A Dragon's Heart // Shoto Todoroki x Reader

Chapter 8: Losing Sight

Mr. Aizawa's POV

"Shouta, can you be certain that she won't lose control again?" the school's principal asked, summoning me for a private meeting before the tournament began.

"I have confidence that she will hold back," I informed him, though I knew my words might not be enough to convince him.

"I think we should give her that bracelet we discussed. The one that limits her quirk."

Anger began to writhe within me as I stared the little animal down. "I think that would affect her chances at winning. It would be unfair for her not to fight at full potential."

"Yes, we've seen her at full potential. I had a hard time covering up the villains she killed just to avoid negative publicity. Now that she's in the tournament, I worry that she will gravely injure another student," the principal droned. "She almost killed the symbol of peace. This is why I didn't want her enrolled here."

I furrowed my brows at him. "I wanted her enrolled here so that she could learn control. Don't forget this is a school. Where else is she going to learn?" I pointed out. "If it makes you feel any better, I will ask her not to use her dragon form. Her quirk is so unique and versatile anyway that I don't think she will be disadvantaged by not using it." I sighed.

"Fine, but if she does end up gravely injuring another student, you will be fired."

Amara's POV

I felt an ache behind my eyes as they adjusted to the light of the stadium. I was about to fight in the tournament. I strode up the concrete stairs and planted myself inside the rectangular fighting area.

"FROM THE HERO COURSE, CLASS 1-A, WE HAVE AMARA AIZAWA! SHE IS TOO STRONG FOR HER OWN GOOD AND HONESTLY, WHY IS SHE EVEN COMPETING!? VS ANOTHER MEMBER OF CLASS 1-A, DENKI KAMINARI!" Present Mic boomed excitedly over the loudspeaker.

I heard Kaminari before I saw him, my eyes narrowing at his worried face. I sighed, remembering what my uncle had said before my match.

Flashback:

"Amara, don't use your dragon form during the tournament," he scolded me, his tone angry, which only brought me confusion.

"Um, okay. Is there a reason why not?" I questioned him but immediately regretted it when he sent me a glare.

"Just don't do it. You don't need it to win anyway. You're strong even without it," he postulated. I lowered my gaze to my feet.

"Is it because I killed those villains and almost killed others?" I croaked, my voice wavering from the pain of my past memories. I didn't need him to answer; I could tell from the look in his eyes. "Okay," I breathed before making my way through the corridor towards the stadium. The light on the other side felt far away, almost unreachable. I didn't know if I could compete after what he told me. How could I? Obviously, the school is against me participating.

End of Flashback:

"READY!? GO!!" Present Mic's voice blared, causing me to wince. My dark eyes lingered on the guy in front of me, his usual confident stature replaced with uncertainty. I didn't blame him—electricity didn't hurt me.

I began my advance towards him, my eyes locked onto his soft brown ones. I saw his face contort with fear as his skin paled. I didn't slow my pace, but I saw him take a step back before he bolted off the arena, putting himself out of bounds. My heart sank at the fear in his face, and I completely understood.

"WHA—KAMINARI TOOK ONE LOOK AND GAVE UP? OH WELL, AMARA IS THE WINNER!"

I folded my arms across my chest as I solemnly made my way back to my side of the arena. I waited for my next challenger to arrive. I believed it was Tokoyami. And sure enough, the raven guy walked up the stage, his face locked into a serious expression. He took out his dark shadow as he waited.

"UP NEXT, WE HAVE AMARA AIZAWA VS. FUMIKAGE TOKOYAMI. BEGIN!"

Tokoyami didn't hesitate as he sent his dark shadow quirk toward me to attack. I braced myself, raising my arms protectively for the attack. His shadow pushed me back. I dug my boots into the ground, pushing back against him. I felt my boots slide against the concrete as I slowly slid backward.

Was he trying to push me out of bounds?

I hardened my legs, dragon claws poking through my boots and digging into the ground. I was locked in place and began to push back against the black raven shadow. My claws made indents on the ground beneath me as I slowly but steadily pushed my way closer to the center. With all my might, I pushed the bird up and off me. The dark shadow lingered in the air as it recoiled from my hit, but quickly recovered, sending another clenched fist my way. I quickly hardened my entire body, feeling numb to its attacks. It continued to attack me in a flurry of black strikes.

This fight had gone on long enough. I waited for an opening in the shadow and once I found one, I raised my hardened leg and kicked the raven with as much force as I could muster. The shadow recoiled again as Tokoyami sent it back to him. I quickly unhardened my skin, cupped my hands around my mouth, and took a deep breath.

Small amber fragments appeared first before a fiery hot stream of angry flames flew out of my mouth toward Tokoyami. I saw the serious expression he wore falter as he attempted to evade my fire.

"AND AMARA AIZAWA IS THE WINNER! TOKOYAMI STEPPED OUT OF BOUNDS! YIKES, DID YOU SEE HER BREATHE FIRE? HER QUIRK IS INSANE!" Present Mic extolled loudly through the microphone.

I felt numb as I left the arena. I made my way back into the darkened corridor when I saw a familiar smiling giant, All Might. Tears stung my eyes as I looked at his hardened, smiling face.

"Young Amara, you were amazing," he congratulated me.

"I'm sorry, All Might. I didn't mean to hurt you," my voice broke as I glanced up into his unreadable face.

"Don't be sorry. You saved your classmates. You put everything on the line to protect them. That is what it means to be a hero," he informed me.

I shakily wiped the tears that formed in my eyes, nodding at him. My lips quivered as I strode past him and into the waiting room for my next challenge. It was a short walk, but I found it. I slumped onto one of the seats as emotions shattered out of me. I squeezed my arms around myself in an attempt to console myself, but my tears wouldn't stop.

I felt strong, warm arms wrap around me, and I sank into them, recognizing the scent of none other than Todoroki. His warm arms squeezed me from behind, and I moved my arm over his. Warm tears continued to flow from my eyes but lessened in his embrace.

"What happened?" he asked, concern heavy in his voice.

"I'm a monster," I choked and began sobbing again. He squeezed me tighter.

"No, you're not. You're beautiful," he affirmed. I lifted my head so that my wet cheek slid next to his warm face.

I slithered out from his embrace to look into his bi-colored eyes. "I don't want to compete anymore," I confessed.

I saw emotions swim inside his eyes. "You don't have to, but aren't you curious to see how far you can go? If you win the next one, you'll be up against me in the finals, which will be an easy victory for you," he stammered.

I rubbed my soaked face, the tears that once freely rolled down my pale skin felt like they burnt holes onto my face.

"If you guys kiss, I'm gonna puke," I heard Bakugo's coarse masculine voice. I observed him standing in the doorway with furrowed brows and crossed arms.

"So I guess I'm up against you next, huh?" I asked him, causing him to nod. I glanced back at Todoroki, who had gotten onto one knee to hold me. His eyes seemed to attempt to read my face. "In that case, I see a point in competing after all. I've always wondered how I'd fare against you." I glanced back to the blond who stood uncomfortably in the doorway. He grimaced as he strode inside.

"I'm going to kill you," he uttered under his breath, but I heard him perfectly.

"I look forward to it."