"This may sound crazy, but it's about your son, Toya."
As soon those very important words had slipped from his lips, he watched Endeavor's expression immediately darken, a thousand of unsaid emotions passing through him all at once. They were one's Hawks couldn't even begin to understand, it was the same expression that he had seen in that alleyway with Bakugo when they mentioned Toya's name not too long ago.
The power he held, Hawks could already tell it was massive for them.
He could tell that Endeavor was still processing his words, trying to understand what he meant by the sudden name of his late son.
When he did reply though it was cruel and cold. "How do you know that name?"
Feeling his feathers immediately twitch with anxiety, the hero took a breath of courage before starting off easy. "I found out through chickadee, but that's not the point. You have to listen..."
Although almost instantly, Todoroki's father shut down his words, already trying to run away from them. "I don't know what kind of nonsense you are going to say but I don't want to hear it. Bakugo shouldn't have said anything so just forget whatever you heard. I have more important things to do anyways.."
He then began to turn away before Hawks felt himself grow even more frantic, racing forward to grab his arm in order to stop his movements.
He didn't want the man to be mad at Bakugo for this, it wasn't her fault he had overheard their conversation. "Whoa whoa whoa listen man, I know you don't believe me but this is really important. Trust me, I wouldn't have brought it up if it wasn't important, would I?"
Yet Endeavor scoffed at that. "I don't know Hawks, you tell me. This is not time for one of your jokes. Bakugo and my son are in that building right now so stop wasting my time already.."
Then the man shoved his arm away from the bird before seeing him start to leave a moment later. No, it couldn't be like this. Bakugo trusted him to tell him the truth, she trusted him with this so he couldn't fail her.
So much so, that Hawks quickly shouted back towards Endeavor a moment later, his words stopping the man immediately. "Your son, he's still alive."
When Hawks finished those words regarding the topic at hand, Endeavor only stared back at him blankly, almost like he was trying to detect some sort of lie or joke about everything. It wasn't against his nature, the man knew that the number two hero loved to mess with him whenever he had the chance.
But this time, unlike the carefree and half assed conversation they had always shared, Hawks wasn't smiling, he wasn't joking.
No, instead he looked rather serious and frantic, with a sense of desperation about him. "I know it's a lot to process, but it's the truth. She would've wanted you to know.."
Blinking in surprise, Endeavor felt his jaw hang down before shaking it closed a moment later, a pained look across his face. "First her and now you. Stop it with these outrageous statements already. My son is dead, and I refuse to hear about this any longer.."
He sounded almost defeated, like he was trying to tell himself that it couldn't be true, that there was no reliability in Hawks' words. It was kind of depressing to say the least, not wanting to give into any hope or false reality. But it seemed that's where Endeavor wanted to stay.
But the bird knew better than that, already trying to reason with him. "Look, I know it's a hard topic for ya but you gotta believe me man. Bakugo told me herself and I've..I've seen him Endeavor, with my own eyes. He's real.."
Widening his eyes a fraction of a second, Endeavor shook his head before stomping up to the hero with a dark expression. "Explain, now."
His intensity wasn't something that Hawks had expected, immediately putting hands out in defense. It then occurred to him the question of how in the hell he was going to explain this to the man.
The only way he could explain it was by telling Endeavor about his double agent life, but then that also brought a lot of unsaid worries, but mostly the fact that he was going to kill him over it.
Hawks had gotten his favorite trainee involved after all.
So much so, that his voice came out rather ramblingly. "Ah well I..here's the thing Endeavor. Things have been complicated and I uhh..ha ha ha..."
Although it seemed like Endeavor was less than pleased at him trying to work around the topic, reaching forward to grab onto his hero jacket. "I said explain.."
Gulping in horror, the bird continued a moment later. "Okay okay okay, just please promise not to kill me, alright? You're not going to like some things.."
Todoroki's father only scoffed before his eyes narrowed in wait. He was acting shady again and the man didn't like it. "No promises."
Giving a fake laugh, Hawks nodded his head before starting his explanation the best way he could. "Right so, uhhh like I said things have been complicated. You see, the commission gave me an assignment to bring down the league of villains.."
At the sound of the commission's name, he felt Endeavor's anger rise immediately as the bird continued with shaky breath. "So for the last seven months I've been trying to earn their trust in order to find their weak point, and that includes pretending to be sympathetic to their cause.."
His explanation was very wordy but it seemed that the hero understood immediately, his voice rising just slightly. "You were a double agent?"
Laughing back half heartedly, Hawks put a hand to his neck in reply. "Yeah, it sure seems like that, doesn't it? And because of that, there were some things I had to do in order to keep that trust, like working with Dabi.."
The villain's name made the number one hero scowl automatically, knowing how much trouble that man put Bakugo through over the past year. "I don't understand what this has to do with anything. You took that bitch's order and were spying on the villains. What does that have to do with the outrageous statements you've been making?"
And that was true. Sure his words were shocking but they weren't anything to talk about now. There was a full out war going on outside and they were just sitting and talking about frivolous things. It was like this bird was wasting his time.
Although that's when Hawks averted his eyes before mumbling back. "This is the part you aren't gonna like.."
Then he watched as Endeavor's lips frowned back as a warning bell sounded in his mind. What wasn't he going to like, what did this stupid bird do behind his back?
As his feathers twitched in response, the bird was silent for a minute, trying to think about the best way to relay with information. Although everything he tried just sounded terrible. The lying, the manipulating, the betrayal. These were all things that he didn't want his idol to know.
Yet he was quickly scared out of his own thoughts as Endeavor hissed back. "Spit out already."
So much so that Hawks had no choice but to continue, whether it was good or not. Endeavor deserved to know, it's what Bakugo wanted. "Well uhh, you see Dabi wasn't giving me anything I could use for the league so I decided to find his weak point. That's when I ran into Bakugo and the prison and noticed how close they were..."
Gulping in response, the bird forced himself to continue. "So I uhh thought that if I couldn't get any information out of Dabi then I thought that I could possibly use Bakugo as his weak point, to trick her into getting what I wanted.."
At that was it, that was the moment that Endeavor had seemingly snapped, his fire around his body growing up as his eyes widened in absolute fury. Yes he didn't know the whole store but it still wasn't great.
He had just admitted to manipulating Bakugo, just like Endeavor had always accused him of. "You did what?!"
Laughing in anxiety, the bird put his hands up a moment later in case the man decided to hit him. "Hey, remember how we talked about not killing me, right?"
Although Endeavor was far too pissed for that, shaking the hero back and forth as he shouted. "You slimy little bird, I knew I shouldn't have trusted you to watch her. Of course you were using Bakugo for your own personal gain, that's all you commission dogs know how to do.
Scoffing back,Todoroki's father then recalled how broken Amari looked when he had found her at that bird apartment, and the things that she was forced to do.
He just stood by didn't he, he just let that happen? He let her be destroyed for the sake of a stupid mission. "Is that why you asked to train her, so you could break her down?"
And as much as Hawks wanted to deny it, he knew that truth. "Yeah, that's exactly what I thought. I only took her in because of her relation to Dabi, that's how it started anyways.."
He felt Endeavor's grip tighten before the scared bird continuing a minute later. "But it's not like now, okay? Bakugo found out about everything and we ended up talking and coming to an understanding. She forgave me and I helped her with her training."
Yet it seemed the hero couldn't process what he was hearing, only choosing to focus on the negative rather than the positive. If what he was saying was true then Bakugo knew about his betrayal, knew about his shady behavior and somehow she still forgave him?
He almost couldn't believe it, if he hadn't seen it himself first hand, her kindness. "That child is ridiculous, going back to you after everything.."
Nodding back, Hawks couldn't help but soften his eyes. "Yeah I know, I didn't deserve it. I still don't deserve it but she didn't give up on me. I Still don't really know why though, I'm not that special or anything like that..."
Remembering that words she told him before the provisional, Endeavor couldn't help but shake his head, knowing exactly why she stuck by him. "She told me that she wanted to save you, as ridiculous as that sounds."
A small ball of emotion appeared in the bird's throat at that, also remembering why he hadn't been involved in this war to begin with. She was still trying to save him, even if he thought he didn't deserve it. "Geez kid, don't say things like that. I'm supposed to be the hero here.."
Yet that's when Hawks immediately snapped back into the conversation, remembering the stakes of everything. "Anyways, the point is when I was with Bakugo I found out about your son, about how he's alive. She's been protecting him this whole time."
At the mention of his son, Endeavor felt his heart stop. Wait, Bakugo knew Toya was alive? No, that's impossible. That little idiot would've said something about it if that was the case. She couldn't ever keep her mouth shut. "What are you talking about?"
Sucking in a breath, Hawks closed his eyes for a moment before finishing plainly. "It turns out, the one that I was following for seven months, the one that I've been spying on, he's your son."
The air grew completely still at his words, Endeavor staring back at him blankly as he tried to process that outrageous statement he just uttered. "What?"
Hawks just softened his eyes in response. "I know it's a lot to process and I wouldn't have believed it either, but I've seen it first hand. He even admitted it in front of me and the kid. As crazy as it is, Dabi is your son."
And at those words, the two felt their entire world stop, the air far thicker than before. It was obvious that Endeavor was still looking for some sort of lie or joke but sadly there wasn't one. Hawks couldn't give him one this time.
Suddenly, a loud clang sounded behind them as they two turned around only to find Natsuo and Fuyumi staring back at them, medical supplies laid across the floor from the box they were holding. "W-What?"
From the looks of it, it seemed like they were here for Shoto, aiming to treat his wounds but instead they had heard something else, Fuyumi speaking first. "D-Dad, what is he saying?"
Yet it seemed Endeavor was still stunned before Natsuo pushed past her into the room. "Yeah he's gotta be lying, right? There's no way that Toya is.."
But as soon as the Todoroki's met the eyes of Hawks, it seemed reality finally set in, the bird only lowering his eyes in silent acceptance. He really wasn't joking..
Just then, a loud boom entered from outside, causing everyone in the room to widen their eyes before rushing out of the medical tent and back towards the warehouse. Shit, they were so wrapped up in everything they had forgotten about the war.
Stepping into the open air, Hawks feathers shuttered at the cold breeze before a feeling of absolute warmth and comfort wrapping around him. It was almost like a hug or a set of kind words, his body immediately relaxing at the sensation. What the hell..
Although that's when he looked down at his hands only to find his entire body shimmering in a light gold coating, protecting him from the rest of the word. Wait, he knew this quirk anywhere. It was Amari.
Quickly whipping his head already in order to find the girl, he couldn't help but gasp when he noticed that it wasn't only him that was covered in the soft yellow, it was every single hero that was fighting, including Endeavor and his kids as well.
This kind of power, it was something Hawks had never seen from the girl before. He thought she had limits but this was far greater than she had ever done in training. It was like the whole warehouse was affected by her quirk. "Chickadee..."
Natsuo seemed rather confused as well, looking down at their gold arms before voicing their concerns a moment later. "What's happening?"
Fuyumi turned her own shimmering hand before whispering. "It's so beautiful."
Yet that's when Endeavor gritted his teeth before looking towards the warehouse with sullen eyes. "Bakugo, what have you done?"
Not understanding, Hawks moved towards the hero for an explanation. "The kid is doing this, right? She's still in there and yet her quirk can reach this far? That's crazy."
Endeavor didn't seem impressed though, only horrified. He had been with the girl for almost a year, he knew her limits and defect warnings more than anyone. "It can't reach this far, she doesn't have the stamina for it. That girl, she's killing herself."
Immediately, Hawks eyes widened with matched horror before lifting his wings out a moment later, ready to rush in there. "What?! We have to do something then, before it's too late..!"
The man couldn't help but scoff to himself before immediately moving towards the building, his steps obviously frantic. He hated to think about the idea that they were already too late. "You don't think I know that? Let's go Hawks."
Although they were quickly stopped by a voice behind them, equally afraid. "W-Wait..!"
Turning around, the two found Endeavor's children staring back at them, Natsuo shouting back first. "We are coming with you."
Endeavor immediately shook his head though, already shutting down the suggestion without a single though. "No you aren't. You two will stay by the medic tent until we return."
Natsuo scoffed at that, fully ready to have a fight with his father. He wasn't just going to sit around and be useless. "I don't think so. I am not just going to sit and wait. That's what I've been doing my entire life. I'm sick of it..!"
Yet he was stopped again when Fuyumi stepped forward with pleading eyes. "Dad, please. If Toya is really in there, then we want to help."
Hawks could see the turmoil in his idol's eyes, clearly trying to find the words to tell him no without hurting thier newly found relationship. "I've already lost two children, I don't want to lose you both as well."
Widening their eyes at his kind gentle voice, Natsuo and Fuyumi couldn't help but look between each other before feeling the weight of his words. It almost made them want to comply.
But then he remembered why they were in this position in the first place. Amari had asked them to be here for a reason, this must have been the reason, to find Toya. Knowing that, they just couldn't back down.
That's why Fuyumi stepped forward towards her father before a hard ball of emotion worked its way to her throat, now placing a light hand on his. "Dad, you aren't going to lose us. Not anymore. Although, I think it's time to stop running away from everything.."
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Natsuo then strolled up to meet his sister, a new found softness in his expression. "Yeah, you remember what Amari said. That he's waiting for us. This is something we have to do together. You know that, don't you?"
Endeavor then stared at his two children before a hard sigh made its way towards his throat. As much as he hated it, a part of him also knew that this was something they had to do together.
Because of that, he couldn't disagree, not when his kids were trying to understand him to this degree. Yeah that's right. They were going to bring Toya back home, like they always were meant to do. "Yeah, I do."
As the gold shimmer covered her entire body, Amari blindly stepped forward through the rubble, her eyes practically glowing from the large amount of All for One's quirk enhancement in her system.
All the times she had taken it before it had left her that man's slave, hanging on his every word but this time she felt a new sense of peace that had left her only determined and focused for the actions ahead.
It was like her brain was in fifty directions at once, focusing on protecting everyone she loved along with finding the Todoroki brothers at the same time. Although she knew this newfound calm wouldn't last long. Soon her body would fail, it was just the matter of when.
The events were almost the same as the USJ incident except this time she had even more reason to fight, more reasons to finish everything.
Turning to her left, she found her brother staring back at her, a gold coating around his body as heavy tears forced his way into his eyes. She must've looked quite strange to him right now, practically inhuman. She didn't want him to cry for her like that, this was the path she had chosen for herself.
She heard his voice first, breaking through the crowds as he raced up to his expressionless sister. "Amari..! What the fuck did you just do?! Come on, we are getting you out of here right now..."
Although when he got close enough, the boy could see the vacant dead look in her eyes along with the black veins that had fully consumed her entire body. She looked already dead at this point and that only made him want to reach her even faster.
But just when he was a couple feet away, Amari lifted up her hands only for a large wall of gold to appear in front of him, blocking the boy from reaching his sister. "What the hell?! Amari, you turn your quirk off right now..!"
Yet the girl only closed her eyes for a moment before shaking her head, her vacant stare piercing his very soul. "I'm sorry, I have to finish this. I'm the only one that can, you know that."
And as much as Katsuki hated it, a part of him knew she was right, that this was her battle to finish. Although that didn't lessen his anxiety any more. "Why, why does it have to you?! You don't have to..."
Amari took in his words before shaking her head once more, a sad smile on her face. "Yes, I do."
Bakugo felt his entire world break around him as he raced forward before pounding his fists into her gold shield, ignoring the burning sensation around his palms as he cried back loudly. "No, no you fucking don't. You don't get to show up in my life and then disappear the next minute. How dare you, how dare you make me care about you, you stupid brat!"
Even though the words weren't said, Katsuki already knew what was going to happen if he let her fight again, what kind of result that would have.
He also knew what kind of effects that drug would have on her, that it was probably already too late for his sister. But it didn't matter to him. He wasn't ready, he wasn't ready to say goodbye.
He hated it, the idea of her going by herself again alone, the thought of her never coming back.
This was his sister they were talking about, he didn't want to lose her. He had just barely gotten her back after all this time. "Don't do this, I need my sister..."
And that made Amari's heart shatter immediately, her eyes filling with tears before replying. "I know, I know you do but it doesn't work like that Katsuki. It's too late for me anyways, my heart will stop soon.."
Feeling the tears spill onto Bakugo's cheeks at the realization, the boy recalled her invisible words before letting out a shaky breath. He was right, those last words were her goodbyes.
She knew she was dead if she took that drug, and she did it anyways.
His sister then looked back towards the glowing amount of blue and red fire before locking her own tear filled expression on him. "Somewhere you know I'm right. So please let me do this, you have to let me do this.."
But it seemed like Katsuki wasn't ready to let go, banging his fists on the gold shield once more before shouting back angrily. "I don't give a fuck if you're right or not! The whole world can wait, it can burn down for all I care! As long as you're okay, I don't care what happens..."
And as villainous as it sounded, in this moment Bakugo truly believed that. Sure Amari could probably save the world, save everyone from this war but what would that mean for her?
As selfish as it was, to him, he only saw the death of his sister.
Yet it seemed Amari caught his lie, shaking her head sadly. "We both know that's not true. Bakugo's are heroes, right? It's what we've been working towards, what we've been fighting for this entire time. So we can sit here and do nothing or we can go be heroes together."
Shaking his head, Katsuki felt his breathing shallow as he recalled the conversations they had shared as children, the ones that kept the two of them going for all of these years.
He knew she was right, that this was their chance to change something important, but somehow the idea seemed much more cruel then before. Sure they wanted to be heroes but as little kids the two didn't realize what that truly meant until now, and the sacrifices they would have to make.
It almost made him curse himself for not trying hard enough to get his sister out of U.A. out of this fate but then he realized that it was pointless from the beginning. They were born to be heroes all right, so now the twins had to fully understand what that meant.
She said her fate was inevitable, that her heart would stop soon which meant that regardless, he would have to say goodbye, he would have to lose the only person that fully understood him, the only person he fully loved.
It didn't matter how much he cried and screamed and reasoned with her, the damage was already done. All he could do now was accept it.
Walking up to the gold shield, Amari then placed a hand up to the surface just as Katsuki did the same, their connection fleeting as her brother fully realized what had to happen, and the reality that he had to face. "Katsuki, I.."
Yes they loved each other but heroes couldn't be selfish either. "I know, I get it. J-Just, don't say it, alright? Let's go be the best damn heroes the world has ever seen."
Then he forced himself to turn away from her before readying his explosion in order to clear up the ground floor and help her. She couldn't do this all on her own which meant it was up to him to take care of these villains for her.
Amari watched him go before the hands fell from her gold shield, wiping her tears away before a sad smile worked her way to her lips. She knew how hard it was for him to leave her in this state and even so she was thankful.
It was something she knew she wouldn't ever forget, her brother's love and his trust. "Thank you Katsuki."
Feeling his entire left side burn with flames, Todoroki was lost to his own rage as he threw a blaze towards the man that had tried to destroy Amari for many years.
He had always hated her tears, he hated not being able to do anything for her and All for One was the center of everything. He wanted it to end, it had to end.
And even Toya was surprised at his little brother's rage, staring blankly as Todoroki stomped up to the villains without a care in the world. "I'm going to make you sorry for hurting her. All of those times she cried because of you, all the times that she was scarred, I'll make you feel them all..."
Narrowing his eyes into a scowl, the boy finished darkly. "I'm going to finish this now, for her."
He then lifted up his inferno covered hand before Toya called out to him a moment later, slightly concerned about how badly he was burning up and overheating. "Hang on there Sho.."
Yes, a part of his own sick twisted soul loved to see his little brother was as destroyed as he was, so close to the point of never coming back. It's what Endeavor deserved after all.
But then that annoying part of him couldn't help but be horrified, slightly scared of his brother's downfall. He knew first hand what it was like to lose everything, to feel consumed by hatred and rage. Did he really want that for his brother?
Todoroki stopped at his words, causing Toya to throw his hands into his pocket haphazardly. Curse his stupid weak side. "As much as I would love to see you kill someone and be just like your big bro, aren't you supposed to be a hero? That's what dear old Dad wanted you to be, right?"
He wasn't sure why he was putting second thoughts in Shoto's mind but it did cause him to question his actions for a moment. "I don't care what he wants. After how much Amari has suffered, something needs to change. I won't let her sacrifice be in vain, I'll finish what she started.."
This couldn't help but cause All for One to chuckle under his breath. "I couldn't see the family resemblance until this moment but it really is plain as day, isn't it? Poor little Todoroki's, so easily swayed. Disappointments all around it seems."
And that was enough for Todoroki to finally snap, his flames consuming his left side fully before racing up to the villain on sluggish steps and firing his quirk at the man in question. "You have no right to talk to my brother like that. I won't let you..!"
Quickly swatting his flames away, All for One replied. "Oh, that's what the Little One said before as well. Well that is, before I put her down. How foolish, her delusions."
At the sound of Amari's state, Todoroki felt even more anger consume him before throwing even more flames in his direction and using his right leg to muster out a small bit of ice to create spikes.
He knew he was unhinged and consumed by his fury, although it wasn't enough to stop it. "How dare you. Amari is not foolish and she has done nothing wrong. She was trying to help us this whole time. You never understood anything about her and you still don't."
Seeing his lack of self control, All for One couldn't help but hum, already knowing how to respond as he easily dodged his fire. "And since you do, that means you have to keep fighting for her, right? So go ahead Todoroki, let that anger consume you, don't stop until you show me that you are worthy enough for her.."
Almost immediately, Todoroki felt something trigger inside of his mind, something that made his flames heat up almost instantly. All of sudden he felt so angry, determined to keep fighting, to prove to Amari that he wasn't useless to her, that he could do something...
Suddenly he was brought back to that white room where All for One had made him fight those Nomu's, his survival instincts taking over any logical thought. Now nothing else matters except All for One and him, like an animal stalking his prey.
Pushing his flames even further towards All for One, Todoroki glared back as one of his embers licked the side of the villains face, much more concerned with killing him rather than just teaching him a lesson. "Shut up, I'll make you shut up..."
All for One couldn't help but smirk at the display, knowing that his tactics were working marvelously, almost as good as Amari. "Is that all you have Little Todoroki? Come on, Bakugo won't love you like that. It will make her death worthless.."
Gritting his teeth enough to draw blood, Todoroki felt himself growl before pushing his flames even further, ignoring his twitching muscles and quirk over use as his intent to kill these villains overtook everything else. "Don't talk to her that way. Of course she loves me, that's why I'm ending this now..I'm ending you now..."
At his words and strange behavior, Toya couldn't help but widen his eyes, already stepping forward to the battle at hand. This didn't sound like his brother at all. "Whoa Little Sho, you are starting to sound like a villain there. I don't really think Bakugo would approve of that.."
Although it seemed Todoroki was far too gone to understand what was happening, just reaching forward before punching All for One across the face easily as the villain laughed.
It was almost like he was letting it happen, like he was playing with him. "You deserve to suffer for hurting her, you deserve to rot for everything that you put her through! I'll make you regret it, I'll make you sorry for everything..."
Another punch sounded through the space as the boy's crazed eyes bore into an amused All for One, flecks of blood appearing in his knuckles as his left hand sparked with even more flames, like he was ready to burn the villain alive.
That's when Toya realized that something was seriously wrong with his brother, pushing his shoulders back in order to get him to rethink what he was about to do. "Listen, as interesting as this is I think you should stop now Sho..."
Yet his words sounded to no avail, causing the purple skinned man to pull his brothers' shoulder even harder, now gasping at his crazed eyes.
He hated it, but they looked like a reflection of his own when Toya was his age. "What's wrong with you?"
Although as Toya let his guard down, All for One quickly threw his black spider veins outwards, stabbing the man in the chest before sending him across the room and into the back wall before digging his talons even further into the oldest Todoroki.
Gasping out a breath, the purple skinned man coughed out a spit of blood before looking down at the three perfectly placed veins that had impaled his body, just missing his heart. Fuck, what was that villain doing, why did he want him away from his brother?
He quickly received his answer though as he watched Shoto resume his flames, fully ready to burn All for One for what he had done. It seemed he didn't even realize that he had gone from his side.
That's how out of it he was. All for One must have done something to him.
It's like he was blinded by his rage, almost like Bakugo was sometimes.
Moving his body, Toya was quickly met with a sharp pain, choosing to use his fire in order to attempt to burn the black veins from his body quickly.
Something told him if he didn't stop his brother, then he would be lost just like him, he would never come back to sanity again.
And for Shoto, it was as if his mind only at once singular thought, one desire and that was to kill the man in front of him. He wanted everything to end, for Amari, for everything that this man had ruined. If she couldn't do it, then he certainly would.
Lifting his fire filled hand, Todoroki balled his fists before fully intent on going for All for One's heart, his insanity coaxing him to kill the man in front of him, no matter the consequences...
Although that's when he felt something reach forward before covering his eyes, darkness now taking place of his madness as a gentle voice whispered back so light, almost like it was going to break any second. "Shoto, that's enough."
Almost immediately, the boy felt his anger and rage immediately dissipate before the voice called to him again, her tone gentle and calm. "I know what you're feeling right now, I know how easy it is. Don't let it consume you, don't let him win. Come back to me my love."
He didn't understand it, but her words brought him so much comfort, so much warmth. It was like all of the fire and cold hatred had melted away, only leaving reality. Wait. what was happening? Who was calling to him? He wanted to see her..
A moment later, his shoulders slumped down before the hand was removed from his eyes, the boy blinking at his savior, the one that had brought him out of All for One's manipulation.
Turning around, the boy blinked in surprise only to focus on a gold covered figure, her red eyes filled with tears at his concerned state as Amari smiled back. "There you are."
Shaking his head, Todoroki felt a wave of nausea overtake him before looking at the woman he loved, confusion on his features. "A-Amari, you're okay?"
The girl couldn't help but nod back at that, placing a light hand on his cheek so Todoroki could see for himself that she was right next to him. "Yeah Shoto, I'm okay. Everything is okay now."
The boy then looked down at his hands only to find blood across the top, and it wasn't his blood. Suddenly his mind was in chaos, trying to piece together the events from the last couple seconds. "What happened?"
She saw his breathing shallow just slightly, causing Amari to firmly cup his cheek in order for him to calm down. "Shh it's okay, it's okay. All for One did the same thing he does to me. He forced you to fight, made you blinded by your anger. But, that wasn't you."
Shaking her head in despair, the girl muttered. "When he tortured you he must've gotten into your head. He figured out your triggers and used them. I'm sorry Shoto, I never wanted you to feel that. I know how horrible they can be. But I'm here now and we are going to get you out of here.."
At the plural, Todoroki couldn't help but turn his head. "We?"
Smiling to herself, Amari then pointed behind her as Toya crawled back to his feet, holding his chest from the amount of wounds that All for One had delivered.
He had almost finished burning through the veins before Amari burst in and burnt the rest of them for him and made a run towards the hatred consumed Shoto and knocking All for One out. That's how he had gotten free so fast.
Feeling his eyelids start to close from the anesthesia in his system, the boy leaned forward into Amari's chest as she quickly turned to the oldest Todoroki in question. "He's not going to last much longer. Hurry and take him so I can finish this."
Finally reaching his legs, Toya looked down at his brother before scoffing. "And why would I do that?"
Rolling her eyes, Amari hissed out a second later, wrapping her arms around the boy she loved in question. "Because I can't do it and if you don't he's going to die here. So quit your complaining and help your little brother already.."
He was about to deny her again just out of spite before something began to move from the other side of the warehouse, now seeing All for One slowly get to his feet. Soon they would have to fight him again, it was only a matter of time.
Amari seemed to realize this was well, wrapping her arms even tighter around the boy before shouting back. "Hurry! Do you want your brother to die?!"
Before he could even think about it, Toya was reaching for his brother as Todoroki muttered under Amari's arms, the warmth of her touch disappearing. "N-No, don't go..don't leave me.."
Closing her eyes in unsaid pain, Bakugo bit her lips in order to stop a sob before carefully placing a kiss on top of his head in order to give him reassurance. "It's going to be okay Shoto. I'll make sure of it.."
Amari then gave Toya a look before he continued gathering his little brother in his arms before hoisting him up to cradle him gently, trying to ignore the heavy atmosphere around them. It was like they both knew this was going to be their last conversation.
And now that the oldest Todoroki knew about Sir Nigtheye's prediction, it made their interaction even more frustrating to watch.
Seeing that he was finally listening to something she was saying, Amari let out a shaky breath before standing on her own feet, staring back at All for One with intent. "Now, take him away from here. I have to end this."
Toya couldn't help but scoff at that, glancing towards the recovering villain. "Yeah? And how are you going to do that?"
Although that's when Amari smiled back at him, that same sadness in her eyes that he had come to know wherever she was about to do something stupid. "Just go."
And that brought a newfound realization to the man, knowing that she wasn't planning on walking away from this, she was going to distract him so that Todoroki and him could make it out instead.
It kind of made him annoyed but one looked from the recovering All for One made his decision for him. Why was he caring so much for this girl? She was trying to get him to save himself, so that's what he was going to do.
Without another word, Toya turned on his heel, away from the girl before leaving her to her fate. If she wanted to be stupid then so be it. He had already tried to help her and she had completely ignored that.
If she is what she wanted then so be it. "Suit yourself."
As the war waged on downstairs, everyone was still in chaos trying to contain both the Nomu and the league all at once. They couldn't be sure of who was winning but it seemed an even battle at the moment.
Using his electricity, Denki shocked the Nomu in front of him before it's taloned claws reached straight for him, the boy covering his hands over his head at the impact and pain that was going to come next.
Although he was quickly stopped when a flash of red appeared out of the corner of his vision, now watching as five crimson feathers embedded itself into the beast, causing the Nomu to fall over immediately.
Blinking in surprise, Denki uncovered his eyes only to find a very familiar pair of red wings across his vision, looking over in concern. "You okay kid?"
Nodding back, the boy opened his mouth only to feel a warm blaze of fire as Endeavor burned up the next Nomu next to him. "Oh whoa, both the number one and two heros are here. It's about time you showed up. We could use some help here."
Endeavor then took in the war before coming up with a plan in his head and turning to Hawks. "Hawks, you fly over and look for Shoto, Toya and Bakugo. I'll work on cleaning everything up here. Natsuo and Fuyumi, stay beside me."
The two Todoroki kids nodded before using their ice the best way they could in order to free up the hands of some of the U.A. kids while Hawks immediately flew off further into the warehouse, determination on his brow.
It didn't take long before he found Amari's brother fighting Shigaraki a couple feet away, although there was still no sign of the girl in question. Perhaps he would know.
Using his feathers, the hero quickly manipulated a few in Katsuki's direction, causing the blue haired villains to fly to the nearest wall, now pinned in place. Although he knew that wouldn't hold him long, he had to be quick with this.
Noicing the actions, Katsuki looked up only for Hawks to start talking first, rather rushed as well. "Hey kid, it's been awhile. Have you seen your sister around here? I think she's in trouble."
Although at the mention of the girl, Hawks watched him immediately cease up before walking away from the bird, clear intent across his face. "It's too late for that. Just leave me alone, I have to finish this."
Well that was strange, usually Katsuki was more than willing to talk about his sister. "Whoa whoa wait hold on. What's going on? What do you mean it's too late..?"
Grumbling to himself, Bakugo closed his eyes for a moment before speaking back roughly. Right now he had to be a hero. That was his first priority. "This building is going to collapse soon so we have to clear everyone out. So are you going to help me or not?"
His tone was cold, like it was taking everything within him to say those words and at the time Hawks didn't understand what he was hiding, what he was sacrificing. "Y-Yeah, of course kid. I'll help ya out. Endeavor's here also. We will get everyone out.."
Katsuki then barely gave a half hearted nod before shouting out to the green haired boy he hated more than anything. "Oi Deku! Hurry the fuck up already. We gotta start clearing everyone out. The building is going down."
Deku looked up at his childhood friend's voice before becoming silently shocked. Was Kacchan actually asking for his help right now? "Alright Kacchan, I'm on it. I'll tell everyone right now.."
Kicking Toga in the back of the head, the green haired boy then ran in the other direction, determined to tell his classmates about the cave in as Katsuki couldn't help but look down at the bracelet his sister had given him as a birthday present.
That's when he felt a tap on his shoulder, turning to find Hawks' curious eyes. "You okay? Is there something you wanna talk about?"
And that was an understatement because inside Bakugo felt utterly destroyed at the loss of his sister but now wasn't the time.
Like she said before, it didn't matter what he wanted, the girl was going to die anyways because of that drug so that meant he had to do his part as well.
He could tell Hawks about it but it wouldn't do any good. She was already dead, it was just a matter of time before her heart stopped. Because of that, he didn't want her to be distracted, he wanted her to finish what she had to do before she left.
So instead Katsuki knew he had to make her sacrifice at least worth something. "Whatever, let's just get this over with."
Walking down the steps with his brother in his arms, Toya shook his head, thinking about the annoying stubborn blonde that he had just left behind to die. It was like she didn't care, like she had already accepted it, that stupid kid.
No matter, it wasn't his problem anymore. If that girl wanted to be foolish then so be it.
Although that's when Todoroki stirred underneath his arms, his sloppy eyes focusing themselves open as he muttered back. "A-Amari..where is Amari..."
Scoffing to himself, Toya replied. "She's gone Sho, best to forget about her."
At his words, his little brother seemingly began to panic, forcing his limbs to move under his arms at an attempt to break free. "N-No, no I can't leave her..please I don't want to leave her...She's scared, I know she is..she needs someone..."
Yet Toya could only roll his eyes at that, knowing how independently stubborn she was. "Oh please, that girl doesn't need anyone. She even told us to go on ahead. That idiot had already accepted it so let her go already.."
That's when he felt his little brother aggressively shake his head in response, his voice even more frantic than before. "Y-You don't understand. She is scared, she's always been scared. She let us go because...she doesn't believe she deserved to be saved..."
This caused Toya to stop his steps, staring down at the boy with disbelief. There was no way that was true, he couldn't ever get her to shut up about her self righteous attitude towards him. "Are you kidding? She's always going on about how everyone can be saved. That's like her damn mantra.."
Shoto couldn't help but frowned at though, revealing the sad truth. "That doesn't include herself. She values everyone else..over herself..."
He thought his brother's words were utterly ridiculous until he actually thought about the meaning of them. It made sense, all of her past actions and thoughts.
Saving him, running in front of attacks, letting them go while she stayed behind. What a hypocrite, she really didn't think she could be saved, did she?
Toya then thought about his own thoughts and feelings. Bakugo and him really were the same person, weren't they? Down to the very detail. How idiotic of her.
Was that why she came back to protect him even though he had very clearly given her a chance to escape. She wasn't planning on escaping in the first place, was she? That's why she just stood by had planned on dying from the beginning, whether he went back to his family or not.
Now it all made sense why she was acting the way she was. Amari wasn't saving herself because she didn't think she could be saved. All of the bullshit she was spewing and she didn't even believe her own words.
And it was obvious that she wanted everyone to leave her, to let her carry out this kind of self sacrifice that she had resigned herself to. "Unbelievable, every self righteous thing, it really meant nothing for her, didn't it?"
Feeling Shoto's small finger on his jacket, the boy stuttered back. "N-No one is going to help her..I have to go back...I have to save her..."
And the boy tried but the minute he tried to move his body, Todoroki's body immediately seized up in pain as a wave of nausea overcame him, the boy gritting his teeth at the action. "I can't sleep yet...she needs me.."
Although his eyelids betrayed him, the boy slowly fell under the effects of the anesthesia that the nurses had given him earlier in that battle, just barely uttering. "P-Please brother..I love her..."
Just then, Todoroki's weight felt immediately heavier as Toya tightened his hold even more.
It seemed he had finally fallen unconscious after everything. Now all that was left was to drop off his brother somehow and disappear so that his family could never find him..
Yet somehow, his feet were still glued to the floor, refusing to move as he recalled his past conversation with his brother regarding Amari.
He couldn't understand why she thought she was a lost cause. That girl had done more than he ever could, changed so much in such a short amount of time. Didn't she see it, didn't she realize that he was always jealous of her?
So if that was the case, why was she still so intent of saving him, over herself? He didn't understand it, her thought process.
It was that way from day one, the girl choosing his own happiness every single time. At first he thought she was just stupid but maybe that wasn't all it is. Maybe her happiness was never really an option for her to begin with.
But he had done nothing for this world, he had nothing to offer so why was it him? Why was he the one that was chosen to survive while people like Amari gave their life away like nothing? He hated it, that kind of idea.
So much so that he felt his legs turn on their own before forcing himself back towards the direction of that annoying blonde haired girl, Shoto still in his arms, and intent in his eyes.
As Amari balled her fists, she stared into the eyes of the man that had tormented her for her entire life, the one that had forced her to believe so many lies and false realities in order to fit his own selfish desires. "Now, it's just us."
Narrowing his eyes, All for One hummed back. "Yes, rather surprising. How does it feel to be back to being utterly alone once again?"
Yet this time, his words didn't seem to affect the girl, already knowing his tricks. "You're wrong about that. In fact, you were always wrong about that one. There are so many people on my side, I just don't need them next to me to see that.."
Turning her head, Amari continued. "There is one thing I've been wondering ever since the beginning though. If you wanted me to be your weapon, why did you let me go to U.A., why did you let me meet my brother again? Seems like a bad move to me, cause that's where I realized everything you said was bullshit."
All for One then began to fix the cuffs on his sleeves before taking a step closer to her in silent wait for the battle that was going to occur. "My intention of sending you to U.A. wasn't for any of those things. I just wanted you to get comfortable, gain some weaknesses so you'd be easier to be controlled in the future. That's all.
Smirking to himself, the man finished. "For the most part it's worked quite well I must say. You are here, aren't you? You gladly sacrificed yourself for your love after all."
And as much as Amari hated it, he did have a point. Now that she had grown close to her classmates and her brother, it was obviously that she would do anything for them. Perhaps he did succeed in that after all. Too bad she wasn't going to ever let him know that.
Bakugo only shook her head in response. "Yeah, you got me there. But it seems like things didn't completely work out for you."
Lifting a brow, the villain seemed curious at that. "Oh, and why is that?"
The girl then allowed her fingers to spark with explosions before answering back plainly. "Because the creation that you so carefully manipulated is the same person that's going to cause your downfall. Kinda ironic, don't you think?"
Then before All for One could answer, Amari raced forward with explosions at the ready, the black veins on her body and the power from her quirk enhancement ready to tear everything down once and for all.
Just before she reached him though, the man smirked before releasing his black veined attack, causing Amari to put up a gold shield to the left and right of her, immediately blocking his hit as the material didn't shatter this time.
Using his surprise, Bakugo then threw an explosion at the man only for him to disappear a moment later, appearing right behind her just in time for her to put up another shield, much to his interest. "Hmm it seems you are stronger then before Little One, why is that?"
Narrowing her eyes, a gold circle appeared under the villains feet before he quickly disappeared a moment later, appearing a few inches away in an instant as Amari gasped, turning his attack.
The black veins appeared again, close this time as the girl just barely had enough time to put up a weak shield before his quirk dug through the matter a moment later as Amari jumped backwards in order to dodge an attack.
She knew he wasn't going to be easy to beat but it seemed like the man already knew her movement and strategies already, causing All for One chuckle. "You don't honestly think you can beat me, do you? I've been motoring your quirk pattern for years. I know everything about you Little One.."
Using his air cannon quirk, the man then blew Bakugo off of her feet before she hit the warehouse wall with a heavy thud, gasping with just enough time to shield herself from another attack. "I don't care, I don't care what you know about me. I'm still going to win..!"
Amari then jumped back to her feet before immediately running back towards the villain, using her shields to dodge his attack as she went before throwing a massive explosion towards the man, catching him slightly off guard.
Blinking once the man disappeared a moment later before Amari felt a heavy pain in the back of her head, the girl being slammed down from the back of the head as All for One stood on top of her proudly. "Is that all you got? I'm rather disappointed.."
The girl then grumbled to herself before eyeing the surroundings next to her and thinking quickly. She couldn't beat him on pure strength that much was obvious. He knew her quirk patterns and her moves already. So that just meant she had to do something bolder.
That's when Amari looked towards the hole that the villain had created not too long again to find some sort of large container above the two of them, just on the left side of the hole. It was firmly secured in place but if another part of the ceiling broke, then those containers would drop down as well.
She had to get a better look at them. So much so, that Bakugo focused her power before creating a large shield, enough to separate her from All for One so she could stumble to her feet. She couldn't have him know what she was looking at. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
Then she threw a large explosion so the smoke could cover the area before the girl used another explosion to propel herself up words, now just barely reading the tag on the side of the container, and lucky for her, it was flammable.
Quickly lowering herself to her feet in order to avoid suspicion, the girl weighted her options before racing through the smoke in order to attack the villain blindly.
She just had to get him to break that part of the ceiling and then use her explosions on those containers. Then the blast would be big enough for All for One to at least be massively injured so the pros can arrest him.
Although the one problem was she'd have to be really close to the explosion in order for it to work, lowering her chances of survival to absolutely zero percent. Ah well, she knew she was going to die anyways, might as well go out with a bang.
Throwing a blind fist, she quickly met air before the villain punched her across the face a moment later, Amari stumbling on her feet at the hit. Shit, this man was strong.
So much so that the girl barely had time to process before the villains quickly grabbed her arm and threw her across to the other wall, the foundations crumbling as she smacked against the surface.
Groaning at the sensation, Amari slumped to the ground before feeling the effect of the quirk enhancement start to wear off as a low pain appeared in her stomach again. No, not now, not before she ended everything.
She knew she didn't have much time, quickly throwing up a shield before All for One's black veins reached her as she quickly ran towards him again, except this time with a plan.
Using her explosion, Amari then propelled herself into the area, towards the direction of where the containers were before All for One let out his black veins at the same time just before she dodged his attack.
She then watched as the veins etched themselves into the ceiling, creating hard cracks before All for One withdrew a moment later. Shit, that wasn't strong enough. She needed him to hit it again.
Although just as she got distracted, another one of his veins appeared in her vision before she felt the object pierce her stomach, carving itself into her before the girl twisted her own features in agony. Crap, she shouldn't be so spaced out.
And to prove that point, the man then flicked his finger away as the veins carried Amari away from her goal and straight into the hard floor as even more blood leaked onto the concrete. "What did I say about getting distracted? You're better than that."
Cursing to herself, the girl looked up only to find a helicopter filming something from above the warehouse. Well, shit, there goes the lie of not being involved with All for One.
This time she couldn't deny the black veins and animalistic tendencies they had probably witnessed by now. Endeavor's work was all in vain, how ironic.
Watching All for One stroll over to her, the girl coughed out another spit of blood as the quirk enhancement started to slip away from her far too quickly. Soon her heart would stop and this man would go on and twist someone's else's mind if she didn't do something.
Because of that, the girl spit back cruelly. "It doesn't matter if you kill me. Someone else will stop you, I'll make sure of it. I was and will never be your masterpiece. Remember that."
All for One couldn't help but chuckle though, watching his dying creation with interest. "Stubborn until the end I see. That's very like you Little One.."
Coughing out another chunk of blood the girl held back a groan as she saw the villain stand over her with intrigue and amusement for the display in front of him.
Although suddenly her sight was blinded by a wave of blue fire as All for One looked towards the stranger with curiosity, almost at the same time Amari stared at him in horror. "T-Toya, what the hell are you still doing here?!"
The man in question only frowned though, strolling up the villains with a sleeping Todoroki still in his arms, obviously displeased with his choice. "Don't or I'm going to change my mind. Besides sweetheart, I don't follow your orders. I decide what I want to do. Deal with it."
Rolling her eyes, Amari didn't have much time to think about his insult before pointing towards the ceiling, hoping he'd get what she was trying to do. As much as she was pissed that he came back into danger, she could use the help. "Whatever, now is not the time...the ceiling..quickly...!"
Quickly moving his eyes towards the ceiling, Toya twisted his brow in confusion until he found what she was talking about, now eyeing the cracks in the ceiling with ease. Oh, so that's how she was going to play it.
Almost immediately, the man lifted his flames towards All for One in an attempt to distract him before Amari stumbled to her feet, and got in place of the crumbling ceiling before her.
The villain swatted his flames away with ease as Amari then quickly threw an explosion from behind, hoping to gain his attention away from Toya a moment later.
Luckily it worked, All for One turned around in interest before using his black veins to spring towards her at record speeds as Amari stared them down until the very last second. Just a little more...
Then before it could reach her, the girl used her explosion to get out of the way just before the veins made contact with the ceiling as even more pieces rained down. There were now large chunks of plaster as well, signaling that she was so close to it come crashing down.
Smirking at the sight, Amari then called out to her tormentor, gaining his attention once more. "I'm not finished with you. Come at me All for One, let me show you just what your creation is capable of..."
Almost immediately, the man disappeared before hot breath appeared in her ear a second later, the man standing beside her with amusement. "Oh yes, please show me."
Bakugo couldn't help but jump at that, looking up at the ceiling before turning towards Toya with a heavy shout as the man aimed his hand towards the wreckage. "Toya, now..!"
Quickly running out of the way, the man then used his flames to burn the nonexistent ceiling before the large flammable containers rained down on the villain without a second thought at the same time of Bakugo's explosion, knocking the man off his feet and into the carnage of hundreds of heavy containers.
They didn't see him move, causing Amari to quickly run towards the man with her palms outstretched, ready to deliver the final blow that would end both this man's terror and her life at once. "Okay, get out of here. I'll take care of this.."
Although as she extended her hand, Toya figured out what she was trying to do, his voice far harsher than usual. "What do you think you're doing?"
Yet the girl didn't answer, knowing that he also probably realized the answer was obvious.
That's when they heard the sound of very familiar voices coming from the hole just below them, the one that Amari had been pushed through earlier. They sounded afraid and frantic. "L-Look it's him, he has Shoto...!"
Knowing that they couldn't see her from the angle they were standing in, Amari remained silent as Toya looked down only to find one of his worst nightmares come true.
Down there, staring at him was his family.
Endeavor stared into the eyes of his son for the first time in years, a heavy expression on his face as he sucked in a pained breath. "It's okay, I'm coming to get you son."
At the word son, Toya felt his world stop as all of those unpleasant and terrible feelings forced its way into his mind. He knew? How was that possible, Bakugo refused to tell anyone about him.
A moment later he heard two knew voices as Natsuo raced into view as well, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm sorry Toya, I didn't know, I didn't know you were still alive. But god, I'm so glad you are.."
Just then Fuyumi echoed as well, his sister also crying. "We are going to bring you back home, okay? No matter what, you are still our brother.."
And that was something that Toya couldn't process, seeing his family crying for him, accepting him for who he was. Didn't they know he was a villain, didn't they realize all of the terrible things he had done in these past couple years?
It was like it didn't matter to them, like they had forgiven him just like that. How could they, he wasn't worth forgiveness.
Looking back towards Amari, the girl then twisted her lips into a sad smile before nodding her head at his confusion, speaking lightly so that they wouldn't know she was there, about to risk her life. "I told you, they do love you. They have been waiting for you Toya. So go on, it's okay. Take Shoto and go with them..."
And she could see the turmoil in his mind, a part of him wanting to jump down and save himself while the other half wanted to stay still out of spite. He was tearing himself apart and Amari realized that he still didn't think he could be saved.
And Toya was in fact in turmoil, wondering how it happened like this, how everything he had tried to hide was now so out in the open and visible. He couldn't hide anymore, he couldn't run from his family. They were right there and they were waiting.
Although turning back to Bakugo's sad expression, he realized that the only reason they had accepted him, the only reason that all of them were in the same room right now, was because of Bakugo.
He had hardly believed it when she told him in his prison cell but looking at it right now, it was clear. Something had changed in that family, something big. It wasn't nearly as broken as it was before that was for sure.
Seeing his siblings cry out to him next to his father only proved that Amari had succeeded in doing the one thing he could never have done, she brought them together.
This girl that wasn't even a part of their family, this girl that thought of herself as just a simple replacement for him, she had changed them, and for what, so she could die?
And she was just standing off to the side, satisfied with the result, with the idea of him seemingly taking over this world that she had created. Even without the promise of a future, or her brothers' agency or Shoto, this girl was still letting him go even so..
The idea was frustrating, so incredibly frustrating that Toya felt his hands curve into hard fists at the thought. This wasn't his family. The family he had always known was broken, abusive, neglectful and cruel.
And that's when the realization hit. These new faces before him, they didn't happen because of him, they had happened because of Amari.
If he returned then Toya knew he wouldn't have been able to provide this kind of atmosphere, this kind of love that Bakugo had given them. When she had told him that they needed him, the man already knew it was a lie.
They didn't need him, they needed a perfect version of himself, they needed Amari.
She was everything he wasn't after all and Toya knew that painfully clear.
And as crazy as it was, the things he was trying to accomplish for years, the cycle that he was sworn to break, the sad fact was that Bakugo had done more than he ever could.
While he was standing off on the sidelines running away from his problems, she had faced them head on, no matter the consequences. Risking her career, her relationships and even her life, it was something neither Dabi or Toya ever had the strength for.
No matter how much he pulled away from her and tried to get her to give up, Bakugo still forced herself into believing her goals, goals that so happened to be without her, and she was just okay with that?
She was okay with being forgotten like he was, being cast aside for someone else? And seeing her now Toya could see the parallels between their two personalities.
Hell, Endeavor and his family didn't even know she was up here and yet she was seemingly satisfied with that, at peace with the idea of him taking over her life.
But if she was gone, who was going to inspire kids like them, who was going to continue fighting for them in the same selfless ways that Bakugo had? No one else was as reckless and stubborn as her, especially not him.
The world needed a change but Toya knew firsthand that he wouldn't be about to provide the same things that Bakugo had done for him. He wasn't as kind or stubborn or selfless as her.
All these years he had only survived on his own anger and spite, the idea of being a hero so far from his mind since he was a child. Since then he had never done the right thing, he had never acted on behalf of someone else and he had never changed anything.
That's when he realized that his entire life up to this point was soulless, meaningless and foolish.
He hated the fact that Amari had accomplished so much more and yet he was the one chosen to live, he was the one that had to fit himself into a box that would never work.
And he already knew he couldn't do that, no one could replace her.
So much so that he looked down at his sleeping brother before lowering his eyes in acceptance.
He wasn't much of a hero or a brother that much was clear, but perhaps, just like Amari, maybe he could change something also.
That's when he turned towards Amari before they locked eyes for a small moment, confusion taking up her features. Why was he staring at her like that? "What are you doing, get out here already.."
Amari then watched as Toya broke her gaze only to throw his little brother over the side of the large hole as his unconscious body made its way towards his family on the first floor.
Widening her eyes, the girl immediately faltered before lowering her hand a fraction of a second in horror. What the hell was he doing?! "Shoto...!"
Endeavor seemed equally surprised as well, reaching forward before catching his son in his arms a moment later, cradling him lightly before looking back and finding that Toya had disappeared from his sight. Where did he go..?
Amari wondered that question as well only to feel all the air knocked out of her lungs a moment later as a large object pushed her towards the ground, a couple feet away from where All for One lay.
Groaning back, the girl quickly snapped her head back only to gasp at the sight before her, now seeing Todoroki standing where she once was, his hand lifted out in order to light the explosions instead.
Bakugo's eyes immediately darkened before forcing her body to move a little too quickly, causing the pain in her body to appear even stronger than before, now holding in a loud groan. Shit, the drugs were wearing off, not now, please not now. "T-Toya, what are you doing?! Get away from there..."
Yet the man only looked down his blue covered fingers before smirking back sadly. "You know sweetheart, I always thought it was impossible for people like us to change things. I guess I was wrong about that. Maybe not all heroes are bad after all."
Seeing his hands start to consume with flames, the broken man then sighed to himself before locking eyes with the terrified Bakugo, his voice fragile. "You see, no one's ever looked at me before, and I thought no one ever would..."
Amari couldn't help but twist her eyes in confusion, not understanding his words in the slightest but wanted to respond with something. "I'm looking at you.."
At the sound of her words, Toya's eyes widened a fraction of a second before recalling Shoto saying the same thing when they were kids. He supposed that's always what he wanted, for someone to look at him, for someone to notice his cries no matter how many times he pushed him away.
Time and time again, those words would play in his mind and every time the boy would deny him because no one ever looked at him, no one truly saw the scared little boy that was always crying out for help.
But this time, when those words escaped her lips, Toya couldn't help but smile kindly at them, knowing that for the first time, she was right. This girl had looked at him, had seen him. "Yeah, yeah you are."
Closing his eyes in pure acceptance, Toya then let a burst of fire escape his fingers as Bakugo's screams filled the space before his entire vision was erased into white as a silent explosion sounded around them, swallowing the man up whole in an instant.
Looking out towards the beautiful pink and purple sky above him, Toya stared at the display in wonder as his little feet hung over the edge of his family's house, something that he had done thousands of times before.
Just then a small voice entered his bubble, her tone curious. "Whatcha looking at?"
At her words, the red haired boy turned his face towards the sky before smiling to himself, taking in the majestic view before him. "Just the sky, it looks so pretty."
Turning her head to the side, the girl finally came into view as Toya took in her pale complexion, skinny small small arms and blonde hair. "Yeah, but why are you looking at it alone?"
Her words caused the boys lips to curve down immediately, saying the sad truth that he didn't like to voice. "I don't have anyone."
Although that's when the girl giggled to herself before putting a single pinky finger up to his fingers in a playful manner. "What are you talking about? You have me, remember?"
Widening his eyes at the newfound realization, Toya stared at the young girl's red crimson eyes before nodding his head once. "I do?"
That's when the girl pouted her lip before replying. "Well duh, people like us gotta stick together right? I'm not going anywhere Toya, I swear!"
The girl then lifted her pinky out even further in her direction before Toya felt a new sense of calm over him. All this time, he thought he was alone, that his family didn't love him.
Although that's when a new thought entered his mind, his eyes grew clouded. "What if, I'm forgotten again? I don't want to be forgotten anymore.."
This caused the girl to turn her head to the side before smiling back a moment later, her expression peaceful and confident. "I won't let that happen. You deserve to be remembered Toya, forever. I promise, you won't be forgotten ever again.."
Bringing his own pinky forward, the boy then smiled to himself, realizing that he wasn't alone after all. He never was. She made sure of it. "Yeah, it's a promise."
Bringing her lips into her own smile, the girl then locked eyes with the boy before an echoed sound of his name filled the boys ears as the sky turned darker a moment later. "Did you hear that?"
Although as he turned around, the strange girl was gone, only hearing the constant call of his name to fill his ears. Did it sound sad? Why was someone sad? He couldn't understand it. Toya, oh god Toya no no please open your eyes. Don't do this to us, not again..
Shaking his head, a headache then appeared in the forefront of his mind before feeling himself fall back into his own body a moment later, his eyes forcing themselves open regardless of how heavy they felt.
Through his blurry visions he barely just made out the sound of heavy sobs as three figures stood around him and a female voice cried back. "T-Toya, please. I just got you back, don't do this.."
He quickly recognized the voice of his sister, as Toya called back to her with massive difficulty. "F-Fuyumi.."
Fuyumi gasped at this, reaching forward to grab her brother's hands before crying back. "Yes Toya it's me, it's your sister. I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere okay? Not anymore. Natsu is here also, and...and Dad too..."
At the sound of his father, the man immediately felt his muscles tense before forcibly shifting his head to see the man that had terrorized his entire life. "Y-You.."
His voice was so cold but Endeavor didn't seem to mind, the man looking down at his broken son in devastation. "There are a lot of things to say and not enough time to say them, but I'm sorry son. I'm sorry for everything. I was blinded by my desire and neglected you. You didn't deserve that, you didn't deserve to be treated like that. I know that now.."
Reaching down to hold his hand, Toya tried to pull away but unfortunately he had lost all motion as well, allowing his Dad to pick up the dead appendage. "I'm not asking for your forgiveness, but I want you to know that I love you son, I always did."
And hearing Endeavor's apology, his kind words were something that Toya never thought would've happened in a million years. He always remembered his dad to be so prideful, so stubborn. But now he just seemed rather fragile and easily broken. How strange, that's not how he remembered him at all.
So much so that Toya forced his lips to press themselves together in a response. He had so many things to say to him but the way he was acting now, it seemed Toya had forgotten all of them immediately. A-And I still hate you old man.."
His words were cruel but there was a sense of acceptance to them, a sense of playful warmth that Dabi always had. It's easy to tell they were one and the same now, that much was obvious.
Endeavor didn't even flinch at his tone though, already expecting it was he sighed back with sadness a moment later. "Yes, I know."
Feeling the black spots start to overtake his vision, Toya then quickly changed the subject before trying to lift his fingers into his pocket for some kind of particular reason. Although it seemed he couldn't move those either. "P-Pocket...ring...give it...back to her..."
At the broken words, Natsuo quickly reached into his brother's pocket before pulling out the very same ring that Bakugo had been wearing since the disastrous dinner party they shared a couple months ago. "But Toya, this is your ring.."
Although the boy forced himself to shake his head at the black spots became vibrant then before. It seemed he didn't have much time after all. "Nah, I-It hasn't been for awhile..."
Widening their eyes at his words Toya then forced himself to smile before looking up at his tearful family and taking in everything about them. "I-I never thought I'd see this again..as much as I hate all of you...I missed you..."
Then Toya struggled to take a breath as his entire family's tears poured down their face, knowing that it was pointless to believe in a perfect family again. They just couldn't, not after everything had happened.
Smiling back lightly, the oldest Todoroki then noticed their tears before his lips sloppily finished his sentence as his eyes lulled shut for one final time. "L-Look at you, such babies. J-Just don't forget me this time okay?"
He chuckled to himself quietly at the idea before his entire body grew heavy, falling into his sister's arms as he clutched her brother's dead body with sobs of agony and pain before Natsuo put his arms around her shoulders in devastation. "N-No no no no...please Toya...wake up...you can't just leave us again..."
Yes, the world was cruel. So much so that Endeavor fixed his eyes towards the floor as tears worked their way into his own eyes, at the son that he had lost not only once, but twice now. "I'm sorry son.."
Just then, the doors burst open to their left as a loud booming voice filled the entire space before a set of two pairs of feet hurrying looking around the space. "Where is she?! Where the fuck is my sister?!"
At the words, the family looked up only to find Amari's twin a couple feet away from them, his hands balled into fists as Hawks hurried next to him. "Slow down kid, we will find her don't worry. You just gotta be calm.."
Although that was somehow forgien to the boy as Endeavor stared at Bakugo with confusion. He hadn't seen the blonde haired girl anywhere in the area. "What are you talking about? Bakugo isn't here.."
Yet Katsuki only growled under his breath before immediately lifting up pieces of debris in an attempt to find his sister. "Yes she is. That dumb ass was on the second floor, she's gotta be here somewhere.."
Widening their eyes in horror, Fuyumi wiped the corner of her eyes before gasping. "She was there the whole time? D-Dad, what if she was part of the explosion too?"
Endeavor's expression seemed to hollow as well as Hawks used the last remaining feathers to help his trainee lift up large pieces of debris and fallen plaster with fear. He told Bakugo to stay calm but honestly he wasn't doing much better right now.
The feathers whipped through the space at a frantic rate, the bird trying to tune out his own devastation for enough time to hear the sound of Amari's shallow breathing or heartbeat. She had to be here somewhere. Come on Keigo, don't be useless..!
He had almost scanned the warehouse before the bird felt a small vibration on one of his feathers as the hero perked up immediately. It was so faint, but he held a small heartbeat from the corner.
Gasping in fear, Hawks immediately raced over to the area before seeing a large blockade of debris and plaster covering the entire space. Shit, she could be suffocating. "Kid, I hear something over here. Give me a hand..!"
Katsuki felt his feet quickly make his way over to the bird before cursing under his breath at the damage before lifting up the beams and blockage the best he could. "Shit..I'm coming...I'm coming you brat..."
Just then they held a small wheeze from under the next beam, causing Hawks' feather to remove immediately as a flash of red liquid came into view, and a small skinny arm hanging around one of the pillars a moment later.
Widening his eyes in utter horror, Katsuki quickly cleared the rest of the rubble before finally laying eyes on his sister, her eyes lulled shut as the entire area around her was soaked with blood. No no no please no..
Hawks couldn't help but drop his eyes in horror as well, quickly calling back to the brother before turning away. "I'll go get some more pros. Stay here..."
As a choked sob escaped his throat, her brother immediately gathered his sister in his arms before cradling her softly, already knowing the result. "A-Amari, hey hey dumb ass, you better get up right now before I kick your ass..."
At the sound of his voice, the girl stirred underneath him before forcing her eyes open at the blurry blonde figure before him. "K-Katsuki...?"
Nodding his head, the boy cried back. "Y-Yeah, yeah it's me. It's your brother. You can't fucking do this to me, remember? You gotta get that annoyingly stubborn attitude back that I love, alright? Bakugo's are strong, right?"
His words made her force her lips into a smile before coughing back a moment later. "Y-Yeah, we are the strongest of them all."
As tears poured across his cheeks, the boy nodded. "D-Damn right we are."
Amari seemed to notice his tears before lifting her hand up a moment later, her shaky fingers brushing the liquid away as best as she could. "D-Don't cry brother...this is not your fault..."
And that only made his breathing shallow even more, knowing that his sister had read his mind in that moment. His guilt was something that Amari had always tried to snap him out of yet somehow it seemed he couldn't forget it.
Just the thought made his heart break all over again. "Idiot, even like this you are still a dumb ass, still thinking about me instead of yourself..."
Another finger moved across his cheeks before the girl closed her eyes in an unsaid pain, scaring her brother immediately as her eyes forced themselves closed. "I love you brother.."
Nodding back, Katsuki then placed his own hands beside his sister before feeling her fleeting warmth and trying to remember it forever. "I love you too."
Her brother then watched as her hand grew numb between his fingers before falling to her side, causing Katsuki to immediately shake with horrors, now cradling his sister in his arms with a heavy sob.
Lifting his head up, the boy then did the one thing he thought he would never do, his voice carrying throughout the warehouse with a screaming, pleading shout. "H-Help..!"
42 pages dang. Longest one I've ever chapter took so long to write mostly because I wanted to do everything correctly and get all those emotions perfect. I may have cried writing this oof.
But dang, there is just too much to talk about. Katsuki accepts his sister's death in the beginning and knowing she's already dead so he tries to be there for her in the best way she can. Toya's change, Todoroki's actions like his brother, There is too much to process.
Also this has been Toya's fate from the beginning, I've been working up to his since the first time we found out about Sir Nighteye's prophecy. Oop. It's good to finally come full circle with it.
Next Chapter: .
