Chapter 25 - Clash of Fire, Ice, and Scales [Pt.2]

Todoroki was the first to strike, wasting no time as a massive wall of ice erupted from the ground, towering toward you with relentless speed. The chill hit you like a wave, frost spreading across the arena floor in jagged patterns.

You didn't flinch. Instead, you stood firm, your slitted eyes narrowing as the ice rushed toward you. With a deep breath, you summoned your fire. A blazing beam of purple flames burst forth from your mouth, roaring toward the icy structure. The two elements clashed with a deafening hiss, steam billowing into the air as the intense heat overwhelmed the ice.

Cracks formed across the wall as your flames consumed it, the icy structure groaning under the pressure before collapsing entirely. Shards of ice scattered across the arena like falling glass, the remnants melting into puddles under the lingering heat of your fire.

The crowd roared as the steam settled, revealing you standing unscathed amidst the aftermath, your wings spread slightly and glowing embers swirling in the air around you.

"You'll need more than that, Ice Cone," you called, your voice steady but laced with a teasing edge.

Todoroki didn't respond immediately, his expression unreadable as he analyzed your counter. He shifted his stance, the air around him beginning to ripple with heat.

'He's going to use fire now,' you thought, your body tensing in anticipation. A smile tugged at your lips. 'Good. Let's see what he's really made of.'

Todoroki didn't hesitate, sending another wave of ice surging toward you, the frozen mass tearing across the arena floor like a tidal wave. The air grew colder with each second, frost creeping toward your feet, but you were already in motion. With a swift, graceful step, you sidestepped the attack, your wings flaring slightly to steady yourself.

"Come on, Todoroki," you snapped, your voice cutting through the roar of the crowd. "Where's your fire, huh? Give me something real!"

Your words struck a nerve. His mismatched eyes flickered with something sharp—frustration, maybe, or hesitation. His ice attacks had been relentless so far, but not once had he even hinted at using his fire. The contrast between his power sets was clear, yet he stubbornly refused to unleash his flames.

"You think you can win holding back like this?" you taunted, a plume of purple fire swirling around your hand as you prepared your next move. "You'll never beat me playing it safe."

The audience leaned forward, holding their breath as the tension between you grew. Todoroki's jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, his eyes seemed to burn brighter—not with flames, but with resolve.

With a sigh, you decided to end the stalemate. "You're wasting my time," you muttered, your voice low enough for only him to hear. In a blur of motion, you became a streak of black against the vibrant colors of the arena, your speed catching Todoroki off guard.

Suddenly, you were behind him, your movements swift and precise. The ground beneath him cracked as you slammed him down, pinning him with your shadowy aura wrapped tightly around his wrists. The arena erupted into gasps and cheers, the audience captivated by your display of dominance.

You leaned in close, your breath warm against his ear as your words dripped with quiet intensity. "Only fire can win against fire, Snowflake," you whispered, your voice carrying both a challenge and a dare. "Do it. Give me everything you've got—or I'm going to make you lose this fight."

Todoroki stiffened under your hold, his mismatched eyes wide as your words sank in. The heat of your flames still lingered in the air around him, a reminder of the power he was refusing to unleash. For a moment, he seemed frozen—not by ice, but by doubt.

The crowd roared louder, urging him to fight back. You stayed close, watching the struggle in his eyes. "What's it going to be, Todoroki?" you pressed, your tone sharp but not unkind. "Are you going to fight me at full strength, or are you going to let yourself lose?"

A flicker of something ignited within him—a spark of determination that hadn't been there before. You smirked, satisfied that your words had landed their mark. This match was far from over.

You felt the heat surge from Todoroki's left side, the air around you suddenly shimmering as the temperature rose. His hand began to burn, flames licking up his arm with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. A slow, satisfied smirk spread across your lips.

"Yeah, that's it. Come on!" you shouted, your voice ringing with exhilaration as you released him from your shadowy hold and leapt back.

The moment you moved, a wave of fire erupted from Todoroki's hand, roaring toward you with ferocious speed. The flames painted the arena in hues of red and orange, a stark contrast to the icy remnants of his earlier attacks. The audience erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable as Todoroki finally unleashed his full power.

But you were ready. Your wings unfurled in an instant, propelling you backward with a powerful burst as the wave of fire surged past. The searing heat brushed against your skin, but you grinned through it, exhilarated by the challenge.

Hovering above the arena, you watched as Todoroki stood his ground, his mismatched eyes locked onto you with newfound determination. Flames danced on his left side, while frost glinted on his right, the duality of his power now fully unleashed.

"Now we're talking," you called, your purple flames igniting in your hands. The battle was about to reach its peak, and you couldn't wait to see how far he'd go.

Not wasting a moment, you unleashed another wave of your fire, a blazing torrent of purple flames roaring toward Todoroki with the force of a tempest. He reacted instantly, countering with his own fiery blast, a surge of bright orange heat erupting from his left hand to meet yours head-on.

The collision of the two elements sent shockwaves through the arena, the audience shielding their faces from the dazzling clash. The flames intertwined, their colors melding and shifting in a mesmerizing display. Purple and orange spiraled together, forming the shapes of two massive dragons, each weaving through the air as if alive. They twisted and danced around one another, their fiery forms crackling with raw energy.

Hovering midair, you cocked your head slightly, your slitted eyes narrowing as you studied the phenomenon. "Huh. That's new," you muttered, your voice barely audible over the roaring flames.

The dragons surged upward, spiraling higher as they mirrored each other's movements, their combined heat radiating throughout the arena. Steam rose from the remnants of Todoroki's earlier ice attacks, adding an ethereal haze to the fiery display.

On the ground, Todoroki's gaze shifted briefly from the flames to you, his brow furrowed in both concentration and intrigue. "This isn't just fire anymore," he muttered to himself, the realization sparking something within him.

You hovered lower, your wings steadying your descent as you grinned. "Looks like our quirks decided to put on a show," you called, your voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Guess it's time to see which dragon is stronger."

The two fiery beasts twisted once more before surging back toward their creators, the intensity of their combined power signaling that this battle was far from over.

The two fiery dragons, purple and orange, suddenly surged toward one another, merging into a single, massive entity. The fusion roared with blinding intensity before exploding outward, hitting both you and Todoroki simultaneously. The crowd gasped in unison as the arena was engulfed in light and heat, the sheer force rattling the stadium.

The impact knocked the wind out of you, but something strange happened as your quirks intertwined. You could feel Todoroki's fire blending with your own power, the mix overwhelming and exhilarating all at once. The raw energy coursed through you, unstoppable and primal, and for a moment, you let yourself surrender to it.

With a deafening roar, your dragon form burst forth, black scales shimmering in the bright arena lights. Your wings unfurled, casting massive shadows across the ground, and your elongated tail lashed through the air. The transformation sent a shockwave rippling outward, leaving the crowd utterly stunned. Present Mic's booming commentary faltered into silence as every eye in the stadium fixed on the scene before them.

When the light and heat finally subsided, the two of you were lowered back to the ground. Todoroki knelt on one knee, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His flames still flickered weakly along his left arm, a testament to his endurance. He lifted his head slowly, his mismatched eyes wide as he took in your towering dragon form.

The arena trembled slightly under your weight as you stepped toward him, your sharp claws clicking softly against the scorched floor. Despite the primal nature of your form, your movements were gentle as you leaned down, your snout nudging his head lightly.

Todoroki blinked in surprise before a faint, tired smile crossed his lips. Still panting, he raised a hand and patted your head softly, his expression almost grateful. "You... really are something else," he muttered, his voice hoarse but steady.

You stepped back, your wings folding partially as you regarded him for a moment. Then, with a deliberate motion, you turned toward the referee's booth. Present Mic finally broke his stunned silence, shouting into his mic, "UH—WHAT'S HAPPENING?! IS SHE FORFEITING?!"

You grunted in response, a deep, resonant sound that echoed across the stadium. Without another glance at the bewildered crowd, you walked slowly toward the edge of the arena. The ground shook lightly with each step until you reached the boundary, where you lowered yourself and sat, your dragon form folding neatly as if signaling your surrender.

The audience erupted into chaos—half cheering, half confused—while Todoroki remained in his spot, still catching his breath but watching you intently. Midnight stepped forward, looking between the two of you with raised eyebrows before declaring, "Winner: Shoto Todoroki!"

But even as his name was announced, Todoroki's gaze lingered on you, a mix of respect and quiet wonder in his eyes.