Chapter Text
The soft hum of the hospital's fluorescent lights buzzed in the background, merging with the murmurs of the bustling hallway. All of this while Izuku Midoriya sat on the examination table, his legs swinging nervously as he clutched his mother’s hand. Inko Midoriya offered her son a reassuring smile, though her own heart pounded with anxiety.
“Mom, what do you think my quirk will be?” Izuku asked. He had lived all his life hearing stories from all kinds of heroes with original quirks, seeing the children in his preschool showing off their abilities. The thought of what would be his quirk was exciting to him.
Inko squeezed his hand. “I don't know, honey. But I'm sure it will be as nice as you” she answered, while looking at his eyes in reassurance.
The doctor entered the room, carrying a tablet. He nodded at Inko, then fixed his gaze on Izuku. “We’re going to do a little test to see what kind of quirk you have, so could you please come over here?”
Izuku nodded, doing as he was told. The doctor attached a few sensors to his temples and wrists, then activated the machine. A soft, rhythmic beep echoed in the room, and Izuku’s heartbeat seemed to sync with it.
A few minutes later, after a lot of different testings, the machine beeped one final time. The doctor’s eyes narrowed as he reviewed the data. He glanced at Inko before addressing Izuku. “Young man, it appears you have a quirk that allows you to generate sounds or music that can cause varying degrees of pain in others, proportional to their negative actions or guilt.”
Izuku’s eyes widened with a mixture of wonder and confusion. “So, I have a quirk?”
He nodded in response. “Yes, you do. But it’s a very powerful and potentially dangerous quirk. We suggest monitoring its development closely, Ms Midoriya.”
The news of Izuku’s quirk spread quickly through the small community where the Midoriyas lived. Some neighbors reacted with fear, whispering about the potential dangers of such a quirk. Others were fascinated, viewing Izuku as a prodigy with an extraordinary ability. However, the reactions of his peers were less forgiving.
In preschool, children kept their distance, eyes wide with apprehension. Especially a blond haired boy with a notorious temper and a powerful quirk, who approached Izuku during recess.
“Hey, Izuku,” Katsuki said, his tone a mix of jealousy and caution. “I heard you got a quirk that hurts people. You better not get in my way of becoming the number one hero!”
Izuku widened his eyes, tears threatening to fall from his eyes by the comment his closest friend made, but he held them back. “B-but I-I don’t want to hurt anyone. I want to help people.”
Katsuki’s eyes narrowed. “Help people? With a quirk like that? You’re just going to get in the way of real heroes like me.”
Other children, emboldened by Katsuki’s words and frightened by the implications of Izuku’s quirk, slowly backed away, whispering amongst themselves. Izuku’s heart sank, the weight of his quirk and its implications pressing heavily on his young shoulders.
Katsuki never realized, but such words said by him started the rumor of Izuku Midoriya being a danger to society, a rumor that spread like a plague, infecting everyone who ever thought he could have been a good hero in the beginning, and eventually coming to her mother, who dismissed it, but got worried by his well being.
Afraid of this, she decided to call her husband to find support in this problem.
The phone in front of him rang, and he picked it up, his voice smooth and cynically sweet. “Yes, this is Hisashi.”
“Hello, Hisashi. It’s Inko,” came the voice on the other end, tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Hisashi Midoriya, the kind father persona maintained by the man on the phone, leaned back in his chair, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Inko, my dear, how are you and Izuku?”
“We’re… we’re good. I have some news about Izuku’s quirk. They diagnosed him today.”
Hisashi’s interest piqued. “Oh? Do tell.”
Inko took a deep breath. “Izuku has a quirk called Sonic Agony. It allows him to use music or melodic sounds to cause pain to others, depending on their guilt or the wrongs they’ve committed. And there have been a lot of rumors of people saying how dangerous he is. I’m really afraid of him getting hurt, Hisashi. What should I do?”
For a brief moment, silence filled the line. Hisashi’s mind raced, considering the potential of such a quirk. A quirk that inflicted pain based on one’s misdeeds… It was both poetic and powerful.
“That’s… incredible,” he finally said, his voice steady. “Our son is truly special, Inko. I wish I could be there to see him and support you both. But my work… It keeps me away. I don’t know about other people, but if they keep treating him like that you can homeschool him or sue them for verbal defamation. I know a good lawyer.”
Inko’s voice softened. “Thank you so much, Hisashi. We miss you. I just wanted you to know.”
“I miss you both as well. Give Izuku my love,” Hisashi replied, his tone filled with false warmth. And as he hung up the phone, his smile widened, a plan already forming in his mind.
Izuku’s quirk was more than just a power—it was a tool, a weapon that, with the right guidance, could be refined to perfection. Hisashi would ensure that his son’s potential was fully realized, no matter the cost.
Inko, unaware of the dark intentions brewing on the other side of the world, hung up the phone and turned to her son, who was playing quietly in the living room. She watched him with a mixture of pride and apprehension, hoping that his future would be bright despite the challenges his quirk presented.
"Izuku Midoriya," All For One's voice resonated through the room, while he held a paper given by doctor Garaki . "And his quirk, Sonic Agony. A delightful tool for manipulation." Dr. Garaki adjusted his glasses with a thin, gloved hand, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"A quirk that mirrors the psyche. Fascinating indeed. We could amplify its effects, refine its application. Imagine the possibilities." All For One heard his rambles, his gaze fixed upon an unseen horizon as he contemplated the depths of Izuku Midoriya's potential.
"Yes, amplify it," he mused, his voice a low rumble that filled the chamber. "Make it a weapon that strikes at the heart of our enemies' weaknesses. But not yet. I want him later."
"Then, sir, what will we do with him?" Kurogiri's mist swirled, a tangible manifestation of his readiness to enact All For One's will.
All For One's "eyes" narrowed slightly as he considered the question. He glanced down at the paper in his hand, the details of his quirk etched into the parchment by Dr. Garaki's meticulous hand. "For now, we wait," he declared, his voice carrying an air of patience and calculation. "Tomura is our immediate concern. And the Nomu require refinement. Izuku Midoriya... I want him alive, like Tomura."
Dr. Garaki adjusted his glasses once more, his expression a blend of curiosity and surprise. "Izuku Midoriya? Alive?" His tone showed a hint of betrayal, losing his ground upon incredulity.
All For One's lips curled into a semblance of a smile, though devoid of warmth. "Indeed," he confirmed, his voice colder now, tinged with a hint of detachment that sent a chill through the room. "My son. Izuku Midoriya, alive"
Dr. Garaki's gaze widened behind his glasses, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features. "Your son..." he murmured, as if grappling with the implications of this revelation.
"And yet," All For One continued, his gaze unfaltering, "he is not yet ready. The time will come when he will serve our purposes, but not yet. His quirk, Sonic Agony, it intrigues me. I have ideas... vague notions of how he could be molded to serve our cause."
Kurogiri, ever attuned to his master's intentions, bowed slightly. "Shall I go see to Tomura, sir?" he interjected, steering the conversation back to their immediate tasks.
All For One nodded once, a gesture of permission. "Yes, Kurogiri. Attend to Tomura. He will awaken soon, I suspect. Ensure he is ready for what comes next."
With that, Kurogiri went away silently to carry out his orders.
Meanwhile, Dr. Garaki pressed on, his curiosity piqued despite the foreboding atmosphere. "And his family, sir? Izuku's mother?"
All For One's expression hardened imperceptibly. "I care little for such matters," he replied dismissively. "Inko Midoriya is inconsequential. My interest lies solely in Izuku's potential. His quirk... it is a key to unlocking greater power."
Dr. Garaki nodded. He understood the implications of All For One's fixation on Izuku's quirk, the danger it posed for the young boy caught in the machinations of powerful men. And as he thought about it, a sadistic smile formed in his face, imagining what his master would do to him to become another of his many pawns.
"And the Nomu, sir?" Garaki ventured cautiously, his voice tinged with a mix of reverence and scientific curiosity. "They are progressing well, but refinement is crucial. We are on the brink of unlocking their full potential."
All For One's gaze sharpened, focusing now on the technical details that fascinated Garaki so deeply. "Yes, refinement," he echoed, his tone contemplative. "Their abilities must be honed to perfection. Each Nomu must surpass the last in strength and adaptability."
Garaki nodded eagerly, adjusting his glasses with an air of scholarly satisfaction. "We have made significant strides in enhancing their physical capabilities," he reported, his voice gaining enthusiasm. "Their regenerative powers are evolving, and the integration of multiple quirks shows promising results."
The conversation shifted seamlessly from Izuku Midoriya to the intricate workings of Nomu experimentation. All For One's interest in his son's quirk remained palpable, an undercurrent beneath their discussions of scientific progress and strategic maneuvering. For Garaki, the opportunity to delve into the complexities of genetic manipulation under All For One's patronage was a dream realized, albeit shrouded in darkness.
"And Izuku's quirk," Garaki dared to touch the topic once more, unable to shake the implications of All For One's paternal interest. "Sonic Agony... it could be the key to unlocking new methods of control and persuasion!"
All For One considered Garaki's words carefully, his mind already envisioning the myriad applications of Izuku's unique ability. "Indeed," he murmured thoughtfully. "His quirk may prove invaluable in our efforts to bend others to our will. But for now, he remains a puzzle piece yet to be fitted into the larger design."
As the discussion drew to a close, All For One rose from his seat, his presence a looming shadow over the laboratory. "Continue your work, Garaki," he commanded. And after that, he left.
The laboratory fell into a contemplative silence, save for the low hum of machinery and the rustle of papers. Behind closed doors and beneath the world's gaze, the machinations of power continued unabated, driven by ambition, curiosity, and a hunger for control that transcended morality itself. And among all of it, Izuku Midoriya, unknowing and innocent, stood at the precipice of a fate yet to be determined.
In an office located in the middle of Mufutafu, along with its walls lined with shelves overflowing with legal tomes and binders bursting with case files, sat Inko Midoriya, her posture firm despite the weight of worry etched on her face. Across from her, was a lawyer—a woman with a steely demeanor, recommended by her husband— who leaned forward, her attention focused intently on Inko's case.
"The school's reluctance is understandable, given the circumstances," the lawyer began, her voice measured and professional. "But we have leverage. Your son's case of quirk discrimination is legally actionable."
Inko nodded firmly, her determination unwavering. "I won't let them push Izuku aside. He deserves to be treated fairly, just like any other child."
The lawyer tapped her pen thoughtfully against her chin, considering the options. "We could start with the cease and desist letters," she suggested. "If they don't comply, we escalate. It's crucial to establish that Izuku's quirk does not pose a threat and that he has the right to a normal education."
Inko, still not convinced, asked her doubts. "Are you sure that they will listen?" she said quietly, her voice tainted with uncertainty. "The rumors have spread so quickly, and some parents are even threatening to pull their children out of school."
The lawyer met Inko's gaze steadily. "We will make them listen," she replied with unwavering confidence. "Legal action is often the only language that institutions have to understand. Once they see we are serious, they will have to reconsider their stance."
Inko exhaled slowly, a mix of relief and determination flooding through her. She trusted this lawyer. Hisashi had suggested it to her after all. The woman mirrored Inko's own determination to fight for her son's rights.
"What about the teachers?" Inko asked, voicing another worry that had been gnawing at her. "Some of them might be against Izuku."
The lawyer nodded thoughtfully. "That's unfortunately common in cases like these," she acknowledged. "But legally, they cannot discriminate against Izuku based on his quirk. With that in mind, we will just have to remind them of their obligations, and if necessary, we can pursue legal action against the school itself for failing to provide a safe and inclusive environment."
Inko listened intently, absorbing each word like a lifeline. Each word created a glimmer of hope. Hope that Izuku could continue his education without fear, hope that he could be accepted for who he was, quirks and all.
She teared up at the thought, and with gratitude, looked across the cluttered desk, smiling at the lawyer. "Thank you so much" she said, her voice filled with relief. "I don't know what would have done without your help."
The lawyer answered with a small, understanding smile. "You're welcome, Mrs. Midoriya. I believe strongly in defending the rights of every individual, especially children who are unfairly judged because of their quirks."
As Inko prepared her things to leave, she felt nothing but admiration for the lawyer, who had taken up her son's cause with such dedication. "I'm really glad Hisashi recommended you," she admitted, her voice filled with gratitude.
The lawyer nodded, while a flicker of unreadable feelings passed through her eyes. "I'm glad to be of service. We will do everything we can to ensure Izuku's rights are protected."
After Inko closed the door behind her, the lawyer let out an exasperated sigh. "Ugh, I can't stand these emotional clients," she muttered to herself, her frustration evident. "Always thinking the world owes them something."
She stood up from her seat, her thoughts swirling with irritation. "And that woman," she continued aloud, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Inko Midoriya. Thinks she's so noble, fighting for her son's rights. She has no idea..."
She glanced nervously around the office, as if afraid someone might overhear her thoughts. "All For One," she whispered, the name carrying a weight of fear and obligation. “Such an annoying request you gave me…" She clicked her teeth in annoyance
Her gaze fell on a framed photograph on her desk—a reminder of a debt that bound her to the shadows, a debt she could never fully repay. "I have to play my part," she murmured to herself, a mix of resignation and bitterness in her voice. "Even if it means swallowing my pride and helping people like Inko Midoriya."
With a heavy heart, the lawyer returned to her work, pushing aside her personal frustrations to focus on the next steps in Izuku Midoriya's case.