Midori the Phoenix
Chapter 34: H.E.A.
"KUSO!" Bakugo grabbed Karma's body as it fell and he held her to him. "Not again, not again don't you dare do this again!"
"I didn't want this… I didn't want…" Mineta's father fell onto his knees, the gun in his hand dropping and he stared at it with horror. "What have I done… I killed her, I killed Karma."
"Katsuki put pressure on…" Shoto leaned on the opposing side but paused when his hands searched for the wound. "No blood… why isn't there-"
Suddenly Izumi inhaled deep and coughed to regain her breath.
"Holy shit that hurt a lot more than I thought it would." She wheezed and coughed out more air.
"Karma? You're not dead…" Hawks choked on a laugh. "Holy shit you and your pranks."
"Pranks my ass, What the hell were you thinking giving a guy like that a loaded gun even if they were just friggin blanks!" He dropped her and picked up the gun she had dropped. "I'm confiscating these weapons!"
"Yeah… go ahead. I was intending on handing them over to begin with… oh and they weren't blanks." She lifted up the broken shell casing on the ground.
"What the hell do you mean? Then why aren't you-"
"I'll answer all your questions…" She grunted as she got to her feet and eyed Mineta's father crumpled on the ground. "... After I finish making my point."
"No please…" he started to cower back on all fours. Izumi walked towards him and he bowed his grad dogeza style. "No more, please no more…"
"Mr. Mineta…" She spoke in a soft tone this time and knelt in front of him. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging the trembling father. "I truly am sorry for what happened to Minoru."
"Eh?" He shivered and pulled back looking in her eyes. He saw the sincerity there and was even more shocked. "You're...you're serious. Why?"
"You may not believe it, but I did consider Minoru a friend." She offered him a handkerchief and kept eye contact so he'd know she was speaking the truth. "I didn't respect him much but I enjoyed his company and humor from time to time." She held her hands palm out, seeing the blood she spilled dripping over them in her mind's eye. "I didn't cherish him or the other friends I made at U.A. because I was focused on thoughts of revenge and my own ambitions. When you become so consumed with grief, anger, and revenge you lose sight of what's truly important in life. Instead you're blinded by your desires, your insecurities, your fears… revenge consumes you making it impossible to see clearly… until it's too late to turn back. You know that feeling all too well now don't you?"
"Y-yes... I do." He hung his head in shame. She lay a hand on his shoulder in comfort.
"I was dragged in by grief, blinded by the hatred I had for the people who murdered my mother, and then by the man who'd used that grief to control me. It took me a long time to find clarity again, but by then I was already dragged too far off the deep end. I looked around and saw so many others in the same position as me and I wanted to help them find clarity too." She stood up and helped him to his feet as well. "Your son wouldn't want you to follow the same dark path, Mr. Mineta. He'd want you to remember him as he was: a confident and capable hero."
"I do remember…" he sobbed and rubbed at his face. "My son… my son!" He bawled and Izumi looked to security nodding for them to escort the grieving father away.
"Karma?" Hawks called to get her attention. She slowly turned to him, tears in her eyes. "Would you care to elaborate on what host happened?"
"Like I said… I don't expect forgiveness. I don't expect to be trusted, or be set loose without some kind of ramifications." She looked at her hands again and attempted to use her quirk… but nothing. "So I chose my own form of punishment… one I expect every single member of my alliance to share."
"Y-you didn't…" Bakugou suddenly opened the gun chamber and saw the casings inside. He lost his breath. "You did… you're bat shit crazy you know that?"
"I was afraid you'd interfere and I was right. Which is why I'm glad I brought that guy along." She jerked a thumb up to Gigantomachia. "To keep you guys from taking the bullet for me and adding to my list of sins."
"Would someone please explain to me what the hell is going on!" The president shrieked impatiently.
"She's suggesting…" Todoroki figured it out after having a look at the bullets himself. "That every single criminal on V-Island be turned quirkless."
"What?" She looked at Karma with complete and utter shock. "Is this true?"
"Yes… but not just the criminals." Izumi pointed out returning to the stage with the others. "Everyone who takes residency there is to be Quirkless, including the heroes you want staffed there."
"Excuse me!?" The President glared and striked a hand through the air "No! That's completely out of-"
"THIS…" she held up a finger glaring at the woman president. "...is not negotiable. It is a requirement. If you want there to be non-criminal influence on V-Island, then they will need to follow the exact same rules and regulations as the rest of us."
"Do you honestly believe that we would agree to such a thing? What hero in their right mind would actually give up their quirks to babysit a bunch of-"
"Yes…" Izumi crossed her arms smirking. "What hero in their right mind would make such a sacrifice? What hero would willingly give up their gifts, their power, to ensure the safety and well being of quirkless citizens in need of help?"
There was a long pause… murmurs from the crowd built up, painting the heroes as power hungry cowards.
"Do you see it yet, Madam President?" Izumi whispered this as she stepped closer, her eyes sharp and angry. "The flaw in your so-called perfect society?"
"Was this your plan all along?" She whispered back, sweating and mentally cursing the arrogant young woman. "To break the public's trust in us?"
"No… it's just a side benefit." She picked up the contract and handed it over to Rikiya. "Mr. Yotsubashi, would you be a dear and make the changes I require. I'd like to sign this as soon as possible so that I may get home to my son and family."
"Of Course, Karma…" He took the contact in hand but the president held out a grand to make him stop.
"Wait… we're not done with-"
"I'm consenting to all the changes YOU made, Madam President, so why are you finding it so difficult to consent to mine?" She placed her hands on her hips. "If you can't find two heroes willing to do the job then…"
Izumi jolted as the sound of her gun went off. She whirled around looking wide eyed as bakugo held his arm cursing.
"SHIT! That does fucking hurt!"
"Ka...Chan?" She slowly turned towards him. "What are you-"
"What does it look like, Baka-usagi!" He passed the gun off to Todoroki who eyed it meticulously. "I volunteered for babysitting duty."
"Y-You… but…" she stormed back to him and stomped her foot. "Are you an idiot!? Why would you do that!? What about becoming the number one hero? Surpassing All Might? What about your-"
"Hey!" He grabbed her by the front of her shirt and gave her a shake. "It's been my job to keep you in line ever since we were kids. Like hell I'm gonna trust anybody else to look after your sneaky nerdy ass!"
"We're not kids anymore! I don't need you looking after me! You've never been quirkless, you don't-"
"Hah?! Are you looking down at me, Usagi?" He cracked his knuckles smirking. "Do you really think I need a quirk to keep your pathetic ass in line? Think again!"
"MOH!" She slammed her fists in his chest, huffing. "Why do you gotta be like this? I had a big speech planned and everything but you went and ruined it! Baka-Bakagou!"
"Hah! Well tough cookies, Usagi, now you just get to fall in line." He glanced at Rikiya who came back with the newly printed contract. He forcibly turned her towards them and shoved her forward "Now sign the damn papers!"
"The contract requires two heroes." She reminded him "Who else is crazy enough to-" She jolted again when a second shot rang out and Todoroki winced, rubbing his stomach where he'd shot himself.
"Ow…" He muttered and passed the gun off to Hawks who held it out with his fingertips.
"Don't look at me, I'm not that crazy." He handed it off to someone else and then clapped. "Congratulations."
"Oh my god…" Izumi rubbed her face which was turning blue from all the sudden surprises. "This wasn't the ending I had in mind."
"Well it's the ending you're getting." Bakugo handed her a pen the pointed at the papers. "Now sign."
"Mmmmm…" She tucked her tongue in her cheek looking around at the cameras and people focused in on her movements. It wasn't the complete and utter victory she'd had in mind… but she supposed in the end she got what she wanted. "Fine. A stalemate is better than a loss I suppose." She walked to the contract and signed her name.
Applause rang out, cameras flashed as history was made. For the first time ever, Heroes and Villains shook hands and came to a mutual understanding and agreement. The news spread world wide, causing controversy and praise about the abrupt shift in social standings.
As promised Izumi and the other members of the league disbanded and became normal citizens again, each regaining their identity. Izumi was given all the money and properties that had legally been put in her name before coming out as a villain, and immediately she hired lawyers to handle all the property sales, and built up an even larger revenue to distribute between V-Island, the victim stimulus, and living expenses.
The kids were released from prison and sent to live at the Pussycat Agency. In order to stay close to Kota and the others, Izumi moved everyone back into the cabin and even put in additions in order to house more people.
"No, no, no that is supposed to go upstairs into the main suite!" She ordered Magne and Spinner as they hefted a loveseat across the livingroom.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Magne sweated. "Why couldn't you hire some studly moving men to do this instead of picking on us?"
"This is your punishment for leaving Finnick unsupervised in the kitchen, and causing that miniature explosion. Thanks to you I had to pay the landlord a substantial fee so he wouldn't go crying to the police. Besides if you're gonna be quirkless, you gotta get used to manual labor."
"Ugh, I'm starting to think I made the wrong choice in agreeing to this." Magne sighed heavily. "How are we supposed to survive on an island on our own without quirks.
"Humans did it for centuries before the first quirks appeared. We just have to follow history's example." She reminded them and turned towards the big window that looked out at the woods. "Just be thankful you aren't homeless and starving."
"Well, she's got a point." Spinner pointed out and motioned with his nose guiding Magne up the stairs with the heavy piece of furniture.
Izumi let out a long sigh and folded her arms across her chest. She felt heat on her cheek and glanced up at Tomura who held a cup of coffee out to her.
"Trouble in paradise, Mrs. Todoroki?" He placed it in her hands and sipped at his own cup.
"No…" She rubbed the mug in her hands smiling. "Just nerves I guess. I know we all had an agreement to be on our best behavior until the island is complete… but I know bad habits are hard to break."
"If it's Toga you're worried about, don't. I found a suitable distraction to keep her occupied."
"Oh?" She lifted her cup up for a sip. "What's that?"
"I asked her to marry me."
"PFFFT!" Izumi spat out the hot coffee from her mouth and coughed. "W-WHAT!?"
"You don't approve?" He glanced down at her with a small smirk.
"Well… no… I think you're well suited to each other. It's just… do you love her?" She turned towards him looking both surprised and a bit concerned.
"Mmmm…" he smiled a bit, a soft genuine one that made her heart warm. "It's not the same jarring experience I had with you… it's more… comfortable. The way you and Touya are… how you can depend on each other, respect each other, and trust each other. That's kinda what we have."
"Oh…" she sighed and then her lips spread in a warm smile. "Then I'm happy for you."
"Good…" He set his coffee down, then took hers to do the same. He then wrapped his arms around Izumi holding her to his chest. "Thank You."
"For what?" she glanced up at his face. He was looking healthier day by day… his skin smoother, his face more gentle and not stressed out by plots of revenge or world domination. She lifted a hand to his face, stroking it over his lips and cheek.
"For giving me clarity." He cupped her face in his hands, she started to jerk away, but he pulled her back placing both hands on her face.
"You took the serum already. You didn't have to do that Tomura."
"I wanted to. I wanted to be able to touch you like this once, without a barrier, and without your husband threatening to break my limbs." He kissed her forehead and held her again. "Thank you for saving me… my hero."
"Tenko…" Izumi's eyes widened and tears slipped down her cheeks. She let out a soft sob and hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy. I'm so happy that everyone is finally getting the peace of mind they need and deserve. I was so afraid it would never happen."
"Well it did…" He pulled back and wiped the tears away. "Oh… by the way, take a look at the mug I gave you."
"Hmmm?" Izumi grabbed it and laughed at the inscription.
"Long live the Queen… Oh Tenko."
"Your husband has one too that says "Good Knight" spelled with a K." He lifted his cup up sipping at it. His inscription claimed he was "King of the Bedroom" which made her smirk a little.
"Look at us living domestic lives… the world's gone mad." She smiled into her cup, inhaling the steam. She then gasped. "Toga's getting married and she hasn't asked me to be her Matron of Honor yet? How dare she! TOGA!" She rushed up the stairs looking for her best friend. Tomura smiled after her and sat on the couch looking out at the scenery.
"The world hasn't gone mad, Karma… we just found our sanity."
~Sometime Later~
"Oooh how about this one!?" Toga held up the bridal magazine, her hair being intricately braided by Izumi's competent fingers instead of in their usual twin buns. Izumi eyed the dress with a careful eye and hummed over it.
"Nah, strapless doesn't suit you… I think you should go for a more sleek sleeve look." She reached over her sinker to flip a page and tapped on another girl. "Like this one."
"Oooh! Yes!" Toga squeed, looking sparkly eyed. "So pretty… do you think they can dye it red for me? White is such a boring color."
"I don't see why not… so long as the price is right." Izumi winked, making Toga giggle and clap her hands together.
"Planning a wedding is so much fun! I'm so happy, Queeny!" she turned around to hug her.
"I'm happy for you, Toga-chan." She cuddled up with her as the two continued to ooh and awe the pictures.
"Did you guys HAVE to bring all that with you?" Kota complained as he and Touya faced off in a game of chess. Eri and Finnick sat nearby on a blanket eating the lunch Kurogiri had prepared for all of them. "I thought we were gonna spend quality time together."
"Oh come on, Kota." Izumi lay the magazine down smiling at him. "It's a happy occasion."
"Uh huh, meanwhile the lot of you are roaming free and doing what you please, while Eri and I are stuck down there with the stuffy heroes trying to convince us to stay rather than go with you on the island." He humphed and turned up his nose. "It's annoying."
"Kou-chan, it's not that bad. Mandalay and the others are really nice." Eri gave him sympathetic eyes. "They just don't want to lose you again."
"Yeah well I don't care. I know who my real family is." He slapped his knight down. "Checkmate."
"Whoa… nice job, kid. I'm no match for you anymore." Touya complimented and glanced at Izumi. "You're up, My Queen."
"Alright then…" Izumi stood up and walked over to the board and sat down. "Been a bit since I've played, so be sure to go easy on me."
"Hah… fat chance." Kota moved his white piece forward watching Izumi's calm and calculated expression. "I'm not that stupid."
"No you're not…" She smiled affectionately, as this brought back memories of when they'd first met. The same game, the same location… but with the added love and warmth of friends and family surrounding them. "How are the others?"
"Yuuichi and Max are adjusting just fine. They're taking advantage of Tiger's offer to help train them. Kaoru was granted permission to return home and it's said that he and Broadcast finally reunited and are spending quality time together. Slim also went home to his folks… said he's decided to try and reconcile, and take advantage of the immunity to start fresh."
"Mmmm good, I'm glad they're all finding stability."
"I guess so… they're all figuring out the best path for themselves." He hesitated before moving his next piece and hung his head. "They all really miss you."
"I miss them too… so how come they didn't come with you today?"
There was a long pause before Kota answered her.
"...because they don't want to lose their quirks."
"Hmmm what?" Izumi, taken aback by that, glanced up from the chessboard.
"The lot of them didn't know what the final plan was… and when they found out Roni, Mink, the twins, and even Yuuichi and Max… all of them aren't sure that they want to lose their quirks."
"I see…" Izumi's head hung a little and she shifted another piece. "I can't say I'm not a bit disappointed, and hurt that they would feel that way."
"Don't take it personally Izumi. They spent years trapped in that facility learning how to control their quirks. Yuuichi gave up his childhood years just so he could get to the point he can maintain normalcy. They don't want to just give it up, and live quirkless when they've finally got a chance to have a normal life with their quirks."
The sting of rejection hit Izumi hard. She'd made a strong connection to Yuuichi and the others at the JDC… but affection and friendship only went so far. The entire society they grew up in was based around quirks, so it was little surprise that they'd be afraid to lose that part of themselves.
"In the end it's their decision. So long as they're happy with the choices they've made, I can be happy for them." She set her knight in front of Kota's king, and sighed. "Checkmate."
"Damn! I was so close!" Kota ruffled his hair. "What'd I miss?"
"You abandoned your queen here, leaving her open and vulnerable." She stood up and dusted her hands. "I need a walk. Finnick sweetie do you wanna come with me?"
"Yeah!" Excited that he was finally getting some attention, Finnick jumped up and ran into her arms. Izumi hefted him onto her hip and cuddled him close. As she walked away, Kota eyed her back and hung his head a bit in shame. He picked up the white queen, turning it over in his hand.
"You win some… you lose some." He sighed and put the pieces back in the box. "You taught me that, Izumi."
~Moving Day~
The Ferry to V-Island was christened by Hawks and Tenko, the two of them shaking hands for a picture, and then going to the press to answer questions as the others were boarded. Izumi had dressed for the occasion in a nice pant suit and her hair pulled up in a bun. She looked like a real business woman, and ready for the new challenge ahead of her.
"Quit spacing out, Usagi." Bakugo nudged her as he hefted luggage into the cargo hold. "You're in charge of this project… why not actually lift a finger to help!"
"Hmmm? You expect weak lil quirkless girl like me to lift those big heavy bags?" She teased with a pout.
"Ah ha, ah ha ha, nice try, Usagi. I know that's just a ploy to get me to admit that you're not a weak pathetic rabbit without your quirk." He scowled at her.
"Did it work?" She bat her eyelashes and made him sneer.
"Just take the stupid bags, you irritating woman." He shoved them at her and turned to Touya who walked up with Finnick in tow. "How can you stand being married to her?"
"I could tell you…" Touya started to say something but then eyed Finnick. ".. but there are children present."
"Ugh, forget I asked." He stomped off. "Shoto! Are you done yet? We've got fifteen minutes to finish loading!"
"Shoto?" Izumi raised a brow as she watched the interaction between Bakugo and Todoroki. "Now why didn't I see that before?"
"I say don't ask, don't tell." He transferred Finnick to Izumi and took up the bags himself. "Kota and Eri already on board?"
"No… they said they had a surprise for me. I hope they don't take too long, once Tenko finishes with the reporters, we'll all be leaving." She stood up on her tiptoes looking for them in the crowd.
"Alright that's enough, you've said your peace!" Bakugo motioned everyone alog. "All losers get on board now! We're leaving!"
"Did you just call yourself a loser?" Toga teased, patting Bakugo's shoulder as she and Tenko walked by him. Bakugo tensed up and flustered.
"N-No! That's not what- Ugh! Forget it! Just get on board!"
"Wait! Kacchan we can't leave yet. Kota and Eri aren't back… I can't leave without them." Izumi gave him a pleading look. "I'm their legal guardian now I can't leave without-"
"We're here! We're coming!" Kota rushed up and Izumi let out a sigh of relief then knocked him on the head.
"You idiot! You two had me worried. What the hell were you guys doing?"
"What else? Setting up your surprise." Kota handed her a cell phone. "Say hi."
"What?" Izumi looked at the cell phone and put it to her ear. "Hello?"
"MIDORI! Can you hear me?!" Yuuichi called out on the speakerphone, his voice joined by a burble of others including Max, Roni, and Slim.
"Yuu? Hey, you never came to say goodbye. Did you guys find a place to get settled? Or are you staying with the Pussycats still?"
"Something like that. Take the binoculars, and look towards the tower." Yuu explained and Izumi raised a curious brow. She accepted the binoculars and looked out in the specified area. Atop the tower she saw the entire JDC group waving at the very top, all with big smiles on their faces.
"Aww, you guys did come to see us off. Thank you!"
"Well we had to give our boss a proper send off… didn't we?"
"Oh come on, Yuu, I'm not your boss. You guys didn't have to-"
"Trust me, you'll love this. Okay, you guys ready?" Yuu gave the signal… and over the side of the building a huge banner rolled out and down. Izumi's heart rose in her throat, and tears spilled out as she admired the Fiery Black bird with blue flames.
~The Phoenix Lives On!~
"Oh guys…" she sniffed and handed the binoculars to Touya so he could look. "I'm touched… what an amazing gift."
"The world may acknowledge you as Karma, the former Queen of Villains… but those of us in the Phoenix Rebels will always remember you as Midori the Phoenix. Our leader, and a true hero."
"Oh god that did it…" Izumi bawled. "Oh you lousy kids, doing that in a place where I can't grab hold and take you home."
"Heh, sorry about that… but I hope you'll understand and respect our decision to stay. Someone has to stay on this side and remind everyone what you stood for. The League of Villains disbanded, but the Phoenix Rebels made no such promise."
"Wait, what?" Her head jerked up as tears continued to slip down. "You're joking."
"Nope… Like the sign says, the Phoenix lives on. You've done your part, Midori. Now it's our time to do ours. We'll keep fighting and pass your ideals onto the next generation. We'll make you proud!"
"You guys don't have to do this… you guys deserve to live your own lives. Be with your families, enjoy your youth."
"We wouldn't have lives if it weren't you, Midori." Max pointed out. "We'd still be locked away and experimented on. I can guarantee you we're not the only ones who are suffering either. We're gonna help those we can, and little by little help change the world. Please believe in us."
"Oh hell…what have I done?" Izumi lowered her head, holding her mouth. "You guys... Just promise me you won't be stupid and reckless. You've got your freedom now, don't waste it."
"Don't worry, we won't. Enjoy your life, Midori. You deserve to be happy." Roni spoke between her own tears.
"We'll miss you, Midori!" Mink shouted excitedly.
"I'll miss you guys too…" She slowly lowered the phone and looked to Kota and Eri. "You two knew about this didn't you? That they were keeping the group together."
"Yes, we were sworn to secrecy." Eri admitted. "They knew you'd try and talk them out of it."
"Oi! What's the hold up!" Bakugo shouted from the deck. "Let's go, Usagi. The Ferry's leaving."
"What do you wanna do, Izumi?" Touya looked to his wife, balancing Finnick and their carry on. "You don't have a quirk anymore. There won't be much you can do to help them if they get caught."
Izumi took a deep shaky breath and she looked down at the phone in her hands. She felt Finnick touch her hand, and she looked him in the eye.
"I know you're scared mama… but those guys aren't like me. You can trust them to look after each other." He sent her a beaming smile. "They're strong, just like you."
"Oh Finn…" Her voice cracked and she lifted her chin trying to compose herself. "You're right… They don't need my help anymore." Her smile came slowly and pained. "They're strong, intelligent, and independent young people. If this is what they want… then what right do I have to talk them out of it?"
"You always did say it was up to the youth to mold the future." Touya added with a comforting smile. "You've done your part mama bird… now it's time to let the little phoenixes leave the nest."
"Yes I did… I tipped just enough boxes to make a difference in their lives." She held her heart and turned to her family. Her husband, her son, and the two children she'd adopted as her own. She placed a warm and loving hand on Kota and Eri's shoulders. "Well, I guess it's time we worry about our own future, huh? Let's go to our new home."
"Yeah!" Kota let out a whoop and grabbed Eri's hand. "Come on, Eri, let's get a good view up front so we can be the first to see the island!"
"Okay!" She rushed after him. Izumi and Touya boarded behind them, the plank drawing up and the Ferry finally pulling away from the harbor.
When the island finally came into view, Finnick waved his hands excitedly.
"Look mom, look! There it is!"
"Yep, our new home." She kissed her son on the cheek cradling him close. "Our new life."
"No more killing, no more committing crimes, or battling it out with the heroes." Touya patted her on the head. "You're gonna be bored out of your skull."
"Oh I beg to differ." Izumi looked over Finnick's head and out at the future. "We're building society from the ground up… making something new that will outlast us. I don't think it'll be boring at all. In fact…" Her smile spread wide as excitement and anticipation of what came next grew inside her. "I can't wait to get started."
~Ask Briry~
I know I said this was gonna be the last chapter, but there's some loose ends I wanna tie up, and some bonus scenes I wanna include… So…
Final Chapter: H.E.A Pt. 2
