Come Back to Me (Izuocha)

Chapter 24: Retrace

**Ochako's POV**

As Todoroki, Iida and I made our way up the building, we had to cover our mouths to avoid breathing in too much smoke. None of were going to risk using our quirks to make this go quicker.

Both of Todoroki powers would only result in the quicker collapse of the building, Iida couldn't risk disturbing the supports, and I could risk touching anything that might burn my hand on contact.

The most we could do at that moment was take it slow and use our quirks only if we needed to.

We ascended floor after floor. The building was approximately 20 stories high and we were sure that Deku was probably close to the top since we hadn't spotted him on any of the lower levels.

Normally climbing so high up a collapsing building wouldn't be a good idea, but with my quirk, we could jump out a window and have me levitate everyone down.

Hopefully, it wouldn't have to come to that.

The higher up we got, the more smoke there was. It was becoming pretty hard to breathe and all 3 of us were beginning to cough.

Higher, and Higher we climbed, making sure to check every floor we could for any sign of Deku, but so far found no sign of him.

"Damn," said Todoroki. "Is Midoriya seriously all the way on the top floor?"

"Probably." Said Iida. "And it's a good strategy too. The higher he is the more effort it would be to reach him, putting him at an advantage of stamina and energy with anyone he may be put up against."

I nodded. "Yeah," I thought to myself. "A strategy just like the old Deku would use."

After what felt like hours, we had reached the 18th floor. We had just finished sweeping the floor and were about to continue up the stairs when suddenly a part of the ceiling began to fall on top of us.

I was situated directly underneath the debris as it was about to land on us.

"Uraraka look out!"

Suddenly, Iida pushed me from behind past the rubble as it smashed down on the floor. I was the only one on this side of the debris and it was covering the whole passageway...

I got to my feet quickly.

"Are you okay Iida?" I cried to the other side.

I heard Todoroki reply,

"He's doesn't appear to have any major injuries, but he was knocked unconscious by some of the debris. I can't reach the other side of the blockage and even If I could we can't leave Iida here..."

"I'm going to take Iida down with me. You're going to have to continue on your own I'm afraid."

My heart stopped for a moment as those last words exited his mouth.

"I would have to go alone?" I tried to pull myself together with only some success.

"O..o..okay," I said shakily.

"I..I..I...I'll try."

"Don't hesitate to leave if you feel overwhelmed though!" he shouted.

"You can still leave the building from any window." I calmed the tremor in my voice before replying.

"Right!" I said. "I'll see you on the outside."

I continued up the stairs on my own after that.

There were only two more floors the 19th and the 20th. I could feel my limbs shaking as I went. I didn't know what I was supposed to do against Deku on my own, but I had to at least try and do this. I would never forgive myself if I didn't.