(A/N: Formatting reminder: "Dialogue heard through a sound system." ... "PRESENT MIC'S DIALOGUE HEARD THROUGH A SOUND SYSTEM." )
...
Izuku's head was buzzing with rage as he made his way to his assigned tunnel. He was absolutely furious that a person like Endeavor could become the Number Two Hero. Or even a Hero in the first place. A man obsessed power and craved to be declared the best. Caring more about that than actually helping people which is what a Hero is supposed to do. Frustrated at not achieving his ambition to the point of taking steps to 'create' the perfect successor to pursue his failed dream and succeed in doing what he could not. Pushing so far as to hurt his own family in the process.
It was sick. It was vile. People like him are the ones who should become targets of Stain.
Wait, what?
The greenette paused, thankfully a fair distance away from where he had encountered Endeavor. Where did that come from? He had never thought anyone should become one of Stain's marks before. Sure, he believed that Heroes should be held to a certain standard but this was different. He had never thought that anyone deserved to be at the other end of Stain's blade before. Were the meetings with the Hero Killer and the research into his character rubbing off on him?
During his research of the man, Izuku had looking into the Hero Killer's victims to try and understand him more. Some were all talk and no action, boasting their deeds only to avoid the places that needed Heroes the most in favor of where ever they would get more media attention. Others were dealing under the table, neglecting their duties if the price was high enough and ignoring the innocents that needed their help. While others broke the law and worked with the Villains and thugs they swore to take down while still pretending to be the upholders of the law they claimed to be.
Egotism. Corruption. Lies.
He doesn't really know Akaguro's true motives but he has an inkling. As far as he could figure, to Stain the name 'Hero' was a moniker that he believed only those with the truest heroic intentions should be blessed with. A Hero was someone who helps others. Who puts the safety of innocents first. Who doesn't seek fame or attention for their deeds. Who doesn't let money corrupt them. Who doesn't sully themselves with the scum of society.
To Stain, those who let their Heroic duties go astray did not have the right to the title of Hero. But…what if there was a Hero whose intention was to raise another Hero but by questionable means? How would Endeavor fair against Stain's judgement? A man who had sought out to create a better Hero than he. With the intention of them being a pawn that was more powerful than All Might and would become number one, but a Hero none the less.
While a small part of the result of his intentions was good in a sense, the methods Endeavor had taken to fulfill those goals were the problem. Seriously? A Quirk marriage in this day and age? And, although Todoroki never said anything specific, Izuku would bet the man's 'training' with his son to further mold him into the perfect all-powerful Hero he desired was harsh, extreme, and not ideal for a child. With the way the man performed in his Hero duties, never holding back his flames, he could guess the same would go for training his son as well.
Endeavor was far from the ideal Hero. To the point that had Izuku wondering how the man would fair if he were to fall under Stain's scrutiny. But Izuku didn't think he should be killed for his actions. Oh no. Then he wouldn't actually learn anything and no one really deserves to die. But if his misdeeds were to come to light for all to see, maybe he would learn what he did was wrong.
"IT'S TIME TO START THE SEMI-FINALS, SPORTS FANS! ARE YOU READY?!"
Present Mic's announcement and the crowd's cheering shook Izuku out of his thoughts. Using one of the meditation techniques he had started to use after his counseling sessions with Hound Dog, the greenette calmed himself down a bit, but not completely. The adrenaline would give him a boost in the coming fight and considering who he was up against he could use all the help he could get. Todoroki was one of the strongest fighters in these final matches. With a deep breath, he marched off to his exit tunnel as the time to face off against Todoroki was drawing ever closer.
After meeting his friend's father and listening to him rant, Izuku was entirely resolved in helping Todoroki. Endeavor was a Hero who sought power and encouraged his son in a 'misguided' manner to follow in his footsteps. The opposite of what happened between Izuku and All Might. The Number One Hero's intentions had been good when he told the Quirkless boy he couldn't be a Hero. But not even the sight of his mangled torso could extinguish the fire of Izuku's desire to be a Hero. And he wouldn't let his friend's hatred of his own father extinguish his fire either. His own fire.
Not on my watch.
...
Shouto was still pissed. It had been two matches, ones that he had won easily with his ice alone, but he was still pissed. Still stewing over Endeavor's words. How they were so similar to Midoriya's. The thought of the other boy being connected to his father in some way had continued to fester after his match with Iida. And now he would be facing off against the Quirkless boy. His friend. Or was he? So many questions were running through his head.
How is Midoriya connected to my father? Why is he so adamant in butting into business that he has no reason to? It isn't his problem so why does he care? Or does he actually care at all? Was he even my friend or was it all a lie? Could he possibly have been paid off by my father as a way to force me to use that bastard's power?
Shouto wouldn't allow it. Like hell he would use 'his' fire. So yeah, he was pissed. Angry at the possibility that his first real friend wasn't actually his friend at all. That his old man could possibly be meddling in his life even more than he already does. That if it was true, then Shouto had left himself exposed to a stranger on his father's pay roll.
"IT'S TIME TO START THE SEMI-FINALS, SPORTS FANS! ARE YOU READY?!"
The announcement broke Shouto from his thoughts. Letting out a huff, he cracked his neck and continued to trudge toward his assigned exit. His suspicions of Midoriya possibly being a puppet of that bastard still stewing in his mind. Once he arrived at the entryway to the field, he stopped just inside keeping to the shadows.
"THIS ROUND OF SEMI-FINAL MATCHES ARE BETWEEN OUR TOP FOUR COMPETITORS! WHOEVER WINS THESE NEXT TWO FIGHTS WILL BE OUR FINALISTS AND MOVE ON THE FINAL DECIDING MATCH AND DETERMINE WHO IS THE ULTIMATE WINNER OF THE FIRST YEAR SPORTS FESTIVAL!"
The crowd cheered overhead as Shouto leaned against the wall of the tunnel with his arms crossed. He was confident that it would be himself moving on to the last round. Midoriya was strong and his Support Items have been effective so far. But if Shouto could overpower him with his ice quick enough, there wouldn't be much the other boy could do.
"FIRST UP, HE HASN'T PLACED SUPER HIGH THROUGHOUT THE COMPETITION, BUT HE DEFINITELY HAS A YOU 'CONDUIT' ATTITUDE! REPRESENTING THE SUPPORT COURSE, GIVE IT UP FOR MIDORIYA!"
From across the field came Midoriya decked out in his Support Items. Shouto glared at his 'friend'.
"VERSUS! HE'S BEEN CONSISTENTLY 'FREEZING' THE DAY AND THE TOP SPOT! REPRESENTING THE HERO COURSE, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR TODOROKI!"
At the call of his name, Shouto exited his tunnel and walked onto the field. He ignored the noise of the crowd and focused only on the other boy, still glaring. The bi-color teen didn't know if Midoriya had lied to him or if he was actually involved with his old man in some way, but the thought of the possibility of such a situation made him angry. He would get to the bottom of this and find out the truth. One way or another.
...
Izuku walked up the stairs to the ring for the third time that day and made the mistake of looking at Midnight. As Present Mic announced Todoroki, the R-rated Hero once again wiggled her eyebrows and nodded her head towards the other boy. With an exasperated huff, the greenette relented and nodded slightly in confirmation to her silent question and the woman squealed in delight. Rolling his eyes, he turned to watch as Todoroki made his way to the ring and was a bit shocked to find his friend glaring at him.
He's looking at me like Katsuki does, Izuku thought. He really didn't like it.
"L-let's do our best, T-Todoroki-kun," the greenette stuttered with a wobbly smile.
His friend merely grunted in response, still scowling at him. A bit disheartened by the somewhat cold interaction, Izuku frowned slightly as he adjusted his mask and goggles over his face. Once covered, he glanced at Midnight who looked between the two in worry.
"READY?"
Taking a steadying deep breath, Izuku focused back on his friend who still seemed angry about something. He really hoped it wasn't about something he had done, though he had no idea what that could possibly be. The Support student readied himself in a defensive position, prepared to find out what was bothering the other boy. And to help him embrace the entirety of his Quirk. One way or another.
"BEGIN!"
Midoriya Izuku VS Todoroki Shouto
Same as every match so far, Todoroki stepped forward with his right foot and instantly started with a large-scale ice attack. Izuku easily dodged with his Jet shoes, jumping high into the air and doing a backflip before landing away from the ice while the other pivoted to face him.
"I have a question for you, Midoriya," Todoroki hissed, the icy tone he used for his name made Izuku shiver. "How long have you been working for my father?"
Eh?
"W-working for…," Izuku stuttered out in shock, his confused look hidden under his gear. "What you talking about, Todoroki-kun?"
The bi-color teen sent out another frozen assault that the greenette again managed to avoid it. He found himself boxed in much like Iida had in his fight against the ice user.
"You. You're working for my father, aren't you?" the bi-color teen accused, his expression was cold.
"Wha?" he gasped.
Again, the bi-color teen unleashed a glacial wave that was fueled by anger and Izuku was too stunned by the accusation to dodge this time. So, for the first time during the festival, the greenette activated his mask and unleashed the power of his replication of his father's Fire Breath. A raging billow of flames roared into life and collided with the approaching ice. The immense heat melted it before it could get even close to him.
"WHAAA?! AS 'FIRE' AS WE KNEW, MIDORIYA COULD HOP TO IT AND ZAP INTO ACTION WITH HIS SUPPORT ITEMS! BUT NOW HE'S SPORTING SOME FIERY FLARE! WHAT A DISPLACE OF PYROTECHNICS!"
"Midoriya has a wide range of Support Items at his disposal which allows him the flexibility to adapt to any given situation. He knows of the importance of having as many 'tools in his belt' as possible."
"LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY?"
"Both."
Izuku appreciated Aizawa's remark on the matter, but his attention wasn't on the commentary right now. Instead, it was on his friend who had just accused him of working for his poor excuse of a father.
"Why would you think that?!" Izuku questioned incredulously.
The Support student quickly tapped a button on the side of his mask to checked the level left in the current fuel cartridge and heard two beeps indicating it was still two thirds full. Which meant he had two more shots before having to change it out for a new one.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" Todoroki replied coldly. "Why else would you keep insisting that I use his fire?"
Again, with the 'his' fire.
"Because I don't want you to get hurt!" Izuku snapped back in response. "Because I'm your friend!"
"Are you?" Todoroki retorted back.
Ouch.
The ice user shot out another attack and Izuku jumped high enough to escape the boxed in area. He skated around the ring until he got behind the other. Temporarily anyway since Todoroki quickly turned to keep his opponent in his sight.
"After the Cavalry Battle, you pulled me aside to talk," Todoroki said, glaring at the greenette but not moving to attack just yet. "You said I was 'half-assing' my way through the festival. That if I were to use this curse of a left side, I would reach my 'full potential'."
Um, yeah, I know. I was there. He gave a nod in response.
"Well, before my match against Sero," Todoroki continued coldly. "My father said something similar."
Wait, what? Well, shit.
"So…how much is he paying you to pretend to be my friend?"
WHAT.
Once again, Izuku was angry at a Todoroki. But not at the one in front of him now. No. He was still pissed at the elder Todoroki, Endeavor. A man who seemed like even more of a terrible person the more he learned about the so-called Hero. One who's reputation with his own child was so bad that his son actually thought his father would stoop to such a low tactic.
"I'm not working for your father, Todoroki-kun!" Izuku insisted with a covered glare. "I never even met the man until today!"
Todoroki didn't seem to believe him and sent another barrage of ice at him. Izuku didn't dodge in favor of melting it away with Fire Breath again. Leaving him with one more shot.
"But you have met him," the bi-color teen retorted back.
"For the first time and only minutes before this fight!" Izuku shot back. "And he was nothing but insulting the entire time!"
"That sounds on brand for him," Todoroki conceded with an icy huff. "However, that doesn't prove you don't work for him. That bastard is that way with everyone and yet people still work at the Endeavor Agency."
Another ice assault that met a fiery end. The ring was starting to look like an artic ocean with puddles of water covering the surface, making the glaciers appear more like icebergs.
"Do you want to know what he said to me?" Izuku asked irately. "That since I haven't shown any sign of a 'strong' Quirk, I don't belong here. That I only have my Support Items to thank for where I am. That my only purpose is to be used by you to, and I quote, 'show your superiority'."
This time when the ice came for him, Izuku jumped and dodged, changing out the fuel cartridge with a new one from his belt and tossing the empty one aside as he did so. Bringing him back to three shots with his mask.
"If he knew what my true Quirk status was, I bet he would have been even worse," Izuku continued. "I told you that my entire life has been filled with people who wrote me off as soon as they found out about it. I'm used to people not believing in me and expecting absolutely nothing from me. People like that are ones I refuse to associate with. Not after I finally found people who do believe in me."
Once again, Todoroki directed a glacial assault his way which he avoided with ease. Izuku jumped, flipped, and landed on top of one of the jagged walls of ice. The rubber foot pads helped a bit with traction but he noted to add more texture to the bottom of his Jet shoes later. The greenette forced himself out of inventing mode and glared down at the other. He could see the frost building up from overusing his right side.
"So, why the hell would you think I would work for him, Todoroki?!" Izuku spat, angry enough to drop the honorific. "After what he said to me? After everything that you told me?!"
The ice user glowered up at him but made no move to attack so he could listen.
"Forcing a Quirk marriage," the greenette continued, staring the other down even though his eyes were hidden. "Viewing his children as mere results of some kind of sick science experiment. Rejecting the others and focusing on you as his 'masterpiece'. Training you past your limits since you were young. Driving your mother passed her breaking point. All in all, he is a bastard."
Internal conflict flickered in grey and blue eyes as they focused on him. Maybe he was getting through to him, even just a little. As they stared off, Izuku reflected back on those that had supported him to be where he was at this moment.
His parents, if only semi-supportive of his dreams to be a Hero, had still always been there to encourage and take care of him. Mei, his first friend after so long, labeled him a 'blank canvas' and the fact he was Quirkless meant that 'anything was possible'. Hitoshi, having the same dream as him to become a Hero, believed in him and together they would show those who judged them for their Quirk, or lack of one, were wrong. That they could be Heroes same as anyone else.
His other friends he had made since starting at UA supported him. Kirishima, Uraraka, Iida, Tsuyu, and Todoroki had all helped him in hiding from Katsuki until now. Even new possible friends he had met today, Tokoyami, Kouda, Yaoyorozu, and Jirou, had thanked him for helping them. And the teachers at UA had been helping him. Nezu with his analysis, Maijima with Support, Yamada with sign language, and of course Aizawa with helping Hitoshi and him train for the Sports Festival. Even Recovery Girl wanted to help him.
But most of all, the one Izuku was most grateful for was the man who had finally told him that yes, he could be a Hero. Stain, the Hero Killer. Or, as he now knew him better as Akaguro Chizome. A man of ideals. A man of conviction. Misguided, yes, but still strong willed with a desire to hold those responsible who are tasked to keep the peace and protect innocent lives. And he believed, truly believed, that Izuku could become a Hero.
'Do your best in the Sports Festival, Little Hero. Show the world what a true Hero is.'
They supported him. Believed in him. And look how far he had come. Here he was, a Quirkless teen, facing off in the third-round of one-on-one battles against one of the school's strongest students. Others had fought Todoroki and been taken down with ease. But he was still here, still standing in the ring. Still fighting using his own strengths and the 'edge' that Akaguro encouraged him to find.
"I'm here because I had people who supported me," Izuku said, gesturing to the crowd in general knowing his friends and teachers were among them. "Who helped me to get to where I am today. And now, I'm going to pass that on and help you."
Izuku jumped down from the ice wall and faced Todoroki, who adjusted his stance but didn't attack.
"You can't help me because there's nothing to help," Todoroki replied defensively, but also a bit apprehensive and confused. "Fire…it's too warm. Too Hot! It only causes pain! I refuse to use his fire!"
Oh, for the love of…
"Get it through your thick head!" Izuku snapped at his infuriatingly stubborn friend. "It's not 'his' fire! He didn't magically give it to you and lose his own! That's not how Quirks work! Same as your ice isn't your mother's! Both sides of your Quirk are your own. Entirely unique to you!"
The other boy's internal conflict became more and more apparent on his face.
"It's yours!" Izuku insisted further, gesturing in a sweeping motion of his arm as if to push the thought of it being his father's fire out of his mind. "Your Quirk, not his!"
Todoroki looked at him, stunned. As if this realization had never occurred to him before. Or at least not in a long time. Hopefully, this was a sign that the Quirkless boy was finally getting through to him.
...
Shouto didn't know how to feel. What to think. Vague memories were being brought back up to the surface. Memories of his mother. Ones he had almost forgotten.
'Shouto…'
Of her supporting him.
'You still want to be a Hero, right?'
Comforting him.
'You are not bound by blood to follow in his footsteps. Not a prisoner of your lineage.'
Insisting that he didn't have to be a Hero like his father.
'Stay true to yourself. You and you alone decide who you want to be. What kind of Hero you want to become.'
Just like this enigma of a boy before him. Determined. Helpful. Supportive. Quirkless. But most of all, his friend. Yes, he had come to the conclusion that Midoriya was really his friend. Why else would he be going this far? From the beginning he had insisted that Shouto should use his whole Quirk. To make it his own. But his view of his left side had been tainted for so long.
Flashes of his early childhood appeared in his mind. Of watching his siblings playing in the yard. Of Shouto being forced to train harshly instead. Of his mother trying to protect him from his father only to be forced away. Of everything coming to a head when the strain became too much for his mother. That night would forever be fresh in his mind. He had woken up thirsty and had gone to the kitchen for some water. Only to find his mother there talking on the phone.
'I know it isn't right, but I feel like I'm going crazy. I…I can't take this anymore.'
He had stopped, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he listened to his mother talk.
'The children…everyday they seem more like him. A-and Shouto.'
He had stood there confused as his sleepy child mind tried to understand.
'His left side…is becoming unbearable and I can't help but hate it more and more. All I can see is his father. I can't…I can't raise him anymore. I shouldn't because I'm afraid I'll…'
'Mama, what are you saying?'
Entering the kitchen had been a mistake. The mere sight of him had caused his mother to snap, grabbing the boiling tea kettle to protect herself from the demons in her mind. Ones that reminded her of 'him'. Resulting in the burn scar on Shouto's face. But he had never and would never blame his mother for the incident. The fault of it fell squarely on that bastard's shoulders for what he had done to their 'family'.
It surprised him that he had forgotten so much of those days before she left. Watching Hero programs together, cuddling on the couch, cool hands running through his hair. Almost fading away and replaced with only the tainted memories of harsh training, punishments for disobedience, and isolation. All to force the youngest Todoroki to follow what 'he' wanted Shouto to become.
That is…until Midoriya stuck his nose into his business. Meddled where he didn't belong. And yet, Shouto couldn't help but be grateful to his friend. He could feel it, a power growing from his left side. A fire, the beginnings of a raging inferno, lied just below the surface waiting to be set free, but still the ice user hesitated. Grey and blue eyes sought out green ones as small whisps of smoke started to escape from his skin.
...
Todoroki was frozen in place, as if it was Izuku who had an Ice Quirk. Which could be something he could do with the right Support Item. But now wasn't the time for that. The greenette slowly walked towards the other, who was still stunned, as he pushed his goggle up to reveal his eyes. Carefully, he removed the electric glove from his left hand and stretched it out to gently cup the right side of the taller boy's face.
"Do you feel that? The warmth?" Izuku asked, ignoring the sting of the frost covering the other's skin. "Does it feel bad?"
The bi-color teen shook his head minutely, not wanting to dislodge his hand. That grounding touch and comforting green eyes were all he could concentrate on.
"That's right. Warm isn't bad, fire isn't bad," the Support student continued with a hidden assuring smile. But Todoroki could see it still in his eyes. "My own dad has a Fire Quirk and he is one of the kindest people I know."
The crowd was getting restless as they were having their moment but the two friends didn't care. Izuku knew this needed to be said.
"You trusted me with your past," he said, smiling at the boy as he still caressed his face. "I understand why you're refusing to use it. But don't you see? By not using your fire, you're still letting him control you."
"I…I can't," Todoroki replied, his inner turmoil was clear on his face. "After all this time, I can't give him the satisfaction of using it. I refuse to use 'his'…"
"Stop, Todoroki-kun," Izuku said, taking another deliberately slow step forward bringing them closer. "You keep insisting on calling it 'his' fire. But I already told you it isn't, Todoroki-kun. It's your Quirk. Which means it's your fire. Your ice. Both of them make your one Quirk. Your Quirk and yours alone."
Flames suddenly bloomed along Todoroki's right side. Izuku watched in awe, still cradling the ice side of his face with his hand.
"Beautiful," escaped the greenette's lips. He could feel the heat on the exposed parts of his face, but the fire resistant under armor protected the rest of his body.
"You must be crazy," the bi-color boy stated, chuckling lightly. "To help me in the middle of a fight like this."
"Maybe," Izuku smirked under his mask, subtly reaching his other hand towards Todoroki. "But it was worth it to see you like this. Also, I'm sorry."
"Why are you sor-?"
It happened in an instant. Izuku quickly activated the electric glove still on his right hand and shoved his sparking fingertips into Todoroki's abdomen while at the same time removing his other hand from the other's face. Soon the dual Quirked boy fell to the ground stunned at the Quirkless boy's feet. The crowd roared.
...
"WHAAA?! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" Hizashi exclaimed next to Shouta as he also looking down at the field in surprise.
Didn't expect Todoroki to let Midoriya get in that close, the Erasure Hero thought. And somehow Midoriya got Todoroki to use his left side. Something I haven't been able to get him to do since the start of the year. What on earth did Midoriya say to him down there?
From the announcer booth, they watched Midnight navigate through the maze of ice to the no longer fighting pair. Shouta could see the green one explaining something while gesturing nervously to the R-rated Hero as she checked over Todoroki.
"Todoroki has been KO'd," Midnight announced from down below. "Midoriya will be moving to the finals!"
"TODOROKI FROM THE HERO COURSE, WHO HAS WON EVERY MATCH BEFORE THIS WITH HIS SIGNATURE 'BRR'RAGE OF ICE, IS NOW DOWN!" Hizashi announced. "MAKING THE SUPPORT COURSE'S OWN MIDORIYA IZUKU OUR FIRST FINALIST FOR THE LAST ROUND!"
The reaction from the crowd was mixed. Mostly consisting of shock that such a strong forerunner, a child of a high-ranking Hero no less, was defeated by one of the remaining underdogs. There were a fair amount of people cheering earnestly for the Support student's win while a few others did boo as they were clearly rooting for the son of Endeavor. As for the Number Two Hero himself…Shouta could only describe it as a grown ass man throwing a temper tantrum as his son was carted away to Recovery Girl. With the green one not too far behind.
...
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Notes extension: post/639502357161541632/chapter-49-sports-festival-break-the-ice