My Hero Academia: The Next Generation Book 3

Chapter 32

      Footsteps would echo through the empty white halls as two people traveled deeper into the labyrinth of security that is Tartarus. Camera's following every movement they made, every hall they went down. Until finally arriving at the prisons most secure sector, one reserved for a recently defeated villain, a monster to some. Standing outside the door to the cell, the taller figure, Detective Roiyaru, would speak out to the visitor, Nosido.

      "It took a lot of stings to pull to get you in here you know... Not only as its a risk to your safety, but it's just... A concern for many."

      "I know, and I appreciate the help... I owe you, I'll be sure to pay you back."

      "Look don't worry about it... I'll have you added to those authorized to visit him... Just... Be careful. I'll be over in the security checkpoint waiting for you to come back out..." Nodding to Roiyaru, I would watch him step away before looking back to the cell. Taking a deep breath, I would wait as the internals that kept the door locked, would shift. Letting out a loud click before the door slowly rose up into its frame. On the other side was a large room, one with a security glass wall dividing the room horizontally. Keeping visitors safe from the prisoner.

       Stepping into the room, the door would soon slide shut and relock behind me. Glancing upward, I would see numerous cameras in the room, two on my side, plus a tv. While probably at least ten on the prisoner's side... Shigaraki's side... He would be strapped to a gurney, left upright with multiple metallic clamps and straps holding him down, alongside a straitjacket firmly wrapped around his body, his pure white hair blending into the white fabric. Though most notably of all, would be the apparatus on his chest, it was clear it wasn't just something on top of everything, it was attached to his body. While the straitjacket did a fairly good job covering the hole there, it was still easy to tell there was one. Hooked up to the apparatus was a heart rate monitor, and beside those were a few iv's strung to his body. In a way, I almost felt bad. The fact that he was still alive, though clearly not all there physically. After a few moments of silence, Shigaraki's eyes would slowly open. His crimson gaze staring into my soul, before a faint smile formed on his face.

      "I wondered when you'd finally come for a face to face... Disappointed I bet..." His voice was raspy, weak. I'm sure I wouldn't normally be able to hear him through the glass... But his voice was aided by it echoing through my head...

      "No... A part of me knew you wouldn't be easy to take down fully... But I do see I did do enough of a blow to render you weak as hell, that's pretty nice to see for myself..."

       "Heh... Is it that obvious?" He would let out a faint chuckle, his gaze lowering to his own chest before he smiled. "The healing factor of our quirk... It could only do so much... A sudden strike like that with my guard down... It only managed to repair part of my heart... Though you were the real lucky one, were you not?"

       As he spoke of my luck, I could feel a faint burning sensation from my neck, but not only that. My face, would start to burn as well. A brief flash of Shigaraki's hand lowering and covering my gaze before it went away, replaced by the sight of his now, much weaker state behind that security glass.

       "Maybe... though it was help from someone else as well... It's a lot easier to heal some decayed skin than a impaled heart. Especially when someone has a quirk that practically rewinds time on your body..."

       "My own arrogance certainly didn't help the situation... I underestimated you... Underestimated your grasp on All For One... You defied death, channeled that inner healing to hold out just enough to try and finish me off... I have to say, I'm impressed..." Silence, fell over us both. Our gazes meeting, feeling him stare into my soul once more as I took deep breaths. my gaze shifting faintly to try and avoid him... But at the same time it was drawn back, as gears turned in my head... his voice... was in my head... 

       "It's still a part of me... Isn't it..." After I had finally broke the silence, Shigaraki's gaze would change. His head tilting back faintly as his smirk widened, seeing the heart rate monitor pick up slightly in pace as I felt a dark presence building.

        "You really thought I didn't plant the seeds sooner? Nosido... You were my goal all along... Someone to carry on my strength... Just as my master... bestowed on me..." In an instant, my gaze would turn a blinding red. All before I could feel my consciousness shift, by the time my vision cleared... I could feel wind all around me... The pink and whites of a flower field by a riverbank... And Shigaraki standing by that riverbank, his back to me. His straight jacket uwrapped, sleeves blowing in the wind. Getting my bearings straight, I would hesitate for a few moments, before making my way closer. Soon standing at his side, I would glance down at the water, seeing my own reflection, but a reflection of his face as well. One that carried an expression of peace.

       "Why me... Of all people?"

       "Because Nosido... You didn't see the world in black and white... From early on, you knew the world was grey... Meeting my new league... You made connections with even the most heinous... That's when I knew you'd be right for this... To carry on my vision..."

        "Ultimate destruction? Not a chance..."

        "No, Nosido... I know you're smarter than that... You've experienced the foul nature of this world yourself now... So tell me... What is my vision..." Glancing down at the water, I would let my mind ponder the possibilities, listening to the flow of the water, the wind running past my ears... The flow of the world... Soon kneeling down, and gently dipping my fingers into the water. It almost felt real...

        "Equality... Not just for those with flashy quirks... But for those of the mundane... Useless... and even for those who quirks are seen as villainous from the start... Like my dad's..." Shigaraki would let out a soft, satisfied sigh. Kneeling down beside me and glancing into the water. I would see his reflection, though. It wasn't exactly him... Instead, I saw the reflection of a young boy, black replacing the white, and anxiety to his eyes.

         "My family were against heroes... I never really understood why, especially when my Nana was one... But after that day... I understood... Though it likely wasn't their reasoning... Mine was born... And while you had inklings of it... Your resistance... and later, far too strong embracement of your darker side, perverted the full image from your mind... Just like me, when I was younger... Perhaps I pushed you too much... I apologize for that... But now... You understand..." Seeing his reflection shift back to his current appearance, I could see his gaze was on me now as well. Lifting my head to meet his eyes, I would take my hand from the river, resting it in the grass beside my leg.

       "It's going to be a lot of work... But like I've said before... I'm doing it my way..." Shigaraki's brows would raise slightly, seeming almost surprised by my statement. Though he would soon smile, chuckling softly.

       "So... The answer to my offer?..."

       "... I'll embrace it..."