Chapter 22

Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia, or anything related to it. All properties belong to their respectful owners.

Chapter beta'd by: Kylekatarn77

A.N: It has been quite a long time my friends and I apologize for that. Having said that I'm sure there are questions and answers everyone wants. I'll start with a big one that was asked: if AFO wants Izuku so bad why didn't Compress just take him? I admit that's a bit of a lack of forethought on my part… but also, I have justification.

Firstly, I want to say that AFO has had a very probable guess that Izuku was the one he wanted, but needed to confirm it first, and that hadn't happened yet. As for Compress and him not taking Izuku just on speculation, I'll say AFO wants him to mature the power first, but also Izuku was in the middle of the group so he couldn't easily grab him.

That being said let's jump in. Oh, and for those who also read Is it wrong to try to pick girls up in a dungeon a.k.a. Danmachi, I have a new poll open that I would love to see you vote on, also for future writing ideas, I'm aiming for one hundred votes or by the time chapter 25 or 30 is out; we will have to see.

Miruko continued to breath heavily as the weight of who was bearing down on her truly set in. Even so, she continued to try and gather any information she could. She realized that even though if felt as if he were looming directly over her, the man was quite a distance from her. All around Miruko, she noticed machines of all varieties from medical to surveillance- ironically, it was exactly as she expected an ultimate evil lair to look like.

"A stubborn one, huh? That's fine. Can't exactly do anything right now though, can you? An intriguing conundrum is it not? Something that can destroy quirks and society as we know it. Yet, it may also be the ultimate salvation I look for. Nothing has changed much, now or one hundred years ago.

"It all comes down to how open or close-minded people are. Though we have always been that way, haven't we? Good and evil, light and dark, yin and yang. So many names, so much time, but we aren't here about the past, are we now?" Slowly, as though he had all the time in the world and not a care, the man speaking to Miruko stood and walked at a perfect gait until he stood directly over her. Her breathing had leveled out, but it strained under the weight of the presence before her.

"Quirks are a most marvelous thing, the only issue is, you never know exactly quite how they will turn out. How naïve I was. I thought I could give my precious little brother a power, simple in nature, and it would put him on my side. After all, 'absolute power corrupts absolutely', as the saying were. See, my dear rabbit, reality is slightly different though.

"Willpower is such a unique concept. Some will say they are hardheaded; others may say they are quite stubborn, some may even say they are strong-willed. But real Willpower! Real Conviction! So very few have it, and those that do have it always seem to be against me. It's so very frustrating!"

"Ahhhhhh! Gahhhhh!" Before she could even understand the true meaning or purpose behind his words, excruciating pain assaulted her. Miruko had been weakened a great deal by whatever had been shot into her and was still affecting her. To make her situation worse now however, the man before her had stomped her ankle with great force, and clearly snapped it.

It was clear that it was cleanly broken, as it turned at an angle it shouldn't have been and was already changing colors. She took in deep breaths and fought back the pain while also refusing to let a tear of pain escape.

"You have it, I can see it in your eyes. As much as I hate those of strong wills, I also greatly respect them. Despite what others may say of me, I'm also not a fan of mutilation. Now don't get mistaken, if I must, I will… but you see, it's much easier this way. When your quirk returns, and I'm sure it will based on Overhaul's words, I can't have you running.

"Where was I again? Ah yes, my precious brother, you see he had always been quite frail and weak of constitution. I even believed he had been born without a quirk- how naïve indeed, he's my brother after all, how couldn't he have one? So I gave him a quirk, and it was so simple in nature too. It would take power and stockpile it over time, so simple in execution.

"One becomes two, then two becomes four, four becomes eight, you know how it goes. Say I'm one billion in this analogy, the billion never thinks the one will ever reach it. It's so far away, not to mention the billion can keep growing. Yet time is such a fickle and funny thing, you see while the billion can grow only so far and fast at a time, the one doesn't have that struggle.

"It just keeps on doubling and doubling, then it changes hands and grows by ten times its base. Ah so frustrating indeed, time, time, time- the one thing that is my greatest friend is also my worst enemy... My, my, I was talking quite a bit wasn't I? I can't help it though, I haven't been this close to my brother in a long while, I'm feeling nostalgic. Where was I again? Yes, indeed that's where. Now tell me my dear Miruko, how's my brother doing? Is he where you heard my name? I'm so curious, we have so much to talk about?"

So much information was coming and going that Miruko was having trouble keeping up. Regardless she would take it all in and remember everything to use it at a later moment. While Miruko was grateful she hadn't been killed, she didn't for a moment believe the possibility was off the table, but she would make sure to use everything she learned against her captor and ensure their downfall.

"How long has he been like this? And the rest of the students, what's everyone's condition?" All Might stood beside Izuku's hospital bed as he conversed with the others present in the healing ward. Aizawa was the first to answer as he lightly scratched at his freshly healed wounds.

"All things considered, though the media will be all over this, and it seems a loss on our part to the villains, we got out fine. Ragdoll is still healing up from her run in with the Nomu she described, but other than that all pros are fine. For the students we still have a few unconscious from the gas but no permanent damage, and they will be awake within the next few hours or a day at the latest.

"Izuku is the most physically injured, and even then, his injuries are already healed, its just a matter of recovery and waking up. We managed to gather information on our end and even captured two villains. However, we did also suffer the loss of pro hero Miruko being captured by the Villains." All Might grit his teeth and tried to hold his rage, but as he buffed up into his muscular state and punched a wall that cracked and quivered under his might, he fought a losing battle.

"All Might I know you're upset, but we must think and plan rationally." Having just entered the room and received the run-down, detective Tsukauchi tried to calm his friend. Before he could say more though, a knock came from the door. A doctor quickly came in and excused themselves as they quickly checked over Izuku and updated his patient board.

After the doctor left the pros and detective kept talking and planning before another knock interrupted them. Gran Torino entered and following behind him was Aoyama who was shaking quite a bit. Whether it was because he was surrounded by multiple Pro heroes, or still dealing with the trauma from the events that had just happened, was anyone's guess.

"Your student says he has some very important information Aizawa. I suggest you listen too All Might, this could just be the time and opportunity we have been waiting for." Gran Torino spoke his piece and then waited. When the young boy continued to stand there and not say anything, he gave him a slight nudge and then he started talking like no tomorrow.

Aoyama had been in the clearing for a long time, as such he had seen and overheard a lot from the villains. He continued to talk and talk, telling the heroes everything he had heard, learned and otherwise acquired from his time there. As he got near the end of his story, he started to get nervous again and panic was clearly racking his body as he started to hyperventilate.

He explained the deep and rattling voice that had made all the other villains listen and left him absolutely paralyzed. All Might locked eyes and had silent words with the other heroes once he heard that, and a deep resolve burned in his very soul. When prompted about any other knowledge he might have, Aoyama shook his head a bit and then continued with his story.

Aoyama gave detailed information as he described Izuku crashing into the area as well as Miruko's arrival. He told them everything that had happened and went into detail on everything he saw. The heroes were once more concerned and shared looks when they heard about a gun that had made Miruko lose all power and fighting ability. As his story and information wound down Aoyama took deep breaths and calmed himself from everything he had shared.

"You have been immensely helpful Aoyama my boy, which took a lot of bravery. I just have two questions, have you told anyone else, and is there anything else you can think of?" All Might asked his questions gently, already knowing the young boy was under heavy stress, but he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder to ease the boys' worry. When he shook his head in the negative, the heroes thanked him for his time and saw him off. Just as he was about to exit the door though, he stopped and turned.

"I'm not sure how much it will help or if it meant much, but Miruko did mention something right when she was captured. She told Izuku to "get Himari", she insisted that she would know what to do. I don't know what it means, but she was very adamant about it." With that said he made his way out, and the heroes discussed the information.

"Its clear that AFO is behind what's going on. What we had already suspected can now be confirmed, and we know that Shigaraki has been abandoned, that means he has a new plan and is working in a new direction. That means we must air on the side of caution. We already have an idea on one of their bases and have observers in place, but I'm still confused on this Himari individual?" Detective Tsukauchi said his piece and asked that which was bothering him. Gran Torino briefly grunted, and the attention shifted to him.

"Himari is the name of Miruko's assistant that works out of her agency. Though I have no idea how she will tie into this, if Miruko was truly that adamant about contacting her though, it's a lead worth tracking down. I can feel it in these old bones of mine, that decisive battle and day is coming in close upon us." Gran Torino finished his words, and while both Tsukauchi and All Might seemed to understand his words, Aizawa felt as though there was something he was missing. While they continued their conversation and slowly made their way out of the room, Izuku lightly tossed and turned in his coma like sleep as he let out a grunt.

"Still can't speak yet huh, it will come in time. While you have indeed been maturing your abilities quickly, you have also just recently gotten this quirk. We have seen each other briefly before, but I suppose this is the first time we have been able to speak freely isn't it. Welcome Izuku, I've been waiting a long time to finally meet you." Izuku looked all around to find the voice but noticed the entire environment around him was mostly covered in darkness. Bits and pieces around him showed clarity, but mostly everything was shadowed.

What he could see and recognized was the shadows and flickers and energy from what seemed to be eight floating figures. He at once knew where he was and what the vestiges of shadow were meant to be. Confusion came over him though- he knew he had managed to clearly see and hear Daigoro before, and while he could still hear him briefly like an echo, he couldn't see anything more than a flicker of a shadow.

Just as he knew from what Rumi had told him that he had managed to connect with and had briefly used Nana's quirk float. Though he hadn't successfully managed to do so again of his free will, he had made great strides with Blackwhip. Even so, the only person that was clear was the person he knew as the first user, and Izuku could faintly make out what appeared to be a stone throne he was sitting on.

"I knew it, he's not worth the effort. Did we really think a kid would be able to accept our battle?" The voice sounded very rough and gruff to his ears, and while his heart hurt from the words, something else was there. Izuku couldn't explain it, but it was almost like he could feel what the person was actually thinking or feeling. Despite the tone and words, Izuku could tell it wasn't directed at him, but at the man himself, as though he was angered and disappointed in himself that his battle was passed on.

Izuku's head began to feel like it was melting as a million different thoughts and memories began to flood his being. It felt like his entire body was burning up, and nothing made any sense. He couldn't call out, he couldn't scream, all he could do was take the burning pain in silence. Before he had managed to clearly see visions or memories from the first user, he had also even heard the fifth users' voice while conscious in the real world, he couldn't understand what was happening.

"It must still be too much for you to take everything in as it is right now." Izuku heard the first users' voice again and suddenly everything stopped. The world around him became dark again and all the voices and memories stopped, along with that his pain faded away as well. The world around him went completely black and the shadow vestiges of the earlier users fizzled away as well.

"My control is limited, and we are still tentatively testing how much we can effect this space, but for now this should be enough. Can you still see me, and hear me Izuku?" With his pain gone, it was much easier to focus on the voice and take in everything around him. As the world was no longer trying to build itself and no other voices or presences made themselves known, it was easy for him to focus and trace the voice.

Izuku moved around as much as his body allowed him, and his eyes finally landed on the person calling for him. As he had noticed before, it was indeed the first user, and he was in greater detail. He could fully make out his image and noticed he was indeed sitting on a stone throne. However, everything else around them and in the world was completely black and shadowed.

"Good, it might indeed still be too soon for you to experience everything, but you're growing. I'm glad to finally be able to fully manifest, it was difficult trying to communicate before. I was stuck to memories of the past and vague images, but I feel my presence growing stronger everyday with you." The man stood and as he did the chair disappeared into shadow as well, but everywhere his feet touched became solid ground, as though he was painting the area with his every step.

When he finally came to stand next to Izuku, he reached his hand down and out to the young man. Izuku could still read his emotions and sense the intentions behind the action as he had been able to with the man's words from earlier. Even so Izuku had always trusted the hand that continued to reach out for him. Without a shred of hesitation Izuku reached out for and grabbed the hand. The motion was slow and caused him effort, but his hand managed to reach the other mans.

"I knew we chose right with you; our battle can finally start ending. I'm so happy to be able to meet you like this and talk. You can't yet talk back to me, but I can feel it, your spirit, the will you're carrying. What's going to happen next will hurt, that's all the comfort I can give you Izuku. But I think its finally about time you hear my name. I'm Yoichi, and I suppose everything starts with me." Izuku listened to the name before a sudden and sharp pain assaulted his entire body once more.

"Know my name, know our origin, know our fate. Every step we make forward is one closer to the true peace we all look towards. It's a step closer to a world without All For One. I know this doesn't make sense. That's okay, but know this everything must end with you Izuku, we don't have any more time or choices." With those last words the pain became too much, and Izuku blacked out into a regular and welcome unconsciousness.

Days had passed after the attack on the training camp and the events had finally started to calm down. Aizawa was correct over the fact that the media was trying to give them severe hell over everything that had happened, but they had managed to mitigate it after a press conference was announced. The conference was planned for two days' time- in the interim however, everyone aside from Izuku had managed to awaken and were discussing what had happened.

His mother had come to visit him and expressed her concern over what was happening to All Might, but he had managed to assure her he would do everything he could to take the burden on himself. Bakugo and his friends had also stopped by and watched over him while they conversed with one another. It wasn't until another full day had passed, and all his classmates were gathered in his room and talking over him based on their plans, when his body began to emit energy.

His body that had until that point been completely motionless aside from breathing started to float off the bed and energy sparked off in rapid streaks. At first his classmates were afraid for him that he might be hurting his own body, or that a stray bolt may hit them, but nothing happened as his body continued to spark and churn even more energy by the second. Once nearly ten full minutes had passed his body slowly returned back down to his bed and the energy stopped.

Katsuki was the first to react and stood over Izuku checking his breathing and other vitals being reflected on the machines. From what he could see, Izuku was completely fine, and nothing was wrong. Just as he went to turn around and say as much to his classmates Izuku woke up and surged forward.

"Gah! Damn it you stupid nerd! SHIT your head is hard! Katsuki bent down on one knee and held his forehead as Izuku rolled around on his bed holding his own in pain.

"Who just stands over someone when they are in a hospital bed?!" Izuku couldn't help the retort of his own that came out. His thoughts came back to him, everything began to pull into focus again, and as it did his mind at once shot to the last thing he could remember.

"Rumi! Where is she, what's going on?!" Izuku rapidly began to panic and look around as his friends and classmates all looked down or away form him. His panic only raised, and he was about to freak out before a hand landed on his shoulder. When he looked to his side, he saw Katsuki, he had a thin but resolute face.

"That's what we have been talking about while you were passed out. Take a minute and listen to everything we have to say." Katsuki then began to explain to Izuku in detail the plans and information his class had managed to gather. Aoyama was the first to go as he told Izuku everything he knew before the boy had arrived in the clearing.

Not long after that the rest of the class chimed in with their side of the story and where they had been. Shortly after everything began to piece itself together in his mind, he could picture it all, where everyone was and how it had all played out. With everything said they then went into detail over what had happened in the aftermath. Izuku listened to everything as he had been asked, but just knowing Rumi was still captured and in the hands of the League didn't sit well with him.

The closer they got to what was happening currently, he could understand why he was asked to keep calm. After Aoyama had given the information about Himari they had sought her out. Why they wanted her or what information she had wasn't know until she had decided to pay Izuku a visit of her own. Because of that they had managed to learn that Miruko had activated a tracker she had on her.

With that information the heroes had managed to confirm the location of the villain's base that was already under surveillance. Not but a few minutes later when her tracker went to a completely different location, most likely by a teleport they now had information for a second base and potential hideaway. Katsuki explained that while she was hesitant to give them the information, she also knew Rumi wouldn't have trusted them if she hadn't trusted Izuku.

"After she said all of that, she gave us this, it's a tracker connected to Miruko. I know you want to go and save her, and I feel indebted to her for everything she taught me. Not to mention I would have been captured if not for her, so what do you say? Will you join us?" Katsuki knew that even though he asked the question, and even without the tracker Izuku would have gone on his own to search for Miruko.

He gathered all his thoughts and didn't say anything, but he shook his head yes. Once he did all his classmates once more started talking about times and their plans for when they would leave. Some functioned as voices of reason and tried to sway them, but a fire had been started and it wouldn't be put out. Izuku instead zoned everything out and only picked up the information that was relevant as he flexed his arms and felt out his body.

He could tell something had changed and his body was different, but what exactly had changed wasn't obvious. With their plan set in motion and a time decided on the rest of his classmates dispersed so they wouldn't draw attention and slowly left his room. Katsuki was the only one left and he looked over his friend carefully while looking at the gleam of fire so hot it would even burn him glowing in his eyes.

"We will rescue her, soon enough she will be back to beating you down like normal." Katsuki knew how much their temporary sensei and ally meant to Izuku, as such the words were meant to boost his confidence. Instead, the fire in Izuku's eyes only glowed deeper and a rage he was used to seeing in his owns eyes grew little by little.

"No matter what, I will save her!" Izuku's eyes flared with his spoken resolve as he clenched his fist and energy began to spark again.

Miruko took deep breaths as she panted in exhaustion. Her quirk and strength had managed to come back after about 12 hours from when she had first been shot. As he had intended though, her foot was a deep purple almost black now, and she wasn't going anywhere. She had managed to gather a great deal of information, but it would all be useless if she couldn't escape or use it.

By now, she knew Himari had to have given someone her tracking information, but even so, deep down she hated the feeling of needing to be rescued. AFO had kept true to his word- if she gave him information and didn't lie, he provided her with food and water to sustain her. On the other hand, the purple bruising and likely broken ribs causing her labored breathing were evidence to lying or holding back information.

She had managed to gather that while he was indeed the peak of evil and wasn't above using any means to get whatever he wanted, it was a case of a thug versus a mob leader. However twisted or broken he was in the head, he seemed to have some kind of moral system that he followed. Miruko had managed to understand that his words were much like a deal with the devil- you had to listen very carefully to the wording and specifics, but otherwise he would always keep his word.

'I knew from the way Gran Torino spoke of him that he would be dangerous, but I never expected this. All Might really fought against this man. I know they both nearly killed each other, but how can you even call that living? They seriously expect Izuku to fight against this monster?! Whatever you do, stay far away from here Izuku, this isn't a threat one person can manage. I don't know what All Might was thinking taking him on alone.' Miruko continued her labored breathing as she heard a light click of a door opening.

She flinched slightly at the light that streamed through but then opened her eyes and took in the many numbers of tanks and Nomu that she could see. Once she heard the pump and flow of air going back and forth, she knew who was once more coming to see her. Every time he entered the room, her hatred for the man grew, but she also managed to lessen the chill his presence shot down her back.

"We have had some good talks, haven't we my dear Miruko? I would think after all this time you would greet me with something other than a scowl. Either way, its good to see you again as well. I'm glad you are holding up so well. Still, I have a tough time believing what you told me last time. I knew that the quirk I chose was a good one, but to think it could grow in such a way…

"I've tried to take it back before in the past you know, but willpower is such a funny thing. I believe we have had this conversation before, have we not? Do you know why I'm so jealous of my brother though? His power was always in direct opposition to me, you see while he could pass his power on and allow it to continuously grow, I have no such luxury.

"Sure, I can take whatever quirk I want and make it my own, I also have plenty of ideas and thoughts on how to best use said quirk in my possession as well. However, quirks are quite fussy you see, the body can adapt surprisingly well, and others can even use other quirks without real issue. The problem comes from the development of said ability.

"You see quirks can only continue to grow and evolve when they are with the original owner. Say for example I had managed to take a quirk that allowed me to lift ten time my body weight, that's all the quirk would ever be able to do with ability. If, however, I had left it with the original owner, and they managed to evolve or improve it to lift 100 times their weight.

"Automatically that's a better quirk, but its no longer possible because I took it before it had time to evolve to such a degree. Its so very frustrating, but if I could get my hands on OFA, especially with what its evolved into now, I would never again have that problem. I could finally continue to grow anything I wanted without limit, without stopping… that's why you are so important, my dear Miruko.

"You are the key I need to access that Quirk. See willpower is so interesting, you never quite know how it will react. Will it strengthen and never again be broken, or will it break so far that it will never recover? Soon enough we will find out wont we? I'll kill you in front of Izuku, and then his quirk will finally be mine. After all, you are calling him directly to me aren't you? Even if he doesn't come, and he will, how great will it be to see my old rival again?" AFO gently reached down and tapped at her chest plate, when he did the panel dropped open and the smallest of blinks emitted by a light no bigger than a pin prick flashed.

"Ah I can't wait. Who will it be, who's going to show up? Will it be my little brother, or that disgrace still living and going around calling himself the Symbol of Peace? I can't wait, it's so exciting, I can't thank you enough for this thrill in my chest. Hehehehehehe, ah I'm so excited." Miruko said nothing and hung her head. She could do nothing but listen to the sickening laugh.

'Whatever you do don't come Izuku.'

AN: What can I say, other than it's been a long time. I'm so grateful for all the continued support and love everyone has given me. I hope to bring this story to a conclusion that everyone will enjoy in time. Also, if you enjoy my work and feel like supporting me please check out my Ko-fi under the same name holliswriting, all lowercase no spaces.