"Finally, I smashed one!" Melzargard smirked over its job well done.

"SILVER FANG!" Atomic Samurai called out.

The heroes could do nothing but watch as Silver Fang sailed hundreds of yards through the air, ricocheting off multiple pieces of rubble along the way. He finally smashed against the remains of a building and lay there.

"WA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" cackled Melzargard. "How fragile you are! One hit and you die!"

It now towered over the other heroes.

"Why'd I have so much trouble? Forget defense! When I focus on attacking, this is easy!"

Big Ugly turned towards Atomic Samurai.

"And you're next." One of Melzargard's now two arms contorted into a fleshy blade. "I'm going to crush your skull."

Melzargard took a step toward the sword master.

"Just you TRY it," Atomic Samurai challenged, pure contempt on his face.

Raising his blade-arm, Melzargard began to grin in twisted delight. The samurai readied his own sword.

"You big bully!!"

Puri Puri Prisoner appeared suddenly, interrupting the focus of Atomic Samurai. He jumped in front of the samurai, intent on taking down the baddie. Probably not the best move.

"It's high time you learned your lesson!" the naked man exclaimed. He leaped up towards Melzargard's head.

"ANGEL-"

"Move, you exhibitionist."

The alien easily swatted Puri Puri Prisoner aside. He crashed against a wall, completely knocked out.

No way... Bad was sweating now. Two S-Classes, knocked out in one hit.

He stood there, trying to see if he could find an opening, anything at all. Unfortunately, he wasn't the best at analysis. Fear began to well up in his stomach like a rock.

"THAT'S QUITE ENOUGH, DEMON!" cried Atomic Samurai, his sword glowing.

"No, master!" Iaian called. "It's too dangerous! We need more help!"

"Iai, don't you trust me?" Atomic Samurai glared at the alien. "There's nothing I can't cut."

The sword master leaned forward, his conviction clearly visible.

"Iaian, my disciple... watch now as I demonstrate the awesome power of the mighty blade! Killer Move... ATOMIC SLASH!!"

Faster than the speed of sound, the samurai dashed forward, thrusting his sword into Melzargard's chest. At least, that's what it looked like. 100 precise clean cuts appeared on Melzargard's body, the alien howling in anguish.

"FEEL THE PAIN YOU HAVE CAUSED MY FELLOW HEROES, NO, THIS ENTIRE CITY!!"

Atomic Samurai appeared behind Melzargard, aiming for the middle of its head. However, Big Ugly reared its head 180 all the while laughing now, somehow anticipating this attack. A fully healed blade-arm came down on the hero, driving him into the Earth.

"MASTER?!" Iaian screamed.

The disciple dashed towards his fallen master, attempting to shield him from any further damage.

Melzargard, healed and happy as could be, readied its blade-arm for yet another thrashing. Iaian prepared to brace himself, knowing that wouldn't do much.

Suddenly, Big Ugly was split in half at the waist. Both halves of its body fell to the ground.

"Oi, jackass!" Metal Bat stood behind the alien, tightly clutching his weapon. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?!"

"Fool. You are significantly lesser in size compared to me."

Big Ugly smiled and mocked Bad as it began regenerating its decapitated waist.

"Oh, that's IT!!"

Bad dashed forward and jumped up, coming down on Melzargard's chest with a massive stomp. He hopped off and landed in front of Iaian, who was still hovering over an unconscious Atomic Samurai.

Melzargard was now in three separate parts, still in the process of reconstructing itself.

"Watch out, Knight Guy." Bad glanced back at the one-armed hero. "You might get whacked."

"Metal Bat!" Iaian sounded relieved. "I assume you have an effective plan?"

"Sure, man. Hit the Ugly until I break something important!"

The knight blinked.

"Um... I'll leave it to you, then..."

Iaian hoisted Atomic Samurai onto his shoulders and moved a good distance away.

Just need to keep swingin' until I find the marble. I got this. Bad thought, wiping a few salty droplets off his forehead and pushing his fear down, attempting to replace it with confidence.

Melzargard was fully pieced back together.

"You... hopeless idiot."

It pointed a sharp claw at Metal Bat.

"Do you honestly think you have the ability to defeat me? I have been killing for countless years, taking countless lives! Our leader, even more so. You are nothing but another casualty on our list of victims."

It began to cackle hysterically.

"Though I will be sure to make your death as painful as possible. You've earned it!"

Bad stared at the monster, then down at his trusty bat. He closed his eyes.

"Oi, demon... I don't care if there are a hundred of you guys. As long as you're here to threaten this planet, Zenko will never be safe!"

His grip tightened.

"And didn't you know..."

He looked up furiously, a fire burning in his eyes.

"THAT IT AIN'T COOL TO POINT AT PEOPLE?!"

Bad lifted his weapon and struck the ground. The surface began to undulate, throwing Melzargard off-balance. Bad used the opportunity to move in, rushing towards the alien and bashing it upside the head. Big Ugly was sent reeling, but not before connecting a counterattack with a newly formed hammer-arm. Bad flew back, banging his head on a piece of metal.

"Grrr..." he growled. "C'mon, Bad, C'mon!"

He stood up. Melzargard was already closing in on him, with a noticeably large indent of a bat on its face.

"You'll die!!" it cried in a rage.

"I may, but it sure as hell won't be on your terms, and it sure as hell won't be easy! I'll make sure I go down thrashing and bashing every step of the way!!" Bad shot back.

He dashed towards the alien again. Melzargard lifted its huge hammer, ready to pulverize Bad to a pulp, but he narrowly dodged by sliding underneath the creature's crotch, taking out its left leg. It howled in pain. Bad quickly propelled himself upward, towards the creature's head, his bat ready to smash.

"ENOUGH!!" Melzargard boomed.

It turned around quicker than expected, its leg regenerated. Before Bad's bat could connect with it, Big Ugly wrapped a tentacle around his neck.

"Ggggguhh..." Bad slowly began choking, attempting to pry open Melzargard's grip on his head with one hand and bashing it weakly with his bat on the head with the other. He felt dizzy.

"Futile," the alien grinned confidently, forming a mace with its free hand.

Bad began seeing two, only adding to the terrifying display.

Iaian watched in horror.

"No..." he whispered, glancing at Atomic Samurai, then at his non-existent left arm. "I cannot keep sitting idly by!"

"It took a while, but I am victorious, as always!" Melzargard cried as it brought its mace down onto Bad's head.

Everything went black as he landed on the ground with a thud, his bat's clattering echoing beside him.

"...ther! Big brother!! Hello?!" echoed a girly cry.

Bad was shaken awake.

"Huh? Did... I win?" Bad groaned as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.

He looked around.

There was rubble everywhere, and in the distance, an alien-like creature could be seen walking towards him. It looked slimy, and it brought back unpleasant sensations. But why? He rubbed his head lightly.

His little sister sat beside him.

"Big bro Bad..." Zenko whispered, then suddenly cried, "What is your problem?!"

Bad blinked.

"Eh? Zenko, why're you here?"

"My piano recital is over, and you missed the whole thing!!" she pouted.

But... how are you in City A...? Bad thought.

"My bad, sis. I'm only doin' my... job... um..."

He became dizzy again. His job. What was it again? He looked back at the creature. It was getting closer. He saw it had a mace for a hand. Fear began building up in his chest.

"You're a hero, silly," said Zenko, crossing her arms. "Don't play dumb, ya hopeless idiot."

Those last two words reverberated in his head.

"Hopeless... idiot..."

The creature's face was now visible. It was grinning evilly from ear to ear.

"B-Big Ugly! I mean, Melzargard!" Bad shouted. He shot up. "Zenko, you can't stay here! It's too dangerous!"

Still crossing her arms, she put on a soft smile.

"Finally, you remember. You ARE a hero, big bro. You're my hero." She stood up too, and hugged him. "Come home safe, okay? I gotta tell ya about the recital!"

Bad hugged his sister back and grinned. "It's a promise, sis."

He opened his eyes and picked up his bat, his fear replaced by determination.

Iaian knelt over Atomic Samurai's unconscious body.

The 37 year old sword master, with a high black spiked ponytail and a defined jawline with a goatee, lay in silence. His red cloak with an atom symbol, covered with dust, was draped over his black haori, with a white robe underneath. A chewed blade of grass hung limply from his mouth.

Iaian reached out his right arm. It was trembling. Hesitantly, he picked up his master's sword. It glowed in his hand.

"Master... I hope you'll forgive me. I will be using your weapon for now," the 23 year old whispered.

Iaian had decided. He would fend off the creature for as long as possible with the help of his master's Wakizashi, until backup arrived. Sure, he couldn't do the things his master could, but he would not retreat. No matter what.

Melzargard turned around after pounding Metal Bat.

"Bastard!" Iai challenged. "I underestimated you! Now that only I remain, I can go all out!" He gulped and raised his master's blade. "I'LL FACE YOU!!"

He charged at Melzargard and sliced both its arms off.

"How's that?" he taunted and jumped back.

"Hopeless... all of you are hopeless!" Melzargard growled impatiently. "If you are to go all out, then I suppose I should as well!!"

The creature's arms reattached and both turned into hammers.

Iaian took a step back, quivering, then stopped.

No! I must stand my ground! But please, where are the other heroes?!

Melzargard began swinging both arms in circles and started closing the distance between the two opponents.

"Farewell, idiotic hu-"

A dirty bat appeared in Melzargard's chest. It looked down and snarled.

"Impossible!"

Metal Bat pulled his weapon back and peeked out from behind Melzargard's massive body at Iaian. His head was bleeding profusely and he was hunched.

"Ey, man, good job. Leave the rest to me, alright?"

Iaian stared at the bloody hero.

How... this doesn't make sense! He got up so quickly, when master is still behind me laying on the floor...!

"I... understand, Metal Bat! Kill the bastard!"

"Done and done," Bad said as he spat blood. He hopped back and readied himself.

"Oi, Big Ugly!" he shouted at Melzargard. "I got a job to finish, so why don't you just cooperate and go to hell?!"

The alien stomped furiously.

"You must not have heard me," it snapped. "when I told you to die!"

"And YOU must have not heard ME," Bad cried. "when I told you NOT TO TALK BACK TO ME!!"

Melzargard shrieked and dashed towards Metal Bat, bringing both of its hammers down where he stood. Bad shielded himself from the attack with his bat. He felt his adrenaline pumping. Everyone was relying on him. He had to win. He forcefully pushed the hammers off and sent Melzargard flying into a pole with a broad swing. The pole split Big Ugly down the middle upon having been made contact with.

"Urgh..." Melzargard moaned and began to fix itself, but Bad was immediately above it, his eyes glaring down at it.

This regeneration is such a pain in the ass... he thought. Can't give this bastard a single moment to breathe. I have to bash it faster than it can heal!!

Melzargard slowly reformed itself, head first. Bad took quick notice of this.

There.

Bad inhaled.

"Killin' Move, Fightin' Spirit..." he huffed. "PUMPED UP... DRAGONNNNN... PUMMELINNN'!!!"

In a flash, Bad brought down his bat upon the middle of Melzargard's head multiple times, pulverizing any piece of its flesh that dared to regenerate. Pieces of the alien's head flew off in multiple directions. Iaian watched in both awe and disgust.

Finally, a marble dropped out of the remains of the alien's head. Bad wasted no time in ending his assault and scooping it up.

"Why you..." it uttered. "How DARE you!"

Bad glanced at Melzargard.

"I didn't dare," he declared. "I WON!!"

Bad placed the shiny marble between his jaws and bit down. It exploded into a million pieces.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHH!" the demon shrieked as it slowly disintegrated into thin air.

The fight was over.

--

A/N: There we are. Man, Saitama must've been taking his time up there though, huh? Oh well. Lemme know what you guys thought, and how you think my upload schedule should go. Next chapter, we're back to a bit of manga copy, but not that much. After that, it's pretty much smooth sailing. Until next time.