AN: Hello, and welcome back! A few things before we start. For one, thank you to everyone who reviewed and informed me of the typos in the previous chapters. Hopefully, it has all been fixed. If you do notice more, please let me know and I will make the corrections.
As for what you're about to read, admittedly about 40-50% of this chapter is me kind of transcribing a few scenes from the Manga that I felt could-or should-remain in the story with a few key changes here or there, but this is going to be the last chapter that closely resembles the original series. Starting at the next chapter, things will be drastically different. All of that out the way, please enjoy chapter 14! Thanks for reading! And please continue to point out typos when you see them!
Due to a majority consensus, the formatting has been fixed!
(P.S. I may have missed a few areas. If you notice them, point them out.)
Disclaimer: I do not own One Punch Man or any of the characters associated with the title. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Drive Knight continued firing shots at the evading monster-jet, Psychos, with minimal success. The two flew circles around the uprooted tower faster than any man-made jet could maneuver. Psychos blasted a chunk off the tower hoping to catch the cybernetic hero off guard, but he was ready. Drive Knight's mechanical form quickly morphed into a futuristic-looking motorcycle and he rode the length of the earthen construct down until she came back into view. He changed back into his fighter jet form with a hop and continued the pursuit.
They zipped down into one of the trenches created by Tatsumaki's devastating power and Psychos attempted a getaway through the opening of one of the city's subway tunnels. Unfortunately, her stubborn pursuant wasn't deterred by the tight fit and swooped in right behind her, never relenting in his constant stream of bullets.
Seeing that he was closing in faster than expected, Psychos shot a blast off at the ceiling above her, again trying to impede his path. The only success was that he had to stop firing to deal with it.
Drive Knight quickly charged a much bigger blast that cleared the falling rubble before him and barrelled onward.
Psychos swerved at the last second, just barely dodging the blast before she righted herself. With an annoyed snarl, her monsterized jet suddenly grew a mouth on the wing that spat out three grotesque-looking balls covered in eyes that shot off their own blasts in all directions making it virtually impossible to predict where the next attack would be. The balls were encased within a strange goo that almost seemed to move like a limb of its own.
Still, Drive Knight masterfully evaded, staying hot on her tail. As they zipped through the tunnel, he took note of the sludge that lined the walls, seeping through the smallest of cracks all around them. 'I see. These are the remains of the Monster King; dug into the earth like roots. All of it is damaged on a cellular level. Tornado's handy work, no doubt. It would've been easier to get a sample had she been off the mark a bit.'
Back on the surface, high in the sky, Tatsumaki's fiery gaze tracked Psychos' every move until she pinpointed a good enough opening. With one hand maintaining and slowly strengthening the weak barrier, she swiftly pointed a finger in the villains' direction, collapsing the tunnel right where she was flying.
Seeing the attack, Psychos quickly split her form apart and wrapped around the falling rubble before reforming on the other side. Immediately, she had to transform again, this time into an agile canine-like creature that pounced around the next pillar of destruction. When in the clear, she again morphed into her jet and swerved to avoid the stone construct that shot from the wall, trying to crush her.
Still, in heavy pursuit, Drive Knight avoided the new obstacles by continuously morphing his form as well. From his jet form to his motorcycle form, and even into his mechanical brute form that punched through the wall that suddenly appeared. When in the clear, he morphed right back into his jet and shot off after the fleeing villain.
Psychos quickly realized the danger of remaining in such a confined space while her fellow Esper was still in the battle, so she took the first exit she saw, riding the off-ramp back to the surface. As soon as she left the cover of the tunnel, she caught sight of Genos who was running right alongside her as if he had expected her the whole time. She tried to swerve away, but it was too late.
With a great leap, Genos latched onto the top of her jet, digging into the flesh with his unrelenting grip.
"RGH! Demon Cyborg!" She snarled, trying to shake him off. Before she could, she caught sight of Drive Knight who had swooped right beneath her to get in front. Suddenly his form shifted back into his mechanical brute.
"Excellent!" the big bot shouted.
Psychos used the balls suspended in the goo to try and shoot Genos off her back, but before she could Drive Knight's much better-armored body landed on top of him, shielding him from the blasts. Then, as if in perfect synchronization, their chest pieces opened up charging a devastating attack. Both cyborgs fired beams of incredibly condensed fire that bore into the flesh-jet with no mercy.
"GAAAGH!" The bottom of the monster aircraft began to bulge into a massive disgusting boil that looked as though it would pop at any second.
Genos continued putting his all into the attack and watched as their blasts opened up a gash along the top of the pile of flying flesh. Then, suddenly that gash grew teeth. "Uh-!" he gasped when he saw the energy build up. With an unbelievable blast of energy, the two were shot clean off her back, both bots steaming from the impact and falling toward the ground.
"HAH!" Her gaze searched around until she spotted Tatsumaki still trying to maintain that barrier of hers. "Enough of this! It's game over, Tornado!" She shot a blast toward the defenseless woman and awaited her victory. Before it reached, however, it collided with a massive boulder that came from the ground. Psychos quickly tracked its source to find yet another S-Class hero. "Tank-top Master!?"
The big brute in question stood alongside Fubuki. "UMPH!" With a grunt of effort, he threw another boulder that he ripped from the ground. When it missed, he threw four more in rapid succession.
Fubuki could do nothing but watch in amazement.
"Heh! My tank top! Somehow it feels like its gotten an increase in strength! I didn't know you could do that! Thanks, Miss Blizzard!"
Fubuki put her hands up in protest. "Uh-.. haha... You're welcome, but..." She watched him throw another boulder. 'I didn't do anything to the tank-top.'
As he fell, Genos was suddenly grabbed by Drive Knight. "Demon Cyborg, I request assistance. I'm running low on energy." He opened his chest compartment and exposed his glowing power bank. "We should combine and integrate our cores for maximum output. It may not work, but we cannot yet afford to rest. Are you with me?"
Genos thought it over for a moment. His core was nearly depleted as well. Doing this could spell bad news later in the battle, but... "Yes! Let's do it!"
"Very well." Drive Knight held him close and stuck his arm up in the direction of his falling scraps. "Here goes!"
Psychos swerved in and out of the flying rubble, masterfully evading every attack. "Ha-ha! Is that all you can do? Throwing debris won't stop me!" With an involuntary gasp, she screeched to a halt and transformed to parry the attack of the robotic duo now morphed together into one sword-wielding mecha-bot.
[Tactical Combination: Dragon King!]
At face value, it looked as though Genos himself were wearing Drive Knight like a massive suit of armor, but the connection was much deeper than that. They were fully integrated to their very core! A deadly combination, for sure, but it was proving to be much more dangerous than they had initially thought.
'Drive knight! My core is overheating! On my signal, we have to separate, immediately!'
"You..." Psychos growled. "You pieces of junk!"
"She's stationary!" Fubuki shouted. "Now's your chance!"
"hrrrrAAAGGGGHHH!" With a warcry, Tank-top Master reared back and threw an entire building in their direction!
Psychos, still locked at the blades with Genos and Drive Knight, snarled at the combination. "Heh! Got an upgrade, huh? It's not gonna matter!"
Before the flying building came within range, a massive mouth grew from Psychos' back and fired a blast big enough to completely destroy it. As soon as the blast began powering up, the top of the building was suddenly hacked to pieces, and from the rubble hid Atomic Samurai, Puri-puri Prisoner, and Darkshine. They had been hiding on the top floor, waiting for their chance to get in close. Atomic Samurai quickly slashed the incoming blast to pieces before it could reach them.
Genos grinned as he saw the terror in her eyes. "Victory is ours."
"STRAIGHT SLASH!" Before she could do anything, Psychos was suddenly cut in half by Atomic Samurai...
"DARK ANGEL RUSH! VIBRATION!" And pummeled relentlessly by Puri-puri Prisoner...
"SUPER-ALLOY MISSILE!" And finally, dropkicked by Super-Alloy Darkshine with so much power, she could feel every cell left of Monster King Orochi slowly succumbing to the damage.
"GLORRRRRGH!" she spat blood out as the last bit of her fleshy creature was sent flying toward the ground. "NO! This body is RUINED! I-... I need to get out!"
On the ground, Bang and Bomb tracked the falling creature until they could reach it. Psychos made her escape just before they attacked.
"WHIRLING WIND!" Bomb shouted.
"FLOWING WATER!" his brother followed.
"FIST OF BITING FANGS, KILLING DRAGONS!"
Together, the two elderly martial artists pummeled the living flesh pile until it was gushing blood and mangled beyond belief.
Fubuki watched alongside Tank-top Master with relief slowly creeping in the more she watched. "They did it!"
'No... not yet...'
"Huh?" She turned around and looked to the sky when she noticed the barrier fade. "... Big sis?"
Tatsumaki had her hands out, glowing like a bright green flame high in the air. Immediately, everyone felt the presence of her immense power spiking to another level, yet again. The ground began to tremor for a reason no one knew until they saw the unbelievable feat she was planning. The massive tower was suddenly ripped from the surface, slowly twisting and morphing into a giant earthen spike hovering over the city.
"Whoa!" Lightning Max shouted as he and the other lower-classed heroes gazed in awe at the power of the number 1 hero. "Can you believe this!?"
Sneck was left slackjawed for what felt like the thousandth time that day "... No..."
Suddenly, the giant stone spike began to spin, and the faster it got, it began emitting the green hue Tatsumaki was known for.
"It's a..." Sneck shielded his eyes from the brightness. "It's a lance of light!"
"Was that Tornado?" Amai Mask wondered aloud as he stood alongside Child Emperor and the still buck-naked Zombie Man.
"What a woman," Zombie Man muttered.
"It's almost over," Child Emperor said, also watching in awe. Sure, he was S-Class himself, but he was still often left impressed by the power of his colleagues, Tatsumaki in particular.
Zombie Man placed a hand on his shoulder, still looking up at the floating construct in wonder. "Great job on the strategy, kid. Can't think of anyone more clever."
"Heh-heh... thanks... but... maybe you should be the team leader from now on."
"What?"
Child Emperor looked down at the rubble beneath him. "... We should have been able to handle this a lot easier, but it's become this big... world-ending thing... Maybe I'm not that good at planning ahead... I can always come up with something on the fly, but only when the situation favors us... If that monster was at full power, I don't know if I could've come up with a plan to beat it. Not to mention how lucky we got with the new guy taking out Elder Centipede."
"And you think I could have?" Zombie Man asked, drawing his gaze.
"Well... you're a better judge of character! And you're more considerate!"
Zombie Man chuckled and lightly shook his head. "... Kid-.."
"No," Amai Mask cut him off. "A leader needs to be more... No one in their right mind would follow such a monster... A leader has to be perfect." He stared off into the middle distance, his mind lost on the video they had all witnessed on Child Emperor's cellphone of the new S-Class decimating Elder Centipede with a single strike. '... Perfect...'
"He's not a monster!" Child Emperor yelled.
"It's alright," Zombie Man said, ruffling his hair. "I don't mind. Besides, you're still a kid. You're still learning as we speak. Things didn't go off without a hitch today, but... as long as I've been alive, I've come to realize it'll always be like that." He locked eyes with Amai Mask. "We're only human, after all."
Suddenly, they were barraged by a slew of glowing lights that barraged the area they stood on.
"WATCH OUT!" Zombie Man shouted, throwing Child Emperor out the way, and taking the blast full force.
"ZOMBIE MAN!" Child Emperor and Amai Mask shouted.
When the dust settled, they saw the perpetrator standing on a ridge across the way. "Human?" his burly voice questioned ominously. "Hardly..."
Tatsumaki drove her hand down, sending the lance of light straight toward the clump of monsterized flesh still growling on the ground. On impact, it began grinding it to bits and drilling further down into the surface.
"NOW!" She shouted.
Saitama stood on one of the twisted streets watching the other heroes do their thing. He was definitely hard to impress these days, but he couldn't say he wasn't interested. There were a lot of cool heroes around. '... Wow. Everyone has a cool signature move... should I try and find one too?'
His gaze found its way to the number 1 hero of their organization, yet again. When they were in the meeting room the other day, he did find himself wondering how a girl so small could be the top hero. Now, he kind of understood. Even hurt, she's still one of the strongest around. 'She really must have been holding back when we practiced that day...'
"I said, now! You idiot!"
Saitama blinked away his mental stupor and grabbed his transponder. "o-Oh-! Was that the signal? I thought it was 'go'."
"Just do it!"
Saitama bent down to take off for the final blow, but before he jumped something zoomed right behind him, flying so fast it kicked up his cape. "... Hm?" He turned around to see it was Metal Bat, tumbling down the street. He looked absolutely defeated. The skin of his bare chest was stained red with his own blood. And still, when he finally slid to a halt on the barren street, he began the climb back to his feet.
Tatsumaki focused on pinning the creature down as she waited on the final blow.
. . .
"Urgh-!" Blood ran down Metal Bat's entire face, most of it in his eyes, so he couldn't see clearly. "RAAAARRGHHH!" he roared, charging the only human-looking form he could make out through the blur.
Saitama watched him coming with a confused look on his face. "Uh... hey, are you alright?" His words went unheard, and he had to jump back to avoid the downward swing that blasted the ground on impact. The hit was so hard, the force of it traveled through the street, splitting part of the building a few feet away. He had also dropped his transponder, yet again without noticing. "... whoa..."
"Hellooo!" Tatsumaki shouted, eyeing her hovering transponder down with an irate expression. "Saitama!"
Metal Bat wasn't done there, as soon as he heard Saitama's feet scuffle against the pavement, he shot towards him swinging his bat frantically.
Saitama effortlessly bobbed and weaved until he tried to catch him with an overhead. At that point, he just put his hand up and stopped it. The force still traveled through him, and he looked down to see that he had hit him hard enough to bury his feet in the concrete. "... huh."
The longer she waited, the more frustrated she became. "You... IDIOT!"
With a snap of her fingers, the lance of light began drilling the remains of the creature down into the ground. At last, her most annoying fight to date was finally over.
"hrrgh!?" Metal Bat snarled in confusion.
"Uh-.. Hey dude, it's me. Saitama?"
Metal Bat blinked a few times and used his wrist to wipe some of the blood. "Sait-.. What the hell?" Ripping his bat from his grip, he frantically checked his surroundings before his gaze fell back to the bald man before him. 'di-.. did he just...'
"That's a really sturdy bat. Nearly took my head off."
With the back of his hand, Metal Bat flicked more blood from his face. "Where'd he go!?"
"... Uh... who?"
"That Hero Hunter! Where is he!?"
"No idea. You were the only one that flew in... are you alright?"
"Hey!" Metal Bat shouted, casually trudging away from him. "I know you're out there! I'm not finished yet, you bastard!"
"... oh-!" Saitama exclaimed reaching for his transponder, only then realizing he, again, didn't have it. 'Oops... I might have screwed up the plan... Am I gonna get fired?'
(BANG)
With a loud smack, Metal Bat flew back across his view before gathering his footing and charging back. Saitama's gaze followed him until he finally saw what it was he was fighting. Some kind of ninja demon-looking thing. The two collided in a power struggle so intense it was splitting the ground all around them. Then, in a flash, it was on. They swung at each other in fast spurts of unbelievable strings of attacks. To the average hero, it was likely too fast to see. For Saitama, it was like watching the ninja monster playing a weird game of patty-cake with the baseball bat.
'... Should I help? They look like they're really focused.'
As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Metal Bat overextended on an attack and was swiftly roundhoused into the building next to them. Immediately the ninja monster darted in after him, and from Saitama's point of view, the struggle continued with rubble and furniture flying out of the hole with every sound of an impact.
'I don't know... he looks like he could use it...'
With a big final blast, suddenly everything went quiet, and the caped baldy could hear feet slowly scuffing against the ground. The one to emerge was the ninja monster who immediately locked its sights on him.
"Oh... maybe I should have helped sooner..."
Garou eyed his new target down with a menacing growl, but before he made a move, his head jerked back around far too late to block the attack from the resilient Metal Bat. With a massive swing into his side, the monster was smacked out of the ballpark, sent skipping and tumbling down the adjacent street for at least a block.
Saitama watched the teen, impressed that he was still up and fighting. He looked damn near unconscious. 'Geez, is it normal for all of them to pass out so much?' he questioned, Tatsumaki coming to mind.
"Uh... hey, dude... Want me to tag in? You look pretty beat."
Metal Bat spat out a glob of blood before readjusting his grip. His intense glare never left his opponent down the street. "Hrgh-! Beat?" He took a few steps forward, limping and clearly struggling to stay on his feet. Every heaving breath he took hurt his broken ribs, and his head had been ringing for a while now. "Never... I'm just... gettin' fired up! This one's mine... so stay out of it, rookie!"
"... Okay. Do your be-.." Before Saitama finished the monster was already a breath away from clobbering his colleague, but somehow Metal Bat was able to get his guard up in time. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready for the full string of attacks.
Garou let loose a devastating flurry of swift kicks, knees, and punches that all connected. Metal Bat just couldn't keep up anymore. It was like he was getting hit from all angles at once. Blocking one attack left him open to another, and when this monster connected, he didn't stop to relish in the slight victory. Every attack led to another until the hero physically couldn't defend himself.
Saitama watched for a moment, respectful of the one-on-one, but things were getting worse. 'Hm... I know he asked me not to, but... maybe I should help.'
Garou's continuous string of attacks was ruthless. No hesitation in his movements, no opening untouched, and no mercy. Eventually, he beat him down so badly that the hero dropped his weapon. As soon as he did, Garou took the opportunity to finish him. "GRAAAAARRRGGGHHHH!" He dropped an elbow to the top of his head, and the force of his strike split the ground beneath them.
Metal Bat didn't fall, but his head bobbed on the hit and he staggered back, defenseless. "ergh-!... blurghh-!" He spat out more blood before tripping over a stone behind him, falling to his butt with his back against a concrete wall. Through labored breaths, he watched the monster stalk closer to him intent on ending it. The street had fallen deathly silent. The chaotic sound of their two-man war was replaced by the slow methodical scuffs of the monsterized Hero Hunter's feet treading toward him.
Suddenly, that silence was cracked by a chime from his pocket. For whatever reason, the monster stopped and watched him as if he expected an attack. They listened to the chime for a few more rings until Metal Bat slipped his phone out, still eyeing the monster down through his beaten gaze. In a quick glance, he checked his phone to see who was calling. "... heh... of course..." He looked back to the monster to see he still hadn't moved. 'Well... I may never get the chance again...' His shaky thumb found its way to the answer button with much effort, but he realized he couldn't bring his arm up to his face. So, he put it on speaker.
For a moment, silence, and then, "... Big brother Bat! Where have you been!? I've been calling you forever!"
Metal Bat's gaze settled on the middle distance and he sighed, relieved to hear his sister's voice for what was probably the last time. From the strain of her tone, it was obvious she had been crying."... Zenko..."
"Are you okay!? I was scared! You didn't answer me, earlier!"
"Heh... yeah, I'm kind of busy, right now."
"SO! You promised you would always answer when I called you! That was the deal, remember!?"
The delinquent teen smiled. 'She must've been so worried. She's usually not this distraught.'
"Are you in a fight right now!? Big Bro, are you okay!?"
"Zenko-.."
"On the news, they said that you're missing!"
"Zenko, I'm-.."
"Where are you!? Do you need help!?"
"Zenko!" he raised his voice a little, stopping her panic attack. He looked up to see the monster was still staring at him, but he wasn't attacking. "... I'm fine..."
"... FaceTime me!"
"... I can't-.."
"FaceTime me right now! Or-... or else you're a liar!"
"I'm not lying. I'm... I'm okay, I promise..." There was silence on the other line for a moment, then he could hear her sniffling.
With a strained voice, "... I don't believe you!"
"Zenko-.."
"Call for help!" Her voice cracked. "Big bro! Call for help if you're in trouble! Call Tornado!"
"Zenko, I can't-.."
"Call Demon Cyborg or... or Amai Mask!"
With a sigh, Metal Bat stared at her name on his phone screen. "Zenko-.."
"o-Or that bald guy!"
As soon as she said that, he narrowed his eyes in confusion. Was she talking about Darkshine or... His gaze rolled to Saitama who also had his eyes on him and his arms crossed; no discernible expression on his plain face.
"Big Bro, please... no one will come and help you if you don't ask... Will you try?"
He held the bald man's gaze for a second longer before his eyes lazily slipped over to his discarded bat. "... Zenko... I love you."
"Big bro! N-!"
He quickly ended the call so that he didn't have to hear her cry anymore. The three remained silent for a long while before Metal Bat grumbled obnoxiously loud. "Huuurgh! Oh man..." Rolling a kink out his neck, he miraculously struggled his way back to his feet, grabbing his bat along the way. As soon as he succeeded, it was like his injuries intensified to a new level. He was standing, but on wobbling legs. He held his bat, but with a shaking grip. He met the gaze of the monster soon to kill him, but he couldn't really see him. If ever there was a time that he felt close to the end, it was now.
Sure, he could probably call someone now, but what was the point of being an S-Class hero if he couldn't handle one little villain on his own? That wasn't a cool look at all! The real manly thing to do was to use his last breath to fight instead of begging for help. Not from his colleagues and definitely not from this new guy. What if he was a phony like King? Then it'd just be putting him in harm's way; feeding him to a wolf he couldn't possibly beat.
'... no. He's untested... I can do this... I'll fight till I win! I always fight till I win!'
With a steadying breath, he gripped his bat with both hands and disregarded the way they still shook.
With a new flickering spark in his heavy-lidded eyes, he bared his teeth at the monster for likely the last time. "Hergh-! Come on! I'm ready! Let's do it!"
Garou only tilted his head at the useless attempt. When the delinquent hero went for a strike, he saw it coming from a mile away and was ready to deliver the final blow.
Metal Bat saw the incoming counter-attack but he couldn't move his body fast enough to protect himself anymore. Surely it would land, and he'd finally be down for the count. Permanently...
Even so, he didn't shed a tear. He didn't beg for salvation, and he never quit. The only regret on his ledger was that he didn't get to see his sister one more time. He could've accepted her FaceTime request, but then she'd have seen him looking like this. She would've only gotten more worried.
The closer the attack came, the slower it seemed to his hazy mind. Part of him wished it was over quick. The anticipation left him too much time to ponder and worry. Worry about what his sister would do when she found out. What would she say? How would she dress for his funeral? What will she become with such a tragedy at this age? All of these thoughts combined into a shocking realization that shot through his thick head like a bullet. 'Heh... I-.. I don't wanna die...'
(BANG)
Before either hit landed, Garou was suddenly launched by a single lackluster-looking punch from their bald spectator. Metal Bat tumbled back to the ground when he chopped at the air and watched the monstrous Hero Hunter fumble, trip, and hop down the street until he flew into a building a good six blocks away! What power!
Saitama stood next to him and watched his handy work until he couldn't see him anymore. "Hey," he said getting his attention, still looking down the road. "I know you said to stay out of it, but... I'm a hero."
Metal Bat looked up at him, still awestricken by what just happened. Saitama seemed to tower over him completely. It wasn't a mistake then. Earlier, he had caught his fired-up swing. Then, he just one-shot a creature that was moments away from killing him. This guy definitely belonged within their ranks! If he was on the other side of the fence when it came to their new recruit before, Metal Bat catapulted over!
Saitama turned to him, and maybe it was just his head still swimming, but it looked so cinematic the way his cape lightly fluttered in the wind. "So... I came to save you."
As if his words needed the extra emphasis, the wind kicked up slightly, fluttering his cape even more. Metal Bat sat there on the ground staring up at him as if he himself were a helpless civilian. 'Wow... This guy's... kinda cool..."
The bald man squatted down next to him. "You're pretty tough. Good fight."
Metal Bat still couldn't find any words. To Saitama, it was kind of weird how he was staring at him. Was he mad about him stealing his kill?
"Uh... We should probably get going. Yeah? You could really use a doctor..."
When he stuck his hand out to help him up, the image was permanently seared into Metal Bat's core memories. Like an epic poster for a superhero movie. Where the hell did this guy come from? 'Okay... he's pretty cool!'
For the other heroes, it was one problem after the next, it seemed. The group of Amai Mask, Zombie-Man, Atomic Samurai, and Tank-top Master faced off against three creatures of unbelievable ability.
[President Ugly/ Threat Level: Dragon]
An ugmon in the truest sense of the phrase. A tall frame drenched in fat from head to toe with a horrifying face and very few tufts of hair on his misshapen head. The creature was unreasonably strong, impressively durable, and surprisingly fast. It was also ruthless in nature, immediately decimating Amai Mask upon its arrival. This was the creature the pop star hero feared more than the rest. He was no match against ugly, and this monster weaponized it!
[Black Sperm/ Threat Level: Dragon]
A creature that was technically many, and yet still one. Every time it was cut in half, it multiplied, and thanks to its lengthy battle against Atomic Samurai earlier, it had plenty of selves to spare.
[Homeless Emperor/ Threat Level: Dragon]
Perhaps the most dangerous opponent left from the decimated organization. An unkempt-looking man with jagged teeth, a tattered cape, and dirty clothes, he didn't look like much at a glance. But his light balls were undoubtedly the biggest threat. They were inconceivably powerful with seemingly no end. He sent them out in bunches as if it cost him close to no energy to use.
And for the group of Bang, Fubuki, and Bomb, their current disaster came falling from the air, sparking out of control with steam pouring from every possible crevice on his robotic form.
"Demon Cyborg!" Fubuki shouted. Bang, Bomb, and Puri-puri prison followed her as she rushed towards him.
"Stay back!" He was on his hands and knees, spewing literal fire from his gasping mouth.
"Genos!" Bang shouted. "What's happening!?"
"My core is over-heating! I am... going to explode!"
"Huh!?" Fubuki exclaimed.
Bang was quick to search for a solution. "Can you be repaired!?"
"Yeah!" Puri-puri Prisoner shouted, striking an unnecessary pose. "Drive Knight knows your entire body!"
"Gross," Fubuki muttered.
Genos fought through the pain with a grimace. "He has left."
"He LEFT!?" Fubuki shouted.
"What about Child Emperor!?" Bang tried. "Could he repair you!?"
Puri-puri prisoner checked his transponder and saw an urgent message from the kid in question. "... Uh-!" he gasped. "He's been buried! I won't let so many cute guys die! ANGEL CRAWL!" After his... questionable proclamation, he jumped up before nose-diving through the hard earth beneath them.
Fubuki cringed at his words, but if he could help, by all means. "Uh... yeah."
"Be quick!" Bang shouted after him.
"I am sorry!" Genos said, "but... It's already too late! I can maximize the blast to kill off as many of the remaining villains as possible! All of you must get back to a distance of at least five kilometers! And... please... tell Master Saitama and Dr. Kuseno... forgive me for my incompetence..."
"Genos... You can't give up!" Bang shouted. "You have a life ahead of you! Hang in there as long as you can and Prisoner will bring Child Emperor!" When he finished he was shocked to see Fubuki step past him. "... Fubuki?"
"Ergh-!" Genos grunted as he saw her approaching him. "Hellish Blizzard! What are you doing!? There are too many villains around to lose even someone of your level for nothing!"
"SHUT UP!" she yelled.
He watched her build up with psychic energy before she slammed her hands down on his back.
He was so hot that his metal back was burning her sleeves away, but she didn't relent. "NGH!"
"What are you doing!?"
Fubuki spoke through gritted teeth, "Like you said... We can't lose any heroes-! ... Not even reckless idiots like you!" She shut her eyes to focus. "... I-... I am-.. the leader of the Blizzard Bunch! So... I can't let my subordinates die!"
Genos watched her out the side of his eye.
"A leader... needs the right attitude!"
Bang and Bomb watched with bated breaths. If this didn't work...
'I can do this-!' she reassured herself 'If I... If I can psychically suppress the heat flow and... strengthen and heal his organic parts, I can...' With a burst of energy that shot from the two of them, she put her all into it, pushing her mental prowess to the max! "GYAAAAAHHH!"
Genos' eyes shot open in surprise. 'My readings... she... she did it!' He collapsed, steam pouring from his body as the odd woman fell backward.
Bang and Bomb were quick to catch her before she hit the ground. She was completely out cold.
"Amazing..." Bang muttered, looking at her in a completely new light.
"She is quite the leader..." Bomb stated.
Genos stared at her in shock.
(boom)
With a soft rumble traveling through the ground, the group finally tuned back into their surroundings. In the sky above them was a string of light that was quickly spreading through the air and moving incredibly fast.
"Is that... an aurora!?" Bang exclaimed. The more he watched, the more it became clear. "No... it's a swarm of light balls, and... and it's chasing Tornado!"
The one responsible for the display was Homeless Emperor. He masterfully conducted the flow of the insurmountable number of lights balls pursuing the persistent S-Class hero. Alongside him sat a few of the split clones of Black Sperm, watching in amazement.
"Whoa!" one of the Black Sperm's muttered. "You ever get tired?"
"Hmph," the unkempt man scoffed. "Hey... Black Sperm... You ever hear a symphony?"
"A what?"
Suddenly, he ramped up the speed of his conducting, increasing the velocity and intensity of the balls above.
Still, Tatsumaki was able to evade. A few times at the last moment, but she was still in the fight.
Homeless Emperor: "The harmony of disparate sounds creates immense beauty!"
Two of Black Sperms selves looked at each other with mocking glances. "Teh-! How pretentious!"
His relentless attack continued until he finally caught her. One ball of light knocked her off course, and the rest began to swarm her before she could escape.
Homeless Emperor: "And now, for the climax!" Pointing his fingers, the balls began converging, becoming one giant orb that slowly compressed before exploding. A trail of smoke fell from the blast, convincing them momentarily that they had gotten her. When the smoke cleared, they realized the ruse. She had utilized the same tactic against Psychos, changing places with a decoy of rocks.
"Heh-!" Black Sperm chuckled. "So much for a climax."
Homeless Emperor peered back at him with disdain written in his hardened gaze. "No matter. In the next movement, I'll carpet bomb her."
A bloodied and ruffled Tatsumaki came limping out from behind a boulder, clutching her arm in pain. Her breaths were staggered and painfully sharp. "... Fubuki," she muttered, drawing the attention of Bang and Blast who were still holding the unconscious girl's head up.
"Tatsumaki!" Bang shouted at seeing her state.
Hearing the commotion, Fubuki stirred awake and was greeted by a sight that was far worse than she expected. "Uh-! Big sis-!" She saw the exhaustion on her blood-covered face, and the slash on her arm that she tried to close with her bloody hand with a hole in it. What had she been through? How was she still... alive?
Through her heavy breathing, Tatsumaki noticed the state of her younger sister as well. The blood on her face, the bruise on her chin, and the tears in her dress; it all painted a vivid picture of what she was afraid of.
(BOOM)
The older sister exploded in a murderous rage, her power flaring all around her. "Damn it, Sekingar! You're gonna pay for this! I told him to keep my sister out of it!" Her eyes creaked toward Fubuki who reared back in fear. "Fubuki... Who did this to you!? Who hurt you!? I'll kill em'!"
Fubuki could hardly hear her through the force of the wind her aura was kicking up. "No! You don't understand! This is my choice! My injuries are my fault!"
Almost immediately, Tatsumaki's power flicked off like a light switch. "Well then, you should go on home. There are monsters around and I can't have you in the way."
"w-... Wait!" Fubuki yelled, running after her when she turned to leave. "You're still gonna fight!? y-... You're hurt! You could die!" Tatsumaki kept walking. "Let me stop your bleeding!"
Suddenly, the Terrible Tornado spun around and psychically pushed her younger sister away from her, back into the arms of Bang and Bomb. "Hah-! Like you could ever help me. Pfft, please." She turned to leave before she was suddenly stopped in her tracks. Glancing back, Fubuki had her hands out, desperation and fear undoubtedly resting on her face.
She was hurt and embarrassed that her sister would say those things, but more than any of that, she was afraid. Afraid that if she went back out there, she wouldn't come back. "... I-... I won't let you... You're clearly hurt... you could die-.."
"Fubuki... Let me go-.."
"No..."
Bang, Bomb, and Genos were unintentionally drawn into the drama. It was a private matter, but it was all happening too fast.
"Fubuki-.."
"I won't!" she shouted. "I know you're the number 1 hero! I know that, but... but, you don't have to do it by yourself anymore! You beat the boss! Please, let the others take over! Let... let Saitama help you..."
"Keh-! Yeah right! That idiot could never help me! He's the most unreliable hero I've ever seen! You don't know what you're talking about, Fubuki. So, just let me go."
Try as she might, Fubuki couldn't help but cry. "You said it yourself! You said he should be the number 1 hero! So, let him show the world you're right!"
Tatsumaki didn't say anything for a moment. She gauged the conviction in her sister's words.
"I know why you feel like you have to do it all alone... but you don't! That's why I'm building a strong group... so that you don't have to... You've protected me all my life, but... now it's my turn to save you! Because... I'm a hero, too!" For a moment, she thought her words were getting through to her older sister from the look on her face. It was somewhere between pity and understanding with no clear sign of which it was. Then, without effort, Tatsumaki reversed the situation with a point of her finger. Fubuki, Bang, and Bomb were all psychically held in place. "Tatsu-! ..." her words died out immediately when she realized her sister was... smiling? Not her usual arrogant smirk, but an actual smile.
"Hmm... you're getting stronger, Fubuki." The smaller woman turned away from the group, ready to rejoin the battle. "... but, I can't expect help from anyone... Now that you're a hero, you have to know what it means to be strong... and I must set the example."
Fubuki could no longer find her voice to call out to her. There was no way she was still planning on fighting! She wouldn't survive! Fubuki had always been grateful for Blast saving her sister's life, but... his careless words were quickly becoming a plague on her heart. They were released from their hold once she flew away, but still Fubuki remained stuck in her spot, watching her until she couldn't see her anymore. A glimpse of metal caught her eye in her peripheral when Demon Cyborg stepped by her. "g... Genos..." He kept walking, leaving her to stare at his back.
"... I will assist tornado."
"What!?" She shouted. "Are you serious!?"
"Genos... are you sure?" Bang chimed in. "You'll surely explode this time if you overwork yourself."
"Do not worry. I will not overheat if I do not operate at full power... Worst case scenario, I can shield her."
"d-Demon cyborg..." Fubuki muttered, now brimming with tears.
Genos stopped for a moment to truly consider this. He knew he was in no shape to fight, but... 'What would Master Saitama do?'
"Whelp-!" Bang said, stretching his arm out with a groan. "I suppose I should assist as well. These younglings are far too reckless these days."
Fubuki watched him walk toward Genos, more tears brimming in her eyes.
"Take care of her, Bomb... and tell me if you find Garou."
"Got it," his brother replied cooly.
Genos eyed him down as he approached. "You may assist, but I am not your pupil. I will not take orders from you."
"Yeah, yeah," the old man waved him off.
"I, Demon Cyborg, only follow Master Saitama!"
"You know, most would just say thanks..."
Those tears were freely falling for Fubuki now as she watched the two S-Class powerhouses risk their lives for the sake of her sister. It gave her hope that her efforts have not been in vain. Even if Tatsumaki didn't acknowledge it, she was glad to help.
Metal Bat watched the rubble of the city pass by as he rested his head on the shoulder of the bald man giving him a piggyback ride. The younger hero was completely spent. He couldn't stand, it hurt to breathe, and it took all of his effort just to keep a grip on his bat. But still, at least he was alive. And it was all thanks to this man who hadn't said much since they began their search for a rescue team. Or... maybe he had. Metal Bat was fading in and out of consciousness, but the closer they got to the tremors of the ongoing battles, the more he stirred awake.
"Hey, you still alive?" Saitama questioned when he heard him groan against his shoulder.
Metal Bat couldn't lift his head. "Urgh... yeah."
"Good..."
Again, a hush settled in between them before Metal Bat spoke again. "... thanks... for the save."
"Yup. No prob..."
A few more moments of silently walking passed before the familiar chime of Metal Bat's cellphone caught Saitama's ear. He glanced over to see the kid was nearly asleep again. "Uh... hey," he said, gently bouncing his shoulder to wake him. "Your phone is ringing... It might be your sister, again."
"Urgh-!" Metal Bat groaned, struggling to get it from his pocket. Sure enough, it was her. He considered not answering right now, but he shouldn't make her worry more than she already is. "... Hell-.."
"Big bro! Where are you!? I'm looking for my helmet, then I'm gonna come find you!"
"Wha-.. No! Are you insane!?"
"No! I'm coming to help you! I know you're in trouble somewhere in City-Z, and now that that barrier's gone, I'm gonna come find you, so where are you!?"
"Zenko! What are you talking about? There's no trains running right now!"
"Duh-! You big dummy! That's why I'm looking for my helmet!"
"You're gonna take your bike," Metal Bat asked, his tone implying it was a stupid idea, "all the way from City-S?"
"Yes! Now, where-are-you!?"
Metal Bat scoffed and shut his eyes.
"You're a liar! You're not okay, I can tell!"
"How?"
"Because you won't FaceTime me!"
Saitama glanced at him out the side of his eye. He and his sister sure have an oddly loud way of talking to each other. The more they spoke the louder and... frankly, the more animated he became.
"Zenko, I'm just a little beat up! I don't want you to see me like this!"
"Liar! You're too stubborn to ask for help! That's why you always get hurt!"
"... I'm fine!"
"Then, FACETIME ME!"
"OKAY!" He angrily fiddled with his phone until they transferred the call to face time. He could see his sister standing by the closet in her room with everything thrown about as she had clearly torn it apart in search of her missing helmet. He took one look at her, and it was clear she had been crying quite a bit.
When she caught sight of her older brother, Zenko's face lit up with more worry. "Big bro! Why are you all red!? Is that blood!?"
He rolled his eyes. "No, Zenko. I fell into a wall and a... bucket of red paint fell on my head."
"You're such a liar! There's no red in your hair! That's blood!"
"How the heck would you know!?"
"Because you're always bloody!"
"Urgh-! Whatever! Lay off, would ya'!? Like I said, I'm fine now!"
"You don't look fine! You're hurt, aren't you!? What if another monster shows up!? Are your friends around!?"
"Didn't I tell you they're not my friends!? They're co-workers!"
"WHATEVER!"
Metal Bat rolled his head back with an exhausted sigh. "Look, I'm fine. Okay? Stop worrying about me... and do not leave that house." She looked like she was about to protest. "I mean it, Zenko," he said, cutting her off before she could.
She pouted and looked away from the screen. When she turned back, he could see she was brimming with tears again. "... Big bro... I'm scared..."
Metal Bat watched her cry for a moment and tried to think of something to say to ease her worries. "... Zenko... I promise you I'll be home when this is all over... I promise..." She shook her head and looked away again. "Hey," he called out, trying to get her attention. "I'm not alone." He glanced at the side of the bald man's face to see him still deadpanned straight ahead. "Look... I know you don't know who this is, but... he saved me, and he's really strong."
When he panned the camera over enough to get Saitama in the shot, the newly cemented hero glanced over, raising a brow. "Hm?" He locked eyes with the little girl on the screen for a moment. "Oh, uh... hey..."
When silence followed, Metal Bat panned the phone back his way to see if his screen had frozen. "Zenko?" She stared right at the camera in shock. "Hey! ... Damn it! My service is terrible, out here!"
"That's the guy!"
Metal Bat: "... Huh? What guy?"
"That caped-baldy guy that beat that big centipede monster! He beat it with one punch!" Metal Bat glanced at the man who was staring at the screen with that same confused look on his face. "It was on the news and everything! You know him, Big Bro!?"
Saitama raised a brow at the screen. '... Caped-baldy?'
Metal Bat was still trying to fully process her words. Saitama beat Elder Centipede? In... one punch? His sister was young, but she was very observant when it came to keeping up with heroes. She couldn't have mistaken that so drastically. Plus, after everything that just happened, it wasn't impossible for him to believe. A little far-fetched, maybe, but not impossible.
"Hey, mister!?"
Saitama correctly assumed she was speaking to him now. "Uh... yeah?"
"You're strong... right?"
Saitama: "... I guess so."
"... Can you protect my big brother? He's super strong too, but... sometimes he can be a little reckless... and I don't want him to get hurt anymore!"
Saitama glanced at the teen in question, confused by his expression. He expected him to be upset or... embarrassed maybe. Instead, a small grin tickled the corners of his mouth. Was this a happy moment for him somehow? "Uh... yeah. Sure."
"You promise?"
"... okay..."
She smiled and her gaze dropped down to the floor. "Okay... I'll stay here and wait for you... You better be okay!"
Metal Bat chuckled. "Yeah... I promise..."
'... huh? ... it's... dark... What happened? ... Where am I ... Oh... yeah... I remember... I remember I almost had him... My first S-Class hero... I almost killed him, and then... and then I-...'
"G-HUUUUUHHHHH!" With a big gasp, Garou awoke, sucking air back into his body. His animalistic gaze darted around frantically until he realized he was buried in the collapsed debris of a building. "rrrRRAGH!" With a warcry, he dug his way from the rubble with a new fire in his eyes.
AN: There we go! Another... transitional chapter out of the way haha! Hopefully, the changes made were impactful enough. In the next chapter, Saitama will be the main focus. Both narratively, and possibly, literally! Oh yeah, I'm excited! Okay, question this time:
Do you guys read with music or do you just read in silence? If you're a music listener, what do you usually play when reading this story? I sometimes just find a dramatic cinematic playlist to write. It helps me mentally set the stage for my action pieces. My main source of epicness is the Man of Steel soundtrack! I don't know what it is about that Hans Zimmer, but damn it, it builds in the soul!