Chapter 7: Race To The Top
After resting in the abandoned gas station for several hours, Manic woke up first and called Nina to come pick up the trio. He let the couple sleep for another an hour while he waited for his friend to arrive. He noticed his right hand had healed almost completely, although he'll always have the nasty scar as a reminder of the bastard who shot him.
A little after sunrise, Nina's red mustang pulled into the sandy driveway that led to the gas station, prompting the green hedgehog to wake the two foxes.
"Yo, T, Foxy - our ride is here" Manic said as he shook their shoulders
Tails was slow to stand up, but he managed to get his feet, then he pulled the green hedgehog aside to speak.
"...he man, thanks for everything you've done, really, me and Fiona won't forget it. But, she's an escaped prisoner and I gotta help her keep moving so she doesn't get picked up... I know dealing with everything in your situation is already hard enough, Manic, and we'll only slow you down. So, I think we should split up from here, you know, so we aren't a giant target anymore"
As much as Manic wanted to protest this, he knew the teenager was right,
he also knew Tails had wanted some time alone with Fiona ever since they broke her out of jail.
"Alright man, you know what you're doing. You make sure to take care of that girl, T! Don't make the same mistakes I did"
Manic extended his hand for a handshake, but the fox wanted to hug his best friend before they parted ways. After everything they've gone through in the past 3 years, Manic had become a protective older brother to Tails, especially during the times when Sonic was gone.
Fiona waved to him "It was nice to finally meet you, Manic. Thank you for bringing Miles and I together"
"It's all part of the job. Catch ya next time, Foxy"
Manic gave one last nod to his friends, then he left the gas station to join Nina.
As he walked through the sand, the trunk of the red mustang popped open, drawing a confused look in return.
"What's this?"
"You're riding in the trunk, today" Nina answers
"Bull-SHIT I am!"
"Look, we're on the side of the border where you're number 3 on the most wanted list, it obviously wouldn't be a good idea to show your face off for the thousands of cameras out here, so get your boney-ass in the trunk!"
Manic mumbled as he jumped inside the tiny trunk, having to lie down in uncomfortable positions just to fit. Nina pushed a button and the trunk slammed shut by itself, then she stepped on the gas pedal.
"You know, it's not so bad back here. Sure, I have my knees tucked up to my chest right now, but it's better than sleeping in sand and concrete"
The red mustang hops over a small sand dune and Manic yelps as he bounces around the trunk, giving Nina a smile as she drives.
"...you did that on purpose.."
"Oops, sorry, boss"
"So, Mazo told you, huh"
"Well, seeing as you were forced out by gun-wielding psychopaths, we had to call him... he made me 2nd in command to you, and your replacement, should you not make it back. So, you know what that means-"
Manic suddenly panicks "Don't even THINK about it, Nina!"
She bursts out laughing "Dont worry, I'm just kidding! I wouldn't kill you, Manny"
"Something makes me think Lucky would if he got the chance..."
"He's not a concern, trust me. King and The Ravens are. And those cops who can't be bought, they should be your top priority once we get back to Springyard"
"Yeah? What about Bark?"
Nina hesitates "...we're taking a break-"
"Well, keep that drama between you and him. I don't need any extra horse shit on my plate"
Nina turns on the radio and smirks "I missed you too, boss..."
Hours later, King, leader of The Ravens, makes his way up a small flight of stairs, showing the newest recruit where the bar is. The massive hedgehog reaches inside his black suit pocket and gives an envelope to Stone as they walk.
"You're a man of your word, Stone, you've helped us get a foot back in the door. Here's a token of my appreciation" King says
The Timberwolf grins "I told ya, boss, you take a chance on me and I'll help you take the city back - AND those cunts in Mazo's crew"
King has to duck as he walks through the door at the top of the staircase, then the duo enter a fancy ballroom filled with college kids,
as well as members of The Ravens.
They flood the dance floor as trap music blares throughout the neon-lit club. King and Stone make their way through the crowd and finally reach the bar, receiving two mixed drinks upon sitting on the high stools.
Stone looks at the bartender "How much for the drink?"
She leans over the bar "It's on the house, sweetie"
King nods at the Timberwolf and both take a shot of the alcohol.
"Finally, a respectable establishment!" Stone says
"Club Eyre is partially owned by The Ravens, it was one of the ONLY things Mazo couldn't take from me!... god, I can't wait to get my hands on that fuck!"
"Won't be long, I promise ya"
King takes another shot before speaking "...you never told me what your angle was on this entire situation, Stone"
"The shitface who got me exiled from my old crew, and put me in this situation in the first place, is working under Mazo..."
King thinks about this for a moment "MANIC! That sneaky little bastard is everywhere! ...it all makes sense now"
"Yeah, well, a bullet is going directly in his skull by the end of it, I promise you that-"
A female hedgehog with dyed black pigtails joins the duo
"Hey, boss! I've got your weekly figures all typed up for ya here!" she says while handing over a receipt book
"Simone, hey! Thanks, you're always right on time with it" King says as he puts the book in his suit pocket "...by the way, this is our newest gunslinger. Stone, meet Simone. Hey, that rhymed"
She smiles and shakes his hand "Hi Stone! Welcome to the gang"
The Timberwolf raises his glass and finishes his drink, then asks for another.
King checks his gold watch for the time, then finishes his mixed drink and stands up.
"I've gotta get going, but I want you both to watch over things here, and by that I mean drink as much as you like. You keep up the good work, Stone, this is just the start"
"Alright, King"
"Pete! Lita! With me!"
Two low-level foot soldiers push through the crowd to join their warlord as he leaves the party and Simone orders a shot of vodka before she goes about her business.
"So, you're a shooter, eh. You must be good with guns, Mr. Stone"
"There's a lot of things I'm good with, lady" he responds confidently
The black haired hedgehog takes the shot and slams the glass on the bar while never losing eye contact
"Maybe you could show me just exactly what you're good at whenever our schedules allow it"
Simone leaves him with a wink and then she disappears into the crowd. Stone chuckles as he takes off his jacket, getting comfortable in his new role in The Ravens.
As the alchol flows through him, the Timberwolf starts to reminisce about how he even got here.
("Take What You Want" by Post Malone echoes in Stone's ears as it plays through the club's sound system)
89 NIGHTS AGO
After losing his weapons, getting robbed of every cent and banished to a Zone he'd never been to before, Stone looked like a man defeated. A far cry from the confident mercenary-turned mob enforcer he used to be. He hated Slayton for sending him out here in the first place,
but he loathed Manic for beating him at his own game.
After he woke up next to a dumpster in an alley, the Timberwolf pulled himself up and walked aimlessly through the downtown core, with no idea of where to go even if he asked for help.
It was still dark out and the lit-up street lights told him it had to be at least midnight,
one of Manic's friends stole his phone so Stone couldn't call for backup, or check the time.
He shivered as the temperature only got lower outside, and he had no jacket to keep him warm. Finally, he decided to head inside the closest apartment building to rest, not caring if someone called the cops. A resident walked out a back door so Stone caught it before it closed and hurried inside. He bumped past elderly couples, junkies and single parents roaming the halls, curious as to why the managers would rent to anyone on this side of society.
The side people try not to look at when they walk by.
Stone climbed the stairwell to remain unnoticed, maybe try and get onto the roof, but as he cleared each floor, it was as if the stairs never ended. He got tired and sat against the wall before he ever reached the roof.
Things were definitely not going well for him.
He shut his eyes for what seemed like a minute, and when he opened them again, he was surrounded by onlookers, the same residents he brushed past on the main floor. With both sides of the stairwell covered, they had the jump on him for sure.
"Hello there" A female voice called out
Stone looked up, a very tall hedgehog with long, dark red hair walked down the stairs and stood over the Timberwolf. Based off her name tag and walkie talkie, she was clearly a staff member in the building.
"Are you alright, sir?" she asked
Stone let out a tired grunt and showed off his injured hands, stained with dried blood from having his claws removed.
The female hedgehog pulled out a medical kit "Oh my god, we need to get him to an emergency room!"
"No - I can't go back out there, lady. Please, just let me stay here, I'll be gone in the morning"
He got a closer look at her name tag as she knelt down to wrap his hands.
"Vanessa - please help me out"
She saw pain in Stone's brown eyes, and she knew what it was like to not have anywhere to go, so Vanessa helped him to his feet and gently took him by the wrist.
"Follow me"
She took Stone up another 4 floors and while they climbed the stairs, he saw other male and female staff members escort the residents back to their rooms on each floor.
Then he realized this was one giant low income housing building,
that or the fanciest homeless shelter he'd ever been too.
Vanessa and her team offered medical help to the Timberwolf, then he showered and dried off in a large TV room while the staff typed up a file for him. It would be a three hour long wait before he was finally accepted in, but he knew it was worth every second.
Vanessa escorted Stone through one last hallway and they reached a medium sized room, divided in the center so two residents could share the space.
"I hope you don't mind the living arrangements, Mr. Stone" Vanessa says
"It's a lot better than sleeping in an alleyway. Thanks"
She smiled "Wake up call is at 8:30, and our staff will be here to talk to you about your steps moving forward around 9 AM. Have a good night, Stone"
He returned a smile and went into his shared room, his new roommate was already fast asleep so he didn't have to worry about making noise as he laid on his bed. The idea of sharing circles and mandatory meetings didn't excite the Timberwolf, but he knew he had to slum it out for now just for a roof over his head.
Stone now had a base to start his ascent, although it'll take some time, he's ready to get back to doing the kind of work only a trained killer can do.
-RING-
"Hey Stone! Somebody's calling you!" Simone calls out
The Timberwolf shakes his head as his train of thought is interrupted, then he remembers where he is. He picks up his spilled drink and the bartender slides another over while she wipes up the mess.
"Right. Thanks" he says
He reads the caller ID and recognizes the number immediately. It's the same number he called on that payphone near the alley he slept in 3 months ago.
Stone answers "Hello Slayton"
"Stone, my boy! It's so good to hear from you after all this time!"
"Same. So, I take it the wire transfer went through?"
"Yes, I recieved it earlier. I wanted to thank you for including your new phone number with the money, Jenny's been trying to get through to your old one for an hour!... you've redeemed yourself, Stone"
"Thanks, boss..."
"Jenny tells me you wanted to ask a favor of me?"
Stone takes a big shot of alchol before answering "...I just wanted to see if anyone from my old crew are willing to travel out here to help me with this new action. I assure you, everyone will be compensated well, especially you"
Slayton remains silent as he thinks this over, then finally speaks "It won't be the same as last time I sent them over, will it?"
"You have my word, Slayton"
"Alright. Rosie, Nack and Hawk just got out of custody yesterday, I'll send them with Lynx. I'm expecting better results this time, soldier. The spot down here is close to being compromised so we definitely need the extra cash in case we need to run"
"Well, there's a spot available for you-"
"I have to stay here. Business as usual"
Stone sighs "It's Redd, isn't it. Look, she isn't a fragile little doll-"
"She's still new to this. She needs guidance. We're going after Sleuth Dogg and Scourge, after all. But anyway, I'm happy to have you back on the team. You're doing a good job out there. Keep it up"
Stone hangs up, puts his phone back in his pocket and grabs his drink. He's surprised to see Simone as she sits down on the stool next to him, noticeably more drunk than she was earlier.
"Sorry for eavesdropping but I heard you talking about some girl on the phone. Is she your girlfriend?" Simone asks
"Nah, just an old business partner... why, you wanna hook up?"
The black haired hedgehog smiles and grabs Stone by the belt buckle. He snatches his leather jacket off the stool as he's led out of the club by Simone.
Jaime and Lucky stand on the rooftop of The Clubhouse and pass a joint back and forth while watching Nina drive Manic into the parking lot. The rasta hat wearing hedgehog shakes his head disapprovingly as his new boss makes his way inside the clubhouse.
Lucky turns around "You know that's bullshit, right? Manic being picked as Underboss. We've been in this gang a HELL of a lot longer than he has! Yet Mazo still treats us like shit. That ain't right, bro..."
Jaime shrugs "He's the boss. We can't cross him"
"So, you're perfectly fine with that green asshole waltzing into OUR gang, taking OUR money and now taking OUR spot?!"
"Obviously I don't think it's fair but that's Mazo word. Besides, Manic's a smart guy, he knows his shit... hey, what is it with you and him, anyway?"
Lucky groans "...the guys' known to have cop friends, and if not cops, vigilantes! It's so obvious to me that he's not here for the gang life, he's here for the money!"
"Well, aren't we all?"
"Look; Mazo just got promoted to Top Brass. Years and years we've worked under him to achieve that, and who gets the credit? Manic and Bark. That's a slap in the face AND a kick in the nuts, if you ask me!... he might be rewarding us now, but I'm telling you, naming Manic our leader is not a good idea"
Jaime crosses his arms "So, what're you saying? You want Manic out? What're you gonna do, kill him? That's suicide, man!"
"I'm not saying any of that! Listen: He needs to go, whether by choice or other means, it's gotta happen. It does. I can already see him bringing this gang to the ground, and the entire syndicate will follow. Manic needs to go"
Jaime puts the joint out in an ashtray "Look, we're both a little steamed, let's just get back to this another time. Mazo's coronation is in a couple days, so just focus on that, man. Trust me, we'll be alright under Manic"
Lucky shakes his head once more and pulls out another joint. He lights it and decides to stay out on the rooftop for the rest of the night because he wants absolutely nothing to do with his new boss.