Chapter 10

The air hung thick with the stench of burnt concrete and ozone. The USJ, once a place of learning, now resembled a war zone. My white hair whipped around my face as I surveyed the chaos. All Might was struggling, the telltale signs of his quirk overheating were clear as day. Sweat beaded on his brow, his movements losing their signature dynamism. And then there was Izuku, my younger brother, a naive spark of heroism that worried the hell out of me. He was heading straight for All Might, risking everything.

"Damn it, Izuku!" I muttered, my voice barely audible over the cacophony of battle. But I couldn't afford to dwell. Shigaraki was a constant, gnawing threat. He was on my and Diamond's tail, a relentless force of decay, and he just touched the ground causing us to stumble. We needed to change our field of approach.

"Diamond, get up!" I yelled, my voice a booming command that cut through the noise. I launched myself into the air, the familiar rush of super speed and flight a welcome comfort. I could feel the tug of the earth beneath me, but my focus was on the fight. "Ryan, get Diamond some lift!"

Ryan, my grey-eyed friend, didn't need me to elaborate. With a flick of his hand, gusts of wind swirled around Diamond, lifting her into the air with me, her black hair was a beacon as she prepared for battle. Her eyes flashed in determination as she focused and charged up her lightning. Shigaraki grinned, a grotesque expression that sent shivers down my spine. He was pulling Kurogiri into the sky, ready to bring the fight to us.

This battle was far more dangerous than I initially anticipated. Dabi's flames were relentless, and the Himura twins, were working in tandem to try and control his inferno. All Might finally defeated Nomu, sending him crashing through the roof, but the fight was far from over. Time to intervene. I quickly shifted my focus, shouting orders as I charged into battle. "Marcus, get to Aizawa, first aid is in the small box, momo made them!"

Marcus responded without hesitation, moving to assist the incapacitated Aizawa. Anix, with his green hair, was pulling Class 1-A further away from the escalating conflict, protecting them from the brunt of the battle. Katsume and Eliza were locked in a ferocious battle with Twice, their movements a blur of fire and hardened defenses. Hannah and Alex were fighting Toga, trying to counter her stealth and sharp knives and her twisted infatuation all while trying to keep her away from everyone.

I saw an opening and engaged Shigaraki. Diamond was by my side, our powers combining as we moved in a deadly ballet. I used my super strength to deliver a blow, a punch that carried the force of a truck, while Diamond unleashed a barrage of lightning bolts, the air crackling with her energy. Shigaraki dodged, his movements unnervingly fast, his touch a lethal threat hanging in the air.

Dabi's flames surged again, forcing me to switch gears. I took a deep breath and exhaled, the air around me instantly turning frigid. I felt the chill gather in my lungs as my freeze breath met the flames, Riley's frost powers freezing the flames solid. I stared at Dabi and then looked back at shigaraki. It was time for a proper confrontation. I had suspicions and I needed to confirm them and that would be if I could get shigaraki alone.

"Diamond, handle the others! This one's mine!" I roared, giving her a quick nod as she charged back to aid the others. Shigaraki's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something dark and calculating danced in their depths. The rumors of him being All for One's successor were ringing in my mind. He was coming for Izuku, I could feel it in my bones, I would make sure he wouldn't touch him not under my watch.

I charged, and the clash began. My fist slammed into Shigaraki's jaw, sending him reeling back, the impact creating a shockwave. He snarled, his hands darting out, trying to make contact. I dodged, my movements far too quick for a human. I moved to the side and launched another punch to his gut this time, the force of it sent him crashing into the ground. He quickly got up and he launched himself at me, his touch a threat I couldn't afford to ignore. His hands flew at me in rapid succession, a chaotic storm I had to carefully dodge, I dodged his blows and landed a kick on his arm, the force of my kick making him stumble backwards. He quickly recovered and his eyes went wide. Time to go full force this was far from over.

I accelerated, my speed blurring the world around me as i pummeled him with blows, each one carrying the force of a battering ram. He tried to touch me, his hands reaching out like talons, but I was too fast, always a step ahead. Shigaraki was a formidable opponent, not to be underestimated. I was determined to put him down and away from Izuku.

The fight raged on, a brutal exchange of blows. I landed another hit, my knuckles cracking against his cheekbone, but he barely flinched. Shigaraki lunged, desperation etched onto his face. I saw it, this was his limit. Just as his hand came close, I focused, unleashing my freeze breath again, covering his hand in ice. He recoiled, a hiss escaping his lips. I didn't stop, hammering him with another hit to his face, the force of it sending him flying backwards.

Suddenly, a portal opened, and Kurogiri appeared, the swirls of black mist a welcome escape for the battered villains. Shigaraki glared at me, his eyes burning with hatred. "This isn't over! We'll be back!" he snarled before disappearing completely into the portal.

The fight was over just like that, the sudden departure left the air cold and still. I exhaled, letting my breath catch. Aizawa was out cold, and I could hear the groans of the other students.

"Everyone, fall back to the bus! Anix, help Marcus with Aizawa! Katsume, contact the pros and principle Nezu!" I shouted, moving to help them. They did as they were told, the students moving as fast as they could to get out of the battle zone.

I moved towards where I last saw Izuku and All Might, who was slumped against a wall, his breathing labored. Izuku was next to him, trying to assist, his face etched with worry. "Are you both okay?" I asked, my voice tight. They both nodded, "I'm fine Anos, you were amazing" Izuku said his eyes lit up. All Might gave me a weak thumbs up. With a sigh of relief I led them to the bus and boarded.

Thankfully, all my friends had their licenses, and Katsume volunteered to drive us back. The bus ride was silent, the weight of the battle hanging heavy in the air. Class 1-A was shaken, their bravado stripped away. They looked traumatized, and defeated.

Diamond pulled me to the side once we were back in the academy grounds. "Time for a pep talk, Anos," she stated, a faint smile dancing on her lips.

I sighed, but nodded. This was what they needed. I stood in front of the students, their faces looking back at me. "Look at me," I began, my voice firm but gentle. "I know that was intense. I know you saw things you never expected today, but you need to understand something," I paused, looking at each one of them in the eye. "This is not an end, this is a beginning. It's the start of your journey. You all fought bravely today, and you all made it through. You all have strength and potential, you just need to find it, own it, and you need to believe in yourselves. Don't let this scare you, let it make you stronger. You have potential, you're heroes and you will grow into proper heroes. This battle today is a small bump in the road in your road to greatness, ok, I believe in you all, believe in yourselves too."

They nodded back at me, some of their faces showing the start of some confidence. My words, I knew, were not some miracle cure. But it was a start. My friends smiled beside me, their eyes holding a warmth I always cherished, these speeches where something I was known for. I was happy to be able to give my friends and those who needed it a push forward even if it was a small one. Everything was going to be okay, we were going to be okay, I just knew it. They needed to believe it too.