The U.A. Stadium felt like a colossal living organism, breathing in unison with the thousands of spectators filling the stands to capacity. The sun shone brightly over the field, casting long shadows from the fluttering flags and banners. The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass, mingling with the aroma of popcorn and hot dogs from food trucks scattered around the arena.
Giant screens around the perimeter replayed highlights from the recent obstacle course: Midoriya Izuku soaring over a minefield, Bakugo Katsuki, snarling, blasting through barriers, Todoroki Shoto gliding on his ice path, his eyes cold and focused and finally, Arashi Tanaka on his shadow-steed Morgoth, leaving a trail of frost on the ground as he overtook rivals in a final sprint. The crowd roared, applause and cheers merging into a deafening cacophony that echoed in every participant's chest. For the first-year students, this wasn't just a festival—it was a chance to prove their worth, catch the eye of hero agency scouts, secure internships, and perhaps alter the course of their lives forever. The tension hung in the air, thick and palpable, like the mist before a storm.
Arashi Tanaka stood at the arena's edge, his breathing still uneven from the grueling race. His dark hair was tousled, and his eyes, usually masking a storm of emotions, now glinted with a mix of exhaustion, determination, and faint excitement. Morgoth, his black shadow-steed, had dissipated after the finish line, leaving only a thin layer of frost on the grass that melted quickly under the sun. Arashi felt energy slowly returning to his body, but the whispers of the Nazgûl in his mind persisted—cold, insistent, promising power at the cost of control. "We wait… Call us, and we'll crush them all," they hissed, but Arashi reinforced the mental wall he'd built over years. He couldn't let them break free here, before thousands of eyes and cameras broadcasting the festival worldwide.
Nearby, his Class 1-A peers gathered, their faces reflecting a spectrum of emotions from triumph to disappointment. Midoriya Izuku stood a short distance away, his hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His usually enthusiastic eyes were clouded with worry—taking first place in the race had made him the prime target for the next stage. He muttered to himself, analyzing strategies, his mind racing as always. Uraraka Ochaco bounced on her toes, her brown eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, her pink cheeks flushed with excitement—she'd finished mid-pack, but her levitation Quirk could be a game-changer in a team event. Iida Tenya stood upright as ever, adjusting his glasses and lecturing about discipline and teamwork, his leg engines faintly humming from recent use. Bakugo Katsuki kept his distance, arms crossed, his face twisted in a scowl, palms sparking with tiny explosions—third place was an insult to him. Todoroki Shoto was calm as ice, his heterochromatic eyes—one blue, one gray—coolly scanning the arena, assessing potential allies and foes. Kirishima Eijiro slapped everyone's shoulders, his red hair blazing like fire, his grin infectious: "Guys, we're gonna crush it! So manly!" Mina Ashido danced in place, her pink skin and hair flashing like a signal flare, while Tokoyami Fumikage stood in the shadows, his Dark Shadow whispering softly to him.
Suddenly, the stadium's speakers crackled to life, and Present Mic's voice, brimming with boundless enthusiasm and charisma, boomed across the arena, silencing everyone and drawing their attention to the massive screen where his figure, microphone in hand and signature hairstyle towering, embodied pure energy. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed spectators, young heroes, and everyone watching on TV and online! After an epic, breathtaking obstacle course where we witnessed incredible feats of strength, speed, and strategy, 42 participants—the best of the best from the first year—have qualified for the next round! And now—drumroll, please!—the second event of the U.A. Sports Festival is… THE BATTLE OF THE RIDERS!" he thundered, and the crowd erupted in applause, cheers, and stomping feet that echoed throughout the stadium. Cameras zoomed in on the students' faces: Midoriya gave a nervous smile, Bakugo growled, Todoroki remained impassive, and Arashi clenched his fists, feeling a surge of adrenaline.
Present Mic paused dramatically, letting the noise build to a crescendo before fading, his eyes gleaming behind dark sunglasses. "The rules of this epic battle are simple but packed with depth, strategy, teamwork, and pure heroism! Participants must form teams of two to four—choose wisely, because your fate depends on it! In each team, one member becomes the rider, carried on the shoulders or backs of the others, who act as 'horses,' forming a true cavalry. The rider wears a headband with points assigned based on your obstacle course ranking. And here's the kicker: the race winner, our fearless Midoriya Izuku, gets a headband worth… TEN MILLION POINTS!" The crowd gasped collectively, and cameras zoomed in on Midoriya, who paled, his eyes widening in shock, his hands trembling. "Second place—Arashi Tanaka—takes 405 points, third place—Bakugo Katsuki—400 points, and so on, decreasing by five points per rank down to the 42nd place with 5 points. The goal is simple and brutal: steal other teams' headbands to rack up as many points as possible! You have 15 minutes to prepare and form teams, and the battle itself lasts exactly 15 minutes. The teams with the highest total points advance to the final round—a one-on-one tournament where the best of the best will clash! Show us teamwork, cunning, strength, and true U.A. heroism! Time starts now—form your teams!"
The stadium roared again, and students began moving frantically, whispering, gesturing to potential allies, and weighing strengths and weaknesses. The tension escalated: scouts in the stands leaned forward, notebooks ready to jot down strategies, while parents in the crowd nervously clasped their hands.
Arashi scanned his surroundings, his mind racing like a machine calculating options. His Quirk, while powerful, wasn't ideal for teamwork—especially summoning the Nazgûl—but Morgoth and his Morgul blade gave him a unique edge in this battle, where mobility and intimidation could be decisive. But he couldn't go it alone: the rules required a team, horses for stability, and a rider to grab headbands. His gaze fell on Midoriya, standing at the center of the chaos, surrounded by curious stares. With ten million points, he was the ultimate target—every team would hunt him like sharks scenting blood in the water. But Arashi saw not a threat but an opportunity: teaming up with Midoriya meant protecting those points together, leveraging his strength. He could rely on him, at least partially.
"Midoriya," Arashi called softly, stepping closer through the crowd of students. His voice was calm but laced with confidence honed through countless hours of training to control his Quirk. Midoriya turned, his green eyes meeting Arashi's dark ones, a flicker of surprise in them—they weren't close friends, but they respected each other's abilities after the race. Midoriya gave a nervous smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Tanaka-kun? Something up? You look… focused."
Arashi nodded, his expression serious. "You're the main target for everyone. With ten million points, every team will come for you from the first second. You won't last alone—they'll gang up on you. But if we team up, we can protect that headband together. My Quirk gives us mobility and an aura of fear—Morgoth can carry us faster than anyone, and the Morgul blade will deter attackers, paralyzing their will. Your Quirk is raw power for breaking through barriers or repelling attacks. We complement each other. Let's form a team: you'll be the rider to grab headbands, and I'll be one of the horses, using Morgoth as our base. We need two more for support."
Midoriya blinked, his analytical mind quickly weighing the pros and cons. He knew about Arashi's Quirk from training and incidents—shadows, cold, all-consuming fear—that unnerved many in the class, sparking whispers and sidelong glances. But in the race, it had proven effective: Morgoth had outpaced even Bakugo's explosions. "You're right, Tanaka-kun… It makes sense. If we combine forces, our chances of success increase exponentially. But who else? Uraraka-san's levitation could make us lighter, letting Morgoth maneuver in the air, and Iida-kun's engines would add stability and speed on the ground. They're not in teams yet—let's ask them!"
Arashi nodded, feeling a slight relief—the plan was coming together. They quickly wove through the crowd to Uraraka, who was standing with Aoyama but hadn't committed yet. "Uraraka-san!" Midoriya called, his voice full of enthusiasm. Uraraka turned, her brown eyes lighting up. "Midoriya-kun, Tanaka-kun! What's up? You guys look like you're plotting world domination!"
Midoriya grinned, explaining, "We're forming a team for the Battle of the Riders. Your Quirk is perfect—you can make opponents weightless, and Tanaka's Morgoth will help us keep distance and strike. Join us—together, we'll protect my points and grab others!"
Uraraka beamed, her cheeks flushing brighter. "Heck yeah! That sounds super fun! I've always wanted to ride a horse—I can already see us zooming past everyone! I'm in!"
Next, they approached Iida, who was with Kirishima, though Kirishima was already heading toward Bakugo. "Iida-kun," Arashi said, his tone respectful. "We're building a team: Midoriya as the rider, me with Morgoth for mobility, Uraraka for levitation. Your engines will add stability—you'd be key for ground maneuvers. As class president, you understand teamwork's importance. Join us."
Iida adjusted his glasses, his expression serious. "Your proposal is logical and aligns with U.A.'s spirit. As class representative, I'm duty-bound to support my classmates in this challenge. Let's demonstrate exemplary coordination and heroism! I'm in."
The team was set: Midoriya as the rider with the ten-million-point headband, Arashi, Uraraka, and Iida as horses, with Morgoth as their enhanced base. Arashi summoned Morgoth—the massive black shadow-horse materialized, its eyes glowing crimson, its mane swirling like smoke, its hooves leaving frost. Uraraka touched it, and though it bristled, Arashi quelled its resistance.
They practiced their formation: Midoriya on Iida's shoulders, Arashi at the front of Morgoth's saddle to control it, with Iida and Uraraka behind. Around them, other teams formed, each with their own strategies. Bakugo, snarling with rage, assembled Kirishima for defense (his hardened skin as a shield), Sero for binding (tapes for grabbing), and Kaminari for electric attacks—a volatile, aggressive group focused on direct assault. "That ten million is mine! We'll blast them to bits!" Bakugo roared, his eyes blazing.
The whistle blew, and the arena exploded into motion. The 42 participants, split into over ten teams (some with four, others three or two), charged forward like an army in battle. Midoriya's team, with their massive points gleaming on the headband, was the center of attention. The crowd roared, cameras buzzed, capturing every move, and scouts leaned forward.
Arashi sent a mental command to Morgoth: "Forward, full speed!" The horse surged, its hooves gliding silently over the ground, leaving a trail of frost. "Hold tight! Don't let them get close!" Midoriya shouted, his voice resolute, hand ready to snatch headbands.
The first attack came almost immediately—from Bakugo's team. "That Deku and his shadow rat are mine! Blast them!" Bakugo yelled, his team charging on Kirishima's back, explosions lighting the field like fireworks. Sero shot out tapes, aiming to bind them. "Dodge left!" Arashi commanded, steering Morgoth into a sharp turn. The horse glided like a shadow, evading the tapes. Iida activated his engines, adding a burst of speed, and they pulled ahead by meters. "Kirishima, block!" Bakugo barked, but Kirishima crashed into empty air, his hardened skin coated in frost from Morgoth's aura. "Cold, but manly!" Kirishima grumbled, shivering.
Meanwhile, Todoroki's team approached from the left, his ice Quirk forming a wall to block their path. "Your headband is our target. Surrender," Todoroki said coldly, his voice like a winter breeze. Yaoyorozu created a net of ropes, and Tokoyami sent Dark Shadow—a writhing black figure like a snake—for a grab. "Dark Shadow, attack!" Tokoyami ordered, his voice low and serious. The shadow lunged, but Arashi amplified Morgoth's aura: shadows thickened, a chilling dread crashed over Dark Shadow, forcing it back. "It's… like my darkness, but laced with despair. It's afraid," Tokoyami muttered. Arashi veered Morgoth away from Todoroki's ice wall.
"Break through the gap!" Iida shouted, spotting an opening between teams currently fighting over headbands. But attacks didn't stop. From the right, Tetsutetsu's team crept up, his steel body gleaming in the sun. "Steel versus shadows—let's see who's tougher!" Tetsutetsu roared, charging into their path. Arashi gritted his teeth, feeling pressure in his head—the Nazgûl's whispers grew louder: "Release us, and we'll crush them…" But he held control, summoning the Morgul blade. The blade materialized, absorbing light around it. He swung, and a wave of cold and fear crashed over the attackers like a tsunami. Tetsutetsu froze, his steel coated in thick frost, cracking in the cold. "What are those voices? They're in my head!" Tetsutetsu hissed, retreating.
Midoriya's team seized the moment to dart past, Midoriya snatching a headband from one of their horses, adding points to their score. Minutes dragged like hours in chaos. The crowd roared with each grab, Present Mic commentating: "Look at Midoriya's team! They're flying like ghosts on that shadow-horse! Arashi Tanaka's scaring everyone off with that chill—it's epic!"
Arashi felt fatigue—Morgoth and the blade drained his energy—but the team worked like clockwork. Uraraka adjusted gravity, letting Iida's engines pivot them sharply. Midoriya analyzed, pinpointing targets and threats. One student caught them mid-turn, grabbing Uraraka, but she made him weightless, sending him floating helplessly upward. "Nice move, Uraraka-san!" Midoriya praised.
The battle's midpoint became a chaos of alliances and betrayals. Mina Ashido's team slid on acid trails, her pink figure flashing, trying to undercut Morgoth. "Acid versus shadows—let's melt them!" she shouted, her horns twitching with excitement. Arashi swerved Morgoth and swung the blade toward her team. They froze, nearly collapsing from fear. As Arashi moved for Mina's headband, a shout came from behind.
"Deku! You and your shadow freak—die!" Bakugo roared, leaping with explosions, his face twisted in fury. Kirishima crashed into Iida, his hardened skin taking the hit, but Iida pushed back. Sero's tapes wrapped Morgoth, but Arashi sliced them with the blade, a wave of fear forcing Sero to retreat, his face pale. "It's… like a nightmare!"
Todoroki attacked again, freezing the air, creating ice spikes. "You won't escape," he said, his breath steaming in the cold. Yaoyorozu made a shield, Tokoyami sent Dark Shadow again, but Morgoth's intensified chill paralyzed it. "My darkness fears his—it's a paradox," Tokoyami said.
With minutes left, the arena was a mess of ice, frost, acid, and explosion craters. Teams fought desperately: one of Bakugo's teammates turned on their allies; Tetsutetsu smashed Todoroki's ice with fists. Arashi, nearing exhaustion, urged Morgoth into a final sprint, grabbing two more headbands.
In the final seconds, Bakugo nearly snatched Midoriya's headband, his fingers grazing it, but Arashi accelerated sharply, dodging. "Not yours, Bakugo!" Midoriya shouted, voice full of resolve.
The whistle blew. "Time's up! The battle's over!" Present Mic announced.
Midoriya's team held their points, plus those they'd stolen, securing first place. They advanced to the finals with Todoroki, Bakugo, and Shinso's teams. Arashi sank to the ground, Morgoth dissolving, his body trembling with exhaustion, but his eyes shone with pride. "We did it," he whispered, smiling at Midoriya. The crowd roared, but the festival raged on.