PHOENIX: A Pro Hero Toya Todoroki AU

Chapter 11: Full Support And Field Courses (August 20, 2118)

' Thank God. They're finally done. The real deal. These are built to last me for the next ten years at least.' I stare at the open silver briefcase that holds my upgraded suit and support items. 'No more pills. No more feeling so sick that I can't move. No more passing out in the middle of battle. Smooth sailing from here, Toya.' My fingers trace the cool, shiny metal of the conductor cuffs. They have a glistening sheen to them; I have no idea what Quirks were used on them or materials were infused in them. I just know that they will work because they were field tested for the past three years since my Dad made them start the project. Rue slaps me on the back as she looks over my shoulder at my support gear.

"Now you're only gonna be a fire hazard to other people," She snickers, and I sigh. Today was the day we decided where we would be taking our month-long field courses. We were to live under the roof of a given Pro Hero or at their Agency for an entire month to train under them. At the end of the month, the Pro would sign a paper signaling whether the student passed or failed. I have utterly no idea where I wanted to stay. Miss Kaminari had recommended me to several Pros, but I was unsure about the list. I was going to visit my mom this morning and see what she thought...That is...if she was up for thinking anything at all today. I'd been able to visit her over the past several weeks after Keigo paid off the receptionist with his Pro Hero money. I insisted that he not do that, but, when I tried to convince the staff on my own, I discovered that he went behind my back and bribed them anyway. Some days, my Mom was exactly how I remembered her, and others...it was like talking to a wall...or a shell. I stare emptily at the list in my hands.

Pro Hero: Edgeshot

Pro Hero: Snatch

Pro Hero Team: EraserHead & Present Mic

Pro Hero Team: Gunhead & Snipe

I didn't know anything about any of them, other than that Yu and Shinji already had first pick for Edgeshot (apparently they were all well acquainted). Rue and Ryuko were going to tutor under a rising Pro named Midnight, but, frankly, I didn't really care for her. I was totally stumped on where I should go, and this decision would determine the course of my future career. I close my suitcase and grab my bookbag before walking out with Rue to the parking lot.

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Ironically, as soon as I pull up to the mental hospital, the song that starts playing from the loudspeakers in my car is "Mama" by My Chemical Romance. I sigh before parking and jumping out of my car with my bookbag slung over my shoulder and my suitcase in my hand. I want to show her my support items to prove that she doesn't need to worry about my Quirk hurting me anymore. I put my earbuds in and sing the rest of the song under my breath as I waltz up to the foreboding, chalk white building. I related to that song too damn much, and I hated it here. I hated that she had to live here for who knows how long. I skip up to the automatic doors as the song ends, and I shove my headphones back into my pocket with my phone as I'm greeted by a blast of chilling air. I make direct eye contact with the receptionist before she knowingly nods, and I saunter off toward the hallway of "living spaces" as they were called. My eyes scan every room number that I pass until I stop in front of door 601. The name beneath the plaque reads: "Rei Todoroki" "Manic Depression/Psychosis/Generalized Anxiety Disorder/Antisocial Personality Disorder".

I roll my eyes. I knew only two of those were true; I got my anxiety from her, so why didn't Dad lock me up. It was so fucking stupid. She shouldn't be the one in a makeshift cell; he should be locked up forever where no one can ever find him. The only reason I wasn't locked away was because of how much the press would eat that up for him. It was hard enough to keep them away from the story of our mother.