Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 27: You got this, Red Riot!

Suddenly, the large and imposing figure of Rappa looms closer, one of the Eight Bullets, with his brutal fists ready to unleash destruction. Kirishima’s breath hitches, but he activates his dragon quirk. Scales start to cover his arms and chest, forming the basis of his Unbreakable form, but deep inside, he fights against the urge to fully transform.

Rappa launches his rapid-fire punches, each blow landing with the force of a bullet. Fat Gum braces himself, absorbing the strikes as best as he could, while Kirishima was flung into a wall, his half-formed dragon scales cracking under the pressure. Blood trickles from his arms, and he stares at them, shaken. How did he break through? I thought I was stronger…

Fat Gum grunts from the impacts but asks Kirishima, “You good, kid? We can still do this.”

But Kirishima’s confidence wavers. His arms are trembling, scales barely holding together. He clenches his fists, trying to block out the fear rising inside him. I can’t… I can’t fully transform… Not again. The memory of the incident in middle school flashes through his mind, a moment burned into his soul.

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Flashback:

Kirishima was in middle school, watching from a distance as Mina and her friends were cornered by a large, intimidating villain. His muscles locked in fear as he saw the building begin to crumble. He wanted to help, to be the hero he aspired to be. But instead, his dragon quirk had taken over, transforming him in a wild rage. He didn’t control the transformation—the dragon had.

The destruction that followed still haunted him. The villain was subdued, yes, but the area was left in ruins, and Mina had seen it all—the chaos, the uncontrolled fury of his quirk. It terrified him, scared him in a way nothing else had before.

From that moment, he’d vowed to never let his quirk take full control again. I can't… I won't become that monster.

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Present:

Rappa’s taunting voice breaks through the memory. “What’s the point of hiding behind those scales if they crack so easily? Real strength comes from fighting with your own body!” Rappa charges again, a barrage of punches flying towards Kirishima. The blows hurt, even through his hardened scales, and he knows that holding back wasn’t enough.

Fat Gum calls to him again. “You gotta be unbreakable, Kirishima! It’s not just your body—it’s your heart, your will!” But even Fat Gum is showing signs of strain, his quirk absorbing as much as it can, but nearing its limits.

Kirishima grits his teeth. I can’t do it… I can’t lose control… His vision blurs, a mix of fear and pain. But the words of Crimson Riot echoe in his mind: “A manly spirit isn’t about not being afraid. It’s about acting despite the fear.”

That is it. It isn't about not transforming—it is about controlling it, about acting with resolve. His heart pounds. This time, I’ll control it.

He roars, and in an instant, his body begins to shift further into his dragon form. Wings sprout from his back, and his eyes glow with a deep crimson hue, but he stops short of letting it fully consume him. I can do this.

Rappa’s next barrage comes, but Kirishima meets it head-on. His scales thicker, his stance firm, he pushes back. “You won’t break me!”

Suddenly, Fat Gum, who has absorbed all the energy from Rappa’s punches, takes advantage of the few seconds Kirishima has bought. “You’ve done it, Kirishima!” he yells, his now-thinner frame brimming with power.

With a mighty punch, Fat Gum shatters Hekiji’s barrier and sends Rappa flying across the room. The impact shakes the walls as both villains are taken down.

Kirishima collapses to his knees, breathless, his dragon features slowly receding as he regains control. His vision swims, but through it all, he smiles, the weight of his fears finally lifting.