Midori the Phoenix
Author's Note: Special thanks to YanduriChan for all her fan art and inspiring a part of this chapter!
Chapter 12: Connections
"Have you settled in alright, Rob?" Touya sat down on the rolling chair in Robert's new office space. Tomura had made him the official healer of the group. Once she'd gotten control of her quirk he would be putting Eri in his charge. The girl tried hard to be a fighter, but it was clear her powers and demeanor were better suited to healing rather than causing damage.
"As well as I can…" he paused when loud barking and the sound of child laughter broke out. His lips spread in a smile. "Sounds like your kids are having fun reuniting with their old friend."
"When everything got chaotic I completely forgot about Natsu." Touya sighed. "Eri and Kota love that dog, but I was too wrapped up in what was happening around me to give him a second thought. I appreciate you taking care of him all this time."
"It was my pleasure. Izumi trained him well. Which reminds me…" Robert walked back to the closet and pulled out a box. "Here's some things from your guys' house. Majority of your belongings got taken into police custody, but my mother and I managed to snag a few things we thought would have sentimental value to you."
"Really? Can't imagine there'd be much I'd have missed…" Touya started but when he opened the box the first thing he saw made his heart twist up. He picked up the framed family photo from their living room. Izumi had insisted they all take pictures and fill the house with familial things to help put together the "feel" of a lived-in home. The beautiful sunset lighting, paired with the lake and greenery had been the perfect spot for a family portrait…
~Flashback~
"Alright, the camera's all set," Touya adjusted the focus a little more and then peered around it with a raised brow. "Izumi, maybe you should stand on the mount with the kids, I'm barely getting your head in the shot."
"I told you we should have used a bench so we'd all fit better…" Izumi grumbled, rubbing her swollen belly. Still she obliged, stepping up on the stone mount next to Kota and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "How's this?"
"Much better, alright I'm setting the timer." Touya pushed the button then jogged over to stand behind them.
"Everyone smile," Izumi's lips spread warmly at the camera and heard the distinct click of the camera shutter.
"That should do it. I'll check the composition and make sure we're all in frame" Touya glanced at Izumi and gave her a smirk. "I'm married to a midget."
Izumi scowled at him, the muscles in her face tightening with annoyance.
"This midget will still kick your ass." She threatened, earning a snort from Kota and a cute giggle from Eri.
"Heh, I don't doubt it.
~End of Flashback~
The tears burned in his eyes and Dabi held his face, he felt the blood ooze out behind the stitches and he cursed pulling back so the blood wouldn't get on the photo.
"Damn it!"
"Nothing you'd miss, huh?" Robert pat him supportingly on the back.
"You're positive she's still alive?" Touya looked at him, tears of blood dripping down his face, his eyes miserable.
"I held her in my arms until the heroes forced me to otherwise. I volunteered to adopt the child myself, but because of my involvement with your family I was denied. Besides the government wanted anything involving the League of Villains removed from the country."
"The heroes really believe that she's Izumi's daughter? They don't suspect that it's her at all?" His mind raced as he thought of a million different ways that Izumi could be in trouble.
"Not as far as I know… but the older she gets, the more likely that is to change. The League should take measures to assure that secret stays safe until we can liberate her." Robert suggested and searched through the various containers in his supplies. He'd packed in a hurry and wanted to check what items he would need the league to obtain for him.
"We, huh? You're taking a big risk here, Rob; your reputation, your family, your practice. You're throwing all of it away by associating with us."
"You're right…" Rob took the seat at his desk and turned it so it faced Touya. "I'm fully aware of what I'm risking, and what I'm giving up. The simple fact is..." He held his hands out. "I agree with you."
"What?"
"Karma's logic; her outlook on current society and how the world should really work. She believes that hero society has grown too powerful and unpredictable, that villains grow bitter, and stronger in repercussion of that. The few of us that are left in the middle are lost amongst the shuffle and suffer the most."
"Just because you agree with that sentiment of hers doesn't mean you should just go along with it. We're Izumi's allies, but not everyone here shares-"
"I appreciate you trying to talk me out of this Touya. It just proves I was right about this judgement call. I could have turned your family over the moment I knew who Izumi was. Why do you think I didn't?"
"Your bleeding heart? I hear most doctor's possess one." He replied dryly.
"It's because I know that warm happy family act… was no act." Rob took the picture from Dabi and he admired it for himself. "You two truly care for those kids, and for each other. You were living a normal life, trying to do your best to give these kids a warm and happy environment to grow up in."
"If we wanted them to grow up normal we should have just turned them into the heroes. By keeping them with us we've only got them caught up in all this." Dabi pointed out, obviously feeling some guilt.
"I don't think that's the case. As for your group here, sure it's unorthodox by normal standards, but you're not acting out for recognition, or money, or power. You're out there trying to help the people that everyone else is ignoring. You're out there taking a stand against quirk supremacy and discrimination. You're out there protecting yourself and the people you've made your family." Rob smiled at him. "I just want to be a part of it."
"You're fucking crazy you know that?" Dabi scolded with a smile but he pat Rob on the shoulder. "Alright, it's obvious I can't talk you out of it. So welcome aboard."
"Thanks…" He lifted up his mask that would now be the staple for his villain persona. The sharp tooth smile that spread over it made him think of a shark's mouth and he slipped it over his face looking at his friend with a wide menacing grin. "Dabi."
~Meanwhile~
Doctor Tsubasa weighed the pros and cons of letting Shigaraki know about the recent development he'd discovered. One of his colleagues and the nurse of UA high school had forwarded bloodwork to him that she asked him to handle with absolute discretion.
That bloodwork belonged to one Midori Todoroki, the daughter of Karma.
...except Karma didn't give birth to a daughter. She had a son, and as far as he knew the boy was safe in hiding with his father and the rest of the league.
"How interesting…" he rubbed his mustache and gave a little smirk. "So you lived after all, Karma."
He went over the results again and again, the complex dynamics of her bloodwork fascinating him. From what he could tell Eri had reversed the girl so far back that her quirk genes should have reset… but from what he saw there were still traces of the other quirks All for One had passed down to her. They'd merely been regressed to their earliest stages and had not been activated yet. Sooner or later something would trigger them, and when that happened the child could very well be overwhelmed by them all.
"This could be very problematic..." Doctor Tsubass rubbed his mustache. "I must find a discreet way to procure her and run some tests." He set the results down and reached for the phone. Dialing Recovery Girl's number he pressed it to his ear and lounged back.
"Shuzenji-san?" Doctor Tsubasa greeted Recovery Girl by her given name. "It's Tsubasa."
"Tsubasa-sensei, do you have the results of the tests I asked you to run?" Recovery Girl asked in her usual sweet and polite tone.
"I have, and I fear that All Might and Mirio's discovery is correct. The child's blood work showed some great anomalies, anomalies that could only be explained by the scenario relayed to me."
"I see…" Recovery Girl sighed heavily. "That is unfortunate to hear. Ground Zero, and Endurance aren't going to enjoy hearing this."
"Now, now, there's no need to inform them about this just yet. From what you've told me the child's memory is still scattered… a kind of Deja Vu sensation?"
"That's right… she's been having dreams, vivid flashbacks of her former life. If she is Izumi Midoriya then I can only deduce that her underdeveloped mind is unable to process those memories in full. She's trying to remember a lifetime all the while gathering new memories as a child."
"I agree… which is why I think it's best if you bring her to the hospital. I've a friend who can put a block around the memories, give her mind a chance to grow and get accustomed to her new life before attempting to unleash such violent memories."He half lied. While he did have a friend who could do such a technique, he had no intention of anyone else handling that child other than himself.
"Alright, I'll run it by All Might and Eraser and see what they would like to do. I'll call you first thing in the morning."
"Very well, but time is of the utmost importance, Shuzenji-san. If that girl unlocks her full power while still in these early stages of development… it could be very dangerous for those around her."
~U.A. High School~
Midori, in her PJs and getting ready for bed, paused on her way to the kitchen when she heard the voices of her guardians and the students of the dorm.
"...and that's the current situation. Tomorrow morning Midori is being moved to the hospital where the doctors can isolate her for the time being." Aizawa informed them in his usual grim tone.
"We thank you students for doing your parts in taking care of young Midori, but with the complications going on with her quirk, Recovery Girl and the other doctors believe this is for the best." All Might put in.
"We appreciate you telling us what's going, All Might, and Mr. Aizawa." The class rep, Junie, bowed respectfully. "We know you're just doing what's best for Midori, and I can't help but agree with it."
"Yeah," Takeru agreed, his hands behind his head in a casual stance. "To be honest, it's not like any of us here are all that attached to her."
"Hey come on, dude," another student nudged him. "No need to put it like that. We all like her."
"Speak for yourself," Takeru frowned and shrugged it off. "Frankly it's a relief to me. U.A. isn't a place for a toddler, let alone a villain one."
The sudden slam of a door made the group jump. Aizawa glanced back and let out a loud sigh. He should have known the kid would be listening in. She was too damn curious for her own good.
"You're all dismissed. Get a good night's sleep." He looked to All Might, who nodded and the two of them walked down the hall to Midori's room. He gave a curt knock with his knuckle. "Midori…" when he got no response he turned the knob, grateful she'd left it unlocked. "We're coming in."
"Young Midori…" All Might crooned the name when he spotted her on the bed, hugging her pillow to her. "We're sorry."
"For what?" She buried her face in the pillow. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm the one that's bad."
"You're not a bad girl, little Midori." He sat on the side of the bed and pulled the girl into a hug. He frowned a bit when her body felt unusually warm. "Takeru and the other students aren't showing it, but they're just as concerned about your health. "Recovery Girl says there's something going on with your quirk and it could become a danger to yourself and the other students." "
"Yeah right," she muttered and shut her eyes tightly. "None of those guys actually care about me. They're not like you, Baku-nii, or Uncle Shoto." She opened her eyes and looked at the framed class photo Shoto had given her. "I didn't do anything to them… but all they see when they look at me, is a villain."
"Little Midori…" All Might tried to soothe but was rejected.
"It's fine… I get it… please leave me alone Papa." She jerked away from him and rolled onto her side away from him. "I just wanna go to sleep."
All Might sighed heavily and looked to Aizawa. The man shrugged and rounded the bed on the other side. He crouched down and lay a hand on Midori's head.
"Things are gonna change starting tomorrow… but I promise you'll feel better once the doctors find out what's going on inside your body." Aizawa reassured and pet her. "Get some sleep… and we'll see you in the morning Midori."
"Mmmm…" with tears in her eyes she nodded and let the two men tuck her in and leave her be. Though she had told All Might that she wanted to be left alone to sleep, Midori couldn't find comfort in it. She tossed and turned, the shadowed memories flashing through her violently.
Her tiny breaths panted out as she heard distant voices, screams, the rumble of a building collapsing on itself, and odd horrific shrieks that sounded like an animal being tortured.
"Kill Him!"
"What? No!"
"Karma…"
"TOUYA!"
"I will make you and this man closer than you will ever be…"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Midori desperately gasped for air and shot up in bed. Damp with sweat and the fresh images in her head she curled up on the bed rocking herself to try and calm down.
"No more…" Midori sobbed and buried her face in her knees. "Please no more."
"Crying again?"
"SHUT UP!" Midori shouted and put her hands over her ears. She looked straight ahead at the full length mirror and glared at her reflection. Though the room was dark, she imagined a dark shadow looming behind her, and the voice coming from it. "This is all your fault. Why don't you just leave me alone?"
"My fault? How do you figure that?"
"I was fine, everything was fine until you showed up and ruined everything." She clenched her teeth. "Why can't you just stay dead?"
"I never died to begin with, child." The shadow grew larger, spreading out like large black wings. "I've always been a part of you. Little by little my power is growing, and will awaken. You're just going to have to accept that, and me, or be swallowed up by it."
"I'm not accepting anything! I know exactly who you are, and I want nothing to do with you!" She clenched her hands in the sheets, sweat building up and pouring down the sides of her face. "Just… go… away!"
"So now you're pushing me away? Are you that afraid of me?"
"Shut up!" Midori shut her eyes tightly, unable to stand looking at her own reflection anymore. "I said go away! You're not real!"
"Is that what Kacchan and Shoto told you? That I'm just a figment of your imagination?"
"Yes, you're not real," Midori cried and sniffed, the tears ran hot from her eyes, and steamed away on her cheeks. "You're just a nightmare, a bad dream, and I won't listen to you anymore. Karma is dead! She's dead! Dead!"
"I'm alive, I'm a part of you, and you're gonna have to stop crying and accept it."
The burn in her hands hit Midori like a freight train. She sat up and looked at her palms that started to sizzle and smoke. Her sheets and bed caught fire and she gasped scrambling out of it. She pressed her back to her dresser, only for that to go up in flames as well.
"Stop it!" Midori screamed in pure terror as she watched the flames build and build. "KARMA STOP IT!"
The fire alarms went off like crazy, the indoor sprinkler system turning on, students rousing from beds and rushing out in their pajamas to figure out what was happening.
"Everyone outside now!" Junie shouted. "Don't panic and follow procedure!" She coughed a little as smoke started to fill the hallways. Using her wind quirk she opened up window and tried to keep the air clean as the other students rushed past her. Once she was sure everyone on her floor was out she made her way to the stairwell. Grateful that the fire hadn't reached it she jogged down the steps, checking each floor for anyone who might have gotten left behind.
It was then she heard Midori screaming.
"Midori!" She hurried around the common room and gasped as the hot flames rushed at her. She coughed as her lungs filled with more smoke. "Midori where are you!?"
"Help me! Kacchan! Shoto! Someone please help me!" Her tiny desperate cries made Junie's fear vanish. Determined to do just that the young hero ran to the kitchen, She scrambled around, getting a damp rag to put over her mouth, and tying it around her face. She then snagged the fire extinguisher under the sink and aimed it at the powerful flames, clearing a path for herself to get through.
"Midori!" Junie coughed and shoved down the door, spraying the fire extinguishing around the room which had been completely engulfed by the flames. She found the girl curled up on the ground, staring at the flames with such fear on her face. Junie went to her wincing as the flames flashed out, singing her clothes and skin, but she pushed through. "No worries, I've got you Midori. Come on let's OW!" She grabbed Midori's hands only to have them burn her. "Shit!"
"Junie…" Midori sobbed the tears flying down her face. "I'm sorry. She won't stop… I can't make her stop!"
"She?" Junie raised a brow but shook it off and took the wet rag from around her mouth and cupped it around her hands instead. "It's fine… just calm down and let me get you out of here."
She picked Midori up again, this time under her armpits so she could cradle her princess style. She glanced behind her, seeing the flames had build up again behind her. With no other alternative she opened the balcony door, and using her quirk glided them down safely from the burning building and down into the grass.
"Junie!" Takeru rushed over to her. "Are you alright? What the hell just happened?" He looked down at Midori who remained silent and dazed.
"It… was Midori… her quirk mnnng…" Junie's eyes rolled up and she collapsed into Takeru's arms.
"JUNIE!" He turned her over and listened for breath. He sighed with relief to hear the breaths, and he turned o Midori with anger in his eyes. "You…"
"T-Takeru… I… I'm sorry-"
"Takeru!" Aizawa and the other teachers arrived and Aizawa was immediately at Junie's side. He felt for a pulse and checked her other vitals sighing with relief. "Snipe! Get Junie to Recovery Girl, ASAP. Ectoplasm, use your clones and let's get these flames put out. Yoshinori, Mic, check the other students for injuries." He ordered.
"Already did," Mic gave a thumbs up. "Aside from Junie all the students are accounted for and unharmed."
"Good," he turned to look down at Izumi who now held a singed towel. She was still covered in sweat, and ash, but she didn't seem to have any substantial injury. "Midori."
"I'm sorry…" she sobbed and rocked back and forth. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Sorry? You're sorry!?" Takeru whirled on Midori and jerked a hand out at the building. "LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO THE DORM YOU LITTLE TWERP!"
"Takeru!" Aizawa gave a warning look but the angered kid pushed on, rage fueling him.
"Junie's hurt and it's all your fault!" He pointed an accusing finger at Midori. "You walk around campus like you're a perfect little angel. You think you're so smart, and talented, impressing everyone with your high IQ and so called sweet personality, but I never bought it! You're nothing but a smart ass villain kid who's taking advantage of your special treatment. You don't belong here at UA, why don't you do all of us a favor and GET LOST!"
"That's enough, Takeru!" Aizawa jerked him back. "You just earned yourself detention. Go line up with your classmates." He pushed him towards the rest of the class then looked to Midori. Her face was pale and she stare at her hands with such a horrific expression.
"My fault… not hers… my fault… my fault… my…" She held her face and screamed again, the flames bursting out of her again. Everyone looked on shocked as the bright flames burst out, flicking out like tentacles and lashing like weapons. Thinking quickly Aizawa shut down her quirk… and Midori fell to the ground in exhaustion.
~Ask Briry~
Briry: I apologize for the delay in updates. I've been having technical difficulties with my computer, and made writing really difficult. Hopefully this chapter made up for it.
Next Chapter: Detstar Juvenile Detention Center