Hey! And welcome to chapter 5! This chapter will introduce a new character to the story, and my choice may suprise you.
I've had this idea planned since I thought of this story, and I'm exited to finally get to enact it! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Sitch, the association executive that had organized the meeting, was in a panic.
Metal Bat was over half an hour late, and his cell was apparently unreachable.
This worried Sitch, not only because the aforementioned hero didn't show up to the meeting, but also because his phone wasn't in reach, which meant that something may have happened to him and his sister.
Sighing, he walked back into the meeting room. Calling the meeting off was not going to go over well with some of the more hotheaded heroes.
"I apologize for wasting your time, but due to the fact that Metal Bat has not shown up to the meeting, and that we can't manage to get into contact with him either, the meeting will have to be postponed once again. I sincerely apologize for this, but we need to locate Metal Bat as quick as possible."
The Tornado of Terror, the second ranked S-class hero and the most powerful esper on the planet, was the first to speak.
"Are you serious!? I took time out of my day off to come to this stupid meeting, and now you're saying that it's canceled just because the delinquent isn't here?! Well, I got news for you, I'm done with you idiots! Don't expect me to come when you find him!" She said, before huffing and flinging the door across the room, flying out with a scowl on her face.
"Well, uhm, you are all welcome to leave when you want." Sitch said shakily after a moment of scilence.
Most of the S-class proceeded to leave the room, with a select few deciding to stay and talk.
Superalloy Darkshine, the 11th ranked hero, proceeded to speak on an issue that was bothering him.
"You know, it's unusual for Metal Bat to miss a meeting like this. he may be hotheaded, but he takes his role as a hero seriously."
Tank Top Master, the 14th ranked hero, and the leader of the hero faction known as the tank top army, then decided to add his two cents.
"Well, I think that I overheard him talking over the phone with that sister of his about some sort of camping trip on a mountain in city Z."
That got the attention of Silverfang, the 80 year old martial arts master, as well as the 3rd ranked hero.
"You don't suppose he was talking about THAT mountain do you? While I have faith that he can handle himself for the most part, there are rumors that a god level monster is residing under that mountain, or at least something similarly dangerous."
Sitch, overhearing the conversation, decided to butt in.
"Excuse me gentlemen, but if I heard you right, you have suspicions that Metal Bat and his sister may have gone climbing up Mt Ebott? If that's true we could have a very serious problem on our hands. If any of you are available, it would be very appreciated if you could go and look for him and his sister."
The three heroes looked at each other, before they all shook their heads. "It's Tank Top Girl's birthday today, and me and the rest of the army are throwing her a party. It would be rude of me to miss it." Tank Top Master explained.
"Yes, and it's Charanko's training day. I need to be with him to watch over his progress."
"Yeah, and I recently signed up to be a volunteer gym instructor, and my first lecture is today." Darkshine added.
Sitch coughed. "While, then I suppose that I'll have to find someone else. Thank you for you're time gentlemen." Sitch said before dismissing them.
Sitch had been searching for a capable hero to help locate Metal Bat for hours, but to no avail. Most of the S-class was too busy, and some just flat out didn't care, those heroes consisting of Tornado, Metal Knight, and Flashy Flash. Sitch only had one hero left that he believed cabable enough to handle the situation, but he doubted that he would agree.
Sweet mask, the top ranking A-class hero, was bored.
He had been blessed with a couple of days off from his performances, a very rare occurrence for him.
He usually spent his time fighting monsters, but of the few he had encountered, none were above mid demon, all of them dying in a single hit. He was beginning to think of giving up and going home to compose a new song, when walking by a store, he overheard a news report.
"The situation worsens in city D, as the dragon level monster continues it's rampage, having already defeated A-class heroes Smile Man and Lightning Max!" The reporter said, catching Sweet mask's attention.
"Hm, I suppose that I'll check it out. I may finally get a decent fight." He said with a smirk. H
However, glancing back at the TV, he noticed that the monster seemed irritated by something, starting to grow larger and more fearsome, when suddenly, the monster exploded into millions of pieces.
"Damn it King." Sweet mask grumbled, rather irritated that his fun had been ruined before he could even get there.
He was starting to head back, when his phone started to buzz. Seeing that it was the association, he wasted no time in picking it up.
"Sweet mask! thank god you picked up!" He heard Sitch's voice on the other end.
"Hm, Sitch? you called me at a great time. I'm rather bored, so getting a mission from the association is just what i needed." He said, hand behind his head.
"That's great to hear Sweet mask! I've actually been trying to find a competent hero for hours now! You see, Metal Bat never showed up to the S-class meeting today, and we haven't managed to contact him either."
Sweet mask's eyes became lidded as he spoke deadpan into the phone.
"And what does that idiot deciding to skip a meeting have to do with me?" He asked, rather irritated that his potential entertainment could turn out to be something pointless.
"I'm getting to that. you see, some of the S-class heroes have speculation that he and his sister may have gone camping on Mt. Ebott in city Z."
This new information made Sweet mask laugh.
"W-wait, did that idiot seriously go CAMPING on the mountain that is rumored to be one of the most dangerous places in the world!? That's rich!"
He was bending over now, breaking down in laughter.
"Please, Sweet mask! This is no laughing matter, Metal Bat has appeared to have gone missing, not to mention he brought his little sister with him!"
Sweet mask, having mostly recovered from his laughing fit, froze at the mention of Metal Bat's little sister. He really didn't care what happened to that fool of a hero, but he didn't want a child in danger.
"And you're sure of this?" He asked, now completely serious.
"Well, all I have to go on is speculation, but we're better safe than sorry." Sitch said.
Sweet mask sighed.
"So you mean to send me on a mission to Mt. Ebott, just because Metal Bat and his sister MIGHT be there? If I weren't so desperate for something to do I might have declined." Sweet mask said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"So you accept?" Sitch asked, hopeful.
"Yes, I accept." Sweet mask said with a sigh.
"Thank you Sweet mask! The association is counting on you!" Sitch said, before hanging up.
Sweet mask sighed and looked up into the sky. "So, to city Z then."
Sweet mask stood at the former campsite of Badd and Zenko.
"Well, I'll be damned. the association was right." He breathed, before going to check the extinguished campfire.
In addition to being a strong hero, and a talented model, actor, and singer, Sweet mask was also a surprising good detective.
"Hm, this fire's been out almost twelve hours." he noted, his suspicion that something bad may have really happened to Metal Bat and his sister growing.
He also noted that the tents had not been slept in, meaning that they had been gone overnight.
Noticing faint pair of footprints in the grass, one small and one large trail, leading up a small hill. Thankful that the grass had been left mostly undisturbed, he followed after his new lead.
Eventually, the footprints led him to a small cave. not thinking twice before heading in, Sweet mask strolled into the cave, hands in pockets.
Seeing a rather large hole, with some recently disturbed ground around it, he peered into it, and saw something that confirmed his suspicions. Hanging from a protruding branch, was the sleeve of a black leather jacket, part of Metal Bat's signature outfit.
Sweet mask wasted no time calling Sitch. As soon as he heard him pick up, Sweet mask started talking.
"I found out what happened to Metal Bat and his sister. It may take a while to retrieve them, but know that I have the situation under control. there is no need to send anyone after me."
"Wait! What do you mean? What did you fi-" Sweet mask didn't let him finish before hanging up.
"You're a god damn fool Metal Bat." He muttered, before jumping in.
And there's the chapter! Surprised that I chose Sweet mask to join Badd and Zenko?
I chose him because A) he's one of my favorite characters for reasons even I can't explain,
B) he doesn't get as much screen time as some other characters,
C) his character is really interesting and mysterious, and I would love an opportunity to get to portray his personality further.
And D) Badd and Sweet mask basically hate each other, and I think the idea of having them stuck being around each other and reluctantly getting to know each other was hilarious.
Anyway, those are my reasons for adding Sweet mask to the story. I hope you enjoy the results, and I'll see you in the next chapter!
Edited 3/15/20