Midori the Mama

Chapter 10: The Hidden Gift

Izumi was in a mental panic. Even as the entire agency got together for an emergency meeting with the police all she could think about was that her baby boy was in the clutches of the villain who'd killed All Might and Eri. Bakugo, she knew, was furious. He was giving out orders like a general, cancelling out any and all assignments and rallying troops all over putting this case on top priority.

Todoroki was making phone calls left and right to other agencies to rally help from them as well. He and Momo worked side by side, with Iida and Ochaco working on strategy and possible plans of attack. The entire area was in chaos… but Izumi felt completely cut off from it.

She stepped away from it all, taking the elevator up to the office, and revelling in the silence. She sat at her desk, gripping her hair in between her fingers and tried to control her breathing as the panic heightened. What was she going to do? Everyone else was working so hard to help her baby, and she should be doing the same… but she couldn't think, could barely breathe let alone act.

"Izuku…" tears fell down her cheeks. She wanted all her memories now more than ever. With ten years of experience cutaway she felt like a rookie hero when she should be one of the top.

Think, Izumi, think.

She lecture herself and stood up to pace and mumble. Victor had given her mother explicit instructions. Izumi would contact him through a phone number she had tucked away in her pocket. After which Victor would give her the address of his current whereabouts and come alone, no heroes, no police, no devices of any kind.

He wanted only her, he didn't want anyone else involved. Victor knew exactly where to strike that would hit her the hardest. He'd done it before with All Might and Eri. At the time Izumi was sure those two would have been the top of her affection list since she and Todoroki were going through relationship issues. All Might had been a father to her, and Eri her little sister. Now he had Izuku… and unless she played by his rules, her baby would either be killed, or more likely be hidden away and raised by her enemy. He'd managed to stay hidden for years, and could very well do the same with her child. He wanted her quirk, why not take her child? He didn't know the secrets of One for All or that it was quite possible her baby would either remain quirkless or inherit Bakugo's quirk… but even Bakugo's quirk would be useful to him.

No matter the case, whether her child inherited a quirk or not, Victor would keep Izuku away from her unless she did what he asked.

Her mind made up Izumi stood up and locked the door to the office. She then pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number her mother had given her. Eyes hard, and her free hand clenched into a fist she spoke in a surprisingly calm voice.

"Where is he, Victor? What did you do with my son?"

"Ah, Usagi, so happy you got my message. I had a lovely time at your mother's, she's a sweet lady." Victor lounged back in his desk chair and blew smoke from his favored cigar.

"Quit tugging on my string, I'm doing what you want and calling you, now tell me where to go to find my son!"

"You have such a beautiful temper. I wish I could see it right now. Your face always is so beautiful when lit with anger." He twirled his stub in his fingers admiring the char at the end. "I'll give you the address… but are we clear on the terms of our meeting?"

"Yes… no cops, no heroes, no devices. It's just you, and me." She gripped the phone tightly. "I'll do whatever you ask."

"Good, I knew you'd see it my way." He rattled off an address, Izumi taking down the info both mentally and on a piece of paper. "Do hurry, Usagi, I've waited a long time and am beginning to lose patience."

"You're such a despicable person. I can't believe you would get my son involved in this, and for what? My quirk?"

"Yes… you've the strength of All Might, but the ferocity of a villain. I knew if I pushed the right buttons I could lead you to the side of villainy… it was all a matter of time."

"My son is not a button, Savage!" Izumi snarled through the phone. "He's a baby. It's one thing for you to kill All Might and Eri, but for you to take a newborn child barely out of his mother's womb takes a twisted kind of evil. You're sick!"

"It's not as though I plan to hurt the child. Also I didn't kill All Might and Eri, that was Doppelganger's folly. I took care of that loose canon after her tried to kill you in your hospital bed."

"What? He was there?"

"Yes, he had contacts at that hospital and used them to gain access when you came in for delivery. He then had the nerve to use my form and quirk to try and stop your heart… but he lacked proper control. Power needs control, even in my position. I lost control of Doppelganger, and decided to eliminate that problem."

The fact that Savage could say that so calm and coolly sent shivers down Izumi's spine.

"You killed him. You killed your own partner, how can I be sure you won't-"

"You will see your son soon, Izumi. He's taken quite a liking to his new quarters. Lullaby, one of my newest employees, has a way with putting children into a sweet slumber."

Izumi's breath hitched and she gripped the pen so hard it broke in her hand, oozing ink.

"You better not hurt him, Victor. I swear to god if you kill him, or even hurt one hair on his head I'll do exactly what you want and become a villain." Her eyes go cold and cruel. "By killing you in cold blood." She hung up the phone and looked down at her ink covered glove. She ripped it off and let it fall to the floor before storming out.

All Might had been right from the start. Being the symbol of peace made you enemies left and right. So long as she stayed this way her family wouldn't be safe. She had to do something drastic to protect what she loved.

She went back down to the lobby, and saw Bakugo. Her eyes went wet at the look on his face. In between the anger and the orders, she saw the same fear and helplessness she'd seen in herself. She walked to him, slow and sure. He saw her coming, his voice stopping mid sentence so he could turn to her.

She reached out to him and hugged him tight. He embraced her pressing his lips firmly to her temple and his hands soothing by stroking up and down her back.

"We'll find him, Izumi. I swear it."

"I know… I know Kacchan." She lifted her face up tears dripping down her cheeks. "I'm sorry."

"For what? You didn't do anything wrong, Izumi."

"If I'd stayed with him, if I'd kept him with me…" She sniffed

"Stop it!" he gripped her shoulders in his hands and narrowed his eyes on her. "This isn't your fault. Savage is a villain, he'll have found a way to get to him, and to you. He's determined to get what he wants and needs to be stopped."

"I know that, but I can't help how I feel. This all started with me, and it's gotten so many people I love hurt or killed." She shook her head when he opened his mouth to speak. "I won't let Izuku be one of them… and I won't let it be you either." She lifted her head and grabbed his face. "If Savage knew how much you mean to me, he'd try to hurt or kill you too."

"Tch, looking down on me are yah?" He snorted and took her chin. "Don't underestimate me."

"I won't… and I never have. You're amazing Kacchan, and to me you're the real Number One hero." She slid into him her fingers gripping his shirt. She leaned in and kissed him. When he kissed her back, their tongue tangling together, she poured herself into him, and he accepted it openly not realizing just how much of her he was taking in. "I love you."

"I know…" he smirked at her expression. "Annoying isn't it?" he tapped her nose and kissed her once more. "I love you too, Izumi."

"Kacchan…" She smiled and nuzzled under his chin. "Mmmm I need some fresh air… will you be alright without me for a little while?"

"Take all the time you need, Usagi. We've got things covered." He stroked her hair and watched her pull away and step outside. When she looked over her shoulder at him, and gave him a smile and thumbs up, he wondered why it felt like a goodbye.

~Savage Estate~

Izumi wondered why this place had not been on anyone's radar. The mansion was huge and the surrounding land took up half a mountainside. She supposed it was a bit out of the way seeing as from the front door she could see the entire city and bay lit up like a christmas tree. Still it was big enough and the property large enough to acquire some attention.

The drive up had been a bit terrifying seeing as she was still learning the basics of driving and the mountain road had been a bit perilous to navigate. Still she had a goal, and couldn't let fear stop her now.

Izumi knocked on the door, her heart pounding rapidly and a sickness forming in her gut and throat. A maid answered the door and she bowed deep.

"Welcome, Miss Usagi. My master has been expecting you. Please follow me." She motioned her inside, closing the door behind Izumi and walking up the stairs to the second level. Izumi followed cautiously, her eyes searching everywhere at once for any sign of her son.

They stopped in front of two large ornate doors that opened to a lavish office. Inside Savage lounged behind his desk, smoking his trademark cigar and smiling at her. He carried the scars of their last encounter on his face and down his neck.

"Ah, Usagi, at last we finally meet again." He nodded to his maid who ushered her inside then closed the door behind her. "Please have a seat. I'm surprised you're not in your costume."

"I'm not here as a hero, I'm here as a mother." She told him, sporting jeans, boots, and a sweater rather than her full hero costume. "All I want is my son, Savage. So let's have this out. No fists, no fights, let's just talk."

"Alright then…" he motioned her to have a seat. When she sat he leaned forward clasping his hands together on his desk and smiled. "Let's talk."

~One for All Agency~

Bakugo sat with Inko who was sobbing into a handkerchief. He rubbed her shoulders trying to comfort her.

"It's not your fault, Inko." Bakugo tried to assure her but the woman continued to whimper. "He's a powerful and dangerous villain, there's no way you could have stopped him all on your own."

"I know, I know in my head you're right, but oh that poor baby. Izumi was so upset when I called her."

"She's taking it in stride, we'll find Izuku. Savage is too smart to hurt that kid because he knows Izumi won't do anything he wants if he hurts him." Bakugo glanced up as Todoroki walked in, fully geared up and frowning down at his cell phone. "What's wrong?"

"Have you seen Izumi? She's not answering her cell phone. We may have found Savage's hideout… it seems a little off because it's right in plain sight but that's just his style."

"She went out for some fresh air, but that was a while ago. Have you checked the office?" Bakugo stood up but Inko grabbed his hand clenching it tight.

"You don't think she would have called him, do you? She'd be too smart for that right?"

"What do you mean call him? Izumi doesn't-" he trailed off at the look on Inko's face. The wide eyed disbelief and pure look of fear had Bakugo's insides twisting. He turned and ran at full speed with Todoroki right behind him. The moment the elevator does opened to the office level Bakugo burst out and screamed for his wife.

"IZUMI!?" He looked around for her, his eyes darting around and he rushed to her desk looking for clues to where she could have gone. He spotted the discarded glove on the floor and picked it up. Inside the balled up fabric was a note with an address on it, and a message for him.

I'm sorry, Kacchan.

Panic seeped into him and he shoved the note at Todoroki so he wouldn't accidentally burn it up with his quirk.

"She's gone after him alone. Why would she go alone?"

"It could be Izumi didn't tell us the whole story. If Inko gave Izumi a number to call Savage he probably wanted her there alone. He probably has people watching us to make sure she didn't inform anyone."

"DAMN IT!" Bakugo slammed his fists down on the desk, and jolted as the entire desk broke to pieces. He hadn't even used his quirk. How had he managed to break a marble desk with his bare hands without his quirk?

"Katsuki you're-" Todoroki, wide eyed himself, pointed at Bakugo's arm. Bakugo looked at the spot of his costume that showed skin, and he saw the familiar red glow of One for All pulse, and then begin to fade.

"She gave it to me…" he touched his lips, his eyes staring dumbstruck at the floor. He recalled the kiss he'd given her before she left. It had been hot and passionate, and he could still taste her even now. "When she kissed me, she gave me One for All."

"Why?" Todoroki looked on confused. "Why would she give you her quirk if she was gonna take him head on?"

Bakugo shook and clenched his fists. He looked down at the remnants on her desk, saw files scattered and picked up one at random. It was the file on Overhaul. Bakugo skimmed through it rereading info he already knew… and found the answer to Todoroki's question.

"Gather the sidekicks! We're taking Savage down, now!" He tossed the file on the ground and lifted his hands up to stare at them. He could feel it now, her quirk stirring inside him. "Baka Usagi, always taking too much on your own."

~Savage Estate~

Izumi fixed herself a drink from the bar, her mind mulling over what she had learned. She glanced over at Savage, her eyes narrowing a bit.

"Care for a drink?"

"Brandy, if you don't mind." He lit his cigar again, puffing on it as Izumi poured the brandy and walked over offering him his choice of glass. He took it, and drank half in one gulp and Izumi drank her own slow and steady. "So…" he stirred the contents of his glass. "Is my proposition clear?"

"All the people you killed, all the trouble you've caused me… and all you really want is a fucking bodyguard?" It wasn't often Izumi cursed, but the pure stupidity and callousness of her host was sending her over the edge of her temper.

"I need protection, and you're the best of the best, but you're missing the whole point, Izumi." He went to the window as she sat back down with her drink. "I want you because you're powerful. I made my fortune by dealing with all manner of criminals and gangs. I've made allies with some truly powerful people, and it's served me well. When you have power, people respect, admire, and fear you. I am the kind of man who likes to collect power, and you, my dear, have that in spades. You've true physical strength that's admiring, but your mental strength is beyond my admiration. I've spent years poking and prodding into your mind, trying to find the ins and outs of it. I've always considered myself an expert and you…" he laughed and spread his hands out as if to welcome her. "Make me feel like a novice. The horrors you've been through, the tragedy of your past, the emotional roller coaster of your love life, and to top it all off your powerful quirk. It's all a big tangle of webs inside your brain that I've slowly been unlocking piece by piece."

He turned and walked to her placing his hands on the arms of her chair he leaned in staring into her beautiful green eyes.

"You're truly the greatest hero that has ever lived. More so than your partners and even All Might. Doppelganger feared and hated you, and for a time his quirk served me purpose… but he tried to destroy all that I've worked so hard to build and unravel." he touched the scar on her temple. "I love your brain, Izumi… and your bravery. You haven't looked away from me once, you're staring straight into me with those eyes. I could have just taken away your will and pulled you to me… but as I told Doppelganger, take away someone's will and they become unreliable."

"There's nothing you can do that will scare me anymore, Savage. You have what I hold most precious to me. You have your bargaining chip."

"That I do… would you like to see your son, Izumi?"

"Yes…" She clenched her fists tightly together.

"Then say yes, join me, become my right hand." He held out his hand to her. Izumi stared at it long and hard. "Do this, and I will give you your son."

What choice did she have? She couldn't let Savage hurt Izuku… She grit her teeth and grabbed his hand.

"You win… Please, bring me my son."

"Very well…" Grinning ear to ear he straightened and went for a fresh Cigar. Lighting it he took a long puff and called out. "Lullaby!"

The door opened and Izumi turned, and the ache in her heart eased some at the sight of her sleeping baby. The woman who held him was quiet and somber. She had light blue hair, skin as iridescent as the moon, and eyes that were almost a silvery gray.

"Beautiful isn't she? She's the perfect nanny for your little one. Gentle, soft spoken, and as I told you before, her quirk allows her to put children to sleep for as long as she wills it." He stood back and Izumi was up instantly running to her son. Lullaby looked up at her, her stare had a tint of sadness as she held the baby out to her.

Izumi cradled her son and held him close sobbing in relief at having her baby returned.

"Izuku… my sweet Izuku."

"Now then, I've kept my end of the bargain. Why don't you give Lullaby your son so he can sleep, and you and I can discuss terms."

"There's no need for that." Izumi's eyes went to Savage. "I doubt you'll want me or my son in your company for very long. You only like powerful people isn't that right?"

Savage's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?"

"You ever heard of the Villain Overhaul?"

"Of course I have. Overhaul, also known as Kai Chisaki. His quirk allowed him to disassemble and reassemble anything he came in contact with. His daughter Eri was the one All Might adopted is that right?"

"Yes… and it was his daughter that he used to fuel his master plan."

"Ah that's right to-" his smile faded and his eyes went hard and cold. "You didn't…"

Izumi pulled a capsule out with pills inside.

"The last remnants of his master plan… to rid the world of heroes by eliminating the quirks. My husband thought it a good idea to keep some on hand for the villains with more troublesome quirks." She pocketed it again and bounced Izuku in her arms as the baby stirred and woke. "How was your drink, Savage? Was it good?"

Savage stared down at the brandy still in his hand and it dropped and shattered on the floor.

"You bitch!" He looked at her, trying to activate his quirk. She stared at him directly in the eye her lips curled in a smile. "You took away my quirk!"

"Mine as well… I couldn't be sure what glass you'd take so I drugged them both. Now here we are, just a couple of helpless, quirkless pedestrians and a baby."

"I'll kill you!" He reached into his jacket pocket and held out a gun pointing at her "I don't need a fucking quirk to kill you!"

"An explosion rung out from behind, Savage whirled, turning to fire his gun at Bakugo who came bursting through the glass of the wide window but he missed his mark. Bakugo's hand went straight to his face and he slammed him down to the ground squeezing his head like a melon.

"You hurt my wife or son and I swear your brains will be splattered all over your designer carpet, old man!" Bakugo threatened.

"Now, now, Kacchan, that's not very heroic." Relieved and smiling ear to ear she held her baby tight, Lullaby cowered in the corner, an innocent bystander in all this. Todoroki burst in behind her.

"Izumi, are you alright?"

"I'm fine…" she looked down at her baby and nuzzled him. She heard the sounds of police sirens and helicopters and had to let out a long sigh of relief. "We're just fine."

~Ask Briry~

Briry: Took me a bit longer to punch this one because of a few kinks. If you guys are still confused about Overhaul you can either check out the Manga which is what I would reccommend, or use cheats and use Wikipedia. Either way I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will look forward to the next and final chapter of this arc. Any and all remaining questions will be answered at the end as a final segment so if you have any be sure to get them in!

Next Chapter: The Happy Ending