Chapter 3
Alley was busy at work in the lab, after she rebuilt Genos's body, she felt she had to move on to something else, something close to her heart. Alley knows her brother Pac, fear of being turned into a monster like their father. It's part of the reason why she is looking into the genetic research. If she can find a way to stop the monster process, perhaps she can find a way to have Pac remain as he is, without turning any farther. It would be the best she can do for him for the time being, that and the properties of the research could help develop a cure for the monsterfication process found in people.
She was spending all her time looking into the cells and trying to figure out how these pulsing sacks of monster DNA turn a normal person into a giant beast of sorts. Yet, she was getting nowhere fast. She needed someone with knowledge of the subject. Turning to Bofoi's computers she typed in genetic research and came across one name in particular. Dr. Genus, the former head of the House of Evolution. "I read up on everything the association had on this guy, but they didn't have a lot." She said to herself.
However, she realized something. He looked oddly familiar. Very much like the man that runs that Takoyaki shop in City W. Curiosity got the better of her. Alley left the lab for the day and flew her way to the Takoyaki shop, just to be certain.
She walked in as the place was packed. People were enjoying their meals and talking about the day's events. Yet, as she walked by, the people whispered. "Is that?"
"It is! Alley Brawler!"
"What is she doing here? Does she like Takoyaki?"
"Who knows, all I know is she is one of the top minds in the Heroes Association."
'At least they aren't whispering insults this time,' she thought.
Alley made her way to the front of the shop, there, the cook, a gorilla of all things was busy at work. "Please find a seat anywhere and I will make you an order." He said.
"Actually, I was wondering if I could have a word with the owner if he is inclined to speak with me."
The gorilla stopped and looked to her, once he saw her face he made the call down into the basement. He arrived shortly after. Genus emerged and it was just who Alley thought it was. He paused with amazement as he looked at her from afar. "Alley Brawler. What do I owe the pleasure of a visit from you?"
"I need to speak with you, but in private if possible."
He nodded and brought her to the back room of the shop. There he kept inventory and supplies. When the door closed he looked to her with curiosity. "This isn't just a social call, is it?" he questioned.
"No, can't say it is. I need a favor."
It peeked his interest. "A favor you say? What could I possibly do for you?"
"This is going to sound very strange, but I need you to shake my hand. I will warn you, you will feel a surge, and you will feel weakened for but a moment. I need your knowledge on genetics."
He was taken aback to her request as her hand extended to him. "M… my knowledge?" he said bewildered. "Whatever for child? What could you possibly need with information on genetics?"
"I rather not say for the time being, but I need this. Please, may I have it?"
Genus was reluctant, however, his hand extended and he shook Alley's hand. Immediately, the surge went through her and Dr. Genus fell weakly to his knees. When she released him, she knew it all. Everything, the code of human DNA and that of animals, it wouldn't take long for her to crack the monster genetic code thanks to him.
Dr. Genus however felt his arm go weak. His body fell into a small state of shock before it quickly wore off. "Remarkable…" he muttered. "I felt my wisdom flow out of me and into you, yet, you gave it right back… remarkable."
"I don't take and keep it all for myself, especially when it wasn't my hard work to begin with." She helped the doctor off the ground and sat him in a chair. "You'll be okay in a few minutes, sorry about that. One of the few things I cannot control with this just yet."
Genus then stared at her oddly. "Your father… Garou is it? How many of you are there?" he asked.
"Oh, I got two brothers." She explained.
"Ah… yes… the little one, Pac… wait… he was ten years old when I saw him last, a few months ago. You would have been ten as well wouldn't you?"
Alley sighed. "Yes, but a little incident changed all of that. We don't like to talk about it much." Alley then turned to leave, not before thanking the good Doctor again for sharing his experience with her.
She just got out the door when her father called her for supper telepathically. 'Don't give me this shit that you're too busy to come home for dinner!' he warned.
Alley smiled as she once more took flight and flew back home. By the time she walked in, her brothers were already devouring dinner. Her mother was making use of the monster cells once more, but this time the whole family was eating them. "Man, this is good! Do all monsters taste like this?" asked Hunter.
"Only if your mom cooks them,"
Alley was a little skeptical to the meal. "So, we're all immune to these things?" questioned Alley.
"Pac's on his second plate," explained her mother. "I didn't think I was until recently. Thanks to your father's scales they somehow converted my DNA too. So, yes, we are!"
It took three plates of food for the brothers to feel full, much to relief of their mother. Before the boys were eating them out of house and home. Part of the reason why Alley wouldn't come home for dinner, there wouldn't be anything left after her brothers got through with it. Only recently has their mother been cooking with the monster cells. They are enough to keep them full and content without having to hunt to eat like their father. "Mmm, that's great mom. Hunter and I got to go though, we need to prepare for next week! We signed up for a martial art tournament!"
"You signed up? But you have to be in a dojo or invited to such an event!" said Alley.
"There are two spot open to the public, you face off in elimination style rounds. I think our odds are pretty good." Said Hunter.
Garou rolled his eyes. "You're doing this for the prize money aren't you?"
"That, and to see if there are new moves we can learn from other competitors." Said Pac.
"No genetic test needed, they are my sons,"
"Oh please, they have looked like you since they day they were born!" scolded their mother.
Alley sighed as she helped herself to dinner. Her brothers left the table as she ate in peace for the first time in a while. "Hey, Dad… I am going to be doing some new research, I was wondering if I could borrow some of your DNA?"
This took him by surprise. "My DNA?" he said. "Why?"
Alley looked outside and found her brothers were in the distance training. She leaned in and whispered. "I am going to try and find a way for Pac to not turn beyond what he is right now."
It was a surprise to say the least. Her father was stunned, same with her mother. Yet, as shocking as the news was, he agreed completely with it. "What do you need?"
"I figured the best sample would probably be blood, yet I am certain skin or a hair follicle will do."
"How about we do this AFTER supper," suggested her mother.
Alley agreed. She finished her meal rather quickly; unlike her brothers she doesn't quite have their furious appetite tonight, any other time she could keep up with them! The rest of the meal she passed along to Rover who was begging at her feet. When dinner finished, Alley approached her father and took out some supplies; she kept medical equipment in her room for such an emergency. Yet was stunned when he explained none of it would work. "You need to understand Alley, I got many layers to me." He demonstrated as his arm uncoiled he has a main arm, but there were so many serpents that gathered and braced around it. "You would have gotten one of these guys, granted, they are part of me, but they also aren't." When he exposed his main arm, her father punctured a wound. Alley was quick to take the sample. In her amazement though, as quickly as he bled, the wound healed in an instant.
"Wow, dad I didn't think you could recover that fast!"
He smirked. "I've had that ability before I became this."
"I got to run this back to the lab, I'll be back in a moment!" Alley took off like a shot and flew. She was quick to keep the sample in a safe place. Soon, the testing will begin!
