Keeping in line

In the Fitness and Strength Gym located at the West end of Marvel City sat an elderly man in black with a frown on his face.

Before him kneeling were the muscular owner of the gym, Salvar and other members.

They all looked with fear and dismay at the seated figure. The Elder, sitting in front, tapped on the chair rest as he looked on his newly recruited subjects.

"Tell me.., what did I say your task was, Salvar?"

He questioned while looking at the Muscular gym leader Salvar.

"To., gather as many suitable recruits to test your concoction senior."

Salvar stuttered along as he saw the look of annoyance displayed on the Elder's face.

"Suitable.., huh?

What were the criteria given for your selection of candidates?"

The Elder asked while he continued to tap with his fingertips on the chair.

" Senior stated they must be of supreme talent for mortals and under twenty-five."

Salvar continued to kneel while bowing to the Elder in his chair.

"Oh, that is what I stated indeed. So let me ask, why are there so many wastes before me?

  It seems that we lack understanding as to the definition of talent."

The senior continuously frowned as he saw the kneeling members before him.

"Senior, please calm your anger as these were the best that could be recruited."

Salvar shook as he thought of the consequences of his action.

"So in a city of hundreds of thousands, this is the best that you could find, utter trash?

I am one who hates disappointment, Salvar, I gave you a task, but I also offered benefits.

Your gym is flourishing due to my concoction and influence over the last four years. Your members are happy with their quick gains in bodily strength and mass."

The Elder tapped his armrest while Salvar sweated profusely as he continued,

"Now in my book, that is me doing my share of our agreed arrangement, and quite effectively, I may add.

Since this is the case, why make me upset then? I have to ask myself, does Salvar not value his puny life."

The Elder looked on as his frown oddly started to turn to an evil smirk.

"Please, Elder, we did all that could be done. We also cooperated with the other gyms and even those vermin gangs that plague the city."

Salvar begged as he knew he was talking to a merciless soul at the moment.

Die!

A foot came crashing down on Salvar's head, and that was the last thing he saw; his head was crushed like meat paste.

The gym became a place of gloom and doom as everyone who witnessed Salvar's death began to panic with fear. Not a word was dared uttered as they looked on the elderly man before them.

" Who was next in line after the recently dear departed Salvar?"

The Elder man in black looked around and asked.

"I., I am senior. My name is Sara, and I am second in charge of the gym activities."

A woman with red hair came up as she nervously stuttered after witnessing the death of her former boss.

" I give you a warning, Sara; look at your former leader and ask yourself. Do I want the same fate?

"If your answer after asking yourself that question is no, do not disappoint me."

He appeared before the young-looking woman named Sara and squeezed her cheeks as he warned with his scrawny fingers.

"Before he mentioned something about vermin gangs. New leader, fill me in on the details."

The seat became occupied once more as he sat and surveyed the redhead leader and then questioned.

"This city is home to numerous amount of gangs. Most members are under the age of twenty-five.

They usually are pretty talented in the means of fighting. It is due to their constant brawling in the streets."

The redhead, Sara stated nervously, as she tried to answer the question as best as possible without leaving any details out.

"Is that so?

Hmmm!

Bring these members so I can see if they have any actual use."

He shrugged while Sara went into some details about the gangs.

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An hour later, a group of hundreds entered the gym loudly and surveyed the room as if looking for a person.

When they eyed the sitting Elder, they toned down their voices as a means of respect.

"Is this the gang members you mentioned, I wonder?"

The Elder observed the members as they each walked in as he questioned

"Senior indeed, these are the members. Twelve gangs are said to be the strongest in the city."

The nervous redhead Sara replied while taking note of the Elder's every expression.

"Well, this lot seems to have more promise than the former. Have them take the concoction and let me see the results."

The Elder was ready to dismiss the group when he saw a few members with bruises and dislocated limbs.

" So this is how vicious your brawls are? I like it indeed. Fear should never be a factor in wars. What gangs are you from?"

The bruise members came in front of the group. They were none other than the Eternal Death and Violet Sun.

"Sir, we are the Eternal Death and Violet Sun, gangs."

Brent, the baldie, took the lead and reported.

Haha!

"So, who was the victor?"

For the first time, they saw the Elder with a grin on his face. It was a strange sight as they never saw this man smile. Soon the two gangs became the focal point in the gym.

The pair, however, was not interested in the limelight. Wishing they could dig a hole and bury themselves.

Seeing that the members were acting odd and there was no response, the Elder became even more intrigued. He then frowned and asked the same question with a chill voice.

"Senior, there was no victor, rather we were all victims."

Brent sheepishly answered after seeing the Elder becoming angry by their slow reply.

"Oh, where is the gang that inflicted these damages? Come forth, let me see you."

He urged and looked on the hundreds of gang members. However, no one came forward after the spoken words.

After seeing the Elder about to cut loose and do some unspeakable acts, Brent the baldie hurriedly replied,

"Sir, the victor is not in the room. It is not even a gang that did this to us but an individual. It is a youth we call Sir Mouse."

Unedited Version

To be continued.....