Midori the Phoenix

Author's Note: I took some inspiration from Lindsey Sterling's Underground and Transcendence with this chapter. The music itself is so breathtaking, and it really made my imagination go wild. I'd love for you guys to check her stuff out next chance you get.

Chapter 17: Transcendence

Midori's head shot up when the door to the training room opened. Tears filled her eyes and she jumped to her feet and ran over and straight into the arms of Bakugo.

"Baku-Nii! Uncle Shoto!"

"Midori!" Bakugo knelt and engulfed the girl tightly stroking her hair. Shoto came around kneeling down so he could hug her from the other side and sandwich her between him and Bakugo. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Midori."

"I didn't think I'd get to see you again." She wailed and sobbed into his chest. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I-"

"You've nothing to apologize for, Midori." Shoto crooned to her. "We failed as your guardians, we failed to protect you. Can you forgive us?"

"Mmmhmmm…" She whimpered and nodded, grateful, so grateful that hawks had kept his word and allowed this to happen.

"Everything's gonna be okay now, Midori. We had a long talk with the staff here, and this time they're gonna help you for real." He pulled her back so he can look into her eyes. He wiped the tears away. "This time we're gonna be here with you every step of the way. Your uncle Shoto and I aren't going anywhere until we know for sure that you'll be okay here."

"You promise?" Midori wiped the tears away, sniffling.

"Yeah, we promise." Shoto kissed her temple and picked her up, holding her good and close. The doors open again, and Hawks, Akira, and several guards come in.

"They're ready for her, guys. Everyone's here and in position." Hawks informed them with a grim face.

"What's going on?" Midori asked clinging to Shoto and trembling.

"Professor Tarkin, and the other doctors have come up with a solution that's gonna help you get control of your quirk." Shoto informed her. He kept her calm by stroking her hair, he and Bakugo walking her out the door. They were immediately surrounded by the posse to keep the perimeter secure. All of them knew that her quirk could lash out at any moment.

Akira scanned his ID card on a metal panel and punched in a code. The doors opened and the group took a long flight of stairs down to the basement laboratory. Midori eyed all the chemicals, tubes, tanks, and equipment and felt a shudder run through her.

"I don't like this, Baku-nii… Uncle Shoto… are you sure they're gonna help me?"

"Don't you worry, Midoi." A familiar voice called out to her and she turned in Shoto's arms and looked with wide eyed surprise at who was in the room. "We'll all be here to help you through this."

"Big Brother Mirio… Uncle Aizawa, Papa Might…" tears slipped down her cheeks. "You're all here?"

"Once Bakugo and Shoto told us what was going on we weren't about to let these doctors have their way without our consent." Aizawa stepped up and held out his arms. He took Midori and held her protectively. "Don't worry, I'll keep your quirk at bay until the procedure is done."

"And I'll be here to make sure Karma doesn't interfere." Mirio jerked a thumb at himself. "I won't let you down."

"This procedure they're doing is gonna be scary, and uncomfortable, but we'll be right here with you. So don't be afraid okay?" Toshinori reached out petting her hair.

"Okay…" Midori nodded and winced as Karma screeched in the back of her head. She immediately started to shake feverishly. "Mnnng Karma doesn't like this. She doesn't want them poking around in my head."

"We know, but you gotta be strong Midori. You gotta fight her off as best you can, and we're all gonna help you okay. You don't have to fight her alone." Mirio told her with a warm smile. "We're all here to support you and make sure you get through this."

Midori nodded again and let Aizawa set her into an empty tank. The doctors and assistants placed some kind of helmet on her head along with straps that attached to her arms and legs that were hooked up to long tubes. A few seconds later the sounds of her own heartbeat echoed over the main computer in the room.

"There's a good girl." Tarkin smiled and he lifted up a test tube that had a glowing green fluid in it. "Dr. Tsubasa concocted this special serum for you, Midori. You should feel special as he doesn't take interest in many cases outside his field."

"Eh?" Midori pulled back, her head starting to hurt as that last name rang all sorts of alarm bells. "Tsubasa?"

"Shall we get started then?" Professor Tarkin set a breathing mask over Midori's face. "Take slow easy breaths Midori. We're going to fill this tank with the solution and it'll help with the discomfort. You'll feel like you're underwater, but you'll be able to breathe so don't panic."

Though fear crawled up her throat Midori did her best to obey and nodded obediently. She swallowed hard and looked around at the people in the room. Karma continued to scream incoherently at her but she pushed it back shutting her eyes to push back the pain of her trying to force her way through.

She jolted and looked up when she heard the grinding sound of the tank closing. Once locked inside she reached out pressing her hands to the glass and her breath shuddered out as the tank filled with the sticky fluid.

Something about this was wrong. She couldn't shake it, couldn't break away from the thought that something bad was gonna happen. As she let her guard down, and started to let Karma's voice become more coherent she felt the panic bubble up inside her.

"Tsu… ba...sa...league… villain... No...mu… NOMU!"

"No! No! Let me out please!" Midori started slamming her fists on the glass and her body began to float and she pushed on the door. Aizawa's stare on her made it impossible for her to use her quirk. "Kacchan! Shoto! Make it stop! MAKE IT STOP!"

"Karma's taken the reins. Sedate her…" Tarkin told the assistant with a calm and disinterested tone.

"Yes, sir." The assistant pressed a few keys on the computer. Midori felt a sharp prick in both her arms, the sleeping drug working fast as her struggles lessoned. The tanks filled completely, and Midori's eyes drooped and her body went limp floating helplessly in the solution.

Bakugo couldn't stand the sight and he had to turn his head away. His teeth were grit and hands clenched at his sides. God he hoped he was doing the right thing. He didn't want to make any more mistakes. He didn't want to lose the only piece of Izumi that he had left in his life.

"Bakugo…" Shoto leaned into him, his hand closing over his enclosed fist. "She'll be okay. Have faith in her."

"Mnnng Todoroki…" Bakugo turned teary eyes up to him, and hated to admit that he was glad he had him here for support. His fist unclenched and he turned his palm around lacing his fingers with Shoto's.

"Alright, her heart rate has calmed down, and her brain waves are steady." The assistant informed Tarkin.

"Very good…" Tarkin opened the panel alongside Midori's tank and put in the vials of serum. "Now the moment of truth." He closes the panel and pushes the activation button. The green fluid slipped through the tubing, the helmet and straps activating, the syringes piercing her skin and pumping the aging serum into her blood stream.

Far away, safe in his own lab, Tsubasa lounged back and watched the security footage of Midori's procedure. He rubbed at his mustache chuckling to himself. Tarkin and the rest of those fools had no idea the changes he made to it, or what he planned to do once the procedure was over.

"Step one complete… now let the fun begin."

~Midori's Mind~

Midori was disoriented. Her body felt light and floaty, but her head was heavy, and achy. She recognized the darkness of sleep, and wondered if she was tired enough to dream.

"So this is their plan… what fools. They have no idea what they've gotten us into."

Midori gasped and snapped her eyes open. The darkness gave way to shape and color and she found herself looking straight into Karma's eyes. Their green color was dark like two deep pools of water. She felt a cold chill run through her and she made a frightened sound as Karma grabbed her by the back of the neck and yanked her to her feet.

Her surroundings became more familiar as she found herself back in the U.A. dorms where she'd spent the first few years of her life. Karma's grip tightened and Midori found herself being yanked and pulled through its corridors and toward the front door.

"What? Karma!?"

"I warned you, Midori. I warned you that this would happen. I told you not to trust anyone, not to let them do as they like to you… but now it's too late."

"Why? What's going on? What are they doing to me? Stop pulling on me, it hurts! Stop!"

She squeaked as Karma shoved her down and forward. Midori landed on her hands and knees and the temperamental young woman raged at her, letting out her fury and frustration.

"Oh shut up! God you're even more fucking annoying than Izumi. So fucking clueless about everything going on around you! I shouted at you, screamed at you to try and warn you about Tsubasa but you shut me out!"

"I shut you out because you were getting out of control!" Midori snapped back and sat up on her knees. "You lashed out, and hurt someone. I told you not to but you refused to listen to me. Why should I listen to you when you won't give me the same courtesy!"

"All I've done, all the temper tantrums, the outlashes, the temper, I did to protect you! I told you from the start that I was protecting you, but you're so weak willed and sympathetic about these ass holes who have abused and tormented you! Who gives a fuck about them!?"

Midori held her head, the shrill of Karma's voice adding to her disorientation.

"Stop screaming at me! It hurts!" Midori complained and flinched back when Karma raised her hand as if to strike her.

"Hurts? It HURTS?" She grit her teeth. "You don't know anything about pain, Midori. You know NOTHING!"

She shoved Midori to her feet again and pushed her towards the front door.

"What are you doing? I thought you didn't want me to go in there." Midori dug her feet in, but Karma was too strong.

"It's too late for regrets. If I don't do something now, then we're both fucked. The only way for you to overcome Tsubasa's mind control is for your mind to get stronger… and the only way to do that is to let you into my memory." She opened the door, the howling sounds of screams and destruction on the other side. "Just don't say I didn't warn you." She shoved Midori in, the black swallowing her up and sending her straight into the past.

~Meanwhile~

Tarkin glanced over to the computer as Midori's brainwaves began to fluctuate and gain activity. He bent over his assistant and raised his brow seeing the odd and violent pitches in the pattern.

"Hmmm she's dreaming…" Tarkin announced.

"Dreaming?" Mirio looked up from the table he and the other heroes had set up. Unwilling to leave until the procedure was complete, they'd set up a table for them to sit around with cards and snacks to wait it out. "Is that abnormal?"

"Not necessarily…" Tarkin rubbed his chin. "It's just unusual for it to begin so early into the process. Normally the subject will remain in a comatose state, drifting in and out of consciousness… but Midori went in almost automatically. As if she's willing herself to dream and pull away from the discomfort."

"...and that's a good thing, right?" All Might questioned.

"Hard to say… I suppose it depends on whether she's having good dreams, or bad ones. He walked back over to Midori's tank. Already he could see changes in her appearance. Her hair growing out in length, her limbs elongating, and her body gaining a more female structure and gait. "Just what is going on inside your head, little one?"

~Midori's Mind~

"Sorry kid, it's not gonna happen."

"You'll never be able to hang with the best of the best, you'd die in the exam!"

"How can I possibly be a hero that saves people. When I can't even save myself?"

Midori felt positively sick as she felt the memories flood into her as if reliving her entire lifetime. While most of the early memories were warm and full of hope, things took a drastic turn. The faces she'd come to know and love melted away into something dark and twisted that made her feel pain and grief.

Kacchan's warm embrace and soothing hugs had turned into violent outbursts and name calling. Kids from school she couldn't even recall the names of crowded around her ominously, laughing at her weakness and tears.

Papa Might; a father figure that she enjoyed being around because of how proud he was of her, now faded into a shadow that loomed over her, his back turned on her in disappointment as he walked away and left her alone with guilt and regret.

Her mother… her real mother…had been a sweet and charming woman who made her feel safe, and loved. Now she was just an urn of ashes buried under a cold slab stone. Grief ached in her chest and tears spilled down her face as that traumatic memory of her death echoed in her mind like a broken record.

"Midori you grew up loved, and accepted by the people around you. Izumi didn't. What few joys she had in life were taken from her.

"I'm sorry… I didn't know… I didn't know…" Midori sniffed and held her chest as the pain grew. Karma watched her, saw the child changing as they went memory through memory. The aging process was taking effect, and she wasn't sure how much time they had. She needed to push her further.

She lay a hand on the girl's head, the memory shifting back to All Might's tall and impressive back. As he leapt up and left her behind, Midori felt the hope leave, and sadness pour through her.

"Izumi craved companionship, and affection. She craved validation and turned to the only person who ever gave her a second look."

"Who…" Midori lifted her head and turned as another shadow loomed over her. This one cold and ominous, the scarred and sour face made her insides churn.

"Why would you want to be a hero, when there's a better use for your talents?"

Tomura stretched out his hand, holding a black card for her to take. Midori looked at it hesitantly but couldn't help taking the offered support. The imagery changed, the greyish background shifting to black as Midori now knelt in front of All for One who placed his hand on her head.

"I must warn you, the process will hurt. I must have your full consent."

Pain erupted through Midori's body as All for One shoved Sentient Aura inside her. She screamed out in agony, not realizing that the pain she was feeling was actually happening.

~Meanwhile~

Midori's body jerked and violently twitched as her limbs continued to stretch. Bubbles blew out of her breathing apparatus as her breath pitched and her voice leaked out muffled.

"What's happening?" Bakugo was up like lightning, his hands pressed to the glass as he saw the pained expression on Midori's face. "I thought you said that the solution in here would keep her from feeling any pain."

"It's supposed to…" Tarkin saw the pitching increase in Midori's brainwaves, and heard the erratic beats of Izumi's heart. "She's growing too fast… this procedure was only supposed to age her a few years, but she's already past the seven year marker according to my calculations."

"Is it possible Dr. Tsubasa made a mistake when putting the serum together?" The assistant suggested and had Tarkin sweating some. He had a room full of anxious and upset heroes, and he didn't want to appear the fool.

"It could be the machine is just feeding too much of the serum to her at once. Let me readjust the settings." Tarkin walked back to the machine, preparing to remove several vials in order to slow down the process. His hand paused when he saw that all of them had already been emptied. "What the-"

"What is it? What's going on?"

"This can't be… I calibrated the machine myself, it should only be letting in a few drops of serum at a time, but instead it's been constantly pumping it into her bloodstream."

"What the hell does that mean!?" Bakugo grabbed Tarkin by the robes and shook him. "What's gonna happen to Midori!?"

"Until her body grows and feeds through the serum that was injected into her she'll just keep aging."

"I thought you said that the body couldn't handle that much growth so quickly." Shoto stood up now, his eyes looking angry and worried. "That the pain alone could kill her."

"I… I…" Tarkin swallowed hard and could only hold on as Bakugo shook him violently.

"Stop the process! Get her out of there! Help her!"

"I can't… I can't!" Tarkin grabbed his hands trying to find his voice again. "It's too late, the serum is already in effect. If we take her out of the tank then any chance she has of surviving will be gone. Our only option is to let it take its course and pray that the solution in the tank will ease it enough for her to get through it."

"Grrraauuuuughhhh!" Bakugo shoved Tarkin to the ground and paced around, trying his best to control his own quirk and keep himself from exploding this entire facility to smithereens. He paced back to the tank and slapped his palms on the glass. "Midori… Midori if you can hear me then listen up! I know it hurts, I know you're in pain, but don't give into it! Fight it! You'll get through this! FIGHT!"

~Midori's mind~

"FIGHT!"

Midori gasped for breath as Nomu pulled her head out of water. She puttered and coughed out water, her blurry vision trying to focus on the board in front of her.

"I know this may seem cruel my dear." All for One crooned to her, his mishapen face hidden in the dark, but his voice echoing all around her. "If you want to be a hero, you must get stronger. My training will bring out your full potential. Fear and pain will no longer hold you back, and you'll no longer have any hesitation."

"I hated All for One. He was a cruel and selfish man, but his training and influence is what made me stronger." Karma's voice spoke as memory and reality blurred together. "The pain of the past, and the wounds others afflict may never subside… but you can get past it. Focus… concentrate!"

"What is the answer?" All for One tapped the board, Midori still trying to adjust her vision after being held under water for such a long time. She read the math equation, and tried to focus on finding the solution.

All for One's smile disappeared.

"Too Slow" His voice and Karma's melded together and Midori found herself being shoved under water again, her lungs burning as she tried to breathe.

~Outside~

"I just tried calling Doctor Tsubasa again," the assistant hung up the phone looking grim. "No answer. In fact it's as if his line has been completely disconnected."

"Keep trying! Call his hospital, maybe he's assisting another patient." Tarkin ordered briskly and bit his thumb. He didn't care for the increased rapid beating of Izumi's heart. More bubbles were forming as the girl continued to jerk and toss in response to the pain.

"What about another sedation, or some pain killers?" Akira suggested, not sounding particularly worried.

"We already used a high level dose due to Karma's threat. If we give her anymore she'll overdose. We could apply some morphine but we don't know how it'll react with the chemicals already coursing through her." Tarkin explained.

"Just how much longer do you estimate it will take for Midori's body to thoroughly cleanse the rest of the serum?" Aizawa asked, hands fisted in his pockets. Bakugo wasn't the only one who was tempted to slug Tarkin and these other white coats.

"A rough estimate? I'd say another two hours or so. Tsubasa made just enough serum to bring Midori into her teenage years. Since her body is already forming feminine curves I deduce she's about 10 right now, and heading into preadolescence."

"If that's the case then we don't have any time to call for outside help. Whatever you can do to ease the pain and ensure Midori gets out of this alive, Do It!" Aizawa ordered, his eyes going hot red and hair floating up. "Or Bakugo won't be the only one who'll go on a rampage."

Tarkin swallowed the large lump in his throat and he nodded and turned to his assistant.

"Fetch some morphine from the infirmary, and put an ambulance on standby just in case."

"Yes sir."

~Midori's Mind~

Midori screamed as All for One threw her around like a rag doll. All around them were obliterated buildings, roaring fires, and the distant cries of victims: some his, some her own. Midori had no idea the kind of clinficted lifestyle Karma had gone through. The physical pain she was experiencing was nothing in comparison to the heavyweight inside her chest that represented the scars on her heart.

"Kacchan, Shoto, Senpai, and everyone at UA all care about you Midori. You benefited from the hard work I put into making connections and affiliating with the people around me. You benefited from the image I created, but you didn't have the burden of secrets, or the guilt of my mistakes preventing you from acting upon that friendship or affection."

"I know…" Midori struggled to her feet, rocking back and forth on her heels. She wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing that she was becoming numb to the physical violence, but she liked that it allowed her to focus on the emotions and thoughts going on inside her. "I feel it. I feel the connection you have to them. It tore you apart when the league forced you to choose."

"Yes… and even though I chose them, they still betrayed me. They chose power over loyalty… they gave into their fear and abandoned their ideals. I realized then and there that I couldn't rely on anyone, I couldn't trust anyone but myself. I was alone."

"No…" Midori's soft smile spread slow as the memory around them faded away. She felt herself being engulfed into a pair of warm and comforting arms. "You had him." Her arms come around to hold the figure back. Everything about this man rushing into her, filling her with hope, comfort, and love. "Touya."

"Karma…" Touya's soothing voice broke apart the dark, and for the first time in what seemed like years, Midori could breathe again. She opened her eyes and stare into the face of the man who had stolen the heart of both Izumi and Karma.

Midori inhaled deeply as Touya lay his hands over her belly and she looked down surprised to see it swollen with child. Her eyes watered and she lay her hands over his. The image faded as quickly as it appeared and she found herself surrounded by the dark again. Behind her Karma and Izumi stood side by side.

"I...You… we really did have a child…" Midori turned around looking shell shocked. "I thought… I thought it was just a lie. That the league spread that rumor to hide what really happened to you."

"It's not a lie…" Izumi spoke, softly, her eyes full of tears. "We have a child, Midori… and both he and Touya are waiting for us out there, somewhere."

"This…" Midori couldn't stop the tears from spilling. "This is the real reason you locked me out. This is why you kept the past hidden from me. It was to protect them."

Both nodded and Karma stepped forward and knelt down.

"So now you know the truth, Midori. All of our memories are now yours." She tapped her forehead. "It's now up to you on what you want to do with them."

"Why me? I thought the whole point of me getting stronger is so you can get your lives back. Don't you want to fulfill your dream? Don't you want to see your son?" Midori wiped at her tears.

"We do, more than anything, but it's no longer our choice to make, Midori." Izumi explained, her soft sad eyes lowering. "We made our choices, but now it's your turn. What path will you choose? Will you tell the heroes everything, give up the information they want about the league of villains, and live a normal life with Kacchan and Shoto?"

"Or will you keep our secret, pick up where I left off and change the world as the Queen of Villains?" Karma finished and stood side by side with izumi again, the two of them holding their hands out, awaiting her answer. Midori looked between the two, and her brow furrowed in frustration.

"These are my choices, huh? Black or White?" Midori scowled. "Why do I get the feeling you two are still hiding something from me?" She crossed her arms and lifted her chin haughtily. "Or should I say someone?"

Karma lowered her hand and stuffed it in the pocket of her duster. A smirk slowly spread on her lips as she knew where the kid was going with this.

"You're talking about Phoenix..." She let out a short laugh. "I would have thought that'd be obvious by now."

"Huh?" Midori raised a brow in confusion and Izumi giggled.

"Phoenix isn't from your past, Midori." Her smile warmed. "You ARE Phoenix."

"What?" Midori's eyes widened. "How is that possible?"

"Phoenix used to represent what Izumi and I had in common." Karma explained. "It was our desire to help others, our determination to reach our goals, and the compassion we have for other people. They were parts about ourselves that we couldn't change or ignore no matter what path we chose."

"So when we were given a second chance," Izumi continued. "We chose to put those core characteristics at the forefront. Karma and I took a backseat and let "Phoenix" grow on her own. She became who you are now, Midori."

"I… so that loud voice I'd hear… that was me?" Midori held her chest. "That doesn't make sense. Phoenix is confident, and proud, and-"

"That's you, you idiot." Karma laughed. "Think about it. You may have only had four years to develop your personality, but confidence and pride are definitely YOUR characteristics."

"You always put your all into everything you worked on. You weren't afraid to try new things, or to put yourself out there." Izumi went on. "You carried yourself with such confidence that I never had as a kid. You learned that by watching Kacchan, and All Might, and all the other heroes you grew up with."

"You also took pride in your work. You never let failure or hardships defeat you and kept pushing through. You kept pushing yourself, and stayed positive no matter what." Karma added. "That's a kind of strength you can't fake, Midori."

Midori held her chest, the tears that slipped down her face no longer sad or grief… but filled with joy and relief. She let out a small laugh and hugged herself. For the first time in a long time, she felt as if she found herself amongst the chaos.

"Thank you, Izumi, Karma… I think I understand now." She lifted her chin and stood tall. "It's my turn to call the shots now. No more fighting, no more inner conflict or turmoil. I'm taking control."

"Heh… for now kid. Just remember," Karma tapped her forehead again. "If you let yourself break, the two of us will be here to pick up the pieces."

"That's right, we may not have the same personality or goals… but who we are at our core will never change." Izumi held her hand out, and Karma placed hers over it. "You ready, Phoenix?"

"Yeah…" Midori smiled and lay her hand on top of theirs. "I know what I want to do."

~Outside~

"Her heart rate is slowing… her brainwaves are normalizing as well." The assistant turned to Tarkin with a big grin. "She's waking up. It's over!"

"Drain the tank!" Tarkin rushed to the tank and pushed a series of buttons. The liquid drained and Midori's body slumped forward when the tank open. Bakugo and Shoto were immediately there to catch her. The tubes and wiring were pulled out and they turn her over checking vitals and getting a good long look at the new Midori.

She'd aged a full ten years. Her hair spiraling in wet curls that were down to her hip, and the uniform she'd had on was now tight and fit more like a baby tee and tight capris. Her arms and legs had an attractive amount of muscle and her flat belly had a solid four pack.

"I feel like I've gone back in time…" Bakugo murmured and pulled Midori up into the crook of his arm. He brushed wet hair from Midori's face, tracing the freckles there. When she stirred he couldn't help but whisper. "Izumi?"

Todoroki's head lifted up when he whispered. His face showed a pained expression when he saw the obvious love and affection in Bakugo's eyes.

"Mnng… mmmmph…" The girl in Bakugo's arms stirred and her eyes fluttered open. As her blurry vision focused on Bakugo's face she smiled up at him. "Hi Baku-nii."

Bakugo's heart both healed and shattered to pieces at the same time when he called her by that name. Tears spilled out of his eyes but he managed a smile.

"Good morning, Midori."

~Ask Briry~

Briry: I made myself cry… damn I'm either really good or I need a nap.

Next Chapter: Midori's Choice