Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter one

In Japan during the Taisho period, children suddenly started disappearing. Dozens of children disappeared every year, either approaching the Dark Forest or disappearing from the surrounding villages and towns. The disappearances mostly happened at night. It was said that there was a demon living in the forest who would kidnap the children and kill them. Witnesses claim to have seen unusual bright red eyes as the child disappeared near them. Most people used to believe this, but over time it became just a legend and parents used it to scare their children. They were told that if they stay up late or out in the dark, deep night, the demon will take them to the Dark Forest and no one will find them.

They eventually blamed the child abductions on killers who appeared in a nearby village and targeted the younger generations. But even if the child-stealing demon became a mere legend, the Dark Forest kept its reputation. It was among the largest and scariest forests in Japan. He was surrounded by a kind of strong dark aura that sent chills down people's spines just hearing about him or seeing him.

Anyone who entered it never returned alive. Except for one person. He was known as Yagi Toshinori, who once came out of the forest after an expedition he had made with a small group of people. He was the only one alive, but seriously wounded and covered in blood. It had a deep hole through his stomach. When people found him, he kept repeating something about demons, monsters, children and survival.
Everyone thought he was crazy and started to stay away from him. But they made a big mistake when they didn't trust him...

That demon really exists. He hides in the deep darkness of the forest, waiting for the right moment so that his claws can seize other children. And one day he finally found the right one. The one that will belong only to him.

And thus begins the story of a boy who had to make a very difficult and complex decision in order to survive the horrors that await him.

🌲

"Kacchan I think we should go back home! There's something wrong with this forest!’’ Izuku has been trying to convince Kacchan to come back for a long time now, but he's always rebuffed him right away.
He and others from the group of children who follow them know very well what is said about this forest.

"Then go back to village, Deku! Nobody needs you here! You're just a coward! I have no fear and I can prove that this demon legend is just a joke!'' He looks back at him and gives him a haughty smile.

Izuku was hurt by these words and immediately fell silent and continued on his way with the group of children.

Izuku suddenly felt the burning in the back of his head again. He had a strange feeling for a long time that something was following them and he kept looking around, but he wasn't sure who and the others wouldn't believe him anyway if he pointed it out to them.
As they continued on their way, the rays of the sun slowly disappeared and the forest was engulfed in thick darkness.

"Katsuki we should go back! It's getting dark!'' Tsubasa pointed out and the other kids agreed.

Katsuki stops abruptly and turns to face us.

"You are all annoying and cowards!! Okay! So come back and never come to me again! I will reveal the truth myself and then I will be considered the bravest person in the village!''

He says with a confident smile and a twinkle in his eye.

"No! Kacchan you have to come home with us! We can't leave you here!'' Izuku says urgently, stepping closer to him.

Katsuki is about to say something to him when suddenly a loud roar is heard through the forest. The roar was so piercing that it got under the children's skin.

All the children suddenly froze in place and were afraid to move. They looked around to see who was responsible for the roar.

It was immediately clear that the roar was definitely not human.

Suddenly, a tall thin monster came out from behind the trees. He measured about 4 meters. He had small narrow red eyes that looked into the children's very souls, his legs were long and skinny to the bone. And what should have been hands looked more like tree branches. The nose was replaced by slits and in his mouth were long sharp teeth. His entire body was covered in torn pieces of clothing.
The monster quickly moved to Tsubasa in a second and its strange hands trapped him in its claws and lifted him into the air.
Tsubasa roared loudly and as those hands cut deeper into his body. Suddenly there was a loud crunch and Tsubasa's body fell to the ground lifeless.

The children screamed loudly and scattered in all directions.
"Kacchan! Wait! Kacchan!!!‘‘ Izuku ran after him and tried to follow him. "He is very fast! I won't be able to catch him!!'' Izuku says to himself in a panic.
He can't get the memory of Tsubasa's body out of his head. He won't forget those soulless eyes full of fear staring into his.

Tears began to stream down Izuku's cheeks, but he ignored them due to the shock. He thought only of escape.

The sun has completely set and the forest is completely dark. Izuku is chased by the children's loud screams, which slowly fade away.

"Kacchan! Where are you?!’’ Izuku screams at the top of his lungs, but he is nowhere to be seen.

"No, no, no! Please don't leave me here!''

"I can't lose another close person like my mom. We shouldn't have come here at all!''

🌲

Izuku ran as fast as he could. His tiny feet ran across the forest floor between the trees, trying not to trip over roots and rocks on the ground. It was dark and nothing could be seen or heard, only the screams of the other children, which gradually died down.

Izuku was slowly losing his breath and his strength was waning. Suddenly he tripped over a tree root and fell to the ground with a scream. Izuku immediately covered his mouth with his hands and tried to be quiet.

"What if the monster finds me now!? What happened to the others anyway?'' Izuku starts to look around to see if he sees any of his friends or other children.

After a while he got up slowly from the ground and slowly continued his way through the trees.

He saw almost nothing at all. The sun had already set and darkness and deep silence surrounded him. Izuku starts sniffling and tears fall from his eyes.

Suddenly, he hears a branch snap behind him. Startled, he turns to see a tall figure cloaked in black in the moonlight slowly approaching him.

Izuku backs away from the figure, but the figure seems to be moving towards him faster. As he gets closer, he is revealed to be a tall man. His eyes are bright red and his hair is white as snow. Suddenly the man opens his mouth and speaks.

"What are you doing here little one? Are you lost?'' He twists his mouth into a wide smile.

Izuku stands frozen in shock, shaking all over. He looks at the man in front of him with wide eyes.

"Didn't your parents teach you good manners child? Unless... you don't have any...?''

Suddenly, something inside Izuku breaks and he bursts into tears. The man approaches him and bends down to his level.

"Oh, I didn't want to make you cry like that little one...From now on, there won't be time for that anyway.'' The man looked into his eyes and suddenly a strange glint appeared in them.

"Those eyes... They're like his.''

Izuku doesn't know what's going on. All he knows is that he wants to go back home and he wants his mom back.

"P-please don't hurt me. I-I just want to go home. PLEASE!”

The man's large hand suddenly plunges into Izuku´s hair and runs his fingers through it, silencing him. Izuku looks up at him in shock, his body still stiff with shock.

"Little… Yes, you're going home…'' Izuku felt a moment of hope, but it disappeared as the man continued to speak.

"But somewhere else home... to be specific, you will go with me to my mansion, where the other children are already waiting."
It suddenly dawned on Izuku and his whole world shattered.

"You are the demon! The legend is true! You are kidnapping children!''

The man looks amused. And his other hand gently wipes the tears from Izuku's cheeks.

"What a clever child! I'm glad that you already know something about me, but I, on the other hand, know nothing about you. What's your name kid?'' And demon continues to stroke his hair and wrap his fingers around his curls.

Izuku remains silent, refusing to answer. He can't tell his name to a complete stranger let alone a demon!!

"Oh, do I see defiance in your eyes? Boy, you're going to be really interesting.'' And he smiles darkly.

The demon pulls his hand away from his hair and stands to his full height. Izuku, suddenly felt so small and helpless compared to him.

The demon looks at him with a strange look.

"Come on, boy, tell me your name. One way or another, I'll find out soon anyway.''

Izuku hesitates and looks away.

"Well..?” the demon lifts Izuku's chin up and waits for an answer.
"I-izuku…''

"Izuku…what a nice name for a wonderful child like you. You know, I think you'll be a success this year.'' the demon says with a smile and Izuku now notices his sharp fangs.

"Success?'' Izuku asks and his face looking confused.

"Don't worry... I'll inform you about the rest later.'' The last thing he heard was dark laughter.

Chapter Text

Izuku woke up from his unconsciousness for a moment and someone was carrying him in his arms. The hands held Izuku tightly against the warm broad chest. He heard someone humming some kind of soothing melody from an unknown song. That melody gradually rocked him back into a deep sleep and he relaxed more into that warm chest.

He couldn't see the demon's dark smile as he carried him through the forest that was full of dark creatures and dangers towards to his mansion.

🌲

Izuku was awakened by voices. He opened his eyes but had to close them again because of the bright light. After a while he carefully opened them again and saw a high ceiling above him that was decorated with gold. He looked around and found himself in a huge hall.

The hall looked like it was from a fairy tale where kings live and hold balls there. There were golden columns and in front there were high steps of marble and a railing that was also of gold. But he was not alone in the hall. There were probably over twenty children from around 12-17. Izuku fit in among the youngest. There was confusion and panic everywhere. The children were either divided into groups or stood alone, confused and crying.

Izuku picked himself up off the ground and kept looking around, hoping to see a familiar face. His eyes went to the golden pillars and he saw the familiar blonde hair.

“Kacchan!” Izuku shouts and Katsuki looks up at him, his red eyes full of surprise. He looked scared and confused himself. There was a bloody gash on his forehead.

Izuku is about to go to him but is interrupted by loud clapping coming from the high stairs. All the children stop talking, their attention is on the stairs. Izuku's gaze also goes to the top of the stairs, and there he see the tall man ,,the demon,, he met in the forest. The man continued to clap slowly, waiting to get everyone's attention. His gaze scanned all the children one by one, and it looked like he was looking for someone. Suddenly red eyes met green and coldness and fear enveloped Izuku. The demon's eyes were shining with joy and he had a wide smile on his face. The demon stopped clapping and slowly lowered his arms to his sides.

Izuku noticed that he no longer had the black cloak, but a long dark red kimono that was lined with gold. ''If he didn't have those big fangs, he would look like some kind of emperor.'' Izuku thought and full of fear, waiting to see what would happen.

‘‘Welcome to my mansion! You can call me All for one.’’ All for one speaks in a raised voice, still not taking his eyes off Izuku.

“It’s the demon!” A couple of kids shouted and started backing away from the stairs.

"You must have heard of me, haven't you? The fairy tales and stories your parents used to tell you at bedtime? And now you are here in my mansion. Without help and rescue. And just because you didn't heed the warnings you were given.'' he finishes his speech with a smile looking at everyone in the hall.

Izuku is in shock and a lot of thoughts are running through his head now. ''What now? Can we escape? What will happen to us?!''

The younger children started crying and the older ones tried to calm down.

All for one folded his hands behind his back and slowly walked down the stairs and continued his speech.

"Don't even think about running away... You can never run away from me and believe me, there are monsters out there that you don't want to meet now and they have no mercy like me. But during the games you will meet them anyway sooner or later."

"And now to why you are here.'' All for one says with a smile and continues to slowly walk up the stairs.

"I organize games like this every year. You have to complete a certain number of tasks and most of all you have to survive.''
He says All for one and walks down the stairs slowly moving around the hall.

Izuku noticed the All for one looking at him again and coming towards him.
He panics and starts backing up. He turns to Kacchan in a panic, but he is still sitting on the ground in shock.

"The children who survive will join my army and I will turn them into demons. But those who refuse will be killed. There is no escape from your destiny.'' The children were shaking in fear and backing away from the All for one, leaving him with a clear path to Izuku, who was now standing frozen in place, unable to move.

"Why can't I move!? What's happening?! Is he doing this?!’’ Izuku panics in his mind and looks up at All for one again and is startled to see him right in front of him with a smile on his face.

‘’W-why...?’’ Izuku can only say this in a broken voice before All for one reaches out and Izuku quickly closes his eyes. But soon he feels the demon's hand running through his hair.

All for one bends down to his height and smiles."Because it's fun and I like having new members in my army.''

"And a bunny like you is going to have a really hard time during the games.” He says in a concerned tone of voice, but still has a smile on his face. "Suddenly, All for one rises and still had his hand on Izuku's head. "Today, you have the first task and that is to... get to know each other. You were expecting something else, weren't you?'' he said with an evil smile with his fangs.

"No.…Until tomorrow the real games start and I can't wait to see it.’’ All for one spoke with amusement in his voice and turned his gaze back to Izuku.

"This year's games will be very special.''

At that moment, Izuku regretted his decision to go to that forest. He regretted letting his mom go the day she disappeared to look for the herbs alone. He just wanted to go home.

Chapter Text

All for one snapped his fingers and other figures in black cloaks suddenly appeared in the hall.

''And now these good demons will take you to your rooms! The rooms are only adapted for two! Later you will be given new clothes and given breakfast, lunch and dinner.''

All the children looked at him in confusion and All for one laughed at their looks and continued talking.

''After all, you are my guests and I have to take care of you. I can't let you starve, can I? When it's time to eat, your assigned demons will bring you to the designated room. I will always notify you in advance of games or of any change.''

''If you need anything, ask your assigned demons.” When All For One finished, he looked back at Izuku.

''Be nice, okay? You know, every year there's one kid who disobeys my orders and then their life ends so quickly. Even if you try to run away, trust me I'll find you right away and then I'll make sure you never leave and try to run away again.''

Izuku's eyes widened in shock as he stared into the deep red. With a big smile, Afo stepped away from Izuku and walked back to the stairs.

Suddenly a demon that had dark purple hair that resembled smoke appeared next to Izuku and with him was a tall blue haired boy who was older than Izuku.

''Come on boy, I'll take you to your room.'' Izuku couldn't protest in any way and followed him with the blue haired boy beside him.

They walked into a long corridor and on either side were metal doors to different rooms. They stopped at a door at the end of the corridor and the demon opened it. The room was small and there were only two beds. Between them was a wooden table with a small window above it. To the right of the door was a tall wooden wardrobe.

''When you want to take a bath, run down the stairs that are right next to your room and there is a small spa. If you need anything else, just say my name Kurogiri.'' Izuku and the older boy nodded and walked into their room. Demon Kurogiri then closed the door behind them and left.

The two boys stood there in tense silence and looked around the room. After a while, the older boy walked over to the bed on the left, laid down on it, and turned his back to Izuku.

Izuku sat down on the other bed and thought about how to start the conversation. However, before he could speak, a voice came from a blue haired boy.

''You can call me Tenko.''

Izuku was surprised. At first it seemed like the older boy didn't want to talk to him and ignored him.

''Will you tell me your name or can't you talk?'' Tenko said boredly and turning towards Izuku.

''I-Izuku..Nice to meet you.'' He said quietly and started kicking his feet nervously in the air.

''You're still a little kid, aren't you? How old are you? 12?''

''Y-yes. And you?''

''I recently turned 17.''

''Do you think we can get out of here?'' Tenko asked him and Izuku immediately remembered the All for one's words.

''We can't run away!'' Izuku yelled and Tenko looked at him in surprise.

''I'm sorry…just the demon All for one said that if anyone tried to escape, they would be killed!''

''Oh…so escape is denied. We will have to come up with something else later.'' Tenko said looking bored at the ceiling of the room.

They continued their discussion for a while. They told each other about themselves, what they liked or where they were from. Izuku learned that Tenko lived in a village near his and that he stayed somewhere late into the evening with a group of his friends and then went home alone and got hit in the head.

''That demon is a little obsessed with you, isn't he? I've noticed it in the hall too and what you say makes me more confident. Don't you know why that is?''

Izuku looks down at the ground and shakes his head.
''I don't know...but I'm very scared.''

Shigaraki nods and continues another conversation.

As they continued their discussion, they were both tired and the moon shone brightly in the window in the dark night. They both decided go to sleep to have strength for tomorrow.

''Good night Tenko.'' Izuku said and waiting for Tenko to answer.

There was silence for a moment and then a voice came from the direction of Tenko's bed.

''Good night Izu.'' Izuku couldn't see Tenko's small smile.

Then they fell asleep almost immediately. They didn't notice the large dark shadow that appeared by Izuku's bed and a hand brushed his hair from his forehead.

🌲

''He's so small and looks so much like my brother...especially the eyes and the personality. But he also looks a lot like that woman...''

His eyes suddenly widen in realization.

''How come I didn't realize this before...''

He stares at Izuku and a dark smile appears on his face and caresses his cheek.

''Little one, you don't know anything, do you?'' All for one says and gently scratches Izuku's cheek with a claw.

Izuku wakes up and quickly sits up, looking around. There's some dark energy in the room and he feels a little pain on his face, but it's just him and Tenko in the room.

Chapter Text

The next day, when the sun's rays were already falling on the floor of the room through the window, Kurogiri came for them with new clothes in his hands. It was a plain shirt and black pants.

Then Kurogiri led the two boys towards the hall where all the children had appeared yesterday.

Surprise appeared on Izuku and Tenko's faces as Kurogiri opened the huge door and they walked in.

In the middle of the hall were two tables, each with several chairs. Some children were already sitting at the tables.

A little further away was a table decorated with gold, which was closer to the stairs and was intended for one person.
It was immediately clear who this table belonged to.

Kurogiri motioned for them to pick a spot and sit down.

Izuku and Tenko sat down at the end of the first table, facing each other, as far from the stairs as possible.

In a few minutes more children appeared and soon they were all there and the door closed.

Izuku looked around to see Kacchan and saw him sitting one seat away at his table.

He tried to wave at him, but Katsuki ignored him.

Izuku placed his hand on the table in disappointment.

All the children sat in their seats in silence, not knowing what to do.

Suddenly demons entered the room carrying large trays of food. A golden tray was placed in front of each child and on it was rice with some salad and water.

The children slowly began to eat, but some were waiting for the others' reaction.

Izuku didn't touch the food.

"Why don't you eat?"

"I'm not hungry..."

Tenko looked at him worriedly and continued to eat his portion.

Izuku had a bad feeling about everything. The food seemed to be okay, but he couldn't get a single bite of food down. He kept seeing Tsubasa's dead body in front of him and then he kept hearing those words about games and death repeating in his head...

Izuku was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice he started to mumble a bit.

Deku! Can you be quiet?!" Katsuki shouted, looking at him with a look full of anger.

Izuku immediately started apologizing.

"Enough! It's your fault we're here! You've been holding us back!"

"K-Kachan! What are you saying? It isn't my fault!"

"No?!" Katsuki suddenly stood up and walked over to Izuku and grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up.

All the children fell silent and started whispering to each other and pointing at them.

Tenko stood up and walked over to them.

"Everything is always your fault! You are incompetent and useless! Maybe even Tsubasa would survive. Maybe your mother and father could be here if you were better!"

Suddenly there was a deep silence in the room and the children even stopped whispering to each other.

Katsuki suddenly stopped talking and realized what he said.

Izuku started shaking in front of him with tears falling from his eyes and Tenko gave Katsuki a murderous look.

🌲

As Kacchan said those words, the whole area froze.

"Was it really my fault? If I didn't let her go, could she still be here with me? I remember her bright smile before she left with the basket to collect the herbs and how he waited all evening to see if she would come home or not. If he had gone looking for her earlier or asked someone for help, would she still be here?
Or could I heal father? If I could help find a cure?"

Izuku's mind began to flash memories and he began to panic.

🌲

"D-..Izuku, I didn't mean to say that…I…"

Suddenly, a deep voice filled with anger came from behind Katsuki.

"Let him go immediately."

Katsuki was suddenly covered in cold and his body stiffened with fear, but he continued to hold Izuku by the collar.

"Do I have to repeat it again?"

Katsuki slowly let go of Izuku who was staring at the floor in one spot and not responding to anything and breathing heavily with tears streaming down his face.

Katsuki stepped back a bit and looked behind him at the demon.

There was a dark aura around the demon and its eyes glowed bright red and full of rage.

Before Katsuki could react, the demon slapped him.

Katsuki fell to the ground and held his face, looking at the demon in fear.

"Be glad that the punishment I gave you was this. Trust me, I would kill you right now if it wasn't for Izuku. They seem to hold you in high esteem and I don't understand why. So I'll give you one more chance. if you hurt him again, I won't be merciful this time.” They all said in unison in a dark tone.

"Which reminds me that today, my dear children, you have your first task in the evening and that is to survive the night in the Dark Forest. According to tradition there are a total of 5 tasks. I will tell you about the other tasks later.” All for one said with a smile and ordered the demons to take all the children back to their rooms.

Katsuki was roughly grabbed by the arm from the ground by the demon and led away with the others.

All for one turned back to Izuku who was still shaking in place unresponsive and mumbling.
Tenko held his shoulders and tried to bring him back to reality.

"Kurogiri please take this boy back to the room. I will bring Izuku back then personally."

"No! I will not leave him! And I won't leave him here with you!" Tenko looked at him darkly and All for one was amused.

"Hmm, what an interesting and brave boy. If you survive the entire games, you would be a very valuable and powerful member in my army. You know, here I value everyone who shows courage, strength or a smart mind. Even those who at first glance seem weak, but with my help I can make them strong."

"I'm not like those people from the villages who leave such people and push them away."

Tenko looked at him in surprise and these words settled in his head.

All for one looked back at Kurogiri in satisfaction and nodded his head to lead him away.

As they were in the room alone he hugged Izuku tightly and held him to his chest.

"It'll be alright little one. Everything will be alright..."

"I will see to it that the boy is properly punished for these words. Your mother must have been a wonderful woman, right? "

Izuku snapped out of his panicked state a bit and nodded.

"She must have loved you a lot, right? She definitely didn't want to leave you."

Izuku could only nod his head again and continued to hide in his chest.

"Tell me what your parents looked like?" All For One took advantage of this state where Izuku was constantly a bit out of reality.

There was silence for a while, but Izuku finally spoke.

"M-mom had dark green hair and green eyes and dad had longer white hair and light green eyes. But they're both g-gone..."

A dark smile appeared on All for one's face. He was sure now.

He placed a soft kiss on Izuku's hair and hugged him tighter.

All for one makes sure that Izuku becomes a demon and will be by his side. He won't let him get away like Yoichi. Never.

He also has to make sure that Izuku doesn't find out that he was the one who killed his mother.