Chapter 14: Thunderstruck
The air around Musutafu grew heavier in the days that followed, a tension building that everyone seemed to feel but could not name. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, blotting out the sun and casting long shadows over the city. The storm that had been brewing for weeks, both in the sky and in the hearts of those preparing for battle, was finally about to break.
At the heart of the Hero Association headquarters, Deku and Aaron Storm stood side by side in the war room, surrounded by holographic maps, tactical reports, and blueprints of known Coalition facilities. The two of them had spent every waking moment preparing for the inevitable confrontation, pooling their knowledge and trying to stay one step ahead of the enemy.
Deku had reached out to heroes he trusted, gathering a small team that included Shoto Todoroki, Bakugo, and a few others from Class 1-A who had proven themselves in past battles. They were ready to move at a moment's notice, waiting for the signal that the Coalition was making its move. But Aaron's presence was a constant reminder of the stakes. The other heroes might see him as a reluctant ally, but they couldn't ignore the sense of barely restrained power that surrounded him, the feeling that at any moment, he could become as much a danger as the enemies they faced.
Aaron, for his part, kept his distance. He didn't trust the Hero Association, not fully, and he knew they didn't trust him either. But he had come to respect Deku's relentless determination and the quiet strength of Shoto. Even Bakugo, with his explosive temper, had shown a loyalty that surprised Aaron. It was strange, being around people who believed in something greater than themselves, who fought not for power but for the sake of others.
But Aaron knew better than to let down his guard. He had seen too many betrayals, too many moments when the line between friend and enemy blurred. And the Coalition's shadow loomed ever closer, like a predator waiting for its chance to strike.
Now, as they gathered for one final briefing, Aaron felt the storm inside him churning, restless and eager. He glanced at Deku, who was studying the maps intently, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Midoriya," Aaron said quietly, his deep voice cutting through the hum of the war room. "Are you sure you're ready for this? You've got a lot riding on this plan."
Deku looked up, meeting Aaron's gaze with a determination that seemed to burn brighter than ever. "We don't have a choice. If we don't strike first, the Coalition will keep coming after you, after all of us. We need to end this, here and now."
Aaron studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Just remember, if things go wrong out there… I'm not going to hold back. If it comes down to protecting myself or your heroes, I'll do whatever it takes."
Deku nodded back, his expression somber. "I understand. But we'll make sure it doesn't come to that. We're in this together."
Before Aaron could respond, Endeavor entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. The Number One Hero's fiery eyes swept over the assembled team, pausing for a fraction longer on Aaron before he spoke.
"We've got new intel," Endeavor said, his voice like gravel. "Our scouts have confirmed a large-scale movement of Coalition forces near the southern mountain range. It looks like they're staging for an attack, but we don't know if they're targeting Aaron, the city, or something else entirely."
Shoto stepped forward, his arms folded, his expression as cold as the ice he controlled. "What's the plan, then? We can't afford to split our forces too thin. If we focus too much on protecting Aaron, we might leave the city vulnerable."
Endeavor nodded, his gaze shifting between Shoto and Deku. "That's why we're taking the fight to them. We'll hit their staging ground with everything we've got—surprise them before they can launch whatever they're planning. Midoriya, you'll be with Aaron, keeping him close to the front lines. If the Coalition's goal is to provoke him into losing control, we'll turn that against them."
Aaron arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "You're planning to use me as bait?"
Endeavor's eyes met his without flinching. "In a way. But if you're as powerful as everyone says, you'll be the one to turn the tide. You want to prove that you're not a threat to this city? Here's your chance."
For a moment, Aaron considered refusing. He had never liked being manipulated, even for a supposedly noble cause. But then he thought of the Coalition's shadowy agent, of the countless lives that could be at stake if he did nothing. He thought of the promise he had made to himself—never again to let innocent people suffer because of him.
"Fine," Aaron said, his voice hard. "But if your plan backfires, don't blame me for what happens next."
Endeavor's lips curled into a thin, almost grim smile. "Just keep that storm of yours under control. The rest of us will handle the distractions."
Deku stepped up beside Aaron, his eyes blazing with resolve. "We won't let them use you, Aaron. We'll fight back together, no matter what it takes."
Night had fallen by the time the heroes reached the outskirts of the southern mountain range. The air was thick with the promise of rain, the first drops splattering against the earth as dark clouds rolled in overhead. Aaron could feel the storm building within him, matching the one that rumbled through the sky. He took a deep breath, centering himself as he surveyed the terrain.
They had positioned themselves on a ridge overlooking a wide valley, where the Coalition's forces had gathered. It was a makeshift base, with tents, vehicles, and figures moving through the shadows. The Coalition operatives were a mix of mercenaries, former heroes, and soldiers of fortune, all working in deadly coordination. And at the center of their camp stood a massive armored transport, humming with the power of some unknown technology.
Deku crouched beside Aaron, using his enhanced vision to scan the scene below. "Looks like they're heavily fortified. They've got sentries posted all around the perimeter, and whatever's in that transport is drawing a lot of power."
Aaron nodded, his eyes locked on the transport. He could feel the energy radiating from it, a deep, pulsing rhythm that resonated with the storm inside him. It was almost as if the Coalition's machine was calling to him, trying to provoke a response.
"That's their trap," Aaron said quietly. "They're going to use whatever that is to trigger my power, force me into a corner. If I lose control, I could take out this entire valley."
Deku's jaw tightened. "We won't let that happen. Once we hit the front lines, we'll focus on disabling their machines. You focus on keeping your power in check."
Before Aaron could respond, Endeavor's voice crackled through their communicators. "All teams, move in. We strike hard, strike fast. No holding back."
And with that, the battle began.
Endeavor led the charge, his flames blazing through the darkness as he descended into the valley, followed closely by Shoto, Bakugo, and the other Pro Heroes. The Coalition's forces reacted instantly, their weapons lighting up the night with bursts of energy and gunfire. Explosions rang out across the valley as the heroes clashed with the Coalition's operatives, the night filled with the sounds of combat.
Deku activated One For All, green lightning surging around him as he leaped into the fray. He moved like a blur, his enhanced strength and speed allowing him to dodge attacks and strike with pinpoint precision. Shoto unleashed a wave of ice, freezing several Coalition operatives in their tracks, while Bakugo tore through the enemy ranks with a barrage of explosive blasts.
Aaron held back for a moment, watching as the battle unfolded. He could feel the tension in the air, the pressure of the storm building around him. And then he saw it—movement near the armored transport. Several figures, dressed in black, were setting up a series of strange devices, each one crackling with energy that pulsed in time with the storm.
They're trying to trigger me.
With a roar, Aaron launched himself off the ridge, his body crackling with lightning as he descended into the valley. He hit the ground like a thunderclap, the impact sending a shockwave through the Coalition's ranks. He moved through the chaos like a force of nature, his fists striking with the power of a hurricane, tearing through the enemy lines.
But as he reached the armored transport, the devices the Coalition had set up activated. A pulse of energy surged through the air, resonating with the storm inside Aaron, amplifying it. He felt a jolt of pain as the power inside him surged out of control, his vision flashing white with the force of it.
"No!" he growled, fighting to contain the energy that threatened to consume him.
Deku appeared beside him, his eyes wide with alarm as he saw Aaron struggling. "Aaron, focus! Remember what Tempest taught you—control it!"
Aaron gritted his teeth, forcing himself to breathe through the pain. He could feel the storm raging, trying to break free, but he focused on the faces of the people he was fighting for—Deku, Tempest, the innocents in Musutafu. He wasn't going to let the Coalition win. He wasn't going to let them turn him into a weapon.
With a final, desperate effort