"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's got a boss, and she's not alone. We're outmatched."
He turns to Jahi. "Jahi, what's your take on this?"
A man steps forward. "My lord." He bows low. The man's words tumble out. "Jahi's 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 cleans his palm. " Only Speak when asked to." He avert to Jahi. "Speak, boy.."
Jahi's voice is calm. "Boss, we need King Silas. He's our only shot at redemption now."
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 guy who can stop him."
"Samantha!" King Pin calls.
Samantha advances forward. "Boss."
"Go to the other warlords. Tell them we've got a major threat. Tell them to come by nightfall. Brief meeting."
Samantha nods sharp. "Roger." She strides off.
The expression in King Pin's face twists. "We're outmatched by that Alligator dude. 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 lay low here," Terri says.
Nina poofs away.
Inside Jacob's domain. He waits with K.B.
Ellen, Patience and Shion sit together on a wooden bench discussing. A picture of chill and comfort in Shion's face.
"Boss, what's the play?" K.B. asks.
"Find Clary. Bail."
"But King Pin won't let us slide. Tarri, you gonna take his offer?"
"King Pin's a loser. If he gets reckless, I'll bite. Tarri's on board to find Clary. If he's useful, I'll consider his pitch."
Nina pops up before Jacob. "Boss, Terri's people pointed us to a hideout."
Jacob adjusts his coat. "Good. We move. Hideout's ours now."
Later at night.
Silver table. King Pin and Venus sit opposite. A man sits beside King Pin. The room's packed with armed guards. A servant girl stands behind King Pin.
King Pin turns to the man sitting beside him. " Hawk, I'm so glad you came."
Hawk sighs. "I'm the only one who showed. Fill me in. I'm Tired of waiting."
The door opens. Fighters pour in. A hard faced woman enters last, her stride is purposeful. She approaches the table, with a cold gaze. The servant girl quickly pulls out the chair. The woman sits.
King Pin smiles. "Welcome, Nalani. So Nice of you to join."
Nalani rolls her eyes. "Shut up, pig. Hope the info's worth it."
King Pin sniffs. "Trust me, it is."
Nalani averts her gaze, glaring. "Don't have all day. Start talking."
"We wait for Peterson. He's the only one that sees Silas," King Pin insists.
The door creaks. A Blonde man enters, men in tow. One rushes forward, pulls the chair. The man sits.
"Good, Peterson you're here," King Pin grins.
Nalani and Hawk sigh, relieved.
"So what's the verdict? Hope it's worth my ears?" Peterson asks.
"Indeed. An Apex predator just entered our city. He's looking for a girl named Clary Pintosa. Ever heard that name before?
King Pin's brow furrows.
"Hmm.. The Apex predator. A threat?" Peterson asks.
"Yeah. His subordinate, a woman. Hit my fortress, killed Venus's people. And Terri's blasting invites to the woman. He's a traitor now."
Nalani chuckles. "The subordinate, name?"
"The Legend of Aizwatch, aka the Crocodile smile," Venus says, eyes closed.
Hawk's eyes widen. "What the... I've heard of her. Who's got the Crocodile woman on a leash?"
"He calls himself the Alligator. A dude with spikey hair, and a brown skin tone. What's worse is that he seeks a negotiation. Although I turned him down," King Pin says.
"Is that Crocodile woman really that dangerous?" Nalani asks.
"Not just her. They got more like her. Equality or stronger ones too," Venus says, glaring.
Hawk leans in, jaw clenched. "This isn't just us five. We need the other warlords. This is huge."
King Pin flicks a look at Peterson. "Alligator's got more than just strength. He's a one man army. We tell King Silas."
Peterson cuts in. "Combined forces might not cut it. I'll tell Silas. I've heard of the Crocodile. Don't wanna risk it. He'll handle her... and the girl they're looking for. Name?"
"Clary Pintosa." King Pin replies.
Peterson narrows his eyes. "Clary Pintosa.. hmm.. sounds familiar. I'll check up on her. We'll know if she's one of our girls or not. And for Terri, King Silas will deal with him for turning on us."
---------------------------------------------------
Inside the mansion. Black Mercury gang and Terri's crew chill. Jacob sits on the throne.
A man bursts in, whispering on Terri's ear.
Terri grins, approaches Jacob. "Boss, good news."
"What is it?" Jacob asks.
"The warlord Paloma wants to speak with you. She's outside."
Jacob signals the door guards. They open up. Purple clad guards enter. A tall woman in a purple coat. Her heels hammering the floor, as she strides in last
She approaches Jacob. He stands. "Greetings, Warlord Paloma. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Paloma bows. "Heard you're looking for Clary Pintosa."
"Of course."
Paloma raises her head, turns to the crowd. "Greetings, everyone. Thanks, Terri your spy did good."
She turns back to Jacob. "So, Legend of Legends. What's the play? What's the deal with Terri's alliance and the Pintosa girl?"
"I seek Pintosa. Now, how'd you know about Terri and me?"
Paloma smiles. "The spy told me everything of course.."
Jacob's lips curl one sided. "Oh.. I see. So, Paloma, what's in it for you? Surely you must have your own motive?"
Paloma's gaze locks onto Jacob's, her voice steady. "You might be the only one who can take down Silas."
Jacob's eyes narrow. A palpable intensity. "Why say that?"
Paloma's expression twists. Calculating. "Clary was mine. I sold her to Warlord Khalifah."
Jacob's jaw ticks. "When?"
"A couple of years ago."
Jacob's decision, intense. "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 carries the air. As everyone's faces inside the room pop in surprise.