Flying Free: My Hero Evolution Wings of Change (X-Men/My hero crossover)

Chapter 39: Breakdown

"Hawks!" Tokoyami jumps off the couch and races over to the winged hero as Hawks steps through the door, followed by Logan who is carrying Rouge.

"You're drenched! Are you okay? I was concerned when the others came back and you weren't with them." Tokoyami continues.

Dark shadow pokes its head out a little and nods. "We were thinking of heading off to find you."

Hawks pushes back the wet bangs plastered to his face, forcing a smile.

"I'm alright, fledgling. The storm slowed us down a bit."

From Tokoyami's blank stare, Hawks could tell his attempt to reassure his intern is not working.

Logan chuckles under his breath at Hawks' horrible attempt at a lie, then takes Rogue up to her room to rest. Hawks leads Tokoyami out the opposite door into the living room.

"Oh really? What about Dabi?" Scott counters as Hawks and Tokoyami enters the room.

"What?! What are you talking about?!" Hawks cries, looking from Scott to the others, then to Tokoyami.

"We're onto you and your double agent shit! We don't do traitors here!" Scott shoots back.

"Jean, what is he talking about?! Come on, back me up!"

"Hawks, every fight we've had since you've arrived has been from the League of Villains. We can't keep doing this. And- from your memories, I saw it- you and Dabi shaking hands. It didn't click at first, but when we showed up, I saw just the right angle and I remembered. I just-"

"You WHAT?!!!" Hawks wings flare out as he snaps looking around a room filled with surprised X-Men at what Jean had just said.

Jean looks back at Hawks, also in disbelief of the words that just escaped her mouth.

Hawks runs out of the room with Tokoyami and Dark Shadow quickly behind him.

*****

Hawks winces as Tokoyami applies ointment to the burn on Hawks' neck and Dark Shadow places a gauze over it. Hawks glances to the familiar and pats its head, causing dark shadow to purr. "Thanks guys." Hawks smiles gratefully.

Tokoyami looks back at Hawks cautiously. "So what happened?"

"The last thing I want to do right now is try to explain myself to another person that's probably going to betray me. I'm packing my bags and leaving in 15. Be ready if you're coming."

Tokoyami looks outside the window as another boom of thunder shakes the mansion. "I mean, can't it wait until the storm lets up at least?"

"We're down to 14 minutes." Hawks responds while gathering his belongings with his wings.

"Very well." Tokoyami heads off to pack.

As Hawks watches Tokoyami go he looks down at the item one of his feathers brings to him. A tear rolls down his cheek at the sight of his Endeavor doll, remembering holding the doll the day he entered the HPSC.

Will I grow to be hero like him? The kind that stops bad people? Will I make people smile like he did when he saved my life? A young five-year-old hawks asked, hands clutching his Endeavor plushie.

He gently places his doll on top of his pile of belongings and winks away the tears welling behind his eyeballs, still shocked the Endeavor doll, the one possession Hawks treasures, survived the fire.

Hawks slings his bag over his shoulder and turns to see Tokoyami loyally waiting on the balcony in the pouring rain for Hawks.

See? He's dangerous. Hawks recalls overhearing Scott say.

Nobody cares about you. If you open up to them, they'll turn on you. Stay away from relationships; you don't need distractions. Hawks winces as he envisions the President's cold eyes when she delivered those words to Hawks.

Who would ever want a weakling, a mutt like you? Takami sneers as a kid Hawks was balled up in a corner after being beaten by the man who raised him.

His wings sag as he makes his way to the balcony.

"Let's go Tokoyami. The sky is calling."

*****
Rouge jerks awake at the sound of the thunderstorm. She opens her curtain to look out, just as a flash of lightening illuminates two figures flying through the sky.

"What are those idiots doin'?"

Rouge attempts to use her quirk by activating Jean's powers to race after the duo leaving the mansion, but within seconds of doing so she passes back out, exhausted by the overuse of her powers.

*****

Hours later, Rogue wakes up, sprawled across her floor. She sits up, holding her pounding head, then jumps up and runs out of her room to find the others.

"Guys, help! Hawks and Tokoyami left last night. I saw them but my powers and I just-"

"It's about time." Scott responds callously.

"What's wrong with ya, Scott?! Jean, come on, we have to go find them!"

"Rogue, give it up. He's gone, and it's a good thing. He was putting us in danger. He's not the man you think he is." Jean's voice cracks as she tries to come to terms with the words escaping her mouth. "I mean, what we saw yesterday... you weren't there and you wouldn't understand."

"Try me! Ya guys really just gonna push him away and let him leave like that?" Rouge charges back. "Ya didn't give him a chance to tell ya guys anything. I WAS there. My powers took over and I morphed into everyone's whose powers I have ever absorbed and was attackin' everyone. Hawks saved me. I burned the fuck out of him when I was morphed as Dabi." She turns back to Jean. "I can't believe ya! That guy is head over heels for ya and ya just tell him to go. How can ya jump ship like that on him?!" Rouge storms out of the room.

"Oh my gosh, what did we do?!"
Jean yelps, grabbing her phone and running out the room. "Scott, what the fuck is wrong with you?!"

*****
"I'm starting to regret our decision to fly instead of taking a plane." Dark shadow shouts to Hawks and Tokoyami as they fly through the sky.

"Hey, no turning back now!" Hawks replies. "But let's land and grab some grub. I'm starving."

As they land, Hawks pulls his ringing phone from his pocket, looks at caller id, then shoves the phone back in his pocket.

"Sensi you okay?" He asked.

Hawks sighs, "why? You don't seem bothered learning the truth."

"I believe you, Hawks. Sure learning my sensei is playing double agent and tied to the league right now wasn't expected but you and I had our ups and downs."

"You shouldn't trust me, hell I am not a good mentor, Eraser should-"

"Keigo."

Hawks looks to him surprised.

"Pardon me for using your name like that, but me and Dark Shadow don't want a new mentor. You've taught us a lot and we want to keep working with you. Whatever you're doing with the league and Dabi, I believe you have justified reason for it. We know you won't turn your back on the heroes and saving others, but if you open up and let others help it be easier."

"Seriously, they're probably right. Just- save yourself and stay as far away from me as possible, Tokoyami!"

"Not going to happen, Sensei. If you fall we all do."