Shadows of Betrayal and Redemption

Hosu City was tense in the wake of Endeavor's devastating defeat. Though the media had only just begun to cover the incident, the hero community was on edge. Jace, now fully entrenched in his Nine persona, observed it all with an air of grim satisfaction. He stood on the rooftop of a nondescript building, his dark armor blending seamlessly with the night as he awaited the next phase of All For One's plan.

Beside him, Shigaraki idly scratched at his neck, his eerie composure barely hiding his frustration. "So, what's your plan, Nine? Or are we just here to watch them scurry around like ants?"

Jace's silver eyes gleamed beneath his mask as he scanned the chaos below. The city streets buzzed with the sounds of emergency vehicles and the distant hum of frantic civilians. But it wasn't the panic that had brought him here. His gaze was fixed on a particular alleyway where heroes had gathered.

"Patience," Jace replied coolly. "Tonight, we watch. No unnecessary risks."

Shigaraki scoffed but said nothing, his attention turning to the scene unfolding below. In the distance, a flash of blue and red signaled Todoroki's presence, his ice and fire quirk lighting up the shadows of the city.

The confrontation began when Shoto, Izuku, and Iida stumbled upon Stain, the Hero Killer. The villain's crimson-stained blade gleamed under the dim streetlights as he squared off against Iida, who was already on the ground, paralyzed by Stain's bloodcurdling quirk. Shoto's ice formed a protective wall between them while Izuku tried to plan their next move.

"Iida! Hang on!" Izuku shouted, his voice laced with desperation as he darted toward their fallen friend. He barely avoided Stain's blade, the sharp edge grazing his uniform.

Stain's eyes burned with fanatical zeal as he lunged forward. "You heroes are weak. Pretenders who care more about fame than justice!"

Shoto stepped in, unleashing a barrage of flames that forced Stain to retreat momentarily. "We're not going to let you hurt anyone else!" he declared, his voice steady despite the tension in his body.

From their perch on the rooftop, Jace watched the battle unfold, his expression unreadable behind the mask. The ferocity of Stain's attacks and the determination of his opponents made for a captivating spectacle.

"You don't seem interested in helping," Shigaraki commented, his tone mocking. "Not much of a villain, are you?"

Jace didn't take the bait. "This isn't about interference. It's about observation." He gestured toward the battle below. "They're stronger than they look, but they're fractured. That's what we exploit."

Shigaraki laughed softly. "Whatever you say, Nine. But if you ask me, this is just a waste of time."

On the battlefield, Izuku launched himself forward with One For All, his fists glowing with power as he clashed with Stain. The impact sent shockwaves through the narrow alley, but Stain held his ground, his movements fluid and precise.

"Your resolve is admirable," Stain said, parrying Izuku's blows with practiced ease. "But it's meaningless without conviction."

Shoto joined the fray, his ice encasing the ground around Stain and limiting his movements. "We have conviction!" he shouted, flames bursting from his other hand as he struck.

The two-on-one assault seemed to overwhelm Stain for a moment, but his cunning and experience allowed him to break free. With a swift movement, he disarmed Shoto and pinned him against a wall, his blade inches from the young hero's throat.

Iida struggled to move, his paralyzed limbs betraying his desperation. "Leave… them… alone!" he growled through clenched teeth, his voice barely audible.

Stain glanced at him, his expression softening slightly. "You're brave, but bravery alone isn't enough to save anyone." He raised his blade, ready to strike, but Izuku intervened at the last second, using a well-timed kick to knock Stain off balance.

The fight intensified as the three students worked together, their teamwork beginning to show cracks in Stain's armor. Shoto's fire seared the edges of Stain's cloak, while Izuku's relentless attacks left him no room to counter. Even Iida, despite his paralysis, managed to use his engines to create a distraction.

From above, Jace leaned forward slightly, his posture tense as he assessed the situation. Shigaraki noticed and smirked. "Getting attached to them, are we?"

"No," Jace said firmly. "But this fight is far from over."

He glanced at the Nomu that had been stationed nearby, a contingency sent by All For One to ensure the plan's success. With a subtle nod, Jace signaled for the creature to remain in hiding. This wasn't the time for intervention—not yet.

Below, the battle reached its climax as Stain, battered and bleeding, unleashed one final, desperate attack. His movements were erratic but deadly, forcing the young heroes to push themselves to their limits. Shoto's flames roared to life, creating a wall of heat that drove Stain back, while Izuku landed a decisive blow that sent the Hero Killer sprawling.

Breathing heavily, the three students stood victorious, though their bodies bore the marks of the grueling fight. Iida managed to move again, his expression a mixture of relief and guilt as he looked at his friends.

"We did it," Izuku said, his voice shaking with exhaustion.

But their victory was short-lived. Sirens echoed in the distance as reinforcements arrived, and Stain, though defeated, still exuded an aura of menace.

On the rooftop, Jace turned to leave, his presence unnoticed by the heroes below. Shigaraki followed, his laughter cutting through the night. "You didn't even get your hands dirty. What's the point of all this if you're not going to have any fun?"

"This isn't about fun," Jace replied, his tone icy. "It's about setting the stage."

As they disappeared into the shadows, the storm that had loomed over Hosu began to dissipate. The city would recover, but the scars left by Nine's presence and the chaos he orchestrated would linger, a reminder of the storm yet to come.