For the second time in so many days Izuku found herself sitting nervously in a doctor's office. To her left was her mother, just as nervous, hands fidgeting much like her daughter. The doctor, Matou Aoi, was an old classmate of her father's. They'd apparently kept touch over the years and was trustworthy enough to be brought in on this series of bizarre events. Her Quirk, Empathy, made her very high demand for therapy field but her passion ultimately was medicine. Admittedly it did help in situations like this, a single smile and slight pressure of her quirk removed a large weight of tension from the room.
"Now shall we begin?"
"Yes, please go ahead." Inko said with a grateful smile.
"Well, let me say that what ever triggered this transformation did an impressive job," she began, sifting through several papers. "Everything was changed down to the DNA with no makes of alteration. It all reads out as 100% natural. If I hadn't been informed of the situation I would have assumed the before and after were files for a set of fraternal twins."
"There's... no trace left?" Izuku asked softly. Matou cut the girl off before she could go any further.
"Now Izuku, don't misunderstand my meaning," she placed the papers down and locked her gaze with the young girl. "You are still YOU... just the you you'd have been if you were born female." she watched carefully until the girl gave a slight nod of understanding, Her mother took the girl's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Now the change aside you are remarkably healthy, no abnormalities or issues to be found. Even the minor health issues you had previously are simply gone."
"But I've been feeling really strange..." Izuku spoke up to Inko's surprise.
"Izuku, you didn't mention feeling strange."
"Well, I didn't want to worry you..."
"How so? What feels strange?"
"I... I'm not sure how to explain it. I just feel... off, physically." Izuku frowned, "It's just weird... I thought it was because of the changes but if everything checks out. What's wrong?" She looked up to the doctor, hopeful for an answer.
"Hmm," The doctor placed Izuku's files down and mulled over the possibilities. "It's hard to say, there no real precedent for this kind of transformation. Odd cases here and there but nothing so complete as what you've experienced...My only guess would be that it's Perception."
"Perception?"
"Yes, physically everything changed over without a hitch but you mind and memories were not altered. Perhaps you notice the differences more prominently because it's different then what you remember feeling... even the small natural things you normally don't notice standing out."
"That... seems reasonable." Inko notes, "So you think after Izuku has had more time to adjust."
"These feelings should diminish yes..." Matou frowned before adding. "Though I'm not sure how long that would take. It might be best to set up some sessions for Izuku to talk out her feelings and work through these changes." She turned her chair to pluck a planner off of the desk.
"Is it wise to involve anyone else?" Inko asked with a worried frown.
"There no need to worry, I was intending on seeing her myself."
"I-It's okay really, I didn't mean to make a big thing out of i-" Izuku started but the doctor merely looked at her to get her to trail away.
"This is for your own piece of mind, It's really no trouble at all." she dissolved the aura of authority with a jovial smile. "Besides I can have your father owe me a favor for once." The three shared a laugh easing the tension of the room. "Moving on from the raw physical reports we have the quirk analysis results." This brought Izuku's full attention, "According to your previous records you were quirkless, correct?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Well this 'Magic' you obtained seems to originate from the same places most emitter quirks do, it's not exactly the same but it's within the range of natural variation. By all measures of modern medicine your power appears to be a quirk." Izuku smiled brightly. It only grew as the doctor hung two x-rays side by side... slight variance in male/female bone structure aside there was one glaring difference. One had 2 pinky joints... the other only one.
"It... It really changed everything..." Inko whispered still trying to take it all in.
"Yes, This creature you stumbled upon may hold the key to an even greater understanding of what quirks are." Matou said, holding back no illusions. "And it's for that very reason we have to be so careful... If this information got into the wrong hands or became wide spread. Your guest could end up in a lot of trouble."
"You're not going to let anything bad happen to Aylward-sensei?"
"Not if we can help it." Dr. Matou returned the x-rays to the file. "Hisashi has been forming a small group to start working on this project from the inside, we won't approach the government until we have a firm understand on what we are dealing with. Assuming Aylward-san with willing to assist us we should be able to keep this under wraps."
"He is the agreeable sort so I don't see why he wouldn't." Inko admitted with a small smile.
"But it does tie into what you want us to do with this." The doctor placed her hand on Izuku's file. "Obviously we can't report what really happened,"
"True... What did you have in mind?"
"Well, we have two real options as I can see it... The first would to have you cut all ties, move to a new city, cover your tracks and start fresh. We could adjust Izuku's papers to fit her current gender. With all of Hiasashi's work overseas and you being a stay at home mother, we could keep this whole magic things out of sight." she shook her head. "Obviously that is the most extreme option but it does pose the least amount of questions..."
"It does seem a bit excessive..." despite what the elder Midoriya said she had a thoughtful expression.
"The second would be a compromise, filing the transformation as an extreme side effect to a belated quirk awakening. It's mostly the truth but we'd have to be very careful to keep a consistent story for the inevitable barrage of questions... It would also likely cause some social strain for you all as the school and neighborhood would be adjust. The aftermaths could get quite messy..."
"Oh my."
"It's not something you should rush into, give it some thought. Either way you decide to pursue this know that you'll have my support." The doctor reached forward placed her on hand on top of Inko's and izuku's.
"Matou-san." Inko blinked away a few tears. "Thank you, I'll discuss this with Hisashi when he gets home."
"So, when is he touching down?"
"The day after next, it's a late flight but we're planning on meeting him at the airport."
"Yeah!" Izuku smiled brightly at the prospect of seeing her father again.
"Well be sure to pass on a hello from me, Though I'm sure I'll see him before too long once this project starts to progress..." She smirks a little before picking up the file. "So I'll let you two go, I'll be sure to call you later to set up a good schedule for my sessions with Izuku."
'We will be touching down in Tokyo in 15 mins'
Hisashi blinked back to reality, looking around as the other passengers started to gather their things. He'd been staring out the window letting his mind wander. How much can change in 2 weeks? A hell of a lot apparently. The stability of ones job, the gender of your child, and your fundamental understand of magic and it's place in the universe... Needless to say it was a lot to take in. Despite all that there was one clear route to take. He needed to go home and be there for his wife and son. 'Daughter' his mind corrected triggering a sigh... Guilt and worry warred for the dominant position. There was no way he could have predicted what that statue could do, but he had essentially smuggled it out of the country without fully understanding it. How much had it changed him, er HER...
"This is so damn confusing." he muttered rubbing his temples... Was Izuku okay? Was 'she' even still Izuku? That thought was quickly thrown aside, he couldn't even entertain that line of thinking. Izuku may have been born quirkless but hi-her drive to be a hero rarely wavered, if this change gave her that chance then she was no doubt utilizing it to it's fullest.
The cabin rocked gently as the plane touched down on the runway. Hisashi broke himself from his thoughts and gathered up his carry-on. The Passengers filed out to the airport proper, it didn't take long to spot his wife among the crowd. His heart swelled at seeing her for the first time in months, she offered him a soft smile that melted his heart as it had so many years ago. At her hip Izuku stood waving with an excited smile. He crouched down and he watched his child come running jumping into his arms. 'Lighter' his mind immediately pointed out but he ignored it, basking in the exuberant affection. He stood and braced Izuku on one arm pulling the hug back and looking his child in the face... the features were slight different, frame a bit slimmer perhaps... but those details didn't matter. Izuku was female... but she was still Izuku. He offered wide grin as he turned back to Inko.
"It's good to be home."
Unable to really go into any details of magic cats and transformations the taxi ride home was passed with more mundane pleasantries. Hisashi spoke of his travels through China, the sights he'd seen and what they had been studying. Izuku hung on every word, taking anything her father had to say with the utmost focus. Inko felt at ease in a way she hadn't in some time... The Midoriya family was all together once more. Everything would be better now.
The sun had nearly set by the time they arrived back at the apartment building. Izuku practically dragging her father up stairs in her excitement. He allowed this with a wry smile, though internally he began to prepare himself. He was about to meet a being from another world. Inko had assured him the creature was of good intent, and he trusted his wife's intuition. Nonetheless, through some unknown means this being was able to awaken a quirk within his child. It defied all aspects they understood about how quirks worked and manifested. The future ramifications of all this were much more long reaching.
"Aylward-Sensei We're home!" Anxiety warred with excitement as the door unlocked and the family entered, the scent of stewed vegetables and spices wafted out from inside.
"In that case have a seat, I'm nearly done." A young man's voice replied happily. Curious Hisashi passed up the dinner table and headed to the kitchen.
"...Huh?" Sat atop the counter top was a black cat, it's fur streaked with pink. On the stove in front of it was a large pot simmering away, a large wooden spoon stirring on it's own.
"Aylward-san you didn't need to do this." Inko chided with a small smile.
"It is a joyous occasion for you and your kin is it not Lady Midoriya?" The young man's voice came from the cat's body, motioning his forepaw in a human-like shooing motion. "Let me treat you tonight." It turned it's gaze to Hisashi and smiled good-naturedly. "You must be Milady's husband, It seems I have you to thank for excavating me from where I been buried."
"It was nothing," he managed to reply. "You were quite the exquisite artifact." he noted lamely still trying to rationalize everything he was seeing.
"You flatter me," he chuckled. "We have MUCH to discuss but let it be over dinner. I'm still learning but hopefully it will be to your tastes." With a small bow her went back to his stew. The spoon floating out from the pot so he could taste the broth. The Elder Midoriya took the opportunity to excuse himself and head back to the dining room. His wife and child were already waiting, table already set for four. He sat heavily in the chair next to his wife.
"...There's a cat making us dinner."
"Yes, it does take some getting used to." Inko admitted
"I'm starting to get that feeling." Hisashi noted leaning back in his chair. "So did you teach him that?"
"Partly," Inko noted with a small smile. "After reading all the encyclopedia's he got curious about one of my cookbooks. He could follow the instruction precisely but took sometime to understand how the stove worked. Mainly he wasn't very good at adjusting the recipes or understanding tastes so I offered a few pointers."
"And I still may need some yet." The Keeper's voice came from the hallway, the stew pot hovering into view as the cat trotted into the dining room. The Pot landed on the table without a spill and the cat hopped up on to the table after it, sitting across from the rather puzzled man. It offered an oddly human smile and motioned a paw to the pot. "Dinner is served."
Inko took the opportunity to serve out the portions and all talk was put on hold as the family started to eat. Izuku thought it was a little peppery but still seemed to enjoy it, Inko pointed out the vegetables could have been cooked more thoroughly, while Hisashi stood to get some hot sauce to spice it up. Everyone's tastes were different after all. Aylward took the criticism easily, filing it all away for later use... Once everyone was mostly done they spoke more freely about the whole situation. Izuku proudly showed off her quirk, using a pair of chopsticks. Reinforcing one and not the other and showing the difference. Aylward was quick to compliment the child's work ethic and how far she had come in this short time. Hisashi was clearly happy to hear the news, ruffing his daughter's hair getting the her to giggle happily as she basked in the praise. Under great reluctance, and only at her father's request, she donned the Divine Vestments. She didn't appreciate being called cute, even if both adults were in agreement of that fact. She quickly changed back and was 'not pouting' for the remainder of the dinner.
There were some important things to discuss before this night, But that could wait. They just enjoyed being family again. They all took to the living room, sitting together on the couch and watching television. Inko leaned onto her husband's shoulder, with his arm around her while Izuku nuzzled into his other side. They stayed that way long into the evening, until Izuku began to doze off on the couch. Hisashi carried her to her room and tucked her in as Inko watched form the door. Aylward wished the pair goodnight as they both headed to their own bedroom, spending a night together for the first time in nearly half a year...
It was good to be home.
With the pleasant night behind them they sat down in the morning for a much more serious topic. The entire Midoriya family gathered in the living room to discuss the future of their family. Aylward gave the three their space, choosing to meditate off in the corner with only his word that he'd continue to support Izuku and the family in whatever path they choose to take.
"So," Hisashi begun. "With Izuku's summer break ending at the end of August we need to decide what we're going to do about all the... changes." he stumbled a bit for lack of a better word. The Midoriya patriarch looked to his child offering a small smile. "so Kiddo, you're the one whose most effected by all of this. What do yo want to do?"
"I know its a lot consider dear," Inko said softly. "But we're both here to support you one whatever you want to do."
"I know," Izuku muttered looking down to her lap. "Ive been thinking about it since Matou-sensei mentioned it... I... I don't have a lot of friends." she admitted sadly, her mother squeezed her shoulder while her father frowned slightly but neither interrupted her. "I have no particular attachment to the school or any teachers. Starting new, without anyone knowing that was quirkless or a-" she paused briefly before taking a deep breath and exhaling."... or that I was a boy." she whispered, voice shaky. It was the first time she had said such a thing out loud and meant it. Once school started she wouldn't be able to ignore it anymore. Boys and girls had different school lives after all. It wasn't just having to where a uniform, physical education was separated, changing times, bathrooms. Trying to adjust to all of that alongside a school full of students who would know he had been a boy a few weeks ago. It was too much...
"I figured that would be the case." Hisashi started but izuku held up a hand.
"I-I'm not finished."
"Hm?"
"Despite all of that." she looked up fully, a shaky determination in her eyes. "I want Kacchan to know."
"Izuku sweety... are you sure?" Inko frowned, watching her daughter carefully as she gave a small nod.
"I know we're not close anymore... we haven't been for a while." she admitted sadly. "He might not even notice or care if I moved away." she choked up a bit, but collected herself with a wavering breath. "Even so, I have to let him know."
"I don't think it's a good idea..." Hisashi said firmly. "If we don't make a clean break it could lead to some obstacles later down the road." he watched Izuku tightly clenched her fists in her lap. He shared a concerned glanced with his wife before he sighed. "But if your certain?"
"...I am."
"Then we'll try to get that sorted out before the move..."
"Thank you." she muttered, slowly relaxing as her mother hugged her close. Once she had calmed down she pulled back but kept a loose arm around her, letting her daughter lean against her.
"We're going to need to start looking into properties and see what is in our range..." Inko began softly passing a concerned glance over to her husband. "With only two weeks I'm not sure we could get it all sorted so little time..."
"True." Hisashi muttered leaning back in his chair. "Maybe if we can explain things a bit to the school we could cover the curriculum here." he sat back up with a more thoughtful expression. "Homeschooling... it's used a lot in America and Europe."
"But I thought the idea was not to let them know anything?" Izuku chimed in worriedly.
"We wouldn't tell them everything... Just enough."
"I suppose that could work... but teaching him at home. Wouldn't we need to hire a tutor or-"
"I believe I could help you with that much." Aylward spoke up, hopping up on the coffee table.
"Are you certain?" Inko looked concerned
"Teaching is my primary skill, many guardian candidates come from out of the way villages with no schools. As long as I have the course work I'm sure Izuku would be able to keep pace, she is a wonderful student after all."
"Sensei..." Izuku muttered, embarrassed at the praise.
"Okay then, Just leave talking to the school to me." Hisashi said with a confident grin. "And we'll take our time trying to find a good place for all of us."
"That seems like the best path for now." Inko agreed. Their future was still fairly up in the air but at least they had some kind of plan now. Izuku didn't have any major problems with the plan as a whole, but if he wasn't going to be in school that meant she would need to talk with Bakugo before the end of Vacation. As the Adults and Keeper continued to hammer out the details she took a breath and forced a smile to her face.
"I'm gonna had to my room and check the hero news. Okay?" she noted cheerfully hopping off the couch.
"Okay Honey." Inko replied a bit puzzled at the sudden announcement. "We're going out for Lunch so be sure to clean up before then." she called after her but she had all ready turned the corner.
"Okay Mom!" she shouted back as she shut the door. With a conflicted heart she slowly walked over to her computer and booted it up. Her heart began to race as she opened up her instant messenger, left out a shaky sigh of relief on seeing he wasn't online. She typed and deleted several messages before finally just leaving a simple.
MightyFan1: Hey.
MightyFan1: Let me know when your on...
She stared at the messages tempted to go back and delete them both but held herself back. Seeing as she had the time she added.
MightyFan1: brb
She stood from the computer and grabbed her bathroom supplies. She headed across the hall with a small amount of reluctance. She tossed her clothes in the dirty laundry and slowly turned to the mirror, she looked at her reflection with a determine grimace. She clenched her fists tightly and refused to turn away.
"This... is me." she said softly, letting out a shaky breath but her gaze holding firm."I am Midoriya Izuku..." she raised her hand and pointed to her reflection defiantly, her body being covered in green sparkles. "I have a quirk and I will be a hero." she stated firmly as if challenging her reflection to tell her otherwise. Hearing no argument she shared a smile with her reflection, the green sparkles fading away. Pleased with herself she turned a way and set to taking a nice shower.
With two Towels, one around her torso and one around her hair, she slipped back into her room. Glancing at her computer monitor she froze.
MightyFan1: brb
~ExplosionKing is online~
ExplosionKing: You better get back soon Nerd
She rushed over to her computer despite her state of dress.
MightyFan1: I'm Back, Sorry
ExplosionKing: So what is it?
That was the million dollar question wasn't it... she looked her her keyboard unsure how to reply. 'Hey I got turned into a girl by a magic cat from another world and now I have a quirk, crazy summer right?'. She shook her head, there was no way he'd take anything of the sort seriously.
ExplosionKing: Out with it Deku
Swallowing she brought her shaky hands to keyboard.
MightyFan1: I have something I need to tell you, but it has to be in person.
MightyFan1: Are you free anytime soon?
~ ExplosionKing is typing
Izuku's hands hovered over the keyboard, waiting for a reply.
ExplosionKing: I guess, My Mom is dragging me somewhere stupid tomorrow but I should be free Wednesday.
ExplosionKing: You better not still be F***ing Sick
MightyFan1: No, I'm better. I'm like a whole new per-
She immediately deleted what she was going to say and started over.
MightyFan1: I'm Fine now.
MightyFan1: Meet me in the park, in the hidden area we used to go to past the fallen log...
ExplosionKing: Really? There?
ExplosionKing: Fine, but this better be good Deku.
Izuku stared at the keyboard for a moment before sighing and simply logging out. She leaned back in her chair looking up to the ceiling. Was this really a good idea? Probably not... but She had to...if she was really going to stop going to school and move away, his could be the last chance the two of them could see each other. Were they even friends anymore? It didn't matter... this was something she had to do.
"Come Kiddo get dressed, Otherwise we're gonna leave you behind!" her father's voice carried all the way from the living room, muffled somewhat.
"Just a minute!" she called back and set aside her towel to start getting dressed. The meet up with Bakugo hanging in the back of her mind but She'd just have to tackle the meeting in a few days when Wednesday rolled around...for better or worse.
AN: Sorry for the longer wait for a chapter, even though the reviews have been light seeing some many favs and follows roll in over the last couple weeks has been nice. It means I'm doing something right. I'm still trying to bridge my way to the start of canon so expect some time skipping in the near future once things stabilize. This chapter was a little rough to put together but I'm satisfied with this chunk enough to submit it. A Bit of a cliffhanger admittedly... sorry.
So I finally properly introduce Hisashi into the story, though he doesn't do to much he will be here for the long hall. I imagined a much more free spirited and relaxed person to off-set some of Inko neurosis. Hopefully I'll be able to show him off more clearly in time.
Izuku is finally starting to accept the changes instead of ignore them, it's an important step but she still has a lot to go. Things will certainly get complicated once school proper becomes a thing. But thats for next chapter... as is the meeting with Bakugo. I'm still writing it myself right now so We'll just have to see how it goes together.