Harmony of Shadows

Finally throwing hands

Deku felt his arrival before his eyes actually found the figure.

"So, I finally get to meet the newest number one hero," All For One's voice was deep, carrying across the field.

"I should thank you. Your letter really made my day," Deku's voice carried a hint of sarcasm as they glared at each other, with only about 100 meters between them.

"Here comes the backup," Azur hissed, bristling beside the small greenette.

Izuku's eyes were drawn to a monstrous figure emerging from the shadows behind All For One—his spirit animal.

Each step it took sent shivers down Izuku's spine, its presence a harbinger of doom. The beast moved with an unnerving grace, its elongated, sinewy body covered in a cascade of silvery, razor-sharp fur that glistened under the dim light, each hair standing on end like a soldier's pike ready for war.

Its head, crowned with an array of menacing spines, swayed slightly as it approached, the spines rattling like the bones of the damned. Eyes that burned with an eerie, otherworldly light locked onto Izuku's, freezing him in place with their malevolent glare.

The creature's maw, filled with jagged, glistening fangs, opened slightly, releasing a misty breath that seemed to freeze the very air between them. As it advanced, its muscular legs flexed with deadly power, each movement precise and calculated, the talon-like claws digging into the ground with a sound that sent chills through Izuku's bones.

The battlefield fell silent around him, as if the world itself held its breath in the presence of this nightmarish apparition. Izuku could feel the weight of its gaze, the promise of inevitable doom in its every step. In that moment, he knew he was facing a creature born from the darkest corners of imagination—a harbinger of terror and death.

"An Ichneumon," he muttered, eyes still wide.

"What the fuck is that?" Kat snapped, with Kai growling at his side.

One eye changed into his dragon form, causing Izuku to frown and touch his now-scaly cheek.

"An Ichneumon is the natural enemy of the mighty dragon," All For One explained.

So that's why my dragon side is all riled up, Deku thought. He turned to glance at Azur, only to see him fighting his shift just like he was.

"Is that why you hate Azur and me?" Deku said, his voice steady despite the raging battle inside.

All For One laughed. "No, no. You see, Onyx and I can fight our animal urges, which is something you seem to be struggling with," he smirked.

Deku shook his head, trying to clear his muddled thoughts.

"Just breathe, babe," Kat put a strong hand on his shoulder, and Izuku turned to gaze into the crimson eyes of the man he loved.

Deku took a breath as he was told and turned to Azur, who was leaning against Kai.

"Your spirit animal is as gay as you," Izuku muttered to Kat, who chuckled.

"At least I stick to the same species," the blonde laughed before turning back to All For One.

Izuku turned and straightened, glaring down at All For One.

"Do you remember your little prophecy, Deku?" the villain asked with a smirk.

"I do, but how do you know?" Deku asked, hiding his confusion.

"The shadows speak to me, Izuku."

"I'm going to enjoy eating dragon meat once again," Onyx drawled, his voice sounding like fingernails on a chalkboard.

"Try it, you prehistoric freak," Azur snarled, eyes glowing.

"How about this," All For One smiled, "a fight between just the two of us. That way, no one but you has to die?"

Deku paused and thought.

"Since you are the only one who can beat me," the villain added.

He had a point—even if All For One was alone, he and Onyx would easily be able to destroy everyone behind Deku. Izuku turned to Azur, and the pair shared a look.

"What will it be, Izuku Midoriya? Will it just be you dying today?"

"We will do it," Deku said suddenly.

Aizawa looked down but didn't say anything.

"NO!" Kat yelled, tightening his grip on Izuku's shoulder.

Deku turned and pressed a kiss to the fiery blonde's lips in a short but sweet kiss. Then, using the power he and Azur shared, the pair threw both Kai and Kat into the waiting arms of the heroes behind him.

"Stay alive, problem child," Aizawa snapped.

"Be careful, young Midoriya."

"DEKU, PLEASE DON'T! LET ME GO!" Kat screamed, and Kai snarled and snapped at the animals holding him.

"I love you, Kacchan," Deku smiled. "This isn't goodbye."

"He's right. We are the number one heroes, and we have a fucking prophecy saying we will live," Azur huffed, though Izuku felt his fear.

With that, the pair blocked out the yells of protest and stalked toward the waiting villain. Azur's green fur melted into hardened green scales, and he swelled in size. Izuku's green wings grew out of his back, his tail lashed behind him, and his fangs and talons grew into place.

"We will win, All For One. Are you prepared to lose?" Deku snarled, his now reptilian eyes narrowing.

"I'll show you what it means to lose, child. Just you wait and see," the villain smiled.

Shadows similar to Shigaraki's and Wrath's manifested behind him, although these were much stronger.