She squinted her eyes at the bright lights that were seeping through her closed eyelids that no doubt shone in from outside. The room was silent apart from the beeping from the monitors and the faint noises from people outside. She slowly started blinking, trying to open her eyes to see where she was.
'Where am I? Am I…in UA?'
As her vision started to clear so did the hazy feeling in her head, realizing that she was indeed back home and in the infirmary.
Home…
She couldn't recall how she got here but she did remember the events leading up to it. Opening her mouth, she felt her throat dry and groggy from sleep. Her body felt exhausted, powerless, and heavy, she could barely move her hand let alone her whole body.
It wasn't until she moved her head that she found someone slumped against her legs. Swallowing down hard she forced herself to speak in barely an audible whisper. "Ka…'
Stirring in her sleep Tsu lifted her tired head up to see Uraraka trying to lift herself into a more comfortable sitting position but failing.
"Ochaco you're finally awake!" she said with a tired and worried voice which stirred the rest of the people sleeping in the room awake.
Scolding herself for not having realized it sooner, Uraraka lifted her eyes to see the rest of her friends sleeping in various parts of the infirmary. "What are you doing here….?"
"Try not to strain yourself." Iida said groggily getting off the couch and walking over to her. "The last thing we need is for you to faint again from exhaustion."
"Iida?"
"You gave everyone quite a scare young lady if I say so myself." Recovery Girl smiled as she walked inside with a tired sigh as the students slowly began getting to their feet. "I couldn't seem to get anyone to leave for more than an hour." She looked over at the IV that was attached to her. "How are you feeling dear?"
Closing her eyes with a slight nod of her head, Uraraka silently accepted the cup of water Mina handed her.
"You must be thirsty." Mina quietly said with a sad smile and Uraraka could tell by the puffy swollen look in her eyes as well as Tsu's that they were trying to hold back more tears.
"How long have I been out?" she managed to croak out flinching at sudden use of her throat.
"You've been out for a couple of days now." Kirishima offered walking into the infirmary and directly to the bed. "It's good to see you awake Uraraka."
"Thank you." She weakly smiled until it hit her. "Wait did you say a couple of days?" Uraraka shook her head in confusion once again trying to sit up.
"Woah take it easy babe." Mina said helping her.
"Wait where's…?"
Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, Yaoyorozu gave her a faint smile. "Hagakure's fine, she's actually talking with Hawks right now and Dabi is…."
"My brother's still out." Todoroki said, still sitting on one of the chairs before walking over to the bed, not wanting to worry her about the details that they didn't know if he was going to pull through. Endeavor and the rest of his family never left Toya's side, waiting anxiously in the hospital. "It's good to have you back Uraraka."
Nodding she quickly tried to get to her feet until Iida firmly placed his hands on her shoulders to lay her back down. "Uraraka you should rest."
Stubbornly shaking her head, she looked at everyone. "I'm fine guys. When do we leave?"
"You don't." Came Mr. Aizawa's firm responds when all eyes turn to him when he walked inside. "Right now, you're in no position to go anywhere Uraraka."
"Mr. Aizawa-"
"This isn't up for discussion." His voice raised slightly, keeping a firm gaze on her as everyone remained silent. The last thing he wanted was for another one of his students to end up barely conscious or even worse. Just remembering that he had to carry her over to the infirmary was enough to even put the pro on edge.
It felt like a slap in the face when she heard those words. Her heart sank and she was just hit with the sudden urge to scream, cry whatever she could do to make them see reasoning. "Mr. Aizawa, Katsuki and Deku are still there! We can't just leave them or anyone else!"
"We won't. I promise."
"That's not good enough!" she shouted with her body trembling with barely restrained tears as she clutched the covers. The realization of having abandoned them threatened to take over. "They're still there…we can't leave them."
"We're currently gathering all the information we have and have a meeting schedule for later today-"
"When?" she said with firm persistence, meeting her teachers' eyes with a stubborn one of her own.
"Uraraka-"
"Just tell me when Mr. Aizawa."
He watched her carefully knowing that there was nothing that would stop her from going, whether he liked to think he could continue to protect his students…he also knew that he wouldn't be able to do it forever. But that wouldn't stop him from trying. "Alright."
"Alright young lady, in the meantime I'd like to ask you some questions and do some routine tests as well as go over you're result. Your mother and Aunt are already on their way."
"Is that really necessary? I feel fine." Uraraka reluctantly let Recovery Girl lay her back on the bed while ushering everyone else out of the room.
"We'll talk later Uraraka." Mr. Aizawa spoke over his shoulder, being the last one to leave.
X
Situating herself next to Tsu and Shinso, she found herself along with the rest of her class and a few pro heroes sitting around the table as the heroes continued to discuss their options.
Thanks to Hagakure they were able to narrow down their location to a possible abandoned building that used to be a hospital, but after doing some recon found no evidence of anything happening there.
"Have you tried to check what's underneath?" she impatiently asked, remembering the various corridors that lead to different floors. "Or maybe some of the buildings around?"
"We're trying our best not to let them know we're onto them which is already hard since you three escaped." Hawks said. "But if this is our best shot at shutting down the Ipponmichi, we need to be as careful as possible since this seems to be their main point of operation."
"From what Invisible Girl and Uravity have told us it seems that the base won't allow us to use quirks unless equipped with something like this." Best Jeanist said lifting up the metal belt.
"Riku was able to get the information of the hired guy that is responsible for the quirk suppressant markings on the wall, but it's getting harder for us to make him talk. Which is where Hitoshi Shinso comes in." Hawks said receiving a firm nod from the purple haired boy next to her.
"We also had Hatsume from the support course look into this." Principal Nezu gestured to the belt before announcing for the student to come in.
"It's good to see everyone." Hatsume eagerly smiled gesturing to a similar looking belt she had brought in. "With these new and improve babies right here you'll be able to use your quirks as much as you want without having to worry about anything negating them."
"And you're sure these will work?" Mr. Aizawa lifted it to his face to inspect it further.
"Yup, I was granted permission to try it out at that one club." Hatsumi placed her hands on her hips. "I can practically make as many of these as you need."
"Thank you Hatsume. That would be most helpful." Principal Nezu smiled as she quickly walked out but not before shooting them another smile.
"Alright so what are we waiting for?" Kirishima eagerly asked, pushing his chair back and leaning on the table.
"Not so fast Red Riot." Fat Gum hesitantly said.
"What do you mean?" Uraraka suddenly asked with an unreadable expression. Any gleamer that her brow eyes usually held completely gone as she stared back at the apprehensive faces in front of her. "When do we leave?"
The sudden silence in the room became deafening to her ears. She knew what everyone wanted to say but was hesitant to. After explaining about her time there and what they had to go through, everyone felt terrified, and she knew they were holding something back from her.
"'I'm afraid it's more complicated than that." Principal Nezu suddenly broke the silence giving them all a sad smile.
"How so?" she asked not wanting to sound pushy but every minute they wasted there was another minute they didn't have.
"Uraraka…" Mr. Aizawa sat up straighter in his seat carefully considering his next words. "Do you have any idea how long you've been gone?"
Pressing her lips together and frowning she eyed her classmates next to her who kept their gaze down. "A few days…?"
"Ochaco…you've been gone for a few weeks." Tsu quietly said with trembling lips. "We weren't sure how to tell you..."
"A few weeks?" She felt her eyes grow as she looked left and right at everyone. "That's not right…"
"Uraraka it's March…" Yaoyorozu said with a hesitant voice. "Graduation is tomorrow."
"What?"
"Form what you've told us, there was no way for you to have known how long you've been kept there." Mr. Aizawa had a sullen expression on his face. "Rest assured we'll get them back."
"And in the meantime?" she frowned.
"The best thing right now is for you all to get ready for tomorrow while we come up with a plan for the heroes to rescue them."
"Tomorrow?" Uraraka scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief, abruptly jolting out of her seat. "They may not have time until then!"
"Uraraka…"
"NO! I'm not letting them stay there!" she shouted startling everyone. "You don't know what it was like there! You don't know what they did to us! We didn't know if we would see any of you again!" Clenching her fists, she shook with the sudden need to yell. "I understand that you guys didn't know where we were and were doing the best you could to find us…but if we already know where they are than we shouldn't wait!"
"I agree." Kirishima firmly stared at the pros and teachers. "Why are we even waiting to discuss this?! Bakugo and Midoriya wouldn't hesitate to come after us!"
"Look we're all still upset and shocked over what's happened so we have to think about this calmly." Tsu said wiping her eyes. "If we just go in there and mess things up, they could just as easily move locations, or we could make things worse for them."
"Another reason why we've been talking about this is because we still don't know if Hana's already has her hands on One For All." Hawks said. "We don't want to be caught off guard."
"Deku wouldn't do that." She said shaking her head. "He knows what's at stake."
"But from what you told us…you haven't heard anything about his whereabouts or even if he's ok." Rock Lock said.
"I agree. Midoriya is a smart kid and I have faith in him." Mr. Aizawa said.
"But we need to consider every possible outcome." The principal said.
"Let the pros handle this. You all have graduation tomorrow." Present Mic said. "We will let you know the minute we go in I promise you and we'll keep you guys updated on everything."
"Screw graduation!" Uraraka glared at everyone, swiftly turning on her heels and stomping out of the meeting room. "By the time we get to them it may be too late!"
"Ochaco!" Mina shouted quickly following after her along with the rest of their class.
"Whether I want to admit it or not she's right." Hawks said after a few minutes.
"I sincerely hope we're discussing our next actions to get them back right now." Mr. Aizawa rubbed his temple leaning forward in his seat.
"We need to." Present Mic said. "But we can't jeopardize their lives. They are still kids after all."
"Kids that have seen more than their fair share of war."
"Aizawa surely you're not suggesting what I think you are." Principal Nezu said.
"Well, I have to agree with them. If we don't come up with something soon then I will." Mr. Aizawa stood from his seat heading out.
"Shota…" Present Mic said eyes glued to his friend's prosthetic leg.
"They are my kids Mic!" Mr. Aizawa looked over his shoulder grabbing his leg. "It doesn't matter how old they get I'll always be there for them, even now."
"I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding." Smiling Principal Nezu jumped from his seat. "Because that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Now let's get ready."
X
Graduation day UA Grounds…
It was graduation day, the weather started to get warmer but there was still a cold breeze lingering in the air. The bright cherry blossom trees surrounding UA were starting to get into bloom, a symbol to the end and beginning parts of their journey and what's to come.
They knew this was supposed to be one of the most important times of their lives. They've all worked so hard to get to this point. To see the many happy faces awaiting them, the joyful laughter and smiles that could only be shared with the ones you loved. The many seats that were to be filled as the gates opened and people upon people made their way towards the fresh lawn trying to find good seats to see all the third-year students that are scheduled to make their grand appearance in a few minutes.
Years and years of hard work, growth, fights, training, wars and risking their lives all came to this day.
Silently staring out the window Uraraka could faintly make out the excited chatter down below as people dressed for the occasion made sure they had their cameras, phones, and gifts ready for the students they came to see.
It was a beautiful day indeed, a day to celebrate, but like any day she could see the slight clouds in the sky on the horizon.
"Uraraka, are you ready?" Iida quietly knocked on her door watching as she slowly nodded, keeping her eyes glued out the window.
Taking one more look at her reflection she made sure her graduation outfit was too par before turning to face one of her best friends. "Can't believe we've made it this far Iida."
"It is hard to believe that it's already been three years since we stepped foot in this school." Iida felt his throat tighten. "We were so naïve to think that this journey wouldn't be without sacrifice."
"We were." She gave a sad smile, feeling her eyes water. "But it wouldn't be right without them."
"We can agree on that." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Everyone's waiting for us so we can start."
Lifting her chin up she nodded once again. "Then let's go."
Swiftly making it down to the common area, Uraraka took one last look around as sullen silence engulfed them all with memories of the first time they opened the doors to Heigh Alliance and how excited everyone had been that day. It now just seemed so long ago.
"We're ready." Todoroki stepped forward standing in front of the doors as did everyone else.
Placing her helmet on Uraraka let her eyes drag through all of her friends who wore equally determined faces.
"We'll get them back." Iida said next to her placing his own helmet on.
"This could be dangerous. Hana, the Ipponmichi, Toga…all of them." Uraraka said clenching her fists and eyeing everyone. "But I'm not backing down."
"Neither are we." Kaminari firmly said. "It wouldn't be right to finish UA without those two."
"Those guys have helped us more times than we can count!" Mineta said stepping up.
Wrapping an arm around Mina who gave her a thumbs up Kirishima nodded. "It's about time we save them for a change right."
"Katsuki and Deku are strong. Some of the strongest in this school so I know they're still fighting. But if we can all work together than I know we can make a difference and get them home." She said watching Tsu and Yaoyorozu walk up with a map.
"Jirou and Shoji are already on lookout, and Shinso said everyone's busy with graduation. Ribbit."
"So, we should be able to sneak out without being caught." Yaoyorozu said frowning down at the map. "From what Hagakure said this place is quite far but nothing we can't handle. But I suggest having a backup plan."
"On it!" Hagakure said already pulling out her phone.
As they quickly made it out of Heights Alliance trying their best not to get spotted, they could already hear the faint music of graduation starting but didn't see the figure of Hatsume watching them from one of the empty classrooms with a slight glint in her bright yellow eyes.
"How are we doing?" Uraraka asked through her earpiece watching Koda and Sato run outside next.
"Everything's going according to plan…" Yaoyorozu said. "But I'm afraid something else has come up."
"What is it?" Uraraka ran out of the gate with Iida and Todoroki not far behind, but they stopped when they saw a group of students already waiting for them.
"We figured you'd try something like this." Kendo placed a hand on her hip giving them a small smile.
"I hope you don't plan on stopping us." Uraraka narrowed her eyes, eyeing the familiar hero suits Class B were wearing.
"Not at all." Monoma stepped up with a smug smile. "After all, we can't have Class A try and outshine us on our last day here now, can we?"
"What?" Unable to contain their smiles they saw the rest of class B stepping forward.
"You guys this is awesome!" Kaminari grinned.
"We'll be more than happy to help our fellow heroes." Tetsutestu made a fist. "We can't let you guys get all the fun, right?"
"You guys…" Kirishima wiped a small tear from his eyes while Mina fondly patted him on the back. "That is so manly."
"Just tell us where you want us." Kendo smiled.
X
Impatiently tapping his finger against his crossed arms, Mr. Aizawa continued to feel Present Mic elbowing him. "What?!"
"It's getting late."
"So?" Mr. Aizawa said, letting his dark eyes roam the anxious people now looking over their shoulders as the music continued to play.
Clearing his throat Principal Nezu discreetly looked over at the teachers before letting his eyes land on the empty rows of seats in front of the stage. All other courses were currently present except for a few.
"What's going on Eraserhead?" Vlad King chuckled proudly crossing his arms over his chest. "Class A late again?"
Zeroing on his students' seats, Mr. Aizawa felt another headache coming on. "Don't tell me…"
"Not a good way to start the ceremony." Vlad king said as Mr. Aizawa went to stand up.
"I suggest you take a good look at your own empty seats as well Vlad King." He said walking off.
"WHAT?!" Gawking the blood hero swiftly got to his feet.
Clearing his throat once more Principal Nezu returned his attention to the audience with a small smile of his own since it seemed that the hero course students passed his final test, but he was hoping it wasn't during the middle of graduation. "I'm afraid there's been a recent development…."
X
"Hot babe at 12 O'clock." Mineta whispered from atop one of the roofs watching as Zaiaku walked back inside.
"No dude I'm pretty sure it's 6 O'clock." Kaminari snickered before receiving a shove from Jirou. "OW!"
"No 12-"
"We're supposed to be graduating, how do you guys not know this?!"
"Iida keep your voice down." Tsu whisper shouted. "They could hear you."
"How are we even going to get in without them knowing?" Todoroki said next to Uraraka.
"Me." She suddenly said keeping her eyes glued to the entrance. "Toga wants me."
"Ochaco no." Mina quickly grabbed her arm.
"Offering yourself as bait…?" Kirishima shook his head. "I don't like it."
"Look we know that they're probably already expecting us. We're lucky they haven't even moved from this location."
"Yeah but that doesn't mean you should go in there." Mina said.
Before any more argument could be done, Uraraka quickly floated herself down from the side of the building right as Shinso grabbed her arm.
"Uraraka you'll be giving her exactly what she wants."
"Not if I take Hagakure and Kirishima with me." She said landing her brown eyes on the two in question. "Hagakure knows her way around and Kirishima can use his quirk as defense. That way they can look for them while I keep Toga and hopefully Hana occupied."
"We got it." Hagakure high fived Kirishima.
"Alright, we'll give you guys a few minutes but if we don't hear from you by then we're coming in after you." Todoroki said walking back over to crouch down and look at the tall building.
"Be careful." Mina gave them a worried look clutching onto Kirishima as he hugged her tightly.
Silently walking down the street Uraraka made it a point to lock eyes with a few people littering the street, she could tell by the way they were curiously eyeing her that they weren't just random people there.
When she stepped closer to the front door, she was surprised to see no one there but instead tilted her head to see a barely visible force field engulfing the whole building until it suddenly dissipated right before her eyes.
"Well, if that doesn't scream 'trap' then I don't know what does." She muttered to herself and with a hesitant shove of the door heard the empty creak of the it opening to an empty warehouse.
"What do you see?" Yaoyorozu could be heard from her earpiece, but the voice now sounded distorted.
"It's…empty." She said surprised to see nothing here.
"Didn't you say that one of the villains' quirks is some kind of illusion?" Kendo asked.
"Zaiaku." Uraraka nodded as if they could see her. Walking deeper into the building the only sound that could be heard were the echoing of her heeled boots along with a few pigeons fluttering around. But when one flew too close to her face, she quickly whirled around, heart ponding rapidly before the building she was in suddenly changed making her slightly wobble with that familiar feeling from back at the attack at the dorm last year.
Looking up she saw bright familiar white halls with doors lining each side. With slow careful steps she felt her heart hammering in her chest after every door she passed and no guards in sight.
"We're in." Hagakure could be heard from her earpiece. "It was too easy."
"Yeah I gotta tell you I'm not loving this." Kirishima said. "Where is everybody?"
"Don't know. But keep your guard up." Uraraka replied into her earpiece.
"Got it."
Once she went down another corridor and down the steps, she could already smell the smell of bleach assault her nostrils and the constants screams on either side of the doors she passed until she came to a complete stop.
"I've been waiting for you."
"Hana." Uraraka saw the little girl smiling at her standing further down the hall.
"What took you so long? I thought you forgot about me."
Swallowing the nervous pit in her stomach, Uraraka couldn't help but shake at the thought of being back here with the white color of Hana's eyes staring directly at her. "Where are they?"
"Who? You're friends here? Or… the ones outside?" Hana grinned.
X
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Kirishima asked again, eyeing the numbers on the doors.
"If I say no, will that freak you out?" Hagakure evilly chuckled.
"Not funny." He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm also worried about Uraraka since we haven't heard from her."
"Same." Yaoyorozu said through their coms. "All we've been getting is static interference."
"You think she's ok?" Hagakure asked Kirishima who kept his gaze forward.
"I'm more worried about us right now." He gestured to the guards up front and the ones now walking up behind them.
"Crap not good." Hagakure frantically said next to him. "Kirishima!"
"What?" Looking over his shoulder his eyes momentarily widened when he saw Hagakure standing next to him suddenly quirkless and thankful for her new uniform.
"I don't think the belts are working anymore!"
Clenching and unclenching his fists he tried to use his quirk as the guards continued to advance on them. "Come on! Come on!"
"Kirishima get hard already!" Hagakure nervously looked forward and back unaware of Mina on the other end of the com grinning.
"Hagakure you've really got to work on your wording." Kirishima grits his teeth. "Damn it, it's not working!"
"We…." The distorted voice of Yaoyorozu could be heard saying until it went silent.
"You guys?!" Hagakure tried to reach their friends but only got static in return. "I can't get through."
"Ok…so what was plan B again?" he urgently said.
X
"You knew…" Uraraka quietly stated watching Hana shrug and quickly turn to walk down the next set of stairs.
She knew it was a trap, but she needed to find them and in a place like this they could be anywhere. Running down the set of stairs she stopped when she saw a door swing shut and stumbled back when the building suddenly shook.
'Guys please be ok.' she inwardly pleaded.
"Ochaco…" she heard a familiar feminine voice call out her name from inside the door.
"Toga!" Swinging the doors wide open, she was barely able to dodge a knife aimed right at her face kicking the girls' feet right from under her.
"Nice reflexes." Toga grinned. "But I wonder how long that's going to last you friend."
"Where are they?!" Uraraka shouted dodging another one of her assaults, trying to grab Toga by the wrist until the girl jumped back.
"Right here."
Lifting her head, Uraraka was too late when she felt an explosion hit her and herself roughly being thrown back against the wall barely gasping for air.
"How rude of me." Hana giggled with guards on either side of her including one who had his arm raised. He was completely covered in black armor from head to toe and the whole bottom half of his face was covered by a black mask. The only giveaway were the ash blond spikes on his head and the crimson red eyes now covering his sclera, the same shade as Hana right now.
"K-Katsuki?" she stammered lifting herself on shaky legs. She couldn't believe it, he was ok.
But there was something empty in his eyes, something that made her warily take a step back when she saw him raise his other hand, palm facing her.
"Let me introduce you to our new member Dynamight."