Chapter Text
Todoroki had never considered his powers to be wonderful, on the contrary, there was a time when he saw them as a curse. His friends from UA, from the first moment they met, were the first to be amazed, so it was usual to receive more than one compliment every time he showed off his skills and progress as a hero. When Shoto didn't know what to make of the flattery or excessive attention he was receiving, he would remain silent until his discomfort was enough to drive those involved away. He never knew how to deal with compliments, not when he grew up at home with a father who only referred to him as useless and weak who could never surpass him and therefore surpass the great number one hero. Now Todoroki couldn't complain, things had changed a lot, for the better, there were days when something reminded him that he was his father's perfect creation. He was also learning, thanks to Midoriya, that he was much more than his powers.
A joint shout from his classmates woke Todoroki from his dissociation. With slight embarrassment, he looked to see if any of his friends or his teacher noticed his condition, but when he noticed that no one paid attention to him, because they were more attentive to whatever Aizawa was saying, he sighed and straightened up to listen. It had been a long time since he had been so distracted in class and a layer of guilt and discomfort surrounded him.
"The weather is something that is out of our control. However, as heroes, it should not be an impediment to carry out our work" Aizawa expressed with boredom. His sleeping bag encircling him was very ironic considering the advice he was giving.
Their initial happiness diminished as they listened to their teacher's instructions. There were various reactions from his friends, some still excited to embark on another adventure that would help his hero's path, and others pessimistic who began to tremble with anxiety to face colder weather than they were used to. Todoroki didn't know what to think yet because he was confused, knowing that he lost something important.
"Sounds scary" Azui said with a tremor in her voice.
"Is it obligatory?" Kaminari asked shyly.
"It is" Aizawa stated "It's a good exercise to know your own limits. You never know when or where you'll be called to help someone. It's better to be prepared from the beginning"
Several reluctantly agreed, Todoroki ignoring the temptation to turn to Yaoyorozu and ask what they were talking about.
"Then prepare the articles that you consider pertinent. We will leave on Saturday at 7 in the morning" Aizawa dismissed them with a nod and each one got up to let their teacher sleep.
In the Height Alliance common room, several exchanged their opinions about the trip and Todoroki felt a bit foolish when Miroiya and Iida approached and excitedly asked his opinion, but he couldn't confess that he stopped paying attention for the last twenty minutes of the meeting class when Mineta interrupted.
"The training will be too easy for him!" complained in a bad mood
"It's going to be really hard, right?" Kaminari asked with concern.
"Why do you complain?" Jirou inquired mockingly. "With your quirk, you could handle it quite well"
"It doesn't mean I love the idea of being so cold" the blonde debated.
“It will be a unique opportunity to see our weaknesses and improve, Kaminari” Kirishima expressed with a determined smile.
"You always looking for the bright side of things" expressed Sero affectionately.
“It is an exercise for our personal growth and it is not worth comparing ourselves with our peers”
Mineta muttered a curse as Iida looked at him disapprovingly. For his part, Shoto ignored his companions and focused on Midoriya.
“I guess it will be interesting”
“I'm really excited” Midoriya said with a wide smile that rubbed off on Todoroki.
The rest of the week consisted of his normal classes and the rest of the hours free to organize his articles for the trip. In that time, Todoroki gathered enough information to understand what was happening. Apparently, over the weekend they would go to a district in northern Hokkaido, where they would carry out training under extreme weather conditions. Then the image of the girls returning to the dormitories after an afternoon of shopping and carrying jackets, scarves and other things that Todoroki couldn't see; it made a lot of sense. Although he should be a little worry because he wasn't adding something extra to his suitcase to spend the weekend below zero, like his friends were; he really didn't, and by Saturday morning, he just cobbled together a scarf, turtleneck, and jacket. Downstairs in the main room, his friends were carrying larger suitcases and bags and Shoto felt a little awkward when he came down with only one backpack. The looks from his friends were enough to make him feel uncomfortable but luckily no one mentioned the obvious, not even Mineta, who was carrying a suitcase bigger than him.
“So, if we're all ready, let's go downstairs” Iida informed, making sure everyone lined up (by height, by the way, typical of Iida) and moved in order to the exit. Downstairs, Aizawa was waiting for them, who led them to the dormitory exit, where a truck was parked.
The anxiety that many of his teammates felt with the news of the training was briefly dispelled by the excitement of taking a trip and enjoying a few good hours in company. As soon as Todoroki entered, he noticed that the truck was already almost full, everyone talking excitedly, except for Bakugou, who had an angrier face than usual as he tried to ignore Kirishima and Kaminari chatting next to him. Shoto saw Midoriya, Asui, and Uraraka greet him, so he calmly walked over to the seat Midoriya reserved for him. All too soon, the rest of his companions took their seats and the truck started and began to move.
“Now, listen well” Aizawa silenced, more tired than usual “Our destination is Nayoro, an hour from Hokkaido. The trip will last 6 hours. Until then I will give you the last indications. So while I want you to behave and not make noise... Tenya and Yaoyorozu are left in charge, understood?"
The group affirmed loudly.
"Don't wake me unless it's an emergency" Aizawa looked at the two attendants.
"Yes sir" they both replied.
The trip was pleasant, in its way. As promised by his teammates and to Shoto's own delight, there were no noises or shouts, everyone was talking calmly and soon Todoroki began to feel drowsy, it didn't help that Midoriya reserved a seat for him by the window, so he relaxed leaning against it. All around him, the calm voices of his friends, of his UA family, lulled him to sleep and Todoroki fell asleep, knowing that he was in a safe place and nothing bad could happen to him.
He could not be sure if he had dreams, because as soon as he felt soft blows on his right shoulder that woke him up, they completely disappeared from his consciousness. The gentle pounding resumed and Shoto took his time coming fully awake, knowing he was in no danger. He slowly opened his eyes and after a big yawn, he sat up completely in his seat, realizing that Midoriya was smiling at him.
“Hello, I'm so sorry to wake you up” Shoto smiled back, not really wanting to open his mouth and reply “We've already arrived in Hokkaido. We will arrive at the place soon”
Shoto nodded, blinking rapidly to shake off the rest of his tiredness. The truck was very quiet, probably with several of his companions still asleep. In fact, in front of them, Asui was still lying on Uraraka's lap. Shoto's window was fogged up and he had to wipe it with his left hand. It was snowing outside and then Todoroki became aware of how cold it was getting in the truck, compared to the temperature they started with.
"It's really starting to get cold" he exclaimed after a few seconds in silence, after noticing that Midoriya had put on some gloves and a scarf at some point during the journey.
"Can you feel it?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
"I am tolerant of temperatures, it does not mean that I cannot feel them"
"Oh, that's right... I'm sorry, that was a silly question" Midoriya stammered and Todoroki smiled ruefully, dismissing the importance "It just doesn't seem like you can feel it when you only have that sweater on"
Todoroki looked at his own garment, nonchalantly. It was something he knew he would see, but it was still a curious sight. The rest of his classmates and even his own teacher wore gloves, scarves and thick jackets, while he continued with the sweater he came out with. As he told Midoriya, it's not that he didn't feel the cold, but his left side helped him regulate his body temperature and tolerate cold temperatures better, just as his cold side cooled him down enough to withstand high-temperature fire. It was what his father had wanted for years, achieving it until the fourth child.
He was the masterpiece.
“I thought the truck had a heater” he decided to change the subject. Midoriya looked at him for a couple of seconds before turning his gaze to the ceiling.
"Has it" interrupted Uraraka. Her cheeks and nose were flushed "But it seems not enough"
"How's Tsuyu doing?" Midoriya asked, getting up from his seat to come closer. Todoroki blinked in confusion until he too stood up and looked at his friend shivering under a thick jacket and Uraraka's arms.
"It's not that bad but I'm worried about training"
"Maybe Aizawa will allow her not to participate"
"But she wants to try"
Todoroki watched the exchange curiously, then looked at Tsuyu and some of his companions, who were shaking in their seats. It was definitely the opposite of the purpose of the exercise, but technically they hadn't started the training yet, so he empathetically raised his hand and gently placed it on the truck. He let some of his heat, the fire inherited from his father, seep in subtly and help raise the temperature. Tsuyu and others heaved sighs of satisfaction at the same time.
"Thank you Todoroki" Uraraka whispered with a bright smile and Todoroki felt his heart pound with warmth.
It was something he would have learned over time. He was more than his powers. It was in his hands to use his fire to bring happiness and love to his loved ones.
When he took his seat again, the proud smile Midoriya gave him made him feel a little embarrassed but definitely happy.
"Listen everyone" Aizawa interrupted, still wrapped in his sleeping bag "We are already very close to arriving at the Ryokan [1], where we will stay tonight. Rooms will be assigned to you as soon as we arrive. Training starts at 5 pm, so I hope you will be punctual... Consider that it is -20 °C (-4 °F) outside, so I suggest that, in addition to your hero costume, you take what you consider necessary to tolerate the exercise"
To say that some were scared was an understatement, the white landscape that Todoroki encountered upon awakening changed to make way for snow slowly falling and staining the glass. Although I had previously heated the bus, the cold began to creep in.
Arriving at their destination, everyone was entranced by the beautiful old building that towered over the snow-covered wooded landscape. Outside, as everyone already knew or could imagine, it was freezing and the gentle gesture that Todoroki made to warm them, lost its meaning.
"Welcome, young heroes" greeted an older woman, with fair complexion and white hair gathered in a half ponytail. She was slightly stooped, but despite her apparent frail physique, she looked wise and strong. She smiled at them as she handed the keys to Aizawa.
“This is Mrs. Minako, in charge of the Ryokan. She's a retired hero, so what I least expect from you is that you know how to behave and be respectful"
Bakugou snarled as Aizawa stared at him.
"There are four rooms. The girls will sleep together in room 212… Aoyama, Bakugou, Iida and Kaminari in room 214" Aizawa began to explain as he pointed down the hall to the Ryokan's rooms "Kirishima, Kouda, Midoriya, Mineta and Ojiro in room 202… Satou, Shouji, Sero, Todoroki and Tokoyami in room 204… As I told you, you have four hours before training, but that doesn't mean you have permission to do something stupid"
They all awkwardly walked to their assigned rooms. The girls and the first group went to the left of the hall, while the rest spread out to the right. Mineta was the most indignant with the allocation of the rooms, claiming that it was unfair that Kaminari was so close to the girls and he was so far away. Sero laughed as he explained that they were in alphabetical order while Ojiro protested that with the previous incidents, they couldn't let him near them. Todoroki missed the rest of the conversation as he calmly made his way to his room. He was actually grateful that he shared it with calm, quiet companions. Sleeping would not be a problem.
"Look at the window" Sero said from behind him.
Everyone observed the leafy pine trees that surrounded the area, giving a beautiful image to the place. The room was simple but cozy and spacious enough to have five futon beds lined up on the floor, two closets on the left side of the room, and a small bathroom on the right side.
"I'm of the opinion that Todoroki sleeps here" Sero smiled with amusement, as he pointed to the futon near the closets "So your left side will warm us at night"
Todoroki shrugged and accepted.
Since he was near the cabinets, he began to unpack his things and put them away while Sero and Satou finished inspecting the room. On the other hand, Tokoyami was looking at the window and Shouji, on the other side, also started taking his belongings out of his suitcase.
"Wow Todoroki, is that all you brought?" Sero asked as he sat down on the middle futon. Shoto also looked at his clothes as if he didn't know what Sero was talking about.
"It's no surprise considering your abilities" Tokoyami expressed. Beside him, Dark Shadow trembled despite being an entity and wearing a scarf.
Todoroki knew he shouldn't feel guilty but he still did.
"I think it's amazing" Satou said with a reassuring smile as he took a seat next to Sero "Although I must admit I envy you a bit right now. Cold is also one of my weaknesses"
"Really?" Sero asked, surprised.
"I didn't know" Shoto muttered.
"The calories that I manage to accumulate and store burn faster when I'm cold" Rikidou explained as he showed the many sweets he packed "But I came prepared. I don't intend to lose in whatever we are going to face"
Shoto was infected with his partner's smile and determined look. He didn't know what the training consisted of either, but he was sure he could put his skills to the test. And if all went well, he promised himself that he would use his quirk to help and protect his friends.
An hour passed quickly as most were spent checking out the Ryokan. The place wasn't particularly big, not as big as Height Alliance, but big enough to accommodate them and fun to investigate. Then they lay down eating something, letting the food that the employees prepared for them, help warm their bodies a bit. The cold had begun to creep into the place and for most of the class and the staff, it was becoming uncomfortable. In fact, Todoroki stopped eating only when Asui pointed out in a shaky voice that an employee was having trouble lighting the fireplace. The poor man's hands trembled as he tried to light the firewood.
"Maybe you could help him, Todoroki" Uraraka suggested with a sheepish smile. Her face flushed again from the cold.
Shoto nodded and stood up, feeling the stares of some of his classmates.
"Excuse me" he called softly. The man turned to look at him curiously and almost screamed when a small flame appeared in his left hand "Maybe I can help you"
When the fireplace lit up properly and the heat began to spread throughout the dining room, Todoroki received applause and thanks from everyone, causing him to blush and scratch his scalp in embarrassment.
"You are the best Todobro!"
Shoto hurried to his seat, where Uraraka, Iida and Midoriya were smiling at him in amusement. Shoto's ears were the next to blush but he didn't avoid the small smile of happiness knowing that he helped his friends. However, the excitement and happiness that his companions felt with his action slowly diminished as the training time approached and they had to leave the hot and pleasant dining room, to go to their rooms and change into their hero outfits.
"I don't want to die out there" Kaminari moaned as everyone waited at the entrance for Aizawa. His voice was barely audible over the thick scarf that wrapped around his neck and face.
"Shut up, idiot" Bakugou said, angrier than ever, as he walked past him and nudged him with his shoulder.
"Bakugou doesn't like the cold" Kirishima commented with amusement, so that Kaminari wouldn't get depressed. His manly suit now completely covered with a black winter suit and a jacket of the same color with red trim.
Shoto looked at Bakugou, who despite having a thick jacket, was subtly trembling. His hero outfit had changed considerably, the grenades on his arms had disappeared. Then Todoroki entertained himself observing the clothing of his other classmates, who seemed to have put on everything they brought.
Aizawa arrived, dressed in two scarves and probably two jackets, and led them towards the exit. The cruel weather slapped them in the face and Todoroki felt like an idiot for just bringing a scarf, but he didn't have time to regret it too much when his left side activated by inertia and raised his body temperature, in such a way that he stopped feeling affected by the weather.
"The training consists of a survival exercise" Aizawa commented, silencing the complaints that Kaminari and Mineta had as reaction "You will be transferred to the forest behind me. The goal is to reach the Ryokan as soon as possible. Try to use your skills to survive and to help your team. There is no time limit, nor is it a competition"
Bakugou crossed his arms and rolled his eyes as Aizawa glared at him again.
"You will be divided into two teams. The first: Jirou, Bakugou, Tokoyami, Uraraka, Midoriya, Iida, Kaminari, Mineta. Kouda and Ashido" Aizawa said boredly "The second group: Shouji, Aoyama, Sero, Asui, Yaoyorouzo, Hagakure, Kirishima, Todoroki, Ojiro and Satou"
"It's not fair! You guys got Todoroki" Mineta claimed in frustration.
"As I said" Aizawa interrupted venomously "It's not a competition"
Mineta swallowed and instead walked to his assigned group. Aizawa heaved an exasperated sigh. He really wasn't so sure how it would all end. The first group was a ticking time bomb with Bakugou and Midoriya, so the last thing he expected was that Iida would manage to control the situation. On the other hand, indeed Todoroki's abilities were an advantage for the second group.
"Remember that it is a survival exercise to measure your abilities and weaknesses in extreme situations. It is teamwork but above all, it is an individual improvement exercise, so even though there are those who have a greater advantage than others, it does not mean that you should do the simplest things for others" Shoto shrank slightly at the look of his teacher. Perhaps Aizawa was more than aware of his little tricks during the trip "There are two vehicles that will take you to the assigned area. If neither has any doubts, you can start"
The vehicles moved one after the other until they had to split at a fork. Shoto watched curiously as the other team's transport headed to the left and, after passing some trees, disappeared from his sight. Although they were entering the forest, the cold was intense and it had begun to snow.
"We should consider a strategy to end the exercise" Momo suggested seriously, taking the role of leader. Her characteristic heroism outfit lay covered in thermal clothing and her neckline was only covered by a thick scarf. She was carrying a backpack that Todoroki suspected was first aid items and food to keep her fat at a level that would allow her to create.
"As long as we have Todoroki, we'll be fine" Kirishima smiled from beside him, hugging him by the shoulders.
"But the sensei said it was an individual exercise" recalled Hagakure, who with all the clothes that covered her, no longer looked like an invisible girl.
"Once they drop us off at the point, I can take care of locating the Ryokan" Shouji said solemnly. Although his abilities gave him greater resistance to temperatures than average, he still wore a poncho and hat.
The minute he said that, the vehicle stopped and they took it as a signal to get off.
"Good luck, young heroes" said the hero of the area who did the favor to take them to their destination, before starting and driving away.
It was difficult to locate because the forest looked the same at every angle and because of the snow that made it look grayish. They remained for a few seconds without moving, trying to see beyond the trees, but the wind that whipped their faces began to bother them. They became more aware of the cold around them and soon began to tremble.
"We'd better move" Asui suggested, particularly affected by the weather. They all began to walk slowly, taking care not to slip on the snow.
"Considering that the trip took about thirty minutes, we might be less than 10 kilometers from the Ryokan" Momo stammered, before looking at Shouji who nodded. He took off his poncho and spread his arms.
"It is to the northwest, 8 kilometers" Mezou said, grateful when Hagakure handed over his outfit.
“It's too far” Aoyama exclaimed worriedly, his reddened nose starting to run.
"It could take us 4 hours" Asui said scared.
“In that case we must find a way to reduce the time. Being exposed to this temperature for so long can be very dangerous” said Momo. As if it were a sentence, a strong draft hit them and they all had to cover their faces until it disappeared "Besides, it doesn't take long to get dark"
"Then let's start walking" Hagakure encouraged with a little hop. Her joy was interrupted by another strong current of air, which chilled her bones.
They all started awkwardly walking towards where Shouji had pointed.
The first half hour was uneventful and easy, but too soon they began to wear out and the cold that had crept in began to numb their bodies, making the next twenty minutes a nightmare. Although Todoroki improvised some small torches to heat them up, it became more difficult to move forward trying to protect the fire from being put out by the strong wind. Momo decided to create a thermometer at one point during her walk and when the recorded temperature was -34 °C (-29.2 °F) and this was decreasing as time went by, she yelled at the group.
“We must think of another way!...”
As if on cue, Asui almost fainted when she tripped over a log, being saved by Kirishima. They all stopped and anxiously approached their friend, who was shaking uncontrollably and looking paler than usual. They all knew of her weakness, so they weren't surprised that she was the first to collapse, but they were still distraught and Momo's suggestion to devise another plan made more sense in their minds clouded by the cold. Todoroki crouched down next to Kirishima, who had Tsuyu cradled in his lap, and placed his left hand gently on her shoulder. Tsuyu sighed in relief and stopped shaking as her body temperature rose.
“If we continue like this, we could die” Momo said desperately.
"Even if we don't make it on time, the most important thing is to survive the exercise, right?" Sero agreed, as he watched Tsuyu recover "We should seek shelter and wait for conditions to improve"
"It's true, it's absurd to continue like this and put our lives in danger" Kirishima commented.
"But if we don't get back in time it will get dark and it will be more difficult to move" Aoyama said with alarm.
"We can survive the night if we take shelter from the storm" Satou opined "We must find a shelter"
"But we run the same risk of looking for a refuge and not finding it" exclaimed Ojiro.
They began to argue and sink into worry and despair because they did not know the solution. Todoroki, being the least affected by the weather, seriously thought about the situation. Although Aizawa told them that they had to return to the Ryokan, the main objective of the training was a survival exercise, perhaps to challenge their abilities to think of the solution that least compromises their lives, even if it takes longer to reach their destination. He could easily navigate the snow with his ice and keep his temperature stable with his left side, but his friends were in danger in the worsening weather. In fact, he couldn't help but think of the other group and worry that they are going through the same difficulty. It didn't take long for him to come to a conclusion and know that the priority was for everyone to be safe and no one was in danger under this weather, so he raised his right hand and slowly placed it on the snow.
The conversation that everyone was having was abruptly cut off as Shoto summoned his ice, which began to surround and cover them rapidly. The silence that came through the ice that muffled the sound of the wind was disconcerting at first, but it brought a calm that neither knew they needed.
"We won't be able to advance if our lives are in danger" he said while exhaling a breath of cold air "As Sero said, it's best to wait here until it stops snowing"
The rest looked at their companion with surprise and admiration, but when they were really aware of the igloo, which, although it was made of rigid ice, protected and insulated them from the cold, they relaxed their shoulders and sighed in relief.
"Seems the most sensible to me" Satou smiled.
"Yes, it's definitely for the best" Kirishima sighed shyly.
"We could wait with a campfire and eat the marshmallows that Satou brought" Hagakure chimed in with renewed energy.
Shoto affirmed and stood up.
"I'll go with you" Shouji offered and together they left the igloo. It didn't take long for them to get enough logs, which Kirishima and Ojiro quickly arranged. Todoroki lit the makeshift fire and everyone sighed again as heat surrounded the place.
"Thank you Todoroki" Tsuyu smiled.
"Yeah man, I don't know what we'd do without you" Kirishima seconded.
“Indeed, you've been very helpful” Momo exclaimed, smiling for the first time since they started training.
Although Shoto felt joyful, he still felt concern for his friends in the first group.
"I'm glad I brought enough food, then" Satou said as he opened his backpack and shared "With Todoroki's igloo and campfire we can last the night if we have to"
“We'll only stay until conditions improve" Ojiro exclaimed disapprovingly as Hagakure, Sero and Aoyama began to eat, but then made an embarrassed face as he also accepted a piece of candy.
“To be completely honest, it could be hours until then” Sero said with a smile.
“The weather keeps getting worse” Shouji said. Momo got up to confirm with her thermometer, coming back woefully.
"You're right. We definitely won't be able to leave for quite a while"
"I know Aizawa warned us but I didn't think it was that complicated" Kirishima hinted despite the mouthful of chocolate he was chewing "If it weren't for Todoroki we would be in danger"
"I'm worried about our friends from the other group" Tsuyu said thoughtfully, exchanging glances.
"Surely they are fine" Momo smiled nervously.
"That's what exercise is about, isn't it?" Satou commented uncertainly.
"Bakugou wouldn't let himself die that easily" Sero mused, trying to be funny and lighten the mood, but failing.
"The others are in danger" Hagakure said with intensity.
"But we can't help them" Aoyama said anxiously.
“We don't but…” Kirishima trailed off mid-sentence, not daring to look up. However, Todoroki had the confirmation he needed.
Although he was disobeying Aizawa and might get in trouble for it, he couldn't get the anguish for his friends out of his mind. When he stood up, Shoto didn't need to explain to them because they each understood.
"Be very careful, please" Asui requested.
"Just make sure they're okay and come back" Kirishima said seriously.
Todoroki nodded and smiled at them.
"Don't get excited with the marshmallows"
"Wait... was that a joke?" Sero asked, but Todoroki didn't answer him as he turned his back on them and walked out of the safety of the igloo.
The wind clouded his vision for an instant. The weather was certainly getting worse, if that was possible. Suddenly someone touched his shoulder and Todoroki was surprised when he saw Shouji, who was looking at him with intensity.
"I can't give you its exact location because the wind interrupts my tracking, but I'll do my best" he said as he took off his clothes again and opened his arms. Todoroki waited until Shouji made eye contact again "In that direction, about 5 kilometers or maybe more”
"Thank you"
"Be careful"
Once he was sure that Shouji was back with the others, Todoroki activated his ice to speed through the forest. He didn't want to waste valuable time moving like that, but flying with the fire would be counterproductive by the strong winds that kept coming up, so he gritted his teeth and continued moving. Although the forest was starting to darken and the sky was cloudy from the cold weather, Todoroki was still able to move around without much trouble.
At his speed, it took him about 15 minutes to cover the 5 kilometers that Shouji told him, so he just had to find the others, hoping that his instructions were correct. To his relief and admiration for his companion, in less time than he had expected, he found them, who were clumsily advancing in a single file through a kind of tunnel. Shoto flew up to them and fell in front of Bakugou, who was the one blasting the snow apart, to break through.
"Half-Half" he yelled in surprise "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Todoroki?" asked Iida, behind Bakugou, with the same surprise "What are you doing here?"
"I already asked that! Four-eyed idiot!”
"What's going on?"
Shoto heard someone shout but couldn't tell who it was from the sound of the air.
"I came to help"
"We don't need your help, asshole" Bakugou said. Todoroki cocked his head, amused by Bakugou's red face, more affected by the cold than really angry.
"That's not what training is about, Todoroki" Iida stammered from the cold, with a tight smile.
Although it seemed that they had made more progress than his own team, it was still noticeable that they were having a lot of difficulties to keep advancing and get to where they were going, because Todoroki half remembered that the Ryokan was in the opposite direction.
"Get out of the way you bastard" Bakugou said, his palms flashing with micro explosions.
Shoto ignored him and instead activated his ice to create another igloo. The startled scream of their friends echoed as they were locked in the structure, and only when they realized they were sheltered from the cold did they disperse and look around like newborn chickens.
"Todoroki, what are you doing here?" Midoriya approached with concern. Bakugou almost insulted him, but was interrupted.
"Todoroki! You saved us!" yelled Ashido, who ran to hug his left arm, quite aware that it was his hot side. The second was followed by Mineta, who hugged his left leg.
"Forgive me for what I said about you, Todoroki!" he exclaimed with tears.
Although Shoto froze from the sudden physical contact, he managed to ignore it and look at Midoriya, who was waiting for an answer.
"We were worried about you, so I came to make sure you were okay"
"We were fine without you, half-half idiot!"
"Thats not true, Bakugou. We almost died!" Kaminari debated, wiping the snot dripping from his nose.
"Shut up! We were perfectly fine!"
"Even though you didn't have to, I appreciate it" Tokoyami said wearily.
"Absolutely" Jirou stated with a smile "You arrived just in time. We still had a long way to go"
Todoroki blinked, confused. Kouda must have noticed his curiosity because he shyly approached.
"I asked some forest animals for a shelter, but the closest place was 3 kilometers away"
"And we barely had one" Uraraka said sheepishly.
"I see"
"I think we made good progress thanks to Kacchan's suggestion" Midoriya exclaimed with a smile.
"Of course my idea was awesome, idiots"
"But one more second and we were going to die out there, Bakugou" Ashido debated, not letting go of his arm, instead tightening her grip and caressing her cheek. Todoroki resigned himself to recovering his personal space.
"However, you really didn't have to come to help us, Todoroki, since the exercise consists of overcoming the cold with our skills" Tenya exclaimed firmly "You should return to your group"
"I was thinking of doing it" Shoto exclaimed, as he gently pushed Mina and Mineta away and bent down to pick up some branches that fell from Bakugou's explosions. His left hand lit up with a small flame "But first I wanted to make sure you were safe"
"Oh, I'll help you with that" Midoriya smiled as he left the igloo to find more logs and branches. He came back quickly, small green rays encircling his body, as he entered and dropped the logs to the ground.
Uraraka, Midoriya, and Kouda arranged the wood, which Todoroki ignited without difficulty. Everyone approached the small fire, even Bakugou, whose frown softened.
Finally feeling warm since the start of the trip, most of them became aware of the impact their bodies had from having been exposed to the cold for so long. If Todoroki hadn't arrived or had arrived a few minutes later, their life would have been in danger, because it was snowing more intensely outside.
"But if the others are already safe, you should stay" Uraraka commented with concern, breaking the silence that formed.
"It's true, out there it's impossible" Kaminari seconded.
"I think this time Aizawa sensei really overstepped" Mineta complained "You can't survive out there!"
"I hate to agree with Mineta, but I think he's right" Ashido said with a grimace, pushing him away when he tried to hug her "I didn't even know Japan had such extreme weather"
"It's because there aren't any" Bakugou interrupted, getting closer to the campfire. Everyone looked at him in surprise and he just rolled his eyes "This area reaches a maximum of -20 °C" (-4 °F) [2]
"Oh really?" Kaminari asked, incredulous "Aren't you kidding Bakugou?"
"No idiot!"
"Kacchan is right. I also researched the place and although it is one of the coldest in Japan, it is not known to have snow storms of this magnitude"
"It's -50 °C outside" Todoroki contributed, remembering the last temperature Momo recorded with her thermometer.
"That doesn't make sense" Jirou commented with wide eyes open.
"I don't understand, what does that mean?" Kaminari inquired, pale.
"I think the survival exercise stopped being a training" Midoriya muttered, looking at Iida with intensity. He swallowed and frowned.
"Could it be the work of some villain?" Uraraka asked.
"Why would there be villains here? That doesn't make sense either" Mineta moaned.
"Considering our bad luck to run into them, it's possible" Tokoyami exclaimed thoughtfully.
"We can't confirm it" Iida intervened "It could also be the ability of a hero at the request of our teacher to carry out the training"
"Yes, that could be it" Denki smiled nervously.
"But Aizawa sensei wouldn't lie to us" Ashido commented "He would have warned us from the beginning"
"But it's a survival exercise, right?"
"But it's cruel"
Kaminari, Mineta, and Ashido engaged in a debate, until they were cruelly silenced by Bakugou.
"Shut the fuck up, extras!" his palms flashed with pent up anger "Hero or villain, I will destroy him"
"Tranquilizer, Bakugou" Iida ordered and if it wasn't because the storm was still outside, Katsuki would have ignored it and would have launched to look for and attack the cause.
"The only way to find out is to get out" Midoriya analyzed.
"I do not want to go out!" Mineta yelled.
"No one asked you, asshole!"
"I can go" Todoroki interrupted before Bakugou killed Minoru. His friends watched him in silence for several seconds, but before any of them tried to deny it, Shoto proceeded "If necessary, I can go to Aizawa sensei and ask him"
"You can't go alone" Midoriya looked at him firmly and since Todoroki knew that his stubborn friend would want to accompany him, he returned his gaze with the same determination.
"I'll be fine"
"I don't agree" Iida interrupted "It's dangerous and unnecessary"
"But it would be the only way to understand what is happening" Denki commented, embarrassed with Todoroki. He nodded his head, thinking the same thing.
"You still shouldn't go alone" Uraraka exclaimed, exchanging glances with Midoriya.
"I'm the only one who can survive out there" Shoto ignored Bakugou's snort. Although he also didn't like being the center of attention and showing off his skills, this time he had to be firm "And I can move easily with my ice"
"But what if there really is a villain?" Jirou asked seriously.
Todoroki didn't answer, though he guessed his friends already knew the answer, because Iida crossed his arms and looked at him hard.
"In that case, it's unwise for you to go outside. It's best to wait for conditions to improve... If it's a villain, we should trust our teacher and the local heroes to deal with it"
"They're not going to do any good if they can't get close either because of the storm" Tokoyami spoke.
"I'll just make sure Aizawa sensei knows" Todoroki promised "If it's part of his training, I'll come let you know and then I'll return to my team"
They all exchanged glances, with concern and doubt, but aware that it was the only feasible solution.
"Okay" Iida said after several seconds, relaxing his stance with a sharp breath "Just go to Aizawa sensei"
"If you see something strange, avoid it" advised Kaminari.
"If you run into the villains, don't go to fight" Ashido claimed seriously, pointing her finger at Shoto. Todoroki nodded, managing to maintain eye contact.
"I'll be back soon"
"Yeah right, just get lost IcyHot" Bakugou roared, strangely calm.
Todoroki walked to the exit of the igloo, being accompanied by Midoriya, who was too anxious and worried to say anything. Only when Shoto turned to look at him curiously did Midoriya make eye contact.
"Please be very careful"
Shoto smiled kindly at him, before nodding and turning. He summoned his ice and began to walk away, perfectly feeling his friend's gaze on his back.
***