Colors in the Dark

Special 2: Warehouse

Hayako had done a lot of digging before approaching the dark warehouse. The air was heavy with the smell of mold and mildew, and dust was everywhere. Not to mention the place was very dark, so much so that she could hardly make out her surroundings.

So this is where the League of Villains and some of the Yakuza met up, she figured. From my sources, one was asking the other for an alliance, but things went south. One Yakuza member was entirely disintegrated- the MI matching Tomura Shigaraki- and the League of Villains lost one of their own. Kenji "Magne" Hikiishi, demolished from the waist up in a split second.

She eyed the entrance before stepping in. Last time I checked, many of the higher-ups of the League were present, though Dabi was not. However, I doubt he would refuse to pay respects at some point, and with any luck...

Sure enough, as she silently walked deeper inside, the messy, dark-haired young man was standing over the two chalk outlines the investigators had inevitably drawn. His face was devoid of emotion, but his eyes reflected distant sorrow.

"I figured you'd be here," she said softly, approaching him but stopping a few meters away, looking down at the bloodstains from where the corpse had landed. "I'm very sorry about your big sis. I saw the records and decided to stop by."

The young man she formed a secret pact with didn't look up as she spoke. "It's fine. At least you called her what she is, unlike a lotta people these days. The likes of Toga or Twice would have lost their minds had you done otherwise- dared to call her a man or something- but as you can tell, I'm here alone."

"I'd never dream of it," she replied instantly. "Disrespecting the deceased while also disrespecting someone's identity? Regardless of someone's status of 'hero' or 'villain', that's just plain cruel." Hayako sighed. "I knew someone like her, your big sis, though the case was more like Pro Hero Thirteen's than anything. A younger sibling I haven't seen in a long time."

Dabi's gaze finally met hers. "So, why are you here, asking about Magne?"

"I've got my reasons. I'm trying to gather information for a story on notable people of a certain community that Magne was part of, along with aforementioned Thirteen and Pro Hero Tiger of the Pussycats. In this day and age where quirks are the big thing, discriminating against someone's identity or even their preferences behind closed doors is wildly astounding, and I want to change how widespread that hatred and ignorance still is. As I said, dear siblings of mine are like them."

"Fair enough; I can't add much to the matter, other than that Magne had a friend much like her. I'm in total agreement, though- in both standing for minorities that modern society tries to ignore or hate and for standing for your family that can't. Family runs much deeper than blood, as we both seem to know well," he stated coolly.

"More than you know," the dark-haired woman sighed. Can't hurt to throw him a bone. Not like he can tell the cops about what I was part of. "I was abandoned by my parents and dropped off at a less-than-loving orphanage, but the brothers, sisters, and those in between I met there are more important to me than anything."

"And my father- you probably know him, not that I'll reveal a name- ruined our family. I left them as soon as I could. Sure as hell went out in a blaze of glory, heh." Oh? "But here, with the League, I've found a place I can... tolerate." Dabi nodded slowly as he formed a small flame in his palm, lighting up the room. "Don't know why I'm telling you all of this... But something tells me this article isn't just about one group of minorities. Considering what you said about the family you make along the way of life, and the way you said you haven't seen them in some time... you're trying to find them, right?"

"You got me," she chuckled, her eyes glowing green as she brought her glass sphere from her palm and easily took it apart and put it back together, creating little figures of the kids she once knew before dissolving them back into the smooth, round shape. "We're running out of time for something quite dire, and this article could lead me to them. I'm running out of options."

Dabi turned to fully face her, the flame casting shadows over his black, silver, and blue outfit. "I could introduce you to the rest of the League. Everyone's got their unique connections around, and I'm sure we could locate at least one of your siblings."

"No, no thank you. As kind a gesture, I've refused to associate myself fully with either heroes or villains, and staying mostly in the low is kind of important. See, with the past how it is, none of my siblings would come with someone labeled 'villain'- or any foreign adult- no matter what promise they were offered, as blunt as I must put it. We don't trust easy."

He shrugged. "Got a point. Anyway, we both should get going. I'd hate to have to char anyone at my big sis' death site. Perhaps when our groups aren't as at odd's ends?"

"Perhaps," Hayako agreed, waving as they began to separate. "Maybe I'll even do a report on the true darkness of some Pros," she said with a wink before disappearing, leaving Dabi to suddenly wonder if she knew about him. However, the green-eyed woman was gone in moments, before he could gather his thoughts enough to ask her what she meant.

Hayako slipped between alleyways, passing police cars with their sirens, anger bubbling in her core. You'll never get away with what you've done to people like me. I'll fight 'til the end to ensure it. Once at the sight of an abandoned building, she reached her arms out, pulling all the glass from the window frames at once before seeming to melt under the sparkling green light.

The power of her emotions only empowered her quirk's effectiveness as she formed a mat of the glass, sitting atop it before flicking her wrist and ascending atop it.

It didn't matter that the scars along her forearms were slowly opening, tiny pinpricks of blood appearing to dot her pale skin in contrasting crimson. Maybe I used my quirk too much, but it'll be okay. I practiced my quirk so much before that my body's used to losing a little blood. I have more information and a strong ally.

She chuckled to herself as she flew above the city.

I sure am glad I had so much help from my sibs, even if it was at odd hours, cowering away from anything that could make noise to draw Mother Kaibutsu's attention. If I hadn't, if Io had never thought of a carpet transportation with my glass, and her own in her esoteric vine weave carrier, I doubt I would have made it this far.

The black-haired woman could only close her eyes and enjoy the wind whippeting around her, dim moonlight the only source of light beside the glowing green of her eyes and the glass platform.

Oh well. I should seek out Magne's friend- a quick search through the census should be enough, and then I can get to work on the article itself. If I can just find Tomomi... then maybe Mahi'ra and Ataeru will finally find me, too. I can't be direct, but if I'm just subtle enough... we'll be one step closer to finally showing the world the truth.