Garou thought it couldn't get any worse. Everyone at school hated him. They all thought he was nothing but a monster, a thing to be pushed around, to be toyed with. And then she came along.
Megami Saikou, the epitome of perfection. She arrived at school in a helicopter, surrounded by bodyguards. As soon as she walked into the classroom, everyone knew she was the boss. She was mature, responsible, and intelligent: all traits of the perfect leader. But she was not a cruel and maniacal leader, she was passionate and powerful. She was cold, but not unkind. Sometimes, she was almost… too perfect. Some students believed everything she said and did had been written in a script and rehearsed.
Whatever the case, Garou almost immediately loathed her. She was too formal, too perfect, too brutal. A lot of students believed she was beautiful, too: long, silver hair, silver eyes, and a pristine uniform. Many students said she looked just like a goddess. Garou thought she looked like another faker.
And Garou knew she did not think highly of him. He often saw her watching him with a cautious scowl. She did not trust him. Fair game. Garou did not trust her either. Who did she think she was, coming into his school and acting like the big boss?
He tch-ed. She was just as bad as Tacchan.
"S-Saikou-san, what do you think of monsters?" a scared classmate had once asked Megami.
"Monsters are a threat to our society and should be eliminated," Megami replied, her voice calm. Her facial expression didn't even change. She was like a doll.
"What if a monster attacked us?" the same student asked, looking away nervously.
"I would not allow one to attack this school." Megami assured the student, still wearing the same expression and using the same tone.
Garou gritted his teeth. "Yeah, because you're soooo tough. You couldn't handle a monster, dumb moron."
Megami gave him a cold stare. "Perhaps we'll defeat the monster by sending you out to defeat it, Garou, since you seem to be rather confident in yourself."
Garou narrowed his eyes. "Don't underestimate monsters. They're stronger than you think!"
No one understands them, Garou thought. Especially not you.
"Underestimating a monster is a fool's mistake," Megami agreed, eyes cold, "and in this case, you are the fool, Garou."
Garou stood up. "Well, at least I'm not some cold heartless bitch!"
"Garou!" the classmates shouted.
"He said a bad word," some students gasped.
But Garou was on a roll.
"I'll show you how strong monsters are," he told Megami, shaking his small fists. "I'll… I'll kick your ass in a fight!"
Everyone gasped again.
Megami's cold stare pierced Garou's soul. "I would rather not waste my time in some pointless duel, Garou. Do you wish to be humiliated in front of the entire school?" Her face shadowed over. "Do you really want everyone to believe you are as low as a monster?"
Garou stepped back, a shiver going down his spine. He clenched his fists.
"Fight me," he growled. "FIGHT ME RIGHT NOW!"
Megami stood up. "If you really want to humiliate yourself so badly... then very well."
Megami and Garou stood in the school courtyard, facing each other down. Garou had his fists clenched by his sides. Megami's expression was blank. She appeared nonchalant, but Garou had a feeling she was merely putting on another facade.
Garou narrowed his yellow eyes.
"I'll show you," he muttered. "I'll show you how strong monsters are!"
Megami didn't say or do anything, of course. Garou charged towards her, crying out in rage. He held out his fist in the air…
.. and then he was on the ground. His arm was twisted behind his back, like a broken stick. Tears burned behind his eyes. He cried out, trying to get up, but his legs had become mush. Everything screamed in pain.
Megami was still silent. She simply stared at him, expression completely neutral. And that expression infuriated Garou more than any words she could've uttered. She didn't even look pleased that she'd defeated him. She had nothing but complete and utter apathy.
"I'll… I'll kill you," Garou promised, glaring at her with pure hatred. "I'll become a monster one day, and I'll kill you. I'll burn down this whole school. I'll tear apart your company. You'll be nothing but a rotting corpse, Megami Saikou. I swear it on my life."
He forced himself to stand up, feeling an unusual power blooming inside of him. The rage of a monster. Megami noticed it, by the way her expression darkened.
"Very well then," she decided. "I will promise you something as well, Garou. If you decide to follow through with this monster business, I personally will be the one to annihilate you."
Garou laughed. "Then it's a deal."
Monster and Goddess stared each other down once again.
Garou grinned, showing a clawed hand. "What do you think, eh, Goddess? I bet you thought I couldn't do it."
"It's not that I thought you couldn't do it," Megami replied, "it's that I hoped you wouldn't do it."
"What, you care about me?" Garou taunted.
"I care about threats to humanity," Megami replied, "and you are one of them, Garou."
Fureddo gasped, eyes wide. The other S Class heroes watched in awe.
"Damn her…" Atomic Samurai coughed. "Always stealin' our limelight…"
Ayano felt her fists tremble. It's her… Goddess… she's finally here…
Garou heard a beep from beside him. Out of nowhere, a barrage of missiles came flying in his direction. The ground exploded, debris flying through the air. Fiery balls went soaring in all directions, almost like a fireworks show. The Monster Association was crumbling apart.
Garou crawled out of the debris. Megami kept her expression apathetic as he approached. Unlike most heroes, she wasn't shocked or horrified when she saw he had survived. She was rather unusual in that way. She reminded him of Yan-chan, like that.
"Don't worry, Megami," he promised. "I'll get a scream out of ya."
He raced towards her, only to get held back by a net. The Saikou-Corp brand net known as the 'Dragon catcher'.
"Dragon-catcher, eh?" Garou asked, his grin growing wicked. "Well, that's too bad for you because…" He broke free. "I'M THREAT LEVEL GOD!"
He leaped towards her, holding out his fists. He slashed them like Bang would, but Megami easily avoided the move. She held out a large bazooka-type weapon, slamming it into the remaining ground. Parts of the ground were torn up, cracks flying everywhere. Garou jumped into the air, his vision set on the S Class hero. Just as he was about to approach her, she slammed the weapon into his body. He crashed into the debris.
He laughed. "Heh… I had a feeling you'd have some tricks up yer sleeve… but I've got more."
He jumped towards her, even faster than before. "SUPERALLOY BAZOOKA!"
Megami used a shield device to defend herself. Garou shattered the shield, but Megami used her staff to protect herself from his blows.
"Coward," Garou spat. "Hiding behind your shields and weapons. Fight me face to face."
"At least I'm not stealing attacks from others," Megami argued.
Garou laughed. "Stealing?! I'm making them better!"
He combined another one of Darkshine's moves with Flashy Flash's speed. Despite this, Megami was ready for him, deflecting him from her back.
Damn her, Garou thought, stepping back. How is she ready for every attack I throw at her?! It's like she… knows them from before…
"You know all these attacks," Garou grunted. "You been studying or something?"
Megami didn't respond. She pointed her staff at him.
Then Garou understood.
She's sizing me up, she thought. And she's probably been studying all of the moves from her fellow S Class heroes… she's fucking crazy. Almost as bad as that Yan-chan girl. I can see why they put her so high.
He lunged towards her, clashing with her staff. The weapon gave him an electric shock. As he stepped back, another shield formed around Megami.
"You really think you're tough, Megami?!" he asked. "You're barely even attackin' me! You've always been the same. You're a damn coward!"
Megami kept her expression neutral.
Garou tch-ed. I gotta kill her before she actually tries to attack me. She'll have something big planned.
He raced towards her, slicing past her shields. He grabbed her staff, ripping it out of her hands. Unfortunately, she had a back-up one right by her side. The two clashed, fighting back and forth.
"Doesn't matter how much ya size me up, Megami," he spat. "I've got infinite attacks. I'll take ya out."
A small, complacent appeared on Megami's lips. "And that is your fatal flaw. You believe you're the only one who has infinite attacks."
Suddenly, Megami changed her attack, punching Garou in the stomach. The punch was strong enough to send him flying. He immediately got back up, coughing blood.
"You caught me off-guard," he muttered.
Megami walked towards him, wearing her tiny smile.
"As you know, heroes are classed into four categories," Megami told him. "Physical, Psychic, Weaponry, and Machinery. Most heroes won't fight using techniques outside their given categories. But I'm not like most heroes." She stood above him, hair flowing in the wind. "I use all four categories to aid my attacks. So you see, Garou, one of your moves will not be enough to take me down. I have studied every move you have learned. I know exactly how they work, and how to combat them. Other heroes would struggle, but to me this is another victory. You have lost, Garou!"
Garou cackled. "You really think you've won, you stupid bitch?! You haven't seen anything yet!"
His form began changing again. His horns grew, his teeth sharpened, and his body hulked over. Megami's expression remained calm, naturally. Garou gritted his sharpened teeth.
"I'll show you a move you'd have never seen before," he told her. "Not even you will survive this one, bitch!"
"Megami…" Fureddo croaked, holding out a hand.
Kencho's eyes fluttered open. He glowered at his older sister.
Dammit, she's here, he thought. I hope that monster bastard kills her.
Pig God felt his stomach collapse. Can Goddess survive this one?
Miyuji hoisted herself up, standing next to her master. "President… stay strong… we're counting on you."
Megami braced herself. She sensed Garou's power.
I've never sensed any power like this before, she realised. This is something entirely new.
Garou lunged towards her, letting out a scream. He slashed through another shield. Megami barely avoided his blow, which tore up the ground beside her. Her expression darkened another ten-fold.
"MEG!" Aoi shouted. She clenched her fists. "I swear I'm gonna-"
Kuroko grabbed her arm. "No. Saikou-san insisted that she wanted to fight Garou alone."
"How'd ya like that?" Garou asked Megami, wearing his own complacent smirk. "Next time, I'm not gonna miss."
Megami stared at him. "Next time, I will not-"
Then his fist was right in front of her face, only a centimeter away from her eyes. The only thing that was holding him back was a bald man in a yellow jumpsuit.
"Uh, can someone explain what's going on here?" the bald man asked, casually holding Garou's arm. "Why are you trying to kill each other?"
Garou turned to glare at the bald man. "What the Hell… how did you…"
Saitama's gaze was just as nonchalant as Megami's. "Who are you? What are you doing?"
Megami eyed Saitama. "Caped Baldy, the hero presumed to be a fraud. Why are you here?"
Saitama glowered at her. "Call me Saitama, please."
Garou roared, sending his fist in Saitama's direction. Saitama leaped out of the way, the ground being destroyed yet again.
"What the Hell was that for?" Saitama demanded. "You trying to drag me into your squabble too?"
"'Squabble'?!" Garou demanded. "This isn't a squabble, small fry. You stopped me from punching Goddess!"
"Who's this Goddess everyone keeps talking about?" Saitama asked. "And if it's not a squabble, then what is it?"
"I am Goddess," Megami intervened. "S Class rank 2, and heiress to Saikou Corp."
"Oh," Saitama turned to her, casual. "That's cool. Hey, if you're Saikou Corp's heir, can you come look at my SaikouStation after this? I think it's broken."
Megami was almost bewildered. Most people were not this casual, especially in such a dire situation.
Garou tch-ed. "Did you forget about me, small fry?" He shook his head. "Ah, what the Hell. You're just another guy thinking he's real tough, aren'tcha? I bet you think you can take me down."
"You don't seem any different, though," Saitama argued. "You're just wearing some cheap costume. Are those horns handmade? Did you really think you could get away with being a monster with that get-up?"
"Okay, there's no saving you," Garou huffed. "Listen, small fry. I'm giving you the chance to get away. You're all looks anyway, an imitation model. You're nothing more than a sloppy B-Class hero. And speaking of costumes, what's with that get-up? I bet you don't take this hero thing very seriously, do you? It's a hobby for you. Once I take down the S Class and A Class, the Hero Association will naturally collapse like the frail beings they are. In other words, I have no time for a simpleton playing hero as a hobby."
"It's a hobby for you too, isn't it?" Saitama asked.
"What?" Garou demanded. "I gave you a chance to get away, but you still charge in, small fry? Are you saying our fight is inevitable?"
"No, that's not it," Saitama shook his head. "Us heroes are meant to look out for noisy troublemakers. Also, I saw you beating up some people, including the Goddess lady over there… wait, I'm getting off-topic. The only reason I came down here… is to tell you guys to keep it down."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Garou asked, curling his lip.
"I live in the neighbourhood," Saitama explained. "You guys are way too noisy, so keep it down. Also, my house has been destroyed. If you wanna play dress up and cause a bit of trouble, fine, but keep it in moderation, okay? So I want you to apologise. Or I'll kill you."
Megami narrowed her eyes. "Caped Baldy, you should-"
"Hold on a sec," Saitama raised a hand. "I want to hear him apologise."
"I get it," Garou hissed, laughly coldly. "I bet you think I'm still 'human' somewhere. I bet you're looking for that human part to shine through."
"Uh, no," Saitama said. "All I asked for is an apology. Who are you, anyway?"
"Me?" Garou asked. "I'm Garou the monster. I've also been called the 'Hero Hunter'."
"You're Garou?" Saitama asked, raising his brow.
"Oh, so you back-ends do recognize me?" Garou asked. "What will you do now? Will you act as a hero? You can't say this is none of your business. I bet the Hero Association is looking for some miracle to defeat me."
"That would be me," Megami said, making her way past Saitama. "I will defeat you, Garou."
"Don't be stupid, Megami," Garou taunted. "You can't defeat me." He turned his attention to Taro's half-dazed form, a smirk appearing on his lips.
It's Yan-chan's dumbass boyfriend, he thought. Heh… now she gets to watch him die too.
"Heh…" he laughed, pointing to Taro. "This guy is one of your students, isn't he, Megami? Well, guess what. I'm gonna kill him, and you won't be able to stop me."
Isn't that guy Ayano's friend? Saitama thought, gazing at Taro.
Megami pulled out her staff, narrowing her eyes. "Garou-"
"Megami Saikou."
Megami perked up at the sound of the voice, seeing another helicopter approaching. Standing inside that helicopter was a man with silver hair and sharp eyes.
"Father," Megami cursed.
"Oh-ho, I guess your daddy's gonna get to watch your epic failure too, Megami," Garou chuckled. "I'll put on a great show for this lovely family reunion."
"I don't think so," Saitama spoke up. "You're not gonna kill that guy."
"Oh yes I am," Garou snapped. "Why do you think I won't?!"
"Because you're not really a monster," Saitama said. He sighed. "And if you really wanna kill Ayano's friend… then I'll have to kick your ass first."
He made his way towards Garou, his expression stone-cold.
"Kick my ass?" Garou chortled. "Really..? Did I hear that right? You're walking to me with no hesitation… I guess you've got a death wish."
"You chicken?" Saitama asked.
"Don't make me laugh," Garou growled.
"Caped Baldy, fall back!" Megami ordered. She turned back to her father, and a group of bodyguards. They suddenly surrounded her, leading her away. Another group of bodyguards retrieved Kencho as well.
Fureddo shook his head. Wait, Goddess is going…? He turned to the battle between Saitama and Garou. But if anyone can beat Garou…
At the speed invisible to most eyes, Garou sent a barrage of punches flying towards Saitama. Dust and smoke swirled into the air, obscuring the view.
"That's what happens to the powerless who praise justice," Garou chuckled. "Fool. His entire body will be smashed. He'll never work as a hero aga…"
The smoke cleared, and Saitama was completely fine.
"What…" Garou stepped back.
Saitama slammed his fist into Garou's body, sending him flying. His body crashed through the ground, leaving a trail.
"Even with power, those that praise evil usually end up like that," Saitama said, staring at Garou's crumpled figure. "This is the first time a monster has gone easy on me. Then again, I don't think you're really a monster. In fact, you're a rather soft guy."
Ayano's eyes fluttered open. She saw Saitama above her.
"He... wins… again…" she breathed.
Saitama saw her lying on the ground. "Oh, hey, Ayano. Wow, you don't look too good. You wanna go to the hospital after this?"
Garou… she called out. You cannot defeat him…
Don't talk to me, you fucking idiot, Garou cursed at her. There's no one I can't beat!
No, Garou, Ayano said. Saitama isn't like the other humans. You cannot defeat him. At least… not without my help.
Oh fuck off, Garou thought, racing towards Saitama once again. He hasn't tasted my God Slayer Instant Attack!
Garou got into a stance that reminded Saitama of Bang. He breathed in, fixing his body. Then he swung at Saitama again, blow after blow. He used every bit of strength he had. Not a single one made an impact.
Bastard, he can see all my moves, Garou thought. His technique is still that of a complete amateur's.
He narrowly avoided Saitama's fist.
"GOD SLAYER INSTANT ATTACK!" Garou boomed. He sent another barrage of blows towards Saitama. Saitama easily dealt with the blows, even delivering some of his own. They fought back and forth, Garou noticing Saitama's apparent ametuer skills.
"You're strong and powerful, I'll give you that, but you've got no skills," Garou told him. "I'm a prodigy; I can read you like a book. I'll figure out your moves and I'll debunk you in a second. There's no way you're going to win this fight."
To his surprise, Saitama laughed.
"I'm impressed," Saitama admitted. "But in the end, you're still soft, aren't you, Garou?" He smiled. "Mind if I get serious?"
"Huh?" Garou asked.
Saitama narrowed his eyes. "Super Move Serious Series."
A/N: Next chapter is the last chapter of season 3! Hope you're ready…