Chapter 27

Bad nearly forgot what peace was for some time.

After all, he's been through two vampire wars, some assassination attempts, and a hostile take over for his own body! But now, there appears to be a sense of ease and peace to it all. Four months would pass when things changed. One, the disappearance of Zombieman wasn't to be taken lightly. Bad ordered his legions to find him and now when Pig God voiced his concern.

Zombieman would show up later that day after Bad's order.

Oddly though, he appeared paler than usual. "Z man, you okay?" Bad asked.

There were no words to him, he just stared at Bad oddly before wondering off, he even started to move like a zombie no less! Bad merely shrugged it off. He was quick to go to the cafeteria for a meal; his hunger has been getting a little out of control as of late. Granted, he still hasn't lost any weight, but he hasn't really been gaining it either. Garou doesn't feed off of him as often anymore so the reason for this spike in appetite was one he was keeping a close eye on.

There have been no attacks from the 'Others' as Metal Knight would say, nor has he made a move against them. Any time Bad's in the area, he quickly left without provocation. Garou has been training intensely as of late, but finds that he lacks a challenge. "Bad… let's spar!" he insisted as Bad was having a meal.

But he shook his head. "Not in the mood man."

"Huh? Since when?" he demanded.

"Just not feeling it. Sorry another time okay?"

Garou's arms crossed as he tapped his foot rather impatiently. "You have blown me off for a spar session each and every time, what are you scared!?"

Bad shook his head. "Told you man, ain't in the mood, besides, I can kick your ass any time and any place. You know that." Bad teased and smirked. "I just want to enjoy my lunch if you don't mind…"

"Huh… who are you and what have you done with Bad?! You're too… calm and complacent!"

It was true, over the past few months Bad hasn't really been himself. He was like a whole different person! He wasn't getting in anyone's face, he wasn't yelling as loudly, he appeared almost as if he found inner peace or something! "Lover's quarrel?" Joked Atomic Samurai.

"Nah, Bad's just broken or something…" muttered Garou.

Atomic paused as he stared down Bad who was calmly eating his meal, taking small bites elegantly rather than shoveling as much as he could pass his lips in a short amount of time. "Yeah, something seems a little off to me too. Have you spoken with Zombieman? The guy hasn't uttered a word since he got back!"

Garou nodded. "I've tried to earlier, but didn't get anything out of him."

"Bad, you gonna sit here and eat?" asked Atomic.

"Yep" he announced and went back to his meal. Still he ate at a slow pace, savoring the food. He never does that when he's hungry!

"I've seen him eat souls faster than this, and that's them putting up a fight." Muttered Garou.

He didn't care, as the two left Bad went back to his meal. "Hey Bad!" called Stinger and Lightning Max.

"Hey guys, long time no see!"

Max was staring at the selection on his table. "Wow, you haven't had this much since we first realized Garou was a vampire… you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, just hungry is all. What's up with you two?"

"Well, since the wars ended, we are still training with Snek! You know, safe than sorry to be sure no one else comes and threatens our way of life," Stinger explained. Yet he paused. "Still a little chunky aren't you?"

"First one of ya that calls me Fat Bat, gets belted!" he warned.

The two put up their hands in surrender. "No, we would never say that!" protested Max.

Bad settled himself as we want back to his meal. "So… we're wondering if maybe when you are up to it, can you help us train? I mean you got some shadows in your legions who were warriors right? Would they be able to help us?" Max asked.

"Oh? You wanna train with those guys? I don't see a problem with that, but after lunch" he insisted.

Stinger and Max high fived each other. "Great, see you when you finish!"

Bad nodded as he went back to his meal. "Huh… why am I so hungry? You think ten thousand souls would keep me filled, that or they are eating this too!" he muttered to himself.

#

He spent some time training Max and Stinger. Calling upon his shadows he instructed them to help the two heroes but not to harm them. "They want to improve their skills, so, no kill shots, don't do anything that could seriously harm them, minor ass kicking are acceptable." Bad explained.

The shadows bowed and nodded. The two he picked happened to be a werewolf and hellcat. They would offer a good challenge to the two, both armed with speed and strength that would keep the two heroes on their toes. With that, Bad went on his way. He was barely down the hall when someone grabbed him and wrenched him towards the side hall.

It was a haggard looking Zombieman.

"Z, you okay?" Bad asked.

He shook his head. "No… no I am not!" he protested. "How long… was I in the shadow realm?" he demanded.

"Well… considering when I last saw you, at least four months."

His expression dropped. "Shit!" he protested. "I'm too late!"

"Too late for what?" Bad asked. "Z, you okay? You've been there for four months, have you eaten anything?" He shook his head. "Shit man, get something to eat!" Bad protested. "Calm yourself down and then talk to me. You look like your name sake!"

As Bad turned his back, Zombieman grabbed hold of his arm. "How long… have you been able to hide your aura?" he asked.

"Well… guess the same amount of time since you left… why?"

He let him go. Zombieman shook his head to it all and said. "How could that have happened in such a short time, without even you knowing how it occurred?" he asked.

That was troubling. Bad however shook it off and insisted Zombieman get something good in him and rest up.

#

He laid awake at night.

Bad stared up at the ceiling, wondering what Zombieman said earlier was something important and significant. "Bad, go the fuck asleep" muttered Garou.

He smirked, Bad and Garou have been in the same bed for sometime now, in his mind it just felt… right. Perhaps it explains his tranquil state of mind? Either way, Bad tried to get himself comfortable as Garou wrapped his arm around him like a massive teddy bear. Bad found it hilarious when he would talk in his sleep. "I won it… about damn time, pain in the ass bear…" was one of his favorites.