The heaviness of night encompassed all the city had to offer. It muffled screams and blotted out the looming figures of crumbling buildings. From above, flying on shadowy wings beyond its reach, the cityscape was warped beyond recognition. No longer did it offer an array of blinding lights that obscured the stars, or offer sturdy rooves to its thousands of people. Entire blocks had lost power, and civilians across the country were making the difficult decisions to either evacuate the newly crime-infested streets or stand their ground. It appeared more like a playground that had fallen into disrepair, unsafe for anyone but those who intended to tear it down further. Only a week had passed since the war, and already the extent of the widespread devastation was beyond his comprehension.
Tokoyami had Dark Shadow set him down atop a still-standing skyscraper. There was something in the air that made him shudder, and he wrapped his scorched cloak closer around him as he looked off into the distance with his night-vision goggles. Turning a knob, he zoomed in on a point in the distance, only to watch an explosion take down yet another building. A chorus of sirens wailed in the distance. If he willed it, he could be at the scene in one minute flat. But would he even be any use?
So this is what true revelry in the dark looks like.
If Tokoyami stopped to extend his neck every time something went awry in this lawless city, then he'd bring ruin to himself in a day's time. As it stood, he had only himself looking out for his actions, and one wrong step could bring him crashing to the ground. But if he stayed on task, seeking out links to the remaining League and finding a way to open up communication between them again, then maybe he could create a meaningful change. While Midoriya took to the streets, playing a high-stakes game of tag with All for One, Tokoyami intended to sink deeper into the shadows, where he'd find the information he so desperately needed.
Where are you…?
Dark Shadow quietly interrupted his wandering thoughts. Hey, Fumikage, the destruction's getting closer. We should keep going while that's still an option.
Tokoyami stifled a nod and agreed, pushing off the edge of the building. Cold air blew through his feathers as he plummeted, up until Dark Shadow extended his wing-like claws and took them both soaring over the sea of debris and smoldering flames. And to think, the city surrounding UA was normally brimming with more heroes than Tokoyami could ever reasonably keep track of. It made sense that it'd be teeming with activity, but… not this kind. Never this much destruction.
Tokoyami had no intention of sticking around these parts. The hero agencies and students would have to manage on their own. They were trained for this, after all. And they'd surely have the support and finances to handle whatever broke out.
As for Tokoyami, he had very little to work with. He was an injured ex-student with a background as a villain organization's accomplice. He had his quirk and his backpack, but nowhere to go and no leads to start with. At least, that would be easy to believe if not for the experiences that had brought him this far in the first place.
Tokoyami pictured the location in his head before pulling it up on his phone. If anyone found out where he was going, they'd probably label him mentally unwell. After all, who in their right mind would return to a place like that? But it was the best he could think of on such short notice, and he knew he'd be safe there, at least compared to anywhere else. Even UA, with its high security and thick walls, could never provide him the kind of safety he desired.
The gray tinge of dawn began to creep over the horizon as time marched dutifully onward, sapping him of his strength progressively more. Beneath him, the landscape turned from developed city to suburbs and then to rural farmland surrounded by familiar forests. Mountains rose into the sky just north of him, and he stayed parallel with them until they became obscured by the next patch of sprawling city that greeted him. A part of him was grateful that he didn't have far to go until he could rest. The other part of him wondered why nobody had found this place at all.
Here, the bustling activity of the city even in the early hours of morning wasn't so different from what he'd just left behind. There were less hero agencies here, and nothing quite as prestigious as UA to draw attention. Even still, the network of newly awakened crime that had risen following the wide-scale jailbreaks was readily apparent. It was much of the same, if only slightly less deafening. But he was familiar with these parts – at least in theory, having never had the privilege of flying above it all – and he knew that even in quieter areas there were acts of mischief being made. The longer he flew, the more he could make out broken and boarded up windows, derelict buildings that had been in poor condition long before the state of Japan had taken its most recent economical hit, and wary civilians that either steered clear of the streets or had no choice but to live on them.
Here again, huh? Dark Shadow croaked in a disappointed tone.
I'm hoping… something might be waiting there for me.
Don't you mean someone?
Tokoyami clenched his jaw. In the crisp air funneling around him, he nestled his beak into the folds of Spinner's scarf, as if that might protect him from scrutiny.
Beneath them, the bleak world began to look more familiar. Granted, things looked different from the cracked pavement of neglected roads. There'd been a big issue with homelessness in the past – most big cities in Japan did well to keep up appearances, maintaining clean environments and denying that such problems were prevalent. But that just led to areas like these, where the problems were more concentrated and kept out of sight. Dabi had already told him plenty about this virtually unregulated place, where low-brow criminal activity and poverty ran rampant, and few heroes had any interest in taking up responsibility here. As a consequence, people like Dabi had been able to take up residence here unchallenged.
Dark Shadow poked his head out from under Tokoyami's cloak and looked down, following his line of sight to a dark slab of concrete where nothing moved. Oh, that's…
The underground lot where we'd train.
We must be close, then.
As the light of day peered over the cityline, Tokoyami finally veered down into an unoccupied parking lot surrounded on all sides by a hotel building that had fallen into disrepair. Just like the first time he'd been here, he looked cautiously to the blocked and covered windows where he could swear he was being watched. But it didn't matter. Nobody who'd ever resided in these parts had given them trouble, let alone approached him. It hadn't mattered that he'd been a missing student or a captured child – it wasn't anybody's business but their own.
As opposed to Dabi, he didn't have a key into the building. And despite its neglected state, he didn't want to be the one to draw attention to its doors by breaking them open. If he was going to be here, then he'd have to approach it with the same amount of care as any other unsavory or unfortunate resident in these parts. With that in mind, he alighted on a bare windowsill and peered into a dark room. Though the broken glass had finally been cleared from the window, it'd never actually been properly replaced, even through the cold of winter. Instead, it was barred by the same splintered wooden boards from before. Tokoyami pushed experimentally at them – it felt strange to be on this side of them. Stranger still was the thought that, after all the time he'd spent here, he'd never found the courage to break out of the confines of the room. Instead, in a cruel twist of irony, he'd returned to this very holding cell in order to break in.
Are you ready for what you might find?
Misery clawed its way up Tokoyami's chest. I need to be. Right now, it's the best I can do. And with a flick of his steel claws, Tokoyami pried open one of the boards and hopped down into the gloom of the musty space.
Tokoyami walked around the small space in a daze. He remembered having to leave this impromptu living environment in a rush, meeting with the rest of the League so that they could save Giran from the treachery of what had once been the Meta Liberation Army. How far away that all seemed now. As far as villain spaces he was kept in went, he'd spent about the same amount of time here as he had at the PLF headquarters: around three months in each location. But who was counting? In any case, the small room, with its acrid stench of wet smoke and peeling walls, was a decisively sad place to come back to. He should've been returning to his own home. His own room, as he'd left it, surrounded by his loved ones and the things that he'd grown up with. But that hadn't been an option anyway, and the replacement UA offered instead had brought no solace.
So here he was, standing in the middle of the cramped space he'd shared with one of the nation's most wanted villains. If anyone else ever found this place, they'd no doubt tear it apart searching for evidence. But Dabi wasn't so sentimental a person that he'd make a mistake like that. And yet… I feel the need to be here. Because… there might be something for me.
Dark Shadow drifted through the room to help him investigate, but the main area hadn't changed much. The broken-down couch where he'd slept still looked as lumpy as ever, but at least his nest of threadbare blankets had been tidied up. They'd been poorly folded and set to the side. To Dabi's credit, it looked like they might've even been washed in the time since he'd last been here. Then he checked the bathroom cabinet, hoping to find medical supplies he might've had remaining from when he was still in a state of recovery. But the shelves were bare of everything except for an empty bottle of painkillers. Grumbling to himself, he moved onto the kitchen. It'd never been particularly well-stocked, but it'd be nice if there was something.
So you don't actually think Dabi might still be here?
Tokoyami shook his head. Not a chance. He'd be with the remainder of the League. Besides, I'm sure he considers this place compromised.
Even though you're the only one who knows about it?
That's exactly why.
Dishes were piled high in the sink, each one filled with stinking water. With an agitated sigh, Tokoyami tipped one of the small pots over, spilling its murky contents. The fridge also hadn't changed much, still poorly stocked with its mostly empty condiment bottles and a half carton of expired eggs. Despite the meager state of the kitchen, Tokoyami couldn't help thinking that this place had still been lived in up until recently. These suspicions were confirmed when he opened the cabinet where he'd stored pantry goods. All the foods that Dabi had stored on the top shelf to keep out of Tokoyami's reach were gone. Instead, there was a surprisingly generous supply of instant ramen and quick meals stored at eye level, virtually untouched.
Tokoyami took a package of miso soup off the shelf and voiced his gratitude internally. He felt his stomach twinge in hunger and realized he hadn't eaten since the previous morning. Had Dabi left this knowing he'd come back, or was it just not worth packing this stuff with him?
Whatever the reason might've been, he set it aside for now. He could eat and sleep once he was done scoping out the area. That being said, there was only actually one last thing to check, and it was the room he couldn't help dreading. After all, he was never supposed to go there. And even though he'd seen it once before, he hadn't actually believed he'd see it again.
Tokoyami walked up to the door that led to Dabi's room. He expected it to be locked, hand hovering over the handle. But when he finally did take hold of it and twisted, the mechanisms clicked easily into place. The door drifted open the rest of the way, leaving him grasping at empty darkness. Dust tickled his nostrils and the stagnant air stung his eyes. The stench of burned flesh hadn't dissipated whatsoever, and Tokoyami stepped lightly into the room, his senses on high alert.
"Dabi? Are you still here…?" Tokoyami rasped fearfully – hopefully.
Silence greeted him.
Nobody's here, Dark Shadow confirmed as Tokoyami scanned the dingy space with his goggles.
Taking a deep breath of the stale air, he crossed over to the window and its closed curtains. He lifted his goggles up and drew the hanging sheets to the side to let in the pale morning light. His finger brushed the dusty glass, and for a split moment he found himself looking down to the parking lot below. An unexpected rush of vertigo came over him, and he stumbled back in surprise. Tokoyami remembered that he didn't like that window, and left it at that.
In the new light provided, the room felt largely unchanged. The heap of sullied blankets and old clothes that had once taken up most of the bed had fallen onto the ground, leaving the bed itself mostly barren. The sheets still left on them were covered in a layer of ash and riddled with stains from the burned flesh that had once resided in them. It was a wonder how none of his burns had gotten infected.
Tokoyami walked the perimeter of the bed until he came to Dabi's bedside. Until now, he hadn't been entirely sure just how recently his old mentor had been here, but spotting something sitting under the bedside lamp confirmed what he'd been thinking.
Tokoyami sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the first item that'd been left behind in a small, neat pile: a broken sword hilt, the very same one that belonged to the sword Spinner had given him about half a year ago. It'd broken during his many trials faced against the MLA, but Tokoyami had held on to it all this time as a memento. He thought for sure it'd be lost in the turmoil of the hero attack. Same for the item beneath it, which he unfurled for the first time in months. The dark gray cloak Mr. Compress had gifted him had been virtually torn to shreds during its time with him. It was another article he'd retired after the battle with the MLA, only for it to be swiftly replaced by more military grade gear. His current vantablack mantle had received a good amount of damage itself, but the material at least was more resilient than the common fibers that had fallen apart during his time here. He couldn't help examining the old gear, feeling the way the sword hilt fit perfectly in his hand or running his fingers across the staples and stitches that he'd at one time adorned the cloak with in a desperate attempt to keep it together.
He ultimately set them back down with a sigh, his hand traveling to the next item.
It was the handheld gaming device Dabi had let him have. Somehow, it'd made its way back here. Dabi had acted indifferent about the little blue gadget, letting him play with it to keep entertained during his time here. And then, when he'd brought it over to the PLF villa, he'd been able to play games with Spinner. Spinner himself had been excited about that, since it was around the same time that Shigaraki had left to do his training, leaving the friendly League member without someone to play video games with. Holding the strangely resilient clamshell device in his hands, he thought again of why Dabi had held onto it for all these years. Had it been something he and his brother Natsuo had played on together? It felt like a Todoroki family relic, and he wasn't sure if it was his right to hold onto it.
But Dabi keeps giving it back to me, and he's not one to share lightly.
Tokoyami kept going, picking through the last of the items left intentionally for him with a heavy heart. Next was his old red choker, with its broken clasp and frayed leather that'd been worn away to almost nothing. He held it gently in his hands, feeling as though he was letting go of an older version of himself by not being able to wear it anymore. He'd found an unexpected replacement in Spinner's scarf, which now functioned to conceal the white bandages and still-fresh burns. Even still, he didn't want to forget what this old choker meant to him. Now more than ever, he saw it as an end of an era.
There was something wrapped in his choker.
Tokoyami frowned. All these items, he'd kept in the same drawer at his bedside. What else had there been?
A device the size of a bean fell out into his hand. Tokoyami's chest seized with a torrent of mixed emotions: fear, hope, anxiety, all the above clamoring over each other to break onto the surface.
It was a communicator, just like the one the Doctor had given him to keep tabs on him. But he couldn't tell if it was the same one, which had only a channel between him and Dr. Ujiko, or if it was a different one. His mouth went dry, and with shaking hands Tokoyami held it up to his beak.
"Hello…? Is anyone still there?"
His voice crackled through the device, echoing slightly back to him. He waited, letting one moment pass. Then another. And in return… there was no response. With a deep-set breath of disappointment, he tucked the device away in his pocket. Maybe one of these days he'd get a response from somebody he wanted to hear from, but today was not that day.
"It's nice that he left these things behind for you," Dark Shadow croaked. "I was worried he might not want anything more to do with us after…"
Tokoyami bundled up the sorry possessions in his arms and moved them out into the main living space. Then he doubled back and checked Dabi's bathroom cabinet and bedside drawers for medical supplies. He managed to find a half roll of gauze and an almost empty bottle of antiseptic. He'd need to find better than this. "I don't know what to think, Dark Shadow," Tokoyami admitted, setting everything he'd found down on top of a dresser. "There couldn't have been any going back once the League had left the PLF villa atop Gigantomachia. He must've collected these around the same time that he was making his revelation broadcast. I have no way of knowing what's going through his mind now… was this a final act of good will, or his way of saying that my time with the League isn't finished just yet?"
Tokoyami mindlessly set about preparing some food while his thoughts continued to reel. "He must've known that I'd come back to this place, otherwise he wouldn't have gone out of his way to get this stuff set up for me. He even left food behind… but there was hardly anything for treating injuries. He must've taken all he could in that regard with him, wherever he went." It made his uncertainty in the matter all the more muddled. Dabi did still care about him, at least to some degree. But he had the impression that if he were to push his luck, Dabi wouldn't hold back on him… right? At the same time, what Dabi had left behind here served as a reminder of what Tokoyami had to lose. Because he hadn't faked his ties with the League, and he wasn't ready to let go of them. Not until he'd done everything in his power to save them.
The microwave beeped. Tokoyami grabbed his food and sat down to eat, unable to wait for it to cool before stuffing his face. He was grateful that, even though Dabi no longer resided here, whatever deal he'd made to keep the power operating in this room was still viable.
His needs met, Tokoyami slumped onto the couch and kicked off his boots. A chill breeze entered in from the window, made draftier from his entrance, and he dragged the folded blankets over him one after another until he was comfortable. They still smelled musty, but they weren't unpleasant, and before long he felt a strange sensation of peace wash over him.
How sad is this? That my old holding cell is where I willingly find myself sleeping again?
Dark Shadow adjusted the blankets around him and drew a curtain over the window to block out some of the daylight. You're just adjusting. That's all this is. We knew this wouldn't be easy, so don't worry about taking a little extra time. It won't be forever, Dark Shadow soothed, his words of reassurance coming one after another. And Tokoyami closed his eyes again, letting sleep take him while his quirk stayed aware of their surroundings.
His sleep was deep and unbroken, not plagued by nightmares of destruction or desperate faces. And no sounds disturbed him, nor fear of intrusion, as if this was the safest place he could be in right now. When finally he did awaken, it was to find the whole room awash in a warm orange glow. The whole day had passed him right by, and he'd nothing to show for it. His body ached and his mouth was parched, but he didn't feel quite so bothered by it. Because his mind felt clearer than it had before, and he felt secure in his decisions. If he was going to live like this, at least for a while in the time that it took to get the nation through this upheaval, then he figured he'd be okay with it.
Tokoyami took the time to freshen up, taking a cold shower (there was no heat) and changing his bandages. His burns were still tender, but he didn't feel the need to wrap them anymore. They were healing just fine, even knowing that they'd leave nasty scars. No, instead he wanted to preserve whatever gauze he had for his shoulder, since that was a much deeper and threatening wound. If it got infected, he'd be in trouble. And in truth… he'd give anything not to return to another hospital to be tended to. If he could buy some, then he would. He'd have to search around Osaka and figure out what he was dealing with.
Once he was patched up and dressed again, Tokoyami sat back down on the couch. He pulled out his phone. Only to regret it upon seeing the message that popped up on it. There was just the one, sent from his mom: I miss you. Please stay safe.
So few words. He didn't want to think about how grief-stricken she might be all over again on the other side. His parents hadn't deserved this. But if she wasn't asking him to come back, then Aizawa must've passed along the note and explained the situation to them. He hoped this meant that his actions wouldn't be so detrimental to his already squandered reputation. If someone from UA needed to touch base with, that was fine, but he couldn't return. Not so soon.
Tokoyami typed out a response to his mom. I know. I will. I'm sorry. Send.
At least now his parents would know that they hadn't lost him altogether. That should be reassurance enough.
While he was at it, he checked his bank account. It was linked with his parents so that they could see what was in it. It looked like it'd been virtually untouched since last august when he was first captured. There was about as much as one would expect from a teenager just starting high school – all his old purchases were for snacks and accessories he probably didn't need. In a show of mercy, however, a deposit for 10,000 yen had been made into his account from his parents, and he whispered his gratitude to the heavens.
Feeling more confident and able-bodied than before, Tokoyami returned to the windowsill. He parted the curtains and ducked between the gaps in the boards, hoisting himself back onto the sill overlooking the concrete lot below. In the long shadows cast by the encroaching dusk, all was still, and he filled his smoke-damaged lungs with the city air. His breath was cut short by a bout of coughing, and he gripped the edge of the sill for stability until it passed. It would be a while still until he could claim to be back in proper fighting form. But he wasn't about to let that stop him. At the very least, he could explore the area and take note of his surroundings; now that he had free reign, there was no reason not to familiarize himself with this place, especially if there was a vulnerable population present and few heroes to look out for them.
Tokoyami flew just over the tops of buildings, careful not to attract too much attention as his jet-black wings blended in with the ever-darkening sky. He was used to seeing a few stray people on the streets, even in sketchy parts of town like here, but at the moment nothing moved, as if the dirt-laden streets were holding their collective breaths.
He alighted atop one of the smaller buildings. Its façade was beginning to crumble, and as he lingered he picked up the smell of decay. Afraid of what the structure might contain, he quickly moved on. The sound of a gun going off in the dead of night made him flinch, and he pressed himself into the niche of an ornate windowsill as movement rounded the corner beneath him. A cacophony of outraged howls echoed off the stone walls of the alley, and a small band of yakuza chased some low-brow thugs off their turf, bullets sailing overhead. Trash cans were tipped over and curses were screamed into the air as they passed. Only when he was sure that they'd passed did he venture from the crevice and take back to the air, flying a little higher this time.
Tokoyami was reminded of the time when Dabi had returned to the room with a bullet wound and had him turn all the lights off. Evidentially, not much had changed since then, and this place was still a hot bed of criminal activity. The wave of chaos following the series of prison breaks was just the icing on the cake.
With a shuttered breath, Tokoyami pressed on. Working unbothered, he checked out some storefronts that still looked to be operational during the day. Loud talking and the sounds of a fight breaking out could be heard from inside a gloomy bar. There were ample apartment buildings and dirt-cheap hostels still in working order, though he shuddered to think there might still be a thriving population of civilians in the area. He noted the location of a few convenience stores located on better lit streets, as well as the train stop that Dabi had taken him on once before for a night he wouldn't soon forget. Beyond that, the gray buildings started to blend together, separated only by the varying levels of neglect they were in.
Not wanting to stray too far from base just yet, Tokoyami cut his exploration short after just a few hours. All of Osaka lay in the near distance, and he had no doubt that there was still much to be seen there. But for now, he'd rather play it safe than push his boundaries.
He went out again the next day, this time to see what the daylight hours would bring. Just a few blocks from his own place of shelter, he discovered a group of new-age defenders, as they called themselves: civilians who'd lost faith in heroes and banded together to fight for themselves. When he'd approached, they shown hostility and threw a bottle at his feet. Only when he'd explained to them that he was neither villain nor hero did they let him come near. It was a band of over a dozen people, many of whom had mutant-type quirks or looked to be of lower income. They resided in a foreclosed restaurant, and brandished their quirks as if they were ready to use them at a moment's notice. Evidently, they'd all shared the same apartment complex before a fight amongst villains had reduced it to rubble, and when hero aid came too late to help them, they'd stayed behind to fight their own battles rather than be evacuated to somewhere unknown.
Tokoyami had expressed his concern over their decision to remain in such a dangerous area, but had no answer when they explained that nowhere was safe anymore. So he opted to leave them alone, only letting them know that if they ever needed help, that he resided in the abandoned hotel the next street over. They'd shared nervous glances at that, informing him to be careful – there were some real sinister villain-types living there, hence why so few people poked around that part of town.
With this new tidbit of information, Tokoyami expanded his range. He scouted out a large cement building where even in these dangerous times people were crowding it hoping to be assigned work that would earn them a living. There was a park, if it could be called that, where a homeless population openly shared drinks and seemed somewhat friendly. At the very least, they had no problem talking with him, and Tokoyami learned more about the challenges they were facing – had always faced. They didn't live with the hope that a hero would swoop in and save them, and they took their lives into their own hands because nobody else would. Not wanting to upset them and respecting their decision, he left them to it. More than anything, he was exposing himself to the side of society that he doubted many of his classmates had ever seen.
Tokoyami explored neighboring cities, working his way up from slum-like conditions to flourishing market spaces and finally to the big skyscrapers and sprawling layout of more economically sound areas. He was lucky enough to avoid incident this time around, too.
The next day, his medical supplies were used up. The injury he'd received from Hawks was beginning to hurt more than before, and it was cause for concern. If Dabi could see him now, he'd no doubt chastise him for waiting so long to find more supplies – especially when he was already ill-equipped before.
Tokoyami went the furthest he'd ever been. He flew sparingly, not wanting to draw unwanted attention but still with the need to cover ground efficiently. He tried a few stores, only to find that the ones that were still operational and hadn't been looted because of their heavy security were all sold out of any sort of medical supplies.
"Bandages – do you know where I can find any?" Tokoyami rasped to the store clerk.
The man eyed him suspiciously, a sneer pulling at the corners of his mouth. Tokoyami didn't want to explain that his dark clothes and deep pockets were essential to his operation – not a means of shoplifting. And yet he knew he looked suspicious. "You won't find any in stores," he said flippantly. "But if you're desperate, I've been watching people like you raid the hospital downtown for supplies."
"That's awful…" Tokoyami mumbled sympathetically, not wanting to be bothered by the targeted comment. "Isn't there anyone trying to keep the hospital operational?"
"When the heroes let all those villains escape, places like that never stood a chance. Now if you're not gonna buy anything, you should leave."
Tokoyami took his words to heart and slinked away, quietly telling himself never to come back to this store. His only saving grace thus far was that nobody had recognized him – or if they had, they didn't outwardly say it. Being scrutinized was something he could handle, but he'd do well to avoid attention wherever possible. If that meant leaving a corner store with his head ducked down and pride mildly bruised, then so be it. It was better than being given grief for his actions as a person.
The lack of readily available medical supplies was still troubling, though. No doubt anyone who'd taken up the decision to stay and defend their homes from the new wave of villains had stocked up on anything they could find. But that left him in a difficult situation, not knowing if he'd be able to get the treatment he needed to heal properly.
Are you going to try the hospital? Dark Shadow asked as they slipped back onto the narrow, rubble-strewn streets.
Hmm. Sounds risky. If there's still villains hanging around there or using it as a stronghold, I might just be walking right into trouble. Besides, if anyone saw me, they'd think me a thief. Tokoyami stopped for a moment to rest against an alleyway wall where nobody would spot him. He pressed his back against cool concrete, hoping to disperse some of the painful warmth coming off his sore injury. Although… if everyone's doing it, and it's something I really need, then I might not have much choice in the matter. We can at least investigate it for now and see what the situation there is like.
Dark Shadow hummed in agreement, and Tokoyami pushed himself off the wall. He pulled up the directions to the hospital and struck out in that direction, taking it slow. It wasn't too far, and he didn't feel the need to fly in the off chance that it placed a target upon him. He felt unnerved, walking streets more empty than he could ever anticipate for this part of town. At any other time, this area would be a bustling downtown. But now it lay void of life, its only sounds being that of trash blowing in the wind. It was unsettling how quickly this place had warped in the downfall of heroism. The amount of damage dealt to the surrounding buildings wasn't even the worst he'd seen, and yet it appeared that nobody had wanted to stick around here for whatever reason.
Mayhaps this is someone else's claimed territory? Since the overrun hospital would be a valuable asset for any group to have. Tokoyami voiced his thoughts to his quirk, waiting to see what he had to say. Instead, he felt a cold wave of dread wash upon him, and Dark Shadow's next words brought him to full attention.
Fumikage. Something's coming towards us.
Tokoyami turned swiftly on his heel, taking in his surroundings all around him before his eyes fell upon a large shape hurtling down from above. For a split moment, the sun was blocked out. Tokoyami stood there stunned for longer than he'd intended, even with Dark Shadow's warning, before a different voice cried out: "Watch out!"
Tokoyami jumped to the side as the earth cratered beneath him with the force of an all-out blow. Chunks of pavement showered in every direction, pelting his back, and Tokoyami covered his head with a raised arm as Dark Shadow materialized to fly him a safe distance away before setting him back down.
Tokoyami's head was already spinning. What… what's happening?
A deep, hearty laugh reverberated off the crowded buildings.
"Look what the cat dragged in – it's the little birdy! Good to see you're still kickin', kid – I was getting worried I'd never get a proper fight with you!"
Tokoyami shook off his dizzy spell and focused on the opponent that'd come after him. His gut clenched in recognition, and he took a wary step back while still holding his ground. "What do you want, Rappa?" Tokoyami snarled, sizing up the villain.
The ex-yakuza, one of Overhaul's most dangerous followers, stepped out from the rubble he'd just created and cracked his neck in anticipation. As far as size went, he was still as formidable as ever, though Tokoyami had to remind himself that his own powers should've far exceeded anything the simple-minded villain was capable of since their last encounter. Not to mention, Rappa was noticeably lacking in the gear that had made him identifiable as the Precept of Death he once was. His plague doctor mask was gone, leaving his tangled mess of brown hair to cover his eyes instead, and he no longer sported metal gauntlets. Judging by his capacity for destruction, though, that did little to deter him.
Rappa gave a wide, knowing smile. "Isn't it obvious? I promised you two a rematch! And as luck would have it, I'm getting what I wanted!"
Two? Somehow, I don't think he means you, Dark Shadow.
"Come on out, Shield – I know you've been tailing me!" Rappa called out, turning to the nearest building and unleashing a round of frenzied punches onto the unstable wall. It crumbled under his fists, followed by a yelp of surprise, and a red blur emerged from hiding. The source of the voice that had warned Tokoyami came into the light, and he went rigid.
"Kirishima! You shouldn't be here!" Tokoyami snapped, his tone more vehement and accusatory than he'd intended it to be.
Kirishima landed on the ground not far from him, trying not to take his eyes off his opponent but obviously distracted by Tokoyami's presence. After all, this was the first UA student – or hero of any kind, now that he thought about it – that he'd encountered since leaving, and it came as an unwelcome surprise. Kirishima gaped at him, bewildered by his response. "Wha—? I'm working with Suneater and Real Steel at the Fatgum agency. I'm supposed to be tracking down the breakout villains! What're you—?"
Kirishima wasn't given the chance to finish his explanation before Rappa landed between them, sending up another shower of dust and debris. "Enough chit-chat!" He barked, raising his fists excitedly. "I've been waiting way too long for a good match. And now, not only do I have nobody holding me back, but it's a two-for-one deal. That makes it an even match – so don't disappoint me!"
Rappa looked between the two of them, his mind no-doubt churning with possibilities, until he set his sights eagerly on Tokoyami.
Tokoyami stood firm, watching the fists let fly at him. The blistering pace was something he could deal with, though, and at the very last moment he stepped out from under the assault, flicking his claws out in one swift movement.
They barely scratched Rappa, and Tokoyami had to keep moving without stopping to avoid the villain's continued actions. He could feel the tremors in the earth and the shattering of stone hot on his heels as he circled around Rappa, trying to lead him away from Kirishima.
"You got faster since last time, didn't ya?" Rappa noted approvingly, slowing his movements to readjust his trajectory. "But if you keep moving around like that, you'll never be able to land a real blow!" And then he intercepted Tokoyami's path by jumping in front of him, bringing a heavy fist down on top of him. This time, Tokoyami had to roll to avoid him, hitting the ground and narrowly avoiding the impact by a hair's breadth.
Suppressing a grunt of pain, Tokoyami hissed out "Black Ankh!" and shadows wrapped around him in a protective cover. Then he twisted out from Rappa's reach, retreating just as the convict pinpointed his movement again. He should be faster than this. But he wasn't.
"I got you covered!" Kirishima ran right into place behind Tokoyami, facing off against Rappa's oncoming attack.
Tokoyami whirled around, panic rising in his chest. "No!"
But Kirishima was prepared. His skin was so reinforced by his quirk that it was jagged, like a suit of scale armor. He took one of Rappa's punches. Then another and another in quick succession, until he let the force of the blows push him back far enough to create a distance between them. Then he disengaged completely, and tried to reconverge with Tokoyami.
For a split second, Tokoyami had been overcome with dread. He thought that when he looked back, he would see Kirishima hurt and bleeding after taking a hit to cover his escape. Instead, he looked relatively unharmed, if just a little scuffed. Tokoyami was amazed. Not just because of his quirk – he knew it was hardening, and the whole point of it was withstanding attacks – but because he hadn't actually expected anyone to back him up.
"I've fought him before!" Kirishima gasped, reaching Tokoyami's side. It took Tokoyami all he had not to recoil from how close his old acquaintance got to him. Snap out of it, we're in a fight! "I can take any hit he throws at us – but you gotta be the one to fend him off! Can you do that?"
Tokoyami didn't get the chance to respond before Rappa intercepted them again. If there was one thing he remembered more than anything else about the ex-yakuza, it was how relentless he was. But he agreed with Kirishima – Tokoyami was in no position to take a hit, but he could definitely deal them out himself.
Tokoyami jumped out of the way, feeling Dark Shadow take hold of him briefly to readjust his position. At the same time, Kirishima blocked a punch from Rappa and then grabbed hold of his fist.
Seeing his opening, Tokoyami rushed in. "Twilight Piercing Claws," he breathed, holding his weapons close to his chest. When he lashed out with them, Dark Shadow's own claws followed the trajectory, and landed squarely on Rappa's back in a forceful blow of his own.
The villain stumbled, only to recover swiftly. He didn't even need to turn around, changing the rotation of his quirk, Strongarm, to reel back behind him. Tokoyami had enough distance to dodge nimbly out of the way with room to spare, but he wasn't about to let his guard down.
"Hey now, I've waited a long time to fight you. You could at least face me!" Rappa jeered. He grabbed hold of Kirishima's arm, ignoring the serrated edges that bit into his palm, and threw him in Tokoyami's direction.
Tokoyami dispelled Black Ankh so that he could send Dark Shadow to catch Kirishima and set him down. In that moment, Rappa rushed them. Kirishima moved quicker to stand between them, this time matching his blows with Rappa's to try and slow them down. The bloodthirsty man was so close that Tokoyami could see the glint of battle in his golden eyes. As his shadow loomed over them all, Tokoyami was briefly reminded of an unsavory memory. Of being alone and stuck in combat with the high end noumu, so eager to fight someone strong. So excited to tear him apart.
"Stand back!" Tokoyami screeched. Adrenaline rushed through him, and Dark Shadow bolstered in size in response to his emotions. His quirk growled in warning before slamming into Rappa, toppling him to one side. Tokoyami gasped at the sudden use of strength used in full daylight and quickly fought to reel Dark Shadow in so that he wasn't exerting all his energy at once.
Kirishima glanced over his shoulder to look back at Tokoyami, his face scrunched up in concern. "Are you okay?"
"That ain't good enough!" Rappa decided, getting back onto his feet. He was laughing, clenching and unclenching his hands experimentally. He was enjoying himself too much. "I already know what it's like to fight that man right there," he said, nodding his head appreciably to Kirishima. "He can take a hit like nobody else! I already expect that from him. But you? I never got a chance! Always getting held back or told "no, please don't hurt the new recruit." That damn Tengai always ruining my fun – and Overhole was no better! Why did he get to have a go at you?! To think, they even let you fight my clone – but not me?! What an insult! Well, now I can do what I want. And I want—" Rappa charged.
"—to fight—" His arms began to spin, picking up speed in a vicious cycle.
"—you!" His punches tore relentlessly into Kirishima. To the hero student's credit, he could withstand quite a few. But this time the barrage was pushing him back more than before, until Kirishima was shoved right up next to him.
Ranged attacks from Dark Shadows hadn't been enough to stop the villain, and the whirlwind of flying fists was difficult to intercept without getting caught up in them. He could feel Rappa sizing him up, as if his next punch was going to be taken out on him as soon as he'd dealt enough blows to Kirishima to keep him preoccupied. Taking a risk right as the punches began to change direction, Tokoyami slid underneath Rappa's attacks, so close to the ground he might as well have been groveling, and slashed at the back of his legs.
Rappa dropped down to one knee and groped around behind him to where he suspected Tokoyami to be. His fist clenched around the tattered end of his cloak and dragged him back towards him. Tokoyami let out an indignant yell, his claws skidding against the pavement.
"Red Counter!" Kirishima dealt a heavy blow of his own after withstanding Rappa's. In the villain's determination to face them both at all times, he'd neglected his attention of the so-called shield.
Tokoyami unclasped his cloak and stood up swiftly, raking his steel claws down Rappa's arm while he retreated. The villain cursed as the cuts welled with blood, and he clenched his midriff where Kirishima had landed his own blow. But it would take more than that to fell the beast.
"Hold this for me, will ya?" Rappa asked, throwing Tokoyami's cloak into Kirishima's face. His classmate spluttered, tossing the cloak aside quickly. "If you wanna defeat me, send out your quirk! Just like that night I first found you. A battle of brute strength! Win, and I'll admit defeat. Simple, right?"
Kirishima lurched forward. "Hang on, Tokoyami! We just gotta keep him preoccupied a bit longer – back-up is on the way! If we just work together—"
"You're bringing more heroes into this?!" Tokoyami seethed. "How could you! They'll only hinder us!"
Kirishima winced, and Tokoyami felt a pang of guilt. It wasn't that he'd done the wrong thing, it's just that Tokoyami was in no condition to face more than one opponent if things went sour for whatever reason. And he didn't… he couldn't be taken in again. Not for medical care, or questioning, or anything.
Tokoyami turned back to Rappa, summoning Dark Shadow around his head and arms. Shadows gathered densely under his command, twisting and contorting. "Very well. I'll face you myself, Rappa."
His toothy grin stretched wider than ever. "Great."
Rappa came at him for what would be the final time. Kirishima tried in vain to stand between them and fulfill his role as the defensive wall in this equation, but Tokoyami's lack of cooperation had gotten the better of him. Rappa let loose a punch, and Dark Shadow's clawed hand batted it to one side. Then another, meeting the same result. They got faster still, and still Dark Shadow kept up. At times, it was almost as if the quirk had more than two arms with how adamantly he matched the villain. In terms of speed, they could keep this up for however long he needed. And as long as Tokoyami focused, his strength was enough.
"I'll admit, I was worried when I found out what Overhole did to ya!" Rappa taunted, keeping up his blistering pace. "Once it happens, you don't really think of death the same way. I've seen what happens when he waits too long to bring someone back – they're never the same! But me? Over and over, that guy killed me. And I lived for it, because he was strong! And you, you're always getting stronger too, right? Because you have nothing to fear! Doesn't it feel great? To just let loose?!"
Tokoyami's legs were shaking. His chest heaved, desperate to take hold of a breath, a single gulp of air. It felt like he was choking on smoke all over again, only the toxic cloud wasn't dissipating. The villain never knew when to shut up, did he? How dare he draw a comparison between them, all because of events that had been out of Tokoyami's hands. It wasn't like that. I… I value what I have. I fight harder to protect that – not to be blindly reckless!
Police sirens could be heard, growing closer. Rappa was ultimately unbothered, but Tokoyami felt a renewed sense of urgency bearing down on his already rapidly beating heart. Instead of matching Rappa's attacks, he tried to push back. Fight better, fight harder. So that he could end it faster and be done with it all. Dark Shadow would handle the punches while Tokoyami stepped between it all to deal an attack that would make the villain think twice about confronting him ever again. There was no space for Kirishima to step in, but Tokoyami saw his chance and went for it. Anything to make it stop.
Tokoyami brought his right claw across Rappa's front, slicing through shirt and skin. Rappa jerked in response, and tore his fist from Dark Shadow's grasp in a reaction so sudden that neither of them were prepared. It crashed down onto Tokoyami, making his knees buckle and sending him to the ground with a sharp cry of pain. A warm sensation spread across his left shoulder, and Tokoyami felt his stitches come undone under the brutal hit. With a shuttered breath, Tokoyami curled into himself on the hard ground. Rappa stood over him, dumbfounded by his lack of resilience as Dark Shadow let out a mournful wail.
"Hey, hey, what's the deal?! You're already bleedin' – and it's not 'cause of me, a single punch wouldn't do that!" Rappa complained loudly, holding back another onslaught of punches to glare accusingly at Tokoyami. "C'mon, it's no fun if somebody else already got the jump on you!"
Anger flared through Tokoyami, turning his vision red. "I've had enough of you." Wreathing his right arm in all the hate-fueled shadows he could possibly muster, he swatted Rappa away with everything he had. It was as if he had the ferocity of Ragnarok focused on a single point, and he'd taken it out on the one obstacle he knew could handle it. Only when the pest was out of sight did he start taking large gasps of air that stung his lungs but calmed his frantic heart.
Kirishima was at his side in an instant. "You're hurt! Even though I was here, you still got hurt!" he fretted. He went to support Tokoyami on his right side, intending to lead him away from the fight, but Tokoyami pushed him aside and struggled to his feet on his own.
"The fight's not…!" Tokoyami gasped, clutching his arm to his chest and willing the pain to stop.
Kirishima wavered uncertainly at his side. "But…"
A strained laugh rang out, ending in a sharp intake of pained breath. Tokoyami looked over warily to where Rappa sat in a pile of rubble. His hair was a mess of blood from where his head had smashed into a concrete wall. He held his hand over the clawmarks in his side, and Tokoyami felt himself grow faint upon seeing just how deep his attack had gone. He hadn't meant to go so far, but that was the risk he took when using real weapons. He should know that better than anyone.
Other than that, he bore only a few more scratches and bruises from their collective attacks – it was nothing he wouldn't bounce back from. Tokoyami wouldn't be surprised if he tried to get back up and continue the fight, if not for how content he appeared to be as a defeated man. "I yield!" He huffed, leaning back in his throne of rubble. "That was a good bout, right? Ahhh, what a blast! And hey, next time I get out of jail, you'll be better prepared, right? 'Cause if this is you at a low point… then I just gotta know what you're real strength is! I'll hold you to it!"
Damn lunatic.
By now the sirens were almost upon him, and in his current condition Tokoyami felt a spike of inexplicable fear course through him. The clawmarks on Rappa looked eerily familiar, only this time it had been all him in clear conscience. Would somebody see them and make the connection to All Might?
"Tokoyami, your shoulder," Kirishima said. "That's the same injury from the war, right? It should've gotten checked out by Recovery Girl by now – why do you still have it?"
Tokoyami swept past him, ignoring the attempts to placate him. He made right for his cloak, retrieving it from the ground. "You think I know?!" he challenged, donning his cloak so that Dark Shadow had a place to hide. "Black Fallen Angel!"
F…Fumikage, I'm really tired.
Please, just a little farther!
Kirishima caught up to him as his wings sprang forth. "You're leaving? Again?! I—I get why you think you need to do this, but please, you're only punishing yourself! When Midoriya left, he had pro heroes backing him up. But… if you're still hurting—!"
"I don't need a lecture!"
Kirishima stopped going after him, his red eyes heavy with sadness. "It's just… after what Rappa told me when we first fought… you deserve to have people helping you, so that that doesn't happen ever again."
Tokoyami looked back woefully. "The police will be here soon. Make sure Rappa is properly brought in. I'd hate to have an old foe haunting me on these desolate streets." And then he took off, leaving his old classmate behind to deal with the cleanup as police cars rounded the corner.