—¡¡THIS HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF SICK JOKE!!— the evil Izuku screamed, his voice cracking with disbelief and rage.
—I knew we shouldn't have trusted those things so much. I knew we were up against someone we didn't understand— the evil Shoto said, readying an ice dagger with what little power he had left.
Izuku didn't flinch. Still gripping the Bakugo Nomu by the neck, he threw it at his counterpart's feet. The creature, trembling and crawling, scrambled to hide behind him, curling up, whimpering with the one arm and limb it had left.
—¡¡Monster…!! Monster… ¡¡THAT THING ISN'T DEKU!!... it's not even human. —the Bakugo Nomu shrieked in a distorted voice, spitting blood, the words ringing in the evil Izuku's ears, who couldn't bear what was happening.
Izuku vanished abruptly from the evil Izuku's sight, taking Shoto and Endeavor's corpse with him. He reappeared in the same spot as if nothing had happened.
—Well, I already got Shoto and Endeavor out. It's just the four of us left… just the four of us left… and yes, I'm counting the screamer back there —Izuku said, with the seriousness of an executioner surveying his prey—. You already saw what I did and how far I went. As I understand it, your evil Shoto and my other self… in theory the two of you are stronger than the Nomus I destroyed. So here's what we'll do…
With a quick motion, he threw something at the evil Shoto. He tried to dodge it, but couldn't. The impact froze him for an instant. He looked down and realized he'd been hit by a dart that released a strange liquid. Immediately, his quirk stabilized, returning to its original form.
—I already gave Shoto back his real power… and gave my "evil" self back his "powerful" creation— Izuku said coldly—. I'll be merciful and let you give it everything before your end.
The evil Izuku let out a bitter laugh.
—Heh… you really think you can kill us?...— he snapped his fingers.
With a roar that split the rock, the Bakugo Nomu pieced itself back together; its parts regenerated violently, its body filling with explosions and shards until it recovered its full, devastating form. But something had changed: its gaze was no longer the wild fire of the explosive boy; it was an empty orbit, a shell following orders. The childlike spark had gone out.
—I've killed men worse than you. My job is murder; my skill has proven superior. I don't need a mediocre quirk. I even faced that Endeavor with fists and guns. He was pathetic. Killing you will be my debut— it roared, proud—. Killing you will be my masterpiece. I'll be the sentence of my own existence: the creator of Nomus. The one who wipes out Dekus from their miserable lives. ¡¡The Nomu Architect!!.
—But you know you're just a copy, right?
—What…?— the evil Izuku stammered, and for the first time his certainty cracked.
—I know how your organization works —Izuku said, without feigned anger, with a calm that hurt—. Your assassins aren't original versions. They're copies programmed to execute. You know you're "an Izuku," but you're missing his memories, his wounds, his life. You're a replica with no past.
The blow landed clean. The evil Izuku's face went pale; his arrogance cracked.
—That's why you kill other Dekus— Izuku continued—. You're trying to buy yourself a history by tearing lives apart. You think filling that emptiness with blood will make you "real." But you're nothing more than a reflection trying to steal what doesn't belong to it. You're nothing.
Helplessness turned into pure fury: the evil Izuku's eyes reddened, his jaw clenched, and for an instant the rage seemed to give him purpose. Then the rage exploded into madness.
—¡NO!— he screamed—. ¡I'm not a copy! ¡I'M REAL!— his scream burned, and he'd gone mad—. ¡I'll prove I'm more than a reflection! ¡I'll bring them to their knees! ¡I'll be the one who creates and the one who kills! ¡I am the architect of annihilation…! and I'll prove it right now.
With that, another snap of his fingers, and enormous wings sprouted from the Bakugo Nomu's back, and it rose with a roar, a mass of fire and shrapnel holding it aloft in the sky. Red energy began gathering in its hands; the sphere it formed grew second by second, swallowing the firmament, staining the air with a blinding light bordering on apocalyptic. The ball expanded until it covered most of the sky, a gigantic reddish globe promising to erase every trace beneath it.
—¡¡What are you doing, you animal?!!
—¡¡Don't you see it, idiot?!— the evil Izuku screamed, smiling like a lunatic—. ¡DESTROYING THIS IDIOT ONCE AND FOR ALL!
—¡¡Destroying Japan in the process?!!
—A sacrifice worth it to annihilate our prey.
—¡¡¡LUNATIC, YOU'LL KILL US BOTH!!
—I have a shield— the evil Izuku said arrogantly—. I'll survive. Didn't you say you'd already fought Izukus who destroyed whole cities? Hahaha.
The evil Shoto gritted his teeth as the sphere grew, lighting everything with a searing glow.
—¡¡¡This is your end, Izuku Midoriya!!!... any last words before this country disappears?
Izuku only managed a smile.
—Just that you shouldn't have left your Nomu as the perfect target…
Then, as if the scene itself were a movie trap, something minuscule cut through the air: a tiny projectile, almost imperceptible, pierced the Bakugo Nomu's base. For an instant no one understood; a second later, the Nomu exploded in the sky. A detonation that tore through the light and left the sphere hanging like a wounded bubble. Ash and rock fragments evaporated as the sphere hung in the air for an instant and both villains stood in shock.
Izuku seized the opening.
—This is the end… Full Cowl: One For All… 100%.
The air split apart. In a blink Izuku appeared in front of his evil version, charged to the brim with energy, a storm of lightning and old wounds compressed into a single fist.
—I always wanted to say this— he smiled with real enthusiasm—. Serious Series: Serious Punch!
The blow wasn't a simple strike: it was a straight line of annihilation that split the sky in two. The trajectory opened like a clean, absolute cut, clearing the clouds in a perfect strip, as if reality itself had been carved apart violently. The air imploded and the red sphere cracked from within, burning in a fire impossible to contain.
The evil Izuku barely raised his hands in a desperate attempt to shield himself. Too late. His right arm began to smoke, broke apart into dark particles and flew off in fragments that scattered like ashes thrown to the wind. The impact didn't stop: his torso burst into pieces, ribs and the tissue holding him together disintegrating in a cascade, dragged toward the sphere's core.
The evil Shoto, in one last act of survival, raised a gigantic wall of ice. It came up powerful, thick, gleaming… but lasted only a blink. The blow pulverized it instantly and tore his right arm off at the root, turned into vapor and blood. His desperate scream, thick with pure pain, echoed and then vanished into the light that followed.
The sphere didn't hold. The line cut through its center and, with a single dry burst, it collapsed in on itself. It didn't explode: it disintegrated in a fleeting flash, leaving behind a ring of smoke that dispersed violently. The red light vanished like a torch blown out. The sky cleared, marked with a straight scar that seemed to split the world and the heavens in two.
And then, the very last thing. High above, all that remained was the evil Izuku's head. It floated for only a few seconds before starting to crumble into dust. His broken gaze, with the only thing left of his existence, managed to see Izuku standing, fist still extended toward the sky, relentless. But he wasn't alone: beside him, the silhouette of the being he never thought he'd see emerged. The one in the white mask, that spectral presence that only watched him closely, with those hollow black voids. A smile forming on that smooth mask, waiting for his end.
The evil Izuku understood too late. His last breath was a choked sob of terror, and his head dissolved completely, wiped from existence. Nothing remained… only the memory of that smile that stayed with him until he vanished into nothing.
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Izuku remained at the center, breathing calmly. His fist still vibrated with the energy slowly dissipating, while the ground beneath his feet creaked and cracked from the impact. For the first time throughout the whole slaughter, there were no screams or roars: only an absolute, peaceful silence.
Exhaustion overtook him and he fell onto his back. He'd used too much power without rest; with the danger over, there was no reason left to stay standing. His energy was fading fast and fatigue dragged him down, but he still wanted to see his friends, the girls, and above all his sister, before surrendering to a sleep that would surely knock him out for a whole week.
He was just about to close his eyes when a familiar smell made him react, along with footsteps he'd recognize anywhere. He always showed up at critical moments.
—It's good I arrived in time, young master. It's clear you're hungry— said Black, that man who never failed to appear in serious situations.
Izuku let out a weak laugh.
—You detected the green energy that covered the stadium, didn't you? If it weren't for you, it would have caused more destruction… maybe the whole stadium, or even the people around it. Heh… it would have cost me more strength and more days in bed, stopping my own attack too. And that's with our girl Nag helping me…— Izuku couldn't continue, too exhausted.
—Young master, please, calm down. Eat a little— Black replied serenely, opening a metal box he carried with him. Inside was what Izuku loved most: a hamburger.
Black helped him sit up, holding him steady so he could take the first bite. Then another, and another, with the desperation of someone regaining strength just to keep standing. Even so, his body barely responded, and he had to lean on Black to get up.
—As always, bringing me exactly what I need… I already feel better— Izuku said, though still exhausted.
—The energy I added to your food will only let you speak with the others. Even so, you'll need to rest for at least a week, sir. And I'd advise against pushing your power any further… or that other barrier will break, and you know very well who would come out.
—I know, Black. But first…
—¡¡¡AAAAAAAAAAAAARG!!!
Izuku listened in silence. Then he nodded gravely, though his gaze drifted toward one of the stadium's entrances. With the explosions and chaos of the fight gone, he could hear distant but tearing screams coming from there, so intense they seemed to slice the air. They weren't ordinary calls for help: they were shrieks thick with hysteria, voices broken by absolute terror spreading like a sickly echo through the corridors.
Izuku closed his eyes for a second, exhaled, and spoke firmly.
—…take me to her.
֎֎֎
The corridor was dim, wrecked, covered in cracks and rubble. It was nearly impossible to move forward; most routes were blocked. However, thanks to Black's supreme psychic quirk, the structure held together and the blocks moved aside as if obeying his will. He was practically holding up the entire stadium to keep it from collapsing, all while keeping Izuku, the young master, suspended in the air, resting peacefully. His master needed to save his strength for what was coming.
The path quickly turned into a descent into hell. The screams grew sharper, so piercing they seemed to tear at the throats producing them. The walls began to show deep gashes, violent marks multiplying with every step. Soon after, blood covered everything: dark stains, fresh pools, dragged trails spreading out like hunting tracks. The air reeked of blood and rot.
Following a faint light at the end of the corridor, one last sharp scream alerted Black, though he wasn't startled since he already knew who it was. Then they saw her. Black was the first to recognize her: Hinpan Toga, or rather just Toga in her most primal form, reduced to pure instinct. Tall, her beauty coated in blood from jaw to feet, surrounded by corpses that weren't simple remains: they were bodies torn apart with inhuman violence, dismembered, turned into the stage for her feast. The blood.
Black managed to count nine bodies, still recognizable amid the mutilation, and all he felt was revulsion for what they had been and what they'd ended up as. But the worst wasn't on the ground. In front of him, Toga stood tall, her twisted, stained smile, the strands of her hair, her fox tail and ears drenched in blood, bristling as if reveling in the chaos around her. In her hand she held Dark Shadow, reduced to a torn, deformed shadow, barely holding on before vanishing like smoke caught in a fist.
At her feet, chained to that dying shadow, lay the Tokoyami Nomu. No longer a hero or a creature, just an unrecognizable ruin. Its arms and legs were twisted at impossible angles, embedded in the rubble as if it had been crucified there. Its beak, splintered, poured blood in torrents, and from its throat came a choked scream, cut off by the very blood suffocating it. That sound wasn't simple pain: it was the voice of someone who had seen the face of true terror. And Toga savored it, licking her lips with every spasm, enjoying the slow agony like a delicacy she didn't want to let slip away.
Black growled, furious.
—That's enough, spoiled brat. Time to go. Let's get the young master out of here.— he said in his usual foul mood.
Toga looked at him and, with a cold motion, finished off the shadow. She crushed the Nomu's head with her foot, ending both existences in a single gesture. Then she turned her face toward Black, giving him an even more chilling smile.
—¡Black! ¡Black! So good to see you!… ¡No, lie! ¡I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!— she said between giggles, changing expression in a second.
—I don't like you either— Black replied coldly—. But we need to leave. We need…
—¡I don't want to! ¡I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't want to!— Toga sang, hopping over the fresh blood
—There's so much, so, so much blood here… ¡it's delicious! Darling let me play, you know? ¡He let me play with all of them! And they cried, they cried and cried… did you know Nomus can cry? ¡Yes! ¡Yes! They can cry and beg for help! And they were so cute, so sweet, crying and bleeding, bleeding and crying, ¡¡AND I COULDN'T STOP, BLACK!!— she burst into frenzied cackling—. ¡I COULDN'T, I COULDN'T, I COULDN'T!
Black didn't flinch, though his patience was running out.
—That's enough. Let's go, you damn monster.
Toga's eyes went wide as saucers. Her smile twisted into something feral.
—M-monster? What did you say, what did you say, WHAT DID YOU SAY? ¡¡I'LL KILL YOU, YOU DAMN EMO!! HAHAHAHA— she shrieked, lunging at him with claws extended.
Black had spotted her three seconds before. He was already set to run her through with a pillar of iron and put an end to that animal display when, in a single motion, his metal column was firmly gripped. Another hand covered Toga's mouth; she tensed, then calmed instantly. The young master had woken up and appeared in a flash, neutralizing the scene with a speed that left everyone still.
Black immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head: he had lost control and let himself get carried away, a disgrace before his lord that he couldn't allow himself.
—I'm sorry, young master.— his voice came out barely audible, thick with guilt.
The master, inexplicably calm, gave a tired smile.
—Don't worry, Black. Kids fight a lot sometimes. They still have to learn to control themselves.
Toga went rigid, breathing fast, her heart racing. Her eyes trembled and in a second shifted: excitement, fear, pleasure, all mixed together.
—D-darling…?— Toga murmured, her mouth still covered by Izuku's hand. The raging creature she'd been seconds ago now writhed like a blushing girl, excitedly wagging her tail.
But suddenly she noticed. She stared at Izuku's hand. Her eyes widened in horror. She pulled away sharply, struck a pipe with the force of a beast, and a burst of water flooded the floor. She washed her face, her hands, her lips, desperate, as if trying to tear off her own skin. Then she went back to the master's side and, tears streaming, knelt to lick his hand with a gentleness that contrasted with her madness.
—No… no… I can't let Darling's blood… my sweet Darling's blood get stained! ¡Never, never, never!— she licked patiently, as if every drop were sacred—. I'm sorry, Darling… I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry… I lost control, I lost control again…
Her voice broke, but she didn't stop talking, repetitive, anxious, trembling like a spring about to snap.
—I tried to leave one alive, Darling, I tried to leave one… I wanted to get something out of them, something useful… but the blood, the juicy blood, so red, so hot, so boring, nothing pleasurable like yours, Darling… nothing, nothing, nothing… and then they… they… ¡¡They called me a monster!! ¡A MONSTER, A MONSTER, A MONSTER! And I… ¡I lost it! I tore them apart, Darling, I tore all of them apart… and I remembered, I remembered the room… I remembered the scientists… the needles… mom's voice… and I… and I…
She couldn't finish. Izuku, without hesitating, stroked her face with unexpected tenderness. The frenzied creature broke apart in an instant, trembling under the touch as if all her rage had dissolved at once. He calmly wiped her tears, held her firmly by the cheek, and made her look him straight in the eye. In those desperate, reddened eyes, Izuku saw no monster at all, only the woman who needed someone to understand her.
And then he kissed her. It was slow at first, gentle, as if he wanted to show her it wasn't rejection, but acceptance. Then it deepened, becoming passionate, warm, full of everything Toga had dreamed of receiving but never believed she deserved. She opened her eyes, surprised, her heart racing, and then surrendered, melting into him. She wrapped him in her huge arms and legs, holding on tightly, as if letting go meant losing him forever.
—Thank you… Darling…— she whispered, her voice clear of the rage.
Then her body changed. Fur grew, covering her, her claws retracted, her frame expanded past three meters. The face of a desperate girl gave way to that of the kindest, warmest-hearted fox woman who had always been hiding underneath: Hinpan had returned.
Black watched in silence. He straightened his suit, satisfied.
Hinpan, blushing, lowered her gaze. She gave Izuku a small kiss on the lips before hugging him tenderly. With a soft smile, she lifted him into her arms bridal-style, since Izuku could barely move his head to give her a smile. He'd already spent too much of his energy.
Black stood, straightened his suit, and bowed respectfully.
—A pleasure to see you again, Miss Hinpan. Good to know you've got that troublesome woman under control now— he said in a formal tone.
—Don't say that, Mr. Black. Toga might hear you and get upset… but let's not worry about that now. Let's get Darling to the doctor quickly! He has a terrible wound on his sweet little hand. Hurry, Mr. Black.
—Right behind you, Miss Hinpan.
And so they made their way through the dark, blood-stained corridors of that stadium, leaving behind that macabre scene of desperation and painful memories.
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[Special broadcast – News report]
"What happened that day at the National Stadium still echoes across all of Japan. After the incident involving the villain invasion and the fearsome Nomus, the public remained stunned. No one knew how to react. Some screamed, others simply fell silent, trying to process what they had just witnessed. Though it was an alarming event, everyone agreed on one thing: what was seen that day surpassed any spectacle imaginable. It was like witnessing a war between gods."
The first reports confirmed the rumors: two figures were responsible for containing the disaster and putting an end to the threat. They were U.A. Hero Course Class A student Izuku Himura, and Hero Number 2, Flame Hero: Endeavor.
Witnesses described a day in which everything happened at once: a blast of heat and smoke contained by a single student; a sense of danger so intense it chilled the blood of everyone present, only to turn into a wave of hope as they were rescued by the heroes they so admired. And most surprising of all: despite the scale of the chaos, not a single spectator was seriously injured. A near-impossible feat, given the destruction that spread through the stadium.
From outside, cameras, spectators, and heroes watched in stunned silence as a chain of colossal explosions rose above the stadium, shaking the ground beneath their feet. First, a sequence of detonations rattled the foundations, as if the planet itself were breathing with restrained force. Then the sky lit up with lights dancing in a symphony of impossible colors, so intense they briefly blinded anyone who dared to look.
A gigantic ring of fire and rock descended from above like a celestial crown, bursting into a thousand fragments that disintegrated in the air, leaving behind a rain of golden sparks that painted the sky. And then came the end… one final explosion that shook the entire earth, releasing energy so overwhelming that the sky itself seemed to split in two.
A luminous, pure, incandescent line tore through the atmosphere with the force of an eternal truth, stretching beyond the horizon, sweeping over seas, mountains, and continents. For a few brief seconds, the whole world saw it: an open scar clearing the clouds as it crossed the sky, a witness to the power unleashed that day.
It might have been seen as a majestic display of power, an unprecedented spectacle showing the speed, commitment, and determination of heroes facing danger. But that glory turned dark when the news no one wanted to believe was confirmed: Hero Number 2, Endeavor, had died that day.
Official sources reported that his sacrifice came during the total annihilation of the Nomus, alongside the mysterious villain who commanded them. The villain's face was never found, nor his body recovered. It is presumed he was consumed by the very explosion that sealed the battle. There are rumors that two individuals may have been involved in the attack, though no answers have yet been found regarding this theory.
In his honor, a bronze statue was erected at the stadium's entrance, depicting the moment a hero gave his life to protect everyone. Today, his image has become a national symbol of sacrifice, courage, and duty.
As for the students, official reports indicated that several had direct contact with the Nomu creatures. When found near the stadium entrance, they were unconscious, with minor injuries and clouded minds, unable to recall what had happened. Only two students remained hospitalized: Tenya Iida and Yuga Aoyama, who, according to the director who rescued them, were responsible for saving the rest. The director requested that no further questions be asked, stating that the young people had endured trauma too severe. There is speculation something similar could happen with other students. However, there was one name everyone wanted to hear, a possible hope for the future: Shoto Todoroki, the fallen hero's son.
The media tried to interview him, seeking answers, trying to understand what had really happened inside that hellscape. But access was denied. The young man was hospitalized with severe injuries and ordered to rest completely. Even so, rumors spread: that his power might match his father's, having witnessed his father's final day, was so immense that some are already calling him "the successor of the eternal flame." All of Japan turned its eyes toward him. Newspapers spoke of a prodigious future, of an heir who might someday even surpass All Might himself.
And in the end, what happened to student Izuku Himura?
According to official reports, Himura was also part of the incident at the stadium, working alongside Hero Endeavor to contain the Nomus. Witnesses claim his involvement was crucial, given that he stood directly against those creatures and showed his courage, though doubts remain about how far his role went, due to his physical state at the time of rescue, which sparked various speculations. Authorities confirmed the young man was found unconscious and rushed to a private hospital, where he remains in recovery.
"According to anonymous sources close to U.A. Academy, it was revealed that the student's quirk has a severe limitation: it cannot be used continuously for more than ten minutes without causing total physical collapse, leaving him unconscious for several days. This information, leaked to the media and quickly spread across social networks, significantly damaged his credibility and raised doubts about his true role in the battle, sparking intense debate among citizens and experts in the hero field."
On social media, opinions were divided. While some users praised his bravery in facing a threat of such magnitude, others considered him a secondary hero, overshadowed by the figures of Endeavor and Shoto Todoroki. Major news outlets described him as "a young man with potential, but with power too unstable for the battlefield."
Izuku Himura currently remains under medical observation, and no official statement has been issued either by him or by the academic institution he belongs to. However, his role in the event remains a topic of debate among heroes and analysts, who maintain that, despite the criticism, his intervention was decisive in preventing a greater catastrophe.
֎֎֎
3 days later
֎֎֎
Izuku sat in a chair, in the middle of a hidden, silent basement. In front of him, three bodies lined up and covered with sheets. Three lies hidden by the official reports… three truths only he wished to uncover. Rage boiled inside him, so intense that, had he not released his fury by using 100% of One For All, he would have ended up breaking another seal without meaning to and creating something worse.
Now, before him, were the three who had fallen that day. Aoyama for a mission, Iida for something buried in his mind, and Endeavor for showing a glimpse of being a good father. Dead under circumstances far too suspicious. He needed to know the truth.
Izuku rose from the chair, his shadow falling over the sheets. He approached the first: All For One's spy. He carefully pulled back the cloth, revealing Aoyama's mutilated body. He looked at it for a moment, in silence, before arranging the shattered remains back into human shape. Then, with precision, he drew a symbol on the floor that only he knew, one no other soul in the world could replicate.
—Just one drop…— he murmured.
A tiny drop of his blood fell onto the symbol, and instantly the basement began to shake. The lightbulb flickered violently before going out completely. Three seconds of absolute darkness… and then, a faint light returned, revealing before Izuku the spectral figure of Aoyama. Not his body, but his soul. His spirit stood there, showing how his body bore the cut marks that had killed him. With his head bowed and his face sunk in sorrow, it was clear he still mourned his actions in life.
—Tell me— Izuku said, his voice firm and cold—. Why were you recording everything, knowing you were going to die? And don't bother lying. I know you were All For One's spy. Just tell me… what did he want from me?
Aoyama slowly raised his head. His eyes were empty pits, without light or life. His mouth didn't move, but his voice rang out all the same, distorted, as if coming from another plane.
—They wanted to know who you really are…— he said—. Your connection to One For All. The organization backing them showed that it fears what you represent. All For One is troubled by that fear. Your existence… disrupts their plans. You're something new to All For One… and that irritates him, as much as it frightens him.
Izuku stood still for a few seconds, processing the words. Then he lowered his gaze and spoke calmly.
—Thank you for telling me the truth. I know you weren't a bad person, Aoyama. That all of this was out of fear… to protect your parents. I promise you, I'll look after them and won't let All For One harm them.
The spirit gave a faint smile, as if the weight of his guilt were lifting.
—That… is the only thing I ask for my sin— he whispered.
The light flickered again, stronger this time. Then it went out, and the spirit vanished, leaving only the withered, motionless body, and the doubt now resolved.
Izuku turned to the next body. With an almost mechanical calm, he pulled back the sheet covering the corpse. Iida's body was unrecognizable. The acid had eaten away almost everything: only his head and part of his torso remained, blackened, dissolved into corroded flesh. The rest… simply didn't exist. It was a grotesque sight, as if someone had wanted to make him suffer until his very last breath.
Izuku breathed in deeply, trying to hold back his rage. He was finishing tracing the symbol on the floor, preparing the drop of blood, when a sharp sound broke the silence. The basement door opened slowly, letting in Literato, his silhouette outlined against the dim light of the hallway, accompanied by Nezu, whose face also showed concern.
—Good… you haven't woken him yet— Literato said in a grave voice, approaching the circle as he studied the corpse.
Though he wore his expressionless mask, his anger was evident. His rigid posture and the slight tremor in his hands gave him away.
—He was never my favorite character— he said dryly—, sometimes his robotic attitude irritated me. But… —he clenched his fists— I respected him. And this… —he struck the wall hard, making the lights shake— this makes me sick!
The blow echoed through the whole room. Izuku didn't flinch. He knew why they'd come down there.
—What did you find on his body?— he asked, without taking his eyes off the symbol.
Nezu stepped forward, his voice calm but tinged with unease.
—Do you remember I mentioned an anomaly in his brain, master? During the autopsy I found something more: metallic remains and plant tissue. Thin roots that had burrowed deep into his cerebral cortex. You know what that means… it's the same thing we found in the Nomu that fought at U.S.J… the…
—Psychopath— Literato cut in with a sigh thick with fury—. That's the name I gave him, remember? Clever, but fitting. —His voice hardened—. That bastard makes me sick. What the hell was he after with Iida? Why violate his mind like that? That's why he acted so strange, so clumsy… he seemed pulled straight out of one of those "betrayed Izuku" fanfics. Why do those writers love making the classmates such damn idiots? Always doomed, always screwed when they get what's coming to them, for being so stupid. Or the writer wants to turn them into idiots.
—Enough, Literato— Izuku cut in, without raising his voice, but with a firmness enough to silence him—. If we want answers… we'll get them from him directly.
With that, Izuku let a drop of his blood fall onto the symbol. The light flickered frantically again, and the room's temperature dropped several degrees. Darkness enveloped them for a few seconds until, suddenly, two figures appeared before them. They were two Iidas, two reflections of the same spirit: one stood upright, dressed in his impeccable hero costume, with an expression of fury and disgust as he brutally beat his other self. The other, meanwhile, was shattered, missing limbs, his body burned and deformed, chained to his intact version.
The air grew heavy and every blow rang out like an echo of torture. The mutilated Iida moaned without a voice, barely managing a guttural sound, while his other self unleashed his rage without pause, a projection of guilt and pain turned into violence. Izuku watched the scene in silence, his gaze fixed, intrigued by that display of suffering and duality. The intact Iida, the one striking, paused for an instant on noticing Izuku's presence, his eyes trembling with surprise, and for a moment he left his other self in peace. His face changed, shifting from fury to a deep sorrow, a grief so heavy it seemed to drag along with it all the guilt he'd carried in life.
—Tell me, Iida— Izuku said, his voice firm but calm—, why are you doing that to your other self? What did he do to you?
The first Iida gritted his teeth, his breathing turning erratic, and with a scream full of helplessness he struck the mutilated one again with savage violence. The chains rattled as they twisted, as if he were trying to tear them off out of pure desperation.
—¡I thought that killing him would free me from this damned being!— he roared with fury—. ¡But no! ¡Now I'm chained to him for all eternity, BOUND TO THIS DAMNED WRETCH!
—I don't need to hear your anger at your other half— Izuku said in a controlled tone, trying to calm him—. What I want is the truth. I know that other Iida, somehow, took over your body. But I need to know how he did it.
Iida's spirit went still for a few seconds. Then his expression changed: his empty eyes began to glow with a faint bluish light, a borrowed life to narrate what had happened.
—It was many years ago… when I was twelve— he began in a hoarse, almost faded voice—. It all started with something as insignificant as an argument. A fight with a friend... or maybe a girl I liked, I don't know. My rigid attitude, my way of speaking, my obsession with rules… all of it bothered them. They told me I was a robot, that I didn't know how to enjoy life. And they were right, or at least that's what I believed.
He paused, breathing with difficulty, as if reliving the memory hurt him physically.
—How childish I was…— he continued, his tone breaking—. I could have changed, tried to be more self-aware, loosen up a little. But no… I clung to that image of perfection I took so much pride in. One night, after one of those arguments over a call, I ran out of the house. I was tired of feeling alone, of being the one who always did everything right and still being the most hated. That's when I found him… or rather, he found me. He was a tall man, dressed in a white coat, his face covered by a mask made of interwoven roots. He had a smile… strange, a mix of kindness and madness. He spoke to me without moving his mouth, straight into my mind. He told me he could help me, that he could make me feel free, that he could tear out that rigidity that was slowly killing me. I didn't trust him, what he was proposing was so foolish, I tried to get away, but the next thing I remember was a needle… it wasn't metal, it was alive. A dark root that slid into my neck and climbed up into my head. I felt it carving its way through my thoughts, felt a part of me breaking while another was born.
He raised a hand to his face, as if he could still feel that needle crawling beneath his skin.
—That night I dreamed of a forest full of eyes. All of them watching me, judging me, repeating my name over and over. From then on I was never the same. On the outside, I seemed calm, more relaxed. I still followed my rules, still acted like the perfect hero… but inside, something was rotting. I began to feel superior, to enjoy the control. I didn't notice when, but I started mistreating others… the weaker ones.
Izuku remained silent, watching closely, while Iida's spirit lowered his head, trembling.
—I'd yell at them for breaking rules I broke myself— he confessed, his gaze distant, as if speaking to an invisible mirror—. I made them feel worthless, humiliated them in the name of order and justice. I told myself over and over it was for their own good, that they needed discipline, but the truth… I did it because it made me feel powerful. I was a hypocrite. A fake hero. I seemed to enjoy seeing myself as the perfect example, the untouchable model everyone had to follow. I did unforgivable things to "relax" or feel "superior," acts I can't speak of without feeling disgust for myself. I did it because I believed myself superior, to hold up that mask of righteousness while inside I was screaming to be freed from it. And remembering it only makes me hate myself more. Drowning in that character someone had forced me to become. ¡¡That bastard turned me into what I never wanted to be!!! ¡¡A DAMN FAKE HERO!!
His voice broke and a luminous tear fell from his empty eyes.
—And the worst part…— he continued, his tone thick with bitterness and self-hatred—, the worst part is I started to despise my own brother. Tensei… the hero I admired so much as a child. I hated him for being better than me, for being more loved, for having a genuine smile I could never force. While I sank into my rotten rules, he kept shining like an unreachable star. I envied him so much I wished he'd disappear, stop existing so my shadow wouldn't feel so small next to his. When I got the call that he'd nearly died, I felt no grief… I felt relief, a cold, hollow relief that made me wish he'd just vanish already. From that moment I knew there was no redemption left for me.
At that instant, Iida, without opening his mouth, formed a twisted smile. That expression was more unsettling than any words and frightened Literato and Nezu, who stayed hidden in the shadows for safety. Iida's expression seemed a vestige of madness mixed with pain.
—And you know…— he whispered with a calm that raised the hair on their skin— it's strange that, when I finally regained control, the first thing I did was try to kill myself. And I hate that it happened that way, because I already wanted to die after doing that… to that girl. The good thing is that, at least, with my control back I could be a real hero, even if it was too late. Saving our vice class rep.
Izuku watched him in silence, breathed heavily, then looked at him steadily, with a seriousness and a weight in his voice that needed no shouting to command attention.
—I can't separate you from that man attached to you, because he's a bond of your soul, and you could vanish from existence entirely. At least that part will suffer, and you won't. But I can promise you I'll look after your brother and give him a peaceful life. I'll show him the real Iida the world should have seen.
Iida stayed silent, unable to form any response. All he did was adjust his glasses, an automatic, almost mechanical gesture, as his eyes grew damp and silent tears ran down his face. He bowed rigidly, almost like a robot, one final show of identity and pride before fading away. The lights went out and his silhouette vanished from the room, along with his other self, leaving behind only his lifeless, cold, empty body.
—Well… that was quite the story. I really would have liked to talk to him— Literato said in his calm, almost relaxed voice, though his manner always carried a certain theatrical flair even in such grim moments.
—You know you can't do that, since…
—Yes, yes, yes… the blood and summoning ritual thing, I know. But well, I already saw what I needed. I'll have to meet with Nezu and Black to adjust our plans… ah, and I'll also call the other two. What were they called again? The Three Calamities of the White Mask? Haha. What a curious name— he laughed with an air of satisfaction as he turned to leave—. Anyway, see you later, my friend.
With those final words, Literato left the basement, walking with that light, almost theatrical stride that characterized him, until he vanished behind the metal door that creaked shut.
—Farewell, master— Nezu said with a slight bow of the head, watching Izuku with respect—. I hope your next conversation can help now… Lady Rei.
Izuku nodded silently as Nezu also left, but the door opened again. It was Rei. Her silhouette stood out against the darkness, and the air seemed to grow heavier at the sight of her. As she passed Nezu, the two exchanged a slight bow, wordless, understanding the gravity of what was about to happen.
When Nezu finally withdrew, silence reclaimed the room. Only Izuku and Rei remained, surrounded by the gloom, in that basement where the dead still whispered their truths.
Rei approached Izuku as he finished the symbol for Enji Todoroki. When Izuku stood up, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder; it was clear she was somewhat worried about what was about to happen.
—And Eri?
—She stayed with Hinpan, playing.
—Shoto?
—He didn't want to come. He's still processing what happened.
—Alright…— Izuku sighed, his tone tired but resolute—. Are you ready?
—No… but I have to do this. For Shoto.
Without another word, they each let a drop of their blood fall onto the symbol. Izuku first, then Rei. The lights began to flicker and an icy wind swept through the room. Suddenly, darkness enveloped them completely. For three seconds, there was no sound at all. And then, with a dull glow, a silhouette began to materialize before them. Enji Todoroki appeared, his body seeming dimmer than fiery, a faded reflection of the hero he once was. At first, he looked calm, almost confused, but on seeing Izuku his expression hardened. However, when his eyes landed on Rei, his face broke. He stepped back, startled, as if the mere sight of her pierced straight through him.
—Enji Todoroki…— Rei said in a cold, trembling voice, mixing fear with contempt—. I want to know why you saved my son… and what you think about all of this.
Enji watched her in silence. For an instant he seemed to recover some of his old bearing, but his voice betrayed his weakness.
—That day at the stadium… I couldn't believe it was you— he whispered—. You're still as beautiful as the day we me—
—Save your words— Rei cut him off sharply—. Our relationship ended long ago, and it was your fault. I wished for your death for years, Enji. I hated you with everything I had. But I learned to move past you. Even so… your death wasn't fair. You still needed to understand the hell you created in your family. You still needed to pay for what you did to Shoto… you damn wretch…— Her voice trembled, and she breathed deep, trying to calm herself—. I just want to know why. What made you reflect.
Enji lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze. His voice came out hoarse, broken.
—You're not my Rei… are you?
She didn't answer, and her silence was enough. Enji gave a bitter smile.
—I knew it from the moment you looked at me like that. From when you confronted me in that corridor, when we talked about Shoto. I confirmed it further when I met my son… but not the one from my world. And because it was so surprising you survived after nearly taking your own life. In the end, my wife died because of my foolishness. When you die, Rei, you relive everything. Every sin, every pain, every scream you ignored… you live through it again and again. There's no rest. And though I'm trying… I'm still not ready to answer you the way you deserve. That's why I'm sorry…
The fire hero lowered his head; it was clear that in his short time dead he had managed to relive many of his sins, but he still had far to go before resolving them, or even reflecting on them properly. Now it was clear his death had been for the best. Izuku watched him without looking away, then looked at Rei, who was nearly in tears. It seemed she had to do this.
—Endeavor…— he said seriously— your death wasn't meant to happen this way. Your story was supposed to be different. You were meant to reform alongside your family, understand what you destroyed, make amends with them. But you won't be able to do that now… especially with your older children. —His voice hardened, and Enji lowered his head even further, ashamed.
Izuku, however, allowed himself a faint smile.
—But here's what we'll do… let's make a deal.
Rei startled, her eyes widening in horror. Instinct made her step back, but before she could say anything, a powerful wave of energy threw her backward. Her body struck one of the basement's columns gently, and from there she watched the atmosphere transform. A black-and-white energy emerged from Izuku's body, engulfing him completely. His human silhouette began to distort; he no longer had a face, only a figure outlined by a shifting glow. His eyes turned entirely white, shining like beacons in the darkness.
Enji instinctively stepped back, gripped by a deep, ancient fear, the kind only the dead can feel when confronting something beyond their comprehension. Izuku stepped forward, and without breaking eye contact, extended his hand. The fire hero, paralyzed, felt his spiritual body tremble… until that hand touched his. Against all logic, he could feel the contact, warm, real.
—Enji Todoroki— Izuku said in a voice that didn't sound human, but rather the echo of many voices at once—, I grant you the following deal…
He leaned in and whispered something in his ear. The words couldn't be heard, not even by Rei, who watched from a distance with her heart racing. But Enji's expression said it all: his eyes widened with horror, surprise, and a spark of hope. His spiritual body began to tremble, and for the first time, a faint, pure blue flame burned once more over his shoulders.
Izuku stepped back, slowly regaining his human form. His breathing was heavy, and his green eyes shone once more in the darkness. Rei watched him, not daring to speak, while Enji's spirit lowered his head, silently accepting the sealed pact.
—Good, the deal is done.
֎֎֎
—¡¡Bang!!
The blast echoed through the entire room, and in that same instant, the light shattered into a thousand fragments. The basement sank into absolute darkness, a heavy silence that seemed to swallow the air. For a few seconds, only the frantic pounding of Rei's heart could be heard, until the faint glow of her phone lit up her face. With trembling hands she turned on the flashlight, and the beam of light swept the floor until it stopped on a sight that froze her blood: Izuku, her angel, lay motionless at the center of a crater, as if the world had collapsed on top of him.
Rei ran to him, stumbling over the rubble, her breath ragged and her soul shattered. She knelt beside his body, took him in her arms, and rested his head on her lap, trembling. Her voice was barely a whisper broken by fear and guilt as she checked him desperately. She found no wounds… until she saw that mark, a luminous scar on Izuku's right jaw, and her heart stopped. She recognized it instantly, and horror swept over her.
—¡Idiot…! Why did you do it?— she murmured through sobs, her voice breaking—. ¡You broke another seal! Do you know what's going to happen now?.... ¡It wasn't the time…! ¡Not yet…! I… why, Izuku…? My angel… Why did you do this?
He opened his eyes slowly, his serene gaze contrasting with the chaos around him. A faint smile formed on his face, that warm smile that always disarmed her, even on the edge of ruin.
—Because I wanted my Lady to be a little happier— he whispered weakly, almost imperceptibly—. And that could only happen if you didn't lose your son again… like that other time. I promised you, remember? Heh.
The words struck Rei's soul like sweet, cruel blades. She stayed still for an instant, unable to speak, looking at that exhausted face still trying to smile at her despite everything. Understanding hit her like a flood: he had risked his own essence, his seal, his life, just to keep her standing, to protect the people she loved… to protect her.
The tears began falling uncontrollably. She held him tightly, burying her face in his hair, feeling the warmth slowly fading. With an almost sacred tenderness, she stroked his cheek, trembling, and kissed his lips with a desperate love, as if that kiss could stop time, as if it could give back what she had lost.
In the darkness, only the echoes of her weeping remained, along with the soft glow of the phone, lighting for the last time Izuku's peaceful face, the one who had sacrificed his own mind so she would never fall back into darkness.