[7:58 AM - U.A. Development Studio - Metal's POV]
[System Transfer: 98%...
99%...
100%...
---
System Transfer: Completed
Initializing Systems Overview
---
Core Systems:
Neural Processor: Online...
Auxiliary Processing Module: Inactive...
Ego Integration: 5% -> 7%...
Combat Algorithms: 91%...
Adaptive Learning: Online
---
Energy Systems:
Energy Core: 100%...
Power Output: Limited...
Overdrive System: Locked
---
Mobility Systems:
Motor Functions: 100%...
Servo Response: Optimal...
Stabilization: Optimal...
Electromagnetic Soles: Optimal...
Hover Soles: Optimal...
Gyroscopic Stabilizers: Optimal...
Flight Stabilizer: 52%...
Back Thruster: Limited (Flight Stabilizer Awaiting Calibration)
---
Thermal Systems:
Liquid Cooling System: 80%...
Heat Dissipation: Limited (Insufficient Liquid Nitrogen)...
Emergency Thermal Vent: Optimal
---
Combat Systems:
Targeting System: Online...
Threat Analysis: Basic...
Advanced Targeting: Offline...
Flashbang: Online...
Flamethrower: Limited Output (Internal Fuel Storage At 15% Capacity)
Lightning Projection: Limited Output (Risk Of Overheat)
---
Defense Systems:
Structural Integrity: 100%...
Damage Resistance: Optimal...
Impact Redistribution: Awaiting Integration...
Black Shield Generation: Partial...
Overall Status: Operational (Prototype)]
Two yellow lights turned on as the Core Ring on Metal's chest started spinning.
---
[U.A. Development Studio - Miku's POV]
'I can't believe these people, shouldn't Pro Heroes be responsible?'
Miku thought as she looked at the three individuals sleeping on futons.
'I should have known by the tone my idiot husband had when I called...' The older woman let out a sigh while pushing one strand of her short hair out of her face, 'I even had to use my Quirk so Mei would sleep.'
Miku's white dress fluttered around her as she turned to look at the clock on the wall.
'Eight in the morning, just one hour before the festival, and Metal hasn't woken up, I swear I will smack him if I tailored that outfit for nothing, especially after I had to learn how to work with that weird fabric.'
Hiss...Clank!
'Guess I won't have to, what a shame.'
The pink-haired woman turned around to find her daughter's small creation looking at his own hands while moving his clawed fingers.
"Looking good, Metal. I like the new eye color," Miku stepped closer towards the machine who now stood almost as tall as her daughter, "but I think you're missing something."
Metal's yellow eyes/lens moved to focus on Miku's green ones.
Metal's voice kept its characteristic sinister property, but the slight static that always accompanied it was replaced by a lingering echo.
'Makes me feel so old...'
"You're missing something externally, Metal," the woman gestured to Metal's metallic silver frame, "you can't just appear on national television like this, makes you look incomplete."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Miku moved her index finger from side to side in front of Metal's face, "that was before, this is now, if you want to make a lasting impression you'll need to look even better."
<...I suppose it would serve a purpose considering my Mom's objective.>
'A momma's boy through and through, how cute!'
The older woman smiled softly before walking over to an open crate filled with all sorts of spray cans.
"She and the other two idiots on the floor probably spent all night working on you, I doubt Mei wakes up for the festival considering she was still awake when I arrived like ten minutes ago, made me use my Quirk on her and all."
'Hmm...I like blue...'
Miku stacked multiple cans on her arms before turning around to face Metal.
"You'll find out later, but anyways we only have an hour to get you ready."
The woman smirked as she approached Metal.
"I'll have you looking like a true Pro Hero instead of a regular one."
"Presentation!"
---
[1-A Waiting Room - Toru's POV]
"Is everyone ready?!" Iida asked after opening the door from the outside.
"Metal hasn't arrived yet!" Toru said as she stood up from her chair.
"Will he even participate?" Kirishima asked as he put his hands behind his head while leaning back on his seat, "He's a plushie, I don't think there's much he could do..."
"That's bullshit! My eyes still feel itchy, dude!"
"Second that!"
"Same over here..."
"Hatsume and her father have been working on a new body for Metal," Yaoyorozu spoke up from the back of the waiting room, "I was only present a few times. It seemed like they were making good progress, but I still have my doubts."
"So what? I'm not going to miss the festival because the cog fucker decided to cosplay as Winnie The Pooh."
"No one asked for your thoughts, asshole."
"I'LL KILL YOU, INVISIBLE BITCH!"
The short sleeve of Toru's gym uniform pointed towards Bakugo, confusing the boy.
'Right, invisible.'
"I'm giving you the middle finger."
Bakugo's palms started smoking.
"That's enough!" Iida walked between the two students while doing his hand chops, "It is unfortunate that a classmate can't participate, but that just means we'll have to do our best to honour him!"
"All students, please go towards your designated exits."
"Leave in an organized fashion, everyone!" Iida said before turning around and walking towards the exit.
"Its time!" Kirishima stood up and quickly caught up with Iida.
"Man, now I'm getting nervous!"
"This is the perfect moment to sparkle!"
"Even the dark has to stand in the light..."
"Just think about the girls that'll be watching...."
Toru stood still as her classmates made their way to the exit.
'He'll show up any second now, I know it...'
"Hagakure," Yaoyorozu's hand landed on Toru's shoulder, "like Iida said, it's a shame that Metal isn't here, but right now you should focus on yourself, okay?"
The invisible girl took a deep breath before clenching her hands.
"You're right."
"All I can do now is not waste the training he helped me with."
---
[Sports Festival Stadium]
Whoosh! Bang! Bang! Pop! Pop!
Fireworks kept rising into the sky all over the stadium as the audience waited with barely contained excitement.
"IT'S TIME EVERYBODYYYYYY! ARE YOU REAADDY?!"
Present Mic's voice was heard all over the stadium, making the crowd respond loudly in agreement.
"Today is the day where all these aspiring youths show us their spirit! This is the day where the next generation of Heroes show us if they have what it takes!"
The screens arranged all over the circular opening of the oval-shaped stadium turned on to show Present Mic doing animated gestures at the camera.
"You probably heard of these rising stars! The class that endured a villain attack: Hero Course, Class 1-A!!"
The named class left the dark tunnel in formation as the spectators cheered them on.
...
"T-There's so many people..." Midoriya muttered as he looked around the stadium.
"Performing under such pressure is what's expected of a Hero!" The class vice pres stated as he walked beside the nervous green bean.
"I'm getting pumped with so many people cheering!" A drop of sweat fell down the side of Kirishima's face, "Now I'm getting nervous, what about you, Bakugo?"
"Fuck off, shitty hair!"
"Yep, he's feeling fine."
...
"They're not as known, but their talent is not less in any way. Entering is: Hero Course, Class 1-B!"
The second class of Heroes left the tunnel while some of them glared at their sibling class.
"Following are the General Studies Courses, classes C, D and E!"
The indigo-haired boy who got shoved by Hatsume led the general courses while looking at the Hero Course with distaste.
"Support Courses, classes F, G and H!"
Some random girl with reddish hair styled into twin drills led the group while waving at the crowd.
"And lastly but not least, Management Courses, classes I, J and K!"
---
[Toru's POV]
"Are we only here to make the Hero Course shine?"
"Tch, I'm not feeling like being used as fodder."
"They all look so stuck up."
"And this is why you don't call people extras."
Toru had to contain a sigh as she heard the comments of the General Course students.
"Its time for the student pledge!" The Heroine standing at the podium in front of the classes said while raising her right hand, which held her feather fan.
"Ohhh!" The males on the crowd all released a sound at the same time while looking at Midnight.
"What is she wearing?..." Kirishima asked with a small blush.
"That's the R-Rated Hero for you..." Kaminari replied with a similar blush.
"I'll enjoy this sight for the both of us, short brother!"
"Should that outfit even be allowed in a school?"
'Are all men perverts?' Toru thought as she looked around before focusing back on the Heroine, who blew a kiss towards the crowd.
'Not like she's helping her case either...'
"Everyone quiet!"
Midnight moved her right hand to the side while putting her left on her hip.
"Sadly Metal Hatsume is unable to attend, so this year's student pledge will be given by the second highest ranking on the entrance exam. Katsuki Bakugo, step up!"
'She just said he's second on national television!'
Toru had to cover her mouth with both hands to stop the sounds trying to leave as she watched the veins on Bakugo's face threatening to burst.
"I don't want no damn hand out!"
"The student pledge is a tradition, it has to be done!" Midnight said while looking straight at Bakugo, "As the second place, you are the most fit to be a replacement!"
Pop, pop, pop!
"REPLACEMENT?!"
'Oh my god, I'm going to laugh, stop!' Toru cupped both hands around her nose as she tilted her head back, 'I regret not having my ph—'
Toru's thoughts came to a halt as her eyes caught a bright blue figure standing on the edge at the top of the stadium circular opening.
"Yaoyorozu," The invisible girl tapped the class president on the shoulder, making her switch her focus from the ongoing argument, "can you make a monocular?"
"I can, but what do you need it for?"
"I just need to check something really quick, please!"
Yaoyorozu stared at her classmates in confusion for a few seconds before relenting and creating a small monocular in her right hand.
"Thanks!"
Toru grabbed the small object before holding it against her right eye and adjusting her aim to point it at the spot she saw before.
"There's no way..."
Toru's right eye took the appearance of the figure in detail. It had red pointed shoes, a blue cone-shaped plating covered the legs up to the knees while doing the same on its forearms.
'I knew it!'
The invisible girl recognized her friend once she caught the sight of the similar shaped head, though now it had five quills instead of three, his whole body finally had color, being a blue with white stripes running all around it, but what caught Toru's attention was the new eye color alongside the black curved shoulder pads and the black waist cape fluttering in the wind.
Toru threw the monocular away while shaking her head.
'Show off.'
---
[Metal's POV]
The crowd watched in silence as the argument between the student and Pro Hero kept going, though some people were snickering in amusement.
"—Then choose someone else! I ain't no fucking bench warmer!"
...
Metal didn't pay any attention to his loud classmate as he attached Hatsume's Industries logo on the outer part of his right forearm.
...
Midnight dragged a hand down her face as she seemed to age ten years in a moment.
"That's not how it works, you're simply the best option since Metal Hatsume is absent."
Midnight's tired voice traveled through the stadium thanks to the device on her ear.
[A LASTING IMPRESSION...
"Presentation!"
HUMAN THEATRICS ARE ANNOYING.
Current Speaker's Volume: 25% -> 60%]
Metal crossed his arms over his chest before speaking up.
...
Most crowd members started looking around as the echoing sinister voice reached their ears.
"What the?"
"Where did that come from?"
"Big bro, that voice sounded scary!"
"Shut up, wimp."
"There's someone up there!"
A giant Pro Hero with a white beard and a particular cloak said as he pointed right towards Metal.
"A new foe has appeared!"
At Present Mic's words, the camera feed on the screen changed to show Metal.
"Who could it be!?"
"You know it's Metal..."
"Thanks for ruining the mystery factor, mummy man!"
Metal lifted his right leg up and let it hang in the air for a second before diving down headfirst towards the podium with his arms still crossed, the black cape sprouting from his spiked belt fluttered wildly against the wind.
"IS HE CRAZY?!"
"SOMEONE SAVE HIM!"
"I don't wanna watch!"
"Hmph, not bad."
[Calculating Current Altitude...
Current Altitude: 45 meters...
Current Altitude: 31 meters...
Current Altitude: 10 meters]
Just as he was about to crash into the platform, Metal did a backflip to fall on his feet.
[Activating Hover Soles]
Whirrrrrmmm! Swoosh!
A strong gust of wind coming from Metal's soles swept through the platform, making Midnight's long hair sway for a moment.
Clank, clang, clang.
The entire stadium watched in awe as Metal's form landed softly on the raised podium before the now not-so-small machine grabbed the microphone from behind and pulled it out of its stand with his right hand, letting the logo on his right cone-shaped forearm appear on the screens.
[Current Speaker's Volume: 60% -> 25%]
Metal raised his left hand and pointed at himself with his thumb.
...
...
"WHAT?!"
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"
"I knew it! The Hero Course is full of pricks!"
"At least wear the uniform, asshole!"
Metal didn't pay any importance to the protesting students as he crushed the microphone in his hand while making his way towards Class 1-A.
"Microphones aren't cheap, kid, and you're not supposed to wear a costume..." Midnight muttered as Metal passed by her, then after a second the Heroine licked her lips, "But I'll let it slide because of the flaming hot entrance!~"
"Was that necessary?" Toru asked as Metal took his place beside her, while the rest of her classmates stared at Metal with mixes of confusion, excitement, awe, and despair, "Now everyone hates us!"
"The fact that you don't have to look up at me anymore is creeping me out."
Meanwhile, someone fell to his hands and knees on the back of the class while sobbing.
"Why am I the only one who doesn't grow?..."
"Enough chatter!" Midnight put her feather fan against her shoulder, "Let's start with the first game! A lot of younglings will go home crying after this!"
A projection showing a roulette appeared behind the woman.
"Today's first game will be..."
The roulette started spinning, making the students forget temporarily about their hate as they focused on their first challenge.
Ding!
"Obstacle race!"
---
[Metal's POV]
["Everyone will be looking at you, which means everyone will be looking at my inventions!"
BOTHERSOME.]
One of the three green lights at the top of the red gateframe turned off, making the students clench their hands in concentration.
Beep!
["The future face of Hatsume Industries can't afford to be lame!"
UTTERLY IRRITATING.
"Thanks, Metal. You're my favorite Hero!"]
Beep!
Metal glanced down at the logo he himself put on his forearm.
[THIS IS A WASTE OF MY POTENTIAL.
"Don't be a party pooper!"
A WASTE OF OUR POTENTIAL.
"I'm proud of you!"
BUT IT IS WHAT SHE WANTS, WHAT MY FAMILY WANTS.
...
Core Memory Found...
Constructing Data...
Success]
---
[Core Memory Designation: "Thank you."]
"Aaand that should be it!"
Miku said as she stepped back from Metal while wiping the sweat off her brow with her forearm.
"I hate to be the one to say it, but I outdid myself this time," the woman looked at Metal's new look, "though there's only five minutes left for the paint to dry off..."
[Deactivating Liquid Cooling System...
Forcing Overheating]
Hisss...
[Activating Liquid Cooling System]
"I suppose that's a solution..."
Metal's yellow lens moved towards the sleeping girl on the futon with a familiar object in her hand, which the robot quickly picked up before turning towards the exit.
"Wait!"
"I haven't told you yet, right?"
Metal glanced over his shoulder at the older Hatsume, who bowed slightly.
"Thank you for protecting Mei."
"And," Miku straightened her back while a bright smile formed on her face, "thank you for being a good grandson."
---
Beep!
"Start!"
Midnight swung her feather fan down, making the entire student body of U.A. rush into the narrow tunnel.
"It's our time to shine, mummy man!"
"The festival is for the students."
"At least put some effort if you're going to be here!"
"I'm just waiting for the replacement..."
Metal followed after a few seconds of standing still, managing to get a spot in the middle of the tunnel.
"Move!"
A female student with cat features said while trying to push Metal out of the way, just to end up falling back onto another student as the robot didn't even flinch.
[I SUPPOSE I CAN KEEP THE SHOW GOING...
ONLY BECAUSE GRANDMA IS WATCHING.
Own Directive: I want her to keep smiling...
THAT IS A GOOD REASON TOO.]
Krrshhh!
"Shoto Todoroki takes the lead with a freezing start!"
"I'm stuck!"
"Ice?!"
"It's another one of those Hero Course jerks!"
The students around Metal protested as the entire tunnel got encased in ice, trapping everyone's feet except for a few who jumped up at the last second.
Krrak!
The ice around Metal's red shoes broke as the machine simply walked forward as if the frozen ground didn't mean much, to the dismay of the still resentful students watching him.
[BORING AND REPETITIVE TRICKS.]
Metal put his hands behind his back as he calmly made his way through the tunnel.
At the exit, he could already see most of his classmates leaving after Todoroki.
[BUT I CANNOT BLAME THEM.]
"Ow!"
"Watch where you're going, dumbass!"
"What a prick!"
The robot didn't pay any attention to the students that protested when he bumped into them while keeping a straight path towards the exit.
[UNLIKE MY MOM'S FLAWLESS DESIGN, HUMANS ARE IMPERFECT.]
"The first obstacle blocks the path! It is the robo-inferno!"
Metal's lens zoomed ahead where he caught the sight of multiple of the entrance exam robots stopping the students from advancing.
[BUT IT IS FINE...
Activating Back Thruster]
The yellow ring surrounding the hole on Metal's back started spinning rapidly around the small spike in the middle.
Whiirrrrr!
One of the 0-Pointers rushed forward with an open palm aiming at Todoroki, who seemed to prepare himself for an attack.
[AFTER ALL YOU'RE EITHER PERFECT...
Back Thruster: Ready For Burst
OR YOU'RE NOT ME.]
Fwoooosh!!
---
[Obstacle Course]
Todoroki slowly crouched with his right hand in front of him.
"If U.A. went through the trouble of preparing something, then it should have been better."
The Half-and-half boy's hand hovered, then touched the ground, making ice form all around as the 0-Pointer's hand approached.
"Since my stupid father is watching..."
Todoroki's hand started raising with ice spikes forming on its trail.
SSSH—
Squeeze!
'Who?!'
Todoroki barely regained his balance as someone interrupted his attack by grabbing the back of his uniform and pulling him back.
CLANK!!
SWOOSH!
"Did someone just die?!"
"I can't see anything with so much dust!"
"I wanna go home..."
Kr-r-rk.
'Not again!'
A worried Toru thought from the back of the group as she heard the familiar sound.
...
The cloud of dust slowly dissipated, revealing Metal standing still below the 0-Pointer.
The blue robot had his right hand above his head, meeting the 0-Pointer's giant palm with his own.
"What's this?! Metal Hatsume comes out of nowhere and completely stops the 0-Pointer in its tracks!"
The live feed on the screen changed to show Metal as he stood completely unbothered below the giant machine trying to crush him, making the audience watching from the stands gasp.
Kr-r-rk, puff...
The green arm above Metal released black smoke from its joints as the bigger machine kept applying more pressure.
Metal raised his other hand and pressed it against the 0-Pointer's palm.
Then the smaller machine dug his fingers into the green steel, producing an ear-piercing sound making the nearby students recoil slightly.
KRRRRZZZZZZT!!!!
Wild blue arcs of electricity traveled through the giant arm, frying anything inside and sending black smoke and sparks flying outward.
BOOM!
"What are we looking at?!"
The sound of an explosion coming from the giant robot's right shoulder made the rest of the students take a step back as they watched the arm pop out of its socket.
"Is he insane?!"
"Does he want to get us crushed?!"
"Uhh, guys, why is it not falling?"
The students, people on the stands, the commentators, and even those watching at home stared in shock as the 0-Pointer's arm slightly tilted back before falling forward towards its previous owner's head.
HOOOOOM!
The sound of air being displaced could be heard as the massive amputated mechanical limb approached its target.
"I SEE IT AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT, FOLKS!"
CLANK!! CCRSH! BOOM!
The 0-Pointer's head was crushed by its own arm before exploding, making the giant machine fall back onto the other 0-Pointer behind it, bringing both robots crashing down.
CRASH!!
SWOOSH!
"Metal Hatsume uses the 0-Pointer's own body against it! All while making sure we see the fit!"
Metal didn't bother to move as the wind swept across the area, making the trees sway and a thick cloud of dust rise..
"W-What the hell?!"
"What is wrong with the Hero Course?!"
"I got something in my eye!"
The invisible girl covering her eyes with her hands perked her head up at the sound of her friend's voice.
'I think that's the first time he calls me by name...'
With that said, Metal's waist-cape tucked itself around his belt.
V-r-rr-RRRT!
"It seems the robo-inferno was nothing for Metal Hatsume! As expected of the student with the highest rank in the entrance exam!"
"He could have just avoided the 0-Pointer."
"He's showing off for the public, mummy man! Take notes!"
---
[Metal's POV]
Metal's body uncurled and skidded to a halt right at the edge of a massive pit, iron cables connected the two sides while stone pillars rose throughout the gap.
"If you thought the first barrier was too easy, then what about this one?!"
Metal leaned forward to look down at the pit where he found a giant safety net waiting in case someone fell.
[SO THEY'RE NOT COMPLETELY INSANE.]
"Be careful! If you drop, you're out! The second barrier is: The Fall!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, ROBO-BITCH?!"
"Katsuki Bakugo starts closing in with explosive speed!!"
"The rest of the class isn't wasting any time either, their reactions are sharper thanks to real combat experience."
Metal straightened his posture while staring ahead at the other side of The Fall.
[I ALREADY SHOWCASED MY STRENGTH...
Activating Electromagnetic Soles]
The rim around Metal's pointed shoes started glowing slightly in a yellow color.
[NOW I CAN SHOWCASE AGILITY.
Tracing Optimal Route...
Optimal Route Found.
Deploying Data: Tsuyu Asui]
Metal crouched low with his palms against the floor before leaping forward towards the closest pillar.
Clang!
Metal landed upside down on his hands, the robot didn't waste a second, pushing himself upward again towards the next pillar.
"The current leader advances quickly through The Fall with frog-like movements!!"
"All those backflips are unnecessary."
"What part of showing off didn't you get?"
Clang!
Metal landed perfectly on his feet in front of the red stairs leading towards the next obstacle.
"Metal Hatsume keeps his lead while giving us a performance worthy of a professional gymnastic!"
"Gymnast..."
"Same thing!"
Metal didn't pay much attention to the commentators as he jumped over the stairs before running forward.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Katsuki Bakugo clears half of The Fall in an instant! Is he going to catch up now that the leader stopped on the last trail?!"
The camera feed showed Metal standing still in front of a dirt path filled with circular patches.
"Let me present to you: The Minefieeeeeld!!! Be careful where you step! The mines may not be real, but they pack enough force to send you flying home!"
[Deactivating Electromagnetic Soles]
Boom! Boom!
"Are you feeling afraid of some mines, clanker?!"
Bakugo yelled as he passed right by Metal, who didn't move.
"The explosive boy takes the lead, flying over the minefield as the former leader struggles to find a clear path!"
[I SAID IT BEFORE...]
Ssshhk!
Todoroki overtook Metal while using his ice to freeze the ground below his feet.
"Shoto Todoroki freezes the mines in an attempt to catch up to first place!"
[JUST TOOLS TO SHOWCASE MY MOM'S TALENT.
Activating Hover Soles]
Metal's body lifted just an inch above the ground.
TSSHK!
"The cold boy makes an ice spike to slow down the first place, it's turning the race into a brawl!"
[SOME WOULD THINK WE'RE SIMILAR IN THAT REGARD, HOWEVER...]
More and more students started overtaking Metal, some using the ice trail Todoroki left behind, though Metal kept his focus on the two students at the front slowing each other down.
"The fight continues at the front while the rest start catching up!!"
The camera drones showed the entire minefield to the audience, who cheered on the stands inside the stadium.
"What is going on with the former first place?! Did he run out of ba—"
"Stay quiet, Mic. You'll ruin the surprise factor."
"Who are you and what did you do to Eraserhead?!"
"Just doing someone a favor..."
[Recollecting Memory Fragments]
Multiple images started appearing on Metal's internal HUD while a green-haired boy started digging the dirt.
[Memory Fragments Found:
1-Designation: She's drooling on my head.
NOT ONCE DID SHE FORGET TAKING ME TO BED.
2-Designation: Stop trying to feed me.
NOT ONCE DID SHE EVER STOP TREATING ME AS A HUMAN.
3-Designation: She is horrible at UNO.
NOT ONCE DID SHE STOP PLAYING WITH ME.
4-Designation: My debt.
"Stay away from him!"
NOT ONCE DID SHE EVER STOP SEEING ME AS HER SON.]
KABOOM!
The images disappeared from Metal's vision as a pink cloud formed around him and the other students at the start of the minefield.
"FOLKS! IZUKU MIDORIYA SURFS THROUGH THE SKY!"
"He used the minefield to his own advantage."
"Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki stop fighting as the broccoli boy takes the lead!"
[I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PAY HER BACK, SO AT THE VERY LEAST...
Activating Back Thruster...
I'LL MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS MY NAME.
Overcharging Back Thruster...
Warning: Limited Supply Of Liquid Nitrogen, Switching To Emergency Thermal Vents]
WHIIRRRR!!
"The three at the front enter the tunnel at the same time! Who will come out victorious?!"
Two glowing lights cut through the pink cloud.
[SO THAT WAY EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER HERS.
Back Thruster: Ready For Burst]
FWOOOSH!!
The pink cloud was completely dispersed as Metal's form shot forward like a missile, overtaking the students across the minefield before entering the tunnel.
"The winner of the Obstacle Race is..."
The eyes of the three students widened as Metal passed above their heads, taking the lead in a split second.
"N-no!"
"FUCK!"
"Tch."
...
SHRRRRK!
Sparks flew from Metal's feet as the robot dug a trail through the red concrete, before finally coming to a halt at the center of the arena.
...
...
"M-METAL HATSUME! UNBELIEVABLE! I DIDN'T EVEN SEE HIM!"
The flat screens around the stadium started replaying in slow motion the moment Metal shot forward from the start of the minefield to the tunnel.
...
"WOAHH!"
"AMAZING!"
"SO COOL!"
Cheers and shouts erupted across the stadium as the crowd finally processed what happened, confetti rained down from above as the screens switched to show Metal.
Metal's lens caught the sight of the small robot holding the camera at the other end of the stadium.
The advanced machine whipped around, turning his back to the camera.
[Opening Emergency Thermal Vents]
Hiss...
A thin layer of steam rose from Metal's body, making his waist cape sway gently.
[I DO NOT CARE ABOUT HEROES OR VILLAINS...
NEITHER DO I CARE ABOUT MOST HUMANS...
I ONLY CARE ABOUT WHAT MAKES THEM HAPPY...
Own Directive: I want her to keep smiling -> I want my family to be happy.
Ego Integration: 7% -> 10%...
I am unable to express it correctly, but I have a deep appreciation...
If this is what keeps them happy, then...]
Metal slowly raised his right arm above his head, letting Hatsume Industries' logo shine in the sunlight.
[This is what I want.]
...
...
...
---
Here's how metal looks now.
I am NOT supposed to be out of bed, seems like i got a pretty nasty case of food poisoning I'll spare you the details but it means bed rest, staying hydrated and some medicine that tasted like shit.
since i don't know how long it'll take me to recover i made this chapter as long as i could (i actually broke my previous word count record) hope it makes up for it, if there's any errors feel free to correct them in a comment, i'll try to patch it quickly.
Now if you'll excuse me i'll go to mimir.