The Shadow Kingdom
Chapter 7: The Prophecy
Shoto was shaken to his core both physically and emotionally. He didn't know how much more he could take with everything that was going on, but Bakugo's blatant ego and taunts where Izumi was concerned were rubbing him raw.
"Izumi are you alright?" Shoto finally spoke after calming himself.
"Yes," Izumi sniffed and wiped tears away as she pulled back from Bakugo to smile at him. "I'm okay...but I need to check on the baby. Dabi…" she looked to Touya who grunted in response.
"Yeah, yeah Mister do your thing." He waved Compress ahead. The masked gentleman approached waving out his hands.
"Nothing up my sleeves…" He lay his fingers over Izumi's wrists and the magic concealment cuffs come off with a snap. "Voila!"
Izumi's golden aura appeared and she smiled gratefully. Using the enter hype she searched for the baby in her womb and let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes we're both fine...though if we can avoid anymore conflict like that for awhile I'd be grateful." She offered a smile and helped eased the tension in Shoto's shoulders. Her eyes started scanning the ground and she quickly picked up her satchel and admired the torn strap and then the contents to make sure nothing was missing or damaged.
"Speaking of baby…" Bakugo turned her back around. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me you were pregnant? You sent a letter to Inko, but don't you think the father deserves to know?"
"Kacchan I…" she pointed her fingers together. "You said you didn't want me in your life anymore. I was scared you'd just toss me out on my ear again. Especially when there's a chance that-"
The dragon roared overhead temperamentally. Irritated at having not received his prey, it circled over the group ready for another pass.
"Stubborn beast…" Dabi grunted. "Oi, we need to move into covered area before that thing decides to take another swipe at us."
"Let it come," Bakugo said boldly pulling Izumi behind him and cracking his knuckles. "I'll take it on."
"Baka!" Izumi grabbed his shoulder. "Don't be stupid." She pulled on him. "Lets just go. The league of Mercenaries are bound to find out I've gone missing. We should make tracks while we have the advantage."
"Izumi and our new friend are right, Bakugo. You can play with it another time." Toshinori motioned Iida and the girls to move and ran with them. "Let's move!"
"Let him play, he can take care of himself." Shoto picked Izumi up Princess style and ran with her.
"Shoto we can't just…" She hooked her arms around him looking over his shoulder at Bakugo who stayed and was flanked by his men. "Kacchan!"
"I wouldn't worry about him, Izumi." Shinso told her with a confident smile. "That guy's too arrogant to let that dragon kill him. His head is harder than that dragon's hide."
"Yeah, but…" She turned her head over to Shinso, even as they ran he seemed to just be filled with calm tenacity which was reassuring. Sighing heavily she clung tighter to Shoto and buried her face in his neck. "Alright."
They reached the main road, the women already on the wagon with Dabi and the others climbing aboard the back. Toshinori and Gran Torino steadied their horses, resaddling them for the trip.
"Let's make tracks." Dabi ordered to the girls. "Faster we get out of here, the better."
"Excuse me, but who are you guys, again?" Shoto set down Izumi and narrowed his eyes on Dabi and his motley crew.
"It's okay, Shoto." Izumi pat his shoulder trying to soothe the tensions. "They're allies, they helped me escape."
"I get that… but why?" His mare nosed his shoulder and he took the reigns patting her comfortingly.
"We can talk about it after we've found shelter. There's a small town just a few miles, it shouldn't take long for us to reach there by horse." Dabi explained and smacked Toga's hand when she started rifling through the belongings. "Don't touch anything."
"Awww… you're no fun." Toga pouted and sent a smile that had Shoto's skin crawling.
"I really don't trust these guys." Shoto cradled Izumi to him protectively. "How do we know this town you're leading us to isn't some trap?"
"You don't… but I just risked my neck to save your precious fiancee, you should show some gratitude." Dabi sneered.
"Prin- I mean, Dabi...there's no need for hostility." Izumi held up her hands defensively and tensed up when she heard Shoto's low growl of disapproval. "Shoto, it's fine, I trust them."
"Why?" He turned his cool eyes on her and she pouted at the stern look.
"Don't look at me like that. I have my reasons, so can we please just go?" She pleaded and then screamed as the dragon soared overhead and came crashing through the trees landing and blocking the path on the road. It raised it's head spewing fire and the horses skitter and scare off. Shinso, Toshinori and Gran Torino who'd been atop their steeds held on for dear life as they reared up and took off in a gallop. Ochaco, Froppy and Toga all let out girlish squeals as the wagon raced forward down the road.
Shoto tried to hold onto his mare but the reigns slip through his fingers and she gallops after the wagon leaving him, and Izumi staring up at the snarling beast.
From atop the dragon, fiery blasts reigned out and Bakugo laughed a bit maniacally. The other Dagohbans run out from the brush panting from their run but smiling up at their leader.
"K-K-Kacchan?!" Izumi nearly fainted at the sight. The dragon crouched low letting Bakugo down with a croon.
"Hah, I told you I'd show this big guy who's boss." He looked back as the dragon's head bumped his shoulder. "Yeah that's right you overgrown lizard, you're mine now!" He grinned wide and rubbed the top of his head. "Just needed a master who spoke your language am I right?"
"Just what kind of language do you speak?" Shoto blinked in disbelief.
"Well Kacchan has always been pretty good at speaking with his emotions, particularly his temper." Izumi laughed nervously.
"Alright Bakugo you've had your fun, now tell the beast to go back home so we can track down our horses." Iida suggested dusting himself off after falling out of the wagon.
"No way! I don't need a horse now that I've got this guy." Bakugo grabbed Izumi's arm. "Come on, Usagi, I'll let you ride up front."
"Uh… well… okay!" Excited but extremely nervous she walked up to Kacchan. She froze up when the beast let out a low warning growl. She waited until Bakugo slid a comforting hand over the long snout calming him.
"Don't let him see your fear. Come on," he held out his hand for hers. With only a brief hesitation Izumi took it.
"Be careful Izumi!" Shoto warned, his stomach in knots imagining the dragon swooping her up again, or worse.
"Don't have to tell me twice." She whispered and took that final step up. Her hand slid over the snout and felt the warm smooth scales under her palm. Her eyes went bright as stars. "Wow… I've always wanted to see a dragon up close."
"Right? Now come on, up you go." He cradled his hands so he could boost her up. Izumi lodged her foot in and managed to climb aboard. She let out a shaky gasp and grinned big staring from atop of him.
"This is great. How fast do you think he could get us to The Shadow Kingdom?"
"Who said anything about going to the Shadow Kingdom? I'm taking you home where you belong." Bakugo said boosting himself up.
"Huh?" Izumi whirled her head around. "Kacchan I-"
"Hey, Bakugo what about the rest of us!?" Kirishima complained from below. "Don't tell me you expect us to walk all the way home?"
"You could use the exercise." Bakugo teased, the dragon bracing himself up.
"Kacchan we can't just leave everyone. Let's regroup with the others, I have important information I need to share with everyone." She looked back at him pleadingly. "Please?"
"Tch, fine, but no more delays! Alright you losers get aboard and hang on tight. If you fall off, it's your own damn fault!"
Shoto scowled but climbed aboard behind Bakugo with Iida and the others piling on behind him. He was losing control of the situation, and needed to rectify it. The moment they regrouped he'd put his foot down where Bakugo was concerned.
~Town of Bespin~
Izumi had never seen a beach before but instantly promised herself she'd go back every chance she could. The fishing town of bespin was just off the coast of some of most beautiful landscape she'd ever seen. Clear skies that now turned orange and purple from the setting sun, crystalized water, and a view that looked out at the sea and the small speck of land known as Moss Isle. Moss Isle was once rumored to be a haven for pirates and other outlaws, but now held ruins and mystery for explorers and knew she'd never get a view of this place then the one she was getting now atop the beautiful fierce dragon, paired with the setting sun.
"There's the caravan…" Iida called out motioning down where he saw their group recollecting themselves after the wild ride. Ochaco was on all fours looking blue in the face and relieved the wagon had stopped, Dabi was ordering his crew around, splitting them up to find a place to crash for the night, and both Toshinori and Gran Torino kept their eyes on the sky awaiting their arrival.
"Guess we shouldn't keep them waiting then." Izumi glanced back smiling. Her stomach twisted up a little as the dragon went into a dive. Townsfolk began to panic a little, running off into their homes and onto their boats.
The dragon landed smoothly on the outskirts and lowered its head so everyone could climb off. Izumi slid a little awkwardly, Bakugo took her waist and shoto took her hands, both helping to ease her off the dragon's neck.
"Thanks." She smiled at them then went up to the front and with all her previous nerves gone she pet the dragon. "Thank you for the ride. It was incredible."
He crooned at her, and much to everyone's surprise flicked out his tongue licking her cheek. She laughed and wiped at it grinning.
"Awww you're just a softy on the inside aren't yah?" She continued to dote and pet causing Bakugo's temple to throb.
"Damn it… five minutes with her and my war horse has turned soft." He grumbled and Kirishima laughed out loud.
"Well Midoriya does have that effect on a lot of people. Yourself included." Kirishima pat his back making him tense up and whirl around.
"HAH?!" He moved to hit Kirishima but stopped when the dragon suddenly stood and flew off. "What the, hey get back here!" Bakugo shouted up at the dragon. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"We caught up with the others Kacchan, so I told him he could go home and finish his nap now if he wanted." Izumi explained with a giggle. "Didn't think he'd understand me, but I guess he did."
"Damn it, Usagi I was gonna keep him. I could have gotten you back in record timing with him!" Bakugo snarled in complaint.
"Dragons aren't pets, Kacchan. They're meant to be free and make their own choices." She told him with a surprisingly serious face. "Now come on. Let's all go into the tavern, grab a bite, and I can explain what I found."
~Later~
With drinks at their elbows, food plates scattered, and bodies huddled together in the corner of the tavern Izumi opened her notebook with the sketches and notes she'd taken from the mural she'd seen in the dragon's cave. In the notes was the full translation of the prophecy she'd seen.
~Decades ago darkness and light struggled for supremacy and will once more trade blows.
Nomu shall rise again!
Awakened from it's sleep by the screams of new life, it shall rage upon the mortal world bringing forth death and destruction as it was created to do.
A reluctant king shall rally his people, the warrior tribes will stand with pride, and even more allies will come for all are united under one purpose.
As the battle rages only one can silence the screams of agony, and halt the embodiment of darkness.
The chosen hero shall step forth from the decay, willingly sacrificing it's light to bring about peace and rise the sun in the realm of shadow.
With this sacrifice the world will be saved, but the hero will be changed forever.
For it is not power that strengthens the hero...
...and it is not death that defeats Nomu.
For there to be lasting peace the balance must be maintained.~
"It is not death that defeats him." Toshinori murmured holding his chin. "I've heard this saying, it is words that have been passed down in my family since the first user."
"I know, I've read the words in the journals I borrowed from your home. I think this prophecy is a loose translation of the very words the God of Creation spoke to his chosen hero. It's too accurate to just be a coincidence don't you think?"
"I agree…" Gran Torino nodded. "Excellent find, young Midoriya."
"I'm not sure I understand." Ochaco scratched her cheek looking confused. "If you're not supposed to kill Nomu, then what are you supposed to do?"
"Purification." Izumi explained with a confident smile. "Nomu was created in the land of the dead, it is where is soul was born and it is death that strengthens him. If we want to make sure the balance is maintained then we need to add light to the darkness. Purification spells are mainly used in exorcisms, casting away dark spirits and banishing them back to the world of the dead."
"That's brilliant, Midoriya!" Kirishima ruffled her hair making her laugh.
"It is logical, but the prophecy also says the balance needs to be maintained. Wouldn't purifying its soul weigh too heavily towards the light?" Iida questioned.
"No, because think about just how many people Nomu must have killed over the centuries its been here. Legends say that the shadow kingdom itself used to be a place of purity but after Nomu was summoned, the blood of its victims tainted the land and cast it into darkness."
"So now we have a plan." Shoto held his chin. "We need to purify his soul with your light, but how? It's not like you can just hit him with it. You'll need some kind of spell, and not a normal one." Shoto thought out loud.
"So we'll find one, and I've already got a few avenues I can check out." Izumi assured him with a smile. "That is…" She started to persuade Shoto but Bakugo interrupted the powwow with a fist to the table.
"All of this is well and good, but I think you're forgetting one important detail, Usagi." He stood up and turned her to face him fully and gently poked a finger in her belly. "You're pregnant and in no condition to battle. It doesn't matter if you perfect this spell or not because unless you're able to defend yourself it's not gonna mean a damn."
"I'm afraid Bakugo's right, Izumi." Toshinori agreed. "From what Lord Tokoyami explained to me several months before, predators released from Nomu's dark energy are already swarming the grounds. These beasts won't let you get close enough to Nomu to make a difference."
Izumi looked down at her notes, rereading the prophecy and becoming lost in thought, Her eyes suddenly widened as she reread a passage.
"I won't be pregnant when Nomu breaks out of his cage." She murmured and caught everyone off guard. She lifted her head meeting eyes with everyone. "The prophecy says Nomu will awaken to the cries of new life…" she set her hands on her belly. "This life."
"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Are you saying Nomu will break out the day you give birth?!" Ochaco looked wide eyed. "That's insane! I thought he was already-"
"It's the only birth that makes sense. It's too big of a coincidence!"
"Okay, so say that you're right." Shoto scowled. "Are you saying you're gonna immediately get up from just giving birth and stepping out onto the field. You'll be extremely weakened, and may not have the energy to pull off a spell let alone-"
"We've got time to prepare for that. I've got healing and stamina elixirs I can brew up that'll help. I can do this!"
"Like hell!" Bakugo screamed at her. "I've had enough of your nonsense talk. I'm taking you home so your mother can knock some sense into that numbskull brain of yours." He took her arm but Shoto shoved him back and the two of them squared off. "Back off, IcyHot."
"You back off. Did you forget Izumi was banished from Tattooin? She can't go back, she doesn't want to."
"Actually I think it's a good idea to return to Tattooin." Izumi suddenly spoke up from behind and caught everyone off guard.
"What? You can't be serious!" Shoto looked at her shocked. "You don't have to listen to him Izumi."
"I'm not, I'm making this decision. I will fight, I will face Nomu, but just for now we're going back to Tattooin... so we can deal with your father." Izumi said her eyes serious and standing firm. Shoto's grip on Bakugo loosened as he looked at Izumi in shock.
"What?"
"We can't continue our quest if your father is just going to continue to inhibit it. On top of that Tatooin has one of the largest armies in the world, and it's being wasted on patrol and guard duty. We should convince Endeavor to join the cause. The prophecy says-"
"Forget the prophecy for a minute, Izumi and think. My Old man won't listen to us," Shoto turned his back to her and started to pace. "The only way he'd agree is if I regain my title."
"Then why don't you?" She walked to him but halted when he whirled on her.
"You know damn well why!"
"No I don't!" She yelled back at him her rare show of temper surprising him. "I don't understand why you're cutting a part of yourself off so willingly. I know the life of a prince is hard and lonely… but it doesn't have to be."
"You're telling me to go home and be what he wants?" He didn't realize the bar had gone silent, all eyes on them and a crowd beginning to form.
"No! I'm telling you to go be a King!" Izumi shouted back at him her eyes fierce and face flushed with fight. From their seats at a separate table the Vanguard watched the display. Dabi lounged back with a smirk watching the fireworks.
"You tell him, Bookworm." He toasted her and sipped."
"Listen to me, Shoto…" her voice lowered showing the seriousness in her tone. "The moment your dad steps down that title is no longer his. It's yours. It's your title, your responsibility. The rules, the decisions, and the actions you make will be your own, and not your fathers!"
Shoto's eyes went a little wild as he recalled his mother's words echoing in his mind.
"You don't have to be a prisoner to your lineage. You can become the kind of ruler you want to be."
"Izumi…" his eyes lowered and fists clenched at his side.
"I love having your support and having you with me, Shoto. You're kind, smart, brave and you've done so much for me but this is far bigger than just us." She held her heart, her eyes showing such affection and frustration. "These traits that I love about you should be used to help benefit the world, not to just make one person happy but everyone."
"Miss Midoriya is right, Your highness." Iida spoke going to a knee in front of him. "We can't just ask Tokoyami and the other people in the Shadowlands to fight and defend the world alone. Tatooin has an impressive military force and it needs to be utilized and who better to lead us than you, My Prince!"
Izumi smiled and she also took a knee in front of him.
"My Prince!"
Shoto looked at the two of them and then up at the others. All but the Dagohbans bowed to him, even his own brother. Something twinged inside.
"I…"
"If your army won't fight, then mine will!" Bakugo shouted standing tall and proud and lifting Izumi to her feet.
"What happened to dragging me back home?" Izumi teased him with a knowing smile.
"I know you, Usagi, you'll just cut your ropes and run away like you always do." He poked a finger between her brows. "If you're gonna be an idiot no way I'm letting you go into battle without an army at your back."
She smacked his hand laughing and then turned back to Shoto her face serious again.
"What do you say, Shoto? If you really want to help… if you really want to do everything in your power to make my plan work… then will you do this? Will you reclaim your rights, and claim your throne?"
Shoto looked into her eyes and down at the ring hanging around her neck. He hadn't gotten an answer from her, but just seeing her wear the diamond was enough to have his heart soaring. He wanted to stay connected with her, he wanted to give her everything. If she wanted him to be a King… he'd give that to her too.
"Yes… I'll do it for you, Izumi."
"No…" she stepped to him taking his hands in hers. "Do it for you. You said you wanted to prove to your father that you can lead and take charge. Now is the time to do it." His face lit up from that and his lips twitched up into a small smirk.
"You're right… it's high time I showed that old man who I really am." He watched Izumi mimic the smirk. She stepped back and he took hold of his sword raising it and letting the flames burst out from it. "I am Prince Shoto Todoroki… but soon Tattooin and the world will know me as their King!"
"Long live the King!" Iida shouted and Izumi raised her own sword and everyone in the tavern cheered with her.
"LONG LIVE KING SHOTO!"
~Ask Briry~
Briry: *Suddenly has Lion King stuck in her head* Oh I just can't WAIT to be King… everybody look left, everybody look right… *continues to sing and dance without shame*
Uraraka: Sorry about that, but our Miss Author is a Disnerd at heart. Thanks for the patience and stay tuned for future updates!
Next Chapter: The Rightful King
