"DIE!!!"
Atlas roared as he recovered once more from their joint attack.
His body now an absolute coalescence of molten, steamy monstrosity. His muscles were reformed and welded stronger as the steam entered his body.
He appeared in front of Viverion, his fists smashing out towards her with rippling explosions.
"Urg!"
She groaned as she met them with an X guard of her own. Trying to sustain herself beneath the intense physical strain, her eyes flickered towards Izuku.
There was no time for hesitation, everyone knew their role at the moment. Izuku rotated with a blur, a devastating OFA packed punch smashing towards his rib cage.
"Rahh!" Atlas yelled in irritation.
Viverion used that moment to her advantage, pushing off Atlas' towering arms as she strengthened her physiology even further!
Ryūjin closed in an instant, a heatwave like aura melted off his flexing muscles as he threw a combination of heavy kicks and elbows.
Izuku followed through with a monstrous punch kicking up two consecutive explosions, snapping the beast's head back instantly.
Viverion rammed her shoulder into his solar plexus, his eyes flickered intensely as he shot back like a bullet.
She didn't even let up. An insane, maniacal state swallowed her as her eyes grew darker and more intense.
"I'm going to kill you!" She roared, momentarily stunning both Ryūjin and Izuku. However they instantly snapped out of their stupor, shooting forth with immense speed.
Viverion's muscles churned, her bones hardened and darkened to an almost blackened state, her skin lost its fair nature as she adopted a tan complexion.
Then, her height increased with every crushing advance she made towards Atlas who had already recovered. Seeing her advance in such a state, Atlas' rage only grew.
He shot forth without even thinking. His danger sense was practically turned off as he wholefully adopted a raging bull mentality.
Ryūjin and Izuku appeared at his sides first. Izuku's fist shot out with a thunderous boom whereas Ryūjin's leg collided with his knee cap like a whip to the back of a slave.
CRACK!!!
CRUNCH!!!
BOOOM!!!
Knee cap and ribcage exploded mercilessly in that moment. The pain shot through the madness and attacked Atlas almost immediately. A terrifying, brutally gut wrenching cry ripped out of his throat.
"AHH—"
Yet, before he could even complete that sentence—Viverion's towering seven foot eleven figure appeared in front of him immediately.
Taller than both her boys yet still a dwarf to the raging star known as Atlas, she could care less. Her eyes lost its pupils and irises—only leaving behind the white of the sclera that was slowly corroded by a bloody red.
"Titanus—
—DIVIDE!!!!"
KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!!!
Her fists shot forth with a rippling speed, the air heated up as her fists ripped through its atmospheric density, carrying over what bystanders would only describe and say was the power of Gods.
Atlas folded, his four arms grew limp in an instant as his body quaked from the impact. Behind him, several compressed rings of pressurized air detonated.
He hadn't flown back because this wasn't a technique that just released terrifying amounts of strength with casual throws.
This was a technique that internalized destruction—a blow so dangerous that it wrecked the internal of any foe who had the misfortune of receiving it.
His eyes dimmed, no longer the glowing red it once was. His body reverted to its original form as the wounds he received from both Izuku and Ryūjin began to ooze fountains of blood.
Yet even after all that, he wasn't unconscious.
"G-Gah..! I…need t-"
BOOM!
Endeavor and All Might appeared then and there. Ryūjin got frustrated at the fact Atlas was still conscious and swung his fist out with a terrifying amount of strength backing it.
BANG!
His head snapped to the side before finally dropping to a halt, drooping low a minute after.
Viverion's body remained as it was as she stared at the towering giant and then at the other two newcomers that approached.
She sneered.
"Great timing fuckers." Her words were cold. No, not even that word did it justice.
She shoved the unconscious giant from its chest letting it fall flat on its back. Viverion then turned to face the two heroes silently.
"Great wor—" All Might started yet was ultimately cut dry.
"Where were you?" Her eyes remained frozen on them.
They stared for a moment. All Might's gaze dropped in shame. He genuinely did try his best to get there on time. He worked as much as he could considering his injury.
But Endeavor? His face twisted in irritation at her tone.
"What's with the runt attitude? We arrived, didn't we? Do you have any idea about the distance we had to cross?"
His words were cold—his body took a step forward.
Viverion got up in his face, her power brimming with a powerful light. Behind them Ryūjin and Izuku quietly reigned in their hastened breathing—observing what was to come.
"I can excuse All Might—he has an injury that's rather fatal. But you? I've seen you cross that distance already at even faster speeds. What's your excuse?"
She was irritated—the reason why she got so angry during the confrontation and ultimately lost her cool is because she continuously thought about Izuku and Ryūjin.
As strong as they were—every exchange Viverion had with Atlas showed her that his strength grew. It was fun at first, but then it quickly grew into a terrifying prospect.
She thought about Izuku in that moment especially—the thought of possibly bringing a dead child home to a mother that was also her best friend—terrified her.
Yet what fueled the emotions even more was the disbelief that one of her killing blows couldn't even kill Atlas. The most it did was neutralize him, bringing him to a state of near unconsciousness.
So when she stared into Endeavor's and All Might's faces, she only felt disappointment. Cold and ugly disappointment.
"Save your words—I care no longer. Put the beast in dampening cuffs, he could wake up any minute." Without waiting for his reply, she walked off as she slowly reverted to her former self.
Height shrunk as muscles deflated slightly. "Izu-kun, Ryūjin—let's go. You two need a bath and a bed to rest."
She signaled at the boys who gave one last glance towards the number one and number two hero before turning and walking away with aching figures, following right behind her.
Silence.
Then—
"What about the public?! They just witnessed two teenagers aid a retired heroine that still operates in her prime.
Do you understand the level of backlash you created for both yourself and the Hero Society by willingly entertaining this idea of external help from literal teenagers?!"
Endeavor snapped, he couldn't tolerate the way she spoke to him and such, resorted to this.
"Then let them take that problem up with me. Tomorrow I'll request to speak to the press. You lot should be grateful. The police—citizens of this town and heroes that had no better sense of urgency.
But for you to better understand what I'm implying, let me ask you a question. If you were there at that moment like my son and his friend were, and you knew you had the strength to help—what would you do?"
Silence.
The air grew heavy as both Izuku and Ryūjin turned at that moment to stare into Endeavor's fiery eyes with a blackness that spoke on many levels.
She continued, "Would you stay silent and retreat as you watch citizens scatter in panic and possibly lose their lives?
Or would you take charge even if it meant breaking the supposed law?
Because, if breaking a few laws preserves life—these boys are willing to break as many as they can just to keep these people alive and kicking."
She glanced between them through every drop of a sentence. The reporters at ground level had finally readjusted their set up and had long since begun broadcasting a clearer, cleaner shot with better audio.
All around the world, heroes, civilians—Mothers, Fathers and many others listened to her words. Some turned in discomfort at the reality of it whereas others covered their faces with their hands imagining themselves in that situation.
What would they do?
That question was abrupt but the impact it left was far greater than Viverion may have realized.
As silence hung between Viverion and the top two of Japan, All Might's eyes dodged contact with Viverion.
Even though she had excused him, the guilt of not being there in time to prevent the involvement of two literal kids in a city block destroying battle brought great shame and self depreciation to himself.
Endeavor clenched his fists and was about to act out when suddenly, All Might clamped a heavy hand onto his shoulder.
Endeavor turned and glared at him but All Might simply signaled up and around. Everyone was watching.
As Endeavor turned to face their stares of wonder and fascination that came from within the fear that died—he shrugged off All Might's hand aggressively.
From behind—several cops with dampening cuffs rushed in on All Might's signal, officially neutralizing the threat.
Only then, did the majority of the public sigh. As news reporters wrapped up the scene of battle—many offside journalists began to sneak closer towards the three that walked away.
Photographers snapped photos of battle worn backs as they inched in whereas civilians gathered and applauded. Izuku and Ryūjin showed no expression and so did Viverion.
She looked down to her forearms that were slightly swollen and then to the exposed skin of her friend's son and her own. Blue-black markings and second degree burns.
She sighed.
Most importantly, they're alive.
'Inko-chan—I hope you can forgive me..'
Her mind twisted with such thoughts that slowly ate away at her confidence. She felt guilt. Genuine guilt. She allowed and encouraged something so dangerous.
She knew Inko like the back of her hand. She knew that even right now, she was watching the screen at home, crying rivers.
Viverion stopped in her tracks for a moment.
Silence.
The boys looked at each other for a minute before turning back to face her.
It looked as though she had something to say to them. Yet, as though she couldn't find the words—she took off with a muffled explosion birthing from her legs.
"You think she's okay?" Izuku asked as he stared at her shrinking figure.
"Honestly? I don't know. But we shouldn't pry. Not yet. Let's go see your mom..that's probably where she's going." Ryūjin said.
Izuku nodded—knowing his mother and Viverion's relationship as bestfriends—he knew that she wanted to visit her first.
They wasted no more time as they both took off in an instant.
Behind them, several journalists frowned as they had finally caught up only for the three to blast off with such urgency.
Within a large house, a green haired woman paced back and forth as she checked her phone with urgency.
Inko's eyes were swollen from the hours of crying, she looked visibly exhausted. Her hair was ruffled into a messy nest of green and her nose was as red as a stoplight.
"Come on..! Where are you..??"
Her thoughts from earlier were really chaotic. She was scared. In that moment she had pictured about ten thousand things that could have gone wrong during that fight. Honestly, it was scary.
She kept on checking on her phone, looking out the windows and even praying. Yet, just as she was about to give up and leave the house to go straight towards them. A tall, muscular woman appeared.
"V-Viverion-san…" She broke.
Her tears burst through restraints and rushed out like a broken dam. She lunged forward and seized the woman who was battered in multiple small wounds and swollen arms.
Inko had encased her in a bear hug, her reaction officially stunning the heroine.
From behind two other figures appeared. Ryūjin and—Izuku. Inko's head shifted from the chest of Viverion as she saw the red and green blur of light had appeared.
When she saw the boys and their bruised—burnt skin, she was at a loss for words. She was supposed to be angry, screaming, yelling at Viverion and the boys' recklessness.
But she simply rushed forward and hugged them both in a warm, tight embrace. And silently, she cried a quiet river of tears in relief.
"M-Mom..! Don't cry..! We're okay, see?" Izuku scratched the back of his head as he glanced down at his mother. Ryūjin chuckled softly and agreed.
Inko raised her head abruptly. "How dare you fools worry me like that!" She pinched their ears and twisted before shortly releasing after.
"A-Ah!!"
"Aunty Inko—please!"
Both teens no longer looked as though they were warriors but merely children beneath the wrath of a worried mother.
Viverion touched Inko on the shoulder, gaining her attention. Inko spun around to only see that her best friend's expression was a mess. Guilt was littered about with shame. She couldn't bring herself to look into the eyes of Inko.
"I-Inko… I'm really sorry that I dragg—"
Her words were rolling until they were cut off abruptly. Inko raised a hand and covered Viverion's mouth with a shaking head.
"No, Viverion-san. You don't have to apologize. I knew you'd try your best to protect them, I'm not mad at you."
Viverion's eyes finally rose. The initial shock at receiving such a greeting from Inko returned.
"B-But—He fought a city level monster with me..! That's something I encouraged! Aren't you mad at me?!" Viverion was in utter disbelief.
Inko looked at her. Really looked at her. Then, she hugged her tall frame warmly.
"No, I'm really not. At some point I had to be prepared for Izuku to step out there and fight real villains. I knew the path he had always dreamed of taking, and finally today I saw that he had actually taken his first steps.
So no, I'm not mad at you. Nor am I mad at him. You all did the right thing in order to protect those citizens. I'm just happy that you're present in his life as well. That way I can always be reassured that nothing happens to my Izuku."
The words brought about silence. Viverion gazed into Inko's eyes long.
Behind them, Izuku and Ryūjin smiled softly, glancing at each other before heading to the back to wash off.
"Inko..you're really.. a big softy..!" Viverion said with a growing smile. Though, her eyes glittered with tears of relief that refused to fall.
Inko giggled at that remark and then urged that she clean herself up. She would prepare them a meal whilst tending to their wounds.
Though she had planned to do all those things, the moment the three heroes returned, they caught Inko sleeping soundly on the couch.
They glanced between one another before chuckling softly. It was obvious that she was exhausted, she had been crying for hours, worried.
But now?
Inko was just relieved. Relieved that everyone was breathing and well. And with seeing them safely at her home, she could finally rest.
—————
[Far away]
Within layers beneath the city. Inside of an old, stylish bar—several figures sat on stools staring at a screen that replayed the events of earlier.
Behind the counter, a tall shadow headed figure cleaned a cup as he stared into the screen.
"Huh. U.A seems to have gotten some little monsters this time around, yeah?" Kurogiri said calmly though his tone carried over interest.
In front of him, situated on a short stool, was a young teenage boy that had several hands attached to his face and neck. He too stared at the screen. Yet, with every replay of the collision he would claw at his neck, ripping apart the surface of his skin and drawing from beneath it, warm blood.
"These characters…! They weren't in the original game..! Kurogiri! I thought…I thought I had asked for the entirety of U.A scouted and scanned.. Their powers, backing, strongest members..?! Why have I never heard of these two, especially the red haired one..?!"
With every sentence dropped, his fingers would continue itching at his neck in irritation. Kurogiri was quiet. But then he spoke.
"I had Toga-san do up the reports and leave it in your dorm. If you don't know them then you simply haven't gone through them all." His words made the boy pause.
His masked face turned towards Kurogiri, the grayish blue hair atop his head that was messy and chaotic swaying with him.
"Hey..! Don't fucking—"
Yet before he could continue, the screen flickered to static and then to another sight. A figure draped in darkness.
A heavy breathing then followed. Eerie and long, all persons that were previously enjoying the growing banter between the two had shifted entirely in their presence at the appearance of the person on the screen.
"Tomura…" His voice was deep and gruff. Its roughness resembles that of grinding metal.
"All For One.." Tomura Shigaraki turned to the screen with urgency.
"Do not argue with your colleagues. Prepare soon. The appearance of these two anomalies will not hinder our plans. Kurogiri, you will report to me later. The rest of you, prepare the Nomus. Soon, we will be delivering hell onto those that stand at the top."
And with those words, the screen cut off abruptly.
Tomura's both hands now clawed at his own neck even more ferociously than before. A crooked smile adorned his face beneath the large hand.
"Finally…! The game can begin..!"
And with that, the all dispersed in a hurry, leaving behind Tomura in the bar whose laughter carried over with a haunting echo.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!