A/N: Hello! I have not forgotten this story. I have been debating where to cut this chapter off. I see two possible paths for Chapter 7. I'm not sure which way to choose so I need your help. Please tell me, should Tokoyami get his memory back in the next chapter? Depending what I hear from you all will be which path I choose. Please comment to let me know.
Part 6
The night in the dorm room was very confusing to Tokoyami. Something strange had shifted. Normally, when Dark Shadow was "inside" him he had a quiet mind. However, after the attempt at the fight, Tokoyami had not been able to unfeel Dark Shadow. There was a constant reminder of his quirks existence. It wasn't just when Dark Shadow spoke in his mind.
He could tell Dark Shadow was concerned. He didn't want to invade Tokoyami's space, but his constant emotional squirming was keeping Tokoyami anything but calm. Tokoyami sighed. "Dark Shadow?"
The creature popped out of his chest. "I'm sorry I wasn't good in the battle," Dark Shadow said. "That's why you are not happy, right?"
Tokoyami shook his head. "I'm not upset with you."
"But you are upset."
"I am confused," Tokoyami admitted. "I… I can feel you. I feel what you are feeling."
Dark Shadow's expression became one of concern. "You hadn't felt me previously?"
Tokoyami shook his head.
"We could always feel each other. How you feel me is how I feel you."
"It's overwhelming. I don't understand how I can so easily distinguish yet feel your feelings so intently."
"This is why we meditate. That's why we talk the whole time with Shoji. We sort out our feelings and who is feeling what," Dark Shadow said. "I assumed we both were feeling something so similar, you couldn't distinguish it. Why else did your head hurt so bad when you first came? Light hurts me. I thought you were feeling it too. I should have asked you instead of assuming you already felt it."
Tokoyami reached out and pet his quirks head. "I'm realizing how important our relationship is. We feel like symbiotic creatures. We can not succeed without each other."
"It was always so natural. We never questioned it. It feels weird to point this out."
"We are in a weird circumstance," Tokoyami said.
"I'd like you to be back to normal," Dark Shadow said.
Tokoyami sighed. He closed his eyes as he lay on his bed. "Me too, Dark Shadow. Me too."
Knock knock!
Tokoyami sat up. Someone came to his room. "Who is it?"
"C'est moi, Aoyama," The voice called.
"Aoyama?" Tokoyami said out loud.
He walked to his door, opened it, to see the sparkling blonde standing at the doorway. "Your presence is requested at movie night? Will you be up to attending?"
"Movie night?" Tokoyami asked.
"Oui! We have a movie night before exams. Tonight is my night to pick the film. Will you please join us?" Aoyama gestured down the hallway.
"You should go," Dark Shadow said in his mind. "Everyone will be there. And they will probably like to know that you are fine."
"Agreed," Tokoyami thought back. He nodded to Aoyama who gleefully walked him down to the common area where everyone was sitting. Piles of couchines lined the floor. Many chairs and couches were pulled over facing the large television. The eyes of the class met with Tokoyami as Aoyama danced in.
"I got Tokoyami!: Aoyama cheered.
"Hey, Tokoyami," Midoriya said with a wave. "Find a seat."
The rest of the class waved. Tokoyami looked around. He saw all the girls huddled together on the floor surrounded by pillows and blankets alike. Mineta, Sato, and Koda sat on the couch. There was a cushion on the ground in front of Shoji and Ojirou, who sat on separate chairs, that was available. Tokoyami moved over to the empty space and nestled in, sitting and elbow resting on his knee. Jirou was closest to him, and she nodded with approval at his seat. Across not too far from him, Tokoymai saw Tsu looking at him. She smiled. He smiled back.
"Bonsoir, mes amis!" Aoyama cheered. "Tonight's film has been inspired by our dear friend, Tokoyami. I wanted to give my best efforts to help with his memory as we all avoid focusing on the exams of tomorrow, so I have decided to show a french horror film.
The movie Aoyama Picked was a French Movie titled "N'allume Pas Les Lumieres" which he said translated to don't turn out the lights.
"It's a perfect movie for Tokoyami," Aoyama exclaimed.
Koda shivered on Tokoyami's right. "Is it really scary?"
"I'm unaware. I have never seen this," Aoyama admitted.
Midoriya pulled out his phone and searched the name. "According to the critiques this is considered one of the most terrifying movies of all time." His hand shook as he read what the critics had said.
"Scariest movie of all time!" Ochaco latched onto Tsu.
"Should we really watch something so scary the night before exams?" Tsu asked.
"It will be okay, Koda," Shoji said patting the clearly fearful on the shoulder.
"Is it because there is an illusion to darkness that you picked this movie based on me?" Tokoyami asked. "If it is offensive to others, then perhaps we can find something else."
Jirou elbowed Tokoyami. "Nah, your the horror guy. Your the reason we watch scary movies."
"You tell the scariest stories," Mina added. "There is no way this movie is more terrifying than the ghost story you told us our first year."
"You also never flinch in any of these movies," Shoji said.
"Am I the only one who wants to see if Tokoyami actually gets scared watching this?" Mineta asked.
After an awkward moment of silence, Ojirou raised his hand. "It would be exciting to see Tokoyami jump when we do?"
"Would he be scared?" Todoroki asked. "Tokoyami still sort of acts like himself."
"Am I that brave?" Tokoyami asked.
"You're sorta immune to horror films," Kaminaria said with a laugh. "This could be fun guys."
The class began to discuss amongst themselves. Tokoyami sank against the couchine. He looked to Aoyama who seemed to be shrinking into himself. He seemed disappointed that he had possibly created such a poor idea.
Bakugou stood up. "This is stupid. I'm going to bed."
"So you're saying you're too scared," Sero said with a snicker.
At this point, one would think Bakugou would have known by now that Taunts like this were false challenges. Everyone knew he was in bed by eight thirty each night. The fact that he even was down with the group at seven thirty was amazing. Yet, that taunt was enough to snap Bakugou's head.
"What did you say?" Bakugou said.
Sero looked to Kirishima for help. Kirishima grinned. "It's just a scary movie man. You don't need to worry about it."
That was the final poke. In a swift motion, Bakugou was up beside Aoyama, grabbing the movie from his hands. "Scariest movie, my ass. We will see. Sit down and let's watch this blasted thing. Aoyama movies to the other side of Tokoyami. Bakugou put the movie on, and the music played.
The title critics had given the movie was accurate. About fifteen minutes into the movie, and it was clear that a poltergeist would be involved. Objects moved on their own, and vengeful spirits attacked the family that lived in the hotel. It had only begun.
Tokoyami watched as the time flew. His eyes darted between subtitles and footage. Something about this movie was… familiar. It was so odd but he was finally calm. Living with Dark Shadow in himself, it was very similar to the feeling of this movie. Was he getting comfort from this movie?
His focus on the film was disrupted by Jirou. She latched on to Tokoyami and buried her head in his shoulder. "Tell me when it's over," she muttered into his shirt.
Tokoyami blinked. "Should I read the subtitle titles?"
"No, spare her," the small voice of Aoyama said. Tokoyami looked over his shoulder. Aoyama was somehow hiding between him and the couch. He looked into Tokoyami's eyes with great fear. "Hearing the movie is terrifying enough."
An hour and a half later, the movie ended. Tokoyami looked around the room. Though Bakugou and Todoroki had a slight discomfort on their face, they remained separate. All the others were either gathered together into protective groups. At some point, Koda left and went upstairs. Midoriya hid behind a pillow knowing on his fingertips. Even Tokoyami ended up being hugged between Jirou and Aoyama by the end.
Jirou managed to pull herself from Tokoyami. She stared at him with wide eyes. "Tokoyami, you didn't flinch at all through that whole movie. Didn't you find it scary."
Tokoyami shrugged. "I guess. I found it similar to what it is like to have Dark Shadow in my mind." He smiled. "In a way I got a weird kinship from the film."
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Mineta yelled across the room.
"What does that say about what goes inside his head?" Kaminari said as he stood up.
Kirishima punched the air. "At least I know it's not something I can learn."
"Whatever, I'm going to bed," Bakugou said leaving the room.
Shoji laughed and patted Tokoyami on the back. "It's nice to know that it's just your nature that makes you immune to such a film."
The room buzzed with positive chatter. Tokoyami smiled. "I'm glad being myself could make everyone somewhat joyous after a scary film."
The next morning felt ominous for no apparent reason. Perhaps it was the fact that Tokoyami was going about his life like he knew his daily routine. It may have also been the stressed out faces of all his classmates as the left the dorms and went to breakfast altogether. Like the calm before the storm, all was quiet.
"Fumikage," Dark Shadow said in his mind. "I would like to ask you something."
"Yes. Go on ahead, Dark Shadow." Tokoyami responded in his head. Their inner dialogue was becoming easier to manage.
"Since today is the exams, and you don't know anything, would it be okay if I tried to take the exam?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what I said. I take the exams. I will tell you what to write and you put it down."
"Is that something you can do?".
"Duh. I go to every class with you. Actually, I don't even think you know what classes we take."
"I have no idea what subjects there are. Is this allowed? Have we done this before?"
"I have no idea if the school would have an issue. This is not something you wouldn't have ever allowed me to do."
"Allowed?"
"Yeah. You take so much pride in knowing all this stuff on your own. Any time I ever say an answer to something you always write down the wrong answer. Something about it not being ethical because you couldn't recall it yourself immediately. But I argue if I know it then you do know it!"
"I see. So you are asking me to allow for something that I never would have wanted or allowed in the first place."
"You're going to fail on your own. At least if you listen to me you have a chance. You heard All Might, yesterday. They are not sure if you can be excused from these exams. You're already going in at a disadvantage."
"That's true."
"And, this may sound dumb, but I want to see what I know, too. I would like to see if I am just as smart as Fumikage. We are partners. Why can't I get an exam as well?"
Tokoyami felt the despair from his quirk. What would it hurt to let Dark Shadow take this exam? "Okay, I will follow your lead on this."
Out of nowhere, Dark Shadow sprung from it's host's chest and coiled itself around his body. "Thank you! Thank you!"
Tokoyami pet the entity until it trailed back inside. Shoji, who was sitting across from him at breakfast, looked confused. "Should I ask what has made Dark Shadow so joyous?"
"Don't tell him. What if this is cheating?"
Tokoyami shook his head. "It's hard to explain. I guess I'm doing something out of character at the request of Dark Shadow today."
Shoji smiled. "I can't wait to see what that is."
"Me too, I guess." Tokoyami sighed before finishing his meal. He followed Shoji out of the cafeteria and to the classroom.
Once at class, all the students were nervously buzzing at their seats.
"I hate exam day," Mina said with her head on the desk
"Me too," said Kaminari. "But on the bright side, I won't be at the bottom of the class this time. No offense, Tokoyami."
Dark Shadow growled inside Tokoyami's head. Tokoyami shook his head to ignore the beast. "None taken."
"You know, Kaminari," Tsu chimed in. "It sure does say something when a person has to completely forget everything about themselves in order to raise your grades. Ribbit."
"It will also say something really bad if Tokoyami somehow does better," Sero whispered to Kirishima. Both laughed.
Kaminari snarled. "I heard that."
"Shut up, dunce face," Bakugou yelled.
Jirou snickered at the bickering between the male students.
Tokoyami was restless in his seat. This chair was too uncomfortable. He got up and sat himself on top of the desk. One leg dangled off, and after a moment of adjusting, his other knee pulled up high enough to rest his elbow against.
Iida entered the room. He immediately turned to Tokoyami and chopped his hand in the air. "Tokoyami! Do not sit on top of the desks." The class present then paused, and stared confusingly at Tokoyami.
The room went silent. Everyone stared at Tokoyami. He shuttered. All eyes were on him. He hopped off the table. "Apologies."
"No, you don't need to apologize," Shoji spoke up. "It's just… that was a regular ordeal. Iida regularly walks into the room and tells you to get off the desk. You were acting like yourself."
Tokoyami shrugged. "I was uncomfortable in the chair."
"I wonder if it is bird instinct?" muttered Midoriya.
Before anything more could be said, the door moved open. In came a very groggy looking Aizawa. He carried stacks of paper; the exam.
"You're in your third year. I'm sure you know the time limits and the your exams by now. Do your best, and don't waste time." Aizawa passed out the first exam. "You may begin."
Tokoyami looked down at the first paper. "Alright Dark Shadow, guide me through this."
Time went by so quickly. Tokoyami listened to Dark Shadow. The only time where Tokoyami took most of the reins was in the essay writing section. Dark Shadow just told him how the arguments should be structured. Sure they were mostly pathos, but asking a boy with no memory or literature text to refer to anything beyond what he thought was not conceivable.
The essay was the last exam. When Tokoyami stood up to turn it in, Aizawa smiled and told him to go get lunch. His classmates had been assigned to make sure he arrives at the practical exam.
Dark Shadow was bouncing with joy inside him. Though Tokoyami felt neutral, if not slightly nervous for the next exam Dark Shadow was full of happiness.
"We did really well on those tests," Dark Shadow said inside Tokoyami. "I knew so many answers. You had been studying everyday for a little bit before the accident. I can't wait to see my scores."
Tokoyami smiled. "They will be yours to be proud of Dark Shadow."
"Tokoyami!"
The 3-A class was gathered around a large table in the cafeteria. Tokoyami joined the class. Kaminari patted Tokoyami on the back!
"There's my favorite dude! I can't wait to see what you did all that time. Did you just draw pictures? I couldn't imagine what you did."
"What did you do, Tokoyami?" Shoji asked. "I saw you writing and putting down work. Did you actually remember some things?"
Kaminari gulped.
Tokoyami shook his head. "I didn't remember any of the content."
Kaminari relaxed and gave a sigh of relief.
"I did listen to Dark Shadow," Tokoyami continued, "They knew what was happening."
"Dark Shadow!" Kaminari almost fainted.
The shadow emerged from Tokoyami's chest. "Why did you tell them? What if you get in trouble?"
Tokoyami shrugged his shoulder. "It has already happened. I didn't know what all that could do."
"Would it be unfair to use your quirk on a written exam?" Midoriya pondered out loud.
Iida stroked his chin. "I don't think there is a single rule against this in the UA handbook."
"I wonder if it was against the rules in Tokoyami's middle school," Momo suggested.
"Fumikage never let me give an answer," Dark Shadow said. "Everytime I'd say the right answer, Fumikage would write the wrong answer."
The rest of the class stared at Tokoyami. Tokoyami shrugged. "I don't know what I used to do and why I did it."
Kaminari groaned. "This was my one hope to get me up just a little higher in the ranks."
"Like you would get any higher than 19, Dunce Face," Bakugou said in between bites.
The rest of the class laughed, and enjoyed their lunch. Tokoyami got his food. He had fun hearing from each classmate. It was nice to feel joy with the group. Thirty minutes passed and several alarms went off.
Tokoyami looked to his classmates. "What is happening?"
"It is time for us to go," Shoji explained. "Our physical exam is soon. We need to go get our costumes. Follow me. I'll make sure you get to the exam in time. Tokoyami nodded and followed Shoji, anxious as to how this physical exam would go."
The entirety stood outside of Gym Gamma. It was a beautiful day. Many students were pumped for their exam. What were they going to do? Who were they going to fight?
Tokoyami was nervous. He stared at the gym and then looked at his classmates. How was he supposed to fight? How was he supposed to be of any use? Dark Shadow couldn't be let loose to battle. That terrifying rush from yesterday sank back into his stomach.
"How are you doing, Tokoyami? Ribbit" Tsu walked up behind Tokoyami while he was lost in thought.
Tokoyami jolted, startled out of thought. "Tsu, hello. I am just a little surprised."
She smiled. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to know how you were doing?"
"I was just lost in thought. Thank you, Tsu. I guess I'm quite nervous. I'm not feeling ready for any sort of combat." Tokoyami sighed.
"I'm sure it will be fine, ribbit. Besides, we don't even know what we are doing."
At that moment The doors opened up to Gym Gamma. Insides was a large cement maze that went to the ceiling. All of the staff emerged from the entrance. Of the maze. Aizawa was in the forefront.
Aizawa cleared his throat before speaking. "We wanted to give you a survival final. Through recent events, a battle just didn't seem right. As a team you need to get at least one of your team members to the other side of the maze within the time limit. This is to help you adapt to a rescue situation in an area you may not know or when you follow a villain into unknown territory. Someone needs to get the mission completed. Before you ask, you will be docked points for every wall of the maze you destroy. If this were a city you wouldn't be able to just storm through random citizens' houses and businesses.
Cementoss will change the maze each round. Us teachers are spread throughout the maze. We will also be wandering. Whoever you run into, you will have to deal with.
You will need to be wise with your team. The maze is as long as the gym. You will be in groups of five and you will have one hour."
Aizawa then listed out the teams. Team One was Mina, Ochaco, Bakugou, Midoriya, and Momo. Team two was Tsu, Ojiro, Tokoyami, Todoroki, Hagakure. Team Three was Kaminari, Sato, Shoji, Jirou, and Mineta. And the fourth team was Aoyama, Iida, Kirishima, Koda, and Sero.
"Look Tokoyami, we are grouped together," Tsu said.
"Indeed," Tokoyami said with a worrisome tone.
"You have ten minutes to strategize with your team," Aizawa said. "You may go."
The ten minutes flew by as Tokoyami, Tsu, Ojiro, Todoroki, and Hagakure grouped together. Tokoyami mostly listened. He had very little understanding of his own abilities, let alone his classmates. How was he going to help fight, if he wasn't sure what to do.
"We can tell Tokoyami what to do with Dark Shadow," Tsu said. She was looking at him. She seemed to notice his discomfort.
"I don't mean to be rude, but I think, with Tokoyami in his current state, if we need him to fight, we should leave him. No offense, Tokoyami." Ojiro avoided eye contact as he spoke.
Tokoyami nodded. "I think leaving me as a distraction may be the option. Only one person needs to cross for everyone to succeed right?"
Everyone nodded. It was decided at the last moment that the focus would be to get Hagakure through the maze. Her invisibility made it ideal for her to be forgotten by the teachers. Also long as she made it to the end all would be fine.
Aizawa called everyone forward. Group one was left to the front of the arena. Everyone else was brought to a viewing room. Watching the obstacle in play was unreal. Tokoyami hadn't really gotten to see his classmate in action. They were magnificent! So much power from each member. Mina and Ochaco moved so insync. Midoriya was much more acrobatic than Tokoyami had realized. Bakugou commanded the stage. He held the team together as Momo made some sort of flash grenade. Group one was able to succeed. It was truly stunning.
As the smoke cleared, Aizawa called out to the spectating class. "Group one has passed. Group two, you are up."
"That's us, ribbit," Tsu said, tapping Tokoyami.
"This is going to be difficult," Dark Shadow whined in Tokoyami's ear. Tokoyami nodded as they nervously made their way to the arena.