Reiji Shigaraki enjoyed the walk from the residential sector to the labs, musing over the recent conversation he just had with one Kagome Mirai. A quick chat had confirmed that she was truly a nurse from Jaku Hospital, and her reaction to him momentarily holding the box she owned gave much likelihood that the Quirk inside was indeed his.
[That woman you spoke with is one of the ones working with this 'Nine', is she not?]
[Why have you left her instead of dealing with her now?]
"Because their teams' machinations are going to be what allows us plenty of time to go snooping where those in charge wouldn't want us." He explained.
[But the chances of them killing the current host of One for All-]
"-Is why I am currently working on evening the score." Reiji reassured the robotic voice echoing in his head. "I'm still not sure what it is they are exactly after, but a second confrontation is almost certainly inevitable. Luckily, I came across information on a device that could boost the young boy's strength to match Nine. The only catch is getting him in a position to use it."
[Which I presume is what you are currently working towards?]
"That's right. Just let me do the talking and everything will work out just fine." Reiji said, rounding the corner of the street and coming to the lab he was looking for.
He walked right in, following the directions that had been given to him by the automated systems around the futuristic city. Walking up to a buzzer, he pressed it and waited for a reply. After a few moments, a nervous voice of a man replied through the speaker.
"H-Hello? Can I help you with something?" The voice spoke out, seemingly incredibly hesitant at his visit.
'Odd. While it would be understandable to be nervous, he's acting like he already knows who I am.' Reiji thought, before replying in a calm manner. "Would this happen to be the lab of Samuel Abraham?"
"What's it to you?" The man questioned back.
"I was hoping to talk to him about something important. My name is Reiji Shigaraki, and I happen to be a big backer of yours and David Shield's research." He introduced himself.
"Shigaraki? Ah, yes! Well, t-thank you for your donation but I'm afraid I'm rather busy today so-"
"Would this reason have anything to do with a certain number nine?" Reiji interrupted. There was a quiet for a few moments before the door opened to reveal Samuel Abraham.
"H-How do you know about that? Are you with them?" The scientist asked, panic across his face.
'So, they've already contacted him. Perfect.' Reiji brought a hand up placatively. "Calm yourself. Let's just say that I'm someone who's equally concerned about the damage those Villains can cause. How about we take this discussion inside?"
After some coaxing and more insistence that he wasn't working for Nine, Samuel began to reveal what they had asked him to do, along with the apparent leverage they held over David Shield's daughter. Leverage gained by Kagome Mirai's unsuspecting infiltration, no doubt.
"… And they said that they would be arriving by boat this evening." Samuel finished explaining, taking another wipe of his damp brow. "They promise not to harm Melissa as long as I go through with it, but I'm not sure they can be trusted. You know how these kinds of people can be, right?"
"More than you know." Reiji said in agreement. Nine was the kind to only follow through on an agreement as long as there was a threat to himself by not following through with it. "As long as you remain needed for his objective, he will be required to honor your arrangement. Try to keep yourself needed, but make sure not to make such necessity come of as a demand. He is the type to be easily appeased with platitudes."
"I see. I'll be sure to keep that in mind." Samuel said with a heavy sigh.
"Speaking of objective, have they said what they are after?" Reiji asked, fishing for more info now that the man had calmed himself. "Perhaps they are after some of your technology?"
"N-No." Samuel shook his head. "All they've talked about was wanting a way onto I-Island. It's rather confusing honestly. I'm sure the ones who they contacted to get my information also included details on the… work I'd been doing. It seems surprising that they haven't mentioned wanting it at all."
'You're more right than you know, Sam.' Reiji thought to himself.
He had received the email himself, after all, and it quite clearly described the state-of-the-art Quirk Amplification Device that the scientist had created with David Shield. With the ability to increase your Quirks effects without any downside, it would be perfect in the hands of Nine. It would probably reduce the cell damage from his own Weather Manipulation, while also boosting the formally incomplete All for One to dangerous levels.
So why had it not been mentioned yet? There would be little reason in not mentioning it, as it wouldn't be a secret that was their objective.
The only other possibility was that they somehow didn't know. Or more specifically…
Reiji turned his attention back to Samuel. "All your messages have been directly from Nine, correct?"
"Err, yes? At least, that's who they've signed off as in every message. Is that important?" The man asked.
"Just curious." Reiji said, internalizing a smirk as he leaned back in his chair. So that's what was going on. There was no reason that Nine wouldn't know about the Quirk Amplification Device, unless someone got to the email ahead of time and covered up the information about it. Just like he didn't have his hand on the true copy of All for One, despite it being released from storage.
It appears that Kagome Mirai strikes again.
It seems that she was more than just a pawn for Nine. Not only swiping the true version of All for One out from underneath him, but also hiding information about the Quirk Amplification Device, whether to prevent the Villain from obtaining it or so she could retrieve it herself.
She was attempting to play Nine for her own goals. A dangerous game, but one that could pay off handsomely. The only question has her exact objective. She had All for One, but without the Doctor's knowledge and expertise, giving herself the Quirk was impossible by current means.
But the Doctor originally reverse-engineered the technology to transfer Quirks from parts smuggled out of I-Island. Technology he said was an age ahead of the rest of the world at the time. Considering where he now knew that the island received it's best tech from, it's source became obvious.
'So, she plans to find the source of the Doctor's technology in order to more easily give herself All for One. A path that would lead her to the exact same goal as me.' Reiji smirked as he brought his attention back to Samuel. "Well my friend, then it appears we are in luck."
"H-How so?" Samuel questioned.
"You see, I happen to be closely associated with another research group from Jaku hospital, and I suspect that one of their members is working with these Villains for their own ends. They must have used my mutual connections between her group and yours in order to track down Nine, which fortunately tipped me off to her scheming." Reiji lied. It was a plausible enough one, as opportunistic thieves attempting to make of with I-Island's knowledge where a dime-a-dozen.
He would know, as he was one of them.
"As it would seem," He continued. "This woman, Kagome Mirai, is only after technology for her own gain, and has little interest in whatever Nine has planned. It would only benefit herself as well if Nine were unable to claim his objective so easily. With the right motivation, she could likely be convinced to assist you in stopping Nine."
"Stop Nine? But how?" Samuel cried. "You must have heard what he was capable of! What person could possibly contend with him, especially us Quirkless?"
"Well then, you are fortunate that someone with an exceptionally strong Quirk arrived on the island this morning." Reiji told the panicked man. "And you're even more fortunate that you have an invention that could help him get even stronger in no time."
"You don't mean that Izuku boy? Melissa did mention he was the one who held Nine back before, and that he had a very versatile quirk…" Samuel began to go over the idea in his head.
"Of course, all this is useless if we can't get Kagome Mirai onto our side." Reiji said with a sigh.
"But you said-"
"I said that she could be convinced with the right motivation. Without us able to give her what she wants, then there's no logical reason for her to jump ship." Reiji explained.
"So what does she want? You said it was something about technology? Is she after the Quirk Amplification Device?" Samuel guessed.
"No, she is Quirkless, and would have little use for the device. Apparently, she believed that I-Island's original technology relating to Quirks was far too advanced, especially when they had only just emerged. They could confirm theories that took those of the rest of the world decades to put together." Reiji said, spinning another useful tale. "She believed that these discoveries couldn't possibly be from natural talent and theorized that I-Island must be hiding something truly extraordinary. Something only the highest on the Board would know of."
"That's ridiculous." Samuel replied instantly.
"So I thought, but you have to admit that this place has made strides in technology that weren't expected for a century. Tell me Samuel, you've worked with cutting-edge Quirk Tech. Have you found anything that might support her claims?" Reiji asked.
This was the moment of truth. If Samuel could provide a lead to the UFO, then he could gather all his pieces up into one location with eases. However, if he had nothing, the risks of the plan would shoot up tenfold.
"There was one thing." Samuel said slowly, brow furrowed as he thought back. "We needed the ability to read Q-Fields to manipulate and increase them with the Quirk Amplification Device. While there were recreated devices that could read Q-Fields, Dave wanted the original creation that Dr. Pleione used due to its accuracy. He had even managed to track down where it was, but when he went to access it, he was denied. Pleione had to come down personally and tell him no."
"Shield tracked it down? Where to, exactly?" Reiji asked.
"Floor negative fifty, north six hundred." Samuel revealed. "I don't see why state of the art equipment would be stored there though. It's just a giant decommissioned testing hanger, according to the notes."
"Decommissioned?"
Samuel nodded. "Yeah. It's been out of service since basically the start of I-Island. But since it's underneath the north lake, it is seen as too much of a hassle to get back in working order. They just keep everyone out so that they don't cause any structural damage."
"And yet it required the Head of the Board herself to come down and tell your friend to leave? And without even an offer to get the supposed device herself?" Reiji pointed out.
"That's… a good point." Samuel admitted. "Do you think that is what Kagome could be looking for?"
"I'm certain it is." Reiji answered. A hangar that no one is allowed into, that has been locked up since the island's founding? Sounds like the perfect place to hide a giant UFO from prying eyes. Things just kept looking up today. "Now we just need a way to get past the security."
"Oh, I can handle that." Samuel said, much to his surprise. "I'm not sure what exactly they're after, but whatever it is, they'll likely need to go to the Central Tower to get it. From there I can give them access cards to anywhere they want, including the hanger."
"Do you need the card itself to be there to give permission?" Reiji suddenly asked.
"Huh? No, I don't believe so. It just updates the cards access in the system, instead of the card itself." Samuel said.
"Perfect. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you provide me with a card, and set up access for myself at the same time?" Reiji requested.
"Err, what for, exactly?" Samuel asked, rightfully suspicious.
"Well, Kagome Mirai is still a villain, after all. If no one is down there to keep an eye on her, who knows what trouble she could cause while Nine is fighting." Reiji said.
"I suppose that's fair." Samuel agreed, before letting out a harrowing sigh. "Oh dear. This all seems so dangerous. Will any of this work at all?"
"Have faith, Samuel Abraham." Reiji assured. "If all goes well, the day will be saved, and all the world will know it was because of your incredible invention."
"Y-Yes, you're right. They will!" Samuel said, more to himself than Reiji. "After tonight, I'll finally have the recognition I deserved!"
Reiji Shigaraki sat back as he and Samuel worked out the final parts of their plan. Samuel provided him with a nearly hidden earpiece that would allow him to hear what was being discussed, as well as provide advice on how to manipulate Nine to their own end. All he had left to do was slip a little note with the UFO's location under Kagome Mirai's door and wait. He didn't like how much was left to chance, but he worked with what he had.
One slipped note later, and he kicked back to let the hands of fate do their work.
"I can't believe it's working! All I have to do now is hope to get the Device to Izuku before Nine can defeat him." Samuel's voice echoed through the earpiece. All was currently going to plan. Kagome Mirai had been successfully lead to the UFO, and the current holder of his brother's Quirk will soon have the strength to stand up to Nine.
It was slightly concerning that Nine managed to find a Quirk to overcome his drawbacks so soon, but even if he obtained it, the full power of One for All should overcome it.
"Excellent work, Samuel. Remember to keep to your story of being blackmailed, and I promise to take the fallout of the information leak." Reiji assured. As he would soon have his power returned to him, such empty promises were easy to give. "It seems you have things under control, so I'll be turning this off for a time. Kagome Mirai and I need to have a private chat."
"Do as you will." Samuel said. "Make sure to grab anything interesting while you're down there though. Who knows what could be done if the rumors are true."
'Ever the greedy one.' Reiji shook his head as he turned off his communicator. Samuel had proved an efficient and easily understood tool, but he needed his sole focus to deal with his next target. As he walked up to one of the elevators of the Central Tower and tapped his newly upgraded ID Card, a familiar voice echoed in his head.
[I am impressed by your planning skills.]
"One doesn't last a century or two at the top of the underworld without learning how to read people. Even without extra Quirks, I can understand everything going through their minds with ease." Reiji explained as the Elevator doors opened. He walked in and inputted his destination before continuing. "Samuel Abraham is a man who deeply wants recognition. Despite helping to create one of the most wonderous inventions of all time, he had no problem with turning to villainy when it was locked up just so someone would acknowledge it's worth. Throw in his work constantly being overshadowed by David Shield, and he would bite at the chance to see his work vindicated."
[And what of this Kagome Mirai woman you are chasing?]
"I'm afraid I know less about her. She was one of the Doctors little workers, and on the legitimate side no less. Not one to bat an eye at usually, just a Quirkless young nurse with an admittedly comprehensive knowledge on Quirk Science." Reiji went over the few details he had in his head. "She might have been able to catch the doctors attention in a couple years, and considering her current actions, might have made a useful assistant if approached. But it appears the Rapture you caused allowed her entrance to the Doctors labs, and even more baffling, found a way around the Doctors biometric lock."
[What is her goal then, and why are you so adamant to meet up with her?]
"Her goal is quite simple. Power." Reiji said. "She took a powerful Quirk from the Doctor's collection, but now has no way to give it to herself, as Nine would not let her get so strong. So she has gone searching for the source of the Doctor's Quirk-based technology, which just so happens to be the same UFO you have requested I find."
[And the return of this Quirk she stole was so important that you would risk her derailing your plans?]
"Of course." Reiji answered as the doors of the elevator finally opened to reveal the great alien vessel inside the hanger. "In fact, I would say that her involvement in the plan is crucial for it's success."
He wandered across the empty space to the open ramp of the UFO, before silently walking along to his target, standing in the middle of the alien hall, looking dumbfounded. Not that he blamed her. It's not every day you find such bizarre things. It truly was fortunate that he found it so easily.
"What do you know, it really was down here." Reiji admitted, wrapping Kagome in a sleeper hold before she could react to his presence. As her weapon clattered to the floor, he let out a chuckle. "You've done well to get this far, Kagome Mirai. But I'm afraid it's time I take back what is rightfully mine."
A moment later the woman was unconscious, and he quickly searched for his Quirk. He found it in her coat removed from the transport container, leaving just a small glass cylinder with his original Quirk Factor within. He quickly pocketed it in his own coat before slinging Kagome over his shoulder.
"Now then, my good alien friend. Which way to the control room?" Reiji asked the voice in his head.
[Follow the path along and take a left, along the wires that the humans have set up.]
He followed the aliens instructions, and soon found himself in a large circular room. There were pods of some kind lining the walls, and in the center a circular pattern that indicated that it could open. Near to it was a terminal with plenty of holographic displays.
First thing's first, he placed the sleeping Kagome into one of the open pods, before walking over to the terminal and examining it curiously. The letters flying across the holographic display were quite literally alien to him.
"Now then, how do you turn this on?" Reiji asked the alien. A second later his hand glowed with a red double-helix pattern.
[I have configured the genetic signature in your palm to be accepted by the system.]
[Please place your hand upon the console.]
Upon pressing his palm against the open terminal in front of him, the holographic displays came to life. "Ah, so you can use it to get through biometrics as well? What an incredible Quirk you have."
Before he could begin investigating the system, Kagome made a noise from the pod she lay in, clearly beginning to awaken. His body suddenly wasn't his anymore, and his hands fluttered across the panels in front of him. The pod Kagome was in came to life at the action, wrapping restraints around her limbs, and suddenly Reiji's body was his own again.
"I could have done that myself you know." He muttered under his breath to the alien.
[It would have taken too long to teach you the controls.]
[Please leave the boot-up sequence to me.]
Sighing in annoyance, Reiji decided to focus on the awakening Kagome. He needed to be at his best for his first villainous introduction in a while. He saw her fully awaken, glancing around the pod-filled room as she pulled on the restraints until she noticed him.
"You!" Kagome growled as her face twisted.
"Please, Ms. Mirai. You're the first person I've introduced myself to in a good long while. The least you could do is use my name." He said in a mockingly hurt tone.
"Oh, my apologies, Reiji Shigaraki. Is that even your real name?" Kagome asked in annoyance.
"It is technically one of many names I have. But I'll let you in on a little secret. Shigaraki is in fact my family name." Shigaraki revealed casually. It mattered little revealing it to her. She wouldn't have the chance to tell anyone, and even if it leaked, it would simply trace to some billionaire who hasn't been around for years.
"What do you want, asshole?" Kagome asked him heatedly.
"I just want what is rightfully mine returned. Nine threw a wrench into my original plan, but that boy with my brother's Quirk may have provided me with an opportunity to turn it all around. And it's begun to awaken the previous user's Quirks on top of it. I truly can't wait until I take it back." He explained to her as the alien used his hands to manipulate the controls in front of him. As the UFO shook from its awakening, he cast another glance at the woman. "To think I'd be fortunate to find everything I'm looking for here on this island all at once. I truly must thank you for taking care of that, Ms. Mirai. I didn't think One for All and All for One would be able to reunite so soon."
"Like I did any of this for your benefit, bastard!" Kagome shouted as she continued struggling futilely. "Why didn't you disappear like everyone else?! Just disappear and let me have this, damn it!"
And so began the breakdown. Reiji had been hoping to get a longer conversation out of the woman, but perhaps that will have to wait for later. He had a master plan to finish up, and he could do without the hysterics.
"Do you know some way to quiet her down?" He asked the alien, and his left hand swiped up at a panel. Seconds later, a needle poked out of the pod into Kagome, and she slowly lost consciousness again.
"D-Damn you… give that Quirk back…" Was all she managed to get out before slumping down, eyes shut.
"Ah, thank you. It was hard to split my attention between this and her." He said to the alien.
[Split attention? I was the one doing the work.]
Reiji rolled his eyes as the alien continued to work on the panels. In truth, he was starting to get worried. While he needed the privacy, he currently had no idea how the battle was going up above. He had full faith in his brothers Quirk, but this was an exceedingly risky gamble.
Minutes passed as the lights throughout the vessel flickered and whatever engine it used shook the vessel. Slowly but surely the rumbling starts faded into a low vibration, and a quietness began to fill the room.
[All systems are up and operational again.]
[Fortunately, little of the system was permanently damaged.]
"So, it can still fly?" Reiji asked. Screens appeared around him, showing the exterior of the vessel like a 360 degrees camera.
[In-orbit and out-of-orbit flight are both still possible, with shielding and engines operating at 50% original output.]
[Beginning take off procedure.]
He could see the UFO rising in the screens around him, but he felt next to no turbulence from within the heart of the vessel. It was truly a remarkable creation, centuries ahead of humanities time. As it did, the alien ran an unknown program, showing up as a wave on the display screens.
[Scanning for Extraordinary Signatures…]
A single moment passed, and then the displays showed dots ping off in the distance. They appeared to be all around the area, but a few were far higher and away from the rest. Near Central Tower, roughly where Reiji expected the Villains and One for All to be. One of the dots pinged a bright green color.
[Readings matching previous holder has been identified.]
[Moving to begin extraction of target Extraordinary Ability.]
The hanger doors above automatically began to open as alarms began to blare throughout the hangar, likely due to some sort of security system. The UFO slowly rose out of the room for the first time in over a century, peaking over the hanger doors situated in the middle of the North Lake.
As it slowly rose up above I-Island, ominous storm clouds could be seen slowly dissipating from the night sky.
"Ah, it appears we are just in time." Reiji said, recognizing that Nine must have been defeated. It seems his faith in his brother was not misplaced after all.
As they slowly drew near to the Central Tower, the center of the room opened up, and some sort of invisible force began to grow.
[Activating gravitational collection device.]
[Wide range activation to ensure target retrieval has been approved.]
The whole room shook as Reiji felt the gravitational force activate. He could now see on the monitor as the people near the top of the tower were slowly being grabbed across the sky towards the opening in the UFO, like something out of a classic Sci-Fi abduction. There were eight figures among them, and they all struggled fruitlessly against the directed gravitational force.
The figures eventually passed into the UFO itself where they were immediately flung into a pod, restrained, and knocked out by the ships system. One by one they flew in, until he finally the target of both him and the alien was restrained.
As the young man cried out in confusion and he slowly fell unconscious, Reiji couldn't help but walk over to him. The child had clearly been in combat but was surprisingly unhurt. Either he was far more talented than expected, or there were some fascinating Quirks at work. Either way, he let out a smile as the child noticed him.
"It's finally time to end this extended rebellion of yours and come back to me, little brother." He said through the boy, knowing his brother was surely listening beyond him.
"All… for… One…" The current holder of One for All got out, before his eyes closed.
"Not currently, I'm afraid." Reiji responded melancholically, reaching a hand over the Quirk currently stored in his breast pocket. 'But soon, I will be again. Just a few more moments, and it'll be time for my grand return….'
The UFO lifted up above I-Island, before shooting off east at great speeds.
[Beginning voyage towards Main Facility to begin departure preparations.]
As the alien was busy with flying the UFO at magnificent speed over the Pacific Ocean towards America, Reiji decided to take stock of the people that had been abducted along with the current holder of One for All.
First were the children. Two boys and one girl who had likely only just awakened their Quirks. No obvious mutations beside the stub of a horn sticking out of the pale girl's forehead. He was curious why they had been separated from the rest of the children brought from Japan, but it mattered little in the big picture.
Then there was a U.S. Pilot. He was a member of Rogue Squadron, Star's personal little air taxi's, but Reiji had never bothered to learn the names and faces of any of them. Most of them were Quirkless anyways and had little value to him.
Next was O-Clock of all people. He supposed it was no surprise the man was around, considering he was the one who had left him Quirkless. The ex-Hero was certainly looking fine for his age though, almost the same as when he lost his sight, in fact. He could have sworn he roughed his face up when he took Overclock. Oh well.
His recent collaborator Samuel Abraham was also among them, having successfully gotten the Quirk Amplification Device to Izuku Midoriya. It was a shame that he had gotten caught up with the others, but their partnership had been effective while it lasted.
Melissa Shield in the pod next to Samuel. If she was anything like her father, then she was certainly already a genius. And just like her father, she was attached by the hip to the holder of One for All. He was certain that her support would increase the power of Midoriya to fantastic limits, so it was relieving to know such threats are in the past now.
Finally, lying pitifully within his own pod was Nine. The Villain's body was falling apart, wracked with cell damage and aftereffects of mass Trigger injection. It appears he had gone all out in an attempt to defeat One for All, only to fail. Now he lay in ruin, a pale shadow of what he could have been. Hopefully his Weather Manipulation Quirk wouldn't end with him.
During his observations, something flashed up on the alien console in front of him, the text indecipherable for him.
"What does that mean?" Reiji asked the alien.
[It is an automated system that indicates that there are DNA present in users that don't belong to them.]
Reiji watched the text flash annoyingly on the screen. "Must be due to Nine taking the children's Quirks. I wonder if- Hey!" His hands suddenly flew to the console, and something was selected from the flashing text box. "What was all of that?"
[I returned the Abilities to the humans who's DNA most fit with the signature within it.]
[They have no use to me if their Abilities are missing.]
"Fine, fine." Reiji relented. "As long as you spare one for myself, then you may do what you will." Eventually the UFO began flying over land instead of sea, and Reiji decided to strike up another topic of conversation. He still needed to confirm a few things before the time came. "So how is this ship being controlled exactly? Does it have its own AI?"
[Negative. This ship runs only on the commands from my Main Facility Controller to its own, or through direct manipulation. Unfortunately, the organic container holding the Controller was lost after the attack, disabling long-range wireless connection and leaving physical commands as the only current option.]
Reiji let out a hum. "Controllers? I don't believe you've mentioned that before."
[They are the Abilities that are in charge of sending and receiving commands to the bio-organic systems. They are tiered in terms of commands that can be given and received. The lower version that was implanted within you can only receive commands, while the version that was implanted in this Testing Facility could give commands to other systems nearby but only receive commands from a single source.]
"Let me guess, the Master Controller is in the Main Facility?" Reiji asked rhetorically.
[Correct. To be precise, it is an Ability that is influenced by the commands of the brain that hosts the original intelligence of this planetary project. All commands are shaped by it's, mine, orders.]
'Meaning that if one had that Quirk, they could control all of the alien technology…' Reiji smirked. It was almost time. The UFO slowed down, and eventually settled over what appeared to be an airbase in the middle of the American desert. A smaller UFO, roughly the size of a modern fighter jet, could be seen orbiting around it. He took the chance to ask one final question. "So, what are you going to do now?"
[After I have ensured that the target Ability is secured, I will give you your promised Ability and begin preparations to return home.]
[Once returned, I will begin experiments on the singularity while awaiting the return of the units from other planets to compare data.]
Reiji wasn't surprised that the alien planned to leave soon. The U.S. definitely wouldn't let this abduction of 'their' property go to waste, and if pushed enough they might even launch another nuke, consequences to the Raptured people be damned.
In fact, they would likely launch another assault any second now. He doubted General Adams simply gave up after the first assault failed. They likely built up a second force, with even more tanks, planes… and EMP devices. Just like they had when he was on the way to Vegas.
He just needed top be ready for when they struck.
"So, are you now in range of the Main Facility?" Reiji asked. He needed to delay for just a bit more.
[The Testing Site can now be communicated with through traditional radio signals.]
[We will need to move the subjects to the Main Facility to transfer them into the organic storage system. Please stand back.]
The circle in the center opened up again. This time, rings of energy could be seen around the gravitational force, leading all the way to the runway underneath. The ground began to crack away though, and an iron structure began to emerge, opening a similar circular entrance to the one on the UFO. The beam connected and linked the two alien constructions.
[I am currently configuring a gravitational well to transfer into the Main Facility. Please hold for- WARNING! Hostiles detected!]
The small UFO that had been circling the Testing Site prepared to intercept whatever force had been sent, and Reiji knew it was almost time. He reached a hand into his jacket expectantly, wrapping his hands around the Quirk container within.
[Do not be alarmed, these humans provide no threat to-BZZT!]
And there it was, the silence. The EMP attack, just like before, had cut off the connection to the Controller. This allowed him to act freely, if only for a half minute at most. But that was only the first discovery he had made.
It also let him use that which was normally locked away. Genetic Manipulation.
As his hands began to glow a twisting red pattern, he wasted no time pulling out the container holding All for One, his prized Quirk. Under normal circumstances one would have to undergo a grueling and lengthy process to implant the Quirk Factor as it is into the human body. But now he had a shortcut. He shattered the glass keeping the organic material that composed his Quirk preserved, and brought it to his head, calling upon Genetic Manipulation.
He knew everything there was to know about Quirks, genetics, and how they operated within the body. He was the Doctor's primary collaborator, after all, and he wouldn't trust an experiment on his own Quirk if he couldn't understand the process in every meticulous detail.
So, he knew exactly how to manually re-install his Quirk into his own system. Who needed surgery when you can add to your genetic makeup at will!
As the double-helix pattern grew across his body, he felt nothing but a burning pain. Rewriting his entire body was like pouring boiling water through his veins. There was a pressure in his head like it was being crushed.
But it wasn't. He knew what that really felt like, thanks to All Might. And he could bare with any pain if it meant that he would be back on top. He wouldn't lose his power again. Not to All Might, and certainly not to some stupid alien!
"RAAAAAAAGH!"
A pained scream echoed through the central room of the UFO. The man known for the past few days as Reiji Shigaraki fell to his knees as he clutch his hands to his head. But as the red glow across his body began to fade, the pained sounds turned to laughter, and he slowly lifted himself up.
And finally, All for One stood high for the first time in years.
"Ah, it's good to be back."
All for One could feel the burning sensation subsiding due to Pain Blocker. He could feel his physical power returning due to his multiple Strength Enhancer's. The awareness of the world around him increased to incredible depth due to abilities like Infrared Vision. Which reminded him, the EMP was still up.
"Now, to get rid of the trash." All for One was beside Nine in a second, pushing the Controller Quirk into the unconscious mans ailing body. Couldn't have his former extraterrestrial ally hijacking his body again, after all. Not that it would matter in a moment.
He reached out with his warping Quirk. It was a rather useful ability, being able to transfer other people to and from him. He couldn't transfer himself of course, and the range was pretty limited, but he had Kurogiri for that. The only limit on the Quirk was that he could only use it on those he had a close relationship with. But he found that the definition of 'close' was rather loose.
For example, All Might and Gran Torino both qualified, due to the Hero's want to kill him just as much as he wanted them dead in a ditch.
It would also apply to someone who he has made multiple successful and important deals with, such as a certain alien.
Finding his target below him, he pulled with his Warping Quirk, and a black sludge formed near him. It soon deposited an oddly large brain nearby, with many strands and mechanical pieces dangling from it. All for One reached down, placing a hand upon the wet organ.
The world then faded away as he entered the realm of the Vestiges. Across the border of his Quirk, he could see the blank humanoid form of the alien. It was the same form it had taken in their first meeting.
[What is going on?]
[This is not a part of the network!]
"It is not, I'm afraid." All for One said cockily. "This is my Quirk, and you're about to become a part of it. Or at least your Master Controller Quirk is."
[You have used the EMP in order to circumvent my control over you.]
[But you somehow gained the Ability to retrieve me from my system? How?]
"It was a rather masterful plan, all things considered." He couldn't help but boast. "I had a suspicion upon learning Nine escaped, but I knew for certain when I ran into her that Kagome Mirai had taken the original version of All for One from the Doctor's lab in Jaku Hospital. She had hoped to use your tech to transfer the Quirk more easily to herself, so it was simple to manipulate her into coming to me, while ensuring that One for All survived in the meantime."
"Afterwards, all I had to do was wait for you to push the U.S. into attacking with their EMP again. While it removed your control over me, it also removed your limitation on Genetic Manipulation. It was just a simple matter of using it to reimplement my original Quirk back into my body." All for One finished explaining. "I had been planning to retrieve my Quirk after this whole alien business had ended, but when a better opportunity presents itself…"
[You had been planning to betray me for so long?]
"From the start. For all of your observations throughout our history, you never really learned about us, did you?" All for One sneered at the alien figure. "You should have listened to All Might. There's nothing in this world more important to me than my Quirks. That includes One for All as well. It was originally mine, and with your help, it shall now return to its rightful place."
[No, wait! We can make a new deal, we can-]
"I don't need anything from you anymore." All for One said, reaching out a hand within the dreamlike void. The alien figure suddenly found himself getting sucked into All for One's palms. "After all, you're just a part of me now."
[But my directive! My experiments! My…]
The alien wailed as it was slowly absorbed by the monolithic Quirk of All for One. Soon the Vestige realm was quiet, and All for One came back to reality, standing tall again. He stared down at the pulsing alien brain, lying limply on the floor as before, but now without any value to him.
"Pathetic." He muttered, and with a quick pulse of energy from his palm, the disgusting sight was disappeared.
After collecting himself, he noticed that there appeared to be multiple warnings on the UFO's screens, likely of the approaching U.S. forces. They weren't of much concern however, and he could simply command the Flyer now as the Alien had before to deal with them.
No, right now, the most important thing left to do was returning what was his to him. He had managed to get All for One, but it was time for the other half.
One for All.
He waltzed over to the unconscious Izuku Midoriya without a care in the world. Never had his first confrontation with a holder of the Quirk been so peaceful. Usually there was a violent confrontation, a deadly fight, some broken buildings. But he had the boy completely at his mercy. It would be like taking candy from a baby.
Of course, there was still the chance that the Vestiges would be able to fight against his influence. But he had multiple ways around it. He could give the Controller Quirk Nine had to the young man and force it over. Or he could use the alien machine to force a transfer. Maybe he could even have Samuel fix the Quirk Amplification Device (which unfortunately seemed broken on the boy's head) and use his own power at a level never before seen!
But he couldn't help but try the old-fashioned way. All this adventuring had gotten his spirit racing like it hadn't in years, and perhaps that was all he needed to push his influence over the edge?
All for One put a hand against Midoriya's head, and activated his Quirk, searching for his brother.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are, dear brother. It's time for a family reunion!" He quickly found a single Quirk, with multiple different Quirk Factor's nestled within it. "Ah! So, it really has awakened!"
But before All for One could sink his metaphorical claws into his prize, he noticed something odd. There was something familiar about the Quirk. And not in the way that his Brother was. No, it was too familiar.
"Where are the Vestiges? They should have tried to stop me by now! Unless…" All for One began to realize with dawning horror. Different words from the alien in the past couple days came flooding back to him.
[You two have been summoned due to being the previous user or having similar genetic power-sequencing found within you…]
His eyes slowly panned over to Nine.
All for One and One for All have similar genetic markers within them. Genetic markers that would get spread throughout the body upon being implanted artificially, or even more so if transferred naturally into the body. Like, say, a Quirk that passes on Quirks.
[I returned the Abilities to the humans who's DNA most fit with the signature within it.]
His eyes returned to Midoriya. Just in time for the restraints to mysteriously disengage and the boys own eyes to fly open, now glowing in gold.
A blue serpent-like being crashed out of the young man's back, grabbing All for One in its maw and launching him backwards into the central console. He got up, only to find the current holder of One for All standing ready in a confused stance.
Midoriya's eyes continued to glow a mysterious gold, as the serpent retreated to its creator's side. In one hand's palm, a yellow circular shield had formed from the very air, while the fingertips of the other crackled with a purple energy.
All for One could easily recognize the Quirk he had felt within the boy now, if it wasn't already obvious.
This wasn't his Brother's Quirk, but his own.
Next Chapter: All for One for Three