[U.A auditorium - Metal's POV.]
"Whaaaat's up, little listeners! Come on! Let me hear that excitement!" said a man wearing a sick outfit, his yellow hair styled in an extravagant way.
...cough...
"Tough crowd, eh? Alright then, I'll skip to the main point! Let me show you all how this practical exam is going to work, okay? ARE YOU READY!?"
....
[Scanning...
Data Found: Hizashi Yamada/Present Mic — User Designation: Pro Hero
Gender: Male
Estimated Age: 30-39
Quirk Threat Level: 2.5]
"All of you will be patrolling a fake city for ten minutes. After this presentation you'll be guided to your designated areas!"
Present Mic then tried to animate the crowd with hand gestures.
Meanwhile Metal looked down at the small card in front of him, the words Battle Center C printed on it.
Present Mic snapped his fingers before gesturing to the big screen behind him.
"There's going to be three different types of villains you'll be fighting during the exam! Each one of them going from one point to three points depending on their strength!"
The silhouettes of each type of villain appeared on the screen behind the Pro Hero.
"Your objective is to use your Quirks to defeat as many villains as you can within the given time. In addition, any non-heroic behaviour will be penalized!"
"Excuse me!" A tall male with blue hair suddenly stood up a few seat rows below Metal.
"Yes?!" Present Mic asked as he pointed towards the student.
The blue-haired male tapped the pamphlet in his hand with his finger before speaking.
"In this pamphlet there are four types of villains! If this mistake was made by U.A, the most prestigious Hero School in Japan, then the faculty should be ashamed!"
"On top of that..." The protesting student turned around before pointing at a guy with green hair. "You with the green hair!"
"M-me?..." The poor bundle of nerves muttered as he pointed at himself.
"You've been muttering this whole time! It's distracting! If you're here to fool around then leave!"
"Ok, ok, candidate 7111," Present Mic gave a thumbs up. "I heard you loud and clear! The fourth villain type is the 0-Pointer. As its name indicates its value is of 0 points. It's more of an obstacle more than anything else! I recommend that you avoid it!"
"Thank you and forgive the interruption!" The student bowed before sitting back down.
"Now let me remind you of the school motto!" Present Mic said as he extended his arms towards the crowd. "As Napoleon Bonaparte once said: 'A true hero is one who overcomes life's misfortunes.'"
"Go beyond..." The words appeared in bold letters on the screen behind the hero.
"Plus Ultra!"
[U.A Battle Center C.]
Metal along with many other participants stood before the giant gates of the fake city. Tall walls surrounded the complex that stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Woah... Is this really a fake city?" said a girl with grey hair and horse-like features.
"How much money does this school have?!" asked a boy with boulders instead of hands.
"I'm so nervous and excited! But more nervous than anything, uwah!" exclaimed a floating uniform.
"ALRIGHT! STAAAAAAART!"
Yelled Present Mic from atop of a watchtower.
"WELL?! WHAT'S WRONG?! THERE ARE NO COUNTDOWNS IN REAL BATTLES! THE LITTLE GUY AT THE FRONT GETS IT!"
The hero pointed towards the entrance of the fake city where Metal was already far ahead of the rest.
"HE'S GOING TO STEAL YOUR POINTS! GO! GO! GO!"
[Metal's POV.]
Clang, clang, clang.
Metal's footsteps echoed loudly throughout the fake city as he sprinted down the streets trying to locate any of the villain-bots.
[Scanning Environment...
Deploying Sonar Sensor...
Creating Digital Map...]
Ping... ping... ping.
A sharp sound came from within Metal's frame, imperceptible to anyone with average senses but enough to map an area of twenty meters around Metal as he moved. Then in the right top corner of Metal's vision a 3D digital map of his surroundings appeared with multiple red dots scattered across it.
[Finding Most Optimal Route...
Route Found.]
Vrrrrrrrrrrt.
Metal quickly used Spin Dash to go even faster, his now compacted body reflecting the sunlight as he quickly moved through the streets.
After a few seconds he came face to face with a two-pointer.
"Target Found, I'll kil—"
CLANK!
The villain bot couldn't finish its sentence as Metal's compacted form smashed right through its body, leaving a gaping hole in the shape of the smaller robot. Metal didn't spare the destroyed robot a glance as he kept rolling forward.
Then a few meters ahead a duo of one-pointers emerged from an alleyway blocking Metal's path.
"Target Locked."
Both villain bots quickly raised their arms, the attached gatling guns started rotating rapidly before shooting at Metal.
Rat-tat-tat.
Thud, thud, thud.
Rubber bullets impacted harmlessly against Metal's round shape as he quickly closed the distance between him and the weaker robots.
["The Face of Hatsume Industries Can't Afford To Be Lame."
Editing Main Command Due To Mother's Request...
Main Command: Crush The Entrance Exam -> Show Off At The Entrance Exam.]
As soon as Metal was within a few feet from the villain bots he reverted to his usual form. Both villain bots quickly dashed from each side before trying to grab the smaller robot, but Metal quickly jumped up avoiding their arms.
Clang!
Metal landed on the flat head of the robot on the right side.
He tapped his right foot against the villain bot's head while crossing his arms.
Metal jumped off from the villain bot's head landing in front of it.
The green robot wasted no time throwing a punch towards Metal's smaller frame with the objective of turning him into pieces.
SCRRRRCH.
Sparks flew as Metal grabbed the flat sides of the robot's arm with both of his hands. His clawed fingers dug into the green painted metal with an uncomfortable sound.
Creak.
The bigger robot's body trembled as it tried to crush the smaller machine, but Metal's arms didn't budge.
The other one-pointer, seeing its companion struggling, rushed forward. Its singular tire grinding across the pavement as it advanced with the purpose of running over Metal.
Metal's joints held strongly as he lifted the bigger robot above his head before using it like a baseball bat and slamming it against the approaching villain bot.
CRASH, CLANK!
Vrrrrrrrrrrt.
Metal compacted his body again before rolling away without wasting any time to see the results of his work.
The small silver robot focused back on following the red dots on the digital map while traveling through the most efficient route.
[U.A - Control room.]
"Hey, Nezu, is that the special candidate you told me about?"
The question came from a shirtless short man wearing a weird yellow helmet currently staring at one of the many tabs opened on the big screen in front of him.
"Indeed! Isn't he interesting?" replied the little rodent (?) before taking a small sip of his tea.
"Are you sure about the information you have on this candidate?"
Power Loader asked as he pointed at the tab currently displaying Metal as he rushed towards a 2-Pointer before dropkicking it in the face.
"It seems a bit too... advanced."
"Of course I am! Gathering information is one of my many talents after all, though I can see where you're coming from. Candidate 1993 is performing better than I expected!"
The other teachers in the control room listened to the conversation in confusion as they focused on the tab displaying Metal's actions.
"Do you know the little guy, Nezu?" Said the R-Rated Hero: Midnight.
"His aim ain't half bad," acknowledged Pro-Hero Snipe as Metal shot a small electric orb towards a 1-Pointer while running. "Hittin' the mark while moving is something a lot of newbie heroes struggle with."
"What's the kid's Quirk anyway?" The question came from a tall man sitting at the back of the room. "Is that a mutation or transformation? It's eye-catching, I'll give it that much."
Nezu let out an amused giggle before setting his teacup down on the armrest of his chair.
"To answer your questions, yes I do know who candidate 1993 is, though I haven't met him in person yet, and about his Quirk... he's quirkless."
"Quirkless? Nezu, have you finally gone completely mad?"
A man that looked more like a block of cement asked with genuine concern.
"The kid just released fire from his palm, no human is doing that without a Quirk."
"I appreciate your concern for my mental health, but there is no need for it. Candidate 1993 is quirkless...since he's a machine."
Nezu revealed before watching the shocked faces of his staff in amusement.
"Are you telling us that there is a robot taking the exam for the Hero Course?" asked a thin man with yellow hair currently wearing a suit. "Is that even allowed?"
"Well I'm the principal and I said it's allowed!" Nezu declared while looking at Toshinori with a dangerous glint in his small eyes.
The poor thing caught his interest... All the teachers thought in unison while sweat ran down their foreheads.
"At this rate it will have more than enough villain bots to pass the exam... are we sure we want to replace a human student with a machine?..."
Pro Hero Ectoplasm asked as he stared at the screen currently displaying Metal Spin Dashing right through the middle of a 3-Pointer.
"Being a hero is not only about beating up villains. It's about self-sacrifice, about making others feel safe around you. Can a machine even come close to imitating that?" said the Symbol of Peace with worry attached to his words.
"Well! Why don't we find out?" Nezu lifted the small lid covering a red button. "Bringing out the heroic spirit of the candidates is the reason why the 0-Pointer was created after all."
[U.A Battle Center C - Metal's POV]
"LESS THAN TWO MINUTES REMAINING EVERYYBODYY!"
[Analyzing Performance...
Calculating Points...
46 Points Obtained]
Suddenly a deafening grinding sound came from a few streets down.
The ground shook as thick clouds of smoke rose up.
"Woah! What is this?!"
"An earthquake right now?!"
More shouts of alarm and protest came from the candidates around Metal as the shaking continued until suddenly—
SWOOSH
A giant green arm cut through the thick layer of smoke, dispersing it completely and revealing the giant 0-Pointer.
The machine wasted no time as it pulled his arm back before sending a punch towards the middle of the street.
BOOM!
A strong gust of wind emanated from the point of impact carrying debris and scraps of metal from the villain bots.
The giant machine then turned its attention towards the students before advancing forward.
"W-What the fuck is that?!"
"Move out the way!"
"Are they trying to kill us?!"
Students pushed each other as they ran in the opposite direction of the towering monster as it smashed through the buildings in its path.
[Scanning...
Finding Offensive Countermeasures...
Failed...
Best Path Of Action: Retreat]
Metal turned around and quickly sprinted after the rest of the students.
"W-WAIT! HELP ME! I'M RIGHT HERE!"
Metal paused at the sound of a girl's voice, yet as he looked all over the street he found it completely empty.
"RIGHT HERE!"
The same voice called again, making Metal turn towards the direction of the sound, yet he found nothing again.
[Switching To Thermal Vision]
Metal's red eyes flashed for a moment as the world turned into a blackish purple.
Small traces of heat left by the other candidates were slowly fading away across the street, but Metal's attention was caught by the small silhouette of a female with her right leg trapped under a fallen lamppost.
The small robot quickly rushed forward and lifted the lamppost with one hand before throwing it away.
"Thank you so much! Quick! We have to r—ACK!"
The invisible girl groaned in pain as she tried to stand up before looking down at her swollen ankle.
"Nononono, I'm too young to di—WOAH!"
Metal put both of his hands on the female's back while being careful not to hurt her with the tips of his fingers.
Then the small robot lifted the girl over his head before running away.
"THIS IS NO WAY TO CARRY A LADY!"
"Actually I think this way of carrying a lady should be more popular..."
With that said, Metal kept running away with the female over his head.
The small machine carefully dodged the scraps and debris on his way while the 0-Pointer quickly gained ground on him.
Metal rotated his head 180-degrees to look at the towering robot as it ran over any building on its path before rotating back again to face forward.
[Time Before Collision: 20 Seconds...
Finding Best Course Of Action...
Options Found:
Throw The Extra Weight
Choosing Course Of Action: Throw The Extra Weight]
"ITS GETTING CLOSEER!"
The invisible girl covered her eyes as the shadow of the giant machine loomed above them. The 0-Pointer threw his fist forward again while aiming towards the duo of retreating candidates.
"WHAT KIND OF EXAM IS TH-OW! ACK!"
The Extra Weight let out a grunt of pain as her body rolled a few meters across the street.
Then Metal slowly turned to stare with indifference at the giant fist about to turn him into paste before raising his arms above his head.
"MOVE OUT THE WAY!"
The girl turned her head to the side, not wanting to see someone getting crushed to death, yet the sound she was expecting didn't come.
KRRRRK
The 0-Pointer's arm trembled as it tried to crush the little machine, meanwhile below the giant fist Metal stood still with his arms above his head. All of his joints let out loud sounds of protest as he tried his hardest to push back against the 0-Pointer.
Pop, pop, pop.
Sparks started coming out of Metal's joints, his small form slowly giving away as his feet dug into the concrete below him, all the while Metal's internal HUD flashed red with warnings.
[WARNING:
Structural Integrity Compromised
Current Load Above Recommended Parameters]
Kr-r-rk, Puff...
Smoke started to come out from Metal's limbs as his body slowly got overwhelmed by the weight.
Clank, Thud!
A small stone landed uselessly on the street after impacting on the 0-Pointer's arm.
"STOP! YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HIM!"
A panicked shout cut through the noise as the invisible girl tried to catch the 0-Pointer's attention by throwing rocks, yet it proved useless.
[Engaging Last Resort...
Overloading Electric Beam...
10%...30%...60%...]
A small hole opened in Metal's right palm before a small tube made of Alumina peeked out. A blue glow started emitting from his hand, slowly growing in intensity.
[90%...
120%...
150%...]
Intense arcs of electricity slammed against the fist of the 0-Pointer as Metal prepared to fire until suddenly—
"TIMEEEEEEE'S UPP, EVERYBODYY! NICE JOB!"
As soon as Present Mic's voice reached the city, the 0-Pointer withdrew his fist before deactivating.
Sizzle, Bzzzt, Bzzzz..
The electricity flying from Metal's palm slowly calmed down as the robot's electrical bracket system quickly started working.
Then Metal turned his head to search for the invisible girl, which he found leaning against the scraps of a 3 Pointer while staring at him.
The small machine slowly walked towards the girl, his body leaving a trail of smoke behind him.
...Sizzle...Puff...
"W-WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME THAT?! Y-YOU'RE SMOKING AND THERE'S SPARKS COMING OUT OF YOU!"
"ARE YOU STUPI-...wait did you just call me 'Extra Weight'?!"
The girl crossed her arms over her chest in indignation.
Metal said as he stared up at the girl's eyes, or more like the place where her eyes should be.
"Toru, Toru Hagakure, and you are?..."
The little robot presented himself in his usual detached, electric voice, which Toru seemed to notice just now.
"Ah, well then you can call me Toru! Thanks for saving me back there!"
Toru scratched her neck with her right hand while giggling sheepishly.
"I didn't think U.A. would go so far for an exam..."
Vroooom
The duo turned to look towards the direction of the sound. Down the street, two robots carrying a stretcher were quickly approaching.
"Ah, I'm sure they're here for you!"
"Huh?"
The two medical bots stopped beside Toru while the girl stared at the stretcher in confusion.
"B-But he's in worse condition than me!"
Toru argued as she pointed at Metal's smoking frame.
"U.A. is not allowed to meddle with private property."
The robot at the front of the stretcher replied.
"Wait what?"
With that, Metal proceeded to push Toru face first into the stretcher, making the girl let out a startled yelp.
With the package secured, the two medical bots wasted no time in driving away.
"YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO TREAT A GIRL!"
Toru shouted as she was carried away.
[Deactivating Thermal Vision...
Entrance Exam Completed...
Sending Following Message To Grandpa: Done, Come And Retrieve Me.
Message Sent Successfully]
---
Image of Metal in case anyone missed on the first chapter since i added it hours later.