Heroes Never Die It's Hero Time

by Guardian-Sigil

One would think that in a world where everyday people possess impossible abilities nothing would really be a surprise. Izuku Midoriya, who upon the age of four was diagnosed as quirkless, was denied of his dream of become a hero that can save everyone with a smile. But fate gives him a chance; allowing him access not to one but a universe of powers and abilities.

85. Ch:78 Courage and Fear Part II

I'm back. Finally, back with the end of the Kamino Ward Arc. Finally, took forever to get here. And again, sorry about that but life is gonna happen. Now before we begin I just want to warn you all this might not be exactly what you're expecting. How so? Well, you'll soon find out why I say this. But please give me a chance and it'll all make sense in the end. Thank you.

*Please forgive any errors like spelling or grammar. I finished this all up at midnight just to get this out on time so please forgive me.

*Check out the side-story "Heroes Never Die; It's Hero Time, Anytime" for cannon one-shots, Omakes, OVAs, Announcements, and Updates.

*This story has a TV Tropes page so feel free to check it out and google it. On this page you will find a list of all of Izuku's aliens, plot points, arcs, funny moments, artwork, and more. There is a link located on this chapter if you visit this story on the "Archive of Our Own" site.

( /Fanfic/HeroesNeverDieItsHeroTime

*Disclaimer I do not own the rights to Ben 10 or MHA.

---

All is quiet amongst the stars, after all no one can hear you scream in space. And yet Psyphon just seems to air annoyances and noise no matter where he skulks about. And right now, as he enters the command center of the ship, he seems even more jittery than usual. "Master the League of Villains have upheld their end. I shall ensure the drones set a course for Vilgaxia immediately."

He turns to address said drones but is cut off by a quiet…

"No."

"M-Master?" Psyphon turns towards his master who has yet to even face him. His master has been seated before the holographic screens for hours now, watching the lowly humans be berated by their own kind, and has yet to move from that spot. All with his back still turned towards him.

Instead, with a wave of his claw, he gives Psyphon a list of commands. "Have Nue and SevenSeven deliver the gift to the medical bay and oversee their condition. Contact Ragnarok and have him prepare for the DNA extraction. Finally, send word to Rojo and Malware to prepare my vehicle for launch."

Psyphon starts at that, taken back by the commander's orders. "B-But Master? We have what we-I mean you c-came for. Surely you don't intend on catering to these humans do you?"

That might have been the wrong thing to say as his Master shifts dangerously in his seat. "Watch your tongue, Psyphon. Before I tear it out and feed it to my pets."

Psyphon gulps at the thought of all those freaks they have locked away in their detention block. Even he'd rather bear with one of his master's punishments than any of them.

"I intend to keep my end of the bargain. I do believe this new partnership will be very…lucrative for us." His Master rises from his seat and stomps towards the windows where he proceeds to stare out over the blue and green sphere that is the planet Earth. "I've been denied my prize for too long. However, without it in my position I have grown greedy. "All For One taught me much and I plan to use that knowledge for myself."

Without any signs of hesitation, the commander turns and marches away, nearly stepping on Psyphon as he exits.

"M-master?! Where are you going?!"

"I crave more, Psyphon. I desire more power. But there will be no more agents. No more soldiers and tools that do as I wish. For this prize…" He turns, and Vilgax towers over the minion, his eyes beating with desire and hate as his rippling muscles and tentacles crave for battle. "I will see to this task myself."

---

[PLAY "My Hero Academia Season 3 - Opening | ODD FUTURE"]

I Keep My Ideals; Sorezore

Izuku Midoriya and Henzu Uuichi are standing back-to-back facing away from each other as their story of transformation from friends to enemy's flashes between them.

No Tenmei Wo Ooo

The camera P.O.V. zooms upward, traveling through space at light speed.

What's going through? (Instrumental)

The Omnitrix glows green, floating between a pair of Galvin's hands.

Subete Wa Mi Kara Deta Sabi

Izuku runs out of Mr. Baumann's store before jumping on his hoverboard with the man chasing after him angrily.

Haburi Yoku Fuyashita Kuro Rekishi

He begins laughing as Megawatts swarm around him and into the bright sky.

Arito Arayuru Mono Wo Sutetari

One of the Megawatts glides past Ochaco Uraraka who lets out a cheer as she leads Class A around a running course.

Mi Ni Oboe No Nai Unmei Ni

Katsuki Bakugou begins shouting as he tries to overtake her, but she just runs faster, earning his angrier.

Korosare Kaketa Koto Mo Attashi

Principal Nezu walks in front of the U.A. staff along with the WWPC before passing by a pillar. Leaving just him along with Thirteen, One-One, and Gran Torino before passing another pillar.

Shinda Me Wo Shite Ikita Jiki Soredemo Kyou Mo Ikasareteru

The pillar moves to reveal Nue standing in front of Vilgax's Legion with the League of Villains standing behind him.

Tte Koto Wa

SevenSeven appears in front of the camera P.O.V. and shoots the screen.

What's going on? Mada Sou Yari Nokoshiten Darou

Ochaco Uraraka and Tomura Shigaraki stand back-to-back as their respective mentors look down at them before the two begin to walk away from each other.

Syuusei No Shiyou No Nai Hibi No Naka Demo

Izuku looks on at a photo of him, Inko, and a faded-out figure before closing his eyes as All Might appears behind him. All Might fades out leaving Hisashi in his place. Hisashi turns and let's loose a torrent of flames.

What's going on?

Xylene leaps from the flames, her eyes aglow with Telekinesis as she launches multiple boulders forward.

Hito Towa Chigau To

Tetrax stands firm, a wave of diamonds swallow up the nearby flames as he glares into the camera with a stoic look.

Mitometa Ue De

The diamonds melt together to reveal Lucy Mann smiling as she jumps forward to deliver a flying kick through the flaming air.

Kanousei No Rutsubo Hiraku, Ah

The fire forms a circle to reveal Cinder smirking up at a snarling Vilgax; the two glare each other down.

Dreaming

The two enemies clash creating a shockwave destroying everything around them.

Ishi Gyakusou Shikakui Sora

Civilian's runaway in panic as animalized Nomus terrorize the city all the while All for One looks on from his tower.

Kokoro No Sukima Umenu

Suddenly Pro Heroes from across Japan appear and fight the beasts head on.

Akenu Yoru Kara

All for One looks on before looking up to see something coming at him at high speed.

Nukeyou~

All Might roars as he lets loose a furious punch at his nemesis.

Mirai

The opposing powers clash creating a giant explosion of power!

No Kaizou Do Sage Bokura Wa

Zooming out it's revealed that the explosion is a clash between orange and azure flames courtesy of an enraged Shoto Todoroki and a deranged Dabi.

Me Wo Sorashite Wa Naritai

All around them Class A & B fight the League of Villains' Vanguard Action Squad head on.

Bakugou uses a Howitzer Impact against Moonfish.

Iida Recipro Bursts past SevenSeven.

Tsuyu hopes over a knife wielding Toga.

Mono Nante Naito Uso Buita Hibi Wo

A pink glowing Ochaco races towards a grinning Charmcaster. As massive violet-runed tendrils curl and spiral around her form.

I Keep My Ideals; Sorezore No Jinsei

A red hued Nue and green highlighted Izuku charge at each other as chaos ensues around them.

Ai Mo Yume Mo Kiken Na Hodo Kantan Ni Hi Ga Tsuichau Nosa

The two opposing colors spark and clash like thunder and lightning across the battlefield, with Izuku transforming between Shocksquatch, Humungousaur, and more.

The two back away from each other before charging once again this time both of them in their human forms as their foreheads clash with each other.

Gongu Nari Sorezore No Tenmei

HEROES NEVER DIE; IT'S HERO TIME

Silhouettes of past Izuku and Henzu are walking with each other, with Henzu's arm flung over Izuku's shoulders.

Wo ~

All highlighted with neon green Deku, Uravity, Ground Zero, Pinky, Kraab, Tetrax, Cinder, and All Might stand in a line before the all red highlighted Nue, Ragnarok, Sunder, Rojo, SevenSeven, Techadon, Malware, and an imposing Vilgax towering over them all.

(Illustrated by Drag0n5on)

---

Ch.78 Courage and Fear Part II

"RYEEEEEEE!" Nomus crawl and shriek into the bar, pulling themselves through veils of gushing inky globs. "RYEEEEEEE!"

All Might winces back in shock. "THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WARP NOMU HERE. AND THIS BACKUP CAME TOO FAST."Which could potentially mean one thing… 'I FEAR THAT…HE HAS MADE A MOVE.'

He has made a move. And it is glorious. So much so, Shigaraki can't look away. The dripping ink of blackness, The shrieking monsters. The frightful police. The panicking heroes. Only one man is capable of crafting such wonderful chaos. "Master…"

"BLAH!" Toga coughs, choking on the sudden spillage of bubbling ink pouring out from her throat.

And it's not just her as the entire League of Villains have the same substance pouring out from their maws as well, choking them as the ooze quickly consumes their bodies.

In an attempt to get to the fleeing villains, Gran Torino tries to zoom up and around the Nomus. "Stop them! Before they all disappear!"

"Don't let them!" Cinder screams he tries to dash for the villains but another Nomu plops into his way.

"DAMMIT! YOU WON'T ESCAPE, SHIGARAKI!" All Might screams, lunging after Shigaraki's shrinking form. "TAKE ME WITH YOU!"

But like a replay of what happened with Bakugou's vanishing, All Might's hand uselessly slips through the ooze with no solid contact.

"NOOOOO!" He's failed again.

And Kamui Woods feels the same, after all they all vanished away even while bound up in his branches. "No! NO! I'M SO SORRY!"

"This wasn't your fault." Edgeshot assures as he leaps up into the air, away from a lunging Nomu. "None of us were able to do anything." His body stretches out into a single red thread that pierces through the Nomu's head, making its body go limp. "Kurogiri's Quirk opens up Warp Gates that allow anyone to pass through." He explains as his head reforms above the downed monster. "But this was targeting specific people."

"RYeee! RGraaaa!" More Nomus pour and attack without reservation, much to the heroes' and police's grief.

*BANG! BANG! BANG!* Inspector Tezuka's pistol goes off, gunning down two Nomus with a multitude of shots only for two more to take their place. "Monsters! They just keep coming!"

Gran Torino ricochets off the walls before slamming the two Nomus away. "ALL MIGHT!"

He's busy, All Might's got 3 Nomus latched onto him, but not for long. "OKLAHOMA SMASH!" He spins, like Tornado Alley, propelling the Nomus away with such force that they're launched right through the walls and ceiling of the bar to the streets below.

Tezuka gasps, watching the Nomus smash through the infrastructure. "I really hope that wasn't a load bearing wall!"

The outside isn't any better, as the three Nomus crash on the ground they land right into the middle of an all-out war zone of police and heroes all in a panic against the sudden army of Nomu.

"On your left!"

"They're everywhere!'

"Look out!"

"Medic! We need a medic over here!"

Bullets fly and screams and cries fill the night air as everything goes to shit.

"What are these things?!"

"They're monsters!"

A pair of pursuing Nomu's go limp as they're consumed by a hot red flame. "More of them?!" Endeavor growls, throwing a punch and kick into the extra crispy Nomus. "I thought we were supposed to have a handle on these?!"

Naomasa Tsukauchi's still trying to radio through to the other heroes, but he still hasn't gotten anything. "Jeanist isn't answering me anymore! It's possible they failed at the Nomu Factory!"

"This is putting a lot of stress on my power!" Endeavour shouts while holding a Nomu by the face and burning it to ash.

"ENDEAVOR!"

"Huh?" He peers up at the bar, finding All Might and a spear wielding Cinder looking down at him from the gaping hole in the wall.

Cinder glares back, watching as Endeavor tosses the fried Nomu away. "Stress on your power? Don't tell me you're burnt out!"

"Does it look like I'm having any trouble?!"

"STAY CALM FRIEND." All Might tells Cinder with a hand to his shoulder before re-addressing the Number Two Hero. "ARE YOU KEEPING UP?"

"Worry about your own responsibilities, you fool!" Endeavor shouts back while burning down a set of flying Nomu. "If you're going to go after them now's the time!"

"RIGHT." He turns, looking towards the ironically starry sky "I'LL LEAVE YOU TO IT."

As All Might prepares to go after the League, Cinder too prepares for what he has to do. Clutching the C60-NV silver case at his side. 'We're coming, Izuku. We're going to bring you home.'

---

Kamino Ward, Kanagawa Prefecture

A city in ruins. The glow of creeping fires blaze in the distance as pillars of smoke begin their travel upward. Ash and dust fall all around the demolished buildings. And yet not a sound is heard. No animals. No people. No life.

And yet the slow ring of clapping, of one man clapping slowly from within ash filled air. Unbothered by the hazardous clouds thanks to his monstrous black helmet and mask.

This is All For One, and he's applauding Best Jeanist's efforts, even if they were ultimately in vain.

The heroes have been defeated, a swift blast from a combination of Quirks saw to that. Mt. Lady is barely able to keep her head up while Gang Orca and his sidekicks have been launched far to the side with various injuries. Tiger's entire body is trembling in pain, having used it to shield his teammate Ragdoll. And then there's the man of honor himself, Best Jeanist, laying limply on the ground, his breathing labored and weak, and yet his will keeps him alert.

"I see why you're the Number 4 Hero, Best Jeanist. That blast should have annihilated the lot of you. But you were able to manipulate everyone's clothing and pull them out of the way just in time. Quick thinking." It was so fast in fact that he almost couldn't have sensed it. "Consider me…impressed."

Best Jeanist can't believe his eyes, this man-devil appeared like a shadow and then had them all beaten an inch of their lives in seconds. 'I-It's him…' The one the police tried to warn them all about.

[FLASHBACK]

It was back during the briefing one of the police commissioners had lectured them about this man.

"We believe there must be an architect behind the League of Villains. It's likely his strength is comparable to All Might's. He will be crafty and cautious. If he doesn't feel like his safety's guaranteed he will not reveal himself. So, you must capture Shigaraki and the others quickly, THEN move onto their leader."

[End of FLASHBACK]

'It's w-wasn't supposed to go like this… But that doesn't matter…!' Unable to move his body, Best Jeanist commands shards of threads stretch out from the black of his jacket's collar, helping him to prop his head up albeit with some difficulty. "A True Hero Doesn't Believe in EXCUSES!" His entire jacket stretches and lashes out into lances of thread, all gunning for the well-suited villain.

But it's of no avail. As the lance threads are torn asunder by a simple flick of the finger and a blast of gale force air.

The blast not only slices through the lances but punches a hole into Beast Jeanist's gut, spewing blood and causing the hero to retch and collapse into the agonizing pain of unconsciousness.

And yet the villain never seems to care or react to the hero's sudden quiet form. "Now I see, your strength comes from practice and practical experience, Not raw power. I don't need your Quirk, it wouldn't pair well with Tomura's disposition." Despite the helmet covering his entire face one can tell that this monster is smiling.

"Disposition?!" Dr. Animo shoves over a crumbling section of wall with a kick, luckily it didn't come back at him, but he's overall fine. A little scratched up and bruised but he got lucky that he was thrown out of the blast range. Even so he's certainly not happy. "What about my disposition?! Do you have any idea what you-"

"Silence. Doctor. Or do you wish to become a Nomu yourself?"

Dr. Animo's mouth clamps shut with a quivering gulp. "R-right. M-My mistake. Just on edge, ehehehe."

Dr. Animo's not the only one fearful for his life as the naive but terrified kids are still pressed against the crumbling section of wall that was once part of the Nomu factory.

Shoto Todoroki can hardly breathe, his blood running cold and not because of his Quirk. 'Who is this guy? What just happened?'

Even the usually hardened and determined Eijiro Kirishima is shaking. 'H-He took out the pros-in an in-instant.'

Momo Yaoyorozu's holding her breath as if the demon would be able to hear it. 'We have to run! I-I know that but-...'

Tenya Iida feels the same, but he's frozen like a statue. 'I'm so scared that my legs-...'

'My body won't move…!' Ochaco Uraraka trembles, her entire complexion pale and shaking.

Even Kraab, an intergalactic bounty hunter, who's gunned down a number of jobs…is frozen. All his instincts, programming, and experience are all telling him that the moment they make themselves known-they're all dead.

Suddenly the sound of splashing followed by a sudden fit of coughing and gagging breaks the tension, followed by a familiar curse. "*Cough! Cough!* Dammit!"

Ochaco snaps at attention, her ears burning; she recognizes that voice.

"The hell? *Cough! Cough!*" Katsuki Bakugou gags as the last of ink pours away and vanishes leaving him here amongst the rubble and dust.

'BAKUGOU!' The kids realize to great surprise.

But All For One isn't surprised at all. "My apologies, Bakugou."

"Huh?!"Bakugou spins around and immediately throws a nasty glare at the villain, having no clue of what power he's capable of wielding. But he has realized one thing. 'This must be the Big Bad Boss, that Master Shigaraki was going on about. Is he an alien too? Wait, does that mean Deku's here too?'

"Wondering where your friend is? Maybe if I told you a day ago you might not have believed me."

'Just who is this guy?' Hoping to get some kind of answer he quickly takes in his surroundings and then he finally realizes the wasteland he's been portaled to. Everything's in ruins. Smoke and ash fly everywhere and… 'Are those Pro Heroes? What are they doing here? Wait, is that Best Jeanist?! Is he even breathing?! What did this guy do to them?! The Hell?!'

More splashing sounds echo across the rubble, putting Bakugou on edge especially as Shigaraki and hsi League are dropped onto the scene through veils of inky globs.

Spinner is immediately on ground gaging and pulling up the last of the ink.

Even Toga, the bloodsucker, is holding her mouth and wiping her tongue of the disgusting taste. "So, gross!"

Twice lets out a grossed-out gag. "This black stuff reeks! I love it!"

"Aw, there you all are." Dr. Animo excitedly hurries over. "It's about time you all came and got me."

"Who are you? Of course, we'd never leave you behind!"

They're all here. They all made it, even the unconscious Dabi and Kurogiri, but there's only one individual Shigaraki is paying any attention to. "Master."

"So, you failed once more, Tomura." All For One strides forward, past Bakugou without a worry that the Mad Bomber may attack him. "But you must not be discouraged, you'll try again. That's why I brought your associates back with you. Even this child, because you judged that he was an important piece on your gameboard." He holds his hand out to his apprentice, his palm encompassing a single hole in the center of his palm. "Start over as many times as it takes, I am here to provide you with help. All of this is for you."

Shigaraki can only stare up in awe at the gesture and words, still reeling from the shock of the hero's ambush.

Bakugou's on edge, nervous. He's not sure about this guy or his capabilities anymore. Is he an alien? Human? No, he's…he's something far worse than either of those… he needs to get out of here but if he has a teleportation Quirk well then he's not gonna get far. Fuck!

'Don't panic. Don't panic. Don't panic.' Ochaco chants in her head despite how much her body is screaming for her to run and hide, cold sweat pouring down her brow making her feel like she's in a freezing storm. And yet the only reason she's not running is the fact that her friends need her to be here. 'W-what would D-D-Deku do? He'd…he'd take in the situation! O-Okay… They-they don't know we're here otherwise they wouldn't be talking like this in the open. B-Bakugou's right there, if me or Iida ran we could grab him but…everyone else wouldn't be able to keep up. Then they'll capture us all or worse!'

Iida hands whips out and grabs Ochaco by the shoulder as his forearm also pressed against Shoto's chest. He's shaking, undoubtedly sticking his arm up was a reflex just in case they decided to run in. 'I-I will…p-protect you.'

Momo holds her breath while clenching tightly to Kirishima's jacket. 'I-I have to…focus.'

And as their bodies and minds continue to tremble with fear they both simultaneously come to the same conclusion. 'We have to get away…'

"Aw, there you are."

The kids' hearts stop, thinking this is the end. This is it. Their journeys are over. Little do they know that hope is on the way.

And All For One is looking right at it, specifically the little spec barreling its way through the starry night sky.

Like Superman flying through the sky, a raging All Might comes flying in like a speeding bullet. Suddenly a thundering crash as fist and palm meet, resulting in a sudden shockwave of destructive power that breaks the earth and shakes the air. "I'LL HAVE YOU RETURN MY STUDENTS! ALL. FOR. ONE!"

"Have you come to kill me a second time, All Might?" All For One taunts, while holding back All Might's fist with seemingly little to no effort.

Their overwhelming strength pushes further, past the breaking point of the surrounding structures and earth as more shockwaves crash their way through more buildings, causing even more destruction.

Bakugou and the League of Villains are forced to the ground, bracing themselves and clinging to whatever they can as the wind whips in their faces. And the teens, while still hidden, huddle close against the wall, praying it doesn't collapse onto them.

Eventually the struggle subsides as the two forces pull away and prepare for another confrontation.

'Is that really him?!' Ochaco internally gasps, trying to take the quickest of peeks through all the swirling smoke and dust. 'All-All For One…?!'

"It took you long enough to find us." All For One comments while flexing his wrist as if he sprained it. "It's only 5 kilometers from the bar to here. And yet it was at least 30 seconds after I sent the Nomu that you arrived." He observes the hero's muscular form and commanding presence even through all the smoke and ash. "You've gotten weaker, All Might."

"YOU'RE ONE TO TALK, IT'S KINDA DIFFICULT TO IGNORE THAT FANCY LIFE SUPPORT MASK YOU GOT ON." All Might responds with a nasty growl. "AREN'T YOU OVEREXERTING YOURSELF?"

Bakugou watches from his position on the ground, taken back by, not All Might's strength, but the villain's. 'He held All Might back with his bare hands. This guy is the boss villain.'

Meanwhile, All Might hops from one leg to the other, like he's getting ready for a grueling marathon run. "I WON'T REPEAT THE MISTAKE I MADE 5 YEARS AGO. YOU HEAR ME? "I WILL TAKE YOUNG BAKUGOU AND YOUNG MIDORIYA BACK." His fists clench at his sides. "AND I WILL MAKE CERTAIN YOUR LOCKED UP FOR THE REST OF YOUR SAD LIFE!' His entire body tenses up as his muscles begin to bulge in a raging fire before he explodes forth with all his fury. "RIGHT ALONG SIDE YOUR DESPICABLE LEAGUE OF VILLAINS!"

Raising his palm, All For One's entire arm bloats up like a balloon as red sparks dance off his veins. "Sounds like you got your work cut out for you. This will be hard for us both." Like a bazooka he unleashes a devastating blast of wind that catches All Might's form and fist just inches away from his extended palm. And like that All Might is blasted away, thrown across the sky and sent barreling through a literal city block with each he's smashed through to come crashing down under the sudden force.

Causing All For One to grin. "Me? Locked up? Taking back the children? My All Might, you have become delusional. You can't even see it, can you? You've already failed to save everyone. Especially your students."

As smoke clears, Bakugou's stunned and shocked face is revealed after having watched his hero, THE HERO, get thrown out of sight. "All Might?!"

"Don't you worry. It'll take more than that to kill him." All For One reassures, although he wished it wasn't the case, before turning his attention back to that who matters. "Get off the battlefield Tomura. And take that child with you."

Lifting his hand, his fingers turn onyx black with red veins running down them. The fingers lash out, turning into jagged tendrils that pierce right into the unconscious Kurogiri's chest, causing the portaler to bleed and his body to convulse. "Kurogiri, warp them away."

"Be careful!" Magne warns, not liking the way Kurogiri's body is reacting to whatever those tendrils are doing. "One of the heroes messed with him and he's unconscious. I'm not sure what's going on anymore, but if you can teleport, why can't you get us out of here?"

"My Warp power is still new, Magne. There is still much I need to learn about it. Its distance is limited while he can teleport to specific coordinates, I only transport people to and from my own location. Or with focus, to and from someone I am very familiar with. That is all. It's easier to have Kurogiri do it."

Kurogiri's body stops moving but then his head expands before enveloping his body and creating a massive swirling vortex of a portal for all of them to escape through.

"Forcible Quirk Activation!" All For One states as his tendrils retract and his fingers return to normal just as he re-addresses Tomura. "Leave this place."

"What about you?" Shigaraki asks with worry laced in his voice.

There's a sudden BOOM in the distance, from the same direction the devil had launched All Might. And sure, enough even from here they can spot the Olympian's form blazing through the sky, right back towards them.

The demon slowly rises into the air, levitating up gracefully and without any effort in order to meet the challenge. "You're not thinking, Tomura. There remains much room for you to grow. So much more…"

"YOU'RE MINE!" All Might roars just before the two clash again: fist to palm.

Similar results as before occurring once again, forcing back the villains and the kid. It's a clash of titans, of Courage vs. Fear. The two challenge the other in midair, like two elementally different forces of nature colliding all at once to destructive results.

"M-Master?" Shigaraki tries to fight the wind and blasts but it's too much, it's like fighting against a hurricane.

"Let's go, Shigaraki!" Mr. Compress calls over while collecting the KOed Dabi into a marble. "While our masked lead is keeping All Might entertained. Take your prize!"

Suddenly Bakugou finds himself at the center of attention, and he doesn't like it, although he can't let them know that. "Puh! This is gonna be fun."

All Might, however, doesn't think so and tries to repel away from his opponent to be at the boy's side instead. "YOUNG BAKUGOU! DON'T-RRRR!"

But he's intercepted by All For One's nasty black and red tendrils.

Ochaco can't bear to watch. It's obvious to everyone but…All Might is losing. Or at least he can't operate at his full strength! He's too buddy trying to reach Bakugou, but he can't! His focus is divide, at this rate the villains are gonna take Bakugou away, again!

That said, Bakugou isn't exactly going to go willingly. He blasts the ground apart in order to keep Toga and her knives away. 'These guys know I'm screwed. It's seven against one. And they're willing to drag me out of here by force this time!'

He spots Mr. Compress trying to come up at him from behind, undoubtedly, to capture him again.

But with another Explosion, he rockets himself up and over the masked villain. 'Can't let that Magician lay a finger on me!'

"Such ferocity." Dr. Animo compliments while tapping his fingers together. "Only a creature of the animal kingdom can match it!" Looking around he just so happened to spot a rat scurrying away from the chaos.

Pressing his fingers against the jar over his brain Dr. Animo's goggles and technology lights up in pink as a mutative ray fires out at the rodent. "Mutate. Evolve! And obey me! My wonderfully horrible abomination! Rise and do your master's bidding!" as he chants the rat's form contorts and expands becoming monstrous and five times larger than before with horribly mangled sharpened teeth and with several tails whipping around.

Dr. Animo smiles at the sight of the creature's form. "Go! My pet! Go and unleashes your-"

*BOOM!* The mutant rat falls dead on its back, hands and feet curled up towards the air after Bakugou Explodes his way right past the rodent,

"OOOOH! Curse you Katsuki Bakugou!" Dr. Animo shakes his fist angrily as Charmcaster fires a set of violet Missiles at the evasive teen.

"I'M COMING FOR YOU!" All Might tries to run over and help again but he should know better than to turn his back on this villain especially. As he's thrown to the ground by AFO's tendrils piercing the small of his back.

"I don't think so, because I am here!" His tendrils reel the screaming All Might back before flinging him aside and into the side of another building.

Every crash and shockwave is another hammer on the nail, digging deeper into the kid's hearts as they watch uselessly from the sidelines. Terrified for their lives. And yet all Ochaco can think of is how badly she wishes to help. To stop the fighting. To help! To be like Deku! But… She recalls Police Chief Tsuragamae's words: '"That's why it's against the law for uncertified people to use their Quirks to cause injury. Whether you were up against the Hero Killer or not, none of you had the authority to harm the villain."'

Then there's Shoto, thinking back to their classmate's concerns, especially Shoji's: recalls: "'I'm upset too. But we can't let out emotions get the best of us."'

Tsuyu's words echo in Kirishima's mind: "'If you go out there trying to find the bad guys, knowing you're breaking the rules then you're acting like villains. Not heroes."'

Even Iida's mind is plaguing him, plaguing him with images of Aizawa swallowing his pride as a teacher and hero, bowing before the critical reporters' accusations.

'Deku! Where are you?! What-what should we do?!' Ochaco silently begs for an answer, fearful tears streaming down the sides of her face. Throwing her head back as she looks to the sky as if it'll hold any answers.

Surprisingly, despite the pillars of smoke and rain of ash…there lie stars in the sky. Clear bright stars and the soft glow of the guiding moon, all a light far above the chaos…

Ochaco gasps, an idea sparking within her. "I…I know what we need to do."

Iida's body snaps his arm snapping up and grabbing her arm before pushing her back. "Y-You c-can't go out there! I-I won't let you fight!"

"I know. That's why-that's why-listen please! We're not gonna fight, we're going to escape! And we're taking Bakugou with us!"

Iida let's go with a gasp while Shoto looks on wondering what her idea could be. "Tell us your plan."

Ochaco frowns, something else has been on her mind for a while and well… "To be honest, when we came I…I have this feeling that Bakugou and Deku wouldn't want us involved. I can already hear them both shouting at us to get away or that we're idiots… Neither of them would want this. And I was afraid that we might make things worse. But that's only if we were the ones to offer a hand." She gestures to Iida, Shoto, and Momo. "B-But Kirishima…you're the only one here who can reach him."

Kirishima doesn't understand but he doesn't ask as Ochaco soon divulges them with her idea.

Meanwhile, All Might throws another punch but like before AFO catches it with very little effort, despite the resounding shockwave exploding from the clash.

"Are you holding back against me? Trying to keep the boy from being blown away?" AFO questions as his hands spark with red energy.

Sensing the danger, All Might leaps back and away before AFO could pull any tricks.

"You're in quite the predicament. So, how will the hero prevail? How will the Number One hero defeat that which is to come?!"

"WHAT ARE YOU BLABBERING ON ABOUT NOW? WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT?!"

Despite the mask, All Might can just sense the villain's cruel mocking grin hidden just behind the metal and leather. "My my, they really did leave you out in the dark. Didn't they?"

All Might grows frustrated, hating how much he's being taunted. But that's what it is, nothing but words, distractions from his true goal. 'YOUNG BAKUGOU…'

He better act fast, even though Bakugou's staying ahead of the villains for now, he's barely keeping his lead for them. And he knows it. 'It'll be hard for All Might to kick his ass as long as I'm here! Dammit!'

Meanwhile, Ochaco has finished explaining her plan and judging by her friend's faces it might not be the brightest plan she's ever come up with. Then again these kinds of plans were always more Deku's forte.

"Are you out of your mind?" Iida asks, questioning her state of mind rather.

"Bakugou's not an idiot." She explains. "He knows All Might's holding back because he's here."

"I agree." Shoto confirms. "All Might's playing defensively, keeping that…devil away from Bakugou. But he's doing the same to him. I think it's worth a shot."

While perched against Ochaco's shoulder, Kraab nods seemingly in favor of the plan is worth a shot as well. "If we don't hurry, the Pomeranian will be back in the kennel. And then maybe even put down. This is probably our best chance at rescuing the mutt."

Momo isn't so sure, maybe because there isn't much for her to do but still. "Iida?"

"It is a gamble." Iida admits with some frustration. "But all things considered there's not much risk to us. But more importantly it could change the tide of this fight." He thinks and thinks and thinks, trying to come up with another solution while the others wait for his response. But after a brief moment he has his answer. "I'm in."

They get ready, following Ochaco's Midoriya-like plan to a tee. First Ochaco presses her fingers against the nearby wall, weakening its structure with Zero-Gravity before turning right around and making both Iida and Kirishima weightless too.

Iida has the weightless and Hardened Kirishima in front, almost wielding him out like a giant living shield. On Ochaco's mark, Iida's Engines roar with the activation of his signature RECIPRO BURST!

And like a missile, the two crash through the weightless wall in milliseconds, clearing the path just as Shoto unleashes a massive wave of ice! The ice propels to the sky, generating into a massive ramp in just mere seconds, Shoto's fastest time yet! As well as a great shock for the villains, especially Shigaraki!

The villains watch on in shock and awe as a pair of heroes…no kids have somehow gotten the jump on them literally! They do nothing but watch as Iida rockets both him and Kirishima right off the ramp and into the sky, far from their reach!

AFO, however, won't allow such interference. However, the shoe's on the other foot as All Might breaks the villain's attention. By delivering a solid sideway SMASH, giving the devil a chance to taste the pavement.

Bakugou's gaze is on his classmates too. Shocked, stunned by their sudden appearance. But it's Kirishima he's watching. Kirishima the one he's fought beside with, studied with, the one who's built the most solid bond with him. His friend.

A friend that he'll listen to!

"COME ON!" His friend calls, extending out his hand from the sky above.

Not willing to lose his prize, Shigaraki lurches for the blonde, with the intent to kill at this point. If he can't convert Bakugou the very least he can do is turn him to dust and stir even more trouble.

But…he's too late as he's met with an EXPLOSION of fire and heat!

In a blaze of glory, Bakugou's form rockets through the air, gliding forth with red hotspeed. Soaring high above the battlefield before clamping down onto his equal's open hand.

"YOU IDIOTS!" The blond roars with a wide, ecstatic grin.

"WHAAA!?" Spinner gaps, while the rest of the villains watch uselessly from below.

"Bakugou!" The weightless Iida calls. "On my mark, could you give us a giant-"

"Don't tell me what to do, damn you!" Bakugou snaps, reverting back to how he normally is.

"It's not the time to fight you guys!" Kirishima shouts back as they continue to fly through the air.

Meanwhile, Shoto, Momo, Kraab and Ochaco watch from below with relief all over their faces.

Shoto's impressed, the plan is working perfectly. "Just as we thought, all eyes on them. This is our chance."

"Let's go!" Momo agrees before they all run off back through the now crumbled alleyway.

Shigaraki is pissed, watching them soar away with gritted teeth. There's movement in his peripheral and his gaze darts over and for the briefest of seconds he locks eyes with one Ochaco Uraraka. 'Why do you keep showing up everywhere?!'

All Might…is grinning? Having witnessed the kid's grand escape to the starry sky. "SERIOUSLY? YOU KIDS…"

"Don't let them get away!" Twice barks and Mr.. Compress runs by.

"Who can do distance?!" He asks while holding down his top hat.

Spinner answers in a panic. "Kurogiri and Dabi! But they're down!"

Magne waves them over as a blue magnetic field begins to form between her open palms. "You two come here."

The two hurry over, leaning into each other with Compress backing into Spinner as the two become surrounded in a blue aura of Magne's magnetic field. Closing together the villains bring their North Poled-fields closer and growing the pressure as a result.

"Ready?!" Magne doesn't wait for a response as she releases her Quirk and Mr. Compress is launched right into the air like a cannonball! "REPULSION BREAKUP: NIGHT-FLIGHT CANNON!"

"TITAN CLIFF!" Mt. Lady's injured form rises out from the rubble, gigantifying quickly and intercepting the villain's path.

It all happens so suddenly and quickly that Mr. Compress has no time to react as he slams headfirst into the hero's giant forehead.

The two gasp and wail in pain as Compress is thrown back and Mt. Lady begins to tumble.

"Woah! She did it!" Ochaco gasps, running below and past Mt. Lady's falling form.

"The rescue's-priority…" The heroine weakly mutters as her giant form slowly begins to fall to the side. "Go home you dumb kids…"

Ochaco gasps and has seconds to react, leaping back as Mt. Lady's giant body crashes down before her! Kraab, having been perched on her shoulder, loses his grip and is flung off, rolling away and out of sight.

Meanwhile, Shoto and Momo dive forward and tumble to the ground, away from the landing. But now separated from Ochaco.

"Uraraka!" Momo, unable to see a way around Mt. Lady's unconscious form.

Shoto pulls her back and away from a collapsing chunk of a building. "We have to move! Don't worry she's not alone, she'll be right behind us!"

After some hesitation Momo goes, praying Ochaco will be soon behind them.

Fortunately for Ochaco the villains are so focused on Bakugou's escape that none of them have noticed her ducking and hiding behind a pile of rubble and earth.

"Damn, fake heroes!" Spinner seethes. "Someone stop them!"

"I believe that is my cue!" Dr. Animo cackles with a conniving grin while digging through his pocket. And out from his grody-green lab coat, like a magician's sleight of hand, he pulls out a poor confused pigeon.

"Time to go to work my dear." Dr. Animo sings-songs while transmuting the poor creature into a vile car-sized monster. Grinning like a lunatic, the doctor hops aboard the abomination and points to the sky. "Up! Up! And away!"

The monster pigeon lets out an ungodly scream before taking off into the air with a powerful flap of its four wings.

The League of Villains watch in awe as the Mutant Bird soars after the rocketing kids.

"Way to go Doc!" Toga cheers. "Get 'em! Get 'em!"

Even Charmcaster's impressed. "They're bird seed."

However, the Mutant Pigeon doesn't keep on their trail, instead it veers away! Dr. Animo has it fly off with him to god knows where!

The villains are in disbelief, he just flat out LEFT!

"What the hell?! He's blowing the coup?! Now?!" Spinner screams, watching the monster pigeon vanish from sight.

Twice shakes his fist at the sky. "Coward! Take me with you!"

"We can still catch them! Come on you two!" Magne calls the two over, hoping to try that "Repulsion Breakup: Night-Flight Cannon" move again.

Twice hurries over, but then a blur of yellow crosses his view and then next he knows there's the ground and then darkness. Same for Spinner who feels a smack of pain to his chin before he too hits the dirt. And then a few blows to Magne and suddenly in a blink of an eye three villains are down, all the while Gran Torino hovers over them all with a dissatisfied scowl.

Charmcaster glowers at him, recognizing not just from the bar but from their encounter at Dathomier City. "I'm really getting tired of you, Old Man!" She shouts as her Alchemy Quirk rages from her hands as fiery plumes of sparkling violet flames. "I think it's about time you retire! Or better yet-just up and DIE!" Bringing her hands forth she throws the chemical mixture like a violet-colored flamethrower.

However, the violet flames never reach their target as they're pulled away by some invisible force. The violet flames snake back before turning red and spiral around a leaping figure..

"Are you kidding?!" Cinder scowls, rushing in with his Quirk Fire Breath full at work. The flames spiral around him as he flips up and over the girl like a fiery acrobat. "That Old Man's too stubborn to die. He's gonna outlive us all!" He lands in front of her, and she has no time to react as she's whacked and thrown back by a swift strike of his flaming spear.

Charmcaster is thrown back into Toga, who catches and is now holding up the unconscious villainess. She quickly goes for her knife but falters under this rando hero's fiery gaze.

"Don't do anything stupid. Or you'll definitely gonna go long before he does."

"Tch!" Gran Torino tsks. "Whatever happened to respecting your elders?"

Meanwhile, far from their view, Ochaco is army crawling her way through the rubble and trying to stay out of sight. However, the moment she heard their familiar voices she just had to take a peek. "Gran Torino! Mr. Midoriya!"

They made it! They're here! But where are her friends? They-they must have escaped by now. Good. She'll be right behind them as soon as she can. But admittedly she's a little turned around in all this broken debris and rubble to really know which way she's going.

Meanwhile, the two new arrivals take a standby All Might who can't help but comment on their arrival. "YOU'RE TOO SLOW."

Gran Torino retorts. "You're just too fast, hot shot!"

"All Might!" Cinder calls out, his Amenonuhoko still burning at his side. "Just what exactly are you teaching those kids?" A faintest of smiles peak out from under his respirator. "Because that was some A+ material right there."

"Don't compliment him!" Gran Torino snaps. "Those brats should get a good whopping for just being here! But I guess you would approve either way." He admits with a disappointed yet almost nostalgic expression.

Cinder smiles but it fades quickly as he switches his attention onto important matters. "Did they get Izuku? Did they save him?"

All Might frowns, frustrated more at himself if anything as he responds with a regretful no. "NO. I'M AFRAID, HE'S NOT HERE. I'M SORRY, BUT I HAVE NO CLUE WHERE HE IS."

A flash of fear crosses Cinder's jade eyes but they soon steel themselves, burning with fury as they lock onto the devil responsible for his son's capture. "Well, then, you don't mind answering a few questions for us. Do you, All For One?" Cinder rhetorically asks, brandishing the flaming spear like he was Darth Maul.

"Aw, you know of me do you?" With his suit still spiff and pan, AFO rises from the rubble, annoyed by the inconvenience and yet satisfied to find the new arrivals, especially the Plumber. "Well, I suppose you are a more…enlightened individual. At least more so than our dear Symbol of Peace is."

As All Might glowers back at the devil, Cinder hesitates the pit of his stomach stirring for some unknown reason.

"And is that Shimura's old friend? Oh my, time certainly has not been kind to you. Has it?"

"IT'S SHAMEFUL I NEEDED THEIR HELP." All Might admits before returning his attention to the devil himself. "BUT NOW, I DON'T HAVE TO PULL ANY PUNCHES AGAINST YOU. YOU'RE FINISHED!"

"Two left over here. We'll handle them." Gran Torino turns his focus back on the other villains, specifically the seething Shigaraki and the jittering Toga, who has Charmcaster's arm slung over her shoulder. The trio stand back, their backs to Kurogiri's swirling Warp Gate.

Gran Torino prepares to fight as does Cinder, who grips his spear tightly before they both charge the villains.

Toga cowers back, clutching the unconscious Charmcaster tightly. "Tomura, I don't want to die in this place!"

Shigaraki couldn't agree more, his fingers flexing, itching for a kill.

AFO, however, agrees with Toga's plea far more. "They got us. Turned the tables of this fight with a single move." His fingers turn black and shoot out in his sharp tendrils again. The tendrils slash through the air before piercing their way into Magne's chest. "FORCIBLE QUIRK ACTIVATION: MAGNETISM."

Meanwhile, Gran Torino is shooting again, getting ready to kick in the charging Shigaraki's face in.

"You're dust-gah!" Shigaraki's head is suddenly pulled back by a magnetic force, and just in time as Gran Torino's foot swings just inches past his face!

"Huh?" Toga's baffled as her entire body and Charmcaster are surrounded by a pink aura, watching on cluelessly as the rest of the blue-glowing League fly in her direction by the magnetic pull. "Huh? Eh? HEH!? Hey, watch out you guys, you're coming at me too fast!"

BAM! Their unconscious bodies crash into the girls' flinging them all through the portal and away from the battlefield.

However, Shigaraki resists the pull, clawing at the ground despite his body dragging closer and closer to the swirling vortex. "Wait. Don't! Master!"

Gran Torino zooms after him, not willing to lose the capture. "Not so fast!"

Cinder rushes up beside him, his spear out and ready to skewer them alive!

AFO, however, won't allow it, as his tendrils lash out and snatch away the heroes up and away, while simultaneously using his spare tendrils to toss Magne through the portal along with the others.

Shigaraki, however, can't resist for long, the lower half of his body is already through. "Your body is too damaged!" Is all he can say before he finally loses his grip and thrusted back into the abyss, his mind flashing back to all those years ago.

[FLASHBACK]

…

"Don't worry. I am here for you."

A hand…a single hand reaches out to him.

[End of FLASHBACK]

And he reaches for it now, but there's no one there. "No, I-...won't go!"

"Tomura, you must continue to fight. Survive. Adapt. And prepare for what's to come."

Those are his Master's final words before the portal shrinks away to nothing, leaving only All For One and the opposing heroes behind. And yet AFO can't seem to find a more ideal situation. "Fear not Tomura, I will find my way to you again. Until then, you must learn to navigate this new world of ours."

"RAAAAAGH!" All Might roars, sprinting headlong towards the devil, his fist ready to deliver the kill.

Realizing that now AFO no longer has to protect his own protege, Cinder quickly comes to terms that this villain won't hold back either. As such he preps for the alternative end. He unhooks the silver briefcase from his side before his fingers trace over the locks. The locking system activates, scanning his DNA before unlocking with a click. However, just as the briefcase unlatches a rotten boiling taste bubbles through his throat and out from his mouth before ink spews out from the sides of his mask.

To his side, Gran Torino too keels over as that same nasty ink from before vomits out of his mouth. The ink swallows them both up, teleporting them away to AFO's convenience.

"Warping + Shock Inversion!" And under his will they are as both heroes are portaled right into the path of All Might's fist.

SMASH! All Might's fist collides into their frames, with Gran Torino taking the brunt of it and getting thrown back into Cinder.

"OLD MAN!" Cinder cries out as Gran Torino is slammed into his gut. And now, with the combined momentum and power of All Might's strength they are both sent flying back across the ground. Tumbling and rolling atop each other, with cinder trying to shield the old man as they skip across the dirt like stones across water. Unfortunately, between the pain and trying to hold onto his teacher, Cinder loses his grip, and the briefcase goes flying out of his hand and out of sight behind a pile of rubble!

"I'M SORRY!" All Might begs for forgiveness, but it's a mix of groaning in pain as his arm is flung back, his muscles screaming in pain as blood spews from his scars and veins. Undoubtedly, AFO handsome kind of kinetic reversal Quirk in play just then to hurt him while simultaneously hurting his friends.

"I only came to save Tomura. But if you say you're going to fight then I'll face you as you wish. In the past your fist crushed one after another of my comrades. Many were forced into the shadows, underground while you were extended as the Symbol of Peace. What a grand view you must have had from atop our sacrifices. A hero standing on the mountain of our defeats!" The memories of which burn away at him from within, however, the burning flames settle and resource with a change in the wind. "The tides are changing All Might. More so than you realize. Soon I will take my throne upon a world of pestering heroes. And all it will take is having the right comrades. Ones that even you can't reach."

"DETROIT SMAAAASSH!" All Might has had enough, no more! No more of this villain and his ways! He will end it now!

His rage explodes but AFO's fury is stronger as the Number One Hero is blasted back by another one of AFO's Air Cannons.

All Might manages to catch himself, landing but sliding across the ground with a determined fury.

AFO, however, doesn't look at him but instead the faint lights in the distance. The lights that All Might bravely put himself between AFO and his devastation. "You still won't fight me at full power, huh? Because doing so will endanger all those people you've sworn to protect."

Even without eyes he can sense all the pro heroes running around all across the destruction zone. Foolishly they rescue those not strong enough to help themselves. Provide first aid, keep them from being crushed or burned, or just simply trying to comfort a crying child. Insignificant their actions are in his "eyes."

"YOU SHUT UP." All Might growls, growing past the point of being just plain pissed off. "ALWAYS TOYING WITH PEOPLE. PROBING THEIR WEAKNESSES. YOU STEAL. BREAK THEM. MANIPULATE AND DISCARD THEM! YOU SCOFF AT INNOCENT PEOPLE. WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO LEAD HAPPY LIVES! RAAAGH!"

"Their lives are insignificant. And pretty soon you will realize why that is." AFO holds his hand out with sparks flying off his arm dangerously. However, All Might, not falling for his tricks, grabs the villain's wrist and pulls it up and away causing the villain to unleash his Air Cannon towards the sky instead. "THIS CANNOT CONTINUE!" All Might roars once again, slamming his fist into AFO's torso! "I WON'T LET IT!"

AFO meets All Might's fist with a flick of his hand and the resounding shockwave deflects most of the impact's power! However, it was still enough to launch him back with the resulting gale wind, but he quickly comes to a stop, his fancy shoes hovering just inches off the ground with his composure fully intact. "What's wrong?" AFO taunts, finding All Might's tantrums oh so amusing. "You seem to be worked up about something All Might. I've heard that exact same line before though. Hahahahaha!"

All Might's facade falters: instantly he knows who he's referring to.

"From the person who had One For All before you, Nana Shimura."

All Might's taken back as a flood of memories boil to the surface before bracing himself and throwing a furious glare back at the helmeted villain. 'I MUST REMEMBER, WHERE I STARTED…'

[FLASHBACK]

He can still remember that day clearly. It was cold, in the middle of winter, and it had just begun to snow over the quite almost lifeless city. And yet beneath the ominous grey sky and before the silent despair of the city, stood them both. Both him and his master…

"I want to make a world where everyone smiles and lives together happily. For that to happen, people need a symbol." A young and scrawny blonde teenager explains.

"A symbol?" A woman asks, her gaze still out towards the empty city.

"A symbol of peace." He explains again while trying to summon more of his confidence. Which isn't much considering that he's just a scrawny 15-year-old who doesn't even have a Quirk… But still. "The reason crime's on the rise everywhere is because citizens have no one to believe in. But they need to rely on someone. That's why I wanna be the pillar that gives people hope!"

The woman sighs, not as a way to shrug off his dream, but as if inhaling it and taking it for what it's worth. "So, that's what drives you to become a hero. Even though you're Quirkless."

"Yes." The teen proclaims, this time showing no signs of hesitation.

"Hehe." She seems to like that. And turns to face the young teen.

She's a beautiful woman, tall with a curvaceous figure, and at the same time, she's well-built, as befitting a One For All user. She's fair-skinned and has a small mole below her bottom lip, centered to the right, and sharp, intelligent eyes with long eyelashes. Her hair is dark and straight, kept shoulder-length, with the exception of a clump of short bangs hanging above her forehead that's styled in a half-up-half-down bun.

Her hero costume consists of a dark, sleeveless bodysuit with a high collar, yellow elbow-length gloves, and white knee-high boots. Around her waist is a belt with an angular golden buckle with a small cape attached around the back which hangs down to her knees, and over her shoulders is a longer cape, buttoned to the shoulders of her bodysuit.

Nana Shimura smiles down at the hopeful teen with a hopeful look in her own eyes. "Toshinori Yagi. Is that right? Those are some pretty funny ideas, you're kinda crazy."

Young Toshinori's not sure how to take that. A part of him thinks it's a compliment but he's not exactly sure.

But judging by her smile, he can assume it's good. "But maybe your brand of crazy is exactly what this world needs."

[End of FLASHBACK]

All Might seems to snap his focus and composure falters for the briefest of seconds. Enough so that it signals to Cinder that something is off.

While caring for the dazed Gran Torino, Cinder watches on with interest and concern. 'Nana Shimura? That name…sounds familiar. Wait, didn't Gran Torino know her? Yeah, said they were great friends back in the day until she was…murdered.' And like that it clicks together realizing that this Shimura must have been someone both Gran Torino and All Might admired. And that this devil was the one that took her from them. They all have a history. 'Not good. All For One's getting to him. He's throwing All Might off with his games!'

Even though he's wearing a helmet, they know that the devil is smiling. Grinning down at the pro upset hero like he were a child throwing a pathetic tantrum that was just so amusing and precious.

'Nana Shimura?' Ochaco whispers to herself while army-crawling away from the main fight. Doing her best to stay low and outsight by crawling through the immense labyrinth of rubble and debris. 'Who is that? Is…is she the one that gave All Might One For All? Was she…a wielder, too?'

While she wonders about who Nana Shimura is, Ochaco isn't paying attention to the environment around her. As a stack of debris, rebar, and rubble begins to wave and lean like a bad tower of Jenga.

She only finally notices as bits of bolts and dust fall into her hair and she scurries forward before BLAM!

"Aaaahh-Mmmmmf!" Ochaco slaps her right hand, her only free hand currently, over her mouth in order to muffle her screams.

A piece of rebar is pinned onto her left wrist while the rest of the rubble is laying over her legs. It doesn't feel like anything; is broken but it's definitely gonna leave a lot of bruises.

'Dammit.' Ochaco tries to pry the rebar off, but it's cemented into a chunk of concrete that's too far from her reach to Zero-Gravity.

Seeing that it's a lost cause, she turns her head to see if she can float the debris on top of her away. But there's a chance there's too much and she can't reach it all without breaking the foundation and having it all collapse on top of her. 'Don't act reckless.' She thinks despite knowing how hypocritical that is at this point. 'I-I can…I have to get out of here before they notice.' She pulls at the ground and even tries to dig her legs free to no avail. 'I-I really really hope everyone else made it out okay…'

---

Meanwhile, the rest of Kamino Ward is undergoing a massive evacuation. Sirens and alarms blare all throughout the city and even though it's far from the chaos it feels like one wrong move will trigger a massive stampede of panicking people. Thankfully the heroes and police are there, directing the flow of foot traffic away from the smoke and the glow of flames in the distance.

"Kirishima! Are you three safe?" Shoto almost shouts into his phone as he and Momo are forced to move with the bustling scared crowd.

As they march with the flow of traffic, Momo tries her best to scan the massive wave of people for any signs of Ochaco.

["Yeah, we're fine."] Kirishima responds before Iida cuts in.

["We're stopped in front of the station, thankfully we managed to avoid the previous shockwave."]

---

Kirishima peers over the train station again before leaning back into the phone. "Yeah, Uraraka's rescue plan was flawless!"

That little comment annoyed Bakugou and of course he just has to let it be known. "A rescue!? That's not what happened back there! You idiots just happened to be my best escape route!"

"You're welcome!" Kirishima smiles and is just happy to have Bakugou back and intact.

"I had to get out of there so All Might could destroy that guy."

Iida nods, understanding Bakugou's logic. "Yes, well I'm just relieved it worked without any issue."

["Iida?"] Momo's voice interjects from the phone, sounding worried. ["I-I'm afraid that's not exactly t-true."]

Their breaths hitch, each staring wide at the phone with nerves.

["It's Uraraka."] Shoto starts, hesitantly. ["We-...we got separated when Mt. Lady fell."]

"You WHAT-!?" Iida screams, startling nearby pedestrians.

Even Bakugou is stunned, his heart racing and feeling like it's going to Explode.

After seeing people jump at his shouting, Iida simmers his voice down and continues harshly whispering into the phone. "And you just left?!"

["It was stupid I know, but we couldn't get to her without drawing attention to her and ourselves. I've been trying to reach her but she hasn't answered."]

["But she's not alone!"] Momo quickly explains. ["Kraab is with her, they probably haven't contacted us yet because he's not exactly a subtle communication device."] Using Kraab like a cellphone might freak some people out, plus Uraraka won the Sports Festival, if she stands out people are going to recognize her so she's probably staying silent on purpose. At least for now.

["We've been on the lookout."] Shoto explains. ["But we've been swept up in this crowd, there's no way for us to move back. I can only assume she's swept up in all this too."]

That still doesn't give Iida any comfort. "I sure hope you're right."

For some reason, Bakugou has the sneaking suspicion that isn't the case at all and they're all idiots for thinking she'd even try to leave.

But before he can tell them off and start yelling at them to go back and get her, a squad of helicopters cut through the sky. Their loud propellers silencing him and the entire crowd as they race towards the chaos.

---

Hearing the blades of the helicopters coming closer, Ochaco claws at the ground even more desperately. She-She knows the consequences if they spot her and recognize her as a U.A. student. She needs to get out of there and fast… But still, she can't tear her eyes away from the battle either. She knows that right now she's witnessing a clash of the light vs. the dark.

Meanwhile, All For One watches the helicopters' arrival with satisfaction as if their arrival was all according to his plan. "You have so much in common with Nana Shimura." He explains, taunting the Number One Hero further. "The utter waste of a human who passed One For All onto you."

And like that the villain is officially under All Might's skin, crawling around like an infuriating parasite.

[FLASHBACK]

"Be proud Toshinori!" Nana Shimura explains as the winter season washes away to become a beautiful spring day. "You went down a long hard road to earn this power. Of course, it's gonna take a lot of work to master it."

[End of FLASHBACK]

"MY MASTER IS A TRUE HERO. KEEP HER NAME OUT OF YOUR FILTHY MOUTH!"

"A woman with no skill and a grand idea she couldn't live up to. How embarrassing for me, the creator of One For All, to see her inherit the power." Like a mouse inheriting a lion's set of fangs, it was insulting to him the creator of said fangs. "And the way she died was so pathetic. Shall I tell you all about it?"

"ENOUGH!" All Might roars, officially losing his patience and charging the villain with all his anger and rage!

All For One is ready though, swinging his arm up to blast the hero again with another shockwave!

"All Might!" Like a fiery bullet Cinder rockets himself in, and tackles All Might from the side, rocketing both away from the villain's sudden blast!

The Air Cannon rips through the battlefield, tearing it asunder with earth shattering results.

"He's toying with you!" Cinder screams as he propels All Might away. "He's toying with your emotions! Trying to make you mess up! Trying to make you lose focus!"

All Might frowns, realizing how true Cinder's words are.

"He's right, Toshinori!" Gran Torino zips in, helping the two to slow to a stop. "It's just like last time! Six years ago he pulled the same thing on you and what happened?! Or did you forget all about that hole in your stomach?!"

All Might winces at the mention of his wound, his hand hovering to his stomach.

"The moment you let him get under your skin is the moment he wins. And remember, you need to stay strong, otherwise however do you expect to save the kid."

His gut and heart wrench and not from his wounds. They're right, if he acts stupid then he'll be in no shape to save Young Midoriya. If he loses his strength or worse One For All, then any hope of saving the boy goes right align with it. He needs to keep his head in the game!

"His fighting style and Quirks are completely different then last time." Gran Torino explains while keeping his gaze locked onto the villain. "Be on your guard and use your wits!"

"And don't forget. We're here too!" Cinder roars as a breath of fire leaves his lungs. "We're heroes too! We're standing right beside you, All Might!"

All Might nods in understanding, grateful to have these heroes at his side. "AND I AM AT YOURS."

Meanwhile, as the heroes and the villain remain in a standoff, the young reporter watches from above as his helicopter circles the ruined battlefield.

With a nervous gulp he begins commentating through his mic while his camera man tries not to shake the camera too much from the fear and nerves. ["The scene below is straight out of a nightmare! Half of Kamino Ward was destroyed in a single horrifying instant! All Might is currently fighting a villain who appears to have caused the blast."]

---

Principal Nezu watches in horror from inside U.A. alongside a stunned Shota Aizawa and Vlad King.

["I can't believe it!"] the reporter cries as the camera zooms in on All For One's form. ["How is one person so powerful?! He's destroyed the city and is holding his own against the Symbol of Peace!"]

'Our plan has been thwarted!' Principal Nezu exclaims, his little fist clenched as he prays for the heroes' success. 'It's up to you now, All Might!'

---

And it is not just them watching. The giant screens littering Kamino Ward's buildings all light up to reveal the devastating scene just a mile away.

Bakugou and the others are stunned, shocked, and horrified to witness such a destructive display. And it's not just them that are taken back, but for some reason they can all just sense the rest of the world's watching with horrified reactions.

"Oh, man, that looks terrible." One person comments within earshot.

Meanwhile, Mina Ashido watches from home, her face pale with tears as her alien mother tries to comfort her.

"All Might looks kinda beat up."

Tokoyami Fumikage's jaw has dropped, he's unable to look away from the computer screen. This evil it's pure darkness…

"I've never seen him like this."

Minoru Mineta's soda spills to the floor as his tiny body trembles and quakes with fear.

"Where's Kamino Ward again?"

Tsuyu Asui is in tears, holding her hands over her mouth; too afraid that she might throw up as she watches the scene with the rest of her family.

"Why aren't the other heroes helping?"

Mr. Baumann drops the glass cup, letting it shatter as he stares up at his monitor all the while all of his alien customers from ML-E and her mom, to Bubble Helmet, a flock of Megawatts, and even Argit watch on with equally fearful reactions.

"Man, these villain attacks are getting insane!"

Thirteen's eyes are as wide as dinner plates as they, One-One, and Chopper watch from inside Plumber Base.

"That or the heroes are just slacking off."

Not all groups seem to find this attack all that hopeless, such as the armored figures seated around a gloriously designed round table. Who watch the scene with great intrigue.

"They're getting soft. I mean I hate to say it, but it's true."

A lone man watches from inside his clean almost laboratory-like bunker that so sterile that you can see your reflection off every surface, his surgical gloved hands hold a lone scalpel that he dances between his fingers.

"Looks bad, sure but All Might's the best! He'll win in the end…right?"

Everyone watches, even the prisoners of Tartarus watch on. But as some of the imprisoned villains cheer for All Might's ass-whooping there are those like the woman in violet who remains all but silent.

"It's not over! R-Right All Might?!"

Bakugou can feel it. No, it's not just him, the others can sense it too. There…there was a shift, a great shift like that of the waves suddenly pulling them all away into another direction. The tides are changing, and they're going to drown the heroes in their wake…

"Uraraka… Deku…" Bakugou breathes, unable to look away from All For One's image displayed across the giant screen. 'Where are you guys? You need to get out of there… NOW!"

---

'I need to get out of here NOW!' Ochaco squirms, kicking and clawing at the rubble but's no good. She tried making the rebar weightless which didn't do anything thanks to all the rubble weighing it down from each end. She's stuck! For a second she considers using One For All to break free but the chill of knowing that All For One is right there stops her from doing so. For now she'll have to keep an eye on the fight and hope she can make her escape. Maybe Kraab will somehow find her and give her a hand?

Well truth be told, Kraab hasn't been faring any better than she has. After being flung off her shoulder he was bounced around here and there by the battle's shockwaves. At some point while being thrown around he lost an arm! No big deal except for the fact that he's lost and has no idea what to do now!

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! FUCK!" Kraab chants as he scuttles quickly across the uneven ground. He crawls up the side of a massive pile of rubble to get his bearings only to spot helicopters in the sky, their lights and cameras all shining down at All Might and his opposite, facing off at the center of it all. Along with Cinder and Gran Torino not far off.

"Nope! I'm out!" He states, throwing his one claw up in surrender. "Maybe…maybe it's time I hit the road. Yup, planet Earth is a dud. I have heard that Alderaan is lovely this time of year."

But before he can scurry away to his impromptu vacation something shiny catches his eyes in this dark and dismal scene.

"Huh?" Curious he scuttles over, moving cautiously, but then becomes even more confused when he finds a silver briefcase hidden amongst the rubble and damage.

But what's odder still is the massive energy signal he's picking up from inside the case. "What da?"

Hoping over and nearly tripping thanks to the off-balance of a missing arm he soon reaches the briefcase and reading its label: C60-NV.

"There's no way…" Reaching his open claw in, he flicks the briefcase open to find the Plumber's secret weapon inside. "Holy. Shit. Cinder you're a mad man…"

Now there's just one problem, how does a one-armed cybernetic crustacean get this to the Plumber? "Fuck me…"

---

Back at the center of the battlefield, the standstill finally reaches its climax as both sides lose their patience.

Cinder strikes first, actually, unleashing a triple Fire Breath at the villain. "SCORCHING RAY!"

The devil doesn't bat an eye against the incoming inferno, deflecting them awa with sheer blasts of wind and air.

"RAAAAGH!" All Might slips in from the side, moving incredibly fast and having used Cinder's strikes as cover to get in an attack!

However, AFO must have some kind of 360-degree prescription as he easily out maneuvers and evades the SMASH with a quick jet of his levitation Quirk to propel himself away.

"You can't evade us forever!" Gran Torino ricochets off the pillars of rubble and rock before rockets towards the villain with the intention of driving his foot into the devil's helmet.

"I don't plan to." However, with a flick of the wrist Gran Torino is sent flying away with some kinetic force redirection.

"FIRE LASH!" There's a crack and then a whip made of pure fire slashes through the air, controlled by Cinder' Firebreath.

AFO easily sidesteps it however and smiles down at the seemingly normal hero. "Hisashi Midoriya, I admit for someone of your position you're not what I was expecting. I can only imagine how effective your Quirk truly is in your line of work. I can't imagine you don't have much room to breathe up there."

Cinder's eyes pop wide and if he didn't fear this villain before due to the power of his strength, he is definitely fearing the power of his knowledge,

All Might, however, misunderstands and calls out the villain as he charges in for another go! "HOW DARE YOU?! THE QUIRK OF THE HERO DOESN'T MATTER, BUT THE DEDICATION IN THEIR HEART!"

All For One, would beg to differ. "This is a private conversation, All Might." He taunts as he rockets upward and away from the hero's fist. "This is a discussion between two enlightened individuals."

All Might glowers, not understanding at all what he's getting at. After all this is the first time All For One is even meeting Cinder. Hell Cinder didn't even know AFO existed until he told him! 'NO. FOCUS. HE'S JUST PLAYING ME.'

"By the way, your boy and I had a very nice chat."

Cinder goes still, his heart stopping in response. Even All Might turns pale instantly assuming the worst.

"You raised quite the smart lad. Reckless and stubborn, but a good head on his shoulders. Not surprising though considering all the…responsibilities he's forced to juggle."

Even though he just told All Might to keep his cool, Cinder absolutely loses it and unleashes hell on earth. "GIVE HIM BACK TO ME!" Causing an eruption of flames, he rockets himself up after the devil.

"Hisashi, No!/MIDORIYA NOO!" Gran Torino and All Might scream but to no avail.

Cinder slashes his burning spear at the villain, aiming right for his neck.

However, the dark tendrils fly out to meet him, shoving him away before launching him right back onto the dirt, where he belongs. "I'm afraid I can't complete your request. I've already hand delivered him to my newest associate and partner."

All three heroes gasp, with Cinder and Gran Torino's minds instantly coming to the same conclusion while All Might's mind races for answers.

'NEWEST ASSOCIATE? PARTNER? WHAT IS ALL THIS? NONE OF THIS IS MAKING ANY SENSE ANYMORE… WHY THE SUDDEN INTEREST IN MR. MIDORIYA'S LIFE? AND…HE HANDED YOUNG MIDORIYA AWAY?' All this time All Might had assumed that…maybe AFO wanted to collect Young Midoriya's One Man Army Quirk for himself. 'IS…IS THAT NOT THE CASE? WHO IS THIS PARTNER?!'

"You allowed it to happen, you know." All for One continues, purposefully ignoring All Might's look of clear confusion. "Perhaps the boy would have some self-preservation if his father were around? Perhaps if he had a proper father or even a proper role model," That latter jab was obviously meant for All Might, and the hero knows it. "Then maybe at least he wouldn't deal with forces far greater than even the likes of me. But I certainly can't blame you for leaving, after all, what kind of HERO would want a Quirkless heir?"

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Cinder roars, and from his breath he summons a giant pillar of fire that erupts forth at the villain. "I love my son and I will do anything to protect him!"

AFO blasts the eruption away before gliding away with incredible ease. "Protect him? How? By giving whatever tools you can? My, my we do think alike. However, even I must admit, giving a boy so young the universe's most powerful weapon wasn't such a wise idea."

Just when he thought his heart couldn't plummet any further, Cinder could almost swear he felt it plummeted all the way down to Dante's Inferno.

And if All Might wasn't confused before then he certainly is at a loss now.

Witnessing his befuddlement is a cause for great joy in the villain. "I told you already, you're in the dark All Might! And those two are the ones keeping you there! You truly have no idea what greater powers there are then you or any force here on EARTH!"

Gran Torino's broken into a cold sweat, growing more frustrated too. "Shove it, already! Raaaghh!"

Gran Torino leads the charge as a fuming Cinder and a shaken All Might leap after him , to join in the delivering smackdown.

"Can't you accept that you're all nothing but grains of sand? And I'm the impending wave that will sweep you all away to the depths?" With a flick, the black tendrils return, stabbing the heroes and propelling them away like annoying flies.

"I find myself conflicted." The Symbol of Evil admits while readdressing his polar opposite again. "Tomura's been the one to chip away at society's trust in heroes. So, is it fair that I should land the final blow? You know All Might as much as you hate me, I think I probably loathe you more. I killed your master, sure, but you took away so much from me. Everything I tried to build, that's why I want you to suffer until your last breath and die broken and disgraced," As he raises his right arm it bloats up, inflating with sheer pressure and power and red lighting dancing off his muscles. "For all the WORLD to see!"

"Big one's coming! Dodge and counter!" Gran Torino warns before zipping along with Cinder into the air.

All Might turns to follow but the villain's next words make him freeze.

"Not everyone's so fast!" He turns his hand away from them and towards the far off piles of rubble.

All Might follows his gaze and his blood runs ice cold when he spots Young Uraraka struggling to free herself from under a massive pile of rubble and rebar. And in that moment all he sees is his master's back to him as she propelled him away as she prepared to face her final moments…

"I will obliterate everything you've PROTECTED!" And with a devastating boom he unleashes an entire hurricane worth of power right at the girl!

"URARAKA!" All Might doesn't hesitate, not for a second, he doesn't wonder why she's still here or if he should scold her for coming. All he cares about is saving her and stopping this monster from hurting another one of his precious students.

He immediately zips across the battlefield in a desperate attempt to reach his precious predecessor first.

Only when he starts running towards her is when Gran Torino and Cinder spot her too. It's only then Gran Torino understands All For One's game. But they're too far; there's no chance they'll reach either of them in time.

For Ochaco it takes a moment, no less than a second to realize what's happening. It feels like the grim reaper himself has chosen her to die in this crashing gale storm while All Might, her teacher and mentor, races to deny it. It all happened so quickly and yet so slow all at once. Like a nightmare you can't wake up from and are forced to watch over and over again.

Just meters away, All Might manages to throw himself in the way and meets the oncoming force of nature with a mighty-filled SMAAAAAAASH!

The resounding shockwave feels like a nuclear bomb has gone off! As the wind and debris rips across Kamino Ward for what feels like miles!

Gran Torino and Cinder are blown off their feet. The rubble pinning Ochaco down is the only reason she too isn't blown away, but some of the pile does break away and flies off as if whisked away in a tornado. All the while the blasting winds carves at the ground from All Might's steaming and bloodied form!

Eventually the storm subsided, leaving massive tranches carved into the earth at either Symbol of peace's sides. However, despite tanking that blast, the hero…is looking worse for wear. No, he looks far worse than that. He-he-he's in shambles…

And that's exactly what All For One wants. "First to go is your self-respect and your ridiculous public image. Show the world how pitiful you really are. Symbol of Peace."

Cinder props himself up along with Gran Torino. His spinning head snapping towards the impact of the blast and he stops, his breath hitches as he finds All Might…standing there? 'Wait, what…what happened to him? That's-that's not All Might? That-that's Toshinori Yagi!' The fella who came up to him at the police station. He looks like a real mess with his fist forward in the air, bloodied and shaking, more blood oozes from his head, mixing with his sweat and shaggy blond locks. And that costume he's wearing makes it look like he's swimming it in 'What's he-?' But seeing the familiar costume draped over the skeletal man's shoulders is enough to silence him and let it all fall into place. 'Is that really you, All Might?!'

---

It's not just Hisashi who's in disbelief but almost the entirety of Kamino Ward and the world, and maybe even beyond, has the same reaction.

Bakugou's usual fire is gone, his eyes soft yet shocked. Even after learning about aliens, Deku, and the League's plans none of it can compare to the earth-shattering reality that is All Might's truth.

All Might…has been weakened.

And it's the same reality everyone else around them is coming to.

"He looks like a skeleton."

"What's wrong?"

["Is-is everyone else seeing this?"] The reporter continues, and it's surprising he's not at a loss for words as he struggles to comprehend what's happening. ["It looks like All Might's been shrunk somehow!"]

---

All Might…Toshinori knows. He's a fool if he didn't know already, but the world is aware now. They're aware that their Symbol of Peace…is broken.

And AFO takes much glee in that fact. "Hollow cheeks and sunken eyes, to think that you're their greatest hero. Now the adorning public knows your true form, try not to be ashamed."

"Al-All M-Might…" Ochaco chokes and whispers, the start of tears starting to form as the reality sinks in. His injury. His time limit. That blast and her being here was enough to break his focus and lose his hold over One For All. He-he cans surely, hopefully, re-summoning it but…it's too late. The damage has been done. And it's-it's-it's-... "I-I'm so sorry…!" She wails while falling to despair.

"In this world, the ones always smiling are the ones who are the strongest…" Toshinori echoes, almost at a whisper, and yet she heard it.

She pauses and tries to choke back her sobs as she blinks up at All Might…confused and scared.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Young Uraraka."

She stares up at him like he's crazy, but maybe that's true. No, it definitely is true, his Master told him as much. It's funny, Young Uraraka reminds him of his Master in so many ways. Maybe she's how he imagined Nana to be when she first started. Young, inexperienced, just trying to do her part to make the world a better place alongside her friends… Yeah he chose good. He'll make sure she doesn't have to face this devil, the Symbol of Evil, ever.

Hopefully she'll get out of this unscathed and without trouble, maybe all the smoke will keep her out of sight of the media. Good. He'd hate for her potential to be dashed by his disgraceful negligence.

"Put all the blame on me. This is my responsibility. It's because of my actions that Young Midoriya was targeted. Why Young Bakugou was taken, And it's why you are here now. And I'm not going to rest until you're all home." He turns away, locking his sapphire gaze up towards the menace with a determined fire. "That's the only way I can make it up to any of you."

"You are a fool. Lying to her like that, how cruel. Then again you have no idea what big of lies she's hiding from you." Lies that could potentially have catastrophic consequences to even his own operations but it's a necessary risk. A gamble but one he knows he can win big with. "This is a necessary move, with you out of the way the floodgates will be opened for all my comrades!" Both of Earth and not. "But first I must get rid of you. What say you All Might? Shall I grant your own student the honor of witnessing her Master's death just like I did for you?"

He's not going to let him play with his emotions anymore. Instead, he will take his rage and put it behind his fists. "Even as my body rots and grows frail. Even as you expose my weakened state, in my heart I remain the Symbol of Peace." He raises his fist, and his palm begins to glow, the light pouring out from between his grip like a shining torch or pure rainbow light. "And there's nothing you can do that can take that from me!"

"Is that so? Aw, well I forgot how stubborn you are. I guess I'll just give up." All For One feigns a shrug like he's quitting and even turns away as if to walk off; before stopping. "Oh, but there is one thing you might be interested to know. Tomura Shigaraki, my apprentice, he's Nana Shimura's grandson."

Silence. Nothing but silence.

Toshinori remains still as does All For One, although the latter is just awaiting the former's reaction. And so he waits until it finally gets through the hero's thick skull.

And it does. Thunder could almost be heard as Toshinori's sunken eyes somehow grow even deeper, his tiny sapphire eyes somehow losing all their color and shine.

"I kept wondering what would annihilate your golden heart. And so, I found Tomura, groomed him to hate you and watched you smile so proudly as you beast your master's descendant."

"T-that's a lie…"

"Oh, come now, you know it's the truth. That's clearly something I would do."

It is. He…this monster. This devil born of man, he would-he did as he claims. He stole his precious Master's grandson away just to get back…at him!

"Huh. Well, well, strange All Might. Where is your smile now? Haha haha hahaha!"

[FLASHBACK]

"If you have to save someone, that probably means they've gone through something terrifying." Nana explained, during his first spring of training. "They'll be frightened. Remember, that real heroes don't just save lives, they save a person's heart too. You know what I think. No matter how scared you are, you should smile to show them it'll be okay."

She turns to him, smiling, and presses her two index fingers to her cheeks before lifting them up to help make her smile even bigger and sillier. "In this world, the ones always smiling are the ones who are the strongest."

[End of FLASHBACK]

"Y-you-...bast-ard…"

"Haha haha hahaha! How very entertaining. I think I've taken a piece of you after all."

"He's my M-Master's g-grandchild?" Toshinori chokes, whimpering to himself as his entire frame shakes and buckles under this truth. "My god, what would she say if she knew how we turned out? AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" He wails, his hope, his spark, his drive leaving him all at once with one pained howl of grief and regret.

"All Might…" His own predecessor reaches for him, but still stuck under the rebar and rubble her hand only touches smoke and ash. Like a nightmare, she cannot reach her goal, it'll always stay out of reach… What torture but in truth All Might it's the one being the most tortured. 'Tomura Shigaraki is Nana Shimura's grandson?' That-that's so messed up… What kind of demon would do that?! Is this really what All Might has to face? Is this the evil he forced himself to face alone? It-it can't be… But it is. And-and she's helpless to stop it… "A-All Might…!" She wheezes fighting through the aches and pains so he can hear her voice. "D-Don't give up! It's not over yet! You can-you can still save the day! WE STILL NEED YOU, ALL MIGHT!"

---

They do. They're all relying on him. Not just the people of Japan, not just the humans or the aliens. But all of them. Every being of every walk of life still needs their pillar of support. Their Number One Hero. Their one and only Symbol of Peace.

And yet…it's clear to them, maybe even for the first time. All Might…is not a god. He is a man. Human. A human with limits and…they've finally witnessed his.

"He's frozen!"

"This is bad…"

"Beat this guy…" Bakugou whispers, unable to look away.

From most of their perspective all they saw was All Might shielding some poor civilian from All For One's attack. And even though her face couldn't been seen through the smoke he knows who it is. Uraraka's stuck on the battlefield because of-because he couldn't Fucking save himself… And now, and now All Might's…

From all around them, people's faiths are shaking as their hope slowly fades away like All Might's facade had.

"No way, what next?"

"Is he gonna lose?"

Bakugou, Kirishima, and Iida stare ahead, unable to even process any of this as some, potentially delusional, hopefuls hold onto the last ounces of hope they have.

"He's always been able to win before so he can do it again right?"

"Y-Yeah! Even if he looks totally different he's still the same All Might!"

And with that the whole crowd is in an uproar as everyone cries, screams, and cheers as loud as they can for their Symbol of Peace to get back up and to keep going!

"Come on All Might!"

"You can do it!"

"Beat this sucker!"

It's like a mad chorus, a chorus of desperate, terrified pleas of beings who know they're witnessing history. Witnessing the end of an era. And have yet to accept it at all. They refuse to.

"Beat him!" Bakugou roars, refusing to believe the same! "COME ON ALL MIGHT!"

---

As if he can hear their calls, or maybe he can, their hopes and please charge One For All like a generator as his right arm expands and becomes muscular as before with yellow lighting surging off his veins. "Fear not, my student. I'm not done yet."

Ochaco-stares in awe as One For All surges through her teacher, it feels…it feels like someone placed a warm blanket over her and is telling her that it's going to be alright.

"You were right." Toshinori admits to the smug AFO. "A hero has so much to protect in this world." As One For All surges and collects at his fist, the light emanating from it grows brighter and brighter just like a beacon as the Number One hero proudly declares. "Which is why, I will defeat you!"

Almost like a whisper in his ears he can still hear his Master's voice: '"Toshinori, when you think you can't go on anymore. Look inside."'

'I must remember-...'

'"Remember why it is you clench your fist."'

'...where I started.'

'"Your past, remember where you came from. Keeping your origin in mind will help push you past your limit."'

'My origin…' He can still remember his own words, the words of, at the time, a foolish and yet hopeful teen: '"I want to make a world where everyone smiles and lives together happily."'

In all honesty, All For One should have expected something like this. It's almost like a requirement for every wielder of One For All had to be stubborn beyond a doubt. "I must admit, I'm surprised you still have a hold over One For All. I seemed to have miscalculated how much power I was putting behind my attacks. My mistake I won't make that mistake again." But first a little more fun is to be had. "Do you know that even now, I sometimes dream of you charging at me with your entrails strewn across the ground." He's ready to make that dream come true as his arm sparks with red. "Not to worry you will still be a Symbol to the people of this planet. A reminder of what will befall them all if they should challenge my will." He raises his arm and aims down at the hero. "Goodbye, All Might. It wasn't a pleasure."

All Might holds his ground, knowing that if he moves he'll just target Young Uraraka again. But before either side could launch an attack a sudden eruption of blinding orange flames cuts its way right towards the demon!

Acting fast, AFO blasts the flames away. Perturbed by the intrusion.

"Are you serious?!" Endeavor lands with a loud thunder, his flames raging off his body in waves as he finds himself before the disastrous scene. "What the hell's going on with that WEAK LITTLE BODY!?"

A spinning thread lands down beside him before uncurling to form into the ninja-like Edgeshot. "Looks like we made it in time."

[FLASHBACK]

Back at the villain bar, the Police finally managed to get all if not most of the Nomu subdued and rounded up. With Inspector Tezuka overseeing most of it. As Tsukauchi was still in a panic as he told them to go.

"We got the Nomu under control! You have to help All Might!"

[End of FLASHBACK]

"Tsukauchi must have expected this." Edgeshot concludes as he spots All Might's skeletal frame. "He feared for his friend's life."

"Those Nomu weren't particularly strong, but I'm still impressed you handled them so quickly." All For One mocking applauds, not meaning a word he says. "As expected from the man who clawed his way to the Number Two spot."

"Damnit, All Might." Endeavor growls, growing more and more pissed off the longer he stares at that tiny, weak skeleton of a man. "I did everything I could to get ahead of you, but the harder I worked the more obvious it became just how much of a widening gap separated the two of us. The stronger you got, the angrier I became." Anger that brought anguish to his children, his wife, and his son-...sons. Did all that anger, all that rage and work amount to…nothing? No. No. No! NO! "STAND UP AND SHOW THEM WHY YOU'RE BETTER, ALL MIGHT!"

'Endeavor…' Toshinori stares back, spurred by Endeavor's…encouragement?

'Enji…' Finally snapping out of his initial shock but still fighting through the pain, Cinder slowly rises to his feet, using his spear for leverage. "All Might!"

Toshinori's eyes instantly snap towards the father.

"You-you made a promise! You promised that you'd bring Izuku home, didn't you?!"

Toshinori stares back, his will surging forth along with One For All.. "With all my heart…"

Meanwhile, All For One grows annoyed, his moment with All Might's been interrupted and he certainly doesn't appreciate that. "If the only reason you're here is to cheer him on, I prefer for you to remain silent-!" He prepares another blast but then he's forced back as he's nearly skewered by a spiral of dark threads.

"Think again, mad man!" The dark threads unravel to form back into an airborne Edgeshot who immediately retaliates with a barrage of shurikens. "We're here to assist!"

As the heroes keep the villain occupied, Kamui Woods swings on from afar but not to attack but to save. His branches reach across the battlefield, plucking out the fallen but unconscious forms of Best Jeanist, Gang Orca, his sidekicks, and Mt. Lady out from the rubble.

"That's our job as heroes!" He reels Mt. Lady in close, thankfully after a minute of benign battered by shockwaves her frame shrunk down to normal size. "You did your best, Mt. Lady."

Toshinori's astonished, grateful that they're all here. "All of you came…"

"Of course, we did." Tiger stands while still holding onto his unconscious teammate, Ragdoll. "We can't do much but if we can just help a little then we have fulfilled our duty."

"Thank you…"

Tiger hurries to Ochaco's side, helping her pull away the rubble. "You have to stop him, All Might. This personification of evil. Pros and citizens everywhere are praying for your victory! No matter what you look like! YOU'RE STILL EVERYONE'S NUMBER ONE HERO!"

Even as Tiger digs her out Ochaco can't focus on herself or them, but only on All Might. She can only think about how true Tiger's words are. He is still their Number One Hero. He's hers. His students'. Deku's… They all still need him. There's-there's so much he can teach them… But he needs help! They all need help.

A somber reality that is. Even the greatest of people and heroes need a helping hand sometimes. If-...if only she could help. But what is she supposed to do? She can't reach him. No matter how much she wants to, she can't go to him, and it's not just because of the rebar and rubble pinning her down. It's the knowledge that she'll be a liability… She can't stand by his side, can't help him fight… But maybe-that doesn't mean she can't support him.

She stretches her arm out, hoping, desperately trying to reach him-maybe she can lighten his load. Maybe… Her fingertips glow softly as a spark of One For All fuses with her Zero-Gravity. And from it she summons the tiniest of Ryou Spheres. It's nothing impressive, it's small, tiny, and seemingly insignificant. But…it's beautiful in its own right. Like a glowing bubble it slowly drifts from her hand, dancing with the soft easy wind. Almost unnoticeable by all.

Except to Toshinori. He sees it. The tiny little bubble, the delicate precious little thing. He watches it approach, bouncing through the air like a child's innocence, before reaching him. And like a soft kiss it presses against him before popping softly. The instant it does he can feel Zero-Gravity taking its effect all across his body. His muscles ease and his blood flows as if relieved of building pressure.

"Thank you, Young Uraraka…" Honestly, it never feels like enough. A simple thank you for a student helping their master, there's nothing he can do to make it up to her. Or to any of his students. Especially him… But he'll die first before he doesn't give it his best try.

"Am I really everyone's Number One hero? No, I'm not. Young Midoriya…I have failed you for the last TIME." One For All surges, glowing brighter, as yellow lighting dances not just off his arm but his entire body. He hasn't lost OFA yet, in that moment, it feels like fuel's been added to the fire. An entire tank of gasoline has been poured on turning the little torch into a full-on inferno! "I will bring you home. I will ensure that you have a bright future! I will make sure you become the hero-You Were Always Meant To Be!" His entire body rises, expanding and shifting into an almost complete transformation. It's strained, broken, but it's All Might. And even though half his face is left in his weakened state, it's clear to all that the Symbol Of Peace's will is far from broken. "So, Have No Fear, Because I Am Here!"

As the entire world watches and cries out in joy, Gran Torino doesn't hear any of it. Too locked in on All Might's words…

He does have enough sense to move, however, finally summing enough strength to zip away and to get to the girl. But his mind is solely on her predecessor. 'Toshinori…'

[FLASHBACK]

"Toshinori Yagi?"

What an odd name for an even odder kid. But Shimura must see something in the kid if she's raving on and on about him this much.

"He's an interesting guy. A little crazy" She declares, happily while they watch over the quieting city just as the sun begins to set over it. "For instance, he thinks that crime hasn't gone down because the citizens don't have anyone to rely on. That the world needs some kind of pillar of support. And he says that's what he's going to become one day."

[End of FLASHBACK]

At the time he thought it was such a foolish idea. A stupid kid's stupid dream. Funny how time works though. Look where he is now, look what became of that dream, and look what became of that kid. It's not foolish. It's not a waste. No, it's worth so much more. So, much so that he'll do anything to keep that magnificent dream alive.

'Toshinori, you are a pillar. One that must not be broken…' He lands beside All Might's student but it's not him she's paying attention to, instead she continues to scream and cheer for her hero.

'You are the Number One Hero…'

And it's not just her that's cheering. All across Japan, people are reaching out to him.

Such as his dear colleagues like Principal Nezu, Shota Aizawa, and Vlad King who cries fill the entirety of U.A.'s halls.

'You can hear them can't you…?'

Even from their homes, his students are crying and screaming as loud as their lungs will let them. Praying that All Might wins. Praying that he and their friends come home from all this. That they can go back to school and help each other grow.

'Even after everything he's done so far the entire world continues to cheer you on.'

More than just this world even. As every alien, being, and creature in Mr. Baumann's store is in a frenzy of calls, chants, and shouting. All directed at their holographic screens. All directed at All Might. All wishing for their Symbol of Peace.

'Their united forces cry out for your victory! That includes your students who's admiration knows no bounds! Who smile with their whole hearts to be like you!'

it's faint, or maybe it's his mind playing tricks on him, but he can almost swear he heard the entire planet cry out as one united force. "ALL MIGHT!"

"How pointless!" Having enough with this ridiculous defiance, All For One rises high above them all with a sinister air. "Let's stop dwelling on heroism and start focusing on reality." His right arm begins to expand once again but this time it begins to behave erratically as it begins to stretch and shift and bend in odd unnatural angels as a multitude of Quirks bubble to the surface. "Spring-like Limbs + Kinetic Booster x4 + Strength Enhancer x3 + Multiplier + Hyperideal + Rivets + Air Walk + Spear-like Bones!"

The heroes watch in disgust and shock as All For One demonstrates his true terror. His access to Multiple Quirks. Leaving his body, especially his arm, as the true centerpiece of this bodily horror show. As his arm is now bigger and longer than he is with all sorts of twisted scales, spikes, veins, and pulsating muscles all the while red spark ripple across his frame.

"The shockwaves up till now have been to simply mean to ware you out. I knew it would take much more than that to kill you. In order to put you down for good, I'll punch you with the ultimate combination of Quirks I have stored up in my right now! This will end you."

He unleashes another of his devastating shockwaves yet again, this time towards the ground allowing the wind to flood across the ground but this time he mixes it in with bolts of red lighting that crash across the earth leaving it scorched.

No one can escape the incoming blast as Edgeshot, Endeavor, and Cinder are all blasted, not just off their feet, but are sent soaring. All three crashing into the debris and rubble as a result as red lighting thunders around them.

Just as Tiger frees Ochaco's leg he's sent flying too, forced to curl around Ragdoll in order to protect her, unfortunately leaving Ochaco.

However, Gran Torino happened to just make it to her side and managed to hold onto the rebar just as AFO's blast rocks the earth around them. He shields her as best as he can, unfortunately that means he takes the full brunt of AFO's lighting and power.

"Gran Torino!" Ochaco screams, her hair whipping at her face as red lightning flashes past.

Unbeknownst to any of them, Kraab is caught up in this too. He just happened to scuttle on top of a nearby pile of rubble where he spotted Ochaco and Gran Torino all before he too was sent flying by AFO's gale wind! "Not again! Doesn't this guy have any other attacks?!"

The thundering gale force ends soon after, and AFO is left satisfied with his handy work. Not only did he send those pesky heroes away, but he even managed to show All Might what real strength is like. After all, he's no longer in sight. Perhaps his last summons of strength was a ruse, a last-ditch facade to make a grand last stand.

"DETROIT…SMAAAAASH!"

Suddenly All For One finds All Might's fist against his chest and then the next second his body is buried in the ground as All Might now takes his place high in the air.

"How?"

"You Call Them Weak. Insignificant. Grains Of Sand. "That's Where You're Wrong, All For One. Each Life You Dare Look Down On, Is Always Worth Protecting! Now Let Me Show You the Strength Of Those You Dare Deem Unworthy!" With a kick All Might rockets himself down like a mighty eagle that's locked in on its prey.

However, this prey is a predator himself. "Believe me All Might, if you knew half of what I knew you'd realize how true that statement is!" He throws his fist forward, knowing fully well that one single hit is all it will take to demote All Might back to his proper status.

However, just before his spiked and overly muscled fist can connect All Might zips to the side and in a blink of an eye the heroes' knee is to his neck! And he's launched away once again!

'Impossible! He should be as weak as an insect! How could I have miscalculated so poorly?! One For All should be nothing but embers! But his power it's still comparable to that of a furnace. But how?'

He watches closely as All Might seemingly dashes through the air, generating kicks so strong they propel him through the air even at his great mass. It would almost seem like he's floating in space…

'The girl.' He gazes down at the battlefield below and spots said girl as she tends and cries for Gran Torino to wake up but he remains unresponsive. 'Her Quirk, Zero-Gravity makes anything she touches nearly weightless. She's responsible for this. She's made it easier for All Might to move around, allowing him to move faster, more agile even in his weakened state. Very clever of her. I better dispose of her now before any more heroes decide to get any bright ideas.'

He quickly aims his massive arm towards her, figuring a devastating thunderstrike combined with spike-missile would do the trick perfectly, But his strike never fires as All Might uppercuts his wrist and sends the silver-spike flying up with a trail of crimson lightning.

"Keep Your Focus On Me, All For One! Don't You Dare Harm Another Of My Students!" All Might is relentless, delivering punch after punch to AFO's body and making the villain pay for all the hell he caused.

However, the devil can't be bothered to show just how much it's really affecting him. He does fight back, firing Quirk after Quirk from Spiked heat-seeking missiles with red lighting trails, to blasts of gale winds, and iron-cladded punches. However, none of them seem to land. But just because physically he can't hurt the hero doesn't mean he can't affect his mind.

"Why are you so worked up, All Might? Is it really because you care for her wellbeing? Or are you afraid that if i get to her first that'll mean the end of One For All?"

All Might's half-skeleton face goes pale for the briefest of seconds. Before masking itself in his best poker face.

Unfortunately, that's all the demon needed. "You're so easy to read. Ochaco Uraraka, she's the child you passed One For All onto, isn't she?!" The look in the hero's eyes are all he needs to confirm his suspicions. Oh, how delicious of a treat this will be, "I bet she came here without your asking. You have no control over her do you? Or any of your students."

All Might breaks his hold over him, and lands another SMASH to the villain's center, launching him back th way they came before changing after him. "Don't You Dare Say Her Name From Your Filthy Mouth!" With All Might thrown off by AFO's realization, the villain manages to grab him before using Air Walk to launch them through the remaining of standing walls, right after the other, shattering each to pieces with All Might as the battering ram!

"My, not only do you have no control. But there's a sheer gap in respect between the two of you, and you're so clueless about the secret she carries with her."

"S-Shut Up…"

"How are you so blind?! Do you even understand why we took Izuku Midoriya from you? It's because of that same secret! The very secret your own apprentice hasn't granted you with!"

"Quit Your Games! That's Enough!"

---

"Gran Torino! Please, you have to wake up!" Ochaco, begs shaking the little old man but he's out cold and all the other heroes are out of earshot.

They're all, including her, too focused on the fight. But not one of them can get close; not Cinder, not Endeavor, not Edgeshot. Not with All Might and All For One moving do fast and leaving behind trails of destructing wind and lightning or other.

It's pure chaos and she has no idea what to do! Should she take Gran Torino and run? Get help? Fight?! She has no idea!

"Hey-...! Hey! Hey, kid! For flarkin' sake will you just pay attention already?!"

Ochaco jumps spinning around before spotting a little orange crustacean hobbling his way nearby. "K-Kraab!" She immediately lights up before spotting his missing claw. "Your arm!"

"Aw, you do care." He sarcastically remarks as he drags a device that's unfamiliar to Ochaco behind him. "But forget the arm. Here!"

As he reaches her he slings the device into her open hands, giving her a good look at it. But all she sees is some strangely designed gin laid in her hands.

"What-what is this?"

"A goodbye present for Tall-Dark-And Gruesome over there." Kraab responds while gesturing towards All For One who fires another round of heat-seeking missiles at All Might. Curtoesoly of Cinder, I assume."

Ochaco immediately grows worried at the thought of exposing the alien blaster, especially in front of all these heroes and helicopters. "But-But All Might-"

"Just listen to me, okay. This is the real deal here. Forget about subtly. Forget about the secrets. Lives are at stake. Deku's life is at stake! We have to do our parts to make sure he doesn't die in some hellhole, ya hear me?!"

She does. And…she understands the risks involved. She might live to regret it some of it, but right now All Might needs her. Her friends need her. "Tell me what to do."

"Now we're talking." Kraab quickly scuttles up and perches himself on her shoulder before going into details. "Just wait for my signal, understand? We're only going to have one shot at this…"

---

"Blind and deaf. How very sad I guess your injury did as much damage to you as it did me." The helmeted villain jokes just as All Might throws his fist forward.

However, AFO 's own fist meets it and the two clash before being repelled back by the resounding shockwave. "Why choose her out of all the others? You had the benefit of choosing the best out of the litter and yet you chose the runt? Oh my, I can only imagine what was going through your head. What was it? Her childlike wonder? Can-do-attitude? Or was it that she reminded you so much of your own Master, Nana Shimura? Was that it? Was it some sort of guilt-trip for you? A way to make things right?! You allow your emotions to cloud your judgment All Might! One For All is wasted on people like her, like Nana Shimura!"

"I Said That's ENOUUUUUGH!" Once again, All Might's rage rears its ugly head, and he sprints straight towards the danger with his fist ready to meet it!

"It sounds as though you'll die full of regrets All Might! As a hero and as a teacher!"

Their firsts, their power, CLASH blood splatters from both arms, waves of power resonant of them both as red and yellow lightning respectively as howling winds surge across Kamino Ward, causing even more destruction than before.

But All Might's power never fades. It never wanes or shakes. He refuses to let it happen. Not until the job is done and everyone is safe. If anything, his will, his spirit grows stronger as he faces his nemesis, his polar opposite, face to face for what might hopefully be the last time…

"You're Right. I Am A Failure As A Teacher." He's far too soft on his students. And in truth he never truly made their education his priority. Not that he doesn't care, he did but looking back he could-should have done more. Hell, his first day teaching he used notecard-NOTECARDS! Some educator he turned out to be. Young Uraraka and the others' actions today are a direct result of his example. He should make it clear and lead them to understand just how dangerous their actions are. He should-will reprimand them, not out of spite, but so they can grow to become better. But first he must ensure that his class has full attendance and that starts by brings his missing student home. "But My Students Are Everything To Me! They've Inspired Me Far More Than Any Of Them Know!"

That's why One For All hasn't vanished from him. It's why it refuses to do so. For them. Young Uraraka taught him to be attentive and more mindful. Young Bakugou's ferocity is something to behold, such determination. Young Todoroki's growth and development from the indifferent loner to quiet yet mindful friend has been moving, Iida's diligence. Yaoyorozu's leadership. Kirishima's kindness. Ashido's enthusiasm. Shinso's hard work. Asui's honesty. And Young Midoriya… Young Midoriya…is just simply…amazing. Far more than All Might ever gave him credit for. .They all have their gifts, their precious gifts that make them who they are outside their Quirks. Each one of them is like a star in his eyes. Stars that must continue to glow far past his own time on this Earth!

"I Will Make It Up To Them! I Won't Just Be Their Hero!" One For All surges forth with far more power than ever before, its excess radiates off of him not just as yellow sparks but as a blinding almost white light. Like a halo radiating off every color of the rainbow as All Might prepares to end his feud here and now. "I WILL BE THEIR TEACHER!"

And like a meteor he launches right for his destiny.

"You are a fraud! Unimportant to the great scheme of things!" All For One soars forward, his own fist aglow with dark crimson matter, "And by ending you I will show the world just how insignificant their Symbol of Peace really is!"

From below Ochaco takes aim and watches as All Might puts all of spirit into his fight,

With only moments before they clash All Might doesn't hear the cheering, or the taunts, nor his students' cries. No, instead he hears his master's words, the words she told him the day he received the torch that is One For All: "'This power has been passed on from hero to hero. Each pray that'll bring joy and peace to humanity. That One For All will give the world hope. And now it is your turn. Do your best, Toshinori…"'

He can feel it all, he can feel them all, every wielder of One For All, every moment they carried and passed on this torch. It all led to this. The day this growing power can finally return to its source as the greatest weapon to defeat it. As a shining symbol and a mighty roar.

"UNITED STATES OF SMAAAAAAASH!"'

Power. Wind. Thunder. It's like nothing before as All Might's glowing hot fist just overpowers the villain! The punch slides up the grotesque arm and lands point blank into the villain's skull, smashing the helmet to bits and exposing the fleshy scared face inside to a ripping whirlwind.

The earth shakes as the sky trembles under the sheer power of One For All, and All For One, its maker, is sent flying backwards!

"Now, kid!" Kraab screams and Ochaco fires.

It's a split second but All Might sees it all. Through the rising smoke and rubble, he spots Ochaco holding a gun of all things. When it fires, however, it doesn't launch a bullet but instead a red beam. The beam misses, flying behind All For One before POP a swirling portal appears, intercepting the villain's path.

And although it only takes a few seconds he watches All For One's mutilated face turn from a mixture of shock and fear to one of acceptance. In seconds he's come to terms with his defeat and is perfectly fine with the results. After all this hardly means the end for him. If anything, this spells a new exciting chapter in his ever growing ambitions. "This is not the end, All Might… This is only the beginning of what's to come. Let's wait and see how prepared you are for the fallout, shall we?" And just as he passes the threshold of this mystery vortex the red portal seals itself shut and vanishes, as if it has never had been there at all.

It wasn't a taunt. It wasn't a threat. It was an honest warning, one earned but lost on the hero.

Who now finds himself floating within the air, exhausted, bleeding, and confused. His gaze shifting from where the villain vanished and then to his apprentice down below.

Although her position is mostly masked by pillars of smoke and dust, Ochaco's grip over the Null Void Projector loosens, and it nearly falls from her fingers as she locks eyes with All Might.

In that moment he recalls AFO's words: '"There's a sheer gap in respect between the two of you, and you're so clueless about the secret she carries with her."'

It doesn't make any sense. 'A secret she carries with her? Is that it? A weapon…'

'"How are you so blind?! Do you even understand why we took Izuku Midoriya from you? It's because of that same secret! The very secret your own apprentice hasn't granted you with!"'

'It doesn't make any sense. But does it need too?' He wonders as he continues to stare back at her.

But Ochaco, unaware of just how much turmoil he's going through, smiles. She gently smiles and mouths the words "It's over." And she collapses to her knees, exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally.

And for the first time in what feels like hours, All Might can breathe. Forget the secret for now. All For One…is gone. Which means he-...they did it. Finally… There will be time for answers later. For now, he can relax knowing it's done.

Gran Torino finally wakes up, battered and bruised and very much confused. 'Where's All For One?' He wonders and looking around for him. But instead, he's shocked to find Ochaco beside him with Kraab and a Null Void Projector at her side. 'Cinder…what did you do?'

Cinder saw it, it was click, a split second but he saw it. The Null Void, All For One was sent into the Null Void. Forever. Thank goodness he brought it with him. And thank God someone found it. Must have been Gran Torino…

But as those two come to terms, the rest of the world is still catching up. They all watch on slowly from their screens, computers, and phones. All their eyes are on All Might…

And he knows this. He knows this all too well. And even though he doesn't fully understand it. He knows it's over. All For One…is gone. Which means…

Instead of speaking, All Might stops to run towards the now rising run and with it he raises his left fist high into the air while his body continues to float from way on high like a proud Olympian who went to hell and back to earn this victory.

And that's all anybody needs to see in order to understand.

["All Might, wins!"] The reporter half-cries half-cheers into his mic for all the world to hear.

And somehow he isn't drowned out by the millions and millennials of people all screaming and cheering, and crying for All Might's win. The whole entire world is crying for joy! From Japan to America, to Europe to Australia. Everyone is celebrating. And although they can't see the villain's body, assuming it's somewhere off screen, they know for certain that All Might has won the day!

And now every man, woman, and child of every species and walks of life are in pure absolute joy.

["The villain's been defeated! Blasted away to kingdom come! All Might stands victorious! He saved us yet again!"]

All Might's form finally breaks, his focus gone, and he reverts back and now Toshinori Yagi is left floating in the air; tired, weak, and bloodied. But his body slowly begins to float down as the battered Edgeshot, Endeavor, and Cinder watch on.

"What was that? Did the villain escape?" Endeavour scowls, after witnessing that strange portal appear and disappear in just seconds.

"Don't worry." Cinder explains while falling back onto his butt with a heavy, tired, sigh. "This was always the plan or at least the backup plan. Had an agent stationed in the area that would portal the villain away to a specialized prison. Kept it a secret till now so there'd be no risk of him finding out. Plus, we were scared he'd sense the agent and take their Quirk for himself so we stationed them far from the battlefield. They used the fighting as a distraction to sneak in close." He visibly relaxes now while folding his spear away. "He's gone. Locked away forever. Where he can't harm anyone else ever again."

Meanwhile, they all watch as Toshinori reaches the ground and whatever weightless spell that was over him vanishes away, and he nearly takes a tumble.

Gran Torino watches on from beside the girl. He can't look away right now he knows he's witnessing history. A turn into a new era… 'Toshinori…All Might, you can't afford to relax. Although, this is most likely your final act as the Symbol of Justice and Peace, and the Number One Hero. There is still one task left for you to complete…'

---

Bakugou and the others watch on with tears as the entire city cheers All Might's glory from all around them like an anthem.

"ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT!" They roar, they cry, they celebrate.

And yet somehow, through this massive crowd Kirishima spots two familiar figures lost within it. "Hey guys, look!" (Kirshiam0

Iida's head snaps at the point of his finger. "Todoroki! Yaoyorozu!"

Shoto and Momo's heads snap up and swerve until they spot Iida waving at them while charging through the crowd, making a beeline for them with Kirishima and Bakugou right at his heels. "Iida! Kirishima!" Momo exclaims with relief.

Even Shoto looks at ease seeing Bakugou run up with a…smile of relief? Wow, that is strange. "And Bakugou, too."

"You guys made it!" Kirishima practically throws himself at them, holding them both in a tight hug. "Man, guys I was so worried! But did you see it?! All Might kicked that villain's butt so hard he was sent flying to the other side of the country!"

Momo nods, relief swelling in her chest for the first time since camp. "Thank goodness."

Iida feels very much similarly. "Now there's nothing stopping the heroes from rescuing Midoriya! It's over!"

Bakugou's smile wanes and soon fades away as his gaze turns away from his friends, from the screens, from the city, and to the sky above. It's turned orange as the sun just barely begins to rise, meaning he can still see the night filled sky relatively easily. However, there is a party of the image that shouldn't be there. That definitely doesn't belong on Earth either. His heart races, beating faster with every second this strange silhouette plummets closer towards them.

---

"You stupid girl! What were you thinking coming here?!" Gran Torino is fuming and rightfully, so which is why Ochaco is just kneeling there and taking it. "What in the hell made you think this was a good idea?!"

She bows her head in shame along with Kraab who's tucked himself away behind her. "I'm sorry but I…had to do something."

"Tsk! What a terrible excuse! You know better and don't tell me otherwise! You outta be ashamed of yourself… But…thanks for coming anyway…" They literally couldn't have won without her.

Ochaco immediately brightens up until she is properly scolded again by another hero.

"Wipe the smirk off your face." Tiger demands, summoning his inner drill sergeant. He's just returned after that last fight and is still holding onto his dear teammate, Ragdoll. "You're still in a lot of trouble, ya know!"

She flinches back before hanging her head in shame. Accepting her due punishment.

However, all she receives is a pat on the head by the intense yet kindly hero. "Don't fret too much though. We've got you now."

"T-thank you…" With her worries softened for now Ochaco takes a moment to take in the scene.

Helicopters hover above but their soul focus is still on All Might. Who is now in his weakened form, having lost so much steam during his last fight.

And the heroes seem to know this as waves upon waves of them arrive to help with rescues and cleanup.

"He sure is something." Tiger comments, watching the Number One Hero take his place in the light. "Our Symbol of Peace. I don't know what we'd do without him."

'Neither would I…' Ochaco agrees.

She zones out, watching the scene unfold before her and she stops listening to all the commands and shouts of all the newly arrived heroes as they all scramble to get to work. It quickly becomes chaotic but organized as the heroes begin searching the rubble for survivors.

However, Ochaco can't focus on that as her ears pick up the faintest sounds of a high pitched…whistle? No, not a whistle…it just sounds like something falling through the air… Curious, she looks up.

Still seated upon the rubble, Cinder relaxes as Endeavour and Edgeshot begin to oversee and organize the new arrivals. However, even in his relaxed state he hears it as well and instantly he's on high alert. His head snapping up towards the sky.

Ochaco stares up towards the sky with an obvious yet confused look. "What is that…?"

Frowning Gran Torino looks up as well, the moment he does he spots it and his blood runs completely cold at the sight.

In that instant, from both sides of the battlefield, both Gran Torino and Cinder cry out with panicked starts. "EVERYONE TAKE COVER!"

Every hero stares at them in confusion or outright ignores them, but it doesn't matter. None of it matters as suddenly a great massive weight plummets right out of the sky and smashes into the ground amongst them all!

*BOOOOOOM!*

It's like a meteor has struck the Earth! Going off like an atomic bomb that rips through Kamino Ward in seconds.

"AAAAAaaaaahhhh!" Screams fill the air along with the rush of wind and flesh tearing shockwaves. Helicopters are blown off course, some crashing, some too damaged to stay aloft. All the while very hero, that wasn't standing at the point of impact is sent flying right off their feet and this includes the likes of Endeavor Edgeshot, and Cinder. With only the latter able to prepare himself and to brave himself against the ground. Toshinori especially can't take it as he's flung out of sight and into the abyss of swirling smoke and dust.

Thanks to Gran Torino's warning both he and Tiger managed to huddle together and shield both Ragdoll and Ochaco, as well as Kraab. And together they're blasted off the ground but as one with Tiger taking the full brunt, purposefully to shield the others.

Even from afar, Bakugou and the others felt the ground shake at the time of impact, they felt the shockwaves, and they all watch on in sheer horror and despair as a giant mushroom cloud rises over all of Kamino Ward.

Soon the winds settle and then begins the soft rain of thick ashes and dust as the massive dust cloud slowly falls apart, obscuring everything in a terrible haze. Making it nearly impossible for heroes to see each other even when just feet apart.

There's only silence. As each hero awaits an attack but soon confusion takes hold as whispers and questions begin to fly.

"Is everyone okay?!"

"What was that?"

"Did anyone have eyes on it?!"

"Is anybody injured?!"

"I can't see!"

From nearby one of the lesser-known heroes pauses as his ears catch the sound of faint whirring noises, like that of a machine starting up and trying to turn on. .

"Hm?" He frowns, following his ears. He hears a shift then the bursting sounds of a rocket followed by a sharp whistle that grows closer and closer…

It's then he releases how screwed he is. "Holy Fu-GAAAAH-!" A missile, a red missile launches out from the smoke and ash and totally obliterates the hero! Burning his flesh away in a blink of an eye and sending his bones scattering in a terribly burning explosion.

The heroes are immediately thrown into a panic as they try to spot the murderer. "Another villain, everyone stay on your-AAAAaahhh-!"

The hero is cut off or rather crushed as a massive red sphere literally steamrolls him! The crimson sphere is massive, it's as big as a bus with massive red spikes protruding out of it from all sides for maximum damage.

And they work as they turn the poor hero's flesh into ground beef and spaghetti.

Next what follows is something only seen from Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal show. As hero after hero are just steamrolled by this mysterious red sphere, their blood painting to its already red hue as their guts and bones are smashed to powder by the sphere's massive weight and great speed. And if it weren't bad enough several of the spikes fire off, and race through the air like missiles before blowing apart unsuspecting heroes.

"AAAAaahhh-!"

"NO! Go-go away! Gaaaah-!"

"Help! Help m-!"

One after the other, screams and cries echo from all around. None can escape and none see it coming as this sphere slams and speeds through the smoke and raining ash.

However, that doesn't mean that some aren't putting up a fight as a hero with rocket fists launches his pathetic attacks at the rotating sphere. Which harmlessly bounces off. "Nothing we do is working?!"

"Step aside!" Endeavor stomps forward with an infuriated aura. "Let a real hero show you how it's done. Raaaaghh!" He unleashes an entire eruption of flames from out of his single fist, and this vertical pillar of fire slams into the sphere with a roaring crash.

However, the sphere holds on, and continues to rotate, albeit slower, this time resetting its course into the flames and towards the Number Two Hero.

"The hell?" He adds his second fist into the mix and lunches even more flames, greatly increasing the size and scope of his eruption.

But it's no use as the now burning sphere forces its way through the flames before finally gaining speed. And now Endeavor can only watch and continue with his flames as the rotating ball of death sprints closer.

"ENDEAVOR!" Cinder beats the sphere there, and just time as he throws himself as his former friend, shoving them both out of the killer orb's path.

As the sphere continues its rampage a spiraling thread that is Edgeshot takes a shot at it, to no effect. He's unable to pierce through its armor. "This metal! I've never seen anything like it, it's impenetrable!"

The sphere launches several missiles at the airborne ninja, however with some quick reflexes and the help of his Quirk, Edgeshot is able to fold away and evade the worst of the blasts.

Gran Torino pulls away from his group and witnesses the deaths of several heroes. "Quick! The Proje-" A shar gasp. The Null Void Projector lies broken and wasted, having been blown away and then seared by a stray missile. "NOOOOO!"

"Gran Torino!" Ochaco screams, unable to see much thanks to Tiger who's purposely trying to shield her eyes. But that leaves her ears perfectly exposed to the screams of terror echoing through the dark. "Wh-what's happening?! What is that thing?!"

"It's a monster!" Tiger shouts back as he's unsure of what to do next.

'It's worse than that.' Gran Torino thinks before giving his next orders. "Quickly get her to safety! Now!"

"Y-Yes, sir!" Tiger quickly hoists the girl up, and unknowingly Kraab too, in his other free arm. "Come on!"

Ochaco tries to shake free. "No, wait! All Might he-"

"He'll be fine, let's move it!" And with that he whisks her away with the goal to put as much distance between them and whatever that machine is.

"Gran Torino!" Ochaco cries but it falls to deaf ears as Gran Torino zips away into the fray.

He ricochets off the rubble and earth, snatching up heroes that are too slow to move out of the sphere's path. Thankfully saving them just as the rotating spikes were at their heels.

Watching his old mentor be chased down, Cinder rushes through the thick smoke to confront the threat head on.

"ENOUGH! Now, give my son back to me!" He launches his spear at the orb and follows it up with a jet of flames which propels the spear forward like a burning lance. All before Cinder cries out. "ALL MIGHT!"

Like a resurrection, a half-baked All Might leaps out from the smoke and meets the flying spear half-way. He catches it, not caring for the burns, and summons just enough strength of OFA to launch it right at the sphere! "SEATTLE SMASH!"

He throws it right at the sphere, giving it a spin making the trail of fire spiral behind it before with a piercing clang the spear pierces the center of the sphere's armor.

And like that the sphere, although it barely looks damaged, stops moving. Slowing to a crawl before stopping in place in the middle of newly lit fires and pooling puddles of crimson.

Those remaining, albeit as few of them that there are hold their breath at the sight, unsure of what to do. But they can sense the start of something terrible and as such they prepare as best as they can. But not to great effect.

The sphere…shifts. And a thin line appears at its center, splitting it in half with a high-pitched whistle of air and pressure being released as this mysterious pod begins to shift open.

The pod's two sides expand out to the sides revealing a metallic cockpit inside, at its center. It's large and cylindrical but big enough to hold at least ten grown men. However, as the hatch rises open they find no man inside but a great terrible titan of a being.

This titan rises, not at all bothered by their stares, the smoke, or stains on the ground. Their heavy set stomps onto the Earth, shaking the ground while disturbing the nearby pools of red.

And there standing before them all is the grandmaster of this entire battle. Of this chaos.

VILGAX.

Fearing that this green tentacled villain might pull something, a trio of heroes roar out in desperation before launching forward to take down the villain themselves.

Gran Torino calls out to them to retreat. "Wait, no-"

It's too late. As one of the young heroes gets near he's met with the titan's backhand. And although it didn't seem like much, the sheer power of that one swing rips his upper half from his lower half with his upper half being sent flying back into a large piece of rubble.

The second hero, a woman, gets grabbed out of the air. The villain's arm rips itself apart, unfolding to become a mess of muscular tentacles that snatch her right out of the sky. Her wings buzz quickly in an attempt to escape but his sheer grip strength causes her to cry out in pain before her bones snap and crunch before she goes still. And only then does the titan release her, letting the crumbled body fall limply to the dirt.

And finally the third hero, realizes too late he stands no chance, tries to redirect his sprint and scurry away, however, the moment he turns his back he finds his skull between the ground and the villain's foot before SPLAT. He's left as a red stain under the titan's foot.

The titan glowers at the rest, daring them all to challenge him, but none step up. None are willing. But all are afraid. Which is exactly what Vilgax wanted. "Greetings, Champions of Earth, do be afraid…because I am here. MwHa Ha Ha Ha Ha."

All Might's grip tightens, but his form is shaking, and steam washes off of him like waves. He doesn't have the strength to keep this up. He-He's reached his limit… But if the fight should go on? Then so be it. "Wh-why? W-Who Are You?"

Vilgax's gaze lands on the Number One Hero, he takes a moment to examine him. To truly see him for what he's worth. And what he sees is…exceptional. "I am who All For One said I was. And more."

For the briefest of moments, All Might recalls that foul AFO's words: '"How will the Number One hero defeat that which is to come?! My my, they really did leave you out in the dark. Didn't they?"'

"W-Who Are You?" He repeats, unable to wrap his head around any of this.

But before he can answer, Cinder's voice cuts through the falling smoke and ash. "MONSTER!"

Said monster seems to brighten up and is even delighted to find Mr. Midoriya glares at him with a fiery hate. "Aw, the Firebreather. It's been far too long. And here I thought you perished in the mines of Kessel."

An obvious fury burns within Hisashi, but he bites it back, trying to peel Vilgax for info. "You should know that it'd take a lot more than that to kill me. Guess I should have figured the same about you? Last I heard you were blown up. What? Did you go through some intense plastic surgery or something?"

"You always did like to run your mouth. From what 've been told, your progeny possesses the same flaw."

All Might's interest is immediately peaked, and his heart begins to race with a mixture of dread and hope. "Young Midoriya-"

"Is in my possession, now." The titan responds, cutting the Number One Hero off. "As those were the terms of my partnership with All For One."

AFO's words rush back to him once again: '"The tides are changing All Might. More so than you realize. Soon I will take my throne upon a world of pestering heroes. And all it will take is having the right comrades. Ones that even you can't reach."'

"Why Are You Here Now? Come To Finish What He Started?"

"You're not wrong for thinking as much. However, I crave more than destabilization."

Cinder, although keeping his distance in case All Might decides to clash with this titan, let's out a puff of burning fire. "You're not getting anything out of us!"

As the three exchange words, the rest of the heroes watch on; confused, horrified, or bewildered. Such is the case for Endeavor whose gaze goes to and from the giant octopus and back to Cinder. As if he's trying to piece together exactly how the two know each other.

"This is not up to you, Firebreather. This is up to All Might, the so-called Symbol of Peace."

"Me?" All Might questions, his mind swirling with more and more questions.

"Yes." Vilgax approaches, taking slow yet rumbling steps towards the Pillar of Justice. "Don't you want to know? Don't you want to know what I've done with the child? Don't you want to know where he is?" He stretches out his claw as if he's offering All Might his help. "Don't you want to save him?"

All Might instantly understands. This monster has Young Midoriya locked away in god knows where. He must stop this villain. Unfortunately, he accidentally lets his intentions be known as his body tries to re-spark with OFA.

"Save your strength. You'll need it." Vilgax warns.

"For What?"

"For what comes next."

"Which Is?"

"A choice, you may depart with me and be reunited with the boy. Or I do what All For One wasn't capable of." On that cue his pod-machine shifts again, this time expanding out even more as the latch seals itself shut. The spikes on the armor begin to glow red, all-in unison to an ominous hum all before a holographic screen pops in front of the pod showing strange almost illegible numbers of a clock. But it's clear to anyone that looks at it, it's a countdown like that of a bomb. "Come with me All Might or I shall wipe Kamino Ward off the face of the Earth."

He's serious. All Might can tell. Whatever that device is, whatever this villain is, he's willing to do it. And All Might, for some reason, has the sneaking suspicion that he's very much capable of doing so. "You-"

"Mastermind." The titan corrects him before he can call him mad. "I've been playing this game far longer than you or your nemesis."

Said nemesis' words come rushing back one final time: '"I've already hand delivered him to my newest associate and partner. Perhaps if he had a proper father or even a proper role model, then maybe at least he wouldn't deal with forces far greater than even the likes of me."'

"Who-What Are You?"

"I am…inevitable." The octopus-like titan responds, leaning in dangerously close to All Might's form. "Now, what is your choice, Symbol of Peace?"

All Might…considers his options.

"Don't listen to him, All Might!" Cinder screams. "He's a monster! A cruel, unforgiving monster! Don't give him the satisfaction! He can't be trusted no matter what!"

"He's right, Toshinori!" Gran Torino yells. "He's capable of far more than you realize!"

That may be so but…what if there's a chance? What if there's a chance he can protect everyone again? He can't risk putting so many innocent lives at stake. Not his fellow heroes. Not Young Uraraka, gran Torino, or Cinder. And what of his students? They must surely be in the city and thus will be caught in the blast. However, if there's a chance, even a small one, that this will take him straight to Young Midoriya. Then that means the boy can be saved. He can save him. He can bring the boy home. The choice is simple.

Vilgax grins from underneath his respirator as he watches All Might's already weakened buffed form deflate back into his true skeletal self.

"Wise choice, All Might."

Toshinori eyes the titan carefully, but he stands his ground, shaking and beaten and attained with blood. But determined to see this through till the end. "Take me to him…"

"You have my word, and my word is law." Vilgax reaches for his belt and presses an activation key which seems to start some strange process as both his form, the bomb's, and All Might's begin to glow with a strange transparent hue that sparkles yet is ominous all at once.

As his frame begins to phase in and out of transparency, some deep part of his subconscious makes it aware to him that this might be it. This might be his last act as the Number One Hero, as the world's Symbol of Peace. OFA is weak, he can feel it, that furnace from before has died out leaving it as nothing more than a collection of embers. And his body…oh his poor body. This might truly be it, the last remaining step of his journey. Hopefully he can do one last act of good before handing this responsibility off to the next generation…

He turns and looks for her and somehow, someway, perhaps a magnetic pull he fulls thanks to his hold over OFA for so many years but he's able to spot Ochaco for the briefest of moments through all the towering pillars of smoke and ash.

She clings to Tiger tightly but her focus, her focus is still on him even as she's forced away.

And although she may never hear it from his lips himself he has one last message for her. One last thing to tell her. "Now… Now, it's your turn…"

In a flash, All Might, Vilgax, and his weapon of mass destruction are gone. Teleported away. To a place none of them can follow.

And yet Ochaco desperately wishes to follow as she cries out uselessly for her teacher. "ALL MIGHT!"

---

And that is the end of the Kamino Ward Arc… Yeah so I should probably address a few things. Number 1: Aliens are still a secret! Mostly.

But obviously some…important players have to and will find out. Especially next time we meet. But yeah I never intended on the world finding out about aliens during this arc. I always thought it was better to save that for later, because I wanna build some things up more and introduce new plots, characters, and stuff that'll help raise those stakes. Like introducing Undertown, a fully operated Plumber Base, as well as adding in new foes and allies, etc. I mean if this chapter was anything to go by then I have a lot of fun stuff planned for us.

Number 2: I was gonna have Vilgax fight All Might during this chapter. But it wasn't gonna work because I'd be splitting screen time and interaction time with All For One. Basically, the chapter was gonna be a lot more original but I had a really hard time with it and thus had to make it easier on myself. BUT that said we will still get an All Might vs. Vilgax fight. Promise.

Number 3: So, what is this all leading towards? Well, we are about to enter what I like to call the Abduction Arc. Basically our characters are gonna come together (again) and go after Deku and his captors (again). Yeah, I know that's repetitive. And honestly this was the risk I was mentioning to many of you over PMs and reviews. I always planned for this that the heroes would go after Izuku at Kamino Ward, fail, and then try one more time during this Abduction Arc.

That probably doesn't sound like the most exciting thing. BUT I can promise it will be exciting to read in of itself. I got a lot of things planned but basically it's the Plumbers and their friends vs. Vilgax and his agents. All the while Deku confronts Vilgax, learns some new lessons, and grows stronger for it. All in all I think it'll be well worth it in the long run.

*And for those about to complain that we focused on Ochaco for too long. 2 points of notes here. 1. She is the secondary main character. So of course, she's going to have chapters that focus on her perspective and development. 2. We're getting Izuku back next time so just relax and enjoy the ride.

*Bad News. Next chapter won't be for a long while for several reasons. 1. I'll be going on a trip soon. 2. Life in general. 3. Might have to rewrite it if it doesn't work. 4. Got roped into DMing a DnD campaign for some friends so yeaaaah… I need to work on that. And 5. A reviewer made a very good suggestion for an OVA/Omake I should do for next week, involving Deku's birthday July 15th. Sooo I think I might try to make something for that first before I get to work on the next chapter. So yeah keep an eye out for that, it'll be posted to the side story "Heroes Never Die; it's hero Time, Anytime."

Until then I hope to hear from you, and we'll see you next time.

---

Responses for "Guest" reviewers from Ch.77:

(Forgive my responses, I answered these at midnight)

Atom king: Everything in chapter is awesome with Harangue trying to get an rise from the UA teacher with vilgax watching everything from his ship having time of his life watching as humans are at each other necks, Shigaraki revealing the truth that aliens are living among them I can't wait for the fallout from that especially if he decides to send that info to every New media on earth, that's an recipe for Chaos, cinder and the other heroes saving his son Izuku and Bakugou.

With Ochaco, Momo Kirishima shoto krab and lida are investigating an warehouse only find doctor animo been awhile since we seen him but I'm glad that he's back.

The heroes busting in was awesome though it looks it's late as Izuku by the looks of it is being taken to vilgax I can't for them to finally meet each other what will vilgax do?

I still can't wait for vilgax to destroy the pro heroes, I can only imagine the looks on both All might and endeavor as Cinder along with Izuku are ones that actually beat vilgax.

Though I'm a little disappointed that Ragdoll still got her power stolen I was hoping for a different outcome, here's hoping that she join the plumbers that will she can an better role than the one she has in the main one where the last we saw her she was just sitting in front of her computer doing paperwork at least as an plumber she can still hero work in both earth and in space.

An thought just came to me since vilgax has been spying on everything that related to Izuku and aliens I'm thinking what if he hacked into the hero database and gain information on every hero including the hero schools he would know who they are, who are their love ones and where to find them what's to stop him from sending an laser blast or drone to kill them just cause he can?

Guardian-Sigil: Assuming you read the latest chapter already. We will see exactly what happened to Deku next chapter. There'll be some time jumping/flashbacks to give it all context.

Also, please forgive my responses, I answered this at midnight

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drako: If izuku and ochaco had a son, he would look like a japanese version of ben tennyson

Guardian-Sigil: Hahaha, yeah he would

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sigo pensandolo, no se como lo haces, estuvo mas emocionante que el anterior, bakugo ahora lo sabe todo(aunque siento que todoroki lo debia ya saber y unirse a los plomeros)y ahora Midoriya vera cara a cara a su peor enemigo y donde empezara oficialmente sus rivalidad inconica,(bien ahi de Animo usando su diseño de Omniverse pense que lo veríamos en su forma musculosa de Alien Force en algun momento)te maldigo por matarme de ansias,pero quiero saber ¿como te sientes con el fanfic actualmente,sientes es tu mayor proyecto que haz escrito,y que tanta gente se reuna solo para ver como va tu historia y su rumbo?

I keep thinking about it, I don't know how you do it, it was more exciting than the previous one, bakugo now knows everything (although I feel that Todoroki should already know and join the plumbers) and now Midoriya will see his worst enemy face to face and where will he start Officially their iconic rivalry, (well there's Animo using his Omniverse design I thought we'd see him in his muscular Alien Force form at some point) I curse you for killing me but I want to know how do you feel about fanfic currently, do you feel Is it your biggest project that you have written, and that so many people gather just to see how your story and its course are going?

By the way, ignore Spanish, I'm Argentine and I usually use the translator so you can understand my opinions

Guardian-Sigil: Assuming you read the latest chapter. I can say that other members of Class 1-A are gonna be in for a real shock real soon. I guarantee it.

This fanfic is definitely my biggest. I mean we just hit 78 official chapters not including the Omakes/OVAs. And that's three years of work and counting. I love it and it certainly isn't what I thought it was gonna be when I started. I thought at most I'd have like 5 loyal readers and nothing more. Thanks for asking

Side note, I hate Dr. Animo's design from Alien Force. No offense, everyone likes what they like but I don't like that

Also, please forgive my responses, I answered this at midnight

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Guest: I've been reading this fic for a while, and I predicted Izuku would go into another one of his despair moments. How did I do this? Not just though logic, but through your writing style. It's like every few chapters, we see your stinking Izuku whine and complain about something, whether he's worthy of the Omnitrix like the Xylene chapter earlier(which I disliked A LOT), and this latest one, or even about his father and All Might. On TvTropes, we see Izuku is labelled a a loser protagonist and is a source of Wangst.

Get a hint.

The only thing worse you could do afterwards is make it seem Izuku was wrong for not telling Bakugo about this alien stuff when it's an international level secret and make it seem he's at fault. At this point, I think there's a strong chance you could do that.

Other than that, the only other problem I have with the latest chapter was Will Harangue somehow keeping his quirk hidden for so long, sure it allow him to persuade others to a degree, but surely there's some government file about it.

Guardian-Sigil: Fair enough. But um maybe you should cut out now because yeah gonna be emotional for Izuku the next few chapters. Soooo fair warning I guess?

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Guest: Great chapter! Would you mind providing a list of all the aliens Izuku has unlocked so far? And like a recap of the story so far? I love your story don't get me wrong but reading it chapter by chapter, week by week over the years have made me forget some of the finer details.

Guardian-Sigil: That's fair enough. Bad news: I'm not writing a list. BUT good news is, there already is a list! If you check out this story's TV Tropes page (google it) it will provide you plot points, characters, Omnitrix's list of aliens, and more. See starting Author's Note for more details. But yeah just google "TV Tropes Heroes Never Die It's Hero Time."

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Dreadbot: I really like this chapter I liked all the villains reactions to learning that aliens exist and to 77's face I think Bobby though is having an existential crisis right now and I think that's hilarious I can't wait to see where this goes next please keep writing

Guardian-Sigil: Hahahahaha! I will!

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Guest: Me encanto el CAP, había esperado q este fic c actualizará x demasiado tiempo

Guardian-Sigil: Three weeks to update…my bad

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DeadCool14: Ooooooooh boy, here we go. We're in the endgame now

Ok what is with these Todoroki moments? You setting up a one-sided love triangle or something? Because that sounds amazing. Deku thinks he and Todoroki are fighting for Uraraka XD

Did you see Across the Spider-Verse?

Would Wildmutt and Rath have moves similar to Inosuke's Beast Breathing?

Do you think Frankenstrike should have healing powers? Like he can use either his own electricity or absorb it to like, restart his own heart and reattach limbs, maybe he also can't feel pain

You could still add Dagon. Instead of him being an interdimensional demon, he's alien who is pretending to be an immortal deity who came to enslave humans by tricking them into thinking he came to improve their lives and all that junk. But since he started the cult centuries ago, he's already dead, so before he died he created an AI copy of his mind, which helps in the circle believing he is some form of God

And, like I mentioned, their beliefs could be similar to the U-Men

Would Vilgax be able to transform into that giant squid, like he did in The Final Battle Part 2?

I really hope we get more Class B interactions. Because when Deku unlocks Swampfire, I can see him and Komori making sooooooooooo many puns

Would Way Big get bigger as Deku gets older? Like right now he's 100ft but as Deku 9,000 he's 200ft?

Guardian-Sigil: Who knows? I just thought that the Todoroki stuff was a funny gag.

Yes I saw Spider-verse.

Wildmutt and Rath's mover be like Inosuke's? No. Rath only uses wrestling moves

Frankenstrike have healing powers? No. He's indestructible

Stop mentioning Dagon. It's not happening. Period.

Also, please forgive my responses, I answered this at midnight

Vilgax can probably transform but I won't use that now

Um I was gonna make Way Big 200ft from the start

Also, please forgive my responses, I answered this at midnight

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BlueRanger-Lyric: Wow, this was an amazing chapter, really great stuff there, so now Bakugo knows the truth, about Aliens being real, and that his Watch is an Alien device, oh boy, now I'm wondering what questions he'll have for Deku once the dust has settled and Bakugo has had time to process everything he's just learned, and no doubt he's gonna become a new cadet for the Plumbers after all of this, and damn, Harangue was so savage, relentless and harsh with his words to UA, now I imagine he'll continue to try and bring down and antagonise UA and maybe especially Deku in the future, being the J. Jonah Jameson of this Fanfic, and I'm sure he's gonna get under a lot of Class 1A, UA Staff and Heroes skin, and I'm still holding out hope that Vilgax will show up in this arc, especially since we all know how much he wants the Omnitrix, and so we have him fight All Might too, and I'm wondering if Bakugo will still be able to figure out that Ochaco is the current user of OFA, if she doesn't tell him about it already for trust reasons maybe, but anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next in the next chapter

Guardian-Sigil: So many questions and yet the chapter provided no answers! Aaaah! Don't worry they will come in due time

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DeadCool14 (again): Will you do Amy's drink levels from Brooklyn 99? Maybe for like Inko or a future Ochako in an omake?

Will Future Vilgax have the laser eyes and the tentacle arms?

Since we have an idea as to who will be in Secret of the Omnitrix, will Deku get Uxorite and Chimera Sui Generis transformations?

Will Deku 9,000 have 5YL transformations?

Will Deku's hero costume be ONLY the hoodie or will he also get more? Like a modified plumber suit like his dad? Or he gets Proto-Tech Armor and wears the hoodie over it?

And will he get the mask? It doesn't have to ressemble All Might, he could change it to look like Gang Orca, or some other hero

Would you be ok if someone commisioned the Ink Tank to draw an Emotlyst transformation?

Guardian-Sigil: Hahahaaha! The drink level would be hilarious because I was planning something along of that already

Also, I will only be doing the main OMNITRIX CANNON ALIENS first with only 2 exceptions. 1 being Rattle from the Halloween OVA.

Deku's costume will grow over time. I have that all planned out from the start

I'm fine with that but I have my own Artist I can use too, mainly because I personally know them

Also, please forgive my responses, I answered this at midnight

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Guest: You should include Lady Hellbender from the Guardians of the Galaxy video game. I mean just think about it. A bad-ass warrior women with a monster army joining the heroes against Vilgax and All for One. That would be so metal.

Guardian-Sigil: No spoilers! I just got that game and haven't started it yet! But I love the idea none the less

---

DeadCool14 (again again): It kinda is canon. I mean the reason why Upgrade still has Ben's voice and can't replicate what he upgrades is because it can't fully mix with Ben's human DNA; and the fact that Nanomech is a half-nanochip, half-human hybrid

Shame that when Deku was possessing people as Ghostfreak there weren't a lot of moments when he reacts as to how it feels to have a quirk

If you do And Then There Was Ben, will there be a Deku that was turned into a Nomu and has the Nemetrix?

Oh and when you do Side Effects, will you give a better explanation as to how Deku gets better? I always thought that the heat from the reactor melted the ice off of Heatblast and warmed him up, which in turn cured Ben

Guardian-Sigil: Agai, not gonna address the Upgrade voice thing.

As for the "There there was Ben" I am going to do all the time travel/dimension stuff in a new side story in the future

And I have no plans for Side Effects, yet

---

Thunder Dragon: And it has begun. I expect that when all the secrets get out the amount of Chaos that will happen will cause nothing but destruction and despair for the world at large.

First of review then give criticism and later suggestions. Animo is just as much of a ham as always and he has to chew the scenery like a cow chews cud. Craab is legit and trying to do good and it is so brave of the class mates to try and save their friend but can they do so from kicking the bucket is the question. With Vilgax their anything could happen.

Oh boy. Izuku is at his darkest point right now. If he loses the Watch for good he is screwed and so is his dream. And I bet he knows that.

Now I have more ideas for future arcs. I hope you look at these suggestions as if these ideas happen it could change the game forever and this could bring in a new batch of heroes and Villains. So here are some ideas to shake up and change the game forever. You can make sure the rest of the review is cut out to stop spoilers. This needs to happen. My one problem with the story is is that we have stuck to close to cannon and it needs to be shaken up instead of retold. Now I have a few ideas on how that can work.

Now here is how to kick it all off. First Izuku has the Omnitrix taken off and is in the deep depression and then things get worse.

All Might versus Vilgax and All For One. Now to make things rather tragic and show that the torch has been passed on for good and maybe just to deliver that extra emotional punch All Might dies to the claws of Vilgax after All Might takes out All for One after nearly exhausting One For All. Then Boom! All Might is attacked by Vilgax and his Alien Drones and badly wound him to the point of near death. But All Might even though he ends up realizing that he is pretty much doomed is not willing to go out like a bitch. All Might ends badly wounding Vilgax to make things right and to save Izuku but then boom! Before All Might dies the Truth gets out but is warped by Vilgax using his drones to control the media to terrify the populace of Earth and it is spread out across the world. The Secret is out! Aliens are real and some are hiding on Earth! And then to drive the knife in Vilgax kills All Might.

But Izuku gets back the Omnitrix and realizing that All Might died to save him sends Vilgax packing even though he is not willing to kill him. That must happen as this may set up one of the conflicts of Izuku;s character. Make Izuku wonder if he is to merciful because this will come back to bite him. See Vilgax conquering Ten Worlds. Which I hope happens.

Now after that battle everything goes crazy for the world!

First off maybe we can see elements of Generator Rex and Secret Saturday's as Ben 10 has crossed over with them. But to change the game in this story let the development of Providence is developed in the United States of America and the act as the world police and this gives a bit of politically charged edge to the story and their purpose is that Providence is meant to contain what the world thinks are Alien Criminals but the organization also contains the innocent Aliens just trying to live on Earth and some of them are also refugees.

But Providence does not care and is not willing to give nonhumans Their time in court or due process of law. See Prisoner 775 and his debut episode.

Then when nanotechnology is developed Providence is also meant to contain seemingly incurable Evo's as well.

If I were you make sure that Nanotechnology is developed by the Shield Family and then when the I-Island event happens boom! Then "The Event", from Generator Rex happens which caused the nanomachines called Nanites to infect 7 percent of living things across the planet. So now Earth also has Evos now as those devices were spread across the planet! Izuku now has that to deal with and he has to work with his family to try and fix this and Izuku eventually realizes that the Omnitrix is also able to heal people with damaged genetics and severe mutations.

When this gets out it makes Izuku be one of the most important people on the planet as that little watch holds the hope of the universe and of the future. And despite what people think it is not just for Earth and Humanity.

Also if you implement elements of Ben 10 Alien Force and Ultimate Alien then the pressure must be really intense for Izuku Midoryia as Izuku also has to deal with the Highbreed and also Evos. And also All for One as he is still Alive along with Vilgax who while knocked down will stop at nothing to get the Omnitrix.

I would also make sure that Izuku tells the truth about the Watch and why he kept it a secret after he is rescued and after Will Harangue gets his hands on him. Maybe Izuku after learning all that is going on tries to mitigate the damage. Now as for the Omnitrix as it is bonded to his DNA Izuku is still allowed to keep it but the world has his eyes on him and also scrutinizes his every action and also Ochaco's when she shows that she has One For All. So she is scrutinized as well.

Now as for the Secret Saturdays Elements. The Plumbers work with the Secret Scientists to keep Cryptids secret and keep the dangerous ones from hurting people. Izuku encounters the Saturday Family and after a team up when things get really crazy they will watch Izuku's back and help him out when things get really dicey.

Guardian-Sigil: To start please forgive my responses, I answered this at midnight so if it's lackluster, that is why.

Your suggestions are not bad at all but they won't work here. 1. Assuming you read the latest chapter, the world doesn't know about aliens. 2. No Nanites. We already have Quirks, Nomus, Aliens, etc. No need to add anything else. 3. Providence is not bad but I was already gonna have several organizations who fit their bill already. Plus there are other Plumbers stationed across the planet, just not a lot of them. And finally I'm not sure I will be using the Highbreed yet

As fro cryptids…I'm only gonna give the Secret Saturdays one maybe three chapters at most and that's it. They were more of a fun easter egg to mention. I'm not gonna go too far in depth with their side of things

Again, thank you for sharing and I will of course keep these in mind

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Guest: You should bring in the Hive from destiny.

Guardian-Sigil: I'll consider it

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Avalon gx: Can't wait for the reporter to get in trouble for using his silver tongue quick to influence people.

In the series I really did not like that gut with all of the trouble that he had caused Ben and now izuku. The dude is a real piece of work with his bigotry.

Guardian-Sigil: He is but it's oh so satisfying when he gets his comeuppance

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Jakesurfboy: So finally approaching the Kamino Ward battle of All Might and All for One, this is definitely going to be interesting to see what's different in this story then from the main storyline and how that battle goes. Also similar to around this time the Bakugou suspect Deku with One for All in the original story now Bakugou will either learn about Dekus Aliens or he will think the villains are just talking bs but suspect that maybe they are right after the license exam. I'm interested to see how this is going to play out with Deku trapped instead of sneaking out to help so can't wait for it.

Guardian-Sigil: Well I hope it was interesting

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Metal Lizard: Since Deku has had fought Villains that he came across will Ochako be fighting villains that she comes across to there some good villains that she could fight against

Titania-Marvel

Fulgore-Killer Instinct

Sombra-Overwatch

Guardian-Sigil: Good list

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Guest: On Wattpad there's a story call deku wielder of the Omnitrix it's almost like your story but deku is more sassier it's really funny and a little dark

Guardian-Sigil: I'll have to check it out.

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Thunder Lizard: The challenges

Guardian-Sigil: Again writing that at midnight so I can't add all my thoughts right now. But can you clarify. Are these "Reading" challenges or "writing" challenges?

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Guest: I know when this arc is finished the plumbers send more personnel because expose of alien but can you bring the twins and the worms from men in black

Guardian-Sigil: Oh for sure. I have quite the fun characters planned