Chapter 22

She couldn't believe it.

The last time she saw her father was years ago, the morning of his death she was leaving for work as he and her brothers were going to the Heroes Association for consultation. He told her. "The moment we get hired, you are quitting your job!"

"IF you're hired," she snapped back. "Right now it's keeping food on the table,"

"Girl, I don't care if we starve to death, that jackass is working you ragged!" he protested.

"I rather not starve dad!" she protested and rolled her eyes. "Besides, it's not that bad, I can handle it." She said.

"Still, sis the moment we are registered as heroes, we are going to make sure you don't work for that jackass. If you want, we will start training you!" Knuckle said.

"Really!?"

"NO!" her father shouted. "She ain't going to put her neck out like that, we're the men of the house we take care of our girls and young woman!"

She rolled her eyes to it all, but before he left, she gave him a heartfelt hug. "See you this evening,"

"We're going to order out and splurge!" he decreed.

But he never made it home. None of them did.

Melee couldn't let go of him. She never thought she would see her father again, but then, she remembered how she looked. Instantly, pulling away, she appeared ashamed of herself. But his hand gently cupped the side of her face as she looked into his eyes.

There was no shame or embarrassment. "Daddy… I'm sorry for how I turned out… I'm sorry I…"

"Why the hell are you apologizing girl?" he demanded. "You… you became a strong young woman."

"But… I'm a monster…"

Suddenly his eyes narrowed. "Who dares call you that?!" he demanded. "Point 'em out!"

She tried to move back, but was suddenly pulled in as her brothers went in for a hug. "DAD!" they cried.

She was getting crushed between her father and brothers… but it felt like old times. It always happened when they went in for an embrace. When they pulled away, he took notice of the family. "Well look at what the cat dragged in! Damn girl, you had litters!"

"DAD!" she protested.

He began to look over the kids, but then his eyes came upon Garou. They narrowed as he had a good stare down with her husband. "Who the hell are you suppose to be?"

"Garou, human monster… doing your daughter. Married her, but still doing her…"

"GAROU!" she scolded.

Her father gave a half smirk. "Name's Chuck Brawler."

"Chuck?" he asked with a smirk.

"Damn straight boy, I hit people hard, they chuck their lunch, blood, teeth… all the good stuff… so… you married her huh?" he began to look over Garou oddly, sizing him up before he sneered with disapproval. "She could have done better…"

"What did you say!" Garou demanded.

"Dad!"

"Now, now hon, I think you could have married a stronger man…"

"YOU WANNA GO OLD MAN!" Garou roared.

The smile grew on her father's face. "Ho-oh! I was waiting for you to ask! In the pit boy, let's see what you got!"

"Daddy!" she protested. "Don't do this, Garou's a good man…"

"I'll let you know if he is or if he ain't. In the pit boy,"

Garou was grinning from ear to ear. "Ladies first…"

"You got some sass boy… I'm gonna have to beat it out of ya"

"You wouldn't be the first to try…"

The two kept egging each other on with insults, neither one backing down as they ventured into the pit. Melee rolled her eyes to it all as Boros was smiling. "This is going to be most entertaining… You know for fun he would take on my generals on the Nova Purge. They liked to see how strong he was… needless to say, he was given the honorary title of General among my men," Boros explained.

"Just please tell me, he can withstand Garou?" she asked.

"That… I don't know yet, but we shall see." He said with a grin. "Besides, if he does break I am sure he can be fixed up in no time…"

"I just got my father back and you don't know if he is going to survive Garou!?" she demanded.

KABOOM!

The pit erupted with an explosion of power. Peering down they saw Garou locking arms with her father. The two were at a slight stand still until Garou began to push him back!

The broke off their struggle and resorted into fists.

BOOM

BOOM

BOOM!

The punches began to echo about the spar pit walls, neither one backing down. Then, Garou got serious…

He began to strike hard and fast, using his martial arts he hit every weak point that should be on the human body at her father. He was thrown back but didn't react. "Whew boy, you pack a punch!"

Garou grin. "I'm just getting started old man!"

The two continued on their battle, Melee sighed aloud as she saw Amai trying to slink away. "Where are you going?" she asked.

He froze, as he appeared to sweat nervously. "Oh well, you see, I think I am just being a bother here. It's a family reunion after all and I should be part of it…"

Yet as he tried to slink away, he was stopped by Street and Knuckle. "Where the hell are you going?" Street demanded.

Knuckle went one farther as he clasped his hands over Amai's shoulder. "Dad never got a chance to meet you yet Amai… he's ALWAYS wanted to meet YOU," he said in a evil tone.

"Melee… help me…" he begged.

"What the hell is with that racket!?" Snek slinked out of the Association, his children followed as they peered into the spar pit. "Who the hell is that? Is he stupid to fight Garou head on!?" he demanded.

"Uh Snek… it's my father," Melee said gently.

Suddenly, Snek appeared just as worried as Garou was when he first learned of him.

There was a sudden sonic boom in the pit, the dust erupted up and out of the hole and all that stood were Garou and her father, yet neither appeared to be in a fighting pose.

Melee peered down as her father looked and gave her the thumbs up. "HE'S A KEEPER!" he shouted with approval.

She sighed with relief.

Not over that, but the fact her father was still in one piece!