Villain Retirement

When was it?

When was it that the people truly last felt like they were safe? That when they go out in the world, a random supervillain won't just suddenly swoop in and take them hostage; or worse, their families hostage?

When was it that the people could walk out there, and not worry that an evil super would just suddenly kill them?

When was it that even though they know that Darkday still exists, the sun will still shine on them?

If you ask out of a million people, nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine of them would answer– When Megawoman was still there.

They knew that there were thousands and thousands of superheroes out there. Heroes that will also risk their lives to save them… but there was just something about the comfort that Megawoman's existence brings.

One would think the superheroes might think that the people were ungrateful to them, but no. Because for the superheroes, Megawoman was also their hero. She meant that much to the world.

And now, she returns right when the world needs her the most.

Megawoman returns.

"...But who is that beside her?"

And she was not alone. There was a white-haired young man beside her, and she was holding… his hand?

Whopper, as well as the other heroes that chose to stay and fight the colossal robot, could only look at each other almost as if to ask themselves if what they were seeing was right. They were completely and utterly distracted– not even noticing the rubbles and debris that were starting to fall from between the colossal robot's legs… almost like it was taking a dump.

They also weren't noticing that the hole that Megawoman created when she went through the robot was slowly closing; once again like branches tying in and becoming a single branch. Their eyes were just fixated on Megawoman…

…as well as the white-haired young man.

"Wait…" One of the heroes that remained took in a small but very deep breath as he looked at the white-haired man from head to toe; the man was wearing a white long coat, and then a formal black suit beneath it– almost like he was some sort of mafioso.

"Isn't that… Riley Ross?"

"What? The one who killed all of those prisoners?"

"The new S-Grade Super!?"

"...Don't you mean the one who lifted Toronto?"

"...That happened?"

The heroes once again looked at each other as each of their statements totally differ from each other. But almost as if relieving their confusion, Whopper took a step forward.

"He did all of that," Whopper then said as she took in a small gulp, "And he was also the one who retrieved Megawoman from the Government."

"...When did that happen?"

"Right before the aliens invaded," Whopper continued, "I was watching the news just last night."

"We… were invaded just last night? It almost feels like we've been fighting for days."

"Can you guys shut up for a sec!?" Whopper could not help but loudly whisper as the other heroes once again started talking with each other without a care in the world– why wouldn't they, when Megawoman was here?

Whopper was the same; her heart, almost beating wildly as she stood in front of the greatest hero that ever existed.

"M… Megawoman, t… t… thank you for saving us!" Whopper completely stuttered her words, and yet Megawoman did not seem to mind as she just remained standing there. It was somewhat hard to understand what she was thinking due to the fact that… she was wearing sunglasses.

She waited for a few more seconds to see if Megawoman would react, but she didn't. The only thing that Whopper could really do was place her attention on Riley Ross.

"T… thank you for helping us," she still stuttered her words, but not as much when she was facing Megawoman.

"..."

[If you want to read more chapters, visit p a n d a-n o v e l,c om] However, once again, silence answered her. And very soon, the colossal robot that they had initially thought to already be subdued… started to move.

[We… are detecting signatures of a Themarian,] the clovians' voice once again echoed through the air; this time, however, it was much softer.

[It would seem our help is unneeded, after all. You have given us the wrong information, mud people– but we will be merciful and forgiving. We shall take our leave.]

And without those words, the feet of the colossal robot started to leave the ground; taking along with a small part of the ground as well as the miniature debris surrounding it.

"T… that's right!" One of the heroes clapped his hands, "Leave you fucking illegal aliens! Next time you come back, we will build a wall to stop you!"

"Is it… finally over?" Whopper let out a long and very deep breath that stuttered and whispered in the air; her legs, giving out as she saw the colossal robot finally leaving.

They fought for their lives and the lives of others; ready to sacrifice themselves with each second as the aliens continued to swarm… but now that Megawoman suddenly made her appearance, the aliens… just started to leave.

The timing couldn't be anymore per–

And before Whopper could finish her thoughts, Megawoman and Riley also flew away; the sound of a boom thundering and almost deafening their ears as they almost disappeared from their spot instantly.

And before any of them could even look at each other, a bright red light suddenly flashed in the sky– beaming through the body of the colossal robot and plowing through it like cheese.

"What… is Megawoman doing?"

Unbeknownst to the people below, however, the red beam did not come from Megawoman. It was quite hard and almost impossible to see from the ground… but the light was actually beaming from Riley's eyes.

"She… she's probably just scaring them so they wouldn't think to come back," Whopper let out a somewhat awkward laugh as she looked at the colossal robot being bombarded by a violent storm of lasers.

"...Am I the only one still weirded out with Megawoman holding Riley?"

"Maybe she's… mentoring him?"

"I don't think–"

And before the group of heroes could finish their discussion, another boom echoed in their ears as a silhouette passed by them– they turned to look, only to see Megawoman holding a clovian… by the face; pinning it on a wall of a building.

Riley was beside her, of course– his arm still being held by Megawoman's other hand. The group of heroes then turned to look back at the colossal robot, only to see it completely suspended in the air.

"Megawoman, what's–"

"Plias g'net us."

And even with its mouth covered, a voice still seemed to resound from the clovian, "Wai ru noviri."

And although they could not understand the words coming out from it, they could clearly hear the anxiety and fear just from the tremble of the clovian's voice.

"Megawoman," Whopper then stepped closer, "The clovians seem weak physically, you can let us handle them. Maybe we could learn something if we–"

And before Whopper could finish her words, a small squish whispered into her ear– her face, suddenly feeling some sort of warm and slightly gooey texture trailing down on it.

"..." She blinked a couple of times, before slowly moving her hand and brushing it on her face; and as she did so, she felt something slimy sticking to her hand. She looked, only to see some sort of… pink mud.

She didn't need to wonder what it was, though– as the source was right in front of her. The clovian that Megawoman was restraining… no longer had a head attached to its body.

"...Megawoman?"

Megawoman… doesn't kill. That has been the case for hundreds of years– that was the reason why everyone felt safe with her even though she could probably destroy the Earth if she wanted to.

But now, seeing her crush someone's head without even any hesitation…

…Whopper and the others could not help but feel a little… strange.

"..."

"..."

"Oh."

And finally, the short silence was broken by Riley Ross as Megawoman retracted her hand.

"I didn't expect their species to be physically weak, Megawoman," Riley could not help but shake his head and sigh, "The blue aliens from last night had strong bodies, I am truly sorry for tarnishing your hands."

"What… is going on?" Whopper could not help but take in a small but very deep breath. Something…

…was very very wrong, she thought as she stepped back and stared at Riley.

"I suppose all of you saw?" Riley then turned his head towards Whopper and the other heroes, "That is–"

"Run!"

And before Riley could finish her words, Whopper suddenly turned around and ran away– leaving the other heroes completely confused as they stared at her. Their eyes, however, widened as Whopper was suddenly crushed by a large chunk of pavement that came out of nowhere.

"What is–"

And before they could even react… They, too, were suddenly crushed and buried by a large debris that came out of nowhere.

"..." Seeing this, Riley could only let out a short but very deep breath as he nodded to himself, 

"The things I do for you, Megawoman," he then said, "You do not have to worry, I will make sure your image remains as pure as–"

This time, it was Riley's turn to be interrupted as he heard a small putter whispering from afar. He turned to look, only to see a group of civilians running away; some of them, glancing at him and Megawoman.

"Oh…" Riley then once again muttered as his eyes slowly emitted a red light, "You don't have to worry, Megawoman…

…No one will know."