Well, it took me long enough. Sorry I have been busy with life stuff. A lot of things had to be put on hold and my motivation for writing has been among those things. Also, I am currently recovering from COVID at the time of typing this, so that's no fun.

Right. I hope this chapter is interesting and mixes things up a bit. I wanted to still focus on Izuku and Mina, but I also wanted to do more than just totally rehash the Cavalry battle (but with new teams! OOOO!) so I switch to different perspectives to see how everyone reacts. I will switch to some others in future chapters too but for now, I think this is a good enough chapter.

I decided to build up more of Izuku and Mina vs each other and...let's just say we will get more of that very soon, storywise. I just hope it is satisfying.

I also provide hints of what is to come for Mineta. I did write him out of the story but he will still be out there in the world, popping up in the not too distant future, Next Sunday A.D. maybe? Probably not.

Also, I am finally introducing some OC's of mine in writing and I hope, when we see them properly, you love them like I do.

I hope this didn't come off too rushed or forced. I still want characters to feel... In character, while also juggling others and acknowledging the developments i gave them that vary greatly from canon. Anyway, feedback is welcome as always. Thank you so much, dearies! I love you and have a great week.

Izuku was nervous. He had done his best to proceed to the next round and stand out without exhausting himself. In the process, however, he had painted a large target on his back. Due to having scored the most points in the first round, everyone was now gunning for him. He breathed a sigh of relief and tried to keep calm. He had trusted friends and allies, more than he could have ever imagined. They would stick this through with him, right?

"Hmmmmm...Pass. Sorry...but I want to take you on! Don't think our friendly competition is gonna lose steam after the first event!" Mina teased. This girl was going to be the death of him. He looked to Kirishima and Tsuyu, hoping at least one of them would stand with him. He knew Bakugou would be gunning for him for sure, not just because of his lead but out of a pure vendetta and a desire to "put him in his place".

"Sorry, bro...Ashido asked first." The redhead grit his teeth. Having to choose between his two crushes...wait, he meant friends. Both? He could process that later. For now, he was kicking himself but he would make it up to Izuku later.

"Guess I'm on my own again…" Izuku exhaled. He knew that it wasn't true. He still had his friends. But for now, they would be his rivals.

"Don't be so pouty, Izu. We still have your back. But don't forget, you're not the only one aiming to be a top hero. So focus on me, ok? We'll see who can kick the most butt."

Izuku shook his head and smiled. He really wasn't alone. Not anymore at least. He was hoping to team up with his girlfriend but he should have known she wouldn't let the competition thing go after the first stage.

"I wish you had this sort of drive with studying. Alright. You're on, Ashido. I won't lose."

"Now that's the spirit!" Mina grinned, purposefully ignoring the studying comments . She could hit the books later. For now this would be her shot to show others what she could do and have fun doing it. She nudged her boyfriend and selected her team: Kirishima, Tsuyu, and Ochako.

"Oh come on. Uraraka too? You really don't play fair." Izuku pouted. Why did he have to fall for the sporty type again?

"Nope. I play for keeps." Mina winked as she leaned forward to tap her boyfriend's nose with her finger. Izuku felt his heart rate increase from both the anxiety of picking a team and from his girlfriend's teasing. "That's why." he sighed to himself and stood steadfast.

"Well don't count me out because I won't make it easy for you."

"Wouldn't have it any other-" Mina smiled warmly, gazing into her boyfriend's eyes as they prepared to shake hands. However, a loud groan and the sound of explosions distracted them.

"O-of course."

Izuku noticed two members of 1b with nobody else. He felt like he was treading dangerous water as they were Bakugou's classmates. However, he knew that the redheaded girl was at least nice and he was familiar with Setsuna.

One was a tall angry young man with a green mohawk and the face of an insect while the other was a short cute girl with blonde hair and horns. He was nervous about reaching out, but desperate times called for one to step out of their comfort zones.

"Excuse me. I would like to team up."

"Buzz off, idiot. We're already teamed up. Besides, we are gunning for your points.

"Don't be rude, Kamakiri. Hi, my name is Pony."

"Nice to meet you, Pony. You look familiar...I got it! You look like the American hero, Cow Lady. A bit cuter, but still similar."

Pony looked a bit confused at first.

"She isn't fluent in Japanese. She's an exchange student from America. No idea what she's doing in Japan. It's not all anime and pocky." Kamakiri grunted. Izuku stroked his chin, then perked up, pounding a fist into his palm with determination. He repeated himself in near-perfect english, stuttering a few times with pronunciations.

Pony immediately got excited, hearing her native tongue.

"Awww thanks. She is my aunt. Not a lot of people have heard of her here. She is an American hero afterall. I am staying with her old friend, Snipe."

"That's so cool! It makes sense, actually! Cow lady and Snipe were a really underappreciated hero team a while back. I know All Might had teamed up with Cow Lady towards the beginning of his time in America!"

"You're an All-Might fan too! I have some rare merchandise that was only available in the states during his 25th anniversary as a hero. I got it as a birthday gift."

Izuku and Pony chatted animatedly in English as Kamakiri felt a vein pop in his head.

"Shut the fuck up! I told you we don't need-"

"Can we team up with you, Madoriyo?"

"I-it's Midoriya...but sure. I was going to team up with my girlfriend but she decided we should have a friendly competition."

Pony looked somewhat dejected, as the fluffy green-haired boy was kind of cute but it was ok. It was like her auntie told her: "It's a big pasture, sugar cube."

"Oooo! I like that! It's like this one show I love!"

"Sorry to leave you in the lurch, Tsunotori, but I think I have had my fill of Otaku nonsense. Gonna go see what the bird kid and octopus boy over there are doing. Looks like Shishida has joined up with them. See ya later"

"Wait, Kamikiri! Come back!" Pony shouted, her protests falling on deaf ears.

"Oho? An American, eh? That means I can try my babies out for an international Market," Mei crept in, taking Pony slightly aback.

"Um...personal boundaries, miss. Wait...are those Steampunk goggles? Do...Do you cosplay!?" Pony felt herself geeking out again. It was Mei

"Sometimes, but mostly just for the aesthetic when I'm at school. I have been so busy working on my cute little inventions that I haven't had time to go to any conventions. I have actually made some of my gear myself! I once made a fully functional mech suit modeled after Mobile FIghter Gaiogazinger Lagann XLR… It blew up though."

Even Izuku was enamored. Support gear was sometimes just as important as a quirk, afterall and could work in conjunction with a hero's innate abilities in order to keep them and others safe. As for cosplay, he had dabbled a bit. He had even talked Mina into going to a con or two.

"Pardonne moi, mon ami. I couldn't help but notice your dear love forsaking you for the sake of competition. How cruel. Fear not, however. You have a dazzling ace up your sleeve" a familiarly flamboyant voice rang in Izuku's ears. He would hardly call what Mina did "cruel" but he wasn't in a position to be too choosy.

"Oh sure, Aoyama. You're on board. You guys ready?" Izuku made sure his newly assembled team was prepared. Mei raised her hand and cheered.

"Hold on, teammate! I have something that might be of use. You have been avoiding using your quirk a lot."

Izuku rubbed the back of his head. He didn't expect a lot of people to notice. On some level, he was still used to not really standing out. "That obvious, huh? Yeah. I am a late bloomer and the blowback damages me if I go too hard, so I have been trying to save it for when I really need it."

"Fufufufu~ I see how it is...literally. My quirk gives me an eye for detail. Again, literally. I can zoom in like a camera. Or a microscope. It's not combat savvy but it sure as heck suits my needs. Anyway, I'll be right back! I have something you are going to love!"

She ran off before Izuku or Pony could say another word and came back with a briefcase filled with support items. "I work day and night on these cute little babies! Allying with you will put my sweet little inventions in the spotlight while the big support companies all watch! Look at this one!" Mei reached for a jetpack with the energy of a caffeinated weasel. "I modified this design based on a certain hero!"

Izuku immediately caught on and was enamored. "No way! That looks like Air Jet's pack!"

Mei giggled with pride. "Oh, it caught your eye, huh? I added my own twist to it. I also have matching boots. They are pretty lightweight. It took a few tries and only 3 of them exploded but they really turned out great!"

Pony spoke up. "Oooo! Do you have any for me? Me please!" The excited blonde drowned out Izuku's concerns about explosions while Aoyama posed dramatically.

"None for me, merci~. I have all I need." he said, referring to his custom belt. Mei loomed over him with a sinister grin.

"Are you suuuuuure? There is always room for improvement. Hehehehe~"

Deciding to rein his team in, Izuku put on his support items from Mei and his headbands, "It's about to start, guys. Let's focus up."

Like clockwork, the voice of the 18+ hero, Midnight, grabbed the crowd's attention. "Is everybody ready? The event is about to start. Make your final preparations and get into gear!"

After everyone scrambled to finish up, Izuku and Mina locked eyes from across the arena, smiling at one another. They could not hear each other over the hustle and bustle, but they knew what the other was thinking.

"Good luck, babe. See you in the winner's circle"

X

The event began, with Bakugou and Monoma's team immediately gunning for Team Izuku, only to get cut off by team Todoroki. Izuku wiped sweat from his brow. And forged on. He had to be very careful about how he used his quirk still, so he was relying on the strength of his teammates.

"Aoyama, use your laser to distract them while Tsunotori grabs some headbands and Mei increases our mobility. If we can put some distance between us and the other teams, we can win this."

"Who says I'll let you do that, Midorkia~?" Mina laughed as her team flanked Izuku's team, using Tsuyu's tongue to grab several headbands. Kirishima provided defense, while Ochako would use her quirk to disorient opponents.

Izuku was feeling awkward. He wasn't expecting to compete against mina. He knew he could count on her but he was very lucky in the past that he never had to face her. And yet a competitive streak was forming in him.

"Don't be so meana, Ashidope!" Izuku fired back. He was ready to apologize profusely but Mina just grinned.

"Oho! Such scathing words! Is Mr. Bunny trying to be funny? Let's see if you can keep up."

Aoyama fired out a controlled naval laser, trying not to go too hard as to give himself a bad tummy ache. Kirishima, however, bodied it and steamrolled forward, while Tsuyu used her tongue to snag some headbands. Izuku thought fast and grabbed one as his froggy friend latched on.

"Uraraka, now!"

Ochako was a bit nervous about lifting 4 people all at once and she would likely offer up her breakfast to the arena, but she complied with gusto.

Izuku was internally geeking out at the strategy being employed by his girlfriend. He couldn't help but feel a warmth growing in his chest, radiating throughout his body and supercharging his body. He felt pride in this girl. The way her team worked together was almost like a dance routine where each member was part of a single body.

"Hatsume, use your net gun to snag them. Tsunotori, aim your horns at Kirishima's left shoulder blade and fire." Izuku barked, feeling his synapses fire on all cylinders. He had no time to second guess himself right now.

A distant explosion rang out and shot towards the two teams like a terrestrial comet of rage and artillery. Izuku couldn't help but sigh at the fun being ruined but tensed up when he saw not one set of explosions, but two, and they were coming from the same group. Monoma was using his quirk to copy Bakugou's as a form of propulsion while the angry boy himself served as the muscle. To round the team out, Tsuburaba served as defense and Shihai was their stealth weapon, just in case. Izuku had questions about their quirks that he was not able to answer from just a glance, but he would have to ask later.

"You losers done playing grab ass for all to see OR AM I GOING TO HAVE TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!?"

Mina used her quirk to sling a stream of weak, slippery acid to distract Izuku but her balance was thrown off and she threw it in the path of Iida. The stiff-lipped speedster skidded on the puddle and slammed into the arena wall, causing team Todoroki to topple and have to regroup.

"Oh my goodness! Mina, that was amazing! Good thinking on taking out the competition with that move? Todoroki and crew are going to be just as tough as Midoribro!"

"It was a fluke, wasn't it?" Tsuyu croaked, looking towards her team captain.

"Thank you, Kiri! And no? Shut up? Totally intentional…"

Izuku watched with awe. He didn't have a lot of time to react before he was being chased down by both team Bakugou and team Mina, but he was impressed. It could have been a mere accident but it was still a great strategy. He mentally took note and carried on. All of a sudden, a black blur shot out and latched onto Izuku.

"Tokoyami!"

Izuku recalled his team back as they tried to recover from the attack. They ended up losing two of their headbands, while Mina's team took the opportunity to reach out for another. Mei zoomed in on Team Todoroki and saw them approaching. "Green boy, we have company!"

Izuku turned but was too late, losing another headband. However, Pony's horns returned back with several headbands. Chaos ensued as several other teams went at it. He could see the purple-haired boy from general studies speed off with his team while some others stood still. A mess of thorny tendrils made of water had combined with Shiozaki's vines to form a formidable weapon. The One-for-All inheritor was just happy they were distracted.

Suddenly, the thorns of wood and water converged on team Midoriya. "Spoke too soon". Activating his jetpack and boots, Izuku urged his teammates to hold on tight as they took to the skies, just barely dodging attacks on all sides.

A stray lightning bolt from Kaminari, however, brought the crew out of the skies. Thinking quickly, Mei switched settings on her gun and fired a foam pellet. The pellet ballooned into a pile of foam that cushioned their fall.

Time was ticking down and Mina, who had watched the whole thing, sighed in relief, deciding to go back on the offensive. She reached out for Izuku's team, with team Bakugou and team Todoroki doing the same.

Time ticked down until the buzzer roared to life, timed perfectly with a shockwave that took everyone by surprise and rendered them unable to see the results until the dust settled a little bit. In the end, 5 teams had scored enough points to proceed to the next round. Everyone waited with baited breath to see who would make the cut and even Izuku and Mina would be surprised by the results.

Midnight cracked her riding crop and declared the end to the explosive and action packed fracas of the Cavalry battle. "Wow, folks! That was incredible, but time is up! Please cease all activity and wait while we process the winners of this round. A short half-time show will ensue.!"

X

During proceedings…

The pros in the bleachers watched curiously, hanging on the edge of their seats. The cavalry battle was utterly engaging, if not slightly chaotic. The students clashed amongst themselves, with grudges and rivalries popping up alongside the typical bouts of competitive spirit.

A green-haired woman with a bandana took particular notice of two teams who were having a friendly back and forth at the beginning. SHe recognized them from the titantron broadcast of the obstacle course.

"Young love, huh? How romantic~. Glad to see that hasn't dulled their ability to compete against each other. If anything, it seems those two might already know each other's strengths and weaknesses." the woman spoke to herself, a gas mask over her mouth muffling some of her speech.

"Did you say something?" The pro next to her asked, curious about his peer's hushed monologue as much as he was about the chaotic competition below.

The green-haired pro laughed it off and continued watching with vested interest. It was always to see two parties in sync, especially when they were competing against one another. She secretly hoped they got the chance to face off one on one. That would really show her the potential they had both as individuals and as a cohesive unit. Only time would tell.

Elsewhere, a large, flame engulfed man that many would describe as "bara" watched with impatience. He was really hoping his son would drop the futile charade and use his fire side. It was great to hear the praise that other pros were heaping on Shouto, but it felt hollow if the boy didn't use his fire. It would be unearned if Shouto insisted on holding back.

"Come on, Shouto! Use what I have gifted you. You are holding back on these weaker opponents." The man known as Endeavor scowled. His son had shown great tactical advantage in the team he chose but was still dispatched too easily by that goofy looking pink child and her team. She didn't even seem to be taking things seriously, just treating it like a game with that green-haired boy, the one similar to All-Might.

From his seat on the other side, All-Might watched his two wards go all out, striving both to push each other and lift each other up. He had doubts about love in the field before. It was part of why he never settled down himself. THere were too many risks involved, especially with the giant target he painted on his back as the symbol of peace. However, Izuku was different. He couldn't help but imagine it would be a whole other story if the young man was alone before UA.

However, there was a level of trust, young and blossoming but also firmly planted. If these two could get the training they needed at UA, they would be in good hands. Perhaps, even, maybe it was time for...the older gentleman shook his head. THat was a thought for another time.

As impressive as Mina was, the seasoned pro's hopes were squarely on his replacement to make himself known. He had entrusted One for All to this boy, a power that grew stronger with each person who passed it down, snowballing through the generations. It may have been too much for one person, but one had to wield it. Despite the wishes of some former sidekicks, Izuku was the person that All-Might had chosen.

Still, Mina had also shown promise. Anyone who could stand up for those perceived as a liability or a weakness, an outcast to society, had a bright future. She had more or less inserted herself into the equation. There was no time for All-Might to question whether his successor could make romance work where he had failed. Ashido was already there and she made herself known. In some ways, she reminded him of someone.

X

At Home, Mineta was working on the formwork and doing homework so that he didn't fall behind. He was hoping Ketsubetsu would be less dangerous. He heard the homeroom teacher would be female so he was on board right away. He had already sent in a request letter and just had to finish up the process. Approval would probably take up to a week if life was generous. It was a rather short notice affair and the school year was already under way.

There were sure to be plenty of cute girls there. And yeah, All Might wasn't teaching there, but maybe that was a good thing, Sure he was the best hero ever and the guy who always won, but that was just it. All-Might had a giant target on his back. Mineta still wanted to be a hero. It was a good fit for his quirk and he had come this far. Besides, heroes were cool and popular and girls loved them. It definitely aligned with his goals for life.

Perhaps, however, aiming for the top hero school right away wasn't the right would dial it back and go for a different school instead, one that wasn't too far off from UA. His dad suggested Shiketsu, but was the old man insane? That place was super strict. They didn't even let their student body date. How lame and archaic was that? It wasn't like Mineta had much luck in that department anyway, but it wasn't his fault he was involuntarily celibate, right?

His life did flash before his eyes momentarily. He was pretty sure Asui tried drowning him after he grabbed her breasts, but that wasn't the only time he almost died. The entire USJ experience was a string of near-deaths and close calls. He turned on the tv to get his mind off things. He was almost done filling out the form when he saw that the Sports festival was on. Maybe he could see how his old classmates were doing.

He turned on the TV to see his friends engaging in some sort of battle royale where students carried each other and attempted to steal headbands from each other. It was certainly different from previous years he had watched. It was definitely engaging, yet he found it hard to watch without wondering if he made the right call.

Should he have stayed at UA? Was he being too cowardly? Was he even meant to be a hero if that was enough to psyche him out? He trained for UA, dreamed of going there. But what happened at USJ? That freaked him out. He wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Perhaps it was a test of his mettle and proved he was among the best. And yet, he felt traumatized. The short boy was sure he wasn't alone in that, and he even cheered when All-Might and the other pros arrived, but he needed a step back.

"I'm going to be a hero. I will still be the coolest guy...but I need to do it at my pace." Mineta groaned, getting up from his desk and diving onto his bed. He found himself framed by the dakimakuras he owned of various heroines. It helped him view things with clarity, to zoom in on his life.

After a deep sigh, the boy looked back to the TV and saw Midoriya giving it his all. This timid, grounded boy with a quirk like All-Might's and a cute girlfriend. Mineta felt jealous of this kid, almost angry at him for having what he had. And yet he couldn't remain that way. Instead, he finished up and submitted his transfer forms digitally so that he could watch the Sports Festival without distraction.

He may not have been a UA student anymore, but he would still watch and learn. One day, he wanted to meet them again, and prove to himself that he still had what it took.

And if he found a cute girl with a big chest and a nice smile, well, that would be nice too. "Just my luck, I'll find one like that and she'll be a lesbian." the boy sighed. He then smiled to himself as he started to think about that a little too deep , only to fall off his bed and bash his head on the corner. Luckily, his midnight Dakimakura softened his collision with the floor, but some blood from his head stained her.

X

Meanwhile, at Ketsubutsu Academy...

Emi Waniago stretched in her seat. This was quite an odd day of class. She was expecting training drills or a power hike with Ms. Joke. It would certainly help build her endurance. However, said teacher was missing, having gone to an event in another prefecture. Sure, Ms. Joke was the homeroom teacher for the second years, but she still liked to interact with the freshmen. Besides, she would joke about being twins with the crocodile girl, given their green hair and same first name. Emi smiled to herself and got out of her chair, opting for dynamic stretches to keep herself limber, just in case, much to the chagrin of a couple of her friends.

Beside her, her girlfriend, Asuga, traced the air with a finger and created a small whirlwind. It was a surprisingly slow day, but the youth considered the work load prior to it enough to make up for the lull. Besides, she was sure that there would be more than enough afterwards to get her in the groove.

"So what? We're just going to watch another school's sports day on TV instead of doing anything? Couldn't we have just stayed home for this?" a slender girl with cropped black hair and reddish skin slouched in her seat while fidgeting with her pencil. "Is this because teach is thirsty for that scruffy hobo dude who works at UA? I mean, I know she's the 2nd year teacher, but-"

"Show some respect, Ran. As a school, UA is a worthy rival and has spawned some of the top heroes in the country and even the world! " Emi retorted boisterously, punching her chest as her friends eyed her nervously.

"Then why did you go here and not there? Then I wouldn't have to hear you get so loud." The amphibious girl scoffed as she fidgeted with her pencil. A stout young man sitting next to her at a window seat sighed at the salamander girl's demeanor.

A redheaded girl in the corner stifled a laugh as she watched the whole thing go down, hiding her face behind her notebook. It was covered in punk band stickers and Celtic iconography. Emi glanced briefly between her two classmates, focusing on the redhead again. She was a transfer student, apparently. Emi groaned. Why was she getting guff for being loud? She wasn't the one with a sound-based quirk.

"Settle down, class. We'll be doing some training this week, but I thought I would treat you all to the Sports Festival, especially while we process some potential changes to our class line-up." A lanky, bespectacled woman spoke as she adjusted her glasses, taking a seat at his desk. She finished setting up the feed on the TV and watched the events unfold on her own monitor.

The class was abuzz temporarily with what their teacher meant. Were they getting a new transfer student? It seemed an odd time to do so, but it was an odd world. When the event unfolded on the screen, however, the student body started to hush up.

As things settled down, the first year class focused their attention on the sports festival once more, with Emi deciding to eye one group in particular. She had heard rumors about 1-A. That they had been ambushed by villains. She had even heard that the Crocodile King himself was among the gathered criminals. You couldn't always believe rumors and her dad being anything but the one pulling the strings seemed unlikely, but she couldn't help but take notice.

The tall, buff girl with green skin smiled, her eyes narrowing on the screen as the camera focused on the aforementioned green-haired boy with freckles. "Midoriya, huh? So that's him." He wasn't much to write home about physically, but the way he carried himself was interesting. He was apparently quirkless when, which was a rarity. At least, that's how Asuga initially told it. Theboy definitely had a quirk now. He wouldn't have stood a chance at getting into UA otherwise. That's for sure. Nevertheless, the gator girl's interest was piqued by both her girlfriend's former classmate and his own girlfriend. It was the boy that surprisingly had her attention the most, however.

"Ok, Midoriya. Let's see if you're as cool as I was led to believe."