Fire.

Fire is the test of gold; adversity, it is what makes men strong. Is it no wonder that the entirely of civilizations have built themselves upon their indifferent flames?

The fires of industry, the fires of rage, the fires of life, the fires of love.

The fires of war.

No war has started from cold ash; heat, fuel, and a spark - all are required for a war to erupt. One simply has to view the Old War to see this truth.

An old myth comes to mind. A legend from a time long past, spoke of mortals stealing fire from the hoarding Gods, turning themselves into shapers of their own destinies.

And getting cast out in the process.

Ironic then, how when we played with fire, we expected things to be different. For we viewed ourselves as better than the lesser castes, as if our divinity…

Would make us fireproof.

What matters most is not how one controls the fire, but how well you walk through it. That was something that many my fellow Orokin failed to learn.

Still, it was something to be said of how it took two blazes to destroy our empire. But destroyed it was; of all people, I should know.

For I was the one to give the second fire its spark, to ignite the flame.

A lesson then; playing with fire is bad for those who burn themselves. For the rest of us - it is a very great pleasure.

-Worm-In-Waiting-

March 21th

There were several locations across the Docks that one could use for a meeting, the one that Lisa had picked was just far enough away from the Boardwalk that it was unlikely they would be spotted, but close enough that she could leg it if necessary. Which was important, it could mean the difference between her making it out alive or not if things went badly.

It would pay to be cautious, both with dealing with her 'Boss' and with who her contact.

She didn't expect him come alone. Show up alone yes, but she knew that there would be someone just waiting in the background. So, she waited, lounging against the wall of a dilapidated building, half hidden in an alley, the sun rapidly setting, in full costume.

Brian would have called her stupid right now, but if he had known the full details, he would be in full panic mode; finding what his real 'Boss' could and would do would send him for a loop.

A car turned down the street, heading towards her. Tattletale eyed it as it approached. It was nondescript, black, and slightly larger than a standard one.

Therefore, out of place for the area.

Not a custom vehicle; luxury class of standard car, not bought, not stolen, but 'borrowed.' Used as a show of power for outsiders.

Not that he needed it, Tattletale reflected as the car pulled up. After all…

There were very few people that would go looking for a fight against Lung.

The villain in question stepped from the now stopped vehicle, wearing only jeans, loafers, and a wrinkled dress shirt, unbuttoned of course. All the better to showcase the numerous tattoos that covered his six-foot muscular frame, depicting all types of dragons from Eastern mythology. His mask followed a pattern of simplicity; steel, crafted into the shape of a dragon face, with painted with swirls of red and orange around the eye holes as the only splash of color.

Lung moved, each step conveying confidence, not of the, 'I'm in charge' kind, nor of the kind that conveyed self-assurance of ones position.

This was the type of walk that simply was, the kind that said, 'I am walking.'

It was a subtle thing, the positioning of the shoulders, the moments of the arms, legs, hands, even how Lung held his head gave a clue to the man.

Granted, Tattletale was cheating, but still…

Rather than the walk of a man that had gone toe-to-toe with an entire Protectorate team and managed to fight them off to the point that left him you alone, this walk could be mistaken for an disgruntled jerk passing you on the street.

Tattletale knew that this was in part of who Lung was; he didn't care about the showmanship side of being a cape, not like the others. Let Kaiser stand and make speeches, Lung had shown his strength; only the foolish (and stupid, like the Merchants in one occasion) dared to fight him.

So why bother moving like a predator or a king, Lung was The Dragon.

Lung had managed to get so powerful that he didn't need a nickname. Just change his cape name to English and add a great big 'The.'

Tattletale didn't quite know what Dragon thought of it all, given the whole set of 'rules' about cape names, but considering what she'd managed to accomplish (plus the fact she never spoke up about it to him) Tattletale figured she didn't care.

Lung stopped just out of arms reach of Tattletale, who shifted from her spot on the wall into the alley proper to gain a bit more room.

It was a power play; Lung wanted to show Tattletale that he had nothing to fear from her by showing up at this meeting, that it was Tattletale that had to fear Lung. By getting into her personal space, he showed that he feared no attack from her, and he cared not for her feelings. They both know why they were there, so just get on with it.

In other words, if this meeting was a trap or a waste of time, then it was her that was going to get hurt, and then Lung was just going to walk away.

Tattletale winced at her power activating and clamped down a bit harder on it. She still hadn't fully recovered from… whatever had happened a few days ago. Furthermore, in contrast of how her power normally acted, it did not seem to even want to help her in figuring out what had happened. Usually, whenever she encountered something out of the norm, things like Winslow, a case 53 cape, another power in use around her that she hadn't seen before, her power would push forward, almost… happily, supplying information, even if it lead nowhere.

But with the apparition, it was silent. Tattletales only guess was that it was a cape that could hide from powers, or that she was actually hallucinating.

Both options were equally terrifying.

Blood-shot eyes gazed at her, waiting. Another gesture from Lung; she was the one that called for this meeting, now, what did she want?

Some part of Lisa's mind remarked that the other side of this statement, made it sound like Lung was taking orders from her. She doubted that he'd find that as amusing as she did.

Tattletale lined her arms to the side and bowed.

"Hai ni aisatsu shite kurete, arigatō."

Lung remained unmoved, not reacting at all to his mother tongue. Tattletale rose from her bow and continued, letting her power out just a bit

"Kono kaigi o rikuesuto shita no wa-"

"Dispense with the pleasantries," Lung stated in an heavily accented growl. "You have stated that you have information, which you state that I require. I doubt this. But, a Thinker of your power… it would be unwise to ignore you, just as I know this is an unlikely trap for the same reason."

"Well, been using Yūrei to keep an eye on me, Lung? I'm flattered." Which wasn't good, Tattletale would have to talk to Grue about security for the loft and listen to him come up with plans to move, again.

"No." Tattletale breathed a hidden sigh of relief. "The Ruby Dreams Casino. The locks were not picked, nor where the keypads forced. You knew where the keys were, as well as the codes. All guards were taken out, no one stopped you from entering or exiting. A flawless job. Seemingly too flawless."

"The Undersiders pride ourselves on professionalism," Tattletale quipped.

"The actions of your teammate, Hellhound, suggest otherwise," Lung rumbled out.

Tattletale winced. What had Bitch done now? Granted, she tended to keep to herself unless it involved dogs, and they had imparted the importance of not breaking up every dog fighting ring she heard about.

They couldn't take afford to take that kind of heat from the Empire.

The problem of a teammate aside, Tattletale let her power go just a bit-

Knows about job, heard about job; wasn't there, others talked about it, hard to cover thief up. Leak from most likely a guard, several likely lost their jobs due to failure to stop crime; several likely to join other gangs, most likely Empire based on-

-only to cut it off. 'Try again power, about Lung and the casino this time please.'

No links to the casino, ABB members likely still visit; one of few casinos in town that opens doors to capes; possibility of ABB using casino to shift money. ABB would not store own money at casino, still would affect morale at temporary loss of gambling. Investigated; too smooth of a job, no obvious leaks, keys still pulled from hiding places. Casino used infosec to mitigate risk of inside-job theft by hiding spare keys and distributing codes among the employees; Lung has a source inside casino, used process of elimination based on power sets of teammates.

Some would look at Lung and other see the man that forced a gang into working for him, or the man who fought the local Protectorate Team to the point that they viewed the risks of fighting him as too great. It was easy to think that Lung was a common (superpowered) thug that would simply smash his way through things. In truth? The man would not have gotten as far as he did, taking control over all the Asian gangs in the city, holding his own against the PRT, the Empire, and the Merchants if he was unintelligent.

Less surprising was the fact that Lung knew about the job (that was kinda the point), and more surprising was how much he knew about the Undersiders.

The Undersiders had only just gotten started: a few small-time jobs here and there, the Ruby had been their biggest hit yet. It meant to gather attention.

The fact that it had caught the attention of Lung so fast didn't bode well; if you showed up at the Big Kids' table, you'd best be able to stay there.

"Bitch is something of a…" Tattletale paused. "Special… case. Not unlike Yūrei; both of them have needs that are outside the norm."

'And glance up… there.'

Tucked low to try and hide in the frame of a window, an amorphous blob watched with white pin-prick eyes. The base of its body extended to cover the entire reflective surface of the window, emerging out of it. It was hard to tell given the body was somehow both nearly transparent and had a color to match the surrounding frame, even if it was distorted, like a reflection.

While some of the buildings in the run-down areas of the Docks were all but abandoned and let to rot, many were in surprisingly good condition. The city had been quick to go through most to check for mold and decay after Tāwhiri passed through, though it was hard to check the areas that the Merchants controlled.

This, coupled with the attempted rebuild of industry, meant that the city had swaths of buildings that had been partially fixed up... which with the sharp increase of reflective surfaces made it far easier for Yūrei to get eyes on things.

Tattletale looked back to Lung, ignoring the projection. "Something that I'm sure you're very aware of."

What Lung thought of this, he gave no visible sign.

Tattletale couldn't help but grin as she reined in her power once more; that was right Lung, she did know things, be wary.

This was a dangerous proposition, poking Lung like this, but…

"But the state and affairs of the Undersiders aren't why we are here," Tattletale continued, taking a few steps to the side to lean on the wall under the blob. It extended itself in response, stretching out in a curve to continue looking at her, its white dots for eyes never blinking.

"We are here to talk about something that would benefit us both."

"Yes." Lung clenched his hands into fists, then relaxed them as he growled out his next words.

"But I doubt that you would enjoy working as an underling."

Tattletale chucked. "No, I would not, but in a roundabout way, that is one of the reasons I'm here. You won't help me in that matter however, as you just don't care, do you?"

The only reply from Lung was an angry huff, signaling to Tattletale that she was both correct and that he was starting to really lose patience.

Plus, the small spike of heat coming from the villain was a sign as well.

"So, I'm going to help you out with something," Tattletale continued. "How would you like to be the only gang in the city with a say in the Dock Workers Association?"

Above her, the blob wavered, then shifted. It stretched and twisted until it had lowered down to her level. The unblinking eyes stared her down. Lung gave it a glance, before turning back to Tattletale.

"Impossible, Hebert works hard to keep capes and our actions out of the working Docks, I know this well. And given the state of the bay and area, as well as Hebert's actions, it has no value to me."

"That's… not entirely true," Tattletale replied. "Because you are thinking too small. It's not so much as what the Docks can do for you, but what the Docks could do for you."

Lung snorted. "There is nothing there for me, just old buildings and a dying worker's union. If I made this move, then others would attack, seeking to take what is not theirs, now from me."

"But you are Lung, what do you have to fear from attacks?"

Blood shot eyes stared down the smaller villain. "I am Lung," the man in question intoned, taking a step forward. "None can defeat me and none dare to try. Even the Protectorate fears my strength."

"But what of your gang?" asked Tattletale. "How many of them fear you?"

At this Lung let out a short bark of a laugh.

"They fear me as well," he explained, as if talking to a child. "And if any think they can defeat me… then they are responsible for their own deaths."

"So you rule through fear then?" Tattletale asked slowly, glancing up at Yūrei's projection as she did so. The blob shifted at her gaze, before becoming still once more.

"Of course," Lung replied. "The fear of knowing, of reality. 'If I fight him, I lose.' They know me, and quiver to be in my presence. They know that I can hurt them, and they know will be the worst pain imaginable. This, my gang, the PRT, the other groups in the city, know. The best, most effective, kind of fear."

"But do you have their loyalty?" Tattletale asked.

Lung paused, gazing at the other villain. To anyone else, it might have seemed impossible to read the man.

But Tattletale cheated.

Her words didn't bother Lung, but they did tickle at him.

Which was what she was going for.

"They are loyal, because I am strong," Lung clarified. "I am the one that fights the Empire, the PRT, and the Merchants; I am the one that pulled the ABB together, from the scraps that it was. Without me, they would fall beneath the waves and be destroyed."

"But would they risk for lives to save you?" Tattletale asked. "If you were defeated and caught by the PRT, would they break in to get you out? If you were injured and needed help, would they pull you into their homes and heal you?"

Tattletale cocked her head to the side, eyeing the blob that was staring her down. "I'm not so sure that they would. Oni Lee would, as would Yūrei. But all Lee has is his loyalty to you, and Yūrei? She's something of a different case, considering where she comes from."

The area was quiet for a few moments, yet, there was a feeling pushing down on Tattletale. A heat, and a sense of danger.

Lung advanced on Tattletale, entering her personal space, blocking her path and almost pinning her against the wall by doing so. The heat from his body pricking against her exposed skin. Behind him, Yūreis projection shifted, an arm, more of a stub with little nubs for three fingers, emerging from its body, reaching out to grasp onto Lungs shoulder.

"I shall never fall, never lose," he growled out. "Maybe I will get injured, maybe I do not emerge victorious, but the one fighting me shall lose, not I. And if my men believe they will survive this city without me, that they do not need me or that I will not find out that they have betrayed me, then I shall correct them on this matter."

The heat was a near physical thing in the small alley, and Tattletale was suddenly very happy that she had managed to get Coil to shell out for some good materials for the teams costumes; they weren't Tinkertech, but they were slightly better than what most stores sold on their shelves.

She needed to be careful at this point, the only reason the Asian cape hadn't attacked her yet was because he gave his word; and if nothing else, Lung was a man of his word.

This didn't mean that she could poke the dragon without fear however, and Tattletale was quick to continue.

"Of course, you are Lung after all. But, I have a plan that could help you in regards to loyalty, and the best part? All you need to really do is keep doing what you've been doing, and maybe one or two other things," added Tattletale. "Nothing more that you wouldn't already be doing; taking territory, defending it, ordering your men around, that sort of thing."

All at once, Lung huffed and turned away, walking back to the mouth of the alley as he spoke. "Then this meeting has no point, as you have said nothing about the information you claim to have, and instead have made remarks on loyalty, a fading union, and of strength. All of which are things I know at present. We have no business here together."

"Danny Hebert doesn't want the DWA to fall apart," Tattletale said swiftly. "But the workers need jobs, contracts. But with no-one offering contracts means no jobs, no jobs means the DWA falls apart."

"This is simple logic," Lung called over his shoulder. "Economics, if no one wishes to use them, then no one will hear of them, and then no one will use them. Goodbye Tat-"

"And if you gave them a contract?"

Lung paused at the waiting car, one had on the door handle, and Tattletale took that as a sign to continue.

"Hebert wants to do good by his men, yet he also is hard at work keeping them out of the gangs, god knows that the Empire must have made at least some overtures to the man, yet he hasn't taken the bait."

"I have yet to hear a point to this."

"The DWA has contractors, plumbers, truck drivers. Danny knows people at city hall, people that could use a popularity boost, and you have a gang that maybe might have a loyalty issue. I wonder," Tattletale asked, crossing her arms and leaning back on the wall of the alley. "How is Chinatown faring structurally these days?"

The surface of the cars window rippled, and Yūreis projection pulled itself out of it. Its unblinking eyes looked at the female villain, before shifting to gaze at Lung.

The older villain huffed and stepped away from the car to face Tattletale once more.

"No more delays, speak," he commanded.

Chinatown was a bit of a misnomer; it was more than just Chinese that were running it. That name had started to drop off in use over the years in favor of 'the Asian District,' which had its own negative connotations.

Lung seemingly didn't care about cultural boundaries, as temples, shrines, restaurants, and shops were put up from all sorts of Asian cultures, with little to separate them. It also caused tensions to rise, as some refused to let their culture be affiliated with another's.

Most learned pretty quick that Lung didn't like having divides in his camp; when fights broke out between Korean, Chinese, Japanese, or another 'Asian' ethnicity, the man tended to come down on both sides of the fight.

Hard.

There was a reason he was called, "The Dragon," after all.

Combined with the exodus of people from Japan after Leviathan sank most of it, as well as refugees from China and other Asian areas that were experiencing cape pressure, had combined to cause a surge of people to settle in America, looking for better lives.

But the thing was, America didn't exactly have the golden future that so many wanted.

Gangs, culture clash, shifting politics, the decay of the city, this all meant that places like what people called Chinatown experienced the same slow collapse of the Docks. When all the blue-collar work changed to white-collar, not having a good American education was crippling, which further impacted low income areas.

Which in turn, meant that 'Chinatown,' was falling apart, something that Lung had to have known.

"You have money, and Danny Hebert has workers in need of jobs. Hard, honest workers who need hard, honest jobs," Tattletale explained. "And, you have a gang, that when the chips are down, might abandon you. Because while they might fear you cause they know what you can and will do to them, it is a completely different type of fear to go running into a fight not knowing what is going to happen next. You might find that your men fear the unknown more than what they do know, not a good thing for a man that rules through fear."

"And you are suggesting that I can 'fix' this 'problem,' by improving my men's lives?" Lung asked. Everything from his tone, to his body language screamed 'doubt.'

"It won't be that easy, I agree," Tattletale continued. "Simply fixing up homes and adding new legal business (under your purview of course) to the city won't repair the economy overnight, nor will you likely make a good profit for a while, maybe even a few years. On the flip side however, doing this would make you so strong that the PRT would never even think of attacking you again."

"How would building homes, and opening shops- ones that I shall lose money on- ones that would take my men away from me, stop the PRT?" Lung asked.

Tattletale honesty couldn't tell if the man was being deadpan, generally curious, or if he was just humoring her; with the current throbbing in her head, she had to get a tight hold on her power, less it go and practically knock her out.

Lucky, she didn't need to do anything for the next part, as it was the other, as up to then silent, member of the conversation that spoke up.

"… The PRT is dependent on the citizens believing in their cause, that those they fight are villains, people that lie, steal, cheat, break laws, all with no accounting for their actions. But if you were to become more than just a sleeping dragon, slumbering in your cave, but a protector and defender of your people, the PRT would find themselves hard pressed to force you out, lest they need to endure the public backlash."

Both of the villains gazed at Yūrei's projection, which shrunk into itself (or more precisely, the car window), before continuing in a voice that, at best, could be considered sounding 'underwater.'

"… I think it's a good idea, but not without its flaws. Like… what the ABB needs to do to make this happen."

"All you need to do, is catch the wave," Tattletale supplied. "As I'm going to set things into motion. But if you did that, all you would get is the bare minimum. Though if you were to listen to me, and follow the path and path I have set…"

Lung was interested, Tattletale could tell. More power and strength? And all he needed to do was nothing new? He would be a fool not to be interested.

".. this course of action," Lung began slowly. "It has benefits, yet you haven't given reasons on why I should be the one to take this risk. For it is a risk. The other gangs will not stand for this, and while I can fight them, my reach is… limited." Lung growled the last word out, as it was a fact known to all present.

Lung was but one cape, and while he had two others at his disposal, one was lacking in combat applications, while the others actions tended to be heavily frowned upon by the PRT and others, so there was only so much ground the ABB capes could cover. And if he started to work on improving the lives of those under him, the other gangs would take notice.

Because there was a balance in the Bay, and if Lung suddenly wasn't worth removing from the city because of the damage he would cause if removed, the PRT would shift focus. Add this to him making the lives of others better, and suddenly he didn't seem like such a bad guy, something that would be bad PR for people like the Empire (and mostly just them, as it couldn't get really any worse for the Merchants). As despite their strength, if public opinion turned enough against them, then it was be far easier for the PRT to get rid of them.

'Course, the other gangs won't like this, and would work hard to stop it. The risk that Lung spoke of; the Empire had several capes they could use to disrupt things, and they could do so far easier and faster than Lung could respond.

But on the flipside, Lung had to have been smart enough to realize that his people would fight for their homes and livelihoods, even without him prompting them to. Especially if things where getting better.

Which would mean more loyalty, and by extension, more power, respect and fear, from his followers and his foes.

"Why give me this information?" Lung asked after a few moments (proving Tattletale right). "Why not use it to enhance your own power in the city? To carve out a slice of your own, or to ease into power from within? Why come me and not the Empire? Why a secret meeting for something like this? A business plan?"

"… unless," Lung continued. "There is something more. You have knowledge, and claim to have power to act upon this plan, yet are an unknown to me. But you have your own group, one that has slowly and carefully climbed up from the mud."

"… you have an employer."

Tattletale did her best not to flinch; she hadn't thought Lung an idiot, but she hadn't accounted for this.

"Groups like yours don't start like you do, without backing," Lung finished. "Yet… why would you care about my followers? Your actions here suggest something of betrayal; to me? Or them?"

"Being nice? Rewarding those that have struggled to survive in this hellhole of a city like me? The fact that I am not a god damn Nazi?" Tattletale asked sharply. "I have several reasons actually; some, are none of your business."

Lung huffed; at least, Tattletale would call it a huff, it was likely more of a laugh.

"But in the end," Tattletale continued as if she hadn't just snapped at one of the most powerful capes in the city and he had let her by virtue of her being no real threat to him. "This plan will benefit you in the long run. So, the better question would be, why not go with it?"

"Plus, your patron would be happy with you helping your people out."

Yūrei rippled, yet Lung was unmoved, uncaring. It was nothing more than an inconvenience to him, as his patron was strong enough for him not to care if anyone knew about them. He respected them and did not doubt their power.

It was one of the reasons that Coil was tiptoeing around the ABB, he had likely figured that he could weed them out in the long run, and use them in the short. As if Lung patron took offence… Coil would not last long in the Bay.

So, Tattletale waited; it was a bit of a contest really. Lung would hold his ground, make her sit and stew, likely waiting for her to give up more than she already had. A simple tactic, one that Tattletale knew would work given enough time.

"… What is this plan of yours?" Lung asked (Tattletale tried not to cheer).

"Simple; make an offer to Danny Hebert about contact for some workers. Then, start to build up your territory to improve it economically; you know, get some contractors trained on your end, fix up some buildings, get some restaurants opened up, that kind of thing. As that happens, make sure that they- and by they I mean everyone- knows that you're the one behind it. Not the Empire, and certainly not the Merchants, but you."

Behind his mask, Lungs eyes narrowed. "You had said that there was nothing I needed to do to profit from this plan, yet I must be the one to approach Hebert? Are there further lies? Or is this plan of yours a farce?"

Tattletale shrugged, unmoved by Lungs simple jab. "It would work better if you went to him. True, I had a plan to make him go to you if you didn't take my offer, but this way will have more of an impact."

"'Course you would have to keep everything on the level with Hebert, if you tried to drag him into the ABB in any shape or form, you might find yourself getting arrested for tax evasion. Wouldn't that be a way to get taken out as The Dragon?"

"It would be remarkable," Lung deadpanned. "Yet, this action, what services would I lose from it? Hebert is a man of his word as well, and his actions precede him. 'No gangs in the DWA,' yet you believe that he would work for me?"

"Not for him, but together," Tattletale clarified. "Compared to the other gangs, unless the city or government steps in, you're practically the best bet for saving the Docks, the ferry, and the DWA. Things like downscaling the drug and gun trade can happen later, when you start to make moves like Accord up in Boston and switch over to the more legal side of things, mostly that is. Some things like the Farms will hav-

"What did you just say!?"

The whip crack of Lungs half-shout caused Tattletale to take a step back from its intensity. Behind his mask, Lungs eyes burned, and his skin seemed to shift under his clothes as he took a single step forward.

Lung upset, confused, angry. Using anger as a shield. Had orders in place, doesn't involve himself in day-to-day operations. Didn't know his orders weren't being followed. Hates the concept of the Farm; didn't know they were still active. Someone working behind his back; the possibly of several people dying via Lung has increased.

"I, uh…" Tattletale struggled for a moment, trying to get her feet under her after the sudden shift in tempo.

A moment that Lung wasn't going to give her, as in a single power-enhanced step, he moved forward and wrapped his hand around her neck.

"Repeat. Your. Words." Lung growled out, and through the heat and pressure on her throat, Tattletale did just that.

"The Farms are still operational," Tattletale said rapidly. "Don't know where. The PRT and the BBPD are working to get them shut down. They think you are behind it, so they try and stay hidden to avoid getting you on their case."

Lung stared at Tattletale for several moments, then released her, causing the younger villain to take several deep breaths as she staggered back.

"You will help me locate them," the gang leader said swiftly as he turned away from her. "And I will consider your offer of this plan."

"Right," Tattletale said stiffly while she rubbed at her throat. Even without looking, she knew that it would be red then peel in a few days, to say nothing of the bruise.

'Oh joy, turtlenecks or heavy makeup for the foreseeable future.'

"I need to get my equipment, start going through data," she continued with a cough; because of course she was going to agree with the angry dragon, especially if it just so happen to help her out, and help get rid of places like the Farms.

"Contact me with some more information, and I can pin them down faster."

Lung grunted as he got into the car. As it began to drive off however, Yūrei stretched out her projection, keeping it close to Tattletale.

"Apologizes," she began with the underwater-sounding voice. "But thank you for your help. I hope he didn't hurt you too much."

And with that, the glass projection snapped back to the moving car, which soon turned a corner and vanished from view.

'… well, that didn't quite go to plan,' reflected Tattletale, but she could work with it.


A/N: I based Lung more off the version of him from the Fanfic Constellations. In that one he's still… Lung, but he shows more of his intelligent and practical side, something we don't see enough of in Canon, as while he is very much a thug, he at least thinks things through and has his own 'code' to follow (which means that he's better than Skidmark, which isn't exactly a high bar).

His stems from his time spent with Kuzunoha; he still be angry 'all will become Asian' Dragon boy, but this one wears a shirt and will offer you a refreshment before saying you did something wrong and tossing you to the other side of the room.

Also pardon my Google Translate, here's what I put though it to get what I got:

*Greetings Lung, thank you for meeting me.

*I requested this meeting because I- [Gets cut off]