A pulse of rapid-fire neurological activity rippled from the fingertips of the IASHF's best and youngest medical specialist, a young American woman named Avril Mead but to the IASHF heroes who she would treat was more commonly known by the moniker 'Scrap Queen', watched has her quirk 'magic touch' danced across her patient's broken body. With each passing second Avril felt her quirk gently pulse and dance across the damaged synaptic pathways, torn muscles and splintered bones she felt not only the slow process of the body repairing itself but something else bubble up from the very depths of the quirk factor that permitted every fibre of her patients being.
Since being picked up by the IASHF and having used her quirk to restore so many of their heroes back to health she had only felt this response from a person's quirk factor a handful of times, it was like a rush of something dormant bleeding out into the world. As she continued to nit her patient back together the feeling never left but she could feel it reach out into her own quirk, not in malice but in encouragement, it was almost as if whatever this dormant awakening force wanted her to keep going to succeed.
Avril had only felt something like this three times before, the three times she had been called in to aid three of the IASHF's elite, 'The Angel, The Ghost and The Cross' these had been the monikers often used in tandem with their listed hero names often used by the rogue elements they would usually be deployed to bring to heel.
Avril had always found it odd that the IASHF never used to term 'villain' but would instead classify the threats they would deal with as 'hostile combatant' or in the case of their more destructive heroes and their infield support 'bogey'. Likely just a result of the regimented and military-style structure of the organisation.
With a sigh, Avril removed her hands from her patient having done all she could for the moment, continuing now would likely not only stunt her own and the patient's quirk but not allow for proper healing. Looking over the results of her work Avril was impressed at how adaptable her patient's quirk was to her treatment, the damage sustained should have rendered her patient's ability to use the flight portion of her quirk as something beyond her. Yet as Avril and the other IASHF medical staff had worked on their young charge, cutting away the jagged remains of her wings. At the same time, Avril let her quirk flow into their patient they were surprised to see the wing-like growths twist and reform themselves, taking a new shape and orientation, almost as if her quirk was adapting.
This was new, perhaps it was a sign that her patient's generation was on the verge of reaching the long-contested idea of 'quirk singularity', not that Avril supported or truly believed in that particular theory but seeing her patient's quirk adapting and evolving to her healing did give some credence to the idea. With what was happening here, it would be something Avril knew she'd have to raise with her superiors.
"Report on her prognosis," The stern voice that all in the IASHF knew well barked out from behind her.
Speak of the devil, well in this case guard dog and he shall appear. Biting back a witty response as she often did lest she find herself hauled off to whatever this particular IASHF base had that would pass as solitary, she turned to face the ever stern permanent scowling face of Bandbog.
"She'll make a full recovery given time," Avril paused looking over her patient's form before looking back to Bandog, "She still needs a few more treatments followed by standard post-operation care, probably another week for my quirk to finish its work then another couple of weeks physiotherapy, but sir something about how her quirk and body are responding is off."
Bandog moved his stern gaze from Avril to take in the form of their young patient, "And what about how Miss Midoriya's quirk is responding to yours is off inmate?" Bandog turned his gaze back to Avril, his tone and choice of words indicating he wasn't in the mood for beating around the bush.
"Well it's responding well, too well to mine sir," she paused running a hand through her hair, "It's almost as if her quirk wants to grow and change by using mine as a catalyst to do so."
"Will these changes impact her overall ability to continue heroics?" His face kept the typical natural mask he'd become known for, yet his eyes did not they showed the cold calculating and authoritarian mindset Bandog was known for amongst the inmates the IASHF had deemed rehabilitate.
"Not negatively," Pausing briefly to compose her thoughts as the full might of Bandog's attention shifted to her Avril continued on, "The inorganic components will look different but there will be no reduction in her potential effectiveness in the field. If I had to guess as to what's happening her subconscious mind is using my quirks' interaction with hers to undergo an awakening."
That comment caused Bandog's eyebrow to raise at the implication of Avril's words, it wasn't uncommon for those she'd helped heal with her quirk to have theirs undergo subtle changes to make the use of such quirks easier and less taxing on their bodies but this was unheard of. A healing quirk being used as a catalyst for an awakening the very idea of that sent a shiver down Bandog's spine at the implications, the girls quirk and prior training under IASHF's eyes had already laid the groundwork for her to be a future replacement as their 'Ribbon Reaper' when her uncle either retired.
"Continue with her recovery," Bandog gave Avril a single curt nod before turning to head out of the room, "I'll see to it you have improved accommodations during our tenure here."
Avril just stared at the retreating back of the ISAHF's 'Guard Dog' and for the first time since she had found herself in IASHF custody for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and using her quirk to heal an S-ranked villain wanted in multiple nations, was shocked that the IASHF's Guard Dog could show any of his charges a single shred of kindness. Before her mind could become fixated on Bandog's action, Avril turns back to continue healing her young patient.
While Avril Worked Bandog strode through the halls of the compound heading towards the office he had temporarily set up in during his and Spare Squadron's stay in Japan. Once inside the office, Bandog locked the door before taking a seat and opening up a long stream of files on the IASHF laptop he had, he sat there going over in his head, not just the brief report Avril had given him on Izumi Midoriya's recovery rate but the full medical report compiled.
But it wasn't just this report Bandog was looking at, and while it had taken him calling in a few favours from, Skyeye, Thunderhead, Oka Nieba and Ghosteye he had managed to get a complete account of the Midoriya's early training with her uncle and various other heroes she had by simple proximity interacted with and learnt from. What Bandog was seeing was a pattern showing Midoriya rising to meet any and every challenge placed before her and a combination of the deadliest attributes of the IASHF's current cadre of aces.
He could see in her tactical awareness from even as early as five years old right up to the USJ incident how she focused on unit cohesion and lighting strikes often utilised by The Ghost and his small wing of Demons. Hallmarks of The Angel about her psych profile never seeing a single hero or element as the single cause for victory but as just one factor that leads to it was beyond present and the effects they had on those around her could be noted as well, Bandog could plainly see this in how once again the reports he'd managed to get on the USJ showed the students she came into proximity with coming out the least panicked.
But the real hall make was combat performance, a subtle merging of the distinctive nature of The Angle, Ghost and her Uncle The Ribbon Reaper himself. While still young and inexperienced bled through with that it would not take long for her to rival the best the IASHF had to offer. Not a dilemma in the grand scheme of things as the ISAHF had always had plans to bring her into the fold, but currently, the local HPSC was attempting to hurl a spanner into those works.
It had not taken long for Japan's corrupt and ego-driven HSPC to muddy the waters of the USJ incident in some attempt to leverage either concessions or control over UA, their plan to do this was to take the entire event and the villain deaths caused not by Izumi but another student with a quirk that could match some of Izumi's destructive capability and rather than pin the blame on that student attempt to pin it on her.
Knowing how the Japanese HPSC operated and how they'd likely use Midoirya's freedom from being prosecuted for her actions as a ball and chain to get her to conform to their way of thinking and 'dirty work' sickened Bandog, it was this that had lead him along with the top-brass in the ISAHF to step in and take control of the entire situation. Officially Midoriya would be rolled into the four-forty-fourth squadron, she'd become a Spare while undergoing 'rehabilitation' but this would just be a thinly veiled cover to allow for her to recover.
Rubbing his eyes Bandog clicked the earpiece in his left ear switching to a channel for the guard's station by the temporary holding cells, Once the guard in charge had acknowledged the connection Bandog begin to speak. "Send Spare Two, Spare Seven and Spare Nine to my office they have deployment orders." The tone of his voice made it abundantly clear that like all missions Bandog ensured Spare Squadron had it would be nothing short of a near-suicide run, just something to remind them that as a penal unit, he chose whether they had served their time or would die atoning for their crimes.
Yet while Bandog planned and reviewed files across Japan in an out-of-the-way bar found within the Kamino ward of Yokohama City Tomura Shigaraki could be found having what at best could be described as a childish tantrum over being denied something he thought he deserved by right. The result of his tantrum was piles of dust that had once been various stools, booths and glasses found within the bar, in his rage, he would slam his five fingers down on the objects activating his quirk and decaying them into nothing but dust all while the misty form of the barman and his right hand Kurogiri stood nearby patiently waiting for his young charge to calm down.
"Have you calmed down enough to explain to me what happen Tomura?" the slightly distorted voice from a computer screen sitting on the bar spoke, "It sounds as if you encountered something unexpected."
"They had a wallet warrior," Tomura snarled gripping yet another table leg and reducing it to dust, "A pay-to-win scrub took out my adds and griefed Nomu until the symbol of peace arrived."
"Interesting, it seems more in play than I first thought." The voice remained to calm almost speculative about what had happened, "While we may have underestimated not only the symbol of peace but heroes as a whole we did not come away empty-handed."
"What do you mean master?" Tomura asked his tantrum slowly subsiding his attention focusing on the screen.
"All in due time Tomura, all in due time." The voice chuckled before addressing Kurogiri, "Were you able to recover our Nomu or the combat drones lent to us?"
"I was unable to," Kurogiri let out a sigh of disappointment "The Nomu was sent flying and I could not keep track of his location, while the drones were reduced to little more than scrap it seemed more important to get myself and Tomura out of there."
"A pity, but not a great loss or so their own tells me at any rate, they seem remarkably unconcerned with the loss." The voice paused musing, "Almost as if they expected it to happen and were content with the returned combat data they transmitted."
"What does that mean for us Sensei?" Tomura asked his attention now fully on the screen, while a hand moved to scratch at his throat.
"Well, it means a change in tactics is in order, instead of overwhelming numbers a different approach perhaps?" The voice paused a chuckle echoing out, "Similar to those games you seem so fond of, a small group of strong capable allies."
Tomura's eyes widened as he put together what his Sensei was saying, a demented grin slowly forming on his face as his warped mind processed the suggestion, "I need a raid team."
"Yes my boy that is it, now why don't you see about doing that through our mutual friend hm?
While tomura giggled and cackled the voice behind the screen focused on Kurogiri, "I believe you can take of this can't you?"
"Of course sir, anything for Tomura nothing is too much." Kurogiri dutifully responded before the feed to the monitor cut.
Leaving his young apprentice to plan in the unique way he did All for One turned his attention to focus on his only psychical guest, a peculiar man really, as why would a European gentleman from one of the many nations on that continent not only be fully aware of who he is but seek him out and offer his assistance in any form. Something to probe into in the future, but he had an alliance to forge right now.
"I must say I am surprised by your continued offer of assistance to my young apprentice and his plans, or that you have yet to name a price for such help so tell me, what will it cost Tomura and by extension myself," All For One paused briefly using one of the many sensory quirks he had acquired to study the dark and slightly greying haired, blue eyes bespectacled main taking note of the indifference in his posture more focused on the tablet in his hand and whatever was on it, "A Quirk perhaps or several for your person or creations?"
"No, I do not require anything of that nature," The man glanced up from the tablet to focus on All For one only briefly before glancing back down, "It is information I require in both field testing for the next incarnation of the Synthetic Meta-humans so I am willing to supply some of them to your cause."
"Once again a generous offer of support, Doctor Schroeder was it?" At a nod of confirmation All For One continued, You mentioned that not only do you require field testing of your Synthetics but another piece of information, care to enlighten me as to what that is?"
"The Independent States Allied Hero Force have a secure prison somewhere within Japan," The now identified Schroeder began once again looking at All For One, "As it's located within Japanese territory the local Public Safety Commission would be aware of its location and any prisoner transfers set to take place to and from said prison."
All For One let out a deep chuckle figuring out what Schroeder wanted and was asking for, for several minutes his sardonic laugh filled the area before slowly petering out, "Oh this is rich, you seek information to break out Archange, and what lead you to assume I would have access to such information?"
"You might be considered a myth here in Japan and most of the world, but there are those of us who know the truth about how far you reach extended and likely still does," Schroeder kept his gaze on All For One, "So you likely have elements of your empire inside every facet of Japan making such information child's play for you."
"You are correct," All For One chuckled, "I will contact you again with the information regarding the date of such a transfer until then it has been a pleasure meeting you Doctor Schroeder." With those final words All For One reached down deep into his pool of stolen quirks for the warping quirk he kept himself, opening a swirling black rip behind his quest, watching as the Doctor calmly turned and walked through the warp portal.
Such an odd meeting and a strange individual, All For One had spent the entire time that Schroeder had been in his presence using every sensory quirk he had available to him and even his own to gleam all he could about the man. A quirkless man whose nationality he could not place and one who gave no air of wanting a quirk in any capacity.
That surprised him as since the very moment he had begun his harvest of the wheat that were quirks he had only ever met a scant few who either hated their quirks or did not desire one, he'd have to keep an eye on this lest Schroeder proves to be a liability to his plans. Not that he wouldn't be able to handle whatever the doctor could contemplate.
While All For One sat in thought and mused about the boon and potential problem Schroeder would bring to his plans, the doctor calmly strode out onto the green expanse of Kaminone Island. Paying no attention to the vanishing swirl of black ooze behind him, Schroeder walked towards the treeline, noting the rows of camouflaged shipping containers smuggled onto the island.
Making his way beyond the short treeline Schroeder strode inside the disguised hanger a smirk on his face, an old hidden Japanese Air Self-Defence Force base that had been long abandoned had so far proven to be an excellent staging area for himself; his research and the eight individuals that comprised all that remained of Europes most fear villain organisations.
These eight had been instrumental in helping Schroeder escape both the IASHF's Ribbon Reaper when he had come knocking for Archange first aiding in his escape to South America' and again when through a combination of poor circumstances and the whims of a megalomaniacal dictator had kicked the hornet's nest that was the slowly strengthening international relationship between Argentina and Great Britain by invading both the Falkland Islands and Argentinian Province of Tierra del Fuego.
Whatever had been that maniac's reasoning to invade it had cost Schroeder not only another research lab but forced him to once again flee as The Argentine Angel had sniffed his trail out. This escape had been just as disastrous as when the Ribbon had brought Archange and his protégé down, it had cost them his first real success.
While All For One believed he had a monopoly on creating monsters by forced quirked combination, Schroeder had perfected it independently in a way that allowed those who underwent his knife to retain their minds. It had cost them his to-date most destructive creation in what half of the eight here had come to know her as 'The Vampire', she had been captured much like Archange and from what information they had spent the last few years digging up had determined both her and Archange had been kept together.
But provided All For One would deliver them the correct information than the two teams that served their imprisoned masters even now would ensure their escape, they would get their lord and lady back while Schroeder would once again have two of the final components needed to finish the preparations for something that had been decades in the making, a plan to prevent the end of humanity whether they were grateful or not.
"Be ready," He spoke getting the attention of the eight individuals in the old hanger watching as one they all stood flexing and stretching the inorganic folding wings and jet engines that grew from each of them, another of his successes copying Archanges quirk to bestow to those deemed worthy, "When we have the information things will begin to move much faster."
It would not be long now before Sol would rise again allowing Strigon to feast on the weak below.