Chapter 2

"BETTER FORM!"

"WATCH HIS BACK!"

"GOOD!"

Street was at it again with Knuckle. Despite their recent set of circumstances, they remained as Neo Heroes, and decided to help train the next batch of them. Darkshine did a good job, yet there was something lacking. Darkshine can take a hit, show no pain and not give a good idea as to how strong someone could be. Not to mention he would be considered a level dragon threat with his power. Those they are training are attempting to take down level Demons and lower until proven otherwise. Today, the twins were training Squad 45. Drax and his friends have excellent team work, they can play to each other's strengths and counter their weaknesses. Street saw great potential in them.

Knuckle liked how serious they could get when push comes to shove. At the moment, he was playing the monster as Street hung back and observed. Drax was without a doubt the strongest in the group. He wouldn't hesitate to go in for the strike, yet this was also the weakness of the group as well. 'They cannot keep depending on him' Street thought. 'If something happens to Drax, these boys would fall one by one.'

"KNUCKLE, HOLD OFF!" Street called.

The sparring came to a sudden stop. "What for!" he demanded.

"Drax, come out"

"What? Did I do something wrong?" he asked.

"Sort of, but come here and see this with me okay?" Drax was reluctant as he stopped out of formation. From there Street called for them to start up again. With that, the sparring began once more.

"Do you see what I see?" Street asked as he leaned towards Drax.

The kid paused as he watched on as his team tried to take on Knuckle. Despite their teamwork and improved talents, they were unable to land a strike. "They can't hit him…" he whispered.

"Not only that, but if you are taken out of the equation, where does that leave them?"

There was a look of shock on Drax's face. He didn't realize that before. Despite his abilities and strength, if something were to happen to him, the squad becomes sitting ducks. "Oh shit…" he muttered.

"Now, you guys are an awesome team, but we got to be sure you can stand alone if it ever comes down to that situation. Knuckle is going easy on them now, that would be a tiger level threat if that. If we were to be serious, your squad would be done in mere seconds."

"ENOUGH!" Knuckle called out.

The teens were panting, unable to catch their breath as Knuckle cleared the sweat off his brow. "Not bad boys, not bad. We got some work ahead of us to say the least."

"Damn… how can…. You keep going!?" demanded Jun.

"I'm a Brawler, boys, you need to remember that. My family has been doing this for generations. Now, we know Drax has taught you well, but you need to strengthening I suggest we speak with Ran and Shaw on this…"

"Agreed, that and some weight training." Said Street.

"Yeah, weights!" cheered Knuckle. "Okay boys, dismissed!" as squad 45 left, Knuckle went to the bench of the sparring room and took out a towel. He cleared the sweat off his face before taking a deep breath. "No sign of him huh?" he asked.

"Not one, haven't see Evo in the past two weeks. He's behind all of this, isn't he? Our sudden wake up out of a 'coma', he's been holding out on us… but why?" Street wondered aloud. He began to fall into a deep thought. "Knuckle… sis said they were up against this secrete organization called the House of Evolution… Dr. Genus who we met originally started it, and yet, he cloned himself during this time to have lab assistance. I am safe to assume that these so call lab assistance went off on their own to continue the work of their changed master?"

"No shit," growled Knuckle. "Question remains though, why are they after sis and the family so badly? I know they are different, and yeah I guess you could consider them a new kind of monster, but so what? What would that prove? What's there to gain? I mean you don't want to turn the whole population into that do you?" he said aloud.

Street's eyes widened. "That's it, the next evolution of mankind, they don't want it to occur naturally, and they want it forced! Taking what they consider to be the next evolution, Garou, the kids… sis!"

Knuckle nodded. "Seems too obvious for that, don't you think. Why force an evolution in people you throw away like used play things?" he asked.

Street paused at the thought, his brother was right! "Exactly,"

They froze and turned to the door. Dr. Evo walked in and smiled warmly to them. "YOU!" roared Street.

Yet Knuckle held him back. "Easy bro, remember. He brought us back… he can easily take us out too… ain't that right doc? You got a contingency plan?"

Evo stepped a little close. "Actually, no, I do not. In fact gentlemen, the reason for your rebirth isn't for my own selfish needs. In fact, I am indeed one of many who are part of the house of evolution… at least, I was." He said. "I have honored master's wishes, and yet found myself pulled back in by more ambitious counter parts. I remained since I have been informing master Genus of the progress. Including the cloning of you. It was he who warned your sister to not approach until your minds were ready to know the truth, the full truth." He explained.

"Why the hell should we believe a word you say?" demanded Knuckle. "For that matter, if you are seeking the next evolution, why bring us back?"

He shrugged his shoulders rather carelessly. "Truthfully, I was curious. It's not every day you find blood that has vitality to it when it only should last 43 days. That blood was well over ten years old."

"So what," said Street.

"To be honest gentlemen, your cloning was not just a test. Had I succeeded, for the original plan was to gift you to your sister as a peace offering and apology for what we have put the family through. But now, it appeared that I have merely opened the door for a greater opportunity for you to become harmed and used as pawns in this battle still."

"What do you mean Evo?" demanded Knuckle.

"The clone, the most ambitious of us all, 106, wishes to use you for farther testing. Yet, knowing this, and if your sister catches wind of it. She would part the heaven and earth to retrieve you, playing into his hands more than anything. He would use you to get to your sister."

The brothers growled lowly. "Shit!" hissed Street. "If we kept away from her, if she never knew we were brought back…"

"Don't take this out on yourselves, this is my doing. I am telling you this now for it won't be long before 106 makes a move, and I can promise you, he will. He wants your sister and her family for his testing. He will use you to get it. But perhaps, I can help you prepare ahead of time." Evo paused as the brothers glared at him. "I assure you, I don't wish ill will on you nor do I wish the wrath of Garou and his kin to befall upon me. I know what has become of those clones who have done such a thing. I rather die at the hands of 106 than Garou!"

"Wait… Garou's killed?" asked Street.

"Yes, devoured the clones without mercy. The dragon monsters that are attached to his body are capable of such devastation," he shuttered at the thought of it all. "I don't wish to think of an end like that. Yet it matters not to me what 106 plans to do once he realizes I am not on his side on the matter. What matters is this. We prepare!"

"Wait… WE?" demanded Knuckle. "Look, you don't got a lot of ced here to say the least. What on earth makes you think we are going to help you?"

Evo sighed. "Your niece is a remarkably bright woman, who recently created a cell that was to devour monster DNA in those who were partially turned from the martial arts tournament years ago. She would have succeeded in turning them back if 106 didn't take her cell and modify it. He has it now as a weapon and has since made it stronger than its original state. It will devour monster DNA with relative ease, if it is injected into your sister or her family, they will become sitting ducks to say the least. I am aware of their partial immunity, what has created won't harm them, however there is a side effect. If it is taken into their bodies, they will fall into a state of shock. Street, Knuckle, It will take them time to reject the cell, 106 is capable of many things in such a restrained time limit."

"Why the fuck are you telling us this now!" Street demanded.

"Because, sooner than later, 106 will make a move against them. And we maybe the only ones who can stop him."