-x- Shoto -x-
"Touya?" Shoto asked late one night, when everyone was asleep but for Touya, who was playing video games. He looked shocked that Shoto was awake. He needed to confide in him. He wanted Touya to know, but not the others in his family. Envy was behind him, having thought Arceus was being unfair. But she supported him in whatever he did. "I wanna talk to you."
"Sure, come on in," he said, and Shoto entered, Envy coming in through the flap behind him. Shoto was carrying the box with the stone in it, also wearing gloves, not wanting to touch it with no idea what it was for. Nothing else weird had happened since it appeared at school that morning.
He sat on the bed. "I'll tell you about what happened yesterday, at the park." Touya looked serious, and confused. After all, Shoto had been saying he didn't know what had happened. He just passed out and woke up in the hospital. Which was not true at all. "Make sure you don' interrupt, okay?"
"I won't." So Shoto explained what happened, what he was told, and then that this box appeared at the table. Touya didn't react for a long moment, and the little boy didn't know what he was thinking of it.
"Have you opened the box? Is that why you have gloves on?" Touya asked. "I'm sorry you have so much pressure on you."
"You believe me?" Shoto asked in awe, happiness tinting his shock.
"You're anything but a liar. Well, there was the Celebi incident, but that was hiding the truth, not telling it."
"I don't want to touch it, cause there's no instruction," he said, and opened it up to show the stone in a padded mold inside the old wooden box. Touya poked it with the butt of his pencil. "What is it?" Shoto shrugged.
"Envy said she can't tell what it is, too. And we already saw lots of stone evolutions." Touya nodded.
"Can I touch it?" Shoto nodded, and Touya carefully took it out of the box. It did nothing in his hands as he turned it over, trying to unlock its secrets, but he found none. "I can't even tell what type it would be for." He put it down and went onto his laptop and searched for stones for any kind of reference.
Shoto peeked over his shoulder. "I don't see anything looking like this. Did… did Arceus tell you what it is?" It felt like Shoto wasn't believed fully about this. But he knew it was silly to think others would fully believe a god would talk to a four year old boy. But he'd never heard of it before now, before he met him.
He took solace that he wasn't crazy because Touya was holding something that he thought was from the god pokemon. And others at school had also touched it. He hoped plusle and minum still got to stay there even after biting Bakugo. "No. I don't know what it is… I just think it's from him. It might not be. But it just appeared on the table, outta nowhere."
Can I touch it?
"Are you sure?" Envy nodded. So he had Touya put the stone down on the floor. Envy touched it with a paw, but nothing happened. "Do you think it's just a rock? And we're being silly?"
Touya had no idea. Shoto made a decision. He wanted to make sure it was nothing or something. The suspense was killing him, the waiting and not knowing was torture. So he picked it up. Nothing happened. Shoto took a deep breath and took the glove off, holding it in his bare hand.
He let out a relieved sigh when nothing happened. He put it back in the box. "Do you believe me? I… the stone just seems like a weird rock, I have no proof," Shoto said in panic.
"Don't worry, Sho. I don't think you're crazy, I swear it." He held out a pinky. "But let's keep it our secret, okay?" He nodded and connected their pinkies. Touya's skin was so warm, just like Rei's was usually so cool. "Keep me updated?"
"Yeah." Then he yawned. Touya walked him to his room and tucked him in. He gave a sleepy smile to his brother, and fell asleep. But it wasn't a dreamless sleep. But it also wasn't terrifying, so that was an improvement.
He was again in the Star Room, but this time there was no muddled version of the god pokemon. It was so intimidating to be in front of. He didn't know how to act. Did he have to bow? He didn't want to, but he would if he had to.
"I am sorry I overwhelmed you." Shoto nodded, not knowing how to respond before asking why him. Why Shoto? What made him so special? "It was by chance. You were to be quirkless, and I chose you randomly."
"I was quirkless? Does that mean you could have given Izuku it, instead?"
"Who is Izuku?" Looked like Arceus didn't keep up with Shoto's life. And he was picked at random. That felt good. He didn't have some crazy destiny, he wasn't born special, he was just picked. Luckily or unluckily. "Is Izuku an ally or enemy?"
"Enemy? I don't have any enemies. Izuku is my friend."
"I see." But his demeanor relaxed somehow, even if his face did not look expressive enough to show the look of relief or relaxation.
"Do I have to be a hero? My dad isn't a good one… and I don't want to use pokemon for my gain or anything. To use them for their powers, or order them around." Arceus got lower, laying down how a Envy did, still upright and not seeming relaxed, but not sitting or standing. He still towered over Shoto, though.
He said, "That's what makes you a good choice. Because you care for them all without being taught to do so by human classes. There are still many years until the threat comes. I do not wish you to feel a slave. I am not able to tell you the future, but your fate is not unwilling."
"You mean, I want to do it later?"
"There are motivations for yourself besides my words."
"Why did you choose a human if you're a pokemon?" Shoto asked, feeling a bit more at ease. It helped that the pokemon was not standing so stiffly in front of him.
"Pokemon cannot properly communicate with humans. You'll find your need some day in the future. A bridge is going to be needed. You are going to be the bridge. Pokemon cannot do what I wish you to."
"...I guess it's not so bad."
"Regarding your 'using's of pokemon. You do not 'use' them. Once you're better at it, after much practice, you're just utilizing leftover energy from touching them." Shoto was only five, and looked confused. "Think of yourself as touching dirt. There is dirt leftover on your fingers. Are you using dirt, are you actively taking from it?" Shoto shook his head. "Do you understand the comparison? You do not harm or take advantage of pokemon you meet and touch."
"Okay…" He did feel more relieved. "When can I know everything?"
"When you are much older. For now, you are far too immature to be of any help in the end. You are a human child. Your brain is underdeveloped, which stops you from using your gift to its full extent."
Arceus seemed so nice, now, and Shoto was grateful for assurances and explanations. He wasn't so scary. Intimidating, but seemed kind and nonthreatening. "Are you gonna go away until you tell me more? When I'm more ready?" He had no teacher for this, unlike if he had a fire quirk and asked father for help. Since this wasn't a quirk, he had nobody to teach him. He didn't know if any other ability like his had ever existed as a quirk.
"Would you like me to go away until then?" Shoto shook his head. "I will make visits. Sometimes, I am quite busy."
"What else do you do?"
"I protect the world from outside forces and cataclysms. I create other worlds."
"Wow, you are busy."
"Indeed. But I do not give out answers, only hints. For now. Someday, I will not be enough. But you'll be prepared by then."
"Will you die?" Shoto asked in worry and fear. He seemed to nice to die.
"I cannot die. I just will have no will over what happens." It was good he couldn't die. "Now, you are not getting any rest while speaking with me. I will let you go to sleep. The stone I gave you, keep it with you at all times. That way, I can track your progress, and know you better. I gave no explanation at the time because you were with others. I will do more for you once you can understand written language."
So, he had to learn to read, soon! The Star Room started to fade away. "Bye, bye, Arceus," Shoto said before it was all gone, and he woke up in the morning, fully rested.
He looked to the side at the small box. Envy was still asleep, so she probably didn't know any of what happened. He felt much better, now. He felt like he had some support, but there was still a big expectation on him and getting stronger, and being ready for whatever he didn't know. He couldn't really process he was having a conversation with a god.
Sitting up, he felt really happy and relieved. He'd make sure to keep that stone close. He didn't want to disappoint Arceus. But it was so crazy he was meant to be quirkless. No wonder it was nothing like his parents' quirks. Because it wasn't one. Was he literally gifted by a god? Was he special? And father was wrong to see him as nothing? All along, was he useful and had potential?
He giggled to himself. He looked forward to seeing Arceus again!
"Envy, guess what happened," Shoto said. She woke up, rolling onto her side to face him, looking at him with sleepy, slow blinking eyes. So he explained what had happened during the night. His second meeting and much better one. She was amazed, eyes wide before going to touch Shoto.
I'll be your partner to save the world. Shoto giggled, and nodded. I'll make sure to be better by then, not so scared.
"There's nothing wrong with being scared. It's okay. It'll be nicer for you when you aren' so scared, but I don't not like you for it. I chose you anyways!" Shoto pointed out. "I gotta tell Touya and Izuku and Ochako." He got out of bed, dressed in blue shorts and a red shirt and zoomed out of his room to Touya's, since it was the weekend and both were at home right now.
Touya mumbled for him to come in, Shoto able to hear through the currently owned door flap. He entered, and Envy followed. Hono got up and walked to her, rubbing heads against her yellow shoulder, earning a nuzzle in return. "I had another dream meeting." Because that was what it was.
This explanation took much longer than the last. Shoto could remember the meeting with complete clarity, like it hadn't happened while he was asleep. Touya was shocked when he learned Shoto was meant to be quirkless, and he didn't have one, it was gifted to him from a pokemon god.
"He was really nice this time," Shoto said, looking happy in his calm way. "I'm not so scared anymore. And he said that it's not hurting the pokemon if I use their powers. And I have a lots of time to get stronger." Touya looked irate, and Shoto worried he'd upset him.
"So, he just picked a random kid to do his bidding?" Shoto nodded. "How do you feel about that?"
"I dunno. It makes me feel special," he said shyly, poking his index fingers together. "I'm not a waste of space, like father said. I like I can talk to pokemon. I dunno how I feel about the future that much, though."
Touya sighed, and put his hands firmly on Shoto's shoulder. "You are not, never were, and never will be a waste of space," he said in a insistent voice. "No matter if a god chose you, you are special and deserve to be given lots of positive attention." Shoto smiled and hugged him. "Keep me updated, okay? Are you not gonna tell mom?"
"She'll worry… I don' want to tell her to worry her," Shoto said. "She's busy already and all." Touya nodded, understanding why Shoto thought that. Rei would definitely be worried and uncertain about it. But it wasn't like she could stop the dream visions. "I gotta go get my rock!" and he zoomed into his room and got his rock form his box. He put it in a little fanny pack that was small enough to fit under his shirt and not be very noticeable.
Touya walked with him to the kitchen and to breakfast. Hero and Era were already eating, Hero's two tails whipping around. Then they heard what sounded like sobbing from upstairs. Shoto hurried back up the stairs, but the sobbing was coming from their mother's room, and Shoto had a feeling what it was. The moment the door opened, the sobs choked off.
The mother was cradling her vulpix, face covered in tears. Veera finally passed. Shoto hurried to the bed and hugged her. The eeveelutions hurried in, and they started to cry, too. Shoto stared sobbing and petting the soft fur of the dead pokemon. Touya didn't cry, but ran his hand down his mother's back.
"She died in such peace, mom. With you there with her," he said, voice thick with emotion, but not crying. At all the noises and small whimpering from the mourning pokemon and two crying people, Fuyumi and Natsuo came in, and Fuyumi cried while Natsuo comforted the pokemon with a sad expression on.
It was awful. Shoto had never been exposed to death. She really was never coming back? She only looked like she was sleeping, but wasn't breathing and wasn't waking up. Rei held her close for a long time after the tears stopped. "I knew she was going to go soon, but she just kept fighting. I'm sorry, I didn't want you to see me like that," she said, running fingers through Shoto's hair and down Fuyumi's cheek.
"Are we burying her here?" Natsuo asked.
"I'll have her cremated," Rei said.
"What's that?" Shoto asked.
"It's when the body is burned, but you keep the ashes. That way, she'll always be with us regardless of where we live," Rei said patiently. Shoto nodded. So, the rest of the day was depressing, and Rei went to have her baby girl creamaed. The ashes would arrive a few days later.
All their eeveelutions clung to Rei, showing her care while they also mourned. Hono had been around her the longest. He was very sad. Era was the one that cuddled her the longest, though. They were family, Veera was family for both the humans and pokemon. Shoto wondered if Rei would get another pokemon or be fine with a house already full of them.
Bonds didn't transcend life. So once a pokemon died, it was possible to get another one to fill the empty space they left behind. "Mommy, you're strong," Shoto said while watching Mighty on TV, an All Might themed cartoon show. She looked down at him with slight surprise. "If Envy died, I'd cry all day, but you're not crying all day."
"Thank you, honey. Perhaps part of it is because I've been expecting, worrying, that I'd wake up and she passed. It was the best outcome for her to pass in her sleep. Painless and without any fear." It would have been sad for them to have to put her to sleep since she would understand what was happening. So this way, there was none of that.
Shoto wondered if Arceus could bring pokemon back to life? He fiddled with the stone in his pocket. "Mommy, will you make a necklace for me?" Shoto asked, seemingly out of nowhere. He pulled the rock from his pocket. "Like, make it into a necklace?"
"Sure. I'll do my best. It'll be a heavy necklace, though," she said.
"Don't worry, I'll be okay," Shoto said. "...What would you do if I was quirkless?" he asked carefully, looking at her with wide eyes, otherwise his face blank.
"I would have loved you regardless, honey," the gray eyed woman said. Shoto nodded. He wondered if she'd love him knowing he was quirkless and had a pokemon god give him powers. He didn't want to tell her, Touya and his friends were enough. He really didn't want to worry her when she was already overwhelmed being a single mother to four kids, no matter how responsible two of those kids were.
When Touya came down, Shoto excitedly told him about the rock necklace. "That's awesome, Sho." He looked at him oddly, and then went back to making his breakfast.
"Touya, what's wrong?"
He looked at his toaster waffles, and then nodded for the boy to follow him up to his room. Shoto sat on the desk chair while his brother took the bed. "I don't like that you've been put into this position so young. It was the same for me. Since I got my quirk, Enji was forcing me to be a hero because he wanted it mostly. I don't want you to go through the same thing, y'know? I get the situation is different, but that similarity bothers me. You're too young to have all of this put on you," he explained.
Shoto was surprised by his words. "What do I do?" he wondered.
"You should make sure Arceus cares in any way, and that you're not a tool."
"But he's like, god."
"That doesn't excuse him forcing you to do something against your wishes," Touya said, completely believing in Shoto's Star Room meetings. "I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, but just that you should do this with your own willpower, your choice - not his. You didn't ask for him to choose you for this," he said firmly. "Stand up for yourself if you feel something is unjust or you'll regret it."
"I don't think he's like father. But I'll try and do good and not be a pushunder."
"Pushover, Sho," Touya said with a laugh. "And I hope you're right, that he's not going to force you in the way Enji tried for me." Shoto nodded. He was happy Touya cared so much about him, really. He had a solid support. Not in whatever cause Arcues had or wanted, but support for what Shoto did or didn't choose to do.
Rei took some wire and made the rock into a pendant with a string. It was heavy but not enough to be a bother. He admired it in the mirror. Touya just seemed sad about the whole thing. Shoto wanted to believe it was different from him and father. He could see there were some things in common. And he'd only just met the god pokemon, so he didn't really know what kind of person he was. He had no room to judge yet. He at least sounded and looked much less threatening than father, despite him being taller and conveying more power.
Shoto asked for a playdate with his two friends, for them to come to his house. Their parents agreed, and in an hour, Shoto was sitting in the backyard on the deck, and explained what happened again. Shoto observed their reactions, which were much different than Touya. They wanted him to do it, because it was amazing.
Izuku was shocked. "You're quirkless?"
"Suppose' to be… Sorry. If it makes you sad, cause you weren't chosen and all."
"No! No, I'm not upset, I promise. But I'll help you out to get stronger with your power." Shoto got a slap from Mitty in support. He pet her, and she asked for blueberries again. Melody was there, but she was playing with the water in the little pool that water pokemon visited. That wooper from before stuck around a lot. The mareep was playing with him, and Envy was chewing on a bone beside where Shoto was sitting.
Ochako nodded. "I'll help, too. And I won't tell anyone! I didn't tell my mom or dad about Celebi saying something to you, or this. Cause it's our secret!" Izuku nodded vehemently too in agreement.
"Touya doesn't like it. Cause it reminds him of father and how he wanted Touya to be a hero and trained him in a mean way. I don't want him to be sad. Cause Arceus seems nicer than father ever did…" he mumbled.
"That just shows he's a good big brother!"
"I don't wanna tell mommy and worry her. Especially cause Veera died last night." Izuku and Ochako look sad then. "Veera was really old and died in her sleep with mommy. It was so sad, it made me sad, too." Izuku hugged him, but Shoto didn't cry anymore. He was all cried out. He just looked forward to having her forever, even if she was in a small urn.
Mitty rubbed her head leaf up and down Shoto's arm in some form of comfort. Hope you feel better soon. She was nice. Shoto rubbed down her head. "She was really nice, yeah. I'll be okay." The chikorita always smiled, and nodded. Envy continued to chew on her bone. "I hope mommy gets a new pokemon soon so she doesn't sleep alone."
The other two nodded. They slept with theirs, too. Either in the same room or bed. "Izuku, Mitty really wants blueberries."
"Never give her blueberries," Izuku said. Shoto rose his brows in question. "It really upset her stomach."
"She keeps asking for it."
"Mitty, you weren't the one that had to clean it up. No blueberries." She "hump!"ed and turned away defiantly. Shoto giggled. She was so silly.
-x- Izuku -x-
Izuku was sitting on the chair next to the computer one in his mother's room, Shoto on the computer on a website that can create 3D figures, like an easy 3D modeling program. He was working hard, tongue between his lips and brows furrowed as he carefully sculpted Arceus. It wasn't actually sculpting, just pressing buttons to try and make it as close as possible. Some music was playing in the background.
After a good hour, Shoto announced he was done, and looked proud. Izuku looked at the figure. "This is what Arceus looks like?"
"Yeah," Shoto said, fiddling with his necklace. "He's big, too, a lot bigger than All Might. He was scary at first, but he tries to look smaller for me, I think. Cause he lays down when he talks to me."
Shoto adored the god pokemon, it seemed. Touya never seemed happy to hear him talk about him, but Izuku could understand his brotherly instincts wanting to protect the little boy. But it didn't seem like Shoto was just magically liking him. It didn't sound ike Arceus was manipulating his affections, if it was possible for a pokemon god to do that to a human. He made the universe, but never directly answered Shoto if he was the only god. Arceus visited Shoto's dreams almost once a week, and when Shoto had the stone with him, he was able to know what happened to Shoto. Mostly they talked about his time with the pokemon, not about Shoto's time at school or his friends. He also told Arceus his worries. But all the pokemon said was that he'd support him through it.
That made Touya angrier. After all, it wasn't assuring Shoto things would be fine, he was safe, he didn't need to be afraid. It was just that he'd be there, too. It upset Shoto when he'd cry on the phone over Touya being upset.
But after that call, Izuku assumed Touya had overheard Shoto's meltdown, and the freckled boy had not been told any more drama with Touya. He was a nice person and accommodating to his siblings' problems. He backed off. Which was good! Izuku didn't like his best friend being upset.
It was a lot to think about when Izuku was told Shoto had been born quirkless. It was just the luck of the draw that he was chosen for this role. The role in the future, whatever happened then. Izuku wished he had a good quirk so he could help him.
"He looks so pretty," Izuku said to the image on the screen.
Shoto nodded. "Maybe if Touya sees him he'll be less angry."
"Maybe…" He didn't know why that would be. "Um, when do you wanna start?"
"Start what?" Shoto wondered.
"Getting stronger. With the pokemon power."
"Oh…" Shoto looked down, sad. "I don't know."
"What's wrong?"
Shoto slumped more, his bangs hiding his eyes. "What if I'm bad at it? What if I'm a disappointment, and he regrets it being me?" he said quietly. Izuku smiled a soft smile.
"You will never know how good you are unless you try. Plus! Ochako isn't good with her quirk at all, she can barely lift a rock! So you not being good will be normal, right?" Izuku pointed out, trying to help his sad friend feel better about this.
"I don' wanna be a disappointer…" he mumbled. "He expects so much from me." Izuku thought that was another reason Touya wasn't happy with the whole situation.
"I have an idea," Izuku said. "What if, when you train, you take off the stone? Then he can't see your progress if it's not good. And you don't say anything, or you say a little bit. Then you don't think he's always watching, and judging!" Shoto looked at his stone pendant resting on top of his shirt.
Then he gave a small smile, bright eyes, and nodded. "Here, he can watch cartoons," Shoto said, and carefully put the stone on the desk in front of the computer that played some cartoons. Izuku felt smart and helpful. They went to the safest pokemon at the house, which was not Envy or Taki. They went to the chikorita on the couch.
"Mitty, wanna help Shoto train with his power?" She blinked tiredly before waking up more, and nodding, eyes wide and bright. Shoto touched her, and then said, "I'll need some help, okay? Like, explain to me." Mitty nodded her head, and it went silent as she talked to Shoto. Izuku wished he could hear, but it was just nice pokemon could understand them, even if humans could not be spoken to back.
Izuku thought that Arceus chose someone good, but that Shoto was too young to be told it all. They were still little kids, really. Shoto had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he didn't even know what that was. Just he had to be good to be ready for something in the future.
Mitty brought razor leaf out, and gently tossed a leaf away, shooting from the leaf on her head. Izuku had never had her use any moves or attacks because battles weren't allowed and there was no reason. But this was a good reason, and Izuku wanted to see more of what his pokemon was capable of.
While some pokemon did work in that way, it was alongside humans, not for them. Heroes often worked with their pokemon if they fit the bill. Like All Might's mega charizard. Envy had already told Shoto she was there to stay with him, and she would be strong if she overcame her fears and was able to use her electric powers.
But Izuku was not going to be a hero, so having a non-deadly pokemon was just fine. He was happy with her. Shoto was only able to turn the tips of his fingers leafy. The pades were green, and the texture of leaves. He scrunched his eyes closed and tried to do more, but all there was were green fingertips. He pulled on them a bit, but they were just leaves on his skin.
His face turned red in embarrassment. He shut down, and didn't want to try anymore. Izuku tried to convince him to keep trying until he gave up, and they went on a walk together with their two pokemon.
Shoto's sad demeanor garnered pity and concern from the semi-wild pokemon minding their own business, crossing the street, hanging out in the rain gutters since it had rained and so they were wet and easy to splash with. Izuku really wished he could hear what they were saying, because Shoto often just nodded, giving no clue at all to what he was hearing.
A pichu came over, and it played with Envy, bouncing electricity back and forth. Envy seemed happy with this, and there was more of a bounce in her step instead of the lowered head and set shoulders. Izuku was proud of Shoto for his kindness.
When they made it to the park by the apartment, they sat on the swings while Envy played with Mitty. She was using razor leaf to shoot them out and have Ivy chase after. When she came back with a leaf, both got excited. It was nice, and Shoto was smiling softly with it. He hadn't put the stone back on, so it was still watching cartoons.
"Will you push me?" Izuku asked. Shoto stood up off his swing and started to push Izuku, who could see the bug pokemon in the trees, and baby rhyhorn digging in the sandbox, making a mess and burying something in the sand. It was peaceful.
Then it was interrupted by the only other human coming over, being Kacchan and his houndour Sulfur. Izuku didn't think he'd ever abuse his pokemon or force him to get aggressive, they were just playing catch when he looked over and saw the two friends, looking sour. Houndour ran over to Shoto, who stopped pushing the boy on the swing. It touched Shoto, who frowned and bent down. He pressed Houndor onto his back, and Izuku didn't know what was going on.
"Hey! Get off of him!" Kacchan shouted angrily before Shoto spread the front toes of the front left foot, and pulled something out with his fingers. The houndour made a whimper noise. Shoto looked down at the big thorn.
"Are you okay, now?" Shoto asked the pokemon, who nodded and ran the few feet back to Kacchan. Shoto put the thorn in his pocket so no other pokemon or person stepped on it. Envy was uneasy around Kacchan, which was justified a bit. He gave off a hostile demeanor, but he wasn't very big or scary looking. So she wasn't scared of him like she was of tall men.
Shoto went back to pushing on the swing, expecting no thank you, and not getting one. The only "thank you" may have been Kacchan leaving without doing any bullying. Izuku was able to keep the status of his not quirk a secret by just admitting it was something embarrassing. Everyone at the preschool had pressed at first, but eventually got distracted as the others developed their own quirks.
Izuku loved when they did! They were so interesting, and just because he didn't have one didn't mean he was resentful of those who did. It felt better when he found out Shoto had been born quirkless. It made him kind of wonder if someone could give him a power someday. He kept that dream alive, prepared to be disappointed in the future, but glad to feel hopeful now.
After a bit, Envy turned to Shoto and touched his hand. "Really?" She nodded. "Envy wants to practice with her electricity," the taller boy said. Izuku was excited for this, and Envy did her best to output any power. There was a staticky noise, but nothing really came and she looked tired. "Good job," Shoto praised. "I heard it."
Izuku smiled, and clapped for her. She lowered her head, but not in shame. Mitty went up and slapped her a few times, bouncing on her toes. It was so sweet and wholesome. Shoto looked truly, completely proud. Both he and Envy had a long way to go until they could utilize their full powers.
When they went back home, Izuku clicked on the usual buttons to send Ochako an email. They couldn't read or type, after all. Though Shoto wanted to read faster. They sent her the image of Arceus, but she didn't reply before Shoto went home. Izuku was happy the rest of the day, thinking off all the types of moves Shoto may someday be able to use if he kept practicing.
Hopefully Arceus was patient with Shoto's insecurities. His mommy had been right about Shoto having them. And Izuku, though his wasn't as obvious on his face a lot.
-x- Shoto -x-
"I took the stone off so you didn't have to see me fail," Shoto said.
"That is okay."
"You're not mad?" Shoto asked slowly.
"I don't expect you to be talented in this. There is no expectation that I have for you to be a prodigy." Shoto didn't know what that meant. "It means someone who is abnormally talented in one or many things."
Shoto was glad he wasn't angry at him, and that there wasn't that much pressure on him. "But when will there be?"
"A decade."
"Ten years?" Shoto asked. The god pokemon nodded. "Oh. When should I be getting better? I only have ten years to be enough, right?"
"You should do your best, but not let it consume your life." Shoto sighed, wanting more information. To know how bad or how hard it would be. "I do not require you to wear the stone every moment." Shoto nodded. Then the Star Room turned to black, and he woke up rested a few hours later.
"You're not wearing the rock," Fuyumi said at breakfast. Shoto nodded, and Touya looked curious. But nobody else knew about what was going on, it was their secret. So they didn't know why he acted the way he did over the rock. More than a rock, it was like a recorder of some sort. He wondered if it recorded when he went to the bathroom. That would be embarrassing.
Well, Arceus was a pokemon, did pokemon care about human stuff like that? Shoto pet Hono when he rubbed against his thigh at the table. Are you okay? Shoto nodded. Envy was napping on the couch right now, curled up with Hero.
"When is mommy getting a new pokemon, do you think? Isn't she lonely at work?" Shoto wondered. He looked to the hearth above the fireplace, and saw the small urn that held Veera's remains. It was propped up beside a photo of her when she was a baby vulpix.
"She's busy, maybe she doesn't want to adopt one only to neglect it," Touya said. "It would be nice if she got an eeveelution, also."
"A sylveon, leafeon or vaporeon," Shoto said.
"We don't have a pool, so a sylveon would be best," Fuyumi reasoned. "And sylveons are so pretty." Era looked at her in concern. "Nobody is prettier than you, Era, don't worry." The glaceon nodded and went back to drinking from one of the water bowls. "Have you talked to dad, Shoto?" Fuyumi asked, the only other one in the family that kept any contact.
Shoto looked at his fingers, which had bread crumbs on them. "I dunno." Fuyumi cocked her head in question. "I don't want him to get pushy." Touya put his hand on his head. "Cause I wanna try bein' a hero sometime…" he said shyly.
"Oh, so you don't want him to influence you like he did Touya?" Fuyumi asked patiently. The boy nodded. "Then why don't you just not tell him?" Shoto already had a sort of mentor, a vague one, but nicer to Shoto about it than Enji had ever been for Touya. Wanting him to be more patient with himself and healthier than how he pushed and pushed Touya. He was able to handle it, but it didn't mean it was nice.
Shoto shrugged. "I dunno," he repeated, shutting down.
"Why do you want to be a hero?" Natsuo pushed. "You haven't really met any good ones." Shoto didn't know why Natsuo didn't like him. He shrugged.
"Natsu, leave him alone," Touya scolded lightly. Natsuo just ate angrily and quickly, and headed upstairs. Hero slinked after him, rubbing his tails on the corner of the wall when he turned down the hallway. Touya sighed, and Shoto asked what he did wrong. "Natsuo just liked being the youngest one. Now he's cranky about that."
"He didn't know he'd have a little brother?"
"Well, you were a surprise baby, Shoto," Fuyumi said cautiously. "Unplanned."
"Oh… That's why father didn't like me," he said quietly.
"That doesn't matter, everyone else wants you. He can go fuck off," Touya spat. "You're good and we're happy you're here. Natsuo doesn't hate you for you, he's just sour he is a big sibling. That's his problem, all his. You have nothing to do with it. You'll be a good hero, Sho." He gave him a look only the boy could understand. A pointed look, probably telling him to be good to himself, too.
He said, "I'll be good. And smart, too." He gave a firm nod, and Touya ruffled his hair, mixing the colors at the split to a muddled pink color.
"Oh, I have something to show you, I forgot yesterday!" Shoto said in excitement, the kind he only showed at home. Touya agreed, and they headed upstairs to Touya's room. "Um, it's in mommy's email, too." Well, the one she used for Shoto, not her personal one. Touya logged in for him, and Shoto gladly pointed to what it was.
When Touya clicked on it, Shoto said, "That's Arceus. It looks really right like him." He sounded bragging. Touya looked at it with furrowed brows. Shoto wondered if something was wrong.
He said, "I've never seen a pokemon like this before."
"Arceus said he's gonna show me stuff once I can read. Like a book of legendary pokemon. Other than Celebi and Suicune and them." Touya did seem to look forward to learning that stuff, too.
He hugged Shoto. "You're really cool, Sho. Your power is way more interesting than some fire or ice quirk." The boy smiled at the praise. "Though there is immense pressure, isn't there? We both had to deal with that, but Enji not being there is much better than Arceus."
"And father isn't a god."
"Hah, he thinks he is in some ways," Touya chuckled. "Well, I'm here for you, okay? Tell me anything you want to. I'm not gonna be upset if you keep things to yourself sometimes, I promise." Shoto loved his oldest brother so much. He just nodded and hugged him. "Wanna practice reading? It'll take awhile to fully learn, but getting a headstart is always good, right?"
"You can read, right?"
"Yup."
"Maybe Arceus could get the books and you can read them to me."
"Maybe. You can ask him next time you see him," Touya replied. "Let's get started." Shoto nodded, face set. He had to be smart.
-x- Izuku -x-
Sitting beside Ochako, they were eating trail mix while Shoto practiced with Envy and Melody. Both were trying to learn to use electricity. Envy had never been encouraged to use her type in her previous home, but with other pokemon's help, she was learning and also wanted to help teach Shoto.
It was interesting to watch for Izuku, while Ochako was kind of bored. But when there was a flicker of electricity between Shoto's pointer finger and thumb, both of them stopped chewing and watched in silence. Shoto took a deep, calming breath, and the five year old was overcome with electricity, forcing his hair up from the pure static. Then it all disappeared as soon as it came, his clothes in burnt tatters but his skin unharmed. They were all in silent shock before Envy made a bunch of yipping noises, seeming happy for Shoto, who was still baffled.
He looked at his hands. They were an almost angry red, but not badly burnt. Izuku had his jaw dropped and Ochako was cheering brightly for him. Apparently Touya had seen it from his bedroom window as he sprinted down and out to the lawn where they were. He was amazed, and under all the attention, Shoto got shy.
Izuku was sure that, if he'd been chosen in Shoto's place, he would not be such a fast learner. And he might buckle under the pressure put upon him from a god. Shoto had only had this power a little less than a year, but he was dedicated to it. Izuku didn't feel left behind, though Ochako seemed upset she couldn't do as well.
It didn't help that others in the class were getting better, Kacchan especially. If Izuku didn't have Shoto there, he would be the most amazed by Kacchan. Though his quirk was not so diverse and complicated compared to Shoto.
He'd not been mean to Shoto or called Envy broken again after Shoto took the thorn out of his houndour's paw. Of course he wasn't friends and still gave nasty looks. Didn't mean he wasn't rude to Izuku.
"Hey, do you think you could learn from legendary pokemon? I don't mean when you can read and get the written history stuff, but what if you found them like you did Celebi, and gained their powers, too?" Ochako wondered. Shoto shrugged. "Well, it would take a lot of time and effort to find them."
"I'll ask Arceus when he gives me the book. I don' wanna rush him or be annoying."
"He's gonna be impressed, Sho. Can you try again?"
"I'll kill my clothes even worse," he stated, looking down at his tatters. "But I don' wanna ruin more clothes." He stepped a bit away, and scrunched his eyes shut but only a tiny flicker came out of his finger. He drooped at it, pouting.
Izuku said, "Well, it was the first time. We can't expect it to show it over and over." Shoto nodded, the other two agreeing. "Let's go inside and draw." Shoto and Ochako ran inside after him, the two electricity pokemon coming too. Izuku saw Touya looking uneasy. He faltered, and stopped hurrying. Touya was startled when the freckled boy stood in front of him. "Are you okay, Touya?"
"I just worry about people finding out while you guys are still so little. I don't want your childhoods ruined by people amazed by it. Or people putting pressure on him to do things he doesn't want to do." Touya was still bothered by Endeavor's behavior. That's what Shoto said and Izuku could see it.
He said, "Endeavor isn't there to force him-"
"Only a god - a literal god - pushing his agenda on a four year old," Touya said with a bit more heat, but not anger at Izuku.
"Arceus said something bad will happen. He can't take away Shoto's power, now. Isn't it better to have him ready for whatever is gonna happen?" Izuku said. "He's not gonna wanna go back, now."
Touya sighed. "You're too smart for a five year old." And he ruffled Izuku's hair like he did Shoto's. He felt so smart, being told he was smart by an older person that wasn't only his mother! It was a nice feeling and he zoomed inside with a grin. He wanted to be of help to his best friend. He wasn't sure if Ochako wanted the same thing, but she could. She had a quirk. And while Shoto's technically was not a quirk, he still had a power, ability, that Izuku just didn't.
Would he rather be in Shoto's shoes, the roles reversed?
…No. Izuku knew himself enough that he would be too scared to face a god pokemon, and to have their wishes put upon him. But he could be there for Shoto as best as he could be. He wanted to be useful to his friends, even if he was quirkless.
-x- Shoto -x-
"Look what I found," Ochako whispered, Shoto on the ground beside her, looking across the parking lot, both hiding from view. "A spiky eared pichu," she hissed. "Just wait, it'll come out." Both of them were not being very discrete. They were laying in the middle of the sidewalk, looking through bars across the street.
Shoto didn't know if this was the best way to spy, but the spiky eared pichu did come out! It was living in the tree. Shoto knew they were very rare to see in the wild, not as domesticated partners. The black marks on its ears had an extra point downwards. "I wish we could catch pokemon and keep them. Though being in the pokeballs was mean," Ochako added in a hurry.
"Wanna go see it?" Shoto asked. She nodded, and they crossed the street, their pokemon following beside them. Since both of them were electric type, they got along very well with the pichu. There were baby pichus in the tree, too, they could hear them. Shoto crouch down in front of the little pokemon, not being the one to approach. He never wanted them uncomfortable, so he let them come to him most times.
And he did, jumping into his hand. Shoto rubbed his fuzzy head, and asked if Ochako could come. Okay. Do you have chocolate?
"Not on me, why?" he asked, waving Ochako over, who reached out to let the pichu sniff her hand and allow her to touch him. My baby is fussy and wants chocolate. Shoto didn't know if babies should have chocolate, but he didn't think the pichu would do something to hurt its offspring. "Want me to buy you some? I have two dollars." The pichu jumped up and down.
Shoto hurried to the corner store on a few shops away and bought some simple chocolate and then went back. He broke off half of it and handed it to the pichu, who jumped back into the tree. The two children were silent, and heard the babies make happy noises, and then stop. All was still, and the pichu popped its head out and waved happily in thanks.
They walked off, both smiling brightly. They shared the chocolate and wandered back to the frantic supervisor for their class. Both got in a lot of trouble for wandering off, and their reason was not good enough. Both of them cried a little bit at getting in trouble. But it was fun anyways.
-x- Izuku -x-
"W-What do you mean you can't be our friend anymore?" Izuku asked in shock, standing next to his taller friend. Ochako was crying, face covered in tears and snot. "What happened? Did we do something wrong?" he asked in worry while Shoto was silent in upset, brows upturned and furrowed, mouth pressed tight.
"M-My parents th-think th-at always bei-ng ar-around Shoto is d-dangerous!" Shoto looked hurt and confused.
"What did I do wrong?" Shoto asked, voice small. "You didn't tell them, right?"
She shook her head. "Cause of when I almost got tra-ampled." They'd been at a nature sanctuary. It was a part of the country that was reserved only for pokemon so they could live peacefully. They'd seen some tauros, and they approached it. Shoto was on good terms but Ochako was nearly run down by the others of the herd while they were friendly with Shoto.
That was why. If they were told not to, they wouldn't have gone near! And it had been Ochako's dad to supervise but he didn't tell them not to. "Why didn't your dad do anything about it?" Izuku asked in true confusion. "He was the one watching, he could have told us not to!"
"It's not his fault, though! It's… it's not anyone's fault. Please don't say bad about my daddy."
"It was the pokemon's fault. Do they think they're just slaves to me?" Shoto asked, sounding frustrated and upset. It was not his fault that some of the tauros didn't like her. It was reckless of them to get up close, too, but they weren't deterred from doing so. Izuku couldn't fault any of the three, but didn't want to anger Ochako again by speaking of her parents, who she loved a lot.
"Well… I don't know."
"I had pokemon that don' like me. One of the pokemon that lives me with me doesn' like me. I'm not the god, Arceus is."
"They don't know that stuff! I know, I know that it's different for some pokemon. I would never ever tell them about the other stuff, I swear! I… don't want to go away from you either. But I can't do anything cause it's mama and papa's choice."
"It's not a fair one!" Shoto said. Izuku nodded in agreement.
"I can stay on phone with you? Even though we're going to different schools…" Preschool was over and the next month kindergarten would begin.
"But what about you? You'll be alone…" Ochako sniffled. "Well… once we're older, we can be friends again! And we can hang out. When our mommies and daddy are not in charge." Shoto rose his brows, but nodded. Ochako hugged them, and Izuku felt sad, mostly for her. She was being taken away from her friends. It was unfair.
They watched her leave, crying in the carseat and waving out the car window. Inko was standing beside them. Shoto had an empty look on his face, and glanced down to Izuku's chikorita and Envy. He had a blank stare, and asked to be driven home, now. The freckled boy grew worried. Something shifted, and it wasn't good.