Night fell.
The authorities led the cleanup at the ruined festival grounds.
Fly corpses were everywhere.
Government agents in gas masks were piling the larger fly carcasses into heaps and torching them with flame throwers.
A small crowd was still gathered around Ricky, praising him for his fly swatting expertise.
A few disgruntled citizens kicked dead flies and spat, "Ha!"
The police officers who had been on duty at the festival were also congratulating Ricky on his hard work, and multiple people asked to see and hold the Thundering Destroyer just once….
Ricky even got a job offer from a local pest extermination company!
After brushing off would-be fans with his typical nonchalant attitude, Ricky was finally able to get away from the crowd and made his way home to shower.
He was covered in fly goop and smelled like a dumpster.
He left Tim darting about, his camera still running, trying to get footage of the cleanup when the officers weren't looking.
The live stream had ended on a high note when the last fly fell under the assault of The Thundering Destroyer.
People who watched the live stream were still commenting under the video like crazy.
That night, a world-shaking press conference rocked San Alvera City.
***
Emergency Press Conference – Channel 9:
"EMPEROR FILTHIUS IX SPEAKS OUT!
Exclusive interview with 'Emperor Filthius IX' reveals the reason behind the mutant fly incursion!
A desperate struggle for survival, or a bid for world domination? The self-proclaimed emperor of the flies finally breaks his silence!"
***
The citizens of San Alvera city watched the local news in horror.
In a murky underground sewer, the mutant fly calling himself Emperor Filthius IX was caped in filthy tattered paisley drapes, standing arrogantly before the cameras.
"Test, test, is this mic on?" the mutant fly asked, and his gravelly voice sent chills through all the listeners.
He must have gotten some kind of response from a reporter, because he settled down and then the press conference began.
"Ah, Dr. Filthius is it?" one reporter began.
"Emperor Filthius IX, please…" the mutant fly cut in.
Those who were watching the broadcast with others exchanged looks that said, 'Who does this creep, no fly, think he is?'
"Right… Emperor Filthius IX…" the reporter continued awkwardly. "What's your purpose sending out this horde of mutant flies, and why San Alvera City?
"I have only one goal," he warbled in his deep moist-sounding voice. "To spread decay!"
Cough!
"I am a fly, who will spread the glories of decay WITH THE WORLD!"
"Where did all these oversized flies come from?" another voice shouted in the background.
"They are, teehee," he chuckled sinisterly, "my children!"
Like a total villainous drama queen, he had to go and raise his forearms to the sky after saying that.
As if on cue glowing green and red eyes of different sizes lit up the murky darkness behind Emperor Filthius IX, and the buzzing of many wings filled the sewer.
"Ugh!"
One reporter couldn't help it and gagged, being directly grossed out by the whole scene, but everyone else was too scared to make a sound.
They were surrounded!
"S-so, tell us Emperor Filthius IX, sir," another reporter timidly stammered "r-rumors have it that you're a failed government experiment? W-would you care to clarify that point for us?"
Emperor Filthius IX turned his huge globe like eyes towards the camera, and his mouth parts curled up as though he was smirking.
"No comment."
Silence filled the sewer.
"Then – Do you have any connection with the top-secret research surrounding Project Wingman?"
Humph!
"No comment."
"What are your weaknesses? If someone were to take you down right now, how could they do it?"
Emperor Filthius IX stomped the sewer floor in frustration.
"Don't you people want to know my back story at all?!" he roared.
"S-sir, w-we just kinda want to know i-if you'll let us go home?" the stammering reporter put forward timidly.
He scoffed, raised his wings and his mouth parts curled up again.
"What do you think?"
The mic dropped, and screams filled the sewer as the camera fell with a splash into murky darkness.
"Wing-Fu: Summon of the Imperial Swarm!" Emperor Filthius roared.
The buzzing of wings drowned out the frantic screaming of the reporters, then the video feed went dead.