Beloved Traitor
"I need Quickstep!" Enji insisted into the phone. He'd been trying to convince the detective for the last five minutes of their trip back to Nasadaa.
"I've heard you the first time," Tsukauchi snapped back at him. "But I can't do that. I keep telling you! She's a villain, Endeavor."
Frustrated, Enji banged his fist against the armrest. "Of course, you can. Quickstep was approved by the Commission to help with this case."
"It's not meant for this sort of—"
"I don't care, Detective!" Enji interrupted him harshly. "I need her. Let her go and give her my coordinates."
There was a small pause. "You're certain you want to trust a villain with this?"
Enji didn't answer. He didn't trust Quickstep. He'd be mad if he would. But he hoped she'd hold true to their deal… And what other option did he have? It was for his sons… If she helped him save them, he wouldn't even mind, if she then used the chance to flee.
"Just do it," Enji growled, ending the call when Matsuura stopped the car in a side alley in Nasadaa.
Enji switched back to the map view. Silent Tracker's signal was still getting consistently closer to Enji's group. He just hoped he had guessed right, and they wouldn't drive past them. He had no idea where in Nasadaa the villains might be hiding. However, as long as they were in Nasadaa, Enji could reach there faster with his quirk than using the car.
Meanwhile, Silent Tracker's signal had left the highway again, entering Musutafu. For a moment the signal stopped, and Enji feared he had guessed wrong before it started moving again. It was very close now…and then it was past them.
It stopped just two blocks away. "Go!" Enji ordered. He grabbed Earphone Jack and used his quirk to propel himself into the air. Next to him, Brazen carried Chargebolt, jumping onto the roofs. They settled on the roof opposite to where the villains stopped the car. Just as they snuck up to the edge, they saw Twice exit from the driver side. Natsuo and Touya already stood at the door to an old and ramshackle warehouse.
The four heroes watched as the two villains and Natsuo vanished into the building.
"Is the range good for you?" Enji asked. Chargebolt and Earphone Jack had spent the last weeks training for this event. The Stun Gun Hero gave a curt nod.
"Just barely," Earphone Jack replied in a low voice, as she plugged the jacks into the concrete roof of the building. "As soon as this building is evacuated, I should hear everything nicely. I'm still getting interference."
Enji nodded at Brazen. The young hero would start the evacuation by himself before Hawks and Aizawa would arrive. Brazen jumped from where he was perching on the roof. He quickly vanished down the fire exit leader.
Now started the most precarious part of the mission, where they had to evacuate the area without notifying the villains, while Natsuo kept them busy. Enji didn't like it. If Natsuo had just played the decoy to lure them out, it would've been one thing. But now he was also required to entertain the villains for who knew how long. When the plan had been finalized, Enji had raged against it, but there was nothing he could do to convince the police, the commission, or Natsuo himself, to decide differently. Of course, he could've refused his help during the operation, but he doubted that would go over well. The police might reconsider in that case, but the commission and Natsuo had their minds set.
"There are…eight people in the warehouse, including Natsuo, Twice and Dabi," Earphone Jack said after a moment.
Enji frowned. "Eight?" he asked to make sure. Had they missed somebody? Natsuo, Touya, Twice, Himiko Toga, Mr. Compress, Spinner, Shigaraki Tomura… Seven. Who else was there? "Can you identify them?" he asked worriedly.
He was certain that the doctor couldn't be here. Mirko's team took care of him in Yaku. He just hoped it wasn't Gigantomachia hiding in the warehouse. The space might just be big enough for him.
"Is it Gigantomachia?" He needed to know.
Earphone Jack, like all of them, had been briefed on Gigantomachia, so she knew what to look out for. She shook her head after a while. "No, I don't think so. If he was there, his movements would create stronger vibrations." She sounded uncertain and worried. It was still possible that Gigantomachia was there and just not moving much. "In any case, he's not one of the eight, I'm sure."
Quietly she unplugged one of her earphone jacks and put them back into the concrete roof.
"I heard Toga's name," she announced after a few seconds. Enji mentally checked her name. "And that's Spinner."
"What are they talking about?" Chargebolt whispered.
"It's just welcomes and greetings so far," Earphone Jack replied, "I'll let you know when… Ah. That's Natsuo asking about Shigaraki. Dabi compliments him on his eagerness. He… They are meeting with Shigaraki." Earphone Jack relayed what they spoke about verbatim. "Toga seems excited," she noted after a moment. "She's jumping around happ—No, that's not Toga."
Enji looked at his intern confused. "Who is it then?" He asked, noting Earphone Jack's obvious bafflement.
"I'm not certain. I thought it was Toga because they're so light. Their steps hardly cause any vibrations, but it's not."
Enji couldn't make sense of that. If it wasn't Toga but somebody around her bodyweight or maybe even below… That didn't fit any of the other League members. Was that the mysterious eighth person? "Try to figure out who that is," Enji demanded.
He had a pair of binoculars in his hands, but he couldn't see anything through the only bigger window the warehouse had, that was facing them. Frustrated, he handed the binoculars to Chargebolt and told him to walk down the roof to see if he could get a better angle without getting too far away.
Just a minute or so later they got company on the roof. Eraser Head came climbing up the same fire escape that Brazen had disappeared through.
"Hawks and Rocklock are taking care of the evacuation," he said instead of giving a greeting. He worriedly watched Earphone Jack and Chargebolt a bit further down the roof for a moment, then he turned to Enji.
The teacher gestured down the building. "I saw Brazen down there, but not Shrinking Girl nor Silent Tracker. Are they still with Natsuo?"
Enji nodded. Silent Tracker's signal was now coming from inside the building. He hadn't given her any order to follow inside nor had she revealed herself to him ever since she started following the villains. But he assumed she must have turned herself into a rat or another small animal and already entered the building. Shrinking Girl was under orders to stay with Natsuo unless something hindered her from doing so. As there had been no incident, as far as Enji knew, he assumed she still was with his son. Which was good. It made Enji feel a lot more confident in this asinine plan.
"Good," Eraser Head commented. "That's something at least." He seemed nervous.
No wonder.
They were only a handful of heroes. The rest of their team was still on the highway between Musutafu and Yokohama. The heroes surrounding Wash who was supposed to lead the evacuations had waited until they were certain that their targets were indeed going back to Musutafu to turn their cars around.
Deku and Bakugou were both with Wash on the evacuation team. Enji was almost glad about that. At least it meant those two wouldn't get involved with this situation for at least the next thirty minutes.
"I've heard Shigaraki, I think," Earphone Jack suddenly announced. Both adult heroes turned towards her. "He's questioning Natsuo's intentions. 'Last time, you sold us out'," she quoted, "'how do we know you'll stay loyal now?' Natsuo… he replied that he saw reason. 'I was nervous back then. Touya made me realize that…' I couldn't understand the rest." She shook her head.
At that moment Chargebolt came back from the other side of the roof. "I could get a glance of Mr. Compress, but they must have left the room by now."
"So, the entire League is present," Enji acknowledged. That only left the question of that eighth person, who was that? Was it a new member, somebody from the Paranormal Liberation Front, or maybe a Noumu? He hoped it wasn't a Noumu. Dealing just with the League would be tricky enough.
Enji crouched a little lower on the roof thinking about their plan. They didn't have long, he knew. It would only take a few more minutes to evacuate the immediate area. Enji knew that Hawks worked swiftly. As soon as they got the go-ahead, Aizawa, Rocklock and he would enter the warehouse. Hawks would follow as soon as the evacuation team arrived to relieve him of his duties… But just with them three, and the two heroines already inside, it was a tough match. He at least wanted to know the identities of all fighters involved.
Earphone Jack continued relaying the following dialogue:
Dabi – Back then, if we had involved Natsuo, he would've helped us. We simply surprised him with our plans, and he panicked.
Shigaraki – You keep explaining that, Dabi. Yet I never saw any proof. Is he an ally, or a traitor?
Dabi – I trust him.
Spinner – If Dabi trusts him… Any brother of Dabi is a brother of mine.
Shigaraki – I trust you, Dabi. But I don't trust your brother. Who tells me, he won't betray us again?
Natsuo – I have as much reason to hate my father as Touya does.
Shiagraki – And yet, when we would've freed you of him, you decided to turn against us.
Natsuo – I didn't know what you were planning.
Shigaraki – Dabi has already said that. Is there no better excuse?
As he listened to Earphone Jack's clear and emotionless rundown of the conversation, Enji became increasingly frantic. Judging by Shigaraki's words, he became more and more impatient with Natsuo's lack of an explanation.
Natsuo – If you don't believe me—
Dabi – I can vouch for him!
Shigaraki – Your brother is more trusting than me, Natsu… Well then, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice…and I will make you suffer.
Enji's skin was crawling. He didn't know how Natsuo kept it together at the threat. Shigaraki was unhinged, and certainly not the kind of guy Natsuo wanted as an enemy. If their mission failed, and Shigaraki got away, Enji would have to put Natsuo under 24/7 hero protection. This time, he wouldn't accept anything else. He would convince Rei, and whether Natsuo wanted to or not, they'd make sure that Shigaraki couldn't easily get to him. Or well—Preferably they could capture Shigaraki today.
Shigaraki – Now that you're here, we can progress with our plans. Johnny?
"Who is Johnny?" Aizawa asked immediately.
"It has to be the eighth person," Enji replied. "But there was no file about a person named Johnny."
Toga – We're doing it now? I can't wait.
Shigaraki – Well, now that the Todoroki brothers have arrived... Imagine the newspapers tomorrow: Sons Of Returned Number One Hero Level Musutafu… What Natsu, you look pale? Did Dabi not warn you?
Natsuo – What do you mean…? Level Musutafu?
Enji paled. Earphone Jack kept her voice calm, but he knew Natsuo must have lost his countenance. Clearly, he had reacted to Shigaraki's plan. How could he not if Shigaraki spoke of the mass murder of the entire city – including Natsuo's siblings, mother, and friends.
Shigaraki – cold feet already? This time you don't have an excuse. We just told you our plans. So, if you're not up for it…
It was a clear threat. Enji jumped up, ready to move, but a hand on his shoulder held him back. Eraser Head shook his head. "We still don't know anything about Johnny, and the evacuation—"
"I know," Enji growled through his teeth.
Shigaraki – Understood, Natsu?
Natsuo – No, I'm decided.
Shigaraki – Good. Guys…Let's show this rotten hero society the kind of darkness they created through their own ignorance! Johnny, bring Gigantomachia and the Noumu!
"Shit!" Eraser Head cursed.
Enji was already on the move.
Damn! He had to be faster. They should have intervened sooner. The unknown abilities of this Johnny-person had held them back. Now it turned out that was exactly their mistake. If this Johnny had some sort of transportation quirk, they could've just lost their opportunity to avoid the fight against Gigantomachia and the Noumu.
Enji didn't know if his assumption was right. But if Johnny had a mutation quirk, there was a big chance that even moving as quickly as he could, he couldn't stop what was about to happen. He was already halfway across the street before—
There was an explosion in the warehouse.
For a terrifying second, Enji thought he was too late. For a moment he thought all was lost, and Gigantomachia and the Noumu had appeared in the middle of Musutafu. Then he registered a surge of blue flames in between falling rocks and Silent Tracker's crumpled form, falling through the wall. Shigaraki stood in the opening, seething with anger.
"Where did she—" he started, then his eyes locked with Enji's. "Fucking traitor!" Roaring, the leader of the League of Villains whirled back around, an expression of livid fury on his face.
Natsuo!
Enji knew at once that Shigaraki had counted two and two together. He hadn't trusted Natsuo from the start, so, while the rest of the League was still reeling, Shigaraki was already charging at the two-times traitor.
With an extra burst of fire, Enji sped up until he caught Shigaraki just before his deadly hands could reach Natsuo's throat. There was no grace in Enji's desperate charge. He grabbed Shigaraki, fumbled to catch his wrists, and forced them away from his body. The force of his impact with the villain toppled them over. Together, they smashed through the next wall.
"Endeavor!" screeched Shigaraki.
Enji hoped that was it. Shigaraki had never been known for his physical prowess. His quirk was a menace but with both wrists securely—
He should've known better! Hawks had warned him that Shigaraki's powers might have changed. With unimaginable power, Shigaraki twisted around and kicked Enji in the gut. Enji was thrown off the villain and halfway across the warehouse where he painfully crashed into a shelf. Old tins fell from the shelf on his aching body.
Where did that power come from? Enji didn't remember the last time he was kicked that hard. Not even the Noumu that Touya had brought to the attack against his agency had so much raw strength. Feeling his ribs ache and his stomach rebel, Enji climbed back on his feet. He had no time to be surprised.
"NATSUO!" Touya's voice came loudly from the other room. "I trusted you!"
Enji had no time to waste on Shigaraki. With a burst of fire, he rushed back into the first room, just in time to grab Natsuo and pull him away from Touya's attack of blue fire.
"I'm sorry To—" Natsuo was just about to say when Enji pulled him away.
"How could you…" Touya hissed, but then his eyes locked onto Enji. "YOU!"
"You need to stop, Touya!" Natsuo yelled. Then Enji slung an arm around his waist and he quickly dragged him outside to where Silent Tracker still laid crumpled on the floor.
"No, Natsu! You need to understand!" Touya cried after them, as another fiery attack missed.
"Natsuuu! Don't you love me?" Toga cried in the meantime, but as she made to pull a knife and storm after Enji and Natsuo, Shrinking Girl appeared behind her and hit her against the head. She didn't manage to knock Toga out completely, but at least she kept the girl busy like that.
Touya glared at Enji. "You took him from me! What did you do, Endeavor?" he cried, fisting his hands in his dyed hair and pulling on the strands. "Natsu, my brother! Natsu!"
"I told you…," Enji replied between panting breaths. He pulled Silent Tracker's unconscious form upon his shoulders.
He was well and truly fucked, he realized, when Shigaraki came back again.
The villain had a slow and confident pace as if he didn't worry whatsoever that Enji might be a threat. Maybe Enji wasn't a threat…with that unknown power Shigaraki held. However, his calm confidence was deceiving, Enji knew. There was pure fury and hatred on the villain's face.
"Natsu, come back," Touya pleaded. There was a sort of crazed desperation in his eyes. "Come to me, and we can talk about it."
"Stop it, Dabi," Shigaraki demanded. "Your brother made his choice. Let's kill them. Let me free you of your disappointing family." He made a decisive step towards Enji who was still holding onto Natsuo and his unconscious sidekick. "We're your family now."
He raised his hand. Enji didn't know what to expect. Shigaraki was too far away to reach him from where he stood. What else was he planning? Enji had no idea about the attack that would follow. Had Shigaraki learned to use his quirk as a ranged attack? That would be troublesome. He pulled Natsuo closer. The boy was struggling weakly, but he looked pale and terrified.
Then Shigaraki's hand closed around the remains of the wall that Silent Tracker had fallen through.
"No!"
Enji needed a second to sort out what had happened. Just as Shigaraki had started decaying the wall, Touya had tackled him from behind. The wall was already crumbled to dust. It had gone so fast, Enji had almost missed it. Even the ground had started decaying.
Now, Shigaraki and Touya were rolling over the floor, until Shigaraki got the upper hand. He climbed to his knees, smashed Touya's head hard against the ground, and reached with his hand for Touya's neck.
"You dare to betray me too?!" Shigaraki yelled in a shrill pitch.
"NO!" Both Enji and Natsuo yelled at once, but they were too far away to do anything. By the time Enji could let go of Natsuo and Silent Tracker to get his hands free for any sort of attack, it would be too late. Horrified, they watched as Shigaraki's hand closed around Touya's throat. Instead of his usual wide grin, there was now a disappointed scowl on his visage.
Nothing happened.
Frowning in confusion, Shigaraki looked at his hand on his comrades' neck. He took so long to understand what had happened, that Touya managed to slap his hand away and free himself of his hold.
"You're late!" Enji reprimanded Eraser Head as the man appeared next to him. Despite Enji's strict tone, he was insanely grateful.
Eraser Head seemed apologetic as he nodded. "I know, I'm sorry. What's going on there?"
"Infighting," Enji answered curtly.
Shigaraki stood in the middle of the room, seemingly torn between attacking the heroes who had now gathered just outside the warehouse – Shrinking Girl had now joined them as well – and going after Touya who was leaning against the far wall, breathing heavily, and rubbing his neck.
Enji's eyes roamed the room. Only about a minute had passed since his entrance. He hadn't gotten the chance to assess the situation yet. Shigaraki and Touya aside, Toga was injured from her encounter with Shrinking Girl. She seemed dazed, but she was still standing, half leaning over Spinner who watched what was going on between Shigaraki and Touya with a frown. Mr. Compress was leaning against the wall a bit away from Touya. Enji didn't think he had moved at all since the battle had started. Twice walked up to stand between Touya and Shigaraki.
"What's going on?" he shouted, glaring at Shigaraki. "Stop that at once. We're all comrades here, friends, family. We belong together. What are you doing, Shigaraki?"
Where was the eighth villain? That Johnny-guy. Then Enji noticed the corpse of a small Noumu lying in the rubble. His whole face and brain were smashed in. Silent Tracker must have done that. It was the first time Enji could make sense of what had happened.
Of course, he should've known. While he was rushing to stop Johnny from bringing Gigantomachia to Musutafu, Silent Tracker had taken the initiative and mercilessly killed the Noumu before he could fulfill his master's command.
"Get out of the way, Twice," Shigaraki growled.
"No!" Twice glared back at him. "He belongs to us. Natsu is his brother, of course, he doesn't want to kill him."
Shigaraki's expression softened a little at that. "Natsu betrayed us. And not for the first time. I can't let that go unanswered…"
If he wasn't still holding on to Natsuo, Enji would've used this chance to attack. He knew they wouldn't have another opportunity like that again. With the League disrupted like that, fighting each other, they could maybe avoid the catastrophe they all feared. It was also obvious that Shigaraki was already starting to calm down a little. Sooner or later, he would see reason and agree with Twice. At least he would understand that they shouldn't deal with this inner conflict, while there were still heroes around to kill.
However, all these considerations didn't get Enji past the fact that Natsuo was still too close. Never mind his unconscious sidekick whom he couldn't leave unprotected either.
Where was Quickstep? Hadn't Tsukauchi done as he asked?
"He's my brother," Touya whined from where he sat. He seemed befuddled by the whole situation as if he still couldn't understand what had happened. "He's the only brother I have left."
His turquoise eyes – so much like Enji's own – shifted towards Enji… no, towards Natsuo. There was hurt shining clear in them.
"He betrayed you," Shigaraki insisted, though his voice had softened considerably. "How often does he need to betray you, for you to realize that he doesn't love you?"
"That's not true!" Natsuo cried. He made half a step towards Touya but was then held back by Enji. He didn't struggle. "I love you Touya—"
"SHUT UP!" Shigaraki roared, turning back to Natsuo. "How dare you speak like that?! You chose his abuser over your brother. Your own abuser too. And a false hero!"
"You'll always be my brother. I just need you to stop," Natsuo continued unperturbed. "I can't watch you destroy yourself like that."
"You're just a pawn for them!" Shigaraki roared. "Heroes," he mocked and pointed at Enji. "He doesn't care for you! Do you think he'd bring you into this mess if he cared for your well-being? Heroes hurt their family for the sake of society!" he screamed. "My father taught me that! What did your father teach you, Natsu?"
"I'm not talking to you," Natsuo said in a stupid show of bravery. Despite himself, Enji felt proud of him. Shigaraki looked taken aback. Meanwhile, Touya had struggled to his feet. "I'm talking to my brother."
"You think I'm destroying myself?" Touya whispered a confused glint in his eyes. "I'm not destroying myself. But you are! You are, Natsu, if you think it will ever get better, that he can ever change!" Touya shook off his confusion, replacing it with mad mania. "He's not going to change, Natsu. You're just fooling yourself into believing a fantasy. And it will destroy you. Like it destroyed Mother. Why do you think she stayed for so long? Because she told herself, it would get better." He smiled sadly at his brother. "She still does, don't you see? He bought her with money, forced her to have us, and then he beat her and abused us until she couldn't take it anymore… And still – you told me yourself – she's willing to give him another chance. You're the ones destroying yourselves. Deceiving yourselves."
"You're wrong," Natsuo replied. "You're wrong! Not about mom…or Fuyumi, or even Shoto. You're right. They all gave him another chance. But not me. Never me!" He shook his head strongly. "I promise, I didn't. I'm not here because of him, but because of you."
Touya frowned disbelievingly. "Then why do you stand next to him?"
At that moment, several things happened at once. Quickstep suddenly appeared next to Enji. Aizawa had to blink. And Shigaraki had finally calmed down enough to think clearly.
"Take them away!" Enji ordered, pushing Natsuo and Silent Tracker into Quickstep's arms.
"I'm not your taxi!" the villain complained at being suddenly asked to rescue one more person.
Enji glared at her.
"No!" Natsuo protested. "No, please! Touya!" But then he was gone. Off to meet Shoto at the evacuation spot Enji and Quickstep had agreed upon – at least if Quickstep could be trusted.
At the same time, Shigaraki pulled out an old-school walkie-talkie, holding it up to his mouth. "Gigantomachia. Come to me!" he ordered. When he released the speak button to wait for some sort of reply, nothing came back at him. Not even static noise "Giganto—" He tapped impatiently against the device. "What's going on?" his brows furrowed.
"They must have cut the communication," Mr. Compress explained. "We'll have to fight without Gigantomachia."
And then, just as Natsuo disappeared, Touya's scorching fire came rushing at Enji, Shrinking Girl, and Eraser Head. Enji blocked it with a counterattack of his own.
It was as if that was the signal they've all been waiting for… The moment for the battle to start for real, as Shigaraki, Touya, Twice, Toga, Spinner, and Mr. Compress all went on the attack.
Enji knew they stood no chance. For Eraser Head, Shrinking Girl, and him it was a battle for survival, a struggle for time. All they had to do was survive and keep the damage contained to this block. Rocklock and Brazen, he knew, would join them soon. Hawks would join them as soon as he wasn't needed for evacuation anymore. And Wash's team could join them when the evacuation was complete. Best Jeanist, too, would soon be there…
Until then… They only had to hold out long enough.
Dread pooled in his stomach the way he never felt before. For a second, he found himself wishing that All Might was here. All Might would be able to handle this situation. Then he shoved the thought away. All Might had retired. All Might had been forced to retire because as it turned out, there had been an opponent that even he couldn't handle without having to pay for it with his health and career. All Might had retired after fighting a villain that had brought him to the brink of exhaustion, using up his last power while putting his life on the line…
It wasn't like All Might had never been in a situation that he couldn't handle. But even when he was, he didn't give up, he didn't declare the battle lost, just because it seemed hopeless…That at least…When it came to not giving up, Enji thought he was every bit All Might's equal.
Let the battle start!
This will be the last battle. Including this chapter, it will last for three chapters total and then... argh I'm so nervous. I really want this to end well. I had to switch betas on this last part, sadly, but thanks so much to Lady Elemental who put so much work into this! All of the chapters are now corrected, so if I'm late for another update, it will be because I messed something up and not because the chapter isn't ready...
There's something else I thought, I should at least mention:
When I planned this story, while a lot of it I came up on the fly, the ending was always more or less fixed. I wanted this battle to happen, and I wanted (at least most of) what will happen in the next chapters to come from the very beginning. However, since then a lot has changed in canon and a lot was revealed, not just about the Todoroki family, but also (and for this upcoming battle maybe more importantly) about Shigaraki's powers.
For example, I wanted to have this battle without Gigantomachia or the Noumu worsening the odds. So I thought: throw in Kaminari, he can stop their communication, so Shigaraki doesn't even get to call for the Noumu and Gigantomachia. However, then during the war, it was revealed that Shigaraki (or at least AFO's Vestige in Shigaraki) can apparently control the Noumu at will. I also hadn't expected for Shigaraki to become quite as powerful as he ended up being^^ Overall, canon threw a bit of a wrench in my plans. However, I decided that to be able to end this story at all, this was a part where I had to blatantly ignore canon. It's surely not the first time, that I just throw canon aside, I have already refused to put in characters like Burnin' that were introduced quite a long time ago, simply because they didn't exist when I first started writing the story... yet, somehow with Shigaraki's power it felt different. Like I had an obligation to include it.. maybe it was due to me reading the war arc and writing this chapter in such close succession, but I think I might have gotten things tangled in my mind.
Anyway, the point of this is just to warn you, that although this Shigaraki is similar to canon Shiggy during the war arc, he doesn't have the same powers. He is powerful though... just not the same as canon Shiggy.
(The same goes technically to a different extent for all of the characters. They aren't the same. Bakugou and Deku are a bit older than in canon and thus also a bit stronger (Though not as strong as they likely would be at the same age in canon), Touya is a lot different, Enji is quite a bit stronger... etc. The League might fight differently to what you're expecting. I just ant to forewarn you, to not create any false expectations.)