Angel: Just gonna point out that there is…an identity crisis with Shigaraki starting from this episode. As the story continues, I'm still calling him Shigaraki with no changes because for me, it's confusing in the narrative because they write it as follows in the manga: 'Shigaraki'. But I'm not going to refer him as such because like I said, it's complicated. Hopefully that doesn't make anyone mad. Or the title of the chapter either because obviously, I couldn't fit all of it.
And I know too well at this point that someone is going to ask me or request to reverse Star and Stripe's death. And my answer is no, not going to reverse that, enjoy the chapter!
In Izuku's room, he opened up the door as his All Might poster hung on his wall. He closed the door, the room dark while his All Might memorabilia was still everywhere. He opened up the curtains to reach his balcony, holding a basket. It was...a peaceful atmosphere despite everything that happened. The green-haired boy then stepped out to the balcony. He put down his laundry basket and looked out to the view.
I can't remember the last time I did laundry...
The wind blew in his hair as the recent events replayed in his mind...
"Izuku Midoriya is carrying the burden of his power and trying to keep us safe!" Ochaco shouted down at the crowd. "But he still has a lot to learn. He's just a kid!" Izuku had tears falling down his face as well, clutching at his heart.
"I've seen him do so many great things, and I know he'll continue to do so regardless of what anyone says!" Izuka let out a big sniff.
"WE BEG YOU!" The girls screamed into the megaphones. "LET UA...CONTINUE TO BE HIS HERO ACADEMY!"
Izuku was openly sobbing at their words and Izuka teared up too, sniffing.
His eyes softened as he didn't think that he would come back so soon...but he knew he wasn't alone either. Although he did screw things up with his sister no doubt...
I'm back at UA. But...
He opened up his wet scarf, hanging it up to dry. It blew in the wind in front of him.
"Don't be too stubborn," Gran Torino was looking up at Izuku, who was telling him everything that happened while he was asleep. "Sometimes you have to kill a person in order to save them..." He then gave Izuku what was left of his cape... "Be sure to remember that."
"I don't know what I should do next, that's true. And I get that the only way to stop him might be to kill him. But..." His entire dark energy moved away, revealing the little kid that admired All Might 12 years ago. "I wanna save that little kid!"
The final battle draws near.
Izuku turned around to head back inside of his room. He then used the elevator to head for the lobby.
But oddly enough, I'm not afraid.
He looked towards the common room to see mostly everyone already there talking. As he walked up, they all turned to smile at him.
Together, we'll set things right.
Katsuki, Koji, Shoto, and Hanta walked up from the hallway. They all stared while Katsuki was stretching his arms. He had actually done some training with his girlfriend just now. Izuku turned to them with a small smile as Izuka arrived, staring at him a bit hesitantly. Which...he wasn't surprised to see.
People will smile again, and I'll earn my sister's forgiveness. We'll go beyond, and forge a bright future.
He glanced at his sister, who turned around and headed to take a shower without a word. Some of the others winced knowingly as Ochaco stepped up. She placed a comforting hand on Izuku's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Deku. I know how close you two were growing up..."
"It's okay," He gave a small sigh. "After all...I'm the one who did this to her. But I'll make things right eventually, so...don't worry about us."
His classmates aside from Katsuki frowned towards him, as they could see both sides of where the twins were coming from. And they couldn't force the two to make up since it was a complicated situation...not only that, but Izuka's feelings they couldn't just...get her to go away either. The only thing they could do was give it time...
Outside of Heights Alliance, she was carrying an easel out to the art studio Endeavor gave her, which...was a relief to be using, she would admit. And honestly, she didn't really have much animosity for the whole arranged marriage thing anymore. It was kind of weird to even think about it when she had a boyfriend now. She stared down at her newest painting, which was of Katsuki using Cluster, and she gave a giddy smile to herself.
Despite everything...I'm glad that I can feel at least some happiness thanks to Katsu.
Izuku gave her a weak smile. "I love you, big-"
"No!" She exclaimed while standing up, shocking everyone in the room. "Don't. You can't just say that and act like everything between us is suddenly fine. That's not how it works, it doesn't take away what you did, okay?" She told him and he frowned sadly, the girl turning away. The two never fought, and this was the closest thing that they had been to one. So it was something she still wasn't used to...being disappointed in him. "...I need you to do one thing if we're gonna do this together."
"Uh," Izuku looked up at her in shock. "Anything!"
"You're gonna go out there...fight your damn hardest...and come back here still breathing. If...if you can do that...only then will I have anything left in me to forgive you. And don't try to protect me by keeping me in the dark again," She glanced over her shoulder, their friends looking hopeful as she had a look of not anger or hesitation, but actually...relief that he was just still here.
Izuku gave a happy expression and then closed his eyes. "I promise, Izuka. I'll win your trust in me back."
She would wait and see what he would do to earn it...and it wasn't like she wanted to be mad at him. Of course she didn't, and she hated that their friends had to witness it. At the same time, though...learning of him leaving not from himself, but from other people he told and not her...it really stung. And it was going to stick with her for a while...
It's not like I'm doing this out of malice. He's still my little brother.
She looked out to the sun, a wistful look on her face.
"So...I don't know what lunar energy will hold for me once I control it...to use it in the way I want to. But..." Her own energy moved away, revealing her to be the same age as Izuku. "I wanna support my brother for that kid's sake!"
She hummed a little as she stored the painting away, knowing that Katsuki wouldn't want her to display it until she put the final touches. I still meant what I said that day. It's just...I don't know if I'm able to handle both that and still feeling the same I did when I found out he left. I guess I just have to balance it out. Along with other things...
"Kitten," Katsuki stared straight into her eyes as they were in the TDL together, as she asked him to come. And what she asked him, he wasn't hesitant in doing. But he had to make sure that she was serious about it at the same time. "Are you sure you wanna do this? Just tell me if you're not okay with it and we can head back inside."
"I'm sure," She gave a small nod, looking at her hands. She thought about unleashing Earth Meteor Shower, and...how much her emotions got in the way when she used it. It was the first time something like that happened, and she didn't want it to happen again. "Lunar energy is something I don't want to lose control of again. I don't want to hurt others or...look like a villain to anyone the next time I use it. And, well, because I do know a strong person with control who's trained me before..." She looked up with a playful smile.
"Hah," He smirked, hands on his hips. "Well, damn. Alright, then, get ready. Because I'm not half-assing anything. But you're not a villain, and I know you won't resort to that. So stop thinking that you will."
"Fine, fine," She sighed, closing her eyes and then stretched her hands.
"Hm..." Katsuki gave her a small amused smile as he admired her figure. She was definitely getting a bit more muscle, but not enough to be super noticeable. And she was still short, but at this point, it was more so a misdirection than a hindrance for her.
"This is training, not alone time," Izuka muttered, her eyes still closed while her face got a bit flushed.
"As your first and only boyfriend you're gonna need, I can look at you whenever the hell I want," He remarked without any shame, hands in his pockets. The boy blinked as he noticed her hesitance, approaching her silently. He placed his hands on her shoulders, causing her to look up at him. "Don't worry about hurting me or anyone else. I know you, Izuka. You can do this...because you're able to do anything you put your mind to with your Quirk. I've seen it before...so there shouldn't be anything stopping you now," He leaned down to kiss her head gently.
She blushed and then grinned slowly up at him. "Thank you, Katsu. And here I thought I'd never see you be so soft."
"Shut up," He retorted with a playful smile, letting go of her. "Now...whenever you're ready...let's start your training. We've got a lot to do in a short time," Katsuki kept that smile on his face as lunar energy wasn't the only thing they were gonna have her do...
A fighter plane was flying out into the skies from the Air Force. Some other planes were getting cleaned, while one was just about to leave. It then took off from the runway, flying past the mountains.
"Tokyo, Japan's largest city, has gone dark," A newscaster from TV was reporting about the current state of Tokyo... "The streets are empty. Everyday life has ground to a halt. Fear now controls this metropolitan area and others like it." Three soldiers watched attentively from a base. By now, it was well-known of what was going on in Japan since it had yet to leave the news. "The cause? A group called the Paranormal Liberation Front that has spread havoc throughout this country. Their leaders are the infamous criminal All for One, sometimes known as the Symbol of Evil, and Tomura Shigaraki, the madman's assumed protege." For pictures though, all they had currently were blurry photos. One of Shigaraki with his current charred hand, and the other of All for One's escape from Tartarus. And because of that prison's downfall and destruction, there wasn't much they could get about the two leaders... "Recently, the group released dangerous inmates from maximum-security prisons across Japan. These fugitive villains commonly referred to as Jailbreakers, have taken over the streets." Among those included some gangs, Dictator, and Muscular. "Japan's heroes are said to be working diligently alongside the police to put these escaped criminals back behind bars. But the Jailbreakers are overwhelming them. As such, the Japanese government has requested a temporary dispatch of heroes from f-"
The reporter was interrupted...by two villains that had approached. One of them had his arm wrapped around the poor man. "What the hell do you think you're doin'?"
"I, uh...nothing," He feigned innocence so that they would let him go and he could just leave. The three men watching the broadcast gasped sharply. "I'm just reporting on the current situation in Tokyo."
The villain then dragged his head down, looking at the camera. "Your viewers must be dyin' to see some bloodshed," He tightened his grip on the reporter, who could do nothing out of fear of the two villains surrounding him...
"If you were smart, you'd worry about your own country's problems," The other one reached out to cut the feed, threatening the worldwide heroes to not come to Tokyo.
"Bastards!" One of the pilots gritted his teeth, standing up.
"Ethan. Are we being deployed?" A heteromorph one asked furiously.
"No, not yet," Ethan got onto his feet. "The mess in Japan is making waves. Villains across the globe are getting bolder," He walked up to turn off the TV as more pilots walked up to join him. "I doubt the White House wants to send us abroad and risk getting caught with their pants down if there's an attack."
"Morons!" The heteromorph growled, punching his hand against his fist. "Even if there was trouble at home, we could have the heroes back in the States in 2 hours, no sweat!"
"Ya got that right!" They all gasped, turning around to see a tall woman with long blonde hair. "So you'll give me a ride. Right, bros?" She grinned with a wink towards the group.
"Star," Ethan murmured at her immediately dropping everything to head out. Behind her, more planes were flying out.
And so, they were on their way to Tokyo with Star and Stripe herself. "Don't blame us if you get in trouble, Star!"
"It wasn't a question of whether or not I would help," She explained, still having no regrets of disregarding orders and leaving. "So why not start sooner rather than later? And besides, we're talking about a direct request from All Might. If my master is in trouble, I don't have to think twice before heeding his call!"
They continued to fly out, and as they did, she knew that All Might had done a lot for her. So this was a way to repay him back. Not only did he make her into who she was today, but he had been an inspiration to her.
"We're at a critical juncture," All for One spoke up, as they were now hiding out in a cave secluded from the city. "The police and heroes have their hands full with swarms of escaped inmates rampaging across Japan." He sat on a throne, having regained his own body back. But he was still stuck using tubes in order to stay alive. He was also surrounded by 2 Nomus. "Which leaves us free to plot and prepare however we see fit. Though this island nation may be small...we'll still win at hide-and-seek." If there was anything the League was good at, it was hiding.
Spinner was sitting on a crate as he could only stare. Never did he think he'd see All for One out of Tartarus... "Wouldn't it be easier if we left the country?" He couldn't help but ask, since that way, people wouldn't suspect of them still being in Japan.
"Perhaps," All for One acknowledged, holding up a finger. "But it's not ideal. Especially since biding is only a short-term issue. And then, of course, I must take control of One for All," He grinned while touching his breathing mask, as hopefully soon for him...he wouldn't have to rely on such a thing anymore. If their plan was executed well, that is. "A midgame objective."
"That's not your end goal?" Spinner questioned in disbelief, wondering why All for One was fighting so hard to get One for All if it wasn't the finish line.
"No. I have a long, intricate design for my future. In somewhat of a twist, the biggest hurdle I might face, and my biggest opportunity, is about to show up at our door," He grinned evilly while looking at his hands. "As you've no doubt realized, I have many loyal friends around the globe. Fortunately, while All Might may have eradicated organized crime in Japan, it positively flourishes overseas. If I tell my friends to run riot, countries will be forced to consider domestic safety before offering aid to others."
Even without them, countries were already hesitant to assist Japan. So, he wasn't really worried if a big snag hit his plan.
"So what's the big chance coming our way?" The heteromorph villain wondered to the Symbol of Evil.
"Her name is Star and Stripe. The strongest woman alive. The hero who reigns supreme in the land of the free, the very birthplace of heroes! Few could hope to stand against her," He clenched a fist, as he already knew that the female hero was on her way to help All Might out. "It's a gamble, certainly! Her interference will be devastating if she gets the upper hand. But if I can steal her Quirk, there'll be no fight we can't win. Now, Iguchi." Spinner gasped to hear All for One addressing him. "Unlike Toya and the others, you've been devoted to acting as my personal bodyguard. However, I'm afraid you're needed elsewhere. From now on, your focus will be on Tomura Shigaraki's crusade. Understand, Spinner? Live up to your name and spin a story for us. As a heteromorph, you were born into a difficult life. Hated. A nobody. But you can hear the change in the wind, can't you? There are many lurking in the shadows who sympathize with your plight..."
In an alleyway in a city...there was graffiti on a brick wall. It said 'Liberate the Paranormal' and there was also a picture of Spinner underneath. People stepped up to the flyer that said Spinner was their spokesperson. And the reason why they felt that way was because he was the only heteromorph known in history to stand up against discrimination against their kind. So to them, Spinner was kind of a messiah for heteromorphs that felt like they had to take action against how they were treated. Not only that...they were a few of the Paranormal Liberation Front members that had managed to escape.
"We had no place in the old regime," The leader of the trio spoke up. "And now, the great Re-Destro is captured. But...behold! Our hopes and dreams have not been quashed! The embers of liberation still burn around us!" It wasn't just that alleyway with that particular message, multiple had them. "We were assigned to Spinner's Vanguard Action Support Regiment because we are all of us alike! We recognize each other's pain. We must remember Skeptic's stirring words, since he is still free to speak!"
He then took out his phone and played a cell phone recording from Skeptic himself. He had sent this to everyone in the Paranormal Liberation Front. "Liberate yourselves. Wipe out the vestiges of the establishment. See that Re-Destro's revolution becomes a reality," He was in a hidden location, surrounded by his tech while hard at work. "Recruit new warriors to the cause. You'll find it easy to open the minds of those who live as you do."
And so, they walked away from the wall, determined to see things through in due time...
"I don't care for the League." Himiko Toga stared at another wall full of graffiti and photos. "But in these circumstances, I have to rely on them." One message said 'Himiko Toga's tragedy continues!' She stared at it blankly, as it gave her flashbacks of her fight with Curious. "Re-Destro found hope in those deviants..." As much as Skeptic did still hate working with them, he couldn't deny that the League did get results. Even though it did mean that Re-Destro was no longer leading them like Skeptic thought he should've been. "So it doesn't matter if the League of Villains are true comrades who actually believe in our mission or not." Dabi certainly didn't as he stared out to the sky. "We will mold them into the real thing! Champion their names and deeds!" And when it was over...Spinner might become the next Stain. "And when Shigaraki destroys the future...we will sow the seeds of new growth!" He tapped a final key as he finished his message...
Meanwhile, Best Jeanist was driving his car next to the sea. In the sky was a flying Endeavor covered in flames. "They're approaching fast," Hawks reported to the both of them. "She'll be here any second," He was triangulating Star and Stripe's location with his phone, as Toshinori had informed them of her arrival. "We can't afford to waste time. Let's talk strategy as soon as she lands. Honestly?" He gave a sheepish smile. "Just knowing she's coming is a huge reassurance. Hope she doesn't get in too much trouble with her boss, though..."
Knowing what they were up against, and of the results from their last fight...he was glad that they were getting some big help for this. Maybe it would also help with the people's opinion about heroes as well if she was able to stop Shigaraki on her own...her success would mean a lot of things in the future.
"Her rash nature may end up being our salvation," Best Jeanist spoke up, getting the number two hero's attention. "I share your relief. Plus, I've always wanted to chat with her about the prized denim popularized during America's Gold Rush."
Before Hawks could comment, an alarm blared off, catching him off guard. "This is Tsukauchi!" An emergency warning was flashing from Hawk's phone, showing that something was intercepting Star's location. "Endeavor! Hawks! Emergency! You're on the way, right? We just got a report. There's someone in her flight path! It's him! He's come out of hiding!"
And by him...Naomasa meant that all the way across the clouds above them...was Shigaraki himself. And he could see all of the jets heading his way. Star and Stripe wasn't fazed to see his sudden appearance, smirking.
"Such a warm welcome already?" She remarked with a confident smile. "You move pretty fast." He stared at her blankly and she gritted her teeth. "Does that mean you're the criminal known as All for One?"
He clenched the fist that had a hole in his hand. "Good question," He was standing on top of a flying Nomu, and he looked...much different now. "Possibly. Who knows what I am?" He had a black formal suit, sneakers, and a long red flowing cape around him. His hair was long and flowing, and he also had a fingerless brace over his left hand.
The two factions stared each other down. "So. This is All for One," Star and Stripe spoke as neither made a move yet.
"Negative, Star," Ethan reported to her, as it was his jet she was standing on top of. "That's Tomura Shigaraki. According to our intel, he can destroy whatever he gets his hands on." Shigaraki was examining his hands in silence. "He's also displayed super strength, regenerative abilities, and EMP attacks. Get ready! Disengage autopilot! Anti-pulse fields up." A purple shield then went over his jet.
"Roger that, bravo leader," A pilot replied to him.
"Anti-pulse fields activated!" Another one reported as the others activated their defenses.
"Stupid question, but engage or retreat?" Ethan wondered, since they weren't supposed to be already fighting as soon as they arrived.
"You know which," She growled out, determined to stop Shigaraki. "Time to smash!"
"Roger that, Star," Ethan narrowed his eyes behind his helmet. "I hope one of us gets to the landing point safely."
"Battle formation!" Star and Stripe called out, bending down a little to prepare herself. The jets all flew upwards to be behind Ethan's jet.
"Look alive. Formation Delta!"
"Roger that, bravo leader," One of the pilots looked up to a jet flying above.
"Now then. Let's take this villain down," Star and Stripe glared up ahead. The jets had now formed into a circle. "I don't want anyone holding back! Fight with honor, and I'll make sure your remains get to your loved ones! No mercy!"
None of them said a word, as they were prepared to fight for their lives, especially if it was with Star and Stripe. They trusted her and her judgment, so they knew that she would lead them towards a bloody, but hopefully successful battle.
Shigaraki slowly straightened up as he stared with no emotion on his face. "What a strange feeling," He confessed as he could only stare, feeling...numb almost. "It seems correct to say that I'm Tomura Shigaraki...And yet," His voice and All for One's voice were merging again. "There's no doubt that I'm me as well...It's been like this ever since I woke up..." It felt like that even though he was still himself...he was another person at the same time. Although now was definitely not the time to be questioning who he really was. He gently moved down his right arm, outstretching it towards the sky. "Heavy Payload, plus Radio Waves and Air Cannon." The purple energy started to spark in his hand.
Star and Stripe let out a sharp gasp, since she thought he only had one Quirk. "EVADE!"
Shigaraki held out his hand to attack and she jumped off the jet. Luckily, the others were able to fly away in time while the villain unleashed a huge yellow and purple shockwave. It was arguably the biggest range that he had ever fired that ability. Once it stopped seconds later, the jets were now scattered around in the sky, having broken their previous formation.
"I know what your Quirk is," Shigaraki spoke up to the American hero as she was left flying. "Whoever touches the other first wins, America!" He mocked the blonde, who wasn't fazed in the slightest.
"You may know what I'm packing...but I'm the best there is!" She let herself fall and land on a jet. "Cause I'm still gonna beat your ass, boy!" She shouted while the jet flew in at full speed towards the villain. She then held out her arms. "The Air! From this point forward, there is absolutely no air for a stretch of 100 meters in front of me!" Smoke came from her hands, and then she clenched her fists. She grunted as she punched them together, sending out a huge star structure made out of air around the villain.
He then started to sputter and cough, covering his mouth. It felt like all of a sudden, he couldn't breathe...
"And now, you've taken your last breath!" She glared towards her opponent.
Star and Stripe. Her Quirk: New Order. After touching a target and calling out its name, she can impose a new rule on that person or thing. In this case, she touched the air and declared that it no longer existed for the distance area in front of her, essentially creating a vacuum impossible to breathe in!
Shigaraki started to fall towards the ground, a green glow coming from his mouth. He stared at the hero wide-eyed. That's a brutal power. His eyes then shifted so that he had cracks in his eyes. I want it! All for One was taking over his thoughts...
"Yeah, I figured someone who came all the way out here to meet me wouldn't die that easily," Star and Stripe murmured at the villain still breathing. She already knew the person had to have both confidence and guts to seek her out and fight her. They wouldn't do it for no reason, knowing how powerful she was. So it was going to make defeating him more difficult... "Laser Cannons!"
"Right!" The pilots shouted as they spun around in a circle to surround the star. They all targeted the falling Shigaraki.
"Target locked," Ethan glared as the lasers powered up. "FIRE!" The jets all fired at once towards the villain to connect with each other. Shigaraki was just standing there.
"Aw, yeah! I brought him down!" One of them shouted as they flew away from Shigaraki.
"Not a chance, Wedge! My blast got him first!" Another one called out confidently.
"We're not done!" Star and Stripe contradicted them both...because Shigaraki was actually absorbing the lasers, not being hurt by them.
Reflect plus Scatter! He grinned evilly as he unleashed the burst of power towards the hero and the jets.
"Laser!" Star and Stripe held out her hand, moving them away before they could hit anyone. She was now holding the lasers in her hands, copying Shigaraki's tactic. "These lasers...can be held!" Once they stopped glowing, she watched Shigaraki land on a flying Nomu. And he revealed that the lasers did actually touch him enough to leave a burn. However...
"His body is healing. Fast!" Ethan reported as they watched the burn rapidly heal itself as if the injury was never there.
"No wonder Japan had trouble with him," Wedge murmured in disbelief to see this in action.
I can breathe again... Shigaraki stared towards all the jets. Which means her Quirk has limits... He then reached out his left hand. Now's my chance. He wiggled his arm around and then took off into the sky like a laser.
"I was hoping you'd use your super strength to take a shot at me!" Star and Stripe gave herself some momentum to leap off of the jet. She headed straight for Shigaraki, recoiling back an arm. "Tomura Shigaraki!" She then punched him so hard he went flying. I can only have two rules active at one time She thought while letting herself fall back onto the jet again. The first I always use to strengthen and reinforce my body. And while it's impossible for me to power up to All Might's level, I try... She watched as two jets surrounded the League leader. When I was a kid...an exchange student from Japan saved me. She jumped as Shigaraki let out a painful grunt, looking up to see her heading his way. My family was on our way to the Santa Monica Pier...when a gigantic burglar on the run came out of nowhere and attacked our car.
When All Might was working with David Shield...he was the one who stopped the burglar from attacking her family's car. She was the little girl with glasses trying to protect her sister when the villains were about to kill them. I wanted to save my little sister, but I was sure we were going to die. And then...
The villain headed straight for them...and then was knocked back by a powerful force. The family all looked up slowly, seeing the Plus Ultra sweater from the one who saved them.
He was there...
He glanced back with a big grin, the two girls looking up in shock.
Those two blond tufts of hair? I immediately knew I'd never forget him.
The older sister looked up with a beaming smile.
That's how he became my master!
"In order to show my own personal devotion to peace, I copied his hairstyle down to the color!" She revealed, as she used to be a brunette as a little girl. She landed right in front of Shigaraki, staring him down.
"No matter where I go...it's...always him," Shigaraki murmured, knowing exactly who she was talking about. Even now, he could see All Might a little bit in her, and it was pissing him off.
"That's why we call him the Symbol of Peace, little man," She replied without hesitation with a grin. "Oh, by the way...I touched you and said your name during that little dust-up." He gasped sharply from what she said as he realized that the attack wasn't just to knock him back...it was to activate her Quirk. "From this moment on, if Tomura Shigaraki makes a single move...his heart will stop beating." He let out another sharp gasp.
She got me! Ever since I awakened, I've felt that something's different... Not only was their speech merging now...All for One and Shigaraki were sharing the same thoughts as well.
"The boundary between us grows ever more undefined..." All for One spoke up, digging his hand into something. He was now in their own little void... "It should have taken a full 2 months of recuperation for you and me to become us, yet here we are. You never cease to surprise, Tomura!" All for One grinned widely while holding onto Tomura's body...both of them once again fused together in a sick way. "Your destructive urges. That roiling hatred! They continue to grow beyond any expectation the Doctor and I had! In terms of numbers, I'd say we're at 97, perhaps 98 percent of the way to completion." He could just see it now... "Soon, we will merge into utter perfection! Then we'll be neither All for One nor Tomura Shigaraki. Can you feel it? Our new form will be an entirely different person!"
Shigaraki felt like...like this was suffocating to him. That this almost perfect...thing of themselves wasn't what he wanted. "Like...hell..." He managed to say to his master.
"I won't let you!" He shouted out to Star and Stripe, catching her off guard. Not just that, but because her Quirk had no effect on him.
It's not working? She gritted her teeth, unaware that because of the...fusion, that Shigaraki didn't really go by his name currently. Not when two people were in his mind... What's the issue? This is Tomura Shigaraki, isn't it? Never had she had an issue using her Quirk on other people before like this...
"Fine, fine! Struggle if you like!" All for One spoke in Shigaraki's head. "Do you abhor me? That's excellent! May your anger and hated be heralds of our luminous future!" Shigaraki was meanwhile frozen in Star and Stripe's hold...but his hair was growing out to be longer.
"What the-"
Shigaraki blinked...as he felt like he could see his childhood house. It all started in that little house...a series of resentments that piled on top of one another. They may not have intended what he did to them in the end...but each of his family, including his grandmother Nana Shimura, were all a piece of the puzzle...of where his hatred stemmed from. Enough that when All for One met him, it continued to fester and grow...
He unleashed another shockwave, knocking Star and Stripe off him. It stopped seconds later and she braced herself while flying backwards.
His hair got longer? She spun around to land on a jet, staring up ahead. What's this guy's deal?
"I'm beginning to understand New Order better," He spoke while getting onto his feet. His hair was now starting to cover his face a little. "Your godlike Quirk has rules of its own..." The number-one hero in the USA, Star and Stripe. The government has treated the details of her Quirk as a closely guarded State secret. But basically, by touching her target and naming it, she can force it to obey...this reality-shaping ability makes the rest of us her playthings. She's almost like Hana in a way... And by...Hana, he was still referring to Izuka, since Galaxy was similar to New Order by what they could do. Except I noticed something interesting during our fight. There's a limit to how much she can increase her physical power. Otherwise, she would have knocked my head clean off my body, with her first punch.
"From this moment on, if Tomura Shigaraki makes a single move...his heart will stop beating."
But given the rule she tried to give me...she can damage her targets as much as she wants. It's like a life meter with a cap on how much she can improve herself. But no limit to how much she hurts others. It was kind of like in one of the video games he would play. On the other hand, since she didn't say something like "Whoever enters this specified airspace immediately dies," it seems she can't impose a rule that also has an effect on something she hasn't physically touched. Or maybe she can, but the effect is weaker? Considering how little he knew of her Quirk at the start, anything right now was mostly speculation...even then, he had a good hunch about this. Even so, she's definitely able to create a vacuum and hold lasers if that's what she wants to do. Similar to Galaxy, where Hana can create shooting stars and weapons if that's what she wants it to do. Which means she, like the girl, has a lot of freedom when commanding non-living things. That's the real strength and advantage of New Order! He continued to stare up at her, and she stared at him, currently not making any moves. She was probably rethinking her strategy.
The difference between living and non-living things must be in the naming. The reason the rule didn't work on me was because of a difference in perception. I get that now. Ms. Star thought of me as Tomura Shigaraki when she touched me and said my name. But right now...I'm not sure if I am Tomura Shigaraki. Or All for One. Or even Tenko Shimura. And she had never met anyone with this level of confusion related to identity, otherwise she wouldn't be questioning why it didn't work like she wanted. When she calls someone with a sense of self by their name, they have to identify as that person. And since objects have no sense of self, her perception is the only one that matters to New Order. Is there a two-target limit? What's the scope of the power? Would it work on an animal? How would Mon have reacted in this scenario? He stared at her in awe of her Quirk... Gah. What's gotten into me? I have this irresistible urge to test out the scope of her abilities!
She eyed him closely, unsure of what to do now since New Order wouldn't work directly onto her opponent. He must've been prepared for an attack on his respiratory system.
"What's your next move, Star?" Ethan in the jet below her wondered. "New Order and laser attacks don't work on that regenerating bastard!"
"Get Commander Agpar on the line," She instructed the leader, as she did have one thing in mind...but she did need something in return.
"Don't tell me," He looked up at her knowingly. "Coming here on your own was bad enough, but that? You're mad!"
"It could be our one chance," Star and Stripe informed, as she refused to retreat. Not when Shigaraki was still able to terrorize Japan, her master's home. "What good's special authority if I don't use it? This villain is not just an enemy to Japan. He's an enemy to the world. We'll stop him before he can hurt anyone else. As only we can! It'll take a minute, so make sure you fly steady so I have a place to stand. Thanks, bros," She then blew them a kiss.
"Jeez..." Ethan slowly shook his head in disbelief, still disagreeing with her. But he couldn't really see what other choices they had either... "Taking care of her sure is a lot of work..."
"Starting today, you guys are my ride-or-die brothers!" She smiled when meeting them for the first time. "Let's fight together until death do us part!"
"Wedge! Shake that crusty freak off your jet!" Ethan ordered, trusting in the American hero, and keeping their promise. "He's in Star's spot!"
"Roger that!" Wedge shouted as he and the other pilot moved away, allowing Shigaraki to fall. He spun around to land on the winged Nomu heading his way.
"Just 'cause you understand how my Quirk works doesn't mean you can counter it!" Star and Stripe declared angrily, smoke coming from her outreached hands. "Air! The air hardens into my form, but 1,000 times bigger! Fist Bump...to the Earth!" A huge air figure of herself appeared right next to the jet, a fist powering up.
Shigaraki stared up in shock as he didn't think that her power could get to this scale... I can't see it...but something's there. He thought as only Star and Stripe could see it. But he had the feeling that she did do something in front of him.
Star and Stripe moved up her arm, her entity next to her doing the same thing. It knocked back Shigaraki and the Nomu. The villain let out a grunt as he was sent flying off the creature, looking up ahead wide eyed. "No point in trying to wear him down. And I doubt he's gonna talk if I try to beat his true name out of him," Star and Stripe spoke, knowing that someone like him wouldn't let himself go down that easily. "This is the only way I'll defeat him...!" She held out her hands, slamming them down. The figure of herself did the same to squash Shigaraki in the hands like a bug. "By crushing him until nothing remains! But he's a tough one. Bros! Lemme get some more lasers!"
The jets all fired towards her specifically and she reached out her hand. "The lasers!" It formed into something and the figure grasped it into the hands...as Star and Stripe was holding the lasers herself. "Will form into a single beam," She brought her fists together, as if she was holding the lasers like a spear. "United Hyper-Max Output Laser!" She swung down her hands...as the figure knocked Shigaraki into the sea below hard. "Keraunos!" The laser continued to fire into the water, and where the villain landed had left a hole in the sea.
"The continuous blast of our combined firepower!" Ethan shouted as the jets still provided their hero with what she needed. "That's gotta destroy his body!"
"No, it'll just keep him from regenerating!" She revealed to the leader, unable to see Shigaraki as the lasers were overpowering everything around them from the light. "If this could take him out, Endeavor would've burned him to a crisp already."
"Star," A different voice spoke up, catching her off guard.
"Commander Agpar!"
"I got too used to your willfulness and let my guard down," He revealed as he was in America, knowing exactly what she had done. "I'm afraid this stunt's going to cost you more than your license this time."
"Worth it," She immediately dismissed, not caring what happened to her in the end. As long as it would do something to stop her opponent. "Just please, tell me they're ready."
"This is your last favor, Star," He spoke into the phone. "I've already informed Japan what's happening. They'll reach you soon."
"Now we're talking," She gave a pleased grin hearing the news.
"We wouldn't be if your stubborn disregard for rules hadn't made our country shine brighter over the years," On his desk behind him was a picture of a happy Star and Stripe as a girl being held by All Might, with David Shield behind them. "All Might himself wasn't able to take care of this deranged villain. So you must surpass him, Cassie. State-of-the-Art Hypersonic Intercontinental Cruise Missiles. Tiamat." In the distance approaching their location were the missiles that Star and Stripe requested. "Ensure each and every one of them hits their mark..." As they approached, the figure still held down Shigaraki with the laser...
Izuka panted heavily while on the ground, sweating bullets. She was in her gym uniform as Katsuki stared down at her. They had been training once again in the TDL, and the girl was getting exhausted. "That's enough for today," He stated as he bent down to her, wrapping her arm around his shoulder blade. He then moved an arm around her waist to hoist her up onto her feet. "Can you walk?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine...let's do more," She panted out and he flinched from her request.
"Hell no! You've gotta let your body rest too, idi—I mean, kitten," He glanced down at her, as it was an impulse to call her that, but he couldn't really do so anymore. Not when she was more than that to him now. "And I'm not letting you exhaust yourself. Don't get yourself killed trying to speed things up. You're doing good as it is." Katsuki then eyed Izuka closely with how much she was pushing her body when she didn't need to.
She's making the enough amount of progress as is. Probably has something to do with what she said during work studies with Endeavor. Then again, she is Izuku's sister. Ahh, why does she have to be so stupidly adorable?
"Okay..." She murmured in defeat, letting out a small cough.
"I have some mango juice in a bag. You just let yourself relax for a bit, okay?" Katsuki informed and she smiled gratefully. She watched him leave, hearing the door open as she looked up ahead. The girl blinked in surprise to see who was walking up.
"Oh! All Might!" She smiled a little as he approached with a wave.
"Young Mido! I was told I'd find you here. Working hard?" He greeted the green-haired girl.
"Mmhm. Katsu's a great teacher for what I wanna do in the final fight!" She pumped her fists eagerly. Katsuki came back with her juice and she took it in relief. "But you wanted to see me? What for?" She wiped some sweat off her forehead, wondering what warranted a visit now when it was starting to get late.
"...I am here to apologize for allowing Young Midoriya to leave and for not speaking with you sooner! Young Mido!" He bowed his head to the girl, to her utter confusion.
"Hah?" Katsuki stared at him in disbelief, as neither of them were expecting this. He did hear of Izuku getting the same thing when Toshinori stopped by not too long ago, but still...
"Hm? Oh..." Izuka blinked at the reminder, her eyes softening a little. "That? I don't know if that really warrants an apology, since that was what he wanted. And besides...you did tell me what was going on with him eventually. It's not like you ordered him to do it or that you really wanted to keep me out of the loop...right?" She could tell from his body language that he was against not contacting her.
"Yes, I...did tell him that we should've told you. He wanted to protect you, even though I tried to get him to change his mind about the drastic measures we took..." He closed his eyes in shame. "But if I had tried to reach out sooner-"
"All Might," He looked up to see a weak smile on her face. "It's okay, really. I'm not holding it against you that much. You confessing that he wasn't okay is more than enough, and it did lead him being brought back to UA. So...you don't owe me this. If anything, I owe you so much for everything. So just don't keep things secret anymore between us and then we'll be good, okay?"
His eyes widened at the girl, and she really didn't show any animosity for his part in having no contact with Izuku. She was at the very least glad that he and the number three heroes did their best to keep her brother safe, even if she was still mad at him. He straightened up with a small smile himself. "Thank you, Young Mido."
"She's right, though. Don't pull off that crap again and make her do reckless shit without us," Katsuki remarked, causing her to hit his arm lightly.
"Katsu!" She sighed as she shook her head.
"I heard you two are now together. Congratulations to you both," He smiled down at the two.
"Tch," Katsuki scoffed a little, looking away with a small blush. "...Thank you. It was definitely a long time coming."
Izuka blinked and smiled happily at what he said. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "Yeah, that's true."
They really are good for each other, huh? The man smiled at how easy it was for them to transition from friends to a couple. Well...easy was an understatement. More like...a natural transition since they had known each other for years. "What are you doing, anyway?" Toshinori raised a brow, seeing their gym uniforms. "Training her with her Quirk?"
"Yup! We've got big things planned for me," Izuka looked at her hand. "So we're training a lot and hard too. I've got a lot to do in a short amount of time, after all. I just hope that it means something out there..."
"Hm...why don't I help you out? As a way to bury the hatchet, if you will?" Toshinori offered with a small smile.
"That'd be a big help! Thanks," Izuka smiled gratefully at him. "Just don't tell the others just yet. It's better to show them than explain it."
"Well, it's not like we're not used to secrets," Katsuki muttered as he looked away.
"Heh heh..." Both Izuka and Toshinori laughed awkwardly since...he wasn't wrong.