Midori the Phoenix
Author's Note: As much as I like Bakugo's real hero name from MHA chapter 293, I'm not changing it to match canon. I chose the name Ground Zero for him at the start, and I'm sticking to it until the end.
Chapter 33: To Build or not To Build
"We're not seriously considering this are we?" Bakugo demanded as he paced around the room. "They're villains! If we let them make the decision, and walk all over us then the public will lose what little respect they have left for us."
"It doesn't look like we've got much of a choice, Bakugo." Kirishima pointed out as he took his own gander at the plans that had been included in the case. "You heard what Karma said. If we don't agree to it, she'll enrage outright war… how else do you expect us to protect people?"
"By finding her before any of that happens. The bitch gave us two weeks to decide right?" He stabbed a finger in the table. "So we use those two weeks to track her and take her down once and for all."
"You make it sound easy." Kaminari threw his hands up in the air. "We've been searching for their base for years but we always come up empty."
"Except this time we've got leads. Kota and Eri would know where their base is. It's about time we stopped treating them like helpless kids and start treating them like the villains they chose to become."
"Ground Zero is right." The Vice President agreed, slamming his fist and standing up. "The Heroics Committee has never bowed to villain terms before, and we're not about to start now. I don't care if they're minors, I don't care if you think they're innocents in all this. The bottom line is they chose to be villains so we should treat them as such. Interrogate them further, force the truth for them anyway you can."
"With all due respect Mr. Vice President…" Tsukauchi stood narrowing his eyes at him. "I decline. I'm not about to treat a couple of scared, confused kids like they're dangerous psychopaths and knock them around an interrogation room."
"Who said anything about knocking them around? What about that reporter who helps you out on cases from time to time. He can force the truth for them by just talking to them. He's dealt with Karma before."
"Compromised…" Tsukauchi explained. "We've reason to believe he's been the one leaking information to Karma and the league. The problem is, is we've no proof of his involvement. He's too good at covering his tracks and keeping off the radar."
"There's gotta be others like him. He's got family doesn't he? Others who have similar quirks. The Hassaikai had a member like that." Bakugo rationalized.
"Possible, but without a license to use it we cannot just ask a random person to use such a quirk on civilians. We'd be, to use Karma's phrase, dipping into a grey area."
"Ahem…" Rikiya cleared his throat and stood up from his spot at the table. "Might I speak my mind on this matter?"
"Oh please…" Hawks spread out his arms, sounding carefree but eyeing him suspiciously. "Feel free."
"Did it ever occur to any of you that this plan of Karma's might actually be a good thing?" He picked up the disk with the blueprints and turned it on. "I mean, for starters if we agree to her terms it'll bring her and the league out into the light, and in a place where we'll be able to keep our eye on her."
There was a murmur of hesitant agreement, but Rikiya knew he'd have to push a little further to get the tougher cases on board.
"On top of that she's got the complete support and trust of those behind her. Who knows how many more she can rally to her cause given time. It's best to give her an answer and straight away or it could just become a larger problem."
"He's right." David spoke up sitting beside his daughter. "I've seen enough of Karma's game to know she never stops. The more we hesitate, the more prepared and powerful she becomes. Better to adhere to some of her demands now and figure out a more concrete solution later."
"Karma mentioned that you should tell us what part you played. What exactly did she have you working on, Professor?" Aizawa questioned.
"Karma initially hired me to help a little girl named Eri. I created a support item that helped her control the release of her quirk…" He paused and hugged Melissa close to him. "I also spent a lot of time analyzing Kai Chisaki's research on the quirkless serum he'd been preparing. When the league found out what I was doing, Shigaraki kidnapped me so I could work with Doctor Tsubasa, and later on Doctor Bennet in order to recreate Chisaki's serum using synthetic clone material, bioengineering data, and chemical reactions."
"Wait a minute…" Bakugo stalked over. "Those samples that bitch took from UA…"
"Yes…" David nodded. "Aizawa's DNA samples were used to help recreate the product, and the samples taken from Cementoss were used as a testing agent."
"Fucking hell… no wonder she's got Chisaki in her pocket again." Bakugo cursed. "I'll bet you anything she's planning on selling him back the formula."
"I don't think so… the samples we made were only enough for a handful of people. Without more materials from Aizawa and the other subjects we extracted them from, there's no other way to recreate the formula. I honestly don't know what she has planned for those samples, but I can promise you they're for personal use."
"The serum is concerning, but what's more concerning is our current predicament. What sort of answer should we give Karma so as not to start a full scale war, but avoids agreeing to her terms?"
"You know, we don't have to agree to ALL of her terms." Rikiya tapped his temple. "Why not instead find a middle ground? We can go over all the details she's sent, and see if we can't come up with some sort of agreeable compromise?"
"A compromise?" Aizawa narrowed his eyes, but remained intrigued.
"Yes… We'll agree to create the island, and pass her rehabilitation plan through the committee… but in exchange she'll have to abide by a few of our rules. Stipulations she'll need to agree to in order to get what she wants. I can draw up a contract, one she'll have to sign IN PERSON and IN PUBLIC for everyone to witness."
"That's… actually not a bad idea." Hawks had to admit and he held his chin. "If Karma truly wants to create this neutral ground for she and her league to inhabit, then she should be willing to submit to some negotiations."
"Alright, but what sort of stipulations would we be adding?" Todoroki wondered.
"Well, for starters, we require that everyone on the island have specialized trackers implanted in them." Hawks suggested. "This way if any of them leave the island, or use their quirks, we'd be alerted to it."
"Yes!" Mirio stood up and bopped his fist in his palm. "We should also have a small group of representatives be allowed to live on the island with them, some authority figures to help start their own form of government."
"An excellent idea, young Mirio!" All Might agreed with a clap of his hands. "We can even give Karma a list of potential candidates so that she has some say in who helps her govern the people."
"Visitation rights!" Mirio decided suddenly. "If Karma really wants the next for Eri and Kota, then she should give visiting rights to the families so they can come visit and re-establish trust with them."
"Write all this down!" The Vice President stood up. "Let's decide on these stipulations as a group, then once we have our list of demands, Mr. Yotsubashi will draw up a contract. I'll have my lawyers take a look at the final product to make sure it adheres to general law and then we'll contact Karma via press conference to begin the compromise."
"An excellent course of action, Mr. Vice President." RIkiya bowed and hid the smug smirk on his lips. "It will be my pleasure to be of assistance in this matter."
~Later~
"Stupid…" Bakugo slumped onto the couch in his and Todoroki's living room. "Karma's never gonna agree to any of those stipulations. The whole point of her doing this was to give those psychopaths she calls a family freedom to do whatever the hell they want."
"I don't know, Katsuki." Shoto sat down beside him and turned a bit to face him. "Maybe all she really wants to do is help."
"Even if that is true, something about this just feels off to me. For starters why was that Rikiya guy there to begin with? It's like Karma knew he would speak up for her and the plan." He leaned forward holding his chin. "Something about that guy just stinks."
"I can't argue with that… he gave me bad vibes as well." Shoto slung an arm over the back of the couch. "In any case the committee has already made up their mind to go through with these negotiations. All of us want to prevent the war Karma is threatening to unleash… but none of us want to just bow down and accept her terms. At least with the added stipulations we'll be standing our ground and keeping things in a stalemate."
"Stalemate…" Bakugo's eyes suddenly lit with realization.
"I propose a challenge. Play the game of life with me."
Karma thought of life as like a game. Bakugo had always been under the assumption that it was a game of chess to her: White vs. Black, Good vs. Evil, Heroes vs. Villains.
"Instead of trying to force myself on either side, I've decided to change the game entirely."
No… it wasn't all black and white to her. Instead Karma saw everything in shades of grey. All people were the same to her… it didn't matter which side they belonged to… she treated everyone with the same scrutiny, distrust, and calculation. She liked some villains, but hated others like Muscular who simply killed for fun or were too far gone to control. She hated some heroes like Endeavor, but she still had affection for All Might, and the other heroes she'd grown up with. She could have easily killed Aizawa that day at UA… but didn't… because she knew he was a good man and hadn't done anything wrong on her twisted moral compass.
~Flashback~
"The Count of Monte Cristo? Seriously Usagi?" Bakugo lifted the book out of Izumi's hands and flipped through it. "It weighs more than your head. Why the hell do you like this book so much?"
"Oh come on, It's a really intriguing story, Kacchan." She stretched on her tiptoes to grab it from him and brought it back to her chest with a little pout on her lips. "It was written by Alexander Dumas, the same man who wrote The Three Musketeers, which just happens to be All Might's favorite book. He said so in that interview with-"
"Ugh… you're such a nerd." He stepped away rubbing a finger in his ear.
"I really think you'd enjoy it, Kacchan. It breaks the boundaries of good vs. evil, and really dives into the human psyche. Not to mention it provides a moral I find to be really inspiring." She held the book closer to her chest. "No one is born good or evil, no one has a set destiny… our lives matter on the choices we make, the people we influence and the paths we choose to walk."
"Tch… speak for yourself, Usagi. I do have a destiny." Bakugo jerked a thumb at himself. "I'm destined to be the greatest hero in the world, to surpass All Might and be the undisputed number one!"
"Hehe, just be sure you take the right path, Kacchan. One false move could turn you into a villain." Izumi warned, and yelped when Bakugo pulled her under his arm and dug his knuckles into her hair. "Owowowow! That hurts!"
"You mind your tongue, Usagi! I'm never gonna be a villain, and that goes double for you!" He shoved her away and jerked a finger in her face. "I'm gonna be the number one hero, and I fully expect you to be there to kiss my feet when I do."
"I'm not kissing your feet!" She said with a pout and rubbed her head… then suddenly her smile spread slow and warmly. "However, I'll definitely be cheering you on. I know you'll be on center stage one day, Kacchan… and it's my dream to be standing right there next to you when you do."
"Tch… good luck with that you quirkless rabbit." He wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her along. "Come on, I wanna stop by the arcade before we go home."
"You're walking me home today?" She looked up at him with genuine surprise.
"Got a problem with that, nerd?" He narrowed his eyes on her.
"No," she jolted but a small shy smile spread on her lips and she let him lead her out of the classroom. "Not at all, Kacchan. After all…" she glanced down at the hand on her shoulder and then up at Bakugo's grumpy face. "I'm right where I want to be."
~End of Flashback~
"Fucking hell…" He got to his feet as sick realization came to him."That's been the plan all along hasn't it?"
"Huh?" Shoto eyed Bakugo as he stood up. "What has?"
"A stalemate, equal ground… It was never about winning and losing for her. It was about getting us to admit that we're all equals, that we're all on the same page. That sneaky little bitch." He scoffed and paced the room. "She's getting exactly what she wants."
"So… is that good or bad?"
"Fuck if I know, Icy Hot." Bakugo plopped back down on the couch, laying his head on Todoroki's lap and letting his boyfriend stroke his hair and soothe him. "I've never been able to understand what that bitch is thinking."
~Meanwhile~
"Excellent work, Rikiya." Karma sat on his desk and flipped through the rough draft of the contract. "You played the room like a fiddle."
"Thank you, your majesty… but I was just following your instructions."
"Instructions or not, you had the charisma to portray the role I wanted you to play." She turned a little to smile smugly at him. "The heroes have already moved into phase three… once I'm contacted to sign the papers, Kota, Eri, and the other kids will be released back into my custody, and we'll no longer be wanted criminals… but instead protected citizens of the Anti-hero Rights and Rehabilitation Program."
"Brilliant!" Rikiya threw papers from his desk up into the air in celebration. "Pure genius!"
"Thank you, again, for your help, Rikiya. I couldn't have pulled that off without you." She slipped off his desk and handed him back the contract. There was a beep on her watch and she examined it and smirked. "Ah, it would seem Kurogiri has located my loose end."
"Loose end?" Rikiya raised a curious brow.
"Yes… a thorn in my side I've neglected to remove. It's time I picked up a pair of tweezers." She wiggled her fingers, smirking. "This may take some time. Draw the process out for as long as you can."
"Very well, your highness… I shall contact Tomura once I've made all the necessary changes."
"Good… the future is looking bright for both of us my friend. Let's not waste it." She stepped through Kurogiri's portal and vanished.
~One Week Later~
The press conference started bright and early Monday morning in front of the Hero's Public Safety Commission building. The president, back in action after her little encounter with Toga, was eager to get it all over and done with. She ordered Hawks as number one hero to stand as MC and be the voice of the heroes, while she was the voice of the public.
"We expect Karma to respond right away, and when she does we'd like everyone to remain calm and allow us to continue. She'll no doubt try to rattle us with some flashy entrance so let's not give her any satisfaction, eh?" In his usual playful tone, Hawks charmed the crowd and built up the hype for the upcoming announcement. He gave them a thorough explanation on what would happen, and what to expect, before turning the mic over to the President. "The stage is yours, Madam President."
"Thank You, Hawks." She took the mic and held up the completed contract. "Ladies and Gentleman. I have here in my hands, our answer to Karma's ultimatum. The Hero's Public Safety Commission, The UA staff, as well as our best and brightest heroes have all decided that Karma is too dangerous a criminal to be allowed to do as she pleases. She's caused the deaths of the Hellfire Hero: Endeavor, Grape Juice, Doctor Nakahara, and the lives of so many innocent people from the Kamino incident five years ago. Allowing her and the league to just walk without consequence is something we don't intend to do…"
She paused and she lay the contract on the podium beside her.
"Having said that… we all agree that her surrender of peace would be the best course of action. We do not want innocent lives to be cost from a senseless war… and thus we'll concede with the creation of V-Island… ON THE CONDITION… that Karma and the league abide by a few added stipulations and rules."
She stepped to the podium and slipped on glasses so as to read the cliff notes version of the agreement.
"V-Island will serve as the headquarters of the Anti-hero Rights and Rehabilitation center. This center will be run by two heroes of Karma's choosing as well as any other staff members she requests and is approved of by the Heroics Committee. The construction will be funded by Deternat and its sister companies, and they will have an overall decision on the appearance and function of the island."
She flipped to the page.
"During the construction of V-Island, Karma and all other members of her alliance will be given temporary immunity and be allowed to walk free providing they do not commit any further crimes. Any criminal actions taken during this period will be dealt with as any normal incarceration regardless of their alliance."
The reporters and others watching on the TV listened with avid interest. Some were concerned about the hero's acceptance of Karma's plan, some relieved that this lingering threat was finally being dealt with, and others were enraged that a villain was being given special treatment.
"The minors in Karma's alliance will not be released into her custody until after construction is completed. During the construction period, these minors will be housed at The Pussycat Agency, and carefully monitored by the staff there. When construction is complete, the minors will then have a choice to either join Karma's program, or stay under The Pussycat's supervision until a permanent home can be found for them."
She continued to break down the rest of the contract, regarding living situations, expenses, and the like. Once finished she closed the contract and removed her classes.
"Those are our terms Karma… if this is truly what you want, then come before us… sign the contract in front of the world that's watching, and show us all that you truly want peace!"
There is a long pause for silence. A few people cough at random as everyone waited for Karma to respond in some way. The President glanced back at the heroes and such standing behind her, then back at the camera scowling.
"Karma?! Are you watching? Those are our terms! Do you accept?! YES OR NO!?" She pitched her voice a bit as anxiousness and annoyance rose up in her throat. There was yet another long pause… and once again nothing but silence. The president rose her chin and she sighed. "I guess she's unsatis-KYA!"
From a large portal, Gigantomachia fell from above, landing atop several cars in the nearby parking lot and crushing them underfoot. He roared in defiance, and threw his fists up in the air looking ready to smash them down on the group of reporters.
"SHIT! It's that monster villain who tried to knock down those apartment complexes!" Bakugo shouted and jumped up on stage, getting ready to distract and pull the monster's attention away from civilians. "The hell is he doing here?"
"STAND DOWN!" Karma's voice shouted out as she climbed down from atop Gigantomachia, her hair in disarray, and clothes ripped. "If I have to tell you again, Machia, I'll be very upset."
"Grrr,,, yes, mistress." Reluctant, but obedient Gigantomachia sat atop another car, crushing it under his massive weight. Karma sighed heavily and turned to the crowd with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry I'm late, I had to teach this big lug behind me some manners and show him who's boss… and believe me it wasn't easy." She rolled her shoulder wincing. "The idiot wanted to kill me the moment he saw me. I've got bruises on top of bruises…"
She casually strolled through the crowd, the people parting like the red sea for her, and snapping photographs left and right. The moment the stage was in full view for her she beamed.
"Kacchan! You're here! I wasn't sure you and Shoto would show up but I'm so glad you did." She jogged up the steps and walked to him. She held out her hands for his and he slapped them away and pointed his in her face.
"Watch your step, Karma."
"...and you watch your tone." She waved her hands to brush off the sting then placed them on her hips. "I'm here to negotiate, remember. Put your bruised ego away and let me do some proper introductions, hmmm?" She gave him a confident smirk and stepped around him and walked to the president. "Madam President, it's good to finally meet you in person. I'm terribly sorry about Toga… she always gets so carried away with her missions."
"Humph, no doubt…" she crossed her arms. "Since you're here, Karma, does that mean you're consenting to the stipulations we've added to your plan?"
"Hmmm?" She gave a confused look then laughed. "Oh, right, Kurogiri mentioned you guys made some changes. I've been so busy with that big lug-" she jerked a thumb back at Gigantomachia. "That I didn't hear all the modifications to my plan."
"Do…" The president cleared her throat and tried not to fidget under the grueling stare of the beastly man in the parking lot. "Do you want us to go over it again?"
"Oh nah, I'll just read it myself if you don't mind." She floated the papers and a spare seat from the audience to her using sentient aura. She then casually took a seat and began to read through it, humming a little to herself.
The tension and silence of the moment cause people to fidget and murmur, not sure what to do or how to react. One reporter had the bravery to snap a photo of Karma reading, and she paused to glance down at him with a wicked smile.
"Do you mind? That's a bit distracting."
"Oh… uh… sorry." He held up a hand in apology and shrunk back down in his own seat. Karma then continued to read.
~Meanwhile~
"She's got them eating out of the palm of her hand." Dabi noted with a proud smirk. He patted his son's head who watched his mother with avid interest.
"So cool…" he murmured and sipped on his sports drink, his eyes never leaving the TV screen.
"Now I understand why she was so adamant about getting Gigantomachia on her side." Ace deduced. "She didn't trust the heroes to not try and take her down during the negotiations… so she brought him along as leverage and insurance in case things went awry. Maximum protection, minimal risk."
"Yes, but what I don't understand is how in the hell did she get Gigantomachia to recognize her as his new master?" Compress questioned as he motioned his cup of coffee at the screen. "The beast wanted to kill her, and was loyal only to All for One."
"A vocalizer…" Shigaraki explained. "While doing research she discovered a hero named "Master Mind" had a unique piece of equipment that could mimic the voices of other people. With David Shield and the doctor's help she was able to recreate one and record a message in Master's voice telling him to swear his loyalty to Karma and the League. The hard part was getting the overgrown fool to listen."
"That brain of hers never ceases to amaze me." Bennett smiled warmly. "Such a clever woman you've got there Touya." he patted his back.
"Yeah…" Touya agreed with obvious affection in his eyes. "She's one in a million."
~Back at the Conference~
"Well…" Karma closed the contact. "I can see why you've included these conditions… I've a few modifications of my own I'd like to include and switch before I sign."
"Oh? Such as?" The president scowled and dug her fingernails into the arms she'd crossed. Her nerves high and the anticipation weighing heavily.
"The first is I'd like the money and properties I inherited from my guardian be given back to me so that I may house those in my alliance properly. If I'm to keep to the law I'll need a stable living condition for myself and my family. I'd say it's a justifiable negotiation." Izumi stood up. "I'll even donate a considerable fund to the island's production myself."
"It's doable but I hope you realize that-"
"Please, let me finish." Izumi raised a finger to keep her from speaking. "Once the construction is complete the remaining proceeds will be donated to the families of those I and my league have killed and harmed. Particularly Grape Juice's parents, Endeavor's family, and Doctor Nakahara's wife and daughter whom I've heard have made a complete recovery thanks to his research I personally funded."
"Well that is cert-"
"We don't want your money you bitch!" A voice suddenly shouted in the crowd and a small man broke through the crowd of reporters. "We want justice! Justice for my son, Justice for the innocent lives you stole!"
"Mr. Mineta please stand d-" The president started to interfere and call for security but Karma raised her hand.
"No… this is the problem with your society. No one is willing to listen to those hurting." She turned to the small man. "You're Minoru's father, I take it. Please speak your mind."
"Don't you dare say his name as if you knew him." He pointed accusingly. "It's because of you and your bastard child that my son is dead. You and all your psychopathic allies can't just apologize, give us money and expect us to forgive you!"
"I'm not looking for forgiveness, Mr. Mineta." She said it calmly. "I'm far past that point… but I'm tired of living a life of crime and violence and subjecting my son to it."
"Bullshit! You need to pay for your crimes Karma. You need to pay for everything that you've done!" He seethed and Karma's face went cool and sober.
"I know that all too . Mineta...and you know what, your son does deserve justice." She jumped off the stage and Bakugo jerked in her direction.
"The hell do you think you're doing?"
"I'm giving the grieving father exactly what he's asking for." She unstraps something from her calf and hands it to Mineta's father. He stared wide eyed and shaky as he looked at the gun she'd placed in his hands.
"What is-"
"Justice, my dear Mr. Mineta, is just a chivalrous way of saying revenge." She stepped back and spread her arms out. "So go on… take your revenge, and be done with it."
Once the people around them realized what Karma had given him, people scattered back a few short screams of shock erupting out. Bakugo, Todooki and Hawks jumped down to interfere but Karma whirled around on them.
"Don't you dare! This doesn't concern you heroes!"
"Like hell it doesn't! Are you fucking insane? You wanna die that badly?" Bakugo screamed.
"The man wants "justice", so I'm letting him take it." She turned back around to look at Mr. Mineta. "Go on… do it."
"Do you think I'm a fool?" He shook pointing the gun at her, and laughing a bit maniacally. "It's probably not even loaded. Just another one of your villainous tricks."
"Only one way to find out…" She sensed Hawks moving in and she shouted. "Gigantomachia! If these foolish heroes interfere consider it a breach in negotiation and attack."
"Yes mistress…" He replied and took a threatening step forward.
"Fucking Hell…" Bakugo grit his teeth. "You're crossing another line, Karma!"
"Bakugo's right, Karma. Stop playing games with people's lives!" Todoroki echoed.
"I'm not playing games, I'm testing this man's resolve. If this is what he really wants then he's best take it with his own hands, because if it were up to the heroes I would be locked up somewhere, alive still, living and breathing, unlike your son who was murdered by a five year old boy he'd tried to save."
"Shut up… shut up…" Mr. Mineta cried and aimed the gun more directly.
"Don't be stupid Mr. Mineta, she's just taunting you. Don't give her what she wants." Hawks insisted. "All you'll do is make her a martyr."
"If you don't do it I'll just do it for you." Karma told him and pulled out another gun placing it to her temple. "Either way the deed will be done. So choose!"
"Stop this foolishness, Karma!" The president pleaded. "If you die then your plans of saving those you care about will die with you…"
"So you think, but Tomura is my second in command. He'll see to the changes I want. I decided a long time ago that THIS would be my punishment for all the crimes I've committed and the people I've hurt. Now stop interfering!" She shouted and looked at Mineta's father with cold calculated cruelty. "I'm giving you too the count of five… Either you shoot me or I'll do it for you."
"You can't be serious…" He whimpered, tears forming and streaming down his face. "This can't be what you've decided for yourself. I'll kill you."
"Humph, unlikely… ONE!"
"For God's sake you idiots do something!" The President shrieked. "Stop her!"
"TWO!"
"What do you want us to do? If we move against her that big naked ape is gonna rampage!" Hawks shouted back.
"THREE!"
"Just let it happen! There's no way she'll actually shoot herself." The Vice President huffed. "That's just one less villain in the world."
"FOUR!"
"Please stop...I change my mind, I don't want this!" His hand wavered. "I just want my son back. Please Miss Karma!" Mr. Mineta pleaded, shutting his eyes. "I don't wanna be a murderer!"
"Humph coward... just remember I gave you a choice…" She started to slowly squeeze the trigger. "Fi-"
"I SAID STOP IT!" Overcome by panic and confusion Mineta's father pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Karma point blank in the chest and her body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
~Ask Briry~
Briry: *DUCKS AND COVERS FROM HATE MAIL* I REGRET NOTHING!
Next Chapter: H.E.A.
