The faded neon sign echoed in the dark as raindrops hammered down, scorching against the heat of the light. I stood staring at the League's hideout, feeling like a new man. A man with a purpose. Serval patrol cars passed by as I watched idly before entering.
Everyone was sitting around, their attention turning to me in an instant as Shigaraki moved from around the bar. "Where the hell have you been?! I've been trying to contact you for ages."
Glancing over his shoulder, I saw the TV All For One would bark orders from static. Smirking, I eyed it down. "Bad connection? I don't know about you, but I'm parched." Falling into one of the booths, I twirled my fingers as a glass flew over to me into my hand. Taking a sip, I let out a sigh of relief. "That hits the spot."
"Where the hell did you get that quirk?" He snapped back, looking concerned.
Letting it play out, I put the glass to my mouth, smiling. "Can't a guy finish his drink?"
Toga sat next to me with the same smug grin as me. Handing her the glass, I threw down the scorched mask of All For One on the table, startling everyone. "What is that?"
"A message." I gloat legs on the table.
"What message?" Dabi questioned.
"That you are all under new management. All For One is dead. You all answer to me now."
Shigaraki fell back onto the barside, eyes widened with shock. "No. He can't be. You're lying."
"Oh, poor old Shig. I think we both know that's not true. All For One betrayed me, so I returned the favour. He was closed-minded, generic and bland. He wanted to kill All Might, but what after? I did him a solid putting the old man down."
Shigaraki lost it, lunging at me only to slam on the table side bleeding from the nose the Red String wrapped around his legs. Toga kneeled down a knife to his neck. "You filthy traitor. I knew I couldn't trust you."
"Easy Toga. We're all outcasts here. Beside best not to get too close." I ease, holding my arm out. Toga sat down, leaning into my shoulder nodding. "See, that's better. In fact, everyone gather around for a drink. We're celebrating."
"You killed the closet thing I can call family. Why the hell should I celebrate?"
"Two of the power plays are out of the competition. The Pros are falling apart; they'll be scrambling to throne a new number one to calm the public. I won't allow that to happen."
"So we strike and finish the pros while they are injured?" Twice asked, lifting his mask up to drink. "We will finally change society for the better?"
"In this current condition, no. Villains attract Heroes. That invites conflict, which leads right back to square one. None of them is worth a damn, betrayed by both. I aim to wipe them both out. Heroes nor Villains suit my new world." I exclaim, downing my glass. "Tell me, why is this world so shitty?"
"The Pros, they take what they want to take whatever they want and get rich off it." Toga ranted, stabbing her knife into the table. "They claim to be saving the world, yet they only do it for fame and fortune."
"Correct, anyone else?"
"I can't help but suspect we, too, are part of the problem." Kurogiri suggests. "We aren't helping the fact the pros are more desperate likewise we are too."
"You are also correct, but it's far more straightforward. Each and every one of us share it. Our quirks. Think about it if everyone was to wake up tomorrow with no quirks, wouldn't the world be better? The police could handle a simple thug. You wouldn't have to worry about your neighbour being a weapon of mass destruction. You wouldn't pray for a hero to save the day. Truth be told, a world without quirks is bliss." I share getting some strange looks. "No one would judge you as evil just because you were born different. I intend on changing that. The only way to change this world is to strip it of its core beliefs and remove quirks. Then and only then can we live in peace."
"That's crazy! Absurd." Shigaraki muttered, panting. "You couldn't do such a thing."
"Couldn't I? Would you like to find out?" I tease, edging towards him before moving back slouching over the booth. "I'm messing with you. At this moment in time, I cannot. That's where you guys come in. I need to gather as many quirks as possible. The more I gain, the stronger the Red Strings become. I can bend the reality of quirks and wipe them from existence with enough. After that, I shall rule my new world as King; who wishes to join me?"
Toga runs her finger down my chest, nodding. "I'm in."
"I knew I could count on you, Toga. Anyone else?"
Dabi placed his glass down, shrugging his shoulders. "Why not? A world without quirks sounds interesting."
"I love it; count me in. I'm so lonely." Twice roars with excitement.
Soon enough, everyone else agreed, all apart from Shigaraki and Kurogiri. "Well, brother?"
"Taking away quirks... Our very identity. I wanted to show society the torment we went through. Not cure everyone!" He roared. "You are insane."
"Ever good King is. I suppose you are still pissed off about killing your daddy. Very well." I shrug off, flicking my finger letting off a large explosion blowing half the bar and two blocks away with everyone else left unharmed. Shigaraki was grazed but safe thanks to Kurogiri. Before long, the two had teleported away. "As expected."
"Should we go after them?" Spinner questioned weapons at the ready.
Standing up, I placed my hands in my pockets. "No. They have nowhere to turn to. By the time they manage to gather their own forces, it will already be too late. Round up any volunteers. Go home by home gathering quirk users. The stronger, the better. This shall be the last night that humanity is a quirk nation." Everyone began to move all apart from Toga, who I stopped holding her hand. "Not you. You're with me. I still have some unfinished business."
"I bet you do."
"Now, now. Later, I need to keep a promise now that All Might is dead. So let's head back to my place shall we?"
****
Flicking the light on, I sat at the bottom of the stairs throwing Mina the keys. "As I promised. Free at last."
Mina darted for the key, untying herself, looking concerned. "You said you would only free me if... You seriously did it?"
"I did." I nod, glancing over my shoulder seeing Toga at the top of the stairs. "And like I promised you. Freedom, I bet it feels good, right?"
Mina stood up, balancing herself with the wall panting. "And everyone else?"
"As unharmed as they can be. A few bruises and scars will heal." I acknowledge leaning forward. "Now run along. Oh, and don't bother trying to fight; I'll kill you in half the time I killed All Might."
Mina slowly walked past me, climbing the stairs. "Was it worth it?"
"I'm not sure yet, to be honest," I admit scratching my chin. "But don't worry your little head over it. Go home, be with your family. You'll wake up tomorrow and see this as nothing more than a bad dream. Live a nice life, Ashido Mina."
Mina passed Toga leaving in a hurry. "Why did you let her go? She'll tell the pros."
"As a King, you have to know when to show kindness. She suffered enough for my own advantage. I was no different to the pros or villains in that regard. The least I can do is let her go free unharmed." I said bluntly, climbing the stairs until I stood next to Toga. "You know, we still have some time before the others gather enough volunteers. How about I give you a tour of my own kingdom?"
"Take the lead, my King."
*****
The students of class 1A were moved to the dorms of UA, normally this would be a point for excitement, but no one was over the moon at the current moment. Midoriya stared out the window watching the world pass him by, conflicted on what to do next. His mentor was taken from him, so suddenly, he wasn't sure what would come next. He was meant to be the one who took All Might mantel, but even he wasn't sure if he was ready. Uraraka came back, finding the words to say. "You should get some sleep Deku... We all should be honest."
"How can I be expected to sleep after all that happened? Y/N is out there planning, God knows, and we're just here being useless!"
"We're still just students, Deku. You know that."
"I should have tried harder. If I had just pushed past my limits, maybe All Might would still be alive."
"You can't blame yourself for that."
"But I can. I wasn't good enough." Midoriya whimpered, wiping his eyes. "All Might I'm sorry."
Uraraka brought her friend in to comfort him through a hard time. The two were silent, both feeling each other's pain. That was until a portal opened up, startling them both. Shigaraki fell through the hand, hiding his face shattering as he fell to his knees, bleeding. "The League of Villains!"
"Uraraka, wait! This is different."
Shigaraki glared up at Midoriya panting, clenching his fist. "Izuku Midoriya... I want to call a truce."