04/02/2025

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In a civilised world, breaking into Tartarus is not the only way to free All For One. What if Izuku used a different, legal, method? Using the hero's rules against them is kind of fun, and very villainish!

The Emperor's Dragon: Extras and Omakes
Chapter 12 - Alternate Methods

Izuku gave Whisper a look. She'd been examining him all night, as if she was thinking of how to say something to him. "What is it?" he asked.

The older woman sighed and came over. She sat in the booth opposite him. "I'm curious about something," she admitted.

"What? You can always ask; I promised you all that. I might not answer but you can ask," Izuku reassured her. Whisper had some good ideas, and while it was true that her quirk was not the best for combat, her ideas more than made up for that.

"We've all been looking into Tartarus for you, but it occurred to me that Tartarus is not just a prison," she said.

"What do you mean?"

"It's more than a prison," Whisper repeated.

"More information," Izuku requested. He'd only ever heard of Tartarus as a prison.

"There're research facilities there, and other things but that's not what I meant. Tartarus is also a holding facility. It's a remand centre for truly dangerous villains."

That was the first time Izuku had heard of that. The research facilities and a remand centre… but remand centres were where you went while awaiting trial or actual sentencing. Sure, you weren't meant to be able to escape but it wasn't jail.

"A remand centre," Izuku repeated the words, with a kind of wonder in his voice.

As far as he knew his father had not been charged with anything, let alone sentenced, so did that mean there was the potential for bail? He almost couldn't believe he was thinking that.

"It is," Whisper confirmed, bringing up a website that looked official. It gave a list of Tartarus' official roles.

"I don't think I can do that alone," Izuku murmured, as he leaned forward, resting his head on his hands. He could come up with the, no doubt, astronomical bail that would be demanded for his father. That was only money, and he didn't care about that. But he couldn't just go and apply for it. The heroes would arrest him.

Whisper caught on. She was intelligent. "I believe there are others who might be willing to perform that service as a trade," she said.

Who would want to trade with him? Izuku wondered, and trade for what… then he realised where Whisper was going. Daiki Yaoyorozu… He'd said he'd do almost anything to get his daughter's quirk back. Izuku had been planning on giving Creation to someone quirkless but when Yakuni found someone willing, he didn't have to give them Creation. He hadn't promised what quirks would be provided just that he would give them one. Creation could go back to Momo Yaoyorozu. She'd organised the rescue at Kamino but it wasn't her fault that Ochaco had been expelled and Izuku wouldn't have been upset if she hadn't shown up to his challenge. He'd really only wanted Kaminari. The others were a bonus.

"Could you make some enquiries?" Izuku asked.

Whisper smiled and nodded.

Izuku grinned. He'd still plan to level Tartarus but… this, using the hero's rules against them… this was better.

-ted:o-

Daiki looked at the woman who sat across from him. She was dressed in a teal green saree, embroidered with what looked to be small gold dragons. Her hair was caught in clips which complemented the outfit, and she gave off an air of competence that spoke of professionalism but he wasn't quite sure what she was a professional at.

She'd made contact with him via text and been brutally direct with him. He, in turn had been direct with her, and Daiki had the feeling she appreciated that.

"Call me Whisper," she told him. "As I said, my employer is willing to return your daughter's quirk."

"In exchange for?" Daiki asked carefully. He'd heard what the price was for Shouto's quirk and he'd seen what Endeavor had done to make sure that everyone knew he had not paid the price and neither had Shouto. Someone though, they were loyal to Dragon. The fact it was likely a villain was not a comfort. He wasn't sure he could do that.

"Your assistance with applying for bail for his father," Whisper said, as if it was the most logical thing in the world. "He will, of course, put up the bail money," she added, just as Daiki was about to object that while the Yaoyorozu's were rich, they did not have that much financial capital though… Depending on what the price was, just paying the bail for Momo's quirk might be the most straightforward way of getting it back.

Everything had a price. You just had to know what it was.

"He believes, as do I, that it will require your political backing to get it through," Whisper continued.

"Is it even possible? Daiki asked. The last he had heard; the villain was in Tartarus and people did not come out of Tartarus.

"He is being held while awaiting charges," Whisper told him confidently. "Bail has not been set because no one has applied for it. All you need to do is apply for it, and have the application accepted. The terms are not overly important, but try to keep the cost down," she said, with a wry smile before rising.

"And that's all I need to do?" Daiki asked.

"Get his terms of bail accepted," Whisper confirmed. "Yes, that's all you need to do. My employer will take care of things from there and will return Momo's quirk."

Daiki thought Whisper would leave his office the way most people did, through the door, but a spinning wispy disk of darkness appeared behind her, and she walked through it before it disappeared.

He was left staring and shocked.

He'd asked… he'd appealed to Izuku to tell him what it would take…

He just…

This was not the answer he'd expected.

This was not the answer anyone expected.

Daiki collapsed back in his chair before reaching out for his intercom to buzz his Personal Assistant. "Get me legal," he demanded.

There was a lot to be done.

-ted:o-

All For One was interested when he heard the guards stop outside his cell. That was not normal. The guards tended not to be around and only interacted with the prisoners when absolutely necessary.

"They are really doing this?" one of the guard's muttered.

"Apparently," came the reply from the second guard.

There was a third one with them who remained silent.

"Fucking rich bastards!" The first guard cursed.

"The rules are the rules," the second replied.

"Oh, come on!" The first objected. "It took All Might to put this guy here and we're just gonna let him go?"

What? All For One was surprised. What were they talking about? There was no way they were just going to let him go. You didn't get sent to Tartarus just to be released.

"We don't make the rules," the second guard repeated. "At least the judge agreed he was a flight risk," he continued.

All For One heard the door of his cell open and the guards did something that deactivated the guns before they stepped into the cell. He took the opportunity to activate Infrared but gave no sign. He could let them do what they wanted. For now.

It was a surprise when he saw them shifting his restraints to the chair, rather than the pillar it was attached to, and then they actually removed some of the necessary sanitation tubes before the chair moved forward, towards the door.

"Court day already?" All For One mused. He knew very well prisoners were tried in Tartarus. It was safer.

The guards looked at each other. "Someone's stumped up your bail," one of them replied while another muttered, 'Rich people.'

"Ah," All For One murmured but he was curious as to who would have done that.

Tomura wouldn't have. None of his earning capacity was set to be directed at Tomura. Izuku might have but that would mean he'd made his choice. Yet if he had, then All For One rather imagined the heroes would be after him and Izuku couldn't have initiated bail proceedings. It was most curious, but he would find out soon enough.

And he'd get to see All Might's reaction. After all, if his bail was paid, even with conditions, if the Hero attacked him unilaterally then, the law did allow for self-defence.

This was going to be interesting.

-ted:o-

All For One had been stretching his Infrared sight, and senses, trying to feel or see someone who was familiar but there was no one. He'd been through court, told that his bail of 5 billion yen had been paid but he was considered a dangerous flight risk and would be fitted with an explosive tracker. Instead of an ankle bracelet, it was a torc and now he was being led through the courtroom towards the street.

He could find his way to Garaki, or Kurogiri but with the torc, it would be all too easy to have the heroes tracking him and he wasn't about to make it that easy for them, so when he was lead out of the court, into the warm, afternoon sun, All For One simply stood at the top of the courthouse steps and thought. He would eventually have to make his way to Garaki, but it would be best to think about which facility was the most easily sacrificed. Maybe the hospital? He could claim he needed medical assistance… or maybe it would be best to go to a random warehouse. Surely Gigantomachia or Tomura would find him there and Tomura would deal with the torc before they went to an alternate location-

"If you would please come this way Sir?" the question asked softly, with a tone of diffidence.

All For One looked over at the speaker. It was difficult to tell, with his limited vision but the man appeared to be in his mid-forties and the outline of clothing appeared to be a suit. His voice was cultured, which spoke of education.

"And you are?"

"Daiki Yaoyorozu," came the immediate answer.

The name did not mean anything to him, but the man was gesturing to a limousine which was waiting at the bottom of the steps and All For One had nowhere else to go.

"I was asked by one of your son's associates to assist with your bail," the man explained.

The sentence told All For One more than this Daiki probably thought it would.

His son's associates.

Izuku.

He had obviously made a choice and All For One felt a flash of anger. It was probably a forced choice in the wake of his fight with All Might but… He could not change that. And if Izuku already had associates who could organise or at least contact someone like Daiki Yaoyorozu then Izuku had not just decided to dip his toe into villainy, he'd dived headfirst and was already gaining power and influence.

"I'd be very interested in meeting this associate," All For One murmured, as he took the offer of transport, moving confidently down the steps with Daiki Yaoyorozu following.

"I'm sure you will," the man replied and while he tried to be assured, All For One could hear his doubts. Ah… more information. Daiki was not a criminal or a villain but just a businessman, who for some reason was involved.

That was not a concern. All For One was sure Izuku would have chosen well, and if not, Tomura would be able to clean up any mess.

-ted:o-

The limousine had taken them to a building emblazoned with the words Yaoyorozu Inc. The driver had then driven into the parking garage and pulled up in front of the lifts smoothly. It was a nice gesture, allowing privacy. Daiki had been nervous the entire drive, and it was not just from being in his presence. Usually All For One would have capitalised on that, or at least enjoyed it more but he was wary and was extending his senses and quirks for All Might but the man was absent. Had someone actually told the Hero he'd be breaking the law to attack? That was absolutely delightful if it was true and All For One wished he'd been there.

Instead, he allowed himself to be guided to the lift and felt it rise. However, as they rose, All For One began to feel some familiar presences. Gigantomachia. His son.

They weren't alone but no one else was important. He politely waited for Daiki to lead him to a corner office suite. As the door closed behind them, All For One was hit by a small flying object that resolved itself into his son.

"I am here," he reassured Izuku as his son held him tightly.

"I know," he replied with a deep breath and All For One actually felt him relax against him. It was touching to know that Izuku loved him so much.

Izuku pulled back and while All For One couldn't see it, he sensed he was being looked over as he felt the flash of anger when Izuku saw the torc. All For One was not going to call it a collar. "I'll have to deal with that first," Izuku muttered before he turned to Daiki.

"Mr Yaoyorozu, thank you very much for your assistance," Izuku said sincerely.

"This is a trade," the man replied.

All For One could see Daiki was now standing with a woman… no, it was a teenager, who was radiating uncertainty and nerves. Interestingly she did not have a quirk. Was this… Oh, a few things clicked in All For One's mind. This was one of the UA students Izuku had taken a quirk from and… He'd learned about them when All Might came to visit and during the process it had taken to negotiate his bail.

Well, Izuku was definitely learning if he was capitalising on things he had done on the spur of the moment.

"Never-the-less, I thank you. Now, let me attend to that trade, before we leave."

As All For One watched with what vision Infrared gave him, Izuku walked over to the teenager and held out his hand. From her head movements, she looked at it, and then back at Izuku and then reached out to touch him. All For One knew how Dragon's Hoard worked and knew this was not necessary, but the fiction would be important for enforcing the idea that Izuku's version of his quirk was nothing more than a copy, rather than the upgraded model. Very quickly her quirk was returned to her and Izuku pulled his hand back. At least she had the good taste not to snatch her hand back.

"There we go," Izuku announced.

"Honey?" Daiki asked the teenager.

"There's… It's…" She stumbled over the words and then made an odd gesture.

All For One wasn't sure what happened but her outline changed as something emerged from her. The feeling of relief flooded the room and All For One knew her quirk had been successfully returned.

"Thank you," Daiki said, sounding relieved.

Izuku nodded. "Now if I may ask for a few moments alone with my father, before we leave, I'd appreciate it," he asked in a way that made it more an instruction.

"Of course, of course!" Daiki was quick to agree and put his hands on what had to be his daughter's shoulders before leading her out of the office.

"Kurogiri?" All For One murmured.

"Not quite yet," Izuku said with a sharp note in his tone that surprised him. "You really don't look good with jewellery," he said by way of explanation.

All For One was curious. He knew the torc could be removed, and he was going to remove it, but Tomura would be the best to deal with it. It was somewhat surprising that Tomura was not here.

"Explanations and history after we leave," Izuku responded to his curious look. "I suspect the heroes have bugged here."

"Oh?"

"I'm told All Might was quite upset that it was not actually illegal for Daiki to apply for your bail. Unusual, perhaps, but not illegal."

All For One chuckled and saw Izuku's outline come towards him again. His son reached up and touched the torc. "This shouldn't be too hard," he muttered.

With Infrared vision, All For One could see at angles others couldn't so he saw Izuku's hand touch the torc and then he felt it grow hot before the torc seemed to change shape. It wasn't disintegration, but something else, and then Izuku pulled back his hand holding something, while the rest of the torc remained around his neck. Izuku put whatever he was holding on a table, before he pulled out a device, probably a phone and pointed it at him, before turning it to whatever it was, he'd taken from the torc.

"We're good," Izuku said.

All For One wanted to ask what had happened but that would let the heroes know and he thought he could work it out. Somehow, Izuku had removed the tracker from the torc, and possibly the explosives. It was obvious Izuku could have done more but by leaving it here…

Yes, Izuku had definitely not dipped his toe into villainy. He had gone all the way but All For One was pleased his son had gone all the way in the smart way. He was obviously not some thug who was all about strength. There was a subtlety there that he could appreciate, and heroes, like All Might, definitely would not. They always complained the smart villains were the hardest to deal with, even with mediocre quirks. The smart ones with strong quirks were…

His son could not be any other type of villain.

His thoughts were reinforced when Kurogiri's disk opened in the office and Izuku ushered him towards it. Gigantomachia followed, protecting his back and they quickly left the office behind.

All For One should have expected the destination would be Kurogiri's bar and while he was not surprised about the destination, he was surprised that he could not feel Tomura close by. There were others in the building, but Tomura was not there.

"My Little Dragon," All For One started. There were potentially reasons for Tomura's absence. It was possible the two of them had a falling out, but it would be best for the two of them to work together.

"If it's about Tomura, don't."

The fierceness of Izuku's tone caught him by surprise and All For One knew his expression displayed that. His first instinct was to snap back! But his son had never spoken to him in that tone. Tomura had once, and once only, and had learned his lesson. Izuku was… There was a sense of purpose behind his words where Tomura's had been sheer arrogance.

"Very well," All For One agreed. Gigantomachia was calm and hadn't taken offence either and while All For One knew the large man loved his son, he knew he was still the first loyalty.

Izuku came over to him and looked up. "I'm going to use a quirk on you," he said. "It might sting, I'm not sure, but I promise it is for the best."

"My Lord will like the outcome," Gigantomachia rumbled and All For One was surprised to hear his old friend was excited as well.

He titled his head down. Izuku had never asked this before and the change in his son was startling. He was far more confident. It was…

Izuku was growing up and All For One had missed so much in the months he'd been away. "Very well," he acquiesced. If Gigantomachia was happy then the quirk would not hurt him.

To infrared, Izuku nodded and then reached out, taking his hand. The touch reminded All For One how much larger he was than his son and if he didn't know better he could still consider his son a child but Izuku was 16, almost 17, on the cusp of adulthood and he had to respect that.

He felt a tingle, all over his body. It wasn't painful, it was just like he had all over light pins and needles. The feeling went on and then there was a dull ache in his head, that exploded into an instant of pain. All For One gritted his teeth but even as he did that, the pain was already fading. But so were several quirks.

All For One stiffened at that, but then something brushed at his neck.

That wasn't right. Izuku hadn't moved and… He still felt tingly so whatever Izuku was doing, he was still doing it but… Whatever it was it continued to tickle his neck. All For One wanted to shake it away. And he wanted to know what had happened to his quirks!

A few breaths later, Izuku pulled his hand back. And then his son made a sound between a sigh and a giggle. And then he huffed.

"Well, that's interesting." Izuku said.

All For One wanted to ask what was interesting but he was too busy cataloguing conflicting feelings.

Regeneration was gone.

But something was brushing the back of his neck.

The copy of All For One that he had was gone as well, as were all of the quirks he had acquired since he was injured.

But the air mask pressed against his face was no longer secure. He could feel a draft against his skin and the cable was no doubt brushing against him.

He reached up to adjust the mask, intent on securing that before he delivered Izuku's punishment. He was saddened that it had come to this. He thought his son was better than that and while most of the quirks he had acquired in the last few years were gone, All For One could feel other quirks were with him.

Whatever his son had done was weird!

The mask settled over his nose and…

Wait, that was wrong. All For One felt his face again as the thing on his neck kept brushing against him.

He ran his hand down cataloguing what he could feel. Eyebrows, eye lashes, nose…

That was… He reached up higher…

Hair.

That wasn't right… That couldn't be right. He hadn't had…

But it was…

The feeling of rage at losing his quirks vanished as he felt one particular quirk there…

All For One. His quirk. The original.

It was back.

Slowly All For One opened his eyes. The very fact that he could was a shock, but he had felt his eyebrows. He had felt his eyelashes. He had felt his nose. He had felt his hair.

Izuku stood before him. His green hair was tousled. His green eyes were bright above a mischievous but happy grin. And his freckles were… It had been so long since All For One had seen them. His Little Dragon had deliberately not told him what he was doing, just for this moment.

All For One lunged forward, engulfing his son in his arms. "You…" He ignored the way the oxygen machine fell back to the ground. It was worthless.

Now he understood why Izuku had told him to say nothing about Tomura. He probably would have been scathing. He would have been… Izuku accepted his embrace but All For One could feel how careful he was when he reached out to return his hug.

"Is this permanent?"

"Yes," Izuku replied.

All For One looked down at his hand, lifting it from Izuku's back to flex his fingers. He watched the play of his skin over muscle and sinew as they moved. It was… glorious. And he couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up with the euphoria he felt, and it wasn't long before he was roaring with laughter.

He was whole.

Whatever else had happened, whatever the position between Tomura and Izuku didn't matter.

He was whole.

The quirks he had collected since his injury were of no consequence against the feeling of his body, whole, and undamaged. The bail money was a good investment. He'd spent more already attempting to heal himself.

And now, his son would be beside him as they forged a new future.

-ted:o-

Discord is on this code: TcBnRN7aDn FFN will remove links but you should be able to figure that out. There's a heap of other authors there, so come along and chat to us all! Not just about MHA.

-ted:o-

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