Lance whistled a merry tune as he made the last few turns on the pesky screw. He was seated atop Howard's shoulders, the good doctor having taken the day off to spend with his little ward. With Scarlett's little bounty on Jacob's head stirring up his gambler patients, Howard hadn't been in the mood to exercise his practice and was happy for a respite. So was Bernie, the large St. Bernard chewing on a hambone courtesy of Lance's kitchen. They had been working on the old sound system thanks to some old stereo speakers Lance had found at the dump a few days ago. Sure, they had needed some sprucing up, but old gym of Paradiso now had a proper sound system for ambient workout music if and when it was fixed up enough for use.
"Not a bad day's work if'n I do say so myself." Howard chirped as he carefully set Lance down. "Gotta say, Lance, it's taken some time, but I think you're finally making some progress."
"It's not that I don't know what I need," Lance said with a stretch. "It's ensuring I get everything I need. My funds took a hit getting Jacob's van fixed up, but I at least had enough to get the old speakers done. Which reminds me. I was thinking of setting up Abuela's famous Jazzercise sessions again for extra funding. Could you help me set up some posters around the neighborhood?"
Howard hid a frown. He more than anyone wanted to help Lance rebuild the old shelter, but the fact remained that Lance was a child living on his own. He was certainly intelligent enough, both emotionally and logically, to care for himself, but that did not change the law nor did it mean anyone else would take him seriously. The locals being perfectly fine with him doing his thing was miraculous, frankly, but it was truly only a matter of time before someone of a higher authority became involved. Howard wasn't looking forward to explaining his culpability in this matter.
"Sure," he said with a kind smile. "Some of her older ladies will appreciate that. Mrs. Yuen has definitely missed the excuse to get out and about."
Just then, Bernie dropped his bone mid-chew, jumped to all fours, and let out an explosive bark. He rushed the front door, growling and snarling, as heavy fists began pounding against the wood. Lance's head shot up, a visible shudder vibrating his tiny body as a panicked look masked his face.
"Ah geez, today is Tuesday! I knew I was forgetting something important. I'll have to dip into my emergency fund, but I should have enough to..."
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Howard barked.
During his stay with him, Jacob had informed Howard about Blazer's little run-ins with Lance. Howard was no stranger to the idea of protection rackets having grown up on the streets of Chicago, so he certainly had no taste for the likes of such bullies.
"I had been waiting for an opportunity to set this wrong right. You really should have come to me about this sooner. Well, I shall put an end to it promptly."
"It's really not a big deal," Lance insisted. "Blazer's barely a hairball in my drain."
"Then call me the plumber," Howard said confidently as he strode for the front door.
The pounding continued all the way up to the moment Howard approached the door. Bernie was at his master's side, snarling and growling with a hump in his back.
"We're currently closed." Howard shouted through the door. "I must ask you to leave."
The banging continued, if not increased.
"This is your final warning!" Howard shouted just a bit louder. "Leave the property right now, or I will call the police."
The banging continued, now much more violent and making the hinges creak.
"Did I not make myself clear? I will call the..."
The door went flying into Howard's face with incredible force. Howard hit the ground, sandwiched between it and the broken door, and he felt something, or someone, trodding over him. He heard Bernie barking, and out of the corner of his eye he could see the dog kicked away. Howard scrambled to push the door off of himself, and the invaders came into focus—a boy in red who must have been Blazer, and the towering, monstrous shape of Andy "The Snake" Coska. Howard lurched to his feet only for two thugs to jump him and hold him by the shoulders. Bernie started to lope to his aid only to be literally dog-piled upon by two other thugs. As he struggled, he spied that one thug had a black mamba tattoo curled around his face while the other a copperhead on his left arm. Each and every one of these men had some form of viper coiled along their bodies, which must have made them The Serpents, Andy's personal hit squad according to a report Deborah had read to him. Howard could only sneer at them as Andy and Blazer approached Blade. The poor boy was frozen with terror as Blazer drew close. He swiped Lance's glasses off of his face, using them as a makeshift mirror so as to pick something out of his teeth.
"Guess what, runt?" he jeered with a Cheshire smile. '"Good news—I don't need your money anymore. Bad news—I'm a Serpent now. That means I'm somebody. You? You're nobody. Lucky for you, I'm sentimental about the little stepping stones in my career. Yep, I'm a big shot now, and you had better..."
Andy's enormous palm suddenly crashed against his head, and he shoved Blazer aside with a curt, "Move".
Now nothing stood between him and Lance. The small boy was doing all he could to maintain his usual nonchalance, but his kneels were knocking against one another and the front of his forehead was matted with sweaty hair. He let out a squeak as Andy's fingers curled through the loop of his suspender, and he was lifted several inches off the ground before being brought to Andy's face.
"Where is he?"
The tone was disturbingly soft, though laced with murderous intent. Lance gulped down hard at a lump growing in his throat.
"Wh-who?" he croaked hoarsely.
"The Midtown Knight," Andy gruffed. "Or Midknight as his posters like to call him. I have it on good authority that he likes to hang here."
"You're welcome, boss!" Blazer called from the sideline.
"He and I have unfinished business," Andy went on. "I wanted to kill him, and he's still alive. I'm sure you get the point. Where is he?"
Lance's head dipped back and forth as he felt himself grow faint. Never in all his life had he ever been so terrified. Nevertheless, he maintained his courage as he met the monstrous brute's gaze.
"He isn't here," he grunted. "We're also not open yet. If you'd like a flyer..."
Andy gave him a solid shake. Lance could almost feel his brain bouncing around in his skull as Andy brought him close again.
"Maybe you don't know who I am," he snarled, his rancid breath steaming Lance's face. "The name's Andy, but most folks call me the Snake. It's because I make my living by getting rid of little punks what waste my time. Know how I do that?"
He took his free hand, and he brought it to Lance's throat.
"I put the literal squeeze on them. As I recall, the last brat I choked lasted a solid minute before he told me what I wanted, or his head popped off; I can't really remember which. Let's see how long you take."
All five fingers slithered around Lance's throat, coiling like pythons. He could even feel the steady, eager rhythm of the man's heartbeat. Indeed, the Snake was feeling very alive at the moment. However, before the squeezing could commence, Lance noticed a change in Andy's demeanor as he focused more on Lance's eyes. If Lance could have seen himself, he would have noticed that his eyes were misted with tears, giving them an almost glassy view. Andy saw something reflected in them, and now Lance could see a spark of gold. A moment later, something moving at the speed of sound zipped through the open door, a sonic boom scattering the thugs on Howard and Bernie. Andy turned, and now Lance had a perfectly unobscured view of the most terrifying thing imaginable.
Midknight in a blind fury!
Jacob's fist connected with Andy's breadbasket, knocking the air from his lungs before sending him flying. Lance became airborne, tumbling and curling in the air before he came to rest in Jacob's arms. His scarlet cape had whipped around them, as though forming a protective barrier between them and Andy. Lance clung to Jacob, and he could feel the heat emanating from the teen's body. As a matter of fact, the older boy's very emotions seemed to emanate from his body in waves. His golden eyes burned like wildfire, his silver hair crackling with static. Lance saw not just anger in him, but hurt—the kind that had been building in Jacob for far too long, finally breaking loose. Wherever he had gone that morning, it had lit the powder keg, and these unlucky fools were about to feel the boom.
"Doc, you alright?" Jacob called back, his eyes still on the recuperating Andy.
"Yeah!" Howard coughed as he forced himself upright. "I'm alright."
"Then take Lance! I'll take out the trash."
Jacob let Lance go, and the boy ran from the safety of his arms and towards Howard's own outstretched limbs. The doctor scooped the boy and made for the door, Bernie hot on his heels. One of the Serpents, the brute with the black mamba on his arm, moved to stop them, only for Jacob to materialize in front of him. He grabbed the man by the arm and twisted it to one side. There came a crackle of bones popping before fully breaking, making the man scream in pain.
"You in the mood for a fight?" Jacob growled savagely. "Here. I'll oblige you!"
Balling up his fist, Jacob struck the man so hard that he went flying all the way across the gymnasium and through the doors leading to the kitchen. The other thugs, numbering about nine total, all began drawing switchblades, small firearms, and brass knuckles, but not a soul dared approach Jacob. The boy cracked his neck and then his knuckles, and he sized them all up one by one.
"You did it," he said with a low hiss. "You...idiots...actually did it. You put a price on my head? Fine! I'm really not all that surprised at this point, and in a way I don't even care anymore. But how did you decide to cash in? What brilliant stroke of genius did you implement to smoke me out for your little payday? You idiots went and got the idea in your empty little skulls to attack an eight year old boy! Well, congratu-freaking-lations! You want me? Well...HERE I COME!"
Jacob became a blur, and he was on the thug with an adder tattoo in the blink of an eye. His fist buried deeply into the man's gut, and Jacob lifted him up, curled his body in a tight spin, and then hurled the thug into three of his buddies. They collapsed like bowling pins, but this prompted their companions to fall in. Jacob felt a bullet zing past his ear, prompting him to bring up his shield as two thugs, one with a king snake over his eye and the other a cobra over the adjacent eye, opened fire. While warding a hail of bullets with his shield, Jacob flet two more leap onto his back. Jacob could feel a knife point poking into his side, but the cerulean mesh of his chainmail prevented perforation and protected him from injury. He elbowed the attacker before grabbing the other and flipping him over his shoulder. As the gunmen worked to reload their weapons, Jacob hurled his shield at them, knocking them down. Even though the shield didn't rebound, Jacob allowed himself a small ounce of pride for pulling off such a feat. But then, his eyes landed on Blazer, and the fury returned in a blaze. The red clad bully was scrambling back as Jacob drew near, falling over himself before banging the back of his head against an exercise bench. He stopped to hold the throbbing pain, only for Jacob to grab him by the shirt and hoist him in the air.
"You two-bit, self absorbed, entitled piece of dog crap!" Jacob seethed with hate. "Was getting the snot beaten out of you the first time not enough of a message? Lance and Paradiso are off limits. So take your little pansy self and your money grubbing toadies elsewhere. I don't do third warnings."
Blazer, despite a desperate need for new pants, no less rekindled his pride as he spat in Jaocb's face.
"Take that armor off, you little cheat!" he croaked. "And we'll see..."
"Pone-Te!"
In a flash, Jacob's armor vanished, and still he held Blazer high over his head. Jacob burned his face into Blazer's eyes, his heterochromia seeming to have a more powerful effect than his golden gaze.
"Listen...to...me." Jacob snarled through his teeth. "I...am not...scared of you, and that's all you had. You picked on a small boy because that's the only kind of person that would be afraid of an idiot in a red sports coat wearing a moronic hat. Well, here's the new deal. I'm here now, and I'm sticking around. So, if I ever catch you in this place again trying to make trouble, mark my words you're going to find it, and you're going to keep finding it until you either give up or I send you to the pearly gates. Do I make myself clear?"
Blazer's bravado died with a whimper in his throat, and he looked about ready to cry.
"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!" Jacob roared wrathfully.
"Yes!" Blazer squealed. "Yes, yes, please let me go!"
Jacob released him, and Blazer turned tail and ran like a kicked dog, sobbing madly as he disappeared through the ruined door. But that was only one annoyance down, and an even greater danger awaited him. Jacob turned at the sound of clapping, and he could see Andy, now fully recovered, looking his way and grinning. There was something in that grin that really set Jacob off. It was a look that told Jacob that Andy was proud of him. A concept that made him feel sick.
"Well look at you." Andy chuckled. "Quite the little warmonger. I guess what we saw back at the Cougar was just an hordourve for the greater course set to be served. I've been waiting for someone like you to appear. Someone with some actual spine and grit. You sir, have my respect."
"Cram it!" Jacob spat. "I couldn't care less about what you think, and I would very much like for you to leave. You are not welcome here, and I don't appreciate you breaking down my little buddy's door."
"I break a lot of things." Andy said smugly. "Hearts, necks, banks: just to name a few. I guess breaking things is kind of a hobby of mine now that I'm grown. But,as a boy, I learned early on that it's either break or be broke."
"Oh brother." Jacob muttered on his breath.
"Never did care much for being broke, being looked down on, being weak. While the fat cats in Uptown had their parties and drank their wine, I was fighting for my life on the streets of Lowtown and drinking sewer water."
"Fat cats? Drinking sewer Water? Oi." Jacob groaned.
"But I'll never forget that first feeling." Andy continued as he looked down at his hands. "That first time. When I proved I could kill a man, and I could do it with style. With purpose! That was when people finally took me seriously. I became a god of Lowtown, and when I'm through this entire city will know me as..."
"Oh, will you please just SHUT UP!"
Andy went rigid, stunned into silence. Jacob was staring at him with wide eyed incredulity, one eye even twitching.
"It's been one cliche after another since all this started." Jacob sputtered in exasperation. "From bullies straight out of the nineties, to spilled beer triggering a brawl, and now a villainous monologue straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon? Are you freaking kidding me? What exactly are you accomplishing here? Why do I need to know this if the whole reason you came here was to kill me? Are you trying to bore me to death or something? Surely you're not trying to endear yourself to me or some bull, because, and I speak with clean confidence here, you are not some misunderstood sweet summer child. You're a murderer and a monster that's got it in his head that anyone gives a crap that you can break someone's neck. Newsflash, sicko, nobody cares. Especially not me."
He started to walk forward, the sterling star burning to life as Jacob's hair turned silver and his eyes flashed gold.
"The only thing you've accomplished today is turning your ire against a small boy who, to no benefit of his own, is trying his darn best to make the world a little brighter and better. My advice? Try to be a bit more like him if you want people to like you, because that's what I'm going to do. So let me make one thing clear."
Unbidden, his armor appeared, snapping into place with metallic clangs as the Light billowed from his body. Behind him, the shapes of Merrick, Nina, and even Gloria manifested behind him, making Jacob look less like a random brat fresh off the street and more of a gilded knight armed for war.
"Paradiso is under my protection."
He paused.
"No, you know what, all of Midtown is mine to protect. From this moment on, for anyone like you that comes with the intent to harm and destroy, I'll be the first one to roll out the red carpet and the first one to kick you out the door. So take a good long look before I send you away to tell your buddies."
He stomped his foot down, stuck out his thumb, and pointed it at himself.
"I am the storm you can't weather. The shield that you shall never break. I am Midtown's guardian and Lance's friend. I...AM...MIDKNIGHT!"
Andy's heart quickened, and then, for the first time in his life, he took a step back. He immediately cursed the show of weakness, and he tried and failed to calm his nerves. Just looking at the boy, looking at that light, it was almost like it sapped him of his resolve. But rage was still his friend, his ever burning fuel. This little runt had the guts, the audacity, to call him a saturday morning cartoon? That he was some sort of joke to amuse children? Where did he get off making himself out like he was something out of the comics? Who did he think he was to make light of him?
He was Andy The Snake Coska! He was the strongest man in Lowtown, and he was going to strangle this entire stinking city to prove it.
Starting with this miserable little brat!
He charged at Midknight full steam, arms stretched wide as he aimed for the boy's exposed neck. Midknight stood as still as a statue, his gold eyes shining like headlights. Surely it was fear Andy could see in his eyes. The boy was all mouth, just like the others. Just like that phony Slumlord. No one ever challenged him because no one could. Today, for all the world to see, he would lay to rest just who...
Midknight suddenly vanished from view. It had been all but instantaneous, and there was no hope to counter what followed. A sharp, powerful blow found its place in Andy's stomach, compressing his organs and pushing the air out of his lungs. He keeled over, but he never touched the ground. Instead, he was lifted up, and up, and up as Midknight rose to his full height, hefting the large man over his head. With a stabilizing stamp of his foot, Midknight heaved and hurled the man skyward, straight through the large window above Paradiso's door and high, high, way up into the deep blue sky.
When he finally stopped going up, Andy could see the entire city below, a view that dizzied him further as his brain tried to catch up with what was happening to him. The next thing he knew, he arced into a dive past the second half of Midtown, all the way across Lowtown, over the docks, and then finally into the surf. How he didn't die on impact and lived to see his golden years was a question that boggled the minds of many, but the results were all the same. By the time he managed to flop onto the beach, some of his followers managing to find him and bring him to the nearest hospital, he had sixteen broken bones, extensive muscle damage all over his body, and he would be blind in one eye for the rest of his life. The only part of his body unscathed was, of all things, his mouth, and Andy used it to utter one word.
"Midknight. Midknight. Midknight. Midknight."