A Fall from Grace, and His Rise from Disgrace

Revelation

  Izuku's team was easy enough to construct. Ochako joined him immediately, giving him a thumbs up.

  "I'm sure we've got this!" She said.

  Izuku just nodded.

  They had been approached by an excitable student from the support department, who was eager to show off her 'babies' to the world.

  "Mr first place! I'd like to join your team!"

  She'd been accepted without argument. Her support items would definitely be useful in this event.

  Finally, Izuku approached the quiet Tokoyami.

  "Mask. I see no problem in joining your team. I assume you have a strategy?"

  Izuku just nodded to the avian boy.

  Tokoyami was put in the rider's place. Ochako and Hatsume would be the back horses, while Izuku took the front.

  "Are you all ready?" Midnight asked.

  "START!!" Present Mic screeched over the intercom.

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  Ten minutes later, and the victors were announced.

  "In fourth place is Team Shinsou! In third is team Bakugo! In second is team Todoroki! In first place is team Tokoyami!! I've got to say Shota, that last minute or so got pretty hectic! Todoroki burst into flames, Mask was throwing cement walls up left and right, and Bakugo was like a rabid animal!! Seriously Shou, the tenacity of that kid! Anyway, those four teams move on to the final event!!!"

  Ochako hopped up and down, a blinding smile on her face.

  "We did it!!" She cheered. Izuku clicked a few times in celebration.

  A few students were talking about forefitting, but Izuku wasn't paying attention to that. He was looking at Todoroki, who was staring at his own left hand like it had strangled his mother.

  The boy looked up and met Izuku's eyes.

  "Mask.. I'd like to talk to you. In private." He added.

  Izuku just nodded. Ochako looked worried, but he waved her concern away.

  "Don't worry, I'll join you in the canteen in just a minute." He clicked.

  The brunette nodded, following the rest of their team towards the canteen.

  Izuku went with Todoroki to a secluded hallway, where there was no chance of anyone overhearing them. They stood in silence for a couple of minutes, until Izuku broke the silence.

  "Is this about your fire?"

  The icy teen looked up in surprise.

  "Yes.." he began slowly. "You know who my father is, the number two hero Endeavour. He's tried to snatch All Might's place as number one for years, but has never succeeded."

  Izuku nodded. It was common knowledge that Endeavour had been hounding the number one position for his entire career. Todoroki frowned now.

  "You made me break my promise during the cavalry battle. I swore that I would never use his quirk in battle. Those flames have hurt enough people. I will win the sports festival with only my ice side.." Todoroki spat.

  Izuku knew what was coming next. There was really only one way this conversation could go.

  "Have you heard of quirk marriages?"

  So number one and number two were abusive fucking assholes.

  Izuku nodded a curt yes. Todoroki took that as his cue to continue.

  "My father.. he created me for one purpose, to be the perfect mix of my father's and mother's quirks... All of my siblings were deemed 'failures', and so when I was born my father finally got what he wanted. He isolated me, trained me ruthlessly day and night. My mother was driven closer and closer to the edge... He bought her you know. He's the number two hero, he had more than enough money to win over her relatives. Her life was terrible in that house... I can still see her haunted expression as she poured scalding water on my face.."

  Todoroki raised his hand to the scar over his left eye. He stared at the floor, unable to look Izuku in the eye.

  "She was put into a mental hospital, and I haven't seen her since. that is why I will reject him completely by winning an absolute victory with only my mother's quirk.."

  The other boy finally looked up, his expression a mask of determination. His gaze faltered when he finally looked at Izuku.

  The mask was gone. Todoroki could see the other boy's scars without him turning away, or hiding them in shadow by ducking his head to eat. They were worse than he'd thought.

  The thing that really threw him off guard was the look of pure rage in the white haired boy's eyes.

  "M-mask?" He asked carefully.

  Izuku's gaze was locked firmly on the other scarred boy's marking.

  "My name.." Izuku began quietly. ".. is Izuku Midoriya. Izumi is my half sister, our birthmothers are the same. Izumi's parents are both well known heroes, but they're anything but heroic to their own family.. or to me at least."

  Izuku raised his right hand.

  "As you know, Bakugo was the one to take my arm, and give me these scars." He whispered, gesturing towards his face. Todoroki just nodded wordlessly.

  "I understand what it's like, to be hurt by heroes. If you want to get away from him.. you can stay with me." Izuku offered quietly. "I live on campus, in the teacher's dorms. Just let me know, and I'll make sure he can't find you. Who knows, maybe Aizawa will become your guardian too."

  Todoroki nodded.

  "I'll keep that in mind, thank you.. Izuku? Mask?"

  Izuku smiled.

  "Izuku whenever we're on our own, or around Ochako. Mask around everyone else."

  Izuku slipped the mask back into place and walked with his friend to the cafeteria.

  Bakugo was making a scene at one of the tables, trying to murder Monoma. Izumi and Ochako were just sitting quietly in the corner of the large room eating quietly.

  "Izuku!" Ochako said quietly when they came over. "We got you katsudon, and Todoroki cold soba. You two have the same thing every time you know."

  Izuku smiled, thanking the brunette. Todoroki nodded silently, but sat with a small smile gracing his lips.

  Having friends was nice, he decided.