Tloj: ...Yeah, I have nothing interesting to say this time... ^^; Enjoy!

*Counterpunch's POV*

Hmph, Galvix is being cryptic again... this meeting had better be worth it. I open an eye and look around before closing it again.

Something moves around above me before a hooded face drops down, filling my view. "Boo, muthafucka."

I blink. "Not amusing at all. Smoke, the hell are you doing here?" I get off the wall I was leaning on.

He drops to his feet, "Here to meet an old friend. Galvix says hi... or he would if I hadn't torn his head off, makes it kinda hard to talk."

I narrow my eyes. "Did you kill the nice June girl too? She deserved better than death."

"Sweet thing like her? Nah, she's working for Lien-Da now." Smoke kicks back in a chair. I have no reason not to believe him, Smoke has always been honest to a fault.

"So Lien-Da's alive, hm?" I nod. I write it down in a notepad with a few notes before putting it away. "So why are you here?"

"To talk to you man," Smoke stretches. "I'm currently hired to work with her, and she wants to know if you're on board."

"Depends on what I get in return. I may not subscribe to his methods... but he pays well." I smirk.

"How's about a place in their rising empire? All the rich wives you could want." He wags his eyebrows.

"Hm... Rich wives does not equal access to information." I say.

"Doesn't it? You have your networks, just like me. Plus you'll have spies in their families."

"So I see. This is what's in it for me. So what's in it for you?" I state, raising an eyebrow.

Smoke shrugs, "By the time this is over Poisoned Rose will come back together. I kinda missed the old days to be honest."

"So what will I have to give up in return?" I ask. "There's always a catch."

"Just whatever you can to help Lien-Da win," Smoke replies. "You paid for info, just like always."

I nod. "Very well. Here." I reach into my cloak and pull out a folder and a USB drive. "The folder has everything I have on Fear. The USB has everything on the Eggman."

Smoke reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a holotransmitter. "Contact, Lien-Da."

I blink. "You talking to me?"

A hologram of Lien-Da appears over the projector, and Smoke sets it on the table.

Ah, voice commands.

"What is it, Smoke?" She asks.

"We got Counterpunch here, and he's all ears."

"No, I'm not. I'm all echidna. I'm listening, though." I state.

"Up yours, Counterpunch," Smoke grumbles.

I just smirk and wave at him.

"Counterpunch, I'll be blunt. I want you working for us, not Fear." Lien-Da says.

"So I've heard." I smile.

"I told him about your offer, and he's interested. I just rang you up to seal the deal, and he's got stuff for June to look over."

"Excellent. Welcome to our side of the fight, Counterpunch." She smiles.

I bow and place a fist on my chest. "Thank you, your Majesty."

"Spike, no fighting today."

I hear a complaining whine from the device.

I smile. "Insurance, eh?"

"Of course, where's yours?" Smoke looks around.

I shrug. "You know ninjas. They don't like being seen."

Smoke bops his forehead, "The Nage, I forgot all about them."

"Yep. Thanks guys, your work is done!" I call.

Smoke stands, "Good to be working with you again, Counterpunch."

"You too." I nod.

Smoke puts an arm around my shoulder, "By the way, still got a thing for lesbians?"

"Depends on whether or not I can still convert them." I wink.

"This one I doubt you could make Bi, her name is Jane M. Fox."

"A fox? Mm, delicious." I smirk and follow him.

*Hero's POV*

"Here we are, Mobotropolis!" Antonio calls.

Millie pokes her head out the window, "Where are we meeting Reave again?"

"Not sure. He'll find us though." I say, looking out the windshield.

Behind me I hear Shade curse. "Damn you, and your Poker Face, Lien-Da!"

I look back. "What's wrong this time?"

"I swear your mother must be cheating at this game somehow!"

I smile. "Poker? Really?"

Lien-Da smiles. "I have to be good; Warrior plays this game all the time."

I frown. "That reminds me... I wonder if I'll see him again..."

Millie punches my shoulder, "Relax, you will."

"Technically, I never met him the first time... Time travel sucks." I scowl.

"He'll come back when you need him," Millie assures me.

"Okay." I nod. "Antonio, park this thing."

He does so, and I step out.

"Wow. Nice city." I whistle.

Shade nods, "Indeed..."

Millie smiles, "Real pretty."

"Anti, find us some hotel rooms. Who wants to help me look around?" I ask.

Millie trots off to follow Antonio so I'm left with the Princesses.

"I'll come." Knuckles says. "Ladies, watch the van."

Julie-Su nods. "We will."

Shade nods, and sends my mom a challenging look, "And I will learn how you're winning so often."

"Maybe we should switch to Strip Poker so you can see first hand!"

I shudder and walk away, Knuckles following a few seconds later.

As we walk I see a black tail flicking out of an alleyway.

"Reave? That you?" I ask, creating a dagger just in case.

It flicks into the alley, and then I see the face of my favorite assassin.

I sigh and walk up. "So what's the plan and stuff?"

"We were waiting on you," Reave replies, and I notice he's in disguise. He's wearing jeans, and a hoodie with sneakers.

Crystal walks over in a blouse, and skirt, "We've mapped most of the city, not sure how much good it will do us. Security is really beefed up."

"So stealth is key." I say.

"Hence the wardrobe change," Reave says with a nod.

I nod and press my C.E.A.

Thunder!

I change into Thunder Hero. "There. This is a bit more natural."

Crystal says, "We managed to find one of Smoke's contacts here, he's meeting us in one hour at a hotel."

"Sweet. Let's get going then." I smile.

The cats lead the pair to a moderate hotel, and up into a room. Shade eyes the decor curiously.

I look around as well.

Millie flops onto a bed, and puts her hands behind her head. "Well this is a cozy abode!"

I blink. "Millie? When did you-"

Antonio flops down next to her. "Sup?"

"Ah." I smile.

Millie cuddles into Antonio with a purr.

"So yeah, our rooms are a few doors down." He smiles and hands me a key.

Millie looks up at me, "And good call about leaving my sister behind, because you know what happens if something happens to her…"

"I know, I know... I'll miss her, though..." I sigh.

"There is a marvelous invention that is all the crazy these days," Millie says. "It's called a cell phone."

"Yeah, I know. But there's something about being apart." I shrug.

"Well she certainly picked herself a loyal one…"

"Yes, she did." I smile. "So do we have a specific plan, Reave?"

"Not until the informant gets here, so we might as well order some room service while we wait."

"I brought my Xboxes!" Antonio pulls out two Xboxes.

Shade tilts her head, "Why two?"

"More players for multiplayer, of course!"

"Oh..." She clearly does not understand still.

"You'll see." He smiles and produces a second TV, setting everything up.

Shade picks up controller, and starts to mess with the different buttons. It is clear that she has never seen one of these before.

"Here, I'll teach you." I smile and grab another controller.

Shade nods, "So these are video games."

"Indeed. Don't get addicted, I swear it becomes a lifestyle if you do." I smile.

Shade smiles, "I will remember that."

I show her how to play, feeling a mild sense of deja vu.

Halo seems to frustrate her however. "How do they expect us to achieve a victory with such a limited range of motion?!"

"All part of the challenge." I smile.

Shade makes a face, "Well I would prefer a challenge where I would rely on my own expertise in combat. I'm over seventy years old, and that is a long time to hone skill just to get beaten by a computer."

"Yeah... actual combat is better." I agree.

Millie takes her controller, "I think a free-for-all sounds fun!"

"Yeah!" Antonio grabs one as well.

Shade watches them build their characters, and says, "I like the purple armor."

I smile and clad a character in purple armor. "I assume you don't want to play?"

Shade lies on her belly on the bed, and hugs the pillow. "I will be content to watch for now."

I nod and customize my char.

Despite it being a free-for-all, Millie and Antonio are undoubtedly working together. They've killed me at least ten times through the course of the last five minutes.

I frown and change equipment to stealth, getting in some assassinations.

"And Cue the Mexican music," Millie whoops as she runs me over with a warthog.

"Dammit!" I groan as the two tie for first.

Shade raises an eyebrow, "Mexican music?"

"RVB joke." Antonio pulls an Ipad from his hair and waves it around.

Crystal raises an eyebrow now, "RVB?"

"Red versus Blue," Reave explains. "It's a web series, and Spike will not shut up about it."

Antonio pulls it up on the Ipad and gives it to Shade and Crystal.

They hold it between them as they turn on the first season. Crystal frowns, "These graphics are atrocious."

Shade shrugs, "But the humor is refreshing at the very least."

"The graphics get better as the seasons progress." I smile.

"And the whole thing to date is roughly twenty hours total," Reave says.

"I thought it was longer..." Antonio blinks.

"I said it was roughly that long."

"Oh." Antonio starts watching with them.

They're through most of the first season when there's a knock at the door.

I walk over and open the door.

There stands a rather pretty raven, and she nods. "Hero?"

I nod and tilt my head.

She offers her hand for me to shake, "My name is Mercy, may I come in?"

"Sure?" I shake her hand before letting her in.

Reave sits up, "This is our informant, Mercy Fowl."

I blink and smile. "Oh, nice to meet you."

She nods, "Nice to meet you too. Now as for my fee...?"

"Fee?" I look at Reave.

Crystal says, "That will all depend on if your information is credible."

Mercy holds up a finger, "Wrong answer. You see, if we don't see eye to eye here what's to stop me from telling the nearest Swatbot about this meeting? I should at least be receiving a down payment for my silence."

I roll my eyes. "Look around. Does anyone here look like they won't just beat the info out of you?" I didn't mind paying her, but people like her certainly weren't high on my like list.

She sits on the bed, "Oh I don't doubt it, but you'll have to answer to Smoke later. Friend, or foe, that's NOT something you want to do. So we either play by my rules, or not at all."

"We'll meet in the middle. I'll pay you ten dollars now and you'll get more when beans are spilled." Antonio fishes out his wallet.

"Ten for my silence? Fifty at least." When she notices the dirty look Shade is giving her she shrugs, "A girl has to eat."

"Twenty five." Antonio's tail flicks. "Enough for a meal at Outback."

Mercy just crosses her arms.

"Thirty, best offer." Antonio's ear twitches, annoyed.

"This isn't a negotiation, I'm simply telling you my price," Mercy says.

Reave fishes out his wallet, "I'll cover half the fee. You would be surprised to see she's not being as unreasonable as you think."

Millie tilts her head, "How so?"

"Yesterday I went to buy a Gatorade in a gas station down the street, and they charged me five dollars for one bottle."

"If you're covering half, then let's do this." Antonio fishes out the money.

Mercy smiles, taking the money, "You're too kind. Now what shall we talk about?"

"Your pretty eyes." Bro rolls his eyes. "Guess, lady."

She frowns, "I'm no mind reader, your tomcat there wouldn't tell me anything!"

"Oh." Anti blinks.

"Eggman." I say.

"Ah, okay, that explains why Smoke sent Reave to me. What about him would you like to know?"

"Everything relevant involving the Dark Egg Legion and Fear." I say.

She frowns, "Huh... well I can tell you for free I don't know anyone by that name associated with Eggman, however as far as the Legion goes there has been a lot of activity..."

"Then we'll go with that." I nod.

"But how much is that worth to you?"

"Fifty bucks." I say.

She rolls her eyes, "Then you don't want to hear it very much, huh?"

Now it's my turn. "I don't know how good this info is." I state. "I paid gold rings for info on my lost mother, this is nowhere near that grand."

She lies back, and closes her eyes, "You really think Smoke would let a con-woman work for him? That's credit enough that my info is solid."

"Well then, how much do you think this information is worth?"

She smirks, "Free tip, never sign a blank check. Let's say... a few hundred rings given that this is information on a global scale."

"Ugh... is this a good price, Reave?" I turn to the cat.

He frowns, "Well Smoke is credible if nothing else, and as a man of honor he wouldn't let someone deceive us... I think it is a fair gamble."

"Fine. But after we hear the info." I cross my arms.

Mercy sighs, "Fine, but if you stiff me then there's hell to pay." She sits up, "Eggman has been sending his Legion to remote parts of the planet. Judging from the equipment my moles have seen being shipped he's mining for something. Unfortunately I don't have anyone actually IN the Legionnaires going to those locations."

"Mining... what's he up to...? How about where he is right now?"

"I just told you I have no clue what he's up to, but I do know where he is... for a little extra."

Millie cracks her knuckle, "Not a con-woman my ass..."

"No, that's how informants work, we charge by the question."

"Hmph, well the first piece of info didn't help us at all." I cross my arms.

"But you don't know that yet," she counters. "You know he's after something, and that gives you a place to start. And I have the latest on Eggman's location which you know will help you."

"True on the second, I dunno on the first. Either way, we'll be deciding the price once you spill." Anti says.

She sighs, "Alright, I guess. He's going to be here tomorrow for a big speech in central square."

I nod. "Reave, total costs?"

"That was actually quite helpful, we have already scouted the area out."

"So how much do we pay her?" Anti tilts his head.

"In total?"

"Yeah."

"I would say roughly 500 rings."

I pull out a five hundred ring bottle and hand it to her.

Mercy takes it with a smile, "A pleasure doing business with you. Is that all?"

I look at Reave. "Anything I'm forgetting?"

He shakes his head, "Not that I can think of."

I nod. "That's it. Thank you."

She nods, and leaves the room.

"So tomorrow, huh?" I say thoughtfully.

Crystal nods, and goes back to watching the tablet with Shade. Reave pulls a suitcase out from under the bed, and opens it. Out of it he pulls his Assassination gear, "Yes, and we will be ready."

I smile and look at Antonio. "Why don't you clean up some crime and find more info, Batman?"

"Okay!" He smiles at Millie. "Wanna come, sidekick?"

"What the-?! I'm no sidekick, I'm your partner!" She glares playfully at him.

"Potato potato." He spins into his Tails Doll outfit.

She strips off into her Lady Fist outfit, and arms her gauntlets.

"Alright, let's go!" He dashes out the door.

I watch as they take off, and Reave walks up to me in his Assassin outfit. "Do we have any remote surveillance equipment?"

I frown. "I'd assume in the van. Antonio put everything in that, it looks like."

Reave nods, and says, "Then tonight I'll get it out, and set it up in the Square."

"Alright. Good luck." I nod.

Shade rubs her stomach, and picks up a menu in the nightstand drawer. "Who is hungry?"

I feel my stomach rumble. "A little." I say.

She tosses me the menu like a frisbee. "So long as it is edible I do not care."

I nod and looks down at the menu, deciding on some pizza. I order it, and walk downstairs to pick it up.

Below I spot a hawk biker holding his crotch as he moans on the ground. Definitely Millie's handiwork.

I chuckle as I grab the pizza and pay the deliveryman, walking back upstairs.

"Madre de dejos," Crystal purrs when she smells the pizza.

I tilt my head as I set the pizza down. "What?"

Shade snickers, "The first Spanish phrase she memorized. 'Son of a bitch!'"

"Ah." I smile and grab a slice. "Enjoy!"

We enjoy our dinner in quiet for a few minutes, those two totally engrossed in Red vs Blue.

I switch back into normal Hero, wondering idly how Antonio and Millie are doing.

Tloj: Aaaand commercial break! Watch Red Vs Blue, and RWBY on Roosterteeth. They're awesome series! Anyways, still waiting for more votes for Shade: Should she be Hero's second waifu, or not? R&R, people!