Black Iron returned to his feet. Several of the Street Dogs leapt towards him wielding makeshift weapons. Each of their contact points were blocked by carbon fiber. Grabbing one of the Street Dog's by the collar he threw them into the mass of attacking enemies. The Street Dogs toppled over each other.
Top Dog warned, "I'll handle Black Iron, the rest of you take care of his posse."
Quickly spreading away from Top Dog and Black Iron the Street Dogs continued their assault against Rider Craze. Being vastly outnumbered Rider Craze were quickly pushed back. Troy and the rest of the Enforcers quickly lead the charge to beat many of them into submission. Top Dog cracked his knuckles while approaching Black Iron, "You think some dispatched squad was enough to estimate my Street Dogs' strength?"
"I refuse to acknowledge the rumors that a single person handled Heavy Thorns."
"Ha! Here's a funny tip for you, Jay was the weakest Enforcer I have. Although his ability is quite good, it isn't without its weaknesses. He's just new skin to the scene."
"You dare claim that some new skin is the reason of Heavy Thorn's downfall?"
"Damned straight. Why else would Ghost Hand make us the District?"
"Fine, I'll take down the Street Dogs alone. Hope you're prepared to eat the asphalt."
"You'll be buried in it."
Black Iron raised his fists, carbon fiber forming across his knuckled to the end of his elbows. Sliding forward he threw a punch with all his might. The same blow that nearly crippled one of Track's group members. A fist thrown with vast experience, and a powerful ability to boot.
Bang-!
Black Iron's eyes widened, "What the hell?"
His fist was grabbed by Top Dog. Forcefully lowering the fist Top Dog asked, "Surprised? Your ability might be strong, but it only reinforces the toughness of your skin. At least that's what the rumors were, how your name 'Black Iron' was formed. The man made of iron that shone black."
Black Iron struggled, but couldn't fight against Top Dog's strength. With a pained voice he cursed, "Strength amplifying ability. Damn."
"But is it really that simple?", Top Dog mocked with a fearsome grin.
Pow-!
Black Iron's head nearly snapped back. With a wincing expression he watched Top Dog's fist. Black Iron's face was completely changed to carbon fiber, which significantly reduced the damage he was about to receive. Letting go of Black Iron's wrist Top Dog watched with a criticizing expression, "You're tough, but that's it right?"
Black Iron grit his teeth and shuffled forward. If he couldn't win through strength or ability, then his experience would be his crutch for victory! Top Dog let him approach slowly before throwing a punch forward. Dashing to the side to dodge the blow Black Iron wound his left fist. Carbon fiber moved and layered on his knuckles as he punched, delivering a powerful liver blow. Top Dog felt the incredibly hard knuckles dig into his ribs and liver.
The Iron Knuckle! Black Iron's signature move during his glory days! Layering carbon fiber on his knuckles to act like calluses they both protected his fists while dealing heavy damage!
Through reflex Top Dog winced and stepped back, his hand covering the blow. Black Iron stepped closer to not increase the distance. Reinforcing his right hand's knuckles he punched Top Dog's nose. A sickening crack heard as Top Dog's nose bent out of place. Black Iron mocked as he prepared to deliver an uppercut with the same hand, "You're still wet behind the ears!"
Wham-!
Instead of dodging the blow Top Dog slammed his forehead against the fist, stopping its momentum. Carbon fiber dug into his skin and blood trickled down his face, yet a confident grin remained plastered. Black Iron felt something was wrong, but was too late to react. Top Dog's hand snaked forward and gripped his neck. Black Iron quickly formed carbon fiber on his neck to protect it from being crushed, but such a move wasn't what Top Dog was planning.
"Rrraghh!", Top Dog roared, his voice seeming inhuman again.
Raising Black Iron again Top Dog slammed him directly onto the asphalt. Even though Black Iron reinforced his body, the force still caused him to fade in consciousness for a second. Top Dog stood up and stared down at Black Iron, "You're a relic of the past. Heavy Thorns wasn't anything special that's for sure."
"Fuck off. . .", Black Iron spat while struggling to upright himself.
"Tsk, listen to me.", Top Dog kicked Black Iron's face and knocked him back to the ground, "Why the hell were you following Heavy Thorns anyway? If Jay handled them solo, they clearly weren't someone you would bow your head to."
"Warrell's ability. . . it has quite the potential. It was one of the few things that surpassed my own ability in defense."
Top Dog gripped his nose and cracked it back into position. Rubbing it he commented, "Bull, Jay was able to beat that guy. His stuff wasn't even all that."
Black Iron coughed, "Damn you fight like a wild animal. Like you said I'm a relic of the past, my position among the top is long gone. Figured I'd invest in someone else, get some benefits of it."
"Then don't follow some lowlife like Heavy Thorns. Look at where that left ya."
"Fuck. . ."
Black Iron looked at Top Dog's face, and was surprised to see only a bit of blood showing. It looked like all he managed to do was scratch Top Dog. Although Black Iron himself looked relatively unharmed, he knew he was going to be hurting tomorrow. However why was Top Dog seemingly untouched? He definitely broke Top Dog's nose right. . . ?
Top Dog extended a hand out, "Get to your feet."
Black Iron considered it before sighing, "Fine fine."
Lifting Black Iron effortlessly Top Dog stared towards the brawl, "So, you submit I presume?"
"Shit, if I start choking you out here would I win?"
"You could try, but you'll end up on the ground again."
Black Iron weighed his options. Currently Top Dog exposed his back to him. A careless move, or maybe it was a confident one? Black Iron didn't know, "Alright we submit."
Top Dog grinned, "Good. Y'all stop fighting!"
A lot of the Street Dogs turned their heads towards Top Dog. Upon seeing the two leaders standing without any hostility they lowered their weapons. Top Dog looked back, "Right, then what should I do with your Rider Craze?"
Strength is respected. Having been subdued Black Iron's opinion of the Street Dogs drastically changed. Under such a powerful leader he felt they were worthy of being a District. Thus he merely lowered his head, "Whatever you want."
Laughing at the response he patted Black Iron's shoulder, "You might be a relic, but you're still powerful! Not many can withstand a blow from me. How do you feel joining my Street Dogs?"
"I might not have an issue, but my Rider Craze. . ."
Focusing his attention to the bitter looks on the Rider Craze gang he understood. With a shrug he then decided, "In that case you guys get to stay. You're now the first affiliate of the Street Dogs. I'm giving Elmsign to you, make sure no other gang remains on that street."
Black Iron nodded, "Of course."
Quick to the uptake Black Iron understood what an opportunity this was. Stuff like grudges got you killed in this city. If he spent his time forever hunting the Street Dogs he could easily be buried in the future. Thus a lot of the disputes among gangs ended with a single fight. It was too risky to extend any grudges through multiple brawls, although there was a few who thought otherwise. The easiest way was to submit and climb through the ranks. Being of the first generation Black Iron was aware of this, and adapted with extreme efficiency.
Top Dog walked back to his room, "For now y'all are to stay. Some other small time fuckers think they can take me down too? Your first task is to handle them."
Black Iron rubbed his shoulder, "I'm gonna be hurtin' tomorrow, but that's not now. My Rider Craze is another thing though."
"You won't be alone, just reinforce us. If any bastard gets past my Enforcers or you I'll handle them myself."
Top Dog glanced towards the sky before walking back to the Motel. Waving back he casually said, "After all you weren't that much of a fight!"
Black Iron's eye twitched. Although it hurt his pride it wasn't wrong. He may have landed a few blows but Top Dog hadn't bothered to dodge. Adjusting his outfit Black Iron moved towards the Rider Craze gang. He had some work to do mending their pride. Bitterness still remained in his heart, he hadn't suffered such a loss in a long while. His ability proved to be incredible in street fights, yet was almost pointless in that battle.
Despite this he felt following someone like Top Dog wasn't a bad thing.