Chapter 40:

(Okay, I'm excited. The Sports Festival Arc is almost complete, and I know we know how it all ends, but it should still be fun, now. The chapter after this will be a Claus finally taking center focus for a few chapters. Anyways, enjoy.)

It was finally it. The end of the Sports Festival, the match that would decide who was the current best of UA High. With the two fighters giving off some of the most intense and impressive matches the audience had seen. It had come down to it:

Katsuki had thought everything in that moment; his moment of realization that he couldn't beat Shoto in a head-to head fight, and his blasting through and through to the final match. He heard Present Mic's voice roar that the final fight would be between him and Todoroki. This was it, this was going to be his proof that he would win. The crowd went wild while they prepared for the next fight.

(Later)

Shoto looked at his palm in his waiting room for the next match. He remembered that day, where his mother was on the phone with his grandmother before IT happened.

"And Shoto…That child's left side sometimes looks unbearable to me. All I can see is his father." Shoto stiffened at that memory, before a couple of new ones had shown themselves.

"Fight as yourself in there. Not your dad, or the path he's laying out for you. Fight as Shoto Todoroki!" He remembered how much Lucas encouraged him to fight as himself in the match with Midoriya, and then thought of his furious match with Midoriya. "SO CAME AT ME WITH ALL YOU GOT!" He could hear his fellow student shouting, "IT'S YOURS! YOUR QUIRK, NOT HIS!" Shoto's thoughts then returned to that darkened night. His mother had slowly turned around, and looked back at him as if she saw a ghost. "How did this happen? I pushed her out of my mind. I tried not to think about her." Shoto realized he had repressed the memories of his mother and they'd been slowly returning thanks to Midoriya and Lucas. He clenched his hand into a fist, "Mom…" he said quietly.

However, that quiet didn't last long, as Bakugo had kicked through the door, and he had a surprised angry look on his face. "Hey, what the heck are you doing in here? This is my space to—" Katsuki looked at the sign on the door to see the number, he gasped, "Crap, this is waiting room number two?" He asked, realizing he may have he had the wrong room. Shoto said nothing and looked back down at the table. Katsuki was irritated, as if Shoto's lack of response were smug. "Alright, fine, so I may have walked into the wrong room. But don't think that means I'm gonna be at the top a' my game, you got that?" He asked, declaring his final war on Todoroki. Katsuki rose his hand, and used his Quirk on the table as a show of strength. "You better bring all you got to this, Icy Hot!" He shouted at him, but Shoto wasn't paying attention.

"Midoriya." Shoto had said, which confused Katsuki. "He said the same thing." Shoto looked at his hand deadpanned, "That fool. Instead of trying to win the match himself, he focused on breaking my walls." He realized, "You guys were childhood friends, right? Was he like that when you were kids? So helpful?" Katsuki was shocked by that question, his eyes began twitching, remembering that day he was attacked by that sludge villain. "Kacchan…I couldn't just stand there and watch you die!" Izuku had said to him, then remembering the time he helped him out of the water. How dare that Deku look down on him! He doesn't need his help, he was just a weakling! "What does he have to do with any of this?" Katsuki let his temper get the better of him and kicked the table. "It's all between you and me now. Focus on the match. That's the only thing I care about. Whatever your family problems are, whatever you're feeling—None of that crap matters, just make sure you don't hold back. Use your flames on me." Katsuki walked out of the room, more ready than ever. "I want everyone to know I beat you at your best." Shoto watched him as he shut the door, and turned to his side.

"Don't hold back…" Shoto was going to make sure he made it through. "Shoto, that better not be all you have!" He could hear Lucas's words ringing like a bell to Katsuki's advice, "It seems you and he are very similar, Lucas." Shoto was stood up, getting determined. He'd do it for them, he'd make sure he never held back in his final fight. "I'm gonna win because of your inspiration, Lucas." Shoto had declared, but still completely unsure.

Meanwhile, Katsuki stomped out of the room and through the halls, with a creep smile on his face. "Let's see him try and use his powers against me when I'm bombing every inch of the stadium. I'll show the world what a champion looks like."

(And it's time!)

Class 1-A stood up and watched, as the fanfare played, the audience was excited, and then the torches lit. Lucas looked on, "Good luck, Shoto. Bakugo-san." Lucas had said, quietly. He would still be a good sport, even if he wanted Shoto to win. If Bakugo-san had won this, he wasn't going to be bitter about it. "Welcome to the final battle of the UA High School Sports Festival!" Hizashi had shouted to the audience, he was excitedly spinning in his chair and making poses. "In just a moment, we'll see which first years come out on top!" He said, watching the sign change to its final opponents.

"Yes, it all comes down to this, folks! Coming in from the Hero Course, Shoto Todoroki. Versus his classmate, Katsuki Bakugo!" The crowd went wild for two of the Sports Festival's most powerful.

Shoto stood, determined once again. No show of emotion.

In contrast was Katsuki, who was more than excited and rage filled to win. A creep grin on his face once again.

Everyone stood and watched this fight, wondering what the outcome will be.

"Now…BEGIN!!" Hizashi shouted, with Shoto planting his hands on the ground and sending a perilous amount of ice in Katsuki's way. Katsuki's reaction time was able to dodge attack and block off each ice shard with celerity, grunting and yelling with each step. It wasn't long before an Shoto had created something the size of a small glacier. The audience was in shock at Shoto's power. "Todoroki starts with a crazy ice blast!" Hizashi said.

Lucas looked on, "He's not forgetting the crowd's there." Lucas had said, he and Izuku noting Shoto had a bit more control with this attack, "There was a lot more control in that attack, he's being cautious." Shoto had took a frozen breath, and hoping that the ice had buried Bakugo. "Is it possible we've already got a winner down there?" Hizashi had said. Tsuyu noticed something else, they started hearing some noises coming from the ice. "That has to be Bakugo making those sounds, right?" She asked. "More than likely." Lucas said, with the battle playing out.

Emerged from the frozen prison, Katsuki Bakugo broke free blasted through his own made prison door. Chunks of ice were launched into the air. Class 1-A was in shock. "He used his explosions to tunnel through the ice like some kinda mole man!" Sero had said, Denki had a shocked look on his face, "These two are insane." He said.

Katsuki placed his fingertips on the ice, staring Icy Hot down: "You've got some pretty powerful attacks." He complimented, Shoto ran straight for him and he burst through the ice with a huge explosion. "But you're a bad aim!" Katsuki sent himself into the air, charging straight for Icy Hot. He evaded Shoto's next move by moving to his left. "Try harder!" He shouted at him.

"He dodged his right side with a blast!" Izuku had said, "Awesome." Ochaco whispered.

"When it comes to reaction time, Bakugo-san has us beat." Lucas said, watching Bakugo grab Shoto's arm before he hit the ground. His next move had him throwing Shoto into the air. Lucas's face stiffened at the severe blow. "Keep going, Shoto, you've got this!" Lucas was hoping for Shoto to make a good comeback, somehow. This fight was only beginning, after all. Shoto made a safe landing by using his right side's power to break his fall, he regained his balance and started riding his ice like surfing a wave. "Looks like fun!" Hizashi had said to the audience, with Shoto caught right in another charging attack from Bakugo.

Katsuki tried to go in for another his with his Explosion, but Icy Hot managed to grab his arm.

Endeavor smiled, almost evilly. "Use your left side. Do it, Shoto!" He had shouted to him, which surprised the two boys. Shoto hesitated, and threw Katsuki far from him.

They took ample time to recover, "Stop screwing around. What, do you think I'm not worthy of your fire?" Katsuki said, a menacing and violent smile on his face.

Aizawa realized what Bakugo was doing: "Bakugo timed his explosions and grabbed Todoroki's left side on purpose. He's done his research." The teacher explained, "His aptitude for this becomes more apparent with every fight." Hizashi's interest was piqued, "Todoroki's doing well so far, but his attacks are too simple. It almost seems like he's lost his spark after the match with Midoriya." Aizawa explained, which only seemed to further ignite Katsuki's rage. "I'll tell you what'll happen if you make a fool outta me! I'll kill you!" Shoto looked shocked at those words. Lucas looked on, becoming angry at the sound of those words, "This is too much." Lucas had said, acknowledging how scary Bakugo-san was. "I don't want there to be any doubt that I'm the best student at the festival! That's only possible if you come at me as hard as you can!" Katsuki shouted at him.

"There's no point if you don't fight with the same power you used against Deku! If you don't wanna win this, why are you even here? Don't be a pussy like that Flower Boy!" Katsuki shouted, angrier and angrier.

Izuku and Lucas were shocked by what Katsuki was saying. "SHOW EVERYONE YOU'RE TRYING TO DESTROY ME!" Katsuki said.

In that moment, Shoto recalled his resolve during his fight with Midoriya.

"I want it, too. I'll be a hero!" He could hear the memory in his head. He looked down for a moment, "I'm sorry, Bakugo. Since I fought Midoriya, I'm unsure of so much. Whether or not I did the right thing. What my left side means to me." He said in his head, seeing his opponent come closer. "And there's Sakai…he chose to act as a companion rather than an opponent."

"COME ON, TODOROKI! DON'T GIVE UP! DO YOUR BEST!" Izuku shouted, and Lucas stood up. "YOU GOT THIS, SHOTO! YOU CAN STILL WIN!" Lucas shouted, hood was down and his glasses were off!

Shoto watched as his friend and rival cheered him on, "Lucas…Midoriya."

Katsuki smirked, "That stupid nerd and crybaby!" Katsuki finally made his way and launched himself into the air. He saw it, and grinned ear to ear. Shoto lit his fire and felt it. "If you're gonna face me, you can't half-* it!" Katsuki said, creating a whirlwind of smoke from his Quirk. "Try everything you can to defeat me! Don't you DARE hold back!" Katsuki said.

Shoto was ready, he was going to attack with his left side, before his life flashed before his eyes. His father's abuse, his rejection of his father's path, but the burning memory of his mother's emotionally scarred face…was had made him hesitate. In that moment, he couldn't do it. His flames began to disappear and Katsuki was getting closer. "HOWITZER IMPACT!" Bakugo shouted his attack. He spun around before landing his final attack. At incredible speed, blasted through all of the ice, with a giant orange fire on the battlefield.

Class 1-A was stunned by how powerful Katsuki Bakugo's power was, it had made his power during his match with Ochaco almost seem like a tea light. Hizashi spelled it out completely, that Katsuki turned himself into a human missile, even noting that Shoto's hesitation was unexpected compared to in his fight with Midoriya. Enji stood there, shocked by this moment. "So what has become of our two top competitors?" Present Mic had said.

Lucas looked worried for their safety, he knew they were tough, but that explosion was outrageous that it would be sociopathic not to worry about them.

Katsuki frown, picking himself up from the ground, "Huh?" He realized what Icy Hot had done. "You decided NOT to use your fire?" He grunted through his pain, becoming angry. "No." He simply said, getting up and walking over to the now unconscious Shoto Todoroki. "Hey…" Katsuki quietly said.

Lucas got up out of his chair, "I have to help him!" Lucas said, running off in panic. He didn't care if Shoto had lost, he was unconscious!

"Hey!" Katsuki was louder this time and ran off. He grabbed Shoto by his shirt. "THIS ISN'T A REAL WIN FOR ME UNLESS YOU TRY HARDER! IT CAN'T END THIS WAY! NOW GET UP!!!" Katsuki shouted, desperately pleading for it not to be over. He was supposed to prove he was better than Icy Hot, even with his two sides. But Icy Hot didn't follow through with his attack, how could he prove he was the strongest now?! Nemuri had used her Quirk to incapacitate Katsuki before he did any further damage to Todoroki. Katsuki fell unconscious. All Izuku could do was sit there in shock. He was hoping Todoroki could make it, he never expected this. Midnight had raised her hand and called out the winner, "Todoroki is out of bounds. That means…Bakugo is the winner!" She shouted to the audience, who cheered excitedly. "And, with that, the final match is officially over!" Hizashi had shouted.

"The first-year champion of the UA Sports Festival is…Katsuki Bakugo from Class 1-A!"

(Later)

Lucas was helping out the medical team with healing the injuries of the final match opponents. "It'll take a while for Mr. Bakugo to wake up, so it's the perfect time to heal his injuries." Nezu had surmised, given the boy's irrational anger and intensity. Lucas nodded his head, "Makes this easier…" Lucas was straining himself. Lucas was withholding his emotions, because he didn't know how to feel. He was called a weakling for choosing to be a good sport, by the very person he wasn't trying to get angry with. The anger didn't stop there, Shoto's relapse wasn't good, and he knew who was to blame. "No. I don't need to let what he said get to me, or what Endeavor did. I was trying to be a good friend and help Shoto." Lucas said to himself, "I shouldn't care about me. I need to help Shoto and Bakugo-san." Lucas said, using his healing powers on his friends. "Their conditions should stabilize in time for their medal awarding." Lucas explained, Nezu smiled, "Excellent, pup! But maybe you should let Chiyo-san handle the rest, all right? You'll be needed for one more thing with your class." Nezu had explained. "O-Okay. Call me if you need anything." Lucas had said, walking out of the room.

(Later)

That was it for all of the Sports Festival events, and the crowd and each student division was standing, ready to award the student who made it to the podium. Nemuri walked in front of them and party smoke had appeared, and there they stood.

In 3rd place was Fumikage Tokoyami, who had made it far thanks to Midoriya during the cavalry battle and made it through his matches with Dark Shadow's help, even if he was weakening hour by hour.

In 2nd place was Shoto Todoroki, who was already something of a star during all three events in the Sports Festival, even winning the Cavalry Battle.

Finally, muzzled in 1st Place against his will was Katsuki Bakugo, the winner of the Sports Festival. Being an explosive contender in each and every round, with lightning fast efficiency and powerful explosive attacks. Though, it's clear by the muzzle that Katsuki still hasn't accepted his victory.

The class looked in shock when they saw Bakugo muzzled. "What the heck?" Kyoka had said, "He's been goin' nuts ever since he woke up." Eijiro had explained, "Man, Bakugo. Pull yourself together." Fumikage looked at him, nervous to be right next to him. "He's acting like a feral animal." He thought to himself, watching Bakugo begin to scream quietly and glared at the saddened Icy Hot.

Lucas looked around, he realized someone was missing. "Where's Tenya…?" Lucas had asked. Almost if on cue, Nemuri had answered that question. "Tenya Iida actually shares the 3rd place award with Tokoyami. But unfortunately, he had to leave for family reasons. Gotta love those familial bonds." She explained to the press, Lucas shut his eyes before looked at Nemuri-sensei. "Maybe his brother finally called him back." Lucas theorized, "Too bad Iida couldn't be here. He was so excited." Tsuyu said with her trademark pose. Izuku looked sad, and Lucas could see. "Yeah." Was all the green-ette could say, before looking down.

"Izuku?" Lucas called his friend, Izuku looked at his friend. "I'll tell you, later." He simply said, already knowing what the blonde boy would ask. "Ingenium…Please be all right." Izuku thought to himself, remembering how much Iida looked up to his older brother.

"Now, let's break out the hardware." Midnight said, "Of course, there's only one person worthy of distributing the awards." With that, atop the stadium was a laugh heard. One that every member of the audience would know. The Number 1 Hero, walked closer and closer to the edge of the roof. "All Might's up there!" An audience member said. "Citizens—I AM HERE with the medals—!" Toshinori leaped into the air, triumphantly to fit the spirit.

"All Might is the number one hero!" Nemuri had said, realizing she was interrupting his line. Toshinori looked at her, while she looked sheepish. "Ruined that, didn't I?" She asked, nervously. The audience called out how lucky the current group of first-years is.

Nemuri had given the medals and asked that All Might had start the presentation.

Toshinori had given the first student a proud laugh. "Young Tokoyami. Congratulations. You should great strength out there." Tokoyami accepted his bronze medal, quietly and stoically. "Your words humble me, sir." Tokoyami said, politely. All Might hugged Fumikage while giving him a reminder, "However, you've more training to do if you're going to fight against different kinds of villains." All Might had explained that Fumikage shouldn't rely on his Quirk in every battle he faces. Toshinori had let go of him, and he looked at his badge, deciding to accept the words of advice.

All Might had moved on to Shoto, "Young Todoroki. Congratulations!" All Might awarded him the silver medal, with Shoto saying nothing. "I'm assuming there's a reason you didn't use your left side. Though it cost you the final." Toshinori surmised, unsure of what the scope was of Endeavor's "tutelage", if it even was considered that. "Though it cost you the final." He concluded, Shoto didn't look up, "Midoriya opened my eyes during our match, but then I started to doubt myself." Shoto explained, "I think I now understand a little about why you're so interested in him." Shoto looked at his friend next to him, "And Sakai continued to encourage me and wanted me to find myself and fight as that. I think I now get what he meant…" Shoto looked up, "I want to be the kind of hero you are, but my path isn't as clear as I thought it was. So, I must have a lot to think about, still." Shoto had said, "And I still need to settle things with someone. Very soon." Shoto concluded, now more determined. "I've never seen this sort of look on your face before." All Might had said, hugging Shoto. "I won't ask for details, but trust yourself. I'm sure you'll work things out." He advised, giving Shoto a pat on the back. "Right." Shoto said.

"And now, Young Bakugo." Toshinori had said, carefully approaching him, but believing it to be a little much. "Well, you did what you set you'd do in the pledge. You're true to your word." The Number One Hero said, still shining his smile. Katsuki growled when his muzzle was released. "All Might…" he said, "Winning first place this way…DOESN'T PROVE THAT I'M BEST ONE HERE! EVEN IF THE WORLD DECLARE ME THE WINNER, I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!" All Katsuki had given was anger for how he viewed his victory. Toshinori was shocked, but continued to give him advice. "In a world of constantly being compared to one another…There are very few who can keep their eyes focused on the top spot. You're one of them." All Might looked back at the boy, and he still growled and showed a scary face. Toshinori's heart might've skipped a beat if he hadn't kept it together. He then awarded Young Bakugo with the gold medal for 1st Place, "Please accept this medal—Even if you have to think of it as a scar—Something you'll never forget." All Might said.

"I DON'T WANT THAT PIECE OF GARBAGE!" Katsuki shouted, "Come on, now." Toshinori was not having it and immediately tried to put it on him. "GET THAT TRASH OFFA ME, YOU IDIOT!" Bakugo fought to make sure that medal wouldn't be around his neck, he wasn't about to make himself be a fool to his pride. This wasn't a victorious battle, it was a pity prize of survival to him. "Here they are! The winners of this year's Sports Festival! But listen closely: any of you first years could have ended up standing on those podiums. Think about what you've done today. You've challenged each other, learned, and climbed even closer toward your goals of being pros." Everyone listened to All Might's speech.

Classes 1-A & 1-B, the General Studies division, the Support Course, Aizawa, Hizashi, Nezu and Shuzenji.

Even Shigaraki was still watching. Toshinori believed this was going to be one of the most promising years for UA yet.

"So I have ONE more thing to say: I want to hear everyone yell it with me! You know what it is!" All Might rose his hand in the air.

The students of UA rose their hands together and shouted "Plus Ultra!" With Toshinori saying:

"Thanks everyone for your hard work!"

In that moment, they all were granted a shared confusion at the Number One Hero, and then they all agressively shouted at him. "WHAT?! THAT WAS THE PERFECT TIME TO SAY "PLUS ULTRA", ALL MIGHT!" They all shouted at him and he grew nervous, "Well, yeah, but everyone did such a good job!"

(To quote Ryuji, Ann and Akira: It's over…….)

Izuku realized what he learned from the Sports Festival. "Your friend can also be a worthy opponent. The Sports Festival showed us that. We learned a lot about each and ourselves." Izuku thought to himself, before Aizawa gave them a vacation of two days off of school to recuperate. "I'm sure the pros who watched the festival will wanna recruit some of you. We'll look over the draft forms and update you when you return. Get some rest. You still have a lot of training." Aizawa advised, with each student giving a "Yes, sir!" response.

Izuku looked sad for a moment and looked at Tenya's empty seat.

(After class)

Lucas prepared his books and was ready to go home, watching as Bakugo looked on in anger from his victory. "Lucas, you…you wanted to know what was wrong with Iida, right?" Izuku had asked. "Nemuri-sensei said it was a family matter, no?" Lucas asked, "It's worse…Something happened to Ingenium…" Lucas stiffened at that, now worried for Tenya and his brother.

(At Hosu General Hospital)

Tenya bowed respectfully to the receptionist and ran to where Tensei's room was. "Please don't run in the hallways!" The receptionist pleaded to the boy. The speedster ran up the stairs in both panic and the hope that Tensei would be all right. "Mom?" He could see his mother up ahead in the hallways. "Oh, Tenya!" His mother had said, walking to her youngest. "How is Tensei doing?" He asked, rushing through the door. "Brother!" He shouted, his mom chiding her child to keep his voice down and wear a mask.

Tenya was horrified at what he saw. Tensei—Ingenium—His Brother, his Hero—was in a hospital bed. An IV bag plugged into him, bandages wrapped around his head, "The anesthesia's worn off, but he's still in and out." A nurse had explained, "If the surgery had happened any later, I don't know if he would have made it."

Tensei had opened his eyes, slightly. "Little brother? Is that you?" Tensei's voice sounded weak, and muffled by the oxygen tank. "Tensei! You're going to be fine!" Tenya had said, his mother crying in the back. Tensei apologized to his brother, "Sorry. I'm supposed to be someone you can look up to and respect, but look at me." Tenya was beginning to tear up in despair, all the fond memories he had of him and his brother when they were younger coming to him. "Tenya…Little brother…" Tenya didn't want to hear the coming words, "I'm so sorry. I failed you." He had said.

Tenya sobbed, screaming out his brother's name.

(The next day)

Fuyumi Todoroki watched as her younger brother was getting ready to go somewhere. "The hospital." Shoto simply said, "What? Hold on, why?" She asked, already knowing what he might be doing. "You can't just visit. Not without telling Dad, right?" She asked, worried for her brother. "Whatever." was all he said to her. "Why go now? Why see her after all this time?" Fuyumi asked, wondering why he would go see her after what happened. Shoto looked at his sister and told her he'd be back. Shoto shut the doors behind him.

The young man walked through the neighborhood, looking down, hearing a boy and his mother walking past him, enjoying their quality time. He could hear his mother's scary words ringing, remembering everything she said to his grandmother that night. The words rang harshly, when Rei said Shoto's left side was becoming unbearable, to the point she said she didn't want to raise him anymore. "Ever since that day, I thought the sight of me would cause my mother nothing but pain. So I never visited." Shoto thought to himself, remembering something. "But we will always be bound to each other. By blood's by our history with my father. That's why…If I'm ever going use this body and these powers to become a hero…" Shoto had talked to the receptionists of the hospital and directed him on which room his mother would be in. "If I'm ever going to give it everything I have…" Shoto was going to heed Lucas and Midoriya's advice, but he showed his hesitation when he reached for the door.

He was still scared about this visit, but he took a deep breath and remembered what he NEEDED to hear. "It's okay to use your power to become who you want to be." Rei's voice said. Shoto then looked up, "If i'm going to the become the hero I want to be, I need to see her. There's so much we need to talk about."Shoto had made his resolve. When he opened the door, he saw her. A woman with long white hair, wearing a blue button up hospital shirt.

"Hello, Mom." Shoto was going to make sure he rescued his mother from this place. No matter what. This would be the first step to get back on track. "It's what I have to do."

(Okay, that was a lot. But lemme know what u think when u guys read this. I may include one middle chapter of Shoto and Lucas bonding as friends before the Claus chapters and the Hero Killer Arc starts up. I do have an idea on how to introduce Lucas's codename, too. Anyways, stay strong and awesome!)