We Are The Future: 2nd Act
Chapter 11: The Hero's Ward
~Deku Hero Agency~
Izuku stare at the telephone with a deep pondering expression. He'd left a message for the head of the Hero's Ward program and was hoping for a quick response. Several days went by and he still hadn't heard from her. No word at all. Maybe he'd gotten the wrong number? Or maybe he'd dialed it wrong. If he called again would it seem desperate?
Maybe that whole incident with Melissa was hurting his chances of being chosen. Even if they were orphans no one would want kids exposed to such outlandish publicity. He did go on record that he and Melissa were just friends to several reporters and had even given a public apology for the misunderstanding.
Still that didn't stop people from talking or fantasizing. He'd seen one too many "fan" pages with several depictions of himself and several other female heroes. The most disturbing ones had been of him and Izumi in what was described as a "twincest" portrait. He made sure to block all access to that particular site so that Bakugo or his nephews wouldn't accidentally come across it.
He gave a hefty sigh and tried to concentrate on his work. He had to figure out what sidekicks he wanted to bring with him to the Sports Festival. He went over the files in front of him, contemplating which would be most beneficial to this particular job. The sound of the phone ringing made him jolt. Papers went flying as he stood up and answered enthusastically.
"WAHHHH! YES!? HELLO!?"
"Is this Hero Deku?" The sweet voice on the other end had Izuku's heart doing gallops.
"Yes this is him." Calm down, he mentally scolded and tugged on the front of his costume. He felt so sweaty in it all of a sudden.
"Oh thank goodness, I've been trying to contact you, but I've been getting the run around with the people in your office. I'm Erica, the head of the Hero's Ward Program."
"Ah, yes!" Izuku lit up like a Christmas tree. "Then you did get my message?"
"Yes, and I'm thrilled you've taken an interest in our program. If you'd like we can set up a meeting this weekend at my orphanage. It's a bit out of the way in the mountains, but I'd really like the chance to personally handle your adoption as I'm already aware of your particular situation."
"My… situation?" Izuku blinked and rubbed the back of his head. "Could you elaborate on that?"
"I mean your romantic situation." The sweet voice went a little deep as she laughed. Izuku felt his blood go cold as dread shivered through him. "I'm aware that you're married to one Katsuki Bakugo, also known as the Explosion hero Ground Zero."
...
"EHHHH!?"
~Two days later:Mountain Path~
"So do you think it's blackmail?" Bakugo lounged in the passenger seat, eying the map with a scowl. Izuku sat beside him in the driver's seat, his eyes trying to keep focus on the mountain roads.
"I don't think so as the conversion wasn't hostile. It sounded as if she'd met me before but Ii don't know this woman. I don't know anyone named Erica..." Izuku hung his head sighing. "Oh man…"
"Watch the road Deku!" Bakugo grabbed the wheel before they could skid off the edge and into a tree.
"Whaaa! Im sorry!" Izuku went back alert his eyes wide and face grim.
"Geez, if you're gonna continue to freak out, then pull over and let me drive. We'll deal with this bitch once we figure out what her game is."
"Right you're right, sorry Kacchan."
"Stop apologizing and make the next turn up here." He motioned to the turn off on the left and relaxed as Izuku eased into the dirt path. They drove for another few miles before coming up to the orphanage… and stare in awe at what they saw.
The front lawn was full of kids of various ages. Where they'd once done quirk training there was now an obstacle course and playground where many of the kids were either playing with or competing against one another.
Older kids were using or practicing their quirks, much to the awe of the younger ones. One kids was dancing in the air as if she weighed nothing at all. Another shot beams through his fingertips creating a lightshow against the dark cavern entrance. Several students had strength quirks and were competing who could carry more rocks.
"Wow, kinda looks like training camp but… these kids seem to be really enjoying themselves." Izuku said with some wonder as he looked for a place to pull in.
"It's private land, so they're allowed to use their quirks freely just like we were able to." Bakugo motioned him further in and then craned his head to look at the flock of youngsters spread around. His stomach started twisting in knots and he didn't care for the feeling. Why the hell was he suddenly so nervous?
As the car pulled into designated parking one of the younger ones looked up from their sandcastle and called out.
"GUARDIAN ALERT!"
Like magic, all activity halted and the kids filed up. Everyone was curious as to who would come out of the car. Some of the kids tossed a few hero names out… but when Izuku and Bakugo climbed out… chaos ensued.
"DEKU!"
"GROUND ZERO!"
"WHOA!"
Izuku was used to mobs of people recognizing him and crowding him, but unlike full grown females who knew about human limitations and physical boundaries, the mob of kids swarmed over him and Bakugo like a crashing wave. They were knocked off their feet, hugged, poked, tugged and bounced on as if made of rubber.
"Hey! Knock it off you midgets!" Bakugo shouted and his voice cracked when one of the smaller ones knelt close to his privates. "GET OFF!"
"OWOWOWOW! PLEASE SETTLE DOWN EVERYONE!" Izuku tried to calm the storm of kids and he tensed up as the familiar crackle of Bakugo's quirk snapped in his ears. " WHAAAA KACCHAN DON'T EXPLODE!"
A high pitch whistle silenced the chaos and the kids fell back in line revealing the trodden heroes. Izuku lay face down in the dirt, twitching and dizzy. Bakugo was on his rump, his face flushed and full of irritation from being knocked around by a bunch of ankle biters.
"That's enough you lot! You're gonna scare them off." Kota Izumi, a young man now, strolled out the front door of his cousin's former agency. His trademark hat no longer fit his head, but he wore a red bandana over his spiky black hair. "Sorry bout them. We try to teach them manners but very rarely do they listen."
"Kota-kun!" Izuku coughed even as his face brightened. He picked himself up from the ground and dusted off the dirt and mud from his costume. "It's good to see you again."
"Likewise, I guess." He walked to them and held out his hand which Izuku took enthusiastically. "So you're the guests my wife mentioned."
"Your wife?"
"Yeah, I inherited the land from Mandalay, but the orphanage facility is all my wife's domain." He motioned around to the new additions and the kids. "She's waiting for you inside along with the group of kids she's chosen for you to interview with."
"Sounds good, ah you remember Kach-errr Katsuki Bakugo right?" Izuku quickly corrected the nickname when Bakugo gave him a narrowing look.
"Yeah, the exploding one right? Didn't think you'd be interested into this program."
"Deku insisted." Bakugo explained and shrugged. "So here I am."
"Right… well come on in. As for you lot." He turned to the group of kids. "Get back to your activities… you all can visit with Deku and Ground Zero another time." He clapped his hands, nad got a group of groans and whines from the children before they scurried off back to the playgrounds.
Kota lead Izuku and Bakugo inside. The already large building had expanded into a three story, with several rooms for the kids. Each room had 10-12 beds and stations for each kid. Kota explained that the stations were important because each kid could personalize and have a sense of ownership and individuality.
"I know a few kids by name and face, but my wife? She knows each and every one of them. I don't know how she manages to give each of them their own spot of attention but the kids all adore her."
"Sounds like you do too." Izuku said with a smile. He got a shy shrug.
"I married her didn't I?" He murmured and turned another corner. They pass in front of a wide window and Kota stops them and nods his head to the inside. Izuku looked inside, and his heart just exploded with delight.
It was a nursery. The kids inside were still toddlers, barely able to walk and talk. The only grown-up inside was a woman. Her hair was pulled up into a cleaning scarf so he couldn't tell what color it was, but her eyes were a scarlet color much like Bakugo's, but were bright and cheerful as she bounced a baby in her arms.
"Don't even think about picking the one she's holding." Kota warned with a smirk. "That one is ours."
"WHOA! Congratulations Kota-kun!" Izuku shook his hand enthusiastically. "I can't believe you're a papa! That's amazing. Whaaa I'm so excited now!" Izuku pressed his face to the glass. "Can they see us?"
"It's mirrored glass, so no not unless…" he drifted off when a little blonde boy of about two or three wandered up and mirrored Izuku's position. His cute chubby face pressed in tight, wide curious eyes blinking. "Not unless they do that."
"Taro-chan whatcha doooin?" A little black haired girl about the same age wandered over and she stood next to him looking at herself in the mirror. She admired her hair with a giggle. "You can't see your 'flection if you stand so close to the mirror, silly."
"Someone's there…" he murmured and turned his eyes to the girl. "Lily… someone inside mirror."
"That's you, Taro…" She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back so he'd see his reflection more clearly and she giggled. From the opposite side, Izuku had crouched down so that he was on eye level with Taro and Lily, his heart filling with warmth and affection immediately at their bond.
Taro's eyes were so emotive even though his face stayed a bit stoic. He still had baby fat in his cheeks, belly, and legs, but it reminded Izuku of a stuffed teddy bear. The girl on the other hand was all smile and cheery, her motions out as she danced and admired herself in the mirror. The black hair was paired with some witchy green eyes, and the way her body was, all limber and light, made him think she would grow up to be tall and graceful.
Bakugo watched his husband eye the two kids with a bit of dazzle and sparkle… and his lips twitched.
"Go tell your wife to come out… I think Deku's already made his decision."
"Eh?" Izuku lifted his head. "I have?"
"Give me a break, Deku. You're looking at those two the way you used to look at your dad's hero posters. You're hooked." Bakugo set his hands on his hips eying the two kids himself. "They're stand outs too… something about them makes them pull away from the crowd of kids and that piques MY interest."
"Well yeah but…" still crouched he poked his fingers together looking embarrassed and frazzled. "We're only allowed one aren't we?"
"Two heroes, two kids… I don't think that'll be an issue, Deku." Kota pat his shoulder. "I'll go get my wife so we can go over the details." He opened the door to the nursery. Toddlers immediately crowding his legs and he pat them on the head but kept his eyes on the woman.
"They're here… they were watching and already decided."
"Already?" Erica went bright eyed. "I was hoping to let them come in and play a little, but…"
"They can still do that, but there's no harm in giving them the background on the kids they like right off the bat, right?"
"Of course not… alright kiddos, I'm gonna call Nanny in so you behave yourselves until then." She put the sleeping baby in the crib and pulled a walkie talkie from her back pocket. After speaking with the person on the other line for a minute she walks out with Kota and looks at the two heroes with a wide eyed and happy expression.
"Hero Deku!"
"You must be Erica, it's so…" he drifted off when Erica pulled the scarf off revealing a horn and long white blonde hair. "Er… Eri-chan!?"
"You remember me!" Eri clasped her hands together looking teary. "I wasn't sure if you would."
"Of course I do. Wow look at you!" He engulfed her in a big hug and spun her. "It all makes sense now! That's how you knew about Kacchan and I… Izumi said that you were in her alliance for a time."
"Yes… actually your sister is the one who inspired me to do this program." She looked back into the nursery. Another door opened and an elderly woman came in tapping her cane as she scolded the children for being too loud. "You saved me from my father, Deku… but she and Tadashi helped me become the person I am today. They trained me, sheltered me, and once she felt I was ready found me a home and a family I'd be happy with."
Izuku's heart warmed as he thought of it. He could imagine Izumi doing that, even as a teenager she was always protective and attentive of others. It showed even more after she became a mama.
"I wanted to do the same for other children. Children who were abused or abandoned by their parents… children who have a hard time controlling their quirks, or who are afraid of their quirks…" She touched her heart. "Thanks to you and Izumi this place exists and gives me a greater sense of purpose. I'm so grateful."
"We're the ones that are grateful, Eri." Izuku held his chest. "I can't speak for Izumi, but I'm glad to see you've chosen to pass on her kindness and work. It'll show as the children you help raise grow and become their own people. They'll pass on the same kindness you've shown, and make the world a better place."
"I hope so…" Eri said with a bright smile. "Come, let's go to my office and we can start the paperwork. Afterwards you can then meet your future children."
~U.A. Field Omega~
"INCOMING!" Freya shouted to her team as Kageyama and Hinata attacked from the rock formation above them. Kageyama positioned the balls, tossing them up just right so that Hinata could use his quirk to slam down the makeshift cannonballs that their teammates Juliette and Korbin made from the surrounding vegetation.
Freya ducked and weaved, taking cover behind a large oak and peering around it with a sneer. Her teammates were Everdeen, Takeru, and Shiro, which meant they were at a disadvantage in thsi instance. Everdeen was the only one who could use long distance attacks, but they were denied weapons at the start of the exercise so her archery skills wouldn't be of any use.
"Any ideas?" She looked around at them. Shiro had his back to the tree next to her whilst Everdeen and Takeru went up into the branches hoping for a higher vantage point.
"Not unless you got some kind of shield." He flinched as another ball slammed down creating an indent into the rock between them. "That's some massive strength Hinata's been hiding."
"Freya don't you have invulnerability?" Takeru asked from above her head.
"I do… but using it on my whole body will waste a lot of my stamina. Meaning I'll have to strike them hard and fast and you guys will need to be ready for a follow up just in case other teams are lingering around hoping for a shot."
"There's no need for any of that." Everdeen jumped down next to Takery and held out a branch. "Shiro shave this down like a spear, okay?"
"Sure but-" he picked up the sharp stone she gave him, using it to cut off the leaves and extra limbs while Everdeen snagged a few of the cannon balls. "What do you plan to do with those?"
"You'll see." She smirked at him and then eyed Shiro. "Grab some moss and vine while you're up there Takeru."
"Ah, now I get where you're going with this, clever girl." Takeru winked at her and climbed around the branches. Freya pouted at them all.
"Mind filling me in?" She leaned in as Everdeen whispered in her ear, and her eyes went sly and confident. "He's right, that is clever."
"Just call me Clever Ever." She giggled and continued to set up the plan.
Up on the rock Hinata peered out with a pout trying to spot the group.
"I don't see anything. Do you think they made a run for it?" He asked Kageyama who shook his head.
"No, they're biding their time, coming up with a strategy." He looked to Juliette and Korbin. "How many more of these do we have before we need to reload?"
"We've got about ten left, but we've got easy access to more materials so we can make more if need be.." Korbin informed them. "There's only five minutes left in the exercise. So let's pace ourselves."
"This is a good defensive strategy." Juliette smiled at Kageyama. "I'm impressed, Kageyama-san"
"I would have preferred building a large fort as opposed to this, but I didn't want to exhaust your quirk use, Juliette." He bowed his head a little to her. "You said you can manipulate plantlife, but it causes you to tire easily."
"Yes," she played with her fingers. "My stamina has improved immensely since coming here, but trying to handle anything more than one plant at a time drains me considerably."
"This is fine then." Kageyama spun the vine ball in his hands and smirked. "Your hard work is paying off."
"Kageyama look there!" Hinata pointed as shadows zoom by through the trees. "They're trying for a back attack by going around."
"Then let's stop them!" Kageyama tossed the ball up and hinata jumped and slammed the ball towards the shadows. All eyes turn to the shadows as they shift and move diverting the team's attention away from Freya as she speeds out of the forest from the opposite direction.
"Juliette spots her and her eyes widen."
"Kageyama!" She tossed a ball herself, the vines expanding and trying to bind around Freya. She jumped, the small wings on her back allowing her to hover just enough to avoid being trapped.
Kageyama turned his attention back and made a dash for the flag but it was too late. Freya's slender fingers wrapped around the pole. She pulled it out of its place on the rock hill and hefted it over her head as Kageyama fell at her fight.
"TARGET RETRIEVED!"
"CRAP!" Hinata held his head and fell down into the dirt beside Kageyama. Korbin and Juliette hung their heads in defeat.
"Way to go, Freya!" Takeru walked out holding up two makeshift dummies Everdeen had fashioned from the materials they'd gathered. The Cannonballs served as the head, moss and vines the hair and the finishing touch was tossing Shiro's and Takeru's uniform shirts over them to give them mass.
"Dummies…" Kageyama looked at his hands muttering to himself. "Outsmarted by dummies."
"Team A has retrieved the flag! Team A wins." Shinso called out over the speakers and Freya let out a whoop and pat Kageyama and Hinata on the heads."
"Don't feel too bad you guys. You did great." She shouldered the flag with a smirk. "Better luck next time."
~Back with Izuku and Bakugo~
"Montaro and Lily." Eri spread the children's files on the desk so Izuku and Bakugo could have a look. "They are a little like siblings, considering they arrived on the same day. Both of them were abandoned as babies by their parents. There's not much record on them unfortunately, but from what my researchers have been able to tell Taro seems to be harboring empathic powers."
"Empathic?" Izuku blinked curiously.
"Yes… he's able to sense other people's emotions… he knows when someone is sad or upset, and he does what he can to make them feel better. He's a very sweet little boy I think you two are a great match."
Izuku smiled brightly at that. Bakugo grunted in response.
"What about the girl?"
"Oh Lily will more than likely harbor Earth or plant like abilities. Not much is known about her parents, but she was found in a garden. Someone had built her a crib made from plants and soil. She's also very sweet, but a bit outspoken. She's very nurturing towards Taro, protective and doesn't let some of the more hostile children to bully him. She's gonna be a fighter I can assure you."
Bakugo smirked at that and crossed his arms.
"Then I'm sold. Wrap them up, package them however you like but those are our brats now." He looked to izuku who stare a bit dazed and teary eyed. "What?"
"Nothing I just…" Izuku sniffed. "This is really happening. We're becoming parents."
"Yeah… and we'll be damn goods ones, Deku." He ruffled his husband's hair making him laugh and wipe away tears. "Count on it."
~After Class~
"We should have had our entire radius covered." Kageyama muttered to his former teammates as they gathered up their belongings. "Next time we'll be ready."
"I was too busy anticipating Freya's God-mode to even think about a distraction." Hinata sighed heavily. "I know she's super fast and I wanted to be able to react right away."
"I wish I could be more helpful with the combative stuff. Once our defenses were breached I just stood there like an idiot. I'm no good in a fight without weapons." Korbin looked down at his hands pathetically.
"We're still too weak, we must think back on all we failed and improve upon it." Juliette determined holding her hands over her heart.
"Yeah, especially with the Sports Festival coming up." Hinata agreed and hailed Hiroki as he entered the classroom. "Hey Hiro! Your team's victory was amazing! You snatched the flag within minutes."
"Thanks, Shoyo." Hiroki grinned. " It helped having great teammates. All of our quirks complimented each other so we were able to work together smoothly."
"Speaking of quirks, I heard you had to get your bed replaced because it burned up."
Hiroki tensed but laughed it off rubbing the back of his head.
"Yeah, my fault for not requesting fireproof materials. I just had a little nightmare and my quirk got away from me. No big."
"Oh, if you're having trouble sleeping," Juliette spoke and stepped up. "Sadira and I have started a garden outside the form. There's some medicinal herbs we can give you to help you sleep."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." He smiled at her.
"Hiro you ready yet?" Nowaki poked his head in looking happy and anxious. "Uncle Deku and Uncle Bakugo are already there! Hurry up or Akira and I are leaving without you."
"Yeah I'll be right there!" Hiroki called out and grabbed his bag. "Gotta run." he jogged after his twin.
"Did Nowaki just call Takahashi, Akira?" Hinata scratched his head.
"Yeah… guess they're finally starting to get along." Korbin blinked in surprise. "Also was he smiling?" He got three nodding heads and all four of them contemplated on what that could mean.
~Ask Briry~
Briry: We're approaching the climax of our story. Only one chapter left before the Sports Festival is held and boy do I have plans. *Rubs hands together evilly* Stay tuned.
Next Chapter: Taro Midoriya and Lily Bakugo