Midori the Phoenix
Author's Note: I want to thank my reader for creating such wonderful fan art for me on Instagram. It was such a wonderful surprise to see and I look forward to seeing more of your work!
Chapter 9: The Terrible Twos
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you where you sit, doctor." Tomura stood front and center in front of the good doctor. At his back were Ace, Touya, and Kurorgiri. "Disloyalty is cause for punishment, and giving Gigantomachia the information you did not only put my future prodigy in danger, but also put Gigantomachia on the hero's radar. I need him as a last resort, and making the heroes aware of him is going to cause trouble."
"You have to understand my predicament, Shigaraki." The doctor tried to remain calm, but swallowed hard knowing full well any of the men in the room could overpower and kill him. "Gigantomachia came to see me, he was adamant about getting his revenge. Had I said nothing he would have destroyed my lab and all my research. Your protege would have been a small sacrifice for the sake of groundbreaking science."
"A small sacrifice?" Touya snarled, flames flickering over his palms. "He's a baby for fuck's sake! You sent a bloodthirsty beast after a harmless kid, and call that a small sacrifice, you fucking psycopath!?"
"Read the room, son of Endeavor, we're villains." The doctor shouted back at him his temper mixed with fear. "Even your dead wife killed innocents in the name of her advancements, or did you forget the Kamino incident?"
"There's a difference and a purpose in the way we handle things, old man!" Touya shoved a finger in the doctor's face. "The heroes are our enemies, not each other. Karma got rid of All for One because he couldn't understand that concept. Don't make the same mistake as him and turn is into your enemies!"
"Karma got rid of All for One because she was afraid of him! She was nothing but an ungrateful child who cried and threw a tantrum because she couldn't be a hero!" The doctor stood up to him. "She had gifts, and determination, I'll give her that, but her ideals were anything but logical!" He paced around. "The only reason All for One wanted to recruit her was to turn her hatred for society into a weapon against All Might and the other heroes… but then the smarmy brat got delusions of grandeur and look where she ended up!"
"You miserable little," Dabi snagged him by the throat ready to burn the old man to cinders but Tomura put a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down, Dabi. We need him alive still. The children are safe, and the doctor has learned his mistake…" Tomura glares at him, his ominous presence putting the fear of god into the doctor. "Right?"
"Yes, Shigaraki, ah Your Majesty." He quickly corrected himself. "Please forgive me for my selfishness."
"Tch, learned your lesson my ass!" Dabi shoved the doctor back then stuck his hands in his pockets. "Since when have you been so calm and collected, King?"
"Karma taught me that in order to be a good King, I had to be a smart king. A smart King does not kill on a whim or a fancy. If you're going to kill someone their death must have significance or it's just a waste of precious life."
Tomura scratched his neck a little looking down at the doctor with the wrath of god in his eyes.
"It is by her philosophy that I grant you full pardon, doctor. Your death would be a waste of your talents, and only hinder my plans." He paused, his voice going low and deadly. "However... cross me again, and nothing will save you from my wrath."
"Y-yes, Sire." He clears his throat. "I understand."
"Good, now that that's settled you can make up for your serious mistake by completing the assignment I have for you."
"Assignment?" The doctor fidgeted, still a bit wary, but the worse of his anxiety bypassed.
"Does this have anything to do with the "packages" we picked up earlier today?" Ace wanted to know. "It wasn't easy acquiring them, so I'd sure as hell would like to know what they're for."
"I am also curious, My King." Kurogiri watched Tomura pace across the metallic floor to a large crate.
"Dabi and I made a deal when he decided to rejoin our ranks. I was to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of his son, and the two children he adopted. He would provide us access to the income Karma was building through donations from various corporations. Together we would utilize our strengths, build a powerful force to counter the rising heroes… and fight against our common enemies."
He kicked the crate over, Two bodies toppling out. One of them was David Shield, bruised up and unconscious, the other was Kai Chisaki, AKA Overhaul.
"Doctor," Tomura turned and spread out his hands. "Allow me to introduce you to your two new playmates." He nodded to Dabi who pulled a familiar flash drive out of his pocket and placed it in the doctor's hands. "I trust you'll enjoy your time together."
~Later~
Kota and Eri's heads shot up when Kurogiri's warp opened up in the middle of the living room. The safehouse they'd been taken to was tucked safely in a quiet neighborhood far away from any major city. The only heroes around were d-listers who handled minor cases. There hadn't been a villain attack in decades, and thus things were laxed and the perfect cover.
The house itself was old fashioned with tatami mat floors, sliding doors, and older wood and brick architecture. There was a meditation garden, a tranquil stream and a pretty cherry blossom tree right in the backyard. Everything about the place screamed Japan.
"Touya!" Kota shouted, both kids running up as Touya walked out of the warp. He immediately crouched gathering both kids in his arms and holding on.
"You guys okay? Are you hurt?" He pulled back and noticed the bandages and bruises. His heart twinged. "Where's Finnick?"
"Right here," Magne comes in looking a bit frazzled while patting Finnick on the back. "He was fussing so Compress and I are taking turns feeding him." He made a face when the baby burped and spat up on the towel. Eww here I pass the torch." He puts Finnick in Touya's arms.
"Finnick…" Touya gathered his son close, his eyes frantically searching for any damage or injury. The cuts and scrapes on Eri and Kota had twisted him up inside. If he found anything on Finnick, he'd never be able to forgive himself.
Kota had called him at least a half a dozen times before he'd finally seen the missed calls. Nearly an hour of panic and fear had gone by before the frightened kids were rescued. Just what kind of father was he prioritizing his missions above his kids?
He wanted to cry, was pissed that his current physical body couldn't give him the damn satisfaction to cry.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry you guys."
"Don't apologize, Touya. It couldn't be helped." Kota pat his back supportively. "You couldn't have known that anyone would target us."
"It doesn't matter… Izumi left you guys in my care and I ignored you. You two should be pissed off at me, you shouldn't be speaking to me." He looked at Kota, a mix of surprise and misery in his eyes. The look made Kota's insides feel funny.
"It's whatever…" Kota shrugged it off and looked away. "We're still alive."
"He's right, you saved us," Eri hugged his arm and lay her head on his shoulder. "You and Kurogiri came for us, and we're safe now. That's what matters."
"No it's not… I promise all three of you things are gonna be different. No more teenage babysitters, no more ignoring your phone calls. You're my number one priorities from now on." He stood up and looked down at his son. "I won't be like my old man… I won't be so focused on my revenge and the past that I lose sight of what's important."
Eri smiled and hugged Touya's leg. Touya was saying exactly what Kota was. They all needed to focus on what was important and that was each other.
"I hate to interrupt your touching family moment…" Shigaraki spoke up and all heads turned to him. "...however there is still the question of whether or not these two are staying" He points to Kota and Eri.
"Ah, that's right…" Touya sighed heavily and collected himself. He took a long deep breath to get calm again.
"You're sending us away?" Kota looked concerned. "Is it because of what happened?"
"It might be for the best, Kota. The way things are shaping up, it's only going to get more dangerous. Finnick is my son so he belongs here with me, but you two have a choice." He lay a hand on Kota's head. "I want to do right by you. You both have families that can take care of you, and be there for you."
"Maybe I do, but Eri doesn't!" Kota glared. "Don't make her go back to the Hassaikai. We rescued her from there in the first place, remember?"
"Things are different there now. Overhaul is gone, and her grandfather is awake and things are stable again. Izumi saw to that before she left."
"She did?" Kota looked down at his feet and then at Eri. The girl folded her hands together, twiddling her thumbs in a habit she must have picked up from Izumi. "Eri?"
"I…" She fisted her hands together, and her eyes went hard. She lifted her head up to Dabi and the other league members. "I want to stay."
"Are you sure, Eri? Things are going to be the same as they were in England. They're not gonna be as cheerful, or as relaxing. Even though I said you guys are still my number one priority I'll be gone, a lot."
"I'm okay with that… because even if you're gone, you'll always come back if we need you, right?" Eri grabbed his hand, her big eyes pleading with his. "I want us to be a family, just like Izumi promised. Please, Touya."
"Eri…" He felt Kota on the other side of him and looked to him next.
"If Eri's staying then so am I. I'm her knight after all, it's my job." He clenched his fists, eyes full of determination.
"This isn't a game, children." Ace knelt in front of the two of them. "I know you want to stay with Touya, and be a family, but you have to understand that everyone in this room is a villain. We're going to continue to commit crimes, go against heroes, society, and the general consensus of good in the world. If you stay, you'll be expected to accept, and be included in that.
"You guys do all that for a reason, right?" Kota turned serious eyes on him. "You don't just kill, and do bad stuff just for the fun of it right?"
"The league of villains," Tomura spoke up, "is dedicated to making the world easier for people like us to live in. Everything we do here is for a purpose."
Though he was scared, though Kota knew there was no going back once he agreed… he just couldn't back away from this. Eri was determined to stay, determined to remain with the people who'd saved her, and made her happy. Touya was staying in order to be with the people who had been family to Izumi, and to have others who could help take care of his son. So long as Eri, Touya, and Finnick stayed, then so would he.
"Then I'm in…" Kota held out his hand to Tomura. "Make me a villain too."
Tomura eyed the little boy's hand, and then into his eyes. His scared lips parted in a smile and he reached out with his gloved hand and closed it around Kota's.
"Welcome to the League."
~Two Years Later~
Graduation approached quickly, and a mix of excitement and nostalgia took over the students in Class 3A. Soon all of them would be-0o out in the world as working heroes, no more school, no more second tries or room for mistakes. Once they stepped out, there was no going back to a more simplistic life. Through the ups and downs, through the chaos, the rush, the thrill, and the headaches, every single person in their class stood tall and determined to carry on.
"MIDORI! DAMN IT BRAT GET BACK HERE!" Bakugo screamed down the hall as a squealing and laughing green bullet zipped down the hallway and away from the storming Bakugo behind her.
"Baka! Baka! Baka!" Midori laughed and circled around the couch and went underneath. It's occupants, Kirishima and Denki, were well used to Bakugo's rage and immediately abandoned the piece of furniture to avoid being flipped up and off.
"Stop calling me that you little brat!" Bakugo flipped the couch up grunting when he saw she'd slipped away. His eyes darted around and he spotted her making a break for the door. "Oh no you don't!"
Midori laughed, thinking she was home free she stood up on her tiptoes to grab the door handle, but a pair of hands snagged her around the waist. Bakugo raced in, eyeing Todoroki who now held the child on his hip.
"Icy Hot! That little devil is mine to punish, hand her over!"
"What did she do wrong?" Shoto asked curiously, smiling when Midori cuddled right in, her tiny arms hugging his neck.
"She threw one of my grenades out the window and blew up the left side of the dorm!"
"Huh, so that's the sound I heard earlier. You really shouldn't leave your hero items unattended, Katsuki." Shoto pointed out. Somewhere between second and third semester he'd gotten into the habit of calling bakugo by his first name. Of all the people in the school it was Bakugo he familiated with the most.
"I didn't! That little thief got into my closet. She's going through everything of mine; clothes, boxes, photo albums, notebooks! She's a menace!"
"She's just a kid, Katsuki."
"Just a kid my ass!"
As Bakugo continued to argue with Shoto, Midori watched with a little sly smile. She looked down at the picture she'd taken from his box. Inko knelt beside a sandbox smiling as a young Bakugo and Izumi built a sandcastle together.
At two years old she couldn't voice why she felt compelled to go through Bakugos things… but his and Shoto's room were the only places she felt comfortable being in. Once inside she admired everything in it, felt a connection, felt attachment and curiosity, and couldn't stop exploring. She recognized Bakugo's scent, recognized his handwriting, saw him in pictures and recognized the places he'd been to.
It made her curious to go outside, to revisit these places and figure out why she knew them, why she remembered them. As for the grenade, she'd found it by accident in her random search… and when the pin fell out had tossed it out the window in instinct.
"Give me that, you little thief." Bakugo yanked the picture from Midori's hand and her face immediately twisted up, tears filling her green eyes. "Don't you dare start crying, Midori." He pointed a finger at her. "Don't you do it!"
"Baka… Baka… BAKA!" Midori bawled and Shoto sighed, patting her back and giving Bakugo a death glare.
"Now you've done it."
"Hey, we can't just give the little twerp everything she wants. She'll just wind up spoiled and demanding when she gets older."
"Like you?"
"ICY HOT!" Bakugo boiled but shoto turned his back to him walking into the common room where Midori's supply bag was. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"I'm going to visit my mother, and I'm taking Midori with me. Mom's been wanting to meet her." He explained coolly and hooked the bag over his shoulder.
"Mama?" Midori's cries quieted. "We see Mama?"
"Yeah," Shoto smiled and brushed a thumb over her tears. "We're gonna go see my mom."
"Your mama…" Midori sniffed and the tears continued to fall. "My mama… where's my mama?"
Shoto went a bit blue faced as Midori's tears increased.
"Uh oh… I didn't think about that reaction."
"Nice going Icy hot, we've managed to go two years without mentioning Izumi to her, and you finally opened that can of worms."
"What should I do?" He pat Midori's back as she continued to cry into his shoulder.
"Tch, how should I know?" Bakugo looked down at the picture he'd taken from Midori. The memory of him and Izumi first meeting was still fresh in his mind. "Ugh… I fucking hate kids. Here." He knocked Midori gently on the head. "Here's mama… stop your damn crying, Midori."
Midori sniffed and eyed the picture. She reached out with her tiny hand and took the picture holding it to her and then reached out with both arms for Bakugo. Appeasing her Bakugo picked her up and hugged her.
"I'm sorry I got mad, but you gotta learn not to take things that don't belong to you, okay pipsqueak?"
Midori nodded and looked down at the picture again. She still wanted to cry, but knew if she wanted to keep the picture she had to stop. She traced a finger over Inko's face a final tear slipping down.
"Mama."
~League of Villains~
"Ow!" Twice held his forehead, the cup little Finnick had thrown at him crashing to the floor and the contents pouring out. "That tickled you twerp!"
"You're not very good at this babysitting thing, are yah twice?" Kota teased from the couch, a video game in his hand as he hung upside down on the couch. Eri sat on the floor drawing quietly. Both of them had grown taller in the past couple years, their limbs and torsos longer, their facial features becoming more prominent.
"He's better than Toga," Eri pointed out and searched for a new color. "She couldn't even change his diaper."
"When's Touya supposed to be coming back from his mission?" Kota asked, turning his game off. "Tomura promised that once he did that he'd finally let us in on what they've been doing the past couple years."
"Patience, little ones," Twice told them in a sing-song voice, readying a second sippy cup. "Good things come to those who are patient. GAH!" He fell back when Finnick launched his dinner plate at him, his entire mask covered in mashed potatoes and peas. "...FUCK PATIENCE!"
"LANGUAGE!" Both Kota and Eri scolded, and then smiled as Kurogiri's warp formed in the living room. "They're back!"
"Sorry it took so long," Dabi walked out setting boxes down and then crouched with his arms open so the two kids could engulf him in hugs. "The procedure took longer than expected."
"Procedure? What procedure?"
"Take a look for yourself." Dabi smiled, and he removed his jacket and held up his arms to show the unmarred skin. "Notice anything different."
"Your scars!" Eri touched the skin with an awed expression. "They're all better again."
"That's not the only change… but I'll explain that later. Right now I've got a gift for you guys." He stood up and walked over to his son. Finnick was all smiles at the sight of him and he held up his arms.
"Up! Papa up!"
"Up you go, kid." Touya kissed his son's temple and put him on his hip. "Kota, Eri, see those boxes there? There's clothes for both of you in there. Go get changed and meet me back here once you're dressed. Tomura's agreed that it's time we show you guys what we've been working on."
"Kay!" They both grin and pick up the boxes and hurry off to change. Touya looked down at Twice covered in juice and mashed food and he had to smirk.
"I take it you guys had a good time."
"Suck my dick, Dabi." Twice flipped him off but then switched it to a thumbs up. "We had a blast!"
"Be grateful he's still quirkless. Both Izumi and I have fire based quirks in our genes, more than likely our son will be the same, and you'll have to start wearing fireproof uniforms."
"I shudder the thought," Twice hugged himself then jumped to his feet. "I can't wait!"
"Touya these are so cool!" Kota rushed in and modeled off his new outfit. "It looks just like yours, it's even got the jacket but with water symbols on it." He turned around showing off the ocean wave on his back.
"Looks like a good fit." He set Finnick down on his feet and pulled Kota in by the duster. "Let's fix this collar though. You don't wanna go around looking lame with a high collar, right?"
"Touya?" Eri walked out, a blush on her cheeks and her hands fisted in the skirt of her costume. "Does this look right?"
Touya glanced up and his eyes flickered with emotion a moment. The outfit Tomura had chosen for Eri resembled Izumi's original Karma costume, with the black skirt, leggings, and frilly blouse. The style was very lolita and suited Eri well, but the similarities in the costumes still gave him a jolt.
"You look great." He cleared his throat and ruffled both of their hair. "Time for the final touch." He pulled out hats for them both. Kota's resembled his old red one, but was black with blue spikes. Eri's was a little top hat that would cover her horn and had a Queen's chess piece embroidered with white lace.
"There, now you guys are ready."
"Mine… mine…" Finnick held up his hands pouting.
"Sorry little man, but you'll get yours soon enough." he picked Finnick up, tapping his chin when it began to wobble. "Now's not the time for a tantrum kid. We've got an appointment to keep."
He turned towards the warp leading the kids inside. They reappeared in the Doctor's laboratory, Tomura standing beside the doctor looking over a large computer with lab results. Across the room was a weary looking David Shield typing away on a laptop and looking like he hadn't slept in days.
"Ah, the new generation has arrived." Tomura turned around to face them. "You both look good. Do you approve of your league costumes?"
"Yes, thank you Mr. King." Eri curtseyed, something she'd been practicing since seeing it on TV. It seemed to make Tomura happy so she did it as often as she could. Kota in turn bowed to him.
"Excellent, and how's our young prodigy doing?" Tomura stepped up to Finnick smliling at him. The boy shied into his father's hold but Touya bounced him a little to let him know it was okay.
"Growing stronger everyday. I found Twice on the floor covered in food. I imagine once he gets old enough to train he'll be more than a handful."
"Good to hear… now then you two older kids have been with us long enough to be let in on our little secrets. Once we're done, you'll both choose an alias in which you will go by, and be given your very first assignments."
"We're ready, your majesty!" Kota stood tall.
"Good. Now then Eri, Professor Shield over here has been working hard on perfecting new items we'll be using with your quirk. The little bit of training Kurogiri and Touya have been putting you through have given you more control than before… but this new one will be even better."
"I look forward to it, your majesty." Eri turned her eyes to David Shield and gave him a little bow too. "Thank you for your assistance, Professor."
David turned his weary eyes to her, and his smile was weak and sorrowful.
"I do what I can."
"As for you Kota…" Tomura turned to the young knight. "You've been put through some combat and endurance training, and you've made significant progress on your own quirk."
"Eh, I'm alright." He flicked up his finger forming a small ball of water and made it bounce from finger to finger.
"Yes, but Touya and I feel that your quirk just isn't enough on its own. You need a boost and we've been working on selecting another quirk for you."
The little ball of water vanished and formed a puddle on the floor.
"Another quirk? Are you gonna turn me into a Nomu?" Fear showed in his eyes but Touya placed a comforting hand on his head.
"No, Kota, this procedure is different. I had my doubts too, but we tested it on me first to make sure it wouldn't hurt you."
"On you?" Kota looked up surprised. Dabi smiled and he set Finnick down and he placed his hand on a nearby table, it broke to pieces, and reshaped into an elaborate metal statue.
"Look familiar?"
"Yes!" Eri spoke up holding her arms in a triggered reaction. "You have HIS quirk. How? Why?"
Dabi motioned to one of the tanks, floating inside it was Kai Chisaki.
"He had a powerful quirk, but Izumi made it to where he couldn't use it anymore. The copying procedure the Doctor has perfected allows someone's quirk to be copied, stored, and transferred to another person."
"Amazing… you can really do that?" Kota looked to the old man who had been quiet this whole time.
"Of course… All for One has his own method of taking and giving quirks, but it proved dangerous and inefficient when sustaining the subject. My procedure is far safer, and will help the quirks be more genetically compatible to the body."
"Kota, we've chosen a quirk for you." Touya knelt down, placing a hand on his shoulder. His face was surprisingly serious. "However, it's your choice whether to accept it."
"Why wouldn't I?" He looked at Touya confused, his nerves started to shaken when Touya pulled him down the line of tanks and set him in front of another. Kota's eyes went wide as saucers.
Inside the tank was the corpse of Muscular. The very same villain who had killed his parents, and had tried to kill him before Izumi rescued him.
"You… want to give me HIS quirk?" Kota took a step back, his eyes wide and teary as the bad memories flashed in his mind.
"I know it'll be a challenge for you, Kota, given your past." Tomura lay a hand on Muscular's tank. "However, this man stole your parents from you. He's the source of everything bad that has ever happened to you. It's only natural that you should take that source… and make it your strength."
Kota looked down at his hands, his entire body shaking at the very thought of possessing such a quirk. What if it was too much for him to handle? What if he became obsessed with power and wound up just like the very man he hated?
"The whole reason why people hates villains is because of creeps like this. Selfish dangerous assholes who use their quirks to hurt people. It puts those of us actually trying to change the world for the better to shame!"
"I see life as a game with challenges and obstacles you have to face. It's frustrating, and painful at times… but it's so satisfying when you win."
"Izumi…" Kota whispered her name and took a deep breath. He looked up at the man who had destroyed his life. "I'll do it!"
Tomura nodded in approval.
"Good, then it's settled. Have either of you decided on your aliases or would you like to wait?"
"I have…" Kota walked past him to stare up at Muscular. He decided upon almost instantly after accepting to take on the quirk. "Instead of being scared of monsters, I shall become one." He whirled around giving them all a big smirk. "Call me, Leviathan."
~Ask Briry~
I apologize for the long wait on this fic. I ran into a small block because I felt the chapter was too short and skipping too much time in sections so I kept trying to add scenes and get some depth to the situation and it became a jumbled mess. Hopefully it was worth the wait and I'll do my best to upload the next chapter much quicker.
Next Chapter: The Outcast Prodigy