Demons Den

Getting Ready

The group in the hospital was in shock at the story Issac had told them. A trio of kids that grew up on the streets of the city grew up to become the most important people in the city. Eiji, Jason, and Emily didn't doubt the story though. Jason and Emily were raised by Issac, and they knew when he was lying or telling the truth. Eiji had heard small things from his dad about the trio when they were older, and the stuff about their childhood made their strength make sense.

"Oh yeah and these are from a little fight Nephilim and I got into not too long ago." Issac said as he thought about the fight with his old friend. It wasn't the first fight they had, but it was the only one where they were genuinely trying to hurt each other.

"The Mayor being attacked in his house. So that was you." Eiji said as Issac nodded.

"Alright I gotta go. I'll be back soon. Jason I'll call you when I'm back. It's time I give you the last of the things Damian left you." Issac said as he kissed Emily's forehead and gave a quick kiss to Miranda.

After Issac left Emily wanted to know everything she missed while she was in a coma, so Eiji and Jason filled her in on what had been going on. Though they did omit a few things since they didn't want to worry her. After an hour or so Eiji and Jason said goodbye to Emily as well. Eiji had to get back to his men, and Jason was going to head back to Miles.

"Hey Jay I got a question. Did anyone ever teach you how to fight?" Eiji asked as Jason nodded.

"I learned how to box when I was younger. Why?" Jason said as Eiji shook his head.

"No I mean have you ever had someone truly teach you how to fight. One on one teaching not going to a gym and learning the basics." Eiji said as Jason thought about it for a moment.

"No I guess I haven't. Fighting always came naturally to me, so I didn't see the point in learning much more." Jason said as Eiji gave a small smile at the 19 year old.

"Call Mao Ka Long. He's the most technical and experienced fighter in the city as far as I know. Have him teach you how to fight." Eiji said as Jason nodded. He only would because Eiji was the one telling him too.

"What about you? What're you going to do about Minato?" Jason asked as Eiji smiled sadly at the reminder of his brother. For all the flaws he grew up thinking Minato had Eiji loved his brother.

"Don't worry about me. I've got someone to teach me and I have more than enough motivation." Eiji said as Jason nodded. He knew that when it came to protecting his people and his area in the city nothing could stop Eiji.

Jason went back to Miles's room. He filled his friend in on what happened with Emily's condition, and what Issac had shared with them. To say Miles was shocked was an understatement. I mean their enemy wasn't just a legendary figure in the underworld, but was also the mayor of the city. Jason's phone rang not long after he got to Miles's room, and it was Issac. Jason answered and Issac simply said to meet him at his house.

Jason said goodbye to Miles and got on the bus to go to the Walker home. It was an extremely familiar path but one that Jason hadn't walked in a while. When he got outside the 2 story brown house he felt anxious and nostalgic at the same time. This was the house he grew up in, but it was also the house he hadn't gone in for almost a month because he thought it was his fault Emily was comatose.

"What're you doing out there? Get in here Jay." Issac said snapping Jason out of his trance-like state. Jason went inside and saw nothing was too different than it was a month ago. There was a cardboard box on the living room table that Jason figured had his dad's stuff in it.

"He may not have been a moral man or anything like that, but Damian was a good brother to us. Maybe if he had shown that side to the rest of the city he could've changed this city from the other side." Issac said somberly. It was clear to Jason that something happened to him in the last hour and a half.

"What happened?" Jason asked. He decided he wasn't going to tip toe around it.

"Today's the day Damian, Norman, and I all met for the first time. Every year on this day I go to the cemetery outside the city and visit Damian and Hayden. When I got there I was a little surprised to see Norman was there as well. No way in hell we were going to fight there, so instead we just sat there for almost 20 minutes talking and reminiscing. I was hoping I could convince him to stop whatever he's planning, but that stubborn obsessive bastard won't stop now." Issac said as Jason took in the information. It was weird Norman was their enemy but Issac clearly had mixed feelings even after all the mayor had done.

"Why won't he stop? From the story it seemed like the 3 of you were extremely close like brothers. What would cause an uncle to try killing his niece and nephew?" Jason asked referring to himself and Emily. Issac sighed like he was remembering something he really didn't want to.

"I left Norman alone after Damian died. He had already started gaining power on the legitimate side of the city, and while he had thoroughly erased anything that could trace back to his past crimes I wasn't as thorough. It'd be extremely hard to do, and if you weren't looking you'd never put it together. However I didn't want to take the risk that I could hurt Norman's rise in power, so I stayed away. When we fought was the first time in almost 20 years that I saw him. Our bond is unbreakable, but it is unimaginably strained." Issac said as Jason looked down. He had been dragged into this fight that had nothing to do with him, but now that he was in it he was going to win.

"What's in the box?" Jason asked as Issac smiled.

"My past. There's only one thing for you in there, but it's the one thing Damian would have wanted you to have more than anything." Issac said opening the box. Inside was a black motorcycle jacket.

"Hayden's motorcycle jacket. Your dad wore this damn near every day after Hayden died. Now it's yours." Issac said handing the folded jacket to Jason. Jason put the jacket on and it felt right to him. Like it was something that he was meant to be wearing.

"Damn you really are almost a copy of your dad." Issac said smiling at the young man he had raised.

"Thanks. I've gotta go though. If I'm gonna win against the Mayor it's about time I really learn how to fight." Jason said as Issac raised an eyebrow. He was curious who Jason was going to learn from, but he wasn't going to offer to train him. Issac didn't think he could train someone. He didn't have the right disposition or attitude for it. Jason walked out of the house but before he could call Mao Ka Long he got a call from Hailey.

"Hey." Jason answered with a smile on his face.

"Hey. So I've gotta question. My parents are going to a party being held for business owners across the city and I've got a plus one. Wanna go with me?" Hailey asked as Jason's smile grew.

"Sure! When is it?" Jason asked.

"Tomorrow at 5pm. It's a casual attire type of party so don't worry about dressing up." Hailey said as Jason was happy he didn't have to rush to rent a tux or anything.

"Who's all going?" Jason asked wanting to know who all to expect.

"A few you'll definitely know like JD, Mao Ka Long, Alexander Amato, the Kazama family, and most likely Mirko as well." Hailey's voice was almost a growl at Mirko's name.

"Aside from that there's Vincent Gordon, and I believe Mayor Piers is gonna be there as well." Hailey said as Jason almost jumped at that information. His body completely tensed up at the name. He may be able to get revenge for Emily tomorrow. Almost immediately he realized how stupid that would be. No way the Mayor would be there with no security after all Vincent Gordon was going as well.

"Cool. I'll see you tomorrow then." Jason said his smile was returning as he talked to Hailey.

*Yeah. Can't wait to see how you do at a party like this. It'll certainly be interesting." Hailey said and Jason could almost hear the laugh he could tell she was holding back. The pair said goodbye to each other and hung up, and Jason immediately called Mao Ka Long. He had to get ready to try fighting and exposing the mayor.