Midori the Phoenix
Chapter 8: Bittersweet Memories
"Bakugo wait up! What's going on?" Kirishima panted as he, Kaminari, and Mineta rushed up with the baby carriage in tow. Baby Midoriya clapped her hands and laughed, enjoying the speedy ride.
"Shut up, don't follow me! There's a villain attack in the neighborhood suburbs!" Bakugo announced. He knew the area, recognized the streets and alleys he'd grown up on, and was swamped by nostalgia that mixed with his adrenaline. They ran by his house, and he was grateful that everything looked peaceful and calm there despite the people rushing down the street. Bakugo could hear it now, the thunderous booms of something hitting concrete, the frantic screams, police sirens, and a deep low growling sound coming from a monsterous man beating his fists into the side of an apartment building...It was Usagi's old apartment building.
God when was the last time he took this road? It felt like forever ago.
"Oh yeah… now I remember." Bakugo murmured and his mind thought back to the last time he'd seen this building… when it had been engulfed in flames.
~Flashback~
He had followed Usagi on a whim, running after her as she shoved her way through people to get to home. How dare she? He thought muttering to himself about his dislike of her brazen attitude. How dare she challenge him like that in front of their entire class? The stupid rabbit was just setting herself up to fail hard and make an idiot out of herself.
He slowed his running when he saw she'd stopped. Her eyes were looking up the hill with an expression that churned his gut. Something had made her face go white as a sheet, and lose all that confidence she'd boasted with. His eyes followed upward in the direction that she was looking. He saw the smoke, the direction it was coming from, and turned his eyes back. Usagi was gone, already running up the road at a full force sprint. He ran after her.
By the time he caught up to her, she was in a frenzy trying to shove her way through the crowd, screaming for her mother.
"Get Back, young lady, it's not safe!" They shoved her back.
"You don't understand! My mother was in our apartment, she might still be inside! I need to find her!" She tried to push through again, but was met with resistance.
"Usagi!" He screamed at her, and watched her whirl around. She ran to him and he grabbed her by the shoulders trying to steady her. "What's going on?"
"Kacchan!" He remembered her crying, desperately clinging to him. "My mother, she's still inside. We need to call a hero, someone has to help!" He saw the absolute fear in her eyes, the desperate expression on her face, and felt that same fear claw at his own belly.
"They are helping, You need to calm down and let the professionals do their jobs." He tried to calm her but she violently shook him.
"WHAT PROFESSIONALS!? THEY'RE DOING NOTHING! NO ONE IS GOING INSIDE TO LOOK FOR HER!" Hysterical, the girl was down right hysterical. He'd never seen her like this before.
"CALM DOWN!" He shouted at her again. "Going into hysterics isn't going to help!" He pulled her to his chest, stroking her hair as she trembled in his arms. He needed to get her out of here. He needed to keep her calm and find a way to help. Where the hell were all the damn heroes?
"Kacchan…" she whimpered. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" He looked back down but she was already pushing away from his arms and sprinting for the fire. He sudden sprint must have startled the firefighters because she managed to shove them back and off their feet. "USAGI NO!"
He remembered the crowd closing around him, shoving him back and he struggled to get in front again. She'd only been gone for a few minutes, but it felt like forever. Every second was like torture, watching the hellish flames just build and build even as the firefighters doused water to put it out. The air was thick with the smoke and he kept screaming, and praying for someone to get Izumi out.
Come on! Stop standing around! Somebody help her! SOMEBODY SAVE HER!
Relief washed over him when he saw her body and Inko's being pulled out and brought over to the ambulance. He struggled through the crowd to make his way over to her.
"Usagi! Usagi can you hear me? Oi come on, say something damn it" He gripped her hand tight in his, his eyes pleading for her to respond. He let out a shaky breath when she finally opened her eyes. They were glazed over, searching around as if trying to figure out where she was and what was happening. Her head turned away from him, and looked to her mother.
"Hey! This woman isn't breathing!" One of the paramedics called out, desperately trying to feed Inko oxygen. "She's not responding!"
"USE CPR! HURRY!"
"Mom?" Her voice was weak, and her body even more so. She struggled to sit up, and as the situation sunk in became more rigid. She screamed, her raspy voice filled with panic. "MAMA!"
"You, keep her back!" The paramedic ordered as he joined the resuscitation team attempting to save Inko's life. Bakugo did as he was told, and held Izumi against him even as she screamed in horrified tones. For two whole minutes the two of them watched helplessly as the paramedics attempted to breathe life back into Izumi's mother.
...but they failed.
The paramedics lowered their heads in defeat and tossed a white sheet over Inko's body. Izumi collapsed against him, too weak to do anything but scream and cry from the sheer agonizing grief. Shaken to his core he lay his cheek on her hair, tears filling his eyes from his own helplessness.
"I'm sorry." He whispered to her, even knowing she couldn't hear him over her own screams. "I'm so sorry."
It wasn't until later that he realized Inko wasn't the only one that had died that day. His Usagi… his sweet, innocent, and hopeful Usagi… had died in his arms.
~End of Flashback~
"BAKUGO, LOOK OUT!" Kirishima screamed as a thick chunk of debris fell from the roof. Bakugo, with his quick reflexes, snapped to attention and unleashed a quick explosion that reduced the rock to dust.
The explosion caught Gigantomachia's attention and he paused his assault long enough to turn to the crowd. He saw the police cars speeding up the road. Saw the scatter of civilians, and the single lone student who had unleashed his quirk just moments ago.
"You…" he pointed at Bakugo. "Do you serve Karma?"
"Hah?" Bakugo's brow raised. "Karma?"
"I am here to avenge my fallen master by destroying Karma's legacy and followers." He turned directly towards Bakugo. "If you follow Karma, then I shall destroy you as well."
"I don't follow Karma… that woman is dead! Your half baked revenge scheme is pointless!" Bakugo retorted.
"Not, yet… Karma lives on through her child, and those that follow her." Gigantomachia told him. "If you're not in league with her, then be gone." He turned away from Bakugo and raised his fist again, ready to deal another punishing blow.
"Karma's legacy… her child?" Kirishima glanced down at Baby Midoriya who looked up at the building with wide eyes.
Upstairs Kota and Eri held the baby close as they took shelter under a table. The ceiling had collapsed by the door, blocking their escape route. Kota's hand shook as he dialed Dabi's number for the hundredth time, wondering why he and Ace weren't answering their phones.
"Damn it! Answer the phone would yah?" He looked to Eri who cuddled Finnick, hushing him despite having her own fear. He huddled in closer with them and placed a comforting hand atop Finnick's head. "Shhh, it's gonna be okay guys. We just need to stay strong."
"Kota…" Eri whispered looking at him with teary eyes. In that instant, Kota felt the helplessness of their situation. "I wish Izumi were here."
"Me too…" He admitted with a shaky voice and hugged them both. Tears spilled down his face. "Izumi wouldn't leave us… she'd save us no matter what."
"Izumi…" Eri sobbed.
"Izumi…" Kota echoed.
"Please help us!"
Baby Midoriya's face twisted up and turned red as she began to wail. She beat her tiny hands on the stroller, yelling in nonsense baby talk. There was something about the kid's expression that rubbed Bakugo the wrong way. It was as if the kid was trying to get Gigantomachia's attention, trying to stop him from taking his aggression out on the building.
"I didn't know her for very long." He recalled Doctor Bennet telling him while looking at the baby girl in his arms. "...But even I knew Karma was the kind of person who put others' happiness before her own. She could have saved her own life by giving up the child, but she instead chose the more difficult path, hoping to bring about a brighter future. I admired her courage, and now I grieve for the child who's lost such a courageous mother."
"Like mother, like daughter…" Bakugo whispered and grit his teeth. "Kirishima, get the baby out of here!" He shouted and yanked his jacket off.
"Eh?" Kirishima turned his attention to Bakugo, watching him stretch his arms out. "Bakugo?"
"Get her out of here, and help the police close off the area. I'm gonna stop this freak before he kills someone!"
Without warning Bakugo rushed in without thought or plan. All he knew was that there were people still inside the building who needed help, and a baby on the ground who would scream and cry to get this villain's attention away from them. He couldn't be a hero, let alone the top hero, if he didn't act now!
"This isn't like last time. I'm not gonna wait around, I'm not just gonna stand by while people die. I'm going to kick your ass and protect these people!" Bakugo launched himself in the air and landed on Gigantomachia's face. Spreading his hands out he unleashed two large explosions directly into his eyes. The massive villain screamed in pain and stumbled back and away from the apartment building.
"DUNCE FACE! GRAPE FACE! DON'T JUST STAND THERE! HELP ME RESTRAIN HIM!" He ordered and shifted as Gigantomachia's hands flailed around trying to pull him off.
"How in the hell are we supposed to do that?" Mineta stared wide eyed and pale faced, terrified of the massive villain.
"Just follow my lead, Kaminari!" Mineta pulled balls off his head and uncharacteristically rushed in. He aimed his balls at the fist that flew downward. The moment the fist hit pavement his balls trap it into the concrete. He did the same to the feet, doing his best to keep the villain rooted.
"Oh! I get it!" Kaminari punched his fists together, his energy sparking. "Bakugo get clear of him!" He ran forward and leapt up on the gunked up fist. Avoiding getting stuck himself he climbed up, and slapped his palms right into Gigantomachia's neck and unleashed his power. The giant villain shouted as the shock made him jerk and struggle. He yanked on his fists and feet, the balls remained stuck but the concrete which they were attached to ripped from the ground creating massive pot holes.
"What in the-" Mineta gawked and quickly bolted, narrowly avoiding being squished. The ricochet of Gigantomachia's step sent the small hero flying and skidding through the street. Bakugo, who had propelled himself atop the building, watched with astonishment as Kaminari's lightning did nothing but piss him off.
"Shit, we're in trouble."
Kaminari struggled to stay atop the rampaging villain. He stumbled and jumped into a nearby try, scrambling to get away and out of the villain's devastating range. With his classmate out of harm's way, Bakugo leapt off and propelled forward using his howitzer impact to knock Gigantomachia off balance.
Inside the apartment both Kota and Eri scream as the backlash of Bakugo's Howitzer shattered the windows and sent glass flying everywhere. The baby was howling now, frightened, and confused by all the terror and devastation around him.
Kota's cell phone started ringing, and their hearts jumped. Hopeful Kota scrambled and answered in a terrified voice.
"Touya!"
"Kota! What the hell is going on? What's wrong?" Breathless, and voice filled with worry, Dabi shouted into the phone.
"You gotta help us, Touya! There's a massive villain attacking the apartment and we're trapped inside!" Kota cried. "I don't know what to do!"
"What!?" Dabi turned to look back at Shigaraki. "What kind of villain."
"The monstrous, murderous type! Who cares what kind it is, get us out of here!" He screamed back and gasped as another explosion caused him to drop the phone.
"Kota… KOTA!" Dabi shouted but only got the dial tone. He whirled on Shigaraki. "Tomura! Where's Kurogiri!?"
"Hah? What do you need him for?"
"There's a villain attacking the apartment. The kids are in danger and need to be evacuated out, now!"
"What?" Tomura's face went stoney. He picked up the remote and started flipping through channels. His eyes went sharp when he saw Gigantomachia rampaging through a domestic area.
"Kurogiri…" Tomura spoke with cool fury. "Go collect the children and make sure they're safe. While you're at it send this freak back to hideout center C. He's caused more than enough trouble for today."
"Yes, My King." Kurogiri vanished into his own portal. Tomura then turned to Dabi, the two of them sharing looks of fury and disdain.
"I know who's behind this." He told Dabi. "Call Ace and tell him to meet us at the following address. The three of us are going to pay a visit to a traitor who has a great deal of explaining to do."
~Bakugo~
Camera crews took photographs of the devastation left behind from Gigantomachia's rampage. The villain had gotten away, a huge familiar shadow swallowing him up to an unknown location. Bakugo took in the damage, his body bruised and cut up at various points, the worst being his right shoulder which bled profusely.
There were at least two dozen people with minor wounds, another ten with severe injuries, and at least two people were dead. It could have been worse according to the police. Considering the amount of damage that had been delivered to a highly populated area it could have been as bad as the Kamino incident, but their quick response and handle of the situation had prevented any major casualties from occurring.
...but it wasn't enough.
Not only had the villain gotten away, but he'd gotten away after killing two innocent bystanders. Any deaths, any lives taken was a hit to Bakugo's pride and conscience. What could he have done differently, what could he have done to prevent those deaths from happening? Could he have acted faster? Could he have shifted the fight somehow?
Could he have saved her?
Bakugo didn't know how his thoughts had drifted in that direction… but he knew that was the core root of his internal anguish. It had bugged him, nagged at him, haunted him. Could he have done something different that could have saved his childhood friend, and first love?
"Some days I wish I could just go back, start fresh, and just be with you and everyone in U.A. I could be free to follow my heart and my dreams, but it's all just a fantasy. You taught me that, Kacchan. I'm not capable of being a hero… I never was."
"I was wrong…" Bakugo held his head as Izumi's voice echoed inside. His eyes took in the devastated apartment building… a building he'd visited so many times in his childhood. "You could have been a hero, you could have lived! You shouldn't have changed!"
~Flashback~
Izumi opened the door of her apartment and stared up in surprise when Bakugo stood waiting for her.
"Kacchan! What are you doing here?"
"How else was I supposed to talk to you? You've been avoiding me for days, and I wanna know the fuck why!" He eyed the bruising on her cheeks and the dark circles forming under her eyes. "You look like shit."
"Gee thanks," she scowled at him. "I've been avoiding you because I don't want to talk to you. Is that a simple enough explanation?" She brushed past him and shouldered her bag with a slight wince. "If you'll excuse me, I've got someplace to be."
"Where? The damn hospital? Hold on just a damn minute-" he grabbed her wrist and kept her from walking any further. "What the hell is going on with you? You're disappearing after school, avoiding me like the plague, and now you've got bruises all over the place. I overheard our moms talking yesterday and from the sounds of it you've been giving her attitude, this isn't normal Usagi, so what gives?"
"Let go of me!" She struggled against the hold and whirled around to face him. "It's none of your business what I do, Kacchan. You've never cared about what I do in my spare time before, so why give two fucks now?"
"Did you just-" he looked at her surprise. "Did you just curse?"
"Y-Yeah, so? I've got a right to when you're being a prick to me." She slapped his hand away.
"And I've got a damn right to be a prick when my pet keeps trying to run away from me!" He snagged her by the front of her shirt. "You've always been so god damn obedient, following me around, writing stupid little notes in your stupid little notebook, and worshipping the ground I walk on. Now all of a sudden you're sick of me?"
"Yeah! That's right!" She grabbed his wrist glaring up at him. "I"m sick of being your stupid pet, I'm sick of you treating me like a nuisance, I'm sick of you, our classmates, and everyone else I know looking at me like I'm worthless!" She shoved away finally, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm just plain sick, Kacchan."
Bakugo stayed silent for a minute, not sure how to react to these words. He clenched his fist and grit his teeth.
"I don't fucking understand you. If you were so miserable before then you should have told me. You never complain, you never asked for me to change. You always follow me… no matter what... So what the hell changed?"
"I did…" Izumi lifted her chin up, even as the tears spilled out. "I've changed, Kacchan. So get used to it, or get lost."
~End of Flashback~
She'd changed… because of him. It was his fault for not being a better friend, for making her feel useless, for discouraging her dream and putting her down all the time.
What kind of hero was he that he drove his childhood friend, his first love to make such a drastic change to herself? If he'd been more supportive, if he hadn't been so damn protective and possessive of her then she would still be here. She may not have become a hero, and still be quirkless, but at least she would still be alive.
"Those cuts look bad, Ground Zero." A paramedic took his arm. "Why don't we patch those up?"
"Yeah, whatever…" he limply followed and sat down in the back of an ambulance while his wounds were tended. All the while he continued to let the guilt eat at him. Let the images of the past flash through his mind like a movie, over and over.
"Hey!" Bakugo lifted his head as Kirishima pulled up with the baby stroller. "Someone was worried about you." He grinned and hefted Baby Midoriya up and out.
"Kacha! Kacha!" She held her arms out smiling up at him.
"Don't…" Bakugo whispered as his heart ached. "Don't call me that and smile like I'm your favorite person." He felt his bottom lip tremble and bit down on it. "I hate you… I fucking hate you! Don't you understand that you twerp?!"
The tears slipped out before he could stop them. Kirishima motioned for the paramedic to go as Bakugo's walls began to crumble. Once they were alone Kirishima placed the baby in his arms and then wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulder.
"We all miss her, man. Despite everything she did, Izumi was our friend. Which is why we owe it to her to take care of her kid."
"Kuso…" Bakugo spat but held the baby preciously to him. Her tiny fingers curled into his shirt, tugging. He bowed his head and lay his head over the baby's soft green curls. The tears fell more freely now as he finally let the grief out. "Usagi… Usagi…" he whispered the name over and over but it just didn't feel right. On a choking sob he spoke a name he hadn't in years.
"Midori."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Sorry it took so long for this update. I've been giving some much needed attention to be DBZ fics and trying to get those updates going. Hope you're enjoying this so far.
Next Chapter: Terrible Twos