Chapter 1- The more things change.
"Monster, monster! Pac is a monster!"
The children continued to sing along as Pac would play in the park with his siblings. What surprised him though were the parents snickering and laughing at the whole thing, they thought it was adorable to see their children mock another for looking different.
Pac however didn't care anymore. He knew Zenko liked him for who he was, that's all that mattered to him.
"Didn't you hear me freak! I am calling you a monster!" shouted a boy.
"No, I heard you," said Pac. "I just don't care about what you say or think."
He turned to leave when he noticed a rock just missed him. He looked back as the other boys began to pick up rock and stones. With a nod, they all threw their stones right at him. It was a pointless effort. Pac deflected every last one of them, and was able to launch them right back! The boys ran, terrified and cried to their mothers about what happened.
Then, the parents stepped in. "How dare you attack my child!" demanded one of the mothers.
"How dare you turn a blind eye to your spoiled little brat?"
Pac hid his smile as he saw his own mother standing behind the others, they slowly turned to face her. Her arms crossed and a look of anger spread over her face. "You really believe your sons are sweet little angels who could do no harm? Really? You should count yourself lucky that my son has the resilience and resists fighting back." She stormed through the mob of parents. She leaned down and made certain Pac wasn't hurt. His hands were a little scuffed but nothing serious. "I am so proud of you." She said to him.
His chest swelled. "Thanks mom."
She stood once more and turned to those who still dared to be around. "You don't think I notice when someone is picking on my children? Do you think I don't notice your little snickering as you witness this? Do you really think I won't do something about it?!" She was getting angry, so much so her body started to glow. Toys, playground equipment and anything loose began to float around them. Pac was surprised to it all, but it was all put back into place.
"My only warning to you. Raise your kids with respect for others, or someone someday will beat it into them!"
The women coddled their children and were quick to run. Pac was impressed, he has seen his mother angry before, but never like that! "That was amazing mom!"
"Can you teach me to do that too!" called Hunter.
She smiled and shook her head. "I shouldn't have done that, anger can get the best of me sometimes, and I don't want you kids thinking that's okay. But sometimes, you have to show them that you won't be pushed around anymore."
"Mom, can you fight as well as dad can?" asked Alley.
She shook her head. "No, your father is at a whole different level than I am. I know a little bit, but his knowledge is far greater than mine."
"Can dad lift stuff like that too?" questioned Hunter.
"He hasn't really tried to be honest, but let's not talk about that, how about we get some ice cream!"
The triplets cheered as they went to the ice cream parlor. It was strange though, ever since Pac and Zenko had a second ice cream date, the whole store changed. There were new owners and they were far friendlier than the last man who ran it. Whenever they came in, they were greeted and treated well. They could sit in peace and enjoy their chilled treat without much worry. That is, unless a monster attacks.
It just so happened that very day too, before any of them could take a bite, the sirens wailed.
"Attention, demon level threat in the area, please, evacuate"
Their mother sighed. "I got to go."
"Let's go with you!" said Hunter.
"We can help!" announced Alley.
"Please!" begged Pac.
She was reluctant, but nodded. It was level demon and no doubt Garou would beat her there. So she nodded and allowed the kids to come along. They scarfed down their treats before running out the door. Pac was excited, it was the first time his mom ever let him and his siblings come along for a monster take down!
How fortunate for them, it was just a block away! They could see the burst of smoke and dust from a distance, people who were still in the area began to run for their lives. The triplets however were waiting in anticipation. There was indeed a monster there, and he was rampaging! The thing looked like a massive alligator with four arms. It was snapping at people running by, trying to eat them. But then, it turned and saw the triplets. "Mmm, bite size snacks!" it said.
Hunter snickered. "You think we're bite size?" He stood poised and ready to strike, until something dashed right in front of him. His mother. She stood at the ready, the monster however only laughed.
"Oooo, I know you, Melee Brawler! The monster lover. What's wrong sweetheart, not your type?"
She smirked. "Spoken for, number one. Number 2, just wasting time until he got here."
"Until who…"
SMASH!
Their father dropped from the sky, landing right on the monster's head and crushing him into the ground with a single strike of his fist. The triplets were in aw of their father's strength. "Whoa…." Whispered Alley.
"Yeah… whoa" muttered Hunter.
The monster was dead, their father dragged it out of the crater he made and laid it out on the street. "This was a demon threat? That's pushing it, tiger at best." He said.
"I agree, but a threat is a threat." She turned to the triplets who stared on at the monster. "Okay kids, let's get you home for dinner."
"Mom… how come dad doesn't eat dinner with us?" asked Pac. "With all the training he does, he must get hungry. I know I do."
She didn't say anything, instead she kept turning back to their father. He gave a sigh. "Because I eat the monsters that attack the city." He confessed. Pac watched as his father took the monster he just killed and placed it into his mouth. He watched him swallow the thing whole! And yet, as the last bit of the monster vanished down his throat, he didn't look full. He went as far as opening his mouth, showing his children he indeed ate it. "See, I eat them, so there's more food for you three. If I ate what you did, I would eat everything. Nothing would be left. That's not fair now is it?"
"Whoa… I want to do that too!" whispered Hunter.
"No, you don't," said their father. "Come on, we got me fed, now it's time to get you fed!"