Midori the Phoenix
Author's Note: I apologize ahead of time if I cause any offense or hurt feelings in this or any future chapters. This is a work of fiction and any stereotypes, jokes, or depictions I add in are not my true feelings or outlooks on certain cultures. Please take anything I write with a grain of salt.
Thank You.
Chapter 4: The Birth
She'd been raised on the Island of discovery. Inventions, ideas, and unapologetic discovery was part of day to day living. There were no limitations to imagination, no right or wrong ways to expand your mind and just offer up wisdom and knowledge.
...or so she thought.
As it turns out I-Island was full of restrictions. A person's imagination could be reeled in, denied, and all their years of hard work thrown away. That was the case for her father, and in the end caused him to make the drastic decisions that led to his banishment.
~Flashback~
"Why did you do it, Papa?" Melissa sniffed as she sat beside him while he recovered from the lacerations and head wounds Karma had given him.
"I didn't know that they weren't actors. I didn't know that he'd hired real villains." David admitted lowering his head in shame. "I just wanted to help my friend."
"So you were tricked? They used your kindness against you?" She wiped her tears. "How cruel."
"No, Melissa. It is my own fault, for not accepting the inevitable." He turned his eyes up to Melissa. "Phoenix… or Karma… or whatever she wants to call herself. She was right. I wasn't looking to improve the world, but instead keep it the same. I just couldn't accept that one day, All Might will no longer be the Symbol of Peace. His light will burn out, the world's foundation will fall, and there's nothing we can do to stop it."
"Papa…" Tears slipped down her cheeks. "How can you say that? How can you say that a villain is right?"
"It's the truth, Melissa. It's a hard truth but it's still true. No one wants to accept it, no one wants to believe it, and that's exactly why Karma does what she does. She's opening the eyes of the world, and doing so by force. Her actions are wrong, but her motives are not."
"So just because she's right we're just supposed to accept it? I don't believe that and neither should you. There has to be another way, Papa, a better way!"
"There is… but Karma has closed her eyes off to it." David smiled at his only daughter. "What she should have done, and what I should have done... is have faith."
"Faith?"
"Yes. Faith that there are people like Mirio who will take up All Might's torch and light the way into the future. Faith that there are people who will work hard and improve society. People like you."
"Like me?"
"Yes, you have a gift Melissa." He takes her hands in his. " You not only work hard, but you constantly seek to improve yourself and help others. Don't give up on your dream. Grow, learn, improve… and show the world just how bright and beautiful it can be."
~End of Flashback~
"I won't let you down, Papa." Melissa folded her hands together. She'd spent the last three and half months traveling the world, gaining whatever knowledge and experience she could and absorbing as much information as she could. "I will have faith, and I won't give up."
"Melissa-san!"
Melissa turned her head when she heard her voice being called. Her smile broke out and she waved rushing over to the bright and happy blonde in her sight.
"Mirio you made it! Long time no see!" She jumped into his arms and let him swing her around. "I've missed you!"
"I've missed you too." He set her down and took her hands in his. "You look wonderful."
"I feel wonderful. Where are Uncle Might, and the others?"
"Sir got a little motion sick so Todoroki is helping him in the bathroom. As for All Might, he kinda got recognized as we exited the plane and Bakugo got stuck in the mob that surrounded him."
"I can see how that could be problematic." She giggled and took his arm. "In that case let's wait for them by the baggage claim.
"Good idea," He looked around with wide and excited eyes. "So this is England huh? Are you enjoying your internship?"
"Oh yes, I had a lot of fun in New York, Germany, and Italy, but I really am enjoying England. The people are so interesting, and well mannered, if not a bit formal." Melissa informed excitedly. "I'm so happy you and the others decided to spend some time here before escorting me to Japan."
"Sir and All Might thought it would be a great experience for us to see how heroes in another country function. Plus with the rising danger in Japan the principal thought it was a good idea to separate us from it and let the pros do their thing."
"You're graduating soon aren't you?"
"In April, yes… I'm going to be a full time sidekick to Sir Nighteye until I can start my own agency."
"That's great to hear. You're on your way to becoming a great pro hero, Mirio." She squeezed his arm companionably. "Now I definitely can't lose. I need to become a great inventor before you get any further ahead of me."
"You're well on your way, Melissa." He took her hand and kissed it. "I'm looking forward to see what you've been working on while you've been here."
"I've mostly just been an assistant to other scientists… but there is one project I'm working on. I can't wait to share it with you and Uncle Might."
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be great."
~England: Izumi's Third Trimester~
"UGH I HATE THIS!" Izumi slammed her hands on the table and then gripped them into fists. Her temper caused her fists to flash blue and the table burst into flames.
"TOUYA RED ALERT!" Kota shouted and immediately used his own quirk to douse the table. Eri stare wide-eyed and shaking from the hallway and keeping her distance from the flying sparks. Touya jogged into view, carrying towels of varying sizes.
"Easy, Izumi, you're gonna set the whole house on fire." He handed a cloth to Kota getting it wet. He tugged Izumi's smoking wig free and gently bathed her skin to cool her down. "I know you're uncomfortable, but you've only a few weeks left so try and bear with it."
"Oh shove off, Dabi." She snarled at him, shoving a hand in his face. "You carry a watermelon on your pelvis for nine months and see how you like it."
"Looks like we are gonna need a new table again." Kota looked back at Eri and motioned her over. Eri hesitated and walked over whimpering a little.
"Izumi… are you okay? You didn't get burned did you?"
"No," Izumi sighed heavily and sat back down in her chair. "No, Eri I'm fine. I'm sorry I frightened you." She held her arms out for the girl. Eri approached and went into them hugging her. She then lay her head on Izumi's belly, smiling as the baby kicked and moved.
"He's moving around a lot. Does it hurt?"
"A little…" She pet Eri's hair. Truth be told, it wasn't so much the discomfort of her pregnancy that was bothering her, but the anticipation of it. She'd gone through the ups and downs of pregnancy… the cravings, the early morning sick ups, the constant need to pee, the sudden infatuation and obsession over ogling baby clothes and items. She pushed and persevered through it all… but the thing she feared the most was the actual birthing process.
She'd watched movies, read pamphlets, articles, and tons of books on the subject, but none of them could really prepare you for the real thing. She was sure she could handle the pain… but what if something went wrong? What if her baby came out the wrong way, or she started bleeding internally? What if she went into premature labor and Dr. Bennett wasn't available to her? What if she wound up at the hospital and they found out who she was?
What if they took her child away from her?
"Izumi… Izumi!" Touya shook her a little and knelt beside her. "Hey... are you alright? You went so pale all of a sudden."
"I'm fine, I just…" She swallowed hard and tried to shake the fears that suddenly plagued her mind. "I can't stand being in one place anymore. I've been cooped up at home with nothing to do but think for over a month."
"Ah…I get it." Touya took both her hands and rubbed them between his. Kota joined Eri on the opposite side of Izumi and the four of them came together as a unit… a family. "Why don't we go out? You can't really travel in your condition, but a quick trip into London won't be too bad. We can get something to eat, go shopping, and get your mind off everything else that's going on."
Izumi teared up and she lay her forehead on his taking a long deep breath.
"Yeah… that sounds great. Thank you, Touya."
"Good, it's settled." He patted her knee. "Alright half pints, get into your public clothes and get ready to go. You," Touya helped Izumi to her feet. "Take a relaxing bath, make sure the water's not too hot and use some of those relaxing candles the old bat gave you."
"Okay… can you pull out a change of clothes for me?"
"Sure thing." he kissed her hands and then playfully smacked her butt. "Now go on… and be careful not to slip. If you need help just call for me alright?"
"Alright, alright," Izumi laughed and did as she was told. She turned on the bath and did as Touya recommended lighting a few candles before getting in and soaking off the sweat she had built up.
He was right, she needed to get her mind off all the worrying. She had too much thinking time, and her focus was too much on what could go wrong instead of the positive… a force of habit she supposed.
Planning for villain activities, and planning a future for her child were two different kettles. She couldn't approach it in the same light. If she nervously fretted over every little thing that could go wrong it would only end up endangering her life and her child's. Better… much better… to just try and relax, and focus on the positives.
"Oh? What positives might that be?"
Izumi let out a gasp and sat up in the bath looking around.
"What the hell?" She held her head, having sworn she'd heard Sensei's voice there. "Jesus I must really be out of it." She took a long deep breath.
"Indeed. You're slipping my girl…"
Izumi choked on her palm breath and she sat up on her knees in the path, the fire she'd tried to build up puffing out from being soaked in water. She saw no one, but could hear his laughter in her head echoing as if he were right in the room with her.
"Stop it! STOP IT! Touya… TOUYA!"
"What? What is it!?" Touya ran in, shirt off and holding his phone ready to call for help. When he saw Izumi on her knees cowering in the tub he set his phone down and immediately crouched to heft her up and out of the tub. She clung to him, her arms coming around and squeezing him tight.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" She kept repeating and sobbing into his chest.
"Shhh… shhh it's okay. I'm here, Izumi. I'm here." Noticing that she was shaking like a leaf he wrapped her in a big towel and held her to him rocking her gently. "You're okay, everything's fine."
It took Izumi a few moments to calm down, but eventually she just let the soothing rocks and Touya's slow drawl voice soothe her fears. She nuzzled into his neck, breathing him in.
"I am okay… you're here with me. So long as I have you, my knight, I'll always be okay."
"Heh, yeah," he kissed her forehead. "Sir Dabi to the rescue."
"I'm serious…" she pulled back so he could look into her eyes. "I act tough, and competent Touya, but I'm not. I've always needed the help and support from others, I'm completely useless on my own."
"That's not true, Izumi." He kissed her softly. "Trust me… you're stronger and more competent than you realize."
"I hope you're right about that." She stroked fingers over his face, looking into the piercing blue eyes she'd fallen in love with. "Promise me something…" She looked at him pleadingly.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Promise me, that if at any point, something happens to me… you'll take care of our son." She lay his hand on her belly.
"Nothings going to-"
"Promise me!" She gripped his hand tighter tears falling again. "Please! I need your promise."
"Okay…" he stroked her belly, feeling their son stir and move against his palm. A mix of fear, pride, and panic tightened in his chest, but he kept his expression calm. "I promise I won't let anything happen to him. I'll protect him, Eri, and Kota with my life."
"No… not with your life, Touya." She pulled her hand away so she could cup his face. "Devote yourself to them… raise them… be there for them when they need you."
"I will... " He took her hands and kissed her warmly. "You've my word."
~London~
"The food here sucks…" Bakugo tossed a bag of snacks in the trash making a face from the lingering flavor on his taste buds.
"I agree the food here is odd, but it's part of the experience, Bakugo." Todoroki continued to munch on his without real complaint.
"Well so far this is a sucky experience. A lot of these british heroes are nothing but frilly peacocks looking for attention." He jerked a thumb at a nearby crowd. A the center was a hero in regal garb posing for pictures, and signing autographs left and right and eating up all the attention.
"Countries like England and Australia pick their #1 heroes based mainly off appearance and exposure. Majority of them are either very handsome men, or good looking women." Melissa informed. "Still they're all combat ready, I've seen them in action."
"Whatever, when I become the Number One hero you're not gonna see me acting like that." Bakugo crossed his arms. "I actually take my job seriously, unlike these D-list losers."
"Now, young Bakugo," Toshinori crossed his arms. "There's no need to be rude. This is supposed to be a learning experience."
"If learning how NOT to be a hero is the experience, then fine." He shrugged it off.
"I actually agree with your sentiment, Bakugo." Sir Nighteye pushed his glasses up on his nose. "The last time I was in England, I was surprised at how poor their reactions were to combat. If it wasn't for the fact their villains are just as incompetent I doubt this place would be as peaceful as it seems now."
"The last time he was here," Toshinori whispered to Melissa and Todoroki, "He was known as just Nighteye. He rescued the Queen of England from a rampaging villain during her birthday celebration and she knighted him for it."
"Ah…" Melissa hit her fist into her open palm. "So that's why he's known as "Sir" Nighteye. It makes perfect sense now."
"Hey what's that over there…" Mirio pointed across the street at the large open buildings. "Is that a mall?"
"Hmmm? Oh yes, that's the Westfield Mall. It's a big tourist spot here. Do you wanna check it out?" Melissa jerked her thumb towards it.
"You bet! The more people, the better!" He looked to Bakugo and Todoroki. "You guys in?"
"Do we really have a choice?" Bakugo crossed his arms eyeing the chaperones with a scowl.
"Great! Let's get going then!" Mirio took Melissa's hand and hurried through the crosswalk and to the main building.
"I swear he's got energy for days…" Bakugo complained and strolled casually next to Todoroki with the adults lingering behind.
~Meanwhile~
"Wow...Look at all the people…" Eri blinked wide-eyed as she looked around the huge shopping mall. "I've never seen so many people packed into one place."
"Oh yeah, I guess this is kind of a culture-shock to you, huh Erica?" Touya called her by her alias as he pushed Izumi in a wheelchair, the young queen pouting a bit but not complaining.
"Why did we have to come to a busy place like this anyway?" Kota complained shoving his hat further down on his head.
"We're blending into a crowd. The more people there are, the less likely we are to get noticed." He helped Izumi tuck a stray hair that came free from the wig and set a sunhat on her head.
"I guess you're right… whoa hey is that a toy store?" He jogged up to the window, his tough exterior melting at the sight of all the toys and gadgets inside. "Hey Erica come check out this battle plane, it looks just like Karma's Black Steed!"
"Kou, you're not supposed to mention-" Eri started to tell him not to mention Karma in public, but no one seemed to be paying attention to them. Because he seemed eager she peeked her head in and her eyes went wide at everything inside. "That is a lot of toys."
"Let's go inside, can we, Touya?"
"Not by yourselves, you're not." Touya started to turn Izumi's wheelchair in that direction but Izumi held up a hand.
"You go… the wheelchair doesn't look like it would maneuver very well in there. I'll just sit here and wait for you guys to come back."
"You sure?" He looked down at her concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine now, Touya, I promise." She brought his hand to her cheek. "Calm, and cool."
"Hmmm," he smiled and bent down kissing her forehead. "Alright, but don't wander off too far."
"I won't, I promise." She held up her hands and sighed with relief when she was given a few moments to herself. She took the time to eye the people coming in and out of the shops. Her contact lenses itched a little, and she was tempted to take the red lenses out, but resisted the urge. She just wanted to enjoy watching the people pass by her.
Despite all the chaos, despite the topsy turvy politics and societal battles going on, life went on. Parents walked with their kids, the children laughing, tugging hands and pointing excitedly. Couples young and old walked hand in hand just enjoying each other's company. The world didn't stop turning, the people didn't stop thriving. If any of them had fears or doubts about what was happening, they didn't show it.
...and what did that say about people as a whole she wondered?
Her son stirred and she shifted from the discomfort of it. Suddenly tired and wishing for a place to lie down, she lounged back in the wheelchair and closed her eyes. She blocked out the echoing noise of the mall… the busy flocks of people, the vendors calling out sales, the voices of strangers that passed by… and found a moment of peace.
"You're becoming too relaxed in your new life."
Her eyes snapped open and she sat upright in her seat. The jerking motion caused pain to shoot up her spine and she felt a contracting pain and clutched her belly.
"Sooner or later the heroes will find you. You'll once again be ripped away from your precious family… but this time no one will be able to save you."
"No...No no no!" She held her ears. "You're not here… you're just a figment of my imagination. You're NOT real!"
"Just because I'm part of your imagination doesn't make me any less real. I'll always be here, in the deepest pits of your conscience. I symbolize everything you are, and everything you will become. Sooner or later you will share my fate…"
"Excuse me, Miss?"
Izumi lifted her head, her face deathly pale as she stare up at Shoto. His calm expression didn't mask the clear concern in his eyes or voice. In her head, Sensei's voice began to fade as the pounding of her own heart thundered in her ears.
"...It's only a matter of time."
"Are you alright? Do you need help?"
Izumi said nothing, fearful that he might recognize her voice. She stare up at her former friend and classmate, tears burning behind her contacts and slipping down her cheeks one by one…
…and her water suddenly broke.
~Ask Briry~
I intended for this chapter to run longer… but I enjoy a good cliffhanger. ;)
Next Chapter: The Birth, Part 2