Disclaimer: I don't own One Punch Man
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[Genos – 3:00PM]
Long ago, there was a young, genius scientist. He directed his immense intellect toward making numerous contributions around the world. But the world disappointed him. People praised the genius of his mind but rejected the idea that obsessed him. Instead of developing human civilization, his one dream was the artificial evolution of human species, though no one would cooperate.
At a young age, Ichirou Genus (1) pained him to see his kind act like primitive animals. The imperfections they displayed were glaringly obvious that it was hard for Ichirou to accept living in a society with them. Thus, he spent learning throughout his early years a way to improve his species – surpassing the standards and limits – so he could finally call this world his home.
He was fifteen when he thought of his plan for evolving the human race.
Most whisper 'crank' behind his back. Others flat out call him 'mad' despite the hundreds of awards and merits he received but Ichirou's fellow scientists don't understand the situation. Monsters pop here and there like unwanted weeds, and humans were nothing but weak worms compared to them. The risks of his research might far outweigh the benefits but with evolution… humans could fight back. Unfortunately, not a single soul can realize Dr. I. Genus' great plan.
So he experimented alone.
Bearing no fruit.
Until…
The cell under his observation stabilized. Its original human gene accepted an entirely different gene and Dr. Genus gasped in shock. Finally, after seventy years his hard work paid off.
"He regained his youth and then created clones of himself." Armored Gorilla was so lost in the story of his creator that he failed to notice the bald man tapping his foot aggressively in impatience, "Together, they performed countless of animal experiments before moving on to human subjects. He called their laboratory House of Evolution and their experiments gave birth to new species far better than humans. Strong, fast, adaptable. We are capable of many things including immunity to diseases. The doctor desired for the world—"
"Cut the crap!" Saitama's outburst halted the ape's speech, mouth shut and eyes wide, terrified of what the hero might do to him. "Just give us the main points."
Genos silently agreed. The short moment he shared with the older man, he learned not to waste precious minutes of his life as they could have done something more valuable. Like in this situation, where the three of them gathered, someone else needed medical attention.
"Master is busy. Shorten that to twenty words or else."
"S-sorry." He stuttered at the whirl from Genos's palm, his battered eyes straying at the pile of debris near his left, "So… in other words... Our boss wanted his unfinished experiment back."
Saitama observed the eye he lifted and said, "Sorry. I kinda destroyed them."
"That is not what he meant, Master." Genos had an idea who they were after, judging by their fight awhile ago. "My senses alerted me of a small signature running from a group of foreign ones back in your place and I believe it is the reptilian child who they wanted."
Saitama stared at him, looking puzzled.
As expected of his master, the man had been active in searching for villains to eliminate that a small time rumor of a cult preaching New Humanity for a New World(2) never gained his interest. Nevertheless, now that they had information Armored Gorilla provided Genos felt it wasn't wrong for him to assume that their party involves numerous illegal human experimentation. If Yamori prove to be the product of it, the 'unfinished experiment' could mean more testing would be performed and he doubt those to be anything but pleasant.
"Master. We cannot allow their activities to continue."
His master's slightly bent spine straightened at his bold declaration, Saitama looked sharper than before. Gone was the idle man who welcomed him hours ago and was replaced by a strong hero he so admired.
Saitama nodded, "Yeah. Let's go."
"Now?!"
He gestured for Genos to come along, cape fluttering quite dramatically, "We'll ask them to repair my ceiling cuz' tomorrow's bargain day so I can't go then."
I see. One does need nourishment after all. Genos wondered which food made Saitama invincible. From past researches Genos had done, he can conclude it was anything but ordinary.
Turning his attention back to Armored Gorilla, his glare hardened.
"I still have questions for you. Did the House of Evolution develop any cyborgs more than a few years ago? How many cyborgs do you have? And have you sent any cyborgs to destroy a number of towns in the past?"
It took Armored Gorilla almost a minute to respond. And his reply did not satisfy Genos. His search for the Mad Cyborg would have to sit in wait again for who knows how long.
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[Genos – 7:00PM]
"I did not think we would run the whole way."
"Is there any other way?"
The casual reply had Genos stare briefly at his mentor. No signs of fatigue could be seen, nor were traces of sweat on Saitama's armor he called skin. Even as he supported an unconscious baggage. They had been running nonstop for 3 hours and 54 minutes and Genos' internal machinery were starting to overheat. Saitama on the other hand... the man carried himself as if he was exempted from exhaustion.
"I thought perhaps you could fly"
"Humans can't fly."
Understandable.
"It's impressive that you still arrive on time."
Genos reached the mountain top first. Winds were strong and loud, that his advanced sensor in his ears failed to detect whatever Saitama's reply was.
At the middle of the forest, there stood a lonely, grey building. Why no one bothered to check this place was beyond Genos' comprehension. It looked daunting and suspicious. The exact words Armored Gorilla said when he explained where their base was.
"We have arrived."
They descended, Saitama slowly and carefully moved more for Yamori's sake. The kid had been dressed in Saitama's smallest article of clothing and thus appeared younger than before when he wasn't wearing drags.
At the bottom of the mountain, Genos eyed the security cameras following their movements.
Crouching low, he ignored the heat in his torso and the 'blip' of notification suggesting him to cool down for a minute or two. But rest wasn't on his mind right now. With more time the enemies were given, the less chance they have for surprise attacks.
Pulling his arms back, the repulsors glowed yellow before massive blast of fires were released at his push.
The air rippled and the building exploded with an ear-splitting boom. Smoke gathered at the stratosphere, forming a cloud of gray-like mushroom.
From his lips, a puff of steam escaped.
From his right, someone cursed, "Holy shit!" and Genos knew it wasn't Saitama.
"Why did you do that?" Yamori landed on his butt in a state of shock. "Ow... You're that strong?"
Genos blinked. He didn't know which question should he answer first. He had anticipated the distress earlier due to how loud the explosion was but the disbelief marred the younger boy's face was unexpected. There seemed to be emotions conflicting within Yamori as his fingers twitched, gaze turning back and forth from them and to the burnt, now empty clearing.
"This is the most efficient way to wipe them all out."
"Dude." Saitama scratched the back of his head and stared at him blankly, "You could've at least give them a chance to fight back."
"That would be a waste of productivity."
Saitama shrugged, "It's fun that way."
"Uhh."
There, struggling to stand up on his trembling legs, Yamori pointed at an area littered by debris. Upon closer inspection, Genos noted a metallic trapdoor hiding under rocks and dust.
"That looks like an entrance to the basement." Saitama commented as he walked over to it, fingers gently prying the edges before ripping it off. Completely.
Genos was about to follow Saitama when the latter descend down the stairs, his footsteps creating dull thumping noise as he said, "Woah. The tunnel is huge." but halted. Looking behind, he saw Yamori fidgeting in place.
"You're coming with us."
"Why?"
Why? There were plenty of reasons why the younger should come with them. Not only will he be protected from danger seeing as he and Saitama were capable and strong individuals, it is also the fact that the explosion Genos created would result to unwanted attention. And Yamori, when discovered near the site, might bring unnecessary conclusions. Conclusions that spelled trouble for the already distraught teen.
"The cyborg who attacked you four hours back said you're an unfinished experiment and they wanted you back." Yamori's jaw dropped, "Whatever is wrong with you, now is a good chance to correct it before we decimate them."
His mouth closed, then opened once more. Yamori can't seem to put his mind into words as he stuttered, "Y-You're..."
"Hey. What's taking you guys so long?"
He didn't get to finish a sentence. A familiar bald head gleamed under the moonlight and Saitama peeked to look at them. Eyebrows raised, and waiting.
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If I were to take the situation this morning from a different set of eyes, I'd say I got lucky surviving three near death events, but being involved with these two main protagonists I think the phrase 'three strikes and you're out' would surely apply to me. And then my death would be guaranteed by the fourth disaster coming my way. Yey.
Though, nothing is what it seems these days. Especially now that my presence complicated the plot.
The doctor was concerned we wouldn't be able to capture you, you slippery snake.
A heavy feeling sat on my gut, telling me that more would change and I should better be prepared for the worse. Bad things developed when I refused to acknowledge it, and what happened this morning was like the warning growl of a bear after I poke it with a stick.
Except it was a gorilla.
Then the next thing I knew, I woke up to my ears ringing. I was deaf for a second, unable to hear my voice as I cursed. And then I found out we're here. At the House of Evolution — the same place I remembered having to look at my new body, foreign, non-human, and invisible surrounded by clones of my creator.
Before we decimate them.
They were the first people I saw in this dangerous place and although our time together was brief, I couldn't help my heart sinking at the thought that they were gone. Only rubble remained from the once 30-or so floor tower.
You're going to kill them?
These were the words I wanted to say but got stuck at the back of my throat instead, lost and will never be heard again. In all honesty, I was afraid of what Genos might say. Our first meeting did not end up well, even though I tried to reason with him, he is dangerous. The soft ringing of my instincts even agreed. Flashes of light coming from his metallic palm, or the fist closing in on my face... It was a nightmare.
Yet, I followed them.
Reluctantly.
Their backs were on me as I walked from behind. I haven't been in this part before. Everywhere I looked the same bland walls greeted my sight and I admit, I was getting tenser by exploring the tunnels. Anytime now, the House of Evolution's number 1 elite would appear. Genos will be slapped into a modern art, Saitama will have a one-sided brawl with the monster and Dr. Genus will have a change of heart.
Or not.
"I'm sensing three life forms in that direction," Genos noted. "It's two now, the other disappeared."
I grimaced while the back of Saitama's head dip in a nod, and commented, "The gorilla did say he created clones of himself. Kinda weird don't you think?"
"It is. Seeing hundreds of oneself's copies is off-putting."
Their small talk was cut short. The hairs on my neck stood rigid and I stopped breathing. Genos must've sensed danger as well when he suddenly halted in place.
"Master! Someone is heading this way!"
By now, the rapid bang-bang-bang which were almost silent awhile back grew louder. From the darkness at a distance, Carnage Kabuto's figure showed. Like in the anime, he was a massive horned beetle with pink markings.
In panic, I tried to conceal myself. Except, I was wearing Saitama's clothes.
In a matter of seconds, he was upon us. His huge, muscular arms loomed above casting the space around with his shadow. And-
SMASH!
For the second time today, my back crashed into a wall and I lost all the air in my lungs from the pain. Carnage Kabuto's hand pushed Genos and I aside leaving Saitama with his mouth agape in confusion, even when a stray rock managed to hit his temple, he just looked at us. I would have written a question mark on his forehead for giggles if Carnage Kabuto wasn't holding us still.
"Hi. The name's Carnage Kabuto." He grinned. My eyes immediately widened in fear. The craziness in the monster's eyes unsettled me greatly, him levelling me a stare, mouth stretched into a wide, wide, smile as his other hand reached for my head. How could he see an invisible person was beyond my understanding. "I'm here to take this trash away."
Genos acted at the instant. A blast hot enough had Carnage Kabuto withdraw slightly, and it was exactly the window of opportunity for us to slip under.
Trying to ignore the burning sensation of my flesh while dragging my sore body was taking away all the concentration I have in ducking another punch sent our way.
"You made Genos look like modern art!"
I dragged myself into Saitama's side. At the sight a cyborg with his face plastered on the wall, empty eye socket and deep cracks adorned on his artificial skin, I find myself guilty at Genos' situation.
Boisterous laughter echoed along the suffocating tunnels. It grated my nerves since he found amusement in the pain of others. Dr. Genus, for all the achievements his high intellect got him, just had to create this insane, hard to control monster hell-bent on destruction. And I, for once, glad I wasn't engineered to be like Carnage Kabuto.
"Leave them alone you bully!" I shouted, nearly spitting acidic saliva at his feet if it wasn't for Saitama holding me in place. He angled his body in between us. His back might be facing me but I could imagine his features showing a bit of anger.
"Oh-ho? And what are you gonna do?" Carnage Kabuto taunted, even going as far as to bent forward mocking our height, "Fight me?"
Saitama did not reply.
I watched, shivering in trepidation as the older man shortened the distance into arm's length.
And punched.
Sudden gusts of air flew in all directions. I wasn't prepared for the strong and pressurized winds that cut my arms in a futile attempt of protecting my face. I know Saitama could level mountains and separate clouds apart just from watching him in television, but holy crap, seeing it in close proximity and experiencing the effects of his normal punch had me speechless. I doubt this was 1 percent of his strength because the walls weren't even destroyed.
Meanwhile, Carnage Kabuto was thrown at the opposite end of the tunnel and Saitama was nowhere to be seen.
I heaved out a tired breath, shoulders sagging at the mess I found myself in. This wouldn't have happened if I had stayed at the studio instead of wandering the streets and looking for some water to steal. But alas, someone wanted my involvement in this world. So even though my muscles were screaming for rest, the shows got to move on and head where Genos was. Grabbing one of his arms, I pulled while gritting my teeth because damn this cyborg weigh a ton.
"How!"
I pulled again.
"Can you!"
I pulled harder.
"Be so heavy?!"
Finally, with the last ounce of strength in me, I managed to remove Genos out of the wall. We fell on the ground gracelessly but I couldn't bring myself to care. There was a lot of creaks and cracks in the process of pulling him out, which my mind paid no attention, so I doubt the dislocated shoulder wasn't the only damage I made.
"The metals incorporated in my body are lightweight. You must've been more exhausted than what I presumed if an enhanced individual like you couldn't pull me out in single try."
Tch. Chatty cyborgs. "Shut up!"
"...you asked me a question, Yamori. It's only polite to give you an answer."
Eyebrows furrowed and lips dipped down, I stared at Genos in disbelief because of all reptiles in the world, it just had to be a gecko?
"You're unbelievable. Yamori is not my name!"
The camera on Genos' remaining eye shifted — probably examining my appearance and associating it with geckos just because he can — before I realized I am nothing here. This body did not exist 2 months ago, and I was so busy half wallowing in depression and the other half stealing for food that I forgot to give myself a name.
Now that Genos started the discussion, I refuse to call myself Trisha. Linking my current self to the old one was like opening a can of worms. The memories of the girl stressing over simple things and arguing over which fruit tastes best were better if I left it behind even though it pains me to forget.
I've always wanted to have an angelic name like Cael.
"Midori?"
"No way!"
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Genos started to run and left me alone to follow when we turned around the corner. Tall, double doors destroyed at its hinges were like blaring signs for Genos to sprint, limping a little towards where the fight would be held. If I wasn't so sore, I'd applaud his dedication to Saitama and his desire for power but running took a toll on me as I huffed, "Wait up!"
When this is over, exercising will be the first thing I'll do in the morning. Pinky swear.
I was a few meters away from the entrance. There stood Genos supporting himself by the ruined doorframe, his arm outstretched, releasing whatever firepower was left in his repulsor.
And then he was gone. The last thing I caught was a blurred image of him.
I slowed down into a stop.
The consecutive faint sounds of ground breaking caught my ears, and the pipes above rattled. Some gave away to fractures and released drops of liquid which smelled like gasoline. It irritated my nose, but what brought my annoyance meter to peak was the sight of Dr. Genus standing ramrod straight, hand clashed behind his back and looking nonchalant as if his laboratory wasn't destroyed.
"Hello child. I've been monitoring you." He greeted while adjusting his eyeglasses back in position. I admit, the act intimidated some part in me that I took a small cautionary step back. Because what's worse than hearing '...been waiting for you' from a psychopath than 'hey, so I have been keeping you under observation since the day you escape lol'. That's just plain creepy.
I didn't bother hiding my grimace as I asked, "How? Grocery store's CCTV cameras?"
"While I did checked the video surveillance of the places you frequent, I sent a drone together with Mosquito Girl a week ago in hopes of recording your fight with her." The first expression I found on Dr. Genus' face was none other than exasperation, and it brought me joy how I foiled his plans unknowingly, "But you fought a cyborg instead."
My shoulders shrugged, "Enjoyed it? I discovered I have acid spit that day."
The smile he sent my way should've been disturbing like in the anime: lips stretched from ear to ear showing his immaculate, white teeth. However, it was anything but that and I couldn't interpret the emotion he portrayed.
So I tried examined his face, searching for deceit.
Only to fail.
"I admit it was rewarding seeing your powers at play." Dr. Genus started to advance. Carnage Kabuto's maniacal laughter boomed at the background. "Being able to replace the burnt limbs in split seconds, acidic saliva, poison sweat and camouflage… You could have been more perfect if you didn't escaped."
"Just so you know if you're here to take me, I'll give you one hell of a struggle." I growled lowly, glaring daggers at the approaching figure and wishing how my anger could melt the proud look he sported.
"I could, but I won't"
Huh?
As the distance grew closer, I manage to take a good look at him. Dark bags circling his blue eyes made him appear like those typical scientists running with only 2 hours of sleep and going for their fourth cup of coffee. His cheeks were hollowed out as if he hadn't eaten for days and deep lines of wrinkles decorated his pale skin making the once handsome doctor appear old - older than 2 months ago.
"With what equipment, child?" He paused, gesturing his arms around, "There's no more House of Evolution for me to work on. No clones to help me achieve my ambition of creating new humanity in this monster infested place."
This person before me, mad with the power of his superior intellect, all but preached artificial evolution was losing his composure. His carefully crafted mask began to collapse as various range of emotions showed on his wide eyes.
"All my hardwork and only four gets to survive-"
We both suddenly turned to look at the source of splatter. In the training room where Genos and Saitama were, dark chunks of flesh and exoskeleton with neon green markings rained.
"-now three." Dr. Genus clicked his tongue in disappointment before releasing a heavy sigh.
There seemed to be a lot going on that mind of his. In canon, Dr. Genus was never this miserable after the death of Carnage Kabuto, but right now, it was as if he carried the whole world on his shoulders and the weight of it was dragging him down. Frankly, he looked to be on the verge of giving up.
My soft heart ache at the sight and I couldn't help offering sympathy.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
Dr. Genus shift to face me, his voice empty as he said these two words that caused him so much misery, "I'm dying."
That sucked the breath out of my lungs.
What happened to eternal youth? His fountain evaporated? Where's the canon? He's not supposed to die oh my goodness especially when could put his intelligence into good use. He even manufactured octopuses for this takoyaki business. Is he just going to leave me alone?!
Vaguely, I heard Genos' robotic voice at the back of my mind prompt me to ask regarding my 'unfinished' state before the doctor kicks the buckets. However, I was in shock that I couldn't speak. I listened instead as he elaborated his dire situation.
"The House of Evolution was made for the sole purpose of genetic modification for the enhancement of human beings. I was a young scientist many years back when monsters begun to emerge and we were outclassed."
From the corner of my eye, I happen to see Saitama supporting a steaming cyborg.
"You and the others were designed to be heroes."
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6/25/2019
(1) The "I" in Genus is unknown so I picked the Ichirou for him. Meaning, first born.
(2) NHNW is not canon. I made it up. And if you think you can guess what it is about, tell me and maybe I'll reward you with a filler chapter of your liking.
To RandomCitizen: hormones are confusing things, of course I'd include that in my story hahaha but romance will never be part of this fic.
Any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors are my fault. Sorry in advance.