Izuku sat in his room staring at the phone he was given by the mysterious man in the mask he had met last night. "It's finally happening," Izuku emphasized. He did not know if he could trust anyone, especially the man who had offered him a quirk.
"The leader of a group of villains wants me to join him. He mentioned Muscular, which means that they most likely saw my notebook." Izuku snickered. His plan had somehow worked, though he never expected it to happen so quickly.
He twirled a pencil in his hand, the clock read four minutes until 5 PM. Izuku picked up the phone, flipping it open. One contact was seen on the list with a phone number below it, but no name was written down.
Izuku knew it was a burner phone, deciding to write down the number in case anything happened to it. "I wonder if the leader will pick up, this is just too exciting." He rolled around in his bed with enthusiasm, burying his face into a pillow. "Two more minutes, two more minutes!"
"Quirks. They definitely will have some interesting ones," Izuku said with a muffled voice.
The sunset had begun to gloom over Izuku's bedroom. Posters that surrounded his walls were nowhere to be seen, figurines and other merchandise on his desk and shelves were thrown away. The room was bland, yet it made Izuku happier. The hero who Izuku believed in and worshipped was now a memory he wanted to bury deep inside his mind, but no matter how hard he tried, he could never forget it.
Izuku took a deep breath before lifting his face from the pillow. Thirty seconds. Izuku quickly rose up in a sitting position, he stared at the contact, his finger hovered over the dial button.
Click.
Izuku pressed the pink phone against his ear, waiting for a response. Five seconds past, then ten. He was worried no one would answer until he heard a phone get picked up on the receiving end.
"Hello?" Izuku asked without skipping a beat.
"I am assuming this is Midoriya," said a scrambled voice.
"Yes, it is," Izuku replied. "Man, they are crafty."
"My Master had informed me to notify you of where he wishes you to go. Specifically, today," the voice spoke with cool courtesy. "We expect you to be there no later than two hours."
"Ok, where do I need to go?" Izuku asked, his hands trembled.
"I will provide you with the address in the form of a text momentarily."
The call ended before Izuku could reply. He looked at the phone screen, shortly after a message appeared showing an address.
"Ok, time to go," Izuku said. He grabbed a knife he had taken earlier from the kitchen. Izuku rolled up his shirt, revealing a makeshift holster that sat around his hip. Izuku shrugged before putting the knife inside.
"Getting really tired of people walking up on me unannounced," he said as he put on a grey sweater. "I don't really know what to expect, but it's better than being empty-handed."
Izuku arrived towards the street he was given. The sky had grown dark, droplets of rain began to hit his face. In the alleyway, stood a moderately sized commercial building, showing no signs of any villainous activity around it.
"Just a normal building… Don't know what I was expecting," Izuku said, almost laughing to himself.
He walked over to it, noticing there were only two entrances. Izuku glanced upwards, a security camera stared at him with a tinted red glow. He stepped over to one door and attempted to open it, yet the handle stood in place.
Izuku looked to the right, noticing a post-box resting inside the brick wall. He stood for a second before realizing what it was there for. Izuku shifted over to the box and opened it, revealing a shaft that exited through the other side.
"Makes sense," Izuku said. He grabbed the phone from his pocket. "I guess they want this back."
He placed it inside and closed the hatch, waiting for a response. The rain had grown heavier, pouring down relentlessly on his hair and clothing as Izuku waited for what seemed an eternity. The door handle rattled after a few seconds passed, a voice was heard inside right after, "Come in."
Izuku grabbed the door handle and opened the door, which caused the joints to creak loudly.
"Welcome to the League of Villains," said a tall figure in a formal suit, bowing towards Izuku.
Izuku slowly closed the door behind him, attempting not to make any more noise than necessary. Before he could close the door fully, one of the hinges ripped apart from the wall. Izuku ducked in time as the door swung back open, only to be stopped from falling to the ground from the bottom hinge that stood untouched.
Izuku looked at the man in front of him, then to the door, and back to the man again. "Uh, D-d, I… That wasn't supposed to happen," Izuku blurted out. He attempted to put the door back into its place, only for it to fall down again.
"This building is a little rundown. Do not worry about it," said the man.
Izuku looked back and noticed the person speaking to him had features that were different for a regular human to have.
"The name is Kurogiri, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Izuku was still embarrassed from what transpired, he looked towards Kurogiri with a nervous smile. "Midoriya, nice to meet you as well."
"Follow me, the Master wishes to see you," Kurogiri said. They walked through a hallway before entering a lounge with a bar on the right, several unfinished drinks stood on the counter. Kurogiri shifted his head to the direction of Izuku. "I take it you do not intend on doing anything out of the ordinary?"
Izuku looked at the fog coming out of Kurogiri's white collar, a cold smile appeared on his face, yet his light-hearted tone had not changed. "Of course not, I do not wish to cause any more trouble."
Kurogiri felt a slight change in character from the boy behind him but chose to ignore it. He faced towards a man that sat in one of the couch sofas.
"Twice, we've run into a little accident at the front door," Kurogiri said with a calm voice, pointing to the hallway from where they had entered from. "Would you please fix it?"
Twice instantly stood up, his mask was not able to cover the happiness he got from someone remembering his name. "Sure thing my man," he said, running past them while humming a song.
Izuku observed the man in black spandex run towards the entrance. Izuku stared with confusion as Twice began to skip in long strides, arguing with himself if he was pretty.
"Don't bother with him," Kurogiri sighed, he shook his head. "He's had a troubled past, but Twice proved himself to be quite useful for us."
"I would imagine," Izuku responded.
"Well then, it's best we do not keep the Master waiting," Kurogiri resumed. "Enter the door to your left, he'll greet you shortly." Kurogiri walked over to the bar, he grabbed the glasses and went to the sink to wash them.
"Very down to earth place," Izuku thought without a second to spare. "Aren't they worried I'll do something?"
Izuku circled towards the door Kurogiri told him to enter but was interrupted by a group of people talking, seemingly getting louder as they approached the lounge from another hallway. Before he could turn the handle, his eyes opened as he saw the girl he had met last night, walk towards the bar.
"Oh Jesus," Izuku said to himself, attempting to open the door without alerting her.
"And so, like I saw this cute boy and I really wanted to mess him up, but you know… I guess it can't be helped that we were in a public place," Toga explained, before letting out an angry cry. "And you know what? I gave him my phone number, and he hasn't even called me yet! Isn't he stupid Dabi?"
Dabi looked at Toga with a defeated look, "Haven't you already told me this around FIVE times today? At this point, I think I know how he looks better than I do myself." He shifted one hand across the front of his black hair.
The sound of a door opening caught Dabi's attention immediately. He looked at who it was before he pieced it together. Dabi pointed towards Izuku. "Wait, isn't that him?"
Toga instantly turned around to face the door Izuku opened. Her face blushed, "Izuku! What are you doing here? I was worried you'd never call."
Toga attempted to walk forward but was suddenly interrupted by the door slamming shut. She stood in place silently.
"Hey! Come back here!" Toga shouted, instantly running towards the door. She was stopped by Dabi grabbing onto her school uniform.
"Wait," Dabi commanded. "That room is off limits."
Toga looked at Dabi with an annoyed face. "Then why is he going in there?"
"That is because the Master requested it," Kurogiri said behind the counter, wiping a glass with a towel in his hands. He had seen the entire situation unfold.
"Why? I haven't even seen the leader personally myself," Toga retorted. "Just who is that handsome, mysterious boy?"
"Interesting that you should ask. A few people including Master had taken an interest in him. Possibly he will be recruited into the League."
Toga's face grew even redder. "Oh? So, he's a bad boy?" She placed both of her hands on her cheeks. "Sneaky little guy, you like playing tricks huh."
Dabi let go of Toga after realizing she would no longer attempt to follow after the boy. "Izuku…" Dabi muttered, he was definitely interested as well as to why the leader took an interest in him.
"If we're recruiting kids like him, that means he's a little different," Dabi pointed out. "Kurogiri, how much do you know about him?"
Kurogiri looked at the door before placing the glass on the counter. "From what I understand. His ability is to analyse quirks and then determine their value. Which the man who recruited you, personally said he was outmatched in that regard."
"As for the rest, I do not know, but there must be something else, I'd have to say."
Dabi readjusted his jacket, he sat down by the counter. "Different indeed, I can definitely see that now." He ran his finger across the table, swiping it up afterwards. "I am not going to be able to refrain her once he comes out. If he comes out."
Kurogiri laughed. "He should be fine. I cannot really read into his personality, but he gives off that aura."
"He does now?" Dabi asked with a curious expression. "Very interesting."
Izuku stood inside an empty room with two wooden chairs fixed in the middle, facing each other at a close distance. A small lamp burned brightly, illuminating the walls and floor. Izuku moved his eyes to spot anything out of the ordinary but did not find anything. He walked over to one of the chairs and sat down.
Izuku waited for a while before a portal appeared behind the other chair. The masked figure Izuku met last night approached towards him.
"I apologise for my tardiness. Lately, there have been a few changes in the schedule."
"Oh no, it's fine," Izuku paused for a moment, waving his arms. "I just got here."
"Well I am glad you have decided to consider my offer," the man said. "I understand you came here because you wish to join us?"
"I do," Izuku said, "but I still have some questions. Everything you told me sounds way too good to be true, and quite honestly I can't trust you or anyone else here."
"A fair reason. I suppose it would be better to make you trust me as soon as possible. I go by the name of All for One, however, I ask that you do not go around spreading that name. Take it as you wish, but me wanting to recruit you is genuine."
"Is that because you saw the notebook Muscular took from me?" Izuku asked. He saw his reflection through All for One's mask, it did not seem so far that the leader was lying to him.
"Impressive young man, but I did give you hints regarding that," All for One told him. "That is one of the reasons why I want you, but the other is a bit more complicated."
Izuku had his suspicions from the last comment. "What do you mean by complicated?" he asked, shifting one leg on top of the other.
"I want you here also because of the potential inside of you. I have never seen anyone else exert that type of promise," All for One said, only speaking half the truth. His smile lay unseen behind the mask blocking his face. "By giving you a quirk, all I ask is that you work for us. A small price to pay back."
Izuku knew he was being flattered. "Seems awfully nice of you to be giving me so much."
All for One chuckled. "See, that is what I like about you. Behind the little scared kid act you pull, lays a dormant power of emotion that has been cultivated through years of pain and suffering," he said, "there is no need to put on this act in front of me." He crossed his arms around his chest. "I had planned to confront you about this later, but I see now that it is best to clear that up with you. You have already shown me glimpses of it."
The boy sat motionless upon hearing what All for One said to him. The silence was broken after Izuku's eyes looked at him coldly. "I guess I didn't try hard enough," Izuku said, changing his tone. His nervous attitude had completely disappeared. "You seem to know a lot about me, but I can't deny that I am not happy about this opportunity." He lifted his sweater, taking out the knife from its holster, dropping it into the ground.
"I apologise for being suspicious, granted that I wouldn't have been able to do anything with it anyway."
All for One looked down at the knife. Even he was surprised at how sudden and different Izuku appeared. "You are right that it would not have made a difference," All for One said calmly. "Even someone with a quirk would not make it out alive from this building if they attacked us."
"I know right?" Izuku said, smiling at the mask, "Well I am not stupid enough to actually do that. I am just glad someone has taken an interest in me so quickly."
"Oh? You mean to say you wanted this right off the start?" All for One asked with curiosity.
"I suppose. However, I didn't have anyways of confirming the existence of a villain organisation," Izuku responded.
All for One clapped slowly. "You really are interesting Izuku Midoriya," he said lightheartedly. "I will give you the opportunity to seek retribution." All for One stood up from his chair, walking up to the boy.
Izuku stood still. All for One moved his arm, placing it on top of Izuku's head.
"Is something suppo-" Izuku felt a sharp jolt run across his body. The pain caused him to fall to the ground, he was unable to move no matter how much he attempted to thrash around. Izuku began to breathe heavily, his head diffused all five of his sensations.
The last thing Izuku heard was All for One's chilling laughter.
Izuku opened his eyes, noticing that he sat on his chair once more. He could make out All for One pacing around slowly, which made Izuku assume he was waiting for him. Izuku's pain subsided, but his head and body still felt sluggish. He moved his head from his shoulder.
All for One noticed. He moved the chair and sat down. "Glad to see you alive and kicking."
"You could have warned me," Izuku said. He attempted to clear his mind. "That hurt like hell."
"Did you expect me to give you a cookie and have it eaten with some tea?" All for One asked.
Izuku smirked, "Of course not. But what did you do to me?"
"I've given you a quirk of course, and one that would fit you very well. Given all of the things you have experienced," All for One declared. "If you learn how to wield it properly, then I doubt anyone would want to fight you."
Izuku coughed, looking at All for One. "Even you?"
"Already turning into a comedian I see," All for One laughed, dismissing the question. The echo rattled among the room, bouncing from the concrete ceiling. A smile exited from his lips, he could not imagine how much the boy would prove useful to him.
"I think it would be best for you to figure out the quirk yourself. I have only recently acquired it, so I do not know everything about it," he specified. "Your body should be able to move in a little bit."
A gate appeared beside All for One, he paused before entering it. "Oh, and I think a good name for your quirk would be Reciprocity. Use it well." He stepped through the portal, disappearing into the void.
"Reciprocity?" Izuku asked to himself. "Like exchanging gifts between one another?" He stopped to think, "But that wouldn't make any sense."
Over time Izuku began to feel the sensation of his body. Gradually he was able to move his toes, and then stand up from his chair. Izuku stumbled, almost crashing into the wall.
"Great," he thought. "In for a real ride here."
Izuku was finally able to regain his footing. He looked at the door from where he had come through earlier, he had no other option than to open it.
"Welcome back Midoriya," Kurogiri said, "I take it that if you are still alive, you have been accepted."
"Yes, that is right," Izuku said, his legs were still wobbling. "Say, can I get a glass of water?"
Kurogiri was not certain why the boy stumbled. He felt Izuku stare at him with unnerving attention.
"I'll make it right away," Kurogiri said with hesitation, it was as if a completely different person was standing in front of him.
Izuku walked closer to the counter, noticing a man with black hair holding a drink. "The name is Dabi," he said. "And I'd advice you turn around before it is too late."
Izuku heard a shout behind him. He quickly moved to his left, dodging someone charging at him at full speed.
The person smashed into the counter with their head, falling down to the ground. This caused Kurogiri to jump in terror from the noise, he then realized that his precious bar had possibly been damaged.
"Oww," Toga groaned, rubbing the front part of her head. "Why did you dodge me?" she asked.
Izuku stood in bewilderment as the girl rose up, completely ignoring the fact that her forehead was bleeding immensely.
Kurogiri rushed frantically to find a towel. He was not going to let the table drip any blood onto the carpet.
"Are you alright?" Izuku asked with disinterest.
"Yeah, I'm ok," Toga replied. "Completely fine and dandy!"
Izuku looked at Toga, not knowing how to respond. He had purposefully tried to avoid her, but he was left staring at her face that was covered in blood.
"Why didn't you call me?" Toga asked. "Are you trying to play hard to get?"
She then slapped Izuku in the face. Resulting in her covering her cheek from the sudden sharp pain she felt. Izuku turned his head to face Toga after being hit. He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, revealing an irked look. He was interrupted suddenly by Toga.
"Ouch, why did that hurt me?" Toga asked with perplexity. She looked at Izuku before a smile formed on her lips. "This makes me excited!"
Toga was immediately grabbed by Dabi and pulled back. "Idiot, don't you realise what he would have done if you kept provoking him?"
"Huh?" Toga inquired, looking up towards Dabi standing behind her. "What do you mean?"
Dabi looked at Izuku, "He's not the same person you met before."
"What. So, you mean he really is a bad boy?" asked Toga, not paying attention to Dabi's warning.
Before Dabi could explain what he had seen. Izuku smiled, putting his hand up to show no aggression. "It's fine. I appreciate the concern you have for her, but I won't do anything."
Dabi looked at Izuku, still grabbing onto Toga. He did not know what the boy was thinking of. Only that for a split second he showed murderous intent stronger than anywhere he had seen.
"Alright," Dabi replied back to Izuku, releasing Toga back down. "My bad for stopping your little lover's quarrel."
Toga looked at Izuku happily, "He called us lovers!" She squealed, covering her face in excitement.
Izuku shifted his head, the sudden anger he felt earlier had completely disappeared. He reached into his pocket, taking out a handkerchief. "Here, take this and wipe the blood off your face." Izuku did not know how to feel around her.
A/N: Izuku finally gets his quirk and it's something I believe that would play out very interestingly. I will dive in more as to what his power and limitations are as we keep going in further. As always, thanks for reading the chapter and I hope you have a wonderful day/night.