MHA Rewrite: Plus Ultra

Smoke and dust clouds blankets All Might, only his head visible through it. Shigaraki slouches, Kurogiri shifting beside him. “Agghhhh…” He scratches his neck, slow at first, then faster. “They were lying… all lies… you aren’t weakened at all…” A sharp breath. “But why…? The Internet never lies…” He lets out a cackle, thin and uneven. “Cheater… you FUCKING cheater…!!” He flails, arms snapping out in a wild, frustrated motion. He stills. Then exhales, his body deflating. “I wanna go home...” All Might stiffens. …He’s leaving…? Yes… If I can push them to withdraw…— Because I can’t move. I’m clenching my ass as hard as I can. If I even let out a fart, it’s back to my gaunt form… All Might lets out a booming chuckle. “Hohoho! Don’t think you can escape your crime that easily, villain! Now come at me!” Please don’t! I’m shaking like a fuckin leaf…! Bakugo frowns.  What is this idiot doing…? “Well?! What stays your hand?! Face your justice! If you believe you can best me, then come!” Shigaraki throws his arm out. “Argh, SHUT UP! I’m going home! I want my slushie!” He stomps, rubbing at the hands on his arms. “Nghhh… if only we still had Nomu, that useless duck…!” “Calm yourself, Shigaraki Tomura,” Kurogiri says. Shigaraki stills. His head tilts, just slightly. Listening. Waiting. All Might holds his pose. …Shit. “It would appear that Nomu has succeeded in inflicting considerable damage upon All Might.” No, you stupid mist bastard-! Shut up! Leave! He turns slightly, gaze settling on the students. “The children are holding back, likely under the assumption that All Might has the situation under control. And although reinforcements are expected to arrive within minutes…” He looks back at Shigaraki, scratching his neck slowly. “…if we engage him together, we may yet secure victory.” All Might stiffens. Shigaraki stops scratching. “Kurogiri…” Kurogiri’s gaze fixes on Shigaraki. Unblinking. The mist settles, drawn in, held steady. Waiting. Shigaraki tilts his head. “Are you an idiot?” All Might has to hold back a snort. Don’t laugh…! Keep the form..! Kurogiri stares at Shigaraki. Shigaraki sighs, pacing. “Honestly, if your Quirk weren’t so damn useful, I would have killed you a long time ago…” He stops, tilts his head at Kurogiri. “You want us to rush All Might? After what he did to Nomu? With his students right there? When one of them overpowered you literally seconds ago?” He takes a step closer.  “Like, are you actually okay? Were you dropped in the head as a baby?”  He straightens, letting out a scoff. “So embarrassing… You’re, like, older than me too…” “…” Kurogiri continues to stare. All Might almost lets out a sigh of relief. I guess that’s that… These clowns belong to a circus…  Shigaraki exhales. He shrugs. “Sorry about my friend - well, associate really…- All Might…”  He glances at the students. A small smile. A wave. “Sorry, kids!” Their eyes narrow, confusion twisting into anger. Shigaraki looks back at All Might. “Uh, just note that this isn’t the last you’ll see of—” Kurogiri surges forward.  All Might stiffens. Shigaraki blinks.  “…Eh?! Kurogiri, you dumbass!”  Kurogiri expands, mist swelling as he advances on All Might. All Might watches.  Shit…! I can’t move…! Before Todoroki or Kirishima can react, Bakugo blasts forward. “Wow, so fast!” Shigaraki exclaims. “Yeah, beat his ass, kid!” “Do not underestimate me!” Kurogiri exclaims. From the mist, a hand emerges. Solid. Reaching for Bakugo. But then, a bullet pierces the hand. “Ngh?!” Shigaraki lets out a low cackle. All Might turns his head slightly. Thank fucking God…! “Howdy, cowpokes.” Smoke curls from the barrel of the gun, held by a masked hero in a cowboy hat. The hero, Snipe, tilts the brim up with the weapon. “Mind if we tango?” At the entrance, several heroes arrive. Including: Nezu. Present Mic. Iida steps forward. “President of Class 1-A, Iida Tenya! Reporting for duty!” A cackle escapes Shigaraki. Small at first. Then it builds. Laughter spills out of him as he drops to the floor, rolling. Gunfire erupts. Kurogiri’s mist swells, spiraling outward, wrapping around Shigaraki as a portal begins to form. Shigaraki keeps cackling. “A fun day…! Oh, what a fun day…!” All Might coughs, more blood spilling. The students stare at Shigaraki. Deranged. The portal begins to close. Through it, his grin lingers. “I’ll see you later, Class 1-A…~” Zwoop. The portal snaps shut. Kirishima shudders. “…Finally… That guy gives me the creeps…” The rest of Class 1-A gathers at the entrance. Heroes move through the area, tending to the wounded. Thirteen. Aizawa. Izuku. Bakugo doesn’t move. His eyes stay locked ahead. The smoke parts, just enough. All Might stands there. Half his body is gaunt. His face hollow. They stare at each other. —— “What in tarnation? They just fled? After all that?” Nezu is gently lowered to the ground, the hero’s hands resting lightly at his waist, careful, like setting down a cat. “They took us completely off guard. Let’s prioritize the students’ wellbeing for now.” Toshinori stares at Bakugo. The steam is almost gone. This is bad… Out of everyone, it had to be  Blonde Brat…! Todoroki watches the arriving heroes. “Our teachers… All the pros are here. Looks like there was no attack on the school itself.” “Bakugo! All Might! You guys okay?!” Kirishima starts toward them. Toshinori glances at him. Spiky Red’s got a good heart… but stay the hell back…! Bakugo keeps staring at Toshinori for a moment longer. Then he looks at Kirishima. “What does it look like, dumbass?! Just wait there!” Kirishima stops short, stunned. “Wah! Old Bakugo’s back!” Bakugo clicks his tongue and starts toward him. Before he does, he gives Toshinori one last look. A promise. This isn’t over. Toshinori exhales.  “Hmm…”  Foom.  Suddenly, a wall of cement rises, separating the students from All Might. Kirishima hardens, alert, looking around. “Another villain?!” He looks toward the source. A towering figure stands there. Broad. Rigid. His body is blocky, his skin a dull gray, more like cement than flesh. His face is square. Unmoving. Not quite human. “We need to ensure all of you students are safe. Please head to the gate.” Kirishima relaxes his hardening. “Ah, a hero! Yessir! C’mon, Bakugo!” The hero approaches Toshinori, who has slumped to the floor, one arm resting on a raised knee. “Thanks, Cementoss… That was close.” Cementoss smiles shyly, his hands coming together. “There is no need to thank me, All Might-sama. It is an honor to be of assistance… Let us get you to the nurse’s office without revealing this side of you. But please… you must stop pushing yourself.” Toshinori tugs at his ear, chuckling. “Yeah, yeah… what can you do? Hero work, amirite?” Toshinori stares ahead, frowning. And if I had held back… the students would be dead. They were just that strong… … Somewhere, at a bar. A portal opens. Shigaraki slips out of it, collapsing onto the floor like a slug. He lies there. Still. Then— “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” The scream tears through the room. Not anger. Pain. Kurogiri forms beside him, legs taking shape, white slacks settling into place. “Shigaraki?!” The scream finally tapers off. Shigaraki’s face remains pressed to the floor. “…Sorry. Had to get that out. I was holding it in when that cowboy shot me…” Blood spreads beneath him, dark and uneven. His body is riddled with wounds. Shigaraki lifts his head. Then lets it drop back down with a dull thud. “Being cool is so hard…” Shigaraki sighs. “Kurogiri… I should punish you for your disobedience. You made us look sloppy.” “…”  “But I’m tired. And I’m sad. And worst of all, I’m thirsty.” A pause. “So this is your punishment: make me a slushie. Chop, chop.” He taps his head against the floor, once for each word. “…Very well.” Kurogiri moves behind the bar. Shigaraki lies there for a moment longer, unmoving. Then, he speaks. “You were wrong, Master. The Symbol of Peace is in perfect, pretty health.” A small monitor on the counter flickers to life, its screen a blank white. “No… I wasn’t.” A pause. “He is weakened. Just not enough.” Another pause. “…Interesting. Even cornered, society still gathered around him. Teachers. Children. Even the wounded continued fighting under the assumption he would prevail.” The white screen hums softly. “How fragile faith is. And yet… how persistent.” Shigaraki says nothing. “Tell me, Shigaraki Tomura… when All Might stood before you, broken and exhausted… did he look afraid?” Shigaraki twitches slightly. “…No.” The monitor is blank. “…I see.” Silence settles briefly. “Then we simply arrived too early. Symbols do not collapse because they are damaged. They collapse when people witness their helplessness.” A pause. “The League served its purpose. Disposable men reveal truths far more honestly than loyal ones.” Kurogiri adjusts his gloves silently behind the counter. The monitor continues. “And Nomu? Was our little experiment recovered?” Kurogiri, now clad in his white suit behind the counter, adjusts Shigaraki’s drink as he replies. “He was launched far beyond my range of perception. Without precise coordinates, warping to him would have been impossible. I could not spare the time.” A small cackle escapes Shigaraki. Silence follows. “…After all the effort we invested to make him comparable to All Might…” The blank monitor hums softly. “…What a shame.” Shigaraki twitches. “‘Comparable’… Right…” A flash. Nomu’s arm tearing away. “There was a kid. One who seemed just as strong as All Might…”  The white screen remains still. “…Oh?” Shigaraki lifts his head slightly. “He tore off Nomu’s arm. This… ‘Deku.’ Midoriya. He’s someone to keep an eye on, Master…” Kurogiri speaks up. “I concur, Master. This boy displayed an alarming disregard for his own wellbeing in order to save another.” Silence. Then: “…Interesting.” The monitor hums softly. “A child willing to ruin himself for someone else…” A pause. “How very heroic.” Shigaraki slams his head into the ground. He cackles. “‘Heroic’… Yes… If it weren’t for that shithead…—“ The monitor hums passively. “Nothing is ever wasted, Shigaraki Tomura. People become obsessed with victory and defeat.” A pause. “But outcomes are less important than what they reveal. Each endeavor simply reveals a truth.” A beat. “And if we continue making the same mistake…” The hum deepens slightly. “…then it means we have learned nothing at all.” Kurogiri places the slushie on the counter. Shigaraki pushes himself up, adjusting the hand on his face just enough to free his mouth. He settles onto a stool, one leg resting over the other, elbow braced on his thigh. Blood seeps from his wounds, smearing across the seat as he shifts. His chin props against his hand as he takes a long, loud sip. The monitor glows softly behind him. “Shigaraki Tomura. Gather stronger allies.” A pause. “Take all the time you need.” Shigaraki scratches slowly at his neck. “We cannot move freely within society. Which is why symbols are necessary.” Another pause. “All Might gives people peace.” A faint crackle passes through the monitor. “You will give them fear.” Shigaraki’s scratching stops. “The next time they see you… they should understand that safety was always an illusion.” Shigaraki takes another long sip. Then, casually: “…Alright.” … At the entrance of the USJ, police round up the remaining villains under hero supervision. A man in a trench coat and hat counts quietly. “…16… 17… 18… Aside from the boy with the broken arms, it seems they’re all unharmed, thankfully…” Class 1-A stands gathered before him, including Koda, Aoyama, Ojiro, Hagakure, and Tokoyami. Hagakure pats Ojiro on the head, while Ojiro tries very hard not to think about the fact she’s essentially naked except for her gloves. “Ojiro! Oh my gosh, you really got thrown into the fire this time! And all by yourself?! That’s, like, seriously amazing!” Ojiro stiffens, a hint of annoyance creeping in. “I thought everyone was alone… I only survived through hit-and-run tactics. Where were you, Hagakure?” She points at Todoroki. “The Landslide Area! That Todoroki is, like, crazy strong! He’s totally my type!” Todoroki’s back is to her. …Yikes. Could’ve frozen her… “As for my location…” Aoyama spreads his arm out dramatically to Koda, Tokoyami, Kirishima, and Kaminari. “Would anyone care to guess?” Tokoyami lowers his gaze slightly. “They scattered us like pieces on a board… waiting in the dark to strike.” Kirishima slams his fist into his palm. “Right?! Lookin’ down on us just ’cause we’re kids!” Kaminari squints at him. “…Isn’t that a good thing?” Aoyama looks at them for a moment longer. Then he places a hand on Tsuyu’s shoulder. “Where do you think I was?” “Where?” Tsuyu asks. Aoyama turns away dramatically, hand on his head. “It’s a secret… ✨” Uraraka steps toward the man in the trench coat. “Um, Detective…? How is Midoriya? The one with the broken arms?” The class falls quiet. All attention turns to him. Tsuyu keeps her eyes lowered. Mineta glances at her.  He frowns. “And Aizawa-sensei… Thirteen-sensei… All Might-sensei?” Todoroki adds. The detective gives a small, reassuring smile. “Midoriya Izuku is alive. His injuries are severe, but not life-threatening. He’s already been taken to the nurse’s office.” Mina steps forward. “Will he heal?” “He will. But it won’t be immediate. Those injuries aren’t something you walk off. He’s going to need time… but he’ll be fine.” A collective sigh passes through the class.  Iida lowers his gaze, frowning, his fist tightening. Jiro clicks her tongue, looking to the side. “…Idiot.” Kirishima’s arm shoots up. “What about the teachers?!” The detective adjusts his fedora. “For Eraser Head, both arms sustained severe damage. There are multiple fractures to the face as well. Thankfully, there is no sign of brain trauma.” A brief pause. “However… the damage to his eyes is extensive. There is a significant risk of long-term vision loss.” “That would affect his Quirk…” Todoroki says. “Oh no…” Momo breathes. The detective continues. “Thirteen sustained severe lacerations across the back and upper arms. Fortunately, none of them are life-threatening.” A brief pause. “As for All Might, his injuries have already been addressed. He’s been taken to the nurse’s office. With Recovery Girl’s treatment, he is expected to recover.” “Speaking of the nurse’s office… I have some business there as well.” He turns to the cat-like officer in uniform. “Sansa, can I leave the rest to you?” Sansa salutes. “Yes, sir.” Hagakure clasps her hands. “So cute!!” Nezu puts a finger to his chin. “We’ll need to completely revamp our security systems.” Beside him, a woman stands, a teasing confidence in her posture as she idly flicks a slender whip in her hand. “Teleportation Quirks are rare enough,” she says, the cuff at her wrist jingling softly. “Shame one of them had to turn villain…” “Detective Tsukauchi!” A police officer approaches and salutes. “I have a report. We’ve apprehended a suspicious individual in a thicket about 400 meters from here.” “In what condition?” Tsukauchi asks. “Unharmed, sir. He didn’t resist arrest. However… he’s completely unresponsive. Doesn’t speak. Doesn’t react.” Todoroki steps forward. “Detective, if I may. That villain is known as ‘Nomu’; he was the one All Might was struggling to defeat. It seems less like a creature of its own will and more of a weapon, useless without commands from its maker.” Tsukauchi nods. “I see. Thank you for the information. We’ll proceed with caution.” The detective gestures over his shoulder with a gloved thumb, addressing Nezu. “Principal, I’d like to go over the school with a fine-toothed comb, if you don’t mind.” Nezu gives a small wave with one paw. “Ah, of course! I’m sure some won’t be pleased, but the police do have jurisdiction!” He closes his paw. “Investigations are your field of expertise. Please, do what you feel is necessary.” Tsukauchi smiles. “I appreciate the cooperation, Principal, and I apologize for the inconvenience.” He turns to the students. “You all handled yourselves well today. Given the circumstances, that’s no small feat.” A brief pause. “If you’re the next generation of heroes, then we can rest a little easier.” The students glance at one another, a few small, tired smiles passing between them. … U.A. Nurse’s Office. Toshinori sits upright on his bed, his torso wrapped in bandages. Another strip runs across his forehead, covering the spot Shigaraki decayed. His gaze rests on the bed beside him. Izuku.  Both arms are heavily wrapped, thick layers of bandages reinforcing them from shoulder to wrist. Beneath them, the shape is wrong, uneven where the breaks had been forced back into place. His head is partially wrapped, a bandage circling his temple and jaw, faint bruising spreading beneath it. More bandages run across his torso and legs, his body stiff, like every movement would hurt. He looks smaller like this. Still. Asleep. While Toshinori watches.  Tap. He glances up. Recovery Girl stands beside him, lightly tapping the edge of his bed with her cane, her expression deeply unimpressed. “You’d better take proper care of that boy, Yagi… or so help me…—” Toshinori exhales.  “I understand, Shuzenji-sensei… I’ll make sure—“ Recovery Girl slams her cane against the bed. “Don’t you try to placate me, young man!” Toshinori’s eyes widen. Her frail body trembles with anger and worry. “I’ve seen far too many people die under a hero’s watch…!” A breath. “Do not. Make him another one…” His mouth hangs open, the words dying before they can form. Recovery Girl exhales, some of the tension leaving her. She settles back into her chair. “All these years and you still seem to underestimate the effect you have on others, Yagi-san…” A flash. Shigaraki. I’m here to kill you because of what you are… Toshinori’s eyes narrow. “…All… Might…” His head snaps toward Izuku. “Kid—!” Izuku strains to keep one eye open. “…Is everyone okay…? Tsuyu…?” Toshinori smiles. “Yeah. Everyone’s alright. Thanks to you.” Recovery Girl shoots him a look. He pretends not to notice. Izuku manages a faint smile. “…Thank goodness…” His eyelid droops. “I saw what you did… with that monster…” Toshinori’s eyes widen. Izuku stops fighting it. “You were… so cool…” A flash. That rooftop. Izuku. “But if you see one every day… doing impossible things… you start thinking maybe you can be like them.” He slips back under. A smile remains.