Authors Note: The final chapter. It had been a fun ride, hasn't it? Here is my (semi)completed fanart to conclude this series. As always, thank you for reading.

--

"I wished we were a family"

A soft voice said at the back of his mind.

Kaminari was the last to wake.

He felt groggy and confused lying on the cold hard floor.

Ugh, did I just saw a baby getting born? Whatdahell was that all about?

Youth memories are still developing. Things that they can't understand, their minds replace it. In a child's eyes, a riot may seem like a dance from a kid's show.

Kaminari's back was sore, his cheek felt cold from the marble floor.

Why is it so dark? Why can't I see anything?

He moved his leg, trying to stretch his stiff muscles.

It hit something, something fleshy. He felt it retract a little, almost as if in pain. No sound was heard, however.

In fact, the room he was in was unnaturally silent.

What was that? Weird.

He let his leg swing again... This time, it hit nothing.

EEK! It was alive?!

That was when he realised his eyes were still closed. Panicking about the weird animal he'd come into contact with might do to him, he lifted his head to get a glimpse of it.

Metal instruments rained down beside him, a tray hitting the floor, creating a rather irritatingly long noise as it bounces to a stop.

He broke the silence with a spectacular entrance. A bump right on his forehead. Perfect.

Kaminari was dumbstruck, cringing at every sound he stubbornly made. He warily opened his eyes, only to see a blurred version of himself.

"What the f**k?"

He unknowingly said out loud, his brain short-circuited at the absurd logic he was experiencing. Upon longer inspection, he was under a metal trolley, filled with medical supplies and instruments.

"Ugh, who was the big idiot who did that?"

He heard a voice sounding a lot like Jiro calling out.

"Are you kidding me, Kaminari?"

Shoji said, his voice right at his feet.

Looking down, he confirmed that the "fleshy thing" was Shoji.

Kaminari didn't know what the heck was happening, but somehow, as usual, he did something dumb.

"... sorry...?"

He managed, sounding more confused than apologetic.

He rubbed his bruised forehead and propped himself up.

On the bed sat Hawks and Tokoyami... but something was off about their position.

Tokoyami had wings.

"What the...?"

Kaminari said in awe...

Suddenly, something shifted behind Tokoyami. A set of hands that didn't belong to Tokoyami appeared, Hawks peeked out from behind.

Tokoyami just stared at Kaminari in surprise, giving him a look of shock and confusion. Sweat beaded his feathers as he stoned there.

After a second, he finally understood what had happened.

Banging my head on the trolley must've freaked them out!

Hawks pouted at Kaminari in embarrassment.

Really freaked out.

Hawks hid behind Tokoyami, who was unfazed by the sound, but was unprepared for Hawks hiding behind him, quivering.

Well, Tokoyami did sort of become a doll, he just derped there, not knowing what to do.

"Sorry..."

He sheepishly apologized to them again.

"Kaminari, God damn it. "

The class started to get back on their feet.

"F**king pathetic"

Bakugo muttered.

"Sorry, Tokoyami."

Midoriya bowed apologetically.

--

Tokoyami look in surprise as the entire class stood around his bed.

Were they listening... all along?

Tokoyami opened his mouth to protest...

and then he closed it.

Their tear-streaked face stopped his heart.

"Tokoyami..."

Shoji said with determination, forcing his tears and shaky voice down.

"You never did reject us, you were protecting us."

A number of students joined in...

"Giving protection is an important factor in what makes us family."

"The bond we had never broke, it only strengthened"

"You don't have to be guilty of what you'd done. You were only doing it for the greater good."

"Class 1A is a family, we're not excluding even a single soul."

"We would gladly give up our lives even before you had done so for us."

"Even Bakugo would've done the same"

"Shut up red pubes, he doesn't need saving, so do I."

"He is without Dark Shadow now..."

"I was talking about his wisdom, dumbf**k! He's the one who saved useless green s**t there and got him to the third round. That b**ch still can't even get top th..."

"All right we get it Bakugo. He can save himself"

"YOU DARE F**KING INTERRUPT M-"

The door bursts open, interrupting Bakugo.

Recovery Girl was holding a basket full of bottles and syringes.

"Oh you guys are awake, thank god. Guess I don't need these to wake you up anymore."

"What are those for?"

Midoriya asked, cringing at the sudden interruption of the devil.

"They are supposed to calm you down, you guys experienced a shock that your brains were unable to process. These would've helped you to remain sane and calm you down. Thankfully, it seems that all of you were able to resist the symptoms.

" Oh thank god. I guess we're all back to normal. Are we resuming class or is class over?"

Mina said excitedly.

Tokoyami smiled sadly.

"Sorry to burst your bubble but, everything's not back to normal. "

Hawks said.

...

"He does not have much time left."

Class 1A darkened, remembering Tokoyami's condition.

"No, it's OK, Hawks, they can go. "

"No, Tokoyami. We're not going anywhere."

Kaminari spoke from his heart.

"Families are supposed to be there for each other in times of need. We cannot just leave you be."

These words were spoken by Kaminari, who wasn't swayed by Tokoyami's words when they were on the floor, who did not understand Shoji's words about Tokoyami's distant nature previously either.

No convincing was needed. Tokoyami is family. Period.

It was the truth, and it never wavered from Kaminari's heart. So did the rest of Class 1A, but Kaminari was the definite proof of their bond.

And Tokoyami saw it. Kaminari had no tears, Kaminari could never fake words, his care was genuine.

Tokoyami looked into Kaminari's eyes...

He really does see me as a brother.

Hawks chuckles could be heard beside his ears.

"Look at all your brothers and sisters, rooting for you."

Tokoyami looked into each of their faces, even Hagakure. None of them even showed a sense of doubt.

Something inside him cracked, as if a clog had been removed. His stoic side broke, his insecurities dissipated.

Is this what home feels like?

Because I'd never felt better.

Tokoyami smiled... He finally genuinely smiled and he isn't hiding it anymore.

Tokoyami smiling melted everyone's hearts. A rare sight to behold indeed.

But it did not last. For even a moment, it was rare to not suffer.

His smile wavered. A gradual increase in pressure and pain build up in his heart. His pained expression slowly alerting everyone.

"Recovery Girl, something's wrong!"

Hawks exclaimed anxiously.

"I came prepared." She said, taking another bottle out of the basket.

"You... You can save him?"

Hawks asked hopefully.

"No, unfortunately, it's just anaesthesia. It's to numb the pain."

"Oh."

Hawks' voice was almost silent.

He could feel his child tensing up again, shivering and tensing his muscles.

Hawks gently laid his arms around Tokoyami, comforting him.

"It's ok, it's ok... Recovery Girl will help you numb the pain."

Recovery Girl draw liquid through a syringe and applied some anaesthetic on his arm. With one quick shot, Recovery girl injected in the liquid and removed the needle without him noticing it enter.

His mouth felt numb and his saliva tastes bitter.

The pain subsided only a tiny fraction. However, drowsiness slowly crept into his mind.

Tokoyami groans as another spike of pain hit him, his tongue felt swollen and oversized in his mouth.

His classmates stood there, some tears reappearing on their eyes.

With slow movement, Hawks made him lay on his bed. He tried to say something but it came out as gibberish.

"Shh shh shh. Not to worry. I'm right beside you. I'm not going anywhere."

Before another spike hit him, a wave of vertigo washed over him. Black spots danced around his eyes.

As he slowly drifted into unconsciousness, he pleaded this wouldn't be the last time he closed his eyes.

...

Tokoyami's mind was always overcast. Doubts, worries, pain, fear.

But for the first time, there weren't any clouds.

For the first time, he could see through his mind. Slowly, his memories of the past became clearer, sharper.

Memories that he'd long forgotten, important events that he lost. In his unconscious state, they were replayed to him as dreams...

--

(4 years old)

Where could dad be?

Tokoyami looked behind, sun rays shining through the forest, illuminating the undergrowth layer.

I'm not gonna let him catch me on our first game.

Run where?

He picked a direction and started running again.

He smiled, feeling the breeze flow through his feathers like tall grass in a field.

Dad will never catch me. I'm a pro hero that is one with the darkness!

The crackle of grass followed his feet whenever it came in contact with the dirt.

Sometimes, the crackle doesn't follow, making him wonder if those crackles belongs to someone else...

but the person behind him.

Why does Dad never do this often? It's so fun!

He let out a chuckle, grinning proudly at his agility.

Dad and mom was always busy playing hide and seek with me. I always couldn't find them. I was always the seeker.

It's nice to have a change.

"COME BACK HERE DEMON!"

A shout from a distance.

Demon?

Tokoyami ran through the forest, daylight slowly fading away with every step.

I'm not a demon. I'm not you. He's talking about you.

He chanted in his mind, over and over, trying to convince himself.

Dad's just playing catch with me. He hates you, not me, demon.

"YOU ARE A THREAT TO SOCIETY, UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS!"

What?

Tokoyami's heart stopped.

Oh, oh yes. Dark Shadow is a threat. Definitely.

"TOKOYAMI FUMIKAGE, SHOW YOURSELF!"

He's... He's not talking about me, right?

His smile wavered, his pace slowed. The forest grew darker and darker as the sun went beneath the horizon.

So did his mind.

"Come peacefully, end quietly."

Dad...wants to kill me?

The last vestiges of sunlight faded away.

His head felt heavy, as if he'd just woken from a dream. Fatigue wash over him, overwhelming his confusion

I... I can't run for much longer...

His legs slowly drained all his energy from fatigue. Each stride felt like lead that he was dragging along.

Tokoyami hurriedly find a place to hide.

A large patch of lushes bushes sat around a tree. There was a rotten patch of bush small enough to fit him.

With little effort, he dug into the plant the branches easily giving way. Nestled into the bushes, he covered the opening with leaves found on the ground.

His sense of hearing sharpened as he stopped moving.

Indeed, there was another set of footsteps... frighteningly close.

The small bush was large enough to fit him, but he did not feel fully hidden.

Tokoyami had forgotten why he was running away... But his instincts all scream danger. He knew, if he was out there, unhidden, he would've been dead.

Was this how my parents always felt when they played the hider?

Were they always this scared?

Something shifted in his vision, making him flinch, cracking a small twig. A soft sound, yet loud enough to echo through the forest.

Dark Shadow was in front of him.

Tokoyami shut his eyes.

Go away.

The darkness was very apparent now. All light that he saw through his eyelids were now lost.

All this time, he thought his father only hated the demon inside him.

He was proven wrong.

Bullies at school sent death threats to him before he revealed his quirk, Dark Shadow.

Yes, they purely hated him.

He purely hated me, he is like them.

His breathing became more rapid. His mind hurt from the contradictions.

Suddenly, Tokoyami eyes widened and he held his breath.

Something felt ominous. His father's shouts went silent. Even the footsteps had stopped.

A memory of his father holding a knife greeted him. He finally remembered why he was running away from his father.

.

Tokoyami strained his eyes to see through the darkness. There he was.

He was about 10 feet back, holding a knife, his back facing him. His head turned slowly as if carefully searching for something.

At one point, a glint of light could be seen coming from his head...

He was smiling.

Tokoyami felt fear rising from his chest.

Was I seen?

He was quaking with fear. The bushes around him felt useless. It was as if he was staring right into Tokoyami's soul.

The glint faded away. He was facing away for now...

His dad looked unproportionate, a disfigured twig in the moonlight. His legs were bowed and thin as lamp poles. He stood in an awkward position, crouching. His arms were of different lengths.

In the faint moonlight, he looked extremely creepy, almost like a ghoul.

Tokoyami never even blinked once, fearing that if he did, his father may disappear, and he would've had no idea where he went.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on his arm. Ants were probably all around him. He swatted it off...

...

Instead, he hit metal...

As he turned his head in confusion, his father's smile greeted him.

His father didn't say anything, just smiled at him with a knife right at his arm.

Tokoyami screamed. His adrenaline pumped through his brain. As the blade moved into his body, he lost consciousness.

...

(Yes, his father had 2 bodies, it's his quirk)

...

...

Tokoyami blinked, sunlight pouring into his eyes.

He looked around adjusting to the light. He breathed for the morning air, but a foul stench greeted him.

"Ugh, what happened?"

His memory was foggy, but a glimpse of his father's smile chilled him to the bone.

"Y... you did?"

Dark Shadow materialised in front of him and nodded exaggeratedly with a smile.

Tokoyami reached out timidly to pet him.

When he rested his hand on him, it felt warm and fuzzy... Weird.

Dark Shadow nuzzled him, rubbing his cheeks on his hand.

"W... Wait, where's Dad?"

His memories slowly coming back to him. Making his heart beat anxiously again.

"You... convinced him not to?"

Dark Shadow suddenly looked guilty... But Tokoyami didn't think much of it.

Tokoyami's heart was still beating rapidly, looking around wildly.

All of a sudden, Dark Shadow went into his arms, nuzzling Tokoyami's lower beak playfully.

Tokoyami chuckled, raising his hand to stop him.

"hahhah... Stop...hahahah, that tickles!"

Dark Shadow made playful noises, not leaving any time for Tokoyami to react.

"Ok... I get it, I get it."

Tokoyami used both hands to hug Dark Shadow, restricting his ticklish movements.

"Don't whine, you runt."

"I'm gonna puke if you keep doing that."

With happy thoughts, they walked through the forest.

Behind the tree in the bushes, lay a disembowelled figure. It's remains being eaten by ants.

--

Tokoyami opened his eyes, expecting to see the hospital ceiling... But it was just plain white.

Am I dead?

Tokoyami blinked.

No, this feels different.

(Tokoyami was dead before, he knows what bring dead feels like.)

He stood up and looked around... But it was just endless white mist.

Wh... Where am I?

"Your mind is foggy... Let it clear."

Tokoyami turned to the direction of the voice... But it seemed to be everywhere.

"Close your eyes and remember."

"Who are you? Where are you?"

"You can't see me no matter how hard you try. You're blinded by your mind."

Tokoyami had no choice, but to do as he was told.

He sat down and closed his eyes, almost as if he was meditating.

"What do I think about?"

" Where were you?"

"In the forest... My father was chasing me."

"Go on... You're doing well."

...

"We went to a city after escaping from him, Dark Shadow guided me there."

"There were times when I was sad and scared, but Dark Shadow was always there to cheer me up."

"We lived in the streets. Not knowing what to do, where to go. Only getting threatened by the hero there. "

"How did you survive?"

"A very skinny man with sharp, angular features and long limbs found me and brought me the will to live."

"I lived in an orphanage since."

Tokoyami opened his eyes, expecting the fog to clear...

"Not yet... One more."

He frowned initially, but gave in and lie down. With a sigh, he closed his eyes again.

This time, he couldn't respond.

--

Tokoyami scrambled out of the way as a van nearly took his arm off.

I know what I'm doing.

Tokoyami ran across the street, trying to catch an apple that was rolling from an apple store.

The apple store. His prime target.

The apple store was a clumsy mess, he was lucky he found it. On a good day, a dozen of ripe apples fall off the overloaded baskets. He had his fill and then some for saving. Stealing was something he crossed out a long time ago, he wanted to be recognised as a good person, especially since his raven head already had a negative impact on his impression.

The owners were ignorant enough to let him take some, they had decreased in quality after dropping on the floor anyways.