"Happy Birthday, Shigaraki Tomura."
Most would assume villains don't celebrate their date of birth. Criminals don't receive surprise parties and gifts, they don't deserve it. Evil-doers would only be satisfied with chaos & death anyways, and any day of the week can be filled with such malice. Finding the perfect present for a villain would prove rather difficult for the unorthodox.
A bartender enveloped in cloudy purple mist offered an alcoholic beverage. Cocktails were this particular villain's specialty after all, well, aside from mass murder. It wasn't an extravagant gift, but it was a good gesture. The foggy man often only served water to the blue haired birthday boy, so it wasn't an every day order either.
As Tomura sipped at the drink, he made sure to keep his index finger lifted. This particular precaution could be considered a drawback of his quirk. When all five appendages come in contact with something, the object will rapidly decay and wither into oblivion.
"Thank you, Kurogiri.", Shigaraki couldn't help the grin forming on his chapped lips.
The bartender gave a small nod in return before occupying himself with wiping empty glasses.
Suddenly, a small television monitor flickered to life. The screen presented no images, only bold letters overlapping a black background. The red text read Only Audio and a voice coming through the speakers proved this statement true.
"While it is good to indulge every so often, I wouldn't recommend making it a habit to drink cocktails."
Shigaraki nearly choked on the liquid, outwardly ashamed of his actions. Tomura acted like a child that was caught by their father before forcefully tossing the glass at Kurogiri. The misty bartender simply sidestepped the attack and the cup shattered on impact with a wall. While Kurogiri was used to these outbursts from Shigaraki, he couldn't resist the audible sigh that escaped upon losing another one of his culinary objects.
Tomura dropped to his hands and knees to beg the unseen newcomer for forgiveness. "Sensei! I-"
The voice behind the screen interrupted, "On your feet, Tomura.", the tone was that of an order.
Shigaraki swallowed his spit, now that there was no beverage to consume. With a shaky nod, the blue haired boy stood up.
"I would like to have a word with my apprentice.", the voice was referring to Tomura.
"Kurogiri, if you would.", another order from the television. The bartender knew exactly what their 'Sensei' wanted, and proceed to open a warp gate. The spiral whirling portal was made of the same purple particles that shrouded Kurogiri, a part of the man's quirk.
All it took to transport Tomura Shigaraki to their Sensei, was simply stepping through the warp gate.
The portal closed behind Tomura as soon as he entered the new location. Unlike the warm and quite bright bar, this place was cold and dark. The atmosphere sent unnerving chills up Shigaraki's spine, it was like journeying into an endless abyss.
The only source of light, was the grainy monitors surrounding Tomura's Sensei. Wires and cables were connected to humming machines. Faint beeping from medical equipment could be heard as part of the man's life support. A grotesque face of marred flesh replaced where the person's eyes should be. It was truly an unholy sight. However, despite all these apparent weaknesses, one couldn't help but feel captivated by the overwhelming sense of power that radiated from the man. It was against Tomura's better senses that he refrained from kneeling in his Sensei's presence.
"You're growing older, Tomura, and with age.. there comes wisdom. I've been alive for decades and lived through most of history. In all my time, I haven't once felt this affectionate towards someone other than my brother. This is why I wanted to offer you my best birthday wishes in person."
"Th- Thank you, Sensei. I- I feel the same way.", Shigaraki resisted the urge to cry in gratitude.
"I know you and I share the same desire to destroy the pillar of society, All Might, the symbol of peace."
The mere mention of Japan's number one hero makes Tomura grate his teeth together. The blue haired villain feels his fingers twitching, the desire to grab something and make it disintegrate becomes overbearing like his anger. To restrain himself from lashing out, Tomura opts to scratch at his neck instead. The kinesic that was meant to be a form of meditation had become a force of habit.
"Unfortunately, I cannot offer you such a gift just yet, that is something you must achieve on your own in due time."
Shigaraki takes in his master's words and has to physically pry his hands away from his neck to stop scratching. "I understand. I vow to fulfill that quest."
The man wrapped in medical equipment let himself chuckle softly. Tomura had begun speaking in videogame terms after playing several RPGs to induce better response time. While the particular method of training wasn't what he or Kurogiri had in mind, it still proved to get the job done.
"I have no doubt you'll make me proud as a successor.", this statement made the blue haired boy beam with pride. It was times like these that reminded the villainous man just how childish his protege still is.
"However, I have something in my possession that may suffice as your birthday gift."
Tomura perked up even further.
"Is it the Nomu? It's already complete?", the boy became giddy as ever. Truly, Tomura was the equivalent of a child ripping off the wrapping paper on their present.
Shigaraki's Sensei shook is head with another low laugh. "That project will take some more time to finish. What I've created for you now should be as equally enticing though."
If Tomura was disappointed, his attitude didn't show it. "What is it?"
The older villain beckoned Shigaraki before revealing a glass container he had nearby. In the tank was a massive spider, the creature certainly had alterations done to it considering its size.
"A pet?", Tomura peered through the glass to observe the specimen.
"Not quite. Tell me, Tomura, has Kurogiri brushed up on the topic of Greek Mythology with you?"
Shigaraki never peeled his eyes off of the arachnid as he shook his head in response. "Sorry Sensei, but Kurogiri has been more focused on tutoring me when it comes to mathematics."
"There's no need to apologize, Tomura. I have no apprehensions in telling you the story of Arachne and Athena on my own behalf."
Tomura's attention drew back to his master. "Please Sensei, tell me..", his interest had peaked.
"Very well. The tale begins with the Goddess named Athena. It seems she heard of a particular woman on earth, a mere mortal like you and me, who happened to be a better spintress than she was."
The blue haired boy continued to listen with fascination.
"Athena wasn't too happy to hear of this. She came down to earth and destroyed the woman's creations."
"That sounds like a woman..", Tomura made an off handed comment.
"No more interruptions."
"Sorry, Sensei."
"When this mortal girl saw what had happened, that she had insulted the Gods and that her life's work had been destroyed, she decided to hang herself. Athena took pity on the poor girl after that, and proceeded to transfer her power through a simple touch on the forehead. It was then that Athena gave this woman a new identity, Arachne, and the transformation began. Arachne shrank and blackened, her fingers turned into legs as other appendages fell off. What was left of her body, served the purpose of spinning webs forever forward."
Tomura's gaze shifted back to the container that the spider resided in.
"Do you know why I decided to share this story with you?"
"No.. I can't say I do..", confusion was evident in the boy's voice.
"It reminisces the two of us, don't you think? I found Tenko Shimura abandoned by heroes, what this society may refer to as 'Gods'. Now, you've become Tomura Shigaraki, a better vessel than before. As you also know, I'm capable of sharing power. You know I create fantastical creatures such as the Nomu."
"You're.. going to finally pass down 'All For One', I'm going to inherit your power?"
Tomura's Sensei pats the boy on his head.
"Not quite yet."
"Oh.."
"However, the spider I have given you is no ordinary creature."
Tomura's eyes widen in surprise before facing the arachnid again.
"Like me, it can transfer amazing abilities. This is my gift to you, Tomura, Happy Birthday."
"Sensei.. I don't know what to say..", Shigaraki smiled brightly as tears threatened to spill.
"Your gratitude is thanks enough. Run along now, Tomura, it would be impolite of you to keep Kurogiri waiting."
The blue haired boy hadn't noticed a warp gate swirling like a vortex behind him. With a bow of appreciation, Tomura took his gift and left his master.
Upon returning to the bar, Tomura found that nothing had changed. Kurogiri was still absent mindedly cleaning one of his more antique cups with a cloth.
"I take it that your visit went well?", the misty bartender presumed.
"Yes! Look at what Sensei gave me!", Shigaraki placed the container on the bar counter to brag & boast. Kurogiri could only narrow his yellow eye slits as he glowered at the showcased arachnid. Tomura knew how much the bartender disliked insects and bugs alike, but didn't stop his overly excited rambling.
"Indeed. The spider is quite.. 'nice'..", Kurogiri had a hard time picking from his choice of words.
Tomura grinned, that response was apparently satisfactory. "What should I name it?"
If Kurogiri had eyebrows, they would have probably flown off his face anyway. "You want to keep this thing as a pet?"
"Sensei made it clear that the spider had more than just that one purpose, but yes, I find it very intriguing.", Tomura admitted.
"Very well.", Kurogiri hummed.
"I was thinking we could call it.. Kumo?"
Kurogiri resisted the urge to shrug, he could honestly care less, he just wanted the arachnid off his counter. "A wise suggestion, Shigaraki Tomura."
Tomura's grin grew ten fold now that his pet had a name. As he went to take off the container's lid though, Kurogiri grabbed his wrist. "Unhand me, Kurogiri!", Shigaraki hissed like a snake.
"I don't think it's a good idea to let your..", Kurogiri cleared his throat, "..'Pet'.. out of its tank."
"I don't care what you think is a good idea or isn't a good idea! Sensei told me its special and I want to see what it can do for myself!", Tomura argued.
Kurogiri's grip on the boy's wrist lingered for a bit longer before he surrendered. "Fine.."
Shigaraki finished pulling off the lid so he could get a better look at the spider. The arachnid had certainly been experimented on, if the size weren't any indication earlier. The creature had some kind of Kanji imprinted on its abdomen, Shigaraki chose to ignore it and Kurogiri couldn't bare to look at such a revolting thing. Instead of eight legs only, the arachnid appeared to have hind appendages that acted as both backup pincers and palptoids. Lastly, it also had an extra set of eyes.
Before Tomura could observe the spider any further, he was interrupted by the sound of company. Somebody had knocked at the door before calling out, "Pizza Delivery!"
"Pizza? I didn't order any pizza!", Shigaraki felt his fingers twitching as he prepared for some kind of ambush.
"But I did. I figured it would make for an enjoyable meal, being your birthday and all.", Kurogiri reassured Tomura before heading to answer the door.
Shigaraki relaxed when he saw a boy younger than him wearing a ridiculous employee uniform and not a pro hero or vigilante. The child had an irritatingly bright smile and too many damn freckles. Even though the pizza boy was wearing a hat, green curly hair poked out in a tangled mess.
"Hi! I'm Izuku Midoriya from Aziz Pizzeria! I've got two extra large cheese pizzas for a Mister Shigaraki?", the boy bowed in greeting.
"That would be us.", Kurogiri spoke for both of the villains.
"Oh, g- good! I was worried that I came to the wrong place for a second..", the boy sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward chuckle. "You guys are kinda hidden away here."
"What does it matter to you?! Just give us the damn pizzas!", Tomura snapped.
The boy named Izuku jumped with a small yelp before nodding vigorously. "R- Right away, sir!", Midoriya quickly grabbed the food off of a scooter and returned to the door.
"I apologize for Shigaraki's mannerisms, he's still learning.", Kurogiri sighed.
"Oh, it's no p- problem, really!", Izuku stammered out his response and that only irritated Tomura more. "Um, that'll be three thousand and two hundred yen.."
Kurogiri used his quirk to transport the payment through a smaller warp, much to Izuku's amazement. "Keep the change."
"Wow, that's such an amazing quirk! You could do all kinds of things with it! I'm uncertain if you're able to make larger portals, but if so, then you could possibly helpresolvehostagesituationsrightaway. Youcouldevenwarpanenemytoaprisoncellwithoutanyseverecombat. DoyoumindifIwritethisinmynotebook? Doescreatingwarpsgiveyouanysortofstrain? Howmanycanyoumakeatatime?", Midoriya's awe & praise became a full blown storm of muttering that barely anyone could understand.
Shigaraki scratched at his neck to keep his hands from reaching for the boy. "Kurogiri, get him out of here before I turn him to dust!"
"Farewell, Midoriya. We'll be sure to order from you again.", the bartender closes the door on Izuku before he can be bombarded by another flurry of questions.
"Make sure to ask for another delivery boy next time!", Tomura growls.
"Yes. That was a bit much.. even for me.", Kurogiri agrees while placing the pizza boxes in front of Shigaraki. This draws attention to the empty container that also occupies space.
"Wait.. Where's Kumo?!", Tomura shouts.
Kurogiri is suddenly in as much of a frenzy that Shigaraki is, both hysterically searching for the lost spider.
Neither villain noticed the arachnid crawling out of its tank and out the door during their conversation with the pizza boy.
Izuku Midoriya wouldn't realize he picked up a hitchhiker either, until much later that night when it decides to bite him.