Overhaul: "I'm not sure what's happening, but this mysterious power has given me hope that I might finally find Eri."
He initiates Endeavor's quirk, engulfing his entire body in flames while simultaneously activating Aizawa's quirk. He begins to harness multiple quirks concurrently, a unprecedented display of power.
Izuku: ''What's happening?''
(In his mind).
''Chisaki doesn't possess All For One or One For All, yet he's somehow activating these abilities. What other factor is at play here?''
(Out of his mind).
Overhaul: "Eri..."
He whispered, his voice dripping with madness. Suddenly, he activated his quirk again, but this time it was different. Flames erupted along the spikes he created, burning wildly as they shot towards Izuku - a terrifying combination of his own power and the abilities he had copied.
Izuku: "Damn."
He dodged the flaming spikes with incredible agility, using One For All to enhance his speed. He then launched a burst of black mist from his palm, attempting to distract Overhaul and protect the innocent civilians. Seeing the opportunity, Endeavor, Aizawa, and Gran Torino joined the fight.
Overhaul remained silent, his mind consumed by thoughts of "Eri". He sent wave after wave of spikes towards Izuku and the other heroes, his eyes wild and unseeing. His body moved like a machine, creating more spikes than ever before, each one sharper and deadlier than the last.
As the heroes closed in, Overhaul's focus wavered for a moment. He thought he saw her - Eri - standing amidst the chaos. His heart raced and he momentarily forgot about the battle, reaching out towards the illusion. But it was just that - an illusion created by his desperate mind.
Overhaul activated Endeavor's High-Spec Raw Quirk, covering his body in towering flames. But instead of the usual red-hot inferno, the flames turned pitch black, like liquid shadow. He froze as black liquid began to seep from his eyes, finding the sudden change unsettling and terrifying.
The black liquid continued to pour from Overhaul's eyes as he remembered Dabi's words about the book taking control. At first, he dismissed it as nonsense, but now, as his body was consumed by black flames and his mind clouded with obsession, he realized the truth of Dabi's warning.
Overhaul: "This is the book's power..."
He whispered hoarsely as realization dawned on him. He stumbled backward, eyes widening in horror as he saw the heroes closing in on him. Black liquid poured from his mouth as he coughed violently, choking on shadows.
Overhaul looked up, coughing and spitting black liquid. Standing right in front of him was a person wearing a goat mask. The heroes around him seemed oblivious to this figure's presence, their focus solely on Overhaul. The goat-masked person leaned in close.
Overhaul's eyes widened as he heard the demonic voice coming from the goat-masked figure.
The Goat Cult Member: "You're improving just as I thought. Keep improving."
The figure then vanished completely, leaving Overhaul alone with his thoughts and the creeping realization of what was happening to him.
(In his mind).
"The book was taking control..."
(Out of his mind).
He turned and fled from the heroes, his movements jerky and unstable as more black liquid gushed from his mouth. Panic overwhelmed him as Eri's face flashed through his mind—the only clear thought amidst the encroaching darkness. He stumbled, tripped, and collapsed onto the cold ground. Overhaul covered his face with shaky hands, tears streaming down his cheeks. The obsession with Eri was gone, leaving him feeling empty and sane for the first time in days. He heard footsteps closing in—Endeavor, Aizawa, Gran Torino, and Izuku were almost upon him.
Overhaul: "You're trying to control me... I know you managed it a few times. Listen to me, I want to go after Eri no matter what. If you help me..."
He whisper was desperate and pleading as he spoke to the book inside him. He trailed off as the heroes surrounded him.
Overhaul: "...Then maybe I'll let you do whatever you want with me."
He finished, his voice cracking with emotion. He looked up at the heroes surrounding him, his eyes filled with a strange mix of desperation and determination. He was offering the book complete control in exchange for helping him reach Eri.
A dark energy aura enveloped Overhaul as he let out a blood-curdling screech that echoed throughout Japan. The sound waves caused massive destruction, toppling buildings, shattering windows, and sending people running in terror. The heroes around him stared in shock as Overhaul's power surged uncontrollably.
Izuku: "What the...?!"
His eyes widened with realization, his hand instinctively going to his mouth.
Izuku: "That's not his Quirk..."
He whispered, noticing how the power was pure, unadulterated destruction—far beyond anything Overhaul could naturally achieve.
Izuku: "What's happening to him..."
Overhaul: "Disgusting freak! You know nothing!"
He screamed, his voice dripping with hatred. As the dark energy pulsed around him, he suddenly sensed Eri's location more strongly than ever before. His obsession flared up once again, consuming him with an intense desire to reach her.
(At the League Of Villains Hideout).
Suddenly, a bloodcurdling screech echoes through the building, causing Dabi to wince and cover his ears. The entire structure shakes violently, sending dust raining down from the ceiling. Simultaneously, Dabi feels an intense tremor within himself—the unknown power inside him reacts violently to the noise.
Dabi: "What in the...?"
He breathes out, slowly removing his hands from his ears. In the blink of an eye, his surroundings have completely changed. He's now standing in the midst of a broken-down cityscape, the once towering buildings now reduced to mere shells of their former glory.
Random: "Looks like the first link is acting up again."
He says a calm voice directly behind Dabi—no one was there moments ago. Dabi turns around slowly to find himself face-to-face with a demon named Random who speaks in a strangely gentle tone despite having no discernible features.
Dabi: "Who are you?"
He demands, his voice tense with both fear and curiosity. A strange sensation washes over him—the feeling that this faceless demon might be the very presence he'd felt stirring inside him. The air grows heavy with anticipation as the being regards him silently.
Random: "I'm Random."
The demon replies calmly.
Random: "A creation of the Goat Cult. I assume you care little for my personal vendetta, but let me assure you, if you do not align with me, both you and everyone in this forsaken world will perish."
Dabi falls silent, his mind racing as he processes Random's words. If what the demon says is true, and refusing to cooperate means the destruction of himself and everyone else in the world, then perhaps listening to Random's proposal is his best option—for now. He nods slowly, urging Random to continue.
Random: "Indeed, you've likely heard of him—Overhaul, the first link in their chain."
He says smoothly, maintaining his tranquil demeanor.
Random: "His rapid success is exactly what the Goat Cult desires. To prevent their plan, we must slow down his progress."
Dabi: "So."
He jokes darkly.
Dabi: "I should just lock him up in my sex dungeon to slow down his power-up, right?"
He chuckles wryly, knowing full well that serious restraints would be needed to even slightly hinder Overhaul's progress.
Dabi: "Like that would actually work."
Random: "Oh, by all means."
He replies with a hint of amusement, seemingly reading through Dabi's sarcastic tone.
Random: "Locking him in your...'special chamber' might indeed be the most effective way to slow his progress."
He suggests, a slight smirk crossing some invisible feature on his featureless face.
Dabi: "Fine I'll do it..."
(At the Battle In The Town).
Without warning, Overhaul saw visions of Eri again—the dark energy enhancing his Quirk and amplifying his destructive powers. He watched through his mental link as massive tsunamis swallowed cities, volcanoes erupted without warning, and lightning storms scorched the earth. Japan was being torn apart by his unchecked power.
The heroes stood frozen, watching as Overhaul's power continued to wreak havoc. He turned his gaze directly onto Midoriya, speaking with a calm that belied the chaos around them.
Overhaul: "Let's make a deal, heroes. If you let me have Eri, I'll stop this destruction."
Izuku refused to let him have Eri, his voice firm and resolute.
Izuku: "No way in hell."
He declared. Overhaul's mental state crumbled further at Izuku's refusal. His mind fractured once again as he began seeing Eri in every face around him—every hero became Eri in his twisted perception.
Alice couldn't ignore the situation any longer. She knew the truth—that Overhaul had killed numerous women who bore a resemblance to Eri. Her sidekicks had been silenced because they'd figured out the same information, making them threats to be eliminated. She stepped forward, understanding his obsession all too well.
Alice stepped past the other heroes, positioning herself directly in front of Overhaul. She had the same hair color and eyes as Eri, making her a mirror image of the little girl.
Alice: "You want me."
She said softly, her voice carefully controlled.
Alice: "You don't want that little girl."
This will continue in the next chapter.