Chapter Eight: Some Vacation... Let's try again Next Week

Lloyd flipped through his wardrobe, before finally settling on an emerald green suit and tie. Pulling it out of the walk-in closet that the hotel came with, he tossed it onto his bed. "So, how's things going for you guys out there on the field anyways?"

A chuckle filled his ear, right before Kai's voice, laced with humor, spoke into the Bluetooth that was tucked into Lloyd's ear. "Chill Kid. Cole and Jay already checked in. The caper they were in charge of stopping no longer exists and Sis and I are about to go in to stop the Bank robbery. Zane says to tell you that he's still looking for that card you had found... but isn't having any luck with it. He's gone to bring it up with our superiors."

Lloyd groaned at that, frustrated that they still hadn't found anything. "I want answers... like yesterday."

"Hey...being impatient is my thing. Not yours. Zane ain't gonna stop till he gets you the answers you want."

Lloyd rolled his eyes, before pulling back the curtains in his room, peering out over at the fog that was covering the city. "Yeah and I'm in fog city getting ready to get rid of Darkley's money one of the ways that the Government has agreed is acceptable."

"I thought you were in San Francisco?"

Lloyd shrugged off his sweater, tossing it to the side. Picking up his white shirt, he pulled it on, his fingers flying as he buttoned it up. "I am. San Francisco is known for its fog. Wish I could talk some more but everyone that is hoping to donate money to the children's hospital has to wear their forma dress. Talk to you later."

"Bye kid!"

Lloyd quickly pulled out his Bluetooth, tossing it on his bed. Grabbing his green suit pants, he moved to stand in front of the floor length mirror. He had one more job to do then it was vacay time. A much needed vacation in his opinion. One could only fight against the ones that raised him for so long before going crazy.

…...

Lloyd readjusted his tie as the fancy sports car he just bought was rolled out of the room. Green eyes flickering around the room, he felt impatience flash through him, not for the first time wondering why they sent him instead of Zane. Or Cole. Those two always handled the auctions.

"Next up we have this extremely rare stamp that is worth ten million do..." A loud gasp tore from the auctioneer as the cover over the stamp was removed to reveal that it was no longer there.

Alarmed, Lloyd stood up abruptly, scanning the crowd even as he moved to leave the auction. "This has Darkley's written all over it." Lloyd muttered under his breath as he hurried out of the room. Stepping into the cool night air, he summoned one of his green energy balls to his hand to act as a light. Not that it did any good with the thick fog that was still hanging low over the city.

Spinning in a circle, he yelped in surprise when he came face to face with Dareth. "Stop right there Lloyd Ninja!" Dareth lifted a hand up to reveal that he was holding a pair of handcuffs.

Lloyd bit back a sigh, before quickly disappearing into the fog. Leaping on top of the building, he peered out across the city to see a familiar form strolling through the town... and the direction he was headed compared to the direction that he was leaving made it very obvious that he had just left the auction. And if Lloyd knows him half as well as he believed he did, then he hadn't been donating like the others there. Lloyd growled softly, before leaping across the rooftops, making sure to keep his old friend in sight at all times. Looks like his mission just changed...and he didn't even have any friends that were countryside!

…..

"Chinatown? Seriously Chang?" Lloyd muttered to himself as he followed the young Chinese man through the crowds, not impressed that Chang actually had the idea to go somewhere where he would blend in with the crowd with no effort on his part.

Lloyd pulled his hood up over his head, glad that he had the foresight to change into some more casual clothing. Moving briskly, he followed Chang to the store across the street, his eyes narrowing as he watched as Chang picked up a random lucky cat statue. Stepping into the store, Lloyd shoved his hands into his pockets as he stared at him. "Hands in the air, Chang. I believe we both know you're the one that stole the collector's stamp."

Chang sat the statue back down...and then immediately mimed pulling out a gun. Lloyd quickly dove to the side, with just enough forethought to pull a customer down with him. A gunshot rented the air as a very real, very visible bullet shot forth out of the invisible gun that Chang was holding, slamming into several of the lucky cat statues that were on display. Screams tore through the others in the store as they hurriedly rushed from the building. "Chang! Put the weapons down and come peacefully!" Lloyd shoved the customer out the door, turning to face the clearly angry young man.

"I...don't...think so!" Chang fired a shot at the ceiling, shattering the store's source of light.

Lloyd winced as he flung on arm up to protect his face. "Oh come on!" This was really not cool.

….

Gene growled as Lloyd flipped away from him, a confident smirk on his face. "That can't be the best you've got Gene. I didn't pass Scales class, remember?" Lloyd crouched low, staring intently at the criminal that was standing right in front of him.

Gene scowled, moving to intercept Lloyd, only for the infamous super thief to dodge him easily. Lloyd glanced down, spotting a familiar face. Ah...the female agent that he hasn't taken anything from. Allowing himself to fall backwards, Lloyd activated his hang-glider, soaring through the air...and away from the scene. A laugh escaped Gene as he reached into his pocket. "Coward! I still have the sta... where's the stamp?!"

Lloyd shook his head as he pulled the valuable stamp out of his pocket. "Nice hiding spot!" Slipping it back in, he pulled out a cell phone. "Oh, by the way... I have your phone for now."

…...

"You did what now!?" Kai gawked at Lloyd, shock written across his features.

Lloyd ran a hand down his face, amusement flickering tiredly in his eyes. "I stole Gene's phone...and used it to call the Darkley's Council...so that I could taunt them...and then I turned the phone in to the proper authorities."

Kai shook his head as he leaned back in his chair. "I heard you the first time... I just have a hard time believing it."

"Just checking." Lloyd shrugged, already leaning back in his seat.

Cole shook his head as he tapped away on his phone. "Eesh… I think you're more ready for a vacation than we thought if you're taunting them now!"

Lloyd rolled his eyes, before stifling a yawn. "Wake me when we get there...why don't ya?"

Cole hummed to himself as he didn't look up from his electronic. "Yeah...sure thing kid."

Lloyd rolled his eyes, before closing them...allowing sleep to over take him instantly.