Midori the Phoenix
Chapter 6: The Spawn of Karma
"I called in a few favors to get the baby essentials you need, including about a hundred or so bags of diapers for the little tike, which should last you about a week at best." Ace informed Dabi, watching him pour himself a cup of tea. "I thought you hated tea."
"I do…" Dabi brought the cup to his lips and inhaled the fragrance, his broken heart aching as the scent reminded him of Izumi. "Thanks for putting us up, Ace. I appreciate it."
"No big, I know you're good for it. Not like you're short on funds… but kinda hard to inquire about housing and such looking like that." He motioned to the scars and stitching. While trying to get Eri off of Izumi Dabi had also been rewound back. He had the appearance of a villain again, but on the plus side he'd regained his quirk.
"Yeah, but I suppose it could be worse." Dabi lifted his hand and watched the flames dance in his palm.
"Do you know what I find interesting about your situation?" Ace took the seat across from him. "Eri rewound your body back to the point you still had a quirk… but you retained all your memories of current events."
"Hmmm?" Dabi turned his attention to Ace, pondering that thought. He narrowed his eyes going over some stuff in his head and he lifted a brow. "Huh...You're right. That is interesting. It seems things like memories, or information intake isn't affected. I could tell you the names we used, the address of the home we stayed in, numbers and digits from accounts I handled there. None of it was taken away when I reverted back."
"Something to think about when that girl finally learns to control her gift." Ace drummed his fingers on the table. "Speaking of which, how are the kids doing?"
"Finnick's finally asleep," He rubbed his tired eyes. "Took me nearly ten hours to get him to stop crying, but he finally went to sleep. Eri's awake, but she's become a mute. Thankfully Kota's been somewhat normal… though I do catch him muttering to himself on occasion."
"The joys of parenthood. You sure you don't want to just leave them at an orphanage somewhere?"
"No… I made Izumi a promise that I'd dedicate myself to the kids. Single parent life isn't easy, but I'll figure something out… I have to." He sat down, rubbing the tea between his hands and sighing heavily. "I heard Tomura's in an uproar over the news."
"Oh yeah, he's granting you an audience at your earliest convenience so he can curse you til your ears bleed." Ace warned.
"Long love the King," Dabi grunted, he lifted his cup to take a sip… but then paused as a thought came to mind. "Actually… Do you think you can watch the rugrats for a bit?" He stood up. "I'm gonna go talk to Tomura."
"Sure, but you're just asking for him to put your head on a platter."
"Maybe, maybe not." He held the tea up in cheers, hoping to siphon some of Izumi's brain power, downed the entire mug in one go. "I have an idea."
~Herorics committee: England Branch~
"We can discuss the politics of this all we like, but the pressing issue is what are we going to do about the kid?" Eraserhead broke the hot debate with his pressing question.
"Doctor Robert Bennett who delivered the baby has offered to adopt the child himself. His mother agreed to it, though his sister has reserves." Thomas, the head of England's Scotland Yard proclaimed. "However, given the circumstances, I think it best if the girl is removed from England territory and put back into Japanese custody."
"Agreed," Dashwood, a british hero with a revolutionary inspired costume, stood up. "The girl may have been born here, but both of her parents are Japanese villains. If the doctor is wrong, and Karma is still alive, then there's almost a certainty that she'll come for her child at some point when the opportunity arises. This would put the doctor and his family at risk."
"There's also the possibility that Bennett is conspiring with the league of villains. He seemed to be fully aware of who Izumi Midoriya was and took it upon himself to harbor her from custody."
"Dr. Bennett already explained that he had no knowledge of that until the time of birth, and at that point it was too late to inform anyone of the circumstances." Dashwood argued and was met with speculating looks.
"In any case," Thomas raised his hand to silence any further argument. "The point is, Izumi Midoriya's daughter will be put into Japanese custody. Though we would like to know what you intend to do with the child before we relinquish that custody."
"We'll leave that up for the committee to ultimately decide, but we do have some suggestions to toss out." All Might spoke from his place near the end of the table. "One of which is to put her in foster care, and keep a round the clock hero watch on the home in question."
"No, that set up leaves way too many options for villains to infiltrate, plus foster care isn't the most productive way to raise a child. This is Karma's offspring, after all, we don't want a second coming." Thomas dismissed the idea, having been a foster child himself.
"The second option is to invite hero primary families to adopt the girl… it would give her a positive and heroic family to be a part of as well as put her in hero custody round the clock." Toshinori continued.
"That's a possibility, but you'll need to find a family willing to harbor her, and from what I understand there's only a few generations of families that are all heroes."
"We'll leave it open…" Aizawa shrugged it off and moved on. "The third option was submitted and approved by the Japanese Heroics Committee. Providing we get your approval, this is the best option we have that'll give the baby a positive environment, provide high level round the clock security, on staff medical for emergency situations, and will be an unlikely place for the league of villains to look for the baby."
"Oh?" Thomas raised a brow. "Where's this at?"
~Sometime Later~
It was the start of a new year, and Class 1A had become Class 2A. They were in a new dorm, would have new classes, a few new teachers, and even a new classmate in the former General studies student Shinso Hitoshi.
...but he wasn't the only new addition.
"As of today this will be your new Dorm mate…" Aizawa helped up the gurgling baby girl out to the class. "Be sure you welcome her properly.
There was a brief moment of silence… and then the entire room was filled with a group consensus.
"EH!?"
"We're seriously going to be babysitting an infant!?" Kaminari pointed shakily, his eyes wide as saucers.
"...and Midoriya's kid no less?!" Mineta added.
"What kind of weird, messed up, decision was this by the heroics committee?" Sero crossed his arms. "Isn't this just asking the League of Villains to come and attack us?"
Several more arguments and vocalized words of disbelief were shared. Feeling a headache coming on, Aizawa tucked the girl in the crook of his arm and gave the entire class a glare.
"Settle down…" He barked the order, the room silencing on his request. "She's only occupying the same space as you. No one outside of the school is to know that she's being harbored here, and you're under no obligation to help with her care or even acknowledge her existence. That responsibility is mine, All Might's and the few other teachers who've agreed to help." He took a deep breath to call himself. "However…"
"Saw that coming," the group muttered insync.
"However," He repeated with some temper, and pulled out a small pamphlet. "The principal and the rest of us on staff have agreed to give special privileges to any students who make themselves useful regarding her upbringing."
"What kind of special privileges?" Kirishima asked curiously.
"I'll give you all a packet with the details, but I'll list a few off here to pique your interest." He bounced the baby when she began to fuss. "Those who partake in the care of the baby shall receive free coupons for Lunch Rush's secret menu specials, will receive spending allowances in any trips that are infant care related, blah, blah, blah…" he read down the list and spoke again. "Oh here's one that'll benefit the lot of you. You will receive first dibs on training facilities and be provided with an additional hour for all training rentals, and be given extra credit on all class assignments and tests."
"I'LL DO IT!" Half the class immediately raised their hands and volunteered. Bodies rushed in, arms out for their shot at holding the baby.
"I thought that might do it." Aizawa put the baby in Uraraka's arms. Instantly she crooned, and the girls all huddled around her making awwing and oohing sounds. "Her room and supplies are right next to mine. If there's an emergency be sure to inform me. All of you should consider this a learning experience."
"Yes sir… oh, Mr. Aizawa, what's the baby's name?" Uraraka asked, giggling a little as the baby pat her cheek with her palm.
"She hasn't been given one," He waved a hand. "Call her what you want."
"Eh?" Mina frowned at that. "That's so mean. Why wouldn't Izumi give her a name?"
"Oh… I guess I forgot to mention that part." Aizawa turned, his eyes glancing to the back of the group where Bakugo and Shoto were dead quiet, and their heads down. "She wasn't given a name… because Midoriya died after giving birth to her."
Cold shock washed over the group, and an eerie silence followed. When Aizawa left the room again all eyes turned to Bakugo and Todoroki.
"Is this true, you guys? Is Izumi really dead?"
"There was speculation that Midoriya escaped along with her husband and the other two kids…" Todoroki finally managed to speak. He swallowed hard as the ache in his chest still hadn't subsided. "...but that theory was laid to rest after Shigaraki sent a threatening video to the Heroics Committee."
~A Few Days Prior~
Detective Tsukauchi put the disc into the computer and turned on the overhead monitor. The room was filled with the heroes and crew that were assigned to the League of Villain's case, including Gran Torino, Nighteye, Best Jeanist, and of course their sidekicks and interns.
The video disc played, and Tomura's scowling expression displays on screen. Normally when he made appearances he tried to look as regal as possible, but this time Tomura couldn't keep his cool.
"As the King of Villains, I demand obedience and excellence from those I work with. As a man I demand punishment for the people who've wronged me and my allies. This man…" The camera pulled back from his face and he walked toward Touya who had been bound and chained, his body torn up and bruised. He lifted him by his hair and shook him.
"That's him." Bakugo pointed a finger at the screen. "That's the man Todoroki and I saw with Izumi at the mall."
"Touya Todoroki… the brother I never knew about because of his estrangement to my family." Shoto grit his teeth. "Wonder what he did to piss Shigaraki off."
"This man," He hoisted Touya up higher. "Had the gall to not only steal the heart of my beloved Queen… but had dared to fail in his duties to protect her."
"What?" Shoto went on alert at those words. "What does he mean by that? Is he talking about failing to keep her hidden?"
"Hush, he's still talking." Nighteye ordered. "Save your questions until we get all the information."
"I told you it wasn't my fault," Touya coughed up blood and looked through his one good eye. "Karma… she was stressed out… the heroes found out where we were, and then she went into labor-"
"SILENCE!" Tomura slapped him across the face and tossed him downward. "I already blame the heroes for plenty, and this is no exception. They will pay for this, and so will you!" Tomura turned his back toward the camera. "Nomu!"
The tall bird like beast walked forward and grabbed Touya up by the head.
"I'm gonna do what I should have done months ago when I found out you and Karma were fucking each other."
"Tomura don't do this," Touya struggled and scraped his nails across Nomu's arm. "I made a promise to Izumi! I promised I would take care of the wouldn't want you to-"
"KARMA IS DEAD!" Tomura shouted at him. "YOU AND YOUR DAMN BRAT KILLED HER!"
The room of heroes and police went silent as the pure fury on Tomura's face set aside any doubts that this was a fabrication.
"Nomu…" Tomura seethed between his teeth. "Off with his head."
"No! Stop! AHHHHHH!" Touya screamed in agony as his skull was crushed , his brains popping out, blood squirting everywhere. His body dropped like a stony and Tomura stood over the corpse, shaking with fury, and with grief.
"I bet you heroes are mighty damn proud of yourselves." He turned back towards the camera, the tears falling down freely. "You think you've won just because you took my queen away from me? You think just because she's dead that you have a shot at beating us!? Think again you pretentious fools!"
The screen went black… and no one could find the words to speak.
~End of Flashback~
"No Way…" Uraraka held her mouth and let out a tiny sob. "She's dead… she's really gone?"
"Doctor Robert Bennett who had delivered the baby said there were complications due to the amount of stress she put herself under. Pregnancy is stressful enough on its own, but being a fugitive, living on the run where everyone knows your face, and still running tactical decisions for other villains… he said it was too much for her condition to handle." Shoto eyed the baby a minute… he walked over and held out his hands for her. "May I?"
Uraraka nodded and she gingerly passed the baby to Shoto. He cupped her gently into his left side, watching her wriggle and take in her surroundings. There was a pang in his chest, something sharper than the grief he'd felt knowing the girl he'd been in love with was dead.
"When All Might told us Izumi was pregnant, everyone had assumed that it was by Overhaul or even Tomura because she had an open relationship with both of them. That video Shigaraki sent proved otherwise. This baby is Touya's and Izumi's baby which makes her my family."
He cuddled her closer, warm and comfortable, the baby girl curled into the crook of his arm, her big green eyes drooping even as they made contact with him. Shoto couldn't help but let out the smallest of smiles. He lifted his head to the class.
"She looks just like Izumi… What do you say, we call her Baby Midoriya for now?"
"Todoroki!" all the girls teared up and gathered around him hugging him and the baby as they sobbed and coddled.
"That was so manly, dude," Kirishima held back tears of his own and glanced to the side when he saw Bakugo start to pull from the group. "Hey Bakugo, aren't you gonna help take care of baby Midoriya too?"
"Why the hell should I?" Bakugo looked back at the sleeping baby and sneered. His own emotions were a spiral of confusion and hurt. He didn't know how to respond to it… so he did what was comfortable, and decided to ignore it all. "As far as I'm concerned, that thing doesn't exist. I'm going to bed." He turned his back once again and stormed off to his room.
~The League of Villains: Hideout~
"How's your head?" Mr. Compress handed Dabi a bottle of water and some aspirin. He took it gratefully.
"It's fine, at the very least I'll live." he downed the pills and water thirstily. "The final product was more convincing thanks to his rage… so at the very least the pain wasn't for nothing. With the post work Broadcast did to alter my appearance the video has done exactly what i wanted. Touya Todoroki is now dead, and Dabi the villain has returned."
"Which is fine and dandy, but now this means you don't have an alias to protect your little ones." He pointed out.
"I'm not gonna be able to do that anyway looking like this." Dabi pointed out. "At any rate Tomura's agreed to help me in that regard. It'll ultimately be up to the kids on what path they want to take.. But Finnick is my son, and he'll stay with me no matter what happens next." He lifted his head when the double doors of the room opened, and Ace walked in with the kids. "Speaking of which…"
"You're late, Ace." Tomura sat down on his makeshift throne and tapped his fingers on the metallic arms.
"Forgive me, your majesty, but it's not easy sneaking out three children from a busy neighborhood." Ace apologized.
"Whatever… just send them forward." He motioned with his hand and slumped back into the throne.
"Yes, Your majesty." Ace passed Finnick to Kota who held him protectively. He then gave the two a little nudge forward. "Don't be afraid, children. The king won't hurt you."
"Or so you say…" Kota muttered and glanced at Eri. She visibly trembled, and her eyes were full of fear from their situation. "It's gonna be okay, Eri. I'll protect you and Finnick, I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Kota." For the first time since they'd left England, Eri spoke as if expecting her death right there. The tone made Kota swallow hard. The two of them walked forward, and Dabi stepped up to stand next to Tomura.
"So these are your son and the two kids Karma took in?" He questioned and got a nod of confirmation.
"I see… you!" Tomura crooked a finger at Kota. "Come here, I want to see the baby up close."
Kota swallowed hard but stood tall and stepped foward and into the light. Tomura loomed over him, his hard expression on the child.
"Karma gave her life, to give birth to this baby." Tomura reached out and Kota instinctively took a step back holding his surrogate little brother to his chest. "Oi, do that again and I'll kill you."
Kota's eyes went teary from fear and he looked up at Dabi. Why the hell were they here? Why were they conspiring with these villains? Why couldn't they go back into hiding? Why couldn't they just go home?!
Before Kota could process it, Tomura took the child, the little boy fussing and crying from the jerky motions. From her corner Toga held her ears grumbling.
"Ugh… babies are so annoying, even if they are cute." She lifted her knife. "Can I stab it?"
"Touch my son and I'll burn you alive, Crazy." Dabi warned.
"Are you sure the kid is yours?" Twice asked, jumping into the conversation. "Couldn't it be Tomura's or even that Overhaul guy?"
"No, he's definitely mine." Dabi smiled when Tomura pulled the blanket back and bright red hair fluffed the top of his head "I knew the minute I held him he was mine."
"Yes… I can see it." Tomura's grin spread wide at the baby's cry… he didn't hear sounds of distress or sadness… but instead cries of power. This child was a fighter just as Dabi had said. The child wasn't his, the child had caused the person whom he'd loved most in the world to vanish from it… but it was that simple fact that made Tomura solidify his decision to help raise him.
"The Spawn of Karma. Finnick Todoroki…" Tomura set him in the crook of his arm, surprisingly careful and affectionate towards the child. "I name you the future King of the new world."
~Ask Briry~
I was gonna wait to finish this until I updated "If Our Hearts Unite" but I got caught up with the storyline and wanted to punch it out while it was still fresh in my head. So yay new chapter! Hoped you liked it!
Next Chapter: Gigamachia's Revenge