The Mysterious Threat

"Aplesis?" Saitama clenched his fists in excitement. "Magneton also mentioned something about them, so are they strong?"

"They'll be like ants for you," The mayor sighed and started to chuckle. "You've defeated the very monster whose presence was so severe that even Arplesis pissed in their pants."

The book in the mayor's hand suddenly vanished as he turned around to fix his gaze on the sky through a window. 

"Arplesis is an evil organization that had existed long before Magneton was born. According to the old sources, they were the reason Magneton became a deadly monster from a Sapohuman. Even though their main headquarters had been destroyed several times by Magneton, their organization never disappeared. They were also the reason our planet now looks like something made of garbage."

Suddenly, the mayor snapped his fingers, and two high-quality photos of Kerbes appeared out of thin air and started to float. 

The photos were incredibly beautiful, and mere words couldn't justify the captivating scenes they captured.

The one on the left featured an enchanting, long waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. Nearby, a small pond had formed, where two deer were peacefully drinking.

The second photo showed the city with lots of green plants and trees. It featured the mayor and his wife seated beside a captivating fountain.

As soon as the mayor looked at the photos, tears flowed from his eyes. "It was all so beautiful...Pleasant..."

His tears carried heavy weights of emotions, especially sadness, as he remembered his deceased wife and compared the planet to how it looked now.

Saitama stared at the mayor with a straight face. "Did this planet have potatoes?"

"Uh... Potatoes?" The mayor glanced around, thinking of what to say. "Yes..."

The mayor snapped his fingers again, vanishing the photos. Afterwards, he produced a handkerchief out of the blue and wiped his tears. "Anyway, I have a feeling that they might be planning something big today."

He bent forward and politely requested. "With all the expressions and things you've told me, I now have an idea that you're not from this planet. But, as a mayor and a resident of Kerbes, I humbly request you to save our planet."

Saitama nodded, and his face turned detailed as he pointed towards himself. "I'll help you for the sake of those poor potatoes- I mean because I'm a guy who's become a hero for fun."

"Thank you..." The mayor cried again. 

Suddenly, Marcus interrupted the emotional scene with a loud growl. "Why does that old geezer always start to pick on me?"

He stretched his arms and opened his eyes with a long yawn. "Oh, did I fall asleep?"

The mayor slowly turned his head around like a ghost and stared at Marcus with an icy, death glare. The aura in the atmosphere suddenly turned intense. "Old Geezer? I pick on you?"

Marcus quickly leaped forward and shouted. "Mister, quick, let's head back."

Saitama followed, and they reached the exit. Marcus was panting. "Thank god he didn't follow me."

He swiftly looked around to find his bike. "Oof... It's going to be a day."

After a few minutes, they found themselves in the middle of the town.

"It's already dusk," Marcus sighed before muttering. "I was listening to it all."

He glanced towards Saitama. "I have a faint idea of their base, and I can take you there tonight."

Saitama nodded while picking his nose. "I think I still have a cold."

"I have some antibiotics in the room," Marcus replied.

He further accelerated his bike to its maximum speed. After an hour, they reached the back entrance.

"Hape, we're back," Marcus shouted as he applied the brakes.

"Alright," Hape yelled. "There's a problem, come here fast."

Marcus squinted his eyes while Saitama got off the bike. "What happened?"

He rushed to Hape, who was standing near the translucent gate.

Hape was filling a gun magazine with bullets. "I heard a loud explosion outside."

"Did you check it out?" Marcus asked as he bent down to pick up another magazine beside him on a table.

"No," Hape subtly replied. "I was waiting for you."

"Then what're you waiting for? Let's go!" Marcus ran towards the stairs and shouted. "Mister, there might be an enemy outside."

"Is he strong?" Saitama followed.

Within a few minutes, they were ready to set out. Hape opened the main metal door, allowing Marcus and Saitama to exit.

Marcus carried a futuristic-looking AK-47-style rifle and wore an armor vest with bulging magazine pockets.

"Hape said that the explosion brewed from the region you came yesterday," Marcus gestured with one of his hands.

Impressed by the futuristic look of the gun, Saitama stared at it and asked. "Are you sure you'll be able to walk around with that heavy gun?"

"About that..." Marcus glanced down. "I'm used to it."

Suddenly, thunderclouds began to form in the distance, and Marcus took notice before he started running. "Something is wrong."

After a few moments, they found themselves beneath the enormous, black clouds, heavy with the promise of imminent thunderstorms.

"We're about 500 meters away from the estimated explosion site," Marcus looked at a fancy watch he was wearing.

Suddenly, the ominous clouds began to shine brightly in blinding yellow light. 

"What is happening?" Marcus screamed. "Is it an enemy attack?"

As soon as he finished, the bright light vanished.

Amazed by the suspicious event, Marcus immediately started running towards the heart of the clouds. "I have a really bad feeling about this."

"Is it related to those Arplekiss-?" Saitama cleared his throat, catching up to Marcus. "Those bad guys?"

They reached near a giant crater, about ten feet in depth. "Is this the place you fought the wolf, mister?"

Saitama nodded. "Probably, since there are shattered rocks everywhere."

Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from the ominous clouds, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. It was followed by a barrage of thunderbolts that rained on the center of the crater.

Marcus instantly covered his ears while Saitama stood agape, watching the alluring thunderstrikes.

"Mister, are you sure you killed that wolf?" Marcus shouted as loud as he could.

"I doubt it escaped from my punches," Saitama cleaned some debris stuck on his arms. 

An enormous amount of rocks and debris started to float in the air, carried by the rapid gushes of wind.

"Then where are these thunderstrikes coming from?" Marcus questioned, closing his eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED...