King of Hearts

Chapter 4 – Making Things Better

Pitch's POV. The next morning.

Rover drove as I relayed directions to what he I'm sure assumed was going to go smooth. He looked pretty calm, but I'm positive this won't go well.

"Where?" He wondered as we neared an intersection.

Looking out the windows to be sure of the street we were on, I calmly looked back at him to reply.

"Left."

Giving me a small sign of attention, he asked.

"So how many guys you think want you dead at this place you're taking us to?"

I rode my mind for the answer as we continued along the path.

"It all depends. The guy we're looking to give the money to is pretty hazy on what he wants to do all the time."

"So where would he be?" Wondered Rover, as I thought carefully; to reply as we just went on down the street.

"If we're lucky he'll be alone."

"And if we're not that lucky?" He questioned as I looked over into his eyes.

"We might be in for some trouble."

Rover shook his head to himself in worry as I felt the weight I was dragging him under.

As we made our way further into what looked to be the ghetto part of the city, I noticed one of the guys from the gang walking into a bar.

"Hey stop." I ordered him as he looked over.

"That the guy?" He asked in concern as I nodded.

"He's in there. I know it."

Rover calmly eyed the bar out as I grew scared.

Gently looking back to me and seeing the look I had all out on my face, he leaned in and said.

"Just stay behind me and let me do the talking."

"And what if they jump us?" I questioned in fear as he reached under his suit jacket.

Gently pulling out a Glock 17, he replied.

"Then we jump back."

I stared at the weapon in awe as he put it back under his jacket.

Grabbing hold of the envelope my father had put the money in, I watched in a sort of still silence as he opened up his side of the car for him to get out of.

I remained seated as he shut his door to look back at me through the window in understanding of my fear.

"Just stick behind me and we'll be done and gone before you know it. Hey!" He said in a slight force as I looked up into his eyes in confusion.

"Trust me. I won't let them touch you."

I grew calmer, as he smiled and began to watch me exit from the vehicle.

I was not nearly as big or as tall as Rover. Comparing us side by side was like seeing who was the better feline, a house cat or a tiger? I shadowed his body as we began to head for the entrance to the bar.

As we grew nearer, I looked around to remember that I had been here before. I think it was in the winter last time I was here, and I was coming by for some money. I had to run that night. I wonder if today will be the same.

Rover got to the door first and I gulped my nervousness down as we entered to find the bar full of punks, hoods, and some sharks I've had the pleasure of knowing from past altercations.

As I stepped through behind my protection, heads began to turn to see me standing there before them.

Rover guided me from behind him and further into the room, as I felt the tension starting to storm its way in from my debts.

Many of these guys knew me instantly and began to stand from up off the bar stools, as I heard a familiar voice strike from in front of Rover who moved his arm back to stop me.

"Well look who it is! The prick that broke my fucking arm!"

Rover stood strong as I peeked out from his massive side to see the man who assaulted me making his way by a few of his friends to get to Rover.

As he stopped in front of him, he said.

"You got balls coming in here with that kid, you know that?"

Rover glanced back just enough to see me in the corner of his left eye.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot last night."

"Oh really?" Questioned the shark as he got in his face.

Dealing with his breath meeting his face, Rover replied.

"We came to give you the money he owes you."

The envelope made its way forward, and the shark smiled at it as he calmly took it from his hand.

"Well I see someone knows how to pay their bills. What's wrong with you Pitch!?" He asked me as I gulped.

Rover got in his way as I remained back.

"Nothing is wrong with him. We just don't want any trouble."

The shark glared at me as he handed back the envelope to Rover who grew worried.

"I don't deal with the kid's bitch. Ether he gives me the money or I beat your asses into the ground here and now. How's it gonna be?" He asked as he tried to walk his way to me through Rover who still held his arm out to stop him.

After a few more tries the guy stopped and asked.

"You gonna be a big man today Pitch and do your part by paying me back?! Or are you about to have your ass kicked again!?"

Rover looked to me as I moved my hand for the money.

Letting it fall into my hands, Rover then moved aside as the shark and I both stared at one another.

He grew taller as I slowly offered him the cash.

Giving me a silent chuckle and a mixture of smiles from across the room, I grew calm and relaxed as he put the money under his leather jacket.

Rover grabbed my shoulder to try and begin to pull me back, but as I went to walk the loan shark said.

"I see you again and we won't be talking this nice, understand?" He asked as I saw him glare up to Rover who urged.

"Come on, let's go."

I don't take threats well at all and the shark sensed my will to want to try and start something, but as things became tighter I felt Rover pull me away and out the front door.

"In the car." He ordered as I slowly made my way to the other side.

As I got in, Rover looked to me to say.

"I'm proud of you."

"For what?" I questioned in anger as he took hold of my shoulder.

"You took responsibility and kept your head. That's hard to do."

I ignored him and rested my head out the window, as he calmly looked back at the road.

"I guess we should head back. Your father would like the good news." Stated Rover as I remained silent.

Don Shadow Robotnik's POV, Robotnik compound.

"It's my decision and that's final!" I stated towards Johan as he and my many fellow made-men stood among my office asking the same question.

"The kid can barely control himself Shadow! How do you expect this to work?!" Questioned Johan as I stood firmly behind my life choices.

"Because he's my son and I know you're all here to support him in one way or another, am I right!?" I asked towards everyone as Johan took a moment to contemplate.

Beyond Johan stood an even fiercer hedgehog. He may be older by today's standards but he's still one of my most valued friends.

Damien, six foot two, full set of black quills that met his shoulders, and he had a bright pair of golden eyes. Damien has been one of my Underbosses for going on eighteen years now. He use to work for the Marxist family back when I was just getting into the swing of things, but don't let him get mad. Damien is still one hell of a fighter for his age and if his brother was here now he would agree.

"Can I ask you a question Shadow?" He wondered as I nodded and replied.

"Of course."

Taking his approach next to Johan, he asked.

"How long are you going to wait before telling him the truth?"

Our eyes locked as I slowly retook my seat.

Damien watched me in a serious chill of a stare, as Johan and my other men all awaited the answer.

"I don't know yet. It's kind of hard, you know?" I stated as they all stared at me in thought.

"Telling my kid I haven't been his real father his whole life. It's not like he'll just accept that."

"It's for the best." Stated Johan as I nodded.

"And what about Black, huh?"

"What about my brother?" Questioned Damien as I looked to him.

"What do I tell him?"

"You tell him the truth." Urged Damien as I smiled.

"I'm not saying this to scare him Damien, but when the truth come out he won't want to believe it."

Damien breathed calmly as I went on carefully.

"Your brother was a monster, a killing machine. You both killed for fun and let's admit it Damien you and him weren't always there mentally."

"But because of us your here now Shadow, so don't act like we were the bad guys. You did a lot of things no person ever should do."

"And I acknowledge them Damien but that's not even a scratch compared to what you and your brother did back then. You were both evil, demented, and twisted sociopaths."

Damien lowered his head as I went quiet for a second of thought.

After soon gathering my words, I looked up to find him crying under his breath.

Johan saw the action and rested a hand on along his back.

Damien went on, as I stated.

"His father was insane Damien...but he was my friend."

With wet eyes Damien looked up into mine.

"Even after everything he did, he didn't deserve to die. Him or Amy. If I could I would give anything to bring them back now, because we need them here for this."

Giving me a soft nod, I listened as he muttered.

"My brother would have given anything to see his son now. I can't help what happened Shadow, but don't let Pitch see his dad as a monster. It's not right. He may have done some bad things, but he doesn't deserve to have his only legacy hate him for who he was."

My heart grew weaker by the minute as Johan stepped in.

"Do we have to do it now? Can't we wait till the meeting?"

Shaking my head, I looked on to see Damien take control of the answer for me.

"And have the other Dons think the new head of the Robotnik family is just as bad? No, not going to happen. We do this today, right Shadow?" He asked me in force as I stared at him deeply.

After a few forceful seconds of effortless glares, I nodded and replied.

"Yes. It has to be done today."

Damien nodded while wiping his eyes, and as Johan let go of his back, I came back to the left side of the room to stare at my other men.

"I want all of you to show my son the same respect you've had for me. Treat him like myself. There will be no second chances for people who disobey. You have a problem you state it now while I'm still in control. Cause after tonight the head changes, and a new era of this family will begin. Do we all understand?" I asked around as everyone replied at once.

"Yes sir."

My head nodded slowly as Damien broke the silence with reality.

"Who will teach him the business?"

I looked to Johan as he got my eyes straight for the meaning to why I was staring at him.

Placing my hands on the top of my table, I replied.

"I will offer what guidance I can for the time I'm still in the country. After that he will be Johan's problem to control."

Johan was shocked.

"I can't raise a Don! Shadow, I'm not the person to do this!" He stated as I nodded.

"Yes you are. You ran this family just as much as I had these past eighteen years and I know if I had no air you would be Don yourself. So take your place at his side and do what I can't!" I ordered him as he fell silent.

Damien and a few of my others were all hell-bent on trying to keep me from leaving, but this had to be done sooner rather than later.

"I know he can do it. But not alone."

Everyone had their eyes on me as I continued.

"I can only do so much for him. He needs all of you to help him learn the way of Don. Each of you offers advice and lessons. Teach him. Mold him to be Don of this family. My family. Our family."

Johan and Damien both looked worried, but they knew this was the inevitable end for my reign as Don. Someone had to take charge and that is Pitch.

"You've all done more than I could have ever hoped for. Do me the honor of this last request. Guide my son. Black's son. Our future. Guide him to where I am now and at whatever cost...?"

Everyone looked on in awe and concentration as I finished.

"Don't let this family die."

The words came with a sort of power to them. One that filled their hearts. As I slowly leaned back in my seat, I looked to the door.

"He'll be here soon. You all know what to do."

Not a soul interfered with my final words as I went on in happiness.

"Thank you all for being here with me through this. I can't repay any of you for all you have done to get this far with. But it's time for me to hand down the torch. And no matter what happens after it leaves my hand, don't you ever lose hope for this family. We can thrive. And with my son at the head and you all by his side, I know it will become a reality. Don't let me down."

Faces all looked on to me as if I had just set their fates in motion. And in reality I have. They must all band together if my boy is to be who he always was meant to be.

"A Don."

I will have another chapter on tomorrow. Please review. Thank you for all supporting me.

mT Shadow.