Chapter 2: The Eye of the Storm
The rain fell in sheets, pounding against the ground like an army of drums. Thunder rolled across the sky, each rumble seeming to shake the very earth beneath the feet of those standing in its path. Musutafu had never seen a storm like this, and it hadn't even reached its full fury yet. The people in the city below hurried for shelter, unaware of the battle that was about to take place at its outskirts.
In the middle of this violent tempest, Aaron Storm and Izuku Midoriya stood side by side, facing the man who had haunted both their lives in very different ways: All For One.
Aaron's massive frame, almost eight feet of pure muscle, seemed to blend into the storm. His bald head gleamed faintly in the flashes of lightning, and his dark eyes were locked on All For One. The villain, draped in his signature black cloak, stood unnervingly still, as if the chaos around him was merely an inconvenience. His glowing red eyes cut through the darkness, locking onto Aaron with an expression that bordered on satisfaction.
"Ah, Aaron, it's been too long," All For One said, his voice calm, almost fatherly. "I always knew you would be special. A storm trapped in a man's body."
Aaron's jaw clenched. Memories of his childhood—the endless experiments, the pain, the fear—flashed through his mind like lightning strikes. His whole body tensed, the storm around him reacting to his emotions. The wind picked up, howling through the trees, and the rain grew heavier.
But Aaron didn't speak. He had no words for the monster who had taken his childhood. His silence was his answer.
Izuku, still standing at Aaron's side, was breathing heavily. The weight of All For One's presence was suffocating, and the intensity of the storm didn't help. But despite the fear gnawing at his gut, Izuku's eyes were fierce with determination. He tightened his grip, clenching his fists as the green lightning of One For All crackled around him. This was the villain who had nearly destroyed his mentor, All Might, and who had caused unimaginable suffering for countless people, including Aaron. Izuku knew they couldn't let him leave here alive.
"We have to take him down," Izuku muttered, glancing at Aaron. "Together."
Aaron didn't respond immediately. His eyes were fixed on All For One, and for a moment, it seemed like he hadn't heard Izuku. But then, without looking at him, Aaron spoke, his voice low and controlled.
"You're not ready for him."
Izuku blinked in surprise. He had faced All For One before, alongside All Might. He had trained harder than ever since then, becoming stronger with each passing day. He had even unlocked more of One For All's potential. But Aaron was different. He had no interest in glory or heroism, yet the sheer power emanating from him made Izuku realize that this man was operating on a different level.
"I don't care if I'm ready or not," Izuku shot back, his voice firm. "We can't let him win. Not again."
Aaron finally turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting Izuku's. There was no warmth in his gaze, but there was something else—something like acknowledgment. He knew what drove this kid. He could see the fire burning in his eyes, the same fire that once burned inside him before it was extinguished by years of torment.
Aaron's gaze shifted back to All For One. "Fine," he said. "But stay out of my way."
Before Izuku could respond, the storm around them seemed to explode.
Aaron raised one hand, and the winds howled in response, as if they were an extension of his will. A massive gust of wind ripped through the clearing, hurtling toward All For One with the force of a freight train. The villain barely moved, but a shimmering barrier of dark energy formed around him just in time to absorb the impact.
The wind collided with the barrier, sending shockwaves through the air, but All For One remained unmoved, his expression unchanging.
"So much power, Aaron," All For One mused, almost as if admiring his handiwork. "But you still haven't mastered it, have you? You're still that scared little boy who doesn't know what to do with the storm inside him."
Aaron's eyes narrowed, and the storm grew even more violent. He clenched his fists, and the air itself seemed to vibrate with power. His control over the elements was awe-inspiring, far beyond anything Izuku had ever seen. The wind twisted into a massive tornado behind Aaron, and the rain turned into a torrential flood, as if the entire atmosphere was bending to his will.
But All For One simply stood there, his smile never faltering. He raised one hand, and the barrier around him vanished.
"You've come far, Aaron," All For One said, his voice dripping with amusement. "But let's see if you've come far enough."
And then, with a flick of his wrist, All For One unleashed a wave of pure, malevolent energy.
Aaron barely had time to react. The energy crashed into him like a tidal wave, sending him skidding backward across the ground. He dug his heels in, anchoring himself with the wind, but the force of the attack was overwhelming. His body screamed in protest as he fought to hold his ground.
Izuku, seeing his chance, surged forward. The green lightning of One For All erupted around him as he activated Full Cowling at 45%. He leaped into the air, fists blazing with power, and aimed a powerful punch directly at All For One's chest.
"Detroit Smash!" Izuku roared.
But All For One was ready. He caught Izuku's fist with ease, the villain's hand crackling with dark energy. For a moment, Izuku's eyes widened in shock. He could feel the overwhelming power of All For One pressing down on him, like a mountain ready to crush him.
"You've grown stronger, boy," All For One said with a sinister chuckle. "But you're still just a child playing at being a hero."
All For One's grip tightened, and Izuku could feel his strength faltering. He gritted his teeth, struggling to break free, but All For One's hold was like iron.
Just as it seemed like Izuku was about to be crushed, a massive gust of wind slammed into All For One, knocking him off balance. His grip on Izuku faltered for just a moment, but that was all Aaron needed.
Aaron surged forward, his fists crackling with electricity. He moved faster than Izuku had ever seen, faster than even All Might at his peak. With a roar of fury, Aaron swung his massive fist, driving it into All For One's side with the force of a hurricane.
The impact was deafening. All For One was sent flying across the clearing, crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom. The earth trembled beneath him, and for a moment, it seemed as if the entire storm itself had paused in awe of the sheer power of the blow.
Aaron stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion, his eyes blazing with an intensity that Izuku had never seen before.
"All For One," Aaron growled, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. "You're not taking me back."
All For One slowly rose to his feet, his cloak tattered, but his expression unperturbed. He wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled.
"Ah, Aaron," he said softly. "You've finally embraced the storm. But this is only the beginning."
The villain raised his hands, and the air around them seemed to darken. The energy crackling in the atmosphere grew heavier, more oppressive.
Aaron narrowed his eyes, and the storm raged even harder. Lightning flashed across the sky, and the winds howled in fury.
But despite the chaos around them, both men remained locked in a silent standoff. The storm had only just begun.
Izuku, panting and battered, stood behind Aaron, his fists still clenched. He had never seen power like this—not even from All Might. But despite his exhaustion, Izuku's resolve hardened.
Together, they would face this storm. Together, they would stand against the darkness that threatened to consume them.
And together, they would win.