Chapter 7

Hero day.

Drax was told the day before last, that for the final day of school, it is known as hero day. Kids can come dressed as their favorite hero if they wished to do so. He wanted to participate but didn't know who to go as. There was also a prize for those with the best costume. What Drax didn't know was Draven and Goliath were well aware of the event and already made his costume for him. "Wanna see it?" Goliath asked with a grin on his face.

"As long as it's not King or Amai Mask, that's going to be half the school tomorrow."

The twins smirked as they brought him into their room, in the closest, they revealed the outfit, Drax froze to it. "No… way"

"I think you could get top prize for this." Snickered Draven.

Drax only smirked.

#

The kids were all dressed for the day in the schoolyard, there were plenty of Amai Mask, King, Genos and other heroes within the grounds. Even some kids attempted to look like the M Class dragons! Girls painted their arms and faces to resemble Melee or Alley Brawler. Some girls even dressed as Shuriken Star! Yet as the kids played, they paused as Drax made his way on to the grounds. They froze in fact as he walked passed them adjusting his red tie and cuffs of his suit.

"Whoa!" one kid said. "You look just like Biting Snake Fist Snek before he became an M Class Dragon!"

"I swear he is a smaller version of him!" said another.

Drax smiled proudly as he made his way into the school, his homeroom was all abuzz about his suit and how he managed to look like Snek. Josh and his friends weren't the least bit impressed. "Cheep material no doubt!" Josh muttered as he tried to pull off his Amai Mask costume. His friend Ethan dressed as King, the other two Drax called Dee and Dum were dressed as Child Emperor and Zombieman.

"To say the least, probably a plastic cheep suit."

"Shut up Ethan!" Josh scolded.

When the teacher came in, she complimented the kids on their outfit, but laughed when she saw Drax. "For a moment, I thought Snek was really in the room! Now, as part of the final day, we get to decide the representative for our class in the costume contest!"

The kids were all adamant. "Drax!" a majority of them yelled.

He laughed and accepted the nomination. "Now Drax, you are new to this, just so you know here, looking the part is only a small portion of the contest. You got to act it too, can you do that?" she asked.

His smile only grew.

#

By mid day, there was a school wide assembly, mainly to wish those graduating goodbye and for those who remain to be ready for next year. Yet, as the costume contest began, Drax looked about and found there were kids who went above and beyond for their ideas of costumes. One of them was a third year, made special effects with his Genos attire. "My mother spent the best money on this!" he bragged. "One push of the button and it all lights up!"

The others sneered at Drax. "Plain, simple, please, you have no chance! Who would want to be Snek anyways? He was mediocre at best!"

He didn't care about what was said. Drax knew he could make this look good, after all, he is his father's son!

Patiently waiting his turn, Drax watched kid after kid go up on stage and show off, no one really did anything special. A lot of those who made it to the final round wore purchased costumes to say the least, but there was no acting the part, none of them could convince the crowd of who they were.

Then Drax got to go up.

He began to think over how his father use to walk, the confident and yet cocky strut he would get every so often. He walked out on to the stage not before adjusting his tie and his cuffs, and then he took his stance. To show off to the crowd his knowledge of biting snake fist combat! He could leap into the air and hit hard on to the stage, he ensured he did his father proud with the sounds he made to show the world he meant business, after a few demonstrations, he stopped. He stood properly once more, adjusted his cuffs and straightened his suit before taking his bow.

The kids cheered aloud for him as he walked off the stage. Even those who had light up costumes were amazed. "Whoa… you moved just like him too!"

"I've been practicing for this." Drax joked.

In the end, he didn't win.

Despite his best attempt, Drax got third place. Behind two kids dressed as Genos.

The crowd didn't agree with it, the other two were booed, yet they cheered loudly for him.

#

At the end of the day, his report card was tucked in his bag and the lockers cleared out, the kids got to leave early. Drax was looking forward to going home, when something went wrong. The sirens wailed. "Attention, attention, level demon threat in the area, repeat, level demon…"

He heard a terrible crashing sound, the earth under his feet began to tremble.

The monster was here!

The kids began to run in terror as the beast tried to snatch them up off the ground. Drax however felt he couldn't run. Not out of terror, but out of reason. The monster managed to grab a girl, a third year student. He snickered aloud to her screaming and crying in his hands, when Drax grabbed a fist full of rocks. Without hesitation he began to pelt them at the monster, drawing its attention. He knew he got stronger, for each time he hit the beast with a stone. It flinched!

One managed to hit it right in the eye!

It dropped the girl out of shock. Drax then stood his ground.

"What the hell are you doing!" he heard Josh yell.

"Biding time! GO!" Drax yelled back. He kept his stance, as the monster turned and focused on him.

"You pathetic boy! What makes you think you can stop me!"

The monster was large, round and could crush anything and anyone before it. Yet Drax knew he just had to bide his time.

He would come.

"I don't!" Drax called. "But I won't let you harm my classmates!"

"WORM!" The monster lashed its hand, backhanding Drax hard!

His body felt the impact of the blow, that was certain, yet for a monster, it wasn't that bad! Drax was thrown back and hit the ground rather hard, however, he was only bloodied slightly, his lip split open, his nose bleed, but he wasn't too bad. His suit somehow took the brunt of the blow, either absorbing the impact of the hit and fall. He could still stand, and did so again. "What… you took that and can stand? You don't know when to stay down, do you?" the monster growled.

But then, Drax saw it. He smirked. "Yeah, guess I don't. But I got to say… sucks to be you."

It was like a flash of light.

The monster suddenly overwhelmed and trapped in a coil of thick scales! His father arrived just in time.

The people froze as they watched in aw as the M Class Dragon was quick to hold down the monster and squeeze the life out of it. When it went dead and limp, he uncoiled. Reaching for the phone in his bag, he called in the kill, then, made another call. "Got one for you, school yard down below, come and get it." He hung up shortly after but looked about as the school kids stared at the M Class Dragon Snek. Drax kept his distance until one of the girls said.

"There's a boy dressed as you today! He was brave and confronted the monster before you got here!"

He saw the stunned look on his father's face. Drax however looked away, as he cleared the blood off his nose and lip. He was about to leave, until a hand came onto his shoulder. Slowly, he turned and saw his father lingering behind him. "Never… act reckless like that again. You leave this to the heroes. Got it kid?" he demanded.

Drax nodded. "Yes sir," he muttered.

"Good, you should go get yourself cleaned up," he then turned to the masses. "Is everyone okay?" he asked. No one was harmed, thank goodness. Drax went back into the school and cleaned up. No doubt his father will lecture him later…

#

He didn't get scolded, if anything, his father was proud of what he did. Yet Drax knew what he said in the schoolyard was what he would have told him at home. Don't be reckless.

With that off his mind he began thinking about his report card since. Drax had just managed to get his grades up. However, he has no idea if it were enough for him to spend the summer like his dad. There was an agreement made among the two, Garou will see his grades first hand. But neither Drax nor his father will know until the next day if he succeeded.

He hoped he did.

Goliath was merciless when it came to tutoring. He learned the hard way why he wanted to use the gym. It offered a much larger space to launch projectiles! It was a form of dodge ball that forced Drax to think on his feet, yet allowed him to retain the lessons. Goliath will ask a question, if Drax got it right, he would have avoided an onslaught of rubber balls. If he got it wrong, he had to dodge, block or repel the bombardment… problem was, Goliath was using his esper powers to do this! He could keep up a barrage of attacks with twenty balls for a while, yet it made him learn!

Granted, Drax never wanted to play dodge ball again after that! He retained everything in those lessons. Schoolwork came a lot easier, he had less homework and was able to focus better. When the exams came and went, he felt he did a good enough job to earn his reward.

Yet first thing's first.

He had to go to City A along with the family. There was a meeting called and Sitch insisted on the whole M Class attending. Drax of course had to wait out of the meeting room, but was surprised that his father opted out as well. Melee was starving once more and needed something to eat. Garou wasn't supposed to leave the boardroom, so his father volunteered to keep an eye on her.

Drax didn't want to say anything as she ate in the cafeteria. Matters didn't help much as everyone stopped and stared at Melee. It was like watching Pig God on overdrive! Everything food related was shoved into her mouth a great speed! Even her sons were startled. They kept going back to get something to eat when their mother scoffed everything they returned with. Draven and Goliath had yet to eat a morsel of food!

His father kept oddly coiled around her, in fact she had taken a seat on him as she fed. He didn't appear to mind the least bit, until he appeared to have felt something in the floor. "Dad?" Drax asked.

A young group of heroes entered, seven of them all wearing the same checkered suits. Drax rolled his eyes. The Soda Pop boys, the damn boy band that the girls wouldn't shut up about at school. He knew two of them were in C class but have since been promoted to B, the others just broke into C Rank themselves to keep up appearances and public interest.

"These guys," muttered Draven. "One of them insulted Alley a while back."

"Which one, I'll beat him up for her." Growled Goliath.

"Not worth it boys, not worth it." His father scolded. "Besides, they are small fry, why bother?"

Drax however noticed them staring over at their table oddly, he didn't like the looks or whispers they exchanged among each other. Oddly enough, they were watching him. The Soda Boy approached. They offered a warm smile as their leader, Cherion leaned down and asked in a gentle tone. "What's a young man like you doing among freaks like these?"

Drax merely glared at him, he turned around fully glared at their suits. "Beat wearing that monstrosity." He said and turned back to his meal.

His father, Draven and Goliath giggled to his comment. They must have shifted their focus, the seven began to move around the table and stare at Melee who had since stopped eating. "Gah! Save some food for everyone else you pig!" Despite the insult, she paid no attention to it. Instead, she yawned aloud and announced she was tired, Drax smiled as his father gently coiled her up and kept her hidden from the world. "Ugh, what a disturbing sight!" said another of the boys.

"Hey, no one asked for your commentary!" Drax yelled. "If you don't like what you see, get the hell out!"

His father smirked, the twins snickered too, yet Cherion didn't take kindly to the insult. "You're just a kid, you don't know how things are done around here… this…" he said pointing to the table. "This is wrong! You got this massive freak here, trying to protect an even worst freak from being seen! I mean look at him! He's nothing more than a giant worm!"

Drax's fists slammed onto the table. "SNAKE!" he roared. "He's a snake! And don't you dare insult my father!"

The whole cafeteria froze. Not a sound could be heard, even the Soda boys turned white. "That thing… is your dad?"

"HE is," Drax stood up and got out of his chair. "I won't stand by and allow you to insult him either…"

"Drax!" his father scolded. "That's enough, he ain't worth it!"

Cherion smirked. "Listen to your freak of a father…"

Drax however stood his ground. He even took his stance. The Soda boys snickered as Cherion laughed aloud. "You're getting ahead of yourself kid! You can't possibly stand up to the likes…"

Cherion went for a sucker punch, he wasn't going to hold back either. Yet before the fist could land, Drax was already dodging the blow… yet his father caught the arm! Cherion tried to wrench it back, but couldn't break free! Drax saw this dark look come over his father's face, one he had never seen before. He gave off a stern and yet startling hiss. Baring his fangs and puffing his body up in anger. "DON'T YOU DARE STRIKE HIM!"

He threw Cherion hard and away from him, the B class hero stumbled, only to be caught by his fellow band members. They stood at the ready for a brawl. The cafeteria all stood on their feet, everyone jocking for a position to see the fight that was about to occur, yet before any of them could make a move, a voice was heard.

"And to think… you were promoted into B Class."

There was a sudden pathway made in the masses, people stepped aside and allowed a single man through. It was so silent, one could hear a pin drop, but only the sound of designer shoes hitting the floor could be heard. He fearlessly stood between the two factions.

Amai Mask.

The Soda Pop Boys glared at him, Sweet Mask didn't look at either fighting parties directly. He merely stood between them, almost daring someone to make a move in his presence. It was the first time Drax has ever seen Amai Mask's power over the other heroes. He was feared and respected all at the same time.

"This is not your fight!" protested Cherion.

"Yeah, this ain't!" said Fantas.

Amai appeared rather disinterested in it all. "I don't quite care what either side does, but to do so at the association is in poor taste on BOTH parties. I am certain there are far better and more… important things you can be focusing on. I would hate to see your ranks suffer for this infraction."

"What infraction?" demanded Cherion. "I was about to fight a monster!"

A sharp hiss was heard, yet Amai merely glared at Drax's father.

It was the only time Amai really turned to look at Cherion, when he forced a laugh. "You have low standards for what qualifies as a monster." He said to the Soda Pop boys. Drax was startled that Sweet Mask dared to say that out loud! "The infraction… fighting civilians. Especially the possible future of the heroes association… is not overlooked so easily. Do try and remember that I am the one that helps determine who moves on and up in the ranks… am I clear? Or do you boys need another example as to why I am the top of A Class?"

The seven refused to look up at him anymore, they sneered before turning tail and walking away, when they were out of sight. Those who gathered to witness a fight were now caught in the glare of the Class A Rank 1 hero. "And what were you all going to do about this?" he demanded of them. "Your incompetence is outstanding!" Suddenly, Amai began to walk around those who still gathered, glaring them in the eyes, trying to gain an answer from the masses. "I see now. Merely stand around and watch? Pathetic, you call yourselves heroes? You are nothing more than overpowered witnesses." His words stung, many people sneered and glared at him, but didn't utter a word back. They were quick to move along as well. When the crowd cleared, Amai spun on his heels and turned to Drax. "Don't waste your time with them, don't show them what you can do either." He then turned to his father. "You have far more important issues to attend to… the last thing you would want is for Garou to be pissed off that you picked a fight when you are protecting her."

"I could manage, besides, Goliath and Draven are here. They got my back."

"Don't push it." Amai warned.

He walked off shortly after, Drax turned to his father who was now staring down at him. "When I say don't… don't." he warned. "Amai has a point, both of us should have backed off. You don't know who is capable of what…" His father paused and shook his head oddly yet laughed as well. "It's amazing isn't it? For a guy on our side, he can still sound like a condescending asshole and no one would know the wiser that he has our back. That in itself is talent… Figures that's one of HIS talents…"

"AAAAHHHHHH!"

They jumped as the Soda Pop boys were chased out of the cafeteria. Garou came out of nowhere and was running them out, threatening to tear them apart! When they were gone, he stood at the door before giving off a demonic roar to the room!

Not a soul moved.

He turned to the table Drax stood at. "Where…." Was all he said.

Drax watched his father uncoil. Garou began to grow bigger than before. The serpents were quick to pick Melee out of his coils and tuck her back into his body. From there, he settled himself down and caressed where she rested. Drax turned to the floor and saw that Garou's mere footsteps tore into the tile and broke the ground below it. "Whoa…" Drax whispered.

"Never stand in his way between him and Melee when she is like this. Let's make that clear now."

"Uh huh…"