King of Hearts
Chapter 1 – Trust Folds One Way.
Don Shadow Robotnik's POV, Robotnik compound, New York City.
"Tap. Tap. Tap." All heads looked at me. Nothing but respect was given as I called for the attention of the newly assembled Dons.
"It's been eighteen years. I'm growing old. I'm getting tired of this. All this...shit." I stated as I stood up to present myself towards the heads.
They all looked ether older then me, or as young and dumb as I was back before the falls of the first five heads. Nether one looked like they could tell their asses from their elbows, but I was not here to judge them. I was here for an understanding. An agreement of terms and assets.
"Back when I first joined this business, I found no reason to look for the dream. The dream everyone here looks to get their entire lives." Not a set of eyes left me as I looked towards the other head of the table.
That end held the place of my sworn enemy. The enemy I was trying to get to be my friend.
Don Soul. Don Jeremiah Soul.
His red crimson eyes beamed back into mine as I eyed him down from the other end of the table.
Eyed down his grizzly wolf appearance. His dark matter green emerald suit, that reminded me of the man that killed my love. Amy Rose.
"The American dream!"
Slow claps began to cover the room as I shut my eyes softly.
As they reopened, I found myself staring at yet another Don. He was my age by my guess, and he was just as nasty as Don Soul.
Don Ricardo Morgue. Head of the Morgue family itself. And the leading cause of death among my people. This man had the balls to attack my compound and attempt to kill me. If anything, he is what he always was. Stupid.
Yet, he sat here in front of me lined with edges of the deepest red, only blood itself could find a way through. I could only watch as he measured me for all I was. He thinks I'm the dumb one. He's believes I grew soft through the years, but not once has he shown the balls himself needed to tell me it to my face.
His fox tail brushed along the back of his seat, as his dark gray fur ran clean under his suit like water.
As I remained silent, I looked towards the man at my side. He sat down beside me as my Underboss here in New York. Loyal, trustworthy, dependable. He was a man that could get anything done. A man I trust with my life.
His name is Rover. A large hedgehog with a solid mix of black and neon blue quills. He was the best. A military trained killer. Did ten years in special forces in G.U.N and got discharged for aggression towards a fellow marine. From what I know, he broke his friend's knees with a bat and threatened to feed him some wild dogs out in Afghanistan. He smiles every time I bring it up. He's a good man. I can trust him.
Rover nodded to me in approval as I looked towards the rest of the table who patiently awaited my continuation.
Calmly catching a breath, I continued as wished.
"We come together today to seek a way all of us can obtain it. Without war or bloodshed. And I am willing to give it."
Rover looked at Don Soul carefully, as he himself seemed intrigued.
Letting my eyes look to the left side of the room, I matched in contact with Don Cora.
A younger Don, but more unpredictable. He is an average built hedgehog. Light brown fur with a patch of white across the top of his head; leading to the back of his right ear.
Don Cora himself was about twenty three. Grew up east of LA from what I understand, and to be frank, this is our first meeting in person. Cora was a very cautious man. I can never tell if he blinks or winks for example. He's hard to read for his age, but he has a fancy for drugs and guns more then any Don here. In short, I don't trust him further then I can throw him.
He watched excitedly, as I pressed on.
"I grow old." I stated as I looked to see Don Morgue chuckling under his breath.
Turning my body to face him, I asked.
"Something funny Don Morgue?"
Regaining his composure, he replied calmly.
"Not at all Don Robotnik sir."
"Then why laugh at me?" I questioned as he looked mad from the question.
Gently taking a sip out from the glass in front of him, he replied.
"Your what? Thirty seven?" He wondered as I nodded.
"Yes I am." I replied as he looked to me to then say.
"How can you be growing old? You have more then enough time to keep leading your family. Why do this?" He wondered as I took a moment to see Don Soul watching me for the answer.
Rover offered me a seat, but I declined and looked back to Don Morgue to reply.
"Because I never wanted it. Over the years of peace, I have had time to think and I've come to the conclusion that I do not wish to lead much more. I've spent my life juggling. Juggling my life, my family, and my work. Not yet has anything but work been the death of me like it almost was back when I was Don Cora's age."
Don Cora smiled softly as Don Morgue asked in confusion.
"But why give it away?"
Taking his shoulder, I went behind him to reply.
"Cause it's not fair."
Everyone looked at me deeply, as I looked to Don Soul who calmly asked.
"What's not fair?"
His voice sounded like Hannibal's. Every time I heard it I wanted to kill him.
Holding back my ill intent, I replied.
"I don't deserve it. All I ever wanted in life was a family and I own that now. There is no more need to pretend I haven't."
"So now what Don Robotnik?" Asked another voice from the right side across from me and Don Morgue.
Gently looking over, I stared at the last two Dons.
One by the name of Don Skier, and the other by the name of Don Verno.
Don Skier was the head of the Skier family. He is a tall cat. White fur and a smooth voice to match. Skier was the easier of the Dons. Yet the weakest. Respectful and yet strangely scary. I've become good friends with him over the course of time and I know for a fact Don Skier is an issue worth addressing. He has his own plans ahead and I will not be around for them by luck and hope.
He wasn't the one to ask the question however. It was Don Verno.
Don Verno was a dark red echidna, reminded me of Knuckles. Haven't seen that guy in ages. Verno himself was a man of respect. I couldn't pass him by without shaking his hand. Like Don Skier he had a way of making me feel uncomfortable at times, but as all the Don's before me now, I'm sure he has his plans for the future as well also. Nothing I can do about that ether.
Taking back my place next to Rover, I replied.
"Now we talk terms of my retirement."
Everyone went silent and looked across at one another as I noticed the issues to come once again between power hungry fiends.
"My compounds will be given to the rightful owners. The one in Boston belongs to Don Soul."
"Thank you Don Robotnik." He said with ease, as I nodded to him from the other end of the table.
"Along with that, you will also take leadership of my rackets and fellow establishments. Treat them well." I urged as he smiled.
"You have my word sir." He stated with a slick tongue, as I calmly replied.
"You are welcome."
The other Dons grew worried seeing as Don Soul just acquired half my fortune.
"As for the Los Angeles side to my family. All soldiers and businesses are to be divided among Don Cora and Don Verno. Don Morgue you will be given my compound there as well. I suggest selling it to Don Verno or Cora, but that is now up to you. Use it as you will." I urged him as he nodded.
"Thank you Don Robotnik sir. I'll be sure to take good care of it." He stated in response, as I nodded and looked to him to reply.
"I'm sure you will. Now as for New York's sake."
Don Skier looked to me as I looked right back with a smile.
"Don Skier you are to get partnership with my businesses. Meaning you will control the fronts while I keep the rackets. As for anything further you will get access to some funds I have placed to help build on to your ever growing empire." I stated as he looked to me a wide smile.
"Thank you Don Robotnik! You won't regret it!" He stated in happiness, as Don Soul eyed him down in disgust.
Calmly raising my hand to get the Don back in his seat, I waited till he was down to finish what I was saying.
"As for myself gentlemen, I will remain here. My compound will remain open and I will be tending to the needs of my newly appointed apprentice."
Everyone grew confused, and in loss for words Don Morgue questioned.
"Apprentice?"
Nodding with a smile, I replied.
"Yes, Apprentice. I will be teaching him the ways of Don over the course of the next few months and in time he will be the one to replace me as the head to the Robotnik family."
Gently I looked towards Don Verno as he lifted up his hand to ask.
"May we met him?"
Shaking my head, I replied.
"He is not here sadly. I'm afraid he is with his mother."
Everyone relaxed as I quickly reassured them.
"You shall met him soon enough. I'm sure you will all find him a suitable replacement for me. And with luck, we will not have to fight one another from here on in."
"Here! Here!" Shouted the Dons as I smiled widely.
"Then by all mean gentlemen you are free to go. Johan will be sending you all the contracts to our agreements here today, and I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Have a safe trip back home." I urged with a happy tone as the Dons all rose from their seats to shake my hand.
Morgue was first as they lined up alongside.
"Good day to you." He said politely as I smiled and nodded him off.
As he pushed by, Don Cora came to take my hand tightly.
"Thank you again sir." He said with cheers as I patted his back.
"Good luck to you son."
Giving me a nod, I watched as he made his way out, leaving Don Verno to my next handshake.
"Be safe Don Robotnik sir." He pleaded as I nodded.
"Always Verno. Always."
Letting him go, I hugged my dear friend Don Skier as he came close.
"Thank you so much Shadow!" He cheered in near tears as I patted his cheek.
"It's nothing. Just think of it as a gift for being here for me all those years up till now." I urged him as he let go with a large grin.
Watching as Skier made his way out in joy, I lost my smile to see Don Soul eying me down hard.
Rover watched carefully as he slowly offered me his hand.
Taking his cold grip, I said.
"You keep well Jeremiah."
A small smile came to him as he gently replied.
"Thank you again Don Robotnik. You stay who you are. The world lost too many good men already."
Nodding my head, I watched as the wolf made his way out, leaving me with Rover who came to my side to ask.
"Can we trust them?"
Losing my smile to a dead straight face, I replied in certainty.
"No."
I hope everyone who liked Ace of Spades will enjoy the squeal. Please follow me and add it to your favorites. And by all mean please review and let me know what you think.
PS: If anyone reading this doesn't get a thing going on, please ether read Ace of Spades or message me over the site and I will summarize everything that happened in it for you. I do not want any fan to be left behind.
mT Shadow.
