#endangeredtreealligator

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!