"I ᗯIᔕᕼ I ᑕOᑌᒪᗪ TEᒪᒪ YOᑌ ᕼOᗯ I ᖇEᗩᒪᒪY ᖴEEᒪ"

Kita exited the room Ochako was currently restrained in. Walking down the hallway, he smirked. The plan was coming together nicely.

Although, he hadn't planned on telling Ochako his backstory. She didn't know it was his own story, anyway. He guessed it didn't even matter if she knew or not.

Knowledge was a burden.

He should know; he knew way too much. Seen way too much. That was just a symptom of growing up, he concluded.

If only he had grown up with a normal childhood. No dead parents, no villain corporations... he might've even become a hero. The thought sickened him.

Whatever his father had done to get himself killed wasn't Kita's fault. Everything after was, though.

His meeting with Iwahara was his fault. The loss of trust between them was his fault. He could only imagine what could come next.

He smiled, a chilling smile that seemed to be a signature expression for him. He wouldn't fail this time. Nothing would be his fault this time. After all...

Everything was going according to the plan.

He was honestly surprised everything had been playing out just as he thought it would. His first step was to separate the students, and he had already done that. Secondly, just for the fun of it, hire some villains to make it even harder for the heroes.

Although... was it really just for fun? Or was he installing fear into the heroes, letting them know that they can't win this? Kita burst out into laughter, a laugh malicious enough to bring horror to those who heard it.

"This is really fun," he gasped. "What was it that Inouye said that time? 'You're a sick asshole'?"

The villain slammed his fist against the wall beside him, the bubbling laughter slowly dying down. He stared at the ground, a blank expression on his face. "Would things have turned out different... if I used to think about things before I did them?"

Of course, he couldn't change the past. No one could. Maybe someone with a time traveling quirk, but he'd never heard of someone like that before.

It wasn't like he was guilty about anything, anyway.

"Run Kita!"

Nothing at all.

"Run and don't turn back!"

Kita closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he sighed heavily.

"What's wrong, kid?"

His eyes widened as another memory crossed his mind, pushing the guilt of his mother's death away...

"Answer me, kid," a man in dark clothes had said, nudging the child's shoulder.

A young, malnourished Kita looked up, his tired eyes dull as he stared at the man questioning him. "Nothing, sir."

"Nothing?" The man scoffed. "Say that to me again when you've eaten something. Tell me, kid. How old are you?"

"...Fourteen."

"A teenager? No wonder you didn't tell me what's wrong," the man frowned. "You look like you've been through a lot for a fourteen year old. What's your name, kid?"

Kita's heart stopped. That phrase... he had heard it before. What's your name, kid? What's your name, kid? What's your name, kid?

The young Kita could feel his insides churning, and his breathing became heavy. Memories he didn't know he had starting flooding in, and the breaded man who had asked him that question only seven years ago came into view.

Anger started to boil within him. Then sadness, then guilt. Why should he feel this way? Why should a question as simple as that make him nauseous?

"Kid, are you okay?" The man asked, although he didn't really look worried.

However, Kita didn't hear him, nor see his expression for that matter. Only one thought was on his mind.

I want to kill him. I want to kill him. I want-

But he had already done that. He had put that man and his accomplice into an everlasting sleep. But that didn't sastify Kita now. He should've bashed their brains out. He should've shot them over and over like they did to his mother. Should've shot them in the chest, like they did to his father.

The rage he felt had boiled over. His teeth were clenched, his fists as well. His gray eyes burned with malicious intent. He didn't notice it then, but the man was smiling at his expression.

Kita's breathing became heavy, and his whole body shook. The anger was too much to bear. He couldn't take the pain. He felt like he was going to burst. He felt like he had to hurt someone to get what he wanted.

And then he felt nothing.

The pain of it all just seemed to disappear. It was like something inside of him snapped.

"K..." he started to say, catching the attention of the man. "...My name is Kita."

Oh, how good it had felt to say his name. After seven long years of restraining himself from telling people his identity, he had finally done it.

The man smirked, ruffling Kita's brown head of hair. "Good to know, kid. My name is Iwahara."

Now, crouching in a hallway, the memory was ripped from his thoughts as an explosion was heard nearby. Kita looked shocked at first, before grinning. "So the fun has finally begun, huh?"

Just then, a spiky blonde headed boy rounded the corner. "Oi! You're the one who stole Pink Cheeks!"

"Bakugo, this is the seventh building you've destroyed..." a navy blue haired student came up behind him, before freezing upon spotting Kita.

"So, you've found me," Kita fake pouted. "How sad. Everything was going so well..."

The plan was still going just as he thought, however the other two didn't know that. Might as well let them think they're winning.

"We're here to save Uraraka!" The blue haired hero stated in a matter of fact tone.

"That's what you're here for!" Explosion boy smirked. "I'm here to destroy this guy."

Kita raised a brow, smiling. "Well, well," he said. "Let's see how well you play."

—————————————

I'm sure I heard them around here somewhere, Midoriya thought, running through the Ruins Zone. It was in the Landslide Zone!

Coming upon the sloped terrain, Midoriya scanned the barren mountain for any sort of life. Just then, he saw something white in the corner of his eye, and looked over to see a shot of acid in the distance.

Acid... Mina's over there! Hurriedly, he made his way over to the spot, coming upon two of his classmates fighting a villain.

And it wasn't just any villain. It was the woman who had been beside Nightmare before Class 1-A passed out. Rewind Doctor is what the villain called herself.

Mina shot acid towards the towards Rewind Doctor, while the other student, Tsuyu, stuck her tongue out to grab the villain.

Rewind Doctor dodged their attacks effortlessly, before advancing towards Mina. Before she could reach the student, Midoriya kicked her out of the way.

Rewind Doctor stumbled to the ground, looking up with an annoyed look in her eyes. "Another one?"

"Midoriya!" Mina exclaimed. "Boy, am I glad to see you!"

"As am I, ribbit," Tsuyu added.

"I'm glad to see you guys, too," Midoriya sighed in relief. "Are you okay? Any injuries?"

"Just a few scratches," Mina grinned. "Nothing I can't handle-.."

"As beautiful as this reunion is," Rewind Doctor cut in sarcastically, "Shouldn't you be focusing on your enemy?"

It took a moment for Midoriya to realize her voice was right next to him, but it was too late to dodge when she kicked him down and put her hand on his head. Suddenly, his energy seemed to seep from his body.

The weight was gone when Tsuyu knocked Rewind Doctor off of him with her tongue. The villain skidded away, and Midoriya quickly stood.

"Some sort of energy stealing quirk?" He asked.

"Not energy," the villain smirked. "Nutrients."

"That seems to be her quirk," Tsuyu said. "She can transfer nutrients."

"Transfer... nutrients?" Midoriya echoed. So that's why he felt his energy draining from him... she had transferring his own nutrients to herself.

"Smart!" Rewind Doctor remarked.

Midoriya narrowed his eyes, before activating his quirk. He shot towards her, swinging his leg at her head. She jumped to the side, grabbing his leg and flinging him away.

Tsuyu caught him with her tongue, settling him down while Mina shot acid towards the villain. Rewind Doctor dodged each shot, all the while advancing towards the student. Mina wasn't able to step away before she punched the student into the ground.

Midoriya came in right after, kicking Rewind Doctor away from Mina. Tsuyu jumped up, catching the villain midair and kicking her into the ground.

It took a moment for her to catch her breath, sitting up with a grin. "You three sure can put up a fight."

Tsuyu attended to Mina while Midoriya stood his ground. He didn't waste a second, and kicked off the ground towards the villain.

She rolled out of the way, and Midoriya lost his footing. However, he took advantage of the situation, spinning around and swinging his leg at her.

She held up her arms to block the kick, however his strength was no match for hers, and she was flung away. The One For All user jumped over to her, holding her down with his quirk.

"You want to steal Uraraka," he said through clenched teeth. "That I can never forgive you for."

"Who said I asked for forgiveness?" She asked, bringing her legs up and kicking him off of her.

He landed on his feet, glaring at her with narrowed eyes. "But why? What does she have that you want so badly? She's just a student, like the rest of us!" He looked at the ground. "If you want a U.A. student that much, just take me."

"..." The silence from Rewind Doctor surprised him, and he looked up to see her shaking.

  "How dare you say that...?" She said. "Is that what you want? Yeah sure, let's just push away everything I sacrificed!"

"...Huh?" Midoriya stood, shocked.

"Everything I've done was for a person like her specifically," she continued, looking up with a pained expression. "Don't you dare try to cancel out my pain by trying to make it all for nothing."

Bewildered, Midoriya couldn't say anything. Someone like Uraraka? Sacrifice? What is she saying...?

He didn't have time to think when Rewind Doctor started towards him, though. He took a step back, her fist just grazing his cheek. He grabbed her wrist, pulling on her arm and flinging her away.

She grunted when she hit the ground, shakily pushing herself up.

"...You said you sacrificed something," Midoriya said after a moment. "Why?"

She looked at him, an angry yet pitiful expression on her face. "Why do you think? For him."

"Nightmare?" Midoriya asked, a dangerous tone added to his voice.

Rewind Doctor stayed silent, before looking away. "No... someone else."

A confused expression plastered onto Midoriya's features. Someone else? Who?

"So you're saying... there's someone else behind of all this?"

"You think that idiot was the mastermind to all of this?" Rewind Doctor scoffed.

"He can't take her!" Midoriya said suddenly, causing the villain to freeze. "Whoever you're working for can't take Uraraka! Because..."

He stopped, eyes widening. He knew what he was about to say. The only explanation for why his chest felt so compressed around her. The reason he was so captivated by her dancing, the reason why he wanted to cup her cheek when she had fell asleep on his shoulder.

But he was too scared to say it. He didn't know why. Why couldn't he say three simple words?

Because in the end, they weren't so simple.

"...Because she's my best friend," he finally said. "You can't take her from me."

Rewind Doctor stared at him. "Friendship alone isn't going to save her from this, you know."

"I know. That's why I'm the one who's going to save her." Midoriya looked the villain straight in the eye. "I'm the one who's going to protect her."

The villain was silent for a moment, before looking to the ground. "Better get to it, then."

"What?"

"I never said I was with Nightmare, you know," she said. "I have my own reasons for this."

The One For All user stood for a few moments, processing what she was saying. He was silent, before smiling a little. "Thank you for this."

Quickly, he turned, heading back to Tsuyu and Mina. Rewind Doctor watched him go, a deep sadness in her eyes. She stood and walked the other way, without looking back.

When Midoriya reached the others, Tsuyu was helping Mina up onto her feet. "What was with that casual conversation?" The alien-like student asked. "And did she just let you go?"

"I wouldn't really call it a casual conversation..." Midoriya mumbled. "Anyways, I got some information from her. Apparently, there's someone else behind this."

"Nightmare is working for someone, then," Tsuyu put in.

Midoriya nodded, before glancing at Mina. "Are you okay? She knocked you into the ground pretty hard-.."

"Will Uraraka be alright?" Mina suddenly asked. Midoriya froze, and Tsuyu closed her eyes.

What a question. They were facing something dangerous, someone dangerous. And the villain's priority was Uraraka. Would they really be able to save her?

"Uraraka's our friend," Mina started to tear up. "We have to save her!"

"Friendship alone isn't going to save her."

Rewind Doctor's words repeated in his head, but Midoriya's vow to protect Uraraka seemed to grow louder in his mind. He would save Uraraka, and then he'd protect her from any harm. After all...

That's what someone in love does, isn't it?

"Of course, Mina," Midoriya smiled. "We'll definitely save her."

—————————————

Ochako pulled against her restraints, starting to get frustated. "Come on, loosen up!"

There wasn't much she could do in that situation. The ropes tied her hands behind her back, so she couldn't untie anything else restraining her. Thoughts raced through her head as she continued to pull.

Think, Ochako. Think! She looked around the room for anything that might be useful. She then deadpanned, realizing that she wouldn't even be able to use anything to help her, since her wrists were tied together.

"This is hopeless!" She said aloud, sighing in irritation. "Wait, no. Don't think like that Ochako, don't start feeling sorry for yourself."

She started resisting against the ropes once more, and a thought crossed her mind. What would Deku do in a situation like this?

Ochako stopped pulling against the restraints, thinking long and hard. If anything, Deku would think outside of the box. He would look for ways around the obstacle.

"Hmmm..." she closed her eyes tight. "He would make a plan. Maybe gather some supplies? Maybe use his quirk-.."

Her eyes opened wide, and she started to grin. "Of course! My quirk!"

With her hand, Ochako stretched her fingers towards her other wrist. It hurt, but soon enough she was able to reach the ropes and touch them with all five fingers. When her quirk activated, the ropes loosened just enough for her to free her hands.

"Yes!" She exclaimed, quickly untying the rest of her restraints. She stood, looking at her hands with a smile.

Even if he isn't with me, Deku helps me get through the toughest of times...

An explosion from nearby startled her, and she whipped around to face the door. "What the..."

She raced towards the door, opening it only to be met by Iida. "Ah! Iida!"

"Uraraka, you're safe!" Iida pushed past her into the room. "We have to get out of here. Bakugo's fighting that Nightmare villain."

"Yeah, I heard the explosions," Ochako replied.

Iida looked around, before his face seemed to light up with an idea. "Step back, Uraraka."

Ochako obeyed, stepping back a little. Iida then didn't hesitate to run towards the window, before kicking the glass and shattering it.

"That should do," he said, before turning towards the doorway. "Bakugo, hurry up! We've got to go!"

The explosions stopped, before footsteps could be heard in the hallway. Bakugo appeared, looking from Uraraka to Iida.

"Let's get out of here," he grumbled.

The others nodded, and the three jumped from the window. They landed on the ground safely, since the room Ochako had been in wasn't so high up.

While the other two ran ahead, Ochako glanced back up to the window, only to be met with cold eyes. Her heart stopped upon seeing Nightmare staring down at her, his sinister smile chilling her to the bone. They held eye contact for a second, and a silent message seemed to pass between them.

"You won't be able to escape."

"Just watch me."

—————————————
A/N

The amount of times I've come back to this chapter only to abandon it I-

Well, hellooo there! It certainly has been a while. I'll be honest with you all, I got my phone back a couple weeks ago, but the writers block was so strong with this chapter.

I am so incredibly sorry for the wait! I noticed we've reached 10k reads, and that motivated me to finish this up for y'all! Thank you so much for the continuous support! 💕