Chapter 57 - 8

Chapter 8: Entrance Exam!

Sci-Fi FREAK: I can try to incorporate the you will see the fruits of the labour in this chapter.

Rexzilla: Izuku yeah probably too along with Rex. Pony probably not.

GUGK: Yes.

Maximum Rhapsody: Very little especially on how everyone is strict on using their super powers, Yes it's not a Quirk but it counts. Magic won't probably be incorporate to much

Ben Tennyson stood at the towering gates of U.A. High School, his stomach churning with a mix of nerves and anticipation. The entrance exam loomed ahead like an insurmountable challenge, the culmination of two months of preparation since his move to Japan. This was it-his last chance to prove he had what it took to become a hero.

The sheer number of students bustling around only added to his anxiety. Some walked with confident strides, their faces set with determination, while others mirrored the uncertainty Ben felt, their nerves plainly etched across their expressions. He swallowed hard, tightening his grip on the strap of his bag. This was his moment to step forward-no turning back now.

"You saved the whole universe, dude. How hard can one exam be?" Ben muttered to himself, inhaling sharply to steady his nerves. His heart pounded as he finally stepped forward-well, not by choice.

A light push from behind made him stumble into the school grounds. Ben spun around to see Kyoka Jirou, a small smirk on her face, her hands stuffed into her jacket pockets.

"You planning to stand at the gate all day, Tennyson?" she teased. "I mean, is that your big strategy? Hope they let you in for just showing up?"

Ben rolled his eyes and grumbled, cheeks burning. "No... Just taking it all in, you know? Big moment and all that." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as they began walking side by side toward the exam building.

"I can't believe how many people are here..." Ben said, glancing at the crowd nervously. "I've never done an entrance exam in Japan before. This is kinda... intense."

"Big turnout, as usual," Kyoka said nonchalantly, her gaze scanning the crowd.

"So... it's always this crowded?" Ben asked, trying not to sound too overwhelmed.

"Yep," Kyoka replied casually. "One in three hundred pass. Fun, right?" Despite her cool demeanor, there was a faint nervousness in her tone. "Honestly, I'm more worried about the practical. That's where people really mess up."

Ben gave a dry chuckle. "I'd take the practical over the written any day. Throw me a giant EVO or a villain, no problem. But exams? Ugh..." He shook his head, already dreading the idea of sitting in a classroom.

Kyoka smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously? The Ben Tennyson, beaten by a test? That's kind of hilarious." She jabbed lightly. "Oh no, not the books! Whatever will he do?"

Ben's eye twitched, but the corner of his mouth twitched too, betraying a hint of amusement. "H-Hey! I'm not that bad!" he protested, but Kyoka's grin only grew wider.

Their banter was cut short by a loud, gruff voice. "Move it, nerd!"

Ben turned his head just in time to see Katsuki Bakugou storming past a wide-eyed Izuku Midoriya, who flailed nervously to get out of the way.

"G-Get out of my way before I blow you up, Deku," Bakugou growled, not even bothering to glance at Izuku as he pushed forward.

"O-Oh, K-Kacchan! Uh, good luck on the exam!" Izuku stammered, his voice cracking slightly as he stumbled backward.

Ben and Kyoka both paused, eyebrows raised at the exchange.

"Hey, isn't that guy from the sludge villain thing?" a student whispered nearby.

"Yeah, that's him," another murmured.

"Sludge villain incident?" Ben asked, glancing at Kyoka, who shrugged again.

"Long story," she said dismissively.

Ben turned his attention back to Izuku, who looked like he was trying to calm his nerves. Just as Izuku spotted Ben and Kyoka, his face lit up, and he started walking toward them-only to trip on a crack in the pavement.

Both Ben and Kyoka winced, bracing themselves for the inevitable face-plant.

But Izuku never hit the ground. Instead, he floated mid-air, flailing in confusion.

"What the-" Ben muttered, eyes wide as he and Kyoka stared.

Standing beside Izuku was a girl with warm brown, shoulder-length hair that curled slightly at the ends. She wore a dark brown school jacket over her uniform and had a cheerful expression.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, smiling as she reached out and adjusted Izuku's position in the air.

Izuku blinked, realizing he wasn't falling anymore. His face turned bright red as he struggled to process what just happened.

The girl giggled, lowering him gently to the ground. "Sorry for not asking first, but falling on an important day like this? That's bad luck." She clapped her hands together, and Izuku noticed the small pink pads on her fingertips, like those on a cat or dog's paw.

"I-Isn't this nerve-wracking?" she asked casually, her tone light and friendly.

Izuku opened his mouth to respond but only managed a string of incoherent babbling. "I-uh-yeah-uh-"

"Well, I guess I'll see you inside," she said with a wave before jogging off, leaving a stunned Izuku standing there, mouth still half-open.

Ben and Kyoka exchanged a glance before looking back at Izuku, who was frozen in place.

"Holy crap! I talked to another girl!" Izuku thought, his mind in a flurry of excitement... except...

Ben and Kyoka exchanged a blank look.

"No, you didn't, dude," Ben said with a deadpan expression.

Kyoka smirked. "You just stared at her like a deer in headlights."

Izuku had gloomy expression of acceptance. Before she noticed Ben's attire he was currently wearing a Hoodia with some jeans which when everyone around was wearing the middle school uniform he stood out.

"Come on let's head inside!" Ben said as they quickly made their way into the school.

...

Ben, Kyoka, and Izuku had to part ways as they entered the amphitheater, each heading to their assigned seats. Since Ben didn't go to any middle school, he was free to sit wherever he wanted. Naturally, he chose to sit next to Izuku, though he quickly regretted his decision.

Bakugou caught sight of him and his gaze hardened, his memory of being humiliated by Ben in front of a mall crowd flashing through his mind.

"Uh... I think I'll sit somewhere else," Ben mumbled, but before he could make a move, Izuku waved him over to the empty seat beside him. Ben glared at Bakugou, who returned the glare with even more intensity.

"Tch. As if you Quirkless wannabees are actually gonna make it. Damn extras," Bakugou sneered through gritted teeth.

Izuku, sitting between the two, could already feel the tension building. He awkwardly shifted in his seat, his nervous energy rising. It felt like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off at any moment.

Suddenly, the loud, booming voice of Present Mic broke the tension as he jumped onto the stage.

"WELCOME ONE AND ALL! EVERYBODY SAY HEEEEEY!" he yelled, cupping his ear toward the audience. He was met with silence.

Present Mic just grinned and pointed finger guns, unphased. "Ooo! Tough crowd! Don't worry, I'm just as nervous as you all are!" He paused, then pressed a button on a remote, and large screens flashed to life around the room, showing a replica city.

"Alright! We'll be testing your skills with a ten-minute practice run in our replica city-district!" Present Mic continued, practically bouncing with excitement. "Take anything you want and head to your designated areas after the presentation! Ya dig!?"

Izuku quickly looked down at his paper, searching for his assigned area, but then he noticed Bakugou peering at it over his shoulder. The two made eye contact for a moment, and Izuku's stomach dropped when he realized they had been assigned to different locations.

Ben, glancing over at Izuku's paper, let out a low whistle. "Huh. Guess we won't be in the same city center," he remarked.

Bakugou clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Tsk! They don't want us helping each other out. Probably so I don't blow you up," he muttered, shooting a venomous look at Izuku.

Ben rolled his eyes. "Wow, even an idiot can figure that out, huh?" he shot back, smirking.

Bakugou's glare deepened, his teeth gritting. "Shut it, Gaijin," he growled under his breath.

"Aw, is Sparkles mad?" Ben teased, unable to resist a jab.

The insult hit its mark, and Bakugou's anger flared. "I'll blow you to pieces, you little-"

Before either of them could escalate further, Izuku's voice interrupted, sounding alarmed. "Y-You're both in the same city center..." he said, barely above a whisper.

Both Ben and Bakugou froze for a second before their eyes met, and Izuku felt an immediate sense of dread settle over him. He was stuck in between two predators, both of whom seemed ready to tear each other apart.

Izuku, realizing the tension between the two of them, felt like a small rabbit caught between two predators ready to rip each other apart. He swallowed audibly. "Oh no..."

Alright, check it out!" Present Mic continued, "There are three types of mock villains in each battle center. You'll earn points based on their difficulty, so choose your targets wisely! Rack up those points like you're shredding a guitar solo mid-song! But keep it heroic-attacking other students is a U.A. no-no, ya dig?"

"Excuse me, sir, I have a question!" A student suddenly stood up, raising his hand.

"Hit me!" Present Mic responded, pointing toward him as a spotlight illuminated the student.

The boy was tall and muscular, with neatly parted dark blue hair and a stern expression behind his glasses. His uniform gave off a private school vibe, adding to his formal demeanor.

"On the printout, you listed four types of villains, not three. With all due respect, if this is an error on U.A.'s part, it's unacceptable! As students aiming for Japan's top hero school, we expect nothing but the best. A mistake like this is disgraceful!" the boy declared, his voice filled with authority. Then, he turned his attention to Izuku.

"And you, the boy with the messy hair!" he barked, pointing directly at Izuku, who flinched at the sudden callout. "You've been muttering nonstop this whole time! It's distracting and disrespectful to those of us who take this exam seriously. If you're not prepared to focus, leave!" He paused, then shifted his glare toward Ben.

"And you!" he snapped. "Why aren't you in the proper attire? This is U.A., not some casual gathering! Where is your sense of decorum?"

Before Ben could respond, a voice from the audience cut through the lecture. "Holy crap... that's Ben Tennyson," someone whispered, loud enough to spark a wave of murmurs.

"Wait... THE Ben Tennyson?!" another student exclaimed in disbelief. The atmosphere shifted in an instant as whispers rippled through the room. Every pair of eyes seemed to turn toward Ben, who had been sitting calmly, propping his head up with his fist.

"W-Wait, isn't he the kid who saved that train? Over 1,200 people... in under a minute?"

Bakugou, who had been angrily glaring at everyone, now looked stunned, his usual fiery demeanor momentarily softened as murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Under a minute?! That's faster than..."

"All Might himself... Is he really here for the exam?!" A boy finished the sentence, his voice cracking with excitement.

"He fought someone as strong as All Might and destroyed an entire city doing it," another voice chimed in, their words dripping with awe and fear. "How are we supposed to compete with someone like that?"

"You mean that guy who tanked a direct hit from a hero ranked in the top five and walked away like it was nothing?" a boy asked in disbelief.

"No way," a girl whispered, shrinking in her seat. "There's no point even trying if he's here. He's... unstoppable."

"Didn't he outrun helicopters and pro heroes TOP 10 PRO HEROES? And that was when he was just a kid," someone else muttered. "10 years old! TEN!"

"We're fucked."

A boy gulped audibly, his hands shaking. "And the guy's only, what, sixteen now? What the hell has he been doing since then?"

"We are fucked."

"Shouldn't he be locked up for breaking the law?" the boy said loudly, his tone dripping with indignation. "What's a criminal like him doing here?"

The murmurs came to a halt, the auditorium falling silent. Ben finally opened his eyes, fixing the boy with a sharp, unimpressed glare.

"Yeah, I'm allowed to take the exam," Ben said, his voice low and calm but carrying an edge. "What are you gonna do about it?"

The blonde flinched slightly, his bravado faltering under Ben's gaze. Ben dismissed him with a scoff and turned his attention to the blue-haired student who had spoken earlier.

"And you-Four-eyes," he said casually, his tone filled with just enough bite to cut through the tension. "Why don't you pull that stick out of your ass and sit down? Let Present Mic finish what he was saying before you waste everyone's time with your speeches."

The boy's face turned beet red, his jaw tightening as a few students stifled chuckles from the back of the room.

"Present Mic was about to explain the Zero Pointer," Ben continued, his tone firm but unhurried. "Which you rudely interrupted because you just had to get your point across. So sit down, shut up, and let the man do his job."

A faint ripple of laughter broke through the tension, and the glasses boy, clearly mortified, quickly sat back down. Ben straightened in his seat, ignoring the lingering whispers around him as he glanced back at the blonde.

"And for the record," Ben said, smirking faintly, "I'm from America. We don't do uniforms. So maybe worry about yourself instead of me."

A few students in the crowd snickered, and some stifled laughter broke out. The blue-haired boy's face turned a deeper shade of red, and he sat down stiffly, clearly fuming but unable to respond.

Ben leaned back in his chair, his expression calm and unbothered as the tension slowly diffused. Izuku swallowed hard, still tense from the exchange, while Present Mic awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Ahem... Well, the fourth type of villain is an obstacle you'll have to avoid! They won't get you any points!" Present Mic announced, his usual energy unable to mask the tension in the room. "OK, NOW, LET'S GO PLUS ULTRA!"

The declaration echoed through the auditorium, but the response was muted. No cheers, no pumped fists-just uneasy glances being stolen in Ben's direction.

...

As Ben exited the auditorium alongside Izuku, they headed toward the buses that would transport them to the replica city. Ben's eyes scanned the crowd as he walked, searching for someone. He frowned slightly, realizing Jirou had disappeared in the flood of students before he had a chance to wish her luck.

Izuku shuffled beside him, struggling to find words to break the silence. He finally worked up the courage to speak.

"You're, um... you're pretty popular, huh? Tennyson, I mean," Izuku said, glancing nervously at the taller boy.

Ben glanced over, raising a brow before smirking. "Call me Ben, dude. And yeah, I guess you could say that."

Izuku gave an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. Before he could respond, Ben's expression shifted as he noticed someone up ahead.

His lips curled into a sly grin. "Hey, look who it is. The girl you couldn't talk to earlier."

Izuku's face turned bright red as his eyes darted to the bobbed-haired girl who had saved him from falling earlier.

"I-I mean, she talked to me, s-so that counts, right?" Izuku stammered, fumbling over his words.

Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "No, buddy. That doesn't count. Look, here's the plan..." He leaned in close, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Sit next to her on the bus and talk to her. Like, full sentences. You can do that, right?"

Izuku's eyes widened, and his blush deepened at the suggestion. "T-Talk to her?! I-I don't know if I-"

"Yes, you can. And you will," Ben cut in firmly before giving him a gentle push toward the girl.

Izuku stumbled forward, nearly colliding into her.

"Oh! Are you okay?" the girl asked, glancing up at him with a kind smile.

Izuku blinked, his mind going completely blank. "Y-Yeah," he managed to squeak out, his voice cracking slightly.

The girl tilted her head, clearly amused by his awkwardness, before stepping onto her bus. Izuku stood frozen for a moment before his shoulders sagged in defeat.

Ben, watching the whole interaction, groaned under his breath and resisted the urge to facepalm. "Buddy," he said with a laugh, "that was rough."

Ben turned and started toward his own bus, calling back over his shoulder. "Remember what I said-stay calm, use your head, and don't overthink it!"

Izuku watched Ben leave, only to notice two blonde boys glaring at him from a distance. One of them-the same boy who had loudly accused Ben of being a criminal earlier-approached Ben with a forced smile and extended a hand in what was clearly a fake attempt at friendliness.

Ben didn't even break stride. He walked right past the boy, ignoring him entirely, and took a seat near the back of the bus. The boy's face darkened in frustration, but Ben didn't so much as glance in his direction.

Izuku turned back to his own bus, climbing aboard quickly and taking a seat. His nerves were still rattled, but he clenched his fists, reminding himself of Ben's advice: Stay calm, use your head... I can do this.

...

After a decently long bus ride, Ben arrived at his practical exam center: Battle Center A.

Standing before the enormous gate, Ben felt a mix of awe and nerves. He swallowed hard, staring at the towering structure. "Seven of these? Where the heck do they get the money for this?" he thought, shaking his head in disbelief.

As he stretched his arms over his head, a sharp glare caught his attention. Bakugou stood nearby, scowling at him, as if sheer intensity could cut him down.

"Tch," Bakugou muttered before turning away, hands stuffed into his pockets, his disinterest as pointed as his glare.

Nearby, a girl with bright pink hair and small horns tilted her head, her golden eyes studying Ben with curiosity. It wasn't just her-most students in the area couldn't help but glance at him. The name Ben Tennyson carried weight. Rumors of him floated through the crowd, a boy with power unlike anything Japan had seen before. Whispers spread like wildfire:

"Flames hotter than Endeavor's..."

"Speed that'd make prime All Might look slow..."

But the boy standing in front of them? He seemed ordinary, not remotely threatening.

"He doesn't seem like much to me," the green-haired girl muttered skeptically.

"Some weird Quirk, sure," a nearby boy replied, crossing his arms. "But I don't buy the hype."

A blonde boy scoffed loudly, his voice dripping with disdain. "Just another wannabe trying to act like he's the best."

Unbothered by the murmurs, Ben held up his Omnitrix and pressed the button on its faceplate. With a soft click, the dial popped up, glowing faintly as the silhouette of Heatblast appeared on the screen. He rolled his shoulders casually and began scrolling through the available forms.

"Okay... bunch of robots," Ben muttered to himself, the light from the Omnitrix reflecting in his eyes as he turned the dial. Each click of the device revealed a new silhouette. "Diamondhead? Eh... XLR8? Would clear them out too fast... Heatblast? Maybe Four Arms..."

The muttering alone sent ripples through the crowd. Those who recognized the names stiffened, their eyes wide as realization set in. These weren't just casual names; they belonged to the legendary vigilantes from America. To Ben, it sounded like he was picking toppings for a pizza, but for the others, it was proof he had unimaginable power at his disposal.

Ben finally stopped turning the dial, a grin spreading across his face as he selected his form. The words left his mouth with confidence and nostalgia:

"It's Hero Time."

Before anyone could react, a voice boomed from the loudspeakers.

"START!"

The gates creaked and roared as they opened, revealing the replica city. Confusion rippled through the students, some hesitating as they processed the sudden announcement.

Bakugou, however, wasted no time. He rocketed forward with an explosion, his crimson eyes sharp and focused. He didn't bother glancing back at the others, dismissing them as dead weight.

A sudden green flash burst behind him, brighter than anything in the area. Students gasped as they shielded their eyes from the brilliant light.

By the time the flash faded, webs zipped past Bakugou at lightning speed.

"Whoo-hoo!" a high-pitched, excited voice echoed.

Bakugou's eyes widened as a blue blur swung past him. The figure zipped through the air on web lines, fluid and graceful. When Bakugou refocused, the blur had already reached the first bot-a raptor-like one-pointer rushing out of an alleyway.

With a wild grin, Spidermonkey spun mid-air, cocked back his fist, and drove it into the one-pointer's head. The impact was thunderous, shattering the bot into sparks and debris.

Spidermonkey landed on all fours, tail flicking as his sharp eyes darted around the field. A deep rumble caught his attention-a hulking, tank-like three-pointer rolled into view, its missile launchers locking on.

"Big guy, huh? Let's see what you got!" Spidermonkey taunted.

The robot fired. Spidermonkey launched himself sideways, narrowly avoiding the explosive shot. He twisted mid-air, firing a web from his tail that clogged one of the launchers. Sparks flew as the launcher backfired, the explosion rattling the bulky mech.

"Boom!" Spidermonkey laughed, landing on a nearby wall.

The mech lumbered forward, but Spidermonkey wasn't done. He fired two more webs, latching onto the robot's arm and torso, yanking it off-balance. With a burst of strength, he spun the massive bot in a wide arc, sending it careening into a cluster of one-pointers. The crash was deafening as sparks and metal flew in every direction.

Swinging back into the air, Spidermonkey's grin only widened. Another bot, a sleek, scorpion-like two-pointer, skittered toward him from below. Its tail arched, glowing red as it prepared to strike.

"Not today!" Spidermonkey fired a web at the tail, pinning it to the ground. He dropped onto its back, using his momentum to drive it into the ground with a resounding crunch.

Without missing a beat, he launched himself upward again, firing webs to propel himself higher. The battlefield below was already littered with broken bots, and Spidermonkey wasn't slowing down.

"Let's keep this going!" he yelled, his tail flicking as he dove back into the fray.

Everyone was stunned, mouths agape as they stared at the spectacle unfolding before them. The sheer ferocity and fluidity of Spider-Monkey's movements were unlike anything they'd seen before.

From his vantage point high above the chaos, Present Mic leaned into his microphone, a wild grin plastered on his face.

"What?! You think there's a timer for heroes?! No way, listeners! Heroes don't wait around for the clock to tick! At least one of you had the right idea!" His voice echoed through the exam center, spurring the hesitant students into motion.

The gates surged open, and everyone rushed inside, scattering as they scrambled to find villain bots and score points.

Spider-Monkey, however, had no hesitation. He swung through the air, web lines snapping taut with each acrobatic twist. His target-a raptor-like two-pointer perched on a building-didn't stand a chance.

With a triumphant yell, Spider-Monkey released his web, launching himself feet-first into the bot. His powerful kick tore through its chest, ripping metal plating apart with an ear-piercing crunch. The bot plummeted from the rooftop, slamming into the ground below in a burst of sparks and debris.

Using the falling bot's body as a springboard, Spider-Monkey backflipped into the air, firing a web at a cluster of villain bots charging down the street. He yanked hard, pulling three two-pointers into a collision course. The impact was deafening, sending shards of metal scattering across the pavement.

Landing in a crouch, Spider-Monkey's legs coiled like springs. Without a moment's pause, he launched himself forward, fist-first into a hulking three-pointer. The bot staggered back from the force of the blow, but Spider-Monkey wasn't done.

"Let's see what you're made of!" he shouted, fists blurring as he pummeled the bot with rapid strikes. Each punch sent shockwaves rippling through the metal, until the bot's chassis groaned under the pressure.

Suddenly, its missile pods beeped, locking onto nearby targets. Spider-Monkey's eyes widened as the missiles fired. He flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the projectiles as they arced into the air before slamming into a cluster of one-pointers. The resulting explosion lit up the street like a fireworks display, leaving behind a smoking pile of twisted metal.

"Careful where you're aiming, buddy!" Spider-Monkey quipped, twisting mid-air to deliver a final punch. His fist smashed through the three-pointer's head, sending it flying backward into the side of a building with a thunderous crash.

Crouching low, Spider-Monkey scanned the battlefield. His fur bristled as he heard the sound of grinding gears and rapid footsteps. He turned just in time to see a squad of villain bots-sleek, scorpion-like machines-charging out of an alleyway at high speed.

Spider-Monkey's sharp eyes flicked to a nearby lamp post, and a grin spread across his face. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

With terrifying ease, he leapt toward the post and ripped it free from the ground, sparks flying as the base snapped. He twirled the long metal pole above his head, its weight seemingly insignificant in his powerful grip.

The bots surged forward, but Spider-Monkey met them head-on. He swung the lamp post in a wide arc, the impact shattering the first row of bots into scrap. Their metal shells crumpled like paper under the sheer force of his strike.

"Hope you're not too attached to your circuits!" Spider-Monkey taunted, twirling the post like a massive baton.

Another bot lunged at him, its sharp claws aiming for his chest. He sidestepped with inhuman speed, bringing the lamp post down in a brutal vertical slam. The bot split in two, sparks flying as its pieces skidded across the pavement.

Spider-Monkey leapt into the air, spinning the lamp post like a propeller. He hurled it with precision, the makeshift weapon tearing through the remaining bots in its path. The pole impaled several machines in a row, skewering them like a metallic kebab before embedding itself in the side of a building.

Landing gracefully, Spider-Monkey dusted off his hands and surveyed the destruction. The battlefield was littered with broken bots, their parts scattered like confetti.

"Man, I forgot how much fun this was," Spider-Monkey said with a wide grin, swinging effortlessly between buildings as if he were born to fly.

The wind rushed past him, ruffling his fur as he twisted mid-air to avoid a stray missile. His sharp eyes locked onto a cluster of three-pointers perched high on a towering building, their missile launchers raining chaos on contestants below. At least twenty bots were stationed there, their combined firepower making it nearly impossible for anyone to approach.

Spider-Monkey smirked, his gaze darting to a large billboard affixed to the side of the building. "Oh, this is gonna be good," he muttered, launching himself higher with a powerful web sling.

In one smooth motion, he shot a web at the billboard and slingshotted toward it, moving so fast he was a blue blur against the skyline. He slammed into the billboard with a resounding thud, his hands and feet sticking to its surface like a bug hitting a windshield. The impact sent a faint shudder through the structure, but Spider-Monkey didn't flinch.

Hanging upside-down for a moment, he surveyed the battlefield below. Contestants were scrambling to get close to the cluster of three-pointers, but every attempt was met with explosions and shrapnel.

A boy with messy grey hair, coated his skin in iron or steel tried scaling the side of the building, his quirk allowing him to cling to the surface. Just as he neared the bots, a missile detonated next to him, sending him tumbling to the ground with a painful crash. Others fared no better, scattering as the barrage intensified.

Spider-Monkey shook his head, his grin widening. "Guess it's up to me to clean up this mess."

Planting his feet firmly against the billboard, he crouched low, his powerful muscles coiling like springs. Then, with a grunt of effort, he began to push.

The groaning sound of metal bending filled the air as bolts popped loose and rivets shot out like bullets. The entire structure began to tilt, its weight shifting precariously.

People on the ground stopped in their tracks, looking up in confusion as the billboard slowly leaned forward.

"What the-?" one contestant muttered, their eyes widening as the massive sign started to fall.

Spider-Monkey clung to the billboard, riding it down as if it were a surfboard. "Cowabunga!" he yelled.

The three-pointers below scrambled to adjust their targeting systems, their missile launchers swiveling toward the descending threat.

But it was too late. The billboard smashed into the cluster of bots with a thunderous crash, crumpling them like tin cans. Sparks and debris flew everywhere as the ground shook from the impact.

As the dust settled, Spider-Monkey leapt off the wreckage, flipping gracefully through the air before landing in a crouch. His tail swayed behind him as he surveyed the destruction with a satisfied smirk.

"Didn't see that coming, did ya?" he quipped, brushing some dust off his shoulder.

The remaining bots in the area reacted quickly, rushing toward him in an attempt to overwhelm him. A pair of sleek, panther-like two-pointers lunged at him from opposite sides, their sharp claws glinting in the sunlight.

Spider-Monkey jumped straight up, narrowly avoiding their claws as they swiped at the empty space where he'd been. "Nice try!" he called out, shooting webs from his tail to trap the two bots. He swung them around like wrecking balls, using their momentum to smash into a nearby group of one-pointers. The impact sent shards of metal flying in every direction.

Before he could catch his breath, a three-pointer rolled out from behind the rubble, its missile pod locking onto him. The familiar beep-beep-beep of a launch sequence filled the air.

Spider-Monkey's grin only widened. "You guys never learn."

As the missile launched, he shot a web at a nearby lamppost and yanked himself sideways, the explosive missing him by inches. He swung around in a wide arc, building momentum before slamming feet-first into the bot. The force of the impact sent it skidding backward, sparks flying from its wheels.

Spider-Monkey didn't give it a chance to recover. He landed on top of the bot, prying open its missile pod with his hands and ripping out wires in a shower of sparks. "Let's just disarm you real quick," he said, tossing the components over his shoulder.

The bot sputtered and collapsed, its systems completely fried. Spider-Monkey hopped off, dusting his hands as he looked around. The battlefield was littered with the remains of villain bots, and the other contestants were finally able to push forward without the constant missile barrage.

"Alright, who's next?" Spider-Monkey asked, flexing his fingers as more bots emerged from the shadows, their glowing red eyes fixed on him

"Eek"

A sharp scream rang out across the battlefield, jolting Spider-Monkey's attention mid-swing. His pointed ears perked up, and he shot a web to change direction, swerving gracefully through the air.

"Hold on!" he shouted, speeding toward the source of the distress.

Ahead, he spotted a girl of medium height with green, thorn-covered vines for hair. Some of her vines were coiled tightly around a pair of two-pointers, crushing their metallic bodies as they struggled to break free. Her face was tense with concentration, but her position was precarious-five more two-pointers were charging at her from different directions.

Spider-Monkey narrowed his eyes. "Not on my watch."

He released his web and flipped mid-air, launching himself feet-first into one of the bots. The force of the impact sent it flying into a nearby building, where it crumpled like a soda can. Spider-Monkey landed on his hands and used his tail to spring upright, just as another bot swung its mechanical tail at him.

"Whoa, watch it!" he said, ducking low to dodge the attack. The tail whipped past his head, narrowly missing him. He backflipped away as another bot lunged at him, its claw-like appendages swiping through the air. Spider-Monkey sidestepped, then leapt onto its back, using its own momentum to flip it over and slam it into the ground.

His sharp eyes darted to a nearby manhole cover. An idea sparked. "That'll do nicely," he muttered with a smirk.

With a quick shot of webbing, he yanked the manhole cover into the air and caught it with both hands. He spun it around like a frisbee, building up speed before hurling it toward the charging bots. The makeshift weapon sliced through the first bot, cleaving it in two before embedding itself in the chest of another. Sparks and metal shards flew as they collapsed in a heap.

But Spider-Monkey wasn't done. He shot a webline at the embedded cover and yanked it back, the manhole spinning wildly as it flew toward him. Using the momentum, he swung it in a wide arc, cutting through the remaining two-pointers like a buzzsaw. Their bodies fell apart in a shower of sparks and debris.

"Boom! That's how you take out the trash!" Spider-Monkey declared, tossing the manhole aside.

The vine-haired girl took advantage of the distraction. Her vines tightened around the two bots she had trapped, their metallic bodies groaning under the pressure before they shattered into pieces. She let out a sigh of relief, retracting her vines and turning toward Spider-Monkey.

"Thank you," she said, her voice a mix of gratitude and awe.

Spider-Monkey gave her a thumbs-up, flashing a cheeky grin. "No problem, Vine Girl. Just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Monkey here to save the day!"

The girl opened her mouth to respond, but before she could get a word out, he shot another web toward a nearby building. With a playful salute, he launched himself back into the fray, his laughter trailing behind him as he swung through the city streets.

As he soared above the battlefield, Spider-Monkey stole a quick glance back at the girl, her thorny green hair catching his eye again. It sparked a fleeting thought. "Huh... her hair kind of reminds me of Izuku," he mused aloud, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Wonder how the guy's holding up?"

...

The screech of tearing metal echoed through the streets as Izuku sliced cleanly through the joint of a one-pointer, the bot crumbling into a heap of sparks and steel. He barely had a moment to breathe before the ground trembled beneath the charge of a two-pointer.

Izuku's eyes widened as the larger bot lunged forward, its hulking frame casting a shadow over him. Acting on instinct, he dove into a tight roll, narrowly avoiding the mechanical claws swiping at him. Coming up on one knee, he jabbed a jagged piece of plating into a vulnerable seam he'd spotted during its approach. The two-pointer spasmed and collapsed with a heavy clang.

Panting, Izuku wiped the sweat from his brow, his mind racing as he recalled Ben's advice: Analyze the enemy. Watch for their weaknesses. Use your head, not just your strength.

"I can't use One For All," he muttered to himself, glancing at his trembling hands. 'I can't even feel it... Right now I need to get as many points as possible...'

As if testing his resolve, another two-pointer lunged from his right. Izuku pivoted on his heel, eyes darting across its frame until he spotted an exposed panel. He slid low, slashing through the weak point with precision. The bot staggered, sparks flying, before crashing into a heap.

Izuku pushed himself to his feet, breathing heavily as he adjusted his grip on the makeshift blade of green plating in his hand. Scrapes covered his face and arms, but he pressed on, his analytical mind working overtime. They're pretty easy to destroy... if you know where to look.

Two one-pointers burst from an alley, their sensors locking onto him. Izuku charged forward, muscles burning with exertion. As they lunged, he twisted his body mid-step, slashing cleanly through the midsections of both bots. They crumbled into piles of scrap, the sound of grinding metal fading into silence.

"Find the weak spots!" he muttered under his breath, his determination burning brighter despite the growing fatigue.

Compared to the villains Izuku had encountered on the train, the villain bots felt manageable-almost like a cakewalk.

Or at least, that's what he thought before a two-pointer's tail smashed into the ground beside him with a deafening clang. Izuku's eyes widened as he dove to the side, his body rolling across the cracked pavement. Bruises and scrapes began to dot his skin as he muttered, "Okay... maybe not a cakewalk..."

He adjusted his grip on the piece of plating he carried, using it as a makeshift shield. But when the two-pointer's tail swung again, the sheer force of the impact sent him flying like a rag doll. He landed with a painful thud, groaning as he struggled to push himself back up.

"Target acquired. Destroy!" the bot announced, its wheels screeching as it charged toward him.

Izuku braced himself, muscles tense, but before the bot could reach him, two enormous hands slammed together around it with a crunch, flattening it like a bug. Sparks flew from its crushed remains as a tall figure stepped forward.

"Hey, are you alright?" asked a girl about Izuku's height. She had teal eyes, ginger hair tied into a high ponytail on the left side of her head, and wore a martial arts gi.

"Y-yeah, thanks!" Izuku stammered, his face flushing when she flashed him a bright smile.

"No problem-watch out!" she shouted suddenly, pointing behind him.

A one-pointer lunged forward, its claws gleaming in the sunlight. Izuku spun on his heel, gripping the plating tightly, and sliced cleanly through its midsection. The bot collapsed in a heap of metal and wires.

"Whoa..." the girl muttered in awe, watching as Izuku surveyed the area. His eyes locked onto a group of three-pointers and two-pointers in the distance, their wheels spinning as they chased down a few students. The bots launched a barrage of missiles, forcing the students to scatter.

"T-thanks again! Bye!" Izuku shouted as he charged off, his adrenaline pushing him forward. The girl turned to leave but glanced back at him, her expression curious.

Up ahead, the bots continued their assault, missiles whistling through the air. Izuku scanned his surroundings frantically before spotting a nearby ladder. His training over the past ten months made climbing easy, and he quickly pulled himself onto the rooftop.

From above, he spotted the cluster of bots wreaking havoc below. Taking a deep breath, he sprinted across the roof, leapt into the air, and landed on the back of a three-pointer with a metallic thud. The bot thrashed wildly, its sensors scrambling to register him as a threat.

"Alright, let's see if this works!" Izuku gritted his teeth, gripping the bot's frame as it bucked beneath him. He used his plating to sever one of its missile launchers, causing it to spark and jam. The other bots, now registering him as hostile, began to converge.

Missiles beeped and launched from the three-pointer, spiraling out of control as Izuku yanked on its exposed wiring. The missiles slammed into nearby one-pointers and two-pointers, triggering chain explosions that sent debris flying.

A two-pointer's tail lashed out, smashing into the three-pointer's side. The impact caused it to lurch violently, throwing Izuku off balance. He barely managed to hold on as another bot's claw slashed at the thrashing machine, embedding itself in the metal. Sparks erupted as the bots unintentionally trapped themselves in their attempts to attack Izuku.

The three-pointer beeped erratically, its frame heating up beneath him. "That's not good," Izuku muttered, his instincts screaming at him to jump.

As he leapt off, the three-pointer detonated in a massive explosion, the force of it sending Izuku tumbling through the air. He hit the ground hard, rolling several feet before coming to a stop. Blood trickled from fresh cuts, and his body ached from the impact, but he forced himself to sit up, panting as he surveyed the wreckage.

The bots were nothing but smoldering heaps of scrap now, their parts scattered across the battlefield. Izuku wiped his brow, wincing at the sting of sweat in his cuts, before pushing himself to his feet.

"Okay," he breathed heavily, "maybe I overdid it a little..." But despite his exhaustion, a small, determined smile crossed his face. He wasn't done yet.

Izuku groaned, staggering to his feet. "T-That's 15 points..." he muttered, scanning his surroundings frantically for more targets. His eyes darted to a girl swinging a one-pointer around by its tail, seemingly unaware of the two-pointer leaping off a nearby building, its metallic claws posed to strike her.

Izuku's body moved on instinct, breaking into a sprint. Just as the girl launched the one-pointer away with her tongue, the two-pointer roared mid-air, "Kill target!" The scene seemed to slow down as Izuku watched the machine hurtling toward her.

The girl turned, her wide black eyes framed by pronounced lower lashes, filled with surprise as Izuku dove forward, tackling her out of the robot's path. The two-pointer slammed into the asphalt behind them with a deafening crash, sending debris flying.

The pair landed with a thud on the sidewalk, Izuku pinning the girl beneath him. Breathing heavily, he locked eyes with her, taking in her calm expression that betrayed only a hint of pink on her cheeks. "Are you okay?" Izuku asked, his voice trembling with adrenaline.

The girl blinked, tilting her head slightly. "Ribbit," she replied, her tone steady, though her gaze shifted past him. Izuku couldn't decipher her expression-it was unreadable, like a perfect poker face.

Before he could react, the girl suddenly grabbed him and rolled them both out of the way as a scorpion-like villain bot lunged, its electrified tail stabbing into the spot where they had just been. Sparks flew as the bot's tail embedded into the ground.

They came to a stop, but this time, the girl was on top of Izuku. She pushed herself up, inadvertently straddling him as her long tongue shot out, wrapping around the two-pointer. With surprising strength, she smashed the bot into the side of a building, reducing it to scrap metal.

Standing up, she extended a hand to Izuku, who stared at her in awe, his mind racing with questions about her abilities. She shifted slightly, her expression as neutral as ever.

"Ribbit... thanks," she said, crouching low before leaping onto a nearby building, disappearing into the chaos.

Izuku remained on the ground for a moment, watching her go. "That was... amazing," he muttered, his face flushing as he scrambled to his feet, ready to find his next target.

"Mh, I wonder how Tennyson is doing?"

...

...

Spider-Monkey caught the swinging fist of a one-pointer with ease, his grin widening. "Eh, I'm sure he's fine," he muttered, referencing the person he'd just saved as he twisted his body and delivered a powerful kick to the bot's midsection.

The metal frame crumpled inward, sparks flying as the bot crashed into a nearby building. The person Spider-Monkey had saved scrambled to their feet, gave him a quick, panicked nod, and bolted down the street.

With a quick leap, Spider-Monkey launched a web, swinging through the air with practiced ease. He twisted into a backflip mid-swing, his tail acting as a stabilizer to guide his movement. The adrenaline coursing through him made him laugh as he soared.

"[6 minutes and 12 seconds remaining!]" The announcement echoed across the city center.

"Plenty of time," Spider-Monkey quipped, landing on a lamppost with a graceful crouch.

Missiles whistled through the air, the sound cutting through the chaos. Without missing a beat, Spider-Monkey dodged to the side, webbing the projectiles mid-flight. The sticky substance clogged their mechanisms, causing them to veer off course before exploding harmlessly against a nearby wall. The concussive force rippled through the street, shaking debris loose but leaving Spider-Monkey unfazed.

He slingshotted himself upward with a well-placed web, soaring above the city center. From his vantage point, he scanned the streets below. "Let's see... Ah, jackpot!" he muttered as his gaze locked onto a street teeming with villain bots.

Swinging down, Spider-Monkey landed on a rooftop water tank. "Alright, let's make some waves," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

With a few powerful swings around the tank, his tail wrapped securely around its base, Spider-Monkey snapped the supporting legs with precision. The massive container wobbled precariously before he delivered a final kick, sending it crashing off the roof. Water gushed out like a tidal wave, flooding the street below. The villain bots on the ground were caught in the deluge, their circuits sparking wildly as they struggled to regain balance.

"Time to clean house," Spider-Monkey declared, shooting a web at a three-pointer perched on a building. With a heave, he yanked it free and swung it like a wrecking ball. The bot smashed into a cluster of others clinging to the walls, sending them tumbling into the water below.

Not done yet, Spider-Monkey spotted an electrical box nearby. "That'll do," he muttered, shooting a web and yanking it from its mount. Sparks flew as the box broke free, and with surprising strength, he hurled it into the flooded street.

The moment the box hit the water, a surge of electricity exploded outward. Lightning danced across the flooded street like a storm come to life, arcing from bot to bot.

Bots of all sizes-one-pointers, two-pointers, and even a few three-pointers-shuddered violently as their systems fried. Smoke and sparks erupted from their frames before they collapsed into the water, lifeless and charred.

Spider-Monkey perched on a nearby rooftop, surveying the now-cleared street. "And that's how you take out the trash," he said, dusting his hands theatrically before swinging away to find his next target.

[The U.A. Observation Room]

"What a promising batch of new talent this year. A shame only 36 of them will pass."

"Such a diverse array of quirks, and many of them are so proficient at wielding them at such a young age as well!"

In a dimly lit room deep within the UA main building, devoid of windows and with the ceiling lights turned off, over 50 monitors flickered to life, displaying the actions of various individuals across all seven zones. Most of the observers sat in a semicircle at the center, their eyes glued to the screens, absorbing the unfolding drama.

"A large area to work in, a limited time frame, and lots of competition will bring out the best in all of them," remarked a hero clad in a sleek, space-themed costume, his voice tinged with anticipation.

"Reckon we'll see who's got the grit to step up and who's gonna fold like a cheap saddle?" responded a hero dressed as an American cowboy, his eyes narrowing as he focused on a screen showcasing a boy with purple hair, who appeared to be giving up in his pursuit of points. Dark bags under his eyes mirrored those of Aizawa, hinting at the exhaustion that came with the competition.

"Yes, it seems we have our work cut out for ourselves, choosing but a few from an ocean," squeaked Nezu from his imposing chair, a cup of steaming tea cradled in his paws.

"We can clearly see the differences in how each child approaches the exam, depending on their quirk. Some assess the situation from afar and make decisions based on what they observe." On one of the screens, a student with multiple arms stood atop a building, extending his limbs, each tipped with eyes and ears that seemed to survey the entire city.

"Others prioritize speed over strategy, racing from bot to bot to secure points as efficiently as possible." Tenya, on another screen, was a blur of motion, delivering powerful kicks that sent the one-point robots flying.

"Some possess generalist quirks that allow them to adapt to any situation, picking their battles carefully." A student who emitted lasers effortlessly dispatched the one-pointers, leaving behind a trail of smoldering debris.

"And then there are the natural-born warriors," continued another voice, highlighting a hunched blond standing atop a mound of sparking villain bots, his body battered and bruised. Smoke wafted from his hands.

"And then there are those without overwhelming firepower but who still show the makings of a true hero," the cowboy hero added, pointing to a monitor showing Izuku. The green-haired boy sliced through a one-pointer, his movements sharp but deliberate as he rescued another student who had been in harm's way.

"Come on, Young Midoriya. You're doing well enough to hold your own, but focus more on helping people than chasing points!" thought Toshinori, his expression tinged with pride and a hint of worry. Despite being impressed by Izuku's determination, he knew that rescue points would be critical for the boy's success.

Nezu chuckled softly, drawing the room's attention. "I do believe, however, that someone else has stolen the spotlight." He gestured toward a monitor showing a blue blur swinging and leaping through the air.

All eyes turned to Spider-Monkey, who effortlessly dodged missiles while yanking a three-pointer into the air with his webs. The mechanical villain hurtled through the air, colliding with another bot in a spectacular explosion of sparks.

Power Loader let out a low whistle, his mechanical arms twitching in disbelief. "This kid's no joke. He's already taken out over 45% of the bots in his zone!"

"Forty-five percent?!" several voices exclaimed in unison, their heads snapping to the monitor.

Spider-Monkey swung down toward the street, yanking a bot that had been about to attack another student. He hurled it into a nearby building with casual strength, the metal shell crumpling on impact.

"Singlehandedly," Power Loader continued, his voice filled with disbelief. He wiped his brow, his usually unflappable demeanor shaken. "This kid... he's some kind of battle prodigy."

Midnight leaned forward, her eyes narrowing with intrigue as Spider-Monkey executed a flawless plan. He flooded the street with water using a broken tank, then ripped an electrical box from the wall and hurled it into the deluge. The street lit up with a surge of electricity, frying every bot caught in the trap.

"He's resourceful and quick on his feet," she said, her lips curling into a smile. "The ability to construct and execute a plan with so little time... that's not just talent. That's pure ingenuity."

Ectoplasm nodded in agreement, his arms folded. "Not only that, but his spatial awareness is off the charts. He can assess a battlefield in seconds and adapt his strategies on the fly. That level of adaptability is something even experienced heroes struggle to master."

Snipe adjusted his hat, his tone laced with disbelief. "They said he had some experience, but holy hell, this is somethin' else. This kid's leagues ahead of most of the folks his age."

"Not even I was this adept at combat when I was his age," Toshinori said, his voice soft but tinged with admiration. The room fell silent for a moment as the other heroes absorbed his words. Toshinori cupped his chin, his eyes glued to the monitor replaying Spider-Monkey's movements. "He doesn't just fight. He studies the battlefield, thinks creatively, and uses every available tool to his advantage. This kid fights like a seasoned pro."

The monitor replayed Spider-Monkey, pushing off a billboard, his movements fluid and acrobatic as he surfed down the side of a building.

"He's got the instincts of a seasoned pro," Power Loader murmured, shaking his head in amazement. "If he's this good now, I can only imagine what he'll be capable of with proper training."

However, not everyone shared the glowing opinions of the group. A man with unkempt black hair and a tired expression broke the silence with a low, unimpressed voice. "He's not taking this seriously."

The other heroes turned to him, their intrigue piqued.

"He's constantly making jokes while fighting the villain bots," Aizawa began, his gaze narrowing as he pulled a file from the stack in front of him. "This kid, Ben Tennyson-America's so-called prominent vigilante-is already going to be a problem. And the fact that he's a massive show-off doesn't help."

"Show-off?" Midnight raised a brow, glancing back at the monitor.

Aizawa nodded, flipping through the file with an annoyed sigh. "He's using what should be a serious test as a stage for his antics. Look at him now."

The monitor replayed Spider-Monkey smashing through a two-pointer with theatrical flair before taking an exaggerated bow to the civilians he'd just saved, earning applause and laughter.

"He thrives on attention," Aizawa continued. "Instead of prioritizing efficiency or demonstrating restraint, he's grandstanding. If he's this careless here, how's he going to act in the field? A hero's job isn't to entertain-it's to protect, and that requires discipline."

Snipe scratched his head, clearly conflicted. "Can't argue the kid's results, though. He's already taken out a good chunk of the bots and helped a fair number of folks in his zone."

"Results aren't the only thing that matter," Aizawa countered, his tone sharp. "A hero needs to be consistent and dependable. Tennyson doesn't seem like the kind of person to follow orders or work within a team. In fact, from what I've read, he has a reputation for doing things his way-reckless, unpredictable, and always aiming for the spotlight."

Toshinori gave him an incredulous look."You think someone who became a vigilante did to get into the spot light?"

"He was 10 years old. Yes."

Nezu tilted his head, his ears twitching. "Perhaps his creative approach is part of what makes him effective?"

"Maybe," Aizawa admitted reluctantly. "But effectiveness doesn't excuse a lack of professionalism. Look at his form selection, for example." He gestured toward the screen showing Spider-Monkey swinging between buildings, cracking jokes as he dismantled bots.

"This is a test of their abilities, and he chooses Spider-Monkey? According to his file, he has access to a form called XLR8-a form that is faster than All Might at his peak. If he had chosen that form, he could've destroyed most of the bots in his zone within seconds, and with far less effort. Instead, he picked the one that lets him show off. Someone like him shouldn't be accepted."

Nezu shook his head, his expression a mixture of amusement and disappointment. Toshinori, standing nearby, crossed his arms, his mind heavy with conflicting thoughts. He didn't want to admit it-especially given Tennyson's wide array of abilities that bore a striking resemblance to the versatility of All For One-but there was something about the boy that reminded him of young Midoriya.

Heroic to a fault. Determined beyond measure. From the stories he'd heard and the footage he'd reviewed, this kid wasn't just powerful; he was a true hero at heart.

But there was one glaring difference between the two. Where Midoriya was humble and self-doubting, Ben Tennyson carried himself with an air of confidence-no, cockiness-that bordered on arrogance.

"The potential is there," Toshinori said under his breath, his gaze lingering on the screen showing Spider-Monkey dismantling another wave of bots with a mixture of precision and flair. "But the maturity... that's another story entirely."

"Well," Nezu interjected, his sharp voice breaking the brief silence, "we can agree to disagree on his approach, but it's time to see how well he handles true adversity."

Toshinori's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

A devilish grin spread across Nezu's face as he leaned forward, his paw hovering over a large, red button on the console before him.

"Let's just say," Nezu said with a sinister chuckle, "the real test begins now."

"Wait!" Toshinori's voice rose, his hand extending toward the mischievous principal. "You're not actually going to-"

Before he could finish, Nezu slammed the button with a flourish.

"Of course I am!" Nezu declared, his laughter echoing in the observation room as several monitors began to flicker, their feeds shifting to a massive shadow rising from an underground compartment.

Toshinori visibly paled. "Y-You sent that thing into the arena?!"

Nezu cackled, his eyes gleaming with glee. "A hero must be prepared for anything, after all."

Toshinori let out a weary sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Oh, lord... Good luck, Midoriya. And you too, Tennyson. You're going to need it."

...

The ground shook violently, a deep, mechanical rumbling growing louder with each passing second. Small explosions rippled in the distance, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of massive treads grinding across the pavement.

Izuku, panting heavily, turned toward the source of the chaos. His eyes widened in sheer disbelief as the hulking form of the Zero Pointer emerged from the settling dust and debris.

The towering combat robot loomed over the shattered cityscape, its 20-foot frame casting an oppressive shadow that swallowed the street whole. Each step sent tremors rippling through the ground, cracks spiderwebbing across the concrete. The air was filled with the metallic groan of its reinforced plating shifting as it moved.

Its hexagonal red sensors glowed ominously, scanning the area like a predator locking onto prey.

Izuku stumbled backward, heart racing, as the other examinees screamed in panic and bolted in every direction.

"Run! It's the Zero Pointer!"

"Holy Kami!"

"Crap!"

The ground beneath his feet quaked as the massive machine bulldozed through buildings like they were paper. Shards of glass and debris rained down from shattered windows, scattering across the street.

Izuku dropped the scrap of metal he had been holding as a makeshift weapon, his legs moving on instinct. He sprinted alongside the fleeing crowd.

"T-That's the Zero Pointer...?" Izuku stammered.

...

In another zone, Spider-Monkey swung through the crumbling streets, his enhanced senses catching the tremors before they reached him.

The distant rumbling grew deafening as the Zero Pointer came into view, its massive form moving like a juggernaut through the city.

Windows shattered from the sheer force of its movement, glass cascading like deadly rain. The Zero Pointer swung a colossal arm, its battering-ram fist colliding with a nearby building.

The impact unleashed a shockwave so powerful that students were sent flying through the air, tumbling and rolling across the streets like ragdolls.

Spider-Monkey clung to a lamppost, the vibrations rattling through his body as he surveyed the scene.

His sharp eyes tracked the towering behemoth as it crushed everything in its path, its tank-like treads grinding the ground into rubble.

"Oh, man," Spider-Monkey muttered.

...

"Ow."

Izuku skidded to a stop, his breath hitching as he spun around.

Amid the chaos, his wide eyes locked onto a bob-haired girl pinned under a heap of rubble. Her delicate hands trembled as she tried to push herself free. Another girl, similarly trapped nearby, whimpered weakly, her eyes pleading for help.

The ground quaked beneath the massive Zero Pointer's advance, the mechanical giant looming ever closer. Each step threatened to turn the two girls into red paste beneath its tank-like treads.

"O-Ow... H-Help..." the girl whimpered, her voice frail and shaking.

...

Another girl, also with brown hair, was trapped nearby, her arm feebly reaching toward her companion.

"H-Help..." the first girl whimpered, her voice weak and trembling, as tears streaked her dirt-smeared face.

Izuku's heart pounded like a drum in his chest. Time seemed to freeze for a moment, the chaos of the scene melting away. Then, without thinking, his body surged into motion, instincts taking over.

Electricity crackled to life around him, verdant arcs dancing wildly across his body as the winds of the city center began to shift. A sudden burst of energy surged through him, propelling him forward with blinding speed.

With a thunderous leap, Izuku launched himself into the air, the sheer force of his takeoff ripping chunks of concrete from the ground. The shockwave blasted outward, clearing the dust and debris in an instant as it sent loose rubble flying in every direction. The trapped girls shielded their faces as the oppressive weight of the debris pinning them was blown away.

Gasps erupted from the fleeing examinees as they turned to witness the boy now standing alone in the center of the chaos, face-to-face with the towering Zero Pointer.

Izuku's breathing steadied as he turned to face the mechanical 's eyes locked onto the mechanical giant, its massive frame blocking out the sky.

For a brief moment, Ben's voice echoed in his mind, clear and calm.

As he soared through the air, Ben's calm voice echoed in his mind:

"Good. Now, breathe. Slow and steady."

Izuku clenched his fist tightly, green electricity surging down his arm. Red line veins coiled around his arm.

"You twist your hips and shoulders into it. Power comes from the ground up. Try it."

Even without the ground beneath him, Izuku twisted his torso midair, channeling One For All into his strike.

Then, All Might's booming voice rang through his thoughts, pushing him further.

"Clench your butt cheeks and yell from the depths of your heart!"

Izuku roared, his voice cutting through the chaos:

"SMASH!"

The impact was cataclysmic. His fist collided with the Zero Pointer's head, and for a moment, the air itself seemed to split apart. A deafening boom erupted, the shockwave ripping through the street and shattering nearby windows. The force of the punch sent the Zero Pointer hurtling backward like a missile, its massive frame crashing through buildings and tearing apart the ground beneath it.

The behemoth tumbled through several city blocks, obliterating smaller villain bots in its path. When it finally came to a stop, its head was mangled, a crater punched clean through its reinforced plating. Sparks flew wildly as its systems shorted, the once-unstoppable machine now a smoldering wreck.

In the observation room, Toshinori's grin stretched wide as he watched Izuku's actions unfold on the monitor. His excitement reached a peak as he shot up from his chair, nearly knocking it over.

"Yes! There it is! The most important qualification for a hero-!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with pride.

On the screen, Izuku thrust his arm forward, green electricity crackling like lightning.

"-the spirit of self-sacrifice!" Toshinori finished, his voice full of emotion.

The other judges in the room exchanged glances, clearly impressed by the raw determination and courage on display.

"Quite impressive, Toshinori," Nezu remarked, his calm demeanor betraying a hint of admiration. However, a sly grin crept across his face. "But... I do have one question."

Toshinori blinked, turning to Nezu. "Hm? What is it?"

Nezu's grin widened mischievously as he pointed at the screen. "How exactly is he planning to land?"

Toshinori turned comedically black and white in shock.

"AHHHHHHHH!" Izuku's scream tore through the speakers, his arms and legs flailing like broken windmills.

...

From the city center, Bakugou launched himself forward with a series of explosions, his furious growls echoing through the air as the Zero Pointer loomed closer.

Nearby, a chubby young man with short, ice-blue hair and a round, frightened face struggled under a pile of rubble. His wide eyes darted between the approaching robot and the two other examinees trying to help him.

A pink-skinned girl with equally pink hair was frantically trying to melt through the debris, her acid burning through the concrete. Beside her, a grey-haired boy had hardened his skin into iron, chipping away at the rubble with sheer force.

"Just go! Leave me!" the trapped boy shouted, his voice cracking in terror as the rumble of the Zero Pointer grew deafening. "I'm not worth it! Get out of here!"

"Shut up, damn it! We're not leaving you!" the grey-haired boy snapped, gritting his teeth as he struggled to break apart the rubble.

"C'mon, get us out of here!" the pink-haired girl urged, her acid eating away at a larger chunk of debris.

"Hey, Bakugou!" the grey-haired boy yelled suddenly, his iron-coated fists slamming into the wreckage. "Help us out here! Use your Quirk to blow this stuff apart!"

Bakugou shot them an unimpressed glare, his fiery explosions keeping him airborne. "You think I've got time to babysit you extras?!" he barked, his voice laced with venom. "Save yourselves!"

"You arrogant bastard!" the grey-haired boy snarled, slamming his fist into the rubble with renewed frustration.

"Focus!" the pink-haired girl shouted, panic rising in her voice as the Zero Pointer closed in.

The chubby boy whimpered beneath the rubble, his eyes squeezed shut as he silently hoped for a miracle.

The ground trembled beneath them as the Zero Pointer's massive feet pounded toward the trapped group, its hulking form casting a towering shadow over the street. The robot's enormous arms swung forward, massive battering rams aimed at flattening everything in its path. With each step, the earth shook, and the rumbling of its movements drowned out all other sounds, its red sensor eyes glowing ominously as it closed in on its targets.

The two students struggled, desperation evident in their frantic efforts to free the trapped boy.

But then...

SHLINK!

A massive clunk rang out as a lamp post shot through the Zero Pointer's head, stopping it dead in its tracks. The impact was so forceful that the towering robot staggered backward, smoke billowing from the wound where the post had punctured its armored frame. Sparks flew from the cracked metal as the Zero Pointer's targeting sensors flickered erratically.

"What the-?" The grey-haired boy gasped, eyes wide in disbelief. The girl beside him stumbled back, her mouth hanging open.

SHLINK!

Another lamp post shot through the air like a spear, impaling the robot again with explosive force. The robot's head jerked back, its heavy body rocking as it tried to regain its balance.

Everyone's gaze snapped upwards.

On top of a nearby rooftop, Spider-Monkey stood grinning, twirling a lamp post effortlessly in his hand before launching it with incredible precision into the Zero Pointer's head. The collision sent the robot reeling, its armored body creaking and groaning under the assault. The Zero Pointer staggered, trying to process the unexpected attack, its large limbs flailing uselessly.

Spider-Monkey smirked down at the creature's disorientation. His tail shot out, firing webs that latched onto the robot's battered form. As the Zero Pointer struggled to regain its bearings, Spider-Monkey slingshotted himself into the air with a fluid motion, sailing through the chaos like a blur.

With a graceful twist, Spider-Monkey fired another web, this time towards the boy and girl struggling to free their classmate from the rubble. He yanked them off the ground in a single smooth motion, lifting them onto the safety of the rooftop in seconds.

"Thanks," the girl muttered, still catching her breath as Spider-Monkey shot her a casual wink, his grin widening as he heard her stammer.

Before either of them could react, Spider-Monkey was already in motion again, diving back into the air with the grace of an acrobat. He launched another web, swinging down toward the chubby boy, whose wide eyes were filled with panic as the Zero Pointer loomed ever closer.

With a swift yank of his tail, Spider-Monkey snatched the boy out of the rubble, his grip tightening as he effortlessly pulled him free and placed him on the nearby building's rooftop.

The chubby boy gasped, shaking off his dazed confusion, but Spider-Monkey had already moved on, darting across the city with impressive speed, leaving the Zero Pointer struggling to regain its bearings, confused and furious but now standing little chance against the agile hero.

Spider-Monkey shot a web and swung in a wide arc around the Zero Pointer, narrowly dodging its massive fist as it smashed into a nearby building, sending chunks of concrete raining down. Timing his movements perfectly, Spider-Monkey swung closer, landing on the robot's arm and sprinting up its length. The Zero Pointer twisted, trying to shake him off, but Spider-Monkey shot another web, yanking himself forward and landing squarely on its head.

"Alright, big guy," he muttered, crouching low as the robot struggled beneath him. His lower arms moved swiftly, turning the dial of the Omnitrix module on his chest. "I've still got two minutes. Time to try a little Upgrade and-"

Before he could finish, he slammed the Omnitrix. A green flash erupted, and Spider-Monkey felt his body shrink rapidly. The world around him expanded to an almost dizzying scale as his new form solidified.

Grey Matter blinked, staring down at his tiny hands, then up at the towering robot. "EHHHH?! GREY MATTER?!"

"Are you serious, Omnitrix?! This is not what I had in mind!"

The Zero Pointer moved, its bulk groaning as it began to shake off the damage it had sustained. The wind whipped past Grey Matter, nearly dislodging him from his perch, but his sticky hands clung tightly to the metallic surface.

"Okay, okay, calm down," he muttered, forcing himself to breathe. His indignation quickly shifted to determination as a devilish grin spread across his face. "Alright... I can make this work. I can totally make this work."

Grey Matter darted toward a hole punched into the robot's head by one of the lamp posts, squeezing through the jagged opening with ease. Inside, the dim glow of flickering lights illuminated a maze of tangled wiring and circuits. Grey Matter's eyes gleamed as he assessed the chaos.

"Hmm... Redundant power systems, faulty distribution network, inefficient processor alignment-seriously, who designed this junk? Never mind, I've got this." He cracked his knuckles and set to work.

Grey Matter began yanking wires, his tiny hands moving with blinding speed. He connected frayed circuits, bypassed damaged systems, and rerouted power through the robot's central processor. "Okay, let's shut down the primary motor functions... Aaaand done. You're not moving until I say so."

The Zero Pointer jerked to a halt, its massive limbs slumping as it powered down. But Grey Matter wasn't finished. Crawling deeper into the control system, he reached the neural interface. "Ah, here we go. The central processing hub... Let's see what happens when I rewire this baby to take my commands."

With a few deft movements, Grey Matter fused several wires together, forming a makeshift override. Sparks flew, and the Zero Pointer suddenly jerked upright. Its red eyes flickered, dimmed, and then glowed a bright green.

"Ha! That's more like it!" Grey Matter crowed as he activated the control system. He pulled a set of wires, and the massive robot raised its arm. "Left arm functional. Good, good." Another tweak, and the robot took a step forward, its movement surprisingly smooth. "

Oh yeah. I'm in charge now."

Grey Matter climbed onto a control panel and began pressing buttons with rapid precision. "Now let's optimize your neural response time... reroute power to the servos... and boost your processor speed. There we go!"

The Zero Pointer, now fully under his control, moved with newfound fluidity, its green eyes scanning the area as Grey Matter tested its limits. He waved the robot's gigantic arm, smashing through a line of debris blocking the street.

"Alright, big guy," Grey Matter said, a mischievous glint in his eye as he leaned against a console. "Let's show everyone what a real hero can do." The Zero Pointer stomped forward, its movements now precise and deliberate, as Grey Matter prepared to turn the tide of the battle.

The Zero Pointer stomped through the streets, its massive steps shaking the ground and shattering windows. Grey Matter perched inside its control system, frantically working against the clock as the timer on the Omnitrix ticked down. He could hear the panicked shouts of examinees fleeing from the lumbering giant, and the sound of smaller bots being crushed under its massive feet.

"Alright, big guy," Grey Matter muttered, glancing at the dwindling timer. "I've got maybe a minute left, so I need to make this count. Running around with this oversized tin can isn't going to cut it... but if I can get them to come to me..."

His eyes lit up as he spotted a row of power lines stretching above the street. A devilish grin spread across his face as an idea formed. "Oh, this is gonna be good."

Grey Matter scurried through the wiring, his tiny hands a blur as he rewired key components. "Let's see... reroute the power from the auxiliary systems to the main chassis... boost conductivity in the outer plating... and-oh, don't forget to ground the circuits so I don't fry myself. There! Now for the fun part."

He tugged a final wire, and the Zero Pointer's massive arms jerked forward, grabbing hold of the power lines. Electricity surged through the robot's frame, sparks flying as the energy coursed through its metallic body.

The Zero Pointer began to hum with power, and Grey Matter adjusted a few more circuits. "Just a little more... amplify the electromagnetic field... an

-BOOM! Giant magnet online!"

Outside, the robot's newly charged plating began to glow faintly. The hum intensified as metallic debris from the street was pulled toward it, clanging against its body. Small bots that had been scattered in the chaos were dragged across the ground, slamming into the Zero Pointer's legs and chest as if drawn by an invisible force.

"Yes! It worked!" Grey Matter cheered, pumping a tiny fist. "Now, let's vacuum up those points!"

The Zero Pointer stomped forward, each step sending deep tremors through the city zone. The faint hum of its magnetic field grew louder, resonating like a storm brewing in the air. Suddenly, a low metallic groan echoed across the city.

The villain bots-One-Pointers, Two-Pointers, and even the larger Three-Pointers-froze mid-action. Their red eyes flickered, and their movements halted as if something had seized control. One by one, they began to rise off the ground, floating unnaturally into the air. Across the city, lamp posts bent, discarded metal scraps rolled along the streets, and the faint sound of clanging metal filled the air like a haunting symphony.

The examinees stopped in their tracks, confusion and awe spreading across their faces. Some pointed toward the floating bots, while others instinctively braced themselves, unsure of what was happening.

"What the hell?!" one student shouted, stumbling back as a bot near them shot upward like a missile.

"This isn't part of the test, is it?!" another examinee gasped, eyes darting between the Zero Pointer and the rapidly collecting debris.

Observation Room

In the observation room, the teachers and judges stared at the monitors in stunned silence, their faces mirroring the confusion of the students below. The screens displayed the surreal sight of villain bots and loose metal objects from the entire city zone being pulled through the air toward the Zero Pointer.

"Uh... what's going on?" Power Loader broke the silence, leaning closer to one of the screens.

Midnight frowned, crossing her arms. "This isn't part of the simulation, right? Did someone override the system?"

Aizawa narrowed his eyes at the scene, his gaze sharpening as he tried to piece together what was happening. "It's not a malfunction. Someone's controlling the Zero Pointer."

A soft chuckle broke the tense silence, drawing their attention to Nezu. The principal's beady eyes gleamed with amusement, his grin spreading wider.

"Hehe..." Nezu's chuckle grew into a full laugh. "Ah, Benjamin... you never fail to surprise me! This is delightful!"

Toshinori, still adjusting to his skeletal form after a recent transformation, turned to Nezu with an incredulous expression. "What's happening, Nezu? Explain!"

Nezu leaned forward, his grin now downright maniacal. "It seems young Tennyson has turned the Zero Pointer into a magnet! HAHAHHAHAHBAA!"

...

City Zone

On the ground, Bakugou's face twisted in rage as he watched several villain bots he was targeting lift into the air and zip away. His palms crackled with explosions, his teeth grinding audibly.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Bakugou snarled, launching himself after the bots. He fired off another explosion, blasting himself forward, but the flying machines were moving too fast. "Get back here, you worthless tin cans!"

He landed on a nearby rooftop, his hands igniting with another burst of energy as he tried to blast one of the bots out of the air. But before his attack could land, the bot was yanked violently into the Zero Pointer with a deafening crash. Bakugou let out an enraged yell, slamming his fist into the rooftop.

"You think you can steal my points?! I'LL KILL YOU!"

Below, the examinees continued to scatter as pieces of metal debris and villain bots flew past them, colliding with the Zero Pointer in an explosive symphony. The enormous robot now resembled a moving junkyard, its frame covered in tangled wires, crushed bots, and sparking debris. Its glowing green eyes shone through the chaos, making it look like a mechanical colossus born of destruction.

From inside the Zero Pointer, Grey Matter's voice echoed faintly, laughing with satisfaction. "Oh, this is beautiful! A walking, smashing, junk-collecting masterpiece!" He adjusted a few circuits with a mischievous grin. "They'll thank me for this... eventually. Or not. Either way, I'm raking in the points!"

...

"AAAAHHHH!" Izuku's screams tore through the air as he plummeted toward the ground, his limbs flailing helplessly. The wind roared in his ears, drowning out all other sounds.

"1 MINUTE LEFT!" Present Mic's voice boomed from the speakers, cutting through the chaos.

Izuku squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for impact, when suddenly-a sharp sting jolted his cheek. His eyes flew open just in time to see the girl who had saved him earlier slap him across the face again.

He froze in shock as she grabbed hold of him, her own expression pale and strained as she struggled to stay composed. She was perched precariously on the head of a robot, her feet barely steady as her Quirk kept them afloat.

"Release!" she shouted through gritted teeth.

Izuku's body went weightless for a split second before gravity reclaimed him. He hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He groaned, coughing as he tried to catch his breath. Beneath him was a surprisingly soft pile of mushrooms, cushioning his fall just enough to keep him from breaking anything further.

He blinked up at the sky, his chest heaving as he processed what just happened. "I'm... alive. She saved me..." he thought, glancing up at the gravity girl and the mushroom girl nearby. Both looked exhausted, the gravity girl visibly fighting the urge to vomit while the brown-haired mushroom girl gasped for air.

But Izuku's focus shifted quickly. His body screamed in protest as he dragged himself by his unbroken arm.

"I... I need to move. I still have a chance," Izuku muttered, gritting his teeth as pain shot through his body. His arms and legs were broken, but that didn't stop him. "One more point... I just need one more point before it ends..."

His trembling hands clawed at the ground as he began to crawl, dragging his battered body forward inch by inch. Blood smeared across the dirt as he pushed himself onward, his desperate resolve stronger than the agony wracking his limbs.

"TIME'S UP!" Present Mic's voice boomed, signaling the end of the exam.

...

The arena fell eerily quiet, the deafening sounds of destruction replaced by an almost oppressive silence. The air was heavy with the metallic scent of burning circuits and shattered machinery. Smoke billowed from the epicenter of the chaos, where the colossal pile of wreckage loomed over the battlefield like a monument to destruction.

The tower of villain bots-one-pointers, two-pointers, and three-pointers-had been smashed together into a mountain of mangled green metal, their glowing eyes extinguished. Sparks flickered weakly from the heap as the ruined machines settled, creating an ominous spectacle that left the examinees and spectators alike in stunned silence.

Bakugou stood at the edge of the destruction, his fists trembling with barely contained fury. His face twisted in rage as he stared at the mountain of destroyed bots, his eyes burning with frustration. His explosions crackled faintly in his palms, a physical manifestation of his boiling anger.

"What the hell...?" he growled, his voice low and venomous. "Who the hell pulled this off?!"

The other contestants looked equally shocked, their faces a mix of disbelief, irritation, and grudging admiration. The wreckage had claimed nearly every bot in the zone, leaving them with little to show for their efforts.

Suddenly, a soft beep... beep... BWOO! came from deep within the mountain. A red glow illuminated the wreckage as the Omnitrix's iconic flash pulsed from beneath the debris. The examinees stared in stunned silence as metal shifted and scraps began to fall away.

With a loud clang, a sharp kick sent a mangled chunk of robot flying, and a figure emerged from the wreckage. Ben Tennyson stood at the peak of the mountain, groaning as he stretched and dusted himself off. His shoulders slumped slightly, but there was a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Huh... Can't believe that actually worked," he muttered, brushing debris off his shoulders.

Ben, unfazed, slid down the metallic mountain, landing with a soft thud on the ground. He casually glanced at Bakugou, who looked like he was seconds away from charging at him.

. Some scowled in frustration, others looked at him with open admiration, while a few muttered under their breath.

Bakugou's gaze, however, was the most intense of all, his crimson eyes burning with unspoken fury as he glared daggers at Ben.

Ben glanced toward Bakugou and couldn't help but smirk faintly, though his body ached with every step. He could feel the weight of their gazes, the tension in the air almost palpable. "Well," he thought, chuckling inwardly, "I might've made a few enemies today... but hey, all's fair in exams, right?"

Behind him, the pile of wreckage stood as a testament to his ingenuity and boldness, a spectacle that would undoubtedly go down as one of the most unforgettable moments in the history of the UA Entrance Exam.