Chapter Text
Izuku barely managed to push himself up from the rubble on shaking arms, body too tired to allow him to do more than get to his knees, hands braced on the ground.
They had tried one last time to stop him. And as Izuku looked around at the results of their attempt all he saw was destruction and death.
All For One had escaped tartarus months ago, and had been steadily taking over Japan in chunks. The heroes' forces had been pushed back with each fight, more and more cities coming under All For One's control.
This had been the last one, the last free standing city.
And they had lost.
Now Izuku sat panting in the rubble of a decimated building, bodies of civilians and heroes alike strewn around the area. He...he was probably the only one left. It seemed likely—All For One had been picking off Izuku's comrades and friends the whole war, purposefully avoiding Izuku or batting him away when Izuku tried to engage him.
It was like All For One was saving the best for last, wanting Izuku, as the last One For All holder, to witness his victory before he killed Izuku.
Which was why when All For One began walking towards him in a casual manner, his suit somehow still clean and neatly pressed, Izuku felt defeated tears sting his eyes. He tried to stand, body streaked with dirt and sweat and blood, but he had no energy left to even get to his feet. Izuku didn't feel like a hero anymore, hadn't for a while with how many people he felt like he had been failing. But if this was going to be his end, he was going to put on a brave face and not give All For One the satisfaction of his defeat. So he tipped his head back to All For One as the man approached him, a defiant scowl on his features. It wasn't fully possible to meet the gaze of someone who didn't have eyes, but Izuku still stared fiercely at the mass of scar tissue All For One called a face.
All For One clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Come now, that doesn't seem like the appropriate expression for such an occasion, does it? Though it is cute, are you trying to be brave little Izuku Midoriya?" All For One gestured widely to their surroundings. "This is checkmate I believe, I win. Do you know what that means, little Izuku?" All For One stepped closer, his large grin sending shivers down Izuku's spine. "It means I get to take the prize now—I get to take the king. The most protected piece on the board, and your friends did dearly try to protect you. But you've always belonged to me little one, and I want my prize."
Izuku was terrified. That...that didn't sound like a death threat. That sounded like something much worse, something more than just wanting One For All. His eyes shone wetly, fear painting across his features as All For One took the final step to be right in front of him, looking gleeful.
"Now, that is a much more honest face," All For One said approvingly, "And since you've shown me yours, I'll show you mine."
As Izuku watched, All For One's scarred face rippled and melted on the spot, distinguishable features emerging, white hair sprouting and growing rapidly. And before he knew it, a more human looking man stood before him.
And his face was hauntingly familiar.
Izuku was stunned beyond any response, eyes wide and horrified as he knelt there slack-jawed. His whole world felt like it had just been thrown off tilt. He hardly even noticed when All For One reached down for him, hoisting Izuku into his arms in a manner similar to how young children are picked up by their parents.
"Over a decade later and you're still small enough for me to hold you like this," All For One mused, cupping the back of Izuku's head and bending forward slightly to press his forehead against Izuku's, releasing a happy sigh.
Izuku's mouth was opening and closing like a fish, until he finally managed to produce a single, strangled word, his voice cracking. "...Da-d?"
All For One smiled at him, eyes soft and genuinely happy. He kissed the bridge of Izuku's nose, his cheek, his forehead. "We can finally be a family again. I'll give you everything you could ever want, my little Izuku."
Izuku was incapable of forming a response, his mind and body so exhausted they could hardly keep up with such an earth-shattering revelation. He squirmed weakly in his father's arms as All For One began to carry him off the battlefield.
"Shh, Izuku, everything's going to be alright now. Do you know why?" All For One wiped away a stray tear that dripped down Izuku's face.
"Because, I Am Here."