Never in his life had Izuku been so grateful for a cup of green tea. The warm brew soothed his sore throat and helped to relax him from tonight's life altering events with Kacchan, but above all that, it gave him an excuse to not look at the most dangerous criminal in the world. He had nearly collapsed to the floor when All For One first appeared, the sense of danger coming from the giant overshadowing everything like a blanket of pure, undistilled death. It was only because of the way Himiko clung to him for support that he had any strength to go with the titan into the void so that she could escape. They walked along silently with the path being lit by some unknown means until the hole in space transported them to a darkly illuminated room. It was surprisingly modest with a number of worn books lining shelves along the steel walls of the place, most of the available space was taken up by a horrifying amount of arcane medical equipment that looked more advanced than anything UA dreamed of owning.
He was led to a small wooden table with plain chairs crafted from some imported material (oak perhaps?) where he was given a cup of tea while trying not to let his teeth chatter in pure terror. Eventually he finished the drink and was forced to look at the spector before him. The hollow eye sockets burning into him as the wood creaked under the giant's weight.
"Well, I apologize for being so rudely late, but Tomura had requested I remain out of his affairs since you were enlisted and up till now I have done my best to entertain his wishes. Of course, I have been pulling a few strings here and there to make things slightly easier for his little band but as of late my boy, you have been rather fascinating to watch. All that hope and heroic potential turned on its head while still remaining steadfast in your beliefs. When I first heard of this plan of his, naturally I resisted the idea but to my utter surprise not only had he succeeded but netted a major gain from your actions, which has left me more than curious."
The devious underpinning of the suggestion caused a deep animal urge to flee inside of the young man, but he remained still, if it was from either paralyzing terror or an ingrained sense of manners, he couldn't tell.
"Curious about what in particular, sir?"
Izuku stated as calmly as his fraying nerves would allow given the pulsating pressure coming off the man like an overwhelming engine that brought a cold sweat to him in spite of the pleasantness he acted with.
"Oh, aren't you polite? I suppose All Might did teach you a few decent things after all. You see my boy, I am a very busy man with many games to play but what I've seen with your… development has gone far beyond my wildest expectations. Are you aware of what the underworld has you dubbed as? "The Man With A Thousand Names", a modern day legend treading amongst the rabble of society with only a goal to destroy those that go against his code, be they hero or villain. A reputation even I would have found hard to cultivate in my youth while you have done so unintentionally. The word of your deeds have spread so far that there are even those who believe you to be a myth, a ghost story to scare other criminals into behaving with honor."
A strange bit of pride settled in his chest that chased away some of the fear but he remained silent as All For One continued to talk.
"Never would I guess that this would be the end result of Tomura's mad scheme, but that is not what drew my eye. Instead what you said to your "guest" during that botched attempt of enlisting him into the club piqued my interest. Did you truly mean those words?"
Izuku tensed unintentionally when he realised that his private conversation with Kacchan had somehow reached this man's ear. What was he supposed to say? If he admitted to it then that would lead to even more dangerous questions but if he flat out denied it that would make him a liar in the eyes of the one man who held absolute power over the only person he couldn't protect. He was silent for a time, gazing deeply into his cup as if it could save him when the giant nodded.
"I see, quite a complex idea to put into words. Understandable, but rather disappointing. However it isn't your fondness for a childhood bully that drags me from my tasks, boy. The alarming amount of influence you have on my successor is what brought me to your little hide away. Tomura has been steadily improving as a leader ever since you arrived, to the point that he would destroy the only thing connecting him to his past when you suggested it. A fact I find hard to swallow."
Sweat gathered in the folds of the boy's clothes when the politeness of his host slowly began to ice over into a dangerous accusation that he knew could be the end of him.
"How is it that you, a child with no background in criminality whatsoever, managed to convince a person who not even myself and trained professionals could motivate into growing to such a point that his own reputation has become a thing of rumor? I want to know plainly young man, what you have done to alter Tomura's perspective so much."
The cup creaked under Izuku's fear strengthened grip as the room seem to shrink down into a square that grew smaller until not remained save the four walls which he had to barely move a finger to touch both ends and the space surrounding the pitiful table, selected for this very reason no doubt as he fought back the claustrophobic urge to flee from this demon. He wetted his lips, unsure of what to say when he stared into the vacant eyes of the Symbol Of Evil. Teeth ground against each other for a moment before he reluctantly placed the now dented cup on the table.
"I...I do not know to be honest. All that I remember from that night was drinking and then...nothing. It was all blackness until I woke up a day later, he seemed...happier for some reason but wouldn't say why."
Nothing happened for an uncomfortable amount of time as the two gazed back into the other's soul or lack thereof, until the walls moved away with a sickening scrap as steel moved along a concrete floor to retake their former positions.
"I see. That put quite the hole in my plans, but that is far from the only reason I've brought you to my little domain. So many things have stirred the status quo in my absence. Heroes die in the streets while criminals run rampant all while the public fawn over their idols with the false hope that these… celebrities can save them from what's coming, from what I bring to their pathetic lives."
The temperature dropped when the fleshed over skull of the Symbol Of Evil seemed to look inside of the boy, breaking him down to his base components so as to understand the anomaly that created him. Izuku for all of the horrors he inflicted on the wicked felt nothing but mind numbing fear that he could barely hide. A tea cup was raised to the wrinkled mouth of the giant and was drained far longer than the younger man would have thought possible until it too was set down next to its twin, an unreadable expression written on All For One's corpse like face as he continued to stare at the boy.
"Did All Might ever speak of me? Had that bumbling fool taken the time to inform you of what receiving that gift meant or did he simply entice you with the promise of meaning and power so that you could play as another pawn in this centuries long family grudge like so many others?"
A thinness overcame the air that choked and strained the lungs of the boy with every breath he took in tandem to an all consuming anxiety which brought a hand to the pipe still chained to his side. What was he to say to that? Izuku for all his life never considered why All Might chose him to take on his quirk, never questioned why a man of such high standing and nobility relied on a teen with no combat experience or talent to master a power so great that it could easily destroy it's barer. He had no answer that would satisfy the man's curiosities without risking his life. Yet there was a quality to the question that seemed self assured, as if All For One knew the truth without even knowing. However, if the giant understood the going ons in Izuku's brain, he gave no heed to it and instead waited patiently for a response.
Silence reigned once again between the titan and the fallen for an uncertain amount of time before a word stabbed through the death like quiet.
"Yes, he did talk about you but only briefly and that was only after months of me having the quirk."
All For One remained stoic at the response until he leaned forward with his elbows resting on the table as his hands cupped one another in front of his still remarkable jaw line, giving a gravity to the already tense situation that brought more fear to the young man.
"I see… with that in mind it does make you an unwitting member of this conflict of mine and my brother. Although in some respects that's false given as how you took on the quirk willingly given your previous devotion to that man. Ah, such a tragic tale as old as time, the young hero granted power undreamt of is deceived into selling his soul to earn it and then after the power has corrupted his soul, little more than a husk is left, waiting for the day his life truly ends so that his spirit may escape his broken body. Tell me, Young Midoriya did he call me evil? A demon born since the start of this age of wonder to destroy everything good and just in the world? Did that bastard have the gall to call me such while he carries on preserving a system that teeters on the edge of anarchy?"
The villain's voice was calm and even like a still sea while it gave only ripples to hint at the leviathans lurking below the surface, waiting for a merest hint of disturbance to break the mirror reflection of serenity and drag anything to a quick and violent death. Izuku wetted his lips once more in hesitation before forcing himself to speak.
"He.. only spoke of you a few times and… yes, sir he did call you evil. He told me about how you took the life of his mentor and…he…"
Izuku stopped talking as a wave of anger radiated off the monster before him. A scarred hand wrapped around the tea cup, crushing it in a herculean grip that somehow reshaped it back to its original form. All For One's voice took on a barely withheld violence to it as he spoke in an overly polite tone.
"Ah yes, that woman. I can still remember the look of anguish when he saw me sitting by her corpse."
A smile broke out on the distorted face of the villain as he continued.
"Let me ask you this my child, do they ever wonder why I seek out that quirk? Is it because of the power it holds or perhaps it's due to me having a frail ego?"
There was an almost humorous edge to the question which left Izuku even more confused on how to proceed.
"They said you wanted it because it was the only thing that could stop you and-"
A chuckle came from the man that brought a chill to Izuku's bones, cutting him off instantly.
"Oh, please don't be daft. There are millions of ways to dispatch me, those fools are simply set in their ways. Only thing that could stop me, good lord, my brother is rolling in his grave no doubt because of All Might's stupidity."
The tension in the room lessened somewhat as All For One began to monologue.
"Back when this conflict first started, he used everything available to try and kill me. Guns, poisons, knives, swords, assassins, anything to bring me down, but I never struck back until he left me with no other choice. It was only after the first five users that his power became noteworthy and even then it would be useless to me in practicality when I couldn't use more then the collective power of a few individuals."
The giant took a moment to refill his cup as he went on.
"You see, it isn't the power that draws me to it. It's what it represents that infuriates me, One For All is nothing more than a symbol of my brother's betrayal. I offered him a place at my side in this new age as the whole world fell into chaos, yet my little brother for all his meekness struck my hand away and vowed to stop me. The little shit had the gaul to name me a petty tyrant while cities burned around him and people were dying."
A swig from the cup stopped him for a moment.
"I tried to make amends, to try and show him the reality of the world. Instead that only grew his hate for me and earned myself a steak knife to the neck. Again and again I asked him, begged even to have him join me until he stole something from me. Something more dear to me than anything else."
Izuku's mouth articulated in a restrained fashion as his curiosity battled the mind numbing fear brought about by this man.
"...If I may ask sir, what was it?"
All For One's knuckles popped in a slow steady precession while the room grew slightly colder.
"It...it doesn't matter, the thing was destroyed centuries ago and dwelling on it would only serve to sour my mood."
Izuku nodded, getting the hint. His teeth ceased to chatter when another question arose from the trembling mess that was himself, one that he wanted to ask since the day his life changed so unexpectedly.
"Sir...what are you going to do now since you have your brother's power?"
Nothing came of the heart stopping inquiry for far too long, with only the sound of brewing tea bringing any relief to the situation. A smile crossed the villain's lips once again as he gazed down at the boy who tried not shake like a beaten mutt.
"Ah, yes. Your power, you mean. In all honesty Young Midoriya, I do not have that quirk and yet at the same time I do."
A creak came from the table as Izuku's fingers bent into the wood, his strength suddenly amplified by a mixture of shock and anger.
"Could you please be a little more specific, Sir?"
For all the brave defiance rekindling in his heart Izuku merely received another pour of the pot from his host.
"If I could, I would my child, you see that quirk may still linger within you or it could be within me as we speak. I do not know how exactly it functions as it does, why it seems to resist any attempt to be taken but rest assured, you can no more access that ability any more than I could. No matter how much I tried to arrest it from your body, it would not yield. Only after I had it physically removed by my personal assistant did it seem to stop, but even then it retreated back into you. The blue light surrounding you also became absorbed by my body as well but as to what this means, I know not."
Fingernails dug into the tables as a million theories buzzed around the teen's skull. What did this mean, did he still have One For All? If so then why doesn't it answer his summons? Perhaps it was really destroyed instead of taken? What did that mean the-
A chuckle came from All For One that severed Izuku's train of thought instantly.
"Kurogiri understated just how bad your muttering habit is. Don't think too hard on it my boy, instead think of how far you've come. What good you've done in the world. Lord knows I have. Which brings me to the other reason I brought here."
Izuku gulped reactively when he met the man's flesh covered sockets yet again.
"Your reputation has been hard won from many deadly encounters that I personally find alarming with how much you throw yourself into the fray to slay those whom you judge as unworthy. While never fully abandoning the code you made. You led by example in place of fear, and the wolves which would have once ripped you apart for the sheer enjoyment of the act, now follow you like trained hounds, even those who find revealry in murder look to you with all the faith of a messiah. I am thoroughly impressed, my boy. You have surpassed my wildest expectations and improved my successor's band to a point that many say it's name in hushed whispers."
He leaned in, closing the minuscule distance on the table.
"I have a proposition for you young man, I would like to take you under my wing and teach you all that I can. You shall be made the leader of the League, with my backing and full availability to use my resources as you see fit. Under the simple rule that you do not disobey me of course."
The wind was knocked free from Izuku with those few words, never in all his life, even with all the chaos of his current way of living did he consider...this. He swiftly moved the cup to his mouth, avoiding the monster's gaze until a tug in the back of his mind brought him to speak.
"What about Tomura, Sir? This group is his life's work, he was the one who brought everyone together, he made this all possible and you're just going to hand it to me when he was the person who sweated, bled and almost died to get this organization started?"
All For One played with the rim of his brew, while yet again he grinned.
"My oh my, it would be rather unbecoming to remove him from his place but there is one thing you must consider. He was given the position by me and hardly achieved anything other disappointment after disappointment while you who had no choice in the matter, earned your keep with far less then he ever had. As a businessman, I must put my profits and results ahead of sentimentality and that means putting those more competent into the role. He might whine and complain but Tomura will get over it as he has with all his other failings in life."
Izuku bared his teeth for a moment as his hand went to the pipe on his hip, ready to bash this man's deformed head in for some unknown reason that bubbled up from deep inside him, before he regained a sense of self preservation.
"I decline. Tomura has worked too much for this and given me too much just for his efforts to hit a wall that you put in front of him."
The smile grew on All For One's face, turning into a sadistic mockery of the expression that Izuku found to be disgusting with the petty joy it harbored.
"Well that's rather disappointing, tell me, what would you do if I were to say...disposed of him and ensure he wasn't in the League? I could arrange for an accident to happen...hypothetically of course so that you would have no choice but to take charge, what then?"
Fear left the former hero as nothing remained other than a strange calmness reigning over him as he responded without hesitation.
"I'd rip your throat out with my teeth."
He looked directly into the Symbol Of Evil's eyeless sockets, a dangerous edge curving along his words that left no doubt about their sincerity. Time paused for a moment as All For One stared silently, then the giant raised his right arm up slowly and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"You are a strange one. Most would sell their mothers for what I offered. He made the right choice in picking you, loyalty is so rare in this world. Perhaps, I may be able give you some pittance for that."
The hand on his shoulder tightened to the point that Izuku was sure it was going to get crushed when a red light swirled around the giant's body that intersected the tubes running in and out it around his head.
"Would you like a quirk, Young Midoryia?"
Numbness granted him a clarity that was a blessing in disguise. He would never get All For One back, that he was sure of, but maybe he could have a different one, a better one. A healing quirk came to mind that would help him professionally and personally, then Himiko could slash away at him without a care and he'd be completely fine. But then it would lose it's meaning wouldn't it? Their trust would mean nothing if one of them could act without fear of consequence and that quirk would make all his achievements less by the fact that he didn't have to fight so hard. A small chuckle left the teen's mouth before he answered.
"With all due respect Sensei, no. I don't need a quirk, I've proven that. However would you mind giving me a little information about something I never understood?"
All For One removed his hand, seemingly pleased by his response.
"By all means, I'm eager to hear this."
Izuku took another sip of tea that wetted his tongue and cleared his throat.
"Why haven't you killed All Might yet? You've had years to get rid of him, with more than enough ways to do it. I mean...ah for fuck's sake you could have just had Kurogiri warp one of Tomura's hands behind his back and then he'd be dust. You don't even need to use quirks for this since you have the money and connections to hire someone to shoot the guy but you never did, why? Don't you want this mess to end?"
The villain paused as he too took a drink from his tea.
"Simple, I don't know how to end it right. This conflict has been going for too long for it to be ended like that, my brother's legacy deserves a fitting end otherwise the trouble it caused would have been for nothing. I want a massive climax to this endless battle that will be written about forever where historians will debate the conflict until the end of time. My family needs a final chapter that will take center stage in the world right before the whole of humanity is changed from the outcome. But I don't know how. The years have drained my creativity away and my mind is becoming loose with age. Better to leave it to someone else then end it prematurely."
Izuku felt a tickling in the back of his head that made him sit up right.
"Then have me do it, I knew him personally and I had his quirk, it be fitting for someone who understood that to write how this ends. But I'll only do it on one condition."
Shining teeth peeked pasted scarred lips as All For One practically oozed with maliceful glee.
"Very well Young Midoriya if you think you are up for the task, then I shall hear it."
A deep chill settled in his chest when he dared to state his terms but something possessed him to say it.
"You can't kill All Might. You can't or I won't give you the best ending I can. Gran Torino, Sir Nighteye, none of them can die if you want my help. Give me enough time and I'll make you a plan where everyone wins...sort of. You get to end this war and I get to pay my old mentor back for all he's done for me in the past, deal?"
He reached out a shaking hand to the number one villain and felt the overpowering strength of the old man's arm.
"Deal, I shall abide by that, after all I waited twenty years, what's a fe-"
The sentence stopped abruptly and without warning as All For One when his hand met the boy's. His fingers dug into the rough skin on Izuku's palm, running over it as if to understand it's texture. He grabbed his arm, pulling away the sleeve to feel up his arm until it landed on his face. The attack was too quick for Izuku to react but he soon regained his senses although that was pointless when the giant threw the table away, shattering it to splitter on the wall and picked him up by the bottom of his head. The man's fingers contacted every part of his face, touching the skin until it nested in his hair where All For One lifted him to his own deformed visage and held him up, cupping Izuku's head in his hands.
A squelching sound came from the villain's skull as something moved beneath the folds of skin covering his eye sockets. Flesh broke apart in semi liquid drips that stained the spotless suit he wore, Izuku watched in silent horror as the covering fell away, revealing the damaged bloody lumps inside that were filled with a white pus. Blood began to mix with the bodily fluids in a disgust soup that puddled on the floor. Muscle and meat danced in the near hollow holes, causing the lumps to dance erratically until they began to meld and shape, pushing forward to fit into their old place.
Sharp green eyes blinked back at Izuku through lines of loose, straining skin that wepted all things horrible, gazing right into his soul. Never did these orbs blink or look away for all the time he was held, only when a pipe was driven into the side of the Symbol Of Evil's mouth did he escape their gaze.
Izuku ran across the small room, his now bloody weapon held a trembling hand.
"What the fuck!? Why di-"
A hacking cough interrupted him as All For One slowly got back to his feet, the green eyes still locked on the boy. A crater had been dented into his head yet it regenerated instantly. He took a step towards the teen, then stopped as more fluid flowed down his face.
"Young Midoriya I don't have much time and I apologize for acting so brash but I ask you of this, may I please take your picture?"
There was an urgency in the man's voice that caused Izuku to flinch.
"What? I-"
"Yes or no child!"
The walls echoed with the power in the question, bringing Izuku to freeze in pure fear. All he could do was nod before All For One pulled a polaroid camera from a drawer below the bookshelves, drawing a bead on the young man while a yellow sludge flowed from his left eye socket.
"Smile for me."
A force tugged at the muscles in Izuku's face causing him to grin happily despite the terror in his soul. Light blinded him as his eyelids were wide open in the unexpected flash. A picture came next as the camera stained the film with his image. The giant lurched, slowly setting the device on the floor before rushing to a small compartment where he slammed a door shut behind him.
Retching could be heard from the walls as mechanical noises filled the air for a solid minute. The muscles in Izuku's face relaxed once he was alone but that was short lived. All For One walked back into the steel box, his terrifying presence appearing oddly calm. He stepped over to the camera, pulling the picture out and ran a finger over it, lost in some strange trance until he turned to his guest.
"Young Midoriya, I am… I do not expect that plan any time soon, so take your time. I can wait as long as you need."
He came closer to the boy and took a knee, his hand ruffling the green curls while their owner was still frozen in terror.
"I know you're destined for great things, now go and be who you were meant to be."
That was the last thing Izuku understood before everything spun around him and he was standing back at the bar with the entire League looking his way. Their expressions were a collective shock that Tomura exemplified when he invaded his personal space immediately.
"Izuku what the fuck happened!? What did Sensei want!?"
The Decay user moved to pull at the teen's shirt, who in turn drove a fist into his face which sent him sprawling.
"I'm done for tonight. I am not dealing with any of this bullshit until tomorrow, if you want answers ask when I feel like answering. For now just leave me the fuck alone."
He shoved past the few that got in his way when a hand tugged at his arm. Tomura held it in a four finger death grip as he pulled his comrade back.
"Did he hurt you?"
Izuku wrenched himself free and continued up the stairs, he turned back at the last step and looked directly at Tomura.
"No, but now I have to figure out how to cripple All Might."