Chapter 38: Shoto Todoroki: Origin

The dust began to settle, slowly revealing the shattered and charred surface of the battlefield. Jagged chunks of concrete jutted from the ground and pools of melted ice bubbled along the edges of the arena. The protective barriers in place to shield spectators from any wayward debris were likewise battered, with several still flickering in and out of existence as overwhelmed shield-quirk users desperately attempted to restore them. Smoke and steam were thick in the air, obscuring the entire arena, and the crowd had settled into an uneasy silence as they waited for Midnight to declare the victor of the final match.

I have to stay alert. It's possible that he made it through that explosion like I did.

Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, Midnight emerged from the haze. Her costume was torn in half a hundred places, and blood seeped from dozens of small cuts across her body. Removing her tattered mask from her head, Midnight worked her jaw, presumably to lessen the ringing in her ears, before turning to scan the field.

She found what she was looking for at the same moment he did, just as his opponent slumped to the ground against the far wall.

"There…" Midnight exclaimed, her breath hitching as she struggled to speak through what was likely a concussion. "Midoriya is out of bounds! Todoroki wins!"

The crowd stood in stunned silence for but a moment before erupting into rapturous applause, but Shoto couldn't hear them. His eyes were fixed on Midoriya's unconscious form.

Staring in wide-eyed disbelief until the medical bots finally carted Midoriya off the field, Shoto finally looked down at himself. His gym shirt was almost entirely melted on his left side, and scores of cuts and bruises littered near every inch of his muscular frame.

I won?

Raising his head, he could see the tens of thousands of spectators cheering down at him, his unsmiling image surrounded by fireworks and confetti projected on the screens ringing the stadium. Even in the face of such incontrovertible evidence, it didn't feel real.

Shoto made a sharp turn on his heel and stalked towards the nearest tunnel.

Because it isn't…

Shoto had refused to use his left side, and so Midoriya had likewise refused to utilize his full power. Instead, the irritatingly cheerful vice representative of Class 1-A had toyed with Shoto, goading him into finally realizing how much of a fool he had been. Unfortunately for Midoriya, his overwhelming strength had meant nothing when brought face to face with the laws of thermodynamics.

As reckless as he had been at the climax of their duel, Shoto had still maintained the wherewithal to realize what would happen when he used Flashfire Fist in such a cold environment. As such, he had utilized copious amounts of ice to reinforce his position the moment the reaction occurred. Midoriya, on the other hand, had been caught in midair. He never stood a chance

Passing into the tunnel, Shoto came to an abrupt halt. Gritting his teeth, he turned to the side and punched the wall with his right hand, only to recoil and snarl in pain.

That's the hand I broke on Midoriya's face. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

He fumed at how irrational and heedless his behavior was. He would need to meditate for hours to regain even a fraction of his composure. As if in mockery of his impaired mental state, thoughts and memories returned unbidden. His mother's words spoken so long ago, his father's cruelty, Midoriya's encouragement.

Shoto huffed irritably. Idiot. He should have just minded his own damned business.

Part of him realized that was uncharitable. Midoriya had only wanted to help him, to make him realize his potential.

Shoto's mouth dipped into a frown. And he lost because of it. Because of my weakness.

Could Shoto have won if he fought as he should have from the beginning? Possibly. He was certain that Midoriya was still holding back, even at the end, but by how much, only the greenette and likely All Might himself knew. Clearly, Shoto's ice had been completely ineffective against the fury of Midoriya's strength quirk, but fire was not so easily overpowered.

Guilt formed a knot in his stomach, and Shoto had to resist the urge to intentionally punch the wall again with his broken hand as penance for his disgraceful behaviour.

Maybe I could have won, maybe not, but Midoriya never got the chance for a fair fight. I was too emotional, otherwise I would have asked for a temporary pause while I slowly heated up the air to prevent an explosion, or at least I could have warned Midoriya that one was likely to occur.

Shoto clenched his fists tightly, grimacing in pain and frustration when the action reminded him once more of the damage to his right hand.

"Well done."

Forcing down the juvenile urge to feign as though he hadn't heard, Shoto turned to face the man whose actions had brought about the entirety of the current situation. Leveling his father with a cold glare, Shoto's brow briefly furrowed at the surprisingly even expression on Endeavor's face. He had expected smug satisfaction, or at least some indication that his father had finally gotten his way. Instead, the man was looking at him as though they were discussing Shoto's training regimen at the dinner table.

"Your Flashfire Fist was a bit sloppy, but that's to be expected given that you haven't practiced it in years. Frankly, I'm surprised it was as powerful as it was." Endeavor continued. "But we can work on that later. The important thing is that you've abandoned…"

The briefest flicker of consternation flashed over his features before he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Anyway, congratulations on your victory. It wasn't exactly ideal, but all that matters is that you came out on top." He commended.

Shoto blinked owlishly at his father. Not only was the man being uncharacteristically humble, but he had actually praised Shoto for his triumph. His father hadn't even painted it as a victory earned by both of them as he had done for effectively every other achievement in Shoto's life. Indignation and resentment surged through him at the abrupt and blatantly insincere change.

Does he think I'm an idiot?

After Midoriya had finally broken through his walls, Shoto had been, if only for a few brief moments, blissfully free. Free from the memories, the expectations, his father.

This bastard can't even let me have this. He has to make it all about himself, and now he's even playing some stupid mind game to make it seem like he actually cares!

Shoto scowled hatefully at his father, only to nearly laugh when the man noticed and his false pride faded, replaced by his far more familiar mien of vengeful arrogance.

"Don't think this changes anything. I haven't changed my mind at all." He spat bitterly. "I only used my fire because, for the first time in my life, I was able to forget all about you."

Endeavor gaped at him in stunned silence, and Shoto reveled in the shadow of hurt that fell over the man's eyes.

That's right. Your masterpiece isn't going to dance to your tune anymore. Enjoy your dream crumbling to dust, you bastard.

Striding past Endeavor, Shoto's moment of gratification quickly began to fade as more pressing concerns returned to the forefront of his mind. By unleashing his fire, had he betrayed his mother? Had he betrayed Fuyumi and Natsuo? Had he betrayed Toya's memory? If he hadn't, would he leave his fire as a tool only to be used in case of emergency, or would he strive to master it? Was that the right thing to do? Could he master his fire alone?

"Maybe I don't need you." Shoto pondered aloud.

Following a brief stop in the infirmary to have his injuries healed and to obtain a new set of gym clothes, Shoto made his way to the medalist's waiting room. It was there that he had been sitting in silent contemplation for the better part of the last hour, endlessly mulling over the flood of memories and doubts that had plagued him since his post-cavalry battle discussion with Midoriya. His decision to visit his mother for the first time since her institutionalization had worked to calm his emotions from a roiling boil to a low simmer, but that only made room for his treacherous mind to replay his father's bizarre behavior after the final over and over in his mind.

Endeavor hadn't said anything as Shoto walked away, and he wasn't sure if he should be pleased or angry that the bastard had been left speechless. Either way, Shoto was furious that he cared enough to even think about it.

Shaking away the embittered thoughts, Shoto lifted his head from where he had been brooding at one of the tables. Looking across the small room, he observed the only other person present.

Shiozaki had joined him half an hour earlier, and she had been sitting quietly with her eyes closed ever since. Whether she was deep in meditation or prayer, he wasn't certain, though given the girl's words to Present Mic before her first match against Kaminari, it was most likely the latter.

Shoto had been too focused on preparing for his own battle to watch the third place match, but he vaguely remembered Present Mic mentioning Shiozaki's victory while Shoto made his way onto the field for the final.

Just as he began to consider making small talk with Shiozaki, if only to distract himself from the maelstrom that was currently raging within his mind, the door to the waiting room abruptly swung open, revealing Midoriya's bandage covered form.

"Hey, Todoroki!" He greeted cheerfully.

Noticing that Shoto wasn't alone, his irritatingly bright classmate turned that ridiculous smile of his towards Shiozaki.

"Hello to you, as well, Shiozaki! Congrats on beating Tokoyami!" Midoriya added.

Torn from her tranquility, Shiozaki offered Midoriya a demure smile of her own.

"Thank you, Midoriya. Tokoyami was indeed a very challenging opponent. I extend congratulations to the two of you, as well. You were both well-deserved finalists." She replied with a respectful bow.

Shoto returned her bow, deciding he liked Shiozaki's demeanor far more than that of most of his classmates.

"Sorry it took me so long. Recovery Girl patched me up relatively quick, but she spent another twenty minutes or so yelling at me. Now that I'm back, Midnight wants us to head over to the underground podium thingy." Midoriya said, pointing over his shoulder with his right thumb.

The normally unremarkable gesture had both Shoto and Shiozaki quirking an eyebrow, given that Midoriya's right arm was currently in a sling.

Why is he so strange? And always so happy? Shoto wondered, a flicker of guilt coursing through him at the sight of Midoriya wrapped in so many bandages and both his right arm and leg in braces.

Despite the damage Shoto had caused to his body on the way to victory, to say nothing of how that victory had unfolded, Midoriya showed no sign of bitterness. The boy in question didn't even seem to notice the looks Shoto and Shiozaki were giving him. Instead, he turned on his heel and started back down the hall towards a tunnel that ran under the field.

He even walks happy…

Sighing heavily, Shoto made to follow. It didn't take long for the three of them to arrive at their destination, where Snipe was waiting patiently.

"There y'all are. Go ahead and step up onto your podiums. I trust y'all can read the big numbers to know which is which." The Marksman Hero drawled in that odd American accent he used before stepping away from the vertical lift that would take them to the surface.

Ascending the steps to stand atop the highest podium, Shoto grimaced at the knot that formed in his stomach.

I don't deserve this.

Turning to Midoriya, Shoto once again marveled at how his classmate could remain so jovial despite what had occurred little over an hour previously.

"Midoriya." Shoto spoke up awkwardly before looking away from the blinding smile Midoriya responded with.

"What's up, Todoroki? Oh, congratulations, by the way. Sorry I didn't say it sooner, but uh, I was kind of unconscious." He finished with a laugh.

Shoto grimaced at how lighthearted his former opponent was treating the situation, something Midoriya apparently picked up on, as his annoyingly pervasive smile flagged somewhat.

"Everything alright?" He asked worriedly.

Another pang of guilt struck at Shoto's core. Despite Shoto treating him with hostility from the beginning, Midoriya had been nothing but kind and understanding.

He sacrificed a victory in the U.A. Sports Festival, just to help me.

That fact made him sick to his stomach. Though he wasn't sure if that was due to guilt, self-loathing, or some twisted combination of both. Regardless, he chastised himself internally for how indecisive he was being.

Inhaling deeply to recenter himself, Shoto began again.

"I apologize, Midoriya." He said sincerely.

At this, Midoriya's smile faded entirely, replaced by a look of abject confusion.

"Apologize for what?" He asked bemusedly.

His bewilderment left Shoto similarly perplexed, despite him being the one to initiate the conversation to begin with.

"I'm the reason you lost." Shoto stated dumbly.

Shoto resisted the urge to facepalm at his own words. Midoriya likewise had furrowed his brow, his confusion only increased by Shoto's poor attempt to clarify his meaning.

"Uh, yeah. That's how it works?" Midoriya replied slowly.

"Yes, I know that." Shoto clipped back in annoyance, moreso with himself than Midoriya. "I meant that…" The emotion drained from him, and he felt his shoulders slump in shame. "You would have won if you hadn't been forced to hold back until I came to my senses."

Unable to meet Midoriya's eyes, Shoto stared down at his feet. A pregnant pause fell over them for several seconds before Midoriya finally broke the silence.

"Todoroki." He said, his tone demanding Shoto's attention.

Raising his eyes, Shoto was caught off-guard by the firm look in Midoriya's eyes.

"You didn't win because you held back. You won because you're stronger than me." He stated plainly.

Todoroki shook his head, mild irritation beginning to build at Midoriya's false humility. "That isn't true. You're clearly stronger than I am. I didn't stand a chance. The only reason you were knocked out is because the fight lasted so long that-"

"The cold air from your ice mixing with the hot air from your flames essentially created a bomb, yeah." Midoriya finished for him with a slight eye roll, as if Shoto had been trying to explain why water was wet.

Shoto blinked in surprise. "Wait, you knew? Then why did you charge me?"

Midoriya looked at him as though he had asked why humans breathe.

"You realize that I'm not fireproof, right? If I had just hung on for dear life, I probably wouldn't have been ragdolled out of the ring, but you still would have toasted me. My only real hope was to get to you before the thermobaric reaction could occur." He explained.

Unable to do anything more than stare at Midoriya blankly, Shoto's mind began to go into overdrive.

Is he telling the truth? No, if he had just gone all out from the beginning then…

"You could have beaten me a hundred times before I used my fire. Even my strongest ice attack was no match for you." Shoto insisted.

"Yeah, because if you punch ice really hard, it shatters." Midoriya nodded in agreement before cocking a dubious eyebrow. "I can't exactly punch fire though, can I?"

Unwilling to concede so easily, Shoto pushed back.

"But if you had just gone all out from the beginning then-"

"The same could be said for you." Midoriya cut him off.

'I could ask you the same. I was expecting a fight against Shoto Todoroki, a capable aspiring hero, a rival, and a man I respect, not-" Midoriya gestured towards Shoto flippantly, a vicious sneer in place of his usual bright smile. "-whatever the fuck this is supposed to be.'

Shoto's fists clenched at his sides as Midoriya's earlier words replayed in his mind.

"If you had gone all out from the beginning, I wouldn't have been able to get close enough to you. Sure, I could try to close and punch you before I get covered in third degree burns, but you'd just put up another ice barrier to keep yourself inbounds." Midoriya stated with a dismissive shrug. "Theoretically, I could've punched you hard enough to cave in your chest cavity, but obviously I can't just go around doing that, even once we're pros." The steel returned to Midoriya's voice as he leveled Shoto with a hard stare. "I can't beat your fire. At least not yet. I knew that coming into this fight. I had a few ideas, but I doubt they would've worked. You feel like you didn't deserve to win? Well I would've been in that exact same position if I had won against just your ice."

Shoto remained silent as Midoriya's words sank in. It felt as though a great weight had lifted from his chest, and he hated himself for feeling any sense of relief. Nonetheless, he could find no flaw in Midoriya's logic. More power wouldn't have done him any good if they weren't allowed to use lethal force, and like Midoriya said, that would be true even if they had been in a real combat situation as pros.

If we had both gone all out from the beginning, my ice would still have been all but useless, but my fire…

Before he could ponder the matter any further, the ceiling above them began to split open, revealing the cloudless sky above the stadium and allowing the boom of fireworks and the thunderous applause of the crowd to rain down upon them.

Gritting his teeth for another prolonged period of audial assault, Shoto subconsciously straightened his posture as the platform began its slow ascent. Once the podiums rumbled to a halt at field level, Midnight began her introduction.

Tuning out both Midnight and the spectators around them, Shoto focused his attention back on Midoriya, who, along with Shiozaki, was waving politely at the crowd. An idea took form in Shoto's mind, and he considered whether or not it would be appropriate as All Might made his poorly synchronized entrance. Remaining in contemplative silence while All Might presented first Shiozaki and then Midoriya with their awards, Shoto came to his decision.

Once All Might finished whispering to his protege and turned to place the gold medal around Shoto's neck, Shoto extended his hand to halt the proceedings.

"I can't take that, All Might." He refused calmly, causing a cascade of confused murmurs to ripple through the crowd.

"What's wrong, young Todoroki?" All Might asked bemusedly.

Looking down to his right, Shoto almost smiled at the pleading look in Midoriya's eyes. Returning his attention to All Might, Shoto gestured down towards the now visibly uncomfortable greenette.

"I don't deserve it. The only reason I'm standing up here is because Midoriya chose to help me overcome my own weakness rather than seize victory for himself." He explained.

"We already went over this. Todoroki would have won if we had both gone all out from the beginning. This was a fair result." Midoriya interrupted pointedly, shooting Shoto a glare he didn't know the kind-hearted boy was capable of.

"You may be right, but your honor and sportsmanship is what allowed that result to happen at all." Shoto countered earnestly.

Allowing a soft smile to curve his lips, Shoto extended his hand towards Midoriya.

"Consider this to be my way of thanking you for saving me from myself." He added, hoping his sincerity would shine through.

Midoriya shook his head in disbelief, but a small smile nevertheless cracked through his veneer of irritation before widening into the full beam that Shoto admittedly found himself slowly getting used to. Grasping Shoto's outstretched hand with his own, Midoriya stepped up onto the first place podium alongside him.

Shoto made to shift over so that he could step down to the second place podium, but Midoriya immediately checked his move, keeping him in place with a firm hand on his shoulder. Before Shoto could argue, All Might stepped forward with the gold medal. Much to his irritation, Shoto found himself slightly flustered by the Symbol of Peace's proud smile and approving nod.

With speed that was only possible through the use of his quirk, Midoriya snatched the medal from All Might and slapped it into Shoto's hand before grasping his wrist and lifting his arm into the sky. All Might's already dazzling smile somehow grew even brighter, and, ignoring Midnight's quite literal swoon at the display, he turned and gestured to them with an outstretched arm.

"Ladies and gentleman, your first year champions!" He announced to what must have been the loudest applause of the day.

The crowd's approval crashed down upon them, and there wasn't a single doubt in Shoto's mind that his father was absolutely apoplectic with rage for him sharing the spotlight. With All Might's protege, no less. His smile grew at that thought, and turning to the taller boy beside him, Shoto couldn't help but wonder if he had made his first friend.

Author's Note:
Yes it's cheesy as all hell, but do I care? No, no I do not. Neither Shoto nor Izuku are willing to budge on giving more credit to the other, so this was the former's compromise. They're both right, anyway. Todoroki would have won regardless if neither held back, but he only ended up actually winning because Izuku didn't take the easy win when he had the chance.

On that topic, I also want to clarify that yes, Todoroki would have won if he used fire from the beginning. That wasn't just Izuku trying to make him feel better. One for All grants significant damage mitigation, but Izuku can't just tank a Flashfire Fist to the face at this point in time. If Todoroki had been calm and in control using his fire from the beginning, he was most likely going to win. There would be ways for Izuku to pull off a victory, but Todoroki is very intelligent and experienced for his age 'thanks' to Endeavor. Todoroki had the much easier path to victory by just dropping Flashfire, which can't be effectively dodged in such a (relatively) small and open arena. Izuku could break up one Flashfire, but he'd trash his limbs doing so, at which point Shoto just wins with ice anyway.

Small side note to all that; I mention it in the chapter, but Shoto isn't really using Flashfire Fist, at least not its full form. He never completed his training with it, so this was just a sloppy reproduction. This move will eventually be developed into both Flashfire Fist: Jet Kindling (for the fire itself) and Flashfreeze Heatwave (for the combination of ice and fire). Here and now, it's just a ripoff of Endeavor's Jet Burn.