Chapter 2

At the Dragon's keep.

Garou was getting concerned…

Never in the time that the martial artists have been here, have they gone all out like this. Suiryu just returned from the lab, devastated to say the least that Alley once more shut him down for a date. Normally this doesn't get him angry, as of late though, it does. Yet he announced he needed to blow off some steam. "You and me, let's spar!" announced Lightning Max.

Suiryu happily agreed as they went out to the sparring pit. Garou was listening from afar in the living room. With the whole mess with the pint size heroes over with, he was finally able to focus on Melee. Keeping her safe, content and well protected within himself. Yet, as of late, he couldn't help but sense the change of atmosphere in the house.

He hardly noticed Snek slithering into the room until he shouted. "GAROU!"

The human monster snapped out of his blank stare. "Huh…"

"In your own little world there, what's wrong?"

Garou kept peering towards the door, Suiryu and Max left a short time ago, and yet it was them that has him concerned. "Something's going on." He announced. Slowly, he eased himself off the couch, a little difficult to do with a pregnant wife within him. But when he stood he, Garou felt the urge to go out and investigate the two martial artists.

He was more than aware of Max's growing strength, in fact, after the last meeting at the association. Flash took him off to the side and told him so. "He's far faster than before, he has nearly surpassed me. Normally that is unforgivable, but given his situation, I have overlooked it for the time being. Yet his speed change occurred very suddenly and very abruptly. Nothing to do with the training we have accomplished. But, this aggressive attack he has developed has me concerned. I never taught him such a tactic. I would be cautious and keep a close eye on him, perhaps your daughter's cure is losing its affect."

By the time Garou reached the sparring pit, he saw it. Max was like a wild creature, his body charged to the limit, he could strike Suiryu rather fast and abruptly, and yet in return, Suiryu would return the favor ten fold! This was more than a mere sparring session. This was all out war!

"What the hell is with those two!" demanded Snek.

Garou shook his head to it all, but noticed how worried Snek was for them. "I don't know, but I don't like it either. I got to stop this."

"With Melee in you?!"

"This is nothing." Garou said.

Suddenly, the earth shook, Suiryu struck Max so hard, and he was implanted into the ground and unable to get out! A defiant and victorious roar erupted out of him, but then, a darkened look came over his eyes. He began to stalk Max oddly. "Hell no…" muttered Garou.

He was quick to get between the two. Suiryu took to the air and was about to land another strike when Garou used his tail and ensnared him. Slamming him to the ground hard, then, he used his tail once more, prying Max from the ground and gave him a good lash across the face.

The two snapped out of it. "HEY!" Suiryu protested. "What was that for?"

"Yeah, we're just sparring," said Max.

Garou snorted. "Sparring? You were beating the unholy hell out of each other!"

Suiryu picked himself off the ground, Max dusted himself off and picked out the chunks of dirt lodged in his scales. "No we weren't!" Max protested. "We just went all out, that's all…"

"He was going to kill you!" called Snek from the outskirts of the pit. "You both looked about ready to destroy each other. You got stronger, no doubt about it, but you were trying to fry Suiryu to a crisp!"

The two were stunned, Suiryu tried to remember their spar session. "Maybe they are right… Max, do you remember anything we did in the past few minute?"

Max appeared to try and recall, but shook his head. "I… can't."

Garou's arms crossed. "Ease up on the sparring you two. I can't keep prying you apart. Melee needs her rest, and I don't need this shit going on. Understood?"

The two hung their heads and nodded. "Good."

"Hey, Garou… before you go. I have a favor to ask… can you talk to Alley for me?" Suiryu questioned. Garou's head crooked to the side in confusion. "She… doesn't want to go out anywhere with me anymore. Not after what happened at the carnival. I can understand she is embarrassed about what happened, but I don't want her to feel she can't go out in public either."

"The matter is being addressed as we speak." Said Garou. "Pac insisted he tend to this one."

"Pac?" asked Max.

"Yeah, he knows exactly what she's going through."