Chapter 2: True Beginnings
Things were progressing moderately well since Deku had been taken under the wing of the man known as Sensei and his close troupe, namely Kurogiri and a reluctant Tomura. His birthday had come and gone, and while the celebration had been unlike past years, it had been relatively enjoyable and seemed to mark another positive landmark in his unexpected new life; Sensei had kept his word and arrived to join in the celebration, something that Deku's own father had failed to do many a time if not always. He was even making strides in his studies and training, per his conditions with Sensei.
His days were filled with a mix of subjects to maintain his schooling so he wouldn't fall behind, including an in depth history of Quirks and social studies regarding before and after Quirks, as well as training sessions to build up his body's strength and endurance. From reading to reciting studies to Quick Analysis based on provided data as well as his own observations to physical workout, Deku had busy days that challenged both his mind and body; meanwhile Tomura seemed excused from most lessons, seemingly having more pressing matters to deal with or simply lack of interest with no enforcement to learn—maybe it was just a teenager thing.
While he felt exhausted mentally and physically some days it gave him a sense of exhilaration and peace. Keeping a regular schedule that was so demanding did not allow much time for wallowing, forcing him to focus on the end results. For the first time his personal notes and observations on Quirks were being treated as something serious, encouraged even rather than snubbed or simply endured as a means to keep him happy; they were being treated as if they mattered with the utmost importance. He threw himself into his studies wholeheartedly, his passion lit to a full on inferno as it was nurtured seemingly without limits.
He still had some reservations about his new found home, at times yearning for the life he left behind despite his past troubles and heartache, but he felt more accepted than he had in years. Sure there were conditions, ones he was sure to set of his own accord as well, but he was finally somebody and that somebody was named Deku by choice. No one was going to look down on him in the League for taking a different route to success instead of trying to climb the same ladder as others while being constantly knocked down a few rungs; it wasn't the backdoor to success, rather an alternate way that no one maliciously policed to "suppress the flukes of society."
However it wasn't even four months when his world came crashing down around him, his new life threatened.
"Tomura Shigaraki, Young Deku. Sire… Sensei wishes to speak with you."
The two looked up toward Kurogiri who'd just warped from somewhere, having left them alone as he trusted they wouldn't murder each other or rather Tomura would show some restraint. They were sitting around the table with books strewn before them, Tomura looking bored while Deku was explaining the physical draw backs to a certain Pro's Quirk and the countermeasures the suit had to provide. Tomura's hunched posture quickly straightened at Kurogiri's words, his interest and joy sparked as his grinned beneath his hand mask; Sensei was requesting an audience.
"Sensei wants to see us?" Deku looked confused, still holding his personal notebook labeled Quirk Analysis for the Future. "It's only been a few days since he said he had a meeting out of town for possibly a week. He's back already?"
"Sensei is a very important and busy man. If he has time for us you'd better not complain, Deku."
"I'm not! I'm just surprised! I bet you are too, under that mask of yours!"
"Oh…? Getting a bit bold now, are we?"
"Uh…"
"I… I must inform you it isn't a simple social call." Kurogiri explained, the mist man's refined tone holding a bit of emotion as he reined in the conversation.
"What do you mean?" Deku's eyebrows bunched together, trying to decipher what the stoic man was saying, noting the slight change in posture that was unusual for the refined man.
"Kurogiri, what's going on?" Tomura insisted, abruptly standing up as he glared at the man through his mask, around "Father," his lone visible eye flashing. "Why isn't Sensei here? Why'd he send you? Where are we going?"
Deku's green eyes widened as he looked from the agitated teen to the collected mist man, his mind racing. This wasn't a common occurrence? Sure most of the time Sensei summoned him to his private chambers to talk and train, but something seemed off. Never once since arriving had he been taken by Kurogiri to somewhere offsite to meet with Sensei, given his appearance in public would draw unwanted attention if he was a hot topic for being listed as missing.
Kurogiri looked from the confused youngster to the tense teen, already knowing who would react the strongest and attempted to steel himself for the incoming torrent, "I regret to say that Sire has been in a bit of an incident."
Deku stood rigid next to Tomura, clutching his notebook he absently brought along. At the startling news Kurogiri had promptly warped them to where Sensei evidently was, not going into further detail despite their barrage of questions, Tomura demanding information and to see Sensei right away. Deku had hurried after the older boy, hot on his heels as he practically leapt into the Warp Gate, uttering a strangled worried, "Sensei!" He was too numb to think of anything to say but he felt Kurogiri behind him, giving a sense of comfort and strength but the mist man was clearly distressed as well despite his obscured features.
Before them was a sight he never thought he would see, let alone wish to ever experience: Lying in a hospital bed in a dark room lay the man they called Sensei. IVs poked into him at various places while a monitor beeped in mechanical excitement that a pulse was being transmitted while an oxygen tank was nearby, letting out occasional hisses of air as its valves adjusted as he breathed through the respirator, his breath sounding shaky.
"Sensei?" Tomura took a shaky step forward, looking like a deer caught in the headlights, "What happened? Sensei…?"
The imposing man that had granted them both a place to call home was now seemingly laid up, a shell struggling to merely breathe. From the faint light that entered the room and what glows emitted from the medical equipment, Deku could make out a mess of flesh over his savior's face, the whole upper part seemingly mutilated and twisted. Instantly the green haired boy's stomach turned and he felt like he was going to throw up from the sight alone, not counting the emotion punch to his gut.
Things can't end like this. I just got here, please don't make me lose my chance to really be something. I don't want to go back to being useless. Sensei needs me. My deal isn't done yet!
"Master only just regained consciousness a few hours ago after a day of rest. He's out of the woods but recovery will take time." Kurogiri patiently explained, keeping a safe distance from the volatile teen, eyeing his body language.
"How, how could this happen?" Tomura insisted, snapping his head toward Kurogiri and then back at his maimed mentor, outrage building. "Who did this?"
"C-Can he hear or see us?" Deku asked, gulping and licking his lips as he tried to not look away, his heart squeezing and his gut flipping. What or who could have caused such horrific injures? Just what had occurred during his apparent meeting? Just want kind of business deal was it?
"Both, Young Deku." A familiar voice spoke, slicing the tension as both boys stared at the man, apparently awake. "Well, in a sense. I needed a few days to procure some essential Quirks as well as rise from the grave as some would put it. One said Quirk being Infrared Ray though it seems its abilities are limited… my limbs could be in a bit more of a desirable state as well."
"Sensei!" Tomura exclaimed in relief, trembling at hearing him speak. Deku let out a breath, not realizing he had been holding it as soon as he heard his name uttered by the bedridden man.
"Sire, I brought both Tomura Shigaraki and Young Deku, as requested."
"Fine work, Kurogiri." The man smiled underneath his respirator mask, a flash of white in the gloom tipping Deku off of the action. Kurogiri bowed in compliance, seemingly relieved but understandably still troubled.
"Kurogiri said… you'd be in an incident." Deku attempted, not sure using the mist man's words was the best choice given their seemingly downplaying of the situation. He hugged his notebook closer, his stomach twisting.
"That self righteous oaf finally got me back, took him over twenty years… little does he know I have the last laugh. His master's legacy can never be truly avenged or go untarnished once I'm through. I left him a lasting parting gift as well." A low chuckle escaped the man, amused despite his disfigurement and brutal maiming; whatever the joke was he kept it to himself, seemingly satisfied to a degree in the face of the hindrance and humiliation he was saddled with.
"Who, Sensei? I'll make him pay!" Tomura demanded, bristling as he took more steps toward his mentor, his hands flexing in anticipation. His voice dripped with pure hate, his normal coarse tone even harder as all thoughts went toward the unknown assailant. "Turn him into nothing, not a hair will be left by the time my Decay is through with him! I hate him!"
"Tomura." Came the calm yet authoritative tone, causing the teen to pause amid his blooming tirade. The man extended his hand slowly, gesturing for him to draw near to which Tomura swiftly complied with shaky steps but stopped short as if longing but afraid, almost trained. "This is merely a delay, nothing more. I will recover in time, I will rise again. However this has irritatingly thrown a wrench in my plans. In the meantime you must be my stand in, push my plans forward to get back on track. Focus and carry on for your Sensei, fulfill my ambition."
Tomura stood there dumbfounded, his heart racing as Sensei placed his trust in him. It was on his shoulders, the reins placed in his hands to guide the League as Sensei watched. This was his chance, his moment to step up and prove himself. Sensei was asking him, not Deku. "Yes, Sensei. Of course!"
"You will go with Kurogiri to being setting my plans in motion. Ensure that despite this setback no one is thinking to challenge the League. I am the head of this organization but you, Tomura Shigarki are my hand. The world may think I'm dead but they'll find out soon enough I am eternal and my protégé more than capable. I am no stranger to the shadows."
The shaggy haired teen lifted his head, his lone visible red eye gleaming as his voice was full of excitement and determination. "Understood, Sensei." He spun toward Kurogiri, authority raiding off of him as adrenaline raced through him, pride fueling him as he momentarily forgot about his sworn revenge, "Let's go, Kurogiri."
The mist man bowed his head in compliance and summoned a Warp Gate to take them both presumably back to their residence. Deku looked unsure and took a few steps toward them, not being listed in the plans but feeling the scenario was done; his stomach was a bunch of knots as he felt bile rising but fought to keep it down, swallowing.
"Deku, please remain. We have catching up to do. I assume you brought your notebook?"
"Y-yes, Sensei." He stopped, turning toward the man in automatic compliance. He could feel Tomura's gaze on him, questioning but thankfully the teen's mind was honed on the mission Sensei had entrusted to him specifically.
"I shall pick you up when you hail for me, Young Deku." Kurogiri informed as he let Tomura step through the portal first, watching the tense younger boy who gave a nod with his back to the mist man. Without another word he too slipped into the Warp Gate and they were gone, leaving the green haired boy alone in an otherwise quiet room save the sounds of the medical equipment.
"Come closer. There is no need for fear, little one. I may look different but I am still the same."
"Sensei… who did this to you?" Deku barely got out, his eyes once more wavering at the horrendous sight as he complied, nearing the bedside. His grip on his notebook tightened, forcing himself to look at the man despite his horrendous state; he looked nothing like the Sensei he'd grown accustomed to yet despite his present appearance he still gave off that imposing aura.
"All Might." Came the answer, no malice or annoyance just mastered calmness.
Deku's eyes widened, his breath catching. The Number One Hero was the culprit? The Symbol of Peace? Despite having given up on the man as an inspiration some time ago he felt shock and betrayal. A hero would disfigure their foe so badly, obviously with the intent to kill? Even when fighting for their life a hero was suppose to rise above and not deal the fatal blow, no matter their personal feelings; it was an abuse of power. The fact that All Might had sunk to the level to try to kill another human being, no matter how powerful… How was that upholding justice?
Sensei had warned him there was those who viewed them as simple villains rather than ones working from the shadows to carry out their ideals, which included killing people at times—something Deku made sure would never be part of his obligations as a League member. There were things the League did he did not approve of, but Sensei kept him in the dark on most details, seemingly valuing the untainted mind while ensuring the boy understood things got dirty.
The world was complicated and cruel, but just because he was on the flip side of society trying to find his place didn't mean those he was with were pure evil; misguided perhaps like any person would be but for the one who saw value and potential in him just as he was to end up like this…
"Izuku."
Deku was jarred out of his daze, looking at Sensei in disbelief. Last he'd heard that name was when he uttered it at the park that fateful day. Since then he had always been "Deku" yet now… Why did his heartache at the mere mention of it, seemingly longing as it touched his very soul? What was it he was yearning for?
A broad hand touched his head gently though shaking with effort, fingers brushing his messy curly green hair and Deku felt his face screw up as he was hit with another wave of emotion. The fingers felt rough, almost stiff as if they were relearning movement but the action made the boy's heart skip a beat as he tried to picture what they looked like in the gloom. What about his other hand, his left arm? Was it even… there?
"Everything will be alright." Sensei assured, gently stroking the boy's head, his strong voice low but full of certainty. "Sometimes one must topple the pillar of a foundation in order to be able to rebuild but with it comes pain. To dismantle society and remake it means sometimes sacrifices are made; scars are a part of life whether physical or mental."
"Yes… Sensei." Deku got out in a shaky tone, tears pricking his eyes as he gripped his notebook, feeling useless and terrified. "But… you… He hurt you, so badly… I couldn't help you."
"Do not fret, while it was not in my immediate plans I did plan on confronting that nuisance at some point, it just moved up on my agenda. We do have a long history that goes beyond him after all." The scarred man comforted, still petting Deku's head soothingly. "I may not look like much but All Might didn't get away unscathed either, I made sure of it. He might hide it but he did not fair well after our fight."
Deku's puzzled expression caused Sensei to smile, deciding to expand on his earlier remark regarding the parting gift. "The Number One Hero's days are numbered, Young Deku. We are at an advantage with him mortally injured and thinking I am dead, we have the element of surprise. Also how could you help me when I had not consulted you? Do not blame yourself."
"But still, I-"
"Izuku."
There was again, the name. His breath caught, blinking through the pricks of tears, looking at the man's marred face through the dim of the room. A slightly frown tugged at his mouth but it was not disappointment, rather… sadness? Sympathy?
"We will rise above, do not let past failures hold us back. I've lived a long life going unchallenged properly, it is frustrating but refreshing to have a curveball thrown at me. But I know in the end I will win, despite what hurdles come my way. This won't break me, I will rise up renewed like a phoenix."
"Sensei…"
"Do not let this break you either, this is my burden not yours. I need your mental prowess more than ever to help achieve my dream, to equalize and reshape this twisted world that treated you so coldly."
Deku gave a nod in compliance, Sensei's right hand still resting on his head almost dotingly. However he could not help but ask, tentative as the subject had been skirted around once already, "Will you tell Shigaraki-senpai? About All Might?"
He seemed to smile at that, amused at the boy's concern for his abrasive foster brother. "In time, for now he must focus. At present if he knew whom my attacker was he would obsess about avenging me, so much so he'd be reckless and a hazard to himself, as well as others. I will inform him when the time is right. Fear not, I'm still here."
"Yes, Sensei."
"Now, in regards to moving up plans…" Sensei tilted his head, seemingly gazing at his young charge despite the lack of eyes, studying the boy through Infrared Ray. "You are progressing nicely with your training it seems. More months for strengthening your body and building endurance is preferable but this should be enough for now."
Before Deku could ask what the man meant he felt a tingling sensation flow through him from his head to his toes, his veins briefly feeling like they were on fire but the sensation stopped before he could flinch. He blinked, sensing a hum in his veins as he noticed what seemed like a presence now resting in his chest, an unknown void within suddenly filled. What…?
"Mmm, good. I passed onto you an endurance enhancer Quirk and a strength enhancer Quirk. They should be suitable starter Quirks to help build up your Quirk nerves as you hone your body more."
Starter Quirks? Deku's mind raced, realization coming over him as he had been training for this day since he had arrived.
"I would have liked you to have had more time to prepare, ideally a year, but we must increase your training starting today."
"I… I have a Quirk? I'm not Quirkless anymore?" His voice shook as he stared down at his hands, still gripping his notebook as he trembled. "I'm not… useless?" Hot tears pricked his eyes again, his vision swimming but he bit his lip, attempting to shove the emotion back down. He wasn't going to cry anymore, enough tears no matter if happy or sad.
"Yes, Young Deku. However you were never useless before, no matter what others say or what you think. That mind of yours is a superpower of its own. In a few months we'll revisit the loan but for now you have to learn to adjust to your newfound strength."
"Yes, Sensei… Thank you." Deku breathed, his heart soaring as he clenched his fist, feeling the foreign yet comforting presence in his veins. It was sitting there quietly, waiting to be used and refined to his preference, to be made his own. This was his true beginning, the day he became a Quirk holder, the day he was truly reborn.
Sensei removed his hand from the boy's head, smiling to himself as he could picture the expression on Deku's face. He had been so elated when he had come as promised to celebrate his birthday months ago, surely his face at present was much more intense; even during times when he monitored his training the green haired boy seemed to throw himself into it completely, knowing his Sensei was watching and was there for him.
Now he had gifted Deku something he'd promised but earlier, earning yet another layer of gratitude and admiration to their relationship. The boy starved for fatherly attention and concern which he was more than happy to comply, deepening the boy's sense of trust and indebtedness.
Despite what terms Deku had presented as part of him joining the League, the man knew there would be some wiggle room long as he got a hold on the boy's heart as well as his mind; he would be different from the broken yet wildly devoted Tomura Shigaraki. This one's mind would be his sword but well armed to fend for himself as what was a keen mind without the ability to carry out such intellect and defend one's brilliance on the physical and mental planes? His time with the League would indeed be fruitful.
"Now before we begin going over your latest Quirk Analysis, being I can't read for myself anymore…" Sensei began, looking thoughtful as he saw from the thermal readings Deku look up at him, still enraptured by the sudden gifting. "Perhaps I should tell you a story."
"A story, Sensei?"
"Yes, a grand story. History really though most of the world is ignorant of it. The story of One For All and All For One, of how I came to be All For One."
"All For One…?"
"Listen well, Young Deku. Listen to the tale of my true beginnings."