? Malevolence ?

[Continuation of Touya?]

When I come to, the first thing I notice is pain. Raw and fierce, it laces up and down my side, throbbing in time with my racing heartbeat.

The second thing I notice is the jumbled cacophony of voices around me. I can't seem to make out what any of them are saying. I try to open my eyes to see who they are but I find a blindfold obscuring my vision. I start to panic until I remember that I don't need my eyes for my quirk anymore.

Only- my quirk isn't working.

Whether it's from the pain not letting me think straight or something else, I can't seem to get any images to clarify. My panic builds and I try to sit up but something stops me. Strong hands press my shoulders back to a hard surface and I force myself to focus on the world around me. A familiar voice greets me but something about it makes my blood run cold.

"He's awake- shit, hold him down. This won't be comfortable."

I thrash wildly, straining against whoever is holding me down.

This isn't right, this isn't supposed to be happening. This is bad. Very bad. I need to get out. I need to get away. I-

I can't. Not without my quirk.

The pain at my side intensifies with a sudden pressure, punching the air from my lungs and stealing away the last of my coherent thoughts. My strength drains away and I'm left gasping for air. Someone curses distantly but my head is spinning too dizzyingly to tell which direction it came from.

"Stitches won't hold."

"Then what-"

"Dabi."

I vaguely make out what sounds like hushed arguing before all the sounds fade away as a dangerous heat flickers to life at my side. My mind claws desperately for an explanation seconds before the heat sears into my side. For a moment, it almost feels cold. Then-

It burns.

It burns hotter than anything I've ever felt before. I doubt it lasts longer than a second but it feels like forever. My consciousness fades just as quickly as the heat and I find sweet relief in the darkness.

When I wake up again, I find I'm more coherent than before but I immediately realize I'm not safe. Panic floods my system and I sit bolt right up. A quiet cry escapes me as my side throbs with the movement. I suck in a sharp breath and take in my surroundings.

I'm sitting on a ratty mattress pressed against a wall. A tattered blanket is tangled around my legs but I pay it no mind, my attention drawn to the rest of the room. The leader of the League of Villains stares me down and I realize just how much trouble I'm in.

I have to get out of here.

I snap my eyes shut, thinking of Aizawa. Unruly hair, tangled scarf, tired eyes. But the picture won't clarify. I struggle for a few moments before he clears his throat.

"If you're trying to use that new trick, I think you'll find that your quirk won't be working any time soon."

Opening my eyes, I see him gesture to my hands. I glance down to see a pair of quirk inhibitors clamped firmly around my wrists. My chest tightens and I glance up to my captor, trying desperately to appear less terrified than I really am.

There's no one here to protect me this time.

It's up to me to stay safe.

"...wh-what do you want?"

He takes a few steps towards me and I suddenly remember his name.

Shigaraki.

When he moves, I notice Dabi leaning against the wall, watching with a passive expression as the other speaks.