The U.A. Sports Festival was in full swing, and as the first round drew to a close, the focus shifted to the second event: the Cavalry Battle. Midnight, ever the captivating figure, took center stage to explain the rules, her voice cutting through the stadium as everyone fell into a hushed anticipation.

"Alright, listen up, heroes in the making!" she announced, her sultry tone carrying easily across the crowd. "The second event will be the Cavalry Battle. You have fifteen minutes to form teams of two to four people, and each team's point value will be based on the individual placements from the Obstacle Race."

She paused for dramatic effect, letting the weight of her words settle over the crowd.

"Y/N, having secured first place, is worth a whopping ten million points," she continued, her gaze drifting towards the front where Y/N stood, the target of everyone's attention. "And that, my friends, simulates just how difficult it is to be at the top. Everyone else will need to step up if they want to challenge her."

The rules were straightforward: each team would wear their point value on their headbands, which could be tied around the head or neck of the rider. The goal? Steal as many headbands as possible to increase your team's score. But there were a few catches—teams could still compete if their headband was stolen or they were knocked off their horses, but only the top four teams at the end of the fifteen minutes would move on to the finals.

A warning echoed through the air, one that caught the attention of several participants. Midnight's voice softened just a touch, but the edge was unmistakable. "And remember, no purposely making anyone fall. This is about skill, not sabotage."

Katsuki's eyes narrowed at the mention of 'no sabotage.' The very idea of rules restricting how he could dominate irked him to no end. He clenched his fists, already itching for a fight.

As the students began to form teams, the camera cut away to the break room where Pro-Heroes Death Arms, Kamui Woods, and Mount Lady were watching the proceedings. They were deep in conversation, each one observing the students with a different perspective.

"Honestly," Death Arms grumbled, his large frame looming over the table as he spoke. "The Festival isn't just about seeing how prepared the students are. It's about simulating the real world of Pro-Hero competition. These kids will be facing off with real threats one day, and they need to learn how to strategize, fight, and survive."

Mount Lady, lounging in her chair with her feet up, tilted her head thoughtfully. "True. But it's also kind of sad to think about it. Pro-Hero jobs, at least at the top, are all about stepping over other heroes to get ahead. It's more about winning than saving people sometimes."

Kamui Woods, typically a calm and collected individual, bristled at her words. "That's a harsh way to put it, Mount Lady," he replied sharply. "You know full well how the spotlight works. You didn't have a problem stealing it from me last year."

Mount Lady shot him an unapologetic look but didn't argue further. She shrugged and let the subject fade, turning her attention back to the students.

The trio shifted their focus to the ongoing Festival, and Kamui Woods sighed as he looked back at the screen. "I don't know... I don't care how tough she is, but Y/N is going to be a nightmare for anyone trying to take her down. Ten million points is no joke."

Death Arms nodded gravely. "She'll definitely be hard to beat. But the thing is, she's going to need a solid team. Even with that much value on her head, it's dangerous to be the one everyone targets. She's going to have a lot of eyes on her."

Kamui Woods frowned deeply, his expression serious. "I just hope she can find some solid teammates. Otherwise, she's walking into a lot of trouble." He glanced back at the screen, watching Y/N as she moved to form her team. "It's not easy being the target of every other team in the field."

The heroes watched in silence for a moment, each of them realizing the same thing. While Y/N's power and status put her at the top, it also made her the most vulnerable.

And as the students below scrambled to form alliances, the real challenge was about to begin.

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Y/N wasn't worried about being the main target in the Cavalry Battle. Sure, her ten million-point headband made her an obvious target, but she wasn't going to let the attention rattle her. She knew she had to remain calm and focused, not snapping at every team that made eye contact with her. That would violate her own personal code. Still, she couldn't help but notice the way people seemed to size her up, already strategizing how to take her down.

As she prepared, Izuku approached her hesitantly, a little unsure but determined. His voice was soft but earnest.

"Um, c-can we be on the team together?" he asked, fidgeting with his hands.

Y/N looked at him, her usual calm smile spreading across her face as she gave him a reassuring nod. "Sure."

Izuku's face lit up with relief, and before long, Ochaco and Tokoyami joined the team as well, forming a small but formidable group. Tokoyami's dark bird, Dark Shadow, immediately popped out of his shadow, eager to greet Y/N. The dark entity fluttered toward her, nuzzling her gently. Y/N chuckled softly, scratching the bird behind its feathers, her fingers moving in smooth, practiced motions.

Tokoyami sighed, clearly embarrassed. "Dark Shadow, you know better," he scolded, but the bird simply stuck its tongue out at him, clearly enjoying the affection.

"What? She likes me," Dark Shadow chimed, its voice a mischievous croon.

Y/N smiled warmly at the bird's antics, making Tokoyami's expression soften despite his attempts to stay composed. It was one of those rare moments where her calm nature allowed the little things—like Dark Shadow's affection—to keep her grounded amidst the chaos. She gave Tokoyami a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

The fifteen minutes of team-building time flew by, and soon twelve teams were formed, each with their own unique strategies in mind. As the teams took their places, Shoto stood with his team—Tenya, Denki, and Momo—explaining his formation.

"Here's the plan," Shoto began, his voice steady. "Tenya, Denki, Momo, you three will be my support. I'll take the lead."

Tenya, ever the stickler for details, furrowed his brow. "So, Shoto, you'll use your Ice and Fire as diversions to throw the others off balance, right?"

Shoto gave him a single, firm shake of his head. "I don't use my left side in battle." He glanced over toward Y/N, who was talking to her team and preparing herself to be the rider, a calm yet fierce aura surrounding her as she spoke. A faint, almost imperceptible flicker of thought crossed Shoto's mind.

I might, however, break it for her, he thought to himself, his lips twitching ever so slightly.

The air buzzed with excitement as the Cavalry Battle officially began. As the signal was given, teams rushed forward, quickly positioning themselves for a chaotic and high-stakes struggle. Most teams immediately honed in on Y/n's headband, trying to take advantage of his relatively lower ranking compared to Y/N. But Team Y/N wasn't about to go down that easily.

Juzo Honenuki from Team Tetsutetsu used his Quirk to soften the ground beneath Y/N's team, trying to trap them in the sand. It was a smart move, but Y/N's quick thinking and reflexes had them covered. With a powerful flap of her wings, she swooped down, gathering her team in one smooth motion. Her wings stretched wide, and in a heartbeat, she lifted them out of the ground and soared high into the air, leaving the other teams scrambling beneath her.

Izuku looked up at her, his eyes bright with gratitude. She gave him a small but reassuring smile, the breeze from her wings catching in his hair. Her confidence was contagious, and it made him feel as though they could take on any team that came their way.

Once they were high above the chaos, Y/N found an open spot on the field and landed gracefully, setting her team down near the strategic tower. It was a perfect vantage point, with plenty of opportunities to defend their position.

Present Mic's voice boomed over the loudspeaker. "And there she is, folks! Y/N has truly shown her strength today! This beast is going to make it to the finals for sure!"

Aizawa, ever the realist, shot Present Mic down gently, his voice more measured. "While I do have faith in Y/N, don't forget that she's not someone who would hurt others. That's her biggest strength, yes—but it's also her biggest weakness."

Y/N heard the commentary and gave a soft, thoughtful hum, looking down at her team with a quiet confidence. Aizawa was right in a way—she wouldn't hurt anyone unless absolutely necessary. She kept herself in check, but with so many eyes on her, it was becoming clear that balancing strength and mercy in this game would be harder than she had anticipated. Nonetheless, her resolve didn't waver. She would do what it took to lead her team, and if that meant having to face the entire competition head-on, so be it.

The battle had only just begun, and Y/N was ready for whatever came next.

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As the Cavalry Battle came to an end, the students gathered to hear the final results. Y/N's team had made it through to the finals, but not without a bit of a struggle. In the end, it was Shoto and his team that claimed the most headbands, with Momo's team coming in close behind. Y/N's team managed to secure second place, a solid achievement that would put them in the running for the final event.

Izuku, overwhelmed by emotion, broke into tears the moment the results were announced. Despite the pressure and how difficult the battle had been, his team had made it to the next round. His shoulders shook with relief and excitement as he looked up at Y/N. She simply patted his green head, offering him a gentle smile.

"It's alright, Izuku," she said softly, letting him lean into her belly. The warmth of her presence and the comfort of being close to her seemed to calm him, and he allowed himself to sink into the moment, glad to be by her side.

However, not everyone was so cheery. Katsuki, who had been on his way to confront them with his usual explosive temper, instead found himself dropping onto the ground with a frustrated grunt. He stared ahead, not saying a word, his chest rising and falling as he tried to process the loss.

Y/N, ever the calm and thoughtful one, walked over to him. Without missing a beat, she used her tail to gently lift his body from the ground, a soft and comforting touch that, surprisingly, caught him off guard. She smiled at him, her wings fluttering slightly as she looked down at him with kindness.

"Take it easy, Katsuki. You'll make it to the finals, too," she said, her voice light but sincere. Katsuki's cheeks flushed bright red at the comment, and he averted his gaze, his usual fiery attitude somewhat diffused by her unexpected tenderness. He mumbled something unintelligible, his pride keeping him from fully acknowledging her kindness. Still, the faintest smile tugged at his lips as he sat back up.

Meanwhile, the rest of the teams had their own thoughts to share. Team Tetsutetsu, clearly upset by their loss, started murmuring amongst themselves. Juzo Honenuki, who had used his Quirk to soften the ground and trap Y/N's team earlier, turned to his teammates with a disgruntled look. "I swear, this is karmic punishment for us stealing Minoru's headband earlier. We got too greedy."

Tsuyu, noticing the tension between her teammates, approached Mina, giving her a congratulatory smile. "Great job, Mina," she said, her voice kind. Mina, however, seemed to deflect the praise.

"I didn't do much to contribute," Mina confessed, her voice almost apologetic. "I was more of a distraction than anything."

Tsuyu shook her head, her usual calmness in play. "That's not true. Every bit helps. We all had a part to play."

Meanwhile, Ochaco, always full of energy, teased Tenya for his more reserved approach during the battle. "So, Tenya," she said with a grin, "you were holding back a little, huh?"

Tenya, looking slightly flustered, cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. "It was not deception, Ochaco! I was simply hiding my abilities for strategic reasons. It was the most logical course of action."

Ochaco rolled her eyes playfully. "Right, right. A strategic hiding of your abilities, got it!"

However, there was a slight tension in the air as the group realized that Izuku was nowhere to be seen. Ochaco noticed his absence and tilted her head in confusion. "Hey, where did Izuku go?" she asked, looking around.

Little did they know, Izuku was currently near the student entrance, engaged in a conversation with Shoto, who had approached him quietly. The two exchanged words in a more private setting, the tension between them thickening as Shoto, ever so calm, gave Izuku a look of recognition—and perhaps, a bit of rivalry.

Meanwhile, the number one hero, All Might, shared a quiet conversation with the number two hero, Endeavor, in the stands. The two were observing the students, as All Might gave his usual encouraging words about how well his protégés were doing.

"Y/N will make a great hero, I think," All Might said, his voice filled with admiration. "She's strong and she has a heart of gold. She's definitely going to be a great asset to the hero community."

Endeavor, however, seemed more pragmatic as he considered Y/N's potential. "She's strong, yes," he agreed, his expression unreadable. "And a valuable asset, but..." His words trailed off for a moment as he turned his gaze back to Shoto, who had just finished speaking with Izuku.

"She would also make a good wife for my son, Shoto," Endeavor added, a hint of pride in his voice. His words were calm, but there was a deeper layer of meaning to them.

All Might's eyes widened slightly at the suggestion, and for a brief moment, a flicker of irritation passed across his features. "I see you're already thinking of that," he said, forcing a smile, though there was a tightness in his expression. "But Y/N is her own person. She'll decide what she wants in her own time."

Endeavor didn't seem phased by All Might's discomfort. "Of course," he replied coolly. "I was merely stating what seems obvious."

The tension between the two heroes, however, didn't last long, and All Might quickly dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Well, whatever happens, I'm sure she'll make her own decisions. But for now, let's see how this next round plays out."

Despite their conversation, neither hero could have known how Y/N would navigate the challenges ahead—especially with so much attention being focused on her, both in and out of the arena. As the competition continued, one thing was certain: Y/N's journey was far from over.