~𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 ℌ𝔞𝔰 𝔑𝔬 𝔅𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰~ (Tokoyami Fumikage X Reader)

Chapter 35

The heroes split into teams, each moving with practiced precision. Niko, Tokoyami, and Hawks took the right side of the block, their senses on high alert. Midoriya, Bakugo, and Shoto disappeared into the labyrinth of alleys on the left, Endeavor's towering figure a few paces behind them.

Niko's mind raced, replaying the brief exchange with Endeavor. His recognition had stirred a storm of emotions—confusion, curiosity, and a whisper of hope. But there was no time to dwell on it. Raptor was still out there.

Hawks spoke into his earpiece, his voice calm but firm. "Keep your eyes peeled. Raptor's good at slipping through the cracks."

Dark Shadow extended from Tokoyami, its red eyes glowing as it scouted ahead. "He's injured. There are traces of his energy lingering. He can't be far."

Niko focused, reaching out with her telekinesis. She felt the air, the subtle shifts and movements—every breeze, every step. Then, there—a disturbance, faint but distinct. "To the right," she whispered, and Hawks veered sharply, leading them down a narrow alley.

They moved quickly, their footsteps silent. Niko's heartbeat thrummed in her ears. The alley opened into a construction site, the skeletal framework of a building rising into the sky. Shadows curled around the beams, and at the center of the darkness, Raptor crouched, his back to them.

"End of the line," Hawks said, his voice carrying through the empty space.

Raptor's head snapped up. His eyes were wild, his face smeared with dirt and desperation. "You don't understand!" he shouted, his quirk flaring with dark energy. "The agency—they're lying to you!"

Niko took a step forward, her voice steady. "Then tell us. What are they lying about?"

Raptor's hands shook, the shadows around him writhing. "It's all a game to them. They use us. They use everyone. I was trying to protect you, Niko. You, Tokoyami—all of us."

"By betraying us?" Tokoyami's voice was sharp, Dark Shadow bristling with barely-contained fury. "By putting innocent lives at risk?"

Raptor's expression twisted, a mix of rage and fear. "You're all pawns! And when they're done with you, they'll throw you away—just like they did to me!"

Before anyone could react, Raptor launched forward, his quirk surging like a tidal wave. Shadows crashed against them, cold and suffocating. Niko threw up a telekinetic shield, the force of his attack pushing her back.

Hawks shot into the air, feathers darting like knives. Tokoyami and Dark Shadow moved as one, slipping through the shadows to flank Raptor. Niko held her ground, her focus razor-sharp as she pushed against Raptor's energy.

Amidst the chaos, a burst of green lightning cut through the darkness. Midoriya appeared, his One For All quirk blazing. "We heard the commotion—need a hand?"

Shoto and Bakugo were right behind him, their expressions set with determination. Shoto's ice crept along the ground, freezing Raptor's shadows in place. Bakugo's palms crackled, explosions lighting up the gloom.

"Stay back!" Raptor screamed, his power spiking. The shadows twisted, morphing into spiked tendrils that lashed out at the heroes.

Niko grit her teeth, amplifying her telekinesis. She caught the shadows mid-air, holding them back. "You're done, Raptor. Surrender now!"

But Raptor's desperation only grew. His shadows expanded, filling the space with an impenetrable darkness. For a moment, everything was chaos—sounds distorted, shadows shifting, the world unraveling.

Then, a surge of heat. The darkness melted away, light and warmth flooding the construction site. Endeavor stood at the edge of the chaos, his flames burning bright. "Enough!"

The fire pro hero's presence was a force of nature, his blue eyes blazing. The shadows recoiled, Raptor's control slipping. Niko felt the shift, and with a final push, she broke through his defenses, her telekinesis snapping around him like chains.

Raptor fell to his knees, his energy spent. The shadows dissipated, leaving only a broken man in their wake. His shoulders slumped, his head hanging low. "You don't know what you've done," he whispered. "You think this is over? It's only just begun."

Hawks moved in, securing Raptor with specialized restraints. "We'll see about that. You've got a lot to answer for."

The heroes gathered around, the tension slowly ebbing. Niko released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She turned to find Shoto watching her, a myriad of emotions in his eyes.

Midoriya stepped forward, his voice gentle. "Are you okay?"

Niko nodded, the weight of everything pressing down on her. "Yeah. I just... I need a minute."

Endeavor approached, his flames dimmed but still smoldering beneath the surface. His gaze landed on Niko, the intensity of his stare almost unbearable. "We need to talk. About Rei. About you."

Niko's pulse quickened, the reality of their connection settling over her like a heavy blanket. "I know."

Dabi, still hidden in the shadows, watched the exchange. His expression was unreadable, his blue eyes like twin flames in the dark. He slipped away, his presence a whisper against the wind. For now, his secret remained safe—but the clock was ticking.

The mission was over, but the story was far from finished. The truth lingered, just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to rise. And when it did, the Todoroki family—and the world—would never be the same.