Ember Sunblaze:Hope everyone is having a great 4th of July weekend! I was happy I could get this one done pretty quickly. I hope you enjoy seeing more of our new villainess. I spend a lot of time trying to figure out her character. In my mind, she's a much younger, idol-like version of Lust from Fullmetal Alchemist. Anyway, hope you like the chapter and please leave a review! ^_^
Chapter 11: "The Siren"
Todoroki sighed as he once again reeled in a large fish. By the large and burly size of the specimen, he hypothesized it was some type of grouper. He swiftly unhooked it, tossing it nonchalantly into the bucket that was now overflowing with a variety of crabs and fish that Todoroki had caught. He sat back down, tossing the line back into the water.
"I wonder where Midoriya is?" He wondered. It had been quite a while since they had last spoken. Could something have happened to Midoriya to keep him from meeting up with him? Todoroki glanced towards the beach, but everything seemed calm. He thought back to when they were playing volleyball together, how Midoriya and Uraraka had seemed so immersed with each other that neither had noticed the teams dissipating. "Perhaps Midoriya got caught up with Uraraka again?"
This seemed like a logical guess. The two seemed closer than average classmates, something Todoroki was just starting to notice. He shifted in his seat, bringing a hand up to ease the glare from the sun above. To his surprise, he found his thoughts wandering to practicing volleyball with Yaoyorozu. "Did we look like that too?"
His thoughts were interrupted as his line was tugged at once again. Following the same pattern, he quickly reeled it in, surprised to see a fish smaller than his hand on the end. His first thought was to throw it back, the size of it not worth the effort of skinning and gutting. However, a loud meow of protest sounded at his feet. Looking down, he found a petite bobtail silver cat rubbing affectionately at his leg.
Todoroki hesitated, not used to animals of any nature. His father had forbidden him to own any pets since he felt they would be a distraction from hero training. "Umm…Hello?" Using his free hand, he bent down to pet its head. The feline instantly purred, pushing its head into his open palm. Todoroki smiled, moving the fish to where it tangled near the cat. Its large blue eyes gleamed, meowing hungrily at the catch.
"I'm guessing this is why you're here?"
"Meow! Meow!" The stray answered, patting its paws in the air.
Somehow this scene seemed familiar to Todoroki. Once again, he felt himself drifting back to the time he and his father had gone fishing together.
Flashback:
"Father, can I pleeease take my hat off now?" A four year old Shoto begged, already lifting the blue bucket hat off his head. His father's large hand roughly pushed it back down.
"Sorry son. But your mother was very adamant about making sure you wore your hat." Endeavor explained, sounding not exactly pleased. "Something about you being out in the sun all day and delicate skin. Doesn't she realize your body is able to endear flames at over 1000 Celsius? There's absolutely nothing delicate about my son!" He removed his hand, placing it back on his fishing reel.
Shoto lips puckered into a pout. He dangled his feet over the pier, wishing he was back home with Mother. The sun had been up in the sky for quite a while now. Even without a way to tell time, Shoto knew his older siblings were probably awake, enjoying a warm breakfast cooked by their mother. Probably smoked mackerel over freshly steamed rice, delicious pickled plums and sweet tamagoyaki eggs. A loud growl escaped his stomach and he had to quickly wipe drool from his mouth before his father noticed. "Oh, why did he have to be the only one who had to get up at 4am and go fishing with Father? Why couldn't he bring one of the other kids?"
"Because I'm special…" Shoto frowned, hating that word. Special just meant he had to train when his siblings got to play. Special meant spending more time with Father in the gym than with his mother who didn't seem to think his quirk was special at all. At times, he even thought she looked sad when he used it. "I wonder why? Isn't it good that I have a strong quirk? Then I can be a hero like All Might!"
He smiled proudly at his All Might fishing rod, hoping he would get a bite soon. His father had already caught several large fish, which they had set in a large iced cooler. Shoto shot a longing glance at the chest, wishing he could add something to it.
"Do not fret," Endeavor commented, catching his young son's gaze. "You'll catch one soon enough."
"Why are the fish only coming to you?"
"Well for one, I'm not squirming around like a criminal about to go on trial." Shoto instantly stopped kicking his legs, sitting up straighter. Endeavor gave an improving nod. "It may not seem like it, but every move you make is reflected on your fishing line. The more you move, the more vibrations are sent down to the water and to alert the fish." His son nodded, cheeks flushed in embarrassment at his dunder.
"Remember this. Villains are the same way." Endeavor lectured. "They're always looking and weighing in on the heroes they fight. It's imperative you always stay cool and collected in any scenario. Don't ever make it apparent what your next move will be. That's how you stay in control of a battle."
Shoto nodded, though not quite understanding. At least he knew he had to be quiet and still to catch a fish. Taking this advice to heart, Shoto sat rigid, trying to not even blink in case he missed his buoy going under the water. Within ten minutes, his efforts were rewarded by a tug on his line. Excited, he instantly began to reel it in.
"Don't!" Endeavor snapped, "If you reel it too fast, the fish might not get a good hold of the bait!" Shoto paused, watching as his red and white buoy bobbed up and down a few times before suddenly disappearing under the waves.
"Now Shoto!"
The young boy began reeling as fast as his little hands could go. Before long he felt the line get pulled from the water's surface. Bouncing on his feet in delight, he wound his line up, wanting to get the first look at his catch. The fish was tiny, much smaller than any his father had caught, with a thin body and silver scales that flashed in the sun. Shoto beamed at it.
Endeavor surveyed the catch with a critical eye. "Release it."
Shoto's face fell. "But…can't it go in the cooler with your fish?"
"Those fish are there to get gutted and made into sashimi later." He unhooked Shoto's fish, holding it up for comparison. "This fish is way too small to even bother with cleaning and deboning. It would be more efficient to release it and allow it to grow bigger." Shoto stared at his fish longingly, his stomach giving off a loud growl. Endeavor's eyebrows furrowed. "Was that…your stomach?" His son nodded, looking down at his feet.
Endeavor crossed his arms. "Didn't you eat the breakfast your mother had prepared the night before?"
Shoto thought back to earlier this morning. He remembered sitting at their low table, unwrapping the prepared stuffed onigiri his mother had left out for them to eat. But just as he was about to take a bite, he heard the news playing in the family room. Abandoning his morning meal, he had snuck over and secretly watched an early news special featuring All Might and his latest late night rounds of heroics. So caught up in the program he had completely forgotten about his meal still sitting at the table.
The young Shoto blinked, coming back to reality. "Uhhhh, I forgot."
His father scowled, turning up to the heavens as if they would give a sign on how to raise such a forgetful child. His gaze fell from his famished son to the small wiggling fish in his hand. Sighing, he lowered himself to the ground next to Shoto. "I guess it's only fair for a man to be able to enjoy his first catch."
Pulling out a water bottle, he poured it over the fish, cleaning the salt from it. "Stay back." He warned his son as red flames burst from his hand and engulfed the fish. It was an instant death that left the fish charred and crispy. Pulling a chopstick from his lunch bag, he stuffed it into the fish's mouth.
"Here." He said, holding the fish on a stick to Shoto.
The young boy's eyes sparkled as he gazed upon the treat. Grabbing a hold of it, he took a tentative bite. He blinked, taken aback. "It's tasty!"
"Of course it is!" Endeavor replied, puffing out his chest proudly. "I cooked it after all."
Shoto tilted his head up, studying his father in a new light. "Thank you." He finally said, small voice sounding unsure.
Endeavor simply nodded, turning his attention back to his rod. "Hurry and eat up. We have a long day ahead of us. Let's see if you can catch a fish worthy of my son." Shoto nodded, smiling as he proudly took another bite of his fish.
"Meow! Meow!"
The stray's loud mewing brought Todoroki back to the present. The cat's head had made its way onto his lap, front paws reaching upwards in an attempt to nab the small fish still hooked to the line. He picked the cat up, setting it back down on the boulder next to him. "It would be wise for you to stay back." He warned, unhooking the fish.
Glancing around to make sure no one was looking, he held it firmly in his right palm. Red hot flames burst from his palms as he repeated his father's actions from so many years ago. Just like before, the fish came out charred and crispy. "Here." He said, offering the now cooked fish to the cat. "You can have it."
Meowing in delight, the silver tabby chomped down and dragged the fish onto his front paws. There he sat alongside Todoroki, gobbling down his meal. Todoroki smiled, adding on a new lure.
"You're lucky I already had breakfast this morning." Todoroki said, plopping the line back into the water. The cat purred in reply. Feeling strangely satisfied, he settled down to wait for his next catch.
"I wonder if Yaoyorozu is having fun?" He wondered aloud, stroking the top of the cat's head fondly.
Unfortunately, having fun was the last thing on Momo or any of the girls' minds at the moment. Not when they were stuck in a secret underwater cavern with two dangerous new foes. Bound by the vice-like grip of Dark Shadow, the girls of Class 1-A felt a combination of fear and anger at the predicament they found themselves in. It felt far worse due to the fact that they were not just being trapped by these villains, but also by their very own friends.
"Siren?" Momo repeated the name, onyx eyes narrowing as she studied the villainess. "As in the creature of ancient Greek myths?"
"Wait?" Toru asked, puzzled. "So, isn't that the thing that makes you immortal if you eat its flesh or something?"
"No, that's a Ningyo." Tsuyu corrected her. (See author's note)
"In Greek legends," Kyoka explained, glaring down at the group of boys that stood obediently behind Siren. "The siren was a female sea woman who's voice would enchant sailors and lead them to their doom. Similar to what this witch is probably doing to our friends down there!"
"So if that's the case," Ochako finished, meeting the gaze of their new foe. "Then that must mean your quirk is just like in those myths. Your voice… can control men!"
"Bingo!" Siren cheered, snapping her fingers triumphantly. She waved an elegant arm towards Bakugo, Kirishima, Kaminari and Mineta. "As you can very much tell, your little boyfriends here are completely under my control."
"But how?!" Ochako questioned, trying to figure out how the boys could have even had a chance to listen to Siren's song. Had Siren somehow hidden herself along the beach? How would her song reach them without anyone noticing?
Siren smirked, nodding towards Kai. The boy rolled his eyes, pulling out a waterproof phone from the pocket of his swimming trunks. He pushed the play button and an eerie melody began to play, along with what was unmistakably Siren's voice. Almost instantly the girls noticed a reaction from their male classmates. A visible shudder ran through their bodies, as if a jolt of electricity had struck. Even as Kai pushed the stop button on his phone, the effects of the song left the boys looking tense and agitated.
"As you can see." Siren explained, not batting an eye at the boys. "Even a recording of my quirk can be quite effective. Though nothing beats hearing it in person. Which is why they are brought down here to me so they can get a full dose." As she spoke, she weaved her body in between the boys, her hand trailing along their bare skin as she passed. "With my quirk, my voice becomes everything. It fills their heads. Truly making me their whole reason for living. I can make these boys do anything my heart desires. Be that fight, steal, or…play with." She added, hand seductively lingering on Kaminari's chest. She noted the furious eyes of the girls following her moments, like wolves waiting to strike. "Of course, I don't really need my quirk for that last one. Even without my quirk, I find I can nab just about any man. Isn't that right Kai?" She turned, winking to her companion.
"That can be debatable." Kai answered, playing with his phone.
"Oh boo!" Siren pouted, large lips puckering out childishly. "Always so blunt. But I guess that's why I adore having you around." She teased, wrapping one of his tentacles around her neck fondly. "Apologies, I don't think you've been formally introduced to Kai here! He's my number one assistant SLASH personal guard SLASH boy toy SLASH…" The tentacle covered her mouth before she could explain further.
"I think that's enough of an introduction." Kai stated, red tentacle curling back at his side. "I suggest we focus more on what we do with these wenches now that they're here."
"Good question." Siren replied, looking thoughtfully up at them. "Call it a pet peeve of mine, but I make it a point not to work with other females. I find it makes the office environment rather hostile dealing with people I don't have full control over." She gave a casual shrug. "Which is why I'm sure you'll understand why we must eliminate you. Can't have you six messing with my gang of idol boys now can I?" The girls blinked, confused.
"Uhhh…Did we hear that correctly?" Mina asked. "Gang of idol boys?"
"Well, idol is more of a term of endearment." Siren explained, stroking Tokoyami's beak. "But I am looking for a gang of men that are both cute and strong. Boys with quirks that are so powerful that it will blow my Ex's gang straight to the dust!" At the mention of her former lover, she gave a maniac laugh, teeth bared in a sadistic grin that gave everyone present chills. "That old fart thinks he can just throw me to the dust and get away with it! After everything I did to get the gang up and running! Who brainwashed all those high schoolers to rob those banks for cash?! Who brought in the finest thugs to take out those rival bosses?! Who kicked, killed and kissed anyone who got in our way? ME! ME! ME!"
One of Kai's tentacles moved to touch her shoulder, possibly to comfort the raging women. But it quickly retreated back to his side as she slashed out, nails almost raking across the appendage.
She paced like an hissing cougar, continuing her angry rant. "What does that ungrateful loaf do to me after all my years of work? All my years of kissing his ass?" Her face swiveled upwards, as if daring them to guess.
"He….dumped you?" Toru awkwardly guessed.
"TORU!"
"What? She asked!"
Siren threw back her head, giving a sarcastic laugh. "Yes! He dumped me, kicked me to the curve like I was yesterday's trash! Replacing me with some seventeen year old slut he picked up right out of the school yard. And even after that, do you know what he had the galls to say to me?"
"Well.." Toru began, but was quickly hushed by her classmates..
Siren's voice grew low as she repeated her Ex's final farewell. "Sorry Babe, there's no more room in the gang for those young bloods you like to reel in. It's time to grow up. Besides, your obsession with high school boys is really creepy…. HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME AFTER YOU SNAG A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD!" She grabbed the nearest boy, which happened to be Mineta and started violently shaking him. "WHY ARE MEN SUCH HYPOCRITES?"
"Boss…the hostages?" Kai urged, seeing the villainess was getting more worked up by the minute.
Rolling her eyes, Siren dropped Mineta, who seemed unfazed, and took a moment to run her nails through her pink hair before turning her attention back to the girls. "So there you have it. I want to create a rival gang that I can use to take down my Ex. Thus, why your classmates are here." She gave a small chuckle. "Using cute high school boys for my revenge is just icing on the cake.
"Mina was right," Toru muttered, loud enough for the other girls to hear. " We are dealing with a cougar!"
"She's not just a cougar." Ochako frowned, watching Siren's maniac display. "She's far worse. To her these boys are nothing but tools for her revenge, to be used at her whim. If she succeeds and gets enough boys to fight that gang, who knows how many of them will be hurt…or worse killed." She once again tried moving her arms to break the solid hold Dark Shadow had on her, but to no avail. She didn't think there was ever a time where she felt so angry and powerless as she looked down at Siren and her classmates were trapped under her sinister spell. Her gaze lingered over Midoriya, heart sinking even more.
It had always felt like no matter what dark predicament the class had found themselves in, Ochako had always knew as long as Deku was around, there was still a possibility they could pull through. He brought hope to the class. He brought hope to her. But now that he was gone too, she felt that their plight was feeling even more daunting. She felt her hands curl into fists, as she fought back angry tears. "I feel so stupid! Here I was worrying about having fun at the beach when I should have been watching out for the guys…especially Deku." His words from before flitted across her mind.
"I know if I went missing like that on a school trip my mother would kill herself with worry. I can't imagine what their families must be going through…."
"Why…" Ochako found herself asking, trembling with anger. "Why are you wasting your quirk on taking these boys? Don't you understand they have families who are probably worried sick about them!" The rest of the girls were staring at Ochako in shock as she continued her outburst, her limbs struggling against Dark Shadow's grip. "They're all still in school, with hopes and dreams that don't include being brainwashed as soldiers for you to play with! If power is what you're looking for, why mess around with these kids and not the pro-heroes?"
Siren and Kai had paused, listening to Ochako's rant. At her question, Siren's lip pursed, sharp eyes narrowing dangerously. A pause followed as if the villainess was considering how to proceed. Kai's tentacles curled and unfurled at his side, anxiously waiting for her orders.
"It's because she can't." Momo's voice echoed loudly in the still cavern. All eyes, including the villains, fell on her. The dark haired girl studied Siren, probing her reaction as she explained her reasoning. "It's true that your quirk does have an effect on men, but not on their minds, like you lead people to believe. Your quirk affects their biology, or to be more specific, your quirk can manipulate testosterone."
A confused pause followed this statement. Siren crossed her arms, retaining a stony silence. Momo continued, tone growing dark as she explained. "The boys aren't showing usual signs of their mind being obstructed: unfocused gaze, robotic moments, passive expressions. Their steely positions, sweaty exteriors and red rimmed eyes show there are internal abnormalities at work here, mostly likely hormonal imbalances. Testosterone levels in males vary depending on many factors, with age being the most prominent. I imagine your quirk needs a certain level of the chemical to cause a reaction, thus your targets being young boys in high school. At this age, testosterone levels are usually at their peak, making it the easiest age group to control." She glared at Siren, demanding an answer. "Well, correct me if I'm mistaken!"
Kai glanced at his boss, who after a moment gave a small chuckle. "Well, well, aren't we the observant one? I'll give you credit that my quirk does have some weaknesses, as of any quirk. But what those are is quite irrelevant." She walked over to Midoriya, cupping his face in her hands so that she could gaze into his tense, red rimmed eyes. "What matters is that once my melody is heard, these boys have no desires besides listening to every word I say. Isn't that right?"
"We're going to stop you!" Ochako called down determinedly.
Siren looked up at her with a calculating gaze. "Kai…what school are these kids from again?"
"Not sure." He replied, coming to stand at her side. "But I'm starting to guess."
"Me too." She said, lips curling into a grin. "Looks like our little expeditions are getting a bit of attention. So much so that their sending in students from the hero academies. Based on this lot, I have to say these kids may even be from U.A."
"I knew there was something fishy about those girls." Kai growled.
"Oh Kai dear, you think all girls are fishy." Siren remarked, looking pleased. "We should feel honored. That means the boys we snagged must have pretty powerful quirks. What say we take them out for a test run?"
"Are you sure?" Kai asked, casting a dark glance up at the girls. "That also means this lot is trained as well."
Siren smirked. "Trained or not, there's a big difference between fighting against villains…and your friends." She snapped her fingers. On cue, Bakugo, Kirishima, Mineta, and Kaminari circled around the girls. Ochako and the others suddenly found themselves falling down as Dark Shadow released them. As they landed roughly on their feet, Tokoyami and Midoriya completed the circle that had the girls surrounded. Siren and Kai stood outside the loop, watching with amusement.
"You girls are in luck. Today you get a first row seat to my stage act." She pulled her pink hair into a high ponytail, as one of Kai's tentacles reached over and handed her a microphone. He took out a pair of earbuds, stuffing them into his ears as he pushed a button on his phone. Instantly, poppy techno music began to play.
"What's going on here?" Kyoka asked, watching warily as sparks sizzled dangerously from Kaminari's hands as he stood before her.
"Oh, didn't I mention?" Siren asked, taking off her skirt and revealing tight black dancing shorts underneath. "I always like to test my new recruits out to see what kind of quirks they have." She twirled, striking an idol pose. "And what better way of doing that than to have them battle against you girls? I get to see my boys in action and you all…" She held the mic to her ruby, red lips, winking. "Get eliminated! Now let's get this show started!"
Author's Note: A Ningyo is a fish-like mermaid creature from Japanese myth. There's an old folk tale of a fisherman catching one and a young lady eating its flesh, not knowing it was a Ningyo. She became immortal and lived for 800 years before finally killing herself after being widowed so many times.