Chapter 40
Goodbyes
Five minutes have passed since the army of heroes used a combination of ultimate attacks to defeat Shigaraki. The heroes are unable to celebrate before the Dabi approaches the downed young hero, Ronin.
"Why are you here?" asked Joshua.
"I didn't come to talk to you this time, squirt. So, just sit here and relax. I'm pretty sure Shigaraki won't be getting up soon," said Dabi.
"If you wanted to escape you would've been miles away from here. Who are you here to talk to?" said Joshua.
"My father has to see his baby boy again," said Dabi.
"Who's your father?" asked Joshua.
"It's a secret," said Dabi.
Dabi walks towards the downed Endeavor. Joshua turns his head and sees Dabi walking towards Endeavor and tries to lift the rubble off of his leg, but his arms are too injured to move it.
"Endeavor, wake up!" exclaimed Joshua.
Endeavor slowly opens his eyes and sees Dabi standing over him.
"You look tiny from up here," said Dabi.
"Did you come to back up your buddy over there?" asked Endeavor.
"It's a shame that you don't remember me. Maybe this will remind you," said Dabi.
Dabi pulls out a small bottle of water from his pocket. He pours it on the top of his head. The black hair dye drips down his face and reveals his naturally white hair. Endeavor's calm expression becomes one of shock.
"Toya?" asked Endeavor.
"I would expect you to be more surprised that your favorite son has finally returned. It looks like you still were unable to achieve the rank of number one. That's a shame. I don't even think your doll Shoto will be able to become the number one hero either. You aren't good at achieving your dreams, are you?" said Toya.
"Why are you here?" asked Endeavor.
"You should know why I'm here. You refuse to die. I sent Ending and Starservant after you, and you just won't die. Does your newfound vigor to be a father to your children make you feel better? Do you believe that you're making a familial bond with them? Did you believe if you just looked forward towards the future that the past would just forget itself? It's time for someone to give you a life lesson! The past never forgets! This is what they call a "you reap what you sow" moment! Let's fall together, Enji Todoroki! Let's dance in hell together!" said Toya.
Toya creates a blue flame in his hand and puts his hand in front of Endwavor's face.
"See you in hell," said Toya.
"You'll end up in hell before him," said Joshua.
Toya turns around and sees holding a large barrier. Joshua hits Toya with the barrier and Toya falls back a few feet.
"I didn't want to kill you, kid, but you're interfering with my plans," said Toya.
"You're sick, Toya. Killing your father won't make you feel better. Murdering the number two hero won't fix anything. Yeah, Endeavor used to be a giant ass years ago, but he's changing," said Joshua.
"Your words won't stop me. You don't know the real him," said Toya.
"I may be an outsider, but I've been hanging around Enji for a month now. We've had conversations and spars. He's changing, but you have to give him time to completely become a different person," said Joshua.
"I guess you will just join us in hell!" exclaimed Toya.
Toya creates two blue flames in his hands.
"It's disappointing that we could resolve this conflict with words. I'm injured right now, but I won't lose to you," said Joshua.
Before Joshua can move, he is hit by a car and flies back. Toya turns his head and sees the damaged Shigaraki walking towards him.
"Shigaraki?" asked Toya.
"Come. We need to go grab my main body," said Shigaraki.
"Your main body?" asked Toya.
"Just come with me," said Shigaraki.
Toya kneels in front of his father.
"See you later, dad," said Toya.
Toya walks away and follows behind Shigaraki. A few minutes pass before Endeavor finally lifts the rubble off of him. He walks over to Joshua and lifts the car off of him and throws it to the side.
"Did we win?" asked Joshua weakly.
"There are no winners in war, only survivors," said Endeavor.
"I'll take that as a yes," said Joshua.
Joshua notices Endeavor's sad expression and stops joking around.
"It probably hurts to see your son from beyond the grave. Something like this hasn't personally happened to me, but it probably won't make your day," said Joshua.
"Yeah, it sucks," said Endeavor.
"You'll feel better after a little while," said Joshua.
Endeavor sticks his hand out.
"Get up. We have to imprison some villains," said Endeavor.
Joshua tries to grab Endeavor's hand but passes out. Endeavor smiles.
"Get some rest kid. You did good today," said Endeavor.
A day and a half pass. The evening sun shines through the window and lays dormant on Joshua's face. A worried Momo lays her head on the side of Joshua's gurney. Joshua starts to move his arm while he opens his eyes. Joshua sees the resting Momo and puts his hand through her hair. She wakes up immediately.
"Joshua, you're finally awake," said Momo.
"Did you believe that I would die that easily? If I'm going to die, I'm going to die with my katanas in my hands," said Joshua.
"I don't know how you can always stay positive when you're always injured," said Momo.
"I don't let injuries stop me from chasing my dreams," said Joshua.
"That's good,' said Momo.
"Are you ok?" asked Joshua.
"I'm fine. Why do you ask that?" said Momo.
"I can see it in your eyes. Something's bothering you. I know it," said Joshua.
"I don't want to talk about it," said Momo.
"If you don't release your feelings and you just keep them locked up, you will feel sick," said Joshua.
"It's Midnight sensei," said Momo.
"What about Midnight sensei?" asked Joshua.
"She. She. She," said Momo emotionally.
Momo starts to cry uncontrollably.
"She died and I was unable to save her. I could have, but I wasn't strong enough to save her," said Momo.
Joshua gets out of his hospital bed and limps over to Momo. He wraps his arms around her and gives her a big hug.
"It's not your fault. Midnight died protecting the next generation. She died a hero. I don't know where she is now, but she's most likely proud that you stepped up and became a leader. You shouldn't be crying, you should be rejoicing that Midnight sensei died an honorable death," said Joshua.
Momo smiles.
"Thank you," said Momo.
"Don't mention it," said Joshua.
"You can stop hugging me now. It's starting to hurt," said Momo.
"Oh. Sorry," said Joshua.
Joshua releases Momo from his bear hug.
"I'm going to go visit the rest of the class. I need to make sure that they aren't dead yet," said Joshua.
"Go ahead. I'm not your supervisor," said Momo.
"I'll be back in like an hour," said Joshua.
Joshua limps out of his hospital room. He limps through the hallways until he sees green hair in the edge of his eye. Joshua enters the room and sees Izuku staring out the window.
"So, it seems that you're fine," said Joshua.
Izuku turns around.
"I didn't suffer any major injuries. I'll be ok," said Izuku.
"Do you want to talk?" asked Joshua.
"About what?" asked Izuku.
"You were scared when you sensed that Shigaraki was coming. Are you afraid that someone will steal One For All from you?" said Joshua.
"I'm not scared that they will take One For All away from me. You saw how powerful he was. He was easily as powerful as All For One. He could have easily killed us if All Might wasn't there," said Izuku.
"We just have to get stronger," said Joshua.
"Shigaraki can become even more powerful in the same amount of time. All Might won't be around to save us forever. If Shigaraki wants to take One For All, he can," said Izuku.
"I won't let him take it," said Joshua.
"Those words mean nothing compared to his power. I won't be able to prevent One For All from being stolen if I stay here," said Izuku.
"What are you trying to say?" asked Joshua.
"I have to leave this place if I don't want the League of Villains to win," said Izuku.
"Where will you go? How will leaving this town affect the people around you? You never think this stuff through," said Joshua.
"What do you think I should do?" asked Izuku.
"Well, you can't leave without help," said Joshua.
"What are you talking about?" asked Izuku.
"What if you get jumped by the League of Villains? You won't be able to get help to fend off the attack," said Joshua.
"Are you trying to say that you want to come with me?" asked Izuku.
"Why not? I'm working on a base in Osaka and I could be very helpful," said Joshua.
"Why do you want to come with me?" asked Izuku.
"I need to make sure that my best friend doesn't die before he can become the number two hero," said Joshua.
"Shut up," said Izuku jokingly.
"What about your family? It isn't your responsibility to protect this power," said Izuku.
"I have ordered my butler to leave messages and letters to all of the people that I love and care for if I ever die or not come back for a long time. They will be fine. I'll also give them updates on our health and locations, so they won't need to worry," said Joshua.
"How did you know that this would happen?' asked Izuku.
"I'm always prepared," said Joshua.
"You are a good friend," said Izuku.
"When do you want to leave?" asked Joshua.
"Tonight. I can't stay a second longer. I'm tired of everyone getting hurt because of my quirk," said Izuku.
"I'll see you later then," said Joshua.
Four hours pass. The moon has replaced the sun and the sky has become darker. Momo opens Joshua's hospital room door and walks inside of it. She looks around the room for her friend.
"He must not be here right now. I'll come back later," said Momo.
Before Momo leaves the room, she turns her head and sees a letter and briefcase on Joshua's hospital bed. She walks over to the hospital bed and grabs the letter. She starts to read it.
"Dear Momo. If you're reading this letter, I have left. I didn't just leave the hospital. I have left Japan entirely. I didn't leave for no reason though and I'm not alone. Izuku and I are going into hiding to prevent Shigaraki from achieving his goal of destroying this society. I have to protect One For All and prevent the League of Villains from acquiring it. I'm sorry that I have to leave you and U.A. I know that I am a jerk for leaving without telling you first, but I could no longer stay here and be a giant target for the league. This is my destiny. Momo, I have enjoyed the time that we've spent together. From training to hanging out, I've had lots of fun. You've made my life funnier and happier. I think that I'm in love with you. My feelings for you are confusing, but I don't think that I can live without seeing your smiling face. I don't know how much time I will be gone for, but it will probably be at least a year. I hope that you continue your training and continue to succeed. Plus, I have left you a gift. Goodbye for now. Your friend, Joshua," said Momo.
Momo slams her fist on the side of the gurney.
"Why didn't you tell me this in person? I needed to see you one last time," thought Momo.
Momo looks at the briefcase and sees that it has a note on it. She grabs the note and reads it.
"This is my gift to you. It isn't Christmas, but I don't think that you will need Christmas gifts after this one. Just put your finger on the sensor and it will open. I promise that you will be surprised," said Momo.
She places her finger on the sensor and the suitcase opens. She takes off the wrapping paper and sees a metal ball with a button on top. She clicks the button and the ball's parts unattach and attaches to her body.
"What the hell is this?" asked Momo.
"It's a suit that I created just for you," said Joshua.
Momo starts to look around the room after she hears her friend's voice, but sees no one.
"I'm just your AI's voice, so don't be surprised when you hear my voice. This suit was easy to make, but I made sure to get your proportions correct and to add all of the stuff that you wanted and like. I hope you take care of it because I won't be able to repair it for a little while. I may send a repair kit and manual in a couple weeks. You should be smart enough to know what to do. Have fun," said Joshua.
"Thank you, Joshua. I will make sure to cherish your invention and gift," said Momo.
On the other side of town, Joshua stands on a gargoyle, overlooking the city. He has wrapped Aizawa's scarf around his neck.
"I'm going to miss this place. I've spent the last eight and a half years growing up here. I'll probably cry when we finally return," said Joshua.
"I didn't think that you would be so sentimental," said Izuku.
"I'm just enjoying my last moments in this wonderful town," said Joshua.
"Are you ready to leave?" asked Izuku.
"Just one more minute," said Joshua.
"Alright," said Izuku.
"Goodbye, Momo. Goodbye, Osen. Goodbye, Hiro. Goodbye, Aku. Goodbye, Arufureddo. Goodbye, Aizawa sensei. Goodbye, All Might. Goodbye, Endeavor. Goodbye, Shoto. Goodbye, Bakugo. Goodbye, Eri, Eri. I'll be back one day and I'll make you guys proud," thought Joshua.
Joshua turns around.
"Let's hit the road," said Joshua.
Special Note
Good morning, or afternoon, or night to my readers. I had to add this section to this chapter to inform you of something important. As you know, this chapter reaches the end of MHA before the time skip. I haven't uploaded in like a month because of this. When I write fanfics, I want to know and understand everything about the story. I took like a month break, so I could think and learn about the recent events happening in the manga. Plus, I've been writing a new story on Webnovel called Lost Souls: A Bleach Story. I will probably move to Webnovel permanently after this story is over. Have a good day and sorry for the delay!
-Sergeant Meat