Night fell over the city, but its inhabitants worked as intensely as the day, unrelenting in their ambition. There were primarily two groups that would endure the long hours into the dead of night. The honest labored for noble ends, supporting their friends and family. But among them, the dishonest endeavored just as actively. At Luther Tower, the king of the dishonest, the lord of terror, the big man of crime held a meeting. Marcus and his Protégé, his son James, worked together, scanning through several documents.

  Amongst the documents the two were reading was the Daily Saturn newspaper. The reporters made good on their promise. The headline of the newspaper blamed the big man of crime for the recent crises with Princess Abigail attesting. Of course, it was always in their plans to reveal themselves at some point, but now was too soon. They no longer had the shield of myth to conceal their movements from global powers. Now, depending on how far the news had reached, the people of the world had time to prepare for further attacks.

  James walked over to a wall, punching a hole in it. “Dammit.”

  Marcus gazed at the city map on the table unflinchingly, releasing a small yawn."My son, calm yourself."

  "How can I, Father? That garbage newspaper has cost us the element of surprise. These attacks on our facilities are hindering our plans and costing us so much money.” James banged his fist on the wall again, leaving an imprint. “And worse, the attacks are utterly random."

  "No, they're not."

  "What?"

  Marcus signaled James over. And using his claws, he marked three spots on the map before him.

  “The knight and the police are working together.”

  “How do you know for sure?”

  "There's an attack pattern. The knight will initiate a frontal assault, driving our forces into retreat. Secondly, police calls will intensify from the incident, and the officers will conveniently meet at the ideal location for an ambush. And finally, ensnarement between two enemy forces. All under the guise of legal restrictions."

  James looked closer at the map. "I've been a fool."

  "Be kind to yourself, son. Even the duration between incidents gives the appearance of coincidence. One, two, and then three weeks. And there's still something I don't understand."

  "What?"

  "These facilities are all ones I owned, but when—"

  Mako entered the room.

  "Father, all the arrangements are in place for tonight."

  "Excellent. James, let us focus on tonight. And we'll facilitate countermeasures for our friends tomorrow."

  ***

  Brilliant light pierced the night as swing music flowed through the air at the Black Canary Resort. The resort was the prime location for leisure for many of the city’s movers and shakers. With the celebration, the wealthy danced the night away in the ballroom of over ten thousand square feet. Once a month the establishment would host a party unlike any other where they would bring their families to dance the night away. But among the merriment, Charity collapsed onto a table with Charles and Hope, running to her aid.

  "Mommy, are you okay?" Hope asked in a panicked whimper.

  "I'm fine, darling.” Charity released a tired wheezing laugh. “It's just that mommy's a little out of shape."

  "I guess we haven't cut a rug like this since that night," Charles said.

  "What night, Daddy?”

  "The night I decided to give your mother you as a gift of our love.” Charles gently rubbed Hope’s head. “One of my better decisions."

  Charity, red-faced, shot Charles a scowl. "Darling, please play with the other children. I need to talk to Daddy."

  Hope ran over to the other children.

  "Charles, what was that?"

  "The truth. One she won't understand until she's older."

  Charity’s scowl left her face as a smile came to replace it. "You're a dog."

  "One who’s been meaning to give you another gift."

  Charles quickly kissed Charity with spirit as she reciprocated. However, Daniel entered the room."Hey, sis." And they stopped as Charles gazed at Daniel with disdain. Bold like the sun, Daniel pulled Karen into the room, wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her for everyone to see. As she draped his arm over her shoulder, they walked to Charity and Charles as Benjamin and Vanessa followed.

  A waiter ran by, but Daniel grabbed him, pulling him over. "Have something for my girl?"

  The waiter swiftly complied, presenting his food tray to Karen, and she ate a hors d'oeuvre. "Divine."

  Benjamin cleared his throat. "Excuse me, brother."

  "Sure thing.”

  Daniel shoved the waiter to Benjamin and Vanessa.

  "Take your pick," Benjamin said.

  "No thanks, Benjamin. I'm not hungry right now."

  "O-okay."

  The four left the waiter, reaching Charity and Charles. Still, as Hope returned to her parents, she hid behind Charles, seeing Daniel. Charles’s features hardened more toward Daniel as he witnessed her hiding from him.

  "Good evening, Charity," Karen said.

  "Same to you, Karen. And your dress is so l—"

  "Daniel, what are you doing here?" Charles interrupted.

  "Enjoying the party, rich boy."

  "Don't give me that. This event is by invitation only. And you couldn't have leeched off Benjamin because you're only allowed two guests."

  Daniel pulled out an invitation from his jacket with a smile. "Maybe the fact that I have one has something to do with it?”

  Charles quickly snatched the invitation from Daniel, vigorously examining it for legitimacy.

  "But how did you get—."Charles turned his gaze to Charity as she sweated bullets.

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  Charity formed a crooked smile. "Sweetie, he's family."

  "He’s your family and a lowlife criminal," Charles shouted.

  "Ex-criminal, I'm reformed."

  Charles forcibly poked Daniel in the shoulder. "Somehow, I doubt that."

  "Believe whatever you want. I, Ben, and the girls will enjoy drinking this place dry o—."Daniel glanced at Hope, hiding behind Charles. "Juice."

  "I prefer not to, brother.” Benjamin glanced at Hope. “You know I can't drink as much juice as you can."

  "We'll fix that tonight."

  Daniel lovingly put Benjamin in a headlock, pulling him away as they left with their women.

  "I hate him so much," Charles said.

  "Charles, no one said Daniel didn't make serious mistakes. But he's trying his best to change. Why not give him a chance?" Charity asked.

  "Charity, he's lying. He has you and everyone else fooled."

  "You're just being paranoid. Like Daddy always said, we have a duty to each other."

  "Funny you mention him. Didn't Daniel say he wouldn't sell his heirloom?"

  "That's different."

  "Is it?"

  Charity gave another scowl at Charles, and picked up Hope, bringing her to the other children.

  ***

  Daniel drank beer with Karen at the bar.

  Daniel burped. "Yeah, that's the stuff."

  "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, love.” Karen released a small burp. “Excuse me.”

  “No problem.” Daniel laughed.

  “Thank you, but there's something on my mind."

  "Shoot."

  "It's Charles. Don't you think it's time to make amends?"

  "As if I started it."

  "Daniel." Karen fired one of her soul-piercing stares.

  "Karen, he's like all the others. No matter what I do to prove I'm not worthless or an amoral thug, it's never enough."

  "Don't lose faith in forgiveness." Karen placed a hand on top of Daniel’s.

  "I'm going to take a leak."

  Daniel walked toward the bathroom, but on his way, he went by Benjamin and Vanessa, patting Benjamin on the back.

  "Having a good time?" Daniel continued walking.

  Benjamin glanced back at Daniel. "Yes, brother. Thank you."

  Benjamin turned to Vanessa, seeing her frown.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing."

  "Something's been bothering you all night.” Benjamin took Vanessa’s hand.

  "W-well, I've been thinking about what you said on our first date. And I want to give school another try, but I don't have the money."

  "If money's an issue, I'll help."

  "You're great. But I also think we're going a bit too fast."

  "What do you mean?”

  "I mean, I already have so much to do, but you've taken me to meet your mother.” Vanessa took her hand back, rubbing her temple. “I don't know how I'm going to balance all this."

  “W-what are you trying to say?”

  “Maybe we should b—“

  Benjamin hurriedly raised his trembling hand, signaling to a waiter. "How about we enjoy the rest of the evening?"

  ***

  Shots were fired, sending the people into a panic through the halls screaming and knocking over decorations as they ran madly in every which way. The chaos reached the bar. As Daniel heard the screams of terror echo through the bathroom."What?" He peeked out, seeing the panic. Karen spotted him as she guarded Benjamin and Vanessa, shooting him a nod. And he hastily realized she was telling him to go to work.

  "It's a good thing I drank my fill," Daniel thought.

  Daniel swiftly went to a bathroom stall, locking the door, and activating his intangibility, phasing through the back wall.

  The assailants sprinted through the resort, meeting a group of guards blocking their path. Still, they tore into their blockade with ruthless efficiency, beating them down. One went as far as to kick his fallen opponent in the head. However, as he readied to shoot the guard dead, the knight tackled him away, dropping limp beside him.

  "I'll need to hit the bar again after this." Daniel thought.

  The figure quickly rose, searching for his gun. But as he saw it on the floor, so did Daniel. The two dived for it, with the figure grabbing it first. However, as he aimed at Daniel, Daniel punched him, taking the gun. The rest of the gang prepared to shoot Daniel, but Daniel blasted the ceiling, sending down debris, catching one, and casting the others into retreat.

  Daniel staggered through the halls, chasing the gang. As they reached the lobby, Daniel witnessed a familiar sight through the glass doors."That car." It revealed its Gatling gun in the direction of fleeing patrons, and he jumped in the way of the barrage, blasting into the far wall as he shielded them. The gang fled into the car, but Daniel emerged from the wall as it drove off. Continuing the chase, smashing through a wall, blocking their way outside. Still, as before, the car revealed a battering ram, slamming into Daniel. However, he clung to the car's side as it sped through the gates.

  Daniel dug his fingers into the car’s body as the gang tried to lose him. It drove through the city, swerving wildly, hitting Daniel against buildings and vehicles as if driven by a drunk. As Daniel's grip was undeterred, one of them opened a window, aiming his gun at him. However, Daniel crushed his hand and the gun before he could fire, making the criminal utter a high-pitched scream. Still, as the Gatling gun fired at a building, Daniel finally surrendered his grip, rushing to protect civilians from falling debris.

  Daniel tackled the civilians out of danger as he saw the criminals escape.

  "What a night," Daniel bellowed.

  ***

  Police and numerous reporters swarmed the many corridors back at the resort.

  Fran?oise approached Norio. "Chief Fa, we've confirmed the assailants stole over $900,000 in valuables, and the primary casualty report is ready."

  "Good work. Let's hear it."

  "As of now, there's only one confirmed casualty."

  "It's a miracle." Norio’s eyes widened as he ran his hand over his head.

  Fran?oise bit her lower lip, catching Norio’s eye.

  "But there's more, isn't there?"

  "Yes, sir. It's the victim in question. Based on who it is, this isn't just a robbery. It's an assassination, I tell you."

  "Fran?oise, who is it?"

  "It's—"

  Tommy dashed at them, short of breath. ”Chief, Fa.”

  “Officer Black, calm down. What's wrong now?”

  “We just finished our survey of the resort, and I think I found the assailants’ entryway. There's a special back path for employees.”

  “You think they would have tighter security on that,” Norio said, rubbing his chin.

  “They did, sir. But there was no sign of struggle at the entrance. Someone on the inside must have helped them.”

  “Begin gathering employee suspects immediately.”

  “Yes, sir.” Tommy and Fran?oise said in unison.

  ***

  The patrons gathered in the ballroom, guided by the police. Among the crowd, Benjamin searched for Daniel. But soon, as he spotted him coming down the hall, Benjamin sprinted over, hugging him. ”I was so worried.” Making Daniel swallow screams of pain as Benjamin gripped his injuries.

  “Don’t worry, Ben, I'm fine.” Daniel swallowed hard, cracking his neck. “But where’s our family and the girls?”

  “They’re all in the ballroom. B-but where were you during all this?”

  “I saw some of the trouble from the bathroom and decided to lock myself in the stall.”

  “Really? That doesn't sound like you.”

  “You're thinking about the old Daniel, Ben. New Daniel steers clear of trouble when he sees it.”

  Benjamin laughed. “Yeah, you're right.”

  Daniel put Benjamin in a headlock, pulling him to the ballroom. Guided by the police, the brothers reconvened with the girls among the patrons. However, as Elena saw Daniel, her eyes widened, and she hurried to him.

  "You." Elena pointed at Daniel.

  Daniel swallowed. "D-do I know you, officer?"

  "No, but I know you. I've seen your rendering enough times. You're Daniel Jones, one of the lead enforcers for the Mannheim gang."

  "I was. I reformed."

  "Sure you did." Elena rolled her eyes.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" Daniel shouted.

  Hastily Norio, Fran?oise, and Tommy came.

  "Officer Chavez, what's going on?" Norio asked.

  "I found a key suspect, boss."

  "What?" Daniel asked.

  "The criminals got in when someone helped them through a back entrance. And I find it interesting that you conveniently show up at a party like this."

  "I have an invitation."

  "Where did you get it?" Elena asked.

  "From my sister."

  "And where's she?"

  Daniel pointed over to Charity, looking at Elena with a glare.

  "Lady in the blue dress, please come here," Elena shouted.

  Charity ran over to them. "Yes, officer."

  "Is this man your brother? And did you give him an invitation to the party tonight?"

  "Yes, on all accounts. But why are you asking? Has he done something wrong?"

  "No," Daniel spat.

  "I'm trying to verify that. You see, the incident tonight was an inside job. So tell me, did you give the invitation of your own volition, or were you pressured in any way?"

  "Sis, tell this loony copper I have nothing to do with this."

  Daniel looked upon Charity, waiting for her endorsement. But she stood with her lips pursed, refusing to answer.

  "Sis?"

  Again, Charity stood with her lips pursed, refusing to answer.

  "Charity?"

  Again, Charity stood with her lips pursed, refusing to answer. And Daniel shed tears.

  "Big sister?" Daniel bellowed.

  Elena readied her handcuffs."Come with me, Mr. Jones." But Benjamin moved to intercept her from Daniel.

  "Officers, it's impossible for my brother to be involved in this crime. He was with me and our girlfriends for the majority of the evening. The only exception is when I saw him enter the bathroom on the other side of the resort."

  "As did I," Karen said.

  Tommy and Fran?oise hurried to Norio as he gripped his forehead.

  "Chief Fa, this is borderline harassment. Let's leave him alone," Tommy said.

  "I disagree. We're gathering suspects anyway. If he's innocent, we'll release him later," Fran?oise said.

  Norio released a deep sigh. "Let's take him in for questioning, just to be safe."

  "This is ridiculous," Karen said angrily.

  "Brother, you can now sue for criminal negligence, abuse of power, false allegations—"

  "Enough. Let's get this over with." Daniel interrupted.

  Elena quickly handcuffed Daniel, and the police took him out of the ballroom as the patrons watched him leave. However, the Daily Saturn came with Monica directing a photographer. “Take it.” And capturing his picture.