By the time pro heroes entered the Apophis facility, the stench of dead bodies had permeated the air. Class 1-C had already dealt with all of the remaining terrorists and Endo had been secured. There was only one problem.

When Gang Orca and Mirko entered the operating room they were greeted with an incredibly grim sight. Shizuku was on the floor, bawling her eyes out at the sight of her once thought to be step-brother, Reiji Endo. The student's legs had been severed just above the knees for a reason known only to a few.

Endo bravely tried to comfort Shizuku. But even his normal blank expression was corrupted by a hint of sadness. Okami had already coughed up his stomach contents into a nearby sink. Meanwhile, Shinso just scowled at the sight, his fists tightly clenched.

"Let's… get you out of here kid." Gang Orca delicately scooped up Endo and carried him past the bodies left in Karkinos's wake. The three left in the room were too shocked to even move and it was up to Mirko to try and pull a story out of them.

Endo desperately fought to maintain consciousness, "It's… ok… I'll…" But all the drugs in his system dragged him right back to slumber just as Orca carried him past the first floor team.

"Oh god…" Hirose breathed out.

"T-This can't be right," Nayuki said, despair on his face.

Gang Orca shook his head, "It's not." His deep booming voice sounded so delicate. "I'm sorry, but I need you to call back that ride of yours. It's the fastest ride to a hospital."

With a visible tremor, Nayuki dragged his hand up to his ear and tried his best to wet his dry throat, "C-Cerci…? We… Endo's gonna need that extraction now. He needs a hospital as soon as possible."

MHA: 1-C

"No one's in trouble… yet." Mirko claimed, "But I need to know who did all that." She gestured to the piles of bodies in the hall.

Shizuku held no shame as she continued to sob, "I-It was me."

Mirko just nodded, "Let's get you all out of this horrible place." The pro hero ushered the three through the double doors and continued behind them, but not before giving the carnage one last look. "Damn."

MHA: 1-C

"The rest of your class is enroute to the same hospital as us," Orca explained to the shell-shocked teens.

"W-What about Vincent?"

Mirko nodded, "Don't worry. His condition is stable." Shinso narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth, but the rabbit hero continued onwards, "Still can't believe he survived a hit from one of those Nomu. He would've been dead had you not slowed the damage," She said to Ryouji.

"Wait… he-"

Okami interrupted Yosei, "Thank you. We're glad everyone else is safe." He gave a pointed glare to the rest of his classmates sitting in the back of the helicopter. Mirko and Orca were in another row and unable to see the action.

Orca's rumbling voice interrupted the silent exchange, "On the topic of safety. Your bravery is commendable. Worthy of heroes."

"But you're dumb as bricks," Mirko finished.

"... You ruined my flow."

"You were gonna same basically the same thing though."

Orca grumbled to himself, "She is right," Then with more conviction, "You all could've been seriously injured or killed. You're still students, still unready for the real world of villains. It was lucky Apophis decided to retreat, their boss is notorious for turning surprise attacks into massacres."

"We're sorry, we just weren't sure how much time Endo had. We wanted to go right away," Shizuku muttered.

Mirko scoffed, "Had it not been Island 731, all of you could've been in serious trouble for using your Quirks to harm and kill others. There was just way too much luck involved in this rescue of yours. Don't expect to win the lottery anytime soon."

Then, the two heroes fell silent and students looked at each other, as if asking, "Was that it?"

Then, as if Mirko could see them, "Your school has also been informed of your actions, so don't think you got off easy with us."

MHA: 1-C

It was getting dark by the time the helicopter deposited the rescue team to the hospital roof.

Kenichi had already been admitted alongside Will and Wilhelm for fatigue, Vincent and Kaito were sleeping soundly in a nearby room after being treated by Recovery Girl, and Endo was getting multiple tests done to confirm his condition. Daidoji was also still somewhat discombobulated, but she denied treatment for whatever reason.

After another two or so hours Endo was finally allowed visitors and the classmates that weren't stuck in bed went to visit him.

"It's weirder if you keep trying to avoid looking at it you know," Endo said nonchalantly after noticing everyone's gazes.

"Endo…" Shinbou began, "Back when we were attacked in the mall, you lied about how bad the injury was, but still walked into that restaurant a day later, without so much as a limp. How'd you do that?"

Endo shook his head, "I appreciate your concern. But no, that machine will not help me now. It was a chamber of sorts designed to push all my animal genetics into overdrive and give me extra regenerative power, but it's not as powerful as it may sound. It can't regrow limbs or organs. It can only repair what is still left." He suddenly looked off into the distance and then to no one in particular, "No, I don't think it could be modified like that."

"Endo? Who are you talking to?"

"Hmm? Oh, Hyperion."

"Wait…" Shizuku tilted her head, "I thought your armor was broken?"

"It was, but the part that's Hyperion is fused to my spinal cord so I can always hear him. Apophis didn't take him out." Several of class C shuddered. The idea of having something permanently lodged in your body was discomforting.

Yosei waved her hands around to get everyone's attention, "Hey! I think we're forgetting the elephant in the room here!" The class turned to her, "Why did the rest of the class lie about Vincent?"

Nikiya had trouble meeting her classmate's gazes, but thankfully, Aika spoke up for her, "We never would've found Endo had it not been for him."

"He also never would've been in this position had Vincent not betrayed us to Apophis." Hirose looked over to Endo, "I know you always look nonplussed, but there's no way you aren't even slightly pissed about this."

"Shizuku isn't permanently injured, so I can't say I desire any punishment for Vincent."

Nayuki's eyes were wide with shock, "Dude, you have no legs!"

Endo nodded, "As a result of Vincent's mother. I hold no ill will towards our classmate. If you do, it's up to you to decide what to do with him."

Hirose was almost amused by the situation and she turned her gaze on Shizuku, "Ok, he's being way too objective about this, you have to be angry for him."

But the girl sitting on the bed with Endo smiled faintly as she held his hand, "If Endo doesn't want him to be punished, then neither do I."

"Ok, well the two lovebirds have lost it completely, so it's up to us to decide Vincent's fate."

"He shouldn't be punished for his mother's crimes," Nikiya finally argued, "He didn't know his mother was going to do such awful things to all of us."

Ashira nodded quietly, "He did say that, but he could be lying to get off easy."

Okami chimed in, "You're right, his mother's sins shouldn't reflect on him. But he does need to know that what he did was wrong, we can't just let him off scot free."

Yosei sighed, "Shouldn't we wait until the rest of the class is here then? To vote on what to do with him?"

The wolf boy acquiesced with a nod of his head. "Let's give the two of them some-"

Suddenly the room's door opened, revealing a man wearing a dark suit. His black hair was perfectly slicked back and his deep blue eyes devoured the room with their endless gaze, "You are class 1-C yes?" The man's voice was as smooth as silk.

"Um… yes. Who are-"

The man bowed at a perfect ninety degree angle, a hand over his chest, "I am Shinji Kiryu. From the depths of my heart, I thank you for rescuing my child." His words gushed with sincerity, "Should any of your class ever need any help, I will do anything I can to assist."

Shinso spoke up for the first time since entering Endo's room, "He's one of us. We weren't going to just leave him alone."

Shinji stood straight once more, "It does me good to hear that. Endo… may be a clone, but I've still only ever wanted the best for him and I'm glad he has friends like you." He smiled wide, "Speaking of which, may I have a moment alone with my two children?"

The class silently nodded and shuffled out, somewhat embarrassed by the man's emotional declaration.

Shinji took a deep breath as he looked over his children. Seeing that Shizuku had let go of Endo's hand he chuckled, "Don't be ashamed of that love you both feel. Legally, you're not even step-siblings and you have no genetic relation, so there's no reason for it to be weird."

"You designed me to both attract her and be attracted to her didn't you?"

The man nodded, "That was the purpose of the final stages of Project Chimera, to find a permanent loving partner who could protect my daughter."

"Well, I believe I am a failure in regards to her protection." Endo gestured to his legs, "I can no longer defend Shizuku."

"It's ok Endo, I don't need-"

"You were never a failure. I was." Shinji scratched the back of his neck, "I should've never tried to dictate who you were supposed to be Endo. Regardless of your genetics, you are my son and just for a minute, I want you to throw away all that logic and tell me what you want."

Endo paused for a minute, his mind lost in concentration, "I- I want to be with Shizuku forever. And I want to take over Saturn Six when I'm ready." He had locked eyes with Shinji, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see Shizuku turn bright red.

The business man smiled wide once more and dug around in his pocket, pulling out a syringe, "I expected that." He pulled the cap off the needle, "When you started school with Shizuku, you wanted to slightly inhibit your intelligence so you could fit in better, but I think it's time you stop holding yourself back for other's sakes." He took Endo's arm in hand and gently, but quickly inserted the needle, "You're already ready to take over for me and you can start anytime you want." He removed the syringe and swabbed the area with a cotton ball, "Your animal DNA has been unsuppressed. In a couple of hours, you'll be one of the smartest creatures on this planet." Shinji then turned his attention to Shizuku, "I'm sorry we lied to you about… well… all of this. I was afraid of showing you what horrible things I had done."

But the monster girl shook her head, a gleam in her eyes, "I forgive you." She chuckled, "If you hadn't done all of that experimenting, I never would've met Endo. Whether or not he was designed for me… I love him. That's all that matters to me."

Her father nodded, proud tears in his eyes, "You both have my blessing, for wherever this relationship takes you. I will always have your backs."

The three smiled at each other, a patchwork family, but a family nonetheless. And for a while, they just sat there and enjoyed each other's company.

MHA: 1-C

"Turn on the TV!" Daidoji and the whole class, minus Vincent and Nikiya, ran into Endo's room. Everyone had recovered from their wounds and was fully alert, even Vincent, but he chose to stay in his room with Nikiya as his company.

Shinji had stepped out about a couple hours ago to give his two children the privacy they had been so desperately craving.

Shizuku quickly pulled away from Endo, embarrassed to be walked in on while the two were kissing. But the class didn't even notice it as they scrambled for the TV remote.

"Huh… what's this? A-A-All Might has deflated?!" The news reporter's shouts filled the room as a shot of a skeletal All Might appeared.

It truly looked like someone had sucked all the muscle out of him. He was frail, small, and unsmiling as he stared down a faceless man in a haunting dark suit.

Any of the energy the class may have had before entering the room vanished, "There's no way…"

He had treated them like the rest of UA, unprepared, unready for a hero course. He let them struggle alone, without help, but even then, he was something to be admired. A stone pillar to hold up the world, a shining light to show the way, he was special, he was the number one hero.

Suddenly, All Might smiled, his arm enlarging to its strengthened size, "Heroes… have a lot to protect… I won't go down… THAT EASILY!"

The class watched with bated breath as the battle went on and on, back and forth as more heroes joined the fray, doing their best to aid the number one hero. But in the end, only one man could face down such a threat without flinching.

Just as all seemed lost, just as it seemed like All Might had thrown his last punch, he hauled back his arm. "THAT'S BECAUSE, I DIDN'T PUT MY BACK INTO IT THAT TIME!"

His bruised and bloodied hand tightened into a fist, the last of his strength pouring back into that one arm. He was point blank with the villain, the faceless man had no chance to dodge.

With a frenzied cry, All Might launched his last punch and the city, no, the country screamed with him.

"UNITED STATES OF SMASSSSSH!" All Might's fist drove the man into the ground, creating a literal tornado of pressure as the ground cracked beneath him.

The camera went wild as it struggled to keep steady against the winds. The few people in the news helicopter screamed as it was thrown around and pelted with minor debris. Dust obscured the lens from both ground and air angles.

The room held their breath as they desperately waited for the scene to be revealed in full. And then, finally, mercifully, it was.

The skeletal form of All Might stood over his still foe, blood leaking from his mouth. With a desperate shudder going through his whole body, he raised his left arm high, declaring his victory against the seemingly unbeatable foe. His body enlarged to its normal size and even as he staggered forwards, class C could hear the cheers echo all around them.

But, for whatever reason, even as they felt relief course through them, they didn't cheer. They simply didn't have the energy or the excitement left to cheer on the number one hero. It was a bittersweet moment. The need for competent heroes had immediately shot up and the expectation for class C rose with it.

MHA: 1-C

"You already got a talking to from Mirko and Orca," The homeroom teacher for 1-A, Aizawa, stared down at eighteen of the 1-C students, "But I'm going to repeat what I said to my own class." His Quirk wasn't active, but 1-C could swear his eyes were glowing red with anger, "If the number one hadn't just prematurely retired, I would've expelled everyone except for Will and Wilhelm, the only two to remain unconscious through your planning of Endo's rescue. It was a foolish attempt at heroics, so from now on, try and act with us faculty accordingly." He sighed, "That's all. Let's go tour the dorms. You'll have to show Shizuku yourselves once she arrives."

No one protested. Shizuku was absent today in order to help move Endo into his new office and home. Both were located inside the Saturn Six skyscraper in Kyushu. Endo had protested, saying that he could get someone else to help him, but Shizuku insisted.

UA had almost no trouble getting permission from the parents of 1-C to move them all into a dormitory. Only the students had trouble getting permission to leave their parent's embrace and go to school.

Yosei's aunt was worried about her being all alone, Kaito's adoptive father cried as he desperately hung on to his son, Daidoji and Ryouji had similar problems. Shizuku's father only cared that Endo could occasionally visit, etcetera.

Aizawa maneuvered the group around the halls and many rooms, but the tension in the air was palpable, for one simple reason, Vincent. He walked among them with his head down, Nikiya doing her best to comfort him. No one had tattled to the teachers or the authorities yet, but Okami insisted that some form of disciplinary action be decided soon and as the new class president, everyone agreed without argument.

"Well, for now all that needs to be done is your unpacking. Your boxes are labelled and in the common room, so make sure to grab all of them." He paused, "Oh, and you're getting a new homeroom teacher."

"HUH?!"

"What about our old teacher?"

"He was injured during All Might's battle. Apparently he was celebrating in that district over winning the lottery or something. A stand-in will take care of you until your new teacher is settled in and ready." Aizawa nodded, satisfied and pulled open the door, "Until then, start unpacking."

The room was silent for a moment, nobody choosing to speak, until Vincent opened his mouth, "I-"

Aika shoved past him and scooped up her box, "Drop dead."

Hirose, Ryouji, Yosei, Tannin, Will and six others followed her lead, brushing past the traitor in order to get to their possessions.

Eventually, only Shinso, Okami, Kaito, Nikiya, Kenichi, and Vincent himself remained in the common area. Nikiya took his hand and gave it a squeeze, while Kaito patted him on the shoulder before grabbing his things with a few of his daggers, "Give it time. They'll just need to see that you're sorry." He scratched his cheek, "You did do something wrong, so this sort of response is probably normal." He turned to walk away.

"Kaito," Okami chided, "You're not supposed to use your Quirk in the dorm."

"Eh, we deserve some slack."

Vincent stopped him once more, "Why?"

"Hmm? Why what?"

Vincent took a shuddering breath, "Why don't you hate me?"

Kaito laughed. It wasn't mean, or comedic, rather, it felt bitter. "If I got that pissed every time someone betrayed me I wouldn't be in the hero course." He waved over his shoulder, "When you grow up with people fighting over scraps, you get used to this sort of stuff."

Vincent let out a heavy breath and looked over the others still with him, "I'm sorry."

All but Shinso smiled, "We know," Kenichi said, "Which is why we're giving you this chance, don't screw it up."

MHA: 1-C

It was a beautiful view, something people would pay hundreds of millions of yen for and Endo practically got it handed to him. He couldn't help but feel it was a little unfair. However, just this once, he let himself enjoy it. He wheeled himself closer to the window, hoping to get a better view looking down, but he was still having trouble with the wheelchair.

"You sure you don't want a motorized one?"

Endo shook his head, "No, my arms would atrophy too easily."

Shizuku finished packing the last of his clothes away into a drawer and put her arms around his neck as she crouched down, "So… how does it feel?"

Endo didn't have to guess at what she was referring to, "It feels like I can see again. Like my vision was foggy the entire time before this very moment." After receiving the injection from his father Endo had quickly regained all the intelligence that had once been inhibited by the drug. He had been smart while on the drug, so going off of it made him feel like a whole new person. "But I'm still me," He declared, "I'm still the same Endo who loves you more than anything."

Shizuku nuzzled his neck, "I already knew that," She said with a wide grin.

"D-Do you mind if I just have one second by myself?" Shizuku couldn't see his face, "I've been in this chair all day and I need a fresh change of clothes."

"Well I can-"

"No," He cut her off, "I… need to do it myself."

She nodded and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before standing and leaving the room.

Endo took a deep breath, he didn't need to change clothes. He just didn't want Shizuku to see him cry for the first time in his very short life. As a single tear traced its way down his face, he whispered a single word, "Fuck."

MHA: 1-C

And there you have it! It took longer than I expected to get this chapter out, but the conclusion to this arc is finally done! But fear not, myself and the team still have plenty of story to give! On that note, it is also not the end of Reiji Endo either. He will make seldom appearances from now on in this story, but keep an eye out for Saturn Six a spin-off story based around Endo and his company, that will be posted on my own account, Project Armament! We'd love to hear any feedback you have on our story, but until then, I hope you've enjoyed our story so far and you continue to enjoy it!