Conviction Arc 3 - Chapter 23: Old Friends
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"EVERYONE, EVACUATE THE AREA!" Setsuna's voice pierced through the chaos, her urgent plea echoing. "THE BASE IS GONNA BLOW!"
Her words sent a jolt of panic through the assembled heroes, who wasted no time heeding her warning. They scrambled to retreat, urgency driving their movements as they raced to safety.
At that moment, as he retreated, Gutz silently prayed that everyone had made it out alive, his hope resting on the shoulders of Izuku and his comrades. They were the last line of defense against the looming threat, and Gutz could only trust that they had the strength and resolve to stop whatever disaster awaited them, even if it meant facing it head-on.
Meanwhile, the Nomu stood frozen in confusion, their vacant eyes scanning the chaos around them.
However, upon hearing the young student's proclamation, Stain's attention snapped toward the base, a malevolent grin stretching across his lips. 'So, you've finally made your move,' the hero killer mused, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
As if in response to his thoughts, the lab erupted into an explosion, flames licking at the air and shockwaves rippling through the surrounding area. Debris was hurled into the sky, casting ominous shadows over the chaos below. Large chunks of rubble rained down indiscriminately, striking Nomu, heroes, villains, and civilians alike with devastating force.
The aftermath was catastrophic, leaving behind a trail of destruction and carnage. Amidst the chaos, cries of pain and anguish pierced the air as injured and fallen individuals lay sprayed across the battlefield. It was a grim reckoning for the villains, with some meeting their demise under the weight of the falling debris.
However, as the dust settled and the debris cleared, the UA students stood victorious, successfully rescuing the civilians and stopping the villains' plans. Their base lay in ruins, and the Nomu they once commanded now lay lifeless.
The day seemed to be saved... or so they thought.
Everyone's gaze snapped to the sky as a massive explosion ripped through the air, the deafening sound echoing across the landscape. The blast's force had sent up a towering column of smoke, so dense and vast that it blotted out the sun. For a moment, no one moved, their eyes locked on the swirling clouds of ash and debris that now dominated the horizon. The world seemed to hold its breath, frozen in the eerie stillness that followed the cataclysm.
It was Itsuka who finally broke the spell, her voice cutting through the silence with a sharp urgency. "Alright! We need to move! Get everyone back to the Lodge—now!" she commanded, her tone brooking no argument.
The group snapped back to reality, nodding in agreement as they turned to follow her lead. The heroes remained behind, locked in battle with the remaining Nomu and villains, their struggle continuing amidst the chaos. Just as Izuku was about to follow, something caught his eye. He noticed Gutz, standing atop a large rock not far from them, his silhouette stark against the fiery sky.
Gutz's stance was tense, his arm outstretched as he pointed back toward the billowing smoke cloud. Izuku hesitated, confused by his mentor's behavior. The sun was low on the horizon, its golden rays casting long shadows and making it difficult to see clearly, but Gutz's intent was unmistakable. He was trying to show them something.
Izuku squinted against the light, straining to see through the smoke. When he finally did, his heart skipped a beat, his eyes widening in shock. Something—or someone—was emerging from the smoke, a shadowy figure slowly taking shape within the dark cloud.
Amidst the wreckage of the battlefield, a lone figure emerged from the thick haze of dust and smoke, his presence commanding the attention of everyone around. Izuku's breath caught in his throat as his gaze locked onto the figure's face—a face he hadn't seen in what felt like a lifetime. The once short, unruly blond hair that used to frame Monoma's sharp features now cascaded past his shoulders in a golden wave. His piercing blue eyes, which had once held a mischievous glint, now shone with a fierce and unyielding determination, a resolve that seemed to burn brighter than the flames licking at the debris around him. Clad in nothing but a sleek, form-fitting suit that seemed almost unnatural in its perfection, he stood tall and unyielding, as if he were the eye of the storm itself.
There was a strange calm about him, an eerie tranquility that made him seem untouched by the chaos that raged around them. Monoma's presence was like a beacon, drawing all eyes to him, heroes and villains alike, as if the world had suddenly shifted on its axis, making him the center of everything.
Ibara, sensing Izuku's sudden stillness, followed his gaze. Her breath hitched as she too recognized the figure standing amidst the ruins. Around them, the battlefield fell into an uneasy silence, the ongoing skirmishes halting as both Nomu and heroes turned their attention to the blonde figure. The air grew heavy, charged with a tension that made it hard to breathe. It was as if time itself had stopped, forcing everyone to focus solely on the enigma that was Monoma.
For that brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
"Monoma," Izuku whispered, the name barely escaping his lips, yet the weight of it echoed in the stillness.
Ibara turned to him, her eyes wide with disbelief and confusion.
Suddenly, the ground trembled as Stain, now grotesquely transformed, and a massive winged Nomu appeared beside Monoma. The monstrous beings bowed low before him, a display of reverence that sent a chill down Izuku's spine. Without a word, Monoma acknowledged them, moving with a fluid grace as he mounted the winged Nomu, his movements precise and controlled. The creature launched itself into the air, its powerful wings beating against the wind, lifting Monoma skyward. Stain followed closely, his own twisted form now boasting a pair of dark, leathery wings.
As they ascended into the sky, the spell broke, and the battlefield erupted back into chaos. But the image of Monoma, the calm at the center of the storm, lingered in the minds of all who had witnessed it, a haunting reminder of the power he now commanded.
Without a second thought, a surge of raw anger and hatred ignited within Izuku. His eyes narrowed into a feral glare as he charged forward, every muscle in his body coiled with intent.
"Ahh... Ooo... Ah..."
A sudden cry cut through the haze of his fury. Izuku's steps faltered as he turned his head to see Toru, her hand outstretched toward him, her eyes wide with fear and desperation. His breath hitched, the intensity of his emotions clashing within him. He wanted nothing more than to chase after them, to make them pay for everything they had done. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to keep going, to unleash the storm brewing inside.
But then, a quieter voice whispered through the chaos—he had come to save her. He had achieved that. Toru was safe now, and that was what mattered most.
He exhaled a long, heavy sigh, letting the tension drain from his body. Slowly, he turned back, his gaze lingering on Toru before he nodded to himself, decision made. The others, too, were emerging from the fog of their trance, rallying to guide the terrified citizens away from the devastation. Together, they moved with purpose, heading toward the safety of the Pussycats' Lodge as the remaining heroes engaged the last of the Nomu. It was clear the battle wouldn't last much longer; the Nomu left behind were hardly a match for the seasoned heroes.
Fifteen minutes later, the heroes had subdued the Nomu and rejoined the students and civilians. But something gnawed at Izuku's mind. He scanned the crowd, searching for one face in particular. Gutz was nowhere to be seen. A flicker of worry crossed Izuku's features, but he reminded himself of Gutz's strength and experience. The older man could handle himself—Izuku was sure of that. Even so, a seed of unease took root in his heart as they continued on their way.
When the heroes finally regrouped with the students, Ryukyu stepped forward, offering to transport the civilians to the nearest hospital. She promised to fly slowly and carefully, ensuring their safety, and the civilians readily agreed. A few heroes joined her, hovering close by to secure the passengers, making sure no one would fall during the flight. Meanwhile, the Pussycats contacted Forest Rescue, who quickly arranged for cars and ambulances to meet them at a nearby dirt road, just a short distance from their current location.
With the immediate crisis under control, the students were instructed to return to the lodge. The relief in the air was palpable; exhaustion weighed heavily on their shoulders after battling what had seemed like an endless swarm of smaller Nomu. They were grateful for the chance to finally rest, knowing they had done their part in protecting the civilians.
They had walked for what felt like an eternity, their steps heavy with exhaustion as they made their way back to the Lodge. The forest around them had already surrendered to the night, the dense canopy above casting long, eerie shadows that danced in the pale glow of the full moon. Its light spilled over the landscape, bathing the Lodge in an ethereal silver hue, as if the entire world had been dipped in starlight.
As they approached the Lodge, the warm glow from the windows seemed to beckon them home, a beacon of safety after their long journey. Kota, ever the vigilant child, was still awake, his small figure silhouetted against the light as he waited at the door. The moment he spotted them, he didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, his little legs carrying him straight to Toru. Without a word, he flung his arms around her, holding on with all his might. Toru, despite her fatigue, responded instantly, scooping him up and wrapping him in a tight, protective embrace.
Just as Toru held Kota close, Mei came barreling down the steps from the Lodge. Her face was a mixture of joy and relief, tears spilling freely as she raced towards them. Without hesitation, she enveloped both Izuku and Toru in a fierce hug, her emotions overflowing. Izuku could feel the trembling in her shoulders, a silent testament to the depth of her feelings. He and Toru hugged her back just as tightly, grounding her in the reality that they were here, safe, and together.
When the hug finally broke, Mei stepped back, still crying, yet her smile was radiant. She looked at them with a mix of excitement and disbelief, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Y-You guys won't believe this! I-I...! Just wait and see!" Mei stammered through her tears, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions.
Izuku exchanged a bewildered glance with Toru, his mind racing to understand what could have brought Mei to this state. But before he could ask, a voice broke through the night, clear and familiar.
"Izuku, it's good to see you."
Izuku's breath caught in his throat as he turned towards the source of the voice. His eyes widened in shock, and beside him, Toru gasped softly. Standing there, bathed in the moon's gentle light, was Monoma, still dressed in his skintight suit, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Mei sniffled, her smile trembling as she tried to speak through the flood of emotions. "It's M-Monoma! Izuku, it's—" Her voice faltered as she caught sight of Izuku's expression.
His face was contorted with rage, a raw, unfiltered fury that radiated from him like a blazing inferno. The air around him seemed to crackle with the intensity of his emotions as his eyes locked onto the source of his pain—Monoma. The memories of all the suffering, all the hurt, and most of all, Toru's condition, flashed through his mind like a tormenting reel, fueling the fire within him.
"MONOMA!" Izuku's voice erupted like a thunderclap, echoing through the night as he swiftly drew Apollyon, the blade gleaming ominously in the moonlight.
Without hesitation, he charged forward, driven by an almost primal need to strike down the one he held responsible. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat synchronized with the rush of blood in his ears. But just as he was about to bring the sword down in a devastating arc, a dark figure moved in his path.
Stain, still in his monstrous Nomu form, stepped between Izuku and Monoma, his bladed arms rising to meet the incoming attack. Metal clashed against metal, the sound sharp and jarring, as their weapons locked in a deadly embrace. Izuku's eyes, burning with hatred, met Stain's calm, almost mocking gaze.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," Stain said, his voice unnervingly steady, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
"Out of the way!" Izuku snarled, his voice laced with venom as he pulled back his sword, ready for another strike.
Stain mirrored his movement, his bladed arms retracting slightly before both lunged forward again. The clash was fierce and unrelenting, their weapons meeting with a force that reverberated through the ground beneath them. Sparks flew as steel met steel, each blow more desperate and powerful than the last.
Mei stood frozen in shock, her eyes wide as the scene unfolded before her. Izuku clashed fiercely with Monoma, his movements sharp and unrelenting. But why? Why was he so furious? Mei's heart raced, her mind spinning with questions that had no answers. Her voice cracked as she shouted across the battlefield, desperation leaking into every word.
"Izuku! What are you doing?!" Mei cried out, her voice barely rising above the chaos. "It's Monoma! Stop! It's really him!"
She took a step forward, tears welling up in her eyes. This couldn't be happening. Monoma was supposed to be gone. He had vanished during the eclipse—dead, everyone had said. How could he be here, now, alive?
From the sidelines, Ibara, watching Mei's frantic outburst, turned her head in confusion. "Mei," she asked cautiously, pointing toward the blonde boy who was locked in combat with Izuku. "Who is that?"
"That's Monoma!" Mei cried, her voice breaking with disbelief. "He's our friend! I... I thought he died during the eclipse."
Hearing the words, Itsuka frowned and turned toward Mei, her brows knitted in confusion. "Wait... weren't Izuku and Toru the only survivors of the eclipse?"
Mei hesitated, her throat tightening. She gave a shaky nod. "Y-Yeah," she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible.
"But..." Itsuka's gaze shifted to the blonde boy, her eyes narrowing in thought. "If Monoma didn't die in the eclipse, then where has he been all this time?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications Mei couldn't ignore. Her lips parted, a retort on the tip of her tongue, but no words came out. Something deep within her—a gnawing feeling—made her pause. Where had Monoma been all these years? Why was he only now resurfacing? And more importantly, why was Izuku so enraged at him?
Mei clenched her fists, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her. The Monoma she knew, or thought she knew, couldn't possibly have done anything to warrant this kind of fury from Izuku. Could he?
As her mind raced for answers, she felt the dread seep deeper into her bones. There was more to Monoma's return than she had anticipated—far more. As she stood there, paralyzed by doubt, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything she thought she knew about that fateful eclipse was wrong.
Izuku ducked under Stain's deadly blade, narrowly avoiding the slash aimed at his neck. With swift precision, he swung his sword, Apollyon, the steel gleaming with a fierce light as it cleaved through Stain's body. The Hero Killer let out a guttural growl of pain as he was split in two, his torso hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Even as he fell, his body began to knit itself back together, though at a slower pace than before.
'Damn it... I wasted too much energy fighting that man!' Stain thought bitterly, watching his regeneration falter as exhaustion took hold.
With Stain temporarily incapacitated, Izuku didn't waste a second. His gaze snapped to Monoma, standing a few meters away, eerily calm amidst the chaos. Without hesitation, Izuku surged forward, sword raised high, ready to strike. But before he could reach his target, an invisible force slammed into him, freezing him mid-charge. He was hurled backward as if struck by a colossal hand, crashing into the trunk of a tree with a force that rattled the air around them.
Despite the blow, Izuku recovered quickly, pushing himself to his feet, barely fazed by the impact. His eyes blazed with fury, his grip tightening on Apollyon as he fixed Monoma with a deadly glare. "What are you doing here, Monoma?!" Izuku spat, his voice laced with venom. "Why are you standing there, acting like you're some kind of god!?"
Monoma stood unmoved, his posture relaxed, a calm expression on his face as if he were above the madness unfolding around him. His golden hair swayed slightly in the wind, and he met Izuku's fiery gaze with unnerving serenity.
"I came here, to see if I would question my dream once again." His voice was soft but carried an unsettling weight. "But it looks like I won't,"
Izuku's jaw clenched, the rage boiling inside him threatening to explode. "Your dream!?" he growled, his voice thick with disbelief and anger. "What about the dreams of our friends, Monoma? What about their dreams!?"
At the mention of their fallen comrades, everyone turned to Monoma, confusion and suspicion mingling in their eyes. Mei, however, felt something deeper—a cold wave of fear and horror that crawled into her heart, making her hands tremble. What had happened to the Monoma they once knew?
For a brief moment, Monoma's smile faltered. His eyes darkened as they met Izuku's once more, his previous calm demeanor replaced by something hollow. "The only dreams that matter..." he said, his voice unnervingly flat, "are mine,"
Izuku's fury ignited like a wildfire, burning hotter than ever as he fixed his one good eye on the figure before him—the friend who had betrayed everything they had once fought for. His entire body trembled with rage, his heart pounding with the names of the fallen echoing in his mind.
"BASTARD!" Izuku roared, his voice raw with anger and grief. "I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU! I'M GONNA SEND YOU STRAIGHT TO HELL! FOR KIMIHITO! FOR KANAO! FOR JOSUKE! FOR TORU!" His words were sharp, filled with the pain of every lost life, every sacrifice that had been made in vain.
Without hesitation, he charged at Monoma once again, his sword raised high, ready to strike down the man who stood before him. But just like before, an invisible force slammed into him, halting his advance in an instant. He was violently hurled to the side, crashing into the wooden wall of the lodge with a deafening impact. The structure groaned under the force, splintering as Izuku's body hit it, leaving a gaping hole in its side.
"Izuku!" Mei screamed, her voice cracking with fear as she saw him disappear into the debris.
Monoma's gaze turned coldly toward the other students, who looked ready to leap into action, their faces etched with determination and anger. Tetsutetsu clenched his fists, his body tense with the urge to fight, while Setsuna glared at Monoma, her teeth gritted in frustration. But before they could act, Monoma raised a hand, his expression unbothered by the chaos around him.
"Don't," he said, his voice calm yet commanding. "It'll be a waste of time."
Tetsutetsu growled in frustration, his knuckles white as he restrained himself. Setsuna's lips curled in a snarl, but she too stayed her hand, knowing deep down that Monoma was right. They couldn't stop him. Not yet.
Monoma's gaze shifted, settling on Mei. His expression softened slightly, though the emptiness in his eyes remained. "Mei," he began, his voice oddly gentle, "when you learn the truth, you can decide if you hate me or not."
Mei stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. What truth? What was he hiding? The questions burned in her mind, but before she could say anything, a portal opened behind Monoma, swirling like a black void. Without looking back, he raised his hand, and Stain's broken body floated toward him, the Hero Killer's form limp but slowly regenerating. As Stain's body reached him, Monoma took hold of the villain, then turned on his heel and stepped into the portal, disappearing into the night without another word.
For a moment, the world felt eerily still, the tension hanging heavy in the air like a weight pressing down on Mei's chest. She stood frozen, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. What was Monoma planning? What did he mean by the truth?
Shaking herself from her thoughts, Mei rushed over to the wreckage of the lodge, her heart pounding with worry. She saw Izuku stirring, his body battered but still moving, crawling out of the hole he had been thrown into. Dust and debris clung to his clothes, and blood dripped from a cut on his forehead, but his expression was the same—unyielding fury.
"Izuku!" Mei cried, dropping to her knees beside him. "Are you alright? Can you stand?"
Izuku growled as he staggered to his feet, his body aching but his mind consumed by one thought. "I'm fine!" he snapped, his voice sharp and tense. His eyes darted around wildly, searching the battlefield for any sign of Monoma. "Where's Monoma?!"
Mei, standing nearby, hesitated, her voice soft as she answered, "He's gone…"
Izuku's expression twisted with rage, his fists clenching at his sides. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" he shouted, each word louder than the last, his fury spilling over. His eyes scanned the area in vain, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of Monoma, but there was nothing—just emptiness. No trace of the boy he once knew, no sign of the battle that had just ended.
With his frustration mounting, Izuku's anger erupted. He hurled his sword to the ground, the blade embedding itself into the dirt with a heavy thud. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, screaming into the night, his voice raw with grief and rage.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" he yelled, his fists pounding the earth as though it would answer his rage, his fury echoing in the stillness of the aftermath.
Mei rushed to his side, her heart aching as she knelt beside him. "Izuku!" she cried, her hands trembling as she reached out to him. "Izuku, calm down! Please!" Her voice cracked with fear, but there was something deeper too—an understanding of his pain.
Izuku's breathing was ragged, each breath coming in heavy, uneven gasps. His body shook with the weight of his emotions, the storm within him slow to subside. But slowly, painfully, his breathing began to steady, his clenched fists loosening slightly as the raw edge of his fury dulled. He sat there, his chest heaving, staring at the ground, his mind a whirl of guilt and anger.
Mei watched him carefully, her heart hammering in her chest, waiting for the right moment. She knew she had to ask the question that had been burning in her mind, the one she had been too afraid to voice until now.
"Izuku..." she began softly, her voice almost a whisper. "What happened with Monoma? What really happened during the eclipse?" Her eyes searched his face, worry etched into every line.
Izuku's shoulders tensed, and for a moment, he didn't respond. Slowly, he turned his head toward her, his face no longer twisted in anger but in something else—something far more painful. His good eye glistened with unshed tears, his expression haunted as if he had been carrying the weight of this secret for far too long.
The truth would be finally told to her...