PHOENIX: A Pro Hero Toya Todoroki AU

66: I Now Pronounce You Safe For Society|Billboard Chart (09/30/2124&10/2/2124)

"Mister Third-Degree, do you really think I'm ready?" Himiko Toga mutters anxiously, twisting the pink hilt of her knife. Today is the official ceremony for the induction of the Vigilantes into the Hero Commission as active Pro Heroes. It's a private ceremony...there's only a few cameras and a few press representatives; the majority of the crowd consists of Commission agents. It's in one of the Commission Conference rooms at their headquarters in Tokyo. Lilith and I stand in the wings of the stage, hidden from view. With aid from the Commission, Illusion has jumpstarted an Agency for the five of them to operate under a hero team known as The League. Overall, the assimilation program has been overwhelmingly successful. There were a few times I found myself holding my breath; last week, Lilith participated in a raid of the Shie Hassaikai complex. I could only watch helplessly as she went on a stabbing spree, but, thankfully, all she did was incapacitate each member she encountered. No fatal wounds were dealt. No excess brutality was committed. I'd nearly fainted at the control panel. After mountains and mountains of paperwork and working behind the scenes, it was finally their graduation day.

"The real question is, do you think you're ready?" I deflect, raising my eyebrow. Toga takes a deep breath, staring at the floor. I huff and put my hands on her shoulders, squatting down to be eye-level with her.

"Hey. Chin up. You've been working hard, Himiko," I smile softly, and she hesitantly meets my gaze.

"But...am I...am I good enough?" She mumbles. I bite the inside of my cheek. I'm constantly asking myself the same question.

'What would Keigo say?'

"You've clearly done your best, and that's all anyone can ever ask of you. Vampire Hero: Lilith is fierce. She is strong. She is meticulous to the point where it should be impossible. She is you. Listen, I'm going to admit. There were times when...when I thought things were going to go south. But, no matter what, you saw your missions through to the end. You kept innocents out of danger. You followed the Commission's painstakingly specific rules. You are a Hero. No matter the past. No matter where you started. It's where you are going that matters," I reassure her, and she cracks a relieved smile.

"You sure you didn't need to save all that for your speech?" She teases, sticking her tongue out at me, and I stand up straight, putting my thumbs in my pockets.

'My speech...Shit.'

We each had to go up and give our testimony for our individual apprentices. Magne, The Lizard, Illusion, and Twice all stand with their new Hero Licenses. Now...it's my turn to speak regarding Lilith.

"And now, to review Himiko Toga's performance, Cremation Hero: Third-Degree!" The Commission Leader announces.

"That's my cue," I sigh, clapping her on the shoulder before I strut out of the wings, and I wince at the bright spotlight. I take a deep breath as I walk up to the podium. Her classified file rests on top. I tap the mic twice, and the thump echoes throughout the auditorium. Before I can open my mouth, I'm bombarded with questions.

"Third-Degree! Are you certain that our streets will be safe with these ex-Vigilantes operating alongside Pros?"

"Third-Degree! How can you give a thorough analysis without operating alongside her while you've been inactive?!"

"Third-Degree! Is it true that she sent fifty Yakuza to the villain hospital?!"

"Third-Degree! W-"

The rows of questions make my head swim, and the anxiety goes right to my gut. I feel sweat on the back of my neck. I haven't done this in so long. I haven't spoken in front of this many people. I'd forgotten how intimidating it is. I've taken my pills, so it's muted, but the reporters still manage to tip me over the edge, and I lash out instead of withdrawing or keeping my cool.