Chapter Text
Izuku midoriya, class representative of 1-A versus shoto todoroki, son of endeavor.
That should have been a good fight. A good fight to start the third and final event of the sports festival. A fight between the successor of the two best pro hero in japan. Not that todoroki was aware of one for all
Unfortunately, todoroki refused to use his fire. He make said promise explicitly clear. It was his "middle finger" to Endeavor.
Of course, izuku does understand where that came from. He never really liked Endeavor. Even before todoroki told him about how much of a piece of shit he was, it was clear how much Endeavor sucked.
Yes, the number one fanboy hero in the World doesn't like a hero. Sue him.
Ok, was he the hero who arrested the most villains and solved the biggest number of cases ? Yes. Even more than all might. But he was a complete dickhead, unable to reassure peoples. He was also rude to anyone and everyone he met. In short, He was unable to make people feel safe. And apparently, he was dumb enough to not understand that if he fixed those issues he could surpass All might.
But here's the thing: as much as he was understanding of todoroki's fucked up situation, he wasn't going to tolerate the oath in question. After all, even all might, the number one hero, couldn't save everyone. So what would happen if todoroki hold back on purpose ? Answer: a lot of dead people. People that would because of todoroki. Because of him if hé does nothing to stop his madness. And maybe in the pile, he would see someone he really care. Like... No he should not think about that. If she die, it would be at the age of 95 and around her, her childrens and grandchildrens
So when the fight started, he decided to only counter attack. the battle continue like that. Sure, izuku breaks his fingers multiple times but todoroki's body temperature continue to drop. Patch of ice are visible on him. He became slower. That was the moment he needed.....
"If shoto todoroki is capable of using fire and ice, Why is he only using one side of his power ?" That was izuku's voice, now heard by everyone. He was thankful to Momo for making him a small microphone. He was also thankful to Mei Hatsume for managing to connect said mic to the system of the stadium. And the effect was immediat. He could see people discussing the issue. He couldn't hear them but the way they behaved give him the confirmation that he got what he wanted. And seeing todoroki's face,
"You...." Said todoroki, visibly pissed. He was trembling, but not just because of the cold "Is this some kind of sick joke to you ? Did m'y father paid you for this ? I already told why I don't want to..."
"It's okay todoroki, I didn't intent to make you use flammes " interrupted the green haired studient
"Wh..but why are you ..."
"I don't plan to make you use your fire. I don't give a single fuck about that. What I want.... is to humiliante you."
A look of incomprehension was now on todoroki's face"W...what. but how...?"
"Simple: use as much ice as you want but at some point you are going to lose, I am going to win and people are going to realise...you could use your left side to heat yourself" Midoriya was smiling. The plan was in place.
"..." It was at that moment Todoroki realised. Izuku was not working for Endeavor. After all, the bastard would never try to ruin Shoto's reputation and credibility. He needed that to surpass All Might.
"The entire world is going to see you humilliate yourself, trying and failing to win with a self imposed handicap against a late bloomer who has to break his bones to use his quirk...and people are going to doubt you."
"...." Todoroki wanted to say anything. Anything to counter the man in front of him
"Think about it todoroki, if you hold back for no reason, people are going to realise you are not taking heroics seriously. They will realise you are ready to let them die if it means no using your fire. You would let their loved one die. Just like I realised that you would let people I care die for the sake of your revenge."
"But...I... I would ...." Nothing made sense. Nothing was sure. He could only contemplate. Ten years of suffering. Going to waste.
"That would also means that being number one hero is never going to be possible for you. Remember: ranking is mostly about popularity. In fact, Endeavor could have been the number one hero if he wasn't that much of an asshole. And if you let people die because of your issues....well, you will be less popular than your dad." The broken fingers, the pain...a little bit of guilt....despite how much he wanted to scream, he still managed to keep his calm.
"You..I though you didn't..." But todoroki was unable to form a coherent phrase. He was too shoked for it
"But don't worry. It's not the big problem for you. You're not even going to graduate as a hero so this is never going to be that bad"
"Not .....dammit, start making sense Midoriya" Todoroki immediatly regreted those words as he saw the smile formed by Izuku Midoriya. A smile full of malice. The kind you would imagine on a cat sadisticaly playing with his prey.
" The scandal....Think about the scandal. No one, Especially Nezu, is going to let someone who would let himself and others peoples die just to prouve a point graduate the best hero course of the country if not the world. You can kiss goodbye your dream of spiting your asshole of a sperm donor. Unlike a certain former sidekick of all might, I don't see the future, but I am certain there is two futures for you"
A look of realisation, replaced immediatly by a look of horror "....no"
"A future where you get booted out of the hero course and a future where you use that damn fire of yours. The easy way of the hard way ? The choice is yours."
A pause....
the two opponent weren't moving. No sound were leaving their bodies. Everyone was waiting for them to do something.
It was todoroki who acted first. Throwing more ice.
"... Or I could just beat you without...." But he was interrupted by his classmate. Laughing at him. And suddently stopping. Another blast of him stopped todoroki's ice.
"And how do you plan to do that, little Shoto ?how do you plan to do that when you were already struggling against me at the start of the match ?" Another attack from todoroki. It was smaller, slower, weaker. "If I was a villain, I would have being able to kill you and the civilians you would have to protect. Think, Todoroki, think. What are you going to do when someone has to be saved and the only way to do that is to use your fire ? You don't understand why i am here !" The frustration was almost audible in the voice of the green-haired boy "I don't care if I win or not. I don't care if I became the number one hero. That title is pointless anyway. All I care is saving peoples. All I care is to make sure people don't die because my actions. Or in that case my inaction. I want you to take this seriously. Because that's the core aspect of being a hero. We are supposed to save peoples. Just chasing the number one spot for the sake of it is dumb. " Tears started to drop from his eyes
"Shut up. I will find a way, you hear me ? You really start to piss me off" But he couldn't. His last attack was too much. He throws everything he could to prouve that he could win without his left sides but nothing. Midoriya was still here. Defying him. Refusing to go away
"You are really not in a good position. If you used your fire, you could..." And that was the last straw for Todoroki. He could no longer tolerate this. That and the hypothermia.
"HOW DARE YOU ? YOU THINK YOU OF ALL POEPLE, CAN JUDGE ME ? YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME. IT DOESN'T CONSERN YOU "CLASS PRESIDENT" SO WHAT IF I DON'T USE THAT CURSED FIRE ? IT DOESN'T MATTER. WHAT MATTER IS ME WINNING WITH ONLY MY MOTHER'S ICE EVEN IF THAT KILL ME ! AND IF SOMEONE GOT HURT BECAUSE OF THAT ? IT'S NOT MY PROBLEM . IF SOMEONE DIE,I WOULD JUST NEED TO BECOME BETTER WITH MY ICE. BUT I REFUSE TO LET YOU HUMILIATE ME." he throw another ice attack but that one was too small and too slow. Midoriya just needed to dodge it. And he did, without breaking a finger.
Midnight, who was completely ignored by the two studients, was really conflicted. Sure todoroki was wrong. But the way Midoriya was going with the conflict was not a good thing. She could still understand the young man's anger at the son of endeavor but he should have talked about it to a...
...his homeroom teacher is Aizawa.....and he probably made the situation worse. And there is nothing she could do
She was ready to interrupteur the match before anything to horrible happened but midoriya raised his hand toward
"I Figured that much." Said Midoriya, in resignation. "I should thank you, todoroki. " The declaration surprised todoroki "I see now what kind of man you are. I feel no regret for what I am going to do to you." He then activated his mic "Mei, do the thing!!!"
The order was heard by everyone watching. Which also include the concerned person.
If you asked Mei Hatsume why she worked with Midoriya right now, she would tell you that she could see the potential inside the green hero. She could see how much potential and determination he has as a hero. That is no lie. She saw how he cared about peoples. Even her ! Sure he tend to break himself, but her job is to make sure that he doesn't need to. She couldn't go on the field to assist him but with her babies, she could make sure he would survive
But on that occasion, the reason she decided to help him is also because she doesn't like Todoroki. He was too arrogant and it doesn't look like he cares about others. And what he said just solidify her dislike of him. So he would just let someone die if that meant never using his fire ? Not on mei's Hatsume watch !!!
And with that, everyone could heard a recording of their discussion:
"... Or I could just beat you without...."
"And how do you plan to do that, shoto, how do you plan to do that when you were already struggling against me at the start of the match ?"
"If I was a villain, I would have being able to kill you and the civilians you would have to protect. Think, todoroki, think. What are you going to do when someone has to be saved and the only way to do that is to use your fire ? You don't understand why i am here."
"I don't care if I win or not. I don't care if I became the number one hero. That title is pointless anyway All I care is saving peoples. All I care is to make sure people don't die because my actions. Or in that case my inaction. I want you to take this seriously. Because that's the core aspect of being a hero. We are supposed to save peoples. Just chasing the number one spot for the sake of it is idiotic."
"Shut up!"
"I will find a way, you hear me ? You really start to piss me off"
"You are really not in a good position. If you used your fire, you could..."
"HOW DARE YOU ? YOU THINK YOU OF ALL POEPLE, CAN JUDGE ME ? YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME. IT DOESN'T CONSERN YOU "CLASS PRESIDENT" SO WHAT IF I DON'T USE THAT CURSED FIRE ? IT DOESN'T MATTER. WHAT MATTER IS ME WINNING WITH ONLY MY MOTHER'S ICE EVEN IF THAT KILL ME ! AND IF SOMEONE GOT HURT BECAUSE OF THAT ? IT'S NOT MY PROBLEM. IF SOMEONE DIE, I WOULD JUST NEED TO BECOME BETTER WITH MY ICE. BUT I REFUSE TO LET YOU HUMILIATE ME."
Midoriya and Mei will probably be expelled and go in hell for that stunt but at least, they are going to stop todoroki from getting peoples killed.
Todoroki, on the other hand wasn't doing well. Being exposed to the entire world like that didn't really do good for him. He couldn't say anything. He could only fall on his knees. Tears leaving his eyes. Silent scream. While the public screamed at him insults he didn't want to hear, screaming
But the worst thing said to him was what midoriya told him.
"Todoroki, you told me earlier that your goal was to never be alike endeavor." Despite the pain, the voice of midoriya was cold. The tone was barely neutral. Barely hiding the anger and fury inside it "Congratulations, then, you somehow manage to be a worse person than him. I didn't know that was possible." He wasn't screaming but the words feels like needdles inside the other teen's brain.