I didn't know how long she'd last. I could fight him and she'd die, or escape and maybe she'd live. The force of our collision billowed the flames from Teiko's earlier explosion to greater heights. I felt my focus torn. Why wasn't she moving? Had the fall stunned her, or was it already too late?

All For One took advantage of my distraction and punched me in the face. I went careening backwards into the fire. By some luck, I managed to land beside her. Had it been his plan all along? I found that I was uncertain and shaken by the ordeal. I wanted to kill him, but I wanted to save her. There wasn't enough time to think. I grabbed Teiko, slung her over my shoulder, and dashed for the window.

We just managed to break through. I felt reassured by the heat flooding Teiko's body. She radiated it as if she was a spark away from igniting. We dropped. I looked over my shoulder, fully expecting to see One For All chasing after us. All I saw was the triumphant stance of his silhouette.

He knew I'd return.

Recovery Girl was our best bet, but UA was too far. We'd have had to pass by two hospitals to get there. I landed on the helipad, wrenched open their door, and rushed her to the emergency room. The surprised medics were quick to take what details I had. "She was stabbed in the stomach by a sword." I pulled her gently off my shoulder and set her on the gurney. Sticky, fresh blood coated our costumes. While the red wasn't too horrendously visible on my crimson garment, it covered the front of her teal suit.

"Her breathing's shallow. I'm going to need a crash cart."

"No, take her up to surgery!"

I saw the life slipping from her and knew something was wrong. No gut wound should have this much effect so swiftly. The blade had been narrow. It had only been minutes since we left the skyscraper. "I think she's been poisoned," I called over the chaos. A nurse heard me and hurried away. I was worried at how fast she was fading. They began to roll her away for an emergency operation.

"Yagi." I heard the faint word tumble from Teiko's lips but didn't answer her.

I knew that her ego had gotten in the way. If we had attacked him together, we could have triumphed. She chose to push me to safety and attack solo. Did she think I couldn't have handled myself? I felt angry at her, at All For One, at myself. I wanted to go back and fight, but my feet wouldn't budge. I stared at the double doors as they parted and admitted her. I watched as they fell shut. Why hadn't I said anything to her? She'd asked for me by name, but I stood like a fool. I'd have to apologize once, no, if she got out. If… The uncertain word drilled into my skull.

I waited where they'd taken her. I probably would have stood there for hours. A small woman touched my arm. "We have an available room if you'd like to go shower off. Doctors can't make promises, but nurses can. I've seen much worse cases than her pull through. Your friend will be fine, All Might." She led me to the room. "I'll send one of the doctors to you when we're done." The door closed.

I wanted to believe her, but my gut told me she was wrong. I turned my brain off because it was easier than worrying. She was a nurse, I a hero. My job was to make injuries, she healed them. She had to know more than I did. I couldn't manage the concentration or peace with my surroundings needed to shower, so I settled for washing her blood from my suit. I stripped to my underwear and scrubbed and scrubbed, but the water wouldn't run clear. As soon as any obvious spots were gone, I settled for good enough and slid my outfit on again.

I waited for two hellish hours. When the doctor came, I saw disaster written on his face.

I heard his speech in snippets. "A poison we'd never encountered before... must have been some sort of quirk." I couldn't breathe. "I'm sorry, All Might. She's gone."

The police asked me if she had any family. Nobody would leave me alone to let me process my grief. They all had questions that needed immediate answers. At some point they gave me her phone. I unlocked the screen and saw the text she'd sent to Endeavor only hours before.

Leaving now.

I pulled up his number and my thumb hovered over the call button. I couldn't imagine what I'd say, but I knew how he'd take it. One of the cops grabbed the device from my limp hand. "It's her brother," I muttered. He nodded and walked a little ways off.

"Todoroki Enji?" He began. There was a response on the other side. "I'm Officer Brown. I'm afraid I have some bad news…" I forced myself not to listen. His words were nothing to the haze in my mind. I only heard the end. "I'm sorry."

They had Endeavor identify her body, as he was her next of kin. He had her cremated and scattered her ashes, but never told me where. Shortly after, he married Rei. They moved into a spacious house in the city.

I wanted to sit at home and grieve, but I didn't. Even more than that, I needed to work. I stopped taking days off and pushed harder than ever before to reach my goal to be the Symbol of Peace.