Chapter 43: Journey to the Center

Gotham City - three days ago.

Commissioner James Gordon stood on the rooftop of the GCPD building, just as he had done countless nights before, lighting the beacon that called his long-time friend and ally. Gordon's support of Batman had ruffled quite a few feathers in the pro-hero and law enforcement communities over the years. He wasn't surprised. Long before he was appointed commissioner, corruption had spread through Gotham like a malignant tumor. Many cops, judges, and even pro-heroes were taking kickbacks from their mob contacts, such as Carmine Falcone and Sam Maroni, two of Gotham's most notorious criminal Kingpins. They were able to pick and choose who was punished for what crime, usually competitors in their business affairs, and many cops and pro heroes were making bank moonlighting as enforcers. You didn't know who you could trust in this town.

It wasn't until the Batman appeared that things really started to change. Gordon didn't trust him at first. He performed hero work without a license, operating outside the checks and balances of the system, operating outside the law, a law he had sworn to uphold. But on Christmas Eve, around twenty years ago, the Joker, posing as Black Mask at the time, offered a 50 million dollar bounty on Batman's head. Gordon witnessed supercriminals, cops, and even pro-heroes join in the crusade against Batman in an attempt to claim the bounty. But he stopped them all, without killing any of them. It was during this incident that he had gotten to meet Batman face to face for the first time. Despite his feelings towards Batman as a vigilante and criminal, upon their meeting him, something triggered from inside him that he couldn't ignore: his quirk.

For as long as Gordon could remember, he had a particular power of his own that later was identified to be his quirk: a superior gut instinct. It allowed him to have a sort of sixth sense about individuals around him. By simply looking at them, he was able to determine if they were honest with him, lying to him, hiding something, trustworthy or untrustworthy. It had served him well as a police officer, but in a city like Gotham, surrounded by dirty cops and heroes, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to get a positive reading off someone. The last person he expected it to be was Batman.

"Been waiting long, Jim?" Said a voice from behind him.

Gordon turned to see Batman appear from the shadows. As usual, he wasn't able to hear him or see him coming. "Hardly," He replied, shaking Batman's hand. "I saw you on TV fighting off that crazy villain with All Might. Is that where you've been all this time?"

"Among other places," Said Batman.

"Well, while you've been off on vacation, we just had an incident that you might be interested in hearing," Said Gordon, handing Batman a manilla envelope. "Black Mask is dead."

Batman did not visibly react to the news, instead searching through the casefile silently. "He was found lying on the pavement several stories below his office window," continued Gordon. "We got a positive ID on the body matching to Roman Sionas. It's definitely him."

"What did you pull from the crime scene?" Said Batman, not looking up from the folder.

"Not much in terms of physical evidence," Said Gordon. "Whoever did this tried to cover their tracks and lit the building on fire. It took emergency services two hours to put it out. We managed to recover this. I figured if anyone could get something off it, you could." He pulled out a badly damaged laptop computer encased in a plastic evidence bag, charred and burnt from the fire. "We did manage to catch an image of the perp when we pulled the security feed."

Gordon produced a smart phone from his coat pocket and played the video for Batman. The image was only a few frames, but he could clearly see Sionas' men being gunned down before the assailant jumped into view. He was wielding what looked to be two customized M1911 pistols. His movements suggested some sort of military or advanced combat training. His most distinguishing features were a brown leather jacket and chromed bright red helmet obscuring his face.

"We don't have a positive ID, yet," Said Gordon, looking down to put his phone away again. "But we -"

When Gordon looked up again, Batman was gone.

"Every damn time," Gordon said, switching off the Bat Signal in a huff.

Izuku was completely overwhelmed by the sights around him. The Watchtower was more than he could have ever hoped for. Hovering in orbit around the Earth, it served as a homebase for some of the greatest heroes known to man. As a space station, it was poised to respond to emergencies anywhere in the world, equipped with the most advanced technological, medical, and scientific resources known to man.

Izuku accompanied Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman as they took him on a personal tour of the Watchtower, starting with the Transporter Room from which he had just arrived. Superman explained that the teleporters allowed them to transport anywhere they needed to as if they were simply "walking through a window." They then proceeded to the Hanger Bay, where Izuku was amazed to see several jets, rockets and spacecraft the likes of which he had never seen before. They continued with their tour, visiting several laboratories that worked on all kinds of medical, technical, and scientific research. Batman explained that it was here that many of the greatest scientific advances and discoveries began.

They then proceeded towards the training areas, equipped with the latest state-of-the art combat, environmental and rescue training simulations that would rival Batman's (after which it occurred to Izuku that they were probably designed by him). Izuku had never seen so many Pro heroes in one place before. They continued their journey out of the training area, taking him down a hallway, lined with several doors.

"How are you liking your tour, Izuku?" Said Superman.

"I've never seen anything like it," Said Izuku happily. "I can't believe I'm actually here on the Watchtower." Izuku's smile faded. "But I don't understand, why am I here? I thought I was going to Gotham."

"We'll be going there soon," Said Batman. "But there's someone I want you to meet first."

Batman stopped in front of one of the doors, waving a keycard to open it. He stepped aside, waiting for Izuku to step through the door. Suddenly nervous, Izuku tentatively stepped through the door, but stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes fell upon the individual waiting for them in the room.

He was tall, powerfully built and humanoid in form, but with thick, green skin stretched tightly over his muscular frame. His eyes had no irises, glowing with a violent red hue. He wore a black jumpsuit, a red "X" stretching across his chest, billowing black cape flowing behind him. Izuku couldn't help but stare, at a complete loss for words.

"Izuku, this is J'onn J'onzz," Said Wonder Woman.

"You. . . you're . . ." Izuku struggled to collect his words. "You're the Martian Manhunter," He said finally. Izuku could hardly believe he was meeting a real, live martian. Since Superman's appearance, it had become a general consensus that there was indeed life on other planets, but it was the appearance of the Martian Manhunter that really drove this point home for the people of Earth with the knowledge of extraterrestrials living so close to us in our own solar system.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Izuku Midoriya," Said the Martian Manhunter.

"You'll draw flies leaving your mouth open like that," Said Superman, chuckling.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Said Izuku hastily. "It's just, I've never met a martian before."

"There is no need to be nervous," Said the Martian Manhunter, smiling. "I don't bite. And please, call me J'onn."

"I don't understand," Said Izuku, looking around at the heroes around him. "What's this all about"

"Batman has told me that you have been having nightmares," Said J'onn.

"What?" Said Izuku. "No, I'm fine." Izuku didn't have to be psychic to tell that J'onn was not convinced.

"It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help, Izuku," Said J'onn.

"A lesson I wish your mentor would learn," Said Superman, nudging Batman gently, who grunted but did not react.

"You brought me here just because of that?" Asked Izuku. "They're just nightmares."

"We don't believe they are," Said J'onn.

"What do you mean?" Said Izuku.

"We don't know what All For One did to you during your time with him, other than give you a quirk," Said Batman. "But it is not too far-fetched to believe that he used some sort of brainwashing on you, similar to what he did with the Nomu."

"You've already demonstrated considerable ability fighting off brainwashing," Said Wonder Woman. "But if we don't take care of this now, it's possible it will get worse."

"Are you. . .are you saying I could become like them?" Said Izuku. "Like the Nomu?"

"It won't come to that," Said Superman immediately.

"We don't mean to frighten you, Izuku," Said Wonder Woman. "That is why J'onn is here."

"We are going to take a journey into your mind," Said J'onn. "To find and destroy any remnants of All For One's grasp on you."

Izuku paused, looking from one hero to the next, finally resting on Batman. His face remained stoic, but Izuku could almost feel the confidence radiating off him, pouring into his own heart. Though not a word was spoken between them, the message rang loud and true for Izuku: you will be safe.

"All right," Said Izuku. "What do I do?"

"Just relax," Said J'onn. "Journeying into your mind will feel strange at first, but it is important you don't fight it. Do not worry, I will guide you every step of the way."

When Izuku closed his eyes, he felt as if someone had stuck a probe into his mind. It wasn't painful, but it definitely felt foreign, almost like an itch you couldn't scratch. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes to find that he was standing in a familiar hallway, looking to his right to see a door with the words "1-A" etched in them.

Somehow, he was back at UA High.

"What?" Said Izuku, shocked. "How did. . . when did I. . .?"

"Don't be alarmed," Said a voice behind him. Izuku spun to see J'onn standing over him. "The meld was successful. We have entered into your subconscious."

"It looks like UA," Said Izuku.

"I have constructed it into a familiar setting for you," Replied J'onn. "This will help your mind relax enough for us to delve deeper into your psyche."

"What are behind these doors?" Said Izuku.

"Each door represents a different part of your mind," Said J'onn. "Some of them contain memories, some contain hopes and fears, and others . ." he paused, walking towards the class 1-A room. "Is what we are here to find out."

Opening the door, Izuku was besieged by a feeling of extreme nostalgia. Walking into the room, he quickly realized that it wasn't his home room at all. Instead, they appeared to be in an elementary school classroom, with several children and a few adults were gathered around one small child in the middle of the room. Izuku took a step back in surprise, steadying himself.

"Kacchan," he whispered. It was all coming back to him now. This was the day Kacchan got his quirk.

Small sparks crackled and burst from the young Kacchan's hands while all the other children, including a young Izuku, stared in awe and amazement.

"You're so lucky!" Said one of the kids.

"Impressive," Said one of the teachers. "I bet that's going to grow into an amazing quirk!"

"Definitely," Said another teacher. "A flashy quirk for a future hero, it's perfect!"

Izuku looked at his own hand. It was a perfect quirk. A perfect quirk for a perfect hero. He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he continued to watch the scene before him.

"This is the boy you inherited your quirk from," Said J'onn, more of a statement than a question.

"Kacchan," Said Izuku. "It belonged to him. It still belongs to him."

"This quirk could not have found a better holder than in the hands of a friend like you," Said J'onn.

"We weren't friends," Said Izuku. "At least, he didn't want to be."

"You looked up to this boy," said J'onn, again, not as a question.

"He was amazing," Said Izuku. "He was the best at everything he did. There was nothing he couldn't do. He was the closest thing to All Might as I could get --" Izuku choked, the memory of All Might and the events at Kamino Ward sending a pang into his chest.

The room around them began to fade, and they somehow had made it back into the hallway, the door closing behind them. J'onn said nothing, walking towards another room. This time, Izuku found himself inside a hospital room. He saw himself and his mother consulting with a doctor, who was slouched carelessly in his chair as he spoke to them.

"Sorry kid, it's not gonna happen," He said callously. "Izuku should have already manifested either your husband or your quirks or even a combination of these quirks," He continued to his mother. "But after reviewing his x-rays, I don't think he's going to." He continued to explain how research on quirks have discovered a link to the pinky-toe and a likelihood of developing a quirk. Since Izuku had two joints instead of one on his pinky toe, this put him in the percentile of about 20% of the population who did not develop quirks.

Izuku stared at his younger self, feeling the almost palpable pain of seeing his dreams crushed. He turned away, unable to witness it anymore. At the time, he had no idea the years of angst and prejudice he would endure for a genetic condition he never wanted. He felt a pair of hands on his shoulders, steadying him and calming him.

"I too know what it is like to be different from everyone around you," Said J'onn. "It can be isolating and lonely." He lifted Izuku's head to look at him. "But it has also made you stronger." He walked past Izuku back into the hallway, who followed him in suit. They made their way further down the hallway towards another door. As J'onn opened the door, Izuku was transported back to another familiar setting, one he would have rather left forgotten.

He was back on the rooftop, staring at his junior high school self and the sickly form of All Might sitting across from him. Izuku felt a feeling of fear well within him, recalling the conversation that came next.

"Pro heroes are always risking their lives," Said All Might. "Some villains can't be beaten without powers. So can you be a hero? Not without a quirk."

Izuku felt the same twist in his stomach he felt all that time ago as he watched his former self drop to his knees, All Might leaving him alone to wallow in his crushed dreams. Izuku hunched over, clutching his chest, the world around him seeming to tremble and shake. He once again felt that strong, firm hand on his shoulder, and a feeling of warmth spread through him, quickly evaporating his previous feelings.

"This must be painful to watch," Said J'onn, pulling him upright. "I am sorry."

"Why are we doing this?" Said Izuku, wiping away tears from his eyes.

"I believe it to be necessary," Said J'onn. "All For One used your feelings for your friend, the fact that you were born without a quirk, and your animosity towards All Might to gain a foothold into your mind. This is where I believe that his control had begun, and I believe that it will lead us there. Quickly." He said, taking flight and hovering towards the door on the rooftop that All Might passed through.

"Where are we going?" Said Izuku, following suit.

"All Might is the key," Said J'onn. "I believe he will lead us where we need to go."

Izuku followed J'onn through the rooftop door and down the flight of stairs. The stairs seemed to go on forever, and All Might seemed to have disappeared in their descent. As they continued, Izuku felt himself growing more and more anxious. The walls and stairs seemed to twist and turn in odd directions. More than once Izuku felt as if he was walking upside down. The stairway grew darker, more foreboding, the sun from the rooftop having left them far behind. He wanted to return to the surface, to leave this darkened hellscape and never return, but he pushed past his fears, following J'onn downward further.

"We are here, Izuku," Said J'onn, coming to an abrupt stop as the staircase ended. The way before them was dark, frightening Izuku to his very core. They entered into a hallway, this time without doors or windows lining the halls, only a solitary door at the far end of the hallway, illuminated by a blood-red demonic light hanging above it. Terrifying sounds of scraping and clawing came from the door, shaking Izuku to his core.

"What is this place?" Said Izuku.

"This is your 'id'," Said J'onn. "Where all your instinctive, unconscious and primal urges are housed in your mind."

"Why does it look like this?" Asked Izuku.

"Because this is where the final remnant of All For One's grasp on you remains," Said J'onn.

"We. . . we have to go in there?" Said Izuku, frightened. The comforting feeling returned as J'onn put his hand back on Izuku's shoulder.

"It is the only way," Said J'onn. "And I will be beside you every step of the way."

Izuku looked up at J'onn and back at the door. He knew whatever was behind there he wanted nothing to do with. He was more frightened than he had ever been in his life. He wanted to run away, far away to the safety of the watchtower. But he knew the nightmares would only be waiting for him, and this tiny door would not hold back his demons forever.

"All right," Said Izuku, steeling himself. "Let's go."