Tloj: Huge chapter today, because I've finally finished writing all of One Kind of Hero! I couldn't find a good stopping point in the middle, so here's a giant chapter! Enjoy!

Hero's POV

I wasn't sure exactly sure what we'd see when we first entered the city. But I certainly didn't expect it to still look like daytime.

Smoke had explained something about thermal lighting to me on the way in, but I hadn't exactly been listening. Shade, and the others seem taken aback too, at least everyone except Poisoned Rose.

Cinder looks out the left window, "This is where the Gauntlet had been fought..."

Counterpunch nods. "Fear should either be in the biggest building or where the Gauntlet was fought."

Spike shakes his head, "Unless he restored it the stadium is all still rubble. We made sure of it on our last trip here."

"Like I said. He's a fighter, what better place to confront Hero than where all fighters fought?"

Cinder closes her eyes with a sigh, "And so we've returned... seems fitting somehow that Poisoned Rose unties for battle where it disbanded."

"You're not alone this time." I smile. "And this time, it won't ruin you. It's Fear's turn to be ruined."

She nods, and puts on her leather coat, her mask, and her hat.

Smoke cracks his neck, "Having us three here again will definitely draw attention. We gotta move fast."

I nod. "Alright, teams Spike, Smoke, and Counterpunch will do their thing. We don't contact you, you contact us. Team Cinder will check out the Gauntlet. Odds are, if Fear rebuilt it, it'll look the same. Everyone with me will go find the tallest building. Check back in with Antonio as close to every fifteen minutes as you can."

There is a collective nod as we make our way to the drop points, secretly dropping off separate teams so as to not draw attention by just pouring everyone out of the van in one place.

My group steps out in front of a run-down market. "Thanks Bro."

He nods. "Lemme know if you find Robert. I wanna punch him."

As the van drives off I hope the others will be okay.

CINDER'S POV

Five minutes after Hero's deployment it's my turn to unload with Chaos, and the princesses.

Chaos looks around. "I do not see any buildings here. Are you sure this is the spot, Cinder?"

"Yes," I reply. I search the ground for landmarks...

Julie-Su looks around. "Maybe they put it underground or something?"

"We're already underground. What's the point of burying something that's already hidden?" Lien-Da frowns.

"Diversion," I say. "If Fear has restored it then he may have hidden it beneath our feet. It all boils down to hiding a book in the library."

Chaos frowns and shifts into his water form, taking off his hat and handing it to me. "I'll go look." He dives like a dolphin into the ground, seeping into the soil.

"Be careful," I say quietly.

A few seconds later, a large patch of grass starts moving before being slammed open, revealing an open door. Chaos breathes a sigh of relief. "Geez, it's a maze down here."

"Efficient," I note. "Shall I take point?"

He nods and grabs his hat, changing into his warrior echidna mode.

I take a breath as I lead the way into the tunnel.

Julie-Su and Lien-Da ready their weapons as Chaos keeps his hands relaxed, seeming to shine as they were ready to completely liquefy at a moment's notice.

Chaos looks around. "That's the way I came in. It's a storage room, nothing in there."

I nod, and cast about with my Chi. "I can't sense anyone, or anything within fifty meters of us, in any direction."

Chaos nods. "If we can find a sink or water fountain... I could get a feel of how big the place is..."

I close my eyes, "I think I'll use a trick of Spike's... Improvisation." I punch a wall, revealing pipes. I give it a light squeeze, and the pipe starts to rapidly leak where it meets the next one.

He smiles and puts a hand in the running water. "Thanks." He closes his eyes and focuses.

I stand back, focusing around us for possible threat.

He opens his eyes and starts absorbing water. "Fear is not here. However... something dark is."

"Dark does not mean evil," I say. "But until we know for certain we should act with caution."

He nods and absorbs a bit more water before solidifying his hand. "Let's go."

I nod, "Lead the way Dear."

He nods and starts walking, using the water that he absorbed to peek around corners. He finally stops in front of a half-open door. "It's behind this door."

I close my eyes so I can push my Chi beyond the wall to sense the other side.

It was dark and foreboding; it wasn't pure evil. No... it was worse, it was twisted and sickening.

"Madness," I say. "The source of life beyond this door is madness beyond salvation. This is a situation where I would suggest a tactical withdraw."

Suddenly, I feel the chi vanish as if it was never there.

That's impossible... Chi is the source of all living things, it doesn't simply vanish! Unless...

"It teleported," I report. "It knows we're here, we have to move!"

Chaos nods and his arms turn liquid, grabbing us all and skating down the halls. Behind us, we hear the door creak open... and something is after us. Not even any chi, just... emptiness.

My skin grows cold as I realize what this means. A Void, Antilife. Suddenly, and justifiably... I'm afraid.

"Don't let it touch you!" I cling to my lover, and comrades as best I can.

Chaos shoots faster, and when we get to the entrance, he liquefies, launching all of us out like a pump. He surges around and rams into the door, slamming it shut before spreading out on it, becoming a seal. The thing rams into the door, but Chaos doesn't budge. The thing snarls and tries again and again, slowly subsiding.

I shiver, and quake on the ground, but force myself to assess the situation logically. The creature had to open the door before it gave chase, therefore it stands to reason it cannot pass through solid objects. That means as long as that seal holds we are safe.

"Dafuq was that?!" Julie-Su shouted.

"It was... a creature." Chaos frowns. "It... kinda looked like a hedgehog... but it ran on all fours, somewhat like a werehog."

"It... Had no Chi," I say shakily. "No life force... No emotion... Only madness..."

Chaos focused, and rusted the door shut. "...Should we report this?"

I breath heavily, and get to my feet, still shaking. "Hero... MUST know... That stadium has become a circle of Hell manifested in this planet." I hug my arms, "The... The last time we were there we slaughtered EVERYONE... We killed, and killed, and killed until it seemed the very stone bled..."

"Well, looks like it came back to haunt you." Julie-Su says dryly.

"That's my fear exactly," I say. "That... MONSTER... Was my doing... It's not of this world..."

Chaos seeps some water into the ground. After a few moments, he states, "Well, it's gone now. I think we should leave before it decides that scaring you wasn't enough."

I nod, "That... Fear... I think we may have just gotten our first glimpse at him."

Chaos hugs me. "I'll do my best to protect you. I promise."

I hug him, and for the first time in two decades... I cry.

Julie-Su and Lien-Da back away. "Er... we'll give you two some space." Lien-Da says slowly.

Chaos pets my back. "Thank you, ladies."

"I haven't felt so helpless since the day Spike saved me... Are we really going to fight THAT...?"

"If we have to." Chaos says gently. "The only way to conquer fear is to face it."

"How poetic," I quip in an attempt to hold myself together with humor, Spike's usual state of mind.

He smiles and kisses my cheek. "Maybe it's from a fortune cookie. But isn't it what Hero would say? And attempt to give you a moral boost?"

"Typically I would not require one."

"Typically, you're a hard-ass." He smiles gently.

I take several breaths to calm myself. "...What kind of exams am I setting for my pupils right now?" I shake my head slowly, "I'm sorry you had to see me this way."

"It's okay. I'm here for you, no matter what." He kisses me.

I relax slightly into him, still tense as a drawn bow... But he makes it bearable.

"Alright... let's go." He smiles.

Hero's POV

We walk along in a dark hallway, Shade leading with her leech blade.

She eyes the shadows cryptically, ready to call up her other blade to attack.

Sonic looks ready to just run off ahead, but Knuckles is holding one of his quills.

And as usual Crystal can't be seen, she's even hiding her Chi.

Even though it's an office building on the outside, the inside is... more alien. Like those Transformers evil dude lairs. The air is sinister, but not exactly terrifying. Yet.

Shade whispers, "So what exactly are we looking for here?"

"Some indication that Fear is here. Or Fear himself." I murmur into her ear.

"And do you know how to recognize either of those things?"

"Nope." I say half-heartedly.

"...Then we should leave until we do."

"Just a little further. Enough to know he's here." I say determinedly.

"Alright, but how CAN we know if we don't know what to look for? If he sees us before we see him I don't need to clarify what will happen."

I sigh. "I dunno... Crystal, can you scout ahead?"

No response, but she doesn't have a reason not to so I assume she has.

"You too, Shade." I nod.

Shade nods, and then suddenly she shimmers out of my sight. I feel her lips on my cheek for the barest of moments, then she's gone.

I smile happily.

"So... why don't I just scout ahead as well?" Sonic scowls

"Because you're as stealthy as a rock band." Knuckles states.

"They can be stealthy if they want to!" Sonic counters.

Knuckles sighs, "You're hopeless..."

I smile at both of them before peeking into a door. It was empty, but filled with items on pedestals. "Hm? A treasure room?" I blink.

Knuckles peeks over my shoulder, "SO glad Rouge isn't here..."

I step in, making sure I didn't trip any alarms. I look at the treasures. "A large diamond... a crown... a scepter... Hm?" I pause in front of a well-polished belt with seven filth-covered gems wrapping the leather. "One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't fit." I tilt my head.

Knuckles walks up by me, "Seven? Like the Chaos Emeralds. Think there's anything special to it?" He grabs Sonic by the back spines, and pulls him over.

"Not sure..." I grab it. "But if it does, we can't let Fear keep it."

"Hang on Hero, 'Special' doesn't always mean 'good.' For all we know the owner of that thing is cursed," he warns. "So be careful with it."

I nod and put it in my hair. "Let's move just in case there's silent alarms."

Knuckles sighs, "Where's Rouge when you need her? Hell, I'd settle for her mother at this point."

"Rouge has a mother?" I blink.

"No time, let's go." Sonic pushes me and Knuckles out of the room, rolling his eyes.

Knuckles says, "Long story short, slutty milf that will screw anything that moves, and can that to hypnotic powers in her eyes."

I blink. "Er... Okay? So... Kinda like Seis, but female and without the alcohol problem?"

"I doubt anyone in Rouge's family would turn their nose up at a drink," Knuckles says. "Where's Shade?"

"Shade? You back?" I ask in a normal tone, looking around.

She shimmers into sight right in front of me, "There's a problem, the building is deserted, and the alarm systems aren't even active."

Knuckles frowns, "How is that a prob-"

"It means he wanted us to come here," Shade interrupts. "It could very well be a trap!"

"We gotta go then!" I gulp. "Crystal, you here? We gotta bug out!"

The nearest wall bursts open with an explosion, and Crystal appears in the dust. Striking another bomb's fuse on her Hookblade she blows a hole to the streets. "Move!"

Sonic grabs me and Knuckles' hands, and I grab Shade's before he shoots out of the hole, Knuckles managing to grab Crystal before Sonic takes us five miles away.

Crystal heaves a sigh of relief, "Key rule of stealth operations: know when to blow your cover."

Shade nods, "Did you three get anything done in there?"

"I found a weird belt. It has seven gemstones set in it, so it might be Chaos Emerald related." I say, pulling it out.

Shade inspects it, "...I do not know what this relic is, but Father might. However I do know that, from what I've heard of him, if Fear owned this then we should not have been able to steal it easily. More than likely he wants us to have it."

Crystal blinks with a frown, and looks off to her side.

I frown. "Well, if he wants me to have it..." I put it around my waist and pull it tight. "I might as well rub his nose in it and show him it was a bad idea."

"Unless it is meant to do you harm," Shade says sourly. "Might I advise against bold action until I have had time to contact my father?"

I smile gently at her. "If anything wrong happens, you can just cut it off. You have my permission to hurt me."

She outright scowls at me then, "Why do you brush aside my attempts to protecting you like they're dust in the wind? I made your first wife a promise, and I personally would be devastated if anything happened to you!"

I frown thoughtfully. "You're... right." I take it off. "But the thing is, do we have time to check with your dad? Fear might change the city's location again."

Shade relaxes a bit, "There are blood rites I can use to contact him, no matter the distance or obstacle. We will have her answers about this belt within 15 minutes." She bends, pulling a knife from her boot covered in runes.

"Do you have any healing herbs?" I frown.

"I've stored far more than enough life force with my blades to see the next millennium," she replies. "I have enough for quick healing, small wound will be nothing."

I nod slowly. "Be careful, okay?"

She smiles, and her expression doesn't budge as she cuts her palm. Blood seeps into the runes which begins to glow as she brandishes her knife like a wand, making a glowing circle in the air.

"Blood of my blood, I am Shade of the Tundra. By this sacred rite I project my pleas to the ears, and eyes of mine father for I seek his guidance."

A few seconds later, Enerjak appears. "Shade? What is it child? Has the Guardian taken your hand in marriage?"

Shade swallows, "No father, he has renounced his claim to one he deemed more worthy."

"WHAT?! WHO?! WHO IS MORE WORTHY THAN THE GUARDIAN?!" He roars, slamming his fists into his throne and shattering the armrests.

Shade takes a breath, and slowly lets it out, "The one who you allowed to keep your powers. He has been true to his word Father, and I couldn't have asked for a more caring husband."

His jaw drops. "The warrior? I thought he denied your hand."

"I had second thoughts. Your daughter is a valiant fighter, one who I love fighting alongside." I say.

Shade smiles, and says, "Together we stormed a fortress belonging to one known as Fear, and returned with Spoils. We were hoping that you may shed light on them." She takes the belt from me, and holds it out to the visage, the gems facing upwards as it drapes over her hands.

"Well... that is a relic I had thought was lost forever." Enerjak mused. "It is the Belt of the Super Emeralds."

"Super Emeralds?" Knuckles blinks. "But... they're back at the Hidden Palace!"

"Of course Guardian. Just like your Master Emerald miniature, there are seven miniature Super Emeralds. The miniatures were housed in a special belt to control their power, I suppose similar to the Warrior's device. Activate the gems, and you will unlock a form that far surpasses Super. The word no longer exists in modern languages... but the closest translation is... Hyper." He says.

"Sweet! How do I activate them? Collect fifty rings and fight the final boss?" I smile.

"Nothing so facetious, Warrior. There is a physical command you use to activate it, like how you activate your abilities. I'm afraid I do not know what it is, however. Words cannot really describe the fashion." He says.

Shade speaks up, "And there are none that have seen this done before, that could possibly show us the way to access them?"

"Unless the hedgehog has used them before..." He glares at Sonic, who was carelessly picking his ear with his pinkie.

"Mm... nope, sorry." He shrugs. "I only used the full sized ones, and did that by having them and collecting fifty rings."

"I am sorry child. That is all I know about this artifact." Enerjak frowns.

Shade bows, "Thank you father, and may you reign for centuries to come."

"Thank you, child. Good luck with your future husband. Make sure he stays strong." Enerjak smirks. "No son-in-law of mine will fall out of shape." He waves his hand, and disappears.

Shade smiles, and gives me back the belt. I notice the wound in her hand is already healed. "I apologize for questioning your instincts, as I bride I should put more faith in you."

"It's okay... He might have hocus pocused it, for all I know. Your father would've seen it if it was tampered." I slip it back on. "Now... what's the physical command...?" I poke the gems curiously, and nothing happens.

Shade eyes me humorously, and then looks over at Crystal. "What's troubling you, Assassin?"

"...I have been watching for the Chi of our friends, and do not like what I find. I sense Cinder's aura is... Terrified, and that alone gives me pause."

Shade blinks, "Indeed, and you can sense that from here?"

Crystal nods, "The more time I spend with a person the more familiar their Chi is, and the farther I can track them. Master Assassins often memorize the Chi of a target before striking in case it escapes."

I frown and check my watch. "It's time to check back." I reach into my hair and pull out our com device. "Antonio, this is Hero."

"Oh, yo Bro! Nice timing, Cinder's waiting to speak to you."

I frown. "Patch her over."

"Aye aye!"

"Hero," Cinder says, and I can tell there's a forced calm in her voice. "We found the stadium underground... And there's more. We found a monster down there with no Chi, no life force."

Crystal whirls, "It could have been masking it."

"No, that only works by synchronizing your Chi with the flow in your surroundings, and even then it's simply camouflage that can be discovered if you know how to spot it. This creature was like a void, the total absence of Chi, like a drain in the sink."

I frown. "Doesn't seem like that would be Fear. Robert is very similar, I'm sure, since Antonio is more like Mom. And while Robert's chi isn't exactly the definition of pure evil, wouldn't Fear have at least a similar one?"

Cinder replies, "I hope that you are correct Hero, I have no desire to face what at this point I consider a demon returned to haunt me."

"We'll deal with that first, then." I say firmly. "It's the only lead we have. The building was a dead end."

"They practically rolled out the blue carpet for us," Shade agrees.

"It's red carpet." I smile and kiss her cheek.

She blushes, "A thousand pardons. Antonio, have you heard any word from the others?"

"Counterpunch is following some leads, he said he should have something next contact. Smoke should call up any minute. And Spike... not sure if he's gonna call back if he's with the girl of his dreams."

Cinder says, "Back in our old days he wasn't much for talking, just vegetating until a threat to the team arrived. I put hypnotic locks on his psych back then as well, and if I release them he's a bit more reasonable as the Demon. Meaning he can at least tell friend from foe, unlike when it's forced to the surface."

Shade tilts her head, "You think there was a fight?"

Crystal shakes her head, "No, Reave would have signaled us if that were the case."

"Well, we can hope Sonia's the one with the communicator." I say. "Cinder, we're coming over there."

"Very well, we shall wait."

Sonic grabs our wrists, and rockets away.

Spike's POV

I'm doing my best to act like my old self as we walk the streets, putting the fear of Chaos into anyone who looks our way just by looking at them. Some of the younger guys are only slightly scared, at any rate it's keeping them off Sonia.

"So... how much farther? I think my feet are gonna fall off." She says, wiping a tiny bit of sweat off her forehead.

I sigh, showing any form of weakness here is bad. I slow down, and nod slightly to a building. I already explained that for this to work she needs to act like she's the one calling the shots, and I'm just backup muscle. I just hope she can deal with a lot of rude people...

She looks relieved as we walk into the building. She straightens again and looks the part as soon as she feels air conditioning.

It looks like your typical casino, minus the cigarette fog. Even down here you got people who like an anti-smoking place to chill at.

A lot of them look up, and an older fox chuckles. "Dangerous pet there ma'am, you make sure he got his shots?"

"I dunno. He doesn't bite me." She smirks back.

He straightens up from his pool table, and I spot a knife up his sleeve. I grab his arm, twisting it as I yank the knife free of its sheath. He cries out, and squirms until he realizes that hurts. Then I flip the knife in my grip, holding it to his throat.

"But, he sure seems to want to bite you." She states, her eyes shards of ice. "Now. I'm looking for info. Tell me the person that can give it to me, or I'll let him off his leash."

The fox trembles, "Look missy I don't want no-ACK!" He squeezes his eyes shut as I start to cut, "Alright! Just get him off me!"

She snaps her fingers and points next to her silently.

I drop him, and use the knife to nail his hand to the billiard a table before standing next to her. The guy grunts, and pants as he glares at her, "Wasn't any need for that..."

"Of course. Just a warning for anyone else." She glares around the room.

He snarls, "The guy you want is in the back... Name's Hugo..."

She smiles sweetly. "That's better. Thank you." She walks to the back, motioning for me to follow.

As I do this punk walks up to me, "Think you're tough just because you can beat up an old-"

Not really having time for this crap I bury his head in a nearby wall. Then I catch up with Sonia with a few quick strides.

She snickers and walks up to the door, grabbing the handle and pausing. "You think it would be better to surprise him and yank the door off its hinges, or leave the door intact?" She asks.

I just push the door open, and glance around inside before letting her step inside.

She shrugs. "Second choice it is." She steps in after me.

A crane looks over, and smiles, "Oh hello! Ooo, scary friend. Are you here to kill me, but information, or just have him beat it out of me?"

"Well, if I don't like what I hear, I'll have him beat it out of you. If not..." She waves a bottle of rings.

"Well you're nicer than my usual a," he says, standing from behind his desk, and extending a hand. "Hugo miss..." He trails off as I eye that hand, deciding on the best way to cut it off.

"Elena." She states, taking the hand and starting to squeeze, the bones popping threateningly as she added a little pressure. "What do you know about Queen Aleena?"

"Ah..." He pries his hand away from her with a frown. "Wasn't any call for that, I didn't offend you did I?" He heads for a filing cabinet.

"Sorry. Force of habit." She sticks her tongue out innocently.

I fight down a smile, I'm supposed to be the emotionless psycho badass killer here.

Hugo opens a drawer, and starts flicking through it, "Aleena, Aleena..."

She cracks her knuckles as she looks around, looking bored.

Hugo sighs, "Well excuse me for being thorough enough to write everything down. Not as efficient as my boss, but still just as accurate."

"Who's your boss?" She tilts her head curiously.

"Your buddy's old running partner, cat named Smoke."

I fall over anime style out of sheer "DUH!" then straighten up before the by can catch me out of character.

"Smoke? Hm, no wonder you're nicer than the jerks out there." She smiles.

"Oh you know him?" Hugo pulls out a file, "Yeah it's nice to see something halfway decent in this pile of shite town."

She moves and sits in the chair. "Yeah."

I stand behind her as Hugo opens the file, spreading it out for her. "The sightings are pretty sparse, and scarce at best, not much to go on. I have a map in here with marked spots where she's been reportedly seen."

She looks them over. "When was the most recent sighting?"

"Uh... Green Hill I think. But I might have missed something, and Smoke could help you more than I can. I'll make a copy of all this to take with you."

"Thank you. How much do you think this info is worth?" She glances at me as she asks.

I just give the guy a glare. Hugo pulls at his shirt neck, "Well a good informant typically gauges the price based on how valuable the information is to an individual. But for you I'll do a modest price of 500 rings."

She smiles and lays out the rings. "Thank you."

He sweeps them into a drawer, and takes the file to a copy machine. A shadow passes over the window, but I can sense it's just Reave.

Sonia pays him no mind, glancing at me and noting that I'm still calm.

Within a few minutes we have our copied file. Then I frown as I sense a change in Reave's aura. Why would Reave, the most Zen guy I know... Be angry?

She nods and smiles at Hugo. "Nice doing business with you."

"Likewise," he says. "Feel free to visit."

I turn towards the door, looking back at Sonia.

"I might." She smiles and walks to the door.

As we step out of the building I pull on her sleeve as I walk around the corner of the building.

She blinks and allows herself to be led. "What's wrong?"

I spot Reave standing in front of a shop with his hood down, talking to a merchant who's waving his hands like he's telling a story. Reave is absolutely still as he talks, and we make our way over.

Reave pays no attention to me as we walk up, only looking in a wooden box in front of him on a pillow of Velvet is a device that looks a lot like a crossbow, but it's small with several straps... Just like the Nightshade Blades he, and his sister wear.

Reave looks up at the man with a smile, "I'm intrigued, and I may have something to trade..." He reaches into a pouch on his hip, then pauses while looking around, "...I'm afraid I'd rather it not be seen in public."

The shopkeeper nods, and opens a small door for Reave to step through. They head for the back of the stall, and I feel Reave's anger rise sharply. He claps a hand over the shopkeeper's mouth, and jams his own blade into his neck as he slowly lowers the newly made body to the ground.

Sonia gasps and clasps a hand over her mouth.

Reave sheaths his blade, and turns, closing the box. "I'll be taking my father's Phantom Blade back now, thank you."

"Phantom Blade?" Sonia tilts her head.

Reave nods as he picks up the box, "The shopkeeper was right to say it's one of a kind. Before the massacre of my clan it was worn only by the head of my family. With a serrated blade to function like a Hidden Blade, and darts to fire silently in the crossbow it's a weapon worthy only to Master Assassins... The think that the Nagé would allow it to be brokered... Like a cheap souvenir..."

"Well, glad you got it back." She smiles. She checks her watch before pulling out their com device. "Antonio, this is Sonia. You there?"

"Aye, he's here. But he's busy." Seis drawls.

I watch Reave plunder the shop as Sonia talks. Looks like he's deciding to upgrade on his weapons. He finds a harness with four holsters; two across the chest facing either way, and two on the back of his hips. Next he selects a pair of weird-looking swords, sheathing them on his hips before putting a blowdart gun on his back. His knives he puts in his hip pouch.

When she hangs up, she says, "Cinder's somehow been spooked by something where the Gauntlet was."

THAT turns my head, "What?! That's like a sign of the apocalypse!"

"Yeah." She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a capsule, pressing a button and transforming it into a Bike Gear. "Let's go. Reave, can you keep up with my bike?"

She might as well be talking to air, he's already gone.

She looks at me. "Get on." She revs the bike up.

I nod, wrapping my arms around her as I swing a leg over the bike.

She shoots away. "I hope you're good with directions, because I have no clue where the Gauntlet is."

"Western edge of the city," I reply.

"Alright, hang on!"

Counterpunch's POV

I pick up a knick-knack from a table and inspect it before placing it back.

The foxy bounty Hunter beside folds her hands behind her head with a sigh, "Sugah, what exactly are we try'n to accomplish here?"

"I'M looking for the special code item to see my contacts. YOU are thinking I'm wasting you time by looking at shitty knick-knacks." I smile gently.

"Well SHIT, yer a mind reader," Jane says blandly, moving her hands to her hips,

I smile and grab an unrefined gemstone and give the seller a ring bottle before walking past her. "Well, you're kinda cuter when you're agitated."

"Yeah yeah," she sighs as she follows me.

I chuckle and lead her down an alley.

"Sugah, in a city known for lawlessness what in the world makes you think this is safe?"

"It's not. That's why no one else will be here." I say. "They're too afraid of what might happen." I walk up to a homeless guy in a cardboard box, and I drop the gemstone on his head.

"Ow, what the-"

"There's the pass item. Let us in." I state.

He scowls at me and reaches into his box, pressing a hidden button and opening a hidden passageway in the brick wall.

"Well dip me in grease, an' call me slick," Jane mutters.

I smile. "Too bad we don't have more time in Crime City. There's a few devilish bars I think you'd like to clean out." I walk into the passageway.

"Bounty Hunting is just a hobby," Jane tells him. "Now cards, that's mah passion."

"Like I said." I smile. We walk down halls filled with stands, selling illegal items not found on the outside. Only a select few shop here, and even fewer have the guts to do more than browse. For whatever is illegal on the outside is safe inside the city... and whatever is illegal in the city is found here. My domain, the true black market.

Jane eyes the guns at a few sections, and pauses as she reads the specs of one high-tech weapon. A laser of laser pistols that can be combined into a scatter shot cannon. Essentially two pistols that turn into a shotgun.

I let her browse as I walk into an incense shop. I've seen all the weapons already, and I always have one of all of them to show interested customers. They're few and far in between; they're smart.

Jane notices me leaving her, and trots to catch up.

"We can browse after. Right now, we're here for info." I say. The air is sweet and almost makes you want to fall into slumber, but I've grown used to it over time. I walk up to the keeper and mutter a few words, and she nods and opens the back door for us.

Jane rubs her eyes as we walk inside, one hand on her gun.

We walk into a small room, and the keeper leaves us.

Jane raises an eyebrow as she looks around, "I got a bad feeling..."

"You should." A deep guttural growl intones.

Jane draws her guns, clicking back the hammers with her thumbs as she holds them straight up, searching for a target.

"Destro." I nod and turn to face someone in armor. "Gonna drop the shtick and tell me what I'm here for?"

"Depends. What is your reason of bringing an outsider?" He points accusingly at Jane.

Jane eyes him up, and down, not lowering her guns. If more enemies show up it will be faster to aim from this position. Plus while threatening it's not provoking.

"She's..." I look here up and down, trying to think of a role that wouldn't offend her.

"Just a gun to knock around small fry," Jane says. "The name is Jane M Fox."

"Oh, so you need help now, Count?" He looks at me amusingly.

I gulp and open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off, pulling out a very large broadsword. "I thought we agreed, no outside help."

"She's my girlfriend!" I blurt out, quickly grabbing her arm and yanking her into a quick kiss.

He blinks and looks at her suspiciously.

Jane jerks, and then closes the one eye he can see. With the other she glares at me, promising Hell later.

When we break she says, "Sugah, you really shouldn't do that outta the blue when a girl's gotta pair of hair-triggers in her hands. Later though, I promise."

He gives us a suspicious glare before putting the sword away. "Fine then. What is it you're looking for?"

"First of all, Fear." I say.

He stares at me for a second before roaring with laughter. "Really?! Fear? You don't find him, he finds you!"

"So how do we make him wanna find us then?" She raises an eyebrow.

He stops laughing, staring. "You're serious? You really want Fear?"

"Sugah do I look like I'm kidd'n? I know we're poke'n the lion with a stick on this one, so are y'all gonna help or not?"

He stares before pulling of his helmet, revealing the face of a green female hedgehog with yellow eyes and an X-shaped scar on her left cheek. "How badly do you want him?" She states, her voice holding the same edge but not the same depth.

"Bout as bad as an early bird wants the worm," Jane replies, clicking her hammers back into place before holstering her guns.

She sighs. "I can tell why you picked her. She's a hardnosed one, like you."

I motion for her to continue, even as Jane gives me the evil eye out of the corners.

"He's in the second tallest building in the city. Each and every floor is filled with hired killers and Dark Legion members, and all of them are ordered to shoot on sight. He's at the top, waiting for the Hero to show himself."

Jane raises an eyebrow, "Sounds like a cliché bedtime story almost."

"He's the Boogey Man." She deadpans. "But that was the rumor last week. Who knows how he changed it up, if he did."

Jane sighs, and folds her hands behind her head, "Well damn, sounds like we got our work cut out for us."

"That's the street info. How about deals?" I cross my arms.

Destro raises an eyebrow. "Deals? This is fucking Fear we're dealing with. I have no help to offer."

I lean in a little more, glaring. "You always have a deal. Jane here may be my girlfriend, but she wasn't lying about being a gunner."

Jane smirks as she draws a gun, points it her, twirling it expertly as she holsters it again, "Fastest gun that can be found, Sugah."

"...I have an access card that grants you access to the elevator. It will take you straight to the top. But you need someone with authority to go with it."

Jane smirks, "And what do y'all want for that card?"

She bites her lip. "To not die when Fear finds out, for starters. If you kill him... and that's a big if... I want 10 percent of the wealth in his vault."

I whistle. "That's undoubtedly a lot of rings."

She shrugs. "If you kill him, I'd say I helped a bunch."

Jane smirks, "Well havin' him gone will be reward in itself so it don't sound like a bad deal tah me."

"And if you can't kill him... I wasn't involved at all." She states.

"Course not," Jane says, extending a hand for the card.

She slowly hands the card over. "If he finds me and kills me, I'm haunting you both in hell." She states.

"This world or the next I'd still kick your ass at poker," Jane smiles, slipping the card between her breasts.

I smirk a little as I watch Destro blink. "Well, thanks. We'll let you know if we win."

"O-okay." She blinks again. "See you two later."

Jane raises an eyebrow, "See something you like Sugah?" She squeezes her breasts together, "I got me a pretty long leash if yer interested..."

She blushes. "Er... well... aren't you two boyfriend/girlfriend?"

"We're pretty loose with it." I smile.

"That's what I meant by "long leash" Sugah," Jane says.

She hesitates. "Well... I suppose additional fees wouldn't hurt..." She slowly smiles.

Jane promptly pulls her face into her top, "Aw, she likes me Count! Can I keep her, pleeeeease?"

I drool a little. "If you want..."

Destro purrs happily, pressing her face into Jane's top further.

Jane makes sure to pass me the card before opening her top, and burying her face. Over her head she mouths to me, "Call Hero."

I pout, but do what she says.

"Hey Antonio, we got the info. We know where Fear is. Jane and I will meet everyone at the van in thirty minutes."

"Gotcha. See you then." Antonio says.

I hang up and put the card in my pocket before turning to the girls. "Now, where were we...?" I smirk.

"Sugahog here was gonna get EATEN," Jane laughs, and pushes Destro on her back.

Warning! Lemon ahead! Bold will show again when the lemon is over.

Destro purrs and pulls off all her armor, showing off breasts just a touch smaller than Jane's. "And she's gonna enjoy it, too."

Jane winks, and hovers over her on all fours, kissing her.

Destro purrs and grabs Jane's breasts, fondling them happily.

Jane raises her body, her breasts swaying over Destro's face.

Destro purrs and starts sucking on Jane's left nipple, using both hands to play with her other milk mound.

I feel like joining in now, so I ask with a smile, "Hey Lovey... mind if I loosen your pants for our client?"

Jane purrs, and nods as she swishes her tail.

I sidle on over and pet her tail with a purr before unbuckling her belt and gently setting them off to the side. I then unbuckle her jeans and slip my hand in, rubbing her ass with a smirk.

She smiles, and scoots her way backwards, trailing her tongue down Destro's body until she gets between her legs.

Destro gasps, and giggles, spreading her legs apart for Jane.

I slowly pull off Jane's pants, purring as I give her pussy a gentle rub.

Jane rubs her hips into my hand as she starts to eat out Destro.

I purr louder and rub her pussy harder as Destro moans with delight. "Oh my~"

Jane sucks on her clit for a few minutes, and then slips her middle two fingers into her.

Destro shudders and moans with delight. "You're good at this..."

I bend down and lick Jane's pussy as I reach around and squeeze her breasts.

Jane moans, and wiggles her fingers.

Destro whimpers and wags her tail as I push my tongue into my "girlfriend".

Jane's tail whacks my head playfully as she straightens up, scooting around behind Destro. She winks at me as she kisses Destro, holding her legs, and her pussy wide open for me.

I purr and move up. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever fuck my top informant, or do it with Jane. Best day ever. I give Destro's pussy a lick, and she whimpers pitifully.

Jane rolls Destro's nipples in her fingers, and smiles as she breaks the kiss. "Count Sugah, I wanna watch you inside this adorable girl."

"Hm, if that's what you want." I smile, unbuckling my pants.

Destro squirms a little in Jane's grasp. "Mm... better make it good if you want premium info in the future..." She moans, wagging her tail.

"I can do that..." I pull out my manhood and stroke it a little to get it hard before gently pushing into her.

She shudders and moans, her eyes rolling into the back of her head.

Jane smiles, and kisses her deeply as she jerks her nipples.

"Mmph!" Destro gasps, her tail wagging harder as I slowly push into her. She whimpers as I slowly push through her hymen, and a few tears come from her eyes.

Jane smiles as she breaks the kiss. "Welcome to womanhood."

"Oh..." Destro moans cutely, reaching back and rubbing Jane's neck.

Jane squeezes her breasts, "Wanna eat me? It's not very often I meet another Bi girl, they know how to eat pussy so well."

She purrs and nods happily, moaning as I pound her.

Jane slides out from under her before mounting her face, and facing me with a wink.

I purr and murmur, "So... does this count as me having sex with you?" I thrust into Destro harder, and she moans as she starts eating out Jane.

Jane shivers in delight, and nods as she kisses me.

I kiss her back with a purr, grabbing her breasts and squeezing them as Destro pushes her tongue into Jane.

Jane purrs loudly as she swishes her tail around herself, rubbing it over Destro's body.

Destro moans with delight, wagging her tail. "Guys... I'm... gonna..."

Jane smirks, "Well let it go..."

She squeaks and orgasms, and I purr happily as she goes limp.

Jane smiles, and licks her lips.

I pull out with a smile. "I'm still hot, mind helping me, Hon?"

Jane smiles, and crawls over, wrapping her breasts around my cock.

I moan happily, wagging my tail.

She gobbles my cock as she starts to bob her head, her tongue probing my length for weak spots.

I grunt. "For a lesbian, you're good at this..." I murmur loud enough for only her to hear.

She looks up at me with a smirk, and rises to whisper in my ear, "I generally prefer girls, and avoid doing it with guys if I can. So times while running with Smoke someone needs... Persuading."

"Ooh, naughty naughty..." I purr, petting her head.

She purrs, and says, "So I practiced on a few toys, read a few books..."

"Well, you're really good at it. How often does he need persuading?" I smirk.

"Not often, Smoke makes a legacy for himself by working with words as well as he does his feet."

"I dunno, speeding up with a hot girl sounds awesome to me." I purr.

She smiles, "Well it's a bad time for me to take it in the pussy right now, I don't want no babies. But I can suck you like a Hoover."

"I can live with that. And next time, I'll pack a condom." I wink and purr.

"Maybe you should wear Cargo Pants too," Jane says with a wink, and then goes down to deep throat me.

"If you want me to..." I moan, wagging my tail.

She rolls her eyes, and goes back to swallowing my dick.

I start panting, laying down. "Ah..."

She rubs my balls in circles as she buries my dick down her throat, swirling her tongue around it while moving her throat muscles like she's swallowing.

I whimper as everything starts blurring out. "Oh Chaos...!"

She holds her breath as she keeps it up, picking up the pace.

I start hitting the ground, panting heavily as I try to contain my juices.

Then she adds purring into the mix, vibrating my cock.

"Shit!" I curse, releasing my load.

She squeezes her eyes shut, and opens her throat to accept it. Slowly she withdraws, sucking me as she goes to get every last drop. Once I'm free of her lips she gasps, and coughs for breath.

"Cheater..." I pant, smiling at her.

She wipes her mouth, "...That wasn't as tasty as I thought it would be."

I laugh gently. "Next time I'll eat fruit first."

She giggles, "If you think that will help." She stands, and starts putting on her clothes.

I smile and put mine on as well. I look at the sleeping female, purring contently. I bend down and give her a kiss on the cheek before carrying her behind the table and placing her armor next to her, just in case any others like me would come in today. Not likely, but I don't need her rep to become soured.

Jane stretches, "Not a great lay, but I'll say she knows how to work her tongue. I'll drag June off later to work off my climax... Wonder how she is anyhow?"

"You can ask her when we get back." I smile.

Lemon's over! And now, back to plot!

*Smoke's POV*

I whistle merrily to myself as I lead June by the hand. My street credit gets us an easy walk through the street, friendly nods, and many looks of approval at June. A life in this kind of world though has taught me how to not make enemies in my line of work so there's no harassment.

She walks around, slightly amazed. "You're really popular down here..."

"I'm good at what I do," I say.

"Don't I know it." She smiles shyly with a giggle.

I laugh, and hug her with one arm. "I'm messing you up good and proper! Care for a drink?" I steer us towards a nearby club.

She frowns. "I'm not sure... you sure it's a good idea?"

"Sure thing," I assure her, and the bouncer lets us in.

"What if I need to use my computer?" She asks.

"I'll talk to the manager about jacking you in," I say casually.

She scowls. "If I'm drunk, I can't hack. That's the problem, not finding a computer."

"There's more than alcohol in there." I smirk as "What is Love" by Haddaway starts playing.

She sighs and smiles at me, taking my hand. "Alright then..."

I sit at the bar, and eye the bartender curiously. "...Jack, that you?"

The barman turns around. "Smoke?"

"In the fur," I say. "Last time I was here Miguel was teaching you how to pour a drink without spilling it."

"Last time you were here you didn't have any ladies clinging to your arm." He smirks.

"Oh yeah, this is my girl Cortana," I say. "Hacker by trade. Cort, this is Jack, a runner for one of my informants."

"Nice to meet you." She says timidly.

I nod, "I heard Miguel got popped off in a bank robbery a few months back. So you're the guy who filled his shoes?"

"Had to. Not everyone knows what he did like I do." He shrugs.

"Alright, let's try you out," I say leaning forward. "There's a new player in town. Called Fear, lives up to his namesake, go." I raise my eyebrows

"Dude, seriously?" He raises an eyebrow, looking around before leaning in. "You sure you wanna tangle with him?"

I nod, "Nice etiquette, never sell off info without making sure the client knows what kind of can of worms they're opening. Please, continue."

He sighs. "I warned you. He came in like a plague, his name spread like wildfire. People started disappearing, those that had special powers and the knowledge to use them. Specifically, hedgehogs and the few echidnas. Guess Counterpunch is glad he joined the dude. Those who have seen him have either vanished, or they've suddenly become vegetative or unresponsive. They're afraid of him, dude. His name is fitting."

I nod, I'd heard most of this on the way in. "Spice up the deal with the rumors, Miguel taught you well. Now how about FACT? People don't pay you for bedtime stories."

"Despite his workforce, he deals with things by hand. Well... on his own terms. Look at this." He looks around before reaching under the counter and pulling out a small box encased in diamonds. "One of my guys found this when Fear last struck."

I raise an eyebrow, and pop a claw to carefully open the lid.

I open the box, and inside is what appears to be a bullet, except made out of a yellow crystal.

As soon as I had opened the box, a rush of apprehension filled my stomach, and June visibly paled. About a minute later, the entire bar had gone silent, even poker players looking around wondering why the bar had gone cold.

I jerk my hand away so the box slams shut. "I'll be damned..." I turn, and wave, "My bad folks, I of all people should know better right?" I smile jokingly.

They give me a glance before shrugging, returning to whatever they were doing.

"It's something weird. No clue what the composition is... but it had minute traces of blood." He says.

I sigh, "You've had this for how long now?"

"About a week." He says.

"So either in that time you never opened it, or you did and never bothered to warn me," I note. "Kinda sloppy."

"Never opened." He states. "It's bad for business. Pretty much everything else I have to tell you is he's in the second tallest building, and each floor is filled with Dark Egg Legion."

I shake my head, "No, what's bad for business is when the client does because you didn't do your homework on this thing. This is a public setting, you don't just whip out random artifacts like this unless you know for a fact they won't draw attention."

I stand, and put a bottle of 2000 rings on the counter. "I'm done, thanks. I'll buy the scary box, your silence, and that bottle of sparkling white grape juice please."

He blinks but nods quietly, turning and grabbing the sparkling wine off the display and handing it to me.

I pick it up, and the bejeweled box. "Let's go Cort."

June nods and quickly follows me out.

I sigh as we power-walk down the streets, headed west. "This is bad June, we're at a disadvantage already."

She bit her lip. "This is getting scarier and scarier. A bullet that can induce fear? A guy who's named Fear? It's like a comic book gone bad... and it's real."

I decide to drop the bomb on her, "Jack said that this bullet had trace amounts of blood on it, and I believe him because it's the mark of a real informant to inspect any goods we get, that way we don't end up selling them for less than they're worth."

I turn my head to her, "But then he later says that in the whole time he's had it he never once opened the box."

"Well... it's a pretty box. Who's to say the person he took it from did the tests, and then he put it in the case?" She suggests.

Smoke shakes his head, "I'd bet anything that the BULLET isn't what induces fear, but the BLOOD on it. And then I'd bet my rep as an Informant the blood belongs to Fear."

"...What if it's ALL his blood?"

"What do you mean, like the bullet was forged from his blood?"

Readers quit your bitching, weirder things have happened in our world.

She nods. "Precisely. The blood in there is simply his DNA, and the entire bullet is made from his blood. He radiates fear."

"Would explain his name. But back to my point, Jack lying to me the way he did tells me that Fear has the city under his thumb, and no dour knows we're already here. I paid Jack off anyways though to cover his ass, and just maybe Fear won't know that we know he sees us coming. Whether it works or not though is a coin toss."

She gulps. She murmurs, "What do we do now?"

"Report to the boss-man, tell him what we know, and analyze what the others learned," I reply. "I was hoping your stroll through Crime City with its finest, yours truly, would be more romantic. Sorry June."

"It's okay." She sighs and kisses my cheek. "You sure I'm safe going back alone?"

"You're not, I learned all I need to for now so I'm going with you. Radio the others, tell them we're on our way towards Cinder with Intel."

"Okay..." she hesitates. "You sure we don't have time for a bite?"

"I'd rather we didn't risk it," I say. "If I were Fear I'd have people watching the Informants for anyone affiliated with Hero. Anything we don't fully prepare ourselves is most likely to be drugged."

She pouts. "Okay... Antonio's rations it is, then." She pulls out the com device and patches in, reporting what we had learned.

In my head I'm counting how many ways this can go wrong as to pass the time until we rendezvous.

Whoo! Almost into the home stretch! ^^ R&R, please.