'Why did things turn out like this?'

I found myself wondering exactly that as I remained within the internal void of my mind. It was as if I was being submerged by thick black water. It was suffocating. I couldn't so much as blink or move a muscle. But it didn't hurt. Was that a blessing? Perhaps. Though it didn't make things much better. All I could do in the pathetic state I was in was reflect on the past. It's all that could be done. I can't change the past. Would I even be able to change the future anymore? If not…

… Then perhaps that's the way things should be. Though the moment I thought that was nothing short of the truth, something inexplicable happened.

"You know, I hate your type the most. Foolish little girls who think they are utterly powerless against fate make me want to vomit. They are such pitiful sad creatures." A girl with long purple hair said with a look of anger. Did I hit a nerve? She looks rather upset. Though I have no idea who this girl is. She's wearing an exotic dress that I have never seen before. Also is that a… cat tail on her lower back? It's a bit cute. But why would my mind imagine something like this? Did I see her from some show back when I was a kid and my vague memories of her made her appear within my subconscious? If not, then I'm probably mentally deranged. I feel like I've been here for an eternity so that might not be out of the realm of pos- But before I could finish that thought the girl captured my attention.

"Relax. You haven't lost your mind. Take it from me. I lived for over a hundred years living the same month over and over again for what felt like forever until my mind shattered to pieces. So, I think I know how it feels when your brain feels like it's been put in the literal sun. You're not even remotely close to that point. Be grateful." The girl explained in an emotionless tone of voice. I couldn't wrap my head around a single word that came out of her mouth. Was she trying to make me feel better or was she trying to belittle me? I had no idea. But I felt crazier than I have ever did before.

"Looks like I fumbled the ball on that one. No matter. I've made my share of mistakes to the point that it would be impossible to count considering the thousands of years I've lived for. You, Suzune Horikita, have only made a paltry number of them in comparison. Not to mention that you survived being pierced in the neck. It even looks like you'll make a full recovery in a matter of no time. You really are a lucky foolish little girl you know that?" The girl asked as my eyes went wide the moment she said my name. Everything that she said after couldn't have been more surprising. I would have certainly audibly gasp if I could. But none of my body parts are working, including my mouth. So, there was nothing that I could do but look at the girl out of sheer bewilderment. Just…

… Who is she?

"That is none of your concern. It's not like I have much of a role in this story to begin with. I'm just a bit player. Nothing more. But I guess you could always say that about me. Even in my life story, other people took center stage far more than I ever did. Honestly it kind of pisses me off. Do people think I'm not good enough to be the main character?! And to make matters worse I or at least a 'version' of mii was cast as the leading villain?! Just what the hell is wrong with the human race?! Am I supposed to suffer for an endless amount of time or be some cackling witch?! Are those really the only two choices I've got?! Neither is even remotely appealing! What do you think, Suzune Horikita?" The girl asked me while acting like a child. (Though her appearance was that of one. So, maybe that's not too surprising.) If my jaw could have dropped it would have made its way past China and to the far end of the solar system. Probably the universe too. All I could think of was one thing and one thing only. And that was-

'This girl is completely insane.' I declared with one hundred percent certainty leaving no room for any doubt whatsoever.

"I heard that. You know, that's not very nice of you to say. But that's too be expected of your 'type.' I've had to deal with someone like you for over a hundred years. In fact, she was very much like you. Both of you are prone to accepting things as your fault alone. You also try to act very strong in front of others when you're hopelessly suffering on the inside. She even has an older brother who happened to abandon her for 'personal reasons.' Aside from the fact that you never once said 'Ohohoho!' before then you are disgustingly similar." The girl explained in a way that made it crystal clear that she didn't like me. But since I barely knew anything about her, I couldn't even feel offended.

"It's not like I was trying to insult you or anything. For the record the girl I was referring to is my very best friend in every single universe. That's why I can tolerate one of them. Just not two. Anything but another one." The girl replied with what seemed like a smile as she put both of her hands on her hips. Then in the blink of an eye she reverted to looking at me like I was the vilest piece of trash to ever walk the earth. I couldn't exactly feel flattered by it. I was even starting to get a bit annoyed with her. Who does she think she is?!

"A 'Witch' who has lived for thousands of years. That's who I am. But if you were paying attention then I didn't need to go out of my way to repeat myself. Then again, that's too be expected from someone of your 'type.' So, I can't really blame you on that regard. You are who you are, and I am who I am. There's nothing more to it than that." The girl explained as if what she said was the most logical explanation to ever be given. But it completely crumbled to pieces the moment she said she was a 'Witch.' Witches are pure fantasy. And magic certainly does not exist. If I were to say otherwise, then I would be nothing more than a child.

"Why am I not surprised. You are one of… 'those people.' The type of people who believe everything they read in mystery novels and Wikipedia is nothing short of the truth. Of course you wouldn't believe me. And I'm not going to waste the effort to make you believe me either. Been there. Done that. Never again. So, instead…" The girl spoke with an utterly disgusted look on her face until she clapped her hands together. The moment she did, her expression became that of one that was utterly devoid of any emotion whatsoever. Though at the same time her voice trailed off until-

"… I'll show you a miracle." The girl said before snapping her fingers. The very next moment the endless sea of water I was drowning in had dispersed completely. Not only that but I found myself in a world that was entirely unfamiliar to me. A pitch-black ceiling above me resembling that of the night sky. The rocky ground that my feet were on was the only thing keeping me from falling into the endless abyss below. But even that only stretched for a few tens of meters. Though when I looked around to get a grasp of my surroundings, I saw that the 'Witch' from earlier was nowhere to be seen. Instead, what I saw was 'him' again. My very first friend, Izuku Midoriya. The same person I held dear to my heart…

… Who I betrayed again and again.

Back to the present…

"… Y-You erased those futures. W-What do you mean by that?" I asked while my mouth was agape over what Horikita just admitted too. I couldn't even begin to fathom what she meant by 'erase.' That's not how Foresight works. That Quirk, (At least when it was under the possession of Sir Nighteye only allowed the wielder to witness a glimpse of the future. One that was believed to be pre-determined. And yet… she erased them? What does that even mean? Horikita could tell just how confused I was just seeing the look on my face and briefly averted her eyes from me until she reaffirmed her resolve. And then…

"It's quite simple. When I was given that Quirk from Ayanokoji, I needed to know how it worked. So, I tested it out… on me. That was when I saw you… dead on the ground. You were killed by that monster. The one that attacked the school before you were hospitalized for a month because of the incident. I was… shocked to say the very least. I didn't understand how that 'future' could have even occurred in the first place. So, I had to get to the bottom of it. But as I was about to catch up with you on our first day back to school from summer break…" Suzune explained until her words trailed off. She then closed her eyes as she remembered a memory. But then…

"EEP!" The scream that I was so used to hearing from Sakura could be heard in the background as I looked around until my eyes shot wide open when I saw what was being shown in the distance! It was Sakura and Horikita! They accidentally bumped into each other. Suzune's hand touched Sakura's arm for the briefest of moments. At the same time, she couldn't help but look into her eyes. Horikita didn't even intend for things to play out this way, but she had met the conditions for activating Foresight.

"It was only my second time using the Quirk. The first time I used it on myself was dumb luck that I managed to use it correctly. Though I figured things out when I accidentally bumped into Sakura. It really was an accident. And yet… I saw you and her, both of you in your room, kissing each other. I didn't know what to think of it at first. But as what I saw continued, I noticed that the reason why you were killed was that you purposely sacrificed yourself to save her." Suzune explained as my eyes went wide. At the same time, I finally understood how things must have played out in that world. Me and Sakura loved each other there. I couldn't let her die, so I did everything I could to save her. And it cost me my life in the end. But if that's the case then she-

"I… couldn't let you die. But as much as I wanted to tell you what I saw, my brother… he forbade me from associating myself with you ever again. If I were to do so… he would reveal your identity to everyone. I was caught in a dilemma about what to do. I knew I had to do something, but I froze. Before I knew it, I ended up in the classroom. I then saw you walk in and…" Suzune spoke until her voice trailed off as she bit her lip. She didn't even want to think of such painful memories. So, she refrained from doing so. The both of us already knew what happened next. There was nothing to talk about. But there was still something I didn't know. Something that she had been keeping secret from me this whole time. And that was-

"… You were so hurt over what happened. I thought that if your secret was revealed then that would be the straw that would break the camel's back. But above all else I had to prevent that future I saw. I tried talking to Sakura, saying that you needed some time alone. But she didn't listen to me. I was left with no other choice. I had to make sure that you didn't develop feelings for Sakura. So, I contacted Kushida and had her reach out to you on that night." Suzune continued as my eyes went wide the moment she finished. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. But she was telling the truth.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. What motive would I even have to make up any accusations over the terrible horrible person that we both know Midoriya-San is?" Kushida's voice played in the background as I could both her and Horikita as if what was being shown was the equivalent of a game being split screen mode. Both girls sitting on their beds facing opposite each other.

"That's not true! Midoriya… he would never do something like that. Look. I know you had a role to play in all of this. But I'm not going to expose you for it. Like you said before, I have no way to prove Midoriya's innocence. That being said, I want you to do something for me. I want you to tell him what you did. That's all." Suzune replied as her voice was almost that of a whisper.

"Oho. Since when do you have the right to tell me what to do? And what makes you so stupid to think that I would even do something so incredibly retarded?" Kushida asked with the usual smile she wore on her face that couldn't be more fake. She had a point. Exposing herself would only cost her in the long run. I thought that she wanted to make me suffer back then. Was it because of some sadistic pleasure? That's what I had assumed. Unfortunately, I couldn't have been more wrong.

"Because you hate me, don't you?" Suzune asked. The moment she finished Kushida grinned from ear to ear with a sadistic look on her face.

"My, my. How very astute of you. Though anyone with half a braincell could have figured that much out by now. But what about it? What does my hatred for you have to do with any of this?" Kushida asked as she was genuinely curious to know where this was going. Though since she couldn't see into the future like Horikita could that's a given. Except, I didn't need that ability to know exactly what happen next.

"If you really hate me… then I would like you to know that I care about Midoriya very much. He's the first person that I could call a friend. Not like any of the people I knew back in middle school who were nothing more than acquaintances at best. I really wouldn't want to see him get hurt. But…" Suzune's voice trailed off as she bit her lip hard over what she was suggesting. The look of overwhelming misery told me everything I needed to know. She didn't want to do this and yet she was. And it was killing her. That made it difficult for her to finish, and before she could-

"Why would you bring that up now? Are you mocking me?! It's because you were there back then that I… oh looks like I might have said a bit too much. Silly me. But it's your fault for pissing me off. Though only just a little bit. Hahaha." Kushida replied while revealing her true colors one moment and hiding them the next under that bubbly voice of hers that didn't fit her in the slightest. I had become accustomed to her 'switch' being turned on and off, so I wasn't surprised over the outburst. But what caught my attention was what she said, specifically regarding Horikita being there 'back then' whatever that means. Why would she say that so suddenly? I didn't have any time to think about it as their conversation continued.

"I didn't mean to insult you. I don't know what you have against me, but it doesn't matt- Suzune spoke but she was interrupted before she could finish by Kushida.

"Oh, but it does matter to me. If you weren't here, I would be able to live a carefree life being the adorable and lovable idol of Class A that everyone loves. Your literal presence makes it so that I have to keep myself on my toes and God, do I hate that about you. But not just that. I hate EVERYTHING about you. How you always have your face in a book. How you're such a teacher's pet with that know-it-all attitude. How you always act like you're better than me and everyone else just cause your brother is Student Council President. And to top it all off, you're the most stuck-up bitch I've ever met. So, if there's one thing you are right about, it's that I absolute hate you Horikita." Kushida admitted with her cutesy voice. It went completely against every word that came out of her mouth.

"…" Horikita was utterly speechless. She was expecting to get insulted. But not to that degree. It's as if every word that came out of Kushida's mouth were covered in blades. Even if her skin was made out of ice like the nickname she was given 'Ice Princess' suggests then it still wouldn't be enough to avoid taking damage from the overwhelming ferocity of Kushida words. Suzune was just about to hang up thinking that this call was pointless at best and painful at worst, though before she could-

"But now that I think about it that really is the perfect reason for me to go out of my way to hurt Midoriya a bit. So, don't expect to see him class for a couple of days… if ever." Kushida finished before hanging up the phone call on the spot. Horikita's eyes went wide, and she tried calling Kushida back but every one of her calls went straight to voicemail. I knew exactly what happened next. But even though I had no intention of thinking about it my mind betrayed me by bringing back unpleasant memories to the forefront.

'I rule Class A. And let's just say hypothetically I didn't and everything I've been telling you was bullshit. So what? I'm a woman. A poor defenseless woman who says she was taken advantage of by a man. Do you really think they are going to take your side? You see, Midoriya, I won far before I even had to lift one of my fingers. Because no matter what happens next… no one will EVER believe you.' The words Kushida said back then played in the background along with the scene that accompanied it for Horikita to see. Even now, as my memories are fading with the passing of each day, those words had been burned into the very core of my mind. So, if I may forget everything one day that would probably be one of the last things I'll end up remembering in the end. But it won't come to that. I will save as many people as I ca- But my thought process was destroyed over how Horikita looked in the distance. And before I could say a word about it-

"I… see. So, that's what happened back then. I knew you were hurting after that… but I didn't know it was that bad. This… it's all my fault. If I hadn't suggested to Kushida to hurt you back then… you wouldn't had to have suffered like that. I was trying to save you and yet… I put you through more misery than what some people have to go through over the course of their entire lives. What kind of friend am I?" Suzune asked while tears slid down her cheeks while my memories of how I holed myself in my room for days after what happened that night played for her to see.

"Horikita… I…" I struggled to get the words out of my mouth. I didn't hate her for what she did. I could never hate her. But I wish she told me. If she did, then we would have been able to reach a solution where no one had to go through hell. That's why I could only grit my teeth out of frustration over it all. But I couldn't let it be just that! I had to comfort her! Tell her that everything's going to be okay in spite of all of that! But as I tried to close the distance between us, just a couple meters, that seemed to stretch on endlessly, she made sure that I wouldn't be able to reach her.

"Stay away! Don't you understand?! If only I was better at using Foresight back then that would never have happened! Sakura… wouldn't have had to suffer either. I could have taken precautions to prevent what happened to her! I should have! But I… didn't expect her to leave her apartment and face down that monster. Why didn't I consider that possibility?! If I did… she would still be alive. And yet I had the gall to say what I said in the classroom back then…" Suzune admitted as tears kept running down her cheeks while remembering what she said back then-

'Sudo's right. I was there too. I have the ability to see another person's future by touching them. If I simply touched Midoriya then I could have seen what happened to Sakura. I may have been able to prevent it. But I didn't. I was scared. So very scared to see what may happen to him that I didn't think of anyone else. It's my fault too. If I wasn't such a coward, Sakura may be here right now smiling.' Horikita's words from when I returned to the classroom and with the help of Shiina and everyone else managed to expose Kushida for who she truly is. I was deeply touched by what she said. But now they have a new meaning to them in hindsight.

"I lied back then. I knew what was going to happen. That monster was going to come. And it was going to try and kill you. But I didn't expect anyone to believe me if I told them… except you. And yet, I didn't say a word about it. I'm worse than a coward. I'm a murderer. I could have prevented Sakura's death. But even though I could see the future, I wasn't able to prevent anything. I… killed Sakura." Suzune admitted before covering her face so that I wouldn't be able to see her. But that didn't stop me from seeing the look of intense regret in her eyes. I clenched my fists hard just looking at them. I just couldn't accept it. Any of it.

"Horikita… you didn't kill Sakura. You only had your Quirk for a few days up to that point. That wasn't nearly enough time to master it. You couldn't have anticipated that such a tragedy would occur the way that it did. Sakura might have died partly because of that… but that doesn't mean it's your fault. I could have done better too. We both made our fair share of mistakes but that doesn't mean we killed he- I replied but before I could finish, I was cut off by Horikita.

"Fair share of mistakes?! You don't even know the half of it! I lied to you! I manipulated things behind your back without ever telling you! Not just once! But… twice." Suzune admitted as my eyes went wide the moment she finished. Twice? By twice could she mean- But before I could finish that thought I was greeted by a memory that we both shared.

'Hey, Horikita. Did you happen to see where Shiina went after the Sports Festival ended? We were supposed to hang out, but I wasn't able to find her. She hasn't been responding to my texts either. Do you know if she's okay?' I remember saying something akin to that back then. It was the day after the Sports Festival. She didn't seem all that happy to see me and was looking at her notes. I thought that was because of what happened with Shiina back then. Because she knew that Hiyori was hurting over seeing me and Ichinose kiss. But that was wrong.

'Midoriya, I want you to consider the following… What is Shiina to you?' Those were the words that Horikita left me at school that day. We would later meet back up, and with Sudo we all tried to save Hiyori. I was grateful for everything she did for me and Shiina back then, even if it put her in the hospital. I wouldn't have been able to save the girl I love without her help. And for that I can't be more indebted to her along with everything else she has given me in the time that we have known each other for. But once again I couldn't see the full picture over what had happened under my nose. Until now.

"That's right. Not only did I continue to keep my lies a secret from you, but I manipulated you again. I was so scared of another tragedy occurring that I made sure that what happened back then would NEVER happen again. So, I took proper measures this time to prevent things. But I knew how you felt about Ichinose. I've known for quite some time. Ever since we met her in the cafeteria back then. You had feelings for her. But I still gaslighted you into worrying about Shiina." Suzune admitted with puffy swollen eyes over crying so much. She looked so sad. And yet, I couldn't say a word as I was completely taken aback by what she just admitted to doing.

"Y-You knew?" I asked with a bewildered look on my face as the words barely escaped my throat. I knew she was telling the truth. And yet I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to. But she nodded in affirmation casting all my doubts aside and destroying them completely by what she said to me next.

"I knew how you would feel guilty over it. You are always worried about others. Even for people who don't deserve it. And that guilt would make you think you develop feelings stronger than the ones you had for Ichinose. That way… no one would have to die." Suzune admitted while my eyes went wide when she finished. Die?! Then that memory of hers where we were all killed by that demon impersonating Hiyori were a direct consequence of me and Sakura expressing our feelings for each other?! But how could that be?! That doesn't make any sense! Though Horikita guessed I was thinking exactly that by the look on my face.

"I deduced that it was because of your feelings for Sakura back then that made you sacrifice yourself in that future I saw. I couldn't see all the details, but I got the gist of it. That's why I expected something similar happened here too. You and Sakura got closer to each other in the wake of the Sports Festival. But in the future, I saw, since your feelings were stronger for her in comparison to Shiina, you didn't leave her apartment early that day. The result was…" Suzune explained until her voice trailed off as memories of what she saw resurfaced.

No words accompanied the images shown in the distance. It was because of the nature of her Quirk, how Foresight worked. From what I could gather about Sir Nighteye the way his Quirk worked was that he could see a series of images like a strip of film. But that meant he was only 'seeing' not 'hearing.' That was a possible drawback of the Quirk. (Though the reason why I was able to hear what happened in those futures back then was most likely because of Jokata manipulating them in such a way that I could listen to them.)

However, in these images I could see that Chabashira was telling something to the class. I was then able to see all of our classmates. Except, Hiyori was not there. That bewildered me momentarily. But it only took me an extra second to figure out why it was that way-

'You know what… sure! Remember that ol karaoke place where we first met? I'll be waiting for you along with Shiina on the rooftop of that building. You have an hour to show up… or she may take a nosedive onto some hard concrete. Your choice… hero.' It was because of what Nagumo said back then! I answered his phone call and learned what was going to happen to Hiyori if I didn't do what he and Garaki wanted! But I didn't answer that call in that future, because I was too preoccupied with Ichinose, I completely missed that call. Of course, that wasn't Shiina but Ayanokoji on that roof. Even still, that wouldn't have stopped those villains from tricking everyone into believing that Shiina had perished.

If I were to guess they probably framed Hiyori's death as a suicide. Not only would a murder make things complicated in more ways than one, but it would also make me more guilty in the process. I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly how it happened. The next set of images showed me crying my eyes out and being comforted by Ichinose until it reached the tragedy that was her being dismembered and the death of my other self. It all made sense now. But that only made me feel worse. But Horikita wasn't feeling much better either.

"… And once again I manipulated you into doing exactly what I wanted you to do. You betrayed your feelings for Ichinose and focused on doing everything in your power to save Shiina. This way everyone survived. Not a single person died that night. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Ryuuen killed someone. But we didn't know them. It's better off we didn't. That way, we don't have to think about it. I know that's hypocritical for me to say. But things were better off this way… even if I regret my actions because of what I had to do to achieve them." Suzune admitted before biting her lip hard until it bled.

'Drip. Drip. Drip.' Drops of her blood fell onto the ground and mixed with her teardrops that were below her feet. It was the literal representation of what she sacrificed. Her blood and her tears. All so that she could prevent another tragedy. Though there was one person who couldn't get out of all of this unscathed. And that was her. But I didn't need to remind her of that. She knew that better than anyone else. Even still, I couldn't be more surprised by what was shown to me next. Memories of Horikita training and exercising for something. But what could that have been for? Horikita must have noticed the look on my face.

"I knew that there was going to be a fight if we were going to save Shiina. Of course, I couldn't predict that I would be fighting Ayanokoji. But I knew that something was going to happen. That's why I prepared myself for it. I was ready to do everything in my power to achieve happy ending for everyone… even if it meant that I was not included." Suzune admitted while images of her doing her best to train for what was about to happen flashed one after another. Some of which were her trying to traverse over a long distance and perfect her jumps to the best of her ability. She did so much so that nothing terrible would happen again. And that was because-

"I was ready to die to ensure it. Admittedly I was briefly caught off guard by Ryuuen on that night. But I was prepared to protect what I held dear. Hirata and Sudo unconscious, he was going to kill them. But I wasn't going to let anyone else die. Even if it meant that I had to be the one to die instead of them. So, I didn't run away. I didn't back down for even a second. And that alone… I have no regrets about it." Suzune admitted with a confident look on her face. I was caught off guard by her words along with seeing her fight Ayanokoji in the background. I was in awe of it. It was heroic. I couldn't have been more impressed with her. But then…

"Heroic? What a sick joke. There's nothing heroic whatsoever about what you did back then. It's one thing to try to fight and save people. But what you did wasn't any of that. You were fighting so recklessly. You intentionally berated Kiyotaka Ayanokoji even when he was about to kill you. What you were doing was suicide. I pity you, Suzune Horikita. That 'hero' would have never rubbed off on you if you hadn't met." Jokata said while walking onto the stage once more. He was done spectating and was ready to take action. I knew that the moment he looked back at me with a glare full of daggers once he had finished speaking.

"There's nothing wrong with what Horikita did." I replied with a serious expression of my own only to be greeted by an 'oho' once I finished speaking.

"Then tell me, what if Horikita died back there? Would you still think what she did was 'heroic?'" Jokata asked with a serious expression of his own as my eyes went wide out of sheer surprise until I gritted my teeth.

"Of course I wouldn't! I would be heartbroken if she died!" I snapped back without even thinking of what I was saying and not knowing them until the words had escaped my throat. And before I could say anything about them Jokata beat me to the punch.

"And there lies the hypocrisy in your ideals! You think that being ready to lay down your life to save one or a few people is the right thing to do! But the moment someone that you care about dies then you think it was a horrible tragedy that should have never happened to begin with! If only you died instead of them! You thought exactly that when All Might and Airi Sakura died! Do you honestly think that if the situation was reversed than the people close to you would accept your death as 'heroic' and drown themselves in misery?! YOU SUICIDAL BASTARD!" Jokata shouted until he closed the distance between us and the moment he did-

'STAB!' I felt him stabbing something into my stomach. Something with a sharp point cap-able of cutting. A blade. One that he managed to create out of thin air. I didn't know he was capable of something like that. And it cost me.

"BLAUGH!" I vomited up my blood and collapsed to my knees before getting back up. I noticed the blade in my stomach and the blood dripping out from it. Pulling it out now would only cause me to lose more blood. but how is this possible? This is my mind. This isn't reality. Could I actually die here?

"That's right. I can kill you right here. I could have killed you any time I wanted too. But you were useful, so I kept you alive. That and if I killed you, I would die too. This is your mind after all, and your body can't survive without its original host. I didn't want things to go out this way. But you have left me with no choice. I will have you relinquish full control over your body to me… or we will all die here together." Jokata whispered into my ear and the moment he finished my eyes shot wide open. 'We all?!' He doesn't mean Horikita included?!

"I do. She can't survive here if she's still here when you die. That would make it impossible for her to return to her body thus killing her in the process. You would be heartbroken if she were to die? Then that makes things simple. I will take over your body just like back then when I killed that monster for you. I will then kill all of our enemies using your power. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, Kyudai Garaki, Kei Karuizawa, and anyone that threatens this world I'll make sure to kill. By the end of it we'll both be kill by that tumor. But you're okay with that aren't you 'hero?'" Jokata asked with a grin on his face. But at the same time, Horikita overheard this.

"A-A tumor? T-That can't be…" Suzune muttered before collapsing to her knees. She then stared at the ground with an intense look of regret on her face. I didn't want to see her look that way. But it was exactly what Jokata was intending to happen the moment she arrived in my mind.

"Oh, you didn't know? The truth is, Midoriya has been using his Quirk again and again even though I told him repeated use would destroy his mind. And yet, he didn't listen. Not even once. He's going to die no matter what happens. But you already began to notice that pattern in your futures, didn't you? In both of them Izuku Midoriya died. This is because he is fated to die. Not even Ichinose got off Scot free. Poor girl lost an arm. Don't you see now, Suzune Horikita? All of your efforts were ALL FOR NOTHING!" Jokata declared with a serious expression on his face as Horikita lost all will to fight back against them. Just seeing the light drain from her eyes was enough to make me explode. I couldn't let this stand!

"That's enough! It was not all for nothing! What Horikita did saved lives! She's more of a hero than you'll ever be!" I snapped back while sprinting toward Jokata as I intended to give him a piece of my mind! But the knife in my stomach made me a bit slower, and he anticipated this too.

'BAM!' Without any mercy, Jokata launched his right foot into the air and landed a blow against the knife in my stomach causing me to spit out more of my blood and fall onto the ground.

"MIDORIYA!" Suzune screamed my name, but it was no use. I could barely move my body after such a devastating attack. Let alone stand. I was surprised by it. The ferocity of his power. It far exceeds that of any normal person. And that's because just like the previous users of OFA, he must still have access to his Quirk Obliterator! But even then, if he used its full power against me just now, I would have surely died on the spot. He must not have full control of it now that it's in my possession.

"You're catching on real quick. Admittedly I'm quite rusty when it comes to using my 'curse.' But that's a given since I haven't had to use it in a good hundred years or so. It's only a matter of time before I get the hang of things again. Like you I'm a fast learner. I excelled more than any other cadet back in boot camp in the Army. Though I don't want you to die. That's why I'm still giving you a chance to let me take control. That way I'll be able to solve everything without taking any half measures like you've been doing this whole time. My 'curse' will make sure of that." Jokata declared as I struggled to get up. Though he pressed his foot down onto my chest to make sure that wouldn't happen.

"Speaking of 'curses' don't you realize now that All Might, when he died, he left you with no choice, but ton continue your suicidal pursuit to become a 'hero.' But the ideals you cling so desperately too are secondhand. Ideals that Toshinori Yagi and all of the previous wielders of One For All have utterly FAILED to live up to! In the end, all you're doing is deluding yourself into believing that your ideals aren't actually a means of committing suicide!" Jokata declared while increasing the pressure of his foot onto my chest. But even though it became harder to breathe, I continued to resist. I wanted to scream out 'You're wrong.' But my lungs wouldn't allow me to do so.

"The ideal of being a hero has utterly consumed you! But have you ever thought for a second that helping others is what you truly want?! That's because the moment you do, you'll realize that it was no more than you imitating what Toshinori Yagi imitated from Nana Shimura and so on. And yet you continue to think that you should sacrifice EVERYTHING to save the lives of people you don't even know, without being able to actually save them from anything! It is the height of your INCOMPETENCE!" Jokata declared before tearing out the blade from my stomach.

"ARGH!" I screamed in agony as my blood continued to drench the stone ground below us crimson as he stared down at me with a disgusted look on his face showcasing just how much he utterly despises the very concept of what I believe in.

"But I get it. You couldn't help but admire the beauty in the man you thought of as your true father's dream of helping others. I felt the same way about my father. And look where that led me too? The life of a soldier. Not being able to see my son grow up into a man, leaving my wife alone with no chance of even recovering my corpse. It's the 'sins' of our fathers that have led both of us to this point of no return. That's why both of our lives were cut short by following the pointless dreams of others!" Jokata declared while putting pressure on my wound so that he could stop the bleeding for a moment.

Chapter 72: Whatever It Takes

"But you NEVER thought of what you would leave behind in the wake of your death! Admiring the beauty into doing whatever it takes to be a hero without ever realizing the grim consequences of your life choices! Never once thinking how your mother would have reacted to seeing you die on an operating table! And yet you always thought every single person's life even that of a fucking monster was above your own! There's not a single thing, and there never has been anything heroic about your ideals Izuku Midoriya!" Jokata declared before slamming his foot down onto the gaping hole in my stomach further injuring me in the process.

"Why are you so driven by your ridiculous obsession of saving others?! Making damn sure that everyone you care about has to go through hell wondering if you're still alive the next day! And you have the audacity to call someone sacrificing their lives for nobodies something 'heroic?!' Don't you see it now?! That your dream has been slowly killing you just like that tumor in your head has been all this time?!" Jokata yelled out while stomping down hard onto my wound again and again while Horikita tried to pull him off of me. But it was no use. Even as she landed hit after hit onto him, Jokata didn't even budge an inch. He was dead set on killing my dream right here and now.

"But in the end, you're just a child who has forced himself into believing that everything Toshinori Yagi told you was right without ever thinking of your wellbeing, not even once. Pushing yourself further and further until everything you have worked so hard for is taking you to the grave. But then again how could you think otherwise when you never prioritized the lives you should protect over the ones that you don't even know! And look! THIS is the result! You can NEVER be a hero! You never had a single heroic aspiration of your own that was worthy of being called that! Not even one that was unique to you! You became the embodiment of self-sacrifice! And it's time for your dreams to DIE!" Jokata declared before sending me into the air with a swift kick! I tumbled across the stone ground until I almost made it to the edge. But I narrowly managed to avoid falling into the endless abyss below.

I was defeated. I could no longer move. Even if I had any strength left, I found no reason to change things. Maybe he is right. Maybe everything that I have done was self-sacrificial and pointless. Maybe…

… I was never a hero to begin with.

"It's over. Your ideals have shattered to pieces. You're considering why you even fought so hard to become a hero in the first place. But you've known that saving everyone is just a fairy tale for quite some time. It was inevitable that this would happen. Your dream wouldn't allow you to accept things for how they are. And if you can't live without your dream and your borrowed ideals, then let them drag you down into the depths of hell and burn you to ashes!" Jokata finished as I was on the verge of blacking out while Horikita was by my side trying to help me. But it was no use. I couldn't stay awake any longer. Or maybe I didn't want to stay awake. I just don't want to think about what he said anymore. It's true that he was mostly right. But…

… I couldn't help but think there was something both of us missed. Come to think of it…

… I have the sinking feeling that I'm on the verge of forgetting something. Something… important.

"Hey kid! Get back here! What do you think you're doing?! Stop! You're going to get yourself killed!" I heard someone shout while I ran as the street was covered in flames. I knew of the danger that was out there. And yet I ran as hard as I could in spite of that into the belly of the beats. There was something there. No. There was someone there. Someone that I wanted to save. But I could barely recognize him. He had blonde spikey hair that I could barely see as he was being consumed whole by something monstrous. A giant monster made of sludge. What could I do against something like that with no power whatsoever? Why did I even run in the first place? Why did I believe that I could do anything in that situation? Why was I still dead set on being a hero knowing all of that? Just…

… What was the point of it all?

"I don't know! My legs started moving!" I don't know why I did what I did back then, and I still don't. But maybe…

… It was the look on his face. But that was wrong too.

"Kacchan. I couldn't just stand there and watch you die!" I yelled something like that back then with tears streaming down my cheeks and a smile on my face. I then remembered why I did it. How could I even forget? How could I have not even realized it at the time?! I literally said it! It was because I didn't want to see him die! And if there was something that could have been done to save him then I'd do it no matter what! And then I opened my eyes to see that my memory of that event was being played for both Jokata and Horikita to see.

"W-What is this?! Why are you still deluding yourself?!" Jokata yelled out while I stood back up while the wound in my stomach miraculously closed much to his sheer surprise. No! I stabbed him! He shouldn't be healing! That's what he was thinking…

"Weren't you Jokata?" I asked while staring back at him as his eyes went wide over the first time I read his mind. He's been doing this ever since I first met him. This is my mind. Of course, I would be able to do the same thing to him.

"This is the one thing that we'd forgotten. Once upon a time, it was just admiration like you said. But that didn't last long. I inherited that 'dream' from All Might. The greatest hero that ever was. The dream that everyone can be saved in the end. That no one had to go through pain and suffering at the hands of a merciless and cruel villain. A dream of a man who sought to do just that… and passed it on to a Quirkless kid who couldn't do anything about it. No matter how hard he wished." I admitted while I felt something shine bright from within my chest. The 'dream' that has allowed me to continue in spite of everything the world has thrown at me. The same dream he passed onto me that reignited all of my borrowed dreams to do right. And that Quirk's name is-

"Young man, you too can become a hero." All Might's words resounded as the scene where I was kneeling down on the ground with him standing above me could be seen in the background much to Jokata's annoyance. He couldn't understand even for a second what was continuing to fuel all of my aspirations which he deemed unworthy to even remotely being called heroic. But of course, he couldn't understand. He might have known everything that I went through. But he wasn't there to experience all of my trials and tribulations. He only ever saw from afar while I strived to become something better. Someone that people could look up to and believe in. A hero then can rise above everything and save everyone. A shared dream called One For All.

'T-That's impossible! The Quirk that Toshinori Yagi passed onto him was no more! Even if the spark was still burning, Obliterator would have snuffed out a long time ago! My curse's very nature is to obliterate Quirks! And yet… and yet!' Jokata thought internally while covering his face with his hand and glaring daggers at me.

"And yet… I still possess One For All. That's what you're thinking isn't it? But it's true. It's only because of the remnants, a very small flame, that it didn't get obliterated to begin with. If it hadn't been on the verge of going out, then I would have lost this power a long time ago just like you thought. But even as I feel it fueling me, giving me strength, I… don't need it." I admitted while Jokata's eyes went wide out of utter bewilderment.

"What?" Jokata said while being completely taken aback by what I just said. So, I'll say it again. This time loud and clear.

"I don't need One For All anymore. And I don't need Obliterator either. I don't need those Quirks or any other powers any longer. All I need… has been right here the whole time. My fists." I said before taking a fighting stance with a smile on my face. And before Jokata knew it-

'BAM!' I sent a right hook slamming right into his face! He was so caught off guard by my sheer speed that he didn't have any time to defend himself! All he could do was look back at me as he was sent pummeling onto the ground by my hit!

"Smash." I said while maintaining my smile as Jokata covered his mouth that was bleeding profusely. He was wondering how I was capable of doing that. I wasn't using Obliterator or One For All, so what gives?! Am I right, Jokata?

"Shut up! How dare you read my thoughts with that smile on your face! You really think you can fight me?! Someone who can obliterate you in one single hit WITHOUT using a Quirk?! Have you gone mad you fool?!" Jokata snapped back as he tried to swat me like a fly! But I was quicker than him and avoided each hit! Before closing in-

'SMASH!' To land another SMASH right in his jaw! This attack sent him into the sky! But it was after coming into contact with it that he finally noticed that the pitch-black sky had been replaced with a bright blue sky. The utter sight of it drove him mad as he completely rejected it and me with every fiber of his being!

"How the hell can you still fight?! How the hell can you still believe in those ridiculous ideals that Toshinori Yagi planted within you?! He died because his ideals were utterly worthless! And so will you! YOU INCOMPETENT BRAT!" Jokata declared before descending back to the ground like a missile aimed straight for me! And yet I continued to smile. Because this is my mind…

… And in here 'he' will always be there too.

"Worthless you say? 'Dreams' will never be worthless. That goes for both of us. Right, young Midoriya?" All Might said with his signature smile while pushing Jokata's fist back with just a single hand. Jokata and Horikita couldn't believe it. The latter was in awe over the man with an outfit that symbolizes the essence of freedom. While the former was enraged at the very sight of it and what it represented.

"Impossible! You can't be here! You died! HOW THE HELL ARE YOU ALIVE?!" Jokata shouted before being tossed back into the sky with a fling of All Might's wrist. He couldn't believe it. And yet, that was unmistakably All Might. The very essence of All Might that had been preserved within One For All.

"That's right. I did die. But I won't let death stop me, young man. Not now! And not ever! The day anything happens to that kid is the day I die! And I won't let that happen! That's why… I'll always be here!" All might declared before letting out his signature laugh to go along with his smile. This enraged Jokata even further to the point that he felt like he was about to go insane! He couldn't believe that I was still fighting him. He couldn't believe that All Might was here to fight alongside me. He just couldn't believe in any of it! And that's why he just had to ask how any of this was possible.

"Why the hell are you so committed to that dream?! Your ideals led that worthless hero right there to his demise! Are you that determined to follow suit?! Knowing full well that path leads to your death?! Did you listen to a damn word I said to you?! YOU INCOMPETENT CHILD?!" Jokata yelled out while being sent higher and higher just by All Might's little fling. But he still doesn't get it. Of course he doesn't. So, I'll say it out loud so he can hear me right here and now!

"I did listen. And you were right that my way of going about being a hero was based on the idea of self-sacrifice. It's because of that I'm slowly succumbing to that thing in my head. That's why I'm not going to sacrifice myself by using your Quirk any longer. But that doesn't mean I'm going to just give up. I'm going to keep fighting! I'm going to keep striving to be a hero! Not just to save everyone… but to save myself too!" I declared with a shout that could be heard even from Jokata tens of thousands of meters within the air!

"Save everyone?! Save yourself?! You know both of those foolish dreams are impossible! There's no way you have a plan for either of them! You're nothing more than a hypocrite for suggesting that you'll save everyone after saying you can't! YOU INCOMPETENT BRAT!" Jokata shouted before kicking his feet against the air causing him to shoot like a rocket at me and All Might! But before he could-

"I don't have a plan… yet. I'll figure it out as I go." I said while maintaining my smile, enraging Jokata past the point of no return.

"FIGURE IT OUT AS YOU GO?! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" Jokata shouted at the top of his lungs. There was only one answer I could give him. After all, that's what this story has and always been about. My dream of becoming-

Chapter 72: Whatever It Takes…

… to Be a Hero: Part 2

"THE MAN WHO WILL BECOME THE GREATEST HERO OF ALL TIME!" I declared with every fiber of my being before sending my fist into the sky at the rapidly descending Jokata. That's right. I will become the world's greatest hero! And this…

… This is just the beginning!

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Awakening

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!