Stuck Between Realities-Remastered

Part 20~Talk with Todoroki

Izuku folded his arms, growing more impatient. "You wanted to talk? The dinning hall is getting pack and if you don't hurry up, I won't get to eat and I don't think you want that to happen with how much I'm already beating you."

"You overwhelmed me. So much so that I broke my own pledge," Todoroki finally said as Izzuku frowned in confusion. "Iida, Kaminari, Yaoyorozu, Uraraka, none of them felt it. In that last instant, I was the only one feeling that pressure."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I felt the same pressure coming from you. So are you All Might's illegitimate child or something?"

Izuku stood in shock before he burst out laughing, unable to calm down. "Listen dude, I have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe I gave a concussion with the uppercut."

"There's definitely something you're hiding. I'm sure of it."

"No shit Sherlock."

"My name is Todooki."

Izuku was not impressed.

"You know my father is Endeavour," Todoroki stated, peaking Izuku's interest. "The second greatest hero of all time. So if you're somehow connected to the number one guy, then all the more reason for me to crush you."

Izuku gave Todoroki a weird look as the boy continued. "My dad he's a powerful bastard who only thinks of becoming stronger. Yeah, he's gone all out to make a name for himself as a haro, but he's always seen that living legend, All Might, as a roadblock and an eyesore. My father could never beat All Might on his own so he came up with another plan."

Izuku straightened up, his expression turning serious. "What is this about, Todoroki. Why are you telling me this?" There was something scarily familiar about the tale he was hearing.

"Quirk marriages. You've heard of them, yeah? They started becoming a problem, during the second or third generation after Quirks appeared. Strong individuals would choose a partner and force them into marriages on the sole purpose of passing on a strengthened version of their Quirk.

Those earlier generations were lacking in ethics. With his wealth and fame, my father made my mother's family agree to the marriage. All to get his hands on her Quirk. Raising me as a hero who could exceed All Might just to fulfil his own ambitions. I hate it.

Being no more than a tool for that human garbage. As I remember it, Mum was always crying. 'I can't stand to see that left side of yours,' she said before throwing scalding water in my face." Todoroki covered his scar as Izuku gulped, feeling the solid completion of rubbing his various scars.

"In short, not using my left side against you was my revenge on him. Never using my rotten father's Quirk. No, by rising to the rip without using it. I'll have denied him everything," Todoroki finished as Izuku took a deep breath.

"That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Todoroki's eyes widened in shock as Izuku gave him a look. "Listen, we have led vastly different lives, but here is what I took from that. Your dad is a dick. Probably abusive. And you are deciding to compromise your morals rather than give him satisfaction.

You know there are easier things you can do. Use his Quirk, take your mother's maiden name, dye your hair and completely reject anything people will associate with him, but Todoroki, fire Quirks are so generic. There are billions. Use the Quirk, and if people ask about it, say 'Todoroki, not me. I'm Jerrferson's son.' They won't know the difference."

Todoroki didn't know how to respond to Izuku's statements. "You wouldn't understand?"

"I do. I really understand. You think Charlie is the only one with an underground network? I deal with broken kids refusing to acknowledge their parents all the time, but choosing to be a hero and not use all your power is the dumbest way to do that, and you will just die."

"Big talk from someone who doesn't use his fire."

Izuku was not impressed. "You're not the one who goes into catatonic states at single embers. And I'm getting better bitch. Listen, if you didn't care what I thought, why talk to me about this. I'm giving you permission to be the biggest asshole to your dad. I get it. I hate mine. But don't sacrifice yourself when a middle finger and hair dye do the same thing. I'm getting food. See ya, moron."

Izuku left Todoroki behind as the boy stared at the ground, trying to process what just happened.

~~~

Walking out of the arena, All Might stopped, finding Endeavour staring at him. "Hey, it's been a while. Wanna grab some tea, Endeavour?"

"All Might." Endeavour's expression cleared the corridor, and the people who had been staring in awe fled the site.

"It's been so long. The last time we talked was ten years ago, right? I spotted you and figured I should say hello."

"Oh yeah? If that's all, then get out of my sight. As if I'd have tea with you. Ridiculous. Get lost." Endeavour began walking away as All Might followed him.

"Why such a party pooper? Your son, little Shoto, pulled off an impressive performance, all without using his left side. Guess someone's been raising him well."

Endeavour spotted. "What're you trying to say?"

"Actually, I wanted to ask you for some tips about training the next generation."

"You think I'd tell you anything? Always with that damn happy-go-lucky attitude. Pisses me off."

"Sorry then," All Might's smile fell a faction, not enough for most to notice, but Endeavour caught it.

"I'll mould him into a hero who surpasses you." Endeavour continued to walk away, this time leaving All Might behind. "That's the only reason I created that kid. Sure, he's a rebellious little brat now, but he'll outdo you. I'll make him surpass you."

All Might heard the whole thing as he frowned.

~~~

Present Mic grinned as he watched the activities going on on the grounds. "Hope everyone enjoys this little recreational competition. Once that's over, we're on to the final event. Between the 16 members of the four winning teams, we'll have a formal torment. A series of one-on-one battles."

Midnight took over, pointing to the board above her where the lineup was shown. "The matchups will be decided by drawing lots. Once that's settled, we'll move on to the festival and then the tournament itself. It's up to each of you 16 finalists whether or not you participate in the fun. I expect some of you would rather take a breather and save your strength. Now, here are the matchups."

Izuku looked at the board before he grinned. "Tokoyami, huh? Sounds fun." He grinned, turning to Hitoshi. "Good luck, Toshi. That one is vicious."

Shinso groaned, staring at the name he got. "Yaoyorozu. I was hoping it would be someone in a different class."

"Want to research her triggers together?"

"No. I can do this."

"Okay. I'll see you once you fail your first fight." He grinned as the festival began and the crowds dissolved to prepare.