Chapter 23

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Bad slumped over once more. His body smoldering from the torment, and yet it has not given the results Metal Knight was looking for. "This is taking far too long!" protested one of the executives. "Are you sure you were telling the truth about Metal Bat?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. I wouldn't lie to a fellow investor!" Metal Knight snapped back.

He wasn't about to admit aloud, but if this keeps going, he will kill Metal Bat. He won't be able to take much more of this, and yet, he wants results! "Perhaps it's time for one final push…" he turned the knob nearly to max, he was about to flip the switch when suddenly, the power cut.

The emergency light came on, and yet even those began to dim.

"This is it… Metal Bat has finally snapped!" said Metal Knight. However, Bad was motionless in his chair, too weak to move. "What is going on?"

A loud POP was heard from behind them.

Then, the equipment was slashed into and scrapped!

"Metal Knight…" one investor whispered. "What is it?!"

His scanners went on full, he could see in the dark until suddenly, a burst of light came from nowhere.

It was like fire, and it lit up the room before them.

The investors froze, as they turned white in fear.

"What is that?"

"Is it one of those things you spoke of that Metal Bat can summon?"

"No…" Metal Knight said.

He knew the face all too well. Its crooked grin was a dead giveaway. His body was strangely different. His clothing smoldering black smoke, much like what he wore from the Monsters association, there were even tears in the cloth exposing his skin, and yet, he didn't appear to mind the least bit.

His smile vanished as he suddenly took a deep breath… he appeared calm until…

"WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU TIN ASSHAT!"

Every machine short-circuited, the control boards blew up, and the lights burst as everything made of glass shattered from his voice.

"This… this is Garou's power?" Metal Knight whispered.

"We need to get out of here! NOW!"

Metal Knight wasted no time as he ushered the investors out of the room. Thankfully, Garou didn't follow them, yet he turned and saw just enough, he reached for Metal Bat and was quick to free him. Only to retreat to the shadows with the hero in tow…

#

"He kidnapped him! We have a situation, Metal Bat has been…"

"He's fine,"

Metal Knight knew he had to cover his tracks and fast. However as he called for the S Class together, he found Sitch and demanded a meeting. Yet as he tried to explain the situation, he was rather stunned to hear Zombieman interrupt him.

"Fine? What do you mean Bad is fine!?" he demanded. "How would someone like you know how Bad is?"

Zombieman stood there oddly, until he said. "How do you know he's in trouble?"

Metal Knight paused, almost as if he began to suspect something. Sitch however sighed. "We got a call from Bad a few minutes ago. He said he was knocked out by something but wasn't sure what it was. He's taking a day off to recover from the strike… satisfied?" Sitch demanded.

There was no answer. Metal Knight however began to peer at Zombieman oddly. "Something else you got to say?" Zombieman asked in a challenging tone.

Metal Knight turned away. "No… not at the moment."

"Okay then… see you whenever…" The scouter drone was quick to leave. Sitch however turned to Zombieman, wanting to ask something. But he kept silent for the time being, all he did was give but a nod before going on his way.

Sitch sighed aloud. This is becoming more complex, he was informed ahead of time to Metal Knight's actions. What he isn't going to be able to explain though is the return of Garou!