I don't own One-Punch Man
(All of this Belongs to the one and only: One)
Chapter 8: Double Down
A Champion's Challenge
The Third Match of the Event...
Disappointment
Something that washed over Saitama's body as he made his way towards the elevator. He was really hoping that the match he fought in just now was going to be a good one, only to win by having his opponent faint from exhaustion, not even by him landing an attack, mind you. Saitama was sighing heavily, notably sad from how the the fight turned out in the end.
"I won again… But not even by landing a move. Sure, it was a little fun, but a little doesn't really stack up to what I was expecting here…" Saitama thought to himself, as he made his way towards the front of the elevator doors. Saitama called for the elevator, and within a moment later, the elevator opened, revealing a smiling Ava.
"Hi Saitama, I see you're all in one piece. Congrats on the win, I knew you would do it!" Ava said teasingly, nudging one of his shoulders.
"Yea, but the fight kinda sucked…" Saitama said sadly, not up for Ava's antics for the moment. He found his seat, and sat there, slumped over on himself, groaning.
Ava looked over to see Saitama looking sad, for some reason. Ava was instantly concerned, wondering why he would look this way, even though he had won, from what the results say in the match.
"Why are you saying that? You won the fight, and from what the results say in the match, it was a good one! So cheer up, no need to look like that." Ava said, trying to reassure Saitama, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Meh, I won without landing a blow on Fubuki, and I really wanted a fight where I could get serious in." Saitama said honestly, looking into the air with a forlorn expression.
Ava was silent, weirded out that Saitama can make such a look, one where he looked dejected, lost… But it was only for a brief moment, as Saitama simply blinked a couple of times, before shaking his head, and letting out a sigh.
"Well, if anything, there's still more to the tournament, and I'm hoping I'll find my match soon." Saitama said, a sad smile on his face. He truly hoped he would fine his match in this tournament, otherwise, all of this would have been a huge waste of time.
Ava watched Saitama as he then began to cheer himself up, by humming a show tune from a familiar sitcom, and tapping his fingers on his seat. Ava smiled, happy that Saitama was looking more like he did the first time she met him. An idea popped into Ava's head, and she willed herself to take action.
"U-Um, my shift ends at any moment after this… W-Would it be alright if I came with you to your seat, and watched the rest of today's matches?" Ava whispered quietly, regretting immediately at the suggestion.
"Uh, sure? I don't really care about you coming along, but don't you need a seat in order for you to come with me?" Saitama asked, shrugging his shoulders.
"I work here, remember? I can go wherever I want in the arena, so long I don't occupy a spectator's seat." Ava said, smiling at Saitama's concern.
"Well then, sure. I'm cool with you coming, not that it really matters to me." Saitama said casually, not seeing the excitement in Ava's face.
"Yes, I did it! This'll be my chance to get to know Saitama better now! Good going Ava!" Ava thought, while high fiving herself internally.
The elevator eventually came to a stop, followed by the angelic "ding" of the doors opening. Ava told Saitama to wait a moment, which he then replied with a nod. Ava turned around to face the elevator screen, and notified arena staff that she is going off shift, by typing a message up on one of the elevator screens. Once a few seconds passed, Ava received a confirmation message, stating that she was now off shift. Ava felt all giddy inside, turning back towards Saitama, saying that they could leave now. Saitama got up from his chair, and left the elevator first, followed by an overly excited Ava, who was just behind Saitama. Saitama felt 2 personalities press up firmly behind, making him feel a bit weirded out.
"Um, why're you so close, Ava?" Saitama asked, feeling the woman's body pressed up to him.
"Nothing, just following your lead, that's all." Ava said casually, like this was how she usually walked.
"Ok then…" Saitama said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Man, too many weird women today…" Saitama thought to himself, as he rounded towards the booth's entrance. He opened the doors, all to be greeted with a rush of nice smelling food, and clusters of complementarity wine tasting services, to which, Saitama just groaned.
Ava just smiled at Saitama's grumpy face, chuckling at how he reacted to a couple of people offering free wine. She never followed anybody before to anywhere, and following Saitama now was a welcome change. Sure, some might think the way she was following Saitama might have been "too" close, but it didn't really matter to her, since Saitama was ok with it.
Patio Space...
Saitama kept walking, walking past the tons of free "anythings", until he reached the patio doors. Saitama was feeling exhausted from the fight, not from the fighting, but from the disappointment he experienced. He just wanted to relax on his chair, and hoped that the next time he found himself in the arena, that the fight will be a good one. With a large sigh, Saitama pushed through the doors, all to be attacked by a deranged esper on the other side, who quickly took her spot on his shoulders.
"What the he-" Was all Saitama said, before his face was completely covered up in black robes. He had a feeling who this person was, but he saved his complaints until this person spoke first.
For awhile now, Tatsumaki sat on Saitama's chair, for whatever reason, and waited for the Baldy to comeback. When she watched the match, however, she was kinda impressed with how much progress Fubuki made, and that she was filled with pride when Fubuki pulled of that limit breaker. In her mind, Tatsumaki remembered long ago, that Fubuki once used that move against a threat that she could've gotten rid of easily, but Fubuki wanted to impress her, and used that move on said threat. Tatsumaki warned her that she would die if she would use that power, saying that her body was not strong enough to store that amount of energy, let alone expend it, but Fubuki was too hellbent on impressing her. Fubuki's body charged with energy, taking on the shine that appeared in the arena earlier, but as she was reaching the final stretch, Fubuki's body gave out, and the bright light that shined throughout the area, dimmed almost instantly. Tatsumaki hated the fact that she was right, but seeing her sister fall, made her come to the conclusion, to forbid Fubuki from using such a power anymore. Tatsumaki took care of the threat, and got her sister to safety, making it her mission to protect Fubuki even more so.
But seeing Fubuki now, she was relieved that she had grown stronger, watching that display of power pour from her body was amazing, and that she couldn't sleep through such a display. On the other hand, Baldy over here looked almost bored with the match, dispensing tornados and breaking off psychic attacks like it was nothing, and the power he was packing, (whistle), he truly was something deserving of A-Class. Tatsumaki was now more intrigued with fighting Saitama, to gauge just how strong he really is...
"What's you deal, Baldy? Why're you so strong?" Tatsumaki said to herself, while sitting comfortably on the very man she was asking.
It then hit her, why did this Baldy take so long?! She did what she asked him, and he repaid her by taking his sweet time to comeback, the nerve of him! And to think he would have the balls to bring another girl to boot, Tatsumaki was going to launch that hussy to the moon. For some reason, she felt very angry that Baldy would bring in another girl, one who was pressed up against his back, no less, and she wanted a reason as to why he would do this.
"What took you so long, Baldy?! I've been waiting here for almost an hour, and the people up here we're being mean to me!" Tatsumaki complained, quickly getting comfy on Saitama's shoulders.
"Yo Tatsumaki, why are you on my shoulders again? Your chair is literally right there!" Saitama said, brushing off Tatsumaki's robe off his face. He then pointed in the direction of her chair, as Tatsumaki was squeezing his head again.
"Its because you took so long!" Tatsumaki protested, squeezing harder now.
"What we're waiting on me for, exactly?" Saitama said in a questioning tone, pointing a finger at himself. All he got as an answer were thigh squeezes and high pitched complaining. Saitama sighed, as he just sucked it up, and went back to his seat, head aching.
Tatsumaki noticed that the woman in question was still pressed up against Saitama, so with a flick of her finger, she moved her aside like she was furniture, much to the surprise of the woman.
"Woah, what was that?" Ava said to herself, as she found herself a couple of feet away from Saitama now.
All of this played in front of Ava, wondering why the 2nd Class was acting so childish, (And "cutesy" too…) towards Saitama? Was he her friend or something? Ava simply followed Saitama forward, taking a seat in an unoccupied chair.
With his head hurting, and sigh coming out, Saitama walked over to his seat, only to see a group of faces he wanted punch out of the arena, all expect Bang, who was currently giving him a wayward smile. Saitama held up a hand against the peanut gallery, as he knew what was going to happen as soon as he took his seat. He sat down, and what came next was what he dreaded… He was greeted by a bunch of celebratory praises, getting pats in back and "wahoos", all to the discomfort of him.
"Man, Boss, that was something! You beat the Rank: 1 B-Class like it was nothing!" Styles said, slugging Saitama in the arm.
"Yes, Sensei showed how powerful he was in the match. I wouldn't think he would start dancing midway, though… Truly, you have great dance moves, Sensei!" Genos said, praising Satiama even more.
"Yea, like damn bro, you blew Fubuki out of the match with these!" King said, holding up 2 finger guns at Saitama, laughing as he did it.
Saitama was on the verge of putting all of these guys to the moon with a punch, just so they can shut up. He didn't do anything special in the match at all. All he did was literally throw a couple of punches, and broke himself out of glorified fridge, he only won off technicality, so what was there to celebrate? If anything, he's surprised that the crowd didn't boo him, or think he cheated, or something, considering they're always thinking that way when he fought something and won. It was when the heckling got out of hand, Bang stood up from his chair.
"Settle down everyone, let's let Saitama rest for now, he must be tired from all the excitement he had from the match, ok?" Bang said in a stern voice. Saitama was grateful that he was most level headed amongst his friends.
Everyone agreed at that statement, deciding that Saitama has had enough with the bantering. Just when a comfortable silence was about to take place, Tatsumaki opened her mouth.
"Hmph, Fubuki got somewhat stronger, since she was able to control that move of hers. But if me and Baldy, here, were to battle, we all know that I would win!" Tatsumaki said, confidently, squeezing Saitama's head in.
Genos and King turned their heads towards a bragging Tatsumaki, and simply formed a grin as they did so. Tatsumaki saw this, and soon regretted turning the conversation towards her.
"If that's the case, why are you on his shoulders? Hmm?" King said teasingly, as he now saw a blushing Tatsumaki, trying to bury herself in Saitama's head.
"I must agree, why do you insist on sitting down on Sensei's shoulders? Surely, the one you're suppose to fight, is someone you wouldn't want to do that with, yes?" Genos said, a smug look on his face.
"Oh shut up tin can! And you too, Scarface! Hey, Baldy, tell them to stop talking to me! Otherwise, I'll launch them both to the moon!" Tatsumaki yelled, face buried in Saitama's head.
"Nope." Was all Saitama said, as he got comfortable in his seat.
"Didn't you hear me, Baldy?! They'll really go to the moon if they keep this up!" Tatsumaki screamed, squeezing hard on Saitama.
"Yea, I heard you, so please, send these idiots to the moon, then." Saitama said with a deadpan face, causing Genos and King to shut up immediately.
Tatsumaki returned the two of them the smuggest smirk she could make, now having the permission from Saitama to launch these fools. Thing is, why did she need to get permission to launch people to the moon? She was an adult, and here she was, expecting an answer from the very man she is sitting on, so why? It was something she would have to think on later, when another thought came to her head.
"Well then, how about you guys?! Why did you come here? From what Baldy told me earlier, he said that all of you are here, because you challenged him, right?! So wouldn't that mean that you shouldn't be hanging out with him because of that?!" Tatsumaki said, making all the S-Class heroes to turn white, for they just remembered why they're here, to fight Saitama at some point.
(Flashback to the Arena Entrance…)
How Tatsumaki knows this information? Well, she kind of asked Saitama how he knew all the S-Classes that were sitting with him earlier, while they were down in the bottom of the arena. Tatsumaki wanted to know why Baldy knew so many of the S-Classes, and Saitama just said they were all friends of his, and that they had challenged him to a fight, with no grudge or anything, just them simply challenging him to one.
"Well, maybe not King… So why was he on the list of people to challenge me?" Saitama thought to himself, as he was explaining the situation to Tatsumaki.
Tatsumaki was silent when she heard from Saitama that all of those S-Class heroes were his friends.
"Shouldn't his rank be a turnoff for those people? I mean, it's not my business with who these people get along with, but for me, I wouldn't interact someone like an A-Class, not at all… But, here I am, sitting on the shoulders of this Baldy…" Tatsumaki said to herself, rethinking her entire stance on this Baldy.
"Well whatever it is, those guys can be pretty cool sometimes, when they aren't being a pain in my ass, After all, they're my friends." Satiama said jokingly, smiling a carefree smile as he did so.
Tatsumaki gripped his head just a bit tighter, wondering to herself if she could also be in Saitama's special group, for no reason…
(Present time…)
Everyone that was teasing Tatsumaki, found themselves ghostly white, as they now remember their fates. Soon the silence was back on the group, just to be broken by a new voice, that was currently asking Saitama a question.
"U-Um, Satiama? Do you know these people on a personal level" Ava asked nervously, shaking one of Saitama's arms on the armrest of the chair.
"Huh? Oh, yea, these guys are my friends. The guy with the long hair is King, the one that looks like you is Genos, the one wearing the beanie is my assistant, Styles, the old man behind me is Bang, and the woman on my shoulders is Tatsumaki" Saitama said, pointing to each person he was explaining to.
Everyone looked towards Ava as she talked, wondering where Saitama managed to net this beauty with him. King was thinking that Saitama did some weird RPG shit, where he unknowingly got another friend, While Bang had the feeling that Saitama had changed this woman's life by doing something amazing. Tatsumaki was irked somehow at how easily she was shaking Baldy's arm, and Styles had the decency to blush, seeing as how his Boss found another friend, a cutie at that.
Genos just stared with wide eyes at Ava, wondering where she came from, and with his Sensei, no less. She had dark, strawberry blonde hair, and she wore what Genos could see, was a uniform, probably one for the arena. Her antennas were angled in a way where it looked a like airplane wings, and the little hat she had looked nice enough. He felt strange, to see another person like him, and to see her cling to Saitama made him feel a type of way, something along lines of unrequited rage, to unexplainable urges to physically throw her as far as possible from his Sensei.
"Um, hello Ms…" Genos tried acting politely, extending a hand towards Ava.
"Oh, my names Ava, and I know you, Mr. Rank: 14, Demon Cyborg!" Ava said with a smile, making Genos blush a tad bit.
"S-So, how did you meet Sensei?" Genos asked, regaining his composure, pointing at Saitama.
"Oh, Saitama was just so nice to me in the elevator, and we sort of hit it off from there, becoming fast friends. Why I'm here now, is because I asked Saitama if I could watch the rest of the matches with him today." Ava explained, while taking a few notes of intense frowning coming from a certain green-haired esper.
"Who's this lady, Baldy?" Tatsumaki aked blanalty, squeezing his head again.
"She just told you, Tatsumaki. Her names Ava, pay attention next time." Saitama scolded, bopping her head in the processes, receiving a few mutters and a squeeze in return.
Watching Satiama scold Tatsumaki like that, well, it brought a huge amount of satisfaction to Ava, for some reason…
"So, what did Saitama-bro do to make you come here? I'm pretty sure he ain't forcing you to be here, so what's the deal?" King asked Ava, with his imidation face on, the one where fire could be seen in his eyes.
"O-Oh, Mr. Rank: 6, King, sir! I-I'm here only to h-hang out w-with Saitama, s-sir!" Ava said, terrified from the look King was giving her.
"Oh, that's fine then." King said, his face now taking a gentler look. He knows that Saitama has some weird shit going on with him, where people would be drawn in, but damn, he just nailed a pretty looking woman, not to mention the esper currently on his shoulders.
"Well, that is all fine, and good… But how long have you known Saitama, Ms. Ava?" Bang asked curiously, trying to figure out if there were any ulterior motives to Ava's sudden coming.
"O-Oh, Mr. Rank: 3, Silverfang, I'm here just on the sole reason to watch the matches with Saitama. Although I've known Saitama for only short while, I still find him to be a close friend of mine. I'm here now, since I had nothing else do, now that my shift's over working the arena's main elevator, and I asked Saitama if it was ok to come along with him, and he said that it was fine." Ava stated carefully, almost like she was explaining something to a teacher.
"I see, well then, I don't see the problem with you sitting here with us. If Saitama is ok with your presence, then I am as well." Bang said with a smile, extending his hand to Ava, who shook it in return.
"Yeah, if Boss says you're alright in his book, then who am I to judge?" Styles said, stretching his hand also towards Ava.
"Oh, and you're supposed to be Styles, the assistant, right?" Ava said, as she shook Styles's hand, firm and hearty.
"Nice grip lady, not many women out there that can grip like you do nowadays. But yea, I'm Boss's assistant, he was a pain in my ass for most of the 2 weeks… and let me tell ya, how many times that this idiot made me go to the Organization…" Styles was about to rant, all to see a frowning Saitama, which made him chuckle heavily.
"Nah, but besides his quirks, Boss is a great guy all around. Once you get to know him, it's like you wanna be with him for awhile, like for no reason, just to see what he's gonna do next, ya know?" Styles said truthfully, looking over the side, to see a more pissed off Saitama, which Styles just laughed at even more.
"I agree, Saitama is weird alright!" Ava said laughing, slugging Styles in the arm, in which Styles also slugged back.
Tatsukami just watched as Ava interacted with everyone, like she was a piece to their puzzle, and that she took her place amongst the group like it was nothing. She talked with a pissed off looking Genos about the arena so far, making him a little less mad. While King went up to her to ask if she played videogames, which to everyone's surprise, she did. She liked the bullet hell games, saying that those were the ones that take skill. Styles went and told her about Saitama's antics in the 2 week training period, and Bang just smiled the whole time, enjoying the warm company that came with Ava. Tatsumaki just gripped Saitama's head all the while, feeling left out, for some reason…
"And you, Ms. Rank: 2, Tornado of Terror, how did you manage to get into Saitama's group?" Ava asked with shifty eyes, looking towards Tatsumaki's direction. Ava needed to know Tatsumaki's stance on Saitama, for reasons unexplained, just the burning desire to know. Tatsumaki, on the other hand, immediately buried her face on Saitama head, too embarrassed to face Ava.
Apparently, Ava steered the conversation into how everyone met Saitama, trying to see if Saitama had an impact on their lives, as much as Saitama did to her. Genos said that Saitama saved his life, and that he vowed to be his disciple, King said that him and Saitama met in a situation where he couldn't repay him for what he did. Bang told Ava that he was simply a man with a golden heart, and that he was drawn to it, and Styles also said that Saitama was a guy that was one in a million. Everyone had been touched by Saitama, one way, or another, and they couldn't help but follow him. Ava smiled at each reason, and turned her attention towards a certain green-haired esper, slowly, who was sitting on Saitama's shoulders causally, which irked her even more.
"U-Um, I just, y-you know, kind of got s-sucked into his p-pace…" Tatsumaki whispered, head buried as deep as should could go.
"So are you guys friends as well?" Ava asked, curious about Tatsumaki's actions towards Saitama.
"W-Well, U-Um…" was all Tatsumaki got out, before Saitama stepped in.
"Yea, she's a friend of mine. Dunno why she keeps acting all high mighty with me, though." Saitama said effortlessly, now having everyone's attention on him.
The group of S-Classes just stared at Saitama, seeing as he just admitted to considering Tatsumaki as a friend. Tatsumaki just shuddered, as she let out a noiseless scream into the air, then proceed to hug Saitama's head in its entirety. King, Bang, and Genos then followed suit by giving a pat on Tatsumaki's shoulder, to show their acknowledgement for her being part of the group. Ava, in turn, just laughed hard at this sight, as Tatsumaki was turning the brightest shade of red she's ever seen. The steam coming off her head was visible, and Tatsumaki all the while was hugging Saitama's head even harder.
Ava knew now that Tatsumaki wasn't anything more than a friend to Saitama, and for some reason, that settled her mind pretty quickly. Sure, her antics with Saitama are strange, but from what she saw from Saitama's group, each person had an antic of their own, and so Ava just accepted that this was how these people acted with Saitama. She then adjusted her attitude towards the 2nd Rank, S-Class, taking on a more gentler approach to her.
"It's fine to be embarrassed from a friend, Ms. Tornado of Terror. After all, that's what friends do, they embarrass you to no end!" Ava said, laughing. The tips of the esper's ears turned even redder, making her voice sound very high pitch when she tried to talk.
Saitama watched all of this with a confused look, like why were they making this such a big deal? He just said that he found Tatsumaki as a friend, nothing to brag about, god no. So why are they acting like this now? From all the weird shit Tatsumaki was doing to him, he assumed that they were now friends, not like he cared, in fact, he kind of enjoyed the esper's company, like a very annoying little sister, kind of way.
"Um, are you ok, Tatsumaki?" Saitama asked, through the intense hugging.
"N-Never better, Baldy!" Tatsumaki said loudly, voice high pitched, still hugging Saitama's head.
It's true, Tatsumaki has never felt so warm before, not from embarrassment, but from something else… Like a sense of belonging, or something like that. So many years of her being alone, the pain of being by yourself, all gone by the mention of Saitama saying they were friends, even after what she did to him awhile back. Tatsumaki felt light as air, as she loosened her grip on Saitama's head, a let a out a relieved sigh, now knowing that Saitama thought of her as a friend.
"Why do I feel so good right now? It's not I like Baldy, or anything like that… Right?" Tatsumaki said to herself, as she sat on Saitama's shoulders.
"Well, as long as you're good, then we're straight." Saitama said, carefree, as he faced towards the arena.
Tatsumaki's blush only deepened, as she clutched at Saitama's head, hoping that she doesn't lose this moment, not to anything.
Then, with a booming voice, the arena came to life, as the field below started to replace broken areas, and fill in plots of destroyed land with new ones.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we, the Hero Organization, hope that you enjoyed the last match involving the heroes, Blizzard of Hell, and Caped Baldy. But the matches are just getting started, as our next match will involve S-Class heroes!" The voice boomed, getting the entire audience pumped.
"The heroes that will be participating today will be, S-Class Heroes, Demon Cyborg, Rank: 14, King, Rank: 7, and Child Emperor, Rank: 5! Joining them as well will be the Rank: 1, Sweet Mask, to liven up our match!" The voice announced, as his very volume shook the seats of the audience.
"And by liven things up, we, the Hero Organization, mean that this will be a tag team match, in place of the singular 1v1 matches you seen thus far. The teams will consist of the heroes, Demon Cyborg, and King on the same team, while Sweet Mask, and Child Emperor, are on the other. The tag team match follows, as the 2 teams try to eliminate one another, just like in a regular 1v1 match. When both members on the same team can no longer fight, the other team wins, and moves on, As long as one member on the opposing team is still able to fight, that is." The voice stated, as King and Genos eyed each other.
"The third match of today will begin momentarily, as we call on the heroes, Demon Cyborg, King, Child Emperor, and Sweet Mask, to please come towards the arena entrance!" The voice called out, shutting itself off with the final words.
King and Genos then found themselves looking at each other, wondering how this was going to work. Genos has never seen King actually fight, due to the fact that most opponents would run away from him, and King has never fought in his life before, not knowing how to tell Genos. Both didn't know how to react, and just sat in their seats, looking at one another awkwardly. It was like that for a few moments, before Saitama began to talk.
"Yo King, Genos, why're all sad and stuff? You just got paired in a tag battle, and with each other, no less! So loosen up, and think about what will happen in the next couple of seconds." Saitama stated, patting each of their shoulders.
King and Genos then looked towards Saitama, who had just encouraged them for the fight. Genos was filled with new found desire, while King had felt some sort obligation to adhere to what Saitama said, even with his coward-like behavior. So with a grunt, and a couple of nods, King and Genos stepped out of the patio space, and made their way down to the arena entrance, ready for what the match had in store for them.
"Baldy, do you think this match will be good? F-For your s-standards, of course!" Tatsumaki said feebly, while watching King and Genos leave the patio.
"Meh, dunno. Probably they'll do good? I just don't want them to look so down, it's a tournament for god's sake." Saitama said honestly, though secretly wondering how King will be able to fight in this match.
"Well said, Saitama. Knowing your disciple, and the that he is paired with the strongest hero, King, I doubt we should be worrying about anything." Bang said, putting a hand on Saitama's shoulder.
"Yea, Boss, have faith in those S-Classes, it ain't like they weren't put there if they were pushovers, right?" Styles said reassuringly, slugging Saitama's shoulders.
Ava simply laughed along, and also put her two-cents on the subject, hoping to ease Saitama's mind, which was wandering off, thinking of stray thoughts, and idle comments.
"C'mon Baldy, just shut up, and watch the match." Tatsumaki flatly said, squeezing softly against Saitama's head.
"Meh…" Saitama said aloud, shrugging his shoulders and getting comfortable in his seat, taking the advice of everyone, and simply letting the match play out as it is.
"Somehow, I have a feeling that this fight will be interesting, for the most part…" Saitama said to himself, while looking down onto the battlefield, hints of primal fire showing in his eyes, waiting for the match to come.
Outside the Arena Entrance…
King and Genos found themselves waiting by the arena's entrance, having looks of complete seriousness to each of them, even though King was sporting a playstation's logo shirt on, and a knapsack that was fully pink, while Genos had messy hair today, and torn bits of clothing, due to a problem not too long ago at the start of the tournament. Each of them were in their own thoughts, wondering how they'll win the fight, especially since they both have never fought together before. It was then Genos decided to voice the topic out loud.
"King, how are we supposed to win against our opponents, if we've never fought together before?" Genos asked, hoping King would have an answer, and weird enough, he did.
"We simply beat them through the use of intimidation, man. By this, I mean we show them how much power we're packing, by blasting, blowing, and shoving that power away from them, and letting them look at what they're dealing with. If that doesn't work, will just take it as we go." King said, sounding surprisingly sure of himself.
"And how would you know such tactics would work on our opponents, King?" Genos argued back, having a look on doubt as he did so.
"Cause I've done this style of fighting for the longest time, and it is one where it got me results. I know you and me are friends, man… But trust me on this one, we're going against guys that bend at the sight of power." King said, putting a hand on Genos's shoulder.
"... Alright, we'll do it your way then, King…" Genos said defeatedly, hoping that this type of fighting will actually do what King said.
"Hey man, as long we can show them the power, we win. Think of it as a pro-player unleashing his skills against a guy that just picked the controller for the first time. They'll be so intimidated, they will be on their knees, begging for the match to end." King said, trying to calm Genos's mind.
"(Sigh) You know, King, you got a habit about saying stupid ideas, you have me thinking this might actually work…" Genos said, a small smile on his face
"Well, who else would say otherwise, you two-legged roomba!" King laughed, all to be stopped be the sound of metal hitting floor, and elegant shuffling in the far distance.
King looked upwards to see where that sound was coming from, and sure enough, they were coming from the very people that he and Genos were supposed to fight in a few minutes. Sweet Mask strolled down the hallway, flashing an ice cold smile towards King, while twirling something in the air in his right hand. Child Emperor was behind him, his spider-walker backpack making all of the clanging noise on the floor. He had a tablet in his hands, and a lollipop sticking out of his mouth. When he raised his head to see King, he gave him a bored expression, and King only stared back as a result. Not long after, Sweet Mask and Child Emperor came up towards King and Genos, who were silent and still.
"Nice to meet you, King. I wish you luck and war's fortune on today's match." Sweet Mask said politely, extending hand towards King.
"Uh, same here…" King said, looking confused as he shook Sweet Mask's hand.
"Uh, and I suppose you as well, DEMON CYBORG…" Sweet Mask said bitterly, as he gave Genos a disinterested look.
Genos only responded with a grunt, trying his best to look neutral. On the inside, however, Genos was on the verge of burning the look off Sweet Mask's face. It only worsened as Sweet Mask started trash talking him, saying that he was several steps above him, and that nothing on this green earth would change that.
"You might have… Somewhat decent looks… But it's all for nought, as you can never surpass me." Sweet Mask said, in a condescending tone. Genos's eyes flashed a cybernetic fire, one that would catch water in flames.
"Then how come I'm a class above you?" Genos said in return, trying to get back at Sweet Mask, which was only answered with a sigh.
"You only got that rank because of a little score on a test, whereas I've received my rank due to a choice, you stupid machine. My only reason for me to be in A-Class is for me to prevent weaklings, like yourself, to becoming an S-Class." Sweet Mask said, jabbing a finger at Genos's nose. Genos was "THIS" close to having the match here, instead of the field.
"Too bad that the Hero Organization is so desperate for heroes, that they would use a test to see what rank you'll get. It saddens me to see that I had expected so much from you, only for you to be bested by a rock in space. It's pitiful, really, to think I would place such expectations on a machine. I was too blinded by the hopeless fact that a machine would be able to resemble REAL life heroes." Sweet Mask said, with a twisted grin, chuckling as Genos's reaction.
Genos was priming his arm cannons, ready to burn the living hell out of Sweet Mask, all to be stopped by a hand from King.
"Yo, Sweet Mask, enough! lay off with the trash talk, save it for the field!" King roared, to which Sweet Mask merely shrugged.
"Consider yourself lucky to be paired with a such a strong hero, DEMON CYBORG. You'll get what a weakling deserves, a lesson in strength." Sweet Mask laughed, as he walked into the arena entrance.
Genos was visibly pissed off, the steam coming both from his head, and his shoulders, trying to vent out all of the anger. Child Emperor watched all of this, and felt kinda bad for Genos, and decided to give his 2 cents.
"Hey, Genos was it? Look, I know that Sweet Mask can get a bit overboard with his perspectives, but trust me, he isn't that big of a jerk. Sure, he has a habit of making himself hated amongst people that don't get along with him, but he genuinely has the interest of a hero, always protecting the meek, and the defenseless." Child Emperor said in a positive tone, trying to calm down a pissed off cyborg.
Genos let out a huge sigh, and focused his vision towards Child Emperor
"So cheer up, and get ready for the match, for even though you are a new to this type of event, I will not go easy on you, That also goes for you, King." Child Emperor said playful, flashing a mischievous grin.
"Hmph, will see, kid. Just don't choke on that sucker while you're out there." king said smiling, watching a blush go on Child Emperor's face.
"I'm no kid!" Child Emperor yelled, bolting towards the arena entrance.
"To think we'll be going up against these guys…" King said with a sigh, as he helped up Genos.
"We'll show them, right King?" Genos asked, as he got up.
"Yup, and we'll eat afterwards." King said with a smile, while walking towards the arena entrance.
Genos followed suit, a smile forming, knowing that he'll have the chance to burn the smirk on Sweet Mask's face, and show him what a true hero looks like.
Welp, I'm back, and boy-howdy, What a chapter! Good willy, is it good to be writing again! I owe you guys alot for waiting, and I promise to deliver. I got a double chapter coming in about a day or two, and man, will it have the stuff you're looking for. Thanks for the comments, and that you're sticking to the story. Hope that I can still bring in some enjoyment form all of you, and Hope to see yalls in the next chapter!
