"Boss, I've scoured the city for that girl. No sign of her," a man kneels before Venus, his voice laced with desperation.

  Venus slams his fist on the armrest. "How?! Go back. Find her. Before he does."

  King Pin steps closer, his hand on Venus's shoulder. "Venus, calm down. Losing control won't help."

  Venus's glare could burn ice. "That man humiliated me. He'll pay."

  King Pin's expression turns grim. "The crocodile woman has a boss, and she's not alone. We're outmatched."

  King Pin turns to his adviser. "Boy, what's your take on this?"

  A junior lieutenant steps forward. "My lord." He bows low. "His advice got us into this mess. I—"

  King Pin's fist crashes into his jaw, cutting him off. The man slams into the wall, unconscious.

  King Pin wipes his palm. "Only speak when asked." He turns to his adviser. "Speak, boy."

  The boy's voice is calm. "Boss, we need King Silas. He's our only shot at redemption."

  Venus narrows his eyes. "Why Silas?"

  "Silas owns the entire territory. That Alligator man is above our league. We can't take him on again. But Silas might be the one who can stop him."

  King Pin signals. A female guard steps forward. "Boss."

  "Go to the other warlords. Tell them we have a major threat. Tell them to come by nightfall. Brief meeting."

  She nods sharply. "Roger."

  King Pin's expression twists. "We're outmatched by that Alligator. He protected Terri's fortress. Terri's an enemy now. We'll crush them both."

  Nina, Terri, and his crew reach a huge mansion. "Is this the spot?" Nina asks.

  "Yeah, my hideout. We'll lay low here," Terri says.

  Nina poofs away.

  Inside the Alligator's domain, he waits with K.B.

  Ellen, Patience, and Shion sit together on a wooden bench, discussing. A look of chill and comfort rests on Shion's face.

  "Boss, what's the play?" K.B. asks.

  "Find Clary. Bail."

  "But King Pin won't let us slide. Terri, are you going to take his offer?"

  "King Pin's a loser. If he gets reckless, I'll bite. Terri's on board to find Clary. If he's useful, I'll consider his pitch."

  Nina pops up before The Alligator. "Boss, Terri's people pointed us to a hideout."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The Alligator adjusts his coat. "Good. We move. The hideout's ours now."

  Later at night.

  A silver table. King Pin and Venus sit opposite each other. A Warlord with a hawk-like gaze sits beside King Pin.

  The room is packed with armed guards. A servant girl stands behind King Pin.

  King Pin turns to the man. "I'm so glad you came."

  The Warlord sighs. "I'm the only one who showed. Fill me in. I'm tired of waiting."

  The door opens. Fighters pour in. A woman clad in silver armor enters last, her stride purposeful. She approaches the table with a cold gaze. The servant girl quickly pulls out the chair. The woman sits.

  King Pin smiles. "Welcome, Warlord Nalani. So nice of you to join."

  She rolls her eyes. "Shut up, pig. Hope the info's worth it."

  King Pin exhales. "Trust me, it is."

  She averts her gaze, glaring. "Don't have all day. Start talking."

  "We wait for Silas's Adviser. He's the only one who sees Silas," King Pin insists.

  The door creaks. A blonde man, Silas's Adviser, enters with men in tow. One rushes forward and pulls out the chair. The man sits.

  "Good, Peterson, you're here," King Pin grins.

  The hawk-eyed warlord and the silver armoured warlord sigh in relief.

  "So what's the verdict? Hope it's worth my time?" the adviser asks.

  King Pin nods. "Indeed. An apex predator just entered our city. He's looking for a girl named Clary Pintosa. Ever heard that name before?"

  "Hmm... The apex predator. A threat?" the adviser asks.

  "Yes. His subordinate, a woman, hit my fortress and killed Venus's people. And Terri is sending invitations to the woman. He's a traitor now."

  The silver armoured warlord chuckles. "The subordinate's name?"

  "The Legend of Aizwatch, aka the Crocodile's Smile," Venus says, eyes closed.

  The hawk-eyed warlord's eyes widen. "What the... I've heard of her. Who has the Crocodile woman on a leash?"

  "He calls himself the Alligator. A dude with spiky hair and a brown skin tone. He seemed to request a negotiation," King Pin says.

  "Is that Crocodile woman really that dangerous?" the silver armoured warlord asks.

  "Not just her. They have more like her. Equal or stronger ones too," Venus says, glaring.

  The hawk-eyed leans in, jaw clenched. "This isn't just us five. We need the other warlords. This is huge."

  King Pin flicks a look at the Adviser. "Alligator's got more than just strength. He's a one-man army. We tell King Silas."

  The adviser cuts in. "Combined forces might not be enough. I'll tell Silas. I've heard of the Crocodile. Don't want to risk it. He'll handle her... and the girl they're looking for. Name?"

  "Clary Pintosa," King Pin replies.

  The adviser narrows his eyes. "Clary Pintosa... sounds familiar. I'll check on her. We'll know if she's one of our girls. And for Terri, King Silas will deal with him for turning on us."

  BLACK MERCURY'S HIDEOUT.

  Inside the mansion, the Black Mercury gang and Terri's crew chill. The Alligator sits on the throne.

  A man bursts in, whispering in Terri's ear.

  Terri grins and approaches the Alligator. "Boss, good news."

  "What is it?"

  "Warlord Paloma wants to speak with you. She's outside."

  The Alligator signals the door guards. They open up. Purple-clad guards enter. A tall woman in a purple coat with trenzas braids strides in last. Her heels hammer the floor.

  She approaches the Alligator. He stands. "Greetings, Warlord Paloma. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

  Paloma bows, her trenzas braids sparkling in the room. "Heard you're looking for Clary Pintosa."

  "Of course."

  She raises her head and turns to the crowd. "Greetings, everyone. Thanks, Terri — your spy did well."

  She turns back to the Alligator. "I heard you're a ruler of Legends. What's the play? What's the deal with Terri's alliance and the Pintosa girl?"

  "I seek Pintosa. Now, how did you know about Terri and me?"

  Paloma smiles. "The spy told me everything, of course."

  The Alligator's lips curl to one side. "Oh... I see. So, Paloma, what's in it for you? Surely you have your own motive?"

  Paloma's gaze locks onto The Alligator's. "You might be the only one who can take down Silas."

  The Alligator's eyes narrow with palpable intensity. "Why say that?"

  Paloma's expression turns calculating. "Clary was mine. I sold her to Warlord Khalifah."

  The Alligator's jaw tightens. "When?"

  "A couple of years ago."

  The Alligator's decision is immediate. "Then we go to Khalifah. He might still have her."

  Paloma drops to her knees. She flicks a finger, and her fighters follow suit, kneeling in unison. Her voice is calm and smooth. "My team and I want in. We'll be your loyal dogs. Please consider us yours."

  Tension fills the air. Everyone's faces in the room show surprise.