Time Changes Us (DekuBaku)

68

"Come on baby, we have to leave now," Mom picked up little Aiko who was already larger than the one that I know at home.

"But Daddy," she cried silently and even as Mom ran carrying her they both cried, already knowing, somehow, that they wouldn't see Dad again.

Years flew by and I watched as Aiko grew up, Her quirk far stronger than it is now and she never even had OFA. I watched as she tried to save people only to have to run away herself, Mom with Auntie and Uncle while they all tried to flee but with nowhere to run to. The world was chaotic and anyone that was ever connected to a hero was hunted down, well if they weren't a villain already. Far more villains appeared that were actual victims of “heroes” themselves than I could have ever guessed and it made me feel so wronged. So disgusted.

I was forced to watch as Mom was beaten down on several occasions and it wasn't until someone would eventually point out that "Hey no, she was the mother of one of the only two good heroes," and they would let her go. Every time it was a gamble, would this villain kill her or let her go? All because of me. She managed to hide Aiko until she turned 15 but by then Mom couldn't hold on anymore and she did what Dad had. She used herself as a distraction to let Aiko get away with Auntie and Uncle.

Aiko was 17 when Uncle was murdered and it was only a couple months after that that Auntie was gone too. Aiko was alone in a world of villains.

Then I saw her meet an old woman, at least one that looked old anyway. "Girl, I can give you what you want but it will cost you," her voice cracked as if she hadn't used it in a long time. Aiko was just trying to pass her but what she said next made me feel chills. "Your family, I can give you your family back," she smirked and I can't blame Aiko for pausing but at least she didn't turn around.

"You can't bring the dead back," Aiko whispered and took another step away.

"What if you went back to before they died? I already said it would cost you but I didn't say that it would be cruel. I can teach you, your quirk is much more like mine than I originally thought but I will still pass it to you. Tell me girl, do you want to see your family? To finally meet the brother you've heard so much about?"

Aiko froze and turned around slowly, the woman cracked a grin. "I thought so, all you need to say is, I wish it," the woman waited and Aiko was clearly debating on trusting her or not but eventually she gave in.

"I wish it," she whispered and the woman started cackling.

"Very good, very very good! Now you'll be able to save the world," she grinned with crooked teeth before handing her a thick green cloak and Aiko pulled the hood up, showing me exactly the Lady in the Green Hood we have all come to know.

"We have a lot of work to do, girl. It will be hard but I will teach you and you will be able to save them all," the woman cackled some more and Aiko just nodded, her eyes going to the floor to try and hide what was clearly there.

Hope.

I opened my eyes and saw Dad crying next to me while holding a small bundle in his arms. Is that…

“Daddy?” I croaked out and he jumped, the little bundle now fussing in his arms while he tried to soothe the baby while at the same time smiling at me.

“My baby,” he whispered, the words could easily just be referring to the baby in his arms but the look in his eyes said he clearly meant me and I smiled back at him. He helped me get something to drink, using a straw like a dropper he gave me a little at a time. “Do you think you could drink if I held the cup for you?” He asked hopefully and I smiled and nodded. After I was done he used the buttons to help me sit up when I tried to sit up by myself but couldn’t.