It that short minute period, Max nearly got run over by a car, Leon got hit by a car, and now Pierce saw the face of the notorious Kingpin. It looked so familiar. As if he say him before. Kingpin had pretty long blond hair, and Pierce had never got to know anybody that had blonde hair.

Pierce stopped thinking.

"Uhhh." Leon moaned.

Pierce looked down at him, "Leon? What are you doing here?"

"Uhhh."

"Oh, Sorry. Is anything broken?"

"Ah!" He shook his head no.

"Are you okay? How bad does it hurt?"

"It feels like I got hit by a car."

"Are-"

"I'll be fine, go check on Max. Damn it."

Pierce nervously made his way towards Max. He lay upon the ground lifeless, no blood. He neared Max and spotted a grey dart in the back of his neck. Poison? He rushed over to the body. He pulled it out of his neck with little force. A small dot of blood withdrew from the hole, sliding down to Max's shirt collar. Pierce examined the dart.

Leon stumbled over to Pierce, falling twice. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah. A dosage of Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride." Leon raised an eyebrow. "Sleep Aid."

"So… a tranq?"

"Yeah. I guess they were going to take him hostage."

"So why are you here?"

"I was tracking a man who burned down a club in Los Santos, south of here. He fled here, I wrecked my car in a chase, which just happened to be here." Pierce looked at the crashed cruiser. "I saw that Max needed my, my help. So I-I helped him…"

"Thanks." Pierce hit Leon on the arm.
"Owwwwww!"

"Ha. Sorry. By the way, you're bleeding."

"What?" Leon put his hand on his forehead, his hand was coated red. "Damn."

Pierce walked over to the Vincent. He search the car and came out with a water bottle.

"Will that wake him?"

"Should. It's not a strong sleep aid." Pierce trickled half the bottle over Max. He coughed and sat up, wet with water.

"Uhhh. I feel drowsy. Where's Kingpin? What…" Max looked around.

"Got away." said Leon.

"Damn it. Wait. Leon? The hell?"

"He-he was, chasing a criminal from Los Santos." said Pierce.

"Oh. That's right."

"So. What's been going on, guys?" Leon asked.

"Well, aren't you going to track your suspect?" Pierce asked.

"Just tell me what's been going on, please."

"Okay. We started on a case back in Liberty, the Shoreside Murders. And we uh, got ourselves into a lot of stuff. Now were are tracking the Jack Crime Families leaders, Connor and Toni here. We are trying to take them all down, one by one, since the Station won't help."

"Uh huh."

"I guess it's kind of ironic, because well. We are chasing them, but they keep coming back to us, to finish us off. I guess we are just that of to get rid of, huh Max?"

"Well, then. I'll stay and help you."

"No-you have another job, Leon." said Max.

"No, I hate my job. I don't give a shit about Greg, I hate my apartment, I hate my roommates. I hate Los Santos. I might as well help you. So, do you know who the assassin is?"

"Yeah, a guy that goes by the name, Kingpin."

"He thinks he's one?"

"No, he just goes by that name. If you ask me, he overestimates himself. He sucks at assassinations."

"Ohh."

"Yeah," said Pierce. "I saw his face. It looked so familiar. I felt like I knew him. Or saw him before. Or something. I-I don't understand."

"You should have heard his voice," said Max, "I heard his voice, it sounded… almost like…. Like…. A cross between a deep-voiced wrestler, and someone else… like… someone I knew." Max didn't want to say who it sounded like.

"Damn."

"So, what's you current goal?" Leon asked.

"To take down Kingpin. We are going to start with his employees, the Smith Brothers. They're always around when he tries to take us out… which he failed, many, many times." explained Max.

Max's cell rang. He picked it up to hear Joey's voice. "Max! Max! Max!"

"J-Joey?"

"Yeah! I found out where the Ste-Smith brothers are."

A black Rumpo Van sped down the highway past Bone County towards San Fierro. The world was grey, the road was shiny, half of San Andreas was soaked with rain. Rain beat upon the car and everything else, making lights seen though the windshield blurry and unclear. The ride was smooth and undisturbed, not a single delay occurred.

The four that sat in the van sat quietly, not a word was said, only the sound of the windshield wipers and the rain were making noise. Max was at the wheel, Pierce in the passengers seat, Joey and Leon in the back. They brought an arsenal, a variety of handguns, hand machineguns, a few assault rifles, a variety of shotguns including the Striker, bullet proof vests, and hand grenades. A few select boxes carried satchel charges, more popularly known as the plastic explosive C4.

Leon was browsing the equipment, loading himself up while Joey watched the road with Max and Pierce. Over the San Fierro bay, the skyline of San Fierro coming into visual contact, outlined with pale grey sky. "Joey, if your wrong I will be pissed." Max spoke, calmly and empty mindedly.

"Don't worry Max, trust me." Joey loaded up a round of shells into the Striker, cocking it, showing readiness.

"Take the fuckers out before they take us out." said Pierce.

Max had lost respect for the law. He only wanted to take out the Mafia, making the world a better place. He's doing this because it's all Max has left, all he has now is his pride. He need to take down these 'dirt bags' (as he like to refer to them). He doesn't care if he gets arrested, it has to be done. He had lost his family, then his friends. Max had spent over three-thousand dollars in is savings on the weapons he would use to take them down. This is it, his time to shine, to show the world that he can turn the game upside down, what he is capable of, show them he can make a difference. He prepared himself for what was coming up a fight for justice, a fight for freedom, a fight for a better place to live.

The once great city of San Fierro has gone downhill since 2000, when the drug 'Valkyre' was introduced. It corrupted the city, taking over like a virus in a matter of months. San Fierro was now, virtually, the city with the highest crime rate in America, surpassing Liberty in 2003. Around every street corner, every mall, every store, basically anywhere, junkies and druggies habited the area, polluting the city. Most of the apartments were abandoned, people wasting their lives consuming the green poison. The drug has turned some people into paranoid maniacs. Most of the local residents have named San Fierro 'hell on earth.'

Slowly and smoothly the van crossed over the San Fierro Bay via the once great Gant Bridge. It was like entering another world. Bums and junkies littered the sidewalks, standing around burn barrels, selling drugs. It disgusted Max.

The Van slowly approached one of the buildings in Downtown San Fierro. Max turned the key and the engine shut off, a silence followed. They group was mentally preparing for what lied ahead, one of the last steps to taking down the Mafia, from here on things would happen in a chain reaction, Max had everything planned out in his mind.

Here they would take down the Smith Brothers, while also eliminating their French Thugs, they were going to set explosives in the building, taking them all out. Kingpin would either be there, or he will arrive there sooner of later, seeing as his employees were to be killed. They would track him to a secluded area, where it would be safe to attack and kill Kingpin, eliminating the chance of further assassination attempts, eliminating one of their roadblocks. From here on they would assassinate Toni, Connors right hand man, Connor, then Nicoletti and his high ranking guards. With the damage done to the Mafia at this point, they would be finished. In time, the Mafia would be wiped off the map of Las Venturas, and by the look of things, Liberty City as well.

Max could be putting attention on him by the media and other authorities, outlasting him. In Max's mind, from this point on, Max would be known as a Vigilante.

Things never turn out the way you think they will.

Max turned to the back of the van. He maneuvered himself past the boxes and weapons to get to a bench, Pierce followed. Max too his old leather jacket off. The fun part began. Everyone searched through the crates, getting equipped. Max put the tactical vest on under his white collar shirt, he left his tie on. In the holsters under his arms Max packed two Colt .45's. On his tactical belt he fitted a flash grenade, and a frag grenade, along with his LX-34, and a Glock, as well of boxes of ammo. He had a strap on his led where he put a large revolver in, called the Broken Butterfly.

And last but not least, Max had two holsters on his legs holding micro MP5's, and held in his hand a customized M4 with a scope and laser. Other packed nearly the same, except Joey held a Riot gun, with the Striker strapped to his back, and various second hand weapons on his belt, etc.

"Okay, so here's the deal. We need to provide cover fire for whoever is wiring the bombs." said Max.

"That would be me." said Leon.

"Right. Now, if we get visual conformation that the Smith Brothers are in the building, use your radios to tell us. It is important to know if they were here when we take the building down. Now, be prepared. There is going to be a shit-load of shooting going on."

"You've got to be shitting me! Uh… sorry. Bad joke…" Max rolled his eyes.

"Okay, stay low, and for gods sake, don't think. Shoot."

Leon and Joey grabbed the crate that held the explosives. The group exited the van.

Back at the V-Rock hotel, Claude and Tommy were watching TV. The fourteen-year-old Jack walked into the room.

"I… I just want to say I'm sorry dad. And I want to help you take down the shit-holes that killed mom." he said.

"You! Watch your mouth, damn it. No. I can't let get near a fight. I don't know what I would tell myself if anything happened to you?" said Claude.

"I'd better go." Tommy walked out of the room.

"But dad."

"Shut up. I'm sorry. I just, I can't. No, I'll handle the shooting, you are going to stay behind when the day comes."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Nothing we can do. We have to wait for an opportunity to attack. And when we do," Claude poked Jack, "you are going to stay behind."

Pierce was packing one of his favorites, one of the Kalashnikov series, and AK-101 assault rifle. Joey was fond of Shotguns, while Leon liked the super accurate and maneuverable handguns, preferably the Jericho 941 Duotone 9mm, a light accurate pistol.

The four held their firearms close as the neared the door. The sound of rustling weapons was music to Max's ears. "Okay, ready? I'll go in first." Max whispered.

Gripping his Customized M4, Max raised his weapon in the air. His arm came down smashing into the wooden door, breaking it open. The building had wood floors, wood walls, and was covered in large crates. Men littered the area.

Max rushed in, a Thug stood in front of him, looking in disbelief.

"Look-" A bullet entered his forehead, tearing him to the ground.

He turned to his left, taking down another thug with a head shot. "Go left!" Max ordered, taking down another thug that blocked the way. The bottom floor was basically a large open area littered with crates, similar to the warehouse.

The four stood safely behind a large brown crate with a tarp draped over it. "Okay, this is it, we need to plant the bombs in four places, each corner of the building, so-"

"Zere! Over zere! Get ze fuckers!"

"Damn it!"

A few thugs appeared, but were shot down rather quickly. "Move!" They entered the large area. Thugs were scattered everywhere, taking shots at Max and the others, who took cover behind another medium brown crate.

"Come on pussies!" Joey screamed, running into the open area, randomly blasting his sawn off shotguns, tearing apart the enemy. Pierce followed him, random thugs dropped from the accurate shots of Max and Pierce. They moved forward, the battleground partially cleared.

The group fired in all directions, completely annihilating the enemy. On the other side of the room were two staircases that were connected to each other, then lead up the building, completely visible. Upon the staircase were three men, and a stationary turret.

"Oh shit! Everybody down!" Max cried, the man taking aim. Max, Pierce, and Leon retreated behind the brown crate while Joey dove ahead, taking cover behind another. The ground turned into dust as bullets rained over the area.

"Hahahahahahahaha!" The man laughed, evilly.

"Fucker you're gonna pay!" Pierce shouted. Pierce began to rise, bullets whizzed past his head into the crates behind them, some bullets came so close he could feel them move through the air. "Shit!"

Joey continued towards the turret, he was undetected. He ditched the sawn offs and took out the Striker. He popped up but a few crates away from him and covered the area with lead. Three shots and he bounced back with the blow, covering the area in a light shower of blood. Joey continued upstairs.

"Joey! No!" Max yelled. "Crap! Pierce get the C4... NOW!" Max and Leon inspected the area, no sign of enemies. They went to work. Upstairs gunshots were heard. "Damn it, Joey."

They continued on planting the first C4 without any interferences. Joey had battled his way to floor three without any damage done to him. It was a game of dodge, cover, shoot, and it seemed to work very well for him. Bullets ran stray everywhere, covering the halls, walls, boxes and tables with bullet holes and dark red blood.

"Max! Shit! Max! Don't you know how to use a fucking gun! Give me some mother fucking cover fire!" Leon screamed.

"Shit! Shit!" Max fired at the newly arriving enemies. "Damn it! Pierce! Help!"

Pierce was blasting away at enemies coming down the stairs, while other entered from the front door. "Shit!" Bullets collided with crates and walls, inches from his body. Pierce through down his AK 101, taking out duo micro MP5's from his leg holsters. "GET DOWN MAX! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" The MP5's shot out beams of light, covering the enemies with lead, bouncing off of crates and walls to the blood covered floor.

Max's M4 had jammed so he ditched it and took out his duo colt .45's and returned fire to the enemies towards the staircase. "Okay! Number three planted!" Leon yelled, grabbing his riot gun, helping with the defense.

"Over there!" Max pointed to one last corner. Keeping low, they shifted through the room, cautiously. "Okay it's clear, do it."

Leon went to the bomb, attaching it to a pillar, wiring a few C4's together. A minute passed and it was done. Leon grabbed his riot gun off the ground, "Okay, we're finished let's go. They headed for the door, pressing the timer, three minutes.

"Shit! We forgot Joey!" Max pointed out. "JOEY!"

"JOEY!"

"JOEY GET DOWN HERE!"

"Shit, get in the van." Max ordered.

Max cautiously made his way through the halls and offices, every two inches was a bullet hole, blood splatter and a body leaking blood. Stray guns covered the floor, Max rushed through dodging the bodies. He neared the stairs to floor three, gunshots heard. He rushed upstairs.

Joey threw down his Striker and shot with his two handguns, taking out men as fast as lightning with headshots. A man wear red dashed through, Joey pursued. Max came up behind him to an open area covered in bodies. "Crap." Joey just disappeared into an office.

1:03

Joey got his oversized revolver ready. He dashed through a few rooms, dodging chairs and tables and crates. When Joey got an opportunity, one shot in the thigh took out a good section of leg and brought the man down with a force. He rolled over, Joey above him. The man glanced into the barrel of Joey's revolver, then at Joey. "Nooo-way Jose!"

Blood splatter feet from his head which had a very large newly made hole in it.

"Shit! Here he comes!" someone shouted.

Joey jumped into the room, shooting two men in a diving motion, rolling to dodge gunfire. Two men remained. He shot the last on with a head shot, brains and blood covering a bookshelf, he took aim at the last French Thug.

"Okay! Okay! I give up, I-I surrender, man, pleaz don't shoot!"

"Say goodbye, Sean." said Joey, Max walked in behind him.

"Joey? What the fu-" His chest exploded and he flew backwards, bouncing off a blood splattered wall.

"Joey, we gotta go, come on!" Max pushed him towards the window.

"What? What? Max!" Joey protested.

"The bombs are about to got off! Now jump! Jump! Damn it! Jump!" Joey dove through the glass, coming down hard, he bounced off the roof of the van, landing on the ground. The door opened, "Get in! Get in Joey!"

Max did a summersault out the window, him too landing on the roof of the van, tumbling off it a few feet. "That's going to ach in the morning." He whispered. He scrambled to get up and hopped into the drivers seat. They started off, behind them the bottom floor exploded, sending wood, glass, and smoke plowing out into the street. The sky filled with grey billowy smoke. They had to wait for Kingpin to arrive.

"Welcome to the jungle baby." Joey joked.

A/N: More Claude and Tommy, etc. in the next chapter.