Chapter 8

Despite being ready for a day of shopping, Bad found Zenko was still tuckered out from the night before. "Perhaps we will go tomorrow then…" he said aloud.

He got his day started; walking about the house he did the simple chores of dishes, laundry and feeding the cats. He was smiling though since his cat Tama was taking a liking to the new house guest. In fact, the serpopard was licking Tama over like it was a kitten! "At least they are getting along…" he muttered. Zenko took the liberty of naming their new friend last night. After an inspection, it was deemed a female, so she has been named Zaphera.

With the chores done for the moment, Bad took a seat on the couch and watched TV. The disaster channel was quite today much to his relief, yet his phone soon went off.

"Hello?"

"Bad? Can you come into the association?"

He paused to the voice. "Wait, Sitch?"

"Yes, it's me, would you mind coming in for a moment?"

"Uh… sure… anything wrong?"

"No, not at all. Come as soon as you can okay?"

He hung up the phone but wondered what the hell that was about. It didn't sound urgent or anything. There was no monster attack that needed his assistance. With a shrug of his shoulders he got up off the couch as he left a note for Garou who was still passed out in the bedroom.

#

He has to admit, shadow walking is awesome!

Bad arrived at the Heroes Association in no time. Yet he had to make it look like he just arrived. He used the shadows on the outside of the facility to arrive on time. Looking about, Bad placed himself near the front of the entrance and walked in casually. The moment he did, Sitch arrived.

"Bad! Good timing, please, come with me."

He nodded but kept his guard up.

{I don't like this my King}

{What do they wish from you?}

Bad sighed as his shadows were getting a little anxious. {Don't worry about it. I can handle it.}

They fell silent as he entered a boardroom. Bad walked in and looked about. None of the others were here, however he noticed the Metal Knight scouter droid in the room… and some of the rich big wigs of the Association. "What's this about? Budget meeting and I'm being cut?" he asked with a smirk.

"Have a seat Metal Bat," said the scouter droid.

"Nah, I'll stand, what's going on?" he asked aloud, but he was being looked at oddly by the Association big wigs. He swore there was a look of greed in their eyes.

"Ah hum!" one said aloud as he briskly cleared his throat. "It has come to our attention that you are a lot more powerful than you let us believe. Dare I say it, your may even rival Blast now!"

"What?" Bad muttered as his glare came upon Metal Knight. Of course the old bastard would squeal on him now wouldn't he? "Who told you that? I ain't much I mean, I can swing a bat no problem…"

"What about your ability to turn to mist?" asked Metal Knight. "I witnessed that myself."

Bad snickered. "Me? Turn to mist? Yeah, you got to get your sensors upgraded or something!"

"Metal Bat, this is no laughing matter!" stated McCoy. The tall associate with a brushed back hairstyle. He has an eye patch over his right eye with a star embedded into it. "Are you holding out on us and your abilities?!"

Bad took a deep breath. "Yeah… I am…" he said.

The table fell into a mutter, Sitch himself went pale until Bad stated. "I've been taking martial art lessons."

The talk quickly came to an end. "You what?" demanded Sitch.

"Martial Arts, I've been taking lessons… you see, ever since that thing with Garou happened. I figured I better step up my game if he ever went nuts again…"

"Then why are you housing the Human Monster?" Metal Knight demanded.

The table began to glare at him now, bewildered to say the least. Bad blushed a little. "Uh… you want to truth? Or you want me to say something a little easier on your ears?"

Confusion followed on the faces of the associates. McCoy however was more daring. The one eyed man wouldn't hesitate to 'go there' if need be. "Please, explain yourself to us and why the hell you have the human monster in your house!"

The smile grew on Bad as he said. "Well, he's a wicked fighter, I learned a lot from him, after that whole incident with him ended, he needed a fresh start and Bang suggested I look out for him since we are the same age…" he explained, but thought to himself 'well, not really, he's a thousand and something years older than me'. But he continued. "Well, I didn't realize it but I got feelings for him. You think he's a human monster in public… he's a demon in the sack!"

Suddenly, the room went dead silent. Not even the droid moved as faces went pale. Bad on the other hand was grinning like an idiot to the whole thing. "You good now?" he asked.

There was no answer, instead Sitch opened the door and allowed him out of the room. He was quick to follow him, as he closed up the meeting room, he let out a sigh. "How on earth did that work?" he whispered to Bad.

"Huh?"

"I've been trying to get them off your back for the past few days, they refused to. Metal Knight has not been helping matters either…"

"Sitch…"

"Come with me."

Bad was quick to follow him down the hall towards another room. When he opened the door, he found nothing but darkness within. Yet as Bad walked in, he felt oddly calm as Sitch followed. The door closed as the man Bad answered to was quick to bow his head. "Hail King of the Shadows, even death welcomes you with open arms."

"Wait, are you…"

"Yes, I am an Other, I have been tasked by Death to keep your identity hidden as best as possible. It's not easy to say the least, but I am doing my best"

"Sitch…"

"I have known about Garou, I know about the situation and the fact that there is now a child involved. I wish to do what I can to help protect your family. However, the executives have been given information about you from Metal Knight who has witnessed your power. He is determined to have you for testing and wishes to find a way to use your power on a grander scale, for example protecting the rich investors with shadow body guards."

"Like hell that's happening!"

"I agree," Sitch said. "However from this moment on, you must use your abilities with great caution, especially in public. Metal Knight has cameras and drones everywhere. If he gets enough evidence of your abilities, he may go over my head and attempt to proceed with his plan."

It was heavy, Bad knew his power was great, however he never thought someone like Metal Knight would do whatever it takes to exploit it for personal gain like this. "I'll keep that in mind,"

"Good, I really should be thanking you for all you have done." Sitch said and smiled. "To think someone so young could take down the Shadow King… remarkable to say the least."

"I had help, I couldn't have done it alone."

Sitch nodded. "I suggest you go home now, and remember…"

Bad smiled and nodded. He was quick to leave the Association.

He decided to walk home this time.

#

He needed to forget about his cares for the day, not to mention, he promised Zenko a day at the mall. So with that in mind, he called ahead to the house, asking his sister to be ready for their shopping trip.

By the time he got home, she was all set and ready to go. Garou on the other hand was trying to console their son. "Why won't you stop crying? You've been changed, burped and fed!"

Bad smirked as he reached over and took Botan from his arms. Instantly, he stopped. "What the fuck!" Garou demanded.

"He wanted me to hold him! HA!" Bad snickered. Botan instantly calmed down and was settled for the most part. "I guess he has to come with us to the mall. You coming?" Bad asked.

"Tch, I hate shopping, people look at me weird."

"You wear the same damn outfit each time we go out… do you even have another change of clothing?"

Garou didn't answer, so the short answer was no, he didn't. Bad sighed aloud. "Well, we're going now. Later Garou." Bad got the baby bag all set up and took Zenko by the hand, yet the moment they walked out, he was right behind them.

"I'm not going clothing shopping!" he protested. "I just… want to spend more time with my son…"

"Yeah… sure." Bad muttered.

"You look after the house Zaphera!" called Zenko.