Chapter 23
"The World Must Never Again Mistake Compassion For Weakness!"
– Captain America
In the dark, foreboding lair of All For One, the air was thick with tension as the Symbol of Evil leaned forward, his gnarled hands gripping the armrests of his ornate chair. His sharp, calculating eyes were fixed on a massive screen that displayed the broadcast of the All-Star Games Finals. The flickering images danced across his scarred face, casting eerie shadows that accentuated his malevolent grin.
All For One's thoughts were consumed by the clash that was about to unfold.
The anticipation gnawed at him. All For One believed that despite Captain Midoriya's remarkable skills, the overwhelming power of Todoroki Shoto's ice Quirk would push him to his limits. In his mind, there was no way the Captain could resist using One For All if he truly possessed it. He was determined to witness the pivotal moment that would reveal whether his old nemesis had embraced the coveted power.
"Show me, Captain," he whispered to himself, his voice a chilling, raspy murmur. "Show me if you've finally accepted my brother's Quirk."
In an abandoned bar at Kamino Ward, Shigaraki sat at the bar; his disheveled appearance mirroring the disarray of the neighborhood. With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, he stared at a flickering television screen broadcasting the upcoming match.
Kurogiri, his ever-faithful ally, observed the young villain with a raised eyebrow, both surprised and intrigued by his newfound focus.
"Tomura, you seem unusually invested in this," Kurogiri remarked, his swirling mist-like form maintaining a watchful presence.
Shigaraki barely tore his eyes away from the screen, his cracked lips curving into a sinister smile. "You know, Kurogiri, these games so far have been something. It's not often you get to see a real-life character pull off the level of BS Midoriya has been doing; especially with a Quirk that's anything but impressive. He's like one of those retro video game characters who beat the odds with pure determination."
The irony of his statement was not lost on Shigaraki.
As the broadcast showed Midoriya and Todoroki stepping on the stage, Shigaraki's excitement grew a bit. His notebook was filled with erratic scribbles and notes of the prior matches. He was determined to analyze every aspect of Midoriya's performance, eager to find any weakness that could be exploited in the future.
The television's light illuminated his face, casting eerie shadows across his features as he muttered to himself, "Let's see if you can keep this act going…Midoriya."
"You made it," Todoroki said, his voice low and almost drowned out by the crowd.
"I told you this morning I'd give these games everything I have. What about you, Todoroki?" Midoriya retorted, stretching his arms to limber up. "Are you going to give it your all?"
Todoroki's bi-colored gaze bore into Midoriya with a disturbing level of intensity. "I'll show you and everyone else that I'm beyond Endeavor."
Midnight watched the two young men, who had locked into an intense staring match, seemingly tuning out everything except each other. She, like many others, had been impressed by Midoriya's performances, but she wondered how long he could last against Todoroki.
"Are both fighters ready?" she asked, receiving two nods from the opponents, who hadn't broken eye contact. She waited a few more moments before raising her whip, then finally swinging it down. "BEGIN!"
In the blink of an eye, ice exploded forward as Todoroki advanced with his right foot.
Midoriya held his position until the moment the ice began to encroach upon him, then swiftly darted to his right, diving to avoid the ice surge just in time. He rolled across the ground and, popping up to one knee, cast a quick glance back to where he had stood moments ago, finding a miniature glacier in its place.
Examining the frozen structure, Midoriya furrowed his brows when he noticed something peculiar.
"You dodged," Todoroki flatly stated, his posture entirely at ease. There was a reason for his composure. If the verdette continued evading, he'd eventually run out of room and lose by default. On the other hand, if he chose to close the gap for a close-quarters attack, he'd likely face defeat even sooner.
Todoroki released another icy surge in the super-soldier's direction. Midoriya gracefully sidestepped the icy assault, no longer needing the extra effort to clear the distance. His suspicions had been vindicated.
"Didn't go all out like you did before?" Midoriya knowingly said.
Todoroki tilted his head, appearing genuinely puzzled, but he didn't respond.
"Your ice attacks," the super-soldier gestured towards the ice chunks around him, "they're nothing compared to the size of those you used in previous rounds!"
Todoroki understood the criticism. "You caught that, did you? The match would've ended too fast if I went all out. Besides..." He glanced into the crowd, a small smirk playing on his lips, "I wanted to annoy my old man by letting you hang around."
Midoriya' eyes narrowed sharply at Todoroki's admission. He was clearly not taking the match seriously. Yet, keeping his temper in check, the super-soldier's expression betrayed his irritation. "If that's how you want to play it."
With his sights locked on Todoroki, Captain Midoriya meticulously assessed his opponent's condition and movements while taking note of the stage's icy terrain. After swift calculations, he formulated a strategy and launched himself forward.
Todoroki's expression remained neutral as a formidable wave of ice surged towards the Captain, larger than before.
Waiting for the opportune moment, Captain Midoriya agilely darted to the side, performing an acrobatic twist to narrowly avoid the path of the ice. As he rolled across the ground, he seamlessly regained his footing and resumed his sprint.
Annoyed that his opponent had dodged once again, Todoroki shifted tactics. He released a broad sheet of ice that quickly blanketed the arena. Before the Captain could leap clear, the ice managed to catch his right foot. It froze his legs and hands in place, leaving him immobilized.
"Nowhere to run now," Todoroki declared, his breath visible in the cold. He noticed the frost on his right side thickening, hampering his movements. 'I need to finish this quickly,' he thought.
With his head lowered, Captain Midoriya bided his time, listening to Todoroki's stiff footsteps echoing across the icy expanse. As the red-and-white-haired opponent drew near, he seized the moment.
Crack!
Todoroki was taken by surprise as Captain Midoriya flexed his strength, shattering his icy restraints. Jumping up onto his hands, the Captain flawlessly executed a spinning handstand kick and struck Todoroki's midsection, launching him backward.
Todoroki tumbled uncontrollably across the slippery ice before coming to a halt on his back. He momentarily stayed on the ground coughing and spluttering, trying to catch his breath. 'Damn it! I should've known he was baiting me to get in close,' he inwardly cursed, berating himself for falling into his opponent's trap.
"Feeling the sting, aren't you?" The Captain called out, flexing his hands and shaking his legs to restore blood flow.
Todoroki managed to push himself off the slippery ground, despite the sharp pain still throbbing in his midsection. His gaze dropped to the Captain's legs, noticing the tattered, nearly disintegrated shoes that seemed ready to fall apart. Yet, it was something else that drew his attention. The torn pant sleeves revealed the lower part of his legs, which were partially shredded and stained with blood from his struggle to free himself from the ice. Fragments of ice still clung to his injured limbs.
Todoroki gritted his teeth and unleashed another barrage of ice at his opponent, but Captain Midoriya, his right side still throbbing with pain, gracefully evaded the onslaught with nimble footwork. "Ergh…!" Todoroki winced, feeling as if needles were piercing his entire right side. 'Not now…'
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Amidst the sound of crackling ice, Todoroki looked up, puzzled by the loud, unexpected noise. He watched the Captain shattering through the ice barrier with his bare fists, then retrieving chunks of concrete from the frozen wreckage. Without hesitation, the verdette hurled the debris at his downed opponent.
Though the pain still gnawed at him, Todoroki mustered the strength to raise his right arm and conjure an icy shield, narrowly preventing the concrete projectiles from striking him directly. The debris became embedded in the ice. As he lowered the barrier slightly, he was taken aback by the Captain's sudden disappearance.
'Where did he go? He couldn't have…' Todoroki couldn't complete his thought before a powerful right hook connected with his left cheek, sending him tumbling across the icy battlefield. Like a 21st Century football defensive end, the Captain had rushed Todoroki from his blindside.
"You could have dodged that, or frozen me in place," the Captain remarked, his tone composed. "But you're slowing down."
"Shut up!" Todoroki retorted, frustration evident in his voice, before launching another wave of ice.
Crouching low, the Captain easily leaped over the icy onslaught and landed in front of Todoroki. Once more, he couldn't react in time, and the super-soldier delivered a precise palm strike to Todoroki's sternum. Just as Todoroki was sent flying backward, he managed to graze the Captain's arm with his right hand.
Wincing as the cold ice enveloped his arm, the Captain flexed his right limb and shattered the icy encasement. It tore off bits of his skin and shredded his jacket sleeve, but he paid it no mind. Maintaining blood flow by wiggling his fingers, he refocused on Todoroki, who was sprawled on the ground, coughing up blood.
"You've got power, Todoroki, but you're no Superman," the Captain reiterated, his breath visible in the cold air. "If you keep underestimating your opponents, they'll capitalize."
Todoroki didn't know who Superman was nor did he care at the moment. Seething and irritated, he released another icy onslaught, but it proved futile. The super-soldier effortlessly evaded it once more. Captain Midoriya stared intently at Todoroki and challenged him, "You can't even touch me. Admit it, you've reached the limits of your ice."
"J-J-Just shut up…!" Todoroki shivered. "I'm not going to lose here!"
Captain Midoriya narrowed his eyes. "Then stop playing around and fight me, soldier!" He widened his stance and got into a battle stance. "You're not going to win this match without trying!"
Stumbling to his feet, Todoroki wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. He stared at his green-haired opponent curiously. "What is this? What are you trying to do?"
"I'm here to become the All-Star Champion," Captain Midoriya proclaimed with unwavering determination. "I aim to be the best Hero I can be by using every ounce of my strength. That should be your goal too!" He pointed at him.
Todoroki scowled, his anger momentarily eclipsing his frostbite-induced pain. "So, it doesn't count if I don't use my full power, is that it? Did my father put you up to this?!" Fueled by his fury, he charged toward the Captain.
Captain Midoriya narrowed his eyes, closely monitoring Todoroki's movements. The frostbite and ice encasing his right side made him slower, but the Captain knew that a full-contact freeze from Todoroki would immobilize him. Thinking fast, he executed a swift maneuver.
Dropping low, the Captain extended his leg and spun around, directing a powerful kick at an ice outcropping right toward Todoroki. The ice collided with Todoroki's defense, forcing him to shut his eyes to protect his face. This brief distraction was enough for the martial arts master to seize the opportunity.
With precision, the Captain delivered a quick jab to Todoroki's throat, followed by a well-timed knee strike to the solar plexus. The dual strikes caused Todoroki to double over in pain. In a fluid motion, the Captain shifted to Todoroki's blind spot and delivered a forceful kick to his lower back, sending him sprawling forward.
"Urgh!" Todoroki grunted as he crashed onto the icy arena floor, reeling from the impact. It became apparent to him that he couldn't match Captain Midoriya in hand-to-hand combat, especially in his current condition.
Desperation filled Todoroki as he mustered all his remaining strength to create another layer of ice. The frost spread across the ring, extending to the arena walls, making the surroundings even colder. Todoroki shivered uncontrollably as his body temperature plummeted rapidly. He needed to heat himself up before hypothermia set in.
He managed to lift his head weakly, observing Captain Midoriya trapped in the ice with only his head and hands exposed. At that moment, Todoroki believed that he had finally outmaneuvered his opponent. He lowered his head and sighed, awaiting for Midnight to call the match.
Crack!
The sound of cracking ice broke the tense silence, and Todoroki's heterochromatic eyes widened as fractures raced through the glacier. The verdette soldier suddenly broke free, his jacket in tatters, revealing his battered undershirt and bloody, frostbitten skin.
Captain Midoriya walked forward with stiff, determined steps, his gaze locked onto Todoroki. Ice clung to his body, and his demeanor exuded unwavering resolve. He taunted Todoroki with a smirk.
"All your ice, Todoroki, and I'm still standing," he said, his voice laden with determination.
Todoroki trembled, a mixture of frostbite and fear coursing through him. "How?" he stammered.
The Captain's intense eyes remained fixed on him, shadows dancing within their depths. "This cold... it's nothing I can't handle," he declared, sounding almost introspective.
"You shouldn't be able to move. You…you should be done…" Todoroki muttered in disbelief, his voice a mere whisper. 'Does his Quirk let him survive being frozen?!'
Captain Midoriya continued to approach, determination blazing in his eyes. "I can do this all day, Todoroki. But it looks like you've hit your limit, haven't you?"
Todoroki struggled to rise, his frostbitten body barely responding. He made one final attempt to unleash an ice attack, but his body betrayed him.
Captain Midoriya's taunting words struck a nerve, "You wanted to beat me, to prove that you don't need Endeavor. But in a real battle, you'd have been defeated multiple times by now. All for what? Your vow?"
Frustration and shivers ran through Todoroki. "Just shut up!" he exclaimed, his teeth chattering. "You don't understand, my vow matters! What my father did to my family matters. Maybe you don't understand what it's like to have a father who destroyed your family, but that matters. You don't just get to brush that off because you don't understand what I went through!"
…
…
Captain Midoriya stared intently at Todoroki, a hint of empathy flickering in his verdant gaze.
Todoroki fought to regain his footing, his legs wobbling beneath him. "I refuse... to use that Quirk... never." He struggled to maintain his balance. "I won't let him... win."
Captain Midoriya fixed a piercing gaze on Todoroki. "You're already letting him win."
Todoroki's blood ran cold, and it had nothing to do with his Quirk. "What do you mean?"
The Captain halted, his voice intense. "Even if you become the greatest Hero with just your ice, you'll always be influenced by him. Everything you do will revolve around Endeavor."
Doubt began to creep in for Todoroki as he realized the truth in the Captain's words.
"Answer me honestly!" Captain Midoriya's voice boomed. "Do you even want to be a Hero, or are you just doing what your father wants?"
Surprise flickered in Todoroki's eyes for an instant before anger washed over him. "I'm not doing just what he wants!"
"Are you certain?" Captain Midoriya retorted. "All heroes, whether they're in the police, firefighting, military, or the Pros, must be prepared to give their all. Prove that you're not controlled by Endeavor. Use your full power and go all out, just like every other hero does!"
Todoroki shook his head, but his resolve was wavering. "I won't use his—"
"Did you not hear me, soldier?" The Captain's voice thundered. "I said your power, not his! Only you can wield your own power."
Time seemed to stand still. Todoroki stood frozen, his eyes locked straight ahead, his jaw hanging open. The simplicity and clarity of Captain Midoriya's words stunned him.
'You want to be a Hero, don't you? It's okay for you to be one, Shoto. You don't have to be a prisoner of your blood. My darling son, it's okay for you to become who you want to be. You are you.' The words of his mother, spoken long ago, echoed in his mind. Words that his anger had buried and made him forget over the years.
"Well, Todoroki," Captain Midoriya declared as he strode forward. "What's your choice?"
Silence enveloped them, the deafening cheers of the crowd fading into the background. In that moment, there was only the space between them.
Then, with a primal howl, flames erupted from Todoroki's left side, almost matching the height of the glacier he had created earlier before gradually subsiding.
Captain Midoriya gasped from the sudden wave of heat and instinctively shielded his face and eyes from the fiery brightness. He could hear the ice around him crackling and hissing, rapidly turning into steam.
As the ice on Todoroki's right side melted away, life surged through him once again. The power he had denied for years rushed through his veins, and Todoroki couldn't help but smile with newfound conviction.
"I'm going to be a Hero," Todoroki declared boldly. "A Hero who shapes his own destiny."
The intense flames gradually receded, remaining concentrated on Todoroki's left side, the lingering heat palpable even from a distance. Convinced he wouldn't be scorched by the flames, Captain Midoriya lowered his arms and observed Todoroki, who was now free from any sign of hypothermia.
"Midoriya," Todoroki began, his voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination, "I know you want to win. You could've defeated me when I was down, but you went to such lengths to help me remember who I am, and you're even smiling."
Captain Midoriya gazed at Todoroki with pride and determination. "Now, who isn't giving it their all? So, what are you going to do now?" Todoroki lifted his left arm, the orange fire dancing across his skin. "Your determination may have handed me the win, so don't blame me for what comes next."
The Captain chuckled. "You're right. I could've claimed victory earlier, but I can't stand by when someone is in trouble."
Todoroki, half-smiling, shook his head. "So, you sacrificed your victory to save me."
Captain Midoriya's smile hardened. "I didn't say I was giving up."
Todoroki's eyes widened slightly as he absorbed the implications of his opponent's words. "Wait, Midoriya, were you planning to fight me in this state?"
The super-soldier nodded. "I was prepared to win while helping you."
"And if I had refused to use my fire?" Todoroki asked.
Captain Midoriya's expression grew more intense, unnerving the dual Quirk user. "I would've beaten you painfully and thoroughly. I couldn't let you continue thinking that you could conquer every battle with just half of your strength."
Todoroki was slightly taken aback by the Captain's admission. He had half-expected him to forfeit the match if Todoroki had refused to use his flames. But now, he realized that was a naïve thought.
At his core, Midoriya was a soldier, and if his mission was to win the tournament, he wouldn't abandon it just because Todoroki chose not to go all out.
Todoroki shook his head, smirking. "I see. Well, I'm afraid you'll have to settle for helping me. This match is mine to win now."
Captain Midoriya yanked his black undershirt off and tore it into long strips. Todoroki watched, somewhat bewildered.
The female spectators in the stands, meanwhile, couldn't contain their excitement, their collective enthusiasm filling the air.
The soldier deftly wound the shirt strips around his hands and arms, mimicking the preparations one would make before a boxing match. "You haven't won yet," Captain Midoriya asserted, taking on a combat stance, his resolute gaze locked onto his adversary. "I have everything I need to defeat you, Todoroki."
Todoroki shook his head, caught between disbelief and respect for the Captain, acknowledging the man's unwavering determination.
"SHOTO!"
Both Captain Midoriya and Todoroki swiveled in surprise as they heard Endeavor's resounding voice, echoing throughout the entire stadium.
Class 101-A watched the match unfold with shocked anticipation. Even from the climate-controlled confines of their suite, they could feel a sudden wave of heat as a pillar of fire shot into the sky.
"WHOA! LOOK AT ALL THAT FIRE!"
"I KNEW THAT GUY WAS A MONSTER!"
Tokage fanned herself with her gym jacket. "Feels like a freakin' oven. Todoroki is insane!"
Tsunotori winced from the heat. "How can it be so hot even up here?"
Yaoyorozu watched in awe. "Izuku... He... He convinced Todoroki-san to use his fire."
Uraraka blinked, confused. "Why would he do that? It looked like he was about to defeat Todoroki-san..."
Yaoyorozu scrutinized the stage. 'I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was clear Izuku was provoking him. Could he have been trying to get Todoroki to use his fire? But why?'
"Huh?" Hatsume scratched her pink dreadlocks in confusion. "Since when can Ice-Man use fire? And how come Ice-Man didn't use it before?"
"We're not sure, honestly. Kero." Asui responded. "The only times he ever used it was to melt his ice after a battle."
Hatsume blinked twice. "That's dumb. He's just handicapping himself then."
Upon hearing Hatsume's blunt remark, it suddenly dawned on the creation heiress. "I understand. Izuku-kun was... trying to help Todoroki." Yaoyorozu spoke with amazement.
Uraraka and several others gazed at Yaoyorozu in puzzlement.
"So," Kaminari began, "he was trying to get Todoroki to use his fire?"
"But wouldn't that make it much harder for himself?" Jiro chimed in. "That doesn't make sense."
Uraraka's eyes widened in realization. A warm smile crossed her lips. "Maybe not... but Izuku-kun isn't the type of person to sit back and do nothing when he sees someone in trouble."
Yaoyorozu nodded in agreement, adding, "If he believed Todoroki-san needed help and this was the best way to do it, even if it jeopardized his chances of winning, he would do it."
The other students reacted to this revelation in various ways.
Hatsume grinned widely. "Yeah. I may have known him for less than a day, but that sounds like something he'd do."
Kirishima wiped tears from his eyes. "That's so manly!"
"That's certainly one way to turn up the heat in a fight." Ashido grinned.
Tokage grinned impishly. "Greenie's a sly one, isn't he? But it worked out in the end, I guess."
"I still don't think that was smart of him," Sero said, "but his heart's in the right place."
Asui nodded in agreement. "He sure knows how to inspire others, kero."
Yaoyorozu smiled warmly. 'You really are amazing, Izuku.'
Uraraka sighed to herself but smiled nonetheless. She watched closely as Midoriya prepared himself. He had gone out of his way to help Todoroki, but that hadn't deterred him from the fight. In fact, the broadcast's close-up of him, the confident smile, and determination in his emerald eyes clearly indicated that he was still aiming for victory.
'Okay, Izuku, now you can show the world how great you are by defeating Todoroki when he isn't holding back... and...' Uraraka lost her train of thought as Midoriya removed his black undershirt and tore it apart, revealing his well-toned, muscular upper body.
"O-oh my!" Yaoyorozu exclaimed cutely, her face turning bright pink. 'My word! You could grate cheese on those!'
Tokage whistled and grinned widely. "Now we have a show!"
"Holy crap!" Ashido exclaimed, wide-eyed. "He's like a freaking statue!"
"I know, right?! It's freakin' inspiring!" Kirishima declared, pumping a fist. "Those muscles are goals!"
"So many muscles…" Tsunotori, on the verge of drooling, murmured.
Kaminari sweat-dropped, feeling envious. 'Honestly, I can't even blame her... I'd be simping too.'
Hatsume blinked twice, looking bemused. "Guess Izuku-kun was feeling hot or something."
Uraraka remained speechless, her gaze transfixed on Midoriya's shirtless body while a little bit of drool leaked out of her mouth. 'Muscles… Must touch…' She mused hazily, not realizing that blood was leaking out of her nose.
"SHOTO!"
The loud yell snapped Uraraka out of her trance. Realizing she was drooling and had a nosebleed, she swiftly whipped her face and nose on her jacket sleeve in embarrassment. She and the rest of the class tried to find the source of the scream. Jiro then pointed to the bottom of the stands using her earlobes. "There. It's Endeavor."
Down below, Endeavor was marching toward the bottom railing, showering his son with what they guessed was praise. Even from their elevated seats, they could tell there was something almost crazed in Endeavor. The fire around him burned brightly and uncontrollably.
It was a little unsettling.
"So you've finally accepted yourself! That's it! GOOD! For you, it all starts here! You have my blood, and with that fire you will surpass me! You'll be the one to finally make my dream a reality!"
"Uh…" Tokage blinked, dumbfounded. "What the hell?"
Present Mic's voice came over the loudspeakers. "Endeavor shouting some words of encouragement. He's such a doting father, ladies and gentlemen."
Hatsume tilted her head, confused. "Is that what that was? Sounded like a lunatic to me."
Collectively, the rest of 101-A gave the eccentric pink-headed inventor a deadpan stare before returning their gaze to the fight. All of them eager to see just what happens next.
Captain Midoriya cast a momentary glance at Endeavor before returning his focus to Todoroki, who appeared unperturbed by his father's interruption.
"Midoriya," Todoroki warned as the flames on his left side intensified, "I don't have much practice with my left side, so I can't promise you won't get burned."
Captain Midoriya acknowledged with a nod. "I appreciate the warning, but I'll be fine. You just focus on yourself."
With that matter settled, both contestants understood that round two of the match was underway. Extending his left arm, Todoroki unleashed a roaring blast of fire directly at his green-haired opponent.
The super-soldier reacted swiftly, darting to his left and taking cover behind one of the large chunks of ice that still littered the arena. Todoroki pursued Captain Midoriya and directed his flames towards the ice, causing it to crack and transform into billowing clouds of steam.
Captain Midoriya gazed at the rapidly forming cloud of steam and quickly assessed the situation. Although he estimated he had less than a minute before the heat from the fire ate away at the ice, the resulting veil of steam was an advantage he could use. He then directed his gaze toward the base of the ice chunk, or more precisely, what had been pushed up around it.
'That could work.' He smiled knowingly.
Todoroki ceased his fire, realizing he had unintentionally created a smokescreen. With the ice chunk now gone, he kept his senses on high alert, blocking out the view of the crowd and listening for any sign of movement.
'This is the same scenario that Bakugo was in,' Todoroki thought. 'He won't attack from my left side again since I'm using my flames. I doubt he'll risk coming from my right either. That leaves a frontal assault.'
As the steam began to gradually dissipate, there was still no sign of Captain Midoriya.
'Midoriya, where are—' Todoroki's thoughts were interrupted as several chunks of concrete hurtled toward him from the right.
Reacting instantly, Todoroki swung his right arm and generated an ice barrier that deflected the projectiles. Several more chunks then began flying through the steam, but this time from the left. Extending his left hand, Todoroki released a powerful blaze that deflected the concrete chunks off course while simultaneously melting them. The concrete ring beneath was scorched and partially melted as a result.
But the assault didn't end there, as more concrete pieces continued to fly in at an alarming rate. Todoroki reacted by stepping his right foot forward and creating another thick ice wall to block the incoming onslaught.
'He must be desperate if he's resorting to throwing rocks,' Todoroki deduced, 'It makes sense now that I'm using my Quirk to its fullest potential. He doesn't have many options left.'
Todoroki flinched when something suddenly crashed to the ground just barely a meter to his right. He turned to see a chunk of broken concrete lying there, and his eyes widened as he looked up, just in time to witness another volley of concrete chunks being hurled over his ice wall and descending towards him.
The fire surrounding Todoroki dissipated just before an angled wall of ice sprang up in front of him, effectively blocking the concrete projectiles. He frowned, his heterochromatic eyes filled with determination. 'I can't let this match drag on any longer.'
Flames surged from the young man's left side, radiating intense heat that swiftly melted the ice. Todoroki carefully controlled the heat, ensuring the ice didn't immediately turn to steam. He had no intention of creating another smokescreen for the super-soldier to exploit.
As the ice in the arena melted away, Todoroki finally spotted Captain Midoriya kneeling in a severely damaged part of the ring. The miniature glaciers that Todoroki had previously formed had taken a toll on the arena.
"Midoriya!"
The super-soldier rose to his feet, his unwavering gaze locked onto Todoroki.
"I'm ending this now. Remember, you asked for this, so don't complain!"
Taking a step forward with his right foot, Todoroki extended layers of ice across the ring from where he stood. Massive arches spiraled up into the air, twisting and falling back to the ground as Todoroki astonishingly froze everything.
Captain Midoriya swiftly leaped away, his agile movements preventing him from being ensnared. He winced as his sweat, formed from the heat of Todoroki's flames, instantly froze, causing a stinging pain on his skin. He ignored the pain, realizing that his opponent had a plan.
'This isn't a directed attack. He's freezing everything around him. And that wall behind him... What is he— Wait!' Captain Midoriya comprehended Todoroki's strategy as the young man's left side blazed to life, radiating an intense amount of heat. 'Supercooling the air and then superheating it to create an explosive force! That's incredible!'
Todoroki then aimed his left hand at someone he now considered a friend. All the remaining ice in the arena was instantaneously vaporized, and the air crackled as it rapidly heated to extreme temperatures.
KA-BOOOOOOM!
A deafening sonic boom shattered the arena as it exploded outward. Todoroki was pressed against his ice wall, the force making it impossible to see what happened to his opponent.
Captain Midoriya, in contrast, had been last seen rushing forward and diving to the ground moments before Todoroki's superheated explosion engulfed the arena.
Midnight's scream pierced the chaos as the air blast hurled her off her podium. Cementoss reacted swiftly, conjuring concrete barriers to shield the audience from the brunt of the explosion. Despite his efforts, the concrete barriers couldn't withstand the furious force as the tempestuous air swirled throughout the stadium.
The spectators in the stands instinctively ducked and clung to whatever they could find, desperately trying to anchor themselves against the powerful gales.
Even those within the private suites and throughout the stadium weren't spared, feeling the entire superstructure tremble under the overwhelming explosive force.
In the infirmary, Bakugo's fists clenched the sheets as he felt the ground shake while the TV broadcast dissolved into static. Frustration coursed through him as he gritted his teeth. 'Dammit, Midoriya! You couldn't just seize the win, could you? You had to push Icy-Hot to go all out!'
He wanted to be furious with the green-haired soldier, but deep down, Bakugo understood and respected the choice. He knew he wouldn't accept victory if his opponent held back, either. 'Well, you've finally pushed him to unleash it. Now, you'd better not f**king lose, or I'll make sure that silver medal ends up down your throat!'
In Class 101-A's private suite, Hatsume erupted into wild laughter, her hands flailing in the air. "Incredible! What an insane explosion! Ha-ha-ha!"
The rest of Class 101-A, on the other hand, sat in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the breathtaking spectacle before them.
As the powerful gusts of air gradually subsided, the onlookers cautiously emerged from their hiding spots, peering through the dust and debris to assess the situation. Gasps escaped the lips of several students as they took in the sorry state of the arena, once again reduced to ruins.
Mineta, his nerves escalating, began to sweat profusely. "Uh... Is Midoriya-san dead?"
The pint-sized student swallowed hard under the dual glares he received from Yaoyorozu and Uraraka, who then returned their attention to the windows, scanning the aftermath in search of their friend. Simultaneously, the jumbotrons and the suite television replayed the astonishing sequence of events in slow motion.
Todoroki descended along the battered ice wall, enduring the persistent ringing in his ears following the explosion. His jacket and undershirt had been completely burned off, revealing his toned upper body and many bruises and burns.
He clenched his eyes shut for a moment, willing the discomfort to subside. When he could finally bear the pain, he cautiously opened his eyes to survey the chaotic aftermath on the stage. The dust shrouded his vision, making it challenging to discern the extent of the destruction.
After his unsteady feet touched the uneven ground, Todoroki's legs momentarily wobbled before he regained his balance. With determination in his heterochromatic eyes, he scoured the stage, hoping to catch a glimpse of his opponent amid the dust cloud.
As he unconsciously moved towards the center of the stage, carefully navigating the fractured surface, he strained to locate any signs of Captain Midoriya. However, the thick haze obscured his view, revealing nothing but the remnants of the shattered concrete stage.
'The explosion had to have thrown him out of bounds,'Todoroki concluded, his thoughts steady despite the disorienting circumstances. 'We'll just have to wait for the dust to settle.'
Unbeknownst to Todoroki, a segment of the cracked concrete floor shifted behind him, moving quietly as it lowered into the earth. Emerging from the gaping hole was a hand, battered and stained with blood, gripping the edge tightly.
Midnight crawled back onto her feet, growling and cursing under her breath. Her podium, now a twisted wreck against the arena walls, was the least of her concerns. Regaining her bearings, she sprinted toward the ring, her cerulean eyes scanning through the dusty haze for any signs of Midoriya and Todoroki.
'There's no way those kids can still be in the ring after a blast like that, right?' She frowned, mentally berating the students for the worry they caused her. 'These damn students are going to make my hair go gray.'
After several moments of searching, Midnight's eyes finally landed on Todoroki through the swirling dust. To her relief, he stood within the ring, bearing some noticeable burns on his exposed torso and left arm, but otherwise looking fairly unharmed.
'One down. Now where's Midoriya? Did he get thrown into the grass? Or perhaps into the audience? I hope he's not—'
Midnight's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a figure emerged swiftly from the dissipating dust behind Todoroki. Todoroki had barely enough time to glance back in shock before a swift and precise blow landed at the back of his neck, targeting a pressure point. The impact was so swift and accurate that Todoroki lost consciousness instantly, crumpling face-first to the ground, his shoulder-length red-and-white hair coming undone from its bun.
…
…
Midnight blinked twice to ensure she was witnessing reality. Captain Midoriya stood tall with his head held high and his arms at his sides.
'He... He managed to stay in bounds... Even after all of that…?!' She thought, filled with amazement.
The makeshift bandage strips on Midoriya's hands and arms were gone, revealing the burns and bloody skin beneath. His shoes were missing, and his blue gym pants were in tatters, held up only by the waistband. From head to toe, his body bore the scars of the chaotic battle: second-degree burns and bloody bruises.
The shock of Midoriya's surprise attack on Todoroki faded into concern as Midnight's gaze lingered on the rough condition of the young man. He had to be in excruciating pain! Nonetheless, he remained standing tall with a stone-faced expression.
As the dust fully settled, the crowd in the stadium and those watching the broadcast were left utterly speechless. Captain Midoriya clenched his left fist and triumphantly raised it high.
Midnight shook her head to snap out of her trance, raising her whip. "Todoroki is KO! Midoriya Izuku is the winner!"
…
…
A moment of stunned silence hung in the air, and then the stadium erupted with a thunderous force of cheers.
"Incredible! What a historic upset, folks!" Even with his Quirk and the arena's sound system boosting his voice, Present Mic struggled to cut through the deafening roars. "In one of the most thrilling All-Star Games we've witnessed in years, we have our Champion! It's none other than 'Yo Joe' himself, Midoriya Izuku!"
Deeply exhaling, Midoriya relaxed his body and lowered his arm. He surveyed the ecstatic crowd, his gaze eventually drifting toward his friends and classmates in the suite. Even from his vantage point, he could see Uraraka, Hatsume, and Tsunotori jumping around in joy while Yaoyorozu clapped with a beaming smile.
As Midoriya smiled and waved back at his friends and classmates, the full weight of his accomplishment finally hit him. 'I did it... I won...' The super-soldier couldn't contain the elation that spread across his face. 'The most significant college sporting event in the eastern hemisphere... and I won...'
A groggy groan caught his attention as he shifted his gaze to Todoroki on the ground.
Todoroki groaned again as he slowly regained consciousness, his head pounding. He blinked several times, disoriented, before realizing he was lying on his front in the middle of the ring. He attempted to push himself up, but a sharp pain in his neck forced him to pause.
"Easy there," a voice said, and Todoroki turned his head to see Midoriya crouching next to him. The green-haired soldier extended a hand to help Todoroki up.
Todoroki took the offered hand, and with Midoriya's assistance, he managed to stand, albeit unsteadily.
"What... What happened?" Todoroki asked, his voice still groggy.
Midoriya pointed up at the jumbotrons. The screens replayed a clip of Midoriya diving into a hole and shielding himself under a massive boulder moments before Todoroki's supercool-superheated attack was unleashed.
"Your ice tore up the ring pretty badly, giving me debris to throw and fox holes to hide in," Midoriya explained. "When you had your back turned, I snuck up on you and stuck a pressure point on your neck."
Todoroki sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and relief. "I got careless... I shouldn't have let my guard down."
He then noticed the burns and bloody bruises covering Midoriya's body and was immediately concerned. "Hey, are you alright? That looks painful."
Midoriya managed a smile despite the pain he was in. "Oh, it is…but I'll be okay. And how about you?"
Todoroki nodded, appreciating the concern. "I'll be fine. You fought well, Midoriya."
With a display of sportsmanship, Midoriya extended his hand to Todoroki, who hesitated only for a moment before shaking it. The crowd in the stadium erupted in applause, celebrating not just the victory but the mutual respect between the two opponents.
"Midoriya," Midnight approached the two young men, her gaze filled with concern, "you should wait for the medical robots to bring out the gurney."
Midoriya appreciated her concern, but he shook his head and offered a reassuring smile. "It's all right, Kayama-sensei. I can walk on my own."
Midnight wasn't entirely convinced. "Are you certain? Those injuries look pretty serious."
Midoriya nodded confidently. "I'm sure. These aren't the worst injuries I've had."
Midnight couldn't help but wonder if she should be impressed or worried by that admission but decided to accept his choice.
Todoroki, also in need of medical attention, agreed to accompany Midoriya. "I should see Recovery Girl as well," he stated, glancing down at the bruises and mild burns on his exposed torso.
As the two shirtless young men walked off the stage together, the crowd erupted in applause for them. Midnight sighed contentedly, reminiscing, 'What I'd give to be a decade younger.' She wasn't the only one with similar thoughts.
In the stands near the tunnel, a group of excited young women couldn't contain their enthusiasm.
"Midoriya-sama! You were amazing!"
"The son of Endeavor sure isn't shabby. I'd definitely take him in if I could." One woman sighed longily.
"Todoroki-san! You're so hot AND cool!"
"Those muscles…" One girl couldn't help but drool.
"Can we have your numbers?!"
"You both can take me!"
"Midoriya-sama! Have my babies instead!"
"Maybe I'll get a visa to America! I hope there are other guys like you in their ranks!"
"I'll take yours, Todoroki-sama!"
"Are you both single?! Can I have both of you?!"
Midoriya let out a sigh, avoiding eye contact with the overzealous women. 'Some things never change, do they?'
Todoroki, on the other hand, felt baffled by the sudden barrage of praise and romantic interest. "I... don't get it," he admitted, looking at Midoriya. "Aren't you supposed to be friends and court before getting married and having children?"
Midoriya chuckled at Todoroki's question. "Well, yeah, that is the ideal way. But in our line of work, Todoroki-san, you'll often meet people who really admire you. Don't always take it at face value. Those girls are just excited, that's all."
Todoroki nodded in understanding. 'I'll take his word for it. I'm sure he has experience with this kind of stuff, being a soldier and all.'
Outside the stadium grounds, various groups of people erupted into ecstatic cheers as the outcome of the final match was announced. When the monitors displayed a battered Midoriya defiantly raising his left fist, the crowd's euphoria knew no bounds.
"YO JOE! YO JOE! YO JOE!" Many in the crowd chanted passionately, their fists pumping the air with uncontainable energy.
Among the spectators were a few Pro Heroes on security duty who watched in stunned disbelief. One of them sighed, breaking the silence, "I... lost my bet."
His partner, also bewildered by the result, raised an eyebrow, "How much did you wager?"
The first Pro admitted sheepishly, "...This month's paycheck."
His colleague winced in sympathy, patting him on the shoulder, "Ouch! Sorry, pal. But don't feel too bad. It seems like most of us on security lost our bets today."
The unnamed Pro sighed again, shoulders slumping. "That doesn't really make me feel better..."
Mt. Lady, Death Arms, and Kamui Woods stood away from the rowdy crowd, keeping an eye on the celebration. Mt. Lady couldn't contain her excitement, jumping up and down while cheering, "Way to go, Hot Stuff! That was freakin' insane!"
Kamui Woods, with a proud smile hidden under his mask, added his commendation, "Well done, Midoriya-san. That was incredible."
Death Arms, despite his gruff exterior, couldn't help but show some appreciation. "Gotta admit… That was pretty impressive. Kid's something special." He glanced at Kamui Woods with skepticism. "You sure you don't have a psychic Quirk or something?"
Kamui Woods crossed his arms over his chest, still smiling beneath the mask. "Obviously not. Otherwise I would have used it before. I just had faith that Midoriya-san would overcome the odds."
Death Arms sighed, giving Kamui Woods a side-eye. "And it paid off handsomely. You're tens of thousands of yen richer."
"Not just him," Mt. Lady interjected, her smile smug. "I'm getting a chunk of that sweet green pie too! Woo-Hoo! Yo Joe is the best!"
All For One stared at the screen with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. The sight of Captain Midoriya's victory, his battered body standing tall over Todoroki, was not what he had expected. He had assumed the soldier would need One For All to win, but this scene held a different kind of power.
"So this was your goal, Captain," he growled to himself, clenching his fists. "Admirable... but misplaced. You'll soon learn there are limits to what even you can do."
With a determined resolve, he closed the All-Star Games broadcast and began making some calls.
The medal ceremony faced a delay as several factors needed attention. Midoriya and Todoroki required treatment from Recovery Girl, with the former bearing the brunt of her healing Quirk. Bakugo also awaited clearance from Recovery Girl, and the arena demanded repairs, having suffered another round of destruction.
As Midoriya experienced the draining effects of Recovery Girl's Quirk, he could feel the gradual healing of his burns and torn skin. However, some lingering pain persisted, and Recovery Girl sternly warned him against any training during the three-day break.
Wearily contemplating his state, Midoriya mused, 'As wiped out as I feel, I don't think I could train even if I wanted.'
Once Bakugo, Todoroki, and Midoriya received clearance from Recovery Girl, the trio made their way to the locker room. All three of them had bandages wrapped on them while Bakugo's left arm was hanging in a sling. After cleaning up and donning replacement gym uniforms, they headed back towards the arena entrance, awaiting the commencement of the medal ceremony.
As they turned a corner, they were met with Endeavor blocking their way, a proud smile on his face. Bakugo arched a brow in confusion, Midoriya was guarded, and Todoroki regarded his father with a cold, questioning gaze.
"Shoto, I'm glad I caught you before the ceremony. I didn't see you in the infirmary or with your classmates. Where have you been?"
Todoroki remained silent, prompting Midoriya to respond, "We had to go to the locker room to clean up and put on new uniforms, sir."
Endeavor's piercing blue eyes shifted to Midoriya. "Ah, that makes sense. Your uniforms were in bad condition after your matches." He then turned his gaze to Bakugo. "Bakugo, was it? You put on a good show, boy. Worthy of the bronze medal indeed."
Bakugo growled deeply but refrained from saying anything more. Endeavor then refocused on Midoriya with a scrutinizing gaze.
"I must admit, you surprised me. You fought hard and did well, within the rules of the tournament. You even helped my son finally embrace his true power. For that, you have my gratitude."
Before Midoriya could respond, Todoroki stepped forward, "Why are you here? If you wanted to yell at me for not winning, you could've waited until we got home."
Endeavor smirked. "I'm not disappointed or angry, Shoto. True, if you had used your fire from the start, today would have gone very differently, but you did use your fire. You may have lost the battle today, but you took your first steps toward winning the war. You've embraced your power, and now you must learn to control it. In your fight, all you were doing was letting it burn out of control or just flinging it around. Fire is dangerous, Shoto, and takes a great deal of concentration and control to master, but these are things I can teach you. Things that you are now ready to learn. Today, you have started on the path to become my legacy."
The ensuing silence felt long and awkward. Bakugo sneered but didn't interject, while Midoriya's expression twisted into anger. Unconsciously, he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.
Breaking the silence, Todoroki finally replied, "I have accepted that this fire is a part of me. I won't ignore it, nor shirk the responsibility that I have to master it. However, that doesn't mean for one second that I've accepted you or your legacy. If I do decide to learn from you, it will be to become the Hero I want to be, not the Hero you want me to be."
The tension in the corridor was palpable as father and son stared at each other. After an intense moment, Todoroki glanced back at Midoriya and Bakugo. "Let's go, or we'll be late."