Promises for a Lifetime
Part 2/2
Amari: Age 21
"Oh, you have got to be shitting me..."
Staring up at the eight large Nomu with Shigaraki standing between them, Katsuki couldn't help but roll his eyes, thinking that he was already finished with this crusty faced freak years ago.
The villain could only laugh though, eyeing the crimsoned eyed boy before replying over the crowds. "You didn't think you could get rid of me so easily, did you? No, you have to pay for my Master, for ruining my Master's plans..!"
Rolling his eyes, Bakugo only lifted his hands in order for sparks to pop in warning as the boy looked over the people in order to find his sister quickly, knowing that she would probably be the biggest target of them all.
Although when he didn't find her, Katsuki felt his chest squeeze in worry before quickly moving up towards Todoroki as one of the Nomu started to barrel towards him in pure revenge. "Shit..."
Pushing himself into front of Todoroki, Katsuki then let off an explosion to blind the monster before quickly looking behind him as the two toned boy spoke plainly. "Bakugo, I could've handled that. Why did you..."
Yet Katsuki seemed to have other things on his mind, his eyes wild. "Shut up icy hot! Where's my sister, have you seen her? Cause she's not here..."
Screwing his mouth shut, Todoroki then quickly looked around the space before feeling the same internal panic that Amari's brother had experienced just moments before. "You're right Bakugo, she's not here..."
Katsuki couldn't help but scoff at his choice of words. "No shit! Where the hell could she be?! I swear I'm going to put a god damn bell around her one of these days..."
They paused when the Nomu next to them roared in fury before Todoroki stepped forward as a sheet of ice crept across the floor in order to freeze the monster in place. "Shigaraki is looking for her. We have to finish this before she comes back."
And although they hated it, both boys knew that Amari could handle whatever trouble she was in, and that she would eventually come back to them. In fact, if him and Bakugo were here then it was a guarantee that she was going to return.
The question was when though..
Nodding in response, Katsuki then surveyed the area before trying to come up with a plan in his mind. Yeah, he hated the idea of working with that damn bastard more then anything but if they didn't hurry then someone could die tonight.
Bakugo then glanced towards the eight Nomu before pointing towards the left side of the room. "I'll lead four of these bastards to the left while you take the other four to the right. If we split them up they'll be easier to take down.."
The other boy seemed interested in the plan before glancing towards the crazed laughing blue haired villain in the middle. "What about Shigaraki?"
Narrowing his eyes, the blonde boy huffed. "Whoever gets their side done first can take that crusty ass bastard down. And it's going to be me, so don't even try half and half..!"
Todoroki could sense the idea of competition in the back of his throat before nodding once, already turning his heels towards the right side of the large ballroom a moment later. "We'll see about that."
He paused quickly when he saw Keigo enter his visions, the two toned boy huffing back. "Hawks, can you distract Shigaraki? Bakugo and I are going to work on the Nomu."
Nodding back, Keigo quickly extended his wings before winking towards Amari's soon to be husband. "You got it kid."
After seeing him disappear, the then boy skated across the floor before calling back towards Endeavor who was already blowing one of the Nomu away with his fire as another one approached. Crap, he wasn't paying enough attention. "Dad, behind you..!
Sliding towards his father, Todoroki's words were just enough motivation he needed to turn around before blinding the other monster just as quickly, right before his son appeared by his side. "What are you doing, why are you losing focus?"
Yet the man only huffed before turning his head around once more, anxiety clear on his brow. "That child, she's not here..."
Widening his eyes just slightly, Todoroki suddenly realized why his father wasn't paying enough attention. He was looking for Amari. He must have been thinking the same thing that him and Bakugo were. "I know, I don't know where she is either.."
And to be completely honest, that scared Endeavor completely. Mostly because he couldn't help but recall the war where she had almost died, where he couldn't help her in time.
The man still couldn't have but partly blame himself for her hospitalization after all, knowing that if he was by her side at that time, then maybe Toya wouldn't have died, maybe Amari wouldn't have had to carry so much like she always did...
But of course he would never admit those things out loud. "Go find her. I'm sure that idiot is getting involved in something stupid. I'll finish these..."
Although to Endeavor's surprise, his son didn't go running off to find his love. No, he stayed right where he was. "It's alright, I trust her. We should get the Nomu under control first. Bakugo's already taking half of them. We can take the other half..."
That was something that his father thought he'd never see. In fact, many years ago Todoroki almost ruined the Overhaul case because he found out that Amari was in trouble.
Back then the boy was completely afraid with just the mere idea of her getting hurt.
But now, now it was like the boy fully understood her strength and power, like he trusted her to stay safe in his absence. Endeavor knew that was hard to do for him and the man couldn't help but be slightly proud of him because of it.
It was like his son was growing up before his eyes.
So much so that Endeavor raised his hand up at the same time as Shoto's, his gaze fixed on the task ahead. "Well if that's a case, let's get this finished quickly.."
Just then he heard a pile of footsteps from behind him before two voices appeared to both his right and left, their voices and expressions serious. "Dad, we want to help. Like I'll let my little bro's engagement party get ruined by a couple villains.."
Nodding back, Fuyumi then lifted her hand with the rest of her family, eyes narrowed. "That's right, you're not doing this alone you two. Not while we're here."
Shoto then looked between his father and his two siblings before smiling to himself, knowing that these villains and Nomu didn't stand a chance now.
If only Toya was here to stand by them.
If only Amari could see how far they had come right now.
He was sure they'd both be proud in their own ways.
Running down the hallways with Todoroki's grandfather trailing behind her, Amari was fixated on returning to the party to make sure everyone was safe from that crusty little man child who had decided to reveal himself.
She knew why he did it, probably for revenge of some other clique crap, but this time she was determined to lock him away from good, so that no one else had to suffer like her and Todoroki did many years ago.
Although the girl quickly paused when she noticed that Todoroki's grandfather had disappeared from her side, turning around only to find him huffing and breathing heavily a couple feet away.
Ah that's right, the man was pretty old. Maybe she should've slowed down?
Moving back towards the man with concern, Amari placed a gentle hand to his back in response. "Ah crap, I'm sorry. I got caught in my own thoughts. Are you okay Mr. Todoroki? If you wanna stay behind I can.."
Yet she was quickly cut off when the old man slapped her hand away, almost in annoyance. "Get your hands off of me. What do you think you're doing?! You're going to willingly run into a place full of villains when they clearly want your head?!"
Not fully understanding, the girl couldn't help but answer plainly. "Yeah? Why, is that bad?
Twisting his gaze to meet the crazed woman, Todoroki's grandfather could help but wonder if the girl had a death wish with that kind of attitude. Surely it would be safer to just stay back and wait for the other heroes to deal with the situation.
The old man couldn't help but shake his head in response. "Yes, it is bad! What kind of crazed woman could do such a thing?!"
Pushing her lips together in thought, Amari pushed her eyes towards the ceiling before shrugging once and answering nonchalantly. "Me I guess."
Todoroki's grandfather couldn't help but let his mouth hang open in disbelief at her response, so carefree, so stupid. "Unbelievable…"
Amari didn't sense the sarcasm though, either that or she chose to ignore it. "Thank you. Endeavor likes to tell me that too. Huh, I guess you guys really are kinda similar now that I think about it.."
Smirking at that idea, the girl then looked towards the massive amounts of debris that booked the entrance to the ballroom before frowning. Looks like she'd have to blow all of this up.
Shit, that would take too much time and energy though, energy she had to save for Shigaraki. If she didn't want to overuse her quirk. Guess she was clearing it with her hands, the old fashion way...
Watching the girl dig her hands into the debris, Amari used her Nomu blood before pushing a wooden beam away as another tumbled down. Ugh, this was going to take forever.
The old man still couldn't help but dwell on her last statement though, scoffing at the insane girl in front of him. "I still don't understand why my son would choose someone like you to personally train..."
And although his comment was meant to insult, the girl only found humor in it, smiling as she lifted up another large piece of debris. "I know right? And let me tell you, Endeavor hated me when we first met, said the same things you did actually. It was pretty spot on. At least now I know where he gets his asshole tendencies..."
He couldn't help but raise an eye at that. "I beg your pardon?"
Yet Amari only continued speaking, clearing away the wall between them one piece at a time. "Well, nothing really changed until I took on his internship. He offered it so he could prove I was useless but man, I really showed him...uhh but then I got expelled early because I disobeyed his orders and ran into a burning building with Nomu before getting stabbed and abducted by the Hero Killer but ehh you know..small details..."
Todoroki's grandfather couldn't help but widen his eyes at her words, listening to the girl explain such important and scary events as if they were just normal everyday problems.
It seemed that running into a burning building and getting stabbed for her was just the usual, and that kind of scared him.
Waving her hand away once with a laugh, the girl couldn't help but saddened her eyes at the next part. "And just when I thought everything was lost POOF Mr. Asshole showed up again and trained me even though my health was weak. He made me realize that maybe I was worth something more than just an early grave or a hospital bed..."
The man couldn't help but watch her shoulders slump down at that, taking in her sullen stance before silently wondering about her statements.
In fact, when he heard that his son had taken on a weak quirkless girl, the man was so unbelievably unconfused. The Todoroki's were always about power, about strength so it made no sense to train a girl like that. At least that's what he thought at first.
But meeting her in person, Todoroki's grandfather had concluded that Bakugo Amari was a very interesting person. She wasn't the weak minded and fragile child that he had originally envisioned but rather someone that was extremely reckless and outspoken.
And he wasn't sure if that was a good thing just yet, wondering how Enji could have handled this type of child for years. It was strange to him.
Chuckling to herself, Amari then turned around to face that old man before placing her hands onto her hips with a gentle expression. "So I don't really care what you say about me. Yeah, I may not be the kind of person you envisioned for Shoto but just like with Endeavor, I'm not giving up. Not now, not ever.."
The man twisted his brow in confusion at that, wondering how someone could be so stubborn, how they could continue to try even after being rejected. "Why would you do that? What's so special about our family that you continue to do this..?"
Although it seemed like Amari already had the answer. "I love him. I love all of them. Even the ones you refuse to acknowledge, even the ones that are gone from this world, I already promised someone that I would take care of him, that I would protect the Todoroki family with everything I have, so I'm going to do just that..."
Then without seeing his reaction, Bakugo turned around towards the thin layer of debris before lifting her sparking palm towards the object, knowing she could break through it like this without using all of her strength.
Smirking to herself, Amari replied. "You know, it's a shame that you think strength is only physical. Nah, I learned first hand that's not the truth. Maybe you should learn from your son, the one that you called a failure before. I'm sure he can teach you a couple things.."
Bakugo then let her fingers pop with sparks before using her explosions to blow a hole right through the center of the debris, the wood and plaster breaking apart before revealing a large opening that they could walk through.
"Now if you would excuse me, I have to go kick some serious ass now."
Moving towards the left hand corner, Katsuki threw an explosion in order to get one of the Nomu's attention before cursing under his breath as the monster came barreling in his direction.
He needed to get this done quickly so icy hot didn't beat him and then rub it in his face later. That was something that he was never going to let happen, even if hell freezed over.
That's when he felt a presence next to him ready their stance, almost like they were prepared to help him. "What do you think you're doing?"
And as much as he hated it, Bakugo needed all the help he could get with these things, especially if he was going to beat Todoroki. Whoever it was, he had to just deal with it for now.
Because of that, the boy began to speak. "Head towards the entrance and make sure none of those bastards escape, I'll..."
Although just when he turned his head to speak to them further, he recognized a familiar head of irritating purple hair now changing his tune completely. "Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me.."
Shinso couldn't help but twist his eyes into annoyance at that, his expression clearly bothered by the response. "Wow okay, I'll just let you die then. I'm sure Amari would love that."
Feeling his eye twitch in reply, Katsuki scoffed. "Never mind. I'm not that fucking desperate. Just get out of my way so I can finish this.."
Bakugo then shoved the purple haired freak away before focusing on his explosions as Shinso ran back up to him, also not happy with the situation. "Do you ever get sick of acting like an ass all the time? Come on Bakugo, now is not the time..."
Yet due to his insults, Katsuki only shook his head before using his explosions to propel him upwards before hitting the Nomu in the back, just as Amari had shown him before.
It was good she had dealt with these things before because now she knew their weakness. "I said I don't need your help, you past hero course reject. Go check on the civilians and leave me alone.."
Although when he landed back onto the ground, Shinso was right there to yell at him. "Seriously? You were ready to trust me five seconds ago, what the hell happened?!"
Grumbling in annoyance, Katsuki frowned. "That's until I realized who you were. Listen here, I don't care what kind of little crush or obsession you have with my sister but that doesn't mean I have to listen to a damn thing you say.."
And yeah, even though Bakugo never admitted it, he always disliked Shinso. It wasn't just because of his rude attitude and insult but rather because he always seemed like a little lost puppy chasing around his sister, and Amari was always too stupid to realize it.
Todoroki was bad enough, he didn't want another boy to be after her. It had taken him far too long to accept that icy hot bastard and the fact that this Shinso idiot was looking at his sister in any kind of romantic light was sickening.
She was about to get married for god sake. That should have been enough for the boy to back down but Katsuki still noticed his feelings lingering around, and he absolutely hated it, how he locked them down and never moved on.
His sister was finally happy, and Katsuki was going to make damn sure it stayed that way, and that meant having this boy stay exactly where he was.
And it seemed like Shinso didn't realize that his feelings were so obvious either, his eyes widening in response as his cheeks grew red. "W-What, I don't..."
Yet it seemed like Katsuki was on a roll, a finger pointing in his direction. "Oh please, that's bullshit and we both know it! Amari may be an idiot. I know what's really going on in that disgusting head of yours. How you follow her around, how you look at her when she's not noticing...I know the only reason you're in this damn agency is because of her, you damn stalker.."
And seeing all of the hate so directly in the open, Shinso couldn't help but ball his hands into fists, knowing that Katsuki had got it all wrong. "I'm at this agency because Amari invited me, but that's not why I accepted..."
Smirking to himself, Katsuki replied coldly. "Yeah, you accepted cause no one else wanted you. You got rejected everywhere else, right? She told me."
Shinso balled his hands into fists at that, gritting his teeth in pure anger before racing forwards and punching the Nomu that was creeping up behind Bakugo to protect him even though he was being an asshole.
Katsuki then turned round only to see Shinso seethe back. "You act like you know everything, like you've got me all figured out. Well, you know what you're right. I do love your sister and if I had the choice I would like to be as far away from you as possible, does that make you happy?!"
Shaking out his fist, Shinso huffed before Katsuki immediately felt the need to blow up the purple haired boy in front of him, the amount of anger he felt unmeasurable.
He just admitted it, he admitted he had feelings for his sister even though she was getting married. "You piece of shit..."
Although they were quickly stopped when both Katsuki and Shinso felt someone slap the back of their heads, the boy's voice clearly irritated at the display. "What do you think you're doing?! While you two are acting like idiots, those Nomu are destroying the party! Bakugo's not here to deal with your stupid so get your heads out of your asses and do something!"
Blinking in surprise, the two then turned around only to find Kenji tapping his foot in annoyance, knowing he was the one that had hit them. "You.."
Yet Kenji only caught Bakugo's incoming hand, grabbing onto his wrist before narrowing his eyes. "Forget your personal feelings for once and focus on what's important. Is this how you want your agency to run? Didn't you tell me not to get blinded by anger? How about doing the same..."
And as much as they both hated it, the boys knew that Kenji was right, the two exchanging a glance before sighing roughly. It didn't matter if the two hated each other, they were a part of the same agency after all.
Frowning towards each other, Shinso then shoved his hands into his pocket before speaking softly. "You're wrong Bakugo. I may have feelings for Amari but that's not why I joined your agency..."
The boy then sighed before continuing. "Even I know that what you fight for, what you stand for is something that everyone in this world needs to hear. My grandfather was a villain so I was labeled as that my entire life. I don't want other kids to have to go through that, I don't want those labels to define them and who they can be."
Fixing his gaze towards the Nomu, Shinso then closed his eyes in unsaid acceptance. "And don't worry, I won't take away your sister's happiness. That's the most important thing to me, even if that means she'll never know how I feel."
And Katsuki couldn't help but stare at that, never really hearing anything about the purple haired boy until right now. He always knew that Amari had some kind of weird attachment to him but that's about it
Perhaps he had his own hardships as well?
Yeah, he hated him for liking his sister but even Bakugo knew how considerate it was for the boy to know that Amari was already happy without him.
He always thought that the bastard was just lying in wait until he had a shot but maybe that wasn't the case after all...
Shaking his head at the idea, Katsuki then cursed to himself before realizing that his hatred for the boy was foolish as long as Shinso understood what was happening.
And If Amari was here then she would surely kick his ass for not working together, for not trusting him even though they were from the same agency.
So for that reason, the boy replied back. "AHH Fuck it, Kenji go to the entrance and make sure none of those bastards escape, after that wait for us. Past hero course reject, you take the left side while I take the right and we can corner them."
Finally realizing that Katsuki was going to take him seriously, the boy couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise as Amari's brother grumbled back. "Hurry up before I change my mind.."
That was the sign for Shinso to snap out of his own delusions before nodding back silently, running back towards the Nomu as the monster began to chase him with its claws outstretched.
Katsuki watched this before smirking at the scene, his palms sparking with explosions before running on the opposite side where the Nomu couldn't see him. "That's it hero course reject..."
Shinso couldn't help but smile as well, knowing they were finally working together before the boy ducked under the monster's legs, sliding through the open space towards the other side as the beast turned around. "Wrong move."
Calling out loudly, the boy then tumbled out of the way as another pair of claws flew down. "Bakugo, now!"
Appearing out of nowhere, Katsuki then propelled himself in front of the Nomu, letting off a huge explosion towards its face, the monster reeling back and screaming. "Kenji, get your ass moving..!"
A flash of blue lightning stuck down at his words, the boy jumping up from behind the creature before pushing the electricity towards his back in a single motion. "Idiot, I'm working on it..!"
Pushing his hands even further into the Nomu, it howled in pain as Kenji focused his quirk just like Katsuki had shown him as the blonde boy threw another explosion towards its head a while it was distracted.
The monster came tumbling down a moment later, falling onto the floor as Kazumi's brother huffed out an anxious breath towards his teammates . "W-We did it..."
Although their victory was short-lived when a scratchy voice entered the space, clearly annoyed as he appeared seemingly behind Katsuki without warning. "You, how dare you destroy my Nomu like that. First Master and now this..."
Widening his eyes, Bakugo turned around and lifted his hand before letting off an explosion just as Shigaraki's hand wrapped around his wrist a moment later.
The villain jumped back before Katsuki looked towards his wrist, now seeing a part of it cracked and decaying. That asshole, he got him. "Shit.."
Laughing at the scene, Kenji and Shinso stood beside their leader before the villain spoke coldly. "You and that Doll, I'm going to break you both...so very slowly...just like how you ruined my Master plan, I'm going to take away everything you ever loved..!"
The man then began to scratch his neck before glaring towards Bakugo with a sickening smile, like he couldn't wait to kill. "Now tell me where she is...I'll break her first..."
Although just as he said that, a loud explosion sounded from their left hand side, a cynical voice entering the space a moment later. "Hey Shit-garaki, I heard you were looking for me? Well, here I am.."
Everyone couldn't help but turn around at that, seeing Amari with her hands on her hips, not intimated in the slightest. "Wow, all these years and you still couldn't figure out how to moisturize? That sucks man..."
Seeing the woman in front of him, the one that was supposed to be his Doll, the one that All for One had trusted, Shigaraki immediately felt his teeth grind together in pure intent. "You...you took everything from me..."
Taking a step closer, Amari shrugged. "Yeah sorry about that, but when you kidnap Shoto and torture me for my entire life I kinda run out of sympathy. Oops."
Realizing that she wasn't taking him seriously, the villain growled before Amari glanced over to his brother, seeing him holding his wrist, and the cracks around the edges.
That bastard, he hurt her brother...
She couldn't help but drop her happy go lucky attire at that, her voice cold and plain. "Although it seems you still want to piss me off. You should know by now that's not a very smart decision, right?"
Shigaraki seemed to have enough at that, racing forward as Amari's palms began to glow with gold matter in order to block his attack.
Good, he wanted a fight. She was glad he did so she could finish this once and for all..
Although that's when she noticed that the villain wasn't even looking in her direction, the girl twisted her eyes in confusion before turning around and realizing what he was trying to do.
He was going straight for Todoroki's grandfather.
The old man couldn't help but take a step backwards at the incoming villains, willing fire to his fingertips but not being fast enough to conjure it because of his age.
Katsuki, Kenji and Shinso seemed to realize this as well, the group already running towards the girl before two more Nomu suddenly appeared in front of them, almost like Shigaraki had ordered them to be there.
Closing his eyes at the impact, Shigaraki's hand wrapped around skin, hearing the satisfying crack of bone and flesh.
Todoroki's grandfather opened his eyes a moment later though, realizing that his body was free of any pain, unlike the sounds that overtook the space. "What.."
Although the man couldn't help in disbelief when he found Amari standing in between him and the villain, her forearm cracked and broken from blocking his hit as she gritted her teeth in silent agony.
Todoroki's grandfather couldn't believe what he was seeing. The girl that he had rejected the one that he said would never be worthy, she had saved him even so. Why did she do that, he didn't deserve that, for her to be injured because of him. "Why?"
Amari could only smile though, her eyes fixated on the villain before replying. "I already said I'd protect the Todoroki family with all I have, and I mean the entire Todoroki family..."
The blue haired man could only be delighted by her interference, his hand tightening around her forearm as Amari squeaked out a cry of pain. "See, I knew you'd sacrifice yourself for him. That's how you always are. You're so easy to read Doll, still so easy..."
Narrowing his eyes, the villain then pushed further before pieces of her skin shattered onto her floor as the girl remained unmoving. "I also know you won't move and risk him getting hurt. Just like with your dear brother, you like killing yourself for everyone, don't you? Don't worry, I'll fulfill your wish..."
Amari gritted her teeth, knowing that he was right. She could fight Shigaraki but meant that he would risk being caught in her quirk. She needed to get further away to make sure he was safe. "Sorry but that's no longer my wish..."
Pushing her other hand towards his stomach, the girl then let off an explosion as the villain seethed, giving her enough time to push his hold away and turning to the old man. "G-Go, he'll try to use you to hurt me. This isn't your fight. I have to finish this..."
The old man then watched as she touched her cracked skin before immediately closing her eyes in pain, almost like it was agonizing to touch. "As if you can do that.."
Although his words only made Amari laugh to herself, snapping her gaze into a nostalgic smile. "Funny, that's what your grandchild said too."
Twisting his brow in confusion, the man turned his head. "Why would Shoto say that?"
Yet that only made the girl laugh even more, picturing a familiar purple stitched man in her head and his nagging tone that she missed every day. "It wasn't Shoto."
Seeing a hand reach into her vision, Amari quickly dropped her banter before pushing Todoroki's grandfather away as she threw up a gold shield in order to protect herself from the villains attack. "Just go...!"
Shigaraki growled at that before Bakugo raced forward, intent in her stance. "You want a fight? Fine, I'll give you a fight. It's just you and me Shit-garaki. Do your worst..."
Letting her palms spark with explosions, the girl saw one of his hands come down before Amari dodged easily, stepping to the side as the villain shouted. "Just like you took everyone from me, I'm going to take everyone from you..."
Yet Amari only frowned before just barely missing another hit, turning around before the girl threw up a shield just in time. "Sorry, but I can't let that happen. If you know me then you should know that I won't let you lay one crusty hand on them.."
Laughing at the idea, Shigaraki latched into her wrist before the girl threw an explosion, detaching him before he could push all his fingers on her. "Someone needs to put that leash back on you, someone needs to show you that you were made for me. Did you forget? You're my Doll, whether you like it or not..."
Amari couldn't help but recall their interaction at Overhaul's hideout at that, the girl frowning before feeling all the past torture that was done on her and what Shigaraki had told her in that cold dark room.
She still felt disgusted, knowing that she was made to be a pet for him.
Although that's not how the girl saw herself now, Amari scoffing in response. "And I thought you did want me, huh? I thought you were jealous that I was daddy's favorite?"
At her insult, the villain felt a ball of fury enter his throat before racing forward far faster than before, so much so that he was able to get a hit on the girl before she could even realize it.
Because of her height, Shigaraki easily reached down and wrapped all five of his fingers around her throat, squeezing the surface as Amari's eyes widened in response.
Pushing her head towards him, Amari felt her skin break under his touch before her oxygen was cut off, staring into the villain that wanted her dead more than anything. "You're right. I was jealous. Master chose the wrong toy. I always knew that and now it's my responsibility to end you since he couldn't..."
Shigaraki couldn't help but see her struggle, knowing that it would be over soon. "Go on, aren't you going to call out for your dear brother to save you?"
His question couldn't help but make Amari turn her head towards her brother who was busy fighting those Nomu with Shinso and Kenji. They weren't even paying attention, even when they were only a few feet away.
Smirking cynically, the villain then hummed before purposely making fun of her, just like he had all those years ago when he met her in that shopping mall so many years ago. "Never mind, I think we both know you wouldn't. You would still rather die for him, wouldn't you?"
And it seemed Amari understood his words as well, recalling the same situation that had repeated itself. Back at that mall, she would've gladly stayed quiet, would've rather been killed then let Katsuki get involved in her affairs.
All those years ago she was so utterly terrified of him finding out her weaknesses, of calling her pathetic and weak for relying on him instead of taking care of the problem herself. That's what she was conditioned to do, to suffer silently.
But now, now she felt different.
Staring up at Shigaraki's smirk, he expected her to push her lips together in order to remain silent, to sacrifice herself over her dear brother like he had seen so many times before.
So wasn't he surprised when Amari pushed an explosion into his chest before her voice came back to her a moment later, carrying over the entire ballroom. "K-Katsuki..! I need you...!"
It was enough for Bakugo to look up as the villain couldn't believe what he was hearing. That girl, she had never called out for help, she would never get her brother involved before.
Growling in fury, Shigaraki then pushed both of his hands into the small girl's chest, forcing her a few feet away as she tumbled towards the ground a moment later, his anger unmatched. "Y-You...what did you just do..? You were supposed to be silent...you were supposed to break like before..."
Amari only coughed out a spit of blood though, looking up at the man before speaking roughly, holding her cracked throat in the process. "Nah, now I know I'm not alone."
Twitching his hands, the villain than stepped closer, full intent in his stance. He needed to get this finish before that annoying brother of hers came to the rescue. "What are you talking about Doll? Who would want to support a hero killing monster? You're as alone as you've always been, those heroes have just been deluding you. You're alone, just like me..."
Bakugo watched him approach before pushing her hands into the ground, knowing she had to get up and fight.
Yet it seemed each moment only made her cough even more, knowing that her throat had received some serious damage.
Although she didn't have to get up because a pair of feet appeared in front of her a moment later, blocking her from the villain entirely. "You're so wrong it's fucking comical."
Looking up, Amari recognized his blonde hair before coughing out a response. He came, he really came. Of course he did. All she ever had to do was call for him. "K-Katsuki.."
Shigaraki couldn't help but take a step at that, knowing her brother was not to be messed with. "G-Good, now I can break you too. Maybe then she'll learn.."
Yet that's when another pair of feet appeared in front of her vision, Shinso's voice ringing out loud and clear. "Yeah, I don't think so."
Reaching forward to touch his pant leg, the girl couldn't help but be stunned by the support and how the two of them were protecting her. "Toshi, what are you..."
She was quickly cut off though when a rough sigh entered the space, Kenji stepped next to the boys before glaring towards the villain. "I can't believe I'm doing this.."
Still stunned, Shigaraki took another step back before a flash of red wings appeared in front of Amari, Keigo's arms crossed. "Sorry I'm late chickadee. Better late than never though, right?"
Throwing her wink, the girl paused before feeling a gentle hand on her shoulder, hoisted her towards her feet while he let her lean on him. "Amari, It's okay I'm here."
She winced at the movement before feeling two other hands touch her, one of her shoulder and another on her head before Natsu and Fuyumi smiled warmly, the boy humming. "Hey new Sis, we got you.."
Leaning on Todoroki's chest, Amari opened her mouth at the scene before a flash of fire moved in front of her, his body blocking her sight of the villain as Endeavor spoke back roughly. "It's over Shigaraki. Amari is a part of my family, and I will protect her just like any of my other children.."
At his words, a line of tears appeared in her vision before the girl blinked them away a moment later, seeing all of the people that she had known for years stand in front of her, protecting her from that villain all at once.
It was something she thought she'd never have, people that loved her enough to risk their lives, to stand with her even when the path she walked was rough and full of sorrow.
Even still, they supported her.
All for One always told her that she should've just carried on alone, that everyone would always call her weak for calling out for help, for relying on others.
But it seemed that wasn't true at all.
Because seeing everyone stand in front of her like this, it was strongest Amari had ever felt. She felt like she could do absolutely anything with them besides her.
Shigaraki couldn't seem to believe it either, the group of heroes boring into him before taking a step back in confusion and fear. "I-I don't understand. How could you stand in front of her like that?! She's a murderer, she's a monster...she's supposed to be alone..."
Yet Keigo only smirked at that, knowing what everyone was feeling.
"Because we love her."
Through the sirens, Endeavor finished giving his report for the newly imprisoned Shigaraki before turning to find his father staring back at him with an unreadable expression. "That girl, she's really something isn't she?"
Narrowing his eyes, the man gave a small nod before watching the girl in question get patched up in the back of an ambulance. "She's an idiot."
He said that but there was a small hint of a smile there, something that interested his father greatly. "You have such a soft spot for her. I'm surprised Enji. You know that being soft won't bode well as number one..."
And that was something that Endeavor had been taught his entire life, only knowing traditional and rules since forever. "I know.."
Yet seeing his son move towards Amari with a small smile on his face was enough for the man to second guess, shaking his head in exasperation. "But being number one isn't all that matters, not any more..."
Todoroki's grandfather couldn't help but widen his eyes at that. "What else is there?"
Watching his son place a hand on Amari's cheek, Endeavor couldn't help but smile in response as the young boy pressed his forehead against the girl's.
And witnessing Shoto so happy, he was glad he was able to see it now. "Far more than I originally thought. My family, my children, all my children..."
Picturing Natsuo, Fuyumi and Toya in his mind, Endeavor couldn't help but sigh. "I was always so focused on your wishes, on becoming the strongest. Because of that, I lost the most important things in my life, and that's something I never want to experience again.."
His father couldn't help but stand there as he looked at his son, wondering what kind of things he had been through to make such an expression. "You've changed son.."
At that, Endeavor couldn't help but glance towards his father before crossing his arms over his chest, a soft look in his eyes. "You think so? I suppose that child has rubbed off on me then.."
Staring at his son, the older man noticed the sadness in his tone before turning towards Shoto and Amari who were still a couple feet away, his gaze narrowed. "And what if I don't approve of their relationship? Are you going to fight me on it Enji?"
That caused the man to stop, knowing that he had never challenged his father once in his entire life. He had always just conformed with his wishes, went along with his quirk marriages and always strived to be a perfect little replica in order to please him.
Disobeying was unheard of when he was a child. If his father decided something then it was always final, it was useless to try and fight it.
But now things were different, now Endeavor knew exactly what he had to fight for, who he had to fight for. "I will do whatever I must so that they can be happy. I hurt them for too long, both of them.."
And those were the words that caused his father to widen his eyes before looking at the young couple who were laughing in the corner.
Enji had never disobeyed, had never questioned his choices before.
So much so that the man felt his eyes closed with unsaid acceptance before turning to his son with the kindest expression Enji had ever seen from him. "I see. Well, perhaps maybe I misjudged her too much after all."
Pushing his hands onto his cane, the man couldn't help but smile at his next words.
"You know, she told me that I could learn a few things from you. Maybe she was right after all..."
AHHHHHHH I'M BACK! Sorry for the delay things have been crazy over here in Ashley land. Nothing bad, just busy. But I hope this chapter was worth the wait!
I know it's not the wedding one but don't worry! Because I missed over a week in uploading I'll be posting the wedding chapter tomorrow! I have all day free tomorrow so I'll do some writing, plus a little extra surprise attached to it.
Also did you see those parallel and character development everywhere?! Shoto and Endeavor working together with their family, Katsuki working with Shinso and Amari actually calling out for help and not seeing it as weak?
That last past is really big for her cause if you remember at the beginning of the book, Amari would have rather died then call out for help or rely on others to save her.
But now, now she's learned that not all strength is physical. A queen, we stan...
Also poor Shinso with his one sided love. Don't worry, he'll have an smol arc coming up soon.
Next Chapter: Wedding Timeeeee for reals this time.
