I feel like I've been fed already so good with so many of these but please. I am intrigued by "ya ever just explode a 13 year old's arm off"
KWJFJANFNSJF it's for my MCOG AU where I make the villain (a french alchemist who's kidnapped the protagonist kid's dad to use as leverage) get so hopped up on the Xenophobic Villain Juice that he uses his death weapons to (accidentally) blast the 13 year old protag's arm off while the kid is trying to rescue his dad. The kid's a near-immortal alien and the villain knows that so was using lethal force because eh the kid'll be fiiine, only for things to go immediately wrong lmao
The 13 year old is fine, ish! He gets a cool metal arm and he gets his dad back! He also unfortunately gets at least ten new traumas and some (mild) heavy metal poisoning. His friend also gets ten new traumas because he was kinda adopted by the villain and, uh, inadvertently helped the villain make the death weapons. Fun times all around, I apparently love torturing my skrunklies.
*rises from the depths of depression to finally type out my bnha theory*
I’d like to thank @juustozzi and @swiftwidget for letting me start out my day with frickin’ awesome fanart at 5:30am (my time)
you just set me up to have a beautiful day goodness
I’m so energized
(also work wasn’t so bad because I had two trainees and I spent the most of my shift training them instead of my usual bouncing around and expending 110% of my energy) WOO!
“You only have to go with them and record what happens on your phone,” Atsu-nii said, pushing Hatoko toward his scary friends, “This is very important spy stuff, okay? I need you to do this for me.”
“Wh-what about you?” Hatoko clung to Atsu-nii’s good arm.
Atsu-nii gently shook off his grip and rubbed his shoulder, “I can’t go with you… but they promise to bring you back to me. Alright?”
“… Alright.”
Hatoko’s wings flapped frantically in the cold air, tears streaming down his face. Looking for anything, anything familiar.
Gotta find Kohana!
“This way,” Kurogiri waved his arm and the room disappeared. When Hatoko opened his eyes, he was in a parking lot by the ocean.
The big one - ‘Noumu’ - he hurt the cat-faced man from Hatoko’s pictures that morning. Noumu ambushed and knocked him to the ground, making him shout.
Before he could get back up, Kurogiri sent the man away.
Hatoko jumped when a hand squeezed his shoulder just by his neck.
“Compress said you were useful,” Shigaraki pointed to the railing overlooked the beach, “Stay there and record everything. When we have what we want, we’ll take you back to your Atsu-nii .”
“What… what are you going to do?” Hatoko asked, voice and shoulders trembling.
The grip on his shoulder tightened, and the finger Shigaraki held up twitched, “We’re just going to play a little game.”
He lied.
There!
Hatoko landed in the center of the street, ignoring the shouts of pedestrians as he ran toward the nearest police station. Throwing open the doors, he stumbled into the lobby.
Panting and wings sagging with exhaustion, he stopped in the center of the room.
“H-help!” he wailed.
A young lady in uniform rushed over to him, “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“Not me! Them! On the beach!” Hatoko shook his head, sniffling and heaving a sob, “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”
The young officer reached behind herself and pulled a box of tissues from midair.
“Shh,” she cooed, dabbing the tears from Hatoko’s face and wiping his nose, “Can you tell me what you need help for, sweetie?”
“I need to find O-Officer Kohana,” Hatoko hiccuped, lower lip trembling, and held out his phone, “I did something bad.”
Toshinori’s awareness wavered, vision swimming in medicated twilight. His breathing was slow and deep, despite the tools clicking around in his mouth.
The doctor sat beside him, wavering in and out of focus. He leaned away for moment, picking up a tool from the tray beside him.
The sound of metal scraping metal echoed too loud in the small, tiled room.
“Now these are interesting,” the doctor said, turning back. He reached over and moved Toshinori’s tongue to the side with cold, sterile tasting tongs. Adjusting his headlamp behind his faceshield, he looked closer, rambling softly, “Looks like they opened up recently. Holes by your sublingual glands… Let’s see.”
The doctor pulled his tools from Toshinori’s loosely open mouth and picked up a metal kidney dish. Holding it in front of Toshinori’s face, he turned and pressed down on his acid sac.
Toshinori’s gut clenched, and twin streams sprayed from his mouth.
Wh…what was…? He looked down.
A small puddle of bile-tinted acid swirled at the bottom of the bowl.
“Yes, that’s what I thought. If you take after her, the tubes run along your esophagus and connect to your acid sac.” The doctor nodded, setting the bowl aside and wiping acid from Toshinori’s lips. He grunted when the paper towel began smoking, and he tossed it into a covered wastebin. Checking his gloves, he pressed at the underside of Toshinori’s tongue, “That’s where your acid was always meant to come out. I wonder if that healing quirk closed them. Well,” he grinned behind his mask, “No noumu is perfect.”
Toshinori weakly grimaced at the sour taste of acid and latex, and he turned his head away.
The underside of his tongue stung.
“Nnh…” His claws twitched as he pulled at his arms.
“Goodness! Is it already time for your next dose?” the doctor asked, rolling Toshinori’s head back in place, “Ah, of course,” He reverently brushed his hand over Toshinori’s scarred side, “I didn’t take into account that your tolerance would be higher. Give me just a moment.”
Toshinori’s breath quickened, and he weakly kicked his legs.
H… how long…? Where are… they?
His gaze darted unsteadily around the room, looking for any sign of the time that passed. Tools were moved. A large machine sat in the corner of the room, and a brain scan cap was connected to the machine by dozens of wires.
Pain pricked his arm again.
Sh… shit.
“Little bit of a higher dose,” the doctor explained conversationally. He pat his shoulder, “And something extra. Sorry to say you won’t enjoy this one bit; I, however, am very excited to see how you react. In the meantime…”
Toshinori’s arms grew slack, and his eyes rolled as his vision faded.
Sirens wailing, Naomasa sped through the streets of Musutafu. Gray clouds hung ominously low and heavy with rain. Naomasa checked the GPS location again - the small blue dot pinging “I’m here! I’m here!” - before making a sharp right turn.
Almost there.
Hold on, Toshinori.
Naomasa turned down another urban street, sweat collecting under his collar, Just hold on.
Passing under the silver line train, he made another left turn.
There! A police blockade was only blocks away. Lights flashed and officers dashed about putting up police tape and directing pedestrians to stand back.
Quickly pulling over, Naomasa threw his car in park.
“Wright, I need you to drive back to the station,” Naomasa said, roughly yanking off his tie and throwing it in the back. He grabbed his coat and pulled it along as he jumped from the car.
“What’s going on?” Wright asked, quickly exiting the car, confusion and frustration strained his voice, “Does this have to do with All for One? The investigation? I need to know, Tsukauchi!”
Naomasa dug into his coat pocket and fished out his badge. Clipping it to his belt, he shook his head, “I don’t have time for a full explanation, and I don’t need you here. Someone will fill you in later. Now go!”
He turned and ran toward the blockade, ignoring Wright’s indignant expression.
Sorry, Wright. I can’t have you here if shit hits the fan.
A familiar officer lifted the tape as Naomasa rushed through, badge raised.
“The Endeavor Hero Office members are already inside the building,” Officer Kyouko Akiyama said, following close behind Naomasa. “It used to serve as a government office, and is currently a private pediatric clinic. We have the blueprints on record.”
Naomasa looked up at the building. It was an older building, four stories tall with modern additions. Large windows looked into the lobby where sidekicks from the Hero Office were rushing civilians, young and old, from the clinic.
He paled.
Another hospital.
“Any word from the inside?” Naomasa asked and stepped up to the makeshift command center behind two patrol cars.
“They haven’t been inside long,” Akiyama said, “Can I see your phone?”
Naomasa passed it to her while he scanned the edge of the cordoned off area. Photogs and reporters dotted the edge, setting up their cameras. A live-truck pulled up to the edge of the tape with another small news crew.
Damn it…
“Patch him in,” Akiyama said, holding Naomasa’s phone out.
One of the technicians, Kenshin Nishimura, took the phone, briefly plugging it into his computer before handing it back with a headset.
“Here,” Akiyama said, “They can hear you inside.”
Naomasa nodded and quickly pulled on the headset.
“This is Detective Tsukauchi,” he announced, bending to look at the blueprints displayed on the technician’s computer, “I need an update on the situation inside.”
“Tsukauchi?” A familiar low voice growled over the headset, “Care to tell me how the Hell All Might was captured?”
“The building, Endeavor,” Naomasa snapped. There wasn’t time for the flame hero’s snide remarks, “What are you seeing?”
Endeavor clicked his tongue, and the roar and crackle of his flames grew louder.
“The floors above the basement level were clear,” he said gruffly, “Low life pawns were stationed in the basement guarding the entrance to a series of maintenance tunnels.”
“Any sign of All Might?” Naomasa asked.
There was a roar of flames and a pained shout.
“No. Just one of those noumu creatures,” Endeavor said, “But it was dead already.”
Naomasa’s heart plummeted, cold in his stomach.
“What…” he steadied his voice, “What did it look like?”
“Short legs, three arms. Recent injuries on its neck and thighs,” Endeavor ticked off, “Died fighting by the looks of it.”
Naomasa’s shoulders sagged in relief.
It’s not him. It’s not Toshinori… Unease crept up his throat, But Endeavor doesn’t know…
“Listen to me, Endeavor,” Naomasa swallowed roughly, brows furrowed.
This is for Toshinori’s safety…
“For certain reasons, All Might doesn’t look the same as before-”
“No shit!” Endeavor hissed, “I remember how he looked after Kamino.”
“No not- !” Naomasa pinched the bridge of his nose, “Since then. He looks -”
There was another sudden shout.
“The tunnel ends up ahead,” Endeavor interrupted, “There’s a door and no more thugs guarding it.”
A door smashed open.
Silence crackled faintly in Naomasa’s headset, “Endeavor- ?”
“What… the fuck? ”
“What is it, Endeavor?” Naomasa asked, glancing down at the blueprints - searching across the wireframe building as if he could find Toshinori that way, “What do you see?”
“What the fuck is this Tsukauchi!?” Endeavor roared, flames deafening over the headset.
“Goddamnit Todoroki!” Naomasa snapped, “What do you see!?”
Toshinori was drowning.
Arms clutched around Izuku, he kicked and thrashed his tail in the freezing water. Higher and higher. Water roared past his ears and pressed down on his shoulders.
Below him the water was a heavy void, dark and endlessly deep. Above, the surface rose, further and further away, faster than he could swim.
Bubbles burst from his throat, and he choked.
Izuku seized, going limp in his arms.
Wait! Toshinori frantically shook Izuku, Wake up, my boy! Just a little longer! Nearly there!
Izuku’s eyes stared, half-lidded and empty.
“No! ” Toshinori jerked, eyes fluttering open.
He was back on the table, dry and warm. Dust covered the restraints tied around his body. Cobwebs clung to the corners of the long-abandoned examination room.
They forgot him.
Forgot- Weren’t coming.
“It’s alright now! For I am here!”
“I’m still here!”
His voice reverberated strained and broken in the small space.
“Please!”
“I’m still- !”
His watch lay in pieces on his folded coat.
No…
“I wonder,” the doctor’s voice echoed in his skull, “Who saves the Symbol of Peace?”
Cold water rushed over his toes.
Tos-inori jolted, looking around. He was alone on the beach.
Rubbing his wrists, he looked up.
The sky, clear and dark, was a host to a great swath of twinkling stars stretching from horizon to horizon. The bright full moon shone down and turned the shore silver.
“Did I… forget something?”
The more he chased after the feeling of memories, the less tangible they felt, slipping away like water through his fingers.
Brows furrowed, he took a hesitant step forward and immediately swayed, balance uncertain.
Something’s…
Off…
Lifting his hands, Tos-in-ri stared at his calloused fingers, gaze lingering on their blunt, rounded tips. He curled and uncurled them into fists.
Digging his toes into the sand, he rocked back and forth on his heels.
A cool breeze tousled his hair. Absently, he smoothed it down and scratched at the back of his bare neck.
He paused, brushing his fingertips over the smooth skin and rolled his shoulders.
Something was missing.
“You’ve had it rough, Toshinori.”
He whirled and -
Nothing…
Heart pounding, he stumbled back. Water splashed at his feet and lapped his ankles, warm and inviting.
Warm?
Frowning, he took a step back toward the shore.
The water followed, rising above his ankles.
Unease rose in his chest as another, larger wave rushed past and reached up to his knees. He turned -
The shore was so far away!
“No, wait!” Tos-in-r- called out, stumbling. Water sloshed against his thighs, the only sound across the silent waves.
Distant pain raced up his legs, and his claws dug into the sand-
Claws? Wasn’t that- ?
Different, just different.
A wave crashed against his back and pushed him to his knees. Water soaked up to his hips.
He shuddered, sensation stretching outward as another wave pushed him forward. A long, pale limb swept past, tipped with a tuft of blond.
Tail…
Salt water crashed against his back, spraying up his spine and the back of his head.
His shirt popped and tore.
Pointed ears flicking the water off, he pushed himself to stand and his hands dipped into the rising water.
Claws curled from his hardening fingertips.
“Shore,” T-s-in-r- panted as he waded and slashed through the waist deep water, watching his slowed footsteps, “Need to get to shore.”
The sand suddenly dropped away with rumbling whoosh , leaving deep darkness below.
T-s-in— sank with a muffled yelp.
Water filled his nose and mouth, rushing into his lung, and the broken light of the moon glinted on the surface, growing more and more distant.
He gasped for air, bubbles rising from his mouth.
Then he blinked…
He could breathe.
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
Muffled voices echoed in the water, coming from everywhere at once.
“Let me give you a ride back to U.A.”
T-s–n—’s heart pounded as he whirled, searching for the source of the familiar voice.
Naomasa? Are you -?
A faint light illuminated Naomasa’s entry. Naomasa leaned against the wall, back turned to T-s-in—.
“It’s alright. I can manage.”
His eyes widened, and he reached out a ghostly, clawed hand.
That’s me…
The person in the doorway huffed and opened the front door, hiding a grin from his closest friend.
“Goodnight, Naomasa.”
T-s–n— jerked in the water.
No! Don’t! Stay with N-
“Night.”
His other in the doorway shook his umbrella open and stepped outside.
No! Salt water turned to pelting ran as T-s–n— stumbled forward, No no no! Don’t get in-!
“Thanks for picking me up Hibiki…”
Not again! Please!
All for One chuckled. “No problem at all…”
Shackles clamped around T—-n—’s limbs, and dragged him back through a wall of water, knocking the air from his lung. The rain, the car, the other all disappeared and left T——– surrounded in darkness.
Fog, grey and thick, crept from the murky void.
No…
——— curled on himself, hugging his legs and tail, claws digging against his skin as the fog pressed closer.
H- felt a deep hole in –s chest… Impossibly heavy, hollow, and far too cold.
— breathing slowed as – felt the fog creep closer.
-’m tired…
A gentle hand rested on — shoulder. It was solid, while h- grew translucent.
“Smile, Toshinori.”
H-s eyes widened.
“You’re the strongest right?”
He knew that voice…
“I should’ve been there, you know. To scold you. What were you thinking? Letting him provoke you like that!”
A bright cape fluttered in his line of sight, and T—-n–i trembled.
“Well… Better late than never.” She stepped around him and bent down, pressing at her lips in that all-too-familiar way, “Come on, Toshi. Give me a smile!”
Warm tears ran down his hollowed cheeks, and he let out a choked laugh.
“Mast- ?” He hiccuped, rubbing at his eyes with the heel of his palm.
“Shh…” She brushed away his tears and smiled softly, “It’s going to be alright. He’s safe you know. Your boy.”
Her cape billowed, and the fog rushed away.
“He’s waiting for you.”
The water shook.
“Oh!”
Pulling off her glove, she turned her arm and glanced at her wrist.
“It’s time to get up, kid.”
Metallic black and gold glinted in the glimmering light from above.
Tos-in-ri stared.
That was his…
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Toshin-ri blinked, “I-is this…?”
The water roared past his ears.
“Wake up, Toshinori.”
He broke through the surface.
Toshinori’s ears twitched.
“-leave it behind.”
“So, this was all for nothing?! ”
“-’re already here. Shigaraki-”
“-probably chipped like a pet. It’ll just lure them again.”
Toshinori groaned, skin crawling. Nausea curdled in his gut.
“Just kill-”
“-waking up…”
Chest heaving with wheezing breaths, Toshinori’s eyes fluttered open.
The doctor stood over him, dissatisfied. Spots of light and shadow danced around his head, and cracks appeared in the ceiling.
Not real…
Tick. Tick
Tick.
Tick.
His ears twitched, and he shivered as a shadowy figure hovered in his blind-spot.
“I loathe leaving my work unfinished,” the doctor said, clicking his tongue, “But you were clever, I’ll give you that.”
“Doctor, you’re the last one,” Toshinori heard Kurogiri say, “They are closing in.”
Toshinori’s brows furrowed. The last one…?
Hushed whispers echoed all around.
“One moment. One moment, ” the doctor said irritably, stalking away.
Toshinori heard shuffling and the pops and clicks of a new syringe.
Sh-shit… He pulled at his restraints, claws curling and tearing into the armrest.
“Goodness, your tolerance is high. But perhaps you can be useful,” The doctor turned to Kurogiri, waving the syringe, “What do you think? Strike at their pride? Killing him now would be… wasteful. ”
Kurogiri bristled, “I don’t care. You know Shigaraki’s thoughts on the matter. I had a hard enough time convincing him to abandon this hold to begin with, now let’s go .”
Toshinori flinched, hissing through his teeth as the doctor plunged the syringe needle into his thigh.
“All for One’s stubbornness came in handy this time. Imagine the looks on their faces when they recognize him…”
“Doctor, ” Kurogiri warned.
“Hold on. Hold on. Just one more thing,” the doctor said, unfastening the strap around Toshinori’s right wrist.
Before Toshinori could feel puzzled, raw energy seized him.
Fuck! His back arched, hackles going rigid and claws curling.
“Might even die in the process,” the doctor chuckled as Kurogiri’s mist surrounded him, “Two birds. One stone.”
A harsh noise ripped from Toshinori’s throat, and his heart pounded unevenly in his chest, shooting tremors across his body.
“Adre- ?!” Adrenaline?!
Wheezing, he bucked against the chest straps.
Can’t … breathe!
Hand freed, he clawed at the straps, snapping them. Sitting up, a wave of nausea and dizziness crashed against him.
A shadowy figure crept closer, and Toshinori lashed out with a snarl, claws passing through the image like smoke.
Not real? Not real.
Chest heaving, he fumbled with the strap. Hand trembling and eyes darting around to keep track of the shapes, he gave up on the buckle and clawed through the leather around his wrist.
Moving to the restraints on his tail and legs, he ignored the loud bang behind him.
Not real. Not real.
“Not real…”
Heat scorched his bare back. A distorted voice shook the walls, tiles crumbling.
Toshinori shook his head, briefly covering his ears as the voice roared louder.
Drugs. Just the damn drugs.
Nausea pressed at the back of his throat.
Fight it Toshinori!
Claws sliced through the last strap, and Toshinori pushed himself from the examination table. Pain shot up his left leg, and it collapsed under him.
Keep moving!
A hand closed around his arm.
Yelping, Toshinori swung his arm, claws grazing something solid. The grip slipped away, and he crashed onto his side.
Air whooshed from his lung.
He retched and groaned as acid and blood dripped from his lips.
Sh-shit…
The room spun, swelteringly hot.
Toshinori’s limbs shook as he pushed himself onto all fours. Looking up, he hissed in pain, snapping his eyes shut.
He ducked away from the too bright hand, hackles rigid, and slammed his tail against the floor. Heart pounding, he limped backward.
At the edge of his vision, one of the shadows lunged. Tensing, Toshinori swiped at it. Claws swung through empty air, and he lost his balance. He fell onto his scarred side, knocking the breath out of him.
For a moment, he lay there panting, eyes wide as the walls contorted.
A hard grip closed around his arm again, and the voice growled by his ear.
Too loud… Toshinori grit his teeth, breath coming in short wheezes as he weakly pressed at the hand.
Something caught in his chest, and he coughed, legs buckling under the force of the fit.
“Get up!”
Toshinori’s brows furrowed. He knew that voice…
“Tsukauchi,” the voice continued as the hand yanked Toshinori up, then wrapped around his chest, “You bastard. This is what you meant by different? ”
Tsu-?
Toshinori stumbled, claws dragging along the floor as the too-bright person hauled him from the small room.
The familiar voice clicked their tongue and spat out, “He’s drugged out of his mind. Just have a vehicle ready for him. There’s no one else here, and I’m bringing him out now.”
End… Endeavor?
Naomasa rushed for the front door of the clinic, shooting a glance at the gathered mass of media personnel. A bell clanged as he shoved the door open, and dry heat rushed past Naomasa.
“Tsukauchi!” Endeavor’s enraged voice roared across the small waiting room as he stepped in from a side hall. Nearly dangling from the flame hero’s side, Toshinori limped along as Endeavor hauled him across the room.
Naomasa quickly shrugged off his coat, frowning at the loose cloth wrapped around Toshinori’s bony hips.
“You knew about this,” Endeavor growled, flames crackling.
“Not now, Endeavor,” Naomasa snapped, glaring briefly at him, before gently hooking his arms under Toshinori’s.
Endeavor let Toshinori go, stalking toward the exit, “I’m not done.”
Naomasa glowered at the flame hero’s back as he threw open the door and left, then he shook his head.
“Toshinori,” Naomasa said with soft urgency, gently patting his cheek, “Hey, can you look at me?”
Toshinori’s brows furrowed slightly, ears twitching. He lifted his head weakly, and it wobbled as if it were too heavy for his neck. His eyes were unfocused, pupils blown out.
“N.. Nao?”
“Yeah, Toshinori. It’s me,” Naomasa said, carefully pulling him closer.
Toshinori gripped Naomasa’s shirt, “This… is real?”
Oh Toshi… What happened? Naomasa’s heart squeezed in his chest, “Yes. This is real.”
Toshinori nodded slowly, “… knew you’d come…”
Naomasa froze, hands trembling as he nodded, “Of course . We’d never leave you here.”
Toshinori hummed faintly in reply, legs trembling.
Naomasa draped his coat over Toshinori, quickly cinching it around his waist, “There are press outside. Just stay under my coat, alright?”
Toshinori flinched, shoulders tensing.
“It’s going to be okay,” Naomasa said, pulling Toshinori’s arm over his shoulders, “I’m right here.”
“Midoriya…” Toshinori rasped, jerking as his muscles seized, “Where- ?”
“Safe at the station,” Naomasa looped his arm around Toshinori’s lower back, “We need to get you to the car. Think you can make it?”
Toshinori gripped at the fabric over his chest, claws piercing through the coat, and grimaced, “Y-es.”
Straightening slowly, Toshinori gasped and leaned heavily to the side, “ Shit. Sorry…”
Naomasa looked down to Toshinori’s feet and spotted a bruise - dark purple and dotted with sickly yellow - that spread from his left hock to mid calf.
Damn. Okay.
Naomasa nodded, “It’s alright, I’ll help you the entire way.”
Toshinori grunted and adjusted his stance, pressing against Naomasa. His tail lifted and loosely wrapped around Naomasa’s waist.
Pulling up the coat collar, Toshinori gave his waist a small squeeze.
“Okay,” he wheezed quietly, “Get me out of here.”
“One step at a time, alright?” Naomasa replied, carefully watching Toshinori’s feet as he took a few steps forward.
The grip around Naomasa’s waist tightened as Toshinori limped beside him, tenderly lifting his injured foot after each lurching step.
Naomasa cast a wary look out the lobby window, hand hovering over the doorknob.
“It’s going to be alright, Toshinori,” he said, pulling the door open.
Cameras flashed, reporters gestured to them as they passed, and uniformed officers maintained the line.
Toshinori tensed at Naomasa’s side, ducking his head and pulling the collar higher.
“Detective Tsukauchi!” Shouted one journalist, notepad in hand, “Who is that man?”
“Isn’t that the same person who caused the panic in the Rishi Shopping District?”
“Sir! Are the rumors true that that man is All Might?!”
Toshinori jerked, ears drooping and gritting his teeth, “ Sh-shit… ”
“Just answer the question! Is that All Might?”
“Look over here!” Camera flashes lit up the side of the street.
“Sir! Tell us why you were in that building!”
“Show us your face!”
“Keep walking,” Naomasa said, adjusting the collar and angling Toshinori away as he groaned and swayed on his feet.
A wall of flame flared up and surrounded them, blocking out the reporters, “Back off you lot!”
“The public has a right to know!”
Naomasa’s lips pressed in a firm line, and he pulled at Toshinori, “We’re almost to the car.”
Toshinori nodded slowly, limping up to the back of the police van.
Uniformed officers opened the rear doors, reaching out to Toshinori with barely concealed shock.
Toshinori took one man’s hand, and Naomasa helped lift him into the back of the van.
Naomasa grunted as Toshinori’s tail suddenly tightened its grip.
“I’m right behind you,” he said, stepping up into the back of the van, and he closed the doors behind him. Reaching back around Toshinori, he gently nudged him down onto the bench-like seat set against the side of the van.
Naomasa thumped the roof, “Drive!”
Kneeling as the van rolled forward, he took Toshinori’s hands in his own, “Hey, hey, can you look at me?”
Toshinori wheezed, eyes half-lidded in exhaustion, but he squeezed Naomasa’s hands back, claws just pressing against his skin. Fingers twitching, Toshinori shuddered and closed his eyes, “Sorry… Give me … a moment.”
“Okay, just take your time.”
Toshinori swallowed roughly, teeth bared. His hackles rose, and his tail clenched around Naomasa’s middle.
Hhng! Naomasa stifled a winded grunt, letting go with one hand and patting his tail, “T-Toshinori?”
A full body shudder wracked Toshinori, and his tail fell limp to the floor.
“Tosh-!” Naomasa jolted, reaching out to catch Toshinori as he slumped forward, unconscious.
Naomasa pushed Toshinori back to lean against the seat, cupping one of his hollow cheeks, and brushed his bangs from his face. He pressed the back of his hand to Toshinori’s forehead.
Fever…
“Sir?”
Naomasa tensed. He hadn’t realized one of the officers stayed in the van.
The officer - he had bright red hair and horns that twisted back around his head - held out a large water bottle and a cloth. He said nothing, did not pry. He only gestured again for Naomasa to take the items.
“Thank you,” Naomasa said, accepting the water, and quickly soaked the cloth. He dabbed Toshinori’s forehead and wiped the blood from his chin.
Wheezing deep and slow, Toshinori trembled. A sheen of sweat coated his skin and soaked into his hair.
Naomasa gently gripped his fingers, brows furrowing at the pinky claw. It appeared to be roughly clipped to the quick. A small scab already covered the spot.
Shit… His breath caught in his chest, and he bowed his head, I almost lost you again. I can’t-
Toshinori’s grip twitched in Naomasa’s own.
He took a deep breath.
He’s here… Naomasa sighed, running his thumb over the back of Toshinori’s hand, I swear, I won’t let this happen again. I’ll find them. I promise.
Shortly after being carried into the police department, Izuku was taken to a small, quiet room and laid on a cot. A young officer - he introduced himself as Officer Noboru - brought him a change of dry clothes and a medical kit.
Feeling slowly returned in Izuku’s arms and leg as Noboru treated his cuts and bruises.
“Let’s get you changed,” Noboru said and helped push Izuku into a sitting position against the wall.
Grimacing, Izuku’s muscles twitched as he pulled at the hem of his damp shirt. He clicked his teeth when the hem slipped from his fumbling grip.
Move!
“Don’t force it,” Noboru said, easily pulling Izuku’s wet clothes off and helping slip on the pair of dry sweatpants, “You can’t expect to recover instantly.”
Izuku pursed his lips and nodded stiffly, “Is Detective Tsukauchi here?”
“Not currently,” Noboru said.
Izuku’s numb fingers twitched, and he bit his lip.
“What about Officer Tamakawa,” Izuku weakly shifted, trying to help lift his arms as Noboru slipped a dry, gray shirt emblazoned in dark blue letters MPD down over his head, “He was with us. Is he- ?”
“He’s wounded, but alright,” Noboru said quietly, tugging the shirt down around Izuku’s hips, “Nothing life-threatening, so please don’t worry.”
Izuku bowed his head as another wave of guilt crashed against him.
Couldn’t reach…
“Hey, it’s going to be alright,” Noboru said, rubbing Izuku’s shoulder, “How’re your arms? Feeling any better?”
Izuku hummed and nodded, shakily lifting his left arm a few inches before it fell back in his lap.
Noboru smiled, throwing a towel across Izuku’s neck and began drying his hair, “Good progress. You’re handling getting hit with a paralysis quirk better than a lot of rookie officers. You U.A. kids are sure tough.”
The door opened, and another officer poked her head inside.
“Hey, Noboru,” she said softly.
Officer Noboru turned, pulling the towel off Izuku’s head, “Ishii, what do you need?”
“We need to clear out the other room.” Ishii pushed the door further, stepping inside. Sleeping in her arms was a young boy. Dirt and grime dusted his white wings and the feathers on his head.
Kneeling in front of Izuku, she smiled.
“I’m Officer Chiyoe Ishii. Do you mind if we move little Hatoko in here?” she asked Izuku, keeping her voice low, “He just needs somewhere to sleep for now.”
“S-sure?” Izuku said with an uneven shrug.
“Thanks.” Ishii stood, gently cradling the unconscious kid, and carried him to the spare cot.
“Here we are,” she mumbled, setting the boy down, “Let go. It’s alright. There we go.”
Hatoko made a small distressed noise, eyes screwed shut. He quieted when Ishii brushed the feathers on his head back, smoothing them down.
Izuku stared, curiosity a welcome distraction.
Why is he here? He’s so thin…
Straightening up, Ishii popped her back and sighed.
“Thanks again,” she said quietly to Noboru and Izuku. She bumped Noboru’s shoulder, “Kohana will be here in an hour or so to take care of him. He was asking for her. I need to get back. Patrol in fifteen.”
Noboru nodded, lifting his hand briefly as Ishii left. Then he turned to Izuku, “Are you alright to rest here a while? Comfortable?”
Izuku swallowed, brows furrowed in thought, but he nodded, “Yeah.”
“My desk is just outside,” Noboru said, gesturing to the door, “Give me a shout if you need anything. Of course once you can, you are free to move around, but it would be best if you stayed in here unless you need the bathroom. And that,” he motioned over his shoulder, “Is just down the hall to the left.”
“Thanks,” Izuku said quietly, “You’ll… you’ll tell me when they find him?”
Noboru wrapped a plain blue blanket around Izuku’s shoulders, stood, and smiled, “Of course.”
Izuku sighed in relief, “Thank you.”
When the door shut, Izuku bowed his head, a stubborn frown on his face. Sweat beading on his forehead, he lifted his arms, curling and uncurling his left fist first. Then he slowly pried open his right fist.
What- ?
Something small and pale rolled from his palm and fell into his lap.
Izuku stared down at the object, fumbling to scoop it back into his palm. It was not quite as long or as thick as his pinkie finger. Thicker at the bottom, it tapered off to a dull point. Except for the red-dotted base, it was cream colored, like a … bone.
Nausea seized Izuku’s stomach, tears welling in his eyes. Clutching the small spike in his fist, he pressed it to his chest and covered his mouth.
My fault! His shoulders shook with quiet, gasping sobs, I said we should go to the beach. I made him stop. Commanded him. Commanded him.
Tears rolled down his cheeks and onto his lap. Sliding against the wall, Izuku lay on his side on the cot. He hiccuped, weakly pulling his legs up, and pressed the fist holding All Might’s spike to his forehead.
Come back.
Bring him back.
Please.
Canvas 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Catalyst 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Control 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
Collapse 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
Contained 1 / 2 (WIP)
Find the whole series on Archive with fanart at the end of each chapter HERE!
Check out Aoi’s and my sideblog @toshinoumu for more series content!
“You understand why I asked you to not to join me for this interview?” Naomasa asked, passing the subpoena request form to Wright.
Wright nodded, “I doubt Sato would want to see me again anytime soon. However, I do appreciate you bringing Alba with you.”
Tyto swivelled her head around, feathers puffing up pleasantly at the sound of her name.
There was a knock at the door, and Sansa poked his head in.
“Sato is here with his attorney. I left them in the break room,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you,” Naomasa stood. He glanced at Sansa’s casual clothes, “Going to U.A. then?”
A soft purr rolled in Sansa’s throat as he nodded, “Just heading out.”
“Have fun, Tamakawaii,” Tyto whistled, batting her eyelashes at the flustered officer.
Naomasa tried not to laugh as Sansa stuttered a ‘thank you’ and ducked out. Standing, Naomasa gestured for Tyto to follow, “Let’s get started.”
Sato sat up straight when Naomasa entered the break room with a smile.
“Feeling any better today?” Naomasa asked.
“Ah yes, my mother,” Sato rubbed the back of his neck bashfully, “She’s quite the mother hen. I’m getting lots of rest whether I want to or not.”
“Good to hear,” Naomasa said as he sat beside Sato and nodded to Jun Suna, “Thank you for coming in.”
The attorney grinned, “Thanks for waiting for me.”
Naomasa chuckled softly. Deserved that.
Turning, he gestured for Tyto to sit as well, “This is Alba Tyto. She has a passive memory quirk. She is part of our team.”
“Oh,” Sato looked uncertain for a moment, glancing at his attorney. She nodded her approval.
“Okay,” he said finally, visibly relaxing.
“And do we have permission to record this?” Naomasa asked, resting his recorder on the table.
Isamu nodded, “Yes, that’s fine.”
“Thank you.” The recorder clicked when Naomasa pressed the button, “First, are you familiar with Ayumi Shiire?”
Sato’s eyes widened, “Yes. She i- was my coworker… She, um, she was involved with Sensei. Working for him, I mean. While I was forced to do what Sensei wanted, she gave me the medical supplies to care for All M- er - Yagi. I don’t know what she wrote up for the reason of their use. She might have tampered with them.”
Naomasa nodded, a surge of satisfaction rushing through him. The hospital supply records were as good as theirs.
“Thank you. I’ll need your help with the time frame, but I’d like to focus on something you said when you were here last,” Naomasa continued, “You mentioned a person called the ‘Good Doctor.’ They were not involved in Yagi’s abduction and unlawful imprisonment, correct?”
“That’s correct,” Sato said, shifting uneasily.
“According to your previous statement, that was strange because they were integral in the creation of noumu,” Naomasa continued.
Suna leaned forward, speaking quietly to Sato. She then asked, “How is that relevant to the Yagi abduction case?”
“It is relevant to the joint investigation connected to the Yagi case,” Naomasa replied.
Suna hummed, taking off her thin glasses and polishing them with a small cloth.
“He needs blanket immunity for any testimony given for the Yagi and joint case,” Suna stated, her expression hard.
Naomasa nodded, “Yagi has no intention to press charges. We understand that Sato was under threat and appreciate the risk he faces giving this testimony. Immunity is granted.”
Suna nodded respectfully and pat Sato’s shoulder, “Thank you.”
Sato sighed in relief, then answered Naomasa’s question, “The Good Doctor checked on the noumu to make sure they were developing right, I guess. They left instructions if something was wrong with any of them. They also removed part of their skulls - no one else did that.”
Naomasa nodded. His gut twisted, but he schooled his expression, “Is that what you meant by ‘finish’ with regards to Yagi’s treatment?”
Sato stiffened and swallowed, “No.”
He paused, reaching back and running his fingers down the back of his neck.
“Sensei was the one who completed the noumu…” he finally continued, dropping his hands into his lap and staring at them, “Noumu are worn down until their will is weakened. Um, that actually happened fairly quickly since the Good Doctor ordered they get pumped full of morphine and hallucinogens. When Sensei thought they were ready, he would isolate them and command them until they gave up fighting and chose to obey. After that, they just obeyed without thought. Some of the others who monitored the noumu called it imprinting .”
That could have been Toshinori… That could have-
Naomasa shoved the thought from his mind, Stop it. He isn’t under anyone’s control but his own.
“And you say that All for One - ‘Sensei’ - didn’t do that with Yagi?” Naomasa asked.
Sato shook his head, “It… It was probably a very close thing, but he escaped. We escaped. Sensei didn’t get him to obey. As long as he didn’t obey a direct command while still mentally vulnerable, he wouldn’t have imprinted on anyone.”
Gray, overcast clouds moved in with the wind. Waves crashed against the pier, and a salty spray drifted in the crisp wind. Wood creaked underfoot as Toshinori stepped back. A low rumble reverberated in his chest as he glared at the figures on the shore.
“Noumu.”
An ache twinged behind Toshinori eyes, and his gaze darted toward the creature behind Shigaraki.
It was a hulking thing, covered in patches of dark, wiry hair. Sharp, yellowed teeth curved from a wolf-like snout. Its broad shoulders were hunched, unbalanced. A mass of scar tissue etched jagged grooves across its left side and chest where it was missing its fourth arm. Striped, porcupine-like spines curved up from its forearms. It shifted, lifeless eyes swivelling to look down at Shigaraki when he spoke.
“Bring me the other noumu,” Shigaraki commanded, scratching his neck, “Kurogiri, you know what to do.”
Kurogiri shifted his right arm forward and bowed, “Of course.” With a whorl of dark mist, he disappeared.
Toshinori’s ears twitched back, the sound of the villain’s warp gate opening behind them.
“Izuku, stay close to me,” Toshinori ground out, hackles bristling and tail slashing as Izuku moved to his side.
Surrounded .
The Noumu lumbered forward, its motions jerking and unnatural.
“All Might,” Izuku said quietly, “Its legs are too short. It isn’t built for speed. But the sp- WATCH O-!”
The noumu swung its arm wide, spines flaring.
“ Wai-! ” Toshinori cursed as Izuku darted in front of him, One for All coursing across his skin.
He reached out-
Too slow!
Spines whistled overhead, some burying into the wood of the pier-
“Ah!” A sharp pain shot through Toshinori’s leg. A black and white striped spine jutted out from the middle of his foot. Numbness quickly spread from the spot, and Toshinori bent and tore the spine from his skin.
Hissing between his teeth, Izuku collapsed against the side rail, left arm and leg sagging. Several spines fell from his slackened grip, while four remained lodged in his limp limbs and side.
“My boy!” Alarm clenched Toshinori’s gut, and the fog stirred at the back of his mind. He quickly pulled the spines out and tossed them into the water.
Shit shit shit -
“Sorry. Too many… I couldn’t catch them all,” Izuku laughed weakly, “Aizawa-sensei’s going to be mad again… I- can’t feel my arm.”
“Apologize when you see him later,” Toshinori quipped, gaze snapping up to the lumbering noumu approaching.
Toshinori’s foot wobbled and collapsed numbly under him. His hock slammed against the pier, but he felt no pain.
Paralysis quirk.
Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Kurogiri keeping his distance but cutting off their retreat. A low noise rumbled in his chest, and Toshinori swallowed his rage.
“Think you can swim like that?” he asked briskly, squeezing Izuku’s shoulder.
“Wha- maybe! What-!”
Sorry, my boy.
Toshinori grabbed Izuku’s shirt, shoving him off the pier.
Izuku fell with a yelp and a splash.
Toshinori ducked, pushing himself under the railing, and -
“ Hrk -! ” A pained noise choked in his throat as a vice grip closed around the middle of his tail and violently yanked him back.
Toshinori saw white as his head snapped forward, the back of it striking the rail with a loud clang! His tongue throbbed, and he tasted iron.
A snarl gurgled and ripped from his throat.
He whirled, claws flashing, and struck.
Blood sprayed from the lines sliced across the noumu’s snout.
Enraged, the noumu roared. It tugged Toshinori’s tail back, its other two hands closing around Toshinori’s throat.
Baring his teeth, Toshinori pulled and clawed at the noumu’s unyielding wrists. Pressure built up under his eyes, and his lung burned. Twisting, he kicked up, right foot clawing at the thick hair on its stomach, his left numbly thumping against its chest.
A choked noise caught in his throat. Curling his good leg in, he launched his foot up and struck the bottom of the noumu’s chin.
The grip around his throat loosened.
Tucking his chin down, Toshinori extended his right arm above his head, pressed, and rolled, breaking its grip. He shot up, blinking the spots from his eyes, and sucked in ragged breaths.
“-ight!”
Toshinori whirled, striking out at the surrounding mist. Sinking to his haunches, he shook his head and leapt . Soaring over the noumu’s head, Toshinori bent forward and latched onto the railing. Glancing back -
Shit!
Another wave of spines sliced through the air, and Toshinori ducked low, diving into the water.
Bubbles rushed from his lips as the icy chill plowed through his core.
His focus wavered.
Dropping like a stone, his pads grazed the sandy floor.
Izuku! Where-!
His legs numbed.
His arms stiffened.
A different fog threatened to take him.
Gritting his teeth, he kicked - tail swishing - and surged forward - up and up!
Toshinori broke the surface, gasping for air - eyes stinging and teeth chattering.
“Kurogiri! Noumu! Don’t let him escape!” Shigaraki’s enraged voice cut across the waves.
Shaking his head, Toshinori frantically spun, searching-
There! A flash of green bobbed nearby, and he heard a cough.
Tail lashing and good leg kicking - the webbing between his toes caught and pushed at the water as Toshinori swam to Izuku.
“It’s okay, my boy,” he said. He wrapped an arm around Izuku’s waist and held his head above the waves, “It’s alright. I’m here. Hold on.”
Izuku coughed and nodded, throwing his good arm over Toshinori’s shoulder. He slipped, tightly gripping the mane on the back of Toshinori’s neck.
Toshinori burned numbly with cold and effort as he struggled to swim away from the pier, his overcoat and Izuku’s limp limbs dragging in the water. He looked back in time to see the noumu on the pier swing his third arm, sending out a volley of spines.
No time for breath, Toshinori dove under the waves, dragging Izuku with him. Salt water stung and numbed his face as he kicked lower.
Something pricked the back of his thigh.
Fuck! Toshinori grit his teeth as his left leg twitched and went slack.
Sand brushed against his toes, and he kicked off with his right.
Shore, Toshinori changed direction, Need to get to shore.
Izuku’s grip tightened on the back of his neck, and the boy’s body jerked. Bubbles burst from Izuku’s lips, and something snapped from Toshinori’s neck.
Air! Toshinori surged upward. His head broke the surface first, and he pulled Izuku from the water.
Izuku gasped and choked, coughing out salt water over Toshinori’s shoulder.
Pushing against the sand, Toshinori dragged himself and Izuku onto the beach.
“Are you alright, Izuku?” he asked.
Anger and worry clenched in his gut. Two spines stuck out from Izuku’s right wrist and shoulder, and his hand was frozen in a paralyzed fist. A clump of wet, blond hair stuck out between his fingers.
“My boy?” Toshinori’s voice strained and cracked as he pulled the spines from Izuku’s skin.
Izuku coughed again, blinking water from his eyes, and shivered, “ ‘m ok-kay.”
Relief rushed through Toshinori - then cold.
“Sh-sh-shit…” His limbs shivered violently, and his teeth clattered. He limped further from the water, dragging Izuku and his lame leg along the sand. The grains felt like glass against his palms, and his fingers were…
Blue? Oh no. Damn it.
Footsteps crunched in the sand.
“Noumu. Come here.”
Toshinori coughed, red dotting ground beneath him, and his hackles bristled. He turned.
Shigaraki stood a stone’s throw away, irritably scratching at his neck.
Slowly, Toshinori moved to stand over Izuku, tail slashing the air behind him.
No more.
The fog coiled around his every thought, pulling at his consciousness. Pulling him to crouch over Izuku. Shield him. His boy. His-
Shigaraki’s hands froze and dropped to his sides. He canted his head, and his fingers twitched.
“ Ahh… No fair,” his voice was oddly quiet, “It’s already imprinted.”
Toshinori’s sight dimmed, and he bared his teeth. His heart thundered in his chest, and the skin along his spine tingled.
“ You. ” Shigaraki snarled, arms shaking and fingers curling. His gaze locked onto Izuku, who struggled to move beneath Toshinori, “Why…? Every time! ”
“All Might,” Izuku’s voice shook.
The fog surged . right voice
right voice
right voice
right voice
right voice
“You’re always in MY WAY! ” Shigaraki whirled, eyes blazing, “Noumu! Kill the brat!”
Rage swirled into the fog.
Something in T-shi-ori snapped.
Izuku couldn’t move.
Only watch.
Shigaraki’s noumu lumbered forward, thick fists slamming against the sand. Its eyes stared, fixed on Izuku.
Its long spines were gone - used up in the last volley.
Think think think think!
It’s out of long range attacks. We need to move now. Izuku’s arms twitched numbly, and his good leg flailed against the sand. Even with One for All, the sand was too loose to kick off from. Useless.
Something dripped onto the ground beside his shoulder.
Wh- ?
A low noise rumbled above him, and Izuku looked up at All Might’s face.
Izuku’s eyes widened.
No no no no not now…
Acid dripped steadily from All Might’s chin, and his teeth were bared in a feral snarl. He swayed, head low and shoulders hunched. His claws curled in the sand.
He’s lapsing. A chill ran through Izuku, No… this -!
His shoulder ached .
All Might’s tail whipped and cracked against the ground, tuft covered in sand and -
Izuku stared as the tuft swung over his head. The hair bristled, but it looked wrong. Too hard, too sharp.
All Might’s paralyzed leg dragged over Izuku’s stomach as he limped forward.
“All -!”
The noumu roared, barreling toward All Might.
All Might snarled and spun, tail lashing out. The line of hair down his back and tail suddenly stood rigid. His tail slammed against the noumu’s legs, the rigid hair of his tuft slicing through the creature’s inner thigh.
Bellowing, the noumu crumpled to the ground.
“NO! ” Izuku heard Shigaraki shout.
All Might sunk his claws into the noumu’s shoulder as it clutched at the sand, dragging itself toward Izuku - ignoring All Might.
All Might’s jaw unhinged and clamped down on the back of the noumu’s thick neck. His gut heaved-
The noumu screamed.
Horror shot nausea through Izuku as he watched tendrils of smoke leak between All Might’s teeth. Puffs of it escaped as All Might panted, limbs shaking.
Sirens echoed faintly in the air, growing steadily louder, and Izuku’s head snapped up. His eyes shot to Shigaraki whose shoulders tensed.
Shigaraki stepped forward and stared at All Might curiously, “Protective of its m-. Kurogiri. Get rid of the boy, he’s a distraction.”
The mist around Kurogiri swirled and stretch across the sand.
All Might’s ears perked, and he released the noumu’s neck, jaw popping back into place. He lurched unsteadily forward, wheezing.
Shigaraki smiled .
Izuku’s gut clenched, gaze snapping between All Might, the noumu, Shigaraki, Kurogiri-
“All Might! Wait!” He shouted. It’s a tr- !
All Might froze. Sightless eyes meeting Izuku’s gaze. His head tilted.
“Noumu,” Shigaraki laughed, high and manic.
The noumu on the ground rolled, swung out his arm, and struck All Might.
“All Might!” Izuku cried out, kicking his leg and digging his foot into the shifting sand - deeper, deeper, to the more compact earth. One for All uselessly flashed across his skin.
All Might fell to the ground, his side covered in shorter, darker spines - meant for close combat, Izuku realized. All Might twitched and lay still, chest heaving with labored breaths.
The noumu crawled, dragging his heavily bleeding leg, and pressed down on All Might’s back, pinning him.
Shigaraki strode forward. Grinning, he crouched beside All Might and reached out-
“Don’t touch him!” Izuku roared. One for All concentrated in his leg, and he kicked.
He launched into the air and fell only a few feet away from All Might.
Pain shot up his leg.
Hurt - not broken.
Dark mist curled around Izuku-
“Don’t, Kurogiri! You saw how it reacted. Don’t touch him,” Shigaraki ordered, grinning down at Izuku. He met Izuku’s gaze, and gestured to All Might, “Not very good at commanding your noumu, are you?”
Commanding my…?
Cold horror seized Izuku, and he gaped - mouth wordlessly opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Shigaraki laughed, rocking up to stand. He glanced up to the parking lot where flashing lights grew closer.
“Kurogiri, we’re leaving,” he said, “We have what we came for.”
Kurogiri’s mist swirled, enveloping Shigaraki and the noumu.
“No! S-stop!” Izuku cried out, One for All writhing under his skin, willing his numb hands to reach out and take All Might’s outstretched arm, “All Might! Please! Take my hand!”
All Might’s gaze snapped down, and his arms twitched, the short, black spines littering his arm barely shifting.
A spasm wracked All Might, and his sightless gaze slid, exhausted, to meet Izuku’s.
The dark mist engulfed All Might and disappeared.
“All… Might?” Izuku whispered, eyes wide.
The hush of wind and lapping of water was his only answer.
Vaguely, Izuku realized there were shouts and footsteps rushing closer.
“Kid! Are you okay?” A hand gently squeezed Izuku’s shoulder, “Can you tell me what happened here?”
Izuku gasped, releasing the sob caught in his throat. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he stared at the place All Might was only moments before.
My fault.
Izuku shook his head, “They took him…”
My fault.
His paralyzed fist barely shook, something small and hard pressed against his palm.
My fault. My fault. My fault.
“I couldn’t reach.”
Find the Good Doctor, huh…
Naomasa fidgeted with his shirt cuff, watching as Wright turned and paused by each imprisoned noumu. Naomasa stayed by the door. He didn’t need to see … He’d seen enough of them to last a lifetime.
“Has anyone figured out why they are unresponsive?” Wright asked, curiously waving his hand in front of one of the closer noumu.
Naomasa shrugged, masking the discomfort in his voice, “Like I said, we’re pretty much in the dark. We know they obey commands from specific people. When the USJ noumu was distanced from Shigaraki, it stayed put, allowing us to capture it. However, to assume anything else about their movements - or lack thereof - would be pure conjecture.”
“And when you saw Yagi,” Wright glanced to Naomasa before moving to the next noumu, “He wasn’t acting strangely? Sato mentioned some kind of episodes… Imprinting?”
Nausea stirred in Naomasa’s stomach.
Toshinori isn’t like these. He’s okay.
Naomasa shook his head, “This isn’t really a conversation I’d care to have outside of the station.”
Wright caught his significant look and eyed the cameras overhead, “Noted.”
Toshinori is fine , Naomasa thought, swallowing the unease in his throat. Yes, he was tired. He’s lapsed… But that’s different. He is managing and in good spirits. He is fine. He’s getting fresh air at the beach. Nothing’s wrong-
Wright groaned, “You’re giving me a headache. Stop whatever you’re thinking.”
“W-what?” Naomasa blinked, taken aback.
“Your aura is flashing. Ugh,” Wright pressed a hand over his eyes, “Let me know when you’re done lying to yourself.”
Naomasa furrowed his brows and sighed, “My apologies.”
Wright shrugged, rubbing at his eyes, “You want your friend to be okay. People lie to themselves when they want to believe something they know isn’t true. That’s why I can’t stand hospitals. More lies in hospitals than your station. Gives me migraines.”
Naomasa huffed, “You’re an ass.”
“Ha!” Wright relaxed, “Some honesty.”
The door buzzed loudly and slid open. The guard stood to the side, gesturing into the hall.
“Time’s up, gentlemen. Follow me, please.”
“Thank you,” Wright said politely as he strode into the hall, “Looking forward to getting some fresh air after all this.”
Naomasa’s lips twitched, and he leaned toward Wright, whispering, “I wouldn’t thank her just yet.”
Frowning, Wright looked down and quirked an eyebrow.
Naomasa shook his head, Sorry. We won’t be getting that fresh air anytime soon.
He massaged his fingers, grimacing.
Paperwork…
Consciousness returned slowly.
Sluggishly.
Heat radiated down upon his bare skin, driving out the cold in his bones.
There was a noise - noises. A low drone, footsteps, small clacks and dings of objects bumping together.
Words…
“Look, Kurogiri. I admit Shigaraki’s little side quest bore admirable results, but remember the real reason why I am here. I don’t care if you have to rip samples out of Overhaul’s bare hands … Ha! You might be the only one capable of pulling that off. I need to analyze that drug in its original state. None of this off-brand nonsense they’ve distributed to the masses.”
To-hin-ri groaned and wrinkled his nose.
“Oh?” The unfamiliar voice had an odd lilt to it, “He stirs. I’ll call you back.”
A bright light suddenly flashed in Toshi-ori’s face, and he grimaced, shifting.
Wh- ? Where -?
Tosh-nori was laying on his back on some kind of cushioned table.
Please!
Take my hand!
Toshinori jerked in place. His claws twitched, legs kicked, and tail curled. Hard straps held down his limbs and ran across his chest.
“ Hh-! ” His tongue felt heavy and swollen.
A wheezing gurgle caught in his throat, and he coughed.
“Sh-” he panted after the fit passed, “Shit…”
“Oh, well now there’s a surprise.”
Eyelids fluttering, Toshinori squinted against the bright light hanging above his head. Memories flashed just out of reach. Wind and salt and light glinting off the water. Izuku -
Izuku!
Fog crashed against his consciousness, utter wrongness and confusion tugged his thoughts in every direction.
Where is he?
right voice Where is he?
Where is he?
Where is he? right voice
Izuku- Where is he? need the right voice!
Toshinori panted, and his head lolled to the side, vision fading.
“N-” No. Come on. Think… think… think
Someone snapped their fingers by Toshinori’s left ear, then his right. His ears twitched in response.
“Auditory responses good,” a masculine voice said.
The light suddenly moved.
Exhausted, Toshinori blinked away the blinding pain in his eyes.
Thumbs pulled at the bottom of his eyelids, and a smaller light waved back and forth in front his face. Flinching, Toshinori squeezed his eyes shut and pulled away from the touch.
“Pupils are oversensitive, but that’s to be expected,” the man continued. “Let’s get you up.”
Vertigo sent Toshinori’s head spinning as the surface he lay on bent and tilted with a mechanical whir. Sitting up, his head fell forward, and chin bumped against his chest.
“Careful now.” A hand pushed his head up and back.
“Who… ‘re you?” Toshinori managed despite the sharp, burning pain under his tongue, half-lidded eyes struggling to focus on the man beside him.
“Remarkable … A full coherent sentence,” the man leaned forward. He was bald and wore thick glasses and a white coat. A medical mask covered the majority of his face, though it was somewhat sheer. A bushy mustache scratched at the inside of the mask.
He smelled like a hospital.
“Kurogiri mentioned you were still cognitively intact,” the man said, tapping Toshinori’s forehead with his index finger, “but this is very impressive.”
Frustration coiled in Toshinori’s gut. A low growl rolled from his chest, and he arched his back. Restraints pressed down on his limbs, and he kicked at those holding his hocks.
“It would be best to give up on that,” the man said, moving toward Toshinori’s feet and tightening the straps there, “You’re still recovering. It would be a shame to put my good work to waste.”
Exhaustion weighed down on Toshinori’s limbs, and his struggling slowed to a stop.
Something’s wrong… His lung burned and breath shook, Don’t… feel right…
The man pat Toshinori’s bare knee, and Toshinori realized he was nearly nude. A cloth was wrapped loosely around his hips. His gaze shifted unsteadily to his bare arms, and his ears drooped.
No no no…
His watch was gone.
“To answer your question,” the man said, “I’m your doctor for the time being. At least until I can pick that brain of yours. Shigaraki is quite adamant I ‘reprogram’ you.”
Fury raced through Toshinori’s veins as his gaze snapped up and focused on the doctor. Teeth bared, his hackles bristled and -
“Ah!” The doctor’s brows rose, “Here we are.”
He pulled on thick gloves and grabbed the tip of Toshinori’s tail. With one hand he held the tip still, and brushed over the tuft.
Toshinori pulled at his tail, but the straps and the doctor’s grip held.
Sweat collected on Toshinori’s forehead as his heart drummed in his chest.
“What -” he coughed, “What did you give me?”
The doctor glanced up, “Oh, I haven’t given you anything yet. You were nearly hypothermic when Shigaraki dropped you in my lap. That and the paralytic toxins are still working their way out of your system. Quite potent stuff. I made certain of it.”
He turned back to the tuft, “Well, not my best work, I’ll admit. On the bright side, its death proved very educational. This… This is very interesting.”
Toshinori followed the doctor’s gaze and frowned in confusion. The hair at the end of his tail was covered in dried blood, and the hairs stood stiff.
“Forgive me if I ramble,” the doctor said, glancing up at Toshinori, “Usually, my creations are too far gone to appreciate my work. I really would like your thoughts. They might prove useful.”
Screw you . Toshinori wordlessly pulled at his restraints, twisting. His spikes bumped against something. He glanced back just enough to see the hole running down the center of the chair.
A sharp pain pricked the tip of Toshinori’s tail.
“Hey!” He yanked on his tail to no avail, scowling at the doctor.
Held between two of his gloved fingers was a blond strand of hair. As Toshinori watched, the stiff hair grew slack.
“Hmm,” the doctor slipped the hair into a small vial and stuck it in his pocket. Then he pulled out an empty syringe, “I need to take some of your blood, All Might - ah - Perhaps you’d prefer ‘Yagi’ since you retired.”
“Not ‘noumu’?” Toshinori quipped with a forced grin, tail twitching in agitation as the doctor ran his hand up its underside.
“He speaks!” The doctor exclaimed in mock surprise. Rubbing a small area with an alcohol square, he shook his head, “No, noumu would be inaccurate for now. You are something quite remarkable. Complete, incomplete, and extremely valuable to my interests. Hold still for a moment.”
He moved the syringe toward Toshinori’s tail.
Toshinori flinched, yanking his tail to one side.
“Tch, ” The doctor clicked his tongue, pulling the tail back and pressing down on it, “Come now. Grin and bear it - that’s what you’re good at.”
Hackles bristling, Toshinori jerked his tail away and kicked and pulled at the straps tying his limbs down.
“Honestly, you’re worse than half the children I see,” the doctor huffed, feeling up Toshinori’s thrashing tail.
Toshinori froze, “Childre-!? F-Fuck! ”
The doctor dug his knuckles harder against a spot near the base of Toshinori’s tail. Sharp pain zinged up and down Toshinori’s spine. He almost didn’t feel the prick of the syringe.
“There we go,” the doctor said, straightening and holding up the blood filled syringe. He gestured carelessly to the spot on Toshinori’s tail, “If you held still I wouldn’t have had to do that. Scent glands are incredibly sensitive on people with tail quirks.” At Toshinori’s pained, confused look, his brows rose, “Oh, you weren’t aware you had them. Well, now you know.”
The doctor turned away and strode across the room.
Grimacing at the bruising pain pulsing down his tail, Toshinori quickly glanced around the room.
Gray walls. No windows. No clock. Metallic tables. Tiled floor. He couldn’t see a door - he assumed it was behind him.
Adrenaline raced through his veins and his hackles stood on end as Toshinori warily watched the doctor’s return.
The doctor lifted the tip of Toshinori’s tail again, hand brushing over the stiff tuft of hair.
“I’ve gone over all the quirks All for One gave you, and I know for a fact Ridged Mane was useless on its own. Practically decorative,” he turned the tuft, examining it, “This is quite the mutation.”
He bent some of the hairs, humming as they sprung back when he let go, “Still malleable, but noticeably stiffer. Obviously not its fully weaponized form. Appears to be an automatic defensive response. What I wouldn’t give to see how you sliced through my noumu.”
The doctor suddenly looked up, “I heard about the fight. Are you aware you killed it? Cut right through its femoral artery,” he made a quick gesture across his inner thigh. “Though if it hadn’t bled out, your Devour quirk would have finished it off. The acid left on its neck eventually ate through to its spinal cord. Of course, it was already dead by the time that happened, thanks to this lovely mutation. Ridged Mane - Ha! Perhaps Rigid Mane would be more accurate now.”
The doctor turned the tuft in his grip thoughtfully, then dropped it. Circling the chair, he walked behind Toshinori.
Toshinori felt the doctor tap his spikes, running a finger across them.
“This must be the cause of the mutation. Cyclical bone spikes… I’m looking forward to studying this one further. I wonder…” The doctor paused, giving Toshinori a once over, “Have you noticed any other changes? Have your claws hardened or sharpened since growing the spikes?”
Toshinori grit his teeth and squirmed, pressing his lips into a firm line.
The doctor huffed, “I could kick All for One for not letting me see you. Ah - but you didn’t hear that from me. If I had before and after samples, I could easily figure out the cause of each mutation. It’s rare to see, you know,” the doctor continued, “Quirks mixing in a in body not their own. Mutating and taking on new traits. New body, new rules. ” He strolled back around, “Nothing to say? Come now, this is exciting! I only have so much time to speak with you before emptying that brain of yours.”
Bastard , Toshinori glowered at the doctor.
The doctor clicked his tongue, shaking his head. Rolling a desk chair over, he sat and leaned back, folding his hands in his lap.
“I’m curious how you were able to maintain yourself even after imprinting on that boy,” he said, “You’ve made me question my methods and assumptions…”
Imprint? Toshinori furrowed his brow, What -?
“Oh… now that’s an unexpected reaction,” The doctor leaned forward, “You didn’t know .”
Suspicion dropped like a cold stone in Toshinori’s gut.
“Haven’t you felt lost, disoriented? As if you were missing something or someone? I imagine you can’t spend all your time with that boy…” The doctor hummed, “Tell me, have you been sleep walking at all?”
Toshinori’s eyes widened, and he shuddered as the fog brushed against his consciousness.
“Aha! Right on the nose. Your case isn’t a normal one, but I imagine some of the symptoms are similar. We purposely separated noumu from their appointed masters, and they did much the same.” He shrugged, nonchalantly waving his hand, “Wandering off, searching, general agitation, and whatnot. Naturally I put a stop to that kind of behavior. A noumu isn’t very useful it if wanders off every time you leave it be.”
“Yes,” the doctor nodded, standing with a grunt, “That simplifies things. You aren’t so different from the rest after all. Lost without the commanding voice.”
Disgust coiled in Toshinori gut, and his claws bit into the chair arms.
He bowed his head, speaking softly, “Where did you take him? Where is he?”
“Hmm?” The doctor pulled at his gloves, snapping them against his wrist, “Who?”
Toshinori’s head shot up, fury boiling over, “ Where? Where is he!”
Izuku! My b-!
Blood gurgled up Toshinori’s throat, and he coughed, pulling at his restraints. His chest heaved as blood and acid dripped from his lips.
The doctor paused, double checking the straps, “I wonder. I haven’t the faintest idea of the boy’s whereabouts.”
Toshinori wheezed, breaths coming out in ragged gasps. He scowled.
Half-hidden by his mask, Toshinori was still able to spot the grin pulling at the man’s cheeks, “However, Shigaraki was right to call off the kill order,” the doctor chuckled, eyeing Toshinori’s claws, “ All Might , indeed. Even half frozen with a lame leg, you proved to be quite the guardian. Kurogiri would be a dead man if he so much as touched that boy. And then where would we be?”
Relief rushed through Toshinori, and the fog calmed, finally fully retreating to the back of his mind.
Izuku’s alive… Toshinori shuddered, sagging against the chair, He’s alright.
“Yes, your successor’s alive,” the doctor said, walking around the chair, “Not that you’ll care much longer.”
Toshinori’s ears twitched at the sound of a syringe cap pop .
“As much as I’d like to continue our little chat, I do have other matters to attend to,” he appeared at Toshinori’s side, tapping a filled syringe, “I must thank you, however. Your condition has piqued my interest. If possible, I would like to try creating a few others like you.”
Toshinori stared aghast, righteous fury burning through him.
“You won’t get the chance,” he growled, his old bravado burning in his eyes.
The doctor shrugged, “Frankly, with you out of the way, I have all the time in the world.”
Toshinori grit his teeth, twisting his wrist to claw at his restraints. Too far! No!
Swatting at Toshinori’s hand, the doctor clicked his teeth, “Hush, you’re making this more difficult.”
Toshinori glared at the man, but a small, dark shape past the man’s shoulder tugged at his attention.
He frowned, trying to make it out.
The needle pricked his arm.
“There we go! That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Toshinori’s vision swam.
Shit… No…
The doctor rambled, interrupting his thoughts, “Just a little morphine mixed with an extra sedative to start you off. Not exactly standard procedure, but no need to worry, I’m not going to overload your system just yet. Sleep. It looks like you need it.”
What is…
His eyelids drooped. Blinking rapidly, he fought the drug, and the shape came into focus.
His clothes.
His…
Toshinori jerked, heart rate spiking.
Sitting neatly on top of his coat was his watch.
Toshinori’s eyes rolled back, head lolling forward.
His shoulders sagged.
“Rest. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
“G-goto … Hell,” Toshinori slurred.
The doctor chuckled, “In time, I’m sure I will.”
Sooner than you… think…
Exiting Tartarus, Naomasa chuckled as Wright grumbled, massaging his cramping hands.
“An hour’s worth of extra forms,” Wright huffed, shooting Naomasa a dirty look as the external guards returned their phones to them, “You couldn’t have mentioned that before?”
“Would you have decided against coming if I told you?” Naomasa asked, passing through the last security check. He sighed as a fresh breeze brushed against his skin.
Wright grunted, “Not on your life. But a little warning would have been nice.”
“Oh?” Naomasa brows rose, feigning innocence, “Just like how you warned me about your first interview?”
Wright frowned, watching Naomasa out of the corner of his eye, “Touché.”
The walk to Naomasa’s car was short. He fished his keys from his pocket, unlocking the door for Wright.
“Just a moment,” Naomasa said, showing Wright his cell phone, “Need to check for any messages.”
Wright nodded absently, taking out his own phone and turning it on.
Naomasa stepped away, his phone’s screen lighting as it powered up.
He smiled up at the late afternoon sky.
I wonder how T-
PING-PING-PING-PING!!
“Shit! Damn!” Naomasa nearly dropped his vibrating phone.
Message alerts dominated the screen, darting up faster than he could read them.
He saw enough.
All Might-
Shigaraki-
Taken-
Naomasa stumbled, lightheaded and nauseous, staring at his phone in horror, “No.”
It couldn’t be real.
Toshinori couldn’t-
“ FUCK! ” Naomasa whirled, pointing at Wright, “Get in the car!”
Wright jolted, complying with haste.
Naomasa ducked into the car, jamming the keys in the ignition.
Pulling at his seatbelt, Wright gave him a wary look, “Something happ-?”
Naomasa held up a hand, silencing him and pressing his phone to his ear, “Nedzu! What-”
“I know. Heroes are already dispatched,” the principal interjected without missing a beat.
Naomasa hit the gas, heading for the bridge, “And the tracker? Is it still active?”
“I’m sending you the GPS location now,” Nedzu said quickly, “The signal is weak but stable. He’s underground.”
“Thank you,” Naomasa said.
“Bring him back,” Nedzu said.
“I will,” Naomasa replied, hanging up.
Quickly forwarding the GPS location, he dialed again.
“Chief! I need a raid team organized and sent to the forwarded location. All Might’s been taken by the League.”
“Already ahead of you Tsukauchi,” Chief Tsuragamae said, “I will send the coordinates to your team. Ah, this is -! EHO is in that area today.”
Naomasa’s brows rose, “Are you- ? Yes, that’s good. We could definitely use the firepower. Call him in. I’ll meet him there.”
He tossed his phone into his lap.
I’m coming, Toshinori. Just hold on.
Canvas 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Catalyst 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Control 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
Collapse 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
Contained 1 / 2 (WIP)
Find the whole series on Archive with fanart at the end of each chapter HERE!
Check out Aoi’s and my sideblog @toshinoumu for more series content!
Links to artwork by @juustozzi and @theimaginarylord at the bottom :)
Izuku froze, still gripping All Might’s shoulders as the light bled from his blue eyes. His ears drooped, and he stilled. Sightless, he stared past Izuku.
“A-All Might?” Izuku’s voice quavered.
All Might flinched, eyes shutting, and he raised a hand to his head. A harsh shudder wracked his body, running down his spine and shaking his legs sprawled on the floor. He slumped heavily to the side and dug his claws into his scalp.
Brows furrowing, Izuku carefully leaned All Might against the counter and moved his trembling hands away, pinching his lower lip in thought.
“M...Midoriya?” Ashido called softly from behind him, “Is All Might okay?”
Izuku jolted and turned.
Those who had been studying in the living room - nearly half the class - had moved to the edge of the kitchen. Their worried gazes fixed on All Might.
Izuku blinked and cleared his throat, “I think he’s, um, lapsing.” He turned back to All Might, quickly examining his hunched position.
He can’t stay here on the floor…
Biting his lip, Izuku reached out and gently pulled All Might’s hands from his head, relieved when he found his claw caps were still intact.
At least he didn’t hurt himself.
All Might opened his eyes, confusion etched in his expression. He went to put his hand on his forehead, but Izuku firmly held his wrists. A small groan rose from him, and his tail swung and hit the floor with a loud crack!
Iida edged into Izuku’s peripheral vision, “Midoriya...” A note of warning crept into his voice, and he gestured toward himself, “Maybe you should back away from All Might-sensei.”
Izuku’s shoulder tingled, but he gently shook his head, resisting the urge to rub at the fresh scar.
This … isn’t like last night. He thought, growing more certain.
“All Might?” He bent and leaned into his teacher’s line of sight, smiling a little when his gaze didn’t move away, “Can you stand?”
All Might’s furrowed brows relaxed, and the tension bled from his shoulders. For a moment, he remained still. Then slowly, he began to shift, pulling his feet under himself.
“That’s it,” Izuku’s smile grew. He gripped All Might’s arms as he stood, steadying him as he shakily rose to his feet, “There we go…”
Glancing back, Izuku spotted Bakugou at the front of the crowd, a conflicted expression pinching his features. His hands smoked, and small sparks crackled from his palms.
Izuku caught Bakugou’s gaze, and the blonde stiffened, gritting his teeth.
“Quit crowding the damn kitchen!” he growled, whirling on his classmates and earning a few shell-shocked looks. Sparks pop-popped in the air as he stalked to the dining area, “Hair-for-Brains, help me move the tables so All Might can get to the couch, and someone fucking call Aizawa-sensei already!”
“A-ah! Yes!” Iida suddenly straightened, “Kouda, Tokoyami, and Kaminari, please help clear a path for All Might-sensei. Uraraka, Aizawa-sensei’s number is on the fridge. Please call and inform him about the current situation.”
Hushed movement suddenly filled the shared space, and Uraraka darted to the fridge, dialing the number stuck to it. Dining tables and chairs were pushed out of the way, while all bags, books, and pillows were picked up off the floor.
Izuku turned his attention back to All Might.
Unfocused eyes roamed across the room, and All Might’s ears twitched at each voice and scrape of furniture. Izuku jolted slightly, looking down when he felt All Might’s tail curl snuggly around his waist.
Hope surged in his chest, and Izuku looked up, “All Might?”
His smile fell. Blank blue eyes struggled to focus on his face before sliding away again. Sighing, Izuku stepped closer and pulled one of his teacher’s arms over his shoulders, “I’m going to help you to the couch, okay? Just… stay close to me. I won’t let you fall.”
Izuku wrapped his arm around All Might’s back, grunting in surprise when his teacher’s tail tightened its grip, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Pressing gently at All Might’s back, he took a step forward. A small grin split his face when All Might took an unsteady step, then another, following Izuku’s slow pace.
Izuku carefully watched All Might’s feet as they edged around the kitchen counter, murmuring words of encouragement with each shaking step.
The tail around Izuku’s waist suddenly clenched, and All Might bent. A wet cough wracked his entire frame, and he clutched his side.
Alarm shot through Izuku, and his gaze darted back to the fridge, “Uraraka! Throw me an ice pack!”
Uraraka jolted and pressed the phone to her shoulder. She dug into the freezer, pulling out the pack, and, with a touch, made it float toward Izuku.
He sighed in relief, nabbing it out of the air.
“No no no!” Uraraka hastily exclaimed into the phone, “It’s for All Might-sensei! No, no one is hurt. Ah- yes, All Might is coughing again...”
“Here,” Izuku said quietly. Worry seized his stomach when he heard the wet wheezing of All Might’s breathing, “You need to move your hand.”
All Might’s hand dropped limply to his side, claws gripping at air.
Izuku gently pressed the pack to All Might’s scar, apologizing under his breath when All Might flinched away from the cold. Slowly, he relaxed and leaned into the numbing pack. His tail slipped slightly down Izuku’s waist.
Izuku searched All Might’s face, frowning at the dribble of blood on his chin.
“Can you hold the ice pack?” he asked, pulling his hand away when All Might’s covered his own. Izuku adjusted the retired hero’s grip, squeezing his hand lightly, “Thank you.”
All Might’s expression was pained, but his eyes remained unfocused and wandered aimlessly.
A small towel hung on the edge of the counter, and Izuku stepped towar-
“Urk!”
The tail around his waist tightened, All Might’s frame going stiff.
“Okay, okay. I’m not going anywhere,” Izuku said, pressing close to All Might’s side again. Bunching up his sweater sleeve, he brushed the dribble of blood from his chin.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Izuku looked up, “Yaoyorozu, um, could you make some tea? He’ll probably like some after… after all this.”
His classmate nodded, shooting All Might a concerned glance, then dashed into the kitchen.
“Are you okay to move again?” Izuku asked, leaning down to look at All Might’s face.
All Might didn’t answer, his eyes squeezed shut.
Izuku bit his lip, glancing up at the couch and back, “It’s not far. Come on.”
All Might abruptly jerked forward, his steps uneven. Izuku tightened his grip around his back and kept up with his stuttering pace. Claws dragged and clicked audibly against the floor as All Might walked.
Izuku helped him up to the couch, and they slowed to a stop. All Might’s breaths rattled wetly, his body shaking with effort.
“Here we are,” Izuku said, giving the tail around his waist a small squeeze. His attempt at an encouraging smile faded when he saw All Might’s eyes were still unfocused, still too far in his own head. Izuku pat the hand dangling from his shoulder, “We’re at the couch. Sit down and rest awhi-ah!”
All Might’s legs buckled under him, dragging Izuku along with his tail. Izuku grunted, grip slipping with All Might’s shirt.
“What the hell, Deku!” Bakugou’s voice cut across the room along with the pop! pop! of his palms. The blonde’s eyes were fixed on All Might’s side.
Izuku followed his gaze and tensed.
His attempt to hold All Might up had snagged his shirt, pulling it up. The mosaic of scar tissue and skin was just visible beneath the ice pack still pressed to it.
Izuku leaned down, lowering All Might and himself to the floor. Gently, he fixed All Might’s shirt, eyes scanning the faces of his classmates in the livingroom.
They had all seen.
“Here,” Ashido rushed forward with a blanket, “He’s shaking…”
“Ashido, please,” Iida suddenly cut in, helping carry a tray of teacups from the kitchen, followed by Yaoyorozu, “All Might did request we give him plenty of space when he gets like this.” He sent Izuku a glance, though his expression was difficult to read, “We need to respect his wishes and wait for Aizawa-sensei.”
Ashido bowed her head slightly, lower lip sticking out as she hastily tucked the blanket around All Might’s shoulders. In a soft voice, she said, “Hurry back, All Might.”
Sighing, Iida began to pass around tea, “Until Aizawa-sensei arrives, we should all try to remain calm and quiet so we don’t disturb All Might-sensei.”
Bakugou clicked his teeth and stalked to the front window, settling heavily against the windowsill. Kouda sat on the floor beside Tokoyami, glancing up at All Might before turning his attention to his rabbit. Uraraka, finally off the phone with Aizawa, took a cup of tea from Yaoyorozu with quiet thanks and sat cross-legged beside Ashido on the opposite couch. Kirishima and Kaminari shared a look before claiming a corner of the coffee table.
When the tea was passed out, including a cup for All Might set nearby, a hush fell over the living room - broken only by All Might’s troubled breathing.
All Might shifted, and Izuku tensed, a flicker of hope stirring in his chest. Then it faded with a disappointed sigh. All Might only pulled his legs closer to himself. His clouded eyes fixed on the floor.
“Do you think…” Kaminari suddenly spoke up, his quiet voice almost too loud in the silence. He swallowed, lips pressed in a thin line as he stared down at his tea, “Do you think this happened when All Might was - you know - when he was still …”
There?
Chained.
Alone...
Kaminari’s words were met with stunned silence.
“I mean, this happened last night too, right?” Kaminari continued, fidgeting with his cup, “And he… he was gone for almost a month with just that nurse to help him.”
“Shut. Up.” Bakugou growled from the window.
“He can’t buff up anymore…” Kaminari shook his head, “And even though he escaped-”
“Kaminari-” Kirishima warned softly.
“Seven quirks…” Kaminari continued, shoulders tensing, “That crazy Noumu at USJ only had - what? - four?”
“Shut! UP!” Bakugou whirled from the window, teeth bared and hands smoking, “He’s right there!”
“Bakugou,” Iida scolded, voice firm and low and gesturing stiffly, “Please, keep your voice down.”
“Fuck,” Bakugou seethed, whirling back to the window and rubbing at his eyes in frustration.
“Mm… L’nguage.”
Izuku jolted along with his classmates. They all heard, but All Might remained bent. He almost looked to be falling asleep.
Kouda’s rabbit suddenly jumped from its boy’s lap and crossed the living room. It sniffed at All Might’s legs, nose twitching, then climbed up onto them.
Kouda leaned forward, his voice quiet, “He’s okay?”
The rabbit lifted its head to look at Kouda, and promptly flopped onto its side.
Kouda’s broad shoulders relaxed, and he sighed in relief. Contagious, his relief spread over the rest in the room.
Moments later, the front door swung open, and Aizawa stepped inside. He looked at each of his students in turn before turning toward Iida.
“Explain.”
Just… take your time. I’m right here…
Toshinori’s eyelids fluttered as the fog mercifully receded. Pain flared dully in his lower back, and he shifted uncomfortably. Something cold slipped from his grip, and he opened his eyes.
A white rabbit stared back up at him from his lap, whiskers twitching up curiously.
“Well, hello there little one,” he croaked, voice hoarse, and gently pet the small creature before it hopped from his lap.
Another throb of pain ran up his spine, and Toshinori grunted, sitting up straight and rolling his neck.
“All Might-sensei!”
“He’s back!”
“How are you feeling?”
“Do you want your tea?”
Toshinori blinked rapidly, and his ears perked up at the bombardment of relieved, overjoyed voices.
A hand rested on his arm.
“How are you feeling, All Might?”
Toshinori glanced to his right.
Izuku sat on the floor beside him, wrapped in Toshinori’s tail. Concern filled his soft green eyes as they searched Toshinori’s own.
Relief flooded him.
Nothing… nothing happened.
“Better now,” Toshinori managed a small smile, glancing at his surroundings and pulling a blanket off his shoulders, “Wasn’t I in the kit-Oof!”
Arms wrapped around him, and Toshinori froze.
“We’re so glad you’re okay!” Uraraka exclaimed.
Ashido nodded enthusiastically, tears brimming in her eyes.
Brows raised, Toshinori hesitantly returned the embrace, patting the girls’ backs.
“It’s alright,” he said softly, “I’m sorry I worried you.”
“Are you really okay?”
Toshinori looked up.
Young Kaminari didn’t meet his gaze. Biting his lip, the boy’s expression was subdued and uncertain.
Sighing, Toshinori unraveled his tail from around Izuku and - giving them both a pat on the head - released Ashido and Uraraka from his embrace. He stood with a grunt, rubbing his lower back, walked around the coffee table, and settled back on his haunches beside Kaminari and Kirishima.
“You want to know if I’m really okay?” he asked softly, folding his hands on the table top.
Kaminari nodded wordlessly.
Toshinori tapped his claws on the table, then turned them upward, examining them. He hummed thoughtfully.
He smiled.
“Not really,” he said, chuckling when Kaminari jolted and gaped at him, “But I’m getting there. All of this, just takes time getting used to.”
“But you shouldn’t have to.”
Toshinori’s tail thumped humorously as he looked up at young Bakugou.
“Yes,” he agreed, “but it doesn’t change what happened. You will find in your career as heroes - No, you have already seen and experienced the fact that terrible things happen to good people like yourselves. You cannot change what happened, but you can work to prevent it from happening again.”
He reached back and traced his claws around his spikes, “Strive to always move forward.”
A somber silence filled the room.
“BAHAHAHA!” Toshinori barked a loud laugh which devolved into a small coughing fit, earning him startled looks, “Such serious faces! What I mean to say is, I am steadily recovering and will be just fine. Really!”
Toshinori grinned wide, relief filling him when his students relaxed.
“Alright, you heard him.”
Turning, Toshinori spotted Aizawa at the dining room table.
Aizawa folded his hands in front of his face as he looked to each of the students, “All Might is fine. I suggest you all return to your rooms for the night. I expect to see you all bright and early for homeroom tomorrow.”
Iida suddenly shot up from his chair, gesturing stiffly, “Yes, Aizawa-sensei. Everyone please take care of your cups and promptly turn in for the night.”
Toshinori pushed himself up to stand, patting Kaminari on his back and giving the others an encouraging smile, and padded up to Aizawa.
“They called you?” Toshinori asked, digging his knuckles against the sore spots on his back.
“They did,” Aizawa replied, pushing a mug of tea toward Toshinori, “Although, they were still fretting over you when I arrived. So much for giving you space.”
Toshinori chuckled, taking a seat beside his peer and sipping at the warm tea, “I should have expected as much.”
Aizawa glanced past Toshinori, “Yes, Midoriya?”
Toshinori looked over his shoulder and spotted Izuku fidgeting with his tea cup.
“I-,” Izuku shook his head and smiled, giving each of them a short bow, “Goodnight, All Might. Aizawa-sensei.”
Aizawa grunted in reply, and Toshinori nodded and watched as the boy quickly washed the cup and headed toward the stairs.
Izuku looked back once more, meeting Toshinori’s eyes - an unspoken request to talk.
Looks like I’ll have an early start tomorrow. Toshinori smiled and stretched his arms across his chest, I could use another run.
The room quieted as the last of the students filed into the elevator.
“So,” Aizawa leaned forward, “what do you think was the trigger for this episode?”
Pain twinged in Toshinori’s side, and he rubbed at his scar, “My side flared up again, but I don’t believe that’s the main cause. There has to be something I’m missing. Pain doesn’t… consistently trigger episodes,” He shook his head, “I wish I knew. My memory gets hazy when it happens, so I can’t rely on that much - if at all.”
Aizawa pursed his lips in thought, “And Recovery Girl or your nurse couldn’t determine the cause?”
Toshinori frowned, “No.”
He reached into his pocket, checking his phone briefly.
No messages.
Isamu… I wonder how he’s doing.
Turning his attention back to Aizawa, he asked, “I’ve barely seen you this weekend. What have I missed?”
Aizawa shrugged, digging into his utility belt, “Increased patrols around school grounds. We’re having more trouble with paparazzi than villains these days.”
From his belt pocket, he produced two white feathers, “Although I did find a child’s nest nearby.”
“Nest?” Toshinori asked, taking a feather between his claws.
“A child with a heteromorphic flying quirk,” Aizawa explained, sliding his phone toward Toshinori, “Homeless and young, but capable.”
Toshinori looked down at the phone. A white and blue blur stretched across the screen in the vague shape of a winged child.
“Most likely has a friend,” Aizawa continued, “Their nest was full of things I doubt they could get otherwise. I left contact information for a shelter specializing in heteromorph children.”
Toshinori nodded his approval. If the child had wings and made his home on rooftops, he would need a place to go where other children like him felt safe, especially with the temperatures dropping.
“Any word on the League of Villains?” he asked, tail flicking curiously.
Aizawa gave him an exasperated look, but shrugged, “No word. They’ve shown very little movement, even during your absence. We’re still looking for their new hideout.”
Toshinori nodded, drinking the last of his tea. Scratching the back of his head, he huffed, “I suppose that’s to be expected. After Kamino, I can’t imagine Shigaraki would make any rash moves in the open. He’s learning, even faster now that All for One remains distant.”
Aizawa hummed and nodded, “Someone is clearly watching the school. That photo of you on the news. That’s no coincidence. However, as for Shigaraki’s next move....”
“He will want to gather allies,” Toshinori finished, stretching out his legs under the table and enjoying the cool of the floor on his pads, “Hm, that and resources. Attacking the school again would be tantamount to starting an all out war. Something he is ill prepared for.”
Aizawa grunted in agreement, collecting his and Toshinori’s mugs. He took the dishes to the sink, quickly rinsing them before setting them on the drying rack.
“Either way,” he said gruffly, “Nothing you should worry yourself with now, All Might. You should rest.”
Toshinori huffed and sent the younger teacher a wry look, “So everyone tells me.”
Aizawa crossed his arms and turned, leaning on the kitchen counter, “Now if only you’d listen.”
Toshinori barked a laugh, “You’ve got me there!”
Aizawa hid a rare smile and gestured to the elevator.
Raising his hands in surrender and tail swaying playfully, Toshinori stood, “Alright, alright. Good night.”
He almost missed Aizawa’s mumbled response. He shook his head and laughed.
The morning came quickly, and Toshinori was pleasantly surprised to wake up in lying in his own bed. Arching his back and tail, he stretched with a soft groan.
Ah, he winced, rubbing at the small lump under his ribs.
Swallowing down the burning in his chest, he chewed one of Recovery Girl’s antacids and brought a bottle of water with him to the kitchen.
The sun had not yet risen, and the shared kitchen was deserted. Toshinori glanced at his watch. The students would not be up for at least a half hour.
Just enough time, he grinned.
By the time the first student wandered downstairs, large stacks of pancakes sat on the counter.
“Good Morning, Young Ojiro!” Toshinori grinned, tail swaying happily and bumping against the counter. “I took the liberty of making breakfast for everyone. Please, sit.”
Ojiro nodded sleepily, pulling his chair out with his tail and sitting down.
Toshinori’s ears perked, “How did you do that?”
“Hm?” Ojiro rubbed his eyes, “Do what?”
Toshinori stared down at his own tail, brows furrowed as he tried to will it closer to the nearest chair. He grunted when it curled loosely around the leg of the chair and nearly toppled it in his attempt to pull it out.
Shaking his head, he gestured to where Ojiro sat, “Your tail… I can’t seem to get mine to listen just yet.”
Ojiro’s eyes widened in understanding, and a grin split his face, “You’re thinking too much.”
Toshinori blinked.
Ojiro snorted, grabbing a few pancakes with his fork and placing them on a plate, “It’s just another limb.”
The young boy stared at the fork in his hand and looked up at Toshinori, “Like this,” he dropped the fork, wiggling his fingers, “I don’t even have to think about making the motions. I just… do it.”
Toshinori chuckled as his tail curled and uncurled by his feet, “I suppose I’m lacking in the dexterity department.”
Ojiro reddened, “Ah! That comes with lots of practice! I didn’t mean-”
“It’s alright,” Toshinori smiled softly, “Like you said, I just need to practice.”
Ducking his head, Ojiro muttered a soft apology, but paused. He met Toshinori’s gaze, a cautiously determined look in his eye, “Y’know... I wouldn’t be the hero Tailman if I couldn’t teach you how to use yours. Maybe I could help you figure things out?”
Toshinori’s smile widened, “I just might take you up on that, Ojiro, my boy. As long as I don’t take you away from your studies, of course. But that can wait until after you all have eaten. Good morning kids.”
Ojiro looked back, and students filed out of the elevator, rubbing their eyes and sniffing at the air.
“Pancakes!” Uraraka cried out with delight, “Ah- good morning, All Might-sensei!”
“Good morning to you too, Uraraka,” Toshinori grinned, tail wagging energetically. He padded back into the kitchen and gestured to the stacks of pancakes, “There are a few options. Plain, blueberry, banana, and walnut. I made the walnut last in case of allergies, no worries. Syrup and fruit are just here. Serve yourselves and eat up!”
Choruses of ‘thank you’s echoed across the kitchen, followed by the dings and scrapes of plates and silverware as his students helped themselves. Once they had their first servings, Toshinori grabbed his own plate and settled down beside Hagakure and Sero.
“How have your classes been?”
Before long, the sun rose above the lower buildings of U.A. and the lazy breakfast made way for the hustle to get ready for classes. Toshinori watched with amusement as his kids darted around from the comfort of the living room couch.
His tail thumped against a throw pillow happily as Jirou and Hagakure waved and walked out the front door.
“Hmm…” Toshinori turned his attention from his students and his lesson plans to his tail.
It wraps around people just fine. Maybe…
Curiously, he flicked the tufted tip then clumsily slid it beneath the pillow. Curling his tail, he wrapped the end around the pillow and lifted it, “Huh, what do you know?”
“Um, All Might?”
Toshinori dropped the pillow and looked up, “Midoriya, my boy. What can I do for you?”
Izuku glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying him much attention, sat in the chair catercorner to Toshinori.
“How are you feeling?” the boy asked quietly.
Toshinori chuckled, “I’m doing very well, my boy. A good night’s sleep will do that.”
“That’s good,” Izuku nodded, fidgeting.
Quirking a lopsided smile, Toshinori swatted the boy’s knee, “What’s on your mind?”
Izuku jumped at the sudden contact, but relaxed, “It’s just a thought really…”
“Go on,” Toshinori encouraged.
Izuku frowned pensively, “Would you want to go back to the beach?”
Toshinori’s brows rose as Izuku continued.
“I mean, it’s great that you’ve been able to go outside the dorms and to the faculty gym, but you haven’t had a chance to go anywhere else,” he rubbed the back of his head, “It’s just, until you are able to start teaching again, there isn’t a whole lot for you to do and you just seem happier when you have more to do and I thought maybe a change in scenery could help since you’ve only been around here since-”
“Midoriya, you’re rambling,” Toshinori chuckled.
“Sorry,” Izuku replied bashfully.
Toshinori shrugged, looking down at his clawed feet, “I can’t see how I can go anywhere before announcing my condition.”
“But that’s just it!” Izuku exclaimed before blushing and lowering his voice again, “Wouldn’t it be easier for you to travel before people know? Again, it’s just a thought. I just...” he sighed, “I don’t want you to think you can’t go anywhere… because of your lapses. Then last night, you said we should always strive to move forward. I thought maybe going to the beach - someplace familiar - together would be a good start?”
Ah, Toshinori rubbed at his watch, his smile softening, I see.
“I’ll ask Principal Nedzu if something can be arranged,” he said.
Izuku sat up, a wide grin on his face, and Toshinori chuckled.
“Now go get ready for class or you’ll be late,” he said, nudging the boy.
Toshinori grinned wide, tail thumping the couch cushions as Izuku dashed out the dorm doors.
“Still playing favorites, I see.”
Toshinori jolted, hackles poofing, and coughed.
“Ah! Good morning, Aizawa,” he said, wiping a bit of blood from his lips.
“Planning on taking a trip?” Aizawa deadpanned.
Straight to the point, Toshinori thought with a wry chuckle.
“Young Midoriya is concerned I’ll coop myself up,” he said honestly, reaching back and tapping his loose spike, “I understand where he’s coming from.”
“Well,” Aizawa leaned against the arm of the couch and shrugged, “Whatever helps as long as precautions are made. I suggest speaking with Nedzu before noon in case he’s in a talkative mood.”
“I will keep that in mind,” Toshinori smiled lopsidedly and glanced at the lesson plans on the coffee table, “Aside from classes, what are your plans for the day? Sadly, I haven’t gotten a chance to fully review the notes you gathered for me.”
Aizawa hummed indifferently and gestured to the door, “After homeroom, I plan to meet with Detective Tsukauchi at the station regarding the winged child and some of my recent captures. Anything you need passed along?”
Toshinori’s ears twitched thoughtfully, Other than the blood tests…
He shook his head, “No, nothing pressing at the moment.”
Nodding, Aizawa yawned, “I’ll bring you a copy of my notes after classes, but the students are beginning the Fire Rescue Protocols section today.”
Toshinori nodded his thanks and grinned cheekily, flexing his arm, “Give ‘em hell.”
Aizawa gave him a flat look, though Toshinori could almost see the spark of humor in his tired eyes, “I intend to. You’ve spoiled them enough this morning to make up for it.”
“Remind me to apologize to them if they make it back!” Toshinori barked a laugh, then gestured to the kitchen, “There’re still some pancakes leftover if you’re hungry, Aizawa.”
Glancing over, Aizawa shrugged, “Might as well.”
Toshinori couldn’t help his wide grin or the loud thumping of his tail as Aizawa made himself a plate.
“Thank you for alerting us to the runaway,” Naomasa said, walking with Aizawa to the filing office, “I’ll give his description and picture to the officers who patrol that area. They know to handle kids like this one gently.”
“They flew the moment they saw me. Whatever their history, they seem cautious of adults,” Aizawa warned, adjusting the pile of paperwork in his arms.
Naomasa nodded, carrying the other half of Eraserhead’s reported captures, “My officers will give the kid time to approach them on their own. Officer Kohana is especially good with runaways.”
Aizawa hummed in response then took the rest of his files from Naomasa, “I can take these from here. Looks like someone needs you.” He gestured down the hall before ducking into the filing office.
Naomasa raised an eyebrow in question and turned. Sansa - the bell hanging from his shirt collar softly jingling - approached from down the hall.
“Wright’s team is gathered as you requested,” he said with a short salute.
Naomasa sighed, a heavy sense of unwanted obligation setting firmly in his gut.
Wright’s actions need to be addressed with his whole team, he reminded himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. He followed Sansa to the conference room.
Wright’s team sat around the table. Vera Lang sat, absently tapping her red and white cane against the floor. Beside Lang, Alba Tyto nervously preened the primary feathers sprouting from her wrist. Jean-Baptiste Bellamy sat on the loveseat in the corner, eyes closed and lips moving silently. The dark wood beads of a rosary swung from his gentle grasp and a broadleaf plant grew greener and larger beside him.
Another plant sat between Genji Tsuda and Mary Shin, small blue flowers sprouted from the ivy. Their backs were turned away from Naomasa, but he could see the tension in Tsuda’s shoulders.
“Detective Tsukauchi,” Wright called from the head of the table, standing as Naomasa walked farther into the room, “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Naomasa replied, tone professional, “Please sit. I assume you understand why I requested the presence of your team?”
“Yes,” Wright said as he remained standing. Though his expression was impassive, his chin tilted upward ever so slightly.
Pride, Naomasa realized with a mental sigh.
He was not the only one to catch the shift in the Englishman’s attitude. Bellamy pocketed his rosary, shooting a look at Wright, and approached Naomasa.
“Coffee?” he asked, gesturing to the steaming carafe, “I find it calms most to sit and drink with each other before discussing difficult topics.” As he spoke, he poured two mugs of coffee, passing one to Naomasa and the other to Wright.
An olive branch…
Naomasa gave Bellamy a significant look and nodded his thanks, allowing his own feelings of understanding and gratitude to flow freely.
Bellamy smiled, winking, and mouthed, “You’re welcome.”
Taking a sip from his mug, Naomasa sat at the table. He gestured to Wright’s seat again.
Wright tapped his mug, gaze raking Naomasa’s face, before he took his seat.
“Please, Detective Tsukauchi,” Lang said with a smile in his direction. Her sightless eyes stared past him, but some part of Naomasa felt her gaze was piercing.
“The reason I asked for your presence today was to address the interview conducted yesterday,” Naomasa began. He looked directly at Wright, “Wright, you ignored protocol and in doing so put the Yagi-Rishi case at risk. The use of an active agent quirk on an interviewee was beyond inappropriate.”
“Sato consented. Is that not enough?” Wright asked, “My methods may be seen as… extreme in this country, but they get results. You cannot argue against their effectiveness.”
“On the contrary,” Naomasa said tightly, “I can. What you covered in your questioning was a narrow scope and shallow. If Sato did not want to continue aiding as a witness after your treatment of him, I would not blame him. He still has so much to give to help this investigation. You put that at risk. It is just fortunate Sato is as generous and forgiving as he is and is still willing to work with us.”
“Us?” Shin asked, pleasant surprise coloring her tone.
“This remains a joint investigation,” Naomasa said, folding his hands together on the table, “That said, I remain the head investigator. There are lines that must be drawn. Active agent quirks like Tsuda’s will not be used on witnesses. I will, however, allow the use of passive quirks - ones that do not directly affect the witnesses - like Tyto’s memory quirk and Bellamy’s empath quirk. Tsuda may be present at interviews as he is still a valued member of your team and joint investigation. Wright, despite your disregard for protocol, you too will still be allowed to interview witnesses and suspects on the condition that I review your questions beforehand and you conduct your interviews under my direct supervision. Understood?”
Wright took a long, slow drink from his coffee.
“It is more than fair,” Lang said, “Will.”
Wright sighed, brushing back his dark blond hair, “I feel I must apologize.”
Naomasa’s brows rose briefly in surprise.
“This is a bit of a pattern, I’m afraid,” Wright continued, a mildly regretful look on his face, “My… passion for our investigation tends to overwhelm my common courtesy. I do regret my hasty actions.”
True or not, bullshit, Naomasa thought, forgetting to rein in his skepticism and catching Bellamy’s sigh.
“I expect strictly professional behavior,” Naomasa said. He took a drink from his coffee, “You can begin, perhaps, by sharing what about your case is connected to the Yagi-Rishi case.”
Wright bristled.
“While I appreciate the secretive nature of your case,” Naomasa said slowly, “It does not take priority over my own. If you want my officers and I to help, we need to know what we are looking for. You wouldn’t be interested in this case if there wasn’t something. If you continue to work with my team, I suggest you share.”
Perhaps it was a bit much. Naomasa did not have the the direct authority to cast Wright and his team out, but Chief Tsuragamae would not stand for anything that could compromise the Yagi-Rishi case.
They were unbelievably fortunate it hadn’t yet been leaked that All Might was abducted and missing for nearly a month… but it was only a matter of time. Naomasa doubted the Chief wanted to deal with the shitshow if it got out the case was jeopardized by a group of foreigners.
“Wright,” Bellamy spoke up, “This is ultimately your call, but I believe sharing would be wise. All of us feel the same.”
“All, hm?” Wright frowned, tapping his index finger on the table.
“Yes, all,” Lang said, her cane audibly smacking Wright’s ankle beneath the table, “Get your head out of your ass and work with the nice detective.”
Naomasa leaned forward, capturing Wright’s gaze, “Perhaps I can make this easier. From your line of questioning, anyone could gather that you are focused on All for One, but…” he paused when Wright’s frown deepened, “But what is your goal? What do you intend to accomplish specifically? What action of All for One are you investigating? And since this is a joint case, how may I help?”
Wright sighed, “Before going into our investigation, I must ask. What, if anything, do you know about All for One’s part in the Yagi-Rishi case?”
Naomasa frowned, but answered, “I believe I’ve already mentioned this, but All for One is a villain and an old enemy of All Might. They have a history, and because of their history, All for One was the one to abduct him. You know from your interview that All for One gave All Might quirks with the intent of turning him into a noumu - one of his living weapons like the ones captured at Kamino.”
“All for One is not just a simple villain,” Wright said, his voice growing serious, “And the Battle of Kamino was not his debut by a long shot.”
“Yes,” Naomasa nodded. He knew that too well, “All for One has been an active threat since the early days of quirks.”
Wright blinked, though his look of surprise was quickly masked, “Alright, so you have some working knowledge on how far back their legacy goes.”
Naomasa’s brows furrowed, Their?
Wright looked down into his coffee as he continued, “No one’s been able to pin them down - All for One and their many quirks. Every whisper pointed in a different direction. They have connections to universities, hospitals, charities, international trade, shipping, black markets, and drug cartels. Despite their reach, the so-called Ruler of the Underworld is untraceable. My team and I have been working to uncover the truth about their existence.”
Tapping his finger on the side of his coffee mug, Naomasa hummed, “Not to be rude, but are you being deliberately vague? Trust me when I say, I know about All for One.”
Wright’s eyes flitted to the area up and around Naomasa’s shoulders. He frowned, gesturing across the table, “That information is the cultivation of our life’s work. Are you implying you know more?”
Ah, Naomasa paused, his irritation with Wright’s superior attitude waning, They don’t have the benefit of Toshinori’s knowledge.
“Long before the Kamino Battle and the following incarceration of All for One, All Might and I were working together to capture him,” Naomasa sighed, “Though for particular reasons, we believed him dead until recently.”
Lang suddenly spoke up, “Am I right in saying All Might was the one to come to you about All for One?”
“Correct,” Naomasa said, “That was years ago.”
“So it would be safe to say All Might - your friend, Yagi - would have important information about All for One,” she continued.
Naomasa hesitated, “Yes, though he is still recovering from the effects of his… imprisonment.”
“About that,” Wright said, his voice taking on an odd tone, “He would be able to describe his experiences with All for One and the power that allowed them to force quirks on him, yes?”
“Is that a part of your investigation?” Naomasa asked, growing tense.
Toshinori’s been through enough…
“It is an aspect of it,” Wright said with a nod.
“And what would you do with that information?” Naomasa asked.
A hard light shined in Wright’s eyes, and the expressions of his team grew somber.
“We are now aware that All for One was the ‘villain’ that destroyed the Kamino Ward, that they were briefly imprisoned in Tartarus … and escaped. We don’t have the strength or authority to bring them into custody for their crimes,” Wright rubbed at his breast pocket, “But at the very least, we can cripple their support systems. Shine a light in the dark until they have no more shadows to hide behind. Corner the King of Darkness.”
Check, Naomasa thought.
He released his mug, and caught Bellamy’s smile.
Huffing a laugh, Naomasa shook his head, “Alright.”
“Alright?” Wright quirked a brow.
“I will ask Yagi if he would be willing to speak with you,” Naomasa clarified, “I’m sure he would find your cause worth aiding. But the lines I’ve drawn still stand. You will follow protocol.”
“I believe I can manage that,” Wright said, a genuine smile lighting up his face, “For the sake of finally cutting off the lineage of All for One. It ends with the man currently holding the title.”
Naomasa blinked, “Title?”
Wright’s brows furrowed, “Yes, a title passed down from person to person. If they can give quirks then it stands to reason they’ve passed their quirk down with each gen-”
“Wright,” Bellamy shook his head.
Naomasa shook head in disbelief, They don’t know...
He watched Wright’s face carefully, quirk buzzing at the back of his mind.
“No… I’m afraid I must point out another misconception,” Naomasa sat back and folded his hands in front of him, “All for One is one man.”
A hush fell over the group.
Wright’s lips pressed into a firm line before he spoke, “By ‘one man’ you mean… what, exactly?”
Naomasa sighed, resisting the urge to pinch his brow, “There is no lineage-”
At least… not in the way you think.
His mind flashed to Toshinori and -
He shook the thought away, returning to the matter at hand, “All for One is, and has always been, one man. He must have some sort of longevity quirk - knowing him, probably multiple quirks that allow him to maintain his strength and health despite his unknown age.”
Bellamy hummed, staring deeply into Naomasa’s eyes.
Naomasa felt a surge of protectiveness and anger - anger at himself.
No. That is not my secret to reveal. All for One. Nothing else.
Remaining silent while the others contemplated Naomasa’s words, Bellamy’s gaze flicked over to the nearest plant. A broad purple streak now marred its features. His lips twitched in what Naomasa thought to be…
Amusement? Understanding?
“Well, what do you know...” Lang said quietly, “Montgomery was right.”
Naomasa blinked at the sudden statement, “Right about…? Who is Montgomery?”
“Was,” Wright corrected, hand brushing over his breast pocket, “He was the first of us to look into a series of crimes in the UK that mirrored others across the globe. The first to start connecting those crimes with the name All for One. He’s no longer with us.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Naomasa said.
“Montgomery found that All for One was using hospitals in the UK as fronts for prescription drug trade. Opioids mostly,” Wright said, “We were able to gather evidence against those working with them - him, and they were arrested. Unfortunately, the majority of those believed to be higher in command either disappeared or committed suicide.”
“Few loose ends with him,” Lang said with a scowl.
“But just enough to keep on his trail,” Wright continued. “Until around six years ago, when all traces of him began to dry up. While it was easier to round up his loose ends when they didn’t die before sentencing, All for One was nowhere to be found.”
Toshinori… Naomasa realized.
The first battle between All Might and All for One.
“Then we followed some of his known aliases to Japan, which brought us to observe Rishi,” Wright continued, gesturing across the table with a broad sweep of his hand, “The rest is as you see it.”
Naomasa finished the last of his coffee and stood. He pulled the carafe from the coffee maker and returned to the table. Reaching across the table, he refilled Wright’s mug, then his own.
Shin suddenly gasped in delight. The blue flowering ivy on the table suddenly lost all purple color and doubled in size, leaves twirling up and reaching for the ceiling light.
“Thank you for sharing what you know,” Naomasa began, “Now this is a joint investigation.”
Hatoko glanced over the building’s roof, his white crest feathers standing at attention. The alley below was empty, and he smiled, slipping his wings out from the vertical slits in his coat. He gave them a couple experimental flaps and, feeling the slight breeze, flew across to the nearest roof.
Hatoko shivered, quickly ducking under a heat exhaust vent and into the small space behind it. A nest of torn cardboard, newspapers, and a few blankets sat in the corner of the space. Beside it, he spotted a small grocery bag with a note taped to the front.
Anxiety and hunger twisted Hatoko’s stomach. He frowned, sniffling and rubbing at his cold, runny nose.
They found my nest again…
Two policewomen saw Hatoko playing in the park on Monday. One lady was very tall with big arms and hair like ropes that moved around by themselves. The other lady - she said her name was Kohana - looked like a living teddy bear-dog. He smiled. She was funny and nice and gave really good hugs.
Then they asked where Hatoko lived and where his parents were.
Atsu-nii told him those questions were dangerous. He didn’t say why.
Hatoko kicked at a stray piece of cardboard, “Some spy I am…”
He had panicked and flown away.
… They found him again on Tuesday.
Before he could run, Kohana said he wasn’t in trouble. She said they weren’t going to take him away. She just wanted to talk again and feed him a warm lunch.
It was getting colder after all…
The ramen shop was so warm. He could still remember the smell of miso and chicken and pork and beef and-!
Hatoko sighed. He had never felt so full in his life. Even before running away, hunger was no stranger to him.
“There is a place where you can be warm and always have food,” Kohana said, patting his hand with her plush paw.
Hatoko shook his head, swallowing his noodles, “I can’t. They’ll clip my wings.”
“Who told you that?” Kohana asked softly, tilting her head.
“Atsu-nii,” Hatoko shivered as a cold wind blew into his nest.
Tucking his wings tight against his back, Hatoko dug into the bag. There were snack bars, a couple onigiri, dried fruit, large bottles of water, tissues, and pocket warmers. He plucked the note from the front of the bag.
Eat the onigiri first and drink lots of water. Give me a call if you need anything or just wanna talk, okay?
- Officer Kohana Akita
Beside her name, she’d drawn a smiling cartoon dog face.
Hatoko smiled back at the little dog and tucked the note into his pocket along with a couple pocket warmers.
His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket.
Hatoko pulled it out, and glanced at the screen.
[Running late?] from Atsu-nii.
Hatoko sighed, guilt stirring in his gut, [I’m coming. New nest is a little far away.]
[Okay] was Atsu-nii’s fast reply, [Fly safe and don’t be seen.]
Pocketing his phone, Hatoko grabbed both onigiri, unwrapped, and quickly ate them. With a few breathless gulps of water, he tied the grocery bag and hid it in his nest with his treasure backpack.
Hatoko braced himself and darted back out into the cold. The sun had long set, but the boy knew the roofs like the playground in his favorite park. It didn’t take long to hopscotch roof by roof to the magician’s meeting place.
Atsu-nii was waiting for him.
“Hatoko!” the magician called for him, waving.
Hatoko flapped hard as he touched down, the wind blowing him a little off course. Quickly righting himself, he raced across the roof and hugged Astu-nii.
“Careful! Careful,” Astu-nii grunted, patting his back.
Hatoko backed away and frowned.
Atsu-nii’s voice sounded strained, but he was still waving his-
“W-what…” Hatoko stared in horror at the loose sleeve blowing in the wind. His voice cracked, “What happened to your arm?”
Atsu-nii smiled - though it looked more like a grimace - and waved his fingers, “Another magician made it disappear!”
That’s a lie. Hatoko knew.
After tucking his flapping sleeve into his coat pocket, Atsu-nii gestured toward himself, “Let me see your phone. Any new pictures?”
Hatoko shifted uncomfortably, staring at the sleeve. It looked like a deflated balloon.
“Hatoko,” Atsu-nii’s voice was stern, “The phone, please.”
“Sorry,” Hatoko’s crest feathers pressed close to his head, and he quickly passed over the smartphone.
Atsu-nii fumbled with the phone, cursing under his breath as he pressed it to his chest to readjust his grip. He paced a few steps away, tapping impatiently on the screen.
“How’re the books?” Atsu-nii asked.
“Good,” Hatoko lied. He didn’t know. He’d left his books behind in a panic when he found a note in his first nest over the weekend. When he’d gone back, there was nothing left of his nest. It had been cleared out.
The magician was too absorbed by the phone screen to notice Hatoko’s lie.
Hatoko bowed his head and shivered as a harsh wind bit through his coat. His teeth chattered.
Atsu-nii sighed, “Why don’t you come inside? I have some tea ready. Might as well get warm while I charge this.”
Hatoko perked up and a bright smile split his face, “Yes please!”
Wings fluttering with excitement, he followed the magician down the warm stairwell and into a spacious apartment.
“Take off your shoes,” Atsu-nii reminded him, slipping off his own, “Warm your feet in the kotatsu. The tea is already there.”
Hatoko dashed into the livingroom, sitting and sliding his legs under the plush blanket. He sighed.
So warm, Hatoko thought with a smile.
He was sipping steaming hot tea when Atsu-nii came back into the living room.
“It won’t take long for it to charge,” he said, carefully lowering himself to the floor, “Tell me about your work, super spy.”
Hatoko put his cup back on the table, shifting uneasily.
“It’s okay,” he said with a small pout, “Not very many people are going in and out. It’s not very fun…”
“But it’s very important,” Atsu-nii said with a sage nod. Waving his hand above the table, he smiled. A gust of wind blew outward, and a plate of mitarashi dango appeared, “A reward for your hard work.”
“Thank you!” Hatoko exclaimed, crest feathers standing tall in excitement, and plucked the sticky, bite-size treat from the plate. The flavor took him back to the festivals and streets vendors.
He was about to tell Atsu-nii some of his festival stories when he heard a strange noise.
“Mr. Compress,” said an eerie voice, “Is this your Dove?”
Hatoko flinched, wings pulling close as he froze in place.
If you don’t move, they can’t see you. If they can’t see you, they won’t hurt you. The old mantra ran through his head, eyes pressing shut.
“Shigaraki,” Atsu-nii said, surprise in his voice, “I wasn’t expecting you.”
Hatoko cracked his eyes open as a pale hand reached out and took a dango ball. Quick as he could, the boy darted around the table and hid behind the magician, gripping desperately at the back of his shirt.
“It’s alright Hatoko,” Atsu-nii said, reaching back and patting his head, “These are friends of mine.”
“Friends?” Hatoko asked.
“Yes, they won’t hurt you,” he answered.
Slowly, Hatoko peeked out from behind Atsu-nii’s shoulder.
Three men stood in the livingroom. One was a man in a skin-tight suit and mask like the kind heroes wore, only he didn’t look like a hero. The second was a man made of dark, swirling mist in a nice suit, but the business kind. The third had shaggy hair and dismembered hands covering his face, neck, and arms.
They didn’t look friendly.
“We are gathering everyone,” the hand-face man said. He glanced Hatoko’s way, and Hatoko ducked behind Astu-nii’s back, “Someone important has come to visit us.”
Atsu-nii’s good hand gripped at his injured shoulder. Hatoko could see goosebumps running up the magician’s neck.
“You could have sent a message, Shigaraki,” Atsu-nii grumbled.
The man made of dark mist bowed his head in acknowledgement, “This is faster.”
The masked man fidgeted, “Hey Kurogiri, think there’s enough time to eat some of that dango? Shut up. Not the time.”
“Calm yourself, Twice,” Kurogiri said.
“Fuck you, you’re right!”
Hatoko flinched.
“Not in front of Compress’ guest,” Kurogiri ordered. A wave of dark mist suddenly billowed outward, engulfing the masked man. When the mist receded, Twice was gone.
“Atsu-nii,” Hatoko whimpered.
Kurogiri knelt down, “I just sent him outside for the time being. My apologies for startling you.”
Shivering, Hatoko made himself smaller, clutching Atsu-nii’s shirt.
These friends are not nice.
Atsu-nii sighed, pushing himself to stand, “Alright. Just give me a moment,” he turned to Hatoko, “I’m sorry, we’ll have to cut this short. Come on. Let’s get your phone.”
Atsu-nii gently nudged him around his scary friends and to a small kitchen.
“Ah!” Hatoko yelped, twisting and clutching onto Atsu-nii’s leg.
A monster was in the kitchen. Big and covered in uneven patches of wiry, black hair.
Except for... its head.
It’s one of those villain monsters, Hatoko realized, fingertips digging into Atsu-nii’s thigh, eyes squeezed shut. If they can’t see you, they won’t hurt you. If they can’t see you, they won’t hurt you.
“It’s alright,” Atsu-nii said softly, gently stroking the feathers atop Hatoko’s head, “This is just… another friend.”
No it’s not! Stop lying! Hatoko hiccuped fearfully, tears brimming in his eyes. Atsu-nii! Even the kids playing in the park know about them…
He clung, eyes shut, to Atsu-nii as he walked past the creature and unplugged his phone. Hatoko didn’t dare open his eyes until they were in the stairwell, and the door was shut tight behind them.
“Here,” Atsu-nii said, tapping Hatoko’s head with his phone, “Take this.”
Hatoko sniffled, hands trembling as he took the phone.
Atsu-nii sighed, rubbing the stump of his left arm, “I’ll send you a message when I get back. Okay, super spy?”
Hatoko slowly nodded.
“Keep a lookout for those people I told you about. If you see them -?” Atsu-nii paused.
“Send you a message as soon as I can,” Hatoko finished.
“Good boy,” Atsu-nii praised quietly, ruffling the boy’s feathers. He nudged Hatoko toward the stairs going up, “Come back when you need to charge your phone again.”
Hatoko nodded silently and bolted up the stairs, crashing against the roof access door. Tearing across the roof, he spread and flapped his wings.
Fly away, fly away, fly away home, his mother’s voice sang in his head as he took to the air.
Hatoko held the phone tight to his chest, the cold wind biting at his face.
Maybe the priest would let him stay the night…
Toshinori stretched, reaching for his clawed toes as he sat on the track. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as his tail flicked from side to side, a lopsided smile on his face.
It helps with balance when I… run, He thought, arms and legs still thrumming with every heartbeat. He pulled off his running gloves and flexed his fingers, This isn’t so bad.
His phone pinged, and he fished it from his pocket.
Naomasa’s name lit up the screen, and Toshinori squinted, rubbing sweat away from his eyes.
[Good to go.] The detective’s message read, [I’ve freed up Sansa’s schedule for the escort. I’d do it myself, but my weekend’s packed!]
Toshinori smiled, shooting off a quick text, [You’re the best! Thank you Nao!]
[Get yourself some fresh air, Toshi.]
He could almost hear the serious tone of Naomasa’s voice.
Laughing, Toshinori sent a thumbs up emoji, [That’s the plan! Don’t overwork yourself.]
[That’s funny coming from you, but alright.] Naomasa wrote, adding an unimpressed face, [Take care and give young Midoriya my well wishes. He has a good head on his shoulders, that one.]
Toshinori nodded, Yes. He does…
[Thanks again. You take care as well.]
He set his phone down, finishing his stretches and pressing his knuckles into his lower back.
Toshinori sighed, and took a deep breath.
A peaceful smile lit up his face.
He could almost smell the sea breeze.
Toshinoumu and Naomasa by @juustozzi
Isamu Sato (our precious son) by @juustozzi
Toshinoumu can’t get up by @theimaginarylord
Canvas 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Catalyst 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Control 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
Collapse 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
Contained 1 / 2 (WIP)
Find the whole series on Archive with fanart at the end of each chapter HERE!
Check out Aoi’s and my sideblog @toshinoumu for more series content!
