Izuku surveyed the block party happening in the streets. Revelers ran past with giant cocktails and frozen margaritas with loud jazz music pumping from the speakers inside a resteraunt. His head twisted around at thhe introduction of every new noise in the city block.

Lead by Principal Tommy, Izuku followed him with the kids and Shoto in tow through the blocks of the city. The buildings were all colonial, pastel colored establishments with pitched roofs and balconies protected by black steel surrounding them. The sunshine was palpable overhead with the clear sky covering the endless blocks of festivities like a snow globe. The smell of powdered sugar and fried dough sizzled out of a food truck the group passed.

"It's like we're back in New Orleans," Moxie said in awe at the parties roaming the narrow walkways that mimicked the French Quarter.

"Yeah, it's where I grew up," Principal Tommy said. "Down in the bayou."

"Okay, he did not grow up in the bayou," James said. "Not with that accent."

Principal Tommy swung around the corner towards a quieter side street. He pulled out a large metal ring with keys abundant and jangling in his grasp. He stopped at a white door in the side of a lavender building and jammed the key into the lock.

"Alright," Principal Tommy said. "Time to meet The Creator!"

Izuku blinked and turned back towards his students. Lloyd and Moxie stared at each other while Leo hid behind James. The Floridian rolled his eyes as Katsu tapped Shoto on the shoulder.

"Shoto," Katsu said. "Are we about to meet God?"

"God," Shoto repeated. "I hope not. I smell like bourbon and daiquiris."

Izuku swallowed and pushed his way into the building. He was confronted by a set of worn, mold-infested stairs that led up to a simple white door at the end of the narrow, dank hallway. Only the light from the street outside peeking through cracks in the stucco grey walls batted away darkness from the tiny stairwell.

He took a small step on the wood. The boards screeched from the weight and buckled with rusted nails on the ends of the step twisting upward and loose. Izuku pressed up towards the next step and began to climb with a symphony of squealing wood squeaking under the feet of his students and Shoto.

"Professor Deku," Leo asked. "Do you know what's about to happen?"

"No idea," Izuku said when he reached the top of the step. He wrapped his fingers around the golden handle of the door. "But I don't think we have anything to be afraid of."

"Wait," Lloyd shouted.

James jumped on the step and bounced into the wall with his shoulder. He turned around and grabbed Lloyd's collar in his fist. "What the hell is it?"

"If we're meeting God, my hair is a mess," Lloyd said. "I must fix it."

"Your hair is always a mess," James said.

Izuku faced the wall and let out a deep sigh. The last few minutes had been an absolute blur where his feet moved with minds of their own. Considering how he had gone from his quirk being stolen from him to his students being slaughtered to walking through what appeared to be a Mardi Gras festival, his mind was unable to process many more surprises. He was also quite concerned about the rest of his students. Where were they? Had they been able to escape the digital prison they had been stuck within for the past six months?

He plastered on a brave face and turned the doorknob.

Izuku stepped into a room that did not match the building at all. A modern and spacious apartment with a cerulean marble countertop and cocobolo cupboards hung over a black oven planted next to a stainless steel refrigerator. Outside of the hardwood floor in the kitchen area, beige carpet was suffocated underneath a leather black couch and a white coffee table with a plasma television atop a glass table. With a blue candle burning that gave off the scent of clean linen, Izuku peaked outside the bay glass window looking out on the skyline for a city placed before a wide range of snow-capped mountains. On the street below, a light rail train rumbled past the building and over a bridge in the distance.

The rest of the group filed in. Heads swiveled around in search for The Creator as Izuku approached the window. The warm sunlight caressed his face with an odd influx of peace relaxed his muscles. A pigeon landed on the top of the Venetian balcony railing and cooed at Izuku.

"You think there's anything to eat in here?" Alistair, who had been quite most of the journey, said. "I'm pretty hungry."

"Shut up!" James said. "I hope you stay hungry. It's what you deserve, you worthless kidney stone!"

"Listen, everyone," Alistair got the attention of the group. He cast his eyes downward in shame towards his black shoes and shuffled in his spot over the wood floor. He ran through a dictionary worth of words in his head to find the right phrases to say, but he kept drawing blanks. Instead, the whole room stood in silence around him with Izuku still basking in the sunlight.

"Well?" James growled. "Out with it, you dirty chameleon."

"I'm sorry," Alistair said. "I was told by my Creator that I had to kill Deku to return home. And I guess that creator turned out to be that evil purple thing."

"All-For-One," Izuku said.

"Yes," Alistair squeaked his shoe on the floor. "I changed my mind after talking with Moxie. About wanting to help it. About wanting to go home. But it took control and used me to try and destroy everything about your universe."

"You tried to kill me," James said.

"Tried," Katsu added. "He split me in half!"

"You guys had it easy," Abel said. "My whole head got spun around like a record."

"He tried to control my body and made me jump off a cliff," Shoto crossed his arms in annoyance at the British teenager.

"I didn't make you," Alistair said. "And for the record, you were just going to kill yourself anyway."

"What?" Katsu quirked an eyebrow towards Shoto. "What does that mean?"

Before Shoto could respond, a flush of the toilet from a closed door to the side of the kitchen. A collective gasp erupted from the room, and all of the occupants rushed towards the door. Izuku pushed past Lloyd and stood right in front of the portal with his legs buckled and prepared for any strike. The students frowned in anticipation of battle, and Shoto held out his fist with a patch of ice clinking onto his knuckles for maximum damage.

"Be ready," Izuku said.

The door opened. The toilet flush rose in volume as a pair of unshaven bare feet pattered on the ground. The feet belonged to a short man wearing a black bathrobe. Stocky, he munched on an apple with the juices squirting onto his chin. The bald man licked his lips, but then froze at the sight of the group blocking his entrance into the room.

"What?" James shouted.

The man flinched and dropped his apple to the ground. It bounces with bits of the skin flailing on the bathroom floor, and the fruit rolled away to underneath the toilet.

"Jesus," he said. "You could have announced you were here or something. I haven't even memorized my speech yet."

"Steve Buscemi!" The entire room shouted in unison.

"You're The Creator?" Izuku squeaked.

"A creator. I don't get paid enough to be The Creator," Steve said. "I imagine you have some questions. Would you all like some vodka cranberries?"

"Bro, like most of us are literally underaged for that," Abel said.

"It's okay," Steve said. "Liquor laws don't exist up here."

Somehow, the entire group fit on the spacious leather couch. Barely. James and Lloyd bounced off each other as they fought for space. Leo was pinned between James and Moxie with his shoulder squished forward. Abel and Katsu were in either side of Shoto who glared with the precision of a hawk stalking prey at Steve Buscemi. Izuku drummed his fingers on his thigh next to Moxie who had her elbow jabbed into Alistair's cheek.

Steve sat on the coffee table across from them and swirled his vodka cranberry in his boney hands. He slurped on it and smacked his lips with a satisfied sigh.

"So…welcome," Steve said. "And congratulations. You defeated All-For-One. All of you. Give yourselves a hand."

"Where are we?" Izuku asked. "And who are you?"

"This is the Central Platform," Steve said gesturing out the window. "Basically, it's the main location for all souls to meet after being transported from different worlds and universes. When ejected from their bodies, they all show up here. Well…the nice souls, at least."

"Calista only showed me around that warehouse," Shoto said. "The one that transported me to Earth. She said that was the Central Platform."

"Yes, that's our transport department," Steve said. "They actually rarely do any real work. This was the first time we had to transport to other universes in ages. In fact, you all are some of the first ones to ever do it! You're like pioneers in that way. But, Shoto, the Central Platform is more than just that building. We generally don't allow souls from other universes to leave the building. They fall so in love with the place, these souls don't wanna go back to their homes!"

"Okay, so we're right now souls," Izuku asked. "In some strange spirit plane?"

"Exactly," Steve snapped his fingers. "Your souls were separated from your bodies to do this very important task of destroying All-For-One, because it was the only way we could ensure it was gone permanently."

"Souls?" Lloyd asked. "So does this mean we are in heaven?"

"Not quite," Steve said. "The Central Platform is the area outside of heaven. The big pearly gates are a train ride about an hour away. This is where souls wait to be processed and scheduled to enter."

"So it's heaven's suburbs," Katsu said. "And I guess people outside are celebrating being here?"

"Usually," Steve said. "Most people are happy to be going to heaven."

"But what about All-For-One?" Izuku asked. "Why did we have to come here to defeat it?"

"Someone in your original universe encoded All-For-One to enter the fake digital world you've all been trapped in. Alistair, here, was transported without permission from his world to your own. However, he was only inserted into the digital world because we would have known right away if he had entered your actual universe. We're pretty strict like that."

"But not strict enough to stop it in the first place," James rolled his place.

"Hey, this is still relatively new technology," Steve said. "Our first soul was only transported back from here to Earth like two thousand years ago, and he didn't even use our help! He did it himself."

"Okay, so what about Calista?" Katsu asked. "Is she really a witch from another universe?"

"The same one as Alistair," Steve said. Everyone turned towards him. A slight blush on his face, he stared down at his knees and bit his lip.

"I was quite smitten with her," Alistair said. "But she always turned me down. Such a beautiful girl with the most incredible blue eyes. And…one day…I ended up dying."

Moxie rubbed Alistair's shoulder. "It's alright, Alistair. Do you mind us knowing what happened?"

"I fell in a tree."

A pause.

"You feel in a tree?"

"Yes.

"You didn't…like…fight a dragon or something?" Katsu asked.

"No."

"Defeat an evil wizard?" Leo asked.

"No."

"Fall off a flying broomstick?"

"No."

More silence.

Then, a cacophony of laughter. Izuku, who had tried to hold it in busted into fits of laughter. The rest of the group chortled as Alistair pouted at them like an annoyed puppy.

"It's not funny."

"It's actually really funny," Steve said. "And I say this as someone who deals with weird deaths every day."

"Can we get back on track?" Alistair said.

Moxie wiped a tear from her eye and patted Alistair on the shoulder. "I'm sorry. Steve, or whoever you are, why did you bring someone from his universe?"

"We only got permission to send souls from certain universes," Steve said. "Mainly one's of which the story of these souls were finished. Thematically, at least."

"Okay, so what the hell has happened to us," James said. "Todoroki and that Calista chick only told us what we needed to do. Not why. They said all of it was supposed to be really secret."

"Well, the amount of energy needed to transport one person is astronomical," Steve said. "We knew if All-For-One was able to get Deku's power, it would use it to cross to different universes and destroy them all. So, we needed a way to separate All-For-One from Alistair and then destroy it."

"The power of the universes," Moxie said. "That's what y'all shot me with."

"Ah, but the magic came from you all," Shoto pointed at the couch. "The higher ups devised a plan to end All-For-One. But the main issue was figuring out exactly what it was. And who created and sent it. Once we found that out, it was pretty simple to figure it out."

"Then enlighten us, cause I'm still not convinced I ate a bad mushroom," James said.

"All that's created comes from my boss," Steve said. "Even quirks. But quirks, like all things, can be used for good or evil. All-For-One, however, was created by my boss'…well…I wouldn't call him his enemy. More like an annoyance."

"Satan," Moxie said.

"Stop being dramatic," James scoffed. "It's not Satan."

"It's Satan," Steve said.

"Fuck," James spat out.

"So," Steve interjected. "We created a crystal that could hold the power needed to stop All-For—One and the power to transport it towards the Central Platform where it would be no match for the power of the Virtues. The power of the universes transported the souls here and split Alistair from All-For-One. But it was The power of the Virtues that ended All-For-One. Or at least, made it weak enough to be stroked by One-For-All."

"So we're…virtues," Abel asked. "But how?"

"What you learn in life," Steve said. "How you learn. That's what makes you virtuous. You, Abel, learned humility early on when Bakugo punched you in the gut. The headphone you had to attack All-For-One was what you wore when you learned that lesson. Lloyd, a photo of his family. James, the hot dog from the Pier where you fought with Lloyd against Midnight. Shoto and Katsu, the key Katsu gave to Shoto before you visited us for the first time. Leo, the phone you spoke to your father on when you learned about forgiveness and patience. And Deku, diligence. The hard work you went through to get gou quirk from All Might. None of you are perfect, and certainly there could have been others chosen instead of you. But you learned these lessons and showed these virtues when you needed to most. And that's why my boss picked you all. So, at just the right moment, we activated the crystal to suck you inside and carry you with Moxie to where we are now. And once you were here, we freed you from the crystal and allowed you to do what needed to be done."

"It felt like my body had a mind of its own," Lloyd said. "What I said didn't come from my own thoughts."

"Me, too," Leo rubbed his temples. "Did you all control us when we arrived?"

"Only for a few moments," Steve waved his hand in defense. "I know. Free will. Blah blah blah. But we didn't exactly have time to train you all in using that power, so we had to take over your conscious for just a minute. But…I think my boss wrote some pretty cool lines that you all got to say.

Izuku raised his hand. "But I felt fine and in control the whole time. So you made me give Moxie One-For-All and give that corny speech?"

Steve chuckled and raised his glass to his lips. "No, Izuku. That was all you."

Moxie twirled a strand of her hair and faced Izuku. "Mister Deku, you made the decision all by yourself? You really think I'm good enough for your quirk."

"Physically, not yet," Izuku said with a tight grin. "But the young woman I've seen is just as capable as I was. In fact, more so. Trust me. If I can do it, then you can, too. And you'll be far greater than me."

Izuku reached over and gave Moxie a soft hug. She giggled and rested her head on his broad shoulder.

"But wait," Alistair said. "I thought I took One-For-All from Deku. How could he have given it to Moxie?"

"You did take most of it," Steve said. "However, the main function of the crystal Moxie has around her neck is storing and releasing energy. When we activated the Virtues, she was powerful enough to overcome you and All-For-One. Then, the crystal absorbed what you stole from Deku right as you were transported here. But…there was a small of it left within Izuku. That was what he was able to give to Moxie. So even with All-For-One at its most powerful, even with Satan at his worst, it still wasn't powerful enough to complete extinguish the flame. Sin is no match for the power of Virtue. The power of good."

"Sorry about that, by the way," Alistair said.

"It's okay," Izuku grinned. "Nobody's perfect."

"So I have One-For-All in me and in this crystal, too?" Moxie asked and held up the crystal around her neck. "And a bunch of energy from different universes? Gosh, I hope I don't lose it."

"You won't, especially since we will be sending the universe energy back to their homes soon," Steve clapped his hands on his thighs. "And we can all look back on this and laugh."

Izuku stood up with a positive grin on his face. Things were finally looking up! "Right. I'm glad we could help you with this. But can you all help us to get back to the real world? After you transport us to the digital one?"

Steve tilted his head in a puzzled state. "What do you mean?"

Izuku's smile faded at the odd response. "When you send us back home? So we can escape the digital world and finally be in the real one."

Steve blinked and set down his empty glass on the coffee table. "Izuku, you're not going back."

A terse silence suffocated the room. The students could only look at one another as Izuku's green eyes stared at Steve in bewilderment.

"What?"

Steve scratched the back of his neck. "Izuku, you saved the world. And the universe. Multiple, in fact! You became the greatest Pro-Hero ever. You passed along One-For-All to Moxie. Your…your story is over, Izuku."

"Over," Izuku panicked and turned back to the group. They all stared at Izuku as realization slashed at their hearts. "What do you mean by over?"

"You died, Izuku," Steve said with a solemn look. "Moments before you were transported here."

"What? No I didn't," Izuku said. "I was breathing. I still had a small sliver of One-For-All. You said it yourself!"

Steve pulled out his phone. He pressed down on a button and showed the screen to Izuku. On it was a familiar chart that showed Izuku's heartbeat. The line was flat.

"When you gave Moxie the last of your quirk," Steve said. "Your body gave out in the digital world. And it also gave out in the real world."

"No," Izuku said. "No, I still have a class to teach. I have plans for our next lessons! We still have to escape and go home. My mom…she was gonna make me tonkatsu when I visited her in a week!"

"Your purpose on Earth has been fulfilled," Steve said. "There's nothing else you are needed for."

"You don't get to tell me what I'm needed for," Izuku glared and shook a fist at Steve. "I have a class, and I have students. And they're my responsibility. That's what's important."

"Well, you can still watch over the ones that are gonna stay here," Steve said.

Izuku paused and narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?" he said in a slow pace.

Steve pointed at the students behind him. "Abel, Katsu, and James are dead, Izuku. One of them was beheaded. And Austin and Synaes, who weren't even Virtues, they're double-y dead."

"You're not gonna let them come back," Izuku shouted. "They were killed by All-For-One!"

"And their sacrifices were noble," Steve said. "Look, this is not easy on me either, but the fate of the universe matters more than if-."

Slap!

Izuku gasped himself when he felt the tingling sensation of his palm after hitting Steve. The group behind him flew to their feet and surrounded Steve who fell onto the ground. He rubbed his cheek and looked up at Izuku.

"Ow," Steve said in a whiny tone. "What'd you do that for?"

"I want my students to come with me back to our world," Izuku said. "And I won't allow for anything less than all of us."

Steve bumbled to his feet. "Look, Leo and Lloyd can go back since they were alive. And, obviously, Moxie too since she's now the owner of One-For-All. But…everyone else has to stay. I'm sorry, but I thought you accepted that."

Izuku kneeled onto the ground. His breathing quickened with his heart pounding into his chest. His arms fell limp to his side while gazing at the ground. The overwhelming noise that rang in his ear made him panic further; his legs shook with his eyes quivering in fear.

"But I thought I killed James before," Alistair said with a rapid pace. "And he was allowed to come back!"

"Because you didn't mean it," Steve said. "That spell only works if you intend on killing the person. You never did. It only temporarily transported James out of that universe to this one."

"But how?" Alistair asked. "And why can't we do it again?"

"I don't owe you any more explanations," Steve said. "Moxie, Leo and Lloyd will come with me to the Transport Department. You may come to say your goodbyes."

"Like hell we will," Izuku growled under his breath.

With a roar, Izuku jumped to his feet and charged for Steve. He slammed him into the wall and pressed his knee in his midsection. Steve yelped in pain with his head colliding with a mirror hanging on a nail. The glass shattered and showcased a refracted image of the group staring at Izuku's back.

"Run," Izuku shouted back at them. "Get to the transport!"

"Midoriya," Shoto said. "Step aside."

Izuku leapt backwards. Before Steve could react, Shoto stomped on the ground and planted a path of ice that rushed for Steve. The ice enveloped him and left him stuck in mid-scream and his hands facing outward to shield himself from the blast. He was trapped inside and immobile. Shoto ran over towards the man and reached down to pick up the phone that bounced on the floor out of his frozen hands.

"Do you think they'll know soon," Izuku asked Shoto.

"They do all their communication by phone here," Shoto said. He pressed 032620 on the phone and unlocked it. "I can probably pretend to be him and help us get out, but they'll still find out soon," Shoto said. "There's so many texts in here. Which one is the main security guy?"

"Oh, you mean Carlos?" Abel asked. "Yeah, me and him got along while I was here."

Izuku snapped his fingers. "That's right. You were here longer! Okay, then can you and Shoto set up a transport for all of us back home?"

"Yeah, but Shoto just has to text Carlos. And they need thirty minutes to set everything up," Abel said. "That Calista girl said so."

"Okay, text him and then let's all run over there," Izuku said. "Shoto, can you navigate us over there?"

"Wait, y'all," Abel shouted. "We gotta find Austin and Synaes first!" He rushed for the front door.

"Abel," Izuku said. "We can't split up. And I don't even know if this will work in their case!"

"We gotta try," Abel said. "I'm not leaving Austin behind. Don't worry about me. I know where the building is. I snuck out of there all the time. You all just meet me there!"

Abel flung the door open and rushed down the dark hallway. Izuku looked back at Shoto and pursued his lips together.

"Alright, let's move everybody! We're getting out of here!"