Powerless - A My Hero Academia/ DC Crossover

Chapter 25: Izuku vs. Todoroki

"I don't want to be the kind of guy he is!"

The small child sobbed heavily in his mother's arms, shaken to his core. His father had hurt him. He always hurt him when he didn't perform his training to his satisfaction. It didn't matter to him if his arms broke, his skin tore, or his ligaments burst. The alternative of perfect performance was usually far worse for the 6-year-old Shoto.

Shoto wasn't allowed to play. He wasn't allowed to go near other children, not even his own siblings. His father said it was for his own good. He said it would make him stronger. He said he didn't have the luxury afforded to the others, and this would allow him to surpass them. He said it was his destiny and duty as his greatest masterpiece to beat All Might, and to become number one.

You live in a different world than the one I have planned for you.

Shoto didn't want to be the number one hero. He didn't want to beat All Might. His father brought him pain and misery. His anger was as hot and fierce as the flames on his face, but his eyes beneath those flames were as cold as an arctic wind. All Might was different. All Might made him feel safe. He made him feel hopeful.

But the hope would always die, overcast by the dark shadow of his father and his ambition.

Shoto sobbed harder. "I don't want to be someone who bullies you and hurts people, Mamma!"

His mother held him close, lovingly rubbing his back to calm him down. "But Shoto," she said. "You still want to be a Hero, don't you? Just remember: stay true to yourself."

"It's the final round!"

The stadium roared as Todoroki took the stage for the final match of the tournament. His previous match with Tokoyami had been difficult. His Dark Shadow quirk was immensely powerful. But the more that he continued to use his ice, the weaker the creature appeared to be. It wasn't long before Todoroki realized that the creature's weakness was light, and the reflection of the sun against his ice only exacerbated it's weakness. In the end, Tokoyami was backed into a corner, and had surrendered.

Todoroki clenched his fist as he watched Midoriya enter the ring across from him. This was the moment that he had been waiting for. The truth was he didn't hold any animosity towards Midoriya at all. He was often impressed at how resourceful and skilled he was, despite having no quirk, and his performance during hero training, the USJ incident, and the Sports Festival up to now was nothing short of incredible. As much as it pained him, it was necessary to pick a fight with him. His connection to All Might in truth mattered little to him. He was simply a means to an end. This was his chance to show that old bastard that he didn't need his quirk to be the best. He would reject him, and everything he stood for.

Midoriya ignored the roaring crowd around him, tightening his gauntlets and utility belt. Todoroki would have to play this cautiously. He had underestimated him twice before, and each time it had cost him. He couldn't take that risk this time. He would keep him at a distance, as far away from his gauntlets and tools as possible. He had to make this count. It was his last shot.

"These two heroes-in-training have both been the front-runners since the beginning of the festival!" Shouted Present Mic. "Midoriya vs Todoroki! Who will advance to be this years' Grand Champion?! The prodigious son of the Number 2 Hero, Todoroki? Or the mysterious upstart that no one saw coming, the protege of the Dark Knight himself, Midoriya?!"

Midoriya finished his preparation, finally making eye contact with Todoroki. What he saw puzzled him greatly. Midoriya was looking at him in a peculiar way, a way that Todoroki couldn't quite place. It wasn't a look of fear, anger, or determination. It was a look of pity. No, not pity. It was more than that.