Chapter 20: Half-n-Half
It was now time for the one-on-one fights. Unsurprisingly, the first match was Izuku versus Todoroki. The announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd, the anticipation palpable as they waited to see the two formidable students face off against each other.
They were given 15 minutes to prepare themselves for the battle. Izuku headed to the preparation room, her mind focused. She grabbed a snack bar from her bag, unwrapping it slowly. The bar was packed with nuts, oats, and chocolate chips, the perfect blend of energy and taste. She took a bite, savoring the crunchy texture and the sweet, slightly salty flavor that spread across her tongue. The snack bar did its job, giving her a quick boost of energy as she mentally prepared for the fight ahead.
The preparation room was sparse but functional. A simple bench, a small sink with a mirror above it, and a few motivational posters on the walls. The hum of excitement from the stadium outside was a constant backdrop, mingling with the faint smell of sweat and disinfectant that lingered in the air. Izuku looked at herself in the mirror, her face set with determination. She tightened her gloves, flexing her fingers as she ran through her strategies.
When the match was about to begin in 5 minutes, she took a deep breath and stood up, ready to head to the stadium. Just as she was about to leave, a hulking figure appeared in the doorway. Endeavor, Todoroki's father, stood there, his presence imposing and intense.
"Izuku Midoriya," he said, his deep voice resonating through the small room. "Are you ready for your match with Shoto?"
Izuku's heart skipped a beat, but she held her ground. In the last timeline, she would have been shivering under his gaze, intimidated by his sheer presence. But now, not anymore. She had faced worse, and she was no longer that timid girl.
"Yes, that's me," she replied, her voice steady. She shifted to her teenager form, her height increasing and her features becoming more mature. She met his eyes, her gaze unwavering.
"Shoto is going to defeat you," Endeavor stated, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "You should not hold back. Give it your all, for you are up against my son."
Izuku felt a flicker of annoyance at his arrogance. She clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with determination. "You don't need to tell me what I have to do," she replied firmly, her voice cutting through the tension. "I'm ready to give my best."
Endeavor's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't respond. He simply turned and walked away, leaving Izuku to her thoughts. She took a deep breath, feeling a surge of adrenaline. She wasn't just fighting Todoroki. She was fighting for herself, to prove that she was stronger than her fears and the expectations of others.
With that resolve, she headed towards the stadium, her steps confident and purposeful. The roar of the crowd grew louder as she approached, the energy electrifying. She could see the vibrant colors of the stadium, the banners and flags waving in the air, the smell of popcorn and other snacks wafting through the breeze. The sight of her classmates cheering her on filled her with a sense of camaraderie and support.
As she stepped onto the field, the arena seemed to expand, the vast space filled with the collective breath of thousands of spectators. She could see Todoroki at the other end, his expression calm but intense, his eyes focused solely on her. The wind rustled slightly, carrying with it the murmurs of the crowd, the excitement almost tangible.
Midnight, the pro hero and referee, stood in the center of the field. "Contestants, take your positions!" she announced, her voice amplified by the speakers around the stadium. The crowd fell silent, the tension thickening the air.
Izuku walked to her designated spot, her heart pounding with anticipation. She could feel the cool breeze against her skin, the ground solid beneath her feet. She took one last deep breath, centering herself. This was it. The culmination of all her training and determination.
Todoroki's eyes met hers, a silent challenge conveyed in his gaze. He raised one hand, ice forming around his fingertips, ready to unleash his power. Izuku's mind raced through her strategies, ready to counter whatever he threw at her.
"Begin!" Midnight's voice rang out, and in an instant, the battle commenced.
Todoroki launched a massive wave of ice towards her, the ground freezing in a flash. Izuku's instincts kicked in, and she leaped to the side, avoiding the initial attack. She could feel the chill of the ice as it passed by, the air around it crisp and biting.
"Is that all you've got, Todoroki?" she taunted, her voice carrying across the field. "You're going to have to do better than that!"
Todoroki's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—determination, or perhaps, a challenge accepted. He raised his other hand, the temperature around him dropping even further as more ice formed.
Izuku knew she had to act quickly. She activated One For All, feeling the familiar surge of power coursing through her veins. She launched herself forward, the ground cracking beneath her feet from the force of her jump. She aimed a punch directly at Todoroki, but he was ready. A wall of ice shot up between them, blocking her attack.
The crowd gasped, the clash of powers mesmerizing to watch. From the stands, her classmates cheered her on, their voices a mixture of encouragement and concern.
"Go, Deku-chan!" Uraraka yelled, her hands cupped around her mouth to amplify her voice.
"You've got this, Midoriya-san!" Tokoyami added, his voice calm but supportive.
"We have a rematch due," Even Bakugou, from somewhere in the stands, shouted, "So kick his ass, Deku!"
The encouragement fueled her resolve. She wouldn't let them down. She circled around the ice wall, looking for an opening. Todoroki was relentless, sending more waves of ice her way, but she dodged and weaved, her movements agile and precise.
"Why won't you use your fire, Todoroki?" she called out, her voice carrying a note of frustration. "You're holding back!"
Todoroki's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond. Instead, he intensified his ice attacks, the temperature dropping even further. Izuku could feel the cold seeping into her bones, but she refused to back down.
"You're stronger than this, Todoroki!" she shouted, her voice filled with determination. "Don't let anyone control your power!"
The words seemed to strike a chord. For a brief moment, Todoroki hesitated, his eyes reflecting a conflict deep within. Izuku seized the opportunity, pushing forward with a renewed burst of energy.
She unleashed a powerful punch, her fist glowing with the energy of One For All. The force shattered the ice wall, sending shards flying in all directions. Todoroki barely managed to dodge, his expression one of shock and awe.
"That's the power of determination," Izuku said, her voice steady. "And I won't stop until I see you using your full strength."
The crowd erupted in cheers, the intensity of the battle captivating their hearts and minds. It was clear that this fight was more than just a test of strength—it was a clash of wills, a battle to see who could push their limits and rise above.
Izuku kept attacking, using only 5% of One For All's power. Truth be told, she could easily finish this match in a matter of seconds. But she wanted to prove to Todoroki that he was the owner of his powers, and his power did not belong to anyone else but him. Without using his fire power, he had no future.
Todoroki continued to use his ice power, refusing to use his fire power, shivering because of his own ice. If he didn't use fire soon, he would suffer from hypothermia.
"Your power is yours alone, Todoroki!" Izuku shouted as she dodged another ice attack. "It's not your father's power. You have to use it!"
Todoroki yelled back, his voice raw with emotion. "You don't know anything about this! This isn't my power! It's not fire!" He refused to use anything connected to Endeavor.
The crowd watched the interaction with amazement, the tension in the air palpable.
Izuku moved swiftly, dodging Todoroki's attacks. "It's not the power of your father. It's the power you have, Todoroki!"
Seeing that words alone weren't enough, Izuku increased her power to 10%, completely overwhelming him. Todoroki was barely managing to dodge her attacks. "If you refuse to use your full power, there is no future for you in heroism!"
Still, Todoroki refused to use his fire.
From the stadium, Endeavor yelled for his son to use his fire, drawing attention from the crowd and everyone else.
Izuku landed a solid hit on Todoroki, almost sending him out of the ring. Todoroki barely managed to stay inside, his fire unconsciously activating, his whole uniform burning.
Endeavor began to yell, "That's it! Now he's doing it! Amazing! He's really listening to his father and doing excellently—"
"Shut up, old man!" Todoroki shouted, his voice filled with rage. He lunged at Izuku, using both his fire and ice. Izuku grinned—he had done it. Now Todoroki was using his full power.
They fought intensely, the clash of their powers creating shockwaves that reverberated through the stadium. Fire and ice collided with Izuku's enhanced strength, creating a spectacular display of raw power and determination.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, gasping with each attack, their eyes glued to the two fighters. The air was filled with the sounds of their battle, the roar of flames, the crackling of ice, and the impact of powerful punches.
Izuku knew it was time to end the match. She gathered her strength, focusing One For All into her fist. With a single, powerful punch, she sent Todoroki flying across the stadium. He crashed into the wall, the force of the impact shaking the entire arena.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the sound deafening. Izuku stood in the center of the arena, breathing heavily but victorious. Todoroki slowly got to his feet, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and respect.
"That's the power of determination," she said softly, more to herself than to anyone else. She had done it. She had shown Todoroki that his power was his own, and no one else's.
"We have a winner: Izuku Midoriya! "
Midnight's voice rang out over the loudspeakers, declaring Izuku the winner. The crowd's cheers grew even louder, the excitement and admiration palpable.
TBC