Sorry this update took a while! I ended up rewriting a large part of the middle because I wasn't happy with it. Thanks for sticking with me!
WARNING: This chapter contains mentions of seizures and vomiting.
Chapter 15: Kryptonite
Tokoyami and Hawks talk less after their argument. Tokoyami keeps writing. It helps him to process the situation and adjust his expectations of his mentor, although he destroys anything too personal before anyone can read it. Other notes he gladly shares with his mentor. Even if Hawks is around to witness events, he feels like he needs to document them. There's no telling how all that they've experienced will affect their memories, and Tokoyami still holds on to a kernel of hope that he might find an opportunity to smuggle some of his writing to the outside world. There's also the less pleasant and more likely chance that one or both of them will not make it out alive.
Hawks does some writing as well. Together they keep track of the days and analyze what they know about their captors and their location, drawing out maps of the abandoned school's basement and expanding it with guesswork. It isn't much, but when the opportunity for escape arrives Tokoyami is determined to be an asset, not a victim.
The League watches them constantly, but the camera has blind spots and it does not pick up sound very well. That makes it easier to make plans without the League's knowledge – well, at least without their knowledge of the details. The villains already know that they don't intend to live out the rest of their lives as captives. It's all a matter of timing: when Hawks has his wings, when Dark Shadow is stronger, when opportunity strikes or the League's threats become something worse.
Hawks was the one to mention 'something worse,' and he refused to answer when Tokoyami asked him to elaborate. He glances down at his left hand and neatly bandaged fingers. They feel stiff when he moves them, like his skin no longer fits properly. It is difficult to imagine something worse, but Tokoyami has no doubt that such a thing exists. There is real fear in Hawks' eyes whenever the doctor starts asking too many questions about their quirks. Tokoyami has refused all of Ujiko's requests to speak with Dark Shadow, using the quirk's weakness to light as an excuse.
"I don't want to talk to him either," Dark Shadow thinks.
"There is something very dangerous about him," Tokoyami agrees. "He isn't intentionally cruel, but-"
A noise in the hallway catches his attention, voices that get closer with every footstep. Hawks may have inherited his avian namesake's excellent vision, but with the entire head of a bird Tokoyami's hearing is even more sensitive. He can hear frequencies that humans can't, a trait he, Shoji, and Jirou bonded over after their first few nights in the dorms. They learned very quickly which of their floormates snored and which white noise machines worked best to block out excess noise. Here, however, Tokoyami is glad for it. The League is rarely able to sneak up on him, and sometimes he's able to learn something valuable by eavesdropping.
"Don't you see? It's working. The people blame the heroes and the heroes blame each other. Hero society is breaking down from the inside out. It won't take much to push them over the edge." Shigaraki's voice sounds as raspy and decayed as his quirk.
"Yes, yes, it seems your plan has finally played out as intended. But you of all people should know better than to celebrate prematurely," says Dr. Ujiko.
"That's why I need him. You don't know what your experiments will do. If they change his blood, we lose our trojan horse," says Shigaraki.
"I'll take the boy, then. Imagine what we might learn from a sentient quirk."
"I'm not done with him yet!" Shigaraki hisses. "There's more he knows, and if you start sticking things in his brain we'll never find out what they are."
"You haven't had much success so far. I think you'll find my methods are more than persuasive," the doctor replies.
"I said no! You can have them when I've gotten what I want out of them, and no sooner," says Shigaraki.
The doctor's voice takes on a sharp edge, his pitch lower and all good humor gone. "Watch yourself. You are not your master and I am not a pawn to be used at your disposal. I continue to return here because my academic interest is piqued, and you have so badly damaged the subjects that without my help any test results will be invalid."
There's a pause before Shigaraki's reply. "Very well. Give me another day. If I get nothing from him, you can take the boy. I believe this session will be different, however. I have something new."
"More torture? Both subjects have proven themselves quite resilient when it comes to pain. Good for my research, bad for your questions."
"Just watch. Leave the questions to me."
Tokoyami barely has time to share a look of horror with Hawks before the door opens. Hawks puts himself between Tokoyami and the villains and stretches his wings. "Hey there, doc! I see you brought the ugly nurse today. Can't say I'm much interested in a sponge bath from him. You should bring back the cute one - you know, the one with staples in his face."
"Next time he's here I'll send Dabi to staple your mouthshut," says Shigaraki.
"Hah! You think Dabi's cute! I could've been talking about Twice," says Hawks.
Shigaraki doesn't rise to the bait this time. Instead, he reaches behind Hawks and wraps four fingers around Tokoyami's wrist, pulling him to his feet. "I'm not here for you anyway. It's been too long since the last time Tsukuyomi and I had a private chat."
Dark Shadow bristles. "I'm coming, he can't touch you!"
"Stand down!" Tokoyami mentally commands. "Don't waste your strength. He said he has something new. It could be a trap."
Although the quirk obeys, Tokoyami can sense Dark Shadow's displeasure. Shigaraki leads him to a chair facing the television and roughly shoves him into it. He doesn't bother with restraints this time. He doesn't really need to; there's nowhere for Tokoyami to go.
Hawks tries to follow them, but Dr. Ujiko drags a second chair to the other side of the room. "It's time to check that wound, Hawks. We might be able to take out your stitches today – isn't that nice?"
"Nice would've been not getting stabbed in the first place, but sure. Healing this well in a jail cell is probably a small miracle." Hawks crosses in front of Tokoyami and ruffles the feathers on his head, then moves out of his line of sight. Tokoyami wonders if Shigaraki intends to use him as leverage against Hawks again. His fingers sting at the thought, and his whole body shudders when Shigaraki brushes three fingers over Tokoyami's arm. The fact that Dark Shadow is impervious to Shigaraki's quirk doesn't make the sensation any less disturbing.
"Now then. How do students enter U.A.? What are their security systems?" Shigaraki asks.
Tokoyami glares at him. "You've been asking me the same questions for weeks, and I have given you the same answers. You must be getting bored by now."
"Not at all! I've learned a great deal from you. All you heroes have the same weakness: you have no sense of self-preservation. You seem to believe that being hurt and killed is somehow noble, worthy of praise and a fancy memorial," Shigaraki replies.
"If that's how you see it, then you have learned nothing," Tokoyami replies.
Shigaraki sneers. "How I see it is irrelevant for the moment. Your martyr complex is only one half of your true weakness. You're just like your mentor: you may not care about yourself, but how about your friends?"
Shigaraki taps on his cell phone and the television behind him comes to life. The screen shows a boy lying unconscious in a dimly lit hospital room. The boy's arm is in a cast and there is a large white bandage on his forehead. He looks familiar, but between the grainy footage and the lack of spikes in the boy's hair it takes Tokoyami a moment to actually recognize Kirishima.
"He's alive," Tokoyami says, both in answer to Shigaraki and to reassure himself that it's true. "He's a hero. He fought Toga and the nomu and lived. That's all this picture tells me."
"Are you an idiot?" Shigaraki hisses. "No, of course you are. An intelligent being would not be wasting my time. Allow me to make things perfectly clear for you: we have connections at that hospital, connections close enough to get a live video feed."
"You're lying. That battle was very public; this is probably off a news site," Tokoyami replies.
Shigaraki taps his phone again and speaks into it. "Get in the frame."
The video feed blurs as it shifts, briefly showing a second bed with another patient that must be Amajiki. Then two nurses come into view, dressed in scrubs and face masks. It's like something out of a horror movie. A needle glints in one's pink gloved hand, and both wave at the camera. The one with the needle is a petite blonde, and the other has scars running all the way up his arms. Toga and Dabi.
Tokoyami gapes at the screen. "How did he get in? They never publish what hospitals the heroes are in, and there's always security!"
"First the number 2 hero, now a hospital – I guess you can't trust anyone these days. We have more followers than you think, and they're not lurking in all those comfortable shadows and back alleys most people imagine," says Shigaraki. He gestures behind Tokoyami, towards Hawks and the doctor. "Dr. Ujiko, for instance, is quite the respected expert in quirk biology. I could have waltzed into that hospital myself and no one would have stopped me. So I'll ask you one more time: how do we get into U.A.?"
Tokoyami says nothing, and this time it is not solely for the sake of defiance. He feels like his throat has closed up, letting no air in or out.
"Do it," Shigaraki commands.
Toga injects something into Kirishima's I.V. line. Kirishima frowns and shifts, but he doesn't wake up. "What have you done?" asks Tokoyami. He wants to yell, but all that comes out is a whisper.
"Poison. I'm told it is a horrible, slow way to die," Shigaraki replies.
"No!" Tokoyami leaps to his feet. Shigaraki shoves him back down and keeps him there with four fingers digging into the old wounds on his shoulder. Tokoyami feels helpless as Kirishima begins to convulse, his muscles tensing up and his body twisting in the sheets.
Shigaraki has the gall to laugh. "Did I say slow? I meant to say he'll be dead in about six minutes. I do hope he doesn't aggravate any injuries jerking around like that."
"Someone – someone's got to stop this! Someone will come! They'll know what you've done," Tokoyami says desperately. "Suneater, he'll wake up and—"
"That child has been sedated so thoroughly he'd sleep through the end of the world, and all the staff on this floor have been conveniently called away. No one's coming to save your friend, just like they didn't come to save you. He'll die, and no one will think anything of it. Just a tragic result of his injuries. Unless, of course…" Shigaraki pauses, and Toga prepares a second needle.
"What's that? What more could you possibly do?" Tokoyami demands.
"There's an antidote," Shigaraki explains. "You can save him, or you can watch him die. What's it going to be, hero?"
"I…" Tokoyami feels like his throat has closed up again. Part of the reason he's still alive is the notion that he's protecting his friends, that his life here is worthwhile if he can keep them safe. Yet now Kirishima is dying before his eyes with Tokoyami as the only friendly witness. He knows what it feels like to 'die' alone, and he knows how desperately he wishes someone would save him. But he also knows that if Kirishima had to choose between his own life and another's, he wouldn't hesitate at all.
"I can't." The words break free from his beak like a sob. "I can't choose one friend over all the others."
"How about two?" says Shigaraki. "Dose the other one."
Toga salutes the camera, then skips over to Amajiki's bed.
"STOP! They can't fight back!" Tokoyami cries out. He breaks free of Shigaraki and leaps to his feet. This time Shigaraki shoves him to his knees, then grabs the back of his head and forces him to stare at the television. A few of his feathers turn to ash before Dark Shadow's thin shield surges around him.
Toga injects Amajiki, and Dabi shifts the camera so that it shows both beds. Kirishimi's body jerks hard, spit or vomit gathering at the corner of his mouth.
"Watch them die or watch them live. It's up to you," says Shigaraki.
"Tsukuyomi!" Hawks calls from somewhere behind him. "It's not your fault! Don't let them get in your-" He's is cut off with a pained grunt.
"Tell me now, or they're dead. What is U.A.'s security system? How do you get inside?" Shigaraki demands.
"I told you weeks ago by mistake, I told you it's the IDs!" Tokoyami exclaims.
"That's not good enough. Old information is cheating," says Shigaraki. "I guess you don't care. What a pity. They were pretty strong, too."
Kirishima is choking, and Amajiki twists so violently he tears the stitches in his shoulder and blood soaks through the bandages. They're out of time, and Tokoyami can't take it anymore. He's tired of watching Toga and the nomu tear through civilians and take down heroes while he does nothing. He shuts his eyes. "Alright! I'll tell you how to get inside. Just save them, please!"
"That's not an answer. Better talk quickly," says Shigaraki.
"Fumikage…" Dark Shadow whispers.
"I can't. I can't watch them die, not like this. At least at U.A. the others will have a fighting chance," Tokoyami thinks.
"Shigaraki's a cheater. He won't play fair," Dark Shadow replies.
"Then neither will I."
Out loud, Tokoyami talks as fast as he can. "There's a scanner at the gate. To get in you have to tap your ID and let it scan your fingerprints or eyes."
"That's all? Too easy," says Shigaraki.
Tokoyami shakes his head. "There's a special way to tap the ID. I'll explain it, I promise, just please, please let them live!"
"Well, since you've asked nicely," says Shigaraki. He taps on his phone. "We have what we need. Give them the antidote."
Toga raises an eyebrow at the camera.
"Don't make me a liar," Shigaraki warns.
With deliberate slowness, Toga prepares another needle. Tokoyami's heart is in his throat the entire time. It takes even more time for Toga to catch Kirishima's flailing arm, and she has to jab the needle in hard to force it though the unconscious flares of his hardening quirk. Then Toga turns him on his side and slams a palm on the teen's back, forcing him to expel whatever fluid is caught in his mouth and throat. She leaves Kirishima hanging over the side of the bed and goes to do the same for Amajiki.
Shigaraki releases his feathers. "Well?"
"Thank you," Tokoyami whispers, eyes till glued to the screen. Dark Shadow disperses, energy almost spent.
"That isn't an answer either. Don't forget this. Don't forget that we know where they are, and we can reach your friends any time we want. Next time there won't be any choice. If you lie to me, I'll slit their throats," says Shigaraki.
"Then at least I buy them time, and let the world see that it was murder," Tokoyami thinks.
"I understand," he says. "The IDs – you have to scan them three times, twice on the front and once on the back, in that order. Otherwise it will set off silent alarms. I don't know if the biologic scanners can recognize a quirk like Toga's, but they would catch one of Twice's copies if it wasn't perfect."
"Do the teachers live on campus?" Shigaraki asks.
Tokoyami hesitates again. Shigaraki taps his finger against his phone, reminding Tokoyami that villains are still in the room with his unconscious friends. "Sometimes. Not all of them, I think. There's always someone to look after the dorms. If you're asking about All Might, I don't know where he lives."
"What about All Might's favorites?"
Tokoyami's concentration falters. "His what?"
"I haven't forgotten what you shared with Twice and Spinner. All Might has his favorites. Does he visit them?" says Shigaraki.
"He visits all the dorms," Tokoyami replies.
"Especially 1A? There's no need to be vague, you've already told us that much," says Shigaraki.
Tokoyami clenches his teeth. "Then you do not need me to say it twice."
"I'm asking for clarification."
"All Might has lost his powers. Going after him does not make you strong, it makes you obsessive and short sighted," Tokoyami counters.
Shigaraki bristles and leans closer. "You are short sighted if you think All Might is truly finished. As long as the so-called symbol of peace is around, people will remember the golden age of heroes and dismiss its flaws, just like they overlook how broken their favorite hero has become. When he's dead, who will they turn to? I've been generous enough to give you a taste of the world outside. People are losing faith in heroes, and without All Might blinding them to the truth they will finally see this world as it really is: rotten to the core."
"You're wrong," Tokoyami argues, looking past Shigaraki and taking strength from the sight of his friends, even injured as they are. "There will always be heroes willing to stand up to the likes of you. And they don't have to be All Might. They can be students, teachers, musicians. Heroes can come from anywhere."
"Still so idealistic," Shigaraki sighs. "Well, if you choose to die for a fantasy that's not my fault. It will be your fault, however, if those two die. You haven't completed the terms of our deal."
"You asked for the way into U.A., and I gave it to you."
"That bargain was only for one life. If you want them both, you'll tell me everything you know about All Might's successor," says Shigaraki.
"I can't give you information I don't have," Tokoyami replies. "I didn't even know he had a successor – and if he does, why would he choose a first-year student? We haven't proven ourselves yet. It takes more than a strong quirk to be a hero, especially one like All Might. You've forced us to sit through enough failed interviews to know that."
"True, but there is something to be said for finding someone young. Someone…malleable." He drags his fingers over Tokoyami's cheek, and Dark Shadow immediately returns to coat Tokoyami's skin. Shigaraki only smiles as he draws his fingers back to himself. "Impressionable children make good little soldiers. Wouldn't you agree, Hawks?"
Tokoyami can't see his mentor, but he can hear his ragged breathing. The fact that it is not accompanied by a snarky response is not encouraging. Although Hawks doesn't talk much about his childhood, Tokoyami is sure it wasn't a pleasant one. On the other hand, when he thinks of his experiences at U.A. he cannot deny there is a sense of indoctrination. They are taught that heroes are special and able to skirt laws on quirk usage, but all that comes at a price. Their pain, their injuries, their lives are never more important than a civilian's. Tokoyami himself has barely hesitated to sacrifice his own wellbeing, caving only because he cannot stomach the sacrifice of his friends.
"You should care more for yourself, Fumi. For both of us," Dark Shadow thinks, curling protectively around his heart.
"Why do you care so much about a successor?" Tokoyami asks. "I don't condone killing All Might, but I think I understand it. He destroyed your master, and he represents everything that you hate. But if you really think his death will be what topples society and that younger generations are so easy to manipulate, what does his successor matter?"
"You think you're very wise, don't you? You can't talk your way out of this," Shigaraki snarls. "I'm getting bored of waiting. You gave me one answer, you can keep one friend. I'll even let you choose which one."
"I have given you an answer! I don't know who All Might would choose for a successor!" Tokoyami shouts. He cranes his neck, seeking out the one who saved him from Shigaraki's wrath the last time. "Dr. Ujiko, please! You said I was telling the truth when they burned me. I still am!"
"Things have changed, my boy," Ujiko says. "I think you do know the answer. You may not have a name, but you've given us plenty to speculate on. An older student or someone who has otherwise proven themselves, and one whose quirk does not define them. Perhaps it would help if we changed the question: who is All Might as a man, not a legend? Who would he choose?"
Tokoyami wants to argue that the question is pointless, but Shigaraki is still glaring down at him and gripping his phone so hard that it will probably crumble without the activation of his quirk. The League is already after All Might, and everyone at U.A. knows it. Telling them about All Might as a teacher isn't likely to make that any worse, and it might be his only chance to save Kirishima and Amajiki without endangering any other classmates.
He thinks of All Might at the beginning of the year, the way he hovered around their class and fumbled through lesson plans that were either chaotic or overly scripted. Not that Tokoyami or the other students had noticed at the time; they were busy desperately seeking the attention and approval of the man who had been an icon throughout their childhood. Mr. Aizawa commanded (and earned) his students' respect. All Might never even had to try.
He changed after the battle in Kamino. He became Mr. Yagi and focused more on his students. That didn't change the fact that strong students like Bakugo and Midoriya received special attention. All Might gave everything to saveBakugo from the very situation Tokoyami is in now, and all he got was a brief statement of condolences for his family. It makes Tokoyami wonder if Shigaraki is right about a successor in 1A after all.
"All Might is human," Tokoyami answers carefully. "He's still learning to be just human, so he pays the most attention to those who feed his ego. If he cares about his legacy as much as you do, he'll pick someone strong, someone who seemsunbeatable even if they are not."
Shigaraki hums thoughtfully. Tokoyami tries his best to play up his bitter jealousy; not a difficult task, if he is being honest with himself. He still cares deeply for his friends and teachers, but he no longer trusts them. Every fond memory has been tainted with the echo of Hawks' words: Yeah? Then where are they now?
"Unbeatable, huh?" Shigaraki says. "It's still not quite an answer, but I have an idea of what you mean."
"You'll let them go, then?" Tokoyami asks.
"A deal is a deal." Shigaraki taps his phone one more time. "We're done. Return to the base."
What sounds like a disappointed complaint comes from the other end of the line, but on screen Toga can be seen capping a needle while Dabi hauls Kirishima's upper body back onto the bed. It's the last glimpse Tokoyami has of him or Amajiki before the screen goes dark. The loss of the live feed should fill him with relief. Instead, it feeds into the chasm of loneliness growing in his chest. He misses his classmates desperately, even on the days he's furious with them.
Shigaraki steps away from him and around the back of the chair, finally giving Tokoyami the space to stand. He turns to check on Hawks, who is slumped in a chair as Dr. Ujiko finishes taking his blood. His expression is one of sorrow and disappointment. Tokoyami looks away.
"Well, Ujiko, was that more to your satisfaction? I told you I would get results," says Shigaraki.
"It's a start," the doctor replies.
"A start?" Shigaraki hisses.
"A start. Information is only as valuable as how you use it," says Ujiko. "I trust you have a plan?"
"Of course. We have the key. Now we prove that nowhere in this country is safe, not even a heavily fortified hero school. And perhaps I'll have Mr. Compress bring back a few fresh subjects for your experiments," says Shigaraki.
Tokoyami's blood runs cold. "You can't bring them here. You said my friends were safe. You promised they were safe!"
Shigaraki sneers. "I said your friends in the hospital would not die today. I didn't say anything about the others, or what might happen tomorrow. Thank you so much for your help, Tsukuyomi. If you were still alive, I'd make sure you got all the credit."
He bows to Tokoyami, then follows Ujiko into the hall. Tokoyami chases them only to have the door slammed in his face. He shouts after them, "I want no part in this, you liar! You – you monsters!"
The villains either don't hear him or don't care. He slams his fist against the door and immediately regrets it, holding his bruised knuckles against his chest. At least he was smart enough not to hit it with his burnt hand.
"Pro tip – steel doors don't make good punching bags," says Hawks. Tokoyami turns to him, getting a brief glimpse of his scabbed-over stab wound and the bruising around it before Hawks tugs his t-shirt down. He tries to stand, but the moment he gets to his feet all the color drains from his face and he sways like a drink. Tokoyami rushes to tug Hawks' arm over his shoulder and guide him to the cot.
"Why do you continue to allow this? You're strong enough to fight back now, and they can't afford to kill you when they need your blood."
"Why did you tell Shigaraki about the ID cards?" Hawks retorts.
Tokoyami bows his head. "…I couldn't let my friends die."
Hawks raises Tokoyami's hands between them, inspecting his bruised knuckles and then gently brushing his fingers over the burned ones. "Maybe I feel the same. You're right, though; we need to keep up our strength. If Shigaraki plans to take most of the League with him, the attack on U.A. might be our chance to make a break for it."
"And how will we get through the door?" Tokoyami asks. Hawks grins and plucks one of his smaller feathers, sending it to tickle Tokoyami's beak. Tokoyami smacks it away. "Are you trying to tell me you can pick locks with your feathers?"
"I can sure as hell try," Hawks replies. He leans back on the cot and closes his eyes. Quietly he adds, "The League won't hesitate to kill when they infiltrate U.A. You know that, right?"
"They'll fail," Tokoyami replies. "They're going into a closed ground filled with some of the greatest heroes in the world."
"They know about your teachers. They know their weaknesses and they know how to pull off a mission like this without alerting anyone until it's too late. Shigaraki isn't stupid, unfortunately," says Hawks.
"I wasn't talking about the teachers, or even just the hero students. You wouldn't believe the things lurking in the support department laboratories. Besides," he lowers his voice, "do you really think that a bunch of stressed out teenagers would remember to swipe their ID three times in a specific order? Unless, say, they needed to send a warning."
Hawks blinks at him, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "You clever little crow. You really would make an excellent spy."
Tokoyami shakes his head. "After all of this, I don't think I'm cut out for it. If any of them escape the trap and realize I lied, they'll kill Red Riot and Suneater."
"And you," says Hawks.
"And me," Tokoyami agrees, though the idea of his own demise holds less horror now. Perhaps, like the lights, the League has been holding the threat over his head for so long that he has adapted to it. "For now, I suppose we have no choice but to wait."