Screen 1 – All For One's Return
Emergency news floods every channel.
One headline overrides all others.
ALL FOR ONE HAS ESCAPED TARTARUS.
The report continues:
He has reasserted control over Shigaraki's body
Villain networks are reconnecting
An open declaration of war against hero society is broadcast
This isn't a continuation.
This is escalation.
Ben watches the screen in silence for a few seconds.
Then he exhales, dry and humorless.
"…Nice," he says.
Not impressed.
Not scared.
Just understanding exactly what it means.
"So the war didn't end," Ben mutters.
"It just took a breath."
He looks down at the Omnitrix, its green light steady.
"Alright then," he says calmly.
"Guess round three's on him."
Outside, sirens start again.
And everyone knows now —
This was never over.
Screen 2 – Society Breaks
The reports keep coming.
Faster than anyone can process them.
Heroes quitting.
Agencies shutting down overnight.
Civilians arming themselves.
Neighborhoods going dark and empty.
Japan isn't panicking anymore.
It's giving up.
Ben stands on a rooftop overlooking a half-abandoned district.
No patrol lights.
No hero signals.
Just silence and boarded windows.
"…So this is what happens when trust dies," he says quietly.
Midoriya clenches his fists beside him.
"They think heroes failed them."
Ben shakes his head.
"No. They think heroes were supposed to be perfect."
A siren wails in the distance.
Too far.
No one responding.
Ben looks down at the Omnitrix, then back at the streets.
"Where I'm from," he says, "we learned this the hard way."
He steps forward, eyes steady.
"When the system breaks, you don't wait for permission to help people."
Bakugo scoffs. "You saying we go rogue?"
Ben answers without hesitation.
"I'm saying people still need saving.
License or no license."
Todoroki watches the empty streets.
"…Even if they hate us?"
Ben nods.
"Especially then."
He jumps down from the roof, landing hard but controlled.
Green light reflects faintly off broken glass.
"Heroes aren't symbols," Ben says.
"They're the ones who stay when everyone else leaves."
Behind him, the others follow.
Japan may be lawless now.
But as long as Ben is standing in the streets —
it isn't abandoned yet
Screen 3 – Diverging Paths, Same Road
The dorm hallway is quiet.
Too quiet.
Midoriya stands with his bag over his shoulder, eyes shadowed but determined.
"I can't stay here," he says softly. "If I'm near everyone… they get hurt."
All Might watches from the doorway, pain clear on his face — but he doesn't stop him.
He follows Midoriya into the night, choosing to protect him from the shadows.
This is the start of the Dark Hero Arc.
Ben steps out from the stairwell.
He's already figured it out.
"So," Ben says, arms crossed, "you're doing the lone hero thing."
Midoriya stiffens.
"Ben… you shouldn't—"
"I'm not leaving U.A.," Ben cuts in calmly.
"But I'm not pretending I don't know where you're going either."
Midoriya turns. "If villains target you—"
Ben taps the Omnitrix lightly.
"They already do."
He steps closer, voice steady.
"I'll stay officially enrolled. I'll be your anchor.
Information, backup, extraction if things go bad."
All Might exhales slowly.
"…That may be exactly what he needs."
Midoriya hesitates.
"You're not supposed to walk this road with me."
Ben shakes his head.
"You're right. I'm not walking it."
He smirks faintly.
"I'm running parallel."
Midoriya looks down, then nods once.
"…Thank you."
As Midoriya disappears into the broken city with All Might watching over him,
Ben turns back toward U.A. — toward the system that's still standing, even if it's cracked.
Two paths.
One goal.
The Dark Hero era begins —
and this time, Deku isn't truly alone.
Screen 4 – Villain Hunt Begins
The city becomes a maze of ruins and hiding places.
Escaped villains move at night.
Midoriya hunts them down one by one.
He never stops moving.
Never fully rests.
Blackwhip lashes through alleyways.
Danger Sense screams constantly.
Smokescreen fills the streets.
Fa Jin and One For All stack again and again.
Each fight leaves him:
More exhausted
More injured
More isolated
Rain mixes with dust and sweat as he keeps going anyway.
From the shadows, Endeavor, Hawks, and Best Jeanist quietly support him —
clearing paths, intercepting threats, watching his back without stepping into his spotlight.
Then the ground booms.
A blue-and-white blur rockets through the street.
Ben slams the Omnitrix.
Click.
Cannonbolt launches forward, bouncing between walls like a living cannonball.
A villain barely has time to turn before being smashed into a wall and restrained.
Cannonbolt uncurls, skidding to a stop beside Midoriya.
"Hey," Ben says lightly. "You looked like you could use a fast assist."
Midoriya exhales — a tired laugh slipping out despite himself.
"…You're enjoying this way too much."
Ben grins.
"Yeah. But don't get it twisted."
He looks at Midoriya seriously for a moment.
"I'm here so you don't break yourself."
Sirens approach in the distance.
Another villain down.
Midoriya straightens, rolling his shoulders despite the pain.
"…Thanks."
Ben taps the Omnitrix, ready to launch again.
"Anytime. Let's keep moving."
The hunt continues —
but now, in the darkness,
Deku isn't fighting completely alone.
Be continued