Midori the Phoenix
Chapter 26: Culture Fest Pt. 1
"Natsu!" Shoto jogged up to his brother who waited in front of the cafe as he promised. "Where's the kid?"
"Not sure… by the time I got back he wasn't here anymore. One of the waitresses told me he left with his older sister, and the two of them started heading that way." He pointed down the street. "I wouldn't even know where to begin looking in this huge crowd."
"Kuso…" Shoto placed his hands on his hips. "I was hoping to get here in time, but I guess I shouldn't expect it to be that easy. Let's speak with the manager, I'll need to see camera footage just to verify that I'm right."
"I figured as much." Natsu jerked a thumb to himself. "I already talked to the manager for you. He says he'll be glad to help you search through the feed."
"Nice job, I'm sorry to drag you into my investigation like this, Natsu, but this is the biggest lead I've had in weeks."
"Aww don't mention it." Natsu wrapped an arm around his little brother and pat his shoulder. "Now come on, it's time for you to do your whole hero thing."
~Meanwhile~
"... and we're in!" Kaoru grinned as he brought up security footage, and files from the infiltrated hero agency. "We now have full access to the hero network! Nice job, Max."
"Thanks, but I can't take full credit." Max rubbed the back of his head and gave a thumbs up to Roni and Slim. "With these two backing me up, and Yuu keeping watch outside, we were able to get in and out without raising suspicion."
"Yeah, and that La Brava girl really came through with this tech." Roni added lifting up the spare chip. "With these we can now get a heads up on the hero's moves and stay off their radar more easily."
"All of you did a great job." Midori smiled at her crew and ruffled Finnick's hair. "Our jobs just got a whole heck of a lot easier."
"With this tech it should be easy to keep tabs on the few heroes in question, so now we just gotta figure out how to collect the samples the docs want."
"Yes, all of this was the easy part." Midori agreed, holding her chin. "This next mission won't go nearly as smoothly."
"A few of these guys shouldn't be a problem with the crew and access we have... but Cementoss, and Eraserhead are another story. Both of them are UA teachers and rarely leave the campus. How are we supposed to collect DNA samples from them if we can't even get close to them?" Yuuichi questioned tapping the file in question.
"Getting into UA won't be the problem. La Brava was able to hack into Tartarus prison and overtake the system, so UA should be far easier to penetrate. The harder part is going to be blending in. Only a few of us here are around the age where we can pass off as freshman, and we'd need thorough disguises and in order to securely get in." Midori explained, her brain already fast at work. She unrolled a map of U.A. campus and opened up her notebook to start scribbling down a game plan.
"Oooh I know that look." Yuuichi grinned suddenly. "Does the Queen have a plan?"
"Yes, but please stop calling me that." Midori sketched out a brainstorm map, listing names in various bubbles then circling them around the names of the three targets. "This weekend is the U.A. Culture fest. It's held once a year, and for awhile they closed it off due to league activity, but just recently reopened it to the public."
"Security?" Roni questioned as she studied the large map of U.A.
"High, but like I said, with La Brava helping us we should be able to infiltrate with no problem." She paused and tapped her pen on the outline she made, and her eyes readjusted while scanning the map. "We're splitting up into groups a little differently this time around. I'm putting La Brava and Gentle in charge of the tactical team which will consist of Claus, and Dia."
"Us?" Claus looked at his sister, who took his hand and nodded.
Claudios Atsuhiro- Codename: Claus
Quirk: Condensation- can manipulate water molecules. He usually uses this to create fog or mist for smoke screen escapes.
Diana Atsuhiro- Codename: Dia
Quirk: Magic Mirror- creates reflecting shieldsm primarily used for camouflage purposes.
"That's right, I'm going to ask Tomura if he can lend us the Black Steed. You two will be positioned on it with La Brava and Gentle and be circling the area around U.A. using your quirks to keep it camouflaged from anyone's sight. It's a similar tact we used when infiltrating Tartarus. This way if anything goes wrong, and the ground teams are exposed, you lot will be available for quick rescue and escape."
"Alright, sounds good." Claus nodded and lifted a fist to his chest. "You can count on us, Phoenix."
"I know I can." Midori smiled and then turned to the others. "Slim, you and Pixie will be team Beta. Both of you can hide in plain sight, and keep an eye on the team's surroundings from ground level. Make sure you guys stay hidden, and don't cause yourselves any unwanted attention. I'm counting on you to watch Team Alpha's backs."
"Right, Boss!" Slim nodded and looked to his partner with a grin. "Pleasure to work with you."
"Mmmph…" Pixie made a face. "Just don't step on me and we'll be fine, sticky fingers."
Tahlia Pikster- Codename: Pixie
Quirk: Sprite- can shrink down to the size of a bug, and has an affinity for plants and animals.
"Alright, last but not least is team Alpha. I've decided to put myself in charge since I lived at UA for a time and know the place pretty well. However they know my face pretty well too so those I've chosen to pair myself up with had better do as I say and not garner too much attention while we're there. The plan is to get in, blend in, quickly collect the data and samples, and immediately get out afterwards." She turned to Max and Yuuichi. "Cementoss is a big guy, I need some real muscle with me. Yuuichi, Max, you're my Alphas. I'm counting on you."
"Yes!" Yuuichi pumped his fists and then gave a thumbs up. "You got it, Boss! This is gonna be sweet!"
"Piece of cake." Max grinned confidently in response.
"Don't take this lightly." She warned and looked to Veronica and Mink. "Roni… I need you and Mink to look after Finnick while we're on mission. He's not gonna be happy being left behind, but I can't risk him getting discovered by the heroes. He's an important person to the league, so let's not piss them off, huh?"
"No worries, Phoenix." Roni gave her a charming smile and pat Mink on the head. "The two of us will keep the kid busy, and safe until you get back."
"I appreciate it…" She returned the smile then faced the group as a whole. "As always, Kaoru will be our eyes and monitor the hero's movements. As we proceed through the mission I'll take the miniature cameras he's produced and plant them inside U.A. so we have an eye inside as well. For the next two days until the culture fest you are to ready yourselves for the upcoming mission. Stay focused, calm, and let's kick some ass, huh?"
"Yes, Boss!"
"Alright, Phoenix Rebels," Midori smirked. "Dismissed!"
~Sometime later: Training room~
"Mama! Mama!" Finn raced over to Midori as she came into the training room. He hugged her legs, and beamed up at her. He was sweating some at the temples and she immediately picked up a nearby water bottle and made him drink.
"Hard at work I see." She smiled affectionately and ran fingers through his sweaty mop of hair.
"Yeah!" He gasped the word after swallowing the water. He hadn't realized just how thirsty he was. "I've been practicing just like you showed me. I can make the big bag swing when I punch it, and I even did ten whole pull ups all by myself."
"Really?" Midori smiled, genuinely proud. "Very impressive. You're improving so quickly."
"I know, right?" He bounced on his toes. "So can I go with you on the next mission?"
"You won't be ready for this next one, but I've got a scouting mission planned for next week, and I'd love to have you as a partner then." She compromised, earning a pout in response.
"You just said I was improving. Why can't I go with you THIS time?" He watched her tighten straps across her hands as she got ready for her own training session.
"This next mission is too dangerous and too risky for a novice like you, Finn. I'm already risking a lot with my current crew, but they at least have some field experience, and have firm control over their quirks." She turned and tapped him on the nose. "I need to break you in a little more before I can trust you on a mission like this."
"I'm just as strong and capable as them! How can I prove myself when you and dad won't give me a chance?" He followed her as she made her way to the pull up bar. "Please! Please let me go with you!"
"I said no, Finnick. I was twice your age and spent ten months training with my sensei before I was considered ready for a mission. Be happy that I'm giving you this, because my sensei's definition of training was far more severe than what I'm giving you."
"What was it?" His eyes suddenly sparkled. "Let me do some of his training techniques, maybe then you'll see I'm-"
"NO!" The rejection came out in a quick snap. "Absolutely not. There's no way I'm subjecting my son to that kind of torture. Now drink some water, finish getting hydrated, and complete your calisthenics." She jumped and started doing quick reps, the muscles on her arms were steadily improving, and Midori felt her stamina increasing day by day. Soon, she thought, she'd be ready for some real action of her own. This U.A. infiltration would be a good test run of her abilities.
"Stop babying me!" Finnick shouted, breaking her focus, and he slammed his foot down over and over in a tantrum. "I'm tired of these stupid calisthenics and training exercises you and dad give me! I'll never get better if you don't push me! I wanna do something important! I wanna take down a hero, sneak into someone's hideout... you know, REAL villain stuff."
Midori scowled at the tantrum and she let go of the bar putting her hands on her hips. She didn't care for this attitude, and wasn't going to put up with it.
"You're only five, Finn. When you're older I'll give you that extra push, but for right now you-"
"I want it NOW!" He screamed and Midori shrieked as her shirt caught fire and she quickly dropped to the floor and rolled to put it out. She pat herself down, the cloth smoking and she grit her teeth.
"Ow! SHIT! Damn it Finn!" She got to her feet and turned a heated glare in her son's direction. Her temper flared and her hair caught fire in response to it. The blue flames reminded Finn of his father and he backed up slowly, seeing the anger in his mother's eyes.
"M-Mama?"
"You really think you're ready, huh?" She clenched her fists and stepped toward her son. Before he could run off she snagged him by the back of his collar and hefted him toward a ladder. "Climb… don't give me that pouty look, I said climb!"
Finnick swallowed hard and looked up at the ladder. The ladder lead up to a high rise balance beam; the platform thin and long, stretching from one side of the gym to the other.
"W-What if I fall?"
"Then you fall." She replied simply.
"W-What!?" He looked at her in shock, "Y-you won't catch me?"
"You want me to stop babying you, right?" She crossed her arms and stood back to lean against the wall. "Climb the ladder, Finn, or this discussion of whether you're ready or not is over."
Finn shook as he looked back up the ladder and hesitantly took a hold of the bars. She had to be fibbing, he realized and started to climb. There's no way his own mother would let him fall and die just because he threw a temper tantrum. A little steadier he kept climbing, being super careful not to miss a step. He paused half way up and glanced back to see if his mother was watching. He went deathly pale when he saw she'd pulled out her cellphone and was scrolling through it with a bored expression on her face.
She was serious!?
Panic rose in his gut and he now hugged the ladder for dear life. Maybe she was right, maybe he wasn't ready. If he screwed up now, missed a step, or tripped, then he'd fall and die. He had to apologize, and get her to help him down from here.
"M-Mama… I… I'm…"
"Keep climbing, Finn." She told him in a quietly sober voice. "I won't listen to you until you're all the way at the top."
Finn squeaked and lifted his shaky gaze to the top rafter. He swallowed hard and slowly uncurled himself before continuing to climb. Once at the top he took deep heavy breaths and lay down on the platform, thankful he hadn't screwed up.
"Okay… okay I did it. I made it, Mama!" He called out to her. "C-Can you-"
"Good, now stand up and walk to the other side."
"What?" He lifted his head, his vision blurring as the fear and adrenaline messed with his head. The walk looked so far, and the beam so narrow. "No way! That's impossible! I'll fall!"
"With that attitude, you most certainly will." She put her phone away and walked back to the chin up bar. "The first step in doing the impossible, Finn, is telling yourself that you CAN do it. If you continue to doubt yourself, you'll never accomplish anything."
"Please… Mama… can't I just-" Finnick cried and wiped his hot face that was now drench with tears.
"Finn…" She pulled herself up and stood atop the bars with perfect balance. "Stand up… take a deep breath to calm yourself… and start walking."
"Eh?" Finn glanced down at his mother's face. She looked so serious, and much more like an adult. The last couple days he'd spent with her had been fun, but felt a lot like hanging out with Eri and Kota. This was different. She was talking to him like a teacher would scold a student... or like a mother would to talk to her misbehaving son.
"Okay." He swallowed hard and stood up. He looked to the other side of the platform, and as panic bubbled he did as mother instructed and took long deep breaths to calm himself. Once he found his calm, he started walking, one step at a time.
I can do this… I can do this…
He repeated the phrase over and over in his head and held out his arms to better balance himself. As his eyes drifted downward, Midori's voice snapped.
"Don't look down! Keep your head up, and gaze forward. If you look down your weight will shift and you'll fall."
"R-Right!" He immediately straightened and took another deep breath. He continued to walk, slowly, carefully, one step at a time.
I can do this… I can do this…
Midori watched him, carefully, profoundly.
"When you're out on the field, Finn..." She spoke to him quietly, making sure not to break his focus. "There's gonna be times when you're gonna have to make the impossible possible. Your mind has to learn to adjust to situations, and break the mold society puts in your head. The whole "can't do this, can't do that," is just in your head. The more you expand your mind, the more you think outside the box, then the fewer limitations you put on yourself."
Her breath shuddered a little when he stopped part way, wobbling a bit but he managed to retain his balance, and keep going. Her face softened, as did her heart.
"Every time someone told me something was impossible… I refused to believe it. I kept telling myself I could do it, that there was nothing that can hold me back. Because of this, I not only succeeded, but excelled. The more I practiced, the more i trained, and the more missions I went on my mind grew with it. Then suddenly it didn't matter if I could or couldn't do something, it just seemed natural that I could do anything I put my mind to. So I changed my perspective. Instead of telling myself "I can do it" I told myself "I WILL do it." That there, is what made all the difference."
Finn heard his mother's words… and the closer he got to his goal, the more her message became clear to him.
I can do this… I CAN do this… I WILL DO THIS!
His smile spread wide as he finally saw his salvation. He saw the other side, saw the goal within reach. He started to walk faster, more confidently.
"I'm gonna do it! I'm almost there… Mama I'm-"
"Keep your focus! Head up!" Midori warned him, but Finn had already started to look down at her. With the speed and his weight shifted unevenly he lost his balance. Finn's heart jumped to his throat and his face became stricken with fear. He felt the sensation of free fall and he let out a little shout of fear as his eyes shut and braced for the impact.
It never came. Instead he felt the gentle warmth of his mother's embrace, and a floating fluttering sensation in his stomach. Slowly he opened his eyes and saw his mom clutching him protectively to her chest, and the two of them floating mid air, surrounded by her sentient aura.
"I… I thought you said-"
"I never said I wouldn't catch you." She whispered and held him tighter, her own body shaking and tears spilling down her face. It was then Finnick realized his mother had been just as frightened as he was.r
"Mama…" he sniffed and hugged her back. "I almost did it… did you see me? I almost made it."
"Yeah… yeah I'm so proud of you Finn. I'm sorry… I'm sorry I made you do that." She gently let them down but refused to let her son go.
"No… No it's okay, Mama. I'm sorry I got mad. I'll stay here, I'll train so I can be ready for next time." He nuzzled into her hold trying to sniff back the tears. "I won't bug you about it anymore."
"Heh… liar." She laughed and kissed the top of her son's head. "Thank you. I'm sorry too for pushing you like that. I don't know if I'll ever be ready for you to go on missions with me. When it's just the two of us, then I'm confident I can protect you... but this world is cruel, Finn. In order for people like us to survive we have to live as if you cannot depend on anyone. You don't know who to trust, who to rely on, an it's hard to tell who will stand by your side, and who will leave you alone to die."
"Mama?" Concerned by the tone of her voice he lifted his face up to hers. There was such sadness in her eyes, and something painful that he didn't understand. He reached up to touch her cheek, felt the wet tears there. She smiled at him and turned her face to kiss his hand.
"People are selfish and afraid. Everyone fears death, pain, loss... and there are very few people who would truly face those fears for another person. So I have to believe that when I send you out on missions, you'll be able to take care of yourself... because I just don't trust anyone else to keep you safe when there's that much at risk. Do you understand, Finn?"
"Yeah..." He sniffed back his own tears and wiped at his eyes. "Would you, mama?" He asked, his bottom lip trembling a little and his voice cracking. "Would you face your fears for another person?"
"For you, Finn." Midori's teary expression broke with a genuine smile. She held her son's face and looked him straight in the eye. "Absolutely. I have no fear when it comes to protecting my family. I would do it again, and again, and again, without question. Because, I love you."
"Hehe…" Happy they were back on good terms, Finn lay his head down on her breast again and closed his eyes. This, he thought with a sigh, was well worth the wait. "I love you, too, Mama."
~With Shoto~
Shoto stood over the manager's shoulder as they browsed through the security camera footage. Could be something, could be nothing, he reminded himself, but remained optimistic. He just couldn't shake the feeling that this had to BE something, and not a huge colossal waste of time.
"Okay this is the time frame where your brother was in the store." The manager told him and skimmed through the main camera.
"Stop!" Shoto told her and leaned in. The woman manager inwardly squealed as his long hair tickled her face and she could smell his cologne and man musk. It made all her insides go gooey. She released the mouse as he took control over it and zoomed in on a particular table. "Hmmm can't quite make out these two… can you find me a better angle of this table?"
"Y-Yeah, sure thing." The manager swallowed hard and searched various camera angles within that time frame.
"There!" Shoto gently pushed her rolling chair away and eyed the screen. He saw two kids eating parfaits, and watching what appeared to be some sort of movie on the phone. He couldn't quite make out the faces, but Shoto was sure that the boy was the one they were looking for. "That's him."
"These two?" The manager eyed the screen carefully. "Yes, I remember them. Brother and sister, I think, the two had similar features. The girl couldn't have been more than thirteen and the boy is about five or six. They ordered the strawberry parfaits."
"Since you know them, do you think you can get me a better look at their faces? Maybe when they first got here?"
"I can try… hold on." She scooted back into control and Shoto backed off. His phone rang and he picked it up and saw the read out. He had to grimace.
"Guess I couldn't hide it from him for long." He answered. "Katsuki?"
"Where the hell are you, Icy Hot? Your assistant said you rushed out of here saying you may have caught onto a lead. Why the fuck didn't you call me?" Bakugo sneered into the phone.
"I didn't want to waste your time in case this turned out to be a wild goose chase. I'm going over camera footage right now. If I hit something I'll let you know." Shoto tried to reason, but was met with annoyance.
"No, tell me where you are and I'll meet you there. You're the one who insisted that we work together to catch Karma, and I'm not about to let you handle everything yourself." Bakugo countered.
Shoto sighed, but smiled. There really was no talking him out of something once he got his foot in the door.
"Alright," he rattled off the address of the coffee shop.
"See, that wasn't so hard. If you do this again I'm gonna hit you upside the head, Shoto."
"Sho-" Todoroki let out a small sound of surprise, and Bakugo's face went red as he realized what he'd just said.
"Th-that just slipped out! Don't think too much on it! Baka!" He hung up and covered his face, his quirk exploding a little to smack himself to reality. "The fuck is wrong with me?"
Shoto smiled and he closed his phone holding it to his chest. Love and affection for his partner gave him a few moments of pure bliss, before the manager brought him back into work mode.
"I found something. I couldn't get a good look at the girl's face. It's almost like she was aware of where all our security footage was. The boy however…" She handed Shoto the print out of the kid. The image had been taken right outside the bathroom when natsu had collided with the tiny redhead. The boy sat on the floor, his cap off and wide confused eyes stared up almost right into the camera.
Shoto's heart stopped for a full minute as the images and few memories he had of his older brother rush back to him.
"Touya…" Shoto released his breath in a relieved sigh and he smirked with triumph. Considering the area they were in, there was only one known villain hideout Karma could be hiding in. Bakugo was gonna be pleased. "Found you."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Sory I know I'm taking a long time with these uploads, I promise I'm doing my best to get them out to you as fast as I can. Please be patient with me!
Next Chapter: Culture Fest Pt. 2