Chapter 80 - The Choice to Act

"🔐 The Students Locked Down.

The faint hum of fluorescent lights filled the air as Class 1-A, now scattered across the second and third floors of the Central Tower, came together in a tight huddle just beneath the staircase that overlooked the hostage-filled reception hall.

Phones buzzed in frustration—no signal.

Elevators: locked.Exits: sealed.Pro Heroes: restrained.

They were trapped.

Izuku Midoriya's breath came in short, shallow bursts. He pressed his back to the wall and clenched his fists. Beside him, Melissa Shield tapped her tablet—no connection. "Even the private frequency for engineers is jammed. They've blocked everything."

Tenya Iida adjusted his glasses, his voice trembling just slightly. "So this… this is exactly like Hosu again. Pro heroes are compromised, and civilians are in danger. And once again, we are—"

"The only ones left to act," Izuku finished for him.

🕴️ Meanwhile — The Villains Move

On the top floor, Wolfram marched calmly ahead of his soldiers, with David Shield and Samuel Abraham trailing behind them in silence, their wrists zip-tied.

David leaned slightly toward Samuel, whispering, "We'll be fine. This is just a simulation. Just stick to the plan."

Samuel, ever the loyal assistant, nodded nervously. "Sure… right, Dr. Shield…"[1]

Wolfram overheard but didn't say anything. Instead, he activated his earpiece again and gave a slight nod. "Roger. We're heading to the control core now."

David's lips pressed into a thin line. He cleared his throat. "You didn't answer me earlier. Why are you doing this? What could you possibly gain by holding heroes hostage at a tech expo?"

Wolfram turned to him, visor glowing faintly in the dim light.

"For our client, Doctor," he said with feigned patience. "You did hire us, didn't you? To help you restore the Symbol of Peace?"

David chuckled lightly. "Well, yes—but I didn't expect the performance to be this... immersive."

Wolfram didn't respond, but as he turned away, his smirk deepened beneath his helmet.

Poor fool, he thought. If only he knew… the real client isn't him.And I'm not here to fix All Might. I'm here to erase him.

...

💡 Third Floor — Flash of Hope

Meanwhile, back inside the atrium, All Might sat restrained, his muscular form still straining against the electromagnetic bonds that held him in place. His eyes scanned the balconies.

Then—a flash of light.

A subtle blink from a phone's flashlight, hidden behind the railing on the third floor.

Izuku.

All Might's lips tugged upward faintly. He tilted his head and tapped once against the metal bonds with a rhythmic thump.

In a quiet alcove, Kyoka Jirou placed her jacks to the metal wall, closing her eyes. A faint vibration filtered into her mind. "He's tapping... It's Morse."

"What's he saying?" Shoto Todoroki asked, eyes sharp.

Kyoka translated carefully. "...Villains armed. Heroes restrained. No contact. Security is down. Help needed. But—not directly. Too many lives at stake."

Momo Yaoyorozu clenched her fists. "So he's asking for… support, but without provoking a response."

"That's absurd!" Mineta blurted out. "We're not heroes. We're not even licensed! If we so much as lift a finger—!"

Melissa looked up sharply. "You're not understanding. I-Island's internal defence system is autonomous. You can't just disable it. You have to override the security protocols physically. There's only one access terminal for that."

"And let me guess," Denki muttered. "It's on the top floor?"

"Exactly," Melissa confirmed. "We get there, I can fix this."

⚖️ The Debate Begins

The students fell into silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on them.

Shoto looked down at the reception hall, where the pros were immobilized. "We're the only ones left with freedom of movement."

"But we're not allowed to use our Quirks for hero work," Momo countered. "It's illegal."

"We're not doing hero work," Kyoka said. "We're trying to survive."

Mineta crossed his arms. "Survive? This sounds like suicide."

"I'm with him," Momo admitted quietly. "Not because I want to be, but... how do we even succeed against villains like these? They planned this down to every second."

Tenya's hand rose in a commanding gesture. "We may not be authorized... but we are trained. We've been through more than most first-years should have endured already."

"Yeah," said Denki. "But this? This is a whole new level."

The group began to splinter into two halves—those willing to act, and those frozen by the consequences.

Until Izuku spoke.

"I want to save them."

His voice was quiet, but sharp.

Everyone turned.

Mineta groaned. "Not this again... didn't you learn anything in Hosu? You nearly died. Iida, too."

Izuku nodded. "You're right. I did learn something."

He looked around at the class.

"I learned that sometimes the rules don't save people. Sometimes... we do. And maybe I'm being selfish, or reckless, but if I don't act now, I'll never forgive myself. We can sit here, debate for an hour, or we can move while there's still a chance."

His hands were shaking. But his eyes burned with unwavering resolve.

"Because if this is like Hosu, then we already know how it ends: with someone trying to carry everything alone."

Tenya Iida stepped forward, eyes fierce. "Then let's not repeat that mistake."

🧭 The Class Stands

Todoroki nodded. "We'll need a path up to the control room. Quiet. Fast."

Kyoka said, "I'll scout ahead. My sound detection can help us avoid patrols."

Momo slowly stood. "I'll… create supplies. Flashbangs. Rope. Whatever we need."

Even Mineta groaned but got to his feet. "This is crazy... but sitting around feels worse."

Melissa stared at them—these young students, barely old enough to drive—and saw heroes.

"I'll guide you to the terminal," she said. "Just keep me safe."

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[Auther: We're nearly at chapter 100...it's been so long.]

[1] Did this guy know the plan in the movie? I can't remember but let's just say he did.