Chapter Text
“Ready? Start!”
“I’m not getting a response, am I?” Hitoshi asked with a grin. Izuku simply smiled and ran for him. “Alright, I won’t bother.” Having both been trained by their dad and for the same amount of time, they were pretty evenly matched in terms of skill. Without their weapons, they’d both have to rely on hand-to-hand combat.
Hitoshi utilized a full-body fighting style that focused on flexibility and using his opponent’s strength against them. Izuku on the other hand had a lower-body fighting style that focused on agility and adapting to his opponent’s movements. The fact that Izuku could see guidelines at times helped him to react quickly and accurately.
They had gone on long enough that both were losing stamina and Izuku was slowing down. Hitoshi managed to flip Izuku at some point, dislocating his shoulder in the process. “sh*t. Sorry,” Hitoshi said quickly. Izuku grimaced but ignored the pain otherwise. He used his feet for the most part anyway.
In all the commotion, Hitoshi seemed to lose track of how close they were to the boundary line. Izuku aimed a push kick at his abdomen. It wasn’t elegant but it was quick, and it pushed Hitoshi over the boundary line.
“That was an intense match!” Mama commented. “Aiyama Izuku is our winner!”
“This time we have a matchup between two elemental powerhouses! Kaminari Denki and Todoroki Shouto! Which one will come out on top?” Hizashi asked as each of them made their way to the field. He noted that Todoroki looked upset.
“Ready? Start!” Todoroki created essentially a mountain of ice that probably was tall enough to peek out over the top of the arena. It effectively rendered Kaminari immobile. It was overkill.
“Perhaps that was a bit too much,” Hizashi commented. “But the winner of the match is Todoroki!”
Recovery Girl fixed his shoulder and kissed away the bruises from his fight with Hitoshi. “Now that you’re healed, have some energy gummies. Then you can go sit in the stands with your class until your next match.”
He accepted some gummies from her and left to go find the rest of his class. When he heard an unfamiliar but angry voice, he slowed down. “You used your fire and now you’re refusing to use it again. You will stop being stubborn and accept your role, Shouto.”
Turning the corner into the adjoining hallway, he saw Endeavor, in all his flaming glory, cornering Todoroki. Todoroki noticed him and despite his normally passive expressions, Izuku saw genuine and familiar fear in his eyes. Endeavor followed his gaze to Izuku.
“This doesn’t concern you, boy. Leave,” Endeavor ordered. Todoroki gave a subtle nod, encouraging Izuku to leave. Yeah, no. f*ck that.
“Why don’t you make me?” Izuku replied, turning his attention back to Endeavor. The man frowned like he couldn’t believe this tiny child had the audacity.
“Excuse me?” Endeavor turned fully to face Izuku now.
“I don’t think I should be leaving him alone with you. So if you want me to leave, come at me, little bitch,” Izuku taunted. He had a 50% chance that Endeavor would actually attack him and a 50% chance that the man wouldn’t tarnish his reputation over a mouthy kid. Todorki let out a strangled sound of shock.
“Do you know who you’re talking to?” Endeavor asked, rage filling his features.
“A massive, flaming pile of sh*t,” Izuku answered in a bored tone. Endeavor’s eye twitched like he was just barely holding back.
“Come, Shouto,” Endeavor commanded, grabbing Todoroki’s arm. “We’ll have to find somewhere quieter to talk. Away from disrespectful brats with useless quirks that have no business in the hero course.”
Furious, Izuku let the man drag Todoroki just far enough down the hallway to allow for some decent momentum. Then he sprinted at the flame hero. “You’re not taking him anywhere!” Izuku screamed. Endeavor turned just in time for Izuku to land a kick on his cheek, instead of the back of his head. His flame beard went out from the surprise of the attack.
“That’s it!” Izuku yelped as Endeavor caught his ankle, leaving him dangling upside down. “Shouto is my son and I’ll take him where I damn well please. Since you insist on interfering, I’ll ensure you get expelled.”
“f*cking try it, Endewhor*,” Izuku spat, struggling. “I’m sure Nezu would be eager to hear about how you treat your son. I know for a fact he can’t stand human cruelty. I’d be happy to sic him on you.”
“Are you threatening me?” Endeavor growled, squeezing Izuku’s leg enough for it to hurt. He’d have to go back to Recovery Girl before his next match. That was going to bruise.
“Put the kid down, Endeavor,” a new voice instructed. Izuku twisted around to see All Might.
“This student attacked me,” Endeavor told him.
“Izuku-Shounen is one of our more timid students. He is, however, pure-hearted and I don’t believe he would attack anyone without reason,” All Might said firmly. “Now put him down.”
Izuku was unceremoniously dropped to the floor. “He’s trying to force Todoroki to use his fire,” Izuku explained as he stood up. “It’s Todoroki’s choice how he uses his quirk and which aspects of it he uses. I can not stand by while he threatens my friend over his choices. Since Endeavor demanded I leave and then tried to drag Todoroki away when I refused, I feared he intended to do worse than threaten him once they were alone.”
“How dare y--”
“You are not actually meant to be down here,” All Might interrupted. “Only students and staff are permitted. I’m going to have to ask that you leave and let your son prepare for the remainder of the tournament. If you won’t go back to the stands willingly, I have no issue asking security to escort you off school property entirely.”
“This isn’t over,” Endeavor warned before walking away. As soon as he was out of sight, Izuku moved over to Todoroki.
“Are you okay?” Izuku fretted, hearing All Might walk closer.
“Are you?” Todoroki asked incredulously. “Your whole personality changed. Isn’t that a sign of a concussion or a stroke or something?”
“I was channeling my inner Kacchan,” Izuku smiled. “Did it work?”
“I think you were a better Bakugou than Bakugou,” Todoroki complimented.
“I think we should get you two back with your classmates,” All Might interjected. “Let’s walk and talk.”
“What are we to talk about?” Todoroki deadpanned. Izuku had noticed how even though he never participated in the ‘Ass Might’ conversations and pranks, Todoroki had followed along with things that didn’t require his active involvement.
“Did you really attack Endeavor?” All Might asked, looking curiously at Izuku.
“He tried to drag Todoroki away, so I kicked him,” Izuku admitted.
“It was a flying kick to the head,” Todoroki corrected. “Suprised him so much that his beard ‘poofed’ away.”
All Might burst out laughing. “I wish I could have seen that. You take after Ya--”
“Mama?” Izuku interrupted quickly, hoping All Might would understand that the rest of the class didn’t know about his parents or their marriage. Well, aside from Tsu.
“Yes,” All Might smiled sheepishly. “And Hitoshi-Shounen seems to take after your dad.”
“Do you like your parents?” Todoroki asked bluntly.
“I do. They are very nice,” Izuku replied, knowing why he’d ask.
“Good. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to return the face kick favor,” Todoroki said with a faint smile.
“Did you just make a joke?” Izuku grinned.
“Perhaps,” Todoroki answered.
“Here we are!” All Might said as they got to the open doorway that led outside to their class’s seats. “Izuku-Shounen, could I speak to you for a moment?”
Todoroki paused, giving Izuku a questioning look. “Go on,” Izuku smiled. “If we stay in the doorway, you can see me.” Todoroki nodded and walked to his seat. Izuku turned to All Might.
“I wanted to apologize,” All Might started, shocking Midoriya. “I failed to understand just how useful quirkless combat could actually be. It’s not something I was exposed to much in my days. Mental quirks weren’t particularly common among pro heroes until more started appearing in the last decade.”
“It’s possible that it’s due to the old entrance exam requirements and license exam rules. At least in part. I worked with Nighteye as a sidekick semi-recently in my career. Well, it’s been years now, but compared to how long I’ve been a hero I mean. He typically only offered support from the agency or onsite on the sidelines.”
“He and I lost touch some years ago, so I haven’t been up to date on his achievements. Ryo had me look him up and he’s got his own agency now. He fights in combat the same as someone with a physical quirk. I fear, in hindsight, that being partnered with me held him back.”
“On top of that realization, seeing you in the Sports Festival today has greatly altered my perspective. I know I can’t take back what I said to you, but I want you to know that you changed my mind. I am truly sorry for any heartache I may have caused you with my misguided opinions,” All Might concluded.
“I’m glad you were able to see it another way,” Izuku responded, not quite sure if he forgave him yet. He needed time to process. “I’m going to go watch the next match.”
“Good luck in your next match,” All Might said brightly before leaving.
“Coming to the field now are two students that have a commanding presence on the field,” Mama announced. “Bakugou Katsuki and Kirishima Eijiro!”
“Ready? Start!”
Izuku flinched as explosions collided with the hardened teen. “Look at that,” Mama exclaimed when the smoke cleared. “Kirishima was able to counter Bakugou’s explosions with his own quirk!”
The fight continued in quirked-up, hand-to-hand combat. Fiery fists collided with rock-like hands repeatedly. He could barely make them out under all the smoke. They broke apart to let the smoke clear. Kirishima was starting to look strained from holding his quirk so long.
Kacchan grinned and attacked, sending explosion after explosion into the hardened skin of his opponent. Somehow he kept gaining speed. He’s trying to break through Kirishima’s quirk, Izuku realized. Kacchan fired off one last, high-powered explosion and when the smoke cleared, Kirishima was down for the count.
“Wow! That was explosive!” Mama commented. “Bakugou Katsuki wins the match!”
