A Collector

The dark, torn down warehouse that looked like something straight out of a horror game was nothing more than the reception room to Izuku, as he had been here dozens upon dozens of time, exchanging information, seeking guidance, or just playing chess. 

"Good evening, All for One." Izuku greeted.

"Good evening, my young apprentice, what can I do for you this time?" Asked the scarred man.

Izuku stood at the entrance for a moment, his eyes scanning the familiar dim interior of the warehouse. It was exactly how he remembered it—dusty, cold, and filled with the echoing silence that always seemed to hang in the air. The walls, cracked and peeling, seemed to breathe with age, and the faint sound of dripping water only added to the oppressive atmosphere. Yet, for Izuku, this place had become almost a second home.

With a quiet sigh, he stepped forward, his worn boots tapping lightly against the concrete floor. He approached the figure sitting behind a large, dented desk—All for One, the enigmatic and dangerous mastermind who had been both a mentor and a dark guide to him. Though Izuku's outward demeanor had changed over time, his respect for All for One remained steady, even as he questioned his own path more and more.

"I've come for more guidance," Izuku said, his voice calm, but with a note of uncertainty that was becoming more apparent in recent weeks. "I'm beginning to wonder if the way I've been approaching everything is truly the right one."

All for One's scarred face remained unreadable as he leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped together in front of him. "Ah, I see. The path of doubt... It can be a useful tool, young one. It allows you to see the cracks in your own convictions, to reevaluate, adapt. But tell me, what exactly is causing this turmoil inside you?"

Izuku hesitated for a moment, his red eyes drifting downward as if searching for the words. "It's... It's not just the plan anymore, or the end goal. I've been questioning my methods, my choices. The more I get involved with certain people, the more I wonder if I'm becoming something... something worse."

All for One chuckled softly, the sound like a dry rasp. "Ah, yes. The feeling of becoming something worse. I know it all too well. The world isn't kind to those who try to change it, Izuku. You're bound to make enemies. To be seen as the villain. But you must ask yourself—what is the cost of progress? If you hesitate at every moral crossroads, you'll never achieve anything. The world doesn't care about your ideals, only your strength."

Izuku's jaw clenched slightly. The words stung more than he'd anticipated, and yet, part of him couldn't help but agree. "But what if I've already gone too far? What if I'm not the hero I thought I could be anymore?"

All for One's gaze hardened. He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, almost intimate tone. "Izuku, you are what you choose to be. A hero or a villain—those are labels that society imposes on people. In the end, they don't matter. You know this better than anyone. The true question is whether you have the will to create the world you want. Heroes and villains, they come and go. Power? That lasts. And power, my apprentice, can reshape the world to your vision."

Izuku stood silently, the weight of All for One's words pressing against him like a heavy stone. The silence stretched on for a long moment before he finally spoke, quieter this time, almost as if speaking to himself. "I don't know if I can live with the consequences of that power, though."

All for One's lips twisted into a cruel, knowing smile. "Then ask yourself, Izuku—what will you sacrifice to achieve your dreams? Because the price for everything is steep. And only those willing to pay it will ever see the fruits of their labor."

Izuku took a deep breath, his resolve wavering but still holding firm. "I'll find my answer. I just need a little more time."

"Of course," All for One responded, his voice dripping with both patience and a quiet, unsettling certainty. "Take all the time you need, my apprentice. But remember—time is something you can never get back."