Smoke continued to rise from the crumbling cityscape, dark columns twisting into the cloudy sky as explosions echoed in the distance. Rubble crunched under hurried footsteps. Every second mattered. For the heroes, it wasn't just about survival anymore—it was about preserving the last strands of hope.
Reiji, a pro hero armed with the Mortal Kombat System that allowed him to manifest shadow-based combat abilities, led the charge through the ruins, his shadows whipping around like tendrils of smoke, masking their movement from aerial drones and any hostile eyes. A skilled and calculating fighter with his Mortal Kombat System active, he moved like a phantom. Sweat dripped from his forehead despite the cold air; the weight of the situation pressed down on them like gravity had increased. Every turn through shattered alleyways was a gamble—one wrong move, and Shigaraki would be on them. The Mortal Kombat System flared warnings in his mind, a blur of crimson alerts emphasizing the apex predator hunting them.
Bakugo darted ahead, hurling explosive bursts into nearby alleyways to create diversions and shake off pursuit. The rhythmic boom of his blasts echoed like defiant war drums, lighting the paths with brief flashes that masked the group's retreat. The rhythmic boom of his explosions echoed like drumbeats of defiance, drawing attention away from the main group. He wasn't just fighting—he was protecting in his own aggressive way. His explosions lit the narrow spaces, sparks raining like fireworks. Todoroki followed close behind, his breath fogging in the chill air as he layered thick sheets of ice across side streets and broken paths, blocking potential pursuit points. His jaw was tight, his silence deeper than usual—a sign of focus and fear intertwined. The heat from his left hand pulsed occasionally as a backup to thaw the path ahead.
Midoriya, breathing heavily, was caught between resolve and dread. The image of Crust's final moment was burned into his mind. "He gave his life to save us," Midoriya muttered, almost to himself. "I have to—"
"We need to lose him before he locks on again," Reiji said, glancing at his HUD. Bright red indicators pulsed around their route. "He's adapting. Our movements are starting to register. I think he's learning our patterns."
"He doesn't stop," Todoroki muttered. "He's like a bloodhound on a leash—and the leash just broke."
Midoriya stumbled slightly but caught himself. "If he's after me, maybe I should split off—give you all a chance to escape."
"No," Reiji said firmly, cutting him off. "You don't understand what happens if he gets you. We don't split. We adapt."
Bakugo snarled, "For once, nerd, stop trying to be the sacrifice. You think we're just side characters in your tragedy?" He detonated another blast behind them for emphasis. "This is war—we fight together, or we all fall."
A thunderous crack interrupted them, louder than any before. It wasn't an explosion—it was the sound of something unnatural tearing through the structure of the city.
Shigaraki.
Several blocks away, Shigaraki was tearing through buildings like wet paper, his Decay quirk spreading through everything he touched. Entire chunks of reinforced concrete melted to dust in his wake. His body moved with unnatural grace—leaping, climbing, smashing through steel and concrete like a force of nature. His regeneration restored tissue almost instantly. His silence was more terrifying than any scream. He radiated purpose.
Gran Torino and Ryukyu exchanged a quick nod and moved in coordinated tandem to intercept. While Gran Torino zipped forward with blinding speed, Ryukyu ascended in dragon form, creating a high-low pincer movement meant to overwhelm Shigaraki from two angles. Gran Torino zipped in with blinding speed, his foot slamming into Shigaraki's ribcage and sending him crashing into a collapsed tower. But Shigaraki twisted mid-air, grabbing a support beam mid-fall to redirect his trajectory.
Ryukyu, in full dragon form, roared and dove. But Shigaraki extended his hand—rot surged forward, tearing into Ryukyu's wing membrane before she could land her strike. She hissed in pain and veered off, barely managing to regain balance. Gran Torino circled again, attempting to flank him.
"Dammit!" Ryukyu roared, wings flaring as she pulled back to avoid further damage. Her injured wing steamed under the Decay's residual touch.
Aizawa, positioned on a rooftop, tracked every movement. His eyes remained unblinking. "Now!" he shouted.
His Erasure activated. Shigaraki's body jerked, momentarily slowed—regeneration paused. His eyes widened in frustration as his momentum faltered.
"Midoriya!" Gran Torino barked through the comms. "We bought you a window. MOVE!"
Reiji responded immediately. "Change of route! There's a maintenance tunnel ahead. We cut through, seal the back, and emerge three blocks west. It's tight, but it'll buy us time."
They skidded through a broken alley, entering a shadowy corridor as a sudden metallic clang echoed from deep within, freezing them momentarily. The air grew colder, the walls narrowing around them like a throat closing, and for a heartbeat, none of them spoke. Then Reiji took the lead again, shadows flickering ahead to light their path. Water dripped from rusted pipes. Graffiti-lined walls flashed past them. The narrow walls pressed close, forcing them to slow. Reiji's shadows lit their path faintly. The echoes of their footsteps seemed louder underground, as if the entire tunnel listened.
As they ran, Midoriya suddenly slowed.
That voice again—the First.
"If he touches you, the line ends. You must not fall."
Visions flared across his mind—Shigaraki's clawed hand reaching, flashes of battles yet to come, the broken face of All Might, cities in ruin, hands reaching from smoke.
"Midoriya!" Reiji barked. "Keep moving!"
Midoriya blinked, stumbling forward again. "Sorry—I… the vestiges—they're warning me again."
Todoroki glanced at him. "You're shaking."
Midoriya forced a breath. "I'm fine. Just… keep going."
They burst out into a ruined intersection. Rubble lined the ground. For a moment, it looked like they'd made it. The sun peeked through the smoky clouds above. A moment of false hope.
Then the building in front of them began to collapse.
Stone cracked. Walls groaned.
And from the dust emerged Shigaraki.
Decay still crawled across the ground from where his hand had touched the wall. The building disintegrated behind him like falling ash. His coat flared in the wind, his white hair whipping like a banner of destruction. Every step he took turned solid ground into fragments.
His eyes locked onto Midoriya.
"There's nowhere left to run," he said, his voice calm. Measured. Deadly.
The heroes froze.
And Shigaraki stepped forward.
__________________________
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