My Sky Knight Academia - Volume I (Storm Hawks AU)

Chapter Twelve - Into The Unknown

After escaping from Shigaraki, the Sky Knights made their way to Terra Musutafu. As the Sky Knights gathered near the Sky Knight Academy, Kirishima and Kaminari expressed their gratitude.

Kirishima: Thanks for getting us out, guys!

Bakugo: Maybe you two dumbasses shouldn't have gotten yourselves captured in the first goddamn place!

Kaminari: Figured you'd have that reaction.

Midoriya: Why did they kidnap you?

Kirishima: They wanted to lure All Might out.

Yaoyorozu: Then it probably means that they sought to lure us out as well.

Midoriya: Hm. Just as I suspected. They tried to change their tactics to lure All Might out knowing that if they took us all as prisoners, he would try to save us.

As Midoriya's suspicions were confirmed, he was troubled at how quickly and efficiency the Shadow Collective were able to adapt their tactics. The danger posed by the Shadow Collective grew.

Bakugo: Yeah well we sent those Cyclonian fuckers running with their tails between their legs!

Yaoyorozu: I doubt that it's the last time we'll be seeing them. 

Tokoyami: Yaoyorozu's right. I doubt they'll give up on their goals so easily. 

Midoriya: Exactly. We may have beaten them twice, they'll more than likely try again. 

Midoriya then recalled how Shigaraki's intentions at the attack on the Sky Knight Academy was to kill All Might. He knew that Shigaraki had an intense hatred of All Might. It seemed to go beyond the Cyclonian Empire. 

Iida: It's clear that the Shadow Collective will try again. We must be prepared for when they attack again.

Midoriya: Iida's right. We can't afford to underestimate the Shadow Collective or assume they'll give up. They're going to try again and there's no telling what they'll do next. 

With that, the rest of the Sky Knights agreed with Midoriya on exercising caution. Even Bakugo begrudgingly agreed with Midoriya. 

Mina: So what now? 

Midoriya: We'll need to prepare ourselves for when they attack. They won't give up. Neither should we. If the Shadow Collective is willing to go after us to get to All Might, then we need to be prepared. 

With that, the Sky Knights parted ways for now and prepared for whatever may come next. The Emerald Sentinels and the Noble Nightingales would remain on Terra Musutafu for the time being while the Ground Zeroes went back to Terra Zartacla to search for a trail that could lead them to the Shadow Collective. Meanwhile on the Reaper, Shigaraki was reeling over his defeat at the hands of the Sky Knights. He looked up at a decrepit poster of All Might. He kept it there as a means to remind himself of his hatred for All Might. 

Shigaraki: You Sky Knights pretend to be society's guardians. For generations, you pretended not to see those you couldn't protect and swept their pain under the rug. It's tainted everything you've built. That means your system's all rotten from the inside with maggots crawling out. It all builds up, little by little, over time. You've got the common trash, all too dependent on being protected. And the brave guardians who created the trash that need coddling. It's a corrupt, vicious cycle. Everything I've witnessed, this whole system you've built has always rejected me. Now I'm ready to reject it. That's why I destroy. That's why I took this power for myself. Simple enough? I don't care if you understand. That's what makes us heroes and villains. 

As Shigaraki reaffirmed his goals, Kurogiri entered the room. 

Kurogiri: Shigaraki. It's time. 

Shigaraki: Is he....

Kurogiri: He is ready to speak with you. 

Shigaraki got us a Kurogiri warps him and Shigaraki into a mountainous area. There, Shigaraki stood before a man covered in scar tissue strapped to a medical device. Shigaraki immediately bows before the man. 

Shigaraki: Master.....All For One.....

All For One: Tomura Shigaraki. 

Shigaraki: Master......I've failed you.

All Fore One: You've failed again, Tomura. But you mustn't lose heart. There will be more chances to set things right. Heart is power, and the more fiercely he embraces that source in his heart, the more my consciousness takes hold in our little symbiotic relationship. Never let that hatred die, Tomura.

Shigaraki: Thank you master.

All For One: For too long, All Might has been a blight on this world. His....misguided sense of justice and heroism as denied Atmos it's destiny. In this world, strength is all that matters. The weak cannot govern the strong. 

Shigaraki: What of Cyclonis? 

All For One: The young Cyclonis will serve her purpose. As we speak, she seeks to unlock the secrets of the Far Side. In time, she will unlock it's secrets. That is when I will make my return. That is when All Might enters his final days. In time, you will have your revenge. In time, Atmos will be restored it's natural order. I know you will rise to the occasion, Tomura Shigaraki. I know you and your squadron will end this false reign of peace that has gripped Atmos.

Shigaraki couldn't wait for that day. To kill All Might has been his lifelong ambition. Guided by the former Cyclonian General All For One, Shigaraki would continue his quest to destroy All Might and all that he stands for. As Kurogiri warps himself and Shigaraki out of the Far Side, All For One would bide his time until the time was right to make his return. When the time was right, all of Atmos would bear witness the return of All For One.