Warnings: Major Character Death, Gruesome Scenes
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Aoyama has left odd messages for me before. Usually, they're left in some weird way. For example, he left cheese on Shouta's desk in his office that was for me that said to 'meet him in his dorm after school for a makeover.' Another way was he used glitter glue on my dorm window to ask for help with his belt that he uses to shoot lasers.
The point I am making with this is that Aoyama gives me messages in the strangest fashion. This is normal. A text from him is relatively normal. I never have even gotten a text from him before. That should say everything.
I am concerned.
What am I supposed to do though? I can hardly make it to the couch without needing a nap a few minutes later. How am I going to make it to Aoyama?
I sigh as I force myself to sit up. Should I ask Hizashi to come with me? He is up, so it's not like I am waking him up. I would just be interrupting his work.
Would Aoyama even want Hizashi there? Probably not, but I ain't going to make it there otherwise, so he's just going to suffer.
As I look at the message again, I realize that it doesn't say a location. Where the fuck am I supposed to go, the local Walmart? Don't these kids have a curfew? If so, why does he want to meet at midnight? Is there a secret thing here that I don't know about?
Why am I questioning all this? I can just ask Hizashi once I get his ass out here. So, I click off the message with Aoyama and go to Hizashi's to text him that I am awake.
It's not even ten seconds later when Hizashi stumbles out of the office with a goofy smile on his face, "Hey, kiddo! I'm a little shocked you're up. I didn't expect you to be up till two at least." Doesn't that tell you how far I have fallen?
"Thanks for the mark of confidence, Zashi. Anyways, I have received a text from Aoyama to meet him at midnight," I explain to Hizashi.
Hizashi looks at me confused, "How?" See? He gets it.
"As a text. Like, on the phone."
"That is odd and concerning. It wasn't in a hidden language or anything?"
"No. It was a simple 'meet me at midnight' text. He didn't even give me a location."
"That's probably because students can't leave the dorm building without a teacher. However, I don't know if this is a good idea, Izu. You haven't gone outside of the building or talked to your classmates. I think this is expecting too much from you. I can go in your place if you want someone to meet with him." That makes sense.
"Why do you think I texted you?"
"You want me to go for you?"
"No? I want you to come with me."
Hizashi sighs, "I should not be surprised. I can at least carry you there, I suppose."
"And then I need you to hide somewhere and watch over."
"Why can't I be there?"
"If he wanted to talk to a teacher, he would have asked for a teacher. He asked for me."
"A teacher assistant."
"Who also happens to be in his class. Get your thinking cap on, Zashi."
"Alright, alright, fine," Hizashi moves in front of me, turns around, and bends down, "Get on."
I can't help but huff as I situate myself on Hizashi's back for a piggyback ride. Honestly, I feel pathetic. I feel like a child.
Once I am on with my arms around his neck, Hizashi grabs my legs and stands up, "Is this good?"
"Yeah, it's fine. This shouldn't take too much energy compared to walking."
Hizashi starts walking, heading out of his dorm and towards the exit while explaining, "You're still having to hold up your weight."
"Whatever," I mutter as I cling to him. I don't have much to complain about, technically speaking. I get to do what millions of kids wish they can do with Hizashi: get a piggyback ride. Though, I think most probably just want to talk to him. I have clearly succeeded in achieving their dreams for them as I talk to him every day.
Anyway, we step outside, and it is surprisingly calm. Almost too calm. I'm so used to chaos that when nighttime does come and I do get to go out, it's shocking how calming it can be sometimes. It's pleasant if you ignore why I am out here in the first place.
Hizashi and I enjoy a quiet walk until we arrive at the student dorm building. Hizashi climbs the stairs to reach the porch. Then, he proceeds to bend down to allow me to get off. It takes me a moment to gain the balls to do it, but, once I do, I accidently grab his shoulder to keep myself from falling. Why do I have to be so off-balanced?
"Are you okay?" Hizashi whispers as he looks back at me. I take a moment to regain myself. Once I do, I let go of him and nod. He straightens up and watches me for a moment as if expecting me to fall. When I don't, he gives me a thumbs-up, walks away, and goes into hiding in some of the nearby shrubbery. I deny anyone will notice him unless they are looking for him.
Finally, I face the door. It's time to see what Aoyama wants.
I reach for the knob and twist it carefully, listening for a click before moving the door open. I go to enter when Aoyama suddenly appears in front of me, and it takes all the energy in the world not to freak out.
Aoyama does not look good. He looks sick and tired. He is no longer sparkling. What is wrong?
I am about to say something, but Aoyama stops me with a serious tone I have never heard form him, "I'll explain. Can we go for a walk outside?" No.
I nod as I step back to allow Aoyama to come out. He steps outside, and I take a moment to inspect him while he isn't looking at me. He's tense. He has a slight waver to him like he is shaking.
Something is wrong. Aoyama is serious. Is he sick? If so, why didn't he go to Recovery Girl? Or perhaps he is being overdramatic?
Yeah, I'm going to hope he is overdramatic. I'm hoping for a slither of optimism.
We step down three fucking steps, and I am already tired. Why am I doing this to myself? I hope to God we aren't going too far.
As we walk, I realize that dream does not exist. I can feel my weight ready to buckle down at any moment, but I keep all my attention on Aoyama, who is ahead of me. If I didn't have him there, I would have just slept on the ground like a dog.
Aoyama is stiff and nervous. What does he have to tell me? It must be bad if he is taking me this far. As we are walking, he becomes more tense overtime. Aoyama crosses his arms over his chest like he is about to get sick.
When the gate to go outside of UA is in sight, Aoyama finally speaks while we continue walking. Honestly, if I thought anyone else was around, I would have thought it was them over him because he sounds off. He sounds like he is about to cry at any moment.
"I...I always admired you, Izuku," Aoyama starts, and I notice him slowing down. It isn't to a stop. It's like he is hesitating. Are we going outside? Why? What is going on?
Why am I getting a bad feeling from this?
I don't respond. I am too tired to respond. I simply follow him closer to the gate.
Aoyama realizes that I am not going to respond and continues, "You had the strength to face the world quirkless when I didn't." Um, what? Aoyama, you clearly have a quirk. He steps outside of the gate, and, despite my gut telling me to run, I follow him outside.
Aoyama stops a few feet outside of UA and turns to face me, even approaching me until there is only a couple feet apart from us. The moment he turns, I see tears running down his face. Something is wrong. Something is very very wrong.
"I was born quirkless. However, my parents had connections that allowed me to gain this quirk in return for our service," Aoyama informs me through a sob, "We weren't needed until I got into UA."
Aoyama looks me in the eyes and screams, "I'm sorry, Izuku! It's my fault! IT WAS ALL MY FAULT! I needed to do this to keep my family safe! I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY-"
I stand there frozen. There is so much to unpack.
Aoyama was born quirkless and got a quirk somehow. Because of that, his family and him owed whoever gave him the quirk. They haven't started repaying that debt until he got into UA-
Aoyama got his quirk from All for One. Who else would make a deal like that?
Meaning...
Aoyama is the UA traitor?
I can see Aoyama's mouth move, but I hear nothing.
I can see him panicking.
What is going on?
Then, I no longer see his face. Red decorates my vision, and I instinctively close my eyes. The smell of iron fills my nose. The entire front of me is suddenly splattered.
When I realize that my eyes are closed, I slowly open them up to find Aoyama's body on the ground decorated with blood. Parts of his body are scattered. I am covered in red.
Aoyama's chest isn't moving.
He's...dead? No no no no no-
"IZUKU!" Hizashi's scream suddenly erupts in my ears.
Before I can even react, I am scooped up bridal style by Hizashi, and I can feel him running, "We need to get out of here-!"
"I wouldn't recommend that."
Hizashi is jolted, and I suddenly fly from his grasp. I land on the ground harshly and roll a couple of times before I stop. I shift my head to look in Hizashi's direction and start gagging.
Hizashi stands with multiple sharp tendrils impaled through him, most of them through his limbs, but one would be through his stomach. Blood drips from his mouth as wide eyes look at me.
Behind him, All for One stands with the sharp tendrils coming from his fingers.
Everything clicks. The person that the HC President wanted me to track down was All for One, but how did he get out?! He was in a secured prison! Did they lie to me about the plan being a success?!
Either way, once All for One realized that Shigaraki was dead, he came after me, just like the fake All for One told me in my head. He realized I was in UA, and used Aoyama, the UA traitor, to lure me out.
And, to cover the evidence, killed Aoyama.
"I didn't suspect you to have company, but I suppose you always have a way of ruining my plan somehow, don't you, Izuku?" All for One simply tells me as he studies Hizashi like fresh meat, "Ah, whatever. I can always use this to my favor."
During all this, I didn't know what I was feeling. It was a blur. I felt so fucking much that I shut down. However, as soon as he attacked Hizashi, one emotion became clear.
Rage.
"WHAT SORT OF SICK FUCKING GAME ARE YOU PLAYING?!" I scream at All for One as I lift the front portion of my body up despite hardly having the energy to do so. My vision is blurring from tears, but I don't give a fuck at this point.
All for One chuckles, "I believe you know already, Izuku-"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" I practically snarl as I bring my knees forward to stand up, "YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A REAL GOAL! YOU'RE DOING THIS FOR A FUCKING STORY! A STORY THAT WILL NEVER BE PUBLISHED!" As I stand, I ignore the shakiness in my knees as I stare down All for One.
"That's where you are wrong. I believe that story will begin publishing as soon as I take you. You can't run, can you? I also have someone close to you right in my clutches that I will not hesitate to kill if you do not come with me."
I freeze, looking at Hizashi.
Hizashi gives me a gentle smile despite the blood coming out, locking eyes with me, "It's okay. Take this chance and run." He coughs out blood, splattering it across the ground.
No.
Hizashi has done so much for me. I'm not letting him die here. He means way too much to me for him to die here.
I don't give a fuck about how valuable I am anymore. I'm useless now. I deny I will be much help to All for One. The worse he can do is kill me, and that may be considered a blessing in my case.
"Then take me," I tell All for One without hesitation.
Hizashi's face morphs to fear, "Izuku, no, you need to run!"
All for One interrupts him, "This is his choice, not yours. I promise he made the right choice. Maybe you two will see each other soon on opposite sides? Who knows. It would certainly make a twist in this story."
The tendrils disappear from Hizashi, and he collapses forward to the ground.
I rush forward-
.
.
.
- - - - -
.
.
.
Where am I?
I know I am not home: I deny home would tie me up or let me sleep sitting like this.
.
.
Ah, that's right. Fucking All for One wanted me for some reason. Probably to kill me, but it's not a big deal. Let him have fun with that: I have nothing to do with him at this point in the investigation.
I struggle to open my eyes to find myself in a warehouse full of boxes. Right in front of me, All for One sits on a makeshift box chair, staring me down as if I am prey. A quick scan across the room, and I realize that Dabi, Toga, Spinner, and some guy in the corner on his computer (I suspect that is one of the guys recently added to the team) fill the room as well.
"I always thought that you would wake up much faster unless the quirk suppressant is messing with you that much? I guess that is expected, but that is a shame, " All for One mocks me.
I can't help but snark, "Yeah, right. I stayed asleep so I didn't have to listen to your annoying as voice. Unfortunately, you didn't croak from stupidity during that time."
All for One lectures me like a child, "Ah ah ah, Izuku. Do I need to remind you who is in control here?"
"Social media. Literally the only reason you are doing all of this is because of social media." All for One chuckles at that.
"You are not exactly wrong, but that is not the answer I was looking for. For clarification, your life is in my hands now."
"Cool, I guess. What are you going to do, kill me?" I should honestly watch what I am saying, but I am so fucking tired that I, quite frankly, don't give a fuck what comes out of my mouth at this point. If it ends up with me dead, whoops. At least he can't use me then besides for a Nomu, which I deny would work due to my allergic reaction trying to constantly kill me or whatever.
"I thought you knew better, Izuku. I believe we both know what I want from you." You know, I am just realizing that nobody else is saying anything. They are sort of just watching the conversation. Damn, they see him as a leader.
I sigh, rolling my eyes, "You want me to join your team and yada yada yada."
"Correct. You did kill my previous successor, after all. Wouldn't it make sense for the killer to be the next successor?"
"Usually, no. In your circumstance, probably."
"Glad you are understanding my thought process. I already know the answer to this question, but I must ask just in case your answer has changed: are you willing to join our resolve?"
"Considering you killed my classmate and nearly my teacher in front of me- oh, and you encouraged child labor, no." Oh shit, that fucking happened to. Jesus Christ, I forgot about that until it spilled out of my mouth. Holy shit, I hope that was an entire hallucination.
All for One nods, "Ah, I see. I expected as much. That means I must move forward with the plan then."
"What's the chances of me getting said plan told to me?"
"Relatively high as you will be forgetting this," All for One tells me as he stands up, starts pacing, and begins his villain monologue, "You see, keeping you here is simply too dangerous. I could come up with every precaution possible, and you would still find a way out of it. Even if I used a quirk on you, you would figure out the gaps, making yourself useless as an asset eventually. It also limits your potential growth you could have." Sir, I can't, but I appreciate the credit.
"That just sounds like you being dumb."
"Perhaps, but I figured out a solution for it: what if I simply throw you out without your memories? What if I throw you out as an entirely new person and only collect you when needed?"
...so you're telling me that this man is so afraid of me that All for One isn't even willing to keep me here? What kind of pussy bitch is this? I don't even know if I can consider this an ego boost when he is so far beneath me in that case. He literally could keep me asleep, but he's like 'that will limit your growth though'.
I don't know why I am arguing this when All for One was literally inspired by comic books to become a villain. He's stupid.
I raise an eyebrow at All for One, "So you basically want me to live an entirely new life without realizing that I am living an entirely new life?" Honestly sounds like too much work for him.
All for One grins, "Exactly! Besides, I am quite curious of where you would be if you didn't become a hero. Who knows? Maybe you will become a villain without my help." Curiosity is literally your running factor here? This man is pissing me off. He did so much shit, yet he still acts like this. I ain't even worried about a memory wipe. If this man has enough confidence that I will figure it out if I stay here, what's stopping me from figuring it out out there? Even then, at least I am free. Maybe not as myself, but as someone else. If anything, that gives me an advantage because he's erasing all my trauma. I'll forget my friends too, but they don't need someone as useless as me around anyway.
There are probably some parts that he is leaving out, but I do believe that he is being mostly honest. He's just playing games like a child.
He's trying to fuck with me, and I ain't giving him any satisfaction for it. I have done it before, and I will do it again.
"Doubt it, but go off," I tell him without hesitation.
All for One approaches me and raises a hand towards me, "Don't be so shallow, Izuku. I am in control of the cards in the end, not you. Goodbye, Izuku."
And suddenly, everything goes dark.