Chapter 21
Another day.
It was another pointless day in Bad's mind. And he knows this mindset is getting the better of him. Things are appearing differently now in his mind, as he continues to grow colder and more distant from the others. But perhaps it is just a phase and it will pass soon enough. "I just… need to keep waiting… I have to keep waiting…" he gently told himself. It won't be long now will it?
No matter what, he has to keep his spirits up. He tries day in and out to do so, but it's becoming far more difficult. He is struggling in finding meaning and purpose. He has his son and sister, but even that isn't working for him anymore. "Why is my happiness connected to him?" he muttered.
Perhaps it was similarities they had.
Garou has struggled all his life, different circumstances and all. But Bad had to as well, raising a sister, protecting those around him from monsters. It is not easy task. Then, when Garou turned him. He felt as if his life was coming to an end, yet he was surprised to how much life Garou brought into his world. They would banter, spar and mock one another, but, it was a kindred spirit Bad never had.
His only friends, if he can call them that, were those at the Heroes association. Until he learned the truth about most of them, however, they were still there for him, to help him however they could.
Yet Garou… he was far older than him, but one wouldn't know that by looking at him. He challenged Bad to be better, to be stronger and step up in situations that he may never have been exposed to before, but came out stronger for it.
Garou… made him believe in himself far more than before.
"Shit, why do I have to do this sort of reflection when on patrols?" he muttered and cleared a tear from his eyes.
Today was an odd day though.
The moment he woke up and went out into the world, something has felt off about himself. He didn't feel as strong as he usually does, his shadow powers weren't even working as well as they should. "Huh, I wonder what's wrong?" he muttered as he tried to turn to his Shadow King form. "Jima? You there?" he called.
But there was no answer.
"Having trouble Shadow King?"
Bad froze.
All around him gathered druids. "Not this shit again…" he muttered. But something wasn't right.
Looking about, Bad noticed how there was no one else out on the streets. In fact, he looked up and wondered why the sun was so bright!
"Confused? Don't be, we have someone assisting us in the matter. You see, the Shadow King is weak on certain says, for example a lunar eclipse that is occurring today… your power is dimished greatly… not even your legions will answer your call. Our friend here has constructed something for such an occasion, to amplify the sun's rays to affect you…"
"Less talk, more fists! It don't matter, I can still beat the hell out of all ya!" Bad protested as he held his Metal bat tightly.
"Indeed, which is also why we made this…"
He struck in the chest by something, it burst into a fine powder in which he accidently inhaled! Bad felt his chest tighten. He coughed aloud trying to expel it, but his eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground…
#
He woke a short time later.
His arms, legs and body strapped down in a chair. He couldn't move, and yet his body was connected to these strange sensors. "Oh, good, it wasn't too strong of a sedative…"
"Huh… Where the hell am I?" Bad demanded.
"Metal Bat, I am sorry to had to come to this. But you are withholding the greatest weapon we have against the monsters… your supernatural power."
"Metal Knight? Come on man, give this shit a rest already!" Bad protested. Yet as he tried to break free of his straps, he found his strength was gone. He also knew he couldn't use his shadow powers, despite trying earlier that day. It would also just prove Metal Knight was right about him.
"It's pointless to resist. The sedative was made just for you, Metal Bat. Now… It pains me to do this, but since you refuse to cooperate, it must be done by force…"
Machines began to surge, Bad froze as he looked towards the window and saw not just Metal Knight's drone standing there, pushing buttons and moving levers, but the main donors of the Heroes Association watching on. "Gentlemen, I will begin the extracting process. In this, we can take out some of Bad's power and I can safely place it into you. You will have your own invisible bodyguard at your beck and call. Never will you have to fear for your lives again, for you will always have a greater being watching you! Of course at a price and for the sake of peace for the Super continent."
"What the hell did you just say?" Bad demanded.
Metal Knight's drone turned and glared at Bad. "I am going to be extracting your legions from you by force. Energy is energy. I have invested much time into harvesting spiritual force thanks to the druids. We have combined our knowledge and now, we shall see it fruit!"
The machines hummed, Bad began to feel a surging sensation course through his whole body, then…
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
He was electrocuted!
His whole body shuttered to the sensation, the pain continued to grow as the surge stopped for but a moment. His body smoldering, and yet nothing produced. "Where are the legions? You said there would be legions!" one of the men demanded.
"The process isn't perfect to say the least, but you must remember, Metal Bat is difficult to control… Perhaps we need to up the power…" Metal Knight increased the surge and then, proceeded to shock him again.
Bad fought with every fiber of his being, he could feel this ungodly pull throughout his body as it tried to reach down and wrench the shadows from the world under his feet.
Yet he refused to yield.
He won't let them get caught up in this, besides. Not all the investors in the Heroes Association are who they claim to be.
They stared on with greedy looks in their eyes. Many licking their lips in anticipation of easy power, some Bad could still sense were Druids like Adus and his underlings. Waiting for their chance to obtain a taste of the Shadow King's strength.
'Not going to happen… No matter what, no one is going to be sacrificed for those assholes!' he thought to himself.
But then, he smiled.
"Metal Bat, are you going to cooperate now?" Metal Knight asked.
He forced a small laugh. "You doing something to me? I ain't feeling it," he said in a joking manner.
'I'm sorry Zenko… this time I maybe in over my head. My power isn't strong enough to withstand the shocks or hold back the shadows from being torn out… But we can't let our friends be used now, can we?' he thought.
The machines powered up again, the current stronger than the last as it tore through his body once more.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" he screamed out in agony.
"Cooperate with us Metal Bat, and it won't be painful!" Metal Knight pleaded.
"Go… to… hell…" he muttered.