Chapter 225 - 29

Chapter 29

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

– Mahatma Gandhi

Hosu City, Japan - May 2197

In the subway station, Black Widow brought a young brother and sister, refugees from the trapped bus above, to an unoccupied corner in the station. Utilizing her communicator and getting their parent's contact info from the kids, she was able to quickly let their parents know of their whereabouts.

"You two stay here and watch out for one another. Your parents know where you are now. They'll come once everything up top is settled. Understood?"

The siblings nodded in understanding. The sister, her voice tinged with the remnants of fear but brimming with curiosity, said, "Thank you, ma'am. Um, what's your Hero name?"

"Black Widow."

The boy frowned slightly, "Sounds more like a villain's name."

Romanoff smirked at the observation. "Maybe. But sometimes you need a bit of darkness to fight off the shadows," she quipped, earning a tentative laugh from the children.

Her communicator crackled to life, pulling her back to the present crisis. "Widow, Iida's gone after the Hero Killer. I'm heading to an alley on Echo Street now," Captain Midoriya's voice came through, urgent and determined.

Widow's posture stiffened, concern etching her features. "Wait, Captain, let's regroup and—"

He interrupted, the line cutting with his resolve. "No time. I have to go now!"

"Wait!" She tried to contact him again, but the line disconnected, leading her to curse softly under her breath. She turned back to the kids, ensuring they were settled and safe, a silent promise made in her gaze.

With no time to waste, Widow sprinted towards the stairs and as she emerged onto the street, an explosion a block down snagged her attention, a billow of smoke marking the site of another battle.

Romanoff's gaze sharpened as she took in the frenetic battle unfolding before her. A pair of Nomus—one with sickly yellow skin and demonic wings, clad in blue trousers, the other a hulking mass of muscle enveloped in black skin, wearing light-blue jeans and shin guards, devoid of eyes—were wreaking havoc. The group of heroes, stretched to their limits, fought valiantly against the dual threats of the monstrous beings and the encroaching flames.

In a moment of desperation, a hero uprooted a fire hydrant from the sidewalk. "Manual! Your Quirk—now! We need to extinguish these fires!"

"Understood!" Manual replied, sprinting forward. Extending his arms, he manipulated the water, steering it toward the fire-engulfed buildings looming in the background.

Amidst the turmoil, a blonde-haired heroine in a white-and-green jumpsuit and red bandana, frantically communicated through her earpiece. "Where's our backup?! We can't hold them off much longer–"

"Look out!" came a warning cry.

The Eyeless Nomu crept ominously behind her and lifted its arms up, preparing to crush her. Just as disaster seemed imminent, a projectile zipped through the air, striking the Nomu squarely in its exposed brain. An electrical current followed, coursing through its body and rendering it momentarily incapacitated.

With swift decisiveness, Black Widow intervened, pushing the heroine clear of danger. They hit the ground together, a tangle of limbs and urgency. Looking up, the heroine's expression mingled confusion with relief.

Regaining her footing and brushing herself off, the blonde offered a smile tinged with gratitude. "Thanks for the save."

Widow, while acknowledging the thanks, kept her focus on the looming threat of the Nomus. "Keep your guard up; this isn't over yet."

True to her warning, the Eyeless Nomu, quickly shrugging off the effects of the electric shock, turning to Widow and issuing a guttural sound of defiance.

Widow met its stare with determination. 'I'll have to trust the Captain can handle things on his end. If he doesn't, I'll bring him back just to kill him myself.' 

"Goodbye, boy. May your death bring about a better world."

"No...Not like this..." Iida's mind raced, his resolve flickering in the face of impending death. Haunting memories of his older brother's words echoed in his mind, "Knowing that you look up to me makes me better. I have to make sure I make you proud."

"Say whatever you want about me, you're still nothing but a murderer!" Iida spat out defiantly.

Poised to deliver the final blow, Stain's eyes caught sight of an unexpected flash of motion.

In a moment that seemed suspended in time, Stain's blade met an unyielding force, not just halted but shattered by the impact with a star-and-stripped shield. It then struck Stain squarely in the chest, the force of the blow sending him reeling backward.

Stain, caught off guard, stumbled but quickly regained his footing. A sharp pain confirmed a few ribs had broken under the shield's impact. Gritting his teeth, he looked up to identify his unexpected assailant.

Standing protectively in front of Iida was none other than Captain Midoriya, his posture resolute as he caught the shield on its rebound. "Just in time..." he murmured, a note of relief in his voice.

"M-Midoriya?" Iida's voice was a mix of shock and disbelief, hardly able to comprehend what was happening.

Recognition flickered in Stain's gaze, murmuring, "UA's Freshman All-Star."

Standing firm, Captain Midoriya gripped his shield, his resolve clear in his posture. "It's okay you two," acknowledging both Iida and Native. "No one else dies tonight."

Stain scrutinized the hero before him, noting the intense resolve that Midoriya's expression bore, particularly the fierce glow within his emerald eyes—a look reminiscent of the determination he'd admired in his life's two greatest idols.

In that moment, Stain contemplated, his pain from the broken ribs momentarily forgotten. 'Could he be an exception?'

From his place against the wall, Native, pain etching his features, managed to voice a feeble warning. "Don't...try it. Just run...he's a monster."

But Captain Midoriya's gaze only intensified, meeting Stain's lethal intent head-on. "So am I."

Intrigued by Midoriya's fearless declaration, Stain launched himself into an attack, his blade slicing through the air with deadly intent. Captain Midoriya remained resolute, his gaze as focused as a honed edge. His mind raced, rapidly dissecting the alley's layout for tactical advantage. With a deft motion, he launched his shield to the side, letting it skillfully ricochet against the alley walls. Stain hesitated, taken aback by Captain Midoriya's bold move to seemingly discard his primary defense, yet he pressed on, undaunted in his advance.

As Stain aimed a deadly strike towards the super-soldier's face, the shield, as if on cue, rebounded from the wall, intercepting the attack and shattering Stain's blade. Following the shield's intervention, the Captain unleashed a powerful roundhouse kick, which Stain narrowly evaded by leaping backwards.

Stain pondered the possibility of a telekinetic Quirk at play, scrutinizing the shield's return. But he quickly deduced that no such Quirk was involved; it was Captain Midoriya's skill alone guiding the shield. Adjusting his tactics, Stain drew another blade, arming himself anew.

The battle intensified as Captain Midoriya adeptly navigated Stain's renewed onslaught, his movements a blur of precision and tactical foresight. The shield, an extension of his will, darted through the air, perfectly timed to thwart Stain's attacks and protect any exposed vulnerabilities. It was as though the shield bore its own consciousness, seamlessly woven into Midoriya's combat strategy, turning Stain's formidable attacks into futile efforts.

This ballet of combat, with Captain Midoriya orchestrating the shield's path while simultaneously engaging Stain in close quarters, was captivating. Each of the super-soldier's steps, his calculated dodges and counterattacks, displayed an unmatched mastery of the battlefield. He not only matched Stain's vicious strikes but dictated the flow of their confrontation.

Stain, for all his ferocity and conviction, found himself ensnared in Midoriya's tempo. The metallic chorus of blades clashing against the adamantium-vibranium shield punctuated the alley, each impact a reminder of Stain's failing attempts to breach Captain Midoriya's defense.

As the battle raged on, Iida and Native watched, transfixed by the spectacle before them. Native, barely able to peel his gaze away, murmured in astonishment, "Who is this guy? His combat... it's on par with the Top Pros..."

Iida, overwhelmed by the display of his friend's prowess, felt a surge of mixed emotions. "No… Please, not this way," he pleaded softly, his voice trembling with the burden of his legacy. "I carry my brother's name... This battle should be mine."

Amidst the fray, Captain Midoriya caught Iida's words, replying without missing a beat, "Ingenium wouldn't wear such a sorry, defeated look."

Taken aback, Iida's eyes shot open wide.

The Captain didn't pause, pushing his point home, "If you are truly Ingenium now, Tenya, then stand up and fight alongside me."

"A vain plea," Stain scoffed. "Those two fakes are what they are and will not change."

He retreated slightly, only to unleash a smaller blade directly at Captain Midoriya's face with lethal intent. But the Captain, with enhanced human reflexes, snatched the blade from the air and, with a swift maneuver, sent it hurtling back towards Stain.

Stain, anticipating the trajectory, moved to evade, but the blade, as if guided by an unseen force, altered its path mid-flight, grazing Stain's cheek and drawing blood.

A thin line of red now marking his face, Stain couldn't help but offer a crazed grin of acknowledgment. 'Such impressive reflexes,' he thought, recognizing the formidable adversary before him.

As Stain recognized his conventional tactics were ineffective against Captain Midoriya, he decided to adapt his strategy. With a calculated kick, he propelled a nearby trashcan into the trajectory of the Captain's perpetually ricocheting shield, temporarily unsettling its path. Capitalizing on this brief lapse, Stain advanced with lethal intent, his sword aimed to strike.

Captain Midoriya, responding with acute agility, evaded the imminent threat by leaping backward, executing a twist to dodge the blade. This movement, however, played right into Stain's strategy as he unveiled a smaller blade, launching it towards Captain Midoriya's now vulnerable back.

Unexpectedly, the skirmish's dynamics shifted once more. The shield's encounter with the trashcan had sent the lid spiraling through the air, intercepting Stain's blade and sparing Captain Midoriya from harm. The shield, akin to an extension of the super-soldier himself, returned to his hand seamlessly, as if drawn by an unseen force.

Launching the shield back into the fray, Captain Midoriya and Stain's battle continued, unbroken by the brief interruption. "Your skills... they're quite uncanny for a freshman," Stain acknowledged, pausing to reflect on the encounter.

Captain Midoriya, reclaiming his shield, faced Stain squarely. "It's not just about skill," he said, his conviction resonating through his words. "It's about standing up for those who can't stand for themselves. That's what being a Hero is about."

'Yes! Finally someone who gets it!' Impressed by Midoriya's words, Stain decided to test his convictions further.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent a knife flying towards Native, forcing Captain Midoriya to deflect it with his shield. Almost simultaneously, Stain targeted Iida with another blade. Iida tensed, anticipating impact, but once again, the shield's timely intervention thwarted the attack.

Stain, undeterred, unleashed a flurry of blades towards both Native and Iida, then threw his left katana directly at Midoriya.

'What will you do now that you can't block all three? Which one will you save? Will you possibly take a killing blow to protect the both? Or will you save yourself first? Are you prepared to make such impossible choices? Are you merely starting to walk the path of a true hero…or are you already resolved like THEM? Show me your conviction!' Stain internally shouted, eager to see his opponent's choice.

The Captain, catching his shield, calculated the trajectory of each incoming blade, his actions swift and decisive as he hurled it to the side. The shield bounced off the wall and struck the trashcan from earlier, sending it flying in Native's direction. At the same time, the star-and-stripped disk ricocheted off the trashcan and in front of Iida to deflect the blade.

Captain Midoriya, demonstrating exceptional dexterity, dodged Stain's spinning sword by bending backward, allowing it to fly into the street. He stood up to face Stain and caught the shield with his left hand.

Stain's grin widened, a fervent spark igniting in his eyes. "Well done! Finally! A hero who is more than just hollow words."

'This one… He could truly be one. A True Hero!' Stain manically thought.

"Keep up, Thermodyn. I'll show you what it truly means to be a Hero!"

With Shoto and a cadre of Sidekicks in tow, they ran down the street towards the ongoing destruction, pursued by a gaze of crimson intent. A creature, with a guttural growl, advanced, its form a blur across the rooftops, melding with the darkness as it moved. As they neared the flaming building, the shadow pounced and launched itself at the strongest of the group with predatory precision.

"Endeavor!" Thermodyn cried out, a warning that came just in time for Endeavor to pivot and confront the assailant head-on.

The creature collided with Endeavor, forcing him to the ground in a display of sheer force. Just as its monstrous jaws aimed for his jugular, Endeavor unleashed a maelstrom of fire, his strength and pyrokinetic abilities repelling the beast with a burst of intense heat.

Catapulted by the force of Endeavor's counterattack, the creature executed a nimble landing on all fours, its feline grace unmistakable even in its monstrous form. As the dust settled and the light caught its features, the team beheld the attacker—a behemoth that seemed to have stepped out from the annals of prehistory yet twisted with a modern nightmare's touch.

It stood towering, its presence dominating at 244 centimeters (eight-feet-tall), muscles rippling beneath its skin and bore the unmistakable visage of a humanoid Sabertooth Tiger, complete with two massive, razor-sharp canines and ears perked with feral attentiveness. Its brain, a maze of cybernetic enhancements, lay bare and pulsating, while its hide—a patchwork of dark fur and gleaming skin—was marked with the stark stripes of its ancient counterparts. Lightweight armor hugged its form, a blend of protection and agility.

"What is that?!" One sidekick yelled.

"Is that even a man?" Another questioned, equally shocked.

Thermodyn's eyes widened in recognition–the creature's exposed brain left no doubt in his mind. "It's a Nomu," he identified, tension lacing his voice.

Endeavor rose, flames still licking his form as he assessed their foe. "So the League of Villains is responsible here."

The group observed the creature's burnt fur and flesh knitted back together before their eyes.

Endeavor narrowed his gaze. "Regeneration? Well then!" He launched himself at the beast, agilely ducking beneath a swipe meant to maim. Grasping the creature's head with both hands, directing his flames on the beast's head and increasing the temperature to where the flames started turning blue.

"Let's see you come back from—" Endeavor's taunt was cut short when, to everyone's shock, the creature retaliated with a blast of crimson flames from its mouth! The attack sent Endeavor hurtling through the air, crashing into the side of a nearby building with a thunderous impact.

"Endeavor!?" The sidekicks shouted.

Thermodyn's heterochromatic eyes widened in shock. 'What?! It can breathe fire!?' 

"Thermodyn! Freeze it!" shouted one of the sidekicks, leaping into the fray alongside his comrades. Their Quirks ignited, ready for the assault.

Regaining his composure, Thermodyn stepped forward, his right foot anchoring him to the ground as he unleashed a powerful wave of ice toward the Sabertooth Nomu. The creature found itself ensnared, ice creeping up its body, immobilizing it momentarily. The sidekicks, each a wielder of fire-based Quirks, converged their powers into a fiery onslaught aimed at the beast.

But the beast, with a mere flex of its bulging muscles, shattered its icy prison with ease. In a blur of movement and ferocity, it launched itself at the Heroes, its claws swiping with lethal precision. Two sidekicks were thrown aside, incapacitated by the force of the attack, while a third lay motionless, life extinguished in an instant.

Todoroki Shoto's gaze locked onto the fallen hero, blood painting the street red. A chilling realization dawned on him—a Hero had died in front of him.

'Did that just happen…' His heart raced, adrenaline surging through his veins. The sight of death igniting a fierce determination in Thermodyn.

With a cry of defiance, he summoned a barrage of icy spikes, aiming to impale the Nomu. Yet, the creature dodged with astonishing agility, leaping between the spikes, its murderous intent fixed on Thermodyn.

As the distance closed, panic set in. Flames erupted from Thermodyn's left side; however, in his heightened state of anxiety, his flames scattered aimlessly and lacked the precision needed to land a decisive blow.

Unhindered by the flames, the Sabertooth Nomu advanced and, with a swift strike, it left Thermodyn with wounds deep and severe.

"AAAHHH!" Thermodyn painfully cried out as he was flung down the street, the impact jarring. Lying there, grappling with the pain and shock of his injuries, he felt his consciousness begin slipping away.

The Nomu growled as it menacingly approached the fallen Hero-hopeful and stood above him, its injuries beginning to swiftly heal. Just as the beast prepared to deliver a finishing blow to Thermodyn, it suddenly stopped as its feline ears perked up.

It glanced back as Endeavor emerged from the rubble of the building; his rage palpable. With a roar, the Number Two Hero launched himself straight toward the prehistoric-themed creature and landed a powerful flaming punch into its head.

"HOW DARE YOU HURT MY SON!" Fueled by his rage, his flames burned brighter.

The Sabertooth Nomu, caught in the blast, was sent skidding across the pavement, eventually regaining its footing with a predator's grace. Around its head, where flames had seared its flesh, regeneration commenced immediately, though the intricate web of cybernetics now bore signs of scorching. It shook its massive head, as if dispelling the daze wrought by Endeavor's attack, and refocused its menacing gaze on the Flame Hero, a low growl vibrating in its throat.

Like an enraged tiger, the Nomu charged forward. Endeavor mirrored the Nomu's charge and blasted himself forward.

Meanwhile, in a news helicopter above the chaos tearing through Hosu's District 4, Haruka Miyagi was at the forefront of capturing the unfolding disaster.

"It's been roughly half-an-hour since this disaster started, and fires are still raging on in District 4's corners." Haruka reported, silently ordering the cameraman to zoom in on several buildings where fire trucks were on scene. "While firefighters continue to battle the burning sky rises, a band of local Heroes are still engaged with two Villains further downtown: both resembling the Nomu from the UA University USJ Attack, per eyewitness reports. We'll continue to update the situation as it–Wait a moment!"

She stopped when a separate conflagration caught her eye, distinct and apart from the main inferno consuming the city's structures. "Let's get closer," she directed the pilot, her journalist instincts kicking into high gear.

The camera lens zoomed in, bringing into sharp focus the heart of the new blaze.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have visual confirmation that Endeavor is on scene! He's currently engaged with what appears to be…a Nomu?" Haraku's voice was a mix of awe and concern.

The broadcast captured every second of the clash, revealing the Sabertooth Nomu's astounding agility as it evaded Endeavor's blistering assaults and countered with vicious strikes of its own. Each attack from the Nomu left visible marks on Endeavor, tearing through his costume and inflicting deep wounds.

"Endeavor's taking some damage, folks," Haruka reported, the gravity of the situation sinking in for viewers across the city. "We've already seen one Nomu get taken down. Will the Number Two Hero be able to handle this situation alone?"

Fueled by a surge of anger and determination, Endeavor intensified his efforts. His flames, already a fearsome sight, shifted to a mesmerizing blue, signaling an increase in heat and intensity. With a focused beam of blue fire, he targeted the Nomu, finally landing a significant hit on its chest.

Haruka captured this moment, her voice filled with a hopeful tone, "Endeavor seems to have gained the upper hand!"

But the victory was short-lived.

Endeavor, visibly exhausted and struggling from the heat, fell to one knee. "Dammit! I missed its head…" He cursed.

Haruka's initial report of the Hero's triumph was hastily revised as she observed, in real-time, the creature's wounds healing completely. "Incredible, the Nomu is standing back up, fully healed," she reported, her tone betraying her shock at the creature's rapid regeneration.

Endeavor, despite the apparent setback, stood his ground, the intensity of the battle etched into his sweat-drenched face. "You're a formidable opponent," he conceded, the flames around him flickering with renewed vigor. Drawing a deep breath, he defiantly added, "But I've faced worse!"

A sly grin briefly crossed the Nomu's features, its attention momentarily caught by something behind Endeavor. The next thing that happened was shocking.

"Doubtful." 

…

…

The creature's ability to articulate left Endeavor momentarily stunned.

Seizing the moment, the Sabertooth Nomu unleashed a stream of red fire, not aimed at Endeavor, but at an unsuspecting target behind him—a fire hydrant. The hydrant exploded under the heat, unleashing a torrent of water that drenched the area, snuffing out Endeavor's flames and enveloping him in a dense cloud of steam.

Caught off-guard by the abrupt chill, Endeavor's instincts sharpened, realizing his compromised position as visibility waned. It was then that the Nomu, exploiting the veil of steam, launched itself at Endeavor, pinning him with its monstrous weight.

With its claws embedded in Endeavor's flesh to immobilize him, the creature poised to deliver a fatal bite to the Hero's throat.

Then, a spear of ice burst through the steam, piercing the creature and sending it crashing through a concrete wall of a building across the street. The impact left a web of cracks before the building partially collapsed, burying the Nomu under rubble and ice.

Endeavor turned, his breath visible in the cold air, to see his son, lying on his back with his right hand still outstretched from the attack.

From above, the news helicopter swept over the scene. "W-what a twist of fate." Haruka Miyagi spoke into her microphone. "Endeavor's son comes to his father's rescue and defeats the Nomu!"

As Haruka prepared to continue her report, another explosion rippled through the streets below, casting a fiery glow against the night sky. Her attention snapped to the unfolding chaos further down the street, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Another explosion," she announced, her voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "Is it a consequence of the fires, or are there more battles erupting?"

Adjusting her headset, she directed the pilot, her tone firm. "Get us closer!"

With a determined nod, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter towards the source of the disturbance, the roar of the engine drowning out the cacophony of chaos below.

Meanwhile, Endeavor shakily managed to stand, his movements sluggish and pained. He limped over to Shoto, his face etched with concern. "Shoto, are you alright?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Thermodyn was clutching his chest, blood seeping between his fingers.

"That's bad," Without hesitation, he raised his hand, the air around it shimmering with heat. "I'm sorry, but I'll need to close the wound until we can get you to the hospital."

He inched his hand towards Shoto's chest, ready to sear the wound closed. But Shoto reached out, stopping him. "No… I'll do it," he said, his voice low but firm.

Before Endeavor could protest, he added, "I won't let you be the cause of another scar."

Endeavor's breath hitched in his throat. "Shoto…"

Grimacing with pain, Thermodyn concentrated, his hand glowing with an intense red flame. Slowly, he pressed his palm against the wound, the smell of searing flesh rising in the cool air. His jaw clenched, eyes shut tight against the pain, but when he finally withdrew his hand, the bleeding had stopped. His eyes then rolled back as he slumped to the ground.

"Shoto!?" Endeavor knelt by his son and checked his pulse. He sighed in relief when he felt one, realizing that he must've passed out from the sheer pain of his cauterization.

Reaching up for his earpiece communicator, he called out for immediate medical assistance for his son and two sidekicks. It sickened his stomach that one sidekick had been killed, especially on his watch.

Unbeknownst to them, a section of the collapsed rubble began to shift as a bloody pawed hand reached out.

Stain's grin widened, a fervent spark igniting in his eyes. "Well done! Finally! A hero who is more than just hollow words."

Captain Midoriya held his shield steadfast, his gaze never leaving Stain. Nearby, Native and Iida watched in awe as Midoriya skillfully thwarted Stain's attacks, protecting them with effortless precision.

'I knew Midoriya was skilled and well-trained… But this?!'Iida, lying on the ground, looked on in shock. 'He's going toe-to-toe with that murderer!' 

"Tell me," Stain pressed on, his tone edged with curiosity, "what is your Hero name?"

"Captain Midoriya," came the unwavering reply.

Stain's grin widened, his maniacal eyes glowing with approval. "Inspired by the First Hero, I see. Well, you may indeed have what it takes to carry on his legacy, Midoriya Izuku. I can see the spirit of a True Hero inside you!"

The Captain met Stain's gaze head-on. "And what about you? Why all this? What legacy are you trying to forge, Akaguro Chizome?"

Stain's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, while Native and Iida exchanged confused glances.

'He knows his real name? How?' Iida wondered, shocked.

Stain's gaze narrowed, his conviction unwavering. "Simple. This society is suffering from an addiction to Pro Heroes. Like any other destructive addiction, it has spawned a tumor—one that, if left unchecked, will lead to this world's downfall."

He continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "People are so blinded by their idolization of Heroes that they turn a blind eye to their faults. The only remedy for this sickness is to excise it. The eradication of those false pretenders who tarnish the title of Hero, who exploit it for their own gain, is a necessary evil."

"And who, in your eyes, are these 'fakes'?" Captain Midoriya inquired, his tone steady.

"For starters, those who see Heroism as nothing more than a path to fame and fortune," Stain declared, gesturing towards Native against the alley wall. "Or those who pursue it for personal vendettas," he added, indicating Iida lying on the ground behind Captain Midoriya.

Iida bristled at the accusation, his fists clenched, but a part of him knew there was truth in Stain's words. His eyes widened when he realized something… Feeling had returned to his body.

"Fakes like them must be purged in order for this society to heal," Stain asserted.

"By your standards, that's a long list of Heroes to eliminate," Captain Midoriya observed.

"I will do what must be done, and I won't rest until my mission is fulfilled," Stain declared, his voice unwavering and resolute.

Captain Midoriya studied Stain's expression, noting the unwavering determination in his crimson eyes. It was a familiar intensity, reminiscent of All Might himself.

'He's not just speaking. He's willing to go to any lengths to achieve his goals, even if it means sacrificing himself.' The realization settled heavily on the Captain's shoulders.

"I understand your grievances, Akaguro, but your methods are too extreme," the First Hero stated firmly, his gaze locked on the fanatic. "This ends tonight. No one else dies."

"Midoriya," Iida's voice cut through the tension as Iida struggled to his feet, determination etched across his face. "I'm sorry you got pulled into this. But this—this is my battle."

"Tenya," Captain Midoriya responded calmly, "this isn't about being dragged into a fight; it's about standing together when it matters most. That's what Heroes do."

Iida met Midoriya's gaze, the gravity of his words resonating deeply. A moment of vulnerability showed on his face as he absorbed the spirit of unity.

Iida nodded firmly in understanding.

"Native," Captain Midoriya then called out, his tone shifting to one of concern, "are you still paralyzed?"

"Yeah..." came Native's weak reply.

Captain Midoriya nodded solemnly. "Okay, Ingenium," he continued, turning to Iida, who straightened at his hero name, "our top priority here is to protect Native. We need to work together to keep Stain focused on us."

Stain's grin widened, a mad glint in his eyes as he observed their strategy. 'Even facing a dangerous foe, his priority is to protect others. Admirable. His values are in the right place,' he thought approvingly.

"Right! Understood," Iida affirmed, his voice firm with resolve.

Stain's gaze then hardened as he turned back to Iida. "People don't change their nature so easily. You're still nothing but a pretender."

"Perhaps," Iida conceded, his resolve unshaken despite the taunt. "But I can't back down. If I do, the name 'Ingenium' dies with me."

Stain scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Words are cheap. Let's put your convictions to the test!" With those words, Stain lunged forward, reigniting the clash in the narrow alley.

"Where's our backup?! We can't hold them off much longer–"

"Look out!" came a warning cry.

The Eyeless Nomu crept ominously behind the blonde heroine and lifted its arms up, preparing to crush her. Just as disaster seemed imminent, a projectile zipped through the air, striking the Nomu squarely in its exposed brain. An electrical current followed, coursing through its body and rendering it momentarily incapacitated.

With swift decisiveness, Black Widow intervened, pushing the heroine clear of danger. They hit the ground together, a tangle of limbs and urgency. Looking up, the heroine's expression mingled confusion with relief.

Regaining her footing and brushing herself off, the blonde offered a smile tinged with gratitude. "Thanks for the save."

Widow, while acknowledging the thanks, kept her focus on the looming threat of the Nomus. "Keep your guard up; this isn't over yet."

As the Eyeless Nomu recovered from the electric shock, its grotesque features twisted in a renewed fury.

"Lady Blitz! Both of you get away!" A hero shouted in alarm.

With a guttural roar, it charged forward, its massive limbs swinging wildly. The blonde heroine, Lady Blitz, and Black Widow instantly split apart, forcing the creature to choose its target. Its blind eyes seemed to fixate on Widow, who was already in motion.

Black Widow dodged the Nomu's lunges gracefully, her body twisting and turning in the air with elegant precision. Meanwhile, a couple of male heroes attempted to intervene, launching themselves at the beast with heroic bravado. However, they were quickly swatted aside like flies, their efforts doing little to slow the monster's relentless assault.

Amidst the chaos, other heroes grappled with a different threat. Winged Nomu circled above, its silhouette stark against the smoke-filled sky, hurling flaming debris towards the ground. The heroes dodged and weaved, their attention divided between the aerial assault and the menace on the ground.

In the midst of the turmoil, Black Widow spotted an opportunity. She leaped onto the roof of a nearby car, the metal crumpling slightly under her weight. As the Eyeless Nomu lunged toward her once more, she jumped back, her timing impeccable. Mid-air, she aimed her gold gauntlets at the beast, firing a series of sharp, electrified projectiles. They struck true, hitting the Nomu and sending another wave of electric current through its massive body, momentarily stunning it again.

Seizing the moment, Widow swiftly pulled a black cylindrical device from her utility belt. With the Nomu briefly incapacitated, she sprinted forward. In one fluid motion, she jumped, flipping over the creature to reach its neck. There, she attached the device firmly at the base of its thick, muscular neck, and used the Nomu as a springboard to jump away.

The Eyeless Nomu, recovering faster this time, turned abruptly to face her. Its massive fists raised to strike, but before it could move, the device activated.

KA-BOOM!

An intense explosion tore through the air, lighting up the battlefield with a brilliant flash and a deafening blast. As the blinding light dissipated and the smoke thinned, the towering form of the Eyeless Nomu was revealed, now headless. It swayed precariously before crashing down with a resounding thud, sending a tremor through the ground.

A hushed stillness enveloped the area, broken only by the distant crackle of fires and the wail of emergency sirens echoing through the city.

Lady Blitz, standing a safe distance away, finally released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her eyes, wide with shock and tinged with awe, were locked on Black Widow. Under her breath, she murmured in disbelief, "Whoa…" Her thoughts raced, incredulous at the swift defeat of the beast that had beleaguered them for nearly half an hour, "We've been battling that monster for so long, and she just... finished it just like that?"

Regaining her composure, Black Widow brushed a strand of her long, red hair back over her shoulder, her posture relaxed yet alert. She turned to survey the other heroes, her Russian accent slightly coloring her Japanese, "Everyone okay?" Her voice, steady and calm, cut through the tension of the aftermath.

Around her, the Pro Heroes gathered couldn't help but think in unison, 'She's amazing!'

"Yeah, we're peachy." Lady Blitz responded. "T-that was something… Who are you?"

"Black Widow." She quickly replied. "I'm with the Urban Guard agency."

"Urban Guard?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the piercing screech of the remaining Winged Nomu, redirecting their focus to the ongoing threat. But the battle was about to grow even more chaotic.

Above, the steady hum of helicopter blades grew louder as a news chopper approached, flying perilously close to the fray. Its arrival seemed to attract the ire of the Winged Nomu, which let out a malevolent screech and dove towards the hovering aircraft.

Spotting the threat in her peripheral vision, Black Widow spun around and aimed her gauntlets skyward. Her fingers deftly pressed the triggers, releasing a flurry of electrified projectiles that streaked through the air. The shots found their mark on the Winged Nomu, striking its vulnerable brain. Electrical energy sparked visibly as the creature's piercing screech morphed into a pained groan. Mid-flight, its body convulsed, then plummeted heavily to the ground, landing with a dull thud that echoed through the tense air.

Inside the circling news chopper, the camera pivoted sharply towards the action, zooming in on the dramatic scene. Haruka immediately recognized the figure responsible for the takedown. "Closer, focus on her," she directed the cameraman with urgency, her eyes fixed on Black Widow.

As the lens zoomed in, Black Widow could be seen scanning her surroundings, her posture relaxed yet unmistakably vigilant. She then addressed the group of heroes battling the residual fires and debris, her voice clear and commanding over the din, "I presume you can handle the rest?"

Lady Blitz, momentarily stunned by the earlier events, nodded and responded with a hesitant yet respectful tone, "Uh, yeah."

Acknowledging the confirmation with a single nod, Black Widow was all business. "Good. When you're done here, meet me on Echo Street immediately." She then turned and dashed away, her movements swift and determined.

"Wait, why?!" Lady Blitz called out, her confusion evident in her furrowed brow.

"There's a couple Hero student interns that need help! No time to explain!" Black Widow yelled back without breaking stride or looking back.

The camera caught every stride, broadcasting her swift departure as she raced towards a new emergency, her auburn hair streaming behind her like a fiery banner. From the helicopter, Haruka Miyagi looked on with a gleam in her chestnut eyes. "Wow…What a great shot!" She muted her microphone. "This will make for an excellent story!"

The narrow alley on Echo Street was a whirlwind of action as Stain, his movements deadly and deliberate, lunged forward. His blade caught the faint light, glinting menacingly as he targeted his next strike. Captain Midoriya, prepared for the assault, positioned himself strategically. With a swift motion, he hurled his shield, not merely aiming to strike but to orchestrate the flow of the skirmish.

Ingenium, his engines roaring with anticipation, surged towards Stain, intent on landing a powerful engine-boosted roundhouse kick to the villain's head. But as his leg arced through the air, Midoriya's shield unexpectedly intercepted, clashing against Iida's calf and redirecting his trajectory.

Confusion and a flash of annoyance flickered across Iida's face as he glanced at Midoriya. 'He blocked my attack? Why would he—' His thought cut short when he saw the gleam of Stain's blade slashing through the space he had just occupied.

His eyes widened with the stark realization that, had the shield not altered his move, he would have been impaled. Gratitude replaced irritation, and his body relaxed slightly, understanding that Midoriya was watching his back.

'I see now,' Iida acknowledged silently, a renewed sense of teamwork kindling within him.

As Stain recovered from his failed strike, the shield returned to the Captain's outstretched hand with a practiced motion.

He nodded subtly at Ingenium.

With a renewed sense of focus, Ingenium repositioned himself, his gaze locked on Stain as the villain circled, hunting for a weak spot. Captain Midoriya, reading the flow of battle, initiated a deceptive maneuver, feinting a throw of his shield. Stain, anticipating the projectile, momentarily shifted his focus, which was exactly what Iida was waiting for.

Engines roaring, Ingenium surged forward, his legs a blur as he employed the Savate techniques Midoriya had taught him. He unleashed a barrage of rapid kicks, each aimed with deadly precision. Stain, however, was quick on his feet, dodging each attack by a hair's breadth and readying his blade for a counterstrike.

In that critical moment, Captain Midoriya acted. He skillfully bounced his shield off the ground, the metal disc sliding under Ingenium's feet and tripping him up. This unexpected move forced Iida into a sudden dodge, narrowly avoiding Stain's lethal stab.

Quick to recover, Ingenium rolled back to his feet, his eyes catching the returning arc of the shield. He kicked out powerfully, his foot connecting with the shield and redirecting it with astounding accuracy. The shield hurtled back towards Stain, striking his arm just as he was about to thrust his blade forward. The impact knocked the weapon off course, sparing Midoriya from a dangerous blow.

Captain Midoriya didn't waste the opening, rushing in to seize Stain's wrist in a firm grip and twisting sharply. The blade dropped to the ground with a clang, and Midoriya kicked it out of reach, effectively disarming the villain.

Observing the formidable teamwork, Stain's eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and respect. 'They coordinate like clockwork,' he thought. But Stain wasn't done yet. His gaze shifted to Native, still paralyzed and vulnerable against the wall. 'Time to escalate the stakes,' he mused, and with a swift movement, he flung a concealed blade straight at Native.

"NO!" The shout tore from Iida's throat as he acted instinctively.

His engines at maximum output, Iida hurled himself into the path of the flying blade. The metal sliced through the air with deadly intent but found Iida instead of its intended target. The blade cut through his armor and buried itself into his left forearm. Ingenium tumbled to the ground, grimacing in pain as he clutched his wounded arm.

Stain paused, taken aback by Iida's selfless act.

This split-second distraction gave Captain Midoriya the edge he needed as he swept Stain's legs out from under him. As Stain stumbled, the shield, which had been bouncing across the alleyway, returned spinning through the air towards Ingenium.

"INGENIUM! NOW!" Captain Midoriya shouted.

Returning to his feet, Iida clenched his teeth and fought through the pain. "I will defeat you, Stain! Because you are a criminal!"

In a spectacular display of agility and timing, Iida extended his leg and caught the shield by the straps with his boot.

"Because I am…" He swung his left up and crashed it down onto Stain's head in a powerful, shielded kick. "...A HERO!"

The force of the impact reverberated through the alley as Stain hit the ground with a heavy thud, rendered unconscious by the powerful blow. Silence enveloped the scene, broken only by the distant sounds of the city.

Captain Midoriya and Ingenium, still braced for any sudden movements, watched Stain intently. Seconds stretched into what seemed like eternity as they monitored the fallen villain, ensuring he wouldn't rise again. Finally, as Stain lay motionless, the tension began to ebb away, and the weight of their triumph settled upon them.

Nearby, Native watched in stunned silence, his eyes wide with disbelief. "...They did it. Those two college kids actually beat the Hero Killer?!" he murmured to himself, his voice a mix of awe and incredulity.

Exhausted, Iida disengaged the shield from his boot and dropped to one knee. His head bowed as he took deep, labored breaths.

"Tenya!?" Captain Midoriya's voice was tinged with concern as he hurried to Iida's side, his eyes quickly assessing the extent of his friend's injuries.

"It's…alright… I'll…be okay," Iida murmured, attempting to minimize his pain, though the strain in his voice was evident.

Midoriya shook his head, not convinced by Iida's brave front. He gently guided Iida toward the wall, helping him to sit and lean back against it. "These wounds are serious. Try not to move too much," he instructed, his tone firm yet caring.

At that moment, Native approached, his movements still slightly stiff as the effects of the paralysis faded. "Need a hand with anything?" he asked, looking between the two college students.

"Perfect timing," Captain Midoriya remarked, as he retrieved a small basic med-kit from his utility belt. "Bandage Iida's stab wounds, but leave the knife in his arm. Removing it could cause him to bleed out."

"Understood," Native responded with a nod, taking the med-kit with careful hands.

As Native began tending to Iida, Captain Midoriya stood and walked over to where Stain lay unconscious. He knelt beside the defeated criminal, pulling a pair of handcuffs from his belt. Methodically, he secured Stain's hands, ensuring the criminal could not escape or pose any further threat. He then proceeded to thoroughly search and disarm Stain of any concealed weapons, his movements precise and deliberate.

Meanwhile, Native, mindful of his own healing wound, gently applied bandages to Iida's injuries, his hands careful not to cause further discomfort. He broke the silence that had settled between them. "Thank you," he said, his voice carrying a sincere gratitude. "Ingenium, right? I really owe you."

Iida was slow to respond, his gaze fixed on the ground as he wrestled with his thoughts. "I'm... not worthy of any gratitude," he finally admitted, his voice tinged with remorse. "I came here solely to find Stain and... to kill him. I didn't even realize you were in danger until Stain made it obvious." He shook his head slightly, shame coloring his tone. "He's a murderer, yes... but he wasn't wrong about me. I am a fake."

Before Iida could sink further into his self-reproach, he felt a gentle hand rest on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Native offering a comforting smile. "We're all imperfect, and maybe we both have some growing to do. But I know this—if you and your friend hadn't arrived when you did, I'd be dead," Native said, his voice firm with conviction. "You're my hero, kid. Thank you."

Iida turned his head away, his emotions swelling as he fought back tears.

Logan moved swiftly, his boots thudding against the asphalt as he navigated the tangled web of Hosu's dark alleys. The night air was thick with the stench of smoke that clung to the shadows. After seeing the news report at the hotel earlier, he emerged onto the street that had flashed across the screen.

Ahead, the corpse of the grotesque creature sprawled across the pavement—a Nomu, he recalled from the broadcast. Under his cowl, Logan's brow furrowed as he scanned the destruction, his mind racing. "Japan's Pros are losing their grip to allow this to happen," he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, the night erupted with a new burst of light and sound—an explosion further down the street. Logan's head snapped towards the noise, his instincts on high alert. Curiosity piqued, he started towards the source of the disturbance.

But then, the wind shifted, carrying with it a distinct scent that overpowered even the acrid smell of burning debris—blood. It was fresh and potent. Logan paused, nostrils flaring as he honed in on the scent. It tugged at him, pulling him away from the explosion and down a narrower, darker alley.

Moments later, Captain Midoriya emerged from the dark alley onto Echo Street, his arms securely holding a restrained Stain. With care, he laid the subdued villain under a street lamp, propping him against the post. Turning back, he noticed Native supporting Iida, who was limping noticeably, his right arm draped over the Pro's shoulder.

"I'm sorry that you have to support me, especially with your own injuries," Iida apologized, his voice tinged with guilt.

Native offered a reassuring smile and shook his head. "Don't worry about it, I'll manage," he replied, then his expression turned curious. "But I am wondering, how did you recover from your paralysis so quickly?"

"I don't know. Maybe Stain's Quirk has a time limit?" Iida speculated, slightly perplexed.

"That can't be it; I should have recovered first then," Native countered, puzzled.

Midoriya, overhearing their conversation, chimed in thoughtfully. "His Quirk is likely influenced by another factor, not just time. What happened before you were paralyzed?"

Native looked thoughtful. "Right after he jumped me, he stabbed me and then licked my blood. After that, I couldn't move."

"Same with me," Iida backed up.

"So blood is the catalysis, huh? But it's not solely time-based, so…" An idea sparked in his mind. "What are your blood types?"

"Type B," answered Native.

"Type A," Iida added.

Midoriya nodded, piecing the information together. "It's possible his paralysis effect varies with blood type, with Type B perhaps having a longer recovery time than Type A—"

His theory was abruptly cut off by a glint from the alley's shadows. Instinctively, Captain Midoriya whipped the shield off his back as a figure lunged from the darkness towards him. With reflexive precision, he raised the shield just in time to block the incoming attack.

SHRAAANG!

The collision sent a shower of sparks flying, accompanied by a high-pitched, metallic ringing that resonated sharply through the street. The harsh, grating sound forced Native and Iida to shut their eyes, each wincing from the sudden dissonance.

As the attacker recoiled and jumped away, Captain Midoriya lowered his shield, squinting under the dim streetlight to better see his assailant.

The attacker was a compact man dressed in a full-body suit primarily dark-yellow, adorned with dynamic navy blue patterns that traced his muscular contours, enhancing his sturdy build. Around his waist was a utility belt, stocked and ready. His boots and gloves, also navy blue, matched the secondary color of his outfit. A yellow cowl covered his head, leaving only a graying beard visible, and featured black, pointed flaps that extended above his forehead, resembling the ears of a wolverine. From between his knuckles, three long metallic claws gleamed under the streetlight.

As the stranger narrowed the white slits of his mask's eyeholes at Midoriya—his gaze fixed particularly on the shield—he rasped in a rough tone, "No damage, eh?"

The sudden metallic clash still left Native and Iida's ears ringing. At the sight of the costumed stranger, Native tensed. "Another Villain?" he murmured. "This night just won't end…"

"Who are you?" Captain Midoriya demanded, matching the stranger's intensity and switching to English himself.

The stranger's response was to lock his gaze more intensely on Midoriya, a glint of challenge—or was it recognition?—flashing in his eyes. "I been lookin' fer ya."

Iida, on edge, furrowed his brow in confusion. 'English? A foreigner?'

Captain Midoriya's eyes narrowed, a mix of intrigue and caution in his expression. "Why?" he asked, voice steady.

The man's white eyes seemed to burn brighter against the backdrop of his yellow mask. "To see if yer the real deal," he declared gruffly.

Without another word, the stout figure charged, closing the distance with surprising speed. The clash was inevitable; as The Wolverine lunged forward, Captain Midoriya braced himself, and the battle reignited under the dim streetlight.

Perched precariously on a water tower, Shigaraki and Kurogiri surveyed the unfolding mayhem across District 4. The city was a canvas of destruction, and Shigaraki was reveling in the disorder with a twisted smile across his cracked, chapped lips. His fingers tapped rhythmically against his thigh, a macabre melody to accompany the screams and sirens below.

Shigaraki laughed madly. "It's all music to my ears!"

"Would you like to join the fray?" Kurogiri's voice was calm, almost indifferent, as he stood cloaked in his mist, eyes scanning the horizon.

"Don't be stupid. I'm still injured from that wound Stain gave me," Shigaraki scoffed, annoyance flickering in his red eyes. "Speaking of, where is that bastard?" He brought up his binoculars, peering through them with a meticulous gaze. "He couldn't have escaped from all this, could he?"

SHRAAANG!

Just then, a loud, sharp, high-pitched sound sliced through the air, causing both villains to cringe. Shigaraki clapped his hands over his ears, his face contorting in discomfort. "The hell is that?!" he yelled over the piercing noise.

Kurogiri shifted his focus, scanning the area until his golden eyes settled on a particular spot amidst the pandemonium. "There," he pointed towards the commotion. Shigaraki, curiosity piqued, adjusted his binoculars to follow Kurogiri's direction.

Through the lenses, Shigaraki's gaze landed on a fierce battle unfolding on the street below. He squinted, trying to make sense of the figures clashing with such ferocity. "Hey, hey, hey! I know those claws! It's him! What's his face," he muttered, struggling to recall the name.

"Logan," Kurogiri supplied helpfully, his voice smooth. "And he seems to be in battle with Midoriya Izuku," he added, observing the young hero's efforts to parry the relentless attacks from the clawed warrior.

"Huh..." Shigaraki's grin widened, the sharp, high-pitched sound now forgotten. He lowered the binoculars, his interest clearly piqued by this unexpected turn of events. "Well, this night just got even more interesting. I wonder how his conversation with broccoli-head will go."

Wolverine charged at Captain Midoriya with a ferocious lunge, his right arm reared back. Captain Midoriya swiftly sidestepped the assault, positioning his shield to intercept the attack.

SHRAAANG!

Another harsh, metallic squeal echoed through the street as Wolverine's claws scraped against the shield, sending sparks scattering into the air.

Seizing the moment, Captain Midoriya countered with a powerful right hook, connecting solidly with Wolverine's jaw. The impact sent droplets of spit and blood flying as Wolverine's head whipped to the side. Capitalizing on his opponent's momentary disorientation, Captain Midoriya forcefully hurled his shield. It struck Wolverine squarely in the sternum with a resounding clang, knocking the wind out of him as the shield ricocheted off into the night.

Not wasting a second, Captain Midoriya propelled himself upward and spun in a fluid motion to deliver a sharp kick to Wolverine's face. The move sent Wolverine skidding backwards, tumbling awkwardly down the street before coming to a halt. Undeterred, Wolverine recovered quickly and jumped back to his feet, ready to charge again.

However, before he could close the distance, Native and Ingenium both charged into the battle, despite their visible injuries.

"Bear Spirit!" Native's form shifted, his figure momentarily enveloped in the blue aura of a massive bear, enhancing his strength and size.

"Engine Boost!" Ingenium's calf engines roared to life as exhaust shot out.

Together, they moved to pincer Wolverine, a coordinated strike from both sides. But Wolverine was no stranger to combat tactics. He quickly retracted his claws, dodged Native's powerful bear-like swipe with a swift sidestep and landed a solid kick into Native's stomach. The impact was enough to force the bear spirit back, reverting Native to his normal state with a grunt of pain, and then fell unconscious.

Not missing a beat, Wolverine then leaped over Iida's low sweeping kick. Mid-air, he delivered a brutal knee to Iida's face. With a sickening crunch, Iida yelled out and collapsed, clutching his bleeding nose and clearly out of the fight.

Wolverine growled a warning in Japanese, "Stay out of my way, or else–AWK?!"

Without warning, the shield ricocheted off a nearby building and slammed into the back of Wolverine's neck. The unexpected blow made Wolverine stumble forward and mildly dizzy, but he quickly caught himself and returned to his feet.

Turning sharply, Wolverine saw Captain Midoriya catching the rebounding shield, his expression stern and unwavering. "You wanted me?! Keep this between us!" He challenged, his stance ready and determined.

Wolverine straightened, rubbing the back of his neck where the shield had struck. The white eyeslits of his mask narrowed with a renewed focus. "Works fer me," he muttered, his tone gruff, acknowledging the super-soldier as his sole opponent now.

Silence enveloped the deserted street, punctuated only by distant sirens and the faint rhythmic thumping of helicopter blades. The fighters circled each other warily, eyes locked in mutual determination.

Wolverine made the first move, lunging forward with a predatory swiftness, his arms outstretched and claws gleaming ominously under the streetlights. Reacting swiftly, Captain Midoriya fell on his back, his feet finding Wolverine's torso. With a powerful push, he propelled the yellow-clad man backward, his claws slicing nothing but air inches from the super-soldier face.

Wolverine's momentum carried him directly into a parked car, denting its front with the sheer force of his impact. Unfazed, he rolled onto all fours and charged again with relentless ferocity, akin to a bull reinvigorated by the battle.

'Barely on my feet, and he's already at it again!' Captain Midoriya thought, still grounded. In a fluid motion, he executed a backspring, evading Wolverine's fierce swipe by mere inches.

Wolverine's claws, missing their intended target, sliced through a nearby street lamp pole, cutting through the metal as if it were mere paper. The pole began to teeter, its heavy top tilting dangerously. The Captain's eyes followed its descent, his heart sinking as he realized it was falling straight toward the unconscious Stain, cuffed and vulnerable on the pavement.

"NOOO!" The Captain's shout was drowned out by the chaos. As he moved to intervene, Wolverine was on him again, forcing the veteran to raise his shield defensively, the sound of claws scraping against adamantium-vibranium alloy ringing through the air.

The street lamp continued its perilous fall, teetering moments away from crashing onto Stain.

"Recipro Burst!"

In a sudden flash of blue and silver, Iida surged forward at breakneck speed. Just in the nick of time, he shoved Stain out of the path of danger. Taking the hit himself, his body crashed into the concrete as the pole slammed down, trapping his legs beneath its weight. A sharp cry of pain escaped Iida as he grappled with the sudden impact.

"IIDA!?" Captain Midoriya's voice cracked with alarm. In a frantic blend of concern and combat readiness, he continued to fend off Wolverine's relentless assault. Seizing an opening, the super-soldier delivered a forceful kick to Wolverine's knee. While it didn't break, the blow caused Wolverine to falter momentarily—just enough for the Captain to gain the upper hand.

Capitalizing on Wolverine's momentary instability, the super-soldier executed a swift left uppercut. His fist, reinforced by the edge of his shield, connected with Wolverine's chin with a resounding clang, the sound akin to metal striking metal. A spray of bloody spit erupted from Wolverine's mouth as his head snapped back.

Without missing a beat, the Captain threw the shield into Wolverine's sternum, stunning him further, and followed up with a double-kick into his torso that sent him careening back. With enough distance created, the Captain returned to his feet and rushed to Iida's aid.

"ARGH…!" Iida lay sprawled on the concrete, each breath a testament to the pain radiating through his body. His existing stab wounds and broken nose, coupled with the crushing weight of the pole pinning his legs, pushed his endurance to its limits.

"Iida!" Captain Midoriya rushed to his friend's side, his voice laced with concern.

Through gritted teeth, Iida managed to utter, "Is… Stain… alive?"

He quickly scanned the area and saw Stain, still unconscious, lying unharmed a safe distance away. "Yeah, he's fine." He then gripped the heavy pole, muscles tensing as he lifted it off Iida. "You pushed him out of the way?"

With the pole now removed, Iida drew a deep, pained breath, relieved from the pressure. "...It's… our job… to save people… even those…like him…"

A smile touched the Captain's lips, his eyes softening with pride at Iida's words and actions.

"Heh… Good sentiment, kid."

Their moment was brief, however, as Wolverine was walking towards them, his injuries seemingly healed already. "Although, if you ask me, it's naive," he grumbled, readying himself for another round.

Captain Midoriya squared off against Wolverine, his gaze locked onto the lethal blades extending from his adversary's hands. "Your claws, they're made of adamantium. And your bones too," he stated matter-of-factly. 'With the sound the shield made when it hit him, and the fact his bones didn't break, there's no other explanation.' 

"Two-for-two. Congrats, bub," Wolverine retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

'Bub?' Captain Midoriya flinched slightly in recognition. Recovering, he frowned slightly. "How is that even possible? That can't be a natural Quirk."

"Long story. Not one I'm willin' to spill." His eyes then flicked to the shield, recognition flashing across his face. "And that shield—it's adamantium too, mixed with vibranium, considering how it rebounds."

"Two for two," the Captain responded, maintaining a stoic facade while internally surprised by his attacker's accurate guess.

"Tell me," Wolverine pressed, his voice hardening, "where did you get it?"

With a smug smirk, Captain Midoriya echoed Wolverine's earlier dismissiveness. "Long story. Not willing to share either."

Frustration flared in Wolverine's white eyes. "Wanna mock me? Fine!" Wth a ferocious growl, he bared his teeth before charging forward once more.

The air thickened with tension and the clang of indestructible metals as neither side were gaining the upper hand. After countless strikes had been parried by the Captain's shield, Wolverine, growing impatient, switched tactics. He struck the shield once more, using the resulting shower of sparks as a cover. Then, in a swift motion, he jumped back, raked his claws across the asphalt, and hurled chunks of debris toward his opponent.

As bits of street pelted his face, Captain Midoriya instinctively shielded his eyes, creating the opening Wolverine needed. He lunged, retracting the blades on his right hand to deliver a crushing haymaker to the Captain's jaw. The impact sent a spray of blood into the air as his head snapped sideways.

Staggering back, Captain Midoriya quickly steadied himself, wiping blood from his mouth as he squared off against Wolverine once more, shield at the ready.

"Hurts, don't it?" Wolverine taunted. "Knowin' that I'm so much better'n than you?"

Captain Midoriya spat blood and fixed Wolverine with a steely glare. An insight struck him; Wolverine had intentionally retracted his claws for that punch. 'Why would he do that?' he wondered silently. 'Is he not trying to kill me?' 

Both warriors cautiously circled each other, searching for any openings to exploit.

'Gotta keep him distracted till backup comes.' The Captain internally rationalized.

"You said you wanted to see if I was the real deal. What does that even mean?" he challenged, probing for Wolverine's motives. "Who are you, and what do you want with me?"

"Is this twenty questions or somethin'?" Wolverine retorted sardonically.

"Answer me, or I'll make you regret it!" The super-soldier shot back.

With a menacing SNIKT, Wolverine's claws popped out from his knuckles again. "Will you?" He swiped at the cyan-clad Hero with a ferocious left strike.

The Captain sidestepped, feeling the air cool against his skin as the blades just grazed his left shoulder, slicing through his costume. Recognizing the gravity of the threat—adamantium bones, deadly claws, and rapid healing—the war veteran knew he couldn't afford to hold back.

"Yes!" Seizing the moment, he launched a full-powered haymaker, connecting squarely with Wolverine's face.

"AWK!" The powerful haymaker sent Wolverine spiraling backward, blood spraying from his mouth and nose as his body hurtled through the air.

He crashed through the doors of a nearby parked car with a deafening smash. Spitting a mouthful of blood, Wolverine swiftly cut himself free from the mangled wreckage and lunged at Captain Midoriya with renewed fury.

Captain Midoriya narrowly dodged as Wolverine's adamantium claws sliced through the spot he had just vacated, shearing the asphalt as effortlessly as a hot knife through butter. 'Was hoping that'd stun him longer,' he thought, eyeing Wolverine's rapid recovery. 'Time to switch tactics.'

With precise timing, Captain Midoriya hurled his shield directly at Wolverine's head. Wolverine raised his claws in defense, and the shield struck with a sharp clang, sending sparks flying as it ricocheted away.

"Nice try! Saw that coming from a mile—" Wolverine's taunt cut short as he noticed Captain Midoriya charging towards him, having closed the distance surprisingly fast. 'Damn! He suckered me with the shield!'

Before Wolverine could react, the Captain had grasped his forearms and slammed him down onto the street with considerable force. Leveraging his enhanced strength, Captain Midoriya then turned Wolverine's own claws towards his throat.

"Did you see that coming?" He taunted, a steely edge in his voice.

Wolverine, cornered and frustrated, thought disdainfully, 'Does he think I'm stupid?' With a definitive SNIK, he retracted his blades, planning his next move. 'I'll just–' But before he could act, the grip on his forearms suddenly increased to an excruciating degree.

Wolverine couldn't suppress a pained yell, "AAAAHHHH!"

"Hurts… doesn't it?" Captain Midoriya echoed Wolverine's earlier taunt. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and his nostrils as he tightened his grip. "Now, start talking! Who are you?"

Wolverine grunted, pain shooting through his arms. "More than a one-trick pony, aren't yah?" he rasped, defiance flaring despite the agony. Suddenly, he pulled back his right leg and delivered a vicious kick. The sharp tip of his boot tore through the Captain's costume, slicing deep into his right thigh.

"GAAHH!" Captain Midoriya cried out as his thigh was ripped open, blood spurting onto the pavement.

"I got other tricks too!" With the super-soldier's hold weakened by the pain, Wolverine kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him sprawling down the street.

Amid his own haze of pain, Iida's attention snapped to his friend's cry of distress. "Midoriya!?" he exclaimed, attempting to push himself up with a surge of willpower. However, his body betrayed him, sagging back to the ground under the weight of his exhaustion. 'No... I'm... too weak...' his thoughts faltered.

Wolverine quickly rolled to his feet, attempting to deploy his claws, only to wince from a sharp pain in his arms. "Huh… You crushed the tendons. Claws won't work," he muttered, a grudging respect coloring his tone. "Pretty damn smart, Midoriya… if that's really yer name."

He watched as the Captain lay on his back, groaning with each heavy breath as blood pooled around him. Wolverine's smirk returned, more pronounced. "That lump in your thigh? That's what doctors call a 'massive hematoma'... from a 'femoral artery pseudoaneurysm.'" His smirk broadened. "Heh… See. I'm pretty damn smart too. At least when it comes to hurtin' folks."

Under the dim glow of the streetlights, Wolverine noticed the shield a few feet away, its white, red, and cyan surface gleaming despite the visible marks from his adamantium claws. He walked over to it, his boots echoing softly on the pavement.

"As for that injury," Wolverine continued, his voice low and educational, "it's like an airbag in cars, only it's fulla blood. Swells up to protect yer arteries from any more damage. The bad part is, the blood can clot, and if yer not careful, that clot might break free and travel to your heart. Or your brain." He bent down to pick up the shield, his tone grave. "And it'll kill you deader than Dillinger."

As he lifted the shield, he paused, running his fingers over its finish, a flicker of recognition igniting in his eyes. His brows knitted together beneath his cowl; the shield was somehow linked to his fragmented past.

"Thing is, I'll heal up soon enough—but you—" His words cut off abruptly as he instinctively dropped the shield to dodge an unexpected attack. A blade sliced through the air, narrowly missing him and clipping the ends of his cowl's wings.

"Don't worry about me…" Wolverine looked up, startled to see Captain Midoriya standing before him, wielding a katana. It was the same blade Stain had thrown earlier, now claimed by the super-soldier from the street.

Blood was slowly seeping from the Captain's thigh, mouth, and nostrils, yet his posture was resolute. His emerald eyes blazed with an unyielding fire as he met Wolverine's gaze.

"I'll be just fine," he declared, his voice steady despite his injuries.

Wolverine halted, struck by the fiery intensity blazing in the Captain's emerald eyes. Something about them stirred a sense of familiarity, a ghostly echo from his fragmented past.

Irritated and confused, he growled, "Who the hell are ya?! Really!"

"Wanna know who I am, criminal?" He slashed across Wolverine's chest with a swift, precise movement of the katana. The impact sent Wolverine staggering backward, reeling from the unexpected blow. "I'm Captain Midoriya!" He declared defiantly.

As Wolverine grunted, clutching his chest where the slash began to heal, the Captain's strength finally gave out. Losing his grip, the blade clattered to the ground. His body, weakened from the blood loss and exertion, crumpled backwards, slipping into unconsciousness.

Wolverine, his wound now closed, shakily rose to his feet. His mind whirled with chaotic fragments of memory, each flashing before his eyes like broken shards of glass. "No...Yer...not him. Can't be..." he muttered, disbelief warping his voice as he fell to his knees. "He's dead! You...can't be him. NO!" His voice was a mix of anger and agony, the revelation too much to bear.

Fueled by a mix of denial and fury, Wolverine's muscles tensed, his arms bulging grotesquely as he forced a segment of his adamantium claw to extend. Approaching the unconscious Midoriya, his intention clear, he hissed through clenched teeth, "Yer…not real…Yer fake! Won't…let you…tarnish his name…"

At this critical moment, Native and Iida, barely recovering from their own injuries, became painfully aware of the imminent danger. "Get away from him!" Native shouted, his voice hoarse as he struggled futilely to lift himself off the pavement.

"No…Midoriya!" Iida's cry of despair cut through the air, his voice filled with helplessness and fear.

Stain's eyes flickered open abruptly, a gleam of resolve reigniting within them. With a swift, agonized movement, he dislocated his wrists, the bones snapping audibly as he slipped free from his cuffs.

His voice rose in a vehement snarl as he charged into the chaos. "'Hero' has lost all meaning in this rotten society! Fakes and criminals chasing petty dreams infest this world!"

As Wolverine raised his claws for a final, devastating strike at the incapacitated Captain Midoriya, Stain interjected himself violently into the path of the attack. Wolverine's claws sank deep into Stain's abdomen, a look of stunned disbelief crossing his face from the unexpected sacrifice.

Without a moment's hesitation, Stain's long tongue snaked out, swiping across Wolverine's face, smearing the blood—and with it, activating his paralyzing Quirk. "The hell?!" Wolverine gasped, his body seizing up as the paralysis took hold, locking him in a frozen stance, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.

Meanwhile, from their positions on the ground, Native and Iida were equally stunned by what happened.

'That murderer…saved his life…?' Iida was struggling to comprehend what he was seeing.

Blood dripped from Stain's wounded torso and pooled at the corner of his mouth as he leaned in close, his voice raspy and hoarse filled with fervent conviction. "But this one… This one is no fake like the rest. HE IS TRUE!"

Wolverine momentarily froze, not just from the paralysis but also by the shock of Stain's fanatical dedication.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the hell?!" Shigaraki exclaimed, peering through his binoculars in disbelief. "That maniac just jumped in front of him? Is he crazier than I thought?"

"Surely there must have been a good reason," Kurogiri suggested calmly.

"More like a death wish," Shigaraki scoffed. "Kurogiri, tune us in."

Kurogiri nodded and immediately set to work. With practiced precision, he opened several tiny Warp Gates near the scene, each one strategically placed to channel the sounds back to them, enabling them to eavesdrop on the unfolding drama.

"Captain!?" The tension was shattered by a commanding shout.

Native and Iida turned to see a woman with flowing red hair dressed in a sleek black combat suit racing towards them.

"Get away from him!" Black Widow commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Aiming her gauntlets, she fired a volley of electrified projectiles at both Stain and Wolverine. The sudden shock caused their muscles to seize. Like a board, Wolverine fell backwards with his single deployed claw retracting from Stain's abdomen. Blood began to flow more freely from the wound, yet Stain stood defiantly, grimacing in pain but unyielded.

"Midoriya!?" Black Widow dropped to Captain Midoriya's side, her eyes quickly assessing his injuries. She cursed under her breath in Russian, her tone laced with concern and anger. Reaching into her utility belt, she withdrew a grey cylindrical device with a nozzle.

"You reckless fool!" she exclaimed as she applied a burst of white medical foam onto the gaping gash on Midoriya's thigh. The foam expanded rapidly, staunching the blood flow and sealing the wound with an emergency coagulant.

Black Widow eyed her opponents with caution. While Wolverine lay immobilized on the pavement, Stain defiantly remained standing—an unusual feat after a hit from her Widow's Bite.

'So this is the infamous Hero Killer,' she thought, her hand instinctively moving toward her pistol. It was rare for anyone to withstand such an attack without faltering.

She drew her pistol and aimed squarely at Stain, shouting in fluent Japanese, "You! Kneel and show me your hands!"

From the ground, Wolverine managed a gruff laugh, struggling against the paralysis. "Yer wastin' yer breath… This guy… he don't follow orders."

"Black Widow!" another voice called out in the chaos.

"Great… More company. It's gettin' too crowded out here…" Wolverine groaned, clearly annoyed.

Recognizing the voice as Lady Blitz, followed by the footsteps of several other Pro Heroes who had fought in the Nomu battles, Black Widow remained focused on Stain, not daring to divert her attention. He was too much of a threat.

"Those people are hurt!" Lady Blitz announced, pointing towards Iida, Native, and Midoriya.

"I'll call an ambulance!" one of the Pros declared.

"Get the police here, too!" Black Widow commanded sharply. "We have two criminals!" She gestured to Stain and Wolverine.

"Wait," Lady Blitz halted as she caught sight of Stain standing ominously in the street, his back to them. "Is that the Hero Killer?"

As if on cue, Stain slowly turned to face the gathered heroes, the tension in the air thickened palpably. A collective gasp rippled through the group as the bandages on his face began to loosen, revealing the gruesome absence of his nose and the chilling, blood-red eyes that burned with maniacal fervor. Time seemed to freeze, the street eerily silent, save for the heavy breathing of those braced for a confrontation.

"False Heroes… Hypocrites… ALL OF YOU!" Stain's voice boomed through the still air, his declaration ringing with venom. "Your blood… must run through the streets!"

Lady Blitz and the other Pro Heroes stiffened, a visible shudder coursing through them as they confronted the raw intensity in Stain's gaze.

"HERO! I will reclaim that word!" His voice crescendoed into a roar, echoing off the surrounding buildings.

Native and Iida exchanged a glance, their eyes wide with fear. The aura radiating from Stain was suffocating, far more oppressive than anything they had felt in the alley.

"C'MON! Just try and stop me, you fakes!" Stain challenged, his stance defiant, daring them to move against him.

Black Widow, her face a mask of stoicism, subtly tightened her grip on her weapon—a slight tremor betraying her controlled exterior.

A harsh, guttural rasp escaped from Stain as he abruptly shifted his focus from the assembled heroes and past Black Widow to Midoriya, lying vulnerable on the ground. "This one… Must live… At all costs! He… and All Might… are TRUE HEROES!" His words were fervent, almost reverent, as he singled out Midoriya and the Symbol of Peace. "Only they are worthy to defeat me… Captain Midoriya… All Might… ARE WORTHY!"

His proclamation resonated down the street, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.

Stain's body shuddered with a strangled gasp, his eyes rolling back as he slumped, yet remarkably, he remained standing, supported only by sheer will. Blood oozed slowly from his mouth and the gaping wound in his abdomen, staining the ground beneath him.

Breaking the tense silence, Black Widow stated flatly, "He's out cold."

A heavy stillness fell over the scene, everyone frozen, their eyes fixed on the fallen Hero Killer.

Meanwhile, perched atop the water tower, a moment of silence passed between Shigaraki and Kurogiri. Every word echoed clearly through the tiny Warp Gates Kurogiri had set up, allowing them to witness the entire scene as it unfolded.

"Stain believes Midoriya Izuku to be a true hero, and thus sought to save his life," Kurogiri observed, his voice echoing slightly in the cool night air.

Shigaraki, his face partly obscured by his hand-mask, watched the scene with a mix of intrigue and disdain. "A true hero, is he?" he mused, his voice tinged with skepticism. He began to scratch at his neck, his nails drawing blood. "Do such things truly exist?!"

"Tomura?" Kurogiri asked, his tone laced with concern.

Shigaraki was silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then, in a sudden gesture of frustration, he touched the binoculars with all his fingers, disintegrating them into dust.

"Take us home, Kurogiri. And retrieve what's left of the Nomus," he commanded, his voice cold and distant.

Kurogiri nodded, his form shifting as he prepared a dark Warp Gate. "Are you satisfied with tonight's events?" he inquired, his voice echoing the underlying uncertainty of their mission.

"...Yes...and no." Shigaraki's reply was cryptic as he stepped into the swirling darkness of the Warp Gate, followed by Kurogiri. In moments, the two villains vanished, leaving behind the chaotic aftermath of the night's events.

Amid the moment of shock and distraction following Stain's fiery declaration, Wolverine sensed his paralysis waning and seized the moment. With a low growl, he silently slipped into the shadows of the dark alleyways, swiftly vanishing from sight.

He navigated through alley after alley, swiftly putting distance between himself and the chaotic scene he left behind. Constantly alert, he kept his head on a swivel, ensuring no one was tailing him.

Eventually, Logan reached his motorcycle hidden in a secluded alley several blocks away from the turmoil in District 4. His keen senses scanned the area; satisfied he was alone, he let out a deep sigh. Exhausted, he leaned against the wall, removed his cowl, and slumped to the ground, his breathing heavy.

As he caught his breath, Logan reflected on the night's events. The image of Stain, with his fanatical expression as the claw sank into his abdomen, flashed before him. 'That man is insane… but his determination… it's unyielding.'

He then thought of Captain Midoriya, who had stood defiantly before him, katana in hand despite the severe injury.

"Don't worry about me…I'll be just fine," Midoriya's resolute words echoed in his mind, reinforcing the memory.

Logan's breath quickened as he clutched at his dark graying hair, a sharp headache piercing through his thoughts.

"GRR…AHHHH!" Suddenly, a torrent of fragmented scenes from his past began to flood his mind, each one cascading over the next without warning.

"Relax, bub. If anyone needed that ride back to base, it was definitely you. Still, you worked your ass off today. Maybe there's hope for you yet, Shorty."

"Shorty? But… I'm taller than you…" A shorter version of Midoriya pointed out. 

James flexed his left arm, showing off his huge biceps. "You got these?"

Midoriya slumped his shoulders in defeat. "No…"

"Then you're Shorty from now on." 

Logan clenched his eyes shut, sweat beginning to drip down his face.

In the dim light of a crowded, dank cage, Logan and several other prisoners huddled together, the atmosphere thick with despair. Suddenly, the clatter of keys echoed through the corridor, drawing their attention to the cell door. 

A new figure paused at the entrance, keys in hand. The man was garbed in a red, white, and blue spandex suit, topped with a brown leather jacket, and a blue helmet with a white 'A' on his head. 

The prisoners exchanged bewildered glances.

"Who the hell are you supposed to be, bub?" Logan growled, eyeing the newcomer suspiciously.

The man tested a key in the lock, his movements methodical. "Well, I'm…Captain America."

A puzzled silence fell over the cell as the prisoners stared, trying to process his words.

"What did he say?" whispered a Japanese woman from the back of the cage.

Logan squinted, studying the man's face more closely. As recognition dawned, his eyes widened. "Hold on… Shorty?" 

Midoriya, the figure in the costume, glanced at Logan and offered a sly wink. "Good to see you again too, James." After a moment, he found the right key and turned it, swinging the cell door open with a definitive creak.

Logan fell on his side, clutching his throbbing head.

"He is no god. Look, he bleeds!" Midoriya shouted out.

"AAAGH!" Once more, Logan painfully shouted out.

"Hydra has captured numerous meta-humans, and their influence has permeated everywhere. I can't confront them alone—I need a team. I realize you've all just been liberated from captivity, and perhaps it's selfish of me to ask, but..."

Before he could finish, Logan interjected firmly, "I'm in." 

With a sharp 'SNIKT', Logan's claws involuntarily snapped out, and he rolled on the ground in agony, his claws carving deep gouges into the concrete.

"You can't seriously be thinking of going alone, Shorty!" Logan exclaimed.

"I have to. I'm the only one who stands a chance against the Baron. You all handle your battles... and I'll handle mine."

"AGH! Dammit! Make it stop!" Logan cried out, collapsing to his knees. He pounded his fists against his adamantium skull in desperation.

"Man… What a hassle," Logan groaned, feeling the weight of exhaustion as he approached his teammates. "Hey, does anyone know how Shorty's doing?"

Silence fell over the group, their expressions a somber mix of disbelief and sorrow. Logan's heart sank as he deciphered the meaning behind their looks.

"Hey!" he raised his voice, urgency creeping in. "Did you hear me? Where's the Captain?"

There was a heavy pause before the reply came, laden with grief.

"...He's gone, Howlett."

Logan grunted, feeling the throbbing pain in his head finally begin to subside. As the pain ebbed away, one last memory flickered into clarity.

It was a dreary, rain-soaked day on New York's Ellis Island, and Logan found himself amid a large crowd. Each person was clad in black umbrellas and raincoats, gathered for the unveiling of a new statue.

Turning to the person beside him, Logan's expression softened. "Hey... you sure you want to be here?" he asked, his voice low and filled with concern.

"Yes... I have to... It's only right," came the reply, laden with a deep sorrow.

Logan collapsed onto his hands and knees, the torrent of memories finally ceasing. Gasping for breath, he stayed hunched over, each labored breath helping him to process the flood of images that had stormed back into his consciousness.

"You wanna know who I am, criminal? I'm Captain Midoriya!" The force of Midoriya's declaration reverberated through Logan's mind.

As he grappled with the echo, a few drops of water splashed onto the pavement beneath him.

"This one is no fake like the rest. HE IS TRUE!" Stain's fervent proclamation lingered, echoing around him.

More droplets hit the ground as the reality began to sink in.

"It… really is him. Captain… Shorty…" Logan murmured, his voice cracking as the full impact of the revelation washed over him, a surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm the usually stoic man. "You're alive."