Mia waited for Ochaco at the locker room exit. She didn't have to wait too long.

"Mia! I love your costume!" the brunette gasped, hopping up next to her friend. "The glittery cape is fantastic!"

Mia let out a soft giggle and gave a soft twirl, letting the cape whoosh around so that Ochaco could see it in all its shimmery glory. She was beaming, though Ochaco wouldn't know. "Your costume is super cute! I love it!"

Ochaco blushed, cupping her cheeks bashfully. "I didn't think it was gonna be so tight," she whined, reaching down to tug at the fabric at her thighs. "It leaves very little to the imagination."

"Well, I still love it!"

Ochaco smiled softly at Mia. "Oh! Let's take a picture!" Before Mia could protest, Ochaco wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer while shoving her phone high into the air. "Strike a pose!"

CLICK!

Ochaco looked at the picture and squealed. "That's a keeper!" She showed it to Mia.

Both girls were huddled close together, holding up a peace sign over an eye. A goofy grin on the brunette's face. You couldn't see it, but Mia had smiled for it, too.

"Send that to me?" Mia asked, looking up at Ochaco.

"Yeah! Gimme your number!" Mia took her phone and keyed in her information. She handed it back. A few seconds later, her phone let out a soft beep. "That's me!"

Mia took out her phone and saved the photo, as well as Ochaco's number. She paused before quickly setting the picture as her wallpaper. Tucking the phone away, she linked arms with the brunette. "Let's go!"

All Might waited patiently for his class, standing in the middle of the street of another mock city. How many of these things did the school have?! Were they just that rich?

With pride and a renewed determination, they walked through the dark entrance to the training area. All Might's grin widened once his eyes fell on his class. "They say that clothes make the pros, young ladies and gentlemen, and behold! You are proof!" Once they walked out of the tunnel and into the sunlight, the gleam in his eyes intensified. "Take this to heart. From now on you are all heroes in training!" He let that sink in as he fell silent, taking a moment to quickly look at each and every one of his students. "This is getting me all revved up. You look so cool!"

Mia couldn't agree more. She, too, took a moment to admire her class. Her eyes fell on Todoroki, who stood closer in the back. Her head cocked to the side as she took in his curious choice of clothing. Mainly, the icy armor coving solely his left side.

"Now. Shall we get started, ya buncha newbies?"

"Alright! It's time for combat training."

"Sir," the guy in the rad-looking suit of armor spoke up, raising his hand. Iida. "This is the fake city from our entrance exam. Does that mean we'll be conducting urban battles again?"

All Might shook his head. "Not quite!" He shot two fingers in the air. "I plan on moving you two steps ahead! You see, most of the villain fights you see on the news take place outside. However, statistically speaking, run-ins with the most dastardly evildoers take place indoors."

Mia's fists clenched and let out a soft grunt, slowly nodding her head. This was true…

"Backroom deals. Home invasions." Her fists clenched even tighter. "Secret underground lairs. Truly intelligent criminals stay hidden in the shadows. For this training exercise, you'll be split into teams of good guys and bad guys and fight two-on-two indoor battles. Well, for the most part. One team will have three members."

A girl in a green jumpsuit looked a little concerned, her brows furrowing. "Isn't this a little advanced?"

"The best training is what you get on the battlefield! But, you can't just punch a robot this time. You're dealing with actual people now."

"Sir, will you be the one deciding who wins?" Yaoyorozu asked.

"How much can we hurt the other team?" Mia heard Bakugo ask.

"Do we need to worry about the losers getting expelled like earlier?" Ochaco asked.

"Will you be splitting us up based on chance or comparative skill?"

"Isn't this cape Tr- Hey! Why are you copying my cape, Bunny Girl?!"

All of these valid questions. However…

"Would you let him speak, please?" Mia groaned, facepalming and letting out a rather annoyed sigh as she noticed All Might holding back his own annoyed growl.

"Ah! Sorry…" Both Iida and Ochaco shrank in embarrassment.

All Might cleared his throat before clapping his hands together. When he opened them, a tiny booklet flopped open. In a poorly rehearsed display, he began to explain. "The situation is this! The villains have hidden a nuclear missile somewhere in their hideout. The heroes must try to foil their plans. To do that, the good guys have to either catch the evildoers or recover the weapon. Likewise, the bad guys will succeed if they protect their payload or capture the heroes."

"Sounds like an action movie set up," Deku murmured. Mia nodded.

All Might picked up a bright yellow box, the word "Lots" in bold print. "Time's limited. We'll choose teams by drawing lots!"

"Isn't there a better way?" Iida asked.

"I mean, pros team up with heroes from other agencies on the spot all the time," Mia said.

"We wouldn't always get to team up with the partner of our choice. Maybe that's why we're leaving this up to chance," Deku added/

"Ah, right. That is correct. Life is a series of random events after all." He bowed at All Might. "Excuse my rudeness!"

"No sweat! Let's draw!"

Pretty soon, everyone was split into teams.

Team A: Deku and Ochaco

Team B: Todoroki and some guy with several arms named Mezo Shoji

Team C: Yaoyorozu and the weird ball head kid, Mineta

Team D: Bakugo and Iida

Team E: Yuga Aoyama and Ashido

Team F: Rikido Sato and Koji Koda

Team G: Denki Kaminari and Kyota Jiro

Team H: Fumikage Tokoyami and Tsuyu Asui

Team I: Mashirao Ojiro and Toru Hagakure

Team J: Eijiro Kirishima and Hanta Sero

The only person who was not drawn was, you guessed it, Mia.

"Uhm... Sir. What about me?"

"Yes, yes, I haven't forgotten about you. Come, draw a name. Whoever you draw, that's the team you're on."

Mia stepped forward, All Might holding the box out after he had dumped all the names back inside. "Wouldn't it have been easier to have drawn three names at the very beginning? Or just stick me with the last team?" she asked, reaching into the box and digging around.

All Might froze, blinking a bit as if he hadn't even thought about it. "Why, yes it would have! But we are doing this!"

Mia pulled out a name, silently praying that she got Todoroki or the other kid. She looked at the paper and instantly threw it on the ground. "I want a do-over."

"There are no do-overs. Young Tanaka will be joining young Bakugo and Iida!" He looked at the young girl, his smile never changing. His tone was calm and softer, for her ears only. "Sometimes, a hero must put aside their differences and work alongside others they may not get along with. Cooperativeness is important. Other people's lives are more important than any little squabble you may or may not have."

Mia let out a soft sigh and nodded her head. "Yes sir.."

"Now. The first two teams to go head to head will beeeeeeee…" All Might began to draw lots once more, both hands in two separate boxes. He pulled out two balls. "…these guys! Team A as our shining heroes, and Team D as our dastardly villains!"

Mia gasped and looked over at her friends before glancing at Bakugo, who was just glaring at Deku. Her eyes narrowed…

"Everyone else can go to the monitoring room and watch."

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone who wasn't Team A and D quickly dispersed. All Might looked between the two teams, his smile minute. He gave each team communication devices so that they could talk to their respective team, as well as a bit of capture tape. After Deku and Ochaco were sent away, Mia and her team got a detailed outlay of the building that was to be their hideout, all of which studied it as best they could.

"Young Iida. Young Bakugo. Young Tanaka." The three looked at All Might. "The key to this being successful in this challenge is to embody villainy. Think from the perspective of an evildoer. But know, if things get too out of control, I will step in."

Soon enough, they were taking their places. They had five minutes before the heroes were let loose. Mia stood by the door, propped against the frame. Her eyes remained glued on the sandy blond.

Iida was walking towards the missile, hands on his hips. "Even though this is training, it pains me to be aligned with criminal behavior." He looked up at the missile. "So this is our weapon." He gave it an experimenting knock. "Fake, as to be expected."

"Hey," Bakugo called out suddenly, which caused Iida to look at him as well. "Do you really think Deku has a Quirk?"

"You saw how he threw that ball."

"I don't think a Quirkless loser would have been able to throw it as he did," Mia added.

"His power does hurt his body though."

C'mon, blondie… Use your head.

"Why is it that you seem especially angry when it comes to Midoriya?"

Bakugo didn't answer. His body only tensed. Shaking as his scowl grew into a toothy grimace. Or maybe it was a smirk. An angry smirk…

"Alright! Let's begin the indoor combat training!" All Might's voice could be heard over the intercom, which stifled any conversation between them. "Team A and Team D, your time starts now!"

Almost immediately, Bakugo rushed towards the door. In the same motion, Mia blocked the door.

"We should stay here," she said, silently gulping as he towered over her. "Set up a defensive strategy."

"Out of my way, Shortstop!" he growled, clenching his fist at her. "I've got a damn nerd to kill!"

"You idiot! Your mission is to protect the missile. Not beat up Izuku. I'm not gonna let you make us fail this just cause your ego is bruised and your shortsightedness is- AH!"

Bakugo swiftly grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her out of his way and onto her rear, storming out of the room. "Like you could stop me from doing anything," he growled.

Mia huffed, grumbling. "What an idiot."

Iida walked over to her, holding out his hand. "It can't be helped." After she took it, he let out a soft grunt as he hoisted her to her feet. "You and I will just have to guard the bomb."

Mia nodded.

That was when there was a loud explosion, and the walls gaze a minor shook. "What was that?!"

"Our teammate sounds like he found what he was after." Iida pressed the button on his earpiece. "Bakugo!" he called out. No answer. "Bakugo, answer me. Give me a status update!"

"Just shut up and defend the weapon! I've got more important things to worry about."

"Dude, seriously. Our mission should be top prior-" She heard a click, and then silence. "He hung up on me!"

"It'll be fine. Here. Help me with this."

"With what?"

"With Bakugo focusing all his attention on Midoriya, Uraraka will most likely come here by herself. We have some cleaning to do."

That's when it dawned on her. "There's so much stuff laying on the ground. She could use any of it against us with her Quirk." Iida nodded. "Let's get to cleaning."

As they moved worked about, Mia could hear several more loud explosions, each one making her flinch. Thank God her mask hid her worry…

"Bakugo definitely has a villainous side…" She looked up to see Iida, talking to no one in particular. "And that's exactly what we need to succeed."

"I wouldn't go that far," Mia said, walking over to her friend.

"No, I mean it. Remember what All Might said?"

"Yeah?"

"We need to embody villainy. Obviously, not to the extreme Bakugo is. And, even if he is a little extreme, it sounds like he's not pulling any punches with Midoriya. It's criminal. And, for a little bit, I am going to devote myself to doing the same."

Mia cupped her chin, brows furrowing. He had a point. When they crossed paths with Ochaco, she needed to look at her not as a friend, but as an enemy and give it her all. Not hold back.

"Alright. I'm with you."

"To become a hero, we must embrace evil! Therefore…" Iida turned to face the doorway, his tone overly dramatic, not unlike the cartoony villains who twirled their curly mustaches. "Behold! I am the personification of villainy." And then the cackle…

Mia leaned against the wall, slapping it as laughter poured from her lips.

Iida gasped. "You dare to laugh at me? The lord of all evil?!"

There was another chuckle, though this time?

It wasn't from Mia.

Both Mia and Iida paused and slowly turned. Sure enough, Ochaco hid behind a pillar, trying to hold back the laughter that got her caught. Mia glowered in her friend's direction, head hanging to cast a sinister shadow over her mask. "No use hiding, Uraraka," Mia cooed, deciding to join in on the whole "embodying villainy" thing. He looked so delighted. "We know you're there."

She heard a hesitant groan, and she stepped out from behind the pillar.

Iida pointed at her. "I knew you would try to come here alone once Bakugo went after Midoriya. You're Quirk allows you to float anything that you touch, but you see… I have brilliantly prepared for that! Look around you! There is nothing for you to touch! You blundered, and I am victorious! BWHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!"

Both Mia and Ochaco just stared at him, stunned. "Okay, I'm not doing that."

She stepped forward as Iida continued his monologue, watching as Ochaco spoke into her radio. Her hands twitching and curling, her fingers glowing, two dark portals began to form on both sides of Mia. Ochaco took a frightened step back. Even Iida shut up.

Out of one portal stepped Lulu, her fists curled. Out of the other, a new being emerged. Larger than Lulu, though not as large as the other Puppet she summoned at the entrance exam.

"Allow me to properly introduce to you my Puppets. You already know Lulu. Say "hi", Lulu." The subtlest twitch of her finger and Lulu lifted a hand, waving at Ochaco. "And this…" The white body of the new puppet flapped her wings, her razor-sharp feathers flaring and stretching about. Black eyes stared over the dull orange bill on her face. "This is Pecci. Say "hi", Pecci." The large duck-like being raised her wing and flapped it at Ochaco, mimicking Lulu's action.

"M-Mia… You're really scary r-ri-right now…"

"I'll make it up to you later." With that, Lulu charged ahead, fist raised.

Ochaco let out a frightened squeal and leaped back just as her fist connected with the ground. That was when they all heard the loudest explosion yet. One that really shook the walls.

One that distracted both Mia and Iida.

"Bakugo! Was that you who caused that explosion?!"

"No, I'm pretty sure that was Deku," Mia quipped sarcastically, turning back just in time to see Ochaco fly overhead. "Shit!" She didn't know she could make herself float like. And she was getting so close to the weapon, too. "Iida!"

He noticed it as well and zoomed towards the weapon just before Ochaco could even touch it. He zoomed on the other side of the room, putting him and Mia between Ochaco and the bomb once more. She fell right out of the air, tumbling on the ground and into the wall. "Nice try! But I can keep the weapon out of your reach all day. The clock is ticking. Bwhahahaha!"

"And I won't let you pull that little stunt again."

"Bakugo," All Might's voice rang over the intercom once more. "Use that stored up power again, and I will stop the fight. Your team will lose."

"WHHHHHHAAAAAAAA!" she could hear the faint scream of the blond.

"To employ such a strong attack indoors is inviting the destruction of the stronghold you should be protecting. That's a poor strategy, for a hero or a villain."

Mia grit her teeth. That idiot better not cause them to fail.

She glared at Ochaco, who had been talking away into her radio while All Might spoke. Probably to check on Deku. Every fiber of her being wanted to ask how he was, but she bit any worried question she had back. Later. Right now, she had other priorities.

She made another move, this time, not with Lulu, who disappeared, but with Pecci. She sent her after Ochaco. The Puppet twitched, her frontal body cracking until it burst open, revealing the hollow cavity inside. She needed to capture Ochaco quickly. Time was running out, and it sounded like Deku was in a lot of trouble. If she could catch Ochaco, then she could go find Deku and catch him so that Bakugo didn't kill him.

She leaped out of the way again, Pecci just barely missing her. The brunette leaped from pillar to pillar, dodging each swipe that Pecci made for her.

"Both of you, stop!"

"RIGHT!" Ochaco suddenly yelled, hugging one of the pillars.

Suddenly, there was a loud noise, and the ground buckled before it crumbled and shot up into the air. A massive gale of wind blew about, and rubble all but hovered in the air. The windows shattered into a million pieces.

"What the?"

A giant hole in the floor that went several stories down. A glance down the gaping hole, Mia could see Deku and Bakugo.

"This is it. Sorry, guys!" Mia looked up just as Ochaco swung the pillar she was hugging like a baseball bat, sending every piece of rubble towards Mia. Towards Iida.

Towards the weapon. Which was stupid, even if it was fake.

Mia reacted quickly, running towards Iida with Pecci on her tail. "DUCK!" she yelled, pushing him onto the ground. Pecci flew in front of them, her wings expanding and linking together to form a protective shield. Concrete began pounding against the puppet, and as Mia covered her head to protect it just in case of any stray rocks, Ochaco leaped over them.

"THE HEROES WIIIIIIN!" was the next thing she heard, and, looking up, she saw Ochaco hugging the weapon.