Chapter 2
Three weeks passed after the concert between Amai and the Soda Pop Boys. Every hero available was called to the association. The M Class came in full, yet Garou could already pick up the tension in the room. "Here it comes…" he muttered to Melee.
She nodded, Sitch then appeared and called for silence. He looked flustered to say the least, with a sigh. He made the announcement. "It is most unfortunate news that I announce as of this moment… the Heroes association is no more."
There were looks of confusion, devastation and anger. "HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!" demanded Stinger.
"WE AREN'T TO BLAME FOR THIS!" protested Tank Top Black Hole.
"WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW!" there were screams and shouting come from every which way, many demanding an answer from Sitch who couldn't provide one.
A sharp whistle however broke the anger yelling of the room, it came from Hunter as he yelled. "SHUT IT!" the room fell silent as he gave a nod to Sitch.
Grateful for the assistance he continued on. "Our wealthy investors have opted to funnel their money to the Neo Heroes rather than us. The common people have lost faith in our abilities, for it has come to appear we pander to the rich over them."
"Seems about right," Garou muttered.
"However, this facility will remain open and standing due to the more… influential people still chose to do so. They are offering those who have taken up residence to remain at HQ for body guarding purposes. You will still be employed, paid your wage as well as have free room and board." He explained.
There were some relieved faces, yet it didn't solve the problem for everyone else. "Great, what about those who don't?" asked Death Gatling.
Sitch sighed. "I don't know what else to tell you. As of now, the S Class will be taken under government control if they so choose. The top 10 of A Class will be offered contracts as well. For all others, I am sorry. I have nothing more to provide for you at this time."
"What about the M Class!" called Tank Top Tiger. "What becomes of them?"
A look of worry came over him. "They have opted not to sign the government contract, therefore, the M Class is no longer under the Association protection. All within will be categorized… as monsters. Threat levels have already been assigned. They are all Level Dragon threats according to the guidelines, meaning, they can be targeted by the Neo Heroes if they deem them dangerous."
There were looks of devastation all around. The others were stunned to the development. "Wait, if they sign the contract that won't happen, right?" asked Stinger.
"Subsection 4 paragraph 4. The government can use signee for whatever cause they deem fit, appropriate and necessary. Under this, if there was something that we didn't agree with, we wouldn't be able to refuse since the contract dictates it so. Refusal would also lead to termination… and I don't mean in contract terms either. In other words, the government could use the family for whatever purpose they believe we would be good for. Medical testing, weapon making just to name a few, hell, they could put us in a breeding program!" said Goliath. "The contract also does not recognize us as human… therefore we will not be given the 'human treatment' as it were. No, we will not be used like this, no one in my family will be used as weapons. We're people too damn it! We may not be fully human, let alone human at all. But that doesn't give anyone the right to treat us less than that!"
"I rather be a dragon level threat, than to be used as a pawn" said Garou. "Besides, you all know me. Let the Neo Heroes try and take me out… you couldn't!"
"Ahem" muttered Melee.
He rolled his eyes. "Okay, FINE. Some of you could have but not at this stage of the game…"
"So… you three aren't going to change back?" Glasses questioned Snek, Max and Suiryu.
They shook their heads. "Nah!" said Snek. "That's taking the easy and cowards way out! We've been through worst than this, besides. Someone has to have their backs"
"I'm not going anywhere either." Said Max. "They think we're a threat, so be it. They make us a threat, that's in their heads!"
"I am not abandoning Alley and her family now. They didn't do that to me!" said Suiryu. "No, I am staying put!"
"You're a bunch of idiots!" muttered Garou. "Brave, loyal idiots."
"Be that as it may, that's not fair! I mean after all they have done, they fought along side us, hell even saved some of us in this very room!" protested Muman Rider. "How can they not be recognized as heroes?"
"It's just how things are Muman. The government has give then an offer which was refused…"
"But there is another option…" called Alley.
The room was in chatter now as she approached the stage. "Sitch, may I?" she asked.
He nodded and let her take the stage. Alley stood before the heroes and announced. "Despite this drawback, I have implemented a plan of my own." She explained. "I sense what has gone on with the Neo Heroes may just merely be a phase as it were, yet this phase will do a lot more harm to all of you. Patients is the way of the game for the moment…"
"Alley, what are you talking about?" asked Amai Mask.
She cleared her voice. "Metal Knight had a hidden fortress in City K. A city long since been destroyed and never rebuilt… until now." The room filled with murmurs once more. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Heroes Association. I have started my own, we will have a new headquarters that will be announced and revealed in due time. Yet, there are those here who may wish to remain where they are, some of you may have found other opportunities and work. But if you are interested, come find me. I will be doing interviews, and offer training. But I will warn you. Your pervious rank may possibly mean nothing in this new format. I will not be going by mere rank and tasks completed. I will be going by skill level, strength and abilities. Whatever you are able to do, you will be designated to that class."
The voices were getting a little louder now. "What about pay!" a hero shouted.
"You will be paid accordingly, unlike what C Class heroes have to do, there is no quota. Even if you may not have worked that week, I will ensure you are given a living wage. For there are other means of work in my association, you won't be paid for sitting on your ass."
"Alley… when did you plan all this?" asked Melee.
"For a while, I had a hunch this was coming far sooner than later. Yet I wanted to make a place where we can gather without our information leaking out to those who shouldn't be listening in. Right now all I will say is this. For those who come, you will all be given a test to see your skill set. There will be those whose skills are undeniable, however… I will still have them start at the bottom like everyone else. We will create a system where each tier can relay upon each other when need be for tasks at hand." She explained. Alley turned to Sitch. "I want you to join us."
He froze to the news. "Me? Alley, a lot of people are blaming me for what happened here…"
"And they are fools to believe that." she said. "I need a man at the head of this that I can count on. You have done well considering those who plotted behind you. Sitch, this cannot run without your expert advice and guidance."
He was taken aback by her words. But gave a nod.
"Alley, how long will this take?" asked Tank Top Tiger.
"We will be investing a lot of time into this and ensure everyone is placed properly, in that time, we won't be doing any heroics unless absolutely necessary. This will also give us time to observe and see what the Neo Heroes are capable of." That caused great uncertainty among the heroes, however. There was little choice. They nodded in agreement to it all. "Okay, in the very near future, I will be on contact with everyone here. If you are interested, I will give you the location and what to do from there."
With that, she stepped down from the stage.
Sitch took over once more. "I don't know what more I can say to this, but allow me to thank each and every one of you for all you have done, for what you continue to do, and for being there when people needed you most. Dismissed."
There were heroes already flocking to Alley, wanting more details, yet she refused to speak of them for the moment. Garou felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Amai. At first there was a smirk on his face. "You know, I have waited for a day like today…" he said offhandedly.
"I'm sure you have." Garou muttered back.
Amai snickered. "How time makes fools of us all… I want you to know one thing…" he leaned in and whispered. "I won't turn my back on you either. You need help… I will answer."
This caught Garou off guard. Amai said nothing more as he took his leave. But there were a lot of heroes approaching the M Class and stated the same thing. If they needed someone to watch their backs, they got them. Melee was touched by all of it, she even shed a tear or two over how people would help her family if the need was there.
Garou however knew he could protect them, after all, he has taken on the heroes association before. How bad could the Neo Heroes be?