Preparations for spring break.

“Now, just let me.”

“Grrrr.” Dino growled like an angry dog at Irvins touch.

“Please, just let me fix this tie already, we are late enough as it is.”

Irvin was quite busy trying to fix up Dino´s recently bought black tie; he was being less than cooperative. “Also tuck your sleeves correctly, and really? Such a mess you made of the collar of your shirt, this won´t do, this won´t do at all.”

Dino was dressed in a formal black suit with a clean white shirt and a black necktie to top it off. There were no traces of his baggy green coat and his face was visible to everyone or at least what little of his messy black hair didn´t cover, but every piece of his attire was poorly wore and Irvin couldn´t help himself. “Who cares, really, the monkey suit is enough, you´re the one being overly picky.” Dino said.

“Dino, this people will literally kill you for a lack of manners, first impression do matter.”

“We already gave them a fine first impression in a goddamn battle to the death. ¿Besides why are you even wearing that thing? ¿How does that help at all?” Irvin stood back “¿What, this?” Irvin was wearing a fancy black suit as well, but any attempt at elegance was ruined by his oversized white lab coat and his bright yellow and black tie, not to mention the black shades he never took off.

“¿Why do you even wear a lab coat? You don´t even have a lab, you damn nerd.”

“It´s my image otherwise I´ll hardly be a mad scientist anymore, besides it is also a family heirloom of sorts.” Irvin was finally satisfied with his friend’s looks and let go off him and finally did a quick fixing of his own tie. “¿The coat too? ¿That´s your mom´s or something? ¿Did you´re folks never by ya´ clothes is that why you´re such a stiff?” “Not, at all its my dad´s.” Irvin answered frankly and Dino could only let it go.

“Now then Miss Yong about your outfit.” They´re fellow accomplicce was wearing a black and green strap on dress without any sleeves, so her muscular arms and the rather impressively design dragon tattoo on her right shoulder was much more visible now, her hairstyle remained braided as always and thought when she was now using some short heeled black shoes she didn´t bother with any make up. “¿Yes, any problems?” She said with both of arms crossed over her chest and a very menacing look in her eyes.

“You look utterly perfect.” She pointed at him “Right answer boss.” Irvin returned his attention to his tall friend and quickly stopped him from messing with his own collar. “No Dino, no.” He showed his teeth back. “I hate ties, hate them.” Irvin seemed to relax as he looked back at his companions,, but his hand kept going back to his yellow tie.

This whole ordeal could still be nothing but a trap, but there is no alternative…none at all and as much as I hate to admit it our own power is just too small.”

“¡Hey guys I made it!”

Danny Storm came running to them when the group stepping into the pier. The young pimpled teenager was wearing a black suit as it was requested of him, but rather than tie he put on a small rounded medallion in a short bow and rather than some formal shoes he preferred to wear some very shiny black leather cowboy boots and of course his characteristic American black cowboy hat, he was looking rather tired as he tried to recover his breath. “¿You guys weren’t leaving without me again were you?” “I knew we were forgetting something.” Irvin said rather nonchalant.

Danny scuffed, but quickly smiled again. “So how do I look” He asked with a huge grin in his face. “Alright then let´s get a move on, the Beretta family is waiting.” Irvin spoke and both Dino and Yong followed him into the peer.

“¡You guys suck!” Danny rushed to join them with a huge scoff now on his face, Yong couldn´t help but laugh. “You know you didn´t need to come its very risky, not to mention they don´t actually know about you.” She told him with both of her arms crossed behind her head. “As if… Like hell I´m letting you guy have food without me again, I can´t believe you guys went to the fair on your own.” “Sorry I kind of forgot to call you…I had lots of stuff in my mind. Like almost dying and what not.” Yong said avoiding his eyes. “Screw you I spent the whole night waiting for instruction in my fucking post. ¡The whole fucking night!”

“As I said, sorry.” She told him half joking as he grumbled to himself.

Regardless the wooden boardwalk was upon them. This was a rather festive district full of stores and well regarded restaurants near the ocean at the eastern residential streets in Salvatore´s island a place that seemed rather devoid of the violence that persisted all through the island or at least it did so in its surface. The people around them dressed rather nicely and even had the audacity to bring children outside; this was a fine elegant place for the people that have made a fortune even here, a place well regarded as an entertainment center for all of the students in the area.

And here in this sea side little pier, the Beretta family made their nest and culled all opposition till every salesman and every family knew better than to make a ruckus on their turf and because of that tyranny this place remains one of the safest spots in the island especially for those that don´t want to deal with Salvatore. More often than not crocks and international crime kingpins that feels safer in Salvatore’s lands, but not so much with doing business with the empire.

Within the pier there was a restaurant painted in white and black with a sign at its entrance of a rather cute shrimp wearing a white fedora and some tacky shades. This was the Italian sea side restaurant of “Toldo de sol” a rather friendly place, well renowned for its pasta with shrimps and it’s “for the whole family feeling” and also as the fake front for the main headquarters of the young Beretta familia operations.

It wasn´t much of a secret, but everyone was more than use to it, just one more point mark on the wooden streets by now. Today thought, there were no happy families nearby, but rather many men and woman loitering near the entrance with they´re perfectly fine white suits. Among them a short and overweight woman wave at them excitedly, while the rest of the mobster keep to the shades throwing daggers with their sights the woman that had quickly reached Irvin and his companions with a happy pace.

“I´m so happy you could all join us, gentleman, lady. I´m Bella the chef of this fine establishment, and fellow villainous student.” She chirped happily. The short woman was hardly dressed as a chef, but rather sported the same white suit the rest of the family wore making it quite clear her position amongst them. She was a rather sunny woman showing a clear smile and pretty blue eyes with blonde long hair that felled messily from her white fedora. Her rather happy greeting made Irvin and the rest froze from the sheer surprise of it all, it was hardly the welcoming they expected.

“Ahem, I’m Mr. Irvin Maximillian” He spoke with a graceful bow. “This one here is my friend Dallas Dino Saurus....” Dino stretched his tongue out. “Sup” Irvin ignored him and continued on “and she is our dear friend and bodyguard “Miss Yong Lee.” She merely raised her shoulder slightly without bothering to say anything. “And Danny Storm.” Danny tipped his hat at Bella.

“Lovely, please step in I got just table for you fine fellas” They followed her to the restaurants with they´re eyes on the lookout for all the white dressed guards who merely watched them enter in silence. The first thing Irvin felt when entering the restaurant was the cold breeze of the air conditioner that casted away the heavy heat the island was known for. The second was the rather elegant and yet fresh feeling the decoration gave, the restaurant was elegant with its white walls and various paintings of realistic sea scenery from beaches to and old lighthouse, it was relaxing at first sight.

There were plenty of wooden decorations and tables on the floor as well of a fine wood, just like the very peer. There were plenty of small aquariums with lobsters for the customer to choose from and many others just to show case all sort of fishes. It wasn´t anything out of the ordinary; elegant, but not like a place that would only be welcoming to the rich. All thing considered it had a far more refreshing atmosphere that what Irvin had anticipated, but the four of them remained with.

“Welcome to “Toldo del sol” I´m happy to serve I will attend you myself today, nothing but for the bosses friends.” Bella bowed while carrying the restaurants menus, we took our seat in a rather long table for just the four of us, Irvin´s first instinct was to ensure his companions were sitting properly and most of them were, but Dino already had his feet on the white mantle of the table while leaning his chair backwards.

“Dino, not here, not now…” He growled at Irvin showing anger for the first time on a long while.” Dino quickly fixed himself. “Oh yea, I forgot.” Soon enough everyone had they´re menus ready and told Bella what they wished to order, with the matter settled she giggled. “Well then off to the kitchen I go, hope you´ll enjoy your meal.” Bella excused herself and if in cue two rather familiar faces appeared and Dino growled showing his sharp teeth clearly.

“Hello my name is Cindy Seasons and it’s good to finally make a proper greeting with you all.” The woman known as Ice Cold Cindy the well renowned financial advisor and second in command of the Beretta family, this beautiful woman showed no sign of animosity as if the events from the before were simply forgotten. “And this is my brother Johnson Seasons.” She presented the tall black man at her side that sported the same white suit than she did.

He´s companion looked utterly furious, the tall man sporting a handkerchief over his mouth and a rather crude respiratory device on his back seemed to be holding back with all he could from simply murdering everyone present.

“Yes… a pleasure.” The man said in great struggle, Cindy didn´t seem to mind his hostility and carried on with her usual sweet tone.

“Well then Mr. Irvin its great you could join us, but sadly Mr. Beretta has requested to speak in private at his office above us, you´ll be served your food there, considered a business lunch If you may.” The petite woman spoke in the most professional of matters disregarding the obvious stares of anger Irvin´s group where showing her.

“¡Like hell you´ll..!” Before Dino could rise from his seat, Irvin stopped him by simply raising his hand. “Not a problem, you guys enjoy your dinner and keep an eye on things. If they wanted me death, I wouldn’t even be here now. ”Irvin spoke calmly, Danny was visibly shaking form his side of the table and Yong, well she simply shrugged. “It’s lovely that you understand Mr. Maximillian.” Cindy spoke holding her palms together.

“Go without worries will stay right here so your people can have a good look at us.” As she spoke John descended to sit at the end of the table, his breathing loud and constant his eyes boiling with fury towards Dino. Cindy carefully sited at his side while a woman in a white suit came to present herself to Irvin.

“Please may you follow me, Mr. Beretta is awaiting you.” The woman said.

“So it seems, you guys better don´t do anything crazy please.” Irvin got up and fixed his tie once more. “At least till they do it first.” That was the last thing Irvin told them as he walked deeper into the restaurant.

Yong also finished her water and stood up. “I need some fresh air.” She said in a quiet but pissed tone. “Oh, well you are not allowed to leave the building for now.” Cindy said with an obvious fake concern. “¿Can I at least take some fucky air by the gardens?” Yong spoke again with the kindness tone she could possibly muster, regardless of her choice in words. “Sure, please feel as if this was your home, just don´t step into the second floor or we will sadly, have to kill you.” She headed to a small garden to the left side of the restaurant raising her palm in a farewell. “Sure, sure.” And brushed them aside. Cindy´s smile remained as if pasted on her face. Dino on the other was growling straight at Yongs back as she disappeared into the distance.

“Well… I´ll take some air too.”

“Before you do I think it’s better if we get to know of each other a little, especially since we are to about become a team.” Cindy quickly stopped him from getting up by holding his hand, a hand that was frozen cold even for the cold blooded man like him. “Yes and the food arrived already and wasting food is a a grave sin Mr. Dinosaur.” Johnson spoke roughly as Miss Bella arrived along with a waitress and the food. “Here it is… oh how curious there is a lot less people sitting now. ¿How funny is that?” They quickly put the dishes over the table and smell of pasta and lobster boiled and arranged with butter reached everyone that had remained in their sits.

Cindy put a handkerchief over legs and Johnson tied one to his neck preparing himself to eat a huge steak burger. Dinos pride took a hit as well when his sensible noise was overcome with the smell of dead sea animals ready to be eaten. Of all of them, the only one who wasn´t feeling like eating any more was Danny, still visible shaking he was about to get up from his seat as his meal was delivered. “Sorry, but I´m heading to the bathroom.” He said as clenched his teeth.

Before he could get up from his sit Bella stopped him by grabbing him strongly from his right arm, and he groaned in pain. “Now, now, we are all waiting to see you guys enjoy our meals. If you step out the food will get cold” Danny screeched as she forced his wounded arm down till his face ended against the table. “¡Fine just let me go!” She let him go on cue as she stepped away from the table. “Hahaha hope you all have a lovely meal, do call me for anything and know that Bella will be at your service. Once she left the table Danny stretched to reach Dino who was sitting near him.

“This is bad partner; they obviously want to intimidate us.” Danny told him while Dino eat carelessly grabbing all the fish with his fingers.

“¿Partner?” Dino reacted only to that word.

“They got rid of the boss and as expected Yong ran off like a coward it’s just you and me against them partner. I mean, that was my wounded arm partner!”

“Don’t call me partner, ever… Although you aren’t laying man this is a fight all right.” As he said that Dino turned to look at Cindy again, smiling with his sharp teeth. Behind him Danny nodded excitedly as Dino leaned forward towards the woman.

“¿Are you weaklings really the best you family has? It was a two on one back there and you lady you were really easy prey, nice powers, but when it comes down to getting rough you two can´t take punch.” Johnson just kept eating his hamburger revealing a pair of air ducts that were connected to his mouth from below the handkerchief; he had no interest in answering him and just kept eating.

“True I was impressed by your skills certainly Professor Saurus did a nice job on your upbringing.” Cindy didn´t change her tone, caring little for his provocation, but her words made Dino´s grin turn into a furious scold.

“¡Really now, so you know about my dad! ¡Me being this good has nothing to do with that bastard. ¡That is all Dino!”

“Of course we know, Dallas Dinosaurus and Danny storm the rather lackluster grandson of the great American Storm, Miss Yong the general’s rebellious daughter and of course, the very offspring of General Maximillian, a rather small group, but one with clear and crude ties with the Salvatore army. “Cindy finally forgot about her smile as she looked with her eyes straight at him. “It will be foolish not to be wary of you all, we have no interest in leaving Salvatore get anywhere near our personal business.”

“¿Wait we are all related to Salvatore’s army, really? Danny asked utterly baffled. “Yes except for Mr. Saurus here I cannot find any connection with Salvatore´s people you are a rather strange variable.” “None of your business lady but believe me we aren’t on that old geezers side.” Cindy joined her hands together after hearing Dino´s answer.

“We want to, but it’s not that easy maybe if you were to explain me a bit more about your circumstances, we can understand each other better.” Danny stretched back to whisper in his ear. “It’s a trap, a trap.” Dino slapped him off him.

“Screw that, I´ll let your boss and my friend come to terms I´m just muscle ok, don´t waste time making me answer complicated questions. Honestly just because we might work together doesn’t mean we have to like each other, each to his own side and no one has to die I say.” Dino finished his food and moved the dishes to the side to finally put his feet over the table again.

“…That´s….rather rude.” Cindy´s right eye twitched for a moment.

“What use are you then, because muscles like yours aren´t needed at all not for an adult business. Brain dead morons who got all they have from an experiment or two don´t made it long in this world.” Johnson cleaned his mouth again as both man stare at each other like dogs.

“Try to tell me that when your sister isn´t around pal.”

Johnson breathed harshly and a puff of smoke came from the handkerchief on his mouth, he was ready to get up from the table, but her sister stopped him by grabbing him by the shoulder. “Now you two this is not a place for a brawl. You should know Mr. Saurus that we do not take kindly to pointless shows of machismo within our business, this is a family restaurant.” “I was just being honest.” Dino smirked while Johnson returned to his seat in silence.

“Is that anything for you people to be proud off, of course you may defeat us easily alone, but there is no need for that to ever happen? We are an organization after all and we will gladly crush you with numbers if it came down to a real war, doesn´t matter how special you all are. You will be ended and swiped clean, see.” Cindy didn´t pretend that things were alright anymore as she spoke her treat in a detached manned and the ambient around them got heavier with every one of her words. “¿Isn´t that why you came begging for an alliance, because your group is alone and therefore terrible weak?”

“She kind of has a point, kind of.” Danny whispered to his companion again who simply closed his teeth in anger and sited properly again, Cindy´s expression was completely clear of my emotion, but her blue eyes had a real sharpness to them. “Yeah you got numbers, but that isn’t enough I need to know if anyone, but your boss´s girlfriend can fight at all in here or if all you people are good at, is scamming money from old ladies and making crappy sweetshops on the beach.” Danny raised his fist. “You tell her partner we could take on this guys like…” Johnson exhausted more smoke from his mouth and Danny shrunk back into his seat.

Cindy closed her eyes as Dino´S face got closer to hers. “You are only alive due to our generosity if that does not convince you, you are beyond our help.” She said with her eyes closed. “As if, tell ya what, ya want to know about Dino you gonna give something back, trust is a two sides street got it. You want me to trust ya´ to look into my crappy life as you please, and then you better tell me about your crappy little life too.” Dino said with a bestial look as his tongue slipped from below his sharp teeth.

Cindy stayed quiet while moving finger to the bottom of her lip. “I suppose if it’s for cooperation’s sake, then we can tell you a little about us and the family.” Johnson got closer to her looking concerned. “Are you sure, we debt the lizard nothing.” “It’s fine, besides he might understand where we are coming from.” Johnson crossed his arms a puffed out another stream of smoke.

“Very well Mr. Saurus if you don´t mind us telling you about our powers, please share about your circumstances as well… just know this can be a rather hard subject for us to talk about.” Johnson remained in silence looking at Dino with his usual anger gone, he was rather sad now with his eyes casted. “Eh… yeah my story isn´t that nice either.”He said quietly as he leaned back on his chair. Cindy raised her hand to a nearby waiter. “Please I need a beer, a big one.” The young man agreed and walked away for her order.

“Its best you know you aren´t the only one who got a bad treatment from a mad scientist, but don´t think we are anything alike you and I.” Dino closed his mouth while staring at her blue eyes that seemed much clearer than before as she spoke quietly with a concerned look. “Allow me to tell you of us, the seasonal children, Mr Saurus.”

***

The upper floor of Toldo de Sol was an open sided restaurant that allowed for the far more elite clientele to dinner while staring into the horizon and the peaceful sea, the breeze gently waving the black and white stripped curtains. Within here, there was an enclosed private room or office if you may, not for the restaurant´s owner, but rather the owner of everything upon the boardwalk. This was Tony Beretta´s office a rather modest place that sported little more than a simple wood desk and chair with a window straight into the seas behind it.

Tony thought wasn´t sitting on his desk, but rather had a small square table brought to him and his guest and so the young mobster and the young scientist were dinning at the middle of the room. “Tell me, don´t you love it, as soon as I tasted it, I knew Miss Bella could turn this restaurant around and into a real gem.” Tony had taken off his white jacket to enjoy his meal only with his white shirt and black tie, Irvin eated as well, but he kept everything and his lab coat on. “She sure knows how to make the customers feel at home.” Irvin said his black shades reflecting the mobster´s face while showing him no emotion of his own.

Tony smiled as he took the head of shrimp with a bite, the man looked elegant and proper, but he was surprisingly a very messy eater for sure. “That she does, it was a real surprise when I meet her I thought she was gona be waayyy too violent, for taking care of a proper job.” “Violent?” Irvin stopped from eating his spaghetti. “Yeah we use to call her the butcher when she ran the crappy boardwalk back then, but I knew she had a lot more in her than just cutting peoples fingers and stuff, hell she used to eat people too. But nowadays all she butches and cuts, is the good meat on the kitchen, unless I need her to do a little more for me, get it.”

“Loud and clear.” Irvin said now clearly hesitating to take another bite from his food. “She´s a lovely woman and our family sure is richer for having her.” Irvin finally took another bite staying in silence, his companion having already cleaned all food on his side of the table and began to clear his teeth with a toothpick. “So, what´s with the shades little man I get it’s a lovely sunny day, but I like to look at people in the eyes when I talk to them.” Tony spoke, the very first words since the beginning of their meeting, that weren´t in jest. “You wouldn´t like to see mine my eyes have been rather weak since birth if you were to look at them you will surely lost your appetite”

“Touchy subject, but I believe ya´ I got my own little quirks too, like this one.” Tony took out a small cigar from his breast pocket. “This little guy and me are always together and I never go anywhere without him.” “A cigar?” “Yes, and I decide a long time ago that it will be my very first smoke.” Irvin´s eyebrow raised in curiosity. “So, you don´t smoke” Tony laughed and put it back on the pocket above his heart. “No way, once body is they´re most precious of business and one has to invest well on it or else everything comes crashing down. No, this is a celebratory cigar for the day I archive my wishes and only then, Hah what a lovely day that will be.” Irvin stared at him in silence relieved the subject of his eyes had been dropped.

“Well then, Ill cut to the chase we are but a business or at least I believe so.” He bragged taking his gloved hand to his chest, Irvin just continued to finish his meal in silence.

“I took a good look into your past you do understand, and of course that of your friends, the family, well they are a tiny bit concerned you might be a spy for Salvatore.” Irvin remained in silence. “But I think they got it wrong, after all you were supposed to be death, the sickly and weak child of General Maximilian who was presumed to be death by natural causes.” “Sickly and weak sure, but not yet death” “That´s right, so the first thought that came to mind was that maybe your mother didn’t even knew you were alive and kicking and if so maybe….” Irvin stopped by letting go of his fork. “Yes, my mother tried to kill me and I escaped, splendid, you are very good at reading the situation Mr. Beretta.” Tony clapped happily when given the reason. “Right, so I thought maybe this guy here has some serious mother issues to deal with, so much likely he be wouldn´t playing spy for mama anytime soon, do I have it, or do I have it.” He asked pointing at Irvin with his gloved hand.

“Sadly I can´t disagree…my companions are in a similar position.”

“Yeah, that´s what I figured when I heard about Miss Yong, her rebellion towards her dad is clear to everyone in school. Very good then, but there is one more issue in my mind… just a tiny little thing…”Tony made a small ring with the contour of his fingers.

“¿You are doing all this to take a hit back at mama aren´t you? Irvin cleaned his mouth with a handkerchief as Tony´s smile grew wider. “That´s fine for good or bad a man always keeps his mother upon his heart.” Tony pointed back at a small picture frame on top of his desk from where he was standing Irvin couldn´t see much of the woman in the photo. “That´s my mama, the one person in the world I truly respected, and thought I´m sure she will be twisting on her grave if she saw me now, well, family is family.” Tony placed his chin over both of his hands and leered forward. “So I believe it’s the same for you. Haha ¡You want power and to get it fast, to go from a little man to a big one and tell mom that you could do it!”

“If you got along that well with your mother I sincerely doubt you could ever understand me. No this is about much more than that.” Tony´s right eye opened wide twisting his handsome features again.

“The let’s talk the terms of victory, our operation is the complete conquest of the Scorched Sun´s territory, the heart of Salvatore´s industries in the island, the slaver´s bay a real powder keg waiting to blow up and if something happened to those Japanese yakuza, it certainly would.” Tony leaned forward getting into Irvin´s personal space.

“I´ll make sure to demand protection money from its already beaten up workers and of course made those fat pigs of Salvatore pay up a little too, obviously not from the slaves because they got no green to give.” Tony shrugged” And not to mention take all of the yakuza´s illegal operations, including drug trades and so on, and if you my friend will get a nice ten or so percent.”

“I´m fine with those term” Tony clenched both of his fist excitedly. “Great in exchange as you requested I will leave some of my men for your own protection and permit you to recruit whatever people remain in the area for your merry little group, and of course and most essentially, our alliance will remain as your own faction grows, a fine deal if I say so myself.”

“I will remain completely autonomous, I wish to ensure this.” Tony laughed towards Irvin´s bored expression. “That´s right we don´t want ya folk in the family anyways, as long as you don´t cross us, we become good business partners alright, but…” Tony´s face twisted again showing traces of his violent self. “You gotta pay the piper when it’s due, the heist will take place this summer, so don´t forget it my friend.”

It’s fine even that has its place in my plans, I wouldn´t miss it for the world.

“Alright then, no more silly babbling, time to get to the harsh stuff. ¿How the hell are we going to seal the deal? The yakuza aren´t that well-armed, but they beat us in sheer number and this guys are crazy too, you can´t buy them with money you can´t break them apart and to the slaved in the smoking bay, they might as well be heroes. But even without all that, the reason I never wanted to deal with the lot of them is they´re big boss; Adachi Kojiro is no ordinary person, hell even my girlfriend doesn´t stand a chance with him. Not to mention they are much more organized than I thought at first there is someone with good foresight among them and as soon I began to move my men forward they cut me off in every corner.”

“We are not slow thinkers ourselves, but you are not wrong in that we cannot deal with Kojiro and that unless we take him down, the scorching black sun will never be snuffed out, but I have a proposition, with all sort of complications of course, but our best bet all the same.”

“Speak then little man.” Tony egged him on with one hand.

“We will blow up the whole powder keg, so loud and clear even Salvatore will hear it from his comfy bed above and when the waves of retribution arrive we will simply ride them to our victory, and I have just the person that can make it happen. We will put all of the blame in the scorching sun and make Salvatore cleanup for us.” Tony dropped his toothpick looking at the other man spawn such madness with the straightest face.

“They weren’t kidding you really are mad. ¡Hahaha we haven’t even started a war and you want a second one! Little man you are amusing, but remember if you make the whole rust beach burn, don´t forget you are the one who’s gonna be in charge of the rubble. ¡If you invite Salvatore his words will be the only ones that will matter, that is what the idiots who voted for him so long ago taught us.” Though he wasn´t happy at all he still waited to hear his answer, measuring Irvin´s every expression.

“Dallas Dinosaurus, he is the key to our survival and to they´re end, after all he is the only man that can make the woman who lead the white hounds hesitate.”

“You mean Helga, that Helga. The very white hound, seriously”

“Yes even she is human I will explain everything of course, but I still need to figure a way to make her appear, she won´t bother unless the palace itself is shaking.” Tony´s smile banished and his eyes squirted trying to figure out how serious the self-proclaimed mad scientist was. Eventually he took the cigar from his breast pocket and put it in his mouth without lighting it.

“I know just the way, my people have been looked around the area for a while and I´m sure to know where to hit and even who can do it properly. I´ll cost me some pocket money, but nothing I can´t handle, that say you will arrange the matter yourself, because if things go south, you´re one who is taking the fall, but hey if you are going to break that vault with me someday at the very least you can handle that one big old wall.” He pointed at Irvin staring at his own reflection upon his shades. It was very sudden, but just for a moment Irvin´s lip twisted in a small smile.

I´m starting to see it, it’s becoming clearer and clearer.

Yes, Yes, Yes

Below the tables Irvin´s hands closed over his lap, they were shaking in both fury and anticipation. He was sure there was a chance to archive the impossible and that he was one step at a time getting closer to making it real, but his hands still shook, doubt yet remained and not only that.

Sorry Dino, but it seems I will have to take advantage of your trust again… I cannot ask for forgiveness because this is the only way, the only way to see the future I hope for.

Irvin didn’t let any of his feeling show as he raised his hand over the table and towards the Beretta family´s boss who in turn stared back at it as if it was, but a filthy thing.

“It´s a deal.” Irvin spoke with a casual air about him, smiling lightly.

“It´s your funeral little man, but if not I´ll be my pleasure to work with you again.” And the other man answered shaking his hand back while chewing slightly on his unlit cigar. It was a hard handshake between two men with white gloves who showed neither their hands nor hearts, but they both were sure this was meant to be their path.

***

Outside and below at the side of a small garden the last member of Irvin´s small squad was trying to take a respite from the whole ordeal. Yong Lee wasn´t use to negotiation or anything like that and she has only had made it till now by making sure everyone else knew to stay away from her and so she took the best path to help everyone made the alliance a success, which was of course to remove herself entirely.

She was now leaning against the tall wooden fence surrounding the gardens, green garden with sunflowers growing within them with only one thing within her mind.

“What the fuck I´m I doing here? ” She muttered to herself.

That is what kept her mind and feelings in turmoil, having that uncertainty over her head constantly. She had taken off to forget about them and from the shame of being in such a place at all, after having spent of all her youth trying to keep herself away from such people, but now here she was eating among villains and the matter was just going to keep getting worst. Yong punched the wooden fence with just enough of her strength to break its top.

That alone wasn´t what kept eating away at her thought.

“Damn…¿Do I even want to leave?”

“Dunno, guess it depends on how much you hate the food, I personally hate it, too.”

She was answered by someone other than herself and immediately she turned back in a fighting position as the voice was rather familiar.

Joahn of the black cross came behind her, the blonde woman wearing a black suit that looked specially out of place in that friendly restaurant, she sported black highlights and lipstick and wore leather gloves and a strange white tie with a cross-like design much more fitting of a rock concert than a restaurant.

“It’s you, don´t tell me you were looking for me.” Yong raised her fist and took a step back just to be stopped by the fence.”

“Relax it, I wouldn’t risk his restaurant or else I´ll never heard the end of it, nice punch by the way.”

“¿What do you want then?”

“I was just passing by and I figured why not say hello to a friend.”

“¿Friend?”

“¿Yes, we exchanged fist didn’t we? Not to mention my boyfriend and you guys are going to team up and that means I´m in for the ride.” Yong stayed quiet, but she figured there was no point in fighting.

“Hehe.” She laughed as she walked forwards to lean against the fence at Yong´s side.

“Suit yourself, but I don´t really want anything to do with you.”

“Hmm, now then. ¿why don´t you look at this as an opportunity to grow?”

“¿Grow?”

“Yes, because you are not that strong, not strong at all… or rather your hearts a bit too weak.”

“¿As if you would know?”

“¿You hate fighting don´t you?” She got close and closet till they stood face to face, her lips painted with a glossy black lipstick turning slightly into a grin. Her green eyes piercing enough to made Yong uncomfortable. Yong raised her fist, but it was far too late by then.

“Slow.”

Yong Lí closed her eyes by instinct as a black gloved fist reached her face and just as suddenly stopped a mere inch from her nose. She didn´t notice the woman change to any stance, Joahn had looked rather carelessly a moment ago, but she stood now with an overwhelming blood thirst aimed straight at her, her green eyes sharp and attentive to any move from the other girl. Yong sweated coldly, breathing heavily.

“Haha.” Jeanne dropped her fist and leaned backwards letting her long hair cascade down behind the fence as she stared at the ceiling.

“You fight nicely, but you´re green as hell. You are not use to fighting for your very live that much, all theory no practice.” Joahn dropped her fist and leaned over the wooden fence at her side.

“…”

“And I bet you don´t know how to take a live either, miss Lee.” She grinned again leaving herself relax knowing for sure Yong wouldn´t retaliate, that she couldn´t retaliate.

“Huh, there is no worth in fighting you that’s all.”

“Oh well if you are going to live in this island you´re going to learn or die anyway and once you do. I want to fight you again miss, for reals this time, no running or hiding just a fair death match as god intended.” She looked back at Yong and tapped her arm lightly in a friendly gesture. Yong clenched her fist while trying not to look at her.

“Aren´t you a bit too arrogant for being nothing more than some crooks little pet.”

“The girl has bark. Pet? What kind of pet am I then? A ravish dog perhaps? Although If I were to be an animal of sorts, I rather be a snake, all slithering and poisonous with very pretty colored skin.” She joked back unbothered, waving her gloved hand above her head in a happy manner.

“You think that man cares for you? The bastard only loves money.”

“Haha aren´t you a bleeding heart, well don´t worry. All he cares about is money just like all care about is to feel alive with a good thrill, but there is one little thing we do share.” Yong glared back at her.

“….”

“Tony and I we are as different as we come, but there was one thing we could only understand between each other, one thing that was only for the two of us. Jeanne smiled candidly as she raised her hand enveloped in a thick black glove.

“Our hatred, we both share the same hatred, the same anger and the same hope.” She close her hand on a fist, her smile twisting just a little into a scowl.

“Hatred?” Yong couldn´t help but look shocked.

“Yes, love can be born from hatred too.” Jeanne stood up and swiftly got closer to Yong again stretching forward like a snake and just as gracefully put her gloved hand over Yong´s cheek.

“Don´t you know?”

Yong threw her hand away with a fast motion and raised her leg till her soil reached her head, but there was no strike and Yong simple remained in silence looking straight at her.

“Hahaha, you still have good instincts. Relax, as long as we are on the same side I meant you no harm.” She waved her foot away and then hid her hands on her suit pockets.

“I get it. You fucking bastards do fit each other just fine.” She returned her foot back below her, glaring at the green eyes of the blonde woman. Joahn seemed very happy of getting that reaction out of her.

“Well then, see you around.” She passed by Yong´s side with her eyes closed and a smile on her lips.

“Nice dress by the way.” With a wave the woman in the black suit disappeared deeper into the restaurant and Yong let out a deep breath she had held in for far too long.

Yong once again found herself leaning on top of the wooden fence of the restaurant´s small garden. “Today really sucks.”

“Oh dear, you are here for some reason.” Yong heard the rather squeaky voice from a man and there was only one man with such an annoying voice. So she turned back on the fence and saw Irvin finally come down from the stairs at the end of the hall.

“How did everything go with that rich asshole.”

“Oh, surprisingly well, we truly have the wind on our sails now.” He waved his fist excitedly as he walked past her, but Yong stretched forward and grabbed him from the top side of his lab coat forcing him to stop.

“We need to talk.”

“I´m not sure is wise to leave Dino alone for so..:”

“It´s not optional.” She gripped with even more strength forcing the man to walk backwards as she began to suffocate him.

“Ok, understood.” He was finally let go, ending at her side and looking rather confused as hi began to fix his yellow and black tie into place once more. Yong turned again to stare back at the garden again and he quietly took his place at her side.

“Tell me something boss.” She spoke in the most threatening manner she could muster.

“Of course, anything for my beloved comrades.” He spoke rather bewildered, this was hardly a planned situation and he wasn´t very good at those.

“¿Dino, you will not harm him correct? ¿You two are very close friend’s right?”

“Why I´m surprised I thought you cared nothing for us villain scum.”

“Dino gave a hand back then, so at the very least I´m in his debt. I don’t care what happens to you thought.” Yong let her shoulders fall along with her head over the fence her expression unreadable, but Irvin could tell from her body language along she was speaking honestly. Irvin looked straight at her back now.

“Dino, is possible the only man, I can truly say to care for.”

“Hmm, that’s sweet of you I guess, I suppose somehow he thinks the same of you. How fucking romantic.” She spitted those words in mockery as she was hardly convinced.

“….Have I given you the impression my words are not true.” This was hardly a question for Irvin, the answer clear in her voice.

“¿Why should I care about my own impressions? Everything about you is fake as all hell and you are hardly the kind to share a damn thing with us, not about the mission, not about you, not about Dino either.”

“…” Yong turned back to look at him with her arms crossed, he was once more tightening his necktie.

“What I´m telling you is that if you betray him or worst, sacrifice him. ¡I´m gonna fucking twist that pallid little neck of yours.” He stared at her, saying nothing, but his lip trembled.

“¿You think I could do that. Have I sent you to danger pointlessly even once? ¡You think I will throw away my most important of friend! You are right about something thought you know nothing of us.”

“Huh, looks you can actually get angry, good that makes just a little bit more human.” Irvin’s expression disappeared and turned numb again, he looked a bit disconcerted.

“It’s fine boss, if it’s as you say we may be able to work together after all.”

“Very well, that´s what I’m hoping for.”

“Believe I don´t want to disappoint you either, we will save your mother as well.” Yong stared at him expectedly with her eyes dimmed downwards.

“Huh, yeah.”

“It’s all part of the plan, so please help us out as well, there is very little I can do on my own…” Yong bumped her fist at his shoulder without much strength to it, but Irvin still staggered backwards.

“You got it boss. Now let´s and fetch those two morons back there.”

“Sure.” Irvin stared at the floor as she walked onwards, she couldn´t see it, but just for a moment he smiled. It was a scary looking smile; the only type he knew how to make, but a smile none the less. He composed himself and walked behind her once more with no expression on his pallid face.

They both arrived once more at they´re selected restaurant table and found a rather unusual sight.

“That’s right, we couldn´t tolerated it and we wouldn´t and thanks to the boss we were given the chance we wished for the most and we took it.” Cindy the second in charge of the Beretta Family was looking rather drunk as she spoke loudly and angrily, Yong was really concerned now, but Irvin just stared with his hands upon his chin, he was honestly very curious. Dino wasn´t angry, but was listening to her words in a very attentive matter, that level of attention was not common for him.

“Well that´s something I couldn´t do, I never got it in me to rebel.” Dino said.

The tall man at the end of the table, Johnson Seasons remained with his eyes close just listening tentatively to they´re stories. Danny thought, was on its own corner of the table taking a shot of beer and another while looking very bored. It seemed to Irvin that the rest of them already forgot about him.

“¡There was no helping it, we were not raised as human and we will not be acknowledged as humans. Being human, being seen as human was not something anyone will give to us. Tony gave us an opportunity and we took it we risked everything, we had to!” Cindy slammed at the table as Dino looked at her, listening with a rather sorrowful expression.

"Yeah I get ya, didn't learn it till it was far too late for me thought." Dino said.

“So we took the fight to them, to strike back with the very powers they gave us.” Cindy added till another voice interrupted her.

“Yes, the good doctor, the nurses, the guard and all the people there who pretended not to see, we burned them to a crisp. We forgive them nothing and so there was no one left. Johnson spoke loud and clear.

“Hahaha, all of them, they were no longer human, they were nothing more than ash. “ Johnson ended and smiled widely, he couldn´t help but spoke fondly of it all. The memory of it gave him the most satisfying of smiles.

“That day we decided that will take back our lives and to thank Tony we joined his family we four were once the only Beretta family…. This is a matter I shared with you for a single reason, for you all to realize that we are family now and we will not forgive betrayal or any other display of violence to our own. And also for you all to remember that we are not forgiving.” Cindy ended her speech while rising from her chair; her last words directed clearly at Dino, she had yet to notice the others arrival.

“I get it, believe me this I get. Ya lot are not our enemies anyway.” Dino shrugged.

“Ahem.” Irvin cleared his throat to call forth they´re attention.

“¿Oh Mr. Maximillian did it all went well with the boss?” In a complete change of mood, Cindy stopped screamed and cooled of her anger completely, receiving Irvin with her usual smile. She composed her and her clothing in an instant, like she had never taking a single drop of alcohol till now.

“Everything went perfectly we are official allies for the time being Miss Seasons.”

“How wonderful, let us hope we have understood each other’s needs then.” Cindy smile and shook hands with Irvin sealing the deal. Johnson stood up as well without saying anything to them and simply tipped his hat. Danny and Dino got up as well; it was clear there was no need to prolong the lunch any longer.

The four of them were finally outside the restaurant and Irvin finally relaxed and let go of his tie.

“Well we get to live another.” Irvin said as he stared into the sea from the border of the peer.

“¿So what the hell even happened while I was gone?” Yong asked Danny by poking him in the arm, he still looked very distressed.

“Well I thought we were going to die and then… they started talking about they´re awful childhood, mad scientist and inhuman experiments… and then they just talked about they´re feeling and I was like ¿Why do I care?” Danny said, or rather complained.

“Hmm, I´m impress Dino you handled yourself pretty well then, nice one.” Yong gave him a thumps up.

“Big deal.” Dino just shrugged while staring at the sea as well; at the moment he didn’t want anyone to look at his face, even more so than usual.

“Dino.” Irvin spoke with a somber tone and Dino seemed to understand a lot with just that simple word and they both stared at each other ignoring the other two.

“Jej, I guess the children of mad scientists are all the same no matter where you look.”

“Hmm I guess that´s true.” They both agreed with a look to drop the subject entirely, Yong couldn´t help, but feel she was missing something from all this, but resisted the urge to ask them.

“¿So what now do we just wait at our homes till spring break?” Yong asked instead.

“More or less, albeit there is one more matter I must attend to.” Irvin looked at his companions while putting his hand under his chin in contemplation.

“And I believe I´m taking Mr. Storm alone with me to get it done.” Irvin pointed at the young man with the cowboy hat that had sneaked all the way to the back. Dino and Yong stared at him without saying anything, but totally measuring him up with a look. He was once more completely confused.

“Wait. ¿What?” he screeched in confusion looking at every one of them in hopes he had heard wrong. He sure wasn´t expecting this and thought he would usual gloat about it, he was just too nervous to say anything.

“I’m counting on you Mr. Storm to protect me in case anything goes south.” Irvin said ignoring Danny´s obvious anxiety.

“Hah, don´t forget that if anything happens to Irvin, I´m killing ya´, man, killing ya´” Dino joked, but Danny had no problem understanding his treat was quite really.

“Hah, sure…I…¡I´ll keep him safe you will all see!” Danny tried his best to sound as his usual arrogant self by clenching his fist.

“Alright then.” Irvin fixed his sunglasses and covered his grin under his hand while doing so.

Preparations are almost over. I can truly see it now; our joyful spring break is almost here.