Chapter 14

It was the dead of night when the ship began to reach the shoreline. Aboard were bandits, murderers and criminals from the supercontinent looking to make some good money doing what they loved. Killing and destroying the lives of those who don't matter to them! However, when they were given this offer, many didn't know how to take it.

A man in a hood explained the details of the job, they were to leave the supercontinent and slaughter creatures that can be classified as monsters. "But there are no repercussions to your actions. You are not bounded by the rules of man, but the law of the jungle. The strong eat the weak do they not? With your weapons, you can rule over them like Kings! But… why bother to do that when it's far more fun to slaughter masses with no consequence!"

It was too good to be true, however, with the Heroes Association breathing down their necks and the cops on constant patrol, the offer was too good to pass up. The boarded a boat that very evening of the offer, bound for a new land and new opportunities.

"I heard these freaks can make us a pretty penny no less. Rumor has it they got giant snakes there, a mere gunshot wound and it's dead. If they are as big as they say, you can make some good scratch off the pelt alone!" said one.

"I heard of that too, the materials came be some of the best and the supercontinent is starving for materials for fashion… huh, get paid to kill and make money off the corpses. Not a bad gig." Said another.

"Depends on how many you kill, you better be good at what you do or you won't get jack shit!" said one of the few women who dared to take the offer. "Besides, this is unknown territory. Best keep your guard up anyways." She said.

The boat came to a stop, the captain stepped out. "All ashore going ashore!" he called.

They smirked and licked their lips to the anticipation of it all. Many grabbed their favorite weapons, some debated on what to use and how. Others just wanted to get blood on their hands as soon as possible.

There were 200 of them, and they all stepped off the boat and took in their surroundings. Before them appeared to be a thick jungle, however it was strange.

"You hear that?" One asked aloud.

The woman who knew to keep her guard up paused, she nodded. "I hear nothing, not even a bug." She said.

"So what?" another demanded.

"Since when the hell is there no sound coming from a land full of wild beasts and monsters?" she said aloud. "No… something isn't right…"

THUD

They all jumped as they heard something strike the ship. However there appeared to be no damage done, yet the captain could be seen from his quarters. He froze in fear. "What the hell rattled him?"

"Oh, you will see soon enough…"

Everyone froze as Metal Bat appeared on the stern of the ship. However he was remarkably different than before. His hair was down, his eyes glowing blue in the darkness as some swore there was mist coming off his body. "Metal Bat? HERE!? It's a damn trap!"

"It is… and it isn't…"

They jumped again as waiting on the shore was the human monster, Garou. His eyes were glowing a crimson red as some swore there were fangs glistening from his mouth. "What the fuck!" one crook asked.

"Simply put, we're here to ensure you don't get to have your… fun as you put it so…" Garou said as he began to inch closer. "I will say this though… you are going to wish I was the one who killed you!"

"What are you talking about? Metal Bat won't kill us, we're wanted by the police, if anything he has to do the heroic duty of turning us over!" the woman yelled.

"Says who?" Garou asked as his grin became sinister. His eyes shifted to Metal Bat. "I think we got enough now, you ready?"

Bad was silent, but nodded his head.

The shoreline suddenly lit up. The crooks froze as waiting along the sand were skinned bodies of monster serpents. "What the hell is this?! What's going on!"

"This shit for real?"

"This ain't what I signed up for!"

"This… GAH!" the crooks froze as a black mist suddenly pierced through their bodies, they trembled and shook to it all as Bad jumped from the ship and stood between the humans and the fallen. Then, this mist began to expel from his body, drifting over the sands and then latching on to the skinned bodies that rested on the ground. They began to levitate up off the earth, Bad turned to the criminals, looking into their petrified faces before saying in a cold tone. "Death exchange."

#

Garou froze.

It all happened before his eyes as he could sense the energies go from one body to another. This time though, Bad wasn't struggling. He kept himself calm and allowed what needed to be done through him. However, the sights that came with it were anything but savory. Garou watched as the murderers began to have their skins stripped off their bodies. They screamed in torment as the pain these Nagas felt before their deaths were transferred to them!

No one was spared.

What troubled Garou the most was the fact that there was no emotion on Bad. He thought for certain he would have a conflict in during something so sever to so many people.

But, he didn't hesitate.

He was there when he spoke with Snek's brother on what he intended to do. King Hydrin was stunned to the notion. "This is serious, are you certain about this Shadow King? You will be taking the lives of your fellow man…"

"They ain't my people!" he snapped back. "I don't even know what the hell I am anymore, but all I know is this… they are not going to hesitate in killing those of this land, they will relish it. I refuse to give them the opportunity to do anything of the sort. No, I want to see who I can save with those low lives giving up what they should treasure and respect… This is going to be done tonight, and I got a few of those who survived from the night before. Sonic is keeping them safe until tonight…"

"Great Shadow King… why go through the trouble to do this for us?" one Naga asked. "I mean no disrespect, but the last Kings before you… never raised a finger to help others…"

"Well I ain't like the last ones. I don't plan on acting like them either!" he snapped back. "Those lives were not theirs to take, so it's only fair they pay the price for it."

Bad froze when he noticed Garou lingering. He was caught from the corner of his eye. When he turned to face him, Bad nodded. "I need you to help me tonight. Incase I over do it. I need you to watch my back."

Garou didn't refuse. He nodded full heartedly to the task.

For the rest of the day, they took care of Zenko and Botan. Bad smiled for the first time since leaving home as he played with their son. Zenko told him how Botan healed everyone in the room, but didn't know how. It stunned Bad, but he never looked more proud of Botan.

He was just a baby, and already doing amazing things.

When night fell, Zenko and Botan were fed and tucked into bed. Bad must have spoken with her before leaving for the night. He was glad she didn't have to see her brother do something so dark.

Garou wrenched as his nose flooded with the smell of blood. He hadn't fed in a while, and yet he doesn't crave the drink as much as he use to. But when it all ended, he turned to where the fallen Nagas laid, and found they were healed and moving.

"My head…" one muttered.

"Momma?" said a child. They suddenly looked about, realizing they were alive. Families reunited, those who didn't have them were relieved and grateful to be alive. Jima was quickly summoned along with many shadow warriors.

"Everyone!" Bad called out.

Their eyes widened in amazement to him, they began to bow when he stopped them. "Don't worry about that, I want you to follow my warriors back to the King's domain" he said. "They will keep you safe until you arrive."

They didn't refuse, they were quick to leave the beach as Bad them stared at the dead criminals that laid on the beach. His eyes suddenly turned to the captain of the ship. The man was pale, trembling at the sight of Metal Bat, who merely waved his index finger at him, silently telling the man to come out and speak with him…

#

There was another group gathering at the docks of the Super continent, the offer of a lifetime, being able to indulge in their greatest desires and kill as much as they wish with no consequences. There was to be a ship to take them to the job, however it was late.

"Where the hell is this damn ship? I want to get blood on my knife sooner than later!"

"Hold your horses asshole, we all want to get to this job and make money, quite complaining."

"Hey, I see it! That's the ship!"

They laid in wait at the docks, taking refuge in the shadows and remaining out of sight until the ship came into port. They were about to come out when the Captain came from his quarters, shaking like a leaf. Some of the crooks slipped out of the shadows. "What's the deal old man?" one asked. "You get sea sick or something?"

As they snickered to the joke, they suddenly jumped as a sword came through the chest of the sea captain! He dropped overboard and into the water. Everyone froze as they were greeting by a very thin ninja wearing all black clothing and a purple scarf. "I came baring a warning to you from my King, I suggest you heed it well. You are welcome to continue on your journey to the other side of the world, but in doing so, you accept the consequences that will follow. The rule of man has no meaning there… that goes for both sides of this…"

The ninja struck a switch as the side of the ship opened up, but revealed the piles of dead bodies that lay on the floor! The criminals froze at the sight, many were skinned, and others stabbed, beheaded among other things. Many froze in fear of it all, the ninja on the other hand started to clean the sword of blood before nodding his approval and tucking it away once more. "Now… all aboard!" he said with a sickening grin.