Rubbing his exhausted eyes, Shadow frowned before making his way to the training room a couple doors down. The commission president seemed adamant to see him for some reason but the tattooed man could only think about other matters entirely. In fact, it was the very same matter that had kept him up all night with absolutely no sleep.
And that was the unknown fate of his little brother, Yuto.
He still hadn't recovered in the slightest, and why should he have? His only family had disappeared years ago with no sign of return. And last night the only thing he could think about was his tragic life, and how he was so goddamn blind in trusting the president's words.
Sure, she was partly right. If he found out about Yuto all those years ago he probably would've left the commission, and that was something that the world couldn't afford. He had helped and saved thousands of people over the years, without them they would've been as good as dead.
What he had done for society was good, and as the president said, it should've justified his abandonment. It should've detached him from reasonability.
But try as he may to reason with his blinded intentions, Shadow still couldn't help but feel sick. His brother, he was probably dead already, he would probably never see him again. The reality was heartbreaking in every single way.
Sighing to himself, the agent then opened the doors to the viewing platform that overlooked the training arena only to immediately hear the sound of groaning and screaming from down below.
He turned his head in question, moving up to the glass only to widen his eyes at the scene before him.
Because there in the training room was Valkyrie, with wings outstretched and feathers flying wildly as she brutally took down every single agent that came barreling towards her. And he meant brutally.
They tried to grab her for sure, but it seemed like the bird was always too quick, her fists ramming themselves into their face as blood flew from another agent's nose and tumbled to the floor in the heavy groan.
And as the blood dripped from her knuckles, the woman hardly cared, her wings flapping once before she glanced back to Shadow with a dark rather murderous look in her eyes, almost like she had sensed his gawking.
The tattoo man felt a chill run down his spine at that, sensing the change in her demeanor immediately. He had researched Valkyrie and had watched her every move in the last couple days and yet the agent could clearly tell that there was something darker about her now.
Because as her clouded amber stare stared into his soul, Valkyrie really did look like a villain, in every sense of the word.
And a part of him made him wonder what had happened, what caused this sudden shift? Hell, just yesterday she looked like a corpse but right now he could see the utter fire in her demeanor.
Shadow didn't have a chance to think about it though, hearing a voice echo behind him a moment later. "Impressive, isn't she? Looks like all that hurt from Touya finally brought that fire back."
He turned to find the president's cruel smile, her eyes traveling down to the arena in calculation as the agent frowned. He couldn't help it, he still didn't feel comfortable with the boss after her sudden confession about his brother.
"In fact, right now you're looking at our newest commission agent."
At that, Shadow couldn't help but drop his jaw in shock. She wasn't actually thinking about making a villain a commissioned agent? No, that was insane. "What? You can't be serious, boss. She's a villain. You know we can't trust her."
To prove his point, the man then pointed to the crazed villain below them as she knocked another agent unconscious with the bottom of her foot unemotionally. This had bad idea written all over it, he could already tell.
Narrowing his eyes at the bird, Shadow added plainly. "She's probably already planning to screw us over."
The president didn't seem all that concerned though, her voice smooth. "Exactly, that's why you are going to watch her."
As the words left her lips, Shadow felt himself freeze as he tried to process what she was saying. No, he must've heard wrong. There was no way she was suggesting something so crazy, right? "I..huh..?"
Frowning at his informal response, the older woman then turned towards the man as she watched him tense at her stare. "Didn't you just boast to me a couple days ago that you are the Valkyrie expert? Then it should be no problem at all."
And that was true in a sense, he was a Valkyrie expert. Hell, he had been researching her and tracking her crimes for almost a whole year. If anyone could point out her lies, it was him.
But then again that meant having to work with the most annoying and dangerous woman in the villain world, which was something he wasn't exactly thrilled about. No, he already knew that having to babysit Val would be a real pain in his ass.
Staring down at the bird below, the president then narrowed her eyes before adding casually. "Besides, the fact that you haven't been a target during your investigation leads me to believe that she shares some kind of connection with you."
Widening his eyes at the ridiculous statement, Shadow couldn't help but break out of his soldier-like stance in order for his mouth to fall open with surprise. Just what was his boss suggesting? He didn't have any connection to a villain. That was ridiculous.
Setting the record straight, the agent scoffed. "Connection? You've got to be kidding me. The only reason Valkyrie didn't target me is because I was always one step ahead of her. She never got the chance."
But this time it was the president's turn to scoff, her blue eyes rolling at the air of stupidity only to turn to her puppet with a watchful stare. "You don't seriously believe that, do you? You researched her for months. You know her record. She had an opening, she just never took it. Haven't you ever asked yourself why?"
Then all at once, a sense of horrifying realization began to cross his face in order to turn back to the bird in question still fighting below them. Of course he knew her record.
In fact, Valkyrie was the kind of person that let her threats be known. Anyone that ever tried to get her name, anyone that tried to imprison her, they all fell off the record, never to be seen again.
But he always thought he was different. That's why the agent took this case to begin with, why he tasked himself with something seemingly impossible. Then, his boss would praise him, then he'd be promoted, that's all it was.
But what if that wasn't right at all?
No, the president had to be wrong. He was just smarter than her, better than her. There was no way she was sparing him this entire time. Why would she even spare him anyways? They didn't have any sort of connection.
Not liking the implications his questions held, the agent then took away the idea only to focus on the one thing he could make sense of. And that was the fact that he would never become a bodyguard for such a lowlife villain. No matter how much the president wanted it.
No, he needed to stand his ground and make the president see her mistake.
Trying to explain himself, the man balled his fists. "Yeah but.."
Yet that's when the woman cut him off, cruel and calculated as the man flitched with the new lethal air around her. "But what? And speak carefully, Haruto. I'm not liking your tone."
At the sound of his real name, the man felt his lips screw shut with manufactured shame and fear. If she was using that name then it meant the president was losing her patience with him, and that never ended well.
So much so that he felt his shoulders fall in defeat as he mentally backed off. "It's nothing, ma'am."
Humming in displeasure, her eyes continued to bore into him for a couple more seconds before finally standing down in order to turn her back on him."I thought not. Now gather her and we talk about your next mission in my office."
Then before he could object any further, the woman disappeared, leaving Shadow alone as he stared down at Valkyrie with anxious eyes. Something told him that this was going to be far more complicated than the boss was making it seem.
But even so, Shadow had no choice but to follow her orders, the tattooed man moving down to the bottom level only to open the door and just barely miss the very human sized body that came hurling in the air towards him.
The other agent groaned loudly under his feet as he hit the floor only for Shadow to gaze up and find Valkyrie's ever watchful glare staring back at him from a couple feet away. "What? You wanna be next?"
Choosing to ignore the hostile air, Shadow stepped over the unconscious man with a sigh. "The president wants to see you in her office. She says she has a mission for us."
The villain could only narrow her eyes at that. "Us?"
He only nodded in response though, displeasure seeping into his tone with permission. He couldn't help it, the man was already utterly over this conversation with her. "Yes, unfortunately I've been assigned to watch over you."
Soaking in the meaning immediately he then watched as Hikari's lips curved into a cynical smirk before wiping her bloody knuckles onto her new commission issued uniform with in a sign of disrespect. "Watch over me? So you mean babysit? Wow, you must hate that."
And for once, the agent agreed with the psycho, his eyes drooping slightly in response. She was right. He hated every minute of this. "You have no idea, but if it's what the boss wants."
Scoffing at his reason, Hikari rolled her eyes in order to hiss back angrily. "Of course that's how it is. None of you have a backbone towards that woman."
Shadow wasn't intimated though, the man stepping forward before noticing the obvious irony as he pointed at the commission symbol on her shirt. "That woman is your boss now, or did you forget that?"
Then all at once, he saw her eyes light up with fury at the very idea before turning her back on the agent with a dark mutter. "Shut up."
Sighing at her childish answer, Shadow only followed her silently. "Cursing doesn't make it untrue."
And although that seemed to be a fact, it only made Hikari even more unhinged, her feathers sharpening before glancing back towards the man with a clear look of murder and hidden threat. "Let me give you some advice, emo boy. You really don't want to test me right now."
Taking in all anger all at once, Shadow hummed, already knowing what one of the reasons was.
It was something he has been meaning to corner her about all day. "Why? Because you didn't find what you were looking for with those stolen support items?"
He then watched as Hikari's wings twitched at the sound of her screw up before Shadow narrowed his eyes in intense wait. Of course he knew that she tricked him and took those memories bracelets yesterday but the intent was still unclear on why.
It had to have had something to do with Dabi, but Shadow wondered how badly that conversation went considering her new and dangerous attitude today. It must have been pretty nasty for her to be this pissed off.
So instead of calling her out even further, he waited. He waited until she gave him some kind of answer that would quell his overwhelming thoughts.
Just what was her intent and how badly did she fail?
Although the only thing he received was silence as Hikari reached down towards her pocket before taking out the stolen objects in question and throwing them onto the floor by his feet as a sign of defeat.
Well that didn't tell him anything. He already knew she stole them.
Even so, the man reached down to pick up the object just in time to see Hikari walk past him wordlessly, almost like she was tired of the conversation they were having. Looks like he wasn't going to get any answers after all.
Just then, another memory popped into his head as an imaginary picture of Yuto flashed across his vision. And it wasn't like he wanted to thank her for leading him to that heartbreaking information but it was because of her that he found out in the first place.
No, he knew that without her, he would've just gone on thinking his brother was fine, never knowing the truth and the mistakes he unknowingly made by leaving him all those years ago. At least Valkyrie had opened his eyes.
So much so that his voice came out without permission, stopping the very bird in her steps as Shadow spoke. "You were right, about my brother. He disappeared after I came to the commission. That was years ago, so he might even be dead now. I don't know."
He wasn't sure if she cared to know this information but telling her just somehow seemed right, considering that Hawks had fallen into the same trap as him all those years ago. No, at least she would understand his grief.
Not seeing her expression, the agent then watched as her wings fell slightly in sadness, like she was mourning his brother in her own way.
Then she whispered something under her breath. "So she does have a pattern. I was hoping that wasn't the case."
Shadow frowned at that before his mind moved back to the thousands of thoughts that had plagued him all night as the president's words couldn't help but mix with them.
And in that, something couldn't help but rub him the wrong way. "I know you were just saying those things to piss me off but how did you even know about him in the first place?"
Shaking her head to dismiss the question, Hikari replied. "Told ya, I looked into your records when you started stalking me. Or did you forget that?"
Her explanation made sense, but there seemed to be something off about it. If that was the case how come he hadn't stumbled across this information before? He thought the president had very strict rules about family ties. "But that doesn't make sense. The commission should've burned all the records regarding my relation with Yuto. How did you get your hands on them?"
It was standard protocol after all, something that he had watched the boss do in front of his eyes. For Yuto to have a safe and happy life he needed to detach himself in every way possible, and that included his personal records.
Already sensing the accusation, Hikari lowered her eyes with hidden meaning, almost like she was avoiding the question all together. "I have connections."
Not understanding, Shadow pushed harder. That didn't make sense. What other place could have personal records then the commission? No, she knew something else. "What kind of connections?"
Yet once again, the villain remained silent, causing Shadow to raise an eye in skepticism. Why wasn't she answering him? That was suspicious. Usually the girl always ran her mouth with lies and bullshit.
But right now, where was all of that?
Just then, the phone inside his pocket began to buzz to life as the agent quickly took it out of his pocket in order to read a very angry text from the president. Seems like she wasn't very pleased that they weren't in her office yet.
Lowering his eyes in conflict, he then watched as Hikari reached down in order to take the object from his fingers in order to look at the message with an eye roll.
Then she simply threw the phone up in the air, causing the agent to rush in order to catch it as she gave a smirk under her breath. "Let's go. Don't wanna keep the boss waiting."
Her voice reeked of sarcasm and annoyance, causing the agent to frown before watching as she simply disappeared from his sight a moment later.
And with that, she had seemingly dodged all of his questions.
But why did she feel the need to dodge them in the first place?
What was she hiding?
---------
The minute that they arrived at the president's office, the woman in question practically threw a file their way, her voice plain. "This is your first mission, Takami. It's imperative that you come back successful, understand?"
Lazily taking the file from her desk, Hikari opened the surface in order to fully ignore the serious threat in her voice only to pause at the contents.
Staring back at her was a very familiar face, one that she had seen a week prior to being held at the commission. It was that kid from the liberation, the one that attacked her at Endeavor at his agency. Geten.
Not expecting the photo, the villain frowned. "I thought you wanted me to track down Dabi. This is about capturing that ice bitch from the liberation. How is this going to help?"
She didn't seem pleased with the disrespect though, leaning forward in her chair. "It's important that we test the extent of your skill first."
Hikari couldn't help but turn her lips up at that. Was this lady serious? It wasn't enough that she had come back to her slimy arms? Now she had to prove herself. Give her a fucking break. "You wanna test Valkyrie? Ya gotta be kidding me. Don't you already know who I am? Why should I have to prove it to you?"
The way she was thinking was absolutely ridiculous as well, considering Valkyrie's crimes were public knowledge. Everyone in this room knew about the damage she could cause, that was for sure. So there was no reason to question her talent in any way.
The president didn't seem all that impressed though, more mainly annoyed by her rebellious tongue. None of her other agents had the stupidity to speak to her like that. "Because, completing this simple test means you can be of use to me."
Scoffing at the meaning, HIkari only rolled her eyes once more. "Yeah well, I didn't sign up for this kinda shit. I don't want to be of use to you. I'm not a dog of the state. The only reason I'm remotely stomaching your bullshit is to destroy Dabi. So you can go find someone else to do your dirty work. I'm out."
Then she immediately turned on her heels in order to leave the conversation completely. This was ridiculous, she was ridiculous. Valkyrie didn't do jobs for other people. She was over that shit after Riku's gang.
In fact, this woman reminded her of the same man, and that already made her angry.
You know, on top of the whole ripping her wings out thing.
Besides, if this lady wanted to make her another one of her dogs then she was sorely mistaken. She wasn't Hawks. Like hell would she ever be a slave to this crazy bitch.
Yet that's when she said something that made Hikari stop in her tracks. "I don't think you understand the situation you are in. You will do whatever I decide unless you want me to release the security footage of Keigo killing that league member and get his life ripped away from him.."
Feeling her lips curve into a playful smirk, the villain then glanced behind her in order to call her bluff. "Nah, nice try, you wouldn't. He's your golden child after all."
Although the moment her head turned back, she found the president's icy blue stare, her voice so painfully serious that it brought a stab of anxiety into the bird's chest. "Try me."
Then all at once, Hikari's confident smirk faded into nothing. No, she couldn't be serious. Hawks was her top agent, she couldn't discard him for some simple blackmail. She had to be bluffing.
But as she searched and searched her body language the villain found no sign of apprehension whatsoever, causing her eyes to widen her realization. What if this lady was actually telling the truth? Then her little lie at the liberation would've been pointless.
And if Keigo was accused of those murders then he would be put in that prison cell.
He would lose everything.
This bitch, if she really wasn't bluffing then she only had one option left. Damn it.
Feeling her teeth grit with fury at the idea, Hikari's shoulders turned rigid before turning back away from the woman with a shake of her head. Looks like she won this time. "Whatever, let's just get this over with."
And she knew that the president had a cocky ass expression on her face, but Hikari refused to see it, walking out through the doors only to hear the very same woman call back to her mockingly. "Oh, and one more thing."
Just then, Hikari felt something aim right towards her only for her feathers to sense the motion in order to put her hand up and catch the projectile a second later. What the hell?
Yet when the villain opened her palm she found something very familiar.
Laying in her palm was her crystal pendant, shattered into pieces like someone had purposely chipped off every single piece. The very last present that Touya had gotten her, the thing she used to hide her quirk, it was destroyed.
Just like how her connection to Dabi was destroyed last night.
Almost immediately Hikari's feathers sharpened lethally in order to turn around only to find the very same cocky smirk she tried to ignore as the president looked across in silent victory. "Now, have fun playing fetch."
The phrase was deliberate, something that she knew would get under her skin immediately. She had called her agents "dogs of the state" and now she was showing the bird that she was the same. Tied down, attached to her. Like a goddamn dog.
It made her see red, the villain closing her fingers around the pendant before shoving it into her pocket in order to leave wordlessly. Even though she hated it, Hikari knew that she couldn't speak out now, not when she was dangling Keigo in front of her face like that.
Stupid attachments. It was so much easier when she had no feelings towards Keigo.
Shadow watched her go as uneasiness filled his stomach. He had never seen Valkyrie so well behaved before. Perhaps her brother really did mean the world to her. Well, that made sense considering she had covered for his crimes.
Just then, his boss's voice returned, sharp and serious. "Keep your eye on her. The last thing we need is any wildcards."
Narrowing his eyes at the comment, a certain red feathered hero seemed to pop into his mind. If anyone was going to be a wildcard, it would be him "What about her brother? If he finds out about all this I don't think he'll stay quiet."
Although that's when the woman gave a dark cynical chuckle before her lips curved into a cruel and calculating smirk.
"Don't worry, I already have that all taken care of."
------
When Hawks answered the door to the Todoroki household, he never would've thought he'd be seeing another commission agent staring back at him. "Hawks, I come on behalf of the commission."
Almost immediately the bird felt a hope pool inside his chest, his voice loud. "My sister, how is she? Is she okay? Is she hurt? Please, tell me."
It was the only thing he cared about anyways. The bird hadn't seen his sister since the liberation attack at it was still tearing him apart. He needed to know, he needed to see her.
Although the woman only put her hand up in reply. "The president has an offer for you, regarding your sister."
Widening his eyes, Hawks nodded his head almost immediately. "Whatever it is, I'll do it. As long as it gets her out of that prison. As long as I can see her, I don't care. Tell me."
Nodding back, the agent then pulled out a stack of papers before speaking. "Very well. Follow me. The president has set up many press tours so that you may plead your case against the accusations. Once you are done, then you may see your sister."
Wait, press tours? That's what the president wants from him? The idea was strange but it wasn't out of the ordinary either. Lots of other heroes got caught in scandals every once in a while and they used press tours to help them.
Perhaps the president did this so that he could finally join the commission again.
Because of that, the bird then reached into his pocket before pulling out the small polaroid photo of his little sister before smiling softly.
It's okay, Hika-chan. Your big brother is coming.
-----------------
Making their way through the commission hallways, Shadow followed behind Valkyrie step by step until they reached the end of the building. And with every step he noticed the very obvious mood shift in the air.
He thought she was pissed this morning but it seemed like the conversation with the president had really seemed to have put her over the edge.
No, right now there was a clearly marked tension around her, like she was one millisecond away from snapping and going on a rampage.
And that was something Shadow wanted to avoid, given that he was her handler now.
Watching as the villain turned the corner, the two then found themselves in front of a large locked door with the sign EVIDENCE labeled across the side of the frame. But why were they here? What was the purpose?
The agent frowned at the sight before turning to Valkyrie only to find her staring at the digital keypad just to the left of him. "Why are we here? I thought we were assigned to find Geten."
Narrowing her eyes in unknown thought, she replied coldly. "Open it."
Shadow couldn't help but scoff that. This woman had a lot of nerve. "And why would I do that? I'm not just going to let a villain walk around an evidence locker. I'm not stupid."
The villain only narrowed her eyes at that, not bothering to argue with him and at first Shadow thought that she had given up her strange quest.
Yet that's when Valkyrie lifted up her booted foot before aggressively slamming the hard surface onto the digital pad and shattering a large hole into the surface as Shadows face dropped in disbelief.
What was she thinking?!
This woman really was a psychopath.
Almost on cue, alarm bells started to sound although the villain paid no mind, simply stepping inside the large evidence locker with a wordless expression.
Cursing to himself, the agent then followed behind her hastily, anxiety coursing through each one of his veins. "Hey, what are you doing? People are going to know you are here."
Valkyrie only lifted her hands upwards though, her voice smug and condescending. "They'll know you're here too, partner. So you better figure out how to stop those alarms, otherwise our boss is gonna be really upset.."
Realizing she was right, Shadow felt his hands ball into fists. Damn it, the president would be pissed if she found out that he couldn't handle one measley villain. The boss trusted him after all, she had given him orders and the agent was determined to fulfill them.
Mostly because he knew what awaited him if he failed.
Because of that, the man felt himself groan in frustration before immediately turning to the keypad before a voice sounded from behind him. "Shadow, is everything alright sir?"
Feeling his shoulders tense, the agent then closed his eyes before doing exactly what Valkyrie wanted from the beginning. He lied to his peers. "It's nothing you need to be concerned with. The president has already cleared me to be here. We were just testing the alarms, that's all."
Because he was a higher ranking agent, the others seemed to believe his lie immediately, the younger of the men giving him a small salute before turning around in order to leave the area. "Understood, sir."
Feeling his shoulders slump with relief, Shadow then ran a defeated hand across his face with another groan. "Why did it have to be me? Why do I have to babysit?"
He better get promoted after this, that was for sure.
Shadow then followed behind the woman only to find her silently surveying each piece of evidence with extreme precision, her left hand running across the tables only for the agent to shout roughly. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?? What's your plan..."
Yet that's when he heard a small click as he came face to face with the barrel of a silver gun, the object aimed in the middle of his forehead as Hikari's unamused expression bled into his memory.
Shit, why hadn't he paid more attention to what she was doing? Now he was going to die because of his own stupidity. Damn it, how disappointed Yuto and the president will be.
Although that's when the villain simply turned the gun over in her hand in order to lift the handle out to the agent in question with a sigh. "Quirk erasing bullets. It's raining outside and he controls water. Trust me, you're gonna need them."
Widening his eyes at her statement, the man turned his eyes to the hilt in question. Was that why she wanted to break in here, so that they could have a fighting chance against Geten? Well, she could've just said so. Why had she been so cryptic about it?
It was strange, so much so that the agent was skeptical of her true intentions.
Reaching his hand out to take the gun, Shadow then felt the cool metal touch his skin before eyeing the villain with suspicion. Just what was her play? She knew how stupid it was to give him this, right?
In order to prove his point, the agent then immediately turned the weapon onto Valkyrie, his finger dancing across the trigger in warning just like she had done to him. "Aren't you worried I'm going to shoot you with them?"
Although the villain herself didn't flitch, her eyes still fixated on the table of old liberation equipment before them as she sighed with hidden sadness. "Losing my quirk isn't something I fear, it's what I dream about.."
Shadow couldn't help but be taken back by that, his finger moving from the trigger in surprise. Where was this sadness coming from? It didn't make sense. Where was that villain facade now?
Speaking the question in the air, the agent frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She didn't answer though, the woman's eyes closing for a moment before immediately turning her back and making herself even more vulnerable to show her indifference to his threat.
"Let's go."
Closing her hands around one of the objects on the table, the villain then silently slipped something into her pocket before moving towards the exit as Shadows' eyes turned livid.
What the hell was this woman's problem? Sure, Valkyrie usually was a cocky pain in the ass but ever since last night something had clearly changed with her. It's like she was walking a line of her own sanity, trying to keep something together.
And maybe it was wrong to poke that bear, to irritate that fragile spot but the man couldn't help it. He needed to make sure she wasn't going to freak out on his watch and ruin everything he had ever worked for.
Call himself paranoid but the man still didn't trust Valkyrie, and that includes letting her out in a public setting, which was what he was about to do in just a couple hours.
So much so, that agent felt himself move without thinking, quirk activating as he slipped through the floor in order to reappear from Valkyrie's own shadow to grab onto her arm and stop her movements.
And when he spoke, the tone was clearly frustrated. "Hold on, I don't know what happened last night with Dabi that got you so pissed off but we have a job to do so you better get your head on straight. Remember what you're wearing. You represent the commission."
In return, he then watched as the girl in question looked down at the bright yellow shirt in question before scoffing in return. "Or what? Ya gonna pull me out?"
Then Hikari's lips curved into a sly smirk before leaning closer to the agent until they were eye to eye. And from this angle it was very easy to see the unhinged nature that lay beyond the inviting amber aura.
So much so that he couldn't break away. Was this the true power of Valkyrie? Because right now he certainly felt like some kind of prey.
And as she spoke, a chill couldn't help but course up his spine. "I'd like to see you try."
The devious villain then chuckled under her breath before turning around in order to continue walking ahead of him as Shadow felt his blood boil. This bitch was fucking with him, wasn't she? Did she really think she could intimate him like that? Like hell.
So much so that she decided to hit her where it hurt. "Seems like a sore subject. What, did you get broken up with last night or something?"
At that, he then watched as Hikari stopped walking in order for her feathers to twitch at the accusation. It was a long shot, sure, but from her reaction it seemed that he was right.
Huh. Maybe that's why she had a stick up her ass all day.
It's funny to think about really, a psychopath falling in love with another psychopath.
So much so, he heard her lethally threatening voice a moment later as all of her feathers sharpened in clear warning. "Ya got a lot of nerve don't ya, Hotaru?"
At the sound of his real name, Shadow's eyes widened as his body began to react the way it always did when his name was uttered. His shoulder became rigid as a flitch and a chill of shame coursed through him without warning.
Because whenever he had heard his name, it was in a negative light. It was to demean and punish him for not doing what was expected. And each and every time, it hurt just like the first.
And from the look on her face, she knew how it would hurt.
But how did she know such a forbidden word? Had she been listening to his conversations with the president secretly? That had to be it, knowing that name was dead and buried with his little brother.
And although he supposed he deserved it for trying to dig into her life, Shadow couldn't help but be furious nonetheless. "You think that name is going to deter my question?"
Humming to herself, Hikari cruelly replied. "No, but it made you flinch, didn't it?"
And fuck, he hated that she was right. Her words did make him flinch, simply because that name was a trigger of shame for him. She could read people quite well. He'd have to look out for that.
But as much as his conscience told him to shut up, his mouth kept moving. "You know, you talk real mighty for someone who's a hypocrite."
At that, he watched the villain's lips curve into a challenging smirk, unbothered by his new accusation. "What are you going on about?"
Pointing his finger out towards the blonde haired woman, Shadow then replied coldly. "You mocked me about not having a backbone but I didn't see you standing up to the president back there. Where was the big bad Valkyrie you boast about so much? Because I didn't see them. No, it seems like you're just as spineless as the rest of us."
And quite honestly, the agent was surprised by her reaction to the president's demands. Sure, for him they were absolute, something to not be questioned but he never thought that the bird would have acted the same.
It was very un-villain like after all, to follow orders. Chaos was usually their response and yet Hikari had just stayed silent.
Then again, that woman did mention her brother, perhaps that's why she didn't say anything, to protect his future as a hero. Which was silly to think about given that Hawks represented everything Hikari hated.
Why didn't she just walk away? Was her devotion that strong?
That was when he heard a low chuckle as Hikari's wings unfolded from her body in order to stare daggers at the agent in question.
And this time, it is obvious to tell that she was pissed off, that he was cracking that sensitive shell she was desperately trying to hold together. "Trust me, you really don't want to see how bad I can be, so I suggest you shut your mouth before I do it for you."
Her eyes were dead serious, each feather twitching with villainous intent as the shadows of the evidence locker darkened the rest of her body like a predator. It was obvious to tell that everything within her was itching for a fight, to make Shadow eat his words and prove him wrong in every possible way.
Thinking back to the president's words, the agent couldn't help but pause. He was sure that she was wrong about Valkyrie, about her choosing to spare him this entire time but he needed to be sure, he needed proof.
He needed to know that he was smarter, that she hadn't just been playing him this entire time. No, she couldn't be hiding anything, there was no way he had a connection to this horrible villain.
Because of that, this time, Shadow wasn't afraid, instead choosing to take a step closer and replying shortly. "Alright then, prove it."
At that, Valkyrie couldn't help but pause, obviously not expecting that response, her feathers softening in a millisecond. "What?"
Continuing on, the agent then lifted his arms out in reply. "Go on, do your worst. Get all your anger/heartbreak out or whatever so that way you can take out that stick that's been in your ass all day and we can get this mission done."
That's when he watched her blink in surprise before her lips twisted into a small condescending chuckle, almost like she was trying to keep it together. "You want me to hit you? That's not very smart of you, emo boy."
To prove her point, Valkyrie then lifted out her wings a little bit wider in order to threaten the agent before her, like she had done to so many before.
But once again, Shadow only stood his ground. "Go then, take the shot."
Then he waited, he waited for the villain to finally snap, to show him the same brutal intent that she was known for. He welcomed it, just for the sole reason of getting that silly little idea out of his mind. Then things could go back to normal.
And it was very clear to see what she wanted to, to punch him across the face or slice him with her own feathers. No one talked back to Valkyrie after all, and given the shaking hands and gritted teeth that he was seeing, it seemed like she was a millisecond away from doing just that.
Yet, that's when he watched her eyes fill without something new, something unexplainable, almost like she was reliving some kind of trauma or horrible nightmare just staring at his face. But what could that mean? What was she imagining?
Did she always look like that towards him and just never noticed? No, the boss's crazy words were just getting to him. That's all.
Then he stared back blankly as the villain in question simply closed her eyes before unballing her fists in order to turn her back on him for a second time.
And when she finally spoke, it was strained and raspy. "This is stupid."
Gritting his own teeth in frustration, Shadow then activated his quirk once more, slipping into the murky darkness at his feet only to reappear right in front of the woman in question in order to block her only entrance.
No, she couldn't run from this, he wouldn't let her.
Shouting in her face and at her crumbling facade, the man replied. "What? After everything, after the interrogations I put you through, that fake test at Endeavor's agency, you really don't wanna get back at me for that? Come on, I'm giving you an open shot right now. Take it, Valkyrie."
And it was true, he had tortured her so much the last couple weeks. She should've been jumping at the chance to finally beat him. But if that was the case, why wasn't she taking it now, why was she simply walking away?
That wasn't like Valkyrie.
In fact, that was completely out of her character.
But the more she remained silent and unmoving, the more the president's words coursed through each and every vein with unexplained anxiety.
You know her record. She had an opening, she just never took it. Haven't you ever asked yourself why?
Trying one more time, the agent called back desperately, searching for an answer in her sad stare. "You didn't have a problem with it when you broke my nose at Endeavor's agency. So why now? What's changed?"
Then once again, that strange and fallen expression crossed her face, causing the woman to shake her head at the idea before pushing past him with a mutter. "Enough, Hotaru. Just drop it."
Feeling his shoulders turn rigid at his real name once more, the agent's eyes suddenly filled with fear before turning around in order to grip onto her arm for dear life. The way she said it this time, it was so different then before.
Now there was no malice there, no cocky demeanor behind the forbidden phrase like before. She didn't say it to spite or hurt him. This time, it seemed it just tumbled out on its own, like she wasn't thinking.
But if that was the case, why did it seem so sad?
So much so, he voiced his own thoughts out loud for the first time, the tone echoing off the walls immediately. "Why am I the only commission agent you haven't destroyed? Are you keeping me around on purpose? Tell me the truth..."
And this time, the villains stopped, her silhouette filling up the doorway as her hand curled around the frame tightly.
That silence spoke volumes, cutting through his entire soul as he waited with baited breath for her next words.
Yet when she did finally answer, it wasn't what he wanted. "The truth? The truth is that I'm going to go in there, get that stupid ice bitch and you are going to shut up and stay out of my way."
And just like, the villain left, causing Shadow to close his eyes in frustrated defeat.
This was going to be a long night, he could already tell.
"As if I could do that..."
---------------
The ride to the underground casino was silent, something that Shadow both welcomed and hated at the same time. He had hoped that their last conversation could've given them a bit of a truce but it seemed like it had in fact done the opposite.
No, now Valkyrie looked even more pissed than before, her nails tapping against the side of the car as she blankly stared out the window in stewing silence. Just great, now he really had to make sure she didn't go on a rampage.
The silence lasted until they reached the entrance to the casino, the villain narrowing her eyes as she looked at the dimly lit sign. "Remember what I said, l'm going to take care of this, and you are going to stay back."
And just like that, she disappeared into the warm light, causing Shadow to gasp at the action in order to follow behind her with disgruntled grumble. 'You wish.."
He found her a moment later, running up in order to weave his way through the crowds as the two moved past a sea of people in order to look out onto the various patrons that were gambling away their life savings.
Well this wasn't good. This place was huge. It would take forever to find Geten at this rate.
Wanting to get down to business and forget about their fight, the agent spoke carefully, ignoring her annoyed expression at the fact he followed her. "We need to find our suspect quickly. There is no telling how many other people want his head after the liberation's downfall."
Almost on cue, Hikari tilted her head up at his words before moving away from the commissioned agent and through the slew of crowds much to Shadow's dismay. Hold on, where was she going? They didn't even discuss anything yet.
Shouting out in her direction, the man frowned in frustration. She probably didn't even hear him. "Where are you going? We need to find a way to make these people talk."
Yet that's when he watched as Hikari reached down before forcibly ripping a charcoal colored cane from an older man's hands in order for him to widen his eyes and turn to her with a shout. "You bitch!! What the fuck do you think.."
His words were cut off in an instant though, caught in his throat as his own cane came full force at his face, snapping his head back as he fell in a painful thud only for the woman to place her booted heel on his back.
Gasping at the action, the man turned in reply only to gasp as her two red deformed wings extended from her back in silent threat, stunning him and everyone in the entire casino to a shattering halt. "You were saying..?"
Enjoying the fear in his eyes at the crimson and ominous intent, the villain's lips turned up with cruelty as a dark chuckle worked its way into her throat. "Aw, what's wrong? Are ya speechless? I seem to have that effect on people."
At the scene, Shadow couldn't help but widen his eyes, already trying to move through the crowds of people with a gasp. What are you doing?! This wasn't the plan!
Yet that's when she dug her foot into the man's throat, causing him to choke as her feathers detached in order to sharpen like daggers. "Listen up everyone, I'm in a piss poor mood right now so you have five seconds to tell me where that ice bitch Geten is before I work my way through this casino, disassemble every single one of your organs and make you choke on them one by one."
The crowds stood silent at that, looking between each other as the man beneath her waved his hands around desperately with a raspy wheeze. "What are you waiting for, get her out of here!!"
Seeing the guards descend, Valkyrie then narrowed her eyes before another cynical chuckle escaped her lips with fake pity. "Aw, how cute. You think I'm bluffing.."
Then before anyone could process it, all of her feathers flew away from her body in order to snatch onto each of the patrons clothes and thrust them backwards with stifled screams before lifting them upwards to the ceiling in silent wait.
Smiling under her breath, the villain then turned her attention back on the man below her with a psychotic point of a finger. "Your turn."
Watching his eyes widen with fear, the man's words lodged inside his throat. "W-What?! What are you.."
Then the man was flung across the room as well, sliding across the long gambling table and across the various glasses that were laid across the sides before slamming him onto another table, the feathers keeping him in place like homemade chains.
Strolling up to the table, Valkyrie then lifted her hand upwards in order to grab the long feathered sword behind her and point it to the man knowingly. "Now don't make me ask again, where is that ice bitch, Geten?"
At the silence, the villain then gritted her teeth in frustration before releasing every single patron from her hold, each of them screaming as they plummeted towards the ground in order for all of her feathers to point at the man in question. "TELL ME."
Gasping at the move, Shadow's voice carried through the chaos. He knew she was a villain but this wasn't what he wanted, this wasn't what the president would've wanted. "T-Takami, stop! You can't just..!"
But before he could finish, the man pinned to the table gave her what she wanted, shouting back loudly. "H-He's in the back! By the private tables..!!"
Then all at once, the feathers were removed as the villain simply turned away from the shaking man in order to proceed to the back of the room.
Shadow could only look on with disbelief though, following the woman from a safe distance in case she decided to have another psychotic break. Damn, whatever was on her mind was seriously pissing her off.
This would be the last time he worked with a villain.
He was already exhausted.
They found the target a minute later, the hooded man growing frantic at the appearance of the bird. "Y-You!? You killed Re-Destro, you ruined everything!"
Then before he could process it, Valkyrie had his face pressed into the bar, her voice serious and low. "Told ya you'd regret messing with us for the rest of your life."
And just like that, it seemed to be over.
Mission accomplished.
That was easier than they thought, you know minus all the threatening.
Narrowing her eyes at Geten, Hikari then watched as the commission agent strolled up behind her with the intent to put the quirk restraining cuff on him and finish everything as quickly as possible.
Yet, that's when Hikari's feathers couldn't help but twitch in warning as her head raised upwards in question. What kind of presence was that? It felt so familiar. And whatever it was, it was getting closer by the second.
Suddenly, realization crossed her face a moment later as her skin grew pale in fear.
No, not now.
Then before Shadow could process it, Hikari had reached out in order to grab the black locks on his head and pull him down with her in an anxious panic as she screamed. "GET DOWN!"
Not understanding the action, the agent hit the floor a moment later, just as a wall of inferno passed over their heads, just barely missing their hair in the process as Shadow's eyes widened. How did she sense that so fast?
Turning his head in question, he then watched as Hikari stumbled to her feet immediately in order to move in front of the fallen agent as her wings extended with danger as a figure strolled into the room with a cynical chuckle.
And with it, was a wildcard no one saw coming.
"Careful, Princess. You're getting slow."
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