Chapter 41: X-Gene Elevation

"Lucky, how long are you going to baby Slick?" Meyer asked, walking up behind Lucky, who was currently watching Ricky being trained by Alexander the Great. 

To Lucky, however, it looked more like Ricky was simply messing around with his new gerbil.

"I ain't babying him-" Lucky waved away Meyer who didn't simply take the hint.

"Lucky don't f*ck around with me, I know that you've been including him on family matters but you're keeping him at an arm's length from the actual internal proceedings." Meyer sighed, walking over to the chair and plopping down on it.

"I mean if you worried about Slick then you shouldn't, since in reality, the kid will probably be the one bullying the members of the family if that's what you're worried about-" Meyer tried to dissuade Lucky since Ricky didn't seem like the type to be bullied or hazed.

"Am I not allowed to be worried?" Lucky turned around with a dead serious expression but Meyer shook his head.

"I get it Lucky, he's your boy, but the kid's ready." Meyer spoke his truth but Lucky only interrupted it as lies.

"He's still not ready-" Lucky wanted to deny all of it only for Meyer to scoff.

"Lucky, he essentially took down the Irish mafia when he was drunk, DRUNK!" Meyer tried to yell some sense into Lucky who still frowned.

Although Lucky had been including Ricky more into the family and having him run numerous errands, he had been subconsciously keeping him away from the actual core of the family. 

Lucky felt a gnawing worry gnaw at him whenever he thought about Ricky as he knew he couldn't always be by his side, shielding him from the countless dangers that lurked in their world.

When Lucky hit the streets back in his youth, he was constantly pushed around and beaten up by guys older than him, and to this day, it still left scars that ached on rainy days. 

It's why subconsciously, Lucky continued to make up excuses to keep Ricky away from the family, and it was the real reason why he accepted Ricky's plea to go to high school instead of coming to work for the family.

"Other than Genovese, the other members of the family literally worship him and can you blame them, he can literally protect himself from bullets." Meyer was flabbergasted that he even needed to remind Lucky of these sensible things, though he understood why. 

He knew about Lucky's past and understood that Ricky had unknowingly become his blind spot. 

Despite being one of the smartest businessmen he knew, Lucky had his faults, and Ricky was the prime one.

Lucky saw too much of himself in Ricky, from the moment he met him Lucky couldn't help but be reminded of himself when he was young and arrogant. 

But even when he saw him, Lucky unconsciously wanted to recruit him while even letting him scam his family so that he could feel safe and familiar with them.

However when he saw the room, the very same with the blood and flesh of the five point gang smeared on the walls, he couldn't help but see why. 

In that moment, Lucky finally saw himself in Ricky but at the same time, saw himself as the man who had set the outline for his own life, his father.

He only felt disgusted with himself, his father was brutal in his own upbringing while forcing him to kill at the same age as Ricky all the way back in Sicily many years ago.

But unlike Lucky, Ricky didn't have anyone to fall back on for guidance. Lucky had his father, who, despite all his flaws, still loved him.

Ricky on the other hand was an orphan, nothing to his name and no one to grieve for him if he fell at the hands of fate's whims.

Seeing what he had unknowingly caused, Lucky swore to himself that if Ricky was going to be dragged into this life, he should at least have someone who had suffered firsthand to properly guide him. 

At first, Lucky raised Ricky by providing him with all the things he wished he had experienced himself. 

This showed in how Lucky took care of Ricky, making sure all his needs were accommodated as no normal father, especially an adoptive father, would attach himself to another so quickly unless there was some form of relatability, and for Lucky, he attached fast. 

It was guilt that drove him to raise Ricky, but as the five years passed, his guilt faded, and he held Ricky in his heart like one of his own, his son.

"I-.........I know." Lucky limped over to his chair and collapsed into it as Meyer chuckled.

"But he's my boy and I can't stop myself from being worried, even if he can stop a full clip of a tommy gun." Lucky confessed towards Meyer who understood, letting out a small sigh.

"I felt the same way with Jake, but I needed to let him go before he could truly become the man I'm proud he is today." Meyer smiled after thinking about how proud he was after finding out Jake was Ricky's right hand man.

*Sigh*

"Alright, after this whole debacle with the jewish mob is taken care of, I'll bring him into the family and finally show him the real ropes."

Meanwhile in the courtyard after a couple hours passed,

"PIERCE!"

"HYAA!"

"STAB!"

"HYAA!"

"TWIST!"

"HYAA!"

"PULL!"

"HYAA!"

"AGAIN!"

Alexander commanded as he instructed Ricky with his makeshift spear, mirroring the training he had done with his own soldiers. 

Ricky let out his battle cry with every motion; if he didn't, Alexander would berate him, saying things like, "You mustn't leave too much air in your stomach!" or "You don't look like a warrior but a sissy!"

"S-Slick!" A man suddenly barged into the courtyard which halted Ricky's movements.

"Yes?" Ricky asked, since if he got this far then he had to be part of their family in some way.

"I didn't mean to intrude on your-........thing, but there's something asking for you." The man, who was revealed to be Johnny, told him as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Something?" Ricky asked weirdly as Johnny hesitated, nervously squirming though built up the courage.

"Y-Yes, a talking dog has asked for you-" Johnny knew how stupid it sounded and expected a berating from him, only to see Ricky's face lit up.

"Lead the way." RIcky dropped the spear at the surprise of both Johnny and Alexander.

"A WARRIOR DOESN'T DROP THEIR WEAPON UNTIL THE LAST BREATH AND THAT IS ONLY SO THEY CAN USE THEIR HANDS TO DRAG THEIR ENEMY TO HADES!" Alexander roared but Ricky put a finger up.

"Give me a moment, this is one of my comrades." Ricky sort of lied as Alexander immediately changed his tune.

"Very well, go assist your comrade and then come straight back here to continue your training." Alexander crossed his arms as Ricky started pushing Johnny forward in great haste.

"Now take me to Barko."

1 hour later,

"And that is everything Slick, you must save Chores I beg of you." Barko begged, laying down which was his own way of bowing. 

Ricky had a carnivorous smile as he looked at the single piece of evidence he needed to gain a powerful muscle man. 

Originally, he was going to give that job to Edward, but with Edward now paralyzed, Ricky was in desperate need to fill that spot.

Although Ricky's a part of the family, his position within it wasn't set in stone and only in name only.

Lucky always emphasized that a good leader was able to solidify his standing but surrounding himself with capable people, delegating, and building up a trusted network of loyal subordinates.

Ricky needed Chores to be the pillar that would solidify his future position within the family, and now, everything finally seemed to be falling into place.

"Of course I'll help, do I look like such a bad guy?" Ricky joked though Barko let out bits of nervous laughter since that was exactly what he looked like when surrounded by countless thugs.

"Hey boys, the circus hasn't paid their fee for settling in New York, so who wants to see the local circus?" Ricky looked around with a smile as the thugs looked confused before giving out maddening laughs.

"For everyone who's up for it, meet me here at dawn."Ricky informed Barko and motioned for him to follow while the dog nodded and obeyed. 

Ricky returned to Alexander's exhausting training, continuing to work out, practice his stance, and fight with the makeshift spear until he had trained for a total of six hours.

Alexander was a firm believer in pushing through the pain, though he decided to shorten their first training session to get Ricky used to it. 

Ricky, however, was apprehensive, knowing this meant the training sessions would only become even longer.

Standing in the shower, Ricky experienced déjà vu as he gazed at the items in his inventory that he had yet to utilize, closing his eyes, and letting the water wash over him.

'Receive.' 

In the next second, he braced himself for an immense amount of pain while preparing for the air in his lungs to forcefully evacuate.

*Ding*

Received:

(Epic Skill) Intuitive Genius: This skill functions as perception, as it lets the user possess the ability to visually perceive "mechanical energy" (the kinetic energy and potential energy present in the components of mechanical systems) in action. 

-Effect: This power allows the user to instinctively know and understand the potential and functional operations of any machine or technological device in his visual range, a skill that, combined with natural intelligence, would allow the user to conceive, design, and build mechanical devices; and operate, modify, and disassemble existing technology or create countermeasures for it.

(Epic Item) Quiver of Chance: The quiver always has an arrow ready for the archer, magically replenishing itself however its effects can be a mystery. These arrows have the possibility of various effects, such as exploding on impact, seeking out targets, or passing through obstacles though they could result in a regular arrow.

(Epic Weapon) Vial of Aurora Borealis: When thrown, it bursts into a vivid display of colors, creating an illusionary landscape of northern lights. Within this illusion, time slows down temporarily for everyone except the user, allowing the wielder to strategize and attack swiftly while enemies are mesmerized.

(Rare Skill) Proficient Culinary Arts: Expertise in cooking and food preparation, including knowledge of various cuisines, cooking techniques, flavor combinations, and presentation skills.

(Legendary Skill) Psychic Constructs: Creating solid objects or weapons out of psychic energy for combat.

*Ding*

[The Legendary Skill 'Psychic Constructs' is able to merge into your X-gene]

[Would like to merge this skill into your X-Gene?]

[Yes/No]

Just as Ricky let out a sigh of relief, reassured that the system skills didn't hurt, a new system message appeared, making him freeze in his tracks.

'Yes?' Ricky muttered unconsciously, his words trailing off as his eyes suddenly strained as he fell to his knees, overcome by an unexpected force that scorched his brain.

"God f*cking dammit." Ricky let out a pained grunt, clutching his head as the cold water attempted to soothe the fiery heat within his brain. 

He managed to hold himself together, having endured worse, until a sharp ringing echoed in his head.

*Ding*

(X-Gene) Psionic Fabrication: Ricky can manipulate psychic energy to fabricate solid, tangible constructs and generate invisible force fields derived from his own mind. This fusion of abilities allows him to create intricate, durable objects and protective barriers instantaneously, limited only by his imagination and mental focus. 

-Effects: 

1.Manifestation and Shape Manipulation: Ricky can materialize psychic energy into solid, intricate objects or powerful weapons, manipulating their shape, size, and complexity according to his will and control them to varying degrees. These constructs can range from simple tools to complex machinery, showcasing his creativity and control. 

2.Durability and Offensive Capabilities: The constructs created by Ricky possess exceptional durability, capable of withstanding significant force and damage. By infusing his constructs with more psychic energy, the user can create cutting edges or even with enough mastery even energy blasts are possible.

3.Defensive Capabilities and Mobility: Ricky can project invisible force fields of varying sizes and shapes, forming protective barriers, shields, or even entire domes. These force fields are highly durable and can block telekinesis, prevent mental intrusion, and shield against various physical and energy-based attacks. Additionally, he can ride these force fields, granting him aerial mobility and maneuverability in battle. 

4.Psionic Infusion and Mental Control: Ricky can infuse his constructs and force fields with his emotions or thoughts akin to programming, enhancing their potency against specific situations. 

*Huff*

*Huff*

*Huff*

"Sweet." Ricky commented though didn't care to read this entire paragraph's long detailed explanation that the system took a lot of time to think out and write just for him.

(-_-)

Moving onwards, Ricky rubbed his new headache before walking out of the shower to see Alexander furiously grab his head while looking at his playing cards.

"Do you have any 3's?" Chester asked and Alexander crumbled before handing the card that was about as big as him to the crow.

"Do you have any eights?"

"Chester, have I wronged you in any way to receive such cruel and undeserving punishment?" Alexander's expression worsened as he handed another card to Chester who happily pecked it and sat it to the side.

"Wasn't it you who said 'In war, there are no friends only foe's?' when you took my ten hearts?." Chester cheekily retorted as Alexander shut his mouth.

Ricky raised an eyebrow as he noticed the instructions for Go Fish on the side of the deck of cards as the sight triggered a familiar memory, but he quickly shook his head, pushing it aside.

"You two want to come with me-"

"No."

"No."

Ricky didn't even get the chance to finish as his two familiars were dead set on finishing their bout against one another.

"Please?" Ricky asked out once again only to be promptly ignored while Chester thought of his next move.

"Fine, I didn't want a famous war commander and a crow that can mind control people anyways." Ricky put on his clothes before opening his door to see a sitting Barko.

"Barko, what are you doing at my door?" Ricky asked with a confused expression as Barko flinched before looking up.

"Waiting for you, Slick." Barko quickly answered and Ricky raised an eyebrow.

"Why didn't you come in?" Ricky peeked his head back into the room as the two of his familiars shrugged at his accusatory look.

"I didn't want to intrude." Barko politely spoke, making Ricky shrugged while closing the door behind him.

Walking down the stairs, he looked down to see Lucky raising an eyebrow, sitting on his favorite chair while reading the paper.

"Going somewhere?" Lucky asked, looking at the new dog that could seemingly talk.

With a strange frown, he recalled the recent commotion involving one of his men, Johnny, who had told Ricky that a talking dog was looking for him.

"Hey dog, can you really talk?" Lucky then pointed his cane at Barko who for some reason felt greatly intimidated.

"Y-Yes, sir." Barko replied, forcing Lucky to become slightly surprised but shrugged it off as he was used to it at this point which made him sigh.

"Not until we talk about everything I gave you yesterday." Ricky then hopped off the railing and landed on the first floor, his eyes fixed on his pops.

Barko observed the scene and decided it would be best to wait outside for Ricky to finish his conversation and with that thought, he pranced out the door.

"About that, I have decided-"

"To let me join you in raiding the jewish family's territories, I'm glad we could come to an understanding." Ricky interrupted Lucky who scrunched his eyebrows, setting down his paper.

"Slick listen, I know that I've been hard on you and I see my faults, but let's re-evaluate your position after the fact-"

"You've got to be sh*tting me, YOU'VE GOT TO BE SH*TTING ME!" Ricky scoffed at first, only to burst out in anger in the next iteration of the sentence.

"I LITERALLY GAVE YOU THE ENTIRE JEWISH OPERATION AND YOU'RE GONNA F*CKING SIDELINE ME AGAIN!" Ricky laughed out in disbelief, unable to believe that he was doing it again.

"And you did a good job after going behind my back after I gave you an ORDER to sit still." Lucky brought up the fact but Ricky didn't care to see the reason within his words.

"I'VE EARNED THIS-"

"YOU'VE EARNED NOTHING!" Lucky interrupted Ricky, standing up and pointing his cane at him.

"EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOTTEN WITHIN THIS FAMILY IS BECAUSE I GAVE IT TO YOU!" Lucky had enough with this outburst as Ricky gritted his teeth.

"YOU PRANCE AROUND LIKE SOME ARROGANT PRINCE IN MY KINGDOM, EXPECTING TO BE GIVEN EVERYTHING YOU WANT. AND WHEN YOU'RE NEEDED FOR ACTUAL WORK, YOU JUST SHRUG IT OFF." Lucky laughed out, essentially telling Ricky he was too irresponsible for this operation.

Ricky stood there for a moment, gritting his teeth at the unfairness of the situation. 

Deep down, he felt he didn't deserve this criticism, but he also knew Lucky had a point. 

From Lucky's perspective, Ricky had only benefited the organization either by accident or when it was convenient for him. 

Lucky saw Ricky as too immature to handle that part of the work but the problem was that Lucky was so focused on his own viewpoint that he failed to recognize the value of Ricky's actions, while Ricky had only tried to prove his worth by working behind Lucky's back.

It had unknowingly created a struggle between them, making it difficult for each to understand the other.

"Then listen to me pops, the jewish mob have vampires and ghouls at their side-"

"Slick stop f*cking with me-"

"It's the truth!" Ricky realized how unrealistic it must have sounded to Lucky and tried to explain, but the man in front of him was too stubborn for his own good.

"Enough, we'll talk about this after this is all said and done." Lucky held up his hand, signaling that he wouldn't delve deeper into the topic anymore.

Ricky stood there for a moment, knowing that Lucky genuinely wouldn't care to listen and once Lucky raised his hand, it was a clear sign he wouldn't acknowledge anything further.

"Where are you going?" Lucky asked again, but this time his mood was tense as he watched Ricky walk towards the door.

"I thought I would bring some of our family to the circus since I had so much fun with Maria's." Ricky subtly gestured towards Lucky who immediately understood. 

Despite their recent transgressions, Lucky thought it would be beneficial for Ricky to blow off some steam.

Lucky waved at him, giving him his permission to use the family, Ricky storming out of the house and slamming the door behind him.

*BAM*

"I need a drink." Lucky shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose at his onsetting headache.

"Hey Slick are you okay-" 

"I'm fine." Ricky waved Barko's worries away though he still wore them on his sleeve.

Ricky walked out to see a handful of cars waiting outside, waving his finger to round them up before opening the door and gesturing to Barko.

"Let's go save Chores."

However as Ricky and Barko went to the freak show, Lucky was looking throughout his wine cellar with scrunched brows.

"That little sh*t, he stole my good wine again!" Lucky frowned though instead of simply letting it be, he started limping with his cane all the way to Ricky's room.

'I got to beat some sense into him later-" Lucky opened his door only to see the weirdest sight that he'd come across to date.

In his eyes, what played out was the sight of both a small gerbil and a lone crow playing go fish while the gerbil squeaked out complaints the entire time.

His mind sort of froze, unable to process the peculiar situation unfolding before him though simply did the only reasonable thing to do at this moment.

*Click*

'....." 

Lucky closed the door until he opened it one more time to see the gerbil throwing a fit as the crow patted him with his wing.

'Let's settle for some cheap whiskey.'

45 minutes later,

Ricky pulled up to the circus only to see them starting to pack up while Barko started barking anxiously.

"WE NEED TO GO NOW-"

"Calm down Barko, they ain't going nowhere." Ricky patted Barko's head before getting out of the car with the members of the Luciano family who wanted to make an impression to Ricky, following behind him.

"The freak show is closed-YOU!" Raymond had a stern tone as he was about to show them away until he saw Barko at Ricky's side.

*BAM*

*COUGH*

As Raymond approached, Ricky's fist shot out like a piston, striking him square in the stomach. 

The force of the blow knocked the wind out of Raymond, and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for air. 

Ricky wasted no time, grabbing Raymond by the collar and hurling him to the ground with a resounding thud. 

Raymond coughed incessantly, each breath a struggle as he glared up at Ricky, his eyes burning with anger and pain. 

Meanwhile, Ricky remained unfazed, his gaze scanning the surroundings, seemingly indifferent to Raymond's suffering.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR-"

*BAM*

Ricky didn't respond with words and instead, he did a little hop forward, his foot arcing up in a swift kick that landed square on Raymond's jaw. 

The impact reverberated through the air with a sharp crack, sending Raymond sprawling backward, stunned and dazed.

"The punch was for not even acknowledging me and the kick was raising your voice to me." Ricky promptly instructed since although he came for other matters, he needed to show the men behind him that he wasn't one to be pushed around.

"Now, I'm going to ask you a question and you better answer, got it." Ricky bent down to the horrified Raymonds level.

"Where's Chores?"

"CHORES!" Carl burst into the tent as Chores looked up from his book in confusion.

"What is it-"

"A BUNCH OF THUGS ARE BEATING UP RAYMOND, GO OUT THERE AND STOP THEM!" Carl didn't even plead but basically demanded Chores to do something though he didn't need to wait long as Chores rushed out of the tent.

"If you don't answer in the next second then you'll have trouble walking with no legs." Ricky poked at his still attached legs, making Raymond flinch.

"Chores is-"

"HEY, GET OUT OF HERE!" Chores barreled into Ricky's view as he rushed towards him.

"Chores!" Ricky and Barko said in unison though the smiles were only short term as Chores clearly wasn't listening.

Chores was a gentle giant, but even giants had their breaking points and his way of relieving stress was dealing with people like Ricky, who always tried to extort their circus. 

However, he would soon learn that Ricky wasn't your average thug.

Right now, Chores was running like a bull seeing red and with every step, the ground shook violently under his massive frame.

*BOOM*

Chores collided with the psionic wall that Ricky suddenly put up, the sheer force from Chores enough to cause a slight booming sound.

"Chores calm down." Ricky tried to ease Cores though still controlled and wrapped his psionic wall around Chores while somewhat caging him akin to a wild animal.

"LET ME OUT!" Chores felt claustrophobic, the invisible walls caving in as he flexed his muscles.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

Punch after punch, Chores unleashed a frightening force with every fist he slammed into the metal cage surrounding him. 

The impact was so intense that the very air inside the mental barrier rippled with each blow as he continued to pummel the cage, Chores grew increasingly agitated.

"Damn." Ricky whispered, wincing slightly as he felt the strain within his brain intensify, gritting his teeth against the discomfort.

"DAMMIT CHORES LOOK!" Ricky slammed the letter into the barrier and right in front of the furious Chores who didn't read it at first until he recognized the handwriting.

Slowly, Chores' punches slowed until he was motionless, the only moving parts of him were his eyes which shrunk as he felt his knees wobble, and he dropped to the floor, finally gazing up.

"This-......this isn't real, tell me it's not real." Chores spoke in an exasperated tone until he saw Barko slowly walk up in front of him.

"Chores, I grabbed it before Carl and Raymond could burn it." Barko confessed towards the heartbroken Chores who felt his whole world crumble.

"Can I-"

"Of course." Ricky saw him reaching for the letter and dropped the barrier while carefully handing his mother's goodbye letter to him, stepping back a ways to give him his moment.

My Lovely Son,

As I sit down to write this letter, my heart is heavy with the weight of the words I must convey. I want you to know how much I love you, more than words can ever express. It is with a deep sense of sorrow and acceptance that I write to say goodbye, for I have been told that my time on this Earth is drawing to a close. The doctors have informed me that my condition has worsened, and I won't live past the week. 

I want you to remember that my love for you is boundless, unending, and eternal. From the moment you were born, you brought an indescribable joy into my life. Watching you grow, learn, and become the remarkable person you are today has been the greatest privilege and blessing. Your kindness, your laughter, and your love have filled my days with meaning and purpose. 

I want you to find strength in the love we shared and the memories we created together. Remember the bedtime stories I used to tell you, the picnics in the park, and the quiet moments we spent together, just talking and laughing. Hold on to those moments, for they are the essence of our bond, and they will live on in your heart long after I am gone. 

I am immensely proud of the person you have become. You are strong, compassionate, and filled with a zest for life that I have always admired. I have no doubt that you will continue to grow and thrive, making a positive impact on the world just as you have in my life. Embrace each day with the same enthusiasm and love for life that you have always shown, and you will find the strength to face the challenges that come your way. 

I want you to promise me something, my dear child. Promise me that you will cherish the good times and learn from the challenging ones. Embrace life with all your heart, and never be afraid to love deeply, for love is the most beautiful and powerful force in the universe. 

Please know that my love will always surround you, guiding you, protecting you, and giving you the courage to face whatever lies ahead. Though I may not be physically present, I will live on in your heart, in the lessons I have imparted, and in the love that will always connect us. 

You are my precious child, and I am eternally grateful for the gift of being your mother. Thank you for filling my life with love, laughter, and countless beautiful memories. As I leave this world, I do so with a heart full of love and gratitude for the time we shared. 

With all my love, now and forever, 

Your Mother, Sandy.

"Momma~" Chores broke down, tears streaming down his cheeks as he gripped the letter tightly to his chest. 

His mother was his rock, and with her passing, the core of his heart had shattered, pieces splintering across his being. 

But the worst part, the thing that would tug at his heartstrings until the end of his time, was one thing.

He didn't get to say goodbye.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Chores let out a wail, unable to contain the sorrow that engulfed him. 

Even the members of the Luciano family paid their respects since despite their ruthlessness, the Luciano family's familial values were ingrained in each and every one of them and they knew that they would act the same way if they were in Chores' shoes.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING CHORES GET THEM-"

"SHUT UP!" Chores roar caused Carl to stop dead in his tracks as the emotional man looked at him with bloodthirsty eyes.

"You knew, you knew my mother was on her deathbed and yet." Chores voice instead of growing louder in rage, grew quieter as slowly stood up before handing the letter to Barko who quietly understood.

"You said nothing." Chores eyes stared into Carl's soul, enshrouding the weak man with a sense of fear that no one on this earth had managed to impart on him, the fear of death.

"Chores listen I-" Carl stammered out, trying to reason only to see Chore's uncaring in his entire presence.

"My mother was a sweet soul that could do no wrong, yet, she was even wrong about one thing." Chores' voice then dropped to an unfathomable coldness, becoming icy in an instant as it also dropped in volume. 

Slowly, he walked towards Carl who fell to his knees knowing there was no escape and only mercy.

"I was never a forgiving person." Chores loomed over Carl's panic and fear, he could see the semblance for mercy in the weak's man's eyes but felt sick to his stomach at the thought of forgiving him. 

"You think-.......YOU THINK YOU CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT ME, YOU THINK YOUR ANYTHING WITHOUT MY CIRCUS? YOU'RE JUST A FREAK AND EVERYONE WILL-"

"No, if Chores kills you right here he'll get away with it." Ricky suddenly interrupted Carl's last words, causing him to go pale.

"You said your name was Slick, right?" Chores asked Ricky who flashed him a wide smirk.

"The one and only." Ricky spread his arms as Chores showed an appreciative look.

"Can I do-"

"Whatever you want, maul, kill, lynch, only the heavens will see whatever you decide to do to that man." Ricky chuckled with a lighthearted shrug, Chores eyes flicking to Carl's shivering figure.

"Then I'll thank you in advance." Chores then looked into Carl's eyes, and all the ringmaster saw was a hollow and unforgiving gaze.

"Boys!" Ricky turned around to the members laying in wait.

"Take everything and leave only ashes, anything you find belongs to you so go wild!"

Ricky's announcement was met with the brutal display of the Luciano family taking everything of value from the freak show. 

They stripped the show bare, not even sparing the metal outlining the nearby train cars. 

The tents that remained after the mobsters looted all their internal possessions were soon set ablaze, casting an eerie glow as the acts of the freak show ran around in confusion.

These acts couldn't escape the cruelty of the mobsters as everything was taken from them until they were lucky enough to be left with only their own clothes. 

However, amidst all the cruelty, Chores' actions stood out as the heartache and pain of losing his mother were taken out on Carl and Raymond.

Chores wanted to make Carl feel the heartache and helplessness he had felt when reading his mother's goodbye letter. 

So instead of ending him first, he grabbed Raymond, his large hands gripping around Raymond's right arm before he ripped it off his torso. 

Blood and screams immediately filled the air as the piercing agony continued amidst the hellish background. 

Consumed by rage, Chores tore Raymond limb from limb, even thrusting his fist into his chest cavity to remove each of his organs.

Chores had always held himself as a proper man, raised that way by his mother. 

But in this moment, and only this moment, he had lost his way and although knew his mother wouldn't approve of his actions.

It was because of Carl and Raymond that he'd never get to see that face of disapproval, or that face that looked at him as if he could do wrong, because she was gone.

"P-Please no." Carl shook his head, tears and his own bodily movements acting up as a clear yellow stain appeared on his white pants.

Chores didn't respond as his shadow slowly started to consume Carl's figure, his hands reaching out towards him slowly so as to ingrain this very sense of helplessness into the ringmaster's soul.

"NO, PLEASE CHORES-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

His screeches clouded the area as Chores slowly tore the flesh from Carl's body, trying his best to prolong his pain. 

After the screams finally vanished, Chores stood over Carl's disembodied body, looking up into the night sky and feeling as empty as the dark sky which didn't hold a single star.

'I'm sorry momma.' Chores then closed his eyes as although his mother walked along the path of a saint, he knew he'd walk down the path of damnation.

"Feel better Chores?" Ricky tried to keep a smile and not gag at the horrifying mess to the side, seeing Chores covered in blood and guts.

"No." Chores muttered out in deep sadness, gazing at his bloody hands as his actions started to settle in.

Looking to the side, Ricky saw Barko ducking his head in heartache at what had become of Chores.

In Barko's eyes, Chores had always been a passionate and forgiving person, but the bloodied man before him now seemed like a lost and hollow shell of the person he once knew.

"Seeing as you both don't have anywhere left to go, would you two like to come work for me?" Ricky asked as Barko's tail slowly started wagging while Chores simply nodded.

Chores had literally nothing to his name and nowhere to go back to, so he seized the first opportunity that appeared.

"Will I actually get paid a fair wage? Maybe even a lab to continue my research?" Barko asked, trying his hardest to not focus on the smell of Carl's bowels lingering at the side.

"You'll have to earn the lab, but I will pay you a fair wage with real money." Ricky twisted Barko's offer, but it was enough for him.

"Deal!" Barko hopped up and down in excitement.

Ricky honestly was only bringing Barko along since he thought it would be good for his future strong arm to have something to tie him down with.

Ricky could tell that Chores was on the verge of drifting aimlessly through life as he thought it would be better for him to have something rather than nothing.

"What about you Chores, anything you want in particular?" Ricky asked with a smile, holding in the gag but Chores simply ducked his head.

"No, I have no desires at the moment." Chores let out a depressive wave that even made Ricky uncomfortable.

"Well, first things first, let's get you cleaned up."

2 hours later,

"Good job, Chores." Ricky patted Chores on the back, gazing at all of the multitude of things now in his storage space.

Ricky decided to move the two of them into Dutch's previous stash house, which still contained his body. 

Ricky had some men take care of the body while Chores moved the stash into his storage space. 

Ricky was initially confused about how to use the space, but after understanding that he simply needed to unlock the air itself, the space opened up.

The storage space didn't initially let Chores in, but after Ricky gave him permission, he started doing his first job for him: moving all of the money, guns, drugs, and everything else in between into the space.

"Here, split it between the both of you." Ricky grabbed one of the wads of money in the storage space and threw it to Chores.

Chores eyes widened as this amount was probably more than he'd ever made while in the freak show.

"Use that to buy stuff to furnish the apartment or don't, I don't care." Ricky then closed the storage space and turned to the shock Chores and drooling Barko.

"Get situated cause I'll be needing you soon." Ricky walked towards the door with a serious expression.

It was becoming a pattern, but Ricky knew he needed to work behind Lucky's back to confront the real threat lurking in the shadow of the Jewish mob.

"Slick this is-" Chores hurriedly looked up, a little shell shocked by this amount of money.

"Not enough, I know but I need the rest for my club."

*BAM*

Ricky closed the door behind him leaving the baffled two of Chores and Barko to themselves though pieces of Dutch still hung on the walls to keep them company.

"Too much."