"Dig deeper, Momo!" Urges Lady Yaoyorozu as she pivots and blocks her daughter's blade. "You must fight with strategy! Observe my footsteps and use my movements to predict where I may move next!"

Momo grits her teeth together, halting her mother's sword with her own. The two swords dance, mother and daughter each attacking with precise and powerful strokes. Momo moves fluidly, sharply countering her mother's movements. Lady Yaoyorozu leaps back, drawing her sword over her shoulder.

Momo bites her lip as she watches the blade of her mother glimmer in the sun. Then, like a sliver of moonlight, the weapon thrashes forward. Momo jumps quickly to avoid her mother's sword. Sweat trickles down her brow. She has trained all afternoon, and the sun's heat is relentless upon her skin.

Sling! Lady Yaoyorozu thrusts her sword into the ground, scarcely missing her daughter's right calf. Momo leaps quickly, lifting her leg before the sword impacts her skin. She has been fighting defensively; she knows she must strive to fight offensively. The other knights attack with ease while offensive attacks are more difficult for her.

Momo inhales sharply, turning her entire body quickly in order to surprise her mother with an ambushed slice. However, to Momo's surprise, her mother dodges the attack and trips Momo before she even completely revolves! Momo clashes to the ground, releasing a frustrated groan.

"Ah!" Momo sighs to herself, cringing at her error. The ground is dry and hard beneath her. "I forgot to protect my blind spot," Momo says under her breath, lifting her dirt-stained palms to her chest. She feels quite dingy and sticky; the training session has endured longer than her usual sessions.

Lady Yaoyorozu sighs. "You still have much to do to prepare, Momo. Do you not realize that the event is tomorrow? You still lack the ability to think clearly during a situation of haste!"

Momo sighs, looking to the wrinkled forehead and tired dark eyes of her mother. Lady Yaoyorozu has worn the faded expression since the death of Sir Yaoyorozu, the former captain of the royal guard of Flame; the death of the captain soured the tenderness of Lady Yaoyorozu, and the mother's strict demeanor shaped Momo into a skillful yet insecure young knight. Perhaps Momo's desire to be like her father ignites her passion for knighthood; it is the strenuous training of her mother, however, that refines her into an improving knight.

"I know, Mother. I want to do my best to serve the royal family. In doing so, I can also take care of you," Momo slowly stands, dusting off her tunic and knees.

Lady Yaoyorozu sighs, her shoulders losing their tenseness. "You have grown quite strong...yet I know that you have yet to reach your greatest potential. I am sure, however, that the king will see your skill." She leans her forehead gently against her daughter's. "Your father would be proud of you."

Momo can only offer a tiny smile of gratitude. It isn't often that her mother shows such sentiment, so the kind comment is almost startling. She relishes in the moment.

The sun sinks into the horizon and fills the sky with scarlets and baby blues, causing a shadow to fall over the Yaoyorozu household. Mother and daughter head into the home, a decently sized dwelling but not expensively built manor.
After the lord Sir Yaoyorozu passed away, the family sold their former high class dwelling in favor of a smaller, affordable home. Momo doesn't mind; besides, the previous home echoed of painful memories of her father.

Momo removes her armor and sets the equipment into a basin. As she presses a wet cloth against her armor, she ponders silently over the occurrences in her life over the past few days.

The fire of yesterday truly was disastrous. Never before has she seen such violent blue flames; when she observed the terror across her neighbors' faces and heard the piercing screams of children, she knew the situation was lethal. Thankfully, the situation was calmed...the appearance of the nearly fabled Prince Todoroki helped to end the fire's wrath. Still, Momo wonders what could possibly have been the source of the blue fire...

Then her mind drifts to the thought of Prince Todoroki.

She saved him. In the green of the forest only two days prior, she watched the murderous attempt of a thief; she halted his endeavors and preserved the life of the prince. Then, she saved him again; a trunk threatened to cast its weight upon the prince and a young boy. She attempted to shield the tree from the boys. She was weak; luckily, her lended power did help the situation.

She recalls the intricate patterns hidden within his eyes, one of dark grey and the other a deep sea green...she visualizes the duel red and white locks of his hair shimmering in the freshly evaporated rain. The prince was truly as handsome as the gossips of the town had said.

Then she remembers the words he uttered towards her.

He said he didn't need her help. He seemed...angry at her efforts. As she swirls the damp cloth across the metal of her armor, a deep frown tugs at her lips. He seemed so bitter and almost offended that she offered her help. Of course, she does realize that she was in a rather weak demeanor, but why should she let a tree crush the future king of Flame?

"Well, regardless of what I think of him, I want to do my best to become a knight of Flame," she murmurs under her breath. She places the armor onto a table to dry, pausing her movements in thought.

All she wants is to please her mother. The pain that she has endured and the burdens that she has carried have prolonged for many years since Sir Yaoyorozu passed away. Sometimes, Lazy Yaoyorozu was harsh, but Momo yearns to soothe her pain...

Tomorrow. Tomorrow is her chance to prove that the rigorous training she has done is worthy and that her skills are applicable. She will prove her dignity and strength as a knight who will dedicate herself to the protection of the kingdom of Flame. As Momo changes into her nightgown and settles into her bed, she imagines a better life for her mother. She imagines herself as a valiant knight, the Yaoyorozu successor who swears to protect the Todoroki family.

***

Shouto pants, sweat drenching and sliding down his skin. He has been training all day; since he has skipped his sessions on the previous two days, today, he has trained extra. He even practiced attempting to use his fire and ice simultaneously. For now, he yields a sword and practices lunging a few blows into a dummy. He unleashes his anger towards Endeavor for not only placing him into an assigned marriage, but also for designating him an appointed knight. With each clench of his sword and each penetration of the dummy, Shouto feels his heart's emotions unleashed.

Endeavor watches silently, his arms folded across his chest. Shouto continues to leap and slice the dummy from different sides and angles, twisting the blade skillfully in his hands. Before he can land his backflip, Endeavor calls to him.

"Shouto."

Shouto pauses, turning a pointed gaze towards his father. His chest expands and shrinks rapidly as he pants for breath.

What does he want now? What other restriction does he plan to place on my life?

"I have surveyed the royal guard and other potential candidates to be your knight. Now, I—"

"You don't even know if any of these men are effectual knights. I might be stronger than they are," Shouto interrupts.

Endeavor narrows his eyes. "They are from our kingdom of Flame! These candidates are professional, and the competition for the position of your personal guard is quite high. I know that whoever I shall select will be beneficial in preserving your safety."

"No. No, you're incorrect. How can you be so sure that one of these men are actually stronger than I am? The only way to be sure that a knight can actually protect me is if he can beat me, Endeavor..."

Shouto speaks from a deep bitterness and anger swirling within him, but his statement is logical. Fighting fellow knights is quite different from fighting an actual villain. If Shouto Todoroki proves himself to be stronger than someone who is sworn to protect him, then the 'protection' of the personal guard is useless.

Endeavor seems to consider the statement.

"Why must you question the strength of Flame's warriors?" Endeavor inquires, his voice deep and questioning and somewhat irate.

"I'm speaking with logic here, Endeavor," Shouto continues, sheathing his sword. "I believe that it would only be fair for me to have an appointed knight if the knight can defeat me in an actual fight. Then he will prove his true strength."

Shouto wants to smile to himself. He knows that he can outwit his father; defeating a knight could be simple. All he must do is freeze the ground and immobilize his opponent. Then, he will become victorious, and Endeavor will discard the idea of necessitating a personal guard! I just need him to agree with me. Foolish old man will likely comply. How could he refuse? My argument is reasonable.

Endeavor, to Shouto's luck, nods in consideration.

"I suppose you are correct. Then the procession is settled; we shall eliminate potential candidates as they battle each other, and then the remaining knights are to fight you. In the battle with you, whoever shall first become immobilized or shed blood from a wound will be disqualified!"

Shouto observes each word, internally celebrating; he has outwitted his father. He can now free himself from the need of a personal knight! Shouto crosses his arms and offers a nod.

"It is settled, then."

***

The courtyard of Flame swarms with hundreds of eager townspeople, the fresh morning sunshine bringing warmth upon the eager countenances. Since the position of an appointed knight is open to all citizens of Flame, the townspeople and even villagers from other kingdoms attend the marvelous event. Ladies whisper eagerly, their eyes wandering for handsome knights, and men cross their arms or murmur to each other about potential victors. Since a few battles already occurred in the early morning, people chatter about who could possibly become the protector of the young prince.

Shouto watches the preliminary fights from afar, settling quietly upon his balcony. He watches a young man with elbows that eject a bandage-like material trap another knight. A bored sigh passes through Shouto's lips. His eyes scan the courtyard of people young and old, men and women dressed in their finest attire. He pauses his gaze when he notices a group of teenagers about his age. For a moment, he feels a twinge if loneliness and jealousy as he watches a green-haired boy laugh and blush at the words from the stout, rosy-cheeked brunette beside him. Shouto wonders what his life might be like if he could choose his own path, marry someone he truly loves, and make friends.

Instead he is forced to remain in the castle at a ceremony for his own appointed knight. After the man with the bandage-like quirk prevails in his duel, Shouto sighs and considers that he ought to wander to the courtyard. The round of fights should be nearly completed, so the time for his own fights are imminent. He ponders whether he should wear his training armor, which is lighter, or his more protective armor. He selects the light armor and slips it over his blue tunic.

As he enters the courtyard, he blends into the groups of people. He tugs his blue cloak over his contrasting locks of hair in order to mask his identity. His eyes scan the crowd, quietly observing his potential knight candidates. He watches the victor of the most recent battle, the elbow-bandage projecting man. His eyes wander to a person he assumes is the other candidate, a fully-armored, unfamiliar man. Shouto narrows his eyes. So the two men, the most victorious candidates, will fight each other next.

Shouto almost smirks to himself. Too simple. It all is too simple. Does Endeavor not realize that I can watch them fight and analyze their strengths and weaknesses?

"Let's go, Sero!" Cheers the green-haired boy. "You can do it!"

The elbow-bandage man, Sero, grins and offers a sheepish wave. Shouto narrows his eyes. Sero's gesture seemed rather immature for an appointed knight. Still, Sero seems to be a skilled fighter.

The battle begins, and Sero immediately ejects a long bandage, aiming its reach towards the feet of the other candidate. However, the candidate leaps quickly despite the seemingly heavy armor he wears. Sero offers an amused grin. "You're rather quick for a man in all metal!"

The other knight ignores the comment and draws his sword. The men's swords dance and glimmer in the heat of the sun, their blades glinting and hissing as they rapidly slice. The armored-man backflips, attempting to guard his upper-body. Sero's jabs are quick and neat, and he bombards the other man with multiple blows to distract him and suddenly wrap him in bandages. The candidate, however, refuses to leave an opening for Sero to do so.

"Come on, man, when you gonna show off your quirk? I'm intrigued!" Sero chuckles, sweat dripping down his face.

The man does not respond; instead, he seems to slow his movements. Sero's eyes widen, and he grins. "You're too slow, my friend!" Sero rapidly ejects his bandages and wraps it around the man. The man is still. The tape cocoons his entire upper body. His silence prompts the crowd to celebrate the possible new appointed knight, Sero.

"Hey! Looks like I've won!" Sero laughs. "You know, you should've used your qu—"

Suddenly, the man pivots his tape-surrounded body and slams Sero, who tightly grasps the tape, to the ground. The crowd grasps. The movements are a blur; Sero can only blink before he realizes what happens. The man presses his foot onto the small of Sero's back and takes the tip of his blade to gently prick the skin on Sero's ankle, causing a tiny trail blood to trickle.

"Blood! This man's drawn blood!"

The entire audience, including Shouto, is stunned. Sero was almost victorious! His movements were swift and agile, and his quirk is powerful! Yet the other man—this mysterious knight—merely pretended to be immobile so he could utilize Sero's own quirk against him! The audience wonders in awe of the anonymous hero. Sero returns to the stands, his eyes still wide in surprise. Still, his group of friends pat his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Shouto smirks. It seems I have a worthy adversary. I must admit I'm rather excited to fight this mysterious character. I will prove I don't need a knight, even if this man seems to be quite talented.

Shouto moves through the crowd, slowly unveiling his face and removing his cloak. People gasp and chatter as he passes them.

"He truly is as handsome as they say..."

"A spitting image of King Endeavor!"

"I hear he's powerful....This should be interesting."

Shouto steps into the sectioned area courtyard, slowly walking towards the line-sight of his adversary. From the sideline, King Endeavor watches carefully, pressing his palms and fingertips together intently. He leans across the railing, his eyes narrowed. Endeavor has observed the fights all morning, and this man did not catch his eye until the battle with Sero; like a serpent, the mysterious knight coiled pounced upon his enemies like a phantom appearing out of thin air. Endeavor wonders if this skilled knight can defeat Shouto. To the side, people's eyes widen and their voices fade to whispers as they eagerly await the men's movements.

"The final battle...shall now begin!" Endeavor roars.

Immediately, Shouto sends a large, expanding dagger of ice into the ground in order to freeze and pierce the armor of the candidate. Shouto knows that if he can just extend his ice across that armor, he can freeze its crevices and completely immobilize the man. However, the candidate foresees Shouto's movements, so he leaps quickly into the air, swiftly avoiding the icy pillar. Shouto smirks. So he knew it was coming. Well played.

His eyes focus on the man's feet; Shouto awaits the brief second when the man will land on the ground. In that mere second, he will send sheets of ice flying towards the man's feet in order to imprison him. As soon as the candidate touches the earth, ice races across the ground and encircles the man's feet. A slow smirk spreads across his cheeks. He licks his lips.

"That was almost too simple."

However, the man isn't immobile; to Shouto's surprise, the candidate lifts his feet from the ice with ease! The crowd gasps.

What the hell? How'd he get out of my ice? That's impossible! He didn't break the ice, so what—

The candidate lunges toward him, twisting his body and surging his blade. Shouto counters the attack, unsheathing his sword and flinging it upright before his adversary's knife can penetrate his skin.

Shling! Clink! Shling!

The swords bend and slice back and forth, and the fighters jerk and leap and bound as they battle each other. Shouto attempts to create an opening so he can try to send an ice beam up the candidate's arm, but the man moves so quickly as to not leave any openings. At the back of his mind, Shouto wonders if he should use his fire...

How the hell do I draw blood from his guy if he's got armor on his entire body? I need to freeze him somehow, but he's not giving me a chance to!

Shouto pants, jumping side to side to avoid the jabs of the man. Shouto observes his opponent's footsteps oncemore; perhaps he can trip this man and then send ice around his ankles and wrists. Shouto rapidly extends his blade, catching the attention of the man, and with his opposite foot he kicks the ankles of his opponent, who falls to the ground in stunned surprise. Contented, Shouto clenches his fist and sends ice around the hands and feet of the collapsed candidate.

The crowd bursts into cheer. Even Endeavor claps slowly, commending the agility of his son. Shouto ignores the calls and laughter of the people, who enjoy the event for its entertainment. From Endeavor's initial mention of the idea of a personal knight, Shouto knew the event was pointless. No knight nor candidate could possibly defeat him. It was a fruitless attempt of his father to limit another aspect of his confined life.

Shouto steps slowly, cautiously, as he approaches the still body of the man.
Shit. I hope I didn't use too much ice. I did not intend to inflict this man with hypothermia, but I could not risk his escape.

As Shouto leans to the ground to thaw the ice, the candidate suddenly leaps upright and removes his gloves. Shouto gasps, attempting to draw his sword to deflect the man's attacks, but he instead slices the candidate's helmet. The candidate quickly grasps Shouto's hands, surrounding them with hard, metallic-like substances. Shouto's eyes widen, and his mouth drops.

The helm and visor crack and fall from the candidate's face to reveal not a man, but a girl.

A black-haired girl straddles Shouto's hips, gritting her teeth as she clenches his hands and fights his writhing hands. Yaoyorozu.

"You...y-you're...!"

She leans back, yanks his fallen sword with one hand, and presses her bare hand to his legs. Iron chains emerge from her fingertips, imprisoning and immobilizing Shouto's lower body. But he doesn't give up. His mind is in a whirl.

"W-what the...h-how the hell...did you...avoid my ice, dammit?!" Hisses Shouto. He twists and turns his upper body, his narrowed eyes piercing her dark, onyx eyes. His arms are free, but his wrists are bound together and cocooned with some mysterious alloy. He attempts to freeze and burn the material, but it remains adamant against his touch. The girl's legs press his torso to the ground, so he continues to fight the metal's hold. "Damn!" He hisses. "Why isn't my fire or ice breaking this thing?!"

Suddenly, Yaoyorozu narrows her eyes and leans towards a startled Shouto. He can't move; he knows his struggles are useless. Frozen by her stare, he merely watches as she takes his own blade and presses it against his cheek, drawing a speck of blood upon its tip. She stands and raises her blade to the sky. The audience is silent; everyone is stunned. Sero's match was nothing compared to this.

"Hydrophobic armor and an hafnium alloy to resist heat," she says to the silently fuming prince. She bends towards the ground to remove his bindings. Shouto can't even look at her.

What the actual hell just happened? She...she barely even saved me from that tree before. Yet she just created armor and materials she knew were resistant to my own quirks. She used my own abilities to her advantage. She seemed so reckless a few days ago. Is this even the same person? Was I just defeated? Humiliated?

As Shouto quietly stands, a tiny trail of blood trailing down his face, he looks to the face of Endeavor, who makes his way towards Yaoyorozu. She immediately falls to her knees and bows before him. King Endeavor smirks and turns towards the crowd.

"It is settled then! Lady Yaoyorozu of the Yaoyorozu family shall rise to the task of protecting my son, Prince Shouto Todoroki!"

Everyone cheers. People chatter about the grace and power of the new knight, and others comment about her stunning beauty, donning her the title of the raven-haired hero. People congratulate her from afar, and others stand in awe of her skill.

Meanwhile, Yaoyorozu turns and bows before Shouto, who can only glare angrily towards the girl. He curses himself for his carelessness, but she sees no anger in his eyes (or she chooses to ignore it). Shouto narrows his gaze.

"My prince," she says, "from this moment forward, my life belongs to you. I pledge my eternal loyalty to the Todoroki family."

Shouto observes the girl, the shining ponytail that hangs lazily over her shoulder, the glimmering of her armor in the sun...

And he scowls. I can't believe I lost. I suppose she is strong, however. Damn, I had no idea it would be this way. I thought I could win this and finally slip from Endeavor's grasp. But she defeated me fairly. She knew me from before, so she knew and assessed my quirks. She was well-prepared. So I must accept this. But it still pisses me off.

He exhales slowly, outstretching his right hand, resting his blade upon her shoulder.

"Very well. May the fire of honor blaze your path," he says.

From this moment forward, Momo thinks to herself, I will risk my life for this man. I only wish he would give me a chance.