Expect the Unexpected: Mei Hatsume x reader (BOOK 2)

Chapter 30: Responsibility and Sacrifice

You were quick to join the heroes on site, taking your position on the ground as you noticed others doing the same.

"You better have an explanation as to why they were this close," Eraserhead scolded from behind you.

You merely rolled your eyes, preparing your staff as you watched Ryukyu slash at Shigaraki.

Crust.

Oboro.

Katsuki.

Midoriya.

Each one sacrificing a chance of a happy life for the better hero society. A society that might not even happen.

You were quick to join Ryukyu, well aware that Eraserhead's erasure wouldn't last too long.

Just as you predicted, his erasure deactivated the instant Ryukyu's wings briefly covered his line of sight.

Shigaraki slashed at you, attempting to grab your arm, however you were pulled back by a familiar scarf around your waist.

"Don't you dare lay a rotten finger on my students," Eraserhead snarled, pulling you close as he glared up at the villain.

"How cool," Shigaraki marveled. "You're trying to erase my quirk."

Acts of terrorism since the big entrance at the USJ, all caused by the League were what led to the war. A war that left the country in ruins, people watching from home scared.

Friends and family bit their nails, anxiety overcoming them as they watched loved ones throw themselves into danger over and over again, for the safety of everyone around them.

You looked up at Shigaraki, terrified as you once again realised the weightage of the situation.

This was life and death.

Those that didn't make it out of the battlefield, would be presumed dead or prisoner of war.

That was the scariest of it all.

Anyone you knew could become held captive at any second, and you would never figure out because communications were down. Worst of all, once you were held captive, there was no telling if you'd survive at all.

You grit your teeth, standing up again.

"Say hi to Eri for me," you whispered, flying back in to fight Shigaraki.

From your peripheral vision, you noticed Endeavour flying in, as his sidekick altered his trajectory.

The hero was sent straight into your direction, Flashfire backing him up for speed.

"His quirk's still erased!" Ryukyu shouted, hoping Endeavour could hear.

The hero nodded, looking at you as he sent a small blast of fire. You spun your staff, generating more wind power by using less energy, spreading the fire all across Shigaraki's side.

He was quick to dodge to the right, however his left arm still caught a nasty burn.

You gasped, swivelling around to look at your mentor, only to see him wide eyed as he wore the same expression you did.

"That was natural strength," you whispered, fear instilled in you at all the things that could go wrong.

"Cloud Nine!" Ryukyu called, to which you nodded, lunging in with her to help Endeavour.

However, Shigaraki was quick to push Endeavour away and into Ryukyu, causing both of them to collide and fall to the ground.

The force itself was enough to knock you onto the ground, even when you weren't directly affected. You landed on your back, skidding to a halt at Eraserhead's feet.

"Cloud Nine you're acting recklessly," he scolded, still not looking down at you as he held eye contact with Shigaraki.

Next to him sat Manual, who was making sure his eyes never dried up.

"I know," you coughed, sitting up. "But I'm the general."

Your back was covered in scratches through your tank top, due to having slid on the rocky surface.

General Shirakumo Y/N, Cloud Nine, someone who was known for uncanny intelligence on the battlefield as well as immense power.

What they didn't know was that power requires one of two things. Responsibility, or sacrifice.

By choosing the latter, you had automatically sealed your death.

Sacrificing any chance of a happy life for a war that could protect your faded hope of one only meant that you'd accepted the overbearing chance of death.

And as a General, you wanted to make sure that as few people died. So if you had to sacrifice yourself, so be it.

Shigaraki stood on top of Ryukyu and Endeavour, taunting them, right arm raised much like All Might did.

That was all it took for you to realise his message.

The villains were preparing a new era, one where they would be at the head of it all, perhaps with Nomu by their side.

Much like the Golden Era, when All Might was worshipped, a new one would start. One that would open many eyes.

"Don't disrespect him," you scoffed, standing guard near Eraserhead, knowing that he would be targeted next.

"You," Shigaraki glared. "You two are the biggest hindrances to my plans, but not for long. I'll eliminate both of you!"

He lunged forward, grabbing at you.

Time seemed to slow, your heartbeat grew louder.

The battlefield was filled with silence, you were the only one there.

Only two people, you and Shigaraki.

Everyone else had been erased.

Shigaraki's manic grin burned in your eyes, the glint in them terrifying you more and more by the second.

You stood, frozen as you awaited your inevitable death. Fear overtook you, causing you to drop your staff as well.

You couldn't win.

Were you drowning?

"Cloud Nine!" A familiar voice yelled, powerful enough to snap you out of the trance.

A greenette and his friend whizzed past you, both tackling Shigaraki.

You weren't alone.

This wasn't just your battle.

"Don't touch my teacher or my best friend!" Midoriya yelled.

"Deku-kun, you're in danger!" You reminded.

"The worst thing that could happen is losing two people that have consistently saved my life," he glared.

Hosu.

You looked up at him.

Kamino Ward.

A smile played at your lips as you replayed those memories.

USJ.

Your friend who'd consistently gotten himself in danger was now preventing others from it.

"It's our fight," Bakugo glared, annoyed that you'd accepted death.

"So don't disappoint me," Midoriya continued. "Stay alive, General."

You smiled, picking up your staff, glad that you'd lived to see another day.

However, you were well aware that soon, your luck would run out.

No one would be there to save you.

Y/N depressed arc go brrr