Homeless Emperor had predicted this day would come.
Ever since he had been approached by God, he had been biding his time. But he knew God was hiding something else. Another weapon, another creature to bring armageddon, the ragnarok, the end of the world.
He glared at Zombieman. Yet again, the hero was reviving himself.
Homeless Emperor smirked. No matter how many times Zombieman brought himself back from the brink of death, he'd be there to drag him down again. Homeless Emperor himself was quite powerful. He wasn't bringing forth the end of the world, but he was still threat level Dragon. He had God's work to do.
"I bet you've never come this close to death before," Homeless Emperor taunted. "And I bet you're terrified."
Zombieman didn't respond, and continued to mend his broken body.
"Don't bother with that," Homeless Emperor waved a hand. "To be truthful… I am not the most dangerous being here. Far from it, in fact. Dying to me will be a much better fate than what God actually has in store for you heroes."
Zombieman worked his jaw as it reformed. "What do you mean?"
Homeless Emperor's expression darkened, as he appeared behind the hero.
"You'll find out," he said, his tone ominous.
Familiar green power surrounded the two. And then they were dragged through the ceiling, like puppets on a string.
It's time, Homeless Emperor thought, grinning at the sky.
"That's it. It's finally happening."
Ayano found Garou again. He was finally transforming into a monster, for real. His left eye was black, and his right eye was red. His clothing had spiralled around his body, like another layer of skin. A diagonal scar was slashed across his face. He grabbed his legs, fingers turning to claws. His hair had turned into horns growing out of his head.
Ayano stepped back, watching him morph, slowly and painfully losing his humanity. It was a horrifying transformation, but Ayano watched it with a blank expression. It was the transformation he had been aiming for. The transformation that would finally break the barrier between human and monster. He roared in agony, voice croaking.
"Let's go up and take them all out," Ayano told him.
Garou limped behind Ayano as she emerged from the piles of rubble. Ayano used her Yan-vision, easily locating Genos and Taro. She saw Fubuki, Itachi, Fureddo, Bang and Bomb as well. Unfortunately, none of them had been taken out like she was hoping. But that was no problem. There was still time.
Before long, Taro was behind her again, subservient as always. Ayano saw other monsters scattered around as well. Some were definitely dragon-level worthy. As well as that, she saw some unconscious S Class heroes.
She used her hand to hide a giggle. All was going to plan. She had barely needed to do anything. The Monster Association had done most of the work, just like she had hoped. There was no need to worry about the remainders, as there was still time. The last part of the plan involved Garou.
"What are you doing here, dead eyes?!"
Ayano recognised that shrill voice. She looked up, seeing Tornado of Terror herself, floating in the air with crossed arms. The esper woman was fighting a monster named Black Sperm.
It appears Tornado is going to be harder to handle than I initially believed, Ayano thought. At least she is occupied for now…
And then she noticed another woman, too. A psychotic esper, power flowing around her. The esper turned her gaze to Ayano.
"Finally," the esper boomed. "I've been waiting for you, Ayano Aishi."
The esper towered in front of Ayano Aishi. She was a tall and curvaceous woman with long, aqua-blue wavy hair and emerald-green eyes. A pair of glasses covered her face. She wore a long, white dress with a black corset detailed with a drawing of a pair of serpents.
"Who are you?" Ayano asked.
"I am 'Third Eye' Lord Psykos, the to-be most powerful esper," Psykos told her. "But you may also know me as Gyoro-Gyoro."
"You're one of the leaders of the Monster Association," Ayano observed.
Psykos nodded. "Indeed. I've been waiting for you, Ayano Aishi."
"You want me to join the Monster Association," Ayano stated.
"That would be preferred, but I have to talk about something else first," Psykos said. She put a hand on her chest, slightly lowering her floating body. "When I was your age, I had a vision of the future. In that vision… I saw the end of the world. Deceased heroes. Mounds of corpses. And on top of it all, there was a schoolgirl. A schoolgirl with a ponytail. A schoolgirl with grey, emotionless eyes. A schoolgirl… just like you."
Ayano didn't say anything.
"I realised that the world was going to end," Psykos continued. "I realised that God had sent down an antichrist to destroy us all. The thought drove me... insane. I was about to go out and end the whole world myself. My own dear friend Fubuki locked away my powers, and sent me away. But I vowed to find you, Ayano. I even learned how to grow monsters. I founded the Monster Association, in hopes that I would find you."
Ayano stared at her, blankly.
"I know what you are, and what you are going to do," Psykos continued. "Eventually, you'll become strong enough that not even Tornado or Goddess will be able to stop you. That's why I want to help you."
Ayano blinked.
"That's right," Psykos told her. "I created the Monster Association to help YOU. Because I want to help you, Ayano 'Yan-chan' Aishi. I don't care about Orochi or those other worthless monsters. I only needed to fuse with Orochi for his power, but he's nothing compared to you. I've been waiting for you. I want to help you destroy the scum that is humanity."
"Help me," Ayano repeated, flatly.
"Indeed," Psykos said. She offered a hand. "Let's destroy humanity, together."
Ayano gazed at her outstretched hand, eyes glazed over.
"I can make you so much more powerful," Psykos added. "I will give you the power to grow into a monster. None of those so-called S Class heroes will have a chance."
But what about Saitama? Ayano thought. Will I be strong enough to take him on?
"Why do you want to help me?" Ayano asked out-loud. "You yourself will get destroyed as well."
Psykos cackled. "Because what other choice do I have? Sit here and look pretty? No, Yan-chan, this world is doomed. Humanity is bringing forth its own demise. Even if God didn't intervene, humanity would have perished anyway. So let's speed it up, hm?"
Ayano glanced at her hands. Her vision flashed black and white. She saw a glitchy figure in front of her. The girl with long pigtails, white skin, and black veins.
"͚̪̯̑͠͝A̛̙̬̒̃͜H̠͖̮̀͛͐…̬̣̍̀͜͡"̡̭̫͍͗͋̌̈̚ͅ the girl chuckled "͔̣͉͍͈̎̀̀̍̓T̺́̂͟H̯́Ë̖̲͚͇́͗͘͞R̤̠͕͐̽͛E̺͒ Y̧̟̥̑̋͝O͔̪̟͂̑̅U̢͒ ̲͈̽̈̌͟͠ͅÃ̭̩̯̅̈́R̞̭͐̓E̼̩͊̈́…̭̰̻̌͛̋ I̲̎̔͢'̡̫͉̇̽̌V̝͈̆̂̾͟E̦̅ ͖̅B̠̬̩͑́͡E̮̗̻̎̆̃͊ͅE̼̓Ń̛͉̬͍̻́̊ LO̡͂Ȯ͎͍̟̞̈́̅̋K͈̠̻̰̿̓͗̑I̻̝̬̓̓͑͘͜N̙̞͔̦͎̓͊͊̽̉Ǵ͉͍̻̺͎̃̿̽͗ ̏͟O̻͑U̳̠͌̑̓͟T̻́͋ͅ ̤͕̼̭͊̀́͠F̭̼͎̬̹͋͑͗̅̓OR̘͇̬̎̓͞ ͕̓̔ͅY̨̩̹͐̀̈Ǒ͈̣͕͌͞U̠͖̾͋͜͞.͖̥̙͍̈́̈́̆̋ ͓̇B̨̗͚̆̈͘Ū̜̞̬̕͘T͙͉͙̈́͠͞ ͎̝͓̔̓͂Î̥̺́͘͢Ţ̜̦̳̃͋̑̒'͎̝̻̊̀́Ṡ̮̋͟ ̥͈͑͘N̳͐Ǒ͟T̙͖̩͋̾͂ ͉͊͐͜T̨̙͊̕I̩͉͂͘M̹̤͛̀E̩͓̮̊̂̓͢͠ ̧̨̔̑F̢̬͈̩͛̓̽̒̋͜O̪̪̐̽Ŗ͇̘̦͙̇̎̆͝͡ ̛͎̥͑͆͟U͙͝S̺̩̰̣͒̀͒͡ ̟́T͍̗̔͐Ö̘͖̕ ̜͎͔̆̈́͠S̺͕̒͝P̡̺̃̓E̘̤̩̔́̓Ä̰́K ̨̡̻̑͛̐J̛̙͉̀Ủ̯̤̮͆́S͔̣̎̐̋͟T̜̜̳̫͑̏͋̍ ̳̩̓͠Ẏ̼̺͠Ĕ̬T̬̠̮̅́͟͡͞.̢̗͖̽͑̎ ̗̪̍̄YŌ̠̗̓U͔̺̼͕̿̾͆̈́ ̳̗̻̊͊̓H͇̠͈̻͛̇́̍A͓̺͎̿͛͌͘͢V̼̫̘̂̌̕Ẽ̼̞̲̠͛̐̄ ̦̝͘͝Ḁ͇̠̆̋͡ ̧̰͉̱͕̄̓̿̎̐D̮̫̪̓̋̆EC̹̋IṠ̭͙͉̲̯̽́͑͠I͕̾Ỏ̡N͒͢ ̨̤̈͛T̯͖̟̟͑̀͞͝Ȍ̩̘̳̳̓͛̕ ͕̭̻̜͌̃͐́M̪̐Å̢̦̌̚͜K̩̺̓̕E̲̅…̞̋"̛̦͓́̓͜
"Who are you?" Ayano asked, but the girl was suddenly gone. She saw another figure in front of her. Its body was disformed, made of a swirling pit of energy.
God.
"You only have one purpose," it told her. "Become the strongest, and destroy them all."
Ayano reached out, but God disappeared with the wind.
Destroy them all… Ayano repeated the words in her head, an endless mantra. Destroy them all…
"Join me," Psykos insisted, offering a hand. Time slowed down around them. Ayano stared into Psykos' vibrant green eyes.
Ayano held out her hand, reaching for Psykos'. Her eyes flashed red.
Psykos suddenly coughed, blood spilling down her mouth. A katana pierced her stomach.
"You…" she breathed. "Why, you…"
Ayano didn't say anything, pulling the katana out from her body. She simply stared at Psykos with lifeless, empty, doll-like eyes.
Psykos gritted her teeth, grabbing her bloody abdomen. "No, I am a fool… to think that you would work alongside me…"
She bowed her head. "This is the end…" Her eyes glowed. "... for you."
Ayano felt a wave of psychic energy grab her, squeezing her tightly. She was frozen still.
Psykos sat up, a maniacal grin on her face.
"YOU FOOL," she boomed. "DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD KILL 'THIRD EYE' LORD PSYKOS?!"
Psykos' form morphed and twisted, and she let out an inhuman scream. Power flashed around her. She grew in size, suddenly towering over everything. Her hair turned into long, glowing, dangerous strands. Her legs came out of a ginormous shell, matching her black eyes. Power throbbed around her, suffocating everything in sight. No longer was she human; she was a true monster. She and Orochi were one.
Effortlessly, Psykrochi twisted Ayano's arms around her back, as if they were bendy straws.
"I predicted that this might happen," Pskyrochi cackled. "So I came prepared to kill you. After all, if you can't join them… beat them!"
They slammed Ayano into the ground, breaking her back with a CRACK. Ayano's body went slack. Her form glitched. But her blank eyes continued to stare.
"I'LL CRUSH YOU, YANDERE," Pskyrochi screamed, summoning more of their power. "I'LL TURN YOU TO-"
They turned around, bawling their fists. Another force had taken hold of them.
"Psykos," Fubuki greeted, eyes full of fury.
"Fubuki," Psykorochi hissed, glaring at the woman.
Bang grimaced. He was furious. He had never been so mad. After learning about the death of Budo Masuta, he was out for revenge. He hoped Raibaru was safe, at least. The girl was almost like a granddaughter to him. He had known her for many years.
Older brother by his side, he faced down the army of monsters. And of course Genos was there as well.
"Stay back, young man," Bang told Genos. "My brother and I can handle this."
"I am the cyborg of justice," Genos replied. "It's my job to-"
"Genos," Bang gave him a harsh stare. "They have killed one of my disciples. I'm not leaving until I fight in his honour."
Genos was surprised to see him so serious. He clenched his fists.
"Many of the S Class heroes have already been taken out," he said. "Perhaps we should think about leavin-"
"Enough!" Tatsumaki shouted, defending herself from Black Sperm's clones. She glared at Genos. "You're pathetic if you think I'm going to lose to these idiots."
Still, blood was dripping down her face. Her arms were meekly trembling.
"You're the pathetic one, doofus," Itachi told her, folding his arms. "You guys don't have a chance against these monsters, do ya?"
Tatsumaki glowed a bright green. She glared back at the Black Sperm army.
"Itachi," Fureddo said, grabbing his fellow student's shoulder. "Calm down."
"Calm down?" Itachi laughed. "Are you kidding me, Fred? The S Class heroes are losing. The Hero Association is losing. We're done for."
Genos checked his scanners. "It seems the only S Class heroes still active aside from us are Puri-Puri Prisoner, Superalloy Darkshine, and Tatsumaki. The support team, including Kencho Saikou, has been taken out. I can't locate anyone else."
"See what I mean?" Itachi tch-ed. "We're done for."
"Incorrect," Genos replied. "There is one hero still roaming around. One hero who is stronger than all of us combined."
Itachi laughed. "Oh yeah? Who's that?"
Psykrochi gritted their teeth, glaring at Fubuki. King was standing there too, naturally. The famed S Class hero's King Engine was going off, similar to a warning siren.
King is here, Psykrochi thought, noticing his presence. I can sense his power from a mile away… no wonder he hasn't died yet. He isn't even injured! Incredible…
Rocks floated around King. He stood there nonchalantly.
I'm dead, he thought, trying not to whimper. I'm so dead.
Psykrochi gasped. King knows telekinesis?! Impossible! They shook their head. No… it's her.
"King, I do not intend to be in your way," Fubuki said, stepping forward, "but please leave that woman to me." She turned to Psykrochi, her eyes bitter and cold. "It's been a while, former vice president, 'Third Eye' Psykos."
That thing is Fubuki's old friend?! King thought, almost peeing himself. I wanna go home…
He felt something cold and metal slice his skin. His breathing stopped.
He turned around, seeing some kind of… creature. It looked like a schoolgirl, but her arms were covered in red strings. Her eyes were blood red.
His King Engine began beating faster than before.
"Wait…" his eyes narrowed in realisation. "Are you-"
A black blob suddenly slammed into the girl. Her form changed, becoming much more recognisable. She was human again, the red strings vanishing.
"What the Hell is that thing?" a monster asked. It was Black Sperm and some of his duplicates, giving Ayano Aishi a weird look.
"Pretty sure she's the thing Psykos wanted to recruit," another duplicate said. "She's looking pretty messed up."
Black Sperm and his doubles surrounded Ayano's form. They were joined by Gums and Homeless Emperor.
"Enough slacking off," Homeless Emperor grunted. "We still need to take down King. We'll need to-"
He was cut off by a hand reaching out of the ground. It wrapped around his neck.
"Zombieman?!" he choked out. "How are you still alive?!"
"You got me good," Zombieman spat, tone laced with venom. "You got me really good. But sadly for you, I'm not ready to die just yet."
Homeless Emperor cried out. He turned around, beginning yet another battle with Zombieman.
"Pathetic," Black Sperm huffed, rolling his eyes. "I'll take care of King myself!"
Unfortunately for him, other S Class heroes began emerging from the ruins: Puri Puri Prisoner and Atomic Samurai. Pig God emerged as well, with Atomic Samurai's disciples in his gut.
Ayano sat up. Her head was throbbing. Her vision was blurring. Red tinged the corners of her eyes.
I died again, she realised. But still…
She summoned Taro by her side. She stood up, noticing the S Class heroes.
She scowled. They are still alive… useless Monster Association. I must become stronger to kill them myself. No, I'll become strong enough to annihilate the Monster Association myself! Nothing here will survive.
Garou cursed himself. He was dying again, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Was it his monster transformation acting up? Or was he dying for real?
My body is acting strange, he thought. It's not obeying me anymore. Did I overdo it? And here I thought I already surpassed the human limit… heh. Because I'm still not dead… damn, I'm stupid.
He slumped over, vision blurring in and out. Ouch… I feel cold, and I can barely see… in the end, I'm just a human, in every definition of the word… but so are heroes, and even the monsters look like ugly and weak humans to me… tch, even that crazy bitch Ayano is a human…
He fell over, his body stinging.
I always knew the stand-points of heroes and monsters… just what was I trying to do? He laughed to himself. I hate unfairness… I hate people creating unfairness… was I really a human this whole time? So in the end… did I want to die like this?
Fubuki glared at Psykrochi. "You only gained in raw power… what's more important is flexibility and innovation. Didn't I teach you that, Psykos?"
My powers can't reach her… Psykrochi thought, scowling.
Ayano stared at her hands. Her body was glitching again.
Destroy the world… she thought. Yes… they will pay for their mistakes…"
Her strings wrapped around her, encasing her arms in red.
Garou, are you alive? she called. If you are… then you've become the monster you've always wanted to be. If you're dead… then you've died as the spineless human you wanted to get away from. Everything you've worked for would be meaningless.
Garou heard her voice.
Can't… he replied. Can't… move…
We all pay a price for power, Ayano continued. And there is a point of no return. Most people will not go up to that point. But we will, Garou. Because we're different. We will make the choice to pass that level of power. Because we are God.
Garou opened his eyes. He was in control. He was a monster.
"You were never a strong child, were you, Psykos?" Fubuki asked, avoiding Psykrochi's attacks. "One little prophecy drove you to insanity. And now look what you've become. You've fused with some ugly monster."
Psykrochi gritted their teeth. "It wasn't just 'one little prophecy', you idiot. Humanity is done for!"
They screamed, raising their arms. A wave of psychic energy went flying towards Fubuki.
"Do you really believe humanity will die so easily?" Fubuki asked, defending herself. "We've survived for thousands of years. Whatever is coming, we can handle it."
"Nothing's changed!" Psykrochi screamed, their form flailing. "You're the same idiot you've always been, Fubuki. A suck-up to your sister! No wonder you and Goddess' idiot brother get on so well."
"And yet you've changed so much," Fubuki retorted. "You were a good kid, Psykos. What happened to you?"
Psykrochi screamed, Psykos' voice piercing through. "Enough! You don't get it!"
Rocks went flying towards Fubuki, but she continued to defend herself. Pskyrochi's skin cracked. Their form was starting to dissipate.
"You can't hurt me," Fubuki hissed. "I learned to control my powers from my monster of a sister. You don't have a chance." She sighed, reaching out a sympathetic hand. "And besides… you're still in there, Psykos. You're just pretending to be bigger than you really are. But you couldn't keep it up for long, could you? Because in the end, you're nothing but a scared little girl."
Fubuki grimaced, clenching her fists. Thanks to her infernal older sister, she'd had an incredibly lonely childhood. Everyone had been terrified of her. She'd become cold and reclusive, but now she wanted to step out of the shadows. She wanted to prove herself.
Oh, Psykos… she thought, sighing as Psykrochi collapsed in front of her eyes.
"But what drove you to become insane, Psykos?" Fubuki asked. "What's the source of your madness? The ominous future you mentioned?"
"The source of madness?" a voice replied. "That'll be humans."
Fubuki turned around, seeing a monster standing above her. A shadowy figure, horns on his head.
"I am that ominous future," Garou said. "Disaster level 'God'."