Chapter 3

Snek knew this song and dance.

He also knew the man who called him into this meeting was more of a snake than he was! He didn't trust as far as he could throw him. The agent's name was McCoy, a snide man who would step over his own mother to climb the ladder in the Heroes Association. He was a tall and slender fellow, with an eye patch over his right eye. Embedded into it was a star. McCoy has slicked back hair, and yet there just appears to be something slimy about it. Still, what does he want with him? Snek knew to keep his guard up, but still, something was afoot. He slithered into the room and saw the board members just ahead of him at the long desk. He already winched at the sight of them. For they too were a little startled by the sight of Snek himself! In the middle of it all was McCoy. "Snek! Are you doing well?" McCoy asked as Snek glided closer.

He coiled up before them, avoiding the chair they placed out for him. "I've been better, but I've also been worst." He explained. "Can I get some coffee?"

"But of course!" A woman left and returned with a deep black coffee, light cream, two sugars.

He gave but a nod as he sipped the brew and savored the taste. "I take it this isn't about a promotion to say the least. I find that strange considering all the work I have done recently, and monsters attacks that have been stopped." Announced Snek. "So how about we just cut to the chase and see what is going on here."

McCoy leaned back in his chair. "Snek, how long has it been, a year?" he asked. "A full year since your little… episode. Looks like you've grown too, a little longer… a little thicker."

"What of it?"

"Well," McCoy leaned on to the table, very business like. "It has come to our attention that one Alley Brawler may have been the master mind behind your… incident. We feel that things are moving along far too slowly for this to progress. A year is far too long to wait, don't you think?"

Snek placed his coffee on the chair. "You know what else is to long? This damn meeting!" he snapped. "Look, there's not need to remind me about what happened. I am no closer to being human again, fine. But who the hell told you that Alley Brawler was involved in this? She was nowhere near the stadium. Suiryu can even verify that, he was there all day!" he paused. "For that matter, if it weren't for her. I doubt I would be here in the frame of mind that I am in. I wouldn't be Snek anymore."

"Now, now, we have just been looking into it…"

"Like hell you are. What are you really getting at McCoy? What's the real reason why I am here?"

McCoy leaned back, he turned to the others at the table who gave a nod of approval. "With these allegations against Miss Brawler, we feel that she is no longer fit to work on this project," explained one of the women at the table.

Snek was reaching for his coffee when he nearly dropped it out of shock. "What?" he said in a stunned tone.

"Miss Brawler appears to be lacking focus in the matter. The incident with Tank Top Tiger has left a black eye on this industry. Had it not been for her…"

"Hold it," warned Snek. "She never left those samples here. Child Emperor did, he already told Sitch about it when it happened. He took full responsibility for his actions. Alley keeps her things locked up from here on in the lab. Why pin this on her?"

"We are not blaming her per say! But those samples were hers and she was reckless in letting Child Emperor obtain them and leaving them out in the open like this." McCoy paused, "Snek, we feel there are far more… qualified people who can tend to your needs and begin treatment. Do you not miss your legs? Do you not want to walk around again like a normal person?" asked McCoy.

"Of course I do!" he protested. "But that's no reason to take Alley off of this. This was HER project, no one else in the association was working on something like this until she began it!" Snek paused. Things were getting a little too suspicious for Snek's liking. "What are you up to? What are you planning?"

A man by the name of Guiches spoke up. "We are removing her from the project effective immediately. We are placing research in the hands of a genetics firm of our choosing. In doing so, you are no longer requires to remain with the Melee and Garou. Instead you, Lightning Max and Suiryu will be moved to the research facility for treatment."

Snek let it all sink in for a moment; he began nodding his head before taking another sip of coffee. "Is that so?" he asked. The table nodded. Snek placed down his drink and began to unwind; he turned to the door, not before turning around and announcing. "I refuse treatment."

As he slinked away to leave, his hand reached for the door, McCoy called out. "You leave this room, you are no longer an A Class hero!"

He froze; Snek turned and saw the smirk on McCoy's face. "What do you mean?" he demanded.

The smile only grew on McCoy. "Since the association is taking steps on ensuring a form of treatment for you and the others, if you go against these actions, you go against direct orders from the association. Therefore, if you refuse treatment… you will be demoted. You will no longer be in A Class rank 37."

"You can't possibly do this to me! I have done NOTHING wrong! Just because I don't want to go to some sort of research facility, you are going to take away my rank! I worked hard for that, I EARNED that position in the A Class!"

McCoy suddenly leaned back in his chair with a content grin. "So… I suggest you pack your things."