Midori the Phoenix
Chapter 24: Undercover Mom
"Seriously who does Karma think she's fooling?" Twice questioned as the main members of the league gathered in the living room. "She's completely unrecognizable."
"You're all positive that it's really her? It could be that Kota was telling the truth and she's just a fan of Karma." Ace suggested.
"I can taste her blood and we'll know for sure." Toga offered holding up her knife looking positively giddy at the very thought of tasting Karma's blood again.
"Down, crazy. It's not likely she's someone else." Dabi shook his head. "There are too many similarities, and the fact that she chose the name Phoenix for her gang just solidifies it. Her Phoenix persona was never divulged openly to the public so it's unlikely that they'd use it to honor her."
"So then, why the disguise? She's smart enough to know that we'd know that it's her." Twice scratched his temple.
"I can think of three scenarios as to why she's decided to join us under a guise." Compress deduced rolling a marble through his fingers. "One, she's being cautious as to reveal her true identity to the new recruits and any other outside help." He doubled the marble in a slide of hand illusion. "Two, she's lost her memory, which is unlikely but still plausible." He added a third marble. "Three, she's telling us that she wants to keep a low profile, and remain as little involved as possible."
"The third option makes the most sense." Shigaraki decided. " Karma is still trapped in a teenage body. Even if she's regained all her memories and abilities, her body still isn't accustomed to handling the amount of power she's attained. My guess is she's asking for time, and opportunities to help her gain experience and control."
"So we should just play along until she's ready to make proper introductions?" Dabi asked with some temper.
"Yes, but we best keep an eye on her and the new recruits she's gathered. We'll need a detailed list of their quirks and see if they mesh with the plan."
"You're certain you wanna go through with this?" Dabi questioned. "Doesn't really seem like something you'd be comfortable doing let alone suggesting."
"Many of my priorities have shifted over the last couple years. Lets just say I've found motivation and a vision for this new world Karma wanted to build. I think this plan will serve as the first step in global reformation."
"It's a solid plan, and one that requires minimal bloodshed. Karma will be pleased.. Dr. Bennett nodded his approval.
"I'll ask her opinion next chance I get. In the meantime, she and her new crew will need some warm up missions in order to get a feel for how we run things. Ace, go get me a list of the heroes we need intel on. I'll have them do some reconnaissance."
"As you wish, sire." He bowed and left for his office to print out the necessary documents.
"Dabi, you and Doctor Bennett will continue to work with our own Doctor on perfecting the aging process for Karma. once she's broken in I'm sure she'll be anxious to return to normal."
"Alright, so who's on babysitting detail?"
"Magne and Spinner just came back from a mission, I'm sure they'll enjoy some r&r here with the Prince." Shigaraki smirked.
"It will be my honor, Sire." Spinner bowed low.
"I mean if you insist, sure, but shouldn't you leave someone a little less flammable in charge of the walking fire hazard?" Magne scowled.
" else is occupied."Shigaraki pat her shoulder. "Relax, Magne. You'll be fine so long as you don't piss him off."
~Some Time Later~
"You're leaving again?!" Finnick pouted. "Why can't I go with you? You're only going to the laboratory right? Lemme come!"
"I know you're bored here Finnick, but I don't trust that crazy old doctor." He runs a hand through Finn's hair. "When I get back you and I will do something together. I'll have Kurogiri send us somewhere fun. For now I need you to behave for Magne and Spinner okay?"
"Those new people are all young… there's even one girl who looks like she's my age. Why can't I join them?"
Huh… now there was a thought. Some amusement crossed Dabi's face, wondering what Izumi would do if Tomura ordered her and her crew to watch over the Dark Prince.
"The Phoenix Rebels work for the league, but Phoenix is the leader. It would have to be her call."
"Sooo ask her!" Finnick jumped on the bed. This was the closest he'd gotten to a yes in months. "Please! Please! Please!"
"Alright, alright, I'll ask her." He rubbed the top of Finnick's head. "Next time. For now I've gotta go. My current job is really important since it involves your mother, okay? So stay, and behave. If you can do that for me, I'll talk to Phoenix personally about including you in a mission."
Disappointed at first, but hopeful for the chance, Finnick soberly nodded.
"Okay… come back soon, okay?"
"Sure thing, kiddo."
~Meanwhile~
"Reconnaissance?" Phoenix flipped through the file pages Shigaraki had handed her. "You want us to spy on these heroes you've listed?"
"You've heard of rebel spies haven't you?" Shigaraki mused and circled Phoenix. "I think the job suits you and your crew. I don't exactly have all the information on your team, but the few members of your team that I've researched have good quirks for this sort of mission."
"Roni, and Surveil do come to mind." Phoenix nodded, using the code names for Veronica and Kaoru. "Slim and Max would come in handy too, but I don't have any hackers on my team…" She opened the file to a particular hero and lay it on the table between them, a picture of Cementoss slipping out. "...and this one requires access to U.A. Highschool… access we don't have."
"I can help you there." Shigaraki took a seat and lounged back in it. "I'll put you in contact with one of my members, she's been in hiding with her partner, but I have it on good authority that they'd both be tickled pink to join in the frey at any time."
"Oh?" She cocked her head to the side, her voice clearly amused. "I wonder who that could be."
"Humph you know…" Shigaraki looked her up and down, and scratched habitually at his neck. His gloves prevented him from digging into his skin, but he didn't mind it. He'd mastered control of his quirk over a year ago… but the gloves had sentimental value to him. They were his first gift from Karma, and he treasured them. "You're almost the same age as you were when we first met."
"I don't know what you're talking-" Phoenix started to deny but Shigaraki slammed his palm on the table.
"Don't play games with me, Karma." He hissed the name. "I was never as good as you at them." He stood up again, and slowly rounded the table. He heard her sigh heavily, and she pulled the mask up and off, her long hair spilling out and framing her young face.
"Geez..." She laid the mask on the table and turned hipshot to him. "You always were a sore loser."
"I'm also not an idiot. Dabi and I knew it was you the second you entered the room." He took her chin turning her face this way and that. "How long did you expect us to play along with your charade?"
"As long as I needed you to." She grabbed his wrist and pulled it down. "My King-"
"Don't call me that." He wrenched his arm away, showing the first dangerous side of his temper. "Stop patronizing me, stop making me believe that this, all of this," he motioned around them. "Is my doing, when we both know it's not. This isn't what I wanted, this wasn't MY plan."
"What did happen to your plan, Tomura?" She crossed her arms frowning at him. "Since we're being honest about ourselves, tell me what happened to all the chaos you were gonna create? Didn't you say the doctor planned to make you stronger? Turn you into the next All for One?"
"I scrapped that idea the moment you left to go play house with zombie boy."
"What?" Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"You think I'm stupid? You think I wouldn't figure it out?" His voice, filled with hurt, caught Midori off guard. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Tomura gripped the back of the chair. "You left me in charge, you made me promise that if Touya and those kids ever came knocking on my door I'd protect them… but YOUR son wasn't part of that deal. I was tempted… sorely tempted… to kill the brat on sight. Especially since we all believed he'd killed you."
"It was a risk, but where else could have I sent my family? We've had our ins and outs, Tomura. We've loved each other, lied to each other, betrayed each other… I knew you could have killed all four of them... but you didn't."
"Wrong… I COULDN'T." He emphasized and took her chin again. "I held that kid in my arms… was prepared to obliterate him on the spot to make a point to Dabi and those other two brats. To point out that YOU were dead, that I was King, and that if they wanted to live they'd do as I tell them to."
"… but you couldn't do it." Midori finished for him, heavy emotion in her voice.
"I couldn't do it." He confirmed, bitterly.
"Why?" She felt tears sting the back of her eyes, but kept herself steady. "Tell me."
"When I looked down at him…" His touch shifted, his hand slowly spreading over her cheek, the smoothe leather of his gloves warm against her cheek. "I saw the future you were trying to build. I saw hope, peace, and love... everything you promised to give us when it all started. It was then I finally understood your dream." He pulled her in, making her gasp and for a moment everything reverted. Midori felt emotions she'd only recalled in dreams and Karma's memories. When his arms came around her, and she inhaled his strange yet pleasant scent she couldn't help but lay her head on his chest, and let him hold her. "When I looked at him I saw you… he may resemble his father more, but I looked at that kid and all I could see was you."
"Tenko…" she whispered his true name, a name only he allowed her to use. His hands stroke over her hair, and her body shook as the tears started to come out.
"You chose Dabi over me, because I didn't believe in you or the future you wanted to build. It's a bitter pill to swallow." He pulled back and brushed away her tears. "...but I brought it upon myself."
He let her go, turned his back to her and picked up the file.
"So I started over. Told the doc to keep the extra quirks in storage, but that we would use them in a different way. One man shouldn't hold that much power, because we've both seen what it did to Sensei."
"I agree…" Midori sniffed and brushed the tears away. "The more power he gained, the more he feared losing it. It stopped being about how powerful he could become, but instead using what power he did have to crush those that threatened him, stood against him, or wronged him."
"When you're a man who wields that much power, no army that stands with you will ever have your complete and utter trust. There will always be someone looking to overthrow the King and gain the throne for themselves… as you proved to him."
"I didn't want his throne, just his influence." She admitted. "Whether All for One knew it or not, he had a powerful voice that echoed throughout the world, and the resources to fuel his ambitions. At the time I wanted that… needed that."
"Well now you have it…. Your voice, your face, your entire existence is the most influential tool in the world. Heroes want to stop you, villains want to join you, the people either fear or respect you. You're exactly where you wanted to be, and yet you won't step up and own it… why?"
"...because I'm not that person anymore, Tomura." She looked at him, her eyes full of shadows and horrors. "Look at me."
"I am looking at you." Tomura narrowed his eyes. "I know you're not the same… but I don't care. To me you'll always be Karma."
"God you're starting to sound like Shoto and Kacchan…" Phoenix sniffed and batted at her tears again. "To be completely honest, Tomura, the main reason I'm asking for time is because I don't know who I am anymore." She crossed her arms and paced the room a bit. "I thought I did… I thought I finally understood who I was, what my goals were… but I'm being pulled in so many different directions that it's hard to keep track."
"Does this have anything to do with that rag tag group you're working with?" Tomura asked.
"Partially… but it's not just them. It's also you, Touya and Finnick, the league, Kacchan and Shoto… my heart aches no matter what path I take. No matter what I do I'm going to hurt someone I love, and I hate it."
"So find a different path."
"What?" She raised a brow at him.
"You're the one who's telling everyone who's listening that we're all the same. That we're all different shades of gray, some of us deeper or lighter than the others. Find a path that helps all of us."
"You make it sound so simple." She runs fingers through her hair.
"It's not… but that's what this is for." He tapped her forehead. "It's your greatest weapon after all."
"Heh," she smirked. "True… but right now that weapon is dull and needs to be sharpened. I need time, but I doubt many of you want to wait five plus years for me to get back to normal."
"Your age is a small matter. One that both Dabi and Dr. Bennett are focusing on rectifying. The same mistakes that happened at JDC won't happen here, because I won't let that idiot doctor make the calls."
"So you knew then, what he was trying to do to me?" Midori narrowed her eyes.
"I found out his plans to kills you and remodel you into a Nomu. He's been both punished for his treacherous behavior, and is lucky that I'm merciful. If he falls out of line again, however, I'm letting Touya roast him over an open spit."
"Oooh, i hope you have marshmallows." Midori's eyes lit with amusement, making Tomura crack a smile.
"I'll put it on the grocery list." He tucked his hands in his pockets. "I don't trust him… but he's the only one who knows what to do to get you back to normal."
"Are you sure that's what you want?" She stepped closer to him, looking in his eyes. "You sure you want to relinquish your power?"
"Not relinquish it, share it. I need you at full strength, Karma, that much is true… but neither of us can do this alone. I'll give you back your share of the power, but you better be ready to wield it. I finally understand that everyone needs a hero, even those of us in the darker spectrum, but they need the right kind of hero. So stop making excuses, stop running away, and be the hero you were always meant to be." He held the file back to her. "A hero who saves everyone whether they're good, bad, or in between."
Midori looked at the file, listening to Tomura's long speech, and for the first time in a long time gave him a genuine smile.
"Are we having a moment, Tomura?" She asked, taking the file in hand.
"Don't ruin it by saying something stupid." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I'll let you know when the aging process is ready. Until then we'll continue to play your rebel games, but I expect results, Phoenix."
"Very well," She put her mask back on and slapped the file against her palm. "I shall debrief my team. Give us a week, and we should have the necessary data. Are the numbers for Gentle and La Brava still the same?"
"Their numbers, and last known locations are all in that file. Use a burn phone, but don't contact them until you're ready to do so. They're two pieces in this game I'd prefer not to lose early on."
"Well that makes two of us." She hugged the file. "Thank you, for understanding Tomura. It means a great deal to me."
"I know… but you, Dabi, and I have much to discuss once you're back to normal."
"Yes…" she took a long deep breath knowing exactly what he meant. "I know."
Tomura watched her leave, and then stepped over to a side table with an ornamental box sitting on it. Opening it he pulled out a Black Queen chess piece and slowly turned it in his hand. In chess, the Queen was the most powerful piece in a King's army. She could move in nearly every direction, and as statistics showed, was the highly coveted piece when looking to break someone's defenses.
Tomura knew if Karma cracked or crumbled against the heroes, their plans, their goals, and their lives would all be forfeit. She was the center of their defense, the tactical genius behind most if not all their successes… and right now she was vulnerable. The reconnaissance missions were the perfect tools for her to use to sharp her dull weapons. She would use these Phoenix Rebels, as pawns to play. Her wit would once again be sharpened, and the daily training he knew she submitted her body to everyday would harness her skills. Then, once the aging process was complete with the modifications he'd asked for, he would finally have his Karma back.
"A smart King… is the best kind of King." He set the piece back into its box, his smile slow and proud. "I shall protect you, my queen, until your weapons are sharp and ready for battle." He closed the box and took in a deep breath.
Soon… he knew... his patience would pay off.
~A few minutes later~
Finnick eyed Phoenix's crew with a tentative stare. He knew his father had promised to speak to Phoenix himself… but patience was never his strong suit. Besides the woman was right there, getting ready to leave with he crowd of young faces in a cluster behind her. He had one chance, and only once chance to escape from the house. This… was it.
"We've all got our new gear…" Phoenix held up her wristband that was their way of contacting Kurogiri for missions and emergencies. "Remember people this is not a toy. These are strictly for missions and emergencies, no unauthorized use will be allowed."
"Are you ready?" Kurogiri asked and spread open to encompass nearly the entire room.
"We are." Phoenix nodded, being the first to step through. As the group started to walk through, Finnick made his move. He hurried into the cluster of people, clasping Mink's hand who gave him a startled look. He motioned for her to stay quiet, and paired it with a charming smile. She wasn't sure what possessed her to listen, but she stayed quiet and stepped through the portal with him.
The portal was cold, and sent chills up Finnick's spine. He looked around as they came out the other side and into the city. The place was so loud and noisy, and a complete culture shock compared to what he was used to.
"Alright everyone, let's head back to base for a debriefing. Tomorrow morning I'll have tasks for each of you, so be sure to get plenty of rest."
"Yes ma'am!" the group shouted together.
"Alright teams, spread out, and I'll meet you back at base." Phoenix motioned with two fingers. "Slim, Max, you're with me, we're making a pit stop for supplies."
"Rodger!" Max slapped Yuuichi on the back as he passes by. "No hard feelings, man?"
"I'm a regular in her group, so don't get cocky." Yuuichi playfully punched his shoulder and watched them leave. He gave a heavy sigh, and waved his own team over. "Mink, Roni, you're with me."
"Uh, Yuuichi…" Mink lifted her arm, and Finnick with it. "We've got a stowaway."
"Huh?" Yuuichi narrowed his eyes on the kid. "Where'd you come from?"
"My name is Finnick… I'm-"
"Oh, aren't you the one they call The Dark Prince?" Roni knelt down and ruffled his hair. "Aren't you a cutie."
"Dark prince… whoa wait a minute, are you talking about the heir?" Yuuichi held up his hands. "Dude, kid, what the hell are you doing here?"
"I came to talk to Phoenix. I wanna join your crew." He replied all smiles. "See, my dad says I'm not ready to take on missions by myself yet, but he said if Phoenix says it's okay that I can help with hers. So… here I am!"
"Really? Huh… well in that case I guess we better get you back to base then. Although you kinda don't mesh with the group." He crouched and rubbed his chin. "That red hair is gonna draw attention whether we want it to or not."
"Leave it to me… I always keep a few accessories on me for emergencies." Roni tugged off her pack and opened it up. She pulled a black beanie over the kid's head, then a pair of sporty sunglasses. "They may be a little big, but they'll do the job."
Finnick pulled off the sunglasses as they slipped down his nose and admired them. He then beamed and put them back on. He really felt like he was going on a mission now.
"Cool."
"Alright, now you guys know the drill. Everyone act natural and don't draw attention to yourselves. Roni, keep an eye on the kid. I'm pretty sure we'll get in major trouble if we lose him."
"No problem." She takes Finnick's hand. "Come on, cutie, let big sis Roni show you the ropes."
Finnick kept his hand in Roni's, but more than once she had to give him a little tug when he stopped to admire something. His first time in the city, and he was bowled over by how many people there were. There was so much excitement, and energy, and it was thrilling.
Near the end of their destination, Yuuichi halted the group by an arcade so they could stage themselves inside and kill a few minutes.
"There's two heroes out on the corner doing patrols. We'll linger here until they pass by." He told his crew. Curious, Finnick stretched his view, and peeked out the arcade and over to where crowds had formed around the heroes.
"How come everyone gives them so much attention?" Finnick wonderer aloud. "They're not doing anything special."
"That's kinda the point little man…" Yuichi uspoke, his eyes staying on the game, but his expression going sharp and angry. "The heroes get attention no matter what they do, because they're heroes."
"They don't have to be special, or even qualified for the title of hero." Roni continued, her own face going sour. She recalled the stories Phoenix had told her, and her own experiences at JDC where heroes stood by and just let the government treat them as lab rats. "So long as they're licensed and recognized by the government, they'll be idolized by the public."
"Well that's stupid… just because they were a silly costume doesn't mean I have to like them." Finnick pouted and earned a snort from Yuuichi.
"Ain't that the truth?" He laughed and stopped his game as he heard the crowds disperse. "Alright, let's move out."
Finnick walked with the group, but his eyes were on the heroes as they pass by. He tilted down his sunglasses, his gaze focusing on the man puffing his chest out and flexing next to a woman who swooned at his muscles.
Burn you fake…
The hero suddenly let out a scream of pain as his body caught fire. The public around them started to panic and Yuuichi jerked his head back at what had happened. Soon their team was bombarded by panicking pedestrians who fled from the horrifying scene.
"What the hell? Hold on guys! Stick together!" Yuuichi struggled to keep his team in a tight knit formation.
"Yuuichi, we gotta move. Finnick, hold my hand tight okay?" Roni squeezed his hand as the crowd shuffled around him.
"Okay…" He smiled innocently, patting himself on the back for what he'd done.
Across the street, Phoenix and her team come out of the store with grocery bags just in time to see the hero light up like a candle. Max cursed loudly and then let out a low whistle as the people raced away.
"Holy shit… how the fuck do you think that happened?"
"There's no villains attacking…" Phoenix looked around cautiously. "Either way we gotta move. We don't wanna be caught up when the media rolls in."
"Good idea. Let's get out of here."
The three of them walked briskly down the street, max peeking over his shoulder a few times before turning to Phoenix.
"Hey… be honest… was that you?"
"No… my fire is black and blue in case you forgot." She reminded him. "Besides… I'd have to be a lot closer, and have at least two free minutes in order to gather that much heat inside a human body to make it combust like that."
"Whoa… so you can do something like that?" Max shuddered. "Did I tell you how grateful I am to be on your side?"
"You should be grateful…" Phoenix laughed through her max. "If you'd kept testing my patience at the JDC you could have very well shared that guy's fate."
Both slim and Max look at each other then stop and bow.
"ETERNALLY GRATEFUL!"
She laughed, and shook her head.
"Come on, you numbskulls, everyone's waiting on us."
Everyone made it back to base. After Phoenix gave them a basic run down on the mission she dismissed them for dinner and bed. Once the room was clear, she removed her mask and shook away the sweat that had built up.
"Whew… much better." She tossed it aside then pulled her hair up into a tail. Deciding she needed to do a different kind of sweating, she walked over to the far wall and tied boxer's tape around her hands and set up the punching bag. She stripped out of her jacket and shirt, standing in a sports bra, black pants, and bare feet. She bounced on her toes, rolled her shoulders, and let her fists fly.
Finnick peeked his head into the room, and watched. Phoenix had her back to him, but he admired how powerful each hit was. The bag swung radically, only to land right back into another hit she had prepped for its descent. She stayed loose and on her toes, bouncing around and staying focused on her opponent.
"Wow…" He hadn't meant to say it out loud, but hadn't been able to resist vocalizing his opinion.
The small voice startled Phoenix, and she lay her hand flat to catch the bag, and her breath. She slowly shifted around, turning to see the little boy standing in the doorway, playing nervously with his fingers.
For the second time that week, Phoenix lost her breath, and her words.
"Finnick?"
The boy too was at a loss for words. The young girl standing in front of him… the woman everyone knew as Phoenix… looked exactly like the pictures he'd seen in photo albums, and newspaper clippings.
"Mama?"
~Ask Briry~
Briry: I know I'm horrible, I've made you guys wait for so long only to leave you on a cliffhanger. BAD BRI! BAD BRI! Hope you'll keep reading nonetheless.
Next Chapter: Bonding Time