The dawn was barely breaking over the horizon, casting a pale, pinkish glow over the sprawling grounds of U.A. High. The students of Class 1-A were already gathered in the training grounds, each of them clad in their hero costumes, their faces set with determination. The air buzzed with tension, their usual morning banter replaced by a grim resolve.
Midoriya stood at the front, his green eyes scanning over his classmates. His mind was racing, trying to formulate a plan, but he couldn’t shake the image of Anderson fighting alone, bleeding and broken. They had to find him. There was no other option.
“Alright, everyone,” he began, his voice steady despite the worry gnawing at him. “We don’t have much time. Anderson’s strong, but we all saw what he’s up against. We need to move fast and work together if we’re going to bring him back.”
“We know he’s out there somewhere,” Todoroki added, his tone cool and composed. “But we have to be smart about this. He’s trying to stay hidden, and he knows how we think. We need to outsmart him.”
Bakugo clenched his fists, his usual scowl deepening. “That damn idiot thinks he can take on the League of Villains by himself. We’re not letting him get himself killed. So let’s stop talking and start moving.”
Yaoyorozu stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. “I’ve prepared a few things that might help us locate him. Tracking devices, communication gear, and some portable first aid supplies in case we find him injured.”
“Good thinking, Momo,” Kirishima said with a nod, his sharp teeth flashing in a rare serious smile. “We need to be ready for anything. Anderson’s tough, but he’s still just one guy.”
As Yaoyorozu distributed the equipment, Iida raised his hand to get the class’s attention. “We need to establish a plan of action. Anderson left without telling anyone, so we have no concrete leads on his location. Our best bet is to split into teams and cover as much ground as possible.”
“Splitting up will increase our chances of finding him,” Midoriya agreed. “But we have to be careful. The League of Villains could be targeting him, and that means they might target us too. Stay in constant communication, and if you find anything, report back immediately.”
Uraraka nodded, her brows furrowed in concern. “And remember, Anderson doesn’t want to be found. He might resist when we do locate him, so we need to be ready for that.”
Bakugo scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “Resist? He can try, but I’m not letting him get away this time. We’re dragging his stubborn ass back to U.A. if we have to.”
“Let’s not antagonize him if we can avoid it,” Todoroki interjected, giving Bakugo a pointed look. “Anderson’s doing this because he thinks it’s the only way to protect us. We need to convince him that he doesn’t have to do this alone.”
“Right,” Midoriya said, nodding. “We need to remind him that we’re a team, and we’re stronger together. No one fights alone.”
The class broke off into smaller groups, each team equipped with a tracking device and a specific area to search. Midoriya found himself paired with Bakugo and Uraraka. The combination was strategic—Midoriya’s analysis skills, Bakugo’s raw power, and Uraraka’s agility made them a formidable team.
“We’ll take the city outskirts,” Midoriya suggested. “If Anderson is trying to avoid attention, he might stick to less populated areas.”
Bakugo grunted in agreement, though his eyes were already scanning the horizon as if he could spot Anderson from where they stood. “We find him, we take him down, and we drag him back. Simple as that.”
Uraraka gave Bakugo a worried glance but nodded in agreement. “Let’s just make sure he’s okay first.”
As the teams dispersed, the gravity of their mission settled over them. The usual optimism that colored their heroic endeavors was muted, replaced by a quiet determination. This was different from any other rescue mission—they weren’t just saving a fellow student. They were saving a friend, someone who had chosen to bear the weight of the world alone, someone they couldn’t afford to lose.
The city was still waking up as Midoriya, Bakugo, and Uraraka made their way to the outskirts. The streets were quiet, the early morning air cool against their faces. But the silence did nothing to ease the tension in their chests.
Midoriya’s mind raced as they moved, his quirk-enhanced legs carrying him effortlessly over the rooftops. He replayed the hologram over and over in his mind, analyzing every detail, every possible clue that might lead them to Anderson.
“Deku, what’s the plan if we find him?” Uraraka asked as they landed on a rooftop overlooking the industrial district.
“We convince him to come back,” Midoriya replied, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of their friend. “If he refuses, we do whatever it takes to make him see that he doesn’t have to fight alone. We bring him back, no matter what.”
“And if he fights us?” Bakugo asked, his tone almost eager, as if anticipating the confrontation.
Midoriya hesitated, but then he nodded resolutely. “Then we fight him. But only to protect him from himself.”
The three of them fell into a focused silence as they continued their search, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The city sprawled out below them, quiet and deceptively peaceful. But they knew that somewhere out there, Anderson was fighting his own battle, one that he couldn’t win alone.
“Damn it, Anderson,” Bakugo muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the skyline. “You better be ready, because we’re not letting you do this alone.”
The hunt had begun, and Class 1-A was prepared to do whatever it took to bring their friend back. Even if it meant facing the harsh reality of Anderson’s visions, even if it meant confronting their own fears—they were determined to find him and remind him of the one thing he seemed to have forgotten.
Heroes never fight alone.
