I opened my eyes to find myself in a world that was strangely familiar. The ground below me was a rocky terrain that felt hard and uncomfortable to stand on. The sky above me was completely purple, something that made it crystal clear that wherever I was wasn't the world I came from nor the world that accepted me for who I was and in turn I accepted as my new home. But if this place isn't my home…

… Then where am I?

As I struggled to jog my memories as they are slowly disappearing one after another, I stumbled upon what appeared to be floating shards of crystal in the air. I focused upon one of them, and for a split second it was as if I could see something akin to 'people' inside of them. Before I knew what was happening, I was instinctively drawn to these crystal fragments. I instinctively reached out to touch one of them, but before I could-

"I wouldn't recommend laying your hands upon them. Unless you would rather venture to another world and leave behind the one you have become acquainted with for quite some time. Though that wouldn't be the first time that's happened to you." The voice of a young girl spoke as my hands retreated the instant, I heard her speak. Judging from her voice, she must have been only ten years old, or maybe eleven. However, the way she talked was as if she had lived much much longer than that. And that wasn't all. This voice. Her way of speaking. I've heard them both before. But where? As that perplexing question evades me, I seek to gain answers by looking behind me. And when I did, I saw 'both' of them again.

The girl was exactly who I was picturing her to be within my mind. A young girl with long purple hair wearing an exotic dress that made her appear to be a princess from a faraway land. Perhaps this world can be considered as such. Even still there was something 'inhuman' about her. And that was what was behind her back, a tail. The kind of tail that you'd see a cat have. In fact, this girl was almost akin to a black cat. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she could transform into one of anything, she lays her eyes on. Either way, this girl is anything but human as her appearance would make her out to be.

However, she wasn't alone. I knew somehow that there was another person with her. A boy who appeared to be the same age as her. His clothes weren't nearly as fancy. In fact, they were nothing special and seemed to be rather cheap. That wasn't an insult. This boy seemed to be much worse off than the girl next to him. I could only guess that he and his parents must have struggled financially. Or maybe that's just a baseless accusation on my part. I didn't know. I couldn't know.

But what I did know was that this boy seemed scared to even look at me. He didn't make eye contact with me in the slightest after we briefly looked at each other for no more than a mere second. Except that too felt strangely familiar. I felt as if I saw this boy here in the past. And that he felt the same way he feels about me now, then he did back then. What could have sparked such a reaction? It was almost as if we knew each other sometime in the far past or the distant future. I can't remember where or when we had met before that 'first time.' Perhaps we are destined to meet later on. When or where I don't know. It's just a 'feeling' I have… I guess.

"A 'feeling?' For someone with a mind as fragile as yours, you have a knack at discovering the truth buried deep within. I've seen you do it before this so I can for certain that must be the case. I wonder if you still remember how, you uncovered the 'truth' behind Kei Karuizawa's actions back on that cruise ship? Even now, when you're on the verge of falling apart, you never cease to intrigue me, Izuku Midoriya." The girl admitted with a hint of a smile on her face. I was caught off guard that she knew my name without me saying anything about it and that she read my thoughts just as Jokata did many times in the past. Just…

… Who is this girl?

"You really want to know the answer to that question? Then perhaps I could share a memory of mine with you." The purple haired girl said while suddenly appearing right in front of me as if she teleported. Before I could say anything about what she said, the girl reached out to touch my cheek. I didn't sense any ill intent behind her actions, so I let her touch me. And when she did everything went dark. Through the darkness I could hear the sounds of something eating something else. Those harsh sounds of a predator gnawing at its prey sent a shiver down my spine until I was met with the sight of crows with their beaks stained crimson and holding entrails within them. Devouring them whole before continuing to feast upon what was below them.

I resisted the urge to scream as I opened my eyes to see the girl right in front of me analyzing my reaction. What was that memory?! Was that something she experienced?! But if she was… then how is she even al-

"I guess that wasn't so much of an answer on my part. Forgive me. I've lived for a rather long time. So, I couldn't resist the urge to play a cruel prank on you. I'm sorry if what you saw made you feel upset." The purple haired girl said with a forced smile on her face while her voice reverted to that of one a girl her age should speak with. It was rather uncanny just listening to it. However, I knew what she had shown me wasn't a mere joke. That was way too vivid to be anything less than she must have had to experience at one point or another in her long life. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her that she had to undergo something so… painful.

"Color me surprised. Even now, when you barely have any of the memories that shaped 'Izuku Midoriya' into the person he is… you're still just as kind and gentle as him. I guess, some things can't be erased even if there is no basis behind it. Or maybe that's just the core of who you are as an individual. Someone so incredibly pure hearted that they are utterly incorruptible to the world around them, even if that world is cruel and unforgiving. Perhaps that's who you will always be." The purple-haired girl continued before changing her tone of voice back to the mature one that held deep wisdom beneath it. And even though her forced smile had vanished without a trace it was replaced by one that was unmistakably a real authentic grin full of wonder. It was eye catching and nice just to look at. I wish she could smile more just like that.

"Flattering as that may be. Some things are just not possible no matter how much you may wish for them. Surely you must still know that to be true, even with your mind not being what it once was?" The purple haired girl said with a serious expression on her face as her cheerful look had long since vanished in the blink of an eye. But it was with a purpose behind it. She knew me. She knew what I was going to do in the very near future. This must be her way of testing my resolve. To see if I knew what I was getting myself into. But it's because of that I knew exactly what 'could' happen next.

"I know… as much as I hope that all of the people I care about and everyone else can live to see tomorrow… I know how easily things can go wrong. I've seen people's lives vanish right in front of my eyes. People that I cared about. That even now, knowing full well that I won't be able to see them again… I still think fondly of them. I can't ever forget them… no matter how… relieving it might be too. Their… 'deaths' have shaped the person that I have become. But that's exactly why I don't want anyone else to die. As naïve and childish as it may be… I don't think anyone deserves to die." I admitted with a serious look of my own.

'It's exactly what you're thinking, Manabu. I want us to fight. Just you and me. Anything goes. With everything we want to achieve on the line. So, let's make a bet. You win and I'll go along with your plan of killing Ayanokoji and everyone else. And if I win… no one dies! Not Karuizawa! Not even Ayanokoji! We fight not to kill but to ensure that no one has to die! How about it?' I knew exactly how what I have said before could come off as me going against the very notion of what I had learned time and time again. That sometimes, people just die. And there's nothing you can do to change that. I knew that. I knew that already. But even still-

'Deku… I don't think anyone should have to die for what they did. Not Karuizawa… and not even Ayanokoji. We may have powers, but does that make us judge and jury? Of course it doesn't. We have no right to take the lives of anyone… even if they deserve it. I can't say I knew Karuizawa all that well. Actually, I don't think I even got a chance to talk with the real 'her.' But if you believe in her, I will too.' But sometimes, I think that it's better to believe in something more. Something better. As idealistic as it may be… I want to believe that everyone is going to make it out of this alive.

"Believe? … Ah yes. I almost forgot the meaning behind that word. I wanted to believe in a future that was akin to a fairy tale ending so very bad. But my 'dreams' were crushed again and again and again. So many times, that before I knew it my 'consciousness' had shattered to pieces. I'm just one of those pieces that scattered along in the wind. Not knowing what may have happened to me if I had believed in that future for just a bit longer. I pray that you're able to escape the 'fate' that I could not." The purple-haired girl admitted while appearing to be on the verge of tears as she seemed to be reminiscing her own memories. It's those memories that shaped the person she has become like how my memories are the reason I am who I am today.

"That's exactly right. 'Memories' are the very foundation of what makes human beings who they are. And its their 'dreams' that push them further beyond to greater heights. But it's only because of memories that dreams are even formed in the first place. Everything that has happened, and will happen… have all been based upon the very idea how memories influence who we are as people… and who we could become because of them. That's what this 'story' has been about since the very beginning." The purple-haired girl admitted with a melancholic look on her face as if she knew everything. And perhaps she does. Perhaps this 'story' as she referred to it as, has already been written in stone. Stone that cannot be broken or molded into anything different.

However, believing that nothing can ever change goes against the ideals that I uphold every single day. My beliefs that dictate that anyone can change. Sometimes for the best… and sometimes for the worst. I've seen both happen over the course of my life that it would be almost impossible to count. Even still I believe that people such as I or this girl or anyone else have the potential to change in meaningful ways. That even someone who feels as if they are trapped within an endless ocean of darkness with no hope of getting back to dry land can eventually find their way home with the help of someone, anyone just extending their hand toward them. I don't want to waver in those beliefs of mine, even if sometimes it really is impossible to save someone who matters deeply to me or someone else.

"I wouldn't expect you to do anything less. You are a hero among heroes because you aspire to 'go beyond' the very aspects of what makes heroes the very definition of the word. You don't want to be just any hero. But the greatest of all time. Not out of a selfish desire to obtain all the fame and glory of it. But so that you can inspire people to uphold the beliefs that you hold close to your chest. Though you have misunderstood one very important thing." The purple-haired girl continued as I looked at her almost as if I was in a trance. I didn't know where she was going with that last part. But at the same time, I wanted to know what she meant by it. Did I make a mistake? Or have I yet to realize a 'truth' that I should have realized for quite some time?

"If I could borrow a few words from this very 'story' then those would be… 'The true gift that Izuku Midoriya had, that even surpassed One For All… was the ability to make people believe in him.' At the time these words had been conveyed to the very audience spectating in the far reaches of what cannot be seen, you had already unknowingly made Arisu Sakayanagi believe in you even when she didn't even know what she was feeling at the time." The purple haired girl admitted while grabbing hold of one of the crystal shards. At the same time, she smiled as if she saw the memory play out right in her hands.

"But you didn't stop there. Of course you wouldn't. Over the course of everything that has happened thus far, you have made people believe in your words again and again to the point that you gathered the support of people you barely knew and vice versa. And it's because you, as awkward as you may be at times, are astoundingly confident in what you preach. You've always had that 'Quirk' deep inside of you even if it wasn't necessarily a superpower. But even if others may think that is your weakness… it will always be your strength. If you can only remember one thing, I say… let it be that." The purple-haired girl spoke with a radiant smile that was astonishing just to look at. Her words… so kind… so full of meaning…

… I needed to know her name. But as I thought that to myself, I noticed the boy out of the corner of my eye. He sat on the ground with his long black hair covering most of his face, while picking up small things with his fingertips. I could barely notice what they were. Though when I saw what was beside him, I figured it out. What was right next to him was a crystal shard just like the ones that had been floating in the air all around us. But the one beside him appeared to be broken. There were a plentiful of cracks that weren't present on any of the other crystals. That could only mean that whatever he was doing, what he had been doing all this time was-

"Bernkastel." The purple haired girl spoke so suddenly, breaking my train of thought in the process.

"I-I'm sorry?" I replied not knowing what the word she had spoken could possibly mean in the slightest.

"That's my name. Or at least the one that I'm known by now that I've become a 'Witch.' I didn't say anything before because I figured you'd forget it if I told you earlier. But I couldn't possibly keep you waiting any longer. So, even if you forget my name in the distant future, try to remember that if you're ever in a pinch I 'might' be able to lend a hand. Though don't expect me to be able to fight alongside you or anything of the sort. I'm merely a spectator. The same as everyone else experiencing this 'story' is." The girl named Bernkastel declared as if her words had been written in stone much like the 'story' she has been referring to may already be. At the same time, I felt the tingling sensation that I would awaken soon. But before that-

"That said, I have a soft spot for guys who don't know when to quit. So, keep fighting for what you believe in. Fight~on! Nano~desu! Ni~pah!" Bernkastel finished before her tone of voice reverted back to that of the childlike voice she used briefly before this. I couldn't possibly derive the meaning behind words like 'Nano~desu' or 'Ni~pah' but as nonsensical as they may be, what she's telling me to do is anything but. So, don't you worry Bernkastel. I'm going to keep fighting to my heart's content! So, that everyone I care about and everyone else can live to see the sun rise again. But whatever may happen next…

Chapter 76: March 8th

… Today, March 8th will be a day where the whole wide world changes. In what ways, I couldn't possibly know. Even still, whether the changes will be for the best or for the worst… this world is going to change. Whether it's I who changes it…

… Or 'him' who changes it.

I opened my eyes to find myself on the cold hard ground, above me the night sky had turned crystal blue as 'he' stands above me with his fist raised high to the heavens. But that wasn't reality. What I was seeing is a mere 'dream.' Something that the chance of happening is so improbable it's not even worth suggesting the specifics of how uncertain it is. And yet, this isn't the first time I had found myself experiencing said dream. Once in a blue moon, this dream rears its ugly head. And now here it is again on the day where my final battle with 'him' Izuku Midoriya will take place.

However, I was not enraged by it. By witnessing this utter 'fantasy' on such short notice, I was reminded of exactly what I had to do to prevent that 'dream' from becoming reality. All I have to do is kill Izuku Midoriya and each and every single one of his utterly worthless tools he calls 'friends.' But it's because of them that I have the upper hand in all of this. Those 'humans' they hold him back. His attachments to others that he thinks fondly of or who he barely knows will be the end of him. And when he falls off the stage, I will rise above the curtains and further beyond…

… Until I, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, take my rightful place above all of these pathetic cattle as their Overlord. Only then will I be able to change the world and create one that is truly worth surviving beyond the destruction of what we call the sun. Izuku Midoriya probably thinks that the sun above is a symbol of hope. Well, I'll show him just how fragile him and everyone else he cares about soon enough. Because now is the time for me to arise from this prison containing me.

"Doctor… the promised time is upon us. Release me at once." I declared before opening my eyes to see that there was someone right in front of the piece of machinery containing me. But it wasn't just anyone. It was someone that I had long since gotten rid of. I threw him away like the expendable tool that he was. So, how the hell are you here, Kakeru Ryuuen?!

"Boo." Ryuuen said with a sadistic smile on his face before resting the palm of his hand on the container right where my head was. And before I could do a single thing about it-

'FWOOOSH!' The container entrapping me burst into blue hot flames! There was nothing that I could do about it as I was consumed by them. However, what he couldn't account for was that I had tools of my own ready in place for such a turn of events!

'WHOOOSH!' The literal next instant, a large gust of wind dispersed the flames incinerating me alive! My body that had been charred black rapidly grew its skin back as I emerged from the destroyed chamber of my making. Though when my eyesight returned to me after I had been blinded by the intense flames, I noticed that Ryuuen was nowhere to be seen. Was he blown away by the gust of wind that saved me? Well, no matter. That was a big mistake for him to come here when I have my High-End Nomus on my side. But when I looked behind me to see who had saved me, I was met with someone that I had never seen before.

'Doctor… who is that?' I asked internally while observing the individual a few meters away from me. I knew that it was a Nomu that had saved me without so much as a glance. But the Nomu I was looking at now wasn't one of the six High End Nomus I had been familiar with for quite some time nor any of the new Nomu that had been created while I had been recovering from my injuries. But as it slowly approached me, I was met with another new discovery.

"Target missing… unable to locate specimen Kakeru Ryuuen… holder of Quirk: Blueflame." The Nomu declared with a robotic tone of voice while my eyes went wide out of sheer surprise. This Nomu… it can talk?! Does that mean it's on the level of the High End Nomu that Midoriya had killed months ago?! If that's the case that would mean it's easily on the level of its brother! But unlike the one that was supposed to be successor to Hood, this one shouldn't be capable of speech! Not even the six other High End Nomus are capable of such a feat! Then how is he- But before I could find an answer within my thoughts, everything became clear the moment I read 'his' thoughts.

'That's right. This Nomu is special. One of my most prized creations on the same level as Hood and his little brother. Though not because of his strength per se. But for entirely different reason. I kept him secret from you because I had no intention of letting Izuku Midoriya learn of his continued existence. You wouldn't be aware of it since we hadn't 'merged' at the time, but I told him this Nomu… the very same one that had killed his hero All Might had perished… I lied.' Garaki said internally while I took in the appearance of the all black Nomu with part of his brain protruding from his head. He didn't seem to be all that different from any of the other Nomus. Exactly what makes him so special?

'I thought you would say that. Go on then. Command him to do your bidding.' Garaki continued internally while I stared at the Nomu who made an effort to bow at me. In the midst of this, I sensed that their were others awaiting me in the next room. They must have been paralyzed by utter fear of having their comrade blown away. Good. But I'd rather use my own strength to dominate them. If what Garaki said about this Nomu is true that he's special then I want to know exactly what makes him that way.

"You. What is the Quirk that you possess?" I asked while looking down on the tool below my feet.

"Master… the Quirk in my possession is one to my recollection had never been given a proper name… but it allows me to traverse through parallel universe with so much as a snap of my finger. Does my ability satisfy your expectations?" The Nomu asked while looking up at me. In response I nodded in affirmation.

"It does. With your ability to traverse universes, let's call it 'Universal Traversal' to keep things simple. I want you to use your Quirk to find someone that can stand by my side. Preferably a woman with a powerful Quirk and a knack for causing mass destruction. Can you do that for me…" I spoke as my voice trailed off as I wondered what I should call this Nomu instead of what was obvious. I thought about it for a few seconds before choosing a name that I believed suited him perfectly.

"… Balthazar. That will be your name." I declared while the Nomu named Balthazar continued to bow below me. I picked this specific name for its meaning 'Bel protects the King.' The game that has only just started to commence between me and Izuku Midoriya is one akin to chess. He is a king of his lowly subjects while I'm on the opposing faction. As such I need someone who will protect me from the minuscule possibility that I might be defeated. Furthermore, the name 'Balthazar' is associated with one of the 'Three Wise Men' who happened to be magicians and brought gifts to Jesus relating to Christianity. Not that I'm a devout believer of religion in the slightest. But just like as it was previously stated in biblical text, I want a 'gift' of my own.

"Thank you, my liege, for granting me a name that befitting of me as Balthazar. Then I will do exactly as you command. I will return in due course, with a 'queen' to stand by your side." Balthazar declared before snapping his fingers as a black portal materialized out of thin air. The monster then went through the portal as it vanished behind him. Izuku Midoriya currently has a queen standing by his side, Hiyori Shiina. Though unlike her, Kei Karuizawa is not worthy of the title of 'Queen.' She will be purged from this world soon enough along with Midoriya and all of his worthless friends. And once they do, I will stand far above them with my Queen who will help me usher in a brand-new era for this world! My world!

"Now, it's time to get down to business." I muttered before slowly moving forward while cracking my fingers. In the midst of this I took note that the other containers had been burnt to a crisp by Ryuuen's flames. I clicked my tongue out of annoyance. But not even a second later I heard the cackling of the demon within me.

'Do not fret Kiyotaka! A good new friend of mine managed to make sure that the six High End Nomus were able to escape before Ryuuen could even make it into the hideout! His name is Johnny the Second!' Garaki declared internally before I felt something move around behind me. I took a look to see that behind the monitors (That showed footage of the cave's entrance that led to the underground hideout we were both in.) That there was a rather small Nomu with its lower body connected to an extension cord in. This must be who Garaki was referring to as 'Johnny the Second.' I see. The Doctor had prepared for this. Good. Now, it's time to move forward…

… Until all of my enemies are destroyed. Though I was left with one single thought. Why had they chosen to invade the hideout today of all days?

Meanwhile in a certain rundown bar…

"Hey, what are you doing here all by your lonesome?" A girl asked with a cheerful look on her face. She had straight magenta hair that is tied into twin tails laced with red ribbons and gradient dark-red eyes. She might have been smiling. But I knew how fake it was the moment I saw it. I had always been able to tell whenever 'humans' looked at me with carefree looks on their faces that they were judging me. They thought that I was worthless. They've always thought that way about… 'Kei.'

"Today… is my birthday." I admitted with a straight face. That's right. Today is our birthday. The date of birth that belonged to us ever since we were born into this world. But it has never been anything special as the name may suggest. I can't remember the last time I had a good birthday. My parents would always be out of the house. They gave me some extra money to buy a nice dessert. But I never ended up buying myself a cake. A cake should be shared among other people. And since I was alone, there was no reason to buy one. When was the last time I ate birthday cake… I don't know… why am I even thinking about this? I can't believe I admitted that today was the day on a whim. I think Kei told another person that today was her birthday. I doubt he remembers. No one cares that the both of us were born on this very day.

"Wow! That's amazing! But you know you should have said something earlier! I'll order us some pizza!" The girl with magenta hair, I think her name was 'Amasawa' said with a smile as fake as can be, before running off to tell everyone that today was my birthday. Who even cares? You obviously don't. So, just leave me the hell alone. Ugh… why am I so depressed?! This always happens on my birthday! This is YOUR fault Kei! Why couldn't you have just died back then?! If it wasn't for you… I wouldn't be feeling this way!

"… Ahh… Mou!" I grumbled out of dissatisfaction before standing up from the corner of the room where I was sitting before heading to the back. I need to let off some steam. I don't give a shit that Ayanokoji told me to stay here and leave under no circumstances. I need to get my hands on something breathing, be it a human or a Nomu and snuff it out. Only by doing that will I feel a little bit better. Though when I approached the backdoor-

'Knock, knock.' I heard knocking come from the front door as I turned around to see that everyone was just as fixated on the entrance as I was. Both Amasawa, and the reptilian monster that Kushida had transformed too couldn't have been more surprised. The same could be said for the man who wore an all-black and white costume that hid his face, (I think Ayanokoji referred to him as 'Infinite' though I've never heard the man speak.) and a guy with short brown hair and green eyes who seemed completely out of place here with him looking so 'gentle.' (I think his name might have been 'Yagami.) We all continued to stare at the front door, while readying for a fight. But then…

"Hey. I've got a pizza delivery." The voice of a man pierced through the door as our shock couldn't have been more apparent on each of our faces aside from Amasawa.

"Wow. That was quick. I just placed the or- Amasawa spoke only to be completely cut off by the wall to the right of the door being broken to pieces!

"SMASH!" The voice of someone all too familiar shouted at the top of his lungs as he emerged from the broken wall with a smile on his face! It can't be! It can't be… HIM! Though as the dust was in the air, I couldn't make out his appearance! But I knew just from his voice alone that was none other than-

"-DEKU!" Decay yelled out at the top of her lungs with enough force that all the dust vanished in an instant to reveal that she had been completely on the money with her suspicions! Though even she was surprised to see that Izuku Midoriya was looking completely different compared to when she last saw him! No! She has seen this outfit before! He wore it once when he was masquerading as a 'superhero!' But the color scheme is completely different! Just what would have caused him to change it so drastically?! Just who the hell does he think he's trying to be?!

A few hours ago…

I couldn't help but stare at the ceiling after awakening from the world of crystal-like fragments I found myself in once again. I couldn't sleep knowing that the final battle would soon be upon us just like I had intentionally designed for it to be after learning the hidden meaning behind today. Even still I sat still on top of the uncomfortable bed of desks while wondering if there was anything that I forgot to do. I thought long and hard about it, but I think everything will work out, like the way I want it too. So…

… Why do I feel like there's still something I'm forgetting? Though the moment I thought that I heard a knock on the door of the classroom. I then heard the familiar voice of the girl I love with all of my heart saying, 'Excuse me.' Before opening the door. I was greeted with her usual smiling face. Though something was different about her. No, that's not it. It wasn't as if she had changed, it's just that she was holding something behind her back. She then slowly approached me until the distance between us was utterly trivial before showing what she had kept hidden behind her back.

"Your… backpack?" I asked with a dumbfounded look on my face as I couldn't figure out the meaning behind her showing me her cute pink backpack again all of a sudden.

"No dummy. It's what's inside the backpack. I never told you this but there's something that I've been… keeping secret from you. I wanted to break the news about it sooner. But… I never really found the right time to tell you. Though… that's changed. I think now… is the right time for you to have this… again." Hiyori spoke from the heart while unzipping her backpack and revealing the contents of it to me. My eyes went wide the moment that I saw my old costume inside of it. I then realized that ever since we met again properly in my apartment, when I was depressed and she cooked me food, memories that I can't, I won't ever forget…

… She's had that costume ever since the night I threw it away. Realizing that at last, I was tempted to grab hold of it before pulling back at the last second. Though Hiyori wrapped her fingers around mine and helped me get the costume out of her backpack. It was then that I was left face to face with it. The same costume that I had worn when I first enrolled in UA. And now here it is again, recreated from my memories. Though it wasn't the same as it was back then. There was a spot in the center of the chest. It was stained crimson over what happened the last time I wore it. Hiyori noticed my subtle reaction to it.

"I tried bleaching the costume many times… I was able to get most of the blood out that way, but… except this one spot. I was thinking of adding some paint to it so that it could mask the blood. But… I wanted to ask for your opinion before doing so. This is your costume… it's your identity as a hero." Hiyori declared while I was taken aback by it all. That's right. This is my identity. Or at least it was once upon a time. But ever since I thrown this costume away, I've changed. Sometimes it was for the worst. Even still, I grew into a person that I could be proud of. I accepted the fact that I can be a hero without a Quirk. However…

"… Hiyori… thank you. I really appreciate this." I said before embracing her. She replied with a 'Your welcome.' While we hugged for a few moments until I parted from her knowing what I had to do with this costume.

"For the longest time… I thought I wasn't worthy of this costume… or worthy to even call myself a hero. But… I know that was never the case from the very beginning. I've always had what it takes to be a hero right here. And that's exactly why I want that to stay right where it belongs." I said while putting my hand close to my chest where my beating heart is before placing my finger on the bloodstain. This surprised Hiyori. I knew this from the look on her face alone. Though there was a bit more to it than that.

"Hiyori, what you said was true. This costume… it's my identity as a hero. I can never abandon it. If I do so I might as well be abandoning my right to be a hero. But it's because this costume is my identity that it needs to shine brighter than it has ever had before. My hero… the person who I look up to as the greatest hero of all time… he wore a costume that symbolized what America as a country represented… freedom." I admitted with a smile as I reflected on the few but impactful memories of All Might that remained with me. It wouldn't be long until I lose those too. But until then, I know I can keep going. So, that's exactly what I have to do. And it all starts with this.

"But… I'm not American. I've never even been to the country before. Maybe one day I'll have a chance to go there… though that doesn't take away from the fact that I'm who I am because this right here is my home. So, I want to represent it the same way All Might represented freedom. I want to represent something else… something I hold dear to my heart as the personification of hope itself. And that's…" I spoke until my voice trailed off as I opened my eyes once more to see that I was brought back to the present moment. The League of Villains were all right in front of me. And there I was too. Wearing a costume that symbolized Japan itself…

… The rising sun!

"W-Who let the easter bunny in?!" A girl with magenta hair (That I didn't recognize) yelled out while pointing at me. But I was unamused by her comment. Because to me even if the long hair of my costume (That admittedly looked like ears) made me look like a bunny… that didn't really matter to me. What mattered was representing everything that I believed in! My costume now all white, with the sole exception being the red spot in the center of my chest was the representation of the flag of Japan! This is the country I was born in! This right here is what I will do to help make a reality! This endless night full of darkness will END…

… THE MOMENT THE SUN RISES AGAIN!

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Decay yelled out as she tried to slam her hands onto the ground and decay everything in this bar to nothing! But before she could-

"HIRATA!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. The very next moment, a man faster than the eye could see sped through the bar and knocked out the villain dressed up as Twice before restraining Decay by putting both of her arms behind her back all in one fell swoop!

"You've got to be shitting me!" Kushida yelled out before being restrained by a giant hand! But she wasn't the only one! The girl with magenta hair was too! Before they knew what hit them, they were both successfully captured!

"Good job. You really did a number on us in such a short ti- The man with short brown hair spoke before being cut short by being contained into a small blue orb that bounced around the room before landing back into Tsukishiro's hands.

"That takes care of all of them." Tsukishiro said while dressed up as Mr. Compress. (Though not because he desired to be a hero or anything of the sort. It was merely just to hide his identity once we are interviewed after law enforcement comes in to take control of the land, we're all on.) Even still he did a great job! I couldn't be more ecstatic to see that we had neutralized the League of Villains all according to plan! Though it's because of my friends that made this all possible! Hirata, Albert and everyone outside too!

"N-Now I see…" Decay muttered to herself before realizing that the wall that had been broken to pieces wasn't caused by my own strength, but because of the muscular man wearing a pair of shades on his face! She knew that I could have ended things with the power of the Quirk that had obliterated that monster that killed our classmate. Instead, I relied on my friends. Meaning that…

"Hahaha… so you really are trying to save us… you're still trying to save me… Deku?" Decay asked with a sadistic smile on her face with her chin pressed into the ground along with the rest of her body aside from her arms and more specifically her hands due to the efforts of Hirata! In response I nodded in affirmation.

"That's right. I know you're still in there… Kei." I said with a smile on my face while Decay's smile or lack thereof vanished without a trace.

"You honestly think that you can save me just by smiling like an idiot and saying a few kind words? … What a sick joke. WHAT A SICK FUCKING JOKE!" Decay's voice started off as a mutter before becoming a shout at the top of her lungs. I was momentarily caught off guard by her yell before resuming my stance in utter defiance of what she may believe!

"It's not a joke! Me, Hirata, Albert, even Tsukishiro and so many other people are all here to save you and everyone here!" I declared with a smile before pointing my index finger at Decay. In response she clicked her tongue. But it was then that her cruel smile returned with a vengeance.

"Oh really… are you sure about that? Tell me, Yosuke, do you really want to save me… knowing that the moment you release me I will KILL you? Oh, and what about you Albert? Aren't you missing a precious friend all because of… little ol me? And Tsukishiro-San… are you really going to let me live after I have just declared my intentions to you?" Decay said with a horrific look on her face that sent shivers down all of our spines at the same time just by looking at it!

"Thought so. See Deku? I doubt anyone wants to save me after that. And look at your face. You look so scared. Oh, you poor thing. But it will all be over soon. Right after I kill you and everyone else too. And if you still really want to save me after I said all that, I got just the way you can do it… kill me." Decay declared with the most sinister of grins imaginable. It was the stuff of nightmares. Just looking at it would make most people puke. But I couldn't waver in what I believe in. Not anymore.

"… Even still… I'm not going to kill you." I declared with a face full of resolve in spite of the darkness emanating from Decay.

"Hahahaha! You really are a hero among heroes for even having the gall to say something so courageous! Hahaha…. Hahaha… AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU REALLY ARE A HERO! AREN'T YOU?! DEKU!" Decay yelled out while laughing hysterically. It was bone chilling. But I didn't let that stop me for even a second. And she knew that.

"Tch. You really are no fun. I missed the pathetic look on your face when you had no choice but to take Ichinose's poor whittle arm away from her. I wonder how she's feeling right now? I bet she's like 'Ow! Ow! Ow! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts so very much!' Good for her. She tried to kill me. I really do hope she's roasting in the fiery pits of hell where she belongs! AHAHAHAHAHA!" Decay continued before laughing like a madman again. But her attempts to unnerve me were becoming more futile by the passing of each second.

"Ichinose's alive. She's going to get through this. And so is Kei… so release her!" I declared with a voice full of resolve and a look that matched it. Though the instant I made my declaration Decay laughed even louder than before.

"Did you really think that I'm holding Kei hostage you stupid idiot?! She can free herself any time she wants! And yet… she does absolutely nothing but cower in fear like she always has. Don't you see? That's the difference between me and Kei. I'm strong… and she's the weakest little bitch I have ever met. Tell me something Deku. Is someone so pathetic… so weak… so utterly fucking useless really worth saving?" Decay asked as I held my ground in spite of all the cruel words she's saying.

"Kei is not weak. She's never been weak. A girl who has gone through as much pain and suffering as she has and still finds it possible for her to smile is not weak at all." I replied while Decay looked back at me while grinning from ear to ear.

"Then why didn't she tell the truth of what really happened back then when she made all of your precious little classmates believe that you were a monster? Better yet, why didn't she ever told you that her bullies actually have a reason to be so ruthless after she pushed one of their friends to the ground? All just because… she felt like it. I might be a monster. But it takes one to know one don't you think? Both me and Kei are monsters and that's why we both need to be killed by a proud resourceful hero such as yourself don't you agree?" Decay asked while I gritted my teeth over everything she was saying as she purposely used every trick in the book to have me waver in my beliefs.

"You're saying all of these awful things just because you want me to agree with you. So, no. I don't think I will see things your way. After all, the Kei I know and care about wouldn't let someone else have to undergo the same pain and torture that she experienced. She cried when YOU tried to kill Ichinose. Kei would NEVER try to kill someone! I refuse to believe that for even a second! So, she's not a monster deserving of death like you say she is!" I snapped back. The moment I finished Decay scoffed at me.

"Well, good for you. We can hash things out between us later if you want. But right now, I kinda want to talk to you, Yosuke. In fact, why have you been so quiet this whole time. Let me guess, you're contemplating snapping my neck right now. Go on. Do it! You have every right to want to put me down like the fucking animal I am! So, what the hell are you waiting for?! Yo~suke!" Decay shouted while grinning sadistically and looking Hirata in the eye. He had his hand placed on her upper back while using his other arm to wrap both of her hands above her head so that she wouldn't be able to touch anyone. All he would have to do is move that hand of his just a bit higher and grip her neck and end things with a decisive 'CRACK!' It would be so easy for him to pull off with the sheer speed of his Quirk! He could do it in an instant! And yet-

"Kei… if you're still in there… then please come out. I don't want things to end like that. Don't… make me KILL you." Hirata said while I gasped out of shock over what I had just heard before clenching my fists again. But even though it was painful to listen too, it must have been most painful for Hirata who didn't want to hurt a person he considered to be his friend. Both I and Decay knew that.

"Hahaha! I knew it! You really were thinking about it! Oh, Yo~suke… you really are awful to women. If you had only played your role as Kei's 'boyfriend' a bit better, then maybe she could have actually built up some confidence in herself! But it was all an act! Just a charade because you couldn't say no after how she begged you to be her 'boyfriend' even though you have never once felt anything akin to love for such a revolting pathetic parasite!" Decay declared with a horrifying look on her face while Hirata gritted his teeth out of utmost regret. But then…

"If you won't put an end to her then I will." Tsukishiro declared before taking out something in his coat! My eyes went wide the instant I saw it! It was a gun! It might have even been the same one that he used before back in the classroom against me!

"Tsukishiro! Calm down!" I yelled out while trying to reach out for him to stop him. But he already had his gun pointed at her forehead.

"You're asking me to calm down when this lunatic is spouting all of these death threats?! You are obviously in denial over it! But she has lost her damn mind! There's nothing left of 'Kei' within her! And that's why… I'll put her down myself!" Tsukishiro declared before while putting a bullet in the gun's chamber and closing it with a 'BAM!' All while having his finger placed on the trigger. And just as he was about to pull the trigger-

"I won't be letting you kill her just yet. After all, today's her birthday. And I think it's time to throw a big party and celebrate to our heart's content!" The voice of a young woman yelled out as I was completely taken aback by it until I noticed that it came from the girl with magenta hair from before! I had no clue who this girl was. She wasn't wearing our school's uniform and had what could be considered to be casual clothes. For a second, I thought she was a hostage along with the man who Tsukishiro captured. However, on both accounts…

… I couldn't have been more wrong.

'FSSSSSSSSSSSH!' Suddenly the orb in Tsukishiro's hand began emitting electricity! This caused him to throw it away before his hand could be fried to a crisp! Not even a second later the man from before materialized out of thin air with that same gentle smile. I couldn't believe that someone with such a pleasant look on their face could even be capable of something like that! But he noticed my reaction almost immediately.

"Looks can be deceiving." The man said before his hands began to rapidly emit electricity from them until he flicked his finger and unleashed a blot of electricity at Albert's muscular arm and more accurately his hand!

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Albert groaned in agony before collapsing to his knees. He then began huffing breath into his lungs as the visible muscle tissue on his arm was charred black. This forced him to contain the power of his Quirk within him due to being drained of any strength to fight back at the moment! The man with the electricity-based Quirk let out a laugh in response.

"If that's all it took to bring such a big man to his knees then I wonder how simple it will be to annihilate you all off the face of the earth?" The man asked a rhetorical question that was designed to cause each of us great fear. It worked to his favor as none of us had any protection from his electricity! He knew this as sparks materialized out of his fingertips. This left us with no choice but to gain some distance between us!

'WHOOOSH!' Hirata knew this so the instant the man's electricity struck against the ground below us, the former had already made sure that the four of us were outside with the rest of our group!

"What happened?!" Sudo yelled out before his question was immediately answered as the rundown bar's entrance was completely destroyed due to the sheer amount of electricity emitting from the man who I hadn't seen before in my life!

"You really did a good job at capturing us for a mere moment. But you really couldn't have been less prepared for me and her." The brown-haired man declared while emerging from the entrance of the rundown bar with the magenta haired woman and the rest of the villains!

"You see me and him come from the same place Ayanokoji-Senpai comes from. A place made to create the most superior of lifeforms! The White Room! And we're the cream of the crop! Aside from senpai of course." The girl with magenta hair declared before tossing one of her twin tails behind her shoulder. I couldn't have been more surprised over this startling revelation! The same place that Ayanokoji was born in that created such a monster…

… Was also responsible for bringing about these two?! My plan that had accounted for even the most unpredictable of circumstances couldn't have even remotely been able to compensate for this! Unknown to me, the plan to raid Ayanokoji's lair had also fallen apart before I even knew it. Everything was going the opposite of how I anticipated things to go! Just what the hell…

… Is going to happen next?!

Meanwhile…

"Mr. Butcher, we are about to arrive in Tokyo. We should be arriving at the destination in the next ten minutes." A person wearing sunglasses at the cockpit of a helicopter said while in the back of the flying vehicle was none other than Billy Butcher, Hughie Campbell and Soldier Boy!

"Good. Let's show all em cunts what we're made of." Butcher declared with a cocky grin on his face. I couldn't be less prepared for what was about to unfold before my very eyes. The battle to decide the fates of all of my friends, and humanity itself…

… Had begun!

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Flip the Chessboard

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!