Darkness Revealed | MHA x Reader

Chapter 1

I stand alone in the shadows of the alleyway, watching the bustling streets of Musutafu. The academy's emblem, a crest of a hand holding a star, looms in the distance. All For One's instructions are clear: become the best student at U.A. High School, gain their trust, and bring them to their knees. But first, I must endure.

The whispers of the wind carry the laughter of the students as they pass by, their conversations about quirks and heroics a silly contrast to my silent contemplation. The urge to show them the true face of this world, the one hidden behind the gleaming façade of heroism, is almost overwhelming. Yet, I remain stoic, my eyes never leaving the academy gates.

Entering the school the next day, my footsteps echo through the halls, the clack of my boots against the linoleum a rhythmic reminder of the mission at hand. The students, a sea of colorful costumes and eager smiles, part around me like water around a jagged rock. They whisper, they point, but their words are muted, their accusations just a background noise to the cacophony of my thoughts.

In class, the teacher introduces us to the concept of "One For All," a quirk that is passed down from one hero to the next, growing stronger with each successor. A mocking smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. How ironic, that I am here to destroy that very legacy. The irony is not lost on me, but I keep my thoughts contained within the fortress of my mind.

Throughout the day, I am paired with a boy named Izuku Midoriya, the new holder of the "One For All" quirk. He's an anomaly, a quirkless boy granted great power. I feel a strange kinship with him, yet I am the one sent to betray him. Our conversation is forced, awkward, and I find myself retreating into my shell even further. Yet, something about his innocence and determination tugs at a thread deep within me, one that I thought had been snipped away by the cold hands of fate.

During training sessions, my power, a twisted amalgamation of stolen quirks, makes me a formidable opponent. The other students watch with a mix of awe and fear, unsure what to make of me. They call me "Cryptic," a name that seems to suit the mask I wear so well. But as the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months, the whispers of doubt grow louder. They suspect something is amiss with the quiet transfer student who seems to outshine them all without breaking a sweat.

In the quiet of my dorm room, I ponder my mission. The walls are adorned with newspaper clippings of past battles, each one a grim reminder of the path I've been set on. Yet, the more time I spend with Midoriya, the more his spirit seems to seep into my very being, like a persistent vine wrapping around my heart. He speaks of a world where everyone can become a hero, where quirks are not a source of fear, but of hope.

The academy's atmosphere is suffocating, a pressure cooker of ambition and camaraderie. It's a world I've never truly known, a warm contrast to the cold, solitary life I led before. I'm drawn to it, even as I know it's a lie I must one day shatter. Training alongside these bright-eyed youngsters, I feel the weight of the world they're destined to inherit, a world where the shadows are deeper and the villains more cunning than they can ever imagine.

Midoriya, with his unyielding optimism, is like a beacon in this sea of uncertainty. His eyes hold a light that pierces through the darkness I've come to accept as my truth. He asks me why I don't speak much, and all I can muster is a shrug and a murmur of disinterest. But every time he shares his dreams, his voice brimming with passion, the walls I've built around my heart crack just a little more.

The academy's curriculum is rigorous, designed to forge the next generation of heroes. The physical training is a cakewalk for me, but the mental and emotional challenges are more taxing. The students here are not just tools to be used, they're individuals with their own fears and aspirations. They trust me, look up to me, even as I'm here to bring them down. The conflict within me grows, a storm brewing in the quiet depths of my soul.

One evening, as the sun sets and the city lights begin to flicker on, I find myself on the roof, the cool concrete a freezing contrast to the warmth of the day. The breeze carries the distant sounds of the city, the sirens and the chatter, a constant reminder of the chaos outside our school walls. Midoriya appears, his green eyes searching for me, as if he can feel the turmoil within. He asks if I'm okay, and for a brief moment, I consider unloading my burden onto him. But I can't. Not yet.

Instead, I push him to train harder, to become the hero he aspires to be. Our spars become more intense, less about testing his limits and more about testing my own resolve. With each blow, I feel the echoes of my mission, the whispers of All For One in my ear. Yet, there's something about the way Midoriya stands tall after every hit, something about his refusal to back down, that makes me question the path I'm on.

As the school year progresses, I find myself drawn into the fabric of their lives, their friendships, their rivalries. I watch from the sidelines, a silent observer to their growth. The bonds they form, the trust they share, it's all so... genuine. It's a bitter contrast to the cold, calculated world of the League of Villains. And yet, I crave it, a thirst I never knew existed.

The nights are the worst, when the silence allows my thoughts to run wild. I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, contemplating the monster I've become. All For One's voice whispers in the back of my mind, reminding me of my purpose. But now, there's a new voice, one that speaks of friendship, of belief, of a world where even someone like me can be saved.