Chapter 25

He was stunned to say the least.

It was 2 weeks later when they were called to the association for a follow up meeting on Amai Mask. From what Snek knew, Mask was back at his normal routine of movies, TV shows and concert tours, yet that day, he barged into the meeting and spoke his peace. He was allowing Hunter to surpass him into S Class. Which stunned the room, yet not as great of a shock when he announced his ambitions now are no longer to be an S Class hero. He wants to be in the M Class!

When he left, the room froze and stared at Garou and the M Class. "What the hell did you do to him!?" demanded Atomic.

"I think I broke him." Muttered Garou.

"That… wasn't Amai Mask!" protested Tatsumaki. "Seriously, what the hell did you do to him?"

"Showed him kindness." Said Hunter. "We didn't embarrass him, despite our many, many opportunities to do so. We treated him as we would anyone else in the family… so I really don't know what to say."

Even Sitch was at a loss for words. "What would he want to speak to you about?" he asked Snek.

A few things crossed his mind, but nothing concrete to say the least. He shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know,"

The meeting wrapped up twenty minutes later, when Snek slithered out, there Amai was waiting for him, just as he said he would. He didn't utter a word, just merely waved Snek into another room. He closed the door up and stared at him oddly. "What's this about? Have I done something to piss you off?" Snek questioned.

Sweet Mask smiled. "No, quite the contrary. I wanted to say, I meant every word of what we spoke of. I have a new appreciation for you, your abilities and your strength. And I wish to offer you this." He reached into his shirt pocket and took out a card. Snek took it cautiously and stared, it had a phone number on it. "My personal number, not many have this."

"Uh… yeah… I got a fiancé…"

Amai laughed. "It's to call me, when you want a break." He explained. "I have spoken with Garou, and he has uttered another prophecy as he did before that switched us. One month, every year, I will take from you being a serpent, and become it once more so you can be human for a month."

This… confused Snek. "Wait… what?" he questioned.

"One month, I will take from you…"

"No I get that, but… why?"

Amai smiled. "You have a stepson now, who sees you as a father. He needs a father role model in his life, and from time to time, I would like a break from this busy world of mine. I just need a good amount of notice before so I can clear my calendar, possible two months if you please. And I will make arrangement."

"But, why? There has to be more to this than what you are telling me!" protested Snek.

Amai sighed. "Part of my penitence to say the least, for what I put you though. It's an apology and a token of friendship if you will, that is if you wish to see it as such."

"Amai… How do I know this is true?"

He waved it off. "Garou already spoke of its prophecy, as to the rule of that I cannot speak of it." He turned to leave the room. "Just remember to give me notice!"

The door unlocked, Snek stood there still confused to what the hell just happened. "Who the hell was that guy… I think Garou really did break him!"

#

"Are you shitting me!"

The moment they got home, Snek took Garou outside and tell him what happened between him and Amai Mask. He demanded to know answers. "Tell me, truthfully, what Amai Mask said to me… is that all true?" Snek demanded.

Garou paused, he thought it over before stating. "Yeah."

His jaw dropped. "Wait… he ASKED you to do this for him?"

"It was his idea, New Years Eve, he was talking to Melee she came into the house and said Mask wanted to ask a favor of me. I was going to tell him to go to hell, but got curious. I went outside and he asked if I could do this again if I wanted to. I said perhaps, I am not use to this power yet, but I probably could arrange something. So he asked me. Place the binding 'spell' as it were on him, so once a year, he takes a month away from you being a snake. He becomes the blue serpent, you become human."

"But… why?"

"I think he likes the down time. Also, since I didn't bite him the same way he bit you, I think it is Amai's way of making things even between you two. Seems decent to me."

Snek shook his head to it all. "We did break him, didn't we?"

"Meh, not the kind of breaking I was aiming for, but I suppose I'll take it." Garou turned to Snek oddly, but smirked. "You know, I think he liked being you for that time. In fact… I think Amai enjoyed it more than he let on."

Snek rolled his eyes to it all. "You know… I don't even care anymore if he did or not. I'm going to find Angela and Drax and see how they are. I know Angela is still thinking about moving to City Z."

"Melee said they went out a few hours ago, they should be back soon."

"Good, I got to see what the plan is, are they going to stay? Am I going to be going back and forth to City F to see Drax and her? I got to know, I want to make sure they are taken care of. I mean… they are my family now aren't they?"

Garou merely nodded. "I am sure she will make the right choice."