CH18:PHOENIX

The back door for the big SUV slowly opened and out came a man in a very expensive suit and sunglasses. He was tall with jet black hair, a wide chest and a face that screamed money. The young man, who looked to be around nineteen, stood next to his car and looked at the area he was in. He looked at the school then at the shops, homes and other residential and business areas. He smiled eerily and raised his arms saying, " Salvation to this land."

With that said, he removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of red eyes, and got back in his car and his fleet drove off. As his car was driving away from the school, his eyes caught with Max's for a quick second but Max thought it was a little longer. For some reason, Max felt a strange but yet similar aura coming from the young man. His composure alone spelt danger and Max could tell he was more dangerous than the King Bear he faced last night. The fleet of cars drove off to the warehouse district while everyone else continued with their day.

" Looks like another gang wanna be has landed in this area." Rin said.

" Yeah no kidding. That guy is bad news." CJ said.

" What do you mean?" Sue asked.

" There's a time I went for a small business trip with my father in the city. Apparently, the trip was a meeting between all the rich tycoons in the city. That guy was there and for some reason, everyone was slightly afraid of him....including my dad."

What CJ said made Max feel even more worried. If he thought Pharaoh was going to be hard to deal with, he didn't know what the young man would have in store for him. The school bell rung, signifying the beginning of another school day for the high-schoolers. Miss Xin didn't show up again, making the school principal consider hiring the sub. Max couldn't help but feel something terrible was going to happen, either sooner or later but whatever it was, he was going to have to handle it later.

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In a particular warehouse just on the edge of Raid town, one could find gangster relaxing and enjoying their morning. Some were playing cards while others were smoking a cigar. Others were a little light headed for the morning hours and there were a few playing security. When they say a long fleet of expensive cars heading their way, they got in position, pulling out their guns, switch blades, metallic baseball bats and other weapons that can hurt someone real bad. The cars driving towards their direction spread out in a synchronized formation, making way for the SUV to pass through. The car eventually stopped at the front door of the warehouse and the gangsters playing security were becoming extra edgy.

The young man got out of his car and stretched out the wrinkles in his suit and removed the sunglasses that he put back on while in the car.

" Are you lost or something pretty boy?" One of the gangsters asked.

" Oh no, my friend. I'm here to see your boss. Mind allowing me access?" He asked. The gangster looked him up and down before allowing him through. The young man entered the warehouse alone, leaving all of his men outside. Inside the warehouse, three people could be seen conducting a meeting. Pharaoh, Miss Xin and Fang were at the warehouse's makeshift bar when they saw this cocky boy walking in their direction. Pharaoh being as young and arrogant as he was, attempted to walk to the boy and hit but Fang put his arm across Pharaoh's chest.

" Greetings my fellow business men...and woman." He said as he took the seat next to Miss Xin. The young man looked around the warehouse's tacky decorations and even rubbed his finger against the table he leaned on. " Oof, looks like someone didn't do their spring cleaning."

" Who the hell are you, bub?" Pharaoh yelled. The young man looked at Pharaoh with a calm, sly smile and slowly went for Miss Xin's hand. He lifted it up and kissed it then said, " Forgive my manners, beautiful lady. My name is Phoenix, Phoenix Cheng." Xin smacked Phoenix across his face and wiped the spit he left on her hand.

" How dare you do such a thing Phoenix?"

" Wait, you know him Xin?" Fang asked as he looked at the young man.

" He's some cocky teenager that inherited the Cheng family business and the third richest man in Raid city, fourth in the world." Phoenix smiled proudly as Miss Xin mentioned all of his accomplishments.

" What do you want Phoenix?" Xin angrily asked.

" To take you out on a date, Xin." Hearing no one laugh at his joke, Phoenix continued speaking. "I came on important business. I heard that you started a gang in this small town, but....I wonder why you haven't dealt with the one that's planning to run you over."

" Run us over." The trio said at the same time. " Who's planning to run us over?" Pharaoh asked, waving his arms around. Phoenix put his sunglasses on and started to walk away. Pharaoh jumped off of his sit and went to grab Phoenix by the neck.

" Why you little..." Pharaoh had three arms ready to strike but Phoenix ducked out of the way, making Pharaoh's big body crash into some empty chairs. Pharaoh stood up and grabbed two chairs with his lower arms. He threw them at Phoenix with a lot of strength. Phoenix dodged them again and this time, he pulled out a small marble from his pocket and threw it at Pharaoh's head. The marble's impact caused the giant four-armed mutant to crash and fall, making Fang and Xin rush to his aid.

" Just like David from the Bible, I have conquered the arrogant giant. Have a nice week." Phoenix and his fleet left the warehouse district and drove off into the other side of Raid town, the same place KC was kidnapped from. He and his men had a mansion built their weeks before his arrival.

" This place is perfect for me. Men, return to the city and inform the board that I'm taking a much needed break. I've got business with a certain red head." With that said, Phoenix was left alone in his mansion that stuck out like a sore thumb in a town like Raid.