Toga continued to spin in her chair for what seemed like an age, catching a glimpse of the security camera footage every revolution. Nothing interesting, as it had been for roughly half an hour. Tomura's taking his sweet time, she mused, pouting. She took to, once again, perfecting the smile she had carved into the face of the unfortunate soul she had pretended to monitor the cameras with. A little too... droopy.

"...ura Shigaraki!"

Hm? Her eyes darted to the many screens hanging above her desk, focusing on the entrance video. About time.

Dabi returned to base, significantly worse for wear. Offering only a nod of acknowledgement to Spinner, he flopped down onto the nearest object that could pass for a seat.

"...took you so long?" The lizard villain offered, seeming more genuinely puzzled than mocking. Dabi could only sharply exhale in response.

"That bad?" Again, Dabi had no verbal reply.

"We've got a few cold ones. You look terrible." A long pause. Finally, Dabi mustered the energy to speak. "...whatever, I could use one. Security was so tight I could almost believe that girl's the real deal."

"Heh. But, you got her, right?" "Course I got her, Spinner. Delivered her to Tomura," Dabi checked the crooked clock nailed into the wall, "...5 minutes slow?"

"10."

"Then about 15 minutes ago. Only got here so quick 'cause one of 'em had an air manipulation Quirk."

Spinner returned, tossing a bottle Dabi could only hope hadn't expired.

"Well, whose fault do you think that is?" The Stain fanatic couldn't help but shoot a smirk at his thoroughly exhausted coworker. "C'mon, Tomura left it to me to date these operations. You didn't think I'd just hang you out to dry, did you?"

"Hmph. Maybe you're not so bad, after all. Cheers."

The two shared a silent toast, celebrating a victory yet unclaimed.

Mr Compress checked his watch for what must have been the 20th time in the hour. "Tomura should arrive soon..." he whispered aloud, scanning the forestry once again. Quiet as ever.

The chirping of crickets was somehow simultaneously the most serene sound on Earth, yet equally maddening. Compress checked the branch he had perched on remained sturdy. I almost hope a hero does show up at this rate...

Atsuhiro, I need you to be our lookout. The remaining heroes won't approach Tartarus directly, they'll most likely move through the surrounding forest. In case I finish late, you're our first line of defence.

Of course, Tomura. I have to stay focused. And so, Compress waited.

Izuku checked his phone again.

12:55 - Villain known as 'Gigantomachia' sighted in at least 4 different prefectures across Japan. Update pending.

Blackwhip carried him through the dark forest at lightning speed.

13:07 - Tartarus security disabled.

This was so tightly orchestrated.

13:15 - Shinsou

sorry midoriya
they took eri
i tried

DAMMIT! How did I let this happen!?

"Oho? You're early, Deku!"

Caught off-guard, Izuku barely avoided being skewered by a large metal rod, appearing to have materialised out of nothing.

"I know that voice! Mr Compress, show yourself!"

A slow applause sounded from above, Izuku's head whirling to meet it. "Aww, you remember me! I can only apologise we have to meet again under such circumstances..." he finished, giving a bow.

"I don't have time for this! Out of my way!" the young hero roared, a volley of Delaware Smashes bringing the trees before him down, Compress bouncing nimbly between the falling behemoths.

"My, my, so angry! Whatever could have irritated you so?"

Lightning coursed around Izuku, his green features taking on a bluish hue. His fist clenched reflexively as he spoke. "Where is Eri?"

"Eri?" he feigned unfamiliarity, tapping a finger to his chin, "Oh, why yes of course! Now, if I do remember correctly-"

"Where IS she!?"

Compress flinched. Slowly, a wicked smile crept behind his mask. "Now, now, boy. Would All Might yell like that?"

Before he had time to process what had happened, Compress was sent sprawling to the floor, his mask lying shattered, his nose broken and blood running down his face. Izuku stood deathly still before him, fist still raised. "GAH!? How-"

"Don't say his name."

The words barely registered with Atsuhiro before Deku's motion blurred once more and the magician's world went black, succumbing to unconsciousness.

Izuku took a moment to breathe. All Might... If he were here, what would he do...

He briefly thought about notifying his classmates, but almost instantly pressed the thought to the back of his mind. No, I couldn't. Not anymore. A maelstrom of ideas and strategies swirled around in his head, finally settling on his course of action.

All Might would save Eri, no matter what. I'll save Eri, no matter what.

All For One marched brazenly ahead, a lively quality to his usually subdued gait. Shigaraki trailed behind slightly, worry evident in his gaze lying anywhere but forward. Sensing this, his master attempted to break him out of his thoughts.

"I trust you've done the League proud, Tomura?"

He hesitated, unsure how to respond. "Things have been rough. Or, they were."

The older man hummed. "I assume there's more to this little scheme of yours than a mere prison break?"

Shigaraki perked up. "You'll see. We've got... a gift, I guess you could say." All For One's malicious chuckle rattled his clearly frailer, yet still imposing physique.

Eri had decided to sit, waiting for Chisaki to answer. He couldn't hurt her anymore. He seemed so much more... alone, now, than he'd ever been before.

You could have just come back to me, Eri. You could have just come back, and no one would've died.
It's all your fault, Eri.
You did this to me. You're cursed.

Initially, Chisaki's outburst consisted of nothing but similar statements. Over time, he outwardly mellowed to his victim's presence. The anger, the failure, and everything in between still ate him up, seeing her conversing so openly with him. Eventually he relented.

"No, I'm not okay. I've been in prison for two years." The irony of his statement hit him immediately. "Go. Shigaraki will be waiting."

The girl moved to rub her eyes, forgetting her restraints. She'd never cried in his care. Weakness. Chisaki could've sworn he heard her mumble something about Deku, but brushed the notion off. He was furious enough, he didn't need reminded of the one who took everything from him.

"Ah, so this is your gift, is it?"

Eri yelped in surprise, scrambling to her feet and cowering away from the new presence. Chisaki's face resigned to pure horror.

"Yeah. Meet Eri." Shigaraki muttered, lifting an arm in her direction.

"Her Quirk?" The elder quizzed, towering over Eri.

"Rewind. Returns living things to previous states. Think you know why we picked her."

All For One grew still, an ear-to-ear grin manifesting itself. The man broke down with laughter, throwing his arms wide and cackling wildly. Composing himself, he spoke, a crazed expression forming on his lower face.

"Yes, I believe I do, Tomura. You've done a fine job indeed."

AN: This is progressing a tad slower than I'd envisioned to be honest, but not in a bad way. Or, I suppose I'll leave that for you to decide~