Midori the Queen
Chapter 26: Stalemate
"Invitations have been sent out to the other Yakuza clans, the wardrobe and decorations have been ordered and the officiator hired." Mimic told Overhaul as be crunched some numbers.
"Good, the wedding itself is a mandatory event, if any of the clans decline the invitation then they'll be the first on my list to go." Overhaul told him as he studied the shogi board in front of him.
"The event in question is scheduled two weeks away. Are you sure you want to have it so soon?" Chronos asked with some concern, his fingers fidgeting with the game piece he'd just captured.
"If it was possible to have it sooner, I would. We're finally making progress on the cure thanks to the finances Karma has secured us. Also Eri has been far more cooperative thanks to her presence. I want to seal the deal quickly, before she has a chance to change her mind." Overhaul shifted his gold piece forward stealing his opponent's piece.
"Point taken, but do you think the other clans will take her seriously?" Chronos pointed out frowning as his knight was taken. "Despite how she acts Karma is still just a kid. Young, inexperienced, and easily manipulated by her emotions."
"That kind of thinking is dangerous, Chronos." Overhaul warned. "The moment you start underestimating her is the moment you lose." To prove his point he promoted his knight, putting the king in check position. Chronos scowled and slumped back into his seat.
"Still…"
"All for One was considered the god of the underworld. The elders used to say the man was untouchable, that not even All Might could stop him. Now the supposed god is holed up in Tartarus all because he underestimated our tiny queen." Overhaul folded his hands together. "If the clans want to make that same mistake then let them. Karma will make an absolute fool out of them, and I'll be more than happy in sharing that glory with her."
"That's high praise coming from you, Boss." Mimic commented suddenly finishing up his paperwork. "Normally you see all these pieces as pawns to play… useful garbage you call them."
"That phrase may work for her minions, but not for Karma." He recalled the hard look he'd received from her upon their first speaking. "She's been made a tool of before, and is careful not to be used again. She's smart, observative, and tenacious. Her only weakness is her emotions which tend to shift depending on her mood. Endeavor made the mistake of angering her and look what became of him. We have to be careful not to do the same, or we could wind up being next on her kill list."
"You're scared of her?" Chronos questioned and immediately regretted it when Overhaul glared at him. "Sorry."
"I'm cautious of her, because All for One has made her too powerful. She may not have as much experience as some other villains, but she's still dangerous."
"Master Overhaul is right." Shin spoke up finally from the corner of the room, having observed and listened in on the discussion. "She took down Rappa and Tengai with nary a sweat, and she's gaining control and tact with the quirks she's only had for a few weeks. Her intelligence, her power, her tenacity and even her eagerness to fight and win are what make her such an opposing threat. You'll do well to remember that."
There was a knock on the door and Overhaul sat up straight to give a more intimidating presence.
"Come in."
"Sorry to intrude," Touya stepped in and bowed his head. The costume he was given was very reminiscent of what Karma had given him… the long trench was black but had fur in the hood like many of the other members. His belt had a gun holster along with pouches for several other equip items for emergencies. He also had a knife strapped to his calf, and last but not least the signature plague mask strapped over his mouth. "Our ride is waiting."
"That was fast…" Overhaul stood up. "Alright, you lot have your assignments. Don't let me down. Let's go, Mister Knight." He waved his fingers as he shifts past Touya. "Time to go meet with your old team mates."
~A few minutes later~
"DABI!" Twice hugged Touya and shook his shoulders. "Long time no see! You haven't changed a bit!" He stopped shaking and put his face in close. "You look different."
"Let go Twice." He shoved the split personality towards the car. "Get in before you're spotted. If any heroes spot us then they'll come snooping."
"Yes sir! Don't tell me what to do, jerk!" Twice flipped him off but got into the towncar behind the wheel. Overhaul and Dabi slipped into the back seat and let Twice drive them to the meeting location. After a few minutes of silence Overhaul finally spoke up.
"I take it you overheard some of what we were talking about." He questioned. "You've been giving me sharp looks ever since we left the estate."
"Don't think too much on it, Overhaul." Touya assured, keeping his voice hushed so that Twice wouldn't hear them. "I only overheard that your associate is concerned whether or not you'll be able to keep Karma under your thumb...which, if I'm being honest, you won't."
"I see…" Irritated, but curious, Overhaul eyed his expression and body language. The man was speaking truthfully, not boastingly. "So do you agree with my way of thinking?"
"Of course, I do. Anyone who thinks they can control a woman, let alone a woman with power, is a fool." He waved the notion off. "You've every right to be concerned. Karma is open and supportive of those she's aligned with, but her loyalty only goes so far. If someone goes against the grain of what she believes to be moral...well you saw what happened to Stain."
"If that's the case, then how did, as you put it, a fool like Shigaraki keep her for so long? He had her leashed to him for months, and even managed to talk her into going against the grain herself. How did he do it?"
"Simple…" He got out of the car as they pulled up to the hideout. "He didn't keep her leashed, she kept herself leashed."
"What do you mean?" Overhaul narrowed his eyes on the building, disgusted by how filthy it looked.
"Karma believed she loved him, and love makes you do crazy things. Unfortunately for Shigaraki she began recognizing that her actions and morals were clashing. She straddled the line of heroism and villainy, unable to commit to either. She was told to either commit to being a villain, or lose the League's support. You saw what she chose."
"I see… so that's why All for One intervened when he did. He saw Karma coming into her power, and stepped in to avoid having her take complete control of the world." He cracked his knuckles, irritation bubbling up. He couldn't shake this feeling that they were being followed, and wondered if heroes had latched onto their location.
"Who knows what that man is thinking… I just know that even in prison he's a threat." Dabi looked up at the old abandoned warehouse, then at Twice who had driven them. "Of all the hang outs, you guys choose this dump?"
"Seriously," Overhaul agreed. "I'm gonna get sick from being in a filthy place like this."
"Don't worry, everyone inside has been sick for a long time." Twice assured and opened the door, spreading it open to show off the lineup. "I've brought the boon, boss!"
"So I see, Twice." Shigaraki narrowed his eyes on Chisaki. "You've certainly brought me a big fish."
"A big fish?" Overhaul spoke up his unnervity gone now that he was face to face with Shigaraki. "Now that's ironic, Mr. King of Villains."
"Who is this guy?" Magne questioned shuddering. "Is he famous or something?"
"Master showed Karma and I a picture of his once." Shigaraki explained, his eyes ignoring Dabi for the moment, but was ready to pick up that baited hook at any time. "He's what you would call a Yakuza, the young head of the Shie Hassaikai."
"Shie Hassaikai?" Magne let out a small squeal. "So he's number two of Organized crime! Kya! He seems so dangerous!"
"Formerly number two…" Overhaul corrected. "Thanks to some recent smart investments we are now the leading Yakuza group."
"This investment you speak…" Shigaraki tapped his finger irritably on his knee. "Wouldn't happen to be my queen would it?"
"It would," Overhaul nodded his head to Touya who stepped up beside him. "She and Dabi here were more than eager to join after being so violently tossed from your ranks."
"Dabi?" All eyes focused on him now. "Is that really you under there?" Mr. Compress questioned. "You've changed."
"I'm surprised anyone noticed," he shrugged it off, his hands carelessly in his pockets. "You all were ready to throw me to the curb, and let me die, so I've made a wiser investment of my time."
"I could care less if you joined up with this loser," Shigaraki sneered and pointed a finger at Overhaul. "You could die for all I care, but Karma is another matter. Don't drag her into your bad decisions."
"You've got it all wrong," Dabi smirked. "Karma's the one dragging me, but I'm enjoying the ride."
"What?" Shigaraki's eyes narrowed on Overhaul. "Are you telling me Karma joined your ranks of her own free will? Don't make me laugh." He stood up and took a few steps forward. "I could see her taking pity on a small organized crime syndicate for a short time, but you're a fool if you think she'd join you for an extended period of time."
"Who's the real fool between the two of us I wonder?" Overhaul smirked behind his mask. "As it happens she's not only a dedicated member of my group, she's my future wife."
"BULL SHIT!" Shigaraki slammed his palm down on a crate, disintegrating it. "Karma is mine! She loves me! Give her back to me!"
"She used to love you… now she can't stand the sight of you." Overhaul held back a laugh. "She's not marrying me for unstable reasons like love, or passion… but instead for security and protection. Her and I have plans to change the world, and we will do it together as husband and wife."
"Twice!" Shigaraki turned violent eyes on him. Twice held up his hand looking nervous and shaking. "Take this asshole home. You should never have brought him here. Get him out of my sight and find Karma!"
"We'll leave, but you can forget about finding Karma" Touya spoke up. "She's a busy woman nowadays, helping to lead the Yakuza and fulfill her wishes. If you want to see her, you'll have to make an appointment."
"I could bring you to her if you'd like." Overhaul extended his hand. "You and your league could join us, put your useful quirks and name under my command, and you can see your queen."
"Tch," Tomura lifted his chin up. "Like hell. Get Out!"
"You said it, boss!" Her own fire burning from Overhaul's words, Magne revealed her weapon and leapt from her seat. "We didn't come together to be under someone!"Filled with rage and determination to take down her enemy. "Those that are bound by the chains of common sense, laugh at those who aren't!" Raising it up she locked onto Chisaki forcing him forward and towards her. "I'm a part of the league of villains because I refuse to be bound by anything!" .
Overhaul dug his feet into the ground, removing his glove he prepared to counterattack, but the pull abruptly stopped. He stumbled forward a few steps and jerked his head up watching Magne scream as she was raised off the floor dangling from the grip on her weapon.
"Kya! Whats happening? Someone get me down!"
"That quirk...could it be…" Tomura's eyes scanned around and locked onto a shadowed figure in the rafters.
"You don't want to be bound by anything you say? Does that include gravity… Magne." Karma smiled maliciously, raising the frightened butch woman even higher. Magne clung onto the pole for dear life and stare at Karma with a horrified expression.
"Q-Q-Queen Karma?!".
"You didn't answer my question, Magne…" She grabbed the beam for support, and reached out stroking a few fingers through Magne's hair. "Are you sure you don't want to be bound by anything?" She took a firm grip of Magne's hair and let her quirk on Magne's weapon drop. Magne screamed again as she was forced to let go. She flailed her arms and managed to barely hold onto the bannister Karma stood on, and winced from the pull on her hair.
"It seemed to me you were more than ready to be chained down by All for One when he was dragging Dabi and I across the ground, taking away our power and free will with a flick of his fingers." She grit her teeth her eyes sharpening and she yanked her hair jerking her head back to look her in the eye. "You talk about freedom and not being chained down, but in reality you've been chained down all your life by your fear of death."
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Forgive me! Forgive me, your highness!" Magne sniveled staring up pleadingly. "I"ll do whatever you ask, just please forgive me!"
"Anything eh?" She let go of Magne's hair and held out her hand for hers. Magne shook and took her hand, lifting herself up with Karma's help. "Alright."
"Thank you! Bless you!" Magne bowed her head down to Karma. "How shall I repay you?"
"Answer my question… Do you truly wish not to be chained down by anything?"
"No…" Magne lifted her head again, sitting on her knees and trembling. "I'll gladly be chained by you, My queen."
"Hmmm…" Karma's eyes gleamed. "Promise?"
Before Magne could understand what was happening Karma kicked her across the face sending her plummeting to the ground.
"MAGNE!" Toga held her mouth in shock as she watched Magne fall to the ground. Just as Magne's face was about to hit concrete her body came to an abrupt stop as her legs were tangled up by thick metal chains being controlled by Karma's quirk. Magne sobbed as she was slowly lowered to the ground, and left curled up there to process what had happened.
"I've granted her request and have kept her chained to me…" Karma spoke as she lowered herself to the ground holding up Magne's chain like a leash. "Personally, I hate them." She let the chains drop to her feet then turned her eyes onto her former lover. "Hello Tomura."
"Karma…" Shigaraki stepped forward, his eyes full of emotion and relief. "You came."
"I heard you were looking for me, and that you and my future husband had planned this little gathering. So I decided to listen in and see what everyone had to say." She turned her head back narrowing her eyes on Chisaki who looked annoyed.
"I knew I felt someone following us. So it was you."
"I don't like secrets, Chisaki, you should have told me about this gathering." She shrugged. "We'll discuss that later when we get home. IN the meantime I have business with my former crew." She turned to face them. Twice was helping Magne up and pulled her over to sit back down and far away from Karma's reach.
"Magne, you okay?" Twice asked looking concerned then pointed an accusing finger at Karma. "What were you thinking, you traitor! She could have died!"
"Me?!" Karma's eyes lit with fury, and flames flickered through her hair surprising everyone. "I'm the traitor?" She let out a sarcastic laugh, then paused for a minute. Finding her calm again she smiled. "You know what, you're right."
"Eh?!" Twice blinked pointing his fingers at his head. "We are?"
"That's right…" she pointed to herself and gave Tomura a pitying glance. "I am the traitor. After all, I'm the one who killed Sensei in the first place. I'm the one who staged the coup, and took the throne myself. I'm the one who manipulated Tomura into lovin chains she'd used to hang Magne now wrapped around Tomura's hands dragging him forward and lifting him up off the ground. "I tied my little puppet strings around you, and made you dance for me!"
Tomura grit his teeth, shifting and grunting as the rusty chains irritated his flesh. He watched them carefully, noted how the energy around the metal fluctuated, as if struggling to maintain shape and form when moving. Resorting to using his teeth, he shifted himself up so his mouth latched out the leathery material, and yanked it off. He took firm hold of the chain now, moment her energy fluctuated, his quirk turned the metal to dust and released him.
Karma let out a sound of pleasure and she clapped when he dropped to the ground and looked ready to strike himself.
"Your quick thinking has improved immensely, my dear king." She placed a free hand on her hips. "You can relax, I've had my fun and I've already taken my revenge." She eyed the whimpering Magne. "I'll be taking my leave shortly, and once I do you're not to follow me, or pursue me in any way."
"Like hell this is over!" Tomura shouted rubbing his wrist and putting his glove back on. "If you think I'm just gonna hand you over to some Yakuza twit you're-"
"Hand me over?" Karma's eyes sharpened again. "I thought I was the traitor... the manipulator. Are you telling me you enjoy being chained to me?"
"Tch…" Tempted to scratch at his neck, but not wanting to lose his composure, Tomura stood tall and looked her straight in the eye. His serious and pained expression had the hardness easing from Karma's eyes. "I never considered you a traitor, nor did I mind this chains you put on me." He held his chest and felt his heart thundering there. "I love you."
The fact that his words came out sincerely made Karma's anger almost diminish. She felt the tears burning, felt the words rise in her throat, but she refused to let them form. Her bottom lip trembled and she let her arms fall limp to her sides.
"… but you love your power more." She walked to him, her boots clicking and echoing in the suddenly quiet room. "I'm sorry, but I'm not coming back, Tomura. You're on your own from now on."
"Why?!" He went to her, his hand reaching but she slapped it away, and the tension grew thick again. Tomura could see it now, the tears that welled up, but refused to fall. Despite that, a smile that was as soft and bright as the sun formed on her lips.
"You've your own plans don't you? A goal you want to achieve?"
"No… I don't…" He clenched his teeth and gripped his hands into fists. "I don't want anything, but you."
"Hmmmph, liar. Don't be such a wussy king." She kissed his cheek, her hand slipping something into his before she stepped away from him again. "You've always done what you've wanted… All for One isn't holding your leash anymore, and neither am I."
Tomura resisted the urge to look at the card she'd slipped him. Instead he stuffed both his hands in his pockets, his face looking miserable.
"How's a king supposed to rule without a queen at his side?"
Karma's face turned wicked.
"You don't need a queen, Tomura. Take a look around." She motioned to the other members. "You've plenty of strong pieces by your side. Trust them, rely on them, and I'm sure they'll serve you well." She aimed a salute to the group and pulled her mask out from her jacket pocket and put it on. "Play to your heart's content."
She hooked her arms through Chisaki's and Dabi's, and the three of them walked out together. As they left Tomura pulled out the card she'd tucked in his hand. It was an invitation to the wedding, and written on the bottom in Karma's familiar chicken scratch was a note.
"Don't let the world defeat you."
"Tomura-kun?" Toga stepped up, her knife in hand. "I can cut them... let me cut them all!"
"No…" Tomura's smile spread slowly and softly and he gingerly folded the paper and placed it into his breast pocket over his heart. "Leave them alone."
~A few minutes later~
"In chess I guess this is what you would call a stalemate. Here I was expecting you to burn the place down…" Dabi gave a heavy sigh as he lounged in the backseat of the car, Ace now behind the wheel. "Once again you made quite the statement, without doing much at all."
"I was tempted, believe me." Karma admitted. "I'd thought about killing him so many times over these last few weeks… but in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it." She lay her head on his shoulder. "Even when I thought you were him back in the warehouse and I shot you, I almost instantly regretted it."
"He's not the one you want to kill," Dabi figured and pet her hair. "Don't worry, we'll find some way to make All for One pay. For now let's just go home, and do what we do."
"Mmmm you're right."
Chisaki watched the display from the front seat , eyeing Izumi who had curled up into Touya, The two of them looked grave despite her slick performance. He saw the raw hurt in her eyes; he'd never cared about other people's emotions or problems before, but Karma had shown him the light.
After Touya's earlier explanation, and the events he'd just witnessed, Chisaki had a better understanding of what exactly happened during that battle with All for One. It was Karma's hunger to belong and feel a part of the league that made her slip into true villainy. She had loved Shigaraki, and in some ways still did. Her love for him made her ignore most of his flaws, and forgive his audacious behavior. Her attachments, and friendships she'd made to the people in the league made her desperate to save and protect them.
Her actions were hero syndrome at their very core. Her methods, however, were twisted and corrupted, which made those heroic actions unrecognizable to those who didn't know her personally.
This didn't bode well for his plans.
If Karma found out about Eri's true purpose, if she found out how he'd been extracting the samples, then all hell would break loose. She'd tear straight through the Hassaikai, setting it ablaze all to protect one little girl she'd grown fond of. She'd break the promises she made to him, and to the other Hassaikai, all so she could keep Eri as far away from him as possible.
He had to keep that from happening. He had to make Karma trust him 100% so that she'd never pry or question his methods. The only way to do that was a prospect that both frightened and disgusted him... but he didn't have a choice.
Once at home he told Dabi to retire alone, and that he needed a few words with Izumi. The two walked to his quarters, a place he rarely let people in, and motioned her inside.
"Wash up in the bathroom, then we'll talk."
"Alright." Now that the initial sadness washed away, Izumi couldn't help but feel smug about her performance. Not only did she get her revenge by scaring the living shit out of Magne and Tomura, but she did it in a way that was both satisfying to her and not completely damaging to Tomura.
From here on out, Tomura would grow and become his own man. Whether or not he chose to follow his own plans or stick to All for One's was still up in the air, but she would handle it and him when the time came.
Humming, she went to the adjoining bathroom and washed her hands and face free of grime. She could hear Chisaki rustle through the room doing his usual cleansing routine.
"You should have told me you were going. I wouldn't have had to go over your head like that." She waited a beat, when he didn't respond she tucked her tongue in her cheek. "Be angry all you want but I deserved to know. We're a team now and-" she stepped out of the bathroom and immediately felt the prick in her neck from the quick gunshot. "OW! What the…" she held her neck and eyed Chisaki who came into view with the gun.
"Relax this is only a temporary dosage. The complete product is still in development." He holstered the gun in its case. "I had to take you by surprise or the effects wouldn't work. I can't have you squirming away."
"You…" she tried to release her fire but got nothing. Her eyes lit with ferocity and fear. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Something I should have done the moment we met." He removed his gloves and Izumi backed up. Sweat dripped down her temple and she eyed the room trying to find a shield or weapon. He slapped his hands on either side of her head and she swallowed hard staring into his eyes.
"What good would killing me do now?" She whispered harshly and stare into those gold eyes.
"Who said anything about killing you?" He snagged her chin and Izumi shut her eyes bracing for his quirk. Instead she heard the shift of movement from him removing his mask and felt his mouth press onto hers.
"Mmmmph!?" Her eyes popped open as his mouth tested and teased hers open. The kiss was hesitant and yet somehow bold; with his tongue dipped in, lingering inside unsure of what to do. Curiously it started to tangle together with hers. Tasting her.
She could feel him shudder against her, his body reacting to the new experience. She raised her hands, taking fist fulls of his shirt and gripping onto it.
When they finally parted, both were out of breath. Chisaki had practically collapsed into her, their bodies pressed in close and their breath mixing together. His eyes opened, looked into hers, and only one word came to Izumi's mind.
"Why?"
"How could any man watch that display and not want you?" He braced himself back up on the wall smirking down at her. "I hate people, I hate intimacy… but I don't hate you." He bent his head down again and nipped her lip. "I love you, Karma."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: *Flushed* Did I write that? Holy shit I guess I did… hehe. Ah speaking of which if anyone wants a specific lemon chapter written be sure to let me know in the comments or on facebook. I DO take requests for most fandoms, but if they're not really up to my tastes it tends to be a bit harder to write them. Still I'm up to hearing your requests and will do my best to adhere to them.
Next Chapter: Kota the Knight