Seven years ago after the building had fallen, Anti thought he had died. But when he woke up, he was in some sort of odd hospital. No.

A lab.

He felt horrible and damaged. And when he looked down on himself, he saw why.

Casts all over him, marks of blood, IVs hooked up to him like crazy.

That's when he remembered, "May! May, where-" he started coughing and his body convulsed in pain.

"Easy there" a new voice came out of the shadows. Anti didn't know why but suddenly without even seeing him, he hated this person.

He spoke from in the shadows, "You had quite an ordeal" he spoke so formerly, "But don't you worry. Our doctor will heal you right up . . and then you can start repaying me"

"Re . . paying?" he whimpered but May's face remained in his head, "Where's May?! Where's my brothers? Where am I? What'd you do to May?"

"May, hm? The young girl you 'saved'? Oh she's fine. We retrieved YOU from the morgue before they could embalm you, dear boy. It's a good thing our doctor has done this before."

"I DON'T CARE! I WANNA GO HOME! LET ME GO!! MAY! JACKIE!!! SEAN!!! HELLLLPPPP!!" He started shouting and crying, not caring about the pain anymore.

"Silence, brat!" the sinister man started to walk out of the shadows and Anti was even more terrified.

"It seems we'll have one hell of a time reforming you, boy. . . ." he smiled, "But don't you worry. You'll be all happy and blissful soon . . . like nothing of your previous life had ever happened."

"B-but . . .May-"

"Oh don't worry, you'll still remember . . . . I'll just make it so you won't care"

He laughed and the last thing Anti knew was he fell unconscious.

But now . . . . after over seven years . . . .

And seeing her again. . . .

Anti felt like there was a piece of him trying to break out of his head. Something he had kept locked away for years.

Seeing Mayura again, he felt strange, like something inside of him was trying to dig its way out and with every memory she tried to unlock, it got stronger and stronger!

"Your brothers . . . they were so upset and sad when you . . . I was, too . . . why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you come back to us? Did I mean anything to you?"

Anti felt sick when she had said that and that piece of him cried out inside, crying. He wanted to hold her, cry with her. Deep inside, Anti's feelings had never changed for her. Of course he cared about her. So much.

But he spoke and the words he said weren't what he really wanted to say to her. That they were just stupid children back then.

He hated himself but he couldn't break out.

"HOW DARE YOU! YOU SON OF A BITCH! I BLAMED MYSELF FOR YOUR DEATH, DO YOU KNOW THAT?! EVERY SINGLE FUCKING DAY, I WENT TO THAT SCHOOL AND TALKED TO YOU WHERE YOU DIED! I WENT TO UA FOR YOU, TO BE A HERO FOR THE BOTH OF US BECAUSE THAT'S ALL YOU EVER TALKED ABOUT!

I KNOW YOU BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE EVER COULD! YOUR HERO NAME WAS GOING TO BE LIGHTNING MAN! YOU LOVED TO SHOCK JACKIE WITH YOUR QUIRK! YOUR FAVORITE HERO WAS HOUND DOG BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT HE WAS JUST AS MISUNDERSTOOD AS YOU! YOUR FAVORITE COLOR IS GREEN! YOUR FAVORITE FOOD IS ANYTHING FRIED IN TEMPURA! YOU NEVER GOT ALONG WITH ANYONE ELSE!"

A shell was cracking but every time he wanted to bust out, it seemed to repair itself over and over and over again.

He had a feelings that maybe . . . just maybe All for One was there somehow, still keeping him in check. His brainwashing.

Yes, deep . . . . DEEP inside, Anti knew and yet there was nothing he could do to escape. He wished . . . that part of him inside . . . he wished Mayura could just see that and leave him behind. Save herself. Her and this other boy with her.

And then he told her she was pathetic.

He just wanted to kill all of these villains, break them apart, electrocute them. He didn't want this.

Did he?

His body was twitching and he felt like he was so close to breaking free. And yet he knew it was just an impossible hope. Mayura just might escape but Anti will always remain the villain and All for One's second puppet. Trapped and locked away in the depths of his own mind only to be buried, as well.

Why couldn't she just leave him? He wasn't the same person anymore. . . .

"Flicker . . . . You called me Flicker . . . because you said that'd be my hero name"

He didn't want to be buried away just yet.

And then the pro heroes arrived but All for One and the doctor's use of teleportation, the black goo had appeared.

He didn't think. He just acted.

Anti glitched and bolted towards her. A part of him knew that All for One might want her quirk regardless and he just acted out of instinct. Pushing past the cage he was put in a long time ago.

She slapped him hard against the face and yelled at him again and again.

Oh yeah . . .he looked around and saw where he had brought them. He didn't even realize but now that he was away from All for One . . . the mind lock was weaker but not by much. Just enough.

"May . . . I don't wanna lose you . . . if you don't join us, they'll kill you"

But just like that, the moment was gone and he was right back where he was. Trapped. He just wanted to protect her. It was a last ditch effort, even if it was selfish.

"I'll save you, Anti"

He glitched and laughed at her, "Save ME!? HA! I don't need saving! Idiot! I-"

Then her body started to glow and white flames surrounded her. It had been a long time since she let this much power breach from her.

Anti recognized that, at least and froze as her light grew brighter and brighter and the flames started to whirl around her like a small tornado.

Her nose started to bleed and tears sizzled out from her eyes but her determination overcame all her pain. For him.

"I'll save you, Anti! I'll be your hero! I promise! All you have to do . . . is remember the way things used to be! Please! Remember! I know this isn't you and deep inside, you know it, too. . . only you can help yourself . . . and me"

'No' he knew what she was trying to do. He remembered, how could he forget. He was the only one she told in detail what she remembered happened to her parents.

How her power lost control and she killed them on accident.

She had almost died herself if Eraserhead hadn't been there to stop her.

And now, 'What is she thinking? Doesn't she realize, there's no hope for me!? Even IF I'm freed, I'm a villain, now! She can't be serious!'

But he knew she was.

She would do anything to save him. He knew that and now more than any other moment, it was far too clear just how far she'd go.

Even to her death.

Anti shuddered and shivered, gritting his teeth so hard, he thought his jaw might break.

This . . this imposter in his head . . . taking control over him, dictating everything he did and said.

Little by little, the more he fought, he felt it breaking.

He couldn't let her do this.

Suddenly her power unleashed an even brighter light up to the heavens and white flames surrounded her like a fiery typhoon. If she did this much longer with even more power, she might not survive and neither would the land around them for a great margin. Was she really willing to sacrifice other people's lives, too, here?!

'No, that's not it'

Anti could see her whole body was emitting the light and white fire. Blood caked over her nose and mouth and ears and yet even more power was breaking through. The light was probably reaching over the radius of the old school by now! Any more and-

'She can't control it anymore . . . but she knew it'd happen. . . she's counting on . . . she's counting on ME'

He hated it. In that moment, he hated her and yet, his heart was pumping loud and his emotions were running wild.

He felt something inside of him break.

All the days they spent together . . .. all the times she was there for him and he was there for her.

Her precious smile always encouraging him.

"You'll be the best hero out there, Anti! I believe in you!" her smile was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He hung on her every word. He believed her.

"It's all my fault, Anti . . . I killed my mommy and daddy" she cried in his arms when she had told him. She had been spending the night over with him and his brothers and Sean. She finally told him what happened and why she didn't have parents and why Sean was helping to take care of her. He wouldn't let her go that night.

'I never wanted to see you cry again, May' he remembered his vow, 'I promised myself I'd do anything and everything I could to make sure I'd never see you cry again'

And yet he had been the one to make her cry tonight. Over and over again.

'I'll fix it . . . I have . . I HAVE TO!'

Seeing her broken and her quirk still rising. The power seemed unlimited coming off of her, maybe even stronger than even All-Might's.

There wasn't much more time before-

He didn't even want to think about it!

He had to move!

He had to break free!

That smile flashed in his head that he loved so much.

'MOVE! I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!'

Seeing her in pain. Hearing her words. Feeling her power overwhelming her into oblivion.

He couldn't stand it.

And no amount of brainwashing was going to keep him from her.

He glitched and bolted towards her.

"MAYURA!!!!"

Mayura's mind was already out of it. Being consumed by her fears and this vast powers she had no idea of how to fully control.

Bits and pieces of the power of a goddess or even the sun.

Consuming her.

All she saw was Anti's face in her head.

'That's all I wanted . . . . . just to see you again . . . . I know you can do it, Anti. . . .'

She heard something calling out to her but it was too small for her to hear fully.

'Anti . . . I know you're still in there . . . . please . . . before I ruin this . . . before I lose hope that I gambled too much on you . . ..'

She didn't even notice him rushing into the flames.

'Please . . . . save me'

Arms suddenly wrapped around her, tugging her close and a pained grunt echoed in her ears.

"MAY!!!!!"

'Anti?'

"I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! YOU HAVE TO REEL IT IN! PLEASE! FOR ME! I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY, MAY!"

'How do I know . . .'

He cried on her, hugging her tight, "May . . . .I'm so sorry . . I'm here now, Flicker . . . ." he shook as his cried racked him along with her fires and light. The burning searing his skin but he didn't care, "And I'll never let you go again . . . I swear it . . . . I'm here for you"

They collapsed on their knees and as fast as it came, Mayura's light and flames were sucked back inside of her and they fell onto each other.

Neither one even realizing they were surrounded by multiple pro heroes that had seen Mayura's light.

Anti still shook, ignoring his burns and just tried to keep holding her. But carefully, he moved her so he could look down on her in his arms, holding her to his chest.

She looked up at him, albeit barely able to keep her eyes open. But she saw his face. Looking down on her, his face full of tears.

"A-anti . . . ." she muttered softly, " . . . . you're . . . . you're back . . I knew you'd save me"

"Stupid . . ." he chuckled slightly, still crying, " . . . . I'll always save you . . I'll always . . .I'm so sorry, May"

She carefully lifted up her hand and held his cheek, "It's okay . . . . I forgive you . . . Lightning Man"

He snorted and smiled down on her, "Flicker . . . . Thank you . . ."

Those were his last words to her before she finally fell unconscious.

One Week Later

Mayura hesitantly opened her eyes.

The last thing she remembered was Anti crying and telling her how sorry he was.

And now . . . .

'Where am I?'

"May?"

She turned over to see a familiar face that lit up when he saw her, "May, you're awake!"

Sean jumped up from his seat and immediately fell on top of her to hug her, crying his eyes out.

"S-sean?"

"I gotta tell the others! They'll be so excited!" he leapt off of her but before she could say anything else, he used his quirk and teleported out of the room.

Mayura felt awful but she managed to force herself to sit up, 'Where's Anti?'

Immediately she thought the unthinkable, 'No . . . the pro heroes didn't kill him, did they!?'

Without caring of her own health, she forced herself out of the bed, being thankful she didn't have anything strapped to her, and bolted out of the room.

Sean reappeared with a big smile on his face but gawked at the empty bed in horror, "Mayura!?"

'Shit, I should have known something like this was gonna happen! So stupid!' he ran to call a nurse.

Mayura ran as fast as she could throughout the hospital, being lucky she hadn't been caught yet. She saw class 1-A hanging around but she was in no mood to chit-chat!

But then a body walked right in front of her and she bumped into them!

"HEY WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING EXT-" he stopped himself and glared at Mayura on the floor, "The hell are you doing up, Shimizu, you damn glowstick!? The teachers said you'd be in bed for days still!"

Mayura paid his yelling no mind, "I can't talk right now, Bakugou! Where's Anti!? Where'd they take him!?"

Bakugou scoffed, "You mean that crazy freak with the league? He's with the police right now. . . . . look, glowstick, I-"

She shook her head, "Bakugou, I don't have time! Please, if you know where he is . . . tell me, goddammit!!!!"

Bakugou stiffened at her unusual anger but sighed, "You really care about that freak, don't ya? Even after everything he said to you? I heard that they said when they found you guys, though, he was holding you . . . crying . . didn't wanna let you go at first, either. Was he really fucked up or something?"

Mayura shuddered in impatience but nodded, "He saved me"

"So you WERE that crazy light show, then? I saw it even in the city during All-Might and that other freak's fight. A lot of people did. . . . that's some crazy shit. The crazy bastard wasn't lying then when he said you went out of control that one time . . .. you did it this time on purpose though . . . ."

Bakugou seemed to think for a moment before rolled his eyes, "The fuck do I care, extra? They have him here at the hospital. He was just as banged up as you. Top floor. See ya, loser"

Mayura didn't wait and bolted towards the stairs, skirting by any and all nurses or security that tried to get in her way.

Bakugou glared in the direction she ran off to, 'You're really a worthy opponent then, aren't you? You'll be my rival then just like that stupid shitty nerd Deku'

Just then he saw Sean running towards him, "Bakugou, kid! Have you seen Mayura running down here anywhere!? She's not supposed to up and walking around yet and-"

"Not my problem! Don't care! Buzz off!" Bakugou walked away, leaving Sean stunned.

Mayura got up to the top floor with several guards after her of course yelling at her.

"You can't be up here! This is for secure personnel only!"

She ignored them but she knew which room Anti was in when she saw multiple Pro heroes outside of a single door. She bolted towards then.

'No one's gonna stand in my way!'

The pro heroes Midnight, Endeavor and Eraserhead were standing in her way but before Eraserhead could stop her quirk, she flashed them with her light like a flash grenade and busted in the room.

"Somebody stop her!"

That's when she saw him.

Sitting in a chair with handcuffs on behind his back. They had him locked behind a special glass containment area used solely for criminals.

But that wouldn't stop May. She didn't even notice Anti's brothers in the room and she just smashed the thick glass with her light quirk like a strong beam!

No one could stop her as she barreled into Anti on the chair.

"May?" Anti was just as shocked as the rest of them.

No one even wanted to scold her, though, when she started to cry, hugging this . . villain like some long lost dear friend.

That's because that's what he was to her.

Vlad King grunted, "Shouldn't we break them up?"

Eraserheard shook his head, "Nah . . . look at them . . . they're fine"

Anti rested his head on Mayura's as she cried and spoke softly, trying to calm her.

"May . . . I'm so sorry . . I'm so sorry"

"No! I'M sorry! I should have known! I should have KNOWN somehow you were alive! I should have saved you long ago! I'm sorry, Anti!"

He nipped her ear to shut her up and she yelped, grabbing at her ear and pulling away but still leaning on him, "What was that for!?"

"For being dumb" he snickered, "There was nothing you could have done to help me back then. NO ONE knew I was alive . . .. it's not your fault, May . . none of it is" he leaned his head forward softly and kissed her forehead.

"AWWWWWW!!!!" Chase drawled out.

Anti gave him a look but Jackie elbowed Chase.

"Cut it out, Chase. . . . don't make him mad. We just got him back"

Oh yeah, that was right. . .

Mayura finally took a look around to see all the Septic brothers in the room, some still with tears in their eyes. It seemed they got the chance, however, to catch up a bit before SHE did this time.

"Okay then!" Principal Nezu got their attention, "Now back to priorities, we need to discuss this young man's future."

"YOU'RE NOT TAKING HIM AWAY!!!" Mayura nearly lost her shit and honestly, Anti nearly lost his at Mayura's protectiveness.

"I don't think there's a need to, actually" Eraserhead spoke up, "It's a pain in the ass but it's already been proven that Anti here was brainwashed. So he's in no real danger to be thrown in a prison cell just yet"

"Really?"

"Unless he proves otherwise"

Mayura didn't even notice the position she was in but Anti sure did. Not that he wanted to say anything. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and even if he cared about May, he was still a but sleazy in his own way.

"So what're you guys planning on doing with him?" Jackie was upfront as he as, moving forward to stand between the pro heroes and his brother and May, "I may be just a high-schooler but I'm not stupid. You guys plan on using him for intel on the league. You might even want him to go back in and pretend he's still brainwashed."

"Well that WAS a thought" Nezu hummed.

Mayura was ready to attack for Anti but Present Mic shouted over all of them.

"BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'VE DECIDED!"

Suddenly Sean burst through the door, "GUYS, I CAN'T FIND MAYURA ANYWHERE AND I THINK THAT MAYBE SHE'S ON HER WAY HERE TO-"

He stopped, seeing the situation.

Midnight sighed, "Couldn't you have just teleported here?"

Sean blinked but scratched at the back of his neck sheepishly, "And that's why I'm not a pro hero like you guys out on the streets anymore . . . thinking under pressure was never really my strong-suit"

"Obviously" Eraser muttered, "Anyway. We've decided . . . that Anti will be staying under UA care so he can have all of UA's pro heroes watching him. It's the best move, really, to ensure HE isn't a threat AND no threat comes to HIM. . . mainly from the league of villains"

Mayura sighed, her stress finally lifted but with her relaxing, she was reminded of how much her body hurt.

And suddenly she saw the position she was in . . . sitting in Anti's lap.

She blushed red and hopped out of his lap, ignoring Anti's sly smirk but he didn't say anything. For that, at least she was grateful.

"Good . . uh . . that's great!"

"Hell yeah, it is!" Marvin shouted, "We get our bro back! Dude, we have SO much to catch you up on! And you're gonna LOVE UA!"

"Even though" Henrik intervened, "Even though it's not exactly zhe way you wanted to go there"

Anti just nodded with a small smile, "That's okay . . . . as long as I have you guys around" he looked straight at Mayura, "Then there's nothing else I need"

She blushed again but couldn't help but to smile, too, "Anti . . ."

Endeavor rolled his eyes, "Enough of this nauseating lovesick crap. We need to get down to business. Because even if we're not sending him back to the league, then he's gotta have other intel he can just TELL us. Make yourself useful, zombie-boy"

Anti just nodded, "Of course . . it's the least I can do after all"

__________________________

Vlad King. Quirk: Blood control. He can manipulate his own blood after it has left his body. He can also solidify the ejected blood, allowing him to trap his opponent.

Midnight. Quirk: Somnambulist. She can put almost anyone to sleep by exuding a sleep-inducing aroma from her body. Her Quirk works better on males than females, though.

Principal Nezu. Quirk: Rodent. He is a very special rodent who has developed the ability to have a quirk. He has exceptional intelligence and enhanced senses even more so than any other human.

Endeavor. Quirk: Hellflame. He can produce and manipulate large amounts of extremely intense fire at will.

Eraserheard. Quirk: Erasure. He can nullify another person's Quirk by looking at the user. The effects of this Quirk can still last even if Shota's line of vision is out of range

Present Mic. Quirk: Voice. He can increase the volume of his voice, giving him an ability that is similar to a sonic scream.