The world held its breath as Thragg, Emperor of Viltrum, hovered twenty feet above the ground, his imposing figure silhouetted against the Tokyo skyline.
Behind him, his family floated in perfect formation.
"People of Earth," his voice carried effortlessly across the gathered crowd and through the countless broadcast feeds, "I am Thragg, Emperor of Viltrum."
The words hung in the air, simple yet immense in meaning. Camera flashes intensified as reporters struggled to capture the historic moment.
"For months, you have known me as Detective Thragg Grayson. You have witnessed my actions - defeating All For One, exposing corruption, bringing justice where your system failed. Today, I reveal my true identity and purpose."
He gestured to those floating behind him. "My family and I are not from your world. We come from beyond this universe, with knowledge and abilities that transcend your understanding. You may have difficulty accepting this- but it is the truth."
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Roberta activated a global broadcast system, overriding every television, smartphone, and digital display across the planet.
Within seconds, Thragg's image appeared on screens worldwide, his words translated into all major languages simultaneously.
"I have observed your society. I have studied your 'hero system.' And I have found it fundamentally flawed."
Thragg raised his hand, and beside him, a massive holographic display materialized, courtesy of Roberta's abilities. It showed footage of All Might's final battle, his emaciated form revealed to the world.
"You entrusted your safety to a single man - All Might. A good man. A mighty man. But when he fell, your entire system trembled. No truly stable society should collapse when one individual falters."
The holographic display shifted, showing a montage of hero arrivals at disaster scenes - always after destruction had begun.
"Your heroes arrive after disasters begin. They clean up destruction rather than preventing it. True protection requires foresight and preemptive action."
-----------------------
Class 1-A sat frozen before the massive screen in their dormitory common room. What had begun as a normal evening had transformed into something unimaginable.
"The Graysons..." Uraraka whispered, her hands covering her mouth. "They're... aliens?"
Bakugo leaned forward, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of the sofa. "I fucking knew there was something off about them! Too perfect, too controlled!"
"Kacchan, please," Midoriya said softly, his eyes never leaving the screen. His mind raced, connecting dots that had been puzzling him for months.
The strange moments when Marcus or Evelyn seemed to... almost feel out of place. Their perfect control over their supposedly "new" quirks.
Thragg's impossible defeat of All For One.
It all made sense now.
Aizawa stood at the back of the room, his usually tired eyes now sharp with focus. "I suspected something wasn't right from the beginning. Something always felt off. But this..."
"Sensei," Yaoyorozu turned to him, her voice trembling slightly. "Is this... real? Or some kind of elaborate villain attack?"
"It's real- we would need more evidence to say for sure, but I feel it is." Aizawa replied grimly. "The Grayson family has been infiltrating our society for months. And we welcomed them with open arms."
On screen, Thragg continued his address, his voice unwavering as he systematically dismantled the foundations of their world.
-------------------
Shoto Todoroki sat beside his sister Fuyumi, both of them pale as they watched the broadcast. Their mother, recently released from the hospital, clutched Fuyumi's hand tightly.
"The Graysons," Shoto whispered. "They took us in. They protected us from father."
On screen, Thragg's expression hardened as he addressed one of his key points:
"Your number two hero - now number one - built his career while systematically abusing his family. Your system knew and did nothing. You rewarded his cruelty with accolades."
The broadcast cut to footage of Endeavor's abuse - security camera footage from the Todoroki home that had never been made public.
Enji Todoroki screaming at a young Shoto, striking Rei, forcing his children to train until they collapsed.
Fuyumi gasped. "How did they get this? These recordings were destroyed years ago!"
"Roberta," Shoto said quietly. "She could access anything. She told me once that information was never truly gone, just waiting to be reconstructed."
Their mother trembled. "The whole world is seeing this..."
------------------
Enji Todoroki stood alone in his office, watching his sins displayed for the world to see more clearly than ever. His massive fists clenched at his sides, flames flickering unconsciously around his body.
"Damn you," he growled, though whether at Thragg or himself wasn't clear.
Hawks leaned against the doorframe, his casual posture belying the tension in his voice. "Pretty damning evidence there, Endeavor. Can't say they're making it up."
"I know," Endeavor replied, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. "I'm not denying it."
Hawks raised an eyebrow. "That's... surprisingly honest of you."
"What's the point in denying what everyone can now see?" Endeavor's flames dimmed slightly. "But this alien... this 'Emperor'... he's using my failures to undermine the entire hero system."
"Is he wrong though?" Hawks asked, his wings shifting restlessly. "About the system, I mean. Not about what you did."
Before Endeavor could answer, Thragg's voice drew their attention back to the screen.
"The Hero Commission's corruption extends beyond enabling abuse. They have created child soldiers while maintaining a façade of morality."
The broadcast showed classified footage of a young Hawks, no more than six years old, being subjected to brutal training regimens under Commission supervision.
Hawks' casual demeanor cracked, his eyes widening. "That's... how did they..."
Endeavor glanced at his fellow hero, seeing genuine shock on his normally composed face. "They have access to everything, it seems."
-------------------------
-Hero Public Safety Commission Headquarters
Panic reigned in the Commission's central command room. Screens displayed Thragg's broadcast alongside frantic communications from heroes worldwide.
The President of the Commission, a stern woman in her sixties, barked orders at her staff. "Shut it down! How are they accessing our secure servers? Get our cyber team on this immediately!"
A technician looked up from his workstation, face pale. "Ma'am, we can't stop it. They've bypassed every security measure we have. And they're not just broadcasting - they're releasing all our classified files to the public. Everything."
"Everything?" The President's voice dropped to a horrified whisper.
"Everything," the technician confirmed. "The Trigger experiments, the quirk enhancement research, the psychological profiling of potential villains among children, the cover-ups... it's all being uploaded to public servers worldwide."
The President sank into her chair as Thragg continued his methodical exposure of their secrets.
"Your Hero Commission has sacrificed children like Hawks, turning them into weapons while preaching heroic ideals. They created child soldiers for a corrupted purpose- not even a necessary one- while maintaining a façade of morality."
A younger staff member looked up, tears streaking her face. "He's right, isn't he? About all of it."
The President didn't answer.
------------------
-Tartarus Prison
In the high-security common area, inmates watched the broadcast with growing excitement. Guards stood nervously at the perimeters, hands hovering near their weapons as the mood in the room shifted.
Stain leaned forward, his usually manic eyes focused intently on the screen. A smile spread across his face as Thragg spoke:
"Even your villains recognize the corruption within your system. The Hero Killer exposed hypocrisies that resonated with your population because they recognized the truth in his words."
"Yes," Stain whispered, drawing looks from nearby inmates. "YES! He sees it too! The false heroes, the corruption of ideals!"
Nearby, Gentle Criminal and La Brava watched with equally rapt attention.
"How elegant!" Gentle exclaimed, his refined voice carrying across the common room. "A performance that has torn the curtain from society's stage! La Brava, if only you could record this momentous occasion!"
"I wish I could, Gentle," La Brava replied, her eyes shining with excitement. "This is everything we tried to expose, but on a scale we never imagined!"
------------------------
-Public Square, Musutafu
Thousands had gathered in the city center, where massive screens displayed Thragg's broadcast.
The crowd's reaction was mixed - some watched in horror, others in fascination, and a growing number nodded in agreement as Thragg continued his systematic deconstruction of hero society.
"Your heroes compete for popularity rankings to secure lucrative endorsement deals. Protection has become a business model rather than a moral imperative."
The screens displayed footage of Mt. Lady and other heroes posing for cameras while victims awaited rescue just out of frame.
In the crowd, a middle-aged man turned to his neighbor. "He's not wrong, is he? Remember that incident in Hosu? Three heroes argued over who would get credit while people were trapped in that building."
"My cousin lives in a rural area," a woman added. "When villains attacked their town, it took heroes two hours to arrive. Two hours! Because there's no agency nearby - not profitable enough, they said."
As murmurs of agreement spread through sections of the crowd, Thragg addressed another point:
"Heroes stage rescues for cameras, delaying action until optimal publicity can be achieved. Your citizens die while heroes wait for proper lighting."
The screens showed internal communications between hero agencies and media companies, coordinating "dramatic rescues" for maximum exposure.
A young fan clutching an All Might figure began to cry. "It can't be true... heroes wouldn't do that..."
Beside him, an older teen put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Not all of them. All Might wouldn't. But some... yeah, some probably would."
--------------------
-League of Villains Hideout
The remaining members of the League watched the broadcast in stunned silence. After Shigaraki's death, they had regrouped under Kurogiri's leadership- in Nolan's absence, their operations significantly reduced.
"It's really happening," Spinner muttered, his reptilian features tense with excitement. "Everything Stain talked about, everything we fought for... this Thragg is exposing it all."
Toga giggled, bouncing on her toes. "Heisenberg's brother is sooo cool! He's tearing everything down! I wonder if he'll let me stab some heroes when he's in charge?"
"That's not the point, Toga," Kurogiri admonished gently. "This is about systemic change, not random violence."
"But violence is fun!" Toga pouted.
Twice clutched his head, his dual personalities in conflict. "This is terrible! Heroes exposed, society collapsing! No, this is wonderful! Truth revealed, justice served! I can't decide! Yes I can!"
Mr. Compress leaned back, watching thoughtfully. "Heisenberg - or rather, Nolan - spoke of elevation. Perhaps this is what he meant. Not mere destruction, but transformation."
----------------------
-Back to Thragg's Broadcast
Thragg hovered above the crowd, his presence commanding absolute attention as he continued:
"Your society creates the very villains heroes fight. Individuals with 'villainous' quirks face discrimination from birth, driving them toward the criminality you claim to oppose."
The screens displayed statistics on quirk-based discrimination, showing how those with certain quirk types were systematically denied opportunities in education, employment, and housing.
"Only those with resources or connections can attend prestigious hero schools like UA. The underprivileged, regardless of potential, remain underrepresented in your hero ranks."
Images appeared of UA's facilities compared to public quirk training centers, the disparity stark and undeniable.
"Your scientists predict that quirks will eventually become too powerful for humans to control- yet your leaders hide this. Your society has no plan for this inevitable future beyond vague hopes."
The broadcast showed classified research on the quirk singularity theory, projections of increasingly dangerous quirk manifestations in future generations, and the lack of any coherent response plan.
-----------------------
-UA Faculty Room
The teachers of UA sat in grim silence, watching their world's foundations crumble.
"He's not wrong," Present Mic said, his usually boisterous voice subdued. "About any of it. We've all seen these problems, but we just... work around them."
"The system evolved this way for a reason," Vlad King argued, though his voice lacked conviction. "After the dark ages of quirk emergence, society needed structure, rules."
"Structure that calcified into oppression," Midnight replied softly. "How many students have we turned away because their quirks were deemed 'unsuitable for heroics'? How many potential heroes have we lost because they couldn't afford the support equipment?"
Principal Nezu's intelligent eyes narrowed as he studied the broadcast. "The most dangerous opponent is not the one who lies, but the one who wields truth as a weapon. This Emperor Thragg is dismantling our society using our own failings against us."
"Can we fight back?" Cementoss asked. "Should we?"
Nezu's response was interrupted by Thragg's next revelation.
"The UA sports festival - your celebration of young heroes - is in reality a marketplace where children display their abilities for corporate sponsors and hero agencies."
"You have commodified your children's powers, turning them into products to be evaluated and purchased."
Footage appeared of agency representatives discussing students in terms of market value and brand potential during previous festivals.
"That was a private conversation in a secure room," Midnight whispered, recognizing herself in one of the clips. "How did they access this?"
"It doesn't matter how," Aizawa said, entering the faculty room. "What matters is that it's true. And now everyone knows it."
--------------------
-Midoriya Apartment
Inko Midoriya sat alone in her living room, hands covering her mouth as she watched Thragg expose the dangers her son had been facing - dangers the school had systematically downplayed or hidden.
"Children training to be heroes were attacked on UA grounds - supposedly the safest hero training facility in Japan. Your system cannot even protect its future protectors."
The screens showed footage from the USJ incident - the violence, the injuries, the terror on the students' faces.
"Despite increased security measures, villains easily infiltrated another UA event and kidnapped a student. Your learning curve is nonexistent."
Images of the forest training camp attack appeared, including Bakugo's kidnapping and the students' injuries.
Tears streamed down Inko's face. "Izuku... all this time... this is what you've been facing?"
Her phone rang - Mitsuki Bakugo, Katsuki's mother.
"Are you seeing this?" Mitsuki demanded without preamble, her voice tight with emotion. "They've been lying to us, Inko. About everything. About how much danger our boys have been in. They said they always had it under control- gave promises, but none of its been true!"
"I know," Inko whispered. "I tried to pull Izuku out once, but he convinced me not to... maybe I should have insisted."
"Would it have mattered?" Mitsuki asked. "This Thragg person is right - the whole system is rotten. At least now we know the truth."
------------------------
-Rural Village, Northern Japan
In a small community center, villagers gathered around a single television, watching Thragg's broadcast with growing interest.
"Rural areas suffer from hero shortages while metropolitan centers enjoy surplus protection. Your system values population density over equal protection for all citizens."
An elderly man nodded vigorously. "Three years ago, when those villains attacked our town, we called for help. Know how long it took heroes to arrive? Six hours. Six! My grandson would have died if old Tanaka hadn't fought back with his quirk."
"And Tanaka got arrested for using his quirk without a license," a middle-aged woman added bitterly. "Three months in jail for saving lives because no hero was around."
"This alien emperor- if he really is who he claims to be," the village headman said slowly, "he's saying what we've all thought for years. The cities get the heroes, the funding, the protection. We get nothing."
--------------------
-Best Jeanist's Agency
Best Jeanist watched the broadcast with perfect posture despite his internal turmoil. His sidekicks huddled nearby, looking to him for guidance.
"The threads of our society are being unraveled before our eyes," he said finally, his voice calm despite the circumstances. "We must face this with dignity."
"Sir," one of his sidekicks ventured, "is what he's saying true? About the Commission? About the system?"
Best Jeanist was silent for a long moment. "Parts of it, yes. I've always tried to operate with integrity, to be the kind of hero who serves justice rather than popularity. But I cannot deny that the system itself has... flaws."
On screen, Thragg continued:
"You claim to value freedom while establishing a system that decides who may use their natural abilities and who may not. True freedom would allow all to develop their full potential in a way your world would benefit from."
Best Jeanist's hands tightened imperceptibly on his armrests. "His critique has merit, but his solution that I feel he is leading to - conquest - that I cannot accept."
-----------------------
-Mirko's Gym
Mirko punched her reinforced training bag with increasing ferocity as Thragg's broadcast played on a nearby screen. With each revelation, her strikes grew more intense.
"Ha!" she barked, landing a particularly powerful kick. "This Thragg guy's got guts! Doesn't mean I'll bow to him though. I fight my own battles!"
Her sidekicks watched nervously as she demolished the training equipment.
"You're not... upset about what he's saying?" one ventured.
Mirko paused, wiping sweat from her brow. "Upset? Nah. I've been saying half this stuff for years. The ranking system is garbage, the Commission is corrupt, most heroes are just celebrities with licenses."
She grinned fiercely. "Difference is, I work within the system to change it. This guy appears to want to tear it all down."
She resumed her assault on the training bag. "But if he thinks I'll just roll over and accept some alien emperor as my boss, he's got another thing coming!"
---------------------
-Back again to Thragg's Broadcast
Thragg's expression remained impassive as he continued his methodical deconstruction:
"By rigidly defining 'heroism' and 'villainy,' based on their quirks you have prevented the natural evolution of human potential. Under Viltrum, all will reach their highest capability without false moral constraints."
The holographic display shifted to show images of Thragg's home universe - gleaming cities, advanced technology, beings of various species living in apparent harmony.
"This is not theory - this is proven across worlds. I have witnessed countless civilizations across the ages. Those that embrace guidance thrive; those that cling to chaos perish."
For the first time, his expression softened slightly, becoming almost paternal.
"A parent does not ask a child's permission to prevent them from walking into traffic. Similarly, I do not require your consent to save you from your own flawed systems. My informing of you all is courtesy, one I hope you respect and thereby accept my rule."
---------------------
-International Reactions
In Washington D.C., the President of the United States sat in the Situation Room, surrounded by military and intelligence officials.
"What are our options if this... being... decides to extend his 'empire' to American soil? Can we stop him?" He demanded his face grim and angry.
The Secretary of Defense looked grim. "Sir, based on the footage from his battle with All For One, our conventional weapons would be ineffective."
"Even our most powerful heroes would be outmatched. Maybe Star and Stripes would be able to do something, but this is unknown- especially with how powerful his family appears to be, making it an unfair fight."
"So we just surrender? To an alien invasion?"
"Mr. President," the National Security Advisor interjected, "I'm not sure 'invasion' is the right term. He's been living among us for months, operating within our systems. And he's making some valid points about those systems."
"Valid or not, he's threatening global sovereignty!"
"With respect, sir," a general spoke up, "he's offering an alternative governance model. One that, based on the evidence he's presenting, might actually be more effective than what we have now."
The President stared at him in disbelief. "Are you suggesting we consider this... this submission?"
"I'm suggesting we listen before we decide, sir, and suffer from acting without reason."
Similar conversations unfolded in government chambers worldwide.
In Moscow, Beijing, London, and beyond, leaders watched Thragg's broadcast with a mixture of fear, outrage, and - in some cases - grudging consideration of his points.
----------------------
"In mere months," Thragg continued, "I eliminated All For One - a villain your heroes couldn't defeat in a century. I exposed Endeavor's abuse. I brought true justice where your system failed."
The screens displayed footage of his battle with All For One, his rescue of Samantha, his arrest of Endeavor.
"Under Viltrum, worth is determined by contribution to society's elevation, not by popularity contests or marketability."
Images appeared of Viltrumite society - meritocratic, efficient, advanced.
"My system provides protection for all - not just those fortunate enough to live near hero agencies or wealthy enough to attract hero attention."
Maps showed the current distribution of hero agencies in Japan and the rest of the world compared to a projected Viltrumite protection grid that covered all areas equally.
"Viltrum doesn't suppress abilities, quirks, in your cases - we enhance them. We don't fear power - we cultivate it. We don't contain potential - we unleash it."
Footage played of Roberta working with Evelyn on molecular manipulation, of Marcus training with Thragg, of technological advancements that seemed decades beyond current capabilities.
"The arbitrary division between 'hero' and 'villain' ends today. There is only contribution or obstruction to society's elevation. The former will be rewarded; the latter, corrected."
--------------------
-Shinjuku District, Tokyo
In a crowded bar, patrons watched the broadcast with growing interest. What had begun as shock had evolved into genuine consideration as Thragg's points accumulated.
"He makes sense," a salaryman in his forties admitted, nursing his drink. "I've never felt protected by heroes. My neighborhood's too poor to have an agency nearby."
"My daughter has a quirk that lets her heal plants," a woman added. "The school told her it was useless for heroics, so she should suppress it and focus on traditional careers. She cried for weeks."
"But he's talking about conquering us," a younger man argued. "About being our emperor. He's an alien wanting to rule us! That's not right!"
An elderly man who had been silent until now spoke up. "I remember the chaos before All Might. Villains everywhere, people afraid to leave their homes."
"If this Thragg can provide real security, real peace... maybe that's worth accepting new leadership. Besides, alien is relative. No one is the same because of quirks. "
The young man looked scandalized. "You'd just give up our freedom? Our sovereignty?"
"What freedom?" the elderly man countered. "The freedom to use our quirks only with government permission? The freedom to hope heroes arrive in time if we're attacked? The freedom to watch our children be judged based on whether their quirks are 'heroic' enough?"
Silence fell over the group as Thragg's voice continued from the television.
----------------------
-Shiketsu High School
Students and faculty gathered in the auditorium, watching Thragg's broadcast with growing unease.
"This is insane," Inasa Yoarashi declared, his normally boisterous personality subdued. "He's talking about taking over the world, and people online are actually considering it!"
"Because he's making valid points," Camie Utsushimi replied. "Like, seriously valid. The hero system is kinda messed up, fam."
"That doesn't justify conquest!" Inasa insisted.
"No," their teacher interjected, "but it might explain why people would accept it. When a system fails enough people for long enough, they become willing to consider alternatives - even radical ones."
"So what do we do?" a first-year student asked, voice trembling. "Fight back? Surrender?"
"We listen," the teacher said firmly. "We evaluate. And then we decide - individually and collectively - where we stand."
--------------------
As Thragg approached the conclusion of his address, his voice took on an almost gentle quality:
"Imagine a world where your children never fear villain attacks. Where your quirk determines your contribution, not your social status. Where true safety is guaranteed, not merely hoped for."
The holographic display showed images of peace, prosperity - a vision of what Earth could become under Viltrumite rule.
"I do not come as a destroyer, but as an elevator. Not to only tear down, but to build up. Not to oppress, but to liberate from the true oppression of a failing system."
His gaze swept across the gathered crowd, seeming to make eye contact with millions watching worldwide.
"The transition need not be violent. Those who accept elevation will find themselves valued, protected, enhanced. Those who resist... will be removed as obstacles to the greater good."
The implication hung in the air, clear yet unstated - opposition would not be tolerated.
"You have witnessed my power. You have seen the evidence of your system's failure. Now you face a choice - elevation or obstruction. Evolution or stagnation. Life under Viltrum's protection, or death clinging to a broken system."
Thragg raised his hand, and the holographic display vanished.
"I am Thragg, Emperor of Viltrum. And as of this moment, Earth is under my protection and authority. The age of heroes and villains is over. The age of elevation begins."
With those final words, he descended slowly to the balcony, his family following in perfect formation.
The broadcast continued for several moments, capturing the image of the Grayson family - no longer disguised, no longer hiding their true nature - standing together as Earth's new rulers.
Then, simultaneously across the globe, screens went dark.
----------------------
In the silence that followed, the world held its breath.
At UA, Midoriya turned to his classmates, tears streaming down his face. "What do we do now?"
Bakugo's hands trembled with suppressed rage. "We fight, obviously! We can't just let some alien take over!"
"Fight how?" Todoroki asked quietly- having come to UA during the long broadcast that showed every bit of evidence necessary to support its claims.
"You saw what he did to All For One. What chance do we have? And should we even do so?" he murmered that last part.
"So we just give up?" Bakugo demanded. "Become his subjects?"
"Maybe," Yaoyorozu said hesitantly, "maybe we should consider what he's offering. A better system. Real protection. Advancement."
"At the cost of our freedom!" Iida protested.
"What freedom?" Jirou countered. "The freedom to use our quirks only when the government says it's okay? The freedom to watch people suffer because we're not licensed to help them?"
As the argument intensified, Midoriya slipped away, finding a quiet corner to think. His mind raced with conflicting emotions - the ideals All Might had instilled in him warring with the undeniable truths Thragg had revealed and his own thoughts these past months.
"Deku?" Uraraka's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "I've spent my whole life wanting to be a hero like All Might. But what if... what if the system itself is wrong? What if there's a better way?"
"You're actually considering accepting this?" Uraraka asked, surprise evident in her voice.
"I'm considering everything," Midoriya replied. "Marcus and Evelyn - they weren't just pretending to be our friends. They genuinely wanted to understand us, to help us see a different perspective. And they were right about so many things..."
"But conquest?"
Midoriya sighed heavily. "I don't know, Uraraka. I really don't know."
Similar conversations unfolded across Japan and around the world. In homes, schools, offices, and public spaces, people debated the merits of Thragg's arguments against the implications of his authority.
Some heroes immediately declared resistance, vowing to fight for humanity's freedom regardless of the cost.
Others, particularly those disillusioned with the current system, found themselves considering Thragg's offer of elevation.
Civilians, long caught between hero worship and the reality of an imperfect protection system, were equally divided. Some feared alien rule; others welcomed the possibility of genuine security and advancement.
--------------------
-Tartarus Prison
In his isolated cell, Stain laughed - a sound that echoed through the corridors, sending chills down the guards' spines.
"It's happening," he whispered to himself, eyes gleaming with fanatical light. "The false heroes exposed, the corrupt system crumbling. This Emperor... he sees the truth I saw. He acts on it with power I never had."
He pressed his hands against the reinforced glass of his cell. "I would follow him. I would serve true elevation if he keeps his promises. Heroes need not be called heroes to be ones- they need simply act in the manner befitting of that title!"
--------------------
-Hero Public Safety Commission
The President sat alone in her office, surrounded by evidence of her organization's failures and corruption. On her desk, a secure phone rang - the Prime Minister.
"What do we do?" he asked without preamble, his voice tight with stress.
"I don't know," she admitted, the words unfamiliar on her tongue. "For the first time in my career, I truly don't know."
"Can we fight him? This... Emperor?"
"With what? Our strongest hero was All Might, and he's been reduced to nothing. The rest wouldn't stand a chance against someone who defeated All For One with a single punch."
Silence stretched between them.
"So we surrender?" the Prime Minister asked finally. "Just like that?"
"Not surrender," she replied carefully. "Negotiate. Adapt. Find a way to preserve what matters most while accepting what we cannot change."
"That sounds very much like surrender to me."
"Then perhaps that's what it is," she conceded. "But the alternative is destruction, and I'm not willing to sacrifice our people for pride."
-----------------------
-Midoriya Household
Izuku returned home late that night to find his mother waiting, her eyes red from crying.
"Mom, I-"
She cut him off, pulling him into a fierce hug. "I was so worried. After that broadcast, with everything that's happening..."
"I'm okay," he assured her, returning the embrace. "We're all okay. Just... processing."
They moved to the living room, where the television replayed highlights from Thragg's address. Inko muted it, turning to face her son.
"What happens now, Izuku? With your school? With your dream?"
Midoriya stared at his hands - hands that had broken countless times in his pursuit of heroism. "I don't know. Everything's changed. The whole idea of being a hero... it might not even exist anymore."
"Are you afraid?"
"Yes," he admitted. "But also... I don't know. Part of me wonders if Thragg is right. If there is a better way than what we've been doing."
Inko studied her son's face. "The Graysons - Marcus and Evelyn. You became friends with them."
"Yes."
"Did you suspect? That they weren't... human?"
Midoriya shook his head. "Not exactly. I knew there was something different about them, but I thought it was just their unusual quirks, their late development, you know, same as how some people find me weird.."
He looked up at the television, where footage showed Thragg hovering above Tokyo. "But looking back, there were signs. The way they talked about heroism, about society. Their perspective was always... broader somehow."
"And now Marcus's Uncle - their emperor - wants to rule our world."
"Yes."
Inko took her son's scarred hand in hers. "Whatever happens, whatever you decide, I'm with you. If you choose to resist, I'll support you. If you choose to accept this new world, I'll be by your side."
"Though I- I honestly wouldn't want you to do the former, but I know I can't stop you. You've always been too stubborn my dear Izuku."
Midoriya squeezed her hand gratefully. "Thanks, Mom."
As they sat together in the quiet apartment, millions of others across the planet faced the same fundamental question: resist or accept?
The age of heroes and villains was indeed over.
What would replace it remained to be seen.
------------------------
(Author note: And done! Well, we're entering the finale of this arc. I'd give it three chapters before we leave this world back to invincible, and then the Coalition War vs Thragg will begin.
How long that arc will be? Far shorter than this one- especially with how powerful Thragg now is.
Also, I've noticed that comments have become quite a bit lesser. Have a lot of people dropped this fic? I hope not.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)