Eventually they made their way back to the dorms. Tokoyami's mother went on about how exciting it all was, while Tokoyami himself had very little at all to say. Their difference in reactions was very telling, and when they bid farewell to Principal Nezu, the lengths of silence began to lengthen.
Aizawa had already heard about as much as Tokoyami was willing to discuss, and he'd dare not share the same thoughts with his parents, much as he loved them.
By the time he'd been brought back to the dorms, the sun had finally set, staining the night sky a deep purple. Present Mic had rejoined them, if only to make sure that Aizawa made it back to his quarters. Before departing for the evening, he told Tokoyami that Eri would be staying with the class for a few more hours – at least until bed time. Tokoyami didn't have the words to describe how grateful he was, not knowing how much time he had left to spend with the young girl. He must've known, considering that Tokoyami had been something of a reoccurring topic in the months following her rescue. Even if it was just a little while longer, it was reassuring that he could find himself in the company of those he cared about.
With that in mind, it was much harder to say goodbye to his parents this time around. When his mother hugged him close in front of the dorm's entrance, doting on him in her sing-song voice, it took every shred of composure he possessed not to break down. In hindsight, perhaps he could've afforded to show more emotion – just this once, as Dark Shadow wailed in his thoughts about the injustice of it all. But he stood firm, hugging her back lightly. His father gently ruffled his head-feathers in farewell, the very same ones that his mother had just realigned, and bid him a peaceful night. That's just what he did; it was never good night or sleep well, he could only hope that his son might find peace amidst the formidable darkness.
When his mother finally broke away, reassuring him that they'd see him again come morning, Tokoyami could only smile and nod while fighting desperately to keep his sadness at bay. They climbed back into the car and drove back to their room. He waved good-bye, throat choked with grief as he watched himself grow ever smaller in their side-view mirror. Then the car rounded a turn and was gone, leaving him behind.
He stayed there a moment, allowing the chill of night to reach him, and savored the loneliness before entering the dormitory.
"Welcome back, Tokoyami!"
A chorus of friendly greetings rose up around him, momentarily blindsiding him. He scoured the commons, discerning the familiar faces of his old classmates, and forced himself to settle his frayed nerves. They can't possibly see that I wish not to be here.
Don't ya think they already know? Why else would they be trying so hard to make this place feel like a home? Dark Shadow pointed out.
I'd just as quickly assume they feel pity for me.
"Tsukuyomi, there you are!"
Tokoyami smiled down at Eri as she hopped down from the couch and trotted up to him. It was hard to stay his gloomy self when even someone like her had found happiness in a place like this. "Shinsou said I can be here a bit longer, so long as I don't stay up too late!"
Reassurance spread warmly through him; it was hard to be so caught up in uncertainty when he could see for himself how well Eri was doing.
The little girl took his hand and confidently guided him back to the couch. It seemed as though all of Class 1A was gathered in the common space, taking up every chair and couch, watching tv or sitting with books wide open catching up on overdue homework. He could hear sounds coming from the kitchen, and Satou appeared with a platter of muffins that he set out for everyone to enjoy.
Eri clambered back onto the couch next to Shinsou, and Tokoyami took his rightful place on her other side. On the couch adjacent, Bakugou was already seated alongside Kirishima and Sero, while Kaminari had settled for the floor just in front of them. Jirou and Yaomomo had some papers spread out on the low table in front of them, which they moved aside for Satou's confections.
"Is this space always so lively?" Tokoyami murmured, adjusting to having so many people around him. "It looks as if everyone's here."
Uraraka looked up from her phone briefly before hastily looking away again. He sensed a certain degree of aversion stemming from her. "Deku just got back from the hospital, but he's resting in his room now," she announced somewhat sadly, no doubt wishing he could be down here with everyone else.
Asui held a finger to her lips, thinking while she scanned the room. "Toru turned in early today, and Todoroki also said he was going to lie down."
So most everyone was here. At least now that he was with his old classmates in a more neutral environment, he was relieved to see that very few of them still bore the injuries of battle. There were band-aids and scrapes that each student bore, but the only ones to still be heavily bandaged were him and Bakugou, which was to be expected.
Jirou handed muffins to him and Eri, which he accepted with quiet gratitude. Eri began talking more about all her newest adventures, hell-bent on getting him caught up while Tokoyami listened with rapt attention. All the while, he kept his wits about him, never failing to notice the side-long glances that were cast his way.
A frustrated sigh sounded from behind him. "I can't write anymore! My hand still hurts from the fight," Ashido complained loudly.
Ojiro looked up from his textbook. "At least we're not dealing with a new load of homework. This is just stuff that should've been finished before that battle," he pointed out.
"Well, yeah, but I didn't think it'd all happen so fast!" Ashido said. "None of this homework could've actually prepared me for that Giganto-guy."
Kirishima nodded grimly. "It's a good thing we managed to get out of there without more casualties."
"Sacrifices were still made for our sake, though," Yaomomo reminded sadly, setting her pencil down on her notebook. "It was only because Majestic covered our escape, and he…"
A quiet fell across the room. Eri's mouth clamped shut as she read the atmosphere of the room. Tokoyami would've given anything to hear more about her favorite stuffed animal, a plush unicorn she'd gotten for Christmas and promptly named Merryhorn. Instead, he was once again made aware of the damage that had been done to the heroes. Of the lives that had been lost and the injuries sustained.
Sero managed a weak smile. "All our teachers managed to make it out okay, though! Maaan, it was honestly such a relief."
Kaminari perked up at that. "Yeah! I still can't believe I found Tokoyami when I did. Talk about a lucky break!"
Tokoyami shook his head in disagreement. "Things could've gone better. For one, I wasn't the first to find Ms. Midnight. It could've easily been far worse."
"Who was it?"
Tokoyami locked eyes with Yaomomo, who'd voiced the question. There was a steely insistence to her tone, as if she had to know the answer no matter what. "Who attacked our teacher?"
Tokoyami shifted uneasily under her gaze. His first thought was that he should apologize and take credit for having the advisors of his regiment go astray. But then he realized how ridiculous that would be. He didn't need to place anymore blame on himself than there already was. "Er, it was a few of the higher-ranking advisors from the Violet and Brown regiments. They're not ones to be taken lightly. Last I saw… they were retreating from the fight, so I imagine they must still be out there. It'd be best if you never have to engage them at all." Tokoyami wished he could say that they could be left to the heroes, but given their accountability he could only imagine that he'd be the one unfortunate enough to see them again someday.
"Advisors are like the big scary guys in charge, right?" Kaminari asked simply, easing some of the pressure off of Yaomomo's pressing inquiry.
"I'm not sure if scary is the right word, but they each have strengths that qualify them for their roles. Nor were they in charge – they could oversee other soldiers, but orders were reserved strictly for lieutenants," Tokoyami corrected. "Other than that, yes, that would be them."
"I could probably take them, then!" Kaminari announced confidently.
Tokoyami barked a laugh – he hadn't meant to, but it was such an unexpected claim. He quickly composed himself upon taking note of Kaminari's hurt expression.
"You haven't seen it yet, but we've all been training really hard over here," Jirou reminded him, not unkindly. "I think you'll be amazed to see just how far we've come."
Kaminari sat up straighter, emboldened by her vote of encouragement. "Yeah! I'll have you know that I went toe-to-toe with this big lightning dude – and I totally beat him!"
Tokoyami's eyes stretched wide in surprise. "You were the one who fought Voltage?" he asked incredulously. "I could see the lightning strikes from the stairwell. He must've been going all-out. Voltage is a very proud man – I'm sure this defeat will haunt him for years to come."
Kaminari beamed with pride at the praise. His actions on the frontlines were commendable, sure, but Tokoyami found himself thinking more about the condition the old advisor must be in. He was most certainly taken into custody, along with everyone else at the PLF headquarters that had stayed and fought.
"Don't let your victory get to your head," Iida advised in passing. Tokoyami looked up at the class president. He'd seen very little of him thus far – perhaps because he was always such a busy person. "That battle was carefully calculated to your advantage; not all future fights will go as well as that one did for you." He sighed, sounding truly tired, and his normally stiff shoulders slumped. "I regret that I couldn't be in two places at once, not knowing what the class was going through at the villa. But at least… everyone made it back alright, and for that I am truly grateful."
"Alright is kinda subjective, don't you think?" Kirishima mumbled, glancing worriedly between Tokoyami and Bakugou.
Bakugou shoved him roughly – playfully? – in the side, and a smile crept onto his face. "C'mon, as if I'd let a villain like that keep me down!" he scoffed loudly.
"You almost lost your life on that battlefield," Shinsou reminded him gravely. "Don't pretend you're invincible. If Best Jeanist hadn't performed first aid before the paramedics came, you could've had it way worse. Being impaled the way you were… you can't just bounce back from that."
Tokoyami shot Shinsou a decisively sharp look, as if that might convince him not to say anymore.
He turned his head away and ran a hand awkwardly through his mess of purple hair. "S…sorry."
Tokoyami felt Eri's little fingers clench into the fabric of his coat. "I'm fine, remember?" he told her, voice low. "None of the injuries from that man hurt me anymore. And they won't ever again." Besides, I have newer wounds to worry about.
Time marched dutifully onward, and to his credit he managed to keep mostly to himself. He stopped commenting on things his peers said regarding the war when he figured out that they had underlying questions to them that they dare not say outright. Tokoyami understood that there was a lot he could've said – to explain his situation, defend his actions, share villain secrets or anything, really – but it was in his best interest to let those things go over his head. The only ones who didn't try to ask things of him were Eri. At least that's what it felt like. So when the young girl began to tire, with each sentence being interrupted by a yawn, Shinsou stood up.
"Why don't we get you to bed? It's gotten late, and I promised Aizawa I'd bring you home."
"But Tsukuyomi…"
"Will still be here tomorrow," Shinsou finished gently.
Tokoyami winced, and Eri suddenly seemed more interested in her boots. The class bid them good night, and Tokoyami felt his heart sink when he waved farewell. He found himself regretting the path he insisted he needed to take, even knowing that every other future for him would be muddled at best. And sure, perhaps he could tough it out and continue striving to be a traditional hero. But his heart just wasn't in it, and he'd never be accepted by society anyway. Even if his family and old friends missed him… well, they'd be fine without him.
Tokoyami dipped out of the commons, opting to retreat back to his room now that people were starting to turn in for the night. He could only handle so much. Which was strange, considering how comfortable he'd once been in the ranks of villains and Liberation warriors. The fact that he couldn't be more at ease, despite his old friends' good intentions, had put a damper on his spirits.
The elevator was in use and he wasn't willing to hang around waiting idly, so he turned to the stairs. At least this way, he knew he wouldn't risk being trapped with someone on the way to his floor.
Tokoyami listened to the sound of his steps as he ascended each floor, taking solace in the fact that they were only his own. He passed the door for the second floor, and then the third, climbing brusquely until he could see the entrance to the fourth, where his own room resided.
As Tokoyami reached the landing, he noticed a flicker of movement. He whirled around sharply, same as he would if confronting an enemy, and had to catch himself when remembering exactly where he was. There was no reason to be so tense. He knew that already. So why must he still be so distrustful of everything around him? It's a new environment. That's all.
It took him a moment to make out the student in the dim light of the stairwell. His nerves grated on him, telling him to hurry to his room, but this was a face he hadn't seen in a long time. I remember. It was…
"Oh! I did not mean to—" his voice came in an apologetic rush before recognition likewise dawned upon the student's face.
Aoyama?
Tokoyami hesitated. He'd never gotten to learn much about this classmate, other than acknowledging that his quirk was one of the few that hypothetically did well against his. And yet, somehow, the eccentric boy had managed to not stand out very much to him. At least not while Tokoyami had been attending class, though anything could've changed in the time that he'd been gone. Nobody had mentioned his absence when they were all gathered downstairs, though. Perhaps he's a recluse.
"Hello, Aoyama. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Tokoyami greeted mildly.
He would've been fine leaving the small talk at that and continuing his retreat to his bedroom, had it not been for Aoyama's reaction. The color drained from his face, his eyes widened in alarm, and he gripped the railing like a man unfortunate enough to have encountered a ghost.
Tokoyami stepped back nervously, hand groping for the door knob. Does my presence really come as such an unforgivable surprise?
He… he's scared of us? Dark Shadow croaked in dismay.
A breath hitched painfully in Tokoyami's throat. The last thing he ever wanted was for people to fear him. And yet, he knew damn well that he'd scared people before. That he would likely do it again. And… and here he was, doing it now for reasons he couldn't explain.
"Is something the matter?" Tokoyami rasped, desperate to know if there was anything other than him that would have his classmate respond this way. There was a plea in his voice, like he had to know what was wrong.
Aoyama shook his head rapidly, as though to shake the fright from his very body, and gave Tokoyami a smile that was just as convincing as any of the others his old classmates had to offer him. "Non! T'was merely a shock!" he assured, voice steady. Then a shadow flickered over his expression. "I knew you were back – everyone does – but it's still strange. After all, you were with the villains for so long, and so I thought you might…"
For reasons he couldn't fathom, Tokoyami had to suppress a shudder. This was just another concerned peer. He'd have to get used to being greeted like this, rather than with the respect and admiration that he'd earned within the ranks of the PLF. Forget square one – he was below even that in terms of starting points as far as the heroes were concerned.
"You needn't be concerned," Tokoyami assured. "I know where my loyalties lie. Though much has happened, I am no threat to you." Perhaps Tokoyami's way of speaking didn't come across how he'd intended; Aoyama still seemed unconvinced, though he masked it quite well. It was that sort of specially honed agreeableness that he'd seen Hawks wear while he'd been undercover, and it struck a nerve with him.
"I see!" Aoyama exclaimed, as if he were relieved. "That's good to hear. Congratulations on your return!"
So formal… "Right," Tokoyami mumbled. He opened the door behind him, never taking his eyes off Aoyama. "I'm glad to see you're still around." I think… he's the only one I hadn't seen from the class. Tokoyami mumbled good night and slipped away. As it closed behind him, he couldn't help noting that Aoyama hadn't moved from his position – or if he had, it was without a sound.
Tokoyami stepped away from the door with a shuttered breath, settling his frayed nerves. So much for avoiding any unnecessary confrontation.
He passed Shouji just entering his own room, and they shared silent nods of acknowledgment. Shouji wasn't one for unnecessary words, and Tokoyami appreciated him for that. Despite how long it'd been since they'd last truly hung out together, he could trust Shouji to treat him the same as always. Tokoyami might've changed in ways that couldn't be easily explained, but he was still the same person.
He reached his room unbothered; Bakugou and Kirishima were still downstairs, so this floor would be quiet for a while yet. Closing the door behind him, Tokoyami flicked on the light and looked over what he was working with. All his stuff was here. He'd really been looking forward to being in his old room, too, even if it was just one more time. Viewing his old house from a distance during the day of freedom the Doctor had given him hadn't been enough.
The Doctor… I hadn't even thought of him. I hope he was arrested.
I hope we never have to deal with him ever again, Dark Shadow agreed.
With a resigned sigh, Tokoyami went about the small space, opening up boxes and sorting through memories. He had Dark Shadow join him shortly thereafter, unpacking the dusty possessions for whatever difference it made. Maybe someday, when all this was truly over, he could come back and be happy that he had a place like this to live in. Because right now, it didn't feel like there was any place for him.
"This isn't my home of choice, but it's what I've been given," Tokoyami mumbled dejectedly, lining the top of his bookshelf with partially used candles in gothic-style holders. Beside him, Dark Shadow strung purple star LED lights from the ceiling. Volumes of gritty manga and old poetry books coexisted on the shelf, and black, ornamental robes were hung on the wall.
Tokoyami was in the midst of pulling a clunky replica sword from a particularly big box when a knock sounded on his door. He stiffened, not sure how to respond. If nothing at all was said, would the intruder simply go away?
"Tokoyami, do you have a moment?" the voice was flat and still quite raspy. It was Shouto Todoroki.
Dabi's brother.
He hesitated. He'd known this person longer than he had Dabi, and yet it was hard to consider his old classmate without also considering his family, whom he had far more connection with by this point. Perhaps that was why he found himself unable to turn away the youngest Todoroki sibling.
"Y…yes, just a moment," Tokoyami replied, setting aside the sword and rising stiffly from the floor. He started towards the door, only to pause. His possessions from the villains were still sitting out in the open. Working hastily, he threw a blanket over the gear and clothing that'd been left on his bed. Only then did he open the door just a crack, looking up at the student with unmasked nervousness. "I'm glad to see you back from the hospital. Um… was there something you needed of me?"
Todoroki had less bandages covering his face than the last time he'd seen him. Even still, tender-looking burns crept past the wrappings. His eyes betrayed a lack of rest; Tokoyami could hardly blame him. "I was hoping to talk to you… without my family hovering over my shoulder."
That's a reasonable request. Tokoyami opened his door wide. "Welcome in. Feel free to seat yourself."
Todoroki shuffled into the room, looking around with mild interest. His eyes settled on the elaborate throne nestled beside the school provided desk, and he was all too keen to sit down there. He was still gazing around when Tokoyami returned to his bed, leaving Dark Shadow to close the door behind him.
"I think I know what this is about, but I'll let you ask the question," Tokoyami said evenly.
Todoroki fiddled in his chair, concern written across his face. "I wasn't sure how to ask this back at the hospital, with everyone watching, but… how do we save Touya? Everyone expects my dad to face him, but what if that's the thing that pushes him over the edge?"
The sorrowful plea was difficult to dismiss, and yet Tokoyami couldn't in good faith offer up a reassuring answer. "Forgive me, Todoroki, but I don't know who Touya is. I can't help somebody who no longer exists, though I feel the weight of your family's grief."
"You know who I'm talking about," Todoroki insisted, a bit more forcefully.
Tokoyami blinked slowly. He couldn't do anything to help the Todoroki's fractured family – that was beyond his jurisdiction, and he didn't think that man would appreciate it anyway – but there was somebody he did want to help, if only he was acknowledged. "Touya is already gone. I never knew him, and I don't think he's ever coming back. Dabi was quite explicit in that regard. You and I know two very different people. I already tried to explain to you and your family who he is now, but I fear that won't help in getting him back."
Todoroki took a deep breath. Perhaps he had more understanding than Tokoyami had previously imagined, because he chose his next words carefully. "So you're saying… my brother's not coming back. But I still can't help feeling responsible. So then… what needs to happen now, so that Dabi can be saved?"
Tokoyami looked out towards the sliding glass window, where the darkness of night had deepened. "I'm going to go find him. It may seem naive, but I wish merely to talk to him. I can't…" He choked back his emotions, though his eyes must've betrayed how distraught he truly was. "I can't have him thinking that I betrayed him. I don't want to watch him succumb to his rampant need for vengeance. So I'll do everything in my power to make sure that a grisly fate doesn't befall him, even if it gets me burned as a consequence."
Todoroki picked ruefully at the bandages wrapped around his arms. "Back during the battle, you sounded so confident that he wouldn't kill you. You told me that. But his biggest attack – his last one – was aimed right at you. How can you be so sure that you won't get hurt by him again?"
Tokoyami slouched forward, looking down at his hands. Beneath the bandages, there were tender burns. But beyond even those, there were cuts left behind from sharpened feathers. "Everyone has the capacity to hurt me, Todoroki; I've been ravaged by both sides, and the only difference is in how much it pains my beliefs. But Dabi… I trust him, even now. He's spent so long holding back his flames against me, even getting mad at himself, knowing he doesn't have the heart to go all-out during our training. He claimed he would kill me, but he stopped himself even at his angriest. And the only reason why he used that move – Flashfire Fist, was it? – against us was because he trusted that you'd be able to stop it."
Todoroki considered that for a moment, leaning back in the ornate chair. "Back then… what did he say? 'If you were really a hero, you would save Tokoyami?' I wasn't sure how to respond, other than separating you from his attack. That was… the best I could do."
"He was expecting you to step up," Tokoyami said simply, piecing it together in his mind. "He'd said something similar, back when we… when he was fighting Hawks. He said that heroes were always ready to save a life. I think he still believes that, even now. But a true hero is the kind of person who'd save anyone." Even someone as unfortunate as me or Twice.
"I…see." Todoroki laughed, a sound that was short and unamused. "I guess I should feel better knowing he thinks of me that way?"
Tokoyami shrugged his shoulder helplessly. He dared not mistake his reasonings for truth, though it made sense in his head. Dabi had always held this philosophy of what a true hero was supposed to be. It just so happened that all the heroes Dabi knew to speak of didn't pass in his eyes. But maybe that could change. "Whatever the case may be, I'm truly grateful to you. And… to everyone else that made it out of that fight."
The bedroom door creaked. Tokoyami turned his head so fast that his shoulder flared in pain, and a thinly veiled gasp escaped him. Dark Shadow gave him a concerned look, before flitting over to the door to investigate. The quirk backed up when a spiky-haired silhouette slipped into view. Uncertain red eyes peered in at them from the hallway. "Am I intruding? I couldn't help overhearing… when I was coming back up to my room."
"We were just talking about the fight," Todoroki explained. "Did you want to join us?"
Hey, this is still my room… Dark Shadow, I thought you closed it?!
You left it cracked last time, though!
He hadn't been looking to invite yet more people into the small space. But this was Bakugou. He knew he'd need to talk to him eventually. "Yes, why not come in? I'm sure you'll want to get caught up, as everyone else does."
Bakugou hesitated, only to shove the door open the rest of the way and shuffle inside. "'S not like that," he grumbled, switching his attention between Tokoyami and Todoroki. Dark Shadow made sure to close the door behind him, lest they have anyone else barge in. Bakugou tested a box with his weight before sitting on it, forming a haphazard semicircle of the three of them sitting around the room. "I couldn't stop thinin' about what happened, alright?"
"Which part?" Tokoyami asked coolly.
Bakugou's forehead crinkled. "All of it, I guess? Whatever happened to you… it could've easily been me. Or—or it could've been neither of us, but things didn't exactly work out that way."
"I don't resent you for your freedom, if that's what you're asking," Tokoyami said. That might've not been entirely true, but it felt right to say it out loud. "Besides, if it had been you that stayed with the League… you probably would've had better luck escaping early on. I was too complicit… too afraid, especially once I realized that I was alone in it all."
"And what, you never tried to escape?" There was the slightest edge. Like an accusation. He probably didn't mean to be so harsh… but everyone was probably thinking it, and Bakugou alone had asked that question. After all, Tokoyami was supposed to be strong. And capable. Hell, his quirk was one of the strongest in the class. That should've counted for something.
Tokoyami clenched and unclenched his fist, releasing his frustrations. "Of course I did. I'd thought of it many times… but in actuality, I only tried to escape once. It hadn't gone well."
"I didn't help," Dark Shadow rasped miserably. "I was upset with Fumikage, and I was tired of getting hurt."
Bakugou's eyes flashed angrily. "I should've gone back for you that night."
"Same… here," Todoroki mumbled, raising his hand guiltily. "We had it all planned out last minute, but it all hinged on Bakugou using his quirk to reach the rescue team. We couldn't think of any other way to get closer, and it wasn't enough to promise your own safety."
"It all worked out in the end, though, didn't it? After all, I made it back just fine – it just took a bit longer than intended." His tone was flippant given everything he'd endured, but it was all he could do to prevent it from sounding bitter. He didn't want to leave that kind of impression on those around him. It was fine. Everything had happened eventually, consequential as it had been. There was no point giving further cause for concern, even if his time here was fleeting.
Bakugou looked ready to argue, only to stop as a knock sounded from nearby – not on his door, but a neighboring one. Tokoyami raised his head in the direction of the hallway, and the other two boys did the same.
"Kacchan?" A quiet, sullen voice made itself known, barely audible beyond the wall. "Are you there? I was hoping… we could talk."
Tokoyami glanced over at Bakugou as he sat up from the box and shuffled curiously over to the dorm room door. He opened it suddenly, sticking his head out into the hallway. "I'm over here!"
Tokoyami was amused by the startled yelp that followed, and watched as Bakugou opened the door wide enough to let in their newest guest. Midoriya's mossy green head peeked inside, to which Dark Shadow offered a friendly wave.
"It looks like everyone's here," Midoriya mumbled, a look of concern crossing his normally gloomy face. At least, his face didn't always used to be that way, but now it was hard to imagine the hardened hero wearing many other expressions.
"Not everyone," Todoroki pointed out. "The whole class was together earlier – that's why I waited until now to visit Tokoyami."
Midoriya shared an exasperated look, but didn't bother to clarify. "May I sit somewhere?"
Tokoyami looked around – his room was running out of sitting space – and with a stifled sigh he scooted aside on his bed to open it up. "Well, I can't have you sit on the floor with injuries like that…"
Midoriya mumbled an expression of gratitude and went to sit down on the opposite side of the bed. Just like Bakugou had before, he tested it, and a frown pulled down the corners of his mouth as he fished something out from the covers.
Tokoyami felt a flush of embarrassment when Midoriya revealed one of his steel gauntlets with a quirked eyebrow. He'd been trying to keep his villain gear close to him, but must've missed that in his rush to conceal them. "Y-yeah, I can take that back from you," Tokoyami stammered, grabbing it from him and keeping it close.
"That's the claw you were using during the fight against Dabi, isn't it?" Todoroki asked curiously.
Midoriya finally sat down next to him and looked the inconspicuous device over. With a silent warning to stay back, Tokoyami flicked the latch and revealed the three sharp prongs that extended from it. "That's right. The PLF had them custom made, since I'd lost my sword in… a previous fight."
"Those villains were dumb enough to give you a weapon like that?" Bakugou scoffed. "You could've easily used it against them!"
"No, not easily," Tokoyami corrected patiently. "Nothing was ever quite so simple. Though I suppose… in the end, I did end up using these against the villains." And I fear I might do the same for anyone who stands in my way.
Todoroki considered that. "Are you going to keep using them? If it's something you're already trained with, that is. But I can't imagine weapons so sharp being allowed during class training sessions."
Tokoyami sheathed the claws and set it on his pillow. "I don't need to train with them. I already know how to use these just fine – Spinner made sure of that during our sparring sessions."
"I remember Spinner," Midoriya said, a distant look in his eyes. "The night you and Kacchan were taken, I had an encounter with him. He was weird, though – for a villain. He stopped someone else from attacking me because he considered me a true hero…?"
Tokoyami gave a small laugh. "That sounds like him. Spinner worked for a different cause. His loyalties aligned more with individuals – people he trusted – than groups or philosophies. He wouldn't hurt others if there was no reason."
"Was he still standing at the end of that last fight?" Todoroki inquired. "I passed out after Dabi's last attack, so I didn't get to see what happened. I only know that… there were a few members of the League that had yet to make a move."
Bakugou nodded in agreement. "I couldn't see what was happening. By the time Togata showed up to cover us, I could barely breathe, let alone move. So then how did they manage to get away, when I'd done everything in my power to stop Shigaraki?"
Tokoyami thought back to that harrowing moment where time had seemed to slow done. Something worse than anyone could possibly imagine had almost happened on that battlefield. Almost. "I don't think we should be trying to stop Shigaraki," Tokoyami mumbled nervously.
Bakugou's eyes stretched wide. "You're kidding…!"
Tokoyami averted his gaze, and opened his beak to talk only to close it again. If he started to sound any more like a villain sympathizer, they'd all think there was something deeply wrong with him. Maybe those claims that he'd been brainwashed by those evil people would start to sound more realistic.
Dark Shadow coiled defensively at his side. "Shigaraki can still be reasoned with. But his Master can't, because he is cruel! A-and now… they're in the same body! So that means there's only one person we could maybe get through to!"
"You actually think you can talk things out with Shigaraki?" Bakugou hissed contemptuously.
"He wasn't an unreasonable leader!" Tokoyami insisted. "He could always be negotiated with, and more often than not he would give in to the desires of his teammates. I got to see that for myself. Even to a prisoner like me… he would grant exceptions if it made everyone else happy."
Midoriya raised a shaky, bandaged hand to talk. "I… also think there's someone in that body we can appeal to. I saw Shigaraki, past his quirks and enhanced body, and through it all there was someone that… that needs to be saved."
A ripple of shock passed through the room. But just as quickly, it faded to be replaced with acceptance. Bakugou had appeared the most stunned by the declaration, only to shrug it off as understanding dawned upon him. "You saw…?! Oh. Because All for One was…" A knowing look passed between them, but Tokoyami didn't press them on it. He quietly added it to the pool of knowledge he had for Shigaraki's Master.
Todoroki, meanwhile, had his own thoughts. "I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to save a villain. After all, I'll be going after Dabi at some point. We're bound to meet each other on the battlefield again anyway – it'd be better if I could get through to him with words than with fighting… though I'll no doubt use both."
So Midoriya wants to save Shigaraki, and Todoroki wants to save Dabi. "Ideally, I would want to speak to everyone in the League," Tokoyami began as curious eyes settled on him. "Before… before another big fight breaks out. I don't know if one side is planning a large-scale follow-up assault, or if everyone's retreating into the shadows. But if worst comes to worst, then… I want to be there for all the remaining League members. Spinner and… and Toga."
"T-Toga?!" Midoriya spluttered the name in quiet disbelief. "I… I wouldn't even know how to handle her, let alone face her on the battlefield."
That's because she really cares about you, Tokoyami thought with a painful swallow. "It might be best if you didn't face her in the first place. She would want your blood. And… she still has some of mine. It would be dangerous to face her." Also, I don't want her getting hurt. I can probably fight her on equal footing better than anyone. That way, she could be dealt with and come out of it without a scratch.
"Won't it be hard to single out the villains if they've gone into hiding?" Todoroki asked, leaning forward in his chair with his hands folded in a finger pyramid of contemplation. "We're still students, after all. There's only so much we can do out there without being on duty with our mentors…"
Tokoyami went quiet. He already had his answer, he just couldn't say it.
Midoriya was also unwilling to speak.
"Hey, I still gotta do the paperwork to resume working with Jeanist." Bakugou complained. "Tch. I'm tired of getting passed around like this, but what else am I supposed to do? Now that Hawks went and—!" He stopped himself awkwardly halfway.
Tokoyami took a deep breath to keep his blood from boiling. "Hawks already told me. I hope he was a better mentor to you than he was to me. Though honestly, you'll be better off at Best Jeanist's agency, given the circumstances."
Bakugou scowled and turned his head away. There was no point in being ashamed, was there? "Y-yeah. It's just hard to wrap my mind around, since…"
Oh. Tokoyami's nails dug into the fabric of his bedsheets. Hawks actually was a good mentor to you, wasn't he?
Maybe in a different world, he could've done better, Dark Shadow suggested. Just because he wronged us, doesn't mean he's like that with everyone he works with…
That makes sense. But it doesn't make the pain go away, now does it?
"Endeavor's agency will probably want me out on patrols pretty soon," Todoroki said, changing the subject. "My injuries aren't so bad that I can't be out there, and with the rise in villains and drop in heroes, I'm going to be needed out there."
Bakugou held a hand to his midriff with a scornful face. "Damn! It'll be a while before I can do the same. What a shitty time to be injured, with all those escapees roaming around."
Dark Shadow tilted his head quizzically, and Tokoyami mirrored him. "What escapees?"
A silence the span of a heartbeat stretched like eternity.
"Nobody told you?" Todoroki rasped.
"It was… one of the first things Sir mentioned when I woke up," Midoriya mumbled guiltily.
"What the hell are you saying?" Bakugou grumbled. "Everyone knows about the Tartarus prison break. It happened the night after the battle!"
Tokoyami went rigid. "No."
"A lot of villains escaped," Midoriya whispered just loud enough to be heard. "Old ones… new ones… the kind of evil we've fought before. Shigaraki, he… he recovered All for One."
"The HPSC still haven't disclosed the full list of escapes, but it started a chain reaction across the nation," Todoroki explained. "It was all too much to handle. A lot of heroes resigned, and the public is understandably outraged. There's just not enough heroes now to fix it all."
The world around him had already been thrown into a state of disarray, but with this new information it was hitting him just how drastically society had been turned on its head. All for One is truly free now. This… this changes things. And… who else? Who else is out there, sowing destruction?!
"We're still here, though," Midoriya said, straightening up. "We already agreed that we're all willing to set things straight."
"That's right!" Bakugou declared, standing up so fast that the box underneath him toppled to the side. "We just need to reign in the villain leaders out there. We already know who they are, so we just gotta strike!" He enthusiastically punched his fist into an open palm, setting off a meaningful explosion. Dark Shadow squinted at the sudden burst of light with annoyance, but it wasn't enough to make him recoil. "With Great Explosion Murder God: Dynamight on the case, those villains don't stand a chance!"
Todoroki and Midoriya gave their classmate nods of agreement and echoes of encouragement. Tokoyami, meanwhile, had to suppress a laugh. It was such a ridiculous name, even to someone like him with a flair for the dramatic. "And just who is this Dynamight supposed to be?"
Bakugou faltered, the air leaving his lungs as if he'd just taken a punch to the gut. "You're… you're kidding, right? C'mon, don't mess around, you were there!"
Tokoyami shrugged his shoulder again. He didn't have much opinion on the matter.
"When—when I announced my cool new hero name!" Bakugou spluttered. "I'm Dynamight, that's who I am! I promised myself that I would let the world know who I was when Jeanist was there to witness it!"
"Oh." Tokoyami didn't know how else to respond. He felt a bit guilty for finding it funny. Bakugou seemed really proud of himself. Though maybe he could've run his name through somebody else before making it public. "I must've not heard your declaration in the midst of battle."
Bakugou rolled his eyes, annoyed by the lack of recognition. At least he was confident in his decisions – Tokoyami couldn't say the same for himself. His injuries were beginning to burn again, and he stared longingly at the comfort of his bed.
"And you're still Tsukuyomi, right?"
Tokoyami's head shot up again. He hadn't been expecting a question so direct. But Midoriya was looking directly at him, and he couldn't avert himself here without revealing his uncertainties. "Am I… Tsukuyomi?"
Midoriya nodded. "That's the name you chose for yourself, right? Just like how I'm Deku, you'll always be The Jet-Black Hero: Tsukuyomi. Right?"
Tokoyami thought back to his last conversation with Hawks, and how troubled the use of his old hero name had made him. "I am whatever I need to be, for whoever needs it most. Such grand titles and declarations… I'm not quite sure what to make of them right now." And that was as honest an answer as he had to give.
His answer hung in the air with nowhere near the amount of support that Bakugou's own title had brought him. But he thought that maybe they understood it, at least to some degree.
Bakugou leaned against the wall, appearing more tired and irate than before. "If that's what works for you, then I don't think anyone has the right to argue. But what about the League of Villains? Or… the Liberation Army or whatever? Do you think they'll want you back?"
Tokoyami shook his head. His thoughts felt fuzzy, and he couldn't shake the grief from his voice. "They won't ever take me back. They always knew I didn't belong with them. And yet, even still, I feel as though I need to be there for them. With so much uncertainty in the world of heroes and villains, I possess this insatiable instinct that there's something more I'm meant to do, and only then can this whole mess be resolved with the least amount of casualties."
"Well put," Todoroki mumbled appreciably. "Let's hope that holds up when you manage to get back out there."
Bakugou stretched his arms over his head, wincing in the process. "I don't wanna hold you up while you're still getting used to everything. You probably have a lot to think about as it stands, so I'll get out of your feathers and go to bed."
I didn't think it'd gotten that late…
Dark Shadow gave a little wave as he slunk his way to the door. Todoroki glanced between his retreating friend and Tokoyami. "Ah, y-yeah," he mumbled, wondering if he'd said anything wrong. "I'll be seeing you around." He got up and followed after Bakugou. "When you're feeling better, let's find Dabi, okay?"
Tokoyami dipped his head. "I would like that very much."
He traced their steps over to the door, holding it open while they filed out. He was overly aware that Midoriya had moved off his bed, but wasn't making his way to the door with as much haste as the other two boys had. He mumbled an empty-sounding good night after them before turning back to his last remaining guest, the door hovering open between them. Only when Todoroki was at the opposite end of the hallway and Bakugou's door had been shut for a while did he speak. "And what about you? You wanted to speak to Bakugou, after all."
Midoriya pursed his lips, but otherwise betrayed nothing. "No, that's fine. I just wanted to make sure he was okay, and… say my piece."
Tokoyami closed the door until it was but a crack separated by his finger. "You didn't get to say everything you'd wanted, though. Because we were here."
The tired hero shook his head. "I'm okay with that. If it's Kacchan, then he'll understand."
"It seems the three of you have become good friends," Tokoyami observed.
Midoriya smiled sadly. "I've lost a lot this past year, for the sake of being a hero. I'll always be grateful to have my friends. And my mom, and my classmates… teachers… mentors." His smile slipped, and suddenly he didn't seem quite so confident. "Hey, Tokoyami, I don't know what'll happen from now on, but I'm glad you're back. Because I know how strong you are, and I've seen how you protect people." Face creased in determination, he bowed his head low before Tokoyami, surprising him. "I'm-! I'm sorry I ever doubted you!"
Tokoyami closed the door and leaned against the frame for support. "Th-there's really no need. Now please, raise your head. You have nothing to apologize for."
Midoriya's face was awash with uncontainable misery. "Every time I see you, you're always fighting so hard to protect the people I care about. During Eri's rescue, you kept her safe. A-and when you defended Sir Nighteye… I don't know what I would've done without him. He's the only one… the only one left who could've helped me with my training. And again, just now on the battlefield! I left Todoroki to you, because I knew I could trust you."
Tokoyami wilted under his classmate's intense green gaze. I wasn't fighting for Todoroki, though – I was trying to keep Dabi from making a mistake. "Anyone would've done the same. I appreciate the vote of confidence, though."
"He'd do it again, too," Dark Shadow cawed knowingly.
"I know it's a lot, so soon after the end of the war, but… thank you." He moved past Tokoyami, and he stepped back to give him the door. When the door opened and Midoriya stepped out, it felt as though a rift existed between the two. "If All Might was still here, I think he'd be proud of you."
Grief racked Tokoyami's heart, raw and deep as though an old wound that had been festering quietly in the dark had finally been exposed to the sun. It stung, and it took all his will not to wallow in the newfound pain. "You don't mean that," Tokoyami groaned. "You don't even know. All this time… it was you, wasn't it? You're the one All Might put his trust in. You bear a heavy torch, don't you? One that represents heroism, while Shigaraki bears the weight of evil. It's all connected, isn't it?"
Midoriya didn't have a proper response. But his silence spoke volumes, and in that moment Tokoyami could see the hope of hero society weighing heavy on his classmate's shoulders. "Good-bye, Tokoyami. I hope UA treats you well."
Then he closed the door behind him and was gone.
Tokoyami didn't think he'd feel so alone once they'd all left. He was never truly alone, sure, but he had to admit that the company had been nice, albeit unexpected. How many nights like these had he missed out on in exchange for the life he'd led with the League? Had things been different, it would've been so much simpler to continue forging his connections here. Instead, a dangerous and controversial desire to help the friends he'd lost to the shadows compelled him to walk a different path yet again. And all the while, Midoriya's parting words sat like a rock in his chest. How could he say something so definite? How could he leave him with this newfound responsibility? Because he wasn't planning to follow the traditional path of a hero anymore. It wasn't for him. He wanted to protect the people closest to him, of course, but he could never rest easy knowing that so many villains were out there. The world wouldn't know peace so long as he stayed at UA. And maybe it shouldn't have been left up to someone as young as him to bear this burden, but he was too keenly aware of the role he played in the everlasting struggle between heroes and villains.
Tokoyami ripped the blanket from his bed, unveiling the villainous collection beneath it. He packed his possessions in the backpack – anything that'd be useful out in the city. His old wallet, his phone and charger, some snacks his parents had left for him, spare clothes, and all the gear that'd been given to him by the villains. He tidied up his room just a bit more, looking out mournfully over his old possessions, before laying down onto his bed. It wasn't home, but it felt familiar. It smelled nostalgic, and if he wasn't careful then he might not ever want to get up again. Would it not be easier to stay here forever and stare up at the ceiling? But that wasn't going to stop people from getting hurt in his name. Only direct action would be of any help. And so he set an alarm on his phone and closed his eyes while Dark Shadow shut off the lights and flitted tirelessly around the room.
When his phone went off a few hours later, he shut it off quickly. All was quiet in the dead of night, and the only movement came from Dark Shadow's glowing amber eyes, watching him in the darkness. In the dim purple glow cast by his light strings, Tokoyami sat up. He took off his sling, moving his left arm gingerly. The injury was nowhere close to being healed, but he couldn't fathom going out there with a sling – it'd be an easy target for enemies. He'd just have to be careful not to open it. He donned his cloak instead, tattered and reeking of burned flesh as it was. His gauntlets came next, and finally he held Spinner's red scarf in his hands. With a deep breath to fuel his determination, he wrapped it securely around his neck.
Somehow, this was exactly how things were supposed to be.
Tokoyami located an old journal on his bookshelf. Ripping out a page, he sat at his desk with a feather quill pen and scribbled out a note.
Thank you all for welcoming me home, but I'm afraid I couldn't stay here. There's still a lot that must be done. I need to right some wrongs before I can be at peace. When this is all over, I hope there will still be a place for me.
Sincerely,
Fumikage Tokoyami
He set down his pen with a heavy sigh. He wondered if he should add more, but it might only sound like he was making excuses. So he watched the ink dry, hands folded shakily on the desk, before rising back to his feet. The note was folded and placed squarely on his pillow. Then he cracked his door open, keeping it propped so that anyone could come in and find the parting message. He kept the recently received dorm key on him, double checked his meager possessions, and slipped out quietly onto the balcony.
The night-clad forest stretched out before him on this side of the dorms, quiet except for the chirp of bugs and rustle of leaves.
And just like this, the darkness claims another.
Bidding goodbye to all the people he knew here, he stepped out onto the railing and whispered a command. "Black Fallen Angel."
Tendrils of shadow wrapped securely around his midriff, supporting him as he stepped off from the fourth floor of the building. He swooped down, descending until he was skimming over the tops of the trees, and flew off to where he knew he'd eventually reach the border between UA and the rest of the world. Away from the shackles of an ideal hero, and the people with only good intentions. He left it all behind, knowing he wasn't ready for it just yet. What waited for him beyond this place would be both more accepting than what he could find here… and more dangerous than anything he'd ever confronted before.
Fumikage, wait.
Tokoyami's flight slowed down. What's wrong?
There's someone moving through the forest behind us.
…Let's land amongst the trees.
Dark Shadow floated down, easily dodging the network of branches and their bright green leaves. If there was somebody tracking them, he didn't want to be caught unaware. Perhaps flying through the open air had been too risky after all. If somebody called the alarm, and he was dragged back as a consequence, would they deem it better for him to be locked up?
Shadows gathered around Tokoyami, making him a blot of darkness amongst the night. Slowing down his breath, he erased his presence and slid into hiding, much the same as Toga would've. He dug his nails into the bark of a tree, peering around its trunk at the bushes that led back to the dorms. No. No matter what, I won't give up my freedoms. This decision… it is mine to make!
He waited, eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as he concealed himself. Before long, the bushes he watched began to rustle, and his pursuer was revealed.
A bolt of green moved past him, fast enough to make good ground but not so much that it disturbed the stillness of the woodland. And in passing, a thought occurred to him: this person wasn't after him… actually, he was also leaving the school.
The end of a yellow scarf vanished into the bushes on the other side of his vision, leaving a wake of green electricity.
Realization seized Tokoyami, and in that same moment he pushed off the ground, willing Dark Shadow to fly him forwards. He followed the trail of energy, breezing past swishing bushes and broken sticks, until he emerged in a clearing.
"Wait!"
The figure stopped dead in his tracks. The air hummed around them, like the tension of a storm about to break. He turned slowly, his eyes wide in surprise.
"Midoriya, where are you going?"
The green clad hero pulled his hood down. He looked even more tired than the last time Tokoyami had seen him, mere hours ago, but he stood steadfast. A bag was slung over one shoulder, barely much more than what Tokoyami himself had packed. When he'd last told him good-bye, he'd meant it.
Midoriya clutched at the tattered yellow scarf wrapped around his neck. Tokoyami struggled to recall where he'd seen it before, only to remember the body of an old hero with that same scarf lying still in the crater of their last battle.
"I could ask you the same thing. Why do you look like you're leaving?" His tone was cold and wary, far more distant than what he'd been earlier that evening. "And is that… Spinner's scarf? That's Stain's symbol – you realize that, don't you?"
Tokoyami flinched; it sounded like an accusation.
"I'm not wearing it for Stain – it's a memento from a friend." Tokoyami explained with downcast eyes. Seeing him this way, it must look obvious to anyone. "Midoriya… I think everyone knew it would never be so easy to have me back. Did you really think I could go back to classes and pretend everything was going to be okay?"
"It hasn't even been a day. You didn't even try," Midoriya whispered. But in the stillness of night, his voice carried over clearly.
Tokoyami hung his head. It wasn't that he was disappointed with his actions or regretted the choice he'd made. Rather, he knew that no amount of words could ever explain everything that had brought him to this point. "I understand now why you wanted to entrust your class to me. But that's not something I can rightfully do. They trust you. Because you've all been working together for months. And I? I've honed my strengths in the company of villains. Whether I like it or not, they're the ones I understand most. If I can bring any amount of justice to this world, then why shouldn't I act now?"
Midoriya took a few paces forward, crossing the space between them. In the low light of the half moon, his hero uniform looked just as battered and blood-stained as it had been in the aftermath of the war. In that way, they were equals: like-minded people that had barely escaped a grisly outcome in an all-out war, only to willingly strike out again for whatever dangers lied in wait. His bones creaked with every step, and though he masked the pain well, Tokoyami had no doubt that he was in even worse condition than himself. At least, he wanted to believe that, if it made his own injuries look less significant.
"Tokoyami, I know you've been hurt a lot. By both sides. But you need to rest. Not just your body, but your mind. I didn't reach this conclusion on my own. I have the predecessors of One for All to guide me. So I know that wherever I go, whatever I do, I'll have the strength and wisdom to back me up," Midoriya explained stonily. "If I stayed here, I would just be putting everyone else at risk. I figured it out during our fight: Shigaraki knows how to find me, and All for One will track me down if he sees the chance."
"All for One… and One for All," Tokoyami murmured, savoring the words like he should've known them this whole time. He thought back to every conversation he'd ever had with Shigaraki, as well as his encounters with the Doctor. There'd always been some piece he was missing, something that he could never fully comprehend. But this – this was it. "A quirk that does nothing but take… and one that gives? Your power, your inheritance, it all comes back to All Might and his dying words."
If Midoriya was surprised at how quickly he pieced things together, he didn't show it. "It's better if I leave now, before the villains try to plan an attack. I already left a note behind for everyone, saying what I just told you. But you were the only one with their door left open. I thought it was weird that you weren't in your room… to think you'd reached a decision not so different than I."
I guess my own note has remained untouched…
Tokoyami buried his beak into the folds of Spinner's scarf, feeling self-conscious. They were both trying to do what they thought was right. But if anyone else had been around to witness them, they'd probably be mistaken for people of… less stable qualities. "You don't know what you're leaving behind," Tokoyami wheezed. "The connections you lose here tonight… it won't ever be the same. I lost more than my rights when I was first captured by the villains. The people I cared about… they won't ever see me the same way again. My bridges have been burned, and no amount of building will ever bring back what I had before. So please, if you must leave, then don't… don't leave them all behind. Your family, your friends, they still look up to you. If you betray that trust, then there won't be any going back."
A shaky breath escaped Midoriya, and Tokoyami looked up to find that it was taking all his willpower to stand strong in the face of this confrontation. "I… I don't know yet. I need some time to think. I don't want to lose what I have here, but I can't sit around here either, waiting for the worst to happen. You probably get it more than anyone, or else you wouldn't be out here, huh?" And maybe for a second, there was a shred of relief to his tone, like he was realizing that he didn't have to be alone. Or… whatever he considers himself, with those ghosts of his quirk to haunt him.
"If ever you find yourself in trouble, with no hero in sight to help you, then I will do anything in my power to assist you." Tokoyami raised his head, standing as tall as he could, and Dark Shadow snaked his way around him. "I am Fumikage Tokoyami, ex-lieutenant of the Paranormal Liberation Front's Violet Regiment and vigilante of the night. Villains both fear and respect me. You don't have to walk this foreboding path alone."
Midoriya clenched his gloved hands into fists and gave a resolute nod. It appeared he was finally giving in to the idea that they could be in this together, so long as he didn't lose his way. "If that's how it is, then maybe this destiny won't be as bad as I thought it'd be." For the first time that night, the young hero might've actually relaxed. "You don't deserve to get caught up in the kinds of battles that await me out there. I can't watch you get hurt again. Not for my sake. If you must go out there, then… I'll just have to be faster than you, won't I?"
Tokoyami narrowed his eyes, a growl rising in the back of his aching throat. Was this a challenge or a deathwish?
Dark Shadow wrapped his wispy claws around his midriff again. "Midoriya, I only pray the world beyond these walls treats you better than it ever did to me. You seem to misjudge the difference between you and I. The peace you seek will bring no solace, for it is a never-ending darkness."
The look of relief from before was quickly robbed from Midoriya's face. He had nothing left to say. Turning his back to Tokoyami, he vanished in a bolt of green light. Tokoyami listened to the sound of breaking branches as his friend bounded through the forest. With a resolved sigh, he took to the air again, and chose a route different from the one that had just been blazed. If Midoriya thought he was making a mistake, then that was fine. But he needed to know that these types of sacrifices were a two-way street. Midoriya was an idealist, and the path before him would not be kind. Tokoyami already knew what to expect. Despite Midoriya's parting wishes, the path set out before them would bring nothing but pain and misery.