"WELL, FOLKS, IN A SHOCKING TURN OF EVENTS, OUR FINALISTS ARE DECIDED!" Present Mic's voice, though slightly hoarse, still boomed across the stadium. "IT'S BROTHER VERSUS BROTHER! FLAME VERSUS FLAME! ICE VERSUS ICE! THE ULTIMATE TODOROKI SHOWDOWN! IT'S SOUTA TODOROKI VERSUS SHOTO TODOROKI!"
The stadium buzzed with an electric anticipation that surpassed all previous matches. Souta walked onto the stage, his expression calm, almost serene. Shoto followed, his face a mask of fierce determination, the earlier turmoil now channeled into a singular focus. They stood opposite each other on the freshly repaired concrete platform.
Midnight stepped between them. "Gentlemen, this is the final match. The arena has just been repaired by Cementoss. Before we begin, do either of you require a break?"
Souta shook his head. "I'm ready."
Shoto gave a curt nod. "No break needed."
Midnight smiled, though a hint of nervousness touched her eyes. "Very well. However, considering the... sheer scale of your previous matches, and the fact that both of you have already destroyed the arena at least once today, I must ask you both to try and keep the destruction to a minimum. Cementoss is a miracle worker, but even he has his limits."
Both brothers offered slight, noncommittal acknowledgments.
"Then, for the championship of the U.A. High School First-Year Sports Festival... let the final match... BEGIN!"
Shoto attacked first, perhaps remembering Souta's own formidable ice. He stomped his right foot, and a massive wave of jagged ice, larger and faster than any he'd used before, surged towards Souta.
Souta met it not with his own ice, but with a controlled torrent of brilliant blue flame that erupted from his hands, carving a path through the center of the ice wave, melting it into clouds of hissing steam. He moved forward through the vapor.
"Still relying on just one side, Shoto?" Souta's voice was calm, carrying through the dissipating steam. "I thought Midoriya taught you a lesson about that."
Shoto scowled, sending a volley of sharp ice spears lancing through the steam. Souta weaved through them, his blue flames flaring around his feet, allowing him to skate lightly across the thin layer of water left by the melted ice. He closed the distance, and their fight became a furious dance of elements. Shoto unleashed glaciers and ice walls; Souta shattered them with precise blasts of azure fire or countered with his own, even colder ice constructs that seemed to form faster and denser than Shoto's.
"You're stronger than you were," Shoto admitted, leaping back as Souta sent a wave of blue fire that forced him to erect a thick ice shield. "Your control... it's different."
"I've had time to practice," Souta replied, sending a whip of blue flame that Shoto barely dodged. "You, on the other hand, still seem hesitant. Afraid you'll displease Daddy if you don't use his precious fire?"
The taunt hit its mark. With a roar, Shoto unleashed his left side, a torrent of orange flame erupting to meet Souta's blue. The two fires clashed mid-arena, a spectacular vortex of azure and orange, the heat washing over the audience in waves.
High in the stands, Endeavor leaped to his feet, his own flames flickering around him uncontrollably, his face alight with a terrifying, ecstatic glee. "YES! SHOTOOO! SOUTAAA! SHOW THEM! SHOW THEM THE POWER OF MY BLOOD! MY MASTERPIECES!" His blood was indeed boiling, a cauldron of ambition and twisted pride.
In their seats, Fuyumi covered her eyes, while Natsuo just looked utterly defeated.
Nearby, in the Pro Hero section, the reactions were different.
"YES! That's it! More power!" Mirko was on her feet, bouncing, practically vibrating with excitement, knuckles white as she gripped the railing. "Ryukyu, if one of them wins and needs a real fight, you better let me go!"
Ryukyu sighed, placing a firm hand on Mirko's shoulder. "Mirko, calm down. They're first-years. And if you jump down there, I swear I will transform and use you as a chew toy to hold you back."
Hawks watched intently, wings subtly adjusting his position for a better view, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "Well, well. Both going all out. Young Todorokis certainly don't do things by halves. Such intensity... and that blue flame is something else."
On the stage, the brothers broke apart, breathing heavily. "You're still just reacting, Shoto!" Souta called out, his blue flames burning steadily. "You're using his fire, but it's still his in your head! Fight for yourself! What is it you truly want?"
"I want to win!" Shoto yelled back, sending a combined blast of ice from his right and fire from his left. It was a massive, chaotic attack, powerful but less controlled than Souta's precise elemental control.
Souta met the attack, his own ice and blue fire flaring. He used his ice to form a ramp, skating up it, while his blue flames parted Shoto's fire. He was always just a step ahead, his counters slightly stronger, his movements more fluid. "Winning isn't enough if you don't know why you're winning! Still looking for his approval, even in defiance?"
Shoto grit his teeth, the words striking deeper than any physical blow. He pushed his Quirks harder, the arena groaning under the strain of their elemental war. Ice structures shattered, reformed, melted, and refroze. Explosions of steam and flashes of intense light filled the stage.
"What are you, Souta?" Shoto panted, after another furious exchange left them momentarily apart. "This strength... it's more than just fire and ice."
Souta smiled, a genuine, almost sad smile this time. "The answer you want, little brother? You still haven't earned it." He took a step forward. "But maybe... it's time to end this."
Shoto gathered himself for one final, massive assault, pouring every ounce of power he had into a colossal wave of fire from his left and an equally huge glacier from his right, intending to crush Souta between them. The heat and cold warped the air, making the entire stage shimmer. The combined attack roared forward, obscuring vision in a massive cloud of steam, ice shards, and swirling fire.
Souta stood his ground as the elemental fury bore down on him. To the audience, and even to Endeavor whose ecstatic expression suddenly turned to confused rage at the visual obstruction, Souta seemed to be engulfed.
But within the chaotic cloud, from Shoto's perspective, something was wrong. Souta was there, in front of him, braced... and then, for an infinitesimal fraction of a second, there was a dizzying sensation, a flicker of impossible movement behind him. Shoto started to turn, his eyes catching the barest, most fleeting glimpse of swirling black and purple mist, like a dying ember of an impossible doorway, dissipating instantly just over his left shoulder. It felt chillingly, horribly familiar.
Before he could fully register the sight, or the cold dread that accompanied it, a sharp, incredibly precise blow connected to the back of his neck. Shoto's world dissolved into blackness.
The steam and elemental chaos slowly cleared. Souta stood calmly over Shoto's unconscious form, his blue flames now just a gentle flicker around his hands. The stage was a testament to their power – a wreck of shattered ice, deep scorch marks, and steaming puddles.
Midnight, after a stunned moment observing the sudden, almost anticlimactic end through the clearing haze, rushed forward to check on Shoto. Confirming he was out, she raised her whip, her voice filled with awe and a touch of trepidation.
"Shoto Todoroki is unable to continue! The winner of the U.A. High School First-Year Sports Festival is... SOUTA TODOROKI!"
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers, punctuated by confused murmurs wondering what exactly had happened in those final, obscured moments. Endeavor, in the stands, was frozen mid-roar, his ecstatic expression having morphed into one of utter disbelief and then fury at Shoto's sudden, inexplicable defeat. He hadn't seen a thing.
Souta looked at his unconscious brother, then up towards the stands, his face an unreadable mask.
---
The dust from the final, earth-shattering battle between the Todoroki twins had barely settled when the announcement came. Cementoss and other staff members worked with remarkable speed, clearing the debris and erecting a set of podiums in the center of the now surprisingly intact arena stage. The remaining students of Class 1-A and 1-B, along with the other year levels and the general audience, watched with anticipation.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS!" Present Mic's voice boomed, somehow still full of energy. "It's the moment we've all been waiting for! Please welcome the hero who will present the medals to our incredible first-year champions! And who better to do the honors than THE SYMBOL OF PEACE HIMSELF!"
A hush fell over the stadium, quickly replaced by a deafening roar. From high above, a familiar figure leaped into the sky, silhouetted against the afternoon sun.
"HAVE NO FEAR, STUDENTS!" a powerful, booming voice declared. "WHY? BECAUSE I AM HERE... TO PRESENT THE MEDALS!"
All Might landed with a dramatic flourish right before the podiums, his signature smile dazzling, his presence radiating an almost palpable aura of heroism. The crowd went wild.
"Now then!" All Might began, his voice resonating with warmth and power as he turned to the first podium. "For our third-place winner! He fought with explosive power and an unyielding spirit! Young Katsuki Bakugo!"
Bakugo trudged forward, hands stuffed in the pockets of his P.E. uniform. His usual explosive anger was noticeably muted, replaced by a sullen, simmering frustration. The absolute nature of his defeat against Souta's ice strategy had clearly left a mark. He stood stiffly as All Might approached.
"Young Bakugo," All Might said, his smile softening slightly. "You possess incredible power and a fierce determination. Today, you faced formidable opponents and pushed yourself to your limits. That fire is a vital part of being a hero." He placed the bronze medal around Bakugo's neck. "But remember, true strength also grows from acknowledging challenges and finding new ways to overcome them. Don't let this experience be just a loss, but a lesson." All Might then pulled the still-scowling Bakugo into a brief, surprisingly firm hug. Bakugo grumbled something unintelligible but didn't resist.
"Next up, our second-place finalist!" All Might announced, turning to the next podium. "Displaying breathtaking power and confronting immense personal trials with courage! Young Shoto Todoroki!"
Shoto walked forward, his expression composed, but his eyes still held a distant, thoughtful look. He seemed to be processing the whirlwind of the day – his confrontation with Midoriya, the unleashing of his fire, and the enigmatic defeat at Souta's hands.
"Young Todoroki," All Might began, his voice gentle but resonant. "You showed us today the incredible spectrum of your abilities. The path you walk is uniquely yours, and you faced it with immense fortitude. It was inspiring to see you fight with everything." He carefully placed the silver medal around Shoto's neck. "Continue to listen to your heart and forge the path of the hero you wish to become." All Might gave Shoto a warm, encouraging hug. Shoto, for a moment, seemed to relax slightly into the embrace before regaining his stoic composure.
"And finally!" All Might boomed, his smile widening as he turned to the highest podium. "Our first-place champion! A student who demonstrated not only overwhelming power across multiple domains but also exceptional strategy and control! Young Souta Todoroki!"
Souta stepped forward, his expression calm and unreadable, offering a polite nod to All Might. He seemed almost unfazed by the monumental victory.
All Might looked at Souta, a deep, thoughtful expression in his own eyes. He had witnessed Souta's flames, heard about the ice, and sensed the sheer depth of controlled power in his final match.
"Young Souta," he said, his voice imbued with respect. "Your performance throughout this festival has been nothing short of masterful. Your command over your Quirk, your tactical acumen, and your composure under pressure are truly exceptional for one so young." He placed the gold medal around Souta's neck.
"You have shown us something truly special today, a glimpse of the incredible hero you are capable of becoming. Continue to hone those remarkable gifts and never lose sight of what it truly means to protect others." All Might then pulled Souta into a hug, perhaps holding it a fraction longer, as if trying to gauge the full measure of the young man before him. Souta accepted the medal and the hug with a quiet grace, a faint, enigmatic smile touching his lips.
With all the medals presented, All Might turned to face the entire stadium, his voice swelling. "To all the students who participated today! You pushed your limits, you faced your fears, and you gave it your all! Every one of you showed the heart of a hero! Take pride in your efforts, learn from your experiences, and continue to strive towards your dreams! For a new generation of heroes is always rising! GO BEYOND!"
"PLUS ULTRA!" the crowd roared back, a fitting end to an unforgettable U.A. Sports Festival. The three champions stood on their podiums, the weight of their medals a tangible reminder of the day's battles, and the long, challenging path that still lay ahead.