Chapter 84: 84: Finals [II]
The stadium hummed with tension, a palpable energy rippling through the crowd as Aiden and Shoto stood on the ruined battlefield. Both combatants were battered, their clothes singed and damp from the clash of fire, ice, and water.
Yet, neither showed signs of yielding, their eyes locked in an intense, unspoken challenge.
From the VIP booth, Eleanor Fritz clutched the edge of her seat, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Maximilian, is he really going to push it this far?"
Maximilian, ever composed, folded his hands. "He wouldn't be Aiden if he didn't."
Shoto, breathing heavily, planted his foot firmly on the ground. His left side flared with intense flames while frost crept along his right arm.
His dual powers radiated outwards, creating a stark contrast of heat and cold that warped the air around him.
"This ends now, Aiden!" Shoto shouted, thrusting both hands forward.
A massive combination attack erupted from his palms—a spiraling column of fire and ice. The two elements, normally opposed, intertwined into a devastating force that raced toward Aiden with incredible speed.
Aiden smirked, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "Impressive, Todoroki. But let me show you what happens when you truly embrace destruction."
He clapped his hands together and spread his arms wide. His stance shifted, channeling his quirk with deliberate, theatrical movements.
A stream of golden energy coursed from his hands, but instead of shaping constructs, he bent the energy to summon twin elemental forces.
On his left, water spiraled upward, forming a towering wave that shimmered under the stadium lights. On his right, fire blazed into existence, twisting into a ferocious dragon. The two elements coiled around him like sentient guardians.
With a sharp motion, Aiden clapped his hands together, merging the two elements into a colossal vortex of steam and energy that surged forward to meet Shoto's attack. The collision created an earth-shaking explosion, sending shockwaves throughout the stadium and momentarily blinding the spectators.
As the dust settled, the battlefield was barely recognizable. Half of the arena was encased in jagged ice, while the other half was scorched black from the fire's intensity. Shoto knelt on one knee, sweat dripping from his brow as he struggled to catch his breath.
But Aiden stood tall, his silhouette framed by flickering flames and swirling steam. He stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as though warming up for the final act.
"That was a nice warm-up, Todoroki," he said, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and playful arrogance. "But let me show you what happens when I stop holding back."
From the stands, Midnight gripped her microphone tightly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I... I can't believe what I'm seeing! These two students are unleashing power beyond their years!"
Cementoss frowned, leaning toward All Might. "This is escalating too quickly. If Aiden's about to unleash something of a greater calibre, we'll need to intervene to contain it."
All Might nodded, his normally cheerful expression grim. "I've never seen anything like this. We'll step in if it gets out of control."
In the VIP booth, Emperor Hiroshi chuckled softly. "The young Fritz is proving to be quite the entertainer. But this level of destruction... it's almost too much."
Eleanor, still tense, muttered, "Almost."
Aiden raised his hands to the sky, his body glowing with golden light as he drew in energy. The flames around him intensified, spiraling upward into the heavens like a living inferno. He began forming hand seals with precision and speed:
Horse → Tiger → Dragon → Ram → Ox → Serpent → Tiger.
The air around him crackled with heat, the temperature in the stadium rising to unbearable levels.
Spectators shielded their faces, and even Shoto, standing at the edge of his limits, felt the oppressive heat pressing down on him.
Aiden's voice rang out, powerful and commanding:
"All Things in the Universe, Turn to Ashes"
"Inferno Style: Ryūjin Jaka!"
With a dramatic motion, he thrust his hands downward. A massive firestorm erupted from the ground, spiraling into a gargantuan pillar of fire that consumed the entire arena floor.
The flames roared with the intensity of a volcano, their golden-red hue illuminating the entire stadium.
The shockwave from the attack was immediate. The ground trembled violently, and cracks spread across the stadium walls. Cementoss and All Might sprang into action.
"Cementoss, fortify the foundation!" All Might commanded as he leapt into the arena, his muscular form glowing with power.
Cementoss slammed his hands onto the ground, creating thick concrete walls to absorb the impact. All Might dashed around the edges, deflecting falling debris with powerful punches.
Despite their efforts, the sheer force of Aiden's attack was overwhelming. The entire stadium shook, and the spectators clung to their seats, some screaming in both fear and amazement.
When the flames finally subsided, the arena was completely unrecognizable. The floor had been obliterated, reduced to a smoldering crater.
Steam rose from the charred remains, and the air was thick with heat and smoke.
Aiden stood in the center of the devastation, his royal robes singed but his posture relaxed. He took a deep breath, exhaling a plume of smoke as he surveyed his handiwork.
Across the battlefield, Shoto lay sprawled on the ground, his energy completely spent. His ice had melted, and his flames had fizzled out. Despite his defeat, there was a flicker of respect in his eyes as he looked at Aiden.
Midnight, recovering her composure, stepped forward hesitantly. "T-The winner... of the U.A. Sports Festival... is Aiden Wilhelm Fritz!"
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and gasps. Some were in awe, while others were still processing the scale of destruction they had just witnessed.
From the VIP booth, Eleanor let out a relieved sigh. "He always has to make a spectacle of everything."
Maximilian smiled. "That's our son. He was never going to settle for anything less than a grand finale."
Emperor Hiroshi chuckled. "Quite the showman. He'll be remembered for this performance for years to come."
In the stands, Mina Ashido was on her feet, waving her arms. "Did you see that? He blew up the entire floor! That's insane!"
Kirishima nodded vigorously. "That was the manliest thing I've ever seen!"
Even Bakugo, watching silently, couldn't suppress a small smirk. "Tch. Flashy bastard."
As the crowd continued to cheer, Aiden walked over to Shoto and extended a hand. "Good match, Todoroki. You pushed me more than anyone else today."
Shoto hesitated for a moment before grasping Aiden's hand. "You're incredible, Fritz. But next time, I won't hold back."
Aiden grinned. "I'll hold you to that."
As the two fighters left the arena, Midnight addressed the audience.
"What an unforgettable finale! These students have shown us the very essence of what it means to be heroes. Let's give them one last round of applause!"
The stadium erupted in cheers once more as Aiden and Shoto exited the battlefield, their rivalry cemented as one for the ages.
Meanwhile, Cementoss and Power Loader inspected the crater, shaking their heads.
"Next year, we're going to need a sturdier arena," Power Loader muttered.
Cementoss sighed. "Let's just hope we don't need to rebuild the entire stadium."
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