Chizome was frustrated.

Ever since his capture, he had been working with the police. Going through the cursed treasure troves of Heroes to weed out the weak links. It was a much slower process than his own but what can one expect with the restricting bureaucratic red tape. Existing to protect the innocent but it also prevented swift justice for the guilty. Killing or maiming them had been far quicker.

But Chizome would endure for Izuku's sake.

They were taking what he knew of false Heroes and had been using the damning information to address the issues at hand. Of course, the media drank up the drama as they informed the public of each case brought to light. It was causing stirs in the Hero rankings much to the Hero Commission's distaste. However, much like the video of Stain's last speech as a free man, they could do nothing to get rid of the information once it was made public. You can't kill an idea.

He also made a point of sharing what information he had on the League of Villains. Though his introduction to them had been brief, his observations could potentially one day prove useful. Such as Shigaraki's ideals and attitude. His desires to destroy it all. There was also that misty fellow Kurogiri who had a strange reaction to his Quirk. While it hadn't surprised him that he was unable to form any warp gates under Bloodcurdle's control, there was something that had been odd. The fact that Kurogiri hadn't simply collapsed and had managed to shakily prop himself up on the bar. Very odd.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Akaguro-san," Tsukauchi said as he straightened his papers. "This information should help us out."

It felt weird being called by his actual name after so long. A privilege that only Izuku had been given ever since he had shrouded himself under the moniker of the Hero Killer Stain. But they were trying to reform him from the Villain that he was and into a different kind of Hero. Not like Izuku fighting out there in the world but from behind closed doors. Using information instead of knives of what he knew of the fakes of the world against them and reveal their unique brand of corruption.

But it wasn't enough. He had to do more.

"I want to help," he said suddenly, surprising the detective across from him.

Tsukauchi had been doing his best to visit him regularly. There were many cases in operation at the same time and he had to juggle his own time between them. It was the life of an effective detective and Chizome held great respect for him because of that. But it also frustrated him because Tsukauchi still didn't trust him very much despite his lie detecting Quirk.

"You want to help?" Tsukauchi asked, confused. "Help with what? You're already helping with this."

In conjunction to revealing the corruption of the lower-level Heroes, they were continuing their work on taking down the Number Two Hero. Endeavor may still be acting as an active Hero, even invited to work with them on an upcoming mission, but his head was still very much on the chopping block. His day of retribution would be coming soon.

"I want to help rescue Izuku," Chizome answered, his eyes hard with conviction. "I want be there for him."

He hadn't been told directly. No one wanted to talk to the Hero Killer being too terrified to interact with him. But people talk and he was very good at listening. It was how he had dug up so much dirt on the filth that dared to call themselves Heroes.

"How do you…never mind," Tsukauchi said, shaking his head to clear it. "You know we can't risk taking you out in public yet. While you have cooperated with us so far, we still need to build a mutual trust. That we will keep up our end as long as you do yours."

Chizome knew that they didn't trust him. He was an unknown.

And yet…

"I still want to help," he reiterated in earnest, letting an ounce of his murderous spirit to leak through to show his heroic resolve to save the Little Hero.

His conviction was strong and made the detective want to shudder but he resisted as he sighed and rubbed his temples as he said, "While I understand your protectiveness of him, I don't think that would be wise."

"Wise?" Chizome sneered, tone razor sharp with indignation. "You do not trust me with Izuku and yet you trust Endeavor?"

He stared daggers at the detective who this time did flinch under his volatile vitality but otherwise was able to school his features. It was a skill he had to develop in order to interrogate the most intimidating of criminals. But the feral protective energy coming from the man formerly known as Stain was intense.

Tsukauchi cleared his throat as he straightened his papers again before saying, "He is a complication but a known one. We have no way of knowing if you would just run off and continue your 'mission'."

A fair concern but Chizome hadn't even thought of doing that. Once Izuku had wrapped him in his capture weapons, he knew his time as the Hero Killer was over. Much like when he cut away his life as the Vigilante Stendhal along with his nose, he had done the same giving Izuku his knife along with his scarf and the flash drive of evidence. It was only out of the boy's own kindness and concern that he was given an opportunity to continue his mission but in a more legal way.

Izuku said I changed his life for the better. Guess he did the same for me.

"I want to help," Chizome stressed, leaning forward in emphasis. "Keep me in the back. Cuff me for all I care. Hell, even have me locked up in a patrol car just so I'm there if you need me."

If he needs me.

"Whatever it is, I'll do it. Just let me be there to save him."

The detective stared at him with his expression unreadable. Another skill that he had long perfected mostly due to his Quirk. Being able to tell the truth all the time, he learned to not show any sign of the abundance of little white lies being told every second of every day. Appearing neutral was just easier than always pointing out that he knew the truth.

And the truth of the former Hero Killer Stain was plain as day even without his Quirk. All he wanted to do was save Izuku.

It was extremely risky. Like he said, they have no way of knowing how this man would act. Didn't know if he would cut and run at the first opportunity. There was no telling with someone like him. But then again, he was already taking a chance even working with him like this. Anyone else would have thrown him into Tartarus without a second thought. A Villain was a Villain and that was that.

But because of Izuku and the information he had provided, Tsukauchi had chosen to put his trust in this man. For him to help them expose and rectify the 'fake' Heroes that had wheedled their way into the Pro Hero system. Taking advantage of it for their own gain. It was a truth he had known for a long time but couldn't really do anything about it on his own. Not all Heroes were as good natured as All Might and even he wasn't as perfect as he tried to seem as was evident with what happened with Izuku.

That kid.

He was connected to so many people and things since Tsukauchi had first become aware of the boy. And to this man in front of him very much so. The former Villain and him had a bond no one could ever understand. Not even they really understood it themselves, but somehow, they worked. While the detective was reluctant considering Stain had stabbed Izuku last time they had met, he knew that it hadn't been intentional. Izuku had insisted that the Hero Killer had never made a move to hurt him before and the deleted recording had proved that. There was also the Villain rescuing him from the flying Noumu as further evidence that he wanted to protect the boy.

Maybe he could take a chance, but he would have to get permission first. Though the chances were extremely slim.

Tsukauchi let out a steady sigh before saying, "I will…consider your request. I would like to confer with some colleagues to see what we can do. If we can."

"My thanks, detective," Chizome replied, leaning back and sighing in relief. "I understand it puts you in a difficult position on top of your other work, but I must save him from Shigaraki's clutches. Nothing good will come of him staying with that man-child a second longer."

"Agreed," the detective said, nodding. "I will inform you of our decision. Until then."

They exchanged silent goodbyes before Tsukauchi left. Soon a guard came to escort Chizome back to his place of residence. A simple flat that was secured more so to keep him in as well as others out. He also had to wear a tracker that would inform them if he ever tried to leave. House arrest was far better than he had ever thought he would get for all he had done as Stendhal and Stain. All thanks to Izuku who had inspired the police to hire him rather than toss him away.

Thank you, Izuku, for all that you have done for me.

The thought brought a rare smile to his unmasked face that was only reserved for him. The true Hero who in an odd way had ended up saving Chizome from himself.

...

Consciousness returned slowly to Izuku though he didn't want to open his eyes. Instead, he focused on the softness of the sheets that covered him and the comfort of the bed. The lights were low and he felt so comfortable that he didn't want to wake up just yet. Didn't want to think of the nightmare he'd had but his mind brought it up anyway.

A forest on fire. People screaming. Villains attacking. Kidnapping. That his dad was…Izuku quickly forced the thought down because it couldn't possibly be true. All of it together was just too much to be reality.

Izuku grimaced and snuggled into the pillow not wanting to think. Snoozing until he felt a dip in the bed. Thoughts of his mother came to mind not remembering for a moment that she was in the hospital. But that thought was contradicted when a hand too large began to card through his hair. However, he didn't flinch away as the touch was gentle and caring. Familiar. Forcing himself to wake up, Izuku blinked open his eyes as he turned to the presence next to him.

Green eyes that were squinted in drowsiness shot wide open at the sight of who exactly was sitting on the bed. The hand never left his hair and a fond smile was present on the man's face, but it wasn't just any man. It was someone Izuku knew but hadn't seen in person for a very long time. Someone he loved and missed dearly but hadn't expected to wake up to him by his side. Causing the teen to look up at him in confusion.

"Papa?" Izuku asked unsure he was really there.

"Yes, Izuku, it's me," his dad replied with a warm smile. "'Hisashi'buri, my son."

The long-standing joke sparked a ping of a strange feeling that Izuku couldn't place but he ignored it as he cried out in excitement, "Papa!"

Izuku lurched up and captured his dad in a hug. Strong protective arms gently wrapped around him as he snuggled into Hisashi's chest. It had been so so long since he had last hugged his dad. He savored the feeling of being held by Hisashi as the man brought his hand once more to play with his hair. The father and son sat there for a few moments enjoying their closeness.

However, curiosity won in the end. Izuku gave a squeeze before pulling back but not letting go completely. Green eyes took in the sight of his father finally seeing him without a computer screen between them. Five years was a long time not to see someone in person and Izuku wouldn't waste this unexpected chance.

Hisashi looked the same as ever. More refined and sharper features compared to Izuku's who looked more like his mother. His hair a short wavy black as well as his eyes. Tall of stature and broad of shoulder. Not necessarily muscular but enough to make one feel safe in his arms. However despite him looking the same, there was something that seemed...off. An ever so slight shimmer around the edges. Most would probably not notice it but this was Izuku. He noticed everything.

The itch of something being off sat in the back of his mind but he ignored it passing it off as his eyes playing tricks on him in the dim light. This was his dad. What could be off about him? Sure, he had his peculiarities but everyone had those. It was probably nothing.

"It's been so long, papa," Izuku said, fond tears building in the corner of his eyes. He still couldn't believe that he was actually there beside him. "But how are you here? I thought you couldn't leave the US?"

Green eyes searched the man's body for signs of the terrible injury that had kept him from his family. A deformation or bandage to show where it was. Not entirely sure what to look for as Hisashi had been always vague on how exactly he was injured. He hadn't wanted to burden his family with worry and the knowledge of how close he had come to death. But no matter where he looked, Izuku couldn't find anything.

Does that mean papa finally found someone to heal him? But how? When?

A deep chuckle broke him from his thoughts. Izuku looked up to see his dad smiling in amusement down at him. He was just so damn tall even sitting down! There was no way Izuku would ever get that tall. Darn it. Forever cursed to be short.

"Still muttering, I see," Hisashi teased with a smirk. "Your mouth always seemed to have a mind of its own."

The father cupped his face with his large hand and stroked his thumb across his freckled cheeks affectionately. Savoring the moment knowing it won't last forever.

"To answer your questions, I did manage to heal my injury in time," Hisashi said, his expression becoming soft as he looked at his son. These many years had been difficult for him as well not being able to be close to Izuku. "However, circumstances did not allow for us to meet again in person. Until now that is."

The boy's face scrunched in confusion at the vague explanation. No details that actually answered his questions. Green eyes finally tore themselves away from his dad to scan the room. The room was still dim enough that he couldn't make out anything distinctive. Just a plain room with bare walls and a bed with white sheets. Definitely not his room at UA or at home.

"Where are we?" Izuku asked as he turned back to his dad.

Hisashi lowered his hands and took both of Izuku's in his own. The greenet looked down seeing how much bigger his father's hands were compared to him. Not as much as when he was a kid though. The sight brought up memories of all the times his dad's hand had engulfed his when they would walk the streets together. But now even though his own hands had grown since then, Hisashi's were still bigger.

"Izuku," his father said, tracing his thumb along his son's skin. "My injury. It…changed me. Physically."

Again, green eyes searched for signs of the injury that had almost taken his dad's life, but still found nothing. Though there was that strange shimmering he had noticed before.

Maybe someone is using a Quirk on him?

"Astute as always, my son," Hisashi said, confirming his muttered question. "The Quirk is called Mirage and has suited my needs for years to keep up appearances. I did not want to worry you."

A sort of half-truth. Most of it was to keep playing his role as father to his family. But this time he wanted to try easing the boy into the truth. One step at a time.

"H-how long have you been using this Quirk?" Izuku asked, reaching up with his hand to touch his dad's face only for a large hand to hold him back. A gentle but firm grip enough to say stop.

"All in due time, Izuku," Hisashi assured as he guided their hands back down. "I found the need to use Mirage once I was well enough to speak with you over video call. As I said, I did not want to worry you. I was injured, yes, but there was no need for you to see it."

Not yet.

"Did mom know?" Izuku asked quietly, tears then suddenly budding as he remembered she was in the hospital. He tucked closer to his dad's chest as he quietly cried. "I'm scared for her, papa."

"Shh, come here, my boy," Hisashi said, wrapping his son in his arms once more and ran a soothing hand through his hair. It also relieving for him as his Quirk wasn't buzzing from sensing a Quirk because his son didn't have one. "No, she did not know. And I too have her in my mind, but Inko is a strong woman. She may very well pull through."

Izuku sniffed as he nodded into his dad's shirt. Still finding comfort in his words even though there was no definite assurance in them. Same as he always answered with neither yes or no, only maybe. Letting time bring the answer instead. The waiting sucked but at least there were no expectations to be let down.

Though there was one thing Hisashi had mentioned before that Izuku really hoped to change his mind. Of taking custody of him since his mom was currently hospitalized which would most likely mean he would be pulled from UA. But Izuku couldn't let that happen or how would he continue his journey of becoming a Hero? It had been the last time that he had spoken to his dad before now other than the phone call the night before the camp and it had left a bitter taste in his mouth on top of the sorrow of finding out about his mother's attack.

But wait.

Something didn't add up. How did he end up here? Wherever here was because Izuku certainly didn't know. After his mom was hurt, the Quirkless teen had stayed on UA campus until the training camp. Which according to his nightmare had ended with a Villain attack and him and Bakugou being kidnapped. Leading to him somehow having several heart-to-hearts with said Villains before getting injured by Shigaraki. And then he met…

"Papa," Izuku stated firmly as he pulled away enough to look his dad directly in the eye. "Where are we?"

Green eyes were hard with determination to get the answers he sought. The black eyes of his father studied him assessing if he was indeed ready for them. However, there was no way to actually know that until he officially opened up to the boy. Perhaps now was the time and there was only one way to find out.

With his son's hands once again in his, Hisashi closed his eyes as he took a deep calming breath before opening them again. Black eyes stared into green as he slowly switched Mirage off to gradually take away his façade. The shimmering became more noticeable as his once defining features faded away little by little. His son watched first in fascination only for his eyes to slowly fill with horror as black hair was replaced by a scarred bald head with only a mouth and no eyes or ears. Izuku couldn't help but jerk back out of the man's grasp as the image completely dissolved to reveal not Hisashi, but All For One instead.

I just hugged All For One, Izuku thought, wide-eyed in dismay. All For One is my dad.

Guess Chizome wasn't the first Villain he had hugged after all.

"You…you're a Villain," Izuku shuddered, eyes wide in shock. "You're the Villain."

"I am," All For One confirmed with a nod. "And you are my son."

The boy scrambled back to get as far away from him as he could on the bed while the Villain made no move to follow. His mouth was flat but ever so slightly turned down at the corners as if mourning the loss of their closeness, but Izuku didn't care about that. He just realized that all this time he had been longing for the comfort of his dad, he had in fact been unknowingly thinking of All For One.

Why? Just why?

"No, it can't be true," Izuku denied, refusing to believe as he gripped his hair tightly and shook his head. "That's impossible. My dad cannot be All For One. I…I can't be the son of a Villain. I'm going to be a Hero!"

"Deny it all you want," All For One said in an almost scolding tone. "However, it will not change the truth. You are my son. My progeny. My blood."

Each claim was like an arrow to his heart. Hurting him in a way that somehow surpassed the pain from the knife to the gut he had gotten from Stain. Izuku suddenly wondered if that was the exact same knife that Chizome had given him. But it couldn't be because that knife had been confiscated and the one he had was a hidden one they hadn't found. Not that he knew if he would ever find it again anyway.

Stop it! There are more pressing matters right now!

Green eyes shot up and glared at the man, the Villain, sitting before him. Calmly watching him freak out over finding out his fucking father was All For One. Again. Guess Izuku needed to hear it twice to even begin to contemplate the concept. He didn't want it to be true and no way knew what he would do with such information. At its base, it entirely ruined his image of his dad both figuratively as well as literally with that damn Mirage Quirk.

"Fuck."

"Language, Izuku," His-All For One scolded as if he still had the right.

"Fuck you," Izuku spat out of spite. "Why the fuck would you have a kid anyway? What the hell do you want from mom and me?"

All For One sighed and if he had eyes, Izuku assumed he would have rolled them at his attitude. While the father had expected as much from him it didn't stop him from being annoyed at the reaction. Izuku was his son, his legacy, and the sooner he accepted that the easier it would be to have him working beside him.

"I have already acquired what I wanted from Inko," All For One answered, doing his best to remain calm. "I was in need of a mother for my future child and she provided. I now have you."

The look of disgust and outrage that Izuku shot at the Villain would even give Bakugou a run for his money. All For One married his mom just to have a child?

"Did you ever even love her?" Izuku demanded to know. "Or was all of it a lie?"

The scarred man gave a hum in thought which pissed the teen off. It was answer enough no matter what he said if he needed a fucking minute to think if he loved someone. The answer should have been immediate to be true.

"Yes and no," his fath-the Villain replied. "I feel something towards your mother though I wouldn't exactly call it love. To be honest, I have no understanding of the concept of love when it comes to others. Though I do feel a stronger connection when it comes to those who share my blood."

A trait few had in this world. He had felt it with his brother all those years ago and he felt it now for his son. Inko did not but in her own way she was connected to him now through Izuku. However, beyond being the boy's mother and doing her best to raise him, All For One had only acted out rather than felt his 'feelings' for his wife.

"As for you, my son," All For One continued, his eyeless face focused on the boy. "My intention is for you to finally join me. To stop this foolishness with Heroes and take your part in the family business."

"You…you want me to join you?" Izuku asked incredulously. "Are you insane!? I'm fighting to become a Hero. There's no way in hell I would ever join you!"

The room fell silent after his outburst. Izuku sat there seething as he glared at his bastard of a father. Guess Shouto wasn't the only one with a villain for a dad. Though Endeavor was only that towards his family while Izuku's was to the whole world. Gods he could use being with Shouto right now but no way did he want him anywhere near the monster sitting before him.

All For One took in his son with the infrared Quirk that allowed him to see without eyes. Izuku was angry. Angrier than the father had expected but then again, his hero complex was strong and had been since he was young. Even asking Hisashi if he could still be a Hero without a Quirk. The father had never fully encouraged Izuku because why would the Number One Villain support his son becoming a Hero. But he never denied it either not wanting Izuku to pursue that goal out of spite to prove himself.

While his experiment had failed in passing on his Quirk to his child, the Quirkless diagnosis had seemed like a blessing in disguise in its own way. The judgment and torment Izuku had gone through would have been proper fuel for a future Villain. However, he had underestimated how stubborn his son was and that spiteful nature came out despite his efforts or rather lack thereof. Izuku was still fighting his way towards being a damned Hero. This All For One could not allow.

"Do you know why the League of Villains was formed?" All For One asked the boy who was glaring at him.

"To be a pity party for a man-child so he could finally have people to share his shitty video game references with?" Izuku snarked in answer.

All For One gave him a flat look though there was a spark of amusement at his son's snide remark. He didn't know Izuku had it in him but had to keep face in the moment. Well, as much as he could with what he had left of his face.

"No, Izuku," the father sighed. "Young Tomura has been gathering those rejected by this society and together they are working towards changing this corrupt system."

"By destroying it?" the boy questioned with a raised brow. "How is that going to help change anything? It's only going to bring the world into chaos."

"Out of chaos, comes order," All For One quoted. "A chance to start fresh and bring a new world order."

"And who would be in charge of this 'new world order'?" Izuku pressed, crossing his arms. "You? 'Cause I don't see you letting anyone be the leader except you. Not even Handsy who you have obviously been grooming."

"Young Tomura will have his own role to play when the time comes," the Number One Villain conceded with a shrug. "As will you once you finally accept your destiny. Then together, we can rule this world as we see fit."

The greenet scoffed at that thinking it was all a bunch of crap.

"I would think that you of all people would understand their plights, Izuku," All For One remarked towards the glaring boy who was eyeing him questioningly. "You too have experienced similar rejections from this society. All because you were not born with a Quirk like the other eighty percent of the world population."

Izuku sat there stubbornly silent. Though All For One didn't expect him to answer. Not yet anyway.

"You have faced the ridicule of your peers. Experienced the lack of support from teachers. Suffered from their sabotaging and endured pain under their willfully blind eyes. Labeled Quirkless and left to rot away to the dregs of society. Because to them, without a Quirk you are nothing."

The Midoriya tears already started to bud in Izuku's eyes but he refused to let them fall.

"This is more of a modern concept of course. Quirks have become infused with one's identity and to not have one has become unfathomable. No Quirk means no individuality. Without that, how could someone be considered a person?"

It was like his childhood tormentors were back. Insults and wishes for him to just disappear popped up in the back of his head. Izuku fought to ignore them.

"It's quite ironic compared to when Quirks first began to appear. Those who manifested meta-abilities were seen as outcasts, freaks of nature. Rules were implemented to suppress their use of their natural born powers to give a sense of security for those without them. However, as the number of what were then called metahumans grew, the ideology of those born with meta powers had a natural right to use them formed and eventually became our reality. Though that only came to fruition after much violence and bloodshed."

Izuku knew a bit about that time. It was inevitable with his fascination of Quirks that he would research their origins. But he would never have the same understanding as the man before him. All For One had been there from the very beginning and had witnessed first-hand the hardships the first Quirk users experienced.

"But now that ideology has mutated as Quirks became infused with one's identity in this society. Back then there was no room for metahumans among those that were 'normal'. And now there is no room for the 'normal' because they are no longer the norm. Treated harshly for something out of their control and labeled a pariah for how they were born."

It was true. The discrimination and bigotry they had tried to destroy had never actually disappeared. It only redirected from one side of the controversy to the other. Rearing its head on those now considered the new freaks of society for not being 'special' like everyone else. But didn't being Quirkless make him unique in his own right? Why did others get to decide what he was worth without a Quirk? The tears that had been building up had already started to trickled down his cheeks.

"But you of all people know that Quirkless does not make you worthless," All For One pressed on, seeing his son's tears as a good sign. "You have fought every day to prove yourself to others despite every setback."

The father leaned forward testing the waters of his son's comfort level. The boy made no reaction being lost in his own mind with All For One's words buzzing in his head. The scarred man took the opportunity and carefully shifted closer.

"But do they deserve such effort from you for all they have done to make your life oppressive? Don't you think they should be taught a lesson? That you, even without a Quirk, could be as strong or even stronger than anyone with one."

All For One cautiously reached out his hand to cup his son's chin. The boy flinched at the initial contact and his breath hitched as he looked up at his dad. The hair, eyes, and ears were gone, but he could hear Hisashi still in his voice. Deep and rich reaching into his soul bringing up memories of being comforted by his words alone.

"You could do that with us, you know," the father said, caressing Izuku's tear-stained cheek with his thumb. "With me. We could show them together."

Show them…together?

"Or, if you would like, I could give you a Quirk. Any one that you would like and you can become even stronger than you are now."

Whatever spell Izuku had found himself under broke suddenly at the offer. It reminded him of All Might's offer of One For All. Acknowledging all the time and effort he had put into winning the Sports Festival only to tarnish it by saying he could only be a Hero with a Quirk. That his Support Items in the end were a crutch, not a solution.

'Without them, I fear you would be left defenseless in a fight. Because this world is one of Quirks and the Quirkless will always be at a disadvantage.'

"You think you can bribe me with a Quirk, Ass For One?" Izuku growled as he smacked the man's hand away.

The scarred man's hairless brow twitched in anger.

"Watch your tone, boy," All For One said, his tone tense in irritation. "I could always force one on you."

"Like you did your brother?" Izuku retorted with a sneer. "Yeah, that turned out great for you."

Whatever annoyance irked him at his son's resistance disappeared in a flash at that passing comment. Izuku knew of what transpired with him and Yoichi? But how? And the second part. He must know of what transpired after his plan to subdue his brother to follow him failed. Which means…

"…All Might told you of One For All, didn't he?"

Izuku instantly clammed up as he paled realizing what he had just carelessly revealed.

"But why would he tell you of all people?" All For One questioned further, his sharp mind quickly connecting previously unknown dots. "Unless he had a very specific reason to inform you of One For All and its history. His successor, perhaps?"

The Number One Villain grinned at the delicious irony of that idea. All Might his sworn enemy handing the Quirk he has sought all these years to his own son. Finally bringing One For All back into his grasp though not in the way he had intended. However, he recalled something from a few minutes ago. There was still no sense of a Quirk in Izuku. No buzzing need from All For One to take what resided within another person. Izuku was still Quirkless.

"You turned his offer down," All For One stated rather than questioned. He was baffled that anyone would turn down such a Quirk when he himself has yearned for it for centuries.

The Quirkless teen couldn't meet his eyeline. Internally he was freaking out that the Villain had figured all of that within seconds of him foolishly revealing he knew of One For All along with All For One. Thinking of them side by side also had him recalling the fight that had left All Might badly injured that lined up too well with when Hisashi had been hurt. No fucking way.

All Might almost killed my dad.

Izuku had no idea how to handle that new discovery on top of everything else. It further muddled his feelings about the whole situation. On one hand, All Might had hurt his dad, but on the other, Hisashi turned out to be All For One.

Dad For One?

The teen shook that thought out of his head. Now was not the time for that. But in regards to All Might and his fight with All For One, let's just say that this was all an emotional shitshow and Izuku was stuck right in the middle of it.

"Why did you not take One For All, Izuku?" All For One demanded to know. "It would have been a perfect opportunity to obtain it."

"The same reason I won't take a Quirk from you," Izuku answered, once again glaring at the bastard. "I don't need a Quirk to prove myself. I have developed skills and Support Items to help support myself as a Hero. I will become the first Quirkless Hero and there is nothing you can say or do to change that."

The boy stared the Villain down with green eyes filled to the brim with conviction. He refused to give up now after all the effort he's put in to even get here. So many people have helped and supported him and he couldn't let them down. Couldn't let himself down. Izuku had to do this. For his friends, mentors, and his mom. For Chizome. For himself. Fuck all the others who didn't believe or wanted him to walk a different path. Midoriya Izuku was a Hero through and through. He would never be anything else.

All For One shook his head as he said, "You are just as stubborn as my late brother. As I assume you know, with him I had to be more persuasive than with others. But no matter what I did he never seemed to learn it was best to work with me rather than against me."

Not even giving him a Quirk had worked leading to a wild goose chase spanning centuries for the one Quirk that got away. And it seemed that Izuku may be just as stubborn even refusing the Quirk that All For One coveted above all others. He had hoped that the offer of a Quirk would have been exactly what he needed to convince his son to join them. However, it was becoming clear that convincing Izuku would not be so easy.

"While I can admire your strength of character," All For One stated, folding his hands neatly in his lap and straightening his posture. "It would not do you well to resist me as you are. You are my son, Izuku. You belong by my side. It is where you were born to be."

"No one is born to be or do anything," Izuku snapped back, thinking of how Shouto had been born as tool to beat All Might. But he was his own person and could choose his own path. Izuku could too no matter who his father is. Shouto's bloodline didn't control him and neither would his. This Izuku refused to accept. "We all make our own destinies."

Again, All For One shook his head at his son's stubbornness. It had been far easier to convince Tomura to follow in his footsteps. But then again, he had been a traumatized child when the Villain had found him. Lost and alone on the street just waiting to be plucked up and fall into his wicked hands. Tomura had even been willing to cover himself with the hands of his sins to this day to remind him of his mostly forgotten past. Izuku however was proving to not be as easy.

Their tense moment was broken by a knock at the bare room's door.

"Enter," All For One called out.

The door opened and the lights turned on to reveal a stout short man with a bald head, a full light brown mustache, and goggles over his eyes. Izuku had never met the man before but something about him seemed familiar for some reason.

"Ah, you're awake. Excellent," the man said, his lab coat making him look like some kind of doctor. "Sorry about the hand though."

Izuku looked down at his bandaged right hand. He had completely forgot about it but understandably with him learning such devastating news. He was the son of the Number One Villain. All For One was his father. Izuku aimed to be a Hero and was the son of a Villain.

Fuck. My life has become so much more complicated. Damn it all.

"Alright, let me see it," the man said as he reached for Izuku's injured hand.

The Quirkless teen tucked it close to his chest instead protectively holding it with the other as he spat, "Don't touch me."

"Izuku, allow the doctor to examine your hand," All For One ordered in a firm tone. "I would hate to hurt you further using force."

Izuku gulped nervously figuring that was not a hollow threat. He slowly let go of his hand and held it out for the now labeled doctor. As the man unwrapped the bandages, Izuku took the opportunity to study him up close. He still seemed familiar as if the teen had seen him before but where? When?

"There we go," the doctor said as he finished. "There was only so much healing we could manage. Heh. That Shigaraki has quite the destructive Quirk in his hands."

Yeah, no kidding.

The greenet looked down at his hand now exposed and covered with more scars than before. There were the ones from the electrical burn from when Bakugou had destroyed his electric glove. Now there were cracks and valleys in the shape of a hand wrapped around his wrist. Forever marked by Shigaraki Tomura.

But that wasn't all.

His hand. Izuku couldn't really…feel it. Maybe a slight tingling but that was it. And he couldn't fully grip anything. His fingers just couldn't seem to close all the way like before. It didn't feel like his hand anymore which was horrifying. Shigaraki had not only marked him, he had broken him in a way. Decay had done damage bad enough to now limit his hand use and it pissed Izuku the fuck off.

Not only did this give him yet another setback to deal with, but his thoughts went to Shouto and their many moments of holding hands. His right was now scarred and verging on the point of useless. At least right now but he hoped Recovery Girl could work her magic or assist with physical therapy to get some strength back. Once they could get away from their captors that is.

"Other than what you see, you're in good health," the doctor continued. "Your bloodwork came back fine and there's no sign of infection. Also, I checked for what you asked for, Master. The boy is indeed still Quirkless."

All For One nodded as he said, "As I expected. My Quirk also did not detect one earlier either, but it is good to be sure."

"H-how could you tell?" Izuku quietly asked, still ever curious and learning anything about the Villain's Quirk could prove useful.

"Depending on the Quirk, All For One can sense its presence," the father replied as he then held up one of his large hands. Izuku noticed a small hole centered in his palm. "However, I get a much clearer and stronger reading through physical contact."

So that's how his Quirk worked. Perhaps that small hole was how he took Quirks in and in return let them out again. Meaning his main port of his original power was located in his hands. Those same hands that had held him close just minutes ago and had run through his hair. Suddenly remembering this, Izuku's own hands shot up to protectively hold his green locks. To think that All For One could have at any time forced a Quirk on him scared the shit out of him.

The sight of his son being so fearful of him sent a small ping of pain to All For One's heart. It wasn't…pleasant to see his own child shy away from him. However, if force was necessarily then so be it. One cannot make omelets without first breaking some eggs.

"Is it as why we expected?" All For One asked, turning to the doctor. "The reason for his lack of Quirk?"

The question caught Izuku's attention but he stayed huddled in the corner of the bed.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed with a nod as he pulled forward a clipboard he had tucked under his arm. "I believe due to the fact that you are from the first generation, the meta-power genes were more recessive. That paired with the boy's mother's weak Quirk, genetically the chances of him manifesting a Quirk were considerably low from the beginning."

"I see," the father said, placing a thoughtful hand on his chin. "Would the probability have been higher with a stronger Quirk factor in the mother?"

"Not that I could figure," the other man replied as he looked through his paperwork. "No matter who would have ended up as the surrogate, the statistics are still coming out low."

"Hmm, then it was for the best that we did not pursue any other attempts," All For One commented, lowering his hand. "It would have been fruitless in the end and not worth the time and effort."

Acting as the doting father had been an interesting challenge but All For One could not see himself going through with it again. Once was more than enough for him. He may be in a sense immortal but one does grow weary of repeating such a daunting task.

Izuku on the other hand was glaring once again at his fath-sperm donor. They were talking as if he wasn't there. Speaking about him like some kind of experiment gone wrong. Mentioning that there had been the consideration of attempting it again, but not worth it because it took too much effort. To them it was just procedures and protocols, but to Izuku, this was his father who had thought about cheating on his mother and then decided against it. Affirming that there was no limit to how low the Number One Villain would sink to get his way.

Then there was the man beside him casually talking about all this as if it was normal. Openly discussing results of what seemed to come down to a gods damn experiment. Fuck. Was that what his whole life had been? A fucking experiment just to see what would happen? And Izuku thought Shouto had it bad with his bastard of a father forcing a Quirk marriage. His mother bred like an animal in search of the perfect Quirk. For Izuku, he was only in existence because All For One wanted to see if having a child would pass on his Quirk.

For the first time ever, Izuku was grateful he was Quirkless. That he wasn't cursed with All For One's Quirk.

"Regardless of the end results," the doctor said as he settled his papers. "It was good to see how well you've grown, boy. Last time I saw you, you were just a child but you're well on your way to becoming a young man."

This stranger looked at him with an uncomfortably fond look as if he was proud of him. Izuku didn't like it one bit. He took a moment to think over the man's words. The last time he saw him was when he was a child? When? He searched his memories of doctor visits at first coming up empty until he recalled one particularly bad one. The one that had started his many years of suffering.

'It's not going to happen.'

Green eyes snapped to the man as he gasped, "It was you. You're my…"

"Childhood Quirk doctor? Yes," the mustached man grinned, interrupting him. "It has been a while, hasn't it, young Midoriya. It's been a pleasure meeting you again."

The feeling was not mutual in any capacity. Izuku pointedly ignored the doctor turning his attention back to All For One.

"You manipulated everything," the Quirkless teen said, his feelings a mix of fear, anger, and not wanting to belief this was all true. "Mom, me, just…everything. You, you're a monster."

"Name calling will not change reality, Izuku," All For One admonished with a frown. "I see that we will get nowhere with you as of now. I will allow you time to adjust and reconsider your answer. In the meantime, I have other matters to attend. Kurogiri."

At the call of his name, a warp gate immediately formed and the misty man entered the room. The doctor took his leave as All For One stood up from the bed.

"I am sending you back to young Tomura," the scarred man said. "Think carefully of all I have said, Izuku. And before you dismiss them as the mere words of a Villain, bear in mind that I know you have taken the words of another to heart before."

What? Izuku thought, staring wide-eyed at his father.

"You had mentioned someone believing in you and never said who that was exactly," All For One smirked, seeing he was getting to the boy. "It was quite a surprise to find out it was the Hero Killer himself."

"How did you…?" Izuku questioned.

"During your precious Sports Festival, we invited him to this stronghold for a little chat prior to your rendezvous in Hosu," the Villain explained though the Quirkless teen already knew that. "He revealed his familiarity with you when young Tomura let it be known he sought to recruit you."

Oh, right. Izuku had guessed as much when Shigaraki revealed that he knew, but he hadn't considered that it meant his 'Sensei' knew too. Though it did make sense.

"You may think you are above taking the words of a Villain," the father chided. "But you are not. His words are as villainous as mine."

In a technical sense maybe because Stain was a Villain, but his encouragement had been far from villainous.

"Now that I think about it," All For One pondered, briefly tapping a finger thoughtfully on his chin. "You are quite the Villain magnet, Izuku. Socializing with Stain up until his capture. Gaining young Tomura's attention even before he knew you as the 'admin' he sought. Though…perhaps it isn't all that surprising since you've been connected to who is considered to be the Number One Villain since the idea of you was conceived."

Izuku knew he was a Villain magnet. Figuring that out on his own had been horrible. Hearing it from Shigaraki ten times worse. Now from All For One himself?

Strike that. This is a thousand times worse.

"I reiterate, think carefully about what I said, Izuku," the father advised strongly. "I will confer with you once you have made the correct decision."

With that, All For One left leaving Izuku alone with Kurogiri.

"Come, young Midoriya," the warper instructed beckoning to a newly formed portal. "Let us return."

...

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