Spot ran back to Brooklyn as fast as he could. He didn't even notice how cold it was getting. Or that it began to rain. When Spot burst through the door at the Brooklyn boys' lodging house, he was soaked and his hair hung over his eyes in icy strands.

"Spot," David was there with Story, interviewing Spot's guys. "What's going on?"

"H-h-hold on." The cold hit him all at once. Spot crossed the room and knelt at the small fire to warm himself up. Story and David looked at him expectantly.

Just then, the door opened again and three other soaking wet boys entered. It was Ruse, Charmer, and Rake. They were in charge of things when Spot or Chase weren't around. They were best friends, but no three boys could be any more different. Rake was of Chinese descent, or at least he was pretty sure that's where he came from. Since the strike there had been much speculation that Rake and Swifty, from Manhattan, could be brothers. Neither of them remembered their childhoods and they both looked very similar (and they were both known to be thieves). Ruse was known for his dark auburn hair that shown a glimmer of cherry red in the sun. He was also known to be able to talk his way out of any situation. He was a quick thinker, able to come up with a lie without even taking time to blink. All three boys were favorites among the ladies, but Charmer easily had the most after him. He had the whole package: the blonde hair, the blue eyes, the charming smile (which is where his name came from). They were the oldest at the lodging house. Older than Spot, even.

"Hey, fellas," said Story. "Where yous been?"

"Walkin' Katrina and Ellie home." Rake answered as he hung his coat on an empty hook.

"What for?"

Charmer shook out his golden hair. "There was a little trouble, but don't worry. They're safe at home now."

Spot's eyes widened, he struggled to stop shivering. "W-what k-kind a' t-trouble?"

"Nothin' too serious, just really weird." said Ruse. "Some guys pulled 'em into an alley, askin' all kinds a' questions. But we took-"

Spot stopped him with his hand. "What did the guys look like?"

"Really dark hair and-"

"I knew it!" Spot closed his eyes. It what he thought was true, this could be bad. "Yous remember Myth's guys?" Charmer, Rake, and Ruse been newsies since Brooks was the king.

"Yeah," said Rake. "The 'Shadows', right? Weird bunch. Colored their hair black with shoe polish and followed Myth around, causin' all sorts a' trouble in this city."

David and Story glanced at each other, realizing this could be important. The two of them started taking down notes.

"Wait," David looked up from his notebook. "Who's Myth?"

"Leader of the Coney Island newsies." Story said. "He was awful." she shuddered a little and grabbed David's arm.

"There are Coney Island newsies?"

"They were a rival gang here in Brooklyn, but not anymore," Ruse answered. "Myth is dead."

"Might not be entirely true," said Spot.

The room went silent and everyone stared at Spot, who was preoccupied, tracing the faded pattern on the hearth rug as he thought about what his next move would be.

"But," Charmer was the first to break the silence. "That can't be possible. Myth has been dead for four years. I saw you-"

"But where did Myth's guys go after that, huh?" Spot asked.

"They disappeared."

"More like went into hidin'."

Story jumped. "What?!"

The noise level in the room rose significantly.

Spot stood up. "HEY!" he banged his cane on the ground. "SHUT UP!" they quieted. "It's just a theory. I hope it's not true."

It made Spot sick to think Myth's guys were most likely behind the girls' disappearance. He had to sit down on the couch and close his eyes before anyone noticed how dizzy and vulnerable he was.

David, Story, Ruse, Charmer, and Rake followed him.

"I don't understand this guy Myth, and how he is important." David said.

Story touched Spot's arm. "Are you thinkin' they might have somethin' to do with Chase and Spark's kidnappin'?"

Spot nodded gravely. He held onto Chase's locket. He wasn't in the mood to talk anymore. He had already done enough of that with Helena and Denton. But he knew it could only help the case. Since he was Brooks's second-in-command, he would be their best bet for information on Myth.

"Myth was bad as they come," Spot started. "He used to be part of our newsies,"

"When Brooks was king," Story interjected. David, being a newer newsboy, wouldn't know about the politics in the newsies' world.

"Yeah," validated Spot. "Actually the two a' them were best friends, like you and Jack." David nodded as he wrote. "Then somethin' changed."

"What do you mean?" David asked.

"Brooks was all about keepin' the city together. Ya know, peace, harmony, brotherly love and all that. Myth liked watchin' fights and bettin' on who would win and other... let's say ruthless things."

"Oh..."

"So those two grew apart and Myth started his own gang, full of outsiders. And they tried to take over."

"I remember that," Rake said, then he lowered his voice. "You gonna tell them your part?"

"Yeah," said Spot. "Story already knows, and it's not like it's some big secret anyway."

Spot explained how he had become king, and how that was linked to Brooks and Myth's deaths. He also mentioned Vivienne, Myth's sister, who had been one of his best friends for a short time until she disappeared like Myth's boys.

"Did you get arrested?" David spoke as he wrote. "I-I mean I know it was only an accident but-"

"No, I wasn't arrested." Spot said. "There was only one officer on post near the park and he saw the whole thing. Said he was proud a' me for standin' up to Myth like that, and it was better he was gone. That didn't stop reporters from twistin' the story, but hey, that's the newspaper biz for ya."

It worked out for Spot because no one else would dare defy him after that. And all the newsies on Brooks's side knew the throne was meant for him. There wasn't anyone else fit for the role.

"So you think Myth's guys is back?" Ruse asked.

Spot shook his head, still confused himself. "I don't know. I mean, there's no way any a' them could lead themselves- unless..."

David furrowed his brow. "Unless what?"

"Myth had a second...Yeah," He remembered. "His little brother, Shade."

"That little quiet one?" Charmer scoffed. "He couldn't lead Myth's guys."

Spot shrugged. "It's been four years. Look how far we've all come."

They the boys (minus David) and Story had to agree. Since Brooks's death, the Brooklyn newsies had thrived. Spot had more connections throughout the whole of New York than any other Brooklyn leader before him, mostly due to Jack Kelly and the strike, but he would never admit that.

"Spot," Story said as she grabbed David's hand, clearly frightened by the whole situation. "If Myth's brother, Shade, has Spark and Chase- If he's anything like Myth..."

Spot bit his lip."This is really bad."


A/N: Fun fact, Story's name was originally going to be Ruse because of her red hair (like the French word rousse) and because she was so good at making up stories (or lies, like the word, ruse). I decided I liked Story better so when it came time to name some of Spot's Brooklyn boys I named one Ruse and gave him auburn hair as a callback to Story's old name. Rake comes from "Swifty the Rake" (Swifty's full name) and I just wanted them to be related since their names come from the same place... For some reason I write characters in threes so Charmer (I think he was actually the first one I named) had to be a part of things. I liked the idea of having a handsome Prince Charming type with the Brooklyn newsies. He was actually going to be called "Charming" but I felt like that one was a bit too obvious. These three are based on the older newsies the girls dance with in "Five Thousand Reasons..." I wish I wrote more about these boys because they're my first boy newsies I created.

Oh, and the whole "coloring their hair with shoe polish" thing came from Elvis Presley. Elvis was naturally blond (note I'm using the masculine form of the word here...) and there is a rumor that in the beginning he colored his hair with shoe polish (I remember a girl did a report on him when I was in 5th grade and she had read that in high school while he was playing football in the rain the shoe polish started dripping down his face. I don't know if this is true because I can't find any more info about it but it's a cool story). I wanted Shade/Myth's guys to have something that made them stand out against the rest of the newsies. Since Myth and Shade both have dark hair I figured their (weird) followers would want to pay tribute to that. Plus they're called "Shadows" for a reason. Everything about them is dark and mysterious.


"I can't believe it- actually I can," fumed Spark. "Shade lied to his sister so she would work for him. That's exactly somethin' he would do."

"And she believes him." Chase hid her face in her hands. It seemed that Prima was on board with Shade's plans. And Chase was afraid. It didn't matter what they were going to do to her though, because their whole plan was to take Brooklyn and kill Spot.

Spark rubbed Chase's back for comfort. "I don't understand what changed with her. Soot and Vivienne, the two a' them were close friends."

Chase sat up, raising an eyebrow. "How close?"

"Not as close as the two a' yous," Spark reassured her. "But she was probably the first girl he ever paid any attention, at least since bein' a newsie. And he must have forgotten about her pretty quick after becomin' king because you showed up a year later."

"Oh, ok," She felt a little better knowing Spot didn't have as many girls as were rumored. She was never sure. It always worried her that this would be a short romance and he would get bored of her. She decided to change the subject to keep herself from thinking about her situation any further. "How is your ankle?"

"It's been better."

Chase rolled her eyes. "I mean really, how is it?"

"Doesn't hurt if I don't move it."

"Well it's a good thing we're stuck down here for who knows how long-"

She stopped at the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. The girls strained to see in the ever-darkening room. The sun was almost set.

"Evenin' ladies," Shade switched the single light on. The Delanceys and Prima weren't too far behind him. "How was your day?"

"Cold," said Spark, hatefully.

"Good."

The girls both glared at him, to which he smiled.

"Rosie,"

"Don't call me that." she spat.

"Fine, Chase," he said. "Are you ready to tell me what I asked last night?"

"Like I have a choice."

"Only if you don't value the lives of your friends."

"Haha," she laughed sarcastically, standing up.

Shade smirked, but then he stopped. "Prima, why aren't the girls tied up?"

Prima was busy looking through a women's magazine, not even looking up to answer. "Guess I forgot."

Shade flinched at this casual answer, but he turned back to Chase and led her to a closet on the other side of the room, shutting the door behind them.

"Ok," Chase crossed her arms. "Before I tell you, I need to know what you're planning on doing with this information. I have my city to think about."

Shade laughed. "You sound just like Brooks."

"And that's funny because...?"

"Well, you know what happened to him, right?"

"Yeah, same thing that happened to Myth." Chase smiled smugly.

"Alright, Chase," He gripped her shoulder tightly. Anger flashed in his eyes but he kept it under control. "I'm gonna let that one slide."

"Why bother?"

Shade grit his teeth, tired of her defiance. "Because I am." He took a step forward so she was trapped between him and the wall "I understand, you're playing 'mommy' to all those little brats. How cute."

"Yeah, so?" she shrugged off Shade's grip. "I'm not going to talk until you promise no one will get hurt."

"Can't promise that, but you won't have anyone's blood on your hands if you do."

Chase stared at him, narrowing her eyes. Her choices were clear. If there was a way out of this, she couldn't see it. The lives of the Brooklyn kids and her friends and family were too valuable to gamble with.

"Listen because I'm only going to tell you once."


When the closet door opened, Spark sat up straight. She looked from Chase to Shade to see if anything other than what was discussed happened.

Chase sat down on the bed.

"He didn't try anything, right?" Spark whispered.

"Ha," Shade overheard. "Like I would with her."

The Delancey brothers laughed with him. Prima looked up from her magazine for a second. In the darkness, the girls could see sympathy in her eyes for the briefest moment, until the laughter stopped.

"Alright ladies, let's get to work." Shade offered Chase and Spark his hands.

"Work?" Spark stood up, holding onto Chase's arm so he wouldn't see he was hurt.

"Advertisin' for our little show." The Delanceys pulled the sheet off of the printing press.

Shade had the girls up all night working the press, which was more dangerous than they had expected. Spark and Chase had a new sense of compassion for the guys who worked the press upstairs. There had been several near-misses throughout the night. Spark got her sleeve caught in the platen, almost pulling her in. She had to fight not to cry, a machine like this could cripple her for life. They printed thousands of copies. Chase prayed that Spot or her brother, or even Jack or David, would recognize where the papers came from.

"Time to deliver these." Shade said, tying up the last bundle when they had finished printing.

"You're gonna make us go out there now?" Spark yawned, which hid her irritation.

"Nope, too much of a risk yous two might escape." He handed bundles of papers to Oscar, Morris, and Prima. "'Night, ladies."


December 30, 1899

Spot wasn't planning on returning to Manhattan the next day. He had to face his city sometime. But it was, at this time, (although it's cliche to say) that he wondered how he had lived without Chase. He missed her so much.

But when Spot woke up in the morning, there was a paper taped to the lodging house window, which was not there when he went to bed the night before. He had a glimmer (the slightest) of hope that it could be from Chase. They left each other messages all the time.

It wasn't from Chase.

"CHARMER, RAKE, RUSE! YOUS IN CHARGE AGAIN!"

Before they had the chance to answer, Spot was out the window and down the fire escape.

On his way to Manhattan, he stopped by the girls' lodging house. Spot skipped the front door and went up to the window. There was a paper taped to theirs as well. He knocked loudly but no one answered.

"Come on, Story!" He peered through the frosty window, using his breath to melt the ice. The girls were still asleep. He knocked again, but still no answer.

There was one more thing he could do, Spot didn't hesitate. He pushed up on the window with all of his strength, hoping it was open. It opened just barely enough for him to slide through. The 'thump' sound Spot made hitting the floor caused several girls to wake up screaming.

"Hey, it's ok, it's just Spot Conlon." he said, heading to where Story slept.

"Story, Story, Story, Story, Story, Story, Story, Story! You gotta wake up!" He nudged her shoulder.

"Huh?" Story sat up, bleary eyed. "Spot what are ya doin' here?"

He shoved the paper into her hand. "Read it."

Her eyes widened as she scanned the page. "We gotta talk to the others!"

Story leapt out of bed and dressed in the girls' closet. Spot waited by the window impatiently.

"I have to go to Manhattan again," Story addressed all the girls. "Rake, Ruse, and Charmer is in charge of all of yous. And do not stray from your spots."


A/N: Once again Pulitzer's press is being used without his permission. He should really just lock it up someplace no one can find it. It's not like it's in use for normal newspaper business anyway... Also, I should have addressed this when I introduced Myth. If you're familiar with "Five Thousand Reasons" (and I hope you are or a lot of this story and the characters wouldn't make sense) you'll recognize some of Brooks and Spot's fight scene. The idea for Myth came waaay after I finished "Five Thousand Reasons..." when I was trying to convert "The Turn" into "New York Underworld". The newsie who killed Brooks was originally just a nameless, faceless character in the beginning. Just a way to make Spot the king of Brooklyn. When I was beginning to write "Underworld" (after the loss of Thomas Edison Jr. from "The Turn") I decided to expand on this Brooklyn newsie. Certain things like freak shows and magic were already present in "The Turn" so I decided to keep that in, making Myth a Coney Island newsie, which really is part of Brooklyn (as evidence in "Carryin' the Banner" from the "Newsies" musical). I remember researching forever to pick out the perfect name. I couldn't use Shade or Shadow (for obvious reasons) so I tried to find something that would work with the theme. Myth was the best choice and I really think it suits him.