-Kaminari's POV-
I sprinted through the chaos, my heart pounding as if it would break through my ribcage. The air still buzzed with the shockwaves of battle, and each step away from that nightmare felt like I was clawing my way out of the dark. The moment my role in the plan was done, I bolted, pushing my body to the limit.
I barely processed the blur of shattered concrete, flickering flames, and the far-off cries echoing around us. All I could think about was that split second when our eyes met—All for One's cold, calculating gaze locking onto me, and that small, knowing chuckle that sent chills down my spine. He remembered me. That realization hit like a punch to the gut, numbing me with fear.
I didn't know how far I'd run until I heard her voice.
"Kaminari!" Yaoyomomo called out, sharp but laced with concern. It snapped me out of my daze, my feet skidding to a stop on cracked asphalt. My breath came in ragged gasps, sweat trickling down my temples. I turned to see her face, as frightened as I was, yet kept her composure.
Todoroki stepped forward, his mismatched eyes narrowing slightly. "You know Ilda is going to have words about that stunt." He said, a hint of dry warning in his tone.
I nodded, trying to force my breathing to even out, though my chest still felt tight. The terror from All for One's presence lingered like a shadow, but seeing my friends' faces, knowing we'd managed to pull this off... It brought a shaky, fleeting sense of reassurance.
"I am willing to receive any kind of punishment after we get to safety." I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. My hands were still trembling, willing the fear away. There would be consequences, arguments, and Ilda's scolding would be relentless—but we had saved Bakugou. We had done what needed to be done.
But in the back of my mind, that memory of All for One's eyes haunted me, a reminder that this victory was only a step forward in a war much bigger than us.
The noise of the panicked crowd surged around us, a chaotic blend of shouts, footsteps, and the distant roars of combat. We maneuvered through the masses, Todoroki leading the way as he glanced down at his phone, trying to reach the others. His brows were knit with focused urgency, each ring of the unanswered call adding to the tension coiling in my chest.
Every voice, every frantic face, made the air feel thicker. My eyes darted around, half-expecting to see that monstrous figure standing somewhere, looming over us with that eerie calm. The memory of his chuckle played on a loop in my head, a taunting reminder of the power that once made my father's unyielding resolve shatter.
"Kaminari?" Yaoyomomo's voice cut through the noise, softer than the chaos, but it felt like a lifeline. I turned to her, realizing I must have been visibly shaken. Her eyes searched mine, her expression shifting from worry to a kind of knowing concern. "What's wrong?" She asked, careful, her tone coaxing.
I forced a smile that felt more like a grimace, trying to bury the fear that crawled under my skin. "Nothing." I said, too quickly. Her frown deepened, but I looked away before she could probe further, my heart racing with the silent plea that she wouldn't push.
I couldn't tell them. The weight of that night years ago, when I watched Nikolas vanish and my father limp back broken, wasn't something I could put into words. Not here, not now. If they knew, if they found out what he took from my family, it would only make them worry more—when we needed to stay sharp.
Todoroki cursed under his breath, putting away his phone. "No answer yet. We need to keep moving." He said, glancing back at us. His gaze lingered on me for a second, as if sensing something was off, but he didn't comment.
I nodded stiffly, falling into step beside them, swallowing the dread that threatened to strangle me. This was not the time to break. All for One was out there, and right now, survival meant staying together, moving forward, and keeping secrets locked away where they couldn't hurt anyone else.
...
The air was electric with tension, an almost tangible pulse that pressed against my skin as we stood with the crowd, eyes fixed on the scene unfolding in the distance. The battle between All Might and All for One raged on, a clash of legends, raw and unforgiving. Each blow sent shockwaves that echoed across the city, shaking the ground beneath us and reverberating through my bones.
People around us stood frozen, caught between awe and terror. All for One's monstrous figure loomed over the battlefield, an unstoppable force that seemed to defy even the strongest will. But it was the sight of All Might—his usual mighty frame now visibly weakened, steam rising from his body—that made my chest tighten. The Symbol of Peace was pushing past his limit, giving everything he had left, and then some.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as All Might's form shrank even further, revealing a frail and gaunt figure hidden behind his towering hero persona. His true self, stripped bare, was now visible to the entire world. A murmur spread like wildfire, a mix of disbelief and shock, but not a single person looked away.
I felt Yaoyomomo tense beside me, her hands clenched tightly at her sides, and even Todoroki's usual calm seemed strained, his eyes locked onto the fight with an intensity that bordered on desperation. The crowd, first murmuring in uncertainty, fell silent, unified by the weight of the moment.
"All Might…" someone whispered in the crowd, voice trembling. It was all it took. The silence shattered as cheers erupted around us, loud and defiant. Strangers who moments ago were wrapped in fear now raised their fists, shouting, willing their hero to stand tall one last time. Their hope was palpable, infectious, and I felt it sink into my own chest, fighting against the fear I carried.
I looked at All Might, his weakened frame, each breath a battle, each movement a testament to his resolve. And somehow, despite knowing the monstrous power of the enemy he faced, I felt that same hope. Because if All Might could keep fighting, if he could push through insurmountable odds, then maybe, just maybe, this nightmare could end.
"Come on, All Might!" My voice cut through the noise, rough with emotion. Others joined in, their voices blending into a chant, a roar that drowned out the distant sounds of battle.
This wasn't just a fight for victory. This was a fight for survival, for the symbol he embodied, for everything he stood for. I felt my hands tighten into fists, the fear coiled in my gut easing for just a moment as I watched him rise again, facing the darkness with nothing but his unbreakable spirit.
We were all witnesses, bound by the same wish: that All Might would succeed, because his victory wasn't just his—it was ours. And in that instant, I was no longer just watching a hero. I was watching hope itself, fighting not to fade.
The world seemed to hold its breath as All Might faced off against All for One, their battle now teetering on the edge of oblivion. The sound of their clashing blows and the shouts of chaos surrounding them faded into a dull hum as I watched, unable to tear my eyes away. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst, each beat matching the rhythm of All Might's strained, desperate movements.
His body was worn down, his muscles trembling with exhaustion, but his eyes—the fierce, unwavering determination in them—shone brighter than ever. It was as if he carried the weight of everyone's hope on his shoulders, and I realized that in this moment, he truly did.
"Can he really do it?" Yaoyomomo whispered, barely audible above the din, but the tremor in her voice betrayed the fear that none of us could shake.
Todoroki's eyes narrowed, his focus sharp and unblinking. Yaomomo stood stiff, her breath caught in her chest as if she were too afraid to exhale. Even the crowd around us fell silent again, a silent prayer shared by countless souls.
Then, All Might pulled back his fist, summoning the last of his strength, and a raw, guttural roar escaped him. The name of his final move reverberated in the air as he swung with everything he had left:
"UNITED STATES OF SMASH!"
The impact was cataclysmic. The sky itself seemed to shatter as a shockwave rippled outward, forcing me to shield my eyes from the blinding light and debris. The ground beneath us trembled like it might give way, and a collective gasp surged through the crowd.
When I finally managed to look up, the dust had begun to settle, and All for One's monstrous figure was slumped in defeat, his presence no longer suffocating. All Might stood victorious, his arm outstretched, but even from where we were, it was clear he was barely holding himself upright. The flicker of smoke that curled from his body hinted at a truth that sank heavily in my gut.
A hush fell over the streets, the awe of victory mingling with a deep, somber understanding. This was the end of an era. All Might's once-mighty form had shriveled to that of a man who had given everything he had. The Symbol of Peace was bowing out, and we were witnessing the final chapter of his heroism.
A shiver ran down my spine as I looked at him, pride and sorrow mingling in a painful knot in my chest. We had seen our hero win, but we had also seen him reach his limit. The crowd erupted into cheers, voices breaking with relief and gratitude, but a part of me wanted to weep.
"He did it..." Yaoyomomo whispered, her voice trembling. "But at what cost?"
No one had an answer, and in that silence, we all realized one truth: All Might had saved us, but it was up to us to carry on his legacy. As I looked around at my friends, their eyes glistening with the same mix of pride and loss, I knew we were all thinking the same thing.
The Symbol of Peace had fallen, and now it was our turn to rise.