Author's Note: Thank you to all who have been commenting and following this story! You can find me on twitter and AO3 too.

Song Inspiration: Rise Up by Zayde Wolf

TWENTY | RISE UP

Shinso cleared the first round of security for entering the Anubis boarding dock. He had received official clearance from both the military and HPSC, but in his opinion the process for boarding hadn't sped up at all. They still patted him down, scanned him, took all his belongings, and gave him the whole spiel about how they'd gun him down if he didn't follow the rules. He crossed through the first security checkpoint.

One man searched him first with his hands then with a wand. Four others stood in each corner of the clear box room. The security claimed he was clear, then he had to step up to the door and place his hand on a scanning pad. When the red light above the door changed to green, a hiss followed by metal clanks sounded. The door rolled open and Shinso walked through, hands at his sides. If he put them in his pockets, they'd tackle him to the ground. The visitors of Anubis were treated very much like they were prisoners as well.

Shinso entered the port of entry facility. He halted upon seeing Eraserhead talking with someone wearing an Anubis Officer Uniform. Two things were strange about the situation before him. First was that Eraserhead was present, the second that an Anubis officer was talking to him in the port of entry. For the past three weeks, Shinso had come to Anubis twice a week to speak with Marionette. The HPSC believed she could be converted over, but they were sorely mistaken, Shinso spent more time discovering just how insane the girl was than getting any information.

"We have a problem," Eraserhead said, turning to Shinso.

He walked toward the two. The officer's name was Tanaka, he was the one that usually brought Marionette into the interrogation chamber. If he was here, something serious had happened.

"What's going on?" Shinso asked, meeting Eraserhead's tired eyes.

Tanaka held up his hand. "It'll be better for you to see it for yourself."

Shinso's brow creased.

"I haven't seen myself," Eraserhead explained, rubbing the back of his neck. "Marionette is dead."

Shinso's eyes widened. That couldn't be right. Anubis protocols and security would have made it impossible for her to have killed herself or let alone anyone else kill her. And if a personnel member had killed her, things would have been different. Actually, he was surprised they were even allowed entry to the dock in the first place.

"It was all caught on surveillance," Tanaka explained and turned, heading for the main gates to the transport boats. "Come on, the Warden is waiting."

"When did it happen?" Shinso followed, walking alongside Eraserhead.

"Yesterday just before midnight." Tanaka entered a passcode on a touchscreen near the security gates. The guards on the other side of the fence stood to attention, forming a human barricade to one of the boats.

"And there was a sweep of the area?" Shinso asked as they crossed the security gates.

Tanaka stopped and turned around to face them. "We went into a level three lockdown, swept the area, ran a full scale investigation of how it could have possibly happened and quite frankly, I don't even know how to explain it and I was watching when it happened."

"So this wasn't an attempt to escape?" Eraserhead asked.

"No," Tanaka shook his head as he turned back toward the boat. "She's dead, so if it was an escape attempt or rescue, it sure as hell didn't go well."

"Was an autopsy done?" Shinso asked as the three boarded.

"Yes, but...look, just wait until we get there. Like I said this is hard to explain and it'll be better if you just see it for yourself." Tanaka walked to the helm and turned the keys in the ignition.

Shinso and Eraserhead sat opposite from one another, looking straight ahead to their destination of Anubis. He still couldn't quite wrap his brain around the fact that Marionette was dead. The fact that Tanaka was being vague about it didn't help matters.

They headed straight for Anubis. The wind blew through Shinso's hair, his arms stretched across the bench seat. Medical checks were done on all inmates of Anubis, not only that they were under constant surveillance, plus they had health monitors secured to their person. A sudden death just seemed impossible to him. There had to have been some sort of signs of underlying factors.

After the boat ride over and another security checkpoint, the three of them entered the Infirmary Ward. Tanaka stopped at the doors of examination room one and turned to face them both. He took in a deep breath and lifted his chin. "This is as far as I go, I'll wait for you here."

Shinso nodded and pushed the door open. Cold air brought goosebumps to his arms as he walked in. Bright fluorescent lights gleamed on the polished linoleum floor and silver doors at the other end of the room. Along the left wall were two large stainless steel sinks, a storage shelf overflowing with safety equipment. Biohazard waste trash cans lined the wall space beside the shelf. To the right were four examine tables, each having a stool and a tray of examining tools at the ready.

At the final table, three people stood with their backs to the main entrance. Shinso crossed the room with Eraser at his side. The smell of sanitizers and industrial cleaners stung Shinso's eyes and nose. As they approached the three figures turned to them, one Shinso recognized immediately as Warden Hiwatari, an older man with a permanent scowl etched on his face. The other two both appeared to be medical personnel as they adorned pale blue scrubs.

"Eraserhead, Shinso," the Warden greeted gruffly. "Tanaka told you about Marionette, I presume."

"Yes," the both replied.

"Prepare yourselves, it's quite gruesome." Warden Hiwatari stepped aside and the two medical personnel stepped back allowing them to get a closer look.

Shinso hadn't been sure what to expect, but what lay on the table before him wasn't it. He sucked in a breath, eyes scanning the mutilated figure on the table. If they hadn't told him it was Marionette, he wouldn't have believed them. Eraserhead covered his mouth and shook his head.

The remains on the table could hardly pass for human. The flesh that remained on the bones was black. A pool of purple and gray liquid covered the metal tray beneath the body. Aside from looking horrific in color, the contorted position of the corpse made Shinso's stomach churn. The head curled back into the spine, shoulders pinched in, while the arms had been twisted to where one palm faced the ceiling and the other faced downward. Shinso shook his head, the ribs had been bent outward as if something had exploded from within. Then the legs, which sent shivers down his spine, were twisted in unnatural ways with one foot facing the head while the other leg was curved outward.

"What the hell," Shinso muttered under his breath. He had never seen anything so terrifying.

Eraserhead licked his lips and turned to Warden Hiwatari. "This was caught on surveillance?"

Warden Hiwatari nodded, and gestured for one of the medical personnel to give him their tablet. He scrolled around, tapped a few times then handed the tablet over. Eraserhead held the tablet and tapped on the screen to play the video.

Marionette sat on the floor at the end of the bed, her back pressed against it. Her long hair veiled her face. She lifted her head toward the ceiling, then rolled in the direction of the camera. A big smile stretched across her face as she reached toward the camera. Then her body convulsed. She hit the ground, arms and legs flopping around her. After a minute of thrashing and violent shakes, she stopped and laid still on the floor. The seconds ticked passed and then she got onto her hands and knees, crawling toward the middle of the room.

"Oh my god," Shinso breathed as she fell to the ground and rolled onto her back. Her body twisted and contorted. Her bones snapped and curled like they were pieces of plastic. The skin on her body darkened, blood pooled around her. She arched her back, arms slapping the ground, jaws clattering open and closed. Her eyes were wide, mouth open as she screamed.

The video ended and Eraserhead handed the tablet back to Warden Hiwatari. "What do we know?"

Warden Hiwatari shook his head. "Not much at all. Dr. Ozuma."

Dr. Ozuma bowed his head and glanced at the mutilated corpse. "We ran tests, and everything was inconclusive. The only explanation I have is a quirk, this wasn't done with poison or anything else."

"The nightmarish event of it all clearly proves this was a quirk," Warden Hiwatari interjected. "I want to know how this happened. None of the current inmates have the ability to do this, nor do any of the personnel. As far as we can tell, this was a freak event and no one within Anubis was involved."

"How certain are you of that?" Shinso asked.

Warden Hiwatari locked eyes with him. "I'd stake my life and career on it."

-xXx-

Endeavor had been a hero for decades and in all that time, he had never come across such a ruthless and merciless slaughtering of pro heroes. Even more so, those who he knew and worked with many times.

"It's unlike you to get all emotional," Hawks said as he walked toward Endeavor with his hands in his pockets.

Endeavor lifted his head toward the cloudless sky. Today was supposed to be his day off, but when he got the call that morning that three pros had been murdered, he came straight to Hamamatsu. When he arrived police had the scene blocked off and Hawks had been present, discouraging the media from recording anything. Until they had more clear answers of what had occurred, they needed to keep things quiet.

"What did you find out?" Endeavor asked, ignoring Hawks previous statement.

"From the ash, our sins will rise."

Endeavor's brow creased as he turned to Hawks, who stretched out a wing in the direction of the alley, leading to the back of the old warehouse. He gestured for Hawks to lead the way. That mantra, he'd heard it before recently. That girl Bakugo had captured had said it according to a report from Eraserhead.

On the backside of the building, several officers were taking photos of the crime scene. Hawks stopped in front of the brick wall beside the shattered window, leading inside. He nodded toward the wall and scrawled in blood were the words: From the ash, our sins will rise.

"I got a feeling this is the Daizen 7's greeting," Hawks said, putting his hands behind his head. "But I don't understand why Ryukyu, Gang Orca, and Edgeshot were targeted. They aren't working the case, isn't it that former sidekick of yours?"

Endeavor stayed silent and walked toward the metal door beside the broken window, crossing into the room. The bodies of the pros had been taken shortly after he'd arrived on the scene. Part of him wished he hadn't seen them in that manner. Numbered markers and tape lines were spread around the warehouse. He stood near the pool of Edgeshot's blood, then looked to his left where Ryukyu had been hanging an hour earlier and then to the right where Gang Orca had been impaled in the tank.

The Daizen 7. He clenched his fist. They disappeared for four years, leaving without any sort of trace. They'd been so close to taking them down. It was clear they'd left Japan and fled elsewhere, but even after they fled no one heard of their illegal activities. Regardless, back then the Daizen 7 were viscous, but never had they gone to these lengths. They killed, but it was clean and quick. The way his friends died, that was cruel and unforgivable.

Hawks joined Endeavor once again, standing beside him, looking at him curiously. "I know emotions aren't exactly your thing, but—"

"They were the original members on the Daizen 7 case four years ago," Endeavor stated.

Hawks tilted his head. "So this is like a revenge thing?"

Endeavor shook his head. "I don't know."

"Who else was involved back then?"

"Myself and All Might as far as pros go."

Hawks tapped his chin. "You may need a protection detail."

"I can take care of myself." Endeavor waved the matter off.

Hawks frowned. "The same could be said for the others."

Endeavor turned to Hawks. "I don't want a babysitter."

Hawks sighed. "Suit yourself. What about All Might?"

"I'm going to Kamui Woods Agency," Endeavor said as he headed for the sliding metal doors at the end of the warehouse. "You handle this."

Hawks opened his mouth to stop Endeavor when his phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered it. Endeavor didn't bother to stop, taking it as his way of escape before Hawks could pester him further. He needed time to think and process what was going on. They needed to get a handle on media releases. The last thing that needed to be spread about is the Daizen 7 coming in and wiping out three heroes—beloved heroes—in a single night. They needed to handle things tactfully, the problem being that anyone who could have spoken on the panel for a press conference was dead. He and All Might knew nothing of the current situation with the Daizen 7. A team needed to be assembled.

"Endeavor!" Hawks hollered and flew over to him just before he could open the door. He held his phone out to him. "It's Eraser and you're gonna wanna take this."

-xXx-

Bakugo pulled up beside Uraraka's apartment complex. He parked the bike and cut the engine. It had been a long drive back home, but it had been an amazing experience. His parents had told him to bring Uraraka home someday, to which he rolled his eyes and told them to shut-up. Although, he'd be lying if he said the thought didn't cross his mind. He pulled off his helmet and turned to Uraraka, who was standing on the sidewalk, stretched her arms and legs.

It was about five o'clock and the summer heat was relentless. He wanted to go back to the beach and dive in, even a pool would do at this point. Uraraka placed her helmet on the pillion seat and placed a hand on her hip. "I feel like I owe you."

Bakugo dismounted from his motorcycle and stood in front of her. He could see clear over her head, in sandals she really was a tiny person. "You don't owe me anything, you were a buffer for my parents. That's all I needed."

Uraraka chuckled. "They aren't that bad, you big baby."

Bakugo scoffed. "You only had to spend a couple of days with them."

"Well, I'd like to do something like this again, but next time I get to drive the motorcycle."

Bakugo smirked. "Maybe after a few more lessons."

"Let's go then," Uraraka said, snatching the helmet off the seat. "I'll drive us to dinner. There's a place like three blocks down, straight shot, perfect for practice and not that dangerous."

Bakugo laughed, he'd created a little monster out of her. "You mean you aren't tired of hanging around me yet?"

Her cheeks flushed. "No."

Bakugo nodded. "Okay."

"Really?" Uraraka beamed. "So that must mean you aren't tired of me either."

"It's a true miracle, isn't it?" Bakugo placed a hand on her head. "Let's take your stuff up first."

The door to her apartment came open and an elderly woman walked out holding a watering can. She looked over at them and smiled, waving. "Ms. Uraraka, there's a big package for you in the office. It's heavy too."

"A package? I wasn't expecting anything," Uraraka said, tapping her chin. She turned her attention back to Bakugo. "Help me take it up?"

"What suddenly your quirk doesn't work anymore?" Bakugo teased as he took her helmet and placed it beside his own helmet on the seat. "I'll help, come on."

"A true gentleman would have just agreed to help without the teasing."

"I never said I was a true gentleman." Bakugo opened the door for her. "Oh wait." He cut in front of her and shut the door.

Uraraka stood outside the glass door, arms crossed, head shaking while laughing. "Very funny."

Bakugo laughed and held the door open for her. When she walked in, she skipped over to the office. He followed her across the lobby. Though he'd been inside on several occasions he never really took the time to look at it. If he squinted, he could see the charm of the place; scruffed floor, off-white walls, rickety table with business cards and flyers, dingy lights hanging from the ceiling, and the front office, which was the size of a broom closet.

Behind the awful blue counter, a middle aged man was typing away at the computer. Uraraka leaned against the counter and greeted the man, asking about the package they'd taken for her. He didn't say anything, only nodded and handed a clipboard to her along with a pen. As Uraraka signed the clipboard, the man, who needed a shave and a hair brush, pushed the box around the counter.

"Thank you," Uraraka said with a smile, handing the man the clipboard.

"Yup." The man took the clipboard and sat back down. The computer chair squealed like a stuck pig. His fingers went back to flying across the keyboard, no further acknowledgement of their existence.

Bakugo wasn't exactly the most warm and welcoming person, but he would have figured someone who ran a apartment complex would be a little less miserable. He shook his head and grabbed the box. It was heavy, close to a hundred pounds and felt solid. Uraraka held the door open for him as they walked out of the tiny office.

"Who's it from?" Uraraka asked and pushed on her tiptoes to read the label. "Oh, it's from Ryukyu."

"Your former agency? Well, it's fucking heavy whatever they sent."

"She mentioned she was sending me a gift when I talked to her a few days ago," Uraraka said with a smile, then waved for him to follow her.

After the climb up the stairs and a trip down the narrow hallway, they finally reached her door. Uraraka unlocked the door and immediately dropped her backpack on the floor. She tugged at the laces of her boots and pulled her feet free.

Bakugo kicked off his boots and walked toward her kitchen table, placing the package on it. "Wanna open it before we go?"

"If you don't mind," Uraraka said as she dug around in one of her kitchen drawers, pulling out some scissors. "I'm curious what she sent."

Bakugo stepped aside and allowed her to open the package. He pulled out a chair and sat down, watching Uraraka tear into the box. When she placed the scissors down, she pulled out a sheet of bubble wrap and handed it to him. Bakugo popped the bubbles, while watching Uraraka pull out two boxes of mochi, what appeared to be bottles of soaps, a candle, and a bag of coffee. As she laid them on the table, Bakugo grabbed the candle and took a sniff; a sweet, berry summer smell, something that screamed Uraraka.

"Ochaco, I hope that you're loving Kyoto. I know the move wasn't an easy one, but you're going to be an amazing hero and this is just the beginning for you. You're always welcome at my agency, enjoy the treats I sent and the special gift," Uraraka read from a letter and smiled. She put it aside and reached inside, pulling out a silver lockbox.

Bakugo moved the items aside to give her some space. "What do you think it is?"

"I'm not sure, but this is what was so heavy." Uraraka put the box down and brushed her hair behind her ear. She undid the snap locks and lifted the lid. "Whoa."

Bakugo peered into the box. Four rings were secured inside, two pink and two black, each one looking like those chunky bracelets the receptionist at the agency wore. Uraraka grabbed a pink ring, her arm muscle tensing as she lifted it. "Weighted rings?"

"Yeah," Uraraka said with a laugh. She pressed a button on the outer lip of the band and it came open. "I made a joke about having some weights I could throw around to stop villains. Guess she took me seriously." She snapped it closed and pressed her fingertips on the ring, letting it float in midair. She slipped her hand through it, pushing it up to her bicep.

"May I?" Bakugo pointed to one of the black rings. Uraraka nodded and he reached in, picking it up. "This feels like twenty pounds," he said and grabbed a pink one. "Same weight. This could do some damage."

"Let's do some training soon, I'll try them out."

"You wanna throw heavy things at me?" Bakugo laughed.

Uraraka unsnapped the ring and closed it. "You tell me you aren't fast enough to dodge?"

"I said throw things, never said you'd land a hit."

"Oh ha, ha," Uraraka said as she put the band back into the box. She ran her fingers over the smooth surface and smiled. "Ryukyu taught me a lot and really helped me grow as a hero. If it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't be here."

Bakugo nodded, knowingly. Not that he would ever say it outloud, but he felt the same about Kamui Woods. While he was in UA, he worked alongside Endeavor, was trained by All Might and Eraserhead, it was Kamui Woods who pushed him not only in combat, but in handling people and media. He made him work on his people skills, because according to Kamui Woods he was sorely lacking in that area.

Uraraka clapped her hands together. "Okay, let's get some food I'm starving."

"Before we go," Bakugo said, holding up a finger. "Which side is the clutch on?"

"Left."

"Brake?"

"Right."

"First gear?"

"One down."

"Second?"

"One up."

Bakugo smirked and got up from his seat. He pushed it back under the table. "Okay, let's go."

-xXx-

Ochaco and Bakugo sat at the table, their bowls of ramen empty, and only half drunken cocktails remained. The conversations between them had become second nature. To her surprise, Bakugo was actually funny.

"So only two more weeks and you get to go back," Ochaco said before taking a final sip of her drink. "Be honest though, was this time off that bad?"

Bakugo rested his arms on the table, leaning toward her. "I'm ready to go back, but this break wasn't so bad."

"You don't really do vacations do you?" she inquired.

"I can vacation when I'm dead."

Ochaco stifled a laugh. "Do you say that because you want to be number one so badly?"

"Of course."

"And after that?" Ochaco tilted her head. "What's the next dream?"

Bakugo broke eye contact and shook his head. "I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

Ochaco smiled, lowering her gaze to catch his eyes. They were like a fire on a dark night, bright and warm. At one time she believed them to be dangerous and wild, but not anymore. She opened her mouth, but quickly closed it when she heard someone calling her name. Both she and Bakugo looked toward the entrance of the restaurant. Standing at the entrance flailing her arms wildly was Mina with Kirishima standing beside her.

"Oh great," Bakugo grumbled, resting his cheek against his knuckles. "Pinky's here."

Ochaco swatted him and scooted out of the booth to greet them. She hugged Mina first and then hugged Kirishima. "What are you doing in Kyoto?"

Mina placed her hands on her hip and lifted her chin. She looked nice in her ripped jeans and off the shoulder white blouse. "I had a shoot here for an energy bar. Momo knows a lot of sponsors, you should get in on the action."

"I'll do that, but really that's more of your thing." Ochaco waved the matter off and nodded toward the table Bakugo was still sitting at. "Why don't you guys join us?"

"Sure, but I need to run to the bathroom. Come with me." Mina didn't give her much of a choice and dragged her in the direction of the bathroom. Kirishima watched them for a second, then shrugged joining Bakugo at the table.

They rounded the corner around the bar area and entered the bathroom. Mina grabbed Ochaco's shoulders and eyed her curiously. "Are you and Bakugo out on a date?"

Ochaco blinked. "Mina."

"I mean you went on this trip with him and met his family, which I want all the details by the way, but tell me the truth. Are you guys on a date?"

"No," Ochaco said as she brushed Mina's hands off her shoulders. "And I really don't want to hear your opinions on it either."

Mina's smile fell from her face and she took a step back. "Hey, I'm not judging."

Ochaco crossed her arms and scowled. "Mina that's all you've done since he and I have become friends."

Mina sighed and turned away, leaning back against the granite countertop. She stared at the tiled floor. Ochaco didn't like being mean to her best friend, but at the same time she wasn't going to put up with her judging Bakugo.

"Look, Bakugo and I are friends, okay and it bothers me that you don't like him."

Mina nodded and met her friend's gaze. "Kirishima told me about Bakugo and the girls in the office. I didn't want him to do that to you, but I'll be honest he doesn't really look at you like you're a conquest."

"I know about those girls too, he told me."

Mina's eyes widened. "He did?"

"Yes."

"Wait, did you guys like have sex?"

Ochaco's face heated and her heart skipped a beat. "Mina!"

"Is he good?"

"Stop!"

"So you haven't?"

Ochaco laughed. "No, my goodness. We're friends."

Mina pushed off the counter and faced Ochaco head on. She grinned like she knew some sort of huge secret. "Girl, I love you, but you're just a tad dense. The way Bakugo looks at you is like a love sick puppy dog."

Ochaco sucked in a breath. She shook her head then laughed, waving a finger at her friend. Bakugo didn't look at her like that. He looked at her the way one looked at anyone. She stopped laughing, looked at herself in the circular mirror and combed her fingers through her hair. Mina's hip rested against the counter, her eyes boring into Ochaco.

"Maybe I'm wrong, but when we were on vacation," Mina pulled her phone from her back pocket. She scrolled on her screen then smiled as she turned it toward Ochaco. "That right there is a smitten kitten."

Ochaco took her phone. The photo on the screen of her and Bakugo at The White Pearl. They were inches apart, smiling, well Ochaco was smiling, Bakugo was smirking down at her. He had a glass of whiskey in his hand and a gleam in his eye. She smiled and handed the phone back to Mina.

"Would you ever, you know, date him?" Mina asked, sounding completely curious. Her eyes studied Ochaco's face, head tilting and body leaning forward. "I mean, you two look good together."

Her whole body heated, and she was fairly certain she was sweating. At least the lights in the bathroom were dim. She shuffled her feet, racking her brain for a response. Before on their island vacation and climbing the mountain, she felt something and she knew there was something there. However, she never actually thought of it as something real and tangible. Bakugo was her friend, that was as far as she had admitted her feelings. On some level she was excited, but by the same token, she didn't want to put a label on anything between them. She was happy and saying it out loud, admitting something to her friend, that could change things.

"I'm sorry, O," Mina said after a few moments of silence passed between them. "I didn't mean to put you on the spot."

Ochaco shook her head. "I'm just happy with what's going on right now and I want to take it one step at a time."

"Okay." Mina gave her a thumbs up and a huge grin. "That's all I want, you know. For you to be happy."

"I know."

"Well, let's get out there before they think we ditched them or something." Mina threw her arm around Ochaco and guided her back out into the dining room.

They entered the small dining room, but something was off. Things were quieter than they had been before, despite having about a dozen patrons within. Everyone's attention was turned to the large TV screen behind the bar. The volume had been turned up as an aerial view of a warehouse district by the water was shown. Both Kirishima and Bakugo were standing near the bar, eyes glued to the screen. Mina came to Kirishima's side and asked what was going on. He opened his mouth, but then fell silent as he looked back at the screen.

The headline going across the screen stated: Three Pro Heroes Found Dead.

"According to eyewitnesses, the heroes were brutally murdered in a warehouse in Hamamatsu," the news anchor explained. "The estimated time of death forty-eight hours before they were found."

Ochaco placed a hand on her chest and shook her head. Her eyes widened as the three pros pictures appeared on the screen. Gang Orca. Edgeshot. Ryukyu. That couldn't have been right. She stumbled back, bumping into a table. The news anchor spoke on the situation, but Ochaco couldn't understand anything. Her eyes remained on the image of Ryukyu; smiling and waving while standing outside of the agency. She wasn't dead. No! That couldn't have been right, they had just talked a few days ago. And the package she sent, the letter…

She carved her fingers through her hair, gripping it tight before letting it fall. Gang Orca and Edgeshot too? They were all in the top ranks. Ryukyu was number eight, Edgeshot was sixth, and Gang Orca was number thirteen. Ochaco grabbed at her chest as it tightened and her stomach tangled. She tried to focus on the news anchor, her head spun and she turned away from the screen.

A tingling sensation covered her body like hundreds of insects were skittering across her skin. Heat swelled behind her eyelids and her mouth had gone bone dry. She dared another glance to the TV. The pictures of the pro heroes faded away moments later. A man and a woman appeared on the screen, speaking of how horrible a tragedy it was to lose three pro heroes.

"All three pros are believed to have been murdered by a group known as the Daizen 7," the female news anchor said, looking into the camera. It was as if she were talking directly to Ochaco. "None of their agencies have come forth to make any statements, but a press conference on the matter is scheduled for tomorrow at noon."

A coldness swept through Ochaco. She tore her eyes from the screen and ran outside of the restaurant. Mina called her name, but she didn't stop as she made it to the sidewalk and staggered toward the alley. Her hand grasped the wall as she tried to keep herself from falling. Ryukyu was not only her mentor, but a second mother to her. She couldn't be dead, she refused to believe that. She was strong, brave, and cunning. Ochaco gasped, falling against the wall and collapsed onto the damp concrete ground.

"Uraraka," Bakugo's voice filled her ears, but she didn't dare look at him. His hand touched her shoulder as he kneeled beside her. She reached for his shirt, gripped it and collapsed against him as a few tears rolled down her face.