Corrupt System

[Message: I believe you should check up on Bella.]

"Yeah I was thinking the same thing...Parker just won't give up on her and now Markus is on the attack as well. Something just feels like it will go wrong." I said as I stared at myself in the mirror.

[Message: I'll search for Bella.]

Dearie searched the area for Bella and saw that Bella was at Diamond State University. She also scanned three dots on the map driving towards her location, but one dot had a VIP symbol on it.

[Message: One of them has a system.]

I nodded and walked off. I called Daisy. "Daisy."

"Already on it, Cloudy. Arabella and I had the same realization. I will meet you at the University." Daisy said.

"Right." I said.

I grabbed my keys and heard a knock on my door. I walked toward my front door and looked out the peephole, but someone was covering the peephole.

[Suggestion: Don't...make a sound...]

I carefully put my keys in my pocket then slowly crept my way to the kitchen. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath then exhaled. I heard my doorbell ring followed by banging on my front door.

[Message: They aren't friendly...somehow they found us and their system isn't like me. I'm the only one who can track other systems so the only way they know you're here is if someone was stalking you.]

I sighed and heard the door being kicked in. I stayed as silent as possible and Dearie went silent as well.

"I know you're here, loser." A man said.

The voice sounded so familiar to me. I stayed silent so I could hear what else the person would say.

"After MY father adopted you, you rose to fame. Elite Horizons was supposed to be mine, but he gave it to you because he felt sorry for you. Maybe if your parents weren't such delinquents and worthless wastes of space, you would still have them and I would still have my father's attention! You ruined my life, Claudio...now you come messing with my friends? Stealing women from boyfriends and husbands, making them look like cucks?" The man said.

I knew I couldn't hide anymore and stood up. I looked at the man who was in my house. He had short dark hair, a few tattoos around his body, and a pretty toned build. He was my adoptive brother and seeing him again after he disappeared for a long time was bittersweet.

"Ryan." I said.

Ryan stopped walking and looked back at me. "I knew my system couldn't lie to me. There's no running from this, Claudio. You don't belong in our family. You didn't even deserve to live.."

I watched as Ryan pulled his gun out then aimed it at me. I rose my hands up and grunted softly. "I didn't intend on taking anything away from you, Ryan. I didn't even ask to be adopted when Dad found me."

"Stop calling my father your dad! He isn't your Dad! You single handedly ruined my fucking life...You ruined my life, Claudio...now I'm gonna ruin yours!" Ryan said.

I stepped backwards, watching Ryan. Any sudden movement and he would pull the trigger. I grabbed a pot and threw it in the line of fire as he pulled the trigger, making him shoot the pot. I ran toward him and tackled him to the ground then moved his arm making him miss another shot. I struck his face, making him drop the gun then groaned as he struck me with a right swing. He kicked me off him then grabbed his gun.

I performed a Flare, kicking his legs from under him and caused him to fall again. I tried to go for another attack, but he countered me by kicking me back. He got up and struck my face with a left hook then flipped me over his shoulder onto the ground.

I groaned and panted. "Dearie...!"

[Message: Distressed Signal Sent!]

Ryan pointed his gun at me, but I rolled away before he could pull the trigger then got up. I ran off to the garage then got in my car. I started my car which rose the garage door then drove off quickly.

I called Bella as I sped down the street. I was relieved when she answered. "Bella!"

"Claudio, what's wrong? Why do you sound out of breath?" Bella asked.

"Where are you right now?" I asked.

"I'm with Daisy, I'm safe, but what's wrong with you?" Bella asked.

I grunted as Ryan began firing bullets at my car then looked in my rearview mirror then maneuvered my way around the cars on the highway. "Tell Daisy, that I need help! Immediately! My crazy brother is trying to kill me! He has a system!"

I noticed two more cars racing behind to get to me. 'He brought some other also?! Ryan is the leader of this gang..?! If Ryan also has a system, he's more than likely trying to help get Bella...I can't let them...'

[Suggestion: Drift around this turn!]

I nodded and drifted around the turn and watched as Ryan and his crew sped past the turn. I began to speed down the highway again to Diamond State but now I was taking the longer route.

[Warning: Ryan and the others are taking the lower route. You will cross paths with them.]

I grunted and heard someone land on the top of the roof of my car.

"Don't throw me off!" The person said. "I'm an Agent! Drive steady!"

{Daisy: Arabella sent an agent at your location while I'm escorting Bella to safety. Her name is Vesta. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you, Cloudy, but Vesta is also VIP 20 Darling and rather strong. You'll be safe with her.}

I looked at the message Daisy had sent and my nerves calmed down. "I hope you're ready Vesta!"

"I am!~" Vesta said and got her balance on my car.

Vesta had Ryan and his crew in her sights then opened four spatial rifts then a gatling gun appeared from the rifts. She took aim and began firing bullets at Ryan and the crew. The blew up two cars, but Ryan managed to evade the bullets then looked back, seeing Vesta standing on the top of my car.

Vesta's golden eyes shined as she looked at Ryan. She had a wicked smirk on her face. Her white cloak flowed with the wind and her necklace with a gem that had a Space Symbol on it shined. Her golden blonde hair flowed with the wind as well. She grew excited all over as she noticed that Ryan was my father's biological child.

"You dirty child! Targeting our beloved?! You're lucky that Arabella nor Daisy were here! You could have been dead already!" Vesta called out.

"You forget that I'm still my father's son! You're messing with the wrong one!" Ryan yelled. "Honey! Activate Autopilot Mode!"

-|Honey: On it.|-

Ryan hopped to the roof of his car and took aim at Vesta with his rifle. "You might be a VIP 20 Darling, but bullets can still hurt you! You're just Spiritually Awakened and nothing more!"

"Why does Ryan even have a system and what's wrong with his system?" I asked.

"He was originally supposed to be the guy Arabella wanted to help save our Darlings from whoever is capturing or killing them! I guess he went rouge once he received a Wonder Shard for saving Daisy. That shard has given him so much power so it's a wonder on how you survived this long!" Vesta answered.

"I'm smarter than one might realize even without a Wonder Shard! My brother is predictable as well! Hang on tight because I'm gonna whip this bitch!" I said.

"What?!" Vesta said in shock and grunted as I began to swerve around the other cars on the highway. "Wait! Wait! Slow down! There's traffic ahead!"

I looked serious and swerved the car, then made it drift to the opposite lane. The other drivers honked at me and I began to evade the cars efficiently. Vesta held onto the roof for dear life then noticed I had gotten ahead of traffic. She looked back and smiled as she noticed Ryan had gotten stuck in the chaos I caused.

"You're one crazy guy, you know that?!" Vesta said and laughed.

"It's those genes in me. I used to be a part of a gang myself when I was coming up...around when I was 14. I did a lot of get away driving for my people and that's why I'm so proficient when it comes to evading and getting away from people." I said.

"I see...Well Daisy will be at the Diamond State Hall, we should—NNGH!!" Vesta started and noticed Ryan ram into my car. "How did he catch up?!"

"You're not escaping me, Brother! Accept your Fate and die!" Ryan yelled then rammed me off the road.

Vesta had no choice but to bail and worriedly watched my car roll down the hill. "Claudio!!"

My car stopped rolling and I sat upside down in my car. I could feel my blood rushing to my head. I hated the feeling as it reminded me when I got into my accident with my parents. I opened my eyes, lucky enough to still be alive. I managed to get myself out of the car and coughed.

"Claudio..!" Vesta said and helped me up. "You're alive...oh thank goodness..."

"The invincible child still lives...This is getting rather annoying so I'll just kill you now and spare you the future suffering." Ryan said as he walked toward us.

I held onto Vesta and looked at Ryan then glared. "You've always hated me for no fucking reason...now you try to kill me because you aren't the chosen anymore? You act like I asked for this shit! I didn't but it happened...It happened and now you want to take it all away. I've had enough things taken away from me...I lost my biological parents, I lost my home, I lost Hannah...but I'm not going to lose this opportunity...No...I refuse!"

"What a heart felt speech...I hope those were you final words, Claudio...You wanna know what happens when a man with a system dies? The killer gets to take their system...and all the women associated with them. That means I'm getting Bella, Vanessa, Azalea...and Cassie...I will leave you with NOTHING!" Ryan said.

Ryan stepped closer to us then grunted when the gravity around became heavier. He tried to walk but ended up falling to his knees. "What the hell...is going...on..?!"

"It's amazing how you believe you can harm my beloved...and get away with it. You know, Luke warned me about you. How you've been trying to kill Claudio for the longest time...I didn't believe him at first but now seeing it with my own eyes...I realize the mistake I made, gifting you the Wonder Shard and your system.."

Ryan looked up and noticed Arabella walking forward. "Ara..bella..."

Arabella smirked and pressed her foot against Ryan's head, making him bow down to her. "You will realize...how little control you actually have. I would kill you...but I would find it more satisfying if Claudio does the honors of taking your life when that time comes. Until then...I hope you enjoy living your life and counting the days..."

Arabella released Ryan and watched as Ryan stood up then grit his teeth. He retreated and left the area.

"Don't worry, my love. Your women will be safe..~ We dealt with Markus and Parker and let's say they won't be bothering anyone again..~ All you have to worry about is spending time with your ladies and making them happy..~ Now you know who to save them from...but I will make sure you're ready to take him on when you're not on dates with your Darlings." Arabella smiled.

I stared at Arabella and was more grateful for her than I could ever realize. "Thank you..."

Arabella smiled at me and walked toward me then healed my injuries. "Come on..~ Bella and Daisy are worried about you.."

I nodded then Vesta and I followed Arabella to her car.

_____________

We made it to Diamond State Hall and met up with Daisy and Bella. They were all happy that I was alive and safe. Bella was especially happy given the circumstances I was in. Vesta told Daisy what had happened and they agreed to help me get more experience under my belt. Now knowing other men have systems as well, I needed to be prepared and protect my women from Ryan and the other System Wielders.