Flames Intertwining (Katsuki Bakugou Love Story)

Ultimate Moves

My mind needs to be straight.
My strength needs to be continuous.
My power needs to improve.
I need to do this for me.

I received my costume back from Power Loader, with a sheet of paper explaining my new changes. It read that my suit's cooling mechanism had been set to almost freezing temperatures. I touched my costume, but it was still like ordinary clothes. The paperwork stated that when I put on my suit, the system would start to boot up, regulating my body temperature on how much it would need to cool my skin. If my Quirk was taken to the highest it could go, my costume would regulate my body temperature by setting to a degree that was almost as cold as the Artic, only if necessary. If this happened, my suit itself would develop its own ice crystals, like how Shouto develops ice on his skin when he's beginning to overuse his right side. Power Loader also added the feature so that my costume was a little thicker, material wise. It was still skin-tight, but because of the extreme tinker that was added, the suit had to have a thicker skin so that if it started to freeze, it wouldn't break or tear. My belt that held my extra accessories like water and medical supplies was now in a type of enclosed belt. It still fit around my waist, but was concealed in its own little bag that had a normal temperature inside so nothing would be ruined: something I never thought of. Seeing this small change that I didn't request was what gave me a sense of determination and inspiration. I had to be unique. I needed to start telling myself more. Although I was taught to be someone's copy, I had to think of it as a way that was meant to develop my Quirk to reach limits I didn't know I had.
It was only then that I conjured up an idea. Something I didn't know if it was possible. But whatever the cost, I had to test it. It was my new step into my training. It was the first step to independence. I had to do it.

After getting ready for the day, I still continued to keep to myself, but this time, I hung around with everyone, apologising for my recent behaviour, which everyone didn't even take note of. If anything, they were so worried if something horrible had happened and were overjoyed I was talking and that nothing really serious was happening. I didn't go into detail with them, just stating I was thinking a lot and didn't want to be distracted, nor bother anyone while doing so, but that's all I said. No one questioned it, only hugging me with joy. It felt nice to be with everyone. I couldn't believe I acted this way towards them. I didn't want to lose them. As they spoke amongst themselves, I kept my mouth shut, as I normally did, but didn't pay much attention to what they were saying. I was calculating. I needed to confirm this move with Ectoplasm and see if my calculations were correct before I say anything to anyone.

At Gym Gamma, everyone seemed to be working well on their ultimate moves. I could see Midnight evaluating Tokoyami. Dark Shadow was covering him like a body shield. It looked amazing. From my pillar, overlooking everyone, I saw Bakugou concentrating at an extra small pillar in front of him. He stood motionless for a moment, then I saw a ball of light appear on his enclosed hand. It caused an explosion, but a precise one, blasting a hole into a wall Cementoss made. I heard him laugh in triumph at his new ultimate move.
"I did it!" he yelled. I smiled and continued looking around at everyone else. "Hey, look out!" I heard Bakugou yell. My eyes shifted back to him, and saw a piece of the broken wall fall towards All Might. I remembered that because All Might was retired, his true form was now active, and he wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. I saw Aizawa grab his cloths, but I judged that it would be too late for him to do anything, aswell. It was then when I saw a figure fly straight towards the rock. It was so fast that I could barely make out who it was. It was only when I heard them screaming.
"Smash...!" said Midoriya, using his legs to destroy the rock before it could hit All Might. My eyes widened in complete surprise. It was really impressive on how much Midoriya was developing. I saw a couple students in their new costumes congratulate Midoriya, however, Bakugou didn't look that happy. He let off an explosion in rage, yelling at All Might to be careful. I frowned a little.
"Homura Todoroki?" I turned around to the clone of Ectoplasm, "Shall we begin?" he asked.  I nodded, and stood in the centre. Before Ectoplasm could speak, I interrupted.
"Sir? Before I start, I'd like to run some things by you," I said. He paused but nodded, coming in front of me.
"Have you visited the development studio?" he asked.
"Yes. I've made an extreme change to my costume that sets my material's mechanism to absolute freezing temperatures so I don't have to worry on burning myself, but that's not what I'd like to talk about," I said. I paused, feeling somewhat nervous. I sighed and spoke. "There are two ultimate moves I'd like to try out, and I'll need you to help me with one of them." Ectoplasm seemed surprised, but nodded.
"What is it?" he asked. I sat on the floor, crossing my legs.
"I feel I haven't been using my Firebending to the way I should, like creating something from my head, kind of like Momo, um, Yaoyorozu," I said, "I remember once I used to be able to, but now I feel I've lost my touch. I've thought about creating live beings using my Quirk, having their own movements while still in my control. Could you fight them to test their durability?" I asked. My heart thumped hard. Without hesitation, Ectoplasm got into a fighting stance.
"I'm ready whenever you say so," he said. I smiled weakly, but closed my eyes. A live being. Let's start with something simple. Picture an animal. Why not start with a snake? I focused on an image of a snake, measuring its height, weight, and features. I placed my hand on the ground, sending fire out through my palm. I opened my eyes and saw the flames morphing into the animal. I began smiling when it was complete. It was quite large, around the same height of Ectoplasm. I let go of the ground, seeing if the snake could wonder on its own, but it faded as I stopped thinking about it. I let out a grumble. "That's very good. Continue with that until it's right before we move onto something else," said Ectoplasm, relaxing his posture. I nodded and closed my eyes again. Think harder. Think that it has its own life. I placed both hands on the ground, recreating the same snake. I imagined its fiery features and what movements it could do. Once again, I saw it rise from the ground, reaching the same height as before. However, this time, it managed to sit still after I took my hands away, but it didn't move, eventually fading. I grumbled again, and tried to calm down more. I repeated the same process several more times, getting better results each time. It wasn't long until I managed to create the same perfectly. As I took my hands away, the snake shook its head, hissing at Ectoplasm, who took a fighting stance. I had complete control in the snake, as I was still new to this, and made it slither to Ectoplasm. He kicked the snake, and it seemed pretty damaged. A chunk of its skin was missing, and it looked like a huge hole was drilled into its side. It waved its head around before falling and fading into the ground. "Very good! I'm impressed. Continue this process until it's perfect," said Ectoplasm. I nodded and did as he said. Each time, I focussed harder and making sure the snake's surface was hard as rock. Each attempt was better than the previous, but still wasn't perfect yet. I still had to control the snake's movements, but I would work on that at a later date. Maybe I could create more than one. After what felt like hours, Ectoplasm stopped when he defeated another snake after about a minute of fighting it. "You've done well. Go and have a break with the others and come back after lunch," he said. I nodded, and watched as all the clones of Ectoplasm faded.
"Everyone come down for a break!" yelled Aizawa. I stretched as I got up from the pillar, using my fire to hover down to the ground. I landed by Shouto.
"How's your training? You haven't been yourself for a while," he said, looking at me worriedly.
"I'm fine. I'm making progress," I smiled, "how is yours?"
"It's tough, but I think I'm getting the hang of it," he said, but stopped himself, "why were you so distant from everyone for the past few days?" His eyes were serious and I knew I couldn't avoid them. I sighed.
"I've been trying to think of ultimate moves that wouldn't look like I copied them from that old man but I was stuck. I think I'm fine now. I just have to practise more," I said. Shouto raised an eyebrow but smiling warmly. He wrapped his arm around me and hugged me.
"As I've said, you're not him at all. You've got a heart when he doesn't. He doesn't care about saving anyone really. He only cares about his image and power, when you care about others. That's what'll make you a great hero," he said. I smiled warmly at him.
"I love it when you act so brotherly," I said, giving him innocent eyes. He scowled at me.
"You're making me not want to help you again," he grumbled. I laughed and hugged him tighter.
"I'm joking! I really appreciate it, thank you," I said. He sighed and hugged me back tighter. We let go when we headed with everyone to grab a bite to each with the others. We went to the changing rooms to change and headed to the canteen. I tied my hair up and sat down at some tables with the rest of the class. I made Bakugou sit with me, Kirishima, Sero, Mina and Kaminari. We all chatted with each other, talking about either our training or general things. I would sometimes participate and Bakugou, of course, barely opened his mouth to talk. Either way, I could tell he was listening. After eating, we all headed back to the changing rooms, heading back to Gym Gamma. I hovered over to my pillar, switching my head back to my Quirk. I began to stretch a little before I saw Ectoplasm release his Quirk, and a clone of him appeared by me.
"Welcome back. We shall continue," he said, but I paused.
"I was planning on practicing my second ultimate move, if that's okay," I said. He nodded.
"What else did you have in mind?" he asked. This time I stood in the centre.
"I'm not sure how to explain it, as I'm not to sure if it'll work. I just want to confirm, if I accidentally destroy your form, may I call for another one to keep an eye on me?" I asked. He nodded. I sighed, and closed my eyes. Like I said, I'm not sure if this will work. I don't think I've managed to control my fire this much. I haven't even seen or heard Father talk about his Quirk that way. I have been able to control it so I can ignite it in certain areas, but it could destroy anything it touched. I wanted to change that. I had to learn between the difference between friend and foe. I channelled the flames through my veins, releasing the fire through my skin and it completely engulfed me. Ectoplasm stood close, waiting to see what would happen. I locked eyes with him. He's a friend. I looked down over the pillar. Everyone here... is my friend. They've all helped each other, including me to be where we are today. We've all grown together as one. I looked at Bakugou. He's the one... I love. I could never hurt him. I glanced over at Shouto. The first person in my life to be there for me. We stood together because of... that man. I felt my blood boil with rage. I hated him. He might have "changed" but he tortured us with that insane training. Well, Shouto more than me. I felt more bad for Shouto for having to endure that alone when I was forced to do something else. I had to be exactly like my father. I didn't get to be like Shouto or my siblings. Like he said, I was a mistake. A copy. I didn't want that. My eyebrows were so close together, the rage building up inside me. My teeth clenched together, fuelling my fire with my anger.
"Homura Todoroki?" I heard Ectoplasm say, but I ignored him. That man pushed me to my limits. I haven't been able to push myself further than only learning things he wanted me to. Not today! With that, an explosion of flames blasted from my pillar, engulfing Ectoplasm. He braced himself, but nothing happened, but I wasn't done yet. The fire kept spreading down my pillar, reaching everyone else. I heard a couple yells of my name and telling me to stop, but I ignored it. I needed to do more. I wanted to be pushed to the limit. I kept going, the fire taking up half of the room. I thought I would hear all of my classmates screaming in pain, but they didn't. I just heard quiet talking. I calmed down a bit, but continued to release the flames. I could see that I had created a sort of 'fire bubble'. Everything inside had a orange glow to it, but nobody was screaming in pain. My eyes widened when I saw them cheering at me.
"Wow! How are you doing that, Todoroki?!"
"Did you just figure that out?!"
"That's so cool!"
I glanced at Bakugou and Shouto, and even they were surprised. I saw Bakugou grinning a little, and Shouto was smiling proudly. I then focused on my skin, and noticed it wasn't hurting as much. The costume's material was really cold, from what I was experiencing but it felt really refreshing. Suddenly, the fire stopped. I became worried, thinking I had used up everything in me. I checked my palm, trying to ignite my flames, but nothing happened.
"Todoroki!" I heard. I glanced down and saw Aizawa staring hard at me, his eyes glowing red. He was using his Quirk on me. "I'm impressed, but don't do that again here while everyone is training," he said. I nodded apologetically, and looked back at Ectoplasm. I felt myself smile slightly. I glanced down at my palm. This was the day I could finally step out of my father's shadow and become who I want to be.