World of Paws: Destiny of the Brood

Power Training

The Shadow Dhole knocks out four more Crimson Raiders and three Feral-60 Threshers after using two of his customized smoke grenades to conceal his approach.
Shadow Dhole: "Heh... that was easy. Now to go and..."
Loruna: "Go and do what?"
Sage: "Yeah? Go and do what Shadow?"
The two Feral-60 apprentices aim their hyper-bolt rifles at him.
In Jackson's Mind: "Grapple them both and knock them out, or leave and bring the down the building?"
Jackson makes the split second decision and uses his energy grapple to hold Loruna and Sage. This, tossing them against the door leading him to the room. Unfortunately, the mob bosses were waiting for him.
Shadow Dhole: "Horn Bao Harris! Mokalis! Lektra! You and your crew are going down for your crimes!"
Mokalis: "Shoot him!"
Mokalis, Lektra, Vargus, and Horn Bao Harris shoot a dozen rounds at Jackson's chest armor.
Shadow Dhole: "Nice try. Hunnh!"
He knocks them down and ties Vargus up first.
Shadow Dhole: "Now you're going to... Ahh!"
Loruna shoots the Shadow Dhole in the right shoulder.
Loruna: "Sage! Get them out of here."
Sage: "Let's move! Time to get to the hideout!"
Loruna: "You two make sure the "hero" doesn't leave here alive."
Feral-60 Thresher Guard 1: "Sure thing."
Feral-60 Thresher Guard 2: "This will be easy."
The two of them start kicking and beating up Jackson as Loruna escapes with the others.
In Jackson's Mind: "Crap! I hope I don't die tonight. I cannot use my healing ability."
Then a voice sprung in his head.
Vitaea Spirit Two: "Do not doubt yourself. Just believe in yourself and you overcome the pain. Show no fear and just smirk in the face of your enemies."
In Jackson's Mind: "Vitaea?"
Vitaea Spirit Two: "The enemy can never win. Do not succumb now. The strength you carry starts from your inner spirit. From your soul. You are the Shadow Dhole. Hero of the planet."
Jackson's body begins to shine as bright as the sun.
Shadow Dhole: "I shall not falter!"
He knocks the two guards against the wall. One begins shooting while the other attempts a few punches.
Shadow Dhole: "You two must be the kings of missing. Because ya might want to work on your aim. Kiyah! Raah! Hunnh!"
The two guards were down, and Jackson ties them up and uses his immense strength to drag them to the back of his newly modified all-terrain vehicle. He then drives them to the ACTF headquarters.
ACTF Operative 1: "I can't believe it. It's him."
ACTF Operative 2: "Dude knows how to hunt scumbags down."
Jackson walks up to the ACTF operatives.
Shadow Dhole: "I need to speak to your commissioner now. For I have returned with two Feral-60 prisoners. Let me know if they spill any information about where their bosses are hiding out."
ACTF Operative 1: "Sure... but how did you..."
Then Jackson walks inside the headquarters and ignores the looks the other captured criminals. On the other hand, the agents salute him as he reaches the Commissioner's office. A large golden tiger furry with a slight temper.
Commissioner Matthew Easton: "So... you're the famous Shadow Dhole that everyone talks about. Just so you know, my operatives may revere you, but I on the other paw do not agree with your methods."
Shadow Dhole: "My methods have protected the balance of this world and the three cities of this region for years. And no disrespect, Commissioner. But what exactly have you done lately?"
Matthew: "My officers work within the legal limits when apprehending suspects instead of leaving them tied up on my precinct's doorstep with a few broken bones."
Shadow Dhole: "Be that as it may. I still caught them and made sure they stay locked up."
Matthew: "Indeed, you did. But next time... call us first."
Shadow Dhole: "Fine. However, the Feral-60 Threshers are doing business with the Crimson Reapers. And the two criminals I recently captured are guards from their inner circle."
Matthew: "Your point being..."
Shadow Dhole: "They may have information on their whereabouts and what the full extent of their plan is. That's my point. Many innocents could get hurt if we don't act at all. I'll make them talk."
Matthew: "Alright, but no violence towards the suspects. Is that understood?"
Shadow Dhole: "Fine. Clear and crystal."
Matthew: "I mean it!"
Shadow Dhole: "Don't make me use my powers on you."
Jackson then leaves Matthew's office and interrogates the Thresher guards carefully and uses his powers to scare them into spilling the beans.
......Six minutes later......
Shadow Dhole: "Either you two tell where your bosses are or..."
Feral-60 Thresher Guard One: "What are you going to do dog?"
Jackson grabs the guards paw.
Shadow Dhole: "I could start with cracking this paw from the inside out. All without even touching you."
This makes both guards gulp nervously.
Shadow Dhole: "Tell me what their plan is, or I start breaking some bones."
He states in a menacing way.
Feral-60 Thresher Guard One: "You think you can break us? Ha! We're not telling a thing!"
Feral-60 Thresher Guard Two: "Yeah! Forget it ya costumed creep!"
Shadow Dhole: "Alright."
With the brisk movement of his paw, Jackson uses his paralyzing energy technique to pin the two crooks against table. Then he tightens his paws into a fist, causing the spiritual energy to constrict their bodies.
Shadow Dhole: "Hunnh!"
Feral-60 Thresher Guard One: "Ahh! Daggnabbit! Ahaha! Oww!"
Shadow Dhole: "You want to talk now?!? Huh!?! Huh!?!"
Feral-60 Threaher Guard One: "I told you I don't know!"
Shadow Dhole: "I know you're lying to me. Just cough up the location and maybe... just maybe... you might get the bare minimum of jail time."
Feral-60 Thresher Guard Two: "He doesn't know hero! I know where! I know where they're going! Just stop! Please! Aah! Ahh!"
Jackson releases them both from spiritual energy grip and listens to them spill everything they know about their gang's plans.
Feral-60 Thresher Guard Two: "The plan was to spread our operations into Arkson City and then into southern Animalia. But now the bosses want to expand and merge with the Crimson Raiders. That is all I know."
Shadow Dhole: "Expanding the drug trade into the weapons trade?"
Feral-60 Thresher Guard One: "Yeah. Animalia is better off with more guns and drugs than less of it."
He states with a tone of callous nonchalance.
Shadow Dhole: "You both are sick. Sick in the head. I am going to catch every... last one of you."
Jackson leaves the interrogation room and goes home as the operatives take the two criminals back to lockup.
He enters the house and takes a secret entrance to his underground laboratory and reaches the forensic area.
Jackson: "Okay. Let's see if I can change my passcode before Taciana gets back."
Taciana's number chimes on his holo-phone and answers it.
Jackson: "Afternoon, lovely lady."
Taciana: "Heheh, hey handsome. Just checking to see what you wanted for dinner tonight."
Jackson: "Mmm... how about the classical favorite? Fresh salmon with a Caesar Salad."
Taciana: "The classical favorite... heh... I thought it was spaghetti with four meatballs?"
Jackson: "I have many classic favorites baby. Besides I know you don't eat meat much. I'd just finish that for you."
Taciana: "Heheh, ya know our date night is coming up the week after. Maybe we'll share one just like old times."
Jackson: "That'd be great babe. And I'm not just referring to the food."
Taciana: "Hehe, you are naughty."
Jackson: "I'm naughty just for you."
Jackson playfully woofs and then winces a bit from the pain in left side of his torso.
Jackson: "Ahhh... Grr... crud..."
Taciana: "Jacky? Are you okay over there?"
Jackson: "Oh I'm fine baby. Just fine."
Taciana: "My gosh... honey you weren't out there doing 'hero work' again. Were you?"
Jackson: "What? No, babe. No. I cut myself accidentally. Was trying to fix the analyzer in my lab."
Taciana: "Okay, well... be careful."
Jackson: "It's not that bad, hun."
Taciana: "Are the kids back yet?"
Jackson: "Not yet. But I got a text from Sherman saying they'll be here soon."
Taciana: "Okay, see ya when I get home. I love you."
Jackson: "Yeah. See ya, Tacci. I love you too. Bye."
He hangs up his holo-phone and changes the passcode to his underground lab.
Jackson: "Now to find out where those crime lords lay their heads. Hmm... I may have to pull up the full criminal history of both Coastal City and Arkson City."
He starts researching about possible locations across the region for a while.
......At Eastside Secondary School......
Sherman drives Jackson Junior, Zaino, Mallory, and Aziza back home.
Sherman: "You five go inside and get ready. I'll check the group text and see if Dad's back."
He checks his holo-phone and notices that everyone will be coming at 6:30pm for power training.
Sherman: "Dad! We're back! Dad?"
Jackson Junior: "Dad!"
Sherman: "Where did he go?"
Jackson Junior: "Maybe he's in his office."
Mallory: "I'll go check. I'm sure Daddy is just exhausted after a long day."
The young teens search around for their father and realize that he's nowhere to be seen.
Aziza: "Why is Dad hiding from us?"
Zaino: "He's not hiding, Aziza. He is probably in his underground laboratory he had to rebuild and reconfigure himself. Right, Sherman?"
Sherman: "Our dad does seem to go down there a lot. So yes, he might have gone there. Luckily, I know his passcode. Come on, this way."
The five go to the garage and find the hidden pressure panel, revealing the two options of biometric identification or passcode entry.
Sherman: "Let's see, six-four-five-four?"
AI Voice: "Code invalid."
Sherman: "Okay, then three-two-nine-one?"
AI Voice: "Code is... invalid."
Sherman: "What? Dad always uses the most basic codes?"
The doorbell rings and Zaino answers it.
Zaino: "Oh, hi Zelene."
Zelene: "Hey, Zaino. Is Sherman around? I came here for the spiritual power training."
Zaino: "Yeah, he's here. We're trying to find our dad, first."
Zelene: "Mind if I help?"
Zaino: "See if you can help us figure out the passcode to the underground laboratory."
Zelene: "You got it. Hmm... uhm... guys, is this what you all are looking for?"
She picks up a slip saying 'new passcode' saying zero-three-six-five.
Sherman: "Good eye, Zelene. Now we can enter the laboratory."
They all go down to the laboratory and see Jackson has finished compiling data on the whereabouts of the Crimson Reapers, and the Feral-60 Threshers.
Jackson: "Finally... now to figure out where these 'Ripcord Slashers' came from and what their motive is against these new gangs. Not to mention the rare medallion they stole from that store..."
He suddenly hears footsteps from a distance.
Jackson: "Who's there? Kids? Is that you?"
Sherman: "Dad, it's just us."
Jackson: "How did you get down here? I changed the passcode."
Sherman: "The slip of paper you left on the ground near the kitchen."
Jackson: "Well if you want to come down here, you might as well know what I'm doing."
Cherie Mae: "Hey guys!"
Stella: "Hey!"
Cherie Mae's Mind: "My gosh Sherman looks more muscular lately. So yummy. I just want to cuddle him."
Stella's Mind: "He is just like his father. So noble... so honorable... so intelligent... and ever so hot."
Sherman: "Wassup, Stella? Cherie Mae? You both coming down?!"
Cherie Mae: "Oh yes, of course."
Mallory: "How did you two get in our house?"
Stella: "Oh, Angel used the spare key and let us in."
Mallory: "Why would... you know what never mind. Do you two want to be a part of the Crisis Brood?"
Cherie Mae: "Is Sherman okay with us joining?"
Stella: (swoons) "Yeah, because we'll join as long we are learning from... Sherman."
Mallory: "Okay... you two cannot date my older brother. Sherman already has Aubrey as his girlfriend."
Cherie Mae: "I am pretty sure that's up to him."
Stella: "Yeah."
Mallory: "Oy vey... you two are so obsessed with him."
Cherie Mae: "It's not an obsession. Me and my sister really do like him."
Stella: "He rescued us when no one else did. That's why we're grateful. And we are going to try and help him in any way we can."
Mallory: "Whatever gets you motivated I guess..."
Angel: "Are you three done talking yet? Daddy says it's almost training time for everyone who visits."
Mallory: "Yes, little sister. We are done talking for now."
They go down to where Jackson was going over the rules of training. Meanwhile, Aubrey and Alujura were crossing the street to the Tontione estate.
Aubrey: "I wonder if Mr. Tontione is going to let me and Sherman help train you and everyone else."
Alujura: "I'm so ready for this training. I just hope Mitchell and Mei are ready to train."
Aubrey: "I hope so. I mean I can't promise they won't try to grab a snack from the kitchen first, but I know they'll be there."
Alujura: "Those two bears are thick as thieves. They eat together and they spend the most time together. Hmm... I kinda assumed that they were a thing."
Aubrey: "They do like each other but they're both too afraid, when it comes to matters of the heart."
Alujura: "Well, it depends on them taking the first step."
Aubrey: "True."
The two sisters knock on the door and Desmond lets them in.
Desmond: "Hi, Aubrey. You missed Dad's mission meeting but, we're in this awesome training room! Come on it's about to begin!"
Aubrey: "Heheh, lead the way, Desmond."
Desmond: "Yeah, Whoo! Oh, and Alujura, you look nice today."
Alujura: (giggles) "That's sweet. Thank you."
Desmond runs off ahead of them as they follow.
Aubrey: "I guess we'll have to warn Lucas about his 'competition'."
Alujura: "Heheh! Right... hehe!"
They go downstairs and see the training room where Jackson Tontione leads the class.
Jackson: "I'm surprised you two are late!"
Aubrey: "What?"
Alujura: "Huh?"
Jackson: "Hahaha! Just pulling your chain, girls. We haven't gotten that far with training. There are even a few more advanced moves that Sherman has to master."
Aubrey: "Phew! Okay."
......Five hours later......
The entire group stands tall and focused as the spiritual training reaches its end.
Jackson: "Excellent. You have all done exemplary! However, there is one final move that you must know."
Sherman: "What's it called, Dad?"
Jackson Junior: "Yeah, what's it called?"
Desmond: "Yeah, Dad tell us!"
Angel: "I want to know."
Cherie Mae: "Is it a new move that also creates an energy tornado?"
Wallace: "An earth shaker?"
Jackson: "No. I've shown you those. This is the most special and is only to be used at nightfall. Because it is weaker in the daylight, and it won't work."
Jackson: "The Great Spirits refer to it as the Touch of Righteousness."
Everyone stands there in shock and asks so many questions and Jackson patiently answers all of them.

Author's Note: "Such a chapter, y'all. Be ready for the next one. There might be more than what the Crisis Brood bargains for."