MHA: SHADOWS IN UA

The hallway stretched endlessly, dimly lit and cold. Every step sent jolts of pain through my body, but I couldn't resist. The grip on my arms was too tight to break from.

It didn't look like the usual route to the training facility. Even though the source of light wasn't bright, I was familiar with the route leading to the hallway.

My heart pounded faster with each step, dread pooling in my stomach as I was being taken to an unknown destination. The way they dragged me, the place I'm being taken to, are they going to kill me?

Beads of sweat formed on my face as I felt the cold air bite my skin as that question popped in my head.

"Where are you taking me?" I croaked.

No one answered.

We stopped abruptly in front of a large steel door. It hissed open, and I was shoved inside, stumbling but managing to stay on my feet. The room was sterile and cold, with machines humming softly in the corners.

A old man in a lab coat approached, having a portly and short stature. He was completely bald, donning a very large and bushy mustache, his expression detached as he looked me over. "He needs to be functional for training." He said to no one in particular.

The next thing I knew, a sharp pain shot through my arm as a needle pierced my skin causing me to groan slightly. Warmth spread through my body, dulling the aches and bruises.

The relief was almost instantaneous as I flexed my fingers, feeling the pain ease away. "Surprised?" The old man gloated as he saw my reaction. "I'm just that good of a scientist."

———

I was dragged again, this time into a massive gym. The ceiling stretched high above me, and the walls seemed to close in, oppressive in their sheer size. The floor gleamed under the harsh overhead lights.

All For One stood on the mezzanine, his dark silhouette commanding the room from above. My heart sank as I realized what was coming.

"Today, you'll learn," he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge that made my skin crawl. "You've been given an opportunity. It's time you started showing your worth."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. The weight of his words pressed down on me, I knew what he meant. The quirk. I was a failure who hadn't displayed any signs of getting one and he was at his limit.

Hizaki stepped forward from the shadows, his stance casual but his eyes sharp. He looked quite menacing, like he'd done this a hundred times before—breaking people like me.

"Fight him," All For One ordered. "Show me that you're not useless by bringing out the quirk in you. I have given you lots of chances, don't prove me wrong."

I froze. My body refused to move, rooted in place by fear. I didn't know how I'd be able to fight like that. With a quirk I couldn't even bring forth.

Hizaki face was hardened "I won't be easy on you kid," His knuckles cracked ominously. "Try not to die."

With that, he charged towards me, not giving any time to prepare. He tore through the wind, moving really fast for someone his size.

I barely managed to dodge his first swing , the air whooshing past my face as his fist missed by inches. My heart pounded in my chest as I moved back, trying to create distance between us.

Think Azaria. You've gone through a lot of sessions to put up a fight.

He lunged again, closing the distance between us in no time. This time I ducked low, throwing a punch to his side. My knuckles connected with solid muscles, sending a jolt of pain through my hand.

He didn't even flinch.

"You hit like a baby." He sneered.

Before I could react, his fist slammed into my ribs, knocking the air out of me. I stumbled, clutching my side as I gasped for breath.

"You're not going to last long, are you?" He walked closer, his voice coated in mockery. "Better say your final prayers boy."

He charged again, his fist aimed my face. I stepped to the side, raising my hand to block the punch and countered with a kick to his shin.

What was this guy's fist made of? Concrete? My bones were aching from the block I made. I gritted my teeth, trying to ignore it, trying to push past the pain.

He stumbled slightly from the kick, capitalising on it, I followed up with a spinning kick to his side. It connected and for a second, I felt hope.

Then he caught my leg, yanking me off balance and slamming me to the ground. Pain shot through my body as I hit the floor hard.

I rolled sideways just in time to avoid his foot stomping where my head had been.

"Slippery little rat." He growled.

I scrambled to my feet, my legs trembling. His next punch came and I managed to get a weave under it, landing a quick jab to his stomach.

He grunted but didn't slow down as his fist slammed into my stomach, sending me crashing into the wall.

I fell on my face, the impact of the wall rattling my bones. Pain radiated throughout my entire body as I forced myself to get up.

My temple felt wet as a warm liquid flowed from it, staining the floor with its crimson color. My steps were slow, my entire body screaming for me to stop as each movement was a battle itself.

To give up here means death.

Hizaki didn't wait. He appeared in front of me, his knee driving into my pain. I cried out in pain as he grabbed my shirt off the ground.

"Wasted potential." AFO spat as I was slammed to the ground. The impact rattled my skull, my vision blurred as I spat out blood.

"Stop!!" A voice cried out, breaking through the haze.

I turned my head weakly to the sound and froze.

Two figures were on the mezzanine with guards keeping them in check. Riku and Yumi. Their faces were pale, eyes wide with horror and shock.

Yumi's hand was clasped together, she was shaking in fear while Ruki's jaw was tight, his fist clenched. The agony was clear on their face.

"Azaria..." Yumi's voice cracked, tears streaming down her face as she tried to reach to a guard "Please stop this."

"Please let him go!" Riku voice was firm but trembling "He's just a kid."

AFO leaned on the railing, his shadow cast over me like a bad omen. His eyes cold and hollow.

"You better fight seriously Azaria." His voice cutting through their pleas "You lose. The three of you die here. Your parents lives are in those fists of yours."

Those words froze me, hitting me hard like a sledgehammer. I was barely losing while fighting for my life and now you increased the pressure?

"You should see the look on your face," Hizaki chuckled "That's why I said you should say your last prayer."

His body immediately transformed to polished skill, a malicious smile forming on his face. "No more games from now boy."

'I should just give up.'

The thought came to my mind. I was barely keeping up with this bastard and now, he activated his quirk. The pain I felt throughout my body added as an extra reason to give up, but my gaze landed on them—my "parents".

Would I just let them die? Can't I at least put up a fight for them?

I mean, if I give up here, I'd know I had fought for my our lives even till the end. I looked at my trembling hand, didn't I say I would fight till the end?

I tightened my fist, screaming loudly as I lunged forward. My muscles screamed in agony with each step, my body was cold with fear but I still moved forward.

I moved to his side, aiming a jab at his ribs. His iron body absorbed it without flinching while my fist trembled with pain. 'Fucking quirk.' I cursed inwardly.

His retaliatory punch hit me square in the chest, knocking the wind out of me. I flew backwards, skidding across the floor.

Coughing, I forced myself to stand as I almost choked on the metallic taste in my mouth. I threw myself forward as I feinted left, aiming a low kick at his knee.

He effortlessly blocked it, countering with a kick that sent me stumbling. He was on me again, swinging immediately as his metal fist collided with my forearms as I tried to block.

I grunted in pain as the impact sent a jolt of pain through my arms. Stars erupted in my vision as the next punch collided with my face, breaking through my shaky defence.

I landed on the floor with a loud thud with a sickening thud, my body limp.

My vision blurred as I felt darkness creeping closer, my consciousness slipping away.

The last thing I heard was before everything went black was the woman's anguished scream.