Dinosaurs, creatures from an ancient era of our world's history. And, as a side note, scientists cannot make up their minds on what is and isn't the accurate way to depict them when they were still alive. But, as of now, neither Bearded nor Bespectacled Worker needed any scientist to tell them their theory regarding the beasts, for they stood in the presence of one fully encased in ice. Unfortunately, neither the workers nor their fellow Association employees could determine the exact length of the creature at this time; all they could be sure of was the color of its scales and other details regarding its body.
Dark brown and black were the two colors that its scales possessed, while the several horns sprouting from the back of its head and down its back were the standard color of bone. Its body was comparable to a humanoid, with two arms and two legs, but it wasn't one-to-one as it had a more animalistic quality. A long tail could be seen resting between its legs, which made sense as everything pointed to this entity being a reptile of some kind. Although, results from some of their studies of the beast shows that deep within it is an organ that functions similarly to a generator, not only keeping it warm and alive as it slumbers in the ice but also allowing it to potentially discharge the energy created for use in violently destructive attacks.
Due to that horrifying potential reality, along with the recent appearance of other monsters who call themselves queens, Bearded and Bespectacled Worker felt it was urgent to acquire a sample of the creature's DNA so they could hurry up and shrink it.
"How's it going?" Bearded Worker shouted out to the group of researchers currently drilling into the ice to try and extract a blood sample. He and his partner were keeping their distance as to avoid getting in their way.
"The ice is tougher than steel, sir! Our first drill bit broke even when at full power! We need to get a better one if we're going to break through!" The leader of the group responded.
"What about her scales and skin? Do you think your tools will get through them?" He asked.
"We're making the necessary changes now! After the drill broke, we figured it was the smartest move!" The leader answered.
"Alright! Keep us informed in case anything happens!" He requested, receiving an okay from the leader in the form of a hand gesture.
"Okay, thank you, Saitama. We'll pick up the samples as soon as possible." Bespectacled Worker said, having spoken to the hero via cellphone while his partner talked to the scientists.
"Wow, they were quick about it." Bearded Worker commented as the other ended the call.
"Indeed. Perfect timing, too. We'll be able to do that while we're getting the things doctor Genus needs." He said.
"Yeah, I still don't know about that." Bearded Worker replied with a sigh, "That man's an actual genius. It feels like we're shooting ourselves in the foot by bringing him his life's work." He told him.
"There's nothing to be concerned about. All of the spare samples we found were destroyed. So the only thing left in the boxes we have are documents and some items from Genus's office." Bespectacled Worker reminded.
"I know. But again, the man's a genius. I can't shake the feeling that with only notes AND access to alien technology, he can pull something off before we realize it." He argued.
"It'd be next to impossible to get past Geryunganshoop, though. So, the moment anything weird happens, he'll put a stop to it for us." Bespectacled Worked countered.
"I hope so..." He responded, letting out another sigh from worry.
Just then, both men heard a booming sound, it being something metal snapping apart.
"...Uh...sirs..." The group's leader called out to them, "We're...going to have to take a break and contact HQ...we might even need to see if Metal Knight can help..." They said.
"Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise?" Bespectacled Worker suggested in a whisper before responding, "Alright! You send in a request for another drill bit. We're going to head out for a while and take care of other important matters! If ANYTHING happens while we're gone, call us immediately!" He instructed.
"Yes, sir!" The leader shouted back.
"Are you sure it's wise to leave them?" Bearded Worker inquired.
"It's not like we're doing much as it is. And besides, we can get the rest of our workload for today done while the team waits to try again." He said before both men began to leave the area.
Meanwhile, In The Middle Of Nowhere...
"How is such a desolate place not that far from a human city?" The Subterranean Queen asked as she looked around at their environment.
When Saitama said they would be training in a canyon, she and the Sky Queen weren't expecting it to be so...apocalyptic. But, honestly, It was genuinely impressive that such an empty and arid place existed; not even weeds or bugs could be seen in any direction, regardless of distance. Luckily, today was perfect for physical activities, such as training, with a nice cool sixty as the temperature and a rejuvenating breeze that was constantly blowing. Also, as for what Lady Boros would be doing during all of this, she'd be off to the side with Sky Queen resting against one of the canyon's walls, watching them train.
Oh, and both Genos and the Subterranean Queen would be training as well, as they'd be each other's partner while Deep-Sea Queen got Saitama.
"How are there multiple queens who've been alive for millions of years? The world's full of mysteries." Saitama responded before getting things started, "So, here's how I think our first training session should go. Deep will try and touch me one time for the entire session while you two spar without going all out to avoid causing excessive damage to the canyon or hurting each other. Sound good?" He told them, ending with a question.
"Gee, thanks for giving me something EASY..." Deep-Sea Queen sarcastically said, knowing the impossibility of her success.
"I don't know if it's wise for us to spar. Given the issues I caused yesterday." Genos said.
"Oh no! Don't worry about it, Genos. I promise I'm not angry anymore, and there'll be no problems if we spar." The Subterranean Queen swore with a smile.
"Alright. If you're sure." He replied, getting over his hesitation rather quickly.
"Good luck, Deep!" Lady Boros cheered from the sidelines, wanting to support her friend.
"Give it your all!" Sky Queen joined in, a pleasant surprise.
"My all could be multiplied by a thousand, and it still wouldn't be enough..." Deep-Sea Queen groaned as she, Genos, and the Subterranean got into position, waiting for Saitama to give the go-ahead.
Giving them a few more seconds to ready themselves, for Sub to have her swords drawn, and Deep to get a plan of approach figured out, once it seemed like they were all set, he held up his thumb and said:
"Okay."
Immediately, the Deep-Sea Queen shot her eel out of her mouth at a blinding speed to try and catch him by surprise. But, of course, Saitama saw it flying towards him and caught it with his right hand, which didn't count as her touching him. Then, however, in an impressively clever use of the eel, the Deep-Sea Queen lifted him off the ground and threw him towards the canyon wall opposite their spectators. Grinning from the advantage this gave her, she wasted no time rushing towards the impact zone to HOPEFULLY land just one finger on him.
"GOT YA!" She shouted in victory, thrusting her hand forward into the dust cloud, expecting it to land against his chest.
Sadly, she only felt the wall. Double sadly, Deep-Sea Queen then felt a finger poke her cheek.
"Hi," Saitama said with a smile, amused by her attempt.
A wave of pink consumed her face, completely humiliated by this action.
"SAITAMA!" She flusteredly screamed before swiftly trying to punch him in retaliation.
Nope. That attempt missed Saitama, too. And when he looked at her after he landed from having lept backward to evade it, he waved as if to taunt her. Letting loose another yell from how embarrassed she was, the Deep-Sea Queen, now fueled by this feeling, changed her approach to wildly chasing after him. Meanwhile, as those two engaged in a very cartoon-esque chase, not too far away was a drastically different sight.
Genos and the Subterranean Queen were sparring at a less hectic pace, comparable to a boxing match. If you know, the boxers used swords and highly advanced cybernetic arms that hit with the same level of force as hydraulic pistons.
"I'm impressed, your majesty." Genos complimented his opponent, who managed to perfectly block each of his swift punches with her blades without struggle.
"Thank you." She responded, having grown her helmet as a sign of respect towards him, "Also, you don't need to be so formal. Now that we've cleared the air between us, I'd like it if we could become friends." She said, feeling much more relaxed around him after his apology.
"I don't know if that would be acceptable. You're royalty." He argued before delivering a punch with such power behind it; it managed to send her skidding backward away from him by several feet. But, incredibly, she maintained her footing and remained upright.
"Very well. Then, how about a wager?" She suggested as she pointed a sword at him, "If I win, you refer to me by my recently claimed nickname, Sub." She told him.
"What do I receive if I win?" He asked.
"Hmm...a good question..." She hummed, lightly tapping the sword she used to point on her helmet, "...I know! My people's technology is unlike anything the surface has to offer. Although we can only use it, I could give you some items to study so you can make your own and then add them to yourself to improve your capabilities. Does that sound fair to you?" She answered.
"It does." He responded, before his arms suddenly began to glow with orange light, "But be warned, now that I have something to gain from this, I won't be holding back." He said.
"Oh, how exciting." She replied, eager to see what he could do when he wasn't damaged, "Don't be afraid then. Give me EVERYTHING." She encouraged as this would be the first real fight she's had in a LONG time.
Placing his arms behind himself, Genos shot out powerful blasts, which sent him flying towards her. But, closing the distance in less than a second still wasn't fast enough for him to connect a strike with his leg against the Subterranean Queen. After bending backward to evade the attack while STILL on her feet, she attempted to strike him with all four of her swords as Genos flew over her as a counterattack. However, the Subterranean Queen underestimated how equal their reaction time was, as he sent out two more blasts which propelled him into the air.
At first, she assumed this was his counter to hers, but only when he was pretty high above her did the Subterranean Queen realize Genos's true intention. With plenty of space between them and enough time before gravity would start to pull him down, he aimed his palms at her and began firing full spheres of fire. Leaping away from where she stood proved better than blocking or attempting to deflect the projectiles, for they exploded when they hit the ground. From that point onward, Genos would maintain a ranged advantage over the Subterranean Queen, forcing her to evade since she couldn't get close to him without taking several hits.
"Excellent work, Genos!" Lady Boros shouted from the sidelines, proud to see her disciple be so clever.
"Thank you, Lady Boros!" He shouted back to her but kept his focus on his target.
"I'm surprised." Sky Queen admitted, causing the other to look at her, "I didn't think someone of your renown and power would take on a student. Let alone one that is human." She said.
"Heh, yeah, well, he was...impressively enthusiastic." Lady Boros replied, trying her best to describe it positively, "And, to be honest, I saw a bit of myself in him." She confessed.
"How so?" Sky Queen inquired.
"When I first arrived, I was as desperate to fight Saitama as Genos was for me to take him as my disciple." She explained.
"It must've been difficult. Not having anyone in the entirety of the universe capable of giving you even so much as a decent challenge." Sky Queen said.
"It was. Maddening. It made me consider the possibility that I had achieved and seen all that I could in life. Making me wonder if all that was left was for me to surrender myself to death." She responded.
"You...considered suicide?" Sky Queen asked, surprised to hear that from someone such as her, "But, you had everything. You HAVE everything. There is nothing in this life that you cannot obtain." She argued.
"Yes. But that's what made it so boring." Lady Boros pointed out, "I snap my fingers; people give me their possessions. I clench my fist in others' direction; they fall to their knees and make me their new god. And if I so much as slapped someone, even a little, it'd be enough to make their head explode." She described, letting out a sigh, "No effort. No thought. No feeling. That was every action in my daily life. Even the most impossible of tasks I could accomplish without any fear of failure. So, what good did treasure do me, what purpose was there in having so many worlds at my beckon, and what need did I have of my warship or my crew anymore?" She asked before focusing her eye on Saitama, which brought a smile to her face, "But...that's when I learned about him. And looking beyond his strength and how he is the only person who can face me, the time I've spent with Saitama has been the best in my entire life. Even if we never fight ever again, I don't care. I got the battle I was looking for, and now, he's shown me that there are many things I've yet to discover that make living worthwhile again. One of which...is him." She said.
Hearing her say all of this brought pause to the Sky Queen. She hadn't considered their situation was so similar that both had spent a majority of their lives living in agonizing boredom, where everything they tried to make themselves feel joy didn't work. But, she didn't share that with the dominator of the universe; instead, the Sky Queen focused her eyes on Saitama as well, letting silence come between them again. Speaking of, he was currently playing a very odd game of tag in which the Deep-Sea Queen's sea anemone-like hair was it.
"JUST LET ME TOUCH YOU!" She shouted in pure desperation, her hair striking at him and his after images at their maximum speed.
"Hmm...no." He calmly replied, continuing to be amused by how easy it was to mess with her.
Sometime Later, Inside Of A Mountain...
"YES! FINALLY!" The leader of the Association's researchers shouted with glee as they had managed to break through the ice.
After receiving a new drill bit, courtesy of Metal Knight, which was delivered via drone, the scientists were now able to get through the ice to reach the Ancient Queen easily. But, unexpectedly, when they were through drilling, the group felt a wave of hot air rush out of the hole they created, showing just how cold the ice had to be to not melt from the creature's body temperature. Of course, this is why they wore specially made full-body suits to protect them from both the extreme cold and heat, in addition to why their superiors kept their distance earlier.
"Sir, should we contact them?" One of the team members asked, referring to their bosses.
"No. They only wanted to be called in the event something happened. This is part of the plan." The leader answered as they readied the syringe, a better version of which was also provided by the drone Metal Knight sent.
"But sir, wouldn't they want to be informed the moment we begin extraction?" Another one inquired.
"They're handling important business. All we're doing is pricking the subject, drawing blood, and then we're going to fill the hole with water, so it freezes. We are ONLY calling them if something of note happens." He stressed.
Seeing that their leader wouldn't budge, the other team members shut their mouths and focused on the task at hand. Slowly the large needle was pushed into the hole, the researchers keeping their eyes locked onto the slumbering beast, on the alert for even the slightest possible twitch or movement. Soon, the needle hit its mark, piercing the scaled skin like a knife through butter, again, thanks to Metal Knight. Once they were sure no blood would leak, the scientists began drawing the blood sample.
"That's it..." The leader said quietly as the syringe filled, "No big deal...just a little blood...keep on snoozing..." He continued.
After a full minute of being as careful and quiet as possible, the group obtained the total amount they wanted. Then, breathing sighs of relief that nothing terrible happened, the researchers slowly removed the syringe from the hole.
"Okay..." The leader began, "Now, you three take this and secure it. While the two of you stay here and help me fill the hole." He directed.
"Uh...sir..." One of the team members spoke up; their head turned towards the creature.
Oh...oh no...all of them, including the team leader, knew that wasn't good. So, together, the entire team followed the one member's gaze, where they discovered the beast's nostrils were moving in such a way that indicated...it was BREATHING.
"Alright...new plan..." The leader softly spoke as panic started rising, "We're going to secure the sample, then run like hell. We'll contact our superiors once we reach a safe distance. Does anyone object?" He asked, receiving rapid head shakes from everyone.
Moving impressively fast, considering they were carrying a hefty load of blood stored inside a fairly heavy syringe. The team managed to secure it and start making their way out of the mountain in under five minutes. However, during their departure, they failed to notice, or perhaps didn't think to look back as they left, that the eyes of the Ancient Queen slowly opened, and the ice started to melt.
Back In The Canyon...
"...*HUFF*...I...*HUFF*...can't...*HUFF*...need...*HUFF*...water..." Deep-Sea Queen wheezed out, lying on her back, staring up at the clear blue sky.
Even if the ruler of the ocean was in her element and her body was in its natural state, there'd be no chance in Heaven, Hell, or any other place that she'd catch Saitama.
"Hey, are you okay?" Saitama sincerely asked as he walked over to her, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you so hard." He apologized while looking down at her.
"No...*HUFF*...it's...*HUFF*...okay...*HUFF*..." She tried to respond, VERY weakly waving her left hand to try and show it was no big deal, "Just...*HUFF*...give me...*HUFF*...five minutes..." She said.
"I think you need ten, maybe twenty." He told her.
Suddenly, a shadow was cast over the Deep-Sea Queen from a figure high in the air.
"An...angel?..." She quietly asked, her exhaustion making her slightly delirious.
"Huh, never heard that one before." Lady Boros said as she descended from above, "Devil, monster, etc. But never anything so divine." She shared.
Once her feet were back on the earth, Lady Boros held out something that gave the fish woman a second wind.
"WATER!" Deep-Sea Queen shouted before taking the full gallon jug that her friend had been carrying and proceeding to chug it.
"Wow. Good thinking, Boros." Saitama praised, causing her to smirk.
"Oh, it was nothing." She replied while "humbly," dismissing his comment with a light wave of her hand, "As Deep kept chasing after you, I figured she'd get tired soon enough." She explained before looking down at the other with a disapproving look, "Which is something you need to work on. PACING yourself." She told her.
However, instead of receiving a verbal response, the Deep-Sea Queen lunged at Lady Boros and wrapped her arms around her as tightly as she could.
"YOU ARE THE GREATEST FRIEND IN THE UNIVERSE!" She screamed in joy, back to her old self.
"This is why I don't like being nice..." Lady Boros sighed, although, secretly, she did find the hug SLIGHTLY pleasant.
"Glad to see you back to normal, Deep." Saitama said with a smile before he realized something, "Wait, did Sky go with you?" He asked.
"No! I'm still here, dear!" Sky Queen called from her place, from which she hadn't moved, "I would've accompanied Boros to fetch our friend some water, but I just couldn't take my eyes away from those two!" She explained while pointing a finger in a different direction.
Looking to where she pointed, Saitama, Lady Boros, and the Deep-Sea Queen were shocked to see Genos and the Subterranean Queen still going at it at full force. It had been a couple of hours since they arrived, and yet those two didn't seem to be missing that much steam. Although, since they last checked in, the battle between them had become more direct, no longer caring about keeping distance or being strategic. Both Genos and the Subterranean Queen wanted a victor to be declared in the bet they made, so he assaulted her with a barrage of machinegun punches, to which she responded by parrying them while also sending out slashes with her swords.
And while neither of them wanted to hurt the other, they each still had signs of battle damage with visible cracks in her armor and places in his body where her swords had cut the metal. Together, Genos and the Subterranean Queen remained in one spot, punch for punch, slash for slash, one way or another, a victor WOULD be determined.
"Tell me...Genos..." She grunted out, far too focused on the fight to say too much, "What...gives you...this drive...why...do you fight...with such intensity?..." She asked.
"I...have to..." He grunted out as well, just as focused as she was, "I...have to become strong..." He said.
"But...why?..." She inquired, for he still didn't give a reason.
"Because...I have...to get justice...and if I'm weak...I'll die..." He responded.
"Is that...why you're...a cyborg?..." She asked, making the connection between this passion that burned within him to what became of his body.
"Yes!" He exclaimed as he pulled both his arms back.
Delivering two punches simultaneously to her swords, Genos repeated what he did earlier by making the Subterranean Queen skid across the ground while she remained on her feet. However, from her point of view, she saw this as her unintentionally striking a nerve, thus leading her to interrupt their fight so she could apologize.
"Wait, Genos!" She called out, lowering her weapons to show she wouldn't attack, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pried so much. I let my curiosity get the better of me." She said.
"Hm?" He sounded in reply, confused by her apology, "Why are you saying sorry?" He asked.
"Did I not upset you with my questions?" She inquired, surprised by his response.
"No." He said in his usual direct manner.
"Oh. Then...forgive me for this." She apologized again, this time for stopping their fight, "It's just, you hit me especially hard when you answered my question before, so I assumed they were related." She explained.
"Not at all. I was merely trying to bring an end to our battle." He assured before crossing his arms, "However, if we keep going like this, it is improbable that either of us will win." He pointed out.
"True..." She agreed, which caused an idea to form in her head, "Oh! I know! How about we settle this with one decisive blow?" She suggested.
"Elaborate." He requested, wanting to know more.
"It's simple, we both ready a single powerful strike in a situation where neither of us can evade or counter, trade blows, and then whoever deals the most damage to the other with that attack is the victor of our bet." She told him.
"But how do we create the situation?" He asked.
"Well, we're both exceptional at fighting on our feet. And while I can jump very high and you can propel yourself with your fire, neither of us can remain in the air for very long nor control ourselves during the time we are airborne. So, if you'd be willing, you could toss me into the air, I'll come down at you, then you meet me halfway, and THAT is when we'll trade blows." She described.
"I could still dodge if I used my blasts to redirect myself." He mentioned.
"True. But I have a feeling you have too much honor to do something so underhanded, right?" She questioned with a smile.
"Yes. You can trust me." He confirmed with a nod.
"Thought so." She replied, "Okay. Whenever you're ready." She told him.
Not needing any further instruction or guidance, Genos walked over to the Subterranean Queen, grabbed onto her lower set of arms, then, with some help from her, threw her into the sky. Waiting until she had reached the height of her ascent, he then fired two blasts beneath him to shoot upwards from the ground. To their friends who were watching in complete silence, this was honestly SUPER cool; a cyborg and a swordsman made of stone were about to have a mid-air clash to decide the winner in their fight. But as both got closer, nearing the pinnacle of the moment, Genos's eyes shot wide open, and his head jerked to look to his left.
The Subterranean Queen noticed this, but before she could say anything or look in the same direction, she was hit with two blasts from Genos's palms that sent her flying away from him and towards the canyon's wall. Hitting the top of the wall with a thud and sliding across its rough surface afterward, she and the others were met with a horrifying sight by the time she managed to look back up at him. From far off in the distance, a terrifyingly MASSIVE beam of scorching hot energy flew across the canyon, and had the Subterranean Queen not been sent flying, she would've been in its path. And, unfortunately, that's where Genos currently was.
It happened so fast, almost instantly; every piece of Genos's body was burnt away like paper in a fire. His legs, arms, hair, and a concerning amount of his torso were all taken by the beam he had saved her from. At a time like this, you'd think the Subterranean Queen would scream, or perhaps even cry. But the shock of what was happening before her eyes immobilized her; it just didn't seem real. A few more seconds passed, despite time appearing to be slowed, and when it did, the beam finally ended, and Genos's charred body was allowed to fall to the earth.
Thankfully, there was a hero nearby, who, with great haste, leaped into the air and caught Genos in his arms before landing back on the ground. Looking down at the cyborg he held, Saitama admittedly felt worried as it was hard to tell if Genos was alive or...otherwise. But before he could examine his friend more closely, his and the others' attention were drawn to the source of that unexpected attack. Approaching with thunderous footsteps that shook the planet, a creature that towered above the clouds had its gaze focused on them.
And while it was hard to tell, due to the shock and the nature of the beast's face, they all could've sworn that a sadistic yet proud grin was present on its features.