About two months ago, on a certain day in October
Shigaraki and the League of Villains were fighting Gigantomachia. Suddenly, they got warped inside Dr. Garaki's laboratory with the Quirk AFO used at Kamino.
The laboratory was full of uncompleted and still-in-progress Nomus.
"Nomus?" Dabi muttered. "They're a bit different from the previous ones."
"Where's Mato-kun?" Toga asked. "Didn't he get warped here, too?"
"You can see the difference?" Dr. Garaki, still giving his back to the villains, replied. "You have a good eye. And as for Satoru, he won't come."
"Satoru?" Shigaraki repeated. "Is this his true name?"
"Don't tell me All For One never told you," said Dr. Garaki. "Mato's name is Satoru Akiyama."
"Anyway, as for the Nomus, Dabi's right. They're High Ends, Super Nomus, even closer to bring masterpiece."
Dr. Garaki turned to face Shigaraki. "Your hair's gotten longer, Shigaraki. Are your father and the rest well?"
"Huh?" Shigaraki stuttered. "Yeah."
"I summoned you here via transmission because I didn't want my location to get known," said Dr. Garaki. "I'm sorry I couldn't teleport Mato here, too."
Suddenly, though, everyone heard a strange sound. They turned.
"Don't worry, I came here alone."
"Mato-kun!" Toga exclaimed, jumping in the air.
"How did you get here, Sat- I mean, Mato?" Dabi asked.
"I just found out one of the five Quirks AFO gave me is 'Teleport,'" Satoru explained. "It's not difficult to understand what it does. I used it to get here."
He fixed his hair. "Anyway, you were about to call me by your name. I bet Dr. Garaki spilled the beans, didn't he?"
"I did, indeed," said Dr. Garaki.
"That's just great..." Mato sighed. "From now on, when we're not in public, call me Satoru, okay?"
Everyone nodded.
"So, Garaki," Satoru turned to face Dr. Garaki. "What were you talking about?"
Dr. Garaki took a deep breath. "I was talking about these new Nomus. This might be the first time I meet those of you besides Shigaraki and Mato. I'm a close ally of All For One, my name is Daruma Ujiko."
That's not his first name, said Satoru. But he's right to use an alias.
"Now then, Shigaraki," said Daruma. "I summoned you here due to a compromise I made for All For One's sake. My life, my skills, and these little ones are all dedicated to the great All For One. It's not that I dislike. It's for my own sake. I want to make sure you're worthy of my devotion."
"Wait a second," Satoru interrupted. "Are you talking about that thing?"
"Yes, Mato," Garaki answered. "I'm talking about that thing."
"Then include me as well," Mato said. "AFO explicitly said that he wants both me and Tomura to be his successors."
"You're included as well, then," said Garaki. "What will two societal rejects who haven't accomplished anything in their 20- and 15-odd years show me, Tomura Shigaraki and Satoru Akiyama?"
A phrase echoed in Satoru's mind for a bit.
"Okasan loves you, Satoru."
"I don't remember too well what happened before I met you and Sensei," Shigaraki said.
"I don't remember anything at all until my five years," said Satoru. "Maybe it's because AFO raised me my entire life.
Satoru... Shigaraki thought. Whether we want to admit it or not, or whether you noticed or not, we kinda look alike in terms of childhood.
"Yeah, I'm very aware of that," said Garaki.
Another voice in Satoru's mind.
"You're safe with me, little Satoru."
That was All For One... how old was I that day? I don't know at all... and most of all, why are my memories coming back to me so little by little? It's like I'm seeing something in fragments... damn, why don't my memories come back all at once and not little by little? I can't understand anything like this...
"Yes, I'm sure I must hate everything," said Shigaraki.
Ops, I was lost in my thoughts and didn't listen to what Tomura said... thought Satoru.
"All that breathe irritates me!" said Shigaraki. "So, let's wreck it all once! So, Doctor, lend me a hand. I'll show you everything from hell to heaven!"
Dr. Garaki laughed. "That's like a child's pipe dream!"
"'Villain' means one who turns nonsense into action. Tomura, you've been thinking something dangerous."
"Hey, are you even gonna get rid of the things I love?" Toga asked.
"No, Himiko-chan," Satoru responded in place of Shigaraki. "Nothing will be taken away from you. Do whatever the fuck you want."
"I confirm what Mato said," said Shigaraki.
"You can call me Satoru now that there's no one around, Tomura," Mato patted him on the shoulder.
"Yay!" Toga jumped in the air.
"You're more appalling than I thought, Shigaraki and Akiyama," said Garaki. "I have some power prepared for you. However, I can't hand it over yet. You guys are weak. If you manage to tame Gigantomachia, that'll mean you're worthy of that thing."
"Tomura," said Satoru. "I'm sorry, but you must think about it. I have school problems and can't stay too distant from my dormitory. Just saying, it's a miracle if I'm here now."
"Don't worry," said Shigaraki. "We'll handle Gigantomachia, but we'll need you later on."
"I'll be there when it counts," Satoru said.
"I'm not going to help either," Dabi said.
"You're sulking because flames won't work on him," Satoru teased him.
"It's not that," said Dabi. "I have some business to do."
"Have you noticed how Dabi is always rude to everyone, but not to Mato?" Compress asked.
"You know, there's something called 'friendship,'" said Mato. "Anyway, I'm leaving now. Or is there something more I must know?"
"No, anything," said Garaki.
"Oh, well," said Satoru. "Then I'll see you in a while, guys."
Mato teleported away, and shortly after, the rest of the villains were warped back to Gigantomachia.
__________
December, Deika City
In the middle of the forest, Satoru landed thanks to his Teleport. He looked around, searching for his friends.
They should be here, he thought. Also, I don't think they're too far from here.
He looked to his right and saw Deika City. "They must be there."
Mato slowly started to walk up to Deika City and quickly put his villain costume on. Do I have everything? Rabbit mask, scarf, undershirt... yeah, that's all. Wait for me, Tomura. Wait for me, Dabi. Wait for me, Himiko-chan. I am coming to save you all.
Chapter 53 - End