From the Shadow into the Light

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Tiger and Bunny Okay?

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Episode 2: A Demon walks

Among the living

Kotetsu was confused yet nervous, he just left the Hospital for a moment to get change, and on his return the Doctor and the Nurses were huddling at the corner of the room where his New Found Friend. The said friend was just sitting at the edge of the bed and didn't move at all since the time he left. He scanned the man over again and he felt like an idiot for not noticing it earlier that this man in the bed looked like a Vampire Lord in the flesh.

"What's going on?" He asked.

The older yet younger looking man looked up and shrugged. Kotetsu looked at the huddled group of medical experts on the corner.

"He's not that bad, he won't harm you guys. Come on, I want you to check his health!"

"Kotetsu, despite being down in the Basement for 30 years I'm perfectly healthy." Vince muttered his voice was enough to make a woman swoon.

Kotetsu turned with a hand on his hip and looked at the Raven-Haired man at the bed.

"Even so…I want to make sure…now take off your coat and let the Doctor examine you."

Amused, Kotetsu really do share personality like his Father Kosetsu, even so he did what Kotetsu had told him to do so, and he took off his Red Cloak and then his upper clothing. He noticed he got odd looks that was directed on him, yeah, he's skinny but he's well-built despite being asleep for 3 decades. Then he noticed pink tinges on the people in the room cheeks.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

Clearing his throat Kotetsu looked at the Doctor imploringly to check his friend. Nodding the Doctor walks cautiously at the man who was sitting on the bed and began running his test, asking things regarding his days in the basement which most likely answered that the Raven-Haired man was sleeping most of the time, the Next Question was that if the Raven-haired man was eating properly which was answered 'How can I eat if I'm asleep the whole time.' Answer. The Doctor pulled the man to the weighing scale the said scale gave a satisfying answer that said that the Raven-haired man wasn't underweight. The Next Question is How do he feel, which was answered 'Fine…Nothing odd…a little confused to the new environment.' answer.

The rest of the question were answered and the Doctor evaluated that Kotetsu's friend was fine and Healthier than the Hero. Vince was thankful that they didn't ask How Old was he that would be awkward since he was a 60 years old man in a 27 Years Old's body. He rarely gets ill or injured too badly and he can remember the reason why he doesn't get too much damage than any normal people or this people with power that called themselves NEXT or he age at all, when he confronted Honjo he was shot, and turned into a sample for Honjo's metamorphosis experiment. The experiment left him effectively immortal and with the ability to assume various demonic transformations. He was not a Human or a NEXT, he's a being that houses a Demon named Chaos within him.

"Well…you're a one healthy guy…" Kotetsu said happily.

Vince just nodded in response as he put back his clothes and strap them into place. In Vince's thoughts The Young Man really had the same looks as his Father except for that ridiculous kitty-beard. The two left the Hospital and headed to the Hero's apartment and stay there.

"Thank you for letting me stay in your abode…" At least he hadn't forgotten his manners too and entered the simple apartment…it was nice and clean for a Man's apartment, even so he liked it and the sofa looks comfy to lie on.

Kotetsu just grinned and heads to the kitchen…

"You hungry?"

"I don't know I don't feel that I am, but I am willing to eat what you are going to make." Vince said as he stood beside the window and looked out to see what is in the City.

Kotetsu had gone to the Kitchen to make something for him and his New Roommate, the guy wasn't picky on anything, he can see that, well-mannered, yes, easy to deal with, check, not so mean, check and not complaining on everything and he was thankful for that trait, unlike a certain Rabbit, but Vince, the poor guy had been asleep for 30 years and didn't know what year it is. Aside from that, how is he going to explain if his age was asked, he can't just say that he's 60 years old, 60 years old in a 27 years old body, which would be freaky. So he had to deal with the man to try and conceal his Original Age. And then he had to find a fitting clothes for his New Roommate, he can't walk outside like a Real Life Vampire which would lead to utter Chaos.

Once he was done cooking his Favourite Dish (Fried Rice), he served it up along with Orange Juice.

"Go on! Eat up!" Kotetsu said with a grin.

'Yup, like his Father indeed. Kosetsu, have mercy on me. If you can hear me, please don't let your son as Hard Headed and stubborn as you.' Vince prayed in his thought and start eating the Fried Rice that Kosetsu's Son served.

"Well? How was it?" Kotetsu asked eagerly.

"It's good…" 'Surprisingly the same taste as what your Father was obsessed to cook with.' Vince answered though he said the other sentence to himself so not to offend Kosetsu's son.

Kotetsu beamed with happiness which made Vince happy.

"So…we should go shopping for your clothes tomorrow, you can't dress like a real Vampire you know. People will get frightened on your looks." Kotetsu snickered.

That was the part that the Young Man and his Father had shared, these two were similar yet different in a way, Kosetsu was playful, energetic, kind and caring, and then Kotetsu he was friendly, Comical in a way, playful, caring and kind.

"I don't see why not, I had to see more of this place." Vince said as he takes another bite on the Fried Rice.

It won't be hard to live with a Hero who had the same look as the man he loved before and it would be very convenient that he was close to Kotetsu so he would be able to protect Kosetsu's Son and eliminate the Bane of his Life (Honjo) and his Son (Albert Maverick).

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The Next Day, Tense atmosphere surrounds the Gym Antonio and the others could feel it, Kotetsu is still not talking to Barnaby…he was having this Silent treatment and Barnaby was having an awkward moment, he don't know what to do, Kotetsu was still mad at him and he don't know what to do.

Everyone jumped when Kotetsu's phone rang.

"Moshi-moshi?" Kotetsu answered putting the phone on his ear.

'Kotetsu-san, it's me…' Vince's voice rang out from the phone.

Barnaby couldn't help but feel jealous, as the man on the phone could easily cheer Kotetsu up.

"Is there a Problem, Vinnie?" Kotetsu said in a teasing manner.

'Please don't call me Vinnie, and I want to ask when are we going to this Mall you are saying?' Vince asked in feign miffed tone.

"Aww, don't be mad~! And we're going to the Mall Later…Do you know the Direction of Apollon Media?" Kotetsu asked.

'Yes, I could trace the road to the place where you are working. Do you want me to come over?' Vince asked curiously.

The other Heroes cringed and Barnaby growled openly, which he received a scowl from his Partner.

"Yes, so once I'm done working out we could go." Kotetsu said.

'Okay…I'll be there in a few minute.' Vince answered back.

"Oh! If you're going out you could use my spare clothes and don't dress in that Vampire Suit again or people will be scared." Kotetsu chided.

'Yes, yes, I know…bye.' Vince hangs up the phone.

Kotetsu chuckled and pocketed his phone and went back to the weights he was doing, ignoring his Partner's looks. At the other side of the Gym.

"If this keeps up, Mr. Tiger and Mr. Barnaby will drift apart from each other…" Pao-lin said worriedly.

"I never seen Kotetsu giving someone a silent treatment before but now I know how terrifying Kotetsu would be if he's on a silent treatment." Antonio sighed.

"What should we do?" Karina asked.

"But Mr. Tiger is currently occupied with his New Friend…" Ivan said.

"True, since 'Hot Stuff' (Vince) came to Tiger's life, Tiger had completely ignored his partner in favor of his New Friend." Nathan said. "And Hot Stuff, was being Nice to Tiger whilst Barnaby is not."

"Now that you said it, I hadn't seen Tiger arguing with that mysterious guy and he looks like able to keep up with Tiger's stupidity and clumsiness, while Barnaby and Tiger argues all the time." Karina said.

"Could it be?" Pao-lin added.

"No…that couldn't be, they had just met yesterday." Antonio said.

"But they do live in one apartment though, I saw them…" Nathan chimed.

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After a long day of work out Kotetsu dressed up and went down the hall to meet up with his roommate, little did he know that the other Heroes were stalking him, once the Brunette got out of the building he was surprised that a Raven-haired man was surrounded with females and by the looks of it the Raven-haired man was a little uncomfortable with the attention. Who wouldn't because he was wearing a black dress shirt, black vest, black slack pants and a black pair of shoes and his long black hair was tied in a loose ponytail. Vince tried to be polite as much as he could that he was just waiting for a friend.

Kotetsu strode forward to help his friend.

"Excuse me ladies but my friend and I had to go somewhere else."

That received and 'AAWWW' for answer and Kotetsu lead his friend away to the Mall, but upon seeing Barnaby the ladies squealed and surround the Rabbit and asked for his autograph. At the Mall Vince was a little uncomfortable at the look he's getting. Kotetsu was amused as his friend tried not to fidget at the looks he gets as he chooses for clothes. Vince was really thankful that Kotetsu was willing to buy him a Set of Modern Clothing, the young man (In his eyes) helped him choose clothes that had suit him. From sets of Shirts to sets of pants and sets of underwear and a pair of shoes, Kotetsu gave everything and he owe the young man a lot. It took them several hours to do the shopping and right now they were lounging at the skating rink.

"You know it would've been nice if Bunny is as Nice and Friendly as you…" Kotetsu began.

"Why so?" Vince asked curiously, he may be a silent and brooding man but he listens to a friend's troubles.

A little far behind them Nathan and the others listened to the conversation.

"You see I tried to up with him because he saved my daughter from being killed right there in the rink…so I put up with him so I…I…" Kotetsu said as he looks for a right word.

"So you could pay him back for saving your daughter?" Vince said completing Kotetsu's words.

"Yeah, but…" Kotetsu said but he was hesitant.

Vince knew that look and said…

"Your partner hadn't been nice to you, didn't he?"

At the corner Barnaby cringed at that as the other heroes looked at him.

"W-Well sometimes…" Kotetsu lied.

"I can tell that you're lying…" Vince said firmly.

"Well, he's always been like a brat with no respect to their elders, he's been acting all Batman like because his parents were killed, I understand his Hate and Anger to the Murderer of his Parents, but he's not the only one whose parents were killed, I lost my Dad when I was young, I could even barely remember what he looks like. He only cared for points than the lives of others, sometimes I couldn't stand him, and you know what he said before the Time I found you? 'he said Nobody needs me, he doesn't need me, I'm useless and due to my date." Kotetsu said a little depressed.

Vince swore if he ever meets Kotetsu's partner he'll have a talk with him.

"Just try to be more patient, Kotetsu. It is hard for everyone to lose the people they loved, he might have took it too hard losing his family, he must've been too young to lose them."

"Yeah, I know…" Kotetsu said. "But was it too much to ask for him to trust me?"

"Well, you seemed to be a nice and kind guy and you stand for your words but that Boy your Partner seems to have a trust issue." Vince said and he noticed a movement in the shadows.

"I see…" Kotetsu muttered.

Kotetsu took his New Friend to a little tour to the city, until there was an explosion not far from the street they were in. Kotetsu out of reflex pulled Vince into him (Kotetsu) and covered the surprised Young looking Old Man. People were panicking as a raging NEXT was coming on both Kotetsu and Vince who were standing their ground.

"Damn it! Of all times!" Kotetsu cursed under his breath.

He was about to curse more when Vince tackled him out of the Raging NEXT, the other Heroes would be here soon.

"Does Sternbild is as troublesome as this?" Vince asked curiously looking at the Criminal.

"Yeah, just stay here okay?" Kotetsu said leaving his companion somewhere in the dark alley as he go out there and try to apprehend the Criminal.

Vince was a little worried though, the young man might be strong but he can sense that there is a limit to his power, so he had to stay behind and watch, Kotetsu was fighting off the Criminal without any protection…his armor is not there, if Kotetsu's power runs out he'll be in big trouble and by the looks of this criminal, this one is strong…a vampiric type NEXT, which means this NEXT could suck out NEXT abilities to make it his own.

But then Vince caught a whiff of nervousness and tense air around Kosetsu's son…no! it had been that long since his powers had been used and the other heroes were dealing with other Criminals too, yup…Sternbild is a one Hell of a Criminal City aside from being the City of Heroes.

"AAHH!" Kotetsu cried out as he was thrown aside when his powers had run out.

Vince heart had just stopped right then and there when he noticed the Vampiric NEXT took advance at his friend. A growl resounded from the dark haired man's throat, where was Kotetsu's Partner when he was highly needed. He don't have much time, he had to move and with one swift motion he equipped his Crimson Cloak, his Bandana, his Golden Claws and his Triple Barreled Gun and his pointed Sabatons. He pulled out his gun and shoot without hesitation, he knew he could hit the Criminal as he heard a pained cry from the said criminal who recoiled from stepping closer on Tiger.

Confusion was written on the Tiger's face but then it turned to surprise as a red cloaked being stood before him armed with the Golden Claw on his left arm and a Triple Barreled Gun on his right and it was pointed on the snarling Vampire NEXT.

Now it's a Showdown between Vampires and one was equipped with Claw and Gun while the other is just fang. Kotetsu knew his Housemate would be in trouble by the next day because of this and before he could think more problems he felt himself being swept off his feet and was now 30 feet above the air as his friend carried him out of the way when their opponent tried to charge at him, all Kotetsu could see is the Red Cloak and could hear the sound of Bullets in one shot.

"How many bullets can you fire in one shot?" He asked curiously.

"20 in one shot, 40 in two, 60 in three…the bullets depends on my likings…either Stun or anything well suited for battle…" His Vampiric housemate answered.

"You're joking right?" Kotetsu squeaked.

"I don't joke…" Vince answered as he landed on the ground just near the alley where Kotetsu had left him, the Shopping Bag was untouched which was good.

Kotetsu was glad that his Housemate had let him go, he looked at Vince and was glad that his face could not be seen because of the Red Cloak's high collar and the bandana.

"Uhh…I think you should change back…before many could see you…" He stuttered.

The Red Cladded man stepped back into the shadows and blend with it too well which Kotetsu was a bit jealous of and not too long his Housemate had stepped back into the light wearing his black clothing and picked up the shopping bags. Kotetsu cringed at the Criminal NEXT whom his friend was shooting at a while ago, he was lying there looking like a Swiss Cheese as the guy's shirt had many holes on it.

"What did you do?" He asked nervously.

"Stun Bullets, nothing too deadly…unless he's wet he could've died of electrocution." The Dark Haired man answered.

"Are you an assassin or something?" Kotetsu asked in confusion.

"No, I'm an Ex-Soldier." Vince answered.

Apollon Media had arrives the scene and took shoot of the events. The Other Heroes came too to see if Kotetsu is okay, but by the looks of it he looks fine and beside him is the Raven-Haired man. Kotetsu answered few questions and the Raven-Haired Man ignored Agnes' questions and followed Kotetsu back to his home.

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The Next Day Vince was confused and was glaring at the people at the door, at the door Antonio, Nathan, Ivan, Pao-lin and Karina, he doesn't trust this people. The gang looked back anxiously at the Raven-Haired man.

"He doesn't look happy to see us…" Pao-lin whispered at Karina.

"Yeah…" Karina nodded.

Vince glare intensified making the group squirm, those Crimson Orbs unnerves them.

"May I know what your business here is?" He asked the group icily.

Antonio steeled it out and stepped up since the others are too scared to talk to this man.

"We came to visit, Kotetsu…is he around?"

The silence of the man frightens them, they don't know what this man is capable of when fighting. To them this man was emitting such powerful aura. They sighed in relief when the Raven-Haired man left the door. They could hear him talking to Kotetsu.

"You have visitors."

"Ah…Thanks, you can go back to the Kitchen, Now Vinnie-chan!" Kotetsu teased.

"Please stop calling me Vinnie…" The Raven-Haired man said.

And with that Kotetsu handled his visitors while his friend was busy in the kitchen.

"So why are you here, guys?" Kotetsu asked.

"Tiger-san…how long are you going to ignore Mr. Barnaby-kun?" Pao-lin asked.

"Well…I don't know…I'm still mad at him though, what he said to me is really mean!" Kotetsu said sitting down on the couch.

"Tiger…your partnership with Barnaby-kun is drifting apart, if you continue this I don't know what Lloyds would do." Antonio said…

But then…

"Should I assassinate this Lloyds person?" Vince asked leaning by the kitchen door and he looked serious about assassinating Lloyds.

Kotetsu jumped from where he seated to his housemate's side.

"No you don't have to, Lloyds…you see, and he's my boss."

"Oh? Is that so? My apologies then." Vince chuckled at the immediate reaction he got. "About your Partnership with that Barnaby person…aren't you going to fix it?"

"Well…I…I don't know…" Kotetsu said scratching the back of his head.

"Well…you should try. The more you spend your time distant from him the more your partnership with him drifts apart. Don't put all your time with me I'm not going anywhere." Vince stated glancing down at Kotetsu.

"I could give another try, but what if…"

"Hold that thought, don't think 'What Ifs' before you even do anything…Give him a chance and see to it that he won't do or say anything hurtful to you again, if he does…Let My Cerberus do the Talking." Vince said firmly.

Tiger could only grin at his housemate, he liked him better than Barnaby.

"Okay…"

Then their call band rang…

"This is your time…go…" Vince said heading back to the kitchen. "Just don't be too reckless."

"Vinnie!" Tiger cried out before rushing out the house with the others.

Once Tiger and his friends are out of the house Vince walked up to the window and looked outside.

"Kosetsu…if you could only see him now, your son is all grown up." He said to himself.

When all of a sudden he got these bad feelings when he turned back to the window, he went to the back door and flew out of the house to the location of that ominous feelings he gets.

[12:00 Midnight, at the Bridge]

Another NEXT criminal has been spotted, there are five and the other Heroes grouped up and scattered in the city, while the Red Demon after the Leader in the bridge. Good thing he got there on time and rescued his host from getting killed and was now running to capture the other criminals, he managed to aid the Heroes as well as getting a communication gadget from them.

"So you're the Angel they've been saying." The Leader said.

"That is where you are wrong…I'm a Demon." Vince asked icily behind his cloak making sure HERO TV didn't got what he looks like.

"You really did live up your name but…this time you're going to be a real Demon." The Man said and pivoted then went charging at the Red Demon, he glowed evil red and he began to change into a demon or something.

'Demon Shifting ability!' Vince shrieked in his thoughts as he battles this NEXT. 'No…the light should be blue than evil red…could this be!'

At the Helicopter they shoot the major battle between the Red Demon and the Black Demon NEXT…

"What is this?! Folks it seems that we have a battle in the skies between Good and Evil as the Mysterious Red Demon is fighting against a Demon NEXT!"

The others were doing well and caught the Criminals that had scattered. Nathan had managed to contact the mysterious Red Demon a moment ago and got an answer.

"I'm against a Pseudo-NEXT here! And this one seems to be good…" He answered as he charges again to meet head on with the Devil.

'Eh?! So you're saying that he's…' Nathan asked in the other line.

"Yes he's one of the Lab rats…but what I fear is-." Red Demon said but was cut off when the Demon NEXT began to act weird.

"GYAAAHHH!" The Demon NEXT screeched and began convulsing. "Wh-what's happening? B-but how? I thought I had it controlled?!"

Red Demon hovered a few distance away.

"Your body couldn't handle too much power, you're not gifted to have a NEXT Power thus the power implanted in you eating you away slowly until it has of no use of your body. You do realize that Normal People couldn't handle NEXT Power thus the implantation of NEXT Power is strictly prohibited. Your lust for power is going to brought you to your own demise…" Vince explained.

"What? How do you…" The Demon NEXT asked in surprise.

"You act recklessly without thinking the consequence, if one person without NEXT Power fused with a chosen NEXT Ability without thinking twice would lead you to disaster or worse…" Red Demon said and pointed to the Demon. "Die…and you are a good example to that consequence."

The Demon NEXT began to shake and began laughing hysterically as if he was out of his mind.

"No! No Way I'm going to die! A Little Adjustment would be fine!"

"You're delirious no one escapes the consequence you choose for yourself…if so why did you chose to have this power than to stay normal?" Vince said as he kept watching.

"Why? Why? You…You NEXTs had always been playing Goodie Two Shoes and saving lives of others! But we…We Criminals had chosen this path for our own interest. You don't know the jealousy we ordinary people felt when we watch you out there playing a hero and saving lives of people are a joke!" The Demon NEXT ravage as his mouth began to foam.

"I'm no HERO, and That Jealousy led you to this and the consequence for this action you made will bring you to your own death, you don't realize that didn't you?" Vince asked.

The Demon became animalistic and charged at the surprised Red Demon and tried to bring the Devil Down with him.

"If I'm going to die I'll take you with me!" The Demon NEXT howled and crashed in the water and pulled the pin of a grenade on his pocket and let it explode in the water creating a wave.

The camera waited for the Black Angel to resurface, but instead of the Black Demon the Red Demon flew out of the water, hauling a mangled body of what was once the criminal. The camera followed the Red Demon towards the bridge, but then the Red Demon dropped the body and flew of somewhere away from the camera and the people.

In short, Agnes was disappointed that she couldn't get a shot of the Red Demon and what he looks like.

To Be Continued

Please Review

AUTHOR: To those who wondered about the Kotetsu of the past…it wasn't actually Kotetsu, it was actually Kotetsu's Dad, Vince was in love with Kotetsu's father but then he was unable to express his love due to their status in life and failed to do so, because when he woke up from his long slumber Kotetsu's Father had already passed away, leaving only his son Kotetsu at the care of Vince who was once a Human who had turn into an accidental immortal from the beginning. But still Vince was having trouble of falling in love because of his life status and was afraid that he might end up losing control and hurt the ones he loved.