"The first one back is none other than Izuku Midoriya!" Mic announced as we ran into the stadium.

"Damn it," Bakugo swore under his breath. "How did Deku beat me?!"

I wiped the sweat from my brow and tried to catch my breath. I glanced at Todoroki who was also out of breath, he seemed slightly annoyed that he came in third place. Bakugo seemed the most irritated though. I gave them both a half smile and walked over to Midoriya. I had no idea how he managed to get in front of us but I was still impressed.

"Deku!" Uraraka yelled cheerfully. She and Iida came running up to join us. "That was amazing!"

"How could I have lost in a race?" Iida said biting his lip. "Shichi you are faster than I expected and Midoriya that was quite impressive!"

"How did you do it?" I asked finally able to breathe normally.

"I used the mines," Midoriya explained. "I made a pile of them and jumped on them with the piece of metal. It was a bold move and it might not have worked but I'm glad it did."

"Well you definitely surprised me," I laughed running a hand through my hair.

"Alright everyone!" Midnight said getting our attention. "Here are the rankings from the obstacle course. Only the top 42 people will move on to the next round." She pressed a button bringing up a screen. There were 42 names but I only paid attention to the top ten.

1. Midoriya
2. Shichi
3. Todoroki
4. Bakugo
5. Shiozaki
6. Honenuki
7. Iida
8. Tokoyami
9. Sero
10.Kirishima

"The next event will be a cavalry battle!" Midnight said after all the rankings were posted. "Participants will form teams of two to four people. Once you have your team  you will make horse/rider positions. The rules are similar to a regular cavalry battle, snag the head bands off other riders while protecting your own. Only this time you all have been awarded point values, the person on the bottom is worth 5p next 10p and so on. The person in first place however is worth ten million points!"

It seemed like we all turned around to look at Midoriya who was worth ten million points. He was going to be the obvious first target. He looked like he was going to pass out from all the pressure that was just put on him. This was also like the hero ranking system, people on top were always going to have people below them coming for them.

"That means the higher ranked students are the ones to go for," Midnight said. "After all this is a survival game, that's Plus Ultra. The match will last 15 minutes and each team's points are determined by its members. The rider will wear a headband displaying the total point value. You have until the end of the match to protect and gain more points. All headbands must be worn on the neck or higher. Even if yours is taken it's not over until it's over. Quirks are allowed but no maliciously attacking other players. You have 15 minutes to form teams!"

Everyone seemed to start bunching together to form teams. It seemed like most people were sticking with their classmates. I was thinking about who I should team up when Todoroki approached me, "Shichi, will you join my team?"

"Wait, really?" I blinked in surprise.

"Yea I could use you for your fire and air," Todoroki explained. "If you already have a team I understand."

"I don't," I said too quickly. "I'll join your team. I just hope I can help you out."

"Thanks," Todoroki said before going off to find more members. I saw him talking to Iida and Momo.

"Hey Iida," I said as I walked up to him. He gave me a quick nod at my approach.

"Shichi, Iida!" Midoriya came running up to us with Uraraka. "You two would be perfect for our team! With Iida as our front with Uraraka and I on the sides we can form a solid horse. Shichi with you are the rider we could use your air for defensive purposes. My plan is to pretty much run away the whole time." He explained.

"I'm sorry Midoriya," I said looking down. "Todoroki asked me to join his team so I told him I would."

"Same here," Iida said. "You are an amazing friend, Midoriya, which is why I want to beat you as well."

"Oh, okay I understand." Midoriya said slightly disappointed.

Iida and I went and joined Todoroki and Momo. "I've come up with a formation that will be the most stable," Todoroki said. "Shichi, I need you to guard our left, keeping enemies away with fire and air. Yaoyorozu, you take the right and be our main defense. Iida, you will be our front horse because of your speed and mobility. I will be the rider and hold people off with my ice."

"Why not your fire as well?" Momo asked. "Then Kanna can rely more on air."

"I never use my left side in battle," Todoroki said, glancing up at the stands. His father, Endeavor, was looking down on us. It seemed he had high expectations for his son in this event.

"It's fine, I don't mind using my fire," I said, narrowing my eyes. I was better with offensive anyways and it would be easier if I didn't have to worry about his fire as well as my own.

Todoroki put on his head band that had the number 710 on it. While he was doing that, Momo made roller skates for her and I, that way we wouldn't have to worry about slowing Iida down. We got set up in our horse/rider position just before time was up.

"Hey, wake up ya mummy," Mic said over the speakers. "It's about time for the cavalry battle!"

"So these are the teams they chose," Shota said sleepily.

As soon as the match started it seemed like everyone went for Midoriya. His team was a girl I didn't know, Uraraka, and Tokoyami. Todoroki had us waiting for the right moment. We were going to go after Midoriya when the time was right. This also gave Momo a chance to begin making a blanket to cover Todoroki, Iida, and herself for when I needed to use my flames. The way Todoroki wanted me to use my power would put them at risk without something to protect them.

The match was halfway over when Momo said, "it's ready!" Todoroki grabbed the blanket and tossed it over himself and Iida.

"Shichi do it now!" Todoroki said as Iida ran forward passed a bunch of teams that were surrounding Mirodiya.

I activated my fire quirk letting the flames envelop me. Once they were as hot as I could make them I used my air quirk to shoot them at the other teams, "Heat Wave!" I yelled. They all recoiled at the sudden blast of hot air.

"Great, my turn!" Todoroki said holding a pole Momo made for him. As we ran he used his ice to trap the other teams. "I'll be taking these," Todoroki said snatching their headbands.

"Impressive, Todoroki waited till the other teams were immobilized by Shichi's heat wave," Shota commentated. "Seems he learned from earlier when the others got passed his ice blast in the first round."

"Now we go for Midoriya!" Todoroki said creating a barrier around us and Midoriya's team.

"Tokoyami!" Midoriya yelled.

"Go Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami said as a bird like shadow came out of his stomach.

Tokoyami's Dark Shadow made a move for Todoroki but Momo used her quirk to create a shield. They backed off and seemed to be forming some sort of strategy. It wouldn't matter because they were trapped in this small area with us, Todoroki made sure of that. Midoriya directed his team towards the left, my side, leaving Dark Shadow on the right. Tokoyami was their main form of offense and defense.

"Shichi, can you use your earth quirk and direct Midoriya back onto my right side?" Todoroki asked after a couple minutes.

"No," I shook my head. Something like that would take more out of me and I was afraid. Using my earth quirk in this way could hurt Midoriya and the others.

"Do it," Todoroki glared down at me. I shot him a look showing him my fear.

"I have something we can use," Iida said. "It'll make me useless but it'll work. You just have to grab the headband Todoroki."

"Alright," Todoroki said turning his attention back to Midoriya.

"Recipro Burst!" Iida yelled and we began moving faster than I could even blink. One second we were on one end and the next we were on the other of our small arena.

"I got it!" Todoroki said holding the ten million point headband. He put it on his neck with the others. "What was that, Iida?"

"I elevated the torque and rpm of my engines to an explosive degree," Iida explained. "The kickback temporarily stalls my engines."

"That's amazing Iida!" I said excitedly.

"Thanks, it's a secret technique I've been working on," Iida said proudly.

We turned around to see Midoriya charging right at us. They were trying to get their points back. We only had less than a minute so I activated my fire quirk. Right as Midoriya was on us I felt the heat from Todoroki. He used his fire for a second before Midoriya put them out with a swipe of his arm. As they passed he grabbed the top headband from Todoroki's neck.

Midoriya looked at only to find it wasn't the right one. "We mixed the headbands up," Momo said.

I noticed Todoroki looking down at his arm in shock when suddenly Bakugo exploded up over the ice. "Deku!" He yelled trying to see who had the headband.

"Todoroki!" I shouted trying to bring him back.

"Time is up!" Mic yelled. The match was finally over.

Bakugo hit the ground and we put Todoroki down. He was still out of it, like he was surprised that he used his flames. I doubted anyone but me and Midoriya even noticed. It must have been such a shock for him to use his left side in this way.

"Let's go over the standings from the cavalry battle!" Midnight said once everyone was gathered together. "In first place is Team Todoroki, second is Team Bakugo, third is Team Shinso, and finally fourth is Team Midoriya!"

I whipped my head around and noticed Tokoyami was holding a headband with 710 on it. "I went for a spot he wasn't guarding," Tokoyami said.

"Tokoyami!" Midoriya said as tears of joy flooded from his eyes.

"These four teams will move on to the next event, the one on one tournament!" Midnight explained. "Now we will take an hour long lunch break followed by a recreational activity that everyone can participate in."

"Shichi!" Uraraka can bounding over to me. "Wanna have lunch with us?"

"I was actually going to find Shota," I said tilting my head. I wanted to ask him what he thought of how I was doing.

"That makes sense," Iida said nodding approvingly.

"Wait where did Deku go? Uraraka asked looking around.

I shrugged and ran off to find Shota. I was guessing that he was going to be in the announcers box, wanting a nap. As I was walking up the stairs I heard two people talking. One sounded like All Might and the other, I peeked around the corner and it was Endeavor. I stopped, waiting for them to finish their conversation but I couldn't help but overhear.

"Your little Shoto pulled off an impressive win without using his left side," All Might said. "Seems like someone has been raising him right."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Endeavor said shortly. It was obvious he didn't like All Might.

"Truth is, I wanted to ask you for advice on training this new generation of heroes," All Might said.

"Tch, like I would help you," Endeavor scoffed. "Your happy-go-lucky attitude always pisses me off. Know this, I'll mold Shoto into a hero who will surpass you. That's the only reason I created him."

"What do you mean created him?" All Might asked.

"He's in a rebellious phase now, but he will get passed that soon. When that day comes he will surpass you!" Endeavor said turning away from All Might and walking off.

I let out a breath of air and rounded the corner, running right into All Might. "Ah! All Might! I wasn't eavesdropping, well I guess technically I was but I didn't mean to." I stammered.

"It's alright, young Shichi!" All Might said giving me a grin. "What did you hear?"

"Pretty much everything," I said biting my lip. "What does he mean that he created Todoroki?"

"Well you know about quirk marriages correct?" All Might said leading me away from the stairs. I nodded and he continued, "well if I had to guess I'd say Todoroki is a product of a quirk marriage."

"Oh I see," I said dropping my gaze to the ground. "He must have had a hard life with all that pressure on him."

"It's possible," All Might said putting a hand on my shoulder. "I think you and Todoroki might have more in common than you think. Perhaps you should try talking to him about it."

"I don't know about that," I said scratching my cheek.

"Well don't let it keep you from doing your best in the festival," All Might said reassuring me. "Now you were on your way to see Aizawa correct?"

"Huh?" I blinked caught off guard by his remark. "Yea I was, thanks for talking with me, All Might."

"Anytime young Shichi!" All Might gave me a thumbs up before heading off down the hall. It was still so weird having All Might be so casual with me.

I shook my head and continued up the stairs. When I got to the announcers box I knocked on the door and Mic opened it for me. "Kanna! Hey, Eraser, Kanna is here for you."

"Hmm?" Shota opened his eyes slowly and glanced up at me. "Oh hey."

"I'll go and get us lunch!" Mic said brightly.

"Thanks, Mic!" I said sitting down next to Shota. "So what did you think?"

"You did well," Shota said bluntly. "I almost expected you to hold back, but I was pleasantly surprised that you didn't."

"Well sure, but it is a contest and I wanna get noticed by the pros," I said running my hands through the end of my braid.

"Well keep it up in the tournament," Shota said.

"Do you think I can win?" I asked bringing my legs to my chest.

"I think you have the potential to," Shota shrugged. "I saw you using your earth quirk to move the mines. That was clever."

"Thanks, I'm trying to do more with my earth," I said trying to find the right word. "Todoroki wanted me to use it but in the end I was too afraid."

"Well someday you will start using it more," Shota said. It felt like there was more he wanted to say but chose not to.

It wasn't long until Mic brought us food. He asked me who I was looking forward to fighting and I said I wasn't sure. Todoroki or Bakugo seemed like the best people to really test my skills against. Both of them were skilled fighters and had good handles on their quirks. But it didn't matter who I faced off against, I was going to give it my all. I wanted to be number one just like the others.

I headed back to the stadium since the lunch break was almost over. As I was walking Momo and Uraraka came running up to me. Both of them were wearing cheerleading outfits along with the other girls in the class. I stifled a laugh because they looked so ridiculous.

"Kanna! We've been looking for you!" Momo said holding a spare costume. "Put this on!"

"I'd rather not. Also why?" I asked glancing between her and the outfit.

"Mr. Aizawa said we have to wear these," Uraraka explained.

"Who told you that?" I laughed. "I was just with Shota, I'm sure he would have told me."

"Kaminari told us," Jiro said glancing over her shoulder.

"I think you were tricked!" I chuckled. Kaminari started laughing as the girls wheeled around on him. I shook my head and walked out into the stadium.

Midnight called for our attention again, "between the 16 members of the four winning teams we will have a formal tournament. This will be a series of one on one battles. The matchups will be decided by drawing lots, we will start with the first place team." Midnight explained. "Once that is settled we will move on to the festivities. It's up to the finalists if they want to participate in them or not."

"Um, excuse me," Ojiro raised his hand. "I want to drop out. I know that this is a great opportunity to show off, but I have no memory of the cavalry battle."

"This is your chance to shine, Ojiro!" Hagakure said trying to make him feel better.

"Everyone is trying so hard and I don't think it would be fair to continue," Ojiro said shaking his head.

"Come on man," Kirishima started before Ojiro cut him off.

"No, I didn't get this far with my own strength," he said. "This is about my pride and it won't let me go any further."

"I want to drop out too!" A kid I didn't recognize spoke up. "Like him I don't have any memory."

Midnight paused for a moment, thinking, "alright I accept! We will have to replace you with two people from the next place team, Team Kendo."

"Actually," A girl I'm assuming was Kendo said. "We didn't really do anything. I think you should choose people from Tetsutetsu's team."

Once that was settled we finally drew lots. I was matched up against a girl named Shiozaki. She was one of the people who replaced Ojiro and that other kid. We were dismissed to either participate in the festivities or to prepare for our matches. I glanced up at the board showing the match ups trying to see who everyone else was up against.

Midoriya vs Shinso
Todoroki vs Sero
Shichi vs Shiozaki
Iida vs Hatsume
Aoyama vs Ashido
Tokoyami vs Yaoyorozu
Kirishima vs Tetsutetsu
Bakugo vs Uraraka

I hoped that Uraraka would be able to find a way to beat Bakugo. I decided to take a walk and clear my head. The girl I was up against had vines for hair so I wasn't too worried about the match. It was the ones following it that had me slightly in edge.

As I rounded a corner I saw Todoroki sitting on the grass, leaning against the wall. I was just about to turn the other way when he glanced up at me. "Shichi, you and Midoriya are friends right?"

"Oh yea we are," I nodded taking a step closer to him.

"I see," Todoroki said. "He overwhelmed me and I used my flames."

"I noticed," I said scratching my cheek. "How come you don't use your left side?"

"Why don't you use your earth?" He shot back at me.

"Because I'm afraid of it. A few years back there was an accident I caused and I've never really gotten passed it." I said trying to gloss over the details.

Todoroki looked at me shocked by my honesty. "I don't use my left side because I don't want to give my father that satisfaction."

"Endeavor?" I blinked. I told him about the conversation I overheard between him and All Might.

"Of course that bastard thinks that way," Todoroki said with hatred in his eyes. "I won't ever use my left side. I will reject him completely."

"Are you making this decision because it's what you want or because you feel the need to reject him?" I asked saying the first thing that came to my mind. "You shouldn't limit yourself just to prove a point to him. Your left side is as much a part of you as your right. I don't know if that means you have to accept your father but you should make the choice on using your fire or not because that's what you want to do."

"Shichi, I," Todoroki opened his mouth and then closed it, not knowing what to say.

"Anyway, just something to think about," I said backing away. "I'm going to continue to prepare for the match."

I turned around and walked passed him. "Shichi, wait!" Todoroki called out to me and I glanced over my shoulder. "How did you get that burn on your wrist?"

"It happened in a lab accident," I said bluntly before walking off.