Chapter 19

He stared down upon it.

Time and time again, Death glanced over Garou's corpse, trying to figure out where to start. There was so much damage to him despite the fact that he merely took a dagger to the heart. None realize when in a vampire body, wounds do heal quickly, but they never completely heal over. They linger, as well as can be inflamed later on if one does not drink blood. But now, he has to change the whole physiological aspect of the vampire body.

After all, Garou won't be returning as a vampire.

"Damage to the chest, legs, and arms… huh… perhaps… no wait, I couldn't do that…" he thought over. To calm himself, he would carefully and gently run his fingers through Garou's hair. He knows what is at stake and he has to be sure everyone is happy in the end. "Perhaps…. Yes, I may have to go that route…"

Reaching into his pocket, he took out a strange black tape. It was remarkably similar to one used on Garou before during the Monsters Association battle. Death had it used to make a black outfit for Garou in order to hopefully tame his thirst. Yet as the battle wore on, it tore, he was still affected by the transformation, yet this allowed Garou to return to his former self when the monster blood worked its way through his system. Now, it will be used to repair the body.

Just as he was about to unravel it, he heard something.

"Repairing him? Without permission?"

He turned and saw Fubuki lingering. No doubt he won't hear the end of this. "I am not bringing him back, I am merely preparing the vessel!" he protested.

"You are expecting him to return, aren't you?" she asked. "You have yet to get approval. You are wasting power on him!" she protested.

Death sighed as he paused from his work, he turned to Fubuki and said. "I finally understood why the other Shadow Kings became what they were, and now I fear Bad is falling down the same path. Despite the love of his sister and son… he wants someone unrelated to him… to love him. And someone he can love back. The two may not look like lovers, but I feel it. I know it's there for Garou fought me to break free to be with Bad!" he explained. "Bad needs him, to keep grounded. Garou may not be the best suited for this, yet, when they are together, the more rational side of Bad take hold…" he paused.

"You are not convincing me the least bit." Fubuki muttered.

Death sighed. "Garou… has suffered for the sake of all those around him. He has killed, yes, but nowhere near as great of numbers as his father. God, his mother would have taken and sucked the world dry had she gained the curse for herself. You are to tell me, Garou shouldn't be given a chance at a proper life?" he asked.

She sighed to his question. "I admit, Bad has been the best Shadow King to come about in the past few thousand years…"

"But he needs Garou to remain that way!" Death protested. "Please, tell me… is there a chance this favor will be approved?" he asked.

She began to glow green for but a moment, her eyes closed as she appeared to block out the world. When she stopped glowing, her eyes opened. "I have just been given word on this."

Death froze as he held his breath…

#

Bad decided he needed a break.

He ventured back to the shadow world, where he heard the sound of a piano. Zenko was practicing once more along side Bloodbore who kept pace with her beat. He walked about as she played and yet he appeared as if he were a conductor, that or he was just entranced by the music. He smiled as Zenko was getting better and better with each lesson. He was looking forward to her next recital in a few days.

"Dad!"

He turned and saw Botan. His smile grew a little more.

"Hey little man! My goodness you have grown!"

"Dad, I can do a lot of stuff now! I can shadow walk, I can also make mist, and summon and…" Botan went on for a good five minutes stating what he could do. Even martial arts!

When he demonstrated, Bad froze as he was just like Garou when it came to such a thing. His movements were flawless and his strikes strong. Perhaps he will see if Silverfang will give his kid lessons?

"That's great Botan, you are an amazing little man." He said as he reached down and picked his son up off the ground. He gave a heartfelt hug to his son. "I just hope soon, we see your other dad…"

Botan hugged a little tighter. "Met too dad… me too…" he whispered.

Placing him back down, Botan paused. "Is Bloodbore still with auntie Zenko? I thought I had lessons?"

Bad turned and smiled, Bloodbore was too enthralled with the music at the moment. "Maybe, we can ask Jima to teach you. Has he been teaching you anything?"

Botan nodded. "Writing ancient languages! They are weird and funny looking, but it's fun!" he said. "Also the Hellcat is teaching me agility. The Orc is letting me learn how to improve my strength…"

'Oh God, they are going to turn him into Garou when this is all said and done…' Bad thought.

"Young Prince."

Bad froze as he looked to see Sonic lingering in the shadows. "Perhaps there are other skills that can be taught to you. For example… your favorite meal?" he suggested and smiled wickedly.

Botan's eyes widened. "I can cook!?"

"I'll teach you how,"

"Got to go dad!" Botan went running off. But Bad was taken aback as he vanished instantly into the darkness. Like it was second nature to him!

"Thank you Sonic,"

He merely bowed as Bad went on his way.

Venturing to his chambers, he closed the door. There he tried something. Bad is able to make shadow clones, and so far he has merely perfected one. With great concentration, he focused. The mist that once swirled at his feet drifted off and began to take form before him. The left took shape first, than the body, the arms came next until finally, the head formed and the face appeared.

Bad choked back his tears as he stared at the shadow clone of Garou. Despite how weird it was today with Snek, he swore though, he saw Garou in his eyes and heard it in his voice. "Shit man, I must have it so bad for you, that I am seeing you in everyone!" he wept, yet at the same time, he was able to laugh about it too.

The clone merely stared at him silently. It almost appeared to want to speak, yet was unable to.

Bad couldn't control himself as he wrapped his arms around it. For a moment, he thought he felt something.

Only to have it fall apart into the smoke it came from.

He could only watch as the clone crumbled before his eyes, it sifted through his fingers like sand until the mist vanished. "God… I just want you back… please… come back…" he whispered.