Chapter 17 : Operation Peppermint

Hello! My fellow dudes! And Dudetts! I totally got you that last chapter.

I made you think the babysitter was going to be Midnight, didn't I?

Yeah. The first title of the last chapter was going to be PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!

Yeah. It wasn't going to be PLEASE DON'T KISS ME!!!

But I guess that could have been funny in a way. I'm pretty sure Koto would have whipped out a crucifix if Midnight appeared. Ooh I just had an idea! Remember Lego Batman's merch cannon? I'ma make that, but it's a Fashion Cannon!

A Wild Midnight appears in her super suit?

*BANG*

Now she is wearing a panda pajama onesie.

Invisible girl...ya know...

*BANG*

Now she has glasses and is wearing winter clothes.

Yeah! We are keeping this ultra family friendly.

Spoiler : "UntilthepartwhereKototorturesademonwithDoratheExloraepisodesinorder tofigureouthowtomakeaportaltohellsohecaninva-"

*BANG BANG BANG!!!*

*Spoiler falls to the floor, mummified with various scarfs and lost socks.*

...

Anyways. This chapter is going to be one where we are finally moving the story forward. I wanted to go over a few things, but I figured you guys deserved a little more progress in the story. That means unfortunately we are going to skip some things, like the great clone war. There was going to be a baby Kraken too.

Maybe I'll do it later.

As for the reason for the name of the chapter? Most of you have probably figured it out.

As for the rest of you!

Suffer in ignorance...

Jk. I love you. I don't want you to suffer.

But for reals. How can you not know?!

...I digress.

Let's Jump In!

Also I'm a bit new to writing so if you have any questions about things I should have added into the story, feel free to ask.

Ok, ok. Now we start...

...

...

...

...right after I finish this sentence.

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It was a hot summer day. School had been out for a few weeks, and everyone was doing things. Normal things. Things that you would do if you had the entire summer free and you had lots of plans with your family.

Except one kid!....and the poor unfortunate soul he dragged along with him on his adventure.

And the name of this kid was...Koto. Along with his naive, ehem. I mean faithful sidekick, Himiko Toga!

Yeah!

Currently they were both hiding in their bellies under a bush across the street from the Todoroki's house. They both had radios that Koto made using crude Crayola drawings and a couple of wack wacks here and wack wacks there with a hammer embedded with the power of memes.

Meme quirks. They can do many wonders of science...that hardly follow any rule of science.

Koto pushed the button on his radio.

Koto : "Kshhhhht! This is Agent K. Come in Agent Ruby."

Toga used her radio.

Toga : "This is Agent Ruby. No sign of movement. Over."

Koto : "Ksht. You forgot the ksht."

Togo : "Ksht!"

Koto : "Kshhht!"

Toga : "Kshhhhhhhht!"

Koto takes a deep breath.

Koto : "Kshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh *cough cough*."

Toga giggled.

Koto : "Ok, now KSHT! I sense movement!"

Togo rested her chin to the ground to see under the bush. She could hardly see anything.

Koto : "Ksht. I'm heading in for a closer look. Cover me."

Toga : "Ksht. With what?"

Koto : "Nevermind."

The house was big, like an old style Japanese mansion. Koto looked at the layout earlier, and it was almost a square shaped perimeter, but with a few rooms sticking out as if they were added with some remodeling. The center yard was pretty square, though.

Koto looked both ways before crossing the street. He looked behind him to see two eyes pearing through the leaves of the bush. A small thumbs up popped out from the leaves, then the arm retracted. Koto took a breath, then ran to the house wall, leaping onto the roof as quiet as a cat. He looked behind him again.

The eyes in the bush went wide as saucers.

Toga is so freaking adorable. Almost like a blonde Anya, but a little older. Koto was so glad he, ehem, 'convinced' her parents to treat her better when he went over to their house. Even helping her adapt to her blood quirk, by helping her manage her consumption of blood. They even went to special doctors to find out what types of blood were healthy for her. They did some tests. Almost all blood was acceptable, but human blood was more digestible. Normally, people of today's society would label her a future villain, but a healthy dose of meme based brainwashing tends to solve more problems than expected.

It just works.

Toga's parents took a liking to Koto, especially after he [Speech 100] them. Technically, they are not brainwashed. Just thoroughly convinced. It turns out that they didn't seem to actually know that Toga's fascination with blood was due to a quirk, and were really relieved when doctors confirmed. Now blood is used as a motivator for Toga. Toga's were also ecstatic when they found that Koto had Ms. Joke, a hero, for a guardian. Ever since then, they have been encouraging Toga to hang out with Koto more often, as if somehow living with a hero made Koto a good influence for other children. Instead, Koto had been training Toga to essentially be a ninja, with rigorous physical training, hand to hand combat, stealth and misdirection, weapons handling, parkour and running, etc.

At first, Toga threw a fit. But Koto offered his own blood as a reward for a job well done. It turned out to be super effective.

Like, seriously.

Since the secret nanotech Koto uses in his body optimizes his own blood so that it can help support his body. It's super healthy, chock full of vitamins and minerals, and can even be considered a super food. The trick was getting all the nanotech to move away from one spot in his body so he could extract blood without contaminating it with nanobots. Turns out that Toga likes Koto's blood best. And she likes blood fresh. It's like a cross between a medicine and candy to her. One time during a sleep over at Koto's house, she creeped up behind Koto and bit him on the neck. Koto kinda freaked because she managed to get a little bit of blood. Blood that was contaminated with nanotech. Luckily, he could deactivate his nanobots remotely. Her body just absorbed them naturally. No harm done.

Toga never tries that sort of thing with anyone else. Maybe it's because she and Koto were now getting really close, or maybe it's because she likes the taste of his blood best. Maybe a combination. Oh well. Such are the conflicts of being best friends with a baby vampire princess.

But what makes Koto happiest of all is seeing Toga smile. In the series, her parents didn't allow her to smile growing up because they thought it was creepy, along with her seemingly morbid fascination with blood.

But now they have adapted, and show Toga the love and kindness she deserves, like any other parent would their child. They later found out that Koto had been teaching her hero stuff.

Turns out that Toga really got into the hero thing after she found out that her impulse to consume blood was due to a blossoming quirk. It hasn't fully developed yet, but she is excited. Her favorite heroes?

All Might. Crimson Riot. And Mirko, of course.

When her parents found out that Koto was training Toga, they thought it was for her to be a hero. They're not wrong. Koto wants Toga to get into UA, Class 1A. What they are wrong about is thinking Koto teaches her stuff Koto learned from Ms. Joke. Aunty J has no idea what they get up to. She sometimes sees them training, but she just thinks it's just them playing heroes. With Koto acting as the villain, of course. Rumi actually found out more, and even joined for a sesh. That made Toga's day, and Koto's muscles ache. Toga later told her parents that Rumi, the Rabbit hero, the number one female hero in Japan, was Koto's babysitter. Ever since then, Toga has been practically living at Koto's house.

Everyday they walk to school together, home from school together, finish homework, train and/or play, then Koto walks her home before dinner. Sometimes, Toga's parents have a 'date night' or are 'going to be out of town for a week' (how suspiciously convenient), and ask Aunty J if Toga could stay. Of course Ms. Joke says yes. With a laugh.

And then Rumi becomes our babysitter.

At first it was fun. Then it became exhausting as Koto wouldn't be able to sneak off to his 'secret lair' for adventures and experiments.

It's a hole in the ground underneath a shed in the back yard...

A hole that goes 200 meters deep and has a silent elevator system. Beneath is a massive and hidden complex, housing a bunker, sleeping quarters, a medical bay, a workshop, a room for testing things out that might teleport a piece of chewed up bubblegum into Eraserhead's mess of long hair, and a portal he made that leads to a remote island near the Philippines that Koto had claimed as his own. He used it to hide a much bigger base.

Koto hasn't shown anyone anything related to his secret hideouts and bases. Yet.

And now, where were we? Oh yeah!

Koto reached the inner courtyard via the roof. The shingles were a little hot, but that was fine. Koto looked into the courtyard. Empty, except for a single cherry tree in the middle

A door burst open and a little boy with his left one side of his face covered in bandages ran out. He went to the other side of the cherry tree, sat down, and buried his face in his arms. He was crying.

It was Shoto! Looks like we're in the middle of the whole burned face drama. And that means we missed the part where Dabi faked his death.

Dang it! DANG IT! DANGIIIIT!!!!!

Looks like we'll have to improvise. But preventing Dabi from being a villain was maybe too optimistic.

Wait! In the series, he ditches being a villain for a sec and comes back home secretly to see if his family, especially Endeavor, had changed due to his 'death'. Endeavor didn't change, and that sent Dabi off the deep end and pretty much guaranteed his villainhood. The final nail in the coffin.

And it looks like that hasn't happened yet...hopefully.

Alright! Operation Peppermint is a go!

Koto jumped down into the courtyard and walked over to Shoto. He stopped a few feet behind him.

Shoto : "Go away."

Koto : "Who? Me?"

Shoto looked up and turned to see a stranger in his yard.

Shoto : "Who are you?"

Koto smiled and placed his fists on his hips.

Koto : "I am your fairy-god brother."

Shoto : "My...what?"

Koto : "Your fairy-god...Oh nevermind. You probably wouldn't know what that is at this age. Point is, when you are crying, I help you stop crying...so...why are you crying?"

Shoto said nothing and buried his face in his arms again.

Koto : "Are you sad that your mom burned your face? Are you afraid that she hates you?"

Shoto's head snapped to look at Koto. Confusion written on his snotty face.

Shoto : "H-How, *sniffs*, do you know that?"

Koto smiled again.

Koto : "Because I'm your fairy-god brother. And I'm here to help!"

Koto extended a hand to Shoto. Shoto sniffed and wiped his face. He took Koto's hand and helped himself up.

Shoto : "How?"

Koto : "Well first, we'll take care of that burn. With my special fairy-god brother magic. It always works. Hold still."

Koto placed one hand on Shoto's head and another on his face, where the bandages covered his burn. Here it goes.

Koto activated his quirk.

Koto : "Pain pain, go away. Pain pain, go away. Pain pain, go away!"

Nothing happened.

Shoto looked at the ground. A little sad. His tears started to come back.

Shoto : "It didn't work."

Koto smiled even more.

Koto : "Are you sure about that?"

Before Shoto had a chance to do anything, Koto swiftly undid the bandages covering Shoto's face. They fell to the ground.

Shoto took a step back, startled at the sudden movement. He look at the bandages on the ground. Slowly, he gingerly touched the area where his burn was.

It didn't sting.

Faster, he used both hands to pull and poke at the area where his burn once was.

No pain.

Shoto's face lit up. Koto was grinning ear to ear.

Koto : "So, how do you like - OOF!!!"

Shoto had tackled Koto in a big hug.

Shoto : "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Koto patted him on the back.

Koto : "Yeah...no problem...you can let go of me now...can't breath."

Shoto disengaged the hug. He touched his face again, smiled, and ran to go inside.

When he came back out it was with some of his siblings. They saw Koto, and were about to go towards him when a deepnvoice called out and stopped them in their tracks. They looked back at Koto and then slowly walked inside, a bit dejected. Koto heard them talking more inside, then someone else came out.

It was Endeavor.

He was in casual clothing, a dark grey T-shirt and black pants. He walked towards Koto.

Endeavor : "Who are you?"

Koto smiled and stood proudly.

Koto : "I am Shoto's fairy-god brother."

Endeavor just looked at Koto with a calculating gaze.

Endeavor : "So I heard. A 'fairy-god' brother.   Well, either way. Thank you for healing Shoto."

Endeavor bowed.

Koto was kinda taken aback. He never expected Endeavor to just be so...respectful...it was kinda gross in a way. He expected him to be more rude.

Endeavor : "But I must ask you to leave. You are trespassing."

Aaaaand there it is.

Koto : "...No."

Endeavor raised an eyebrow.

Endeavor : "Excuse me?"

Koto "I said, no!"

Endeavor was silent for a moment. Just staring intensely at Koto, as if trying to pierce his very soul.

Endeavor : "Why? I'm asking you nicely."

Koto : "And I'm refusing, nicely."

Electricity crackled in the metaphorical atmosphere. The situation was tense.

Endeavor : "Do you know who I am?"

Koto : "No. Do tell."

Endeavor's flames started growing slightly on his forearms and neck.

Endeavor : "I am Endeavor. A hero. Some people think I'm just the second top hero in Japan. They're wrong. I'm the second in the world. Right behind All Might. But not for long. And I am going to be the next number one hero. If not me, then Shoto."

Koto was not intimidated. Koto dramatically  put a hand over his eyes and scanned the courtyard.

Koto : "What hero? I don't see any heroes."

A vein throbbed on Endeavor's forehead. He took a deep breath.

Endeavor : "Enough of your games. You need to leave. Now. If you won't leave, then I'll give you some proper discipline that your parents clearly forgot to give you. Then I'll drag you out myse-"

Before Endeavor could finish that sentence, Koto lunged at him. In mere milliseconds, Koto had grabbed Endeavor's wrist in one hand and his shirt by the other. He slammed Endeavor into the ground.

But Endeavor was a battle hardened hero. His reflexes were quick. For a split second, his subconscious forgot what the circumstances was. One moment, he was talking to a kid. The next, he was being slammed to the ground by someone who had something akin to murderous intent. His battle instincts kicked in.

He activated his quirk.

Flames engulfed both Koto and Endeavor as  an explosion of heat and flame baked the courtyard. The Todoroki children exclaimed in fear. But when they looked closer, they saw their father pinned to the ground by Koto. The flames didn't harm him, even as the ground started to melt into molten glass. Not even his clothes were signed.

Koto punched Endeavor in the face. Hard.

*POW!*

Endeavor's head bounced and his flames died down, then resurged, but at a more mellow level.

*POW!*

The flames died out completely as Endeavor clutched at his nose. Koto's hand reached out and pinned Endeavor's hand to his own face.

Koto : "Listen to me very closely."

[Speech Level Up - 100]

Koto : "Your household is falling apart. Your treatment of your wife and children has led to one of your son's commiting suicide. Your wife had a mental breakdown and threw a boiling pot of water at her own son just because the semblance was too close to your ugly mug. You rule with fear and terror. You put your own selfish goals above the lives of your own children. Your own children. And now one of them is dead. What's the point of becoming the number one hero if all you do is turn yourself into a villain in pursuit. You do not love your wife. You do not love your children. You think you do, but if you really did, none of this would have happened. You are left with a shattered family, with scars that run deep. Who's going to pick up the pieces? Who is going to be the one to bring the flame of the warmth of love? Do you really think it's you? Face it. All you do is hurt people. Fix yourself. Treat your children better, try to even reconcile with your wife. Express your regret for your past mistakes. Burn your pride and let humility have a chance to grow. Understand that even the smallest thing you do can have a significant impact on those around you. Children are especially impressionable. Become a better person. It may take years and constant pain on your part, but that is nothing compared to the suffering you caused to those who once even admired you. Fix yourself. Fix your life. And fix the family you broke apart. Should you fail, I'll make sure the while world knows what kind of person the true Endeavor is. If one more of your children die because of your heartlessness..."

Koto released all the intense atmosphere and aura his quirk could manifest. The whole area was carpeted in what looked like a red cloud that exploded beyond the boundaries of the Todoroki property

He looked Endeavor square in the eye, piercing to the depths of his character.

Koto : "I will end you!...."

[Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100][Speech Level Up - 100]

Endeavor didn't say anything. He just lay there, holding his nose. His face expressionless.

But Koto could see it in his eyes. Something changed. Koto deactivated his quirk and the menacing cloud disappeared. He let go of Endeavor and let him lie there on the ground.

Koto looked towards the Todoroki kids. Shoto, his sister, and his brother. He held up two fingers and smiled.

Koto : "Peace."

He disappeared. The Todoroki family looked in awe. Shoto happily pointed.

Shoto : "See! I told you! He's my fairy-god brother!"

_____________________________________________

[Outside the Todoroki property, on a distant rooftop.]

A lone figure looked through a pair of binoculars. He had freshly dyed black hair, jeans, and a black overcoat. His body was mostly covered, but on some parts, one could see burn marks. The burns were only small, at most second degree. The man, or should I say boy, couldn't have been older than 16.

He had watched the whole courtyard exchange, his chest tightening when a cloud of intense aura exploded outward. He thought it could be Endeavor's, but his gut told him otherwise.

There the boy. He watched him sneak into the Todoroki estate, have an exchange with Shoto. He also saw his he healed Shoto, and how happy Shoto was. When the boy had pinned down Endeavor, he could hear his voice clearly. He heard all that was said.

For a moment, he looked down at his scarred hand. A flickering ember of hope started to grow.

He looked back at the Todoroki home.

Dabi : "A kid who can heal people, restrain a top pro Hero in an instant, is immune to flames, delivers an intense monologue, and then disappears without a trace. Interesting.  I wonder if he's like me. "

He put away his binoculars and stood up from his crouched position.

Dabi : "He probably has multiple quirks. Did that guy have something to do with it? Hmm...no...it's probably something else. Maybe a quirk that is just very versatile? Imagine if someone stole it. That would be a headache to deal with. I'll have to stop that from happening somehow."

Dabi looked back towards his old home.

Dabi : "I wonder if father can really change."

A emotion he couldn't describe welled in his chest. It annoyed him, but he couldn't stop a single tear from building up. He wiped it with his hand.

Looking at it, he laughed.

Dabi : "Feels like things might finally change. But we'll see. Perhaps...."

He clenched his fist.

Dabi : "Perhaps one day I could go back. But would they even accept me? Could they?"

He noticed an empty van near his foot. He kicked it as he walked away.

Dabi : "Whatever. I'm hungry."

He looked back once again where Koto had disappeared.

Dabi : "I should probably keep an eye out for that one...maybe I can use him."

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Aaaaand done!

Wow. That was fun. I wonder what will change? Will Endeavor listen to Koto and fix himself and what's left of his family? What will happen to Dabi? Will he continue to be a villain, or will he ease up on criminal activity, just so his family would have an easier time accepting him? And what if Koto? What will happen when Dabi finally meets him personally? And Shoto! His Prince Zuko birthmark was healed!

But the question is, will Endeavor bother training him anymore to be a hero?

Stay tuned.

Until next time!

Good night, and good luck!