The dust had barely settled from the obstacle course when Midnight cracked her whip once more, commanding attention from the stadium.
"Don't rest on your laurels yet, heroes-in-training!" she called out, her voice carrying a playful edge as she strutted across the stage. The sunlight gleamed against her skin-tight black leather bodysuit, accentuating every curve that her provocative costume was designed to highlight. "The real test of your mettle begins now!"
Behind her, the massive screen flickered to life, displaying the words: CAVALRY BATTLE.
Midnight's purple-painted lips curved into a smile as she flicked her flowing dark hair over her shoulder. "The second event will separate the true contenders from the pretenders," she announced, tapping her signature flog whip against her palm, the red and white handle contrasting with her long matching gloves.
She explained the rules with dramatic flair, her knee-high stiletto boots clicking as she paced: teams would form "horses" with one rider carrying headbands worth points. The rider's position was everything—fall, and you're out.
"But here's the twist," she continued, licking her lips suggestively. "The points assigned are based on your placement in the obstacle race!"
The screen behind her displayed the point values: 42nd place: 5 points 41st place: 10 points 40th place: 15 points
And on up the scale, with ever-increasing values. Then:
"And for first place—" She paused for dramatic effect, her eyes glinting mischievously behind her domino mask. "A whopping TEN MILLION POINTS!"
The stadium erupted. Every eye swiveled to Midoriya, who stood frozen, his face draining of color.
"That's right!" Midnight exclaimed, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd created. "The first-place winner is both the most coveted teammate... and the biggest target!"
She cracked her whip once more. "You have fifteen minutes to form your teams! Due to our odd number of participants, we'll make a special exception for one team of five—but only one!"
The announcement set off a frantic scramble as students rushed to form alliances, strategy and Quirk compatibility suddenly more important than friendship.
Like magnets repelled, everyone gave Midoriya a wide berth—all except Hikari, who stood firmly at his side, arms crossed, her crimson hair catching the sunlight.
"We're a package deal," she said simply when Midoriya gave her a questioning look.
His relieved smile told her everything. She hadn't even needed to think about it.
"I'll join too!" Uraraka bounced over, her determination evident as she positioned herself next to Midoriya.
Hikari nodded approvingly. At least someone else saw Midoriya's worth.
A shadow fell across them. The temperature noticeably dropped.
"Hikari."
She turned to find Todoroki standing behind her, his mismatched eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made the air between them feel brittle. His voice was low, private—meant only for her.
"Join my team instead."
It wasn't a request. It was somewhere between a command and a plea, coming from someone who rarely did either.
Midoriya tensed beside her, but stayed silent. This wasn't his battle to fight.
Hikari's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why would I do that?"
"You know why." Todoroki's gaze flickered briefly to their surroundings, to the cameras, to the watching crowd. "We work well together. We always have."
A flash of memory—young Hikari and Shoto, back-to-back in Endeavor's training room, her gravitational powers amplifying his ice attacks as they faced down mechanical opponents. The seamless way they'd moved, like extensions of one another.
"That was a lifetime ago," she said quietly.
His jaw tightened. "It doesn't have to be."
For a moment, something vulnerable crossed his usually stoic face—like a crack in ice revealing the rushing water beneath. It was gone so quickly she might have imagined it.
"I can help you control it better," he continued, his voice dropping even lower. "The strain. I saw it during the race."
Hikari's breath caught. Of course he'd noticed. Shoto had always seen things in her that others missed.
"Is that concern I hear, Todoroki?" Her voice held an edge she hadn't intended.
"It's practicality. We'd win."
She tilted her head, studying him. The old Shoto would have blushed, stammered, maybe even laughed at her teasing. This Shoto just stared back, impassive as carved stone, only the slight tightening of his hand betraying any emotion.
"I'm staying with Midoriya," she said firmly.
"Because of the promise?" There was a bite to his words now. "The one you made when you were children?"
Her eyes flashed. "Because he never gave up on me. Not once."
The accusation hung unspoken between them.
Not like you.
Todoroki's expression hardened. "That's not fair."
"Neither was leaving me there."
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. It wasn't his fault—he'd been a child, unconscious, bleeding. She knew that. But the hurt was still there, buried deep, irrational but real.
His eyes widened fractionally, the only sign her barb had landed.
"I looked for you," he said, his voice so quiet she barely heard it. "For years."
Something cracked inside Hikari's chest. "Shoto—"
"Fine." His voice turned cold again, the wall rebuilding itself. "Stay with him. It won't matter in the end."
He turned to leave, but Hikari caught his wrist. Even through his sleeve, she could feel the contrast—burning heat on his left side, penetrating cold on his right.
"This isn't about us," she said softly. "It's about me proving something to myself."
Their eyes met one last time. For a fleeting moment, the years between them seemed to dissolve—two children at a festival again, lantern light reflecting in their eyes.
"Win or lose," she added, releasing his wrist, "let's both show them who we really are."
Todoroki said nothing, but gave a single, almost imperceptible nod before walking away.
When Hikari turned back, she found Midoriya watching her with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"You okay?" he asked.
She squared her shoulders, pushing the weight of the past back where it belonged.
"I'm exactly where I need to be," she replied, and meant it.
Before they could dwell on the moment, a sharp voice cut through the tension:
"HIKARI!"
She turned to see Bakugo storming toward them, palms already crackling with miniature explosions. His crimson eyes blazed with the intensity of someone used to getting his way.
"You're on my team," he declared, pointing directly at her face. "Now."
Hikari crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Not happening, Ka-chan."
"What the hell?!" Bakugo's eye twitched at the nickname. "You're seriously choosing Deku over me?!"
"I'm choosing my best friend," she replied evenly, "over the guy who spent three years trying to crush his dreams."
Bakugo's face contorted with fury and something else—perhaps hurt, though he'd never admit it. "This is bullshit! You know we'd dominate if we teamed up!"
Hikari stepped forward, meeting his glare with equal intensity. "Then I guess it's you and Todoroki against me and Midoriya now. May the best team win."
"Oh, we WILL," Bakugo snarled, backing away. "And when I crush you both, don't come crying to me!"
As he stormed off, Kirishima hurried after him, already trying to calm the explosive boy down. Hikari couldn't help but smile faintly—Bakugo always needed someone to ground him.
"That was... intense," Midoriya said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Are you sure about this? You could have been on either of their teams."
Hikari's expression softened. "And miss watching you lead us to victory with that big brain of yours? Not a chance."
A pink-haired girl suddenly bounded into their space, wearing an excited grin and carrying what looked like mechanical wings.
"You're the ten-million-point guy, right?!" she exclaimed, eyes wild with enthusiasm. "I'm Hatsume Mei from the Support Course, and boy do I have some babies that could help you!"
"B-babies?" Midoriya stammered, taken aback.
"My inventions!" Hatsume clarified, already unpacking an array of mechanical gadgets. "This is the perfect opportunity to showcase them to the support companies watching!"
Hikari and Uraraka exchanged amused glances as Hatsume continued her sales pitch. A moment later, Tokoyami approached, his dark appearance contrasting with his composed demeanor.
"I believe my Dark Shadow would provide excellent defense for your team," he offered solemnly. "If you'll have me."
Midoriya's eyes lit up. "That would be perfect! With your defense, Uraraka's zero gravity, Hikari's abilities, and Hatsume's support items, we could—"
He trailed off into a stream of strategic muttering, his mind already mapping out possibilities.
Hikari smiled, recognizing the familiar pattern. "And there he goes. Trust me," she told their new teammates, "when he comes out of that thinking spiral, we'll have a plan that puts us three steps ahead of everyone else."
Ten minutes later, they huddled in a corner of the field, finalizing their strategy.
"Alright," Midoriya said, his voice steady with newfound confidence. "Everyone knows their role?"
Their formation was unorthodox but brilliant: Uraraka and Tokoyami would form the front horse positions, with Hikari as the powerful anchor in the back. Hatsume's support gear would enhance their mobility—especially her hover boots, which would allow them quick bursts of aerial movement when paired with Uraraka's zero gravity.
And Midoriya would be their rider, carrying the ten-million-point headband that made them the most hunted team in the arena.
"I'll maintain a gravitational field around us," Hikari explained, demonstrating with a small distortion of air around her palm. "Not enough to make us completely weightless—that would make us unstable—but enough to make quick direction changes easier."
"And I'll use Dark Shadow to block incoming attacks," Tokoyami added, the sentient shadow flickering at his side.
Uraraka nodded determinedly. "I'll keep us mobile and touch anyone who gets too close to make them float away!"
"And my babies will give us the edge over these hero-course elitists!" Hatsume declared, adjusting her "zoom" goggles.
Midoriya looked around at them all, something like wonder in his eyes. "Thank you," he said simply. "For believing in me."
Hikari bumped his shoulder gently. "Always have. Always will."
From across the field, she caught Todoroki watching them, his team already assembled: Iida, Yaoyorozu, and Kaminari—a powerhouse combination of speed, creation, and electricity. Not far from them, Bakugo stood with Kirishima, Sero, and Mina, his expression promising violence.
The battle lines were drawn.
"BEGIN!" Midnight's voice cracked like a whip.
Chaos erupted instantly.
"They're coming for us!" Uraraka shouted as nearly every team in the arena turned toward them like predators scenting blood.
"As expected," Midoriya called down. "Hikari, now!"
Hikari focused, her eyes glowing faintly as she manipulated the gravity around their formation. Their weight decreased by sixty percent—just enough to maintain stability while dramatically increasing their speed.
"Hold on!" she warned as they surged forward, narrowly evading the first wave of attackers.
A team led by Tetsutetsu from Class B charged from the left. Dark Shadow swatted away their grasping hands while Uraraka touched one of their front horses, sending the entire formation floating helplessly upward.
"Nice one!" Midoriya called, securing the headband tighter around his forehead.
They dodged and weaved through the battlefield, always moving, never staying still long enough to be surrounded. Hatsume's hover boots proved invaluable, allowing them bursts of midair movement that left other teams disoriented.
But they couldn't run forever.
Todoroki's team moved with precise coordination, ice spreading across the ground in a calculated path to corner them against the arena's edge. At the same time, Bakugo launched himself from his team's formation, propelled by explosions, his hand outstretched toward Midoriya's headband.
"I've got you now, Deku!" he roared.
"Hikari!" Midoriya called.
Without hesitation, Hikari thrust her palm upward. A wave of concentrated gravitational force caught Bakugo mid-air, redirecting his momentum and sending him tumbling back toward his own team.
"Nice try, Ka-chan," she called, a hint of playfulness in her voice despite the strain. The effort of maintaining their lightened state while also defending was taking its toll—a dull throb starting behind her eyes.
Bakugo's answering curse was lost in the chaos as they pushed forward again, breaking through a gap in the approaching teams.
From the corner of her eye, Hikari spotted Todoroki's team changing tactics. Instead of chasing, they began herding—using Yaoyorozu's created objects and Kaminari's electricity to cut off escape routes, methodically reducing their options.
"Midoriya," she warned, "they're boxing us in."
He nodded, already analyzing. "We need higher ground. Uraraka—zero gravity on all of us! Hatsume, boots to maximum! Hikari, upward push on my mark!"
They synchronized perfectly: Uraraka removed their weight, Hatsume activated the hover boots, and when Midoriya called "Now!"—Hikari released a controlled burst of gravitational force beneath them, propelling their entire formation skyward.
For a breathtaking moment, they soared above the battle, giving them a perfect view of the chaos below. The crowd roared with excitement at the unexpected aerial maneuver.
"Impressive," came Present Mic's amplified voice, "but how will they land?!"
It was a valid question. They were already beginning to descend, and without a plan, they'd crash.
"Tokoyami," Midoriya called, "Dark Shadow as a cushion! Hikari, counter-gravity for landing! Uraraka, release on my signal!"
As they fell, Dark Shadow expanded beneath them like a safety net. Hikari focused her power, creating a pocket of reversed gravity to slow their descent. When they were just meters from the ground, Midoriya shouted, "Now!"
Uraraka released her Quirk. They landed with surprising grace, the combination of their powers turning what should have been a disastrous fall into a tactical advantage.
But the momentary spectacle had cost them. In the few seconds of recovery after landing, Todoroki's team closed in from behind.
"Look out!" Hatsume warned, her zoom goggles spotting the danger first.
Too late—Iida's engines roared with unexpected power.
"Recipro Burst!" he shouted, and their team shot forward with blinding speed.
Todoroki's outstretched hand brushed past Midoriya's head.
The ten-million-point headband was gone.
"No!" Hikari gasped, the shock momentarily breaking her concentration. The gravity field around them wavered.
Midoriya's face showed momentary panic before hardening into determination. "It's not over," he said firmly. "We still have time. Hikari, can you get us airborne again?"
She nodded, pushing back the pounding in her temples. "Once more. Make it count."
This time, they aimed directly for Todoroki's team. Iida, having used his special move, couldn't repeat the burst of speed. They had a chance.
As they approached, Todoroki met Hikari's gaze with a mixture of challenge and something deeper, more complicated. Ice crystalized around his right side, ready to repel them.
"Now!" Midoriya called.
Dark Shadow stretched forward, creating a distraction on Todoroki's left while Midoriya himself reached for the headband. Kaminari discharged electricity, but Hikari formed a gravitational shield, bending the current around them.
For a crucial second, chaos reigned as both teams struggled. When they broke apart, Midoriya held a headband—but not the ten-million-point one. Todoroki had anticipated the move, switching the positions of the headbands he'd collected.
The clock was ticking down. Five seconds left.
"There!" Hikari spotted another team nearby—Monoma from Class B, wearing a smug expression. "He has points!"
With one final push of her powers, ignoring the pain that now lanced through her head, Hikari propelled their team toward Monoma. Dark Shadow snatched a headband from his forehead just as the final buzzer sounded.
Silence fell as everyone checked their points, calculating where they stood.
"THE CAVALRY BATTLE IS OVER!" Present Mic's voice boomed. "AND THE RANKINGS ARE IN!"
"First place: TEAM TODOROKI!" "Second place: TEAM BAKUGO!" "Third place: TEAM MIDORIYA!" "Fourth place: TEAM SHINSO!"
They'd made it. Despite losing the ten million points, they'd secured enough to advance.
Hikari released her quirk, the sudden return to normal gravity making her knees buckle slightly. Midoriya jumped down from his position, steadying her with a concerned look.
"You pushed too hard," he said quietly.
She managed a tired smile. "Worth it. We're moving on to the finals."
Across the field, Todoroki was watching them. When he caught Hikari's eye, he gave another of those nearly imperceptible nods—acknowledgment, perhaps even respect.
Bakugo, on the other hand, looked furious despite his team's second-place finish, already storming toward the exit tunnel.
"What happens now?" Uraraka asked, brushing dust from her uniform.
"Now," Hikari said, standing straighter despite her exhaustion, "we prepare for one-on-one battles. The real test."
In the stands, All Might watched with pride evident even in his skeletal form. Not far from him, Endeavor's flames burned brighter, his calculating gaze shifting between his son and the crimson-haired girl who had once been part of his household.
The Sports Festival's final stage loomed ahead—individual battles where there would be nowhere to hide, no teammates to rely on. Just raw skill, strategy, and power.
Hikari felt a strange mixture of dread and anticipation. The world was watching, waiting to see what she could do.
It was time to show them.
ns216.73.216.236da2
and then Add to home screen.