On the Run

Last Stand Finale

You thought that the day you would die would've been while you were sleeping.

Someone would be by your side, holding your hand, guiding you. You won't have any regrets. You would've traveled around the world, learning so much. You would've had an autograph from your favorite actors or actresses. You might've gotten married. You might've had children and grandchildren, someone to continue living with memories of you. To carry on a legacy. You wouldn't have been forgotten. Life would've been good.

You didn't think it would've been like this.

Time seemed to slow as you fell from the sky, fists poised to slam against the ground. The wind whips through your hair, coming undone from its protective style. Your eyes water as the wind beat against your eyes. Hysterical screams of the people you care about pulse in your ears, but you ignore them. You close your eyes, and flashes of your children and friends plague your thoughts. 

Flashes of happiness, care, and love in every moment.

I'm sorry. I guess I have regrets.

But not this one.

When you open your eyes, they blaze with determination as your fists and body slam into the ground.

"NO!" Arsenal screams, watching your body slam into the ground. She scrambled against the hold of Strongman, fighting with all her might. He drags her back, behind the police line. Energizer is in his other arm, slack with shock.

At home, Maya slaps a hand on her mouth, staring at the screen. She fights down a bubbling sob. Why were they recording? This was too gruesome. Too cruel. 

She just saw her friend fall. America's foundation had just fallen from 50- something feet high roof. There was no way she survived.

Instead of the ground shaking and buildings toppling, something worse happens.

Heat roils through the musky air.  And it's coming from you.

The last thing Arsenal sees is red, orange, and black.

Lava.

Waves and geysers of lava sprout from the ground, spraying scorching rock on the Nomu. It converges on one particular spot, where the Nomu stands. 

Pillars of earth rise and fall, like a wave. Lava washes over the streets, clearing away the sins of the Earth in its unforgiving sweep.

The earth rumbles, angry at the atrocities committed today. It topples buildings, their material melting under the lava.

Mother Earth was furious and would use her champion to serve her justice.

The Nomu roars, standing against the attack. It tries to break free from the encasing around its legs, struggling, tugging at the rock. 

The geysers of lava reach their peak, cresting over the Nomu.

"NO!" it roars, hands raised to block the waterfall of lava.

As if it could escape its sins. It's punishment. 

The wave falls, melting the skin of the Nomu to the bone. The earth caves in on itself, bringing the Nomu down with it. The waves of lava pool over it, all converging on the offender. 

Before you blackout, you see the bone hand of the Nomu reach out for help. Then it falls limp, just like you.

...

Dust and smoke wafted through the air. It was deathly silent, the faint sound of police sirens and cars blocking the drop zone. The dark sky was cloudy, illuminated by red and blue. It was like ground Zero, with all the toxic chemicals wafting through the air.

The first thing you register is disorientation.

You aren't sure where you are, your eyes fluttering open to darkness. A persistent ringing was in your ears, and your eyes scrunched closed as if you could block it out. Why weren't you on your bed, or at your agency desk? 

Then, pain.

Pain bursts behind your eyelids, in your skull, and over your body. Your nose bled as you lay on the ground. You couldn't move. Your eyes were blurry and watered. Ash floated in the air. A loud whirring was above you.

Maybe a chopper.

You could barely breathe, the feeling of knives poking you with each puff. You were surprised you weren't brain-dead yet. You coughed, pain flooding through your lungs and chest. You felt numb to the pain in your arms and legs. You released a shuddering breath, a stabbing pain in your side. A broken rib, probably. You hoped that was all it was.

Your eyes drooped, ready to give in to exhaustion. Then, you remembered why you were there.

The Nomu.

Fuck.

Get up.

You willed yourself not to pass out until you were sure the Nomu was defeated. You breathed hard. You staggered slowly to your feet, stumbling, panting. You coughed into your cold palm. All you saw was red. Deep, dark, red.

You were coughing blood.

Fuck.

There was no time to think about your wounds. You had to check. Finish the job.

Ash, soot, blood, and debris covered your skin, burning your face. You felt flame lick at your skin, open wounds crusting over with every passing moment. Your chest heaved with each breath, filling with smoke, hacking with each one.

But you still had a job to do. And that's what you are going to do.

You finally stood, pain blooming on your side. You clutched your side, a warm, wet sensation on your scarred palms. You pulled it away—more blood.

You stumbled slowly to the sinkhole in the middle of the memorial, chunks of charcoal and hardened lava rock blocking your view. You moved on until you reached the top. You looked down into the hole.

There the Nomu lay, its body blackened by the lava. It was encased in the charred rock.

With the last bit of strength left, you checked to see if it was alive. You closed your eyes, a splitting headache forming from your quirk. You felt no vibration from the encasing, and you chuckled. Maybe from shock, or maybe something was wrong. You weren't sure. Your laughs dissolved into harsh coughs and wheezes, blood sprouting on your hands. You sighed.

Now, you can rest.

Your hand rose for a moment. Maybe to show the world that it was over, or maybe to congratulate yourself. Then, you collapsed.

End. 

So there's a chance you're mad at me. Please don't be! An Adult!MHA fic wouldn't be right without a Nomu and a sacrifice. Besides, (Y/N)'s going to be fine (I think).

Thank you so much for reading. Don't forget to vote and comment with your thoughts. I hope you sorta liked this chapter. The next chapter will be about reactions. Take care of yourself. Have a good day/night!