STARDUST IN OUR BLOOD, mha

viii - hiroshi vs shoto

"The first match of the semi finals is about to commence!"

Hiroshi took a breath as he walked on stage. On the other side was Shoto. Hiroshi clenched his jaw, trying not to glare. He hated that he was going against him for one reason and one reason alone. He'd hate himself when he lost. He'd hate knowing that after everything, he was still less than Shoto.

"These two contestants have very similar quirks. All ice and fire! From the hero course, it's Hiroshi Himura! Versus - Also from the hero course, Shoto Todoroki!"

Hiroshi gritted his teeth. He didn't know if Shoto was going to use his left side or not. He may have used it against Midoriya but one fight wouldn't erase years of trauma and hell from their old man. Then again, Shoto knew Hiroshi didn't deal well with fire.

"Three, two, one, START!"

Instantly, waves of ice and fire met in the middle, sending flames and shards of ice everywhere. But the two fighters were untouched. Shoto sent another iceberg, followed by another and another. Hiroshi rushed forwards, destroying every berg sent his way.

Shoto would try to tire him out. He must've noticed the state he was in after his last match but Hiroshi was prepared. The stage was covered in ice and white fire, the air around them freezing.

A perfect cover.

Shoto sent another iceberg, this time with no response. He paused, eyes scanning the field. Suddenly, Hiroshi appeared to his left, having ran through the flames to attack. Shoto ducked, touching the ground to freeze it. Hiroshi jumped, using small blasts to let himself glide over the ice. Shoto brought up a shield of ice but Hiroshi dodged, landing on his feet and rushing at Shoto.

He brought up his hand, gritting his teeth as he concentrated. All he needed was one concentrated blast. A fireball burned in his hand before shooting directly at Shoto.

It missed. But that didn't matter. Shoto shielded his eyes from the light, giving the boy an opening. Fire burst up his arm as he punched Shoto in the jaw.

Shoto fell but caught himself. Hiroshi lunged for another attack but sent a wave of ice. Hiroshi blocked with a shield of flames but, before he knew it, Shoto appeared above him, about to land on his head.

Shoto shot ice at him before landing on the ground. Hiroshi jumped out of the way, scrambling to his feet. Shoto punched, ice spreading up his arm. His fist collided with Hiroshi's stomach, sending the boy back.

Space opened between the two. Shoto sent another ice attack as Hiroshi made a shield of flames. The two sent attack after attack but neither could land hits.

Hiroshi was beginning to panic. His skin was pale and numb and his core was freezing. But he had to keep fighting. For a moment, the two contestants stopped their attacks but it was just long enough for Shoto to realise how tired Hiroshi must have been.

Shoto stepped back, taking his time, before swinging his arm, sending a massive wall of ice. Hiroshi's eyes widened. He covered his head, letting a ball of flames surrounded him.

When the flames disappeared, Hiroshi looked around him. He was surrounded by ice, in an oddly shaped hole. The force and movement of his fire alone had saved him.

"Himura's been trapped!" He heard Present Mic announce for seemingly the first time that match. Then again, he hadn't been paying attention to the man., "It must be over for him!"

Everything became eerily quiet. Hiroshi was confused, surely Shoto wasn't just gonna end it like this. The boy sighed, going to break out when-

CRACK

Shoto broke through the ice, tackling Hiroshi. He yelped as Shoto froze his shoulder. Hiroshi threw his fist at him, punching him with a ball of fire. Shoto grunted, pulling back. Hiroshi quickly slipped his leg out from under Shoto before slamming the heel of his foot into his chest. Shoto fell back and Hiroshi scrambled to get on top.

Hiroshi punched and punched and punched. Shoto was taken aback by the sudden attack but couldn't help but notice the way Hiroshi snarled at him, a feral glare in his eyes.

Shoto shoved Hiroshi off him, his face throbbing and his vision blurry. Both scrambled to their feet when Hiroshi swung at Shoto's head again. Shoto dodged, grabbing the boy's arm and freezing it.

Hiroshi scoffed.

"Really? God, when are you just gonna finish this?"

Shoto almost froze at his words. Hiroshi sent another hook before jabbing him in the chin. Shoto hit him back with a blast of ice. Hiroshi was pushed back but landed.

"C'mon, you can do better than that," Hiroshi spat, "You know for a fact the second you bring out fire, I'm out. So why won't you?"

Shoto scowled, sending another attack of ice. Hiroshi jumped out of the way before using a fire ball to push himself towards Shoto. He swung his fist but Shoto dodged. He was pale and red but still put everything into his attack. Shoto quickly noticed his lack of quirk usage but that didn't mean he was any less dangerous. Shoto had quickly learned how hard he punched.

"Stop being so childish and just finish this."

Shoto's eyes widened as he dodged another punch. Hiroshi thought he was childish? No, he couldn't let Hiroshi get into his head.

Hiroshi kicked at Shoto's legs but he rolled out of Hiroshi's way, jumping back up. Hiroshi couldn't help but scowl. Everything ached and he could feel his legs shaking. But he was still so angry. So desperate.

"Just fight me like you mean it! Don't make me lose to you when you're not even trying!"

Shoto froze, eye wide as he stared at his brother. He sighed, bringing up his left hand.

"You want fire? Fine, I'll show you fire."

Before anyone could blink, two massive blasts of fire were set off. The audience jumped back, guarding themselves from the blasts of hot and cold air. Red flames burst from Shoto's body, turning pink and purple at the center where they met with Hiroshi's white and blue.

The flames obscured their vision but it cleared. Hiroshi rushed Shoto again, shooting flames from his hands and feet. He appeared next to Shoto. Shoto threw up a shield of fire as Hiroshi maneuvered around.

Burn and freeze marks covered the stage as steam and frozen vapour rolled in the air.

Hiroshi struggled to continue his fight. His body trembled from the hypothermia, his head throbbed from the heat stroke. He couldn't handle the constant hot and cold. But he kept attacking, sending fireball after fireball. Suddenly, Shoto sent a wave of hot flames at Hiroshi. It hit him, sending his body flying.

Hiroshi hit the ground with a thud. Everything aches but he pushed himself back up again. Shoto frowned and, without another thought, sent the biggest blast of fire yet. Yellow and red surrounded Hiroshi as he let his own flames burn around him. A futile attempt to protect him.

Slowly, the flames dissipated, revealing Hiroshi's trembling body.

He was still standing.

Everyone looked in shock at the burned and battered boy. Discoloured skin covered his arms and face as he shook uncontrollably. His breathing was heavy and uneven, his eyes downcast. Even Shoto was too shocked to attack. On the jumbo screen, everyone could see the way Hiroshi's body swayed.

He took one step, and then another. Everyone gasped with hope but it was all destroyed as Hiroshi fell.

He hit the ground. Hard. His brain screamed for him to get up. Keep going. Keep fighting. But his body couldn't do it. He couldn't move.

Midnight walked up to the boy. "Himura, can you get up?" He didn't respond. "Todoroki advances to the final round!"

The crowd burst into cheers but Hiroshi could barely hear it. He lay on the ground, dazed and angry. The last thing he could think of before passing out was how much of a complete and utter failure he was.