Tokoyami wasn't left to wander for very long before he ran into Spinner, who'd been on his way to visit the infirmary. Per his request, Spinner gave him a brief tour of the mansion wing they resided in. It became clear that he wasn't familiar with it, considering that they hadn't even been here a full day. This section of the building had been claimed by the League, though, so they could at least expect privacy from the Liberation Army they shared the space with. There was the infirmary, a game room, a gym, a meeting and assembly room, kitchen, dining room, over a dozen almost identical bedrooms, and two community sitting rooms. The sitting room that connected with the rest of the mansion had quickly become their most utilized, while the one he'd seen beforehand with the grand windows was practically untouched. Tokoyami could already see evidence of the League's presence scattered throughout this area: empty plates and glasses, a small pile of dust on an end table, and disturbed blankets and throw pillows from where someone had flopped onto what had previously been a nicely made couch.

Tokoyami could choose whatever room he wanted, so long as another member of the League hadn't already claimed it. He chose the room furthest from the rest of the mansion on the side that had its windows facing out over those sprawling mountains that dipped down into a city-filled valley. He transferred the few belongings he had there from the recovery room, greeting Twice and checking up on Toga again when doing so. The room was airy and warm – easily the nicest accommodation he's ever had, as much as he hated to admit it. It even had a tv, and he resisted the urge to immediately scroll through its channels – that could wait, temptations be damned. Tokoyami set the virtually unusable cloak and sword on the bedside dresser, to which Spinner commented saying that they can make requests for new equipment – it just had to go through Hanabata – no, Trumpet – before it could be approved for processing. As a company, they took their financing very seriously.

That would be something for another day. In the meantime, Spinner suggested he take it easy for now and finish resting up. Shigaraki was still deep in conversation with Re-Destro, having begun negotiations the moment they were physically able to after getting patched up, and likely would continue doing so until the League were ready to make their "debut." Confused, Tokoyami tried to inquire further about it, but to little avail. Spinner didn't know any significant details other than the army Re-Destro kept in the wings were eager to see what the League was bringing to their unification. There were still a lot of soreness from his ranks, but as it turned out word spread quickly. If Re-Destro said anything, it was heralded as guidance and truth. Those who were taken in by the whole Liberation idea would cling to whatever preaches left his mouth. Even if the other MLA leaders were to hate them with a burning passion – which, considering the damage they'd wrought, seemed inevitable – it was only important what the top executive decided.

There was another thing, too. Everyone that considered themselves a member of the MLA knew the faces of the League, and that included him. Spinner sheepishly warned him to be careful about where he went. With so many people in one place, it was easy to get swamped by followers that viewed them as powerful new allies. And also as beings capable of wreaking great destruction. There was still a substantial percent of soldiers that had first-hand experience with them not rooted in Re-Destro's work-in-progress treaty, but they were protected under his word. Essentially, they wouldn't be able to roam without being recognized to some degree. Additionally, even though they hadn't been here very long, Shigaraki had already put out an order that Tokoyami wasn't permitted to leave the premises. Despite everything else going on, the leader had his priorities.

"Heroes" patrolled the perimeters of the territory. They were trained for things like this. Spinner explained this to him as best he could, but Tokoyami could see how uncomfortable he was about it all. So much had happened in the course of a day, and it was difficult to know where they stood amongst it all, even as the details of their cooperation were actively being made.

Before Spinner left, Tokoyami spoke up, standing from the bed. "Were you… were you standing outside the infirmary just a bit ago? Before I ran into you, that is."

Spinner scratched mildly at the scales under his headband. "Er, that wouldn't be me, no. I haven't been back here since I carried you in."

Hmph. I don't suppose someone would've been lost?

I think we're the most lost ones here, Dark Shadow observed. We don't know this place at all!

Tokoyami considered his possibilities. It may be too early to say, but I think it's safe to explore this residence. At least… more than any of the past ones.

Dark Shadow squirmed. Y-yeah? Ya really think so?

Tokoyami nodded in assurance before responding to Spinner. "Thank you… and sorry again about your sword. If any updates occur, you'll be sure to inform me, correct?"

"Oh! Yeah, sure thing! And don't sweat it, I already said it was alright. I can put in an order for a new one. Um, Trumpet's still in recovery, though. I get the impression he might not like you very much."

Great. One foot in the door and I already have an enemy.

To be fair, I think we should just expect that by now, Dark Shadow huffed.

Spinner wished him good night and left him to his own devices. Tokoyami familiarized himself with the space, rooting through the well-stocked mini-fridge in the process, and passed out on the fragrant sheets of a king-sized bed. Instead of being met with the stench of blood and mildew, he nestled his grimy feathered head into clean blankets with a sigh of relief.

The next morning met him with a rush of excitement. Frenzied knocks battered the door to his room, startling him from a deep sleep. Tokoyami roused himself, a stale taste in his mouth. His bandages clung to the blankets, leaving behind trace residue and dried blood that had seeped through. Sore and aching, he stumbled out of bed with a grunt to answer. In the few steps it took to cross over the floor, he wondered the worse: had the deal fell through, making them enemies again? Were their foes forming an uprising, or had the army split? Were they unable to bar the truth behind Deika City's demise, resulting in real heroes coming to abolish this arrangement? Anything felt like a possibility so early in the morning. Instead of any of that, he was met with an enthused declaration.

Mr. Compress swept an arm out before him while the other – a newly fastened robotic arm – grasped onto a cane to hold him steady. He also donned a patched-up coat and a new mask. Well, new being subjective – it was the same pattern he wore when Tokoyami first encountered him. "I come bringing good news, young lad! Toga is awake in the infirmary, if you wish to see her!"

Tokoyami teetered, debating if he should close the door on the magician now and save face or hobble out of the room to join in their rejoicing. He could hear heated banter flowing in from the other room. Admittedly, it was a relief. Toga was alright. Was the whole League together, then? It sounded awfully loud… They always were a lively bunch.

Tokoyami must've spent too much time standing there blankly while thinking of such things, because Mr. Compress grew tired of holding his arm out in a celebratory pose. He sheepishly brought it down and cleared his throat. "Ah, no pressure, of course. You're welcome to join us whenever you feel up to the task."

Tokoyami dipped his head graciously. "Rest assured, I'll be out momentarily." And then he went to close the door. "Um… thank you."

Mr. Compress perked up at that. If he was going to say anything else, he didn't get the chance before being shut out.

He'd join them soon enough. Although he'd dare not show his beak outside the room until he took a very long, hot shower and made himself at least somewhat presentable. He reveled in the chance to wash away layers of blood, sweat, and grime before changing into complimentary silken pajamas. Dabi's place could just never get very warm water, especially as the weather grew colder with each passing day. Circumstances aside, it was a relief to be in a more hospitable environment where he didn't need to fear the freezing cold and isolation. If he touched the window of his room, he could feel the icy hold of winter waiting just beyond solid glass. But in here it was always pleasantly warm.

There weren't any bandages in the room, so he made a mental note to raid the infirmary for supplies. Then he emerged from the room feeling refreshed and followed the sound of familiar voices to the infirmary.

Sure enough, Toga was awake and sitting up in her bed. She saw him enter before the others, and her eyes lit up. "There you are, Fumikage!" she announced with a toothy smile. Heads swiveled towards him and he was waved over to her bedside. The crowd was smaller than he thought it'd be – still no Dabi or Shigaraki. He buried his disappointment and accepted the invitation.

"I'm glad you're doing better," Tokoyami mumbled.

Toga looked over him slyly with her one good eye, as if not entirely sure she believed that.

"I'm happy, too!" Dark Shadow cawed, materializing over his shoulder unprompted.

Dark Shadow, please, show some restraint, Tokoyami advised as the quirk hovered over to her.

Toga absent-mindedly patted the quirk's head like it was the only logical thing to do.

Twice shook his head enthusiastically. "We were just talking about that! She actually pulled through!"

Spinner held a hand to his mouth, deep in thought. "I don't really know the details of what happened, though. I told you all about my stand against Trumpet, but how did Toga get in such bad shape?"

"It was young Tokoyami that brought Toga to you, right, Twice?" Mr. Compress inquired. "And then he went to find me afterwards."

"Jeez, did we really have ya running around that much?"

Dark Shadow, stop – huh? Ah, right. "Well, you see…" How was he supposed to explain all that happened in their shared encounter against that persistent journalist? So much had come to light that he felt didn't need to be shared. It was bad enough that Toga was there for everything that was said about him and the turmoil that followed. Considering that he was the one who'd inadvertently gotten caught in the trap of that interview initially reserved for her, Toga probably felt the same way. Knowing pieces of her history… her family and past life… it felt different seeing her again. He couldn't help viewing her in a different light.

He glanced over at Toga uncertainly. It was up to her, too. She gave the smallest shake of her head, subtle enough that nobody else noticed.

So then it'll stay between us?

Tokoyami shifted uncomfortably under the League's collective scrutiny. "The Meta Liberation Army sent a powerful foe at us. We just barely managed to escape the soldiers, but we were able to take down the faction leader before slipping away."

Twice deflated – he was hoping to hear more. But the others seemed satisfied with the answer.

The stayed in the infirmary with Toga, swapping snippets of all that had happened during the encounter with the MLA. While Tokoyami listened to their recounts, he set about re-bandaging his injuries with practiced movements. Mr. Compress and Twice had faced off against the creator of those bizarre puppets after he'd left, Spinner was dragged behind Trumpet's vehicle while escaping Shigaraki's decay, and Toga didn't recall a damn thing beyond passing out in that shed he'd found her in.

When Toga started growing tired again, they settled back down.

"I want my own room, though," she mumbled sleepily, struggling to push herself into a sitting position. Her legs dangled off the edge of the bed and Twice lended his shoulder for her to lean against.

"Good idea! Let's get you set up," Twice said, helping her stand. "No, no! You should keep resting here so that we can make sure you're healing okay! I was really worried, you know! I don't care at all."

Toga ended up selecting the room immediately across from Tokoyami's, much to his chagrin.

"Oh, that one's yours?" Toga asked innocently. "Then I'm definitely choosing this one. Things always get interesting whenever you're around."

"Me and Mr. Compress already have our rooms further down the hall," Spinner said. Tokoyami already knew which one was Spinner's but Mr. Compress's was still unknown to him.

"I wanna be in the room closest to Toga!" Twice announced. "That way I can be nearby if you ever need anything at all."

"Twice, we've been over this: I don't feel like sharing a wall with other people," Toga explained patiently.

"Oh…" Twice failed to keep the disappointment out of his voice. "I'll be next to Tokoyami, then!"

Damn it all. This is the same rooming arrangement we had at Overhaul's place! Is this what dorm living would've been like? Tokoyami had selected the room farthest from where he'd imagined the others would be, and yet still ended up being stuck with neighbors. Perhaps he was forever doomed to be situated within this triangle of villainous accomplices.

When Toga entered her new room and closed the door on them all, that's when they all decided it might be best to leave her alone to recover.

Although a lot of his time was spent in his room recuperating, not a moment went by that he didn't consider what lied beyond. With a whole new area to live in came too many possibilities to fully process. He'd spent too much time holed up in Dabi's crummy apartment to sit idly by in a place like this. There wasn't much to do in the room, anyway. The tv had proved to be a bust when he'd turned it on only to be met with news of Deika City. He hadn't been prepared for how many casualties there had been, and the reports still coming in only made the count larger. It was hard to look at. He of all people should've been paying more attention to the outside world, but not like this. It was too soon, and did nothing to ease the burden of guilt he felt knowing the role he'd played.

He would turn to other distractions if possible, but he wasn't sure where to start. He wasn't ready to perform any strenuous tasks. At the same time, it didn't feel right if he wasn't being productive in some way – learning, adapting, growing. He couldn't stand still at a time like this. Otherwise the world would keep going without him. It was hard enough already to keep up with everything going on, and he couldn't afford to be left behind.

As afternoon overtook morning, Toga started emerging from her room bit by bit, and Tokoyami swiftly grew accustomed to being around the lot of them on neutral grounds. Spinner and Twice played air hockey in the game room while Mr. Compress brewed a pot of tea in the kitchen. Tokoyami settled himself in the sitting room next to his and Toga's bedrooms with a book plucked off a random shelf. He wasn't sure what the Meta Liberation War was, but it sounded relevant, picking through its pages with mild interest.

Just as he was becoming more comfortable in these surroundings, flanked on any given side by a member of the League, the door leading into the rest of the mansion opened. He had his hopes up, but it ended up just being a messenger from the MLA. There was a formal request to have them attend a meeting with the top executives. Shigaraki had been there for the better part of the day, and it was only now being opened up to the rest of them.

He wasn't permitted to be part of the meetings. Evidently, Shigaraki considered him a member of the League – just not enough to actually let him in on their business. Tokoyami didn't expect any different, but it still hurt considering how hard he fought to ensure their safety. That's also still strange to think, though. I can't imagine what state the League would be in had I not been there. I fear that may be giving myself far too much credit, though…

But we did so good! It's not like we wanted anyone to get hurt!

Tokoyami furrowed his brow. The results of this large-scale incident say otherwise. Now come on.

Not being invited to these informative exchanges truly rubbed his feathers the wrong way. He'd recieved directions to where the central meeting hall was located from Twice. This was where Shigaraki had been for most of the time, and a larger, more inclusive meeting was scheduled for later on in the day. Twice tried to make that part perfectly clear, and Tokoyami solemnly swore that he wouldn't interrupt the integral planning process.

Instead, he waited until everyone was gone. Even Toga was a part of it, despite her condition. She hobbled down the hallway while being supported by a crutch that was delivered to her an hour prior, and Tokoyami listened to the sounds of their retreating steps. When a few seconds had passed, he cautiously entered the hallway behind them, officially exiting the League Wing. Trailing them through the unfamiliar corridors, he kept up with them from a distance.

Leave me out of all this after everything I did and see what happens, Tokoyami bitterly declared to himself.

Dark Shadow sighed in his head. Maybe if we're lucky we won't get caught.

Preposterous. There's no trouble to be had if we just claim to be lost.

We thought that the last time too…

That was hope, Tokoyami corrected, peeking his head around the corner. And since when has that ever done us any good? Now let's go.

Right! Dark Shadow chirped, easily swapping his nervousness with anticipation to match Tokoyami. The quirk materialized in the smallest of forms, nothing more than a flickering shadow hovering low to the ground. With stealthy, serpentine movements, he followed Tokoyami's verdict and slithered towards the door that the rest of the League was meeting behind. There were no guards present, and nothing could be heard from his position around the corner.

Tokoyami was starting to appreciate the benefit of a small Dark Shadow. He could make the quirk larger at any time – up to a certain extent – and his standard form was getting closer to the size it used to be back when he was training to be a hero. But to reel in the shadows and shrink his quirk to a small and discreet spy was, he quickly discovered, a useful ability.

Dark Shadow stopped just outside the door and stuck his little head near the bottom. It's kinda soundproofed, but I can still hear a little bit! Er, mostly just from those closest to the door, Dark Shadow reported.

Can you hear Re-Destro or Shigaraki?

…Not clearly enough to make anything out. They must be at the back of the room.

Damn. He'd have to make do with what he had, then. Just relay what you can, Tokoyami quietly voiced, settling himself on the ground and keeping an eye out for interruptions. Dark Shadow kept him updated on their meeting, though as time progressed it didn't seem as exciting as he would've hoped. Basic introductions, explanations on how certain sections of the mansion were maintained, new recruitment methods… Ugh. Was there any reason they didn't want me knowing such basic things or were they trying to save me from a mundane fate?

Ooh! Ooh! Hang on this might be exciting! Dark Shadow chirped, swaying from side-to-side in front of the door.

Tokoyami lifted his head from where he had it resting on his hand. Oh yeah?

They're talking about a new name! Er, something to signal the "new unification of the Meta Liberation Army and League of Villains" is what they're saying.

Mph. I feel a bit insulted that I was left out of this. My naming convention is no doubt better than whatever they can come up with, I'm sure.

Dark Shadow went silent for a few moments while he listened intently to the villainous exchange that was underway. I think… they settled on calling us the Paranormal Liberation Front.

Tokoyami buried his head back into his hands, willing himself not to audibly lament the outcome. Why must it be like this.

Hey! At least now we don't have "Villain" in the name. That always felt a bit too on the nose.

Tokoyami pushed himself to his feet. If this is the extent of such an important meeting, then perhaps my business isn't needed here after all.

Dark Shadow didn't budge from his secretive position. Well, yeah, but we won't know that unless we keep listening to the end!

And who is it that you can hear, Dark Shadow?

Erm, Spinner and sometimes Twice when he's loud enough.

I'm leaving. They'll probably end up telling me these things afterwards anyway.

Tokoyami began heading back to their designated section of the building. The further he went, the longer the tether connecting him to his quirk became, and he realized that Dark Shadow still hadn't budged. No, wait! They're gonna hold a celebration tomorrow to announce the new name!

You think that'll be enough to erase the animosity brought upon us by Ms. Curious' premature demise?

That wasn't our fault, Dark Shadow whimpered. Tokoyami felt a rush of guilt and hastily fought to shove it back down to the damning place from whence it came. It wasn't Toga's either. She was gonna… we were just trying to get away. Don't you think they'll understand?

There will certainly be people out for our blood. Let's hope this agreement – this "new Liberation Front" – protects us from that.

Hmm. I don't hear anything like that. Twice is trying to brainstorm the best way to enter onto a stage, from the sounds of it.

Holding back his eminent disappointment as best he could, Tokoyami continued taking his leave. This time around, Dark Shadow dutifully fell in beside him and accompanied him back the rest of the way. "Hey, hey! Ya think if we ask nicely they'll give us a seat in that meeting room? It's no fun being on the outside! I wanna feel included!"

"Unlikely," Tokoyami sighed aloud. "But perhaps not entirely out of the question. I'll broach the topic to Dabi when the next opportunity arises."

"Yeah! And while we're at it, let's have him bring back our stuff from the apartment!"

Tokoyami considered that. It's not like there was a whole lot they'd left behind. Just some moderately singed clothes and whatever belongings Dabi had let him use. "If he's feeling generous, then I don't see why not. It sounds like we'll all be living here together, after all."

They didn't spend too much time wandering the halls. There was no point getting lost when they'd have plenty of opportunities to explore later on – preferable when he knew for sure that these halls were safe. He entered back into the Villain Wing unopposed and settled down into the flower-patterned bean bag chair that Toga had requested the moment she realized she could. Given the speedy nature of which it had arrived, Tokoyami had to admit that they were efficient.

Despite not doing much of anything today, he still felt tired – an aftereffect of the recent onslaught of battles he'd endured. In the full of day, under chandeliers suspended high over his head, he felt a drowsiness fall over him. Dark Shadow flitted around him all the way, musing aimless thoughts about their tastefully decorated surroundings. He didn't know when his eyes closed, but when the door to the room flew open he was awake in a heartbeat.

"Tokoyami! You wouldn't believe the meeting we had! It was suuuper boring," Twice complained excitedly, caught between emotions. Just as he'd expected, they immediately went into the details of the meeting. Tokoyami nodded his head along with it and feigned surprise at the revelations that were supposed to be new to him.

That was when Shigaraki entered into the room last. His steely presence made him involuntarily stiffen. He hadn't seen the villainous leader since he'd helped him off the dust-strewn ground. Tokoyami couldn't quite place it, but there was something different about the way he carried himself. It wasn't just that he sported a new fur-lined overcoat or had his leg in a brace. He was a person different from what he'd known beforehand – evolved. He'd felt it on the battlefield, too, but at this time it was more readily apparent.

While Twice talked in the background about all that had been discussed, Shigaraki locked eyes with Tokoyami. Tokoyami turned his surprised expression into one of resolve, daring to not show weakness before adversity.

Shigaraki gave a single mild laugh, little more than a sharp exhale of breath. "Good to see you up and about," he rasped, throat dry from hours of negotiations. "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me."

Only when Shigaraki walked past him and headed to the aforementioned room did Tokoyami relax. He'd expected more of a confrontation, but was ultimately glad to have it be left at that for the moment.

In any case, that meant that almost everyone was here. They were still missing Dabi, though. He'd been at the meeting with the rest of them but hadn't come back. The rest of the day passed without much thought, merely enjoying the space he found himself in. Before long, he turned in to his room and continued the process of gradual rest. When the prospect of sleep was offered to him yet again, he took hold of it quickly and without remorse.

Fumikage!

Tokoyami's eyes flew open, robbed from sleep and instilled with a jolt of panic. "What!" he gasped, lurching up from his bed. Had someone infiltrated his room? An assassin?! His quirk had awoken him like an alarm clock, sounding the alarm as if his own imminent demise was drawing near, and for what?

Dark Shadow flitted around the cracked opening of the window. "Somebody's on the roof!" he rasped excitedly.

Tokoyami groaned and flopped back into bed, hoping there was still time for the sweat release of sleep to take him again before he was fully awake. "Leave me be," he grumbled, pulling the blanket.

"But I can almost hear their voices!" Dark Shadow clawed at the mesh screen letting cool night air in and worked to widen the space between sill and window. The quirk's persistence bore an uncanny likeliness to a cat.

Tokoyami buried his head under the pillow. "Knock it off!"

He let the quirk continue his dutiful work, hoping the shadowy apparition would give up if he stopped acknowledging what was happening. Instead, he listened through the muffled cushion as Dark Shadow toiled away at the glass obstacle. Tokoyami could tell that under the cover of a moonless night, his quirk was getting progressively bigger and more worked up over whatever he was hearing. With sleep evading him, Tokoyami pushed himself off the comfy mattress with a frustrated growl.

"Are you going to do this all night or do I need to turn a lamp on?" Tokoyami threatened, shuffling over to the window with the intention of closing it.

Dark Shadow curled around him, brimming with excitement – and nervousness. Shhh! I know that voice!

Tokoyami paused at the windowsill. He curled clammy fingers over the frame and tilted his head, straining to listen.

"You know, I wasn't planning on giving you this location just yet."

Dabi?

A mirthless chuckle made his blood run cold. "Yeah, well, I can't just fly across all of Japan with a delivery like this, now can I?"

Dark Shadow swiveled around him in concern while the same name crossed between them.

Hawks.

Tokoyami slid the window open as far as it would go and gently pushed out the protective screen. He craned his neck, wondering if he could catch a glimpse of whatever was happening on the roof. He could barely make out any of what was being said, hearing only the faintest of whispers. Should we try flying up there?

Ummmm. Dark Shadow wavered over the empty air. This building was several stories high, and the drop down was intimidating at best. We should probably practice that whole flying thing more before trying to execute anything like that.

Tokoyami timidly backed down from the windowsill, gaging what would be considered reckless. But he had to see Hawks again, and he felt he needed to know what was happening. So then we try reconnaissance again, and you can relay to me what they're doing.

Dark Shadow gave a determined little nod and slithered up to the rooftop where he could properly listen into the conversation. With every word that passed between the two above them, Dark Shadow relayed the words through their mental link.

Hawks is speaking: What really happened over in Deika? That was you guys, right?

…Fair enough. The media seems hard at work depicting an image different from the truth. Hawks would want to be privy to such revelations.

Dabi's not responding. He doesn't wanna give anything away. Umm, he's looking inside this big bag that Hawks brought in… Clearly you actually killed someone… Dabi says.

Tokoyami blanched. He what?!

Dark Shadow's focus withered, and he retreated from the roof. I dunno, I'm just the messenger! Dark Shadow squeaked.

Wait, what's happening now?! Tokoyami demanded.

I don't wanna go back up there alone, it's scary!

Tokoyami cursed and willed his quirk return to him. Then he left the window behind and crossed the room. Wanting to be fast but also not wanting to disturb anyone sleeping, he crept through the empty hallway and exited the wing. We passed a stairway on the way to the meeting room. That should take us to the roof, right?

Maybe? Dark Shadow said uncertainly, keeping an eye out for branching paths. This place is built like a maze, but if it's just the roof then there's nowhere else to go but up.

With that in mind, he navigated the layers of the MLA mansion. Automatic lights turned on in some places to light his way. For the most part, though, it was the light of the moon seeping in from elaborate windows that guided him. Eventually he came across the promised stairs and raced up them. He opened a solid steel door at the top and gasped as he was met with a blast of icy night air.

Dabi jolted in surprise.

Hawks was already gone again.

"Stop!" Tokoyami called out desperately. Where… please tell me where you're going! What you're doing!

His knees wobbled beneath him and he grasped onto the doorframe like it was the only thing supporting him. Labored breaths escaped him and his vision went fuzzy. If he strained his sight, he could see those illusive wings escaping him yet again.

Dabi crossed over the rooftop to meet him. "I wasn't expecting you. How'd you know we were up here?"

Tokoyami answered between breaths. "I – wheeze – didn't. I merely sought… some refreshing night air," he lied lamely.

Dabi scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Sure, whatever kid. Keep that up and see where it gets you."

Tokoyami straightened, struggling to maintain a sense of dignity. "But… but what about you? What was that all about. That was Hawks again, right?"

"I really don't see how that's any of your business, you damn snoop."

Dark Shadow made himself look bigger than he usually was and got into Dabi's face. "What was in the bag? You gotta tell us!"

Dabi stepped back, perturbed by the quirk's more up-front nature. He wasn't used to that part of him just yet. "You know what? Fine – since you sound so desperate about it. Don't think I'm not aware of what you're doing, though. See, that hero was making a little delivery just now to prove his loyalty to the League. A damn shame he didn't let me keep it, but it at least looked like the dead body of the Number Three Hero: Best Jeanist. Pretty cool, right? I didn't think he'd go that far either, but he made it sound like an easy target."

Tokoyami's jaw dropped open. That… that can't be! "There's no way a hero like him would ever kill someone like that!" Tokoyami argued.

Dabi smiled, cold and calculating. "That's what I was thinking, too. It's probably some sort of deceitful method, like a body double or something. That winged rat is filled with lies. He's much better at speaking them than you, too. Though you should really keep in mind that a "hero like him" no doubt has plenty of blood on his hands already. Those agents of the law are ruthless, and they'll do whatever it takes to keep up the illusion of peace."

Tokoyami shuddered and stared off into the night. No. No, that can't be right!

Dabi waited for a bigger reaction, but nothing else came from it. In the end, he yawned and began leaving the rooftop. "Come on, Tokoyami. It's cold up here. I dunno what your deal with Hawks is, but it'd be in your best interest to steer clear from him. Got it?"

Tokoyami looked after him, brimming with disappointment. "And what about you?" he challenged, following after the fiery villain.

"I'm figuring things out bit by bit, same as you. Soon enough, everything will come together."