Sorry for the one day delay. Anyways, college can suck my d-. Also, I'm moving! The new place has a pool so I'll get to get back into swimming. I'll try to update on September 20th but that's moving day sooooo. For now let's say September 18th. I'm probably gonna stay up today writing chapters because I haven't written in a few weeks. Sorry if this feels like the story isn't going anywhere but I'm having fun.
Yuudai starts waking up when he feels something lifting him off the floor. Then a pair of warm hands. Then cold hands, smooth and somehow comforting. He wakes up fully because of a very loud boom followed by a hard surface slamming into his back combined with lots of wind. Then a large amount of small debri covering him like a blanket. Yuudai remembers where he is a second after and his heart races.
He keeps his eyes closed and waits for something to happen. By all the dust in the air and the breeze, he can safely say that the building he used to be in is now destroyed.
Clapping.
All For One claps as he floats over the destroyed land, "As expected of the number four hero, Best Jeanist. I was trying to blast everybody away. To be able to manipulate everyone's clothes and pull them to the side in an instant. That quick decision-making...and skill...You must have nerves of steel."
Yuudai can hear the small clacks of Best Jeanist's threads against the floor. He hears the ground crumble and then the smell of blood. A thump. Yuudai convinces himself to not look. Don't look at someone bleeding out because you'll never be able to forget it.
"I see," All For One continues after his attack, "This is strength from a huge amount of practice and practical experience. I don't need yours...It's a Quirk that doesn't go with Tomura's disposition."
Yuudai feels his body start to freeze over. No...don't be afraid...don't freeze. He bites his lip, If you freeze you won't be able to run. Yuudai lifts his head off the rubble and opens his eyes. Get up! You can't freeze here! He winces as his vision spins, had his wounds opened up? Concussion? ...Probably not… He looks down at his hand and sees his ring barely glowing. Glowing? But...I...I haven't been near anything electric or staticy...
Yuudai struggles to get up and then sees a black liquid appear out of nowhere. The liquid splashes to the ground and disappears, in its place is Bakugou Katsuki.
"Damn it…" Bakugou coughs as the liquid leaves his mouth, "...the hell!?"
Midoriya's eyes widen.
"Sorry, Bakugou-kun," All For One says.
Bakugou stops coughing long enough to reply with a "Huh!?"
More spurts of black liquid appear, villains appearing out of each one. All of them slightly or completely disgusted by what happened to them. Yuudai covers his nose as a sewage smell slowly fades away.
"Sensei…" Shigaraki bows his head a little.
"You failed again, huh, Tomura?" All For One takes a few steps forward, "But do not be discouraged. Just try again. I have brought your associates back as well. Even this child. Because you judged that he was an important piece," All For One holds out his hand to the kneeling Shigaraki, "Do it over as many times as you need to. That is why I am here. It's all for you."
Yuudai tilts his head, For him? Then...then why was I kidnapped?
Behind the wall, Midoriya rushes through his thoughts. He doesn't know exactly where Yuudai landed. He doesn't know how many villains exactly. But what can he do? Where can he go? Can he get away? How can everyone…
Yuudai hears a wind and turns his head. His vision spins a little as All Might flies past him. Yuudai can't hear the words they exchange over the wind and a few villains go flying. He's pressed against the piece of building that he was slammed into earlier, closing his eyes so he doesn't go blind from dust.
Yuudai sits up again and opens his eyes, barely catching what All Might and All For One are talking about. He looks around, dust clouds still puffing up everywhere, Bakugou-kun...the villains...Yuudai spots Bakugou on the ground, a few meters away from All For One.
Yuudai braces himself as All Might goes flying again, this time because All For One attacks him. The wind isn't as severe and he can actually get to his feet without the world spinning.
Bakugou gasps and yells out, "All Might!"
"Bakugou-kun!" Yuudai shouts, "Hey!"
Bakugou turns towards Yuudai and his eyes widen.
"What are you doing here?" Bakugou points.
Yuudai waves tiredly, "Same as you."
"Even without your worry, he won't die from something like that," All For One says calmly, "So run away from here, Tomura, and take these children with you." All For One sends out those blades from the tips of his fingers and stabs Kurogiri, "Kurogiri, get everyone away from here."
Yuudai looks at Bakugou, waiting for some sort of sign that he had a plan or something. He doesn't respond to Yuudai's stares but it isn't like Yuudai is expecting anything to begin with. He's probably thinking about his own things…Yuudai looks around again, with the gate open the villains will probably try to take us with them...we should leave before this gets too out of hand. Bakugou-kun can basically fly with his Quirk so there shouldn't be a problem with that and I can use my Quirk to get away, too. We just need an opening…
A boom from far away and then a small yellow streak in the air. Perfect. Yuudai gets to his feet and tests his knees, snapping once. Another burst of wind as All Might punches All For One.
"Let's go, Shigaraki!" Mr. Compress squats and shrinks Dabi, "While that pipe mask is holding All Might back! Get your piece!"
"What a pain!" Bakugou says with a hoarse voice.
Yuudai looks back at All Might, he's busy holding off All For One...all we have to do is get past these guys and run. He takes a deep breath and prepares himself. Outnumbered...six against two... Yuudai breaks out of his thoughts as Spinner swipes at him with a knife. Focus, idiot!
"Break."
Yuudai winces as he hears Spinner's fingers break along with his blade. He looks back at Bakugou who's dodging Toga's blades. Yuudai looks at the ground beneath one of the villains, Mr. Compress.
"Fly."
Mr. Compress stumbles forward as the ground under him flies into the sky and at Toga. Bakugou dodges Mr. Compress and lands next to Yuudai. Yuudai nods at Bakugou in greeting and looks back at All For One. He's struggling a little because of his still healing arm that Yuudai had broken accidentally. It didn't help All Might much, All For One was still basically on an even playing field.
Yuudai snaps his fingers once, "Bakugou-kun-"
He gets cut off by an attack from Twice. Dumb tape measures…
"Ha!?" Bakugou replies as he launches himself into the air.
"Are we allowed to use our Quirks!?" Yuudai shouts as Spinner procures another blade, probably borrowed from Toga.
Bakugou growls, "We're in the middle of a fight and you're asking dumb fucking questions!"
Yuudai drops and kicks Spinner's feet from under him, "I don't want to get in trouble or anything!"
"How damn considerate are you!? Not wanting to get into trouble!" Bakugou shouts at Yuudai's face.
Yuudai shoves his back into Bakugou's and catches his breath, "What happened?"
Bakugou huffs, "We have permission from Aizawa-sensei."
Yuudai nods, "Good."
"Now get back to fighting, you shitty berry," Bakugou lanches himself back into the air as the villains charge again.
Yuudai smirks and snaps his fingers, "Turn back."
A knife flying towards them spins back around and hits Spinner's scales, scraping against them but not piercing through. Yuudai takes another deep breath and focuses. Then Yuudai can only faintly hear a new voice, even with his hearing at maximum. He whirls his head around. Midoriya-kun!? Yuudai bites his lip and hopes he's just hearing things. Not possible...he wouldn't...but how long have I been gone for? Yuudai shakes his head.
Yuudai presses his hands against the ground and keeps his eyes on the villain with all the knives, "Ice run."
An ice path races towards Toga, she jumps before the brunt of the attack comes but one of her feet is covered in icicles. Yuudai clicks his tongue in annoyance, not fast enough. He dodges a hand from Mr. Compress and retaliates with a kick to his stomach.
"Break."
The ground beneath Spinner collapses and the breakage spreads towards Twice like a mole digging underneath the dirt. Yuudai rubs his throat and smiles to himself. He's at least gotten a little stronger from the single day and a half he had at camp.
"Gather water," Yuudai holds out his hand and a small puddle of water forms in his palm, "Filter."
Yuudai waits a second then drinks the water, there's not very much but he's working with what he has. The burning in his throat hurts less and his headache has decreased by a lot.
Yuudai jumps over a low kick from Spinner, "Wind burst."
A surge of wind pushes Yuudai away from Spinner, similar to how Bakugou moves when dodging attacks with his explosions. Yuudai smirks and glances at Bakugou, he's busy concentrating on his own fight. He hears a faint voice again, he can't pin the exact location but it's there. The light whispers of Midoriya's voice from somewhere nearby.
"Ice porcupine," Yuudai places his hand on the ground again, this time the ice surrounds him and spikes out, making the villains around him back away, "Melt."
Yuudai catches his breath as the ice melts away. Escape...escape...come on! Opening! A crash from the far side of the destroyed building catches everyone's attention. Yuudai freezes, Midoriya-kun!? Kirishima-kun!? Iida-kun!? A huge spike of ice raises from the broken wall. Todoroki-kun!? Yuudai watches as Iida, Midoriya, and Kirishima launch themselves into the air with Todoroki's ice ramp. He doesn't know what to think, his friends showing up out of the blue and flying above a battlefield? What are they thinking!? Wait… Yuudai takes a quick scan around at the villains, all eyes on the flying students above them. An opening!
Yuudai can barely see Kirishima's hands reach towards them.
"Come!"
Bakugou blasts away and Yuudai flinches against the shockwave.
"Kojiko-kun!" Yuudai can hear Midoriya shout.
He takes a breath and focuses on his legs, "Fly!"
Yuudai runs in their direction and jumps as high as he can, hoping that the command actually works. Yuudai begins to rocket into the sky and his legs creak under the sudden ability.
"You're not getting away!" Magne shouts and activates her Quirk.
Magne barely catches Yuudai within his 4.5 meter radius limit. Barely. It's so close. Yuudai reaches for Midoriya's outstretched hand and their eyes meet. Yuudai feels his body being tugged towards the ground again, a blue energy covering his body. He crashes straight into Toga, along with all the other villains, and then straight through the warp gate.
"Mido-"
He's gone. The warp gate disappears and Yuudai is gone.
"Kojiko-kun!" Midoriya screams, grip tightening on Kirishima's waist.
Kaminari so badly wants to run into the fight and do something.
Yaoyorozu pats his shoulder with sad eyes while biting her lip. She shakes her head and the three of them walk away as quietly as possible.
Kirishima screws his eyes closed as they fly further away from the battlefield. He knows it's no use in going back; there's nothing they can do, after all. They'd gotten Bakugou...just Bakugou. One out of two.
Iida clutches at Midoriya's sleeve, willing for him to not let go and go back.
He was so sure. So sure that they'd be able to get both Bakugou and Yuudai. Both of them. But this is real life and he doesn't get a redo. Yuudai is gone, again. For the second time his hand can't reach and for the second time his friend disappears as he can only watch.
That night, the students of 1-A lose one friend. That night, the world loses the Symbol of Peace. 1-A can't decide what's more upsetting. All that work to save both of their friends and they only manage one. Sure, saving Bakugou is still great and his friends are glad to have him back. It's just not what they thought would happen. All that risk to get half the reward; it makes it feel like it was all for nothing.
"Midoriya," Kirishima says softly, "It's...it's okay."
Midoriya smiles bitterly, "Mmm."
"We got Bakugou-kun at least."
"Mmm."
Kaminari looks at the sky, "We failed."
Kirishima frowns, "Don't say that."
"But-"
"We rescued Bakugou-san," Yaoyorozu interrupts, "Kojiko-san is...but we got Bakugou-san. That is not failure."
Midoriya bites his lip. It sure feels like failure.
"Then-"
"We are going to get into enough trouble as is," Yaoyorozu continues, "I believe in the heroes and the police. Kojiko-san can handle himself around villains, Midoriya-san, you said it yourself."
Midoriya looks up, he didn't realize he'd been staring at the ground.
"Midoriya?"
He smiles, not all the way to his eyes, "Yeah."
"We should head home and rest," Iida says.
Todoroki nods, "See you guys back at school."
"He's okay, Midoriya," Kirishima pats Midoriya on the shoulder, "We just need to trust that he's okay."
Midoriya nods, it's so hard to just think something is true. Sometimes things can't be willed into truth. On the train ride home, Midoriya makes a list in his head. A list of all the reasons that support that Yuudai is alive and well. His ability to think well under pressure and in battle. His stubbornness to do whatever he wants. His natural hero instinct. His love for his friends and will stick by them. He doesn't want to lag behind in school. He has a talent for disappearing from under your nose. He'll come back, like he always does.
"Aizawa."
"..."
"Aizawa."
"..."
"Come on, Shota, you need sleep."
"I-"
Yamada shakes his head, "You need to sleep. It's going to be a busy week and we'll need all the rest we can get."
Aizawa looks up from his computer, the bags under his eyes are darker than usual. Yamada replaces the cup of coffee on the table with warm milk. He makes Aizawa scoot over so he can sit next to him on the couch.
"Listen," Yamada starts and starts clearing all the papers on the table, "I know that you're worried about him but you won't be able to do anything if you're dead on your feet."
"I'm always dead on my feet," Aizawa says grumpily.
"You know what I mean."
Yamada closes the laptop and places the stack of papers on top.
"Come on, you have to visit all those students and their parents later this week, right? You'll need energy," Yamada pushes the mug of milk towards Aizawa.
"That's why energy drinks exist," Aizawa replies and scoffs at the absurdly bright yellow mug.
Yamada frowns and places the cup into Aizawa's hands, "There's still meetings leading up to those visits. Nezu still wants to confirm the dorm plans and layouts with all the teachers."
Aizawa sets down the mug, "I've already confirmed with Nezu on the dorms for 1-A. I just need the students and parents' consents."
"What about…"
"4th floor, 4th room," Aizawa says quickly.
Yamada smiles softly, "Then go to sleep. You've done all that you can, just get some rest."
"I-"
"I know that we need to find him. I know, Shota," Yamada holds Aizawa's hand, "And I know that you're worried and think that you're responsible but there's nothing else you could have done. Only top heroes were allowed to participate in the rescue and even they didn't stand a chance against the villains. And don't tell me you're a shitty teacher because you didn't manage to stop this from happening in the first place."
Aizawa huffs, Yamada always had this habit of reading his thoughts and lecturing him.
Yamada pats Aizawa's hand, "What you can do now is keep the students nearby safe. You've said it yourself, Kojiko can manage on his own and if he can sneak out of a hospital then he can sneak out of a villain base."
Aizawa doesn't speak but leans against Yamada, listening to the vibration in his chest. Yamada smiles softly and keeps talking about all the students. About how Midoriya should be less self sacrificing, how Kaminari can go on for hours about english literature but yet almost fail Cementoss' Modern Literature class, and how Todoroki is a good student even if he is sometimes too blunt. He goes on and on until Aizawa falls asleep.