Heroes in the Dark chapter 59
Getting to the shack in the woods that the League had claimed as their exceedingly modest base turned out to be less difficult this time. That is to say, the anonymous car ride wasn't as intimidating, and Tokoyami wasn't left as winded by the hike through the forest. It was still an annoying process though, and he was out of breath by the time the not-so-abandoned building came into view through the trees. This time around Dabi didn't slow his pace during the trek, forging ahead without restraint, and Tokoyami was just expected to keep up better than the last. It had been a couple weeks since they'd first done this, and certainly Tokoyami had gotten better during that time, but he was still willing to hold it against the villain.
Wait up, damn you.
Tokoyami cleared the last rock to climb down into the quarry where Dabi was watching him lazily, all the while walking towards the building, and he had to jog to catch up. His cloak flowed around him as he ran, familiar, and hugging his side was a small pouch attached to his belt, less familiar but necessary. Dabi insisted that he have a way to keep his medical supplies on him – so that in a worst case scenario, he wouldn't have to share. Wherever he went, he kept a pouch attached at the waist that was typically hidden by his overcoat. He'd mentioned once that none of the other members of the League ever bothered to keep so much as a band-aid on hand, which annoyed him. They weren't exactly impervious to getting hurt.
Tokoyami caught up, breathing heavily, but didn't complain as he settled into a manageable pace behind him the rest of the way.
He could hear the rest of the League before he could see them. They were… he couldn't tell if they were bantering or complaining. Probably both. But it sounded like they were all there – the same group of villains he was unfortunate enough to be familiar with. Weren't they trying to recruit new members?
Dabi slid open the doorway, entering unannounced as if he lived in this dump with the rest of them. Tokoyami peeked his beak out from behind him, seeing the League lounging or standing around in the small space. For all the time they'd been here, it didn't look like they'd cleaned up the main floor all that much. Tokoyami sighed internally. It was weird being disappointed in a group of people who'd caused him so much trouble, but for a reason like this. And yet here he was, silently judging their inability to clean up their poor living space. Although he couldn't help but notice the new items that stood out from the garbage – a couple fancy candle holders and some ornate boxes filled with miscellaneous jewelry and outdated decorations that Toga and Twice were sifting through.
Dabi took in the scene the same as him, equally unimpressed. "You're all just kicking back?" he observed, an edge of frustration in his tone. "I guess I'm the only one pounding the pavement looking for recruits."
Huh. So they'd reached the same conclusion.
Twice stood up from where he'd been sitting cross-legged on the ground and pointed an accusatory finger at the new arrival that had showed up to criticize them. "Yeah? Too bad you roast everyone you bump into… and haven't brought in any new members!" And then, as if he wasn't literally just accusing Dabi of violent acts that weren't very beneficial, he turned to Tokoyami. "Oh! Good to have you back, Tokoyami! He better be treating you well!"
Tokoyami nodded, a bit stunned by the duality of the welcomes they'd received. "Ah, I'm fine," he murmured, if only to satisfy the concerns of the man.
Dabi huffed quietly at the call-out, diverting his eyes. "They were all worthless," he grumbled, and it really did sound like he was unhappy with the result. "Just trash, living day to day without any real ambitions."
Tokoyami winced. He didn't like hearing these conclusions and having such dark confirmations of what Dabi managed to do in his free time, but in truth it wasn't exactly anything he was unfamiliar with by this point. He already knew that Dabi held these views, and that they'd continue to hold true given their location in a shady part of an already crime-ridden city. It's not as if Tokoyami could do anything to help the fact that Dabi continued to have these dangerous encounters at the expense of those who were unfortunate enough to cross his path.
Toga was casually trying on necklaces that came from hell knows where. "Maybe you're just bad at judging others!" she offered. Not that it was very helpful – Tokoyami liked that concept less, the idea that the poor bastards Dabi came across in his search were innocents or caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nobody should have to tangle with this group if it could be helped. Succumbing to the will of others being imposed, that was a fate that too many didn't deserve. Well… perhaps a few people deserve the dark fates that befall them.
"You, of all people, don't get to say that," Dabi said, dead-panned. And Tokoyami had to admit… they were all pretty questionable people in their own rights. Questionable? Outright murderers? It probably wasn't his place to judge, either…
After all this time, it still felt like he didn't really know enough about them to state any solid claims. Except for their tyrant of a leader, the mastermind behind all their acts of terrorism against heroes and the society that needed to be protected from the villain group. Not that he even knew what "plans" they even had. Last he knew, their target was another group with loathsome values, and as much as he hated to admit it, Tokoyami hoped that they were successful.
In any case, their leader – the one who struck fear into the hearts of many – was chilling on that battered couch with his feet propped up on the table, nonchalantly eating crackers. He had a bored expression on his face, partly covered by disheveled hair, and he wore the same ratty black outfit that he'd had on last time (but once again, Tokoyami really wasn't one to talk). His grisly collection of hands were stacked in a pile near him, but it didn't look like he was too concerned with having them on. Tokoyami had always wondered why this person held them so close. Well, not so much right now. He actually looked pretty relaxed. Those hands… are like his villain costume, right? N-no, he's not superficial like that. They possess some greater purpose behind them.
"Is has been about a month since they caught Kurogiri, right?" he grumbled, sounding not all too happy about it. It made sense that it'd be considered a failure that continued to weigh down on him. Outside of… the incident with Overhaul, the League had been keeping relatively quiet this past month.
And maybe Shigaraki was thinking the same thing, because he produced a thin, dark red box from his pocket, as if checking to make sure it was still there. At first nothing registered in Tokoyami's mind, but as the villain looked down upon it with something akin to fondness, he was reminded of something sickeningly familiar.
"H-hey, that's not…?" Tokoyami began to whisper, his voice hoarse. The implications of if that box contained what he thought it did brought a wave of nausea over him. He took an uncertain step forward, stumbling to get closer. No. No you wouldn't dare. Those shouldn't be in anyone's hands, least of all yours! I'd thought… I'd hoped that the heroes…
Dabi nudged him in the ribs, hard enough to get his attention. Tokoyami blinked out of the sickness that had taken hold, and looked up to see that Dabi was glaring a warning at him.
Shigaraki's cold expression swept over them, lingering a second longer on Tokoyami. "Kurogiri failed, so that's that. No luck finding the doctor, either."
He slipped the box back into his pocket with an aggravated sigh. So after everything, he had some winnings after all. But when Tokoyami saw the box of bullets disappear into his coat, he made a decision. There's no way in hell I'm letting you unleash those bullets. They should be destroyed – nobody should have that power. Tokoyami must've had a scowl on his face, because Shigaraki finally did lock his red eyes upon him. He looked almost amused, though, and it made Tokoyami's blood boil. Quirks aren't a disease. People like you shouldn't have the power to ruin the lives of innocents.
Nobody else seemed to notice – or care, if they did – about their silent exchange.
Toga was still messing with the jewelry, only now Twice was painstakingly trying to help, carefully looping the hooks together at the base of her neck. "Kurogiri was like your babysitter, so you must miss him a lot, Tomura." That… was true, he imagined. He didn't actually now the man very well, but he'd always gotten the impression that he was something of a servant, or at least someone with a tolerant and nurturing nature around the League. A strange combination to find in the darkness of villainy, but one that came with perks. Although… I always did hate that quirk of his, ever since the USJ incident. I just hope for the heroes' sake that they have a tight grasp on him. Tokoyami took a moment to ponder that further. I think Shigaraki's master had some sort of equally inconvenient quirk, though, if I recall. Travel via quirk is such a messy business. But that's not all there is.
Twice finally got the necklace attached, stepping back with a breath of relief while Toga admired it. Beneath her cheer, her eyes glittered with curiosity, drifting over to where Shigaraki remained seated. "What's so important about that doctor, anyway?"
Shigaraki quirked his mouth in the start of a grimace, but other than that didn't seem to mind responding. "He was Master's personal doctor, a real cautious guy. The only way to get in touch with him was through the computer at the hideout…" Hm. That felt like forever ago. Nobody that Tokoyami could call to mind – he only dimly remembered hearing this Master of Shigaraki's for a few brief moments. "After all, he was the one who managed and developed the noumu."
O-oh. And that's who they're trying to find?! I think I could do without…
Mr. Compress decided to put his own observations in. "No matter how cautious the doctor is, you'd think he could drop a line. And maybe give us a hand," he grumbled, testing his metal arm only for it to squeak in protest. Wasn't Giran usually in charge of its maintenance? Though he worked for a price… "Especially when you consider that his former employer's golden boy is reduced to squatting!"
Dabi tilted his head to the side. "He doesn't deny missing Kurogiri."
"Aww, Tomura really does miss him!" Toga cooed.
Tokoyami huffed. They all had something to complain about right now, and he was growing weary of standing around listening to it. Did this group never grow tired of going through the motions of villainy, being stuck in a place like this? This can't be all they have. Whatever goals or intentions they have to unleash upon the world… this can't be worth it. They can't possibly think they can get by on stolen jewelry, and what the hell do they think they can accomplish with those damned bullets?
After all this time, the only one who had yet to say anything was Spinner. It occurred to Tokoyami that he was being unusually quiet. He would've thought that the guy would be happy with whatever victory they had gotten over that wretched cult they'd been talking about last time. Or if not that, then maybe he'd have some reference to Stain prepared on the tip of his tongue. Instead it looked like he was thinking – sulking? – about something. He better not be having second thoughts about teaching me to use a sword. Tokoyami narrowed his eyes. And Dabi said he might have some video games I could borrow…
Tokoyami tried to get his attention while the others talked amongst themselves. He drifted away from Dabi and waved his hand uncertainly. "Spinner…?"
Tokoyami didn't know if he did something wrong, but Spinner spared him only a quick glance before he turned away, the look of dissatisfaction on his face only deepening. Tokoyami's hand retreated under his cloak as a pent-up breath escaped the reptilian man. It looked like he'd made up his mind about something, his thoughts arranged to speak aloud. Spinner stepped forward, speaking directly to their leader. Tokoyami watched the exchange, his own expression getting darker the longer it went on, with every point striking home as Spinner laid his heart bare before them all.
"Hey, where're we going with all this?" he began, voice wavering. It only grew more confident as he continued to stress his words. "I'm only here cause Stain inspired me to take action!"
Shigaraki fiddled with an empty cracker wrapper, appearing not all that amused. "Huh?"
"I was born in a real backwater place, stuck in the last century. Around there, I was known as the lizard freak. And I just accepted it!" he explained.
Tokoyami winced. He wasn't sure if it was his place to be hearing all this, and yet it didn't really surprise him. Ultimately, he hated that he could understand this individual's pain. Tokoyami had never wanted to scare anyone with his quirk, nor had he ever wanted to be on the receiving end of another person's cruelty.
"That whole time, my heart… was totally empty! That is, until I learned about Stain's final stand on the evening news! He was trying to change the world on his own!" Tokoyami had never seen him so determined before – usually awash with doubt and uncertainty, it was hard to get a solid stance on his ideals unless it had to do with Stain. But that made sense, since that villain had such a huge impact on his life. And yet…
Spinner stomped over to Shigaraki. Why now? What had happened that was finally getting to Spinner? No, this was inevitable, I feel. He'd always held his doubts about this group, he just was never able to find a voice until now. "That was the day I realized how suffocating society really is. I just couldn't take it anymore! This is the reason I joined up with you people!"
"That's… unfortunate," Tokoyami mumbled quietly. He hoped nobody heard that.
Dabi was looking at him. Shit. And just as quickly he turned his uncaring attention back to Spinner. "So what you're saying is basically you're just an empty cosplayer."
Since Tokoyami knew that Dabi was within range of his whispers, he hissed at him: "Dabi! Don't be–"
"That's right! Totally hollow!" Spinner agreed, far too quickly for any rational person. And then he grabbed Shigaraki by the front of his shirt, dragging this supposed leader up to his face. Wait, are you allowed to do that? "Which is why I don't get why we're sitting around here doing nothing! I was ready to have new life breathed into me! To be inspired! So answer me, Shigaraki, where are we going?!"
His points were valid. Spinner, as a follower, had every reason to know what it was this group was supposed to be doing. Because Tokoyami sure as hell wasn't certain. But glancing around, it felt as though they were the only two who had these feelings. Everyone else – even Shigaraki, with his collar gripped in Spinner's claws – were aloof, practically bored with what he had to say.
Tokoyami wished in that moment that he could've validated Spinner's words and yelled for answers as to why into Shigaraki's face. If Spinner was growing weary of this, then Tokoyami was exhausted, never knowing why they did what they did or where the end-goal was.
As driven as he was to watch the spectacle, something in the back of his mind compelled him to raise his head and look towards the door with a sudden urgency. Perhaps because he knew far too well what oncoming danger felt like, but his feathers prickled in unease, and he instinctively went to hold his cloak tight around him.
Before Shigaraki could even get an explanation out or do anything to brush away the concerns of his companion, the earth began to rumble. The sound of crashing rocks and cracking earth filled the air, and the very ground they stood on tremored beneath their feet. Whatever it was, it was close. This wasn't the sensation of an earthquake, no. Tokoyami was already familiar with what it felt like when a large quirk user was around.
That got everyone's attention, more than anything that Spinner had done. Because if this was a threat to them, then of course they were going to get out there and stand against whatever it was that had found them. The League were up in a heartbeat, racing towards the door. Shigaraki grabbed from his pile of hands in swift succession and booked it through the exit ahead of everyone else, who followed after him. Spinner was left there in the middle of the room, stunned and confused, and Tokoyami walked past him to stay beside the others.
It didn't take much searching to find the source of their problems. An absolute monster of a man stood before them, taller than the building they had claimed as their base. The earth was cracked and breaking, and Tokoyami felt a surge of panic at the way that the ground distorted, with a fleeting thought wondering if it would break into spikes.
"I've been looking… finally found you," came a deep, gravelly voice like rocks through a tumbler. Another step forward, and Tokoyami felt himself bounce a few inches into the air while rubble rained down upon them. "I was waiting for the signal. Are you the one who succeeded all for one?"
Shigaraki? Tokoyami could finally see this monster in full view. He was a mass of muscles and hard edges, towering over them with a dangerous scowl etched into his face. His hair, if you could call it that, was a mane of rock-like spikes, and his mouth was filled with sharp teeth. Also. He was entirely naked, except for – oddly enough – a radio hung around his neck that buzzed with static and stray words.
Tokoyami stood in Dabi's shadow, who in turn was dwarfed by this man who was blotting out the sun above them. And all the while, he could only think, I really, really don't want to get caught up in any of this. Please, not again!
Shigaraki stood before them, the leader of this sorry band of rejects, and stood as tall as he could while he finished clamping his grisly collection of hands to his body. "Is this the power you alluded to… Kurogiri?"
Tokoyami sidled up next to Dabi, since he was closest. "Don't tell me… this is a new member?!" he whispered hoarsely.
Dabi stared up blankly. "Not a clue. Who's this?"
Mr. Compress made the connection quickly. "You mean to say Kurogiri set out in search of this fellow?!"
The towering figure took off his radio, tossing it down onto the brittle earth.
Shigaraki watched his every movement like a hawk, and Tokoyami couldn't help but wonder if this was something he was excited for. Because if past encounters were any indication, he wasn't prepared to have the League encounter new dangers. Not after everything they had gone through with Overhaul. But Shigaraki must've seen the promise in this encounter. "He must be the secret weapon master left behind for me."
S-so, we know this is an ally?
Spluttered words came from the radio as it hit the ground. The man took a shuffled step forward, and Tokoyami felt that feeling of unease spread through him again when he spoke again. "I devote myself to All for One." Is that good? "Now, Successor… Prove that you are worthy."
Tokoyami tensed. Everyone did. Those were fighting words, and it looked like this beast was to be their opponent. Under his breath, he cursed Shigaraki's name, knowing that this person was the center of all these villainous troubles, the person that others flocked to in order to cause trouble.
The mountain of a man rushed forwards.