Azera, The Cheshire (Starting right at the end of Midnight's fight)

Midnight put up a good fight, but ultimately Jordan was still in a healthier state from the start. Levi lowered her ears when the knife was placed at Midnight's throat. Jacky was balling his fist, as he gripped the railing. I lowered my head, "Kobe won't let her die, Jacky go get her as soon as the gate opens. Levi, I need you to get the healers ready. She can't accept other kinds of blood. She needs an elf giver, or she might bleed out." I clapped my hands and the two quickly left to take care of what I asked.

I left after confirming that Kobe gave the approval for her to live. I needed to find someone that could restore her blood. Surely there was an elf slave that I could use. Of course, I saw Ace and his pet standing right outside our room. The man had a small smile on his face, "Seems the little lady needs a bit of help."

I narrowed my eyes at the man, "Yeah, and I'd prefer if you don't waste my time right now. I'll talk to you after..."

I was interrupted, "After you find an elf slave or someone to give her some blood? I'll save you the trouble, there isn't anyone here. She'll die by the time you manage to buy a slave."

I smiled at him, my emotions hidden behind a friendly mask. "Oh? Then you better have a damn good reason for keeping me here. Well, unless you felt like making an enemy out of me."

Ace held up his hands calmly, while Jacky carried Midnight past us. He was running, but his look told me that he was curious as to what was going on. Ace tilted his head forward, "We already wanted to join you. My talent allows me to heal others with my fire. It isn't just myself, I can save her before you find anyone else."

I took a small breath, "What do you need? What do you want?" I spat the words out, hating how weak they made me feel. My pride wasn't worth the life of someone I cared about.

Ace nodded, "I need a room to do this in private, and I'd rather be alone with Vivi here." I could make that work, but he continued, "You'll also probably want to get some food for her. She'll be starving when she wakes up, I can't exactly just add mass to her, but a bit of hunger is better than dying right?"

"One second." I teleported to Levi, who jumped as I arrived behind her. I whispered in her ear, "Buy a slave's room for the next couple hours. I'll give you the coin back later, then I need you to buy food for Midnight. Jerky is fine, but hurry."

Levi looked to me, "She's going to be okay?" I gave her a curt nod, before reappearing back in front of Ace.

"It's done, I assume that's all you required. What exactly did you want for doing this?" I narrowed my eyes at the man.

Ace just let out a small sigh, "I keep telling you that we intend on joining you by force. To me, Midnight and everyone else is already a part of our group. If you really want us to take something now, to join you later, fine." He parted the creature's wings to pull out a large beetle, easily the size of his head. "This is my daughter, when you take her to a warehouse, more bugs will follow and start to build a nest. Even if we die, I want her to be safe at least."

I raised a brow, holding out my hands for the bug that was two shades of blue. "Is there anything special I have to do to take care of it? What exactly are you doing that might kill you?"

Ace smirked, "We're hunting monsters, and I understand that dragging you into our fight isn't the way to go about this. I'll fill Jacky in on some of our plans, but you have a match to tend to." He handed me the heavy thing, and I teleported to one of the warehouses. I had to spend a whole minute explaining that more bugs were coming and they were not to be harmed. The guards understood, and promised to spread the word.

I gritted my teeth, before teleporting to the cell I'd have to be in before the match started. It was frustrating, but after the match was over I'd know the results of Ace's promise. If he didn't deliver, well we had his daughter at least. Still the confidence was welcomed, and if taking care of a couple bugs meant Midnight was still alive, then all was well. I just had to make this round quick.

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Gerald, The Choker

Someone planted the seeds they stole already. I scratched my cheek, while waiting for the gong to sound. This was going to be a difficult fight since the Cheshire could be a real bastard. Truly, I was glad that I had planted seeds in the last match. I could feel them all filling with my magic still, preparing sprout and move as I needed. Isaac knocked on the door.

I gave him a small smile, "Good to see you're in high spirits." He came in shuffling like always. He took the seat across from me, "Kobe wants you to put on a good fight." He said, while stroking his beard.

I nodded slowly, "I planned on doing that from the start, so why are you here?"

Isaac leaned back, "To tell you that you need to walk away and let Cheshire win." I raised a brow at this, waiting for him to continue. He took a slow breath before doing so, "If Cheshire gets serious, it will hinder your raid tomorrow. You might win since you are smart and clever, but there are other things that need your attention more. Which is why I'm asking you to focus on defense and make the fight flashy."

I lowered my head, "Someone did plant the seeds they stole from me earlier. I'll listen to what you said, if you promise to help me find out who stole them and why."

Isaac tilted his head, before smiling. "Of course, I'll follow after you from a distance. You should have told me earlier that someone stole some seeds though."

I nodded, "Yeah, I was planning on telling you later tonight. That said, thanks for the advice. Also, good luck in your fight." I gave him a warm smile in return.

He grinned a bit, "I don't need luck." He rubbed his cane, while the gate opened. "I'll be here when it's over."

I nodded, heading out into the Arena. I walked to my spot, while the announcer sang my praises once again. Kobe had this fight rigged, so there wasn't anything to truly lose. Just the poor people who were about to be without the coin they bet on me winning. The audience was excited for the fight at least, and they became even more excited when Cheshire teleported into his spot after the gate opened.

I observed the man, noticing that he seemed a bit frustrated about something. The Announcer sung his praises while he spoke to me in a low voice. "Just so you know, I'd rather end this quickly." He probably wanted to check on the dark elf from the last match. Judging by how he carried himself, he wasn't joking. His body language seemed to ooze impatience as he clenched and released his fists.

I nodded a bit, keeping my voice low. "Lucky for me, I was told to lose this one. I just need five minutes and a flashy fight. How does that sound?" He let out a small tut, but otherwise seemed to accept it, calming down a bit. His eyes went to Kobe for a second, curiosity written on his face as he wondered what the Minotaur was up to.

The gong sounded, with spear shoots erupting towards his legs. Of course he'd put portals in front of them, sending them towards me. I had to dodge and jump back, rubbing the blood from the cheek he grazed. The crowd naturally cheered while I had to dodge my own plants being redirected back at me. He would close portals, making plants snap in place to block other attacks, while also keeping his attention on my every move.

It was clear that he was only playing around, given that he could have just put the portals a little closer, or in my blind spots. Right now it was manageable, but the second time he promised he'd likely end it quickly. Still, I couldn't let this chance slide. It was rare to find out how someone could competently fight with portals. Every move Cheshire made was calculated, and precise. Unlike the display earlier, he was actively keeping his portals smaller this time.

I rolled out of the way of a few more spear shoots coming at me from thin air. Then I felt him cut one of the spears with his portal. An impossibly clean cut, as he caught the sturdy plant. The size of the portals weren't an issue for him. It was how much he'd have to cut that was the true problem. It was a little depressing to realize he was using my own plants against me, and for practice, but at the very least it gave me a new found respect for the man.

I realized that if I needed to defeat him in an actual fight, that poison pollen, or anything subtle might be the best way to go. The second thing I would need in a direct confrontation would have to be skin tight armor without any gaps. He needed open space to teleport something inside, which meant even the eyes and ears needed to be completely covered. I shivered a little at just how effective he probably was as an assassin. Cheshire on the other hand, immediately noticed my attacks had let up a little. A blunted spear shoot was thrust into my gut, launching me back.

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In retaliation I quickly had a couple thorn vines rise from the ground. The thrashing things grabbing their own little spear shoots and attacking. Naturally Cheshire teleported away the spears all snapping back into place and becoming a small forest stopping all the thrashing. I quickly looked around, searching for the man. It took me precious seconds to realize there was a portal right in front of my field of view. That I was looking at the forest just a little closer than I should be. A soft whisper came when I turned, "Time's up."

The strike came as he uttered those words, a precise hit that made my vision white. I fell forward, unable to move my limbs as the crowd roared their approval. I recovered by the time the healers came out, appreciating the strike, and choosing to be carried away. Isaac was already in the infirmary with a smug smile.

I let out a sigh, "I though you said I could beat him old man." Putting a hand over my eyes, I smiled while Isaac let out a small laugh.

"I said you're smart, and clever. That you might be able to, and now that you've fought him once you have a much better chance. Saying you can do something doesn't mean it's very likely. Kind of like how you might survive a fight with Kobe, but we both know you're better off against a Bew without your magic." He teased a bit, while I let out a small sigh.

"Yeah, I still have a long way to go. I get that, and seeing Cheshire in action was definitely an experience. Do you know why he was upset? He seemed rather impatient during that entire fight." I tilted my head looking at Isaac.

Isaac himself shrugged, "He didn't bare his claws so he wasn't upset with you at least. My coin is on his elf friend from the last battle. Jacky bought a room from a slave and had her moved there for Ace to potentially heal her blood loss. At least according to Candy. The crazy thing is that it probably worked since Ace left his monster with the girl, while talking Jacky's ears off. They're probably still talking, but eavesdropping won't help."

I looked at my mentor, inclining my head towards him. "I see, what do you mean that Cheshire didn't bare his claws though?"

Isaac smiled, "When he first came here, he had a pair of magic claws. Basically gauntlets with three blades coming out of them. You'll know them when you see them, but generally you don't want to. It's kind of like a tic he has, he isn't serious unless those are out. Anyway, I need to get ready for my match. It seems my opponent was able to fully heal despite being so close to death. Kobe's going to want me to see if it's just for show, or completely real."

I laid back on the bed, before smirking. "Good luck old man." Isaac shook his head laughing, before hobbling to his cell. All that was left for me to do, was gather the people for the raid tomorrow. I sat up, to go about my task, Isaac would be fine in his fight.

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Azera, The Cheshire

The fight was over, so I teleported to the cell, then started poking my head out. I rubbed the back of my head, not knowing where exactly the room Midnight was put in, but judging by the slaves moving around, I had a decent idea. I teleported down the hall, in the blind-spots of those moving around. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw Ace and Jacky talking. Ace himself keeping his body in front of the door. Jacky noticed me, and promptly pushed the man out of the way.

It was suspicious, but I knew the layout of the room. Besides I couldn't occupy space that was already taken, so I teleported inside the room itself, smiling as I saw Midnight and the monster both there. Relief helping to calm my frustration, as I hugged my favorite dark elf. I exchanged some pleasantries, before getting Ace to leave. Once the man and his pet were far enough away, I sat on the bed. Smiling at Midnight I gently asked, "What did you learn while alone with it?"

She let out a small sigh, rubbing her temples. "Where is Levi first? I don't want to say this again." I looked at Jacky.

Jacky coughed a little, "Well she's getting some more jerky, since we didn't know how hungry Midnight might be."

I nodded, looking at the empty bowl of jerky, "That's fair, don't worry though, I'll tell Levi what she needs to know."

Midnight nodded her head, "Fine, that's fair..." She took a couple seconds to sort her thoughts. With a slow breath, she finally started talking. "Her people were abandoned, and I knew their tribe. They are related to Wyatt, and are monsterized dark elves." Both Jacky and myself raised our brows at this. Midnight continued, "As far as they know, they are the only one's of their kind, but they are monsters. That said Vivi uses mind magic and is still intelligent." I noticed a bit of hesitation in her voice, as if she was running it through someone else.

My smile lessened a bit, as I realized Midnight was telling me what the monster wanted me to know. She put a hand on my shoulder, to let me know her life wasn't in danger, but that she couldn't tell me the entire truth. Pulling me closer, she whispered. "She has very strong hearing, and offered me exactly what I need for my tribe. I'm sorry..."

Jacky's ear flicked, meaning he heard, and thankfully he probably used illusions to hide our conversations out of habit. I hugged Midnight, rubbing her back. "Don't apologize, you're getting what you need. Can you tell me what you were offered?"

Midnight pushed me back a little, so she could look into my eyes. She frowned while I smiled at her. Her gaze looking away, before she resolved to tell me. "They offered me the location of the tainted springs that allowed a tribe to flourish. I also have every reason to believe the monster isn't lying, and because of that they will tell me how to purify the water from the springs. I... my tribe..." She struggled, trying to find the right words.

I nodded a little, "Your people need this. I understand Midnight. I promise I'm neither mad, nor upset. Honestly, if some monster came waltzing in, offering a solution to all my problems, and if I felt I could trust them, well I would welcome them with open arms." Jacky coughed a bit, to remind me about the offer they made him. I let out a small sigh, "The only reason I haven't accepted Jacky, is that I don't know enough about them. Yet, you seem to know a bit more than you're letting on Midnight. Can I trust them?" I looked into her eyes.

She returned the look with honest sincerity. "I've been talking to her since I woke up. We made a mental connection, kind of like telepathy. I know she's lying about a few things, since she has to keep them secret. There are also a few things I'll have to confirm when I get to the ruined town her tribe used to have. Still she is revealing things that would hurt her plans if I told them to you. I wouldn't trust her completely, especially when she admits that she doesn't need the tribes. Though she is willing to help the tribes here, and my tribe for the potential of that favor being returned later."

Jacky furrowed his brow, "They don't need us? What do you mean? Why are they going through the trouble of offering a burrow worm then?"

Midnight looked at Jacky, confirming the answer I thought she was going to say, "Because hunting burrow worms is easy for them, Jacky. The problem is the other tribes that could band together to attack them, or even the gangs past the tribes."

Jacky tilted his head, "That makes sense, but they are trying to ally themselves with us. What's the harm in accepting food when it's offered? We do that all the time with Cheshire."

I let out a sigh when my name was used, "Because they know how to keep themselves safe, and that's what they want." Everything clicked into place, as I finally started to understand the meaning behind it all. Giving Midnight what she wanted assured a town in the future they could go to if they needed to flee Eclipse, or if they wanted to just move there, they would have a tribe that would treat them like honored guests. In the mean time, they really didn't care about the other gangs as long as they were left alone. The Fiend's Eye must have made moves against them, so they will be wiped out, but they need a buffer against the rest of the Underground.

That buffer just so happened to be the tribes. Playing favorites was something that needed to be avoided, it was how I kept the tribes in a delicate balance all these years. If the other tribes were starving while one got fatter, they would fracture, some hoping to join the tribe with the food, while others joined to steal it. If killing burrow worms were easy, then Ace and his gang could get a couple tribes on their side, and force them to protect their interests. One way or another they were going to use the tribes as a buffer. The only difference was whether or not they were fighting amongst themselves, or working together.

I let out a small sigh, while Jacky gave me a concerned look. "That's the face you make when you're about to explain something you don't want to, then do stuff you hate."

I looked at the ceiling, "Yeah, because I hate being forced to do things. Thank you for telling me what you did Midnight, it helped to clear a lot of things up for me. Jacky, I know your tribe wants food, but your leader will share it with the other tribes because she's a wise leader, and nice to boot. The problem lies in other tribes outside of yours, who will hide food, and something tells me Ace's gang knows just who to feed. We're accepting Ace's offer, and taking his gang into our tribes."

Jacky blinked, "Wait, what do you mean?"

I rubbed my temples, "It's checkmate, unless you want the tribes to fight and kill each other. At best some will be taken under other gangs, at worst whole tribes will be wiped out, while becoming part of other gangs, and everything I tried to do will mean nothing. I'm taking their advice and forming a council among the tribes to stop that from happening. Which means I'm telling Ace he has to go through me to give food to the tribes." Midnight's ears lowered as she caught on. Jacky understood a little bit, but was clearly going to run this by his leader.

I clapped my hands, getting back on my feet, right as Levi entered the room with another bowl of jerky. "Did I miss something?"

We all looked at her, but Jacky spoke first, "Cheshire says something big is coming, you'll tell her right?"

I nodded, "Yeah, but for now I need you and Midnight to head back to your tribe. I put the bug in one of your warehouses. They masterfully anticipated what I'd do, and forced me to move in a way they hoped. I don't like it, but I appreciate how clever they are. If I clung to stubbornness then my principles would wither and die. So, I'm going to concede this battle to Ace's gang, and make the tribes stronger for it. Now that I know their actual goals, I doubt I'll have to worry about them, unless they piss off Kobe or Mal."

Midnight took the bowl, and got up while eating a few pieces. "I doubt you'll need to worry about that, since they don't plan on making any moves after tomorrow is over. I still am not quite sure what is supposed to happen tomorrow though."

Levi just nodded her head, "Should I go with them? I don't mind dropping out."

I smiled at her, "Nope, Kobe was aware of how the battles would go. He probably planned on having someone sit out the next set of rounds, for a free for all at the end. By which I mean, Ace, Jordan, and myself potentially. I want you to drop out of your next fight if you're fighting Ace, otherwise I want you to win."

Levi's eyes went wide, as she shook her head. "You want me to beat Jordan, or Isaac!?" There was a silence in the room, as she looked at all of us.

I smiled, "Yep, there's no way Carter will beat Isaac, and Kobe doesn't want to look like he's playing favorites, so either Ace, you, or me are sitting out the next round for the final battle. You're a lucky kitty though, you cruised your way to the top, and besides how you feel about your skills, they are real."

The other two nodded, giving Levi a small boost of confidence while she teared up a little. "I'll do my best!"

With that, Midnight and Jacky moved to the warehouse to take care of anything that needed to be dealt with. Levi and myself went to the stands to watch the end of Isaac versus Carter.