The Club Is Out Of Business

(A/N: Hey, guys, here is the first of three new chapters. Also letting you all know that I have worked out a better work flow and have material for the next ten to work with. Still, editing can be a tedious pain, but I'm getting through it. Also, another thing, I have posted something new onto my Patreon to try and help drum up interest and attention to that site. It's a new story, and don't worry it won't take away from this one. It's a Spider-Man fanfic. Not sure how you all feel about one of those, but please give it a look if you are interested. I'm posting it over there exclusively because it doesn't contain any Normality stuff, and Patreon doesn't like the pseudo mind-control **** angle.

Also, because of this new work flow I've figured out, I have some room to come up with new ideas for my Patreon. Here's a small hope that I'd be able to rely more on that site for my income than my crappy job. Though if you guys can't support me in that way that's fine, the stories over there will still be free to members.)

Gray stood at the edge of Old Town Square, the cool night air brushing against his face. The cobblestone streets were quieter now, the bustle of the day replaced by the soft hum of evening activities. The historic buildings stood as silent sentinels, their aged facades contrasting with the modern lights that illuminated the square.

A sleek, black car pulled up to the curb, its engine purring softly. The driver, a man with a stern expression and sharp eyes, stepped out and opened the rear door for Gray. "Your ride, Sir." he said, his voice gruff yet respectful.

Gray slid into the backseat, the leather upholstery feeling real fancy under his hands. As the car pulled away from the square, he took a moment to observe the nightlife of Vale through the tinted windows. Neon signs flickered to life, casting colorful glows on the sidewalks. People moved in and out of bars and restaurants, their laughter and chatter filling the air. The city was alive, pulsating with an energy that was inviting.

As they drove through the older part of town, the architecture shifted from historic to modern. Tall buildings replaced the quaint shops, and the streets widened to accommodate more traffic. Gray watched the transition with a contemplative gaze, his mind filled with thoughts of the responsibility he now had with the reins of criminals in hand.

He turned his attention to the driver, curious to learn more about the family he was about to encounter. "Tell me about the Xiong family," Gray said, his voice steady and commanding.

The driver glanced at him in the rear view mirror, his expression unreadable. "The Xiong family is one of the most influential criminal organizations in Vale," he began. "They deal in bodyguard duties, information brokerage, black market dealings, a protection racket, and dust shipments. They've got contacts in Vale and even in Mistral. Junior, the late boss's son, runs the show here."

Gray nodded, absorbing the information. "And where are we meeting your boss?”

“Junior’s dance club.” The man supplied.

“A dance club?” Gray asked, surprised that a crime family would want something so overt. “Why a dance club?”

"It's a cover, mostly. A place to launder money and conduct business away from prying eyes. But it's also a legit operation. People come for the music, the drinks, and the atmosphere. It's a popular spot, even with the occasional... incident."

Gray raised an eyebrow at the mention of incidents but chose not to press the matter. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the window, watching as the cityscape blurred past. The car turned onto a wider avenue, the lights of the newer part of Vale glittering in the distance.

As they approached their destination, Gray's thoughts turned to the task at hand. He would need to assert his authority, ensure the Xiong family's loyalty, and gather as much information as possible. Gray didn’t want to be caught by surprise.

The car slowed to a stop in front of a nondescript building, its exterior giving no hint of the activities within. Gray stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the front of the dance club that served as the Xiong family's hideout. The driver, who had been quite forthcoming during the ride, had filled him in on the family's dealings. Their involvement with such criminal activities had Gray wonder how he could dismantle all of that activity. Also, their influence extended not only across Vale but also into Mistral, making the web run deep and afar.

As Gray approached the entrance, he noticed a broken window, the frame boarded up. He raised an eyebrow, a silent question forming in his mind. He wondered what kind of conflict had occurred here.

Inside, the scene was one of controlled chaos. Broken glass had been swept into safe corners, and damaged glass panes had been carefully removed and set aside. A pillar that once boasted elegant glass panels was now stripped bare, awaiting repair. The balcony's railing was damaged, and minor burn marks scarred the walls, evidence of a fight that might have involved explosives. Bullet holes also pocked the walls.

The club was closed for repairs, the usual throb of music and the chatter of patrons replaced by the clatter of industrious activity. Men moved about, cleaning and repairing the damage, their expressions a mix of annoyance and determination. The lights were on, casting a harsh glow over the scene, highlighting the extent of the destruction, instead of the dim lightning one could expect from a club like this.

Gray observed the scene with a critical eye, his Semblance active and his face shadowed under his hood. He noticed two women sitting at the bar, sipping drinks while watching the men work with bored expressions. Despite the mundane task at hand, there was something almost comical about these thugs cleaning up their own mess. The women, however, stood out in their striking fashion. Their clothes were eye-catching with the reds and whites. The one in white sort of reminded Gray of Weiss’ outfit, just more... showy. Like a peacock.

Gray took a moment to consider his approach, his mind racing with possibilities. He spotted a goon passing by and flagged him down, asking for Junior. The goon pointed him out, and Gray made his way over.

Gray approached Junior, who was overseeing the cleanup efforts with a stern expression. The man was tall and exuded an air of authority, his presence commanding respect from those around him. Gray, still cloaked in his Semblance and the shadows from his aura skill, spoke in a low, measured tone.

"Junior," Gray began. "I need a moment of your time. Let's talk privately."

Junior looked up, his eyes meeting Gray's shadowed figure. He nodded and gestured towards a backroom office. "Of course. Follow me."

As they walked, Gray took in the surroundings, watching as Junior's men worked. Once inside the office, Junior closed the door and turned to face Gray, his expression neutral yet attentive.

"So, what can I do for you?" Junior asked, his voice betraying no hint of suspicion or fear. Gray's Semblance ensured that his presence was accepted without question.

Gray studied Junior for a moment before speaking. "I am Cypher.” He watched for any recognition in Junior’s eyes. The man nodded but gave no more than that. “I need to know about your operations, Junior. Your family's dealings, your connections, and your plans. I want to ensure that everything is running smoothly and that there are no... complications."

Junior nodded, his expression thoughtful. "We've been handling our usual business—lending out men for bodyguard duty, keeping our finger on the flow of information. Buying and selling weapons and dust. One problem we had was the blonde girl from a few days ago.”

Gray raised an eyebrow at the mention of a blonde girl. He could think of a few blonde girls. He had three of them. "Tell me about that. Who was she, and what happened?"

Junior sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She came in here looking for someone, showed us a picture on her scroll. Things got heated, and she trashed the place. We haven't seen her since, but we've been cleaning up the mess and tightening security."

Gray listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities. "I see.” It didn’t seem like Junior knew who it was. He kept this little tidbit on the back burner before moving on. “And what about your affiliations with Roman? How does he fit into your operations?"

Junior's expression darkened slightly. "Roman's been a useful ally. He's helped us with some of our more delicate operations, but I don't know much about his other affiliations. He keeps his cards close to his chest."

Gray nodded, filing the information away for later use. "Very well. I need you to keep me informed of any developments, Junior. Weekly updates, and immediate reports if anything significant happens. Understood?"

Junior nodded, his expression serious. "Understood, Cypher. We'll keep you in the loop."

Gray then turned his attention to the two women he saw at the bar. He had noticed them earlier, their presence both striking and intriguing. They were pretty hot, and he wondered who they were. He decided it was time to learn more about their role within the Xiong family's operations and to see if he could take them as his. And, yes, he knew how greedy he was being here.

"Junior, tell me about those two women who were drinking at the bar when I walked in," Gray said, his voice steady and commanding. "What do they do here?"

Junior glanced towards the door, as if picturing the women sitting at the bar. "Miltia and Melanie? They're my cousins, twin sisters, and they handle some of our more... sensitive tasks. They're skilled fighters and excellent at gathering information. They were here the night that blonde girl caused trouble."

Gray's interest piqued at the mention of the twins' involvement in the incident. "They fought her?"

Junior nodded. "Yes, they held their own, but she was a formidable opponent. The club took quite a beating."

Gray considered this information, his curiosity growing. "I want to meet them. Call them in."

Junior complied, stepping out of the office to summon the twins. Moments later, Miltia and Melanie entered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and annoyance. They glanced at Gray.

"Miltia, Melanie, this is Cypher. Cypher, these are the Malachite Twins," Junior introduced, gesturing towards each of them in turn. "He has some questions for you."

The twins exchanged a glance. Gray studied them, noting their pretty outfits and their sexy bodies.

"Tell me about the blonde girl," Gray said, his tone measured. "What happened that night?"

Melanie's expression darkened, and she growled, "That blonde bimbo came in here looking for someone, flashing a picture around. She started trouble, and we had to put her in her place."

Miltia nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing with remembered anger. "She was strong, but we gave as good as we got. The club took some damage, but we held our own."

It was clear these two had some pride in their own abilities, even if they were beaten. You could almost say they were salty at their defeat and were trying to play themselves up to make themselves feel better.

Gray listened to their words intently, his mind racing with possibilities. The description of the blonde girl reminded him of Yang, and he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of concern.

"Do you have footage of the incident?" Gray asked, looking at Junior.

Junior nodded. "Yes, we have security cameras throughout the club. I can show you the footage."

Gray's eyes narrowed with interest. "Good. I want to see it. And I want to know everything about this girl—who she was looking for, why she was here. Give me all the details."

Junior moved to a console in the office, pulling up the security footage from the night in question.

As the footage began to play, Gray leaned in, his eyes scanning the screen for any clues that might shed light on the mysterious blonde girl and her connection to the events here in a club acting as a front for a crime family.

Gray’s eyes were fixed on the screen as the security footage began to play. The scene unfolded before him, revealing Yang entering the club with a determined stride, her hips swinging in a cocky display. She approached the bar, engaging Junior in conversation. Gray watched intently as Yang showed Junior her scroll, but the camera angle obscured the screen, leaving the details of the exchange unclear.

As the conversation continued, there was a peculiar moment where Junior attempted to walk away, only to be halted by Yang calling out to him. The audio was muffled with sounds of music from the club's speakers, and Gray couldn't make out the words, but the body language spoke volumes. There was a flirtatious exchange, a playful back-and-forth that seemed out of place given the tension in the room. Then, suddenly, Yang grabbed Junior by the balls, leaving Gray surprised.

"Yang, what are you doing?" Gray murmured, his eyes widening in disbelief. He would have to ask her directly, hoping there was a reasonable explanation for her actions.

The footage shifted to the fight, capturing Yang's incredible skill as she took down the goons with ease. She moved with a grace and precision that impressed even Gray, who had seen his fair share of combat. Even a DJ, wearing a peculiar bear mask, got in on the fight and was swiftly dispatched, adding a surreal touch to the scene. Why was he wearing that oversized mask? Gray shook his head and kept watching.

Then, the Malachite twins entered the fray, their movements synchronized and deadly. Despite their eventual defeat, Gray couldn't help but admire their prowess. They fought with a ferocity that matched Yang's own, and he found himself impressed by their tenacity. He was even impressed by Yang’s footwork there.

Then Junior joined the fight, wielding a rocket launcher that transformed into a heavy club. There was an exchange of attacks but then the battle paused for a moment as Yang and Junior stared each other down, the tension palpable even through the screen. Then, in a burst of anger, Yang's Aura flared, her form becoming a shining silhouette as she launched herself at Junior. The fight moved off-screen, leaving Gray on the edge of his seat.

The footage ended abruptly, leaving Gray with more questions than answers. He turned to Junior, his expression serious.

"What happened next?" Gray asked, his voice steady despite the hundred questions running through his mind.

Junior sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She left after I lost consciousness. By the time I came to, she was gone, and the club was in shambles."

Gray nodded, processing the information. "And the woman she was looking for? Do you have any idea who she is?"

Junior shook his head. "No, she didn't give any details, and I didn't recognize the woman in the picture. Whoever she was, she clearly meant something to that blonde girl."

Gray considered this, his mind racing with possibilities. He would need to speak with Yang, to understand her motivations and the extent of her involvement. For now, he had more immediate concerns to address.

"Very well," Gray said, turning his attention back to Junior. "I need you to keep me informed of any developments. But for this blonde girl, you don’t need to worry about her. I’ll find her and bring her in line."

Junior nodded, his expression determined. "Thank you, and understood, Cypher."

Gray sat in the dimly lit office, his mind racing with the implications of the evening's events. He had successfully secured the loyalty of Junior and the Malachite twins, adding another powerful faction to his growing network of influence. The weight of this responsibility was not lost on him; he now held the fate of these individuals in his hands, their actions guided by his commands. Of course, they were still criminals, but they still had lives.

He contemplated the potential of this new alliance. With the Xiong family under his control, he could further his reach into the criminal underworld, gaining access to valuable information and resources. Their connections in Vale and Mistral could prove invaluable in his quest to protect the city and Beacon Academy from Salem and other threats. Yet, the power he wielded was a double-edged sword, and he knew he must tread carefully to avoid unintended consequences.

Gray took a deep breath. He suddenly realized how tired he was. He had accomplished much tonight, but the hour was late, and he needed to return to Beacon. He checked his scroll, noting that the skyport had stopped flights to Beacon for the night. The time was close to midnight, and only personal airships would be traversing the skies between the school and the city.

A flicker of worry crossed his mind as he realized the challenge of returning to Beacon. He turned to Junior, who was watching him silently.

"Junior, do you have access to an airship?" Gray asked.

Junior nodded, a hint of pride in his expression. "Yes, we have a personal airship at our disposal. It's docked nearby."

Relief washed over Gray as he formulated a plan. "Good. I need you to fly me to Beacon. Can you arrange that?"

Junior didn’t hesitate before nodding. "Of course, Cypher. I'll make the necessary arrangements. We can leave as soon as everything is ready."

Here is my Patreon and another reminder to check out my new story over there if it sounds like your kind of thing.