A Dragon's Heart // Shoto Todoroki x Reader

Chapter 20: What is Sanity?

I didn't sleep much last night, but I got up early to train anyway. I had a bad feeling I couldn't shake, something foreboding, like something bad was going to happen.

I glanced up at the giant mountain before me, the same one from yesterday. I brought out my dragon claws and began to climb up the steep surface. Reaching the top, I decided that today I was going to be productive. I sat with crossed legs, practicing summoning fire in one hand and ice in the other. It was frustrating, but I managed to use a small amount of fire in one hand and created a small shard of sky-blue ice in the other.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I heard a shrill voice next to me. My fire disappeared, and my ice shattered. Anger bubbled within my blood as I shot my eyes to the small brat beside me. He wore a distinctive red hat with small horns protruding from it.

"What's up with you, kid?" I asked him.

"Don't you know what time it is?" he asked me, more calmly this time. It should have been obvious, but it was already nighttime. I turned my head to peer down the mountain and heard screams echo within the forest below us. My heart began to race. Panic solidified within my lungs, and I felt myself choke.

"What's happening?" I asked him.

"They're doing their stupid hero training as two classes," he irritably informed me. "Anyway, get lost. This is my spot."

I breathed a sigh of relief and glanced back at the small child. "I don't think you should be out here on your own. What's your name anyway?"

"None of your business," he croaked back.

"Well, 'None of your business,' my name is Amara," I introduced.

"Oh, you're that dragon girl. Everyone's so impressed by you. It makes me sick," he spat. I raised a dark eyebrow at the kid.

"Is that so?" I teased. "Well..." I turned back to look at the forest, only to see thick black clouds of smoke and towering walls of blue flames within the trees. My mind froze as I forgot my train of thought. Something didn't feel right.

"Is that someone's quirk? Todoroki's maybe?" he asked me.

"Shoto's fire isn't blue," I trailed off before my ears twitched. Someone was behind us. I heard heavy footsteps inch closer to us every passing second. Nervous tension filled the air around us. I turned around to see a tall man shrouded in the black fabric of a cloak. "Get behind me," I growled to the small child as I stood up.

"Everyone!" I heard a feminine voice inside my head. Was this the red cat hero's quirk? "Two villains attacked us. It's possible there are more coming. Everyone return to camp immediately. We're regrouping. Do not engage the enemies," I heard her voice say.

The bad feeling I woke up with must've been about this attack. I felt my black eyes narrow at the villain in front of me. He wore a pale white mask with several holes throughout its surface.

"Lookie here, I came up here to get a better view. But instead, I find some kid and some girl," his coarse voice was full of confidence. His massive hand gripped the bottom of his mask as he tore it off. He threw it away, revealing his deformed, grotesque face.

"Back off," I growled, holding my stance in front of the kid.

"No, I don't think I will. Let's have some fun instead," he snarled, his words carrying insidious intent. I didn't hesitate. I opened my mouth and blew a gigantic stream of angry, crimson flames towards him. I heard him grunt but felt my ears lose track of him under the heavy sounds of my fire. I concentrated, turning the heat of my flames higher. Soon the red flames shifted to an electric blue color, melting away the rocks that surrounded us.