Chapter 36
Meanwhile…
Metal Knight had his legions at the ready.
Before him were a thousand of his best robots, he was able to link to all of them after the months he spent on a device to do so. Today will be the day it all pays off.
He has observed Bad for a year, realizing why he was in such a state, also he overheard it from Snek who would try to speak of it discreetly with the demon cyborg Genos. Bad was indeed the shadow king, he became such a thing after defeating the old king and taking his power. Which means, if a mere child like Bad could do such a feat, so could Metal Knight!
"According to Snek, Bad is actually pregnant… so he is an Other now… which means he is no longer human…" he came to the conclusion rather quickly. But also it revealed how vulnerable Bad is right now. "If this works, I take out Metal Bat, I become the new Shadow King. Making this curse vanish and I obtain new legions, legions that I can use to assistance our benefactors!" Metal Knight declared.
But first thing he has to do, is take out Metal Bat.
"In his weakened state, he should be easy. I have heard he is staying in the ruins of City Z…" with that, Metal Knight called for his robotic army. "TO CITY Z!"
They took flight, and it was a mad dash toward the ghost town. However, when he got there, his radar picked up on a strange energy. There was a massive power, but nothing to indicate what it was. "Barrier…" he said.
In his years of taking out others, Metal Knight has learned ways of dispelling their power. This one it was a mere black stone that look much like obsidian. He threw it at the barrier and instantly dispelled.
He paused at the sight, it was a massive black castle, yet standing on the roof, waiting for him was Metal Bat! "He knew? I need to give him more credit…" Metal Knight thought.
Bad raised his arm, and then, they came. A plume of black smoke began to darken the sky, but then, that smoke took form and came rushing at him! In a single swoop, half his robots were taken out! The smoke turned into a physical form, dragons, winged beasts and vampires came out and tore apart the army.
"Keep them distracted, I need to get to Metal Bat!"
Metal Knight made his move, the thrusters on full, he made a charge towards Bad who was waiting for him. "Nothing personal boy…" Metal Knight said as he was within reach of Metal Bat.
But was blind-sided!
He skimmed across the castle roof, sheering most of his armor off until he saw what struck him.
Garou.
"You are not going to stop me this time! Neither one of you will stand a chance!"
"You don't know when to quite… for an old bastard… not bad," Garou said with a smirk.
Metal Knight took out a secret weapon. One he has saved for years and gathered through other hunters. It was a canister of all things, he turned it to the left once before he tossed to on the ground towards the two. White smoke began to emit out of it. Garou coughed aloud until his eyes suddenly rolled back. Bad was resisting it as best he could but couldn't stay on his feet. He fell to his knees, trying to keep his eyes open when metal Knight stood over him. His blaster aimed for his head.
"Do you like my little weapon? This is smoke known for choking Others to the point of death. Of course, this won't kill you, but it will immobilize you long enough for me to finish the job…" His arm raised, the power cannon charged and aimed.
"Stop… please… You can't… I'm…"
"I know you are, all the more reason to be rid of you. You cannot add to the problem I face, Metal Bat. You were a good hero, it's a shame you became one of them…"
There was no hesitation as the blast struck it's mark. Half of Bad's face was burned away from the blast as he collapsed and turned to black sand upon impact.
The moment he fell, Metal Knight turned and did the same to Garou, and he too decayed into black sand.
The fighting came to an immediate stop. Suddenly the shadows came down from the sky, they stared at metal Knight but then, they bowed before him.
"At last…" Metal Knight said. "Shadows, bring me a new body!" he ordered.
But they have yet to move.
"Shadows, I gave you an order. Bring be a new body!" he demanded.
One appeared to try and speak, Metal Knight adjusted his translator and began to understand their tongue. "We cannot honor your request, my king," said the human looking one. "For you cannot leave the body you are confined to,"
"What do you mean?" metal Knight demanded.
"The one, who bounded you to this body, is a councilman, who does not have full allegiances to our king…"
"What."
"Master, you must speak with the one who put the markings on you. Councilman Z,"
"Councilman Z?"
"In the mortal world, he is called Zombieman,"
Metal Knight felt his body twinge just a little to the news. "Zombieman… I should have known…"
"But my king, you need to be made aware of as well… The son of our now… former King… he will be after you to gain the title of his father."
"Botan… I'll prepare for him. In the mean time, search for Zombieman, bring him to me!" he ordered.
The shadows nodded and vanished, Bofoi took to the skies and began his scanning search for Zombieman…
#
"I do believe that bided us some time…"
Waiting in the shadows was Botan and Amai. Amai turned back to his normal self after posing as Garou. Botan turned back to his former state as well. "Now then, we need to find Z before he does." Botan announced.
"Have you called to him yet?" Bloodbore asked. "You can summon him, he is a councilman after all…"
Botan smiled as he did just that. With his fist aflame with black fire, he whispered into the flame. "Zombieman sir, this is Botan, Metal Bat's son. Can I please speak with you?" then the fire went out.
"What on earth is that?" Amai asked.
"You don't know about black fire? It can he used as a weapon and communication!" Botan said. "If one is connected to the shadows, I can send them a message this way."
Then, he appeared. Out of a dark corner of the castle, Zombieman materialized. "Hey…" he paused and saw the smoldering buildings and robot rubble. "Huh, missed the party huh?"
"Not yet, that was just the start of the festivities. Mr. Zombieman…"
"Just, Zombieman kid… well, you're not looking like a kid."
Botan smiled and nodded. "I need your help. Right now we made Metal Knight believe that he just killed my fathers. He is in search of you to take the enchantments off his robot body. I liked to ask a favor… do it." He said.
Zombieman froze. "Do it? But this is his punishment!"
"I know, but at the moment, he fears nothing, how can he when a robot body feels no pain and knows no fear?" he asked.
There came a small smirk on the S Class hero. "Okay, do I make it easy for him?"
"Hell no!" Botan protested. "Mess with his head, be like my dad and just fuck with him."
"You are Garou's kid… Okay, what direction did he head off to?"
"Northwest, perhaps aiming for the association, assuming you are going to be there." Amai stated.
Zombieman nodded. "Okay, toy with him for a bit, got it."
"BUT, I do request one thing… when he is free from the robot body… tell me. Then it's MY turn to shine!"
No one moved as the smirk came over Botan. He looked too much like Garou when he was about to do something rather rash, or prove just how strong he really is!
