His mouth felt bitter as he swallowed back the bile threatening to rise with his terror, his suit worn as a disguise was now clinging from the cold sweat and he could hardly breathe let alone blink in fear that the shadow weighing over them all would fall and crush. Destroying them not only in spirit. Although he had faced villains now, even an infamous one, Izuku could not compare any of them to the ordeal that stood before them. It was like they had been skipping over pebbles before coming to a mountain that reached the clouds.
Izuku, Shouto, Tenya, Eijiro, and Momo stood with their backs pressed to the wall, trembling like children who were left in the dark.
It's as if they had forgotten their reasons for coming here in the first place, for following the signal from the tracker Momo attached to that Nomu from the training camp. They had forgotten the gut-wrenching pain of not being able to save Sakura and Katsuki, and how they wanted to amend that by trying to save them on their own.
Despite Tenya and Momo's objections they still came along. And now they were all in grave danger. The monster that stood before them forced visions into their minds, vivid, as if premonitions of their warm corpses laying in pools of blood, mixing and making them sick to their stomachs.
"One day you may face him, a showdown with the greatest evil,"
Izuku did his best not to excuse his late training to his face-offs with enemies, but this was another level of the universe being cruel. Toshinori had warned him about this man and even though he hadn't confirmed it Izuku was certain that there could be no greater evil and no one who could match the description better than what he had been told.
'This is All for One!'
Shouto who was usually composed, looked like he was ready to faint, holding his breath. Eijiro who usually had his heart of courage and headstrong nature had become like mud, Tenya who could blaze past so many was stuck in place unable to feel any strength in his legs, and Momo, who had rationalized her actions was unable to come up with anything passed the instinct to run, even with a body that refused to move.
They were like prey trapped with no way out, paralyzed even before being seen by the one hunting. Yet the presence was so big that it felt as if they were already caught filled with regrets for deciding to come here, even as Sakura stood only a few feet, alone and facing the villain with more courage in the palm of her hands than what they currently had in their entire body.
"Don't move,"
Izuku sucked in a tender breath, silent. He recognized her voice immediately as if his senses sharpened.
"I promise, once I've finished my job healing him, you're going to get a real fight,"
Shouto turned his eyes upwards even though he couldn't see past the brick wall, their only protection from that creature. Was she truly challenging that man?
'Sakura…."
"Oh, you're looking for a fight,"
"No, but I'll be giving one,"
It was eerie how calm she sounded, was that possible in a situation like this? Or was it a bluff? It didn't matter, if they didn't find their courage soon, rules be damned, Sakura was going to die right in front of them.
And yet they still trembled like newborns, unable to properly react, not physically or mentally. it was as if death itself was standing behind them with a scythe raised and ready to slice through them at any moment.
"You asked me what I wanted, so I'll tell you," All For One held out his hand and Sakura immediately moved, getting into a fighting stance. She hadn't healed Best Jeanist as well as she could, but there wouldn't be any point in trying to keep him alive if they were attacked and that ended up killing him anyway.
She could create a clone, but then her chakra would be split and she didn't think that was a smart choice when there was someone of this caliber. He surpassed the Nomu at the USJ and might even exceed All Might. He didn't seem like an irrational fool either. Not if he was guiding Tomura.
"It's your quirk Sakura Haruno, that exquisite thing that makes you stand out above others, that is what I want from you,"
"My quirk huh? The same thing you wanted from Ragdoll…" It made sense now, why she was taken in the first place. "That means you can take quirks and make them your own?"
He chuckled, "Such a clever girl,"
To think that the league went to all that trouble of dragging her into this mess because of this man. They wanted something she did not have.
"How funny,"
Even if she didn't have a quirk, without knowing the full functionality of this power Sakura didn't want to risk him getting near her. If she ended up in the same state as Ragdoll, she would be defenseless.
"How so?"
"You think you can just take what belongs to others?"
"If they failed to hold onto it, then they weren't meant to have it in the first place,"
"What a stale argument," she scoffed.
"Perhaps, nevertheless, the value of an item is determined by the individual. I found that hero's quirk to be of more value than she likely thought it to be, that's why I took it. Only true collectors can realize the potential,"
"I think my potential is just fine," Sakura hissed, ready to fight, "And I won't be letting you steal anything from me,"
"We'll see about that, but first," All For One held up his hand, fingers curled, "Let's broaden the audience,"
The first to appear, from spilling sludge that came out of nowhere was Katsuki, he hacked and dry heaved. Then what followed was the League of Villains. Though only Toga, Spinner, Twice, Magne, and Mr. Compress were moving, Dabi and Kurogiri were both silent, remaining on the ground. Unconscious.
Sakura didn't know at the time that not long after she was dragged out of the bar, All Might and several other heroes came barging in in an attempt to rescue her. They were working simultaneously with the heroes that had attacked the Nomu factory.
"Katsuki!" She rushed over to him, he wasn't injured in the short time they were separated.
He saw her, gasping a hint of relief in his eyes. "Fivehead!"
"Master," Tomura looked at All For One, who had pulled them out of that situation before they were all dragged away by the heroes who had ambushed them.
"You failed again huh Tomura? But do not be discouraged, just try again," All For One was speaking like a teacher now. "I have brought your associates back as well, even this child. Because you deemed him an important piece. Do it over as many times as it takes that is why I am here."
Katsuki was also overwhelmed by the presence of All For One, breaking into a cold sweat as Sakura subtly moved in front of him. "What the hell is going on?"
"Long story short, we've found the real ring leader for the circus. Just calm down,"
He hissed, but didn't have the energy to refute, "What the fuck are you thinking?"
"Turns out I'm the big bosses target, nifty ability to take other's quirks and he's after mine,"
"What?"
Sakura kept her eyes on the villains, now.
..
..
Izuku had wracked his brain to come up with a plan to save Sakura and Katsuki when they were both now in sight. He knew with Full Cowling he could cover those few meters between them but then it was a matter of where they would run and just when he thought he could get his body to move and then Tenya tried to stop him.
All Momo and Tenya could think about were how to escape safely. For this was a reality they were not ready to face.
"So you're here after all huh?"
For a moment he thought they had been found out, his heart dropping to his stomach but then from the other side, he came in like a flash of light. Toshinori beefed in his strong form, falling towards them. The force of the wind hit hard, as Toshinori was held back by his fists by All For One.
"I'll have you return everything All For One!"
"Will you kill me again, All Might?"
It was something to see. The mightiest hero was being held back, the ground shook as the two forces clashed and it pushed at everyone with a force that was unnatural. Debris swirled. Sakura held onto Katsuki as they flew back.
"He held back All Might with his bare hands!" Katsuki was shaken.
Toshinori and All For One spoke, reminiscing of the days they were engaged in battle, mocking in the undertones of how weak each had become since then.
Hopping on the soles of his feet, Toshiniro said, "I'll be taking my students back and this time, I will throw you in prison for sure! And all of the league of villains you control with you!"
The last thing Sakura wanted to guarantee was that this person would survive. There was too much history showing that to truly take care of a problem, it was best to erase its existence. She glanced over at the league, and that's what she intended to do.
Toshinori launched himself forward, ready to attack with a hefty punch, All For One had raised on his hands, something Sakura knew on instinct to be cautious of. His arm began expanding under the material of his suit, and when Toshinori made contact a powerful force of kinetic energy sent the hero literally flying across streets and buildings far into the distance.
"ALL MIGHT," Katsuki shouted.
All For One had molded a perfect combination of the quirks he had taken, only a certain percentage, and yet it was enough to send the number one hero into the air. The destruction that carried was also likely taking lives since they were in the middle of a city.
"That should buy enough time," All For One held out his hand, his fingers turning black following red lines that looked like veins, the limbs extended and pierced through the unconscious mist villain. It activated Kurogiri's quirk even though the villain was still unconscious. All For one had just given the League their way out.
"Take the boy and escape,"
"What about you?" Tomura asked.
"I'll handle things from here,"
Sakura glared back at Katsuki, "You've got to get out of here,"
"Don't tell me what to do!" Katsuki wasn't even sure he could escape if he wanted, and he realized that Sakura suggested he go alone. She was intending to stay behind even after she saw Toshinori sent flying by this villain.
The villains were circling and closing in on them, "You sure about that? It's just gonna be more trouble for me,"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!?"
Twice moved first, using tape to strike at Katsuki. She grabbed it and pulled hard, bringing the villain close enough for her to punch. With an instant knockout.
"Means when I give you an opening get your ass out of here," Sakura caught a knife right next to her head between her fingers, flicking her wrist, and threw it back at Toga, the girl wasn't able to dodge and it hit her right in her leg. All the while keeping her eyes on Katsuki, but she averted them to All For One.
'That's one,'
Toshinori probably wasn't out of commission but All For One must've sent him pretty far with that attack.
'I just have to make sure that guy doesn't get a hold of Katsuki,' She was referring to Mr. Compress. His ability to take anything he touches into those marbles was a problem, Sakura didn't know if she could counter that if one of them were caught. Since he was the one who controlled that.
Katsuki wouldn't be able to run if he was being pursued, so all she had to do was take down these villains and then keep All For One busy so he could-
Sensing something disturbing coming her way, chakra flowed to her legs on instinct and she moved, when they were in view, her reflexes came into use maneuvering herself out of the way of the tendrils. Her eyes watching unblinkingly.
All For One had put her at quite a distance from Katsuki and the remaining League of Villains, "It seems that Tomura's group can't handle you on their own yet, unfortunately, you aren't their primary target but mine,"
Tomura, Mr. Compress, Magne, and Spinner were now trying to recapture Katsuki and the odds still weren't that even.
"Still it's surprising that you were able to avoid those attacks. I suppose you aren't like other hero students, are you? No. There's too much fierceness and experience behind those movements of yours, I can tell. Just what have you endured Sakura Haruno, to become the way you are?"
"Really none of your damn business," Her blood ran hot as All For One closed in. She wouldn't be able to go up against him and the League members at the same time. In a matter of threats, he stood on top, and he was shielding them from her. So that they could take Katsuki.
'Looks like he's going to have to hold on a little longer,' When All Might got here it would create a moment of imbalance and that would be the chance!
"Bring it!"
All For One chuckled sinisterly, "While it would be a pleasure to crush your spirit slowly, All Might's presence doesn't allow that time. So we're going to have to speed this up,"
She didn't know why but all the hairs on the back of her neck stood, like a cat being approached from behind. Yet she watched as All For One raised his hand, the threat of his attack looming while his quirk activated turning his phalanges into extendable snake-like coils to ensnare Sakura and she surely thought that seeing this would help her in assuming the attack.
But she was wrong. He wasn't going for her in the way she expected. Instead just as she moved to avoid the tendrils reaching for her, they suddenly changed course. She had already jumped back and was sliding across the uprooted ground when she saw the change take place.
Twisting her angle fast, she pushed the chakra to her legs. They were coming in all directions, like branches emerging from the root of a tree. It was similar to a spider weaving its web. She had to stay on the offense because of this.
'It won't work,'
He was trying to cage her in. And she knew what he intended, that's when the thought occurred. Hiding the gleam in her eye, she misstepped instantly and that's when All For One took his chance, grabbing her wrist and then wrapping up her limbs almost entirely.
Sakura tested the bonds that held her arms away from each other and her feet together. He brought her forward with a becoming of his hand, holding up his palm as if she was in it.
"DAMMIT!" Katsuki saw this but he couldn't move to attack since the villains were keeping him occupied. They were determined to take him back with them even if it meant using brute force and leaving him barely breathing. He had to hold his own, but he wasn't even thinking of attacking the boss villain. Not with the intensity threatening to crush him. But he didn't know how he was going to get Sakura out of his clutches.
…
Izuku wanted to move, to intervene, but he had promised Tenya and Momo that they wouldn't try to fight. However, the situation had gotten more out of hand than they could've anticipated. Even with all of them, he didn't think it was possible to win with All For One present.
But he didn't want to abandon them either.
'What can we do!?'
…
"All Might is coming back soon, so let's get this finished. I'll take your power for my own,"
Sakura gritted through her teeth with a grin, "Go ahead and try,"
Something unexpected happened for both parties though.
All For One reached out his hand until the shadow no longer loomed over Sakura's face, his real quirk began searching through her body, feeling for the power he desired. He had done this a thousand times over, and every time, All For One had the same sensation. It was the only time that he was able to truly see again. It was like digging for a plant, trying to take the root and pull it out intact so that he could replant it. He dug through a person for their quirk and pulled it from them to place wherever he desired.
That was the entirety of his power. For a few decades, he thought it the greatest until he realized that what made this power so superior to all was not the quirk itself but the one who wields it.
If you told an artist and an athlete to paint the same picture, then someone unfamiliar with the techniques and muscle memory of brush strokes would pale in comparison to the experienced individual. Their images might intend to be the same but would appear differently on the canvas. For their mindsets would be different.
That was how it went for most things in the world, it showed the difference between the novice and the expert.
All For One simply saw this as taking the supplies from the novice and using them as they were meant to be. To their fullest potential.
Yet he should've known that something was off about this girl. More so than he first determined, especially when the lab results on her blood were returned. What it said was nonsensical but All For One had been around long enough to know when someone had real power, and she did.
Yet it seemed masked. But he would simply peal it away and take it for himself.
If only he could find it.
..
..
..
All For One couldn't see anything here, just pitch white within her. It was like having a white sheet falling over your eyes, even though the space seemed endless, it was like something was trying to suffocate him.
He saw it. The figure in the distance was a far reach but it was something that usually came with taking another's quirk. The remnants of them would linger in the quirk he extracted, like the soul still attached to the plant as it was relocated. Always lingering.
He could feel it, the sensation of power coursing through her, an energy that was like a feather brushing around him. And growing as he moved closer to the figure in the distance. He could see the back turned, her pink hair flowing and head lowered.
"You put up a fair resistance, but I think it's time this ended," He reached towards her, but the moment he touched her, everything turned back.
All For One felt as if something was crushing his entire being now, an overwhelming flow of light started engulfing him and no matter how he struggled with all his might, he could not escape. He was like a drowning man trying desperately to clamber for the surface, waiting to breathe again.
Then a pair of eyes, lifeless fell on him. A voice echoed through his head and shook his brain.
"Don't be arrogant, inferior creature,"
..
..
The binds around Sakura didn't loosen, they suddenly fell apart, as if a wave of force exploded them from the inside. She didn't know why, but in her moment of instant freedom, she reacted. Her fist was already drawn back, full of more chakra than she had ever put into a punch against anyone in this world. And then it fell forward, with a new force. Straight into All For One's face, as his mask shattered and his skin clenched under the strain. There was nothing but skin under, no eye sockets or nose, with lips almost pulled back like they were gone.
"CHA!"
That was the glimpse she caught before All For One went straight back into the factory, through the building, and further along, leaving a trail of dust from where he once stood.
The battlefield went still.