Tokoyami took some time to hole up in his room, weary as he was from the nonstop stream of information that had battered away at him. He was tired from talking, from spilling his emotions and then keeping them bottled for his own preservation. The people he dealt with, the physical and psychological battles he waged, and his determination to stand firm amongst it all – he had allowed it all to wash over him, unflinching. It took a toll on him in every way. So when finally – finally! – he found himself back on familiar ground, with pristine hardwood underneath and a moderately disheveled bed kept in the shadows of a darkened room, he felt at least somewhat relaxed. As strange as it was, he could claim to feel grounded in such a space. And though this place would never be any sort of home to him, it was the best he had and he was grateful for it.

Nobody bothered him. Not that he responded to, anyway. On occasion he could hear them scuffling outside his room, fist raised in indecision. No disrupting knocks ever came from it. Even still, people whispered his name and openly questioned if he was okay. All the while, Tokoyami kept to himself, if only for a while. He laid in bed staring at the ceiling deep into the night while Dark Shadow freely roamed the room, expressing the thoughts that stormed through their linked headspace.

On one side of the bed, settled on an undecorated bedside table, was the doctor's communicator. It hardly felt real; even after all the hoops he'd gone through, it was still hard to believe that he was getting his side of the deal resolved. All Tokoymi had to do was say the word and he could walk free – at least for a while. And though it made the idea of escape feel more like a pipedream, especially with how easily that quirk could just drag him back to this place, it hardly made much difference now.

To his other side, resting idly beside his lamp, was the other reason why he could claim to be here without protest. That little red feather, damned as it was to exist in his presence. Until he knew what was going on with Hawks, then the hero world would remain a bleak place to return to, if he ever even makes it that far. Every so often, if he looked at it long enough, he could swear it would start to drift, as though drawn to its unseen master. Or maybe it was the force of his tired sighs that rocked the feather an inch to the right – it was hard to tell.

Do you think he heard it all? Dark Shadow whispers in his head, quietly as though fearful that even their telepathic thoughts would be picked up by a second party.

Hmm. It's hard to be sure. But he'll know we were gone, and I'm certain he'll be suspicious, Tokoyami said, silently voicing what was thought to be true.

Won't he be suspicious no matter what we do?

He can't possibly take us for a villain. We're cooperating, aren't we?

Dark Shadow peered out the window, staring off into the darkness as the night deepened. We could tell him everything we know, spill our guts and cry out for help, and I bet he wouldn't do a thing to help us.

He's already—

No. No. We don't know. And until we do, can we make such a decisive judgment call?

Keep talking with both parties. We'll get somewhere soon.

Keep training. Keep going forward. Get stronger. Smarter.

Nothing can stand in our way. Not a villain, or a hero, or a nomu, or anything else in this cursed existence.

Dark Shadow came back to him, staying close as a form of comfort. Hey, hey, when do we get to leave? I wanna go to the beach.

I haven't figured that out just yet. I suppose when I'm ready? And as sleep took him, freeing him from the turmoil of an active mind, Tokoyami decided that that was the best answer he had to offer.

The next day came and went, proving to be unnervingly uneventful. He kept to himself, bided his time, and kept himself out of trouble. A single day was all he asked for, letting it come to pass within his own company. By the next day, he'd run through the meager supplies of his now unstocked mini-fridge and found himself restless once more. Peeking out from his room in not but black silken pajamas and an air of caution, he scurried to the kitchen.

He should've known that someone would be present in such an important part of the building, but if it was just him then it was of little consequence. Tokoyami crept around the tall figure hovering over the stove, wondering if that would keep him preoccupied. Despite his old soul, he was still more perceptive than most people gave him credit for.

As Tokoyami opened the fridge, Mr. Compress turned quickly on his heel to address him. "Ah! There you are, young man! I feared you might never leave your room. If you're searching for food, then might I offer you an omelet?"

Tokoyami considered it, idly scooting a jug of milk and a stack of leftover boxes from the PLF's on-site food service. Even after all this time, nobody bothered to keep the fridge properly stocked. This is hardly much better than Dabi's apartment.

There's plenty of instant ramen in the pantry, though!

With a defeated grumble, Tokoyami plucked a pitcher of iced tea from the fridge and closed the door. "If there are eggs to spare, then I'd appreciate it immensely."

"That's yesterday's tea," Mr. Compress noted as he poured himself a drink. "Would you like me to make a fresh batch?"

"I'll be fine, but if that's something you desire then I won't stop you," Tokoyami said, sticking a straw in his glass and sitting down at the table. He sipped on the tart beverage, watching Mr. Compress prep the simple meal. Tokoyami could swear he'd never seen the man leave his room without formal attire. His dress shirt was pushed up to his elbows for cooking. His prosthetic arm flipped the omelet over and reached for seasoning, moving with just as much control as his other arm. It'd taken a while, but the newest upgrade provided by the PLF had done wonders. He'd foregone the normal overcoat and mask, which was about as casual as he could appear. For all his faults, he navigated a kitchen well enough. At least compared to everyone else living here.

For all the run-ins he usually had with the others, this was delightfully mundane. It almost didn't sit right with him.

Tokoyami stirred his drink, watching small leaf fragments that had escaped the tea making process swirl around. "Say, Compress, where is everyone else right now?"

"Not used to the peace and quiet?" Mr. Compress asked, pulling two clean plates from the dishwasher. Nobody ever wanted to put the dishes away. "Well, let's see! Spinner went to settle a dispute between some coordinators in the Brown Division. I asked if he'd need some assistance, but he assured me otherwise. Here's hoping that works in his favor. Being a leader of sorts should hopefully do a world of good for his confidence."

Tokoyami hummed in solemn agreement. He liked Spinner well enough, but the Stain idealist was still committed to a cause that wasn't quite his own. He'd hoped that in time the reptilian man would be able to separate himself from the actions of others. But that was neither here nor there. "So that's made something of a free day for you, I take it."

Mr. Compress finished plating the food and brought over two servings, placing them down on the table before seating himself across from Tokoyami with a flourish. "Something like that, I suppose! We all could use some air to breathe, wouldn't you agree?"

Tokoyami eyes the eggy dish for just a moment before taking a bite. It's salty but good, and he takes bites between bouts of conversation. "You'd be right about that. What of the others? I can't imagine they'd be lounging around in their rooms."

"Miss Toga has her work cut out for her, furthering her discussions with Skeptic and gaining momentum in reconnaissance," Mr. Compress said. There was an amused glint in his eyes. "Though judging by how fondly she talks about her time with you, I'm sure she'd much rather be doing more of that training."

Tokoyami shifts uncomfortably on the seat. "You know about that?"

"Was it supposed to be a secret?" Mr. Compress asked innocently. "When you two slip away into the gardens and come back battered, is it truly a secret?"

"It's not like that," Tokoyami mumbled, feeling the heat rise behind his feathers. He would rather talk about anything else right now. "What about Dabi? Where's he at right now?"

Mr. Compress considers that while taking a small bite. "He always stays busy. I'm sure if you tracked down someone in the Violet Regiment, you'd find him somewhere close. It's always a guess with that one – though I'm sure you know that better than anyone!"

"It's not like I'm a lieutenant or anything…"

You're better than that – you're a lieutenant in name only! None of that responsible stuff everyone else has to worry about, Dark Shadow crowed in the back of his mind.

And still my days are filled with necessities.

Mr. Compress continued, deaf to the internal exchange. "Although if you truly are keen to Dabi's whereabouts, I've noticed he tends to visit the roof each evening. For what reason, I've never asked. I assume he merely enjoys the view…?" From the way he ended the sentence in a quiet question, Tokoyami figures that the man is trying to elicit a response from him. As if he of all people would know a definite answer regarding Dabi.

And sure, he did know, but that wasn't anything worth sharing. Once again, it was strange to think about.

He's waiting for us up there, when everyone else is asleep and the night is at its darkest.

Usually he just asks us to come with him – is it truly every night that he's up there?

"Then that's his business," Tokoyami says bluntly, shutting down the inquiry. He quickly downs the last of his meal and then stands from the table, ready to take his plate to the sink and scurry out of the kitchen before the magician starts asking too much.

At the same time, Mr. Compress rises himself, though his meal is unfinished. Tokoyami takes a cautious step back, ever wary of the man in close quarters. Despite the man's kindness, it couldn't be helped. Seeing this, the man's shoulders slump and he takes a step back. "I mean no ill will, young Tokoyami. I know that you're a good kid. And sure, that means that you shouldn't be here, but the others – you care for them, do you not? Trust is a difficult thing to come by in the darkness of the villain world."

Tokoyami narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You want something of me." Please. No more deals or promises. I can't take much more of it.

"I implore you," Mr. Compress corrects, sitting back down heavily. The chair scraps loudly against the linoleum tiles. "This may not be my place, but everyone here looked up to Shigaraki while he was here. This small group, separate from the Paranormal Liberation Front, is still the League. And maybe I have no say in the matter, but I only wish to look after you lot with the same regard granted to me."

Tokoyami slowly sets his dish in the sink, brow furrowed in confusion. "Even though you lost your arm because of your involvement with them?"

"'Tis but a flesh wound, dear boy!" Mr. Compress exclaimed, wiggling his mechanical fingers. "Besides, every good performer needs a stage. If ever there's something that needs to be proven, the best way to do so is to have the biggest audience imaginable, wouldn't you agree?"

"Audiences never did me much good. I've never been much of a showrunner," Tokoyami mumbled dejectedly.

"Then make it good! I think you could still benefit from it." Mr. Compress leans forward, resting his arms on the table. "But you don't need to listen to an old cod ramble on forever. I see how involved you get with the people around you, whether you intend to or not. So please, hear me when I ask this: could you keep an eye out on the others? I'll admit I've never been very good with kids. Or, well, being a member of someone else's troupe for that matter."

Tokoyami scoffed at the request. "Isn't that awfully presumptuous of you? I see enough of the League as it is – there really isn't any need to look after them, or whatever you truly beseech of me." Is what I know I need to say, but…

You're not actually against the idea, are you? Dark Shadow asked.

No. I'd just rather it not be because someone else asks it of me.

He means nothing bad of it.

Mr. Compress offered him a sad yet understanding smile. "Your distrust is deserved, young man. In which case, just continue as you were. My worrisome words aren't worth much these days. If anything should happen, do be sure to take care. With all you've been through, I'd hope you could at least do that?"

Tokoyami blinked slowly, leaning back against the counter. He felt a bitter laugh build in his chest, but bit his beak down on it. With a hard swallow, he pushed his animosity down the rest of the way and offered a meager smile instead. "Yeah. I think I can do that."

For as minimal a response as he had offered, it was enough to satisfy the concerned conman. "Splendid! Now, don't let the day be wasted. The sun is shining, so go make the most of it!"

Tokoyami dipped his head in farewell before dipping out of the kitchen, leaving Mr. Compress to deal with the clean-up. For as strange as the man was, he had to admit that he'd left his company feeling strangely comforted. I suppose that's part of being a performer, now isn't it?

So so! What do we do with the day?

Tokoyami returned to his room, getting dressed in his typical attire. Rather than don his cloak, as he would in preparation for training or an expected fight, he put on a simple black parka. Then he stood at the foot of his bed, looking between the two contrasting communicators on opposite sides of the room. With a sigh of resignation, he put one in each pocket and headed out the door. I have an idea, but I'm not entirely sure just yet.

Tokoyami walked back out into the hallway, past the line of rooms and out through the door that led into the rest of the mansion.

You already know that Spinner and Toga are busy, Dark Shadow reminded.

Yes, I'm aware. I'm not looking for them.

And Dabi's also… somewhere. I bet we won't be able to find him until night sets in.

That's fine by me, Tokoyami assured, letting his feet guide him through the open halls.

So then what are we trying to find?

Tokoyami paused where the halls split off. He was familiar enough with the layout and even somewhat understood the secretive mapping system them had in place. But he wasn't actually setting out for a particular location. I'm still thinking. I haven't decided yet, I suppose.

Before long, he found himself in the center hall, located near the intersection of noteworthy training facilities and living spaces. Since it was midday, people bustled back and forth around them. He was often greeted by waves and excited calls of his name as the Liberation Front soldiers recognized him in passing. As strange as it was, he'd grown used to it by now. After all, he had a reputation amongst their ranks. And though he tried to avoid getting too comfortable with these groups of people, it was difficult to ignore the rampant admiration they openly had for him. Why must they be the target demographic of respect for one such as I?

It does feel kinda nice, though, Dark Shadow mused, the internal specter yearning towards the call of someone on the outside inviting them for quirk practice.

Tokoyami rounded a corner, drifting off towards a less populated section of the mansion. This section was less utilized for the sole purpose that it was more dedicated to educational facilities. Libraries, study rooms, and even classrooms, interestingly enough. Definitely not the kind of material most people here would be interested in.

But as he passed through this place, he'd be damned if he didn't actually pick up on some nearby voices. There weren't any sort of scheduled lectures that took place here, at least not to his knowledge, so this piqued his interest. Do you think we still get extra credit for attending optional classes? Tokoyami jokes lightly.

I think our non-existent grades are doing just fine!

He thinks about how amusing it would be to attend a class in a setting like this, as if it were some replacement for the normalcy that had been sacrificed long ago. Then he felt a familiar movement in his pocket, and he froze on the spot. Whatever voices he'd heard just up ahead stopped, and he heard the sound of a door close.

Two people. Parting ways.

One's heading towards us.

Tokoyami watched a shadow drift out of the corner of his eye, barely catching sight as it rounded the hall away from him. Without another thought to keep him down, Tokoyami hurried in that direction.

"Haw— oh. Twice?"

The masked man turned around, jumping with a start at his sudden appearance. "Jeez, kid! Way to sneak up on a guy! I could hear you coming a mile away. What's up?"

"I'm, uh, just surprised is all," Tokoyami stammered. His hand is in his pocket, gently brushing the feather's vane with a finger. "I wasn't expecting to see you out here. Who were you with?"

"I just got out of a lesson – nothing but a bunch of boring crap!" Twice said. Though it was a decent enough answer, it still dodged the actual question.

"You're taking lessons now? If this is about our study sessions, then you don't need to worry about bothering me. Really, I don't mind it." I could even claim to enjoy it, though I doubt you'd fully believe me.

Twice gave a firm shake of his head while offering a positive thumbs up. "It's nothing like that. You got it! I see how busy you are, so I'm just doing something for myself. I need all the help I can get if I'm gonna be a proper leader!" He kept walking down the hall, and Tokoyami kept pace beside him.

"Everyone needs help from time to time," Tokoyami advised. "There's nothing wrong with that. Bear in mind, I still consider myself a student… somewhat. If it's all right by you, then might I attend one of these lessons? If they're doing you any good, I'd be interested to sit in as well."

Twice scratched the back of his head, still deciding how much he should say. Such decisions must truly be a battleground in his mind. Tokoyami could sympathize. When next he spoke, it wasn't as much of a surprise as he thought it would be, but it still left a foul taste in his mouth that he couldn't quite pin down.

"Well… well it's all kinda new to me, so I'm not sure how much it'll actually help. And, uh, it's kinda embarrassing, so don't go telling the others about it… but if you're being sincere, then I'm sure I could convince Red to have you over!"

"Red?" Tokoyami asked, his hand threatening to close over the feather in his pocket. "Do you mean Hawks?"

Twice put his hands up defensively, as if he couldn't believe it himself. "I know, I know! He's the new guy, so what could I possibly learn from him, but he's really done his homework!" I'm sure he has. "We're still figuring it out, but he's already promised to lend me a hand in this whole PLF stuff. I'm just testing the waters, yeah? I'll have him working for me soon enough! And I know everyone else is struggling to trust him, what with being, you know, a hero." He whispers the word as if even saying it out loud might materialize unwelcome heroes on the spot. But nothing happens. It's still just him, Tokoyami, and the two listening devices hidden in his front pockets.

"It'd be nice to actually learn something from a top hero," Tokoyami said with a mirthless laugh. How many hoops of lies must he continue to jump through before this performance can end?

Performance? Oi, you might be hanging out with Compress too much!

Twice couldn't have possibly pieced together the layers of irony that Tokoyami was dealing with. It was ultimately beyond him, and that only made the whole ordeal more tedious. What was he supposed to do, warn Twice? That'd be a betrayal. But the idea of learning under Hawks again instilled a sense of irrational panic.

"So you'll sit in with us one of these days? Don't bother, the class is full – I'll keep a seat open for you!" Twice said, looking at him hopefully and suspiciously.

Tokoyami went several steps without responding, until he paused at a fork in the hall. Twice backed up a few steps when he realized that Tokoyami wasn't at his side anymore. "I'll consider it," Tokoyami finally decided. "I've been given a lot to think about lately. If anything should happen, please keep me up to date."

"Oh. Right, yeah, sure thing! As if I'd give you the answers to the quiz."

Tokoyami exhaled a light laugh – a real one. "Very well then, Twice. In that case, I'll be seeing you."

"You going somewhere?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"I'm thinking about it," Tokoyami responded honestly. And then he parted from Twice's side, finally setting himself on a proper course.

Twice called after him, informing him to stay safe and cause some trouble. Tokoyami wished to do no such thing while also realizing that it was inevitable. The troubling duality of his fate was forthcoming, and there was little he could do to avoid it.

Not at the rate we're going, anyway.

Oh, oh! So you made up your mind?

Tokoyami traced his way through the mansion. Without fail, he inevitably ended up back where he seemed to always find himself. Under the cover of the gazebo, he fished the doctor's communicator from his pocket. He hadn't decided if having Hawks' feather along with him was a good idea, but ultimately decided that the hero's bug might as well be along for the ride, consequences be damned.

Tokoyami tapped at the earpiece while pacing the moss-covered ground. "Can you hear me, Doctor Ujiko? I'm ready."

A beat passed. And then static buzzed through before switching to a familiar voice. "Already? Impatient, aren't you?"

"I've waited a long time for this," Tokoyami insisted, glaring at the small piece of technology as if he could properly communicate his frustration that way. "I'm not needed at the mansion today, so I'd rather take this time for myself while I still can."

"Freedom is not without its limitations, as I'm sure you know," the doctor advised. "You're still required to adhere to my rules. First of all, nobody can recognize you; public places are ill-advised, but not entirely off the table. We don't need you bringing unwanted attention to your current stateRemember: one wrong move and I'll bring you back to this place without a second thought, and you'll have lost your opportunity. Wherever I send you, I can just as easily bring you back. There's nothing you can do and no place you can go where I won't be able to find you."

Tokoyami closed his eyes and took a deep, much-needed breath. I already know that. "For what it's worth, you have my verbal agreement." And with that, he gave the doctor an address. It wasn't the exact address – he wasn't quite so foolhardy – but it was close enough to the image in his mind that he kept to himself for the last half year.

He let the quirk take him, holding his breath before being choked by the ooze, and when he opened his eyes again he was located on a narrow street with high walls situated in the quiet suburbs outside Shibuya.

As the nauseating sensation came to pass, Tokoyami took in the unremarkable sights like it was the best thing he's ever laid witness to. He ran his hand along the wall, walking slowly down the path while his fingers traced their way over cracks. The backs of family run restaurants and little gift shops perfectly cast the path in shadow, and though he could occasionally see movement in the windows, nobody ever saw him.

How nostalgic… I didn't think I'd ever see this place again.

Do you think if we go to that one bakery, the old lady will give us a free sample like old times?

No, I think she'd call the police.

Tokoyami ascended a concrete staircase behind one of the shops. It was partially obscured by foliage and was the local people's way of easily getting further into the residential area. Trees made bare by winter's cold lined the path, their scrawny branches swaying in the light breeze.

All the while, Dark Shadow prodded at his consciousness, eagerly taking in all the familiar sights and sounds. Tokoyami felt a pang of guilt – while he walked these roads, he couldn't let his quirk out to enjoy it with him; it might attract unwanted attention, and then the day they'd worked so hard for would be over. He couldn't risk that.

Hey, Fumikage, remember that wall? You fell off of it when you were five.

I wanted to say hello to the crows. I thought it'd be fun, but it hurt.

You started to cry! I wasn't sure what to do. We were both so young.

Tokoyami easily hoisted himself up onto the wall, ducking his head when his feathers disturbed the branches above. A starling flew out with a startled cry. You comforted me is what you did. I still didn't understand you very well at the time. But when you're that age, nobody really understands what the world has in store for them. He started walking along the wall-top, one foot in front of the other with practiced ease.

When he hears conversation coming towards him, he quickly hops down onto the other side of the wall and into a shady backyard.

If you're not careful, old man Taro will see us and yell, Dark Shadow warned.

It's not our fault he has the most accessible backyard. This was the best shortcut. Besides, he came around to us eventually.

Then why does he still talk all scary?

If we saw him now, I don't think he'd be very scary at all.

Tokoyami crossed over the neatly trimmed grass, careful to avoid the empty garden plots lest some seeds might be sown or a print be left behind in the moist dirt. Opening a metal gate, he slipped out onto another path, just wide enough to ride his old bike through.

Do you think they kept it? Our bike and… everything else. They wouldn't get rid of all that, would they?

We're not dead, Dark Shadow. It's just taking a little longer to get back than I thought it would… They may have put our stuff in storage, though. It must all be so dusty by now.

Against his better judgment, Dark Shadow poked his head out from the hood of his coat, the shadowy little beak just barely sticking out as bright yellow eyes surveyed the area. There were many times, you know, where I was worried that you might just die. That everything would be dark forever, and that I wouldn't be strong enough to bring you back with me.

Tokoyami reached up a hand, resting it on the quirk's dark little head. Stop that. We've made it through the worst, right? Now we're strong enough that we don't actually have to worry about such a grim outcome.

Dark Shadow nuzzled into his hand. Hey, hey, it's just around the corner.

Tokoyami stopped as he rounded onto another street. The facades of small houses and duplexes welcomed him, beckoning him towards their cracked steps and closed windows. Empty pots lined the walkway before him, and rose bushes that had been cut back for winter stood out stiffly. He could envision the flowers, black-tinted red blossoms that had been planted at his request years ago to contrast with his father's white ones. He'd pricked his finger many times on their thorns while picking them. Moss crew around the edges of the weathered stone path, and a metal door-plate depicting a native songbird graced the front entrance.

Home.

Tokoyami pulled his hood tighter around him. His heart ached to ascend those short steps, to knock upon the door with all the courage he could muster and be welcomed back with open arms. To feel the tender embrace of his mother, to be soothed and told that everything was going to be okay. He wished desperately to feel safe – not because he was strong enough to not fall victim, but because he was loved. That was a safety that couldn't be so easily replicated.

He could see the window of his room on the second floor, dark like a void. So very long ago, he would climb out onto the windowsill and reach the roof, looking out into the endless night while trying to come up with the next stanza of a new poem. Such wistful days spent writing felt fleeting now, for the truest horrors this life had to offer couldn't be so easily summed up in words. Some of history's greatest poets had lives filled with pain and loss, and they poured their melancholy into their works. My younger self might've been excited at the prospect of creating such deep, dark works of literature. Yet now I fear there's no proper way to communicate all I've been through.

We could fly up there. You could see your room. If not that, then at least the roof. You'd like that, wouldn't you?

Tokoyami shook his head sadly. I can't do that. Not now, anyway.

Then when?

When I can say with certainty that I'm free. We may have made it this far, but that's made little difference. We can just accept that this is as far as we can go for now and be content with that.

But you're crying.

Tokoyami dispersed his quirk with a wave of his hand, causing the shreds of spare shadow to retreat back into his hood while he wiped at his eyes. His palm came away wet, and he sullenly dried it on his coat. What of it? Fate never accounted for feelings.

Tokoyami wasn't sure how long he stood out there, back pressed against the wall while shadows hung over his face. He couldn't be caught loitering around this place forever, though. He didn't want to be mistaken for a ghost. Or, given the legacy he'd left his poor parents with, someone with malicious intent.

We need to keep moving, Tokoyami said, trying to convince himself.

But we didn't even get to see if Mom and Dad are okay, Dark Shadow protested, pulling at his thoughts.

This is enough for now. It won't be forever – I can live with the knowledge that I'll come back another day. We'll just have to wait until our position isn't so precarious. And they'll just have to do the same. Even if he couldn't be seen, he wanted to at least leave a sign. Without missing a beat, he plucked a black feather from his head and crept out of the shadows. Each step that brought him closer to home made his heart yearn for more, and he had to force himself to stop just shy of the threshold that led into the small yard. Reaching his arm out, he planted the feather into the dirt beneath his rose bush and turned away. Sorry Mother, Father. I promise I'll be back.

When he was far enough away, retrieved Ujiko's device and spoke into it again. His voice came out unexpectedly raspy, and he cleared his throat while pushing down his troublesome emotions. "I'm done here, Doctor. There's still some other places I wish to go to."

A pause. Tokoyami assumed he was always listening anyway, so he waited those few seconds for the man to adjust on his end. "Well. You haven't given me any trouble yet. I suppose if you're making the day of this, you can visit a few more locations. Where to next?"

The next address was vaguer than the last. He didn't have a good idea of how best to say it, and when he did manage to get it out it sounded wrong. "K…Kamino is where I want to go. To—" Tokoyami squeezed his eyes shut again, already feeling the transportation quirk again. "—to Ground Zero."

"Kamino Central Plaza, then," the doctor decided with a dry chuckle. "You'll be amazed at the changes that it's undergone since your last time there."

Moments later, he was stumbling in an alleyway, careful not to trip on a garbage pile before catching himself on a dumpster that had no business being in such a narrow lane. The device crackled again. "Stay on your toes, now – this is a much more public space. According to our intel, hero patrols don't come through here as often as they used to following the incident, but you'll still find it difficult to navigate if you're not careful. I'll be listening close, and the moment anything happens—"

"Yes, yes, I know this already," Tokoyami grumbled, shoving the device back into his pocket. "I just need to see it for myself. My business will be done here soon enough." With that in mind, he poked his beak out into the light of day, expecting to see a world of destruction and decay. But he already knew what he was supposed to see. Newspapers and live feeds had shown him how this place had rebuilt himself following the catastrophic event. Even still, he could so vividly envision the craters underfoot. The ringing in his head from crumbling buildings and the screams of frantic heroes and desperate civilians. The newly built roads were uneven despite their best reconstruction attempts, and regardless of the architectures' best attempts it was easy to see which buildings had to be rebuilt from the ground up.

But it wasn't just about replacing what was lost – there was much from that conflict that could never be replicated. So rather than the crowded, intermingling buildings that used to reside in this stretch of city, much of the area had been turned into a park. Small, newly planted cherry blossom trees lined the sidewalks. Families walked across the open grass while tourists flitted from one info board to the next and joggers ran across the designated paths. Children played on shiny new playgrounds, and a little old lady watched a duck wade through a recently instated water feature.

Tokoyami buried his beak into the front of his parka, zipping it up as far as it would go. Is this what Dabi feels like when he has to go out in public?

He did his damnedest to keep to himself and view everything from a distance, but that proved too difficult to bear and soon enough he found himself mingling with the rest of the crowds. He read the plaques giving the history of the events that happened here, learned the names of all the heroes that helped in the cleanup.

There was a wall, just under his height and crumbling at the top. Black scours and pitted marks decorated its side. It was remarkable for the sole reason that it had been left untouched. Tokoyami ran his fingers along it, trying to envision where he'd stood amongst it all. And he remembered just fine, as much as he didn't like it. This was the wall his classmates had hidden behind when they'd begun their impromptu rescue mission. He hadn't known what they were doing, or even that they were present, until they'd broken through the wall and flung themselves into the sky, knowing that Bakugou would be able to reach them.

Had they not thought hard enough about my escape? Or could they see the blood on my hands from a distance? Tokoyami wondered, walking past it and continuing down the sun-dappled path.

I bet they still wanna rescue us. I think that'd make Eri happy, Dark Shadow sighed.

I hope I still preserve the right to talk with Midoriya. Last time we saw each other was… brief, to say the least. His mentor, as well. I hope he was able to recover alright.

And the hero guy! Um, Lemon… Million Lemons?

Lemillion, Tokoyami corrected, hearing the older student's voice clearly in his head. Whether he meant it or not, he saved us as well. Perhaps he was the first to truly do so, even if he only meant to do it in Eri's defense. Whatever the case, I'd like to thank him personally someday.

We'll get there.

Tokoyami passed by a marble plaque. On it, written under a brief description of the events, were the names of several dozen people. A memorial.

I'm not so sure about that, Dark Shadow.

Before long, he found himself in the center of the plaza, standing under the shadow of the main landmark. Bouquets of flowers and soggy cards littered the feet of the attractive, drawing people from all across the country even months after it'd been installed at this focal point of devastation. This was what he'd wanted to see. He recognized it from news reels and reports. It'd been in the papers that had been given to him in the month following his captive life and, more recently, had been part of a broadcast that the Meta Liberation Army had used to get the League's attention, sparking their initial conflict with the rival villain team.

But all he saw was an icon whose time had already come to pass, in no small part thanks to him.

Tokoyami looked up intensely at the smiling bronze face of his old hero, beseeching some kind of answer from him. All Might, in all his immortalized glory, could only look steadily ahead. No matter how long he stood here, looking skywards, the inanimate statue would never regard him the same.

Tokoyami flexed his hands, remembering the way his claws had lashed out at the Number One Hero.

It was my claws, though. You don't need to keep blaming yourself, Dark Shadow insisted, his internal voice saddened.

You would never want to hurt him, though.

Neither would you!

Tokoyami finally dragged his gaze down from the smiling face. He wondered if maybe someday he could raise his arm in victory like that and tell the world that everything was going to be okay. But would anyone ever believe him?

Then he saw the info plaque at the base of the statue. He read it out loud – quietly so that nearby civilians wouldn't hear, but loud enough for the plants listening to him from the security of his pockets.

"All Might: Japan's Symbol of Peace, teacher of the next generation, and Number One Hero. Here marks where he bravely fought his last battle against evil while preserving the futures of those he saved. In his absence, we acknowledge the bravery held within us all. All Might stood for what was right up until the very end, and believed that anyone could be a hero.

"It's fine now. Why? Because I am here!"

Tokoyami stepped back, out from under the shadow. He couldn't look upon this statue any longer. And yet, though his heart was heavy, he was glad to have come back here. It felt strangely reassuring to see for himself how so much damage had been turned around. The words of his old hero echoed through his head for the first time in months. I haven't gone down the wrong path. Not even close. If I hang onto that line of thought, then I won't let myself be led astray. Not by manipulative minds or self-proclaimed leaders. I'll rise to my own, just you wait. Watch me, All Might. I won't let you down again.

But… but he's just a statue, Dark Shadow gently pointed out.

Then somebody else can watch me. And maybe then they'll learn just how unjust the line separating hero and villain is.

Tokoyami ducked back into the shelter offered between the surrounding buildings, slipping past an oversized office complex to reach a place invisible to anyone on the outside. By now, the sun was starting to dip low into the sky. Still no incident to be had in the midst of his rampant wandering.

A part of me wishes that I could encounter an old friend or classmate out of the blue, even if just for a moment. So that they know I'm alive; that I'm still hear and breathing.

If we cried out for a hero right now, would anyone hear us? Dark Shadow mused, clambering out of his hood and arching above his head.

Tokoyami looked past him, surveying the sky as if expecting a winged hero to descend upon him like a buzzard upon fresh roadkill. "Maybe not," he mused. "And that might just be for the best."

Muffled static. Tokoyami held the communicator in his open palm, tuning into the voice that greeted him. "What was that now, young man? You really must speak up if you wish to ask more of me."

"I figured I'd let you know that I'm done here," Tokoyami said.

"Are you satisfied, then?"

Tokoyami scoffed. "Not even close. I may never be, but that's already. You could drag me through all of Japan and I wouldn't be content until I knew that I was truly free of your influence...!" When the doctor didn't entertain him with a response, he returned to the subject at hand. "A-hem, but, uh, for now there's really only one other place I want to go. And then I'll be done here."

Once more Tokoyami named the destination, and the doctor just kind of laughed at him. "Is that all? I thought for sure you'd give me more trouble than that, but you've made this rather easy for me. For that, I must thank you."

Tokoyami rolled his eyes in annoyance. Don't talk down on me like that. He fished the red feather out of his other pocket, regarding them both. "Yeah, well, what can I say? I'm not much of a fighter."

"Your test against my nomu says otherwise," the doctor reminded. "In any case, I'll have you at your last stop for the day here momentarily."

Tokoyami returned the items to their respective places as he left Kamino behind. He'd like to return here again someday, when he's truly free, so that he could properly pay his respects to All Might.

Then he was gone from that place, with nobody bearing witness to the fact that he was there, and no landmark to tell the world of what had become of him.

Tokoyami took a deep breath of the salty air that blasted his face at his final destination of choice. Of all the locations he could've settled on, this one was the strangest choice. It's not like he had a particularly strong emotional attachment to the abandoned beach he found himself on. His Father had taken him out here a few times on nice summer afternoons, while children splashed in the ocean waves and parents set up little picnic areas. With how cold it was this time of year, nobody was around to enjoy the soft sands and frigid waters. Which worked just fine for him. He didn't have to worry about anyone seeing him now.

"This is where you wanted to go, right, Dark Shadow?" Tokoyami asked, finally lowering his hood and ruffling his disheveled feathers with a hand.

"Yes yes!" the quirk cheered, emerging from his abdomen to hover above the beach and wiggle through the air.

Tokoyami walked across the open sands, his footprints the first to leave a mark since the last high tide. He followed after his quirk, who delighted in flipping over crab shells and running his claws through the wet sand where shore met sea.

While letting his quirk run amok under the open sky, Tokoyami took out the red feather. He didn't know what good it might do him, but it was almost reassuring that he could at least pretend to be heard. "I'm not entirely sure why I came to something as mundane as a beach. It's pleasant and isolated – and Dark Shadow wanted to come here. Does that merit being a good enough reason? Maybe not, but I don't feel like my time is wasted. I don't need to have everything be a reminder of my shortcomings or where I need to be someday." Tokoyami spoke scattered thoughts. Nothing ever important or overly personal. Nothing that indicated what side he was on, if any. Only the ramblings of a bored teenager that's been given something to do.

He stopped where a patch of smooth rocks had been exposed by the waves. Dark Shadow had already made his way a fair distance down the beach, rummaging through different colored rocks and broken seashells. "Don't stray too far, Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami called. Then he was walking the beach after him, going at his own pace.

As the sun began to settle into its final resting spot far onto the horizon, tinting the skyline a dazzling red, Tokoyami found a seat for himself on a rocky outcropping. Dark Shadow came to rest beside him, beak open in a wide smile and energy thoroughly depleted. Icy saltwater dripped from his talons and his breath smelled suspiciously of fish.

"Did you have fun?" Tokoyami chuckled, patting Dark Shadow on the head.

"It's not very often I get to stretch like that for things other than fighting, heehee."

Tokoyami's smile turned sad. "Sorry about that."

"Oh! But look what I found – the first blossom of the year!" Dark Shadow said eagerly, holding up a soggy yellow daffodil that he'd plucked from somewhere on the coast.

Tokoyami accepted it from the quirk's gentle claws, marveling at how something could bloom when the world was still so damn cold.

Spring is on its way. How strange it is that I can look out over this scenery with peace of mind, even knowing that something truly wretched is coming for us all. He looked up at his quirk. "Are you ready to go back to the mansion?"

Dark Shadow shook his head stubbornly. "Nuh-uh, not until I'm done watching the sunset!"

Tokoyami leaned back against the rocks and watched the blood-red sky dissolve into soft purple hues. "Very well then. Just a bit longer."