Manifest Monsters

Part 27~Freedom

All Might was a reck. He didn't know what to do. Uraraka's death was hitting him hard. Not only was his successor dead but OFA hadn't returned to him meaning Uraraka had given OFA to someone else who hadn't come forward. Did they even know the Quirk was his? Everything was unclear and All Might didn't know what to do.

Tsukauchi placed a comforting hand on All Might's shoulder. "Calm down, everything will be alright." Only a few people knew about All Might's Quirk and Uraraka's role in his life. "We'll find the successor and we'll get Midoriya and Tokoyami back. Just stay calm and follow the plan."

All Might nodded as he turned to the building. He needed to focus on the current task. Midoriya and Tokoyami were the priority right now. He walked away from the officers, raising his hand to ring the doorbell.

"Wakey wakey Izuku, you won't want to miss the main event!" The Ringmaster lifted my head, forcing me to focus on the pink blob. "Is everyone ready?" The Ringmaster hopped off my lap, walking over to his associate.

"Everything's been prepared," he confirmed as I glared at all of them. That's the person who talked to me during the sports festival. So much for being a police officer. Strangely, I'm a little relieved the police weren't on to me. It wasn't the best news, but still better. "I suggest we start now, it won't be long before the heroes find us."

The Ringmaster hummed the annoying circus theme he had been singing for the last few days as he walked into the centre of the room. All around him, chalk lines created the ritual markings. He laughed as he waved his tentacles in the air. He started to chant, the ancient language sounding wrong against my ears.

Tokoyami fought harder against his restraints as the room started to glow. I could feel a burning covering my chest, sucking out my power. I wanted to scream, I wanted to fight, I wanted to do anything to stop this! Whatever this was!

The Ringmaster's laugh grew, echoing off the walls and grinding against my ears. "It's working! It's working! Tonight my creator will die and I will become truly real! Today, I gain my free will!"

Katsuki snuck down the alleyway, the closer they got to the warehouse, the more his heart pounded. He was going to save Izuku and Tokoyami and nothing was going to stand in his way.

Tiny gasped, stumbling and collapsing. Katsuki managed to catch Tiny before she hit the ground, a worried expression in his eyes. "Tiny? What's wrong?"

Blinking, Tiny tried to stand up but couldn't find the strength. "Somethings wrong with Izuku... We need to hurry. He's going to die."

The group shared a horrified expression, rushing closer to the target. If Izuku was dying, they were going to stop it. They barely got there in time to see the warehouse being destroyed. Looking around in a blind panic, Katsuki spotted the weird figure walking out. He was talking to the heroes but Katsuki wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying. The only thing clear to him at that moment was that Izuku wasn't here. Izuku was dying and he could do nothing to help.

"Don't fear! I am here!" All Might burst through the wall, his eyes widened at the situation. Edgeshot sped around the room, immobilising some of the villains as All Might pinned The Ringmaster to the ground.

The chalk slowly dimmed as I let out a harsh gasp. My breath came out as bare whispers, unable to find the strength to do anything more. I tried to listen to what was going on but it was like there was a buzzing in my head, making my ears go fuzzy and making it impossible to hear what was going on. "All... Might..."

All Might turned to me, a dark aura in his eyes as he observed me. The blood pooled around me, standing out against my paling skin. He lowered his head, practically growling. "You bastard! How dare you hurt a child like this! You are the true scum!"

"You're not wrong there, but I would warn you. Next time you've pinned someone to the ground, don't expose your weak points!" The Ringmaster laughed as he stabbed through All Might's abdomen.

All Might coughed, blood flying out his mouth as the Ringmaster threw him into the wall. Shigaraki watched with a smirk, his eyes glistening with joy at the Ringmaster's overbearing power. "Kill him. Destroy the symbol of peace!"

"You really are dumb. I don't care about that. I was hoping to do this by fully draining you, but I suppose splitting your throat will do just as well." The Ringmaster laughed as he picked up Toga's knife, pushing it against my throat. "Once you're dead, I'll be free. I'll no longer be trapped here, unable to do anything. Unable to go anywhere. I won't have to listen to you or your freaky pets!"

"Then why don't you...? Why do you wait...?" I could barely form the words in my mind, let alone speak them. With every second that passed, I grew weaker and weaker.

"Isn't that obvious?" The Ringmaster pulled back the blade, holding it in the air. "No matter how much I weaken our bond, it's still there. I can't kill you, but he can."

The fake police officer stepped forward, taking the blade and holding it above me. "I hate you. I hate everything you stand for! I hate you!" He screamed, lifting the blade higher and plunging it down.

"No!"

The officers didn't know what was going on as the bar blew up. Tokoyami floated in the air, dark shadow encasing him and roaring in anger. All Might rolled to the floor, having barely dodged the attack. Tsukauchi ran to his side as the officers aimed their guns.

"No!" All Might held out his hand, the officers hesitating.

"All Might? We can't let him get out of control! There are too many lives at risk!" Tsukauchi couldn't believe this. He knew All Might wanted to save Tokoyami but they couldn't wait and let him become more powerful.

"He's not going to become more powerful." All Might stood taller as Dark Shadow lowered himself and Tokoyami to the floor. The second Tokoyami's feet touched the ground, Dark Shadow retreated. Tokoyami collapsed, pulling Izuku closer.

Tsukauchi gasped as he spotted the blade sticking out of Izuku's chest.