In the dazed silence that followed the conclusion of that fight, no one hardly moved.

They hardly breathed.

Then there was the sound of birds chirping, and they realized that there had been no animals in this area until then.

Eri looked up. "Did we win?" she asked, since she'd not seen any of the last part of what happened.

Miss Joke started laughing suddenly. "Yeah, yeah, sweetie, we won."

"Just like that?" Aizawa said.

"'Just like that'? Did that seem easy to you?" Mabui said, looking pale. "That wasn't quite as bad as in my world, thanks to all of you helping, but I feel as if I just got half drowned."

For some reason, after all the tension, Dabi found that funny and started chuckling.

Then the other kids did, and Wally, and Shine, and finally even Aizawa cracked a smile.

"Compress, Spinner," Shigaraki said.

Silk gestured at them. "They aren't conscious," she said. "There was bunker on other side of hill, a portal one.... Must have been using it to store things. They were tied up in there. Not sure when they last had food or water... We break them out."

"Spinner!" Kitsune ran up to him. "Will they be okay?" she asked. "I want my Bae-Blade back!"

"Your what now?" Aizawa said.

"That's the most genius pet name I've ever heard!" Camie cried. "Baku, that'd be a great name for you if you had blades..."

"Where's Toga though?" Hawks asked suspiciously.

"Crazy?" Dabi said. "I was going to save this for later, but she came at us while we were fighting the nomu... She totally lost her mind even more. She was acting wild... One of them...well..." he glanced at Eri, "you know...got a little annoyed at her noise..."

"She's gone?" Shigaraki said oddly.

"Yeah, geez...I mean what a hefty loss," Dabi said dryly.

Medea snorted, but then she said, "I'm a little sorry for her... I mean, she's a person..."

"I'm sorry, but with Ender's influence, I think she would have been...past repair," Shine said warily. "It might be for the best it was now and not later... If she'd been here, after all...well, you saw what happened."

Shigaraki didn't like Toga enough to be that broken up, but he resented any of his former League getting killed--but as the blame was directed at Ender and Ujiko, he didn't have much to say about it. Ender was gone now.

"I left Lethe and Yin outside the hill," Medea said suddenly. "I didn't think they should come closer, but what if there were more bad guys?" She raced down that way, some of the other the students followed her.

"I feel I can't go another step." Mabui sat down but smiled. "At least that's over."

"That was quite...something," Endeavor said strangely. "I'm not sure I even want to ask about all I just saw."

"Well, don't, then," Wally said.

He dashed around. "Hey, my speed is back! Yes! Shine, look."

"I see, babe. That's great." Shine sat down also.

"You look like s---," Mirko said. "Who did that to you?"

"Ender..." Shine said. "But it was worth it."

"Well...now that that's over, what do we do?" Midnight asked.

From behind a rock, Ujiko peered around at them.

"Over is it?" he muttered. "We'll just see about that." He pulled out a gun.

Dillon casually shot it out of his hand. "One more varmint over there," he said.

Mirko turned. "Oh, for the love of--"

Shigaraki glared over at Ujiko, who started to run for it.

Silk shot out her strand and looped him, then snapped him back.

Shigaraki went up to him.

"Now, Tomura," Ujiko said nervously, "you must understand, all I did was to serve AFO. His will is paramount...and you can't blame me for hating that rabbit, really. Or all the Heroes."

Shigaraki regarded him coldly.

"AFO is dead," he said.

Ujiko blinked. "He's...what?"

"And so are you," Shigaraki said, reaching out.

Ujiko became a pile of dust.

"Are...we okay with that?" Hawks asked.

"You did nothing to stop it," Shine pointed out.

"Who here's going to shed tears over it?" Mirko said flatly.

"Ujiko was evil," Shine said. "But I do think that's enough death for one day... Glad Eri went with the others, poor kid."

"Ujiko is not going to keep trying to kill off the League," Shigaraki said, turning back to them resignedly. "Now...what do we do?"

Mirko laughed suddenly. "Whatever we want, really, when you think about it... The months-long nightmare is finally over."

"Is it really?" Momo said. "At last?"

Shoto hugged her.

"I believe the police will be here soon. All that must have attracted them." Endeavor was business as usual. "We should go get ready to explain...a lot."

"Yay..." Dabi said sarcastically.

Most of the Heroes walked away.

Wally picked Shine up. "You need a long break, honey. Maybe a nice, long, relaxing bath too."

"I'm filthy, aren't I?" Shine said.

"No more than anyone else is. Besides, it looks tough," Wally said encouragingly. "Anyway...I don't care. I thought I was going to lose you for a bit there..."

"I know...me too...but we're somehow okay...again," Shine said. "Thanks, Dillon...and thanks to God."

"Ah, no trouble, ma'am. It was just my job and a nasty one at that, but you do what you gotta do," Dillon said.

Midnight smiled. "That was some nice shooting."

"Aw, thanks, ma'am," Dillon said.

Shine cringed.

"You know, I know I should be more worried about the police, but...that, that right there is what's freaking me out."

"What?" Wally asked, walking away with her.

"I'll explain later...but ugh..." Shine rolled her eyes.

"I have to get Compress and Spinner out of here," Silk said. "Will you help?" to Ibara and Iida.

"Oh, sure." Ibara held out her vines.

Iida helped pick them up.

This pretty much just left Mirko and Shigaraki standing there.

Mirko rubbed her arm. "Hard to believe it's over, huh?"

Shigaraki stared at the tiled space.

Then he disintegrated all of it. Whether it was in anger, or just disgust at seeing anything left of Ender at all, who knew? But the device crumbled into dust too, then the wind blew it away. Nothing left.

"Master didn't listen," he said flatly. "Likstar was right. He was too stubborn."

Mirko walked up closer. "For whatever it's worth...I'm sorry. I mean, he had it coming, but, still, it sucks."

Shigaraki shook his head. "Now it's all gone...I have nothing left."

"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," Mirko said casually. "There's still the League...maybe not what it once was, but still."

"I think we've had enough of being Villains," Shigaraki said, kicking the dust a little. "If this is what it leads to...it's too dangerous."

Mirko choked back a laugh at that development in his logic...but then again, if today's events didn't prove why evil was a bad idea, what did?

"Then don't be Villains, but you can still be friends... This is so weird coming from me." Mirko snorted to herself.

"So what are you going to do?" Shigaraki asked, surprisingly. "Now that you don't have to worry about the Originals anymore?"

Mirko tilted her head. "I gave up worrying about that a while ago. That's not really why I stuck this out. I'm not sure what I'm going to do...probably lose my Hero license once all this gets out...but...at this point," she ran a hand through her hair, "I wouldn't even care. There's more to life than beating the s--- out of bad guys...though that is fun." She shifted. "But maybe I'm starting to want a little more than that... The stupid League ruined me. Before that, I didn't care about being alone...but you all are so irritatingly endearing, and you wear a person down... Now I'm really gonna miss those losers if they split."

Shigaraki gave her a sidelong glance.

"That's not even my biggest problem," Mirko sighed.

After she didn't elaborate, Shigaraki finally asked: "What is?"

Mirko turned to face him, looking a little nervous.

"Just...uh...don't freak out, okay?"

Shigaraki really didn't know what to expect after she said that.

Btu she still managed to shock him.

"I've never done this before, so...I don't know-- I'm not good at being subtle, so I'm just going to say it." Mirko took a deep breath, then, a little fast, she said:

"I'm in love with you."

Dead silence.

Mirko mentally kicked herself... It was probably too soon for that, right? Stupid euphoria of victory had her thinking this was a good idea...dang it.

Actually, Shigaraki was just trying to figure out what she meant by that.

"You're what?" he said blankly.

Mirko figured there was no going back now.

"I love you," she said, then shrugged. "So...there...I said it."

And now I can die of shame, she added mentally. Whoever said that telling the person was a good idea was a moron!

Shigaraki was silent for a another long pause that was torturous.

"You're serious?" he said finally.

Ouch.

"Would I joke about something like that?" Mirko said touchily.

"I suppose not," Shigaraki admitted.

He shifted. "That's so weird."

Mirko's heart sank to her toes.

"I love you also." Shigaraki said the next sentence that made her almost lose her grip.

"Wait...what?" she sputtered.

"At least, I think I do." Shigaraki started doing that nervous babbling thing. "Dabi explained it in a way that kind of made sense, so I thought it over, and it seemed like the only answer, but it's weird because I didn't think I felt those kinds of feelings, and the last thing I expected was for you to come out and say the same thing--"

Mirko cut him off by putting a hand over his mouth. "Hey, shut up," she said.

Shigaraki shut up all right.

Mirko was smiling brilliantly. "This is so crazy... I mean, how in the world...? It just doesn't make sense."

She was right about that, Shigaraki thought.

"Are you sure?" he said finally, looking kind of nervous about it.

Mirko tilted her ears. "Well...pretty sure, yeah. What, you think I make out with people multiple times who I don't like?"

That got him all right. He actually turned partially red.

"You---" he stammered.

"Oh, shut up," Mirko said lightly. "You think too much, you know that?"

Shigaraki swallowed.

"So...now what?" Mirko wondered.

"You just told me to shut up, and now you're asking a question?" Shigaraki said a little peevishly--but it sounded fake.

"Yeah, yeah, you're right." Mirko got a gleam in her eye.

By now Shigaraki knew what was coming.

But this time he actually moved a little forward for it...on instinct.

Mirko had to stand on her toes and put her arms around his neck, but she didn't really care. They kissed, this time much more intentionally.

https://youtu.be/wpQ_R85VfJc

[And I think this ship has sailed.

It only took till the very last chapter of the book... Talk about a slow burn.]

* * *

The story they told the police was mostly the truth--just with many details left out of it.

Not mentioning Ender at all, they told them that AFO had had a machine, and it had caused the very strange black out and the attacks that people reported.

Since several Heroes were confirming it, the police accepted this account.

Also there were people who'd seen snatches of the chase earlier and called in reports.

Of course, when the police saw Shigaraki, they had some more suspicions.

But Endeavor and Hawks rushed to tell them that he had, in fact, helped them stop it all and was a vital part of it.

Shigaraki wouldn't have helped himself here, but Mirko shot him a look that dared him to argue with them.

Shine hissed at him, "Just go with whatever they say. You'll only make trouble for us all if you don't."

Midnight spoke to the chief of police about it too. "The world isn't fully aware of the facts of the matter," she said to him. "Tomura Shigaraki has actually been a victim of abuse at the hands of AFO. He and his League wanted to escape and aided us in taking him down."

"That's not what our sources say," the police said. 

"Ah, well, you know how often new information shuts down our theories." Midnight shrugged. "The LOV has been quiet for a while. They're just trying to get out of the Villain business. AFO put them up to it. He severely psychologically tortured all of us."

This did line up with what the students reported.

Lethe even talked to the police. He was past caring about being discovered.

It would take weeks for the police to finish collecting accounts, but Shine thought there was a good chance the League might walk away from this mostly cleared of their crimes.

But for now they were going to be taken into police custody.

Shigaraki didn't want to go.

"It's okay," Shine said. "It'll be for a short time. They have to protect the witnesses."

"I don't trust them," Shigaraki said.

"You don't trust anyone," Shine said. "But trust me, sometimes the legal system isn't so bad. Dabi got off."

Dabi gave him a thumbs up.

"We'll make sure it's okay," Hawks said.

"And we can always bust you out later," Dabi said--only half kidding.

* * *

Compress and Spinner had to be taken to a hospital.

It wasn't till the next day they woke up.

Compress finally stirred and then tried to sit up--still feeling pretty washed out.

It took a second for him to realize he was in a hospital. And understandably, after how Ender's group had had so many insane doctors, he was ready to panic.

Then he looked down and saw Silk asleep on a chair next to him.

"Kira?" he said hoarsely.

Silk stirred and sat upright.

"You're awake," she said.

"Where--? How--? Is this another trick?" Compress asked.

"Nyet," Silk said. "Is over... Ender is gone. AFO is dead. We win."

"That does sound too good to be true," Compress said.

Silk pinched him.

"OW! What was that for?"

"Would illusion do that?" Silk asked.

"I...don't think so..." Compress said.

Silk smiled wryly. "Is going to be okay now. Everyone is safe--somehow. And I'm going to take care of you now."

"Oh, you are, are you?" Compress said. "I do like the sound of that...but...did they...do those things to us again?"

Silk made a face. "There was some...problems, but Likstar and West and their new cow friend fixed it... Most of Ender's power went with his gateway, fortunately."

"I heard he intended to use that thing to bring more worlds together, once it was charged," Compress shuddered. "Good riddance."

"Whatever his plan was, it's stopped." Silk took his hand. "Now you have to recover, so we can get out of here. A nice change of scenery, that's what we need."

"How do you feel about going to Moscow?" Compress said dryly.

Silk smirked. "Eh, I've been there. We should go to Greece instead. Great theater there."

"Ah, might as well make it a tour of Europe while we're at it," Compress joked.

He wasn't 100% joking though.

* * *

Spinner came out of it to a much more angry Kitsune.

At least her peppery reaction convinced him that this wasn't an illusion.

"I can't believe you just go off and get kidnapped and didn't contact me before that!" She shook her finger at him. "What am I? Huh? Not like I'm your girlfriend or anything."

Spinner flinched. "I wanted to, but I-- Did you say girlfriend?"

"Wait, are you dumping me on top of everything?" Kitsune snapped.

"No." Spinner wouldn't dare. "I just...wasn't sure what we were."

"We've dated for a while, haven't we?" Kitsune said.

"I guess..." Spinner said.

"By the way, the police want to arrest you as soon as you're out of the hospital," Kitsune said. "But it's cool. We've already given them all these statements about how you guys were the victims and helped us stop AFO, so you'll probably get off real easy at the trial. Just don't do anything dumb until then."

Spinner gaped.

"You are ready to quit Villainy, right?" Kitsune said. "'Cause, d--- it, if you aren't--"

"No, I think I'm done," Spinner said seriously. "I've had enough of crazy people trying to kill me...but now what?"

"Hey...whatever you want," Kitsune said meaningfully.

[Image design by Onerose.]

* * *

One other thing that came as a result of this was Endeavor finally asked Shoto if he and Momo were dating.

Shoto had been dreading this moment, but now it seemed like not that big a deal.

"Yes," he said levelly.

"They're gonna marry each other!" Dabi called from the chair not that far from them. (This took place at Hawks' agency while they were waiting for the police to call them.)

Mabui glanced up from taking notes and shook her head.

Endeavor nodded. "I thought so... Well, she's a nice girl."

Silence.

"Is that all?" Shoto asked.

"What else is there to say?" Endeavor was still pretty bad at this advice thing.

Dabi snorted.

"Well, Dabi is actually--" Shoto began.

"Hey, shut up!" Dabi snapped.

Mabui chuckled slightly. "Touya-san and I are seeing each other now, Mr. Endeavor.... Is that all right?"

Endeavor did a double take. "You two are..."

He swallowed. "Don't let it interfere with the work."

"Of course not," Mabui said.

Dabi was probably more likely to do that, so he said nothing.

"Oh, geez." Hawks flew in. "Is this a good time to mention I'm dating your daughter?"

Endeavor looked up. "Hawks, this is not the time to joke--That was a joke, right?"

Hawks swallowed. "Right," he lied. "Sorry."

Maybe two in one day was enough, he thought. Let him warm up to the idea first.

* * *

About a week after the battle, the Heroes found out that some of them were getting their licenses suspended.

"Mostly because I had students and Eri there without provisional licenses," Aizawa said. "Midnight and I are both getting ours suspended."

"You know, I think I'm just going to resign," Midnight said, shocking Shine and Wally. "UA has been closed, and even when it opens again, I'm starting to think it's time to try a new career."

Shine did not cheer, by some great exertion of self control.

"So what will you do?" Wally asked.

"Oh, I might see the world," Midnight said cryptically.

"I hear Mirko is getting her license suspended for a year," Aizawa said, "not for that, but because some of the people in custody reported her for acting on her own without alerting the police. Did you know they found more of the ninja hiding around the base? Lethe gave them locations to look, too... It's going to take months to sort all this out...but unfortunately, she's bound to get at least partially exposed for helping the League."

"I think she'll get off easy once they realize how much the League was manipulated," Shine said. "She was trying to help."

"But she didn't go by the book," Midnight said. "They have to punish her or they look bad. Hawks and Endeavor weren't involved enough, I suspect. Miss Joke either... That's the way it happens sometimes."

"On a different note," Aizawa said, "I was told that Shigaraki and the other League members are going to be moved to a facility for recovering victims. All the reports have made the police and the lawyers decide to re-examine the whole case. They'll still being monitored and restrained until there's a verdict, but they think they might have been forced the whole time... It's odd, but I realize how little actual proof anyone has that Shigaraki was acting on his own volition. A lot of the incidents you know about the police didn't even hear about. They were with other Villains. Beyond that, his death count was minor. They'll chalk most of it up to trauma and AFO's influence. He'll probably get a year or two of rehabilitation, with counseling, and if he doesn't mess up in that time, he might get to go free."

"Knowing his background, I'm inclined to think it really is less his fault than we thought," Midnight said. "Just him killing Ujiko might not look good--but it was self defense sort of."

"I think he'll be fine," Shine said. "The truth will only make him look better, which can't be said for all of us. Do you know if we can visit him and the others though?"

"Maybe if you go with us," Aizawa said. "Why?"

"We'd like to say goodbye," Shine said.

Silence.

"Oh," Midnight said, "so...you're leaving."

Shine and Wally nodded.

"It's time," Wally said. "Plus, defeating Ender wore us out. Last time we did something like that, we had to recover for a while."

"It's been a year," Shine added. "It's been long enough. Don't you think?"

"Well...we always knew it was coming," Aizawa said gruffly. "You've earned it, I'd say."

"Aw, we'll miss you too, man," Wally said.

* * *

Shine and Wally did pay the League a visit.

Compress and Spinner--and Twice, who was in the same facility--all had little to say to them, just good luck and all.

"Watch the arm, Compress." Shine winked.

Compress rotated it. "I'll do my best tricks with this one," he said.

"And, Spinner, stay confident," Shine said. "You'll be okay."

Spinner nodded.

"And, Jin, you keep up the good work, and you'll be out of here in no time," Shine said.

"Yeah," he said. "I'm just sorry Toga couldn't be here with us."

He wasn't really obsessed with her anymore, but they were all just a little bit sorry.

"It's a shame, but we have to move on," Shine said.

"You all take care of yourselves," Wally said.

They talked to Shigaraki one on one.

"I hate this place," he said.

"It'll be shorter than you think," Shine said, "and you'll be out of here... We came to say goodbye."

Shigaraki looked up. "For good?"

"For a while," Wally said. "We'll be back, you know, maybe in a year or so, to check in. We always go back and visit. But it's time to end the mission. You know how it is."

"We'll be in touch," Shine said. "We write and stuff... You don't have to write back, but if you have any problem feel free... Believe it or not, I'm going to miss you, Tenko."

"Please," Shigaraki said sarcastically.

"I am, really," Shine said, "but we have other people who need us out there...and you're going to be okay now. You have friends...and Rumi, of course."

Shigaraki gave a start.

"She couldn't keep it to herself for longer than a day." Wally shrugged. "But great for you."

"I don't know what I'm going to do from here," Shigaraki said. "It's like...everything was a lie."

Shine tilted her head. "Then you start with learning the truth. And you've come far there already. You just need not to give up." She slid a book towards him.

"And if you need help, you know, He is always there, even when we aren't. Any good you got from us was from Him. So don't see it as we're going just now, when you need us, but we're leaving because you have to learn to pursue these things for yourself. And if you do, the answers will come. For everyone who asks, receives; everyone who seeks, finds; and to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Shigaraki just stared at her.

"You know, you did good," Wally said, "really. We couldn't have won without you. So, whatever else is going on in your head, man, you should be proud of that."

"It's not easy to change our minds," Shine said. "You spend so much time thinking about who to blame, and you've come back around to yourself, but blame no longer matters. We all have our dark history. However long it takes for it to feel right, I want you to leave yours." She patted his shoulder. "There is always a way. If you want it."

Shigaraki stared at his hands.

"You two done yet?" Mirko suddenly was in the doorway, looking impatient.

"I think so." Shine got up. "Rest is up to all of you now." She walked up to Mirko and put a hand on her shoulder too. "We saved your world, Rumi. All of you make sure you take care of it, okay? And each other. We'll be checking in. I want to get a good report." She smiled wryly.

Mirko nodded. "Duh... Well, bye, I guess." She hated making a scene.

Wally high-fived her. "See ya around, bunny girl. Take it easy on Medea, huh?"

"No promises," Mirko said. "Don't do anything unusually stupid on the job while we're not around."

"Pot calling the kettle black," Shine said. "But let's go before I start crying. I hate crying at a goodbye." She hurried out.

"Later." Wally saluted and they walked out.

Mirko glanced at Shigaraki. "They'll be back," she said, "and for now, I'm not going anywhere." She smiled. "All of us will just have to figure this out one step at a time."

Shigaraki finally nodded. He wasn't that confident, but that was to be expected, considering his position. It was enough that he was at least willing to cooperate.

Mirko had a good feeling that things would work out eventually.

https://youtu.be/XYGjhpLXLpo

* * *

The hardest goodbye for Shine and Wally was with the students.

All of them gathered outside UA, because it seemed the fitting place.

"I got you all a gift," Shine said, passing out wrapped presents. "Mostly you'll recognize them. I tried to match them with you."

They found her collection of books that she'd had them read or recommended. She knew their favorites.

Some people had music instead.

Jiro smiled. "Geez, you had to be extra to the end, huh?"

Wally cleared his throat. "Well, I hate goodbyes, but, you know, I'll miss all of you guys...and I know, it's really cheesy to say this, but you've taught us a lot too. I'm never going to look at superheroing the same way again."

"Neither are we, dude." Kaminari was already choking up.

"Shine wanted to make a speech," Wally said. "I'm not really good at that, so...uh, peace out and stay out of trouble while we're gone."

Shine smiled. "Well, you all know I could talk forever, but...I just wanted to personally thank each and every one of you and say a few words."

She walked up to Momo and hugged her. Then she said,

"Momo, you were our first friend here, and the best I could ask for... I don't want to embarrass you too much."

Momo was already crying.

"But, remember, your greatest gifts are your kindness, wisdom, and compassion. Lean into them, and nevermind if other people think it's a waste of your time," Shine said seriously. "I believe one day you're going to move mountains in the world. Just have the courage to believe anything is possible with God."

Momo sniffled. "I'm going to miss you both..."

Dillon, who was still in the world because of needing to rest before making the trip home, had his hat in his hand and was trying not to choke up himself.

Shine went to Shoto.

To be honest, he was crying too, though he was trying to keep it quiet.

"Shoto, I am so, so proud of how far you've come," she said. "And I know you'll keep going, and I don't have to tell you to be fearless. But I want you to remember that your understanding towards people is one of the most valuable things you can cultivate. Don't ever think it doesn't matter." She hugged him. "And I love you, and I'm going to miss you."

"Every time you see a red and white object," Dabi muttered.

Mabui elbowed him.

"I'mma save you for last," Shine said to Bakugo, "if that's all right."

She moved to Camie.

"Girl, I know," Camie said, wiping her eyes.

"I know," Shine said. "Just...stay awesome, Camie. And don't take any crap from anyone. Okay? You'll be great."

Camie waved. "Yeah...well, ditto to you, sis."

"Denki," Shine said, "hey, you are so much smarter than you think you are. Keep that in mind and lay off short circuiting."

Kaminari nodded. "Sure."

"And, Jiro," Shine said, "remember, no one can limit your potential, except you. You can do so much with your talents. Look at all you've done already. So don't hold back, okay?"

Jiro nodded. "That's pretty punk rock," she muttered.

"Tenya," Shine bowed to Iida, "stay strong."

He bowed also.

"Ibara," Shine said, "you're wise for your years. Hold onto that. Even if people say it's weird, don't mind them. Thank you for your help."

Ibara bowed. "It was an honor."

"Monoma," Shine smiled, "you win the trophy for most improved."

"What?" he said.

"Kdding," Shine said. "Sorry, we were all being so somber there. But, honestly, you've done well. Really well." She smiled. "Just build people up. A true leader pulls others up to their level."

Monoma nodded, more subdued.

"Aya," Shine turned to Medea, "you shine so brightly. Don't let anyone put that fire out ever again. You're definitely destined for something special."

Medea nodded and squeezed Monoma's hand.

"And, Touya," Shine said, smiling wryly, "you know I love you."

Dabi looked embarrassed. "Well, yeah, let's not get too wishy-washy."

Shine hugged him anyway. "Just keep up while I'm gone, huh? Don't you slack off on the reading and snark. If you get rusty while I'm gone, I'll destroy you."

Dabi snickered. "Please, like I would."

"And, you know, you're going to have so much more than you ever thought possible," Shine said. "I can see it."

She hugged Mabui. "I know it got off to a rocky start, but this new life of yours, it'll be worth it, just wait. Stick close to these weirdos. They'll take care of you."

"I plan to," Mabui said. "Take care of yourself, Shine."

"I'll take care of her, no worries," Wally said.

Finally Shine came back to Bakugo, who honestly looked nervous about it.

"I'm going to embarrass you," she said--and hugged him.

Bakugo actually didn't fight her off. He hugged her back, though he looked grumpy about it.

"You have been my biggest challenge to think of things I don't usually," Shine said, "and I appreciate that. Honestly, Katsuki, you've been able to keep up with us from the start. I think you're a natural. So I have a very important request for you."

She and Wally looked at each other and nodded.

"Much as all of you could do this," Shine said, "and all of you will, it seems to us like Katsuki Bakugo is the most stubborn, willful, and fearless out of the lot of you."

Absolutely no one argued.

"And you have to be that to do this job," Shine said, "so we wanted to ask if you'd take the responsibility of keeping an eye on everyone and continuing what we taught. All of you are bound to go separate ways soon enough, but we want you to stay connected. You all must help, but someone must be able to take charge of it if necessary. Katsuki has proven to us many times he has the initiative and resolve to do this and to encourage people if they are afraid."

Momo and Shoto exchanged a look.

"You know, I think that's true," Momo said.

"Yeah, he's probably the most willing out of any of us to tell people what needs to be done," Shoto admitted.

"Well, I sure as heck don't want the job," Dabi said.

The others were all nodding.

"He has the seniority," Iida said humbly.

"Hey, dude, you're moving up," Kaminari said.

Bakugo was stunned.

"But you have to accept it willingly," Shine said. "And if you think it's not the right time, that's okay."

Camie beamed. "Oh, you can do it, Bae. Totes."

Bakugo clenched a fist.

"If you two idiots need someone to keep this thing together, I guess I can step up," he said, though his voice sounded more surprised than his words. "We'll be fine."

Shine nodded. "Thank you," she said. "You're going to be a great Hero, you know that?"

She stepped back. "One last thing: All of you are heroes, at least in our book. But the world is changing. We want all of you to think about what you really want to do with your lives. If being a Hero is still it, then do that with all your might. Be the best Heroes out there but don't neglect to be humans too. If you feel maybe you see a need somewhere else, then do that. I've heard that our calling is where the world's deep need and our deep desire meet. Keep that in mind. Do the right thing. And if you ever need us, if it's really necessary, we'll be there."

She drew her sword. "And we'll always have you in our prayers and thoughts. And we'll always love you. Even from worlds apart, we're family now."

"Yeah," Wally spoke, "you're stuck with us for life."

A few kids laughed at that.

"It has been a pleasure," Dillon said, "but I think I'd best be going myself. Miss Kayama will be waiting."

"Huh?" Shine turned to him.

"Oh, she's coming with me," Dillon said. "Dangedest thing, I up and got a vision about it a few days ago... She said she was going to tell you."

Shine's eyes went huge.

"Midnight is moving to...my world?" she said faintly.

"Yeah, isn't it nice?" Dillon said. "I always says it's nice to have more friends about... Are you all right, Miss Lonestar--Likstar?"

"Uh...she fine," Wally said fast, "just excited, you know. We'll catch you later, Dillon."

"Right, we should do lunch or something back home. I wish you all the best, partners." Dillon tipped his hat and walked off. Then they heard a shot and assumed he was gone.

"I'm going need a minute..." Shine said.

"Shine, we were saying goodbye," Wally said.

Shine swallowed. "Right." She turned to the others.

"Leaving aside what just happened...uh...well, I think the moment was ruined, but you all, you know, make sure to write and keep in touch. We'll be back sooner or later so no moping or anything."

"We get it," Bakugo said. "If you're gonna go, go. Don't drag it out."

"Bakugo," they said.

"No, he's right, enough said," Shine said. "Love you."

Wally took her hand. "Goodbye, kids," he said. "Be good while we're gone."

"Cheesy," Jiro muttered.

 A portal opened, a bit larger and maybe a little brighter than before.

"And that's our cue," Shine said. "It only opens on its own when the mission is over."

With a final wave, they walked through, and then it shut, and they were gone.

And it was an ordinary, sunny day, and the kids felt a little sad, but they felt hopeful too.

"After all," Momo said, as they turned back toward the school, "it's not the end forever. It's just the end for now."

https://youtu.be/JbM9hi5pd-w

* * *

And that is the end for now.

First of all, if you read this far, thank you so much! I am so flattered.

I hope you enjoyed the ride. I know it was a blast to write it.

While I will not get this published by then, I finished this story on December 31st, 2021. My goal was to end it by this year.

While I like this ending, I have a few more details to work out, so I am going to be adding an epilogue and some bonus content, but this is the official end of the story.

What was your favorite part?

Favorite character?

Favorite non-canon character?

What did you think of the themes?

I'm just curious.

This is not my first fan fic, but it is my first crossover one I've posted online, so it was exciting for me to have people actually like and read it who didn't know me.

I have to thank both my sisters for contributing dozens of plot ideas, character ideas, and shipping fuel, as well as feedback on how I write. They are my first audience, and I write better because of their help.

And I thank God I prayed my way through many of the more dark and difficult parts of this story to write it well, and often my best work is after that.

And of course, thanks to all the fan-made content out there that inspires some of these ideas too.

Until the next story--Natasha Queen.

P. S. [With the exception of the first 8 chapters, I wrote this whole thing from April to December in one year, and my word count is 4000-5000 words on average per chapter. At 300 chapters... I'm the Alexander Hamilton of fan fiction...or the J. R. R. Tolkien. Peace out.]

[November 4 2022, almost a full year after completion, I finally got this published!]