Chapter 22

"Wait… you SAW this, and yet did NOTHING about it?"

It was strange. The moment the brothers returned to HQ and explain what happened in City W, Accel was on the offensive to say the least. "Gentlemen, we are here to stop monsters… Monsters like that should not be walking the streets!"

"She was 8!" yelled Knuckle. "What the hell is your problem? She didn't kill anyone, I doubt she meant to take the door off its hinges!"

"She was a daughter of the monster Garou! You see this, the family is striking against us, and they know we are going to hunt them. They are running scared! So, they are doing small attacks, gauge how we are going to react and what we will do. Of course they would send a child to do this, no one fights children!" he announced.

"She did it because she wanted you to apologize to her mother who you apparently upset!" said Street. "What the hell did you do to upset her mother?"

Accel froze; he bit his lip and refused to say anything more about it. "Figures. Whatever, just a heads up. We're going to be out tomorrow for dinner, we won't be available if you need us."

"Wait, dinner?"

"Yeah, dinner. We're going out to see our sister Melee."

Accel suddenly went white, pure white. Instantly Street picked up on his reaction. "You knew… she was still alive, didn't you?" he asked in a suspicious tone. "This WHOLE time, you knew Melee was alive and didn't say anything… In fact… No, you know what, let's leave it at that"

"Wh… what do you mean?" asked Accel.

"Nah, I'm going to let you sweat over this. Tomorrow, we're taking a day off." With that, the brothers stormed out of the office. Knuckle growled to it all. "You think he knows, we know?"

"That seed is planted, he's panicking, no doubt about it."

"So, what do we do?"

Street paused as he thought it over. "Consider our options. Quite frankly, I think a lot more people know what is going on but couldn't tell us for the sake of our own sanity. I think we're taking this cloning shit remarkably well."

Knuckle laughed. "Yeah, well, better than a dirt nap to say the least." He paused thought. "What happened to Melee?"

Street shrugged. "Perhaps it will be best to explain over dinner, I have no doubt that is our sister. I mean, did you tell anyone about that prank? That was meant for Amai!"

"No one… dad would have kicked my ass!"

Street laughed. "I am going to talk with Ran and Shaw for a moment, I want their insight on this… you?"

"I got a word or two for Metal Bat…"

#

"What did we know?"

Street found the brothers in the sparring room, having a break with a cup of sake. He confronted them the moment they rose to greet him, questioning what they knew about him. Ran was the first to ask him about what he meant. Shaw however was more direct. "You know the truth?"

"I'm a clone." Street stated. "Apparently I died years ago in a monster attack, that's all I know. My memory is still hazy, but I know that I am not suppose to be here."

Shaw's drink went down on to the table. "You're right." He announced. "The original Street and Knuckle Brawler died the same day as their father by a dragon level threat in City B. The father was the first one killed, the brothers died in the aftermath as the buildings came down, they were crushed under the weight. Melee, their sister was at work during the attack with Amai Mask."

Street nodded to the information. "So it is true… no one said anything about it to us to prevent the truth from coming out."

"That, and to ensure your sister didn't know. You two returning was all done in secret. No one asked her if it was okay to bring you two back like this, no one consulted her let alone requested her blessing. They wanted heroes for the cause, by any means."

"You kept quite to it all…"

"I was informed if too much information reached you, it would affect your perception of the world and way of thinking. Madness to say the least, I was going to tell you when you remembered your sister's name. But, it appears you found it on your own."

"We found her too." He said. "We're going to have dinner at her house tomorrow night."

Shaw nodded to it. "She will be glad to have you, no doubt. I hope you are prepared for the company she keeps!"

Street paused to his words. He knew something. "What are you hiding now?" he asked.

"It isn't for my brother to say, after all, if your sister hasn't told you yet, there is a reason for it. We will not step on her toes, she will tell you everything tomorrow." Said Ran. He poured a third drink and offered it to Street. "Care for some?"

Street sighed. "Just give me the bottle."

#

It was an odd confrontation.

Knuckle found Metal Bat, yet was quick to corner him. Literally. Knuckle stood over him, pinning Bad to the wall and whispering. "You have been holding out on me short stack! I know why… but now… you don't have to anymore. I am fully aware of my existence now… so… you got something to say, say it!"

Bad sighed. "I don't have to tip toe anymore? Great… Here!" reaching into his pocket, he took out a picture. Knuckle was quick to take it, but then froze.

"That… that's"

"The last photo taken of you with your bro and sis…"

Knuckle was at a loss. "Where?" he asked.

"It was given to me, by a friend. But since he didn't need it back, I figured you would want it for you. Look man, I'm sorry how this all went down. But I will be up front with you from here on, I promise!" Bad vowed. "I got a sis too you know, I know what it's like to be protective of them… what I did was to protect you two until you were ready to meet her again."

Knuckle nodded. "Thanks… it means a lot." He tucked the photo away, just as his stomach roared. He didn't get his fill from lunch. Dinner should fix that to say the least, yet he was wondering. Why was Melee so hesitant on having them over for dinner and meeting her family?

#

Street went to bed.

After a massive meal and a full bottle of sake, he passed out the moment he returned to his room. His mind was a whirl, and yet, once more, he dreamt of his father and for some reason the human monster Garou…

#

Street's dreams were all the same. Despite what he has been told, what he has learned of Garou, his dreams would always show him what his father would have done. That night was no different. He dreamt it was after the monster association battle. The world was recovering and change was in the air from it all. His father himself would go to City Z's abandoned and now destroyed district to scope out the damage himself. There would be monster bodies everywhere, debris and reminisce of what use to be a standing city. He would go even if it were pouring rain outside, strangely enough, Street dreamed it was.

As his father scoured, he would hear a cough. Someone was still here, living in the rubble. With care, he would look about for openings, pathways or even caves made from the destroyed buildings until he found what he sought. Huddled within a small cavern forged of broken concrete, would be him. The so called human monster trying to hide himself. He slept out in the rain and cold, refusing to be seen by the world for his failure.

There would be no hesitation, his father would have forced his way in, and picked the kid up and out of the wreck. From there, he would use the shirt off his back to clothe and cover up Garou before taking him back home.

It was his way. It was always his way.

From that moment on, his father took responsibility for the kid, ensuring he kept warm and got better. Despite the strange condition he was in when brought through the door. There were parts of his body crumbling and breaking off in thick black chunks. "What the hell is this?" Knuckle demanded, as he picked up what appeared to be a monster toe from the ground.

Street turned and saw it fell off of Garou's foot. Yet he saw a human foot break free from where the toe was lost. "Ask later, the boy needs rest. You know the drill!"

Street and Knuckle went around the house preparing. They cleared the living room for the sleeping mat, they checked and made certain there was plenty of food and extra blankets available. From there, his father tucked in the worn out teen and pulled up a chair. He would sit there until he woke up once more.

#

Street would keep watch just like his father, in case things got a little out of control. It would be three days when Garou awoke, at first he was disorientated and confused. He didn't know where he was or how he got there, yet, the moment his eyes came upon Street's father. A sense of panic would come over him, but oddly enough, he settled rather quickly. "Congrats appear to be in order. Now, was it worth it?"

Garou slowly sat him, but kept silent. He couldn't even look him in the eyes. "Did ya learn something?" he questioned.

Still nothing from the teenager, Street came into the room. He would stare down Garou before begrudgingly ask. "Are you hungry? You want to eat?"

His stomach grumbled.

"Come on, up ya get! Let's get some food into ya!"

Garou would slowly stand, but pause as he looked down, what remained of his monster form began to break off. He turned away rather embarrassed to it all. Street rolled his eyes as he went to his room and retrieved a pair of pants. He tossed them at him. "Get that shit off of yourself, you can wear these until we get something more in your size."

He merely nodded and did as he was told. He disappeared into the bathroom where Street saw the look on his father's face. "He got his ass handed to him."

"How can you tell?"

"He ain't fighting me on anything, he should have fought me when I found him. He got broken, despite achieving his dream, it wasn't what he anticipated it to be."

Street merely nodded. Knuckle was watching everything from a distance. His back against the wall as he shook his head it everything. "So what now? He can't stay here dad!"

"Why not!" he demanded. "He's our guest,"

"Dad… he's wanted man!" protested Knuckle.

"So what!" he snapped back. "The kid didn't make this monster association, he didn't even join it to my knowledge! So leave him be, right now, he's under my roof, my rules… so are you!"

The brothers exchanged an uncertain look between themselves, but there was no arguing with him, their father runs the house.

Garou emerged from the bathroom a short time later, wearing pants twice his size. "Alright, that's a start, let's get you fed!" Street watched as his father sat down the kid, he went to the kitchen and began to reheat leftovers. Street and Knuckle sat on the opposite side of Garou, who couldn't even lift his head.

"So… What happened?" Street asked.

He kept silent.

The food hit the table rather quickly. When it was placed before him, the kid ate as if he had never been fed before! It all vanished into him, and it was enough to satisfy his hunger. He appeared content and drank a pitcher of water to wash it all down with. He took a moment to savour the sensation, before his head lifted.

"Thanks."

"First coherent word out of ya!" Father proclaimed. "Now then, mind me asking what happened?"

Garou sighed, for a moment, Street didn't think he would say anything. But then, he did. From the moment he left the house, Garou explained where he went and what happened to himself. Even going as far as battling the monster king Orochi himself, he succeeded in becoming a monster, defeating some high level dragon threats and the whole S Class on his own power.

Street froze to the news. "Wait, if you did all that, who beat you?"

Garou stared at him oddly. "A hero I never knew existed. I gave it everything I had, and kept turning into a bigger monster to try and keep up with him. In the end, it was nothing… absolutely nothing to him. I couldn't win, no matter how hard I tried, what I did…" he paused. "He could have killed me"

Street turned to his father, who now sat with his arms crossed. "No shit, now, the question is. Why didn't he?"

Garou turned and stared at Street's father. "He should have."

"No… no I don't think so. He saw something in ya, didn't he? In fact, perhaps there were similarities between you two that not even noticed until now. But, perhaps this guy saw the same thing I did. Ya got a heart in there, caged no less, but a heart of a hero."

"I'm no hero." Garou muttered.

"You can be."

There was silence at the table. "So, what now?" asked Street.

His father began to clear the table. "He's going to stay until he can figure out what to do next. You okay with that? You stay here and think over your next move?"

He got only a small nod from Garou, nothing more. "I don't like this," said Knuckle.

"I didn't ask if ya did!" his father snapped back. "Help me clear the table. Street, you go and get this kid something to wear that will fit him."

The brothers cringed. They didn't want to help the human monster, not after hearing everything from the other heroes. Their main source of information came from their sister Melee. She is in the Heroes Association and was automatic Class B. However, thanks to her experience with Amai Mask, she perfected on throwing shurikens, becoming the hero named Shuriken Star. The association paid a lot better than Sweet Mask ever did!

Street stood up from his chair before glaring down at Garou. "What's your clothing size?" he asked begrudgingly.

"You don't have to, I'll make do."

"Dad already told me to get you something to wear, I got to or he'll be on my ass about it. What size!"

The dream went on as Garou remained with the family for a week or two. Ever since he was taken in, father made certain extra was made and there were leftovers available. He didn't speak much, yet gave thanks for what was given to him. Every so often though father would sit with him, and just ramble on about life and stuff. When Sis came home though, he would nudge Garou in the arm and point to her. "My daughter, Melee, good woman to have on your side if I do say so myself." Father paused and turned to him. "You spoken with her yet?"

He shook his head.

"Well, speak to her, she may like the same things you do. She trains as well, you two could learn off of each other…"

"I think I'll be leaving." Garou said. "I have a lot to consider… I know a place where I can go and try and figure things out…"

His words took his father aback, however he didn't fight him on the notion. "Do what you got to do. But know this, my home is open to you. You know where the spare mat is to sleep on, here…" reaching into his pocket he gave Garou a key to the apartment. "Come by any time. I'll even leave the window open a crack for ya."

It brought the first smile to Garou's face as he graciously took the key. Father made him a bundle, food, water and fresh clothing and money. He left it on the table for him to have anytime he was ready to leave.

Garou left that night after dinner…

#

Street woke up once more.

The cold sweat wakeup call was something he could do without. Why was he dreaming this? Why is it so vivid? "What the hell is going on with me?" he wondered.

It was only three in the morning, he sighed aloud to it all before falling back into his bed. He wondered though if what has been said is true. Was that his sister Melee he met today? Why was she different? Who is telling the truth now when so many refuse to speak it to him and Knuckle? He wasn't certain anymore, yet the more he thought of Melee, the more he began to remember his mother… She has her face…

"GAH!" he moaned. Sitting up in bed, his head throbbed. Then, he saw his mother, clear as day in his mind. Melee looked just like her. "That is her… she is our sister! But… how did she become that?" he wondered. He nearly couldn't fall back asleep, yet he was able to rest his eyes until morning.