26/04/2022

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! You are the greatest!

The Emperor's Dragon
Fledgling 67

Hey First, have you heard?

The message was somewhat tame for Mei and while Izuku hadn't noticed it when it first came in on his phone, he was surprised that it wasn't accompanied by at least a few more. Mei did not believe in compressing everything into one message even though sometimes, it would make more sense!

She'd sent the message about an hour ago so she'd probably be awake to answer. Mei … well, he hadn't figured out if Mei got up early to take advantage of the light and sales opportunities for her babies, or if she liked working late. She seemed to do both.

She had told him that she kept regular hours. Very regular hours and only stayed up in the fever of creation. He didn't know how much he trusted her on that.

Maybe? Izuku sent back. She hadn't been specific about what he'd heard.

About All Might. The message came back close to instantly.

He thought about it for a moment before shaking his head in a gesture Mei wouldn't see but assured him she could add a baby to his phone which would read it and translate it into text for him. He hadn't taken her up on that offer even if it sounded very interesting. No. I haven't heard anything about All Might lately. Nothing beyond the news which said the hero was still going strong.

His dad had softly laughed at that and had reminded him that All Might was injured, just that the media couldn't say it and probably didn't know.

There's a court case pending!

That wasn't that answer he'd been expecting from Mei. He'd been expecting to hear that All Might had tried out some new support gear, or made a change to his costume to include something that was obviously support gear. Given her interests…

How do you know?

It was more the type of thing he'd expect Inasa to tell him, or Hitoshi. His purple haired friend knew he liked hearing about difficulties heroes experienced. Or even Ochaco, if the case was about a building or something similar. Or Tomura or even his dad. They usually paid far more attention to that sort of thing than Mei.

It's not actually a case yet. It's going through pre-trial mediation.

My cousin told my mum about it.

Izuku looked at the reply. He didn't know much about Mei's mum and even less about her cousin and it would probably be too much like hard work to try to get more details out of her. That sort of thing… she wasn't exactly uninterested in it but to Mei family was family and that didn't change. Your cousin was always going to be your cousin, whether or not you knew them, or even spoke to them. And those immutable details, especially about relationships, just didn't interest her.

Now business relationships, those did interest her because as Mei had told him, they were a choice.

Won't it just stop at mediation? Izuku sent back. He was aware that there were sometimes cases against heroes. His dad made sure he was well aware of that, but he was also aware that many of them never made it to trial. Lots of cases, against heroes and just normal cases, never made it to trial. The courts had various checks and balances to try to resolve cases before they went before a judge and mediation was one of them. Those mediators must have been good because they did prevent a load of cases going to court. Statutory crimes also were pretty quick to go through the system, where the Police or Heroes had enough evidence. Although his Dad had pointed out that such a system was not compassionate. It simply looked at events, without taking consideration of circumstances, though he also admitted that circumstances could not erase the events. It was about balance.

My cousin says that's a definite maybe, Mei replied. Apparently the woman has included the HPSC in the case as well.

That was more unusual.

Really?

Yes, really! (^-^)

Izuku looked at his phone. So, why mention this to me? He asked. It sounded a bit rude but Mei didn't mind that. She'd prefer for him to be direct.

When she sent nothing for a few moments, and there wasn't even the symbol to tell him she was writing a message, Izuku got the distinct feeling that Mei was staring at her phone in surprise. Because her case is about the Toxic Chainsaw mission.

Oh… Oh… That's why she was telling him! A thousand questions popped up in his mind. What was the case? Who was she? Why was she mounting a case? Why now? What did she want? How was she related to the events in Tsu? Did she know the truth? Or suspect something in the public story? Did she… There were so many questions!

Do you know any details? Izuku asked and then stared at his phone while he waited for an answer.

Not many.

The reply actually left him feeling disappointed but he knew it wasn't Mei's fault.

My cousin said the case started as a RFI which was refused so she's pursuing them under freedom of information.

RFI? Izuku sent back.

Request for Information, came the super fast reply.

Izuku re-read the previous statement with his new knowledge. It didn't tell him much. He didn't have his dad's ability to glean a lot of information from a few hints though dad said he was getting better at it. He just needed more experience.

But what information is she trying to get? He mused in his reply to Mei.

I don't know, Mei sent back almost instantly. But given the events, and the fact that it's All Might, once the media catches on...

That's if they catch on, Izuku replied. He'd seen, or rather Kurogiri and his father had both pointed out times where the media just wasn't interested in a story that in another time they would be. Tomura had as well, showing him a clear cut example in a game but then comparing it to some real world events.

What had the older teen said? Oh yeah… The good games were good because they reflected reality in a way people could relate to. Life was a game where the most frustrating part was that the NPCs wouldn't admit they were NPCs. Tomura had been referring to Ochaco at the time so he'd mostly be ignored but… there was some truth to what he said.

Mei didn't acknowledge his statement though Izuku knew she knew it was true. I'll see if my cousin knows anything else, she instead promised.

Thank you, Izuku sent back but he was already wondering how he could find more information for himself. He had no idea how to look up court records… But… He knew who probably did. He could spend ages searching online, and probably getting the answer for every country except Japan. And then, he'd probably find out that a fourteen year old couldn't request information, so it was probably easier just to ask.

He checked the time and smiled. He'd ask dad tonight.

-ted-

Inko sat at her kitchen table. Her fingers were laced together and there was a cup of tea steaming on a coaster in front of her. She made no move to reach it. Instead, she had turned her attention inwards.

Who are you? The question was silent and was addressed towards the thing that had taken over.

It was silent and Inko reached through her mind, trying to find it but it was illusive. It was there. She knew it was there but it did not want to confront her. What are you? She tried a slightly different question.

That's rude.

The answer surprised her. Especially when it was her own voice.

I am you, came the continuation. I am the part of you who will do anything to see Izuku.

Physically Inko's breathing didn't change. If anyone was watching, they would have assumed she was simply meditating. Far more was going on. In her mind she swung around but there was nothing to confront.

She didn't like the answer. It felt incomplete, like that illusive part was leaving out something.

Inko, my dear, it's been too long

That was her husband's voice. She snorted to hear it because it made everything clear. You are the part that will whore me to my husband on an illusive promise, she snapped back.

The part didn't deny the claim. If it works- it simply said.

If it works… The words were so tempting. If it works, she would see Izuku again.

On his terms! Inko hissed. That was the unspoken part of the desire. If it works she would see Izuku again but only on her husband's terms. Only at the sufferance of the man who had kidnapped her son in the first place. She was not going to let him win.

If that's what it takes, the part seemed to shrug, unconcerned.

And forever be indebted to the man who took him, Inko added.

The other part of her seemed to laugh. You seem to think you can escape that, it told her.

Now remember, my dear, with all my instructions, if you do well, you may be able to see Izuku.

The words echoed through her mind. What instructions? Inko demanded. She had no memory of that.

But then why was she remembering Hisashi? Her head hurt.

The instructions our husband gave us. He's a good businessman so he understands exchange. I will do what he wants and he will give me what I want. The weird part of her that was somehow separate seemed convinced it was acting on Hisashi's behalf…

Had the grief and stress finally become too much? How did she tell?

I haven't seen him, Inko objected.

The other part looked amused. You don't remember because he told you not to. He didn't tell me to forget, so I know. Don't worry, me. If he does not give me Izuku, I will rip him apart for both of us.

Inko's head hurt even worse, if that was possible. She grimaced but kept her attention inwards, no matter how much it hurt. What do you know? Inko asked. She managed to sound somewhat civil.

I know what he wants me to do.

What's that? She demanded and then decided to call that other part, Not Inko. It wasn't here but it sort of was… The other sounded too odd though. Not Inko made it clear.

Not Inko seemed to be measuring her up… no it wasn't measuring her, it was measuring something else, but Inko couldn't tell what it was looking at.

You already know, Not Inko said. You just find it easier not to remember, it added, somewhat insultingly.

Inko gritted her was the truth. She did know and… Why can't I tell anyone? She'd remember it all if it meant she could tell someone.

You aren't meant to tell anyone, Not Inko seemed to shrug.

And you aren't meant to exist, she countered.

At that Not Inko was amused again. I am the part of you who will do anything to see Izuku, it repeated. Are you telling me you don't want to see Izuku again?

That wasn't even a question. It knew it as well but waited for her to reply. More than anything, Inko replied.

Then let me handle the mediation session and we will.

He won't honour the agreement, Inko said immediately. And we won't get the case to be public.

Let me worry about that, Not Inko said. I told you though, if he doesn't, I will rip him apart for both of us.

No, Inko said softly. It was a single word but it was applied to so much. No, she wouldn't let this one handle the mediation. No, she didn't believe that Hisashi would honour his agreement. No, she wanted Izuku, more than anything, but there was a line and she would not cross it, not like part of her already had. No, she was Inko Midoriya and she was in charge of herself, not something…

She shook her head. Not something Hisashi had put there. Not something that served only him because while he might have agreed to let her see Izuku for a particular outcome, she could be assured that that outcome was not in anyone's best interests.

Except Hisashi's.

It would always be in Hisashi's interest because things seemed to work that way around her husband but not hers. Not Izuku's. Inko bit the inside of her lip as the other presence faded. She felt tears in her eyes.

She wanted Izuku. She needed Izuku.

But not like this. Never like this but at the core of her being, in a part of her that the other section couldn't reach, Inko cried and howled and screamed. She'd never hated anyone before but she hated Hisashi with all her soul because the choice she'd just made, might cost her Izuku…

And she'd never forgive him for that.

-ted-

When Kurogiri dropped him off to see his dad, Izuku could tell his father just wanted a quiet night. It was just one of those things he could sense. That was okay. They didn't talk every night. Some nights they played a sort of game, watching a hero fight (even if his dad couldn't see it) and Izuku describing the way both the villain and hero used their quirks, and then coming up with better, more efficient ways to use them. He knew some of the ways weren't possible because quirks weren't always what they seemed but it was still fun. Sometimes he also pointed out where a support item would be beneficial. In some cases the right support item would end the battle quickly.

"Hi Dad," Izuku said softly.

His father simply gestured to him.

He made a bit of a face but didn't object as he made his way to his dad's side, sliding down to the floor so he could rest against the side of the chair. He felt his dad's hand on his hair almost immediately. "Aren't I getting a bit old for this?" Izuku asked lightly but didn't make any effort to move.

His dad said nothing and Izuku closed his eyes as he leaned back, concentrating on changing his hair colour slowly. The twitch of his dad's fingers told him it had been noticed and he quickly changed his hair to a white. He'd figured out how to make it white but with the same texture of his natural hair. He didn't think his dad had caught on so it was a way of… Izuku knew what he was doing and Gigantomachia and Kurogiri hadn't told his father so he took that as acceptance.

They sat in silence for several minutes.

"You want to ask me something?" Dad said into the silence.

Izuku tilted his head back, trying to get a look at his father. "How did you know?"

"A father has his ways," his dad replied before he smiled. "You are sitting quietly, my Little Dragon, but you are not quiet. You twitch," he explained.

"Oh," Izuku said. He hadn't realised he was moving.

"What do you want to ask?"

Izuku smiled. His father never discouraged questions. About anything. He leaned back, rubbing his head under his dad's hand. "Mei told me about a court case today," he began.

"How did she find out about one?"

"Her cousin told her," Izuku explained, answering the same question he'd asked. "The case is in mediation at the moment but is against All Might's Agency and the HPSC. Whoever launched the case, is seeking information about the Tsu event," he related the details. His father's fingers twitched when he said Tsu. "Sorry," Izuku added. His dad probably didn't want to think about that.

"No, my Little Dragon," his dad dismissed his apology. "What do you wish to know?" He asked and Izuku heard him take a breath against the respirator.

"Can I find information about the case? Like, can I get details of this case?" Izuku asked, aware he hadn't phrased his question in the best manner.

"Do you know where the case was lodged?" his father immediately replied.

"No," he said. He had no idea about any of that detail.

His father sighed. "Then that will make it difficult," he said solemnly. "You can usually request details from the District Prosecutor's Office, but it has to be in the court where the matter was decided."

"The case is still in mediation," Izuku replied.

His dad stroked his hair for a few moments but Izuku got the impression that his statement had been met with a nod. "If the case is ongoing, then the court will be reluctant to provide details. The only real way to know then, is to attend the case."

"You can do that?" Izuku was surprised.

"Court is meant to be an instrument of the people, my Little Dragon, so it is open to all," his father told him in such a way that he knew that this was one of those things that was meant to happen but didn't. His father sighed. "Once the case settles, and the ruling recorded, then information will be more readily available. Until then, for the protection of both sides, things are more restrained," he explained.

It made sense but… "I'll wait then," Izuku said. "It's not like I can change anything," he added.

That got a chuckle from his dad and a ruffle of his hair. "In this case, maybe not but never believe you can't change things, my Little Dragon. I think you will find if you but try, you can change the world," his dad told him.

Izuku smiled and tilted his head into his father's hand as he let the matter go. If he remembered later he's ask about the case but it was probably someone who had lost a family member at Tsu. He wished them well and hoped they got what they wanted from the case.

For him… It was complicated. He was reminded sitting here, that he was lucky. His dad was still here, so it really wasn't something he should be thinking about now, not when he could spend time with his dad. He should enjoy the now that he had.

For those who couldn't.

-ted-

Izuku, you don't know what you've done! AFO had absolutely no plans to tell his son about the case but obviously someone has. But for those who think that Izuku will now know everything, it's not actually that easy unless you already have some pre-existing knowledge of the case. Think about how many cases, civil or criminal that are going through the courts at any one time? And then there is the mediation which happens as well... so there's lots and lots of cases, not just in the cities, but in any of the county and other regional courts. Plus there's usually other areas that do mediation, so knowledge that there is a case, does not translate to knowing about it.

And on Inko... well, she might cry at the drop of a hat but she's not weak. She's lived this long looking for Izuku. She didn't give up when she found out Hisashi was a villain and she's not going to give up now but she's also not a two bit hoe who does what AFO wants. She's stronger than that, even if it might cost her. Because that might be the only vengeance she can have on Hisashi, making sure that his plans don't come to fruition.

My discord is on this code: ZX2R5h2cEm FFN will remove links but you should be able to figure that out.

-ted-

Loved it? Hated it? Found a spelling mistake? Let me know please!