Well, well, well. Look who's back... oh, wait, it's me.

You're probably wondering where I was. Or not. But I'm gonna tell you regardless. The whole COVID situation took a significant toll on my mental state, and the long, long hours of working took a toll on my physical state. If you didn't know, I work in the Emergency Department, and my hours became incredibly overwhelming. In addition to the long hours, we were already one of the biggest hospitals in the nation, and it only got worse with COVID. So much, in fact that writing was all but impossible. I had to take a break because I was pretty much falling apart. Thankfully, I've been able to recuperate over the past few weeks with my shifts slowly regulating, and I've been able to take some solace in small things.

Just please have tempered expectations and avoid needless flaming. I'm probably going to suck a lot, as I haven't tried writing like this in... awhile. Thank you!

Here's a chapter that had artwork inspired by TheArtofGaf - you can find them on IG at that exact username. They've posted some amazingly high quality concepts, including a super incredible MHAxAvengers crossover I never got around to writing, but high kudos to their creations. In order to understand some references, you'll actually have to reference their work, so... well, all the more reason to look at their art!

Also, just for reference, these chapters are all supposed to be split-up and individual. They technically do not rely on one another in any format - consider them stand-alone chapters, if you will. So this is non-canon to everything that has happened before this chapter.

You can check out my profile for updates concerning all of my stories and their progress! It'll be updated every other day or so!

SPOILERS FOR THE MHA MOVIE 2 (Heroes Rising) and Manga

Read with caution

She was going to be late.

A quick glance at her digital wrist watch told her that was a lie.

She was already late. She was simply becoming later.

A noise, something between a groan, a moan, and a growl escaped her lips as she tried to pick up her pace, weaving in and out of the students that were nonchalantly making their way to class. Did they not have midterm exams? They were at a hero school - one of the best and brightest in Japan! How could everyone afford to be so... relaxed?!

Finally, after a few moments of desperate jogging, she broke free from the throng of people and made her way outside, toward Training Ground Beta - the towering simulation buildings glaring at her from a short distance. Why she had to meet separately from the rest of her class for their midterm was beyond her; the exam was tomorrow according to her homeroom teacher. For her to meet him in the Training Grounds was a little odd, but, she was trying her best to be rational about it. Perhaps it had to do with her Quirk?

Rumor had it that they'd be fighting a pro hero from the school. Specifically, according to upperclassmen, they'd be put with teachers who would exploit their weaknesses and put them to the true test. Nobody had anything good to say regarding their memories of the midterms, and each year, the mood around the Hero Course turned a bit more anxious as dread began to build up in those that had already experienced it, while anticipation of the unknown built up in the first-years.

However, Eri would be lying if she said she felt the same nerves that everyone else felt. She wasn't a cocky person - at least, not to her knowledge. Perhaps she had instances where her confidence bordered that line, but she did her best to ensure she didn't cross it. But, she had advantages - and unfortunate experiences - that the rest of her class really didn't have. Perhaps part of the reason she was being summoned involved her standing at the top of the class. Maybe it was that they were having a tough time finding a weakness for her Quirk, Rewind? Or at least, an exploitable weakness?

The danger-factor of her Quirk was clearly its greatest weakness, and if she even momentarily lost control, she knew someone's outcome would likely be fatal. But beyond that, Rewind was one such Quirk that Eri didn't think could be readily tested by the school. She hummed quietly to herself, mildly frustrated she couldn't come up with some sort of sound theory, and continued making her way toward her destination.

After what seemed like an age of running, she finally approached a looming concrete gate with a picture of Nedzu above it, slowing to a brisk walk as she took a moment to adjust her uniform. She let out a few huffs, trying her best to catch the little breath she'd lost, all while running her fingers through her straightened white hair. Satisfied that it wasn't a complete mess, she walked through the gate, and immediately began looking around for her homeroom teacher.

"Eri? You're here, too?"

The white-haired girl spun to see a mop of auburn hair atop a rather timid appearing teenager, along with another teen with spiky black hair, masked by a hat with two small horns. Both boys standing a fair distance apart appeared just as surprised as she felt, and judging by their stares, it didn't take her long to realize that they'd been spared some details that were slowly making themselves known.

"Eh? Yeah... Mr. Aizawa told me to meet him here..." She frowned.

In a matter of seconds since arriving, her initial bet of something Quirk related had already been proved false. With the involvement of Kota and Katsuma, she was at almost a complete loss. Regarding their Quirks, Kota didn't have precise, immaculate control over his Quirk but it was relatively stable in his hands, and he rarely suffered any misfires. It also lacked significant detriment like hers did. Katsuma, on the other hand, was a healer. He wasn't even a front-line fighter... he was training to become a Support-type hero, though he still had his eyes dead-set on becoming the number one hero; even so, his Quirk wasn't exactly the most offensively designed Quirk in their class. Powerful, definitely. But not offensive.

It also lacked any drawbacks to those it was used on. The drawbacks were entirely on his body - he'd grow tired, using his own energy and stamina. A polar opposite of the late Recovery Girl, the once upon a time school nurse.

Whatever she'd been speculating, she now knew she was off-base completely.

"Eri." A gruff, tired-sounding voice broke the girl's thought patterns, drawing her attention to her homeroom teacher emerging from around inside the nearby mock building. He seemed just as exhausted as ever, though his once scruffy appearance was now tenfold, thanks to a black beard he now adorned. The same black, loose-fitting clothes hung on his body, with the capture tape snugly wrapped around his neck. "Izumi, Shimano," he greeted just as gruffly.

"You sure took your time getting here."

The three students looked to one another, confusion remaining evident on their expressions. Not that their homeroom teacher always made perfect sense; for a man that lived in rationality, he had some moments that were downright confusing.

"Um... Mr. Aizawa, you said the practical was tomorrow..." she trailed off, hoping that her half-ended question would be enough to prompt an explanation from their teacher. However, with his bored, unchanged expression, she sighed internally, realizing she'd have to get directly to the point. "So, why are we in the training field today?"

"Yeah, didn't you say for everyone to take it easy the day before...?" Kota added somewhat uneasily.

Aizawa held his expression for a second longer - drawing a further amount of nerves from the three prospective heroes - before he sighed and broke eye contact. Lamely, he used his head to gesture to the building he'd come out of. "The answer is simple, if not a little impractical. Your assigned teacher is an old student of mine."

All three current students looked at one another, even further puzzled. Creati, from time to time, came to assist with General Heroics, and their rescue training was occasionally supervised by Froppy, one of the better-ranked rescue heroes. The "Golden Class", it was dubbed, which had survived multiple villain attacks and was famous for producing the top of the top heroes. No other class in U.A. history had bore as much fruit as that class did - each and every student wound up impacting the hero community and making a name for themselves. Granted, there was a lot going on during their school year, but even so, it was something remarkable.

And, somehow, it was the first class the trio imagined when Aizawa mentioned a former student. It was the only class that seemed to remain involved with their Alma Mater. And, while he'd never be caught dead admitting it, it was the one class that seemed to invoke a special little glint in Aizawa's eye when he mentioned them.

"He insisted on testing you three together, even though he isn't even a teacher at UA." Aizawa droned, a little drip of his annoyance leaking into his words. He then sighed for a second time, shrugging lightly as he did so, though the faintest ghost of a smile touched his lips. "But, the principle okayed it for whatever reason."

"Is it... Togata?" Eri wondered aloud, putting a finger to her chin.

From behind her, Kota shook his head. "Doubtful; why would he want either of us?" He asked, gesturing to himself and Katsuma. He then narrowed his eyes disdainfully at Katsuma. "Especially him." The quiet boy next to Kota frowned, frustration appearing on his expression, but before he - or Eri - could interject, he drawled onward. "Besides, there's no reason to get us all involved... we don't have similar Quirks, after all."

"Lay off Shimano, Izumi," Eri warned lightly. The conflict between the two boys had yet to simmer since kicking off at the beginning of the school year. For some reason, everything Katsuma seemed to do just rubbed Kota in the wrong manner, and for the maintenance of her sanity, Eri could not figure out what the catalyst was. She sighed, seeing no reaction from the black-haired boy.

Instead, she turned back the building that stood in front of the trio like a well-placed obstacle. "It sounds like a Togata move. But..." Eri trailed off, muttering to herself. She continued staring at the door that likely held their examiner behind it, as if waiting for the monster of a man that was Mirio Togata to pop out and challenge them energetically. It was a Mirio-like move. But, it didn't seem to have all of Mirio's fingerprints on it. He enjoyed training with Eri, and always popped in unexpectedly - he didn't really do requests like the current request.

Besides; the last she had heard, he was out the area, taking care of a mission request on an off-island. If he'd finished the mission that quickly - which for a man of his caliber, it was always possible - then he would have at least said something... right?

The doors suddenly slammed open - or, more appropriately, came flying off their hinges. All three students immediately shielded their face out of instinct as the doors flew through the air, and were forced to close their eyes as a gust of wind came roaring out from the doorway. Beside them, Aizawa simply sighed, and mumbled lowly. "Of course he'd be theatrical... his mentor was just as impractical."

Eri was the first to recover, her gaze shifting to the doorway, where the silhouette of a man stood tall and proud. Her eyes widened, and she felt a sudden spike in her heart race as she a rush of excitement - and nerves - rushed through her veins as she took in the man's appearance that she'd come to know so well. There was no mistaking his tall but lean form, or the spiky mess of curls that made up his signature haircut.

"Eri, Kota, Katsuma... your opponent..."

Just slightly behind her, Kota and Katsuma both took a step back, fear etching its way on their faces in an identical pattern as the voice that once inspired hope and confidence, echoed deep in their minds. It was such a simple phrase - but a phrase they never thought they'd hear him utter toward them.

"Will be me!"

The first step he took, the ground actually cracked under the strength and aura he exuded. His smile was genuine - then again, it was always genuine. There were different inflections; all three students could attest to that. He had his heartwarming smile; also known as the smile that could make them feel so safe. There was the nervous smile, which he wore quite frequently back when they were all kids, and he was just a prospective hero. But his most recognizable smile?

His determined smile - the same smile that he gave his opponent before he utterly crushed them flat.

The same smile he was giving them.

His vibrant green eyes betrayed the competitive spirit he released, as they softened when he gazed at each individual student. "I hope you're ready - this is going to be the hardest fight you've ever had!" Just to emphasize his point, the powerful man formed a fist, his muscles bulging against his hero suit, further inadvertently intimidating the three heroes-in-training.

Simultaneously, all three students had the same thought run through their head.

'Our fight is against the number one hero, Deku?!'

The next day, when word had slipped that Eri, Kota and Katsuma were fighting the Number 1 hero in Japan, they were immediately assaulted by every member of their class in various stages of fright. It might have been somewhat endearing to Eri, but she was still coming to terms with the terrifying fact that she'd be going head-to-head with same man that was responsible for her independence and freedom. He was a significant reason she was still alive, let alone able to attend Japan's greatest hero school.

He was also one of two reasons she applied to U.A in the first place.

Now that she was fighting him, it was as if all of her confidence had left her body, leaving the chilling sensation of fear and doubt. She spared a glance at Katsuma as the trio entered the Viewing Room, and found mild relief that he, evidently, was feeling the exact same as she was. In fact, by the amount of sweat pouring down his forehead, it was possibly he was twice as nervous.

"...umi. Shimano. You're up."

Eri blinked, not even realizing that Aizawa had called her name to prepare for their trial. Katsuma slowly shambled to the doorway, fidgeting with the gauntlets of his hero costume, adjusting their position on his wrists. Everyone in the class gave him a look of pity, clearly glad that they weren't in his position. But, at the same time, they were apologetic. He was a kind kid - probably the sweetest in the class, if Eri were being honest. Soft-spoken, he reminded her a bit of Midoriya from what she could remember as a child.

He wasn't a fighter in the first place - so to fight the top hero had to be the most unfair match-up possible.

Kota, on the other hand...

"I'm going to beat him."

The room was silent. There was a tense air that filled the area, every other student simply staring at Kota, waiting for him to say something else. When he didn't, the small crowd simply parted, allowing him out the door that would take him to the bus for his trial. Nobody knew what to say to such a bold claim.

When he reached the doorway, he didn't turn around, but he did speak once more.

"I have something to prove. That's why I'll win."

There was something more in his words, something that Eri suspected most of her class wouldn't pick up on. They were smart kids - for the most part, her class scored near the top of the spectrum for grades. They had powerful Quirks, and had commanded everyone's attention during the Sports Festival - however, they were mostly all missing the real life exposure that came with being a Hero.

They were missing the desperation that came when things went wrong. They didn't have the real-world experience with villains, or with danger like she had. And while Eri didn't know Kota's story, she knew that he came from a family of heroes in the Pussycat Squad; and, by extension, she knew of the tragic role that squad played during All Might's 'Last Stand'. It didn't take her much to deduce that Kota had seen something similar to that of which she'd seen.

He knew that same fear that came with being face-to-face with death, and destruction.

'That's why I'll win. Because I have to.' There was always the chance that she was wrong... but something in her heart told her that she wasn't.

"Eri?" One of the girl's asked cautiously. She couldn't tell who - her mind was far beyond attached, and she blinked several times, trying to collect herself. She turned to her classmates (ignoring their looks of concern) and offered them a bold smile. The same bold smile that both Lemillion and Deku had taught her as a child. The same smile that led everyone to anoint her as the next Deku.

Because she wasn't just fighting one of her mentors... she was fighting to assure herself as the top student in 1-A.

"Let's do our best!" She raised her fist in the air, and her classmates eagerly joined her, shouting "Plus Ultra!". Their raucous cheering almost inspired Eri enough to feel confident fighting the monster she was to go against. It almost created a spark of hope in her chest. But yet, as she stepped onto the bus, which would take them to their sure defeat, she didn't feel any better.

And as she disembarked, she numbly realized that the trio had absolutely no plan in place, causing a wave of nausea pass through her stomach as the reality of their situation came crashing down upon her. She was really about to fight one of the most powerful men on the planet. She, a 16-year old, was going to fight the same man that had gone toe-to-toe with her abusive pseudo-father, and had one-shot every single abomination he created during his fusions. In the eyes of a youth, she remembered thinking that Deku was comparable to a deity.

Because, in the eyes of a 7-year old who'd known nothing but torture and misery, he rose above everything and did what she never even considered possible. As she'd grown older, she'd slowly begun to break down the pedestal he was hoisted on, but truly, nothing could remove him from the eyes of the child that she still truly was.

"You'll have less than five minutes to devise a plan," Aizawa said. Why he'd accompanied them was a mystery to the students, but his bored expression seemed... different than normal. "If I may advise you... consider why you're fighting. You three have different weaknesses, but the same core weakness among you. Only when you figure that out do you have a chance at finding the solution to this problem. Good luck."

With those last parting words, Aizawa took the bus away, leaving the trio in a state of complete befuddlement.

"The same... weakness...?" Katsuma repeated softly. "What weakness is that...?"

"It's probably in our fighting style... how we approach a problem," Eri wondered aloud. It was the only thing she could figure out based on everything provided. Katsuma and Kota had two completely different approaches to fighting, as well problems in general. Because of the vastly different applications of their Quirks, and mixing her own in, the test was very likely not intended to be testing their overall Quirks, but instead, how they approached an opponent stronger than their current capabilities.

Eri shook her head - it still didn't make sense why Deku of all people was leading their test. Surely anyone else from the staff could've done? And why did he want to test the three of them specifically? If he wanted to test her because of their history, then why not select her individually? Why involve Katsuma and Kota, of all people? Two classmates who didn't really get along?

"Tch."

Eri blinked, breaking her silent musings, and turned to Kota, who was carefully adjusting a nozzle on his hero costume. "You two don't need to fight - I'll take on Deku alone."

For a moment, neither Eri nor Katsuma spoke.

"Are you out of your mind?"

Kota lazily drew his gaze up to meet the auburn-haired teen's outburst. It was unlikely him; the anger, mixed with incredulous disbelief gave his voice an unusual edge. "You want to challenge Deku alone? He'll destroy you - he'll destroy all of us head-on!"

"Then run away - it's like I once said, "don't get in my way." I still won't tell you to quit - but I have to catch up. I have to prove myself."

"Prove yourself in another way! He... he'll just down you in one hit! You don't have the firepower to go head-to-head with him! Why not work with us so we can get away?!"

Eri had to admit, Katsuma was making far more sense than Kota was. Facing Deku in a one-on-one fight was akin to suicide, especially at their current power level. It wasn't just his Quirk that made him fearsome - it was his analytical ability. He was faster than all three of them put together. He was stronger. He was smarter. He was, all-in-all, the literal top hero because he was unrivaled.

Even both of Deku's former classmates who had previously been above him during his time at U.A could no longer keep up with the raw power he exuded. What she'd experienced when he used his Quirk during the raid on the Yakuza all those years ago... he was beyond that power. He had found even more. And it was impossible to compete with.

"I will buy you time. Neither of you can fight him; I'll distract him so you two can get away. This isn't up for debate," Kota said, eyes narrowing at Katsuma. Before the Cell-Activation Quirk user could argue, there was a horn, and a voice that spoke over a loudspeaker.

"Team A, practical exam! Ready, go!"

There was no more time for debate - all three prospective heroes knew that. While there was clearly some unsettled tension, both boys put their feelings aside as Eri took the lead, immediately searching to a route that would keep them out of view. Deku's ability to gain aerial vantage points made him a difficult opponent in the first place, and there was no doubt that this match was comparable to a hawk hunting a rodent - and, unfortunately, they were the rodents.

"There!" Eri called, pointing toward an alleyway obscured by the overhanging rooftop of the building next to it. Immediately, she began heading toward the alley, glancing behind her to see Katsuma hot on her tail... but Kota moving forward purposefully, as if he didn't hear her. Rather, just like he'd pledged, he was heading directly up the middle, straight where Deku was sure to be waiting.

If he wasn't already in the skies...

Upon reaching the edge of the alley, she turned to Kota and hissed. "Can we at least figure out the route, first?!"

He didn't respond, however. In fact, he didn't even turn his attention to her - he was completely focused on the road in front of him.

"Kota!" Katsuma tried desperately, irritation seeping into his voice.

But his voice never made it to Kota.

A rush of wind roared through the streets of the city, carrying twisted metal, chunks of concrete, and heaps of scattered debris, destroying anything and everything in its path. The roaring sound it made completely blanketed any plea that Eri or Katsuma uttered in that moment. It also sent them sprawling backward, the ground becoming too uneven to sustain their footing.

The world went dark for a brief moment. Then, from the dust and ash, Eri saw a lone figure approaching. His aura, his build, his confidence... there was no mistaking what she'd once considered the warmest hand to comfort her. That, unmistakably, was Deku.

"Talk about a blast from the past... only, last time, I was on the receiving end of that." He joked so idly that Eri wondered if he was even taking the exam seriously. He grinned from ear-to-ear, casually studying his handiwork. Pipes that leaked water, rubble that crumbled to dust; destruction that was only capable via massive power. It was terrifying how strong he really was.

Witnessing his strength up-close, it was clear: Deku was unrivaled.

His gaze turned sheepish as he rubbed the back of his head. "Ehehe... Recovery Girl would have my head if she saw me do that..."

Before he had a chance to turn his gaze, Eri saw movement from the corner of her eye. From the debris, a torrent of water came rushing forward like a roaring river. The white-capped water came within inches of Deku - and, for a second, Eri thought they'd caught him by surprise. But to her dismay, a black tendril of energy snapped through the rushing water, parting it directly down the middle so that it missed the distracted pro-hero.

In that moment, Eri realized - he was completely focused. It was a mistake to assume he wasn't.

"Good tactic - catch me off-guard and strike!" Deku's voice was praising, but the tone - despite the encouragement - seemed... ominous. A dark vibe hid under each syllable, twisting the praise into something else entirely. "But... surely that's not it?"

He didn't even rush forward. He didn't have to. A single step - dust sent skyward as his steel-clad boot came down - sent a paralyzing fear throughout Eri. All of a sudden, her bravado had faded, like it had never been present in the first place. Any trace hope she had of winning had been completely smothered. And she hadn't even done anything yet. The fight was barely twenty seconds in.

"I... I..." Kota stuttered, his hands violently shaking. His eyes were wide - filled with fear - as he took an instinctive step backward. "I w-won't..."

"Go on. What won't you do?"

"I... won't lose." He lowered his stance, dropping into a combat position, despite his trembling. Despite her own fear, Eri had to give Kota complete props - to stand against this monster took no shortage of courage.

Yet, Deku raised an eyebrow. His emerald eyes - always so full of intrigue and wonder - seemed to shimmer with unknown emotion. For a second, Eri had no idea what he was going to do. Then, he sighed.

"That's it?"

Kota seemed to falter. "What...?"

"What about you?" Deku suddenly turned his gaze upon Eri. "What will you do?"

She thought for a moment. What would she do? That was a surprisingly loaded question. While losing definitely wasn't part of her initial plan, things had also changed. Defeating the number one hero was out of the question - even if she let her Quirk run rampant, there was no promise that she wouldn't strike everything except for him. And, for some reason, he hadn't been affected when she was a child. Perhaps it was weaker then, or because she didn't have control - but either way, he'd been the first (and only) person to fully resist it.

To this day, she didn't know what that was. Nobody had ever taken the time to explain it to her. In fairness, she hadn't asked, either.

"I see." She blinked - had she taken too long? Without warning, he turned his piercing gaze toward Katsuma, and leveled the boy with the same heavy look. Or - she thought he had.

Where the boy had once been laying, the spot was now vacant. There was a clear indent in the place of rubble and debris where he'd been laying, but aside from that, there was no evidence to suggest he was there.

Nothing aside from a sudden yelling.

With a mighty leap, the auburn-haired teenager soared through the air momentarily, his gaze set firmly on the imposing man that had challenged the trio. His gaze had turned slightly wild; a look that did not seemingly fit on the usually mild-mannered boy. "I'm going to hold you back!"

It seemed inspirational. Hell, it was inspirational.

It was also completely irrational. There was no doubt that somewhere, watching this fight, Aizawa was scoffing and shaking his head.

Shimano's hand-to-hand combat was above average at best. His Quirk was primarily support-based, so he didn't have the same advantages as someone with a more offensive-driven Quirk. It was difficult for him to fight one-on-one fights without either having some sort of tactical advantage, or burning time until someone with a more combat-oriented Quirk arrived. The Sports Festival had highlighted his weaknesses, further contrasting the difference between his abilities and his ultimate goal. Even still, with all his training with Uravity during the internship, he was no match for Deku.

With a quick pivot, the green-haired hero planted his off-foot in the ground and caught Shimano in mid-air. Then, he used the boy's momentum and smashed him into the ground without an ounce of remorse. The resulting impact cracked the already shaken concrete, eliciting a sharp, pained cry from the teenager as he rested on his side.

"Rather reckless, don't you think? Jumping in without a plan?" Deku's voice was flat - scarily so. Honestly, Eri couldn't think back to a time she'd ever heard him use such a bland tone. His emotions were always on display; but right now, it was like he was someone completely different. He was no longer the number one hero - he was an opponent that they had to overcome.

Shimano struggled under his grasp, trying desperately to free himself. Dirt and dust swirled around his body, but as hard as he squirmed, Deku's grip was like iron. "What will you do against someone beyond your level?"

It was eerie to watch. For as far back as she could recall, she'd never seen her idol use such a cold voice. Paired with his icy gaze, she was having a difficult time telling herself this was the same man she'd revered for such a long time. This wasn't Deku. This wasn't the man that saved thousands with a smile. This was... someone else entirely.

Deku leaned in closer, his normally vibrant green eyes seemingly dark with disappointment. "You can't beat me like this."

Even though his voice was lowered, it seemed to carry across the misshapen battlefield. Eri felt a pull in her heart, before all types of emotions flared within her.

Anger. Frustration. Hopelessness.

"Th... then I'll j-just have to go beyond!" As soon as those words were spoken, Shimano's body was engulfed in a green glow. His face was marred by tears and his anger, but even within his emotions, Eri could see that his fighting spirit hadn't dulled in the slightest. And as he pounded his fist into the ground, she realized what he was doing. "Cellular Activation - Stimulate!"

"S-Shimano, wait!" It didn't matter - her voice wouldn't stop the teen's decision no matter how loud she yelled.

Midoriya raised an eyebrow, seemingly impressed for a brief moment. Then, several tendrils of jade and black energy erupted from his left hand, smothering Shimano's body and coiling tight around him. A pained cry escaped the mess of bonds as they suddenly tightened, further incapacitating the Cell Activation-user's body. His green aura was shattered by the sudden suffocation. A torrent of water rushed forward, but was disrupted by a gust of wind from the number one hero's right hand.

A growl came from Kota as he stomped his foot on the ground, before summoning another wave of water from his fingertips, this time trying to create a small waterspout.

"ERI! GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!"

The snow-haired girl blinked, hardly even realizing that Kota's cry was directed at her. But when their eyes locked, she realized the look of desperation written all across his face.

She needed him.

With a mighty cry, Eri let go of the dam that held back her power, and allowed her Quirk to roam free for the first time in awhile. Brilliant beams of golden energy danced from the sole horn on her forehead, striking the environment in unpredictable manners. Once upon a time, Eri hadn't known how to control her power. But now, she did. She'd come far.

She could win this for them.

It took focus to direct her power - it was a strenuous and draining process, even using a little bit of it. She'd worked hard to learn to control its existence, and she'd come far in the process of using it. The longer is went on for, the more feverish and delirious she'd become. But now wasn't the time to worry about that. She had an opening. She knew it would take everything to bring down Deku - so that was what she would give.

The beams combined into one large ray, enveloping Deku in a mix of dancing static and raw golden energy. Surprise seemed to overtake him as he released (one of) his Quirk's hold over Shimano, giving Kota the moment he needed to snatch the damaged boy away with a swirl of the waterspout. Once she was sure he was clear, she expanded her desired target zone and upped the power of her Quirk.

She wouldn't erase him. It was only an exercise - and she was stronger now. She would only neutralize his body. She would be selective - be decisive. She could control what was turned back, and for how long. Gone were the days of having no control. She could do it. All she had to do was neutralize him for a moment so her team could escape.

While her Quirk was one large, concentrated beam, she had purposely devised multiple beams to neutralize each of Deku's Quirks. One for Float. One for Black Whip. One for Danger Sense. One for One-For-All itself. By pushing herself, she could rewind his Quirk Factor and limit his access to his power. It was nothing more than shrinking the container that his power emitted from - if she made it smaller, he in turn would have less power available.

Yet, despite the energy surging around his body, Deku couldn't look more calm. His jade eyes locked onto her, and she was seized with fear. His normal lightning was missing - but he looked smug, like he knew something she didn't.

Slowly, he crouched down, drawing his arms close to his body.

"Fa Jin!" Eri's eyes widened. It wasn't possible - he couldn't possibly still have access to his Quirk, she was neutralizing it! She had temporarily rewound his Quirk Factor! His strength should be re- "SMASH!"

A spherical cloud of dust and debris began rushing toward the snow-haired girl as she helplessly watched, unable to do a thing to counter. The moment the shock-wave hit her body, her equilibrium disappeared as she was sent tumbling through the air like a doll in a tornado. When her body hit the ground and rolled against the pavement, she was all but numb.

Her Quirk - powerful, though difficult to use - had never been outmatched before. She'd never been neutralized like that. She had won the Sports Festival. The days of being useless were gone. And yet...

She felt the same as she had when she'd been locked away in a room, unable to lift a finger for herself.

"... ri...!"

Half-lidded, her gaze was unsteady, and her vision swam with floating black dots. It sounded like she was underwater. For some reason, she could barely feel her limbs. It was tempting to give into the growing desire to sleep; she was already laying down, so why not just close her eyes?

"... Eri...!"

Eri? That was... that was her name? Why was someone...?

It was like an out-of-body experience; she already felt nauseous and lightheaded, but a wave of nausea rolled through her stomach as she suddenly felt weightless once again. Her vision changed, and even through the spinning and swirling, she could make out the disappearing light as shadows took over her sights. Then, she felt warmth on her back, and her senses started to clear up.

The first that returned was her sense of pain - and, oh boy, was she in pain.

On any other day, she might have been embarrassed that someone had to witness it - but today was no other day, and she could frankly not give a damn if someone watched as she rolled on her stomach, pushed herself to all fours, and threw up painfully. Her stomach clenched and her lungs burned, as tears pooled in her eyes against her will.

She retched twice more, each time her chest and stomach feeling as if they were catching fire. For a moment, it felt like she was suffocating as she coughed over and over, spitting out the wretchedly bitter taste of bile and halfway digested food.

"S-should... we comfort her...?"

"No, you idiot! Just, let her be..."

Her cheeks burned as she realized her two teammates were watching her puke all over the ground like some helpless damsel. Indignation didn't do her justice - yet, as she adjusted to try and hide herself a bit, she felt another wave of nausea, and proceeded to upchuck a third time. 'D-dammit!'

From behind her, she could hear Shimano groan in pity, which she wanted none of. The auburn-haired boy was sweet, but she was not someone that needed anyone's pity. Before she could say a word, she heard Kota's growl, followed up by a low thud as he presumably smacked something.

"That was shit."

"We warned you to wait! Deku is... he's... that!"

There were sounds of a scuffle, followed by several hissed curses from both boys, before another thud.

"S-shut up, okay?! Just - just shut up!" A sniffle. "I don't need you butting in, okay?! You, or Eri! I can handle myself! I can win on my own!"

With the nausea fading, Eri took the gamble of sitting up so as to get into a seated position. She weakly shuffled away from the puddle of vomit, wrinkling her nose at the smell and sight. It was during this time that she took in her surroundings, as taught by Aizawa personally.

They were in an alleyway; a large metal staircase obscured their sight from the sky, giving them a slight shield from Deku should he be flying around for them. Otherwise, they were deep into the alley, the damaged street they were once on no longer within sight. The looming buildings overhead cast a nice, cooling shade over their small retreat. Using one of the buildings, Eri laid her back against the stone foundation, before staring at her two partners physically quarreling with one another.

Kota had Shimano by the collar of his costume and had him pressed against the building opposite, a look of rage on his normally disinterested face.

"Why bother?" Eri asked, breaking her silence. Shimano gave her a look - happiness she was awake enough to talk, but concerned enough to cause a prickle of annoyance to run through her. She was okay - she didn't need his concern. "He's already proven in like, under a minute, he can wipe the floor with us."

Kota roughly shoved Shimano into the wall, though he let him free in the process, allowing the timid boy to massage the collar of his costume and eye the black haired boy with irritation. Then, Kota leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then help us understand...!" Shimano countered heatedly. "If you don't want help, fine! But you're gonna have to tell us exactly why we can't help you!"

"Because...! Because..." All of Kota's red-hot anger faded, and for the first time since Eri had met him, he looked... calm. Memories began swimming in the depths of his eyes, of that, Eri had no doubt. She could see it in his expression. He sighed softly, turned his expression downward to avoid looking at the duo. "Because... Deku saved me as a kid, okay? He did it all by himself. And now..."

Kota took a deep breath.

"I need to show him I can do it, too."