Midori The Villain
Chapter 14: A New Izumi, A New League
Ever since she was a child Izumi wanted to save people, but she found out that some just couldn't be saved. For the first time in her life she killed two people… and it didn't faze her one bit. She expected it to haunt her, she expected the sight of their dead bodies or the visions of their deaths to make her feel guilty or remorseful… but it didn't. Instead she felt at ease, calm, and ready for the next step. She may have been a little hasty in killing the doctor who had been working on the Nomus to provide them with muscle, but she knew the man's loyalties lie with Sensei.
She was doubly sure of her choice to kill him when she started going through the doctor's files. She found the notes, pictures, and videos of the many experiments he'd done over the years. The twisted was he used his power made Izumi all the more glad that she'd rid the world of his psychotic mind and greedy benefactor.
The few Nomus that were left were under her control now, and she'd use them. It might be more merciful to just destroy them, but Izumi wanted to use their power for more justifiable purposes. Plus now that she'd eliminated the league's two major allies they were gonna need to beef up their ranks. Until that happened the Nomus were needed. So she'd keep them in reserve until she could figure out how to best utilize them.
She was glad Tomura and Kurogiri were on her side. Tomura had been pissed off at first, but when she explained to him what he had done, how Sensei had purposely put them at odds, and used their needs and wants to leash them he backed down.
"I know you thought he was on your side, Tomura. Believe me I was just as shocked and betrayed when I figured it out." She ran fingers through his hair. "We have to move on."
"How? Sensei was the one with all the contacts, all the information, all the money." He pound his fist on top of the bar. "Who's going to support us?"
"I am." She smiled. "The police believed my guardian died of a heart attack, and given his condition they didn't question it. Once my emancipation papers are filed, all the money, all the properties, and all the benefits he had under that given name will legally be mine. Turns out it's quite a lofty sum, and that's probably not the only name he's used. I'm gonna take some time to go through all the records in the base and his office and find out everything I can."
"Fine…" Tomura scratched his nail on the counter his eyes glaring down at the scratch marks he created. "So what now? I can't kill All Might, Sensei is gone… what the hell do we do from here?"
"An accurate question, Tomura." Kurogiri agreed and turned his attention to Izumi. "We aligned with you because you said you're on our side. You said you would help us. So how do we go about completing our objective if our morals clash?"
"We don't have to kill All Might to destroy him." Izumi pointed out. "Between the three of us, All Might is weakening. He won't be able to keep on winning forever, and he knows it." She stood up and walked to the chess board she'd set up on one of the tables. She sat down and scanned the board with an attentive expression. "He'll be looking for someone to become the next symbol of peace. I think that's why he's teaching at UA. He's looking for his successor."
"Someone from your class?" Tomura questioned. "Those brats?"
"I don't know… If I had to choose someone I thought was probably up to he task I'd say Todoroki is closest. He's the son of Endeavor who is the #2 hero, and his quirk, skills, and athletics are top of the class. Still…" She rubbed her chin frowning. "He may go for someone in the higher grades, someone with more experience and training. It's hard to tell, but I plan to stay in UA so I can keep my eye on him."
"Which reminds me. We never told you, but there's a second spy inside UA who has also been reporting to us." Kurogiri admitted.
"I know…" Izumi lounged back. "Or should I say I figured as much as you guys were able to sneak on campus to grab the plans for the USJ attack. This spy is unaware of my involvement, right?" When she got a confirmed nod she tapped her fingers together. "Then there's no need for him to know. Any further contact with him will be done anonymously through email. Whatever information he gives me I'll find a way to use."
"That's one problem solved. What about our healing situation? The only person we had with any kind of medical background is dead."
"I'm already working on that…" She smiled coyly. "I did a little digging through the doctor's files. He has a colleague who sent him an email a few days ago. He asked if there was a private facility he could use in order to run some… delicate operations. I did some digging and the colleague in question has a quirk known as surgeon touch. He can cut, and stitch people together, and even perform complicated surgical procedures like plastic surgery or bypasses without ever having to cut them open."
"That sounds like a powerful quirk. Why would someone of his caliber help us?" Kurogiri questioned.
"It is powerful, and he's used it to save many lives... but it has a weakness. He can't cure diseases. His wife and daughter were both diagnosed with a virus that attacks the body's immune system. He begged and pleaded with the board at his hospital to provide him with the resources he'd need to find a cure, but they turned him down due to inadequate funding. If he aligns with us, I'm going to offer up the facility he needs as well as the money required to support his research."
"Careful Karma… your hero side is showing." Tomura laughed at her and made her smile.
"Karma isn't always bad, Tomura…" Izumi pointed out. "I punish only those that deserve it, but I also do favors and gifts for those I think have earned it. This doctor has saved countless lives with his quirk. I'm merely giving him the same courtesy he deserves by helping him save those he loves."
"Your innocent side really makes me sick at times." He stood up and walked to her holding her chin. "So you got us a healer, but what good will that do us if we don't fight?"
"Who says we won't? This is only the beginning." She motioned him to sit across from her and she motioned to the pieces on the board. "We're starting a whole new game… but even with our new ally we don't have enough pieces. We'll need to rally others to our cause." She held up the King admiring it. "In order to do that we need a figurehead. The world has been made aware of the league's existence but as far as they know we're just a bunch of maniacs looking to stir up trouble."
"Ah I see…" Kurogiri saw where this was going. "So you're suggesting we change their perspective of us in order to gather allies. How should we do it?"
"Have you guys heard of the Hero Killer Stain?" She set the King down and started to mentally form a picture of how she wanted things to go.
"Yes, he's been travelling city to city killing injuring or killing heroes. He'd kill at least one and injure others so that the survivors could pass on his word." Kurogiri filled in.
"His word?" Tomura, more out of boredom then general interest in the game, moved up a pawn. He rarely played, barely knew the rules, but he'd indulge her.
"Yes, his beliefs, his morals, whatever you want to call them." She stood up. "There are two kinds of heroes in the world; True heroes who do what is right for selfless reasons, and false heroes who play at the job for money or glory. He tells everyone he meets that his entire purpose is to eliminate the false heroes. He wants to change this corrupted society that overproduces heroes, and removes the true meaning behind the occupation. I don't believe killing is necessary for such a purpose, but I can't argue with his motives."
"Sounds complicated to me. I'd rather just rid the world of all heroes than compartmentalize them like that. Do you really think others will share this belief?" Tomura snorted. "When we gathered allies before, they were just as selfish and stupid as the heroes."
"The kind of allies you gathered were nothing more than a group of thugs looking for the glory of killing the number one hero." She said with irritation. "I want REAL allies. Raw, talented, and intelligent people hiding in the gray areas. The smart villains stay out of sight, until they find a cause worthy enough to join. If word got out Stain has alliances with us, then we'd no longer just be a simple group of thugs with no plan. We'd be a group of villains with a sense of purpose and morality. A place others could go to for support and purpose."
"You make us sound like a sanctuary." Kurogiri put in with a hint of disapproval.
"Isn't it?" She smirked at him, "When I first joined the group you told me that I wasn't alone. We all found out the truth about the world and had to swallow that bitter pill. I felt strong, capable, and needed knowing that I had others who share that feeling. Knowing I had people I could rely on. If we can get the Hero Killer on our side… then we can do the same to so many others."
"Very well…" Kurogiri nodded in approval. "It's a sound plan, and one that benefits us both in the long run."
"If you say so." Tomura sneered, and moved his next piece only to have Izumi take it. "So we have a plan. What's our first step?"
"Figure out where the Hero killer is." Izumi folded her hands and leaned on them as she examined the board again. "It's faint but he's got a pattern. When we know what city he's in, it'll be easy enough to guess where he'll strike next. Once we track him down I want you to invite him to our abode for a lil heart to heart."
"What'll you do in the meantime?" This from Kurogiri who walked over to eye the game speculatively. He helped Tomura with his next move, taking Izumi's bishop.
"I've got to keep up appearances. School starts back up on Monday, and All Might said he wanted to talk with me after our injuries had healed." Izumi eyed the board and she got a wicked gleam in her eye. "Who knows… he may have something interesting to say." She set her queen in place and gave a sweet smile when both men looked at her dumbfounded. "Checkmate."
~UA High School: Monday Morning~
All Might set Izumi's picture on Nezu's desk.
"I've made up my mind."
"Izumi Midoriya…" Nezu picked up the picture staring at the girl. "She's not the one I would have chosen for you. She seems a bit too unpredictable from the information I have."
"Young Mirio is a strong and capable hero all on his own." All Might thumped a fist on his chest. "Izumi has potential, and though she is rough around the edges I believe she is the right choice."
"She's had a very traumatic year." Nezu pointed out leaning on his hands. "Her mother's death, the USJ attack, and I've heard the guardian who had been caring for her died of a heart attack from the news."
"She's been orphaned again?" All Might's face twisted up with sympathy. "Poor child…"
"Not so poor… the guardian was apparently a wealthy benefactor. Has stock and interest in many business all of which he's left to his one and only daughter. Curious don't you think?"
"You don't honestly believe Izumi had something to do with his death?" All Might looked stricken at this news. "She's just a child."
"Even a child is capable of cruel things, All Might. Still… I too find it hard to believe that she'd be capable of it. I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt… provided she passes a small test."
"A test?" All Might blinked.
"Yes… bring her to the teacher's lounge during lunch break. In the end it's your choice whether you want to trust her with your power or not. Still if she wants my trust, she'll need to earn it." He pushed the picture across the table.
"Mmm I do want you approval for this. So I shall bring Young Midoriya as you ask."
"Very good, I will see you both at lunch time then."
~UA Classroom~
She cut her hair.
After freeing herself from the leash that held her back, she had wanted a physical change to mark the occasion. She may have initially cried and blubbered over the fact, but something about shedding roughly a pound of fluff just felt liberating.
She had to get it styled as her own quick cut had turned out disastrously, but she liked the final product. The initial length of her hair had been nearly to the middle of her back, but she found a happy medium where it was short enough for a more edgy look, but girly enough to make her feel sweet and feminine when she had the desire to.
Still… she hadn't expected the outlash at the sudden change.
"Midoriya! Your poor hair! Sweetie why did you cut it?" Momo fussed and played with the curls making her brow twitch. "Oh my god did your boyfriend dump you?"
"No, Yao, and even if he did I wouldn't be so dramatic about it." she waved the girl off and shook back the curls. "I just wanted a change. After the villain attack I realized my hair was practically a rope for villains to grab hold of. I'm limiting their access to it."
"Still it's so short…" Uraraka fussed as well trying not to cry. "You had such beautiful curly hair, it seems like such a waste."
"Does it look bad?" Izumi asked with a sad expression.
"No!" Uraraka quickly corrected waving her hands and then pumping her fists. "It looks really cute on you!"
"Thanks," she offered a sweet smile which made her entire person light up. The girls all made sounds of admiration and cuddled around her.
"What the hell are you all doing here?!" Bakugo sneered. "Get lost you hens!" He sneered as the girls parted and his temple throbbed as he got his first real look at Izumi. "The hell did you do to your hair?"
"I cut it, sherlock…" She twirled a curl around her finger and fluttered her eyeslashes at him. "Like it?"
"I hate it. You looked just fine before." He scrunched up the curls making her squirm and grunt. "It doesn't matter if you cut your hair, dye it black, get tattoos and piercings… you're always going to be Usagi so stop trying to change!"
"Owowow! DAMN IT!" She jerked up pushing Bakugo off her and shaking her fist at him. "That hurts! Just for that I'm going to go get three piercings in my ear just to spit you!"
"HA!?" Bakugo bumped foreheads with her. "I just told you to stop changing!"
"Why the hell should I listen to you?!" She countered back, the two of them arguing back and forth with the rest of the class watching in amusement. Todoroki walked in just as Bakugo had Izumi in a headlock and was grinding his knuckles in her head. Iida was shouting at him to let her go telling him that's not how he should treat a girl.
"Don't get all high and mighty on me, you robot. I'll fucking kill you!"
"What's going on?" Todoroki asked Uraraka who had decided to take her seat.
"The usual battle of the sexes…" Uraraka laughed. "Iida's trying to break them up and get them back in their seats."
"I see…" He lifted his eyes to Izumi who had squirmed her way out of the hold and was now yanking on Bakugo's jacket trying to make him sit down but to little avail. He noticed the haircut right away, and something inside him twisted.
Due to all the rough housing, all her curls just fluffed everywhere accentuating her soft cute face. Her annoyed expression came off as charming and adorable, and his feelings for her just highlighted that.
"Todoroki-kun? Oi! Todoroki!" Uraraka waved a hand in front of his face and had him snapping back to reality.
"Hmmm? What?"
"Oh ho ho…" Ashido saw the dazed expression and her lips curled mischievously. "Could it be our resident stud has a crush on Midoriya?"
"A crush?" He blinked at the expression and held his chin. "Is that what this is? How would you define a crush?"
"Seriously dude?" This from Kaminari who had overheard. "You don't know what a crush is?"
"Is it some kind of attack?" He punched his fist into his palm as if to demonstrate. Uraraka spit laughed holding her mouth to control the giggle fits.
"No silly… a crush is where you have strong feelings for another person." Ashido corrected. "You know, heart racing, face flushing, head spinning sort of feeling. You get jealous of seeing them with another person, and your heart aches because you just want to be with them." Ashido sighed and little hearts danced around her head.
"Mina-chan, you're describing love, not a crush. A crush is more like an attachment, something you can get over real quickly. Love is a lot stronger than that." Tsuyu put in and had Todoroki's eyes widening slightly.
"Love?" He whispered and his eyes went back to Midoriya who finally sat down and was conversing with Tohru, Ojiro, and a few others about the USJ attack. Tohru made a comment that had Izumi laughing and his heart beat loudly in his chest making it ache. He was in love with Midoriya.
"Be Happy."
He recalled saying those words to her, and watching her face change so quickly from stricken to bright in a matter of moments.
"Mmmm I plan to."
Damn it… he felt his breath catching and had an urge to hold his chest where it hurt. He wanted to know who held Midoriya's heart. He wanted to know just what kind of person she committed herself to, and made her reject him.
"In your seat, Todoroki." Aizawa walked in and narrowed his eyes at the one guy who wasn't in his seat. "Class is starting and we have a lot to discuss."
The news of the upcoming Sports Festival had caught everyone's excitement. Even Uraraka was pumped up and it was refreshing for Izumi to see the little bubble personality turn bad ass with competition.
With curiosity getting the better of her Izumi spent the first few minutes of lunch taking with Iida and Uraraka, getting to know them and their motives for joining the hero course. She liked them both, and while she found Uraraka's motivations surprising, she saw the good intention and slid her into the "true hero" category.
Her other classmates were hit and miss. Students like Mineta, Aoyama, and of course Bakugo who seemed to strive from personal motives were definitely in the "not so heroic" category. Still she had hope that with some tweaking, and proper motivation that they would come to change and see. The best thing about being a student is learning. All of them needed to learn what a "true hero" was and how to strive for it.
"Little Midori is here!" All Might shouted gaining her quick attention. "Come have lunch with me." He held up his bento. "The principle and I want to have a word with you."
"Eh?" Izumi's eyes blinked in surprise. "The principle?"
"Yes, come along." He motioned her over and waved to Iida and Uraraka before escorting her away.
~Teacher's Lounge~
"Ah Miss Midoriya!" Nezu waved from the couch. "Welcome, please have a seat. All Might come sit beside me." He pat the spot on the couch and proceeded to make some tea for all of them. "Thank you for coming to see me during your break, Miss Midoriya."
"You can call me Izumi, and it's quite alright, Principle Nezu." She sat down across from them as instructed. "Can I ask what this is about? Thank you." She bowed her head graciously when he set the cup of tea in her hands.
"We've heard about the trouble you've been through, Izumi." Nezu went on returning to his seat on the couch. "Here at UA we're very concerned for the safety and well being of our students. I arranged this little meeting so I can talk to you, and make sure you're alright."
A talk? More like an interrogation. Izumi had figured she'd be dealing with as much. She'd avoided long thorough investigations with the police and insurance companies by complying and offering up the necessary information they asked for. It helped that her Sensei had such a thorough fake background arranged, just in case he ever found himself tangled in such an investigation. Since she was an alumni at the school she fully expected the heroes to poke their noses in, and had thoroughly prepared herself for any questions they might have for her.
"By trouble, you mean the death of my mother and guardian, and the attack on USJ?" She folded her hands neatly in her lap. She would not be caught in a lie. She would answer all his questions honestly, or as best as she could. Any minor slip could get her expelled… or worse arrested.
"Yes," Nezu saw the look in the girl's eyes, the determined and nearly frightened expression. "How do you feel, Miss Midoriya?"
"Feel?" The question caught her a bit off guard but she answered almost instantly. "A little sick, a little tired… and all kinds of relieved."
"Relieved?" This from All Might who genuinely looked perplexed.
"It's hard to describe, All Might." She folded her hands in her lap. "My life has been a mess as of late and I couldn't even begin to tell you all that's going through my mind right now." She shut her eyes and let out a soft sigh. "I want to believe things will get easier from here on out… but life is unpredictable."
"I can understand that… so then why do you feel relieved?" He pressed on.
"Because no matter what sort of messes I may get into from here on out…" she opened her eyes and genuinely smiled at him. "They're mine to make, and mine to clean up. I'm taking control of my chaotic life, and not leaving it in anybody else's hands but my own."
"I see…" Nezu nodded his head in approval. "So that's why you applied for emancipation?"
"Yes…" She held her chest. "I can tell you this honestly, Principle Nezu, because I know it's something you and the other's who've asked me are curious about. I don't care about the money. The only reason I'm accepting it is because I'm not stupid. I'm only 15, I'm still a student, I don't have a job, and I've no close relatives I can depend on for financial support. I don't have time to waste on be shifted from one foster care home to another. I have a goal, and I need to stay enrolled here at UA in order for it to come to fruition. So that's why I'm taking charge of my own life, and accepting the gifts that tragedy has left behind."
Nezu stare straight at Izumi. He saw such determination and drive in this young woman that it was inspiring. She spoke honestly, spoke with passion and drive… and yet he couldn't shake the feeling she was hiding something.
"It is a tragedy… for you to lose your mother and guardian in such close proximity to each other. I can't imagine how hard it must have been on you."
Izumi felt herself tense up and she lowered her head mentally cursing. Damn this guy was good. She'd hoped that her honest answer to alleviate any further curiosity… but the guy was reading her like a damn book.
"My mother was the only one I had in this world that I unconditionally loved and cared for. When she died something inside me died as well." She closed her eyes when she felt the tears spring to life. "Shit."
"Let them out, Izumi. It's okay." All Might hushed and walked over patting her shoulders.
"I'm tired of crying over it… I just want to move past it." She lifted her head even as the tears fell. "I told myself I'd get stronger, I told myself I wouldn't be a victim anymore… I don't want to be saved, I want to do the saving."
She thought of Tomura… his twisted pained face the night she gave her innocence to him. He was so twisted up inside, so angry, so hateful… she wanted to make him happy. She wanted to give him closure so he could finally have peace of mind.
"I didn't cry when Sensei died…" she said suddenly catching them and herself both off guard. "The man had given me strength, confidence, everything I needed to take the entrance exam and ensure my spot here. I thought of him as a sort of father figure... but when he died I felt nothing. Just relief."
All Might recalled his previous conversation with Izumi. For the first time he'd seen that tough exterior she put around herself melt into what he believed was the true heart of the hero underneath. It made him think of when he'd first met her, all bright eyed and beaming with the eyes of a fan girl. She'd seemed so innocent and happy back then. Just what sort of training did this so call Sensei put her through to make her change so drastically?
"Forgive me, All Might, Principle Nezu…" she wiped at her tears. "I don't know why I told you that."
"I'm glad you did…" Nezu stood up. "You're an honest girl, Izumi… but I could tell there was more to the story then you were telling. Now we know."
"Is it bad?" She turned to Nezu. "I'm a hero, I should be compassionate and grateful to all life, but I'm not."
"Heroes are not perfect, Izumi." Nezu took her hands patting the top one. "The fact you have such a wide variety of emotions proves to me your not heartless. You just know where your loyalties, and heart truly lie."
Izumi nodded and offered up a weak smile.
"Thank you, Professor Nezu."
"Of course… now then be on your way. I don't want to waste too much of your lunch time." He pat her hands and pulled back. Izumi nodded and stood up. She turned to the teachers with a smile.
"Thanks for the talk, I feel so much better now that I've gotten it off my chest." she grinned and closed the door behind her. Nezu folded his hands behind his back, the cheerful face quieting into a thoughtful one.
"Hmmm she almost passed."
"A real shame…" All Might sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I like Midoriya a lot. I want to support her… but I can now see why you wanted to test her."
"I don't doubt her heart is in the right place…" Nezu sighed. "Her mind on the other hand is so fragile. You could see it in every facial expression… just a hint of chaos hiding behind the control."
"Guess I'm back at square one… and I'm running out of time." All Might looked at his hand. "I think it's time I took your advice and meet this young Mirio face to face."
"A splendid idea… and I don't mind if you continue to support the Midoriya girl. In fact I encourage it. I get the feeling that if we let her go… she'll just sink deeper into the chaos she's created."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: I debated on whether or not I wanted Midoriya to have "One for All" but I thought it might be more interesting this way. Off-canon tends to have a bigger impact with audiences, I've noticed.
Next Chapter: Training Montage