An eventful week later, the full case against Endeavor had been processed and the police chief had given his agreement to proceed. A small squad including Eraserhead and officer Naomasa Tsukauchi were making their way to the Todoroki household. Eraserhead had warned the Todoroki children ahead to clear the floor. They wanted this to go quietly and without any violence and it is part of why this arrest wasn't taking place at Endeavor's headquarters. He would annul Endeavor's quirk if need be, while Tsukauchi would read his rights and put him under arrest. No reason for any of this to go wrong.

Well. Famous Last Words, Shouta.

Anyway, he was prepared for this long-term undertaking to be finally ending. They had gathered enough evidence, had witnesses, medical records for both Touya and Shouto, as well as school records for all the siblings, among others. Tsukauchi and him would be the only ones going to the house, the other members of the squad would be waiting outside and would only intervene if the man showed violent tendencies with them. There was no need for a rise in violence.

They walked up to the entrance and knocked on the door. There was a bit of a scuffle inside before the door revealed Endeavor. The man's eyes were weary and shifted from each of them. His shoulders were sagging. He opened the door large enough to see them, but still closed enough that they could sense he was hiding something.

"Eraserhead. What brings you here? Is it about Shouto? Is he alright?" He asked, wary.

"Yes, he is, although he is not the primary reason for this visit. Can we talk?"

Todoroki Enji visibly flinched and hesitated. Eraserhead and Tsukauchi shared a glance. Now was the moment to act if the suspicious way the man was acting was any indication. Tsukauchi walked up to him and put his hand on the door.

"Todoroki Enji, you are under arrest for child abuse including physical abuse, neglect, and psychological abuse, as well as failure to assist a person in danger, harassment and other count of indictments. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney and to have an attorney present during any questioning."

The suspect's face forwent any amiable feature it had previously shown to depict resignation. He shut his eyes and dropped his head against the hand holding the door, then stood up straight, resolute.

"I apologize, sirs, but it appears you will have to speak to my guest." Then, he opened the door widely, letting appear a board member of the Commission casually leaning against the wall in the corridor.

Fuck.

"Please, come in."

The door closed behind them, with the unsettling suspicion that the predator and prey relation had changed sides. They led them into the living room, where a file was on display on the coffee table. A quick glance showed Aizawa that some part of their investigation had not gone as unnoticed as they had thought. There were pictures of Shouto, Fuyumi, Natsuo, Rei, and him. Some parts of their testimonies as far as he could tell. He winced internally. The only good thing for now, is that he had no idea if they had found out about Touya, but there was no picture of him as Dabi or Touya displayed, so that was a blessing. He supposed they would be having a very much different conversation otherwise. Endeavor would not be so calm, Aizawa suspected.

"We will get straight to business. We had access to your case and with the evidence in your possession, you might have had a slight chance to have him found guilty of all charges, had we not found out. Now…it is less than uncertain." The member of the Commission said in a clipped tone. "We won't let you continue unchecked."

"Can we know why you are interfering in an ongoing investigation?" Tsukauchi asked, on the edge.

"Simple. The well-being of our society. You cannot possibly expect us to do nothing while you arrest our best chance at victory against the League of Villains. Japan desperately needs Endeavor. It is as simple as that." He explained, arms wide open.

"Is your corruption so deeply rooted that you would subtract a criminal from justice? How would you explain that to the public?"

"How would you explain to the public that the reason the League has defeated the heroes and Japan has become a lawless area is because you put our greatest hope behind bars? You can be assured that if you take him, you will find us on your path, blocking you at every opportunity."

It seemed that since they had lost Hawks as their obedient slave, they were desperate to sink their claws into someone else. Just shows the lack of integrity. Not even trying to hide it anymore then. Everything and anything for the greater good, right? So disgusting.

"Eraserhead." He turned to look at Endeavor. "I will accept the fate justice holds in store for me, if it appeases my family and gives them a chance at a normal life. I'm giving you my word. But now, no one knows when the League will strike next and the newly evolved Noumus are too powerful for you to fight without me. Without All Might, I'm the best person to face them."

Correct. That will depend on if Dabi is amenable enough to consider pleading with the other members to forgo their ways and surrender themselves, which seemed as unlikely as him not needing ear plugs because Hizashi's snoring was bursting his ears. Which explained a lot about his sleep pattern. Lord knows how much he loved Hizashi, because otherwise…

"The question is… Is your word worth anything?" Aizawa asked, an eyebrow arched.

Todoroki Enji's shoulders tensed. "I swear it on my family."

"Swear on something that belongs to you and that you didn't actually destroy already." Tsukauchi retorted. Eraserhead didn't correct him.

Todoroki Enji flinched, feeling the weight of the others' judgement.

"I swear on my pride as the number one hero."

Something he only acquired because All Might retired, but it was for all accounts, what he had fought for all these years. The thing they knew he had wanted the most. They couldn't deny the truth of his vow, which stung him even more. For them, seeing him swear on his rank was more worthy than doing it on his family's name. Spoke volume about what they thought of him.

"It is settled then." The Commission member stepped forward. "Endeavor won't be imprisoned because of need of service in times of dire need. Todoroki Enji will be brought to justice after the League has been brought to its knees. After that, the deal is off. In the meantime, he will come live at the Commission's headquarters." He smugly stated.

Tsukauchi and Eraserhead looked at each other, before reluctantly nodding their agreement. It felt like shaking the devil's hand. Slimy, degrading and like they had sold their soul for a deal that sounded worth it only in passing, but they had no choice for now. The Commission member gathered the file on the coffee table and turned to leave the house, sure that no one would be foolish enough to step in his path.

But Aizawa had something on his mind and wouldn't budge on getting his answer.

"I just have one question."

The man stopped and tilted his head toward them.

"How did you find out?"

He had been careful, not wanting to risk his student's safety, but if they knew this, what else did they know? What else could they do?

"Such an initiative cannot escape the Commission's vigilance." The man explained, his tone final.

"Cannot escape its surveillance, you mean?" Eraserhead gritted his teeth.

Only an unnerved twitching eyebrow and a tense smirk answered him.

"We will keep an eye on you, Eraserhead."

The thinly veiled threat escaped no one's notice. Aizawa stood straight, not willing to show anything but defiance at this figurehead of the corrupt organisation deciding every aspect of their life as heroes. Tsukauchi walked closer to his friend, a silent support. Todoroki Enji glanced at them hesitantly, but made no move, already knowing where his position was now. He had his hands and feet tied in the name of his freedom, when he cast his lot with him.

And then, the man was gone.

The second family reunion for the Todorokis was marked by the appearance of Shouto's teacher, Eraserhead, at the doorstep of Todoroki Rei's hospital room.

Well, first it was safe to say for Natsuo's sake that he arrived at the right time, as Touya was about to put down his last Uno card on the pile while he had just picked twenty cards in his last round. But he quickly concluded when he realized the reason for his presence, that he would have rather lost the game than know what had transpired.

The gloomy expression on his face was the first clue of the puzzle for Touya. The shoulders slumped in defeat was another. The apology was the nail in the coffin.

"I'm sorry."

The first thing the man said upon entering the room. He probably didn't have any introduction to sweeten the deal, they all knew why he was here. Straight into the affair, but it was the last thing they wanted to hear from him. It was more sorrow than Touya had ever heard from any law-enforcing person he had ever told his story to as a child. They all laughed at him, saying his lies about the number two hero would make them waste their time. Touya didn't think he could ever be angry at Aizawa. Since he had been acquainted with him, bar their less than desirable first encounter, the man had actually been a listening ear and a shoulder to cry upon. That was more than anyone else had ever done for his family. Shouto was right to trust him and Shigaraki to be in awe of him.

"He'll be behind bars," he promised, staring at them in turns, before landing on Touya's gaze.

"But not today." Touya concluded.

"But not today, no..."

Touya gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. Of course, the man would escape justice, even when for once he had tried going at it the right way.

"What happened?" Shouto asked, unblinking.

"The Commission interfered."

Ah. But what could the man do? He was one of the only cogs in working-order in a rotten clock. Which is why his part was so important. Eraserhead was fighting on the side of the Angels. Dabi would be able to do so much more, even if he has to get his hands dirty or not.

Dabi was in his thoughts, already thinking how he could turn the events around and had already lost track of the conversation, when Aizawa called him out.

"Endeavor is safe from justice as long as the League proves itself a threat. Make that what you will, but he promised to surrender once the League is locked up in the interest of public safety. He won't escape justice indefinitely, but right now, my hands are tied. Because I can't argue that we won't need him when your group has just proved the contrary a week and half ago."

"I see." Dabi didn't let his emotions transpire on his face, not wanting to involve them in his next scheme.

Silence fell between them, only broken by Rei clearing her throat, attracting their attention. "I have to say, Eraserhead, that I am glad for the hope you gave my children, but I am not surprised. The Commission was involved when I signed the marriage contract after all. I doubt they were completely unaware of his motives or what happened. But if Enji said he will let himself be brought to justice, I have to hope he will keep his word. After all, the person he lied the most to was alway himself, whereas I always knew where I stood with him, despite my best interests."

Aizawa nodded, determined. "Whatever happened, Endeavor won't escape the consequences of his actions."

Oh, you can be damn sure he won't be escaping his fate. I will make sure of it, Dabi thought, determination shining in his eyes.

Hawks was nervous.

It was unusual for him. Keigo got nervous, jittery even sometimes. Lost sleep over decisions that plagued his conscience. But Keigo had built Hawks to be sneaky in missions and confident in public. Hawks' purpose was to protect Keigo and whoever he cared for. Right now, he would very much like to hide from the world under his bed cover.

He had followed the recent developments with the Todoroki case. Disillusioned, but not surprised at the same time. A weird mix, he'd grant it. All he had seen was that as long as the Commission kept its dealings under wraps, nothing would change. Thus, his solution was simple: to expose them was to render them as helpless as possible. So complicated and simple. To that effect, he needed a location where they could not intervene and stop him, where he could be seen and heard by as many people as possible. In cooperation with Aizawa, he had devised a plan. Dangerous and daring. His favorite kind. And he had an affinity with mics and audiences, as the last hero popularity poll had proven.

This was why he found himself on a stage, in the biggest square of the city, surrounded by ad screens broadcasting him, with journalists and a crowd of fans summoned by him as well as interested passers-by swarming toward him. Officially, he had lured them with the promise of news about his professional life and juicy gossip. Clad in a suit, wing folded in his back and slicked back hair, he went to the stand and clutched at its frame. With a wink and a finger in front of his mouth, he quieted down the crowd before him. Plastering a confident smile on his face, his face came closer to the mic.

"Helloooo! Good afternoon to all!" The horde of fangirls squealed while the journalists were trying to push their cameras higher to get a better angle. A blinding smile and a wave did the trick. "I am grateful that so many of you came here to see me!" Booming applause resonated around him. "Thank you, thank you!"

Hawks raised his hand and the crowd slowly calmed down. "I summoned you here today, because there is something that I needed to confess."

That sparked the interest of the journalists who were frothing at the mouth at the idea of a salivating headline for their next issue. The ones filming live were reporting to their studio.

"A confession. That is why we're here. For a little heart to heart." His serious tone cast a silent spell on the crowd. His usual cheerfulness was gone. His lips were forming a thin line and a cool glimmer shone in his golden eyes. "Indeed, I need to confess that we're doomed if we don't act. We're doomed because the system our society is built upon is rotten from its roots, touching everyone of us by its filth. Don't misunderstand me, this is no apocalypse speech. This could be, but I want to believe that we still stand a chance if we band together." Hawks took a breath and threw a glance around him to test the temperature. Good, every one of them was transfixed, listening to his words, too enthralled and desiring to know the outcome of his declaration. "The Commission, the one who wielded me like a marionette until now, weaves its branches to control every part of society as we now know it. The government listens to them like gospel, and why wouldn't they?" He opened his arms wide. "For them, heroes are the reason this country still stands and villains are the ones that need to be eradicated. That is the way we were told. The Good and the Bad. When did we start dissociating what was first only one? Quirk-powered individual. Living-beings. Being taught which quirk is good, which one is bad. Who is going to be at the top of society and who will be trampled on. The ones with useful quirks usually thrive. The others, with dangerous or considered weird-looking quirks, being left aside, forgotten if not completely villainized. How many of us quirk-powered individuals were tossed aside for the narrative, for the comfort of the many? That is an uncomfortable truth, isn't it?" He nodded, seeing several persons looking ill at ease in his vicinity. "The Commission, however, has always been aware of its deficiency and taking advantage of it. After all, what distinguishes us from most villains most of the time, if not the luck to be born with a manageable quirk and an easier life?"

His voice was booming around him, helped by the loudspeakers. The screens were all broadcasting his speech and some shocked journalists were whispering in a hurry to each other. Undoubtedly, this would have momentous consequences.

"As for me, I was saved because my quirk made me a useful tool. I have no doubt my life could have taken an even darker turn if things had been different. Here's what no one probably knows, as the Commission hid it very carefully. They forged an era of terror, and I was one of their tools.

My name is Takumi Keigo. I am the son of a thief and a murderer. My father stole and murdered everything in his path until he was caught. He hid thanks to my mother's quirk, but was still disgusted by it. He kept me locked in our house. Abused me, said the world would be better if I hadn't been born. Watching heroes on the screen, I thought it was all fiction and that no one would save me. After all, my own mother didn't care about me. After I was rescued from my father, I finally found that heroes were real and I too could be one. Of course, whereas I was doing my best to cater to my mother and I, as we were living on the streets, she took advantage of my talent and she ended up selling me to the Commission. I was enrolled as a child, thinking I would become the hero I dreamt of. For years on end, I went through hell to train, to get better, to get stronger and stronger, faster and faster. To become the one I am now." He made a turn on himself, wings and arms spread in a " look at me" move, before going back to the stand. "They had a clear idea of who they wanted me to become or rather what. A double-agent. A weapon. A killer. That is who they wanted me to be when they ordered me to be a spy in the League of Villains, issuing me to do anything necessary to attain their goal. Killing? Authorized. Encouraged even." He shrugged. "Letting dangerous monsters come into the city and wreak havoc to gain the trust of the League? Please do. Who would suspect them? No one. Why would they? They act for the greater good after all."

Hawks scoffed, staring straight at the closest camera. "I found out later in my training that I was the replacement of someone who used to be like me. Once full of hope, now tarnished by the dark parth they led her on. Lady Nagant is her name. On their orders, she had to assassinate villains and "corrupt" heroes. Or, at least, the definition of corrupt for the Commission. The ones who were standing up against them and their corruption. For them, it was better to make them disappear than go through a proper trial. Exacting their own justice. She is now imprisoned, she turned against them when the truth of what she had become had been too awful to stand for her. We were both treated like disposable assets. I ask you now; with such stories, who are really the villains and heroes of the story? Recently, the Commission even threatened a beloved hero and teacher of UA, Eraserhead, for doing his job because it threatened their hold over the heroes! I'm asking you, when is it going to end?!" He hit the top of the stand, incensed by his own words.

By then, silence had fallen on the crowd. Uncomfortable glances were given between each other for some, horrified looks were exchanged for others. The people listening to him were caught in a mix of horror, sadness, guilt and fascination, no one was trying to stop him. For now. It was suspicious, but then, it was kind of gratifying to have been able to one up the Commission for once. He imagined them flailing in despair because of him, not knowing what their next move will be. Maybe even booking an assassin to shoot him right in the head as he was speaking. No matter. The harm had been done, he thought, delighted. Whatever happened to him would reflect poorly on them after his speech. No one would be able to turn a blind eye anymore. It was broadcast all over the country if not over the frontiers as well, the wonders of the internet. He could see the sea of phones recording him or streaming on every possible social media and the reporters commenting everything to the journalists in studios. The passers-by were calling their friends, asking if they were watching the TV.

While they had thought taking on Eraserhead with impunity would be easy, as he was a man from the shadow, Hawks had been operating as well from the shadow as from the light, thanks to them, making it now impossible for them to make him disappear. Oh, what an irony. He was savouring every instant.

A small part of his brain was wondering what the League was thinking about his stunt. Did Twice agree with him? Did Compress approve of his dramatic flair? Would Toga hug him if she was here? Was Dabi proud of him? It was only the beginning. It would be a long journey before his and Aizawa's will unfold and change the country.

He cleared his throat and a hush fell on his audience. "To counter their influence on society, I intend to investigate with a squad of chosen heroes. The members of the Commission need to be held accountable for their crimes. So that people like Lady Nagant and I don't go down the same path, blinded by them. So that people who were turned away because of their differences, because of something they were born with don't choose a life of criminality because they feel it's the only way to be heard. Violence wielded by heroes and villains is never an answer. And it is their tool to control us. Don't let them do this to you. Quirk-powered individuals, heroes, should have representation and instead, the Commission is only ruled by a board of non-heroes. How is any of this fair? How are we to be treated fairly? Please, I beg of you. Work with me. Work with us. I want for us a society where heroes don't have to work, because that would mean corrupt society would have lost its hold upon us. Because no one would need saving. Because violence against our own citizens is not the price of peace."

Hawks caught his breath. Almost there. He looked up, seeing his determined expression on the giant screens around him. "Thank you for your attention. I will upload every piece of information I have gathered on the internet. Nothing should be hidden now. Transparency needs to be of utmost importance. This era of corruption has reached its end. My last request would be this: don't turn a blind eye and join us to fight for the truth. Please. You owe it to yourself and the world."

There was a beat, then booming applause roared through the square. People cheering on left and right, chanting his name. Hawks gaped at the sight in front of him. He blinked to chase away the tears that were threatening to come out. He nodded a few times to them. Cameras were flashing at him. He noticed a few journalists raising their hands for questions, but he wanted to leave as soon as possible to avoid any stampede and any wounded in case the Commission reacted fast and sent someone after him. He was about to spread his wings to fly away, as he didn't want to risk an attack, when the journalists quickly searched through their pockets and looked at the message they had received. Their reaction didn't wait. They raised their hands frenetically, calling him.

"Hawks, did you know about this video?"

"Is this man working with you?!"

What?

"Dabi uploaded a video incriminating Endeavor! Were you informed?!"

Fuck. He pulled out his phone and faced the inevitable. On every social media, his and Dabi's face were plastered. Bastard really knew how to choose his moment. Then, every screen on the street turned off and on, his face flickering before giving his place to Dabi's.

He was sitting in a chair. Scars of his upper body in the open air. Determination shone in his eyes. His mouth set in a snarl.

"I am Todoroki Touya. The eldest son of Endeavor, Todoroki Enji. I am also known as Dabi from the League of Villains. To date, I've committed dozens of crimes in cold blood… and today, I'd like everyone to know exactly what drove me to such despicable acts. Let me tell you a tale of Endeavor's making. Once upon a time, that man yearned for nothing, but power. But when he found himself unable to surpass All Might, he despaired, his so precious pride shattered to pieces. He needed to find a solution to surpass All Might, you see. To create even stronger quirks, my father forced the ice quirk-powered woman who would become my mother to marry him. And I was the result of the pursuit of his selfish egotistical dreams and his eugenist logic. But alas, I was a failed creation. It didn't take long for him to reject me after he discovered my defects. I was tossed aside and forgotten despite my best effort to please him. These murderous flames of mine are Endeavor's flames." He lit his fist, his blue fire licking his skin. He stared at it, a pensive expression on his face, before extinguishing the flames already licking at his tender skin. He looked back at the camera.

"I couldn't figure out why I even existed, and every day, I'd crawl to Natsuo, crying my eyes out. Not that our father ever knew or cared, right? In the end, in a foolish attempt to please him and manage to use my quirk in a useful way to him, I burnt myself to the point I was believed to be dead. I was brought to the nearest hospital where a doctor declared me dead. I was in a coma for years before I woke up. Alone, disoriented and hurting like a bitch. Skin grafts instead of muscles out in the open air. Staples reattaching my falling skin. You know what is shittier than nearly dying because of your father? Realise that no one gave a shit. That society would rather spit in my face than make him pay for what he did. I'm not pretending to be a good person, but I sure as hell don't pretend to be the perfect number one hero in Japan.

Anyway… after my birth, Endeavor made sure my mother kept having kids. The fourth, Shouto, was the successful creation. And yet my father even abused that perfect creation. I saw him do it many times, as did my other siblings. I heard that my mother, pushed to madness by my supposed death and my father, burnt my brother. My father destroyed my family. Endeavor doesn't have an empathetic bone in his body. At his core, he's addicted to the limelight. He's a man who wallows in his own small-mindedness and self-importance, who seeks to comfort his pride. Is that the sort of person who should call himself a hero? Those who keep company with Endeavor are no different. The Commission who is currently hiding him, are after all the ones who ordered the number two hero, Hawks, to spy on us and to do anything to curry favor with us. These twisted people with skeletons in their closets… they cover it all with shallow masks of justice! The Commission interfered when Endeavor was finally about to face justice, all fair and square for once. But they chose to fight dirty first, not me. If you think that's the only thing they are hiding, you are mistaken. I just want everyone to stop and think! The only ones these "heroes" protect are themselves! With all that ugliness inside, they use you people to give them protection! Approval! Admiration! Up until now, Endeavor had the misguided conception he could think "as long as I face the future, I can be better!" Let me tell you now: The past never dies! You will answer for your crimes. As we all will."

As his words petered out and the picture froze, clamour rose from the crowd. They were screaming his name, asking for answers he couldn't give. Talking passionately with each other. Looking at their phones for more information. Calling their families and friends. Some were already calling for demonstrations over what they had learnt from him and Dabi.

Disoriented by the turn of events, he ignored the calls for interviews from journalists. He chose to observe the temperature of the crowd around him. He heard bribes of conversations from afar.

"By speaking out, they've already won!"

"Whether they're lying or not, that's a question for later."

"The Commission must face justice!"

"He may be a villain, but people are going to lose faith over this."

"Child abuser? That's horrific!"

"Poor Hawks!"

"Dabi as well! Did you take a look at his skin?"

"I heard his wife is in the hospital. I didn't think that was true…"

"Hawks and Dabi are right! Things must change."

Disconcerted, Hawks ruffled his hair and with a powerful pull of his wings, took to the skies. He flew over the city, unhurried and in awe of the sight. In the city, people everywhere had been watching his speech and Dabi's videos, on the ad screens, on their phones, on the radio. They were chatting about it, raising their fist in indignation. Chaos had started and a bringer of change had come with it. It was magnificent.

"Damn you. Don't upstage me, idiot." Keigo chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Of course, you had to bring a bomb to a gunfight."