Chapter Text
The flash of glowing light, a mixture of cold and hot colors colliding and bursting; twisting and searing, finally dissipated.
As his vision adjusted to the absence of an incandescence almost as hot as the sun, he saw the shattered landscape below him. Buildings in various states of destruction, sirens wailing in the distance, shadows falling across the streets as the evening crept closer—it was so familiar.
He stared at his hands. Small hands…
It worked!
A strange Quirk. Not even its original user was entirely sure how it operated and he had only come to know about it through whispers in the underground. A Quirk that by theory could have a lasting impact on reality itself, but seemed to do nothing. It had enraged him, at least, in the way that something that should so logically work one way didn’t work at all. Something that could fix everything, but mocked him in its confounded pointlessness.
Disgusted and despondent over the whole endeavor, he had given the Quirk to Garaki so he could study it. Perhaps his most passionate zealot could find a means to make it work, but alas…decades upon decades had passed and…nothing.
That is…until he returned to his cave base. Prepared for the final fight against the heroes yet needing that damnable life support designed so painstakingly by the Doctor to do so, he had found Garaki’s careful work.
The recording droned on about this miracle of a medicine made from that child’s overpowered Quirk. A last-ditch effort, a trump card, but one that would inevitably lead to his death by nonexistence if he didn’t work fast and reach his Quirk consciousness. Only then could he fully embed himself into Tomura and both evolve into something new and maintain his undying self. (And have his twin forever.)
Yet…the recording didn’t end there.
Next to his Deus Ex, cradled in a glowing vile held by some technological contraption whose cords snaked away to a large machine, tall and wide enough for a person of his stature to stand within…was that annoying Quirk he had all but forgotten. At least, an extremely modified version of it.
“Beyond that child’s Quirk…I have finally finished this for you, Master. Did you think I had forgotten?”
He looked between the small vile he now held between his fingers and the large machine against the cave wall.
“I have to be honest, and it pains me to say this, but I didn't have much time for testing. I went off of what you knew about the Quirk and I think I figured out a way for it to work in the manner you had hoped for. A type of travel so incredible it should have stayed within the pages of a science fiction novel.”
He gingerly placed the small vial of the modified Rewind back into the still fog-laden pedestal and took a step around it.
“Yet, we both know how funny reality can be, what with the onset of the paranormal and all, something you are far more familiar with than even I.”
His large fingers gingerly stroked the curved metal of the device as if it would turn into ash like Tomura’s Decay.
“All my research suggests that it should work, but there is no guarantee. Just as the modified Rewind will bring you to a point of no return, so should this device, though those points could be wildly different.”
He looked the machine up and down until his non-existent eyes became transfixed by the circular pad meant for a man—him—to stand on. His mind was working overtime, touching Overclock so he could consider all of his options.
This would be the most dangerous of them all even compared to the possibility of deaging to nothing. Everything else already had roads leading to the goal of One for All, the goal of having what was his back within his grasp, and then one large step to the domination of everything.
It was right there. All he had to do was turn away from this theoretical sci-fi contraption, take the Rewind vial with him to Gunga, and continue his pursuit. Take advantage of that dastardly wind that blew in his favor.
But…
“I believe the original Quirk user really didn’t understand how it worked. When it did…I can guess it was only a matter of hours, possibly a day or two, but any changes were so minute that it would make no real difference to our…timeline. In the case of what I can surmise you wish to do with it…I’m not quite sure what could happen.”
He pulled his breathing mask from his scarred face and let it drop unceremoniously to the dirt floor. With a small hiss from between gritted teeth, he pulled out the tracheostomy tube and allowed it to land next to the face mask.
A step.
“Either you will sizzle away, be destroyed, or everything will collapse into nothingness…or you could have everything you ever wanted. Depending on how far back you want it to go, of course. Once on, you’ll find a touchscreen within the chamber. I’ve constructed it so the modified Quirk will output the required effect based on how far back you wish to go. Again, I must warn you that I have no idea how it will actually work. It has been my side-side project. I only continued because I know your greatest desire and that this could give it to you. It is my ultimate way of saying…thank you for all of these years.”
Decided, he stepped fully into the chamber and pressed the large button he assumed would turn it on. It did.
“Going off of historical theories associated with quantum physics and that ilk, something I’m sure you don’t want me to ramble on about, it’s possible it will create a separate timeline, but one that will war with this current reality. I do not doubt that the new one will eventually devour the old and you, with all your foresight, will rule over it as you rightfully should. You will have it all…as well as…him.”
Using the touchscreen and pressing Overclock to its max to do the required math, he figured out exactly how far back he wanted to go. It was so clear. That time…right before he found those tattered pages. The perfect time. He followed the onscreen instructions, but found himself annoyingly hesitant.
“I’m sure you will make the most logical choice, per usual.”
It wasn’t logical. It was incredibly irrational. The other option at least fits into his plans. A straight path. One he could work with and mend if something became frayed. But this? It was the ultimate gamble. And he never gambled if he didn’t know he could win.
Green eyes flashed in his mind.
He pressed ‘Start’.
Zen screamed.
—Then he was here.
Zen brought his much smaller hands to his head and felt around briefly before moving to the rest of his body. A victorious grin spread across his now youthful face. It seemed the Quirk had sent him back in time, but placed his consciousness in his past version. A quick scan of his Quirks revealed that much as he now only had the ones he did at this age and…his original Quirk was once more in his body, not a copy
This was it! The exact time he had calculated, well, it should be. Only one way to be sure.
He propelled himself through the air back to their humble home inside what was once a cherished bookstore, but now broken and empty of all life save the myriad of tomes. Books his twin cherished…and where he’ll soon find the Captain Hero comics.
As he neared the broken facade of the building, he quickly scanned the floor where he knew Yoichi had to be. Yes, there he was. Small, frail, and shuffling about. In his hands was a stack of books he could barely carry and Zen watched fondly as his twin huffed before his strength gave out and the books tumbled to the ground.
There!
Issues of the series that had propelled their lives forward in very different ways lay less than a foot from Yoichi’s feet. The demon lord he so emulated…and the hero Yoichi would soon become obsessed with were between those pages. He remembered it all quite well, but this Yoichi…he had no idea.
And he never would.
Just as his little brother looked across the stack he had dropped and eyed the comics, Zen expertly sent an energy blast towards them and ZAP—
They crumbled into a heap of ash.
Yoichi twirled around so fast to look at him that he almost lost his footing and a scowl formed across his brow.
“Big brother! What was that for?” Yoichi yelled up at him, but quickly keeled over in a coughing fit from the exertion.
Zen landed next to him and patted his back from a deep habit he thought he had lost. He made to chastise him, give an excuse, anything really, but as soon as his twin’s bright green eyes turned to look at him…he was transfixed.
How long had it been since those eyes had peered up through identical white locks? Not within some deep chasm between their Quirks, but tangibly? At least a hundred years give or take. But, to Yoichi, there had been no time at all. He had left to find them something to eat and drink, and he knew that by the time he would have returned his twin would have found the comics and started looking through them. That Captain Hero would have filled his head with an irrational ideology as strong as the one he held for the Demon Lord. Not this time, though…
”Uh…big brother?” Yoichi looked at him with a puzzled expression. “You okay?”
“I’m…fine.” Zen suddenly grabbed Yoichi’s head with both hands and leaned over him, his white eyes drilling into his twin’s beautiful verdant ones. Yoichi squeaked, but that only caused his grip to tighten. He felt a sort of mania wash over him: he had what was rightfully his once more. It was…euphoric.
”Yoichi. My precious, Yoichi,” he purred. His little brother’s eyes widened and he knew it wasn’t just because of the huge smile that now filled his face (a smile his twin wouldn’t have witnessed yet).
That’s right. He named his twin much later. When he gave him…the stockpiling Quirk. Yes, that’s right. Hmm, he’d prefer to call his twin his first gift as much as possible so…
“That’s what I’ve decided to name you, my little twin. Because you were the first thing ever given to me in this world. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Yoichi continued to stare at him, a tinge of awe in his eyes at finally having a name. There was no other context yet. Just a name. A meaningful name.
He brought his nose to meet the identical, but far smaller, nose of his brother. “You’ll never leave me, right?”
Yoichi struggled under his grasp, so he released his head, but didn’t shy away from how close he still was. His little brother looked up at him with a pout.
“You didn’t have to grab me that hard!”
Zen tilted his head, waiting.
“And, I, uh…I like my name! But…what’s your name?
“Zen,” he deadpanned. His Yoichi hadn’t answered him yet. He didn’t like it…
“Oh! I like that name too!… And why would I leave you?”
Ah, finally!
Yes, why indeed. There wasn’t a reason right now and there would be none in the future. He had all the knowledge of a man with well over a century of lived experience—his future and the world’s. However, Overclock was gone, so he knew he would need to write down as much as he could as soon as possible.
But…it could wait. Just a bit.
“Exactly,” he whispered before pulling Yoichi into a suffocating embrace. His twin struggled briefly, but only to maneuver his arms to return the hug. “I love you.”
He felt his brother straighten and heard the hitch of his breath. Was this the first time he’s ever uttered those three words up until this point in time?
Yoichi’s arms squeezed the best his weak little body could.
“I-I love you too, big brother!” Zen felt his twin nuzzle his head into his chest, not even caring about the blood that had dried into the already filthy fibers. Ah, yes. Clothes! He needed to find them better clothes. Perhaps he could even push Yoichi towards enjoying the finer things this time around.
His precious Yoichi would look so good in a suit or…oh! A nice vest over a beautiful white and clean dress shirt! Yes…and a bow tie to match his eyes! A bow…a perfect compliment for his first gift!
Zen released his little brother from the hug and held him at arm’s length by the shoulders. Yoichi’s toothy grin took up much of his small face yet there was an undercurrent of confusion still twinkling in his eyes.
“I gotta say, big brother, you’re acting weird…”
“But?”
“It’s an…okay weird,” Yoichi answered with a nod of his head, as if he was trying to convince himself. Good.
“Things have been…hard, Yoichi, I know.” Zen looked out towards the skyline as the night fully enveloped the city beyond and below them. “But I…I guess I had a little bit of time to think about things.” He chuckled and ran his fingers through his brother’s hair. “I guess all your babble about your books has rubbed off on me.”
Yoichi cocked his head to the side, his longer hair falling over one of his eyes—one of his favorite mannerisms he’s missed so very much.
“I guess…okay! Oh, oh, oh! Speaking of booooooooks!” Yoichi pulled from his grasp(his fingers itched at the missing touch) and ran over to multiple stacks of books. He outstretched his arms to them and said, “Ta-da!”
Zen padded over to where Yoichi stood proudly and took in his twin’s attempt at organization. They hadn’t been here long and originally he hadn’t planned on it being anything more than shelter for a few nights' rest, but Yoichi became so enamored by all the books(and thus kept out of trouble) that he had relented. It was their home up until he finally began taking what he deserved. That had started with the Glowing Baby and Yoichi had been…less than pleased.
He threw his arms out and smiled widely.
“You’ve organized! Wonderful!”
Yoichi clapped happily as he danced on his feet. Was this all it took? Acknowledging his twin’s progress? Smiling earlier? Saying those three words he held only for his most precious possession?
The prior him had no real knowledge of how to act, react, or…to feel certain things. He had been practically an automaton—going through the motions with no clear goal until Yoichi had shared with him the Captain Hero comics. Even then, he had spent years mulling it all over until finally deciding on making a trip to meet the undeservingly famous Golden child. That’s when his actual goal took over and he had gloated to his brother.
Not anymore. No more robotic living, no more writing his twin off, no more pure survival and careless grasping at random Quirks from the broken toys littering the streets. Zen knew exactly what he had to do to speed up the process of acquiring his wealth and loyal followers.
But it all started with ensuring Yoichi would never fight against his wishes. Never even consider taking the hand of that damnable Kudo or anyone else for that matter. His twin would come to understand and appreciate everything his powerful brother did for him.
His Yoichi would always be by his side within the reach of his large hands; within a space no one could ever touch him. Protected by big brother’s generosity…his love.
“You’re very good at this, Yoichi!”
“Thank you, big brother! I’m, uh, still learning how to read, but I think I’m starting to get it! Could I, um…” Yoichi walked over to one of the stacks of books and carefully pulled, well, tried to pull out one from the middle, but the tower began to teeter. Zen immediately steadied it and Yoichi smiled up at him before fully pulling the book out and showing him the cover.
It was a book about animals. Pets to be precise.
“This one has pictures! They are animals and there are a bunch of people petting them…they look so happy! I, uh, I mean, could I…read it to you? So I can practice?”
Yoichi’s eyes fell to the ground and Zen could feel his apprehension deep inside. Now that he knew Yoichi had a shred of a Quirk within him, one capable of connecting with his own…he could…feel his twin. It was the thinnest of threads, but perhaps with time…
This was all unfolding quite nicely, but he needed to start writing things down. A small sound from Yoichi brought him back to the present. His twin was looking up through his bangs expectantly yet tinged with possible disappointment.
“Hmmm, why not? Practice makes perfect now doesn’t it?” He said, but Yoichi wasn’t familiar with the saying just yet so he gave him another confused look before bursting with joy. He grabbed his big brother’s hand and brought him with him to the floor. With the book laid open, Yoichi began to practice reading. Zen was perfectly capable with the knowledge he already had, but it wouldn’t do to shatter the mystery; confuse his Yoichi any more than he had been. Thus far, he’s been able to say the right words to dissuade his little brother from starting to second-guess this slight personality change.
As Yoichi turned the page and became overly excited at the picture of a fluffy cat, continuing his damndest to read what he knew, Zen found himself staring intently at his little brother’s face. What would he look like older than he was when…he chose to turn away from him? He had gone on to grow older as he tore apart the earth trying to locate all of the One for All users in his desperate attempt to take back his precious possession. Actually, now that he thought about it…
Doctor Garaki.
It wasn’t until his cult had truly taken off, and well after Yoichi had left him, that he had met the doctor who would become indispensable to his aspirations. The man, so obsessed with his new master, had seen fit to tinker with his own Quirk just to gift it to his Demon King. It had essentially made him immortal and he knew Garaki could make a duplicate. One just as modified for his Yoichi.
They’d be immortal forever. Rulers of a world he could now mold into the perfect dominion. Perhaps he’d indulge his subjects in their hero escapades? Play it right and everyone would readily bow to him with an obedient little brother by his side.
His palms felt hot as his Quirk surged in unison with his dancing thoughts. He hungered for the power, the control, the attention, and all the luxuries that came with it!
But he had to be patient. It wouldn’t do for a child far wiser beyond his years to suddenly appear and demand full obedience. He’d play his cards right, holding his hand when he needed, and going all in when he knew he could win. He had taken a huge gamble in using the machine that had sent him back here; he couldn’t afford to slip up now.
“Big brother! Are you listening?” Yoichi had another adorable pout on his face. He gave only this much and already his twin craved more of it. More of his attention.
“Yes, the cat?”
“Yeah! Look at its fur! Oh, it’s so fluffy! Not like the mean ones on the street!” Yoichi clapped his hands.
“Ah, yes, like the one that scratched you?” He shouldn’t have said that. The memory had just barely come to the surface and he had forgotten the next part—
“Then you killed it…” Yoichi’s face dropped.
“I did…but that’s because nothing and no one should ever hurt you, Yoichi. Don’t be upset. Someday…someday I’ll get you a cat. Any cat you’d like. Wouldn’t that be nice?” Zen hoped this manipulation would work. He needed Yoichi to start thinking of him not as a terrifying beast, but as a loving brother who would share the world with him.
“Really?! You mean it?!”
Hook, line, and sinker. Oh, his little twin had always loved animals.
“Of course. I promise you, Yoichi, this-” He outstretched his hand and gestured to the trashed room around them and then to the city outside the hole in the building. “-is only temporary. I know what we need to do to have better things! I’ve…spent time thinking about it. That’s why…I’ve been so quiet. Just stay by my side, Yoichi, and you’ll have your fluffy kitty and anything else you’ll ever need or want.”
Yoichi looked at the room, the city, and himself, then back at his book. His small hand petted the picture of the fluffy kitten. “Really?” He whispered.
Ah, so young. Still so gullible. Moldable. Perhaps his years studying the best way to create the perfect vessel paid off in his ability to manipulate a very young child. He mentally shook the image of Tenko Shimura from his head. Yoichi was far greater than some tool he needed in a very different time for very different circumstances. Zen would use just enough to make sure his twin kept following close behind him.
“Really, little brother, really.”
Whether it was further manipulation or an earnest desire to hold him close once more, Zen grabbed Yoichi and hugged him close to his chest.
No one would ever take what was his from him a second time.
No one.
——
In another time, far in the future, Izuku Midoriya fell to his knees.
Reality shuttered.