Disclaimer: I don't own My Hero Academia

All Might and Izuku stood there for about a minute staring at each other. The silence was broken by Izuku.

"Could we talk somewhere more private?" Izuku politely requested. "I don't think you'll want the students to hear what we say."

"I know a place," All Might replied. "No one will disturb us there."

In an instant, All Might took them both to the resting room where he transformed into his true form. He looked less impressive, but Izuku didn't really care. Still, it was strange seeing him like this again. Last time it had been by chance, this time it was intentional. The two of them sat straight across from each other, both wearing stoic expressions.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Izuku asked getting straight to the point.

The Symbol of Peace stared at him momentarily before speaking.

"How are you doing, at UA, and in general?" he asked.

Izuku raised an eyebrow. Why would he ask a question like that? Then again it was probably the best way to start up a conversation.

"At UA, I'm doing fine, the classes are decent, and I have no trouble with any of the subjects," Izuku calmly explained. "As for how I'm doing in general. I'm annoyed, angry, frustrated, sad, and would rather be anywhere but here."

All Might wasn't surprised at Izuku's outburst. He knew he wasn't happy about being here. The police had made it clear that he did not want to come here.

They went so far as to say he'd rather be in prison.

"I'm going to skip past the boring questions if that's alright for you," Izuku stated. "Back at the bar, you knew who I was. You suspected it. I want to know how."

This had been something Izuku wanted to know for quite some time.

No matter how much he thought over it, he couldn't understand how he had been discovered. He kept a very low profile in the League and hardly went out except for his job.

He didn't interact with that many villains in or out of the League either, barring Gentle and La Brava.

Then there was one other time when Razor brought him to the criminal underworld to see how screwed up the world really was. His memory of the event was fuzzy, but he knew he had gone.

It hadn't been a fun experience. Of that, he was certain.

All Might took a deep breath. He did tell him back at the bar he would explain everything.

"Back at the USJ, I recognised your voice and eye from our previous encounter," he explained. "There was also evidence of how you were able to beat Young Bakugo without a quirk. That's when I got suspicious."

"Why did you even bother remembering that time?" Izuku cut him off confused. "It couldn't have been that important to you."

In truth, Izuku was taken off guard by All Might's explanation. Why would the number one hero bother to remember an encounter with a quirkless person?

"I couldn't stop thinking about it," All Might admitted. "I wasn't actually proud of what I said to you. I only said it because, because."

Was he actually going to tell the boy about this? This was a secret passed on for generations. Izuku guessed what he was trying to say.

"Because you used to be quirkless," Izuku finished.

All Might's eyes widened in shock. How did he guess that?

Izuku decided that it was his turn to shock him.

"One for All. That's what your quirk is right? A power born from Sensei and is passed on for generations through taking on the previous user's DNA," Izuku told him. "It stockpiles massive amounts of power."

All Might was speechless. From what he had been told, Izuku didn't possess any critical information about the League. So why, just why, was he told about OFA? Did the rest of the League know?

"Sensei told me about it after defeating Bakugo. I must say, I was quite surprised to find out, especially the part about you being quirkless," Izuku continued. "You wouldn't believe how angry I was when I found out. A guy who used to be quirkless, looking down another quirkless person. It really pissed me off."

All Might shifted uncomfortably. He wanted to make it up to Midoriya he did. He never meant to cause him so much pain, so much that he tried to kill himself. However, the boy did have a right to be angry with him.

"I thought you were a hypocrite and even now I still believe it," Izuku said. "However, I had a nice long conversation with Stain, and I realized that you must have had a reason for saying what you said. So, I concluded that you may have tried to be a hero when you were quirkless, but it backfired, and you took OFA to have a chance."

Toshinori did his best to refrain from flinching.

From certain points of view, yes, he was a hypocrite. After preaching on about how anyone can become a hero when asked by a quirkless boy he told him it was impossible.

"You aren't wrong," All Might admitted. "Whenever I tried to be a hero without a quirk, I usually got my ass handed to me. But my master saw potential in me and decided to pass on her power to me, despite the fact I was quirkless. I had to go through a lot of training for it though."

Izuku got the sense this woman was (or had been) one of the few true heroes in this world. The kind that was in it for noble reasons, and not the usual selfish ones.

"Does the rest of the League know about this?" All Might asked.

"I have no idea," Izuku replied honestly. "Whether Sensei told Tomura or Kurogiri, I don't know. I don't know about the other divisions in the League either. Don't worry, I'm not gonna start running my mouth about it. I have a very good idea what would happen if that were made public knowledge."

The likely scenario would be villains of all kinds trying to get their hands on that power. In other words, all hell would break loose. And, if someone by some miracle actually succeeded, they could be a real pain in the ass.

All Might sighed with relief.

"Thank you," All Might said.

"You don't need to thank me. It's just better if that quirk remains a secret," Izuku stated. "Now, back to the matter at hand. How did you know who I was? What evidence was there?"

"Aside from your eye and voice, I didn't have much. So, I asked Tsukauchi to show me a list of quirkless people in Japan. I recognized your face and learned your name there. When I saw your eyes were the same as back at the USJ I became suspicious, even more after I learned you disappeared the day, I met you."

Izuku didn't react. It wasn't much, but it was evidence.

He never imagined All Might would have remembered him. Perhaps, he should have been more cautious when his mask broke.

"What confirmed it then?" Izuku asked. "You said you knew I was Deku. That means there must have been something or someone to definitely confirm it."

All Might looked down. AFO wasn't kidding when he said Izuku was intelligent. He knew he wouldn't be happy when he found out though.

"I spoke with your mother," All Might said simply.

Izuku's eyes widened. He then changed to a glare.

"You did what," he snarled.

The mere idea of All Might involving his mother in this infuriated him.

"I spoke with your mother," All Might repeated. "She didn't know who I was since we met while I was under disguise. She came in for a report about you and I claimed to be a new detective working on the case. From there onward, I learned about your past, your history with Bakugo, and your desire to be a hero. It was when she said that Deku was a nickname given to you by Bakugo that my suspicions were confirmed."

Well, that made sense to Izuku. He was still angry that he talked to his mother though.

"Okay. Now that that's out of the way I'll move on. Why were you so determined to find me?" Izuku demanded. "Were you feeling guilty about what you said to me?"

All Might straightened up.

"Yes. Please believe me, I never meant to cause you that much pain. I had no idea what you were going through back then," All Might explained. "I was trying to save you."

Izuku rolled his eyes.

"Bit late for that don't you think?" he said. "I didn't need saving; I didn't even want it. I was happy where I was. If you're planning on giving me some heroic speech about how I can change and become a hero now, save it. I have no interest in becoming a hero. I abandoned that goal a long time ago."

All Might was surprised. Why would he not want to be a hero now that he had the chance?

"I know you're upset about what I said but, back then, I didn't think about how quirkless people could be on par with quirked individuals until I spoke with Nezu," All Might said before Izuku cut him off.

"I'm just gonna stop you there. It doesn't matter what you think now. What, you're trying to say, I needed to hear that before I tried to kill myself," Izuku stated. "Not now that I'm a villain."

All Might froze. Guilt twisted inside his stomach.

Izuku sighed.

"Look, if it makes you feel any better, you are not the main reason why I tried to end my life. You were the last straw, but not the main reason, there were plenty of others," he explained.

All Might said nothing. He knew what had occurred in Izuku's life, and it wasn't pleasant.

"Besides, I'm not even mad at you anymore, well, not as much. If anything, I should thank you for giving me that piece of advice," Izuku continued. "You were right, at first I felt resentment towards you, but eventually, I realized you were right."

All Might looked at him confused.

"It's not wrong to dream. Just make sure it's achievable," Izuku quoted. "Back then you were telling me to be realistic. Well, I did. I became realistic about our society. No matter what I did or tried, people like Katsuki and Endeavour would never accept a quirkless kid like me being a hero. Because society basically hates people like me."

All Might couldn't believe what he was hearing. Society may have been prejudiced against the quirkless, but it didn't hate them (though there wasn't much of a difference).

He wasn't sure about some like Endeavour not accepting a quirkless hero. There would be no reason to.

Judging by his reaction, Izuku guessed he didn't believe him. Well, it was time for All Might to take his own advice.

"Did you know Endeavour hates and is envious of you?" Izuku asked.

That question caught All Might completely off guard.

Enji hated and envied him. What was he talking about?

"I don't know what you mean. Endeavour may seem hostile towards me but he's like that with everyone," All Might said. "And I can't see why he would envy me."

Izuku groaned in frustration. He smacked his palm against his forehead.

"Has being the Symbol of Peace made you so naïve to the world around you?" Izuku questioned. "It must if you can't see what kind of person Endeavour really is, or what kind of society we are living in. You must not have enough time since you are always running to the scene of a crime."

All Might gazed at him confused.

Izuku was right about the part where he didn't have a lot of free time. As the Symbol of Peace, he was always trying to save whoever he came across or heard about.

"Endeavour loathes you for being the number one hero, a spot he's always wanted. The man envies you for it so much that he has been working for years to take it from you by any means necessary," Izuku explained. "He really hates being the number two hero. He made that clear when I met him yesterday."

All Might was surprised at this information.

While it was true, he had been the top pro for many years, he hadn't done it to compete, he did to save people. And yet, Enji hated him for it. He hated that he was more popular than him.

No, that wasn't it at all.

Enji had never cared about being popular, he liked being seen as the best. The fact that he had been the number two hero for a long time now must have really made him angry.

"On top of that he views quirkless people like me as, and I am literally quoting, "the weakest creatures to walk the earth." So yeah, he does not have a high opinion of people like me. He's also violent, hot-tempered and a complete asshole from what I've gathered from my previous encounters with him," Izuku continued.

"Look, I know he doesn't have the nicest personality," All Might said defending his colleague. "But he isn't a bad person."

Izuku sighed again.

"Don't be so sure. Being in a position of power like he has allowed him to do things most people couldn't or wouldn't do," Izuku said.

All Might was confused by that statement.

Izuku was careful not to mention Shoto.

It was Shoto's story, not his, he had no right to tell it.

"You know, I get that you want to see the best in other people like him and Katsuki and believe they can change and be better. I get that you want to see it in me, I really do, and while that isn't wrong, sometimes you just need to be realistic and see people for what they really are," Izuku declared. "I believe in redemption, but honestly, some people just don't deserve it."

All Might was left speechless at Izuku's statement.

Izuku was right about many things. All Might did always try to see the best in others.

With Bakugo he tried to be supportive and gave him advice so he could be a better hero, and with Enji he had always been rather friendly and treated him with respect. With both, however, he had always been treated with hostility.

He had never really thought about it before but, now that he did, he felt like an idiot for not seeing it sooner.

He reflected on what Endeavour said about Izuku being quirkless in the monitor room. He was definitely prejudiced.

Then there was what he said about Young Todoroki using his left side. In all the years he had known Enji, it was incredibly rare for him to look even remotely happy.

Todoroki not using his left side, was this the rebellion he spoke up back at the Sports Festival when they met face to face? Back then he said he "created" Todoroki and that his son would one day "beat" him. Were those related to the ambitions he spoke about before? Was he trying to use his own son to take him down?

All Might didn't want to believe it but from the way Enji treated Shoto, like a tool rather than a son, it did seem likely.

"Perhaps you are right," All Might said solemnly. "I do need to be realistic. However, while someone has the chance for redemption, I believe they should take it."

"Really," Izuku responded sarcastically. "Does that include individuals like Shigaraki, AFO and Kurogiri?"

All Might hesitated slightly before answering.

"AFO is dead so it's not possible. Shigaraki and Kurogiri, it is," he said. "People may do terrible things in their lives, but there's no reason why they can't make up and atone for it. Evil isn't born, it's made. The same with good."

Izuku's eyes widened. That was what he had heard from Kurogiri, and what he had said to many people. He believed in that sentence. And apparently so did All Might.

"They aren't as bad as you think you know. Once you get to know them at least," Izuku said softly. "I don't know if they would go down the path you're suggesting though. I'm not going to tell you how, but they were both driven to becoming villains."

"I can't argue with you on that one," All Might admitted. "I hardly know any personal details about them. Shigaraki just so happens to be a relative of my master, but he hates me."

Izuku was surprised at what he had just heard.

Tomura was related to the person that trained All Might.

Looking back, he could vaguely remember Sensei saying something about a woman named Nana Shimura during his battle with All Might. Shimura was Tomura's true surname, so it was possible. He had only caught bits and pieces of the conversation since he was dodging the mini pods trying to kill him.

All Might was wrong about one thing though.

"Shigaraki doesn't hate you exactly, he hates what you stand for and you've done to society," Izuku reasoned.

All Might tilted his head slightly confused. Realising this, Izuku attempted to explain.

"You stand for a false society where people can always smile even without a reason because in that society they believe they have nothing to worry about. That's also a problem. You see in that society, the citizens are too dependent on you and other heroes like there's nothing you can't save them from. They rely on you too much and stop relying on themselves because they foolishly believe that a hero will always come and save them. That makes them weak. When someone else is in danger they won't help that person because they think a hero will save them eventually. But here's the kicker, there's always the scenario where a hero doesn't come and that person dies because those civilians believed a hero would sort everything out," Izuku preached. "They believe a hero will always save them, completely oblivious to the fact that not everyone gets saved. It didn't happen to Shigaraki and it didn't happen to me. It doesn't happen to thousands of others."

All Might was dumbfounded.

Is that what Shigaraki truly thought of him? He couldn't deny he was right. Not everyone got saved. There were moments when he had failed to save someone.

"People see you as more than a hero All Might, they see you as a benevolent God who can't be destroyed and will always be there to protect them," Izuku continued. "But you can't, can you? No matter how good you are, or how much you try, at the end of the day, you are still only human. You can't do everything or save everyone. And when you die, this society we live in will shatter completely and there will be widespread fear and panic because that's how much people depend on you. It's why Shigaraki hates you. Because of how fragile society has become."

All Might was speechless.

This boy, even without him verifying it, knew just what he went through every day of his life. The burden he carried with being the Symbol of Peace. Most people would have jumped at the chance for such a position, but they didn't realize the enormous responsibility that came with it.

Midoriya did, however. He also understood what would happen if there wasn't a symbol to protect others.

"You're one of the few people I've met that's actually realized this," All Might acknowledged.

"I'm not like other people. I look deeper into things than most do," Izuku admitted.

All Might didn't argue against that, not that he could.

"I'm surprised AFO didn't offer you a quirk," All Might said. "Considering how gifted you are."

"Actually, he did," Izuku grudgingly admitted. "However, I refused."

All Might's eyes widened. At that moment he felt both shock and surprise at what Midoriya just said. Everyone wanted one as a child. For someone to reject having one was unheard of.

"Why?" All Might asked nervously. "I don't mean it as an insult. I'm just wondering why."

Izuku bit his lip. He stared at the floor. He remembered exactly why he had said no. it had been an incredibly important moment of his life.

"Well," Izuku started.

Flashback

Izuku and AFO were in Izuku's apartment talking after Izuku's victory over Katsuki. They had just finished talking about All Might's quirk, something Izuku was particularly furious about but decided to keep his emotions in check.

"Now that that's over and done with, I'll move on to the other reason for me being here," Sensei announced.

"Huh," Izuku exhaled confused.

After everything Sensei had told him, what else could he possibly give him?

"You've done a lot for the League, and well, you deserve a reward," Sensei explained. "As I already told you, my quirk allows me to take and give quirks to others, including myself. I've come to offer you one of your choice."

Izuku froze. He had literally stopped breathing for a couple of seconds.

A quirk. He was being offered a quirk. This was something he had wanted his entire life. It was something he had dreamed of having since he was little. It would make him like everyone else. Like everyone else.

Izuku stopped for a moment and started to consider this. A quirk was something he wanted when he was part of society, the people that persecuted him for not having a quirk.

Did he really want one now?

He had proven how competent he was without one. He had proven that he could be just as good as those without quirks.

And he, he was proud of it.

"Izuku," Sensei called.

Izuku looked up at Sensei. Taking a deep breath, he gave his answer.

"Thank you for the offer Sensei but, I must refuse," Izuku replied honestly.

Sensei was stunned at what he had just heard. He expected Izuku to jump at his offer, only to be rejected.

"Don't take this the wrong way. I'm grateful I really am but, after everything I've been through, I don't think I need one anymore," Izuku said.

"Oh," Sensei responded amused and intrigued.

Izuku looked at the floor before looking at the man seriously.

"Me wanting a quirk was me wanting to be accepted by a community that loathed me for not having a quirk. They called me weak and useless and looked down on me. You and the others accepted me for who I was and acknowledged that I was something more than just quirkless. You made me into a stronger person, one who doesn't need to get by with a quirk," Izuku explained. "And I'm proud of that, I'm proud of what I've managed to achieve without a quirk. I'm proud to be quirkless. And that's why I'm saying no to your offer."

There was silence between the two.

Izuku hoped he hadn't offended Sensei in any way by saying that. It was just the way he felt.

Much to his surprise, Sensei started laughing.

"I see," Sensei chuckled. "Well, if that's how you feel then I suppose I can't argue against it."

"You aren't mad," Izuku questioned.

"Of course not," Sensei told him. "If you wish to remain quirkless then so be it. I'm not biased about that sort of thing. The offer is still there if you ever change your mind."

"Thank you," Izuku said.

Sensei stared at him for a moment.

"You're just like him," he murmured under his breath.

"What?" Izuku asked confused.

Sensei realized what he just said and corrected himself.

"Oh, nothing," he said quickly before opening a portal to leave. "I have to head back now Deku. Rest for today. You've earned it."

"Yeah sure," Izuku replied as Sensei disappeared into the portal.

Flashback end

Izuku could still remember that conversation quite clearly in his mind, and how he felt during it.

That day, it was the first time he'd ever said he was proud to be quirkless. That day he felt like a large weight had been lifted from his chest. After that, he never wanted to have a quirk, because he didn't need one. He was already strong without it.

All Might was stunned at what he had just heard.

He had never heard of anyone saying they were proud to be quirkless before. Even he hadn't been happy not to possess a quirk.

Furthermore, if Midoriya didn't want a quirk, then there was no reason for him to receive OFA, something he had been considering.

"Who was the first wielder of OFA?" Izuku asked. "I'm curious as to who Sensei trusted enough to bestow a powerful quirk upon."

All Might didn't have a problem answering that.

"It was AFO's younger brother," he admitted. "He already had a quirk that could be passed on to others. The two quirks merged, and OFA was born."

"Sensei had a brother," Izuku exclaimed surprised.

He had never even asked the man if he had a family. But, if he gave a quirk to his brother, why would that brother turn against him?

"Yeah, I don't know much about him though," All Might admitted. "It's just what I was told by my master."

Izuku decided that he had heard and said enough. He stood up and started to leave.

"I'm gonna head back now. I've got work to do," Izuku stated.

"Of course, and thank you for speaking with me," All Might said. "Regardless of what you believe or think of me, you can become a hero. You've shown you are capable of it."

"Whatever," Izuku retorted before leaving.

Overwhelmed by the ordeal, All Might sighed deeply. It went much better than he expected.

UA Dormitories

Izuku had just finished his homework and was going to go to sleep when he remembered he hadn't spoken to Dabi since arriving. Thanks to the police there was a link set up to his computer to where Dabi was being kept. He activated the app and a few seconds later Dabi's face appeared.

"Hey Deku," Dabi greeted. "How's school?"

"Eventful," Izuku replied simply. "How's jail?"

"Lonely and uneventful," Dabi retorted. "It's not so bad once you get used to it."

Izuku chuckled slightly.

"So, what big events have occurred since I last saw you?" Dabi asked.

"Well," Izuku started.

And so, he explained everything that happened to him since came here. Dabi was impressed with how he handled himself and applauded him for standing his ground.

When he mentioned the conversation he had with Endeavour, Dabi burst out laughing.

"Oh man, you actually said those things to him, and he just stood there pissing his pants unable to make a comeback," he shouted. "I wish I could have seen that."

Izuku raised an eyebrow.

"Judging from that reaction I'm guessing you don't like Endeavour," Izuku guessed.

"Are you kidding me? I hate that guy," Dabi said with a serious tone and expression. "How anyone can like him is beyond me."

Izuku had to agree with him on that one.

"I feel bad for Todoroki though. I can't believe he had to put up with that man for fifteen years," Izuku said.

"I can," Dabi said venomously. "Endeavour is a huge asshole who does whatever the hell he wants without consequence."

Izuku was slightly intrigued by that statement.

Did Dabi know Endeavour personally? Or had he just come to that conclusion based on encounters he had with the man?

He didn't get the chance to learn as Dabi said he needed to log off otherwise he'd get in trouble. Izuku didn't argue so he said his goodbyes and logged off also.

Tired, he went to bed and slept till his alarm woke him up the next morning.

Hi there. Well, what did you think of that? I have had this chapter planned out for so long that it was nice to just get it out. I won't say what will be in the next chapter since I'm still working on it. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Please review.