Addicting Virus - Tododeku

Chapter 1

I lost.

Failure isn't what makes that admission so heavy. It's the reason he lost to Katsuki Bakugo that he finds mindly troubling. For much of their battle, it was a close match. Closer than Shouto preferred, but victory was likely. He had nearly incapacitated Bakugo several times. The fight had turned into something he had wanted to avoid; an endurance match. Regardless it didn't matter; he was stronger than Bakugo. He would win. But then, Bakugo changed strategy in the middle of an attack.

Bakugo attacked his left side and Shouto reflexively used his flames. The reaction from everyone was instant. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Bakugo gave him a smile he'd begun to recognize. A smile that said finally, this is what I've been waiting for. And his father's voice, which had been speaking to him this entire fight, suddenly seemed so much louder.

Despite his best efforts, he could make out Endeavor's words, his message.

Telling him to use his powers, as if his opinion mattered in all of this. As if, he had control. And Shouto's rage led to him making hasty decisions. He extinguished his own flames quickly, despite the fact that Bakugo's attack had been oncoming. His anger had led to his final mistake. To when he lost focus, when he let his father get into his head.

"Look at me you bastard!"

And the battle was over.

There are many things to take away from this.

Primarily, that things need to change if Shouto will ever become the number one hero with only one hand. Things like, conceding that his father is able to get to him. Accepting that his father's ability to distract him is greater than what Shouto prefers. And learning how to cease his instinctual use of fire in a fight.

And lastly, that Shouto needs to improve his aptitude for ice if he wants to get anywhere at all.

Yes. He thinks, as frost slowly spreads to his body. It covers his hand, and doesn't crack when he closes his fist. I need to change. Memories flash through his mind. The fight, his father's face, the training sessions, the beatings, his mother's face, and then it ends with his father.

Or he'll win.

I can't breathe. Midoriya's legs give out soon after that thought passes through his mind. Breathing isn't the only thing he can't do. Seeing left maybe a few minute ago and talking-

"Help me, please-" He manages, and coughs on the smoke in his lungs. It burns more and more with each inhale. He crawls towards the window in an attempt to escape. He thinks he has maybe five minutes before he blacks out. Furthermore, he isn't even sure how he got here. Much less how to get out. Even now, as he attempts to recall the memory it's blurred, tattered at the edges like a burnt photo. Earlier that day, he had been watching the sports festival. Or more aptly, watching Kaa-chan, and his fight against Endeavor's son. Midoriya was as captivated as the rest of the audience, adding several notes to his book.

Shouto Todoroki. Personal weaknesses: reluctance to use left side, reason unknown. After he wrote that sentence, the doorbell rang and he went to answer it. He had thought that maybe, his mother had returned from grocery shopping and needed help. Things changed when he opened the door, and.

His thoughts had faded.

Then, he was in a burning building.

This isn't good. If I don't escape soon — Images of his immobile, charred body flash through his mind as he forces himself to crawl forward. He feels light-headed, his throat burns and his chest feels like it's going to explode. But, but — I'm not finished. He thinks as he continues to crawl forward. When Midoriya finally reaches through the entrance, the world around him seems to shake. With his head in the hall, he can see two figures in it, both dressed in costumes. It's only after he opens his mouth to scream, and inhales a lungful of smoke, that he understands. Those two are fighting. One's a villain! One of them looks familiar, a pro-hero that even Midoriya can't recall the name of while in this situation. The other man is an unknown. A third person steps into his field of vision, and the other two turn to face him.