Chapter 10

Days later…

"We have received reports of a masked vigilante hitting the streets. We have confirmed that his individual is targeting Neo Heroes. We will have more of this story as it develops…"

Garou paused to it all. He has been watching the news and grew curious to this so called masked vigilante. No one knows whom it is, where they came from. But by the sounds of it, it's making the Neo Heroes take notice.

Alley has gone on the news and states that NO ONE from the Association is going after the Neo Heroes. "There is no such order to do so, we are not going to war with them, nor do I wish to cause a disturbance that would put the public in harms way. Whoever this is, I will help find and confront them," she vowed.

Garou even took up the search recently, but he finds the moment he gets a hint of a clue, he finds Neo Heroes in shambles, lying on the streets. But there was something odd about the scene. Particularly the smell he picks up from each of war zones. "There has to be a connection…" he muttered to himself.

He has been looking into everything for the past four days. But all he finds are battered Neo Heroes, their suits stripped off their bodies, and those who have been turned to cyborgs are removed from the streets before the media gets a hold of the scene.

It didn't add up in Garou's mind. Something has to be going on. He was worried though that these actions would be associated to his family or himself! Since then, he has kept a distance but made certain to investigate the areas carefully.

Alley too has been looking into this, video of this so called vigilante as been coming up on line. Whoever they are, their strength is doubtable S Class material. They took on some of the most heavily armed Neo Heroes without breaking a sweat. She has tried to gather more information, even contacting Emp when she gets the chance, but so far neither have yielded result.

Since then, it brought him back to the Association. He found his son Pac in the cafeteria… the poor kid lives there now considering who he is tending to. "Pac!" he called out.

He was in the middle of another feast, he took a moment of pause and choked down his food. "Yeah dad?"

He nudged his head towards his gut. "You still got Bad in there?"

His son gave him a very bizarre glare. "Dad… he hasn't left yet!" he protested. "Of course I do! Why?"

Garou was about to speak until he heard a sharp whistle from across the room. "We need to talk son!"

He rolled his eyes, as of late Chuck just won't leave him alone! He's determined to know everything about him and Melee's relationship. "TBC," he said to Pac who went back to his meal.

Venturing to the other side of the cafeteria, Garou glared at him. "What now?" he demanded.

Chuck merely waved him out of the room. He followed out of interest, since normally Chuck just shouts whatever he wants to say. But this was different. Garou paused as he looked into the old man's eyes. "You've been looking into this guy too? The masked vigilantly?" he asked.

Garou nodded. "What of it?"

"So have I,"

He paused. "Wait, you too?"

"Anyone that's beating up on neo heroes before me, naturally get my interest." He said with a grin. "In fact… I already ran into him."

Garou was taken aback. How could this old man beat him to the punch!? "Who…"

"Not here," he said. "You need to come with me though."

Naturally he agreed.

#

"Wait… here?!"

It was strange as they went to the dragon's keep. Chuck smirked and nodded as they waited in the spar pit. What felt like forever for Garou until he heard something coming towards them at a fast pace!

They landed before them, the ground shook and the dust kicked up! When everything settled. Garou stood across from a strange yet familiar looking figure. He was about as tall as he was, had red, crimson hair but wore a mask that covered the lower part of his face, if anything it looked like the lower skull of a skeleton. His eyes though… that's what caught his attention. They were black with red irises. But it was the smell of him that Garou couldn't wrap his head around.

"What's this?"

Chuck gave a firm strike to Garou's back. "Want you to meet a friend of mine. This is Garou, human monster, but a good friend to have your back. Garou, let me introduce you to the Neo Hero hunter… Bane!"

Bane reached for his mask and carefully removed it. The moment he saw his face, Garou froze. "Wait…"

Bane gave a familiar cocky smirk. "Do I look familiar to you or something?"

He turned his glare back to Chuck. "Why the hell does he look and talk like Metal Bat?!"