Chapter 19: Welcome to the USJ!
--- Class Room 1A, The next morning ---
Barely scratched the surface… If that meant becoming a living embodiment of manipulation, then he was ok with the surface. Before the group left the sorcerer's isle, Izuku grabbed a few texts surrounding better spell control and manipulation to read when he had free time after school. Even trying to dig into the mystery of Light-Spinner. The power-hungry sorceress and their new identity.
Shadow Weaver.
It didn't take much to draw the picture that the two were one of the same. Considering almost everyone's name was some sort of play on words or pun based on what power they had, it wasn't a great leap in logic to connect the dots. That just left the in-between and what caused the turncoat.
Even with his status, Izuku was unable to access some of the more forbidden tomes deeper in the library. Something to do with him not being affiliated with Mysticor entirely his mentor had said. But she was more then willing to point him in the right direction with other sections.
He left the recommend books in his dorm room and tried to crack into a way to better control his fireball spell and look into a few new spells for variety. Starting with that lighting spell he saw the shade cast. Even if it was just an extension of the sorceress's will, it was powerful and was far more knowledgeable in magics then he was. Izuku had realized that his variety of spells was small with the confrontation, able to count them on his hand.
Also trying to figure out how she made a clone in Mysticor when the Fright Zone was too far for it to be feasible normally. Where could she pull all that power to do that?
With the in-between time he had before morning class started, the greenette got to reading, hoping that people will get the idea to not disturb him. As rude as that sounded. Just as he was getting into the text, he heard shouting just outside the classroom and someone approaching him.
--- Meanwhile… ---
Kirishima and Ashido were looking into the classroom directly towards their assumed vigilante having not entered the classroom themselves. Both were trying to figure out a way to approach him about it, considering the greenette may have forgotten them from all that time ago.
The red head was nervous to approach him. There was just something to Midoriya that made him both approachable and scary.
Their fight, or chase for that matter, made him think that the greenette had a lot more experience than he let on to anyone. Not to mention the gauntlets made of whatever his shields were really awesome! But Kirishima didn't know how to put into words.
He couldn't just go up to him and say "Oh hey! Thanks for saving me, mister vigilante! Hope no pros were listening or your getting kicked out!" out loud! That would be super unmanly.
Ashido on the other hand was still trying to figure what his deal was. She tried to better introducing herself last night, but he excused himself saying he was busy with studying or wanting to relax. Which were two entirely different things in her opinion.
Relaxing should be giving your brain a break from mindless writing or studying and going out with friends or movie night in the common room. But maybe that's what Midoriya finds relaxing.
"There just has to be a way to talk to him…" Both sighed in unison.
"Why not just, you know, go up to him?"
Both looked over to the source of the voice, that being Jiro. Standing there glancing between the two. Books to her side and eyebrow quirked. "It can't be that hard to talk to someone." Jiro said as if it was no big deal. She didn't know the internal conundrum the two members of the V.A.C were going through. How could you walk to someone that saved you years ago and hope they remember you or not?
Jiro rolled her eyes and went past the two into the classroom. Towards to the greenette to engage in conversation most likely. Both now stood in the doorway and watched on, wondering what she would ask. Before they could, however…
"Get out of the goddamn doorway!" Bakugo shoved the two into the classroom and then walked to his desk. Iida shortly behind him to tell him to not swear or push classmates around. Thankfully, they didn't fall and were just taken by surprise at the sudden push. Both then looked to Jiro talking to Midoriya then pointing out the two by the entrance with her jacks.
It looked like Midoriya thanked her, she nodded and went to her desk. But not before smirking and mouthing 'See?' silently. The greenette looked towards the two with a warm smile as they kind of looked at him awkwardly. Kirishima audibly gulped, turned around and slapped his cheeks to knock him out of his nervousness. Ashido went forward followed by Kirishima.
"Nice to meet you." Midoriya greeted. "Was there something you wanted to ask?" Just have a nice conversation. He's your classmate not some multi-quirked vigilante. Just start with your usual peppy charm. Ashido opened her mouth and-
"We think you're super cool!" Kirishima got really close to the greenette with a big grin, his former nervousness all but left him. Midoriya was surprised at the outburst complement but took it in stride and thanked him. Kirishima that went on a long line of questions starting with where Midoriya learned to fight like he did.
Not where the horned girl was going to take the conversation but hey, it's a start.
Ashido knew people. How to talk to people, how to say yes and no, how to interact with someone who didn't talk to people themselves all that often or make friends. She didn't consider herself the top dog or anything just when your in with the group of popular girls back in high school, you tend to pick up when someone is lying to your face or if they wanted to change the subject.
And as more questions got asked, the more it looked like Midoriya wished it was normal conversation. She could get behind that. As much as Ashido liked Kirishima, she knew he can take things a little… over the rails.
The battle trial a few days ago said that as much. "Alright, Kiri. How about you give me a crack with Midori?" Kirishima looked over his shoulder to the pink girl and chuckled a little. He apologized to Midoriya and let Ashido have the rains.
Let's start off with a nice simple conversation starter, she thought. Nothing to personal and gives a broad spectrum to work with. "So." She started. "You single?"
Midoriya tilted his head in confusion at the question while Ashido screamed, and face palmed internally. Her face betraying her thoughts. Kirishima externally face palmed with the dumb question. "What are you thinking!?" He whispered through gritted teeth. It's not her fault he was cute! Take your mind off of date drama for two seconds and get to know the guy who probably saved you!
"Well, I mean, I guess?" Not the response or reaction she expected. "I'm not really looking for a relationship right now anyway. Being a hero in training and all." Wow that was… a lot more mature of a response then she was expecting. When Ashido usually asked that question, the person she asked would more or less stammer and be a little embarrassed at being asked that. Midoriya barely flinched.
"Sorry, force of habit." Ashido took a breath and refocused. "Anyway, me and Kiri really wanted to get to know you better, so we thought if you wanted to be friends."
"Again, sorry about that. That was probably super personal. It's just when I te- ask people stuff like that, I kind of get a different response or reaction." Midoriya scratched the back of head and smiled.
"O-Oh, That's ok. It's just I grew up with someone who teased me all the time when we were kids. So, stuff like that kind of goes over my head or doesn't affect me as much." So, he does have other friends. Good to know. He said that she lived in America with a few other of his friends and that he calls them at night to catch up and talk until Midoriya had to go to sleep.
Guess that's the reason he excused himself last night. Who was this mysterious she Midoriya mentioned? Ashido's inner matchmaking instincts were kicking back into drive after a year of nothing interesting happening and them being rusty. Before she could go ask for details on their relationship, (She shouldn't be asking that, but you can't deny instincts!) their homeroom teacher walked into the class.
The class looked on as their instructor stood at his lecture podium and checked that everyone was here. After seeing that his class was here in its entirety, He grabbed his yellow sleeping bag from his podium and put it aside.
"Alright, everyone. You'll be picking a class rep before homeroom is over. I don't really care how you do it, just do it or everyone has to write a five-thousand-word paper on the importance of leadership and representation."
With that said, Mr. Aizawa slipped himself into the sleeping bag and slowly fell to the ground like a vampire raising from his coffin in reverse. While everyone gave suggestions on how this would work out, Midoriya reopened the book he was reading and leaned back into his chair.
"Hey, Midori. Aren't you going to be a part of this?" Ashido asked, wondering what was so interesting about that book that it took his interest more then possibly being class rep.
"I'm not really interested in being class rep to be honest…" Midoriya looked up from his book… full of gibberish it looked like. Maybe it was a notebook?
"Midoriya, I must detest!" Iida slid to the side of the greenette's desk and chopped the air to better make his point. "I feel you would be one of the best candidates other then myself. Plus, it would be a better way to be spotted for possible internship with pro heroes in the future! Please reconsider!"
Midoriya blinked a few times, shook his head, and looked to the speedster. "I've… got other stuff to take care of. I'm not really the one to lead anyway. Besides, I'm sure you'd be a great rep, Iida!" Midoriya finished.
Iida wasn't sure if he was disappointed that the greenette's stance stood strong or that he should be happy that's one less opponent for the position.
"I see… Thank you for the encouragement, my friend." Midoriya nodded and went back to his reading. The speedster took in a deep breath and turned to the rest of the class. "Alright, everyone! We will be having an anonymous vote for the class! Please take a small piece of paper and write a name of who you wish to be class representative! The second most votes will be vice representative."
With the way sorted out and no better ideas suggested, everyone wrote a name and gave it to Iida as he went desk to desk grabbing small, folded pieces of paper. After gathering the votes, he brought them to podium and wrote everyone's name except for Midoriya and a few others that said they didn't want to be rep either as he passed by.
Iida then asked for a second to come forward to help him count as to make it fair and not one sided because it was clear Iida wanted the position more then anyone and everyone knew it. The soft spoken Koda volunteered and walked over to the board to help count.
With the counting going on, Ashido threw a quick message to the V.A.C group chat.
AcidQu77n: I definitely think Midoriya's is our guy.
CrimsionRocks!: I know right? The way he said, "other stuff"? Definitely saving people off the clock!
AcidQu77n: I know right? Like people aren't going to catch that.
CreationFan31: While I do admit his refusal to be class rep and placing the MVP to another does seem suspicious. We still don't have enough evidence to confront him properly.
CreationFan31: For all we know, if we do confront him about his less then legal activities he may refuse outright and never devolve more or retreat and never speak to us again.
AcidQu77n: You are in the same class, right? He did everything All Mask did from both times! There's plenty of evidence!
CreationFan31: That may be true, but it still is possible for a person to have a similar quirk to another as rare as it might be.
CreationFan31: All I am saying is we should be cautious. Earn his trust and let him open up naturally.
AcidQu77n: Who knows how long that'll take!
CreationFan31: Do you have any better ideas, Ashido?
AcidQu77n: …Stakeout
CreationFan31: No.
AcidQu77n: But what about yes.
CreationFan31: No. That is the worst idea I've heard yet. Not only would that be a gross violation of his privacy, if you are caught and connects it to us, we'll back to square one.
CrimsonRocks!: She's got you there
AcidQu77n: FINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE We'll go slow.
AcidQu77n: If I can't have my stakeout, YOU have to change your username!
CreationFan31: What's wrong with it? I find to be an easy way to find the kind of person I am.
AcidQu77n: sweet, sweet, yamomo… Change it.
With the conversation out of the way, it looked like the counting was over and done with. Judging from the results it looked like Iida was class rep (shocker) and Midoriya would have been vice, but his votes were wasted considering he didn't want the position to begin with. Kirishima sighed seeing his vote wasted but the good will was still there.
Next in line was Yayorozu. Which made sense and Ashido was glad her vote went to the right place.
--- U.A Cafeteria ---
Amazing delicacies were given to each of the students be Lunch Rush and several of his copies going from table to table taking an order, leaving, then having another deliver the food. It was mesmerizing to watch the pro work so diligently. Izuku kind of wished there was something like it back in the castle.
Anyway, he asked for katsudon to just try and to give him some thinking food. The copy left and after a few minutes, another came with his and his friends' orders.
Uraraka was talking with Shinso will her eyes lit up like stars at the massive burger she ordered. Shinso just watched in slight amazement and surprise watching her take a big bite out of the hunk meat and bun as he slurped up his bowl of ramen.
Iida had received a neatly crafted bento box with some sauces for flavour to add at his leisure on the side. As they all ate, Izuku couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes looking at him as he ate and glanced into the control text. Eventually, Iida spoke up.
"I still can't believe you didn't wish to be rep. Or even participate. While I thank you for your support and vote, also thank you as well Uraraka," The brunette smiled as her cheeks were full of delicious burger. "I truly believe you have been a great representative or vice. If you had been vice, I would have gladly shown you the ropes."
"Like I told you back in class." Izuku put the text on the table and closed it. "I don't have what it takes to be a leader and I-I'm pretty sure I would get logged with all of the paperwork to be honest." Both were true. He wasn't a leader. And he dealt with enough paperwork with the mission debriefs back in Brightmoon. Being an advisor and bodyguard combo really doubled down on the write ups.
"As much as I agree with Iida, it was your choice and that's the important bit. The fact some people still voted for you shows you still got some people behind you!" Uraraka cheered. "Speaking of class rep. Shinso, did you have a vote for your class?" She asked the purple haired boy beside her.
"I mean… Kind of?" He shrugged. "It was more of a slug fest with words to be honest. I didn't want to participate either, so I just sort of watched. It was funny for a while then it got tiring really quick." Well, who was the class rep for 1-B? "Some orange haired girl who could make her hands big and… some other guy who…"
Shinso looked over to the 1-B table to see a blonde-haired guy stare him down with a disjointed grin but with eyes that practically spelled betrayal. "…Really doesn't want me to sit here. Huh." While anyone else would have shivered having someone look at you like that, he shrugged it off and turned back to the group. "Welp, not my problem right now."
Iida then said he should look into making friends in his own class and that it would be great for future exercises and creating teams in hero work in the future. "I deal with enough people in my class now. Like I need them to bother me during my time off. But I get what you're saying. Unfortunately."
Izuku and Uraraka laughed a little at the strange conversation the other two were having. The greenette was glad he had friends on both sides now. Even with how long it took to muster a conversation all that time ago. He was also wondering why Ashido and Kirishima wanted to be his friend out of the blue as well.
Were they just being friendly or was it something else? Izuku didn't know at the moment but was happy that he seemed approachable. He smiled to himself. Guess Glimmer was right. The greenette seemed to have that aura that made people want to be friends with him. Only took eight years to realize it was true and not the other way around. But hey, better late then never.
Just before Uraraka was going to ask him something, a loud blaring alarm rang out through the cafeteria and an automated voice droned and repeated a message.
WARNING! A LEVEL THREE SECURITY BREACH IS IN PROGRESS! WARNING! PLEASE-
"A level three? That would mean someone has broken into the campus. But who would-" Rows and rows of students flooded by, cutting Iida off as they ran towards the exit in a blind panic. The four were pushed along with the crowd as they left the cafeteria towards a large hallway. Congested with dozens of students from all across U.A.
Iida and Izuku were pushed to the window, separated from the other two. Looking outside despite being almost pushed against the glass, the heroes in training saw a large gathering of people past the main gate with camera and recording equipment. It was the news crews!? How did they get in?
With that revelation made, Iida roughly turned around and shouted to the crowed to calm down. No such luck as he was just another face in the crowd. If only they could see him. Izuku had an idea. Raising his hand high, he conjured a barrier above the crowd and climbed up. Then offered a hand to the speedster.
"Grab on! We need them to see you!" Iida took his hand and pulled the speedster up. Now above the crowd and a far better vantage point, Iida pointed to the end of hall were everyone was stuck in the doorway, causing the blockage.
Izuku created another platform, and both jumped to the next. Iida tried to shout to the group as they leapt between the two platforms as Izuku switched them every time they jumped to a new one. "Everyone! Please calm yourselves! It's only the press! There is no danger!" More and more students were mystified at the floating duo which was good since they had their attention now.
"Please return to your business! Our instructors are dealing with the press outside now!" After reaching the front of the crowd and telling them situation one more time, the crowd calmed and slowly vacated the hall and returned to their regular. With most of the crowd gone, the two drop down back to ground level and were greeted by the other half of their group.
Uraraka first asked if they were alright before telling the two, they were great! Iida and Izuku then asked if she was ok, considering she and Shinso were caught in the tidal wave of people. Shinso 'politely' asked one of the bigger students to clear a way out for the two, so they got out fine.
As the conversation and group returned to the cafeteria to enjoy whatever time left before classes started up again, Izuku looked out the long window to the front of the building, the many news crews slowly being told to leave and they doing so. Any other person would have left it at that and be glad it was over and done with.
But it bothered the sorcerer more then it should have. Considering he just dealt with someone who had a knack for getting into places that shouldn't be possible.
--- Training Room, Brightmoon Castle ---
Glimmer was watching Adora practice more of her swing against a sturdier dummy. It didn't take much for her to cleave it in two easy swipes since her sword was sharper than most blades the guard had. Bow was fine tuning some more trick arrows at a nearby workbench with the latest one being some form of sonar arrow.
Something that would give map data at further distances as it streamed live data to his tracker. Or at least that's what it looked like he was trying. The princess wasn't the most versed in the tech category just culture, history, and other royal junk. She sighed having gotten her rounds done early and not having much else but practice her sparkles and maybe have a hand at sorcery herself.
Seeing her dad was one of the most powerful ones, so why not?
Their resident sorcerer however, had yet to show up. Probably nose deep in a book. Again. After that whole Shadow Weaver fiasco, Izuku was really determined to figure out what kind of magic the shadow used. And if there was a non evil version of it. And how it managed to infiltrate one of the most secure places in Etheria next to a First Ones ruin.
She wasn't sure if she should teleport to his room and drag him here to hear how his day was or just wait for him to show up eventually. To think hearing about someone else's day was going to be one of the highlights of her day. Then again, not many people can say they know a sorcerer from another world or one that travels between them.
And there was that thought again. How Izuku, one of her best friends, someone she knew for years, was someone from another planet altogether. The one who promised her he would tell Glimmer everything.
Has she heard everything? No. Definitely not. Was she wondering if he was still getting called that horrid nickname? A little bit. Was she growing impatient on not hearing the whole story of Izuku Midoriya? Oh yes, she was.
But she knew Izuku better then most. He keeps things bottled up and throws away the key. And only cornering him would bury the bottle deeper. Izuku did tell her things he didn't tell Bow or anyone else and she and Bow were the first people to know about this hero school junk. Which she still called stupid but didn't say that to the greenette's face.
Glimmer knew though there was more in-between the lines that she wasn't getting or barely getting at. That there was a reason he didn't have friends. Why he came back some days with bruises he tried to hide as they grew up together. Unfortunately, she could only wait for her friend to open up on his own.
Up to a point. When push comes to shove, she'll get the whole story. One way or another.
With nothing better to do, the princess pulled Izuku's "Mp3" he called it from a small pocket and scrolled through the saved music on it. She didn't understand much or any of it, but it was still nice to listen too on a slow day. Glimmer just hit the random button Izuku showed her and put on the ear buds.
It wasn't the strangest thing to have automated music, since she did have an orchestration box in her room which played whatever sheet music she put in or was feeling at the time. But to have it all in small rectangle? It was leaps above what Brightmoon had. After awhile it started to play rumbling drums and a woman's voice humming alongside it.
Oh, she knew this one! What was it called again? Glancing to the screen, all Glimmer saw was symbols or "kanji" Izuku called them. Maybe she should grab Izuku's translation notes. It wouldn't have been the first time Glimmer took it while the sorcerer was busy with other stuff or sleeping. Eh, another time. It was getting good.
The only lyric she sort of knew was the hum before the chorus. Glimmer quietly hummed herself the rhythm as she took a seat on one of the rest benches. "~Lalalai, Lalalai… something… something… Lalalai, Lalalai…~"
"I think your looking for "Want to get to know you, no matter how many times I wake." But pretty close."
Glimmer looked over to see Izuku sitting beside her, having pulled out one of her ear buds. She would've been surprised if it weren't for the fact she had done it to him more times then both could count. Glimmer hit pause and smiled. "Took you long enough, 'zuku."
"S-Sorry… Kind of lost track of time. But good news, I think I've got better control with my fireballs!"
Glimmer raised an eyebrow. "You think? Are you going to explode?" She had to ask because the last two times he tried using fireball, he nearly exploded on accident and the second time was on purpose. Izuku said he wouldn't explode. As he didn't look at her which was a clear identifier he was lying. "How about we wait on the fireballs and do some normal practice?"
Dejected but understanding her concern, Izuku asked what she had in mind. "How about you fight Adora?"
The room went quiet and the other two looked towards the princess and sorcerer. "Ok, hold on. Here me out." Glimmer stood up and explained, now having everyone's attention and Izuku was too stunned to say anything or object. "We all know Adora was trained basically since she started walking, so it would be safe to assume she knows her way around a fight."
"I mean, I'd hope so considering everything that's happened so far." Then a thought came to the blonde. "You're getting us to fight because your bored, aren't you?" Figuring out the true point of the princess's plan.
"Pfff. Nooooo." How did she know!? "I'm just saying that 'zuku was one of our best close-range fighters before you came along. And on top of his sorcery and with you being She-Ra and all… All I'm saying is that we have a good old-fashioned duel to see who's the better fighter! No magic! No She-Ra! Just two friends duking it out for the amusmen- I mean, to help one another become better warriors!"
Adora crossed her arms, hearing the exact same schpeel from Catra back when they were cadets. Although, she did want to have a spare with the greenette a few times, Izuku being the last one she hadn't faced yet. And no magic plus no super boost because of She-Ra? It might be sort of fair.
She just wished Glimmer worded it better. "Well… it's true we haven't fought yet, and it would be good practice-"
"Glad you agree!" The princess cut Adora off mid thought before turning to the greenette. "And you, our dear sorcerer? Any objections?" Izuku was staring off into space and mumbling strategies that would work without his magic. Or at least that's what it sounded like anyway. Glimmer rolled her eyes, walked up to the spaced-out sorcerer, and flicked him lightly in his forehead.
"Ow!" There we go. Izuku rubbed the spot on his head where she flicked him. "Why is it to straight bodily harm with you?"
"Because I care, and you can take it." She wasn't wrong though. "Anyway, ready for a fight against a legendary warrior? Who- isn't in their legendary warrior form?" Izuku gaze went between the glittering princess and the blonde at the other side of the room, stuttering to make up an excuse or a reason to not to right now.
A guard then busted into the training room and made their intention clear. "Queen Angella has requested your presence immeaditly! Please make haste to the war room!"
"Oh, thank the stars…" Glimmer death stared the greenette before turning to the guard at the door, asking if the queen could wait half an hour or even fifteen minutes. She couldn't however, the queen wished to see them now. And they weren't leaving until the squad left too.
With no other option available, the princess begrudgingly left the training room with the others following suit, a little more enthused than their glittering friend. She was going to see that fight, some day. And maybe have Izuku teach her a few spells because she was not going to ask Castaspella for lessons.
--- A single day later, First Contact ---
This place was huge! No wonder it was- Wait, is that Thirteen!?
It was! The black hole hero right there in person! Izuku couldn't believe it. Said hero welcomed the class of 1-A to the USJ or the Unforeseen Simulation Joint. All were told to suit up before getting on the bus for a off campus training session. To this extent though, it was breathtaking.
From the central plaza area was a section for each type of disaster a hero was expected to save innocent lives in. From blazing infernos to offshore recues to enclosed hostage situations, this place was the perfect hero training ground. And from the entrance, it was amazing.
Then a strange air passed the sorcerer, making him shiver.
Uraraka went to see if her friend was cold despite having a warm cloak that Izuku wore over his outfit. He then wandered over to the edge of the descending staircase and looked down to the plaza floor. Their instructor walked to his side, wondering why he was suddenly distracted, and saw the same thing he did.
A swirling purple mist started to form in the center of the plaza. Everyone else then joined the others to see what was going on. More of the purple mist appeared like holes in the air itself across the plaza floor. No…
"Are you ok, Midoriya?" The brunette asked her friend as she saw the frightened gaze Izuku was burning towards the mist. Just as one of their number was going to ask if this was the surprise as well, until people, intimidating people, came out of the misty gates.
Villains. A whole lot of villains.
Aizawa and Thirteen stood in front of the group and readied themselves for the oncoming mass of villains. "Thirteen stay with everyone! I'm going-" Then in a moment, someone ran past the pro in a stream of light.
Izuku was already halfway down the stairs, cowl covering his face and holographic gauntlets covering his forearms as he blinked down the steps directly into a shark faced villain. Delivering a mighty blow to his face, knocking the mutant out cold before moving on to the next.
"Midoriya…!" Aizawa quickly chased after him as the sorcerer cracked his protected fist across many of the villains he passed by. He clapped his hands together as he flew thanks to blink, and landed, bringing a tidal wave of stone to make a path as more villains began to pour out of the misty purple gates.
Aizawa cleaned up very few stragglers from the greenette's onslaught. Although not lethal, many of them had sever broken bones and were out from the rush of blows and stone Midoriya unleashed as he ran to the central patch of mist, much larger than the rest. Who trained this kid? From the way he was attacking, he knew where and what to hit to deal the most damage without an obvious weapon.
But that didn't matter right now, because it looked like he was heading for the main villain behind the attack.
---
Back with the class, everyone was stunned that Izuku ran ahead of their pro hero instructors. Was he mad!? There's no way he had the expertise to take on heaps of actual criminals and killers on his own! The black hole hero turned to the class rep and gave an order.
"Everyone, please stay together and make for the exi-"
"My apologies, but I mustn't let any of you escape." The strange black and purple mist started to surround the group as a deep voice echoed from it. "My master has ordered that none of you shall escape and so it shall be." A pair of glowing yellow lights emerged from the darkness.
The pro activated her quirk, and a powerful pull was breaking the strange villain's power apart. "A powerful ability." the voice hummed. "You shall be eliminated first." A black void opened right at Thirteen's fingertip and another just behind her.
The hero's ability was redirected, and a large portion of their helmet was consumed by the suction. Before more was pulled away, an explosion went off and the darkness surrounding them broke apart as well as making everyone's ears ring.
"What the hell are you all standing around for!?" Bakugo shouted in his usual annoyed anger. "A villain was about to kill somebody, and y'all just stand around!?" Bakugo was lecturing them… what was going on? Sero and Ojiro quickly helped the collapsed hero after the devastating blow and the mist dispersed around them.
"Screw this! I'm going to crack some skulls!" Kirishima was going to go with as Bakugo was about to blast off but was stopped by the class rep.
"Bakugo! Kirishima! I can't you let go! There's too many out there! We should stay here and wait for reinforcements." Iida was about to use the emergency receiver he had on his suit, but the signal was jammed and no S.O.S was sent out. The group was slowly being sown into chaos as Bakugo readjusted, walking around the speedster that blocked his way.
"So, Deku gets a free pass and I have to deal with you extras?" The explosive blonde snarled. How was Iida supposed to know Midoriya was going to jump ahead!? "How about I go be a hero while you do what you do best…"
"And run." Bakugo blasted off down the staircase, leaving everyone in the dust. Iida stood there in stunned silence, unsure how to feel about what was said. He wasn't sure if that was an insult or if he was telling him to get going faster.
The mist began to surround them again as the others looked around, unsure if they attacked this time, their attack would be redirected back to them. He had to find help! And the best would be to run and do it.
The speedster turned to the quickly closing exit and got ready. Thirteen told him to go as fast he could and bring help. Uraraka urged him as well and that they would keep each other safe while he was gone. Iida took in all he could and prepared for the fastest he's ever ran so far.
He was Iida Tenya! Part of the Ingenium family, the fastest heroes alive! His boosters ignited and he blasted forward in a blue streak and pushed past the encompassing darkness.
He kept running and didn't look back. Knowing he would stop and turn back if he did.
--- Main Plaza ---
Man… his adds were getting pummelled. Annoying but to be excepted from a pro.
Not some hero wannabe looking he crawled out of the fantasy section. Shigiraki watched in half interest as the hero teleported all over the place, knocking out his guys like no problem. It was about this time that his watcher, Kurogiri, remerged at his side. About time, he was getting impatient. "Is All-Might here?" He asked the man made of the same mist that warped them here.
"No." Really? And he put all this effort for him. What else. "The other students have been scattered across the complex, Thirteen is too injured to continue or protect them." She wasn't dead? Of course, she wasn't, it would take a little more then a reflect to take down a boss. "One of them had managed to escape, I'm afraid we are on a time limit." Time trials… great… Actually, that would be great!
"Kurogiri." Shigiraki spoke with a rasp and his watcher awaited his command. He then pointed to the hawk masked hero currently surrounded by goons and caving their teeth in with big green gloves. "Bring that one over here. I think it's time we make an example."
"Are you sure that is wise, Tomura? This one seems dangerous." The watcher looked back to the boy having now punched a far larger goon who had a steel jaw. The goon now needed a new jaw. Again, as this one was fairly dislocated and the boy… apologized? Before creating a wave of stone to push advancing grunts away. What a strange hero.
"I don't care if he's the number one's son! Get him over here!" With a curt bow, the incorporeal being launched at the young hero and ensured him in a swirling vortex. After a moment, the hero was in front of the two. Perfect. The hero took up a defensive stance and waited. His watcher couldn't have restrained him? Whatever. This could still work.
Several icicles shot out from the masked hero towards the villains. Unphased, Kurogiri opened a gate and in front of them and beside the hero. The icicles entered the gate and out the other end. The hero dodged most of them while blocking a few of the closer ones. Shigiraki's eyes narrowed, and more goons started to surround the hero.
"What will you do now, "hero"? I'm going to beat this raid and you can't do anything about it!" The hero created a circle with his fingers on each side of him and quickly transformed into exact replicas of the hero. AI controlled party members!? That's unfair! "KILL HIM!"
The goons rushed in as the clone to his left created a spear while the one on the right made the same icicles with a shield of light on his arm. All three dispersed and took on more of the goons. "Is this kid the one master told us not to kill?"
"No. That is another." Kurogiri answered.
"Then why does it look like he has multiple quirks!?" Shigiraki rasped in rage, violently scratching at himself. His watcher did not answer, and both watched on. The clones were doing work, and, in the distance, it looked like Eraserhead was on his way. Goody, another annoyance. "Open a gate." Kurogiri obeyed and opened a gate small enough for his charge's arms to fit through.
The hand covered villain put his arms into the gates and out came them from gates where the hero was fighting, clawing away to try and grab at least one of them. He was close a few times, but his hands kept passing through the copies and they continued to fight, taking down as many as they could.
An ice shard nicked his hand as it flew and Shigiraki retreated, and the gates closed. He was getting sick of the runt's antics… The goons that charged him fell one by one and the main one charged forward towards them. He really wanted to bring this out for All Might but since he didn't show up… Might as well use it to kill a pest instead. The hero was only a few feet, their gauntlet about to make contact.
"Nomu… Come."
A scarred, massive, black arm blocked the hero's blow as its fist cracked the ground it made impact with. The hero jumped back and the gate the arm shot out of grew larger and larger. A beak of serrated teeth and bulgy eyes made up the head of this muscle-bound abomination. Its exposed brain bolted into place by a metal collar around its skull pulsed as it emerged from the gate and lumbered over to its master side.
"You might be cheating. But I brought my own cheat codes…" The bird headed abomination stood still, awaiting its next command. "Let's see how well you deal with this."
"Nomu." The creature didn't respond. "Bring him to me." Its head went up and its eyes trained towards the hero. It blasted forth from its master side and tried to grab the hero. The clones were backhanded away and disintegrated in a flash from the beast's pure force.
The hero tried to blink away but the Nomu grabbed their leg and slammed them against the ground with a painful sounding crack. The hero slumped against the ground as they were dragged to their master's side.
It held them to their master, arms pinned against their sides. "I'm going to enjoy watching you choke on your own blood as your face dissolves." Shigiraki placed his hand against the hero's mask and-
Nothing happened. He looked at his hand and placed it against the mask again. All of his fingers were on the runt's face! Why wasn't he dust!? Shigiraki glanced over to the side to see the erasure hero, eyes red, hair on end, pinning a nameless goon to the ground with his capture weapon.
A demented smile grew on the villain's face.
"Your just as cool as I thought you'd be… Eraserhead…"
--- Elsewhere ---
What happened to you, Deku?
Bakugo wasn't stupid. Something was going on with the nerd and it became more apparent as the blonde ran across the plaza. Nameless grunts and goons knocked the hell out of then passed over. Some were bound by binds created from the ground itself. Like some sort of interlocking straight jacket.
What freaked him out the most were with the larger ones. Those guys had spikes of ice impaling their legs or feet to make sure they didn't move or escape. Those same spikes he's seen Deku use against him and-
…What was surprising was they were all still breathing. They looked like shit, sure, but they were still alive. The spikes freezing the wounds, so they didn't bleed out. The plaza was mostly clear of goons to smash as he looked around. Of course. The nerd was nothing but thorough. Still, how the blonde missed or didn't see all this as they grew up, It left a weird feeling in his stomach.
Nothing like beating Deku to a pulp himself wouldn't fix. That's if he could reach him past this line of goons. Bakugo raised his hands, his palms already about to ignite and blow these fucks away. Finally! Some action!
Then a freaking glacier came out of nowhere and froze them solid. "OH, COME ON!!" Bakugo jerked his head over to where the glacier grew smaller finding that half ice bastard was walking over to him with Ball-head and frog-girl. What the hell did they want.
"The hell do you want!?" Bakugo raged. The half bastard's whole face was visible now, exposing the scar that covered a quarter of his face. He barely reacted and got closer, the group now hidden behind the wall of ice and frozen villains.
"That doesn't sound like a thank you." Like he needed their help! And he told him that. How the hell did they get here! He just left the entrance!
"After you so valiantly left us, oh great hero." Half bastard said in complete monotone. This guy… "We were dropped off in the marine section of the complex. On a boat." Why the hell would they send a guy who could freeze anything to a water section? Or even frog girl for that matter.
"I volunteered to go swim to shore, ribbit, but Todoroki froze the water around the boat, and we walked over here." Frog girl said. Great, now he was getting recaps. The exact reason he blasted off. But that made him think actually. Why would they scatter everyone unless they… Oh that's why.
Whatever, it didn't matter now. Looks like he was stuck with these losers for now.
Bakugo looked over the ice wall to see where Deku was now. He was in- What the hell is that… Everyone else looked over to see Deku held tightly be some sort of bird headed abomination. Right in front of the villain boss it looked like.
Bakugo was just about leave until Ball-head started yapping. "Where are you going!? You do have a plan, right!?" Of course, he did it was called shut the fuck up and kick ass.
"Wow. I've only known you for two minutes and that fits you perfectly actually." Half bastard snarked.
"FUCK. OFF." Deku once again trying to be the bigger man only to get a face full of shit in the end.
"Why do you call Midoriya that? Ribbit." Because he could and he was one, that's why. "That really doesn't answer my que-"
"Shut. Up. You want to stay together? Fine, just shut up." Bakugo leapt over the wall and ran ahead. The other three stayed behind. Todoroki looking back to the other two.
"Find the others. Get to safety. I'll make sure our hero over there doesn't die." The others agreed and ran along the wall towards one of the sections of the complex. Todoroki vaulted over the wall, behind Bakugo towards the creature.
---
No matter how much Izuku squirmed, the abominations grasp was iron tight. Where was a sparkling princess when you needed one. Or golden super powered amazon. Or anyone for that matter as he tried to think of a plan to get out while "Shigaraki" was distracted with Mr. Aizawa. Who would probably be non to pleased with the greenette.
"Oh, eraser… What will you do? I've got your ru-" Aizawa shot out his capture weapon at the villain. It would've wrapped him if it weren't for the warper beside him. Who created another gate that made his weapon useless. "Killing a kid under "hero protection" would make some noise for a little bit. But ripping apart a pro? Now that will cause waves. Nomu."
"Kill Eraserhead." The beast threw aside Izuku like it was old news, much to the displeasement of its master before rushing Aizawa. The sorcerer got up and looked to see Shigiraki rushing him himself. Considering the way he said, "making his face dissolve" and placing his hand on him, it would be safe to say his quirk revolved around full hand contact.
This guy wasn't the problem. It was the "Nomu". Izuku blinked over the rushing villain only to be interrupted by the warper creating a gate and Shigiraki emerging from it, hands out and open. With the warper in play, the greenette couldn't get close and help his teacher.
What he needed was a very loud distraction.
"OI SHITHEAD! INCOMING!" Bakugo launched forward in a blaze of smoke and fire, flying like bullet into the warper. That would do it. The explosive blonde pinned the villain down, his flaring hand against the villain's neck brace/armour. Shigiraki turned heel towards the blonde until a wall of ice appeared and stopped his pursuit.
Todoroki launched another glacier at the villain, hoping to stop them by encasing them in a prison of ice. Shigiraki jumped out of the way and landed further back. The half and half quirk user then ran over to the sorcerer's side. Ready to give support.
Izuku then ran to where Mr. Aizawa was. Despite his quirk being in effect, the monster's strength and speed were ridiculous and their teacher was barely holding his own. The greenette created his ice spears and shot them at the monster as he ran. The magicked ice merely shattered against its thick hide.
It then grabbed the pro's arm and crushed it in it's grasp. Aizawa bit his tongue as he tried to get out of the monster's grip. Izuku blinked above them both and fired spears into its eyes. Dark ichor ran from the monster's eyes as it screeched in pain and threw away the beaten pro to remove the spears.
It was blinded. Perfect time to get Mr. Aizawa out of here. Izuku ran over to the pro's side as he struggled to pick himself up. The greenette helped him up and hobbled him away for now. Todoroki stayed at the side just in case the Nomu charged them in a blind rage.
"I expect… a damn good reason why you ran off… after this…" Aizawa sputtered as he tried to ignore the pain of his broken arm and sore eyes. Izuku was not looking forward to that conversation. Todoroki shouted out and created another wall of ice. The Nomu blasted through the wall and bashed both of them away across the plaza floor.
Mr. Aizawa was blown away to a nearby forest area and Izuku regained his footing as he was tossed. Looking to the beast, its eyes were in perfect shape! How is that possible? He was sure the spears destroyed them! Could it regenerate too? Todoroki then encased the creature's arm in a block of ice to halt its advance against their teacher.
Todoroki returned to Izuku's side. "What's the plan?" They needed to find the others and get Mr. Aizawa to safety! As he was saying that Bakugo was blown back, flipped through the air, and landed on the block the monster was stuck too. He cursed the "stupid bird brain" and pulled the pin on his gauntlet.
A massive blast of fire blew from the blonde's gauntlet as if he lit a rocket in it's face. The smoke cleared and half of it's face was burnt off revealing the pink muscle underneath. It jerked against the ice and with a screech, tore its own arm off to escape the ice. The three watched in horror at the display and how it seemingly was unaffected that its own limb was gone.
Shigiraki cackled, no longer worried what was going on and couldn't wait to see them torn apart. "What's wrong? Afraid? You can't stop it! It was specifically made to kill All Might! Nothing can stop it!" Kill… All Might? Nothing could be that strong… right?
As the villain made his threat, the burnt flesh of it's face was sown back to normal, and a skeletal arm shot out from its stump. Muscle and skin quickly wrapped around the exposed bone until it was an exact copy of the arm still in the ice. It could regenerate! It could regenerate! "Eheheheheh. AHAHAHAHAHAH!"
"NOMU! RIP AND TEAR UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT!"
The monster roared and leapt at Bakugo who blasted back with a big explosion. Only for it to be unphased by the blast and punched Bakugo away, shattering the block he was standing on. Bakugo propelled himself back over the monster and back to the group. The beast breathed heavily as it stared the three for the time being.
Think Izuku think! It can't be invincible! There has to be a way to stop this thing. It's hide is super strong and durable, nothing can pierce or make a scratch on it. Some sort of shock absorption? Intense heat or cold seemed to have some sort of effect but it could regenerate what ever was lost in an instant. It had to be a sustained and powerful blast of something. But what?
"What's the plan, nerd. Cause I know your cooking one now." Bakugo's gaze never leaving the monster in front of them.
"W-Wait, did you just ask if I had a plan?"
"HOW ABOUT YOU SPIT IT OUT BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND, SHIT FOR BRAINS!"
"R-Right." Then the sorcerer hand an idea. A very, very stupid idea. He just needed time. He asked his fellow classmates at his side. "How much time can you buy for me?" Both looked at the greenette with varying looks.
"How much do you need?" Todoroki said. As much as he was able to make. Then Izuku would give a signal. Todoroki would encase the monster from the neck down and Bakugo would make sure Shigiraki didn't interfere if the plan worked. "What are you planning to do?" The half quirk user asked.
"A force so intense, it will keep it down faster then it can regenerate. If I don't explode first." A sweat bead ran down the sorcerer's face under his mask. Todoroki looked at Izuku then to Bakugo.
The blonde took up a stance, his palm burning with anticipation. "Don't think you're the boss, Deku. After this, it's back to crushing you!" The blonde rocketed forward, blasting, and dodging as much as he could. Todoroki joined the fray alongside Bakugo as the sorcerer began to focus.
Time to find out how much magic he could really pull. And if there was enough here to get the desired spell ready. Izuku reached his arm out, palm facing the sky while the opposite hand was placed firmly on his outreached forearm. He first formed the gauntlet for some added protection then started to cast.
A tiny flame began to appear in the sorcerer's palm growing larger with every passing second. Bakugo and Todoroki were holding their own, keeping the Nomu distracted and in one place while Izuku conjured his fireball. The flame grew larger, now the size of a base ball.
Not enough and not nearly hot enough. More magic fueled the flame as it became larger than his open palm but halfway filling his gauntlet's palm. The two kept the beast at by but it was becoming clear they were losing ground and fast. Just a little more.
Shigiraki noticed the greenette pulled far back, and the growing flame in his palm. "A pyromancer too? He's just a jack of all trades… Kurogiri, end him." The watcher outreached his own arm to create a gate to swallow the sorcerer but instead nothing happened. "What? Why is nothing happ- No…"
Aizawa was staring down the warper with one eye open. Allowing him to focus his quirk as he leaned against one of the trees scattered across the plaza floor. "I'm not dead yet… Whatever you're doing better be worth the bother, problem child."
The flame turned from a deep orange to a bright white as it was now the size of a basketball. Completely filling the sorcerer's open hand. He could feel the intense heat emanating from the orb. It was the exact same one just like all those years ago… He shook his head out of the moment and went into a sprint.
"Now!" Izuku rushed forward, primordial fireball at the ready. Blinking forward to close the distance. Bakugo fell back while Todoroki did his half and encased the beast with all he had, frostbite building up on his scarred side before kneeling. The monster roared as it tried to shake free from its tomb.
Izuku created a small staff of stone as he ran and scooped it up as he blinked on top of the Nomu's prison. It let out an ear-piercing screech and the sorcerer took his chance to use the staff as a pry bar to keep it's mouth open. Please work… Izuku shoved the fireball down the monster's throat. Its light consumed by the darkness as it went further into the beast.
Its beak snapped shut, almost taking Izuku's hand with it. Its icy prison started to rumble and crack before complete shattering. The Nomu backhanded Izuku away with its new freedom. The sorcerer rolled and skipped across the plaza floor, a piece of his mask breaking off, revealing a tuff of green hair, and a quarter of his face.
Todoroki ran to the sorcerer's side and examined his injuries quickly before realizing the beast was free. The villain cackled louder then before. "I told you! You can't stop it, no matter what or who you are. IT'S UNKILLABLE!" He then turned to his monster. " Nomu! Kill them now!"
Nothing. "NOMU! RIP THEM APART! I COMMAND YOU!" Again, nothing. The monster twitched and smoke started to seep from the gaps in its teeth. After awhile, smoke bellowed from the beast's mouth as its brain started to bubble. What was happening?
Suddenly, it's eyes and exposed brain were consumed in a white inferno. It cried out and tried to put out the flame. A light started to grow brighter from where the beasts' stomach would be, and the flesh started to peel and burn off as the bone underneath was starting to show. Its ribcage was soon fully visible as the fire crawled across bone and muscle alike.
The more it flailed to put out the fire, the greater and brighter it became, nearly consuming the monster in its entirety. Everyone watched in horror as its skin started to curl back and blister open all across the monster's body faster then it could heal them. It teared at itself, trying everything to put out the agonizing fire that was consuming it from the inside out.
"Kurogiri! Put it out! NOW!"
"I-I can't! The flame is too intense!" It collapsed to its knees and tore open its abdomen to dig out the fire within. Its cries soon became gurgles of molten flesh as its throat was now chimney of brimstone and melting muscle. Its arm curling back into itself as finally gave up and faltered. The gurgles were snuffed out as it became nothing more then fuel for the pyre of white flames and cinder.
Izuku barely heard the voice of his classmate beside him or the feeling of being shaken. Just the pyre in front of him and the roar and crackling of the fire. He shouldn't be surprised but… the way it flailed and how the fire… practically ate it alive… even licking its charred bones for whatever larger chunks of flesh were left.
It scared the sorcerer. Magic was no toy. It could protect but just as easily kill if used incorrectly and without care. Fireball was too strong for him. It was too dangerous. What would've happened if it was normal human being? What if he hit an innocent by accident or without realizing it? What if it was deflected and hit Gli- No. He couldn't let that happen. He wouldn't.
"Never again…" Izuku felt a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up from his kneeling position. Todoroki's hand was on him, silently watching the pyre with disgust before looking to Izuku. Yeah, he felt pretty disgusted with himself right now too. He didn't see Todoroki's look wasn't of disgust, but of understanding and sympathy. The villain's look however…
Was pure rage.
"NO. NO. NO. NO! It's not fair! It's not fair! How can a bunch of brats kill something with that much power!?" Just to pour salt into the wound, the sealed entrance of the complex blew open and the number one stood at the steps, looking towards the entire complex. "Now!? Now you show up. This is the worst raid ever…"
"Kurogiri, time to go-" As Shigiraki turned, spikes of ice impaled his legs and shot through his hand, leaving a frozen hole through it. Kurogiri quickly enshrouded his charge in a shield of mist swirling around him. The few gaps to see who threw them at him.
The sorcerer stared at the swirling mist as Shigiraki stared back with violent rage. Crazed crimson met determined viridian. Cradling his hand as the swirling became faster. "This isn't over… cheater…" Shigiraki whispered, and they fled as the orb consumed them then disappeared, leaving nothing behind except for the now charred corpse of the Nomu and all of the other goons.
All Might, in one mighty leap, landed next to the heroes in training, looking to the carnage before him. It was horrifying to look at directly and from the looks of the students, made their stomachs churn. "Do you know what did this?" The number one asked. Todoroki didn't say a word and just looked to the distance while Izuku looked down and away.
Seeing as he wasn't getting a clear answer, knowing the real one might unnerve him, he brought up another line of questions. "Is everyone alright?"As he said that, it looked like young Yayorozu led her own group of students to the main plaza and after awhile, everyone was accounted for. All Might let out a breath he was holding ever since young Iida arrived to deliver his message. Then the creation quirk user saw the state of their homeroom teacher and quickly created some bandages and casts from her being and ran over.
All Might then placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "Are you alright, my boy?" The greenette didn't answer as he weakly looked at the still kneeling remains of the monster. It's mouth still agape and its hands pulling at its exposed ribcage. Embers still weeping off it, blowing off the still fresh cinders.
--- Hours later, At an undisclosed location ---
"Your shitty Nomu didn't work! You said it was invincible!" Shigiraki screamed, pointing at its creator with his bandaged hand. Kurogiri polished a glass and told him to calm himself lest his stitches tear open again.
"I said it could kill All Might. I never said it was invincible." The doctor told him. He could say such things because he was at his lab, video calling All for One's brat miles away from any real danger. The fact someone other then the number one could take it down, let alone kill it interested the doctor.
From the report Kurogiri sent him, the beast was near completely incinerated to the bone, barely any skin or flesh to speak of. It's regeneration only fed the fire that consumed it. But that would mean the fire would have to carbonize his monster's cells and to be that hot…
The doctor's thoughts were interrupted by another screaming fit from Shigiraki. "Well, All Might only showed up at the end! So, it was a complete waste of time!" He would be sure to send the message to his master once this call was done.
"I'll relay your words to the master. And if it means anything, I am working on more so don't fret." Before Shigiraki had another fit and threw a glass at the screen, the doctor shut off the call or was cut off by All for One. Whichever came first. Now to wait then contact the master.
After a few minutes, the cameras in his lab shut off or turned away for a moment. No longer being watched, the doctor went under his desk and started to turn a dial a few times in an exact pattern.
Finishing the combination, a panel slid open in the far wall. He grabbed the report on his desk walked over to the wall and pushed down his thick glasses so the panel can scan his eyes clearly.
The scan completed and confirmed his identity, with it, a false wall depressurized and cracked open. Pushing open the wall, the doctor entered a hidden compartment of his lab and within was massive wall full of flashing lights, buttons, and a large screen.
A foggy green light emanated from the tubes that ran across the floor, funnelling into the machine that awaited activation. It took years to build with the plans his master left him and to hide it from the "League". The doctor activated the machine and it whirred to life. With it now active, he opened a scanner and placed the report on it. Sending streams of data to his master, wherever he may be.
All he could do now was wait.
"Ah~ Good doctor, it has been some time." The voice of the doctor's lord echoed through the hidden chamber. The monitor only picking up and displaying his voice and nothing else. "What news do you have for me?" A brief silence before he spoke again. The report must have reached him now. "Oh, I see. The Hypertuned…"
"Tell me what has transpired." He commanded. The doctor obeyed. The doctor went into as much detail as he could to his brilliant master. How the Hypertuned was devastating just as he predicted but was ultimately defeated. "By the deviant?" His master questioned.
"No, my lord." The doctor spoke. "By a group of heroes. One of which was capable of incinerating the Hypertuned to a crisp as was said in the report you have received." Another silence. Was his master displeased? After a moment, a low chuckle came from the screen. "My lord?"
"What became of the remains?"
"Most likely in the hands of the authorities. Being held as evidence." The doctor answered in a heartbeat. Not wanting to waste his master's precious time.
"I see… I will have the remains retrieved and returned to you in the morrow at a specified location. In the meantime, continue to search for more suitable… candidates for hypertunement.
"It is clear you do not have necessary material or strong enough minds to work with to allow for the Hypertuned to have autonomy yet… and that is why it failed as it did." His lord finished. The doctor bowed, knowing his master could see him but not the other way around.
"I do so love our little chats. Before I leave you, good doctor, tell me…"
"…How fairs our dear "All for One"?"