Earlier in the streets of Japan...
Midoriya struggled to get away from the Nomus as they flew away from U.A. Academy. He watched it from a distance get smaller and smaller, but still tried his best to get away. He tried to activate One for All, but could barely get out of its grip. For a moment, he thought he felt rain fall on his face. It soon picked up, soaking him pretty well.
He gritted his teeth, trying his best to get away from them. Then he felt his throat burn up quite a bit, making him wince in pain.
"You really should stop fidgeting so much. He's going to drop you."
Midoriya's eyes widened in shock, hearing Skylar's voice echo through his ears. He looked up to see her riding a different Nomu. She sat on its shoulder nearby like it was no big deal. Her eyes weren't glowing anymore, but still had a slight tint to them from their fight. Midoriya felt chills go up and down his back just from staring at her.
"Skylar..." Midoriya growled at her, "Why are you doing this?! I thought you and I were friends! Did our relationship mean nothing to you?!"
Skylar didn't say anything for a long time as they flew through the night sky. Midoriya's throat didn't let up, and the rain wasn't helping his throat and fever. He felt it coming up again, and it hurt even more than before. He waited for Skylar to answer him, but she looked a little distant. Whatever was bothering her, Midoriya could that she was trying to ignore it.
Then she eyed someone beside her, catching Midoriya's attention
"Maybe you should worrying more about Adrien here than our relationship," Skylar told him.
Midoriya's eyes widened in shock, surprised to see Adrien unconscious. His heart was racing, seeing him stuck like this. He wasn't moving due to Skylar's quirk. Midoriya felt like he had to get him out of there as soon as he could. The Nomu holding didn't want to let up at all as they flew further away from U.A. Academy. He tried to activate One for All, but the Nomu tightened his hold on him making him wince.
"Give it up. This Nomu is stronger than you," Skylar said to him, "I should know. My father made them after all."
Midoriya's heart dropped, realizing who her father was. He had heard whispers about a doctor creating these Nomus from AllMight himself and other teachers. He never thought Skylar was ever related to him of all people. Then he started to put it all together, realizing how things made much more sense now. He looked up at her, her eyes now glowing from the moonlight. Something about her seemed even more intimidating than before.
Midoriya's nightmares of Skylar were coming back as he glared at her.
"...Y-You're... You're Doctor Garaki's daughter...?" Midoriya growled at her.
Skylar looked at him, looking a little weirded out by this comment for some reason. It was quick, but she shook it off for a moment.
"You could say that," Skylar said to him.
Midoriya looked at her, confused as to what she meant by that. If she really was his daughter, she wouldn't have said it like that. Something about it felt a little off putting. She looked behind the Nomu as if she knew where they were going.
"Don't worry. You'll meet him soon enough," Skylar said to him, "He's been wanting to meet you for some time actually."
That gave Midoriya chills as they headed in a different direction. He just hoped that this Dr. Garaki wasn't someone that knew about One for All. He didn't know if what to think of him since he had never met the guy. Soon enough, Midoriya's throat burned as the Nomu tightened its grip around him. Midoriya felt like he was burning up pretty badly from his fever. Midoriya looked at Adrien and noticed that he was still unconscious. The rain hit his face and soaked his clothes pretty quickly. He wanted to get Adrien away from Skylar and the Nomus, but with so many around them he didn't know if he'd be able to.
Soon enough, the Nomus flew closer to the ground. Midoriya's heart began to race, noticing that they were in Kamino. The area where AllMight fought All for One. He got chills all over his body just by looking at the city. It looked a little more repaired than before, but still not what it use to be. The Nomus flew down towards what looked like an abandoned building.
Midoriya tried to use One for All to get out of its grip, but it didn't even budge. He couldn't even use his other quirks ever since his Miraculous got damaged. For some reason, he hadn't been able to use them since. Skylar directed them towards a back area of the building, which soon opened up a garage door. Midoriya didn't know what to think as they slowly flew down to the ground. He tried his best to get out of their grip, but couldn't. Skylar stayed on the Nomu's shoulders as they walked through the garage.
In the corner of his eye, Midoriya noticed Adrien stirring awake. His eyes widened in shock, realizing where he was and what was going on. He spotted Skylar right next to him, causing him to stiffen up. Midoriya noticed the way her face and mood changed once he woke up. Something about her seemed more like the girl they first met in U.A.
"Finally you're awake!" Skylar exclaimed to him,"I always hoping that you'd be up by now. You can finally meet my father."
Adrien looked like he wanted to take off as soon as possible. His eyes widened in shock when he realized that his Miraculous was gone. He could barely move from Skylar's side effects, making him feel weak.
"Where's my Miraculous?! Did you take it?" Adrien asked her in urgency.
"I wish. I almost had it, but Katsuki took it back before I could," Skylar told him as if Midoriya wasn't even there.
Midoriya's eyes widened in shock, not realizing that Adrien lost his Miraculous. He was just glad that Skylar didn't take it. Midoriya felt so grateful that Bakugo was right there to help them. Then he remembered how helpless and upset Bakugo looked when they took off to leae U.A. His fists clenched tighter, hoping that Bakugo wasn't taking this too hard.
Midoriya looked up to see Adrien looking a bit pale in the face. He looked like he really didn't want to be here. Even if Adrien has been here for six months, he still never went through anything like this. The League of Villains never even showed up until now. He gave Midoriya a nervous look, not sure what to expect.
"Don't worry about that though. I'm sure my father could make it up to you somehow," Skylar said to him, "Maybe he'll make an exception for someone from Paris."
Adrien and Midoriya stiffened up, knowing full well where she was going with this. Soon enough, Skylar and the Nomus headed towards the wall of the garage.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then all of a sudden, the wall opened up leading into a secret lab. Midoriya's eyes widened in shock seeing a giant lab inside of the abandoned building. He wasn't expecting to find something like this around Kamino. Then he realized that this was very similar to the one that got destroyed by Mt. Lady. Even Adrien was dumbfounded to see something like this. Although he was kind of use to hidden lairs at this point. The Nomus then walked inside carrying both Skylar, Adrien and Midoriya. Midoriya's heart was racing from seeing all of these empty containers of where Nomus should be. Adrien felt like he was going to be sick seeing all of these containers. There must've been over twenty of these for the Nomus.
In the distance, Midoriya and Adrien spotted someone standing by a giant computer. They could barely see his face with how dark it was in here. Once he got a closer look at them, they were wearing a lab coat and had a bald head with a mustache and bulky goggles over his eyes. Midoriya's stomach tightened in knots, seeing Dr. Garaki for the first time. Adrien had a feeling of dread coming over him. Something about him also felt cold and empty, a familiar feeling that he didn't like.
"You must be Izuku Midoriya. It's very nice to finally meet you young man," Dr. Garaki said to him.
Midoriya tensed up, feeling a bit nervous around this guy. Something about him though felt oddly familiar, which didn't help the situation. Adrien however hearing him talk to Midoriya like that felt so unnerving. He felt frozen in place even if he couldn't move anyway from this guy's demanour. Something about him didn't feel warm and friendly like Skylar told them.
Then Dr. Garaki turned his head towards Adrien who still couldn't get down off of the Nomu's shoulder.
"And who's this Skylar? Is he a friend of yours or maybe a test subject?" Dr. Garaki asked her.
Adrien's heart was racing after hearing him say such things to her. Midoriya's eyes widened for his friend, knowing full well what he has done to these Nomus. Then Skylar's lit eyes from talking to Adrien dimmed down a bit while talking to him. She soon took him off of the Nomu's shoulder, but was still sluggish from her side effects. Skylar tightened her hold on his wrist so he couldn't get away. Unfortunately, that just made him even more sleepy.
"Adrien is a friend. I thought since we have a lot in common you might want to meet him," Skylar told him, "He's actually from Paris believe it or not."
That seemed to get Dr. Garaki's attention, and his goggles glinted from the computer's light. Adrien felt very tensed up around this guy as Skylar stopped him from getting away. Dr. Garaki then got close to his face, which only made Adrien all the more uncomfortable. This doctor's smile grew wide, creeping both Adrien and Midoriya out.
"Really? You know, I've wanted to go to Paris," Dr. Garaki said to him, "I bet it's a lot different over there compared to Japan. After all, you did kind of show up out of no where. How did you do that exactly... I'm sorry what was your name again? I have trouble remembering names."
Adrien was not at all comfortable talking to this man. Midoriya could see that through his eyes and posture. He hesitated for a moment, which only made things more awkward. Skylar's grip wasn't letting up as she held him tight. The doctor didn't let up on the smiling or waiting, so Adrien had to go with it for now.
"Ad-Adrien... s-sir..." Adrien told him, "I-I d-don't know much about how I got here. I-It just kind of... happened."
Midoriya felt nervous for Adrien no matter what he said to Dr. Garaki. Something about him just felt intimidating and distant somehow. The way he looked at Adrien really made Midoriya uncomfortable. It was like he was looking for more answers just by looking at him. Soon enough, the doctor backed away and spotted Midoriya in the Nomu's grip. Something about seeing the doctor close up brought up a weird feeling of loneliness not from him but himself.
Suddenly Dr. Garaki glared at him, sending Midoriya shivers down his back.
"I've been wanting to meet you again for some time now."
Midoriya's heart dropped, hearing his wording correctly. For a moment, he had to process what he just said. Even Adrien was confused and didn't understand what he meant by that.
"Again...?" Midoriya said to him, barely able to talk.
"Wait, Izuku. You know this guy?" Adrien pointed out.
"N-No! I-I don't!" Midoriya exclaimed, "I've never met--!"
Once he raised his voice, his throat hurt so much from the burning sensation. He began to cough, feeling that fever kicking up again. Dr. Garaki walked over to them, making Midoriya tense up from being around him. Once he got closer, something about him felt familiar. Like he had seen him before from somewhere. Dr. Garaki got close enough for Midoriya to lean away from him. Dr. Garaki then grabbed his face to get a better look at him.
"Hmm... Fascinating..." Dr. Garaki said more to himself, "Somehow you have a strong quirk and yet... You shouldn't have one in the first place... Now... Why is that I wonder...?"
Midoriya felt his stomach tie itself in knots, worried that he knew about One for All. If he did, Midoriya didn't understand how he even knew about it. Then his eyes locked onto his and felt something come over him. Those goggles and mustache soon felt even more familiar than before as he stared at those dull eyes. His throat burned so much that it felt like it was on fire. For a moment, he remembered exactly who he was.
"Sorry kid, it's not gonna happen..."
Midoriya's eyes widened in shock, feeling empty inside like he did on that day. This was the last person he thought Dr. Garaki was, and yet he was standing right in front of him.
"...Y-You're... You're Dr. Garaki...?" Midoriya mumbled out loud.
"In the flesh," Dr. Garaki said back with a creepy smile, "You must be surprised to see me again after all these years."
Skylar's eyes widened, looking really confused and shocked at the same time. Even Adrien was dumbfounded to hear them talk about something like this in front of him.
"Wait a minute, you knew him from that long ago?" Skylar pointed out, "I thought that you were just interested in his quirk."
"Yes, but things have changed," Dr. Garaki said back as he let go of his face, "I recently found out that he's the one of the kids that I met in that hospital that I use to work at. I had to tell him that he was quirkless and was never going to develop a quirk."
Adrien's stomach felt like it was in knots, discovering this about Midoriya. He had no idea about any of this, and yet how could he? Adrien locked eyes with Midoriya, surprised to see him looking so scared. He looked like he was back to being that quirkless little kid. Even if he didn't know him for that long, it's still hurt him to see him like this.
All of this caught Skylar's attention, which threw her off completely. She whipped her head to look at Midoriya, still gripping onto Adrien's wrist.
"What?! B-But you said that was impossible!" Skylar said back, and then turned to Midoriya, "I thought you said you had a quirk. What was all of that training back there then? Was it all for show or something?"
Something about seeing Skylar standing there with Dr. Garaki was really weird considering what he just found out. His head hurt so much from what just happened, and his fever wasn't helping things either. He gritted his teeth in anger, not sure how he was going to get out of this one.
"I never lied to you Skylar," Midoriya said back, "Unlike you and Dr. Garaki here, I actually wanted to help you be a better hero."
Skylar never let go of Adrien as she faced Midoriya who was still stuck in the Nomu's grip. Her eyes glowed a little, showing off her intense glare. Midoriya felt chills go up and down his back as she stood her ground. For some reason, the power she had stored inside of her seemed to be sparking out of her eyes. Midoriya didn't even notice that her power had gotten stronger ever since the last time he fought her. He could feel her quirk's side effects making him feel slightly tired.
"That's enough Skylar," Dr. Garaki said to her, "You've done enough for today. You've overdone it with your quirk. Pull back. You don't want to cause any more trouble with your so called friends, do you?"
Skylar backed down, and Midoriya noticed her looking a little scared. Even Adrien noticed even more than him, feeling that familiar yet empty feeling. She barely looked at her father as Dr. Garaki took charge of the Nomus. He looked at all the Nomus, and Skylar seemed to shrink a little once he observed the situation. Adrien noticed Dr. Garaki tighten his grip, making him feel sick to his stomach for some reason.
"Skylar. Where's the portal?" Dr. Garaki asked her, "I told you and the others to grab it. You said that you knew where it was. You even saw it yourself, didn't you?"
Skylar didn't answer right away, but Midoriya could tell that he wouldn't like any of the answers.
"Y-Yes. I-I did," Skylar said back, "I saw it--"
Skylar suddenly got smacked across the face, shocking Midoriya in the process. Adrien stood by her side, absolutely dumbfounded at what he was watching. His eyes were wide open, shocked to see Skylar being smacked like that. He couldn't move, but suddenly felt the need to protect her. After what she did to them, he still couldn't stand someone getting smacked in the face. He wondered if what she said about her father was true. That he wasn't a good father and was strict with her all the time. Something about it felt so real when she talked about it.
Skylar didn't say anything and let him smack her in the face. Dr. Garaki for a moment looked really menacing and cold at her.
"You and my Nomus should've gone to get it when you had the chance! We'll never get that oppoturnity ever again! They won't allow you back on Campus after everything that you've done!" Dr. Garaki cried out.
Adrien wanted to stick up for her for some reason, but couldn't get himself to move. Midoriya watched in horror as Skylar looked up at her father. He stood over her as if he were stronger and more intimidating than her. Something about it gave him more chills than Skylar ever did. He gritted teeth in anger, trying his best to activate One for All.
Skylar looked up and didn't stand up for herself. It took in the smack on the face and looked at him like she deserves it. Even her eyes were less intense and more dull than usual.
"Ye-Yes... I-I know that father," Skylar said back a little quieter.
Before Dr. Garaki could say anything, Midoriya caught his attention with his quirk sparking green energy.
"Stay away from her..." Midoriya growled at him.
Dr. Garaki stood there, taking in what he was watching. Midoriya's quirk was sparking like crazy, which caught his interest. His smile widened, but Midoriya tried not to back down. He still felt that burning sensation in his throat, but tried to ignore it. Gritting his teeth, he felt the need to stand up for Skylar. Dr. Garaki soon walked up to Midoriya, catching him off guard.
He stood there, staring at him in fascination. Midoriya locked eyes with him, trying not to show him that he was scared. Dr. Garaki couldn't stop smiling, which made Midoriya even more angry as his quirk surged through him.
"You have no idea who or what Skylar is now do you?" Dr. Garaki asked him, "You're sticking up for her. After everything that she's done, you still want to help her."
Midoriya and Adrien both got chills and locked eyes with Skylar. Something about her seemed different than she was a minute ago. For a minute, it was quiet and no one said anything. Even the Nomus were surprisingly cooperative and really quiet. Midoriya and Adrien noticed something about Skylar as they locked eyes with her. She seemed almost distant from them, almost as if something was getting in the way.
Midoriya then for a moment caught a glimpse of the girl she once was. He froze in place, feeling his entire body tense up after remembering all of things that seemed off about her. Her quirk, her natural strength, how familiar her fighting style was, and even relationship with her father. It all soon clicked together for him, which didn't help him relax. If anything, it made his stomach feel awful and felt like he was about to throw up.
"Sk-Skylar...? D-Don't tell me...?" Midoriya trailed off, unable to say it out loud.
Adrien looked at Midoriya, noticing how frightened he was. He looked at Skylar, worried about her and what might be going on. He felt something off about her, but didn't realize what it was fully. Whatever it was, it was definitely something that he wouldn't like.
Skylar looked at Midoriya, her eyes finally showing a bit of a glow from her quirk. Something about Midoriya mentioning what might be going on got through to her. She locked eyes with him, but then Dr. Garaki got in the way again.
"Skylar doesn't need to say anything to you. Besides, we have a lot of work to do," Dr. Garaki interrupted Midoriya, "Nomus, chain Izuku Midoriya up in the room number 2. Leave Adrien here with me. I need to talk to him about something important."
Midoriya's eyes widened in shock, noticing Skylar actually listening to him. The Nomu carrying Midoriya walked away with him in his grip. Midoriya tried to break out of its grip as it walked away from Adrien, Skylar and Dr. Garaki. Adrien's eyes locked onto Midoriya, his eyes scared of why Dr. Garaki wanted to talk to him about.
"N-No! Le-Leave Adrien alone!" Midoriya cried out, "He has nothing to do with this!"
Midoriya tried to activate One for All, but his fever was starting to bother him. The Nomu was so strong that he couldn't even get it to budge as it took him away. He couldn't do anything but watch the Nomu take him away from Adrien. Midoriya looked at Skylar who looked like someone who was excited to have Adrien around. Before the Nomu took Midoriya away from Adrien, he noticed Skylar looking a bit more like herself again.
He knew in moment that Adrien was special to her.
Another amazing chapter!
I love the way this chapter turned out! I definitely wanted to start confirming things at this point for the story. This is where things will take a turn. I don't want to spoil things, but I'm at this point it's kind of obvious where it's going for Skylar. Midoriya and Adrien being stuck together like this will be interesting. I just like that Dr. Garaki is finally more involved in this part of the story. I can't wait to for Adrien and Skylar moments. I think that those will be great and have an interesting dynamic.
What's going to happen next??
More to come soon!