Midori the Phoenix

Author's Note: This chapter contains TodoBaku content, so anyone who isn't a yaoi fan or a fan of this ship, you've been warned.

Chapter 18: Midori's Choice

Midori sat cross legged on her bed, all her furniture and linens that she'd ripped apart and broken were replaced. She pouted a little that they'd destroyed the jump rope she'd made, but let it go considering her situation.

While everyone was relieved she survived the aging process, not everyone was convinced that she was the sweet little Midori. Captain Akria in particular wanted proof that she wasn't Karma just playing a role.

After having a long debate with the Heroics Committee about Midori's situation, Hawks, Ground Zero, and Endurance managed to convince them to arrange a pardon for her. Midori would be allowed to live with Bakugo and Todoroki provided she follows a few rules, and pass a few tests. Midori wasn't sure what the tests were, but she was sure of one thing...

...she was gonna fail.

She may have some control over her other two personas, but Midori still wasn't sure Karma wouldn't lash out if she was provoked. On top of that, she didn't trust the people around her. Now that she knew what Karma and Izumi had been protecting all this time, her perspective had shifted into a complete 180.

For the first time in her life Midori was grasping what her identity and personality truly was. She wasn't a pure innocent child, a weeping damsel, or a violent and dangerous criminal. She was a young woman, with a complicated and traumatic past that gave her both physical and mental strength. She didn't see the world in black and whites, but in the shifting tones of grey where everyone was capable of good and bad. Her core values were to protect the people she loved, and to always help people in need whether they were heroes or villains or the minors in between.

The question was now that she knew herself, what was she going to do? It was clear from the few murmurs and snippets of conversation she'd caught that Captain Akira wasn't going to just let her waltz out of this facility. It didn't matter how firm or determined Bakugo and Todoroki were, because her past spoke for itself. So long as there was a chance Karma could come back they weren't just going to let her out into society without some kind of leash.

The thought of being chained down, of being constantly monitored and eyed like a criminal didn't appeal to her. As much as she wanted to live peacefully with her two favorite people, the chance of her having any kind of freedom while living with them was slim to none.

She looked down at the quirk suppressor cuffs on her wrists. A precaution they'd told her, but she knew it was more than that. These models were different than the ones they'd initially given her. It was probably a stronger alloy to protect against the immense heat her body generated when her quirk activated. There was a 99.9% chance that a failsafe device was inputted since she'd made the mistake of telling Hawks about Karma's escape artistry. There was also an 80% chance of a tracking device in order to keep an eye on her until they decided what to do with her.

Her eyes narrowed down on them, her fingers flexing in and out. She saw only a 10% chance of them bluffing her and that these cuffs were just a fancier version of the cheap and next to useless models from before. Either way she hated them. It just made it more apparent to her that she was nothing but a criminal in their eyes.

"Midori?"

Her head shot up when she heard the voice coming from the barred window. The face was familiar, though it had chanced some. His hair had grown out more, and he was losing the boyish fat and gaining a more chiseled face. The intense blue eyes were a dead give away.

"Yuuichi?"

"Man, I almost didn't recognize you." He grinned at her, his fists clenched around the bars and he kept his feet propped firmly on the wall. Though he hung like a monkey, his limbs didn't shake or show discomfort in his position. "Guess they put you through that aging process too, huh?"

"Y-Yeah…" she wanted to move closer, but knew there were cameras on her. If she made any indication that someone was at her window, the guards would probably corner Yuuichi outside and punish him for it. "So you're the one they'd been testing it on?"

"Yep, I've been here a year, but they only started the process about six or seven months ago. They started off a year at a time, but recently jumped it to about 2 to 4 years." He admired her with that intense gaze of his. "We look about the same age now."

"I guess so… I can't really see the rest of you." She gave a soft smile. "What are doing here, anyway?"

"I wanted to check up on you. I went through ISO after my first treatment, because I didn't like all the poking and needles and crap so I kinda lashed out and bit one of the doctors." He stuck his tongue out and had Midori giggling. "It's not fun being by yourself all the time."

"It's not…. But I'm kinda used to it by now." She pulled her legs up and turned her head so she could look up at him without looking suspicious.

"That's not something you should get used to." Yuuichi glanced off to the side as he heard the shrill whistle of the coaches calling the end of the freelance period. "I gotta go before they come looking for me… but I wanted to return this to you." He let go with one arm to reachback and pull something out of his pants. He slipped it between the bars and let it plop onto the desk. Midori's head shot up and she stood up walking to the desk.

"My journal…"

"Yeah, I picked it up in the cafeteria and kept it safe for you." He smiled at her, the two of them meeting eye to eye now. "I don't know how long you're gonna be in ISO, but I figured you could use it to help you pass the time. I'll see you when you get out, okay?"

"Okay…" she held the journal to her chest and jumped on the desk peering out behind the bars when he jumped down. "Wait, Yuuichi!"

"Hmm? What's up?" He stretched his arms out arms out above his head shooting her a curious smile and tilt of his head.

"Thank you for keeping my journal safe… and for being my friend." her eyes held such genuine affection and appreciation that it made Yuuichi flush. "You're a really nice guy."

"Heh," he flashed a cocky grin at her. "Don't get all mushy on me, Midori." He put his hands behind his head, flashing off his young yet muscular physique. "You're a villain, aren't you? You should start owning it."

"Eh?" She blinked in surprise. Instead of responding he sent her a wink and walked off whistling casually. Midori watched him as far as she could, then slumped down to sit on her desk, her back pressed to the wall. She opened her journal flipping through the pages. When she opened to the last entry her lips curved up and she had to laugh. Yuuichi had drawn a poor stick figure depiction of himself and wrote down some basic information about himself.

Yuuichi Nomura

Age: don't know anymore

Quirk: Werewolf- can transform into a half man and half wolf beast… not yet able to control it yet, but working on it.

Dislikes: Bullies, authority, and brussel sprouts

Likes: Food, outdoor games, and his friend Midori.

Her lips curved into an affectionate smile at that tidbit… and happy tears slipped out as her fingers brushed over the last little note he'd left.

I don't know exactly what you've gone through, but you can count on me to have your back. Remember, don't let these jerks break you. They're more afraid of you, then you of them.

Midori closed the book and held it to her chest like a precious treasure. Though she'd been worried that Yuuichi had read her journal and the content inside, his parting words, and little notes convinced her that Yuuichi was a true and genuine friend to her.

"He's my friend…" she wiped at her tears and suddenly got a wicked gleam in her eye as she recalled what he had said to her in the cafeteria. "I always look after my friends."

~Two days later~

Midori's ISO sentence was fulfilled after three days of boredom. While she spent her sentence locked away in her room, the context of her tests had been finalized and now she sat in what appeared to be some kind of interrogation room. More and more this facility was coming across as a prison rather than a healing center for kids.

She sat down at the table with Hawks sitting across from her. There were guards at the entrance, and behind the two way mirror she was sure Professor Tarkin, Bakugo, Todoroki, and Captain Akira were all watching and waiting for the discussion to unfold.

"Thank you for being patient with us Midori. I know the last few days hasn't been easy for you." Hawks spoke sympathetically.

"I didn't have much of a choice, Mr. Hawks… but I didn't really mind the quiet. It gave me some time to think, and reflect on what's happened." Midori offered a small smile. "So did the committee decide on these 'tests' for me, yet?"

"They have… and the first one starts right here." He tapped the table between them. "You told everyone that you gained Karma's memories, and that you've better control of her."

"Yes, though I'm still afraid she may lash out if she gets angry enough… but now that I know what she's gone through, and what's happened I can avoid those kinds of scenarios as best I can." She explain and rubbed a thumb over the cuffs. "As much as I don't like them, the cuffs help to. They give me the focus I need to keep her calm."

"Glad to hear it…" He folded his hands and leaned in a little. "Now, let's get started. The Committee wants you to show your trust in us, by giving us some information that we desperately need. Information only Karma has."

"I see… you want me to give you what information I have on the league."

"Basics like who's in the league, and their quirks, is stuff we're already aware of. The missing piece we're missing is what the league is planning. Karma was the backbone and brains of the operation for a long time, so she would know best on what Tomura and the others are planning."

"I can tell you exactly what they're planning. It's no big secret, Mr. Hawks." Midori told him as politely as she could. "Tomura wants chaos. He wants to break apart the current society by ripping apart the trust and faith people have in heroes."

"Why does he want to do that?" Hawks questioned.

"He and many other members of the league are all broken people. Their personalities, quirks, and lifestyles don't mesh with the way society works today and it's caused them a lot of pain." Midori explained, calmly and surprisingly honest. "I… or better yet Karma… wanted to help build a world where they could mesh in better. She wanted to rid them of their pain, and give them a place where they could be happy and feel safe."

"I see…" Hawks leaned into his folded hands. In his ear was a comlink and he could hear Akira and the others speaking to him, guiding his questions. "Tell me about Kai Chisaki's role in all of this."

"He doesn't have a role anymore… Karma took shelter with him for a time because she'd messed up, and lost the loyalty of the league. She was angry, and bitter that they'd betrayed her, but…" she drifted off and held her head as the memories and emotions came flooding in and starting to overwhelm her. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, take your time."

"Karma she… she never stopped caring about the league. Even though they angered her, she still reconciled with them because she understood why they'd chosen All for One over her. It wasn't their loyalty that was put into question, but hers. She was frustrated, stressed out, and tired of Tomura's tantrums and jealousy. She knew he was capable of so much more, but she kept having to leash him down because their goals and morals weren't meshing together. She had all these mixed feelings about All Might, Baku-nii, Shoto, and the others at UA. On top of that she was falling for someone else when she'd promised herself she'd always be loyal to Tomura. It was weighing her down, causing her to make mistake after mistake, and All for One took advantage of that."

"So Overhaul was just a pawn to Karma, someplace she could hide out and regain her focus?" Hawks interpreted, ignoring the clear sympathy Midori was trying to emote.

"Yes, at first… then things got a little complicated…" Midori sighed and she shook her head. "Look I shouldn't have to repeat all of that. You know what happened there, you know what Karma did and the steps she took to protect Eri and Kota. I've heard Baku-nii and Shoto talk about it with Big Brother Mirio so I rather you just skip to the questions you really want to ask. I'll answer them as truthfully as I can."

There it was, Hawks thought as his eyes narrowed. The first evasion to hide a deeper motive.

"I told you there are details we're missing, Midori. We need you to fill us in. What exactly was Overhaul's plan? Why did you help him? Why did you agree to marry him?"

"Karma agreed to-"

"Midori it would be a lot easier for both of us if you cut the act." He scowled and had Midori's back straightening. I know you're suffering from all these different voices inside your head, but the truth of the matter is, every single one of those voices is you. You're one person, with different personalities, but it's all you. So stop with this third person point of view and tell me what you're hiding, or I can't help you."

Midori's fingers tightened into fists and she put them in her lap looking down. Just how much of this should she tell them? If he kept quiet they'd lock her away… but if she talked it she would be betraying Tomura and the others. What should she do?

It's your choice, Phoenix. You decide what you want to do with the new life you've been given.

"Karma…" Midori closed her eyes tightly and she shook a little. "I can't deny she's a part of me… which is why I can't bring myself to tell you everything. I want to help… but I feel as though I'm being pulled in so many different directions and it's tearing me apart. I remember… everything… and it's painful to think about it. I know now why she'd hid it from me for so long, knowing I wouldn't be able to handle it in the state I was in before."

"Midori…" Hawks spoke calmly now, the anger in his voice replaced by sympathy and understanding. "You have to decide what's best for you. I know you want to protect these people, because you see them as your friends, and family…" Hawks decided to bring out the big gun, and spoke bluntly. "...but the truth of the matter is they don't care about you."

Midori's breath hitched when she heard that and her head jerked up. Tears formed in her eyes and started to burn.

"The committee brought you here to act as bait. They leaked information that you were alive and were being monitored for abnormal behavior at this facility. The league had ample time and opportunity to come and rescue you… but they didn't."

Midori listened to all this, pain aching in her chest as she listened to Hawks poisonous words.

"Tomura is in charge of the league now. He no longer has Karma there to hold his leash and tell him what to do. You said so yourself that your morals and goals weren't meshing. Even if he still had affection for you, he knew you'd never take him back after what he did to Touya and those kids you worked hard to protect."

"Huh? What?" Midori's tears spilled down her cheeks and she looked at him confused. "Touya?"

"Touya thought he could count on Tomura's loyalty to you. He went to Tomura hoping he'd keep him, Kota and Eri safe in hiding… but instead Tomura lashed out at him. He killed Touya and sent the video feed to the heroes warning them that he'd seek vengeance for your death."

"Touya… is dead?" Midori got up, and Hawks had to call down the guards to keep them from sitting her back down. She paced holding her head and her chest as the pain she was feeling became too much.

It can't be real. He's baiting you. He's trying to break your resolve. Don't listen to him, don't believe him!

"That's not all." Hawks continued, pressing on that button hoping it would be the final straw to break her silence. "He's also forcing Kota and Eri to work under him. They've become villains, doing Tomura's dirty work and staining their hands all to create chaos just like he wants. He took the three people you care about most, and corrupted them the same way he corrupted and used you."

"Not true… it's not true… it's not true. Tomura promised me he wouldn't do that. He promised me he'd take care of them." Midori cried, feeling Karma's emotions mix with her own. "He promised me!"

"Got you…" Hawks whispered as he watched Midori's innocence melt away.

Behind the glass Bakugo couldn't stand watching anymore. He knew exactly what this meant, and it made him sick to his stomach. He slammed out the door and stomped down the halls of the JDC.

"Katsuki!" Shoto chased after him down the hall. "Where are you going?"

"I'm getting the fuck out of here and going to the nearest bar." He waited impatiently for the visitor doors to open and he briskly exited the building. He was done, he was fucking done! Every time he thought he got Izumi back in his life, Karma reared her ugly head and ripped her away again. He couldn't take it anymore! "I'm gonna order drinks until I forget any of this bull shit ever happened!"

"Katsuki…" Shoto grabbed his wrist but Bakugo whirled away smacking his hand off.

"Stay the fuck away from me you fucking homo!" Bakugo sneered, and Shoto's eyes widened with hurt. "Keep your sympathetic, emotional constipation away from me! Stop using me as a crutch to hide your hurt feelings and find someone else to give those lovesick puppy eyes to, because I've had it!"

"Katsuki!" Shoto glared at him and grabbed his shoulders this time. "Is that really how you see it? You think I'm just pining after Midoriya and using you to make myself feel better?"

"The truth hurts, doesn't it, Icy Hot?" He tried shoving away and choked out air when Shoto shoved him into his car. "The hell do you think you're- MMMPH!" His eyes widened as Shoto's mouth crushed down on him in a passionate kiss. He struggled, his quirk threatening to snap out, but Shoto held him firmly.

Little by little, Bakugo found his calm, using the kiss as his own way of releasing the pent of frustrations and pain he'd been feeling. Their tongues lashed and rolled together, their bodies pressed firmly together in an intimacy neither of them had truly known before.

As the kiss broke, and their breaths became tangled together, Shoto looked into Bakugo's eyes and finally let out what he'd been feeling this whole time.

"I love you, Katsuki." He slowly pulled back but kept his hands on Bakugo's shoulders to keep him from going anywhere. "I can't explain it, or define it… it's just there. It's something I feel only when you are around. It's got nothing to do with Izumi, or Midori, and has everything to do with you."

"Fuck you, Icy Hot…" Bakugo slumped down sitting on the concrete as his legs gave out. He pulled up one knee to rest his head on, trying to make his beating heart slow down."Why the hell did you have to go and say that shit? I didn't ask for this."

"I know…" Shoto crouched down and ran his fingers through Bakugo's hair. "...but it's there if you ever want it. It's not gonna go away anytime soon."

There was a long moment of silence between them, but it was just what the two needed to get back on the same footing.

"Still wanna go get that drink?" Shoto offered with a slow smile. Bakugo slowly raised his head, and let out a shaky breath.

"Hell yeah… you're buying."

~Meanwhile~

Midori stumbled into her room as Akira shoved her inside and stepped in behind her. She found herself on the floor, her shaken emotions causing her to curl up and threaten to vomit.

"It'll take about a week for the transfer papers to Tartarus to go through." Akira told her with a confident smirk. "As a request from All Might and Eraserhead, we've decided to end your ISO and allow you to enjoy recreation as a sort of last rights. I suggest you spend this week enjoying what little freedom you have left, your highness."

He gave her a mock bow then slammed the door shut. Feeling smug and content he went to the infirmary where Hawks was getting his broken jaw and bruised eye treated.

"Nice job, #1… you finally got Karma to show her true colors." Akira applauded.

"Just doing my job." Hawks said sourly and winced. "Kid's a lot stronger than she looks. I didn't even see the hit coming until my jaw was throbbing."

"Well I'd say it was worth it. She broke like a priceless antique."

"Yeah, painfully…" Hawks scowled and put the ice pack he'd been given on his face. "I didn't think the news about Touya's video feed would upset her that much. Piss her off, maybe, but the kid lost all control. Touya and those kids truly meant a lot to her."

"Which was why they were the perfect tool to use against her. If you want to break criminals all you gotta do is find their weak points." Akira gave a smug smile. He was glad he'd taken the initiative to search Yuuichi Nomura's room. After seeing those two had bonded and that the kid had picked up that notebook on video, he'd searched his room during recreation, and read all he needed about the girl in order to break her. "I can't wait until we finally put that bitch away… and once we leak the information that Karma is being transferred to tartarus, her little rat friends in the league will come out of hiding and we can finally make them all crawl."

"You know, when you put it that way…" Hawks frowned and intentionally pushed the ice pack harder on his face, letting the pain rid him of his guilt. "It doesn't sound very heroic."

~Midori~

Curled up on her bed, her face to the wall, Midori let her own smug smile spread over her lips.

The people here truly were a bunch of idiots.

She felt bad about upsetting Bakugo and Todoroki, but Midori knew that living peacefully with them was just a fantasy. In the end, her mind and heart were already made up. Karma was a part of her, and so long as that remained a factor she'd never be able to live a normal life like she'd originally wanted. So… she'd have to do the next best thing.

She was labeled a villain… and so she'd own up to it.

She reached under her pillow pulling out her notebook and flipping to the page Yuuichi had written in. She reread the text on the bottom, and the little figure he'd drawn that was a funny depiction of Captain Akira, with his goatee that Yuuichi had pointed out to her early on.

"Remember, don't let these jerks break you."

Yuuichi had an intense sense of smell. He knew that Akira had read the journal and knew about the people she'd written about. He knew from experience that these guys used your weaknesses against you. Knowing this he'd taken the risk of delivering her journal to her, and given her a warning of what to expect.

"Thank you, my friend…" She hugged the journal to her. "You really do have my back."

… and now, she thought as she drifted peacefully to sleep, it's my turn to have yours.

~Ask Briry~

Briry: You all asked for it… and so I'm gonna give it to you. Prepare for some fireworks, guys!

Next Chapter: Prison Break