"Genos?"

Genos, for once, didn't immediately perk up at the sound of his master's voice. His thoughts were all focused on one thing: Ayano. Now he knew for sure that she was no good.

I will not allow her to be Master Saitama's disciple any longer, Genos scowled, gazing at his hands. I will eliminate her.

"Hey, Genos," Saitama waved his hand in front of Genos' face. "You there?"

"Apologies, Master," Genos sat up straight. "A lot has been on my mind recently."

"Yknow, I hardly see you and Ayano anymore," Saitama replied, sipping some green tea. "What've you two been up to?"

Genos narrowed his eyes. "I have been participating in a new hero group."

"A new hero group?" Saitama asked. "You mean that Neo Heroes thing?"

"No, a different group," Genos replied. "It is run by Goddess. I believe it would be a good idea to invite you to join this group, Master Saitama. We are working to take down a dangerous threat. A threat you know very well."

"Eh, I'm not interested in joining any hero groups," Saitama waved a hand. "What I am interested in is getting the Hero Association to change my freaking hero name."

"Saitama," Flashy Flash popped in, rather suddenly. "Genos is right. You should join Goddess' group. We could use someone like you."

"Goddess, you mean the girl who goes to Ayano's school?" Saitama asked. "She's got a group now? Doesn't she already have one?"

Genos was about to respond, but then his scanners detected something. He narrowed his eyes.

It's her.

"I have to go," Genos stood up.

"Seriously, already?" Saitama asked. "You've only been here for like five minutes. That's not like you."

"I will be back later," Genos said, walking out of the apartment.

"Genos," Flashy Flash glowered at his fellow S Class hero. "Are you going after her? You know you're not allowed to."

"That is none of your business," Genos narrowed his eyes. And without another word, he left the apartment. He went into the elevator, a serious expression on his face. He left the Hero Association apartment complex, arms by his side. He was focused on nothing but her. His tracking devices would make sure she would not get away.

He walked, getting further and further away from the populated area. Soon, he was in the abandoned streets, and she was getting closer and closer. His eyes flashed a deep gold as he detected her form.

"I know you are running from me," he said, seeing Ayano's blurry figure ahead. "You will be eliminated."

Goddess told us not to attack her, but I have just the weapon required to take her down by myself, Genos thought. She will be eliminated. I refuse to let her be Master Saitama's disciple any longer. He grimaced. He does not need to get involved. This is something I must handle.

His hand glowed dangerously. Ayano appeared in front of him, eyes dead and empty. Her body twitched inhumanly.

She looks even less human than before, Genos thought. She truly is nothing but a monster to be eliminated.

"Genos," she greeted, voice empty. "It's been a while."

Genos' nostrils flared. "Do not greet me as a friend. You are a monster. For the sake of Master Saitama, I am going to eliminate you."

"But you stated that we're friends," Ayano responded.

"Incompetent!" Genos shouted. He fired a blast at Ayano; she slipped out of the way. "My thoughts were clouded by your lies. But not anymore."

"What brought all this on, Genos?" Ayano asked, tilting her head. "You're my good friend, after all."

"Lies!" Genos boomed, shooting more blasts. "All lies! Your identity is nothing but lies, Ayano!"

Ayano continued dodging his attacks. She simply teleported out of the way, head twitching. Red strings made their way up her arms.

"I am going to take you out," Genos told her. "No more waiting. No more lies. This ends now."

Ayano stared at him. A brief flicker of emotion passed on his face.

She stayed in place as Genos fired a series of energy beams in her direction. Naturally, her body repaired itself from the beams. She walked towards him in a straight line, eyes not moving from his form. Genos launched himself into the air, holding his hand in front of him. He gritted his teeth.

She thinks she can trick me, Genos thought. Or use me for some pathetic scheme. But it will not come to fruition. I will not be fooled anymore. This is the end.

He held out his glowing palm. The energy from his exposed core flowed through him.

This is the move that will end her.

Ayano stared at him, dead eyed and emotionless. Then… she changed. She wasn't herself anymore. She looked painfully familiar.

Genos blinked, the world changing around him. He was back in his small village; the village he'd grown up in. His parents were ahead of him, wielding freshly grown vegetables in their arms. They wore smiles on their faces, standing in front of their teeny cottage. They called him a name; his birth name, a name he hadn't heard for years.

The now 15 year old Genos' throat choked up. Mom… Dad…

A fire suddenly bloomed from out of nowhere. It came from none other than the rampaging cyborg, the cause of all of Genos' suffering. The one that destroyed his village, and took his family away. The cyborg mercilessly slaughtered his parents in cold blood, and tore down his precious cottage. It set his farm alight, killing innocent civilians.

Then the cyborg turned on young Genos, eyes glowing dangerously. Young Genos sweat-beaded, blacking up. His blue eyes widened in fear. This was it.

No… please…

Then the cyborg turned into Ayano Aishi, wielding a knife. The village dissolved around him; he was back in the city. Back in reality, about to die for real.

A lone tear went down Genos' cheek. The knife dug into his power core. His eyes flickered to black.

It was stupid of me to think we'd ever be friends… if Ayano is truly a monster, then I'm truly still just a human…

He smiled, weakly. Master Saitama, Dr. Kuseno, forgive me…


No… no, this is not the end. If I am going to die… I'm taking you with me.

"SELF… DESTRUCTION… IMMINENT…" he growled.

Ayano stepped back, but it was too late. Genos' core exploded, energy surrounding her form. She fell backwards, body burnt to ashes. Smoke rose into the air. Nothing was left behind.

HEARTBROKEN

"Dead again…" God stared down at Ayano, form glitching. She was in the void once again. "That cyborg is still alive, too. Just by the skin of his teeth, I'll admit. That bald hero will be looking for him, and so will his carer."

"I need more power," Ayano told God. "I can't keep dying like this."

"You are close to the point of no return," God told Ayano. "One more increase in your power, and you won't be able to turn back. You won't be able to hide your true nature anymore."

"I don't care about that anymore," Ayano said. "Give me more power. I must keep getting stronger."

"Then there is one thing you will have to do to prove to me you are willing to take the final step," God told her. "One last step."

"What is it?" Ayano asked.

"Kill Megami Saikou." God said.


Megami breathed out deeply, standing inside her large bedroom. There were not many people she could truly trust with her life. Everyone had a goal, a manipulative desire. And because of her position of power, their true manipulative sides came out around her especially.

It was as her father said: trust no one but yourself.

Megami had learnt that lesson quite heavily with Kuroko's betrayal. She hated that she had not seen it coming at all. She knew deep down that Kuroko was most likely jealous of her, but she never realised hatred was there as well. Hatred that had taken control.

Megami and Aoi walked through Megami's bedroom, gazing out the window. Megami's expression was hard to decipher.

Aoi put her arm around Megami's shoulder, grinning. "Don't worry about that dumbass Kuroko, Meg. You've still got us and the S Classes."

Megami put a hand on her chest, a small smile appearing on her face. Aoi had always been by her side, through thick and thin. Megami would never publicly admit it, but Aoi was her closest acquaintance. Unlike most people, she felt... genuinely trustworthy. And Megami would always appreciate her presence for that.

"I'll be by your side until the end, Meg," Aoi told her. "Even if the rest of the world hates you… I'll still be here."

The two girls stared into each other's eyes for a moment. The sunlight from the large window shimmered around them.

"I appreciate your sentiments, Miss Ryugoku," Megami told her. Aoi's cheeks went a pale red.

It was really all Megami could say to Aoi. She had no time for anything beyond a formal relationship, even if deep down, she secretly craved it. And besides, she owed Aoi her life. Aoi had sacrificed her eye to protect Megami. She was a true hero, ranking aside.


"This is your new bodyguard, Megami. Her name is Aoi Ryugoku."

Megami gazed up at the sound of her father's voice. Ahead of her was a young girl around the same age, surrounded by some men in suits, and a couple who Megami recognised as the girl's parents. The girl had short, blue messy hair and an etched on scowl. She turned her blue eyes onto Megami, breathing out through her nose. Megami noticed her body was sporadically covered in bandaids.

"Good morning, Miss Ryugoku," Megami walked over to Aoi, offering a hand. "I am Megami Saikou, heiress to Saikou Corp."

Aoi glared at her in response, teeth gritted.

"Our daughter has been dealing with some… anger management issues," said Aoi's mother, curtly. "You will have to excuse her lack of manners."

"Of course," Megami nodded, respectfully.

"Our daughter acting as your bodyguard should straighten her out," Aoi's father pitched in. "But of course, should she misbehave too much, you can discipline her thoroughly."

Aoi bared her teeth, avoiding eye contact with her parents.

"Understood," Megami nodded at the couple. "Thank you, Mr and Mrs Ryugoku."

The couple left the scene behind, not even glancing at their daughter. They almost seemed relieved, like they'd just dropped off a rabid animal to be put down.

Aoi continued glaring at Megami, arms folded across her chest. Megami kept her expression cold and icy, just like her father had told her to do.

"Your next lesson is in ten minutes," Ichirou Saikou addressed his daughter. "Take your bodyguard with you."

"Of course, Father," Megami nodded. She turned to Aoi. "Come along, Miss Ryugoku."

Aoi gritted her teeth. Suddenly, she pulled a runner, dashing off towards the elevator. The adult bodyguards chased after her. She attacked them when they grew close. Megami and her father gazed at each other.

"So it's going to be like this," Megami sighed.


Aoi glowered, trying to walk ahead of Megami, as far as her bodyguards would allow. Megami, of course, did not seem to care in the slightest. Aoi gritted her teeth. She jumped around and waved her arms in the air, screaming like a monkey. Megami still did not have any reaction.

"Are you some kind of robot?!" Aoi yelled at Megami. "What the Hell is wrong with you?!"

"I simply don't have interest in your tomfoolery, Miss Ryugoku," Megami replied, cooly.

Aoi bared her teeth. "I'll give you something to care about."

She raised a fist, sending it in Megami's direction. The fist was faster than the bodyguards could detect.

But to their surprise, Megami easily caught the fist in her palm. Aoi flailed back in shock.

"I told you, I don't have time for your tomfoolery, Miss Ryugoku," Megami asserted, staring Aoi straight in the eye.

Aoi lowered her arm, blinking heavily. The young girl shook her head.

"You…" she breathed out. "You're damn strong. Why do you need bodyguards?"

Megami breathed out, slowly.

"I'm too powerful for any menial fights," Megami told Aoi. "I only battle when my strength is necessary."

Aoi made a face. Then she laughed. "You're serious… so, you think you're some kind of final boss. Damn, that's hilarious." She shook her head. "Maybe I can respect that."

Megami had a small smile on her face. "You should."


The Neo Heroes Leaders gathered in their familiar meeting room, seated around a circular table. As usual, Blue was at the front, a serious expression on his face. Although none of the Leaders had seen the man in person, Blue greatly reminded them of his father, Blast.

"The Hero Association is doomed to fall any day now," Blue declared. "And that's when we'll act, and show the public we are the heroes they deserve."

The Leaders cheered in response.

"But what about Goddess' group?" Fureddo piped in. "I heard they're going to act as well."

"They'll fall with the Hero Association," Blue crossed his arms.

"You're going to wait until the Hero Association falls, and then steal their victory?" Accel asked.

"That's so naughty of you," Inkyu giggled, pushing one of her pink pigtails over her shoulder. Her older sister pursed her lips, eyes narrowed.

Blue clenched a fist. "They were going to bring themselves down anyway. They're going to fall, and then what? There'd be no one to pick up the pieces." He cleared his throat. "That's where we come in. We pick up the pieces, kill the Yandere, and protect the Earth."

Raibaru stared down at her fists. Suiryu was next to her, for once, looking serious about something. Raibaru had never seen him so engaged in anything.

"For now, we wait," Blue crossed his arms. "We wait for the perfect time to strike."

"Wait, hold on," Raiden jumped in. "How are ya gonna kill this Yandere anyway?"

"I'm the hero of Shibabawa's prophecy," Blue flexed his fingers, red strings forming. "With these strings… I'll be able to take down that creature, just like the prophecy stated."

"But where did those strings come from?" Sakyu Basu asked, narrowing her eyes.

"That, I'm not exactly sure," Blue admitted, glancing at his hand. "They were given to me by a higher power, I believe. Or something like that. Which means there's an entity fighting on the side of humanity. That means we can win."

"An entity fighting on the side of humanity…" Webigaza furrowed her brow. "That means there's two entities: one fighting against humanity, and one fighting for it."

"The good of humanity prevails," Blue declared, strings surrounding his form. "Whatever higher powers are up there… honestly, it doesn't really matter. We have powerful heroes right here on Earth. We will win."

He ignored the voice screaming at the back of his head. He didn't believe it. It was lying to him. Yet, he couldn't silence it.

You're nothing but your father's son. You have no other powers. Foolish child.

We will win, he narrowed his eyes. I'll show them all.


Zombieman glanced down at his notes, puffing out smoke from his cigarette. He was in his messy home, gazing at the notes on his lap. They were full of things Dr. Genus had told him, as well as notes from Megami's meetings. Notes about Yanderes, the murderer from thirty years ago, the Fun Girl… the being known as God.

But that Yandere girl is not the only one to wield those red strings, Zombieman thought. Does Goddess wield them as well? Someone has to, which means that both a good entity and a bad entity wield the strings. But where do the strings come from, anyway? Who gave them these powers?

The being known as God, he answered his own question. But why would God give two separate entities these powers…? Does it want a fight?

He stared at his hands. No. It wants balance, doesn't it? It wants homeostasis in the world it created. It can't have good without the bad. But is God itself good or bad? Why would it give these beings this power?

His body shook. What does it want from us?


Megami gently touched Aoi's shoulder, smiling at her lifelong friend. The smile vanished as quick as it came, and Megami's vacant cool expression returned.

"Take a rest, Miss Ryugoku," she told Aoi. "You will need your strength."

Aoi opened her mouth, then closed it.

"Just for you, Meg," she grunted, walking off.

Megami nodded, watching her close the bedroom door behind her. She turned around, facing her computer. Then she sensed something… unnatural. Inhuman. Someone else was in her room.

"Megami."

Megami turned around, facing Ayano Aishi. The two girls stood in silence for a moment.

"Miss Aishi," Megami greeted, cooly. "You don't have permission to barge into my room like this. Why are you here?"

"I know you know the truth about me," Ayano stated. "You know everything I've done."

Megami's gaze grew sharp. "Excuse me?"

"Don't pretend you don't know," Ayano replied. "We don't have time for that, Megami." She made a face, eyes bleak. "I have something to offer you."

"Do you." Megami furrowed her brow.

"I'm challenging you to a battle," Ayano told her. "If you win, I'll reveal the truth about myself, and I'll end my own life. You'll get the little heroic victory you so desire. But if you lose…" She wore a creepy smile. "You have to take the blame for everything I've done. Everything I've done… it'll all be because you organised it."

Megami put a hand on her chest. "You are a fool, Miss Aishi. I would never agree to something like that. I gain nothing from it."

"Oh, really?" Ayano asked, tilting her head. "Do you and your stupid little group honestly think you can defeat me? They'll all just die trying. All of your friends, your group members, your fellow S Class heroes… they'll all die, and it'll be your fault, Megami. You'll never work as a hero again. Do you really want that?"

Megami kept her expression cool. "Do you honestly think you can threaten me, Miss Aishi? I do not fear you."

"Oh yes you do," Ayano replied. "Unlike everyone else, I actually pose a threat to you. I could've dethroned you before any of this even started, Megami. And you know it. You just don't want to admit it. You're nothing compared to me."

Megami's expression didn't change. "You're a fool. I will have you executed immediately."

"You won't," Ayano shook her head. "You have no proof of my misdeeds, you just think you do. And I'll never admit what I've done. Besides…" She smiled. "Don't you want to defeat me and show everyone how great of a hero you are? Don't you want to show everyone that the Hero Association can be salvaged?" She made a face. "You have to show everyone that you can win battles by yourself. This is the way to do it, Megami. This is the way to show everyone that the world needs you. You are the hero of the prophecy, right?"

Megami and Ayano stared at each other for many minutes.

"It's your victory, or their loss," Ayano replied. "Your choice, Megami. Who is the real hero here?"

Megami clenched her gloved fists.

"Very well," she stated. "I will fight you."

Ayano shook her hand. "Excellent choice."