Phenomenon

Chapter 6: Now...It's Your Turn

*Izuku's POV*

When we turned the corner, Shoto and I saw out friends huddled together, talking in hushed voices and watching the many TV screens on display around the city square we were in. "What's happening?" Shoto asked, looking up at the TV screens. "All Might is fighting that fleshy potato guy." Kacchan said, his voice lacked its usual snark. He sounded slightly concerned. "Izuku, I've made you this hoodie, so that nobody recognises you and you don't get cold." Yaomomo said as she offered me a plain black hoodie. I thanked her and pulled it on before pulling the hood as far over my head as I could. I didn't particularly want people staring at my bruised and battered face. After, the six of us exchanged a look before we collectively moved towards the crowd so that we could watch the fight on the TV screens. I gripped Shoto's hand tighter as we were swallowed by the crowd. Our little group stuck together as we looked up at the screen. I felt my heart clench as I watched All Might exchange blows with All for One. The potato man seemed to possess multiple quirks. With every punch exchanged and drop of blood spilt from All Might's body, I became more and more worried.

The fight raged on. It destroyed all of the buildings around it. I could feel a slight wind blowing through and ruffling my hair because of the punches the two men exchanged. I squeezed Shoto's hand tighter as All Might was knocked down. I could feel Shoto hold my hand tighter in return as we both watched the blood flow from All Might's forehead. It was painful. It was so hard to see such a strong man, one of my heroes, forced to kneel before what I can only describe as the embodiment of evil. I could see Kacchan clenching his fists in frustration as he watched the fight. His teeth were gritted and his crimson eyes were wide with anger and frustration. I placed my hand on his arm, causing him to jump slightly, and gave him a reassuring smile. I think he could see my fear though. It must have shone in my eyes. Kacchan took a steadying breath before turning back to the screen and looking at it with less anger. I looked around Shoto to look at Momo and Iida. They were both staring up at the TV with wide eyes. I could see the fear in them. Seeing fear in my friends' eyes had become a common occurrence by this point. That simple fact made me realise how much we had all been through. How much more we would have to go through. It was dreadful. I didn't know what to do to comfort them. I turned the other way and looked around Kacchan to see Kirishima. I wanted to cry at the look of hopelessness in his eyes. I wanted to run over to him and hug him. 

I pulled my hand from Shoto's. He gave me a bemused look, but I waved him off and pushed myself through the crowd so that I was by Kirishima's side. He looked down at me with tears in his eyes before rapidly wiping them away. "Sorry, Izu, it's not very manly to cry." Kirishima choked slightly. I reached up and gently pulled his hand away from his face. "If you ask me, it's very manly to cry," I said gently, " It's important to express your emotions. I think we're all scared right now.". Kirishima looked down at me with a slight smile, "Thanks Izu. I don't know how you can be so kind and level headed after what's just happened to you." he chuckled slightly. There was no humour to his laugh. I was solely comprised of anger and sadness. "Thanks, Kiri. I'm sure I'll breakdown once this is all over." I laughed myself. It was somewhat hysterical. He nodded before looking up at the screen once again, he still looked scared, but there was a glint of hope in his blood-red eyes.  

I sidled back to my previous position between Kacchan and Shoto and took my boyfriend's hand in mine once again. He squeezed my hand, not taking his gaze off of the screen. I looked up to see that All Might still hadn't gotten up from his position of kneeling on the ground. It looked like the fleshy potato was gloating. There was also a lot of smoke. It seemed to be coming off of All Might's body. I shared a look of concern with my friends before we all looked up at the screen to see something we thought we'd never see.  It seemed impossible.