Long Time Coming

Building Foundations Pt 1

Kirshima walked up the steps, the swarm of other potential students pressing against him made his body tremble and warmed the brisk February air. Despite that he still plastered on his biggest smile, half letting the crowd push him along into the auditorium.

This is fancy . He felt his eyes widen in shock as he looked around.

The ceilings were vaulted, the chairs were cushioned. It was comfortably warmed though he felt it would become too warm with the crush of bodies filing steadily in from multiple points. Somehow all of the students, even the larger ones, fit into the seats. Curiously he turned to look around and felt dread sucker punch him. It was full. With an acceptance rate of 0.2 some part of him - that nasty, agonizing, teasing little part - jeered at him.

You think you'll get in? It mocked. His leg started twitching as the lights dimmed. He clasped his hands together as the voice continued, droning. His smile plastered to his face as he glued his eyes to the front. Your quirk is useless, you're just an indecisive little brat. What gall, what arrogance to think you have what it takes to make it into the big leagues-

A squeal of delight cut the negativity short. A rippling gasp of awe and admiration echoed over the crowed as famed hero Present Mic took the stage, highlighted brilliantly by a spot light. Behind him a large screen glowed.

You don't deserve to be here. The voice pestered, continuing.

Eijirou resisted closing his eyes. His body felt so heavy, his head ran slower, stuck in the muck of his thoughts. The darkness filling Kirishima as Present Mic continued his lecture thickened, deepened. You're just taking the place of someone who really deserves it. Someone who actually could make a real difference. You're a no talent hack who-

"Excuse me!"

Kirishima bit back a startled yelp as he looked at the student who spoke up. A rather straight laced looking guy but he was big and impressive looking. Despite all the effort Kirishima had put into his body he still didn't look that intimidating... He looked down at his forearms, something dark and wet twisting in his gut, flowing up into his chest, threatening to drown him, pull him under - submerge him in the depths. He clenched his fists.

No. He shook his head as the lights turned back on, as the students began filing out. No. I'm going to make it worthwhile. I'm going to do this. I'm going to be a hero.

~*~*~

"Oops!" He barked, his arm diving through the metallic panel, snapping through the wires as the robot ground to a halt.

Roiling black smoke obscured his vision momentarily. The smell of grease, oil, and burning rose in the air in plumes both directly in front of and around him. The air was hazy with the thick smoke, the product of thousands of hopeful students trying their best to get into the prestigious Yuei.

Debris littered the grounds as robots burst out of buildings, as students attacked and left the rubble to move on to their next target. The variety of skills and quirks left Kirishima simultaneously stimulated and overwhelmed. Some students had physical quirks that manipulated their bodies but left them relying on physical prowess; others looked exactly like quirkless but revealed amazing powers that he could never compete with in a million years and some yet were a combination of both. The sounds and smells and textures of the quirks and battles around him was overwhelming, confusing. He had prepared his body for a war zone - but not his mind. He found himself moving through the course taking out robots with mindless, practiced efficiency but no flair. Occasionally he would misstep and get himself bruised or scraped and that really wounded his pride.