This is the chapter that I think starts paying off some of the set-ups I have made while adding some extra layers to others.
I've already seen some of you become more unsure about your stance on Ryu and Kai Douemki's roles in this story.
I want to keep it that way.
This is a story that features more gray aspects of life after all.
My Hero Academia Untold: The Fafnir Knight (Remastered Edition)
Saga I: Dusk
Arc II: The Incident
Chapter XXIV: Revelations I
"There's an old saying that if a lie is told often enough, it becomes the truth. Actually, it doesn't. What happens is that people simply start believing that it's true."
-Bailey Jackson, How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Screams and cries ripped through the air as Midnight remembered that horrible bloody night thirteen years ago. It had been her first significant government mission that she had to do shortly after she graduated from UA. Her first real mission as an independent Pro-Hero.
It was also The Incident that changed her life forever.
"Midnight, do you copy?!" The voice in her earpiece asked, panicked, as she managed to get some of the rubble off of herself. Bitter tears of her failure ran down her face as she saw the bodies of the children and officers that did not make it out in time. All of them had been crushed from the wreckage, and with no time to recover the bodies as the fire continued to spread.
"HOLY SHIT!"
A loud painful roar rang out as screams and cries could be heard in the distance.
A policeman in full SWAT Armor arrived to help her up. She could barely make out what he was saying as the ringing in her ears was at full blast. She could only hear from her earpiece, and that was only because it was right in her ear.
"Help! -night is out, -control! Figh- stil- rescu-" Was all she heard as she was pulled out of the bunker that had housed the trapped children.
The ringing in her ears was beginning to dissipate, allowing her to start hearing the crackle of the flames. She could feel the tremors of the battle; Draco Knight must have his hands full at the moment.
"EVERYONE, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! THE VILLAIN KNOWN AS THE PHOENIX KING IS HERE AND IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN COMBAT AGAINST DRACO KNIGHT!" She could hear the operations commander order out.
As if on cue, the body of The Phoenix King was rammed through the wall as a Berserk Draco Knight with those ruby red eyes of his continued his assault. Giving no quarter or window of opportunity to let his opponent counterattack. The two struggled. The Phoenix King's costume had been torn apart, revealing a bloody face housed the most wicked of grins.
Midnight was dragged by the SWAT officer by the thin straps of a rather revealing costume, managing to hide behind a collapsed wall. Yet, Midnight could still see the battle thanks to the holes that littered the walls like Swiss cheese. She watched that the two had stopped moving; the Phoenix King's lips moved as Draco Knight remained, still listening to his foe's words.
She wasn't even sure that Draco Knight could even comprehend him at the moment.
It mattered little, however, as the instant, The Phoenix King stopped speaking, Draco Knight roared again as he began to violently head-butt the man. Repeatedly until the man stopped moving to save from some violent spasms. Draco Knight, however, wasn't done, rising his clawed arm to deliver the killing blow into the man's chest cavity and ripping out his still-beating heart.
Midnight felt her stomach turn as she was forced to look away, praying that these horrors were just a nightmare again and again she prayed. Yet, those prayers were never answered as Draco Knight roared one last time. It was a painful hollow roar that bordered between man and beast.
"COMMANDER DOUMEKI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SIR!?"
Midnight turned around as she heard the officer next to her yell out. She watched as the SWAT Commander, armed only with a large metal riot tower shield and a small white object, sprinted as fast as he could towards Draco Knight.
The Dragon Hero turned to see the large man running toward him.
Seeing the charge as a threat, he dropped the heart and charged toward the officer. With a brutally violent tackle, Draco Knight tore the metal shield from the man's grip with one claw while the other ripped into the man. Instead of falling, however, Kai Doumeki managed to stand his ground and embraced the berserk hero in a large bear-hug. While stabbing him with the white object between the thick scales of his armor.
Draco Knight roared as he struggled to remove the officer from him. Only for him to flash violently back into his normal human form, blood bursting out of him as the EQ Pen took effect. The two men collapsed as the battle was over. Midnight knew she had to act now that she could move properly again.
As she and the officer who had helped her moved toward Hisashi and the SWAT commander, she stole a glance at the body of one of the underworld's most infamous villains. His face was too bloody to make out his features, but even in death, she could still see the man's golden eyes shining along with that wicked grin frozen on his face that now served as his Death Mask.
Midnight blinked and found herself no longer looking at the body of the Phoenix King. But the body of Overhaul, next to him, was Izuku instead of Draco Knight, still bloody and broken. And next to him, was Ochako Uraraka, with her stomach torn.
Nemuri screamed awake from her vicious nightmare, covered in sweat as she trembled from head to toe. She hadn't had a nightmare about that night in years, not since joining the UA staff.
"The Nursery Incident, what a terribly ironic code name for that mess of an operation," She said to herself as she remembered the breathing techniques from therapy.
"It was just a dream...Midoriya and Uraraka are safe." She added, trying to reassure herself that she was alright. Reminding herself to be strong for her students when they returned to class the following Monday.
Nemuri turned her head to look at her alarm clock.
5:39 am
It was only twenty-one minutes until her alarm was set to go off, and maybe it was better this way. She needed to go to a staff meeting in preparation for the press conference UA was holding later today. Nemuri may have been present during the incident. However, she was still very curious to hear what the final report from the police would say...or more accurately, what it would not say.
Still, the woman rose up with determination.
Today Nemuri couldn't be the Pro-hero Midnight; she needed to be Nemuri Kayama, a teacher and professional.
"I'm glad you're awake, Ryu," Saya said warmly as she gently brushed her adopted son's hair.
"Are you sure you sure you don't want some of the rice crackers?" She added, offering a large bag of snacks again. "They're curry-flavored!"
"No...thanks, "Ryu answered with a sigh, declining the snack, but begrudgingly allowing the physical affection to continue.
"I'm not hungry right now." He never had a mother before, and even though he had lived with the Doumeki family for a little over a year, he still tended to keep to himself. However, Saya Doumeki had been nothing more than a complete sweetheart to him. Which made it difficult for him to keep his more aloof tendencies while in their home.
Perhaps it was because Ryu was used to wearing multiple masks.
However, since he started living with the Doumekis, he found himself wearing two particular masks. The first was worn only when he was alone with Kai; it was his mask as a spy. The second, however, was when he was in Saya's presence, and it made him keep a firm air of politeness and professionalism.
It was similar to the mask he wore at UA.
He wanted to avoid getting close to people due to his mission. Fake smiles, fake friends; he is nothing more than a fake hero at UA. All to protect what really mattered to him, to complete his own objectives. Right now, however, he neither had the strength nor mood to keep up such a façade. Right now, he was simply Ryu, in his most basic form. The one who had leaped into action even though it could have been much easier and far less painful to have let his classmates burn.
'Maybe it would have been easier if I simply never woke up...but then again...I'm cursed...I'm not allowed to die yet.'
He turned to face his adoptive mother, who had been entirely unaware of the true reason why he had been adopted into their household. He had only been cleared for visitors less than an hour ago and hadn't been informed of anyone else's status.
"Umm...Mrs. Doumeki? Do you know if everyone else made it out okay?" Ryu asked, remembering the ones in the Conflagration Zone. Saya's gentle face changed to a slightly sad expression before she answered.
"I got some details from Kai. Thankfully everyone is alive and expected to make a full recovery...well, except for one, unfortunately."
"Who?"
"One of the seniors, the American, I believe? I hear he isn't going to make it; such a shame." Saya answered sadly, shaking her head. She never liked hearing about children getting hurt; Hero Candidates or not, they were still high school students. Ryu looked up at the white ceiling of his hospital room. He didn't know the seniors all too well, so as cold-hearted as it seemed, Ryu couldn't feel bad for the guy.
Still, he acknowledged the loss as regrettable.
Alexander Springfield lay in his hospital bed, still and silent as a statue, save for the life support systems keeping him alive. He lay surrounded by friends and teammates Mirio, Tamaki, Nejire, and Mezou, who collectively tried their best to support his cousin Lucy Barton, who was Alex's legal guardian in the country. The group was in tears as the doctor finished breaking the news to them.
The news that their friend and teammate would most likely never wake up again.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Barton. I recommend you contact his parents, so we can make a more immediate decision on what to do with him," The Doctor finished as gently as possible.
"Now, if you would please excuse me. I need to check on another patient," she added before leaving the room. However, allowing the group to absorb the news, Lucy simply collapsed, wailing into her cousin's side.
"You damn idiot...How could you have let this happen to you?!" She cried in English as she held her comatose cousin's hand. "You promised to be more careful!"
Tamaki sat next to Alex's body opposite Lucy, keeping a somber look on his bandaged face and holding Alex's free hand. The lad kept his head down, unsure of what to say. While Nejire knelt next to Lucy, drawing the woman into a half-hug while remaining unusually quiet. Mezou stood vigil at the foot of his friend's bed, remembering all of the times Alex had begged him and everyone else here for help.
To help him train, to help him lose weight, and finally, to help him join their ranks in the Hero Course; to be among them: The Big Five.
'Did we simply end up leading you into ruin, my friend?' Mezou questioned himself. 'Was there more we could have done?'
"Hey, Shouji, could you hold down the fort for a moment?"
Mezou turned to see it was Mirio who had whispered to him. Unlike the rest of them, Mirio didn't seem lost or down. No, upon his face was that same amount of determination and strength he was renowned for, the tenacity that got him his spot as number one.
The reason he was their leader.
Mezou knew that Mirio would not give in as easily, despite what they were just told. It was a trait that Mezou found both maddening and yet admirable to defy the reality in front of them. Mezou turned to look at the rest of his team before looking back at Mirio and gave him a simple nod in response.
He knew trying to stop him would be difficult. Mirio was always stubborn like that.
"Thanks, "Mirio whispered gratefully as he made his exit, hoping to catch up with the doctor. Thankfully he didn't have to go far, seeing her at the nurse's station with some kind of checklist.
"Excuse me, doctor?" Mirio called out loud enough to get her attention without bothering other patients or staff.
"Yes, young man?" She answered the young hero, placing the checklist out of sight to protect patient privacy.
"Are you sure...that you can't go anything for him?" Mirio pleaded, hoping that there was some way to save his friend. "A special healing quirk? A specialist? Anything at all, please."
"For Mr. Springfield, yes?"
Mirio nodded. The doctor looked away. She knew from being on the job for so many years that she could often tell what stages of grief surviving friends and family were in.
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.*
Judging from the young man's plea, Mirio could be somewhere between Denial and Bargaining. Yet, her knowledge about the type of trauma Alexander Springfield had experienced was beyond what modern medicine could do for him. Still, she admired and respected the poor boy who just wanted his friend to get better.
With a sigh, she answered him.
"With the amount of blood Mr. Springfield lost and the amount of time it took to get him medical attention caused a significant amount of brain damage due to a lack of oxygen. Even with some of the most powerful healing quirks at our disposal, they cannot turn back the clock on him." She answered him, knowing this wasn't the answer he wanted to hear, but she had to be honest with him. "The damage is just too severe to be healed the traditional way. There is simply no way to repair or replace the dead brain cells, even with quirks and modern advances in medicine...I'm afraid there are still things beyond our ability."
She could see the corner of the young man's mouth twitched ever so slightly; she knew the lad was trying so hard to be positive. So the doctor decided to humor him with a theory.
"The only way I could think of that would be able to restore him would be something akin to reversing the damage. As if we could restore him to the point from before he was injured. However, I've never heard of a quirk being able to do such a thing before."
Finally, Mirio looked crestfallen and defeated as he began to take in the doctor's words. Then to the doctor's surprise, he blinked, eyes growing wide as a smile grew on his face. 'It's a long shot, but it's better than nothing at all.'
"Thank you for your time, doctor," Mirio responded politely as he bowed to the physician.
The doctor smiled and turned the gesture. However, just before turning away, Mirio asked one last question.
"Doctor, please forgive me, but...do you know if Mr. Aizawa is awake yet?"
Izuku sat on his bed having a late lunch of Katsudon after being permitted to eat solid foods by his physician. He tried his best to eat but found no desire to fill his belly. He knew that his body was hungry, having used so much power during his battle with Overhaul. Yet nothing would go down smoothly, with the food becoming like ash in his mouth. It did not help his mood when Mitsuki had briefly flipped on the news.
Reminding him that the Heir of Disaster had been found.
There was an irony with the way his identity had been discovered. A saving grace the form that almost everyone was more focused on the failure of UA security and the Volatile Quirk Act rather than Izuku actually attending UA. However, it only made it much more difficult to gauge how the public was reacting to him.
Making his future attendance there that much more unclear.
He knew that there would be an official UA press conference that would share the Final Report of the incident soon. The report would contain the general summary of the event: including the details like who had been the combatants. His worry also extended to Eri, given that she had been involved in this could only compound the situation.
The conference would reveal not only his fate but possibility hers as well.
"You gotta eat something, Izu," Mitsuki pleaded since Izuku had simply picked at his food with a disheartened look on his face. Not knowing just how much was going through the boy's head. Izuku merely had no appetite, even for his favorite food.
Mitsuki frowned.
She knew that Izuku needed support and wished that she could have Katsuki and Yū over to try and cheer Izuku up like they had done many times before. Yet, it was unsure if the Midoriya apartment was even in the clear. Worries about a possible lynch mob were well within their fears due to prior experiences.
Then, there was the question of Ochako Uraraka, who seemed determined to make her way here. Mitsuki had to admit to regretting the way she spoke to her yesterday. Yet, she couldn't help it. It had been a rough emotional day for Mitsuki. Which placed the Bakugou Matriarch on high alert to protect her best friend and the boy who was basically a second son to her.
'Anyone weaker would have backed down,' Mitsuki had observed, impressed by Ochako's tenacity. 'Maybe she's the one we need to help Izu snap out of his funk.'
Deep down, Mitsuki knew that Izuku needed to branch out, to get out of his comfort zone. It was the same with Katsuki; the two relied on each far too much to have a completely healthy relationship. Izuku and Katsuki needed other friends to grow and develop, especially now, more than ever with the former's exposure.
"Thank you, All Might, that's a relief to hear," Inko said quietly on her phone in the corner of Eri's hospital room. "Yes, of course. I'll make sure that we watch the press conference. I think Izuku will need the pick-me-up now more than ever."
"Not a problem, thankfully, the law is clear, and you've done everything by the books. Not to mention the police report should help with Izuku's PR. I can assure you that, if it wasn't for your son, the situation could have been far direr." All Might responded, fresh out of the meeting in preparation for the press conference.
It made Inko's heartbeat much easier to hear this critical reassurance. She had been worried about the possibility that the government would try to find a loophole to have Izuku or herself arrested for something to quell the public. Thankfully it seemed like the public, while concerned about Izuku without a doubt, had bigger fish to fry.
"I hope everything goes well with you and UA, All Might," Inko stated, now worried about her son's mentor and her boss.
"No worries, I have to take responsibility for not arriving until after the big battle, but that is what the press conference is for. Well, Ms. Midoriya. If you excuse me, I need a bit more time to prepare and look over the Eri files. We still need to complete the third portion of her assessment. Still, I think we could justify a small extended grace period once Aizawa gets back to work."
"Of course, sir. Thank you again." Inko breathed out as she hung up her cell phone.
"Was that Mister All Might, Inko?" Eri asked with a slightly worried look as Inko pulled the curtain to see her ward.
"Yes, dear, but don't worry, it was good news, okay?" Inko cooed warmly while patting the white hair child's head. "Finish up your food, and we'll be able to see Izuku."
Eri nodded before asking one more question.
"What about Chako?"
Inko flinched for a moment.
She hadn't heard anything from Ochako, though she was unaware of the conversation that the girl in question had with her best friend. Inko feared that Ochako could keep her distance now that she knew the truth. Or worse, that she could have been the person who leaked out some of Izuku's personal information. Inko thought about calling her, but she couldn't help but be scared of what would happen if she did.
"We are here live at UA, where we are expected to hear from both a representative from the police and the UA Staff, which will include All Might very soon." The reporter stated with a firm voice as several others from the press corps were taking their seats in one of UA's Multi-Purpose rooms. Katsuki and Yū were seated on one of the couches of the Midoriya household.
Having spent the night and most of the day as instructed by Mitsuki. Between house-sitting for their family friends, the two were also on alert for Ochako Uraraka's arrival. Much to Katsuki's annoyance, he continued to watch the news waiting for that critical report.
"Careful, Katsu," Yū warned, seeing that familiar look on her cousin's face. "I know that you're suspicious, but I think you and auntie Mitsuki are being too on guard with Uraraka."
"Can't be too careful...we've made that mistake before," Katsuki answered stiffly.
"Look at the news, Katsu! Everyone has been more focused on UA and the government! Izu's off the radar!"
"And that could change in a heartbeat once the final report is presented, idiot!" Katsuki roared. "Besides, you didn't see everyone's reaction back in class. I know...no matter what; things will be different when we return."
"I'm not doubting that, Katsu," Yū replied, leaning forward from her seat. "But I don't think it will be as bad as you think."
"Don't forget that the anniversary of uncle's death is coming up next week. No doubt some asshole journalist will bring that up...fucking pricks."
Knock Knock Knock.
The two cousins jumped to their feet as they heard the knock at the door.
"Check the peep-hole, Katsu," Yū whispered as she lowered the volume on the television. Katsuki growled at his cousin for ordering him around but knew she had a point. Katsuki gingerly made his way towards the knocks repeated as he got closer. He peered through the peep-hole and confirmed that Ochako was sporting a nervous-looking expression on her face outside the door.
"It's Round-Face," Katsuki whispered back to Yū, who simply motioned him to answer the door while she stood back just in case things got bad. Katsuki sighed. 'Moment of fucking truth'
Without warning, Katsuki slammed the door open midway through the knocks, making Ochako jump back with a squeak of surprise.
"We heard you the first time, Round-Face," Katsuki stated bluntly to Ochako, who quickly recovered from the initial shock.
"And hello to you too, Bakugou," Ochako responded, already getting annoyed by Katsuki's attitude. Hell, she was annoyed that she basically had to redo this whole shtick with the Bakugous just to get to the Midoriyas.
"Sooo, you're here," Katsuki began as he looked down at the brunette, bandaged arms crossed and leaning against the door frame.
"Only because your mom was being as hardheaded as you." Ochako shot back, unwilling to comply with Katsuki's unwarranted attitude toward her. Katsuki could feel his blood pressure rising as Yū began to snicker from the living room.
"What do you want?" Katsuki demanded, refusing to back down now.
"I just want to see my friend in the hospital, Bakugou; why is that so hard to believe?!" Ochako answered, putting her foot down. "Why do I need to jump through these ridiculous hoops just to see Izuku, Inko, and Eri?"
"What do you even know about him?!" Katsuki roared, voice straining, "You've only known him for a couple of months! While being lied to all the same! Where do you get off addressing them by their given names, Round-Face?!"
Yū began to tip-toe her way to the door if Katsuki got violent; she knew that voice. It wouldn't surprise her if he accidentally blew up the bandages on his hands.
"He's kind, incredibly sweet, and smart! He's a giant nerd who could use a bit more self-confidence, but given how he grew up in fear, I can get why he is so jumpy!" Ochako answered back. "He has the patience to be friends with you, who could just be so damn testing when you don't need to be!"
Ochako breathed in for a moment, she hated feeling like this, but Katsuki had pushed to her the edge. They weren't friends yet, mostly just respectful due to having Izuku as a mutual friend. She respected him, but she also had her frustrations with him that needed to be aired out now.
"My name is Ochako Uraraka...not Round-Face, not Pink-Cheeks, not any other damn nickname! I want to be friends with you too, but you keep pushing me back like you don't want Izuku or yourself to have other friends!" Ochako accused him with a determined stare. "For you, that is one thing, but you can't decide that for Izuku! That's for him to choose on his own..as for that last bit."
Ochako had to pause, allowing herself to think about her answer.
"I...I don't even remember when we started calling each other by our given names, but it just felt natural. And you guys never lied to me. I never asked Izuku if he was related to Draco Knight or not, and given how the media wanted to demonize him...I can't blame him for hiding it."
Katsuki actually took a step back in surprise at Ochako's answer. Ochako, however, wasn't finished.
"I once wanted to become a hero because a boy had helped me once upon a time. A very special person who showed me what a hero could be. But ever since I met Izuku and especially after we found Eri, my reasons changed."
The brunette managed a warm smile that eerily reminded him of Izuku.
"I no longer wanted to be a Hero just because of that boy. I want to be a Pro-Hero for a different reason. I want to save people like Eri. So I could make them smile more like how All Might does...or in my case like Draco Knight once did for me."
As she finished up, Ochako pulled out the Knight's Commander Medal from her pocket before showing it to Katsuki. The blond bomber's eyes grew seeing it. Despite his hands being bandaged, he gently took the medal to inspect it. The details, craftsmanship, and beautifully carved number nine behind the medal mirrored his Grand Cross that he still kept in its box under his bed.
This was one of those medals that had been given out years ago, nineteen to the public...two in private.
After a few more moments, Katsuki gave the medal back to its owner. He couldn't admit it openly...but she had him beat in a way he just couldn't compete. Deep down, he knew this day would come. One of his greatest fears was to be replaced in his best friend's life.
It was a bit silly for the lad to admit it, but the fear had been growing and festering ever since Ochako came into Izuku's life. It didn't help that one of Ochako's jabs had hit harder than expected.
"Shizuoka General, room 367." He said quietly while looking down, his eyes hidden under his hair. "I'll let them know you're coming over there."
Ochako sighed with relief before giving the ash-blond boy a genuine smile.
"Thank you!" Ochako chirped before making her way to the train station, while Yū stood there with a look of shock and awe from her cousin. She could see him trembling, so she knew as much as she wanted to make her own quips. It wouldn't be right to do so right now. Instead, Yū quickly but gingerly closed the door for Katsuki, who simply went back into the couch and slumped on it.
"I'm surprised you just stopped...I honestly expected that to go longer," Yū tried to joke casually to lighten the mood while Katsuki remained silent.
Was he partly responsible for Izuku's lack of friends? Did his paranoia only make things worse? Could he have done better all these years? Did he fail his uncle? His master?
"Katsu?" Yū called out to him.
Katsuki sighed; maybe Ochako was right as much as he hated the idea of even admitting it.
Despite his efforts, he could have accidentally made things worse for Izuku. Maybe he just needed to give Izuku some more space...after all, they're both after the same goal to be the number one hero. And neither would get there if they continually babysat each other.
"You know something occurred to me?" Yū wondered aloud, making Katsuki's ears perk up. "Uraraka mentioned that she had a special boy who helped her before; doesn't that sound a bit like Izu's story? You know the one Katsu, that cute story about the girl Izu helped all those years ago?"
Katsuki snorted with laughter. "Man, what kind of fanfic bullshit have you been reading lately? Get real! Besides, Uraraka is from out of town, while I'm pretty sure that girl was local...I think."
"Just saying, it would be sooo adorable. Two childhood sweethearts split up for sooo long, only to reunite years later, unable to remember each other and fall in love all over again!" Yū began saying over dramatically while pretending to swoon.
"I want a hit of whatever you've been smoking to even think that shit would happen in real life," Katsuki retorted with a roll of his eyes.
"You're just salty that I've been able to win our last few bets in the ships of Between The Realms. OMG, NeMia for win ah~" Yū jabbed at her cousin.
"But soo damn cliché! AND that ship was bullshit! The author simply caved from fan pressure over that garage-tier ship. Besides, the series isn't over yet; there are still some ships I can win at."
"Whatever, Katsu, I'm personally looking forward to my next set of snacks courtesy of you."
Katsuki simply grumbled as the press conference continued without them paying attention.
"We can conclude that the villains in question were after All Might. However, we are investigating if there could have been a further motive for the assault at the USJ."
Ochako was almost at the hospital with a nervous look on her face. All the while listening to the conference live on her headphones. She wasn't the only one. All throughout the train screens, which were usually for basic things like weather and traffic, were all streaming the press conference live.
For the most part, it seemed like the press tried hard to make UA look bad, but she could also tell that the press wasn't getting the reaction they wanted.
"And what about any further issues with security, especially with the upcoming Sports Festival next month, Principal Nezu?" She heard one reporter ask while she looked out the window, trying to keep her mind off the negative and focus on the positive. She only started listening to the conference after she got on the train, so she wasn't sure if they had gotten to questions about Izuku or not.
"We are proceeding as normal and thanks to several generous offers from several pro-heroes who have offered to volunteer and act as additional security for the event. Not to mention police and government have offered their own additional support." Nezu answered calmly.
She could see the rumbles and mutterings from the press clearly, even catching the odd whisper here and there around her.
"We're almost done here, sir, but I have a question that I'm sure almost everyone has but has been waiting for this moment to ask. So I guess I will take the chance to address the elephant in the room. While the final report did confirm that not only is Draco Knight's son, Izuku Midoriya is, attending UA. But that he could also have the same destructive power as his father. Do you plan to impose any restrictions or consider placing the boy on probation as the Volatile Quark laws prescribe?"
Ochako's heart almost stopped at the question. The whole train went silent as they began touching on one of the most concerning topics. She couldn't see that Nezu shook his head before answering, but his response, however quickly, gave her some relief.
"First, I must remind you that those kinds of questions could be considered very inappropriate as it violates the privacy of a minor and student. However, for the sake of the public and only due to the fact I was already given permission to answer. No, Mr. Midoriya came to UA following all of the laws regarding this topic to the letter. This can be verified by the police, who had to investigate this issue separately and came up clean. Second, Mr. Midoriya has not met the criteria to be placed on probation. Due to the language, the law was written. Mr. Midoriya still does not meet the criteria used to warrant such a status...but I believe that should be taken up with the law's authors rather than UA."
Ochako couldn't help but feel that Principal Nezu was enjoying being able to answer that particular question. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something about his tone almost seemed...gleeful?
"THAT LITTLE RAT!"Hideyoshi violently spat out. His temper caused several of his fellow members to run for cover as the books proceeded to fly, striking those unfortunate enough not to get to cover on time.
Honestly, it may have just been Ochako's imagination. Still, she was glad to hear that Izuku wouldn't get the third degree. They were now aware that the probation system existed with two people, each from Class 1-A and 1-B, with that status looming over their heads.
"Man, the kid is getting off scot-free?"
"I mean, you heard the report too...if anything, the kid helped save everyone, right?"
"Yeah, so did Draco Knight before he went nuts, remember? The kid is a ticking time bomb."
Ochako could feel irked as she heard the different voices around the train, each voicing the topic with their own opinion. She wanted to tell them all off, to stop them from talking about her friend like that. Thankfully someone else began to answer the reporter. One who gained everyone's attention.
"Izuku Midoriya has been an excellent, hard-working student." The familiar warm voice of All Might began saying. "He's a polite young man who thus far is excelling in grades, work ethic, and leadership. The boy was even elected as president of his homeroom class and will even be the first-year representative at the Sports Festival."
Now, this got everyone's attention. When the world's symbol of peace came to your defense, everyone listened in.
"If you want to judge the lad, then judge him by his own actions, not by his family legacy. Let the Sports Festival be his chance to show you what he could do with his power."
Ochako smiled as she saw some of the looks on several earlier naysayers' faces. It was hard to disagree with a man that many trusted when he came to the defense of someone. She leaned back to the moment before seeing the train signal her stop.
The hospital wasn't far from the station.
When Ochako entered the hospital, she was surprised to see a familiar face in the lobby looking over the directory.
"Tokoyami, hello there!" Ochako greeted the bird-headed boy cheerfully, making him jump as she caught him by surprise and making him drop some flowers he had on hand.
"Oops! I'm sorry about that." She said bashfully as the young man quickly recovered while Dark Shadow appeared from its host to pick up the flowers.
"You're fine...I should have been paying more attention," Fumikage answered with a cough.
"I'm glad to see you well, Uraraka...I assume you are here to visit Midoriya?" The boy said, lowering his voice when he brought up Izuku.
Ochako nodded, "I only just got the time to see him and Eri today. What about you?"
Fumikage looked at the flowers in his arms before answering her. "I'm here to wish Asui and...Komori? I believe her name is? Yes, I am here to wish them well, as both were with me during the USJ. Unfortunately, I allowed both to be harmed when I should have been more than strong enough to intervene."
"But Tokoyami...you did a lot! You helped save Eri from the fire zone! Which I owe you thanks for that."
"I'm afraid I cannot take full credit for that." Fumikage retorted with an uncomfortable look on his face. "I do not know why, but the final report failed to mention several things. Including our collective rescue thanks to Kasei."
Ochako looked surprised and realized that something was missing from the report. "Come to think of it...I know some things weren't mentioned at all."
'Like the bounty on Kaminari's head.' She thought to herself, remembering the statement she had to give to the police. "So you said that Kasei saved you?"
Fumikage nodded, "There was a point that we were caught by several fire villains in the open. One of them had launched what I could only describe as a great ball of fire...And I will not lie to you, Uraraka...I honestly thought I was going to die right then and there. Until Kasei appeared, ate the fireball, and spat it back at the villains. Only to then buy us time to make our escape while he fought them off alone."
"I didn't know...I guess I owe him thanks as well, not just for Eri, but saving all of you too." Ochako answered.
"Indeed, I would have stopped by his room as well. But I was informed that only family could see him for the time being," Fumikage said with a slightly disappointed look.
"Now, if you would please excuse me, Uraraka, I need to get going...oh, and before I forget," Fumikage added as he turned away from Ochako. "Please inform, Midoriya that I will not be treating him any differently from before I learned the truth. He is my classmate, teammate, and class representative if he wishes to remain in that position."
Ochako smiled and said with a nod. "I'll be sure to tell him."
And with that, Fumikage left Ochako alone in the lobby. Ochako quickly glanced at the directory and found where he was staying. She made her way into the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor. Her heart beat faster as she got ever closer to her destination. Her right hand was in her pocket, containing her medal. Finally, she decided to pull it out and loop it around her neck, wearing Draco Knight's emblem right over her heart.
"Courage, Ochako...you're just visiting a friend." She said to herself as she fidgeted with the medallion in her hands. The elevator dinged, and the doors began to open. As Ochako stepped out into the hallway and began to follow the signs that would guide her to Izuku's room.
'Why do I feel so on edge? Maybe because of my dream?' Ochako thought to herself, she had a repeat of her favorite dream last night, only this one seemed far more real...and somehow Izuku had appeared in the boy's place. 'Come on, Ochako! Get it together! As nice as that would be...it just doesn't seem real...it would some like a fairytale.'
"Chako!" A voice familiar voice squeaked, making Ochako turn to see Eri running up to her.
"Eri!" Ochako said happily as she scooped up the little girl in her arms, relief spreading that she was already up and moving around.
"I missed you," Eri whispered in her ear, making Ochako nuzzle her cheek.
"I did, too, Eri."
"Eri, where did yo- oh..." Inko said as she exited from a room a few doors down on the opposite side of the aisle. The two looked at each other for a moment, both caught off guard that they would see each other like this. What made Ochako nervous, however, was Inko's eyes growing wide.
"Mrs. Midoriya?" Ochako called out. But instead of answering, Inko started walking up to her instead with disbelief in her eyes. Eri looked at the two with some worry until Inko was right in front of them, looking at Ochako's chest or, more accurately, at the medal around the girl's neck.
"Is...that?" Inko began to say as Ochako showed her the medal.
Like Katsuki, Inko held the object in her hand as she began to inspect the medallion.
"I've been a Draco Knight fangirl since I was little," Ochako said quietly with a blush on her face.
Inko felt a rush of nostalgia wash across her body. Remembering the days she and Hisashi had spent designing and redesigning. Making the models do extra silly poses with the medals, creating some joke medals during the prototype phase for laughs. The day they gave Izuku and Katsuki their medals. When the fan club began to award the medals, the look on Hisashi's face hit her back instantly. She didn't know when the tears had started flowing, but Inko couldn't stop them once they started. Instead, she simply hugged the brunette.
"Thank you," Inko said happily, "thank you so much."
Eri looked worried as she didn't like seeing people cry.
"Inko, please don't be sad." She pleaded with her guardian.
"I'm not sad, Eri," Inko answered with a sniff. "I'm so happy right now."
She wasn't lying; years of seeing the man she loved repeatedly slandered and disgraced after everything he had been through in his life. Only to discover that he still had fans...fans who remembered him and still loved him enough to keep something like this. She knew Hisashi would have been over the moon to meet one of the contest winners, no matter their rank.
"Izuku's in his room. He's been feeling better since the press conference...honestly, all of us are feeling better after watching it." Inko started up again as she managed to wipe the tears from her face while still holding on to the two girls. "The doctor just cleared Eri and Izuku to be discharged once they get one last check-up, so I was about to call Ryūko to see if she could give us a lift home. But, since it will still be a while before she ends her shift to come over. I'm sure Izuku will be more than happy to see you, now more than ever."
Ochako smiled as Inko let go of her and tried to take Eri off her hands, but Eri resisted.
"I want to stay with Chako." She pleaded, much to the surprise of both the ladies.
"We still need to do your last check-up with the doctor," Inko said, worried that Eri might not want to leave Ochako alone.
"Don't worry, Eri...I'm not going anywhere. I'm just going to see Izuku, and I'll come back to see you, okay?" Ochako said to try and ease the child's worries.
"And she'll be more than welcomed to spend the night at home, Eri," Inko added, making Eri much more relaxed, knowing that Ochako would be going home with them.
"Are you sure that's okay, Mrs. Midoriya?"
Inko smiled at the girl as she took Eri from her arms without protest this time. "More than sure also, Uraraka? Just call me, Inko, okay?"
"Ooh! Umm! Then please just call me, Ochako." Ochako responded, surprised by Inko's request.
"You know where Izuku's room is, right?"
"Yeah...Bakugou told me when I stopped by your apartment earlier."
"Katsuki didn't give you any trouble, did he?" Inko asked a bit nervously. Ochako paused for a moment before answering.
"Bakugou was just Bakugou...so only the normal amount of trouble."
Inko had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle the giggle from Ochako's answer.
"Well then, you should have no trouble with Mitsuki then...see you soon, Ochako." Inko finished before heading back to Eri's hospital room. Eri simply waved, with Ochako doing the same before continuing her walk to Izuku's room, now refilled with confidence.
Once she was in front of room 367, she gently knocked on the door.
"I think that could be your mom, Izu." She heard Mitsuki say as a smile grew on Ochako's face. It was time for a tiny bit of revenge. The door opened, revealing Mitsuki Bakugou looking at a smiling Ochako wearing the medal as clear as day.
"Hello, Mrs. Bakugou, I would like that apology now, please," Ochako said innocently yet with the tiniest hint of sass in her voice.
"Auntie Miki, who's at the door?"
She heard Izuku ask, making her so happy to listen to him.
"Just a good friend who's come by to visit, Izu; just give me one quick second with her," Mitsuki answered.
"Wait...wh-"
Mitsuki however just slipped out and closed the door behind her, cutting Izuku off. She stepped into the hallway with Ochako. The young girls didn't say a word, only keeping that same closed-eyed smile after having been jerked around by Mitsuki, Ochako just really just wanted to savor this moment.
"I'm sorry, Uraraka," Mitsuki said, honestly relieved to be on the wrong side for once.
"Apology accepted," Ochako chirped, she wasn't one for holding grudges, but she really needed to hear that today. Yet, she didn't expect the grin that formed on Mitsuki's face.
"I'll give you two some alone time; besides, I need Katsuki and Yū to head back home now that I'm sure that we've passed the biggest hurdle. Just be sure to keep it PG-13, okay?"
"W-w-wait what?" Ochako said with a heavy blush growing on her face. Mitsuki, however, started walking away, getting the last laugh while pulling out her cellphone.
"Buh-bye!"
'The Bakugous are all crazy, aren't they?' Ochako thought to herself as she turned to face the door.
Izuku was surprised when Mitsuki stepped out, saying a good friend had stopped by. His first thought had been Katsuki, but when he heard Mitsuki say "Her," Izuku felt his heart almost stop. Even blushing when he had remembered his re-imagined dream with that girl from ten years ago...only with Ochako in place of the girl.
'Could it have really been Ochako at the door? She's the only good friend I've really made recently. Given how much time we've been spending together both on and off school. And if it was her, could this mean that she isn't mad at me for keeping the truth about my family a secret?'
Before Izuku could continue his train of thought, he heard the door knock twice before opening slightly. Izuku didn't know if he should have smiled when he saw that familiar brown hair and eyes that peered from the crack of the open door. The two teens looked at each other for a moment. Neither unsure how to begin their conversation given everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours.
"Can I come in?" He heard Ochako ask gently.
"Su-su-sure," He managed to answer her. Ochako quietly slipped into the room, closing the door behind her. However, she remained by the door. She wanted Izuku to be as comfortable as possible since he was still a patient at this hospital, while she was still only a visitor.
The two remained silent for what seemed like hours, despite only a few minutes at best.
"Would you like a seat, Uraraka?" Izuku offered her after a moment, realizing that it was rude to just keep her standing after she came all this way to see him. Ochako looked shocked and disappointed before making her way to the seat next to his bedside.
"Yeah, that would be good...thank you." Ochako couldn't help but notice that Izuku wouldn't turn to face her. He simply sat there trembling as though trying to find the right words to say. She wanted to say something as well...but when he used her last name instead of her first, she was worried that she might have done something wrong. Finally, Izuku managed to breathe out what he held in, and Ochako realized why he had done it.
"I'm sorry, Uraraka. I'm so sorry for lying this whole time to you...for keeping the truth hidden from you...I was just scar-"
Izuku wasn't given a chance to finish, as Ochako simply decided to bite the bullet and simply proceed to provide Izuku with a much-needed hug.
"Why-"
"You don't have anything to apologize for," Ochako answered him. His arms remained at length, unsure if it was okay to wrap his arms around her.
"But I lied...I became friends with you...while keeping you in the dark."
"I was a stranger first before you met me...You wouldn't just spill all your secrets to a stranger, silly."
"I swear...I was planning on telling you after the USJ...before everything went haywire."
"If it makes you feel better...I kind of found out on my own."
"What?" Izuku said in surprise.
"Mhm, at the battle trial, I saw your scales and decided to do some research, and well...I found this old photo of the Drake's Den staff and put two and two together, ya know? I didn't say anything because I wanted you to trust me enough to tell me on your own...and given how the media has been toward you...I can't blame you. No, I won't blame you."
"Uraraka..."
"Ochako."
"Huh?"
"I guess it's fair now, right? I've been keeping a secret of my own, and I never asked you. But is it okay if I can keep calling you Izuku...and you can keep calling me Ochako?"
"Are you sure?"
"You were doing it before just fine, silly."
"O-oh..yeah, right...I'm sorry."
Ochako giggled. "Stop it with the apologies, Izuku; you're fine."
Izuku felt a smile growing on his face as his arms began wrapping around the girl.
'She so warm.'
"Guess it's time I told you my secret then, Izuku."
"What is it?"
Ochako broke off the hug and showed him the medal she was wearing. Izuku didn't realize that she had been wearing that the whole time, nor did she expect to take it off and looped it around his neck.
"I've been a huge fan of your dad for ages. Funny enough, you've never gone into my bedroom when you came over to my apartment. It's filled with Draco Knight merch, including this, and after you saved us from that big guy at the USJ. I can't think of anyone else who should wear it right now."
Ochako was quickly reminded that Izuku was as much Inko's son as he was Draco Knight's. The boy simply proceeded to cry as he realized what he was wearing. She didn't know what had happened to the Grandmaster's Cross Izuku once had, nor did she expect to get a hug in return for the cross she gave him.
"Thank you," Izuku said tearfully as he cried happily on her shoulder. Ochako simply wrapped her arms around him once again. The two simply sat there together, ready to welcome all of the new challenges that would come their way.
Author's Commentary
Good god, I want just to get these two lovebirds hooked up already!
But I can't...not yet, at least. I know my fellow Izuocha fans, I know. It was super tempting to just make them a thing here, but I feel like it would be the wrong move in the long run.
What I love about Izuocha the most is the foundation, their friendship that slowly grew into feelings of genuine love and admiration.
(And if you deny these facts about canon, you are both wrong and blind. Fight me.)
Here, for this story, I feel like their friendship still needed a bit more growth before they take that first step into an actual romantic relationship.
But to help set your hearts and minds at ease...**Cough/Arc IV/Cough
I pretty much have the moment it all comes together plotted out well that I can confirm when it will happen. Just not the chapter.
ZX