"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
Quirk names
"Loud Yelling"
Anyhow, let me know if you guys enjoy it or not down in the reviews.
Disclaimer: Alas, I do not unfortunately own this franchise.
Amalgamation
Todoroki Shoto did not laugh. In fact, he rarely ever smiled. There was not much to smile about really, he did not have many things he liked... and a whole lot of things that he disliked. Above all that, he had one goal, one ambition. When he had started at U.A. high, he had started with one certainty, that he was going to be the very best. Not many people, even pros could even come close to his level of raw power, let alone untrained teenagers. Not to mention, how many people could exactly boast to have been trained personally by the number two Hero their entire lives. Todoroki subconsciously gritted his teeth as anger bubbled inside him, as much of a bastard his father may have been, his training was damn effective.
It was not overconfidence or arrogance when he had expected to be the very best when he arrived at U.A. It was merely a logical conclusion. Then the Quirk assessment tests had happened and he ended up in the third position. Todoroki was not vain nor was he a jealous sort of an individual, nor did he ever believe himself to be arrogant. Despite all that, Todoroki could admit that he was quiet... he didn't wish to think shocked but he was extremely surprised. Less so at Yaoyorozu's placement, the girl had perhaps the single most versatile Quirk in the whole country and the intellect to match it.
Her being placed first made sense... it did not bother him much either because he was certain he could beat her. There were few people who'd be able to survive his Ice. No, the one whose placement above his had surprised him was Midoriya. Todoroki had been distantly aware that the Emerald-haired boy had a Fire Quirk... it was like an abstract thought in his head, one he did not pay much attention to. There wasn't anything special there, just because his old man had a Fire Quirk did not mean he had an issue with or was gonna keep tabs on every Fire Quirk user he ever met. Elemental Quirks, Pyrokinetic types, in general, were fairly common.
What pulled his attention towards Midoriya was his sparse use of Quirk. The test had been a surprise to be sure, being in third was not that big of a deal for him... the point of contention was the fire. To the naked eye, Midoriya had performed admirably, relying on his physique more than his Quirk, he had only used it quite sparingly. His was not the naked eye, where others missed details he noticed them... especially those related to Pyrokintetic Quirks. None of his classmates would notice since they did not how Fire behaved under a Quirk... but Midoriya's use of fire was extremely good.
Todoroki knew it was better than his own. 'Although that is not much of an achievement, I don't train nor will never use my left side.' Todoroki thought with bitter determination.
Midoriya's use of fire in the ball throw had somehow generated pseudo super strength. None of his classmates questioned how... he knew his bastard of an old man fast stronger and faster than any man without a suitable Quirk could ever be. Endeavor used his Fire to that purpose, Midoriya had done the same. He had been too far away but Eraserhead questioning him after the test confirmed his suspicion. That was one.
The second time Midoriya had used his fire had been during the long jump and standing long jump. He had used fire from his feet as propellers. No ordinary high-school students even in the Hero course... on their first day would be able to do something like that. Todoroki knew, his old man had tried to teach that to him when he was young only to stop when he made no progress at all. That was a few months before he had sworn to never use his left. That was incident number two.
Perhaps, the most surprising one was the least visually impressive. His grip strength, while the others had called foul, no one had truly understood the precision of what Midoriya had done. Generating enough fire to melt the grip machine while above an average Fire Quirk was not truly the impressive thing that had happened, it was how Midoriya had done it. The Emerald-haired boy had generated flames hot enough in his palm alone to melt the thing... without the heat or the flames ever reaching anyone else. The control that must have been taken would be immense. While Todoroki was certain he could melt the grip machine just as well... he'd end up setting the whole room on fire. That was incident number three.
One could be a coincidence, three was too many. Power, control, and precision like that were not something anyone could have. The theory was already building up in his mind by that point. What truly had cemented the theory in his mind were the rumors he had heard after school when he stopped by the cafeteria. Todoroki himself had taken the recommendation exams so he was not entirely sure how difficult or even what transpired during the general exams. Most of the students claimed it was robots, some said they used live ammunition, others claimed they were faster than the eye could see and used real blades. Most had claimed the story of the zero-pointer, a behemoth of a machine that towered over buildings. Most were like mere exaggerations but most answeres included robots and a zero pointer so those things he knew to be true.
The shock to his system came when he overheard two girls talking about how the zero-pointer in their center was taken out by a student... using a Fire Quirk. They said it was a flaming tornado that took down the entire thing... until, all that was left of it were charred melted ruins and ash. Todoroki knew for certain before he ever reached his home... Midoriya Izuku had been trained. No one could use their Quirk with that much power, control, and precision. He knew Midroya had to be like... himself.
Surprisingly, once he had come to that conclusion he felt nothing had changed. The only thing that was different now was that he had to beat Midoriya Izuku at all cost. Todoroki had nothing against the boy, if anything he may even like him. He was quiet, polite, and able... but beating him would be a slap to that bastard's face. Overwhelming a Fire Quirk that may be as powerful as his own with nothing but his Ice, it would be a symbolic victory for him. Todoroki felt a little bad about using Midoriya to his own goal... 'perhaps, I could... talk to him after all is said and done?' Todoroki wondered... and then what the dark of his mind whispered, then maybe I won't as alone forever the other side responded.
Todoroki Shoto did not laugh, today he came as close as he ever had to a smile. He had decided to beat Midoriya at the Sports Festival, in front of that man... but it seemed fate wanted that to happen sooner.
"Todoroki, what's the plan?" Iida asked him from under his armor.
"The plan... I am going to freeze them." Todoroki responded cooly.
"Freeze them, how?" Iida asked with, Todoroki was certain he was supporting a frown given his tone. "Do you intend to freeze the whole building?" Seeing him nod the taller teen continued, "That would be pointless, Midoriya has a Fire Quirk."
"I am aware," Todoroki responded as they reached the target building.
"Then why waste your energy like this? You will also be giving away the fact we are coming." Iida questioned.
"I need to know what Midoriya's limits are," Todoroki answered truthfully, "I need to see how much of my Ice can he overcome."
"You are about to find out!" A third voice interrupted them. Todoroki's head snapped upwards towards the sound, his mind nearly shut for a moment when he saw Midoriya falling from the top of the building his arms pulled back.
His eyes widened when he realized what was about to happen. "Dodge!" He yelled. Perhaps, it was his Quirk, or perhaps Iida too had some training or maybe it was just his reactions... Todoroki was not sure. Whatever it was, Iida managed to outrun the pour of flames just in time. Todoroki himself used his Ice to skate over the road clear of the danger.
Todoroki felt sweat from his forehead as Midoriya landed, using his Flames to break his fall. Not wanting to give any time for his opponent to recover, in an instant Todoroki stomped his foot on the ground hoping to freeze Midoriya. The Emerald-haired boy, however, was too quick. Midoriya's right arm caught fire up to his shoulder as he swung it in a side-ways arc... and a sheet of flame collided into his wall of ice.
Todoroki narrowed his eyes in irritation. 'This will not be easy.' He thought as hissing sound filled his ears and steam covered his vision. Todoroki felt hot steam gathering all around him as he stretched his senses... he was almost blind. He couldn't see nor could he hear anyone. It was a jarring feeling. He felt goosebumps rising over his arms as his instincts were the only thing guiding him. Todoroki's arm raised almost by habit grabbing Midoriya's wrist before his punch could connect.
Todoroki felt the Ice creep Midoriya's side triumphantly before his arm once again came alive with fire forcing him to let go. Todoroki felt the breath leave his body... he gritted his teeth before he retaliated with his own to his opponent's ribs. In the heat of the moment, Todoroki nearly lost control. He did not even realize what he was doing, his body was moving on instinct.
'I have to get some distance,' Todoroki thought desperation clawing its up way up to his throat. While he was no slouch in hand-to-hand combat, it was not something he ever focused on. He was getting pushed back by Midoriya's ferocity. Todoroki lashed out with a kick forcing Midoriya to take a step back before he stomped the same foot on the ground erecting a wall of ice. In the moment of the battle, it felt like he had been fighting for hours... in hindsight, Midoriya and his scuffle only lasted seconds.
"Todoroki!" Iida's voice yelled through the clearing steam. "What's going on? Where are you?"
"Don't worry about me." Todoroki responded calming down, "Go for the bomb. I'll take care of him." Iida did not respond but merely ran like a blur into the building. The mist was clearing now. Midoriya stood by as Iida passed right through him, if it was someone else, Todoroki may have thought their reflexes were too slow...
A few minutes earlier in the Monitor Room:-
All Might smiled with his big shiny teeth as he always did... This was the man Katsuki had wanted to surpass as far back as he could remember. As impressive as the Hero was, All Might the teacher was inexperienced. Even he could tell. Despite what the extras thought of him, Katsuki was diligent and intuitive, he could tell when a man was not comfortable in his position... especially one as outgoing as All Might.
'Lottery my ass!' Bakugo thought heatedly, four of the top five students from Aizawa's test in the very first match. He frowned looking back at his placement in the results, Let Ponytail and the walking Cooler think whatever they want. Their little tests won't stop from blowing their asses up in a real fight.'
Bakugo found himself frowning. He had wanted to fight Deku himself, the nerd was strong and Bakugo wanted to be the strongest. Despite his fourth place in the assessment test, Bakugo knew for certain he could beat the ones above him. Stupid tests were useless in a real fight. Bakugo wanted to prove himself... to U.A, to All Might, and most of all, to himself. Ever since he was young, Deku had always been there. Right beside him, whatever he did, no matter how good, Deku would do it equally well.
Then Katsuki had gotten his Quirk, it was strong... it put him above the rest of the extras. He was meant to be a hero... then Deku had gotten his. Katsuki could begrudgingly admit it was a strong Quirk... yet he was still stronger. Even when Deku had his Quirk, he was still better. Deku couldn't even control his Quirk, how could he ever match him?
Yet he did, no matter how hard he trained, how better he got at using his Quirk... Deku was always there right beside him. Katsuki almost seethed with hot determination burning up in him... Deku could not be beside him when he took the number one spot. Katsuki had to beat him, to establish that.
"Isn't that against the rules, All Might?" One of the extras spoke, "I thought the test was supposed to be indoors."
"While it is true that the aim was for indoor training," All Might fretted nervously, it was quite obvious he wasn't sure what to say about the situation. "There is no rule against forcing your enemy to take the fight outdoors. Villains don't play by the rules, as long as, one of the villain team members, as well as the bomb, stays indoors, I see no issue with it."
"That jump was so manly!" The red-haired extra yelled, "but the sneak attacking isn't manly at all!"
"Sneak attacks are a viable strategy, young Kirishima." All Might chided, as Katsuki focused on the screen... steam had blocked out everyone's vision. "Villains do not care about being 'manly."
"His plan failed though," This time it was Pickachu who spoke.
"Deku is still gonna win." Then Round-faced nodded enthusiastically.
"But why jump out like? Isn't that dangerous?" The pain-skinned Antenna spoke, "Wouldn't it have been better to wait for them inside instead of jumping out to face them alone?"
"Now that you say it, it does seem arrogant. Leaving your partner behind like that." The weird elbow nodded.
"It isn't arrogance, don't be an idiot." Katsuki scoffed getting everyone's attention on him. "Deku's Quirk isn't some pretty side-show like all of yours." He ignored the indignant cries because he was focused on All Might who was listening intently. "It's Fire... uncontrollable, untamable, and chaotic. Indoors in close quarters, he'd be forced to fight while holding back. In a real-life situation, against the walking freezer with a bomb beside you, it'd be dumb to fight there."
"Well said Young Bakugo." All Might gave him a bright smile and a thumbs up.
"Deku is so amazing." Round-faced nodded in agreement
"Deku?" All Might turned his large head sideways, "Who is this 'Deku' young Uraraka?"
"Ah, that's Midoriya's nickname," Round-face responded bashfully rubbing the back of her neck. "Kinda like, 'you can do it you know?"
Katsuki scoffed, "That's not what Deku means at all. Deku is a way to read his name differently, it is an insult, it meant useless."
"An insult? how unmanly?"
"Why would anyone call him useless?"
"That's so weird."
"What do you mean, it 'meant' useless?"
"He doesn't look useless to me."
"Then you should have seen the nerd when we were young." Bakugo grumbled, "Set his whole house on fire when he got his Quirk, couldn't control it at all without burning something, that's why I named him Deku." He ignored their surprised cries, "Yet he trained, he practiced and he learned to control. Deku isn't like you extras, he has spent ten years working hard for this. That is what Deku means, it isn't some make-believe fairy tail bullshit, it's his determination and promise to be a Hero."
Bakugo scoffed ignoring the extras before they started swarming him and turned his attention to the screens. 'Don't you dare lose you damn nerd... only I get to blow your ass up.'
A few minutes earlier with the villain team:-
Izuku had to be focus really hard to keep his concentration. The odds that he would be placed with Yaoyorozu against Todoroki, the two students he had most trouble controlling himself against were astronomical but it happened how. Now, he had to deal with it. Instead of focusing his mind on the obvious, he decided to spend as much time thinking as possible on how to best beat Todoroki and Iida. He still kept coming up short of sure-fire ways... especially indoors like this, he would be at a major disadvantage if he had to worry about setting the building on fire.
"We should come up with some sort of a plan." Yaoyorozu declared having finished her inspection of the fake bomb. "I could create traps with my Quirk, if my memory serves me correctly, you have a Pyrokinetic Quirk, Midoriya?"
Izuku's head snapped towards her as he responded with a nervous smile. "Umm, yes. I can generate and telekinetically control fire."
Yaoyorozu hummed mulling over his Quirk, "I think we should hole up here, I can set traps and bar the doors, put barriers in front of the bomb."
"I think that'd be a bad idea," Izuku responded at once, his hesitation forgotten. "In here, I'll be restricted highly. I wouldn't be able to fire off at my full capacity and the heat alone would be suffocating not only to you but to our objective. We're supposed to treat this as a real live bomb and using my Quirk in its proximity is irresponsible and would cost us points."
Yaoyorozu's eyes widened before she regained her bearings. "I-I see, I apologize for not realizing that sooner. W-what do you think we should do?" She asked giving him full control of the situation. Confidence issues he realized at once... it was something he had suffered from when he was young, to some degree he still did.
"I think it would be best if I ambushed Todoroki at the front and separate them both." Izuku muttered thinking over the possibilities, "All Might mentioned our objective being indoors but he never specified that we have to stay here with it. It's a bit simple but effective, I believe I can hold Todoroki out there long enough for you to handle Iida." It was barely there but her eyes were thankful for his confidence in her ability. "You... were there with Todoroki at the exams weren't you? How is his control over his Quirk? Fire to be precise?"
"Fire?" Yaoyorozu muttered questioningly, "He only ever used his Ice, I was not even aware he could use Fire? How do you know it?"
There was a note of suspicion in her voice... Izuku sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck in response. "Well, he is the son of Endeavor, isn't he? It makes sense he'd have a Fire Quirk." Her narrowed eyes and barebones nod told him she didn't quite believe him. "You can handle Iida right?"
"Given everything I've seen from him, I should be," Yaoyorozu muttered with a frown.
"Based on my understanding, he has trouble turning at full speed." Izuku supplied helpfully.
"I think I saw that yesterday," Yaoyorozu nodded. "If I can lead him to a specific spot, forcing him to come to a halt I should be able to trap him," She muttered more to herself rubbing her chin before she looked at him with light in her eyes. "I believe I should be able to take Iida. With some oil, spikes, and marbles on the floor... perhaps a strong Airsoft gun to lead him towards a trap? We still have more than a few minutes left... I'll need your help, Midoriya." She motioned him as a net began to form out of her arms.
"Why did you not stop him?" Todoroki asked as his vision cleared... the blindness was gone. Midroiya was bleeding from his lower lip... Todoroki was faintly aware of wetness under his nose but now was not the time.
"I am not an idiot nor overconfident," Midoriya shrugged with a nervous smile. "Fighting you alone would be difficult, adding Iida to the mix would ensure my defeat. My purpose was to separate you two from the start."
"That was your plan?" Todoroki asked unimpressed, "I would have expected more from the top two students in our class." He added that last part as a taunt.
"Not all plans have to be some sort of complex three-step strategies, simplicity works just as well," Midoriya responded with determination forming over his face.
"I take it... Iida is walking into a trap?" Todoroki asked, "Yaoyorozu must have prepared all sorts of traps in there. I am curious, why not lead me in there?"
"No disrespect to her, but you and I both know you'd be able to overpower anything she could come up with in such a short time." Midoriya shrugged. "Besides, my Quirk would be hindered in there... Fire, as you should know, can be quite chaotic."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Todoroki asked heatedly dark memories resurfacing in his head. 'Is he taunting me?'
"What?" Midoriya visibly winced at his tone but he was too angry to notice. In hindsight, he should have seen that. Todoroki stomped his foot on the ground intent on creating a sheet of Ice... Midoriya had shown to be able to counter his big attacks, maybe he could catch him off guard with subtlety. He wasn't so lucky, Midoriya's entire body was giving off so much heat it was as if the moisture had been sucked fry from the air. At least, he wouldn't get Hypothermia at this rate.
"You can't beat me with just your Ice. You'll need to use your fire." Midoriya frowned. Todoroki's eyes widened, 'Did that bastard pay him off? To spy on me? To try and get me to use his Quirk?'
He seethed in anger as his entire right side came alive with Frost, he kneeled with his hand touching the ground. Midoriya seemed to have sensed the danger if his eyes were any indication. His opponent's entire body came on fire just as the Ice started to spread... he was in the air using the fire to propel himself.
'Not good enough.' Todoroki growled in his mind as All Might's voice rang out over the speakers. "Iida Tenya has been captured." Wasn't this supposed to be a test? He didn't care, nor did he listen to All Might yelling in his ear about going too far.
With a mighty yell, he swung his arm, and the biggest Iceberg he could create sprung into life... rapidly building towards his inflamed opponent. The heat was too much, the air was so dry he could barely breathe as the Midoriya's fire all condensed around his arm which shone brightly like the sun.
"Flame Emperor's storm!" Midoriya's voice answered his call distinctively before the biggest flame he had ever seen descended to meet the monstrous Ice he had created. The sky itself came alive with the color of the flames as the collision of Ice and Fire happened. The resulting explosion forced him off his feet as he felt hot searing wind passed through him.
The familiar blindness along with hissing steam-filled his senses. This time, the steam was boiling and burning his skin causing him to wince. His throat was dry and his eyes were stingy, he had never quite expected Midoriya to be able to match his Ice at its highest output. Yet... he somehow had. Todoroki gritted his teeth, fire that strong, the ability and clear training to use it... 'and he urged me to use the bastard's Quirk.'
Too many coincidences for his liking. Todoroki waited with bated breath to see how Midoriya was fairing when he heard a loud boisterous voice, "Smash!"
A gust of hurricane wind flew over the area causing Todoroki to shield his eyes. When he opened them up again, the steam had been blown away, Midoriya was standing near the building with his body smoking visibly. The explosion caused by the rapid cooling and heating of the air had not spared either of them. Todoroki was certain his shoulder was dislocated and the way Midoriya was favoring his left... it was clear he hadn't come out unscathed either.
"Young Midoriya, Young Todoroki?" All Might called out, Todoroki turned towards him empathetically, "That was extremely dangerous and irresponsible of you both. I understand the spirit of competition but to go that far... rest assured, this will affect your grading." Todoroki merely nodded... he turned towards Midoriya and strangely enough, he felt, conflicted and empty.
"However, I am glad you are both all right." All Might sighed, "Both you need to head to recovery Girl's office."
"Actually, All Might, I am perfectly fine." Midoriya called out with a smile hopping on both feet, "Luckily the explosion didn't quite reach me in the air." Todoroki narrowed his eyes, he was certain Midoriya had limped only a few seconds prior.
"Thank goodness." All Might sighed, "Can I trust you to go retrieve Young Yaoyorozu and Iida? I have to escort Young Todoroki to Recovery Girl's office."
Todoroki wanted to refuse but he simply did not have it in him to argue with anyone at the moment. "Understood sensei." Midoriya nodded before turning back towards the building. All Might was already walking away expecting him to follow.
"Midoriya," Todoroki wasn't quite sure why he called out to him... Midoriya turned towards him with a curious questioning look on his face... 'Who trained you?' "That... was a good match," Todoroki spoke lamely.
"It was, you are really strong!" Midoriya smiled brightly despite his pale sweaty face, "I am sorry for going overboard though." I did first Todoroki thought.
'Where did your Quirk come from?' "I am going to beat you." He found himself declaring. Midroiya's confused face turned into one of determination.
"I don't intend to lose either, Todoroki." Midoriya responded, "I am going to be the number one."
"Come along Young Todoroki!" All Might's voice rang... he nodded to Midoriya who still looked a little out of the loop and walked to follow All Might. A Fire Quirk that powerful, with obvious training to use it... Todoroki clenched his fist so hard he drew blood. Dark thoughts swirled into his mind, leaving him more confused and conflicted than ever.
'A-are you like me, Midoriya? Are you that bastard's son as well?'
Chapter end.
This chapter was focused on Todoroki's point of view. I wanted to delve into his mind and highlight his thoughts and feelings towards our favorite green-haired pyrokinetic hero. Todoroki is now conflicted and thinks Midoriya might be his half-brother, Enji's son. Now, I want you to remember that Todoroki is the guy who asked Midoriya if All Might was his father simply because he felt their powers were similar and that All Might paid attention to him. Having an abnormally powerful Fire Quirk with obvious training plus the fact that Midoriya asked Todoroki to use his Fire would no doubt cause him some doubts. What does this mean for our characters going forward? Well, that's the question, isn't it?
I apologize if the action was not as prevalent as you may have wanted but the fight between Todoroki and Izuku... well, I have something special planned for it and for their relationship.
Also, worry not Iida and Momo fans, their fight I intend to showcase at the start of the next chapter.
I also shed some light on Bakugo and Izuku's relationship. Needless to say, it is a bit more complicated than that. Remember, these thoughts are all from Bakugo's pov in this chapter. This is what he thinks of their relationship and he isn't a reliable narrator. He is less of a dick and he is more open to interaction with his class is because growing up with Izuku kept his ego a little more in check. Still, he is quite crude and a bit of a dick. That's his personality.
Anyhow, do let me know your thoughts on this particular chapter and how you felt about it... or any theories you may have.
Midoriya Izuku-Quirks:-
All for One: The ability to take and give Quirks with a touch. The time it takes to acquire a Quirk depends on several factors such as the target's health, willpower, Quirk itself, and mental state. Further research is required.
Appraisal: Ability to research Quirk based on the information present to the user. If the user can acquire a certain amount of information this Quirk can fill in the blanks by itself and reveal almost everything about the target's Quirk. Note: the results provided may or may not be accurate depending on the data present to the user.
Inferno: Inferno is the result of a combination of several pyrokinetic Quirks. This amalgamation of Quirks is unique and has resulted in one of the strongest pyrokinetic Quirks in existence that allows its user the ability to generate, transmute, and manipulate fire. It also allows the user the ability to regulate heat in their vicinity, inside their own body, and extreme heat resistance. The true extent of the Quirk is currently unknown.
Spring steps: This Quirk allows its user to replicate the effects of a large spring from their legs. In particular, the user is able to absorb a great amount of force and reapply it in the opposite direction. Note: This Quirk does not turn the user's legs physically into a spring.
Bio Manipulation: Bio Manipulation is widely considered to be one of the most complex and complicated Quirks in existence. The Quirk allows its users total and utter control over every single function of their body no matter how big or small. The user is able to manipulate their body down to their very genes. The downside of this Quirk is that the user must have full anatomical knowledge of their body and whatever process they are trying to manipulate. The true potential of this Quirk remains largely unknown. Additional data is required.
Calory Burn: This emitter-type Quirk is largely energy manipulation-based. It allows its user to turn their calories into a unique signature of energy which can be used to augment the user's physical capabilities. How big the augmentation is up to the user and how much energy is allocated to which factor of their physical ability. The Quirk results in enhanced metabolism in its users and the intake of calories is dependant on its usage. The downside of the Quirk is noted to be excessive aggression if too much energy is produced in a short period of time. The limit of what is considered 'too much' is dependant on its user's mental and physical well-being along with their emotional state. The true extent of this Quirk's abilities remains unknown to this day as all of its users have been noted to become extremely aggressive, downright hostile, and have reported complete loss of motor function and memory loss of their actions before they could reach the maximum amount of energy produced. Note: There are no known physical side-effects of this Quirk's over-usage. All the side effects are noted to be psychological which is extremely unusual for a Quirk of this kind. Additional data and further research are required.
Several unknown Enhancer and possible Emitter type Quirks. Additional data is required.
