Rising Tides (Izuku Midoriya x F!Reader)

Chapter 073

CHAPTER 73: Fury & Redemption

The chaos around you was deafening. Overhaul stood tall, his presence casting a dark shadow over the shattered remains of the hall. Every corner of the stronghold pulsed with tension, heroes and villains clashing in battles across the compound. But here, in this broken corridor, you, Izuku, Mirio, and Eri faced Overhaul’s malice firsthand.

Your heart pounded as you glanced at Mirio, whose unwavering determination shone through his every move. He’d fought so hard to protect Eri, giving everything to keep her safe, and now, his exhaustion was palpable. But even as he staggered, his eyes stayed focused, his body bracing against the pain.

Suddenly, a sharp, piercing sound tore through the air. One of Overhaul’s men aimed a strange weapon at Mirio, and a shot echoed through the hall. Before anyone could react, Mirio froze. His usually bright, determined eyes were filled with shock and dread as his quirk, the very power that had defined him, faded from his grasp. His body, once impervious, was now vulnerable.

“Mirio!” you cried, reaching out to him, the desperation tearing through you. You saw him try to stand tall, try to keep fighting, but the look of anguish in his eyes was unmistakable. This wasn’t just physical pain; it was the agony of losing a part of himself, something irreplaceable.

Izuku’s gaze turned cold, his anger simmering beneath his usual resolve. “You won’t get away with this,” he said, his voice low and fierce as he turned to face Overhaul.

The villain laughed, his gaze mocking. “You heroes think you’re unstoppable, but even you have your limits. And this girl—” His eyes flickered to Eri, his voice dripping with contempt. “She belongs to me.”

Izuku moved to shield Eri, his protective instinct flaring as he put himself between her and Overhaul. “You’re wrong,” he said, a surge of power radiating from him. “Eri is not your tool. We’re here to save her.”

Overhaul sneered, his hand stretching forward as his quirk pulsed to life, transforming the ground into twisted, jagged spikes. You threw your arms up, summoning water to form a barrier around you and Eri, protecting you both from the shards flying toward you. In the middle of the chaos, Eri’s small hand clutched Izuku’s uniform, her terrified eyes wide with fear and confusion.

But then, something inside Izuku snapped. The pressure of the moment, the pain of seeing Mirio lose his quirk, and Eri’s trembling fear all weighed on him. With Eri clinging to his back, he surged forward, his quirk flaring as he launched himself toward Overhaul. For an instant, his power wavered, the strain pushing his body to its limits. But Eri’s quirk began to activate, reversing the damage on Izuku with every blow he landed, allowing him to push further, faster, harder.

Izuku’s power soared, and he fought with everything he had, his fists crashing into Overhaul with unmatched ferocity. His movements were a blur, each strike more intense than the last as Eri’s quirk healed him again and again. You could barely keep up, your heart racing as you watched him fight with a strength you’d never seen before.

But Mirio’s pain stayed with you, the weight of what he’d sacrificed pressing on your heart. Rage and sorrow twisted inside you, and you clenched your fists, your quirk responding to the intensity of your emotions. The water around you trembled, the once-gentle flow now a powerful torrent surging with raw, untamed energy.

A shout of defiance ripped from your throat as you surged forward, water swirling around you in a spiraling vortex. You could feel the full force of your quirk building, stronger than it had ever been. Overhaul turned his attention toward you, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the threat you posed.

The water took on new forms—shards of ice, scalding steam, waves crashing in every direction, embodying the turmoil you felt. You didn’t hold back. Your grief for Mirio, your rage at Overhaul, and your determination to protect Eri all fueled your attacks, each one landing with explosive force. Overhaul staggered back, struggling against the relentless onslaught.

Izuku glanced at you, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and urgency. He recognized the toll this was taking on you, but you gave him a quick, determined nod. “I won’t let him hurt anyone else,” you shouted, pushing yourself even further.

With Izuku and Eri beside you, the two of you fought as one, a shared resolve binding you together. Every attack became more powerful, each strike a reflection of the bond you shared and the desperation to protect those you cared for. Overhaul tried to counter, his quirk transforming the ground and walls around him, but your combined force overwhelmed him.

In one final surge, Izuku leaped forward, his fist colliding with Overhaul’s twisted figure, the impact echoing through the hall. Overhaul fell back, his form crumbling as he was finally overpowered. The silence that followed was deafening.

You stood there, panting, your body trembling from the strain. Mirio lay nearby, his face pale but his expression filled with pride and relief. Eri clung tightly to Izuku’s back, her small arms wrapped around him as he whispered words of comfort to her. You could see the relief in his eyes, the weight of what they had accomplished settling over him.

As the dust began to settle, you caught sight of Aizawa moving through the wreckage, his expression serious as he assessed the situation. His gaze landed on Eri, and you felt a wave of concern wash over you.

“Eri,” Aizawa said, his voice steady but urgent. “We need to stop your quirk. It’s too powerful for you to control right now.”

You watched as Eri’s expression shifted from confusion to understanding, tears welling in her eyes. “But I want to help!” she protested, her small voice breaking.

Aizawa shook his head, his determination unwavering. “I know you want to help, but this isn’t something you can handle yet. It’s too dangerous.” He stepped closer, his hands hovering over her, ready to activate his quirk.

Izuku’s grip on Eri tightened, his brows furrowing with concern. “Aizawa, wait—”

But it was too late. With a swift movement, Aizawa activated his quirk, and Eri’s powers flickered like a dying flame. You could feel the toll it took on her, and your heart sank as she gasped, the energy draining from her small form.

The moment Eri’s quirk faded, a heavy silence enveloped the room. Izuku stumbled slightly, the surge of power that had once filled him now dulled, and you felt a similar weight settle on your chest, the loss of Eri’s influence pulling at you both.

You fell to your knees, heaving from the injuries you’d sustained in the battle and the emotional toll of what had just transpired. Izuku knelt beside you, his expression a mix of relief and sorrow, the impact of Aizawa’s decision evident in his eyes.

“Eri…” you murmured, your voice shaking as you watched her small frame tremble, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked lost, her hope slipping away with the fading light of her quirk.

Izuku squeezed your hand, a silent promise passing between you. Together, you would help her. Together, you would make this right.

But for now, as the dust settled and the weight of the battle bore down on you, you could only focus on the bond that had brought you all here—the resolve to protect, to save, and to fight for a future where no one would ever have to suffer like this again.

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A/N: Word Count: ~1342, In this chapter, we delved into the intense battle against Overhaul, highlighting the emotional struggles of Izuku and Mizushima as they faced overwhelming odds. Mirio’s loss of his quirk adds a heavy weight to their fight, pushing them to unleash their full potential.

I hope you had fun reading this one—as yet again this was one of my favorite ones I wrote so far, see you next time.

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