Chapter 2

#

Snek was pacing about. The moment he came too he was quick to usher Bad, Garou and Zenko into a spar room. His eyes kept peering down at the baby that was swaddled onto Bad's chest. He tried to speak but lost all sense to do so.

It took the appearance of Pig God to finally get the words out of him.

"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!" Snek demanded of him.

Pig God smirked. "I knew that thing with 10,000 souls sounded familiar, it was when the King before last spoke of making an heir. He devised a special potion to do so, the 10,000 souls was to give the body the energy to create life, but he needed the blood of a strong partner in which he didn't possess nor was his host body strong enough to withstand the process. He concealed it all when he felt there was someone out to end his reign. The formula and method were hidden before his sudden death." Pig God explained. Yet he looked upon Bad oddly. "You had no idea did you?"

"Not a damn clue." Bad confessed. "Worst still, the council did, and they knew who was behind it but did nothing about it!"

"That was for your sake to say the least. If legions of Others knew you were carrying an heir, they would have done anything and everything to make sure the child was never born"

Bad froze, he felt his heart skip a beat. "It's that serious?"

Snek sighed and nodded. "We don't have a firm confirmation as to how the next Shadow King will be decided should something happen to you. After all you turned the WHOLE thing on its head by eliminating the council that would usually decide the next king among themselves. Yet, with whom you have now, I doubt any of them would come to any sort of agreement as to who would take over the throne. Some believe a civil war would break out in trying to determine the new King, it's not a clear cut solution to say the least."

As Bad considered it all, Botan began to cry. "Whoa, hey there bud, what's wrong?" Bad pulled him up and out of his sling, he was fussy about something, but didn't know what. Instead he placed the baby over his shoulder and gently rubbed his back. "Shhh, it's okay Botan… it's okay…" he said gently.

"Who knew he was good with babies?" Snek muttered.

"He raised me!" protested Zenko.

Garou smirked to it all as he found himself love struck with his new son. "I never though…" he said offhandedly, but stopped talking when tears welded in his eyes.

"Well, this is certainly a change of event to say the least. I got to start another book of notes on the Prince and monitor his growth!" Snek announced. Then he rolled his eyes. "Oh God, I forget about the offerings too!"

"Offerings?" Bad and Garou asked.

"Yeah, offerings. Someone as powerful as you has a kid, gets offerings from Others is standard procedure!" Snek stated. "It's an automatic given, when you entered this world with Botan, it sent a signal out to the Others who are now all well aware of your son. So they will come. They wish you well, good health for your child and try to earn your favor if they are ever in need of it. You're about to meet a lot of creatures you never knew about!" Snek warned. "Pig God, we need to…"

"We already set up an area, there is a place where we can go and ensure all offerings are peaceful."

"Huh?" Bad said.

"Some may try to use the opportunity to kill you and the kid."

Bad froze, so did Garou. "To hell with the offerings then if that's going to happen!"

"Rest assured, it won't." said Pig God. "My seal will be in place, any and all who will attempt to harm you or your family will be dealt with the moment they attempt an attack."

"Hardcore… I like it!" said Garou with a grin. "But hey… free stuff!"

"You for real right now? I mean what if they offer us something weird shit like here's the head of my enemy!" Bad said sarcastically.

"They are aware of the situation and will be made certain they are appropriate for the event." Snek explained. "Some may try to make a gift of that but it can be thrown out later."

Garou was already rubbing his hands with excitement. "Ooo goody, presents!"

"They aren't for you dumbass!" Bad snapped back.

#

It was strange to set up the house now with a newborn. After the party, Garou, Bad and Zenko went home, however they found a small room already set up with baby stuff. There were diapers, clothing, cribs and pillows for the child. Garou crooked his head in confusion. "You do this?" he asked Bad.

"Like hell I had time to do this! I didn't even know I was going to have a kid!"

"I think your shadows did," Zenko announced. "Perhaps a way of apologizing for their actions but to show their support for Botan."

Bad nodded, it was the only logical explanation. He put Botan in the crib and he fell asleep straight away. They left him to rest but noticed there was a baby monitor in the room and one in their own. Bad sighed aloud as he closed the door. "How the hell did I not know this!?" he whispered.

"Hell the hell didn't I? You know I can hear heartbeats right? I never heard Botan's through you. That or you are just that good at concealing him." Garou muttered.

"Either way, I have a nephew! I am going to be the best auntie!" Zenko said proudly.

Bad patted her head and smirked. "Yeah, guess we are all going to be on diaper duty too!"

"Tch, you change him first, I had to feed him!"

Bad froze. "You had to do what?"

#

In the days that followed.

Garou and Bad took turns looking after Botan, however, they found that they weren't quite as fast to answer the cry of the baby. By the time they reached the room, there was already a shadow there tending to the infant! Bad paused the one day he saw Sonic in the room holding onto Botan rather proudly. "My Prince, you are going to be amazing! You have no idea what you are capable of doing, but rest assured, I will be there to watch over you and guard you!"

"AHEM!" Bad said aloud as he cleared his throat abruptly.

Sonic paused but he eased the child back into his crib. "My King, the child has been changed, however I do believe he will need to be fed soon." He said and bowed.

"Thanks, you are free to go."

Sonic bowed deeply and vanished into the shadows once more. "Guess we don't have to worry about kidnappers…" Garou said offhandedly.

It was a week later when Snek called up Bad. It was time for the offerings and he HAS to be there with Botan no matter what. Garou could come if he wanted to, but insisted on Bad and Botan being there soon. "Great, so where do we go?" Bad asked.

"In the woods of City G, do you know where the Japanese style mansion is?"

"Uh…"

"I know, we'll be there soon," called Garou. He took the phone from Bad and hung up. "We better get going, Snek likes to keep things on schedule. Heaven forbid if you throw him off of it!"

#

"Whoa…"

Bad paused as he stood before a large ancient Japanese style house. He thought it was odd of such a thing to be in the middle of the forest in City G. Bad stared at it oddly. "Ah… this is safe?" he asked awkwardly as he stared at the place. It appeared to belong in the history books! However despite the style of it, the house itself was immaculate and sturdy.

"You don't know where you are, do you?" Garou asked. "This here is the headquarters of the council of the sword. Atomic's stomping grounds to say the least." Garou explained as he held Botan.

The baby was remarkably complacent, he only cries when he wants to eat, be changed or when he's just over tired. Much to Bad's relief the baby wasn't a constant wailer!

"So, this is where the offerings are going to be done?" he asked.

"According to Pig God. The place as his seal around it already, you need to be in full Shadow King mode before entering to say the least." Garou explained. "Zenko will be in the shadow realm for safe keeping. We should also have a few of your stronger shadows here for extra security just in case."

Bad nodded in agreement just as Botan began to act up. "Feeding time" Garou muttered. "Not it."

Bad sneered at him. "How the hell does this even make any damn sense…" he muttered. He excused himself and took Botan away from the area for some privacy. If any of the other heroes saw him do this, he would never be able to live it down! The only bright side is Garou suffers the same fate he does, which is why he would take this secret to his grave!

He was done rather fast. Botan was content and burped before falling back asleep. He nestled into Bad and passed out rather instantly, now it was time to prepare for whatever the hell this thing was about!