DiabloCat: Yay, next chapter. I'm on a roll! Introducing, my own characters! Nay, dinnae worry, they're not going to become members of the League or anything. Just side characters.

Many thanks to all who review, including Fritz Will Get You, Funyun, Queerquail, Tonianne and Pixie13. I love you guys (or gals).

Disclaimer: Haven't done one of these yet. Oh well. Obviously, I don't own the League or their respective powers. I do own just about everyone you don't recognise. Their names, professions and life stories are all mine. Mine! All mine! Hahahahaâ€sorry. I just had to do that.

Now, without further ado, ON WITH THE STORY!

Tom looked around uneasily. "How far did you say it was again? We've been walking for ages. And it's getting dark."

Skinner heaved an irritable sigh. He hadn't wanted Tom to come, but the whole League had insisted the thief go with one of them. No matter how hard he argued that he could look after himself, they had been immovable. So he grudgingly took Tom. And round about now, he was really regretting it.

"Skinner?"

The thief rounded on his friend. "Look, Tom. I haven't been round here for ages"

"You mean we're lost?"

"No, I mean I'm taking my time so we DON'T get lost. And I want it be dark, okay? I've got everything under control. So will you PLEASE stop pestering me?"

Tom scowled. "Alright, alright, sorry."

Skinner paused for a moment, hands in pockets. He bit his lip as he looked this way and that. "This way," he said at last.

The two travelled on in silence. Tom noticed that they were entering a far less respectable part of London. The buildings became shabbier. The people eyed them suspiciously. After some time of walking, they reached a particular street in the worst condition yet. It was full of ancient, run down buildings. Skinner suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" Tom whispered, but he had a feeling he already knew the answer. His skin prickled. Someone – or several someones – was watching them.

"I think they've noticed us," murmured Skinner.

Swiftly, dark figures sprang up around them. They stood in the shadows, levelling weapons at Skinner and Tom. The American drew his pistols, but Skinner grabbed his arm.

"Don't," he hissed.

One of them stepped forwards slightly. Tom couldn't see their face, but he assumed this was the leader.

"Drop your weapons," the figure said. His voice was cockney-accented, just like Skinner's. Tom hesitated. The figure raised an arm. The surrounding people tensed.

"Drop the guns now, or I'll order them to shoot. If you think you can dodge a mixture of bullets, arrows and daggers, go ahead. But if I were you, I'd drop the guns."

"Do it," Skinner murmured out the side of his mouth. Reluctantly, Tom laid his Colt pistols on the ground.

"Now, what would a pair of mates like yourselves be doing around here? Hasn't anyone told you about the dangers of straying into Cougar territory?" The voice hardened. "You're about to find out."

Skinner smiled disarmingly. "Ah, is that any way to treat old friends?"

Tom could sense the figure's surprise. "Skinner?"

"Who else would be crazy enough to invade your territory?"

"Last we heard, you'd been nabbed by the cops, and shipped off to serve your country." The voice became suspicious. "How do we know you ain't been sent here to nab us?"

Skinner laughed. "Ha! As if I could get you, even if I wanted to. Who told you I'd been caught?"

"Pete."

The thief nodded knowingly. "Ah, of course. Well, are you going to stand there aiming guns at me or what?"

The figure waved his arm, and the weapons lowered. Tom relaxed slightly. It seemed they were safe for now. The figure stepped forwards – and Tom's jaw dropped.

Their menacing attacker was a fifteen year old boy, with scruffy brown hair and a smirk.

Skinner chuckled at the look on the spy's face. "Tom, this is Felix, leader of Squad One. Felix, meet Tom Sawyer, current partner in business."

Felix folded his arms and cocked an eyebrow. "And what business would that be?"

Skinner shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, saving the world and all that. And how's business going for you? Is that ragtag brother o' yours still around?"

A second figure dropped down from a windowsill and padded silently over next to Felix. It was another boy, aged around thirteen, with the same green eyes as Felix, but dark, blonde hair. "I'm still alive and kicking, mate."

Tom swallowed, and tried to make his mind stop reeling. They had just been assaulted by a bunch of CHILDREN! "Erâ€what's HIS name?"

The younger boy grinned cheekily. "Leo, at your service. Tom, eh? Short for Thomas I guess. Well, it's better that Leonardo."

Tom smiled weakly. "Heh. Suppose so. How many more of you are there?"

Felix shrugged. "Depends what you mean. In my Squad, three. Overall, dunno. Never counted."

Tom looked around. There were definitely more than three. "Three?"

"Well, this ain't just my Squad. I borrowed a couple from Andre's and Jamma's Squads too."

"Oh."

Skinner stepped forwards. "If you've finished getting all friendly, I'd like to get on with business. I'd like to make an offer to Fernando."

Felix looked wary. "I dunno. You know Fernando doesn't like getting involved in other feuds. Politics is dangerous."

"It's important. Would I even ask if it wasn't?"

The boy still looked doubtful. "Probably not, but I don't like your chances. You mightn't even get to see him. I'd have to check with Cara, who'd check with Taz, who'd then check with Fernando."

Tom looked stunned. "Whoa. Complicated system."

Leo laughed. "Seems like that at first, don't it? But after a few years, it makes sense."

"So will you let us in?" pressed Skinner.

Felix rubbed his chin. "I don't know. I mean, you're a well-known thief and ally. But we don't know your friend. Only fools let strangers inside their base."

Skinner felt Tom bristle beside him. "What if I vouch for him?"

"Give me a sec. I'll check with Cara." Felix turned and darted off.

Tom shifted from foot to foot for a bit, then decided to break the silence. "So, Leo, erâ€who else is in your Squad?"

The thirteen year old eyed him. "Curious bugger ain't ya? Well, since you're a mate of Skinner's, I suppose I can tell you some stuff. In Squad One, there's only Me, Felix and Asher." Leo cupped a hand around his mouth and yelled. "Oi! Asher! Get down here!"

Asher turned out to be another thirteen year old, with black hair and wary dark brown eyes. He surveyed both Skinner and Tom in silence. Just when Tom was starting to feel uncomfortable, the boy spoke to Skinner.

"Is it true your invisible? Or is that just a tale?"

Skinner pulled off a glove. "Nah, it's true. Wish it weren't, but there you have it."

Asher's eyes widened at the sight of the apparently empty sleeve. "Neat!"

"Not really. It's okay at first but, believe me, it gets annoying."

"You can't turn back?"

"We're working on an antidote."

Just then, Felix returned. He looked rather grim. "Well, Fernando's agreed to have a meeting with you." He faced Tom. "But you're not allowed."

DiabloCat: Aw, poor Tom. Hope you liked my Cougar clan. I've actually worked out the entire system, and the names of everyone, but that'd be too confusing. The main people you'll meet are the members of Squad One (Felix, Leo and Asher), Taz and Fernando. Fernando's the leader and Taz is second-in-command. And Pete was from a former story.