Hey everyone! So glad you liked chapter one! So just a heads up, some of these chapters are going to flip from present day to the past. I'll try my best to illustrate when this flip happens. But essentially, the story is going to focus on the real rescue of Bakugo and then dealing with the aftermath. This chapter is REALLY long, but it's a lot of build up for what's to come!
Hope you all enjoy! Please leave a review.
Chapter Two - Aftermath, Life Without Him
Music: So Cold by Ben Cocks
"Make sure you studied for your exam tomorrow." Aizawa said in his tired voice. Class 1-A hasn't been the same for a long time, and the empty seat in front of Izuku didn't help but pull at that heart string. Aizawa turned to leave the class to their studying, fully aware that a certain green haired boy was staring somberly at the empty desk in front of him. As soon as the door to the classroom closed, Izuku opened his notebook and started scribbling his notes in his notebook.
Class 1-A was never the same since Bakugo's kidnapping, but they all knew that his disappearance had a huge affect on Midoriya. After the battle with All For One and All Might's retirement, All Might and Izuku have been working with the Detective Tsukauchi on leads concerning Bakugo's wearabouts. In the first month, Izuku went at his search alone, but when All Might found out, he thought it better to at least let him do this so he didn't endanger himself. But he didn't let the teachers know that he knew some classified information on Bakugo's kidnapping. And All Might especially made it clear that he wasn't to go on any sort of missions either. After the first rescue attempt, Izuku, Todoroki, Iida, Yaoyorozu, and Kirishima were all suspended for a week, although Aizawa ensured them they got a light punishment.
During these four months, one thing all of Class 1-A saw was that Izuku didn't smile as much. He was still kind to people, but he was just numbly present. Uraraka especially missed it when he would mutter information about the quirks of heroes; he never paid attention to that as much. They all wished that he would go back to normal, and that Bakugo would return. Despite his temper and foul mouth, they missed it greatly.
As soon as Aizawa left, Izuku pulled out a black notebook that he got four months ago and continued his notes. Kirishima routinely got up and sat in Bakugo's seat, pulling out his phone; silently offering to help with Izuku's research. Kirishima didn't know that Izuku was working with All Might on his search, but learned not to ask questions when Izuku was in his thinking mood.
"I finished doing as much research as I can on all the villains that were working with Tomura Shigaraki," Izuku said softly to the red head. "Now that all of their backgrounds are in order, we could cross-reference their homes and see if there are any leads-I mean give it to All Might to go look for leads."
Kirishima frowned as he looked at the classroom door. He couldn't give up on Bakugo, and there were many days that he wished the explosive teen would walk right through the door. He helped Izuku in his research how he saw fit. He suspected that Izuku got his information from All Might, but never said anything since he didn't want to pry.
"I can't believe it's been four months," Kirishima sighed putting his head down on Izuku's desk. Izuku paused writing and the two began to reflect on that night. "It feels like it was yesterday." Izuku turned to the door to see Todoroki walk out, a pang twisting in Izuku's chest as the boy left.
"He still not talking to you?" Kirishima said softly. Izuku grimaced and went back to his notebook.
"He's not talking to anyone much really," Izuku tried. "Momo has been trying to get him to talk. But I know it's because he's beating himself up about what happened."
***FLASHBACK***
Todoroki crashed to the ground, clutching his arm that decayed because of Tomura. He looked up wide eyes and saw the gate was closed and no one was there. Once again, Bakugo was gone. Pain filled his chest when he heard All Might and Izuku scream at the sight. He could hear Dabi's words echo in his head:
Poor little Shoto Todoroki.
Once again, he was too slow to get to Bakugo. Too slow to save his classmate. Frustrated tears threatened to escape him, but he held them back at the sound of All For One's laughter. He looked back and was paralyzed by the intensity of All For One. Shoto felt helpless, the same way Stain made him feel. His thoughts were telling him that he was too weak to do anything.
"'Warping' plus 'Shock Inversion'!" All For One called out. Todoroki watched as he warped Gran Torino in front of All Might's punch.
"I'm sorry!" All Might called out, in deep pain from the shock inversion. Todoroki could only watch as All For One taunted All Might. The Symbol of Piece grabbed hold of Gran Torino and Todoroki had to brace himself as the pro hero went in for the punch.
"Detroit Smash!" He screamed. The wind blew rapidly, and Todoroki's foot slipped out of the rope he was tied to and tumbled back a few feet. Yaoyorozu, who was previously shaking in shock in all that happened finally snapped out of it when she saw Todoroki slip out of her rope.
"You negate the attack huh?" All For One exclaimed once the wind died down. Shoto looked up, seeing All Might spit up blood.
"This is really bad," Todoroki exclaimed. He looked back to where Yaoyorozu was still hiding behind the wall and saw the rope was a few feet away from him. "I just made myself vulnerable. I have to get out of here quickly."
Shoto went to stand when his left arm seared in pain. He clutched it, finally assessing how bad Tomura had got him.
"Heroes have a lot of things they need to protect," All For One sneered. Shoto looked up to see All For One staring right at him. "Don't they?"
"You always toy with people like that!" All Might roared. "You break them! Steal from them! Take advantage and control them! You already took one student whose goal is to be a great hero!" All Might suddenly launched himself forward and grabbed at All For One's left wrist. Everyone watched as All Might went in for another sickening blow.
"I CANNOT FORGIVE THAT!" He screamed as he pinned down All For One on the ground.
Izuku watched in tears as All Might pinned down the villain in the distance. It was hard to process everything, so much was happening. He had to concentrate on their current situation. He looked to Iida and Kirishima who seemed to be struggling with the same predicament. Izuku turned back to the field and saw in the distance Todoroki clutching his hand. Seeing him hurt snapped Izuku back into reality.
"Todoroki and Yaoyorozu are still down there!" Izuku snapped. "He's hurt and we need to get them out of there!"
"We can't just go running in," Iida warned. "That man has a powerful set of quirks. Did you see how he halted Gran Torino's efforts?"
"We need to do something," Kirishima tried. "We can't just leave them there!"
"I know we can't!" Iida yelled. "But what exactly can we do without distracting All Might?" Izuku then remembered All Might's time limit. He looked down to see All Might get blasted up towards a helicopter. Thankfully, Gran Torino caught him.
Todoroki could only watch as All For One began spouting words he knew were trying to get to All Might. Suddenly, the dark villain lifted up his hand, preparing a huge blast.
"Big one's coming!" Gran Torino warned as he leaped away. "Dodge and counter!"
"Not everyone is so fast!" He sneered, pointing his arm directly at Todoroki. His eyes widened at the intensity the blast was building up to. He knew that even if he went to run, there was no way he was going to dodge it. Not even an ice wall in time could block it, but with his left arm damaged, he wasn't sure he would've been able to make a huge wall in time.
Izuku gasped when he saw All For One point his blast towards Todoroki. His legs moved instinctively to try and run to Todoroki, but Iida held him back once again. Kirishima rose to his feet and the three watched in fear.
"Watch out!" Gran Torino called out, trying to make it to Todoroki in time.
"I will obliterate everyone you protected!"
"Todoroki no!" Izuku screamed.
In the last second, All Might jumped in front of Todoroki and held his ground to try and take on the majority of the blast. Grand Torino was blown away at the impact and Todoroki was barely able to hold on with how much force was made. Yaoyorozu yelped at the intensity as some of the wall that protected her chipped away. She looked up, seeing she wasn't hurt and mentally was relieved. But then she remembered Todoroki and looked out in a panic as the smoke cleared.
The three teens on the roof looked down, Izuku unable to hold back his fearful tears as he waited for the smoke to clear. They were all begging that Todoroki was okay.
The half white and red haired boy looked up and saw the smaller All Might standing in front of him, panting heavily on his feet. All Mights secret was finally out. The whole world watched as the Symbol of Piece in his weakened state stood there. The chants of the crowd ushering him to beat All For One, even as the Villain taunted him with the origin of Tomura Shigaraki.
"Fear not Todoroki," All Might called back to him as he forced his right arm bigger. Todoroki sat there in awe at the number one hero. "I'm not done yet!"
"I will defeat you!"
"Oh really?" All For One snickered as he rose higher in the air. All Might and Todoroki grimaced as he rose his arm once again pointing at their direction.
"There's no way he can still block that attack!" Shoto realized then. "What do I do?" All Might braced himself, thinking only of protecting Todoroki in this moment. He planted his feet bracing for impact.
"You have what? Two or three punches left?"
Suddenly, All For One was attacked by a whirlwind of flames. Todoroki and All Might gasped, recognizing them instantly.
"Are you serious?" Endeavor snarled, landing powerfully next to All Might directly in front of Shoto. "What the hell is going on with that weak little body!" Suddenly, edge shot appeared behind him, holding Yaoyorozu in his arms.
"Todoroki-kun!" She called out to him. Shoto relaxed seeing all these heroes ready to fight All For One.
"Get these two out of here," Endeavor said with a growl in his voice. "Dammit All Might!"
"Father." Shoto called out. Endeavor peaked back and met Shoto's eyes. It was a look he didn't recognize. There were so many emotions in them that Shoto barely recognized them in his eyes. He turned back to All Might fiercely.
"Stand up and show them why you're better!" He screamed.
"If the only reason you're here is to cheer him on," All For One scowled. "I'd prefer you to remain silent!"
"Think again mad man!" Edge shot screamed, throwing off the blast that was aimed at them all previously. "We are here to assist!" Suddenly, Todoroki and Yaoyorozu felt a large twig wrap around their waists as they were pulled backwards away from the fight.
"That's our jobs as heroes!" Kamui Woods called out, taking all the unconscious heroes and civilians away. Yaoyorozu and Todoroki could no longer hear what was being said by the pros and All For One in the distance, the wind blowing too rapidly to pick up on anything.
"Even you three!" Kamui called out, grabbing Izuku, Iida, and Kirishima on his way towards the city. The five of them being taken to the open hospital in the safety zones where everyone was evacuated to. It was during this time that Izuku was silently sobbing. The farther they got from the wreckage, the more he thought about Bakugo and the fact that he was gone. All five of them didn't say anything the whole way back.
"I know Todoroki blames himself," Izuku whispered sadly. "But to be honest, I think everyone blames themselves."
"Maybe you should try talking to him again?" Kirishima tried. "Maybe he needs to hear it from you again that you don't think it's his fault."
"The sooner we find Kachaan, the better," Izuku said, forcing himself to be cheerful about the situation. The two then continued to silently work until school was over and it was time to head to the dorms. Izuku hastily packed up his things and rushed out the door to head to All Might in one of the conference rooms.
Uraraka see's Deku leaving and rushes out the door to follow him with Iida close behind her.
"Deku!" She calls out as cheerful as possible! He hesitates, but forces a smile on his face. Uraraka lowers her head a bit, knowing the smile was a facade, but still approaches him.
"I was thinking, it's been a while since we all hung out, you know?" She tried cautiously. "Maybe...we could go watch a movie tonight?" Deku lowered his head, just staring at his feet.
"I would, but I have some studying I need to do," Izuku spoke softly. He looked up and met Uraraka's sad eyes and tried doing another smile. "But thanks anyways-"
"Well why don't we do lunch instead then right now," Iida interjected, pulling Uraraka with him. "We can all just eat and then we shall leave you to your studies in the evening Midoriya." Deku looked to the both of them, remembering the words exchanged at the police station after All Might's fight.
"I was just trying to make sure everyone stays safe!" Iida scolded Izuku.
"But we could've saved him!" Izuku sobbed. "I could've reached him! We could have gotten him back-"
"It was too dangerous in the first place. Villains were everywhere and there was no way I could let you put yourself in danger!"
"But they have Kachaan!" Izuku sobbed. The boy collapsed in the middle of the room, and none of the other four teens knew what to say or do.
Izuku knew that Iida felt horrible about what he did, and time has made Izuku understand his reasons. But all he thought about was Bakugo, and how he needed to help get him back.
"Just a quick thirty minutes can help give the mind proper nutrition," Iida said in a light manner, ushering both Uraraka and Izuku to follow. The brown haired girl was thankful that Iida helped get Deku to come to get food, but she still felt a pang in her chest. She wanted to help her friend, but she honestly didn't know how. Each time she tried to make him feel better, she knew it didn't actually help. "So where were you thinking of going Uraraka?"
"O-oh!" She said with a quick smile. "I was thinking that place that Deku likes? Or we can go try some ramen."
"I think Ramen would be a good choice. Right Midoriya?"
"S-sure," he said softly. "Do you guys mind if I stop by to see All Might first?"
"Of course, we'll go with you." Iida insisted. Izuku just nodded with a emotionless smile as Iida continued to try to make conversation with the two. Uraraka kept chiming in, but also constantly stared at Izuku. He acted like he was engaged in what they were saying, even there were moments that he actually spoke. But the two could tell that he was hurting.
As they approached one of the counseling rooms, all three of them could clearly hear people yelling in the room. Izuku cautiously went up to the door when it suddenly opened. The three teens froze when they saw All Might open the door. He hadn't noticed the three yet, for he was still looking at the staff who were in the room.
"I do not agree to this!" All Might yelled. "Think of young Bakugo!" At the mention of his name, the three teens froze and Izuku went pale.
"It's been four months and even after tracing back the leads on all the villains associated with All For One, nothing has been found," an unfamiliar voice spoke. The police cannot afford to use their resources on one missing boy when we have many other cases we need to work on."
"But the public will be furious if we announce that we aren't pursuing the kidnapping of Bakugo," Principal Nezu exclaimed. "The repercussions and questions around that will be devastating to the school. We could be shut down-"
"Not to mention the boy's parents," Aizawa snapped. "You're asking us to give up on Bakugo. Like it's a lost cause!"
"Send in heroes to the investigation!" All Might pleaded. "There are plenty of staff here alone who'd be willing to volunteer-"
"I volunteer." Aizawa exclaimed.
"All Might, you know the teachers need to remain at the school," The unfamiliar voice spoke tiredly. "And the other pro heroes have their own agencies to run. It's not even in their jurisdiction, it is a police matter to keep the investigation going. We can't keep wasting our time hitting dead ends."
"There must be something we could do!" All Might insisted. "I could-"
"You're avoiding the other possibility," The voice spoke. "It's been four 's officially a cold case. Every small lead we thought we found has lead us no closer to the league of villains than it had four months ago. And besides...it's more than likely that Bakugo has either joined them...or is dead."
"How can you say something like that-" All Might stopped when he turned his head and saw the three students standing numbly in the hallway. At the word dead, both Uraraka and Izuku had tears streaming down their cheeks. Iida stood numbly as he barely fought through his emotions. The staff inside all froze when All Might finally spoke.
"Young Midoriya, I'm-"
Izuku couldn't take it. He couldn't believe what they are were saying. That they had to give up on Bakugo, making it a cold case. That they think he's a villain now or dead. Izuku could practically picture Bakugos wounded body from that night. He could picture his body motionless. Izuku turned on his heel and sprinted away down the hall. He felt his power surge as he used full cowling rush out of the school grounds; tears pouring out of his eyes.
"Deku wait!" Uraraka sobbed. She felt horrible for Izuku, but even she didn't take the news of Bakugo's case well. This was the boy that didn't hold back on her at the sports festival. The boy that seemed fearless and gave everything he got when it came to being a hero. There was no way that he could be...dead. But now the possibility seemed plausible and she couldn't stop crying for reasons she didn't fully understand.
Aizawa raced out of the room with all the other teachers and police officers in tow. He looked at his two distraught students and hissed at the lead detective Daido.
"We will discuss this later." Aizawa snapped. "Nothing has been agreed to."
"I expect you all then at my office tomorrow evening to finalize things." Detective Daido sighed. All the police left, except for Detective Tsukauchi who put a hand on All Might's shoulder.
"I'll do what I can All Might." He promised, then silently followed his colleagues. All Might then pushed past the rest of the teachers who didn't know what to say to comfort the numb Iida and crying Uraraka.
"Ai-aizawa sensei?" Uraraka finally forced out. All eyes were on the girl now. "Promise me you won't give up on him? You teach us every day that a true hero never gives up!" The teachers all gasped as they lowered their heads at the girls words. The tired pro-hero looked back towards the other heroes who seemed to all understand one another.
"Don't give up on Bakugo, please!" Uraraka choked out. Aizawa simply placed his hand on her shoulder, making her look up at the pro.
"We'd be a disgrace to heroes if we did that."
Izuku ran.
He ran to clear his mind with no destination in mind. He just didn't want to stop. He kept thinking of Bakugo and the tears couldn't stop pouring. He didn't want to accept it, he refused to. He finally slowed down and realized where he subconsciously ran to. It was the park where he and Bakugo would play as kids. They would play Bakugo Hero Agency; this just made Izuku sob some more. He looked up and saw his apartment building, noting that his house had the lights on. Izuku sprinted up the stairs, thinking of the one person who could make him feel better in this moment.
He made it to the door and knocked on it after catching his breath. The door opened softly, but then Inko Midoriya swung it open wildly and pulled her son into a tight hug when she saw Izuku so sad.
She didn't say anything, except just guide Izuku inside and brought him on the couch. Izuku just held onto his mother tightly, letting out all of his sadness into her. After what felt like a lifetime, Izuku sniffled and finally croaked out his words.
"Mom? Y-you don't think Kachaan is dead do you?" Inko just gasped and pulled her son away to meet his eyes.
"I've seen some pretty powerful heroes in my years Izuku," Inko said calmly. "But in all my years, watching you and Katsuki grow up together, I don't have a doubt in my mind that he is giving his best." At those words, Izuku just nodded and accepted her answer. Bakugo has to be alive, he has to.
Inko wanted to remain strong for Izuku, not fill up his head with too much hope so it gets burned down. The truth was, she honestly didn't know. Izuku spent the rest of the evening with his mom, she made him a nice meal and they talked about how school was going; doing their best not to bring up Bakugo. A while after, Izuku decided to check out his old bedroom. He saw that everything was exactly how he left it, except for the mail and a few packages that was left on his bed. He sat down just as his mom knocked and checked in on him.
"Oh, you got some mail, but I figured I was going to stop by UA and give it to you when I visited next!" Inko smiled. Izuku nodded as he put all the mail and small packages in a bag to go with some extra food. Inko kissed her son goodbye as he walked back to UA.
It took him about half an hour, but he finally made it back. He didn't really want to see anyone. He wasn't sure if news broke out about the detectives wanting to make Bakugos case a cold case. Thinking about that alone just made him sad and depressed.
He rushed upstairs, averting his eyes from everyone in the common room area as he went upstairs to his room. Among those who watched him hurriedly escape upstairs was the blue and grey eyed teenager.
Izuku plopped down on his bed, unable to help himself from crying more. As much as things had changed between him and his childhood best friend, he missed him terribly. He still cared about him, despite where they stood. He grew depressed thinking that he'd never see him again, and numbly started opening up some of his mail. It was a few letters from Kota who had been writing to him, admittedly those did make him feel a bit better. One of the packages was another All Might souvenir that he ordered a while ago but forgot he ordered.
A soft knock echoed on the door as Izuku went to open up the other package. Izuku hesitated before finally going to the door. He opened it, expecting it to be Iida when he was shocked to see Todoroki in front of him.
"T-todoroki," Izuku stuttered. "W-what are you doing here?"
"Can we talk?" He said simply. Izuku nodded slowly, but offered him to come in. He closed the door behind him and the two sat on Izuku's bed. It took a minute for Todoroki to actually say something, Izuku nervously fidgeted with his fingers not knowing what to do.
"I-is there something you wanted to-"
"I thought you were furious with me Midoriya," Shoto said suddenly, catching Izuku off guard. "You said you could have reached him that night. I started to wonder if our roles were reversed, Bakugo would probably been saved already."
"Todoroki-kun, that's not what I thought at all!" Izuku said sadly. "I never blamed you or anyone for what happened, except for myself. I'm sorry I made you think that I was angry with you." Todoroki just nodded, feeling relief that he wasn't angry.
"I...I heard what the detectives said," he spoke cautiously. "Uraraka was crying about it in the common room and I overheard her when she was with the girls. You must know that the teachers at UA aren't going to give up on Bakugo."
"Todoroki-kun," Izuku hesitated. "Do you think Kachaan could still be alive?" Todoroki's expression was unreadable, Izuku gulped back his nervousness when Todoroki looked at the ground.
"I hope so." was all Todoroki could honestly say. Izuku understood, there were an endless possibilities on what's going on with Bakugo. But the idea of death was too much to handle. Todoroki saw Midoriya lower his head and he moved to stand up. "I'm glad we talked. I'll leave you to what you were doing."
Izuku hesitated, wanting to keep talking with Todoroki, but he didn't know what else to say. The half red and white haired boy felt the exact same way. Izuku sighed heavily, mindlessly opening up the last package when settling on the fact that Todoroki was leaving. Shoto had just put his hand on the door when he heard Izuku gasp.
He turned to Izuku, immediately on alert seeing his shaking frame. Izuku was trembling, the package falling out of his hands. Todoroki rushed forward as Izuku collapsed to his knees, trying his best to keep him steady. He peered into the box and almost collapsed himself at what he saw.
Inside the box was a cell phone, strands of blonde hair, a piece of black cloth that seemed to be drenched in blood, and a picture of Bakugo's face beaten to a pulp.
See yall next time! Let me know what you think, there is more to come!
