MHA Rewrite: Plus Ultra

Iida’s arms tighten around Uraraka as she struggles. “Let me go!” she gasps, trying to twist free. Iida holds firm, his engines humming faintly as he stabilizes his stance. Across the room, Bakugo lands with a burst of smoke curling from his palms. Izuku freezes. Hostage…?! Bakugo grins. “Took you long enough to notice, Deku.” Uraraka kicks uselessly against Iida’s grip. “Deku!” Izuku’s mind races. I miscalculated!!! Bakugo takes a slow step forward, sparks snapping across his palm. “Thought you had it all figured out, didn’t you?” Iida doesn’t move. But his grip tightens. Forgive me, Midoriya-kun… His gaze hardens as he steadies Uraraka in his hold. But I cannot allow you to win! … Scene: Monitor Room All Might stares at the screen. On the monitors, the confrontation unfolds. The room explodes with noise. Students lean forward in their seats, shouting over one another. “Did you see that?!” “They grabbed her!” “That’s cheating!” Kirishima slams his hands on the desk. “Cowards!” he shouts. “They’re holding a girl hostage!” “Uraraka’s squirming in his grasp! Lucky bastard!” Mineta squeals. Kaminari immediately shoves Mineta’s head down onto the table. “Wait—are they even allowed to do that?!” Mina frowns. “That’s kinda messed up…” Jiro crosses her arms, watching the screen carefully. “Well… they are supposed to be villains.” Tsuyu blinks at the monitor. “Ribbit. If they were real villains, they’d probably do something like that.” Aoyama dramatically flips his hair. “Such brutality… it wounds my radiant soul.” Momo looks troubled. “How horrible…” Near the back of the room, Todoroki watches the monitor in silence. He doesn’t react. His eyes flick briefly to the timer in the corner of the screen. The seconds continue ticking down.  Then back to Midoriya. Still watching. All Might remains silent for a moment. He studies the screen as the shouting continues. Then he speaks. His voice is calm. “Remember this, everyone.” The room quiets slightly. “Villains will not fight fair.” He folds his arms as the battle continues on the screen. “And heroes must be prepared for that.” Alright, kid… what’s your plan now? … Flashback — Nuke Room The room is quiet except for the faint hum of the building. Bakugo stands near the doorway, body angled forward like a coiled spring. His shoulders tremble slightly. Iida notices. But it isn’t anticipation. It’s fear. Iida adjusts his glasses. “Bakugo,” he says calmly. Bakugo doesn’t turn. “You cannot defeat Midoriya.” Bakugo’s head snaps toward him. “Whaddya say, Four Eyes?!” Iida doesn’t flinch. “You will not defeat Midoriya,” he repeats evenly. “Not with your sensitive ego.” A beat. “And certainly not alone.” Bakugo’s eyes flare. He lunges forward in a blur, stopping inches from Iida’s face. His palm hovers there, trembling with restrained explosions. “Say it again, Four Eyes!” Bakugo growls. His teeth bare. “I dare you.” Iida does not flinch. He does not back down. “If we hope to beat Midoriya,” Iida says calmly, “we cannot overwhelm him with power.” Bakugo’s eye twitches. For a moment his hand hovers inches from Iida’s face, palm crackling faintly with restrained explosions. Then, slowly, he lowers his arm. His glare doesn’t soften. “So?” Bakugo mutters. “What do you suggest?” Iida recalls All Might’s words:  Learn to think from the perspective of villains. A villain would not charge blindly. A villain would strike where the hero is weakest. I cannot fall behind… I must succeed. Iida adjusts his glasses. “We strike his heart.” Bakugo stares at him for a moment. Then a grin slowly spreads across his face. “Heh.” His palm snaps with sparks again. “Now you’re talking, Four Eyes.” … Back to the present. Iida’s gaze remains fixed on Izuku. Unwavering. Even through the visor of Midoriya’s helmet, it feels like he’s staring straight into his eyes. Calm. Focused. Iida addresses him evenly. “Deku. Surrender.” His grip tightens slightly around Uraraka. “If you attempt to fight or save Uraraka… I will harm her.” Izuku stiffens. Uraraka gasps. “Iida-kun…?” she says, her voice shaking. She tilts her head slightly, trying to look at him. “You’re joking… right…?” Iida does not look at her. All Uraraka sees is a cold, metal helmet. “I am not.” Izuku tightens his fist. Don’t panic! Find the best way to save Uraraka! Don’t panic! Bakugo tilts his head slightly, studying Izuku. “Hey… what’s the matter?” Before Izuku can react— Bakugo’s fist slams into his face. “Ggh—!” Uraraka gasps. “Deku!” Iida’s grip tightens reflexively, his shoulders stiffening as the blow lands. Bakugo grabs Izuku by the front of his costume and drives another punch into his stomach. “Feeling powerless?!” “—Ugh!” Izuku doubles over, air forced from his lungs.  Uraraka struggles harder in Iida’s arms. “Bakugo! Stop it!” Iida’s jaw tightens inside the helmet. “Can’t think?!” Another blow crashes into Izuku’s jaw. “—Ngh!” Izuku staggers backward, barely keeping his footing. Iida’s fingers twitch against Uraraka’s sleeves. For a split second, his grip falters. Then he steadies himself. Another punch. “Are you remembering your place?!” Izuku reels.  Uraraka’s thoughts spiral. I can’t do anything…! My Quirk can’t help here! Bakugo snarls and grabs the front of Izuku’s mask, tearing it off in one sharp motion. Across the room, Uraraka twists desperately. “Iida-kun, please! Stop this!” Iida doesn’t answer. But his arms tighten around her. Inside the helmet, his breathing grows heavier. Midoriya-kun… Please surrender. Bakugo’s fist crashes forward again. “Ghk—!” “Hah?! Answer me!” Iida watches through the visor of his helmet. For a moment, his gaze wavers. Then it hardens. Keep it up, Bakugo… Midoriya is too tenacious to give up. —— Scene: Monitor Room The room has gone quiet. On the monitors, Bakugo’s blows keep coming. Several students stare in shock. No one cheers now. Kirishima’s jaw tightens. Kaminari shifts uneasily in his seat. Mina has stopped smiling.  Todoroki leans slightly forward in his chair.  Not tense. Not alarmed. Studying.  On the screen, Midoriya staggers under another blow. Todoroki’s gaze narrows just slightly. Momo turns toward the front of the room. “All Might-sensei…” Her voice is hesitant. All Might does not respond. He keeps watching. —— Izuku collapses onto all fours. His face is already swelling, blood dripping from his mouth. He coughs. A dark splash stains the floor. Across the room, Uraraka’s eyes widen. “…Deku…” Her voice trembles. Tears begin to spill down her cheeks. Bakugo grabs the back of Izuku’s costume and jerks him upright slightly.  “-Nnngh…” “Come on, Deku… give up.” He chuckles under his breath. “Or don’t.” His grin widens. “Either way… I’m gonna keep on having fun…” Behind him, Iida watches through the visor of his helmet. It doesn’t matter if he stalls for time. Time is not on his side. If the countdown finishes and their objectives remain incomplete, the victory goes to us. Normally, in a hostage situation, the negotiator would push for time—stalling, waiting for others to mobilize. But this is not a real situation. No reinforcements are coming. So I beg of you, Midoriya-kun… Surrender! Izuku’s vision swims. Blood drips from his chin, spattering against the floor. The taste of iron fills his mouth. Across the room, Uraraka is crying. Bakugo’s grip digs into the back of his costume. But Izuku barely registers it. His mind drifts somewhere else. Nothing’s changed… The thought creeps in, quiet and poisonous. I’m still the same as before. His fingers tremble. A flash— A narrow alley behind the school. Fists crashing into his ribs. Laughter echoing off the walls. Broken. Another— Bakugo towering over him, smoke curling from his palms. “Know your place, Deku.” Powerless. Another— Izuku walking home alone, scribbling in his notebook. Pages filled with hero analysis. Dreaming. Even though he had nothing. Unlucky. Another— His body crumpled on the pavement. Blood dripping from his nose. No one helping him up. Weak. His breath shudders. What was all that training for…? Another memory rises— Dagobah Beach. Sweat pours down his face. His arms tremble as he forces himself through another push-up. Again. Again. Again. What were all my blood, sweat, and tears for…?! Bakugo clicks his tongue. “Tsk. Pathetic.” He releases his grip. Izuku drops. His body hits the floor with a dull thud. Blood slowly pools beneath his cheek. He doesn’t have the strength to get back up. —— Scene: Monitor Room On the screen, Izuku lies motionless on the floor. Blood stains the concrete beneath him. No one speaks for a moment. Then Kirishima exhales and leans back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head. “…That’s it,” he mutters in disbelief. “The villains won…” A heavy silence fills the room. Tsuyu watches the monitor quietly. “Ribbit… heroes lose sometimes.” Kaminari scratches the back of his neck uneasily. “Man… Midoriya got wrecked…” Mina suddenly wipes at her eyes. “No more!” she blurts out, voice cracking. “Just knock him out already!” Jiro clicks her tongue softly. “He better stay down…”  Momo lowers her gaze slightly. “…This was inevitable once Uraraka-san was captured.” Mineta nods nervously. “Y-yeah… there’s no way he can win now…” The room slowly settles into quiet acceptance. From the back of the room— “The fight isn’t necessarily over.” Several students turn in confusion.  Todoroki sits with his eyes still fixed on the screen. Kaminari frowns. “Huh?” Todoroki’s gaze doesn’t move. “It’s just beginning.” They all look back at the screen.  On the monitor— Izuku still hasn’t moved. At the front of the room, All Might stands stoically. His fists tightens slightly. C’mon, kid… Get up!  … For a moment— Everything goes dark. Then— Another memory tears through the silence. A monstrous mass of sludge tightening around a struggling boy. Bakugo screaming as the creature suffocates him. Heroes frozen. Civilians watching. No one moving. Except— Him. Small.  Terrified. Quirkless. Running forward anyway. The memory freezes. His legs moving before he understood why. A voice echoes in his mind. Toshinori looking down at him in disbelief. “You moved before you thought.” Izuku’s eye twitches. Another memory— A hospital room. Toshinori standing beside his bed. “I owe you an apology.” Izuku answering without hesitation. “I’ll take it. Not because I need it to prove to you that I can become a hero.” “But because I already am one.” His breath hitches. Back then… I didn’t even have a Quirk. Another memory bursts forward— The entrance exam. Uraraka trapped beneath rubble. The giant robot looming overhead. Izuku launching himself skyward. His fist crashing down. The world exploding with power. I didn’t have control… His hand twitches against the concrete. His fingers press harder into the floor. He pushes himself up slightly. Across the room— Bakugo notices. He frowns. “…Eh?” Behind him, Iida stiffens. Midoriya-kun! No! Izuku’s arms strain. And I still moved. Uraraka cries out in hope. “Deku!” —— Monitor Room Mina shouts. “No! Stay down!” Jiro clicks her tongue. “This tryhard!” Kirishima slams his hands on the desk. “Get up! Get up!” Todoroki doesn’t move. His eyes stay fixed on the screen.  For the first time, his posture straightens slightly. Uneasy. All Might smiles. —— Izuku’s eyes blink. So why… His hand tightens. Why am I hesitating now? Pain screams through his body. Blood drips from his chin. But his mind is clear again. Fast. Precise. Calculating. Bakugo’s stance.  Izuku pushes himself upright. He sways on the spot. His vision swims. But he stays standing. I’m a hero! Across from him, Bakugo sighs. “You sure are suicidal, Deku…” Bakugo begins walking toward him slowly, sparks snapping across his palms. Izuku doesn’t turn. His back remains facing him. Then, in a hoarse voice— “Kacchan…” Bakugo stops. A grin spreads across his face. “What did I say about calling me that…?” Izuku turns unsteadily to face him. His swollen eyes are calm. “Kacchan… I’ve surpassed you.” Bakugo snarls. “Die!” Explosion. He rockets forward. Iida stiffens in alarm.  Don’t tell me—! “Bakugo, don’t!” Uraraka cries out. “Deku!!” Bakugo aims for a finishing blow. Izuku’s lips move faintly. “Right arm…” Bakugo roars. “ARGHHH!” His fist swings forward— Izuku steps inside the strike. His hand shoots up and catches Bakugo’s wrist. Bakugo’s eyes widen. Again?! Izuku pivots. Using Bakugo’s own momentum, he twists the arm downward and drives him straight into the floor. THUD. The concrete shakes as Bakugo slams down hard. “—Ghk!” Before he can react, Izuku drops a knee onto his back and locks his arm behind him. Pinned. Izuku twists Bakugo’s wrist upward, forcing the palm flat against his own body. Bakugo eyes are wide open, suspended in shock. Izuku breathes heavily above him— But the restraint is firm. … On the screen, Bakugo is slammed into the floor. Pinned. For a moment— The room is completely silent. Then Kirishima jumps to his feet. Mina too. “YES!!!” Kaminari nearly falls out of his chair. “HE FLIPPED HIM?!” Jiro smirks. “…That idiot actually did it.” Tsuyu tilts her head slightly, smiling. “Ribbit. Clever.” Hagakure claps her hands. “Yayyy! Now they, like, both have hostages!” A beat. “…Wait.” Several students turn toward her. An empty school uniform faces them—skirt, blazer, and shoes hanging in place with no visible body inside. Her head tilts. “Isn’t that, like… a bad thing?” Several students lean forward, staring at the screen. On one side of the room, Midoriya restrains Bakugo against the floor. On the other, Iida still holds Uraraka firmly in his grip. Momo folds her arms, thinking. “…A stalemate.” All Might watches the screen. His smile hasn’t faded. So… what now, kid? …  Bakugo thrashes. “Get off me! You fucking bastard! I’ll fucking kill you!” Across the room, Uraraka’s shoulders sag with relief for a split second. Iida stiffens. Inside his helmet, he frowns. That fool… He let himself get caught! Izuku keeps his knee pressed firmly into Bakugo’s back. His chest rises and falls heavily as he stares at Iida. But when he speaks, his voice is calm. “Same conditions, Iida-kun.” He tightens his grip on Bakugo’s arm. “You hurt Uraraka…” A slight twist of the joint. “I hurt Bakugo.” Iida blinks, momentarily stunned. Then, his gaze narrows. That’s a bluff. Midoriya-kun is incapable of that brutality. He straightens slightly, tightening his hold on Uraraka. “You’re bluffing,” Iida says evenly. “You are wasting time, Deku. Victory is almost ours.” Iida’s mind races behind the visor. That’s right… If we keep this stalemate, it becomes a waiting game. Iida lets out a secret smile. Nothing’s changed! Across the room, Izuku exhales slowly. “…Recovery Girl…” His voice is barely more than a rasp. Then— He grabs Bakugo’s finger. Before anyone understands what he’s doing— CRACK. Bakugo’s eyes widen. For a split second, there is only confusion. Then— “GAAAAAAHHH!!” Bakugo screams. The sound tears through the room. Uraraka gasps. “Deku!” Iida stiffens in horror. “Midoriya-kun!” Bakugo writhes beneath Izuku. “You… bastard…! Aghhhh…!” Izuku doesn’t look at him. His tired eyes stay fixed on Iida. “Nine fingers left.” —— Scene: Monitor Room The sound echoes through the speakers. CRACK. For a moment— No one in the room understands what they just heard. Then Bakugo’s scream erupts from the monitor. “GAAAAAAHHH!!” The room explodes. “WHAT?!” Kaminari shouts, jumping out of his chair. Mina stares at the monitor, eyes wide. “…Huh?” Todoroki’s eyes widen slightly. Slowly, his gaze shifts from Bakugo… back to Midoriya.  The hand resting on his knee tightens into a fist. Kirishima slams his fists on the desk. “What the hell?! He broke his finger?!” Mineta shrieks. “HE BROKE HIS FINGER?!” Jiro stares at the screen, stunned. “…Holy shit.” Tsuyu blinks slowly, face frowning in concern. “Ribbit…” Momo’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Midoriya…?” The room dissolves into shocked shouting. All Might does not move. His arms remain folded. But his eyes sharpen as he watches the screen. —— Iida’s face trembles with fury. His jaw tightens inside the helmet. Midoriya-kun… I did not expect this barbaric behavior from you! Across the room, Uraraka stares in horror. “Deku, what are you doing?!” Izuku doesn’t look at her. His tired eyes remain locked on Iida. “I broke a finger, Iida-kun.” He shifts slightly, keeping Bakugo pinned. “An eye for an eye, a finger for a finger, right?” A faint tilt of his head. “Isn’t it Uraraka’s turn?” Iida clicks his tongue. “Tsk…!” He’s testing me…! Pushing me to see how far I’ll go with my villain role! Uraraka turns her head toward him, panic rising in her voice. “I-Iida-kun, please…—” Iida’s fingers tighten around her arms.  As a villain, it would be as easy as breathing… His thoughts twist violently. He sees her wide, terrified eyes, tears flowing. But I can’t do it! How can I look Uraraka-san in the eye after this?! For the first time since the battle began— Iida hesitates. Then— Iida’s eyes widen.  Wait…! The timer! He smiles shakily.  The simulation must be over soon, correct?! All I must do is stall for— CRACK. Bakugo’s body jerks violently. “AAARGHHH!!” His scream tears through the room as he howls in pain. Iida’s head snaps forward. “MIDORIYA!!!” Izuku doesn’t look away. His voice is hoarse. Exhausted. But steady. “Eight fingers.” A faint breath leaves his mouth. “Uraraka still has ten.” —— Monitor Room The second snap sends the room into chaos. “Oh my god!” Kaminari shouts. Kirishima slams the desk again. “He did it again!” Mina covers her mouth, shaking her head. “This is insane!” Across the room, Momo steps forward toward the front. “All Might-sensei!” Her voice is tight with alarm. “This is too much!” All Might does not respond. He simply keeps watching the screen. —— Iida’s teeth grind together. Midoriya… It seems I have underestimated you yet again… Across the room, Izuku exhales slowly. His grip on Bakugo doesn’t loosen. “Iida-kun.” His voice is tired, but steady. “Time may be running out.” A slight twist of Bakugo’s hand. “But so are Bakugo’s fingers.” Izuku’s eyes are steady. “Either hurt Uraraka…” Another small movement of Bakugo’s hand. “…or surrender.” Bakugo snarls beneath him, sweat dripping onto the concrete. He scowls at Iida. “Don’t you fucking dare, Four Eyes! Do it and I’ll kill you! After I kill him!”  Across the room, Uraraka stares at Iida with wide, terrified eyes.  “Iida, please!”  Bakugo yells. “Don’t!”  Iida squeezes his eyes shut. Frustration floods his voice. “Midoriya…! You madman!” For a moment his grip tightens— Then he releases Uraraka. Her arms slip free as her legs give out.  Iida slowly raises both hands into the air. “I surrender…!” Bakugo is seething. “Bastard!” Across the room, Izuku exhales. The tension in his shoulders loosens slightly. Iida turns toward his teammate. “Bakugo! We’ve lost! Surrender!” Bakugo thrashes beneath Izuku. “No fucking way! It’s not over until I say it’s over!” His eyes burn with hatred. “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!” Iida steps forward, alarmed. “Bakugo, there’s no use—!” Izuku gives a small, tired smile. “It’s okay, Iida-kun.” He reaches into his belt pouch. A strip of capture tape slides into his hand. “I have this.” Bakugo struggles violently beneath him— But the fight is already over. Just as he brings the tape forward— Bakugo suddenly rips his arm loose. He twists onto his back, palm snapping upward. Sparks crackle violently across his hand. “DIEEE!” Izuku moves first.  Egg. Power surges through his arm. His fist drives straight down. THUD. Bakugo’s head slams into the concrete. The explosion dies instantly in his palm. His body goes limp. Knocked out cold. Izuku exhales slowly. An alarm suddenly blares through the building. WEEOOO— WEEOOO— All Might’s voice echoes through the speakers. “The hero team wins!” The words ring through the empty floor. For a moment, no one moves. Izuku slowly lifts his head. Across the room, Uraraka stands frozen where Iida released her. Their eyes meet. Izuku gives her a tired, genuine smile. A quiet, relieved smile. …I saved her. Uraraka’s face doesn’t brighten. It pales. Her eyes are wide in horror. “…Deku…” Izuku’s vision blurs. The room tilts. Then his body sways— And he collapses. Unconscious.