The Curse Begins

"Another", said Midnight as she put the glass down. "You've gone through at least twenty five shots", said the bartender. "Just get me one more drink and I'll get out of here". Just then, there was a knock on the bar beside her. "Hey, bartender, leave the bottle", said a confident voice, "Her drinks are on me". "Sure thing, Tom", said the bartender. Midnight turned to see Thomas Azure pouring himself a drink. "I thought you'd be home by now", she slurred. "My team has gone home for the night", said Thomas, "We just turned in some...interesting paperwork to Nezu. By the way, word in the school says they're looking for a new homeroom teacher".

"Perfect", said Midnight as she reached for the bottle. She put to her lips, only to spit the liquid into Thomas' face! "This is water", she growled, "Water". "Duh", said Thomas as he wiped his face into his leather jacket, "When I eventually figure out how to reverse that slight of hand, the vine girl in Class B is in for one Hell of a surprise". He handed some cash to the bartender and placed a gentle hand on Midnight's shoulder. "Come on, let's get you home", said Thomas. "OK", sighed Midnight as she stumbled out the door with Thomas.

Some time later, Midnight stared blankly at the street lights as Thomas drove her to her home. "You don't have to do this", she said, "Save your energy for someone who needs it". "Already did", said Thomas as he made a right, "You told me that a Hero has time for even the smallest of problems, remember?" "Unfortunately", mumbled Midnight as her eyes fluttered, "How come you're not with the rest of the Egyptians or whatever?" "'Cause I know what you're going through…and I want to help you", said Thomas, his gaze growing distant. "You had kids who died? I doubt it", said Midnight as she turned away. "It doesn't have to be kids", said Thomas, "My Uncle Jaune and I both lost a friend at the Fall of Beacon. You'd have loved her, she thought about things in a similar way to you when you were just starting out." "I doubt that", said Midnight as the car finally pulled up to the front of a mansion. Thomas leaned his head out the window to speak into the intercom.

"Yeah, hi", he said, "I've got the lady of the house here. If you;d just let us in so I can get her to bed, that'd be great". "A poor choice of words, sir, but the sentiment is appreciated", said the distinguished voice of a butler as the front gates opened. Thomas drove to the front of the mansion, getting out of his car to look up at the golden lights and front-yard fountain with bronze dolphins. Thomas whistled, impressed by the wealth on display. "Damn, and I thought I had it all", he said as two men showed up to help Midnight out of the car, "I didn't think Hero work in Japan payed this much". "It was my husband's", said Midnight. "You'll have to introduce me to him sometime", said Thomas. "I can't", said Midnight, "He died...when Momo turned six". Thomas didn't show it, though his features displayed his inward sorrow. "I'm sorry", he said. "We'll take care of Midnight, Mr. Azure", said one of the Midnight Boys. "OK, let me know if anything comes up and keep her away from any alcohol", said Thomas, "Good night, Nemuri". "Good night", said Midnight as she wandered in a daze back into the mansion.

The next morning, as the sun began its ascent into the rose-colored sky, a young girl awoke in strange surroundings. She groggily scanned the room with tired eyes, seeing medical diagrams on the walls. As she sat up, she felt a pang in her head, causing her to wince in minor agony. "Gentle, look", said a voice, "She's awake". She looked over to see a man with gray hair matching his short beard and a short woman with twin pigtails awakening. "That she is", yawned the man. "Wh...Who are you two?", asked the girl. "Of course, where are our manners?", asked the man, "I'm Gentle Criminal and this is my partner, La Brava. The better question is what I should call you, my dear. What's your name?"

"I...I don't remember", the girl said, "I'm sorry". "Think nothing of it", said Gentle Criminal, "We warned of this sort of thing by your doctor. It's quite fortunate that your belongings survived with your vigilante costume". "Vigilante costume?", the girl asked. "Well, you are a bit on the young side to be a Pro Hero", said La Brava. "Perhaps there's something among the trinkets in her costume that could help reveal who she is", suggested Gentle Criminal. "Let's see", said La Brava as she placed the items on the bed, spreading them out across the girl's legs.

"There's probably something in the belt", said Gentle Criminal. The girl looked it over, shattered memories haunting her mind as she reached into the pouches, finding mundane utilities like a Swiss army knife and some skeleton keys. Then, she found it. A lamented card with her picture and, most importantly, her name. "Momo Ya...Yao Yo...this name", said the girl. "Ah, Momo, a fine name indeed", said Gentle Criminal. "I think I know where I've heard it before", said La Brava, "Let me Google it real quick". As she typed something into her laptop, Momo looked over the student ID. "It says I'm a Hero student, but what Hero school would allow a costume like this?", she asked, looking over the lewd leotard. "Well, we thought you were a vigilante for this reason, though now your youth makes a smidgen more sense", said Gentle Criminal.

"Here it is", said La Brava, "Apparently, you were in the UA Sports Festival. You even fought our toughest opponents to a stand-still in the King of the Mountain Challenge". "Oh, yes", said Momo as she saw herself fighting alongside some other girls she didn't recognize against hordes of other students, as well as the gigantic Green Gorilla. Momo marveled as she beheld her own strength and leadership, amazed that she was the girl on that screen. But then, she saw herself in the most humiliating situation, running away weeping while wearing a cheerleader outfit as the whole crowd laughed at her. "Why am I wearing that?", she asked, "A...are they laughing at me?" "Those fools", growled Gentle Criminal, "How could they laugh at such potential?" "Who would do such a thing?", asked La Brava.

Momo noticed a few people among the laughing crowds that caught her attention. One was a short boy with purple balls for hair high-fiving a blonde boy with a black streak of hair that resembled a lightning bolt. Her eyes scanned the paused screen to see two other smug blondes, the sight of one of them causing Gentle Criminal to scowl. "Monoma", he growled. "You know him?", asked Momo. "Know him?", asked Gentle Criminal, "Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one who put those cads up to the idea of the prank". Momo's scowl matched that of the man beside her as she watched the rest of the Sports Festival, finally seeing the last match between the other blonde and the Green Gorilla. The blonde's pre-fight trash talk made his lust for her evident. "No", said Momo, "He's involved as well. It must have been his idea as well".

"A sound deduction", said Gentle Criminal. As Momo saw the conclusion of the Sports Festival, she noted that the blonde was chained to the podium while the other winners graciously accepted their medals. She wondered how people so villainous wound up going to the top Hero school while she was left adrift in the ocean. Maybe they did it on purpose. That made sense to Momo, and the more sense it made, the angrier she got.

"You feel it, don't you?", asked Gentle Criminal, "The rage of rejection. The curse that is being kind and being rewarded with mockery and vitriol. It feels villainous, but at the same time, righteous". "Yes", said Momo coldly, "It does feel righteous. UA left me to die at sea, a mistake that will cost them".

She noticed the book and flipped through its contents, thankful that the watertight bag had saved it. As she looked through chemical structures and diagrams, she noticed a page detailing the way to make a matryoshka doll. She scoffed upon seeing the toy and flipped over to the more interesting pages. Long buried memories took root as she recounted how her Creation Quirk would construct the item she desired as her hand sparkled. After but a moment of concentration, Momo found herself holding a silver dagger. Gentle Criminal raised an eyebrow.

"They thought the sea would be my grave", growled Momo, "Instead, it is my salvation. If being a villain is what this so-called Hero school desires of its students, so then shall I be a villain. Like the mythical Tiamat, the sea has given birth to the ultimate destroyer!" "Tiamat, eh?", mused Gentle Criminal, "As villains ourselves, we do love the sound of that, my dear". The newly christened villain and her allies began to plot for the day ahead.

On Monday, over at UA, classes were just beginning. Tsuyu could tell the class was in for a tough time when she saw how sullen Izuku was. Actually, scratch that. The whole class looked forlorn over the loss of Momo. Tsuyu also had the feeling that Aizawa was going to be...less than sympathetic upon hearing their feelings. But to her surprise, it wasn't Aizawa who entered the classroom. Instead, it was the class' former enemy, Lady Nagant. The appearance of the former League of Villains sniper snapped everyone out of their depressive state.

"I take you're surprised to see me", she said softly. "To say the least", muttered Sero. "I'll make a long story short", said Lady Nagant, "Your old teacher was fired for negligence from last week's rescue simulation. On that note, I was informed of what happened to your friend. I'm sorry that you had to bear witness to such loss". Tsuyu thought she saw Lady Nagant wiping away her own tears. Or maybe she was soothing the pains from her scars. Nothing could surprise Tsuyu at this point.

After class was over, the students made their way to the cafeteria for lunch, leaving Lady Nagant alone in her thoughts. The peace didn't last long as Midnight stumbled into the classroom. "I was wondering who had replaced Aizawa", she said. "I'm just as surprised", said Lady Nagant, "I guess the mandatory teaching classes went a long way, huh?" Midnight slowly stepped forward, making Lady Nagant shift in her seat nervously. "This classroom", sighed Midnight, "It feels empty. Hollow." "I'm sorry about what happened to your daughter", said Lady Nagant. "Thank you", said Midnight, "I wish you could have met her".

Out in the cafeteria, Kyoka could hear it. It was her Quirk, after all, hearing even the most minute sound. But this time, the sound of Izuku's heart beginning to race was starting to become as loud as a locomotive. Her eyes darted between the green-haired boy and his hated rival, Bakugo. "What a rip-off", he loudly declared, "I thought this was a Hero school, not Villain rehab". Izuku glared, but said nothing. "That slut bag should be back in Tartarus where she belongs", Bakugo continued, "I'll bet she only got in here because she likes the sex more than the job, just like Yao…" But before he could finish, Izuku launched a nasty haymaker that sent Bakugo sprawling out on the floor! "Iida, the inevitable's happening", said Kyoka, "Get a teacher, now!"

Bakugo groaned in pain as Izuku stood over him, barely being held back by Mina, Ochako, Koda, Shoji, and Kaminari. "You bitch", growled Bakugo, "You should be the one bleeding". "Midori, don't", said Mina firmly, "You'll give him what he wants". "Listen to them, Host Body", said Monkey as Izuku's face changed, "Bomb Boy wants you to fight him". "Then I won't disappoint him", snarled Izuku as his face changed back, "I'm not going to let him talk about them like that!"

CRACK!

The sound of a whip turned everyone's attention toward Iida and Midnight, the usually jovial R-Rated Heroine glaring down upon Bakugo. "While violence is an inevitability in the Hero Course, I would advise not using it during your lunch break", she said coldly. Izuku wisely backed down, but Bakugo was already putting up his fists. "If you wish to get rough and rowdy with each other", Midnight, "Then I can arrange something to burn off the excess energy in your next class". "You bet your sweet ass I want something arranged", snarled Bakugo, "That shitty Deku thinks he can hit me and walk? Fat chance!" Midnight said nothing, then turned to Izuku. "Midoriya, do you accept the challenge presented?", she asked, coiling her whip. Izuku looked to his friends, noticing Ochako shaking her head. He considered what he was about to do carefully. He knew he shouldn't do it, but Bakugo crossed a line too many times. "I accept your challenge, Bakugo", Izuku said firmly.

So, it was settled. As Bakugo and Izuku, both clad in their respective Hero costumes, walked out onto the field, Bakugo felt unsettled. For the first time in probably years, Izuku did not call him Kacchan. The feelings of dread continued to mount as All Might announced the match over the speakers, members of Classes 1-A and 1-B watching in anticipation. "All right, combatants", he declared, "The rules are as follows. There will be no attacking the eyes or ears. There will be no kicking you opponent when they are down. There will be no gloating. Do you understand these rules and others not mentioned?" "I do", said the combatants. "Then, BEGIN!"

Bakugo rocketed forward as Izuku transformed into the Green Gorilla! The ape easily tanked one of Bakugo's blasts before kicking him back! Midnight watched from the shadows as the Green Gorilla charged while beating his chest, leaping out of the way of another explosion before sending Bakugo flying up with a single punch! As he came falling down, the Green Gorilla caught him and tossed him against a wall! Before Bakugo could use his grenade gauntlets, the Green Gorilla pulled a pipe out of the wall, spraying his opponent with water!

The Green Gorilla turned back into Izuku and kicked Bakugo in the face! Bakugo then grabbed a piece of rebar and swung forward, only for Izuku to block the attack with a roundhouse kick! He then punched Bakugo in the nose before kicking him in the chin, sending him flying to ground! "Apologize", said Izuku coldly, "Now". "For what!?", yelled Bakugo as he punched Izuku in the stomach, "For telling the truth!? That sluts like those don't deserve to be called Heroes!?" He threw another punch, only for Izuku to catch it as he transformed into the Green Gorilla! He roared before slamming his fist onto Bakugo, then stomping on him!

Bakugo struggled to free himself as Izuku turned back, his foot still atop his chest. "You don't get to say that about her, or anyone", said Izuku as water from the broken pipe hit him like rain, "Not when you're the reason Yaomomo is gone. I told you not to use your explosions on the ship, but you chose the option that made you look strong. That's the real irony. You only look strong, but you're the weakest member of the class." He took his foot off of Bakugo's chest, leaving the boy staring at him in terror. "You should have died instead", Izuku said softly, before turning his back in Bakugo and walking away, leaving his opponent on the ground. "Bakugo, you have lost", All Might announced. The words barely registered. Izuku had let out all of his anger, all of his hate and for what? The emptiness of a lonely heart? The numbness of vengeance? It wasn't even worth it.

To be continued...