Chapter 35

Marshall 1st POV

I groaned audibly as my carriage ride back to the rented home my family and I were staying at felt longer than usual. I was glad to be of service to her majesty, and we were fortunate to thwart the Northerners once again. More so, thanks to young Axel and his strange powers, we were able to avoid a catastrophe.

However, my concerns were mostly focused on Celesita’s decree against the Northerners. I was well aware that ever since they started appearing off the coast by ship some years ago, there have been small settlements built by those who first came. I myself visited one of said settlements. Nothing to give a second guess at. Just northern foreigners come to try and make a new life. That is until we had been getting reports from around Equestria about incidents regarding Northerners being unruly or committing acts of violence. Princess Celestia and Luna were very concerned about these incidents and warned them several times to cease their activities immediately. I suppose endangering the safety of an entire city was the final straw for her majesty to make such a drastic decision.

“Things are going to be a lot more complicated from here on out,” I mumbled to myself.

“We’ve arrived, sir,” my driver said as we stopped at the rented home.

“Thanks, keep the change,” I said as I handed him his fare.

I got out of the carriage before it drove off and approached the one-story house. Her majesty was kind enough to allow us to rent it while my family and I were in Manehatten. Just as I was about to reach for the door, I heard some sort of scuffling sound from the other side.

Sensing something was off, I rushed in with my sword ready to be drawn and found everything n shambles but that was only the beginning of my terror.

“No…!” I gasped and began frantically checking every room. “Saffron! Clove! Anyone!”

Every room I looked through was a complete mess. I grit my teeth as my anxiety boiled over as I could not find my wife and son anywhere. I was about to call in the calvary when I noticed a communication crystal sitting on the kitchen counter. It was flashing, meaning there was a message left on it. I swallowed a lump in my throat and tapped the crystal and it activated. To my horror, an image of my son and wife appeared. Both of which were blindfolded, gagged, and their hands and feet tied up with rope.

“You made it, good.” A distorted voice called out, no doubt altered by magic to hide the voice of the kidnapper. “It is finally nice to meet you face to face…Iron Wolf.”

A shudder was sent up my spine as he said those words and my anger was slowly replaced by concern. Not for myself but for Saffron and my son.

“How do you know that name?” I asked, beginning to sweat.

“We have our ways,” the voice said. “We have need of something. And you’re the only one who can get it for us.”

“You’re making a big mistake…” I seethed.

I watched as a hand came into view holding a magic pistol and it held the weapon up to Clove’s head.

“You bastards! DON’T YOU DARE HURT HIM!” I roared.

“The artifact,” the voice spoke, making me pause. “Ten years ago. In the Galloping Gorge. Archeologists discovered a mystical artifact that is reported to hold untold power. You know of what we speak.”

“!!…you’re insane. You know what that thing is capable of…” I told the mysterious caller as he continued to point the gun at my family.

“That’s exactly why we want it. Rest assured your wife and son will be taken care of and no harm will come to either of them so long as you cooperate,” the voice spoke in a cocky tone.

“It was stolen,” I said. “Years ago! From the Museum of Equestrian Science!”

“We know that too,” the voice said. “By a one Don Madden and his gang. He’s been holding onto the artifact as a trophy.”

“Even if I could, what’s to stop me from coming after you? You know who I am, you know what I’m capable of,” I shot back in hopes of intimidating my enemy only to have it backfire when he aimed the gun at Clove.

“Should you refuse, your son will be first to suffer, and as for your wife? Well…let’s say the boys have been lonely,” the voice chuckled as I caught sight of multiple shadows looming in on Saffron, making her anxious.

“ENOUGH!” I barked. “I…I will do what you ask… Just do not touch them!”

“Good man, I knew you’d see it our way. Take the crystal with you so we’ll know where you are. Try to contact the authorities and…well you already know.” As the man disabled the communication, I could no longer contain my fury and in a burst of rage I drew my sword and sliced the table clean in half.

“Enjoy this while you can, bastard…I’ll be coming for you soon…” I snarled with a mouthful of hate and rage.

The Next Morning
Axel 1st POV

“Yaaaaaaawwwnn! …oof.”

Another day, another boring meeting while accompanying Mr. Rich. We had just got done meeting with some investors to help build charging stations for the new electric car that was in the works. I gave my input whenever asked how they should be built. Since the cars are going to require a plug, the stations need to have cables that are connected to a main battery that pegasus-humans charge in order to provide enough energy. I even said the cables should be retractable so that they don’t get tangled up with each other. I just didn’t expect the meeting to last two freaking hours.

“Apologies, that went longer than expected,” Rich apologized as he too seemed to have grown tired of the endless banter of the meeting before finally calling it a day.

“Eh, I don’t mind,” I shrugged as we walked out of the office room. “It’s for a new generation of transportation. It would be a little unprofessional of me to not be a part of it.”

“I’m just glad you were able to convince the shareholders of our public transportation idea. This will revolutionize travel and tourism! I can feel it,” Rich said, eager to get this deal done like the businessman he was.

“Just wait until I tell you about planes,” I joked as we saw Diamond and Nala waiting for us in the lobby.

“Hi, daddy! Did the meeting go well?” She asked while hugging her father.

“It went fine, princess, sorry we took so long,” Mr. Rich said.

“Merow!” Naka meowed at me, and I picked her up.

“You keeping Diamond company, girl?” I asked Nala and she rubbed her head under my chin. I then felt my phone ringing in my pocket and pulled out to see an unknown number calling me. I arched my brow and hit the answer before holding it up to my ear. “Axel speaking?”

“Axel…I need your help. Meet me later tonight,” I heard a voice say on the other line, sounding worried.

“Marshall? That you?” I spoke. “What’s wrong?”

“Can’t talk, they’re watching. Meet at the café in the industrial district.” Was all he would say before hanging up.

“Hey wait! Hello? Hello?” I tried to say but it was no use.

“Everything alright, Axel?” Rich asked.

“I’m…not entirely sure,” I said. “But it’s serious enough to make me see to it.”

“You’re leaving us already?” Diamond whined. “But we were gonna go to an amusement park!”

“I’m sorry, Diamond, I wish I could,” I said as I tussled her hair a bit. “But a friend needs my help. Wouldn’t you do the same for your friend?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Diamond pouted while petting Nala. “Just don’t do anything crazy, okay?”

“No promises,” I smiled and turned to Mr. Rich. “Duty calls, I’m afraid.”

“By all means,” Rich said with an approving nod.

That Afternoon

I went to the local café to find my friend patiently waiting as he stirred his coffee, yet he seemed to be brooding over something.

“I’m glad you could make it,” Marshall said to me as I joined him at the table.

“Not much of a choice,” I said. “So, what’s got you so rattled that you dragged me away from my employer in the middle of the day? And how’d you even get my phone number?”

After making sure we weren’t being watched, Marshall told me everything that had happened and I could already see the anger festering in his eyes.

“They want the artifact by tomorrow or they’ll kill my family,” Marshall said grimly.

“Holy shit…” I said, now understanding the gravity of the situation, but something piqued my interest. “I hate to get off-topic but what’s this artifact?”

“Something from Equestria’s dark age. That’s all I can say.” I watched as he drank his coffee before slipping me a piece of paper. “Meet here tonight and wear a disguise.”

As I watched him leave, my mind soon went into overdrive with anxiety.

Of all the fucking people he had to mess with, it just HAD to be one of the Dons form the Commission! I groaned in my head.

This won’t bold well, Axel, I heard Dante say in my head. I know of Madden. He’s in charge of the gambling rings and runs a huge bookie group. You can’t get involved with this. Not when the Commission knows my face.

You mean MY face! I shot back. And there’s no way I’m just gonna abandon Marshall in his time of need! It’s his family for fuck’s sake!

And it’s MY reputation you're risking, Dante retorted.

...

No, I thought, my face turning stern. I will NOT abandon Marshall.

Axel, I’m warning you. Not as a threat but out of caution. If Madden catches wind about your involvement, he’ll inform Alduck. And that in turn won’t end well for either of us. Believe me, Dante warned me.

I’ll risk it, I thought and stood up. Marshall needs me, and that's what matters right now.

Later That Evening

I decided to meet Marshall at his place he was staying at. We stood before a large black case that he had pulled from a secret compartment that not even his family knew about. I got the impression that this was something he had hoped to never gaze upon this thing again as he unlocked it to reveal an assortment of weapons and blades.

“Um…what’re those?” I asked as we stood in his trashed rented home.

“I wasn’t always a guard captain in service to the crown… I was once a mercenary and a bounty hunter. I did what I had to in order to survive before finally settling in Canterlot,” Marshall said as he fashioned the weapons to his body almost as if he'd done this before. “In those days, I earned myself a name that many knew and feared…they called me The Iron Wolf. Once I found my target, I never let it escape no matter how difficult…”

“Jeezus…” I gulped. “What made you leave it behind?”

“The day I met Saffron.” Marshall smiled as he looked at his wedding band before carefully tucking it into his pocket. “Let’s go, we’re on the clock,” he said in a more serious tone when I saw his eyes. They were cold, calculating and had a gaze that seemed to send a chill up my spine even as he walked by me.

We walked through the streets of Manehatten as the sun had just set. To any passerby, we just looked like we were going about our business like everyone else. However, Marshall’s whole aura made it feel like he was on a path of destruction.

“How do we find this artifact thing?” I asked.

“There’s a bookie club a few blocks from here,” Marshall said. “A bookie by the name of Sucker Bet runs the place.”

“Why do I get the feeling this club isn’t your run-of-the-mill club?” I asked myself when I began to hear upbeat music and saw a large line of people behind a velvet rope and on top was a neon sign showing a lady giving winks that shot out little hearts. “Of course, the bad guys do business in a shady lounge…”

We both approached the entrance as the bouncer stopped us. All Marshall had to do was flash his badge and that made him move out of the way so we could step inside. Just before we did, I pulled my hood over my head and held my hand over my face while activating Video. I materialized a mask on my face so as to not allow anyone to recognize my face.

“Clever,” Marshall nodded as we entered.

The whole place was bustling with people as they danced, drank, and were sitting at betting tables on the sides.

“Nice place,” I said aloud just as a cocktail waitress passed us by. “Very nice.”

“Focus, we’re here on business,” Marshall said while moving his way through the club and headed upstairs to the VIP area where the bosses held their meetings.

“Hold it, sir,” another guard stood in our way. “No non-VIP’s aloud upstairs.”

Marshall’s reply was a heavy bag of bits that he pulled from his vest pocket and dropped it right in the guard’s hand.

“How ‘bout now?” Marshall asked plainly.

The guard looked down at the bits and smiled widely.

“Happy betting, gentlemen, the bets from here on out are high stakes,” the guard said as he stepped aside.

“They’re not checking us for weapons?” I asked as we passed by.

“No need, everyone up here is packing,” Marshall said as we made our way upstairs to find various members of the elite class drinking and laughing the night away.

“Gentlemen, table for two?” A waitress asked us with a friendly smile while striking a cute pose.

“A lounge if you have one,” Marshall said while slipping her a coin between her cleavage. Not something I’d expect from a married man.

The waitress giggled and curled her finger and led us to a round table.

“Just take a seat here, and our host will be right with you~,” she winked at Marshall.

Yet he seemed unphased by her flirting, didn’t even crack a smile when she swayed her hips as she left. All I could tell was he was on a mission; a hunt and he wouldn’t stop ‘til he had his prey.

As we sat together, we watched as the people around us gambled their life savings away. Some were celebrating and cheering for probably a big win, others were bawling their eyes out because they probably lost a lot of their money. We looked around to try and see if any of these men would eventually approach us.

“Notice any familiar faces around here?” He asked while leaning back in his seat. “As you can see, a lot of the rich folks come here ‘cause they got money to burn, others are here on business.” He then pointed to a customer groping a waitress rather aggressively with his face flushed hot with alcohol, unaware she was swiping his money from his pockets.

“Lotta swindlers around here,” I said aloud.

“They feel safe around here.” A voice called out when a man in a white suit walked up to our lounge with two bouncers behind him. “Welcome, gentlemen, to The Siren’s Den.”

“Sucker Bet,” Marshall spoke casually to the man as he sat at the head of our table with a friendly smile, but I could tell it was anything but.

“So. What brings you gentlemen to my fine establishment?” Bet asked.

“We’re here to win big, obviously,” I said. “Heard you and your group have some pretty good games around here.”

“Oh yeah we do but these games aren’t for the faint of heart,” Sucker Bet explained as he pointed to a table where two men were signing some kind of deal.

“See that guy right there? He just lost a whole shipping company to his rival and now he works for him. In this lounge, you play for keeps.” Our conversation was interrupted when a waiter ended up spilling our drinks, causing Sucker Bet to pull out a knife and stab him in the shoulder before either of us could react.

“STUPID IDIOT! You shame me in front of my guests?!” Sucker bet barked in his face as the waiter whimpered in pain.

“Easy now, man. No use crying over spilled whiskey,” Marshall said just as the knife was yanked out.

“That ain’t the cheap stuff, you know, each sip is worth more than either of your paychecks combined! Take this bum out back and teach him some manners.” We could only watch as the waiter was dragged off and Sucker Bet recomposed himself as he wiped the blade clean and handed it to one of his goons. “Now. I take it you must be after tonight’s grand prize, huh?”

“Grand prize?” I perked up.

“Oh yes,” Sucker Bet said with a grin. “A rare stone that I say is worth more than all the jewels Celestia herself owns! We’ve had the thing for years, but no one’s ever won it from us.”

“No one’s won it yet,” Marshall said as he sipped the remainder of his whiskey. “I want in.”

“You sure?” Sucker Bet grinned. “It ain’t just a regular card game, sir, and it’s been quite some time.”

“I’m prepared,” Marshall replied as the waitress from earlier poured him another drink.

“Then follow me,” Sucker Bet said.

Marshall downed his drink, and we followed Bet to an elevator. He pushed the button and the doors opened up, and we all stepped inside before he pushed another button.

“Where exactly are you taking us?” I asked Sucker.

“Card games are fun in public areas but the real money making happens under the prying eyes of the law,” Sucker said. “Here, we offer players a chance to win even bigger if they don’t mind spilling a little blood.”

I gulped nervously as the elevator brought us down further. We all waited in silence until the elevator doors opened again and we were met with loud cheers from dozens of people. Before I even stepped out of the elevator, I froze in complete shock when I saw what all the spectators were gathered around. It was a ring enclosed in a large cage, and inside were two people beating the shit out of each other while everyone cheered them on.

“Oh no…” I said as my face went a little pale. “Is this…PVP?!”

“Ah, you know it too?” Sucker Bet smirked. “Indeed, it is. Welcome, gentlemen, to our underground PVP arena.”

“Who’s the current champ?” Marshall asked as we watched the two fighters lay into one another when one of them lost a tooth.

“None other than the great Red Hawk,” Sucker Punch said, pointing at a large roster with Dante’s alias written in blood at the very top. “He took the PVP world by storm when he claimed the title of champion so easily.”

DUDE! I screamed in my head. FUCKING SERIOUSLY?!

What? You know fully well what I do in my free time whenever Alduck doesn’t need me, Dante said.

“Hey, I know it’s been a while, but how’s about going under your old name? The fans would pay top bit to see you in action,” Sucker Bet said with a wide grin, the kind only a weasel would have when sensing an opportunity to make money.

“…why not?” Marshall said with a smirk of his own. “Now I’ve finally tracked the Hawk to his nest.”

“Oh, this is gonna be good!” Sucker Bet rushed towards the stage where they were taking bets as he grabbed a microphone and began getting the crowd’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you’re in for a treat tonight! Competing once more after so many years in retirement, I give you the butcher of the battlefields, the hunter who stalks the night! The one, the only! IROOOON WOOOOOLF!!”

“Hold up…” I said to Marshall, looking absolutely baffled as the crowd roared with excitement. “You?! You used to be in PVP?!” He just looked at me with a blank stare.

“One of the top ten before I retired,” Marshall replied.

The crowd continued cheering out loud as Marshall stepped into the ring.

“Now, before we begin, our esteemed guest will name his bet!” Sucker Bet announced.

Without hesitation, Marshall pointed to the box seat just above the arena with a piercing gaze.

“I win, that grand prize is mine! I lose, my life, my services are yours,” he declared, shocking the crowd.

“Oh ho! Our returning contender wants the main prize?” Sucker Bet said. “Very well. Unfortunately, our esteemed champion, the Red Hawk, is indisposed for tonight. So, you’ll have to settle for the next best thing.”

“Fine by me. You still have it?” Marshall asked Sucker Bet who simply smirked before snapping his fingers as one of the guards tossed him a helmet in the shape of a wolf’s head. As Marshall began to don the helm, I noticed a change in him as the bloodlust emanating from his body began to rise, even my alter ego could sense it.

This guy… Dante said in my head. My murder count doesn’t hold a candle to his. I can tell.

“Let the hunt…begin.” Marshall’s voice became metallic and less human as he stepped into the ring.

From the other side of the ring, a big hulking man with large brown wings on his back stomped in. He had a big scruffy beard, no hair on his head, and he towered over Marshall.

“Well, well, well,” the big bruiser grinned. “My old superior, Marshall. Been a while.” He threw up a mocking salute to Marshall. “Corporal Coal Crusher, reporting for duty, sir.”

“Last I saw, you were dishonorably discharged… I think that was my doing.” Marshall spoke coldly as Crusher began to grit his teeth in anger. “To be honest, you got off light. If it were up to me, you’d have been executed.”

“And you shouldn’t have stopped me,” Crusher seethed. “I was doing my job. Those griffon shit heads deserved to get their skulls caved in.”

“And their wives and daughters deserved to be raped by you?” Marshall shot back as he slowly unsheathed his blade. “You were never a soldier, Crusher, you were a mad dog and one that should’ve been put down ages ago…”

With that last statement, Crusher lashed out in a fury but before anyone could see what happened there was a bright flash of light and everything seemed to freeze for a few moments before the bruiser’s head slowly slid off his shoulders creating a fountain of blood in the middle of the ring.

“Chevalier Sword Art: Guillotine.” Marshall spoke in a low tone.

Everyone is at a loss for words as Crusher’s body collapses to the floor. Even I had to take a minute to process the brutal display from Marshall. Suddenly, the crowd erupted in a fury of applause and begged for more as a couple of attendants walked in to drag Crusher’s body away. As Marshall wiped the blood off his blade, he suddenly swiped it in the air to deflect a few throwing knives. In a flash, a hooded man wrapped in robes appeared via magic teleportation. In one hand were more throwing knives and in the other was a sword that looked like one of those Egyptian weapons I once saw at a museum.

“Oh ho ho! It seems our other esteemed guest could not wait!” Sucker Bet said. “All the way from Saddle Arabia, he is a former member of the infamous assassin guild: The Sand Whisperers!”

“Hey whoa! This seems a bit unfair!” I protested just before the hooded figure suddenly dashed forward, leaving his hood behind just as Marshall brought up his sword to parry the attack.

In an unexpected move, Marshall blocked the attack using his vambrace before bashing his opponent in the face with the pommel of his blade and booting him back.

“Chevalier Sword Art: Killzone.” Marshall then took a low stance with his blade at the ready while his opponent recovered from his counterattack.

“What the hell is he doing?! He had him right there!” A noble protested as he angrily gripped his betting ticket.

The assassin shook his head and held his curved sword tightly. He powered up his magic as a horn manifested on his head and teleported out of everyone’s line of sight.

The crowd gasped as he seemed to vanish from sight before appearing above Marshall in midair to deliver a killing blow.

“I HAVE YOU NOW!” He shrieked in a loud, psychotic voice but just as before there was another flash of light and his arm suddenly flew off with his Kopesh still held tight in his grip before he rolled to the ground crying out in agony.

“Pathetic,” Marshall said as he flung the blood off his blade.

As the assassin gripped the stump of his arm, Marshall slowly approached his downed opponent with the intention of finishing him off.

“I…I surrender!” The assassin pleaded. “You’ve won! I can no longer fight!”

“FINISH HIM!” One of the spectators called out.

“KILL HIM!”

“LET’S SEE MORE BLOOD!”

“END HIM SO YOU CAN FIGHT THE RED HAWK!”

“Are these people mental?!” I asked begrudgingly. “Marshall! That’s enough! He’s down! You won! Just move on to the next fight!”

“I know you,” Marshall said with a cold stare from his helmet. “You’ve murdered entire families, tortured your victims, and even smiled while doing so and now…you have the gall to ask for mercy?” He slowly raised his blade.

“Please…don’t…” the assassin pleaded.

“There is no mercy,” Marshall said murderously.

“No…” the assassin looked away.

“Only justice!” Marshall brought his sword down.

“NO!!”

SCWHING!!

…

CLANG!!

I probably ran faster while using Neon to spring into the ring while pulling out my Amp than ever possible. I managed to block Marshall’s blade with my Amp just in the nick of time before he managed to cleave the assassin’s head off. I’m not sure why I decided to save this assassin, since he most likely has killed a lot of people due to his profession, but it just didn’t sit right to me to let a man die when he’s surrendered and is begging for his life. I held my Amp right with both hands as Marshall glared down at me. The assassin took this opportunity to hobble away and out of the ring to treat his stump.

“You would let that murderer live?” He asked in a disapproving voice as our weapons pushed against each other.

“In my opinion, there’s a difference between taking a life and sparing one,” I said as I stared into his eyes through his helmet and his eyes through my mask. “Depending on the circumstances, it takes more to spare a life than to take one.”

“Oh, to be young and naïve…” Marshall sighed and backed off.

The crowd booed me for interrupting the fight as they began to throw their food scraps at us before Sucker Bet’s voice came over the loudspeaker.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what a show! Give it up for this brave young man!” Bet announced.

To our surprise, some of the spectators approved and began applauding while others just followed along to save face.

“We’ll resume the games after our fighters have had a chance to rest and recuperate,” Bet said.

Marshall wiped his sword off with his cloak and sheathed it. He turned away and left to one of the break rooms and I followed after him. I closed the door behind us, and I saw Marshall approach a mini bar to pour himself a drink.

“You okay?” I asked him.

“I’m fine…” He huffed as he removed his helmet, but I could see the toll the death matches had taken on his psyche, and he had looked like he just pulled several graveyard shifts before downing his shot. “I just need a moment…”

“She saved you, didn’t she?” I said boldly, making him pause. “Saffron. If not for her, you’d probably still be in that ring. Living up to your alias.”

“I swore to never come back here, to this life…but now…” Our conversation was cut short when two girls appeared in our room: twins. One in a white dress, the other in black, and I’ve seen enough action movies to know where this was going.

“Evening, gentlemen~.”

“We’re your entertainment for the evening~.”

Before Marshall could chew them out, I calmly stood in front of him and gently ushered them out of the room.

“Ladies, much as we appreciate the offer, we’re gonna have to decline. We both already have that special someone,” I said. I reached into my pack and gave them both a couple gemstones. “In fact, you two should get out of this business for your own sakes. Take these. It’ll get you wherever you wanna go. Leave, and don’t look back.”

The girls dropped their façade as they looked at the gems and clutched them tightly to their chests.

“Thank you…” One of them said as they rushed out of the room.

“Funny enough, I had some of my flings here.” Marshall smirked as he swirled the drink in his glass. “Lightning Dust, her name was, and then there was Tempest Shadow and before that-”

“DAH! I get it,” I cut him off, not wanting to hear more.

“Attention, Iron Wolf,” the loudspeaker said. “Your final two bouts are about to begin. Please make your way to the ring. And good luck. You’ll need it.”

Marshall stood up and grabbed his sword. I was conflicted at this point because I didn’t know what was gonna happen next if he stepped into that ring. It was obvious he was regretting doing something he swore never to do again but his hands were tied because of the situation with his family.

…

“Wait.” I grabbed his shoulder, and he looked back at me. “Let me fight.”

“You could die.” Marshall reminded me but he was not going to change my mind, especially after I noticed how tightly he was gripping his sword.

“I don’t care.” I said to him. “You don’t need any more blood on your hands, nor do you need to add more guilt on your conscience than there already is. I want you to keep holding onto your kid without getting any blood on him, if you know what I mean. I may not know your past, nor you personally for that matter for very long, but I can tell you worked hard to leave this life behind for the sake of your family. I know what that’s like. To try to rebuild a life.”

“And what happens if you face their champion, hm? You wouldn’t stand a chance!” Marshall argued, not knowing the truth behind the Red Hawk’s identity.

“If you’re talking about the Red Hawk, I doubt he’d show up tonight,” I said. “They probably got a stand-in, so I’ll be fine.” I looked down at the floor and frowned before I looked back up at Marshall. “Just…do me a favor. If I screw up, promise me you’ll let Moon know I went out proudly. And…tell Celestia that I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make it to that summit thing and keep my promise.”

“…No.” Marshall gripped my arm firmly. “We go together. One way or another, this ends tonight.”

“…sigh, I was afraid you’d say that,” I said.

Before he could react, I activated Neon and sprinted around Marshall in circles. He was helpless as I bound him in Neon lights and stopped before he fell to the floor, completely tied up in my lights.

“Sorry, Marsh, but I gotta do this alone for your sake,” I said before opening the door. “Those binds will last until the end of the fight.”

“HEY!! LET ME GO!!” He protested as I closed the door on him.

“I’ll get your family back, I promise.” With a click of the lock, I left my friend tied up and went to take his place in the ring. It was no surprise that the audience was not pleased and even began to want their money back.

“What’s this? Where is the Iron Wolf?” Sucker Bet asked.

“I’m up to bat instead!” I said as I unsheathed my Amp and unwrapped my chain while summoning my wings and unfurled them out wide. “Anyone got a goddamn problem with it…they can step up in this ring with me! Because now…” I thought about a name for myself on the spot when I glanced at Dante’s alias. “You face the White Falcon!”

In dramatic fashion, I held my Amp like a guitar while materializing guitar strings and slammed the strings to create a sound so loud, the audience was nearly blown off their seats. At first, there was silence but in seconds the whole room erupted with cheers and sure enough, my name and face appeared on the roster while spectators began to take bets.

“I’ll take one thousand on the White Falcon!”

“Double for me!”

“Make it triple!”

“Very well,” Sucker Bet said. “It seems like the audience doesn’t have any objections. Then we shall proceed with our substitute, the White Falcon! Bring in the next fighter!”

The gate from the other side opened and a massive man walked in that was easily two feet taller than me. He had these big, curved horns on the sides of his head and a gold loop ring hanging from his nostrils. The guy’s body pulsated with pure dense muscle, and he only wore a pair of torn pants and combat boots. The man stared down at me as if he was extremely disappointed, but I kept my resolve.

“Give it up for the one who can punch a boulder to gravel! Iron Hammer!” Sucker Punch announced.

The crowd started to get excited as my opponent stepped in but what was more surprising was the cage being lowered onto us as they began shouting Cage! over and over again. As for me? I was not thrilled about this.

“Hey hold on! Nobody said anything about a cage match!” I protested. “Hey pal, unlock the chains!”

“HEY BIRD BOY!!” Hammer shouted as he put both hands on his waist and I could swear he sounded like someone famous back home. “You’re goin’ NOWHERE! I gotcha for three minutes! Three minutes of…playtime~!”

“Ugh…whatever,” I groaned. I turned to face Hammer and readied myself. “Let’s do this!”

WHAM!!

Just as I said those words, the jerk sucker punched me just before the bell rang, making me lose my grip on my Amp and dropped it on the floor. The crowd was a mixture of boos and laughs as I shakily stood up and felt something drip from my nose under my mask while I steadied myself.

My eyes felt dizzy as my nose bled. I didn’t even have time to react, and it felt like I just got hit in the face with a rock. I shook my head and barely had time to dodge his next punch. Thinking fast, I used Video to summon my combat armor and took a southpaw boxing stance.

“COME ON, LITTLE MAN!!” Boulder challenged me as he thumped his chest like an ape, daring me to take a shot at him.

I ran up to him and he did the same. We both exchanged blows and blocks, I skipped on my feet to be as quick as possible. However, I once again overestimated myself when he started pushing me in the corner. I had only a few years of boxing practice under my belt and this guy fought like he had done this for twice as long. I could barely keep up with his punches as he managed to slug me right in the rib cage. Any punch I managed to lay felt like I was punching an iron plate. My knuckles hurt, even though my Conduit strength allowed me to land punches that could easily punch a hole through a wall.

“THAT ALL YOU GO, BOY?!” He shouted in my ear as he continued to pummel me but after getting his rhythm, I finally slipped past his large frame and wrapped my arms around his waist. I took a deep breath and hoisted him over my head to nail him with a german suplex that surprised everyone.

“Gah! You weigh a fuck ton!” I strained as I stood back up.

“You’re stronger than you look!” Hammer chuckled as he hopped back up on his feet and bent his legs. “BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH!”

Before I could react, Hammer charged at me like a freight train and body checked me into the other side of the cage. I screamed in pain as I coughed up blood and fell to my knees. The wind was completely knocked out of me, and it felt like he broke more than a few bones.

“You’re still alive! not bad.” He said while letting me slump to the floor to catch my breath.

The world around me was spinning. I held my head as the ringing in my ears almost drowned out the crowd’s incessant screams of joy and excitement. I soon realized that his blow cracked off a piece of my mask’s visor as blood trickled off the side of my head.

“Not one opponent has survived my bull charge. You’re the first, so for that I will honor you with a quick death!” Hammer then banged his gauntlets before raising his fists high into the air for the final strike.

“Say goodbye, bird boy!” Hammer shouted with a victorious tone.

“…why…don’t you…” I grit my teeth hard and summoned a digital weapon in my hand. My fist clenched around it as I stomped my foot on the ground as hard as I could and swung my fist with all of my might.

“FUCK…OFF!!!”

WA-BAM!!!

My Power Fist bore into Hammer’s chest so hard that it caused a mini shockwave. Hammer’s eyes bulged from his skull as the piston of the weapon fired off with enough force to send the brute flying into the bars as the crowd gasped in shock before going into another frenzied cheer. Hammer looked like he wanted to say something but the huge mark on his stomach prevented him from even uttering a sound as he slumped to the side and fell unconscious.

“Fuuck, I’m starting to wish I brought Marshall with me…” I groaned as the pain in my ribs began to set in and my head pulsated.

My only bit of relief was the cage finally being lifted but somehow, I felt something worse was in store for me as the lights dimmed and focused on the entrance on the opposite side of the ring.

What came next was a man almost a tall as Hammer and I immediately got an uneasy vibe from him. He wore plated shoulder pads and chest armor with a cloak wrapped over his shoulders and hung behind his back. He had deep crimson hair that was shaved on the sides of the head. He wore purple trousers, a brown leather belt, and had a fancy sword strapped to his waist. The most defining feathers about this guy was that he too had a pair of curved horns on his head, but they weren’t as large as Hammer’s. Also, his legs weren’t straight like a human’s at all. They were double jointed, and his feet were actual hooves.

“What the hell are you?” I asked in an uneasy tone.

“They call me…STALLION!” The guy seemed proud of his name as he struck an odd pose to show off his pecs. “And all the ladies love me~,” he boasted but it seemed like the ladies did not share his sentiment.

“Give it up for Argys Stallion!” Sucker Punch said, earning a hefty round of applause from the crowd. “He’s one of the few contenders to make it pretty far on the list of fighters who desire to challenge the Red Hawk! And how, he is here to add another victim to his list of back-to-back victories!”

“And to celebrate, I got a sweet piece of ass waiting for me!” He suddenly took out a holo crystal from his pocket with a sickening smile on me as he showed me the girl in question. “She’s from the east and I hear she actually runs a restaurant here! I bet she’s softer than any girl I’ve had so far~.”

I looked at the image and my blood began to run hot. The girl in question was none other than Saffron herself tied up and left on a bed like some cheap gift for him to tear apart.

My fists clenched as I involuntarily resummoned my digital wings. I flared them open as my armor then changed from light combat armor to mid combat armor. The plating covered more of my arms, legs, and torso. I held my hand out to my Amp and used my power’s telekinetic ability to make it fly to my hand just to summon my digital sword.

“You’re gonna fucking regret those words, asshole,” I snarled.

I didn’t bother waiting for the bell as I launched myself at Argys, ready to tear him a new one but he managed to block my attack in time with a shocked look on his face.

“Easy pal, my face is one of my redeeming features!” He mocked.

“Don’t worry, I won’t break it too bad!” I said before kicking him in the chin with a backflip.

He retaliated by jumping in the air above me and slammed his fist in my gut. I was sent crashing down on the floor but my upgraded armor managed to hold despite it still hurting like a bitch. I rolled out of the way just in the nick of time before he unsheathed his own sword and stabbed the floor where I landed.

“You bastard! YOU RUINED MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!” He sobbed while pointing at his bruised chin. “For that, I’ll make you suffer!”

I jumped back on my feet, and we charged at each other with our swords. Our bout made the crowd cheer and roar louder than ever as we fought, and I swung my sword as best I could whenever possible. I may not be well-versed in swordsmanship, but I made up for it with my Conduit strength and reflexes.

“After I kill you, I’m gonna have me a Tartarus of a time with that servant girl! Then I’ll leave her on the street so someone else can have a turn with her!” Argys shrieked as he nearly kicked me with one of his hooves, the impact was so strong it cracked the wall hard enough to leave his hoof print.

Argys didn’t give me a chance to recover as he was quick on my tail with his sword. I managed to block a downward slash from his sword but he headbutted me right in my nose. This was the second time my nose got hit and it bled profusely. My vision was once again slightly blurry as I shook my head to regain my senses.

SLASH!

“AGH!!” I screamed as the blade cut me across the chest, forcing me to my knees while Argys grinned like an idiot as he loomed over me. My armor was cut through enough to slash my skin.

“Ah ha! See?!” Argys laughed as blood seeped out of my wound and dripped onto the floor. “Such a foolish boy! Swinging around that sword of light like it’s a stick! I admire your tenacity but that’s not good enough in a fight to the death!”

I reached for my Amp but Argys stomped on my hand, breaking a few of my fingers.

“AAAARRGH!!” I screamed and he punched me right in the jaw, making me collapse to the floor.

“You put on a good show, boy, but now I must claim your life!” He raised his sword, ready to lop off my head. “I shall sing a song of how the White Hawk fell before he could take flight.

Everything went in slow motion as Argys swung his sword downward. My life flashed before my eyes. The good times, the bad times, and the ugly times. In the end, two faces came to mind. Moon…and even Celestia. Both smiled at me, as if they were waiting for me.

…so close, yet so far, I thought.

I closed my eyes and awaited the killing blow when suddenly there came a loud clang and a collective gasp from the audience.

“You are a reckless idiot, you know that?”

I looked up to see Marshall parrying the attack as he appeared in the ring without his helmet before Argys stumbled back.

“Well, folks, looks like we have a two on one special!” Sucker Bet announced as he used the confusion to his advantage.

“Marshall?!” I gasped and coughed a little blood under my mask. “How?! No one can escape my binds!”

“Funny thing, those weird ropes of yours disappeared. Like they had become weaker,” Marshall explained as he took a fighting stance. “You’ve done your part; I’ll take it from here.”

“No!” I forced myself to stand up while activating Neon.

I levitated my Amp back in my hand. I took a deep breath and fired a thin beam of light with my incurred hand along my wound to cauterize it. I grunted loudly during the process, but I managed to stop the bleeding and held my Amp with my good hand.

“I’ll never stay down,” I said with a dead serious tone.

“Just pay attention, boy, you might learn something.” Marshall then took a different sword stance, similar to that of a samurai as he stared down Argys. “You’ve seen my Chevalier sword arts but now I will show you my own sword style.” He then took a deep breath as his entire body became relaxed, save for his legs that seemed ready to spring into action as he prepared to attack.

“Wolf Fang…” He whispered before taking off in the blink of an eye.

“BRUTAL BITE!!”

CLANG!!

The impact of their swords was like a mini shockwave. Both fighters stood at a stalemate as they pushed against each other. Argys, however, was smiling just as wide as before when he gazed down at Marshall.

“Iron Wolf!” Argys cheered. “At long last! I traveled all the way from the Nether Lands to face you! My kin, the centaur-people, have spun countless tales of your escapades!”

“Too bad this will be our last meeting.” Marshall said as he readied another attack.

“Wolf Fang: HOWLING WINDS!!”

I summoned my wings again and took flight with Marshall. The three of us exchanged blows at Argys as he was able to hold us both off at the same time.

“When this is over, your swords are mine!” Argys proclaimed.

“Take them, if you can,” Marshall challenged as he matched Argys move for move.

Marshall went for a sideways slash as I came up behind him to try and stab Argys in his hand. Argys managed to counterattack by deflecting Marshall’s attack while weaving hand out of the way before he grabbed my neck and threw me against Marshall.

“Fuck! He’s good! It’s like he was playing with me until now!” I cursed.

“No wonder he was a top merc captain back in the day,” Marshall huffed while removing his cape. “Aside from his combat skills, Argys was known for lusting after women and would often ask for them as payment.”

“Marshall…” I hesitated to tell him what Argys showed me. “The guys who have Saffron. They played you.” Marshall eyed me in shock under his helmet. “He’s working for them. They’re offering him Saffron as payment!”

Marshall’s eyes went wide for a moment and just like before, I sensed a rising bloodlust coming from him only it was more potent, more feral and there would be no stopping him this time.

“You will pay for what you have done…” he hissed while gripping his sword tightly.

I understood his anger. I couldn’t blame him. All we could do now is finish this brute off and save Saffron! I flapped my wings as Marshall dug his boot into the floor and we were both off after Argys. The centaur-human grinned like a madman as he charged back, and all of our swords clanged against each other.

“I heard there’s still a bounty on your head. 42 mill, dead or alive.” Marshall seemed to like the prospect of killing this merc for profit but what scared me more was the fact that he seemed to be intent on killing Argys without a second thought. “I’ll start with that pathetic appendage you got between your legs. I’m sure the women you’ve violated over the years will rejoice knowing that.”

“It’s my greatest tool!” Argys bellowed as he kneed Marshall in the face and slugged me in my chest. He then swung his sword and managed to leave a sizable gash across his cheek.

“ARRRGH!” Marshall screamed.

“MARSHALL!” I could only watch as he stumbled back while the blood dripped on the arena floor yet somehow the pain seemed to empower him even more as his breathing became more intense and he began to sound more like an animal about to attack.

“Face it! You are nothing but fodder!” Argys boasted. “The Red Hawk’s head is mine to claim!”

“Good luck trying, pal!” I shouted before managing to sweep one of his legs, allowing Marshall to nail him with a judo throw that slammed him to the ground face first with a loud crunch that made the audience cringe.

As Argys slowly got back up, we could see his nose bleeding profusely along with some of his teeth falling out as his body trembled with rage.

“Marshall!” I called out to the tired knight. “Together!”

I unfurled my wings and held my Amp with both hands, ignoring the pain from my broken fingers.

“Chevalier Sword Art!!” Marshall cried out as he leaped up for the final strike.

“HEADSMAN’S AXE!!”

With all my strength, I flapped my wings and screamed a battle cry as I flew at Argys with my sword raised. Argys laughed like a madman as he held his sword as well and spun around and used the momentum to swing his sword as hard as he could.

SLASH!!! CLANG!!!

Time seemed to stand still as our blades crashed but Argys’s smile slowly faded when he saw his sword breaking under the pressure of our combined strikes before feeling a large X get carved into his chest a pool of his own blood poured onto the ground.

“H…how?” He wheezed while looking at his broken blade.

“Your sword was poorly maintained, it was only a matter of time before it gave out,” Marshall said as he took the broken piece in his hands. “I can see you’ve abused this sword over and over so it’s no wonder it failed you.”

Argys fell to his knees and collapsed face down on the ground. I wheezed as I used my Amp as a crutch to steady myself just as the crowd erupted in a round of applause.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have our winners! The Iron Wolf and the White Hawk!” Sucker Bet said proudly as we stood together.

The crowd cheered and whistled for us as we made our way out of the ring. Marshall seemed to be in a rush as he headed towards Argys’ room, forgetting to claim his prize.

I waved off the medical team and followed Marshall. No way was I wasn’t gonna be there for him as we saved Saffron. Before I followed him, I stepped over to Argys and leaned down to use my power in order to heal him just enough to keep him alive.

“I know you’re listening, so I’ll say this once,” I whispered. “I’m saving you from death because I myself do not kill. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll skip town and never come back.”

After I finished my business, I caught up to Marshall as we rounded the corner, and he kicked the Argys’s room door down.

“Saffron!” Marshall yelled as we both entered the room. However, to our dismay, neither Saffron nor Clove was anywhere in sight.

“Where the Tartarus are they?!” Marshall demanded. “Argys said they were offering her up!”

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

We both turned around to see Sucker Bet clapping with some of his goons trailing behind.

“Bravo, gentleman, bravo. You both made a lot of money for my boss and I,” Sucker Bet said. “And you’ll make my real employer a lot happier once you swipe Madden’s little toy.”

“So, it was you,” Marshall snarled. “You’re the one who left that communication crystal!”

“And playing Madden like a fiddle,” I added.

“Guilty as charged,” Sucker Bet said. “I’ve been stealing funds from Madden for years and he’s been none the wiser since I’m one of his top bookies.”

“My wife and son, where are they?!” Marshall snapped as he reached for his blade.

“Ah, ah, ah. Temper, temper.” Sucker Bet clicked his tongue with a scolding finger pointed at him before sitting down.

“We did what you wanted. We put on a good show. Now give us whatever the hell this artifact thing is now!” I demanded.

“Do you even know what the artifact is, kid?” Sucker Bet asked. “Do you even know why Don Madden stole it in the first place?”

“I could care less, you swine,” Marshall seethed.

“Does the name…Sam Spade ring a bell?” Sucker Bet asked.

I was shocked to hear Sam Spade’s name again, but Marshall looked like he’d seen a ghost.

“She’s dead…” Marshall said with sweat dripping from his brow.

“Oh no, my foolish knight, Ms. Spade is more alive than ever,” Sucker Bet said. “And more cunning than you think. Who you saw burning that night in the warehouse was nothing more than a double.”

“Care to fill me in, Marsh?” I asked. “I didn’t know you knew Sam Spade.”

“Sam Spade was the most notorious criminal in the underworld. Trafficking, smuggling, forgery. Whatever crime you can think of, she’s done it all, and any who stood against her ended up dead…until I came along.” Marshall said as he recalled the night they raided her compound. “When I became knight commander, I rooted out all her informants in the guard and even turned some of them to our side. Slowly but surely, we crippled her empire one piece at a time before finally tracking her down to her headquarters. Our orders were to take her alive but not all things went as planned.”

“Indeed,” Sucker Bet said. “A stray magic bullet hitting a single crate of explosive mining crystals set the whole place aflame. Thankfully, Ms. Spade knew you were coming and decided to plant a double in her place. She lost her empire, but it was a necessary sacrifice to allow her to escape and let everyone think she was dead. Including the great Marshall Avalon.”

“What does she want with the stone?” I asked while trying to think of a way out of this.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Sucker Bet scoffed. “After all…she’s the one who has your precious family.”

“If you harm them…”Marshall reached for his blade, ready to cut them all down but the bookie seemed unphased.

“Ah, ah!” Sucker Bet warned. “Anything happens to me; your family is toast. Now, the reason why we took your family is because we wanted to get the Iron Wolf’s attention. Hence, why we knew you’d come to PVP because you figured I would know a way to get the stone from Don Madden. Which I do, by the way. You’re the only one who can do it, and it’s a bonus now that Mr. Axel Rickert is with you.”

“So, I get the stone, hand it to you, and my family is returned?” Marshall asked after managing to calm himself.

“More or less,” Sucker Bet shrugged.

“Marsh, you can’t trust these clowns!” I said to him. “If Madden has the stone, that’s already a huge risk! He’s one of the Dons of the Commission! He’s not afraid of putting you, the knight commander, and personal guard of Celestia, on his radar!”

“I’ll have to take that risk,” Marshall said while Sucker bet just laughed.

“Then we got a deal! And seeing as you won the fight fair and square, the Don will be the one to personally give you the prize. Oh! And get ready to meet some…old friends when you get there.”

Marshall and I waited in the winner’s room together in dead silence. A lot has happened tonight, and it was only going to get worse from here on out. Marshall kept his eyes glued to the door while I fiddled with the chain links of my chain. Anything could happen at this point, and it made me anxious as hell not knowing what it could be.

Just then, the door finally opened and in walked Don Madden himself. He was smoking a big cigar between his fingers and had a big dumb grin under his beard.

“There he is!” Don Madden said as he took a puff. “The one and only Iron Wolf in the flesh!”

Thankfully, I managed to repair my mask and keep my hood over my face so that he wouldn’t mistake me as Dante. Last thing I needed, especially with Marshall here.

“I’m here for my prize,” Marshall said, not wanting to waste time on pleasantries.

“Straight to the point, I like it,” Don Madden smirked and snapped his fingers.

One of his lackies brought a big wooden box. Suddenly, I got this feeling in my gut when I stared at the box. A feeling as though I was drawn to it but I couldn’t understand why.

“I use this little beauty as a sort of calling card for the right to challenge the champ of PVP,” Madden said. “And I heard about you, kid.” He looked at me briefly. The White Falcon? We’ll be in touch.” Madden looked back at Marshall. “Now, you can hold onto this temporarily until some other schmuck claims it from you. Or if I need it to show off. So, congratulations on your win, and welcome back to the world of PVP!”

When Madden had his lackey open the box, my whole world shook when I saw an all too familiar light from within. Marshall reached in and grabbed hold of a hand-sized glowing jagged stone that could only be none other than another goddamn Blast Core. My whole body trembled at the night of it, and I could barely hold myself together.

What the fuck?! Another Blast Core?! I yelled in my head.

Ok, what the fuck? Dante spoke in my head.

Did you know about this?! I demanded.

How could I have possibly known? I just started working for these clowns.

That’s bullshit, and you know it!

Hey, I knew Madden had a big fancy prize for his contenders in PVP but I didn’t expect it to be a fucking Blast Core!

“I thank you for this, Don,” Marshall said as he took the stone.

“I hope you plan to stay for the festivities, you got quite a lot of fans dying to meet you heh heh heh,” Madden chuckled before taking a puff of his cigar.

“I’d love to, but I have business to attend to.” Marshall and I were ready to leave when we heard a feminine voice.

“Gotta get back to the wife and kid, huh?”

“No way, that voice…Lightning Dust?!” Marshall spun around to see a female merc smiling at him in the doorway.

“Hey there, stud horse, been a while~.”

The woman in question wore a leather jacket that had metal shoulder pads attached. Inside her jacket was a padded vest that showed off a bit of cleavage. The woman had a pair of turquoise-green wings on her back that looked strong enough to create quite the gust of wind. Her sunny-orange hair was styled in a mohawk and was tied in a small ponytail in the back. She walked towards Marshall with a toothy grin and threw her arms around him while I just stood there dumbfounded.

“I thought you quit the ring,” I heard her whisper in his ear.

“Circumstances brought me back,” Marshall said while she seemed to throw herself at him.

My focus was more on the Blast Core that was in Marshall’s hand. I glanced at Sucker Bet, and he just arched a brow at me.

“Hey, listen, we’d love to stay and chat it up and reminisce about the good times, but we got an appointment to make,” I tried to say.

“Aw come on, stay a while, maybe we can rekindle the flames~.” Lightning purred as she pressed her chest against him, but I could see it was a distraction as she reached for the core only for Marshall to gently push her off and tuck it in his pocket.

“I’m married now so I’ll have to pass. Axel, we’re leaving,” Marshall told me, and I nodded.

“Hey now, that’s a bit rude, Avalon,” Madden remarked. “The lady was just wanting some quality time with you.”

“Did you not hear the part where he’s married?” I deadpanned.

“I did, and what’s it to you, kid?” Madden scoffed at me. It was then he kept his gaze on me and narrowed his eyes at the visor of my mask. “You…seem familiar. Have we met?”

"Uh…no, I don’t think so,” I said nervously as he moved in closer.

“Hmmm you seem like someone I know but I can’t put my finger on it,” Madden said.

“I guess I just have one of those faces. Even with a mask,” I said before the don finally backed off and took another puff of his cigar.

“We simply must be off,” Marshal said and turned to leave.

Click!

Suddenly, everyone in the room froze when Lightning Dust pulled out a magic pistol and aimed it at Marshall’s back.

“No can do, hot stuff,” Lighting said and reached over and took the Core. “But I’ll be taking this off your hands.”

“Dust?! The fuck are you doing?!” Madden barked after she put the Core in her satchel and pulled out another magic pistol to aim it at Madden and his crew.

“Sorry, boss, but I hereby tender my resignation,” Lighting said. “Been waiting years for a moment to be present with you whenever you hand this precious item to a PVP contender. Now my patience has paid off. I’ll be living the good life once I pawn this beautiful thing to the highest bidder.”

“You have no idea what you’re messing with, Lighting,” I warned.

“Do I look like I give a damn?” She said before turning Marshall around. “Sorry about your wife and kid, but I gotta look after myself.”

“Wife and kid?” Madden said, confused.

“That why you left me all those years ago?” Marshall asked as they looked each other in the eye. “Didn’t trust me to look after you?l

“You know me, Marsh,” Lighting said as she winked at him. “I’m a girl who’s not a fan of commitment.”

Before any of us could retaliate, Lighting threw a small ball down on the ground and the entire room was obscured with thick smoke. Everyone started coughing up a storm as she made her escape.

“Axel! Go after her!” Marshall called out.

“I’m on it!” I responded and gave chase.

When I made it outside of the building, I managed to catch sight of Lightning already up in the air and flying at very fast speeds. I activated Video and summoned my wings to take off into the air and after Lighting.

“Lighting Dust! Stop! You don’t know what you’re doing!” I called out to her as we zipped through the city.

“I’m getting paid big, that’s what!” Lighting said before pulling out several throwing knives and threw them at me. “Oh, and tell Marsh I’m still available if the thing with his wife doesn't work out!”

“ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!” I screamed while dodging her attack.

We both flew through the city, and she kept throwing her knives at me. I kept avoiding each one as I kept up with her and we dodged and weaved through the buildings and city lights.

“Lighting! Please! That stone is not what you think!” I shouted.

“All I know is that people will pay through the nose to get this stone and after that it’s the high life for me!” Lightning tried to throw me off by suddenly flying into a huge crowd in an attempt to lose me on foot.

I was forced to follow her and ran as fast as I could. I dodged and weaved my way through the crowd while narrowly avoiding any collisions with people. Surprisingly, she was just as nimble and quick on her feet as she was with her wings. Our chase through the bustling city took us to a few blocks where a bunch of old buildings stood. One of which was a condemned three-story building and I saw her slip inside. I ran in after her, but she was nowhere to be found. However, I got the impression she was still in the vicinity.

“Why are you really doing this? What're you after?!” I shouted, glancing around for any movement while holding onto my Amp and chain.

“I don't suppose my ex told you about us?” Lightning asked, her voice echoing from the shadows.

“He mentioned he had some old flames while still being a part of PVP,” I said as I kept my guard up. My fast-healing healed some of the damage but I was still aching in places I was still badly hurt. “I’m guessing you’re one of them?”

“Oh, I was more than that.” She said when I managed to catch her ducking for cover behind a pillar.

“See, after one of our many celebrations, I started feeling sick and I figured I must’ve eaten something bad....turns out it was something else.” The hairs on my neck stood up when she said that, and she could already tell I figured it out.

“Yeah, go figure, right? Badass merc like me having a kid but when you live this kind of life, you make enemies. A lot of enemies,” Lighting sighed.

“Is that why you left?” I asked while carefully looking around a corner.

I didn’t get an answer, only silence. “What happened to the kid?” More silence. “Lighting Dust?! What the fuck happened to the kid?!”

“Cool your jets, bird boy! My daughter is fine,” Lighting shouted back. “Some friends of mine are looking after her…” I sighed in slight relief at that. “I once thought about going back to him, you know? Maybe we could start fresh, but wouldn’t you know it, he found a new sweetheart of his own and had a kid.”

“Well, to be fair, you did leave before you could tell him,” I retorted, unaware she probably had her sights on me.

“Yeah…that’s the last mistake I’ll ever make,” Lightning scoffed.

I started contemplating my options. On one hand, she was obviously doing this merc business to support her daughter. And, if I somehow manage to convince her to cooperate, she could reconcile with Marshall. I knew it was a long shot, and I’d probably be wasting my time. However, the thought of a kid not knowing her father made my guts churn uncomfortably.

On the other hand, this was indeed a waste of time, and I could just end her by firing a Neon blast that would force her out of hiding. She’d be apprehend and taken to who knows where. That would, in turn, leave her kid all alone without any parents.

…

“Lighting,” I said calmly and made a risky move by putting my Amp and chain down on the floor. I looked around and held my hands up. “Come out. Please. I just wanna talk.”

“Talk about what?” She asked, finally revealing herself as she appeared with her crossbow trained on me.

“You’re wrong about Marshall,” I said firmly. “He wouldn’t turn you away just because you had his kid. In fact, I’m willing to bet he’d welcome you into his family.”

“That’s a very bold and outrageous bet, kid,” Lighting lectured. “You haven’t known Marshall for as long as I have.”

“That may be so, but I consider myself a good judge of character,” I said back. “Marshall’s a good man. He even went back to PVP for his family for god’s sake. Tell me, would the Marshall you know really do that for anyone or anything else?”

Lightning began to hesitate, my question had merit, but she tried to brush it off as she readjusted her aim.

“Well, it’s too late now. He’s got a new life and we’re not part of it…the least he can do is let me give my daughter the life I never got.”

“What kind of bullshit life is one where you’re constantly risking your hide for money?!” I snapped at her. “What happens if one day you take a job that’s too much for you and you end up biting it before your daughter’s next birthday?! Do you expect your alleged friends to continue watching over her?! And what about Marshall?! Huh?! He’ll spend the rest of his life not ever knowing he has a daughter! Your reasoning is fucking dogshit, and you know it!”

In the midst of our argument, Marshall appeared at the door with his face filled with shock as he heard those words.

“I…have a what?” He gasped as Lightning suddenly froze up, unsure who to aim her weapon at.

“Great timing, Marsh!” I said and glared at Lighting again. “Tell him! Or I will!” I snapped while pointing a finger to Marshall.

“M-Marshall, I…I can explain!” Lighting tried to say.

“That night in Yakyakistan…” Marshall said, sounding like he was piecing it together. “You were crying.”

“…I took a test,” Lighting relented. “It came back positive. I…I was scared. Terrified that you’d force me to get rid of it. So…so I ran.”

“Why…why would you think that?! I LOVED YOU!” Marshall screamed with anger as the whole building seemed to shake. “I thought you got bored of me! DO YOU KNOW HOW HEARTBROKEN I WAS WHEN YOU LEFT?!”

“Bored of you?! I’d never think that of you!” Lighting cried. She dropped her crossbow and fell to her knees. “We were both living a life of risk and violence! You always made it seem like nothing else mattered than the job and yourself! What was I supposed to believe?!”

“I was doing it all for you!” Marshall said as he also got to his knees to look her in the eye. “I wanted us to get away from that life! It was just one more job and we would be done. I…I was even going to ask you to marry me that day but then…then you left.”

“Oh shit…” I said subtly.

“M-Marry?! Me?!” Lighting gasped. “No way…! You were gonna-?! What?! Bullshit! Why?!”

“BECAUSE I LOVED YOU! YOU STUPID GIRL! Tartarus, I still do! If things were different, I’d ask you again in a heartbeat!" Marshall said but his words seemed to make Lightning feel more joy than sadness as she kissed him out of nowhere.

“And again…woah,” I said, they broke their sudden kiss and held each other close.

“…what’s her name?” Marshall asked softly.

“Blitz,” Lightning smiled as he caressed her cheek. “She’s got your eyes.”

This was like something right out of an action-romance film, and it would’ve had a happy ending if not for the eerie clapping of hands that echoed from down the hall.

“How sweet, our young lovers reunited after so many years apart.”

“That voice…” Marshall slowly reached for his blade as the clapping grew louder.

“Lightning Dust. I must say, I’m a little disappointed. I was hoping you would at least kill him before he found out the truth.”

“That wasn’t in the deal,” Lightning said as she pulled out the Blast Core. “I got what you wanted so as far as I’m concerned, our business is done.”

“Who the hell?!” I said and picked up my Amp and chain again and looked around the empty building.

“Sam Spade…” Marshall snarled.

“What?!” I gasped in utter shock as the notorious crime boss laughed but still refused to reveal herself. The very same one who’s been after Diamond Tiara and giving Mr. Rich hell for worrying about his daughter’s safety. It soon dawned on me why Rich wanted me to hang out with Diamond all the time. Because he didn’t want what happened in Ponyville back then to happen again.

“You should’ve stayed dead, Spade,” Marshall said in a low tone.

“Is that any way to treat an old friend? I’m the one who orchestrated this little reunion. Your family’s kidnapping, meeting with Lightning again. The only downside is you’re still alive, I had at least hoped she would wound you enough to let you bleed out as she told you of your secret love child.”

“You’ve been watching too many dramas, lady!” I said while trying to pinpoint where she was hiding.

“Thankfully, I always have a backup plan.” Spade said as she extended one of her arms into the light, revealing she was holding a detonator. “This building was sealed off for a reason you know.”

“You conniving bitch…” Lightning hissed realizing she had been set up.

“There is a way for you all to live, you know,” she said in a confident tone. “Hand over the artifact, and I’ll allow you to live for another day.”

“Let us out and we’ll throw it to you.” Marshall countered while looking for the fastest way out. “On my mark, make for the door.” He whispered to us while taking a step back. “You know Spade, I always wondered. If you’re so clever…how did you end up losing your whole empire to a run-of-the-mill soldier like me?”

“I’ll admit, I underestimated you,” Spade said as she began to ramble. “There was always that one detective, that one knight, or that one journalist who tried looking into me and my operations. Only to realize they dug too deep. So, I had them dealt with. But you? You, apparently, were a cut above the rest.”

“Marsh, listen to me,” I whispered back while she monologued. “It’s imperative that I keep this thing away from Spade. I know what this thing really is.”

“How? What is it?” Marshall whispered back.

“It’s not a stone or an artifact of any kind.“ I hesitated for a moment, not knowing how he’d react. “It’s called a Blast Core. An object of unstable power condensed into a solid form. I know this because I’ve found a few myself.”

“So, it’s a power source,” Marshall said as we waited for our chance. “Why do you want this stone anyway, Spade? I’m sure you got more money than you know what to do with,” he asked, trying to stall for time.

“I admit, I made sure to put aside some emergency funds before you dismantled my empire,” Spade spoke in an annoyingly smug tone. “As for why, it’s because of him,” Spade said, probably gesturing to me.

“Me?” I spoke.

“You took something similar from that Snake Temple in Somnambula,” Spade said. “My associate, Caballeron, explained how you somehow managed to absorb it.”

“He was working for you?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes, and he failed miserably. I’m sure your friend will tell you…I don’t take disappointment lightly.” Without a second thought, she flipped the switch activating the explosives on the upper floors as the building began to shake violently. “If you manage to survive, you will find your family in the shipping yards. Block A, Container sixteen. Ta taa~!”

“SPAADE!!!” Marshall darted after her but was cut off when some rubble from the ceiling nearly crushed him.

“MARSHALL!!” We both screamed.

By some stroke of sheer luck, we heard Marshall’s voice scream in pain as the dust settled and only his leg was crushed under the rubble. We both ran to his side and tried to remove the rubble from his leg.

“Save yourselves!” Marshall shouted. “Get out of here! Save my family, and look after them!”

“Bullshit!” I shouted. “We ain’t leaving you behind!”

“There’s no time, damnit!” Marshall argued as more explosives blew up.

I had to think fast and noticed the Blast Core sitting beside us. Spade was never gonna let us leave, and she probably thinks she’ll just dig up the Core after we’re crushed to death. But I wasn’t gonna let her get her way. Not by a long shot. I grabbed the Blast Core and held it in both my hands.

“Lighting! Marshall! Brace yourselves!” I warned them.

Before they could question my motives, I used my power to begin absorbing the Blast Core. Once again, the core reacted to my power as large bolts of lightning crackled around my arms and up my whole body. I was lifted into the air a few feet as the bolts of lightning were replaced by large plumes of smoke. Following that, bright fluorescent neon lights illuminated every corner. Then, digital sparks and lights enveloped my body and broke apart in a great flash of light. Finally, large pieces of stone and concrete formed in the air and spun around until they disintegrated into dust. The last part was when all five types of my powers activated at the same time before completely snuffing out. I landed back on my feet as the Blast Core lost its glow entirely and crumbled to ashes.

I felt completely re-energized as I stood up straight. Any fatigue and pain I felt from my wounds were gone, and my power reserves felt like they were refilled to the max.

“Starswirl’s beard!” Marshall gasped before I used my Amp to blast the rubble off his leg. I lifted Marshall over my shoulder for support.

“Let’s go!” Lightning screamed just as the last of the explosives went off.

We managed to get out by the skin of our teeth as the building collapsed into a pile of rubble and dust, attracting a huge crowd along with the royal guards in the process.

“Sir?!” One of the guards said as they rushed to his aid. “What in Celestia’s wings happened here?!”

“Sam Spade…she’s back,” Marshall said as he propped himself up against a streetlight to look at his injured leg. “Get to the shipping yards, look for container sixteen on Block A.”

They saluted and immediately headed for the docks. I looked down at my hands and could feel my newfound power coursing through my veins. It’s been a while since I felt this energized, and I knew what I wanted to test it on. I walked over to Marshall and knelt down beside his leg.

“What’re you doing?” Marshall asked.

“Preventing you from being a cripple,” I said with a smirk.

I raised my hands and activated Video. Digital lights swirled around Marshall’s leg as the sounds of his bones resetting could be heard. Marshall grunted in surprise as I healed his leg until it was completely healed and back to normal.

“There we go, good as new,” I said proudly.

“Now I see why Spade wants those stones,” Marshall commented.

Our eyes fell on Lightning Dust who seemed tired from the whole ordeal and looked like she was ready to pass out when to my surprise, Marshall carried her princess style and took her to the carriage ready to take them to the docks.

“Tell me about our daughter,” he said as they rode off while I was left behind to deal with the press.

“One at a time, people! One at a time!” I cried as I was bombarded by questions, flashing camera lights, and my headache from before pulsated in my head again.

Marshall 1st POV

After recovering my wife and son, we returned to the hotel and were given a new apartment. It was only after Clove was put to bed, and after a tearful reunion with my family, that I explained everything to Saffron and prepared myself as best I could for her outburst, but nothing prepared me for what came next.

“I was hoping you would tell me one day, but I didn’t think it would take all this for you to confess,” Saffron told me.

“W-Wait, you knew?!” I was shocked at my wife’s revelation.

“I had my suspicions,” Saffron said. “Whenever I wanted to talk to you about your past, you would change the subject. So…I went to see your old colleague, Shining Armor.”

I slumped in my chair, knowing Shining couldn’t keep a secret but then Saffron showed me something else; two envelopes that I had not seen in years.

“I also found these while cleaning our house. Letters from your former lovers,” Saffron smirked as my face turned bright pink.

She cleared her throat and prepared to read one of them aloud. I tried to stop her but out of her cruel sense of humor, Lightning Dust held me back.

“Ahem. To my stud horse." She began with Lightning’s letter.

“By the time you read this, I’ll be long gone. Don’t bother looking for me. I promise I’m fine, but I will never forget those crazy nights we had together. Especially after we pulled off a really hard job.

Your lady, Lightning Dust.

P.S.: Feel free to use my back door anytime~.”

“Faust, end me now…” I groaned as she began to read the next letter but not before revealing it had been marked with a kiss.

“Ooh, this looks juicy,” Lightning said as we sat down together.

“Okay! Okay!” I yelled desperately. “You made your point. I guess the real question is…what should we do now? Lighting has told me of a daughter I never knew, and I’m married to you.”

Saffron thought long and hard for a few minutes before finally crossing her arms and sighed.

“Well, technically, it’s not cheating since this happened before you met me, and it would be nice for Clove to meet his big sister. I suppose there isn’t any harm in letting them meet.”

“Thank you, my love-!” I was about to say when she stopped me.

“HOWEVER.” Saffron raised her hand before giving me a murderous glare. “If I find out you were philandering behind my back, I promise I will make you regret it. Am I understood?” She said in a very passive aggressive tone, sending chills up and down my spine.

“Y-Yes, dear,” I squeaked.

“Y-you mean…you’ll welcome me and Blitz into your family?” Lighting asked on the verge of tears.

“Only if you’ll accept,” I told her just before she hugged me right in front of Saffron. I was reluctant to return the hug but did so anyway as I let my old flame cry into my shoulder.

“So…what now?” I asked Saffron while still holding Lightning.

“Hmm…” Saffron hummed and then smirked. She leaned over to Lighting and whispered something in her ear.

“Seriously?” Lightning smirked back and bit her lip in excitement.

“Oh yes~,” Saffron purred before they both looked at me.

“Oh boy…” I gulped.

LEMON!!!

I was lost in thought as I watched both my wife and former lover undress in the most seductive way possible. Lighting bent over while shaking her rear at me as she pulled down her pants and Saffron pulled her shirt over her head, letting her bosom bounce free within her bra.

“This is a dream…” I said as Lightning straddled me; her eyes filled with desire as she guided my hands to her taught rear.

“A dream come true~,” she hummed before kissing me.

As I coiled my tongue with hers, Saffron giggled and undid my fly. She pulled out my hard member and began stroking it.

“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to see my husband making love to another woman besides me~,” Saffron cooed as she kissed the head of my cock. “But I never imagined it would be this stimulating up close~.”

“Mmm, Marshy here was always a stud in bed. It’s why I call him my Stud Horse~,” Lighting cooed.

“He’s certainly got that field covered~,” Saffron said while stroking my shaft.

“I swear, this is something out of a fantasy novel~,” I said before pulling down Lightning’s bra and chomping down on her breast.

“Mmm, you always go for the boobs first~,” Lighting teased.

“Can you blame me~?” I smirked before indulging myself by wrapping my lips around her nipple.

Lighting moaned and hugged my head close to her chest while Saffron took it upon herself to open her mouth and swallow my cock down her throat.

“Mmm~, and Marshy~?” Lighting moaned.

“Mm?” I looked up at her.

“I missed being your bitch~.” Lightning grinned and stuck her tongue out at me before we both shared an aggressive kiss in front of my wife.

Saffron hummed in delight as she continued sucking me off while playing with my balls. I raised my hand up and swung it down to slap Lighting’s firm ass cheek.

"MMM!! ooh~."

“You always did have a juicy ass~,” I complimented before kissing her neck. “Remember that job we pulled in Vanhoover~?”

“Mmm, we did it all the way ‘til morning on a pile of gold~,” Lightning giggled just as Saffron released my cock with a loud pop and grinned.

“So, tell me, Lightning, what kind of man was my husband in bed~?” Saffron asked while crawling up to kiss my chest.

“I was the sub, he was the dom~,” Lighting purred. “And he made me scream each and every night~.”

“Only ‘cause you drove me crazy on the battlefield~!” I growled pinning Lightning to the carpet. “Shame this is only a one-time thing~.”

“Who says it needs to be~?” Saffron said as she began masterbating. “She’s part of our family now, so it’s only natural that we do this on a regular basis~.”

“But Saffron-!” I was cut off when Saffron began to explain.

“You forget, my love, I am from the east, and it’s not unusual for a man to have one or two brides in his household~,” Saffron said before hugging me from behind.

“You have gone through so much for us.” Once she turned my head to kiss me, my hips seemed to move on their own and push into Lightning Dust who let out a very loud gasp. Looks like she hadn’t been laid in some time after having our daughter.

“Argh…I got-mmm so many birthdays to make up for!” I grunted while pounding her into the carpet.

I began plowing Lighting’s pussy, making her moan and pant loudly while Saffron went back to masterbating.

“Yeah~! Mmm~! Just like that~! Fuck, I missed your big cock~!” Lighting moaned.

“Grr! Say you’re my bitch then~!” I began to show my darker side in front of Saffron as I got rougher with Lightning by biting and pulling on her breasts to drive her crazy.

“I’m your bitch~!” Lighting yelled. “I’ve always been your bitch~! Make me remember that I am~! Make me yours again~!”

“Shh, not so loud, you two. Clove is still asleep,” Saffron reminded us while we shared another passionate kiss. Our fingers intertwined with one another as Lightning’s screams were muffled by the kiss and after several more aggressive thrusts, I poured everything I had into her.

“Ahhhh…” Lightning moaned as her eyes rolled back. Once I was sure she was filled, I stood up to make her dangle by my waist before letting her hit the floor with a loud thud as she grunted and laughed with a toothy grin.

“Mmm, you’re such a jerk~,” she smirked at me while catching her breath.

“And you still love me for it~,” I grinned before turning to my wife. “Now for the main course~.”

“Well, it has been moons since we last did it~,” Saffron said as she presented me her ass. While Lightning’s was taught and firm, hers was soft and supple and she knew I loved it as my hands sank into her cheeks while I kissed her neck.

“Mm, is today a safe day?” I asked while gently fondling her body.

“Yes, and Marshall?” Saffron looked back at me with a seductive smile. “I love you~.”

My response was to only kiss her and hold her hand as I turned her over to look into her eyes, the same eyes that drew me to her the day we met.

“Your father is going to flip when he finds out he has a granddaughter~,” I teased while poking her folds with my tip.

“You let me handle him~. For now, make love to me like you did on our wedding night~,” Saffron whispered.

“Better,” I whispered before gripping her breasts hard. I’ll do you the same way I did Lightning Dust. Show you my true nature~.”

“Mmm~! Then show me~,” Saffron moaned.

Without warning, I thrusted my cock all the way into her pussy, making her yell loudly.

“Shh, Clove is sleeping, remember?” I reminded her before proceeding to hold her legs apart as I took her on the floor like a common prostitute.

“He’s a heavy sleeper~!” Saffron cried. “Sleeps like a rock~! Now fuck me hard~!”

I grinned at my wife’s sudden personality change and got her into a mating press that seemed to shake the entire room. Even our neighbors could hear us go at it like beasts as I bit down on Saffron’s breasts like an animal, making them leak milk as I did so.

“Yes~! Oh yes~! You beast~! Fuck me harder~! Fuck me like a whore~! I love you, Marshall~!” Saffron screamed as loud as she could.

I would say nothing as I was too focused on pleasing her and made her get on all fours before pulling her hair.

“You’re so soft, Saffron, I’m so glad I met you~.” I huffed as she cried out in pleasure. “Lightning too.”

“Less talking~! More fucking me like a bitch in heat~!” Saffron snapped.

I chuckled at her demand and happily obliged by pinning her head down and raising her ass while Lightning played with herself.

“Mmm~! Yes~!” Saffron moaned before feeling me smack her rear a few times.

“Safe day or not, I’m putting a baby in you~!” I declared as I went all out on her.

All Saffron could do was scream and moan each time I bottomed in and out of her pussy. I grunted a few times before cumming the biggest load I ever did in a long time deep within her womb.

Just as I did with Lightning Dust, I stepped back to let Saffron slump to the floor as she caught her breath and managed to turn herself over. Our bodies gleamed with sweat and musk as we took a moment to calm ourselves and began exchanging kisses with one another when Lightning remembered something.

END OF LEMON!!!

“Mmm, babe do that thing~,” she moaned.

“What thing?” Saffron asked, feeling curious.

“Watch~.” With a sensual moan, Lightning dust raised her ass and began to wriggle around while I licked my lips in anticipation. I gripped her cheeks firmly, making her giggle and as my mouth opened wide, I bit down on her right ass cheek as hard as I could, making her yelp while Saffron gasped in shock.

“Marshall!” Saffron declared when I released Lightning from my grip to show a perfect ring of teeth marks on her cheek.

“Now I’m yours again~,” Lighting giggled.

I held my lovers close as we basked in the afterglow. I didn’t know I could be this happy now that I have not one but two precious lovers.

Elsewhere
3rd POV

Sam Spade sat at her desk as she watched an image on a holo-crystal play on rewind. It was of Axel and the way he absorbed the Blast Core. The spectacle was like nothing she’d ever seen before, and she continued watching it over and over again.

“This power…I want it,” she said with envy in her voice.

Alduck Manor
Dante 1st POV

Of all the nights throughout this entire trip with me and Axel taking turns switching, this was one night I wasn’t particularly looking forward to. Despite my warnings, Axel just had to get involved in PVP, and in front of Don Madden. Who, I imagine, is beyond pissed that we didn’t bring back his precious, so-called trophy. Granted, I couldn’t exactly blame Axel for absorbing the Blast Core since he needed the energy to save Avalon but that doesn’t change the fact that our cover might be blown despite him wearing a mask to hide his identity.

After managing to shoo away the obnoxious press that were bombarding Axel with a shit load of questions, he managed to give them the slip and allow me to take over. Now I’m currently flying towards Alduck’s place and trying to prepare myself for what’s to come. Just as I landed outside the property gates, I noticed something was off. There were dozens of black carriages parked outside of the mansion, and several men dressed in black tuxedos standing outside.

Stone jogged up to me to greet me. “Dante. So good to see you.”

“Jeez, Stone, what’s with the crowd?” I asked.

“…It’s Don Serrano Pepper,” Stone said grimly. “He…he had just died of a heart attack last night.”

I repressed a smirk, remembering the other night. “So, what do we do?”

“The Dons have gathered for a sit down to discuss the situation,” Sone said as the doors were opened for us. “However, there’s a bigger issue that needs addressing. According to a peace pact established by the first Dons of the Commission, nobody would commit crimes against the Commission and attempt violent takeovers that would enact severe conflict. In other words, everyone stays in their own lane and can have the choice of working together whenever necessary. Nacho had broken that pact the Commission had established when he disrespected you, tried weaseling into Alduck’s territory without permission, and when he sent his goons to turn the club upside down and killed that poor girl. Not to mention, Serrano also tried pulling a fast one on Alduck with Sandy.”

“They should’ve stayed in their lane,” I commented.

“Exactly,” Stone agreed as we made our way to the meeting room. “Now the issue in question is Serrano didn’t have anyone to take over if anything happened to him or if he had to step away. Believe it or not, Serrano was somehow trying to mold Nacho to be his successor.”

“Fat lot of good that did him, no pun intended,” I said.

“Nice,” Stone chuckled. “Anyway, now that Nacho was met with an unfortunate end and Serrano died of natural causes, his territory has nobody to look after it.”

“I’m sure Alduck will be happy to scoop that up,” I commented.

“You’d think that, but…” Stone said when we entered the meeting room and all the Dons, save for Alduck who sat at the head of the table, were in the middle of a shouting match against one another.

“And I’m sayin’ I deserve 27%!” Don Cheddar barked in Don Key’s face.

“You think any of you schmucks need any more territory?!” Don Madden snapped. “I just lost an important treasure of mine that was worth more than even me! I deserve compensation!”

“I need Serrano’s warehouses!” Don Hatchet added. “I’m up to my balls in merchandise and I don’t got a place to store it all!”

“Wow. Intense negotiations,” I smirked before sitting down on a chair against the wall.

As they continued to bicker like kids at the sandlot, Alduck calmly raised his hand up to ask for silence. The Dons slowly but surely took notice of Alduck’s silent order and soon calmed down.

“I don’t need to remind you all that this is exactly how the first Dons used to be when they were at each other’s throats,” Alduck said before taking a sip of his drink. “Lotta unnecessary blood spilled before they came to their senses and formed the peace pact.”

“And yet, one of us was destroyed,” Don Key said.

“By himself,” Alduck corrected as he pointed at Don Key. “And that means none of us have a right to claim what he owned.”

“We have every right to lay claim to what was his. Otherwise, it’ll go to waste!” Cheddar yelled while snuffing his cigar out.

“Who says it’ll go to waste?” Alduck said. “I have the perfect candidate to take over, and to also fill in a vacancy at our table.”

Alduck slowly panned his eyes to me, to which the other Dons looked my way as well. Suffice to say, none of the other Dons were as enthusiastic by Alduck’s intentions.

“The KID?!” Don Madden barked.

“Alduck…Donald,” Don Cheddar tried to say. “C’mon, really?”

“It takes years to become a Don. Do you understand?” Don Hatchet added.

“True, but you all know I got a keen eye for this kind of stuff,” Alduck said. “And let me remind you, Hatchet, that I recall your predecessor, Don Saw, made you a Don when you also hadn’t even been in the business for more than a year.”

Don Hatchet could only sigh while giving a wave of approval.

“I dunno…” Don Cheddar said, crossing his arms. “He may know how to get shit done but he’s too green.”

“That’s why we will be taking the necessary precautions to guide him,” Alduck said.

Oh…oh my god! They’re serious! Axel yelled in my head. Is this seriously happening?! Dante! Be reasonable! Say something before it’s too late! Don’t do this!

“I accept,” I said as I stood up.

DAMNIT!

All the other Dons looked at each other and it looked like whatever concern they had would either be put to rest by Alduck and they’d wanna see how this pans out. I watched as they all stood up from their seats and approached me. I then respectfully took off my pack to set it aside and pulled my beanie off my head.

Alduck stood up and stood before me. He placed his hands on my shoulders and started with the ceremony.

“Gentleman, this is a historic day for the Commission,” Alduck said. “Dante. As you may already know, this Commission of ours is a secret. You are entering a society of the chosen. A society that, as far as the public is concerned, does not exist. Our group will now mean more to you from now on than your own family, should you have one. Or any gods, or this country. If we ask you to do something that may seem impossible to you, or if you have any of your new associates do something, you must do it.” Alduck stepped to the side so all the Dons could lay eyes on me. “Show us which finger will pull the trigger.”

I gave him my left pointer finger and he pulled out a small dagger. He gently poked my finger and made my blood drip on a picture of a fancy-looking lady dressed in robes. He then took the picture and lit it on fire with a candle’s flame before placing the picture in both my hands.

“Repeat after me, Dante,” Alduck said. “If I were to betray the secret of our way of life.”

“If I were to betray the secret of our way of life,” I repeated as I gazed into the small flame.

“May my soul burn in Tartarus, just like the Saint of Bitalia,” Alduck said.

“May my soul burn in Tartarus, just like the Saint of Bitalia,” I repeated.

“Amico nostra,” Alduck said in what sounded like Italian speech. “Gentlemen, I give you our new friend and fellow Don. Don Dante.”

Don Alduck patted my shoulders and gently kissed both my cheeks. The other Dons exchanged their looks of approval before they took their seats again at the table. I smiled as I too walked over to where Don Serrano Pepper once sat and took his seat with the rest of the Dons.

“I am very pleased that this extremely talented and gifted young man join us,” Alduck said. “And I’m happy this has happened in the presence of all the current Dons.”

“Welcome,” they all said together, including Stone, Fuse, and any others present.

I smiled a confident smile as I leaned forward a bit and folded my hands. I decided to put on a bit of a spectacle by activating Video and made my digital wings appear, giving me a more intimidating presence.

“I’m honored to be part of such an esteemed group of individuals,” I said. “Thank you for this opportunity, my fellow Dons of the Commission.”

Unbeknownst to me, a sort of red aura covered my body. The sleeves of my jacket under my vest became a tad darker shade of red that mixed with the gray. The barely visible red highlights in my hair became a bit more visible. Finally, on the back of my vest, the symbol changed from what it once was.

Author's Note

No good deed goes unpunished.

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building…