A/N: WARNING: MANGA/WEBCOMIC SPOILERS IN THIS CHAPTER.
"THE HERO ASSOCIATION HQ IS UNDER ATTACK!"
Child Emperor scowled into his phone, trying to calm the person on the other line. "There's no way. Metal Knight's defences-"
"They've been taken down!" the voice from the phone shouted.
"What?!" Child Emperor asked, eyes widening. "There's no way! What's attacking the HQ? Threat level God?!"
"That's the thing…" the voice became apprehensive. "We're not totally sure. The defences were suddenly taken down, and the building's falling apart..."
Child Emperor turned to stare at Poppy and Deputy.
"Child Emperor, you're our only hope!" the voice yelled. "All the other S Classes are fighting their own monsters!"
"You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" Poppy asked, narrowing her eyes.
Child Emperor gritted his teeth. "Galreon."
When Zenko imagined falling in love, she did not picture it would be like this.
Of course, the whole wedding thing was kind of weird to her. Why did adults wear all those fancy outfits anyway? Love was so unusual.
Whatever the case, she definitely did not expect her love interest to be some kind of world-destroying monster.
Child Emperor put a hand on Zenko's shoulder. "Zenko, don't worry. We're going to figure this out, okay?"
Zenko nodded at him, staying determined. For her brother's sake. "I know we will."
"We need to think of a plan," the youngest Class S hero put his hands together. "But we can't do that while he's attacking HQ. We'll need to distract him for a while. That's why I've got the perfect plan. Right, Deputy?"
Deputy nodded, bringing out a computer. On it was a detailed diagram of a large mecha suit that could fit a human inside. The suit had a series of weapons imbedded in its system. The suit was called 'Brave Giant'.
"Brave Giant should keep Galreon distracted for a little while," Child Emperor said. He clenched his fists. "I have a feeling he'll be coming after me next… I was going to leave to try and figure out a more detailed plan, but he'd up finding me anyway. So I may as well go out and keep him distracted for a little while."
"Wait…" Zenko went pale. "You're going inside the suit?"
Child Emperor nodded. "Yeah. To be honest… I don't exactly know how to defeat Galreon. Since he's managed to kidnap a lot of Class A heroes, your brother, and get past Metal Knight' defences… he's nothing to scoff at. Plus, all the other S Class heroes are preoccupied. I have to know what Galreon's deal is. That's why I'm going to have to figure out how to defeat him on the fly."
"You're sacrificing yourself," Poppy realised. She smiled, darkly. "Oh, how noble of you."
"'Sacrificing yourself'?!" Deputy gasped, standing up. "CE, are you crazy? You can't-"
"I'm not going to die," Child Emperor stated. He looked away. "Unless I have to."
Zenko felt her eyes water. "No… no one is sacrificing themselves! That monster did something to my brother. I want to speak to him. I have to know why. I'll defeat him myself!"
Deputy's face shadowed over. "Yeah, I agree. I don't want to let anyone else get hurt. And especially not you, CE. You're my… my best friend. I don't want anything to happen to you."
His pale skin flushed pink.
Child Emperor stared at him. "'Best friend', huh…?" He sighed. "Look, Dep, I'm not going to die. I'll figure out a way to-"
"No," Deputy said, putting a hand on his heart. "I've got another way to get rid of Galreon. Something I think will give us at least a chance of winning. I was experimenting with it a lot when I was still working under Ohcysp, but I haven't brought it back… until now. Because I think now is the best time to use it."
"What are you talking about?" Child Emperor asked.
Deputy straightened his posture.
"Well, simply put…" he breathed in. "We send him to another dimension."
How many lonely years had it been?
Sure, Galreon was physically ten years old, but he strangely felt it had been much longer than ten years.
When he had first met God? It sure wasn't at the pearly gates. It had been in a dream. They were in an empty field of flowers. Nothing but the wind and dust as company. The sky was blue, the sun was out, but it was... so empty.
"You're just like your cousin, young one," God had told him. "You're not human."
"I'm not?" Galreon asked, eyes widening.
The being that called itself God chuckled. "No… just like him… you're a monster."
Galreon's heart skipped a beat. "Big coz is a monster…? That can't be! He's so-"
"He became a monster through his own desire to be beautiful," God explained. "And you will too, Galreon."
Galreon stepped back. "No… I don't wanna become a monster!"
"You do not have a choice," God informed him. "The monster blood is inside you. It will consume you. Do not fight it, Galreon. Accept it, and let it consume you. Become the most powerful monster to walk the Earth."
Galreon fell to his knees.
"Monster…" he breathed. "No, I can't-"
"Destroy humanity," God told him. "You have no choice."
And that was all. God told him he was a monster, and he accepted his fate.
He scowled, eyeing the mecha as it approached him. Brave Giant. Galreon knew the S Class hero Child Emperor was inside. He had handled all the other S Classes. Just one little boy left to go.
Part of him wondered where Zenko was, too. He couldn't get her out of his mind. She wholeheartedly consumed his thoughts.
Galreon narrowed his eyes, feeling his monster side take over. His skin was covered in web-like veins, and his eyes flashed a deep gold.
"Where's Zenko?" he asked.
Child Emperor's voice came out in a huff, and the mech straightened its posture. "You think I'm going to tell you that? I'm taking you out."
Galreon gritted his sharpened teeth. "We'll see about that."
He zoomed towards Brave Giant. It used a shield to defend itself. Galreon let out an inhuman roar, slashing the mech's metal outside. Child Emperor moved it back.
Galreon stepped back. "I bet you're trying to distract me while you think of a plan, aren't you?"
Child Emperor didn't reply.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Galreon chuckled. "Honestly, I was expecting better from you. Aren't you supposed to be one of the smartest heroes in the entire Hero Association?"
Child Emperor still stayed silent.
"I guess you guys are nothing but a bust," Galreon shrugged. "I'll be done with you soon."
Brave Giant sent out a barrage of missiles. Galreon avoided them all, making his way towards the mech.
"Welp, this is goodbye," Galreon chuckled, flashing his golden smile. "Lights out, little boy."
We're the same age, Child Emperor thought, scowling.
Galreon jumped onto Brave Giant. He swiped at it like a cat would. The mech groaned under his strength.
"Just get out here and we'll do this quickly," Galreon growled, glaring at Child Emperor through the mech's eye.
"I don't think so," Child Emperor said, suddenly smirking. "Deputy, now!"
All of a sudden, Deputy appeared, using a powerful net to hold Galreon down.
"What the Hell?!" Galreon rolled around, slashing the net. "Get this crap off me!"
Deputy ignored him. He held out a razor gun, which was glowing in all kinds of colours. Galreon gritted his teeth.
They were planning this from the start, he realised. Child Emperor wasn't a distraction… he was bait. And I was hooked in.
Galreon stared at Deputy. "Heh, no way whatever that is will work on me."
"We'll see about that," Deputy said, his tone cold. "But we've got one more surprise in store."
Zenko appeared, rage in her eyes. Galreon felt his heart skip a few beats. His monster self almost vanished.
"My beloved princess," he reached out, smiling hugely at her. "It's so good to-"
"Shut it," Zenko snapped, crossing her arms. "You're a monster!"
"I love you," Galreon told her.
"Bring back my brother!" Zenko shouted, stamping her feet. "Now!"
"I want to make the perfect world for us, Zen," Galreon told her, standing up. "I want to be with you forever."
"Bring him back!" Zenko ordered.
"Why are you so obsessed with your brother?" Galreon asked, shoving the net off. "He's gone! He's never coming back!"
"No, that's not true!" Zenko sobbed. "And even if it was… I'd still hate you. I'll never love you, Goldy. You're sick."
"I'm Sweet Mask's cousin," Galreon replied.
"I don't care anymore," Zenko spat. "Bring. Badd. Back."
"He's. Not. Coming. Back." Galreon replied. "None of them are. They're all gone."
Zenko stared at Deputy.
"Do it," she told him, her tone emotionless. "Shoot him."
"No, wait," Galreon spoke up, holding out a hand. "Before you shoot… listen to me for a moment. Please."
"Shoot him," Zenko ordered.
"Wait, don't!" Galreon pleaded, sweating. "If you do, you'll never get to see your brother again!"
Deputy frowned. "But you said…"
"I was lying," Galreon admitted. "Okay? He's still alive. They all are. With God's help, I sent them to an alternate reality. But they still exist, and I can bring them back. I just didn't want his presence to distract you anymore."
"'Distract' me?!" Zenko roared. "You-"
"Enough of this," Child Emperor said, peering out of Brave Giant. "If you release Metal Bat and the other heroes right now, I'll give you a quick and painless death, Galreon."
Galreon laughed. "Quick and painless… eh heh heh. You act as if you can kill me. You've got nothing but a boy with a gun and you and your mech."
"That's what you think," Child Emperor said, a complacent smirk appearing on his face. "We've got plenty of back-up, don't you worry. I'm sure Tornado of Terror would be happy to send you flying to space. She'll come eventually."
Galreon tch-ed. "So you're just sizing me up, aren't ya… but I've got something in store too. You don't actually know what I am."
He turned back to Zenko. "I've met God."
"God?" Zenko asked.
Galreon nodded. "God itself spoke to me. It gave me a vision, Zenko."
"Do I really have to do this?" Galreon asked, staring at the being in front of him.
"I will reward you," God promised. "You will find a lover, and you will live together in a beautiful world."
"We will?" Goldy asked, eyes widening.
"You will find a love interest," God continued. "And you and them will rule the world… together. You will never have to worry about monsters, or death. For you see, once the world is cleansed…"
Galreon clenched a heart over his fist.
"Destroy the world…" he breathed. "But I don't even know who this lover is!"
"You'll find out soon enough," God said. "And when you do... you will finally be free."
"No more monsters?" Galreon asked.
"Peace and happiness," God assured him. "Forever."
"We're monsters," Galreon told Zenko. "Me and Sweet Mask both."
"Monsters?!" Zenko stammered.
Galreon offered a hand. "But it's okay. Because we'll be together, Zenko. We'll live in peace and happiness. Forever."
Zenko thought of the moments she and Galreon had shared. It hadn't been long, but they had been close.
"Don't listen to that guy, Zen," Poppy's voice grumbled. "He's nothing but a psycho."
"You're no better," Galreon told her.
Zenko fell to her knees. Tears burned behind her eyes.
It was meant to be…
"Don't you think the world is an awful place, Zen?" Galreon asked. "Haven't you and your brother suffered enough? Wouldn't you rather live in a happy world with no trouble at all?"
Zenko and Badd had suffered. The world had tormented them both.
"Join me," Galreon offered a hand. "Be my queen."
"Screw it!" Child Emperor shouted. "Deputy, use the gun!"
Deputy nodded, pressing a button on his weapon. It launched a wave of power towards Galreon. To everyone's surprise, Galreon shielded himself. He sliced the nets to shreds. He stood in front of Zenko, gently holding her arm.
"Come with me," he said, his voice sweet. "We'll live peacefully."
Zenko stumbled back.
"Dang it," Child Emperor cursed. "Try this!"
Missiles and lasers came racing towards the monster, but he avoided them all, focusing on nothing but Zenko.
"Join me," he encouraged.
Zenko looked away. "No. I… I hate you. You're unforgivable."
"You can learn to love me," Galreon insisted.
"I hate you," Zenko whispered. "This world is still better than you."
"Alright then, next level up," Child Emperor muttered. "Deputy, get Zenko away from him!"
"SELF DESTRUCTION IN TEN SECONDS..." Brave Giant boomed.
Deputy nodded. He headed towards the kids.
"I'll love you, no matter what," Galreon promised. He gave her the smile once more.
"6... 7..." Brave Giant boomed.
"Zenko!" Deputy cried out. Zenko reached for his hand.
"5... 4..." Brave Giant continued.
"No, stay with me," Galreon cried out, holding Zenko's other arm. Zenko glared at him, and kicked him in the crotch. She ran off with Deputy.
"3... 2..." Brave Giant said.
"NOW!" Child Emperor shouted.
KABOOM!
And then the earth exploded.
They were standing together at the end of time. Galreon held Zenko's hand, smiling at the sky. They were far away from the rest of the world. No one to bother them anymore.
"Where are we?!" Zenko demanded, looking left and right. "And how are you still alive?!"
"We're in a place away from the rest of the world," Galreon assured her. "No one to bother us ever again. I took you here after that explosion. Those fools really thought they won."
"No! Let me go!" Zenko screamed. But she couldn't pull away.
"You're suffering," Galreon told her. "But it's okay. Now we're here together. You won't suffer anymore."
"Sounds pretty manipulative if you ask me."
Galreon went pale. He turned around, facing a bald man in a yellow hero costume.
"Saitama!" Zenko gasped.
"What…" Galreon breathed, eyes flashing red. "Who the Hell are you?! How did you get here? No one can access this place besides me!"
"I saw you coming over here, so I followed," Saitama shrugged simply.
"That's impossible," Galreon shook his head. "You shouldn't have been able to see me!"
"Eh, you weren't that hard to miss to be honest," Saitama said, casually. "Anyway, why are you trying to romance this girl who obviously isn't into you?"
Galreon went red. "How dare you-"
"Saitama, he took my brother away!" Zenko sobbed. "Can you help me get him back?"
"Your brother, huh?" Saitama asked. "Yeah, sure. I can help with that."
Galreon glared at him. "You think you can defeat me, you bald fool?"
His face became covered in veins, and his teeth sharpened. He zoomed towards Saitama, roaring with everything he had.
Saitama punched him in the face. He dissipated into gold dust.
"Welp, that was anticlimactic," Saitama said. He turned to Zenko. "Now, we've gotta find your brother. He's that Metal Knight guy, right?"
"Metal Bat," Zenko corrected.
"Medal Bag, alright," Saitama said. "Is that him there?"
He pointed to none other than Badd, who was looking around in confusion.
"BIG BRO!" Zenko shouted. She raced over to Badd, leaping into his arms. Badd hugged her back, a smile lighting up his face. They were reunited at last.
"Man, now I've lost track of the sale…" Saitama muttered, scratching his head. "What is this place, anyway?"
He glanced at his phone. Genos was calling him.
"Huh," he thought. "Maybe this place isn't so far from home after all."
A/N: I don't like how this came out but yeah... there's one more chapter coming, and then this story is finished. Man, so many fics finishing at once. Stick around to see the final chapter. :D
P.S - have you guys heard about the new live action OPM movie? I don't have high expectations but who knows, it might surprise us