco told her.
Knowing she's outnumbered, all Melissa could do was make a wry smile, before turning back to ALL MIGHT. "Papa's under house arrest now. They were lenient because of the circumstances, and..." She glanced at ALL MIGHT with gratitude.
"IT WAS THE LEAST I COULD DO," ALL MIGHT said softly. "HE MADE A MISTAKE, BUT HIS HEART WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE."
"Sam," Melissa added, a hint of bitterness in her voice. "He knew exactly who he was working with. The court wouldn't be as forgiving with him."
Izuku nodded in understanding. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay. Really," she added, seeing his concerned look. "Also, you're too kind. Thank you," Melissa replied, returning her gaze to the Evoker. "Speaking of which," Melissa's expression turned stern, though her eyes held concern, "you should be more careful. Your classmates were trying not to show it, but they were really worried about you."
"HE DOES HAVE A HABIT OF PUSHING HIMSELF," ALL MIGHT commented, a knowing smile on his face as he watched their interaction.
"I promise I'll be more careful," Izuku said, though Ochaco could tell from his easy confidence and his eyes looking to the left, he'd probably do the same thing again if needed. He was as easy to the eye as he is easy to read.
"You better." Melissa knelt down to Eri's level. "And you, little miss. You were very brave."
Eri beamed. "Really?!"
Melissa nodded. "Yep. I think you should ask Papa to get you a special treat."
Eri's eyes widened, her mouth open in a small "o" shape. She looked at Izuku and then Ochaco, who only giggled.
"Maybe later, Eri," she replied.
"Okay." Eri pouted.
"Want to see more robots when I visit Japan? I'm bringing some special ones just for you to play with."
"Really?" Eri's eyes sparkled.
"Really. Actually," Melissa stood up, addressing both Izuku and Ochaco, "I've already arranged everything for the transfer. We'll be seeing each other again soon." Seeing the surprised look on Izuku's face, she continued, "It would be very hard to work on the devices if I'm under a time limit, right? This way, it'll be easier for me and Mei to continue collaborating."
"I guess that makes sense," Izuku nodded. "I can't wait."
The final boarding call echoed through the terminal. As they said their goodbyes, Melissa's gaze lingered on Izuku for a beat longer, a quiet admiration in her eyes. "Stay safe out there," she said softly, almost as if meant only for him.
"You too," Izuku replied, while Ochaco gave her a knowing look that made Melissa's blush deepen slightly.
As they walked toward their gate, ALL MIGHT chuckled. "MELISSA SEEMS QUITE TAKEN WITH YOU, YOUNG MIDORIYA."
"ALL MIGHT!" Izuku protested, though he was smiling.
Eri looked between them, confused. "Is Melissa-san going to visit us a lot?"
"I THINK SHE WILL, YOUNG ERI," ALL MIGHT said, his grin widening. "I THINK SHE WILL."
As they were walking away, they could hear Melissa saying to nobody in particular, "Alright! I've a lot of work ahead—no time to waste!"
Izuku chuckled, remembering the look on her face. The trip had been magical until last night, ending on a more bittersweet note than he'd hoped. Still, he felt grateful that his classmates had escaped the worst-case scenario. He knew there'd be things to explain and set right for his classmates—and he'd do whatever it took to see it through. But for now, he'll enjoy this flight with the love of his life, his daughter, and the person he idolize. At least he'd try to.
Thank you for reading this chapter!
If it wasn't clear to me before I started this arc, it's pretty obvious now that I might have bit off more than I could chew trying to insert the movie's plotlines in this story. 😂 I originally intended Wolfram to be more of a threat than he already was here, but realized I didn't need to. Or at least, not make it as blatant as someone like Overhaul during his first fight with Izuku. That's not to say he was any less of a threat here. Momo not Seeing him and getting a hit to Mina were both quite deliberate, in that sense.
Also, the moon and a few things are emerald green now. 😅 Most things went back to the way they were after Izuku's attack, but some remained, just without the glow. There's no kill like overkill, as they say.
Quite a few characters were injured by the Lich, but while most of them would remain the path of a hero, some of 'em will be changed by the experience. For better or worse.
I've mentioned it last chapter, but I'll be writing a few lemon chapters for some of the harem girls before going to the training camp arc, mostly to wind back a bit and write some things a little lighthearted and not a complex web of plotlines.
As always, if you have questions or feedback, don't hesitate to let me know.
Not (too) related, but holy crap is it easy it is to use PS compared to GIMP. 😦 At least when it came to removing and replacing backgrounds. I mean, I still suck at it and it shows in the pic above, but it's a 2-minute work compared to what, 4-6 hours before (mostly skill issue, I know)? Just wanna get that out.
Anyway...
Next up: Floating Hearts 🍋