Villain Deku - Broken

Chapter 18 - The Offer

Deku returned to League's hideout, bringing with him the news that Stain would not be joining the League and its pursuit of mindless death and destruction. Despite being disappointed that Stain would not reconsider, AFO thanked Deku for his efforts before turning the minds of the League toward their next mission. Since it was just a burn-the-building assignment, AFO decided to give Deku some time off. He had just been on a mission after all, and he might need some time to "recover his strength". Deku wasn't buying any of it but one did not disobey AFO, so he thanked him for this brief respite before heading up to his room.

Even though he had been with the League for nearly a quarter of a year, Deku had never properly found time to relax. He had always been training or away on a mission or something. He had never had any time to just enjoy himself so he didn't know what to do. Eventually, he decided to just go out for a walk, enjoy the air and clear his mind of everything that was cluttering it. Even though he knew it was only an excuse to leave the building, a part of him did want to be outside. To feel like an ordinary person, to behave like an ordinary person. To do ordinary things and eat ordinary food. And even though he thought he had stamped out all traces of want and desire, the smallest part of him wanted... to be normal. Not a villain, not a hero. Just a regular person who wasn't picked on for their lack of quirk. With those feelings still rattling around inside of him, he changed into some regular clothes, disregarded all weapons (his fists would be enough), and leaped out into the starry night of Japan.

Immediately he felt at home. The darkness surrounded him like the embrace of a dark blanket, hiding him from the world and protecting him from its evils. This felt... right. Is this what it's like to be a god, Deku wondered, to be unseen by the world but to see all that transpires in it? This question however would have to wait. He had come here to enjoy the night, not ask questions that could give him an existential crisis. Having run across the city skyline for some time now, Deku figured that he should drop down and enjoy the civilian aspect of a night of freedom. He leaped to the pavement, landing without making a sound. He then set off to the marketplace, a place full of life, regardless of time. Before he could even see it, he felt it near. The ambient drone of conversation between friends, the hustle-and-bustle of families moving between buildings, and the music of street musicians as they sat around waiting for tips from passersby. This was where Deku was from. The life of an ordinary man, whose only fear was what he was going to eat tomorrow night. Deku saw all of this, he took it all in. He saw from where he had come and had seen where he had yet to go. And for just a moment, as he let himself be lost in the nightlife, for the slightest moment...

Deku smiled.

Later...

Deku arrived back at the League's HQ, expecting Shigaraki's whiny voice to yell at him from downstairs to "get his ass down there." But it didn't come. No yells, no yelling, not even the controlled voice of Kirogiri telling Shigaraki to calm down. Understandably, Deku found this particularly strange.

"Don't be afraid", came a voice in Deku's head, "they won't be back for a while now". Understandably, Deku was startled. It didn't seem like a voice that wanted to harm him so Deku didn't go too overboard. Then again Deku wasn't used to any voices in his head, so he still grabbed a knife from his uniform and prepared a casual combat stance. "What's that supposed to mean", Deku asked, never once letting down his guard at any angle. "It means I sent them away on a mission, Deku." Upon hearing his name, Deku relaxed. Only members of the League and possibly the police force knew who Deku was, meaning there was only one person to who the voice could belong. "Where did you send them sensei," Deku asked, curious as to why he had been left on his own. "Where they have gone is irrelevant," AFO replied. "What is important is where I am sending you, Deku. Head to the abandoned factory on 34th Avenue. We have some important business to discuss." With that, he was gone. The voice would not respond to anything Deku said, the only reason being that AFO had stopped using that quirk. Deku got his gear and set out for the abandoned factory, unknowing that what would happen next would change everything.

When Deku arrived, he immediately knew something was off. The air seemed too still, even for an abandoned building. It also hummed with unnatural energy only produced by tampering with life. As Deku stepped into the building, he was met by the overwhelming presence of the man in charge, All For One. From the neck down, he was an ordinary man in a business suit, giving him an air of distinguishment. However, due to a battle with All Might, his neck and head had been damaged beyond repair, forcing him to rely on machines and his numerous regenerative quirks to survive. Just being near this man struck something within Deku, a primal fear that could not be overcome by any amount of training. All For One turned towards Deku and smiled. "Ah Deku, how wonderful it is to finally meet each other in the flesh. I must say, I thought you'd be taller." All For One laughed but it was not a laugh of delight, more of a forced laugh that demonstrated control over his subordinate. Deku nodded, not getting sidetracked. "Why did you ask me here sensei?" Deku asked, starting to notice the ominous glow emanating from the door behind All For One. All For One glanced over his shoulder, noticing the glow coming from the door. "Well, haven't you wondered how I produce my Nomu?" All For One asked, striding towards the door. Deku followed but before he could answer, All For One burst the doors open and revealed the secrets that lay behind them. Deku could only stare in shock, horror, and awe.

In the room were numerous vats of liquid, illuminated by a purple light. In the vats... were Nomu. Dozens of them, all different shapes and sizes of them. Some with wings, some with claws, some with massive, gaping jaws. Multiple tubes were attached to the Nomu, probably supplying them with nutrients or something like that. A pathway ran down the center of the room, leading to a large, black, reflective throne that was surrounded by monitors. All For One turned to Deku and said, "It's marvelous, isn't it? All of these Nomu were once low-priority criminals with weak quirks and no chance of any opportunity in life. But with my... help, they have become so much more." Deku smiled. Not a smile of joy, though. A smile of fear, asking to be forgiven for any crimes they didn't know they had committed. "Don't worry Deku. You aren't here. To be punished. I am here to reward you."

 All For One approached Deku, intent written on his face. "You were once a quirkless, pathetic piece of trash sitting on the sidelines whilst those born with a silver spoon in their mouth and diamonds in their blood surpassed you. And now look at you. You have grown to be one of the most feared individuals in Japan. Not only that but despite being in the League for only a few months, you have done more for us than any other member." Deku nodded. All of this was true, so why did he feel as if there was something All For One wasn't telling him? All For One continued, "As a way of thanks for your efforts, I have decided to give you a gift. To be more specific, a quirk. Any quirk at my disposal. All you have to do is ask and it shall be yours. I've no doubt got a dozen like it." With all his cards flat on the table, All For One stepped away from Deku, giving him room to think. This was not what Deku had expected. He had expected a weapon or some special equipment. Something physical. He had not thought he would be gifted a quirk. He looked up at his mentor and said, "Thank you sensei, but I cannot accept your offer. I got this far on nothing but my abilities, and I would like to continue to do so." All For One gave a short laugh of surprise before responding. "Very well, Deku. I shall honor your wish. However, I cannot let you leave without having given you something." Deku looked at the tanks and thought about what All For One had said. "Well, there is something you could give me."

After the meeting concluded, Deku left the building and left All For One in the facility. He walked back into the Nomu room and sat on the throne that dominated it. Honor his wishes, he thought. You have indeed grown a lot from your training Deku, but the primal man has limits far lower than that of the gifted. You are close to reaching that ceiling Deku, and I will not let your pride prevent you from reaching your full potential. He closed his eyes, feeling the thoughts and emotions of all the people in Japan flow through him. I cannot honor your wish forever Deku. Sooner or later, I will gift you a quirk. And when that day comes, he thought, opening his eyes, full of hatred and determination. When that day comes, I will unleash an evil on this world so powerful, no-one, not U.A., not Endeavor, not even All Might... will be able to stop. With that, he laughed a laugh of pure joy and delight at the thought of the massacre that lay in Japan's near future.