Gravity's Push

Eri

"Is she ok?" Joshua asked, staring at Ochaco's still face.

"She does seem pale," Emily commented, taping her chin. "Well- I mean- paler than usual!"

Daniel stared at Ochaco before poking her cheek. It didn't work the first time, so he tired again. Still nothing. Third try's the charm! He poked her again and-

"ERI!" Ochaco screamed as she suddenly sitting up, making everyone jump out of their skins. Ochaco was breathing heavy and looking around the room in a panic.

"Jeez, you scared us, Ochaco!" Emily exclaimed, a hand over her heart.

"Seriously! Pick a better time to wake up!" Joshua whined, his arms crossed over his chest.

Daniel tilted his head and tapped Ochaco's shoulder. She turned to him as he raised an eyebrow. Ochaco took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, staring at the blanket in front of her.

"Ochaco? You ok?" Emily asked, placing a hand on Ochaco's. Ochaco glanced at the door before turning to Emily.

"You might want to sit down for this," she said, a frown on her face. The cousins glanced at each other before sitting onto the mattress with Ochaco and Daniel. "What happened?"

"Well," Ochaco mumbled, rubbing her hands together, "for one, I stayed conscious during the side effects."

The group's eyes widened in shock. No one had ever stayed conscious except for a minute or two, but Ochaco stayed conscious for the whole process!

"That's crazy!" Joshua exclaimed, his mouth hung open.

"It's really impressive that you were able to stay awake for that long!" Emily added, a grin on her face. "How did you do it?!"

Daniel just grinned at her, stars in his eyes.

I know that the pain must've been unbearable, but it's still cool! the three tweens thought.

"I just kinda willed myself to- but that's not the point!" Ochaco exclaimed, shaking her head. "The point is that there's someone else here! A little girl."

The room became silent. They didn't think that Overhaul would get more test subjects, more lives to ruin, but they were wrong.

"A-... what?" Joshua questioned, his eyes wide. Daniel hugged Ochaco from behind and buried his head into her back.

"You can't be serious!" Emily groaned, putting her hands over her eyes. "He's ruining another childhood! Can this guy get any worse?!"

SMACK!

"OW!" Emily exclaimed, rubbing the back of her head. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

"You might've just jinxed us!" Joshua hissed, glaring at his cousin.

"THAT'S NOT REAL!" she shouted, glaring at him.

"IS TOO!" he shouted back, crossing his arms.

The classical cousin arguing ensued while Ochaco and Daniel just watched.

"We need to discuss the plan," Ochaco mumbled. Suddenly, both cousins stopped fighting and sat in front of Ochaco like two little kids. Ochaco and Daniel glanced at each other before looking back at the cousins.

"What about the plan?" the cousins asked, in sync. Daniel hugged Ochaco tighter.

"Well, the plan has changed, slightly," Ochaco said, rubbing her hands together.

"How?" Joshua asked, tilting his head to the side. Emily rolled her eyes.

"Because we have to escape with Eri, too," she explained, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Oooooohhhhhhh, got it!" Joshua exclaimed, turning back to Ochaco.

"Well, we don't really know anything about her, except her appearance," Ochaco started, looking towards the ceiling. "She has round red eyes, pale skin, messy pale blue hair, and a little horn on the side of her head."

"Is that all?" Emily asked. Ochaco hesitated.

'Quirks are a curse... like me...'

Ochaco stared at the door.

"Och-"

"She believes that she's a curse," Ochaco said, her voice dull. "Overhaul probably taught her that."

The room once again grew silent.

"Well, what now?" Joshua asked, glancing between everyone. Ochaco turned to him before looking at the door again.

"We're going to play the long game."

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