Chapter 35: The Gangsters:
Jack's POV:
I was at this place they called a casino. People were gambling alot. As I took a seat, Ashi came.
"Can I help you," I asked.
"You are to surrender," says Ashi.
"I refuse to surrender to one who swore allegiance to Aku," I said.
"I think I can be persuasive."
Ashi and I then fought as the music went on.
Singer: Quite some time, I been sittin' it out
Didn't take no chances, I was a prisoner of doubt
I knocked down the wailin' wall, ain't no sin
Got the feel of fortune, deal me in
Comin' straight on for you
You made my mind
Now I'm stronger, now I'm comin' through
Straight on, straight on for you
Straight on for you
Now I know I got to play my hand
What the winner don't know, a gambler understands
My heart keeps playin' it through with you, my friend
I'll take my chances on you again and again, again
Comin' straight on for you
You made my mind
Now I'm stronger, now I'm comin' through
Straight on, straight on for you
Straight on for you
Comin' straight on for you
You made my mind
And now I'm stronger, now I'm comin' through
Straight on, straight on for you
Straight on, straight on
Straight on for you
Straight on for you
You made my mind
Now I'm stronger, now I'm comin' through
Straight on, straight on for you
Straight on, straight on
I'm straight on for you
Straight on for you!
Ashi then left.
"Not bad, not bad at all," says a little man in a hat, "not anyone can take on dem cultist dames."
"Thank you," I said, "now I must go."
"Hold on, homie, I'm Boss n' dem r' my boys, Stiches, Mr. Shine, Knuckles, and Mr. Pibbles."
"Actually, my name's Joe..."
Knuckles then hits him. "Mr. Pibbles."
"We got dis job n' I think yo''d be perfect fo' it."
"I am not interested," I said.
"Too bad, da big boss would've loved ta meet yo'."
Hearing that, I had a feeling I knew who the Big Boss was. "Do you mean Aku," I asked.
"Who else," asks Boss, "we neva got along wit' dem daughters o' Aku or whateva they call themselves, N' therez Ain't nuthin' but we r' loyal ta Aku. So, yo' in?"
. . .
For my test of loyalty, I had to get rid of an old man who refuses to pay them. I was supposed to give him a box that contained a bomb, however, I made them think it went as planned. I told the old man and convinced him to leave with his pets. He had so many. Jill and Peter helped him find a new home.
. . .
"Boys, say yo ta Jackie da Black," says Boss.
"How come he gets the cool name," asks Mr. Pibbles.
"Boys, dis be da public works n' utilities buildin'. Yo' goddamn job, Jackie, be ta swim through tha pipe n' git tha jewel o' neptune. Aku tried ta use dat shit ta take control o' tha ghettoz wata supply, but it's bein' guarded by tha elementals o' fire, earth, n' air. Can yo' do it, Jackie?"
"It shall be done," I said.
. . .
Jill, Peter, and I entered the building.
"I don't like this idea," says Jill, "though I do like your suit."
"Jack, none of your masters would approve of this," says Peter, "okay, Robin Hood did steal things, but nothing like this!"
"They will take me to Aku, and I can finish this," I said.
We saw the jewel.
"So, where are the Guardians," asks Jill.
The Guardians then appeared.
"You had to ask," says Peter.
We then took on the Guardians. They were powerful creatures... but then again, they do represent Earth, Wind, and Fire.
"They couldn't have asked you to get them some snacks," asks Jill.
"They did say it would be a big job," I said.
I then realized something the Shaolin Monks taught me. I then tricked Air into defeating Earth and tricked Fire into defeating Air.
"So, how do we put out Fire," asks Peter.
"Oh right," I said. Fire was about to attack us, but then I grabbed the jewel and used its waterpowers to defeat Fire.
. . .
"Way ta git, Jackie! come on, boys, letz git meet da big boss!"
. . .
We arrived at Aku's lair. We then saw the rock creature covered in lipstick running by, looking horrified.
"Schnitzel, you've been making out with yourself again, haven't you," says the purple cat thing. We all looked and saw many old women with big hats.
"Dis place always weirds me out," says Boss.
Then Aku appears. "Who dares... oh, it's you."
"N' look what we've got fo' yo'."
"The Jewel of Neptune," says Aku, "how did you little fools obtain it?"
"Wit' da help o' Jackie da Black."
"Jackie," asks Aku.
"Actually, it's Jack," I said.
"YOU!"
Aku and I then fought.
"What's with Jackie," asks Knuckles.
"Maybe he's flipped his lid," says Mr. Pibbles.
Aku and I then ended up in that party with the hat women. One screamed. "I just noticed we were in Aku's lair!"
Aku and I continued to fight, and we started messing everything up. Then something knocked me out...
. . .
I then woke up and saw I was in the Gangsters' apartment. "What happened," I asked.
"We got yo' out o' there before Aku could make a sandwich out o' yo'!"
"Y'know," says Mr. Pibbles, "one without sand or a witch like those hat ladies were having."
"I have to go back... listen, I have deceived you," I said.
"Does that mean you're not with us," asks Mr. Pibbles.
"This land was once a peaceful land until Aku ruined it," I said, "but this has gone too far. I must return the Jewel of Neptune."
"I was keeping it under my hat for safe keeping," says Mr. Pibbles.
"Wait, Jackie, let us return it, it's da lease we could do," says Boss.
"Thank you," I said.
Boss's POV:
N' naw we're sellin' wata ta dem ladies wit' da big hats.
XXXV
In the next chapter, Jack and Johnny meet a vampire.