Chapter 7

This was far greater than Alley could have imagined. The fact that the clones of Genus were behind all this, and the clones were now cloning themselves to farther their research. Question was, why was the heroes association in on this? What did McCoy have to gain from this? Something was troubling her too, with the way Tank Top Tiger reacted as she walked by his cell. It wasn't the one she was expecting.

"Miss Brawler. Are you listening to me?"

She snapped out of her daze as Septimus paused and stared at her oddly. "I am all too familiar with one lost in thought, but if you want to live, I suggest you listen to me."

"Very well," she said. "Please start over."

He gave a nod and explained. "We have made great progress with what we have learned for your cure and the monster cells we have obtained. We have made various attempts to replicate the process your father went through… and failed."

"Replicate?" she asked.

"Indeed, which is why I myself perfected the cloning process. I have cloned myself despite the need for the original's organic material. Very basic clones, one only capable of simple emotions and the ranges of pain that I myself can tolerate. We have attempted to mimic what your father had done to become what he is. But he in itself is a strange mystery. Such material in him is not found in normal human beings. He certainly was an exception to the rule."

"Why try and replicate my father's monsterfication? You do understand he went through hell to become what he is?" questioned Alley.

Septimus paused. He turned to her inquisitively. "Oh? You know how he became what he is?"

Alley stood rather proudly. "Yes, and it's something that cannot be mimicked in a lab."

He stared at her, dead in the eyes to see if she were lying to him. Alley refused to yield, she wasn't sweating in worry, she remained defiant. "How?" Septimus asked. "If it cannot be mimicked in a lab, then what did he do to become what he is?"

This she didn't mind telling him, after all, the process in itself was far different than what he could recreate. "One goes through hell, time and time again, nearly to the brink of death, being pushed to the limit of one's physical capabilities, They face stronger opponents than themselves to grow stronger, even in defeat they gain power. Until it gets to a point… however, it's not a guarantee. You see, my father went through the monsterfication twice."

He froze at the news. "Twice you say?"

"What I described to you was his first transformation, the second cannot be done by means of pushing one to their limit." She explained. "But that is all I know."

That was a lie, but she is also a damn good liar when she has to be. Septimus was surprised to the news, yet he nodded to her words. "Interesting, why tell me this?" he asked.

"As I said before, the process cannot be recreated in a lab. So there is no harm in me telling you it."

He smirked. "My child, anything is possible to recreate in a lab, it all depends on how determined you are to do it!" he paused. "Perhaps it is about time for you to serve your purpose…" He began to led her once more down the hall towards a door. He opened it for her and revealed a pristine lab. There was more than enough equipment to use, materials and yet, she paused to it all. "What's all this for?"

"You are going to assist us in our research. For one, I want to be certain that your mind is truly as strong as you claim it to be. The original is a genius, however, even with the knowledge, how can we be sure you know how to use it?"

Her arms crossed. "I am not falling for this," she said. "I have been working on a cure for monster cells where no one else has been. Don't shit on a cupcake and tell me it's frosting!"

"Such language for a high intellect!"

"It's the sign of a high intellect!" she snapped back. "Look, whatever it is that you want me for, just spit it out already!"

"Very well, if you are so eager. It is as I said before. First we require you to turn Tank Top Tiger back into his monster form. Then, we want you to make your cure here in the lab for us, so we have something to recreate ourselves. Lastly, we are going to use that cure for something… special." He said.

"Special?"

"In due time, child. In due time. For now, make yourself at home. We will bring you meals every so often, but for your sake, give us the results we desire!" He then pointed her into the lab. Alley walked in and the door closed right behind her.

"I'm still no farther ahead on this, something else is going on. I can feel it!" she said. For now, there was no other choice. She went along to test the equipment, chemicals and started to figure out her next move.