Mina had time to kill. There wasn't that much evidence left at the crime scene that would help. If they wanted anything truly substantial, the creature known as Minus would need to be apprehended. Who knew where it would turn up. In the meantime, Mina would wait for whatever pieces of info the forensics lab could piece together, and who knew how long that would take. However, Mina's hero duties entailed more than just one case, and she had a renewed figure, thinking back on that vivid dream. Mina stopped to lightly touch the locket hidden beneath her new costume, then leapt into action. There were bound to be people under siege. The NEXT gang had disbanded 7 years ago, so they weren't much of a worry. Mina had come a long way in 10 years. Of course, she had. She went to the best hero school, training with some of the best pros at the time. However, it was more than that. She had him by her side. Together, they could take on anything. They were so similar, yet so different, like two pieces of a friendship necklace, forming a heart shape when connected. She had developed her own rogue's gallery in that time, but that really didn't matter. It might have in her head when she was first starting out. However, when she got to know Izuku better and connect with him, all that melted away. She still dreamed of being a hero. She still fought for those who needed it. She would gladly face down a villain, no matter how terrifying, if it could help people, whether they be friends or strangers. To meet someone who would do the same, even when surrounded by so many of her peers with aspirations of being a pro hero, that exact drive wasn't as common as one would hope. Izuku was shy and awkward, and yet he was the embodiment to her of what heroes are. The more she got to know him, the deeper she fell for her plain looking boy with the freckled face and the quirk that broke his bones.

When she lost him, she grew even more, in profile and abilities. She had to though. The pressure was on her now. She constantly feared that she would break under it all, if One for All didn't do the job. Izuku was her center, and with him gone, she felt adrift. She had a duty and she threw herself into it. And yet, she felt like she was going through the motions. Now more than ever, though. She was gaining that spark back. She had hope. Whether or not it stayed with her or not remained to be seen. For the time being, however, she felt more driven than she had been in months. She had a genuine smile on her face. She wasn't forcing it. She wasn't using it to hide pain or fear. She felt it in her heart now. She had gained a second wind. She was ready to say with confidence "I am here." If the slightest, maddest possibility existed of him turning up and saying the same, then that would make it even better. She could live without him. Two months in, she was still standing. She was a good hero on her own. She had proven this and was ready to do her best. However, her life just seemed so lacking in color and meaning. It felt like having a piece of her lung removed. She felt weaker and shorter of breath. Having someone in your life for so long and losing them has that effect.

Mina stumbled across a forlorn teenager, perched alone on a school building. It was a lovely view, for certain. Mina had always appreciated views from higher up, whether it be climbing a tree or eating a picnic on a rooftop on a slow patrol day. However, the pink woman had a sneaking suspicion that that wasn't their reason for being so high up.

"Hiya. Mind if I have a seat here?"

"You're…."

"Alien Queen…. What's your name?"

"…. doesn't matter. I'm jumping soon anyway."

"Doesn't matter is a weird name. Why are you jumping though? Anything in particular?"

Mina sighed and looked at the youth.

"I lost the love of my life. I watched him die in my arms. It's been two months…."

"…"

"Sorry. Not trying to make it about me. But…even when life is dark and dismal…. there's still hope."

"What hope?"

"You tell me. Still, If I could offer you some hope. Here. In this moment in time, I would be happy to do so…. Lovely view by the way. I recognize this building."

"I really mean no disrespect, Alien Queen, but there is"

"…Mina."

The suicidal girl looked up in wide-eyes confusion at the reveal of the hero's secret Identity.

"My name is Mina. I won't give myself away entirely, but I figure the Pink skin and black eyes do that enough as is." She smiles softly.

"My point is that, sometimes, when life is bleak and empty, you need someone there to smile. To tell you it's alright. Not because it might be what you want to hear, but because it's what you need to hear. Small comforts go a long way. They might not seem it, but they keep us afloat" Mina looked down and took out her locket, stroking it fondly as she smiled.

"I…. What comfort? I…I was born quirkless… I…. I want to be a hero…I want to go to school with my friends…but…I don't even think I have those left…."

Mina's eyes widened. All this rang a bell and drudged up memories. It still hurt a little to think about Izuku, but now it felt more comforting. His memory gave her strength. And in turn, that strength kept his memory alive. What's more, if there was indeed victory over death, Mina was going to do what she did as a kid with a new video game: stay up if she could until she beat it. The pink woman sighed and smiled.

"I knew a boy. When I was younger. He was quirkless too. He wanted to be a hero. He was bullied relentlessly or just flat out ignored. He still tried though. He kept notes, he observed and studied. He wanted to be the one to smile and tell people that it would all be ok. He wanted someone like that for him as well. To hear that he could be a hero."

"I…I doubt he became one…."

"He became mine. I wouldn't be here without him"

"…Tora…. My name is Tora."

"Hm? Well, Tora. I have two ideas. I could escort you down right now, or we could sit a while and admire this view, since we're already up here. I didn't bring snacks, though."

The teenage girl let out a weak laugh at the comforting friendliness of the 10th holder of One for All. It was probably reckless of the pink woman to reveal herself to a civilian, but she could tell this girl needed a friend. She needed someone to tell her that it would be ok. Someone who knew all too well the pain and turmoil she must be going through

"I…I actually think I would like to go back down…. Thank you, Alie…. Thank you, Mina."

Mina smiled and pat the girl on the shoulders." No problem, Tora. Now hold on tight."

Mina grinned as the girl clung to her for dear life. They left off the building and landed on the ground below.

"Ground floor. Here you go." Mina le go of Tora. It was short lived though, as the girl soon latched herself onto Mina again, with Tears in her eyes.

"T-thank you. I…you …Thank you. Nobody has ever told me that they believed in me like that…. Still not sure how much you even mean it, but…. I really appreciate it." The young girl cried, her black hair sweeping her face as tears streamed down her cheek.

Mina knelt a little and gently took the girl's chin in her hand.

"I mean every word. I believe in you. Just like I believed in my friend." Mina smiled, the honesty and warmth just radiating off her as if she were a small sun. Once Tora smiled back, Mina got up and prepared to leave.

"By the way, Tora. If you ever need a friend, or advice, I am here." Mina looked directly at the girl she talked out of suicide. If she needed a counselor, Mina would be happy to help. If she needed a mentor, Mina was already considering it. Whatever it took to give this browbeaten child the hope and strength she needed.

With that, Mina leapt back into action for more crimes to stop, more leads on Minus, and possibly a good cup of coffee. Tora watched the hero known as Alien Queen disappear into the distance. She smiled as she thought to herself "My hero."

Mina had run all over the city, looking for leads on Minus, hoping to hear from the forensics lab, getting in touch with (and being yelled at) by her landlord), and rescuing people. At the end of the day, even symbols needed some sleep.

"Hey Uramaki?"

"Mina? I haven't heard from you in a while. Is everything alright?"

"Not entirely…but I'm getting there. Today has been pretty good so far."

"I'm glad things are going better. If there's anything I can help you with, let me know."

"Well…. Come to think of it, a villain kind of destroyed my apartment"

"The one who supposedly wrecked Izuku's grave and the ones next to it."

"Say no more, Mina. I would be happy to let you stay for a while. There's a guest room if you would like."

"Thank you. That means a lot. I'm…I'm sorry if I'm imposing."

Mina had dropped by her wrecked apartment again, for what seemed to be the quadrillionth time to get some clothes and toiletries. It was currently a crime scene, as a battle had occurred there, and a villain had gone rummaging through it. Still, Mina was a high-profile hero and she needed to get to her belongings and throw away any food that was in there, as to not become more of a health hazard. Once she had finished her business there and paused to look at what was once her home, she left to go to Ochako's. It took two hours until she had arrived. She knocked on the door and was greeted by a fit woman with short brown hair and rosy cheeks.

"Hi, Mina! Glad you could make it!" the gravity hero welcomed. Mina arrived in a short leopard-print shirt, yoga pants, black skate shoes, and a pair of sunglasses Izuku bought her at a vendor's hut near Dagobah beach. Her overnight bag neon green. It was a bit garish and clashed with her outfit, but she wasn't here for fashion week.

"Thanks for having me, Ochako. You are a life saver." Mina smiled thankfully.

"Well, we both are. It's our profession" the Brunette joked, eliciting an amused sigh from Mina.

"Leave the bad jokes to me, Sister." The acid woman laughed as the two of them walked inside and closed the door.

The two friends caught up a little, on heroics, on life in general, and how Mina must be feeling. As of late, Mina would have been less talkative. Being energetic and prone to conversation had been a huge part of who she was, as a hero and as a person. However, it felt like it had been removed from her body when Izuku died. However, she now seemed to be returning to her former, bombastic glory. Ochako was pleased to see her old friend more at peace. She knew Izuku would be proud as well, if he was watching her somewhere.

Mina tried to sleep that night. She had a renewed vigor, but even that had its limits. Unfortunately, those limits kept the hopeful heroine up rather than knocking her out. It had dawned oh her what the date was as she stared at a calendar depicting cats dressed as various science-Fiction icons.

Today was the 14th of July. It was the day before her birthday, and subsequently, his. Mina stared forlornly at the empty space next to her on the guest bed as she took out her phone. It would be midnight soon. Just 5 more minutes until she turned 26. 5 more minutes until she was reminded that he wouldn't be here to celebrate with her. This was a slap in the face. She felt like crying. Even if she had hope, she still felt empty. He was still gone, and she still missed him. She was determined to find a way, but that nagging in the back of her head told her it as foolish. Even in a world of quirks and advanced technology, the dead remained dead. He was lost to her. Was there really a way he could come bac to her? Mina was snapped out of her thoughts by a sound that grabbed her by the heart and shook hard.

It was the alarm tone she and Izuku had recorded together as a joint birthday reminder. She was so enthusiastic while he sounded so awkward. And yet, they were both happy. Mina wiped a tear from her eye and smiled as she gripped her locket. She opened it up and smiled at the photo within, tears running down her cheek as she smiled at it.

"Happy birthday, Izuku… I miss you…"

Out of the corner of her eye, something wiped the smile off her face. It was the creature she had fought before. The one that destroyed the monuments. It was Minus.

Had it followed her here? Was it looking for more pro-heroes? Uraraka and her certainly fit the bill, but this creature had made short work of several heroes. Two on their own probably wouldn't be able to do too much. I slowly dawned on Mina. The creature was looking for someone. She wasn't sure why, but it was looking for her. Mina quickly got dressed into her costume and left a note for Ochako on the kitchen table.

"Left something at the apartment. Gonna go get it. I'll be back later. Thanks."

Mina headed to her apartment posthaste, Minus already having left by the time she was done getting ready. There was an eerie familiarity, creeping down Mina's spine like some unseen spider. As Mina left the scene, Ochako stirred. The door had woken her up.

Mina decided to skip public transit and just use her quirk, going as fast as she could until she was at her old apartment. It took two hours, just about, but she arrived there. It was gloomy, the scene being like that of a ghost town. However, she could hear noises as she peered into the shadows. She was soon greeted by the monstrosity known as Minus, its unsettling green eyes haunting her as they swiveled about like those of some sort of undead chameleon. Was the creature undead? Mina wasn't quite sure what to call it other than "a noumu but not quite".

"What d you want, you creepy bastard!" She cried, her eyes burning holes through its very being as she glared. I want answers! I know you things aren't vocal! But come on!" What do you want!? WHAT DO YOU WANT!"

Mina had found hope, and yet now, she was still frightened and angry. She knew there was little chance of getting an answer, and yet that didn't matter now. Whether or not her opponent could provide them, answers are exactly what she wanted. Unfortunately, she did get a response, and it was one that swiftly cut through her, straight to the bone. The creature hissed and opened its grotesque mouth.

"…M….M…. iiiiii…nnnnaaaaa…"

Here eyes widened as her knees shook. She couldn't have heard it right. It knew her name. That had to have been a coincidence, but the way its eyes locked onto her, she was frozen solid. She knew those eyes. It came to her like a bolt of lightning. Somehow, this abomination of science and biotechnology was her fiancée. Mina felt the blood drain from her body as she struggled to stay on her feet.

She wanted him back. She had wanted to see him again, just hoping that there was a way to best death in some sort of wicked game. She had received what she wanted, but not in the way she had wanted.

She didn't want it like this.

"I…Izuku?"