SideStory #9

"Lurking"

CRACK!

A muffled scream howled in the empty halls of the Midoriya Household.

SCHLICK-CRACK!

Sounds of bones breaking was heard. The littered rooms of someone who came inside which rattled the peaceful silence was seen everywhere. Pictures, notebooks, and belongings of a girl named Izumi Midoriya was on the floor. Locked rooms down the small hallway in this rather large apartment were forced open.

A muffled plead to stop was heard as more cracking noises continued.

CRACK!

Bits of blood were on the living room as the person who came to barge into this place was laid on the floor… while someone else was breaking their fingers one by one with ease.

"STOP! Please… it hurts!" the person said, revealed to be a fair-length woman with her arms tied to her back as she was placed on the floor in a prone position. Her fingers, six of them were already broken and were lopsided in place. Some of them had already grown dark in color and some had open wounds where trickles of blood were dripping.

"I beg y-you… please stop."

The other person, who was straddling the woman was also feminine. She had long black hair and eyes that had the combination of firmness and playfulness laced within them. She placed her hand over the middle finger of the right hand. Pulling it up slowly as the woman below her pleaded further to stop.

"P-Please! Please! Don't- CRACK –AAAhhhh…" tears had now accumulated on her eyes as the woman above straddling her pursed her lips in interest to her wails.

"I-I'll do anything you want! Please…"

"Anything?" the woman on top finally said.

"Y-Yes! Anything!" she cried out desperately.

"Would you die for me then? Possibly in one of the best ways I can think of?"

"W-What?"

The woman leaned closer into her ear. Shivers of fear took over as it seemed like the pain of losing her fingers was immutable to the looming new threat this woman beckoned on her.

"You heard me precious… since you've ruined my mistress' experiment. There's no way I can let you live and the mess you made? Amateurish. I would have thought twice in hiring you… heh." She said critically with a soft smile that immediately turned into something expressionless. The woman then took something out of her pockets, it was long gloves that covered almost the entirety of her arm. She then placed the gold-chained monocle on her blind eye.

She flipped the woman over. Now seeing her face full of fear. She then took a handkerchief from her pocket and stuffed it into the woman's mouth. Muffling her screams to a very low volume. She then held both cheeks into her own as her thumbs shadowed over her eyelids.

"I've never tried this… so maybe you'll enlighten me?" she said to the woman.

The woman on the floor began squirming as she gently placed her thumbs on the eyelids.

And pressed.

…

Moments later, only one person was alive. Feeling unsatisfied, she cleaned her gloves after freeing the intruder from her suffering. She walked back and studied the woman's belongings, true enough it seemed like this person was trying to scrape DNA samples of Izumi Midoriya in this house. She began to think that maybe this needed advice from Juno.

She was completely given control of this mission, but encountering thugs… thugs that were actively trying to get DNA from the special girl. This was no random occurrence and right as expected from her mistress Juno, things were moving faster once those with knowledge found out.

She stood up looking over the possible crime scene.

She had to clean this up as best she can. Should Inko Midoriya find out about this, there would be further complications moving forward. She looked into the room and thought that she couldn't clean all of this mess in time before Izumi would arrive from school. Or any of them at all that live in this household. However, risking that Inko would think this is their doing would also further complicate things.

So leaving the body here would suffice. Minimizing the damage and directly making this look like a scuffle from thieves was the scene she was going for. Taking the DNA samples in hand so she could dispose of them later.

She also needed to stall for time. Luckily, she brought up the communication device she shared with Io, who could be walking with Izumi from school to go home at this hour. She made sure to wear it and brought up a message as quick as she could muster.

"Delay her… Something came up on her apartment. We need to make sure its eased first before she arrives home." A series of clicks deciphered as Morse code responded back.

She nodded to the response as she got back to work.

The moment she did however, a knock on the door was heard. Two people asking in slight worry and panic to 'hurry it up" came from the outside.

Nemain felt that this would work to her advantage.

She cracked her knuckles as she put on her gloves again.

16:15 Hours, Nighteye Agency…

The visit from an old colleague of Mirai a few hours ago left him in a bit of a stir. His workload was already piled up after doing investigations on some organizations that were dealing in the black Market within his city. A few organizations to note, one of them being the Shie Hassakai was under his watch among others. While nothing of sorts could give evidence that either they or another group was conducting these deals, it still left a large headache for him to try and solve.

Now, he was given classified information as well as evidence that could help open up a new case. Unfortunately, it also meant that secrecy was needed. Based on how his colleague from SAT coined it, it seemed like this was for something big that nobody had been able to be aware of… until now.

Something big that if proven would bring about such chaos that he himself hoped to stop. If it was a threat that was as big as the words of his colleague had said, then he was in for another headache-inducing case.

The one other reason he was sought after was because of his connections to All Might as well as the picture that was found on the compound with the vial and notes attached to it. He then realized that this factory or laboratory they found could be related to him.

Of course Nighteye knew what the appearance of him meant. This was one of the reasons why he was pulled into this new case so fast. As the appearance of him could mean that one of his visions could come fruit soon.

He hoped not.

As of now, he was waiting for someone to come and take a look at his specimen. The vial that was given to him as a token of good will. This also meant that he needed to take this with a bit secrecy, trusting only those that can help relieve this case for them to know better. He was entrusted by his mutual friend in the SAT to make sure and find what the vial and the picture meant as well as figuring out why this DNA sample was so important to the grand scheme of things. He also wondered how this girl could be related to All Might as he and him have never spoken about her at all.

He had seen footage of the Slime Villain incident. He was very much impressed by how it all worked out but could see the flaws in the girl's initiative and stupidity barging into a hot zone like that. However, it seemed All Might was far too happy and impressed by the girl as the first time they talked about it, he couldn't stop mentioning the girl at all.

Mirai tried to remember what the girl's name was.

But he could only remember the surname Midoriya. He ran that name for his sidekicks to investigate and so far it hasn't come back yet. He didn't mind however, as waiting was the only thing he needed to do right now.

Patience for the arrival of a client he wished to talk about with the vial he was holding.

He re-adjusted his glasses thinking about this. About how this all fits… and with the description of people being mutilated, transformed, and experimented on inside that compound his colleague had raided, he could feel that this was just the start. Especially since the note had Prototype #2 written on it. Meaning that older models exist. But what exactly were they creating there? What exactly is the reason that bodies of mutilated corpses are being used on in heinous ways?

Why do they need to find this DNA sample? Why was the girl's DNA needed?

Could it be the quirk she held? No, Mirai didn't think of that. The girl's quirk was actually something that was fairly common. Electric-based quirks were numerous and the girl while having different colored electricity, did not seem to be different at all.

So how do these disjointed pieces of the puzzle fit? Why did he feel that All Might was involved in this? If this was evidence of him showing up, then what purpose did the girl serve him for?

A thousand questions.

With little to no answers.

He massaged the temples of his head as he thought about it. Maybe he could see All Might's future again as soon as he meets him. A lot of pieces in the chessboard were changed and Mirai knew that it was only time for the enemy to make his next move.

Whatever it was, he hoped that time was still their ally.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Sir? Dr. Kiragami has arrived. May we enter?" the voice of his sidekick Bubblegirl was heard from the other side of the door to his office. He fixed his suit and hair for the occasion before letting them in.

Bubblegirl swiftly opened after the permission and humbly made her exit as he gave the two men privacy. Mirai stood up from his seat to greet a person of interest that he called in for investigation on the vial. The CEO and head scientist of the world-renowned pharmaceutical and medicinal research company Kiragami Labs. For the past few years, the medicinal side of the current Quirk Era had been graced by this man's genius. Almost all known diseases that ravaged the human body both pre-Quirk Era and post were nearly eradicated to nothingness because of his company's research. They had single-handedly revolutionized the health industry of the world in a few short decades. Now, while not the top Health Organization in the world anymore, they still held credit for their continuous research on new diseases and how to combat them.

Dr. Kiragami was also the go-to researcher for the Quirk Gene in Japan, making him an influential and important figure both in the health industry and out of it.

His gray hair marked by his signature indigo eyes was impossible to miss. The man looked well enough for his age, a white suit that was opposite to Mirai's dark gray. He seemed less than thrilled to eb called here, as his fake smile gave it away as soon as Bubblegirl left the room.

After exchanging greetings and a handshake they both seated themselves. Nighteye remained behind his desk and the doctor was on the chair facing it. He drummed his fingers on the desk as he let his smile drop from earlier.

"Why did you call me Sir Nighteye?"

"You sound so displeased. I thought we agreed on keeping each other civil Kiragami." Mirai said as he joined both his hands while looking at him. The doctor grumbled in response.

"Get on with it… I still got an important meeting to attend. I only gave myself time to visit you because your request… had too much of an incentive that ignoring it would cost me greatly." He said in annoyance. His stature and resolve faltering a bit, his emotions seeping out.

Mirai notices this very well.

"Don't you go and be angry with me Kiragami. The case against the treatment of your daughter is still a thing I could pull strings with and re-open. Your case may be solved and proven guilty, but I know not all your lawyers can keep sending lies to the public." Mirai threatened.

This made the doctor flinch but his brow still angry at him.

"While we're talking about the girl, may I ask what is this meaning you need to attend to? You're not planning on using her again aren't you?" Mirai added.

"N-No… I've never touched her since."

"Good… at least that's not a problem between us."

The doctor suddenly narrowed his eyes on him.

"If this is about her again… I told you. I did what needed to be done with her. I'm not guilty with myself for using her as a means to further my company's success. You've seen what her quirk is Sir Nighteye, and you know that if it benefits humanity then why don't we use her? I've already saved so many lives in the past decade. One life to repay the salvation of millions is a cost I'm willing to take."

Hearing that from him made Mirai substantially angered.

Kiragami's company was drawn by numerous success on research with medicine. Most of the research was made from his very own daughter's quirk. A scandal that still made Mirai furious since it hasn't been proven with the lack of evidence and the skill of his company's lawyers. It was years since the last trial and even with the evidence he had provided, the result was still guilty on his behalf.

"Even if it costs the innocent life of your daughter… you really are sick in the mind. Should I get proof of what you've done with her. Your empire will crumble to nothing doctor. Think of that before lecturing me on what necessary sacrifices mean." Mirai threatened.

"Regardless Sir Nighteye… she is safe and well. I haven't touched her ever since and will not anymore since you're so eager to put me behind bars."

"Oh believe me sir… I do."

The tension in the air was palpable. Both sides did not back down, but seeing that he was the best scientist for this role, he needed assurance that his loyalty was trusted.

"Listen… while I do still plan to get the girl off your custody. I need your assistance on something because I know you're the best person to know what exactly I'm dealing with." He said with admittance.

This confused the doctor.

"You want my help?"

"Yes… as stupid as that sounds. But you're the only one I know that can do it discreetly"

"Discreetly? Why so?"

He took out the vial and let the doctor see it.

"Is that… blood?"

"A colleague of mine gave this to me earlier. He said it was important to an overall plot they discovered somewhere in a compound they raided. This is top secret and doesn't exist publicly."

The doctor's eyes widened.

"You trust me? In handling that?"

"I do… but first, I need you to agree with the terms I'm willing to give you."

The doctor smiled.

"I thought you were a hero Sir Nighteye. Why make shady deals to people you deem as criminals?" he taunted. Mirai smiled at him as he put the vial on the desk.

"Are you a criminal for that matter Kiragami? I thought the judge voted you guilty three times?"

"So what?"

Mirai pressed on.

"I never liked compromises to my ideals. But even with the amount of evidence and witnesses I put in to your case. It never seems to work on my favor. I want to make deal with you because I want that girl to be free… and by doing so it relieves you of your current predicament which is the standoff between you and the law. If you agree to my terms, I'll get off your case… permanently. But this also means you give me what I want and exactly how I want it."

The doctor suddenly looks on in worry and indecision.

"What are you going to do with my daughter?"

"I want you to release custody of her and give her to the nearest family member of her maternal side. She will be safe with her mother's family; I can guarantee that."

"And in exchange… you'll leave me alone?"

"That is correct."

It took him a full minute to thin through Nighteye's terms. He looked at the vial and with permission from Nighteye, he took it gingerly and examined it.

"Why are you so hell-bent in putting me through this?" he asked Mirai.

"Because whichever way I see it Dr. Kiragami, I win on both sides. I can finally get the girl off your hands along with cooperation from yours truly to know what's in this vial, because I know you're the best qualified to see what this piece of the puzzle is."

"I see… you want the girl, and whatever's in here? Correct?"

"Yes."

"And you'll leave me alone after?"

"That is also a promise I can give you. I don't know about you but promises I give out don't break easily. Unlike you I think."

The doctor scoffed at his words.

"Fine… I can do with your terms. But I'm not necessarily sure my daughter will like my wife's family. She's far too cooped up to be social to anyone."

"It's not my problem. You made that problem for yourself, but at the very least she's far from your grasp."

He looked at him with uncertainty, but gave up in trying to reason with Nighteye.

"I assume you want to know about this vial as quick as possible?"

"Yes, at least in the period of twenty-four hours. You can work that fast."

"Nobody else needs to know too?"

"It is top secret. You break secrecy between us, I'll make sure you get a nice spot in Tartarus." Mirai said with a confident smile on his account. The doctor had no choice, should he disagree he knew that it would only take a few more trials before his secret was out.

He was put into a corner by this Pro Hero with these choices.

"Alright. I'll take your offer Sir Nighteye. As for my daughter I don't know how long it'll take to give custody to my dead wife's family. But as for this vial, I can make sure I give back your requested information either tomorrow or tonight."

Mirai smiled. He finally won on his part.

"Make it this week Doctor. I'm sure your wife's family will be relieved to see their granddaughter back. God rest your wife's soul, but at the very least I can assure she's safe." He said to him.

He frowned on that last bit but nodded as he took the vial. Nighteye made one last handshake with him as the doctor dejectedly sighed.

"Remember our deal."

"I won't forget." He said in annoyance as he left the office. Leaving Nighteye to his own musings. The last thing to do today…

Was to call All Might.

He dialed his phone and waited for his response. As triumphant as the deal went, he couldn't shake the feeling still of the mystery regarding the vial's contents. As well as this Midoriya girl's place in that mystery.

He hoped that they could solve in time…

And that his premonitions on All Might wouldn't come true.

The phone call was finally answered, just in time for Izumi Midoriya to come home and discover dead bodies in her apartment.

TO BE CONTINUED ON CHAPTER 12…

AN: Finished another one! I always enjoyed Nighteye in canon, the only problem was he died too soon... for this storyline, I'm going to push him to be important earlier before the events of the Overhaul arc start. He won't have large appearances but he will definitely learn about Izumi's situation soon...

As for Chapter 12, I'm currently writing it while I finished these two sidestories. Effectively meshing the ideas here will sure make everything in Chapter 12 chaotic... a bit. Oh, and we're nearing the USJ incident too. I've got big things planned for the ending of Izumi's first Arc in school and I hope you all stay and enjoy it.

Like always, thanks for reading and leave a review or PM me if possible... :)