Chapter 2 - Sword Training

Two Years Later…

Toshiro and Iroh both stood with their swords drawn and ready, standing on the stone patio in the backyard of the Todoroki household. They both stood still, and silent as statues, facing off against each other and waiting to see who would make the first move.

Toshiro was now fifteen years old, and he still looked pretty much the same: red hair, fair skin, blue eyes. His hair had grown somewhat longer, and he had grown taller and somewhat more muscular. His clothing at the moment was a black t-shirt, grey sweatpants, and black Japanese tabi shoes. In his hands, he held his katana, which he had kept cleaned and polished for the two years that he had it.

Iroh looked pretty much the same as well, despite now being fifty-nine years old. The only difference was that his beard now turned grey, and his clothing was different. Now, he wore a pale red robe, dark red pants, and black shoes. In his hands, he held his own katana, which had a black hilt with a golden guard, and a silver colored blade.

"Attack!" Iroh commanded.

Toshiro obeyed and rush forward with a yell! Iroh prepared himself, and their katana blades collided with a furious CLASH! The two began dueling, delivering rapid strikes and blocking! Despite his age, Iroh proved to be a tough opponent, as Toshiro was trying his hardest to block the attacks, and get a hit in!

But despite this struggle, Toshiro could hold his own, as two years of sword training had proved fruitful! He then dodged several blade attacks, and then leapt into the air, bringing his blade down onto Iroh's blade! Iroh blocked and jumped back, and then tried to shove Toshiro! But Toshiro side-stepped him and struck again, to which Iroh barely was able to block! Iroh then quickly moved away, not wanting to have a close-quarters confrontation with Toshiro! If they fought in close quarters, Toshiro would utterly destroy him!

"Not bad, not bad…" Iroh spoke, as the two circled again. "But you're holding back. I'm going to fight you, with the intention of killing you; if you hold back, you'll be in trouble. Forget I'm your friend for now; I'm your enemy!"

Iroh then charged forward, delivering several katana strikes to Toshiro! Toshiro dodged them, his flight or fight response kicking in! Choosing to fight, he activated his quirk, channeling the fire through his katana! Toshiro then attacked, and Iroh went on the defense, as Toshiro fiery attacks were devastatingly powerful! His slashes were now mixed with flames, delivering more damage and causing Iroh's katana to be burnt!

"Flame Slash!" Toshiro called out, his eyes blazing with fire, as he delivered a vicious slice.

Iroh blocked the slice, but it caused him to drop his katana, as it was now glowing red from the fire! Quickly jumping back, Iroh looked around for an opportunity to take Toshiro down hand-to-hand! But, to both his amazement and shock, Toshiro had now created a pair of dragon wings made out of flame!

"Flame Control Dragon Wings!" Toshiro yelled, racing forward to attack.

The flaming wings gave him more speed, and Iroh had to quickly dodge to avoid getting burnt and sliced! Iroh then saw an opportunity; a small koi pond that was in the backyard! Positioning himself, Iroh waited for Toshiro to attack! Toshiro flew forward, and Iroh jumped, kicking off of him and sending him into the koi pond with a SPLASH!

Instantly, Toshiro's flames died out, and he came out coughing and sputtering. He wasn't angry, but rather shocked; apparently, he was so focused on attacking, he didn't take into account of the environment! After a few seconds of coughing and sputtering, Toshiro began getting out of the pond. The water was now murky with smoke, but fortunately, there weren't any fish in there.

"I guess you've beaten me…" Toshiro spoke, climbing out of the pond, taking his katana with him.

"On the contrary, you did quite well." Iroh replied, helping Toshiro out of the pond. "You knocked the sword from my hand, and if this were a real fight, you would've utterly destroyed me. Those moves you created were quite impressive…"

"I didn't create them to be impressive, Iroh; I created them because they provide proper use of my quirk for an attack. Anyway, I didn't take full account of the environment, which proved to be my downfall."

"What I did was a cheap trick, Toshiro, and it wasn't fair. I panicked, and decided to pull something like that…"

"Any villain I went up against would've done the same thing." Toshiro replied, sheathing his katana. "I need to take account of my environment, and use it to my advantage."

"Right…" said Iroh. "You better change out of those soggy clothes; don't want you to catch cold."

"Nah, it's fine. I'll dry off right here and now…"

Suddenly, Toshiro's entire body briefly turned fiery blue, right before Iroh's eyes! It only lasted three seconds, but it was still impressive! After his skin went back to normal, Toshiro's clothes were dry!

"What was that?" Iroh asked, his tone amazed.

"Zero Blue Dragon Burst." Toshiro replied, his tone nonchalant. "Another technique I'm working on. Let's have lunch, I'm starving…"

Lunch was ramen, which was Iroh's favorite dish. Toshiro cooked some, and then brought two bowls: one for himself, one for Iroh. Iroh, who was sitting at the dinner table, took his, while Toshiro took his own and sat down.

"So, I heard you're planning on trying out for U.A." said Iroh, trying to make conversation. "If you don't mind me asking, how come you didn't just get a recommendation from your father?"

"My Dad's recommending Shoto, over the fact he has both ice and fire." Toshiro replied, his tone bitter. "He's not doing me, because of my 'Angle Flame Control'."

"What's that mean?"

"It means that I can't really use my quirk, but can only manifest it into my fists or palms. I can only channel it into my katana, but my father wants someone who can use it without needing a… crutch, as he so delicately put it."

"Ouch. Does he know you're trying out?"

"Yeah, he knows, but he has very little hope for me actually making it. He wants me to continue my sword training, because he wants something to keep me occupied."

"And you're going to prove him wrong, aren't you?" asked Iroh.

"That I am." Toshiro replied. "It's going to be tough; I've got until March to become stronger than my older twin. The tryouts for U.A are in March, so I need to be prepared by then. That means I'll have to train harder than I've ever trained…"

"I understand. If you want, Toshiro, I can help you with that."

"Aren't you already helping with my sword training, Iroh?"

"Yes, but I can also help you with your physical training. I'll train alongside you, and guide you to becoming a hero; something that your father should be doing. As you know from the time we've spent together, you know that I don't have a quirk. So maybe, I can impart what I know onto you, and help you reach your goal. What do you say?"

"Sure."

"Sure? That's it? You aren't going to think it over?"

"I already thought it over." said Toshiro, his tone nonchalant. "Let's do it."

"Okay." Iroh replied, amazed how quick Toshiro's response was. "But, let's do it tomorrow; bright and early. We've already had enough training for today."

"You got it."

True to Iroh's word, Toshiro began the training, bright and early the next morning. This training, unlike the sword training, was tougher, as it required exercising of the mind, body, and soul! Aside from the continuous sword training, Toshiro also did mental and muscle exercises, to sharpen his body and mind, as he sharpened his katana! The training was painful, as everything in Toshiro's body was getting worked out to its fullest! During school days, he would train in the afternoon, and at night, he would come home tired! And during the weekends, he would train in the morning, and come home sore as usual!

As the month of March drew closer, Toshiro's training intensified! His sword training battles became more fierce, and the exercises he did became tougher! He also began training his quirk, and developed more special moves! Aside from the 'Zero Blue Dragon Burst', the 'Flame Control Dragon Wings', and the 'Flame Slash', he also created secret techniques, which he would hide away until he needed to use them in battle!

Toshiro would be ready for the tryouts, and then he would show them! He would show his brother and father; he was going to become a hero, better than they would ever be!

March…

March had come, and today was the day of the U.A tryouts. Iroh and Toshiro both stood outside in the Todoroki household's backyard. Toshiro was kneeling before Iroh, his sheathed katana in front of him. He looked a lot different than a few months ago; his body was stronger, his hair had grown somewhat longer, and he looked ready for battle. His clothing at the moment consisted of his school uniform: black jacket, white dress shirt, black dress pants, and his white sneakers.

"You are ready…" said Iroh, as he was standing before Toshiro. "You have trained your mind, body, and soul into becoming a hero. You are no longer who were before; you are on your way to becoming a hero."

Iroh then drew his katana, and asked, "What is your name?"

"My name is Toshiro Todoroki." Toshiro replied, his tone confident. "My hero name… is Prometheus…"

Iroh then tapped Toshiro's shoulders with the katana blade, and then said, "Rise, Toshiro Todoroki. Rise, Prometheus…"

Toshiro then picked up his katana, unsheathed it in his right hand, and then activated his quirk! The blade lit up with fire, and Toshiro raised it into the air! He then put all his quirk power into it, and the blade became brighter and brighter, eventually spreading out like some kind of epic form of art from the knight ages! Then, the fire died down, and Toshiro sheathed his katana.

"I'm ready…" said Toshiro, his tone filled with determination.

"Good, then let's go and-" Iroh was about to speak, but then looked at his watch. "Oh crap! The tryouts are starting in twenty minutes! We gotta hurry!"

"Then let's keep calm and go…"

After saying that, Toshiro put his sheathed katana in a black sword bag, which was lying next to him when he was kneeling. He slipped the katana in, zipped up the bag, and slung it over his shoulder. Afterwards, he and Iroh left the Todoroki residence, and began making their way to U.A.

U.A, the number one hero school in Japan. It was a large building with four large towers that were connected, so from any angle it would like an 'H'. Several students were making their way into the building, all hoping and dreaming of becoming a part of the legendary hero course. However, those dreams were going to be impossible for some, as there were hundreds of others who shared that dream as well!

"There it is." said Toshiro. "U.A High School, the school for heroes."

"You nervous?" asked Iroh.

"No. If I make it, I make it. But if I don't make it, I'll find another way to become a hero. No matter what, I'm going to be a hero…"

"That's a good way of thinking, but I know you're going to make it. Well, good fortune on your trying out, my friend."

"Thank you, Iroh. I'll inform you tomorrow if I make it or not."

Toshiro began walking towards the doors of U.A, his intent on becoming a hero. Iroh watched him for a few seconds, and then turned and began walking away from U.A.

"I'm proud of you, Prometheus." Iroh spoke to himself. "I hope you make it."

He then continued on his way, his hope that Toshiro was going to make it as a hero…