Chapter 25

Bad found a secluded area.

There were hardly any people around so he was able to hold a conversation. Jima appeared before him and bowed, yet, there was a strange stare on the face of the naga. "Something wrong?" Bad asked.

"Oh… NO! No of course not my King!" he protested. "I am merely… observant…"

"I get it, I got fat, let's move on from it. I ain't use to digesting souls yet."

Jima cleared his throat. "Indeed, but rest assured my King, no matter what your physical appearance maybe, your legions do not care. Your power speaks for itself."

"Enough with the ass kissing, what's up?"

"I wish to explain that the realm is in good hands. We are not fighting or bickering among ourselves, we are at the ready for when you need us as well…" Jima paused. "Your aura has hidden quite nicely…"

"Huh?"

"Your power that would spill over, you have not quite contained it before, but now. I swear to you, you appear and sense as a human being." He explained. "Perfection"

"Oh… great… say Jima… how long does it take to digest vampire and monster souls? I don't like looking fat to say the least."

"I cannot say for certain my King, I know is that it takes time due to the age, as well your additional meals that have been added onto those… it would length the digestion time for a while. But it will depend on you in the end. As I said, we do not care to…"

"You may not, but I do!" Bad snapped back. He sighed though. "Sorry, frustrated."

Jima nodded. "My King, we are made aware of one Metal Knight, we suggest you follow Garou's suggestion and instruction to avoid him or at least keep your power hidden from such a mortal. We have seen him slay before, he is very good at what he does and very merciless."

Bad gulped his pride a little. If Metal Knight knew the truth about him, he wouldn't hesitate to come at him either with everything he's got. "I will keep that in mind, for now he considers me to be an ally… yet I ain't believing that fully. I mean that guy has the Heroes Association wired, how can he not know about me?" he asked.

"That or he does, and intends on using you." Warned Jima.

He nodded. "I'll be sure to keep my guard up. If anything goes on in the Shadow Realm?"

"We will inform you at once my King" Jima said with a bow.

Bad nodded in agreement. When Jima vanished, he rejoined his sister and Garou. True to Garou's word the two were having the biggest sundae offered. People had gathered around and watched them attempt to conquer Mount. Brain freeze. Winner gets a lifetime pass to the amusement park! Only three had managed to do such a job.

Pig God

Some other guy Bad never heard of

Lastly, Saitama.

However the challenge quickly ended when Garou found himself unable to deal with the chill of an ice cream headache. Zenko fell shortly after. "Ringer! I call for a ringer!" Garou shouted. He then pointed to Bad. "Finish this… lifetime passes!" he said.

Bad rolled his eyes but he smirked. "What the hell." Taking a seat, and a spoon in hand, he began to eat…

#

"What a load of shit!" Garou muttered as they left the amusement part. "You ate the rest of it, that should have counted!"

Bad managed to finish off the sundae with great ease, however since there is a rule dictating that those who signed up for the challenge must be the ones to finish it, the attempt for the lifetime passes was all for not. Garou still sulked on the idea as Bad carried Zenko on his shoulders. She had passed out from today. "Take it easy man, besides if we won it… wouldn't it be weird for them to see us year after year… unchanged and still looking like 18 year olds?" Bad asked.

"It's the principle of the matter!" Garou snapped back. "Lifetime passes, they never dictated that those who are immortal can't enter. I mean Pig God and Saitama have passes!"

Bad snickered to the thought of it all, they were silent as they walked home from the day of fun. "Today was great." Bad announced. "I don't think I felt that care free in a while… until Metal Knight that is."

Garou nodded. "Yeah, he's not exactly going to leave you alone is he?"

He shook his head, but that wasn't what bothered him. "Metal Knight BUILT the Heroes association right?" he asked.

Garou nodded his head. "So, how could he not know my secret?"

This made Garou paused. "Wow, you do got a brain in there!"

"Shut up" Bad snapped back. "Look, I know I ain't the smartest guy out there, but I know when something don't feel right. This… don't feel right to me."

Garou nodded. "What are you thinking then? What is his purpose in contacting you?"

Bad shrugged his shoulders. "If anything, he probably sees me as some stupid kid that will follow him blindly. I know he is trying to use me as bait, probably to get to you and perhaps lure out any of the 'Others' at the heroes association…" Bad suddenly paused but smirked. "Maybe I ought to just play along?"

"What? Bad…"

"He's after me, he probably knows what I can do… that or he thinks I am just that in tuned into your powers. Let's talk to everyone tomorrow about it, see what they think."

Garou nodded.

By the time they got home, Bad got Zenko to bed. They headed up some leftovers for dinner and before long, the day caught up to them. Bad stretched himself out and yawned when he suddenly felt like doing something different for bed. He changed into his Pjs but slipped into Garou's room and tucked himself in. When Garou arrived he paused. "What? Your bed not good enough for the great king of the shadows?" he joked.

"Get your ass to bed already!" Bad scolded.

Garou smirked as he playfully jumped under the covers. His arm wrapped around Bad as he nestled himself in. "I like paunchy Bad… he's a lot nicer to hug."

"You get fat and I'll let you know if you are better to hug."

"Yeah… no."