Chapter 24 - Clash of Fire, Ice, and Scales [Pt.1]

The stadium buzzed with anticipation as the third match of the first bracket of the finals tournament was announced. Present Mic's voice rang out across the arena, full of enthusiasm. "AND NOW, WE HAVE IBARA SHIOZAKI FROM CLASS 1-B, THE GRACEFUL ASSASSIN OF THE VINEYARDS!"

A collective gasp rippled through the audience, though the person in question appeared less than pleased. Ibara Shiozaki stepped forward, her serene demeanor momentarily disrupted by a furrow of her brow. She raised a hand, addressing both the crowd and the ever-exuberant announcer.

"Excuse me," she said, her tone calm yet firm. "I am not an assassin, nor do I aspire to be one. My purpose is a humble quest to spread goodness and light throughout the world. Rest assured, I would never take a life, even in competition."

Her words hung in the air, drawing a mix of reactions—some cheers, some chuckles, and a few skeptical murmurs from the crowd. You leaned back in your seat, resting your chin on your knuckles as you watched the exchange with faint amusement. 'She's got a point,' you thought. 'Still, she doesn't need to be so formal about it.'

On the other side of the arena, Denki Kaminari rubbed the back of his neck nervously, clearly unsure of how to respond to Ibara's declaration. He gave an awkward laugh and a thumbs-up to the audience, trying to lighten the mood. "Uh, right, well... I'm just here to win, so let's make this a good fight!"

You couldn't help but chuckle softly at Kaminari's effort, though your amusement was short-lived. A familiar presence beside you drew your attention.

"Y/N," Izuku's voice called softly as he approached, having just arrived from the medical ward. You turned to see him settling into the seat beside you, a faint smile on his face despite the bandages still wrapped around his arms.

"Feeling better already?" you asked, crossing your arms as you leaned slightly toward him.

Izuku nodded, his green eyes focused on the match about to begin. "Yeah. Recovery Girl did her best, but she said I shouldn't push myself too hard. I just didn't want to miss the finals."

You smirked. "Of course you didn't. Knowing you, I'm surprised you stayed in the ward as long as you did."

He flushed slightly but didn't deny it, his attention now shifting to the arena as the match officially began. Ibara gracefully summoned her vines, their movements deliberate and controlled, while Kaminari shifted into a defensive stance, sparks already crackling at his fingertips. The crowd leaned forward, eager to see how the two very different fighters would clash.

You straightened in your seat, the atmosphere shifting as the battle kicked off, and found yourself silently rooting for both contestants. After all, the Sports Festival wasn't just about winning—it was about proving something to the world and, more importantly, to yourselves.

-

As the match progressed, it became clear how it would end—just as you'd predicted. Ibara Shiozaki's calm and measured strategy proved to be the perfect counter to Denki Kaminari's brash and energy-intensive fighting style. While Kaminari started strong, sending out waves of electricity and forcing Ibara to stay on the defensive, it didn't take long for him to overextend himself.

His sparks grew weaker and more erratic, the telltale signs of him running out of steam. And when he fired off one final, desperate discharge, it was over. His own quirk backlash kicked in, leaving him standing there with a goofy grin and a dazed look in his eyes.

Ibara took full advantage of the opening. Her vines surged forward, wrapping Kaminari in a gentle but firm grip, immobilizing him before he could recover. Midnight declared her the winner moments later, and the crowd cheered for her well-earned victory.

You leaned back in your seat, arms crossed, a small smirk tugging at your lips. "Well, that was inevitable," you murmured. "Denki's a decent fighter, but he burns out too fast. That drawback of his... it's a real problem."

Izuku, sitting beside you, nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, it's something he'll need to work on if he wants to improve. But still, he put up a good fight. Ibara was just a tough matchup for him."

You glanced at Izuku, catching the familiar analytical glint in his eyes as he dissected the match. "True," you admitted. "But he's gotta learn to pace himself better. Blowing all your energy at once doesn't win matches—it just leaves you wide open."

As Ibara bowed to the crowd, her graceful demeanor earning applause and admiration, Kaminari was escorted off the stage by a referee. Even in his dazed state, he managed to flash a sheepish thumbs-up to the audience, earning a few chuckles.

"Typical Denki," you said with a soft laugh. "At least he's a good sport about it."

Izuku smiled faintly. "Yeah. That's one of his strengths—he doesn't let failure get him down. He'll bounce back."

The two of you watched as the arena was cleared for the next match. Though Kaminari's loss wasn't surprising, it served as a reminder of the challenges all of you faced. In the U.A. Sports Festival, quirks were important, but they weren't everything. Strategy, stamina, and adaptability mattered just as much—if not more.

As the next bout was announced, you leaned forward slightly, ready to see who would step into the ring next. The festival was far from over, and the real battles had only just begun.

"AND NOW, WELCOME TO OUR FAVORITE LITERAL DRAGON GIRL, Y/N L/N, VERSUS SHOTO TODOROKI!" Present Mic's voice boomed across the arena, electrifying the crowd.

You blinked, momentarily stunned. 'Didn't expect that,' you thought. You had already fought your initial bout earlier and weren't expecting to be called back so soon. But there it was—your name paired with Todoroki's on the screen. With a small shrug, you rose from your seat, your wings shifting slightly as you stretched. "Well, guess it's my turn again."

As you walked toward the arena, the crowd's cheers and whispers surrounded you, a mix of excitement and curiosity about the clash to come. The weight of the moment settled on your shoulders, but it didn't faze you. This was what the Sports Festival was all about—facing the best, even when it came as a surprise.

Near the edge of the stage, Todoroki was already waiting, his expression as calm and collected as ever. His mismatched eyes flicked to you as you approached, and for a brief moment, there was something unreadable in his gaze—anticipation, perhaps, or quiet determination.

As you stepped into position, Todoroki's voice cut through the hum of the audience. "Do your best, Y/N," he said simply, his tone steady yet carrying an edge of respect.

You nodded, your lips curving into a small, confident smile. "I expect nothing less from you either, Ice Cone," you quipped, your nickname for him earning a flicker of amusement—though it quickly vanished as he refocused.

The referee raised her hand, calling for silence. The stadium fell still, the tension thick in the air as you squared off against Todoroki. You could feel the heat of his fire side and the chill of his ice side even from where you stood, the contrast as striking as ever.

'This is going to be fun,' you thought, your wings spreading slightly in anticipation. Your tail flicked behind you, brushing the ground, a subtle signal of the power coursing through you.

The referee's hand dropped, signaling the start of the match. The crowd erupted into cheers as the arena came alive with raw energy.

"Let's see what you've got, Todoroki," you called, flames flickering to life at your fingertips as your dragon instincts surged forward.

And with that, the clash between fire, ice, and dragon began.