"We must act immediately!" Metal Knight's voice boomed throughout the room. Rarely did he convey emotion through his machines' body language, but this was an instance that warranted it. "What Silver Fang and I witnessed goes beyond our understanding! The level of power needed to disintegrate that meteor is incomprehensible! There is an entity somewhere in City Z that is able to output such energy and not reveal itself! We need to organize search parties! Assemble S-Class! The world is in danger!" He carried on, becoming more intense.
Currently, only the Association's executives were meeting with Metal Knight. To Groribas' relief, it was decided that Busho, Jinzuren, and the trio of aliens with them should stealthily exit the building and return to the Black Matter Thieves' ship. Of all the unexpected and mind-boggling things to occur as of late, confirming the existence of extraterrestrial life to Metal Knight before the appropriate time could not transpire. There was already far too much to deal with.
"Metal Knight, please, calm down," Sekingar urged, maintaining his role as the voice of the group. "From your tone alone, we grasp how serious of a situation this is. But if we do everything that you suggest, we won't be able to keep this a secret. Someone somewhere will let something slip, and if that happens, it'll be a mess for us all." He told him.
"Secrecy doesn't matter! We're talking about the fate of the world!" Metal Knight exclaimed. It wasn't a righteous sense of justice that fueled this behavior. For the first time in his life, the man felt an existential dread that left him rattled.
"Have you considered that it wasn't a monster?" A new voice chimed in. It belonged to a man named Sitch. His role in the Association was mainly focused on hero coordination and disaster research. Busho and Jinzuren typically reported directly to him. "Think about it, Metal Knight, if this were a monster or villain, why would they reveal themselves so recklessly? Better yet, why have they not revealed themselves before now? If this unknown being is as powerful as you say, which I am not challenging, then they would've made a move already to try and assert their dominance. It makes no sense for someone or something that possesses such strength to go unnoticed for so long." He stated.
The irony that reasoning carried was not lost on the other executives. Sitch basically just described them and their lack of notice regarding Saitama. Admittedly, that's how Sitch was able to form a counterargument so quickly. Even after witnessing what he has, Metal Knight wouldn't be able to refute the logic.
"..." The silence spoke volumes. Metal Knight could typically win any verbal joust right away, but not now. After a few more seconds, he resumed speaking. "Even so, I must insist action is taken. We cannot be idle. If it isn't a monster, as you claim, then we must locate the person responsible. If it is a monster, then we eradicate them without hesitation." He said, only able to emphasize the significance.
"Then we'll leave this matter to you, Metal Knight," Sitch decided, which was met with swift agreement from his peers. "You have the resources and technology to perform thorough surveys within City Z. If there is something to be found there, you'll find it." He told him.
"Very well. I have no argument." Metal Knight accepted, much to their relief. "I suspect Silver Fang will want to be included. If he does not reach out to you first, I'll speak to him since he lives near the city." He added.
"Understood. We'll contact you immediately should Silver Fang speak to us." Sitch promised.
The meeting room became quiet as Metal Knight's drone exited the building. The executives were so anxious that they didn't utter a word until they had confirmation it was gone. When it was received, all of them melted into their chairs.
"So, how do we handle this?..." One of them asked.
"Please, a moment of peace, my head will explode otherwise..." Another person requested.
"Genuinely, we should be fine. Saitama is no longer living in City Z, and Lady Boros and her crew are far from the location. We'll need to tell them to stay away from there for a while, but there shouldn't be any other problems." Sitch reminded the group.
"Why did Saitama decide to move in with her, again?" Sekingar inquired.
"His apartment burned down," Sitch replied, putting a hand to his chin in thought. "However, I don't think they disclosed the cause..." He muttered.
"Eh, likely faulty wiring. Saitama was living in the Ghost Town. I'm amazed his apartment complex lasted as long as it did." A third executive commented, receiving nods from the rest of the group in agreement. Following that, the executives spent the next hour recovering from their stress before getting back to business.
Meanwhile
The Dominator of the Universe. That title commanded respect and instilled fear. Anyone who found themselves in the presence of the one who claimed it would feel the almighty aura of a God. Truly, this was an entity of power so great it instilled existential dread.
"Who's a good puppy?" Boros cooed, clinging to the belly of a very large dog. "You are! Yes, you are!" She exclaimed with a grin.
...Huh. You know, you'd think Boros would be more of a cat person, but as it turns out, she loved canines. Luckily for her, the six-eyed pooch she was snuggling loved her right back. This gigantic good boy was on its back and wagging its tail, taking in all the love it was receiving.
During this, Saitama and Genos were speaking to Xiomara. Or, rather, they were trying to. The Queen of the Subterraneans was unable to keep herself from staring at the baffling display before her.
"...Xi...Xioma...Xiomara!...XIOMARA!"
SNAP
"Huh?" Xiomara finally reacted. A close-range click of the fingers brought her out of her daze.
"There you are, geez," Saitama said, lowering his hand. "You spaced out on us." He informed her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Xiomara apologized, feeling embarrassed. "But surely you won't fault me too much. Seeing someone like Boros act so...so..." She stammered, unable to find the right words.
"Adorable?" Saitama suggested. Some might find that word choice a bit interesting, especially coming from him. Fortunately, he was in the company of a woman who was trying to gather her bearings and a cyborg whose brain was thicker than stale oatmeal.
"I...suppose that will work..." Xiomara accepted, blinking a few times to help her regain her senses.
"Master," Genos spoke, getting the focus on him. "What are we going to do with this creature?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Saitama questioned.
"Are we going to tell the Association about it and have them deal with it?" Genos proposed, hoping that would clarify things.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Boros yelled, raising her head from the dog's abdomen. "THOSE MORONS WOULD PROBABLY PUT THIS POOR THING IN A KENNEL! MAYBE THEY'D EVEN BIND IT IN CHAINS! I'D SOONER KILL THEM ALL THEN LET THAT HAPPEN!" She declared with a fire burning in her gaze.
"Boros, there will be no mass genocide," Saitama said with the same tone that a parent would use with their child.
"If they touch this puppy, then they deserve death!" Boros insisted while hugging the dog more intensely.
"Calm down. There's no reason to plan your next war crime," Saitama assured her with a wave. "I was confused by Genos' question because I assumed we'd be taking it back to your ship." He revealed.
"Absolutely! He's coming home with us!" Boros agreed.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Saitama?" Xiomara inquired as she pointed at the hole in the dog made. "I don't doubt that you and Boros could handle anything that beast can do, but it could prove to be more hassle than it is worth." She warned.
"Bah! That's absurd!" Boros exclaimed. "I've handled creatures most species would revere as gods. I've also wrangled horrors that could drive weaker minds mad. Feeding, training, and caring for a puppy is NOTHING by comparison." She stated.
"Master, if I may," Genos interjected while getting closer so he could whisper. "Depending on how the others are faring with the Association and your status as an official hero, giving Boros something to fixate on besides you would be the easiest way to keep her distracted." He advised. Upon hearing that, Saitama's eyes widened.
"Genos, you're a genius." Saitama praised his apprentice, immediately approving the idea.
"What's going on? Why are you whispering?" Boros asked.
"We're just spitballing," Saitama quickly answered as he and Genos pulled away from each other. "Genos thinks it'd be a good idea if we trained him and the dog together. Two birds, one stone." He said.
"Correct. Although it would be two different styles of training, since we'd already be outside and doing things, it would be efficient to handle both tasks simultaneously." Genos chimed in, supporting his Master's fib.
"Huh, yeah, that would save us time," Boros agreed. "Alright, Saitama will prioritize your betterment as a warrior while I focus on the puppy." She decided.
"Excuse me," Xiomara spoke up with a hand raised. "Could I...maybe...join in on the training?" She requested.
"Oh? Looking to be stronger?" Saitama guessed, receiving a nod.
"It's not to try and overcome you or Boros. Now that I've learned my true standing in the grand scheme of things, I feel a sickening emotion inside me." Xiomara began as she turned to look at her kingdom. "I've always believed I could protect the Subterranean race from anything. Admittedly, a fair amount of that confidence was ego, but still, I am a capable fighter. However, my skills mean very little in the face of overwhelming power that I have no countermeasure for. If something emerged that possessed even a fraction of the strength either of you wields, then all I can do is watch everything I hold dear to me be destroyed. I need to prevent that nightmarish future before it ever draws near." She explained.
Thud
"You've got a good heart, Xiomara," Boros complimented her. That unexpected sound was her dropping down from the dog's belly, which she did to walk over. "Most rulers I've met think about themselves and their safety when confronted by insurmountable opposition. Leaders like yourself are a rarity, and they should be acknowledged for their courage and dedication." She continued, now standing closer to her. "However, training alone might not be enough. Just like with Genos, improving your skills and knowledge can only do so much. Genos can receive upgrades easily since he's a cyborg. But you? We might have to consider additional methods to ensure you're up to snuff for whatever comes our way. Would you be willing to partake in such things?" She concluded, ending with a question.
"Yes," Xiomara told her as she crossed her arms over her body. "I do not care what it takes. Meeting you and Saitama has been the greatest benefit of my life. I no longer presume that I am unmatched or that the Subterraneans have no equals or superiors. Whatever I must do, I will do it. My home and my people will not suffer because I failed to act as their sword." She vowed.
"Heh, good," Boros responded, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Before any of that, though, you need to relax. You might be made of stone, but that's no reason to be so stiff." She said, managing to make her chuckle.
"Thank you. I will do my best," Xiomara replied. "One more thing. Could my people join the training, too? I don't want to leave them behind." She requested.
"I've got no issues with that," Boros agreed before looking over her shoulder. "How bout you guys?" She asked.
"All good," Saitama answered with a thumbs up while Genos silently nodded. As for the dog, it was getting to its feet by now.
"Okay, then. First thing tomorrow morning, we'll start training. Make sure to get there early so we don't have to wait for you." Boros instructed, looking back at Xiomara.
"We'll leave before dawn breaks. That will give all of you plenty of time to wake up and enjoy a meal without any pressure." Xiomara described.
"That will also allow me to travel to the ship as well," Genos commented.
"Great. Works out for everyone." Boros said with a smile, receiving one final nod from everyone.
?
Between the many cities of humanity, there was a vast wilderness. Depending on the area, it could be grassy plains, sand-covered wastes, mountainous valleys, and so on. Honestly, if you got lost out there, it'd be Hell and then some trying to find your way to any pocket of civilization. The only thing that could make it worse was if you didn't know where you came from!
Well, sadly, someone was dealing with those circumstances. A lone figure wandered the wilds of the world with a head full of fog. Not remembering where your point of origin was or how you got to where you are is already VERY bad. However, this poor soul didn't recall ANYTHING.
Identity? Nada. A past? Nope. Memories of a former life? You wish. The individual currently roaming across the land was a stranger to themselves! All they had was the clothes on their body, the hair on their head, and the wings on their back, which they didn't know how to use!
Oh, wait. There is ONE more thing that this person carried. It was the only object with them when they woke up. It was a fairly heavy metal sphere. To this wandering figure, the object was viewed as either a possession or a potential clue. To anyone else, they'd recognize it as something used in sports, referred to as a shotput.