Nearing the end. Hopefully. If I don't get any new ideas. Please Enjoy!

-MalMetal

CHAPTER 47: The Joker and The Ace

"Pina's told you everything then?"

"Yes," Legoshi answered. Six-Eyes glared at the sheep while flicking her tongue at him. For the first time, Legoshi could tell he was uncomfortable.

"Look, it was the best way to convince him to come to our side, okay?! Put that thing away!" Six-Eyes recalled her tongue and turned her attention to the wolf.

"I apologize for any trouble this one's behavior has caused, he's always been like this."

"...It's fine."

"This one's already told you, but it bears repeating: we need you to get a confession out of the bear. You're the only one we know of who is connected to him and the victim."

"If I'm the only one he feels he can trust, then I pressure him with questions about that night…" Legoshi trailed off.

"Exactly. So this one doesn't jump to sacrifice himself so willingly and to assure a confession we'll use you."

"I don't know where to ask him about this."

"It'll be after the club meeting tomorrow. I'll ask the both of you for help moving something, then I'll leave you two alone." Legoshi shook his head slightly.

"Recreating a similar situation with Tem and us might make him more worried, wouldn't it?"

"Mirrored setting, group dynamic, and the person questioning him will either break him down completely or cause him to tighten his defenses. The end goal is pressure. Presumably, he hasn't devoured anyone else since the alpaca, so he should feel an immense amount of guilt. You will compound that, making him a ticking time bomb." Pina stated

"That's dangerous, isn't it? What if he hurts other herbivores in the club or outside? Are you even thinking of everyone else?"

"Pina's profiles on you all have been extremely accurate thus far and the bear is no different. This was a personal devouring, so he's unlikely to eat again. Unless you think the bear would've eaten another during this past month?"

"No… I don't think he would."

"If that's the case then the plan will go as Pina explained to you. Before you do this, however, you'll need to sign something for us." Six-Eyes removed her hat and showed the inside of it. A paper and pen. "Typically with cases we don't have contributors sign anything but with the sensitivity of devouring cases this has to be done. This is a legally binding contract, stating that you will report any of your findings and conversations made with the suspect or to anyone you are permitted to speak with about the case. Refusal to discuss with us or if you are found to lie about any information will be held against you. Signing this you can follow through on the plan. If not then none of your accounts could be used to convict the criminal in a court of law."

"Signing this means you'll be completely at our fingertips until the investigation is over. It's also an oath to tell us the truth. Can you do that?" Pina actually sounded somewhat serious. Legoshi blows air from his nose softly.

"...Yes." Legoshi signed his name and returned both items to the snake.

"Oh there is another part of this that we should explain," Pina spoke up. "By showing up you signed a verbal agreement. After this talk, pursuing Riz any further will make you liable for interfering with a police investigation. Obviously, you can go to jail if you cross the line. Do you want to rip up the contract?"

Legoshi's eyes looked up at Pina. "No."

"Great!" Pina winked at Legoshi. "Don't do anything stupid without our say-so, okay?"

"We look forward to ending this investigation soon, wolf." Legoshi nodded at the snake and left the auditorium without a word. He leaned on the door, feeling the weight of his decision pull him off balance.

"What did I get myself into?" Suddenly his ears perked up. He smelled five familiar scents, standing him up straight. "You guys shouldn't be here."

"We could say the same thing to you." Jack came from his hiding place.

"What're you doing here?" Collot added.

"I wanted to visit Tem-" Legoshi immediately reacted to a ball being thrown at him by Jack which was enough of a distraction for Voss to jump on top of his head and bite his ear.

"No lying!" He yelled with a mouth full of Legoshi's fur. The wolf winced a little but he groaned in a small amount of pain as Collot and Durham bit his calves while Jack and Miguno bit his forearms.

"No more lying!" All of them yelled in unison. It was typical for canines to show their dismay with one another by biting. This is especially true for canines who live in groups or communities.

"Ouch! We can talk anywhere else except here!" Pina and Six-Eyes heard everything. Six-Eyes followed them to their dorm using the vents and the veil of the night to stalk them.

"So why were you with that sheep? Does he need saving too?" Durham asked with a bit of an edge to his voice.

"Something like that. It's a secret."

"Aren't we supposed to be close friends?" Durham asked. "I understand that you've got your secrets and all but we're tired of being in the dark."

"I'm sorry I just can't tell you, I promised." Legoshi's eyes stared beneath his friends' chins. "It's not like I don't want to. Please let it go."

"You promised? Why would you do something like that? Remember when you told us how he treated you and the other carnivores when he first joined?" Collot chimed in. "If you don't think he's a good guy, why?"

"Things… changed. We understand each other better, that's all." Jack studied Legoshi's body. He looked so distant huddled up on the floor while everyone poked at him. He was clearly lying but he didn't look to Jack to make any sort of save.

"Everyone stop," Jack stated firmly. "He won't tell us. If he made a promise then that's that."

"Jack, you've been the most worried of any of us. Why aren't you asking anything?" Miguno quietly asked, drawing all eyes to him except for Legoshi's.

"It's a feeling I have. I worry about you a lot, Legoshi because I've known you for so long. You used to be someone I had and wanted to care for but you're growing up, so I have to respect that. You have your secrets but I- no, we want you to be safe. Us, your Grandpa, Juno, and a whole bunch of others too." Jack smiled to himself and then to his best friend. "Please. Be safe and live."

"...Thanks, Jack. I don't want you guys to worry about me too much but …I'm happy that you do. You're right I want to handle this alone. I promise I'll be okay." Legoshi couldn't spare a smile, only a shallow breeze of assurance that calmed his friends. The moment snapped as a controller landed in the wolf's lap. Voss had thrown him a controller that fit Legoshi's hands from a top Collot head.

"You play Ronin 2 tonight! We're trapped on a boss and you can't leave the room or sleep until you beat it!" Everyone looked at the fox, at each other, at Legoshi, back at each other, and then nodded in agreement.

"Wha-what if I've gotta use the bathroom?" Voss looked at him with a frown.

"Hold it." Legoshi sighed in response.

"Alright." He sat in front of their TV setup and fired up the game. All of them surrounded him as he played against the boss adjusting to its patterns with ease on every single try. They watched in awe while he continued to build up to his eventual defeat of the boss. It only took him one hour.

"You make this game look too easy," Miguno said.

"He fights a whole bunch so this isn't much for him," Collot added.

"Alright, pass the controller." Legoshi shook his head at Durham's request.

"I want you guys to keep watching me play until I die again." Everyone's ears perked up and each one of them put on a cheesy smile. Voss climbed up the back of Legoshi's shirt and sat between his ears. Durham, Miguno, Collot, and Jack huddled close to them. All of their tails wagged with Legoshi's wagging the most of them all.

"Did he crack?" Six-Eyes slithered through a vent into Pina's room.

"Do you think I would be here if he did?"

"I guess not. Haaaaa, this is not what I was expecting. I got Mattheus' hopes up and everything. He's gonna be mad at me."

"You always jump the gun. Your training should've made you a lot more shrewd than this." Pina leaned back in his chair, placing his feet on his desk. "They made my investigative skills and mentality sharp. That doesn't get rid of my personality." The sheep kept pushing himself back playfully before falling back and hitting his horns, sending a shock through his head.

"Ow, you could've stopped me from falling." Six-Eyes let out a sigh with a slight chuckle.

"Do you think that wolf will truly be ready for this?"

"It's fifty-fifty. His personal connection might get in the way, but the confession is what we need. Whatever hole he digs for himself is the least of my concerns. He'll serve his purpose like the tool he is."

"Are your personal feelings just noise to you when cooperating with carnivores?"

"Somewhat. I work with you easily because you're one of the good ones. The police force would never pick up a snake that eats mice in her free time." Pina gave Six-Eyes a sly look that only someone shorter than her could give her.

"Rats are more my preference." Six-Eyes flicked her tongue at Pina, who turned his eyes away.

"Good thing I'm not one."

"Then don't act like one." Six-Eyes and Pina exchange a short look that contains a small amount of disgust. I'll stay on top of the wolf. Keep your eyes on the deer; find out where he's gone after tonight." Six-Eyes lifted herself back into the vent above her, closing it behind her. Pina sighed, looking at his shaking right hand. He leaned back only a small bit in his chair this time. His head still hurts.

Cosmo stood around the outskirts of the Black Market wearing a sweater with jogger pants, black shoes, and a backpack on her shoulder. Several carnivore adults made passes at her, naturally, she rejected them. Her fur smelled of different carnivores, which convinced almost all who approached her to leave her be. After eight or so minutes, the deer she was waiting on arrived.

"You're late," Cosmo spoke up.

"Had to gather some things first."

"Call me next time. Let's go." Cosmo led Louis to an abandoned-looking building a minute or so around a corner. It was a spacious dark place with cold concrete. Cosmo illuminated the area a small bit with a flashlight she held his mouth as she took out a change of clothes and some rope. Louis took out a change of clothes, a handsaw, wipes, a small plastic capsule, and some pills from his bag. He handed Cosmo the handsaw to the okapi who looked at him with a determined look.

"Are you ready?" Louis got comfortable on the ground. Cosmo moved closer and began sawing through Louis' antlers. She had to cut them a bit lower than was safe, so a bit of blood got on her hands and Louis' head. With each grinding cut Louis' head hummed a little but he remained conscious. Feeling his second antler break off Louis began wiping his face and took two of the pills. They slowed his blood flow while dulling the pain in his head. The two got dressed themselves, Cosmo had a long black cloak with a hood and mask to cover her muzzle. Louis wore some light, white clothing that revealed his forearms and calves. Cosmo packed up the antler into her bag, tied Louis' hands with rope, and led him by the rope through a small entrance into the market. They walked through the neutral area and into Madaragumi's territory. The two looked like a seller and a product. Without his antlers, contacts changed his eye color and broke down-looking posture, no one recognized Louis at all. As the two drew closer to the Madaragumi's base more eyes were drawn to them. Meat addicts controlled themselves to not draw the attention of any dangerous animals. Upon reaching the base, Cosmo had begun to sweat a little. A rather large cheetah towered over her with porcelain white eyes.

"Who are you?" His voice wasn't all too deep which surprised Cosmo.

"I have a piece of meat I believe Mr. Miso might like."

"Who are you?"

"... I'm a merchant who wants to make a name in the Black Market. Mr. Miso is the best to appeal to the outside of Dokugumi territory-" The guard gripped Cosmo's throat and lifted her into the air.

"I asked who you are, not what you want to do." Cosmo could feel her throat about to be crushed.

"Stop! She's with me, Louis the Boss of the Shishigumi, now let her go, we have business with Miso!" Louis quickly ripped the contacts from his eyes.

"Hmm." The cheetah studied the deer's face. Louis caught Cosmo in his arms who coughed violently. "What do you want?"

"To make a deal." The cheetah studied his face again, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "Alright let's go. Remember there's no fighting of any kind."

"Cosmo." The okapi placed her hand on Louis' chest to push him away a little.

"I'm fine." She got to her feet and the two followed the guard all the way to Miso's room. The guard knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Miso yelled from deep in his room.

"It's me. I've got the Boss of the Shishigumi and another one here to speak with you." Miso let out a deep sigh.

"Let them in." Opening the door, a large room with a large bed in the back with two windows on both sides viewing the ocean and the far-off lights from the other parts of the city. The walls were decorated with art of beautiful feline women and different sayings. On the left side, he had an old katana on display in a small cubby-looking area. At the center of it all, sat Miso with a skimpy dressed leopard female at his side as he drank on the floor behind a small table.

"Lost?"

"I came to make a deal."

"What're you offering?"

"My left leg. Everything below the knee." Miso stared at Louis.

"In exchange for what?"

"I want you to back out of the Honorable Feast." Miso smiled so loudly the entire city could hear it. He stood to his feet and walked over to Louis.

"Now why… oh why… would I do that for a leg and not your life?"

"Because that's what I'm willing to bargain for. " Cosmo handed over her bag, where Louis pulled out his antlers. "These as well."

"Shed antlers?"

"Sawed off antlers." Miso took the bag and took a deep whiff of the still-fresh blood.

"Healthy and clean. I'll take these, but it's not enough. You've given me money, and I want more. You can give me that, but more than that, I want to take your life because you've kept me from everything I've wanted in recent memory."

"I can't do that because I promised to see someone again."

"Hmph, that takes precedence over your wants for me to drop out?"

"It's a small part of it. I have to pay for what I've done and destroy what I have helped keep alive. The Shishigumi must be destroyed and by extension myself. I will not let my actions or theirs go unpunished." Louis almost snapped back in his response, surprising everyone except Miso. He smacked Louis across the face and punched him in the gut. He grabbed his collar, yanking him to meet his gaze.

"I've hated those fucking lions longer than you could hope to know. You kept them alive, you made a deal. Using you was a means to an end! Getting money out of you couldn't compare to the joy I felt when I heard Nikushi was murdered by an herbivore and a deer at that! Then you walk around with your head and antlers keeping a corpse of a gang running with ease! An herbivore has no right to walk or even think of bumping shoulders with me! You are nothing! You don't get to make deals with me unless you are willing to die for them!"

"That's what I'm doing!" Louis pushed Miso back with all of his strength. "I have been property since I was born into this place! I have known that I was worth nothing since birth, I do anything and everything to survive but that was just a lie I told myself! I've been drowning in self-pity since I left this place as a fawn trying to make myself superior when I only stayed in the same place! In the Black Market, I am nothing, I have always been nothing except for a piece of meat meant for an exchange but I know my life has meaning outside of this place! I will live to change and grow into something beyond that lost fawn waiting to die! I am a deer, my name is Louis, and I am Cherryton Academy's drama club ACE!" Louis was completely out of breath.

"I will survive. Take my leg and my antlers but you won't take my life!" Miso stood straight, astonished by Louis' stature at this moment. He smirked.

"Herbivores aren't equal to carnivores in the Black Market. You know that. You know your place. Beneath carnivores. Beneath me." The two looked at one another eye to eye. "Pride."

"The right one."

"Take his leg, Dashi." In one movement, the guard from before drew his sword and sliced straight through. Louis could barely feel it as he fell to the floor.

"Dashi has the clean sword slices in the Madaragumi." Dashi knelt to dress Louis' wounds using a piece of his clothing. The smell of blood permeated the room. Louis felt oddly relieved and hotter than he'd ever felt before. Before he could pass out the pressure below his knee.

"Take him to an appropriate hospital." Miso reached into his pocket and tossed some keys at Dashi. Cosmo watched all of it go down with a moderate amount of worry, moving to follow Dashi.

"You're the Bessie who performed for the Shishigumi aintcha?"

"Yes." Cosmo's voice sounded a bit hoarse.

"I've heard that an okapi has been bouncing from gig to gig. Come back here tomorrow at 6 pm. I can give you long-time work that'll satisfy."

"Why would you do that?"

"Out of respect for the first and last herbivore that I'll ever recognize in the Black Market." Miso tilted his head in a way that looked condescending and scary, but to Cosmo, it radiated a small amount of consideration or even care. The okapi couldn't dwell on it, though, as she took off.

Miso held the leg still dripping fresh with blood.

"Can I have a bite?" The leopard asked.

"No. This one's mine." Miso marveled at the leg, remembering the words of Nikushi all that time ago. "An herbivore who gave up his fear and pride to survive." Miso let that thought flow free as he took a bite of Louis' leg.