After Izuku dragged himself up off the concrete of the courtyard and walked back to his dorm, he used his quirk to walk unnoticed through the first floor and to his room. He did not want anyone to tell him it would be ok or that he wasn't alone. He was tired of being questioned and having to lie.
He just wanted to sleep.
But the moment he entered his room he stopped and stared at his bed, silence ringing in his ears. Izuku dropped his bag and jacket in a heap by the door, kicked off his shoes, and laid down in the only place that felt safe.
Not even Dabi could appear behind him when he was curled up against the wall.
He could still feel the texture of ash on his fingers. Couldn't get the image of Dabi crumbling away out of his mind. Kept thinking about that husk of a body on the floor.
After months of trying to remember something, a charred body amidst the ash was no help at all and only made his stomach turn.
I want to burn you.
Izuku curled in on himself, trying to think of anything else.
For the first time in a long time, Izuku didn't want to remember.
At some point, he closed his eyes and fell asleep, drawn from his slumber by a familiar sound that made him feel just a little bit lighter. Izuku kept his eyes closed, afraid that it was a dream and wanting it to last as long as possible.
The notes were louder, clearer, right behind him.
Izuku shifted, turning his head to the side so that his ear was to the wall. As he realized it wasn't a dream, he sat up and leaned against the wall, letting the notes wash over him.
Clipped and hurried, fumbled over at times.
"I'm sorry," Izuku breathed, closing his eyes, feeling the warm tears that slipped down his tired cheeks.
"You truly are pathetic."
Maybe it was because he was tired, but Izuku didn't feel the fear that usually hit him at the sound of Dabi's voice.
"I'm just trying to do what's right," Izuku said, the words barely audible as his throat closed up.
Dabi sat down beside him. "Perhaps you are a hero. They always lie like that." He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "All for the greater good or some bullshit, right?"
"Right," Izuku agreed, trying to listen to Bakugo playing.
"I think the saddest part is you actually believe that."
Izuku hesitantly looked over at Dabi, remembering the way he'd crumbled the night before. "What do you know about being a hero?"
Dabi grinned and extended his hand to Izuku. "What to try again?" "You're not real," Izuku muttered, looking away.
The notes had gotten slower, a little more put together. Izuku got up as Bakugo's playing trailed off into shuffled movements.
It was a nice day, the sun just barely starting to peek over the horizon as Izuku stretched on the dorm steps.
Izuku took his run slow, letting his mind zone out as he followed the worn path around campus. There were always other students around, but none of them paid any mind to him. Izuku decided to forego the earbuds and just let the pounding of his feet against the dirt fill his ears.
Eventually, he stopped at the steps of the general studies building. He lingered outside debating on the consequences of missing his meeting with Mrs. Ito. If he didn't go, they'd know something was definitely wrong, so Izuku forced himself up the stairs.
His favorite tea was ready for him just like always, it was warm and nice, yet he didn't really enjoy it. He set it down.
"It's been a while. How are you, Midoriya?" she asked, leaning on her desk with a polite smile.
It really hadn't been that long. They'd been meeting once a week through video chat over the summer, but Izuku still smiled back and said, "About the same."
"Have you remembered anything new?"
Izuku shifted uncomfortably as he thought back to last night. "The body," he said, staring down at his hands in his lap. "I remembered the body of the man killed."
"I see," Mrs. Ito said, sitting up with a sharp inhale. "What exactly do you remember?"
Izuku stared blankly for a few seconds as he thought of the way Dabi had flaked away at his touch. "He was completely charred, barely looked human," he muttered, sandwiching his hands between his knees. "I think he was the first thing I saw when I entered the room." Izuku frowned as he picked apart the memory. "I remember being terrified."
Mrs. Ito's brow pinched, hands lacing together in front of her. "Did something happen to trigger the memory?"
Yes. "No, not really. Just another bad dream." Izuku heaved a sigh, reaching up to rub out some of the soreness building in his neck. "If I'm going to remember stuff, I just wish it'd be useful."
"Midoriya," she said gently, "I know you want to help the investigation and remember for your own sake, but it will take time and you may never remember the event in full."
Izuku didn't like that possibility. "I just feel like I'm missing a part of myself."
"I know your quirk makes this especially hard for you," she sighed, turning to type on her keyboard. "Mr. Aizawa mentioned that fire is still a point of stress for you." She glanced at him as
her fingers flew across the keys. "Would you say the same?"
"I would say fire is." Izuku looked around the room. Just the same as it was the last time he was in it. "But I don't think Kacchan's quirk is."
Mrs. Ito paused at that and looked at Izuku. "His quirk is explosion's, right?"
"Yes," Izuku said, "I've never noticed being bothered by them before. Even with the sparks and smoke." He shrugged, not really knowing how to explain it.
She hummed; fingers paused as her brow furrowed in thought. "You told me a few weeks ago that you two had another falling out."
Izuku took in a sharp breath, drawing his arms closer as he thought back to that moment he smacked Bakugo's hand away. How hurt he'd looked. "We're. . .We're still not great," Izuku said, voice barely a whisper.
"Perhaps it's not his quirk, but something else." Izuku looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
"You were together in the building. You're partners," she started. "You can't remember what happened with Dabi, so maybe you're scared of bringing Bakugo into that fight."
Usually, there was something comforting about the way Mrs. Ito was able to see his fears and put them into words. Usually. But Izuku didn't want to hear it aloud, didn't want to give life to the possibility. "Yeah," he forced out, "I think so."
"Midoriya," she said, drawing his attention back to her, "it's ok to be scared." She'd been saying that every week, perhaps hoping he would believe it eventually. Maybe next week.
Classes were a blur. Most of the day Izuku spent staring at Dabi or sketching the burned body in his notebook hoping to remember more. Then the bell would ring and everyone around him would shuffle around until the next teacher arrived and the cycle started over again.
For lunch, Izuku managed to find a quiet place in the courtyard between the three main buildings. He forced himself to eat the bento he had no appetite for just so he wouldn't risk Bakugo complaining about him missing meals.
Sometimes Dabi would walk alongside him or slouch in the corner of the classroom. Other times Izuku closed his eyes as blue flames curled in the corners of his vision. He tried to focus on taking notes but there was no heart in it. Each class ended with half a page of notes stopped in the middle of a sentence. Izuku would tap his pencil against the paper as the teacher rambled on trying to gather the focus to keep writing, but he'd slide his hand over and start doodling the apartment complex along the side.
The days had started to blend together as Izuku drifted through them, stuck between trying to remember and staring at Dabi till he disappeared for a short time.
Even as he walked beside Mina back to their dorms, his mind drifted to the ring of fire and the way the body almost disappeared into the charred floor.
"Anyway, I thought we could all hang out and work on homework. Do you have extra classes or training?"
Izuku stared at Mina for a moment as he came back to the present. "I don't."
"Great!" She grinned, hooking her arm around his elbow. "It's been a while since we got to hang out."
Izuku managed a small smile.
But once again, time had snuck up on him. It was Friday. He was supposed to go home so that he and Aizawa could take the train to the prison tomorrow morning. Just thinking about using his quirk sent a bitterness coating his tongue, but he wanted answers more.
He wanted to put an end to everything.
"Do you think we can talk Bakugo into pizza tonight?" Izuku thought about it. "No, I don't think so."
Despite their distance and brief conversations that always devolved to arguments if they carried on too long, Bakugo still dragged Izuku to the store with him and Shoji. It wasn't terrible, Shoji was quiet and didn't seem to mind the lack of conversation. Izuku could just exist without suspicious glances and pressing questions.
"You're probably right," Mina groaned, kicking a rock across the sidewalk. "He usually softens up about that stuff mid-semester."
Izuku looked up at the sky, clear and endlessly blue. The nice weather had dragged on, filling the grassy areas of campus with students studying or just relaxing. Izuku really wanted some rain, maybe get soaked in it so he had a reason to feel terrible.
"You ok, Izuku? You're spacing out."
Izuku glared at the hand being waved in front of his face. "I'm fine," he sighed, nudging her hand away. "I didn't sleep well last night."
"Oh," she drawled, kicking her steps out into almost a skip. "What were you thinking about?"
"I wasn't thinking about anything much," he said, threading his fingers through his hair. "Just couldn't get to sleep."
"Hate those nights," she grumbled, nose scrunching up in disgust. "You're not too tired to hang out, are you?"
Izuku squinted at the dorms coming into view. "No, I'll be ok, but I can't stay long." "Right, I forgot you're going home this weekend."
"How do you deal with fear?" he asked, too tired to care about her reaction. Mirko's advice had worked before the fire, but he couldn't just bury it anymore, not when something was already rotting in the ground.
Mina looked up at him, the corners of her mouth tugging down as her shoulders hunched slightly. "I guess. . .I know someone will have my back, so I can be scared and keep fighting."
Izuku frowned, the courtyard where Dabi had crumbled to ashes coming closer. "And what if they're not?"
"That's the great thing about friends." She smiled, turning to face him as she walked backward. "We've always got your back."
"Aren't you afraid they'll get hurt?"
Her smile faltered, steps slowing. "Sure, who wouldn't be in a fight?" Mina turned back around to walk alongside him. "But I'll be there for you if you need me and the other way around." She shrugged. "We've got each other. Simple."
Simple.
It didn't sound simple at all. Trusting another person to be there when he needed them to be sounded like a fool's plan. He didn't think Mina was lying, she probably believed what she was saying, but Izuku understood the reality of saying such things.
Life was full of people saying things with good intentions, but they rarely followed through.
Even if it was lonely at times, life was simply safer alone. No empty promises or lies from people claiming to care.
"Right," Izuku said, keeping his thoughts to himself. "We've got each other."
She grinned and grabbed his arm, pulling him up the steps of the dorm. They made a pit stop in the kitchen for two bags of pickle-flavored chips and a handful of the cookies Sato made the other night.
Mina held out two to him. "The cookies I owe you," she said sheepishly.
As her happy mood pressed up against him, Izuku felt himself smile. "These are really good," he said as he brushed the crumbs from his mouth.
She leaned towards him and whispered, "It's how Sato is able to use the kitchen whenever he wants, he bribes Bakugo with extra treats." She stuffed another in her mouth to free up a hand and hit the second-floor button of the elevator. "Es tu!" she said through a mouth full. "I swear, I've seen him wrap a plate especially for him." As the door opened and they stepped into the hall, she huffed, "I can never find where he hides them, though."
Izuku followed her into her room, making sure to leave the door cracked for the others. Mina flopped down on her bed with a heavy sigh.
"I hate school," she groaned, dragging herself back up to rummage through her bag.
Izuku sat on the floor, using the bedframe as a backrest. "What do you want to work on first?"
"Bio-chem I think," she said, getting up to grab her book on her desk. "How are you at it?"
"Don't ask me," Izuku said, glancing away. "Ask Shinsou."
"Shinsou!" Mina gasped, nearly dropping the book. "The concert is this weekend, but, like, how are they?"
Izuku leaned away as she crouched down and shook his shoulders. "I'm pretty sure they talked regularly over the summer," he muttered, thinking of all the nights that muffled voices drifted into
the hall.
Mina gave Izuku another shake as she squealed. "Oh my god! Denki gets all flustered when I ask,
so I knew it had to be good." She yanked Izuku closer. "What do they talk about?"
"I don't know, I never eavesdropped." He thought about it and added, "Eri probably did, though."
Mina sat back with a huff. "Damn. She doesn't have a phone." She lit up again. "But you're going home! You have to ask. We need answers, Izuku. Answers!"
"Ok, ok!" Izuku said, pushing her off. "I'll see what I can find out."
"You're the best!" she cried, throwing her arms around him.
He pushed her off again, holding her at arm's length. "I guarantee nothing."
Mina went to say something else, but the door was pushed open.
Kaminari shuffled in silently and fell face-first into Mina's bed. "I hate homework," he grumbled, turning his head enough so the complaint could be heard.
Izuku flipped his textbook open as Mina got up to console Kaminari. At first, Izuku thought it was Sero who sat down beside him, but a spark of blue told him otherwise. He just sighed and ignored Dabi.
He shifted around the corners of Izuku's vision as he tried to focus on the problems they were working through. With Bakugo and Shinsou they weren't completely helpless and usually got the work done quickly, but Izuku was struggling. Shinsou was pointing out his mistakes and explaining why they were wrong, but Izuku was focused on how far he could turn his face away from Dabi staring at him before someone asked questions.
"Ok, thanks," Izuku pushed out, not registering a thing Shinsou had said, and erased the entire problem without thinking.
Shinsou's brow screwed up in confusion, puzzled by the action. "It's ok, Izuku, you don't need to get frustrated."
Izuku felt a sting of panic as the pencils around him stopped moving. "I should get going anyway," he rushed out, closing the textbook and shoving it in his backpack.
"But I thought you didn't need to leave for a while?" Mina pouted, leaning over the edge of the bed to look at him.
"Well," Izuku said slowly, struggling to keep his voice even, "I haven't packed yet. I'll see you guy's Sunday."
Izuku got three steps out the door before he heard someone following him and picked up the pace. "Deku," Bakugo called, catching Izuku's door as he tried to slam it.
"What do you want, Kacchan?" Izuku bit out, keeping his back to Bakugo as he emptied his backpack on his bed. "I'm busy."
"The hell you are, Deku," Bakugo said, closing the door.
Izuku focused on grabbing a set of closes for overnight and ignoring Bakugo still lingering by his
door.
"What the fuck is going on?" He grabbed Izuku by the arm, forcing Izuku to turn towards him. "Why can't you tell me?"
Izuku glared at him, drawing in a tense breath. "Tell me," Bakugo pleaded, voice shifting low.
"I'm going to Tartarus with Mr. Aizawa tomorrow," Izuku said, feeling Bakugo's grip on him falter as he grew pale.
"What?" Bakugo choked, tightening his hold on Izuku. "You're fucking what?"
Izuku pulled his arm free and went back to stuffing his backpack with clothes. "The police
requested my aid in questioning All For One."
"Are you fucking insane?" Bakugo snapped, his voice steadily rising. "What the fuck are you thinking, Deku?"
Izuku could see Bakugo shaking from the corner of his eye. He turned away, leaning down to unplug his phone charger. It was ripped from his hand. "The investigation has been at a standstill since the fire," Izuku shot back. "This is our chance to get some information."
"All For One's been in prison for over two years, what the hell is he going to know about a recent attack?"
Izuku snatched back the charger and stuffed it into his bag. "I don't know!" he shouted back. "But if the police think he has information, that's good enough for me!"
"So, you're just going to walk into the prison that holds the most dangerous villains on the planet and ask him some questions?" Bakugo threw his arms up in disbelief. "Who's fucking idea was this?" He drew back, growing stiff and cold. "You're going to use your quirk on him. . ."
Izuku felt a chill rush through him. "I'm just going to make sure he's telling the whole truth."
Bakugo sputtered, his shoulders rising and falling with heated breath. "You just told me you didn't want to use your damn quirk and now you're going to use it on All For fucking One?" He shook his head, shoving a hand into his hair. "Do you have any idea who he is?"
"Of course, I do," Izuku said, struggling to block out the fear rolling off of Bakugo in thick waves. "Of course, I do!"
Bakugo drew back again, blinking a few times. "Kamino, right? You remember seeing that on the news?" he taunted. "Were you scared for me, Deku? Were you scared when villains kept attack my class?"
Izuku flinched at the sarcasm. "What kind of question is that?" Izuku gritted his teeth, fighting tears and the burning in his throat.
"I had to fucking live it!" Bakugo nearly screamed. "I get how scared you are right now." Izuku squeezed his eyes shut. "I have to do this, Kacchan."
"Why? Why you?" Bakugo scoffed, but it sounded forced, something cracking underneath. "Why not Mirko? Why not fucking All Might? Why does it have to be you?"
Izuku took a step away as his voice raised. "Because they can't. Because I'm the only one who can!" He shoved Bakugo away as flames flickered around him. "This is something only I can do!"
"It's not worth it!" Bakugo yelled back, hands drawing into shaking fists at his sides.
Dabi made a turn around Bakugo, sizing him up. "You're still weak to him," he mused. "He'll never see you as an equal."
Izuku felt a rush of anger flare through him. "It is worth it!"
"The hell it is!" Bakugo yelled. "What about you? Are you even thinking of yourself right now?
You haven't been ok since the fire and you think you'll walk out of that interrogation room fine?"
"He'd probably be fine," Dabi said, considering Bakugo's furious, torn apart expression. "After all, you only save one girl. He saved an entire block with one hit." He looked back at Izuku with a sneer. "You're nothing like him."
Izuku shook his head as if to dispel Dabi's words. "It's just questions," Izuku forced out, trying to step around Bakugo, but his path was blocked each time.
"It's never just!"
"I'll be fine!" Izuku said. "Mr. Aizawa will be with me, and I'll be back Sunday."
Bakugo seethed through his clenched teeth. "Why is he letting you do this?"
"Why wouldn't he?" Izuku laughed bitterly. "It's my choice! I want to help with this investigation!"
"Because it's fucking bullshit! This isn't just your run-of-the-mill villain, Deku!"
"Deku, Deku, Deku," Dabi sighed, resting a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "It's cute how you thought making that your hero name would make it any less true."
Izuku shook him off and shoved past Bakugo to his closet to get a jacket. "Exactly. Which is why I should help. This information could be vital to more than just the fire!"
Bakugo grabbed his arm again and yanked him closer. "Fuck the information! You're more important."
"They asked for my help. I'm going to help," Izuku ground out, pulling his arm free.
Bakugo looked away from Izuku, his jaw ticking. "I made a promise to you," he said lowly, still not looking at Izuku. "So it doesn't matter what you're dealing with or what stupid decisions you make"—his eyes cut to Izuku—"I'll be here when you get your head out of your ass."
Dabi hummed curiously, standing to Bakugo's left. "He doesn't think you can do it." He raised a brow at Izuku as he said, "You really think you're a hero when even Kacchan doesn't see it in you?"
"I am a hero," Izuku spat at Dabi, shaking from the fury that filled him. "I'll prove that I'm a hero!"
"I never said—" Bakugo cut off as Izuku pulled open the door. "Deku, wait! I never said you weren't—You don't have to do this!"
Izuku smacked his hand away.
After all the yelling, the slap echoed in the silent room.
Izuku glanced over his shoulder at Bakugo, but he was looking to his left, face slack with confusion and disbelief. "I'll see you Sunday, Kacchan."
Izuku had rushed out of the dorms, ignoring the calls of his friends. He walked as fast as possible, entering a near jog when the campus gates came into view.
No one tried to follow him which he was thankful for. It gave him privacy when he slowed to a stop two blocks from campus to let himself cry. All the pent-up emotion from the last week pouring out and dripping off his chin.
Izuku fought the urge to go find a busy street to get lost in, but he was expected home soon. So, he dried his face and continued walking
Dinner had been oddly quiet. Izuku didn't mind but he caught the worried glances that Mic sent Aizawa every few minutes. He sat through a movie with Eri, but she didn't provide her normal commentary.
Izuku knew he should've put more effort into conversation, but he wasn't sure he could talk without everything spilling out.
Aizawa had asked him again that morning if he was sure about aiding in the interrogation. Izuku could feel his apprehension. The regret. But Izuku assured Aizawa that he was fine and that he was just tired from the stress of the first week of school piled on top of everything.
He hesitated before following Izuku out the front door. "Izuku, do you remember that conversation we had about your quirk?" he asked, catching up to him.
"I do," Izuku said, keeping his eyes focused ahead as they walked to the train station. "I've thought about it, and this is something I want to help with."
Aizawa's mouth pressed into a thin line. "If I think you're going too far with your quirk, I will stop you," he warned.
"I'll be careful," Izuku said, sinking into his shoulders at the feeling of being scolded. "I know he's dangerous." Izuku reached out tentatively with his quirk to try and get a read on Aizawa. He seemed torn; a flurry of emotions tangled up around him. It was clear he didn't want Izuku to help but, albeit reluctantly, he was. Izuku didn't dig to find out why. They were on their way to the prison and that was all that mattered.
The train ride was quiet, but the apprehension and anxiety shot up as they stepped onto the platform. Izuku's heart began to race as they got in a car that would take them over the bridge to the prison.
Aizawa didn't question his nervous breathing as the mainland shrunk behind them and the walls of Tartarus grew taller. Even the driver gripped the steering wheel tighter. Izuku reeled his quirk in tight as they stepped out of the car.
He stuck close to Aizawa as they entered the prison flanked by officers.
When the elevator doors shut, his stomach dropped, eyeing the guns the guards carried. Aizawa noticed how he tensed at the sight of them and set a hand on his shoulder.
One breath. Then another. Watching the floor numbers climb as they descended.
When the doors opened again, they were met by more guards and detectives. Izuku recognized a couple who he'd talked to after the fire. They looked just as apprehensive at Aizawa.
Izuku took in a deep breath to calm his nerves and greeted them. "I'm Izuku Midoriya."
"We've heard a lot about you," one of the guards said, looking Izuku up and down. "Right this way."
Izuku listened as the guard rattled off rules and what to expect in the visitation room. All conversations are recorded. He is not allowed to speak to All For One directly. He will be perfectly safe in the visitation room. He would give visual cues to the detectives as All For One answered questions, confirming whether they were true or fabricated.
His heart hammered as they stopped outside of a thick door and a buzzer rang out overhead before something mechanical snapped and the door slid open.
Izuku stepped into the room, following behind the detectives with Aizawa at his side.
Compared to the dark walls of the prison, the visiting room was well lit. Cameras in every corner. A wall dividing the room into two with a wide panel of glass. Izuku glanced curiously at the one- way glass to his left, wondering how many guards were watching them.
Izuku stood beside the detectives so he would have a clear view and willed his hands to stop shaking. Izuku stretched his quirk out to the man on the other side, picking up his curiosity and intrigue. He didn't seem bothered at all by the meeting.
Connected to wires and tubes, his breath whistling through the breathing mask, he said, "You must be truly desperate to bring a child with you."
One of the detectives frowned and stepped closer to the glass. "We want to ask you a few questions about the League of Villains."
Izuku fought off a shiver as his mouth curled into a smile.
"Has Tomura been giving you trouble again?" he asked, sounding genuinely curious.
"Are you aware of any current plans the League has?" the detective asked, his shoulders drawing firm.
Izuku pressed in further, catching glimpses of the dark room within. He instinctively drew back at the flood of dark energy he usually tried to avoid. But All For One was answering, so Izuku pressed in again and searched for the memory All For One thought of as he told the detective that he did not know what the League was planning.
But he knew about the fire from a whisper between guards.
"There was a fire recen—" he stopped, catching himself as the words escaped his mouth. "How
interesting."
"What about the fire?" the detective asked, stiffening when the guns swiveled to follow All For
One's movement to look at Izuku. "How did you hear about the fire?"
Izuku dug into his mind, drawing out the answer.
"Do you know where the League is currently located?"
Aizawa pressed a hand against Izuku's back, he relaxed slightly, not realizing he'd drawn himself up so tight.
"I'm afraid I do not."
At least that was true, but Izuku still searched through the memories the question brought forward. His most recent knowledge of the League's location was Kamino. Izuku gave the detectives a subtle nod, swallowing down the bitterness that filled his mouth as he thought of Bakugo and their fight the day before.
He pushed in again, focusing on Aizawa's hand between his shoulders. "What were the League's plans following the incident at Kamino Ward?"
All For One hummed thoughtfully, mulling over the memory. Izuku bit down on the inside of his cheek as he was sucked into that night, caught between the interrogation room and a battle with All Might.
"World domination, of course." He grinned, the straight jacket pulling tight as he breathed deep. "Tomura will succeed with or without my guidance."
The detective frowned, the bright light's casting a shadow over his eyes. "What were the specific plans the League had?"
Izuku forced himself in deeper, searching out the answers. He pulled on the verbal communication with Tomura, slipping deeper to the day All For One found him alone in a dark room. Izuku bit down hard to guild himself back to Kamino.
"All our plans were thwarted that day at Kamino," All For One said, slightly dazed. "I'm afraid that my answers would be no help to you now."
The detective's jaw clenched as Izuku nodded in confirmation. "How are the Nomu's created?" "Corpses—" He stopped again, gritting his teeth. "What an interesting quirk."
"How are the Nomu's made?" The detective bristled with agitation as All For One turned again to look at Izuku.
Aizawa's fingers curled into the back of Izuku's shirt, but Izuku barely felt it as he saw flashes of a morgue, heard the chatter of voices, parts of bodies strewn across metal tables, the whirl of a saw.
Tell them.
"It's a delicate process," All For One purred. "First, you must find the right subject. Whether that is a quirk or a body type simply depends."
"Depends on what?"
"The desired outcome." He grinned, thin lips pulling tight. "Whatever will make the most powerful creation."
"Where are the Nomu's created?"
Izuku dug through the memories or rotting flesh, the ecstasy of stollen quirks, the thrill of the first Nomu rising from the steel table. Bodies. So many bodies. Suspended in tanks. Missing parts.
Tell them.
"In—" he trailed off again, taking in a slow breath. "Why do I want to tell you?" he drawled, a
smile creeping onto his face. "Incredible."
Izuku narrowed his eyes and took hold of the memories, yanking them forward.
Tell them.
"At the time, we used a warehouse, however, it was destroyed during the Kamino battle." A breath whistled through his mask. "What an incredible quirk."
With each question, Izuku sunk deeper, picking apart memories and drawing out answers. Somewhere in the back of his mind Izuku knew he was going too far, but he was so close. The answers just out of reach. If he just went a little further. Then maybe everything he was doing would be worth it.
The slap echoed in his head. Betrayal and hurt filling his chest. His wrist stung from the memory. Too far. He was too far.
All For One was old, Izuku realized as he waded through centuries of memories. Centuries of pain and power and blood. A future society built under his rule.
I can feel you, a thought taunted as Izuku forced himself deeper. Can you hear me?
Izuku felt a rush of anger as his brother refused a quirk. Especially acquired for him. Those who do
not take power wither and die. He will die. Eventually. When the time was right.
"Oh yes, my poor brother Yoichi," All For One said. "I haven't thought of him in a long time. What were you searching for Detective?"
Dabi. What are they planning?
Flashes of blue, pinpricks of curiosity, but nothing substantial. Nothing that gave Izuku a hint to their current plans. Only a proud suspicion that Tomura was doing just as he was raised and instructed to do.
"Tell me, what is your quirk?" All For One asked, his hunger thinly laced. "The power you must hold."
Izuku felt himself slip again, his hands feeling wet with blood, bodies lying lifeless around him, the power of new stolen quirks coursing through his heated body.
"Thank you for your corporation," the detective said, about facing with his partner.
"Perhaps we'll meet again, boy," All For One called as Izuku turned to follow them. "I'll be looking forward to that day."
Aizawa steered Izuku around, his hand tense and urgent between Izuku's shoulder blades, nearly shoving Izuku out of the visitation room. Izuku struggled to break the connection, but when the
metal door slid closed, he felt a breath release and some of the tension fade away.
Still, Izuku felt the dull throb of a headache between his temples. He blinked a few times as the guards led Izuku and Aizawa out of the prison.
He shifted between the white halls filled with starchy light and the decades of memories he'd sorted through. Izuku put all his effort into focusing on the feeling of Aizawa's hand on his back, letting it ground him, but the door down the hall was a step away after a blink. The next turn. . .already happened.
Izuku felt panic spark in his chest, blue flames curling around him.
Why does it have to be you? Because they can't. Because I'm the only one who can!
"Do you feel like a hero?" Dabi asked, walking alongside him till they stepped in the elevator, and he shifted around to look at Izuku directly. "Do you feel like you've proved yourself?" He glanced at the two detectives riding with them, their faces grim with frustration as they muttered quietly to one another. "Because they don't look happy. Guess, you didn't get them the information they wanted. And he"—Dabi pointedly looked at Aizawa—"looks very angry, so I guess you did a terrible job all around." He gave a slow clap, fire flickering around his fingertips. "Congratulations, provisional hero Deku."
"Izuku," Aizawa said as the elevator doors opened, "are you ok?" His voice was tight, but Izuku could hear the worry layered underneath.
"I'm ok," he lied, hearing screams in his ears. "I just need a minute." Izuku could feel his composure cracking. He wanted out of the prison. He wanted to be back on the mainland. Away from the foreboding dark walls and evil that lurked within.
You're lucky to be alive, Sir.
Izuku gasped as ripping hot pain speared through him and his vision backed out. He caught his steps, letting out a shuttered breath as he saw they were outside.
Aizawa grabbed his arm to steady him. "Izuku," he said again with more urgency, "did you go too far?"
Too distracted to block out the incoming thoughts, Izuku felt his rippling fear and concern. Izuku swallowed back his panic and drew in a relatively normal breath. "No, I. . .I'm ok." Izuku breathed again, focusing on the salty air. Thought of the stars. The stars. "Do you think the detective's got anything useful?"
Aizawa frowned but let Izuku's arm go. "From my knowledge, All For One's testimony will collaborate a few others we've gathered over the years."
"But nothing new?" Izuku asked, unable to hide the bitterness in his voice.
"That wasn't expected, Izuku," Aizawa replied sternly, setting a hand on his shoulder. "Learning how the Nomu's are created is vital information to future investigations."
Izuku gritted his teeth. He only cared about the current investigation. The fire. Dabi. He cared about Dabi. But that had turned out useless too.
Maybe. . .
"I'm glad I could help," Izuku forced out, feeling himself slip again into memories that weren't his. "Let's go home. This place is creepy."
Maybe. . .it had all been for nothing.
He felt a burning pressure welling up in his chest and his hand stung from layered slaps. Panic as Dabi crumbled to ash in front of him. Anger and hate towards someone weak yet defiant. The satisfaction in bones breaking. The horrified screams of people who realized a part of them was stolen, the joy of others who had been given that piece. Power that was never satisfied.
"Izuku."
It had all been for nothing.
Izuku blinked down at his hand wrapped around the car door handle in a white-knuckle grip. "Yeah?" he croaked, coughing to clear his throat as he pulled the door open.
Aizawa grabbed his wrist to stop him from getting in. "You went too far." His fingers pressed into Izuku's skin. "You went too far, didn't you?"
There was fear in his voice. The emotion swept off him as he pulled on Izuku's arm.
Izuku wanted to turn around with everything in him. He ached for the protection he felt with Aizawa. He didn't know what to call that feeling. But he did know that telling the truth would only cause more pain. Maybe. . . Maybe anger. Izuku didn't want to risk that. Losing this little bit of safety he had found. That would probably be worse than death. To go back to those crowded streets, cold nights, and lonely rooftops.
"Maybe further than I should've," Izuku started, surprised at how steady his voice came out. But he kept his back turned. He wasn't sure he'd be able to lie directly to Aizawa's face.
Aizawa gave Izuku's arm a tug. "Izuku, tell me if something is wrong. Is this like that day after the hospital or worse?"
Izuku opened his mouth to answer, but he was trying to figure that out himself. Was it worse or the same? It had been a long time since he'd lost control and had gone in too far. "He was slippery," he muttered, relaxing back. "It's hard to tell right now."
"How do you know it's bad?" Aizawa asked, his hand still tight on Izuku's wrist.
Izuku saw a flash of blood and closed his eyes. "I didn't go further than the questions asked," he lied. "I don't feel like I'm drowning."
"Drowning?" Aizawa's grip loosened slightly, but he stepped closer.
Izuku stared at the ocean surrounding the prison. The water was deep and a dark blue. Nothing like the island. It looked cold and hateful and full of the destruction they trained for.
"When I'm in someone's mind, it's like moving through water. I feel this pressure. A heaviness as I move through their consciousness." Izuku paused, breathing in the salty air. "When I go too far, it's like I can't tell where the surface is—where the safety of my own mind is." He shrugged, keeping his eyes closed just in case. "I feel like I'm drowning. But I don't feel that way right now."
"Izuku, look at me."
He reluctantly did, swallowing hard at how much concern was sowed in Aizawa's features.
"You'll tell me?" he asked, shoulder's raising with a heavy breath. "You'll tell me when you're drowning?"
Izuku stared at Dabi standing just behind him for a moment. He shifted his gaze back to Aizawa, locking with his dark eyes, and amended his earlier assumption.
Izuku nodded. "I will."
Liar.