The Phantom
Chapter seven: Gangland
Snow coated Amity Park as the morning sky threaten with letting even more snow fall upon the city even with the bone chilling cold, the students of Casper Highschool's enjoyed their homemade meals out in the backyard though a great many opted to partake in the school's cafeteria menu which often consisted of nearly plastic pizza or tasteless burgers.
It wasn't a rare sight to see school bullies harassing and even openly stealing from other students even if more than one bully teenager had been sent over to the school infirmary after getting beaten by some gang for taking from the wrong student or even stabbed by a nerd who had more than enough.
Among the few students who chose to have their meals outside were Danny and his best friend Tucker Foley who were both enjoying of a ham sandwich and burrito respectively along with some hot coffee to wash down their food and to combat the cold.
All the boys nearby smiled upon seeing the cheerleading squad practicing their everyday routines and chanting their rhymes with long smiles, despite the cold none of the girls wore more than their skimpy uniforms which consisted of a simple top and a miniskirt with the school colors.
Danny watched as Paulina Sanchez was cheerfully doing her routine among the rest of her teammates, her short skirt constantly flipping over showing her long brownish legs and sport underwear that in itself was a true treat for his eyes.
Deep down and much to Danny's surprise, he wasn't as attracted to the Latin girl as he once was, Danny wonder if being constantly in the presence of beautiful and often naked women at Vlad's strip club made him lose interest in Paulina's childish body.
The girl was without a doubt eye candy but her small breasts and still developing body couldn't compare to any of the women at the club, even Tucker who would try to sneak into the girl's locker room lost interest in favor of Vlad's strippers.
The sudden ringing of the bell forced the cheerleaders to stop their routine and head back inside along with the rest of the students, though some didn't even move from their positions which didn't surprise Danny in the least as he knew many didn't even care for school and just needed a place to hang out.
"Aren't ya cold, man?"- Tucker suddenly asked as he noticed snow was starting to fall.
Even under his thick purple wool coat Tucker felt the cold winds, not even his favorite golden moon boots stop the cold from climbing up his feet which made him wonder how Danny could withstand such temperatures with his skin tight blue jeans and simply brown leather jacket.
"Nah, I'm fine, man."- Danny replied as they walked inside the school.
The day carried on like normal with a few fights here and there in between classes though by the end of the day Danny couldn't help but frown as he saw how Paulina openly flirted with quarterback Dash Baxter in the school hallways.
As the two boys left Casper High with direction to downtown for a bite to eat, Danny couldn't help but wonder what Paulina saw in that dimwitted boy whose only true talent was to run around playing fetch among his equally mentally challenged peers, in hindsight, he wasn't a better option given the nature of his work.
Having taken noticed many weeks ago of Paulina's liking for the quarterback made Danny stop going to her family's deli shop altogether, now frequenting the Nasty Burger like many of his school peers though it was Tucker who ironically gained a couple of extra pounds.
"Come on, man. Don't look so down."- Tucker said as chew on a burger. "There's a bunch of hot bitches at the club, just take your pick." The boy added.
"It ain't like that, man. Paulina's just some girl I happened to know. If she wants to screw around with that dimwit, that's her beef."- Danny retorted as he took hold of his milkshake.
The fact Paulina was dating Dash Baxter didn't seem to affect him as much as he once thought, the idea of slitting the quarterback's throat did crossed Danny's mind several times but came to understand that what he felt for the girl wasn't in any sense romantic.
"Shit! I'm gonna be late for my deliveries."- Tucker suddenly said before shoving half a burger down his throat.
The boys wave each other good-bye as Danny followed in Tucker's example and left the restaurant a few short minutes later, light snow fell upon the streets as he exited which made him flagged down a taxi to take him towards the Dancing Bear.
A car crash by the intersection forced the taxi to come to a hold where Danny could the remains of a multi-eyed beast with several tentacles spread around its body in an uneven manner commonly known as an Ecto-Puss.
"I'll go around it"- the driver said as he drove very close to the sidewalk.
Danny's eyes laid over several hooded figures who were ogling at both the beast and the car crash, among the many bystanders was a young woman who protected herself from the cold with a long pink trench coat and hoodie like many other though her long blonde hair protruded from under the hood.
(XXXXXX)
Both the blonde woman and Danny looked at each other for a mere second before the taxi drove off which made her rushed across the street and walk down the block being mindful of both the slippery sidewalk and the two large brown paper bags with the logo of "Gremlins Café" in her arms.
Upon reaching the corner, she heads over to a homeless boy living inside a cardboard box. By his feet was an empty mug he uses to collect pennies from pedestrians who often ignore him and his older sister who sleeps under an old worn-out blanket.
"Here you go kiddo"- the woman whispered as she handed him a couple sandwiches and hot chocolate.
The boy smile long and wide as he shoves his elder sister in order to wake her up for lunch, the girl seemed overly fatigue with heavy black bags under her eyes as proof of it but was more than eager to take the food.
East town had highest rates of orphans and abandon children which often mixed with the many homeless people, most fleeing the violence of Devil's Diner as gang fights were a daily occurrence, worst yet were the foul abominations that lurk in the dark.
"Thank you, ma'am."- replied the boy looking at her with hope.
"You really should go to the shelter."- The woman added as she stood up leaving a twenty inside the mug.
"Don't wanna… there's bad people there, besides it's easier to find something to eat in the dumpsters."- the girl replied as she took a bite from her sandwich.
The homeless shelters weren't a place for children given the large amount of desperate people and the very small food aid which often lead to fights but more worrying was the fact many women and children end up selling their bodies for a piece bread.
With a few more encouraging words, the woman left the kids and hurried down a couple of blocks until she reached a small pawn shop though she opens an iron door between the shop and a clothes boutique as she quickly makes her way up a small set of stairs.
"Delivery ya dipshits!"- the blonde woman said rather crudely.
Two men who were reading the newspaper over a couch by the corner stood up as a single woman who was standing by the window with an oversized camera just a few feet away turn over to their delivery girl as she set the bags over the table and began pulling out the food.
"Yo, Aragon. Came get your meal!"- The woman called out to her older brother.
"Doesn't it ever stop snowing"- Inspector Aragon mumbles as pulls his eyes away from the window where he was standing watch.
A faint smile pops up as he lays eyes over his rye sandwich with extra cheese and much needed hot coffee which waited for him over the table. The man thanks his younger sister who was constantly on gofer duty mostly due to her being the newbie.
"To think it's not even winter yet"- Dora expressed as she took out a coffee and sat down.
The inspector gazed upon his coworker Dorathea Prince who was casually helping herself to some donuts and steaming hot coffee, even after several weeks, Aragon still had serious doubts about female inclusion within the police force.
Only until recently policewomen were used as meter maids or secretaries but never for field duties, most never even held a firearm in all their careers, with the new approach on the feminist movement was that Dora and a handful of other female officers who passed all physical and physiological tests were commission for field duties.
It was an open secret that most female officers were enlisted given the lack of male recruitment and the everyday higher unemployment rates which only increases criminal ranks, though Aragon concerns for Dora were more than just professional as he would prefer to have his younger sister stay at home.
But even he understood that with ever growing violence across the city they needed all possible help; the times were changing as criminals mainly gang members were now arming themselves with Mac-10 automatic pistols which they began using on unsuspecting police cars either on foot or by vehicle.
The police officers on the other hand, were currently armed with the standard issue six-inch revolvers model 28, added to this was the twelve-gauge shotgun tucked away in the patrol car meant for dire situations which were more common every day.
Due to the increase gang violence which in consequence brought out paranormal beasts, the local government was forced to authorized the use of the M14 battle rifle but its use was limited only to monsters such as the Ecto-Puss, the War Dweller and werewolves.
"Are you sure your snitch is right about this place?"- Dora asked as he took a large bite from her sandwich. "Been a week and I haven't seen shit yet."
"My source is solid."- Aragon said as he walked over to the blackboard. "Everyone in the underground says this Vlad guy is responsible for Luciano' and D.A Stefano's death."- the inspector added as he looks at a picture of Vlad taken from afar.
Even though the deaths of District Attorney Stefano Russi and Don Luciano were blamed on Vlad's former superior Andrei, none of the inspectors including police chief Walker believe it for a moment but the Mayor Montez made it public despite having no confirmation.
Vlad's named was in everyone's mouth in recent weeks as many former members of Luciano's outfit blamed him for the dead of their boss and of several high-ranking mafia members of different organizations.
The police inspector knew about a new crime lord in Amity though wondered if he was a bold genius or complete idiot for starting a war with all of the six main crime families, though the mafia was hardly any concern lately as they often mind their own business.
Gang violence on the other hand was becoming more prominent by the day as the Families were backing out from their territories which in itself was frightening, gangsters knew to stay away from mafia owned land but recently were becoming bolder and more aggressive.
Gangs previously known for their violence such as the Tears, and the Diablos were openly attacking mobsters and police officers in broad daylight with automatic weapons and in some cases with homemade explosives.
In sight of this crime wave the local government was forced to formed the "Amity Park Anti-Gang Task Force," just a fancy name for a hit squad as they main objective was not to arrest but slay all gangs in their field of operation.
"Dora's right… aside from some random thugs I haven't seen anything that justifies this stakeout."- A police inspector said.
"I hate to say this but if we're gonna call it quits I rather have full assurance."- Dora said as she stood next to her peer. "We need ears in there."- the woman added.
It wasn't new or unheard-of that an officer would sneak inside a criminal organization to plant microphones inside phones but Aragon grin his teeth upon hearing how Dora wanted to be the one sneaking inside the club to plant the bugs.
The man clearly refuses her idea saying they should send in someone with more experience but much to his dislike there wasn't much to choose from and the rest of the crew agreed that sending in Dora was by far the better option as all of them reek of "police."
"Fine! But you're going with her, Hanna."- The inspector said towards a black woman with an afro.
It was more than clear that Aragon didn't approve the use of his own sister to sneak into the club and so was forcing his coworker Hanna who was still as green as Dora to accompany her in order to avoid any mishaps.
"I hope the Task force guys don't ruin our gig."- Dora teased while looking at the strip club.
"I don't trust these new Task force."- Inspector Hanna said as she made her way towards the window. "Far as I'm concerned, they're no better than the Kalvary."
"Just relax. We're all on the same side, they cool, we cool."- Aragon said as he invited the girl to finished their meals.
The hours grew longer and the sun was coming down it was then that Dora saw Vlad walking out from the club which made her take the camera from a nearby table, though once the man was within the lenses, she noticed he was in the company of a young boy whom she swears to have seen before.
The boy appeared in several pictures though mostly in the background or to the very least near Vlad, due to his age and the nature of the club the inspectors had assumed him to be some pervert who wanted to get a look at the strippers.
"You think they're father and son?"- Dora asked upon seeing Vlad kissing the boy in the forehead.
According to the police reports, Vlad's group wasn't considered part of any mafia branch or organized crime but merely a gang albeit a dangerous one with similar connections as the mafia and yet Vlad didn't dress or act like a common gangster.
He dressed formally and even his men dressed in suits though the way he acted with the boy was strange. Dora never gave it much thought until now as she saw them walking down the block holding hands, acting as if Vlad wasn't in charge of a group of violent criminals.
"Now our chance."- Aragon said as he saw as he tossed his sister a set of scandalous clothes.
(XXXXXX)
The hot water from Danny's new bathtub covered his slender body later that night as he rested his body over that of Vlad who was sipping on some wine, the man did complain about it being too cramped up though it didn't seem to bother his companion.
Being submerge in warm bubbly water wasn't something neither of them were accustomed to but were growing quite fond of due to its relaxing nature. Their tense muscles loosen yet Vlad couldn't help but to look at Danny's firm back as he rested his chin over the side of the bathtub.
The boy still couldn't believe Vlad bought him a motorcycle right out of the blue though much smaller than Johnny's and would still need to learn how to use it. The boy's birthday was months away and despite having murdered police officers and blown up a biker compound was still recipient to such gifts.
Publicly Vlad didn't want him using public transport as not giving a bad image to his peers but in reality, he knew that Danny would sooner or later become a target of vengeful mobsters and would need to move quickly.
Buses and trains have a specific routes and mafia Wise-Guys could try to gun him down whenever boarding the bus at stop, Vlad had forbidden Danny from using the train as he knew that the boy wanted to hunt down Klemper and was only stop due to his orders.
"Never did imagine there would a wardrobe inside the bathroom"- Danny said as he looks over to the large furniture pressed against the wall next to the door. "Seems like overkill." Danny added.
"A simple rack would have sufficed"- Vlad retorted as he looks at his empty wine glass.
The man let out a heavy sigh as he saw Danny stretching over the bathtub showing him a little more than what he should in order to reach the wine bottle which rested over the floor, Vlad had long given up on having the boy show some modesty in the house but at least he knew to keep his clothes on in public.
Danny lifted his eyes from the bottle and marveled upon gazing over the pink tiles that covered the bathroom walls and the fine wooden floorboards where his hand rested, it was vastly different from his shabby apartment with cracked walls and broken windows where the cold winds would venture at night.
"Isn't your show about to start, little badger?"- Vlad questioned while trying not to look at Danny's bottom.
"Oh! That's right!"- Danny replied as he walked out of the tub.
Upon exiting the bathroom with a towel over his head, the first thing Danny's eyes saw where the wooden panels on the wall and the new living room which by itself rival in size to his old apartment, the large glass walls to the right showed the snowy garden but more important was a fancy 27 inches wooden television set.
A large smile came upon Danny's face as he quickly made his way towards the living room leaving his towel on the floor for Vlad to pick up, the man saw Danny kneeling down in front of the television and eagerly flipping the switch on,
Vlad watch with tender eyes as Danny's face filled with childlike happiness as a woman in a pink dress pop up in full color announcing chocolate cereal. The boy turned over to the clock on the wall and noticed his favorite show Josie and the Ghouls was about to start.
"I'm finally gonna see Josie in full color"- Danny whispered as he began flipping through all five channels until reaching the one that would host his show.
The doorbell rang upon Danny standing up which made him commented to Vlad about his pizza delivery arriving just on time for them to enjoy the show, the two of them had already eaten dinner but the boy insisted on buying a pizza just to have something to snack on while watching television.
The man tilted his head to side as he saw Danny casually walking over to his backpack and pulling out his wallet before heading towards the door. Vlad knew about his underling's taste for junk food and how he wouldn't miss a chance to partake in it.
"Hey! Don't you wanna…"- Vlad said as Danny open the door and rushed out. "… get dressed…"-
The white-haired man quickly covered himself in a silk robe as he stood by the door watching the boy walking towards the main entrance not even acknowledging the cold winds which rushed inside the house.
Danny's feet buried within a layer of cold snow as he opens the front door where a toothy teenager with freckles and clad in a thick coat with the pizza parlor's logo looked at him with a stun face yet the younger boy eyed the pizza his delivery boy was carrying and lick his lips in anticipation.
"Aren't you a little cold"- the delivery boy asked as he took the money along with a hefty tip from Danny and in return giving him the pizza.
"It's not really that cold."- Danny replied as he began closing the door. The boy was more interested in feasting on his dinner than caring for the cold that he barely felt.
It was only upon shaking off the snow from his feet that Danny noticed he was still naked, now he understood why the delivery boy was acting so strange. The thought of getting dressed to attend the door had flown over his head and didn't even realized until his return.
Without giving any more mind to the delivery boy, Danny pulled Vlad by the hand and crashed on the purple bean bag chair so they could enjoy his tv show while eating. Danny had seen several times color televisions on the stores but never thought he could own one.
The boy sat on Vlad laps even snuggled unto him, the man didn't even bother in trying to convince him to get dress or even care to shove towards the second bean bag chair to the right as all will to do so had been lost.
"I'm glad you took a night off."- Danny said as he offered a slice of pizza.
"I'm no workaholic but honestly I would appreciate it if you at least put on some underwear."- Vlad said in a futile attempt to get him somewhat dress.
"Oh, it's starting!"- Danny exclaimed ignoring Vlad altogether as sang the intro song.
Vlad leaned back against the bean bag as he wasn't too fond of cartoon-like Danny but it was a nice change of pace as he was constantly at the club trying to ensure his grip over the city and making sure his new crew didn't try to backstab him.
It was mainly thanks to Danny that Vlad managed to take possession of most of Luciano's businesses though had to get rid of many men who worked for the former mob boss and outright refused to work for him.
Danny sat up to take another slice but remain in that position as to better watch his show, it was then that he felt a pair of fingers running down his back which reminded him that Vlad was under him and so lean back resting his body unto his.
"Hard to believe the station would air a cartoon with girls dressed in an actual leotard thong…"- Vlad whispered as to not distracted Danny too much from his show. "what if kids start wearing that?"- the man questioned.
"Come on, kids aren't that stupid"- Danny replied.
"I'm not so sure about that. After all, there's a naked boy sitting on my lap right now."- Vlad teased.
"Enjoy it while it lasts."- Danny added as he rubs his butt on Vlad.
Both let out a roar of laughter before continuing to watch the show, Vlad was intrigued by the character designs in the show but as to why some rockers would travel the world solving crimes and even stopping international spies was over his head.
"That was quality tv."- Danny exclaimed as he stretches his legs up high in the air while pressing his back unto Vlad.
The boy had missed out on a few episodes a week ago due to him helping Johnny recover his motorcycle from his former gang and helping out Vlad solve certain "Troubles," therefore enjoying a day off was very rare.
Seeing that it was only nine pm made Danny crawl over to the television hopeful there was a good horror movie going on, as his hand flipped over the channels. His eyes suddenly set over a video of the Devil's Dinner where several men laid dead.
"Another gunfight at Devil's Diner."- the newscaster said.
Danny sat down on the carpet as he and Vlad both listen to the news reporter talk about the police losing control over the city, gang related shootouts weren't anything new or uncommon at Amity Park as there were several each week.
The bulletin showed footage of several men fully equipped with tactical combat gear given only to the military though in black rather than camouflage descending from actual armour personal carriers best known as the APC, within their hands was none other than the M16 assault rifle.
It was the first time that the Amity Park Anti-Gang Task Force had been publicly deployed into action since their formation, Vlad like many others across the city had assumed them to be nothing more than a publicity stunt.
"Earlier today the newly formed Task Force successfully neutralized several members of Tears and Diablos gangs." The news reporter said while standing near the APC.
The reporter claimed the new task force had arrested several members of both gangs and confiscated their weapons though were forced to gun down over two dozen fully armed individuals who refuse to surrender and rather fight to the death.
The feed was cut as the news anchor pop up asking the viewers if they agreed with the formation of the new task force and if they approved of their methods which consisted of shooting first and asking questions second.
"Best to stay away from them."- Vlad said looking straight at Danny's back. "Bad for business."
"Da Tovarishch"- Danny replied as he changed the channel.
(XXXXX)
Vlad was gazing towards the window later that night while lying over his large and comfortable bed which was miles better than the couch he had been sleeping on even from before taking possession of the nightclub and most of Luciano's businesses.
The man was being no means a fool and understood that sooner or later the police would be knocking on his door, plans needed to be formed as to avoid jail time not only for himself but also for Danny whom he was very fond of.
His group was small and wouldn't stand against an open attack from any "formal" mafia organization which he already stepped on; Vlad was more than sure to have seen several mafiosos roaming around his club.
Many would laugh at his face if he ever told about Danny being his main defence force, despite the boy being the closest thing to an actual monster, he was far from invincible. His young age and limited combat experience were one of his many disadvantages.
"At least the life I'm giving you is much better than being lock up as a lab rat"- Vlad whispered while looking at Danny who was peacefully sleeping over his shoulder. Vlad wrapped his arms around Danny's slender frame.
As sleep took over him the phone rang loudly across the room forcing both to sit up though it was Vlad who cursed out loud. Danny rolled over the bed turning the nightlamp on and picking up the phone with a harsh "hello" to whoever was on the other side.
"Tucker! My N-word."- Danny exclaimed having changed his angered tone for one a cheerful one. "Kinda late to be calling."- the boy added as he looks over to the clock on the wall and saw it was nearly one in the morning.
"Sorry to bother"- Tucker replied with a soft whimper- "It's my moms, man. Fucking Klan Kavalry… motherfuckers"- the boy added making Danny's eyes narrowed into fearsome glare upon hearing his cracking voice coming from the other end of the receiver.
"The fuck happened?"- Danny demanded to know.
Danny blood boiled with rage as he heard how Tucker's mother was violently and cowardly attacked by five Klansmen only moments after finishing her shift at the bar she works at; the woman was beaten to a bloody pulp at the parking lot.
Even with the intervention of the bar owner and a handful of waiters who rushed to her aid, she kidnapped by the cowardly and vile men. More than one colored woman had been gangrape and left for dead by the river banks which made it her end very clear for Danny and Tucker.
Amity Park was plague with all kinds of gangs and good for nothing but none more notorious and despicable than the Klansmen Kavalry, a group of abhorrent white supremacists who can't tolerate the thought of sharing a huge city such as Amity with people of other races and colors.
These so-called men purposely chose Tucker's mother for she had been seen spending large amounts of money at the better parts of town, buying new clothes at shops frequented mainly by white people who favoured the Kavalry greatly and was thanks to a few loose tongues at the shops that she was now in the trunk of their car.
"I'm' gonna fuck 'em up"- Tucker proclaimed with quiet fury.
Danny clearly understood his friend's anger as the sheer thought of Vlad suffering the same fate made him infuriated. Both teens knew the police wouldn't help a poor black woman from East Town, much less one attacked by Klansmen.
There were vile though somewhat baseless rumours of policemen being part of the Kavalry and actively helping them avoid arrest even in the cases of alleged rape and kidnap, such rumours were widely spread in East Town and Devil's Diner which created much distrust towards the police department.
"Where are you?"- Danny asked with an unusual firmness in his voice. "You ain't going alone."-
"I knew I could count on you, man. Some shitty apartment building by the Verrazano bridge… the one at the edge of East Town."- Tucker said with clear fury in his voice.
"Don't you move your ass until I get there."- Danny ordered his best friend.
It took a great amount of willpower for him not slam the phone, though before he could stand up, felt a strong hand holding his shoulder which made the boy turn over to see Vlad and apologized for waking him up.
(XXXXX)
Tucker walked out of the phone booth with an angry expression as zipped up his thick purple wool coat while walking straight towards two black teenagers who sitting on their bicycles by the sidewalk just next to an abandoned car.
"He's coming"- Tucker simply said as he pulled out his cigarettes.
"Him? You mean that wimpy white boy you're always hanging out with, we ain't needing his ass."- One of the boys spoke who answers to the nickname Ice Cold. "You got your piece and I got mine, let's go wreak shit up."- the boy added waving his gun.
Tucker knew his friends were volatile and impulsive yet he couldn't help but to let out a soft chuckled upon looking down at the boy's small and heavily used Saturday Night pistol which he seemed to have found in the garbage can and compare it to his new and well-kept revolver.
"Yes, I'm talking about Danny and he shouldn't take too long"- Tucker said as he pulled out his revolver.
The two boys were Tucker's neighbours and not only had witnessed the attacked during their moment of "leisure" at the parking lot but bravely followed the Klansmen to their hideout, rather than calling the police, the boys called for Tucker and some gang members to help them mount a rescue of their own.
Tucker like many other teens from his neighbourhood was forced to belong to certain gangs just for living in the same neighbourhood as them, the grant majority were members only by name worst yet was that most didn't even know of their membership.
More than one unfortunate soul ended up being shot down just outside of their own homes by rival gangs in drive-by attacks, all for living in the wrong neighbourhood. Those who complained were often either beaten up or shot in the head.
Needless to say, only Tucker answered the call to rescue his mother was held captive by cowards as none of the other members of their so-called gang showed up. The boy knew there was only one who would come to his aid, Danny.
"Yo ass is talking like a white boy."- the second wannabe thug best known as Dime spoke out though Tucker gave him no mind.
Unlike most of the implied members, Tucker earned particular scorn from his neighbours and gang "peers" for his association with Danny, only his mother approved of his friendship with the boy for she assumed him to be a good influence on her son.
Thanks to Danny, her son started working for people whom she presumed were respectable people, nevertheless still had her doubt about Tucker working at a strip club but was told he left before opening hours, he even began doing much better at school as she had seen Danny helping him with homework.
It was by no means a secret that none of them had taken a life before, to that account, none had even been in a gunfight though Tucker had seen a man get killed before his eyes though his heartbeats were loud and long as he mentally prepared himself to take a life.
"Race traitor!"- Tucker suddenly recalled one of his older neighbours calling one morning on his way to school.
The boy was tempted to pull his gun on the old man and give him a piece of his mind but knew better than to act as a common thug, Tucker now belongs to something bigger than a mere street gang and had to conduct himself accordingly.
His two peers were growing restless with the passing minutes though their ranting came to a stop as two black cars parked a few yards away, Tucker looked in silence as the front vehicle's doors open making his eyes open in shock.
"Skulker! What are you doing here?!"- Tucker suddenly exclaimed as he saw the large man standing by the driver seat.
"You called for backup."- Vlad said as he climbs out of the car through from the backseat sporting a long black cape and a top hat.
Tucker turned pale as he never expected his boss Vladimir to personally come after having called for Danny's help, the boy quickly assumed the military position of attention taking noticed of Danny who walked a few steps behind wearing the same cape and hat.
From the second car came out four men wearing the same strange attires as Vlad and Danny, even Skulker put on the same cape and hat while he gave instruction to Vlad's men as they took out their weapons.
"An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."- Vlad said as he put his large hand over Tucker's shoulder.
The boy looked up to the towering figure which composes his mob boss Vladimir Masters as he fought the urge to cry, it was the first time in a very long while that he counted with actual support in his time of most need.
"Thank you, comrades."- Tucker quietly replied.
"What the fuck is going on and who the fuck is this prick!"- Ice cold demanded to know while waving his small pistol towards Vlad.
Danny turned his attention towards the black teenager giving him a glare that would have anyone to an early grave, the young thug suddenly found himself lost at words but Tucker who held great respect and nothing less than full admiration for Vlad didn't hesitate a single second to backslapped his rude peer across the face as hard as his small hand could allow making him fell over to the snowy street.
The boy looked at Tucker with shocked filled eyes while cold snow melted unto his pants through his gazed slowly moved over to the queerly dressed men brandishing Mossberg shotguns, Uzi 9 mm and a Mac-10s which made his small Saturday night Pistol look like a pea shooter.
It was an arsenal he had only ever seen in movies and the news on the very rare occasions his family put on the newsflash during dinner. Tucker had been very open about working for the mafia and how he was done playing gangster.
"Watch your tongue, nigga. You are in presence of Comrade Vladimir Masters, the new owner of East Town."- Tucker said as his peer stood up.
No one at their neighbourhood ever took his claims seriously as most assumed he was simply trying to cover up for being a mere servant for some rich white man, many local gangsters had even called him a "Household Nigger" in front of his mother.
The two teens looked at Tucker like puppies as the only other teen in the group handed him a Mac-10 along with a black cape and a top hat which they assumed was the "gang's" outfit, the sounds of guns cocking made them gulp down more impressed than afraid.
"Stay behind and let me do the heavy lifting."- Danny said as he briefly explained how the weapon works.
Vlad pushed the boys aside as he walked past between them without even giving either one a sideways glance through ordering Skulker bring them along. Their faces filled with an unexpected joy as Skulker asked if he should arm them to which Vlad agreed.
As the posse walked down a dark alleyway towards to the apartment building where the Klansmen Kavalry were hiding, Tucker couldn't help but noticed the duo he brought was shaking despite having been armed with nine-millimetre handguns.
"Who's the chick?"- Whispered Ice Cold while pointing over to Danny who turns over to him with a glare that sends shivers up his spine.
"Name's Danny and my dick is bigger than yours"- Danny half yelled; half-whispered.
Even Vlad let out a momentary giggle as they reached the end of the alleyway and were looking at a small parking before them was an old abandon six-story high apartment building though Danny frowns upon recognizing the similitude between his old building and this husk.
The ground, first and second floors were burned to a crisp, but the third and fourth floor though heavily damaged still had electricity working despite the top floor being partially collapsed which made Danny wondered what happened.
"You sure this is the place?"- Vlad asked while pulling Dime closer.
"Yeah… look over there."- Dime said as he pointed over to a car with the side window broken.
The boy explained how a random bum who was warming himself up by a burning barrel tossed a rock towards the Klansmen car causing the window to break upon seeing them forcing Mrs. Foley into the car though it didn't stop them from fleeing.
(XXXXX)
A sea of black shadows stood between the posse and the buildings which the Amity Park Klan's Kalvary use to their full advantage. Upon coming closer to the building, Danny noticed a couple of guards standing by the double door.
Both were dressed in baggy blue pants with knee-high black boots, a thick grey coat complemented with golden buttons protected their upper bodies while white gloves did the same for their hands, their heads hid beyond wool bags and white colour cowboy hats.
The Klansmen Kalvary was by the far who held the most heavily adorned costumes among all the gangs in the city, many of its members came from rather prominent families or at least from financially healthy ones.
"I get why we have to hate them niggers and spicks but what about the Jews?"- The Klanswoman standing in front of the door asked. "What basis do we have for them? Like that guy we jump the other day, he was just as white as us."- The woman added as she kneeled down to open a cooler which held their dinner.
"I don't understand it either… kinda hard to tell them apart. The nose or sum' thing…"- The second Klansmen replied while looking down at the empty and dark parking lot.
"But your uncle and dad both got huge noses and they ain't no Jews"- The woman retorted.
The man had no answer for his peer's questions but offered to bring up her inquiries in the next meeting as he too wanted to have a clearer guideline towards their activities, yet the sound of a thermos opening made him loosen his mask.
"This city would be even worse if we don't keep them niggers in check, like that bitch from the bar showing off that gold ring… her son bought it, my ass. Bitch is a thief."- the woman added as she put a couple of sandwiches over the concrete railing.
"There used to be ordered in Amity, normal folk on one side of the street and niggers on the other, that's how it should be"- the man added as he took a bite from his dinner. "Now everything's fucking mixed up."-
The woman wasn't accustomed to eating while standing up like her peer, therefore, proceeded to sit down on the stairs to eat her dinner, a napkin was placed over her lap as she opens a thermos and pours herself a hot cup of coffee to fight off the cold.
"My boyfriend has two jobs just to pay his rent and bitch is walking around with a gold ring… where's this world coming to."- The woman added.
It was then that a loud thud was heard coming from behind her and mere seconds later the coffee mug she offered to her peer come rolling down by her side and over the stairs, the woman slowly turned her head around while chewing on her sandwich.
Her eyes open in utter and compete for horror as she lay witness to the awful scene of the Klansman sitting on the floor with a large knife buried so deep into his head that the tip came out on the other side, blood gushed down from the hole on his forehead drenching his grey coat.
Tears began to formed around her eyes as she began to hyperventilate while looking for her radio, though upon returning to her original position, she saw a young boy with a pair of bright green eyes looking down at her with a frightful white smile.
"It's a brave new world."- Danny whispered as he slowly cut the woman's throat. "ooh, pastrami… nice."- Danny added as he took the sandwich off the dying woman.
In her last moment of life, the Klanswoman saw nearly ten men of black, brown and white skins colours walking past her and into the apartment building though only two young teens stopped for a moment to observe her close her eyes for the final time.
The hallways were covered in ash from the fires that engulfed it several years ago, most wooden walls were burned to a crisp leaving behind nothing more than a lump of blackening coal, even the floor above was missing on certain parts.
"Heads up, guys"- Skulker said as he noticed movement coming from the upper floor.
The men hid in the shadows as they aimed their weapons towards the two more Klansmen who came walking the stairs to relieve the guards at the main door, Tucker's goons were already shaking in their hiding spots as they saw a third man joining the first two.
From within the shadows, Danny came rushing faster than a bullet. A single and powerful swing of his long blade beheaded the Klansman who stood by the right using the momentum, he encrusted his long blade into the man's eye.
The reminding Klansmen looked straight into Danny's demonic green eyes as the bodies of his once friends rolled down the stairs leaving splatters of blood, the man knew he had to call for help but the words couldn't come out no matter how hard he tried.
"Holy shit… who the fuck is this guy?!"- Ice Cold asked as he saw the third man rolling down the stairs with his head turned into an impossible angle.
"That's Danny the Phantom. Vlad's righthand man."- Tucker replied.
Tucker had personally seen Danny murder a man before though it was only to protect him, the boy knows his best friend was stronger than the average teen, during his time working under Vlad he came across many rumours around Danny.
Some spoke highly of him especially due to Johnny talking about his venture at the biker compound, saying how they fought and killed over fifty bikers along with a few werewolves though in order to impress the strippers made sure to omit the parts where he was shitting his pants.
Much credit was given to his heavily exaggerated story due to the aftermath appearing on the local television showing the burning compound and several corpses scattered around, even Vlad confirmed his story by saying he ordered the attack though was conducted by several of best men lead by Danny.
The grant majority didn't believe a mere boy with arms as thick as twigs could lead an attack and even murder dozens of people, nevertheless, obeyed him due to his close relationship with their boss which brought about another type of rumour less openly spoken.
Among the many rumours surrounding Danny was one for what Vlad had to personally beat a couple of his men for spouting, while Vlad made sure to tell everyone Danny is his son other members of the club thought them to be a couple due to how close they are.
"You mean he's a killer?"- Ice cold asked.
"Nah, these guys are killers, Skulker is a killer, Danny is an assassin. A completely different league."- Tucker explained. "Now be quiet and let him do his thing."
"Hurry up"- Vlad ordered his men as he rushed up the stairs catching up to Danny.
The Kavalry men were nothing more than one of the many gangs across the city though one of the more openly reviled, proof of their lack of discipline was the few guards placed on the second and third floors who had more than their fair share of beer and were already sleeping on the job.
Tucker had a disgusted expression on his face while his boys looked away trying not gag as Danny and Skulker slit the throats of the guards who failed to spot them coming from the parking lot from their high position on the third-floor window.
"The other guys only had revolvers but these dudes have these old shitty Tommy guns."- Skulker said as he took hold of the old machine-gun.
"Strategically speaking they should have armed the guys downstairs with these."- Danny quietly commented as he held a Klansman by the neck.
"Probably their version of a machine-gun nest."- Vlad said before noticing a faint light coming from a broken wall further down the hallway. "Can't expect these Nazi imitations to think things through." The man added.
The man fruitlessly tried to break loose from Danny's mighty grip but it was like trying to bend a steel beam, Danny force the man to kneeled down and pressed his head against his belly as Vlad walked up to him with murderous eyes.
"Where's the woman?"- Vlad asked as Tucker stood next to with his small swift blade in hand ready to cut out an answer.
"Apartment 552."- the Klansman said.
Tucker shook for a brief moment upon Danny breaking his neck in a single movement, the man's body fell to the floor as Vlad ordered his men to glue themselves to the wall while he and Danny rushed forward towards where the noise was coming from.
Most of the wall was burned down which allowed Vlad and his crew to see easily see withing, it was a simple apartment with a small living room a bedroom by the right and a kitchen by the door, vaguely similar to Danny's old apartment.
More notable was the group of Klansmen scattered across the room. Two men still wearing their masks were sitting over an old couch watching a porno movie at full volume while four more were drinking by the kitchen table.
A blonde Klanswoman who left her mask and hat over the counter busy herself cooking over the stove while three more Klanswomen were chatting over a small wooden table in what seems to be the diner just in between the kitchen and the living room.
"I guess this place is the guard station…?"- Vlad half affirm and half questioned. "Danny get rid of these guys while we look for Mrs. Foley."- Vlad ordered the boy.
(XXXXXX)
Danny saw how Vlad and the rest of the posse sneaked up the stairs which made him smile wickedly long as he could now let loose. The boy took a deep breath before using his invisibility spell and climbing over the wall.
In his right hand was the soviet M1940 knife bayonet which he brought as a souvenir from the motherland and constantly used despite his taste for firearms, his left hand held tightly to a newly acquire Raptor claw knife which he was now beginning to get fond of.
Nine and a half inches of cold steel protruded from the Klanswoman throat as the other two looked horror, before either of them could utter a single word, an invisible force cut their neck with mere seconds of difference forcing them to fall on the ground.
"What in the hell?"- a Klansman said before having his own throat slit wide open.
The blonde-haired woman turned around holding her recently baked apple pie upon hearing the loud thud her peer made upon falling to the floor, her heart nearly stopped as she couldn't believe what eyes were showing her.
One of her "brothers" was stabbed in the head with Danny's bayonet while the second one was kneeling down holding to his neck as if being choked, less than feet away was a third Klansmen bleeding profusely of the floor.
The woman froze as she saw the man lifeless body fall to the ground, her head turned over to the two perverts who were still watching their movie. A mere whimper came out from her lips before being violently kicked and shoved into the small over.
"I thought you guys didn't like other races"- Danny said as he saw two Latin girls in cheerleader outfits performing on the movie.
Danny took hold of their bag covered heads and slammed them together with so much force they fused together in a gross and bloody mess. The boy left the two men to die as he walked over to the television more intrigued by a bulky deceive on the coffee table than the movie.
"Betamax?"- Danny asked as he looked at the device that could play recorded videos. "Why the hell wasn't I informed of this?"
The boy walked back towards the hallway knowing what he wanted to buy the following morning, watching his favourite show; Josie and the ghouls wouldn't be much of an issue anymore if he could obtain one of those "Betamax" gadgets.
Upon reaching the upper floor, he noticed two more Klansmen with their throats cut wide open lying on the floor just a few yards away from the stairs. Loud country music echo within the hall though coming concretely from apartment 550 just two doors were Tucker's mother was allegedly kept.
Guns pointed over to Danny as he opened the door at the end of the hallway which made him pulled out his own firearm and aimed it at the gunslingers though both sides quickly put their weapons down upon realizing they were on the same side.
"How she doing?"- Danny asked as Skulker and Vlad dressed some minor cuts.
"They beat her up pretty badly but nothing a couple of weeks in bed won't fix"- Vlad replied as he ordered Ice-cold and Dime to carry her to the lower floor.
The two gangsters carried Mrs. Foley as they saw Vlad and his men which included Tucker and Danny getting in position in the hallway just in front of apartment 550 where they could hear music, laughter and voices.
Eyes filled with anger and vile determination to murder set over the thin wooden wall, Tucker's fury knew no bound as he lifted two Mac-10s, his finger eager to pull the trigger and rain down justice on such vile animals.
"Ura!"- Vlad and Danny screamed in unison as they open fire.
Hundreds of blazing hot bullets from ten armed men broke through the wooden walls in a deadly stream of metal. Men and women in their costumes turned into nothing more than simple targets for Tucker to vent his anger.
What little remained of the door fell on the floor as Vlad quickly rushed inside having swapped his Uzi 9mm for the Mossberg shotgun and without mercy blasted the survivors as his men followed his sick example.
"Mercy!"- a man screamed though he found none as Vlad's men shot him in cold blood.
Gunshots echo within the apartment building as Danny shot each surviving Klansmen he came across. It didn't matter if they were armed or begging for dear life, they all found themselves looking up a gun barrel.
"Enough!"- A man spoke out loud though unlike his peers wore a red mask. "I am the grand Wizard of this realm!"
Everyone let out a roar of hyena-like laughter as the fat men in his Kavalry costume trembled in fear while trying to sound intimidating but was failing miserably as he held no weapons and his supposed guards laid death by his side.
"You're a wizard?"- Vlad teased the man as he walked closer. "Pull a rabbit out of a hat."- he demanded.
"How dare you nigger lover mock me!"- The alleged wizard retorted.
"Well if you can't pull rabbit out of hat then maybe you can of flying"- Vlad replied showing his Russian accent. The wizard proved to be an inept magician as he fell headfirst over a car after being tossed from the fifth-floor window of the apartment building.
(XXXXXX)
Hours later, Danny and Tucker found themselves back in Danny's new house while Mrs. Foley was being properly treated in the guest room by a doctor of ill-repute though was well trusted in Amity Park's criminal underground.
"Tucker once your mom is doing better, you should find a new crib… I can pitch in… we can be neighbours."- Danny said.
"Thanks, man. To be honest, I already got my eye on a house in downtown but I'll take you up on that offer."- Tucker replied with a chuckle.
Danny stood and turned on the television while commenting about buying a Betamax he saw earlier and getting many horror movies for them to watch on their nights off which made Tucker warmly smile.
"Mrs. Foley is doing fine now and just needs to rest."- the doctor said as he exits the room alongside with Vlad. "Just give her these and call me if anything comes up"- the old doctor said as he handed a prescription note.
Tucker ran up to Vlad and hug him while thanking him with tearful eyes for everything's he's done for him and his family. Danny patted his friend on the shoulder while telling him to go see his mom.
"Hope you don't Vlad but I'm going to bed."- Danny exclaimed as he tossed his clothes to the floor not caring that Skulker, Ice-Cold and Dime were still present.
To be continued.