Eraserhead and Scribe II

Eraserhead and Scribe II Chapter 10

Aizawa watched the other man's face when he said it. Shigaraki was obviously uncomfortable, but that could be the broken rib. Or he could be hiding something. It's Shigaraki. Of course he's hiding something. But he kept remembering coming into the hospital room to find the man holding Scribe's hand and looking utterly lost and dejected. The same way I feel when I sit beside her.

So why had he seen Shigaraki in the mirror with Scribe? It was undeniably him, even if it did look like a somewhat softened version of him. Less villainous. But if you were trying to program Scribe to love you, you wouldn't really want to look like a villain.

Was it possible that someone else was trying to torture Scribe into loving Shigaraki? If so, what would that person have to gain from it? Unless...they actually saw Shigaraki as worthy of love. Like the man who had "saved" Scribe from whatever they were using to torture her.

"Who else?" The anger was still sharp inside him, but he was finding it more difficult to direct it at Shigaraki. "Who else would do this? It was obvious from what I saw, too, what was happening."

"What was happening?" Shigaraki coughed again.

"She was being punished for contacting me. Tortured somehow." He gritted his teeth, remembering the horror on her face and how she'd fallen to her knees, screaming. And then— "You...or some version of you...'rescued' her. You picked her up and carried her away and the way she clung to you, I could tell. She's been tortured and rescued by you multiple times in there. Someone's trying to program her to think of you as the only way to escape the pain."

"Someone." Shigaraki sat up, putting a hand on his side and wincing. "Not me. I wouldn't do that. It wouldn't work anyway. She's too strong for that."

"Yeah." Aizawa felt the frustration building up inside him. He'd been so certain, so ready to lay the blame for Scribe's condition on someone. And maybe, finally, be able to take steps to get her back.

"What we need to ascertain then is who would think they could do this. And why." Both men turned to look at All Might, who they'd nearly forgotten was there.

"I'm still not real clear on why you're even here?" Shigaraki stood and limped over to a couch, laying down on it carefully. Aizawa wondered briefly how badly he had actually injured the man. He hadn't really been holding back. And Shigaraki was all quirk and bluff. He wasn't really a fighter without his quirk.

"Trying to make certain my friends aren't being led down the wrong road." All Might shrugged. "You're not exactly known for being trustworthy."

Shigaraki chuckled. "You don't get it, do you? Eraser gets it but you can't. I'm not doing any of this for him. I'm doing it for her. Because it kills me to see her like that. Laying there like a broken doll." He sat up and directed his gaze at All Might. "It's worth remembering, though, that once it's done and she's back where she's supposed to be, I'll go back to where I'm supposed to be, too."

"Meaning you won't hesitate to kill me the next time you get the chance?" All Might met his gaze.

Shigaraki snorted and flapped a hand at him. "You're barely even worth the time." He stood. "If you two will excuse me, I need to go see about getting this rib taken care of before it actually punctures a lung." He shot a look at Aizawa. "Next time I'll be ready."

Aizawa shrugged. He couldn't exactly apologize to a villain for injuring him. But he almost did feel sorry. "Next time maybe I'll ask questions first?"

Shigaraki chuckled and winced. "Don't make me laugh. Please."

All Might watched the brief interchange and when Shigaraki left, he turned to Aizawa. "I won't lie, this worries me, Aizawa."

"I know." Aizawa didn't have to ask him what he meant. It sort of worried him that he'd nearly apologized for breaking Shigaraki's rib, too. I can't afford to forget what side we're on. As he said, when Scribe recovers, he'll go back to being who he is, which means leading the League of Villains against us and probably going after my students again.

He sighed and turned to All Might. "You don't have to worry, All Might. Neither one of us is likely to forget we're not friends."

***

Shigaraki made it to the doctor's hideout and leaned heavily on the door to knock. The panel slid to the side and a suspicious eye glared out at him, but then it snapped shut. Shigaraki groaned. He'd texted the doctor ahead of time to let him know he was coming, but the man was obviously being his typical secretive self.

"Let me in, Doctor." He couldn't even summon enough irritation to call him a name. He wondered vaguely if the broken rib had already punctured his lung. He hadn't coughed up any more blood, but he wouldn't be surprised. It sure as hell hurt.

The door opened and he stumbled in. Dabi caught him, looking a little startled. "What the hell happened to you?"

"Disagreement with Eraserhead's fists. Sonofabitch jumped me." Shigaraki looked at Dabi suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking on the Nomu. I haven't had a lot to do except that side mission you mentioned. So mostly killing time and staying out of trouble." Dabi shrugged, helping Shigaraki to a chair. "Better than you, it would seem. Why'd Eraser jump you?"

"He seems to think I had something to do with Scribe being injured even though I was hundreds of miles away at the time." Shigaraki sank gratefully into the chair. "Man's a real pain in the ass." He looked around. "Where's the doctor?"

"Finishing up something in the other room. He'll be here soon."

"Right." Shigaraki let his head fall back, suddenly very tired. "Just let me know." And the room went black.

He swam back to consciousness sometime later, aware he was lying on something hard. He could hear voices. Dabi and the doctor.

"Maybe Eraser's the one we should worry about. If he ever finds out—"

"Don't be ridiculous. I told you this will work."

"Yeah, well, I don't really like the idea of being made mincemeat of by either of them just for one of All for One's schemes."

"Watch your mouth, kid. You haven't met All for One."

"He's not a piece on the board anymore. I'm not too worried about him."

"Yeah, well, don't count him out, either. Better to follow his instructions even if he's not, technically, the one in charge anymore. Besides, Shigaraki will hardly be able to turn down a gift like this. Especially one from his old master."

"If you can get it to work, and it's not looking promising."

"What's not looking promising?" Shigaraki rolled to the side and pushed himself up, realizing he was laying on the doctor's kitchen table. Bandages around his chest restricted his movement. He sat up, looking at the other two, his eyes narrowed. They certainly looked suspicious, too, exchanging guilty looks.

"Dabi's being pessimistic about the latest Nomu." The doctor came over and fussed about his bandages. "I'm trying some new hybrid quirks. I'm certain you'll be pleased. But you're going to want to avoid any more run-ins with heroes for a bit. Eraser did a number on you. Broke two ribs and nearly punctured a lung."

"Umm." Shigaraki took a breath, noticing both the doctor and Dabi were waiting for his next words. "Okay. Will do, Doc." He shifted. "I think I'll be more comfortable in my own bed than on your table, though."

Dabi stepped forward. "I'll get you there, boss." He offered an arm, but Shigaraki disregarded it. He hopped off the table, reaching for his shirt. He glanced at the doctor. "I'll be in touch. About those hybrid quirk Nomu. They sound interesting."

The doctor nodded. "Of course. When you're feeling better, Tomura. Don't rush it." He handed Dabi a bottle. "Make sure he takes one before bedtime."

The hell I will. Shigaraki lowered his gaze. Maybe Eraser wasn't that far off. I'm not the one holding her against her will, but I might be responsible for those who are.