Coco: Hey, guys, it's me and I'm back with another chapter :D It's very Izuku oriented XD Ayano pays little contribution in this chapter, but she will be back in the next and she and Izuku will have such a cute moment. Because while this is OC/Katsuki centered story, I don't want to push Izuku to the side. As you've read so far, both boys play a large role in her life and I want to take time to pause on her and Izuku's relationship in the next chapter. I did kind of write a little bit of it here in the beginning of this chapter, but I'll be taking it farther in the next one. And I hope you enjoy it.
Also when I do the others' personal (most likely) one chapter arcs, I'm going to be sure add a profile of sorts of who they are (in more detail than you already know), how their quirks exactly work, and a bit of other interesting snippets about them at the beginning of the chapters. And I'll probably do the same for some other OCs I've mentioned (the profiles, I mean), so you can understand them a bit more and hopefully make a better connection to them. So, be looking out for that :D
Now who's ready for Midoriya vs. Todoroki?!
Izuku gulped as he stared at the number two pro—Endeavor. He felt his body twitch nervously as the tall man practically glared down at him. He wasn't sure why the pro was looking for him, but it wasn't like he could brush him off. The man even stepped closer, which had Izuku stepping back.
"Oh, uh, so what are you doing back here?" Izuku asked.
It wasn't like they were in a restricted area or anything, but this was supposed to be the hall that the students used to get from the waiting rooms into the arena and whatnot.
"I watched your fight against the brainwashing guy," Endeavor said as he pointed at Izuku. "Your power is pretty impressive. To create so much wind pressure just by flicking your fingers…it reminds me of another quirk. You seem to have much in common with All Might."
Izuku's eyes widened at the comment as Endeavor narrowed his own. Izuku really hoped this conversation didn't go as the one he had earlier with Shoto. It seemed the men of the Todoroki family were very perceptive…not to mention intimidating.
"Oh, well, I…" Izuku trailed of nervously as he looked away. "I guess I never thought about it that way."
He decided to try and move pass Endeavor before this conversation could become drawn out. He wasn't a good liar and he did have a match to get to.
"Sorry, but I should get going." Izuku said politely as he tried to move on.
He got a few feet away while wondering if Endeavor even knew about One for All. He shook his head since he knew that was highly unlikely.
"It's my Shoto's duty to surpass All Might and become the number one hero," Endeavor went on, which slowly brought Izuku to a stop as he remembered the conversation, he had with Shoto.
He had never seen the two-tone-haired boy look in such a way. The look on his face could only be described as deep-rooted hatred. Hatred for the very man Izuku was speaking with now.
"And his match with you will be a good testing ground for how much training he has left." Endeavor continued. "So, hit him hard. Don't disgrace yourself or him by holding back."
Izuku didn't reply as he stared forward with a troubled look on his face. He was starting to understand Shoto more. Why he looked in such a way. Why he felt in such a way. But still…this all wasn't right.
"That's all I wanted to say," Endeavor finished. "I apologize for bothering you."
Endeavor went to walk away this time, but Izuku felt as if he couldn't leave things as they were. His hands curled into fists as he turned to face the retreating back of Shoto's father.
"Endeavor." Izuku called out, which brought the man to a halt. "I am not All Might."
"Huh, what are you talking abo—?" Endeavor asked as he turned around as well.
"And the same goes for Todoroki," Izuku cut in. "He maybe your son, but he isn't you."
The two stared at each other silently with neither making a move. Though Endeavor's eyes started to narrow slowly.
"Izuku, is everything okay?" A familiar voice called behind him, breaking the silence.
Izuku jumped then whirled to look to his right to see Ayano standing there at his side. She had a frown on her face and her body was tense as she stared at Endeavor.
"Everything's fine, Ayano." Izuku assured her. "Endeavor just wanted to speak with me a moment."
Ayano hummed in reply. She was obviously not convinced. However, she said nothing as she nudged Izuku around to face the other way. She also pushed him towards the exit that would take him down into the arena.
"Well, I hate to push things along, but Izuku can't afford to be late." Ayano said with a tone that was polite though rather emotionless as well. "I hope you understand."
Izuku looked between Ayano and Endeavor as their eyes made contact. Ayano's gaze didn't waver in the slightest.
"Of course, I apologize for the trouble," Endeavor said in a tone similar to Ayano's.
Ayano just nudged Izuku once more as she kept her eyes on the hero in front of her. Izuku didn't want to leave her. He knew Endeavor wouldn't hurt her, but still…
"I'm sorry, Izuku, but I won't be watching your match." Ayano said as she glanced at him over her shoulder. "Mine is next and I'd like to prepare. Meet you in the third round?"
Izuku blinked before a grin pulled across his face. He nodded his head. He then left for his match. Though he did glance back over his shoulder as Ayano looked back to Endeavor with a tilt of her head.
'Ayano really is fearless,' Izuku thought as he kept walking. '…and once again she stepped up for me…acted like my shield…'
This thought brought him to a pause as he stopped right outside the entrance into the arena.
'I told myself I wouldn't let her do that anymore,' Izuku said. 'That I was going to become strong enough to not to have to rely on her anymore…'
But it was more than just that. Izuku didn't just want to become someone who didn't need to rely on Ayano.
'I want to protect her…and everyone else,' Izuku thought as a look of determination falling on his face. 'Which is why I'll give it my all.'
He stepped out into the light the crowd raising their voices to cheer for the upcoming match.
"I can feel the anticipation in the stadium!" Present Mic shouted. "And that tells me that the second round's first match is going to be epic!"
The crowd roared in agreement as the two contestants started making their ways onto the fighting ring.
"It's the guy who won his last fight by a landslide and literally left half the audience frozen!" Present Mic announced. "The hero course's Todoroki Shoto! And this kid almost walked out of his first match up, but made a steady comeback by showing us some impressive moves! Also, from the hero course—Midoriya Izuku!"
Said two students stopped a few feet apart with determination settled on their faces.
"So, here we are," Shoto said.
"And only one of us can win," Izuku commented.
Despite the rowdy crowd and loud noises coming from all around them, the air between the two boys was still as they waited for the match to begin.
"Both of the heroes-in-training have been front runners in this festival, but which one of these rivals will advance to the next round?!" Present Mic questioned as the boys got into their stances. "Prepare for Midoriya vs. Todoroki! Begin!"
The boys didn't have to be told twice as Shoto sent a torrent of ice at Izuku. Izuku braced himself as he prepared to use just one of his fingers to defend against the ice. He flicked it forward with the wind pressure created by the motion shattering the ice. Shoto was hit by the pressure, but due to him making a wall of ice behind him, he wasn't pushed back. The audience behind him all shuddered from the icy wind as Izuku grimaced at the pain in his newly broken finger.
"Whoa!" Present Mic yelled. "Midoriya managed to break Todoroki's insane opening move!"
Shoto didn't give Izuku much room to breath as a sent another barrage of ice towards Izuku. And once again Izuku broke one of his fingers just to counter against it. Yes, it shattered the ice, but did nothing to bring him closer to victory.
"He countered again!" Present Mic screamed shrilly.
Shoto frowned as he covered his face to protect it from his own ice as it came flying back at him. Izuku frowned as well as he tried to think about just what he could do to get the upper hand.
'I don't know much about Todoroki's fighting style.' Izuku thought. 'His attacks are so fast that it's hard to collect data on him. So, during this fight I need to focus on finding an opening somewhere. The ice behind him is probably how he plans to keep himself from flying out of bounds by my smashes. Which means…I was right to break my fingers.'
That thought did little to comfort him or make his fingers feel any better. However, it was better than having broken his arm for nothing. No matter what, he'd have to try and not to use more than just his fingers. If he uses his whole arm and fails, the match will fall into Shoto's favor and Izuku will lose.
'I can figure this out,' Izuku thought in resolve. 'Come on, find a weak spot.'
If he can do that and turn the match into his favor, he could win. He would advance. However, Izuku also knew he had a limited amount of chances to get the upper hand.
'I've only got six more chances,' He told himself.
However, before he could think of what to do next, Shoto continued on the offense.
"Let's continue." He said as he sent another wave of ice at Izuku.
And as Izuku had down the previous two times, Izuku broke a finger to counter against the ice. As it went flying back where it had come from, Izuku tried to ignore the increasing pain.
'Five more chances,' He thought.
Up in the stands, Katsuki glared forward as he continued to watch the match between Izuku and Shoto. His classmates watched on as well as Eijiro was finally able to join them.
"Oh, no, crap!" Eijiro exclaimed as he hurried down the stairs closer to where Katsuki was sitting. "I'm missing it."
Katsuki sparred his classmate a glance as the others turned to actually address Eijiro.
"Hey, nice job in making it to the second round, Kirishima." Denki congratulated.
Eijiro turned towards the blonde with a smile pulling across his face at the mention of his victory.
"Thanks, man," Eijiro replied. "Looks like I take down Bakugo next."
"I'll kill you," Katsuki shot back while not bothering to take his eyes off of the two fighting.
Eijiro didn't seem too upset by Katsuki's words as his grin only spread wider across his face.
"Heh, yeah, sure, in your dreams." Eijiro said. "Oh, but seriously, it's crazy how you and Todoroki have moves that blast the whole stadium. Must be nice."
He said this while spreading out his arms. Honestly, he was a tad jealous. There was nothing about his quirk that really stood out.
"Plus, you don't need to pause between attacks," Hanta added with a frown.
"It's not as easy as you think, ya morons," Katsuki said.
Eijiro blinked as he wondered what Katsuki meant. Denki and Hanta were confused too as they looked to the ash-blonde.
"If you overuse your muscles, you risk tearing them apart," Katsuki said. "If you sprint too much, you run out of breath."
He looked down at his own arm said he said this. He had really caused some pain to it during his match with Ochaco. Yes, it was feeling better, but it's just proof that he has his limits too.
"He's right," Ayumi said as she looked over her shoulder. "It's true my quirk allows me to travel much farther and much quicker than the average human. You'd think there wasn't a limit to how far I can go, right? And that I could keep on going as long as I had the food and water I needed to keep me fueled up?"
The boys nodded their heads because they were sure someone with Ayumi's quirk wouldn't have too many limitations.
"Well, there is a limit. Even my body which is built for long distance running, can only take so much at a time." Ayumi said. "Even I can cause myself harm by trying to push pass my body's limitation. As can we all."
"Yeah, quirks are physical abilities too." Katsuki added. "They can get warn out. You can't just use them nonstop."
Ayumi nodded along with his words as she opened another bag of snacks, which she had stocked up on before the second round began.
"It makes sense when you put it that way." Eijiro said. "I wonder if that's how Midoriya thinks he's going to beat Todoroki."
Katsuki wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. But he also knew that damn nerd was always cooking up some kind of plan. The questions were if the greenette would be able to execute it and if it would have any effect on the outcome of the battle. Down below, Shoto let out another wave of ice. Izuku shattered it once more but at the cost of another finger. Shoto didn't pause between attacks as he used his ice to make him an elevated path to rush towards Izuku.
"Todoroki withstood his opponent's power and is now rushing his classmate!" Present Mic commentated.
Izuku quickly switched to his left hand as he prepared another finger to counter against Shoto. He caused another torrent of wind that crushed the ice, but Shoto was already above him. As Shoto descended upon him, Izuku jumped back barely in enough time to avoid Shoto's fist. Shoto's fist connected to the ground and ice formed around it. Using that ice, he extended it to go after the fleeing Izuku.
Izuku's eyes widened as the ice started to graze across his shoe. He was about to use another finger flick to rid himself of the ice as it captured his foot. However, as he looked to Shoto who was forming ice behind himself to keep him from flying back, Izuku knew he had to try something else. He curled his hand into a fist as One for All's power coursed through him. He shot his fist forward with 100% of his power and the wind pressure caused from it blew through the entire stadium. He cried out as his arm was broken as he had known it would be. But it was worth it if it meant, he managed to get the upper hand.
"That was much more powerful than any of your previous attacks," Shoto commented as he stood.
Izuku looked up in shock when seeing Shoto while down had managed to stay in the ring.
"You're trying to keep me away," Shoto said as he pushed some of his own ice off of him. "Smart."
He then stood up fully as Izuku tried to calculate just what kind of options he had. Because right now, he had nothing and that wasn't going to win him the match. Izuku grit his teeth. This couldn't be how the match ended. All he's been doing is defending. He hasn't gone on the offense even once.
"What's the matter?" Shoto taunted. "Are you really that worn out from defending off my attacks?"
Izuku lifted his head to glare at Shoto when his eyes caught something that had them widening. Izuku stared at Shoto's right arm as it shook. Was he shivering?
'He's shaking,' Izuku realized. 'Is he reaching some kind of limit? I've got to keep fighting.'
If Izuku can just hold on, Shoto might reach his limit and Izuku could try to use that to get the upper hand.
"I'm sorry about this," Shoto said then glanced up into the stands where his father was. "But thanks for drawing it out. Look at him. He's furious I'm not using his power."
Izuku's teeth grit together even more at Shoto's words. He couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand how Shoto was acting, and how he was limiting himself. It wasn't right. Not right at all.
"With your hands like that, you can't fight anymore, can you?" Shoto asked as he looked back to Izuku. "Why don't we end this?"
He didn't give Izuku any time to reply as he sent another surge of ice at the wounded Izuku.
"Wo—wow!" Present Mic exclaimed. "Todoroki continues his overwhelming attacks! Could this be his finishing move?!"
Izuku wasn't ready to give up yet. He wasn't letting things end like this. Not when Shoto wasn't giving it his all.
"I am not done yet!" Izuku said in determination.
Without hesitation, Izuku rebroke a finger on his right hand to counter against the ice. As the wind pressure came rushing towards the unprepared Shoto, the youth was thrown backwards. He nearly fell right out of the ring, but managed to create a foot holding of ice behind him to keep him in bounds. Shoto, who stood up, glared at Izuku while wondering why the shorter boy just hadn't let it be over.
"You're trembling, Todoroki." Izuku informed him, which caused Shoto to stiffen in surprise. "It's easy to forget that quirks are physical abilities. And that means there's a limit to how much of the cold your body can take, right?"
Shoto's eyes just widened as Izuku stared him dead in the eye while slowly lifting his wounded right hand.
"I get it," Izuku said. "Usually you'd make up for the drop-in temperature by using the heat from your left side. But you refuse to do that now."
Shoto grit his own teeth together as he tried to understand just where Izuku was going with this.
"Listen, we're all giving it our all to try and win," Izuku continued. "…to make our dreams into a reality. To become number one. You think you can win with half your strength?! Look at me, Todoroki. You haven't managed to put a single scratch on me yet. So, come at me with all you've got!"
Shoto's eyes widened as Izuku's words rung through his mind. He didn't understand this guy at all. Just what was his purpose?
"Midoriya, what are you trying to do here?" Shoto asked before a thought occurred to him. "You want my fire? What? Did my monster of a dad bribe you or something?"
The very thought sent Shoto's blood boiling in anger as he glared heatedly at Izuku.
"Now, I'm mad!" Shoto said as he rushed Izuku.
As Izuku prepared for Shoto, Ayumi frowned from up in the stands. The way Shoto was acting…the look on his face as he charged against his opponent. They were both things she was starting to recognize. Looks and feelings she has felt…and still feels. Resentment…hatred…and she could guess who Shoto feels these things towards. Ayumi's eyes flickered up towards Endeavor as the redheaded male glared down at the match—No, he was glaring down at Shoto.
'I understand all too well, Shoto,' Ayumi thought as she looked back to the match. 'But don't let the hatred blind you. Don't let it consume you…like I had let it do to me. Like I still allow it to do. Be better than that.'
Of course, Shoto couldn't hear her concerned words, and she was sure they would be unwelcomed. So, all she could do is watch on as Izuku and Shoto fought. Shoto jumped towards Izuku and as soon as his feet were off the ground, Izuku took the offense by moving forward himself. Izuku threw his fist forward while making sure to keep it in control as he hit Shoto in the gut with a small percent of his power.
"A solid gut punch!" Present Mic shouted as Shoto was sent backwards, but not before coating Izuku's broken left arm in ice. "That's the kind of action I like to see."
Izuku cried out as the rest of the fingers on his right hand were broken to an even worse degree than before. While his arm was fine, his fingers had worsened. As Izuku tried to stay on his feet, Shoto picked himself off the ground as he coughed and sucked in air raggedly. He didn't understand Izuku at all. He didn't understand his words either. But even so, he wasn't ready to give in. With that in mind, he sent more ice at Izuku.
However, the ice wasn't in as much quantity as before and it was moving slow enough for Izuku to dodge. Shoto tried to get in close again, but Izuku moved out of the way while trying to keep Shoto back as he readied to break his fingers even more to counter. He sent another attack out that had them both flying backwards away from each other. And despite the growing pain, Izuku pressed on as he readied his fingers again.
"This fight is seriously intense," Hachiro said as he clasped his hands in front of him. "What's driving these two?"
"There's no telling, but both are being reckless." Konan said. "Midoriya is breaking his bones repeatedly just to stay in this fight. And Todoroki refusing to use his heat to counter against the cold, is only putting a strain on himself. I'm not entirely sure how his quirk works between the ice and fire, but I do know the human body can only withstand so much cold and so much heat at a time. If he isn't careful, he could actually cause lasting damage to himself."
The others never thought of Shoto's quirk like that, or how it could put a strain on his body. Of course, many of them hadn't thought about the fact that quirks are physical abilities until Katsuki had reminded them of that earlier.
"Though despite the recklessness shown, I have to say I admire Midoriya's resolve." Konan said. "To go through such intense pain and keep on fighting, is remarkable. When he manages to get full control over his quirk, I believe Midoriya will turn into quite the hero."
Mashirao nodded in agreement with his friend's words as others kind of just stared in surprise.
'I never knew Kurafutoshi could speak so much,' Many of them thought.
She was almost as quiet as Koji and that was saying a lot considering the animal lover only used sign language to speak to them. The fight before them continued with Present Mic commentating it all for the fans. But the two below fighting heard none of it. All that was important was trying to beat each other. And neither was going down without a fight. Shoto tried once more to capture Izuku in ice, but Izuku wasn't about to let that happen.
'I can't make a fist, but…' He trailed off as he stuck his thumb against his cheek.
Using it he flicked his thumb forward with just enough force to send Shoto backwards. Shoto caught himself with ice, but was obviously starting to tire as he had trouble keeping himself on his feet.
"Why are you putting yourself through this?" Shoto demanded.
"I want to live up to people's expectations," Izuku, who was running forward, replied shocking Shoto. "I want to be able to smile while doing something good for them. I wanna be a pro. Whatever it takes to be a hero!"
Shoto's eyes widened even more as Izuku's words rang repeatedly within his mind. He was distracted by his thoughts, which allowed Izuku to make contact again as he hit Shoto hard. Shoto stumbled backwards.
"That's why I'll give it my all!" Izuku said. "Just like you should be!"
Shoto finally managed to catch himself on his feet as Izuku straightened up to stand as tall as he could.
"There's no way I can know what you've gone through." Izuku said as he shuffled forward. "Or why you're even here. Your life has been so much different than mine. But right now, stop screwing around! If you want to reject your father, fine. But you don't have the right to be number one if you're not going to use your full power!"
Izuku's words struck a cord within Shoto as memories he'd rather forget played through his mind. More ice started covering his body as Izuku moved in to attack again.
"Shut-up," Shoto said though with no real bite between it.
He clenched his eyes shut as memories of his mother started surfacing through his head. As the thoughts came pouring in, Izuku came in to attack again.
"That's why I'm going to win this! I'll surpass you!" Izuku declared with another fist to Shoto's gut.
It was fueled a bit by One for All's power, but just enough to send Shoto flying back only a few feet. The pain didn't even register to Shoto as he fell back onto the ground. So many memories. So many things he had forgotten. And so many memories that led to who he was today.
"I refuse to use my left side." Shoto said as he started pushing himself to his feet.
"It's yours!" Izuku shouted back in return. "Your quirk—not his!"
Shoto looked up in surprise as Izuku looked at him—dead in the eyes with so much burning emotion. He didn't understand why Izuku was doing this, but he did remember. He remembered just how much…he wanted to be a hero.
Coco: Yes, I am leaving things here. I will finish the match in the next chapter as I bring Ayano back in. I hope you liked the chapter. I'll be starting school this Wednesday, so updates will become less frequent, but I'll try to keep up my writing as much as possible.