A Dragon's Heart // Shoto Todoroki x Reader

Chapter 34: Let's Go Home

Todoroki POV

Midoria slumped over, drenched in sweat and exhaustion. Ari also appeared drained after using her quirk to assist Midoria in battling Overhaul. I had special permission from Mr. Aizawa to be here, but Amara was nowhere to be found. Overhaul lay unconscious, and a temporary sense of safety enveloped us.

An eerie silence settled, so profound that I could hear the blood coursing through my veins. The sky paled, clouds swirling above. In the distance, electricity crackled ominously. The gentle breeze turned into a fierce gust, pushing Midoria, Ari, and me back. I tried to brace against it but failed, and Midoria and Ari slid along the ground. Quickly, I created an ice wall to halt our retreat.

"Where is this wind coming from?" Midoria shouted from beside me. He was close, yet his voice struggled to rise above the wind's howl. Midoria held Ari protectively in his arms.

"I have no idea," I replied loudly. Thunder ripped through the now darkened sky, and from it emerged another monstrous threat we had to confront. A black dragon crashed down, shaking the ground beneath its impact, its scales shimmering with electrical energy. Massive claws effortlessly gouged the concrete, its eyes gleaming with a malevolent darkness, exuding rage and malice.

It was Amara. There was no mistaking it.

Amara folded her large, black wings against her sides, locking her dark eyes onto the three of us. Blue sparks of electricity crackled over her shimmering scales, resembling chains binding her. The lightning above mirrored the electrical charge she radiated from the ground. The wind dissipated, making Amara's fierce growls more audible.

"Holy shit, that's Amara!" I exclaimed.

"Now's our chance. Let's bring her home," Midoria said, attempting to stand. His legs trembled, threatening to give out beneath him.

"Don't be foolish. She'll kill you," I warned. My eyes widened in shock as I watched Amara charge toward us. Her thunderous footsteps reverberated, freezing my heart. Instinctively, I grabbed Midoria and pulled him out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding Amara's assault. She barely flinched as she shattered my ice wall, leaving small shards scattered on the ground.

I hurled a torrent of ice at her, fully aware that my quirk was useless against her. Amara roared deafeningly, her needle-like teeth sending shivers down my spine. Gray smoke billowed from her nostrils as flames surged toward us. With no time to dodge, I erected a thick ice barrier to shield the three of us.

My ice groaned under the strain, my exhaustion already evident as I struggled to maintain the barrier. Ice crept over my body, a sign that I was nearing my limit.

"Amara, stop! We're your friends!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I staggered forward from exhaustion, collapsing onto the concrete just as Amara's relentless flames ceased. I looked up at the scorched path reeking of melting metal. "I know you're in there, Amara... come back to me," I pleaded, my voice wavering.

My heart seemed to shatter in that moment. Amara didn't seem to hear or care about my words. The ground vibrated with electrical energy swirling around her. I closed my eyes, resigned to what felt like the end for us all.

Until I heard a loud gunshot.

My eyes snapped open and locked onto Amara. She slumped, her dragon form disintegrating into ash that silently fell to the ground. In her human form, she lay motionless, her costume clinging to her skin, slightly altered but still recognizable. My body moved on instinct. I crawled toward her and knelt by her side. It was then that I noticed a thick black collar with a blinking light around her neck.

Amara's eyes fluttered open, devoid of life or emotion. In an instant, her leg coiled around my neck, crushing me with inhuman strength. It became difficult to breathe as I struggled to pry her legs from my throat.

"Amara, please stop," I managed to choke out. Rushed footsteps drew closer, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Midoria. With a grunt, he struck Amara across the face, shattering the black collar around her neck. Her legs loosened their grip, allowing me to breathe again. I sat up and moved closer to her, cradling her perfect pale face in my trembling hands.

She was here, alive — just unconscious. But most importantly, she was safe.

"Thank you, Midoria," I smiled weakly. Midoria panted as he nodded, his gesture reassuring me. He raised a hand to pat my shoulder, silently conveying that it was all right. My gaze returned to the bullet wound on Amara's torso, and I applied pressure to staunch the bleeding. Her beautiful charcoal-black hair framed her face, still so beautiful even in her vulnerable state. I gently traced the contours of her face, every dimple, every blemish, cherishing the sight.

"Now, let's go home."