Welcome to Chapter 2, I'm glad to see those who reviewed so far have enjoyed it i appreciate it!
With that said on we go.
/
Ron paced back and forth near the metallic door of the dock warehouse, taking puffs on his cigarette until it was left as just a stump. With a scowl he tossed it to the floor and stomped on it, crushing the remaining embers into the concrete before lighting a new and smoking it as if his life depended on it.
Standing at around 6ft tall and dressed like most of the other goons he didn't particularly stand out from the crowd, but Ron had been Romans get away driver since almost the beginning of his criminal legacy, he had a short well kept beard and green eyes that shone with experience, he wore red glasses like the rest of the goons except his suit was nicer and he was armed better. Roman had even seen fit to unlock his aura and give him some training, it would be fair to say he was still poor at fighting but against mobsters and drug cartels, he could easily enforce Romans will upon them alone if he had too.
"Where are they" He muttered as he watched the door.
Before jumping back as two figures literally materialized right next to him.
"What the fu-" was all he could say as a head collided with his own, knocking him to the floor in a daze as his cigarette fell from his mouth, its embers burning out on the floor.
With a scowl Ron looked up into amused multicolored eyes and a drained Torchwick hanging off her. Despite his current state Roman could still find it funny as he burst into laughter.
"Don't tell me, you actually woke her up?" He laughed.
Ron growled to himself "I saw the hotel on the news, I ain't sticking my neck out in that situation, thought it would be easier to let her do it" He closed his eyes and groaned "Bloody midget don't forgive easily" He grunted as he received a swift kick to the knee for his comment.
Roman chuckled "Heh i gotta say, I was getting pretty pissed at your absence, but seeing as you had the stones to actually wake Neo, that's punishment enough, she never forgives"
Ron grumbled and rubbed his knee as he made to stand
"What happened to you anyway boss?" he eyed Romans once pristine black trousers, now stained with red "Any news of Junior?"
Romans lips thinned before he let out a sigh
"Meet me in the office Ron" He gestured towards the upstairs office "We have a lot to talk about"
He slipped from Neos' grip and almost payed for it as his leg gave way under him, however he managed to catch himself on a dust crate before he fell. Roman took a few seconds to stand back up straight before he frowned and tapped the crate a few times, his eyes then slid to Ron.
The temperature seemed to drop in the warehouse and other goons backed away wanting no part of Romans wrath. Melodic Cudgel stopped being used as a walking stick and back to a weapon as he swung at the latch, breaking it with a snap as the crate door opened, the contents spilling out over the warehouse floor.
"Ron" he said quietly "Anything you want to tell me? As far as I'm concerned this is the Torchwick empire, and here in Torchwicks' criminal empire, we don't steal dust!" He swung Melodic Cudgel into the crate again destroying the front of it, even Neo looked concerned.
Ron coughed and steeled his nerves as he faced his boss "It was a gift from a client boss"
Roman frowned "Don't tell me, the bitch with the fire?"
Ron nodded "Not like i had much choice boss, either accept or be turned to ash"
Roman groaned and leaned against it "She wants something from us, and something tells me we aren't going to have much of a choice in the matter" His eyes slid to his diminutive partner "Neo, have you found anything about them?"
The small girl put a forefinger and thumb to her chin as if scratching an imaginary beard before shaking her head and giggling.
Roman rolled his eyes and looked back to Ron "We will discuss this later, whatever that crazy bitch is after can wait-"
"But boss!" Ron interrupted "She has demanded a date to meet, if you don't attend then she will be coming for us personally!"
Roman chuckled "Well when that day comes we let it, at the moment we have bigger issues"
Ron nodded, feeling uneasy.
Roman turned to his partner "Neo, i need you to use that wonderful semblance of yours to move around the city tonight, look for the malachite twins, their bodies were not accounted for" He turned to Ron "Ron, change of plans, make some calls to Alexander, see how the local gangs are doing, when you are done assemble whatever mob bosses that are left alive, we need a meeting"
Neo tilted her head at Roman while Ron saluted
Roman sighed as he hobbled towards the stairs leading to the office "Yes Neo there is ice cream for you in the freezer"
She giggled silently and clapped her hands together before disappearing again.
Ron gestured for some of Romans goons to go with him, four in total waited by the van out back as he disappeared with them to make some calls.
/
Roman limped but the metallic stairs, holding the railing for support as the goons hurried around below him, looking down he sneered at his destroyed attire, he would need to get those replace, he realized as he neared the top. Grasping hold of the door handle he twisted and pushed, letting himself into his stylish office. Stolen paintings decorated the walls, lifted from various art exhibits and museums, the ridiculously comfy sofa, stolen as well of course, frankly everything from the bear skin rug to the mahogany desk and the liquor cabinet was stolen.
He smiled to himself as he limped over to the cabinet. Simpler times allowed him to live for himself and only himself. He pulled out one of the glasses and a bottle of imported bourbon before limping back to his desk and slumping in the seat.
Now a days life was more about building a legacy, a reminder to the world to look back on when he is long gone, to remind them of the terror the great Roman Torchwick had caused in his hatred of the council, the hunter schools and the white fang the filthy animals.
He poured himself a few shots and screwed the cap back on, placing it down with a gentle clunk against the wood as he lifted the glass to down it.
The liquid burned as it went down but it was a good burning, not like that berserker earlier. No, this was the burning of luxury, that reminded him that he had made it and the only place he had to go now was forward.
He pushes his chair back and lifted his leg, slamming it down on the table as he rolled up his trouser leg.
Which lead him to his current predicament. No sign of the twins, they could be useful to have on his side. In return for his protection they could help himself and Neo in the bigger fights against police specialists and Beacon. He pulled the trouser leg above his wound to get a better look, it was deep but not overly so, blood still pooled in it as he squeezed the flesh around trying to find the bullet.
Who was that women who arrived at the end? She looked like an Atlas specialist, one of the Schnees.
And there he was thinking that this law was brought in to stop the hostile take over of Vale by General Iron Wood, well he knew that was one of the reasons, he was told as much by one of the council members.
He smirked, it was good to have friends in high places.
He reached for the first aid kit on the wall, giving up as it was out of reach and smashed Melodic Cudgel into it instead, knocking it from the wall and into his hand.
So if the council didn't want Atlas forces in control of vale, why was one leading the men?
He pulled a pair of tweezers and with a grunt pushes it into the wound, still pressing on either side of it to keep the object still.
How many of the mob bosses were left? How many could Ron find? While not useful in a fight they could be used for sabotage against the Vale police or the white fang should they encroach on his territory, not Beacon though. Beacon would be left to himself, Neo and the twins if they could be found.
He grunted and almost cried out as he hit the bullet, gently spreading the tweezers he caught the end and slowly started to withdraw it from his form, beads of sweat formed on his brows as he concentrated, after a minute of agony he withdrew the bullet from his body and lay it on the desk before grabbing a needle and thread.
Now what of this fire bitch? She had tried to contact him many times before all of which he avoided, whatever she was selling he wanted none of it.
Intelligence told him she was working with the white fang, but it also told him that she was someone who could bring his entire empire crashing down upon him should he let her. He growled and now she wanted a meeting, even sending them dust? Why act diplomatically when she had incinerated five of his men in a meeting that went sour.
He could not trust her, she would have to be removed as a threat.
The needle pierced his skin as he began sewing up the wound.
So many sides to this war, and all of them aligned directly against him.
He groaned and snipped the thread with his wound sewed shut as he began applying the bandage. His aura would take care of that soon enough.
Sighing and grasping the bottle once more, pouring himself another drink before taking a long sip and leaning back in his chair.
A lot needed to be done, but if anyone could do it, it would be the roguish thief. He smiled to himself charismatically before remembering his attire and stumbling back to his feet and storming to the door.
Slamming it open into the warehouse his voice echoed among the goons "Get me a new suit and be quick about it, i cant go out like this ill be a laughing stock"
The door slammed shut as he headed back inside, up to Neo and Ron now to see what they can find.
/
Neo blinked back into existence out into the night, her eyes scanned around before she blinked up to a nearby roof to get a better view. Police sirens all around, patrol cars in the streets, Romans little empire wasn't going to last long if this kept up.
But, her smile turned predatory, media coverage of this would be everything, Juniors was a success.
But they failed with Roman and lost a few men for it too, if their were more casualties then they would be forced to quieten down. Should the police go after the gangs under Roman without hunters or huntresses then casualties would be in abundance on both sides.
And once they calm down Neo can go back to doing what she loved, drinking, eating ice cream, relaxing and of course, killing.
But for now she had better do what Roman said or he would destroy her freezer, her precious freezer! Full of delicious mouth watering ice cream.
Her eyes narrowed, and these fools dare try to get between her and her treats? Well then, guess they had all better die hadn't they?
She giggled to herself as she blinked to the other side of Vale in an instant, but first she needed some help... If she were a multicolored twin who had just lost their boss where would she be?
She smirked to herself as she jumped from the rooftop into an opening between buildings near Vales red light district, set up by Roman of course.
She sauntered into the street and headed for one of the shadier bars, her eyes scanning left to right for danger but finding none. Although there were far less people around than usual for sure, perhaps the sting had scared most citizens back into their homes, that or the bloodshed. She shook her head amused, silly people, that was the best part!
The queue to get in was long but she was Neo, so she casually skipped past the entire queue much to the displeasure of the crowd, the bouncers knew better though and quickly stepped aside to let her descend the steps as she pleased.
Passing the questionable images upon the walls of half naked women she descended fully onto the dance floor. A large disco ball held above it twirling lights about the room as not an overly large amount of dancers but certainly enough took to the floor the sway to the music. The walls painted a lusty red with comfortable couches set up with tables in front around the edge of the dance floor, directly in the center in front of her was the heart of the place, the bar.
Stepping past dancers and skirting around the edge she made her way towards the large man behind the bar and plopped herself down on the bar stool in front of him. Her eyes strayed left to right but saw no one of interest, let alone the twins whom she was searching for.
She tapped her fingers lazily as she looked up at the bar tender who stiffened at the sight of her, he coughed and straightened himself as he stood in front of her, clearly terrified which caused her smirk to widen. Ah how she loved it when these fools knew their place.
"Good evening miss Neo, how can i help you tonight?" He spoke in a rich accent that wasn't native to Vale, where he came from she didn't know nor did she care, all she knew was that Roman had made him a fake ID to make a life here, so he owed them.
She shrugged elegantly at him as if to ask him what he thinks she wants.
He tugged at his collar and coughed nervously "I'm guessing its not for a drink?"
She giggled silently and shook her head a few times before pointing to the red wall with one hand and the white of his shirt with the other.
He frowned "Red and white?"
She nodded happily
Realization hit him "Ah you are searching for the twins?" his face dropped a bit "Sorry to inform you Neo but Juniors dead, the place was hit hard"
She waved a hand dismissively and pointed again to the red and white causing him to stroke the stubble upon his chin.
"You think they are alive then? Well they haven't come in here Neo I'm sorry"
She giggled again and shook her head once more before pointing to a drink behind him.
Of course they weren't here right now, but without Junior they wouldn't know where else to go. They would either show up here or head directly to Roman himself, either way she would have found them and would get to keep her ice cream. Of course there was always the chance they were dead, but she couldn't care less, if they weren't strong enough to survive this then they wouldn't be very useful to her or Roman now would they?
The drink was mixed and placed before her, a mixture of red with little scoops of ice cream on top. Her mouth salivated.
She took a long sip and exhaled with a sigh, it was blissful. Her eyes turned to the bar tender who had moved over to serve some other customers, she hoped he survived this whole ordeal, especially if he kept making her drinks like this. She smiled and took another sip, eyes turning towards the entrance, the twins were brash, she expected they would come in with trouble. She tapped the thin sword strapped to her side with a faint smile, oh how Neo hoped they would be followed, and if it was by someone who could fight? Well the fun would truly begin.
/
Ron moved out the back of the warehouse, pushing through the metallic door and out into the damp night, while it had stopped raining the floor was still soaked so his footsteps splashed in puddles as he walked.
Pulling out his scroll he dialed Alexander waiting a few seconds it picked up to the sound of sirens in the back ground and gun shots.
"Shit! Ron is that you?" the voice spoke urgently, more gunshots could be heard and someone screaming.
"Fuck, Alexander where are you?"
"Down with the red mask gang, the police have turned up in high numbers! The street has turned into a blood bath!" A loud explosion caught his attention and a curse from Alexander.
Ron hurried out to his van, which lay just round the corner, calling out to the four goons who were waiting by it "Get in we are heading out! Be ready for a ruck boys!"
Nods from the men as they climbed into the back and slide the door shut after them, with Ron opening the armored vans front door and climbing behind the drivers seat, starting the engine he sped out of Romans dock warehouse and onto the main roads, watching for cars and police in the sky in case he accidentally gave away Romans location. All clear, he noted as he sped off towards southern Vale, the base of Alexanders operations under Roman. Alexander had gone silent on the scroll, just gunshots and explosions from the side for a few minutes as he ran red lights, speeding to his destination.
"Ron you still there?" Alexander cried urgently
"We are coming Alexander, whats going on down there?" he replied as he took a sharp left down a footpath. The situation sounded urgent and he was far enough away to not give away Romans location, now he could drive recklessly. He took paths and back roads breaking the speed limit many times over, desperate times cause for desperate measures.
"We are retreating back through the compound, most of the boys are dead! The red masks have suffered heavily, a huntsman has arrived!" A loud explosion "shit they have broken through the door, we are heading to the evacuation point!"
"Hold tight Alexander we will be there shortly!" Ron sped through the abandoned streets, it was as if all citizens had been told to stay inside tonight, why hadn't they been warned about this?! He headed down main street towards southern Vale. Alexanders domain and heading fast to where he currently lay, the biggest gang in south Vale, the red masks. As they got closer to the Red mask gang head quarters the call cut off.
After a tense 10 minutes they arrived, rounding the bend they arrived at the front of the hide out to find it in ruins. The wooden saloon type building had the windows shot out, bodies of red mask members and police littered the floor along with on fire vehicles and overturned cars. Well if this was what Vale wanted it was what they would get, turn the streets into fucking war zones for your politics you animals. Ron seethed in the front seat, no way to go in the front, even though he currently could see no one, getting out of the van would signify death, especially if there was a blasted hunter somewhere in the compound.
From the outside it looked like a themed bar but was known in the area for many drug deals and illicit activities to say the least, while the building looked small it lead underground to a massive warehouse a few miles further south, the entire path was designed for the red mask members to escape, knowing just one of them could hold off the enemy number while the rest ran. It was also heavily trapped, if there was one thing the red masks were known for it was explosives, it was probably what he heard on the phone with Alexander.
The Vale police knew all of this, they knew the body count would be massive to attempt a siege on such a compound, so why did they suddenly throw caution to the wind and toss perhaps hundreds of their officers lives away?
Figures moved in the front of the salon type building, for a second Ron believed it was red mask members there to signal them in, were it not for the guns... Shit.
Shots rang out, hammering against the side of the armoured van as some members of the Vale Police Department exited the building, lining up and opening fire upon their armoured van. It shook as bullets bounces off of its tough plating and bullet proof glass. While the current weapons wouldn't be a problem to deflect, it would only be a matter of time before the Vale Police brought out the armour piercing rounds, then they were fucked. Cursing to himself, Ron put the van into reverse, pulling back out of the side road and heading onto the main street, he would have to head to the warehouse which the compound leads onto, as far as he was concerned none of the Vale police knew its location, they would have to chase them underground to find it. As they pulled away shots echoed behind them, slowly getting further away as they made their escape and heading towards the warehouse.
Ron followed the main road then headed around the back streets, even the highway was virtually deserted, he took some of the winding roads in an attempt to lose any followers, he wasn't sure if he was being tailed but you can never be too careful in this world. Taking the next right after around 5 minutes of driving he arrived at the evacuation point, it was a warehouse among other businesses, on a normal day it blended in well. When he arrived it looked exactly like what it was, armed mobsters wearing black suits and red masks funneling out of the door and into the courtyard. Lining up like an organized military group before moving in high numbers to the wide array of vehicles around the premises. The electric gate opened for him as he drove slowly into the compound, parking the van alongside similar vehicles, he slid open the door and climbed out.
His men slid out the back door in a line before closing it behind them, carrying their weapons hoisted to their sides they marched as a unit, boots crunching across the gravel.
Red mask members made way as they marched through the panic of the situation and headed for the only goon of Romans he could see, Alexander.
He stood holding his side, a heavy wound was being treated by a nurse of the red mask, looked to be a physical attack from some kind of chopping instrument, like an axe. Like himself Alexander also had his aura unlocked as he was in charge of the southern sector. Alexander wasn't a particularly tall man, he was around 5ft8 in height but stood out from the crowd, he seemed to demand respect at all times, head always held high, a proud man. Some would question too proud to be a criminal in such a world, but his reasons were his own.
Rons approach was noticed as Alexander ushered the nurse away and moved towards them, limping slightly and looking worse for wear but still intact. Like all Romans higher ranking goons he wore a uniform like the rest only much better tailored, it was a way to distinguish hierarchy in Romans world, complete with the red glasses it was always easy to recognize one of their own. Vehicles sped out of the open electric gate and into the roads surrounding them as the red masks made their retreat.
Ron approached and clasped his hand against that of Alexanders, giving it a hearty shake.
"For a minute i thought we had lost you"
"Blasted hunter almost got me" he spat to the side, the gob landing upon the gravel.
"A student? Or a Vale specialist?" Ron queried
Alexander shook his head "Worse, a blasted teacher from beacon"
Rons eyes widened "you cant be serious, they are behind this attack?"
Alexander shrugged "Could well be, we have heard rumors that teachers and students have been teaming up with the vale police and other specialists, Quintz saved my ass back there" He said nodding to a member of the red mask, he wielded a halberd and barked orders at the rest of the red masks, ordering the full retreat to another safe house. He stood as a giant of a man, easily towering over Ron himself and was well build, like a human battering ram, his face concealed by a red devil looking mask, his hair black down over the front of the top of his mask.
Quintz noticed them and strode purposely towards them., weapon in hand.
"So this is the back up you promised?" he eyed Ron up and down. "He doesn't look like much, but neither do you Alex so I guess ill have to reserve judgement"
Quintz turned fully to Alexander before speaking again "They will be on us any moment, I'd advise getting out of here, we will detonate the entire facility once we are gone, hopefully kill that blasted hunter while we are at it."
Alexander nodded and turned to Ron "We have to inform Roman, can you take us back?"
Ron nodded "he will need to know about this raid" Ron turned his head to Quintz "Roman ordered me to bring the mob bosses together for a meeting, you will need to come with us as well as explaining this failure to him in person"
Quintz froze and looked directly at Ron, if he wasn't wearing a mask he could imagine the man was glaring, but Ron cared not, the bosses orders were law, and if Quintz wouldn't play along, then he would need to be replaced. The goons accompanying Ron moved their hands in unison to their weapons, the threat very clear.
With a sigh Quintz nodded and barked a last order to the red masks "Head to safe house 4 and inform the rest what happened, wait for me there."
With that he turned and moved with the group back to the armoured vehicle. Only to stop as the noise of combat got closer, banging on the sealed door to the warehouse and screaming, following by gunshots and silence.
Quintz pointed his Halberd towards the door as Ron and the goons sprinted towards the armoured van, Alexander hurried over to Quintz "Run you fool" he hissed.
Quintz laughed "I pushed that fool back once i can do it again" He answered cockily
Alexander spat at his feet "you fool! We couldn't last even a minute with both of us!" Ron wondered what was wrong for a second until he realized, the warehouse had descended into complete silence, so sign of a struggle nothing.
The seconds ticked by agonizingly slow as Ron made it to the Van just in time to hear a loud cracking sound as the door to the compound blew off its hinges outwards Heading in Rons direction "Get down!" he screamed as he ducked at the last second allowing him to avoid the flying metal door which would have surely taken his life. The goons all dived to the side to avoid being crushed as it slammed into the side of their armoured van which tipped from the force of the impact, smashing in the back as the windows exploded.
"Fuck" Ron spat, eyeing the car as he stood slowly"no idea if the bastard will move now"
Alexander slowly drew two pistols, facing the door, "we have bigger problems"
Ron span and his eyes narrowed, fear shot through him as he drew his pistol and blade, it was too late, he had no idea if the van would still run or if the damage was too severe, he hoped it was just superficial but he had no time to check. He was already here, the hunter which had tore through the red mask base without even the hint of trouble, that is if what he got from Alexander was true. The goons behind him drawing their guns and aiming them at where the missing door was, a dark figure moved out from the gloom being illuminated by the lights.
Quintz spat and rushed over to Alexander, placing something in his hand that Ron couldn't hear before they both moved back to stand with Ron and his men.
As Professor Port strode through, eyes like chips of granite, cold and unfeeling, his axe covered in blood as he smiles at them, not a cruel smile but one will of sympathy, sympathy for what he was going to do to them.
/
Roman clasped his hands together before swiping across his scroll.
"Live coverage of something surely" he muttered to himself, as it stood Roman was in the dark, having heard nothing from Neo... well that was nothing new, but Ron had gone silent as well. He tapped his fingers against the wood of his desk impatiently.
Alexander in the south with Ron and the red masks, nothing heard so far, even the news was silent.
The north was mainly held by Beacon but a few smaller gangs were present there, and of course they knew to pay respects to the king of thieves.
The west was held mainly by the white fang and Kalith, a constant battle for supremacy over the area which didn't look like it was going to end soon.
Having checked in with the leader of his western section Kalith, she had reported nothing new, only a decrease in white fang activity as of late. Were they also being hit by the police? Or was this a direct attempt by the council of Vale to destroy the empire he spent so long building.
The east was firmly in his control as his main bases of operation were in his eastern section, which is why it was so frustrating to have lost one of his own from under his nose. And those huntresses he had fought, two students and what looked to be a fucking Schnee.
His eyes strayed to the map of vale on the wall, pins sticking out of points of interest as he looked to the south.
If they sent huntresses after him, they would surely do similar with Alexander and Quintz in the south.
He popped another cigar into his mouth, lighting it and taking a long drag.
Only time would tell.
/
Thus ends chapter 2 of The Hunted Thief, Romans forces being pushed back and the threat of Beacon and Cinder moving closer.
A shorter chapter than my last for sure however the next one should be longer, thank you for the reviews I do appreciate it and I look forward to seeing you all next time.
I would like to clarify some of this story will be cannon or at least elements of it.
Thank you all, until next time.