A Clash of Fire and Ice

Three months had passed since Kei and Shou took a day off from training.

During this time both Kei and Shou had turned nine years old.

Aside from being a year older there was no real change in their daily life.

Shou was still continuing his training under his seven masters. While his parents were hard at work making gadgets and armor designs.

As for Kei. Besides going to school with Shou. He was still training hard everyday.

———————————————————————-

It was now Tuesday.

Just like every other Tuesday Kei would go train with Endeavor.

This time Kei decided to go a bit earlier. Once he made his way into Endeavors hero agency. The staff and sidekicks that he walked past would stop and greet him.

It had been one year and nine months since Kei started his training with Endeavor. In all that time everyone in Endeavors hero agency knew Kei.

As Kei got to the training room. He saw someone that he had not seen in months.

That person was none other than Todoroki Shoto. Since that first meeting, Kei had only seen him a couple of times, but had no opportunity to talk with him.

When he saw Shoto, it looked like he was waiting for someone.

'That is odd, he never comes here willingly. I wonder who he is looking for' thought Kei

Kei knew that Shoto hated coming here to Endeavors hero agency. Every time he came here, Kei could tell that Shoto wanted nothing more than to leave as soon as possible.

Whenever Kei and Shoto ran into each other. Shoto would look at him with a hostile look in his eyes.

Kei who had long gotten used to that stare. Could not help but think that the only reason Shoto was so hostile toward him was because he chose to train with his father.

When Shoto saw Kei going to the training room. He quickly walked towards Kei.

Once he was in front of him, Shoto stared at Kei for a bit before finally speaking.

"Kei, I challenge you to a dual" said Shoto brimming with determination to fight Kei

When Kei heard what Shoto had said. He was speechless, after all, the two of them had not talked to each other since their first meeting. Now Shoto wanted to fight with him.

When Kei finally came back to his senses. He could not help but ask "why do you want to have a duel with me?"

When Shoto heard keis question, he answered "isn't the answer obvious? It is because I want to prove to my father that I can become a better hero with my ice quirk than with his fire quirk"

When Kei heard that, he was stunned. Although he already figured it would be something like this. He still could not believe that this was actually happening.

"Just to make sure. What you are trying to say is 'if you can beat me, your fathers student that has learned from him. You will finally prove to him, that you do not need him or the fire quirk you inherited from him' is that what your trying to say to me right now" said kei in an exasperated voice

"Yes" said Shoto with a serious determination in his voice

When Kei heard Shoto's answer he did not know what to say.

Just as kei was thinking of how to respond to Shoto's challenge. Someone's voice answered for him.

"He accepts your challenge"

When Kei and Shoto heard the voice. They both turned their heads only to find that it was Endeavor who had accepted the challenge.

"Endeavor sensei, are you sure I should accept" said Kei in an unsure manner

"Why not, he came here specifically for this reason. Perhaps once he loses to you, he will finally accept my offer and come train under me again" said Endeavor with the usual serious tone in his voice

When Shoto heard how confident Endeavor was that he would lose to Kei. He clenched his hands into fists. He then looked toward Kei and said "what are you waiting for, let's go to the fighting ring right now"

When Kei heard what Shoto just said. He remembered Burnin tell him that there was a fighting ring in one of the underground floors underneath the agency.

By the time Kei, Shoto and Endeavor got there. Some people who had overheard Shoto challenge Kei. Had already told most of the people present in the agency about it and now there were a good number of spectators present.

At first, when Kei was challenged by Shoto. He did not want to fight him. That was until he saw this as an opportunity to see how well he stacked up to someone his own age. Not only was his challenger his own age but was someone that is regarded as a genius in the future.

Now that Kei had realized that. He was excited to fight Shoto in this duel.

Just as Kei and Shoto got into the fighting ring. One of Endeavors sidekicks got near the ring to let them know the rules.

The rules were simple. If you quit or are unable to continue fighting you lose.

Before the match started Kei told Shoto "are you sure you only want to use the ice part of your quirk?"

"That is all I need to beat you" said Shoto as he started to focus on the match he and Kei were about to start

"If that is how you feel then I will only use my fire ability" said Kei before he continued "after all, you want to prove you can beat my fire with your ice right"

"Then let's see if my father trained you well enough" said Shoto as he prepared his fighting stance

"Don't worry, he did" said Kei as he also went into his fighting stance

"Are you both ready?" Asked the sidekick

"Yes" said Shoto

"I am ready" said Kei

"Alright then, begin!"

The moment those words left the sidekicks mouth. The entire fighting rings temperature dropped drastically.

Shoto made the first move. Using his foot, he quickly shot ice towards Kei from the ground.

Kei seeing this quickly reacted by dodging the ice. Once he had dodged the ice, he quickly ignited his body. Once Kei did that, he clenched his hand into a fist

"Flash Fire Fist-jet burn" said Kei as he sent a fiery beam towards Shoto's direction

When Shoto saw the attack coming towards him he quickly shot more ice to block the attack.

The result of both moves crashing into each other sent both Kei and Shoto a couple of steps back.

When Shoto saw that his ice had barely managed to block keis attack. He could not help but think 'his fire attacks are stronger than I thought'

In the moment Shoto had that thought. Kei quickly continued his next attack. He ignited his fist and slammed it on the ground causing the surface to crack "Raging Assault - Hell Minefield"

As Kei said that he sent fire into the cracks, sending a wave of intense flames towards Shoto.

Shoto who saw this quickly created ice to dodge the move kei had sent his way. In the middle of dodging the attack Shoto shot ice from his hand in the shape of razor sharp shards.

When Kei saw the shards making their way towards him. He quickly dodged by blasted fire from the soles of his feet.

The people watching the fight between Kei and Shoto could not help but be impressed. All of the people watching could not help but praise both of these youths.

As the battle between these two continued. Fire and ice would collide with each other sending shockwaves throughout the ring. While the ring itself was slowly breaking apart.

The fight which seemed even in the beginning. Finally started to tilt in the favor of Shoto.

After a few back and forth attacks. Kei was struck by Shoto's ice sending him crashing on the ground.

At this point both Kei and Shoto were tiring out.

Shoto who had been trying to keep a distance from Kei, had failed to keep him at bay. Thanks to that he had several bruises on his face and body.

Kei on the other hand, had a few bruises around his body thanks to the frozen pieces of ice Shoto would use to push Kei back.

"You had enough yet" said Shoto as he breathed heavily

Kei who was also breathing heavily stood back up and said "I can do this all day"

Right after saying that, Kei shot a torrent of fire towards Shoto.

"Sir I think we should put an end to this fight now" said Burnin with a concerned look on her face

Another sidekick that was near Endeavor also spoke "Burnin is right we should stop the fight now. By the looks of it Kei is going to lose soon. We should end it now before they get seriously injured"

Endeavor. Who's sight had not left the ring or more specifically, the two boys fighting in the ring said "are you sure about that"

The sidekick not understanding asked "sure about what sir?"

"I am talking about you saying Kei is losing" said Endeavor

When the sidekick heard that. He could not help but look again.

Burnin who started to notice the same thing Endeavor was. Said to some of the sidekicks not understanding "soon the tables will turn"

Burnin was right. Just a few minutes later the tide shifted in keis favor. The reason for that was simple. Kei had finally gotten used to Shoto's attack patterns.

It was not just the patterns of his attacks, but also the range and the speed of the attacks. Thanks to that he was now able to counter attack and get closer to Shoto more easily.

A few seconds later it was Shoto who was forced on the defensive. The longer the fight went on the worse it was getting for Shoto.

One of the sidekicks could not help but say "to think that is what Kei was waiting for. To not only memorize Shoto's attack patterns, but also the speed at which he can produce ice, as well as the maximum range."

"The boy is good. Not many would take the time to observe their opponents to such an extent" said another sidekick

"It seems none of you know what Kei was waiting for" said Endeavor

Endeavor, who had been closely watching noticed that Kei was only using enough fire to stop Shoto's attacks. While also attacking with enough fire for Shoto to stop with his ice.

'That kid is waiting for Shoto to get cold enough, where it will effect his movements, but why' thought Endeavor

Endeavor was right Kei was waiting to see Shoto's limit. The reason for that was simple. He just wanted to compare the limit between a quirk and his ability.

In the end Kei realized that his ability had a much longer limit compared to a persons quirk. Now that he knew, it was finally time to finish the fight.

Shoto who saw the expression on keis face. Knew that the fight was at an end. Knowing this he prepared for his final attack.

Kei noticed that Shoto was preparing for his final attack so he did the same.

Finally they launched their attack at the same time

"Heaven-Piercing Ice Wall"

"Hell Devouring Flames"

In this moment everyone could only see fire and ice colliding with each other. Ice which tried to pierce through the flames and flames which tried to devour the ice. Soon the entire ring was covered in steam.

After Shoto finished his attack. He could no longer move. His body was too rigid making it hard for him to move in the way he wanted.

Just as Shoto started to barely take a step forward. The last thing he saw before passing out, was a flying knee coming straight towards his face.

Once the knee connected, Kei, who knocked out Shoto. Could not help but say "I told you he did"