AN: So, I'm putting my notes at the beginning of this chapter to sort of preserve its ending. This is the finale of Compulsion Season 1. There will be an epilogue chapter in which I will deep dive into the Season as well as any responses I get from this chapter.

I'm nervous. I've been building up to this through mundane slice of life all to make, hopefully, this chapter more impactful. You'll see how well it worked. It wasn't supposed to take this long, I swear. Both story length as well as writing it. Well, I gotta take what happens next on the chin.

With that, thank you for sticking around for so long, for reading, and please criticize away!

Update Window: February 20th - February 30th

Intended Due Date: February 20th - 25th

-\ XXX /-

"So, Stein-Gauntlet's out of the picture, huh?" echoed Shinso.

"Y-Yeah," confirmed Kaminari Denki, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, guys." Denki's skin felt like it was on fire – each nerve firing off randomly. Midoriya was off, doing something that could net them both in more trouble than ever before. It was too late for him to regret going along with it, but here he was, doing so. It was a good idea, and for his benefit, too. But if Midoriya got caught, or if he – like he does – stuck his own foot in his mouth in front of a teacher, the amount of trouble they'd be in…

"Kaminari," said Yaoyorozu, "are you listening?"

He waved her off automatically, "Y-Yeah!" before backpedaling, "N-No…" He sighed, "Sorry, stressing out a bit." He forced a chuckle, "But, what am I stressing out for anyway?" He put his hands on his hips, "We totally got this, right?"

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" cried Ashido.

"It would help if you listened," scolded Jirou.

Shinso nodded, "Just a bit."

"R-Right, sorry, Yaoyorozu, go ahead."

Yaoyorozu nodded, "Well, our team is dramatically efficient on people to people conflict. Kaminari and Ashido's Quirk will be very useful against groups of enemies. With Jirou's Items, she can add to that." She gestured, "Shinso provides a safety net and my Quirk should be able to ensure our strategy. Our best bet is to utilize Ashido's Quirk as a trap to keep enemy teams away from us. Jirou and Kaminari will be our main offensive ability. Jirou's Items allow her to 'stun' our attackers before Kaminari electrocutes them." She turned, "I believe, there is a limited amount of times we can do this."

Denki nodded with a smirk, "It takes up to fifty thousand volts for someone to be completely affected. It's a big-ass number that can nails any and all body types."

Shinso added, "Million volts is when you start—"

"Whey~," acted out Ashido.

Jirou did her best to hold herself together, "Pfft!"

"Oi."

Yaoyorozu pondered for a moment, "So… Twenty uses."

"It is indiscriminate, though," said Shinso.

Denki deflated, "Y-Yeah… My Quirk isn't that good with friends…"

"Leave that to me." Yaoyorozu smiled, "I can create a blanket lined with insulating material."

Shinso nudged Denki, "Hey, looks like you can really show off for once."

"Yeah."

Ashido nodded, "Ooh, I can melt the ground. Jirou can pop their eardrums and Kaminari can fry them."

"Oof," murmured Jirou.

She pumped her fist, "And Shinso can make 'em take it!"

"And it became torture," said Shinso.

Denki blinked, "Wow, when you really think about it, we could do a ton of damage."

Yaoyorozu frowned, "It is best to remain that way – at least until the end of the match."

"Or at the beginning," suggested Shinso.

"Achieving points at the beginning will only make us targets at the end." She concluded, "Bidding our time is the best strategy."

Denki agreed, "Not to mention, our strategy works best when it's a surprise."

"Yeah… we should play it safe," said Jirou.

"Students, please send a representative to draw for your starting positions!" said Mr. Haimawari, causing Yaoyorozu to leave the group.

"We'll be starting soon," said Shinso. "Hope you've been lifting weights and got good backs."

Ashido frowned, shaking her head, "Oof, Jirou has not been lifting the weights."

"Ashido!"

"You haven't! You really should."

"You could join us?" offered Shinso.

Jirou vehemently shook her head, "No way, you guys are way ahead of me in this training stuff." She pushed her hands out, "If I tried to join you, it'd waste me."

Denki remained silent as the group chattered on. His mind was drifting—stressing rather. Midoriya could get caught in a myriad of ways. Especially if he was using his Support Gear. A Quirkless dude swinging from a grappling hook wouldn't be a normal sight. One of the bots at the gate could spot him, or a cop, there were a ton of them walking around. "Why were there so many cops…?"

"Kaminari," said Shinso.

"Huh?"

"Dude, you okay? Not used to you being all quiet."

"Sorry, just… lotta eyes on us, ya know?" excused Kaminari.

"Don't remind me…" groaned Jirou.

Shinso shrugged, "But it's a good thing. Won't make it far otherwise. Going Underground is only something you can do after you've established yourself."

"It's tempting…" murmured Jirou.

Ashido waved her hand, "Nah, I doubt you'd want to spend most of your career in alleyways."

-XXX-

Izuku peeked out, noting the policemen rushing down the sidewalk and the distant lights blaring. "What the hell is going on…?" The streets were dead, and all he could hear was the distant wail of sirens. Across the street were the student dorms and will little company, Izuku rushed across the pavement. He grabbed the metal gate and pulled only to hear a lock go taut. He sucked his teeth before taking a few steps back – opting to climb the obstacle. A rush up the stars, a skid to a stop, the move of a potted plant, and the finding of a key followed.

Izuku slipped into Kaminari's dorm-room, finding the parted gauntlet on a folded-out table. "Need to move fast so…" He brought the sects together and the motors whirled, enclosing on his forearm. He nodded to himself before making his exit. His eyes caught someone before dipping behind the hall's railing. He peeked over its edge and noted the flying woman, holding a film camera of some kind. "What's her Quirk…? It just looks like she's flying with those turbine wings…"

"A sidekick…" The feeling was like an old friend. "Wait… Enigma…! Team Idaten…?" He could probably go look – he could even get a bird's eye view. "What're they doing here…?" A part of him wished he had a notebook; wished to see Quirks in action. "Something's going down…" He hadn't looked in so long… Hid from it. "Enigma's Quirk has her grow into a giant being, but she's no where to be seen… Maybe Ingenium's here, too..."

Clang – the gauntlet had met the railing. He was standing and could've been caught a dozen times over. He crouched, hiding like he was supposed to be doing. "Still gawking… After all this time…" No… "You don't change, do ya, fucking nerd…" Piss off… "Hell, you're still surrounding yourself with Heroes… Still praying for the spark…? Luckily, they pity you, now more than ever after that sob story…"

A gong rang out as Izuku slammed his forehead against the railing. The pain rattled his skull and cried at his neck like a nail driven home. "I need to go… The Cavalry Battle won't last forever…" Nearly, all the subsided vertigo returned in full force, causing him to wobble on the balls of his feet. He shakingly stood, "Heh…" He turned, "Shut you up…" He pushed himself into a light jog before breaking into a sprint down the hall.

Izuku leapt off the railing and fired his hooks, zipping back into an alleyway. He reeled in both lines, barely saving himself from smacking onto concrete. His gloved hand skidded across the ground before he lifted himself higher. The pull of gravity and the force of flight gripped his head. The headache was steady, but his vision was difficult to focus. The alternating trajectory did him no favors. As a bit of bile decided to tickle his uvula, he swiftly switched from swinging to running.

He pumped his legs as much as they could carry him down the alley, "The Cavalry Battle could be faster than a minute or slower than fifteen… Don't have enough time…"

He blinked when a shimmer of light hit his eyes, causing him to stumble. He turned his head to the source, "What—" The tip of his shoe caught concrete and sent him to the ground.

Izuku shook his head, shakingly standing up. "I…" His breath had quickened; his skin had been lit on fire. "I was just seeing things… I was seeing things…"

"Don't you dare!" a voice shouted, defiant. It became strained, growling out, "If you can hear me, RUN! KEEP RUNNING!"

Izuku froze before his heart beat – a surge of blood sent him onto his feet, turning and stumbling. He gripped the bricked corner, looking down the alley. A Hero in white armor laid in the damp alleyway. The armor was scuffed, chipped, and cracked. The black undersuit sliced and inked with blood. His square-ish features were contorted in pain, fear, disgust. A cut along his hairline brought a stain of blood across his face. His mouth was moving, but Izuku couldn't hear him.

Izuku spotted the source of the glint, and he couldn't take his eyes off it. A shoddy katana that wasn't suited for cutting, but used anyway. His muscles seemed to bulge purely from bone. His hunch… his face turned a human to a creature. His face; flat, long and pointed, and his eyes were shielded with a white bandanna – its wrappings drifting in the air. His boots were spiked like gnashing teeth. His torso was covered in shining blades and sheathed daggers. A weathered red scarf followed from his neck – stained in drying blood.

The Hero, Ingenium shouted through gritted teeth, "RUN! GO, NOW!"

The villain stared at Izuku, and his body screamed, he needed to run. Izuku's mind screamed to follow suit, but not a bone would budge. The piercing glare softened, turning to disdain – disgust. The katana rose into the air – the Hero no longer looked to Izuku but turned to the villain. The defiance had warped, giving way to the monster hunched over him.

Finally, Izuku's knee bent, his leg finally lifted, but not because of him. He couldn't help it… His body just… moved on its own…

-XXX-

Denki was amongst the other students as they left the field. Some groaned, some limped, and thanks to him, some twitched. He, himself, wasn't having the best of times. He could feel every muscle in his body contort, gripping his bones like a vice. It nearly reduced his walk to a shuffle. The ones in his face were pulling, but not enough to form that dopey expression. The haze in his mind nudged at the fringes, but it seems he just barely dodged frying his own brain.

"Second place… we were so close!" groaned Ashido.

"But we did great as is," said Jirou.

Yaoyorozu nodded, "Yes, we should be very proud."

"You holding up, Kaminari?" asked Shinso, patting Denki's shoulder.

"Yay~—" he shook his head, coughing, "I mean… yeah."

"You sure?" asked Jirou, holding back laughter.

"Huh?" Ashido's voice pulled their attention forward as students began to gather around, "Mr. Abraham?"

"Students, please. Gather…" he beckoned. "Principal Ikoma will be making an announcement soon. But allow me to forewarn all of you." He sighed, "The Tournament has been canceled." Before an array of groans and cheers sounded, he held up his hand, "Please, remain silent." He took a breath, "A police operation is underway in the city – one to catch a very dangerous criminal."

"Wait… What?" spilled out Denki, as his heart fell into his stomach.

"While certainly, some of you are tenacious enough to pose a challenge," he joked. "We cannot put our students at risk. Everyone, parent, staff, and student, must remain on campus for their own safety."

Denki stumbled forward, "Who's… Who's in the city?"

Mr. Abraham shook his head, "I'm afraid, I cannot inform you of that."

"Kaminari?" said Shinso.

Denki scrambled for his phone, yanking it from a rubber bag, "Shit…" He rushed through the crowd, dashing for the main building, "Shit, shit, shit…!"

"Whoa, what's wrong?" called Ashido.

"Kaminari?" cried Yaoyorozu.

Denki rounded the corner, tapping on his contacts, "Come on, come on!" He nearly fell flat on his face when he heard a distant jingle, "Midoriya?" He turned and spotted the propped open door to the men's locker room. "Midoriya!"

"Hey, Kaminari!" shouted an enclosing Shinso.

Denki could help but smile out of relief, "Fuck… Come on, man!" He turned into the room, "Pick up… your…" and found no one. The jingle sang and a screen flashed from the inside of a pants' pocket.

"Kaminari, what're you doing man?" questioned Shinso as he stepped into the locker room, "What was that about Midoriya?"

Denki's hands clasped the sides of his head, stumbling back, "Fuck… Shinso…" He shook his head before throwing his arms down and spitting, "Fuck!"

"Kaminari… Where's Midoriya?"

Denki ignored the question; instead, he sprinted out the door and towards the dispersed crowd, "Mr. Abraham!" "Fuck! I fucked up!"

The teacher was shaken by the student's monstrous grip, "Mr. Kaminari, language—"

"Midoriya's in the city!" shouted Denki.

"What?"

He shook his head, "He's in the city right now! He left his phone in locker room! I can't get into contact with him!"

"How…" began Mr. Abraham before turning over his shoulder, "Doctor—"

A whistle rung through the air – distant but loud all the same. Mr. Abraham's eyes no longer looked at Denki, but behind him. When his gaze was followed, he saw it: that soaring red flare. It roared in red smoke and sparked in similar light. It strobed and it shined. It exploded, caking the air in red.

Denki's knees felt weak – he felt as if an invisible chain had wrapped around his shoulders, weighing him down. The static in his head exploded as every voice became distant. When a hand clasped his shoulder, it was too much. He fell to his knees, and did not care about the pain that shot upwards.

"Kaminari?" shook Shinso.

Denki tried, "Shinso… I fucked up… I…" but couldn't, hanging his head instead. He felt Ashido, Jirou, and Yaoyorozu – their gazes on him before they looked at the falling red cloud. "I think… I think that's Midoriya…"

-XXX-

The Turbo Hero: Ingenium… it felt like such a joke now. How could he have made such a careless mistake? He was taking a shortcut – he knew the Hero Killer had been spotted, but he had thought the villain was further away. Ingenium, Tensei, was naive. He never considered that the Hero Killer would do more than run. The villain's attacks were blitz-based and were in the middle of the night. So, the strategy was to catch him during day and overwhelming him with Hero upon Hero. It was why his agency was selected for the operation.

The Hero Killer, Stain, didn't care about their numbers. He was found in an abandoned warehouse on the other side of the train-line. It wasn't where he laid his head – not a hideout. He stood at the center of the storage floor, static, when his sidekicks, himself, and policemen surrounded him. When an officer reached for his wrist, that was he moved. Ingenium wasn't prepared – not for him. The glint of his blade was all he could make out. He twisted and flipped through the air. Screams and cries filled the room as he turned into a whirling storm of blades.

Tensei rushed forward, engaging with the Stain. The blade and daggers clipped and glanced off his armor when they met. He tried to wrap his arms around the villain – pin him or grab him. However, the Hero Killer planted his boots on Tensei's chest, leaping off of him, through a window, and into a the streets beyond.

He did his best to examine the aftermath – he could already hear the reinforcements turning their attention on the fleeing villain. The injuries seemed to restricted to joints, specifically knees. They weren't dead that was all that mattered. Tensei abandoned that worry as other officers and sidekicks entered. Ingenium had to give chase.

A warning was radioed in as Team Idaten chased the Stain. The reports of the villain's positions became scarcer as they scrambled amongst buildings. Ingenium heard the latest, and moved to intercept – only to be blitzed. The worst part was he expected it, prepared for it, but it wasn't enough.

Stain's Quirk was an unknown. He used blades, had a long tongue, and managed to paralyze Heroes constantly before crippling them. A strange habit was noticed – Stain would lick his blade after cutting his victim. Initially thought to be an act for intimidation, now considered to be the activation factor of his Quirk. Tensei just needed to avoid being cut and with his armor that should've been easy.

And yet, here he laid… in some alleyway, in his own blood. A blade, already stained, hoisted above him. There was a kid, scared stiff – he couldn't blame him. "Leave him out of this!" shouted Tensei. "Don't you dare go near him!" It's not like he could threaten him or even dissuade him. Action-less words was all he could offer, all he could do.

"Shut up," stated Stain, lifting the katana. In turn, Tensei refused to shut his eyes; refused to avert. If he was going to die here, he wouldn't die a coward or at least die looking like one.

"I'm sorry… Tenya… I'm sorry to go like this… but…! I have no regrets—"

Stain's head snapped as the stomping grew louder. His katana swung at the charging body, but swung too high, cutting a flowing ponytail rather a neck. That kid… he slipped underneath Stain's arm and slapped his shoulder into abdomen. The villain's body curled over the rushing shoulder before a spine straightened, lifting the villain into the air. Hands clasped onto Stain's sides before the kid threw his body into the pavement.

-XXX-

Izuku stumbled back, looking down at the villain. "Hero Killer…? More than likely…" His eyes shot to the vest the villain wore before diving for its straps. The Killer snapped up, grabbing Izuku's arm. The villain reared back his blade, adjusting his grip before stabbing at him. Izuku threw up his arm and felt bile rise up his throat as the weapon grazed off the Stein Gauntlet. He pushed, shunting it away. In that brief relief, Izuku tried to yank his arm free, but the villain's grip only turned tighter as he grimaced.

The Hero Killer released the arm before snatching Izuku's throat, "Stay out of the way!" He reared his katana back once more.

Izuku's eyes darted from the glint of the sword before his gaze caught the glint of a loose dagger in the villain's vest. His hand flashed forward, ripping the dagger free and stabbing it into the villain's forearm. The Hero Killer growled as his grip loosened, allowing Izuku to twist free. With the katana's aim disjointed, he threw himself from the Killer's space – a kick to the man's chest for momentum.

His back met concrete, seeping with moisture.

"What're you doing?" shouted the Hero.

Izuku looked at him, "What're you doing!?" He reached for the man's shoulders, "Get up already!"

He countered, "I'm paralyzed! It has something to do with his Quirk. You have to get out of here! I can't save you!"

Izuku froze when he heard the clang of falling knives. "The vest…" He turned and saw the growling villain stand once more. The Hero Killer flashed forward, whipping his katana back. A grapple flew backwards, chipping into a distant brick. Izuku gripped the helm of the Pro's chestplate as his belt yanked them to the side. Its reel was at maximum, and yet it still struggled to lift both of them. The Hero cried out in pain as his shoulder slammed into the ground, dragging across the ground. Izuku tried to lift the man higher, reaching over to grab the back of the arm, but only found himself rolling underneath the Pro. His back grounded into concrete as they twisted once more, slamming into the wall.

At impact, Izuku's hand was sandwiched between metal and brick – he felt the crack and skin break. A searing bolt of electricity ripped up his arm, blazing his mind. Izuku shouted obscenities, dragging his hand free. His fingers twitched and curled – every bit of movement shot heat and shock up his bones. He ground his teeth together, balling it into a fist – tears forming in the corners of his eyes. He threw himself onto his feet; threw himself between Hero and Villain.

"Get out of here, please!", the Hero shouted. "This isn't a place for—"

Izuku growled, "Shut up! My place is right here!" Blood seeped from between tightened fingers, "I'm not going anywhere!"

"Then… at least… Use your Quirk…" he sighed.

"Don't have one," was stated.

"What!?"

Izuku's head snapped back, "Just shut it!" Izuku's eyes widened when he heard a chuckle crawl into the air.

The Hero Killer's head reared back as a chuckle rolled into lofting laughter, "Amazing…" His gaze leveled with Izuku's, "You're pretty amazing, kid…" It was as if the villain's hands had stretched into his very skull – those thin fingers wrapped around his spine.

Izuku broke the lock as he noticed the glint of the katana shift. The Hero Killer abandoned the edge of the blade, favoring its back. He swallowed spit as he pondered, "The hell…?" He gritted his teeth as pain pulsed up his arm. "What changed…?" He shook his head, "It doesn't matter – think… What can you do…?" His breath tumbled, "Skilled, deadly… A paralyzing Quirk… Fast enough to blitz Heroes of all kinds…" He blinked, "Blitz…? Wait…"

Izuku's hand snapped to the back of his belt. He sucked in breath, finding the familiar grip. He felt it – the villain's gaze shifted, intensify. Every hair on his body roared, and he ignored every ounce of it – pulling a gun and holding it at his side. Izuku's bloodied hand shook as he removed a single shot from his belt. It scraped the sides of the barrel before sliding home. The gun clicked shut before he leveled it at the villain.

The Hero Killer didn't even flinch; only lifted his blade, waiting for the shot. There was no doubt. There was no fear. There was no need.

Izuku swallowed one last time before his mouth dried to cotton. His breath quickened as his hands twitched. His finger tightened, nudging the trigger. Another breath, deeper than the last, rolled in before it slowly dropped from his tongue. His eyes focused before his arm snapped upward as the trigger clicked. The flare whistled into the air. It trailed red smoke. It flashed in red light. It exploded with a high-pitched cry.

The Hero Killer's eyes snapped towards the flare, watching it – wide-eyed.

Izuku couldn't help but let a chuckle roll from his tongue. "You have an amazing Quirk, you know…?" Eyes narrowed at him, "Paralyzing? That's useful. Anyone you go up against, downed in the first second…" He balled his bloodied fist tighter as his heart pounded. "Anytime, any place, any way… So easy." He raised the Stein-Gauntlet to his face, lifting the armatures. "But you don't do that, do you?" His teeth gripped the second armature, "Blitz, alleyways, dead of night…" His neck strained, "So isolated… so fast…" The thin metal and fabric snapped, causing a spark to hit his lip. The metal pole of the gauntlet shifted and extended.

Izuku tilted his head, "There's a time limit, isn't there?"

"…"

Izuku chuckled, shaking his head, "Heh… That's fantastic…" He laughed, "I don't even have to win… I don't even have to live…" He smiled, stepping forward and lifting the gauntlet, "All I have to do is waste your time…"

The Hero Killer never stopped smiling – he even let out a chuckle again. "Don't you see it, Ingenium?" His smile stretched ear-to-ear, "That… This!"

"This is the face of a True Hero!" he cried, blazing forward.

-XXX-

Tensei's eyes twitched as his teeth gritted together, "Hero…? Quirkless…?" He tried. "This kid… shit… this kid…!" He tried budge – a finger or a toe. "I can't leave it like this…" Each cut burned and seeped, fighting the overwhelming numbness in his body, "-Him like this…!"

The child and villain clashed. One hopelessly outclassed could do nothing but redirect. The katana glanced and scuffed across the metal barrel – grinding ears and lighting sparks. But it didn't matter if that kid was outclassed… he made that clear… "If I can't even save myself – him…! How can I call myself a Hero…!?" He glared at his own hand, "Come on…! MOVE…!" He nearly burst into laughter when his finger twitched.

-XXX-

Usagiyama Rumi, the Rabbit Hero: Mirko leapt from rooftop to rooftop. Her long ears twitched and flexed, trying to catch whatever she could hear. The report was recent and insane. A dumbass Shiketsu student was out here with the Hero Killer. Not to mention, Ingenium was radio silent. She and Edgeshot were the fastest Heroes on the scene and now they were combing the area for the missing parties. She headed West while he, East.

"Where's all that teamwork, huh…?" She leapt off an A/C unit, skipped off a street lamp, and skidded to a stop upon a rooftop. Amongst bouncing pebbles, she heard the scraping of metal upon metal. Her head snapped as metal crashed into brick. Her feet stomped upon the ground, throwing herself into the air. "I'm close…" She grinned, "I'm coming for you, Hero Killer…!"

-XXX-

Izuku held up the Stein-Gauntlet as the katana came down. The hollow barrel bent and conformed with each blow. Now, with its form thinned, the katana forced its way through. The chipped edge dug into his shoulder before Izuku threw his broken fist into its path, resisting its momentum. Metal chipped bone and a sharp sting echoed throughout his ribcage.

Izuku's eyes widened as the Hero Killer's face invaded his space – a long tongue sliding up the side of his katana. He tried to throw himself back, but stunted to a stop as a chip in the blade clipped onto marrow.

"Stain!" shouted Ingenium, flipping over Izuku and swinging his heel at Stain's head. The exhausts in his arms trailed rolling smoke in his wake. The villain dipped out of the way, narrowly dodging the kick. In that moment, Izuku pulled at the katana, weighing on the lodged points. It buried deeper into his body as he ripped it free from Stain's grasp.

Ingenium stumbled forward, inhabiting Izuku's now empty space. He reared his arms back before his exhausts roared. His fists flew into Stain's chest, lurching the villain backwards with a pop and crack.

Pain rippled throughout Izuku's body, weakening his legs and contorting his arms. Blood seeped from his hands and his shoulder. The suit he wore stained; overflowed – dripping down his torso. His opposite shoulder met the brick wall as he slid to the ground, groaning and fighting tears in his eyes. He ripped his broken hand from the blade, letting it fall to the side. Searing stings rolled and pulsed – brought static to his brain.

Stain growled as he rolled onto his hands and knees.

A clang of metal rung through the alleyway before a voice echoed, "There you are…" The Rabbit Hero stood above them, upon a now dented fire escape.

"Mirko!" Ingenium nodded before turning, "You're outnumbered, Stain—"

Stain's tongue dragged across the ground, wetting the dried blood.

"No!" cried Ingenium as his body froze; as he collapsed.

Mirko leapt from the escape, aiming her sole at the villain. Stain's arm reared back, finding his abandoned vest. He whipped daggers and knives at her descending form. She twisted and turned her body through the air, narrowly dodging the projectiles. She had to readjust herself when she landed.

Stain rolled past her, rushing at Izuku. His hand snatched the katana's hilt, yanking. Pain shot through his body, numbing and yet all consuming. The blade began to slip free before Izuku's good hand pulled it back, cutting his palm and turning it still. They both could see her in the corner of their eyes, readying to move. Stain gritted his teeth before throwing his fist at Izuku's head, ringing his ears like a gong. Izuku wobbled as Stain took a hold of his katana, raising the blade before ripping it free.

The katana rolled; guided along his collarbone before slicing through flesh like butter – skipping off each rib. Its edge found his stomach, freeing itself out of his side. A thumb hit the soaked ground.

The pain… it was… um, it was so fast… It was overwhelming and so encompassing like… a dam bursting, rushing, flooding, crushing, drowning – What was happening? White spots flashed and dashed in his eyes. The corners of his vision grew hazy as each passing second sapped strength from him. It was… so warm and… wet. It seeped and soaked and crawled under his flesh and over it. He struggled to breathe – his breath quickening and weakening… He felt… cold. His eyelids felt heavy… He felt… He…

Midoriya Izuku collapsed in a puddle of his own blood: unconscious fading towards death. Stain stood over his form, stumbling for a moment and staring at the boy. He turned to Mirko whose eyes weren't on him. He paused, he pondered, and then he fled. Mirko shook herself from the boy, moving to chase after the Hero Killer, but a voice stopped her.

Ingenium, who begged her to save him – the boy, whose name he didn't know. She stopped, she looked at Ingenium, and then at the boy. Then she looked to where the Hero Killer once stood before cursing underneath her breath. She radioed in to the other Heroes before taking the boy into her arms – staining her costume in blood. Edgeshot was nearing – he would protect Ingenium. Mirko leapt and ran as fast as she could, trailing blood with every movement.

Burnin would be the one to meet her at the hospital. Her face contorted at the boy, recognizing him and promptly vomiting. Mirko ignored her, rushed him inside, and handed him off to the staff. She stood in the lobby as they wheeled him away. Her hands shook and her knees felt weak. She stumbled back, meeting a wall. She couldn't help but to think about it. About how the boy never moved; how his heart grew quieter and quieter, or how his breath grew weaker and weaker… She could hear the staff even now. The panic, the fear, the worry… He was dying – she wasn't fast enough.

But then she thought that there was one person who may save him… She may be the only person who could save him. So, Mirko ignored Burnin, she ignored police, and she ignored the blood that soaked her through. She had to move fast because that sole person was at U.A., and very little time to lose.

To be continued…

COMPULSION S1: "The Death of Midoriya Izuku," FIN.