Capítulo 138: Chapter 133: The Path Forward
"Oh sh*t, my sauce!"
Ricky's head bolted up, the system window trailing behind him as he rushed downstairs to a trail of smoke.
[Mission Received: Frances Hutt]
Difficulty: Medium
Character Sheet: C+
Frances Hutt, the wife of Thomas Dewey, has long been the epitome of a devoted and loyal partner. As a stay-at-home wife, she has faithfully supported her husband's career and ambitions, standing by him through every challenge. Yet, the past few years have taken their toll on her. Dewey, consumed by his work and relentless in his pursuit to reclaim the success he once had, has distanced himself from Frances emotionally. Their home, once filled with shared conversations and mutual support, has become a place of isolation for her. In reality, Frances has been left to bear the weight of her loneliness in silence. She's given up her own desires, her own needs, for the sake of Dewey's ambitions. And as his work continues to pull him further away, Frances finds herself yearning for the attention, companionship, and love that has long been absent from her life.
Objective: Help Frances regain her lost wants and fulfill her unmet needs
Reward: 50,000 IP
Main Mission:
Impregnante Once:
Rewards: 100 Gacha or Frances Skill's
Impregnate Twice:
Rewards: ?????????
Additional Missions:
Have Frances Open herself up to you(Complete)
Reward: Rare Item Coupon
Impregnate Frances In Dewey's Home(Complete)
Reward: Epic Skill Coupon
Impregnate Frances In Dewey's office(Incomplete)
Reward: Epic Item Coupon
Bonus Missions:
Have Frances cum three times in one sitting(Complete)
Reward: +3 appearance
Make Frances cum with anything other than your dick(Complete)
Reward: +3 Charm
???????????????????
???????????????????
???????????????????
???????????????????
BAM
"My sauce~" Ricky whined, hitting his head against the counter as his sauce, something he had dedicated so much time to, was ruined.
Still completely naked, Ricky raised his head to the system window since at least some good came out of all of this.
'Just give me my rewards.'
DING
Received:
(Epic Skill) Heightened Awareness: Allows the user not only to foresee threats but to fully assess the situation in slow motion, giving them time to plan their next move.
(Rare Item) Whistle Of Unbinding: A One Time Use item that, when blown, breaks any binding that encapsulates the user.
Ricky blinked a few times, his vision blurring momentarily as a sharp, burning sensation rippled across his face before it disappeared.
Feeling his cheek, Ricky nodded his head before dumping his sauce into the sink and trying not to look at it for the fear of a tear shedding at his ruined work.
'Man, feed heightened awareness-'
Thump
Ricky's heart pounded violently in his chest, each beat echoing like a war drum as if something deep within him was stirring.
But just as the sensation seemed ready to push him over the edge, to ignite something profound within him, it vanished without a trace.
[Heightened Awareness has been consumed and has meshed with The Unraveling Foretelling (formerly Defensive Precognition)]
DING
Temporal Insight: The user can foresee threats and assess situations as if time itself slows down, granting them the ability to plan and react with precision. However, their perception is warped by fragmented glimpses of possible futures, adding a layer of unpredictability to their foresight.
Abilities:
Distorted Vision of Fate: The user perceives unstable flashes of potential futures, each revealing imminent attacks, movements, or outcomes. These glimpses allow the user to react in ways that seem impossibly anticipatory, dodging or countering with preternatural accuracy.
Danger Reflexes: The user's reflexes are already heighted to an abnormal degree but in situations that even defy them, during critical moments, the user gains the advantage of thinking and acting as though every second stretches into minutes, turning complex decisions into split-second choices.
Then, suddenly, the pot tipped over, its descent pulling Ricky's attention with an almost magnetic force.
In that instant, the world around him seemed to decelerate, every movement stretching into surreal slow motion.
His eyes, now enveloped in a void-like hue, locked onto the falling object, capturing every detail as though time itself had yielded to his perception before he sought to reach out and act.
'Woah.' Ricky thought, holding the pot that barely left the kitchen top and placed it back onto it.
'This actually rules-'
BEEP
BEEP
"Dammit, my bread sticks!" Ricky's head jerked back, rushing away from his thoughts but the system window refused to go away still.
Ricky had yet to decide whether to accept his gacha or Frances' skills, but the latter couldn't care less; he was focused on salvaging the dinner that was quickly falling apart.
'I don't know, I guess Gacha-'
DING
[The threshold of 1,000 total gacha has been surpassed, unlocking the next phase]
"The wha-"
[From now on, gacha will be optimized due to the host continued progression through gacha]
[Standard draws will still be given that range from Common to &*^5+^$@, with decreasing odds for higher tiers]
[Gacha will now include guaranteed draws for every new mission the host undertakes. In addition to standard pulls, these guaranteed pulls will now be grouped together for convenience]
[Gacha pulls: Guaranteed Rewards
Common Gacha Pull: Guarantees a Common reward or higher.
Uncommon Gacha Pull: Guarantees an Uncommon reward or higher.
Rare Gacha Pull: Guarantees a Rare reward or higher.
Epic Gacha Pull: Guarantees an Epic reward or higher.
Legendary Gacha Pull: Guarantees a Legendary reward or higher.
Mythic Gacha Pull: Guarantees a Mythic reward.]
[Guaranteed pulls can be converted into the next branch, whereas standard pulls cannot]
[Pull Conversion System:
2 Common Gacha Pulls → 1 Uncommon Gacha Pull
4 Uncommon Gacha Pulls → 1 Rare Gacha Pull
6 Rare Gacha Pulls → 1 Epic Gacha Pull
8 Epic Gacha Pulls → 1 Legendary Gacha Pull
10 Legendary Gacha Pulls → 1 Mythic Gacha Pull]
[Finally with the option of guarantee pulls, probability has been tweaked:
Probability:
Common: 50→52%
Uncommon: 30→31%
Rare: 10%
Epic: 5→4%
Legendary: 4→2.5%
Mythic: 1→.5%]
[Introduction has ended]
"Uh, okay." Ricky looked at all the information with only two words to sum it up.
Munching on his charred breadstick, Ricky leaned back, flipping through the information with a rare moment of focus instead of his usual haphazard approach as the ruined breadstick hardly seemed to bother him while he continued to chew on it.
It wasn't exactly surprising that Ricky hadn't been relying on gacha much these days.
Most of the women he'd been involved with were already ridiculously powerful, making the allure of random skills and abilities less enticing to the upfront rewards.
Besides, winging it had always worked well enough, until now.
It might have seemed like a downgrade at first, but as Ricky read through the section that outlined guaranteed pulls alongside standard ones in mission rewards, his entire way of thinking was flipped upside down.
The revelation hit him like a wave: missions' difficulty would directly correlate with the quality of the rewards as the harder the mission, the better the rewards and thus, guaranteed pulls.
Instead of a bulk of standard pulls, guaranteed pulls would be alongside them to sway Ricky's thoughts from choosing abilities.
For the first time, Ricky found himself actually considering the choice between enhancing his arsenal of skills and abilities or taking the risk with guaranteed gacha pulls.
"Oh f*ck this, I gotta focus on dinner." Ricky waved his hand, dismissing the window since the 100 standard pulls were grandfathered in meaning it wouldn't take effect until the next mission, meaning he'd worry about it when he was there.
"Now, let's make some dinner."
1 hour later,
"So, the sauce and breadsticks were ruined, and I had to work with what I had." Ricky, completely naked except for an apron to cover himself, turned back to Frances, who let out a light laugh, shaking her head.
Frances tried to maintain her composure, but as her robe slipped down her supple shoulder, the hickeys left by Ricky sent a wave of heat through her.
The memory of the events that had left her barely able to walk resurfaced, making it harder to keep her mind off of it.
"R-Ricky, what we just did-"
"France's, don't worry." Ricky walked over to her, sitting down at her side as he gently adjusted a loose lock of hair, tucking it behind her ear before placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
"I'll take care of you." Ricky whispered, setting a light kiss on her cheek as the mere touch of him made her body form goosebumps.
"T-That's not it, I'm married and-" France's blushed fervently, trying to push Ricky away but he leaned in further, kissing her neck.
"Dewey isn't good enough for a gal like you. He won't give you a family, and even now, he can't even be here with you." Ricky's voice was akin to the devil's whisper, his hand slowly trekking down her body as she shivered at his touch.
"Let me take care of you, let me give you all the things he can't~" Ricky's hum coaxed a moan from Frances, who leaned into his embrace, a smile spreading across his face.
Picking her up, he walked back up the stairs and closed the door to the master bedroom as her breathy moans echoed through the night, while he continued to burn his sauce for the second time.
Meanwhile in the backstreets of D.C,
A figure clad in a trench coat moved through the shadowed alleyways, their steps steady and deliberate.
As they approached a metal door, the reflection in the dim light revealed piercing yellow eyes, Raven.
Knock
Knock
Suddenly, the peephole on the door slid open, revealing three eyes that stared down at the visitor. They squinted before the hole closed again. A moment later, the door creaked open, and a burly man with three eyes gestured for Raven to enter as she steadied her gaze and walked forward.
Walking down the steps, Raven reached another door, which was opened by a blind, blurry-eyed man as he revealed to her an underground sanctuary beyond.
Although mutants were a rare and often elusive sight, their numbers always seemed to remain a fraction compared to those of regular humans, but the balance of power shifted in the 1920s.
A sudden and inexplicable surge of mutations began to take place, sparking what could only be described as a mutant boom.
However, this unprecedented rise in mutant numbers also sparked an equally unparalleled wave of fear.
As mutants began to reveal themselves, the growing anxiety among the public became palpable, with many fearing the unknown power that these individuals possessed.
The sudden influx of mutants, once a hidden part of society, only intensified the paranoia surrounding them.
As a result, the mutant population, already accustomed to the shadows, retreated even further into the underground, pulling away from the spotlight and hiding from those who sought to control or eradicate them.
As a result, mutant communes and gatherings began to form in highly populated areas, and one of them was located here.
Hidden beneath the bustling streets of Washington D.C., within a network of tunnels and chambers repurposed from an abandoned subway system, one of these communes awaited Raven as the name, bold and unmistakable, greeted her as she stepped inside.
'The Sanctuary'
Established in the late 1920s by a coalition of mutants and sympathetic humans, the Sanctuary was born out of necessity as anti-mutant sentiment grew in the United States.
As the Great Depression deepened, the organization sought to provide a safe haven for those who were persecuted for their abilities, offering a refuge for mutants to escape the dangers of the outside world of the political center of the U.S.
The Sanctuary is a bustling underground community filled with various mutant individuals from different backgrounds, each contributing their skills and talents.
The tunnels are decorated with vibrant murals created by artistic mutants, depicting their stories and struggles.
Makeshift living quarters are set up in the chambers, creating a sense of community among the residents.
Within the Sanctuary, mutants can find safety, companionship, and resources to help them thrive.
There's a communal kitchen where residents share meals, and a small library filled with books about history, politics, and the mutant experience.
Training rooms are also available, allowing mutants to hone their abilities in a safe environment, with older, experienced mutants mentoring the younger ones.
However, this place wasn't the safe haven it was preached to be.
Raven knew the truth, this establishment was merely a breeding ground for a power-hungry mutant.
Walking past the unsuspecting faces that were unknowingly being bred to be cannon fodder, Raven reached a door that swung open before her.
She stepped inside, her gaze landing on the figure she had come for and there, in the dim light, stood a man cloaked in shadow.
His entire body was a hollow silhouette, with nothing visible except for a pair of floating red eyes.
'Oh Raven, how wonderful it is to see you once again, please take a seat.' The man stretched out his shadowy hands, his red floating eyes forming crescent moons as Raven slowly took a seat across from him.
"Hello, Elias," Raven said, squinting her eyes as his words echoed in her mind, but the sight of the two hollow figures standing at the side, their eyes bleeding, drowned out everything else.
Throughout her long history in this world, Raven had come to know not only many influential figures in history but also numerous powerful mutants, with Elias being one of the most notable.
Elias was an immortal mutant, his powers shrouded in mystery even to the inner circle of the community.
Once the Black King of the Hellfire Club, he had lost his title to a man named Sebastian Shaw and in a bold attempt to reclaim his position, Elias was banished from the club.
His resources and allies were stripped away, casting him into hiding, where he eventually resurfaced in the political heart of America.
However, instead of gathering mutants by force, Elias could only exert his power through telepaths.
Once a telepath is under his possession, he can use that telepath to possess others, but that raises the question of how he possesses the first telepath.
'I haven't seen you in ninety years, so it's a pleasure to see you suddenly arrive at my new dwelling, especially after how you left things with the Hellfire Club,' Elias said, leaning back in his chair. His eyes locked onto Raven with intrigue before he leaned in, his gaze intensifying.
'Or is this about the new fascination within the mutant scene? Perhaps, Ricky Luciano?' Elias' eyes gleamed with glee, sensing the truth in Raven's cold, disdainful look as he knew he was right almost immediately.
'Ah, it is.' Elias said, his voice dripping with amusement.
'Now I'm barely hanging on the edge of my seat. Please, don't make me wait any longer.' Elias's chuckle echoed inside Raven's skull as she adjusted herself, her patience wearing thin.
"I've been out of touch recently," Raven began, her voice steady, maintaining her composure in front of a man who revels in making others uncomfortable.
"I'm here to ask if you're still a broker, or if you know anyone who-"
'Raven, let's be honest with ourselves. Is anyone truly better than me?' Elias said, gesturing to his own shadowy figure as his eyes shifted, forming into crescent moons as he leaned forward, a smirk playing at the edges of his lips if he had lips to begin with.
"No, no there is not," Raven replied calmly, her gaze unwavering as she addressed the man who had managed to gather over a hundred mutants in an era where finding even twenty would have been an achievement.
'Now, what can I do for you?'
"I want your help in starting a march that would draw more attention to this trial." Raven said, her voice serious and deliberate but Elias, however, laughed as if the very idea were absurd.
'And why would I ever do something as stupid as that?'
'I thrive in places where mutants are hated, so I can collect them and indulge my desire to breed more telepaths,' Elias said, his gaze fixed on Raven as if the idea she presented was the stupidest thing he had ever heard.
"Because Ricky's mutant power is strong enough to warrant consideration for the Hellfire Club," Raven revealed as Elias's mocking gaze instantly froze, his expression shifting.
"And you should know that with the Ebony Blade, he can be considered on of the strongest mutants in the world and with a strong mutant comes-"
'The Hellfire Club.' Elias squinted, remaining still as he looked at Raven.
'So you want me to risk everything I've been cultivating for the last fifty years to back someone who's barely a passable mobster?' Elias said, revealing the extent of what he knew about Ricky.
His words hinted at his mastery of information gathering, subtly asserting his position as one of the best within the mutant community.
"He's strong, he's dedicated, and he has solid backing with significant potential for growth. Is that not everything you need to return to the Hellfire Club?" Raven asked, her tone steady as Elias squeezed his shadowy fist, the tension evident, before slowly releasing it.
'Fine.'
"Good I'll-"
'After I meet him.'
"That's not-"
'I wasn't asking, he wants my help, then he can come here and ask for himself.' Elias stood up, gesturing towards the door.
'Now, if you excuse me, I have things to attend to.' Elias shooed Raven away, the woman squinting at him before walking out of the office.
Once she finished speaking, Elias glanced to the side as his telepaths quietly walked away, and then the shadowy figure slid a folder across the table, its cover marked with the name 'Ricky Luciano'.
'What a mess this fellow is, well, all the more.'
The next day,
In the early morning, humming a tune as he walked toward the dilapidated motel he was staying at, Ricky's eyes suddenly caught sight of Jake moving off to the side.
Although he wanted to trust him and go about his day, something made him follow Jake down the street, eventually turning into an alley.
'No, Jake don't tell me-'
"You sell the stuff here?" Jake asked, scratching his neck as he addressed a man propped up against the wall.
Though his body wasn't showing signs of withdrawal, his mind wasn't immune to the gnawing obsession, a fact that seemed to drive him crazy with each passing moment.
Addiction was just as mental as it was physical, maybe even more so, and Jake couldn't take it any longer with all this downtime.
While Asterion roamed around the city, taking in the sights, and the others passed the time with card games, Marshall agonized over the case and Jake was left all alone.
Ricky had run off with a girl, which wasn't anything new, but Jake just couldn't bring himself to fill the void.
Instead, he found himself once again in a back alley, the familiar, oppressive weight of his thoughts closing in.
It wasn't about the high anymore; it was about the void, the space inside his mind where the addiction had once lived, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.
Jake had tried his hardest to fill his time with menial tasks and distractions, trying to occupy himself with others, but it was never enough as the pressure had built up, and he had finally reached his limit.
"It's five bucks-"
BAM
A fist slammed into the dealer's jaw, his eyes rolling back before his body went limp and was tossed aside like a ragdoll.
Before Jake could react, he was slammed into the wall, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun.
But then, he froze since there, standing before him, was Ricky, his gaze cold and furious.
"S-Slick-"
"What happened to staying clean? Wanting to get better, huh?!" Ricky yelled at Jake, his frustration boiling over as his face flickered with emotion, cracking under the weight of his own anger as he stared at Jake, waiting for an answer.
"I-I can't, I just can't-"
BAM
In the next second, Jake's face was clocked, sending him crashing to the floor.
As he lay there, a surge of anger ripped through him, and he gazed up at Ricky, his hand pressed against his throbbing cheek.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO LETTING ME MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS, SAYING THAT YOU'D LET ME-"
"I F*CKING LIED, THERE WAS NO WAY IN HELL I WAS GOING TO LET YOU GO DOWN THAT ROAD AND I WOULD'VE FORCED YOU EITHER WAY!" Ricky yelled back at Jake, his voice laced with fury as he knew he couldn't let him wander down the path of self-destruction, no matter the cost.
It had all been a lie, a facade Ricky had put up to give Jake the illusion of making his own choice on the road to recovery.
But deep down, Ricky knew that even if Jake had rejected him from the start, he would have found him anyway and forced him into sobriety.
"I JUST CAN'T DO ANYMORE, I NEED IT RICKY-I-I need it, please." Jake's voice was spiraling into a tremble, grabbing Ricky's pant leg and begging.
"I can't do this, I'm not strong like you and-"
"Jake, look at me," Ricky said, kneeling down in front of him with an understanding expression.
Ricky saw no other option; he didn't want to mess with his friend's mind, but at that moment, he saw no other choice in the matter before drawing back his fist.
BAM
GASP
Jake's eyes suddenly shot open, his gaze darting around the room as he rubbed his head, trying to make sense of what had happened.
Confusion clouded his mind as he tried to recall the events, only to be met with a vague, almost fake memory of hitting the door and then passing out.
Knock
Knock
"Hey, dumbass, did you wake up yet?" Ricky asked, though he opened the door anyway as he found Jake sitting there, still confused, munching on a burrito like nothing had happened.
"W-What happened?"
"You tripped and fell. Chester found you sprawled out on your floor, and I thought you got high again, but your stupidity just got the best of you and you fell on your face." Ricky spoke through a mouthful of burrito, pointing his thumb at the crow, who lazily held up his wing in acknowledgment.
"F*ck off." Jake chuckled, rubbing his head before wincing slightly from the pain.
"Here." Ricky handed him a spare burrito, sitting down in a nearby chair as Jake stared at it for a moment, his mind still hazy from the confusion.
"How are you feeling? That bruise you got there is a nasty one." Ricky munched on his burrito, pointing it at Jake's head as he watched him closely.
"I-I feel fine?" Jake muttered, seemingly asking himself as that shackling burden that had loomed over his mind, the craving for a high, suddenly vanished.
He felt an odd sense of peace settle over him, as if a weight had been lifted, leaving him in a quiet, unexpected calm.
"Uh, okay." Ricky stood up, playing it cool as he patted Jake's shoulder.
"You need anything?" Ricky asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to hide the concern in his tone while Jake just leaned back on the bed, taking a bite of his burrito, before shaking his head slightly.
"No, I don't think I do." Jake let out a small laugh, feeling a sense of clarity he hadn't experienced in a long time.
For the first time since Ricky had found him in that hellhole, he didn't crave the high, and it allowed him to finally relax, his mind feeling less tangled as he closed his eyes with a comforting smile.
Ricky gazed at him for a while, his expression softening before he silently walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle in, a quiet relief washing over him as he stepped into the hallway with Chester following behind him.
"Are you sure that was the wisest decision, it would've been better for him to overcome that feet himself and gain the resolve-"
"I know, and it was selfish of me to do it." Ricky walked forward, his tone heavier as he spoke while Chester flapped his wings from the side, following him closely, almost as he was his conscience.
"But what was I supposed to do-"
"Help him as his friend, not merely use a power to 'fix' him." Chester's words gnawed at Ricky, making him stop in his tracks before turning back to his familiar.
"I tried it's just that-"
"You're too busy." Chester finished his sentence, his eyes locking onto Ricky with a knowing look.
It was true since Ricky had been overwhelmed with everything, and Chester could see it clearly.
"Being a good friend is about making time, amidst the chaos, and-"
"I honestly don't think I've been a good friend to Jake, Chester, in fact, sometimes I feel like Jake would've been better off without me as a friend." Ricky's tone was somber, his gaze flickering dowards before sighing as he leaned on the railing.
"I'm the one who dragged him into my club business, got him hooked on drugs, and then left." Ricky's voice was low, heavy with guilt as he spoke to Chester as the crow remained silent, watching him with an almost solemn gaze.
Ricky slowly turned his focus to the railing, his eyes following the crowd picketing outside the motel.
"And I keep telling myself that I'm going to be better, act better, but I didn't mean it in the way most people think." Ricky continued, his voice heavy with a bitter truth.
"I meant that I was going to do it my way." Ricky's eyes were resolute as he turned to face Chester, who simply remained silent, the weight of Ricky's words settling between them.
"If my decision ends up being the wrong one, then I'm prepared to live with it," Ricky said, his voice steady and serious as he tapped the railing, his gaze fixed on the ground ahead.
"But I don't want to act a certain way just because others think it's the best choice. I live with the choices I make and I'm gonna live with this." Ricky turned his back to Chester, the weight of his words lingering in the air as the crow remained silent, looking down in quiet contemplation.
"What about free will, what about Jake's will?" Chester asked, looking back up at Ricky who slowly came to a stop as he laughed.
"Free will is only for the strong, and Jake showed he wasn't strong enough." Ricky said with a cold laugh, the words leaving his mouth heavier than he intended.
A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, not just for Jake, but for himself as he paused for a moment, the weight of his statement sinking in, before he walked forward, the resolve in his steps unwavering despite the conflict in his mind.
Honestly, Ricky knew he was a mess, a case that took another lifetime to just pull himself together.
But he couldn't help but wonder, if those who had loved him in his past life, truly cared about him, had possessed his power, would they have used it to erase the trauma that haunted him?
Maybe they wouldn't be able to, unable to stomach the thought of toying with his mind but Ricky was different.
Ricky was slowly beginning to understand what true power meant, a realization that had been unfolding over time throughout his life.
At first, he grasped the allure of power in his youth, recognizing what it could provide, a system that enveloped him, offering something that others could only dream of.
Then it evolved.
Slowly, Ricky realized that what the Luciano family had given him, simply by existing as Lucky's son, was the power of notoriety, a strength he had suddenly thirsted for, only to be cast aside.
Then, upon reaching his lowest point, Ricky learned the true cost of improvement, the effort it took to grow, not just as a person, but as someone capable of becoming stronger through body and will.
However, through everything he had learned and all the tribulations he faced, Ricky was finally beginning to understand what true power really was, what true power meant to him.
But in his relentless thirst for power, he began to fully appreciate the system that had granted him everything.
Although he had taken it for granted in the past, he now realized he was still underutilizing its full potential.
Ricky understood this deeply as he knew that if he truly focused, all the power he craved could be his.
But he wasn't just aiming for power within the system anymore, he was trying to build something beyond it, something that the system couldn't reward him with.
He had to win this trial, something outside the realm of the established order.
It was a test of his will, a challenge that would define his true strength, and he knew that achieving it would require more than just the system's advantages.
Ricky had his mind set on manipulating the highest powers in the land, finding the Supreme Court justices and bending them to his will.
He wasn't going to leave something this critical to chance but just as his thoughts hardened into a plan, Raven appeared in his line of sight.
"Ricky, I think I found someone who can help you," Raven revealed, her voice laced with a hint of excitement. Ricky's curiosity piqued, and he put on a smile, though inwardly, a sigh escaped him.
'Don't tell me she actually found someone to do the job I wanted her to ask for.' Ricky inwardly sighed, opened his arms, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
"Then lead the way, baby." Ricky's smile remained as he slid his hand down her back, his touch both confident and familiar as he cupped her ass, she swatted his chest playfully.
Ricky followed Raven to the side, where the sanctuary awaited and as they descended into the underground lair, he took in the sight of the hidden refuge, a place where mutants gathered and lived outside the reach of society.
At first, most of them remained unaware of his presence but as soon, as the first pair of eyes locked onto him, a ripple of recognition spread like wildfire.
A swarm of whispers followed in the wake of his steps, the air thick with murmured conversations and speculative glances.
Arriving at the office, Ricky's heightened awareness kicked in, his senses sharpening to a degree he'd never felt before.
A mental shield materialized around his mind, a defense he'd developed instinctively and in his hand, the Chastefold appeared.
BAM
Kicking down the door, Ricky's body pulsed in his sovereign aura, rippling a green hue as he looked at the intruder who had tried to enter into his mind.
Elias' eyes widened at this response, holding up his ethereal shadowy hands in surrender before he gestured to the women bleeding at his side.
"I did not mean my actions as offensive." Elias spoke, his voice calm yet tinged with amusement but he wasn't speaking himself but through his human conduits.
"I was merely trying to talk since I am but a pair of floating eyes and thus rely on telepaths to communicate. But I must say, I had no idea you commanded your barriers in such a way." Elias's eyes curved into crescent moons, a silent expression of delight at Ricky's impressive defensive capabilities.
"Yeah, well, I'm not fond of people poking around in my mind." Ricky said with a sigh, holding up his hand to Elias.
The ebony blade at his side gave off an almost mocking presence, but he simply tapped its handle, subtly apologising for calling the spear instead of unsheathing it.
"So I assumed you know why I asked to meet you here?" Elias said through the telepath, Ricky sitting down in front of him while staring at the floating pair of red eyes.
"Cause you want to lead the foundation, right?" Ricky said suddenly with Raven's eyes widening, her gaze shifting to the side, caught off guard by his directness.
"Ricky-"
"Listen, even if Raven vouches for you, I already have someone in mind and I don't want to get your hopes up." Ricky scoffed, crossing his arms as it was Elias' turn to become confused.
"Pardon?"
"Didn't Raven come to you about the foundation-"
"Ricky, that wasn't what this was for!" Raven exclaimed, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Elias raised his pair of eyes, observing the unfamiliar expression on the woman before him, never seeing her in all of his time in knowing this elusive figure made such an expression.
"Oh, wait, what?" Ricky asked, now just as confused as Elias, causing both mutants to turn toward Raven, who coughed awkwardly, avoiding their gazes.
"Elias here is an old acquaintance of mine who acted as my mutant broker while we were in the Hellfire Club together." Raven introduced, with Elias bowing slightly as Ricky crossed his legs.
"Raven, why am I here?" Ricky asked with a light sigh, clearly confused as to why this man was in front of him if it wasn't for his foundation.
"Elias is a very prominent member of the mutant community, whether through the underworld or the more legitimate side." Raven explained, trying to help Ricky who had a frown on his face while looking at this entire misunderstanding unfold into the situation it was now.
'Jesus christ, Raven.' Ricky thought, knowing he should've just outwardly said he wanted her as the head of the foundation instead of hinting at it before.
"So am I hiring this thing to be a advisor or-"
"You're going to hire me because I can win you your little trial after I pull all the favors I've built up here." Elias leaned forward, clearly delighted to steer the conversation in this direction.
"Listen, Ricky, I have a lot of enemies due to my endless ambition, but it's these same ambitions that led to my downfall," Elias said, showing his vulnerabilities in an effort to let Ricky lower his guard.
"I've now ended up in a place that isn't where I belong, and that's where you come in," Elias continued, his shadowy hands gesturing toward Ricky.
All while Ricky sat on the chair clearly unamused and with a slouching form, deadpanning at a pair of floating red eyes who were already making demands of him.
"I'm going to support you, and then you'll get me back into the Hellfire Club-where are you going?" Elias started only to shift his words into a question, standing up in surprise as he saw Ricky turning to leave.
"I'm really not sorry because this is ridiculous, I'm leaving." Ricky's words shocked not only Elias, but Raven.
"Ricky, is there a problem, Elias is someone who could-"
"Raven, taking away from the fact that he or it is incredibly f*cking annoying, that's a floating pair of eyes in a shadow." Ricky said, gesturing toward Elias as the latter squinted at the remark, clearly annoyed by the insult.
"And secondly, I don't need help winning the trial. I just need to find the justices and sway them," Ricky said, waving Elias away ast he shadowy figure merely scoffed through his telepathic connection.
"The president has-"
"Tucked them away, yeah, I already guessed as much since the guy has had it out for me since this whole thing started." Ricky finished Elias' words only for the shadow man to stand up.
"Your life might've been cut and dry when you were the Black Knight, but here it's different. You need me," Elias's words made Ricky stop at the door as Raven sighed, rubbing her forehead as Ricky slowly turned around.
"Oh no-" Raven sighed, only for her words to be interrupted by a shrewd remark.
"You're f*cking kidding me, right?" Ricky couldn't help but laugh, looking at this floating appendage with a mocking expression.
"I, me, Ricky Luciano, need you?" Ricky asked before slowly walking over to Elias who stood his ground.
"Yes, you do." Elias stared at him dead in his green eyes, unmoving as Ricky raised his gaze.
"How would I ever need you?" Ricky's eyes were cold, gazing down at Elias who simply spread his hands.
"Because power is a curious thing." Elias' words made Ricky frown, looking upon the figure who gripped his hands.
"Are you fond of riddles?" Elias asked, maintaining his cool and uncaring figure while Ricky stared at him with an impassive gaze.
"Three great men sit in a room; a king, a priest, and a rich man." Elias continued on, trying to drive down his point but it was only Raven that saw that this wasn't going to go in his favor.
"Between them stands a regular mercenary, each man bids the mercenary to kill the other two. Who lives and who dies?" Elias asked Ricky who squinted his eyes as the mutant shook his pair of eyes.
"You're no fun, but alas I'll skip to the point." Elias tone was almost mocking, unknowingly digging his grave even deeper.
"Power resides where men believe it resides, why do you think I've shacked up here in the center of the political world?" Elias spread his hands, gesturing all around him.
"It's all a trick, a shadow on the wall and even a pair of floating red eyes can cast a very large shadow." Elias eyes locked onto Ricky's being, looking at him with a fierce intensity.
"And sooner or later, the Hellfire Club will attempt to lure you into their grasp. You have no idea what they're capable of, what they can do. You'll need the power I possess, whether you want it or not." Elias continued to stare at Ricky, the silence thick in the room until a wave of green energy pulsed through the air, vibrating the walls.
WHOOSH
GASP
In a mere instant, a wave of green energy pulsed through the room, forcing Elias to his knee's as his red eyes widened.
It wasn't any physical weight that forced him down, but the sheer power of Ricky's resolve, pressing down onto him and everyone in the room like the might of a sovereign.
The atmosphere seemed to thicken, and even those who were normally impervious to such pressure felt its grip like Raven.
The energy never reached her as Ricky controlled it but even so, even when standing apart from the chaos, she felt suffocated by the sheer intensity.
Watching with widened eyes as Elias's telepathic defenses crumbled under the crushing force of Ricky's unwavering determination.
THUMP
Elias's telepaths crumbled to the floor, their bodies limp and weak under the oppressive force of Ricky's presence.
Elias himself struggled to keep his own body from slamming into the ground, his breath shallow as he barely managed to lift his head as his eyes met Ricky's, hollow and unblinking, as the weight of Ricky's will bore down on him.
Ricky wasn't even touching him, not using any of his powers.
It was all the manifestation of his killing intent and unyielding resolve, manifesting into his mutant ability that made the air thick, with a single suffocating promise of destruction.
"Listen dipstick, I get that I walked into your little town or hidden city or whatever you tell everyone around you to make yourself seem strong." Ricky's eyes were a shimmering green, his voice calm as he bent down to look Elias right in the eye.
"Even now, you've probably built a sizable amount of wealth and power if you're surrounded by mutants and I can respect that." Ricky then reached forward, his hands penetrating the shadow form as he latched onto the floating red eyes.
"What I can't respect is how you drag me all the way down here to not only demand things out of me, but threaten me in the process." Ricky squeezed, watching the shadowy figure tremble as he leaned in closer.
"So let me speak to you in a way that will get it across this stupid pair of floating eyes." Ricky grabbed the pair, pulling them to look right into his own green eyes before starting.
"There's three men who always mouth off to anyone who will listen about what they think true power is." Ricky's voice was cold and yet, a smile extended across his face.
"One says, 'True power comes to those who will do anything to achieve it.''" Ricky began, his tone dripping with mockery, his eyes narrowing as he spoke the first phrase.
"The other says, 'Knowledge, the idea of pushing past the boundaries of our thoughts and what we think is possible, that is true power.' And finally, 'Power is through the words we convey and how well we can spin them into our own ideals.'" Ricky leaned forward slightly, his voice growing colder as he addressed Elias in a riddle.
"Now, which one is real power?" Ricky asked Elias, squeezing down on the pair of floating pair of eyes.
"Come on, what's the answer?" Ricky asked with a laugh, squeezing the pair of eyes while exuding even more of his sovereign aura to press against his telepaths so that they cannot speak.
"Power is power."
It was such a simple statement, one that literally anyone could've come up with and yet, it was what Ricky believed.
To Ricky, true power isn't about the way it's acquired, or the method used to manipulate it.
Power simply is.
It is the force that compels change, that crushes opposition, and what shapes destinies.
Everything else; the ambition, the knowledge, the words, were merely tools to grasp and hold onto power.
But in the end, power itself needed no justification or explanation.
Power is power.
Power exists beyond the need for reason and transcends the boundaries of morality, of right and wrong.
It's not something that seeks clarification, something that doesn't ask for permission, nor does it seek approval.
In Ricky's eyes, true power is the driving force that molds everything to its will and to him, it doesn't need validation because it is the force that dictates reality.
Whether it's earned through sacrifice or seized in a moment of brilliance, power is constant.
The world may try to define it, confine it, or reshape it into something palatable, but at its core, it remains unchanged.
For Ricky, power isn't a goal or a tool to be honed into some idealized form, it's simply something to acquire, to grasp more of, and to accumulate.
It is neither defined nor shaped by any external philosophy or virtue, it is an end unto itself.
Power is not something he seeks to understand or perfect; it's something he endlessly desires and takes for his own, without need for justification or meaning.
For him, the pursuit of more power is the only truth that matters.
"You're right, I don't know what that club is capable of nor do I know how they act, but at the same time, you're words don't make any f*cking sense." Ricky said, slamming the pair of eyes onto the floor as the shadowy figure was forced to grovel at his feet.
"If power is a trick, something you convey to others and convince them of it, then how am I holding your life forcefully in my hands, how is this a trick?" Ricky asked, speaking of his words from earlier as Elias could only listen to what he had to say.
"But let's skip that, let's just skip all the riddle bullsh*t and get down to the barebones of it." Ricky then released his grip on the pair of eyes but the aura pulsating from him never ceased.
"So let introduce myself, I'm a f*cking mobster not just some powered schmuck like the others you got laying around here, I do whatever it takes to make a profit not to keep myself safe." Ricky stood over Elias, the pair of eyes trying to raise itself only to be pushed down by the force of the will towering above it.
"And on top of that, I'm not some hero or righteous figure trying to do the right thing," Ricky scoffed, his voice dripping with contempt.
"No, I do whatever benefits me." Ricky paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"So now that you know me, the real me," Ricky continued, his eyes narrowing,
"I'm going to release these damn floating eyeballs and the weak telepaths. And when I do, if I don't get the goddamn respect I deserve, I'll make your eyes watch as I slaughter every single mutant in this place. And once it's burned into your retinas, I'll crush you into mush." Ricky then waved his hand, releasing his sovereign pressure as the room fell into a tense silence, the oppressive force hanging in the air as everyone stood frozen.
"Ricky I-"
"We'll talk later." Ricky shot a pointed look at Raven, clearly frustrated. She fell silent, rubbing her arm, knowing she had pushed him too far.
"I suppose I wasn't the most courteous in my greeting and introductions." Elias said with a telepathic sigh, his shadowy form slowly regaining composure.
"For that, I apologize." Elias' eyes shook, his shadowy figure still trembling as he sought to regain his composure along with his telepaths that spoke for him at the side.
"Can we start over, please?" Elias changed his tone into something more respectable and Ricky merely gazed at him before shifting his view to Raven.
Sigh
"Fine, one more chance, since Raven vouched for you," Ricky said, his tone casual while indirectly telling him it was all for Raven's sake.
"But if you start going off on some stupid tangent about how I need you or how I'm useless, I'll burn this place to the ground." Ricky flopped down into the chair, gesturing toward Elias as if he were dismissing the matter entirely.
"The hellfire club requires power-"
"Oh Jesus christ." Ricky sighed even heavier, hitting his head against the headrest before turning his gaze back down to him.
"Listen, I don't give a damn about the Hellfire Club or whatever little gathering they've got going on. Right now, I've got bigger things on my plate," Ricky stated plainly, making it clear that while he was aware of the club's presence, his current focus was on something far more pressing.
"But I don't even know you, and sure, Raven might think highly of you, but for me? You've got to prove yourself." Ricky asserted, taking control of the situation and leaving Elias in the backseat.
"No offense, Elias, but from where I'm sitting, I don't see any use in having your support," Ricky said, lying through his teeth.
Deep down, he knew that funneling these mutants into his foundation and assessing their potential for his family was exactly what he needed, which only made him want Elias' help even more.
But he wasn't going to give him that advantage, not a single inch.
Ricky was determined to break him down, just like Lucky always did with the guys sitting on the other side of the table.
No sympathy, no concessions but just pure control, and a steady drive to keep Elias guessing.
"I already have a lot on my plate, and another rich guy with a mysterious background won't help me." Ricky spread out his hands, making it clear that he wasn't in the mood for another person like Elias, someone who thought their wealth and shadows held all the answers.
"So if you really want a partnership for your revenge or schemes, or whatever hard-on you have for that little club, I need proof that you're actually able to support me, that you're useful instead of all talk." Ricky's mobster personality kicked in, his demeanor shifting as the shadow broker appeared by his side.
Elias, ever the opportunist, could sense the opening Ricky was giving him as his interest piqued, he leaned forward, intrigued by what was propositioned before him.
"And how would you provide adequate proof that my support is detrimental?" Elias leaned back, gesturing toward Ricky with a thoughtful expression, his tone laced with curiosity with a hidden blade behind his pupils.
"How about this," Ricky said, his voice low and firm.
"You say that you have the connections and the wealth, then prove it." Ricky leaned back slightly, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
It was a risky move, but after Elias had brought up the Hellfire Club, everything had changed.
Ricky knew the Hellfire Club all too well and only brushed it off to dissuade that he even cared for it since everything before him pointed to Elias being a snake.
Ricky remembered that club, remembering Abraham who had spoken about it, especially about the woman named Selene.
The way Abraham talked about her was filled with a mix of awe and fear, and Ricky had learned to listen carefully to those kinds of warnings.
Selene was powerful enough to make even someone like Abraham still up straight, comparing her almost instantly to Dracula himself.
But Ricky wasn't about to let that intimidate him nor would he give Elias a leg up on him.
No, he was pretending to be uninterested, as if he didn't care about the power or the influence that came with the Hellfire Club.
But deep down, he knew how crucial it was.
Ricky was well aware of his current shortage of mutants and how they had migrated out of New York with the arrival of the mob.
His plan was to gather more, to expand his reach and power, and if Elias had the right connections, he would want him in his corner.
But Ricky also knew that desperation was a fatal flaw in negotiations sicne if you came across as too eager, too needy, you lost the game.
So, he had to be the opposite of desperate, he needed to be so indifferent, so impervious to whatever Elias might offer, that Elias would be the one to scramble for Ricky's approval, to prove his worth.
It's why he became so hostile, showing himself as a brute to dissuade Elias that he had any deeper inquiries about him.
Ricky wasn't interested in flaunting his need; instead, he would play it cool, detached, as if he didn't even care about the opportunity Elias presented.
The more he made Elias think he wasn't impressed, the harder Elias would work to prove himself.
From the first glance, Ricky could tell Elias was a leader, but Ricky understood something most people didn't: leaders rarely follow.
The trick wasn't to command them to follow, but to lead them under the facade of them constantly proving yourself.
It was how Lucky always kept the Commission in check, by consistently one-upping them or displaying indifference, making them chase his pace in a constant effort to prove they wouldn't be left behind.
Ricky wasn't going to give Elias a chance to lead him, but he was going to put himself in a position where Elias felt compelled to follow.
The more Ricky showcased his own power, his own worth, the deeper Elias would dig himself into Ricky's orbit, until he was so entangled, there would be no escape.
"If the ruling goes in my favor and Dewey is found guilty, I'll not only accept your support and guidance, but I'll even kill the bastard who put you in this hole." Ricky said, spreading his arms. Elias's eyes narrowed, a spark of interest flickering in them as he leaned in, intrigued by the offer.
"I am to assume there is a price for failing?" Elias pondered out loud, squinting his eyes at Ricky who smiled warmly.
"Of course, you need to offer collateral in case you fail."
"Then I have a vast sum-"
"No, I can tell that money doesn't mean anything to you," Ricky said, leaning forward, his eyes sharp and a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as he locked eyes with Elias.
"I can see that you value your little toys over there and the people who probably worship the ground you stand on." Ricky said, his voice a mix of mockery and understanding since he could relate, valuing people more than money unless the money was too good to be true.
"The deal is simple," Ricky continued, his tone cold and deliberate.
"I'll wait right here, in your little safe space, surrounded by your toys, until the results come in. And if you fail." Ricky let the words trail off, deliberately leaving them vague, leaning back in his chair with a confident smirk.
"Well, I'm guessing you get the bloody picture if you've heard about what happened to the KKK," Ricky hinted, his gaze unwavering as he watched Elias's eyes squint tighter.
Elias's finger tapped lightly on the desk, but the sound was eerily absent, just like the tension building in the room.
"Deal," Elias said, standing up and extending his hand and Ricky reciprocated the gesture, shaking his hand firmly, sealing their unspoken agreement.
Ricky wasn't entirely wrong in his assessment since Elias had spent years hiding, building his strength, and plotting his revenge.
But even with the power he'd amassed, it had never been enough as he needed someone to really tip the scales, someone who could help him take down the one who had put him in this hole.
After witnessing a glimpse of Ricky's potential, Elias had realized he might have found the person he'd been searching for all along.
Though his stance was still one of wariness, his distrust evident, Elias knew that for now, they shared a common goal, and that was enough.
"I'll start immediately," Elias said, his voice calm and resolute and without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Ricky alone with his thoughts.
Elias first had to notify his direct line of people, but once that was done, he seemed to disappear into thin air, leaving Ricky in charge.
The shift was seamless, and soon, the room filled with people approaching him with various inquiries.
However, as time passed, the buzz of activity gradually subsided and Ricky took the opportunity to slip away from the crowd and walked over to where Raven stood, observing him with quiet intensity.
"Ricky, let me explain-"
"You said that this person was someone for my foundation-"
"I didn't say that though you just assumed-"
"Raven." Ricky's voice was low and serious as he approached her, his hand instinctively pulling her closer.
"Tell me what's wrong. Why did you go through all of this?" Ricky asked, his eyes searching hers, knowing that the only thing he'd asked of her was to help with the foundation, not the trial.
"I-I-"
SIGH
"I just wanted to help, alright?" Raven looked away, Ricky singing while caressing her orange hair.
"I thought that he could help you more than me and-......I don't know." Raven tried to explain but the words really didn't make any sense, restuling in her ducking her head.
The entire situation with the foundation left Raven's head spinning as the position that had seemed perfectly tailored for her only amplified her sense of inadequacy, reducing her to a fumbling woman in front of Ricky.
"Come here." Ricky whispered softly, pulling her closer and wrapping his arms around her. Raven slowly nestled into his chest, her body relaxing against him.
"Part of it might have been my fault," Rickycontinued, his voice gentle but sincere.
"But when I asked you if you knew anybody, I was sort of joking. I wanted you to say yourself," Ricky explained softly, his lips brushing the top of her head as she squeezed his shirt, her fingers clenching tighter around his back.
"I wasn't gonna give that job to anyone other than you. It was always for you," Ricky whispered, his voice filled with sincerity, making it clear that this time, there was no misunderstanding.
"I want you in my life, and I want you by my side, so just give it to me straight," Ricky changed his tone, sensing Raven's hesitation as he gently cupped her cheek, lifting her gaze to meet his, his touch tender yet firm.
"Tell me the truth, tell me how you feel," Ricky urged, his voice soft yet insistent.
Ricky gazed down at her, his green eyes searching hers, knowing that the future of their relationship would be shaped by the words she was about to speak.
Honestly, Raven didn't know if this relationship would work, and she couldn't predict the path their future would take.
She had made daring choices in the past, but now, standing in front of Ricky, she was faced with the possibility of giving up centuries of work, everything she had built.
Despite all the uncertainty, a part of her couldn't shake the thought of 'what if'.
What if she made this leap?
What if, for once, she didn't overthink and simply allowed herself to trust in what was standing before her?
What if everything turned out right?
What if this was the moment she found happiness, and what if everything worked out?
It was at this moment that Raven would change her future, defy the path laid out for her in the timeline, and go against the grain by uttering three words that would shift everything she would ever know.
"I love you."
Author's Note: Woke up after a nap yesterday to my cover image which had been removed because someone reported me for nudity. A smut fic. Anyways that's what happened and I'm probably just gonna use the image from scribblehub but if you got any good Raven pics or anything else. Drop em here and I'll shout you out in the chapter on saturday if I end up going with it.
Capítulo 139: Chapter 134: Changing History, Changing The Timeline
1 week later,
Later that night,
Twice a week, the Supreme Court justices convened for a private conference, but today was anything but ordinary.
The room, typically marked by an air of superiority and precision, felt charged with unease and almost paranoia.
The justices were all haggard and disheveled, their formal appearances a mess as though summoned on short notice.
Chief Justice Hughes especially, who sat at the head of the table, had his brow furrowed in thought, gnawing absently on his thumb.
"Then, I suppose that you all received a very-.......incriminating document and or folder-" Louis Brandeis tried to force out a chuckle but it came out hollow, fiddling with his fingers only for one of the men to slam their hand down.
BAM
"IT WAS THAT MUTANT, THAT-THAT RICKY LUCIANO!" Devanter bellowed, his voice cracking with fury as his disheveled hair mirrored the chaos of his emotions, while the rage etched across his face barely masked the undercurrent of worry lurking beneath.
As had happened many times before, the justices found themselves divided by the statement.
Each one suddenly possessed a folder stuffed with incriminating documents, evidence so damning it could condemn them all to sentences of twenty years or more.
"But how could such a youngster find these nuggets, it's not like we didn't cover our tracks?" James McReynolds asked, unable to look others in the eye after what his folder said but couldn't help but voice his disbelief.
"It don't matter, he must've used his devil powers to conjure the evidence onto our doorsteps." Sutherland's southern accent rang out, making his stance clear but that only made the others frown.
'Ah, you were on the right track, I'll give you that but as always, you've gone and missed the mark.'
The words suddenly resonated in their minds, surrounding all the justices as if the shadow's on the wall were whispering to each of them.
"N-No, please," Chief Justice Hughes stammered, clutching his head as a shiver ran down his spine.
That voice, it was all too familiar as he silently prayed to God it wasn't who he feared it might be.
'Oh Hughes, still the same as ever.' Elias chuckled, resting his shadowy hands on his shoulders while appearing behind the Chief Supreme Justice.
All the Supreme Court justices froze as Elias's voice slithered directly into their minds, a sinister whisper that rooted them in place.
His eyes hovered unnervingly above Hughes's bowed head, their presence a looming shadow of dread.
"H-Hughes, behind you-"
"P-P-Please Elias, please I beg you." Hughes' voice interrupted Sutherland, crumbling under the pressure of his mere tone.
"Please, I'll do anything but-"
'Oh but I don't want you to do anything but this.' Elias' dark chuckle sounded, forcing goosebumps along each of these old mens skin.
'You are all to reject the appeal and rule in favor of Ricky Luciano-'
"ARE YOU MAD DEVIL!" Sutherland roared, standing up as Hughes shook his head.
"Sutherland, sit down." Hughes looked up with a grave expression, almost pleading to Sutherland.
'Yes Sutherland, listen to your friend.' Elias' eyes formed into crescent moons, watching Sutherland rage flourish across him.
"If you think for a moment that I'll just sit here and let a devil-l-l-l-l-l-" Sutherland's southern accent roared out, making a stand but his deviant words faltered, stuttering into a grotesque loop as if caught on a broken record.
The other justices watched in mounting horror as Sutherland's body began to convulse violently.
Blood seeped from his eyes, the crimson streaks a chilling contrast to his ashen face, before he crumpled to his knees at Elias's feet, a dreadful silence settling over the room.
'For all your achievements,' Elias's voice slithered through the air, cold and measured.
'For all the success you managed to muster in these worthless lives of yours, you still sinned.' Elias circled Sutherland, the justices now trapped in his unyielding presence, his steps deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey.
'Yet, for everything you are," Elias continued, his eyes glinting with malice.
'There are parts of you that you've tucked away, buried deep beneath all that shining success.' Elias's voice grew lower, each word a knife twisting in the air as he made his way around them, the justices now prisoners of his every move.
'Parts that can't be seen by the light, that must always remain in the shadows.' Elias murmured calmly, his tone low and deliberate as he moved with a quiet, unhurried grace, pausing once he stood behind Hughes.
'It's unfortunate, truly.' Elias' voice remained composed, almost detached.
'Because for every figure, there is an equal, stretching shadow. And I have lingered in each and every one.' Elias' words were a soft, chilling confession, each syllable carrying the weight of unspoken horrors.
'Whenever you looked around, thinking you were alone, I was always the shadow on the wall. And when you thought you'd escaped, I was there, watching your departure as the distance grew between us.' Elias chuckled, knowing each and every one of these mens deepest secrets.
"Elias, please, this will end some of our careers-"
'Then it's only fitting, I was the one to build you up so it's only right that I should be the one to tear you down.' Elias side-eyed Hughes, watching him duck his head at his gaze.
'If the decision isn't made today, and isn't announced tomorrow, then all of your secrets will leave those shadows of yours and everyone will see who all of you really are.' Elias' slow hum sounded, his figure departing towards the door before he suddenly stopped as they all watched him leave.'
'But you could be heroes.' Elias said, his voice almost gentle, like a flicker of hope in the darkness.
'Try to confess before it's too late, and perhaps save yourselves from the decision you believe to be wrong.' Elias paused, turning away from them, his words lingering in the air.
'But that was if you hadn't killed, stabbed, lied, and sullied your morals for the seat you now occupy.' Elias left them with those final, haunting words.
He offered them a chance at redemption, to go against him, but what difference could it make after everything they had done to get here?
"Chief Justice, what do we do?" Justice Pierce Butler asked, his voice tight with uncertainty.
Hughes took a long, steadying breath, his fingers gripping the edge of the table as he adjusted himself, the weight of the moment pressing down on him before giving into it all.
"We keep the seats we occupy now and vote in favor for Ricky Luciano."
Next Day,
"If you're just tuning in, let me break down the latest story that's taken hold of the American mind," a radio host blared from the car's speakers, eager to catch any potential listener.
"What began as a simple civil case has now spiraled into a growing sensation, with the Supreme Court justices set to make an announcement today." The radio host continued, his words over the top and exaggerated to keep listeners hooked onto every word.
"Ricky Luciano, an honorary bishop of the Vatican and a native of New York, has claimed he was subjected to an unfair search and seizure at the border." The radio host continued.
"The District Attorney, Tommy Dewey, responded by saying that his actions were taken in the interest of national security, arguing that Luciano's mutant abilities posed a significant threat."
"At first, this case seemed destined to be swept under the rug. But then, the defense attorney, a Black boy named Thomas Marshall, argued that Luciano's search was unlawful, citing his status as a mutant as the sole basis for the treatment."
"The argument was swiftly dismissed by Hawkins, who insisted that Ricky Luciano himself posed a clear danger to the American people, and that Dewey had every right to conduct the search."
"The case took an unexpected turn with the shocking revelation that Dewey and Hawkins had mistakenly set fire to a club meeting instead of Ricky Luciano's residence," the host continued.
"Now convicted and awaiting trial, Dewey went on record blaming Luciano, but in a twist, Hawkins confessed to the crime before taking his own life."
"The jury, finding Luciano to be the victim of Dewey's cruelty, awarded him a staggering $25 million. But just as the case seemed settled, the Supreme Court accepted an appeal, ensuring that this saga is far from over."
"However, just a week before today's ruling, Ricky Luciano made a bold proclamation. He revealed that he had dreams of serving in our great nation's military, wanting to contribute like any other American and protect our lands. But, he expressed disheartenment at the idea that, because he was born a mutant, he might never get that chance."
"He even went as far as to say that if he won any money from this case, it would go directly to a foundation dedicated to helping mutants better integrate into the American way of life."
"Now, listeners, we have multiple callers on the line eager to share their thoughts on the growing precedent this case is setting." The radio host then gave the listeners a treat, aligning some callers waiting on multiple telephone lines.
"Caller from Mississippi, you have the floor."
"Thanks, Jim, big fan of the show!" the caller from Mississippi exclaimed excitedly, barely able to believe he was actually on his favorite radio program.
"Now, I just don't get why this boy has to go and tarnish the way of life. I mean, that Dewey feller, although a murderer, saw a threat and tried to do right by his country!" The caller from Mississippi showed his outrage, taking Dewey's side since he seemed like an upright figure compared to Ricky Luciano.
"Thank you caller, next caller from all the way in Oregon."
"Hello Jim, thank you so so much for having me on and all I like to say is that I really feel for this poor boy," the caller from Oregon expressed their guilt, immediately taking the side of Ricky.
"That harsh man had no right to do all of that to that young man and what's more, he wanted to serve our country." The Oregon caller sighed heavily, thinking it was noble for Ricky to want to serve his beloved country.
"Not many people want to do that, and I think it's a selfless thing to even donate all that money to others like him." The Oregon caller showed his stance, feeling nothing but empathy for Ricky and his cause.
"Thank you caller, next from Georgia."
"Honestly Jim, I don't see what the big fuss is and why it's all I'm reading about," the caller from Georgia scoffed, clearly annoyed that it had taken up so much of the front page of his morning newspaper recently.
"It's cut and dry, and this much money is absurd. That should be used to fund actual programs instead of giving it away." The caller from Georgia sneered at it all, thinking this entire trial was a pointless endeavor.
"Next caller, Arkansas."
"They had no right to search him, that Ricky Luciano is an american and he shouldn't have been treated any less, and what's more is that he's a man of god, what more can you ask?" The caller from Arkansas couldn't help but be shocked, showing his disbelief and taking the side of the lord.
"Next caller, New York."
"That cop went too far ya hear me, Ricky Luciano ain't just a mutant but a good italian man. People don't know crap about what he did for the neighborhoods and what's more, when he left, he left for god, FOR JESUS CHRIST, ain't nuttin you can tell me that takes away from how much I respect Ricky Luciano." The caller from New York almost yelled into the phone, expressing his side clearly.
"Next caller, Ohio."
"You see, Jim, mutants are a small bunch now, but what happens when we get thousands of them crawling the streets, waving their hands and using these devil powers of theirs to just make things that shouldn't happen appear? If you ask me, we should have laws in place for people like them." The caller from Ohio grew more heated with every passing word.
"Next caller, Louisiana."
"I honestly don't care, I want to hear about how the Yankees lost."
"Next caller Virginia."
"It just needs to end, I'm tired and I don't get why this is all I'm reading about."
The words poured out of the radio, each one cutting through the air as Ricky Luciano sat in the car, his eyes fixed on the imposing façade of the Supreme Court.
"Do you think it was wise to not take this into your own hands?" Chester asked, his voice laced with a hint of mockery as Ricky frowned upon hearing it out loud instead of in his head.
"No, in fact, it seems pretty stupid from an outside perspective to just trust some guy I barely met." Ricky's words were completely self-deprecating, clicking his tongue at his own actions.
"Then why did you do it?" Chester asked, his tone probing. Ricky paused for a moment, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Cause I can't do everything myself, I can't just use that genhutsua of yours and just will everyone my way, at least it would take too long." Ricky leaned back, mispronouncing genjutsu while crossing his leg as he looked at Chester who was silent.
"The guys I have around me aren't good with stuff like this, aren't able to go behind the scenes and pull strings without cutting one or two," Ricky sighed, brooding over the events ahead.
"I need people around me that can do stuff like that, and although I don't trust that guy as far as I can throw him, it's impressive what he's built without anyone even knowing." Ricky admitted, taken aback by how functional the sanctuary was and how well hidden it remained.
"And although I don't really know the Hellfire Club, I know that Selene is a part of it," Ricky sighed, annoyance creeping into his voice as he thought about the forces hiding and observing him from the shadows.
"Selene?"
"Evidently, she's this busty chick that castrates guys," Ricky clarified, as all of his familiars shivered at the thought.
"So, what are you going to do, other than constantly yapper on?" Garfield sighed from the backseat, scratching his belly.
"Well I had a couple of ideas, one of them putting you on a diet." Ricky casually retorted, reclining his seat back
"Diet?!" Garfield shot to his little stubby feat, exasperated at the actual thought but Ricky ignored him.
"The second is to see how this plays out and if he comes through," Ricky said, tapping on the car as he stared at the rearview mirror, his gaze fixed on the courthouse ahead.
"What if you lose, what if-"
"If I lose, then I'll work around the government, but let's worry about it if that even happens." Ricky paused, glancing over at Chester as Marshall slowly walked out and gestured for Ricky to come in.
"Good luck," Garfield hissed out, throwing a cheese puff into his mouth as Ricky leaned back to flick his forehead before getting out of the car.
"Luck is for chumps." Ricky stated with a cheeky smile, stepping out of the car and leaving the three of them behind.
"Why does he always say that?" Garfield asked, licking his fingers as Chester shot him a disgusted look.
Garfield didn't seem to care, continuing to rub his paws on the leather while being too lazy to just go back and actually read the story.
"It's a long story-"
"Then out with it already, it's not like we have anything better to do while we're here," Garfield lazily replied, lounging and turning onto his back as his tail flicked to the side as he settled in, clearly not wanting to read but preferring to just listen.
"Do you want to-" Alexander asked, side-eyed the fat cat before Chester immediately nodded.
"Yes," Chester replied, crouching down as Alexander hopped onto his back and with a powerful leap, they took off into the air, leaving Garfield behind, still munching on cheese puffs.
"And then there was one."
Meanwhile in the courthouse,
Ricky walked in, dressed in his fine Italian suit, with Marshall by his side as they arrived at their seats.
"Nervous?" Ricky leaned over and asked, clearly noticing Marshall fidgeting in his chair.
"Is it obvious?" Marshall replied, his voice betraying his unease as Ricky chuckled, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a flask that once belonged to Abraham.
"Here, loosen the edge-woah there big guy." Ricky was about to recommend only for Marshall to swipe his flask from his hand.
Cough
Cough
"Ease off the throttle there, here." Ricky said, handing the flask to Marshall and giving him a reassuring pat on the back as Marshall leaned back, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
It was then that Dewey walked in, his hands cuffed, flanked by a district attorney whose unimpressed gaze locked onto Ricky.
"Is that the sound of justice I hear? It must be, if it's the sound of your handcuffs clinking together." Ricky leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a certain satisfaction as he watched Dewey, whose tired eyes told a story of his own misery.
But instead of responding, Dewey simply took a seat, his silence more telling than any words could be.
"You're kidding. No quip about how I'm some evil, sadistic man?" Ricky's voice dripped with disbelief as he leaned forward, seeing the man before him so utterly broken, stripped of any bravado, and simply hollow.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ricky couldn't help himself, his laughter spilling out uncontrollably as he reveled in his own amusement.
But Dewey, sitting across from him, barely seemed to notice as his usual resolve was gone, replaced by a hollow emptiness as he stared into the distance, his once unshakeable conviction now reduced to nothing more than a vacant expression.
FLASHBACK
"Honey, is that you?" Dewey muttered, standing up and pressing his hand against the cold glass.
He had been transferred to a detention center after the security risk posed by Ricky Luciano, and now, the isolation seemed to gnaw at him.
Before Dewey, a smile spread across his face as he saw Frances, but it quickly faded when he noticed her downcast expression.
She didn't offer a greeting, just silently walked over to the chair and sat down, her posture stiff and distant, as if unsure of how to bridge the gap between them.
"Oh, thank God you're here," Dewey muttered, his words coming out in a broken, erratic pattern.
Everything about him seemed so different from the man she had once married, his voice shakier, his posture hunched, and his entire demeanor in stark contrast to the confident figure he had always claimed to be.
"Listen to me, Ricky Luciano-"
Sniff
Frances couldn't even bring herself to look at him anymore as her body trembled, tears welling in her eyes as she stared down at her ring.
Slowly, she began to take it off, each movement making Dewey freeze in place, his breath catching in his throat.
"N-No, wait Frances, you're the last person I can hold onto to and-"
"Tommy, I-I'm leaving you." Frances said softly, her voice laced with guilt as she finally looked up.
Dewey's entire body trembled, his eyes wide as his face drained of color, the weight of her words sinking in.
"W-Wha-"
"What are you talking about, Frances? What do you mean!" Dewey stood up abruptly, his eyes wild with a mix of anger and fear, his hand pressing against the glass.
"I've found someone else, someone who cares about me and my passions, someone who treats me like more than just a housewife." Frances clutched the ends of her skirt, the guilt weighing heavily on her, but there was no turning back now and despite the pain, she knew this was the right thing to do for herself.
"I'm sorry," Frances whispered, her voice barely audible as she lowered her head slightly, her heart aching as she stood up.
Turning her back to Dewey, she could feel the weight of his heartbroken gaze on her as his face, once so familiar, now reflected nothing but pain and disbelief.
"Frances you can't leave me, you're all that I have left, FRANCES!"
FLASHBACK END
"Wow, it's almost like you're crumbling before me." Ricky's words lingered in the air, cutting through the silence as Dewey's mind raced.
Dewey suddenly glanced up, seeing the wide grin on Ricky's face, a smile that reveled in the despair Dewey had found himself drowning in.
"I almost want to PAINT your expression right now." Ricky emphasized one particular word, making Dewey's breath hitch as he stood up only for the supreme court justices to file in.
"ALL RISE, THE SUPREME COURT IS RECONVENING!" The bailiff called out, his voice echoing through the courtroom.
Ricky stood up, his posture sharp, and turned towards the justices, a calm yet expectant look in his eyes.
Hughes was the last to enter, clearly rattled as his gaze met his gaze only for Ricky to offer him a warm smile, one that sent a chill creeping down Hughes' spine.
All the justices wore similar expressions, their faces a mix of weariness and contemplation. Elias had pulled every card he'd accumulated over the years to prove Ricky's value, and his gamble had paid off in a spectacular way.
Hughes surveyed the crowd that had gathered, each individual waiting with bated breath for the decision that would alter the course of precedent for the next two decades.
"We, the Supreme Court, have reached a decision in the case of Luciano v. Dewey," Hughes announced, his voice steady but weighed down by the gravity of the moment as he slowly pulled the paper from his folder, the very same one that held the decision to everything Ricky had invested his time into as of late.
The other justices, unable to raise their heads, cast their eyes downward in shame, unable to look the people before them in the eyes.
"We have found that Ricky Luciano, a mutant, had his natural rights as an American citizen violated," Hughes declared, his voice steady but heavy with the weight of his words as he closed his eyes for a brief moment, fully aware that this decision would forever define his tenure on the Supreme Court.
The courtroom fell into stunned silence, every person present gasping as the implications of the ruling sank in.
Raven's breath caught in her throat, the words of the ruling striking her like a bolt of lightning.
She stood slowly, unable to fully process what she was witnessing as this was a moment she had never anticipated, one that didn't even make it into Destiny's book.
She believed in Ricky but seeing is easier than hearing about it as her eyes shifted to him, whose arrogant smile seemed to stretch wider with the weight of the victory.
"In light of this revelation, the Supreme Court has decided to award only 20 million of the original 25 million, with the funds being donated to Ricky Luciano's new foundation at his own request. That is all." Hughes concluded, his voice steady as he delivered the final word with the room falling into stunned silence, the weight of the decision settling over everyone like a heavy cloud.
As Hughes stood, the first domino of consequences began to fall, and the future seemed uncertain for all involved as the timeline completely distorted at this moment.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN!"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!"
"THIS IS SURREAL!"
"GODDAMNIT, MY BOOKIES GONNA HAVE MY BALLS!"
The atmosphere in the courthouse shifted abruptly as those who were meant to remain respectful broke into a roar of disbelief.
Gasps and murmurs filled the air, the shock of the ruling spreading like wildfire as even the government officials, who had long anticipated Ricky Luciano's downfall, were stunned.
This wasn't supposed to be a moment of public execution, this was supposed to be the day Ricky's name was buried in disgrace.
Yet, instead of falling from grace, he had risen, his fate now forever intertwined with history, and the power of the ruling echoing far beyond the courthouse walls.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Marshall started tumbling out a barrage of laughter, hugging Ricky as he started to tear up.
"WE REALLY DID IT, WE DID IT!" Marshall yelled out, jumping up and down as Ricky merely looked at Dewey.
In that moment, Ricky's promise had materialized in full force, and Dewey, once confident and brimming with authority, now crumbled under the weight of his downfall.
His body trembled as he was escorted out, the jeers of the mob growing louder with each step.
The very people who had once upheld his image now looked upon him with disdain, eager to tear him down as they had once built him up as Dewey was left with nothing, not even his own pride.
Amidst the chaos, Ricky stood at the center, a figure of both admiration and contempt, completely unfazed by the frenzy surrounding him.
The media swarmed, microphones thrust forward, cameras clicking rapidly, lightbulbs shattering, and all eager to capture a moment that would go down in history.
But Ricky walked past them all with a calm composure, his gaze never faltering as he surveyed the crowd.
However, with everything swarming around him, his smile remained, knowing full well that today, the world had witnessed the rise of Ricky Luciano, not just a man, but an empire in the making.
BAM
"MR. LUCIANO, WHAT DOES THIS VICTORY MEAN FOR YOU!"
"DID YOU AT ALL EXPECT THIS!"
"WHAT DOES THIS MEAN NOT AS RICKY LUCIANO, BUT AS A MUTANT!"
The questions erupted the moment Ricky threw open the doors of the courthouse, flashes from cameras spiraling in every direction, all eyes fixed on him at the center of it all.
There was no hesitation, no retreat, only Ricky standing tall, arms spread wide, basking in the sweet, intoxicating taste of unbridled victory.
Ricky wasn't the type of guy who was naturally great at planning, and he was still figuring out what it truly meant to lead.
But this victory? This felt different.
It was sweet in a way that only those who've worked tirelessly for something can understand.
Ricky had planned it all out, spoken confidently about his win, made every necessary arrangement, and then, when it mattered most, he won.
Raven stood to the side, a warm smile spreading across her face as she watched him.
She stood amidst the crowd, letting Ricky have his moment to relish in his victory, feeling a quiet sense of pride.
And then, as if drawn to her, his eyes found hers, and the connection between them was undeniable.
"No-"
"YES!" Ricky laughed, his voice full of triumph as he pushed through the crowd.
His eyes instantly locked onto Raven, recognizing her in disguise without a second thought and in one swift motion, he yanked her out of the crowd, a grin plastered on his face.
"R-Ricky, what are you doing!?" Raven hurriedly asked, anxious as she now stood amidst the barrage of camera flashes.
"Don't tell me you thought for a second that I wasn't going to blow this entire thing out of proportion?" Ricky whispered gently into Raven's ear, his voice laced with playful mischief as he pulled her closer, forcing her to stand by his side amidst it all.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this beautiful and captivating woman is none other than Raven Darkholme, and she will be heading the foundation that I'm creating!" Ricky announced, his voice carrying across the area as he gestured toward her with a sweeping motion.
His smile widened as every pair of eyes in the crowd shifted to focus on her, the area buzzing with excitement at the unexpected reveal.
Ricky wanted to chain her by his side, but that meant more than just capturing her heart, it required the recognition of the people, the kind of support that would bind them in a way nothing else could.
This, Ricky knew, was the exact moment he'd been waiting for.
As the weight of the choice settled over Raven, she turned back toward him, her eyes locking with his, the green of his gaze steady and intense as he could see the conflict in her, the hesitation before she made her decision.
Sigh
With that soft exhale, Raven made her choice.
Raven stood taller in that moment, the air around her shifting with her white and blonde hair rippling in the wind, transitioning into a cascade of vibrant blue skin and fiery orange hair.
It was then that she revealed her true self to the world, standing proudly next to Ricky.
GASP
"A mutant!"
"Thanks, Captain Obvious!" Ricky called back to him, resting his hand on Raven's shoulder and giving it a gentle rub.
"Go on, tell me how much you adore and love me," Ricky whispered in her ear, earning a scoff from her, though she couldn't help but smile.
"I know none of you know me, and that's fine, but I can assure all the mutants out there that I will pour everything I have into making this world just a little bit better for mutant kind. Thank you!" Raven announced, her voice strong and commanding as she then grabbed Ricky, pulling him towards the car, her grip firm as the crowd watched them leave.
"Wow, so powerful~" Ricky placed a hand over his heart, feigning being taken aback by her words, yet his face was adorned with a sleazy smile, clearly enjoying the attention.
"WAIT, MR. LUCIANO-"
"IS THAT MY LAWYER WHO MADE THIS ENTIRE WIN POSSIBLE, THURGOOD MARSHALL!" Ricky's voice boomed across the crowd, dramatically pointing his finger towards Marshall as he walked out of the courthouse, essentially throwing him under the bus.
"Huh?" Marshall blurted, caught off guard as the reporters all turned their attention to him, then back to Ricky, who had already closed the door and was casually holding out his thumb in a mock salute.
"You did great, buddy!" Ricky yelled, slamming the door behind him as the car sped off.
Everyone froze as the hungry reporters slowly shifted their focus, zeroing in on Marshall, their cameras and microphones ready to pounce.
"W-Wait, WAIT!"
Meanwhile, in the speeding car, Asterion hummed a tune, tapping the steering wheel in rhythm.
Over the past few weeks, he'd grown to quite love driving, the motion of the road under his wheels offering a strange sense of freedom.
His fingers drummed along to the beat, a subtle but steady flow of contentment filling the air as the car sliced through the streets.
"Ow~" Ricky playfully said as Raven smacked him repeatedly, his laughter echoing through the car.
"Y-You're a jerk, you set me up!" Raven blushed, her face flushed with a mix of frustration and embarrassment as she knew he was playing with her emotions and desires like a fiddle.
But despite her frustration, there was an undeniable pull, a part of her that couldn't entirely resist him, and that realization only made her more vexed, along with annoyed
"I know, I know, I'm just the worst," Ricky said, resting his head on her shoulder and pulling her closer, making Raven scoff, trying to push him off, but the closeness felt too familiar, too comfortable.
"But I'm your worst-"
"Alright, stop with the cheesy lines," Raven said, pushing his face away as she struggled to hold back a laugh as Ricky, unfazed, kissed her palm.
"Seriously, did you really believe that I would hang you out to dry after all those sweet words." Ricky asked, showing his smile in full view while placing her hand on his chin.
"Sweet words can be hollow-"
"Not mine and god did I fill them-"
"RICKY!" Raven blushed, smacking him playfully as he leaned forward, grinning mischievously before she fell back, looking up at him hovering above her being.
Her orange hair cascaded around her blushing face as Ricky's hands gently caressed her cheek, a warm and genuine smile spreading across his face.
"I'm sorry." Ricky's voice softened, his words carrying sincerity.
Raven pursed her lips, a mix of frustration and understanding in her expression, before she let out a small sigh.
"I forgive you." Raven murmured, her voice soft as Ricky leaned down, pressing a warm kiss to her lips as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
"Uh Ricky, what should I do?" Asterion asked from the front seat, Ricky turning his eyes only for his head to jerk up.
There in front of him were numerous black cars blocking his path, but Ricky simply cracked a smile before leaning over and pecking Raven on the cheek.
"Take Raven back, I'll meet you guys there." Ricky patted Asterion's shoulder, then opened the door while Raven glanced back, adjusting one of the laces on her dress as she watched him step out.
"Ricky, who is that?" Raven asked, her gaze shifting toward the figure without permission as Ricky adjusted his tie.
"The puppet master." Ricky chuckled, leaving his words vague and cryptic as he closed the door behind him and walked forward.
The car at the center had its back window rolled down, and Ricky peered inside, locking eyes with the very man who had orchestrated everything that had led him to this moment.
"Mr. President, if it isn't my honor to meet the man behind it all," Ricky chuckled, leaning through the window to face Franklin, who merely gave him a cold, fleeting glance.
"Get in."
Author's Note: Saw your comments, I saw your pictures, there good but I'm lazy so I'll make my decision tommorrow because i just found out I can't even put any cover until Saturday because of a restriction placed on my 'inappropriate' image of a story that litearlly depicts raw skin on skin slapping.
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