Chapter 7

Drax barely made it to the doorway. He opened the front stood, stood there before teetering forward. His eyes rolled back as the room went into a sudden panic. He was so dead tired from the patrols and trying to stop every threat he has come across, he hardly has the energy to make it to his room. Just before he passed out though, Snek catches him. "Whoa there, what the hell is going on? Are they working you to death!?"

"Later… sleepy." Drax muttered.

Snek was concerned, his son has been doing this nearly every time he comes through the door and he barely takes a step before passing out. Snek just so happens to be at the right place and time when it happens. He let his son sleep on him, he even went as far as getting a blanket and covering him up as he rests.

"This ain't right," he said.

Garou was in the kitchen and nodded, all he had to do was turn the TV on, the top story, Drax and his squad. "Reports today of a young Neo Hero team taking down a high demon threat monster. This is not for the weak of heart to be watching…" it showed the video of one of the kids getting smacked hard. He struck a building rather aggressively which made Drax lash out! He ran at the monster, moving nearly too fast to be seen until he suddenly stopped, he made a dead jump from the ground and tore through the monster with his own body!

Snek was rendered rather silent, Garou on the other hand appeared impressed. "Not bad, monster flesh is hard to break through… how did he do that?"

"We have reports that this was none other than squad 45 of the Neo Heroes. Led by their young leader Drax, many of you know him now as the son of Biting Snake Fist Snek, also the adopted son of Amai Mask. It appears the young man is following their footsteps!"

Garou turned the TV off, but he was curious. He approached Drax oddly, Snek kept a close eye on him as he reached for the phone the Neo Heroes gave him. It was easy for him to unlock as he saw the messages. "Your kid shouldn't be doing this sort of thing, look at this."

Snek took the phone, it was all the messages he sent out and the time of the response. "He lets them know the moment there is trouble…" there was another app that is used, allowing the other neo Heroes know where their back up is and how long it takes for them to get there. It was the same squad in the area, yet took their dear sweet ass time getting to Drax and his team.

"What the hell is this!?" Snek hissed angrily. "They think they can leave this all for kids to do! Who the hell do they think they are?"

Garou's arms crossed as he sneered at the notion. "Perhaps it's time we step in huh? I mean, we're still in the monster hunting game but kept off TV. What if we tag Drax's group next time?"

Snek was grinning at the notion, yet at the same time, he knew Drax wouldn't appreciate it. If anything, he may resent them for interfering. "As much as I would love to, I think I will wait for Drax to tell me when to step in. He's done so much thus far, I don't want him to think I don't believe in him… still…" Snek moved himself to a part of the living room that had a small padded area. He picked Drax off his body until he could turn himself on to his back. From there, he gently placed Drax hear his chest and began to gently coil around his son, Drax moaned a little since he was moved, but tucked himself in and savored the comfort. "I don't want my kid getting killed. He's taking the same risks I did when I was human, but then again, he's winning his fights… I just knocked stupid."

"That's because of the strength he gained as a serpent. You taught him that, not to mention he has a hint of Amai in him too, remember? He had his blue scales as well. Some of that strength must have gotten into him too."

"Huh, we won't be telling Sweet that now, will we?"

"Not a chance in hell."

Snek settled himself in and allowed Drax to sleep in his coil. Garou smirked. "Good thing Alley put that padding in over there. Let me know if you need anything, Melee will be back soon with the triplets."

Snek kept peering down at his son, he was proud of him, at the same time worried for what he has been getting into.

#

It was an odd request to say the least.

Melee was asked by Genus to meet him in City W with the kids the next day. They were going to the park and play, yet Genus wanted to speak with Melee about something, she agreed yet wondered what the former house of Evolution wanted to say. The kids however were grateful they would be going to the park. The mountain playhouse as they called it was boring. There was nothing for them to do, so Melee had to reward them for their good behavior.

By the time the triplets were unleashed, she found Genus on the bench. He quickly waved her over. "Genus…"

He smiled as she took a seat, his warm grin suddenly vanished as he became serious. "Melee, I need to ask something of you. And please, do not be offended."

Curiosity got the better of her now. "Uh… okay…" she said with great uncertainty.

Genus sighed. "What would happen if your brothers came back?"

She felt her heart freeze in her chest, how did he know about her brothers? Not to mention, why ask of this now of all times? "Genus… you didn't…"

"No, I wouldn't do that without your permission. I fear though that perhaps some of my surviving clones did so out of ambition. If this indeed happened, what would you do?" he questioned.

Her legs felt like jelly, her heart jumped into her throat. "How… just… how would it be…"

"I don't know," he whispered gently. "There are some clones I kept alive for such a purpose, they are aware of my intention of ending the house of evolution once and for all, and have accepted my choice on the matter and their fate. One has brought it to my attention, believing they have found Brawler blood. How viable it is I am uncertain, I just wanted you to prepare yourself in case they succeed."

Melee grabbed her knees rather tightly, she was trying everything in her power to prevent herself from crying in front of her children who played happily, unaware of the heartache she was going through. "What can I do if they succeed? Would they even know who I am? Would I even waste my breath trying to convince them? Would those clones… would they turn my own brothers against me?" she whispered.

Genus fell silent. Yet when Melee turned to him, fearful for what may come, he knew he had to say something. "The strange thing about cloning is this, there are many options as to how it can be done. But, my method is the most absolute and perfect way of accomplishing such a task. Despite it being mere DNA that is needed to clone a human being, memories are retained in blood." He explained, his sights then turned to his own children. "They will know soon enough the truth, who they came from and why they have been cloned." He said to her. "Jason is figuring it out a lot faster than his brother and sister, yet, he hasn't said a word to me. I don't know why either."

Melee kept quite though, over and over in her mind she feared what may come. If the Neo Heroes break their promise to Drax, and decide to come after them. Her brothers will be part of the legion, they will be on the opposite side of the battle. She would dare harm them, how could she after getting them back? "Genus, they will remember me, won't they?"

He sighed. "I am certain they will, but understand. You, yourself have changed very drastically. It also isn't wise to bombard them all at once with thoughts and memories. I have seen clones go mad when overwhelmed with such emotions. Give it time and keep your distance for the moment, if they approach you, engaged them slowly. Until then, Melee, it's best you do not interfere…"

"You're telling me, it's happened, hasn't it?" she asked. "Despite your words earlier, saying be prepared for such a thing. Now you speak that it has occurred, and it was successful." She whispered. This time, she couldn't stop the tears, she felt them ooze down her cheek. "Genus… are they safe where they are?"

"Yes," he said. "They are safe."

"I wish to keep it that way. I lost them once before, as much as I would want to be in my life again, I can't be in theirs with the way I am, my family and what is going on in this world. I'll be perfectly… happy to know they are safe… excuse me…" she abruptly got off the bench before turning her back on the park. She needed to let this out, but couldn't let her children see her in such a state.