The heroes moved with precision, their training evident in every step. Kamui Woods was the first to strike, his Lacquered Chain Prison shooting toward me like a serpent. The wooden tendrils wrapped around my Shell, tightening with surprising strength. I struggled against the bindings, but they held firm. My armor creaked under the pressure, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of panic.
But then, something inside me stirred. The dormant flame I had felt earlier roared to life, and my Shell responded. A surge of energy coursed through me, and with a roar, I shattered the wooden chains. Splinters flew in every direction, and Kamui Woods stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock.
Before I could catch my breath, Mount Lady's shadow loomed over me. She had grown to her full size, her towering form blocking out the sun. Her fist came crashing down like a meteor, and I barely managed to roll out of the way. The ground shook violently, and the force of the impact sent debris flying. I scrambled to my feet, my sword materializing in my hands once more.
Death Arms was next. He charged at me with a roar, his massive fists aimed at my chest. I raised my sword to block, and the clash of metal against metal reverberated through the air. The impact sent a shockwave through my Shell, but I held my ground. My blade hummed with dark energy, and I pushed back with all my strength, forcing Death Arms to retreat a step.
The heroes regrouped, their expressions grim. They were clearly not expecting me to be this strong. I didn't want to fight them—I wasn't a villain—but my Shell seemed to have a mind of its own. It reacted to threats instinctively, and I was just along for the ride.
Kamui Woods attacked again, this time with a flurry of wooden tendrils. I swung my sword in a wide arc, cutting through them with ease. Mount Lady tried to stomp on me again, but I dodged, using the momentum to leap onto a nearby building. From there, I had a better vantage point, but it also made me a target.
Death Arms launched himself into the air, his fists aimed at me like missiles. I braced myself, raising my sword to block, but the force of his attack sent me crashing through the roof of the building. I landed in a heap on the floor below, my Shell groaning under the strain. Dust and debris filled the air, and I coughed, struggling to get up.
As I rose to my feet, I felt something shift inside me. My vision darkened, and a new power awakened. My Shell began to glow, and I felt an overwhelming surge of energy. The air around me crackled with dark energy, and I could feel the heroes' hesitation. They didn't know what I was capable of, and neither did I.
Kamui Woods was the first to recover. He launched another attack, but this time, I was ready. I swung my sword, and a wave of dark energy erupted from the blade, slicing through his wooden tendrils and sending him flying. Mount Lady tried to crush me again, but I dodged, using my newfound power to enhance my speed. I leapt onto her arm and ran up to her shoulder, my sword poised to strike.
But I stopped myself. I didn't want to hurt her. I didn't want to hurt any of them. I just wanted to understand what was happening to me.
Before I could make a decision, a new voice cut through the chaos.
"Enough!"
All Might landed in the middle of the battlefield, his presence commanding immediate attention. The other heroes backed off, their expressions a mix of relief and awe. All Might's piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run through my Shell.
"Stand down," he said, his voice firm but calm. "Let's talk this through."
I hesitated, my sword still raised. But something about All Might's presence made me lower it. He wasn't just a hero—he was a symbol of peace. And right now, I needed peace more than anything.
The other heroes watched warily as All Might approached me. He stopped a few feet away, his hands raised in a gesture of peace.
"Who are you?" he asked. "And what are you doing here?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, a deep, guttural growl escaped my throat. All Might's expression softened, and he nodded.
"It's okay," he said. "You're safe now. Come with me. We'll figure this out."
I hesitated, but something about his tone made me trust him. I nodded, and All Might led me away from the battlefield. The other heroes watched us go, their expressions a mix of confusion and relief.
As we walked, I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me. I was in a world of heroes and villains, but I didn't belong to either. I was something else—a Foundling, bound to a Shell, and my story was just beginning.