In celebration of the Tokotober Prompt Contest sponsored by Traditional Twist (check out his stuff btw, he's awesome), I have decided to participate. This is following the "Tokoyami takes up Martial Arts and creates his own technique" prompt. I'll try to do weekly posts. No idea how long this thing is gonna be.
Anyway, without further ado, please enjoy!
The Dance of Darkness
To his classmates, Tokoyami never came off as someone impulsive or overly ambitious. Calm, collected, and a man of few words, the teen exalted a presence of cool-headedness and politeness, despite his occasional yet undoubtedly defined gothic dialect. He didn't seem like the kind who took insults and injuries too personally and may even look down on those who did, if he ever had reason to.
However, despite this neutral and unemotional attitude, Tokoyami had an incredibly hard time getting over his own failures. Whenever he came out short in anything, Tokoyami struggled with forgiving himself. He never showed this of course, and nobody would have guessed it, as he hated the idea of moping and self-pitying. As a result, he never shared this self-deprecating attitude with anyone, not even his mentors like Hawks and Aizawa. The only one who knew about it was his own quirk, but that wouldn't last forever.
Tokoyami made his way down the forest pathway as a cool, soft breeze blew against his feathers. He tucked his hands deep into his hoodie pockets to ignore the late evening chill. It was around 8:00pm, and the sun had begun going down. It was already past curfew hours. Tokoyami knew if he got caught like Midoriya or Bakugou, he'd be cleaning the dorms for weeks. However, he was willing to take the risk. He needed more training, and the dorm gym certainly wasn't an option.
The twilight skyline cast a radiant glow that left Tokoyami gazing in admiration. The sounds of chirping crickets and cooing owls signaled the late evening atmosphere. His trance was broken by Dark Shadow's restlessness.
"Can I come out already?" the spirit whined from within, "The sun's going down!"
"Not until we're farther out," Tokoyami answered, "When we reach the lake, we can begin."
Dark Shadow let out a whimper and vanished. Tokoyami took a deep breath through his nose and continued walking. When they made it to the lake, he took off his hoodie to reveal a long-sleeved sweatshirt. Dark Shadow emerged from his back and let out a sigh of relief.
"Ah, much better!" he laughed, "And almost no light to hold me back."
"Keep your voice down," Tokoyami looked back down the path they'd walked as he set a few lanterns down on the ground, "We don't Aizawa Sensei catching us out here."
"Oh c'mon, we've been doing this for almost a month now," the shadow looked at his master with crossed arms, "We haven't even had a close call yet."
"Yes, because we've been extra careful."
Tokoyami reached back and pulled a small red book out from his back pocket. About a month ago, Tokoyami had approached Midoriya looking for advice. Knowing he had taken tons of hero notes on all of Class 1-A, Tokoyami figured he could offer the best input for improvement. After trudging through all the green-heads needless praise for his quirk, Tokoyami finally got to the weaknesses. Midoriya suggested that learning basic self-defense might help focus Tokoyami in battle, as well as give him a back up plan if Dark Shadow wasn't an option. He also suggested that Dark Shadow could make for a good training partner if Tokoyami had nobody else, which was advice Tokoyami had taken to heart. Shortly after, Izuku handed him this book during lunch, saying it contained a series of mixed martial arts that he had been studying. At first Tokoyami declined, saying he didn't want to interrupt Midoriya's training by taking away his source of knowledge. But Midoriya insisted, saying he was more focused on gaining control of his quirk anyway.
He flipped to the bookmarked page and Dark Shadow floated next to him to read along.
"So, what's on the list today?" he asked, "Punching? Kicking? Blocking?"
"Counter-striking looks like," Tokoyami said, "I guess that means you'll have to participate beyond being a punching bag."
"Aw, and I was just starting to get good at it!" the shadow spoke sarcastically and laughed, "What do I have to do?"
"Just jab me once. I'll block and deliver two-fold in quick succession."
"Alright, this'll be interesting!" Dark Shadow slammed his fists together.
The two spent the rest of the night practicing. They started out easy with Dark Shadow delivering slow and predictable punches and went from there. By 10:00pm, despite the ever-dropping temperature, Tokoyami had accumulated such a high volume of sweat that he removed his sweatshirt and trained bare chested. The small lanterns illuminated his shiny, sweat moisturized skin with a blue glow. Dark Shadow had begun throwing three lightning fast punches at random every time they started. Tokoyami blocked and countered the first two with a single jab. On the third, he smacked the punch away and delivered a series of quick punches, followed by a left chop to the neck and ending with a strong right elbow. The duo repeated this exchange again and again until Tokoyami was gasping for air, arms bruised all over. Dark Shadow grinned at him, stronger than ever with no signs of depleting endurance. The growing night only made him more powerful, and only the lanterns kept him slightly at bay. He loved this training more than his master. It allowed him more time outside Tokoyami, and in the dark night at that. He enjoyed it so much, in fact, that he failed to notice the troubling thoughts and memories running through his master's head.
"You're still going easy on me," Tokoyami panted, "You need to turn up your strength."
"If I turn it up anymore, I'll seriously hurt you," the shadow crossed his arms, "I think we should call it a night."
"No, we're not done yet. Come at me again, double strength."
Dark Shadow's grin vanished, replaced by a concerned look.
"Are you out of your mind?" he asked, "I'd break every bone you-
"That's an order Dark Shadow!" Fumikage yelled, "I'm your master, now come at me!"
Dark Shadow floated back, caught off by Tokoyami's sudden fury.
"Ok, now you're the one yelling," he said, "Seriously, what's gotten into you?"
"Stop giving me shit and just do as I say!"
"I'm not gonna hurt you, with or without your orders. Why are you so angry at me?"
"MAYBE IF YOU WEREN'T ACTING LIKE SUCH A PUSSY-ASS COWARD, I WOULDN'T BE ANGRY AT YOU!" Tokoyami screamed at the top of his lungs, "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"
As soon as he'd said it, Tokoyami's eyes widened with disbelief. Dark Shadow stared at his master, mouth agape in utter shock and silence.
Tokoyami looked at the ground, gasping for air. He fell on his butt, using his arms to support himself.
"I…I'm sorry," Tokoyami covered his head with both arms in shame, "I have no idea where that came from."
"Really? Cause it sounded like you were possessed by Explosions McPsycho for a second there," Dark Shadow floated over to his master, scratching his chin.
"I…was just thinking about him, that's all." Tokoyami gripped his knees and hid his face, "I'm so sorry Dark Shadow. Let's just go back to the dorms."
"I don't think people imitate others when they think about them," Dark Shadow floated right next to his master, "This is something else. Is it because we lost to him at the the tournament?"
Tokoyami said nothing.
"Because if it is," Dark Shadow continued with a large smile, "We were weaker back then. But we've grown much stronger! Heck, I'm sure if we fought him again-
"We'd lose outright, just like before." Tokoyami interrupted.
Dark Shadow's smile disappeared. Tokoyami lifted his head from his knees.
"You know, if I was captured instead of him back in the forest," he began, "I wouldn't have lasted ten seconds with those villains. They would've broken me, thrown me away or-
"Stop saying stuff like that," Dark Shadow chimed in, "And stop comparing yourself to that spikey blond-haired maniac."
"He's stronger than me," Tokoyami buried his face again, "So much stronger."
"Oh, come on, "Dark Shadow put a hand over his eyes, "He shouldn't even be on your measuring stick, and you know that! Ask anyone in class, and I guarantee they'd much rather team up with you than him."
"But if you asked who'd win in a 1v1 fight-
"That shouldn't be the goal."
"It is my goal," Tokoyami looked up with fury in his eyes, "I'll make up for what happened at the tournament, and at the forest. I'll train more and more, and then I'll show him the power of Eternal Darkness, the might of Tsukuyomi, the Jet-Black Hero!"
Dark Shadow was at a loss of words. He had no idea what to say. This was completely out of character for his master. To see him sink so low to the point of holding a grudge against someone like Bakugou was almost heartbreaking. Suddenly, a voice called out from the forest behind them.
"Since when did the Jet-Black Hero possess such petty vendettas?"
Tokoyami and Dark Shadow both jumped and turned. Aizawa sensei stood at the end of the path on the edge of the forest with his arms crossed. Tokoyami's face blushed violently.
"S-sensei! I…um…." He stuttered for a moment before letting his arms and head down in defeat, "Alright, you got me. I'll accept my punishment in full."
"After what I just witnessed, that's the least of my worries," Aizawa walked over to him, "I'm a teacher first and a disciplinary second."
Tokoyami looked up at him for a moment. Aizawa's intense gaze caused him to look away. Right now, he almost preferred the punishment. Dark Shadow looked back and forth between them both without saying a word.
"Dark Shadow, return."
Dark Shadow obeyed without a word of protest. Slowly, Tokoyami looked back up at his master. Aizawa didn't look furious, or even disappointed. If anything, he looked somewhat saddened.
"How…how much did you hear?" Tokoyami asked.
"Everything," Aizawa answered, "I've been watching the whole night."
Tokoyami let out a small gasp.
"Did you really think you were evading me all this time? I've been keeping an eye on you every night. The only reason I never intervened was because you were using the extra time for training. But I couldn't leave you alone either. Otherwise I'd be a bad guardian and a bad hero."
Tokoyami blinked a few times before his expression changed to one of guilt. His head dropped again.
"I see…" he mumbled.
"But after your little episode there, I could no longer sit on the sidelines," Aizawa sat down on the ground and prompted Tokoyami to do the same, "What's on your mind, Tokoyami? Why is defeating Bakugou your top priority as a hero?"
Tokoyami said nothing, struggling to find an answer.
"It's more than just the tournament and the forest," Aizawa crossed his arms, "I've noticed it more and more now. Over the past month, you've been acting like Bakugou when you train with Dark Shadow. More level-headed and calm of course, until tonight. It's as if you've subconsciously adopted his style and behavior. Not just with the martial arts, either. I spoke to Hawks. He says you've been more…aggressive out in the field."
Tokoyami clenched his fists and bowed his head, shutting his eyes tight.
"Forgive me, Aizawa sensei," he said, "To sink down to his level is disgraceful."
"What are you talking about?" Aizawa smiled, "Because of it, you've trained and fought harder this past month than perhaps any other."
Tokoyami looked up at his teacher with a confused expression.
"You're saying it's a good thing I'm acting like him?"
"To a certain extent," Aizawa nodded, "Of course, you must not adopt his short-temperedness or his disagreeableness. However, my greater concern is your motivation. Are you really doing all of this just to become stronger and defeat him? To prove that you're better than him?"
Tokoyami thought about what he had said earlier.
"I believe it was just in the moment," Tokoyami said, "I don't hold a personal grudge against Bakugou, nor do I wish to humiliate him."
"I agree," Aizawa nodded, "That wouldn't be in your character. But the desire is still there, even now, yes?"
Tokoyami nodded.
"So, where do you believe this desire comes from?"
Tokoyami continued to think, but he couldn't come up with a reason. Finally, Dark Shadow emerged from his chest and spoke,
"It's because he can't forgive himself."
"Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami exclaimed.
"If you're not gonna tell him, I will," he looked back at his master with a sly smile, "I'm sick and tired of being the only one to put up with your secret guilt complex. It's obnoxious."
Tokoyami stammered for a moment, before sighing in defeat.
"You're right," he said in a low tone, "I have no more excuses."
"Can't forgive yourself?" Aizawa asked while Dark Shadow retracted back into Tokoyami, "What do you mean?"
"I have an incredibly hard time getting over my failures," Tokoyami interlocked his fingers, "In particular, my defeat at the tournament and loss of control in the forest."
"And so, you've brought yourself to believe that defeating Bakugou will somehow make up for these failures?"
"I suppose that's one way of putting it." Tokoyami nodded.
"I see," Aizawa put a hand underneath his chin, "The tournament makes sense, but why the forest as well? Bakugou helped suppress your-
Aizawa paused and smiled.
"Ah, I see. It's because you had to rely on his power to maintain control?"
"Yes, further reinforcing my inferiority and his superiority," Tokoyami nodded, "Honestly, that's bothered me more than the tournament."
"But Todoroki counters your power as well."
"Yes, but we've never fought. Although I desperately want to. He's second on my list."
"Oh?" Aizawa's grin widened, "You have a hitlist now?"
"No!" Tokoyami exclaimed, "Well, not really. It's just those two, I promise."
Aizawa nodded and stood up, offering a hand to Tokoyami.
"Way I see it, you need to approach your challenges with the right perspective," Aizawa said, "If you've made Bakugou and Todoroki your thresholds, understand why. If you fight them trying to make up for past failures, you're doing it for the wrong reason. So, come up with a new one, or change your goals."
"Understood sensei," Tokoyami bowed, "Thank you."
"Also, from now on, I will be directly observing and participating in your extra training," Aizawa said, "To make sure you don't push yourself too far."
"You're gonna let us continue?"
"Yes, but only under my watch. You try sneaking out again on your own, I won't condone it." Aizawa turned and began walking back towards the path, "Let's head back. It's well past your bedtime, and I'm freezing."
Tokoyami grabbed his sweatshirt and hoodie and quickly threw them on. He grabbed the lanterns on the ground and lightly jogged to catch up with Aizawa.
"Oh, you're also cleaning and scrubbing the dorms for the next three days," Aizawa smiled at him, "I can't forgive your infractions completely."
"Yes sir," Tokoyami nodded with a smile of his own. He would've been fine with three weeks. Knowing Aizawa would be helping him train was the more than enough to make up for any chores. He wished he'd asked him from the beginning.
"One more thing." Aizawa said.
"What is it sensei?"
"If something's bothering you, never keep it from me, Hawks, or the other teachers, understood?" Aizawa eyed him intensely, "We're on your side Tokoyami. Nothing makes a villain faster than a conflicted student cooped up alone with his thoughts and struggles."
"I understand," Tokoyami nodded, "thank you."
"And get your arms wrapped up," Aizawa added, "Those are some nasty bruises."