Author's Note:

Hello again! Since a lot of this story is already written, I'll update frequently. Any questions are welcome, as well as general commentary. Or you can just read in silence and have fun.

~The Cursed One

"You're devious, you know that?" I made sure his backpack was secure on his back as we waited for the train. We'd come to look at the trains come and go before, but never had we gotten in one. "You just knew I wouldn't be able to say no."

Moe showed no signs of remorse as he bounced on the balls of his feet, his long brown coat dancing as he did. Part of me was excited too; I had been to the city when I was very young and couldn't remember much more than it being loud and colorful. Going to visit seemed like a dream. Well, like a rollercoaster; frightening but hopefully ultimately alright.

The train pulled into the station and I held Moe's hand tightly. We stepped on.

"Juniper!" Aaron, who often took tickets, exclaimed, "And little Moe. I never thought I'd see the day; finally getting out of here? Mrs. Bead will chase after you."

"We're just going for a night." I told him, "It's Moe's birthday."

"Oh yeah? Happy birthday, kid!" He ruffled Moe's hair, "Tell you what, there are two free seats on the second row, why don't you go snatch them so you can enjoy the view?"

I had Moe take the window seat and buckled us up. As the engine started, a safety video started up.

"Hello and thank you for riding with us! As we prepare for departure to Musutafu City, please bear the following safety procedures in mind. In the event of a collision, calmly reach the emergency exits that are marked clearly by the red signs. If you suspect a villain attack, discreetly let the train personnel know. If a villain attack occurs, do your best to stay calm and wait for the heroes to arrive. This is a low-priority line, so an attack is unlikely."

I glared nervously at Moe, but his look told me there was no going back.

We took the early morning train, so we rolled into Musutafu before noon. The bustle and rush of city folk seemed almost stereotypically accurate. After receiving a glare or two myself, I advised Moe not to stare at people with noticeable physical quirks. We hurried out of the station and down the street. Finally, we made it; Main Street. There was a big bridge that crossed overhead, and people would bike alongside cars, walk alongside bikes. The street seemed to stretch comically long, up a hill and out of sight. It was so wide too! There was a little island in the middle of the street with a monument of some sort. It was a statue depicting the hero even I would recognize: All Might.

"Want to get a picture there?" Before I could turn to see Moe's response, I realized I had stopped walking, which caused the young woman behind me to ram straight into me.

Her notebook flew from her hands, so I quickly rescued it from a sea of trampling shoes.

"My bad!" I said hurriedly as she shot a startled look at me. I held the notebook out, "I think this is yours." She snatched it away.

"Don't touch my things!"

"Okay." Though she seemed meek and thin, her eyes held a sort of purple fury in them. Then, because I didn't want to end the interaction on a sour note, I impulsively added, "I really like your eyes, by the way. I've never seen anyone with purple eyes." She narrowed said eyes at me.

"Because pink is so common." I gave a goofy grin.

"Birds of a feather." With a now good-natured roll of her eyes, she gave a small wave and walked off.

Moe tugged at my sleeve, and I scooped him into my arms.

"Better?" I asked, "There are a lot of people here! So, tourist picture?"

He shook his head.

"Straight to the action. I can appreciate that. Let's ask for direc…. tions." I trailed off as a pedestrian cried out and ran. A car suddenly flew off the bridge and landed in a heap, causing a sudden traffic jam.

The car was half melted with acid.

"Shit!" I hissed as more began to run. I pressed my back against a store wall to let people pass; it would do me no good to get run over. I held Moe tightly.

The bridge railing melted as a woman, whose skin was all pale pink and eyes black as night, gave a vicious grin.
"This is only the beginning!" She called, and before our eyes, began using her acid to melt the center of the bridge… it would collapse. I looked at Moe and he nodded.

"Hold on." I said quietly, taking a deep breath.