I Serve the Soviet Yunyun

Arise, sons and daughters of Belzerg! Arise for the People, and defend our motherland from the wretched invaders!

-Some girl (probably Yunyun)

Yunyun had to work hard to hold back tears as she took her place in the judgement seat. Why

did Megumin have to be so mean after all these years? They were good friends and rivals in all things, Yunyun knew that, but she still felt like an outsider with Megumin's friends. True, Kazuma, Darkness, Aqua, and even Eris were kind to her and they did have fun, but they were still Megumin's friends, not Yunyun's friends.

"I just wish I had a good friend," Yunyun sighed. She looked hopefully at the empty chair before her. "Maybe this Katsuki Bakugo will be a good person, someone I can-"

"THE HELL IS HAPPENING!" the boy roared as soon as he appeared, standing and lighting off an explosion in what should have been an untouchable plane of existence for a mortal soul. "WHAT THE FUCK EVEN WAS THAT!" He stood there, panting, looking vicious as Yunyun looked at him wide eyed, shrinking back in her seat. "Ok. Who the hell are you, and where the fuck am I?"

"I-I-I am Yunyun, D-disciple of Eris, G-G-G-goddess of Fortune," Yunyun managed to hiccup. She took a deep breath, trying to regain some semblance of calm or visage of peace. "I am very sorry, but you have died."

"What!? Bullshit! I was just about to kick Deku's ass and win the Sports Festival!" Bakugo ranted, more explosions bursting from his palms, making Yunyun squeak. "Fuck that noise! You send me right back, you hear me?! I'm not getting killed off like some useless extra!"

"Um, I n-need you to calm down, please, sir?" Yunyun managed. "I-I can't send you back, you really are dead."

"Well how the hell did I even die?" Bakugo demanded, glaring at Yunyun.

"Um, according to the list I have... you blew up," Yunyun slowly explained, holding up her clipboard like a shield.

"Now I KNOW you're bullshitting! I couldn't have blown myself up, I'm not a goddamn moron!" Bakugo snarled, ripping the clipboard out of Yunyun's hands to see for himself. His eyes flew over it, and he scowled. "The hell? A black hole? Where the hell did-"

"Paralyze!" Yunyun snapped, and Bakugo stiffened, before falling over. She retrieved her clipboard, standing over Bakugo and planting her hands on her hips. "Now you listen here! I'm a representative of Eris! You will behave, or I'll just send you to hell or reincarnate you as a worm! You understand me?!"

Bakugo jerked a nod, his eyes smoldering with anger, and Yunyun released her spell. "Now sit down!" she ordered.

"Fine," Bakugo bit out. He slumped in the chair, still glaring at Yunyun. "So. I'm dead. What the fuck happens now? I'm not going to heaven, that's asinine bullshit for goody two shoes like Deku."

"Well, according to this, you should go straight to hell. You were a bully and a tyrant, who abused others who were weaker than you. Plus, you told your only true friend to kill himself," Yunyun explained as if it was obvious, flipping through her paperwork. "If you decide to be reincarnated, the best I can do is a dog. And not even a mid-sized one."

"To hell with both of those! Make me an eternal warrior or some shit!" Bakugo demanded. "What about Valhalla? That's the only fuckin' afterlife that ever sounded halfway decent to me."

Yunyun frowned heavily at that, reading over Bakugo's stats carefully. Very good all around, with a large spike in Dexterity...but he had a magic spell. That was exceptionally odd, people from Japan weren't supposed to have magic spells. And it was Explosion of all things; Megumin's spell.

"Are you an archwizard?" Yunyun asked, uncertain. He didn't have a class listed, but to learn Explosion you basically had to be an archwizard.

"What? No! I'm not 30! I'll get laid before I'm out of highschool, just you watch you dumb bitch!" Bakugo snapped.

"Unlikely, considering your personality and the fact that you're dead," Yunyun muttered under her breath. As she saw Bakugo's expression darken, and she quickly continued, "No, that's not what I mean. I mean, are you an Adventurer?"

Bakugo just glared and Yunyun sighed.

"Look, are you a strong fighter? You have this spell here, Explosion. That's high level magic; I didn't think people from Japan could learn it."

"Strong fighter? I'm the strongest damn kid at UA!" Bakugo snarled, but that meant nothing to Yunyun. "Explosion isn't magic, it's my quirk, obviously!" Bakugo lit off a series of blasts from his hands, making Yunyun wince and wave the smoke away from her face again, wondering if she was missing some kind of context.

"Well, um, there is...one other option," Yunyun admitted, before she winced, thinking back to what Eris had said. Strong Adventurers only. This Bakugo seemed strong, but… "Do you think you could defeat the Lord of the Tomb?"

"What?" Bakugo asked, frowning at the sudden topic change. "That some villain? Sure, I can kick his ass."

"He's not...some villain," Yunyun said, feeling sick. "He's an undead lich of incredible power, perhaps even a dark god. He is the Overlord of a hundred worlds. One of them...it was my home. My family...he slaughtered them. To this day, his minions rule that world, and humanity has nearly gone extinct. He keeps them in camps, aside from a few scattered bands of rebels. We...we have a plan to free the world, but... it's incredibly dangerous. You could easily die again, and this time there would be no coming back. There are other, less dangerous worlds that need heroes too, so if-"

"No, I'll kick that bastard's ass!" Bakugo swore. "But you gotta send me back to UA, you hear? I'm still going to become the world's greatest hero, the strongest man in the world, greater even than All Might!"

Yunyun hesitated again, but she forced herself to think rationally. Bakugo really was the strongest, most aggressive person she'd come across. But he also shouted his words with a conviction she'd rarely ever heard. If anyone could do it, perhaps he could. "Alright. I shall also grant you a Divine Blessing, a magic item or ability to aid you in your quest, brave hero. For this we have special, Sacred Treasures. Ones that my patron goddess has forged for such a dire time of need."

Yunyun waved her hand, and a dozen powerful artifacts appeared, hovering in the air before them. Bakugo glanced at them, before grabbing the nearest one, a large, double headed axe made of gleaming red metal. "This one's fine. I won't need it. Just send me off already."

"Wait!" Yunyun insisted, raising an arm. "Please, listen. When you arrive, you will be immediately attacked in all likelihood. The Lord of the Tomb has left one of his Generals, known as the Demiurge to guard the world I'm sending you to. He is cunning. He has zero regard for holding back. It is likely a kill squad of strong monsters will appear on top of you in moments. So, first, I'll show you how to use Vaelastrasz the Red."

Bakugo glanced at Yunyun, experimentally swinging the axe a few times. "Seems easy enough. Put sharp edge in dumbass. Repeat as needed."

"That isn't just an axe. That is merely a vessel, containing within it the spirit of a powerful red dragon," Yunyun explained. "When you focus, you may call forth Vaelastrasz from the axe, and he shall aid you in battle."

"I don't need any fucking help," Bakugo snapped. "Just send me off! I'll ice these bastards in an instant and get back to UA in time for the final round!"

"Bakugo, this won't be a simple or single fight. This is a war that has entire worlds lost in the fray. The Lord of the Tomb's forces have slain gods. And not just one or two: dozens of gods and goddesses; entire pantheons have fallen before them. Demiurge by himself killed several powerful deities and their chosen champions, to say nothing of the armies he fields." Yunyun told him. "Just… listen, OK? I'm going to send you first to an area to train. It's here in the Divine Realm, so you'll only be able to stay there for a short time, but it should still be enough for you to hopefully gain some experience with your weapon while we gather allies to aid you. You cannot go alone."

"The fuck I can't, I don't need a damn team!" Bakugo snarled.

Yunyun shook her head. "You still don't understand. I am a powerful Archwizard. I, along with the five other strongest heroes of Belzerg fought the Lord of the Tomb. Then we died, all of us. My friend, Megumin? She could create explosions hundreds of times more powerful than what I've seen you use. In the end, it didn't work. But we have to free Belzerg. So, just wait, alright?"

"That's not the point you little-!"

Yunyun waved again, and sent Bakugo into the small pocket space to practice. She sighed. How long he would remain there, she didn't know. But this was the best chance of success she'd found in a while.

She judged dozens of other souls that day, from across a myriad of worlds. It was as exhausting as you could imagine, with few positive upsides. Most of them simply chose to be reincarnated or sent to an afterlife, a couple were willing to go save worlds, but none were truly strong enough to help in Eris' plan.

Until Hanta Sero arrived. At first, Yunyun didn't think much of him, he was just a goofy looking kid, blinking in the light, lost and confused. Then she realized he was wearing the exact same set of clothes as Bakugo had been.

"What?" Sero muttered, blinking and looking around. His eyes fixed on Yunyun, and he quickly blushed. "Oh! Um, hi. Er, don't suppose you could tell me where I am? Last thing I remember, I was at the Sports Festival."

"Hanta Sero, I regret to inform you that you have died," Yunyun said gently. "I am Yunyun, representative of the Goddess Eris."

That made the boy laugh. "Ha! Good one! Died! Well, I guess you're cute enough to be a goddess or something. Alright, seriously though, what happened? I felt a tugging, and then...oh. Oh man. You're serious, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am afraid you are quite dead," Yunyun reiterated, though not unkindly. "Again, I am sorry. You lived a good life, and tried your best to make a difference. Because of this, I have the option to send you to heaven, or reincarnate you, but...I have to ask-do you know Katsuki Bakugo?"

"What? Him? I mean, yeah, of course. He's in...WAS, in my class at school. Wait, he didn't-did that son of a b-bunny blow us all up?" Sero demanded, scowling and folding his arms over his chest. "I thought I heard a bang."

"No, you were killed when you were sucked into a black hole," Yunyun told Sero. She then frowned at his paper, then studied the boy more carefully. His elbows… "It says here you have a skill, Tape. What is that, exactly?"

"Oh, that's just my quirk, see?" Sero lifted his arm, showing his elbow more clearly to Yunyun. It looked like a dispenser of some sort, and a bit of tape came out of it, which Sero tore off to demonstrate. "Pretty cool, huh? Not the flashiest Quirk out there, but I practiced damn hard to get good with it! I even got into UA! I'm gonna be a hero one day, and-" He cut himself off, his expression falling.

"You can still be a hero," Yunyun reassured Sero. "You have the chance to go to another world, to save it from the forces of evil. It is an offer we make, to those who die tragic deaths too young."

"Well shoot, that sounds great!" Sero said, suddenly enthusiastic. "Of course I'll help fight off evil! What, is there some villain or something attacking people? I mean, I'm just a hero in training, but I'll help, that's what heros do!"

"Are you certain? How strong a fighter are you?" Yunyun asked, honestly curious.

Sero puffed out his chest. "Listen, I don't mean to brag, but I did pretty good on the UA entrance exam! Sure, I didn't score as high as Bakugo, but I took out a lot of those robots, even saved a few people! Whoever these villains are, don't worry! Between my quirk and the training I have, I'll probably be able to handle it!"

Yunyun nodded slowly. "There are two options then. First, you could go to a world that is not so dangerous, but one that still faces an evil threat. Or...or you could go to my home, Belzerg, to save it from the Lord of the Tomb and the Demiurge."

"Your home? Will you be there?" Sero blurted. He flushed and looked away. "Um, not that I would try anything, but, you know, you're pretty cute for a goddess. I mean, um, sure! I'll fight the Lord of the Tomb and the Demiurge."

"It will be very dangerous," Yunyun cautioned Sero, not acknowledging the remarks he made lest she become an unbefitting mess. "Many have died before and failed attempting what I'm offering. Great champions, even gods haven't succeeded in doing it yet. I died myself, fighting the Lord of the Tomb. But...it's the only chance we really have to save what remains of humanity in Belzerg. Will you still take this chance, Sero?

"Yes. I'll do it," Sero said seriously, hands resting on his knees. "I can't make any promises, this guy sounds tough. But I wouldn't be able to call myself a Hero-in-Training if I put off something dangerous just because I was afraid of failure. I'll give it my best shot."

"You will not go alone, nor unarmed," Yunyun told Sero. She waved her hand, and the Sacred Weapons appeared. She blinked. There were ten instead of the expected eleven. What had happened to the other one?

"Oh man, these look really cool," Sero marveled, looking at each of the offerings. "Um, which one do you think would be best? I mean, you know this guy and I've never really thought about using a weapon before. What should I pick?"

Yunyun bit her lip, looking around at the weapons. Then she sighed. "You should choose me."

"Huh?" Sero looked up, going red again. "You?! I mean, that would be really cool, but I mean, I don't want you to be my servant or something, even if you are a cute girl and all, but that makes it worse and-"

"Sero, this is my home I'm asking you to save. I know it better than anyone," Yunyun told him. "And the people there are my friends and family. At least, those few who remain. I want to help save them. I...I want to have a second chance. Normally, this isn't allowed, but...if you choose me, I can come with you. I'm really strong, I promise! I know advanced magic, like Teleport, Cursed Lightning, or Light of Saber. Please, let me help save my world."

Sero considered that for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I choose you, Yunyun. So what do we-"

Bakugo appeared next to them seeming to scream at his axe as he did so. "-not gonna sit around on my ass, waiting for-"

"Holy crap!" Sero cried, jumping away from the ranting boy. "Bakugo!? What the hell?!"

"So soon?" Yunyun squeaked. She'd thought she would have time to say goodbye to Megumin and the others, but it seemed Eris was already enacting her own plan.

"Be ready, brave heroes," Yunyun said. "We go now to Belzerg! Our enemies will attack us as soon as-"

"Office Supply? The fuck?!" Bakugo snarled. "What's your dumbass doing here?"

"I died, same as you, I guess," Sero shrugged, paying more attention to the circle carving itself into the floor. "Geez, what's going on, Yunyun?"

"Who cares, let's blow shit up!" Bakugo laughed as the light enveloped them.

A moment later, Yunyun found herself standing on a familiar hill, overlooking what should have been a familiar , it made her stomach turn to lead and her eyes burn. Below them, across the scorched and blasted earth, stood the blighted ruins of what had once been the Crimson Demon Village.

Once, the Crimson Demon Village had been a prosperous, if a bit queer town. Yunyun could remember it fondly, even if her people's antics often embarrassed her. Her home, the school, the shops, even the park she had spent many an afternoon with Megumin at. It was all destroyed, blighted with undead corruption, the buildings little more than burned out foundations. Nothing alive moved in the ruins, only dark shadows cast by the shambling forms of zombies and broken memories.

"Get ready!" Yunyun shouted, summoning forth a protective barrier. "They shall arrive at any moment!"

"What, there's no one here but us!" Bakugo snapped, looking around warily. "Shit, what's going on?"

"I don't know, but I think we should listen," Sero gritted, falling into a fighting stance and looking for high points around them.

"Yeah, well, bring it on!" Bakugo growled, letting his axe fall to the ground as he smacked his fist into a smoldering palm.

"Bakugo! Your weapon!" Yunyun hissed.

"Got what I need right here, Tits McGee," Bakugo laughed.

"Dude, not right now," Sero growled.

There was no time for Yunyun to be embarrassed or fret, as not far away, a large horde of undead suddenly appeared in a flash of light.

"LIGHT OF SABER!" Yunyun cried, firing out a brilliant sword made of pure magic at their foes.

"DIE!" Bakugo roared, using an explosion to hurl himself forward, laughing as he fell amidst the remaining undead. For a moment, Yunyun thought he was going to die in moments, but Bakugo started to unleash blasts all about him, methodically destroying the dreadknights around him.

"Dammit dude, don't drop head-first into a mass of zombies, you're going to get yourself killed!" Sero cried, then tape streamed from his arms. He grabbed two undead warriors that had been about to attack Bakugo, then yanked hard, tossing them high into the air.

"Cursed Lighting!" Yunyun shouted, blasting the lifted Dreadknights from the air.

"Nice! 'Another set, coming your way!" Sero called, sending two more giant skeletons flying for Yunyun to shoot down.

It was over in seconds, Bakugo standing amidst the broken remains of the undead, panting and grinning viciously as he crushed a fallen skull beneath his boot. "That was great! Come on, you were talking all that bad shit earlier! I was just getting started!"

"No, we have to move, and fast!" Yunyun vehemently disagreed, hurrying down the hill. "There's a plan, we have to follow it! I just hope Eris and the other team can succeed where she sent them."

"A plan?" Sero asked, hurrying after Yunyun. "What sort of plan?"

"Does it involve stomping more of those assholes?" Bakugo asked, picking up his axe and swaggering along. "That was actually pretty fun, Tits, we should-"

Sero suddenly turned, his tape flying out to wrap around Bakugo's legs. The other boy swore, face planting in the dirt. Sero walked over, crouching over his irate companion. "Alright. Couple things. One, her name is Yunyun. Try it. It's not that hard."

"Fuck you, Tape Arms!" Bakugo snarled as he struggled to stand.

"Two, I'm Sero. Also; not that hard. And three? Bakugo, get your head out of your ass. In case you couldn't tell, this world has gone to shit. Um, no offense Yunyun."

"No, you're right. It sickens me. I almost…" Yunyun bit back a sob. She couldn't cry, not now. She'd shed her tears, and she had a job to do.

Bakugo looked up at Sero, a savage grin on his face. "Yeah, and what are you going to do about it? Think you can beat me?"

"No, I probably can't. I got in a cheap shot or two, but we both know how a fight between you and me would end. I admit it, you're stronger than me, Bakugo. But man, this is not the place to alienate your allies. Look, I want to save this world. Maybe get back to our own somehow. But to do that, we're going to need to work together. You're one tough bastard, but I don't think even you can fight an endless zombie horde, do you?"

Bakugo considered that. "So, you got a point to this?"

"Yes, Bakugo, obviously," Sero said, rolling his eyes. "One of us can make tape. The other one of us can blow up a building with a squeeze of your palm. I think it's pretty obvious who's got the bigger stick. But I think you'll need my help, and Yunyun's. All I ask is that you treat me with just a little respect, OK?"

"Alright. You've at least got some spine. I think I can work with that," Bakugo said, standing and giving Sero a vicious smile. "But you try shit like that again and I'll kick your ass, got it?"

"Fine. Come on. Where are we going, Yunyun?" Sero asked.

"This way, quickly," Yunyun said, leading them through the ruins of the town. As they went, ghouls, ghosts, and other ghastly creatures came at them, but they were lower level than the Dread Knights from earlier and were easy to handle.

"Shit, this axe might actually be good for something." Bakugo admitted after using it to cleave a skeleton in half. "I like it."

"You've not even begun to tap into it's power," Yunyun told him. "I thought we would have more time to train, but things are happening quickly. I'm not sure why. This way, it's in the old vault."

Yunyun led them to what had once been the hill of the Demon God, where the Clan had kept a Dark God sealed, until Megumin and her little sister had let it out.

"This is the place," Yunyun said, pointing to rock with an odd imprint at the top. "Once, there was a Dark God sealed here, one that attempted to destroy the village and the world. Now, something else rests here. The key to saving Belzerg."

"What is it, a bunch of guns or some shit?" Bakugo demanded, going over to the rock. He cocked his head to one side, then slapped his palm into the impression, creating a minor blast.

Yunyun jerked forward, too late to stop him "No! Don't, you'll trigger-"

There were flashes all around the hilltop as dark robed figures appeared.

"LIGHT OF SABRE!" a dozen voices roared.

But Sero had already been moving, using his tape to grab Bakugo and Yunyun and flung all of them down the side of the hill toward a cluster of thorn bushes.

"Wait, please!" Yunyun cried, standing up, brambles sticking out in her hair. "Don't kill us! We're friends! Friends!"

"Behold foul creatures! I am Komekko! Mightiest Sage of the Crimson Demon Clan, she who guards the resting place of the dark god!" one of the robed figures cried, striking a dramatic pose and raising a hand, gnarled and wrinkled from old age. "Who dares-

Quickly, Yunyun stood on one leg, her eyes flashing with crimson light. "Behold! I am Yunyun! She who has ascended to the realm of the gods, mistress of advanced magic! I have returned, once more, to fulfill the prophecy, and lead my people to salvation as is my destiny!"

There were mutters from the robbed figures, but Bakugo snorted. "What the fuck is all this? You a bunch of otaku RPers or some shit?"

"He disdains the way of the clan!" another robed figure snarled, a ball of fire forming in their hands. "Shall we strike them down, grandmother?"

"No," Komekko said slowly, lowering her hood. Seeing her friend's little sister again both made Yunyun's heart leap with joy, and shudder in pain. Gone was the sweet little girl she once knew. Before Yunyun stood a veteran of a hundred battles; her features were beaten and weathered by time and war. Her eyes still glowed with Crimson light, and her gait was steady and firm as she made her way down the hill towards Yunyun. "Can it really be? Is it you, after all this time?"

Tears filled Yunyun's eyes, and she ran forward, embracing Komekko. "I'm back. I'm so, so sorry. We tried, we tried so hard, but even Megumin's Explosion wasn't enough…"

"I know," Komekko said gently, giving Yunyun a tight squeeze. "No one's magic was. But you are here, now. That's all that matters. Tell me, who are your companions?"

"I'm Hanta Sero, and this is-"

"Bakugo. Now why doesn't someone tell us what the hell is going on? Why is Yunyun acting like granny here is her long lost friend or whatever? Who the fuck are you people?"

"We are what remains of the Crimson Demon Clan," Komekko said, drawing herself up to look down at Bakugo with a steely red gaze. "The last guardians of humanity in this world. You are here for her, then?"

Yunyun nodded. "Yes. This is our last, best chance. Eris should be going to the other two to try to rally what resistance we can. How...how many more of us are left?"

"This is it, save for those too injured or young to take the field," Komekko said grimly. "These are my children and grandchildren. The last remnants of the Clan. Our allies have all fallen in battle. But, if it is time, I shall surrender my burden to you, Yunyun. All hail Yunyun, Last Chief of the Crimson Demons!"

"Glory to the Crimson Demon Clan! Glory to Yunyun!" the others intoned in sync, bowing.

Yunyun winced. "I don't deserve that title. You do, Komekko. I was dead, for a long time. You're what held our people together."

"No. I merely kept watch while we waited for your return." The old woman hesitated, then asked, "My sister?"

"I don't know. Maybe she's with Eris," Yunyun admitted.

"Well. Then the Dark Goddess watches over us still," Komekko said with a relieved smile. "May her magic reign destruction upon our foes."

"Okay, sure. Why not. Congrats on being leader to fifteen whole still haven't explained just why the fuck I should care about this bastard chilling in a rock.? I want to go find more of those undead bastards to blow up," Bakugo droned, striding to the top of the hill. "So what do we do now?"

"Only the blood of the Clan may open the way," Komekko said, nodding to Yunyun. "Enter the vault. We shall stand guard up here."

Yunyun took out her silver dagger, slicing a cut onto her palm, then pressing it into the indentation. Why did her people have to be so dramatic? Well, this time at least, the production was generally needed, and wasn't something most regular people would think to do, so she understood the precautions. The rock cracked in half, revealing a staircase that descended into darkness.

"Come on," she said, summoning up a small glowing light in her palm. "It's time to tell you why we're here."

"To kick ass!" Bakugo laughed.

"To save the world?" Sero guessed.

"Yes. To drive the forces of the Lord of the Tomb from Belzerg forever," Yunyun agreed.

"Right, I still really don't care who that is," Bakugo said with a shrug. "I kill them, you return me to life. It's simple."

"Maybe, but who is the Lord of the Tomb?" Sero asked as they made their way down a long, dark corridor.

"He is...most do not say his name," Yunyun whispered. "It is dangerous, for to do so draws his attention.. But, here, behind this many seals specifically repel his magic, it should be safe. He is Ainz Ooal Gown, Overlord of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. One day, he attacked Belzerg."

"Right, and killed your ass," Bakugo nodded. "So you need other schmucks to help you out."

"Bakugo, think for just a second. She's got a hell of a powerful quirk. If she failed, how could we succeed?" Sero asked.

"Because I actually know how to fight worth a damn. If he's undead or whatever, that just means it'll be easier to crush em to dust!" Bakugo snapped.

"What happened after that then?" Sero asked, ignoring Bakugo's belligerence for a moment. "Your people, they resisted him?"

"Yes. Others tried to negotiate. They were all slain or enslaved in short order." Yunyun gravely explained. They came to a console, completely out of place in the otherwise rocky cave. She picked up the controller. "Um, let's see if I can remember. Er, Down, Up, Right...how did it go?"

"Wait, are you supposed to put a code into this?" Sero asked. "Try Up Down Up Down Left Right Left Right B A Start Select."

"Oh, right! I don't know how you know our village's mystic code, but thank you!" Yunyun quickly put in the code, and the doors before them hissed open.

"That shit doesn't fit here," Bakugo growled. "Fucking Konami Code as a Password? Really?"

"It is," Yunyun admitted. "My clan was founded by a man from Japan who altered our genetic code through his chosen Blessing. I learned of it while in the Divine Realm. Some relics from your land persist here. This is one of them. Come. We need to free the last hope of Belzerg."

"I thought we were the last hope of Belzerg!" Bakugo snapped.

"Well, in a way you are, but for Belzerg to be freed, the bloodline of heroes will need to sit once more on the throne," Yunyun said without really explaining anything, as they entered the final chamber. In the center, a great glass tank stood, a cylinder that glowed with a strange blue light, a shadowy figure within it.

"Oh, this bullshit better not be what's left of the king or some shit." Bakugo growled, already sick of the whole thing. He spat to the side, glaring at the tank. "I'm not carting around some noble asshat."

"Bakugo, just wait," Sero cautioned. "Who is this person? Your last hope?"

"My friend," Yunyun sighed. "The last of the royal bloodline. Iris Shining Sword Belzerg."

"That's their name?" Bakugo laughed. "That's fucking stupid, who names their kid-"

Yunyun activated the console, causing steam and smoke to hiss from the tank.

AWAKENING SUBJECT. CONFIRM? An electronic voice warbled.

"Confirm, the Prophecy of Eris shall be fulfilled," Yunyun replied.

ACKNOWLEDGED. AWAKEN, QUEEN OF BELZERG.

Liquid gurgled from the tank, revealing within it a petite girl of about 16 years of age, hanging suspended in the tank by several wires, wearing only a skin tight bodysuit.

"Well shit," Bakugo commented as he gazed at the tank with an approving expression and a hand on his chin. "You didn't say she was hot. Nice tits too."

"Bakugo!" Sero hissed, having turned his back, his face flushed red. "She's royalty or something!"

"Yeah, sexy huh?" Bakugo mused. "Well, whatever. How do we get her out of there? Need me to-"

Iris' eyes suddenly opened, glowing with power. The tank shattered in an explosion of magical energy as a sword formed in her hand. She strode from her prison, her wet feet slapping on the metal floor.

Yunyun sank to her knees, bowing her head. "Your highness."

"Yunyun," Iris said calmly. "I see you have returned. What of my elder brother? Lady Dustiness? The Goddesses? Megumin?"

"They are not here, my liege," Yunyun said, keeping her eyes on the floor. "I...I offer you the support, as Chief of the Crimson Demon Clan, I pledge our spells to you."

"Um, I'm Hanta Sero. I, er, guess I'm a hero, for the time being? I promise to help you defeat the Lord of the Tomb, Lady Iris."

Iris' gaze then shifted to Bakugo, who was leaning on his axe, a bored expression on her face. "And you?"

"If you need someone to kick ass, I'm your guy," Bakugo drawled. "Or if you get lonely. You're not half bad looking."

"I see. And you think yourself worthy of me?" Iris demanded, her mouth forming into a thin line.

Bakugo chuckled. "Well, I just got here, so my body count ain't that high yet, but trust me, I'll bring you the head of this Heinz asshole or whatever his name is. Shit, maybe I'll even stick around for a bit after if this is entertaining enough."

"And yet, you do not bow," Iris mused. "You must think highly of yourself."

"Bitch, you are gonna-"

Yunyun gritted her teeth as her ears popped from the deafening explosion as Iris unleashed her Divine Sword Skill, and she had to blink away stars from the flash.

"Oh, hell yeah!" Bakugo laughed, his axe held up to block the blow, his other hand bracing against the flat side. "Now this is more like it! Come on! You want to play?"

"I shall teach you manners if you insist upon being so disrespectful," Iris said coldly, her sword grating against Bakugo's blade.

"Bakugo!" Sero hissed. "What are you doing!?"

"Seeing if Blondie deserves to be queen!" Bakugo roared. He flexed his hands, spraying droplets of sweat everywhere, and Yunyun let out a cry and dropped to the ground as they all detonated.

"Teleport!" Yunyun cried as the chamber began to collapse around them.

They appeared outside in the center of the Crimson Demon Village. A few skeletons and zombies looked up, then were instantly incinerated as Bakugo and Iris clashed again, muscles straining.

"Ah come on little girl!" Bakugo taunted as he flew through the air, his explosions propelling him along. "I thought you were going to teach me a lesson! Step it up!"

"It seems I will indeed need to beat some respect into that obnoxious skull of yours. Do try to survive," Iris stated, then launched herself skyward with a a leap that made the earth fragment and tremble, her sword a blaze of light. "Sacred Explode!"

"DIE!" Bakugo roared, as the air was rent asunder.

"What is he doing?!" Yunyun cried, crouching down in the muck and looking on in horror at the devastation the two were causing. Just watching Iris throw that sword of hers around made her shoulders ache. It was bigger than Iris by half a meter! "They're going to attract the forces of the Tomb!"

"Yeah, don't think he really cares about that right now. He's kind of an asshole," Sero admitted. "In case you didn't notice."

"Your friend is insane!" Yunyun wailed as she watched Bakugo fake a swipe with his axe, then tense his right leg and snap it into Iris's stomach. She took the hit, then headbutted Bakugo square in the nose. "Why did I bring him here?!"

"Making a lot of assumptions there," Sero sighed. "We're classmates, sure. Teammates? For now. Friends? Yeah, I don't think Bakugo has friends."

"I can see why!" Yunyun screeched, unable to look away from the two titans clashing in the sky. Iris sliced Bakugo shallowly across the abdomen, making him bellow, but he blasted her in the head before she could get away. Yunyun could smell the stink of burned hair from where she stood. "And here I thought I was friendless!"

Sero frowned at Yunyun. "Komekko seemed to like you. And these other people you talked about, they're your friends, right?"

"Um, sort of," Yunyun admitted, wringing her hands. She thought about trying to use a spell, but both Bakugo and Iris were zipping about too fast for her to get a good shot. "I...I'm not very good with people. Megumin was my friend, but...well…"

"Oh. Well, I mean, I'll be your friend. N-not like, a boyfriend! Just, you know, I could use a friend right about now. Since Jerkass over there is about to get himself killed," Sero cautiously spoke, not wanting to make it sound like a come-on.

Yunyun glanced at Sero, and managed to smile. "I would like that. But do not think you can trick me! I have read lots of books, I know friends do not let each other take advantage of them!"

"Yeah, ok. But, um, should we do something about...you know? That?" Sero gestured vaguely at the sky, which still crackled and flashed like a thunderstorm.

Suddenly, both Bakugo and Iris crashed down to the ground, both of them breathing hard and bleeding from dozens of wounds or burns respectively.

"For a crazy bitch, you're not half bad," Bakugo panted, a wide grin on his face as he wiped a hand across his mouth, blood smearing across his face from a broken nose and a bloodied lip, succeeding only in making him look more manic.

"For an uncouth commoner, you are decently skilled," Iris said, tapping her sword against her bare leg. Her hair was burned and blackened, and there were cuts and bruises all over her body, one eye nearly swollen shut already.

"Will you two just stop!?" Yunyun demanded, running forward. "You're going to-"

"Yunyun!" Komekko cried, appearing in their midst. "We must go! Foolish children! You have attracted Demiurge himself! We must go, now!"

"Oh fuck you, I'm just finished getting warmed up!" Bakugo cackled. "Bring it on! I'll blow them straight back to Hell!"

"I did not awaken to hide," Iris snarled. "Show me the Demiurge! I shall slay him where he stands!"

Komekko glanced back and forth between the two battered teens, and rolled her eyes. She pointed a finger at each. "Sleep."

Both Bakugo and Iris slumped over, and more Crimson Demons appeared, picking them up.

"Come, my Chief," Komekko said, taking Yunyun's hand. "We must leave. Teleport!"

As the world vanished in a burst of light, Yunyun had to wonder just what she'd gotten herself into.