Midori the Phoenix

Summary: After announcing her pregnancy, Izumi puts her Phoenix alias back on and goes into hiding with Touya, Kota, and Eri. In Japan, a supporter of All for One comes out of the shadows to claim revenge for his fallen master.

Chapter 1: The End of an Era

"All passengers please fasten your safety belts. We're about to reach our destination."

"Ugh I'm gonna puke again…" Izumi groaned laying her head back against the seat and trying to ignore the bumps and shifts of the airplane making its descent. "Who's bright idea was it to take public transportation?"

"Yours, I believe," Compress told her, humming to the music in his head. "You didn't want to risk borrowing Kurogiri."

"Ah that's right," She groaned and clenched her barf bag tight in hand. "That was stupid."

"You could have asked Twice to use one of your clones to make the deal." Gentle suggested motioning La Brava to settle down when she started jumping in her seat. All of them were in touristy guise, and blending well with the others in the plane.

"No… this is too personal, and besides I'm gonna be out of commission for awhile." She closed her eyes letting out a sigh of relief as the pilot announced their descent. "I need to see this through before I go off the grid."

~Flashback~

"Touya, I'm pregnant."

Izumi held her belly, watching Touya's face for a change of expression. Once the words were out, he seemed to go catatonic. His eyes were glazed over, his mouth was slightly opened, and he didn't move a muscle.

"Touya? Touya?" she called out to her lover in a sing song voice, waving a hand in front of his face. "Hello? Anyone home?"

Touya Todoroki, the villain best known for being cool and confident and the detrimental knight to the Queen of Villains, was dumbstruck.

Had he heard her correctly?

Was this real?

Izumi was pregnant?

Seriously!?

"I… You…We…" The young knight stammered pointing at her, himself and then down at her belly. "Holy Shit."

"Yeah that kinda sums it up," she let out a shaky laugh and stood up. The movement made him panic and he got to his feet and took her hands.

"Hold up, just hold up, sit back down and let me wrap my head around this." He sat her back down and knelt in front of her. "You're really pregnant?" She nodded and he let out a short laugh of disbelief. "Jesus Christ… Does Tomura know?"

"No, and I don't plan on telling him because I really don't think he's the father." She gripped his hands. "When Kai rescued me from the hospital they did a thorough look at me, not to mention he used his quirk to rearrange things."

"Then…" He gripped her hands tighter, the smile wanting to spread but something in her eyes made him nervous. "Does that mean I'm the father?"

"Touya…" She pulled her hands free and cupped his face in her hands. "I want it to be, I very much want it to be." She rubbed his cheeks. "I had sex with Chisaki, so there is a chance that it's his but-"

"What do you mean you had sex with him? That fucking germaphobic asshole raped you?" He got to his feet and started to rant. "I told you not to trust him, I told you that he-"

"I know, I know! It's a long story, and one I really don't want to get into right now, but listen to me Touya, I don't care!" She could feel herself getting emotional and forced him to look in her eyes. "I don't care if it's his, or not, it doesn't matter to me. What does matter is who I'm going to be with in the long run… and that's you."

"It may not mean much to you, but it means something to me." He stood up and pulled her with him. "We can find out-"

"How?" She pulled her hands free and crossed her arms. "I'm a villain remember? I don't exactly have Nakahara's connections anymore. I can't just walk into a hospital and ask for a DNA test without raising some eyebrows."

"Tch…" he paced the floor looking irritated.

"You're angry with me, and you've a right to be." Izumi sighed heavily and stood up. "I told you I loved you, and then turned around and had sex with another man. I don't even remember why I did it, or what purpose it served… but it's done now. Chisaki is out of my life, Tomura is out of my life… but I don't want to lose you too. You're my one constant, the one person I can trust with everything and anything. Please don't leave me because of my mistakes."

"Leave you?" He stopped and gave a sour laugh. "Just where the hell would I go?"

"Anywhere… no one of importance knows that Dabi and Touya Todoroki are the same person. You could go back home, see your siblings, your mother… start over." She held her stomach. "I'm the person that has nowhere to go. You don't have to keep yourself tied to me."

"Like hell," He spat out whirling on her. "Just write you off and leave you? After everything we've gone through do you really think I'd do something like that?"

"Why not?" Tears slipped down her cheek. "Everyone else I ever loved has."

"Oh don't give me that weepy bull shit. You and I both know you're stronger than that." He closed the distance and unceremoniously wiped her tears away with his shirt, scrunching up her face. "So put a stop to those tears, because they're making me sick."

"Hey! Hurmmph Stop it!" She shoved his hand away, her cheeks read from the rub. "Geez fine, you win, I won't break down if you leave, but I'd be severely pissed off and upset."

"That's for damn sure, but you can rest easy because I'm not going anywhere. If I wanted a normal life I would have cut and run a long time ago. I threw my lot in with you because you stand for something, Izumi. You're influencing the world, making a stand, creating change, and THAT is more important than some roll in the hay."

"Touya…" Her smile came back. "You really are my rock."

"Don't get sappy again, Karma, it doesn't suit you." He tapped her forehead. "Now then… you're taking an extended vacation to have a kid, and that's fine, but what comes next? The world's problems aren't going to go away while you sit in front of a TV for nine months."

"I said I was taking vacation, but I never said I wasn't going to be involved with what's happening." She took his hand and pulled him out of the room, and out to the back yard. The picturesque family yard was clipped straight from a magazine with its elaborate jungle gym, tree house, and gardens. Kota pushed Eri on the swings, the girl's bright and happy smile an unfamiliar sight to her. Within a month Touya and Kota had brought that out of the tragic girl, and it made her so happy to see.

"We've got a good start here, Touya… we can destroy society, and rebuild it from scratch… but unless those that hold the future take hold nothing will ever change." She held her stomach. "The Children of the world are its future… if we're gonna keep the image of an equal world then we need to influence them the most."

"You've already been doing a lot of thinking I see." Smiling he ran a hand down her hair. "Any ideas?"

"A few… the quickest and easiest way is to get rid of quirks altogether." She spoke as she watched the sunrise with a wistful smile. "After all, It's not heroes or villains that shaped the world. It's this whole corrupted society based on the principles of powerful quirks. If it weren't for quirks Kota's parents would still be alive. If it weren't for quirks Eri may have actually grown up in a decent home with decent people. If it weren't for quirks Tomura would have known and appreciated love from other people. If it weren't for quirks You and Shoto would have never been shunned or abused by your dick of a father." She laced their fingers together. Fire sparked from her skin, flicking off her bangs and rippling through the curls of her hair. "If it weren't for quirks maybe I could have made some actual friends without having to pretend to be something I'm not."

"You still have friends, Izumi." Touya kissed her temple making her smile.

"I know…"

"For the record, the quick and easy way isn't your style, Izumi. Calm, calculating, and well thought out plans are your forte."

"Good point." Her smile spread wickedly again and she raised her hand up, flames flickering from the tips of her fingers. "I do have an alternate plan. One we can play from the shadows and let the events of the world unfold. It's just a matter of tipping the right boxes, and influencing the right people."

"How do you plan to do that?"

"My role as the Queen of Villains will come to an end... but the game won't end there. A phoenix will rise from Hero society's ashes to take her place and spread her word to the right people." She launched a blast of fire, the mix of her aura and fire creating an inferno tornado that circled the rising sun like an ominous aura. "The Queen of Villains brought about destruction but Black Phoenix will breathe new life into the broken world and bring about a new era."

"Sounds promising," Touya lay a hand over her belly. "Hear that kid? You're gonna be lucky enough to be born into the new Era."

"Mmmm…." She laid her hand over Touya's and leaned into his shoulder. "It may take some time… but I will build a society where my child will feel safe and accepted no matter what side of the spectrum they chose to be on."

"Good, but let's not forget about the other two." He motioned to Kota and Eri who made a beeline for them. Izumi nodded and crouched down to pick up Eri and ruffle Kota's hair.

"That's right, we're a family now." She held both children to her protectively, hiding their faces so they wouldn't see the wicked gleam in her eyes. "...and I will always protect my family."

~End of Flashback~

"Always," Izumi repeated to herself laying a hand over the bump on her belly. At five months she was barely showing, but it made her so happy to have that little proof that there was life inside her. Even with all the drawbacks, such as the fatigue and nausea, she'd deal with it.

As the plane landed Izumi resisted grabbing a barf bag, and just closed her eyes riding the nausea out. She thanked whatever gods were listening that the trip was over, at least for the moment, and she could mingle with the deboarding crowd.

Slipping her sunglasses on, she and her crew exited the airport with their minimal luggage. They hailed a taxi, and on the drive to their hotel Izumi went into villain mode, making the necessary calls and plans to fulfill the purpose of her trip.

~America: San Francisco~

"That was the weather now back to Rebecca for breaking news."

"Thanks Tom, the league of villains has escaped again, fighting off the Japanese Liberation Front at every turn. Their former leader, Izumi Midoriya or better known as Karma, is still nowhere to be seen after her shocking escape from Tartarus Prison. All Might came forward to personally apologize for the lack of preparation in Karma's capture, claiming that he and many others still had hopes that the once aspiring young hero would see the error of her ways, and bow out graciously."

"The heroes and police are all fools if they think a villain like Karma would give in so easily." The barriston at the counter wiped cups while watching the reporter on the small tv. "She's got way more smarts than that."

"Why bother arresting her at all. She's clearly trying to rid the truly evil people of the world. The heroes are just scared of the kid. It's pathetic." Another patron commented.

David Shield sipped his coffee and sighed at the distressing words around him. After the incidents that occurred during the siege, he'd been banished from I-Island, and though he was still a top leading researcher in the field of quirks, he was considered the black sheep of the industry. His daughter Melissa, bless her heart, was continuing to work hard and be a beacon of light for his community. Still the future seemed dark, even with his daughter and aspiring heroes like Mirio coming into their power. Rarely did the news spread any joy or positivity. Nowadays everything was about destruction, and chaos. Villain attacks, robberies, natural disasters, and most popular of all Izumi Midoriya.

That girl was making a name for herself around the world.

In a matter of months she'd changed people's perspectives on how the world should run, and people were actually listening. Hot debates, polarizing topics, and even some feuds amongst the masses were causing anarchy across the globe.

Should heroes be the centerpoint of society?

Should the masses truly put a shining beacon on those left in All Might's wake?

"Somehow I can't help but feel partially responsible for the damage that was caused." He picked up his coffee again to sip at it.

"Want some redemption?" A familiar voice spoke and David spit out his coffee, coughing loudly as Izumi took a seat across from him. She wore an oversized hoodie and the same curly red wig she'd dawned on I-Island.

"It's you!" David looked around, his hand reaching for his phone but Izumi's sharp gaze stopped his dead in his tracks.

"You can call the cops, Professor, but it won't do you any good." She smiled and stretched a finger out to tap the end of his newspaper and scorch it with her fingerprint. "You'd just wind up killing everyone in this building, except me."

His nerves jangled, and his breath came out in slow and shaky.

"Why are you here?"

"I heard you were here, and came to ask for your assistance." She offered a cool smile and made his teeth clench in response.

"Like hell, my villain days are over, Miss..."

"It's Missus, actually." She held up her wedding ring. "Two husbands in the span of five months… go figure… but considering I never properly said my I dos to the first time, and with an alias no less it didn't really count. So it all worked out in the end."

"You sure get around…" He scowled at the ring, watching it glint as she folded her hands together. "What's your surname now?"

"That's my secret." She leaned forward on her elbows. "I've a proposition for you, Professor Shield. One that you should consider taking."

"Why should I consider anything you offer me? My reputation is already in shambles, and I'm forced to work in menial support companies to earn a decent living."

"With or without my help you would have fallen into that trap, Professor." She waved it off. "Your assistant was too greedy, and hired the wrong kind of people. Even if I hadn't been there the truth would have unfolded. The only difference is, is instead of merely being shamed, you would have wound up in prison." .

"Oh so I should thank you? Forgive my rudeness." He said sarcastically. "Thanks for your meddling."

"Your welcome," She smirked at him, the sarcasm amusing her more than annoying. "Nevertheless, I did not come to blackmail, or extort you. Instead I've come to barter." She lift up a silver case and laid it on the table pushing it forward. "I believe this belongs to you."

David's face changed at seeing the familiar silver case. Hesitantly he unlocks it and opens it up to reveal his research inside.

"My project… the one-"

"That ruined your life?" She closed the case again. "It's yours again whether you choose to accept my offer or not. I made two copies, granted not as useful as i'd hoped, but both served their purpose and were destroyed quickly afterwards. With the rise in villainy as of late I thought it best to put this back where it belonged… in the hands of its researcher."

"Thank you…" He stroked his fingers over it mournfully. "What's the catch?"

"No catch… as I said it's yours no matter what. I did hope it would give you the incentive to listen to what I have to say, but I can't force the issue" She smiled at the waitress when she came over with her order, and she wiggled her fingers in greeting before taking a sip of her tea.

David watched the girl sip, and calmly stroke her glass. Would she truly honor that deal, he wondered. Without a doubt she could easily kill him here and now, or even wait until he was gone and disappear as she'd done so many times before. Calling the cops and other heroes on her would be pointless as neither would get there in time to help. She posed no real threat, and had clear intelligent motivations. Perhaps it was best if he heard what she had to say. He could always use it to give the cops some clues as to what her next move would be.

"Alright," as a test he put his case on the seat next to him. "What is it you want from me?"

"Your expertise." She said simply and slid the box of bullets and a CD-ROM across the table. "Before my capture I had one of my contacts make copies of my previous husband's research. He was studying the quirk of a young girl." .

"I read the news on that. The cops searched the labyrinth and found a great deal of equipment but all the data files and samples were gone. From what I hear after your capture the Hassaikai was pardoned due to lack of evidence of their involvement."

"What the papers won't tell you is that I gave up all the information I knew about the League of Villains in order to ensure the Hassaikai were pardoned. Kai still ended up paying for his crimes, as I burned his hands so badly that he won't be able to use his quirk ever again. Still I didn't feel like there was enough justice for the little girl who had suffered the most. She's still so young, and her quirk makes it difficult for her to be normal and just be a kid. I want to use Kai's research in a way that will help her find control. I want you to use his data, and the samples he took in order to make a support item for her."

"I see…" David took the disc admiring it a moment. "Do you have your own copy?"

"I do...but only in case you decide to destroy the copies I'm giving you. I'm careful in that regard. However, the samples I gave you are all I have and all you'll get. I won't resort to extracting more from her, or performing anything remotely experimental on her."

"Can I ask why you're doing all this for her? You could have just easily handed her over to the-" he started to rationalize and instantly felt the heat rise. He saw the fire burning from her fingertips and the wig smoking a little as she struggled with maintaining her composure.

"To who? The Heroes?" She laughed. "Do you have any idea why I've been so judgmental against heroes all this time? It's because of that very attitude you're sporting." She sat back in her seat, putting her hands in the pockets of her sweatshirt so that they cupped the baby mound hiding underneath. "Society has used heroes as a crutch and an excuse to ignore people like Eri for too long. Tomura was exactly the same… so emotionally scarred by the cruelty that he sought help from the only person who extended his hand… a man who used him and his quirk to further his selfish ambitions. I won't do that to Eri. I WON'T!"

"Alright, alright, settle down or you're gonna catch fire." He held his hands out and looked around seeing that they'd gathered attention. "I'll take a look at the data and samples you've given me… but I can't guarantee there will be anything I can do to help."

"Do whatever you can. I'll give you a way to contact me so if you need supplies or money to further the research you let me know. I will get you whatever it is you need to help her." She paid for her drink, an immediately noticed the way he eyed her money.

"I don't want stolen goods." He scowled. "I won't be funded that way."

"The League of Villains has the brunt of the stolen merchandise still. I've been having to rely on the kindness of strangers." She stood up, wobbling a little as a dizzy spell hit.

"Are you alright?" He took her arm to steady her. He noticed now how pale and fatigued she looked. A life on the run wasn't giving her much sleep it looked like. "Do you need someplace to stay for the night?"

"I'm fine," She slipped a card into his hand. "Here's the number you can reach me at, as well as a P.O. box for sending messages. Don't bother having someone stake it out, I happen to know someone who can warp the goods right from the box itself."

"So noted…" He took it and pocketed it. "Izumi… why are you doing this? What's your goal?"

"My goals have never changed, Professor." She smiled softly at him. "I want to protect the people I consider family. I want to serve justice and punishment to those that deserve it. I want to change the world in order to make it better, and safer for everyone."

"By committing crimes?" He whispered it and watched her step away and head out the door. "Izumi please… you've done more than enough."

"You're wrong…" She looked over her shoulder, and aimed a killer smile at him. "I've only just begun."

~Ask Briry~

New Fic! New Arc! So many things to exlpore! I hope you all will look forward to it!

Next Chapter: Assuming and Alias