Chapter 25

"Hello, Heroes Association…. No, we are not commenting at this time… No, Amai Mask is not available for interviews either… No, we are not accepting any requests for interviews either."

"It hasn't stopped," said Sitch. He patrolled through the call center, despite the fact that it is mainly for emergencies; the media has flooded the center with calls for interviews with Amai Mask! "We have to put an end to this at once."

"Then give them what they want."

The room fell silent as Amai Mask slithered in. "Amai…"

"I know I am bounded by your rule of no interviews, but perhaps just this once we break that and ensure the people are satisfied with the answers I provide for them."

Sitch sighed to it all. "I don't think we have much of a choice now do we?"

Amai shook his head. "I recommend a show I go on all the time, Afternoon Chat with Marie and Ben. They are the top show in the cities and know how to do a proper interview."

Sitch got on the phone and made the call to the station, he was getting the run around from producers who wouldn't give him the time of day. However, Amai gestured for the phone and got on the line. "Hello? Mike? It's Amai Mask…. Yes… yes it is… in fact that is the very reason for this call…. Tomorrow?... Oh? You can fit me in today? Perfect. I'll be there in an hour. Chow." He hung up.

"I'll get this sorted out and your call center will be get back to normal." He tossed the phone back, however Sitch was confused.

"Wait, Amai, what are you going to tell them? How will you explain this?" he asked.

Sweet Mask chuckled "You forget, this is my thing, I am the master of the sound byte." His confident smile grew. "I could sell ice to a penguin, this… is nothing." He insisted.

Sitch could only watch as Sweet Mask slithered out of the association. He was confused though, before he was attempting to keep himself hidden from the world, preventing them from seeing him as a serpent monster. And yet, he moves confidently, fearlessly in a sense. Unafraid to what the world will think of him.

He went to his office and turned on the TV. The talk show was going to get underway in an hour. Sitch will be certain to watch the whole thing.

#

Amai arrived in record time. The studio was in City R, next to the recording studio he uses often. Amai slithered in as people stopped and paused. He kept cool and collected as the women still swooned over him, very few were startled by his appearance. Yet he enjoyed the fact that they still whispered about him as they always did. He made his way down the hall second door on the right to the Afternoon Chat show. He was approached by the stagehand who was quick to do his make up. He had to be powdered down so his scales wouldn't reflect too much of the lights. When done he was invited on to the stage and kept off to the side as he waited for his cue.

"Welcome to Afternoon Chat, if you can believe it, we just secured an exclusive interview with the man himself… well… sort of man, Amai Mask!" the crowd went into cheers and confused whispers. "Let's not keep him waiting any longer, ladies and gentlemen. Amai Sweet Mask!"

He slithered out, even the way he came out on to the stage he made certain it was graceful and elegant. The hosts were surprised to say the least, and yet they welcomed him whole-heartedly. Amai came between them and smiled. "Thank you for having me especially on such short notice."

The host Ben couldn't help but look him over. "My Goodness, this is a new look for you!"

Amai smiled. "Temporary, very temporary." He explained.

Marie was next to ask. "How did this happen?"

Amai's smile grew. "I was given a challenge by the M Class Dragons, for you see, in the association, I have been very critical of them. I didn't agree with the notion that monsters were able to be heroes, not the least bit. We have standards to uphold, to display and ensure to the people we protect. I thought these so called heroes did not deserve to be among the association, its ranks or its company." He explained. "I didn't want anything to do with them, until I was challenged by one Biting Snake Fist Snek. Claiming that I had no idea what they go through, what they endure and how they are heroes with the way they are." He explained.

"We have read about your campaign to dismantle the M Class Dragons for that very reason. There were many people that agreed with you. I do remember a former TV host Gus Limbo being one of them."

Amai laughed. "Indeed, he was one of many who agreed with the notion. Yet I was interested in Snek's challenge, after all I didn't think what they did matter. I didn't believe an M Class Dragon made a difference let alone could uphold the standards I do," he said.

"So?" questioned Ben. "Has anything changed for you?"

Amai thought it over, he folded his hands before him. "A lot has changed. I may not agree with the idea of monsters being heroes. But those who are turned into one against their will, yet, still hold the idea of peace and justice in their hearts are still heroes. It's a shame that it took this challenge for me to see and take notice of that." he paused and gave a small laugh to the notion. "Look at me, I am this and yet I am still fulfilling my hero obligations. I hold myself to the same standards as I did before, I still fight for peace and justice in this world and to rid it of evil. Granted, a little differently now, but I understand where Snek was coming from. And I come to respect it."

"Wow, I didn't think that would happen, I mean, Amai Mask, you have had it out with the M Class. You are still vocal about Garou, the human monster being classified as an M Class Dragon…"

"I will be with holding that vocalization from here on. I look back now, ever since he became what he is now, he has not done harm to the people. He has protected them greatly with his power, and I understand now, what he is, not everyone could or understand the great burden he is under."

The hosts fell silent. "I don't think we have ever heard you speak of him like that. What about this Leviathan Prince, the new A Class Rank 1, the one who has surpassed you, what are your thoughts?"

"The Leviathan Prince, is just that. A Prince of dignity and respect, I hold him in high regards. In my time as this, he and I have been learning off of each other. I do believe I am gaining more knowledge from him than he is from me."

"Will he be going into the S Class?" asked Marie.

"I have no doubt he will. He will make an excellent edition to the S Class when he decides to do so."

Ben was intrigued. "You got to tell us how this happened. I mean one can't just snap their fingers and they become this!"

"The process is difficult to explain, but in me becoming this, Snek became human. I don't quite know how it was done, but the effects are temporary. Granted, I am going to be like this for another three months. In that time I hope to have a better understanding and appreciation of the M Class and all they do."

The crowds cheered him, they applauded his words and Amai himself just for being there. "So, when is your next movie coming out?" asked Marie.

He laughed. "No movies, not for a while anyways. Part of the agreement I have with the M Class, I must dive into this without any distractions from my former state. No movies, shows, music. How can I appreciate what this class of heroes does if I am constantly distracted by my former obligations? As much as it pains my fans, and me I must respect the wishes and conditions of this challenge. I wasn't even suppose to do interviews, but after the world learned of this, there was little choice but to set the record straight."

Marie appeared curious. "Why did you hide yourself though? Why did you go about the cities hiding your face, you didn't even answer to your name," she asked.

"Truthfully? I was embarrassed," he confessed. "I know my fans hold me in high regards, they have great expectations of me and how I should look to them. I didn't want to disappoint or scare them because of this."

The crowd awed.

"Oh Amai, I don't think it matters what you look like, you're face, that smile, the twinkle in your eyes is all they need to see to know you are still Sweet Mask!" cooed Marie.

The ladies in the audience cheered in agreement. "Thank you, all of you."

"Thank you for coming on our show! Amai Sweet Mask everyone!"

He was cheered loudly, when the camera cut the hosts were still in amazement of him. "Wow… you do look amazing though, those scales just glisten and shine!" said Marie, but then noticed the budge in his center. "Oh… do I really want to know what that is?" she asked.

"Well, you know that level tiger threat from yesterday?" Amai questioned. "That was it."

With that he thanked the hosts and slithered off.