The Dark Shadow And His Muse

Chapter Two - Next Move

After their encounter with the Ripper, Jiro took Tokoyami to Yaoyorozu's mansion. When they got there, Jiro knocked on the door.

Jiro: Please be home Yaomomo.....

After a brief wait, Yaoyorozu opens the door. She is caught off guard by seeing Tokoyami with cuts all around him.

Yaoyorozu: My goodness! What happened?!

Jiro: We ran into this psycho while on patrol. Tokoyami got cut up.

Yaoyorozu: Please come inside!

Jiro helped Tokoyami inside Yaoyorozu's house. She led them to the living room. Once there, Jiro set Tokoyami on a table.

Tokoyami: This is really unnecessary. These are scratches. We should focus on finding that villain before he kills again.

As Tokoyami voiced his opinion, Jiro turned on the TV which showed a news report about their fight with the Ripper.

News Reporter(TV): This just in, the Marital Arts Hero Tailman was hospitalized following a savage attack by a villain. Eyewitness reports confirm that the villain in question is none other than the notorious serial killer known only as the Ripper.

The news report then shows a mugshot of the Ripper. Seeing the Ripper's face made Jiro's blood crawl. Tokoyami recognized his unmistakable smile. That killer's smile alone sent chills down Tokoyami's smile. 

News Reporter(TV): The Ripper had escaped from the Musutafu Asylum days prior to the attack after being incarcerated for the murder of 25 men and women. The Ripper was last seen on the run after a run in with the Pro Heroes Tsukuyomi and Earphone Jack. 

Yaoyorozu immediately became concerned for her friends as she was tending to Tokoyami's wounds. Jiro became even more concerned when she saw the look on Tokoyami's face. 

Tokoyami: Jiro.....thank you.

Upon hearing that, Jiro blushed as she played with her Earphone Jacks. Soon, Yaoyorozu finished tending to Tokoyami's wounds.

Yaoyorozu: There. That should hold. 

Tokoyami: Thank you Yaoyorozu. I apologize for my rudeness.

Yaoyorozu: You don't need to apologize Tokoyami. I completely understand.

Jiro couldn't get the image of the Ripper out of her head. His twisted smile and his psychopathic tendencies sent chills down her spine. 

Jiro: You should've seen him Yaomomo....he was a monster. He was having fun while we were fighting for our lives....we were lucky we were able to save Ojiro.

Yaoyorozu: I'm sure Toru will be thankful. 

Tokoyami: We should get going Jiro. 

Jiro: Are you sure? 

Tokoyami: We can't afford to waste any time. We have to stop the Ripper before he kills again. I need your help Jiro.

Jiro was taken aback by Tokoyami's words. She didn't think that someone with a powerful Quirk like Tokoyami's would never want her help. 

Jiro: You...you can count on me!

Tokoyami and Jiro soon exited Yaoyorozu's house and began their search for the Ripper. Meanwhile, the Ripper was licking his wounds after his encounter with Tokoyami and Jiro in an abandoned church. When he looks to a mirror, he saw his ragged clothes from his mental patient uniform. 

The Ripper: Well this shit won't do! Looks like I need a fashion change.

The Ripper then covered parts of his face with a rag to avoid being seen. In morning, the Ripper made his way to a costume shop. He sees the shopkeeper. The Ripper pulls out a razor and cuts his hand open. He then throws himself on the door and cries out.

The Ripper: Help! Help! Please help me!

Without hesitation, the shopkeeper opened the door and carried the Ripper inside his shop.

Shopkeeper: What happened young man?!

The Ripper: I've been attacked.....by the Ripper! 

Shopkeeper: You're very lucky young man! That Ripper fellow is a dangerous man! I'll call an ambulance immediately! 

The Shopkeeper rushed to the phone. As he dialed the number, the Ripper got up and slowly walked behind to him while wearing a sadistic smile. 

The Ripper: That won't be necessary old man.

Before the Shopkeeper could react, the Ripper used his Blood Control Quirk to form a small stake from the cut of his hand and shoved the blood stake through the back of the shopkeeper's head and out through his mouth. 

The Ripper: Open wide! 

The Ripper then lets out a bloodcurdling laugh as the old man died on the ground in a puddle of blood. The Ripper than ripped out his ragged patient shirt, revealing 27 scars on his chest. The scars were in the form of tally marks  for every kill he made. The Ripper then took the razor blade and carved another tally mark on his chest. The Ripper took great pleasure in it. 

The Ripper: Aw yeah.....that's the fucking stuff!

After carving the tally mark, the Ripper tore through the costume shop for something stylish. He soon finds a black duster coat with a hood. 

The Ripper: That's what I'm talking about!

The Ripper then put on the duster coat and a pair of black jeans. When he looked to a mirror, the Ripper was satisfied. 

The Ripper: Fucking hell that's awesome! Now that that's out of the way.....

The Ripper then moved to the shopkeeper's body and posed him. He set up a chair in front of the counter and had the body slouched onto the chair as if he were sleeping. Seeing this posed didn't impress the Ripper.

The Ripper: Ah.....not my best, but beggars can't be choosers.

With a new outfit, the Ripper exited the costume shop while whistling a happy tune. The Ripper then casually walks back to his hideout. When he got out, he took interest in both Tokoyami and Jiro. He was very much looking forward to another encounter with the two Pro Heroes.