King of Hearts

Chapter 5 – Heavy Reign

Pitch's POV, Robotnik compound.

Rover began to pull the car inside the compound, as I remained in my seat with a hint of anger still applied to my aura.

In silence, Rover stepped out, and as I went to get my door; my hand was cut off by one of my father's made-men getting it for me.

I looked at him in confusion as he said.

"Welcome back sir."

My mind was blank.

"Uhhh...thank you?" I replied in confusion as Rover appeared beside me.

He remained close as I slowly stepped out from the car.

The second I got clear of the door, the man shut it and looked to me.

Rover knew I was lost and quickly guided.

"Let's get inside."

I couldn't agree more as a lot of the remaining soldiers stared at me from all around the compound perimeter.

Two men got the entrance way, and as the doors open I widened my eyes to see all of my father's guards standing neatly along the hall towards his office. There had to be thirty men, all equally separated. Fifteen on the left and fifteen on the right. All standing straight as Rover led the way through.

As I walked by pairs of two, they would begin to follow in order as we began to reach the stairs.

I wasn't even high yet and my mind was lost by this. I had to be in the twilight zone or something.

Our feet soon reached the top of the stairs, and as we made it to the front of the office, Rover stopped and I looked ahead to see a familiar Damien standing by the door, staring at me with a smile.

"Hey Pitch. How you doing?" He wondered as I questioned.

"What's going on?"

Rover looked down into my eyes as I got no answer from Damien.

"Your father wants to see you." Stated Rover as I looked towards the door.

Damien nodded as he got the knob for me.

As it slowly opened, I looked through to see my dad and my mother both sitting by the desk. My father in his seat, and my mother sitting on top of it facing me.

"Come in." He urged, as Rover nudged me through with his left hand along my side.

As I walked in, I was quickly followed by Damien and Rover who both made their way to separate sides of the room.

Fear that I did something wrong now consumed me, as my father ordered one of his guards who were behind me to get the door.

I looked back to see him shut it, and as I looked back towards my mother and father, Rover was asked.

"Did you do what I asked you to Rover?"

"Yes sir, we did. Won't bother us again." He stated as I was then targeted by my father's red eyes.

Gently bringing his hand forward, I watched as he pointed to the seat in front of my mom.

"Take a seat Pitch." He urged as I carefully made my way forward to the chair.

Upon getting comfortable, my father started with a statement.

"You know I'm retiring soon, right son?"

My head nodded first before my words could react.

"Yes...why dad?" I questioned as he looked unsure how to answer me.

"We need to talk about some things really important baby. And some of these things are going to upset you." Stated my mother as I looked to my dad to ask.

"What things? What's going on?"

My father remained confused on how to answer, as I looked back to my mom who also seemed worried.

"We need to talk about your father Pitch." She stated as I looked to dad to reply.

"What about my father? He's right here." I stated as she shook her head.

"Not him baby, your real father."

My eyes widened and heart seemed to pause as I immediately shouted.

"What!? He's my real father mom!"

My mom shook her head with a tear leaving her eye, as my dad still remained seated in silence.

"No he's not baby, I'm sorry! Your real father died before you were born!" Cried my mom as I looked to Shadow in confusion and near tears.

"What is she talking about!?" I asked him as he gently looked into my eyes.

"This isn't easy for me son, but we thought it was best to tell you now."

My whole life was confused now, and in anger I questioned.

"Tell me what!?"

Rover looked sad from my angle as I still glared at Shadow.

"I'm not your dad Pitch. I'm just the guy who filled in for your whole life up till now. Your real father's name was Black Rose. He died eighteen years ago before you were born trying to save his sister from one of the original five families." Stated Shadow as I fell shut and silent in loss for words.

"Your mother and I decided after we found out she was pregnant with you, that it was best for your sake, that we stick together to make sure you had a good life. Your real father wanted that for you." Stated Shadow as I looked to Rover who looked on at me in utter silence.

"It was never easy Pitch. One day we would have to tell you the truth about your father, and now that day has come."

"Mom?" I said in loss as she nodded her head to reply.

"I'm so sorry baby I should have told you sooner! We just thought it wasn't the right time."

"So he's not my dad?" I questioned as I looked to Shadow who remained in his seat with a frown expressed along his lips.

My mother nodded as I sat there in shock of the truth.

"He loves you every bit your real father would have Pitch. Don't be mad him." Begged my mom as I looked on to Rover who nodded his head towards me.

As I couldn't even speak, I looked to Shadow who said.

"I loved you like you were my own Pitch. I still do. I'm sorry your real father couldn't take my place throughout your life."

Tears began to sweep under my eyes slowly as my mom came in to hug me.

Shadow lowered his head as Rover came to the desk.

"Here." He urged my mother as he handed her a photo that rested along the top of the desk.

My mom took it slowly, and stared at it before lowering it to me.

"This is your real father." She stated as I widened my eyes and took the picture from her hands.

In the picture was a masculine, pure black hedgehog, with brown eyes and a sleek pair of quills that ran down to his shoulders. He smiled with what looked to be my mother back then, and in confusion I asked.

"How did you meet him?"

She slightly smiled as I continued to stare at the photo.

"He worked for one of the old families that use to base themselves out of Boston. We met each other in person the first time when he invited me out to eat with him. We talked and we just seemed to click."

My mother took no notice in my lack of responding and just wiped her face to the man resting next to her.

"He was a great man Pitch." He stated as I slowly looked up to him.

"Your father and I became good friends as time went on. Hell he was like family by then. He helped me and your mother on multiple occasions that we can never pay back to him. He was someone I looked up to and I wish you could have met him before he died." Stated Shadow as I asked in a bit of anger.

"What family killed him?"

Shadow looked to my mother as they both seemed to agree to tell me.

"They were called the Linux family. One night when war was happening between us and another rival family, we found out your father's sister was taken and was going to be killed if were to not give up our arms. Your father and I went to go rescue her, but the building and room where they held her was rigged. I was outside dealing with some stragglers who tried to run when the building exploded. Your father and his sister were both killed that night. There was nothing I could do Pitch. I'm sorry."

Shadow looked on at me. I was mad, but I think he expected as much.

"If there was a way Pitch I would bring him back right now." He stated as I nodded to him.

I can't even explain how I feel right now. For years I thought Shadow was my real father, and all the sudden I'm told he's not and my real dad died when I wasn't even born yet? I wana kill someone I'm so mad, but I understand why he kept it from me. It had to be hard.

"Pitch?" I heard Damien say to me from my left, as both my mother and father looked to him.

As I glanced over, he said.

"I bet I look a lot like your dad, don't I?" He wondered as I looked back at the picture.

My looks of confusion gave my thoughts away, as Damien answered for his own question.

"I'm his brother."

My eyes remained wide open as I stared at him.

"Your dad and I both worked for the Marxist family back in the day. We did some bad things, don't put it by us." He urged as I nodded.

"We hurt people. We killed people. We took things that didn't belong to us. And we loved it. Me and your father were bad guys Pitch, but we weren't evil. It was our jobs to do the things others wouldn't touch. It was only till we ran into some issues that we had to change."

"What happened?" I asked in awe as my mother looked on in guilt.

"Your dad started to date a rival family's Don."

I looked to my mom as she smiled.

"He always made me feel like I wasn't though." She stated as I heard Damien go on.

"Our boss didn't like that and tried to stop it at first with words, but your dad and I didn't agree and left the family to go pursue your mother. It was only after he found out we left, that he tried to kill us. He's the reason your father died that night Pitch. Not Shadow's. Don't be mad at him. No one would have given you all the love and support he did besides your own father."

I looked to Shadow as he nodded.

"I still think of you as my own Pitch. I always will. I may not be your real dad, but I hope you'll still see me as one." He stated as I slowly replied.

"I'm not mad. I'm just upset."

My mom quickly hugged me, as Rover looked to Shadow who still remained calm and seated.

As my mom released me from her body, he said.

"There is one more thing we need to tell you son."

I widened my eyes in confusion of what it could possibly be now.

Rover came to my side now and rested his hand on my right shoulder, as I looked straight into my father's eyes.

"Your mother and I are going to be heading to Europe this coming Sunday."

"Why?" I questioned as he looked to Rover then back to me.

"Your mom always wanted to drag me there for a vacation."

My mom chuckled as I then asked.

"How long are you going to be gone for?"

"A few months." Stated my father, as I widened my eyes to him in confusion.

"Well what about the family? Who will be in charge?" I questioned as they both looked to me with a smile.

"You will."

Everything stopped in time, as I had absolutely nothing to say but.

"I can't."

My father nodded, as I looked to Rover and Damien for help. They both stared at me, as I immediately looked to my mom.

"Your father and I will teach you Pitch."

"But what happens after you leave? I'll be alone." I stated as my dad shook his head in disapproval.

"Not at all. I have my Consigliere Johan coming by the day of my absence to take over as your mentor. He's the smartest man I know Pitch, and so long as you listen to him you'll be fine running this family while I'm gone."

"But dad…?" I was cut off.

"No buts! You've been carried through your whole life Pitch and it's about time you grow up to what you're meant to be! A Don!" Stated my father as I questioned in equal tone.

"I can't run a mafia family dad!"

"You can! As long as you listen to what we have to offer you!" Stated Shadow as I fell silent with Rover at my side.

My father quickly got up, and I stared at him as he pointed to himself.

"My time is up son. Your time is now. I spent the last eighteen years protecting you. Protecting my family. And now it's about time you figure out just how important that was to me. You will be okay I promise. Your mother and I will help you. This isn't something you can learn in a day. It will take months for you to become your full self. But as you learn, as you advance yourself through this business, you will know the day that will come when you have become what every mob family fears. A Don." He stated as I felt Rover grasp onto my side.

"Everyone is here to support you through this Pitch." He stated as my father added.

"Rover is now yours son. He's the best. He will always make sure your safe. Everywhere you go he will follow. Even through hell and back, right Rover?" He asked him as he nodded to me.

"Through hell and back Pitch."

I sensed the assurance in his voice as he stared into my eyes.

"Rover will also be the one to teach you how to protect yourself." Stated Shadow as I questioned.

"I know how to fight."

Smiling my dad replied.

"You know how to get your ass kicked maybe. Rover here will teach you how to fight back. And if need be, kill."

Rover nodded as my dad then looked to Damien.

"Damien is the head of your security forces now. He will manage the soldiers and the compound while you're here or out doing business. If you ever need something done you talk to him, understand?" He asked in seriousness as I nodded.

"As for the business part, I will teach you what I can. Your mother will also offer her knowledge. After we leave, a man named Johan will come to you. Treat him like no different. He is the one who will guide you through the other families and the problems you will face in come time. Take his advice. Take his words and form them into your own. If you listen to him you will know what it is like to truly be a successful Don. He has never let me down, and he is the best in the business. Treat him as such." Ordered my father as I calmly replied.

"Yes sir."

Nodding, my father went on.

"As for anything else, you direct your attention to ether Rover or the head of your Caporegimes who I have coming in from Boston very soon. She should be here soon."

"She?" I questioned as he nodded.

"Don't get any funny ideas. She is a trained killer. She can hurt you and I gave her permission to if you fall out of line." He stated in response as I nodded.

"As for your training, we start now. You will be accompanying me to a meeting I have set up with Don Skier."

"Who?" I asked in concern as he looked into my eyes.

"He is the Don of the Skier family here in New York; you will be getting familiar with first. I'm sure he will like you. He sure as hell likes me." Stated my father as he looked to Rover.

"I'll watch him this time. Go with Damien and inform the others that a new Don is among us. And after you're done I want you to get a course ready for him."

"Yes sir." Replied Rover as my dad reached for my hand.

"Let's get going. The first lesson to learn here son, is that you never leave someone waiting. If they have to wait, they will question your motives. Which can lead to some bad outcomes in the future, understand?" He asked as I took his hand.

With a silent nod to him, my dad looked to Damien.

"Get going. We have limited time to work with." He stated as Damien nodded and replied.

"Yes Shadow."

With a nod, I followed my father out the office and down the stairs past the rows of guards that waited and watched, as we made haste to the exit to the compound.

My compound.

That is it for today. Please review and let me know what you think so far about Pitch. I will have another chapter on tomorrow.

mT Shadow.