The world was a blur. Everything moved at different speeds, which constantly shifted every second. One moment, it was slow. The next, it was so fast that mirages and after images of the scenery appeared, making it difficult to determine what was and wasn't real.
The wound created by the unknown assailant wasn't contributing to this. It'd been quickly repaired with stone. A far greater issue caused the fatigue. One that was evolving into a crisis.
Progressively, the light was fading. The warmth was disappearing. Was this the cold? If so, it was...eerily soothing. However, recent events likely influenced that perception.
"Will...I see them again?..." A voice questioned as it marched through a woodland area. Its feet felt so heavy that its legs struggled to lift them. "Are they waiting...in a greater place?..." It wondered.
Before long, visions manifested. Memories. A beautiful environment of rock and magma. Carefully carved structures and homes. A subterranean utopia.
Arrogance. Greed. Pride. These were the main causes behind this outcome. A promise of claim to the surface. All they needed to do was what they were best at. That was the deal.
After the initial work had begun, the deal changed. It wasn't a deal anymore. Work or die. That was it. Those beautiful rivers and pools of magma would be used for power. Those who relied on them would be slaves. Any who disagreed became examples.
What was the goal now? Where was the destination? Step by step, the voice moved forward. But why? There wasn't a point, was there? It was meaningless. The best course was to let the fire die. Embrace the cold. Be reunited with those who were lost...
...
...
No. Stop that. They gave everything for your freedom. Your escape. Your chance. This fire isn't yours alone. It is the hope of the sacrificed. Keep it burning. Fuel the flame. That is all that matters.
With focus regained, the world became clear again. The motions settled. The steps became easier. The cold was pushed back with warmth. Keep going. Don't-
...
...
Something...was amiss. A clearing in the woods. Trees on all sides. The only presence seemed to be the wind blowing through the forest. So, why was there a pause?
"...Sharp senses." A new voice spoke. It came from every direction. The wind helped to hide the origin. "Most wouldn't know I'm near until they feel my sword against their neck. Then again, you aren't human. Naturally, you'd have some abilities or powers that would make it easier." It stated.
No. Not again. NOT. THIS. TIME. No more reaction. No more waiting. ACT.
Instantly, four swords were drawn. They flared with passionate power. In one motion, their wielder twirled. Together, the swords' energy combined to make a perfect circle of radiating heat.
The circle traveled at an incredible speed. When it reached the trees, they disintegrated. That's the only fitting way to describe it. There wasn't even a threat of a greater fire happening because they'd been reduced to cinders so swiftly.
Twelve feet was the radius. It could've been bigger, but the wielder was too weak. Was that a needless expenditure of energy? Possibly. But hopefully, that dealt with whatever pest had been-
Clap. Clap. Clap.
From the left, a sound appeared. There was no mystery as to what it was. Standing there was a human clad in white. Long golden locks hung from their head. The applause they gave seemed genuine, yet still, it carried a patronizing aura. Although, that could just be how it felt on the receiving side.
"A smart decision. You've eliminated any potential for concealment within the immediate vicinity." The human, a man, praised his attacker. "Unfortunately, this has created a dangerous situation. Now, you've forced me to face you. What's your next move?" He asked.
On the man's hip, there was a sheathed sword. Was he another hero? That was the only logical assumption. Furthermore, why would he randomly be in the middle of a forest? The answer: It couldn't be random.
"...Quiet, aren't you?" The man inquired after a few seconds of silence. "Fine, then. I'll speak, you'll listen. I don't know who or what you are. Neither is important. Currently, you've done nothing wrong. The destruction dealt to the forest just now can be easily remedied. So, before you make a decision that you'll regret, why don't you lower your weapons and talk to me?" He suggested.
Another attempt at trickery? It was more heroes could be waiting nearby. So, a defensive posture was assumed. The four swords were readied for anything that came their way.
"I see. You're going to make this difficult..." The man sighed. "Fine. I'll indulge. A minute is what I'll give you." He stated.
Suddenly, the man vanished. How? Did he have powers?
FWOOSH
A massive burst of wind. It assaulted the wielder of the swords. However, the purpose wasn't to cause damage. Instead, it was to weaken the weapons.
Normally, air was a useful tool for fueling fire of any kind. But if the gust were too strong or cold, it would do the opposite. That was the man's intent. From all sides, somehow, the man was sending forth a never-ending series of gales. All the while, the man remained unseen.
Before long, the articles that concealed the man's target started flying off. One by one, they were cast to the side or far into the horizon over the trees. Eventually, none would remain. At last, the wielder of the swords was revealed.
Standing at thirteen feet tall, it was a bipedal creature of stone. Was there flesh as well? Hard to say. The body was as black as a starless sky. There were other colors to be noticed, but they were very dim.
Firstly, there was a deep blue light that glowed throughout the entity's body. Secondly, there were three white lights arranged in a triangular shape on its face where the eyes would typically be. Both sources of illumination flickered and dimmed in rapid succession.
However, more eye-catching than the lights was the condition of the creature's body. To say that it was in rough shape would be a compliment. The simplest way to summarize the damages would be to visualize a brick wall that a multitude of sledgehammers has aggressively assaulted. Dents, chips, missing chunks, the works. Additionally, it seemed there was once a unique fixture atop the creature's head. Perhaps a crown or headdress of some sort? Regardless of the specifics, it barely remained. All that was left were small jutting fragments.
"Ah, so there you are." The man's voice spoke once the entity was exposed. "I'll confess, I wasn't expecting you to already be in a state of injury. Why insist on fighting, then? You're in no condition for it." He asked.
Respond? Stay silent? Did either option have more merit than the other? Ultimately, it came down to preference.
"...I...won't...lay down...and die..." The creature spoke, albeit barely. The man wasn't surprised. He expected as much given its condition.
"You're the one who took up arms." The man reminded the entity. "I didn't want to do this. I have no reason to. You've not harmed any people. You're not an active threat. Put down your blades and let this end peacefully." He instructed.
"So...I can...be executed?..." The creature questioned, maintaining its defensive stance.
"This is going nowhere." The man thought. "Fine. I'll bring this to an end. You have only yourself to blame." He stated.
The creature prepared itself for another attack by squinting its eyes and waiting for an assault. The man still hadn't revealed himself. Most likely, he was using a form of camouflage. All the entity needed to do was be patient and-
BAM
It sounded like an explosion. It wasn't. A massive discharge of sound erupted from the point of contact between the back of the creature's neck and the scabbard of the man's sword. Due to the entity being made of stone, he wasn't sure if this would render it unconscious. If it didn't, then he'd resort to delivering a series of blunt attacks with the sheath until the creature was subdued.
Thankfully, as the non-human fell forward and its hands released the four magma swords, the man received his confirmation. With a soft thud, the creature landed on the dirt. No movement. It was unconscious.
"Hm, I think it's still alive." The man muttered beneath his breath, carefully examining his foe. "It's not made of flesh, so it might not need to breath. The blue light still glows, so that must be a good sign." He said.
"Sensei!"
Two voices called out. As the man tracked them back to their origin, he found his disciples running toward him.
"That was incredible!" Frog Man exclaimed, eyes shining with amazement.
"Yeah! You beat that guy in one move!" Ground Dragon joined in, equally astounded.
"Ah. So, it's male?" The man replied, focusing back on the slumbering creature.
"Er, maybe?" Ground Dragon began as he and Frogman looked at the entity as well. "I just assumed because it didn't have...well, you know..." He confessed.
"I see. So, you're a pervert." The man commented.
"W-WHAT?! NO!" Ground Dragon shouted, eyes widening again for a different reason. "SENSEI! PLEASE! DON'T SAY SUCH THINGS ABOUT-"
"FLASHY FLASH!"
Another new voice. As the trio traced it, they saw a chrome ape rushing toward them. Remember, the creature had burnt every tree in a twelve-foot radius to nothing. So they had a very clear view of the immediate area.
"Armored Gorilla." Flashy Flash greeted once the simian was close enough. "What're you doing here? Were you pursuing this non-human?" He asked.
"Yes, sir. It's a long story." Armored Gorilla confirmed, coming to a stop a few feet from the ninja. "The short version is this: I was sent by One Punch Man to find the creature and do my best to assure it that we only wanted to help. If this proved impossible, I was to contact Genos, who would then inform the others, that assistance was needed." He informed him before looking at the non-human. "However, it seems I am too late and you've already handled the situation." He noted.
"...One Punch Man?" Flashy Flash questioned after considering the summary. "Wasn't he far from Ghost Town today with Genos? My understanding was that they'd be training in the chasm he uses to prevent accidental collateral damages." He inquired.
"He was, sir. But he brought Genos to Ghost Town to instruct him on how he should conduct himself while on patrol." Armored Gorilla explained.
"Of course. Thorough as ever." Flashy Flash responded, praising his leader. "Another question. Did Genos attack the creature? Did it attack them first? Regardless of which, is that why it's so badly damaged?" He asked.
"Uh, no..." Armored Gorilla answered. "You see, sir. To fully understand the circumstances that led to this moment, I'll need to give you the long version of the story. Do you mind?" He asked.
"Not at all." Flashy Flashy answered. "However, we shouldn't keep One Punch Man waiting. If you would, please pick up the non-human and carry them as we walk." He requested.
"Right away, sir." Armored Gorilla replied.
A Short While Ago...
Gunshots. Typically, they're not a sign of anything good. Armored Gorilla was enjoying a nice walk in Ghost Town when he suddenly heard the sound of gunfire. Although he was meant to keep a low profile, the cyborg simian couldn't ignore such a thing, especially since he was meant to become a hero!
With haste, Armored Gorilla ran through the streets. With his technology, he could easily pinpoint their location. He was several miles away, but that's just how quiet Ghost Town was. Even if you were on the opposite side of the district, you'd hear gunshots as clearly as if you were right next to them.
Soon, the chrome ape reached his destination. Awaiting him was a shocking sight. Zombieman and Kombu Infinity, who looked like a bush of seaweed, were kneeling beside Mosquito Girl. Her body was covered in multiple burns, and her wings seemed to be gone. They were likely burned away. These injuries were visible due to whatever caused them, having burned through her clothes. She wasn't naked, mind you. Only the damaged areas were revealed.
"Shit...it hurts..." Mosquito Girl grunted through gritted teeth.
"I thought you had healing capabilities? Like me." Zombieman inquired.
"I do. But these burns...they're not normal..." Mosquito Girl responded, looking at her wounds. "I...don't know what it is...but they're preventing me from recovering..." She said.
"Do you need some blood?" Kombu Infinity asked. They stuck their arms out from behind the wall of seaweed that concealed them.
"I am NOT drinking your blood! You're still on THIN ice after that stunt you pulled!" Mosquito Girl passionately exclaimed. Despite her previous rejection of the idea, her tone did make her sound like someone scolding their younger sibling. "And don't you go thinking about offering YOUR arms either! There will be NO blood donations from ANYONE in our team!" She added, speaking to their leader.
"Trust me, you'd hate my blood. I hear it tastes like shit." Zombieman told her.
"Hey!" Armored Gorilla called out before approaching.
"Oh, hey." Zombieman greeted as he and the other two looked at him. "Heard the commotion?" He guessed.
"Yeah, I did." Armored Gorilla confirmed. "What happened? It looks like a pretty intense battle happened here." He commented, now noticing the roof of the closest building had collapsed.
"We were trying to capture a fugitive, but they got away." Kombu Infinity informed him.
"Plus, as you can see, the bastard roasted me..." Mosquito Girl chimed in with a wince. The air was agitating her injuries. "Hey, AG, could you scan me and see why I'm not-"
"THERE YOU ARE!"
Unexpectedly, the conversation was interrupted. The culprit was Fubuki. She was accompanied by her group (including Slugerous), Beast King, and Kamakyuri. However, the group of four wasn't focusing on the other people. Their attention remained with Hellish Blizzard as her expression greatly matched her hero title.
"Do you have ANY idea how BADLY you screwed up?!" Fubuki questioned while stomping over. The others in her company trailed behind at a safe distance. If there were to be fallout, they wouldn't be caught in the radius of effect.
"Whoa, now." Zombieman spoke while standing. He intercepted the fiery Esper to prevent Mosquito Girl from receiving more injuries. "What's going on?" He asked.
"OH. DID SHE NOT TELL YOU?!" Fubuki sarcastically inquired before pointing at the injured insect woman. "THIS EMPTY-HEADED FANGIRL RUSHED HEAD FIRST INTO A SITUATION AND CAUSED IT TO ESCALATE!" She yelled.
"HEY!" Mosquito Girl interjected, even though it caused some minor pain. "I SAVED YOU FROM SONIC!" She shouted.
"NO, YOU DIDN'T!" Fubuki spat back. "THAT WASN'T SONIC YOU BIMBO! IT WAS A NON-HUMAN THAT I WAS ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP WITH BEFORE YOU RUINED IT BY TRYING TO ATTACK THEM! THE ONLY REASON THEY RAN IS BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A TRAP!" She told her.
"...Oh..." Mosquito Girl said quietly. No amount of pride or disdain for the Esper could counter that. "...You know...I did think it was weird that Sonic suddenly had lava swords..." She admitted.
Upon hearing this, Fubuki lunged at Mosquito Girl. No, you didn't misread. She didn't use her powers. Fubuki threw the entirety of her weight at the insect woman because she fully intended to strangle the life out of her.
Zombieman was the only thing preventing this from happening. Unfortunately, to his shame, he wasn't the physically strongest member of S-Class. So, Fubuki, with her explosive murderous rage, was proving to be more than enough to push him to the ground.
The others quickly got involved after noticing this. The Blizzard Group handled their leader while Beast King and Kamakyuri stood beside Zombieman to create a protective wall.
"MISS BLIZZARD! YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN!" Lily exclaimed as they pulled the Esper away.
"NO! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS! SOMEONE NEEDS TO THROTTLE THAT IDIOT! OTHERWISE SHE'LL NEVER LEARN!" Fubuki replied. Even in such a state, she wouldn't consider using her powers to make this easier for herself. There were unmovable lines in the sand that you NEVER crossed. Even if you DESPERATELY wanted to choke a bitch.
"Whoa. What's going on?"
That voice caused a chill to run down everyone's spine. Imagine if you and your co-workers were goofing on the job. That's what it was like for everyone here. However, there was an important distinction. Everyone present actually respected and liked their superior.
"S...S...Saitama..." Fubuki muttered in horror with a tomato-red face. She hoped, with all her soul, that she and the others were making a huge mistake regarding the voice's identity.
They weren't. Not too far from their position, about ten feet, were Saitama and Genos. The former looked as casual as ever, even in his hero attire. The latter looked as stern as ever with his seemingly non-moving facial features.
"Hey, Fubuki." Saitama responded with a small wave, assuming she was greeting him.
In reaction, the Esper quickly turned her face away. If there was a God, please, kill her now. This was mortifying.
"One Punch Man," Zombieman spoke up, THANKFULLY taking the attention away from her. "What're you doing in the city? Weren't you training with Genos at the ravine?"' He asked.
"Yeah, we were." Saitama started while pointing at Genos with his thumb. "But this dude's crazy fast. I asked him to show me his moves in as many different ways as possible. He also decided to do it super quickly to avoid wasting my time. Even though I told him afterward that he wasn't." He explained.
"You have much to teach me, Sensei. I thought it would be more efficient if we finished the portion of today's training meant for the ravine as fast as possible so more could be done overall." Genos stated.
"I mean, I guess that DOES make sense." Saitama confessed. The cyborg's thinking was logical. "Even so, I was worried you'd break something. You got pretty intense. Although, it was also very cool to watch." He said.
"Thank you, Sensei!" Genos responded, even going so far as to bow out of gratitude.
"...Anyway." Saitama began, changing the topic so as not to dwell on that gesture for too long. "After wrapping things up at the ravine, we came back here because I wanted to show Genos the ropes of patrolling a city. But as we were walking, we heard gunshots. Genos nearly shot off like a rocket to investigate, but I reminded him that Zombieman was one of the people out and about today to train Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity. I figured they were doing combat drills or something." He informed everyone before focusing on the injured insect woman. "However, it seems like there's more to I than that. So, would anyone like to fill us in?" He inquired.
Present...
"After that, the full story was sorted out. Once that was done, One Punch Man gave me my orders and the rest, you know." Armored Gorilla concluded.
During this span, Flashy Flash, Frog Man, Ground Dragon, and Armored Gorilla, with the slumbering creature in his arms, walked through the forest. When the cyborg simian was finished sharing the details, they were nearing the woodland's edge, which would put them near Ghost Town.
"Hoo, boy. The doc's going to have some words for Mosquito Girl." Ground Dragon whistled. To some extent, he felt bad for her. However, he FULLY understood why Fubuki lost her temper. The bloodsucker was ditsy. At least, that's what he thought.
"Hmph, I'm not surprised. I didn't think Zombieman was fit to be an instructor." Flashy Flash commented with a smirk. "However, there is one thing I'd like to ask about. Mosquito Girl mentioned Sonic. Was she, Kombu Infinity, and Zombieman looking for him when they were meant to be training?" He inquired.
"Sorry, we didn't get into that. We were all focused on him." Armored Gorilla replied while holding up the unconscious creature.
"Understandable. I'll ask about it again when we get back home." Flashy Flash said. "Have you figured out how those swords function?" He asked, addressing Frog Man.
"No, sir. To be honest, I think the blades come from him." Frog Man began, gesturing to the non-human. "As far as I can tell, these are just hilts. If the blades are stored within, there's no obvious way to make them appear." He stated.
"Very well. We'll deliver them to Child Emperor for examination." Flashy Flash decided, receiving a nod from his disciple.
Afterward, the group continued to their destination in silence. There was a lot to contemplate. Of course, it was all about this mysterious non-human. Who were they? Where did they come from? And, if neither Zombieman nor Hellish Blizzard were responsible for its injuries, then what was?