Critical Arrest

Manley and Roger spent the next six months doing their regular training then going to pick fights. At first, they kept on going to the same place but the man in the yellow jacket started to make them uncomfortable. Manley suggested that they go to other places around town but that had the unintended consequence of building a reputation. The kids started pushing for them to join a gang. Manley believed that this pressure came from higher up rather than the kids themselves. Around the same time the new year just passed and Roger and Manley both were doing great in school. Manley's reputation as a genius added to his new fame from fighting made him more widely known.

"What are we going to do!" asked Roger. They were receiving more pressure than before to join a gang.

"I don't know, you think I have a plan for everything," said Manley. He was pacing around their hideout.

"…"

"Well, I don't. I want to have fun, enjoy having cool powers and not get experimented on."

"*Sigh* so what can we do then?"

"At the rate I am going I should be able to get into medical school soon, but I am way to young and no one would approve. I say we join whichever gang can get me into medical school sooner."

"That's your plan? Then what about me!"

"Listen you're nervous about getting in trouble with your parents but there is a way to use this to your advantage. Your father is a dentist, I know you're more interested in machines, but you can use that as a reason. Then if you can get into medical school with me, we will have options."

"Why can't we just stop fighting or just ignore them?"

"I've considered both, but we live in a very poor area. A lot of poor immigrants dominate Lincoln Park, but crime is very low. What does that tell you?"

"There are a lot of good people around here?"

"No, organized grime. They own the politicians and this side of the city. Look we are destined to be extraordinary, which means we can't just sit back and live a regular life. We can either let our lives be determined or take control. With my plan, instead of getting a shitty job at sixteen we will have offers to choose from."

"I…okay but I am scared. Everything is moving too fast…"

"You, scared. The guy that can pummel anyone in a fight, even me if you use your power? Besides you're almost 13, how much longer do you think you have to be a kid."

Manley was able to convince Roger to see things his way. The thing he didn't mention was that his father had enough connections to get them both into medical school early. The only problem being the money to pay for it, or so he thought. His was surprised when his father was willing to get them both into school and said not to worry about money. Manley just thought maybe their two families must have a better relationship than he thought. Manley's true plan has a lot more to do with his lack of leveling, which has been driving him more than a little crazy.

Manley Hill Race: Human/Mutant

Age: 11 EXP. 27/300 LV. 0

TITLE: Mutant [Title Effect] Reality Manipulator

HP: 200/200 MP: 140/140

His Level hasn't moved ever, and his gains started to slow down significantly.

ATTRIBUTES

STR 16

AGI 18

DEX 16

CON 20

WIS 13

INT 14

CHA 4

His skills are the only areas showing real improvements but even that has slowed down.

SKILLS

READING ADVANCE LV5

Reading Speed +100%

Motion Tracking +10%

BIOLOGY BASIC LV8

Critical Strikes 160%

ANALYZE BASIC LV3

Receive Subject Details

BRAWLING BASIC LV3

Increase Attack and Defense +32%

MAGIC

REGENERATION BASIC LV6

Regenerates Damaged Tissue

mana cost -10%

If those gang members didn't put pressure on him to join, he would've attacked them himself. He even considered becoming a vigilante, with the mask and everything. That train of thought is what led to him discovering that there is very little crime in his area. Without a car to get around, he had no choice but to give up on that. Just when he was getting desperate, first yellow jacket came, then the Italians, Irish then the Polish. He was truly disappointed not to see his own people coming to him, but they don't exactly have the numbers. In that moment his impulsive nature got the best of him, and he could only think of one thing: gang war.

Manley and Roger decided to join the rather small gang that they first met. A rather small gang of Booze runners, led by the man in the yellow jacket.

"I don't understand, why are we joining them?" asked Roger. They approached Sheffield & DePaul at a brisk jog.

"Prohibition should end soon, which means they will be chaos, in the chaos, we will rise," said Manley.

"I…what? Even if you're right ho—"

"Roger?"

"Eh…yes"

"Your father is white."

"Yeah…"

"And your mother is white…"

"Wha…yeah well…I don't know…I don't want to talk about!" Roger then starting walking ahead to hide the expression on his face. While doing this he missed the smirk on Manley's face.

A few minutes later they could see yellow jacket approaching them. Manley retook the lead so he could do the talking. They were on the sidewalk in a slow jog, while he was approaching from the middle of the street. They broke from the sidewalk to meet him where he was.

"You boys back again for a tumble or decided to take the offer to join us," said yellow jacket.

"Ainest McPherson," said Manley. The man raised an eyebrow at the mention of his name.

"You've been doing more than fighting I see," said Ainest. He decided to drop the accent. "We could use more like you that use their heads. My brothers are not partial to your skin, but I think further than flesh. If they knew about how your injuries disappeared on that first day, maybe they would change their mind. I have a better idea though."

"Oh, and what's that?" asked Manley.

"You like me, are not satisfied with this life. I heard about you, genius boy of the negro doctor. Why would someone with such a bright future be out here fighting. Money, that's what it's all about right?"

"Maybe…"

"Ha, money and excitement, I can offer both. Join us, and work directly for me and we can do great things." Ainest looked at the two overgrown boys in front of him, with anticipation and trepidation.

"Sure, sign me up," said Manley.

"Huh—" said Roger.

"Good, you will be working with four of my boys," said Ainest.

Ainest walked ahead of the boys, leading them to an alleyway. This alley then led to a wider opening surrounded by apartment buildings.

"Why didn't you ask for what you said we were here for?" asked Roger. He was leaning over and trying to speak quietly as he walked.

"We have to gain there trust first, and be of service before making demands," said Manley. He didn't even look over at Roger, eyes straight ahead as he walked.

Four men, between the ages of 18 to 20 sat on the stairs, of the hidden apartment in the middle. There was a tall one with dark hair, a scar over his eyebrow and a knife in his hands. Another was short and pale with a baseball bat in hand. The youngest looking one was skinny wearing a green shirt and had long hair. The last one looks like he shaved his head and had the cleanest face out of the four.

"This is Rennie, Anthony, Swen, and the bald guy is Devlin," said Ainest.

"How old are these kids, their huge?" asked green shirt.

"I am going to be 12 in July, he will be 13 in two months," said Manley. He had a bland tone, but he was constantly changing his stance as he spoke.

"Well, goddam, Buff, what are they feeding you?" said green shirt.

"Rennie, these two are going to be working with you. You two follow Rennie, consider this job your test." Ainest walked away, while waving to them.

"I am Manley, and this is Roger," said Manley. Roger waved at them while not making eye contact.

"You will be, Buff, the tall one will be, Rek. Unless you want to make it easy for people to find you after jobs?" asked Rennie.

"Nope, I'm good with that. What do we call you guys, Skinny, Tall, Powder, and Baldy?" said Manley.

Rennie squinted at Manley. "No, I am Rennie, tall one is Anthony, short guy is Swen and "Baldy" is Delvin. Those aren't our real names."

The conversation after that was short, they were informed they have a job and to follow. They were provided with masks and lead to the back of a van. It looked like a delivery vehicle, but the business name was painted over.

"You have to be shitting me," said Manley.

"What's wrong?" asked Rennie.

"Nothing just bumped my head," said Manley.

But it wasn't nothing, something changed in his status.

Manley "Buff" Hill Race: Human/Mutant

Age: 11 EXP. 27/300 LV. 0

TITLE: Mutant [Title Effect] Reality Manipulator

HP: 200/200 MP: 140/140

They drove to a secluded warehouse. It was made to look abandoned from the outside, but the guards tell a different story. The guards came up to inspect the van but were directed to the back. Thinking they would get a bride, they approached only to get ambushed by Anthony and Swen. they were in the back with Roger and Manley. The van then drove forward and then lined up to the warehouse door.

Jumping out of the front seat Rennie gave orders. "Buff, Rek, deal with the guards then follow us inside." The team of four gently opened the door and entered the warehouse.

"What do we do?" asked Roger.

"Help me move them, don't worry they're unconscious," said Manley.

They both got the bodies out and around to the side of the warehouse.

"You go first, I will check their pockets," said Manley.

Roger walked away with a conflicted look on his face. Manley took the icepick that was given to him out of his pocket.

Critical Strike

EXP Gained 10

He aimed for the heart once more.

Critical Strike

EXP Gained 10