#black hero oc

[circusmantis]

A baby?!?!???

[szynkaaa]

it's not like they live on a mountain with other monkey citizens running around

Or also known as Oz trying to flirt (??) but it backfires on her.

set after BMW when Oz is living on Mount Huaguo, hence the hanfu and the neater hairdo

I think I'm also slowly getting the hang of drawing Sun Wukong without having to look at 81 reference images

[real-hot-grl-shi]

iida bakugo and monoma wouldn’t leave me behind

[blackbirdsblackberries]

I HATE THE NEW HERO

Pt 4: No luck today

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 (You're here) - Pt 5 - Pt 6 - Pt 7 - Pt 8 - Pt 9 - Pt 10

Engineering is probably one of your good subjects - mainly due to the grades you get and the equipment you get to create for your second life.

That being said, your luck isn't very high right now because just as you enter the classroom you're called up to the office. Over the loud speaker. In front of everyone.

This is your last straw. You're going to actually break down and cry.

Taking a deep breath you head to the office and stand in front of the receptionist.

"Uh, hi.. I was called up?" You state to the distracted receptionist. "Huh? Okay. Go into the principal's room I guess." She waves you off dismissively and you hold back a retort.

You make your way to the room and knock on the door. It opens with the principal on the other side. "Ah, There you are. I was worried you wouldn't show! Please, have a seat." He opens the door wide enough for you to get in.

You enter and your eyes fall onto a boy with spiky black hair and tanned skin. His back is to you. Next to him is a taller, more bulkier man in a pressed suit.

Your stomach lurches, feeling ill all of a sudden. Your senses go off and you fight the urge to run away. You can't tell who these people are but something isn't right.

Slowly you make your way to a third chair that was placed at the desk. You glance at the two males and have to swallow the bile - it was none other than Damian al Ghul-Wayne and Bruce Wayne. Your eyes immediately snap forward and you clench your fists slightly.

There's no doubt Tim had said something horrid about you to them, maybe he snitched on the fights you two had, whatever it was now you're in deep shit.

You try to get a read on them but it was near impossible, they were both stoic. It didn't help that you refuse to look at the two. The principal sits down at his desk and crosses his arms.

"So, I have been made aware of some things that you have done recently, (Reader). According to numerous anonymous reports you have cyber bullied someone, picked fights, had plans to build dangerous weapons and had hit animals... Listen, you're a good kid but with what I have here I might have to expel you."

Fuck. You can't get expelled your parents would throw you out or something! You can't! You didn't hit animals! The most you hit was a fly! Dangerous weapons? There's nothing like that at all, besides the plans for you superhero weapons. Those aren't dangerous though. You cyber bullied your vigilante persona to make it more realistic! You never pick fights - you don't want to risk hurting someone with your increased strength!

Though, something makes you freeze. If you were called here for that then why are the two Wayne's here?

You think the principal is a telepath because he speaks up.

"You're very lucky Bruce Wayne and his son are kind enough to vouch for you though they said they wanted a favor in return." Oh. Manipulation. You scrunch your eyebrows, they probably reported me alongside Tim. They're doing this so they can hold it above my head and make me complacent or subservient to them.

Maybe it'd be best if Aranea faked their death. Started a new identity or something... You probably wouldn't go through with it but it's a nice thought.

Well, you don't have much of a choice. You can still silently make your hate known towards the vigilante and it's not worth losing a scholarship over. Especially with parents like yours.

"... Fine... Thank you for this offer, Mr Wayne and Mr al Ghul-Wayne" you mutter. God it's shameful, you want to crawl into your skin and die. Was it worth putting your dignity on the line? You're not too sure. What you're sure of though is that you will get to eat tonight. If your family has the money...

Bruce nods his head in affirmation and puts on his Brucie smile, one that even you struggle to see past. "Of course, what kind of person would I be if I would overhear something so tragic and not do anything about it. We can go over the favor later." He states. You hold back a grimace though you're sure everyone can see the effort.

You don't know what to respond with, humiliated enough by this clear manipulation. You just give him a double thumbs up. Damian stares at you weirdly and the principal raises a brow. Bruce however chuckles, though it's forced.

The principal ushers you out of his office and tells you to wait out the front with the receptionist for Bruce and Damian while they chat some more with the principal himself.

After waiting for a bit the door opens and the two males walk down the hallway to where you are. Damian scowls and glares at you while Bruce looks to you blankly, detached.

You stand and awkwardly rub your hands on your uniform. Something they clearly don't miss as their eyes snap to the motion.

"uh, thank you for this opportunity... What's the favor?" You managed to work up the courage to speak without stuttering like a madman. Something you believed you should get a pat on the back for because the two guys were terrifying.

"The favor is simple really," Bruce starts his Brucie personality back in play "Stop speaking badly of Aranea and don't pick fights with my ward, Tim. Easy right?" You nod. You expected this. Honestly you should be a detective or something you think to yourself.

Nah, that's Batman's job.

You pick up your bag and head to the door, Bruce however had moved while you had seemingly zoned out while in thought and was standing in front of the door while talking to the receptionist and in your haste to leave you bumped into his side.

He automatically puts his arm on your shoulder to steady you and your mind connects the dots.

Bruce has the same build as Batman. Batman seemingly adores Aranea, or at least you think so, he's hard to read - like Bruce (for both being hard to read and adoring Aranea to a weird point). Same amount of kids. Plus Batman had to be rich if he could have a plane and a new looking suit after gruesome nights.

God, how did you not see this before...

Amidst your freaky reality check you fail to notice Bruce trying to get your attention until he snaps in your face - like how your dad does. You hate that.

Your head shoots up and you take a couple steps back while muttering an apology while Bruce stands there with a raised brow, confused while Damian looks at you with disdain as if you soiled a good outfit.

Feeling humiliated and terrified you quickly move around the two men and out of the door. You're in deep shit now... Even something as simple as secretly knowing the identities of the vigilantes that watch over Gotham is a death wish.

This is going to be the worst day of school, so, you decide to leave. You go to the sick bay and get a slip to leave school and you do.

You run home as fast as possible and get to your room. Your mother is out cold in her room with some man she met from the bar so you shouldn't have to worry about her.

You take a couple deep breaths and contemplate on what to do now that you left school, you could catch up on assignments, you could take a nap, or you could go on patrol...

It's daytime and you're pretty sure Signal will be patrolling today, you like Signal, he's a chill guy. Now though, now you don't really want to be near any of the vigilantes.

You decide to check your phone to see what area Signal is patrolling, it comes up in the GC, Westside Gotham at the Midtown area.

Okay. You can do East Park Side then. It's not your favorite area but at least you won't be confronted with one of the vigilantes so soon. Plus, the park is nice.

You suit up and head out. East Park side wasn't far away from you due to the lack of money your family has you are stuck in downtown.

You spend a majority of your time on patrol, helping people and just hanging around. Soon, much to your surprise, you get a call from Batman.

"Aranea. What are you doing patrolling without your comm on and without informing us?" He sounds as serious as ever, usually you'd roll your eyes but right now you're struck with fear. His voice holds maliciousness and anger deep under it. The very same way that Bruce Wayne had spoken to you. You don't want to admit it but knowing the identities of these heroes makes it more suffocating to be around them.

It also meant you had to be much more careful around them.

"Uh... I was bored at home so I went out on patrol?" You respond, trying to keep the energy in your voice, even if it felt like you were going to explode.

"That doesn't answer my question." He responds, you're sure he's picked up on the fakeness of your cheerfulness. "Right! Ha! Forgot about that. I didn't wanna disturb you all! Plussssss, Signal is patrolling so it's all good!" You laugh it off.

Batman isn't laughing. When does he ever?

"That's no reason to not inform us or at the very least turn on your comm. What if something happened to you? What if you died? You aren't invincible. You'll die in that stupid suit if you don't work with us!" You wince slightly. Fuck him. Does he really think you need him and the others to survive? Not to mention him calling your suit stupid, sure it's not perfect but stupid is just overkill. He only even thinks it's stupid because it isn't made with his money!

You honestly couldn't find the effort to continue talking to him, so with your faux cheerfulness you decide to end the call. "I get it. I'll know better next time! Bye bye!"

Sometimes you wish you were old enough to drink.

[lura-valentine]

Choose Your Own Adventure!

MHA / BNHA Writing event

Poll winner: Dabi & Kaji – father and son alone at home. What could possibly go wrong?

Part 1: Start the Story

This will be an interactive writing event where you decide what happens next!

How does it work❓️

🐵 Character choice - completed 📖 First part of the story Post - Hereby concluded 🗳️ At the end of the story there is a survey on how it should continue 🌐 The majority decides what happens next 🔄 The cycle repeats itself until the story ends

–> First survey: Character selection #lura mha/bnha CYOA_1

–> To Rain's Profil #rain black character profil

–> To Kaji's Profil #kaji black character profil

Start of the Event!

Warning: Alcohol for minors. Kaji is 16 and is allowed to consume low-alcohol drinks under EU law.

The small apartment was a retreat, a place Rain had carefully furnished. Three rooms, bright and spacious, with modern but not overly luxurious furniture. An open kitchen with a dark wooden counter, a living room with a deep sofa that often served as a sleeping place for one of them, and two bedrooms: one for her and Dabi, the other for Kaji.

The walls were painted in warm earth tones, with a few pictures hanging here and there – not many, but enough to give the room a personal feel. A small library filled one corner of the living room, Rain's books carefully sorted, while Dabi's possessions were mostly limited to his few clothes and cigarettes.

But the peace this place usually offered was disturbed today.

Rain was packing her suitcase, while Dabi leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, watching her silently. His gaze slid over her movements as she gathered her things. When she reached for her sanitary pads, he involuntarily grimaced.

"does it have to be this way?" he growled.

Rain turned to him only briefly, an amused expression in her deep red eyes. "What exactly? That I'm a woman? That I'm traveling? Or that you'll have to deal with Kaji alone for the next few days?"

He snorted and grimaced in annoyance. "The latter. Definitely the latter."

She laughed softly as she stuffed the last tube of skin cream into the side pocket of the suitcase. "He's your son."

"And that's the problem," Dabi muttered, his head sinking against the doorframe. "He's too much like me. If you're not here, this will end in chaos."

Rain shook his head slightly, undeterred by his doom and gloom. "You'll survive this. And if not, you can explain it to me when I get back."

Dabi curled his lips as if about to protest, but said nothing. Instead, he watched as she closed the suitcase with a satisfied nod. A dull feeling settled in his chest – he hated it when she left. Especially when he was left alone with Kaji.

Rain grabbed the suitcase and walked past Dabi with light steps, her perfume leaving a light, warm trail in the air. He smelled the sweet hint of vanilla mixed with something floral that always hit his nose whenever she moved. Her wings twitched slightly as she brushed past him, a silent echo of her own nervousness. Not because she had to leave, but because she has to leave her two big babies alone.

In the living room, Kaji sat, casually slumped into the sofa, his arms folded behind his head. The screen in front of him flickered; some documentary about wild cats was playing, but his gaze was half-heartedly fixed on it, as if his mind was somewhere else entirely.

Rain stepped next to him, and before he could react, she bent down and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead. A gesture she made throughout his life, no matter how old or tall he became.

"Behave yourself, Kaji," she said softly, with that loving undertone that both calmed and annoyed him.

Kaji grimaced and wiped his forehead demonstratively. "Tch, Mom, I'm not a child anymore."

She just laughed softly, stroked his black hair, and straightened up. Her red eyes studied him for a moment, as if trying to memorize his image, then she turned to Dabi.

He was still standing by the door, his posture seemingly relaxed, but she knew him well enough to know it was just a facade. A shadow lay in his turquoise-blue eyes, an unspoken reluctance to say goodbye.

Rain stepped closer, placed her hands on his cheeks, and pulled him down with a gentle tug. Her lips found his – warm, slow, sensual. She tasted of sweet heat, of something indescribable that always drove him crazy. Her fingers slid to his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss, while his grip naturally wrapped around her waist, as if he wanted to hold her tight at that moment.

He was the one who finally broke the kiss, leaning his forehead briefly against hers as he spoke softly, "You could just stay here."

Rain grinned. "And take away your joy of behaving like a good father for once?"

He snorted, his grip on her waist briefly tightening. "Well. You chose it."

She pressed one last, quick kiss to his lips, then grabbed the suitcase and stepped to the door. "One week, Touya. That's all."

He watched her step outside, heard the soft click of the door as it closed. The silence that followed was strangely heavy.

Behind him, on the sofa, Kaji snorted softly. "Well, Dad. Now what?"

Dabi ran a hand through his hair. "Now I hope you don't piss me off so much that I throw you out the window."

Kaji leaned back with a crooked grin, his turquoise eyes sparkling with subtle provocation. "Sounds almost like a challenge."

Dabi grimaced, stepped deeper into the living room, and slumped into the armchair. "Well. If you really want things to escalate, don't hold back."

Kaji laughed softly, pulled up one leg, and rested his arm on it. "So, what now? We have the whole house to ourselves. No mom reminding you not to act like an ass. No rules. No boundaries."

Dabi casually lit a small flame between his fingers. "And that's exactly why I don't want any of this shit." He extinguished the flame and directed a narrow-eyed glance at his son. "What are you planning, huh? Throw a house party? Burn the place down before your mom gets back? Or just see how far you can go before I punch you?"

Kaji leaned forward, his gaze challenging. "Oh, I bet I can figure it out."

Dabi snorted. "Stop grinning like that. I see the same shitty face in the mirror every day, I know exactly what you're thinking."

Kaji shrugged. "I'm not doing anything. Not yet."

Dabi let his head fall back and closed his eyes for a moment. "Listen, kid. I really don't have a thing for your adolescent power play. So just chill. Watch your stupid documentary. Have a beer if you have to. I don't care. But if you annoy me, I'll make short work of you."

Kaji raised an eyebrow. "Oh, a beer, yes?"

"Don't tell your mother."

Kaji grinned broadly, stood up, and strolled toward the kitchen. "Already forgotten."

Dabi heard the faint clinking of bottles before Kaji returned with an ice-cold can of beer and sank back down onto the sofa. He opened it with a crackling hiss, took a long sip, and looked defiantly at his father.

Dabi narrowed his eyes at him before putting a cigarette between his lips. "Do you know what the problem with you is, Kaji?"

"Oh, please enlighten me."

Dabi lit the cigarette and took a deep drag. The smoke curled around his lips as he fixed his gaze on his son. "You're too much like me."

Kaji tilted his head slightly to the side, as if considering whether that was a compliment or an insult. Then he shrugged with a grin. "Well then, old man. Let's find out what happens when the two of us are locked under one roof."

Let's start with harmless things.

To make things more interesting, feel free to give me some suggestions as to what else could happen.

If the suggestions are good, they will be included in the next survey! You can do this anonymously or simply write in the comments😊

My moral supporters

@tiny-roki-todoroki | @alexandhisstuff | @doumadono | @unhinged-bratty-boy | @within-eyesight | @isabeauwolf

I mention accounts that my works ❤️ and 🔄. If anyone no longer wishes to be mentioned, please let me know.

@hiding-inner-dabi @idchewonyou @falling-fox29 @fishnerd8343 @dr4g0n3t @nbrainer @nightgale @ellsbells127 @tokoyami-dark-shadow @dedinside1221

[jnephrite]

jaceverse batgirls ^^

featuring one of morgan’s “abilities” that is actually based on julie powers swearing censorship

JOIN DC OC COMMUNITY

u guys saw this first, instagram will see this later

[aquaticmines]

The resurrection of my Sonic fixation after 14 years of dormancy necessitated I take another stab at my childhood Sonic OC

This is Coatl the Echidna. She is formerly-a-normal-mobian currently-a-golem-of-sorts, from a different ancient echidna tribe than the one Knuckles is descended from. A great hero of her time 3,000 years ago, she voluntarily underwent the ritual to take on this form in order to prepare for battle against Pachacamac's invading army. Her golem form was intended to allow her to offensively channel the power of the Master Emerald*. However, during that time, the Knuckles Tribe were instead destroyed by Chaos for their hubris. Fearing that they themselves had taken a step too far and would likewise suffer the wrath of a god for it, instead of waking Coatl up, her tribe elected to seal her away in a tomb and put the whole thing to rest.

She's accidentally awoken in the modern day, deeply confused and not knowing what happened or why she's been asleep for so long... or what anyone is saying, leading to a long series of misunderstandings that are eventually cleared up. (More thoughts below cut)

Story wise she functionally serves as someone who can share a bit of Echidna culture with Knuckles (extremely old Echidna culture, but still). He's still stuck as the Last Echidna, considering she's a severed soul tethered to a clay body, but at least he's not completely alone anymore, and has someone who can keep an eye on the ME and afford him a bit more freedom.

*It doesn't really work out this way, given the Master Emerald is sentient -- instead Coatl ends up with a somewhat symbiotic/parasitic relationship with the Master Emerald, where she's able to use its power when it wants her to, and likewise is at times possessed by it and used as a tool through which it extends its will. She resents it to a certain degree, while also revering it as a god.

[animeaandp]

[emptying drafts-88 to go]

MHA Prompt

Aizawa’s wife forgets him (Wanted to do so much more with this, sad it didn’t work out)

Captured by the league with the intent to transform you like they did to Oboro

You're rescued before the transformation can be completed

No physical damage is done but mentally you weren't the same

you flip flop between yourself and a programmed villain

Aizawa was committed to staying by your side and had total faith that the partial effects could be reversed

You tried your hardest but the following year was turbulent. The outburst and fits created messes sometimes too big to hide from you once you turned back to normal, making you feel guilty and like a burden.

The doctor explained that you were being affected in a way that was somewhere in between of a split personality and alzheimer’s. Slowly this switch would continue to take over; overriding your natural state of mind until you eventually become this other person.

A person with no memory of who they 'used to be'.

A person who didn’t love Aizawa anymore.

It felt like your life ended right there.

You and Aizawa kept trying to make it work, even when you 'went away for a while'.

A unique spin on long distance relationships is how Aizawa tried making light of it but you could see how much he was hurting

Your doctors worked out as many bugs as possible; there's no more 'evil twin' of yours after a year but there was nothing to be done about you still turning into another person.

The switches were increasing in frequency and duration as well.

It wouldn't feel like the end of the world if this 'other you' didn't have zero romantic feelings for Aizawa whatsoever.

You couldn't cope with the knowledge that one day you'd refuse his loving embrace, and not be filled with butterflies when he smiled at you.

You finally snap and Aizawa accepts the reality of the situation

Aizawa couldn't stand it any longer and tried absolutely everything to put it off but you were in so much pain, so was he, and things reached a point that it was unavoidable any longer.

Aizawa divorces you. So when 'the time comes' you can be set free entirely.

You cling to him for every waking moment of sanity that you have left

Then one day you drifted out of his reach for good

People grieved with and comforted Aizawa as best they could

Then struggled to pretend that nothing's happened around you

A year passes and things relatively settled

you lived a brand new life and Aizawa truly wished you a lifetime of happiness

Before your mind completely went, the 'other you' developed a crush on none other than Allmight

It became a nightmare for both men

Allmight wanted to drop dead the first time he realized you were flirting with him, knowing this had to be violating some kind of bro-code or law or moral something!!!!?

He avoided you as best he could, then later, once you were yourself again and full of shame, he'd awkwardly accept your apology

He pleaded with Aizawa to understand he wasn't feeding your crush whatsoever, that this was a very uncomfortable position

Aizawa never thought he'd have to watch you fan over another man with his own eyes and the pain of seeing it is agonizing

But he says it's okay

Because he can't remember how long it's been since he's seen you so happy; so much like yourself again

So Aizawa implores Allmight to give things a chance.

If it meant you'd be well taken care of by someone he knew to be trustworthy and treat you how you deserved, then Aizawa would support it

Allmight is hardly put at ease but Aizawa can no longer hold the torch for you. Who better to carry it for him than Allmight.

Finally, if only for his friend's peace of mind, he agrees to entertain things

At a very VERY slow pace

A snail could run laps around Allmight he took things that slowly

Everyone around you could understand the situation, also wanting the best for you as well, but it took so long to get used to seeing you with someone other than your husband, whom you loved dearly 'til your final days of sanity

Allmight struggled to shake feeling icky about this whole thing but there are moments he could see the silver lining and cherished getting to see you happy again as well

People ask Aizawa how he deals with the agony of seeing you with someone else, acting so normal when you'd come to visit Allmight on campus every now and then, and engage in conversations with you as if you had only ever been acquaintances.

He tells them to just look at you and how full of life you were again

He'd never deny that there isn't a single day he wished this was all a dream or that you'd magically come back to your senses and fall back into his arms. Arms that ached to hold you and a heart that missed you more than it could bare.

Aizawa would never remarry, he'd never consider it.

Aizawa would tell you how he was once married to the love of his life, and how she's long passed, but that he will always love her and couldn't wait until they’d meet again

[alexblack1306]

I finally finished my version of the Joker! I really hope someone will like my JJ and I'll see fanart on him^^

It also has references to two artists in it, @bepoucorp (earrings) and @jonkleringjerster (tailbone tattoo).

Thanks for the inspiration, guys!

[art-the-f-up]

zero hesitation on his part lmao.

Palestinian Heroes AU

[niranutcake]

❌ “Kill them with kindness“

✅ Confuse them with kindness. Absolutely baffle them. Catch them off guard so bad they stop and seriously question your sanity for a moment. "Are they really this gullible, or just stupid??" Be the small gentle ray of candour that blinds them when looking at your innocent smile. Show them the warmth that never grazed their frigid soul before. There are only two paths for you after that: you're either dead or become the light of their life. Maybe even changing their ways for the better. For both of you.

Be that change.

[reverendlazarus]

whoopsie getting dragged kicking and screaming back into fallen hero. doodles and wips mostly of angel

[szynkaaa]

oh no, consequences of my own action

sometimes the Destined One is terrified of the things his travel companion says. Not that he understands half of the things.

[real-hot-grl-shi]

I gen dont see how ppl think that tamajiki is this shy uwu kitten cinnamon roll smol boi. like come on. this nigga is a 3rd year at the highest hero school in Japan, literally apart of multiple wars, and was apart of the team that helped save a girl from a mafia team. like come on y'all. like I get hes shy. that's obvious. but y'all make that his whole. personality. like since 2020 when mha popped off. I said this on one of my other mha rants but im tired of him as well always getting sexualized and fetishized for his quirk. like hes 18 in the manga. hes graduated from high school, wtv. but y'all make his shy demeanor and his quirk his whollleeeeeee personality. like its so annoying to go on his tag and js find smut and him stuttering up a storm, like he doesn't even stutter that much 💀

like come on y'all. come on.

anyways back to Tamaki edits AHHH HES SO CUTEEEE

[almaadst]

Commission for @ramenaddicted (❁´◡`❁) I will never say no to drawing my favorite MHA loser boy (✿◡‿◡) Funny enough just now one of my old Shigaraki sketch blew up on Tumblr again <"D Other: Commission info Shigaraki sketch Shigaaraki sketch no.2 PLEASE DO NOT REPOST WITHOUT MY or OWNER PERMISSION

[lura-valentine]

Choose Your Own Adventure!

MHA / BNHA Writing event

Part 2: The cool place

This will be an interactive writing event where you decide what happens next!

How does it work❓️

🐵 Character choice - completed 📖 First part of the story Post - concluded 🗳️ At the end of the story there is a survey on how it should continue 🌐 The majority decides what happens next 🔄 The cycle repeats itself until the story ends

Thank you so, so, so much to everyone who liked ❤️ and shared 🔄 the latest part.

There were a surprising number of votes and I really didn't expect such a high turnout. I hope you enjoy this project as much as I do and participate diligently, because the event lives from your votes‼️

To make things more interesting, feel free to give me some suggestions as to what else could happen.

If the suggestions are good, they will be included in the next survey! You can do this anonymously or simply write in the comments😊

Vote 1 Part 1 Part 2

#lura mha/bnha CYOA_1

–> To Kaji's Profile #kaji black character profil

Dabi pushed open the door, stepped inside, and stopped. His gaze slowly wandered around the living room as he ran a hand through his hair. Manga volumes lay scattered on the floor, some open as if someone had simply dropped them carelessly. DVDs were stacked haphazardly on the coffee table, some open, their cases buried somewhere in between. And then there was the collection of empty energy drink cans – a veritable fortress of caffeine and sugar, piled up around the controller in front of the screen.

In the midst of this chaos, Kaji sat, completely relaxed, with one foot propped up on the coffee table, a headset in his ears, his fingers flickering over the controller. The giant screen flickered with explosive images of a game that was way too loud, but Kaji didn't seem to mind.

Dabi leaned against the doorframe and took a deep breath. Not out of anger, not out of frustration – but because he was damn proud.

"Shit," he muttered with a crooked grin. "That's a work of art."

Kaji, who only now noticed him, turned his head slightly and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you're back? I thought you'd stay out all night."

"I might have, if I'd known I'd be coming back to a post-apocalyptic battlefield." Dabi entered the living room, knocking aside an empty can, which rolled into the corner with a quiet clatter. "Should I laugh or slap you for that?"

Kaji lowered the controller, stretched, and yawned pointedly. "Stop pretending you're not celebrating. We both know you're feeling the same way."

Dabi raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, kid, you're right." He slumped onto the sofa, casually pushing a manga page aside with his elbow, and grabbed one of the half-full cans. He took a sip, then grimaced in disgust. "What the hell are you drinking? Tastes like battery acid."

"Caffeine. Sugar. The only energy source I need." Kaji grinned, put his feet back up, and grabbed his controller.

Dabi studied him for a moment, then leaned back, a cigarette between his lips. "Rain would kill us both if she saw this."

Kaji laughed. "Then we have a week to fix this. So relax."

Dabi let the smoke drift out slowly as he surveyed the chaotic scene. It was a damn disaster – but a catastrophe that reminds him suspiciously of himself.

"Well," he finally muttered. "You fucking have more of me than I'd like sometimes."

Kaji shrugged without looking up from his game. "Well then, Dad... make yourself comfortable. I'll give you the second controller if you want to get beat up."

Dabi's gaze fell on the controller, but instead of reaching for it, he just leaned back against the couch and snorted. "As much as I'd like to convince you otherwise, kid, I have another plan."

Kaji raised a skeptical eyebrow, pressed a button, and paused the game. "Oh?"

Dabi twirled the cigarette between his fingers, his gaze casually wandering through the chaos that had accumulated here in just one day. "I need your help with something."

Kaji laughed softly, took another sip of his energy drink. "Then it's going to be difficult, because I definitely don't feel like it."

Dabi grinned crookedly. "Oh, just wait a minute. I'm planning to show you a really cool place."

Now it was Kaji who really burst out laughing. Loud and dry. "Cool? Dad... I doubt you can even define cool."

Dabi quirked his mouth mockingly. "So you're really going to pick a fight with me about style? Kid, I was cool before you were even born."

"That was at least a hundred years ago."

"Shut up and move your ass. I swear, you won't regret it."

Kaji tilted his head back and studied his father through half-closed eyes. He knew that look – it was the same one Touya always wore when he was planning something that was either incredibly dangerous or incredibly crazy. It was probably both this time.

"Fine," Kaji finally sighed, throwing his controller onto the couch. "But if this turns out to be a complete failure, I swear I'll be teasing you about it all night."

Dabi stood up, stretched pointedly, and shrugged with a grin. "Well. I've survived worse."

Kaji's mouth twisted slightly, then finally stood up and stretched, his black wings fanning out wide before folding them loosely again. Then he casually picked up the controller and turned off the console and TV.

"If this isn't worth it," he muttered, turning to Dabi, "I'll turn the apartment into a damn winter wonderland."

Dabi laughed softly, straightened his coat, and looked at his son with a mocking glint in his eyes. "You don't have to. You do it every time you dream in your sleep anyway."

Kaji just growled softly as he pulled on his jacket and followed Dabi outside.

The streets were bathed in an unsteady glow from the city lights, billboards flickered on the walls, and people bustled around. Dabi walked with his usual casual stride, his hands in his pockets, while Kaji walked beside him with a critical eye.

They crossed several residential areas, passing narrow alleys and wider main roads, while Kaji became increasingly skeptical. "Tell me, where exactly are you dragging me? This isn't exactly the route to a cool place, if you ask me."

Dabi just grinned mysteriously. "Patience, kid."

Finally, they stopped – in front of an old, run-down underground parking garage.

Kaji blinked. Then he frowned. "Seriously? An underground parking garage? This is your big, cool place?"

Dabi pushed the door open with a gentle push and stepped into the dim entrance. "Wait and see. Sometimes the most interesting thing isn't what you see immediately, but what's underneath."

Kaji snorted, but his interest was piqued. Without another word, he followed his father into the darkness of the underground car park.

As the door closed behind them, absolute darkness enveloped them. The contrast to the neon-lit city outside was so abrupt that for a moment, Kaji saw nothing but blackness. Then a blue flicker hissed through the darkness – Dabi had lit a flame in his hand, making his features dance sharply in the light. The long, narrow corridor before them was bathed in a bluish glow, the shadows on the walls trembling in the restless glow.

"Damn," Kaji muttered, scanning his surroundings. "It's a bit like a bad horror movie."

Dabi grinned crookedly. "If you want, I can give you the role of the first victim."

Kaji snorted in amusement but said nothing as they descended the stairs. The stairs seemed endless, each step echoing dully off the cold walls, accompanied by the faint crackle of Dabi's hot flames.

But then, Kaji heard something. At first, it was barely perceptible, a deep, vibrating sound that echoed through the floor. Kaji pricked up his ears. It was a dull rumble that grew louder with every step they took. There was a strange rhythm to it – not just noise, but... cheers?

He frowned. "What the hell...?"

The closer they got, the clearer it became. Voices, loud and euphoric, interspersed with shouts that echoed in the walls. It was a crowd, and they were celebrating something.

Dabi stopped just a few steps from the stairs and turned to Kaji with a crooked smile.

"So, kid... ready? I told you I'm going to need your help right now."

Kaji raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Help with what?"

Dabi didn't answer. Instead, he pushed open the heavy metal door in front of them.

A bright light exploded into the room, blinding Kaji so much that he automatically threw a hand over his face. At the same time, a wave of pure noise hit him – the roar of a cheering crowd, mixed with screams and cheers, so intense that it momentarily overwhelmed his senses.

As he slowly lowered his hand and opened his eyes again, he saw it.

A huge, makeshift arena stretched out before them, surrounded by stands where people stood tightly packed. The floor was brittle concrete, enclosed by a tall steel cage covered in scratches and dents. In the center, two men fought, their Quirks in close combat and their clothes tattered, while the crowd celebrated each hit with an ecstatic roar.

Dabi stepped forward and spread his arms, grinning. "So, kid? Still sure I don't know what cool is?"

It took Kaji a moment to process all this. "This..." He exhaled slowly. "This is a damn underground fighting arena."

"Right on target." Dabi shoved his hands in his pockets and scanned the fighters. "So-called underground fights take place here. Usually organized by Overhaul or a few other guys with too much money."

Kaji crossed his arms. "And why do the heroes allow this?"

Dabi shrugged. "Well, officially, such places are illegal, but in reality..." He grinned crookedly. "Let's just say the heroes and the cops tolerate them. Because they keep us villains happy and supposedly prevent us from doing even bigger shit outside."

Kaji scanned the crowd. There weren't just villains here – he recognized some shady businessmen, a few inconspicuously dressed people who looked like rich clients.

"So?" Dabi pushed past him, looking over his shoulder. "Are you impressed now, or do I need to show you something better?"

Kaji clicked his tongue and let his gaze wander over the roaring crowd. He shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed in mock annoyance. "Okay, I admit it. This is... not bad."

Dabi laughed softly. "Not bad? Kid, this is real life. No heroics, no rules, no stupid uniforms. Just strength against strength."

Kaji turned his head toward him. "That's all well and good, but what exactly do you need my help for?"

Dabi stretched, relaxed, as if he'd just been waiting for that question to come. "Well, you know, the League's keeping its feet still right now. No major chaos, no missions – AFO wants us to keep a low profile." He grimaced briefly, as if he didn't particularly like the idea. "But staying still isn't my thing. I need to stay in shape. And that's why your mom and I regularly fight in team battles here."

Kaji raised an eyebrow. "Team battles?"

"Two on two." Dabi scanned the arena. "The rules are simple: Fight until one of you can't fight anymore or gives up. Rain and I have already won quite a bit of prize money."

Kaji snorted. "Prize money? I thought she was already filthy rich."

Dabi shrugged. "Well, you can never have enough money. And let's be honest, for us, this is less about the money than about having fun."

"I see." Kaji eyed him skeptically. "So where exactly do I come into play?"

Dabi's grin widened. "Rain's gone. Normally I'd fight alongside Shigaraki, but AFO's keeping him on a short leash right now. That means I need a replacement."

Kaji blinked. Then he shook his head in disbelief. "Wait. You want me to get in the ring with you?"

"Exactly."

For a moment, Kaji said nothing. Then he laughed quietly and shook his head again. "Dude... you're really stupid."

Dabi just grinned. "Come on, kid. I know you want to. And if you're being honest – you want to see if you can keep up with me, don't you?"

Kaji twisted his mouth, his pride flashing in his eyes, sharp as the edge of a sword that's been sheathed for too long. "Tch. If I step into the ring, it won't be to be your damn sidekick."

Dabi laughed, deep and throaty, as if he'd been waiting for this exact reaction. "Then prove it to me." His eyes sparkled in the glow of the arena lights, as if there was something in there that reignited not only his muscles but also his fire.

Kaji stood there as if he were glowing. The wings on his back twitched, flexed, a few of the feathers fluttering like glittering shards of frost as he trembled with energy. "Come on, old man. Show me where I sign."

Dabi just grinned broadly and gestured for him to follow. The two moved through the milling crowd of fighters, onlookers, and dealers conducting their own business in the half-shadows until they stopped in front of a table that looked as if it had been hammered together from old metal sheets. Behind it sat two men who looked like walking gas grenades – broad shoulders, heavy jackets, and both wearing gas masks whose lenses gleamed dully in the neon lighting.

"Two on two. Straight in," Dabi growled as he leaned forward, flashing the flame in his hand briefly, just as a calling card – a reminder of who they were dealing with.

The guys exchanged a brief glance, then one of them wordlessly handed over a clipboard. Kaji scribbled his name on it, his gaze sweeping over the remaining fighters, who were chatting, testing their Quirks, or warming up.

It only took a few seconds for Dabi's presence to be noticed. Some of the men who were just tightening their bandages or putting grilles on their teeth suddenly turned pale. Two even started to quietly retreat from the line, but then their gaze fell on Kaji, who was now standing next to Dabi like a shadow slowly taking shape.

"Shit... Dabi's here."

"Do you want to unsubscribe?" a skinny guy whispered to his partner, neither of whom was clearly built for a real fight.

"Wait... Rain's not with him. Neither is Shigaraki."

"Who's the other one?"

"I don't know... looks young. Maybe a newbie."

"If he's just some rookie, we might have a chance..."

Dabi heard every word. A barely perceptible smirk twitched across his lips as he turned away from the registration desk. "Can you hear that, Kaji?" he murmured as they moved toward the benches. "The wolves are already sniffing around, thinking I have a lamb on my side."

Kaji gritted his teeth. "Then let me bite them first."

Dabi laughed softly, proudly, without having to say it. "You may. But you'll fight with me. And you'll stick to my rhythm. If you step out of line, you'll burn your wings."

"And if you get too hot, I'll cool your ass," Kaji growled back.

A quick look – hard against hard, heat against cold, pride against pride – then a nod. They understood each other.

A man approached them, a loudspeaker around his neck, distorting his voice. "You're match six. Two against two. You have ten minutes, then it's time to get in the ring."

Dabi put his arm loosely around Kaji's shoulders, as if he wanted to whisper something to him. "Ten minutes, huh? Plenty of time to warm up."

Kaji's eyes glowed in the reflection of the arena lights. "I'll freeze them before they even see where the blow came from."

Dabi grinned. "That's my son."

The entertainer stepped into the cone of light as Dabi and Kaji slowly made their way through the vibrating darkness toward the arena, a heartbeat of light and shadow, punctuated by the dull rumble of the music that danced in their ribs like an alien pulse, impetuous and urgent. Every step echoed heavily on the concrete floor, as if their soles wanted to warn the stage.

The crowd roared, a chaotic sea of ​​shouts, stomping, and wild whistling, but the entertainer, all in black with a glittering tie, raised his hand imperiously. The microphone pressed to his lips, his grin cutting across his face like a razor blade, his voice coaxing, sweet as poisoned honey.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between – tonight we welcome a new duo to our arena... on the one hand, an old acquaintance. The burning madness with a pure desire for destruction – Daaabi!"

A torrent of howls, stomping, and burning ecstasy shot through the arena as if someone had lit the fuse of a powder keg. The name was as familiar as a threat, his presence a myth that burned beneath the skin.

"And by his side – well, let's just call him Blue, the Rookie!"

A murmur ran through the crowd, a mixture of mockery and curiosity. Kaji twisted his mouth as if he'd been spat in the face. "Blue, the Rookie? Seriously?"

Dabi laughed softly, his shoulders shrugging beneath his leather. "Well, you're completely unknown, not a file, not even a footnote in the villain world. Of course they call you Rookie."

"That's changing now," Kaji growled, the crackle of his ice flame suppressed but palpable in the air, like the first tremors before a blizzard.

A mischievous smile crossed the entertainer's face, but he remained silent, instead turning dramatically to the other side of the arena. The gate there opened with a metallic groan, as if the underground itself were sighing.

"And their opponents: Two of the toughest dogs from the underground! Atlas and Crank – pure brawn, no brains, but enough force to tear down a house!"

The men who stepped out of the gate looked like nightmares come to life. Atlas, broad-shouldered, metal plates on his chest and arms, rigid as a fortress. Crank, smaller, wirier, but wrapped in chains that rattled with every movement as if they were alive. Their gazes were aggressive, their movements snarling, but in their eyes, a brief twitch of uncertainty flashed – not because of Dabi. But because of the stranger at his side.

"You both are due!" Crank yelled, the chains creaking as he tightened them.

The gong ripped through the air.

And suddenly, there was only movement.

Kaji and Dabi moved like mirror images – a fluid, perfect choreography of instinctive unison. Their flames ignited simultaneously, Dabi's fist flared up, a seething blue that seared the air even before he struck, while Kaji's ice flames sliced ​​sharply and coolly into the air like a blizzard freezing flesh.

Their fists struck their targets in sync, a double impact like a thunderclap that rippled through bone and marrow. Their opponents had no chance. Crank was caught by Dabi's fist, a scream, a twitching flash, and his body was thrown against the cage wall like a wet sack. At the same time, Atlas flew, trembling from Kaji's icy flame, against the bars and lay gasping, steaming, unconscious.

And then, there was absolute silence. The audience, frozen in motion, as if someone had stopped time. Then the microphone clicked, a feedback screeched.

The entertainer stepped forward again, his smile now wider, almost enjoyable. "...oh, how embarrassing of me. I almost forgot to mention something important..."

He held out his arms theatrically. "This is our very special father-son duo! A fiery devil and his frosty heir! Bow down to... Dabi and his son Blue!"

The crowd exploded.

Cheers, screams, whistles, cardboard mugs flew into the air and someone fired a flare at the ceiling. There was whispering, bets, some were already calling for a rematch, for more – more heat, more power, more of that look between father and son that danced between respect, challenge, and a touch of madness.

Dabi stood there calmly, letting the flames lick their way out on his arms, while Kaji still stood slightly bent over, his wings half-spread, his shoulders shaking with the euphoria of victory, and yet there was no pride in his eyes, but hunger – not for blood, but for meaning.

"Okay..." he muttered, almost to himself, and glanced sideways at Dabi. "I admit... this is fucking fun."

Dabi stepped closer, placing his hand on his shoulder, heavy, warm, and honest.

"I told you," he grumbled as they retraced their steps down the corridor, away from the light, into the dim heart of the underground.

"So?" Kaji asked quietly as they headed toward the preparation room. "Was it enough to step out of your shadow?"

Dabi casually lit a small flame and let it dance across his fingertip. "You didn't step out of my shadow," he said without looking at him. "You made your own. And that's fucking frosty."

Kaji laughed softly, a ragged, almost surprised-honest sound. "Maybe it's time they got to know me."

Dabi looked at him, really at him. Something rare flashed in his eyes for a moment – pride, yes, but also worry. A hint of fear. And something dark, quietly scratching at the door of his consciousness.

"Yeah... I guess it is."

But as soon as they entered the room, Dabi felt it. A tug in his stomach. Not painful, not exactly– more like a premonition. A shadow slowly spreading across his insides, like a wing of black smoke.

He knew there were men out there, as well as organizations… eyes waiting in the darkness. People like Overhaul, and others like them, unspoken of, who were interested in powerful sons. Very… interested.

The following battles felt like a rush of adrenaline. Time passed more slowly, flames hissed, and the air reeked of scorched metal. Those brave enough to even face them were brought to their knees within seconds.

Some tried tactics, ducking, retreating, but Kaji's eyes flashed like cold steel, his silhouette vanishing in a sudden storm of frozen embers. Those who tried to dive to the side to avoid the direct blow were mercilessly met with a fiery kick. His legs a swirl of icy fire that hurled bodies across the arena like toys. His every move was a dancing slash of ice and cold, no mercy in his kicks, only the precision of a fighter finally allowed to prove himself.

Dabi, on the other hand, was the storm. He moved with a nonchalance more dangerous than any scream. Its flames did not blaze in wild fountains, they crawled, they licked, they waited. When he struck, it was an act of determination, as if saying with every movement: You are not worthy of feeling my full fury.

Two teams had already given up before the bell sounded. They had heard the names, seen the flames, the glow of the wings, and realized this fight wasn't meant for them. Some cursed, others bowed their heads silently as they retreated, the bitter taste of fear and shame on their tongues.

And so, father and son moved through the arena like forces of nature, leaving nothing but charred shadows and frozen silhouettes in their wake, until only the finale remained.

And then, they stood before him...

Dabi recognized him before the light fully hit him. The broad shoulders, the grotesquely proliferating muscles, as if tendons and skin had been stretched too tightly over his body. The manic grin that knew no joy, only hunger — Muscular.

He stood there like a monument of flesh, covered in a grotesque armor of his own tissue that pulsed with every movement. At his side was a man, gaunt, with thinning hair and sunken cheeks, little more than a shadow. Apparently, Muscular had simply dragged him along. The guy wasn't a partner, merely a means to compete.

"Dabi..." Muscular roared with a grin too crooked even for death. "Missed you, dude. The scars from back then still itch."

Dabi took a step forward, his eyes narrowed, his flames still hidden, but the air already vibrating. "I thought you'd rot long ago."

Muscular laughed, a dry, vicious bark that echoed through the arena. "You took my Arena title back then. Today I'm taking it back. And that one…" his gaze fell on Kaji, slowly and curiously, "I'll take him down right away."

Kaji didn't answer. But the beat of his wings was answer enough. A soft, sharp hiss as the ice crystals formed on the ground, his flames flickering restlessly, like a waking demon.

Dabi gritted his teeth. "You're not touching him. Not a single hair."

Muscular grinned even wider, took a step forward, the floor splintering beneath his feet. "Then show me what the father-son miracle is really about!"

The gong fell like an axe through the silence.

Muscular's body tensed like a rope about to break, his veins bulging beneath his skin, his muscles pulsing, grotesquely exaggerated like the caricature of a god who knew nothing but violence. With a deep, rumbling roar, he charged forward. No tactics, no hesitation, just pure force. The ground shook beneath his steps, dust swirled, and each of his thunderous kicks sounded like a sledgehammer on concrete.

Kaji barely had time to his breath. His pupils narrowed, his body tensed instinctively, but he didn't retreat. He raised his arms, and at the same moment, a flame blazed from within him. It crept over his shoulders, spreading out like a living cloak of light, shimmering between blue and white, flickering like flaming frost.

With a single, powerful movement, he threw his arms forward – the flames shot out in a fan-like arc, and in their center, a wall rapidly formed. Rising and icy cold, but barely had it reached its full height when it began to change.

A crackling sound ran through the fire, the light faded, the blue brightened. It crystallized until only a shimmering, translucent wall of ice remained, veined with fine, luminous lines. It was no ordinary ice, but the kind only Kaji could create – flames frozen in mid-motion.

Muscular slammed into it with unchecked force. A dull thud, a disgusting crunch, and then the wall shattered with a single sound passing through Mark. Shards of ice flew through the air like missiles, slicing into skin and dust. Kaji threw himself to the side – not gracefully, but quickly, instinctively, his body rolling along the ground, wings tucked in, ready for the next leap.

But Muscular was faster, faster than his massive frame would suggest – he whirled around like a force of nature that knew no time, a colossus programmed only for destruction. The fist rushed in, accompanied by a throaty laugh that sounded like rusted iron.

A scream – not from Kaji, but from the air itself – for suddenly there was heat.

A blinding light cut through the gloom of the arena, and a flaming fist, deep blue and angry like the suppressed embers of decades of hatred, struck Muscular full force in the side. It wasn't a direct hit – Dabi wasn't aiming for his body, but for his momentum, his direction. The flames enveloped him like an electric shock, throwing him to the side and making him stagger.

"You're fighting both of us, you ogre," Dabi growled, his voice hoarse, his eyes burning like two narrow rips in the darkness. The flames on his arms licked hungrily, ready for more.

Kaji was back on his feet, his gaze a single, focused cut. Adrenaline pumped hotly through his veins, and somewhere between anger, respect, and a hint of satisfaction, a smile twitched on his lips.

"Nice save, dad."

Dabi huffed. "You can thank my later. Now we'll burn him away."

Muscular spat on the ground, a smacking sound followed by a ragged laugh that echoed in his massive chest like the rumble of a volcano before it erupts.

"What's wrong, Dabi?" he sneered. "You used to give a damn if your buddy got hit by a bus." His eyes flashed, adrenaline pulsing through his oversized body, every tendon straining, ready for the next explosion. "And now? Now you're jumping around this kid like a guard dog. What happened to you, huh?"

Dabi was silent for a moment, his chin slightly lowered, his eyes fixed on Muscular. The words struck a chord within him, but not in the way Muscular had hoped. No anger, no sting of guilt. Only this faint, burning glow, blazing in the depths of his iris like the remnants of an old fire that had never quite gone out.

"It was never completely meaningless to me," he murmured finally, backing away slowly, his step deliberate, gliding like smoke, until he stood behind Kaji. "I just couldn't afford it. Not then, not at Shigaraki's side. Not with Rain storming through the front lines with flaming feathers. We couldn't afford to be soft. Not with the whole world trying to crush us."

He paused for a breath. "But this... this is different. This isn't about missions. This isn't about contracts or a damned rebellion. This is about my son."

Muscular grimaced, the smile falling, giving way to dull confusion, a palpable incomprehension. "Son? Tch."

He didn't need any more words. His legs tensed, the ground cracked beneath his weight, and with a primal scream, he charged straight at Dabi. His fists clenched, his body like a living battering ram.

Dabi didn't move. Not a flinch, not a retreat. Only two small words came from his lips.

"Now, Kaji."

The air changed in a single heartbeat. Kaji raised his arms, his eyes blazing like the northern lights in the night, and his wings spread like those of a demon finally freed from its cage.

Flames erupted from him – not as before, not cautious or tamed, but wild, with a primal force that was barely controllable. They shot in all directions, punched the air, licked hungrily at anything that moved, like a pack of predators finally unleashed.

The cold exploded. The arena was engulfed in a blinding blue inferno that engulfed every corner – the bars, the concrete, part of the stands. It was as if someone had brought the sun down to the ground and chained it.

And then – the break.

The flames changed. Their edges froze. The colors shifted from blazing blue to an almost painfully bright white. In a split second, everything froze – as if frozen in another reality. The arena became silent, a single, rigid cage of frozen fire.

Muscular's body was trapped inside, frozen in motion, his partner barely recognizable as such. A distorted shadow behind the frozen wall. Only Muscular's head remained exposed, panting, steaming, his face contorted with exertion, his muscles twitching, fighting to resist freezing.

"I'll get you... I..."

Dabi stepped forward, calmly, his hands in his pockets, his face cool as ash after the fire.

"You'd better not do that," he said quietly, but his tone cut like a knife. "Or have you forgotten what happens to cold muscles when you strain them too much?"

Muscular's eyes widened as the truth dawned on him – the trembling, the tingling, the beginnings of pain deep in the tendons.

Dabi grinned crookedly with satisfaction. "They tear."

The gong echoed through the arena like the dull beat of a massive heart – a metallic echo that was lost in the icy silence, bringing the world to a surreal standstill.

Not the usual roaring yelling, not deafening cheers. Just a breathless silence that settled over the stands like fog. Hundreds of eyes were fixed on the huge block that took up three-quarters of the arena.

Kaji stood in the middle of this ghostly still life, his shoulders still slightly raised, his breath smoking in the cold air left behind by his own flames. Dabi stood beside him, his hands in his pockets, as if refusing to let the force of the moment get to him too much – but there was a gleam in his eyes that was rarely seen there.

Then, as if someone had suddenly turned up the volume on the world, the crowd exploded.

Shouts, screams, and applause erupted like an avalanche, raging from the stands like a storm of pure enthusiasm. Names were shouted, feet drummed to the beat, and in the midst of it all, they -father and son- stood the undisputed victors.

Dabi took one last look at the block of ice, a mocking twitch in the corner of his mouth, then turned slightly to the side, scrutinizing Kaji with a look that said more than words ever could.

"Not bad, kid," he murmured, and it sounded almost too casual to be real. "For your age... pretty impressive."

Kaji snorted, running his hand through his slightly sweaty hair, his feathers still had a slight glow in them.

"If I weren't impressive, it would be embarrassing. After all, you trained me." He grinned broadly and glanced briefly at the crowd, which was still roaring like a disturbed swarm of bees. "You know what? I'd love to do that again. There's something about arena fights... something so raw and honest. No ambushes, no politics. Just you, your opponent, and your fire."

Dabi raised an eyebrow, the flickering flames long since extinguished, but his expression remained serious.

"Enjoy the moment, Kaji. Because that was the last time for a long, long time."

Kaji blinked, surprised. "What? Why?"

Dabi grimaced slightly, lowering his voice, as if he didn't want to say the words out loud.

"If your mother finds out you've already been to the arena, now, without prior agreement, without her..."

He paused, took a deep breath, as if the very idea caused pain.

"She'll bury us both alive. Grounded forever."

Kaji laughed softly, half nervous, half incredulous. "You're exaggerating."

Dabi looked at him. "I was ten minutes late for training once. She banned me from using fire for a month."

Kaji trailed off. "...Oh."

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