"Old man you made it," The teenager said with a grin as he left the junkyard to see Cyrus crossing the road.
"Well that flashbang and goo grenade combo did catch my interest for a start," Cyrus said with a grin as he peeled off a dried piece of goo from his elbow. "What's your name anyway? couldn't exactly ask in the middle of all that chaos"
"Same, kinda hard to be polite while running from the police, It's Randy Emmons," Randy said with a chuckle as he held out a fist.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Cyrus Ashford," said Cyrus, completing the fist bump and surveying the dilapidated junkyard. "Is this where you work when you're not involved with the gang?"
"Yeah, it's just me and my grandpa," Randy said, glancing at his phone. "Speaking of which, I need to take care of something quickly. Go in and keep the old man company for a bit; I'll be back soon."
Before Cyrus could say anything Randy teleported away and saw him run down an alleyway.
"Do you want me to tail him?" Yasha inquired, materializing beside Cyrus. "We still have much to learn about the gang he's involved with."
"Good idea. Since there's a zone you must stay within, I'll summon you to explore freely," Cyrus declared, using some of his life force to manifest Yasha into the real world fully.
"Good to stretch my legs," Yasha said while stretching as Cyrus stared at him with a confused look on his face "What's wrong?"
"So this is the result of summoning you," Cyrus remarked, his confusion shifting to curiosity. Instead of the expected monkey monster, Yasha stood before him, clad in baggy, stylish streetwear, his human-like features more prominent. The most striking was his long, unkempt white hair, now tied back in a stylish bun.
"Cool human clothes," Yasha remarked with a grin, eyeing the oversized hoodie that matched the shade of his fur, the black cargo pants secured with a furry belt, and the red combat boots that reminded him of his fractured mask.
"Get going," Cyrus said snapping Yasha out of his poses as he ran after Randy. With that sorted he went inside the junkyard and saw large mounds of scrap filling up the entire yard.
"Oi, lad, we've got a massive order in, so start hopping to it!" shouted an elderly voice, punctuated by a cough, as the door swung open to reveal an old man clad in oil-stained overalls, leaning on a cane.
"Who the hell are you?" demanded the old man, fixing Cyrus with a stare from his good eye while his lazy eye gazed skyward.
"I'm a friend of your grandson; he asked me to stop by but had to attend to something first," Cyrus explained as he approached the elderly man.
"You're a big bastard ain't ya?" The old man asked as he glanced up at Cyrus with a stern look "You aren't one of his street friends are you!?"
"Nope, I'm swamped with work," Cyrus replied with a light chuckle, even as the old man jabbed him in the chest a few times with his cane.
"Good, my name is Greg," he muttered with a wet cough, "and if my grandson has any manners, you'd know that. Now, since you're built like an ox, I'm going to need you to do a few jobs for me."
He handed Cyrus a grease-stained sheet of paper full of different vehicle parts.
[Mini Quest-Junkyard Helper]
[Assist Greg Emmons with his tasks and gain a reward. Fail and take a debuff!]
"Sure let's get started" Cyrus said with a smile as Greg pointed at different sections of the junkyard.
While Cyrus is busy helping Greg Yasha is crouching outside a closed bakery shop. He glanced inside and stared at Randy sitting at one of the booths.
Knowing grandad his gonna scare Cyrus off with all his complaining and hitting The thought of that made Randy take out his phone to call his old man but got no reply.
"How long is it going to take Tobias?" He asked before the sounds of many locks being undone came from the backroom door.
"H-Hey R-Randy, y-you know it takes time to perfectly sort it how Cobra likes" Tobias a sickly pale teenager with four spikes under his chin stuttered out a sigh.
"I know sorry, I have over deliveries to make and need to hurry," Randy said as he glanced out a window.
"T-They working you hard again?" Tobias asked as he threw a package on the table before scratching at his scales.
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"They enjoy taking advantage of my power, but hey, it's better than a cashier job," Randy remarked with a chuckle, tucking the package into his backpack. He then stood up and pulled out a tightly sealed jar, causing Tobias's lizard-like eyes to widen and his body to tremble slightly.
"I-Is that?" Tobias asked as his usual unfocused eyes locked firmly on the jar.
"Yep a couple of fruit and insects that can get you high enough to knock on god's door," Randy said with a grin "A present from me for all the hard work you do, and before you ask I got Kate to get it as she still owes me a couple of favors for covering her hot-headed ass"
"Thank you, Randy," Tobias said with a smile as he gave Randy a sudden hug.
"No worries, I've heard about the trouble they've caused you. Just so you know, I don't fuck with them, and if I was bigger I'll make them eat pavement," Randy stated earnestly. "When I'm in charge, that's going to be one of the first things to change."
"Then I'll do everything in my power to support your rise to leadership. Now, go quickly and complete that delivery before they pile on more work," Tobias said, grinning as he grabbed the package and disappeared into the backroom.
As Randy walked away, the ringtone of his phone caught his attention; he received a text from Leon. Opening the message, a serious expression formed on his face.
[We need to chat now. Come to the water tower.]
"It's always something right when I'm finished" Randy growled as Leon only texts him when its something the boss personally needs his powers for.
With a heavy sigh, he turned around and ran towards the direction of the water tower with Yasha following way behind. It took a couple of minutes but he finally arrived at the water tower where a tall athletic man and two overweight boys are waiting.
"What do you want Leon? I'm in the middle of a run" Randy asked with annoyance in his voice as he stared up at the athletic guy who is wearing a slightly worn-out stylish grey suit and an eyepatch over his right eye.
"It will only take a second," Leon said as he took a drag of his cigarette. "First, how many charges do you have left?"
"I've got three charges left, just enough to complete this supply run and head home," Randy stated, having expended seven charges zipping across the city. "Whatever the boss wants, it'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"That should be enough, you got the package?" Leon asked as Randy took out the supplies "Ivan grab it"
One of the overweight men with a spiky mohawk grabbed the package and swiftly placed heavy cuffs with red glyphs on Randy's wrists.
He collapsed instantly, overcome by a wave of exhaustion, feeling his powers diminish as if they were a frightened animal.
"Suppression cuffs how the hell did you get this?" Randy asked a look of shock on his face.
"Having some friends in the police comes in handy," Leon said, smirking as he crouched and blew smoke into Randy's face. "Now, we can talk without you trying to run off."
"To talk about what?" Randy asked as Ivan placed a strong meaty hand on his shoulder to keep him in place.
"Well, it's time for the boss to step down from leadership and for me to take over," Leon said with a smile."I already have most people on my side, besides you and that stubborn bitch Kate"
"And why would I help you?" Randy asked keeping his eyes on Leon.
"Because I'm aware of your disdain for the boss and his methods, under my leadership we won't be confined to petty crimes. We'll ascend to the big leagues and establish ourselves as a formidable power in this city," Leon declared with a grin. "And with you as my right-hand man, operations will run much more smoothly."
"Your right-hand guy?" Randy asked as he glanced at the ground.
"Yes, no more supply runs or being the messenger; you'll have your own group to lead," Leon said, extending his hand. "But first, I need your help to convince that loyal dog Kate that Cobra is finished, and it's time to look to the future."
"Sounds good, just one problem," Randy said as he stared up at Leon, who wore a sly smile on his face.
"And what would that be?" Leon inquired, just as Randy, in a sudden act of disrespect, spat in his eye, causing him to stagger back. "You little fucker!!"
"I want to be in charge and I'll do it without killing the boss and betraying my friends you rat bastard!" Randy declared with a fiery look in his eyes.
"A shame then, you can visit your grandfather in hospital and tell him you were the reason what happened to him and his shitty junkyard," Leon said with a snarl as he pulled out a phone.
"What the fuck did you do to my grandfather!" Randy shouted in pure anger and lunged forward but was stopped by the hand on his shoulder.
"He didn't accept, so do what you must," Leon said into the phone, glancing at the furious Randy. "Now, let's continue discussing your joining us without being my right-hand man. Paul, get started."
A meaty fist slammed into Randy's mouth sending him crashing to the ground as the other overweight man with facial piercings stood over him while putting knuckle dusters on.
Damn it, not my granddad; he doesn't deserve to get caught up in all this gang stuff. Randy couldn't hold back the tears as he recalled all the times his grandfather had tried to persuade him to leave the gang and return to school.
"You always had a punchable face" Paul snarled as he pulled his fist back and threw a punch aimed straight for Randy's nose.
As he tensed in anticipation of the blow, it surprisingly never arrived, prompting him to cautiously open his eyes. To his relief, he saw the fist had been pulled back.
"Yo, leave that kid alone" a voice suddenly called out, causing everyone to turn in shock towards the man who now stood over Randy, gripping Paul's wrist tightly.
"Who the fuck are you!?" Leon shouted, hastily drawing a knife as the stranger leaped up, delivering a swift roundhouse kick to Paul's head, instantly knocking the burly man unconscious.
"I'm a friend of his friend who happened to be passing by," Yasha said, frowning as he stared at the two men. "And judging by how easily he went down with just a light tap, this is going to be easy."
Randy sprang up and positioned himself behind the man shielding him. A text alert caught his attention, and he glanced down to find Tobias' name on the screen. Opening the message, he read it with an intense expression.
[Don't go home ambush waiting! called your grandfather let's meet up!]
"Don't worry, kid," Yasha said, glancing behind him and giving Randy a reassuring grin. "Cyrus and my friends will ensure your elder is safe from harm."
"You're friends with Cyrus?" Randy inquired, eyeing Leon and Ivan, who were both angry and cautious due to Yasha's unexpected arrival.
"Yeah, you could say he's my boss," Yasha remarked, cracking his knuckles. "Let me handle these weaklings before we catch up with them."