Izuku was still on his way over to Coffin in the Sky from Okuto Island. I'm not going fast enough! He gritted his teeth in frustration as he was using Float and Air Force, and yet he felt like he was nowhere near close to his destination. I have to get to UA before it's too late!
Yoichi's projection appeared right behind him with a worried expression. "Midoriya."
"First wielder!" He looked up in surprise, as Yoichi was a wielder he didn't contact with on a regular basis. "Yeah?"
"I have a bad feeling I just can't shake. And even more so because Galaxy...feels off. As if a great disturbance has occurred," He explained, Izuku's eyes shaking a little.
"Izuka? A-about what, is she okay?"
"I sense that something tragic has happened. I can't quite explain it," Yoichi answered as he looked up ahead. Izuku blinked and then looked up ahead, narrowing his eyes.
"Probably towards Shigaraki. But what else is the bad feeling?" He glanced back towards Yoichi.
"My brother. It feels like All for One's Quirks keep increasing in number," He stated and Izuku let out a small gasp. If that was true, then Endeavor and Hawks were most likely having a difficult time fighting him...he then saw something sparkling in the distance as multiple items were flying towards him. The green-haired boy flinched in alarm.
"Hang on, is that...?" He murmured at the sight.
"A...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
Izuku flinched as he had a dreadful feeling within him, even though he was too far away to hear his sister's scream. He immediately narrowed his eyes. Something's wrong. I have to get over there now!
Neito's hands shook as he, Mr. Aizawa, and Manual looked towards Coffin in the Sky with dread. The rain was pouring down as they couldn't believe what they just witnessed. From their spot...they could see Katsuki on the ground...Best Jeanist looking over him. Izuka's back was facing them, so...they didn't see her face. But they had a good idea of what she was feeling right now...
"No. He...this can't be happening..." Neito whispered sadly, his eyes shaking with water still flowing from his eyes.
"I've made a decision. No one will question our victory." Izuka looked at Katsuki curiously as he gave a fierce look. "Because our match is gonna be flawless. Four to zero and no injuries! Understand? That's how somebody with actual strength competes! Izuka, you're gonna prove to everyone out there that you're not a pathetic lame-ass person!" She looked at him wide-eyed for declaring this. "So don't you dare focus on anything else, you hear me? And don't you dare hold me back!"
Her eyes shined a bit that he wanted to work with her as a team, and wasn't putting any pressure on her. Not when she had to show that she could stand out on her own. "...Yeah!" She nodded sharply with a determined look, looking back up ahead. "I got this!"
And now...seeing the lifeless look on Katsuki's face...Neito never thought he'd be crying over a Class 1-A student. But...even he could agree that none of them deserved a fate like this...or that something like this would even happen to one of them. "Please get up. You can't die!" He cried out...not wanting to believe the sight. "YOU CAN'T LET IT END LIKE THIS!" Even Best Jeanist and Izuka could hear him from inside.
"There's no pulse..." Best Jeanist replied gravely, unable to move. "He hit him in the heart."
Mirio stared from his spot, also unable to move... "We can at least protect everyone until Midoriya gets here. So put a smile on your face!" At least...that was what he wanted to happen. But instead...it became the complete opposite.
Izuka stared down at Bakugo, shaking and crying as she kneeled onto the ground. "No…no, no, no…" She picked up Katsuki in her arms, her arms unable to stop moving as she held him close. "Katsuki…" She cried out as her tears didn't stop and she was whimpering in anguish. She felt...so empty right now, and didn't want to believe that he just...died. When someone like him would ensure that he wouldn't have this fate. And yet...in one instant hit, he was gone. And she couldn't even begin to believe that...it could've been her if he hadn't moved her out of the way. She would've been the one to die...if she had just been fast enough or realized what had happened sooner...
Mirko, Mirio, Nejire, Tamaki, and Edgeshot could only look on wide-eyed.
Meanwhile, Shigaraki was enjoying seeing the girl at her lowest point. He gave a small smile as he took everything in. That's a memory I'll treasure before I destroy this world...what we've been wanting from her all along. To get the Symbol of Light so low that when I finish her...she'll know that it was because of her failure that she couldn't hope to save anyone.
"Callista...I know it's hard, but he's enjoying this. Don't let him get away with it," Best Jeanist pulled the girl away gently. Izuka revealed to be covered with Katsuki's blood on her clothes, face, and hands with how close she held him.
"I don't care!" She cried out while looking at Katsuki, still sobbing. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry," The girl mustered and looked at him, her voice sounding heart wrenching. "I did this. I killed him, I killed Katsu…!" She choked out while in tears, a hand shaking in front of her mouth.
Everyone except one person stared at her in both sadness and despair that she was blaming herself for Katsuki's death when she didn't even do it. While not true…in a twisted way, it could be. If she didn't ever try to get along with Katsuki to the point that they were a couple…would Shigaraki have not killed him?
Mirio slowly gritted his teeth at Izuka's reaction...he couldn't blame her for it. Especially when he saw that Katsuki prevented her from a cruel death...but the fact that Shigaraki took the time to kill him in front of her without her unable to do anything but watch...that was low, especially for Shigaraki. And it was the worst thing easily he ever did to Izuka, not even the DNA or stabbing Katsuki took the cake anymore... Damn it! How could you do such a thing? He glared towards Shigaraki behind him, who was still grinning widely towards Izuka. You...you monster!
"This time, he's truly dead," Shigaraki spoke up, pleased with himself. "You shouldn't have left this to your students. It's your fault, Eraser. I'm disappointed." Mr. Aizawa couldn't say anything, looking towards Izuka still bawling and shaking. "He's the most important to you…so I took him away, Hana. It's your fault for even considering that he'd even want anything to do with you. Because to him, no matter what you do…you're insignificant in his life. And you only have yourself to blame for everything!"
"Callista. Listen to me," Best Jeanist placed a hand on the girl's shoulder as her face slowly changed to having no expression. "Shigaraki is wrong…he just wants you at your lowest because it's satisfying to him. You didn't kill the love of your life. I need you to believe in Bakugo, because he wouldn't accuse you of something like this. Otherwise you'll unravel like he wants..."
She faltered as she didn't respond to this at all. Best Jeanist's eyes softened, knowing that a lot was going through in her mind...and she was starting to feel numb towards it. And it looked like...she was playing into Shigaraki's words as she looked towards her shaking, blood-covered hands and arms. The girl started to pant in fear, her eyes shaking. I...I can't stop shaking, I...
"Who's next? I'm ready!" Shigaraki grinned in a challenging way, his mountain of finger tentacles behind him. "I wanna have more surprises waiting when Izuku Midoriya gets here," He used his finger tentacles to knock away the approaching Mirio. Tamaki had reached his limit and unfortunately was out of commission. Best Jeanist reached out to Katsuki with his threads, desperately trying to do something...for the boy's sake and Izuka's.
Mirko let out a yell as she kicked, only to get caught up in the fingers. She was then brought over to Shigaraki. "If only I'd been able to kill you back then!" She declared furiously over what he did to both 1st year students. "If only I'd been one hop faster!" She gripped the skin with her teeth, pulling at it hard as she looked towards the villain with eyes full of rage. If she had been able to stop him back then...none of this would've happened.
"Poor Rumi Usagiyama," Shigaraki mocked with a small grin on his face. "Lots of heroes failed that day, so don't feel bad. It was a pathetic operation from top to bottom. And since then, your numbers have dwindled." Best Jeanist was trying his best with Katsuki while Izuka stared down at the two, her hand still shaking. "In fact, the situation's become so dire that you've put a bunch of children on the front line," He laughed while Mirko continued to glare, pulling at the skin. "It's only natural that some of them will die. You made the first move. You prepared as best you could. But that clearly wasn't enough. You needed more numbers, a better plan. Izuku Midoriya was impatient. But he had the right idea. You can't hope to win if you give villains time to scheme. His efforts were doomed from the start, though. Hell, he didn't even tell Hana his plans, even though he's dear to her too. Surely, even he knew that, deep down."
At Kamino Ward...things were starting to get worse as a blue glow came from up ahead. Shoto and Tenya gasped towards the sight in front of him.
"Seeing how this worked out...I'm actually grateful that I got to fight you first," Dabi spoke, as he had regained consciousness...burning Onima in the process. He fell towards the ground surrounded by flames.
"Get out of here, Shoto!" Burnin shouted to him, standing nearby, but...he couldn't move from his spot.
Dabi let out a laugh. "It really hits different when you feel it for yourself! A little intuition and you start to get the hang of it," He was surrounded by flames again that were expanding from around him like a blue glow. "Right before you iced me, I took a chance and tried to copy your big move. Well?" And he had succeeded as...his chest was giving off a purple glow just like how Phosphor worked. "Am I doing it right? What do you think?!" Even his eyes were glowing purple as he was burning someone next to him.
"No! Onima!" Shoto cried out in despair, a panicked look on his face. It's more than just firepower. This entire time, Toya's been training hard, honing his Quirk on his own! And even worse...he's now copying Mido's color scheme! Then again...she used that to improve herself He thought of Lunar Energy at its worst, because Izuka's aura back then was a dark purple. Here, Dabi's was lighter...but the fact that it was reminding Shoto of a time that Izuka was so heightened in her anger was pissing him off. But Toya...he's using it at the same level she would've been if she hadn't snapped out of it...this is the product of his persistence...strengthened by his obsession! Onima fell to the ground, his clothes on fire and his body was badly burnt.
"WHERE IS HE?! SKEPTIC!" Dabi shouted at the top of his lungs, alarming the two boys.
"I'm busy right now," A radio voice called out from the Nomu that the others had to fight off earlier. "Lay off me, Mr. Daddy Issues! You want Endeavor? He should be at the Gunga Villa fighting All for One," Skeptic answered from a communication device on the Nomu no one noticed before. "The company thought they could cut their losses by letting me go? Those imbeciles can't appreciate the value of true genius!" He grinned widely while typing away, in his secret computer lab. "They tried to kick me off the network when I'm the one who built it? Restoring my authority is like taking candy from a baby!" He was now in control of multiple satellites. "What's the point of taking your company overseas if you leave the brains of the operation behind? In business, conservatism is the enemy of innovation!" The loss of his company was the only mark on him that he was going to take revenge for. And no one could do anything to stop him... "I alone can carry out Re-Destro's cherished dreams! I see that now! I simply need to support Shigaraki!" He had a manic look on his face while looking at his multiple screens popping up. "Then, in the wake of this chaos, an equal world will be born where people can use their abilities to decide their worth! No more heroes. No more villains. Only boundless freedom will reign!"
Back at the Coffin in the Sky control center, a bunch of errors were popping up on the screens. "Hey! We're getting a bunch of system errors! I think someone's trying to hack into the network!" One of the students reported to Mandalay. She gasped sharply as she looked towards Coffin in the Sky, which was what the network was mainly used for...
"I'll do as I please. And I know you'll do the same, won't you, All for One?" Skeptic smirked while rapidly typing at his keyboard. "After the revolution, vestiges of the old order must not remain. Those who cling to the teachings of the past must be silenced if we are to move forward! Their ilk...are not needed in the new world that we are building!"
Rei, Natsuo, and Fuyumi Todoroki glanced to the side, as they were some of the citizens staying in UA's shelter. "That's enough, boys! You need to behave!" They heard Ms. Ikoma call out, looking up ahead to see her surrounded by some of her students. "What will you do if the villains show up?"
"Five Wienies will save us! No sweat!" One of the boys replied confidently as he skipped around. "So don't worry, ma'am!"
"Bakugo and Callista too!" The leader of the kids smiled up at her.
"There's no way they'll lose!" Both boys stated with confidence towards their teacher, who flinched in shock.
"...You're right," She smiled; if they had faith, then she would too. "But don't go too crazy, okay?"
"Okay!"
Two of All for One's spies were in the crowd with their phones...
"Yeah, we know!" The kid leader responded while people were still unaware of what was going on both inside and outside...
At the Gunga Villa site, Hawks and Endeavor stared at their opponent. The latter was attempting to cool himself down from his last attack. "Seems you put our forces on the defensive during the last battle. They weren't able to accomplish much of anything from what I hear," All for One spoke up...as his chars from his burns were flying away, revealing repaired skin.
"What has he done now?" Hawks glared, Endeavor gritting his teeth angrily.
"This time will be different. Heroes should be the ones that defend, after all," As All for One talked, his arm was going back to normal. "Villains are the ones who violate. We must push forward toward our dreams with no remorse," He smirked...as he even looked younger, not needing his mask! It was if he had re-aged...
"Shigaraki confiscated the chemicals that the Shie Hassaikai was manufacturing to destroy Quirk Factors. Once the samples were mine, I wasted no time in trying to replicate them. As it turns out, the original substance was derived from someone's Quirk. Don't you think that's fascinating?" Garaki said while recording himself in his lab. A machine was already getting to work on the chemicals to his liking. "I suppose you said it yourself. Karma always brings this full-circle in the end...in the process of refining the formula, I focused on the Quirk's original effect, different from that of the deleter rounds," He picked up a small vial from his kit, examining it. "I don't mean to gloat, but it's clear that the Doomsday Theory was right all along." And because it was Eri's Quirk...there were lots of possibilities for him to use what he had created. "Take note that this can only be used once. Assuming things go to plan and you get out of the slammer...it should prove useful in making your dream come true."
All for One stared at the vial in his hand, smoke coming from the machine in the cave... "I hope I'm still here when you gain freedom, but just in case, I'm leaving everything you need at the safe house, data included." All for One continued to stare at what was given to him, listening to the recorded message. "If I may be sentimental for a moment...your voice, your eyes, and your smile. They bring so much joy to my heart," And he sounded like a genuine fanboy as well. "On the contrary, I hope that your heart is filled with hatred. Everlasting and unrelenting."
"You should be proud, Endeavor," All for One held out his hand that was also regaining its skin. "I knew I might have to play this card, but I never thought I would need it to beat the likes of you." At best, he thought he'd have to use it against Izuku...
Endeavor panted heavily at the sight, getting more furious. "He's becoming younger," He stated at the sight in front of him and Hawks. He had seen regeneration before...so it shouldn't have been new to him. But All for One aging himself back to prime health and age... "His body. It's in perfect condition."
"It can't be," Fumikage murmured, still holding Kyoka as both of them looked up with open mouths. "Is that Eri's Quirk?"
All for One flew down, to the shock of the two heroes. "Oh, no!" Hawks immediately flew towards the villain.
All for One inhaled and exhaled, as he was getting used to breathing normally. Not to mention...he was enjoying the effects of Rewind on him. It was like he was getting reborn... "How incredible. My body feels light as air!" As soon as he touched the ground, he sent out a powerful shockwave that caused the heroes to freeze. One of them gasped as her neck was grabbed from behind...red waves coming from her.
"I can't...use my Quirk!" She breathed out, unable to stop All for One behind her. And he stole her cape...
"I'll take your cape as well, while I'm at it. Fighting in the nude would be a bit uncouth," He had a gleeful smile on his face. The other heroes gasped at the sight up ahead.
"Who's that?"
Hawks flew in to save the hero, attacking All for One with his feather blade. He put her down safely, glancing back at the villain. "This Rewind Quirk may have saved my life, but it will continue to de-age me till I vanish from existence completely. That's fine," He smiled, looking towards his hand with the hole in it. "I've passed the baton to Tomura Shigaraki, so my dream will live on." He didn't care if he died because he could live through Shigaraki, who he knew would push himself to the brim for success. "I have but one remaining duty. I must rescue him from that trap you set. A bold move, but useless in the end," He then turned around to Hawks. "Now, if you will excuse me."
Hawks gritted his teeth angrily. That suicidal power-up proves he's desperate. Endeavor just needs one more solid shot He gripped his feather blade tightly, knowing that he couldn't let All for One leave. I gotta stall for time! "Your dream, huh? I've been wondering what you plan to do once you steal One for All," He looked up with a confident smile to hide the urge he was feeling. "Could you enlighten me? Just for funsies?"
"It's quite simple," All for One remarked while the sky darkened, smoke all around them. "I got the inspiration from comic books. The big, bad villain is always feared by people around the world. Why do you think that is?"
"Because what they do is evil?" Hawks responded with a playful smile.
"And what counts as evil? In this world, with its endless number of cultures and values...what is the one thing that is universally loathed and feared?" As he asked this question, it started to rain. "The death of a dream. Having the future you always envisioned snatched away from you. So that's what I plan to do. Take away the future of everyone in this world. That's all I've ever wished for." The winged hero stared at him in disbelief for him saying all this...that he wanted this from even childhood. "From the very beginning."
In Washington, D.C., a can rolled away on the ground. Just like Japan...it wasn't doing much better both in society and with the government. "This is the moment to strike!" Commander Agpar declared at the White House. "If we don't eliminate Tomura immediately, then our country will also be in danger!"
"I think you're underestimating the severity of the situation," The president himself stated, looking out the window. "Unlike the rest of the world, the US has already taken a step into the red zone. You're to blame for that, Timothy Agpar," He looked towards the commander, who gritted his teeth. This was mainly...because of Star and Stripe's death, the president blaming him from not stopping the hero from going to Japan in the first place. "According to reports from Quirk research agencies, Tomura has reached a level beyond anything humanity can stop. It's over. He can do almost anything. He's untouchable." Made worse by the fact that no other heroes from the US could ever match Star's level or All Might's... "And thanks to your little show with Star and those cruise missiles, you've made it clear to this monster that we're his enemy."
"You're saying...we should submit?" Commander Agpar murmured nervously at the thought. He never thought the country was going this far...
"Developed nations are already putting together plans to gain Tomura's trust. It's going to turn into a desperate race," The president answered; he was doing this to protect the country. Because if they didn't do so, they would all suffer by Shigaraki eventually...
Commander Agpar gasped in shock, his mouth opening. "A race to surrender to pure evil? That's insanity!"
"Only to minimize losses," The president turned around to him. Of course he didn't want the world to live under Shigaraki's rule. But for now...if they were to rally against him, they'd lose more and more heroes. "We'll strike back when the time's right!"
"If he gains control here, that time will never come!" Commander Agpar argued back to him. "He'll have a heel firmly planted on all of our necks!"
"Our future...must be protected, Tim," The president emphasized as gently as possible.
"I'm trying to tell you that we won't have a future!" Commander Agpar yelled back, knowing fully well that Star and Stripe would never approve of this. He let out a few coughs and then reached into his suit. "Your position is forcing you to say these things."
The Secret Service Agents gasped sharply, pulling out their guns. "Not so fast!" They pointed their weapons at him, the president shaking his head. They backed off because they could tell it was what their boss wanted.
"I ask you," The commander pulled out a piece of paper from his suit. "What was Star fighting for in that battle?" He looked at the picture of David Shield, All Might, and Cassie from when she was a child. "Why do you think Cassie died, following in her master's footsteps? You know the answer. You haven't forgotten," He closed his eyes...remembering how much Cassie admired the same hero who saved her life. "Children watch adults. They learn from them as they grow. And in turn, adults support those children and pass on their lessons until one day...the children can do the same. It is for that purpose that heroes wield their power. For everyone's future."
Best Jeanist continued to work, but it wasn't doing much. Izuka had managed to breathe, but her face was stained with tears. Someone stepped up from the smoke, getting their attention as the duo looked up. Edgeshot himself was standing in front of him, his mask destroyed to reveal his face.
"Edgeshot..."
He looked towards the unmoving Izuka, gently placing a hand on the top of her head. She didn't react to this as he stared at the girl...knowing that she was losing all hope within herself and everyone around her. "I can save him…I can tell you care about him dearly, Callista," He spoke up softly, getting her attention.
"E-Edgeshot…?" She murmured while looking behind her, wondering what he was talking about.
"Don't worry," Edgeshot held up two fingers in front of him. "There's nothing I can't infiltrate. I am the Ninja Hero," His fingers started to turn into threads. "That includes the human body. I have plenty of experience in that regard," He held out his unraveling body to Katsuki, to the shock of Best Jeanist and Izuka. "We must never abandon hope. MIRKO!" He turned around to the rabbit hero, blood flying from his mouth. "Bare your fangs! Tear him apart with your teeth, if you must!"
She growled, having no protest whatsoever.
"Senseless bravado," Shigaraki turned to the four, knowing it wouldn't work.
"I will not accept defeat," Edgeshot declared, while Mirko let out a loud scream at the top of her lungs. "This heart may have stopped, but it will beat again!" Mirio jumped up from behind with a yell of his own. "I'll make certain of it!" Mirio then got attacked, but slipped right past the finger tentacles. "It's not too late! I can replace what's missing and get his blood pumping again."
The short girl's eyes shook that...he was willing to do this for Katsuki, someone he barely even knew...because he didn't want Katsuki's life to end like this. He was that selfless, not even worrying about himself. "Thank you…" Izuka replied tearfully at his sacrifice, her tears falling on the ground, covering her eyes with the back of her hands. Edgeshot gave her a small smile in return to see her hope slowly coming back. That, and she didn't doubt him at all for his efforts.
"Jeanist is right. Never take blame you didn't earn for him," He bowed his head a little. "Can you promise me that...and take it to heart?"
She nodded slowly, sniffing as...compared to what felt like an eternity ago...she shouldn't blame herself that she had no part in. Especially when Katsuki made the choice to save her. He wouldn't be able to bear it if it was her...something that she understood was what love from him was like. She was still upset, but...she wanted to pour all of her hope and faith into Edgeshot that he would be successful. I...I will, Edgeshot. And I won't ever forget what you did either. I owe you so much...
"Kamihara," Best Jeanist murmured slowly, as he couldn't believe it himself. But...he also knew the consequences. "There's no coming back from that."
"Perhaps not," Edgeshot looked up at him. "I'll leave the rest to you," He gave a small fond smile, knowing he could trust Best Jeanist. Because...the two had been friends since being students in UA together. "Club President Hakamada." With that, he continued to use his various threads. Ninpo Thousand Sheet Pierce! Zenith! His threads went into the hole in Katsuki's open chest. He gritted his teeth in determination. If I must...I will become this child's heart! His threads continued to spin from his own hair even.
Edgeshot. Quirk: Foldabody. He can stretch his body until it's thin and threadlike. After years of diligent training, he's learned to stretch himself thinner and thinner, small enough to enter the body, but tough enough to stop bleeding. Now, he can become as slender as spider's silk.
Izuka blinked in awe of what Edgeshot was doing, wiping her tears with her hand. Wash gave me one of his bubbles He held it out from his hand. I'll use it to sterilize myself before starting the operation. His body was now very thin as he entered Katsuki's chest...seeing his damaged heart. He could see the stitch marks around the open wound. Jeanist did his best to suture him up, but he couldn't stop the bleeding. And there's more internal damage His threads wrapped around below and above the stitch-work. He could also see some marks on his lungs. His lungs are injured as well. With this technique, I'll mend both the outside and inside of each organ He then used his threads to stitch up the lungs carefully. Then kick-start his heart and lungs! I'll perform internal CPR! Blood flew from Katsuki's heart as his body moved from the CPR.
Izuka covered her mouth in shock, staring at Katsuki hopefully. Best Jeanist stared down at the boy with shaking, hopeful eyes for both his friend and Katsuki. Keep going, Jeanist. Fight, Mirko! The villain is wounded. Your efforts have not been in vain! Wake up and breathe! We can win this! Come back to life! He pleaded with Katsuki, though there was still no movement from him. But he knew that the boy wanted to live and fight...not just to save the world, but to be with Izuka as well. Callista is waiting for you...I know you want to live for her!
Unfortunately, as Edgeshot fights to save the boy, his own life begins to literally unravel. Stretched as thin as a suture, the strain on his body becomes increasingly unbearable.
Despite that, though...Edgeshot ignored what his own body was going through, continuing to pump the heart. He wasn't going to stop either, not until Katsuki was back on his feet.
"Kamihara..." Best Jeanist murmured, concerned for him.
"Is...is he gonna die...?" Izuka whispered in worry, her eyes softening. "I admit...I don't know much about his Quirk. So...will he be able to come back from this?" She wanted both of them to make it out okay...even if Edgeshot was fine losing his life trying to save Katsuki. And Edgeshot had never unraveled his body to the point where he had to use all of himself to do it...not to her knowledge thanks to Izuku's notes.
"What are you doing?" Shigaraki demanded, getting their attention. "I destroyed the boy. You're wasting your time," He grinned and then blinked as he saw Izuka...not reacting in the way he wanted her too. And he couldn't tell if it was on purpose or because the heroes were wasting time with Katsuki.
"So then, why shouldn't I destroy it? Why must I suffer it? I must destroy...have to stop...this itching..." He thought of his mother, his father...and Hana while looking at Izuka. Even when he destroyed her emotionally...he didn't understand why she continued to fight back against him. "I already finished the job," He growled out, veins appearing on his face. Best Jeanist flinched while getting onto his feet, Izuka slowly gritting her teeth furiously. Just like how he didn't understand her, she didn't understand why he kept trying to make her so desolate to the point where it was something he wanted...even if it was something this Hana did, she didn't care because she wasn't who Shigaraki kept associating her as. "Did you hear me?!" He shouted while expanding his finger tentacles, Mirio trying to reach out to him.
Best Jeanist readied his threads as Mirko broke herself free. She swung her leg forward with a yell, kicking Shigaraki in the face. She was then grabbed from behind, to her shock. "You want me to kill you that badly?" He looked up at her in disinterest. She let out another growl in response, breaking herself free...and in the process lost her other arm! Izuka gasped sharply at this.
"MIRKO!"
Shigaraki suddenly felt unsteady on his face, putting his hand near his face as...he had no idea what just happened. Why did I...just stagger? With this body? That's impossible! I didn't feel any damage. No...wait. Those last hits I took He thought of the last blows both Katsuki and Izuka gave him. It did sting a little. Maybe all their attacks are starting to accumulate? Adding up bit by bit? But it hasn't been that much. What then? His eyes widened...as he realized something. It can't be. I did panic for a second. Was it because I actually felt threatened? Me?! Afraid of some background extra and someone I can't stand?! The thought of the both of them managing to not only instill fear in him...but also manage to damage him a little bit was something he could not comprehend.
"MIRKO!" Best Jeanist held out his hand to capture her ripped off arm with his threads, acting as a cast. She grinned while spinning around.
"Standing still for me?" She slid to a stop. "How kind of you!" She ran on all fours towards him with a big grin. "Demon Lord!" He growled as he attacked...only to get his eyes covered by Mirio. "Eyes on me, buddy!" She remarked with a triumphant smile as he was making it worthwhile to fight, all the more satisfying when they would beat him. He gasped, unable to see her coming from his left side. "I'll fight until it's my time to die! But I've got too much work to do. I'm not layin' down yet."
MIRKO! Bare your fangs! Edgeshot continued to pump Katsuki's heart, knowing that Mirko wouldn't let herself die on the battlefield.
"When I leave this world...it'll be with no regrets!" Mirko declared while spinning around, her kick hitting Shigaraki hard in the face. She then swung down a leg at the finger tentacles, hitting him again in the chest. She spun away from him, air flying between her and her opponent. Luna Rush!
Blood flew from Shigaraki's mouth, and she looked back with a smirk. The others looked up, knowing that even Shigaraki couldn't take hits like that without consequences. Even though...I destroyed them...I wasn't broken back then Tenko inside of Shigaraki's mind thought about all the people who turned him away after he killed his parents. He then thought of his whole family...wiggling his fingers. He knew that even though he was not broken...no one still did anything for him. Not any hero or adult. But no one reached their hand out to me. No one cared! His eyes shook as the pent-up feelings he had about the whole thing were coming back full-force. No one would even look at me whenever I needed them! Even Hana turned her back on me when I had needed her...
His arm slowly started to grow back as he flew backwards.
Tomura Shigaraki's body is constantly searching for the optimal form. At first, that form seemed to be a bloated mass of fingers clambering for destruction. It kept his foes at bay and overwhelmed the world around him. The finger tentacles...started to form into faces, to the shock of Mirko and Mirio. But the heroes overcame this form. Erasure kept Shigaraki's body from recovering and mental stress ate away at him. He was breaking down... He grew even more fingers around his body and arms. So his body responded. Both of them could only stare in shock at the sight...as it was acting as armor for him. It found a new optimal form, one better suited for the fight at hand. He landed safely, sliding to a stop in his new form. He had fingers all around his body, even his head and mouth. Mirio recoiled back at this development.
"I have had enough of you!" Mirko shouted, going on all fours and vaulting forward with a yell. He jumped up in the air before she could attack, to the disbelief of her and Mirio. He then punched her so hard that she went flying.
"Mirko!" Mirio screamed as he stood up, but Shigaraki didn't focus on him. Instead, he zipped over practically the same speed as Izuka in her Lunar Energy...landing right next to Tamaki. He looked back in alarm.
"Mirio!" He was then punched to the ground hard. Nejire activated her spiral waves towards him, Mirio running over as he gasped. He knew what was about to happen to her.
"No! Stop it!" He could only watch as Shigaraki punched the ground so hard rocks came from it. Nejire opened her mouth in shock, unable to stop it from hitting her hard. The blond watched as she crashed nearby, his mouth opening in horror.
"You're nothing. Not worth my time," Shigaraki then turned around, Mirio letting out a growl. The villain already knew he wouldn't get a hit on Mirio because of Permeation, so he didn't care to fight him. No more distractions. I've got work to do And he kept this in mind...as he headed for Best Jeanist and Izuka.
Mirio couldn't believe that he was being ignored...unsure of what to do. Am I really that useless when there's no one to back me up? I can't do anything? He gritted his teeth, as he was definitely relying on everyone else too much...but now, he wished that he was able to do more. He couldn't even help stop the villain from killing a student...
"You don't get to fix what I've already broken," Shigaraki growled as he approached Best Jeanist and Izuka, the hero standing in front of the student protectively.
"He switched to a defensive form...ready to counter anything," Best Jeanist grunted, looking over to Izuka. "Move now!" He ordered, but she faltered while staring at his back. The last thing he wanted was for her to suffer the same fate as Katsuki... "So that's your solution, huh?!" He threw up his threads, throwing them at Shigaraki to surround him with. Mirio appeared inside right in front of Shigaraki...who tore through the threads like they were nothing. Mirio let out a grunt as he was pushed aside. He gritted his teeth as Izuka's eyes shook, knowing that Best Jeanist couldn't fight this form.
Damn it! Is this it? This is all wrong! He said... He flew backwards, watching Shigaraki rushing towards the shocked Best Jeanist and Izuka. Meanwhile, everyone else couldn't move now thanks to the villain's powerful attacks in his new form.
"You'll be okay," Sir Nighteye whispered, holding Mirio's cheek. "You're going to become...the finest hero the world's ever seen," He closed his eyes happily.
This can't be...the future you saw! He wondered...what Sir Nighteye would say now if he was still here. Was the future in danger...? Would they be able to overcome this? Looking at the situation now...what could he do to ensure the future of everyone? Right, Nighteye? He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling...lost without his mentor.
"Even if you are a symbol…I can still take out your light," Shigaraki growled towards Izuka, who closed her mouth as she simply stared. "How does it feel to lose everything?! Your brother is the only thing that remains in your life! It's only inevitable that he'll die today too!"
Izuka slowly got onto her feet...as she couldn't let Best Jeanist protect her. Not when he could die to save her too. And she needed to give Edgeshot some more time. It was the least she could do for his efforts. Best Jeanist looked back at her in alarm. "Wait, don't!"
"Uh…" Mirio looked at her in shock.
"Take a break, you two," She murmured as she stepped up, holding up an arm in front of Best Jeanist.
"But your back-"
"It'll be fine," Izuka interrupted him, purple flames appearing at the back of her jumpsuit. They didn't burn her clothes either as steam came off from her injuries. "I can loosen myself up." The threads were only temporary...but with heat, she was able to relieve the back pain and reduce the stiffness she had earlier trying to move. Not to mention, it could help with the injured tissue, so now she didn't have to worry about letting her back prevent her from fighting.
Best Jeanist gasped as smoke came from her undamaged back cloth. She...she alleviated her earlier pain to release the tension?
Mirio opened his mouth at the sight as well. He didn't think Izuka was capable of this either.
"Callista, I order you to stand down!" Best Jeanist yelled desperately, not wanting to see her die. She prepared herself as she glared up ahead.
We still need to buy Izuku time. The only way we're gonna do that is if we continue fighting...even if there's no one left, I will make sure he gets here before Shigaraki can escape! She then activated her lunar energy, Best Jeanist's threads reaching out to her. She disappeared in thin air, spinning her body around as fire and rock appeared from her hands. "Lunar Energy...Venus Crater!" Both of them hit Shigaraki from behind like a giant fire/stone ball, causing him to grunt as he staggered. He grunted as he looked behind him, only to not see her.
I see...this is Lunar Energy when she's in control. But that's no problem for me. He glanced around for the girl, looking up as she appeared right above his head. She soared towards him with red sand underneath her feet.
"Lunar Energy Mars Kick!" She swiftly spun her leg to strike, but he swung up his arm to counteract it. He flinched as she wasn't immediately flying backwards...but instead, her body was pushing back against him. She narrowed her eyes at the villain and pushed through the red sand, kicking his hand so hard it drew blood from him. He groaned in pain as he flew backwards. Mirio and Best Jeanist stared at her wide-eyed.
No...how is this possible? Is this because of...me actually being afraid of her? She's nothing to me! So why are her attacks working on me? Has she...really gotten that strong? Or is it because...she's progressed so fast that I can't even predict what she'll do? NO ONE should be able to catch up to me! He gritted his teeth as he swung his arm from the side and she disappeared again, to his irritation. Izuka spun like a cyclone, summoning her wind. Shigaraki then grinned as he recognized this one. Her Jupiter Wind. I can dodge that no problem. He jumped up in the air as her wind hit the ground...only to turn black and purple and hit him in the face with Neptune Darkness. He let out a grunt, blood flying from his mouth as she landed in front of him.
Mr. Aizawa, Neito, and Manual opened their mouths at what they had seen. Mido...if Bakugo were here...he'd be really proud. I hope you understand that The teacher thought...as he heard that she had used lunar energy before in a way that wasn't herself. But now, she had moved past that and used it to what she was meant to do: be a hero.
If I keep turning moves he knows into ones he doesn't, he'll catch on. So...it's a risk, but it's time to finally do my last resort. The one I've been holding onto ever since we got here. I just hope it does some good She thought...until he disappeared right before her eyes. Izuka flinched in alarm, about to do the same when he appeared right in front of her.
Shigaraki then held Izuka up by her hair and her right wrist before she could attack. She flinched as her hair was gripped so tight it could break, and her right hand was starting to lose feeling. "Anything you have to say now…you outdated piece of garbage?" He grinned, wishing that Erasure wasn't on him right now otherwise he could've easily decayed her right then and there. He then squeezed her right wrist so hard that it became limp, bones breaking.
Izuka didn't respond at all, causing him to falter. She then glared down at him. "You think I'm gonna let you destroy this world? Hell no...you already destroyed my hopes, my confidence...and the one person who never saw me as someone who couldn't fight back against someone like you," She growled out, causing him to grit his teeth from her words. "I don't care what you do or say...it doesn't mean a damn thing to me. I won't let you get into my head anymore! AND I WILL NOT LET YOU WIN!"
Izuka then twitched her free hand, firing off a Saturn Ring that went flying. Shigaraki looked at it in alarm, ready to stop it, but it wasn't aiming towards him. "What did you do?!" He demanded her as he couldn't tell what she was planning to do. Why fire it if she wasn't going to attack me with it...?
The Saturn Ring came back flying hard towards Izuka…to chop off her hair in half to release Shigaraki's first hand on her. Everyone watched in shock as the thick hair fell towards the ground in pieces…and then Izuka bit at her shirt tightly, squeezing her eyes shut. Because the Saturn Ring…cut her entire hand off!
"CALLISTA!"
Mr. Aizawa called out for his student, his eyes shaking as he couldn't believe two of his students were now seriously injured. Best Jeanist's eyes wavered as Mirio's mouth shook in horror. "No!" The latter murmured at what just happened.
Shigaraki looked at the girl as she growled into her shirt to mask the pain. After her hand got cut off, his hold on her was lost. And so, she fell towards the ground face-first, shaking. He stared at her in disbelief, her hair now shoulder-length and blood pooling from her right upper arm. She may have had to do so...but at least she was free from his hold.
"Ha…ha ha ha!" Shigaraki simply laughed down at her mockingly. "You think pulling an Eraser Head is gonna work?! You're nothing like him. It's pathetic you copied your teacher." He stomped on her right hand to crush it entirely into the ground. "And you're an artist, so you must feel pretty stupid now! So all I have to do is make sure you can never pursue your passions again…" He reached out to her other hand, the girl failing to respond.
Damn it...get up! It may hurt, but you have to keep fighting! That's what Katsu and Izuku would do...
Shigaraki stopped for a second as he stared at her. The blood kind of reminded him of something... "You know, it's funny. I thought I killed you myself back at home…when I used Decay on you," Shigaraki murmured, causing Izuka to gasp sharply. "Remember? After I killed Mon...I touched you and you fell apart in front of me. And then everyone else disappeared too. Except for dear old Dad," He grinned in a creepy way at that last part. "But now...this time I'll make sure you stay dead. Such a shame too."
"No…you didn't…" Izuka whispered in fear and disbelief, realizing something...
He…he killed his own family…?
The barrier! Mandalay's voice suddenly cried out to everyone who was still conscious. Mirio flinched as he looked up, Izuka turning around as Shigaraki lifted up his foot above her. I'm deactivating it for a bit! Hang on for two seconds!
Best Jeanist let out a harsh cough. "What? No, don't!" He looked up towards Shigaraki's foot getting closer to Izuka. Best Jeanist reached out to the girl, but was already too slow unfortunately. Within seconds, not enough time, she would die... "Two seconds is longer than you think!"
Mirio's eyes shook again as he was doubting himself...Izuka turned back around to Shigaraki, her eyes in terror. He was already too fast for the others...so no doubt it would be the same here. What can I do? I'm nothing to him! He won't even look at me! But I need to get his attention, even just for one second! Somehow! What do I have? What can I do to save Callista?! He then remembered Sir Nighteye, gasping sharply.
"After all...without joy and laughter to balance the sorrow...this world cannot hope to have a bright...future."
Sir Nighteye's lip quivered before he burst into laughter, something he never did until he met Mirio...
"Hey, you!" Mirio had disappeared...and then reappeared with his butt popping out in front of Shigaraki, sitting in front of Izuka. "Brought a peach for ya!"
Shigaraki gasped as he stopped in disbelief as...he could only look at what Mirio was doing. And Mirio himself felt very awkward, but...it was the only thing he could think of at the moment. Shigaraki slowly stood up, Izuka blinking rapidly at Mirio. What...what is he doing? She thought towards the sight.
"...Huh?" He flinched as he turned around...something entering the barrier. It was Izuku himself! "Izuku Midoriya."
Izuku powered up as he flew, flying by with a kick at Shigaraki's entire body!