Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri find themselves face-to-face with the infamous Hero Killer: Stain. The air is thick with tension as Stain's imposing presence fills the room. He studies Tomura with a scrutinizing glare, his demeanor unyielding, as though trying to pierce through the young villain's very soul.

"You sought me out," Stain begins, his voice low and gravelly. "Now tell me—what drives you? Why do you wish to destroy?"

Tomura smirks, leaning back nonchalantly. "Why not? Heroes are all garbage. They smile for the cameras and fight for fame. I'll tear it all down because I hate them."

Stain's eyes narrow, a flash of disdain crossing his face. "That's it? Hate?" He steps closer, his aura suffocating. "Do you even have a purpose? A goal worthy of bloodshed?"

Tomura bristles but says nothing, his grin faltering slightly. Kurogiri, sensing the growing hostility, moves forward. "Perhaps we can clarify—"

"Stay back," Stain commands sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. Kurogiri hesitates, glancing towards Tomura, but he ultimately steps aside. His master's instructions are clear—Tomura must navigate this alone.

Stain leans down, his face inches from Tomura's. "You're a child throwing tantrums, destroying for the sake of destruction. Pathetic. Without conviction, you're no better than the false heroes you claim to despise."

Tomura growls, his hands twitching. "I don't need a lecture from you!"

Stain stands tall again, unimpressed. "You should. True change demands more than anger—it demands sacrifice. I fight for justice, twisted though it may be. But you? You have no right to call yourself an agent of revolution. Earn your place, or fade into obscurity."

The room grows silent as Stain's words hang heavy in the air. Kurogiri observes quietly, noting the flicker of uncertainty in Tomura's eyes. For the first time, the young villain's bravado appears shaken.

As Stain turns to leave, he offers one final warning. "If we cross paths again, and you still lack purpose, I won't hesitate to cut you down."

Tomura's fists clench, a mixture of rage and frustration brewing within him. Kurogiri steps forward. "Master Shigaraki, this was an important lesson. Let us consider—"

"Shut up," Tomura snaps, his voice low but seething. Yet, deep in his mind, the Hero Killer's words linger, sowing seeds of doubt and something else—determination.

For Tomura Shigaraki, this meeting was not the alliance he had hoped for. It was a challenge, one that demanded more than anger to overcome.

As Stain steps toward the door, he pauses, his gaze sharp as he cocks his head back over his shoulder. "That dragon girl you've got your sights on," he says, voice laced with icy resolve. "I'll find her for you, but I won't promise she'll be alive when I bring her back."

His words hang in the air like a death knell before he pushes open the door and disappears into the shadows, his departure swift and final. The room is silent for a beat, save for the faint hum of Kurogiri's presence.

The black mist tilts its head slightly toward Tomura. "Master Shigaraki," Kurogiri begins cautiously, "are we truly going to let him endanger our greatest prize? That girl—her power could tip the scales."

Tomura slumps in his chair, his fingers twitching erratically, the only sign of his simmering frustration. "No," he growls, low and deliberate. "He can find her. He can fight her. But she's mine to control, not his to destroy."

Kurogiri inclines his head in acknowledgment. "Very well. But Stain is unpredictable. Should I prepare contingencies?"

Tomura huffs, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "Let him think he's doing things his way for now. We'll deal with the Hero Killer if he steps out of line. That dragon girl—she's the key to everything."

His gaze shifts to his trembling hands, a mixture of excitement and wrath coursing through him. "She'll either bow to me... or crumble before me."

The room falls quiet once more, the faint echoes of Stain's retreating steps still lingering in the distance, a harbinger of chaos yet to come.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

The training ground echoed with the steady flap of wings and the sharp sound of talons scraping the air as you and Tokoyami faced off. Hawks perched lazily on a nearby post, his golden eyes glinting with uncharacteristic sternness.

"You need to be better," Hawks said, his usual teasing tone replaced with something heavier. "It's not all about your wings, tail, and claws. You're powerful, no doubt, but relying too much on them makes you predictable."

You shifted your stance, flexing your hands as you stared down Tokoyami. Dark Shadow loomed behind him, a silent but intimidating partner in the sparring match.

Tokoyami nodded solemnly, his gaze unwavering. "Hawks is right. A warrior must be versatile. Your strength is admirable, but in battle, adaptability reigns supreme."

You smirked, a flicker of determination sparking in your eyes. "Alright, then. Let's see if you can handle me without my wings," you said, tucking them close to your back.

Hawks whistled, impressed. "That's the spirit! Now show me what you've got—both of you."

The match began with a flash of movement. Tokoyami lunged, Dark Shadow surging forward like an inky wave. You ducked and rolled, your dragon-scaled tail whipping out to deflect the attack.

"Good, but not good enough," Hawks called out. "You're still using your tail. How about fighting like someone who doesn't have scales to fall back on?"

Gritting your teeth, you drew your arms up and pivoted into a defensive stance, this time avoiding using your tail entirely. Tokoyami pressed the advantage, his movements precise and calculated, forcing you to adapt quickly.

Your fists met Dark Shadow's strikes, and though the exchange was intense, you could feel the strain of fighting without your usual arsenal. Still, there was a thrill in the challenge, a spark of growth igniting within you.

"Better," Hawks said as you and Tokoyami paused to catch your breaths. "But don't just focus on defense. Make a move, and make it count."

Taking his advice, you dashed forward, slipping past Dark Shadow with a feint and landing a solid strike on Tokoyami's side. He stumbled back, his composure shaken but intact.

"Well done," he said, nodding in respect.

Hawks clapped his hands, grinning. "Now that's what I like to see. Keep this up, and you'll both be unstoppable—not just as individuals, but as heroes who can handle any situation thrown at you."

You glanced at Tokoyami, a newfound sense of camaraderie forming between you. The match wasn't just about proving yourself; it was about learning to adapt and grow together.

"Let's go again," you said, determination blazing in your eyes.

Tokoyami smirked. "Gladly."

Hawks leaned back, satisfied. "That's the spirit, kids. Keep at it. And remember—heroes who rely on just one thing never make it far. Versatility is your real weapon."

A wicked grin spread across your face as you leaped at Dark Shadow, your movements sharp and predatory. This time, you didn't just evade—it was a full-on assault, your agility and power working in tandem. Dark Shadow recoiled under your precision, the entity fading back into Tokoyami as he struggled to regain control.

"Impressive," Hawks muttered from his perch, his eyes narrowing slightly. He didn't step in, though; this was your match, and he wanted to see how far you'd push it.

Tokoyami tried to counter with a spinning kick, his movements swift and disciplined, but you were quicker. Blocking his strike with your forearm, you let out a low snarl, your draconic instincts flaring. Your snout twisted into a grin as you bared your fangs—gleaming, sharp, and deadly as any venomous blade.

Tokoyami faltered, a flicker of hesitation crossing his usually stoic face. You took advantage, lunging forward and pinning him with a predator's grace. Your weight pressed him down, your talons grazing his skin just enough to send a clear message without causing harm.

Your snout hovered near his throat, inches from his pulse point. Tokoyami's breath hitched, but he held still, his dark eyes locked on yours. A forked tongue flicked out, grazing the spot lightly as you purred, "I win."

The tension in the room was electric. Tokoyami's chest rose and fell rapidly, his composure shaken but not broken. He gave you a slow, deliberate nod, acknowledging your dominance.

From his perch, Hawks let out a low whistle. "Well, I'll be damned. You really do play to win, don't you?" His golden eyes gleamed with amusement, though his posture suggested he was ready to step in if needed.

You rose gracefully, stepping back and extending a hand to Tokoyami. "Good match," you said, your voice returning to its usual tone, though the victorious glint in your eyes remained.

Tokoyami hesitated for a moment before taking your hand and standing. "Indeed. You are... relentless," he admitted, his tone laced with a mix of admiration and caution.

"Relentless is how you survive," you replied, shrugging.

Hawks chuckled, hopping down from his perch and walking toward you both. "Not bad, dragon girl. Not bad at all. But remember," he said, tapping a finger against your forehead, "winning isn't always about overwhelming force. Sometimes it's about strategy."

You smirked, tilting your head. "I think my strategy worked just fine."

Hawks laughed. "Fair enough. Just don't forget to leave your opponent breathing next time, yeah?"

The three of you shared a brief moment of camaraderie before Hawks clapped his hands together. "Alright, take five, and then we'll see if you've got it in you for round two. This time, we'll make it really interesting."

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

The hours passed uneventfully in the quiet of Hawks' agency. You sat curled up on the plush couch in the living room, aimlessly scrolling through your phone. The occasional rustle of papers or distant hum of the city provided the only background noise. Hawks had left earlier, called away for urgent hero business, leaving you and Tokoyami behind.

Tokoyami, predictably, had turned in for the night, his room silent. You appreciated the calm, but it didn't last.

Your phone buzzed, and you glanced down to see a message pop up from Izuku: Midoriya sent you his live location.

That was it. No context, no explanation. Just the ominous little pin marking his current whereabouts on the map.

Your brow furrowed as unease gripped you. "Izuku, you've got to give me more than that," you muttered to yourself. But deep down, you didn't need any more. You knew him well enough to understand he wouldn't send something like this unless he was in real trouble.

Your pulse quickened, and you stood abruptly, pocketing your phone. The faint moonlight streaming through the windows glinted off your determined eyes as you looked around the empty agency. Hawks was gone. Tokoyami was fast asleep. You had no time to waste explaining yourself.

As you reached the door, you paused for a moment, glancing back at the quiet building that had become a strange sort of temporary home. A soft, sad smile touched your lips. "I'll see you again," you whispered, the words carrying both a promise and a hope.

With that, you stepped into the cool night air. The city stretched out before you, bathed in the silvery glow of the moon. Taking a deep breath, you let your true form rise to the surface.

The shift was seamless, almost natural, as your body elongated and transformed, shimmering scales catching the moonlight as they emerged. Wings spread wide, powerful and graceful, catching the gentle breeze. With one mighty leap, you were airborne, cutting through the night sky with ease.

Beneath you, the world blurred into a mosaic of lights and shadows. The city's hum faded into the background as you focused solely on the glowing dot on your phone screen.

Whatever danger Izuku was in, you'd find him. You'd protect him.

The moon watched over you as you flew, a solitary guardian in the vast night sky.