"So, I plan on mixing, psychological, romantic, physical, and emotional struggles all in a dumb teen Fairy Tail rip-off anime, think it'll work?" -Seth 20 minutes before posting Chapter 1.
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Meanwhile, All Might glanced at Aizawa and Present Mic in the faculty observation room, concern etched on his face. "What exactly is happening?" All Might asked, his eyes flicking between the replay of the fight and the current standstill in the arena.
Aizawa, unbothered and sipping a cup of hot milk, replied in his usual deadpan tone. "Something bad. They're having a conversation mid-fight. The last time that happened, Bakugo nuked the area."
All Might nearly choked. "NUKED?" He asked, incredulous.
Present Mic, who was used to the absurdity by now, motioned an "X" with his arms to silence the concern. "Aizawa's being dramatic again, but he's not wrong. These kids... well, they have a flair for the extreme."
All Might's eyes widened as he felt a temperature rise. Turning toward the arena, his heart skipped a beat. "Excuse me, but is that a miniature sun in his hands?!"
In the stadium, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically. Kuro's relaxed demeanor remained, but Todoroki was different. His entire body radiated intense heat as he focused everything into a small, glowing orb of fire, no larger than a baseball.
The temperature in the stadium spiked, sweat pouring off every audience member as they stared at Todoroki, who stood in the center of his icy domain, the heat clashing violently with the cold. The very air seemed to shimmer around him.
"Heaven Concealed.
Todoroki's voice was calm, but beneath the surface was a deep, simmering conflict. The massive ice block he had dropped earlier was never intended to defeat Kuro. It was all part of the plan—a setup for the real attack. The concept was simple: thermal shock. By alternating between extreme cold and extreme heat, Todoroki had drastically weakened Kuro's defenses. Now, all that was left was the finishing blow.
But the flames... his father's flames... they made him sick to his core. The heat, the power, all of it felt wrong. His hand trembled slightly, though it was hard to tell whether it was from the immense energy he was harnessing or the revulsion bubbling up inside him.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Todoroki whispered under his breath, his eyes barely visible behind the rising steam and heat. "But my dream... isn't something I can give up."
Summoning every ounce of strength and willpower, Todoroki assumed a baseball pitcher's stance. The compressed ball of fire in his hand was so dense, it warped the air around it. The flames crackled and hissed, threatening to explode at any moment.
Kuro, now watching intently, could feel the intensity building. For the first time in this match, he looked serious. No more playful banter. He knew this attack could end it all.
Up in the stands, the audience leaned forward in their seats, some shielding their eyes from the sheer brightness of Todoroki's attack.
"Is he really gonna throw that thing?" Kirishima muttered, his hardened skin already prickling from the radiating heat.
Bakugo, sitting nearby, scowled. "Damn, half-and-half... finally showing off what he's got." Despite his irritation, there was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Izuku, watching with wide eyes, clenched his fists. "Todoroki... is this really what you want?"
Back in the arena, Kuro's expression shifted into a focused calm. He had been saving his energy for a moment like this, and now it was time to reveal his final ace. "Alright then, Todoroki," he muttered to himself, the usual levity gone. "Let's see how magnificent you truly are."
...
As Kuro lay on the ground, charred and barely conscious, the energy of the fight still buzzed in the air like static. His smile—brilliantly white against the backdrop of blackened skin—seemed more triumphant than defeated. "Hehe, guess you won, Todoroki!" Kuro rasped, his voice hoarse but full of amusement
"You could've just knocked me out before and you would've won," Todoroki said, referencing his panic with his mother.
Todoroki stood tall, his body trembling from exertion, missing most of his uniform, yet still very much upright. His chest rose and fell heavily, but his focus was on the barely conscious figure of Kuro. And then... he heard it—the faint, unmistakable sound of snoring.
"Truly a child until the end, Kurokami Tenshin..." Todoroki said, shaking his head with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He glanced down at the crater left by their battle, the carbonized ground and the melted ice a testament to the power they had unleashed.
As the crowd erupted into cheers, the noise filled the air, but one voice, loud and familiar, boomed above all others. "SHOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Endeavor's bellow reverberated through the stadium, his pride unmistakable, echoing as a strange contrast to the quiet satisfaction Todoroki felt.
In the stands, Class 1-A watched in awe. Kirishima was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with excitement. "Man, that was one hell of a match! I knew Kuro was strong, but Todoroki's something else too!"
Bakugo, however, scowled, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes narrowed. "Tch. Half-and-half's finally using that stupid fire of his. About time." Despite his gruff words, even he couldn't hide the faint glimmer of respect in his gaze.
Izuku, who had been watching the fight with bated breath, couldn't help but admire both fighters. "Todoroki... Kuro... they gave it everything. I need to train harder if I want to face them."
Nearby, Fuyumi and Natsuo exchanged relieved glances, watching their brother carry Kuro off the battlefield. "He's finally letting go of some of that weight, isn't he?" Fuyumi murmured, her eyes shimmering with pride.
"Looks like it," Natsuo responded, his voice soft but filled with a mix of emotions. "He's finding his way. It's... different than what I thought, but it's his."
Back in the faculty room, All Might sighed with relief, watching Todoroki's steps. "It's good to see him smile again, even if it's in the aftermath of a battle like that."
Aizawa, still sipping his hot milk, muttered, "Took him long enough. Those two gave quite the show, though."
All Might smiled warmly. "They'll both make fine heroes one day. But this is only the beginning, Eraserhead. The beginning of something much bigger.
...
As Kuro lay there, charred and beaten, his grin remained plastered on his face, the whiteness of his teeth stark against his burnt skin. The crowd in the stadium erupted into cheers, but none were louder than the booming, singular voice of Endeavor: "SHOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Todoroki, still standing despite his exhaustion, let out a slow exhale. The weight of the moment, the intensity of the fight, it all settled within him like a calm after the storm. He glanced over at his father's section in the stands, Endeavor's roaring enthusiasm clashing with the quiet satisfaction on his face.
This fight, this clash of willpower and power itself, had given Todoroki something he hadn't felt in a long time—joy. True, unfiltered joy. He hadn't just fought for his future; he had fought for himself, free of the chains his father had tried to bind him with.
Midnight, heels clicking on the charred ground as she walked over, and held the mic close. "Well, looks like you won, kid. A bunch of monsters for 1st-year students, but..." She trailed off, unable to hide her surprise as she watched Shoto.
Todoroki turned to her, the quiet smile still resting on his lips. "I forfeit."
There was a stunned silence. Midnight blinked in shock, her mic lowering slightly as she processed his words. "Wait, what?"
"I forfeit," Shoto repeated, more firmly this time.
The crowd, once in uproar over Todoroki's victory, went deathly silent. Whispers quickly spread through the stands, disbelief, and confusion spreading like wildfire. Even the other students of Class 1-A who were watching couldn't believe their ears.
In the stands, Bakugo's mouth twisted into an irritated snarl. "What the hell, Icyhot?" He growled, slamming his fist into the railing. "You win and then forfeit?! You better be ready to explain yourself after this, bastard."
Meanwhile, Izuku's expression was one of deep contemplation. He couldn't help but feel the weight of Todoroki's decision—it wasn't just about the fight; there was something else behind his words.
Back in the arena, Midnight stammered for a second, trying to recover. "Are you... sure, Todoroki? This is the Sports Festival. A decision like that is—"
"Yes," Todoroki interrupted softly, bending down and lifting Kurokami's limp, unconscious body over his shoulder with surprising ease. "I'm sure."
With that, Shoto conjured a small walking stick of ice to support himself. It was clear he had overexerted his quirk, his body still aching from the internal conflict that had plagued him throughout the fight. He smiled faintly, chuckling to himself as he began to walk out of the stadium, Kuro slung over his shoulder like a comically oversized backpack.
The crowd was still in a state of disbelief, but as Shoto passed by the stands, there was an unmistakable sense of respect for what they had just witnessed. A fight like this didn't need a winner in the conventional sense. The effort, the resolve—both had been laid bare.
Todoroki's quiet laughter echoed through the stadium. "Hah... this fight was fun..." The words came out almost breathlessly. He hadn't expected to enjoy himself so much, to feel this weird sense of lightness in his chest.
"If it weren't for Cementoss placing us in that enclosed area, the flames wouldn't have been as compact. I would have run out of steam way earlier... You should've won."
He spoke aloud, though he knew Kuro couldn't hear him. But even so, it felt right to acknowledge it, to admit that while he had technically won the fight, he hadn't truly defeated Kuro. Not in the way that mattered. The truth was Kuro's relentless drive, his passion for fighting with his entire heart, had pushed Todoroki to limits he hadn't thought he'd reach. It felt like a victory for both of them.
As they left the arena, Cementoss finally allowed himself to relax, the thick cement barriers he had worked tirelessly to construct having barely held up under the sheer destructive force of their final attacks. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Well, that was something..."
In the faculty room, All Might, who had been watching with concern, now stood with a look of quiet pride. "Young Todoroki... you've grown," he murmured to himself, his smile filled with admiration.
Aizawa, still sipping his now lukewarm coffee, nodded slightly in agreement. "It's strange... how quickly these kids are growing. That was a fight on a level I didn't expect from first-years."
Meanwhile, back in the stands, Fuyumi and Natsuo looked at each other in silent surprise. Fuyumi, with a gentle smile, whispered to her brother, "Shoto's changed, hasn't he?"
Natsuo grinned back, the familiar edge of sarcasm in his voice. "Yeah, well, guess we'll see how much when he wakes up tomorrow and regrets this..."
Fuyumi giggled, her gaze softening as she watched Shoto leave the arena with Kuro on his back. This wasn't just about winning. Shoto had finally found something more important—his path, separate from their father. Right? ;|
...
Endeavor sat in the stands, his earlier triumph at Shoto's victory soured by the sudden, unexpected forfeit. His jaw clenched, and a whirlwind of frustration began to stir within him. He's still not using his flames... The thought gnawed at him. It wasn't that Shoto didn't have the power—no, that wasn't it at all. It was the will, the drive. He wasn't pushing himself far enough, still held back by whatever chains remained.
He gave up victory because of that, Endeavor thought, his eyes narrowing. His gaze shifted from Shoto to the unconscious body of Kurokami Tenshin, still slung over his son's shoulder. Are you the one? His mind raced with the thought. The one destined to surpass All Might?
Meanwhile, Izuku Midoriya, standing amongst his classmates, watched Shoto walk Kuro to the infirmary. He could see that Todoroki had been... different lately. The way he fought, the moments of quiet reflection—there was something more to his classmate than just his talent. Izuku's mind turned to Shoto's family situation. Whatever he's carrying, it must be heavy, Izuku thought, clenching his fists. I'll need to talk to him later...
In the infirmary, Todoroki gently placed Kurokami on a bed. His charred classmate let out a light snore, still sound asleep. Todoroki couldn't help but smile, and a few giggles slipped through, surprising even himself.
Recovery Girl, preparing her healing salve and shaking her head, raised an eyebrow at Todoroki's amusement. "What's so funny? You just gave up your victory, child."
Shoto shrugged, the carefree smile still on his lips. "I don't know... I just feel good. It's... lighter now."
Recovery Girl gave him a knowing smile. "Hm, seems like you've let something heavy off your shoulders." She then turned to Kuro's charred body and sighed deeply. "This one, though... I have a feeling he'll be in here quite a lot."
Todoroki nodded, then chuckled. "Yeah, he's... something else."
Todoroki quickly changed into his school uniform and started heading back to the stands. However, as he turned the corner near the stairwell, he froze. His heart raced, and for the first time in years, fear flashed across his normally calm face. Standing there, her posture delicate but determined, was Rei Todoroki.
"...Sorry for being so late," Rei spoke softly, her voice fragile yet laced with sincerity.
Shoto's mouth opened and closed, struggling to find words. "A-aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?" His voice cracked, uncharacteristically shaky. "You're still ill, and... Father is still here."
The word father tasted bitter on his tongue. He rarely referred to Endeavor as such, but in this moment, seeing his mother, that old familiarity slipped through.
Rei's lips tugged into a sad smile, a mixture of relief and regret. Slowly, she moved toward him.
Shoto's body stiffened as memories from that day flashed violently in his mind. The day his mother had burned him—his mother, who had once been his refuge from the harshness of his father. It all came flooding back: the scalding water, the pain, the sight of her face twisted in fear. He remembered returning from yet another brutal training session with Endeavor, feeling broken, only to find his sanctuary gone. His mother, the one person who once soothed him, had mistaken him for the man who tormented her. The red side of his hair had been the trigger. And now, every time he looked at his scar, it reminded him of his father's cruelty.
Shoto's breathing quickened, his vision blurring. His mind raced, unsure of how to react. But before he could process anything, his mother stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around him. The warmth of her hug sent a shock through him, breaking through the panic.
"I'm sorry," Rei whispered softly against his ear, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry for making you wait so long, my child."
Shoto's body went rigid at first, fear and confusion battling inside him. He hadn't expected this—he hadn't expected her to embrace him. Slowly, almost mechanically, his arms moved, and he hugged her back. His movements were stiff at first, but gradually, as her warmth seeped into him, he softened.
And then, without warning, tears streamed down Shoto's face. Silent at first, then shaking sobs. He held onto her tightly, as if afraid she would disappear again.
From a distance, Natsuo and Fuyumi watched the scene unfold, their own eyes glistening with emotion. Fuyumi wiped a tear from her cheek, her smile soft as she whispered, "Finally..."
Natsuo, never one to show too much sentimentality, smirked and muttered, "About time..." But even he had to admit, the sight of Shoto and Rei together again brought an unfamiliar warmth to his chest. He leaned back, crossing his arms, but there was a softness in his eyes. Out of the five members of the Todoroki family, four were now reunited—aside from him, Natsuo thought, his mind drifting to Endeavor.
A few meters away, Bakugo, who had been casually eavesdropping, cracked a rare smile. It wasn't loud, it wasn't full of his usual bravado, but it was there. "Damn crybaby..." he muttered under his breath, before walking away quietly. For once, he wasn't going to ruin a moment.
As Shoto held onto his mother, the world seemed to fade around him. It didn't matter that the Sports Festival continued or that Endeavor's presence loomed somewhere in the background. In this brief moment, he was just a son, reunited with his mother.
He had been waiting for this—for the warmth that had been missing in his life for so long. And now, even if just for a little while, he had it back.
"Welcome home, Mom," he whispered through his tears
As the tension mounted, Bakugo stood in the waiting room, pacing like a caged animal, his hands flexing and releasing as tiny explosions crackled in his palms. He was trying to calm down, but the sheer weight of the moment made it impossible. This was it.
The match he'd been waiting for—the match that would decide everything. Whatever happens today, Bakugo thought, I just have to win. That's it. But deep down, he knew this fight meant more than just a victory. It was a battle for pride, for dominance, for proving once and for all who was stronger—who was destined to stand at the top.
Izuku Midoriya, on the other hand, found himself walking towards the stadium with an odd sense of calm. Despite the looming fear and the usual nerves that swirled in his stomach before facing Kacchan, there was something different this time. This time… I have to beat him. The thought was solidified in his mind, an unwavering truth. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his resolve.
Ochaco Uraraka's voice broke through his thoughts as she appeared beside him. "Uhh, are you okay, Deku?"
Izuku blinked, then smiled awkwardly. "Yep! I feel scared... but I know this time, I have to beat Kacchan. That's the only way forward."
Ochaco gave him an encouraging nod, her usual bubbly tone softening. "Wow... you're determined, huh? That's cool..."
But behind her cheerful demeanor, she couldn't help but think back to her own loss during the King of the Hill event. She hadn't been able to beat Neito Monoma, and that defeat still stung. Class 1-B had played smart, and her team didn't earn enough points to advance to the 1v1 tournaments. A flicker of disappointment crossed her face, but she quickly pushed it aside. This wasn't about her.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Izuku apologized immediately, noticing the slight change in her expression. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad..."
Ochaco waved it off with a grin. "Don't worry, Deku-bro!" Eijiro Kirishima appeared out of nowhere, slapping Izuku on the back with his usual boisterous energy. "You've got this, man! I bet you'll last a good six minutes against Bakugo!" he teased with a wide grin.
Denki Kaminari popped his head in, adding with a mischievous smirk, "Yeah, maybe even seven if you're lucky!"
Jirou gave Denki a quick, well-deserved jab in the ribs. "Ignore him, Midoriya. We're all rooting for you."
"Yeah, kero! We know you can do it!" Tsuyu Asui's voice croaked out in support, her calm demeanor masking the intensity of her belief in him.
Izuku, overwhelmed by the sudden wave of encouragement, looked around at his classmates. "W-wait... why are you all so ready to help me?"
Ochaco pumped her fist in the air. "Because, Deku! It's Bakugo! He's responsible for, like, all the bad things in our class!" Her tone was half-joking, but there was a sliver of truth behind it.
Izuku's eyes widened in shock. "W-wait, all the bad things? That's not true, right?"
Iida, standing by and overseeing the commotion like a responsible vice-president, sighed deeply. "Bakugo... is rather unruly and prefers to dictate the class using... loopholes. And I... I am powerless to go against my own rules."
His shoulders slumped in shame as he adjusted his glasses. The others nodded in agreement.
Toru Hagakure, her invisible form barely discernible, chimed in enthusiastically. "Yes! You've got to redeem our honor, Deku-san! For Class 1-A!!"
Before Izuku could process any of this, he found himself being pushed and guided toward the stadium by his classmates, the collective chant of "Class 1-A!!!" ringing in his ears. Their energy, their support—it all built up inside him like a pressure cooker, filling him with both responsibility and resolve.
As he stepped into the stadium, the roar of the crowd became deafening. And there, standing across from him, was Bakugo Katsuki, his usual scowl in place, eyes sharp with an intensity that sent a chill down Izuku's spine.
"Ready to die, Deku?" Bakugo's voice was cold, but behind it, there was a flicker of something else—determination. A desire to end this once and for all.
Izuku, still feeling the weight of his friends' encouragement, squared his shoulders and met Bakugo's gaze head-on. "I won't lose, Kacchan."
Bakugo scoffed, his lip curling upward in a half-smirk. "We'll see, Deku. We'll see."
As the tension mounted between them, Midnight's sultry voice echoed through the stadium, pulling all eyes toward the center of the arena. "Ready? May the contestants approach the stadium..." Her whip cracked against the ground, sending shivers through the audience.
In the commentator's booth, Present Mic couldn't hold back his excitement. "AND HERE WE GO, FOLKS! THIS IS THE MATCH WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! MIDORIYA VERSUS BAKUGO! THE RIVALRY OF THE CENTURY!"
Aizawa, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, glanced at Present Mic with an unimpressed look. "Calm down. It's just a fight between two students." But even he couldn't deny the tension in the air—the stakes were higher for these two than any other match. It wasn't just a fight for victory. It was a battle for validation.
The entire stadium went silent as the two boys stepped forward, their eyes locked on each other. All the noise, all the commotion faded into the background. It was just them now.
"Midoriya, Katsuki," Midnight called, her voice steady. "Begin!"
For a split second, everything was still. Neither moved, but the tension snapped like a taut wire.
Bakugo made the first move, his hands erupting in explosions as he charged forward with a wild, feral grin. "DEKU!!!"
Izuku, already at 10% of One For All, felt his adrenaline spike. He's faster... stronger... but I've trained for this. He dodged the first explosion with a swift roll, feeling the heat sear past his side.
Bakugo landed, barely giving Izuku time to react, and launched himself again with another blast. "I'M NOT HOLDING BACK!"
Izuku clenched his fists, the green electricity of One For All crackling around his body. "Neither am I!" He darted forward, his speed increased, and threw a punch toward Bakugo's side.
Bakugo blocked with an explosion, but the force of Izuku's punch sent him sliding back a few feet. "Tch, you've gotten faster, nerd."
The two clashed again, exchanging blows at high speed, explosions ringing out and green lightning flashing in the air. Each attack was more intense than the last, each movement more desperate.
"Is that all you've got, Deku?!" Bakugo growled, charging up for a larger explosion. His palms glowed with heat and energy as he prepared a full-force blast.
Izuku, breathing heavily but with a determined glint in his eye, held his ground. "Kacchan... I'm not the same kid you used to push around anymore!" He pushed One For All to 15%, feeling the strain on his body, but he couldn't stop now.
Bakugo grinned savagely, launching himself into the air. "GOOD! THEN I'LL JUST HAVE TO KILL YOU WITH THIS!"
Izuku planted his feet, his muscles tensing as he prepared to meet Bakugo's attack head-on. The two were about to collide in a devastating explosion of power.
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[Auther: Yo!
The finale of Win or Save, right? Hahaha, Todoroki's family has recovered right? Nope, since I've still gotta do his Dad, the start of the tumor and the hellfire behind "Hellflame" as well...]