Rise of the Feline Society Chapter 3 - Training with the Best
William was walking down the dirty street at a rather quick pace in his city called Emberlyn. After he left his apartment, he was quickly heading towards the Shadowfire's main base of operations because the darker it got it meant that the more dangerous it would get. As he was walking, he quickly placed the hood that he had grabbed over his head. What he was doing wasn't exactly legal and even though the gangs' rule that doesn't mean that the police are totally useless in arresting criminals. Him wearing a hood would provide an extra protection to his identity and not attracting any unwanted attention.
He went down a few alleyways to try to lose anyone that might be tracking him but he doubted that at this moment in time he was being tracked. After walking for about 30 more minutes, he had finally reached his destination. He was outside a restaurant called "The Fire Stone." To most it was just a regular restaurant of a small business but unbeknown to the general public it was just the front of the Shadowfire gang. Sure, it still operated like a regular restaurant but it also was one of the many businesses that provide income to the Shadowfire gang. That's what the main problem to the police was. The gangs acted like businesses that can manage multiple properties. They legally owned all the buildings that they operated in. In cases where they did illegal activities, it was just quickly covered up so according to the law they just looked like a legal business. If anyone was captured the gangs would just use one of their own lawyers or bribe the judge and jury to dismiss the case. That's why the legal system was useless against gangs.
William pulled out his phone to check the time. It was currently 6:15 pm. William had arrived earlier than he actually planned but, in this industry, it was always better to be early than on time. William wouldn't have arrived this early except that he wanted to talk to someone. William took a deep breath before walking to the front door of "The Fire Stone" restaurant. When William tried to pull the door, it was locked which shouldn't have surprised him but it caught the attention of someone inside.
"Look here fella," the man was saying before he turned around and stopped what he was saying.
William recognized the man as one of the guards to the Shadowfire gang. He was wearing a black leather jacket and black jean pants. The leather jacket had flame designs on them showing that he worked for the shadow fire gang. It was the uniform that made it easier to tell who was with them and who didn't. Sure, you could try to disguise yourself as one of the gang members but unless two gangs were fighting in the dead of night you would be recognized.
"Oh," The man said after a moment of silence after he had opened the door. "You're here early."
"It's better to be early than late." William said with a smile. "Also, I wanted to talk to him."
The guard raised an eyebrow. "A fan we got here, eh?" The man chucked. "Come on in. It's also probably time that we take our posts.
The man waved William inside while he waved at another guard that was sitting at a table close to the back in the restaurant to come to the front. William walked through the restaurant and through the double doors into the back. After going through the kitchen, he went through a single door and into the Shadowfire's main area. It looked like a huge dojo with small offices on the side and weapons hanging on the wall. The place was big and somehow the police haven't discovered it yet. The colors were brown, black, and red with banners of their fire flag was hanging up around the room. The banner was black with a symbol of fire in the middle with the title Shadowfire written above the flames. He looked around for a brief moment before he noticed a man standing on the stairs in the back which went to the office of the leader of the Shadowfire gang. The man had short brown hair that was swept to the side. and a muscular physique.
"Jasper?" William asked not expecting him to be waiting for him.
Jasper smiled as he looked at William. "I honestly thought you would've been here earlier so I left the tournament grounds earlier to come here."
"I didn't think you cared about people like us," William said.
"Well," He paused as he looked around. "Unlike our leader I have emotions."
Jasper walked over to give William a fist pump.
"You know," Jasper began. "I think you're the only one here that is a fan of me when I do the tournament. The others are scared of me or sees me as a tool but not you. Come with me to the back room. Well, technically this is also a back room so further back."
William smiled nervously as he followed one of his idols into a hallway on the left back side of the room. They walked for a couple of moments before Jasper turned into a room. William followed him into what looked like just a regular small training room. There were some basic training equipment and a couple of Bo staffs and wooden swords. Jasper stopped to turn around to face William. He looked at his up and down.
"I'm going to teach you how to properly throw a punch," Jasper said.
"But I already know how to throw a punch."
Jasper raised an eyebrow looking at William. "Ok then, demonstrate for me."
William got into a fighting stance and threw out a punch. His arm flew forward at a kind of an angle so that it wasn't completely straight.
Jasper's face was scrunched up slightly like the punch had hurt him. "Well, I guess for someone who hadn't been taught that's good I…guess." He walked over straightening out William's stance and straightened his arms so that it fixed more around his head so that it was more protected. Jasper assumed the same stance that William was currently in. "First watch my stance and how to throw out a punch." Jasper legs moved as he threw out a punch. The punch made a snapping sound which made a slight echo in the room.
William stared at Jasper in awe as he had heard the sound.
"Now you try," Jasper said. "Remember to keep the same stance."
William followed his instructions performing the same punch exactly how Jasper did except the power wasn't behind it.
"Very good," Jasper congratulated William.
"But it still didn't have the same popping sound," William pouted.
"Why would you have the same popping sound?" Jasper asked. "You are a human and I am an Animorph. You can't expect you to produce the same amount of power as I can, can you?"
William shook his head with a sigh.
Jasper smiled sadly seeming William's expression. "Hey, things will look up for you," Jasper said with a comforting voice.
William raised his head hearing this.
"I know that someone with your personality won't join a gang unless you have to," Jasper stated. "Just keep doing what my boss asks of you and with my help in training you I'll try to get you to be the next Animorph of the Shadowfire gang."
William's eyes began to sparkle so much that it made a tear form on Jasper's eye which he quickly wiped away.
"You'll really do that?" William asked.
"You have a very unique skill William," Jasper said. "You are able to learn quickly. You were the fastest to be able to learn how to properly throw a punch I have ever seen. Also, when the gang trains I can hear you muttering the opponents next move with near perfect accuracy. That alone impresses me." Jasper ruffled William's hair before continuing. "Don't do anything stupid and that next Animorph serum is yours William. Just hope it's a good one." Jasper changed his right hand into bear claws. "Better get to your assignment before I have to claw you up," Jasper said as he pointed at the clock which read 6:59 pm.
William immediately darted toward where he came in followed by Jasper whose hand was now back in his human form. William opened the door going to the first back room there were quite a few people in it. There was a trickle of people at the sides with 11 people in the middle. Four in the front, middle, and only three in the back.
I think I'm supposed to be in the back William thought.
At the front was a young man who looked to be in his thirties with slick back black hair and a goatee. He was holding on to a sword which he used a lot while talking to look more intimidating. His name was Amos Vance, leader of the Shadowfire gang.
Amos noticed William entering from the back and his expression darked immediately because he was in an area where William shouldn't have been. He was about to shout at William when he saw Jasper pointing at William while waving at him. Amos calmed down and pointed to the spot in the back. William stood there making it three rows of four. Amos struck the sword on the ground silencing the room before he would give his speech. Little did William know that this wasn't just going to be a simple night and that what was about to happen will change his life forever.
*****
The Author that brought you "Life as a Vampire God" I now present to you the Sci-Fi series "Rise of the Feline Society" - If you haven't already please become a free member of my account. Don't forget to follow my socials Draxber Faber for updates. Thank you for your support.