Rewatched the 4th movie last night. Still peak cinema.
Anyways, please enjoy this chapter. Here's the Discord: /cgFmXz3qJ5
Endeavor's vision was blurry, but the smell and the voice were all too familiar.
"Man..." Dabi laughed. "No one told me you'd be here."
Endeavor wheezed. "It's you...the one who murdered Snatch and the Quadrians...Dabi, was it?"
Dabi smirked, as his hands started to burn brightly. Blue flames consumed the streets, blocking out anyone else from getting to help Endeavor. "Dunno who they are."
Endeavor grunted, clutching his side. His injuries were catching up to him, big time. Toshiko gently set him down as Albedo and Hawks took front and center. "Chat with US, then." Albedo frowned, flashing the Ultimatrix.
Dabi chuckled and stepped forward, his flames growing larger. "I don't think you understand, heroes. I'm not here to talk. I'm here to get Hood out of the gutter."
Hawks stepped forward, wings spread out behind him. "If you can get past us."
Dabi sneered. "Try if you can, bird boy."
Hawks spared a glance to his wings, a significant portion of his feathers were spent during the battles against the Nomu and propelling Endeavor forward for that final blow. But, if he had to guess, he still had enough to buy them some time. Toshiko was also running low on fuel, but Albedo didn't have those limits. That didn't mean he was at a disadvantage, though. If either of his comrades hit their limits, it would just be him not only fighting Dabi, but also protecting them. Maybe Echo Echo or Ultimate Ditto...
"Oh don't tell me you're scared," Dabi taunted, "Guy with an alien watch, the top two Pros and...whoever the hell you're supposed to be-"
"Great, the League doesn't even know me..." Toshiko rolled her eyes.
"There's no way I could win against you...after you're already beaten and bloodied!" Dabi finished, launching himself at the still-standing, but tired, trio of heroes. His blue flames roared in his hands, ready to incinerate them all.
"I don't think so, patchwork!" someone else called out, before they slammed into the ground with a powerful kick that made Dabi stop in his tracks, "Hopped over as fast as I could. Couldn't have saved me one Nomu to fight?"
"Mirko," Hawks scoffed.
"You sound surprised! Thought I'd let you guys have all the fun? C'mon, you know me," the rabbit hero rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to the League's pyromaniac, "So...you're with the League huh? Hope you're ready for an ass-kicking."
"Right as things were heating up, too..." Dabi sighed, "Damn it. Ujiko, you're up."
Black ooze suddenly started leaking out of Dabi's mouth. He coughed and gagged as it flowed freely. If it wasn't such a useful power, he'd probably throw up.
The heroes were briefly confused but didn't hesitate. Mirko and Toshiko were ready to rush at Dabi, when he suddenly started to...disappear.
"Bye for now, No. 1. I'm sure we'll get another chance to talk, but until then..." Dabi grinned. "Don't go dying on me...Enji Todoroki."
The two heroes struck out with powerful kicks of their own, but they only struck air. The two launched and skid to a halt next to each other.
"Crap...vanished," Mirko said, holding her leg, "That's how they escaped in Kamino, too right?"
"Yeah..." Hawks said, realizing what that could mean.
Albedo ran back over to Endeavor, and examined his body. "You really did a number on him...and yourself. I'd say you were reaching critical mass..."
Endeavor coughed. "Overclocking myself was the only way I could counter it's Big Chill half."
"Understandable." Albedo frowned. "I'm shocked you can still talk."
"You...say that..." Endeavor muttered, his vision starting to darken, the battle finally taking its greatest toll on him. Above, a news chopper caught all of the final confrontation and they were stunned.
"The...the crisis has passed! The heroes have done it! I know they can't hear me from up here, but Endeavor, Hawks...all of you, thank you! Our new Top Hero is here, ladies and gentlemen of the public!" the reporter announced, causing civilians across the country who had watched the whole event cheer in celebration.
Albedo gave a sigh of relief. Your first win as the number one. But you won't celebrate it. Just like Ben, you keep moving forward...
Because what's behind you is worse.
A few hours later, night had fallen but there were still some clean-up efforts going on in the city center. Hood's corpse had been secured by authorities and was being sent for dissection and examination, along with the other Nomu bodies and prisoners. But that was to be expected after the show the new Number One put on today. At an old warehouse in the industrial district, Dabi was leaning against one of the metal beams, snapping his fingers together and sparking a small blue flame on his thumb on and off again. It was like he was using a lighter. His snapping stopped when a red feather missed his head by a few inches, instead jabbing into the metal pillar he was up against.
"And hello to you, too," Dabi greeted.
"What in the hell was that?" Hawks asked, storming in with another feather already drawn for use as a dagger, "None of that went to plan!"
"Well you know what they say, no plan survives first contact with-"
"Oh spare me!" Hawks snarled, "You enjoyed the chaos. But if this is gonna work, how about some actual cooperation here, Dabi?"
"I thought you didn't have many feathers left. Just a bunch of tiny ones," Dabi chuckled.
"I'd have to be an idiot to meet you unarmed. Everything was wrong. We agreed on it. Tomorrow at a factory by the water. Not today in the middle of downtown! Plus, I'm not blind! That was a different kind of Nomu! You couldn't have mentioned that beforehand?" Hawks listed off all the issues.
"Changed my mind. Plus, I did say I was gonna test the Nomu's capabilities. Shoulda guessed it was different from that. But we both messed up, didn't we? You said you were gonna bring someone kinda strong. I was sorta expecting Endeavor, but Albedo and some no-name speedster? Not much of a test when it's a four on one, is it?" Dabi deflected.
"You sound disappointed. Thought you'd be happy to dish out some damage on Endeavor. Besides, you broke our deal. Not me."
"And I'm s'posed to believe the Number 2 Pro just like that, eh? Riiiiight. See this was a test for you, too. See how much I could trust you. But...gotta ask. Zero casualties?" Dabi asked. " I thought you sympathized with us, came looking to cooperate with us. You sure didn't act like it out there."
"I gotta keep up appearances, y'know." Hawks frowned. "Can't go losing my trust with the people. More faith, more juicy info. Ball's in your court. Take the long view. What I do is for the League's sake, Dabi."
Dabi huffed, letting a small bit of smoke escape. "...hey. Quick question."
"What's up?"
"...think he knew?"
"Knew what?"
"Who I am."
"Outside of 'Dabi,' I don't think anyone knows who you are," Hawks admitted.
"Right," Dabi sighed, almost disappointed, "Guess I'll just have to be more blunt."
"Speaking of-"
"No. You don't get your face-to-face with the boss. Not yet. Trust me...you'll hear from us on it," Dabi promised, but the worth of his word was debatable.
"Fair enough." Hawks sighed, as Dabi made his departure. He stood there for a few minutes, just rubbing his hands on his face.
"Why did they have to give me this assignment...what's wrong with Nagant?" Hawks muttered. "Haven't seen her in a hot minute..."
It was about a month after Kamino that Hawks had been called to the Madam President's office. You see, Hawks was not just any hero. Yes, all pros held some accountability or had some connection to the Commission, but Hawks was their direct agent in secret. It was a long tradition for the Commission to have at least one Pro on their payroll who answered directly to them. When he walked in and asked about it, he wasn't expecting the next words to leave the president's mouth.
"Join the League of Villains," the president ordered.
"...I'm sorry?" the past Hawks blinked.
"Did I stutter?"
"No, but...you already have a search team, don't you? Gran Torino and all them?"
"You know about that?" one of the president's assistants asked, "But...that was never disclosed!"
"Yeah. But, I found out anyway. Whomp whomp." Hawks smirked.
"And that's why we need you on the inside." The president said.
"What, my wit?" Hawks joked.
"No- your usefulness." The president presented Hawks with a familiar red feather. "Have you been eavesdropping, Keigo?"
"What? Moi? Madam President, come on..." Hawks deflected. Her assistants seemed less than amused, but the woman herself actually chuckled a bit.
"Deny it all you want. The fact is...we made a mistake. During the Kamino operation, we jumped the gun since we were after the boy. We were scrambling to save him and because of that, our intel was...faulty. Lacking. And as a result...we lost All Might. Intelligence is the key to fighting an organization that sticks to the shadows, an organization like the League."
"The bioengineered creatures especially. Reports say they had hints of Tennyson's aliens in it. Is One For All's power all that's needed to create them? Until we get the ins and outs about it...we're doomed to make the same mistakes again." The assistant frowned.
"What about the people they hurt while I'm undercover...do I just turn the other way for that?"
"You can and will. That's why we came to you."
Hawks frowned at that.
"I won't deny it, Hawks." The president sighed. "We got lucky you couldn't make it to Kamino. It might have revealed our hand."
"There's no honor in this one. No accolades you can parade around and no medals to pin to your jacket," the president said, "See the goal we're reaching for and play the long con. I don't believe there's anyone better suited for this."
Hawks finished rubbing his face, and took a deep breath. This is what I'm really fighting for- a world where I'm not needed for the dirty work. A world where no hero has to do what I do. People look at villains and think 'I will never end up like them.' I used to do the same too.
Behind my back, I already am.
Hawk's phone suddenly buzzed. He pulled it out to see a text from Albedo: "He's up."
Hawks nodded and sighed, his finger moving across the keys on his phone and sending a text back.
"On my way," it read. He stowed his phone and looked over his shoulder at his wings, still not enough feathers to fly.
"Guess I'm walkin' then," Hawks shrugged as he walked away from the warehouse.
At the same time, Dabi was walking along the waterfront, having left the warehouse well behind him by now. He was disguised, though only enough to where people couldn't see his face at first glance. He just had a hood up to cover the facial scars. As he walked, staring out at the water, a memory sparked in his head.
"Oh! I remember now! Snatch must've been the sand guy!" Dabi said, facepalming, "The guy I killed with Compress's marbles! Huh...why'd he bring up that guy? Out of everyone I've killed, some nobody?
"..."
"Really."
"Fractured arms. Head wounds. Massive facial scar on right side of face. Internal and external bleeding." Albedo listed off. "A new record."
Enji glared at him from his hospital bed. His mouth was wrapped up, so no scolding.
"Sorry." Albedo said. "Trying to lighten the mood."
The glaring from Endeavor just screamed 'Not. Helping.'
"Right..." Albedo sighed. Thankfully, they didn't descend into awkward silence as the doorknob turned and Hawks walked in.
"Sorry for being late. Stopped a mugger on the way over," Hawks covered.
"Uh huh." Toshiko said, raising an eyebrow.
"How's the leg?" Hawks asked.
"Not bitten off, thankfully." Toshiko said, motioning to her cast. "Damn Nomu's bite did snap some muscle fibers. Not fun."
"Yeesh. And you. Giant dinosaur alien take the brunt of the damage or?" Hawks turned to Albedo.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Albedo nodded.
Lucky. Endeavor thought, but he'd never admit it.
"So...bad was it?" Hawks asked, "The damages?"
"We lost one hero in the opening minutes of the fight. A chunk of ice the size of a cinderblock slammed into his head at such high speeds that his neck just...snapped. No civilian casualties thankfully, but there are plenty with minor injuries. In terms of property damage...I don't even want to guess how high up in the hundreds of thousands it is," Albedo explained.
"Well...I'm sure the Commission's got things handled there. Heard that the clean-up efforts are going well."
"They are," Toshiko said, "Still a bit restless myself...should be out there helping."
"Deja vu," Albedo muttered to himself.
"Your injuries are pretty minor. You'll probably be on the field later today if that nurse from UA gets here soon enough." Hawks said.
"Good," Toshiko frowned. "I feel like I'm wasting my time."
Two days later, rebuilding and clean-up efforts continued, with several pros and civilian organizations contributing. By now, Endeavor was back on his feet, courtesy of Recovery Girl herself. Of course she'd help. After all, she and Endeavor go way back. Though there was still some extra surgeries that were needed to help him heal properly. When it was all said and done though, Endeavor now sported a large scar across the left side of his face. Mirko, in the aftermath of Dabi's appearance, had added herself to the search for the League.
Endeavor stepped out of the hospital, to see a red car waiting out front. Albedo, Toshiko and Hawks were standing by it.
"I didn't know you had a car," Endeavor mumbled to Albedo. He was still very tired.
"I had to get one for the kid." Albedo said.
"Nice pick," Hawks said, "This a custom job or did you get it upgraded? Cause I know a few of your friends are gearheads."
"Don't like the generalization...also don't like how you're right. Yes, the car's been upgraded."
"Cool," the winged hero said, turning back to Endeavor, "Glad you got to keep the eye. Especially since, if you lost it, it woulda been my fault."
"Didn't think you were vain enough to believe that..." the new Number One rolled his eyes.
"It's his responsibility and his alone when he gets hurt." Toshiko frowned. "I could've lost my leg and I'm not blaming anyone."
"Ah, the Mirko approach. Got it." Hawks said. "Can I use that when I get hurt?"
"Sure." Toshiko said. "Still. I've been thinking...that Nomu made a BEELINE for us the second we arrived in town...kinda weird."
"Sure is, but it's not like we weren't attracting attention to ourselves. I mean, Number One, Number Two, sister to Ingenium, and the counterpart to Ben? That's like a hero beacon," Hawks said. Mentally he was just cringing though.
'You're killing me here guyyyys', Hawks mentally grumbled.
"In other words, they were opportunistic. They saw us and, figuring they wouldn't get a better chance, decided to attack," Albedo said.
"Bingo."
"Possible that the rumors were just bait, too." Hawks lied. "League's stepping it up."
"I heard one of them had a sighting down at some school- killed a bunch of kids. I think it was the girl who had that whole expose." Toshiko frowned.
"Toga Himiko- I've been doing a case study on her. Interesting thing." Albedo mused. "She can drink alien blood and transform into hybrids. May be linked to why some Nomu have alien DNA."
"Anyhow, I'd better get in touch with my crew for searching for the League," Hawks said. "Lot of paperwork...yay."
"Watch your back, then." Endeavor said. "As long as we're after them...we'll need to cooperate to deal with high-level threats like that thing."
Toshiko and Hawks stared.
"...wait, we're a team now?"
"Yes."
Toshiko and Hawks shared a look.
"...don't give me that," Endeavor huffed, "It's common sense."
"Didn't know you liked us that much, number one." Toshiko teased.
"I feel so seen..." Hawks added.
"Shut up, both of you." Endeavor said, motioning for the both of them to get out of the way. He got into the car and slammed the door.
"He mad." Toshiko smirked.
"Yeah, but he cares. Aaaaanyway, plumage'll be back in about another day or so, then I'll be back on patrol. Takin' it easy till then. Hope you do too, Night Rider. Just to let Recovery Girl's Quirk fix up any last healing," Hawks saluted.
"I will. Take care, Hawks!"
"Oh don't worry about me!" Hawks said before he turned to his inner thoughts, 'Really, don't.'
"Believe me, Hawks," the past Madam President said, "We wouldn't be suggesting this if we didn't think it necessary. With a man on the inside, the intel we gather will be the most accurate we could."
"Ma'am, calling it a 'suggestion' implies I don't have to do this. But we all know this is a mission I can't turn down," Past Hawks said with a smirk, before his face turned coldly serious and he bowed, his wings outstretched to both sides, "If getting my hands dirty brings everyone some piece of mind, I'll gladly take the job."
Hawks frowned as he watched the car drive away. I'm Hawks...the man who's a bit too fast. A society where heroes can enjoy a little boredom. I'll make it happen. At my trademark top speed.
Toshiko's phone started buzzing. She pulled it out to see that it was Iida calling. "Oh. Hold on. Gotta take this." Toshiko said, walking off.
Albedo, as he drove off, heard his own phone buzz. He'd check it when he could, but he could guess it was Neo and what exactly she sent him. He allowed himself a little smirk at the thought.
Toshiko, meanwhile, answered her phone call.
"Hey Iid-" the speedster sister began.
"Why have you NOT been picking up my calls!? I have called no less than 50 times in the past few days!" Iida frowned. "You're lucky they wouldn't let me leave campus because if so I would come down to your hospital room and have WORDS with you!"
"Wait fifty?" Toshiko asked, looking at her call-log real quick and her eyes widened, "How did I miss-"
"That's my question!" Iida interrupted.
"Oh...god, I'm so sorry. You and Mom must've be-"
"Worried sick? Yes! And that's an understatement!"
"Look. I'm fine. I escaped unscathed, and now I might be doing some work with Endeavor-"
"Why would you take on a job this dangerous?! Especially after what happened to Tensei and I this summer?!" Iida said.
"Iida...this wasn't something I could turn down. Rumors of a Nomu? Leads from the Number 2 Hero himself? You don't just say 'Hey can I take a raincheck on that?'" Toshiko countered.
"And I get that! But..."
"But what?"
"...I don't want another situation like Tensei."
"I..." Toshiko sighed, "I know...believe me, I know. But...but if I can stop another attack I will. Especially if it's aimed at you and your friends. What if it wasn't a normal Nomu that attacked the USJ? What if...what if it was this thing? I don't wanna imagine the specifics, but I know it would be a nightmare."
"And I understand that too! But...I don't want to lose you to that nightmare, you know?"
"I...I know," Toshiko sighed, her voice soft, "I don't want to lose you to it either."
"Just...promise me you'll at least keep in touch?" Iida asked.
"I promise. I'm not planning on getting back in the hospital any time soon, you hear?" Toshiko said.
"Good, good." Iida said.
"Oh, uh, do me a favor? Tell Mom I'll be over to see her later today. I know she won't accept just a phone call," the sister of the speedster trio chuckled.
"You're right, she won't. But I'll let her know you're coming over. And just...once more, watch out for yourself out there. Please."
"I promise, Iida," Toshiko said, "Trust me."
"I can- I just don't know if the world can help you keep that promise." Iida said. "Things are getting more and more dangerous..."
"They are...but that's the kind of burden pros sometimes have to deal with. The world's not gonna change overnight, especially in times like these. That's why it needs us, to help move that change along," Toshiko said, "It's...it's not a guarantee, I know, but sometimes, all a Pro can do is give their word."
Iida took a deep breath. "But I don't want to just give my word and hope that it's enough. Actions speak louder than words."
"...is that why you do the arm chop thingies?" Toshiko asked.
Iida paused, momentarily thrown off by the sudden change in topic. "Arm chop thingies?"
"Y'know. When you're really fired up. You do that." Toshiko pointed out.
"T-that is to emphasize the severity or excitement in the point I'm making!" Iida argued.
"Ok, but...you do that for more than just 'severe' or 'exciting' topics. You know that right?"
"Name one time!"
"I bet you're doing it right now."
Iida paused, then lowered his arm. "I see your point."
"And add another point for me," Toshiko chuckled, "But in all seriousness, I see where you're coming from there. Believe me, you'll see me living up to the promise."
"I better! Now, go. Mom's probably waiting for you." Iida said.
"Let her know I'm on my way."
"Will do. Love you, Toshiko."
"Love you too, Iida," Toshiko smiled and ended the call. She stowed her phone away and decided to get back home as fast as possible, racing off with some help from her Quirk.
Albedo's car had come to a stop right outside of Endeavor's home, a rather impressive and large traditional-looking Japanese home. The new number one thanked Ben's counterpart for the ride and sighed, letting the alien drive back off. He walked back up to his family home and noticed something once he got closer to the front door. The TV was on, he could hear it from here. That's...unexpected. He unlocked the door and went in to investigate.
"Add your raw egg," a chef said on a cooking show that was on the TV in the dining room, "and your dish is done!"
Endeavor slid open the door to the room, seeing his three children seated around a dinner table and enjoying some homemade dishes.
Endeavor blinked. "...hello." This was the first time his three kids had been in the same room since...God knows when.
"Oh, hey! Welcome back!" Fuyumi said. "Great work with that Nomu."
Endeavor grunted, as his gaze shifted to Shoto. Fuyumi immediately took note. "O-oh, yeah! Shoto got special permissions to come home. Invited his teacher inside, but he refused."
Lucky him. Shoto thought, staring at his father's face.
And he looked at him.
And him looked at he.
And he looked at him-
"Nasty scar you got." Shoto said, slurping soba.
"Yeah, nasty." Natsu added, also slurping soba.
"My friend Momo fought a Nomu with more aliens in it...and chainsaws. She came out unscathed." Shoto said. "And magic."
Endeavor's eye twitched. "...good to know."
"H-hey," Fuyumi whispered, "Shouldn't you be congratulating him? We promised to play nice, remember? Especially since he's making an effort to improve!"
Shoto and Natsu shared a look that just told Fuyumi that it was gonna be incredibly difficult for them.
"W-well at least don't look so angry! It's like you wanna set him on fire with your minds! Er, more...more on fire."
"I can still hear you, Fuyumi," Endeavor said.
Natsu looked at his father again for a long time...and sighed. "Sorry. I can't do this." Natsu said, setting his bowl of soba down and getting back up.
"Natsu!" Fuyumi said, as Natsu made his way to the door. Endeavor stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.
"If you've got something to say, say it." Endeavor frowned.
Natsu glared at his dad. "Rich coming from the dude who's never looked me in the eye. Listen- I don't know you. I don't know Shoto- I didn't even know Shoto loved soba as much as I do until today. Why? Because you never let him do ANYTHING with us. Your 'failed' experiments."
Eneavor took a deep breath. "...fair."
"Fair?!" Natsu said. "Mom and sis want to forgive you, but all I see is this maniac who's getting rave reviews. Yeah, you LOOK like a changed man, but you're not. You abandoned us. Ignored Mom's cries. Subjected Shoto to ungodly torture. And Touya, too..."
Natsuo clenched his hand, accidentally frosting over the door his other hand was clutching. "No amount of you being No. 1 will erase the fact you're a piece of shit."
"Natsuo...I'm trying to-" Endeavor began.
"Trying to what?! To change?! Oh, look at you, having a change of heart! We can just hug it out and makeup! Hell no! If you think that's the case, then that's sickening!"
"Natsu-"
"No! I'm done," Natsuo said, storming off, "Sorry, sis...but thanks for the food."
"N-natsu, wait!" Fuyumi called out, but her brother was already gone, "I should've known... With Shoto at U.A. and able to see Mom again, a-and you're actually trying to make a change...I just thought..."
Fuyumi sighed, as she grabbed Shoto's arm. "I feel like I'm always trying to hold stuff together, just for a shred of something normal. Is that...selfish?"
Shoto looked at Fuyumi with compassion in his eyes. "No, it's not selfish. You're just trying to maintain some sense of stability and balance in your life, especially with everything that's been happening lately. It's understandable to want some normalcy and peace of mind."
"...really?"
"Yeah." Shoto nodded, hearing Natsu throw on his shoes and exit. "...never heard Natsu so honest about his feelings like that."
"He's been...trying to be more open...since..." Fuyumi drifted off. "You know."
"I know..."
By now, the cooking show that Fuyumi had put on had ended and had changed to a news program. Of course, the story of the evening was the battle against Hood.
"It's been two days since the fateful battle against the new Nomu, but public opinion for the New Number One continues to waver," the reporter said. The camera feed then changed to different citizens interviewed, all asked about their opinions on the New Number One.
"He only barely won, right? Are we sure he can really do this?" an old woman asked sheepishly.
"That other fire guy, the blue guy? He got away again," a man in a hat pointed out.
"Yeah, and let's not forget, other heroes beat up a buncha Nomu before. Why'd he struggle against just one of those chumps?" the man's friend pointed out.
Fuyumi cringed as she heard the various negative opinions.
"Oooooff, turn it ooooooff!" the single Todoroki daughter begged.
"No," Shoto answered simply.
"As you can see, some remain dissatisfied, but on the other hand, there are many others whose confidence in Endeavor has skyrocketed. Taking the words of the now viral 'Can'tcha See Kid,' many people see the effort that the flame hero is putting forth," the reporter continued.
"Well, I was an Edgeshot fan before, but after that fight with the Nomu, could you not be an Endeavor fan?!" a three-eyed kid asked excitedly.
"I'm a fire type too," an older man said, holding a finger and igniting his fingertip, "Sooo yeah, I'm hyped for him!"
"That kid was great, it's like his words turned the whole fight around," one girl pointed out.
"As you can hear, the 'Can'tcha See Kid' has become something of a viral sensation in his own right, his passionate cries garnering a significant increase of support from those who had yet to take one stance or the other," the reporter explained, "We now go to the studio to hear the opinion of a special guest from Daika City."
"It'd be much better to interview the man himself to get all the facts. At least, that's my opinion, anyway, but there are some things that we all seem to agree on. Endeavor's battle against the Nomu was stunning, a true showing the heroic fire, if you'd pardon the pun, but the Can'tcha See Kid and Hawks' contributions were just as, if not more, monumental than Endeavor's. Their words were enough to encourage people to cheer for him," Chitose explained.
"No one can deny that he's facing down an incredible headwind," another reporter began, "But now the public is aware that this is the Endeavor Era. Given enough time, support for the New Number One will undoubtedly spread across the country."
Endeavor took that in. He was a man of 'show and never tell'. No interviews with late-night show hosts. No pointless meet and greets with crazed fans. No news appearances. Just work day in and day out. His hard-won philosophy was simple: the results would speak for themselves. Words were cheap. Actions, however, could not be denied. And yet, here he stood, watching as words—not his own—began to reshape his public image.
It felt strange.
"...As a hero, Endeavor's great," Shoto said, half paying attention to the news. "But it's just as Natsu said. I'm not going to forgive you for abusing Mom. Or me. Or the rest of us."
"I don't expect you to." Endeavor said, after a moment of silence.
"You were right to." Shoto said. "Heroics aside, what kind of man are you going to be now? That's what I wanna know. I've seen the turning point before…and I don't doubt it'll happen for you."
Endeavor didn't respond after that, but not out of anger. Sure, his kids might have thought that, Fuyumi trying to distract Shoto with a fresh bowl of soba, but the flame hero was lost in thought. He was looking back on all of these events and there was something wrong with them. He was Number One, his dream had been fulfilled…yet the victory felt hollow.
This isn't the way I wanted to become the Number One, Endeavor thought to himself, I thought that if I could, things might change, But now that I am…I don't see a change, not yet. All that unease, all that anger…they're still plaguing me, maybe even more than before.
His mind then shifted to another memory, of a time he and All Might were talking. It was a very simple question that he didn't even remember if he answered.
"What purpose does our strength serve? You ask me, the answer's pretty simple," All Might's remembered voice said.
"Power…a reason to dominate. That's what I believed for a time, but when he asked me that, that's not what I thought. No. Instead, a very simple, ordinary thought flashed through my brain. I have to safeguard the future for them, for my children. That's the top hero's job. But future have I really given them? And what about the futures I've cut short? Shoto's right not to forgive me yet, if at all. Far too late to just ask or demand for that," Endeavor continued before he came to a decision. Without a word, he turned to leave, sliding open the door leading out.
Fuyumi turned to ask her father if he wanted a bowl, but he'd already slipped out. She didn't bother to call out for him. Eating with Dad was as rare as finding an albino lobster, or getting struck by lightning. Besides.
She knew where he was going.
"...are things going okay at school, Shoto?" Fuyumi asked.
"It's fine," Shoto replied simply.
"Define 'fine.'"
"Hmmm…bit of a hard ask there. You know about the school festival if I remember right…. I don't think I told you about how we accidentally found the teacher's lounge full of vengeful robots…" Shoto listed off.
"Vengeful?" Fuyumi blinked.
"Mei didn't finish their upgrades. I think she did. Or didn't? Not sure with her sometimes."
"Huh…that's…that's certainly something."
And that wasn't even mentioning the fusions.
Endeavor walked across the upper catwalks of the interior courtyard of the estate. He remembered walking through here, dragging a young Shoto away for training while his other children played below. There was Natsu and Fuyumi, of course, but there was also his third child. Touya. If there was one thing that haunted Endeavor, even in his most prideful moments, it was his failure to Touya.
He had been such a bright, excitable kid. He lit that fire under him. Enji told him that everything the fire he carried would make him great, that it was his birthright to surpass even All Might. But Enji's pride had blinded him.
And he burnt him out.
His greatest shame.
Endeavor stopped walking and leaned against the railing, staring down into the courtyard below. It was empty now, silent save for the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze. Once upon a time, his three children would play out here. They loved kicking that ball around.
Shoto never joined them. Ever. Because Enji was too busy priming him to be the next Number One. Once, he thought Touya might have been the child to take that mantle, but when Shoto was born with exactly what Enji wanted, he moved on. All that training, all that encouragement, only to move on to the next "big thing," as it were. He knew that what happened shortly after that, what happened to his third son, was entirely his fault.
No shifting blame, no exaggeration of a trait as a weakness. He knew that. He carried that with him, always. He took a deep breath and let go of the railing, righting himself as he continued walking along the catwalk until he opened another sliding door, making his way down a corridor that, while clean, hadn't seen much use.
The hallway to Touya's room.
Endeavor took a deep breath as he reached for the door handle and stepped inside. Everything, stuck in time, just like he'd left it. It had been a while since he'd come here. Endeavor looked around- there were posters of his face plastered all around his room, a journal cataloguing all of his discoveries and training regiments…and that one Heatblast action figure someone had bought for Touya as a joke for one of his birthday parties.
He was annoyed, but Touya seemed to enjoy it.
The only thing that had changed was the once-empty corner in the room- there was a shrine that had been installed a few months after his death. Enji walked over to it and brushed off the mat that was set before it. Even if it was clean, the act was just part of his habit. He didn't visit the shrine as often as he should have, mostly because of his hero duties. He sighed as he knelt, grabbing hold of fresh incense sticks to put into the vase. He lit them with a normal lighter instead of his Quirk's flames out of respect.
Son.
I cannot speak on your emotions, but I have finally become number one. Just like we used to talk about.
Endeavor bowed his head and put his hands together.
If you were here today, I have to wonder how things would be different. I'm sorry I never continued our training.
He sat there for a while. It was strange. He had a million things he still wanted to say to Touya. But now here, he wasn't sure what to say. He tried to get some of those other things across, but he couldn't quite bring himself to say any of them.
I…I haven't been the best father. I've realized that, now. I ignored you for Shoto, when I should've been better to both of you. And because of me, you… Enji steeled himself, but even with that, he couldn't outright say it.
…you are the reason I will forever be irredeemable in their eyes. Enji sighed. Because of how I treated you, and then Shoto. I do not blame you…all you wanted was to spend time with me. Like we used to.
Enji's eyes opened. Never again.
He stared at the incense smoke curling upward, dissipating into the air.
"I see you everywhere now," Enji said. "In the flames. In the battles. In the faces of the people who look at me and wonder if I'm good enough to be the next symbol...if there's anything I can do, anything at all, it's to make sure that the fire I stoked in you doesn't consume anyone else. I owe you that much."
He stood up and took a deep breath.
With one last bow of respect, he left the room, sliding the door shut behind him.
Touya would never hear those words.