Chapter 3: The Gathering Tempest
The storm that raged around them was like a living entity, its fury growing with every passing second. Lightning crackled across the dark sky, illuminating the battleground in brief flashes of brilliance. The rain was relentless, pouring down in thick, icy sheets that seemed to slash the air like daggers. Wind howled through the trees, bending them almost to the point of breaking. Musutafu had never seen anything like it.
And yet, in the eye of this storm, a calm intensity radiated from Aaron Storm. His massive form, towering at almost eight feet, was still, but the air around him crackled with barely contained power. His fists clenched, and the storm responded to his every breath, his every thought.
Behind him, Izuku Midoriya struggled to catch his breath, the weight of the battle pressing heavily on his chest. His green lightning, a manifestation of One For All, flickered around him, but he was already pushing himself past his limit. His muscles screamed in protest, and his body felt like it was on fire. But he couldn't stop—not now.
Across the clearing, All For One slowly rose to his feet, dusting off his cloak as if he hadn't just been struck with the full force of Aaron's power. His red eyes gleamed with malevolent amusement, his twisted smile never faltering.
"Aaron, Midoriya," All For One said softly, his voice carrying over the roar of the storm. "Do you truly think you can stop me? You've both grown strong, but you're still bound by your weaknesses. You're still shackled by your past."
Aaron's eyes narrowed, his mind flashing back to the years of torment he had endured as a child—being cut, stabbed, and drugged by All For One's scientists. Those memories were seared into his mind, the pain and fear never truly fading, even though he had escaped physically.
But Aaron wasn't that boy anymore. He was a force of nature now.
"No more words," Aaron growled, his voice deep and commanding. "You don't control me anymore."
All For One chuckled darkly, the sound grating against the chaos around them. "You still don't understand, do you? You may have escaped me physically, Aaron, but you're still my greatest creation. The power coursing through your veins? It's because of me."
Aaron clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles turning white. The storm above responded to his anger, lightning flashing across the sky in rapid succession, the winds growing more violent.
Izuku, standing beside Aaron, glanced at the older man. He could see the tension in Aaron's body, the barely restrained rage. But there was also something else—pain. Aaron wasn't just fighting All For One. He was fighting the demons of his past, the trauma that still haunted him. Izuku knew that feeling all too well. His own journey with One For All had been filled with doubts and fears, constantly living in the shadow of All Might.
"We've got this," Izuku said quietly, his voice filled with determination despite his exhaustion. "Together."
Aaron glanced at the young hero-in-training, his expression unreadable for a moment. But then, with a brief nod, Aaron acknowledged the unspoken bond between them. They weren't just fighting for themselves anymore—they were fighting for each other, and for the countless lives All For One had ruined.
The air around them grew thick with tension as All For One raised both hands, dark energy swirling around him like a black cloud. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the very air seemed to vibrate with malevolence. His power was overwhelming, suffocating, and it felt as if the weight of the world was pressing down on both Aaron and Izuku.
"I've been waiting for this moment," All For One said, his voice a deadly whisper. "To see what my greatest creation and All Might's successor are truly capable of. Now, let's see who's worthy of holding real power."
Without warning, All For One unleashed a massive wave of dark energy, sending it hurtling toward Aaron and Izuku. The sheer force of the attack was enough to obliterate everything in its path, uprooting trees and tearing the ground apart.
Aaron reacted instinctively. He slammed his fists together, and the storm obeyed. A massive wall of wind and lightning erupted from the ground in front of him, colliding with All For One's energy attack. The two forces met with a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
Izuku, seizing the opportunity, leaped into action. His body crackled with the green lightning of One For All as he pushed himself to 50% of his power. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he ignored the pain. This was his moment. With a burst of speed, he launched himself toward All For One, aiming a powerful punch directly at the villain's chest.
"St. Louis Smash!" Izuku shouted, his fist blazing with energy.
But All For One was ready. He twisted his body at the last second, dodging the punch with inhuman reflexes. His hand shot out, grabbing Izuku by the arm with a crushing grip.
"You've improved, boy," All For One said, his voice dripping with condescension. "But you're still just a child playing at being a hero."
Before Izuku could react, All For One sent a pulse of dark energy through his arm, sending Izuku flying backward. He crashed into the ground with a sickening thud, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Pain radiated through his body, but he forced himself to stand, gritting his teeth against the agony.
Aaron, seeing Izuku in danger, let out a furious roar. His entire body crackled with power as the storm intensified around him. He raised both hands, and the wind howled in response, twisting into a massive tornado that surged toward All For One.
"You're not taking him," Aaron growled, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind.
The tornado crashed into All For One with the force of a hurricane, but the villain stood his ground. His dark energy formed a barrier around him, absorbing the brunt of the attack. But even All For One couldn't completely withstand the raw power of Aaron's storm. The ground beneath him cracked and split, and for the first time, a flicker of something like concern passed over his face.
Aaron didn't relent. He pushed forward, summoning the full force of the storm. Lightning struck the ground around All For One, and the wind howled with fury. The very air seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the battle.
All For One staggered, his barrier flickering. For the first time, the villain seemed to be on the defensive.
Izuku, seeing the opening, pushed himself to his feet. Every part of his body screamed in protest, but he couldn't stop now. Not when they were so close. He focused every ounce of One For All into his legs, the green lightning crackling around him as he prepared for one final attack.
"Aaron!" Izuku shouted, his voice barely audible over the storm. "Now!"
Aaron's eyes flashed with understanding. He clenched his fists, and the storm obeyed. The wind swirled around him, lifting him off the ground as he summoned all his power. His body crackled with electricity, and for a moment, he looked like a living storm, a god of thunder and wind.
With a deafening roar, Aaron surged forward, his fist blazing with power. At the same time, Izuku launched himself into the air, his fist crackling with the full force of One For All.
Together, they aimed their attacks at All For One, their combined power enough to shatter mountains.
"Detroit Smash!"
"Tempest Strike!"
The two attacks collided with All For One, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Then, with a blinding flash of light, the storm exploded.
The shockwave rippled through the air, tearing apart the ground and sending debris flying in all directions. The force of the combined attacks was enough to shake the very foundations of Musutafu, and for a moment, it seemed as if the world itself was coming apart.
When the dust finally settled, Aaron and Izuku stood panting, their bodies battered and bruised, but still standing.
All For One lay in a crater, his body motionless.
The storm, at long last, began to calm.
But Aaron knew better than to assume the battle was over.
This was only the beginning.