*Author's Note: I'm going to be upfront in saying, I kinda rushed this one. That's mainly because I held on to this one chapter for so much longer than I should have. It was Jill's parts that kept me from finishing because I'm just terrible at writing exposition like this. I hope it's still good, consider this my apology, and I promise to have better chapters after this.
New Powers
Matt, Carrie and Jacob were on their knees, Jacob forced to his knees by the badger.
Jimmy was the only one still defiant. He didn't particularly like or respect the boss. Still, he was only able to afford his lifestyle from working for this stuck-up self-important...
Jerome stood before his three highest ranking captains, and this newcomer, this pest who had crept into his territory. The doberman straightened his dark blue suit before he approached his captains. The dog cracked his knuckles loudly as he finally spoke "I suppose you three have a very good reason for calling me all the way down here."
Jimmy was the one to answer, "We've caught your little rat, Marks. And I must say, it was easier than pushing over some old lady for her purse." The bat grinned "He put up a fight for sure, but nothing we couldn't handle."
Carrie scoffed, "He kicked Jimmy's ass, and I was the one that had to restrain him."
The bat rolled his eyes, "Yeah, only because I went easy on him!"
Jerome looked at the rat before his shiny suede shoes. The dog had to look, something about him... He shook his head before looking at his captains, "And why is this vermin not dead?"
Matt was the one to speak, "He's young, but he has potential. It'd be a waste just to kill someone like him. I believe he can be useful to us, Mr. Marks, sir."
The dog glared back down at the overgrown rodent, "And suddenly my organization is a charity?" He said it in a low growl, before he tipped the rat's muzzle back to look in his eyes, "And I hope for both your sake, and my captain here, that you are indeed someone we can use."
Jacob had no chance to answer before he was hauled up to his feet by the large canine.
Jerome lifted him clear off the ground, the rat grunting at sudden pressure to his throat.
Jacob was a strong 5'8, but against this monster canine at 6'6", he was a mere child.
Jerome relaxed his grip on the rat's esophagus, "So, how about it? Will you work for us?"
Jacob couldn't help but be a little defiant. He chuckled in the big dog's face, "That all depends, do I have to kiss your toes, boss?"
Marks wasn't offended at all by the defiance, he gave a soft chuckle, "Nah... I'd make you suck on something, but I'd have to yank out your teeth first." He simply let Jacob go.
The rat dropped to the concrete floor, coughing and massaging his own neck.
Jerome brushed his suit as if touching the rat made him feel dirty, "So then, give me your best shot." The dog let his driver take his suit off for him so he could show off his thick biceps and defined chest, "See if you can make a dent in me. Don't even think of using your power either, or I'll have Ms. Leacher there rip your throat out."
Jacob watched as Jerome turned to face him, as the other Marksmen formed a circle, the three highest ranking behind him each taking a step back. The rat got to his feet. He balled up his fists before he swung at Jerome.
The dog did not even try to dodge. He stood in place, ears twitching and mouth forming an evil smirk as there came an awful sound.
Jacob hit Jerome with all the force he could muster in one punch.
CRUNCH!
"Agh! God! Fuck!" Jacob fell back, his fingers on one fist completely busted, broken, bones sticking through his skin. It was as if he had just punched a brick wall.
Jerome unbuttoned his vest to show off his tattoo right over his heart. His whole body had the appearance of being stone, while still appearing to be organic. The dog's eyes glowed as he laughed cruelly, "That's right, this is my shard's power. I don't even have to think to activate it, it is always active... makes bathing a bitch, but it's a hell of a defense." He rapped on his own chest and gave off the sound of knocking on a cinder block. "My body turns to stone, the instant someone, anyone tries to hit me." He reached down and held Jacob's busted fist, "But you'll walk it off, you're one of us, I'm sure you've already seen one of our many benefits."
Jacob grimaced from his hand being touched, but the dog was right. A soothing burn surged through his arm as the shard healed his injury.
Jerome threw off his vest, leaving his full upper body exposed, "Feel all better yet?"
The rat grunted as his hand had fully healed.
Jerome grinned, "Nice, now, hit me again, and this time, you can use your power on me."
Jacob nodded. He took off his own jacket and left it on the floor. He closed his eyes, when they opened they were glowing. His right hand turned completely black, it stretched across the floor before it took hold of Jerome.
The dog barely reacted to the shadow arm wrapping around his torso.
Jacob reeled back with his opposite arm taking the form of a shadowy tendril, then lashed out.
Jerome slipped from Jacob's grasp, then blocked the attack with his stone bicep.
The tendril seemed to dissipate after being blocked.
Jacob smirked suddenly.
The tendril grabbed hold of Jerome's fist, then Jacob was able to force it back, striking the dog clear across his own muzzle.
Jerome grunted from the blow. He stepped back to hold his cheek. Pulling back his hand, he saw blood, not a lot, just a scrape, but still the rat had made him bleed. He started to laugh then, "You used my own force, you made me hit myself... cheap shot, but clever."
Jacob did not know whether he should take that as a compliment, but he did feel good for showing some ingenuity.
The dog wiped his cheek, "It takes a real hard motherfucker to make me bleed, and you pulled it off with your second attack. Yeah, I think we have a place for you... if you will join us."
The rat really did not know what he should feel. He had been raised to know what was right, what was acceptable, but this... joining criminals, thugs who make a habit of hurting people, innocent people. He had to really think about this, "And if I refuse?"
