Alright. Time for you all to see the interaction that He and Luz will be having. Hold onto your horses, because this is going to be what many in this field like to call: A PLOT DUMP! Yes, I know, the worst kind of chapter. But, it has to be done, especially if I want this arc to be as short as I want it to be.
Also, I've read all of your guy's theories. I'll answer the most common ones I've been seeing, outside of the more important ones that if I do answer will spoil MASSIVE parts of the plot in the future. The one that I talking about is that The Governor is most definitely a Republican.
The answer is yes. I based him mostly on Ron Desantis. You know, the horrible Texas Governor who sent all those migrants to Martha's Vineyard as a way to "own the libs" for some stupid reason or another? Yeah, that Ron Desantis.
Other than that, if I answer any more of the theories, then I'll give away the major plot twist of this arc, which would be bad. Also, the scheduled trajectory as to when we'll get to the boiling isles… well, I plan to hopefully get this arc done by the next 10 or so chapters, maybe less, I don't know. It sounds like a long time, and trust me it is, but don't be surprised if this takes a little longer than that.
Now, enough dawdling, onto the chapter.
[The First]
When looking at the mysterious man in the chair, there was a hint of reluctance in Luz's eyes. The man before her seemed nice enough, but there was something about him that rubbed her the wrong way.
Maybe it was the way he sat in the chair, his shoulders raised high and mighty. His chest pronounced, showing his confidence. His eased, if not completely relaxed expression mixed with that eerie smile of his. It was almost as if he was a king sitting on his throne, looking down at a peasant to whom he wished to speak to.
Maybe it was his general appearance. In other words, the business suit and tie to which he wore. It made him seem like an important figure of power, just like The Governor was. There were no stains on his clothing. No wrinkles, no nothing. It was clean, showing that he cared about his appearance, much like how those in power do. It was almost like a metaphor, how his appearance and reputation were seemingly spotless, yet those eyes of his showed a different side to him.
With that gleam in his eyes, it was almost as if he screamed: Danger – evil, in all caps. Yet, his appearance made him seem the complete opposite. Two conflicting statements as to who, or what, he was.
Whatever it was that Luz didn't like about him, she didn't know. Perhaps it was all of those things? All that she knew was that she didn't like it. In fact, she hated it, vehemently so. If she had the choice, she would walk in the other direction and pretend she never saw him. But, then there was that inherent curiosity for what this could possibly give her that made her mind do a full 180, despite knowing nothing of who or whatthis man was.
However, if there was one thing that Luz did know, it was that this man knew her and that he wanted to speak to her about something. She didn't know what that something was, but whatever it had been, it was clearly important enough for the man to "build that connection" he mentioned just a few moments ago.
Apparently, he wanted to build the so-called "connection" earlier, but he didn't have enough power to do so…. Whatever that was supposed to mean. Luz couldn't quite put a finger on what that meant, and it was bothering her. It sounded creepy. Like a creepy uncle being, well, a creepy uncle. Still, it was weird. Luz didn't like it. Not one bit. The worst part was that she didn't know why she didn't like it.
To make things even weirder, she had never seen him before. Not at family gatherings. Not in photos around the house. Not on Youtube. Not on Instagram. Hell! No one in her family, extended or otherwise, had mentioned a man who fitted this one's description, even in passing!
There was not a single place to which she had heard or seen him. Yet, he claimed to know her. How could he know her, if she didn't know him?! Luz knew she didn't have any stalkers because everyone in Gravesfield thought she was either a nuisance or weird, and not the cool kind of weird either.
All that she knew was that this man was in her dreams and that he wanted to talk to her. She had a very, very bad feeling about this man. Deep in her gut, she knew that something was off about him, and yet, regardless of that feeling she found herself walking over to the chair adjacent to him, and sitting down, her hands folded against her lap all prim and proper-like.
For a few moments, they sat in silence. Her nerves were on edge and so was she, all for a good reason. This whole thing was so surreal that it wasn't even funny! But, then again, this was a dream, so it was fairly obvious that he would know her name—mindscape and all that jazz. It was a common trope in fanfiction that she read about constantly. But to actually experience it? Well, it wasn't exactly all too pleasant.
After a few more moments of silence, Luz built up the courage to speak. "So, uh, what do you want?" Luz asked, her tone timid, yet carrying that hint of curiosity. The man chuckled to himself, his voice having been deeper than she had expected.
Granted, when he spoke before, there was a hint of joy in his voice, but with that gone, his voice sounded less joyous and more malicious. Like there was something darker that lurked beyond the surface.
Once again, the "Warning: This man is clearly EVIL" alarm started thundering off in her mind. However, it was quickly drowned out by her innate curiosity about the situation. Sometimes she really hated her ADHD, especially when it revolved around things like this. Now was not the time to be hyper-fixated on something as dangerous as whoever this man was! Yet, she couldn't help herself. She wanted—no—needed to know more!
"I see! You want to cut to the chase! Good! I was expecting a bit more fluff coming from what I know about you. But, I am pleasantly surprised," the man began, uncrossing his arms as he relaxed deeper into his chair, folding one leg over the other. "That question is rather simple, but also multi-faceted. There are plenty of things that I want. So you'll have to be more specific, Luz Noceda."
Once again with the name drop. Every time he said her name in that silky smooth tone of his made her spine shiver. It gave her goosebumps, and it was really, really unnerving. Pushing the uneasiness aside, Luz responded, but not before gulping back the fear that had built up in her throat. "Uh… what do you want with me?"
The man's smile shifted to that of a grin as his eyes gleamed once more with that malice that she had seen earlier. "Ah, there we go. That's more like it," The man said, his grin turning predatory as Luz cringed at the sight, her shoulders raising just above her neck as she sank into the chair, making the man frown. "Come now, don't be so defensive. I'm not going to hurt you, Luz. As I said, I want to talk," The man continued, his voice taking on a more reassuring tone, though it didn't help any, something that he noticed.
"Hmm…" the man hummed, his expression turning neutral. It remained that way for a few seconds before he then spoke again, the malicious gleam vanishing and being replaced with a more fatherly look in his eyes. It made the hairs on the back of Luz's neck tingle as her shoulders hiked up a little bit more, her head tucked deeper within the defensive huddle, her mind blaring "Stranger Danger" on repeat. "As I said, Noceda. All I want to do is talk. To be specific, I want to talk about your power."
Now that caught Luz's attention, making her head bounce up, and for their eyes to meet. Did he know something that she didn't? If so, then perhaps that was why he was here! And if that was the case, maybe he could help her clear up any confusion she had with her power. Still, though, she kept her guard up but lowered her shoulders a little bit to at least show that she wasn't going to try and run away anymore—because that was what she was planning on doing if this conversation had veered any more into that "creepy uncle" territory.
"My… power?" Luz asked cautiously as The man nodded, the fatherly look in his eyes disappearing as he smirked.
"Yes, your power. To be more specific, our power. Well, it used to be mine, but ever since I died to that oaf Toshinori Yagi, it passed on to someone else. In this case, Luz Noceda, that would be you." When the man said that, he pointed at her, the smile returning before he put his hand down and clasped his fingers together, placing both hands on the elevated knee that belonged to the leg that was currently over top of his right leg. "Originally, I had a successor in mind as to whom would receive my power. But, as it appears, the universe had other plans. And now, you hold mypower, making you the official second holder of my Quirk."
Luz blinked, her jaw slowly dropping as confusion took hold of her face. "Uh… what?!" Luz near shouted as the man chuckled to himself, muttering something in a different language that she recognized to be Japanese. He laughed quietly to himself, before then sighing.
"I can never get over how kids react to information like that. It blows me away how easily dumbfounded the youth can get over simple concepts," the man said, though it was mostly to himself. "Yes, Luz Noceda. You heard me correctly. I am the first holder of our shared power. And I must say, I find myself a little disappointed that you have yet to use it. You came so close to doing so in that waiting room in that doctor's office. Had you reached out just a little further, you would've been on the road to becoming the strongest human being this world would ever know."
The way he spoke with such finality only served to make Luz a little uncomfortable as his tone sank into something less than human. It was almost as if she was speaking to a demon, a monster of the underworld given human form. "Are you some sort of demon?" Luz blurted out as the man laughed uproariously.
"Oh! Now that is something I've heard plenty of times! But sadly no. I am… or was, just as human as you are, Luz. The only thing separating us is the universes that we live in, or in my case, lived in." The man paused, adopting a thinking expression. "Tell me, Luz. Have you heard of the Multiverse Theory?"
Once again, Luz blinked. There was so much to unpack in the last 30 seconds of dialogue that had been exchanged that it was hard for her brain to keep up! So, she focused on the things that she picked up on the most. "Hold on! Just wait a second, I'm having a hard time understanding. What's a Quirk? And what do you mean by the universes we lived in? If you're dead, that means you came from this universe, right?"
The man smiled, crossing his arms again as he unfolded his legs, leaning forward slightly as Luz recoiled. "Hold on now, I think there has been a misunderstanding. How about this, I'll answer those two questions, then, you answer mine. Alright?"
"Yeah… sounds good," Luz replied, her voice still weary as the man nodded.
"Very well. A Quirk is something that you have. Your power. I take it that they are not called that just yet. To put it simply, you are a Quirk User. You have a Quirk, specifically, my old Quirk. As for the whole universe bit…. Well, that requires you to answer my question." As the man finished his explanation, Luz frowned. He was clever and sharp-witted. It wasn't as if she had tried to trick him, but it was clear that he noticed it.
Luz sighed, shrugging. "No. Well, I heard of it, but I never looked into it. Uh… explain, please?" The teen asked as the man put up his hands, then balled them into fists before bringing up both pointer fingers.
"Let's start with a simple diagram. This finger, my left one, is my universe," the man began as he drew that one into himself, nearly pressing it against his suited chest. "This finger, my right one, is your universe," he continued as he brought the finger forward, positioning it to be parallel with his left. "The Multiverse Theory suggests that these two universes, my and yours, are parallel to one another. That they are, theoretically speaking, linked in some way, shape, or form."
The man then brought up the rest of his fingers, before bringing them together and interlocking them, bringing them forward as Luz watched intently. "Now, the rest of these fingers represent the various off-shoots of our respective universes, all intermingled into one another. Of course, there are more than ten, but this is all I can do with what I have available to me at the moment. In short, the theory suggests that there is not one universe, but multiple, all of which are interlinked in someway; some with small changes such as drastic as World War II being won in the Axis Powers' court, to something as small as you not waking up at 7:30 AM on the day of which you were meant to go to Reality Check Summer Camp, and instead you woke up a little earlier than that. A small change, but drastic enough to warrant another universe being created."
The man un-linked his fingers, then crossed his arms again. "Of course, that also brings up the Butterfly Effect, but as it stands, we're pressed for time," The man said as Luz raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" Luz asked as the man chuckled once again.
"Because, Luz, time works differently in the Vestige World, i.e. the dreamscape we are in right now. While it might have only been five minutes here, it's been fifty minutes in your world. The waking world. So, allow me to speed things up a little bit. Starting with how I am here." The man paused, reclining in his seat once again. "Due to our universes being parallel, when I died, I did so right around the time of when your world experienced its very first Quirk Awakening. Seeing as there can only be one version of my power in all the known Multiverse at a time, when I passed away, my soul along with my Quirk was dragged into this universe—your universe. From the very beginning, you were pre-destined to awaken some form of incredible power or to be taught one. In this universe, you were born with mine. Only now did you awaken it due to the world experiencing its first Quirk Awakening. The seeds were planted for your eternal greatness when your mother was impregnated by your father. Because of your mere conception, multiple universes were created to hold your future, some blissful, others grim. It was written in the stars, the very fabric of the Multiverse! You, Luz Noceda, are The Chosen One! And with my power, nothing can stop you!"
The way the man spoke, it was motivational. It got Luz's blood pumping, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. But then, something popped up into her head. A question, and a very simple one at that. And so, as she rubbed the back of her head, she asked that very question. "That's great and all, but… what exactly is your—I mean, our power?"
The sinister smile reared its ugly head again, as the gleam of malice returned once more. And when he spoke, the answer she received made gave her goosebumps. "That, my dear Luz, is the crux of this conversation. The power of which you were gifted, was mine. Now, it is yours. And the name of that power…. Is All For One. The ability to take and give Quirks as you please, with no known limit—even to myself. To steal away someone's power and make it your own. Or, to give to those who are desperate to even the playing the field. Whatever you see the power as my point still stands. You are destined for greatness, just as I was once. With All For One, you can do whatever it is you want, how you want, and when. It's only up to you."
Luz felt a pit in her stomach grow. Her power, the one she was supposedly born with, was the ability to take away someone's power—their individuality. "That's… that's awful! I, I can't do that! That's, that's cruel, unfair, unjust! It's wrong! Why?! Why would I ever do that?!" Luz exclaimed as the man chuckled.
"You know… you sound just like my younger brother. But, what you are failing to understand Luz, is that at some point, you won't have a choice. All For One alters a person's mind. If you do not feed The Quirk, it will take over control and force you to take something. It's like an addiction. For example, let's say that you start smoking. You tell yourself you'll only do it once, just to try, then never again. But now, before you are even aware of it, after that one smoke, you become addicted. It starts small, barely even noticeable, so you ignore it. After a day or two, you start to become irritable. You begin to find yourself getting angrier for no apparent reason. You want it to stop, but you have no idea how. Then, you think back to that cigarette. You think that it'll stop your anger and irritability! So, you go to the store and buy a pack of cigarettes and a lighter to light said cigarette. Once you open the pack, pop the cigarette in, light it and take a couple of puffs, the anger and irritability are gone. The cycle repeats itself until suddenly you can't not have a cigarette every 3 to 4 hours. You have to have that cigarette, otherwise, you'll start to get crabby. And thus, you become trapped in this endless cycle of smoking, saying you'll quit, but you can't. It has you caged, and because of it, you're slowly killing yourself. A sad, sad reality, but it is that way for most people."
As the man finished, his smirk changed to a smile, making Luz lean back into her chair. "For us, Luz. That addiction has already begun. The moment All For One awakened inside of you, your brain immediately grew an addiction to taking Quirks. Now, granted, it's not nearly as bad as having a cigarette addiction, but I think you get the metaphor. If you do not take a Quirk, I'd say… in the next day or so, you'll snap and attack one of your people, take their Quirk, and suddenly cause a lack of trust. Now, you wouldn't want that, would you?" The man said as Luz blinked, before narrowing her eyes.
"You're trying to manipulate me, aren't you?! No! I refuse to do that! I refuse to take people's powers, Quirks, or whatever you want to call them! I am not that kind of person! That is beyond selfish! It's cruel, it's evil! It's—"
"What if you end up attacking Julia?" The man cut her off, his expression turning to a deadpan one as Luz's eyes narrowed even sharper.
"What?"
"You heard me. What if when you enter that Quirk Feuge, you end up coming across Julia, your friend? She casually greets you and asks how your day is. Then, out of nowhere, you suddenly lunge at her, grab her by the head and drain her power away, taking it for yourself with little to no remorse in the action. Suddenly that friendship is shattered, and she hates you for it. She'll never forgive you, even if you try and explain yourself. You couldn't help it, because your power took over you and made you do it. But she doesn't buy that. Not even for a second. From there on out, she and you are enemies. And there is nothing you could do about it." When he finished, the man shook his head. "That is the reality you live in, Luz Noceda. You might not like the idea of taking someone's power away from them, but it is the sad reality that you are now in. All For One will never leave your body, not until you die. And I don't think you'd kill yourself over something as stupid as this, would you?"
Luz was frozen. She had no way to respond to that. Because as much as she hated how he used her friend's name for that horrible example, he was right. She hated how he was right. It infuriated her to realize that what he was saying was correct. The worst part was that she knew he was probably speaking from a personal experience. It wasn't as if he was pulling the example out of nowhere. He was the first user of the power after all, so why would she doubt him?
"I…. No, you're right…. I hate that you're right, but you are…" Luz said, bowing her head slightly in defeat as the man hummed.
"Good. You've come to your senses. Now, I'll leave you with one last thing," The man said as Luz looked up at him.
"What? Are you going to tell me something cliché like "with great power comes great responsibility" or some garbage like that? Because if you are, that's kinda lame," Luz said, a disinterested look in her eyes as the man scoffed.
"No, Luz. I'm telling you my name. After all, I'm going to be your mentor whether you like it or not, and I don't think calling me "old man" or "mysterious man" is going to get you anywhere, now will it?" The man said as Luz rubbed the back of her neck.
"Yeah… well, okay then, what's your name?"
The man smiled as he stood up. "My name is Shigaraki. Shigaraki Rikitasu. But, you can call me Sensei." As Shigaraki said that, he looked down at his wrist, then frowned. "It seems we are out of time, Luz Noceda. Till next time, and remember, keep what I said in mind. After all, we wouldn't want that what-if to come true, now do we?"
And with that morbid note, Luz felt her body go numb within the dream, and for her vision to blur. As soon as that happened, she woke up, and the last thing she saw before she awoke was the man's predatory smile and evil gleam in his eyes. Only then did she realize something rather important.
"What did I just get myself into?"
-To Be Continued in – Forming The Team-
I don't have much to say, other than I hope you enjoyed this. Now, as of right now, we do not know what All For One's real name is, other than it ends in Shigaraki. So, here is the name I have given this version of All For One, Rikitasu. The breakdown of the name means this:
Riki (力輝), separate, Ri (力) in this instance means power, and Ki (輝) in this instance means splendid. Together, they mean Splendid Power.
Tasu (多数), separate, Ta (多) in this instance means many, and Su (数) in this instance means number. Together, they mean multitude.
Put the town names together, and you get Rikitasu (力輝 多数), which roughly translates to Multitude of Splendid Powers. Which, as far as I am concerned, makes sense. Now, combining both names, Rikitasu (given) and Shigaraki (familial) you get Rikitasu Shigaraki (力輝多数 . 死柄木), which means a Multitude of splendid powers of death, which fits All For One's character, considering who All for One is.
Now with that name breakdown finished… what did you guys think of this chapter? I eagerly await your speculation! Till next time, peace!
