Chapter 27:

(Okay, so it's time for the cavalry battle. You know I noticed the main 3 each win one round in the Sports Festival. Anyways, time for a bit of rewrite this time around. Enjoy the chapter)

Izuku felt his heartbeat anxiously beat as he was being stared down by the other students. "Things have changed so much since junior high, but I'm still a target." He noted, "I'm only in first place right now because of some good luck. Not that, that matters, I guess."

Toshinori realized that his protege now knew the burden of being the best.

Lucas looked at his friend, as he realized now he was at the center of it all, but then looked at Shoto. Lucas recalled everything he knew about Endeavor as a person,

"What do I do? Izuku's my first friend. But I can tell Todoroki-san's carrying something he shouldn't." He thought to himself. "First-years!" Kayama said, Lucas immediately shut his eyes as he turned toward the sound. "These are the rules you'll abide by: The game itself will last 15 minutes. Individual points will be added together to reach your team total." Midnight explained, "Everyone will know how much you're worth, thanks to your headbands." The goal is to swipe as many headbands as the teams can to add to the team's score, stolen headbands must be stolen from the neck up. "So the more you steal, the harder it'll be to manage them. And another thing—Even if your headband gets stolen or your team falls down, you can keep playing until time's up." Midnight explained.

Lucas overheard the total amount of teams that could be made from the 42 students. He noticed Rikido said there'd at least be teams of 10-12.

"Sounds hard." He heard Yuga say, and overheard Mina and Tsuyu talking about strategizing.

"Tsu's right, we should wait for the team's structuring." He said, agreeing with her. They were free to use their Quirks as much as they like, but if they intentionally have a team fall on purpose they will be disqualified. The screen displayed at least 15 minutes to make teams.

Izuku realized it didn't matter how many points his would-be teammates would have, since he already has so many. "I just have to pick the right people. Okay, I know who I want." He noticed Lucas was walking around, as he seemed very deep in thought. "Lucas can give us a barrier as a form of defense. Still…He's so focused on other things." Izuku noted. He knew Lucas didn't want to compete, but he's noticed that the conviction is distracting him from so many other things, it's keeping his head out of the game, so to speak.

(With Katsuki)

Katsuki was being surrounded with so many people who wanted to team up with him, "Wait, remind me what your Quirks are again, and your names." The others looked at him, "You're kidding, we're your classmates." Mina said to him, "Are you really that self-centered?" Rikido asked. "Bakugo!" Eijirou waved at him. "I was gonna try Todoroki, but he already picked a group. So hey, we should team up!" He said, enthusiastically.

"Hey, Dumb-Hair." Katsuki said, "My name is Kirishima! And my hair's not that different from yours!" The red head said, "Come on. You wanna be the rider, right? So you're gonna need a strong front horse, who won't be hurt by your blasts." He showed off his Quirk as further proof. "That'd be me." He said, looking confident.

Katsuki took one look at him and said, "I need someone with guts." Kirishima looked determined to convince him.

"My Quirk was made for this! I got you covered, man!" He said, "Let's go charging in!" Katsuki looked at him, oddly. "Ten million! Bring it!" Eijirou finished his case, to which Katsuki grinned aggressively.

(With Lucas)

"If Izuku can find a strong team, I'll join yours." Lucas explained himself, "Sakai, are you serious right now? I said our little truce was done." Shoto said to him, not understanding why he persists to show no interest in this.

"Well, I said I wouldn't be out for fighting my friends or classmates. I said I'd go all out, not that I would try to bring people down." Lucas said, confidently.

"But won't you be against Midoriya if this were the case?" Yaoyorozu asked, "I'm only joining if Izuku can find a strong team." He looked, "Otherwise, if he can't find one in time, I'll support him instead." Shoto didn't understand Sakai, "You're friends with him, so why wouldn't you support him first?" Shoto asked.

Lucas looked at his friend, "It's simple. He can stand tall without me, since he's grown so much." Lucas explained, "Besides…I know there's something you're carrying, Todoroki-san." Shoto looked at him, "What?" He asked, "So…You don't need an enemy. You need a friend." Lucas said, understanding that Shoto was holding on to emotional pain. It's not his business to know what it is, but he thinks it's better to be there for Shoto, rather than be against. Especially if someone like Endeavor affects him too greatly.

Shoto noted that Lucas seems to have admiration for Izuku, since he seems to trust him enough to be on his own.

"Fine, go see if Midoriya can find a team first." Shoto said, deciding that Lucas would a great ally in this part of the Sports Festival, since he clearly wasn't interested in competing against him, still.

"His powers are going to be a great defense if he joins. Still, what is his problem…why doesn't he want to fight?" Shoto thought to himself. "I'm carrying something…That's why he'd rather be friends HERE?"

(With Izuku)

"Oh hey, Ojiro, what's up?" Izuku asked, sheepishly, hoping to get a team member. Ojiro apologized and walked away.

Izuku understood why, begrudgingly. The goal for the other students was to go to first place's headband, and not many people would be confident in his abilities since he didn't rely on his Quirk in the Obstacle Race. "Hey, Deku!" Izuku was practically hopeless as he heard Ochaco's voice, "Let's team up!" She said, excitedly.

Izuku burst into tears, "Uraraka! Are you sure?! Everyone'll be after me and my ten-million stupid points! Tell me you're kidding!" He said, through his bawling.

"If we run away the whole time, then we'll win, right?" Ochaco asked, Izuku stopped his waterfalls he called tears and continued.

"Uh, you're either overestimating me or underestimating everyone else here." Izuku said, "Phooey!" Ochaco said, "Anyway, it's better to team up with people you like!" Izuku felt his heart squeeze as she said that, and he started blushing and made a gross face.

"Is something wrong? You look so gross." Ochaco asked and put out there. Izuku dried his eyes, "No, I just thought my chest was gonna explode for a second." He explained, "Actually, I wanted to team up with you, too. Thanks a lot. You're right, for a game that requires so much teamwork, it's smart to find people you communicate smoothly with." Ochaco nodded to that, "In fact, if we had your Quirk and one other person…You know what—I think I might have a solid plan." Izuku said, "There they are."

Izuku & Ochaco walked up to Tenya & Lucas.

"Iida!" Izuku said, "Lu!" Ochaco said. This gathered the attention of the two boys. Iida looked at them and saw them both go "Ha!" enthusiastic. All Lucas did was chuckle slightly, "Anyways, three of us would be horses, with Iida as the front. Using Uraraka's Quirk, Iida and I would be way lighter, so we'd be able to maneuver around really easily. No one would be able to catch us." Izuku explained the game plan, "And Lucas: You'd be the rider, you could use your PSI to create barriers around the team." Lucas looked over.

"A good strategy, but I'm sorry." Tenya said, "I'm afraid I must refuse your offer."

This shock Izuku and Ochaco a little. Lucas knew because Shoto already asked him to be on his team.

"Since this all started, I've been losing to you. Please don't take this as an insult, don't take this as an insult." Tenya reminded Izuku that he was a great friend. "But if I continue to follow you, I'll never get stronger." Tenya then pointed out that it's not only Shoto & Katsuki who see him as a rival, he said as he walked toward Momo & Shoto.

"Midoriya, I'll try my best to defeat you." Lucas just looked over, taking a deep breath. He hates that rivalry is what everyone's going for, but he understands where Tenya's coming from. Ochaco looked at him in awe and shock.

Izuku took it all in, it's started. Everyone's an enemy, and he can't rely on anyone this time. "Lucas, are you going to team up?" He asked, Lucas looked down. "I'll help you find members for your strong team, and if you can't find anyone, I'll join." Lucas said. Izuku looked at him strangely.

"Don't worry, I still don't want to have a rivalry. It's just…Todoroki-san." Lucas explained, "You guys don't see it, but…he's got a weight on him. Regret and anger." Lucas explained.

"Wait, that's why you want to join Todoroki's team?" Ochaco asked, "Lu, weren't you gong all out?"

Lucas looked at them, "I have been. I just don't want to put people down or cause any unnecessary trouble between us. I understand that pros are watching, but still…" he wasn't necessarily sure. He still thinks this competition is bringing out the worst in most of the students.

"I'm…I'm just trying to be a good sport." He said, "So, I'll help you find members before I join Todoroki-san's team. If we can find four members, I think you'll be good." Lucas explained, though he still looked guilty.

He started worrying…"He…isn't mad at me, is he?" Lucas asked himself, "I just hope there won't be hard feelings between Izuku and I." Lucas started worrying about his friendship with Izuku being tested.

He lost focus before he heard the sound of an…engine revving? And…giggling? "Oh perfect, you're still alone. And you're the star."

The three of them turned around, "Team up with me, person in first place!" It was the pink-haired girl from the support course! She was up close to Izuku, which started the boy. and giggled when she introduced herself. "I'm a student in the Support Course! Name's Mei Hatsume." Ochaco recognized her from the race.

"We haven't met, but I'd like to use your current fame to my personal advantage." Lucas started blushing a little. "H-How straightforward." He said, as she zoomed closer to the three.

"If I team up with you, then I'll be in the spotlight! Part of the team that everyone is keeping their eyes on." She said, going even closer.

"That means my super cute little babies will inevitably be seen by the big company CEOs who're tuning in to the Sports Festival." The three of them were stunted, "And following that line of reasoning, this is the best way for me and my marvelous gadgets to get recruited." She went and rambled on, with none of them being able to catch.

"Could you slow down a minute? Did you bring babies here, or—I mean—" She continued on as she spoke to Midoriya alone, not paying Ochaco and Lucas any mind.

"Oh, she doesn't care about me." Ochaco thought, as she looked at Lucas, blushing slightly.

"Lu, are you blushing?" Ochaco asked, "Wh-Wh-Wh-What?! N-No way, well—well, I am now, because you-you asked." Lucas said, Ochaco looked confused, "Wait, do you—?" "N-No!" Lucas said, blushing even more.

Hatsume opened up a case full of her inventions, "The Support Course specializes in creating equipment that helps heroes deal with their Quirks and enhance their skills." She cackles as she explained that she packed tons of inventions with her into the Sports Festival. "So I'm sure you'll find something you like floating around my arsenal!" She was imagining herself floating around her own arsenal. Izuku didn't know what to think as he stared absentmindedly at Mei. "Ooh, I see one's caught your eye." She said, believing that he was looking at the invention she made. "I based this on a certain hero's backpack, though of course, I added my own twist. "Wait, I recognize that! Air Jet, the Buster Hero has one of those!" Midoriya said, Mei giggled. "I love that guy!" Izuku said, "Isn't he awesome?!" Mei asked in return.

Lucas and Ochaco immediately thought, "Huh…They sure get along well." Lucas started to blush a little more. "Okay, if we can find one more member, we'll have a full team." Lucas looked over, "Huh, but don't we have full team already?" Mei asked, "Well, I-I'm not p-part of the team, I'm just helping…" Lucas mentioned, "Okay, you need someone with a bit of power to them, so…" Lucas looks around and sees that everyone seems to have a team now.

Midoriya and Lucas looked around, "Oh, I've got it!" Izuku looked at who he needed, Lucas looked over, "Genius! So, you're all good then?" He asked, "Yeah. You can go ahead, Lucas." Izuku said.

Lucas looked saddened, "Hey, remember. No hard feelings, no matter who wins, right?" Lucas asked, afraid of his friendship being tested.

Izuku looked over at his friend, tried to smile for it. "Yeah, of course!" They fist-bumped, "Be careful, Izuku. Best of luck!" Lucas said, starting to chin up a bit and walking toward Shoto.

He accidentally tripped, "Ow!" he bumped into someone with blonde hair. "O-Oh geez, I-I'm sorry!" Lucas instantly apologized. "Save your apology, if you would." He said, Lucas picked himself up off the ground. He lent a hand for the student he knocked over. "I don't need your pity, thank you." He said to him. Lucas looked saddened and sighed, "O-Okay." Lucas said, walking off. "Hah. He must think he's special, as a member of Class 1-A." He heard the boy said under his breath. "Thanks a lot, Bakugo-san." He thought to himself angrily. Class 1-B has it out for them especially now, out of the need to prove they're just as strong.

Lucas made it back to Shoto's team, "He got everything settled, Sakai?" Shoto asked, "Yeah, let's go." Lucas said. "Izuku…Sorry that we have to be enemies on this game. But don't worry, we're gonna do our best no matter what!" Lucas said to himself, determined to win!

The time for picking teams was up, "Oh, goody. It's time to get this party started." Midnight said, as Hizashi reminded Aizawa to wake up, as he fell asleep during the intermission.

"After 15 minutes to pick teams and talk strategy, 12 cavalry teams are preparing to go head-to-head!" Aizawa quickly looked at the teams and saw some unexpected combinations to their teams.

As Present Mic hyped up the Cavalry Battle, it was revealed that Izuku had asked Fumikage to join his team.

Mei and Ochaco were taking up back-horses, with Fumikage and by extension Dark Shadow as the front, with Izuku as the rider.

"You ready?" Izuku asked, "Yeah!" Ochaco said, ready to win! "Hatsume?" Izuku asked as Mei just laughed, "Tokoyami?" He asked.

Dark Shadow prepped himself, "Yes."

Izuku was ready for this! "Let's do this!"

(On Shoto's end)

"I picked the two of you because I believe we'll make for the most stable formation possible. And while I was considering recruiting Kaminari, Sakai decided to ask me to join my team." Shoto explained, "At the very least, with him being our left wing instead, he can use his powers to keep enemies at bay." Lucas nodded, "I'll handle special defenses as well." He said, "Yaoyorozu, you'll take the right wing. Focus on insulation and defense."

Shoto then turned to Tenya, "Iida, you'll take the front. We'll rely on you for mobility and physical defense."

"And you'll be attacking and creating diversions of ice and fire, is that right?" He asked, Shoto looked to his side, Lucas looked and saw Endeavor standing in the audience. "Not quite. While in battle…" He clenched his fist, "I never use my left side." Shoto explained, as he glared toward his father. Lucas looked at him, worried about Shoto's wellbeing. "What did he do to you, Todoroki-san?" He asked himself.

The crowds cheered as the next game went on. "Let's get this party started!" Hizashi prepared a final countdown for the game.

Tetsutetsu looked at his fellow classmate, agreeing with him in no hard feelings. "Three!"

Katsuki cracked his knuckles, "Get'm." He said.

"Two!" Shoto looked over, they both had their eyes set on Izuku. "He's ours."

"One!" Hizashi finished his countdown and Izuku prepped himself for the ones coming for him.

"Begin!"

As that was said, a whole bunch of teams went straight for Team Midoriya. "They're not even giving us a chance, huh? Such is the fate of the pursued." Fumikage said, dramatically. "This is it." Ochaco said, "Make your choice, Midoriya." Fumikage said.

"Here they come." Mei said, slightly excited still. "That's easy. We're running away."

"DON'T THINK SO!" Tetsutetsu said, Juno using his Quirk to have Team Midoriya sink. Mei, Ochaco and Fumikage struggled to get out.

"Uraraka. Hatsume. Watch your faces." Izuku warned, as he activated the jetpack from before, Mei and Ochaco watching themselves as they were lifted from the sinking ground.

"After them!" Tetsutetsu shouted, as Toru ordered Kyoka to shoot her headphone jacks at them.

Funikage had Dark Shadow block them off!

"Stupid bird!" Kyoka said, "Good work. Please, continue to watch over our blind-spots, Dark Shadow." Fumikage said.

"Got it!" Dark Shadow said, looking around at all their blind spots.

"Wow, that is seriously cool! Your shadow is just what we needed. It'll take care of our omnidirectional mid-range defenses!" Izuku said, calling Tokoyami amazing. "You are the one who chose me." He said, Ochaco looking at that they were landing, with boots that Mei gave her

"Uraraka's Quirk is amazing. She's floating everything but her and the equipment." Izuku thought to himself, as Team Midoriya landed. "So what do you think of my babies? Aren't they just precious? Cuteness can be manufactured, you know?" Mei asked, Izuku continued to smile at how well the teams working. "Excellent mobility. Your babies are amazing, Hatsume!" Mei was touched by the response, with Ochaco getting a hint of jealousy.

"I'm the one who's making us float." She said under her breath.

"They're not that far away! Come on, Jiro! Full-speed ahead!" Rikido noticed something and they stopped, Tori's headband was gone.

Team Hagakure stood still, frantically. Their team lost their points.

"Well, that was easy." That blonde haired student from 1-B said.

"Wow! Barely two minutes have passed since we started, and it's already a total free for all!" Hizashi said to the crowd, amazed at how things heated up so quickly.

Izuku realized that they had to move, they were getting caught between two teams, one belonging to that Tetsutetsu student, and…is Shoji all by himself?

It was then that a tongue shot at them. "Th-That was Asui's tongue, but where did—" before Izuku could ask.

"Midoriya, I told you to call me "Tsu." She revealed that she was hiding in Shoji's shield.

"What the?! Is that even allowed?" Midoriya asked, with Nemuri saying to crowd. "Judges say yes!"

"Quickly, we must move!" Fumikage said, reminding that they can't be surrounded by two teams at once!

Team Asui was charging fast, with Tsuyu using her tongue as a distraction to keep Team Midoriya in place. Izuku used the jet pack again, launching the team into the air.

"Not so fast!" Tsuyu grabbed one of the boots with her tongue. "NOO!! SHE STOLE MY BABY!!" Mei cried out, upset. "Sorry, Hatsume! But at least we got away from them!" Izuku said, he then heard something in the air.

"Kacchan?!" Katsuki launched himself in the air with his Quirk, "Don't think for a second you're safe!" He shouted, Ochaco flinched. "I've got you!" Katsuki kept a fiery smirk on as he to blast them. "Tokoyami!" Izuku thought quickly, with Dark Shadow deflecting the attack. The crowd was cheering.

"What was that?!" Katsuki asked, before Hanta caught him to make him land back with the rest of Team Bakugo. He never touched the ground, so he wasn't disqualified.

Ochaco was having trouble, now that the other boot was taken from them. It was much harder to control where they were going now. Ochaco told Izuku this,

"I understand." He said, "We've lost one of the boots, so we can't risk taking to the sky again. That means, to survive, we'll have to rely on Tokoyami's Dark Shadow and increased mobility, thanks to Uraraka's Zero Gravity." He concluded.

Tons of people were watching Team Midoriya, pros, the press.

It's been seven minutes at least, so now was a good time to check out the score, but then they realized something.

"Other than Team Midoriya, Class 1-A's not doing so hot!" Hizashi said, as that blonde haired student from 1-B gave a smug smirk as he took a headband from…Team Bakugo?!

"Your class is too small-minded. Think bigger." He said. Mina turned, realizing got them.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! COME BACK HERE!" Katsuki said, enraged. The team stopped,

"Midnight said the obstacle course was just the first game, and we figured they wouldn't cut that many of us right off the bat. Would they?" The student asked, he wore a creepy dead look in his eyes and a flat smile. "Huh?" Katsuki asked, "Assuming they'd keep at least 40 contestants for the next event, all we had to do was make sure we stayed within that group as we ran." The boy explained, "From our spots in the middle ranks, we could fully observe the Quirks our rivals had and judge their capabilities." He declared that only a fool would obsess over the preliminary rounds.

"Wouldn't you agree?" He asked Katsuki, who asked in return: "You planned this as a class?"

"It wasn't totally unanimous, but I'd say it's planning out well." He said, "Hey, they're coming." His teammate warned, as another team was closing in on them.

"It's better than chasing after a temporary front runner like a horse with a carrot waving in his face." He said, which was irritating Katsuki. The boy's smug grin and dead look was the most notable thing about him. "Oh, while I have your attention. You're kinda famous, aren't you?" He asked, "For being attacked by that sludge villain. You'll have to tell me about it sometime." He said, trying to win Katsuki's ire. He was getting enraged.

"It must be strange to always find yourself in the role of the victim." The boy concluded. Katsuki was in silent fury.

"Kirishima, we have a change of plans." Team Bakugo looked up at their leader and saw the inner anger/intense energy he radiating.

The student looked at him, while Mina, Hanta & Eijriou were slightly freaking out.

"Before we take down Deku, we're gonna kill every last one of these B-list idiots." He declared.

The student merely smirked, showing his air of confidence.

Izuku was impressed by the strategy that Class 1-B's students had. He even thought they could leave an even bigger impression on the audience. "I guess everyone loves an underdog, but…if they're playing the long game, they might not even bother coming after my headband at all!" Izuku thought to himself, "Everyone, don't worry. I think we're okay." Izuku said to his teammate. As Tokoyami dodged an attack.

Izuku realized which team was in front of him…

Team Todoroki.

"And now we've reached the halfway point of the game!" Hizashi said, as Toshinori and Endeavor watched how this plays out.

Izuku took a deep breath. "I thought we had it made. Guess I was wrong." Izuku said, keeping a strong air about him.

"As the Cavalry Battle enters its second half, it's anyone's game! Class 1-B has made an unexpected showing, but who will wear the ten millions points in the end? That's the real question, sports fans!"

Things were heating up, but Todoroki's glare was chilling.

"I'll be taking that, now."

(Okay, I was going to include a bit of catching up with Claus, but this chapter was too long, I feel. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I have an idea for Lucas getting to punch Neito for his slight idiocy later on. I hope I managed to keep everything a little consistent with the original story and Tsuyu being the team leader of hers I find much cooler. Anyways, stay strong and awesome! And I'll be honest, I hope me trying to stay hopeful and trying to talk about God isn't annoying. I'm still working on my own faith in God, but I hope my prayers for whoever reads these stories are helping a little)