The Cobra's Power

2004.

The moon was hiding behind the clouds as a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a dark gray Range Rover Sport approached an abandoned parking lot on the outskirts of Vicary City, Kansas, USA

When he arrived, a tall man in his forties with blond hair, blue eyes, and slight stubble, leaned out of the Mercedes. He wore an elegant dark suit, and after resting a hand on the lowered window, he slowly stepped out of the car.

That was Johnny, the leader of the Cobra clan.

Not far away, a thirty-five-year-old man with shaved hair and dark eyes had already exited the Range Rover and was leaning against the side of it.

That was Ivan, the leader of the Spyders.

He was wearing a burgundy suit and his arms were crossed over his chest. His head was slightly tilted forward as a squad of men surrounded him. They were armed with HK VP9s and FN SCARs, along with bulletproof vests. They looked like they were ready to go to war right then and there. Forget about a peaceful meeting.

After watching Johnny approach, Ivan glanced at his men, signaling with a nod that everything was under control. Then, he pushed off the car and walked toward his longtime rival.

Ivan, Johnny greeted as his henchmen stepped out of his Mercedes.

Johnny, Ivan replied, slightly lifting his chin and curling his lips.

Why did you call me? Johnny asked with a frown, stopping in front of his rival.

What else could we possibly talk about if not business? Ivan responded, stopping just before him and maintaining an upright posture.

Business, huh? Johnny asked sarcastically, lifting his head and looking down at him.

Yeah, Ivan replied, leaning his head forward. That damn minimum wage cut law your lousy puppets pushed through has backfired on us, he continued, gritting his teeth.

And why's that? Johnny responded, tilting his head to the left.

'Cause now my guys ain't got no choice but to sling drugs just to get by, Ivan snapped, throwing his hands out in frustration. They can't keep goin' like this.

Johnny just grinned at Ivan's words, crossing his arms like he didn't have a care in the world.

What's done is done, Johnny said, shaking his head with a smirk. What, you want me to roll it back just for your Spyders? he asked, throwing up his hands.

Make some damn adjustments, Ivan fired back, eyes locked on Johnny, who just shook his head again, all calm.

The Cobras had Vicary City in a chokehold, running the game in everything from gambling and money laundering to pushing drugs, both soft and hardcore. They owned Lionwest, the broke side of town, and Dragonhill, where the money was at, sitting on top like kings. But their real power? That came from their grip on the cops, the courts, and all the bigwig politicians.

The Spyders, though not as deep in the game as the Cobras, had their claws in Tigereast, the city's wildest spot, running the trade in drugs and guns.

Johnny and Ivan started circling each other, and neither one even thought for one millisecond about backing down.

You shoulda given us a heads-up! Ivan barked, throwing daggers with his eyes at his enemy, who kept quiet, taking it all in. I don't give a damn 'bout your dirty dealings in this city, Ivan went on, sidestepping like he was in a ring. But I ain't draggin' my guys into your mess, he added, eyes narrowed, watching Johnny's every move.

They were in some old, busted-up parking lot that'd been left to rot. Cracked asphalt, weeds taking over, and junk cars all around, their windows smashed.

Ivan, Johnny finally said, glancing off to the side before stopping cold. Your money problems are your own damn headache, not mine, he said, tilting his head a bit. Why should I give a solitary fuck if your men can't make ends meet? he mocked, throwing up a shoulder like it was no big deal, standing there like he owned the place.

Ivan was getting mad. Like, real mad. A vein bulged from his temple as he tried hard to keep his cool.

'Cause peace in Vicary City's a win for all of us, Ivan shot back, eyebrows raised. I might roll with fewer guys, but I've got the hottest heat in town, and you know that, the Spyder boss smirked as he glanced at Johnny's men behind him, who were armed with M4 rifles and Glock 19s.

Was that a threat, Ivan? Johnny asked, leaning in and twisting his face a bit. You are just a Spyder. How could you possibly believe to stand a fucking chance?» he replied. Need me to remind ya what went down last time?

Ivan stared at him for a few seconds, and memories started flashing before his eyes. They were young, in their twenties, but couldn't act like it. He remembered the deals with Johnny and his brother Wade. The betrayals. The chasings on the highway. The kidnappings. And Johnny's suspicion that his own father, Ryan, had been smothered with a pillow by the Spyders, all during what was supposed to be a time of peace.

Ivan tried not to let his rival's words get to him and his face twisted just a bit. He shifted his gaze slightly to Johnny's goons behind him, then to the junked cars. They were all beat up, barely holding together. Then, he glanced off to the right, eyeing the rusty and crooked billboards.

Spiders are dope, Ivan then huffed as he ignored Johnny's question. They snack on anything that gets too close, he added, bringing his gaze back to Johnny. Snakes like you? Man, we munch on those for breakfast, Ivan sneered, lifting his chin way up.

Johnny threw his head back, laughing hard for two or three second. But then he got dead serious real quick.

You are a comedian, Ivan, Johnny finally replied. I am shakin' in my boots, mate, he shot back, crossing his arms like he was ready for a showdown. You seem to forget that I am not just any snake, Johnny reminded him.

And who do you think you are? Ivan asked as he tilted his head back.

I am a goddamn Cobra, Johnny answered, dead serious now. And when a Cobra strikes, even the meanest spider should think twice.

Ivan couldn't bear his threats any longer and stepped forward again.

Give us what I asked for, Johnny, Ivan retorted, eyes wide. You've never gotten rid of us, he pressed, now narrowing his gaze. Don't sell us short, Ivan warned, slightly swaying his head.

Johnny stood there with his arms crossed, unfazed.

You were lucky, Johnny responded, before glancing at Ivan's henchmen behind him. All of you were, he reminded them, raising his voice so they could hear. It's only a matter of time before Tigereast falls into my hands too, the Cobra boss continued, now turning his attention back to Ivan, tilting his head to the left with a smug smile.

Bounce, Johnny warned with a nod, glaring at Ivan's boys as they started getting hyped. And I'll act like this convo never happened, he finished, shooting Ivan a dirty look.

Fed up, the leader of the Spyders lifted his head once more and stared at Johnny for a few seconds.

Oh, really? Ivan replied, pursing his lips and taking a half-step forward. You can keep Lionwest and Dragonhill, Ivan continued, extending his right arm. But don't you dare set your sights on Tigereast. It's mine. Mine for the taking, he concluded, returning to his previous stance.

Mine for the taking? What a fool... Johnny thought as he watched Ivan get riled up.

After flashing a grin, the Cobra boss took two steps back, unbuttoned his pants, and began to pee in front of Ivan, whose eyes widened at the sudden display.

What the...? Son of a...! the Spyder leader thought, gritting his teeth.

As the pee hit the asphalt, Johnny broadly smiled, head tilted forward, baring his teeth. Ivan's goons started aiming their guns at him, and Johnny's crew quickly did the same. But Johnny didn't flinch, just kept on taking a leak like it was no big deal. He didn't even care that there was a red dot on his forehead. He didn't give a damn.

Stay in your place, for your men's sake, Johnny growled after finishing and zipping up his pants.

The Cobra boss then turned and headed back to his Mercedes, noticing the smug smiles on his men's faces at the humiliation he'd just caused. But soon after, Ivan's jaw tightened again, and his fists began to tremble.

Is it war what you want?! Ivan shouted, his lips pressed together as he leaned forward.

Johnny came to an abrupt halt, slowly turning his head. He locked eyes with Ivan's furious face over his right shoulder, holding the gaze for a few seconds before replying.

I'll give you one... Johnny answered, narrowing his eyes.

One what? Ivan asked again, stepping forward a few paces.

One chance to defy me, Johnny responded, then began walking toward his Mercedes and drove off, leaving Ivan speechless, his eyelids fluttering in disbelief.

The power game in Vicary City had only just begun.