(Very long chapter ahead, enjoy!)

Chapter 42

A loud rumbling sound shook the building structure, alarms blaring and students panicking. Aoyama was sobbing, still trapped in their homeroom teacher's scarf. He didn't want any of this! He cared so much for his comrades that it broke him to purposely put them in danger. He hated being the pawn used in such a horrid game.

Izuku started hyperventilating, looking around anxiously as distant shouts could be heard. With the security system down, the academy was vulnerable, with students and teachers running around either to safety or to help others.

"Midoriya!" Someone shouted, bringing him out of his shocked state. Todoroki shook his shoulders, staring at him wide-eyed. "This is no time to panic, we need to act, now!"

"Y-You're right," the greenette stuttered out, letting out a shaky breath. Katsuki placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a determined look.

"Let's finish this for once and for all," Katsuki all but growled, a murderous aura surrounding him as he charged forward, heading to where explosions could be heard. Izuku shouted at him to wait, running after him with the rest of his class in tow, and All Might joining them.

"Young students! Wait!" Toshinori exclaimed, causing the majority of them to turn their heads. "Before you head straight to battle, you need to come up with a course of action first!"

"We don't have time for that!" Kastuki hissed. "The entire fucking system is down and All for One is here! What the fuck do you mean we have to wait?!"

"Young Midoriya is still recovering, he's in no shape to fight right now!" Toshinori pushed, causing Izuku to scowl.

"You might be right, but I'm not going to stand back and have everyone fight in my place! I already fought him once, I know his tactics and how powerful he is," Izuku said, his hands trembling but his expression serious.

"You ended up in the hospital!" All Might argued.

"You did too!" Izuku countered with a shout, the rest of their class watching the exchange. "He's after me, I'm the one supposed to defeat him."

"We all are," Uraraka piped in, worry etched on her face. "We don't know why he's after you, but you don't have to do this alone. All Might is right, you're still recovering, so let us help you."

The building trembled as another explosion detonated a few feet behind them. Most of them yelped, Todoroki quickly created an ice wall to absorb the shock and prevent flying debris from hurting them. The ground began shaking, and Uraraka immediately touched her classmates and activated her quirk to make them float just before the floor collapsed.

"We don't have much time! Uraraka, Tsuyu, Shoji, Iida, Koda, and Kirishima, please go on a rescue mission and help those who might be injured or trapped!" Izuki commanded, receiving nods and approvals. Uraraka deactivated her quirk, making sure they all landed safely before sprinting off with the others.

The rest of the class rushed to where the commotion started, yelping when a wave of blue flames engulfed the area around them. Izuku's demeanor turned murderous, eyes dulling as he muttered the culprit's name, "Dabi Himura."

"And at last we meet eye to eye, Izuku Midoriya," the jet black-haired male taunted, stepping through the flames with a sinister smile. Todoroki activated his quirk, using his ice to kill the fire. Dabi's attention turned to the heterochromatic boy, his smile widening. "And if it isn't Endeavor's experimental child! How's daddy dearest, Shoto?"

Todoroki was taken aback, his stance momentarily stiffening before he glared at the male. "It's none of your business."

The tension in the air thickened as they stared at each other, making Katsuki click his tongue in irritation. He prepared an explosion, ready to charge forward when Izuku hastily grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Shocked, he opened his mouth to protest until he saw a dagger fly right in front of his face and pierce the wall beside them.

"What the fuck!"

"Aww that's no fun," Toga then walked in, lips tugged into a pout as she waved some daggers around in the air. "I was certain that I would hit the nail right on the head."

Izuku stared wide-eyed at the ash-blonde girl, shocked at his perception. He didn't know what happened, he just knew that something was heading their way. It was like a sudden sharp pain in his head, making him aware of an upcoming danger. Danger Sense?

"Tsk, stupid pigtails!" Katsuki growled, ready to pounce on them. Everyone stood in their fighting stance, being cautious of their surroundings and waiting for the perfect chance to attack. They didn't want to rush in and mess things up, they had to be patient.

Something that Katsuki Bakugo didn't have.

"Kacchan, no!" Izuku exclaimed, watching as the explosive blond charged forward toward Toga. She smirked, a crazed look in her eyes as a wall of ice got between them, blocking Katsuki from advancing.

"Others are coming!" Jiro warned, her earplugs plugged into the ground beneath them as the walls started shaking. A throb on the side of his head had the greenette looking behind them, his eyes widening. Fear struck Izuku as he noticed the far end of the crumbled hallway behind him pulverize, his heartbeat quickening and activating blackwhip in a rush. The black tendrils wrapped around his classmates, immediately lifting them off the ground.

"It's Shigaraki!" Kaminari exclaimed, not hesitating to send lighting flying in the white-haired male's direction as he walked toward the scene. He easily avoided the upcoming attack, looking up at the airborne students.

"That was such a pitiful attempt that I'm willing to give you a second chance," Shigaraki taunted, his sinister smile in full display since he didn't have any of those creepy hands on his face.

"Shigaraki," Tokoyami mumbled, eyes widening as his dark shadow cowered beneath his cape.

"You crusty ass motherfucker! Izuku put me down! I'm going to beat that asshole!" Katsuki sneered, tugging at Izuku's blackwhip to try and set himself free.

"No! If any of you touches the ground he decayed you're bound to pulverize the second you make contact with it!" The greenette explained, making Shigaraki cackle.

"It seems like someone's been making his research alright," Shigaraki taunted, clapping mockingly. "What a bummer, I was looking forward to watching our precious Bakugo disintegrate."

"We need to get to safe ground!" Sato said, looking around to see what parts were deemed safe to step on. When he spotted one, however, he, along with the rest of his classmates, was suddenly pulled in mid-air as a wave of blue flames shot from beneath them. Someone shrieked, and everyone turned to look at Yaoyoruzu who was clutching her arm with a grimace.

"Momo! Are you alright?!" Ojiro asked concerned, noticing how the skin below her hand turned an angry red.

"I-I'm fine! I just got a little burned that's all!" She reassured, giving her classmates a small smile, hiding her pain. She used her quirk to create some burn cream and gauze, working on the injured skin.

"Aww Dabi! Why don't you make them come down here so I can make them bleed a little?!" Toga asked the scarred man, who rolled his eyes.

"Calm down woman, I'm just having a little—"

His body then froze, eyes turning white as his words got caught in his throat. Toga looked around frantically, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Wait! I didn't say that!"

"Got-c-cha," the voice said, turning from a girlish tone to a deeper one. Izuku snapped his head toward Shinso, who somehow managed to place his support item over his mouth. He had a triumphant smirk under the mask, looking at the now brainwashed Dabi.

"Ha! Nice one eyebags!" Katsuki smirked.

"I've been meaning to ask you, Shinso. Could you probably be Aizawa's secret love—"

"Do me a favor, won't you?" Shinso snapped, turning his attention to the brainwashed male, completely ignoring—and purposely cutting off—Todoroki.

"Hey! What's gotten into you!" Toga huffed, crossing her arms as she glared up at Dabi. The male was unresponsive, simply staring straight ahead with a blank expression.

"Capture her."

Toga yelped when Dabi's flames were suddenly directed at her, making her jump out of the way. Shinso smirked, watching as he successfully rendered two of the villains useless for the time being.

When Dabi had finally captured Toga, Shinso spoke, "Knock yourselves out."

"No!" Toga squirmed before Dabi knocked her out, her body falling into the ground unconscious, then knocking himself out not long after.

"Impressive!" Shigaraki then cackled, making everyone glare at him. "All for One will surely love to have that quirk of yours right after taking Izuku's."

"He ain't taking no quirk!" Izuku shouted, clenching his fists by his sides being mindful of his classmates. He has to get them somewhere safe, although he knew that they would want to fight as well. He appreciated their help and support, but he knew that this was his fight. A fight he had to battle alone.

Looking into the distance, he noticed people huddled up, police cars and ambulances rushing to the scene. He could even see some pro heroes approaching them.

I need to drive them away.

A scarf shot through the debris of the crumbled hallway, trapping Shigaraki's body. Aizawa stepped into sight, eyes glowing red and hair flowing over his head as he glared at the white-haired male. He stayed mindful of the cursed land a few inches in front of him, being wary as to not step foot on it.

"How dare you mess with my students?" Aizawa sneered in spite, tightening the scarf around Shigaraki's body.

"Eraser Head, it's such a delight meeting you again!" Shigaraki taunted.

"The feeling is certainly not mutual," Aizawa huffed, turning his head towards his students without making eye contact with them. "The traitor has been taken in by the police for interrogation. I'll deal with Shigaraki while Endeavor and Hawks get here. Midoriya, take the others and yourself to safety."

"But Ai—"

"Now, Problem Child!"

Gritting his teeth in annoyance, Izuku had no choice but to comply. His classmates complained, especially a loudmouthed explosive blond.

"Oi, put me the fuck down! He ain't keeping me from beating that crusty ass motherfucker to a pulp! I'll show him!" Katsuki shouted, struggling against blackwhip as Izuki pulled them to safety.

"Put a little faith in Aizawa-sensei and just follow along for now!" Hagakure huffed, starting to get annoyed by Bakugo's...explosiveness?

"She's right. So would you calm down for once?! Plus, Shigaraki isn't the only one in the League we should worry about," Mina pointed out, just as an explosion was seen at Ground Beta.

"We should split up! There are thirteen of us here, we can go in two groups of four, one group of three, and one group of two to different sections of the academy!" Kaminari shouted from behind them, making a few of them turn their heads to look at him flabbergasted. "What?!"

"Holy shit! You actually said something smart!" Sero gasped, making Kaminari's mouth drop open, offended.

"What's that supposed to mean?! You haven't even talked for the past thirty minutes!"

"Sato, Ojiro, Jiro, and Mina, go to Ground Gamma. Sero, Shinso, Kaminari, and Tokoyami, go check out the main entrance. Todoroki, Yaoyoruzu, and Hagakure, you could head to Ground Omega. Kacchan and I will head to Ground Beta," Izuku instructed before landing them all down on safe ground.

Everyone reluctantly agreed and went their separate ways, rushing off to their designated locations. Katsuki looked at his boyfriend with narrowed eyes, crossing his arms. "What are you planning?"

"The explosion we saw wasn't one of a fire. It was pure air. I bet anything that he's there, luring us in," Izuku commented, taking a deep breath.

"Then you do realize that it's a trap. It's a strategy to get you right where he wants you to be," Katsuki scowled, a bad feeling settling deep in his gut.

"How would he know where I am if he can't see me?" The greenette said with a slight smirk, catching Katsuki off guard.

"He doesn't have any eyes you dickwad," Katsuki snorted, making Izuku roll his eyes and give him a flat look. Katsuki raised his arms in mock surrender, chuckling. "Alright, and how the fuck do you plan on doing that?"

"Do you trust me?" Izuku asked, taking both of the blond's hands in his own and bringing them up to his chest. Katsuki's gaze softened, letting out a deep breath.

"I do," the blond said with a gentle smile, making Izuku smile wide.

"Then I would need you to hold my hand and not use any of your explosions until we get there," Izuku pleaded, pouting when Katsuki scowled. With a sigh, Katsuki complied, giving a nod and holding Izuku's hand firmly. Izuki smiled up at him, taking a deep breath before jumping up in the air, a concentrated look in his eyes.

"What are you—?"

Purple smoke suddenly erupted from around Izuku's body, coating them both and the perimeter around them. Katsuki's words caught up in his throat as he stared in amazement at the newly developed quirk. He could barely see through the fog, but Izuku seemed to be navigating just fine as he flew them to their destination.

Shortly after, they landed on a building rooftop, still surrounded by the purple smoke. "He might be able to detect us with his infrared vision, but it should give us a little advantage since Smokescreen creates its own heat wave. Even so, our body heat is denser, which is why I wouldn't want you using your explosions yet," Izuku explained in a hushed voice.

The ground rumbled beneath them, Izuku squinting his eyes through the fog to make out All for One's location, and surely enough, there he stood, in front of the building. "Well, what do we have here? It seems like the clown had finally arrived at its own show!"

"You bastard!" Katsuki shouted, making Hisashi smirk.

"Gotcha."

Hisashi extended his arm, blowing up his air cannon in Katsuki's direction. The air force caused the smoke to disperse as it made its way to the blond, making him jump aside to avoid the attack. "Kacchan!"

"That is such a futile attempt, Izuku," Hisashi taunted, waving his hands around in mockery.

"It'll take more than some stupid wind to knock me out," Katsuki spat, igniting his palms. Izuku forced more of the smoke out of his body as his head throbbed, indicating him of upcoming danger. Where?

He jumped out of the way when his head throbbed again, black and red sharp tendrils shooting through the fog and stabbing the ground he once stood on. He found it hard to keep emitting smoke, and the density started becoming thicker, making it hard to see through. Hisashi clicked his tongue in annoyance, lifting his arms and loading his air cannons.

"This is becoming annoying," he grumbled out, firing his air cannons and dispersing the majority of the fog. He moved his head around, trying to pinpoint either of the boy's locations when a blast to the back of his head had him stumbling forward.

"Didn't see that coming, did you?!" Katsuki commented proudly, successfully landing another blow to his side.

All for One staggered, gritting his teeth. "You are becoming a thorn in the side, Katsuki Bakugo," the man noted, blocking another one of his blows.

"And you are starting to piss me off," Katsuki growled, jumping out of the way when he noticed Izuku charging at full speed. Hisashi noticed, barely dodging Izuku's leg and grabbing a hold of it. Before he could throw him against a wall, Izuku used his other leg to land a powerful kick to the side of his head. Hisashi let out a pained grunt, stumbling to the ground. 

"Leave the U.A. Academy alone!" Izuku snarled, green lightning surrounding his body. His limbs hurt from overusing them, not having his hero costume or any of his support items. His clothes were wrinkled and tattered at some parts, gashes lining part of the exposed skin. Katsuki was in the same state, panting as his palms stung in the slightest.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," All for One chuckled, standing up from the ground and dusting himself off. Katsuki's lips tugged down in a snarl, flexing his knees and positioning himself in an offensive position.

Izuku glared at the man, clenching and unclenching his fists continuously, stepping forward to approach him. Black and red lighting started surrounding All for One's body, his right arm trembling as it seemed to expand. Sparks ignited on Katsuki's palms, stretching his arms beside him and propelling himself upwards. All for One's arm enlarged to a dangerous level, veins popping out from under his skin.

Izuku's hands started glowing red, a tingling sensation spreading through them as Izuku smirked.

Fa jin.

Bolting forward, he raised his left arm, clenching his fist and directing the punch to All for One's ventilator. Hisashi, obviously, predicted his movement, raising his enlarged arm and meeting Izuku's punch midway. The collision created a powerful gust of wind, almost knocking them off their feet and sending debris flying around them.

Pain shot through Izuku's arm but he resisted, gritting his teeth as he sent another powerful punch. His fist managed to make contact with Hisashi's side, sending him flying into a wall. The male hissed in pain, his side throbbing from the incredibly strong punch.

He sensed Katsuki approaching him from above, and he quickly rolled forward on the ground to prevent Katsuki's explosion from hitting him. The blond, however, propelled himself over to Hisashi and kicked him in the back of the head.

Hisashi grunted, placing his arms on the ground and firing his Air Cannons to destroy the flat surface and launch himself into the air. Izuku and Katsuki followed along, Katsuki using his explosions and Izuku using Float. Spike formed on Hisashi's arms, stretching the skin underneath. He waited until one of them made a move—Izuku being the first to send a punch—before blocking the attack.

The spikes pierced through his right hand, making him scream in pain before retracting it. Blood gushed out of the deep wounds, making him wince until he was forced to block an oncoming attack. He was sent barreling back to the ground by the force of Hisashi's blow, making him let out another painful scream.

"Howitzer Impact!" Katsuki shouted, channeling his anger on his explosions. He twirled in midair, creating a tornado of sorts, then unleashed the powerful explosion, not giving Hisashi any time to dodge as he was focused on Izuku.

The male was sent flying to the ground as well, his black and red sharp tendrils shooting out of his body and absorbing most of the impact. He breathed heavily, feeling around his ventilator to feel a crack had formed.

"Take that, Baldy!" Katsuki snarled, landing on the ground next to Izuku and helping him up. "You alright?"

"Y-Yeah," Izuku muttered, breathing heavily. He tore a piece of fabric from his already tattered school uniform, wrapping it tightly around his wounded hand. Katsuki scowled, noticing the damage that had been done.

Furious, All for One sent his sharp tendrils flying rapidly in their direction, triggering Izuku's Danger Sense. The greenette warned Katsuki, both of them jumping out of the way in time. Izuku, however, could feel Danger Sense going off consistently from different directions, making his head throb painfully. He managed to dodge most of the attacks, but the tendrils were much too fast for him.

He yelped as they grazed his torso multiple time, creating deep cuts. His entire body hurt, and his head pounded, but he had to hold on. His vision blurred in the slightest, and he released a bit of Smokescreen to try and buy him some time. He knew that it would be in vain, but he still had to try.

The greenette stood up, slightly wobbling before steadying himself. He started crouching continuously while clenching and unclenching his fists simultaneously. To an onlooker, he might seem weird and/or crazy, but it was the only way he could make use of his latest quirk for the time being.

"And what in the actual fuck are you doing?"

Startled, Izuku jumped slightly, almost accidentally activating Fa Jin. He let out a shaky breath, placing a hand over his chest. "Geez, you almost gave me a heart attack."

A gust of wind cleared the area of any smoke, catching the attention of the two. "When will you understand that your silly little fog is no use?" All for One grumbled, a noticeable scowl underneath his mask. His arms were enlarged with spikes, red and black lighting dancing around them. He was starting to breathe heavily, barely being able to conceal it.

The two teens shared a look, coming to the same conclusion. To destroy the one thing that kept him alive. They weren't aiming to capture him anymore. Not Izuku at least.

He was going to make him pay for everything he had done with the one thing he brought upon his mother.

Death.