You walk back into the arena, your dragon form dissipating as you return to your human self. The power, the weight, and the presence are gone, leaving you with a few scars and the remnants of a battle that felt both far too easy and too difficult at the same time. As you step through the door into a quiet room, the sound of the crowd still rings in your ears, though it's softer now, less deafening. You're not bothered by the scars—just a few scratches and burns—but they're nothing compared to what you almost unleashed.

Your thoughts are interrupted by a burst of energy as the door flies open, and Ochaco rushes in, her face a mixture of worry and shock. "What did you do?" she asks, breathless, her eyes scanning you for any major injuries. "You didn't break Bakugo's back or something, did you?!"

You can't help but chuckle at her exaggerated panic, shaking your head. "No, I didn't break him," you say, your voice more at ease now. "I didn't want to kill him. He just needed to be put down a peg."

Ochaco exhales sharply, looking you over one more time before sitting down next to you. You can see the relief flooding through her as she lets her shoulders relax. "I guess that makes sense," she mutters. "You were really holding back out there."

"I was," you reply with a small nod, leaning back and letting out a slow breath. "I'm not here to make enemies, but I'm not going to let someone push me around either. Especially not him."

Ochaco gives a small, understanding smile. "You really do have a way of making a point without taking things too far."

You shrug slightly, the corner of your mouth twitching up into a faint smile. "I try," you say. "It's all about knowing when to pull back... and when to let the flames burn."

For a while, the room is quiet again, the two of you settling into the calm after the storm. There's something satisfying about knowing you made your stance clear, even if it wasn't easy. You didn't want to fight him, but Bakugo pushed too hard, and now, he knew where you stood.

You're not just some force to be reckoned with. You're a dragon. And everyone needs to remember that.

As the door creaks open, Shoto Todoroki steps in with his usual stoic demeanor, but there's something different in his eyes—a quiet determination. Izuku Midoriya follows him closely, looking a bit nervous but focused. They both seem to have that look of warriors before battle, and you raise an eyebrow as you study them.

Shoto's gaze settles on you, and for a moment, there's a brief flash of something deeper—something you can't quite place. But then his usual calm returns, and his voice is cool as ever. "We're fighting next," he says with a steady tone, as though it's just another day in the arena.

You tilt your head, your eyes narrowing slightly as you process what he's said. "Is that so?" You smirk a little, crossing your arms. "Isn't there someone else before me, though?" You can't help but poke a bit of fun, the anticipation of the match hanging thick in the air.

Izuku, ever the earnest one, glances nervously between you and Shoto. "Yeah, it's me and Todoroki," he says, almost as if he's apologizing for the timing of your fight. His voice wavers, but he's trying to maintain his composure, clearly not wanting to lose his focus in front of you.

A small laugh bubbles up inside of you as you watch the two of them. "Alright, then," you say, shifting your posture, "I'll just have to wait for my turn. No big deal."

Shoto looks at you, a flicker of something that could be called respect crossing his features, but it's quickly replaced with his usual intensity. "Don't get too confident," he warns, his voice carrying a quiet edge. "You've seen how things can turn on a dime."

You meet his gaze with a playful but sharp glint in your eyes. "Don't worry, Todoroki. I'll be ready when it's my turn."

Izuku hesitates for a moment before speaking again, his voice a little quieter now, as if trying to gauge the tension. "We... we know what you're capable of, Y/N," he says, looking up at you. "But we'll do our best too."

You nod at him, a hint of a smile tugging at your lips. "I expect nothing less from you, Midoriya. It wouldn't be fun if it was too easy, would it?" You give them both a knowing look, your mind already mentally preparing for the challenge ahead.

With that, the atmosphere shifts slightly. The room feels quieter now, the weight of what's to come settling in. It's not just about the fight—it's about the respect, the competition, and the understanding that each one of you is here for something more. And as the countdown to the match begins, you can feel the fire in your chest rise, ready for whatever challenge comes next.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

Elsewhere, in a dimly lit hideout, Tomura Shigaraki sits back in his chair, eyes narrowed as the sounds of the ongoing U.A. Sports Festival filter through a cracked screen. The flicker of battle feeds into the room, and his crimson eyes remain unfazed, his posture lazy but alert. Kurigiri stands nearby, his voice laced with concern.

"You should pay attention to the match," Kurigiri advises, his tone firm yet cautious. "Those two boys—Midoriya and Todoroki—they may become formidable obstacles to you one day. They're growing stronger by the day."

Shigaraki simply lets out a low chuckle, not even bothering to look at the screen as he taps his fingers together. "I'm not worried about a couple of kids," he says nonchalantly. His voice carries the weight of someone who has little faith in anyone's ability to stop him. "They'll break eventually. Just like everyone else."

Kurigiri isn't convinced. His expression shifts, and he turns to his boss. "And what about the lady?" he asks, his voice a bit more tense. "The one who killed half our forces during that attack. Y/N L/N. She could become a bigger threat than they realize."

Shigaraki hums in thought, his fingers still absentmindedly tapping. "True, she's a wildcard," he admits, his voice darkening slightly. But the smirk that follows reveals his amusement. "But I'm not too worried about her either. In fact," he says, leaning forward slightly, "I have a plan for her."

Kurigiri raises an eyebrow. "A plan?"

"Yeah," Shigaraki says, a sinister smile stretching across his face. "We'll win her over, make her one of us. And when we do, the hero society will tremble at both of us." He leans back, confidence radiating from every word. "She won't be able to resist. Everyone has their breaking point."

Kurigiri pauses, his gaze calculating. "You think she'll willingly give up her life as a hero now that she's fully immersed in it?" His voice is tinged with doubt.

Shigaraki shrugs lazily, his smirk never wavering. "She better," he mutters, the coldness of his words sending a chill through the room. "If she doesn't... we'll estimate her little school into oblivion. No one stands in our way forever."

The tension in the room lingers as Shigaraki's laughter echoes softly in the shadows, his eyes glinting with the promise of chaos to come.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

You watched closely as Izuku and Shoto clashed, each move calculated and full of intent. It was hard to look away, but at the same time, it was difficult to watch. Izuku was pushing himself to the limits, clearly struggling with the enormity of Shoto's power, while Todoroki, despite his calm exterior, was holding something back. It took a lot for Izuku to coax him into using his fire, but when he did, it was nothing short of devastating.

The air between them crackled with tension as Todoroki's flames ignited, burning brightly alongside the ice from his other side. You could feel the heat from where you stood, your gaze never wavering. There was a moment, right when Todoroki's flames erupted with power, that you could see Izuku's hesitation falter. But he pressed on, eyes locked on his rival, unwavering. He wasn't about to back down now.

As the fire surged, you felt a flicker of pride for Izuku. You've come so far, you thought, watching him stand his ground. You couldn't help but admire the resolve in his eyes, even if his body was pushed to the brink.

And then, his eyes met yours. There was a subtle intensity in the brief moment that passed between you two. He didn't say a word, but the message was clear. A warning, perhaps. Be careful. I may have to use my fire again, Todoroki's gaze seemed to say. You didn't need to hear him say it aloud; you knew.

You gave him a small, acknowledging nod, your expression unreadable. You weren't worried. In fact, you felt a strange anticipation stir within you. I look forward to it, you thought, your heart racing as you braced for whatever came next. Izuku had fought hard, but Todoroki was not someone to be underestimated. It was clear that the battle between these two was far from over. And no matter who came out on top, you were ready for the outcome.