Raio Kaminari had faced many strong opponents before. He had trained against many possible scenarios, saw action first hand at the U.S.J raid, clashed against Bakugou's explosions, outdid Todoroki's ice and fire, but this... this was different.
As he stood before the Hero Killer, our intern student, Megajoules, felt the weight of the situation settle in his chest like a cold stone. This wasn't a mock test at U.A. or the controled matches of the Sports Festival. This was life or death. Any wrong move could mean the end, not just for him, but for his friends as well.
Stain's eyes, sharp and burning with intensity, locked onto Megajoules with an unsettling focus. He could feel the malice pouring off the villain, the twisted ideals that fueled his every move.
"You call yourselves heroes," Stain spat, his voice like venom. "But you're nothing more than fakes, unworthy of the title. Only those willing to bleed for justice—those willing to die for it—deserve to call themselves true heroes."
The grip on his fists tightened, sparks of electricity dancing along his skin as he prepared himself. Stain's words cut deeper than he expected, but he couldn't afford to falter now. The villain wasted no time.
In an instant, Stain was on them again, moving with terrifying speed and precision, his blades flashing in the dim light of the alley.
Todoroki fired off waves of ice, but Stain dodged with ease, weaving through the attacks like a shadow. Midoriya, though injured, lunged forward with his powerful Smash, only for Stain to sidestep and retaliate with a swift cut that sent him crashing to the ground.
Iida... Todoroki... Midoriya...
One by one, Stain downed his targets. His attacks weren't wild or reckless—every strike was calculated, aimed to disable rather than kill. But our intern hero knew it was only a matter of time before Stain decided to end them for good.
Urgent to act, he surged forward, using his speed to try and catch Stain off guard, his fist glistening with raw power. "I won't let you—!"
But Stain was too fast. With a swift flick of his wrist, Stain's blade sliced through Megajoules' hip.
The boy's breath hitched. Time seemed to slow as he felt the cold steel cut through his flesh. The pain that followed was sharp and immediate, like fire spreading through his veins. His knees buckled, his vision blurred for a moment as he stumbled backward, one hand instinctively reaching for the wound. Blood seeped between his fingers, and the electric sparks that had once danced along his body flickered and dimmed.
The pain wasn't just physical—it was overwhelming. It felt like his entire body was being torn apart from the inside, his quirk sputtering as the agony made it harder to concentrate. He gasped, struggling to breathe, to stay conscious, but the pain wouldn't relent.
Stain's eyes gleamed as he saw the blood. In one swift motion, the Hero Killer licked the blade, and the feeling of something shift inside him—a strange, sickening paralysis creeping through his limbs. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the cold ground, unable to move.
Panic set in as he realized what had happened. Stain's quirk... Bloodcurdle... He couldn't move a muscle, no matter how hard he tried. His body felt like it was frozen in place, a prisoner of Stain's horrifying power.
Stain stood over him, calm and composed, as if he had all the time in the world.
"This is what it means to face a real villain. You're not ready."
Megajoules' heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing even as his body refused to respond. The fear that he had tried to push away now flooded back in full force. This is for real. If he didn't find a way to get out of this, he and his friends might not survive.
And for the first time, he questioned whether he was truly ready to be a hero.
As he laid motionless on the ground, every nerve in his body screaming for action, yet completely unresponsive. Stain's quirk had him locked in place, his muscles paralyzed, and the situation was growing bleaker by the second. His mind raced, the fear of helplessness clawing at him, but amidst the panic, a sudden realization flickered in his mind.
Stain stood over him, moving on to his next target, but Kaminnari wasn't done. Focus. Control. His breathing steadied as he concentrated. Start small... a spark... a jolt... anything.
I can't move... His quirk appears to target the muscle's nervous system... But there's more to electricity than just frying people.
It was risky, extremely risky. But he had no other option. He'd never tried anything like this before, but if he could send electrical pulses through his body, specifically targeting his nerves, maybe he could force his muscles to react. Just like his father did countless times, only he's trying the opposite.
Suddenly, a faint crackle of electricity began to course through his body, his eyes narrowing as he concentrated harder, directing the voltage through his nervous system. Slowly, he felt the tingling sensation return to his limbs. It's working... His fingers twitched, and with sheer force of will, he sent stronger pulses, targeting the paralyzed muscles directly.
The sensation shot through him like a lightning bolt. His body was wracked with pain as he forced his muscles to contract, but the paralysis began to fade. His fingers clenched into fists, and his legs, still shaky, found strength.
Stain, now focused on Todoroki and the others, didn't notice the boy stirring on the ground behind him—until it was too late.
With a sudden burst of speed, Megajoules propelled himself forward. His fist enpowered with electric energy, and in a flash, he was on Stain. The Hero Killer's eyes widened, caught off guard by the sudden resurgence of power from someone he thought was already neutralized.
The punch connected, delivering a powerful, electrifying strike that sent Stain skidding back, his body momentarily jolted by the voltage coursing through it.
The Hero Killer regained his footing, staring at the boy with a look of genuine surprise. He wiped a small trickle of blood from his mouth, eyes narrowing as he studied the boy before him.
"Clever... using your own quirk to jumpstart your body. I've never seen someone recover from my paralyzing quirk so quickly."
Megajoules, breathing heavily, stared back at Stain, still feeling the pain radiating through his limbs but unwilling to let it show. He could see it in Stain's eyes—a glint of respect, despite the villain's twisted ideals.
"Impressive... but don't think that changes anything," Stain said, his tone serious. "You're still in over your head. But I'll admit... your ingenuity might keep you alive a little longer."
Mustering all he could, the young one stood his ground, still recovering, but he knew Stain was right. This wasn't over, and Stain wasn't someone who could be beaten easily. But now, he had the Hero Killer's attention.
The battle had shifted, and now the electric intern found himself at the center of Stain's focus. The Hero Killer, with his piercing gaze and unnerving precision, gauged the real threat. The electricity coursing through his body allowed him to shrug off the paralyzing effects of Stain's quirk, but that only made him the primary target. With a giggle, he charged forward.
Steel met flesh as Stain's blade danced around him, relentless, cutting deep with each swipe. Having barely any time to react, his lightning-speed reflexes allowing him to evade some of the incoming attacks, but not all. His forearms, shoulders, and chest were riddled with fresh gashes, blood seeping through his torn uniform.
The sharp pain was manageable at first. His adrenaline kept him moving, dodging, parrying where he could. But the feeling set in—his healing factor wasn't keeping up. His muscles screamed in protest, twitching from overuse, his vision blurring at the edges. He staggered after a particularly vicious cut to his abdomen, electricity crackling weakly from his fingertips as his quirk faltered under the pressure.
"Can't... stop," hekept muttering through clenched teeth, trying to steady himself as blood dripped onto the floor below his feet.
Stain circled him, his eyes gleaming with a manic intensity. "You fight well, boy," he snarled. "But you can't last. You'll bleed out long before I tire."
The heart raced. For the first time, the creeping sensation of fear gripped him—real fear. This wasn't like the controlled chaos of the Sports Festival. This was life or death, and every cut brought him closer to the latter. He knew it, and worse, Stain knew it too.
Stain lunged again, his blade a blur. Although managing to block with his arm, but the force sent him staggering back, another deep gash opening along his biceps. Blood spurted, and his knees buckled. His lightning roared weakly around him, the electric aura sputtering. His heart pounded wildly, and for the first time, a single, terrifying thought crossed his mind.
"I could die here."
The thought was paralyzing. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his body trembling under the strain. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but stubborness kept him rooted in place. He had to protect his classmates—his friends. If he fell, Stain would finish them. His comrades were already worn, bleeding from their own skirmishes with the Hero Killer.
Ignoring the sharp, searing pain that shot through his body, he stands once more. His legs shook beneath him, but he gritted his teeth. "I can't let them down," he thought, steeling himself for another attack.
Stain came at him again, faster than before, slashing in a wide arc. This time, Megajoules was too slow. The blade grazed his cheek, then his chest, then bit deep into his thigh. Blood sprayed, and Kaminari's vision went white from the pain. He dropped to one knee, gasping for air.
Through the haze of pain, he heard Stain's voice, cold and resolute: "You're done."
His mind raced, struggling to find a way out. He could barely stand, his quirk was faltering, and the blood loss was beginning to take its toll. He looked over at his friends—Midoriya struggling to get up, Todoroki on the defensive, Iida barely conscious. They needed him.With a surge of determination, Todoroki pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the fiery pain ripping through his body. Todoroki rushed forward, his flames blazing as he clashed with Stain. Sparks flew as his ice formed beneath his feet, coating the ground in frost as he countered the Hero Killer's quick strikes with precision. Stain dodged and parried, moving with a speed that kept Todoroki on edge. Seeing his friend desperate to give aid was enough, with difficulty he stood, clenched his fists, electricity sparking to life again. He wasn't going to die. Not here. Not today.
"Uurrgh!" He still let out, fighting his best to contain the pain as he cauterizes the would on his leg with his quirk. His body almost collapses, he resorts to lean back against the cold wall.
Todoroki and Stain clashed fiercely, ice and flames swirling in a chaotic dance as the Hero Killer relentlessly pushed forward. Raio watched from the sidelines, searching desperately for a way to turn the tide of the battle. His mind raced, but every scenario he imagined ended with them all getting cut down by Stain's deadly blades.
Midoriya crouched next to him, panting from exertion, concern etched across his face. "We need to do something, Kaminari. Fast."
But he couldn't think of anything. Stain was too fast, too skilled. Every time they tried to corner him, he would dodge or counter effortlessly. He clenched his fists in frustration, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him. If they didn't act soon, they wouldn't make it out of this alive. He racked his brain for a solution, but nothing seemed to work. His quirk was powerful, but using it recklessly could hurt his friends as much as their enemy.
He glanced up just in time to see Todoroki unleash a blast of fire at Stain, who barely dodged the flames. The heat from Todoroki's fire caused the ice beneath their feet to melt, creating a thin layer of water.
Then, it hit him.
That's it!
"Todoroki!" Kaminari called out, his voice strained but urgent. "Dropping your guard was a mistake!"
Todoroki glanced over at him, locking eyes. He didn't need to explain. Todoroki understood immediately. A subtle nod was all the confirmation Kaminari needed.
He turned to Midoriya and Iida.
"Get ready to strike when the signal is given."
Midoriya's eyes widened in realization. "Got it!" He nodded as he helped Ilda prepare for the final assault.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Stain growled, his sword clashing against Todoroki's ice, creating a cascade of frost between them. "But your conviction is weak. You have no true drive to be a hero."
Todoroki's eyes narrowed. He wasn't fighting to prove something to Stain. He was also fighting to protect those around him. As the battle intensified, Todoroki threw a glance toward Kaminari, recovering from his previous attack. A nod of his head was given.
Todoroki created a massive patch of ice beneath his feet, surrounding the area. The Hero Killer glided across the frozen surface, still managing to keep his balance, but he didn't notice what Todoroki was doing. Slowly but steadily, the heat from Todoroki's left side began melting the ice, pooling water beneath their feet.
Todoroki exchanged a quick glance with Kaminari and Midoriya. It was time.
"NOW!" Kaminari yelled.
Todoroki wasted no time. His flames flared even hotter as he intensified the heat, melting the rest of the ice beneath them into a deep puddle of water. Stain, still focused on Todoroki, failed to notice the battlefield shifting around him.
Kaminari, now fully in control of the plan, thrust his hand toward the wet ground. Electricity surged through the water, spreading quickly across the entire battlefield, turning the flooded area into a trap.
Stain's eyes widened as the crackling current surged toward him.
"You—!" He leaped into the air, instinctively avoiding the deadly charge.
Exactly what they had planned.
Todoroki blasted fire upwards, sending flames roaring toward the air, trapping Stain midair. The Hero Killer had nowhere to go.
"Now!" Kaminari yelled.
Midoriya and Iida, perfectly synchronized, charged forward. Iida's engines roared to life as he activated Recipro Burst, while Midoriya launched himself at high speed with a powerful Smash.
The two struck Stain with incredible force—Midoriya's punch and Ilda's kick hitting simultaneously. The Hero Killer was sent crashing down to the ground, landing in the electrified water with a painful jolt. His body convulsed as the aftershock of Raio's electricity rippled through him. For the first time, Stain was motionless, his body finally yielding to the combined strength of the students.
Kaminari, breathing hard, stood back as the smoke settled.
Todoroki extinguished his flames as Midoriya and Iida slowly approached the fallen villain. Kaminari exhaled deeply, the tension in his chest finally easing.
The battle was over. They had done it.
Stain lay crumpled on the ground, his body twitching as if refusing to accept defeat. His blades, stained with blood, were scattered around him. Standing above him, the four young heroes—Midoriya, Iida, Todoroki, and Kaminari—were barely holding themselves up. Their bodies were battered, bruised, and their breaths came in ragged gasps. The adrenaline that had fueled them moments ago was now wearing off, and the weight of what had just happened was only starting to sink in.
Midoriya clutched his injured arm, trying to steady himself. Iida, blood dripping from his own wounds, stared down at the Hero Killer, his expression unreadable. Todoroki, flames still flickering in his palm, was silent, while Kaminari, covered in fresh cuts and barely keeping his balance, was still processing the fact that he was alive.
They had won—but it didn't feel like victory yet. The battle had been too raw, too close. The fear still lingered in the air.
That's when they heard the approaching footsteps.
"So… you're the ones who took him down." a voice called out, sharp and commanding.
Endeavour strode into view, his figure towering over the scene. His flame-lit eyes surveyed the battlefield, quickly taking in the collapsed Stain and the condition of the students. Behind him, Gran Torino floated down lightly, his face a mix of surprise and relief.
"Stain... defeated by kids," Gran Torino muttered, eyes narrowing as he scanned the scene. "You're all reckless."
Midoriya glanced up, still panting, his face lighting up in recognition. "Gran Torino—!"
But before he could say more, Endeavour stepped forward, his gaze falling on Todoroki first.
"Shoto," he said, his voice a low growl. "Explain yourself. You disobeyed orders."
Todoroki flinched slightly but held his ground. "I had no choice," he replied. "Stain was about to kill them."
Endeavour's gaze shifted to Kaminari next. His son's classmate, the one who had shown promise at the festival, who defeated his own son, now looked barely able to stand. The cuts on his body were deep, his skin pale from blood loss who had seemed stopped. Yet, his head held high.
"You're injured," Endeavour remarked, his tone harsh but measured. "And you—" he gestured toward Midoriya and Iida. "—you all could have died. You're lucky this didn't end worse."
Gran Torino sighed, stepping forward. "Endeavour, let up. They might've been reckless, but they just stopped the Hero Killer. That's no small feat."
Endeavour didn't reply, but his eyes narrowed as he scanned the damage. His flames flickered low, as if unsure whether to burn hotter in frustration or flicker out in reluctant approval. He walked over to Stain, giving the unconscious villain a scrutinizing glance.
"You've managed to take down one of the most dangerous men alive," he finally said, turning his gaze back to the students. "But this isn't over. This incident is going to have consequences."
Kaminari felt a wave of exhaustion hit him, the weight of Endeavour's words settling over his already worn-out body. His vision swam for a moment, but he kept himself upright, trying to focus.
Gran Torino approached the students more gently. "Listen, you did good. Really good," he said, his voice softer than before. "But this whole thing is far from a victory parade. Stain's defeat will ripple through the hero world. Make sure you're ready for what comes next."
Kaminari glanced at his classmates, the tired faces of his comrades reflecting his own thoughts. None of them knew exactly what to say. The fight had pushed them to their limits—physically, emotionally—and now, standing over Stain's broken form, the reality of their actions was still hard to grasp.
"We... won," Raio finally muttered, his voice barely audible.
Endeavour's eyes flickered toward him, a brief nod of acknowledgment, before he turned back to the scene. "Maybe," he said, his voice low. "But there's always more work to do."
Kaminari let out a long breath of relief. We did it...
But that relief was short-lived.
Suddenly, a loud screech echoed through the air. All eyes widened as they all looked up, spotting a flying Nomu swooping down from the darkened sky. Its claws extended, and before anyone could react, it grabbed Midoriya.
"No!" Raio shouted, his heart leaping into his throat as he watched the Nomu lift Midoriya into the air. Without thinking, Kaminari charged forward, electricity crackling around his body as he tried to intercept the monster. But the pain in his leg shot through him like a bolt of lightning, stopping him in his tracks.
He glanced down, realizing the full extent of the damage from Stain's earlier attack. His leg's tendons were cut. The sudden, searing pain made his leg buckle, and he fell to one knee. Desperation set in as he watched the Nomu take Midoriya higher and higher, out of reach.
I can't… I can't move… I have to stop it… I have to—
But before Raio could even process the thought, something unbelievable happened.
Stain moved.
Despite his injuries, despite being defeated, the Hero Killer lunged with a speed that belied his condition. In a single motion, Stain leapt into the air, his blade slashing through the Nomu's thick skin. The creature let out a horrible screech, releasing its grip on Midoriya as it tumbled from the sky, crashing into a nearby building.
Stain caught Midoriya before he hit the ground, setting him down with a strange sense of care before turning to face the rest of the crowd. His eyes burned with an intensity Raio had never seen before—an intensity that pierced through him and everyone else present.
"I refuse... to let these so-called 'heroes' continue to roam free!" Stain's voice was ragged but filled with purpose. His bloodied body stood tall, unwavering, as he glared at the gathered pro heroes. "This society is filled with false idols... people who have forgotten what it means to truly be a hero."
Kaminari, still kneeling, could only watch in stunned silence. There was something terrifying about Stain in that moment—something almost magnetic. Even the pro heroes who had arrived on the scene hesitated, gripped by an unseen force, unable to move.
"I am the one who will cleanse this world of its corruption!" Stain continued, his voice rising in fervor. "The only one worthy of killing me... is All Might!"
For a moment, it felt like the entire world had stopped. Kaminari felt his heart pounding in his chest, fear creeping into the edges of his mind. He had never seen anyone like Stain before—someone so driven by conviction, by an unwavering belief in their ideals, no matter how twisted they were.
Stain's gaze swept over everyone, his presence so overwhelming that it felt like the very air had thickened. And then, just as suddenly as he had risen, his body finally gave out. He collapsed standing, unconscious from his wounds.
The spell was broken.
The pro heroes moved quickly, securing Stain and ensuring the area was safe. Midoriya, shaken but unharmed, was pulled back to safety by Todoroki and Iida. Raio, still in shock from the scene that had unfolded before him, felt his body tremble as the adrenaline began to fade.
He had fought villains before. But this… this was something entirely different. For the first time, Raio truly understood what it meant to face a real villain—someone who wasn't just fighting for power or fame, but for a cause.
As the pro heroes secured Stain's unconscious body, the thoughts lingered on the Hero Killer's final words.
Society is broken…
The tension that had gripped the air finally broke. Raio, his body still trembling from the aftermath of the fight, looked around in disbelief. They had done it—Stain was defeated. But the damage, both physical and mental, was undeniable.
Endeavour snapped his fingers, signaling other heroes to secure Stain. "Let's wrap this up. The city's still in chaos from the Nomu. Get him out of here."
Just as the Hero Killer was lifted onto a stretcher, the pro heroes started clearing the scene, and Gran Torino gave the four students one final, assessing look.
"You're all done for now. Let's get you to a hospital."
As they were escorted to the medical team, Raio couldn't stop thinking about the battle. Stain's ideals, his ruthlessness, and the overwhelming fear he had felt were still fresh in his mind. But in the middle of all that fear, he had fought back. And he had survived. His body collapsed the second his back laid onto the stretcher.
...