Heroes in the Dark

by Iffondrel

Taking place during the School Trip Arc, we center on Tokoyami in the aftermath of Dark Shadow's rampage. Villains wanting to capture Bakugou set their sights on Tokoyami, and the connection these two have had since fighting in the Sport's Festival will decide what'll happen to them after being brought over by Tomura's League of Villains, with devastating consequences for Tokoyami.

90. Chapter 90

True to Mr. Compress's word, the League didn't engage much with the other leaders of the Paranormal Liberation Front for the next day. The magician explained to Re-Destro that they were celebrating the unification of their strength. And maybe there was some truth to that, but for the most part it was just an excuse for Shigaraki to pass out for the next 24 hours uninterrupted. The rest of the League acted in turn, staying nearby and remaining observant of his condition. That was something he was actually used to seeing by now: since at this point the League was such a close-knit group, most everyone was bound to care when another member was stricken by injury or exhaustion. There was an unspoken agreement about adamantly not wanting another loss on their hands, and doing whatever they could to prevent conditions afflicting the members from getting worse.

That's why they'd had Tokoyami in a hospital for so long after his fight with Overhaul. Why they made sure to keep Mr. Compress outfitted with a workable prosthetic whenever possible, and also guaranteed the best possible recovery for Giran following the incident… even though he understandably chose not to linger around these MLA people for any longer than he had to before being transferred to a hospital.

For Tokoyami's own sake, he never strayed far from the rest of the League during this time. His room provided adequate entertainment and was perfectly comfy, to say the least. He fretted encountering other members of the PLF outside their group in the chance that he stepped beyond the League's ward. While his earlier confrontation with Geten could've been worse, he got the impression that other members of the PLF wouldn't be nearly so considerate.

In a way, it was nice to have a day of boredom. He went so far as to investigate some of the books provided to him in the bedroom, most interesting of which was a book simply titled Meta Liberation War, an autobiography following the Army's first leader, Destro. Tokoyami figured that if these were the people he'd be dealing with from now on, that he might as well get to know their mindset and philosophy. He didn't need to agree, he just needed… insight on the subject.

Also during this time, Dabi did eventually return. This realization occurred to Tokoyami when he opened up his bedroom door late the next night – intent on making his way to the kitchen for a glass of water – only to stumble into a box placed haphazardly on his doorstep. Biting back a loud curse for fear of alerting his slumbering neighbors, Tokoyami scooped up the package and brought it inside to examine its contents, closing the door behind him. By the light of his bedside lamp, he shifted through the cardboard box that had been lying in Dabi's grimy, ash-choked apartment for longer than he knew. Even after so long making his home in that place, he couldn't help feeling like he was rooting through Dabi's things. There were Tokoyami's old clothes from there, of course, but they were all pretty burned and tattered from repeated bouts of training – the clothes provided to him now were bound to be his choice of wardrobe going forward.

Besides that, everything else felt… borrowed. The box contained a sizable stack of different books and manga that he'd already flipped through countless times over during his lengthy stay in Dabi's crummy home. Some of them were in such bad shape from bad environment and overuse that he had to wonder if they were even worth salvaging. But since Dabi had gone through the trouble of retrieving them, he might as well find a place on the bookshelf for them in the morning. Also included inside were two musty blankets that he'd used every night on that broken-down couch. Again, they didn't seem worth hanging onto since this mansion provided him with much better compensation… but he'd probably end up washing them and sticking them somewhere in the room anyway. Finally, at the bottom of the box, was perhaps the only thing of actual value – the little hand-held videogame console Dabi had given him.

Dark Shadow hovered over his shoulder. "Oh! Oh! Do ya think we can get some new games now? I wanna see you play the next generation!"

Tokoyami flipped the system around in his hands, feeling the familiar heat warps and scratches on the otherwise resilient system. "It may be worth investigating," Tokoyami mused. "I remember Dabi saying that Spinner might be willing to play these sorts of games, as well. We'd never been able to ask about that before, but now we're living just down the hall from him…"

"Maybe it's time to actually have some fun!" the quirk chirped excitedly.

"Don't fool yourself – this is still enemy territory," Tokoyami grumbled unconvincingly, unable to hold back a grin when he powered up the handheld and watched the little logo appear on the screen with a cheery jingle.

"…But we're considered enemies to other people. And I feel safe here," Dark Shadow said, coiling onto the bed beside him.

Tokoyami couldn't argue that point, because the quirk was only speaking aloud what they were both thinking. With a despondent sigh, he gently set the personal belongings aside and wiped his hands free of the soot that had been collected on the items.

It's not like he could build a life for himself here, or even pretend for a moment that he was anything other than a victim in all this. And yet here he stayed.

"It's too late at night… or perhaps too early in the morning for such levels of contemplation. I won't be bogged down by these thoughts. The best I can do is see where this path takes me… and stick around long enough to see who cares enough to intervene," Tokoyami sullenly swore. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the dilapidated box. His head sunk into his hands, elbows resting on knees, and wondered if sleep would come to him so easily now. As thoughts swam through his drowsy head, his sights drifted to the shadow silhouetted on the far side of the bedroom wall, cast by the lamp: the dark form looked so much bigger than he, and even the small shape of his quirk was significantly amplified by the effect, making him seem like more of an imposing figure than he actually was.

Dark Shadow was so small during their initial healing process. And he still was, but the quirk was constantly growing and adjusting, getting stronger alongside him to the point where it was almost guaranteed that he'd be back to the condition he once was. It was equal parts relieving and unnerving. He'd never put his quirk through so much turmoil before, so he wasn't sure what changes, if any, he should be expecting. It was hard to imagine that things could just "go back to normal," at least where the bond with his quirk was concerned. Instead, Dark Shadow was more like a constantly adapting entity.

That and… no matter how much he saw his quirk recover in the weeks following their encounter with the high end nomu, Tokoyami could swear that Dark Shadow was fundamentally different. More tattered and less… there. Like if he looked at the quirk a certain way, it felt much more similar to seeing an apparition than viewing a solid being composed of pure darkness.

Dark Shadow kindly interjected his wandering observations with his own thoughts of concern. "Oi, where you drifting off to now? You're still tired, aren't you? Why don't we get back on track to sleep – I'll try not to wake you this time, either!"

Hmm, I can't pass up an opportunity like that, Tokoyami mused. Only instead of resting, he stood back up. "I'm still thirsty," he grumbled, crossing the bedroom floor for the second time that night and forcing Dark Shadow to rouse himself from the nest of blankets he'd made. "I may have gotten sidetracked by… these unnecessary offerings – "

"Hey, he was thinking of you when he packed up this stuff! I'm surprised he did anything at all."

" – But I'm not going to let that stop me from my solemn duty of hydration."

"Ya could've just grabbed a soda from the mini fridge," Dark Shadow complained, trailing after him.

Tokoyami ignored him. After several days, there wasn't much left in the complimentary fridge that he wanted anyway, so he settled for a quick trip to the kitchen. He could have the mini-fridge restocked later on.

He slipped silently past closed bedroom doors. The floor was illuminated by small night-time lights in the wall. There weren't any signs that anybody else was awake, and all the doors were closed, which felt encouraging. He wasn't exactly looking for anymore late-night surprises. So when he finally did reach the kitchen uninterrupted and poured himself a glass of water, complete with a straw, it felt that much more refreshing.

He stood there a moment by the light of the bulb oriented above the sink, reveling in how actually peaceful this place could be at times. It was just that everybody else needed to be asleep. It'd always been his favorite thing about the night – there were less people around, and he could use this time to reflect on things for himself. Of course, part of this fluctuating sleep schedule had to do with Dark Shadow's increased activity at night, but that could hardly be helped.

Tokoyami took another long draught of his glass while Dark Shadow spent his time idly spinning the spice rack and investigating the fancy labels on jars. The quirk clinked them together, truly fascinated by their contents, and something moved behind them in response.

Tokoyami turned swiftly on his heel, pressing his back against the kitchen counter and bracing himself. In response, Dark Shadow took up a defensive position in front of him, bristling like an alarmed cat and flashing his claws in the dim light.

What he was met with was, surprisingly enough, not cause for concern. Tokoyami was so used to expecting danger around every turn. But when he locked sight on his unassuming opponent, he gave up his defensive stance.

"Sh…Shigaraki?" Tokoyami asked, voicing the name incredulously. "Why are you out here? Were you… asleep there?"

Sure enough, the notorious leader appeared to have passed out while sitting at the table, unbeknownst to the rest of the League. He must've wandered out here not long ago, when Twice and Mr. Compress had turned in for the night and put their doting antics on pause. It felt so bizarre seeing him here, now, without anyone else around him. He usually gave off the impression of a far more important and evasive person – not somebody that could be found asleep at the kitchen table at three in the morning. And yet here he was. Shigaraki was even worse than Dabi when it came to getting answers from him – every attempt felt like plucking feathers from his skull, especially with how little he saw of him despite being closer to him than ever before.

Yeah, like, he literally lives down the hall from us now.

He's just… a very busy person, Tokoyami assured his quirk. But this was as good an opportunity as any other.

"I came here… for something," Shigaraki mumbled sleepily, swiveling his head just enough from the pillows of his crossed arms to look up at him. Bleary red eyes peered up at him from behind a mop of stark white hair. In this moment, he looked so distant from the destructive force that had ravaged Deika City and forced Re-Destro to bend his broken knees to their cause. That was the price he paid for going all-out the way he had.

We were the same way, though, Dark Shadow pointed out. I'm still reeling from everything we had to do just to get through all those fights…

We don't ever mean to destroy, though. For Shigaraki, destruction is everything. Tokoyami took a wary step forward. When Shigaraki didn't respond to his approach, he kept going until he was next to the table. It was only when he set down his half-empty glass of water and pulled up a seat for himself that Shigaraki paid more attention to his surroundings.

Shigaraki pushed his head up, rousing himself out of the fog of sleep. "What do you want?" he grumbled, eying the bird-headed boy suspiciously. "You wouldn't be here otherwise."

Tokoyami swished his glass of water in his hands. "I'm here because you decided you wanted me here, remember? Or did you ask why I'm here right now? Because if that's the case, then I'm merely fetching a drink. But enough about that – I'm more interested in why you thought the table would make for a decent bed. You're still recovering from the battle, are you not?"

Shigaraki tapped his fingers idly on the table. For someone notorious for adorning himself in hands, it felt strange seeing him with missing fingers. Since it was nighttime, he didn't have his prosthetic finger glove on, either. No creepy hand ornaments or fancy coats to set him apart – just a t-shirt and gray pajama pants provided by their new sponsors. Shigaraki looked rugged and irate, like a college kid cramming for finals rather than the mastermind of one of the largest threats to hero society that stood today. And, much like either one of those people, he was damn resilient when it came to moving forward in the hopes of getting a passing grade.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm working at peak performance right now – you just can't see it," Shigaraki boldly claimed. Nevertheless, he shuffled awkwardly in his seat. "I'll… make my way out of here, though. If it bothers you so much."

"No, that's fine," Tokoyami swiftly interjected before the League leader could slink away. "I was actually hoping to ask you about something. Before your schedule gets busy again, anyway."

For a moment Tokoyami feared that Shigaraki wouldn't give him the time of night and would take his leave regardless, leaving his inquiries unanswered. To his pleasant surprise, he settled back down into the chair and stared him down evenly.

Dark Shadow stayed close, wrapping loosely around Tokoyami's shoulders like a prickly scarf. We haven't had a one-on-one audience with this guy since the stay at the villain hospital.

…You remember that, Dark Shadow? Tokoyami asked his quirk.

I remember the feelings you had about it, more accurately. I wasn't really in a good condition to pay attention to every word that went through your head. Um, no offense.

…None taken.

Shigaraki rubbed the sleep from his eyes and made a mild attempt of sitting up to show that he was paying attention. "I suppose it's only fair," Shigaraki drawled. "After all, I think you deserve to know more than what you're told, considering everything you've been put through."

"Considering everything you've put me through," Tokoyami corrected.

Shigaraki furrowed his brow. "I'll take credit for plenty of stuff, but a lot of what you went through was beyond my reach. It's not like I had much say in Overhaul's schemes or the MLA's decision to smoke us out, you know? I'm just as surprised as you are with how everything has been falling into place."

Tokoyami tensed, unable to keep his serious expression from dipping into a scowl. "Then why go through the trouble of naming me a lieutenant in front of the whole MLA army like that?"

Shigaraki shrugged, and the easy-going motion managed to make him even more irate. "It wasn't much trouble at all," he readily admitted. "All I had to do was include you in our numbers. Considering how much work you pulled in our fight against them, people were bound to recognize you as one of us and expect your inclusion."

Tokoyami rapped his fingers impatiently on the finished wooden surface. "But these soldiers, they know I was kidnapped by your lot, right? Why would they ever view me as a figure of leadership?"

"I think they see you as the most liberated one of them all," Shigaraki said with a bitter laugh. "Isn't that kind of ironic? I guess since you were plucked from a stifling school before that fallible heroes' mantra could be imbedded into your skull that somehow makes you a proxy."

"And does that also make me suitable to lead part of an army, same as the others?" Tokoyami pressed.

Shigaraki scoffed, dashing any expectations he might've had. "Hell no. Did you actually think for even a second I'd give you a shred of authority like that?" Putting it like that, Tokoyami felt himself get smaller under the accusatory glare. "No. You're a lieutenant in title only. Because it's convenient. Because that makes you no different than any other high-ranking member in the eyes of the public, and that's important to me. But since Dabi has warned me to be wary of the new association we have with certain heroes entering the Liberation Front, you're still barred from knowing the sort of plans I'd go over with the others."

Tokoyami planted weary head in hand, simmering under what he hoped was an air of indifference. "So now what? If you have all this power and all these followers, then what do you want from me? Why even bother with someone who could easily become a turncoat? I'm not here to lead or command, both heroes and villains alike are suspicious of me, and I'm a liability for information. What are you still keeping me around for?"

Tokoyami felt the tension building inside him leave all at once when Shigaraki's face split into a toothy grin. The expression felt entirely unnatural on him, and red scars appeared from the dry skin being stretched across his pale façade. "I want to see you get stronger. I want to see what you're actually capable of when nobody's setting you back. Here, we can give you everything you need to become a force to be reckoned with. Show everyone what a PLF lieutenant is made of – you won't ever escape that title now that it's attached to you. A hero? A victim? What does any of that even matter anymore? You've been with us so long that your reputation precedes you, and everyone knows that."

That's not fair, though. That's not fair and he knows it, Dark Shadow sniveled, sinking his claws into his shoulders. Tokoyami spared a moment to sooth the dismayed quirk, reaching his hand up to rest on Dark Shadow's head in a comforting gesture.

All the while, he dealt with the feeling of his guts twisting into knots. "Why even bother telling me all this? All you do is infuriate me and provide a greater reason to ensure your plans never succeed. If I become stronger because of the strings you pull, then who's to say I won't just use this new-found strength to defeat you on the day it matters most?"

Shigaraki seemed to consider that. Like, actually think about it. He looked down at his missing fingers while contemplating a believable response, allowing the silence of night to drag between them. When he finally did respond, it felt more somber than what he was expecting. "I say these things because the window for conversation is reaching a close, and not even I will know for sure what comes after. Everyone else already knows that once the PLF's ranks are set and ready, that I'll be leaving to finish the last stage of my training." He didn't say this in a way that felt victorious. It was merely a statement of fact to him – an irrefutable reality that was fast approaching.

So that's now it is. I had no idea.

Tokoyami slumped his head down on the table as Shigaraki stood up from his chair, taking his abrupt leave.

"You never even intended for any of this to happen," Tokoyami lamented. He felt he didn't even have to elaborate what "this" was. As Shigaraki had said before, so much of what had happened wasn't caused by him directly. It was a byproduct of where he stood in this treacherous world, a symbol of decay that attracted enemies and allies alike in much the same way that death attracted flies.

Shigaraki paused in the archway of the kitchen, looking back at him with a stifled yawn. "I'll own up to that – what of it? Are you angry because of it? If you are, then do something with that anger. Become stronger, and use it for something you care about. Whether or not that becomes an obstacle to me in the future won't even matter."

This time he made no attempt at stopping the PLF leader. He let Shigaraki return to his bed unopposed, left to dwell on what he'd said.

So you want us to get stronger, but for what purpose? If I only have the strength to impede you, what then?

Tokoyami didn't see Shigaraki the next morning. Ever an elusive being, he had deemed himself fit enough to continue his line of work. Tokoyami couldn't help but wonder if their previous late-night conversation had something to do with this renewed vigor. Or perhaps it was just the passage of time that revealed his innate tenacity.

Whatever the case was, when Tokoyami dragged himself from the safety of his room to face the day, he was welcomed with… nothing particularly noteworthy. It seemed like half the League was already gone for the day – that or they were sleeping in. Nobody was utilizing the common spaces from what he could tell, either. This probably meant that the brief period of rest had come to an end. If Shigaraki wanted everyone here to improve on their strengths, then he'd likely already passed the memo along.

Since Tokoyami himself had yet to be bothered, he chose to spend the rest of the morning in relative peace. He made himself an omelet in the kitchen and then settled into one of the chairs in the back sitting room. Weak sunlight filtered in through the tall windows, melting a thin layer of frost collected on the sill outside. He allowed himself a breath of relaxation and sank further into his seat, enjoying the momentary peace that came with it.

It wasn't until he'd finished his breakfast and gotten a few chapters into the strange book that he was finally interrupted by somebody entering through the front door of the League wing. Keeping his finger pinned on the page opened before him, Tokoyami tilted his head and listened to the intruder. He heard the perpetrator walk part-way down the hall before stopping to knock on one of the doors, followed by a tentative call.

"…Tokoyami? Are you up yet?"

It was Spinner.

"I'm over here, actually," Tokoyami answered from the sitting room, situated just around the corner and out of sight. When the reptilian accomplice poked his head into the room, Tokoyami greeted him with an easy wave. "Did you request something of me?"

Relief washed over his face, and he began walking over to him. "Hey, there you are! So, uh, not to be the bearer of bad news or anything, but Shigaraki's assigning us all training regimens… or something like that. I can't say too much, but he wants us to be better prepared for whatever comes our way." Spinner looked around cautiously before continuing in a quieter tone of voice, as though fearful of being overheard. To be fair, Tokoyami wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of device listening in on them. "Even though we managed to get through that whole ordeal with the MLA, it was too close a call, you know? If not for the doctor, we would've been in an even worse spot. I think he's afraid of getting caught off guard again."

Tokoyami didn't expect to hear Shigaraki be associated with feelings of fear, but Spinner sounded pretty sure of himself. Intrigued, he rested the biography on his lap and sat up a bit straighter. "So you say? In that case, what does that mean for the likes of you and I?" If it's physical training, I'm already so used to that falling under Dabi's jurisdiction…

Then I guess he kinda is like a mentor to you? Dark Shadow quipped.

Tokoyami's feathers fluffed up indignantly, earning him a confused face from Spinner, who had no input on their internal conversation. That's a bit generous. If he was a mentor-figure, I might actually respect him.

Hmm. Does that also mean…?

Dark Shadow, please. As it stands, I have no mentor. Nor do I need one in order to hone our skills. So long as we continue working in tandem, that will suffice.

Spinner pulled at the scarf around his neck. "Well, I can't do a whole lot on my own, so I've been waiting on a new weapon to reimburse what was lost in the fight. Same goes to you – I actually talked with Dabi the other day to figure out what might work for you, and then we submitted the order to Trumpet. That guy works fast, so everything's done by now. Shigaraki wants us to claim our gear from the support item room as soon as possible and see if we like it. I don't suppose you're ready to check it out?" Underneath the question, Tokoyami could tell that Spinner was excited at the prospect of new inventory. And rightfully so, considering his past weapons could never seem to hold up very long in a tough battle.

Considering this was the start of Shigaraki's decisive plan to empower those working under him, he wasn't sure whether he should be more resistant to these attempts or embrace it for so long as he could get something useful from it. He settled on going with it for now, since it was true that he could use new gear and he was averse to turning down something that had already been made especially for him.

Tokoyami set the book aside and stood up. "Very well. Give me just a moment and then we can take our leave."

Quickly depositing his dishes in the sink and returning the book to his room, Tokoyami put on his boots and grabbed a coat. When he was ready, he met Spinner next to the exit and followed him into the mansion's vast expanse for whatever awaited them. Compared to Tokyami's own attempt navigating this place, Spinner appeared somewhat more confident.

"I'm surprised you already know your way around here so well," Tokoyami noted as Spinner paused at a fork in the hallway before turning left.

"I'm still learning the specifics of it, but this whole place is kinda intentionally built like a maze. The trick is that there's these encrypted directions on the wall beneath each light fixture," Spinner explained. "It's easier to reach major locations like meeting rooms and, in our case, their distribution center. Once you walk around here a bit more, you'll figure it out, too!"

Is it really supposed to be that simple? Tokoyami got the impression that Spinner, more than anyone else in the League, probably cared more about these little details and learning the rules associated with this place. On top of that, he wasn't sure how everyone else might feel about him snooping around such a big villain base. He remembered what it was like to navigate enemy headquarters before – he didn't want to even consider the possibility that this place could hold secrets as dark as the ones he uncovered at Overhaul's base.

…You're thinking about Eri, huh?

Tokoyami swallowed the emotions that threatened to show with a pained gulp and chose not to answer his quirk. There was no reason to be thinking of her – so long as she was with the heroes, she was safe and that was all that mattered.

After a while spent navigating the hallways with minimal backtracking and wrong turns, they found themselves on the first floor, standing before a large steel double-door. Spinner pushed a button off to the side, the ensuing buzzer announcing their arrival to anyone inside.

A beat passed. Then several more, making Tokoyami wonder if they were truly welcome in this vicinity. When their waiting reached the point where they were shuffling awkwardly in front of the door in anticipation, their patience was finally rewarded.

He'd visited the support department back at U.A. a handful of times to see what class 1-H was working on, but nothing ever really came of it. There wasn't much purpose in equipping new gear when his quirk had covered so many bases by itself. Back as a student, he just couldn't think of anything he might've needed.

This place was different than the experimental classroom setting. When the doors slid open, it revealed a spotless work environment. Long tables stretched out before them and shelves lining the walls displayed projects in various stages of completion. It didn't come close to the chaotic, inquisitive nature of the support class's workspace. The room felt a bit too clean and organized for a developmental lab where weapons and trademark Detnerat items were made. But the way Spinner had described it, the place sounded more like a branch for receiving items and parts to be assembled on site, rather than a fully equipped station for support item creation.

"Ah – good to know you've finally arrived," came a cold, dignified voice from the back of the room.

Tokoyami went rigid. If there was anyone in this entire place that would rightfully hold animosity against him and his quirk, it would be that person.

Trumpet stepped out from behind a wall of projectile weapons. Different from his usual business attire, he wore a white button-up with the sleeves rolled up rather than the long-coat and tie he was normally associated with. His usually slicked-back hair was less perfect than normal, with more loose strands coming undone. And, without anyone else around, he didn't need to worry about his image quite so much. So when Trumpet locked sights with the two of them, a deep scowl etched its way onto the rigged scars slashed across his face.

Spinner gave a little wave before dipping his head down next to Tokoyami, whispering, "I asked the others but, well, nobody else wanted to come with us," Spinner said apologetically, understanding damn well the tension they'd created by entering this man's domain.

"I've already had visitations from other members of your little party," Trumpet continued. "I was starting to wonder when the two of you would come claim your reward."

Spinner stepped ahead of Tokoyami. "I wouldn't really call it a reward. I think both Shigaraki and Re-Destro would be happy knowing that you're getting us some good gear, right?"

Trumpet blinked slowly. "Orders are orders, or so they say," he huffed. "I think I'm being rather generous with my work ethic here, considering the turbulence required to reach this point in our bloody alliance. But you didn't hear that from me," he assured, disappearing behind the wall of gear again.

Spinner followed after him, and Tokoyami trailed after him in turn, intrigued as to what they might find. They were led into a back room where boxes of utility items were waiting to be processed, arranged by shipping date.

"We outsource a lot of parts needed to manufacture more specialized items, depending on who's in the market and what compliments products for Detnerat the best," Trumpet explained, scrolling through his tablet to confirm some shipments. He seemed to know exactly where he was heading, threading through untouched boxes to reach the back of the room. "What we put on market or put out as a brand deal for upstart heroes isn't much different than what we arm our own army with. Our influence makes getting inventory in for new patents particularly efficient, which is how we're able to deliver upon our special orders so quickly. That being said, most of what I have waiting for you two isn't so revolutionary that it'd require a lengthy process to have them ready."

Trumpet set his tablet down on a table cluttered with somewhat orderly stacks of shipping labels and printed order receipts before reaching for a long black box. "Spinner, you're order was rather… nondescript."

Spinner scratched the scales on his cheek, feeling maybe just a bit embarrassed. "I kinda figured if I asked for a "cool new sword" that you guys would just know what to do…"

Trumpet was visibly holding back from spouting a biting comment, his mouth opening and then quickly snapping shut. Taking a moment to collect himself, he cleared his throat and proceeded anew with a strained smile that looked remarkably painful beneath his new scars. "Of course. We do what we can, after all."

Trumpet handed the weapon off to Spinner, who set it on the table separating them and went to unbox what he'd be working with from now on. Tokoyami couldn't help peeking over his shoulder in anticipation. If there was one thing he'd happily share with Spinner more than anything, it was his fascination with the blade. Considering how much use Tokoyami got out of utilizing his old sword, he was glad that Spinner would finally be getting the chance to properly upgrade his arsenal.

Spinner unlatched the box, opening it to reveal a dark wooden sheath that promoted functionality over ornamental detail. He lifted it carefully into his hands, eyes wide in wonder, and gripped his claws around the hilt's carefully wrapped leather ito. With a steady breath, Spinner unsheathed the traditional katana. His eyes lit up, admiring the full brilliance of the beautifully crafted blade. "This is so cool," he hissed under his breath, setting the sheath back into the box to admire his new weapon.

"More than that, it's crafted by modern-day blacksmiths who've had the art of katana-making passed down to them for centuries," Trumpet elaborated, providing the sword's pedigree with little prompting. "Though swords aren't commonly utilized in the age of quirks, I can attest to the quality of our sources. These are nothing like the ornamental toys one might find online – it's made with the intent of being used in combat." His eyes narrowed accusingly. "Do be careful in how you wield it. In fact, keep it sheathed around me. If you truly must try it out now, the next room over is dedicated to test performances – you can try getting a feel for it in there. By the time you finish up, I'll have given Tokoyami his new gear. Now why not take your leave?"

"Ah-h, right," Spinner mumbled awkwardly, sliding the blade carefully back into the sheath. Instead of putting it back into the box, though, he strapped it to his back as if it was an extension of himself that had been missing.

Hey, hey, Fumikage! Do you think we'll get something that cool?

Tokoyami didn't want to let his excitement get the better of him. That being said, Dark Shadow's eagerness was rubbing off on him. Underneath his cool demeanor, he was prickling with anticipation.

Spinner cast him a sidelong look, to which Tokoyami gave him a reaffirming nod, assuring him that it was okay to leave. There wasn't exactly anything Trumpet could do here other than angrily follow his orders and finish equipping them. Instilled with the knowledge that he'd be alright, Spinner took his temporary leave.

With him out of the room, Trumpet reached for a set of several boxes, all of varying sizes.

"This first item was given priority, for some reason. Everyone involved in figuring out what you'd need to continue combat training all agreed that this was a staple to your, um, image," Trumpet said, handing him the first box.

Tokoyami knew what it had to be before even opening it. Nevertheless, he smiled wholeheartedly when uncovering its contents. The pitch black cloak that he held up was stitched from the darkest shadows, with the surrounding light doing very little to effect it. The fabric itself felt resilient and fluid, moving easily in his hands. A black clasp attached it near the shoulder. Unlike the last cloak he'd been given, this one didn't include a hood. It felt more like his original hero outfit, only improved.

Trumpet explained its properties while Tokoyami donned it. "Although we work closely with many hero industries, we legally don't have the rights to military-grade Vantablack. For the sake of this clothing article, consider it the "second darkest black," as trademarked by Detnerat. The clasp is adjustable and allows for improved freedom of mobility. The material itself is difficult to cut… and fire resistant."

Spinner did say he talked with Dabi to work on this right?

Hm. Hopefully he doesn't take this as incentive to be more careless with his fire. There's been enough close calls from him as it stands. He didn't dwell on that fact very long, though. The way the cloak moved and flowed around his body felt so right. Because it was actually made for him.

Trumpet continued while he was still infatuated with the new outfit. "Next up are these. Though their purpose is circumstantial at best, there was some insistence that they'd be more useful over time." He opened up a smaller box that immediately grabbed Tokoyami's attention. "Since you seem to enjoy taking your battles into darker locations and catching your enemies unaware – " You set yourself up for an attack, Trumpet. That wasn't on me. "—I suggested night-vision goggles. Per request, they also double as aviator goggles and, as per our inclusive support item industry, are custom made to fit your head. Anymore questions?"

Dabi must've known I'd be flying, Tokoyami mused, turning the high-tech goggles around in his hands. They gleamed with a purple shine, and he couldn't help thinking that they were somewhat reminiscent of another flying hero's glasses.

"Th…thank you," he mumbled graciously, admiring the spectacles before placing them back in their box. He'd try them on later. For now, he was wondering where his sword was supposed to be.

Trumpet must've sensed his impatience. "And finally, since apparently that meta ability of yours isn't dangerous enough on its own, we had these custom made for you. Hopefully they provide an adequate replacement for that brittle sword you'd been wielding." Trumpet carefully pulled a box off the shelf behind him, holding it with an air of contempt. Even though the box had the Detnerat brand on it, he treated it like a source of poison, pushing it to Tokoyami across the table with a disdainful finger.

Tokoyami reached for the box hesitantly. In his mind, Dark Shadow vibrated with excitement at what the contents might hold. He willed the quirk to calm down, fearing that if Dark Shadow made an appearance in the room that it might negatively afflict Trumpet. Their collaborative efforts were strained enough as it was – Tokoyami couldn't possibly imagine creating a weapon for the person who'd left him marred.

Opening the box revealed a pair of polished steel gauntlets. It wasn't the "weapon" Tokoyami had in mind, and he stooped to better investigate what exactly he was dealing with. He picked one up, admiring the way the metal plates moved together allowing for a range of motion. It was the perfect size to fit along his forearms, with adjustable straps and discrete mechanisms with some sort of hidden function. There were ridges along the length of the armor, three for each one, and Tokoyami was starting to understand what it was that he was dealing with.

They clasped easily to his arms, concealing the jagged scars he'd received from the nomu. Feeling around the metal plates with his fingers, he quickly located triggers near the thumbs. Noticing his discovery, Trumpet took a hasty step back.

With a sliiik of metal gliding against metal, claws sprang from the armored gloves. It wasn't the sword he was anticipating, but it was definitely a specialized weapon. Six blades total, three for each hand, all over a foot in length and sharpened to dangerous points. They glinted in the light, the newly honed edges so sharp it felt like he could slice through the air itself.

It's so cool it's so cool! Dark Shadow screeched in giddiness. Look look look, you get your own claws now! We can be matching even more now!

Tokoyami let out a laugh of disbelief, amazed by what he was wielding. He was torn, wanting to ask the quirk to settle down but also brimming with excitement the same as he. Trumpet noted his jubilation with a furrowed brow, as if holding back some unspoken word of caution. Tokoyami understood why he'd treated the weapon with so much disdain now. If Dark Shadow had hit just a bit harder during that fight, Trumpet would no doubt have lost his head. It would've been a gruesome death, and the scars across his face were a permanent reminder of that.

Tokoyami lowered the claw-like blades, more cautious of where he was pointing them. He wasn't looking to leave a worse impression that what he'd already earned.

"There's one last thing you need to be equipped with before you leave," Trumpet said, sounding more hesitant now that Tokoyami was properly armed. Tokoyami clicked the mechanism again, springing the claws back into their sheaths. For something so dangerous, it did a good job concealing itself.

With the claws properly put away, Trumpet reached for one last box. He opened it himself, pulling out a palm-sized metal ringlet.

Tokoyami understood what it was with a sinking realization, but asked anyway. "What does that mean for me?"

"It's not complicated," Trumpet assured, as if that were the issue here. "It doesn't have any precision tracking to it. So long as you have this on, trying to go beyond the boundaries of the MLA mansion will send out an alert. Tampering with it will do the same thing. Think of it as house arrest."

Tokoyami glared at him darkly.

"Don't look at me as if this were all my fault, you little…!" He had to take a breath and shove down his defensive outburst before proceeding again – otherwise he wouldn't get anywhere. "This is a safety measurement, understood? With this equipped, you're "free" to go wherever you want… just so long as it's not past the electromagnetic barrier we have set up around the entirety of the mansion. Now are you going to put on or what?"

Tokoyami snatched the damned device from his hand with a disgruntled growl. This may as well happen. It couldn't all be good stuff.

Do ya think this barrier thing includes the sky? Maybe if we really wanted to, we could just fly over it.

These people are crafty and have a lot of influence when it comes to money and technology. Even if they don't know about my flying capabilities, there's other people here who definitely do fly, so I'm sure they have this place set up in anticipation for that.

And then he locked the ring around his ankle, effectively sealing his fate. At least if it was on his ankle, he wouldn't have to look at it all the time and be reminded of its purpose.

Tokoyami felt a shiver run through him, and he looked up to see that Trumpet was watching him with an expression different than before. He couldn't place what it was, or if the man was still angry at him and was just communicating it differently now, until he spoke again and it clicked in his head.

"From what the reports say, you're just a kid in all this, correct?"

It was pity. Tokoyami processed the words with a bitter taste in his mouth. "I had to grow up quickly. Who I was never really mattered in the grand scheme of things. It was my so-called meta ability that brought me this far – as well as pushing myself beyond my limits."

"Don't misconstrue me," Trumpet balefully scoffed. "I have no sympathy for someone like you. But if it brings you any closure, then you can consider your new gear… "early Christmas presents." Does that work for you?"

Is that supposed to be sincere? Dark Shadow croaked uncertainly.

I wouldn't go so far as to expect something like that from a person in a position like his. He's a leader, both in this army and in his political party… I can't really trust that he wishes the best for us after all we've done.

We didn't do anything – he's just mad 'cause he lost…!

"Is this everything, then? Am I free to leave with all that's been handed to me?"

Trumpet beckoned for Tokoyami to follow him to the door. "That's everything. Technically speaking, if anything gets damaged you'll need to submit a work order for repairs and bring it back here. So let's hope you're more careful than that. Now let's get that insidious companion of yours so that you both can get the hell out of my office."