Powerless - A My Hero Academia/ DC Crossover

Chapter 41: End of the Beginning, Beginning of the End

All Might and Batman stood next to each other in silence in the elevator as it descended downward. The building they were in was a top-secret facility that not even most pros knew about. They were in the highest-security prison in the country. It was a place where they housed their most dangerous criminals in the country, and all of them who had entered never saw the light of day again. A place where villains were sheltered away from the society they tried to destroy forever with no hope of escape, a veritable purgatory on earth: Tartarus.

And the man they were seeing could be Hades himself.

The elevator door opened and Batman and All Might stepped through. They were greeted briskly by the guards and informed that they would only get ten minutes with the prisoner. They were led into a large hallway lined with numbered vaults. The hallway and the vaults were all layered with reinforced titanium strong enough to withstand a nuclear blast, and the tempered glass viewing windows were only used when under heavy guard and with a hero present. Truly, Thought All Might. This is a place of no return.

They made their way to the end of the hallway to one of the largest vault doors, which slowly opened as they approached. Sitting in a small wheelchair attached to several medical devices sat All Might's long time foe and nemesis, All For One. Despite the fact that gnarled skin had replaced his eyes long ago, he smiled under his oxygen mask at the approach of the two heroes.

"It's about time I received visitors," He said. "I've been quite lonely. And by two prominent members of the hero community, no less. The infamous Dark Knight," He motioned his head to Batman. "And the Symbol of -- Ah, forgive me, the ex-Symbol of Peace." He added shrewdly to All Might. "The second semester must be starting soon. I would have figured you would devote yourself to teaching, but instead you come to visit me."

"We're here to get a few things straight," Said All Might.

"You have no idea how stifling it is in here," Said All For One. "If I so much as try to scratch an itch then every gun muzzle in this cell immediately points at me." He moved slightly in his chair, and true to his word, the automatic guns immediately honed in on his position. "My brainwaves and vital signs are being constantly monitored by these machines. One thought about activating my quirk and I'll likely be put down like a rabid dog. Even I would have a hard time getting free."

"You're trapped here," Said Batman. "I've made sure of it. You'll never go free."

"I'll let you believe that," Said All For One, laughing softly. "So what do you have to say?"

"I want answers," Said All Might.

"And I'll happily give them to you," Said All For One.

"That's very forthcoming of you," Said Batman.

"Don't feel flattered," Said All For One. "It's nice to have someone to talk to."

"Where is Shigaraki hiding?" Said Batman.

"Haven't the slightest," Said All For One. "Unlike your bird, mine has left the nest. Tell me, how is Young Midoriya? I do hope he is enjoying the use of his friend's quirk. You haven't had a Robin with superpowers yet, have you Batman? That'll disrupt the balance of power for sure."

"Mention him again and you won't have to worry about the guns around you ever again," Snarled Batman.

"Quaint, Batman. But Brainiac has told me everything there is to know about you, and unlike me, you have a rule against killing," Said All For One, yawning. "Still, it wasn't my intention to hurt Young Midoriya. I simply saw this as an opportunity too delicious to pass up. The boy is already so strong on his own, thanks to your training, Batman. I felt he simply deserved to have a power to match that strength, considering that he didn't want to be the next holder of One For All. Yes, I do know about that," he added to All Might at his surprised look. "The boy told me many things during his time with us. His connection to you is palpable, despite his hatred for you. Your body no longer supports One For All, but it is still there, so he obviously rejected your most gracious offer to be the next Symbol of Peace."