The flowers by the bedside bloomed without a care in the world, oblivious to the heaviness in the air around them. The evening rays, as beautifully amber as they were, seemed to amplify the tense atmosphere in the school's medical bay by illuminating only half of the boy's face, highlighting the faint yet distinct fragmented emerald glow in the shadowed half. The radiant light blue appeared to flicker, occasionally glancing towards the slanted eyes of the wise elderly nurse.
Was the boy that was glaring at them with a mischievous grin on a hospital bed the same Izuku Midoriya? Or was this the 'other'? All Might had had half a mind to call up a priest to perform an exorcism because this reminded him too much about that old horror movie he watched back when he was still a freshman at UA. But, noticing the knowing glint from the elderly Recovery Girl, he swallowed down his hesitation for fear of the hard thwack that would come if he pressed 'call' on the priest's number.
"Who are you?" asked All Might, his scrawny frame leaning forward. "And what do you want with the boy?"
Izuku, or at least, what appeared to be Izuku, leered at him with a scowl. He shifted around for a bit, slowly opening and closing his fists to make himself comfortable with the binds wrapped around his arms and legs to the side fixtures of the hospital bed. "And you expect me to answer that question when you clearly lack any trust in the boy yourself?" he half-growled, half-mused with a brow arched.
"So, you do admit to being a separate entity living within young Midoriya?" interrogated All Might as his brows furrowed, an edge of seriousness in his tone.
"And you do admit in your lack of trust in your own student?" 'Izuku' replied snidely with a smug grin. His grin grew at the shaking figure of the skinny sunken hero as he felt the hero's sky-blue eyes bore holes into him.
"No! It is you who I do not trust, not the boy!" All Might declared with an accusing finger. "Ever since his Stand appeared, his muttering only got worse! One of my students have reported to me that his mutters have become less like analytical reflection and more like a conversation! Furthermore, his body is changing, no doubt because of what you've done!"
The weight of air became harder to ignore as the silence hung over the green-haired boy and the blonde hero. They glared at each other, emerald against sky-blue in an unspoken battle of wills. Recovery Girl, who had been watching silently from the sides, said nothing. The silence was then broken when 'Izuku' began to laugh heartily with a voice that was better suited with a villain that a budding hero.
"Fool!" the entity possessing Izuku said with a sly grin but the murder in his green eyes betrayed the façade of calm the grin exuded. "You better be grateful that he communicates with me with his incessant muttering! If he were a lesser man, he would have been mimicking the sounds of a telephone while maniacally looking around for anything that can be held in his hand to act as a faux phone!"
All Might flinched at the sudden raise in tone from 'Izuku' but at the same time he felt a drop of sweat roll down his face in intrigue. "Lesser…man…?" he asked. "What do you mean by that?" Even Recovery Girl moved closer in interest at this.
Had his arms and legs not bound to the bed, this would be the moment where he would be standing tall and strike a menacing pose with his Stand in front of him but alas, that was not the case. So, to improvise he opted to lean back into the bed with an infuriating smile.
"You heard me: lesser man," he declared. "It is something that the boy is not." Seeing the arched brow on the Symbol of Peace, he inwardly smiled. The bait had been taken.
"What is it then that makes young Midoriya more than, a 'lesser man', as you put it?" asked All Might.
'Bingo!' he smirked to himself. He cleared his throat for a bit before giving his answer. "What makes him more than just a lesser man are his mental fortitude and his unwavering tenacity."
All Might's eyes widened but his body remained rigid. He could not afford to show weakness towards this unknown entity. "I know that the young lad has an exceptional determination in the fire in his eyes," he said, a warm smile creeping its way into his expression as he remembered the reckless feat of selflessness the boy showed when the slime villain held young Bakugou hostage. "Quirkless though he may have been, it was that fire that caught my eye. It told me that he was the one whom I could entrust the will of the Symbol of Peace onto."
Catching the intrigued brow raised by 'Izuku', he continued with a sigh. "Don't get me wrong, whoever you are. This is a not a sign of my trust. I know that you've been inhabiting the body of my student for a while, so it is only logical to know that you know most of what he knows already. Besides, you've yet to expand further on what you meant by young Midoriya's mental fortitude, let alone your identity."
'Izuku' scoffed at this. "My identity?" he asked as though he had heard a subordinate's redundant repetition of an order. It was the blonde hero's utterance of his name after all that pulled him out of the recesses of the boy's mind. Taking a moment to take in the serious glare from the blond hero, a reluctant chuckle escaped his lips. "You serious?"
A slow nod was given in response.
A swell of glee was slowly but surely beginning to fill his chest. His face might not show it, but it was getting harder to deny the feeling of ecstasy at this revelation. His identity is safe! Fate has bestowed upon him fortune once more! However! He also begrudgingly acknowledged that what the boy told him earlier was true; transparency was king in the current system! A nagging feeling at the back of head—either his paranoia or the boy's over-analytical mind affecting him—was telling him that this might be a ruse to lull him into a false sense of superiority.
As much as he hated to admit it, centuries of being in a purgatory of infinite deaths got him to realise that his pride and arrogance had blinded him to many things that could have saved him. Like that *Bucciarati's strong sense of righteousness…
No matter. The past was in the past. After all, the fundamental philosophy of his life still held true: the world only remembers the results! The only record of him being only a dusty book was proof of this! It definitely would not hurt to indulge this sunken man a bit. With hundreds of years being believed to be dead, he highly doubted that anyone would think that he, Diavolo, would be as big of a threat now. Even if the hero system decided to keep tabs on him while he remained in the boy, his powerful mafia was gone, and the boy's memories informed him that the hero staring him down was responsible for this current age of low crime rate.
However, no one said anything about consolidating power within the system though…
"Very well then," 'Izuku' began. "I shall tell you my identity and any information about myself in exchange for…"
"Exchange for what?" interrupted All Might, shifting a bit in his seat as the tone 'Izuku' was using had an uncomfortable familiarity to that of one of his greatest foes.
"For the assurance that this young boy be allowed to continue about his daily life as normal, of course." Sensing the apparent confusion in the blonde hero, he scoffed. "What? Were you expecting that I start a blood contract? Demand your soul? Honestly, spectacular circumstances may have made me what I am now, but I am most certainly not a demon. I've spilled blood, sure, but what self-respecting self-made man would I be if I didn't dirty my hands to ensure my organisation ran smoothly?"
If he was correct about the blonde hero's ignorance of his identity being a ruse, All Might was not making it easy for him to confirm his suspicions as his surprise was looking genuine. He had to be a pretty good actor or actually shocked to be able to pull off that sort of expression. Whatever the case, what he was certain about was that the hero got the message.
"You're…Diavolo?!" he heard the hero blurt out. He expected that. All Might seemed like the kind of guy to be a bit on the slow side, even if he was smarter than he let on considering he did manage to figure it out. What he did not expect was the sigh of relief that came out of the hero. What.
Even Recovery Girl seemed confused. What was it that All Might was relieved about? Fortunately, she did not have to wait long to get an answer.
"It all makes sense now…" All Might began. "The Artificial Human with many Quirks, the sudden appearance of the League of Villains, the ramblings of Shigaraki Tomura—"
"Ramblings?" 'Izuku' mused.
"Well, while you did manage to hold back and keep him alive, you did slam his head hard enough that it bounced off the ground. If anything, I'm he surprised he made it out with only concussions and being put in a coma. Anyways, when I came to visit him earlier—"
"You had time?"
All Might's brow twitched in ire. "Yes, because I received news from my former teacher that he's…he's…" The words he wanted to say were caught in his throat, unsure if he even believed in them. "He's the grandson of my late mentor."
"And?"
"And what?" the hero answered with a slight growl.
'Izuku' did not miss the elderly nurse was shooting at him as well as if trying to say, 'Have you no tact?!' Of course, no. It was meaningless trying to dwell on such petty matters when they are in the way of answers. Only the results matter. Then again, he also did not want a repeat of Bucciarati. How annoying. "And what of the ramblings? I apologise for my rudeness in this matter, but I firmly believe that we must focus on our priorities. Moping about it won't bring your mentor back especially when you seem to have information that can help avenging this mentor of yours."
All Might bit back a snarl at the disrespectful manner this entity was addressing the memory of his mentor because he had to accept that he was right. He took a deep breath to calm himself down, noticing now how much he was shaking in anger and grief at the news he received a while ago.
"As much of a horrible person you're currently being, you're right," the hero sighed while running his hand through his hair. "Because the ramblings do have some vital information on the man who took her life away."
If Recovery Girl had been playing the role of the silent observer, this news was enough to bring her out of it as she gasped in horror at the implications. "Toshinori…you mean that—"
"Yes…All for One still lives," he lifelessly declared while hanging his head low. A pregnant pause hung over the room. "I've had this…feeling that All for One, with his many Quirks and vast network, would still be alive somehow. Hearing this news…I'm glad, somewhat, that my suspicions were not wrong.
"But to hear of it at a time like this, however…"
'Izuku' was not sure what to make of the news. He suspected that the boy probably knew more about it but all he could gather from his memories were that All Might had supposed killed All for One. Interesting. Noticing that silence had been introduced to the room once more, he decided it was time to have a conversation of his own. Closing his eyes, he felt his consciousness sink into the void of the subconscious. Once he reopened them, he noticed the boy glaring at him with his arms crossed, standing in the blank white void of the subconscious of Izuku Midoriya.
"I take it, you've heard everything?" he asked the green haired boy, staring him down now that he can assume his true form as Diavolo.
"Yes," Izuku replied. Normally he would be mildly disturbed at the sight of a pink haired scowling Italian man in tight jeans and spaghetti straps, but he was too miffed at the Italian's treatment of his idol.
"Good. What can you gather from all of that?"
"I can gather that you're an insufferable asshole."
Diavolo scoffed at this. "Took you long enough to establish that," he said as though he were bored. Noticing the boy's mouth about to open, he cut it off before it could happen, "Now what can you actually gather from this situation?"
Izuku's mouth clammed up. He was right about needing to focus on priorities. He knew that but here was indulging in his emotions. How could he not, though? He was being rude to All Might! But, at the same time, this news was something he had not heard before. One for All lives and Shigaraki Tomura was All Might's mentor's grandson? That's quite a lot of information to swallow all at once. Although, considering the League of Villains main purpose of showing up at the USJ, the apprehension of Tomura will definitely throw a wrench into All for One's plans. Why? Because even if they did fail in killing All Might or bringing back a hostage, the fact that the school was attacked to begin with was enough to strike a blow at UA High's reputation and, by extension of him working there, All Might's. But with his main chess piece gone, how would this nemesis of All Might's react? Would he break Tomura out or—
"Mio dio, enough already!" Diavolo snapped, startling the poor boy. "Even in the realm of your subconscious, you're still able to make a conscious effort to mutter!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
He sighed while running his hand down his face. "It's fine. You've already told me what I asked you about anyway." 'Even if it was all by your lonesome,' he mentally added.
"So…what now?"
"Hm?"
"What do we do now? The school knows about you and the Stand, everyone in my class is probably afraid of me now, I need to let my mom know about all this and then there's the fact that All Might's nemesis is still alive and possibly plotting his return."
Diavolo appeared to contemplate the boy's question, his slender fingers stroking his chin every so often. Izuku took this moment to observe the Italian's mannerisms and form. There was without doubt that Diavolo was a paranoiac; his fragmented eyes wildly darting around once in a while and his intense desire to remain hidden were indicative of that. He also had the potential to be charismatic as he had a way with words. However, his…sense of fashion undermines any charisma he might have. Then there was the fact that he was tall, something Izuku was concerned about ever since the fusion happened. Should the fusion ever be completed, would he be overtaken by Diavolo, remain himself or become something else entirely?
"To answer that question, even I do not know what would happen if the fusion had been total," the Italian said gruffly, causing the boy to blush in embarrassment at being caught muttering. Again.
"And don't you dare disrespect my clothing!" he snapped. "It's a complex mesh-wire shirt, not a spaghetti strap, you uncultured fool! I don't care what millennium this is, but this style was hip in the 90s!"
A bead of sweat rolled down Izuku's face as he was unsure whether to apologise to the mafia don or point out that his style of fashion was rather…niche even back then. At least, that was what he thought.
"Anyway," Diavolo cleared his throat. "I am not sure what path this may lead us. If this All for One is the crime kingpin I think he is, he will try to reach out to any remaining crime groups in his control to act."
The boy gulped when he saw the don's lips furl into a sinister smirk before returning to neutral.
"In any case, boy," he uttered, looking at Izuku with his head tilted and his body hunched a bit away from him. "Let's not allow Fate the chance to determine the paths of us who are beyond lesser men! I do believe it is time for our president here to consolidate some power of his own!"
After a good 5 minutes of reassuring All Might that he was indeed Izuku Midoriya, he was finally released from the binds. It took another 2 minutes of accepting the blonde hero's apologies for him to actually step out of the school infirmary and make his way home. Man, what a day. What a day, indeed.
He did not think it was possible for him to feel this tired physically and mentally. Villains attacking his school; unwittingly exposing Diavolo to the world along with his Stand; his idol's greatest nemesis and the world's most notorious villain was still alive; a lot of it was too much for him to process at once. Let alone a single day. He needed a good night's rest to settle himself down. Then, there's the Italian's plan to 'consolidate' power. Judging by the way he elaborated it, it sounded like a very roundabout way of saying that he needed trustworthy friends. Friends that he could depend on when the going got rough and friends from all walks of life. It was what he somewhat planned to do anyway. Minus the whole deliberate 'consolidation' part.
With a heavy sigh, he knocked on the door to his house, calling out, "I'm home!" Judging by how dark it was outside, a weak grin formed as he prepared himself for an earful from his mom for being out so late. He stiffened his form upon hearing the frantic clacking of the door's lock being slid open and the fumbling of the lock's chain. Boy, he was definitely in for it now. Door was going to fly open anytime now so might as well get on with it.
"Mom, I'm sorry for—"
"Izuku!" his mom cried out as she flew out of the door to hug her son. She held him tight and her sobs were barely stifled. "Oh, my poor Izuku! I was so worried! I saw the news a-and I didn't see you in the group of students a-a-and then I heard from the school that you had to be sent to the infirmary and I…I…!"
He was taken aback by the intensity of his mother's sadness and worry, his heart jumping a few beats. Then, he realised that the whole incident had to have been reported on national news. Sure, there were no cameras in the USJ itself but he could imagine what his mom felt when he did not show up. Oh no.
"Mom!" Izuku cried too, his tears welling up from the edges of his eyes. "It's okay, mom. I'm here, aren't I?" He reciprocated his mother's embrace with warmth. For a while, they both said nothing, letting themselves cry into the other's shoulder. He never wanted to worry her. Never wanted to see her cry again. Never wanted her to feel guilty again. She ate more when she felt that way and he hated it. And yet, here he was, worrying her to tears.
So, he took a breath, stood up and beamed a warm smile. A true hero was one that smiled in the face of adversity not for intimidating the villain, but to inspire hope in the hearts of the people. "Let's go and have dinner, okay? I'm famished."
Wiping away her tears, she looked up at her son and nodded. "Okay."
It was at this point that both Midoriyas became overly aware of the younger one's change in height. She was literally looking up at him.
"O-oh my!" Inko blurted. "I've heard of growth spurts but you got hit with one pretty hard and fast, huh?"
"Heheh…guess so…" mumbled Izuku as he scratched his head in slight embarrassment.
"And that also means that you're beginning to have an interest in girls too, right?"
"Mom!"
"Oh my, such intensity!" His mother giggled a little while covering her mouth before beckoning for her son to enter the house. "Well come on in! Dinner's not going to stay warm for long and that Uraraka girl would like you to stay healthy and fed!"
"Mom! Please!" squirmed Izuku, his face red. He knew it was a mistake to let her name slip during their conversation over breakfast earlier today. He was just excited to talk about his new friends, that's all… In hindsight, it was probably a good thing he did not have time to mention Kyouka or he would his mom pestering about meeting her first thing in the morning. I mean, she was the reason he even knew some old bands prior to Diavolo's broad knowledge on that matter.
On the other hand, he did not mind this. The motherly affection and teasing that would cause many a teenager to squirm in discomfort. It showed him how strong she was on the inside; how her ability to be happy and playful after being worried and sad in a few short moments showed that she still was able to feel joy. For him. Especially after that fateful day to the doctor's years ago to discover his lack of a Quirk.
He was not sure if this happiness was because he has a Quirk now or if this was something she came up with to cope with his father's constantly being overseas but, in any case, he knew this was genuine. He never blamed her, or anyone for that matter, for ever feeling an iota of doubt or pity for being Quirkless.
"Izuku!" his mother called out. "Are you going to eat? Or are you fine standing outside?"
A chuckle escaped his lips and he gave her a heartfelt smile. "Coming!" He noted the extra-large bowl of katsudon on the table where he usually sits. Ah. She probably thought he needed the additional portions. She wasn't wrong, though. He did feel hungry. His mind wandered to Recovery Girl's report that his physical changes were permanent. Should he then tell his mom about his Stand? Sensing the good mood she was in and remembering how she reacted when he told him about his 'not-inherited' Quirk, he figured it was worth a shot.
So, here he was, sitting by the dining table with his mother enjoying their katsudon together with him surprisingly finishing the large serving a lot faster than he expected. His mother shot him a smile and joked about something about growing young lads. It was then that he decided was the moment of attack. He waited until the laughter subsided then went through the motions of setting the tension by saying, "Mom, I have something important I want to tell you."
A lean forward and the sudden disappearance of the joyous atmosphere signalled that it was time to drop the bomb. He summoned King Crimson and let the scowling humanoid float beside him for a good second before saying anything. "I have another Quirk, Mom."
A loud crash, an overturned chair and an unconscious Inko Midoriya was the result of his planned conversation. Well, he did expect this. He also commended silently for staring at the Stand for a solid second before passing out.
He had a lot of talking to do.
Sigh.
A/N: Happy New Year's, everyone! I'm sorry for the long gap between updates. I've been busy with work and family for a while (plus procrastination) so I hope this makes up for it. As always, tell me what you think about it and I'll get to writing the next chapter soon! Cheers!
