Chapter 25

He needed time to recover.

When Genus went home, he found Misty reading, but Jason was no longer in his room. "Where…" he was about to ask.

"Older brother took him out," Misty said in a careless tone. "I hope he smacks some sense into him, Jason was really rude"

Genus sighed. He had asked 66 to speak with him, however he never anticipated on him taking Jason out into the world so soon. However, given the circumstance, he was the best man for the job.

Yet as the time passed, Jason didn't to return home. He waited up all night for him, and by the next morning, 6:30 to be exact, he finally came home with 66 close behind him. "You did good today kid, take pride in that"

Jason was silent but nodded his head meekly. "Thanks for today…" he whispered and went up to his room without another word.

Genus froze as he turned to 66 who took out a smoke. "What?" he asked as he lit up his drag.

"Where did you take him? Why on earth were you gone until 6 in the morning!"

A smirk came over his former creation. "Never thought you really would become the worried father type. I took the kid out to see what he could do… remarkable to say the least."

Genus was suddenly all ears as 66 explained what Jason possessed. His healing was far faster than his own, his arms could actually split off into serpent like monsters and stop a threat before it even became an issue. His strength was beyond his own as well. "The kid has some firepower in him, but I think he's just scratching the surface."

It was all scary and new for the poor child. Jason is afraid to what he has become, perhaps he fears what he can do even more. "What do I do? He barely listens to me…"

There came a look over 66, one that appeared to be conflicted, but then acceptance. "Leave him with me."

"What…"

"Let me take the kid for a while, get him comfortable with this. I know what he went through, granted. His is different than me. But still, I know the sensation of being lost in a world you don't fit in anymore. You're main concern is going to be him trying to take his own life. I went though that phase for a while. So, leave him with me."

Genus didn't wish to do so, but for the sake of Jason, he knew it was the only path to take. He sighed and nodded in agreement. "Let him rest for now, and then I will see if he wishes to go with you…"

"I can?!"

Genus jumped, not realizing Jason never went to his room, but eavesdropped on the conversation. Zombieman smirked to it all. "He's already getting good at spying…" he muttered, but peered up the stairs. "You want to come with me kid, pack up some things. It will just be you and I for a while got it?"

He didn't have to tell him twice. He already rushed to his room and came out twenty minutes later with a bag already packed. Genus was stunned, however he knew better than to stop his son from finding peace with himself. "Just… visit ever so often please…" Genus begged.

His son smiled for the first time since he came home and nodded. Ever since he watched him leave, thoughts of worry entered his mind.

When he went to the work the next day, Genus found he wasn't the only one with issues. Yuki has been working hard as of late, a lot harder than normal. But today, he was oddly silent.

Genus knew something wasn't right. It hadn't been since the incident between Amai and the kids… he has been far more absorbed into his work than usual. He has kept quite and his head down; yet he wondered. "Yuki… is everything…"

"Dr. Genus I assume?"

Before he could ask Yuki what was wrong, he turned and saw Amai Mask lingering in the lab. He has NEVER come to the lab before. In fact, when he sees him in the halls, Amai avoids it like a plagued rat. Yuki however growled lowly. "I'm going on lunch…" and left the room abruptly.

Genus paused as he turned to Amai who appeared rather humble to say the least. "Dr. Genus… former creator of the house of evolution…"

"That was the past. What do you want?"

He approached nervously, and then he turned away as he rolled up his arm and presented it. Genus paused to the gesture. "Test me," he simply said.

"Test you?"

"I know… something isn't right with me. I mean… after the… incident I had years ago, I revealed to the world who I really was. Yet it all has become a faded memory to the masses… don't get me wrong, I am grateful I got another chance to be a great hero… but I can't explain this latest change in me… please… test me!" he begged.

Genus was aware of the situation Amai spoke of. It happened years ago, just after the monster association attack. Amai was forced to reveal his true self to the world in order to defeat a demonic clown that aimed to kill the people. When he did, the world turned on him and he hid… until that incident happened. "Ah, if I am not mistaken, there was an industrial accident that happened…" Genus said offhandedly. "An electronic wave went through the supercontinent. It erased all data and video content… yet I do believe it effected people on the same level as well…"

"I could care less about that. I just want to know what has happened to me!" Amai protested. "Watch…"

Genus paused as Amai turned into his monstrous form. He wasn't eye appealing to say the least, yet in this form he was at his strongest. "Normally… I lose control of myself… I forget what I made myself look like… but…" he settled and turned back into the idol that he is known for. "Doctor… please… can you help me?"

He took a moment to consider the notion. Genus knew this must be out of the ordinary for Amai. A mysterious being who is able to control himself in such a way, when before he struggled. "Very well then…" Genus announced.

Amai's eyes lit up as he presented his arm. Genus was able to get blood, granted, a little more difficult than before. But managed. He went over various tests with the blood. The abnormality of it was nothing less than fascinating, but he couldn't help but notice the difference between Amai's and Yuki's blood. "Fascinating…" Genus whispered in admiration. "I can see some aspect of your genetics breaking down, perhaps this was what you have tried to suppress in yourself. Yet as it breaks down, a new protein moves in, grabs the genetics that are splitting and mending it… Ah, that may explain it…"

"Doctor?"

"You ate the clone of Melee Brawler… which has Brawler genetics. Apparently your body was able to absorb that protein in the genes, and has since used it on your body. It took a lot longer to do since it was foreign in your system…"

"So, what does this mean? Am I going to turn into that hideous form again?"

"Not unless you want to," Genus explained. "It's just like your children too. They are able to tap into that side of their power if you chose to do so, but it won't overtake them. The same appears to have befallen upon you as well, thanks to ingesting that clone, you have been able to take control of yourself haven't you?"

Silence came from Amai, he sighed and nodded. "I… figured it was that just a month ago. I no longer felt the urge to suppress myself, as such, I have been more relaxed… able to think things through with more clarity…" he turned to Genus. "Despite not transforming… I really was a monster, even like this…"

He was sincere with his words. Amai came to the realization himself to his actions to not just the people around him, but his own children. His sights suddenly drifted to the door Yuki took to leave. "They hate me…"

"You shouldn't be surprised…" Genus said offhandedly. "I have spoken with Yuki, he didn't show resentment towards you before until recently…"

Amai sighed. "With this new clarity… I am starting to see them more like my children than ever before… serpent or not… they are remarkable."

"That is only what you have seen, you have yet to witness them in action. Yuki is a great mind and a soundboard for Alley and I. He has a photographic memory and can recall past projects instantly. His inventions rival that of Child Emperor back in the day, normal objects he can turn extraordinary."

Amai merely nodded his head as he appeared ashamed. "I insulted Titan for not being a hero… when he was doing what made others happy and content. He was a hero for two people who truly needed him most…"

"He does that often." Genus explained, but then he paused. "Far be it from me to say this, but perhaps you understand the resentment now your children harbour for you. If I am not mistaken, recently you yelled at Yuuma for winning this battle of the bands and turning serpent on the stage."

He froze but then smiled. "He did a magnificent job in matching the music with his transformation… no one was harmed… the audience appeared to have loved it…"

"Perhaps you need to reflect upon yourself Amai Mask. Take into consideration that you have been given a third chance, have you not?" Genus questioned. "Observe your children from a distance, see who they really are and what they have made of themselves. Only then, would you get to know them, and maybe, just maybe they may open up to you when they are ready."

"Such profound advice…" Amai said with great admiration.

He jumped as the side door opened. Yuki returned but glared at him. "Still here?" he muttered.

"I'll excuse myself now. Thank you doctor." Amai left shortly after.

When he was gone, Yuki turned to Genus. "What did he want now?" he asked in a bitter tone.

"It doesn't concern you the least bit, not to worry. For now, let's just focus on our work."

Yuki appeared suspicious, however shrugged his shoulders and went on with his research.

Genus paused from how own work as he turned to Yuki who appeared to have the same sour look as before. "People make mistakes…" Genus began to say.

Yuki's hands slammed on the desk. "Stay out of it!" he shouted. "This doesn't concern you!"

However, the good doctor wasn't about to give up. "You of all people know the life I lived before this…"

"You didn't try to kill your own children!"

"No… I killed other people's children…"

It became strangely quiet. Yuki paused from his work, as did Genus. "You look at my clones and what they have done to this family. Do you not understand young Yuki, the clones were created from me. They developed their drive for science from me, for that is how I was until I realized the errors of my ways."

"But… Genus, Amai Mask…"

"He was tricked into having you. Had he planned for your births and yet was disappointed with the results of it to want you destroyed then yes, I would be as you say… pissed off too. But you were never planned. He was tricked and used…"

"Still…" Yuki muttered.

"People say things that will haunting them for the rest of their lives, I am not telling you to forgive him. I am merely saying take time to think it over, and perhaps, maybe you can still establish a relationship with him if you wish to do so."

He fell silent. Yuki merely nodded his head. "I'll consider it,"

"It's all I ask, now… let's get some work done or Alley will believed we slacked off!"