Chapter 75: Evening of Remorse
"And welcome back to the Japanese News Network, this is Okazaki Asuka reporting live from what is believed to be ground zero for the horrifying events that transpired in Kamino last night."
A reporter stands in what looks like a warzone. Half or completely destroyed buildings lay in ruin around her. Rubble and debris litter the ground. Behind her, scores of rescue heroes and emergency responders have been working through the night to save anyone still stuck in the city.
Asuka looks down and notices blood staining a large piece of cement by her feet, but the professional ignores it, looking back at the camera. The only sign something is wrong is a slight shiver running up her spine. It's barely noticeable.
She takes a deep breath and holds back a cough. The air is filthy, caked in death and destruction. "Government officials have now put the number of dead in the hundreds, with it continuing to rise every hour. The number of missing: even more.
"Rumors continue to swirl about what really happened last night as social media is flooded with videos and pictures of last night's gruesome events. How long had the villains been hiding such a force right under our noses? How could the heroes let that happen? Was that grainy photo truly of an assassin long thought dead? Is the video going viral online right now really that of a spaceship flying through our skies?
"Much like that video, the answers to those questions are currently unclear. But know that we will continue to investigate to bring you the answers you deserve. What we can tell you is that estimates put the hero presence here last night even greater than Hosu, despite the HPSC's seemingly slow response to dispatch heroes to the scene.
"In better news, the leader of the country Latveria has pledged a sizable donation to Japan's relief refund, calling last night's attack 'an egregious war crime.' A sentiment shared by many across several countries."
She sighs, trying to keep her tears back. "Countless people from around the world have shared what they thought last night was…"
"I'm not some kid you need to check in on, Denim Head!!" Katsuki yells at Best Jeanist, who had just entered his hospital room. "Look at me, I'm fine!"
"It delights me to know that your recent experiences haven't conflicted with your… usual disposition."
"Never!" Katsuki hops out of bed, clenching his fist. "In fact, I'm ready to go right now!! A villain busts down that door, and he's gonna regret it for the rest of his short life!!"
Jeanist tilts his head, letting the silence between them stretch just a few seconds too long. "Is it me you are attempting to reassure, or yourself?"
The explosive teen reels back for a moment, before quickly recovering. "I'm not trying to reassure anyone, dammit! I've got nothing to prove! Especially to you! You already know what I can handle!"
"True," Jeanist answers simply, peering around the room. "For example, your hatred of hospitals seems as strong as ever." Katsuki opens his mouth to shout, but Jeanist speaks first. "Or rather, your reliance on others to assist you when you can't do it all alone." The blond's mouth shuts close tight . He never told the hero that.
"Don't be so surprised. Your feelings on matters are sometimes as loud as the words you would have used."
Katsuki groans, falling back into his bed. "Why are you here exactly?"
"We went over this, so you tell me. Why is it important for heroes to visit hospitals?"
"Yeah, yeah, it's about being there for people and the community, and lifting their spirits," Katsuki drawls. "That's not what I meant. I've seen heroes running all over the place, so I know you're probably all having meetings, hopefully about getting Tenko's ass back. What I meant was, why are you here? In my room?"
Jeanist observes him, almost seeming amused? "How astute. I am here to deliver you something I feel you deserve." The hero straightens. "I wanted to tell you to keep up the good work."
"Eh?"
"I've read the reports on both the attacks on your training camp and on I-Island," Jeanist informs him. "It appears that despite your disdain for reliance, you have been excelling at it lately. Allowing others to lead you and working as part of a team to accomplish goals and make sure as many lives as possible are saved."
Katsuki makes a tsk sound, looking away, but saying nothing.
"And while I am aware you would say you don't need to hear it, indulge me anyway. I wanted you to know that I think you are doing well, and to keep it up. If you do, you are going to make more than a fine hero."
Katsuki still doesn't look at him, shifting uncomfortably in his bed, before grunting a small "thanks."
Jeanist nods and makes his way toward the door. "I am probably not supposed to tell you this, but there is a chance your class will be allowed to test for your provisional licenses soon." Katsuki sits up. "And, should you pass, there may be a work study waiting for you with my agency. If you'd be willing."
It's silent between them for almost a minute this time. Katsuki staring into the back of the hero's head, unsure of what to say. Jeanist eventually moves to open the door.
"Would I still have to wear the hair gel?"
Jeanist peers back, his eyes crinkling. "Of course," he answers before leaving.
Denki watches as the world passes him by outside of the train window. The last traces of sunlight disappear over the horizon. There is no turning back now.
To not arouse suspicion, after changing everyone's appearance, Izuku handed them all different train tickets to Kamino that arrived and left at different times, splitting up the group. They came to the conclusion that a large group of people heading to the city where their base is located may raise the villain's suspicions. It would also hopefully keep the heroes off their track if they realize seven kids are missing.
Because Aoyama had been a last minute addition, he went with Izuku and Ochako so they could get him a ticket. Tsu and Iida boarded the second train, which left Denki with Yaomomo on the third. The pair sit with their hoods up toward the back of the train. And while they have been happy to let the silence pass between them for the first few minutes, Denki just can't take it anymore. He's not sure if the electricity inside him is what made his brain always buzz or not, but either way, he hates being quiet for extended periods of time.
"Hey," he whispers. Yaomomo's head twitches, acknowledging she heard him. "I just wanted to say thanks. For earlier."
She hums in a quizzical tone, tilting her head slightly at him, clearly asking what he's talking about. So, he elaborates. "Back at the hospital, you said I could handle anything big that comes our way. And I just wanted to say thanks for that." He shrugs. "I've been having, uh…" he scratches his cheeks, not sure how to say this. "I've been having times where I don't think I'm as awesome as I usually am lately, so for someone as smart as you to say something like that, it means a lot."
Her eyes widen briefly, before Yaomomo settles on a reassuring smile. "You're welcome. And I meant every word of it. But do not put yourself down. You are smart as well."
Denki scoffs. "Yeah, at video games or hiding stashes of food from my mom maybe. But school? C'mon. You're easily top three, if not number one in the class, and I'm ranked in the back half."
"You are conveniently leaving out much needed context," Yaomomo replies flatly. "Even if your academic rank is in the bottom half of the class, that is still a class that, based on UA's acceptance rate, is in the top one percent of all hero students in Japan. You had to pass a written exam to be accepted, and you didn't do it by accident."
Once again, Denki scoffs. And he scoffs again. And again. And one more time after that. "Yeah, well…" he crosses his arms, mumbling. "Dumb smart people making dumb arguments that are hard to argue against."
Yaomomo stifles a giggle. "I am happy you see it my way. But I'm surprised you haven't gone to Midoriya with your concerns? You two seem very close."
"Yeah," Denki responds wistfully, looking up to the train's ceiling. "I know we're technically cousins. And if you wanna get even more technical, not even blood-related cousins. But still, most days, dude's like the brother I never had."
Yaomomo nods. "I can't help but feel a bit envious of you. I grew up an only child as well, always secretly hoping that one day, my mother would tell me she was pregnant with my little brother or sister. I would have loved to introduce them to the things I like. Show them right from wrong. But I suppose it just wasn't meant to be." She sighs. "What occurred when you spoke to Midoriya?"
"He stabbed me."
The two teens stare at each other for a beat before breaking into a fit of laughter. They have to immediately try to calm themselves down and not draw attention to one another. "I guess I should've seen that coming?" Denki asks humorously.
"For someone who prides himself in his unpredictability, Midoriya sure can be predictable at times, can't he?" Yaomomo can't help but ask, sending the two into another brief fit of laughter. "It should come as no surprise to learn that when I went to him about concerns over my own abilities, he attempted to stab me as well."
"The pattern grows…"
Yamomo snickers. "It was more of a simulated stabbing however. He never attacked me with the blade of his dagger, just the handles."
"Oh c'mon, that's not fair!" Denki whines. "I always thought he was an equal opportunity stabber…"
"Yes, well…" Yaomomo regains control of herself. "I hope that the talk with Midoriya helped? And it was more than just a stabbing?"
"Oh yeah, yeah. He helped. But it's one thing for someone who you consider family to say they believe in you, versus someone else." He thinks for a moment. "You know, if it makes you feel better, I think you would've made a good big sister."
Yaomomo is so surprised she fully turns to face him, before quickly correcting herself. "My mother used to say the same thing." She clears her throat. "But I see what you mean in the value of obtaining reassurances from someone you are not related to… How can you be so sure, if I may ask?"
Denki laughs. "Just look at our class! You're practically the big sister of 1-A with how you make sure we're all taken care of."
She takes in what he says. "I have never thought to look at it that way before, but I suppose I can see what you're saying." Denki feels good about making her feel better, until he sees Yaomomo start to smirk a little. It's not a common sight. He's a little scared, he won't lie. "Your theory holds true, especially if you consider the amount of times I have to keep two certain boys out of trouble."
He gasps dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Yaomomo! You can't possibly be referring to Izuku and me?! Whose good behavior is the stuff of legend?"
"Stuff of legend? As in non-existent?"
"Hey, it could be real! My grandpa is the stuff of legend to most people and he's real!" Denki sticks his tongue out at her.
Yaomomo hums. "What about that time you and Izuku filled Mic-sensei's desk with illusions of cockroaches?"
"He cracked the windows, his scream was so high-pitched!"
"Uh-huh. And what of you both constantly breaking into Endeavor's office with Todoroki to hide new pieces of All Might merchandise?"
"We haven't done that one in months!"
"You did it this afternoon!"
"WHERE DO THESE KEEP COMING FROM?!!"
"Oh, you noticed that, huh?"
Yaomomo lets out a noise of exasperation, putting her head in her hands. "Need I also remind you of the time you both told the class you hid ten pieces of gourmet sweet bread sandwiches around Gym Gamma?"
"We are just sharing the wealth."
"You said there were ten. But there were only nine! Mina and Toru were prepared to look all night if I hadn't stepped in. And none of that even includes what you have done to Eri-"
"Woah, woah!" Denki cuts her off. "We haven't pranked her once!"
"No, but you both need to work on being better role models to her."
"How are we bad?!"
Yaomomo's face says it all. "I do not even know where to begin with that statement. How about the inappropriate music you both like to play for her?"
Denki shrugs. "Izuku and I like the same music. Is it a crime to share that with Eri?"
"Not a crime per say." Yaomomo takes out her phone, opening it up. "But please explain to me what value a child gains for listening to lyrics such as, and I apologize for my language, but I'm directly quoting the song here, but what does a child gain from hearing-" Yaomomo sighs. Denki has lost count of how many times she has. "-If I ever gave a fuck, I'd shave my nuts. Tuck my dick in between my legs and cluck?"
Denki falls over the seat laughing. Yaomomo seems to find it… less amusing. "Oh c'mon! It's not that bad!" She couldn't use her wealth to have Eri taken from UA, could she? "It's funny and teaches Eri not to take everything so seriously!"
"I just-" Yaomomo pinches the bridge of her nose. "I feel I must locate whichever god made sure I didn't have siblings and thank them. I have my schedule filled just watching you two."
"That'd be Bacchus, Greek god of fertility." Yaomomo's eyebrows fly up at Denki's immediate response. "What? My dad made me study of bunch of space stuff, and aliens are a lot more interesting than differential equations."
"Oh… well thank you but…" Yaomomo cringes a bit. "Bacchus is actually Roman… and was the original god of fertility but he is no longer so. Now he's the god of pleasure and wine."
"Seriously?! That's the one subject I'm supposed to know more than you!!"
"Give her space!"
Kaina gingerly helps Hirona into a barstool, the sniper being careful not to jostle the girl too much. The rest of the League watches on. "Hey!" She snaps her fingers in front of Hirona's face. "Hey, you there?" The teen doesn't acknowledge her.
"What happened?" Mr. Compress asks carefully, moving slowly forward. Kaina stops him with a glare, telling him not to take another step. The showman raises his hands in surrender. He flicks his hand and a rag appears. He offers it to her.
Kaina eyes it for a second, before snatching it from him. "Thanks," she answers in a gravelly voice. "And that bastard All for One happened." She reaches for a water hose behind the counter, and Hirona slips from her grasp. "Shit-!"
Before the teen can fall, Toga easily catches her, giving Kaina an uncharacteristically apologetic smile as she helps Hirona back into her arms. "Thanks, kid." She wets the rag and places it on Hirona's forehead.
Kurogiri reappears with several bottles and drinks in his hand that he begins to mix. "You could have teleported us out of there at any time." Kaina's voice is low but heated as she speaks to Kurogiri. "Why the hell did you wait so long?!" Kaina slams her fist down on the bar.
"If I had saved Shigaraki before our Master was satisfied with his work, the consequences placed upon her would've caused her to suffer even more than she already had," Kurogiri explains calmly. He teleports several more ingredients from the back and starts mixing them together as well.
Kaina scoffs but doesn't disagree with his logic. "Fine." She doesn't admit the teleporter is right out loud, but she knows he is. All for One may think he's some unique and educated villain, but Kaina has seen his kind all over the world. And the only thing that matters to them is power and control. He had no problems showing that he has both just now.
"Care to explain what you're doing now?" Kaina's voice loses most of its previous heat, but she still watches Kurogiri with a questionable look as he makes several more drinks.
"Tradition." He holds two glasses next to one another to compare. "I typically compose Shigaraki a drink after she has a meeting with Master. Although, I doubt something like Chrysanthemum will give her relief this time. So, I am attempting to concoct a new drink that can assist her more."
"No need." Kaina's surprise is shown in the form of a raised eyebrow as Kraven steps forward, digging for something on his belt. "Where man usually fails, nature succeeds. We only need to look. Luckily for the girl, I have spent centuries in nature." He lays a few different herbs on the bar. "Crush these and give her any drink, preferably tea. It won't cure her, but she should at least be back on her feet."
Kurorgiri picks up the herbs, studying them carefully. Kaina, meanwhile, narrows her eyes at the Hunter. "And what? You just happen to know the cure for 'nearly tortured to death' and carry it on you?"
"I carry a great many things on me." As Kurogiri mixes the herbs into a mug of tea, Kraven picks up a shot of alcohol and downs it. "To become the world's greatest hunter means to be at the top of the food chain. And I don't mean just because of your intellect, but your brawn.
"In my early years, I set out to take down the largest predators I could find with my bare hands and in my naivety and ignorance, I more than once found myself bested by a larger creature." He downs another drink. "I was forced to rely on nature to heal my wounds and guide me back to strength."
Kurogiri places the mug of tea mixed with Kraven's herbs down in front of Kaina, who observes it for a moment before shaking her head. "Fuck it."
She leans Hirona's head back a little and slowly helps the girl take a few sips of it. The effects take a few minutes but are apparent. Hirona's eyes become much more focused and color starts to return to her cheeks. "What-" She tries to stand but winces. Kaina pushes her back into her seat.
"Don't move. Just focus on breathing."
Nothing can quite describe the exasperation the sniper feels when Hirona rolls her eyes at her. "I'm not a child, I can-" She tries to move again but lets out a soft cry of pain. Panting, Hirona stays still for a minute, clenching her fists as if she's trying to will her body to move through the pain.
It doesn't work.
The League's leader slumps over in her bar in defeat. Seeing Hirona as at least semi-conscious, the rest of the villains disband to lounge around the room, leaving Kaina at the bar with Kurogiri, Kraven, Toga, Compress, and Twice of all people.
Kurogiri slides a mug over to Hirona, plopping a straw inside. She lifts her head slightly and drinks. Compress offers Kaina a clean rag and she takes it, wetting it and wiping the fresh sweat and tears off the girl's face. Hirona doesn't protest. Now Kaina's getting worried.
"I feel the need to apologize still." Kaina lifts her eyes to see Kurogiri watching Hirona just as closely as she is. "My quirk is quite versatile and Master spared no expense in making sure I am a master of it. There should have been some sort of avenue we could have taken that would have involved less pain for Shigaraki."
Kaina sighs. "No, listen," she rubs her face. "We were both there and neither of us did anything. It's not just on you." She reaches forward for another drink. "And for the record, I'm sorry for yelling at you. Just frustrated."
"You were trapped, so you have more excuses than I for not acting," Kurogiri acknowledges. "But I still accept your apology, even if it isn't needed."
"Nah, it's needed." Kaina leans back in her seat, exhaling. "I told the kid that she reminded me of me being brought up by the Commission. Being trapped with nowhere to go, forced to do things against her will. I said I'd help her out of the boogeyman's grip, but here we are. With her looking like I did after an afternoon of reconditioning. What the hell am I doing?"
"What you were programmed to do." Kaina suppresses a snort at how quickly Kurogiri can transform himself into a typical bartender, cleaning glasses and all. "As is Shigaraki. As am I. You were both instilled to be violent and kill. And I was raised with protecting Shigaraki."
Kaina scoffs. "So you're saying we're no better than Nomu?"
"No, I am merely pointing out that you are acting the same." Kurogiri picks up another glass to polish. "I would like to also point out that it was a Nomu that has saved you all numerous times."
"Ohhhhhh!!" Twice yells, laughing while slapping the bar. "You heard that?! He's saying you guys aren't shit compared to Nomu! Yes, but neither are we! True, but laughing helps take the pain away!"
This time, Kaina does scoff. "Guess you got me there. Since when does a Nomu know how to trash talk?" She smirks a bit.
"We are not robots. We are capable of learning and absorbing habits and traits of those we spent extended amounts of time with." He pauses. "It also seemed appropriate to 'liven the mood' as you put it."
Kaina hums. "Not bad, portal guy." She leans back forward. "So, going back. You're saying we ended up back here because the kid and I are doing what we're programmed to do?"
Kurogiri nods. "It does seem to follow the pattern. You wished to leave the HPSC, but you attempted to do so how they taught you. To murder. And it put you in jail. And now, Shigaraki has attempted something similar and here she returns."
Putting a hand to her chin, Kaina goes into thought. It isn't a bad point Kurogiri is bringing up. But to be fair, when she killed her boss, she wasn't making an attempt to escape. Some part of her felt she deserved to be scorned by the public and locked away for all the crimes she committed. But that's not what the kid deserves.
Kurogiri is saying they have to do things differently to get out. Different than she was "programmed." The word sends shivers down her spine because she has no doubt that's how the HPSC would word what they did to her too. But if she doesn't lean on what she was taught, what does she lean on?
Thinking about her array of missions, many of them had required her to think outside the box. To improvise in the moment to succeed and to use… to use all resources available to her. She looks around the table. That's it.
"That's it," Kaina repeats out loud, putting her hand down. "If we can't use what they forced us to learn, then we use everything else. Or everyone else."
"Took you long enough," Kraven chuckles, downing his sixth shot but not looking any worse for wear.
Kaina glares at him. "I'm sorry that the sniper has to get used to working with other people. I thought you of all people could relate, Mr. 'Badass' lone hunter?" She puts the 'badass' part in air quotes.
Kraven chuckles more. "I'm afraid not. I have been part of a few sinister groups in my time. And you want some free advice? Make sure you can trust every person you can bring in. If you can't, it'll bring down your organization before your enemies have the chance."
"You can trust me!" Twice waves enthusiastically. "Use me! Oh, please use me! Just buy me dinner first!"
There's a knock at the front door.
Logan unsheathes his claw as Colossus morphs into his metal form next to him. Around them, heroes and police are ready to breach the League's bar. All Might holds his hand out behind them, keeping them at bay until it's time for him to smash their way in. Behind them, Endeavor and more police hold a perimeter. Gran Torino taps his foot impatiently.
Mt. Lady, Gang Orca, and Best Jeanist prepare their forces to hopefully disable the Nomu factory before the horrible monsters inside can be unleashed.
"It is time."
Unfortunately for them, the horrid monster already knows they're there.
Tenko's head reels up, dread and fear twisting and reeling inside his gut and traveling up his body as he watches All for One grin out of the window. "It seems the heroes have arrived to welcome us to the city." He smooths his jacket. "Perhaps I will give them a little greeting myself." He notices Tenko's growing expression of terror. His grin widens. "Shall we begin?"
The entire League of Villains is still at the sound of someone knocking on their front door.
None of them breathe.
"Delivery from Ferrix Pizza!"
Well, one of them is.
"Oh boy! You did buy me dinner! I love pizza!" Twice cries out happily. "You better have got stuffed crust!"
Smash!
Izuku Lokison loves himself some chaos. He thinks anyone who knows him will agree. Not only does he pride himself on how chaotic he can be, but on how fast he can make almost any situation chaotic. No matter how mundane it may be. Hey, there are requirements when he's the son of the God of Mischief.
But for all of Izuku's practice and creativity, not even he thinks he could've turned Kamino into the mess it is as fast as All for One had.
He and his friends had been getting ready to break into the warehouse to save Tenko. A mission they won't, can't, fail. Ochako's words from earlier still swim in his head, and Clone Thirteen hadn't stopped blushing from their make out session after, so he may not be the mess he was earlier on the outside, but inside? He can still feel the doubts linger.
The Prince of Mischief would like to think he's done wonders on his need to control every aspect of a situation like his father, but that still doesn't erase the years of lessons that were drilled into him. Or the fact that having one of his friends captured grated against his mind like nails on a chalkboard. It was like the ultimate insult to him as both a friend and a hero.
Is this why Ochako has been so shaken up since Ultron had captured him? She's going to need more cuddles asap but first things first, getting Tenko back. This year, despite all of the terrible things that happened, has been amazing in other ways. One of those being Izuku finally having real friends for the first time in his life.
Real friends that stuck to his side no matter what. Like right now. Despite them all being nervous as they hide behind a wall together, none of them leave. Whether it's Ochako and Denki's anxious looks, Iida and Yaomomo's resolution to keep as much of eye on the group as they do their surroundings, Aoyama's nearly breaking down, or Tsu, who looks more determined than ever, Izuku knows he has some amazing friends.
And he…
"H-hey." Oh, it's the blue-haired boy, scratching his neck nervously and not looking at them directly. "So…you guys are going to the station right?" Izuku nods. "I was just wondering if I could join your party." He hurriedly glances at Uraraka and Iida. "I mean, your group…on the way there."
Iida and Uraraka's smiles make the answer clear. "Okay!" Izuku answers. "You can join our party, but we raid after school and usually during lunch if that's cool?"
Is not going to start losing any of them.
But that's easier said than done.
Relief had swept through the teens when cops began to swarm the area, followed by the arrival of the heroes. There was even the feeling among them that they might not have to do anything! That in mere minutes, they'd see their friend rescued by the heroes and the trip was for nothing.
But then, a man in a sharp suit stepped out, and they were punished for their naivety again.
Kaina glares bullets she wished she could shoot into All Might's smiling face as he and his heroes declared their arrival and secured the bar. Fortunately for him, Kamui Woods kept her arms bound tightly at her side. She had tried yelling at Kurogiri to warp them out, but as fast as the heroes had entered, some fast old guy had knocked both him and Dabi out almost simultaneously before speeding his way deeper into the building.
Ragged panting next to her grabs Kaina's attention, and she notices Hirona struggling against her bindings, trying her best to cry out in pain. It's as if the trap is burning her alive and she can't take it. "Hey!" She shouts at Kamui Woods. "Can't you see she's in pain?! Loosen the damn branches!"
Kaina struggles harder in her bindings as a metal man bends down in front of Hirona to get a better look at her. After a few seconds, he gets back up, facing his companion. "What she says is true. The girl is under much distress. Kamui, if you please?" To Kaina's relief, the hero loosens his quirk, and Hirona breathes normally again, even if she's now shivering.
As more police arrive to start securing the bar, All Might steps forward, his shadowed eyes locked onto only one person. "It has been some time, Hana Shimura."
She peers up, glaring at him, still using most of her strength just to breath. Kaina is sure she sees the old hero's smile drop for a moment. "Please… tell us where you've hidden young Tenko." She continues to glare. "I… know you have no reason to believe this, but I'm sorry no one was there for you growing up. But I- we…are here now. And we can help you, all of you. But in order for us to do that, you have to tell us where young Tenko is."
Hirona makes the tiniest scoff. "Help me?" All Might makes a slight cringe at how rough her voice sounds.
Gran Torino zips out from the back of the building, cracking the bar as he lands on top of it. "Just searched this place top to bottom and nothing." His voice drops into a growl. "He's not here." The old man's eyes narrow, scanning over the crowd of villains, before stopping on Hirona.
His cane shakes briefly, before Torino tightens his grip, making it steady. "What are you doing, buffoon?!" He yells at All Might. "Stick to the plan. Get her out of here and secured and I'll deal with Tenko…" He turns his snarl back to the rest of the league. "Listen up! The first one to tell me where Tenko is gets to go to prison bruise-less and conscious! So fess up!"
"Quiet down, old man." Nagant easily meets Torino's fury with a frosty expression of her own. "We won't be chained up forever…and no target has ever been too fast for me."
"I guess I know where to start-"
"Torino! Calm yourself! We are not going to beat these villains for information!"
"Personally, I like the geezer when he's like this." All Might looks behind him and gives Wolverine a slightly exasperated look. He just shrugs.
"Who you calling a geezer?!" He shakes his head, stopping himself from getting distracted. "So! Like is said-"
"He's at the Nomu factory." Hirona's ragged words catch them all off-guard, silencing the room. Kaina is just as shocked as anyone. Even with how injured she is, she didn't think anything would deter Hirona from her plan. The teen doesn't take her eyes off All Might. "That's where All for One is." All Might clenches his teeth. "You tried to kill him last time, yeah? So, that's what you're gonna do tonight?"
Kaina gets it now. Maybe they won't be able to kill that bastard but at this point, as long as he ends up dead, Hirona will be happy.
The young villain hangs her head. "I hope you make it hurt."
Is it bad to say that Tenko is getting used to seeing destruction?… Maybe he will take up his teacher's offer to see Hound Dog.
The memory of his sister being tortured right in front of him flashes through his mind again.
He's definitely going to take up that offer.
But as much as he wants to go after her and make sure she's okay, he would first have to get his trembling legs to move and he just can't. All for One stepped outside for only seconds, and the part of the city they're in is just gone. Replaced by a crater and ruined buildings.
Feeling like his heart is about to beat out of his body, Tenko takes a small step closer to the window, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process. It's one thing to hear about All for One's power from stories but to see it… he looks over to where the man casually rubs dust off of his suit, a bleeding Best Jeanist at his feet.
He's supposed to fight that?! Tenko doesn't know what level he is, all he knows is he just entered a part of the game he's far too underleveled for, and he wouldn't survive for a second. Hell, at this point, All for One might as well be one of those bosses with no health bar.
"That was most impressive. Tomura, come see." Before Tenko can even think of resisting, the window in front of him disappears and he's pulled by an invisible force right next to All for One and kept there. "You could learn a thing or two from the number three hero here. His perception and reflexes most certainly just saved the lives of his comrades."
Mt. Lady and Gang Orca lay injured and unmoving in the rubble a good distance from them. But as he's looking in the distance, Tenko sees something else. Behind a broken wall, he catches a glimpse of green bushy hair before it quickly ducks away again.
What are those guys doing here?! Are they insane?! Like, actually insane?! They didn't really form a rescue party just for him did they?! And yeah, he means they. He knows for damn sure Uraraka at the very least wouldn't let Midoriya go off alone. And where those two are, there's probably more.
He tries to ignore how good it feels that his friends would go so far for him.
"That is not all I will be accomplishing, villain!" Tenko can't believe it when, despite his multiple gash wounds and a body riddled with injuries, Best Jeanist stands. "I will be saving the boy and making sure you cannot hurt anyone ever again!"
News choppers begin to hover over them, recording them live for everyone to see.
All for One claps. "Well said! I do admire your dedication." Suddenly, all of the strands of All for One's suit tighten, seemingly trapping him where he stands. Tenko feels the fibers of his own clothes begin to tug him to the hero, but whatever power All for One has used on him keeps him rooted in place.
"Release the boy!" The strands around All for One seem ready to snap; they're so tight.
"Are you a fan of comics, Best Jeanist?" All for One asks calmly.
"I'm afraid my reading material was spent more on Denim magazines," Jeanist humors him. "Now, let the boy go! Don't make me ask again!"
"Pity. But I am. Maybe not the stories so much, who wants to read about the hero always beating the villain? But the characters, the settings, even the silly tropes every comic story used," he chuckles. "You read enough comics and it becomes almost a game to pick out the cliches and tropes in every book."
"I warned you! This will not feel pleasant for you, but it will render you unconscious!" Jeanist pulls on his fiber threads hard, and Tenko feels himself again being yanked toward the hero, but nothing happens. All for One is unharmed and Tenko doesn't move. "How-"
"One of my favorite tropes," All for One continues as if nothing happened, looking away. "Is when a story would introduce a new villain, and to help their audience understand how strong they are, the story would have them kill a character they already know is strong." Tenko goes cold when All for One turns back to them, his red eyes almost glowing. "Would you like a demonstration, Best Jeanist?"
"No-!" Is all Tenko can get out, before the air fills with a horrible squelching sound and a short, pained gasp.
The fibers of Tenko's clothes loosen. His eyes widen, but not as much as Best Jeanist's does. The hero and student look down, almost simultaneously, only to see such a clear hole in Jeanist's chest. They can see through it to the other side of the man.
Tenko locks eyes with Jeanist, before the hero coughs, blood spilling to the ground, and he falls.
"Best Jeanist is down! I repeat, Best Jeanist is- o-oh my god, I think he- he's dead!"
"No way…" Kirishima rips his eyes away from the tv. "Bro, are you-" He stops when he sees the look on Bakugo's face. Or rather, the lack of anything on Bakugo's face. His expression is uncharacteristically blank as he stares at the news broadcast.
"What the hell?!"
Only a minute after All Might had leaped ahead to confront All for One, the League of Villains started puking black goo and disappearing. Logan reaches out for Daken, but all he gets is a hand of slimy- "shit!" he curses.
"There's something coming through!"
The heroes and police are forced out of the bar and back out onto the street as Iron Legion drones are teleported to their location, indiscriminately firing their weapons at everyone and anyone they could.
Colossus uses his huge frame to protect as many people as he can. "Drones? Such as the ones the children faced on I-Island?!"
"Doesn't matter!" Logan uses his friend as a springboard to jump into the fray of robots, stabbing two drones in the head and taking them to the ground as he falls. "They're scrap metal either way!"
"He's right!" Death Arms easily dismantles a few drones of his own, punching their heads clean off. "These guys ain't so tough!"
Endeavor incinerates at least a dozen with barely any effort, before making a giant spear of fire and skewering another five robots. "Pathetic. We will finish here and join All Might at the factory," he announces to their forces. "That is the most likely location of the League as well. Understood?!"
"Right!"
Tenko can't even process the sight of his sister and the entire League being brought back, or the sound of thunder roaring above him, still overwhelmed by grief and guilt over Best Jeanist's death, before All for One's next words pierce his heart.
"Ah, there you are."
Had he seen his friends?!
Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be them All for One is talking to, as he hears the sound of something rushing through the air toward them. "I will have you return my student, All for One!!" All Might declares, rearing his fist back.
All for One laughs. "Come to kill me again, All Might?!"
The villain doesn't even attempt to block All Might's punch as the hero's fist collides with his cheek. The force of the attack devastates the area around them, cracking the ground beneath their feet and knocking over anyone who was previously standing.
All for One is completely unfazed by All Might's punch.
"Is that all?" Even the number one hero is shocked by how casual the villain is. "My my, you are getting old, aren't you All Might?" All for One backhands the symbol of peace, sending him flying backwards into a building.
"I apologize if this comes off as tacky, but even I must admit, that felt good," All for One gloats. All Might steps out of the building, wiping blood from his mouth. Thunder continues to tear through the sky above him. "You seem to be failing at killing me again. May I offer you some tips? You don't seem to have the concept down, while I have done it just so many times!" He gestures to Jeanist's body and laughs.
"SHUT UP!!" All Might blinks out of sight, reappearing in front of All for One, and launching a furious set of punches at his nemesis. Every punch leaves a whirlwind in its wake but whatever All for One is using to keep Tenko at his side saves him from being blasted away.
The demon of the underworld dodges all of the punches with ease before grabbing both of All Might's fists with his hands. "Would you like the name of every single person you failed to save from me?" He mocks, before sending the hero dying once again with a swift punch to his old injury.
But like before, All Might returns, spitting out all the blood he can before attacking again. "Yes, yes!" All for One cheers, engaging the eighth user of One for All again. "Fight to your last breath! Let the hope of beating me burn brightly! But do not fret! You will not die at this moment. That would be too good for you. You deserve to fail at saving many more first!" He snaps his fingers. "Dabi!"
The scarred man regains consciousness. All for One points to Gang Orca and Mt Lady. "Finish what I began!"
Dabi stands up, grinning sadistically. His palms ignite with blue flames. "No!" All Might rushes forward, but All for One meets him halfway, holding him back. Tenko tries desperately, but he can't lift his arms to use Blackwhip. So instead, he fires the quirk from his palms and redirects it mid-air to stop the villain, but Dabi burns his quirk up before it can reach him.
The cremation user points his other hand down at the injured heroes around the scene, igniting himself, but the symbol of peace's words stop him.
"Perhaps I am getting older!" All Might yells as he struggles against his greatest foe. The Thunder above them becomes more violent. "But I'd like to think that with age comes wisdom! As in, the wisdom to not face you alone, All for One!"
Dabi unleashes his fire, but just as he does, the thunder howls louder than ever. Lightning strikes in front of the scarred villain. Suddenly, all of Dabi's flames begin to get sucked up, moving away from the heroes as the wind picks up, getting stronger by the second.
"Of course." All for One rolls his eyes, throwing All Might away from him. The wind is blowing harder than ever, forcing Dabi's quirk to form a blue-flamed tornado in the middle of the square. "I should have known you'd invite the god of heroic entrances to our fight."
The tornado opens up a little, revealing Thor in the middle of the storm. "All Might, my friend!!" he calls out. "I received your electronic letter and am here to help!!" Thor hurls the tornado at All for One, the attack engulfing him, while simultaneously blasting Dabi back.
Behind a partially destroyed wall, Denki stands up to cheer but Iida pulls him back.
"Thor!" All Might jumps back into the fray, landing next to the other hero. "I thank you for answering my request for aid so quickly!"
"Yes, well, I am a hero and the protector of the Nine Realms! It is my duty!" The god yells dramatically, before lowering his voice. "You also mentioned something about your nemesis having no face, and I thought 'he must be exaggerating' but then I also thought 'no, my friend wouldn't lie to me! He's All Might , not All Lie!'"
All for One banishes the tornado from around him, still appearing unharmed.
"…You disappoint me, All Might. That man clearly has a face."
"That is a very recent development, I assure you!"
Thor hums. "I am inclined to believe you… however, for the record, I just want to say that if I told you that you had the chance to fight a villain with no face, I would make sure he had none when you arrived."
"…Are you implying you would rip his face off before I arrived just to keep your promise to me?"
"I hope you understand how big of a deal that is. I wouldn't do that for just any of my friends."
"If I may interrupt?…" Behind All for One, something begins to rise out of the warehouse. "I believe you'll find focusing all of your attention on me to, as you say, kick my ass, more difficult than you presume."
"We have already briefed all of the heroes on this mission about your hidden Nomu factory! Even if you unleash the maximum number of Nomus possible from your factory, the heroes we have coming to the scene will be more than enough for them!" All Might points him down. "All for One!! This is the night you finally go down!!"
Contrary to his heroic declaration, All for One laughs, almost madly. "As usual you simpleton, you are multiple steps behind me! While you correctly guessed we have a factory, it is not for Nomu!"
The thing behind All for One rises higher and higher.
All Might squints his eyes. "What is that?…"
"Countless people from around the world have shared what they thought last night was."
"Logan…" Colossus and Wolverine stopped in the middle of the road, trying to make their way to the warehouse with the rest of their assigned hero team. They stare up as a terrifying creation rises up over the buildings. "That can't be what I think it is…can it?" Colossus asks in shock. "Not after all this time?"
Battle instincts take over Logan, who extends his claws, running up ahead. "Get Nezu on the damn phone and explain what that thing is! We're going to need a lot more than we got!"
"A breakdown of our government procedures."
The president of the HPSC nods her head as she sits in her dark office, listening to Nezu squeak over the phone receiver. "If the threat is really as dire as Mr. Rasputin says, we may very well need every active hero on standby to rescue civilians and prevent disaster."
"I couldn't agree more," she responds sweetly. "Thank you for this vital information. You have my word, we are doing everything in our power to prevent such a thing." She hangs up, staring at her computer. The screen reflects her grin as HeroNet communication servers go offline indefinitely.
"The price of unchecked technological advancement."
Izuku doesn't know how to describe what he's looking at behind All for One except in one way. It's the biggest robot he's ever seen sitting on what seems to be its throne, looking down at the city. And then it moves.
"All systems online and fully functional. Master Mold once more restored," it announces. "Commencing with operation."
To the kid's horror, from the throne of Master Mold, doors on the side slide open, allowing what started as a few but soon turned into dozens of purple humanoid robots to fly out and over the city. They only stop to hover over large crowds of civilians, who cower in fear.
"The cost of our complacency."
"The HeroNet is down!" Present Mic shows Nezu his phone. "We can't signal for mass groups of heroes without it!! What do we do?!"
Nezu studies the TV, news choppers showing the robots staring down groups of innocent people. His fur won't stop buzzing. "Then we contact them the old fashioned way. Call heroes using their phone numbers."
"History repeating itself."
"I can't believe this! Sentinels!" Colossus puts his phone away, running next to Wolverine. "As if they stepped straight out of a history book! But why now?! There are no more mutants to hunt! With quirks, basically everyone is now a-" Colossus' eyes widen in horror. "Oh my god."
"The price of humanity's cycle of violence."
All of the Sentinels' eyes glow red. "Mutants detected. Updating programming," they say in unison.
"For its wanton need to destroy itself."
Present Mic looks up. "How many should I call?"
Nezu whips his head around. "Everyone!"
"A declaration of war."
"Programming updated. Mutants are to be," every Sentinel raises its arm, pointing them down at the people gathered below. "Eliminated."
"But for the Japanese people."
People scream as red energy blasts rain down on the city, destroying anything and anyone they touch as Sentinels pursue their targets, raining death onto them.
Civilians try to run into stores for protection. But with their vast array of sensors, there will be no hiding from the Sentinels. They rip off the roofs of buildings. Tear up streets to access the sewers. Nothing will keep them from their targets.
With their advanced AI, the Sentinels are smarter to compliment their better build design. Death Arms attempts to punch one and knock its head off, but the Sentinel blocks his punch with his arm, taking only a little damage before a second Sentinel blasts the hero into a nearby statue.
Nearby, a Sentinel dodges Endeavor's fiery spear. The number two hero heats up, charging for a massive incineration but the Sentinels read the change of temperature in their sensors, destroying multiple nearby fire hydrants to douse the hero in water and cool him down, forcing Endeavor back.
"Last night will forever be known as…"
There is no way to escape the onslaught. To escape the sounds of people screaming one last time. To escape the joyful laughter of All for One while he watches his plan come to fruition. As the boogeyman finally declares to the public that he is here.
"The Night of the Sentinels."