David Shield felt the exhaustion of once again working deep into the night settle into his mind as he started to put the finishing touches into the Quirk Amplifying Device. Or the Q.A.D for short. He's been working on this thing for years, ever since All Might got his stomach injury to be exact.
He finds his mind wandering back to when him and Toshi met in college. He was this massive blonde exchange student from Japan with the heart of a true Hero. Sometimes Dave could sweat that his self-sacrificial tendencies would get him killed one day, but his Japanese friend had the strength to backup his recklessness; so at least there's that. David didn't need to be a genius at the time to tell that Toshinori would be going places higher than he could possibly imagine at the time.
The Symbol of Peace. The idea of a single person that the world could rely on, a being so supremely omnipotent that just their very presence would be enough to make crime rates plummet. A Hero to redefine and make people question what a real hero truly is. An incredible man who people begin to question the mortality of. David truly believes in that concept more than anyone.
Which is exactly why he needs to complete the Q.A.D, with All Might on his last legs like he was the Symbol of Peace would soon disappear. What would happen to the peace which he created once he wasn't there to help society? What would happen to the crime rates once All Might could no longer complete his duties as a Hero? Heck he already couldn't! He could hardly be a Hero for more than an hour and a half a day!
But, with this device he'd be back to his former glory. No. He'd be even better than ever. The Symbol of Peace wouldn't have to worry about running on low time ever again, he'd be stronger, faster, All Might would never ever disappear from this society.
He held his hand steady as sweat dripped down his forehead. This was the moment of truth. A glass box was in front of him where several robotic hands were carefully holding onto the disassembled parts of the device. He'd spent years trying to find out a way to amplify Quirks, but before he could focus on that he had to research the Quirk factor and how it functions itself in order to find out a way to create a device that could target the Quirk and increase it's power. For a starter Quirks have been noted to have an effect on their holders anatomy, more specifically after scanning a person's body and getting a clear-cut analysis of their anatomy it becomes clear that there's some kind of neurological connection between the brains neurons and the subjects Quirk factor. It should also be noted that when a Quirk factor is activated some kind of energy seems to flow from those neurones and into the Quirk factor to make it function.
To put it simply, Quirks get their energy from the brain.
But, tampering with the brain isn't something a person can do lightly. If he created the device the wrong way then he could very well fry his friend's neurones and end his life. So he had to find away to somehow increase a Quirks power without harming the brain at all. Oh what a chore that was.
And about a year ago he finally found it. When put under a special scanner he noticed that the energy Quirks seemed to give off was... weird to put it bluntly. When a Quirk was being powered it usually converted something into this 'energy' and used that to activate the Quirk factor. This is the reason that Quirks have drawbacks most of the time, for example if a Quirk uses stamina, if you get a migraine from Quirk overuse. etc. So he figured that if he could create a device that would draw that energy from a different source other than the users own power then he'd be able to completely negate the drawbacks of a Quirk and simultaneously increasing the power inside of said Quirk.
With that in mind he created the Q.A.D. A device which would supply power to a Quirk factor when in use. The device would ideally work best if it were close to the brain, but it could also work if it was close to the user's Quirk factor. Regardless he decided to make the device appear as a helmet, that way anybody could use the Quirk with an equal boost to all, and he got to work on making his vision a reality.
David felt his breath catch in his throat as the robotic hands moved perfectly in line to assemble his device in an almost painfully slow fashion, and all at once his device came together.
When the machine was done he finally felt his ability to breathe return as a monitor next to him flashed green in confirmation that his device was finished. He couldn't help but let a massive smile spread across his lips, it was complete!
THE Q.A.D WAS A SUCCESS! Once All Might took this he'd be back to tip-top shape!
He allowed himself to glance at the priceless device just behind a layer of glass. When he said it looked like a helmet he wasn't lying, it had three prongs on both of it's sides that would latch onto it's users head, the prongs had blue tips which would be the focus point for empowering the wearers neurones and by extension amplify the Quirk. It was just a prototype though, This thing would be far too fragile to do anything more than just testing a Quirk, if he were to actually have someone use this technology then he'd need to make the device more sturdy, and maybe even smaller whilst he's at it, All Might wouldn't want to be seen relying on a support item! It would be bad for his image if he had to rely on a piece of technology to maintain his awesome power!
He opened the glass container and took the device into his hands and took a moment to appreciate this device and what it represents. A new future, one where technology can help Heroes and All Might will reign victorious forever-
"My, my. How impressive." A voice suddenly spoke out from behind David and he felt a flash of panic enter his mind as he quickly whipped his head around to find a blue turquoise blue haired young man with intense eyes the same colour. He appeared to be Japanese but was speaking in perfect English. He was wearing strange clothes, he was wearing a jet black overcoat over a seemingly normal white shirt and black pants. He also had a confident and slightly eerie smirk on his face; as though he found the situation funny.
David didn't show any signs of fear however and instantly questioned the man." Who are you? How did you get in here?" And wasn't that the question indeed. The security in his lab is top notch, he doubts that whoever this was could get past it so subtly. The doors of his lab would need to be forced open for that to happen. Unless they were hacked, but you'd have to be insanely skilled at hacking in order to get past I-Island's security and he doubts that-
The man cut him off from his inner musings as he gestured to himself and simply said." The name's Dabi, forgive me for barging into your humble lab like this, but you have something I need. The Quirk Amplifying Device. Hand it over." He smirked in a threatening manner to emphasise that he should comply.
The brown haired man felt his heartbeat begin to quicken at the words of a confirmed Villain. Did he just-
"How do you know about the Q.A.D? Who told you-"
He was cut off by a monotone voice with hints of sadistic amusement inside." Does it matter how I know? the answer is no. Hand over the device Shield
David felt the sweat on his forehead return as a sign of his nervousness. He knew that he wasn't likely to win against nearly anyone in an actual fight, his Quirk wasn't built for combat and he's a scientist, he hates fighting. But despite that he wasn't about to give in so easily.
"And what are you gonna do if I don't comply?" He questioned with his mind wandering to possible solutions to the predicament he'd found himself in, only he drew a blank. He had no conceivable way out!
The blue haired villain's smirk seemed to widen slightly at that and one of his fingers suddenly lit up in azure coloured flames. The threat was very clear with his action: deny me and I'll burn you to death. To most people that might be an incentive to hand over a device that could very well give a villain enough power to rule the world. David Shield wasn't most people.
He looked down at his device and suddenly came to a realisation. He didn't like it, but-
He shifted the device so that it was in one hand that he had positioned in a way that suggested he was going to smash it into the ground. It's better that it not be used at all than be used for evil!
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The Villain suddenly spoke causing him to faulter and look up and be horrified by the sight behind Dabi.
His daughter being held by a blonde girl with a knife!
David felt horror and panic flood his heart at the sight of his daughter being held as a hostage. He was no fool, he understood what they were doing. They were giving him a choice. His daughter, or his priceless device.
He immediately yelled out with dread and alarm present in his voice." Melissa!" He was about to step forward, only for Dabi to ignite blazing hot blue flames on his right hand to remind him who was in control of the situation.
Dabi smirked sadistically as he asked in a manner that suggested that he was a judge." What will it be, Dave? The device?-" Melissa had tears in her eyes as the blonde girl pressed her knife into his daughters neck with a sick grin on her face causing his daughter to yelp."- or your daughters pretty little throat?"
David glared at Dabi with extreme anger as sweat dripped down his face and he stared at the priceless piece of technology in his hand with a pained look in his eyes. If he gave them this device then there's no telling what'll happen. He shouldn't be able to say this since he ignored the rules himself, but something like the Quirk Amplifier in his hands truly is something that could shake the foundations of superhuman society. The devastation that it could cause in the wrong hands isn't something that should be taken lightly. If it were anyone else then, as cold as it sounds, he'd have just let them die without hesitation. It's cruel, but that's just how dangerous this device is. But-
His daughter stared at him with tear filled and horrified eyes, she was clearly scared for her life, and for good reason. These were dangerous people, even if David has only known them for a few minutes he can tell that something is really wrong with their heads. She could actually die here. And that thought, well-
It's enough to make him fine with the world dying. He just needs his daughter to be okay. He needs his Melissa alive.
The scientist looked down in helpless frustration. He only really had one choice.
Wordlessly David walked over to Dabi and gently placed the Quirk Amplifying Device in his hand. He seemed to admire the thing and his grin stretched lightly as he turned his back to Dave and started to walk backwards with the miracle of science being held in by the back in his hand. With any luck he'd break the thing and a Villain wouldn't have access to something so precious.
David then looked up with a furious gaze as Dabi was about to walk away." Let my daughter go now." His words were firm and serious as he glowered at Dabi from behind his glasses. But, despite appearances he was genuinely very anxious about their next move, they could just kill his daughter anyway and he wouldn't be able to do a thing.
Dabi halted his advance and simply stared back at David with an expression of mock-confusion." Oh but David that's impossible. You see, that's not really your daughter." He said whilst pointing to his daughter who then begun to laugh as she literally melted away.
David felt his mind blanche and his mouth gape as a strange sludge dropped off the girl to reveal a girl that looked identical to the blonde behind him, only naked.
He'd been tricked?!
Dabi laughed at David's expression of both horror and realisation, visually expressing joy the fearful expression on his face." What? You didn't really think that we'd kidnap a girl and hold them at knifepoint did you? I'm offended that you'd think so lowly of us." He put the hand which wasn't holding the device onto his head in a very fake manner that suggested he was feeling faint.
Dave gritted his teeth and stepped forward in some vain attempt to run for his device." You- argh!" He gasped out in discomfort and pain as Dabi's arm seemed to turn a strange phantom green colour that was almost see-through. His arm extended and quick as a flash he was impaled by the ghostly arm. His stomach felt extremely uncomfortable and he was in quite a lot of pain, but he wasn't bleedin-
He felt the pain numb as his limbs all lost their energy and went slack as he fell to the ground and dislodged the arm from his body. He felt like he would drop unconscious at any moment. What is... happen...
The last thing he managed to catch before he fell into a deep sleep was the sight of a smirking blue haired man and a blonde haired girl with a fanged grin, but behind them was... a red haired girl? He didn't catch anything more than that.
"That was surprisingly easy." The blue haired man across from her spoke with amusement as he held the suitcase which apparently held his fancy device inside. The blonde girl next to him who was dressed in a school uniform seemed to vibrate in place as she asked Dabi for blood.
Aiba Manami just rolled her eyes at his comment." You're only saying that because you weren't the one who had to hack through that place, do you have any idea how tough I-Island's cybersecurity is? Even I had a hard time breaking into that place." She was annoyed that she had to spend days on a boat and been shipped off with two maniacs all just to steal some glorified helmet. She could understand the value of such a device and the role she had to play in order to steal it, doesn't mean that she liked being used like this though.
Aiba, well it's mostly La Brave now, had little choice in the matter though. Her hands were tied. Why you might ask? Simple. She needs to see her love again.
Oh and how much she missed her Gentle. It was only supposed to be yet another day, yet another petty crime to help the world recognise her love's brilliance, but he was caught off-guard and by pure coincidence Endeavour happened to be at the scene. Her love is skilled when it comes to evasion and is proficient in using his Quirk, but this was the number two Hero. He had decades of experience and that was ultimately what let to Danjuro Tobita's capture. It was simply bad luck.
After her love was captured she was left feeling empty. Somehow the police tied him to several murders and other crimes which she has no doubt were somehow faked evidence. Her love was a criminal, he committed petty crimes, heck he acted more like a Vigilante most of the time, the idea of Gentle actually murdering someone... well it just wasn't possible.
When she heard that she was shipped off to Tartarus she knew that she'd never see him again. Maybe if it were any other prison she'd be able to hack their systems and get him out somehow, but that was just impossible. Tartarus's security system was completely independent from the outside world, there's no link to anything for her to hack into. No matter how skilled she can't hack what she can't even touch on the internet. Her love was stuck in an empty cell.
She lost all the hope in her life and descended into a great depression. She contemplated suicide for months... until she was finally about to throw herself off a building. And she would have.
Except he was there.
She'll admit that she couldn't care less about all of his political nonsense. She's selfish by nature, she only really cares about those she loves, society's faults were a whole other problem that she never gave much though to. But, Ryoto promised that he could return Danjuro to her. That they could be together again, but he will only do that if she uses her skills for his cause.
She immediately agreed. She'll admit that it grits against her pride to be blatantly taken advantage of in such a way, but at that point she couldn't bring herself to care. She had a way to return to her love, if she had to become his pawn for that to happen then she's fine with that.
So she became a member of the revolutionist group Paragon. She honestly never thought she'd see the day.
Her job was a bit different than she expected. She rarely ever was actually called upon to do her job, since apparently most of their missions don't involve cyber security, and she wasn't working like a dog as she expected. She didn't hate that though, it was convenient for her afterall.
Plus she was given a second Quirk. Not something she ever asked for, but her new ability is quite useful when it comes to hacking. Her new power is called 'Cyber Link'. She can, in essence, telepathically interact with computers. This means that getting past firewalls and other forms of cybersecurity is marginally easier for her now, she's also been given a special computer that was made to be untraceable, this device was deemed 'The Ghost'. Then there's the satellite she was given control of... she asked about that and was basically just told not to question it.
She's under no illusions that she's not being used. She wasn't an actual member of this organisation at heart, she didn't particularly care about any of their values either, she was merely there to accomplish her own personal vendetta. They were aware of that but they didn't care either.
They were just using each other at the end of the day.
Dabi noticed Toga's request for his blood and merely shrugged before stating." Sure, just try not to suck me dry kay sweetheart." He just held out his arms for her, clearly fine with the blonde sucking his arm for blood.
La Brava was sitting across from the two of them in a medium sized room that was present on a ship which was taking them back to Japan and found herself mildly intrigued by her two... teammates? She'll just say teammates. Her two teammates seemed to be strangely close. If she didn't know any better then she'd say that those two were a thing. But, then again they aren't exactly the most sain individuals. Every so often though she'd see Ryoto's image overlap with Dabi's, but if she so much as blinked it would just disappear. It could just be her mind playing tricks on her... but it could be more. She really doesn't know what to make of him, he can sometimes act a little unhinged, but at others he could be completely calm and even pleasant at times. He was an anomaly to her, she'd even go as far as to say that he acted like two different people at times.
Toga seemed to practically squeal with delight at the consent given by her teammate." Thank you Dabi, you're the best!" She said in an almost innocent manner as she bit down viciously on the blue haired mans arm and began to suck it with a... well a strangely erotic expression on her face. Dabi didn't seem to mind in the least at this, if anything she thinks that he might have liked it.
Toga was also a mystery to La Brava. She had a Quirk that made her have a desire for blood, that on it's own wasn't a terrible thing, but she needed it constantly, it was almost like water for her. She'd keep a flask of blood with her and everything!
La Brava vaguely remembers reports on the news about a girl with a blood Quirk attacking her classmate to suck his blood. Looking back that girl was also blonde in the images shown by the media, and Toga would be about the right age for her to be that girl. In all probability it is likely her.
Dabi ignores the fact that Toga is sucking his blood like a stubborn tic and turns his turquoise-red gaze onto Aiba herself; and what eyes he had turquoise with a red hue shining over them, he looks like a demon. He comments and says." Your help was much appreciated, you have my thanks." He said as he pulled the flash drive containing the blueprints for the Quirk Amplifier briefly before placing in back into his pocket securely.
She doesn't care about that though. Aiba's eyes harden as her gaze bore into his own and she ignored her own feeling of intimidation." I don't want your thanks, what I want is to see Gentle again." Her voice was serious as she proclaimed what she wanted from him.
Dabi merely smirked as he placated her worries." You'll get to see him again soon enough. But the thing is that Tartarus is impenetrable from the outside, even for us. Any attempts to disable their power grid will be undone in about three seconds, even All Might couldn't put a scratch in the defences they boast, if it's just us on the outside then it won't do a thing."
La Brava noticed the way that he worded that sentence and realised what he was planning." But, you aren't going to attack just on the outside. Are you?"
His smirk seemed to stretch at that as he proclaimed." Of course not, you don't need to worry about whether or not we'll keep up our end of the deal. Just do your job and Gentle will be returned to you. Just wait and see."
Aiba felt some annoyance that she'd have to wait to see her Gentle. But, she had to admit that her worries were at least a little bit cleared up at his words. He just seems so confident- dare she say arrogant- that he could break into the unbreakable that she almost feels like she has to believe him. If he's so cocky that he can really do everything he claims then he has to know something, right?
Dabi goes for the finishing blow to snuff out any doubt in her mind." At Paragon we like to reward people with what they earn, if you can do your job then you'll get your boyfriend back. We'll keep our word if we give it."
She almost snaps at him for calling Gentle something like 'boyfriend'- such a word is insufficient to describe what Gentle means to her- but she let it slide. She didn't care what these peoples goals were, whether they were good or evil, or even if she was being used. As long as they kept their word and return her to Danjuro she'd fine with all of it.
At the end of the day she just wants to see him again. To be with her love again.
If you enjoyed reading this story and want to read more then just head to my P atreon at The Magician 565 to read 10 Chapters in advance.
Alright, so I tried my hand at describing the scientific BS around Quirks as well as possible. I did this, because in the manga we see that All For One usually takes a Quirk by touching someone's face, but any part of their body will also work just fine. I think that he does this because Quirks are very closely connected to a persons brain, and the closer he touches to a person's brain, the faster he can take their Quirk. Plus, the QAD is also shown to work just like a headset, so I figured that it would be also linked to the brain for some reason.