The Emperor's Dragon

The Gift of History

"What would you like to do tonight, my Little Dragon?" All For One asked his son.

It was Izuku's birthday. Usually they'd spend the day together but this year, Izuku had spent the day in Tsu with his friends. It wasn't quite the party he'd promised his son, with all his friends present but it was the best he could do, and Izuku had apparently had fun. He'd been regaled with all the details earlier.

Izuku gave him a smile but it looked kind of sleepy. "I like spending time with you," he murmured.

That was touching. Hisashi knew most people did not want to spend any time with him. Fighting back the rage he felt at All Might was second nature now. He should be able to go flying with Izuku. He should be able to actually do things with his son, instead he was still trapped to a support system. The Number One hero would never be broken enough for him.

"Well then, shall I tell you a story?" Hisashi offered. After his day out, Izuku probably wasn't interested in doing something physical.

"A story?" Izuku was curious.

"About your uncle," All For One said and watched as Izuku's interest rose. He had made no secret of the fact that Izuku had an uncle but he hadn't offered many details.

"My uncle?" His son was still tired from his day out but was definitely wanting to know more.

Hisashi smiled and gestured to his son. Izuku came over to him and sat down beside him before leaning into his side. It was nice but All For One wondered how long it would last. He was fully aware that Izuku was thirteen now. He expected his son to show some rebellion soon. Something.

It would cost him something. He knew that but he didn't think Izuku would betray him completely. No. His son wouldn't.

A memory came to him. For an instant he was in that white place again. He heard his brother's voice. I wonder if my nephew can make a difference.

No. That was a dream caused by drugs and his injuries. Even though his brother had never said that to him in reality, it was just a dream. It wasn't a message. Izuku was going to make a difference. His son was going to achieve his desire. It would no longer be at his side, but Izuku's place was at the forefront of the change. Tomura would create instability, Izuku would capitalise on it.

His son knew that and that was the difference he would make. He would make this world just.

"Yes, your uncle," All For One confirmed. "It's your birthday so it's a day for family," he explained. Izuku said nothing, so he took that as a request to continue. "Your uncle would have loved you, my Little Dragon. Never doubt that.

"He was like you in many ways."

"Did he love quirks?"

Hisashi chuckled. "No, but you must remember, my Little Dragon, there were no quirks to love then, so I think we can forgive him that. He wanted to see the best in people," All For One explained. "He wanted to believe that the facade people present to the world was real."

"Oh," Izuku said. There was a note of sad understanding there.

"The world was different then, my Little Dragon. It was bloody and violent and there was no place for fantasy." All For One took a deep breath of the oxygen that was always being fed to him.

"How did he betray you?"

That was a surprisingly strong wording for his son. "Are you sure you want to hear about that for your birthday?" All For One asked.

He felt his son nod as he leaned into his side.

"All right," Hisashi agreed. He sighed audibly. "Things were different then, my Little Dragon, and in some ways, I think it was my fault. I protected my brother from the reality of the world.