Queen Karma
Author's note: I apologize for not being very active as of late. Been dealing with a lot of personal stuff and haven't found much time or energy to write. Hope you all enjoy it!
Chapter 4: Karma vs. Kai
This was the way things should have been from the start. Tomura decided, cuddling Izumi closer to his chest and just breathing her in. No Dabi, No All for One, No League… just him, her, the dark, and the quiet.
His chest felt so much lighter, his body far more relaxed and his breathing calm. Any urge to itch, scratch, maim and murder just fell away, and was replaced by the urge to stroke and soothe.
"Maybe we should just forget everything and everyone." Tomura murmured into her hair. "Let the heroes have the world… we'll find one of our very own. A place secluded and completely off the radar. Someplace where we can just breathe and live without the suffocating eyes and rules of society."
"Like a deserted island? You hate camping and the outdoors." She laughed and smiled up at him. "Also we'd have no electricity or regular plumbing, no hot showers, no microwaves..."
"A sacrifice I'm willing to make in order to make this peace and quiet last." He murmured and nuzzled into her neck now giving kisses and nips to stir her again.
"Mmmm I'll do some research, see what I can find." She sighed and gently turned herself into his arms. She laid her hand on his cheek and looked into his eyes. He looked so peaceful and happy and it brought her joy to know that she did that. She could regret losing Dabi as a friend… but she won't regret giving Tomura this peace of mind.
The peace was interrupted by a swift knock on the door. Agitation hardened his red eyes and she hushed him soothingly with soft pets through his hair.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, your highness, I've got some news for you." Ace called from the other side of the door. Shigaraki grunted and rolled onto his back with a huff, his mood instantly soured. Izumi sighed and sat up in bed, pushing her tousled hair out of her face.
"Come in, and make it quick."
Ace stepped in, took a quick scan of the situation and immediately averted his eyes.
"Forgive me for the interruption, but Giran called. He said that Twice has found a worthy candidate for the league, and he'd like to set up a meeting if you're up for it."
"Karma is still recovering from her injuries, or did you forget that little tidbit?" Shigaraki gently nudged Izumi back down in bed and stood up to take command. "I'll see to the meeting myself."
"That's the hitch… the man Twice encountered said he'd like to do business with the queen. He doesn't want to go through a second party."
"Tomura and I are of the same mind, if he has a problem with Shigaraki taking the lead, then there is no business to discuss." Izumi quickly defended and waved him off. "If that's all then take yourself out of here. We were enjoying the peace and quiet."
"There's one more thing you should know." Ace cleared his throat. "It's about our supply chain in Kyoto… it's been burned to the ground, and the information inside may have been compromised."
"Burned?" Izumi immediately sat back up, her eyes going sharp. "Are you saying that Dabi-"
"Well someone's throwing a temper tantrum." Tomura pulled his pants on and strolled casually to the bowl of fruit on the table and picked one up to bite into it.
"I have a hard time believing Dabi would destroy that building just to release some tension… you said it may have been compromised, what did you mean by that?" Izumi wrapped the sheet around her chest, a sense of dread building up inside her.
"My contacts in the police force have told me that a group of heroes got a lead about the warehouse. The leak said that the warehouse contained i-Island goods and League information… but by the time they arrived at the warehouse it had gone up in flames."
"Are you saying that Dabi knew this and burned the warehouse down to protect information?" Tomura questioned trying to piece the puzzle together.
"No…" Izumi lowered her head, and grit her teeth. "That's not what he's saying." She immediately got to her feet and went for her new gear. "Ace, contact Twice and tell him to move forward with the meeting. Let's use hideout X and arrange transportation for both of them. They're not to be followed, understood?"
"Yes, my queen," Ace bowed but Shigaraki held up his hand.
"Now hold on just a damn minute." He stopped her from zipping up the bodysuit. "You're in no condition-"
"I don't have time to get healthy, Tomura. There's a high possibility that Dabi's gone rogue, and the information he has on us runs deep. I trusted him with the most information because I believed he would never betray me… but I was an idiot." She zipped it up, cursing. "Sexual favors only get you so much loyalty."
"Tch…" Tomura gripped her shoulders slightly from annoyance, but then pulled back. "I told you I should have killed him."
"Am I to assume that Dabi is now our enemy?" Ace questioned feeling the tension rise and rise.
"We're gonna find out. Alert the rest of the league of his possible betrayal. I want him found, taken to me alive, and put on trial. If he has betrayed me." She snapped the belt across her waist and tugged her gloves into place. "I'm going to kill him personally."
~Twice~
"So Dabi's gone rogue, huh?" Twice scratched his temple and blew smoke from his cigarette. His brow twitched a little as his inner monologue was irritating his sensibilities. He felt ready to split. "Good riddance! It's a tragic loss."
"Karma's will is absolute. He's to be taken in for possible treason. If you see him, bring him in by any means necessary to face trial." Ace informed him and rattled off an address. "I have a car waiting for you at this address. Bring your recruit to hideout X for assessment, and be sure you're not followed."
"Don't give me orders!" He saluted. "Sir, yes sir!" He hung up the phone and took a nice long drag to soothe the last of his nerves. Things in the league were barely holding together… but if he knew Tomura and Karma, they'd come in the clutch with glue, staples and scotch tape. "Long live the Queen." He sighed and pulled on his mask.
He went to the appointed address and slipped into the vehicle. The sun had finally set so he slipped into his villain gear before getting into the car and peeling out. As instructed he picked up his charge, and checked thoroughly for any undercover cops or heroes who could be following them.
His recruit, whom he'd found in the Yakuza district, was hitting all the right marks. He was intelligent, dangerous, and had a useful quirk that could potentially heal their ailing queen. If things went well this could alleviate the issue of Dabi's absence and betrayal and get them back on board.
He pulled into hideout X, an old abandoned factory that Izumi had inherited from All for One and utilized in the earlier days of the league. It was off any major roads, and was tucked hidden on the outskirts of the city to avoid hero detection.
"Ugh give me a break. This place is so dusty, I feel like I'm getting sick." The recruit groaned in complaint.
"No worries, everyone inside has been sick for a while." Twice assured and spread open the doors of the factory. The entire league was there, minus Kurogiri. Karma wanted to keep him out of sight but on call just in case problems arose.
"I see you brought us a big fish, Twice." Tomura spoke first, Karma tucked protectively against him as they stood at the forefront of the group.
"Big Fish, huh? That's ironic coming from you, your majesty." He gave a mock bow, his eyes focused on Karma.
"Wait a minute… I know you." Karma's eyes narrowed speculatively. "Yes, Sensei showed us both a picture of him during my training. You're from the Yakuza, aren't you? The young head of the Shie Hassaikai, Kai Chisaki."
"I prefer to go by Overhaul, but I'm flattered you know of me." He stepped up, while Twice took his spot on the League's side of the factory.
"The Young head… so he's number two of organized crime? Oooh smells dangerous." Magne said with a little giddy squeal.
"Organized crime? What's that?" Toga questioned.
"Allow me to tell you a story." Mr. Compress spoke with his usual flair. "Many years ago there were many scary groups who ran the underworld. They were once feared by the general public as dangerous and destructive criminals. Nowadays, however, these groups have become obsolete. They were unmasked and disbanded after the appearance of heroes, and once All Might took over the reins they became all but extinct."
"Not quite true though, is it?" Karma interrupted. "Many Yakuza groups are still in formation but they're small and insignificant. They make most of their living by leeching off major villain organizations and small petty thief crimes."
"I can't deny that our kind has fallen from grace… but as you very well may know, your highness, times are changing." Overhaul said with a smug tone.
"I take it you too are riding the high of All Might's retirement?" Mr. Compress asked with minor humor.
"Actually it's the loss of All for One that has me intrigued." he answered, and the tension in the air was high and thick. "The emperor of darkness who ruled over all the underside of society. To my generation he was considered a myth, but imagine our surprise when he showed up out of nowhere during YOUR broadcast."
"Yes… and now he too has become obsolete." Karma scowled, not liking where this conversation was going. "My group and I can hardly fulfill our goal with him and All Might running the show. Which is why we've liberated ourselves and the rest of the world from their petty squabble."
"You're welcome." Toga added with gleeful giggle.
"I will thank you for opening the door, Queen Karma. With your influence, the worlds of both light and dark have been left leaderless. Now the question is… who will take up the mantle."
"You're really going to ask that kind of question when you have the King and Queen of villains standing right in front of you?" Tomura stepped forward, his irritation growing.
"Tomura…" Karma lay a hand on his shoulder, the sing in her ribs making her want to buckle but she stood firm and calm. "Just what exactly are your intentions for coming here? You don't sound like someone who's the least bit interested in joining our cause."
"You're right… I don't have any intention of becoming a part of your merry band of misfits." Overhaul lifted up a hand. "Let me ask you something, Queen Karma. What exactly is your overall goal and plan?"
"If you've no intention of joining why the hell should I divulge any sort of information to you?" She sneered at him.
"A goal with no plan is called a delusion. If you present me with a delusion, then how am I supposed to react?" Overhaul stepped closer to her. "Your mind, while brilliant, is disrupted and unfocused. You've killed off a good amount of key players because you're stuck in this half villain, half hero facade you've put on. Stain, Nakahara, Muscular, Moonfish,… all strong and useful pieces to play, and yet you let your sentiments cloud your judgement. Now even your right hand man Dabi has lost interest and faith in you."
"Tch…" Izumi's quirk flowed out of her, energy rippling around causing the chains on the ceiling to rattle. "I have a goal and a plan on how to achieve it. Whether or not you live to see it come to fruition is yet to be determined but at the rate you're going…"
"...it's looking grim." Tomura finished the threat, raising his hand up. "So I suggest you tell us the real reason as to why you've come here."
"I too have a goal, and a plan." Overhaul informed them. "In order to execute said plan I need money. Unfortunately not a whole lot of people are looking to invest in a small-time Yakuza group." Overhaul informed her, and slowly raised his hand up. "Your group however has widespread recognition and has come into a lofty sum of money. Put yourself under me, and I can show you the best place to invest those funds."
"I see, well thank you for your generous offer but we'll have to decline. Twice please escort this fool from my sight." Karma waved him off, Overhaul noticed the hitch in her movements and his eyes shimmered with confidence.
"Yes your-" Twice started to comply but Overhaul quickly interjected.
"It wouldn't be a fruitless investment. I'm sure you don't enjoy walking around in agony… " Overhaul smirked from behind his mask. "I can heal your wounds, make you good as new. All I ask in return is for your complete and utter submission to me."
"Submission?" She laughed at him and whirled around to face him. "Just what makes you think I'd subject myself to that kind of treatment, again? I didn't tolerate it from All for One, and I sure as hell ain't gonna tolerate it from a nobody Yakuza like you!"
Karma felt the bad vibes buzzing around her. Something felt off, a cold chill pickling up her skin. She laid a hand on Tomura's shoulder.
"I think we're done here. You need to leave." She warned and started to signal Kurogiri.
"Are you that afraid of me, your highness?" He smirked from behind his mask.
"Tch, Hardly…" she slowly turned back around. "I'm more than sure I can take you in a fight, even in my wounded state."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that…" He held up his left hand by the wrist. "Why don't we find out?"
"Not happening!" Tomura snapped and pulled Karma behind him again. "Twice get this creep out of here."
"Yes boss!" Twice saluted.
"Allow me…" Mange quickly stood up and revealed her weapon. "Listen here you fool, Karma and Tomura may be our leaders but they're not forcing us to submit to their will. They put themselves on the line just as much if not more so than us. That's why we choose to follow them, and we will not tolerate being forced into submission!"
"Is that so?" He braced for a fight, his eyes glancing to the side just a little before he was pulled forward by Magne's quirk. The look in his eyes made Karma realize what was causing those chills...and she panicked.
"Magne wait!" Karma shoved Tomura aside to rush ahead and stop her. She activated her quirk lifting Mange in the air by her weapon just before Overhaul got within reach.
Magne squeaked in surprise, and Overhaul stumbled forward as the quirk broke.
"Karma what the hell?" Tomura eyed the scrambling Magne.
"Somethings off, I don't trust him!" She grit her teeth, sweating profusely from the strain on her body.
"Clever one aren't you? I could use that brain of yours. If only you weren't so tainted." He took a step towards her, and put everyone on alert.
"He's mine…" she warned everyone to stay back, and dropped Magne who landed safely on unsteady legs. "Don't interfere."
"Izumi, Tomura called out her name, panic bubbling in his chest as his Queen squared off against Overhaul.
"He's hiding something, and I'm gonna find out what it is." She unfurled her whip from her belt and gave it a snap.
"Izumi don't!" Tomura tried to stop her but Izumi was already rushing him. She unleashed her whip, her quirk glowing around it and snapping the air. Overhaul dodged out of the way, the whip leaving a heavy imprint.
"He's fast…" She whirled and turned ready to lash out again. It was then she felt something struck her arm. She glanced down seeing the red bullet drop to the ground. Her quirk failed to activate and she gasped. "WHAT?!"
"Got you!" Overhaul, glove removed, grabbed her by the face and suddenly her entire body blew up like a balloon.
"WHAT! NO!"
"Qu-Queeny?"
"Oh my god!" Magne freaked out, knowing full well that could have been her.
"That's it! You're dead!" Tomura rushed in, his hand stretched out, ready to disintegrate his opponent. His run came to a halt as Izumi popped back up, gasping for breath as her entire body reverted. "KARMA!?"
"Ugh, I really hate that part." Overhaul shuddered and pulled out a cloth to wipe his hand free. "So disgusting."
"Wh-What just…" Izumi looked down at her hands, trembling. She didn't have a mark on her. All her wounds, aches, and pains were gone. Her hair, back to its lush green color and waist length spilled out in front of her as her head bowed forward. "What the fuck did you do to me?"
"I healed you… consider it a gift and show of trust."
"TRUST!?" Toga pulled out her dagger ready to kill. "You blew her up! Why should we trust you?"
"Stand down, Toga!" Karma scolded and slowly stood up looking Overhaul directly in the eye. "I wasn't talking about your quirk… though I thank you for ridding me of that. I'm talking about that!" She pointed to the broken red casing on the floor. Tomura also eyed it and he walked over poking at the pieces. THIS was what she was concerned about?
"Oh that?" Overhaul eyed it with a shrug. "That was just the first fruits of my labor. If you want more, your highness…" He pulled out a card and flicked it down to her feet. "Come see me. Then we can renegotiate the terms of our potential partnership."
"Didn't we just say-" Magne started to argue but Tomura stood up.
"Silence!" He pocketed the fractured pieces and returned to Izumi's side. He picked up the card himself, and tucked his queen protectively against him. "We'll think about it. Now get out and take your crew with you." He eyed the rafters, noticing the figure hiding in the darkness. "Before I kill all of you for doing harm to my queen."
"Very well, I look forward to hearing from you, King Tomura." He waved his hand. "Chronos, let's go!"
"Yes, Overhaul!" The figure came down from the rafters and holstered his gun. He and Karma eyed each other speculatively before exiting the factory.
"Are you sure about just letting them go like that?" Compress asked with worry.
"I'm healed, not wounded, so there's no crime comitted. Even if it did scare the ever-loving crap out of me." She looked at her hands, tried to focus on her quirk but couldn't get to it to start. She sighed and lifted her head up to smile at Magne who was whimpering. "Are you alright, Magne?"
"Karma!" Magne ran to her and hugged her tightly. "You saved my life! If you hadn't pulled me out of the way, that could have been me!"
"There, there, Big Sis." She patted her large shoulders. "That's what I'm here for. I always look after my family."
"Well you need to start looking after yourself too." Compress rubbed the top of her head. "I'm relieved to see you unharmed."
"Thanks… Toga, down…" She hushed the girl as she eyed the exit, her blade still up and ready. "Shhhhh, it's okay." She took her face in her hands. "I'm okay. We'll deal with him in our own time. I promise."
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm so sorry!" Twice went on all fours and bowed Dogeza style. "I didn't mean to bring such a-"
"Stand up, Twice." Tomura yanked him up by his collar. " Yes, you were an idiot for bringing him here without finding out his true motives. However, It could have been a lot worse. If Magne had indeed been the one to have been attacked he'd have probably left her dead. The only reason he used his quirk to bring Karma back is because she has value."
"Ugh, don't remind me!" Magne shuddered. "Just thinking about it gives me the willies!"
"Then let's not… and instead let's focus on our next move." She rubbed her chin. "This weapon they've created that rendered me quirkless is a problem. I refuse to be used and follow someone's order. However..." her smile came quick and wicked. "There's nothing wrong with playing nice to get what you want, is there?"
"Oooh I know that look!" Toga clapped her hands excitedly. "Someone's gonna die!"
"Maybe, maybe not…" Karma pet her between the twin buns. "Let's hear what Overhaul has to say, and find out more about this weapon of his. If I'm right… then I think we just found the leverage we need to fulfill our own plans."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Thank you for your patience! I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and are looking forward to more!
Next Chapter: Dabi the Hero!?