The arena buzzed with excitement as [Name] watched Kirishima and Bakugo go head-to-head. The crowd leaned in, captivated by their intense fight. Tetsutetsu cheered loudly from the sidelines, his support echoing throughout the arena for Kirishima.
"Kirishima! Hit his chin! His chin!" Tetsutetsu's booming voice echoed, drawing giggles from [Name]. The camaraderie among classmates was heartening, even in the midst of intense competition.
"Bakugou's having a hard time fighting back against Kirishima's fierce attack!" The Mic's voice added to the suspense as Kirishima relentlessly pushed Bakugo back with a barrage of punches. The battle seemed to sway in Kirishima's favor until Bakugo, true to his explosive nature, seized an opening.
"Bakugo counters again! But what's this? Unlike before, it's working?!"
Bakugo kept up his attack, finding Kirishima's weak points and not letting up until Kirishima couldn't keep going. [Name] watched, impressed by how quickly Bakugo could figure out Kirishima's vulnerabilities and use them to his advantage.
"Kirishima has been immobilized! Bakugou wins!" Midnight's announcement marked Bakugo's victory, and [Name] couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and anticipation for their battle to come.
"You idiot! You didn't have enough guts, Kirishima!" Bakugo's brashness filled the arena, underscoring the intensity of the competition.
"With that vicious carpet-bombing Bakugou advances to the third round! And that completes the final four!"
The revelation of the remaining contenders appeared on screens and holograms, and [Name] grinned at the prospect of facing Todoroki. Their mind was already set on the card they would play.
As images of the final four contestants flashed across the screens-Todoroki, [Name], Tokoyami, and Bakugo-[Name] couldn't contain their excitement. It was their turn to face Todoroki, and they relished the challenge.
"Good luck, Todoroki!" [Name] cheered, but Todoroki stayed serious, not wanting to underestimate his opponent. He could feel their power, maybe even stronger than Bakugo's.
The uncertainty of which card [Name] would use kept him on edge.
"Ready," Midnight raised her arm, "start!"
[Name] seized the moment, producing a card in front of them as they grabbed it with a flourish, a winning smile on their face. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as they declared, "The key which hides the power of the Stars!" A star pentagon materialized beneath [Name]'s feet. "Show your true form before me! I, [Name], command you under our contract. Release, Hu Tao!" The card emanated a radiant red glow, signaling the emergence of [Name]'s chosen card for the impending fight with Todoroki.
Adorned in a stunning outfit, [Name] showcased a fusion of traditional and modern flair. They wore a patterned black porkpie hat atop their head, crowned with a wooden talisman featuring a red plum blossom. An indigo tassel danced in a looped knot, adding an extra touch of elegance.
Draped in a red shirt with a mandarin collar, [Name] exuded an air of tradition, complemented by a brown coat featuring a darker collar and sleeve cuffs. Their black shorts, adorned with gold accents, struck a balance between formality and functionality. A Pyro Vision embedded at the back of their coat added a touch of the extraordinary, with long rectangular coattails trailing behind. Golden brooches adorned the collar and waist, accentuating the overall regality of their attire.
Mid-calf-length white socks, accented with red straps bearing plum blossoms, and low-heeled black dress shoes completed the ensemble. Black-painted fingernails and multiple rings on both hands added a subtle edge, reflecting a perfect blend of style and individuality.
As [Name] confronted Todoroki in the arena, it was clear they meant business. Todoroki, with his icy and fiery powers, hurled a frosty attack at them. But [Name] was prepared, armed with a polearm. With a skillful swing, they sliced through Todoroki's ice, showing off their strength.
"My! My!" [Name] giggled. "I hope you impress me!"
Unfazed, they dashed ahead, trying to get Todoroki up close and personal. But Todoroki, knowing what was coming, blasted out a bunch of ice. It seemed like [Name] was deliberately taking hits, adding more mystery to their strategy.
"Uh-oh!" [Name] cried out as Todoroki trapped them in ice, hoping to stop their progress. Yet, beneath the icy surface, a plan quietly unfolded. [Name] allowed the ice to graze them, carefully managing their health points, and gearing up for a final strike.
Surrounded by the icy dome, [Name]'s body started glowing red, and two butterfly-like wings emerged. The fire within them melted the ice, and they charged ahead. Todoroki, feeling the pressure, unleashed more ice, but their fiery polearm effortlessly sliced through each barrier.
"Hey, Todoroki-kun, can I share a tip with you?" [Name] shouted as the ice around them began to shimmer and melt away, a playful grin on their face. Todoroki, surprised at the interruption, cautiously nodded. He wondered why they wanted to pause the match. It must be something important, he thought. Still, he stayed alert, just in case it was a trick.
"Sure, whatever," he replied.
Without any warning, [Name] closed the distance between them in a flash, their hand clasping Todoroki's. The sudden contact sent a jolt through Todoroki, and he felt a warmth spread through his veins.
"Feel that?" [Name] asked a gleam of excitement in their eyes. "That's your fire, Todoroki-kun. You've been holding back on half of your quirk for far too long. I know you barely used it against Midoriya. However, you're pretty much a novice right now."
Todoroki's eyes grew wide as he grasped their words. He had never thought about using his fire during the Sports Festival matches since his bout with Midoriya. It had always been about making a statement to his father. But now, in this surprising moment, [Name] was urging him to explore his dormant abilities.
"You know, fire symbolizes power, but also light in some cultures." They explained as they crassed their thumb over his knuckles. Right now, the two were in their world, the crowd forgotten. "Now, don't think of it as something you need to suppress. Embrace it. Let it complement your ice," [Name] explained, their voice gentle but firm. "It's a part of you, just like the ice."
As [Name] talked, they led Todoroki through the steps. Their actions flowed smoothly, like a gentle dance, demonstrating how to blend the fire with his ice effortlessly. Todoroki, in the midst of battle, was not only drawn to the warmth of the flames but also to [Name]'s patient teaching and compassion.
With each practiced move, Todoroki felt the strength of his combined powers grow. The fire, once unfamiliar, now obeyed his will. His icy surface began to exude warmth, and he felt the balance between the two elements. It was a bit awkward but he knew with time, using his fire would be like second nature.
"There you go, Todoroki-kun! Now, show me what you've got!" [Name] encouraged, stepping back with a satisfied grin.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked as he tried to make sure his flames didn't go out of control. He admits it is taking a lot out of him as he is untrained.
"Of course!" They exclaimed, waving their polearm. What caught Todoroki's attention was their wounds that he hadn't noticed due to them moving around the arena the whole time.
Todoroki questioned, "How are you still going?"
"To do this, of course!" [Name] smiled and dashed forward, disappearing in a burst of gold butterflies. Todoroki, shocked, watched as the golden butterflies shimmered, inducing an unexpected sense of euphoria.
"Prye, prye, pants on fire!" A familiar voice echoed, and Todoroki found himself knocked forward, unconscious, his flames fizzling out.
"That was a total knockout! Meet one of our finalists, [Last Name]!"
Basking in the applause of the crowd, [Name] lifted their arms triumphantly. The recognition felt good, compensating for the lack of parental approval they had experienced. Yet, amid the celebration, they realized they owed Todoroki an apology for eliminating him from the match before he could showcase his fire.
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Skipping down the empty hallways of UA as everyone was still watching the tournament, [Name] couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency to check on Todoroki. Tokoyami's battle with Bakugo was in full swing, but they wagered that Tokoyami wouldn't mind their absence once they explained their reasoning.
As [Name] strolled down the hallway, their mind buzzed with thoughts about the recent match. They had expected Todoroki to unleash his flames, imagining it would have added a thrilling edge to the battle. Yet, to their surprise, Todoroki did, partly because of their intervention. They felt a twinge of regret, wondering if Todoroki could have dodged their attack or if they pushed him too hard. The missed opportunity left them feeling a bit cheated, wishing they could have seen the full extent of Todoroki's powers. Determined to share their feelings and perhaps propose a rematch where Todoroki could unleash his full potential, [Name] continued down the corridor.
"Are you [Name]?" a voice called out, snapping them from their contemplation. Endeavor, Todoroki's imposing father, stood before them. They felt their anger swelling in their stomach and fought the urge to glare at this disgusting man in front of them.
"...Yes, I am," [Name] replied tentatively, a flicker of thought crossing their eyes. Was he here for revenge, seeking to avenge his son's defeat?
"Good," he nodded. "I must admit I didn't expect my son to lose to someone like you."
A raised eyebrow betrayed [Name]'s confusion. Did he mean someone 'like' them physically? Were they not the image of the powerhouse hero-in-training he imagined?
"How much do I need to pay you to marry Shoto?" Endeavor's question struck [Name] like a bolt from the blue.
Shocked, they gasped, "I am sorry, but shouldn't Shoto have a say?" The absurdity of the situation felt like a nightmare, and they couldn't help but wonder if Endeavor mistook them for a girl.
"No. He is my greatest creation," Endeavor asserted arrogantly. "He will surpass All Might, and you will marry him."
This man, self-righteous and arrogant, needed a reality check. The proposal was not only ludicrous but reeked of manipulation and disregard for Todoroki's feelings.
"I am sorry, sir, but this is something Todoroki must figure out for himself," [Name] retorted, walking away determinedly. Endeavor, however, wasn't one to let things go lightly. He reached out, grasping their shoulder, a move that sent a shiver down their spine. They quickly pulled away, turning around with a frown etched with displeasure.
"I ask you to reconsider," Endeavor growled.
"And I-"
"Father," Todoroki's voice cut through, his glare piercing. [Name] gasped in fright, turning to find Todoroki behind them.
"Shoto," Endeavor acknowledged, his tone seemingly ready to coerce [Name] into an unwanted marriage.
"If you don't mind, I have to talk to [Last Name]," Todoroki asserted, waiting for his father to leave. "Alone." Endeavor scowled but finally yielded, exiting the scene.
Relieved, [Name] let out a sigh. "I was so close to snapping at him."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you did," Todoroki admitted. He understood [Name]'s temperament well, aware that they had the potential to give his father the reprimand of a lifetime. Maybe, just maybe, he secretly hoped they would.
With a graceful turn, [Name] faced Todoroki, their arm extended towards him. Confusion clouded Todoroki's eyes as he looked at their open palm.
"Give me your hand," [Name] instructed, rolling their eyes at his doubtful expression. "Just trust me."
Reluctantly, Todoroki placed his hand in theirs. [Name] pulled on his hand, turning it around so his palm faced up. Retrieving a pen from their pocket, they clicked it open. Todoroki's heart quickened, a flutter of butterflies in his stomach, as he watched [Name]-their scent gently flowing in the breeze that he could smell and thought was lovely, their tongue peeking out in concentration-scribble something on his palm. Unwilling to admit he had overheard their conversation with his father and that he wouldn't mind the idea of marrying them someday, Todoroki kept this revelation to himself.
"Here," [Name] said, pushing his hand back toward his chest, their face tinged with embarrassment. Todoroki glanced at his palm to find a phone number neatly written there.
"Call me or text me anytime. If you need a break from your father, or just to hang out," they twirled around, sprinting away before Todoroki could say anything. A blush crept onto their face as they shouted back, "Don't be a stranger!" and waved goodbye.
Todoroki chuckled at the yelp he heard as they tripped to the ground but they quickly got back up and ran faster, realizing what had just transpired. It dawned on him-this was the first time he had received a phone number from someone he could genuinely call a friend. His face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and genuine joy.
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Edit: 01.16.24
Note: Fleshed out the chapter. Add more to the fight against Todoroki. Hope you guys like it <3. One more chapter to go!!!!