Forged In Fire

Fated Encounter

Todoroki POV

"Ah!" I yelled, sending a wall of ice towards the creature that was attacking Midoriya. We were currently fighting against a Nomu that had snuck up on us on our way to a nearby park. People were fleeing the scene as we were holding the creature off while they had time to escape. My ice caught the Nomu off guard, skewering its arm while it wailed in pain, Midoriya used that to his advantage, kicking the creature in the jaw. The sound of bones breaking made me wince a little.

 Looking at his face, I could tell we were both excited that we were about to win. The moment didn't last for long though when the Nomu broke free from the ice, smashing it and sending us both flying back a few feet from the impact. I saw Midoriya hit his head off the wall of a building before collapsing onto the ground.

 Damnit. 

The Nomu was racing towards the now unconscious Midoriya at full speed, its arms raised above its head for a final blow. Before it could attack him I used my fire to create a wall of protection around him. The Nomu shrieked, backing away and focusing its attention on me. The adrenaline was starting to fade and I could feel my injuries and the consequences of overusing my quirk start to dawn on me. I didn't have time to worry about the pain I was in as the Nomu jumped towards me. I created a wall of ice to slow it down before sprinting out of its reach and hurling my flames towards it, sending the creature into a wall from the force as it screeched in agony.

 Sweat started to profusely drip down my face and body but I kept a steady flow of flames on the creature. All of a sudden I spotted a tall, dark figure in my peripheral vision. 

Oh no, another villain?  I turned my body towards the new arrival, prepared to attack when they did. They stalked closer, arms swaying loosely at their sides as they confidently got closer, making no move to attack so far. I furrowed my brows and frowned deeply. Who are they? What do they want? Friend or foe?  I was frustrated that I couldn't attack first due to still being a student. I'd just have to see what they were planning. 

As the person got closer, I could make out their features more clearly. He had a smirk on his stitched face and as he got closer his smirk faltered and his striking blue eyes widened. His eyes. They look so familiar and gentle despite his appearance. I was lost in thought and captivated by the strangers' eyes and didn't notice the Nomu before it was too late. It was badly injured and just barely alive as it was inches away from me, teeth bared and claws stretching forward. I didn't have enough strength or time to counterattack and instead braced myself, however the attack never came. 

A river of blue flames was flowing inches away from my face, the heat would've been unbearable to anyone without a fire quirk. The flames were so familiar and mesmerizing, they reminded me of the stranger's eyes. While I was transfixed by the flames and trying to figure out why he seemed so familiar I hadn't noticed him get closer until he was almost right beside me. That's when it clicked. He's in the League of Villains, his name is Dabi. 

"You should take your buddy and leave before more arrive." He's trying to help me? Why? So many thoughts were racing inside my mind. "C'mon Shoto, start moving." He said, my eyes widened. He knows my name?  Before I could question him he vanished. I didn't have time to stand there and think, I ran over to Midoriya and he was starting to regain consciousness, I placed his arm around me and supported his weight, helping him stand.

 "Todoroki?" He said, looking up at me drowsily. "Don't worry Midoriya, we're safe." In the distance I could see the pro heroes arriving at the scene.

~

Later that night, while I tossed and turned in bed I kept thinking about Dabi and his blue flames and matching eyes. He seemed oddly too familiar and I couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation as to why he would help us. He could've easily won against us in the state we were in but instead he saved us. And the way he said my name.

 Shoto.

It sounded so calming and familiar to hear him speak my name with such informality. I sighed, turning over and falling into a dreamless sleep.