One for All (Part 7)

"Ladies and gentlemen watching at home, we're receiving confirmation that the hero who just arrived is Chris Harper, or better known as Impact. Yes, it's the very same Impact that fought and beat the organized crime boss Overhaul a little over a year ago. He's a third year student at UA who…" Beverly Harper was horrified as she listened to the reporter's words. She was sitting in front of her television. The news helicopters had arrived just in time for her to watch Jason's body get pierced by All for One's attack, and then she watched Chris fall out of a helicopter and land in front of the villain. Jason ran off, but now she was watching as her son confronted the very same villain that All Might had struggled to beat. Her heart beat quickly. Beverly, eyes closed, took a deep breath before opening her eyes again. Tears were starting to form, but she forced herself to watch. "...please Chris… I believe in you… please beat this bastard…"

Inasa, now a third year at Shiketsu Academy, stared in shock at his cellphone. Everyone in his class, teacher included, had stopped what they were doing and were now watching the news on their various devices. It took Inasa a few moments to recognize him, but he did recognize Chris from the end of his first year, from the Probationary Hero License Exam. He was one of Shoto's friends. Inasa took a deep breath as he focused on the battle. "...come on dude… beat this guy…"

Across the country, on the East Coast, the Number Four Hero watched the news. She was too far away to even try providing help. It would be a six hour flight just to get to the same state. Mirko sipped her coffee, watching this battle as closely as possible. She's never visited California, so she never truly understood why the Number One hero was always on the West Coast. She had to work exceptionally hard to keep her Number Four spot. Maybe this battle would give some insight into why the best heroes came out of UA. This battle may also determine the future of how the American people viewed heroes as a whole..

Dabi turned towards Shigaraki. "Hey boss. Where have you been?" Shigaraki didn't answer as he sat on the couch with the rest of his crew. Their new base was still being set up: an underground lab that had been abandoned by Nomura in favor of a larger location. He glared at the television. "Catch me up to speed." Vortex opened a soda can. "All for One was toying with Jason for a while, and Chris just showed up." Shigarak's eyes narrowed. "So this is it." Toga looked over. "This is what?" "The battle that will decide the future of heroes and villains alike: which one will society believe in more?"

Endeavor stared up at one of the tv screens in his agency's ready room. Every television was set to a different news channel, so that the heroes in his agency could always be informed of what was going on in the world, in case a call couldn't be made to them before a disaster struck. However, every single channel was broadcasting the same thing: Chris standing before All for One. One of the many heroes in his care ran up to Endeavor. "Sir! We're mobilized!" "Good. Get to UA and focus on assisting the evacuation." The hero seemed stunned. "...there are reports of several Nomu on campus… and we're just going to focus on evacuating? We need to stop those things!" Endeavor glared down at her, silencing her. "Principal Nezu's request was clear. We are to assist in the evacuation and protect the students. As for the Nomus and the villain…" Endeavor looked back up at the screens. "...they're being handled already. We don't want to get in the way." The hero hesitated before nodding and running off. Endeavor walked towards the door. He stopped in the doorway, taking one last look at the screens. "...Impact… All Might has put his faith in you… as the next Symbol of Peace… show the world what you're capable of."

Katsuki, for the first time in his life, was at a loss for words as he looked over his friend's shoulder at the news playing on the phone. Chris Harper, the quirkless kid from High School, was now staring down the strongest villain to ever live? If it weren't for the genuine reactions of horror in his classmates' eyes, he would've thought he was dreaming. Katsuki was distracted by a commotion outside. There was a hero in metal armor, holding a young girl. The security guard wasn't letting him in. Katsuki opened the classroom window, trying to listen. "Please sir, I just need to speak with Katsuki Bakugou! Is this the school he goes to?!" The guard was adamant about not letting Iida through. "I don't know, but I know you don't go to this school. You're not coming in." Explosions interrupted the argument. Katsuki landed right next to them. "I'm Katsuki Bakugou. What the hell do you want?" The man in the armor bowed. "I'm Tenya Iida, or Ingenium. This is Eri. I need you to look after her." Katsuki stared down at Eri for a full minute before looking back up at Iida. "...what?" "Please, sir, I need to-" "Why the hell should I babysit for you?!" Eri hid behind Iida's leg. At this point, Yo finally ran out of the school and up to Katsuki. "Hey dude, what's going on? The teacher is pissed that you jumped out of the window like that." Katsuki rolled his eyes. "First I'm asked to babysit a kid I don't even know and now the teacher is getting pissy again. How much shit do I have to put up with in one day?" Iida was begging now. "Please sir! Jason told me that you were the only person close enough and strong enough to keep her safe!" Katsuki's angry expression quickly softened. "...wait… what?" He looked back at Iida. "Jason?" "Yes. In case you weren't aware already, UA is under attack by a group of villains. We believe that this little girl is one of the targets, so we needed to get her away. I need to get back to help my friends, so I can't look after her. We originally planned to take her to the Endeavor Agency, but there's a chance that the villains have found out about that plan. That's when Jason recommended you."

Katsuki thought for a minute before sighing. "Fine. "I'll keep an eye on the brat." Iida let go of Eri. "Thank you sir!" Iida turned around and sprinted in the other direction. Katsuki looked down at Eri. "...Let's go inside." Eri, still tightly clutching her stuffed bear, walked next to Katsuki. "...will Chris be ok…?" Katsuki thought for a moment before allowing himself a small smirk. "Don't worry kid. Chris is too stubborn to lose."