[30-Apr-2017] [One-Punch Man] The End Of The Beginning Of The End

[kb9vcn.livejournal.com]

Title: The End Of The Beginning Of The End
Prompt: 30-Apr-2017 "their wings were unrelieved black"
Based on: One-Punch Man
Characters: Genos, Saitama, Tatsumaki mentioned
Type: Humor; 200 words
Warnings: Literally apocalyptic imagery.

Saitama was lounging in his apartment, engrossed in a manga and ignoring a steadily increasing level of screaming from the streets below.

A moderately-damaged and obviously shaken Genos suddenly barged in, slammed the door shut behind him, and then fell against it.

"Dude!" said Saitama. "You look like you've been through hell."

"I have, sensei," Genos said in a voice devoid of hope. "I have been through hell on earth. Armageddon. Ragnarok. The Apocalypse...

"Unspeakable things walk the earth— things that drive men mad on sight. They make the Deep Sea King look like a garden gecko.

"And indescribable terrors darken the skies. Their wings are unrelieved black, and they blot out the very sun. Even Tatsumaki cannot repel them.

"This is the first battle of a final war we cannot win, sensei. This is the beginning of the END."

Genos slumped to the floor and held his face in his hands.

Saitama pondered what Genos had said... and then he smiled a deeply disturbing smile.

He stood up, straightened his cape, cracked his knuckles... and made a fist.

"I hope," Saitama said as he walked towards the door, "that you haven't been exaggerating just to get my hopes up."