The Nomu towered over me like a living nightmare, its glowing eyes fixed on me with unrelenting intensity. Each heavy step it took made the ground tremble, its claws flexing as if it were savoring the thought of tearing me apart. My heart hammered in my chest, but I couldn't give in to the fear. Aizawa was down, my classmates were scattered, and no one was coming to save me.

I tightened my grip on the dagger. It felt pitifully small in my hand against the monstrous foe before me. But I wasn't about to back down. If this was going to be my last stand, I'd make sure the Nomu never forgot me.

The beast lunged, its speed shocking for something so massive. I dove to the side just in time, rolling back to my feet as its claws slashed through the air where I'd been standing. It turned to me with an almost animalistic growl, and I forced my mind to focus. Think, Izuku. It's bigger, stronger, faster. But you're smarter. You have to be smarter.

The battlefield was a wasteland of rubble, debris from Aizawa's scarf, and toppled training equipment. My eyes darted around, searching for anything I could use to level the playing field. The Nomu lunged again, this time swinging a fist that smashed into the ground with the force of a wrecking ball. The shockwave knocked me off balance, and I barely managed to twist out of the way as chunks of concrete flew in all directions.

I jumped onto a fallen piece of scaffolding, using my momentum to leap higher and grab onto the remnants of a collapsed wall. Pulling myself up, I gained some distance, but the Nomu wasn't far behind. It slammed into the wall below me, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the surface. I scrambled upward, vaulting over debris and using every ounce of my parkour training to stay ahead of it.

It's strong, but not invincible, I thought, my mind racing. I need to wear it down, find a weak point. There has to be one.

The Nomu followed relentlessly, climbing and smashing through obstacles like they were nothing. I led it higher, hoping to gain an advantage in the elevated terrain. When I reached the top of the structure, I spun around, dagger in hand, and faced it head-on.

The Nomu lunged again, but this time I was ready. I sidestepped at the last second, slashing at its arm as it passed. The blade barely cut through its tough skin, but it was enough to draw its attention. The Nomu roared, swiping at me with its other arm, and I ducked, sliding under its swing and kicking off a wall to land a solid strike on its back.

It barely flinched.

Great, I thought bitterly, it's like trying to fight a brick wall with a toothpick.

The Nomu spun, its claws narrowly missing my face as I leaped backward. My mind raced through every tactic I'd ever learned, every move I'd ever practiced. I couldn't rely on brute force—I didn't have any. What I did have was speed, agility, and the ability to think on my feet.

I started moving again, darting around the Nomu in unpredictable patterns. I vaulted over fallen beams, slid under rubble, and used the terrain to my advantage. The Nomu chased me, its frustration growing as it struggled to keep up. I could hear its ragged breaths, its growls turning into snarls.

It's fast, but not as fast as me. I just need to keep it off balance.

I spotted a loose cable hanging from a broken light fixture and an idea sparked in my mind. Leading the Nomu toward it, I climbed higher, forcing it to follow. When I reached the cable, I grabbed it and swung across the gap, landing on another platform. The Nomu tried to follow, but its massive weight caused the platform to collapse under its feet. It fell, landing hard on the ground below.

For a moment, I thought I'd bought myself some time. But then the Nomu stood, shaking off the fall like it was nothing, and roared. My heart sank.

It leaped toward me, and I barely had time to react. I threw myself to the side, but the force of its landing sent me sprawling. The dagger slipped from my grip, skittering across the ground. The Nomu loomed over me, its claws raised, ready to strike.

No! My mind screamed. Not like this!

Adrenaline surged through me, and I rolled to the side just as its claws came crashing down. The ground where I'd been moments ago shattered, dust and debris flying everywhere. I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the sting of scrapes and bruises, and dove for the dagger. My fingers closed around the handle just as the Nomu lunged again.

This time, I didn't run. I ducked under its swing and darted forward, slashing at its leg. The blade cut deeper this time, and the Nomu let out a guttural growl. I didn't stop. I attacked again, aiming for its other leg, then its arm, moving too quickly for it to catch me.

But it was learning. With a roar, it slammed its fist into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked me off balance. I hit the ground hard, the dagger flying from my hand once more. Before I could recover, the Nomu grabbed me, its massive hand wrapping around my torso.

I gasped as the air was forced from my lungs, its grip tightening. Pain shot through my ribs, and for a moment, I thought this was it.

But then I remembered Aizawa's words. Use your mind. Use your guts.

With the last bit of strength I had, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small shard of broken glass I'd picked up earlier. I jammed it into the Nomu's wrist, and it roared in pain, dropping me.

I hit the ground hard, coughing and gasping for air, but I forced myself to move. The Nomu was stunned, just for a moment, and I wasn't about to waste the opportunity.

I grabbed the dagger, climbed onto a nearby ledge, and leaped onto the Nomu's back. Clinging to it with one hand, I drove the blade into the base of its neck with all the strength I could muster.

The Nomu roared, thrashing wildly, and I was thrown off, landing in a heap on the ground. I looked up, breathing hard, as the creature staggered, the dagger still lodged in its neck. It turned to me, its glowing eyes dimming slightly, but it was still standing.

I pushed myself to my feet, my body screaming in protest. The fight wasn't over, not yet. But as I faced the Nomu, battered and bruised but still standing, I knew one thing for sure.

I wasn't going down without a fight, not letting anyone die here today. 

Not over my dead body!