A Move Behind The Scenes

"Shit, the Iron Knuckle? Is that Black Iron?", one of the grunts began to stammer.

"Iron Knuckle?", Black Iron mocked, "Please, you lot aren't worth that much effort."

Black Iron didn't bother with the Tension dance this time around. After all he was directly dealing with invaders. Instead he waved his hand forward and his Rider Craze leapt into action. Just from a glance Black Iron was able to tell that these grunts were truly bottom barrel choices. Truly just a cleanup crew. He didn't even need to act personally.

In just a few minutes Rider Craze tossed them back to their District. Black Iron scoffed and called back his men, "We're heading back. Seems we're going to be front line soldiers here soon. Eyes on your backs."

It would only be a matter of time before word got out of Rider Craze's actions. Eventually some higher ranked people from Violet Wave would appear to retake the Street. Truth told Black Iron couldn't care less. This Street wasn't in his control after all, and Top Dog never mentioned handling anything outside of his Street. He only acted now because he was an affiliate of Street Dogs. Walking past without assisting wasn't a good luck for either of the gangs.

Now that he acted however, a target was placed on his back.

On the other hand, Top Dog was very displeased to hear the news. A boom shook the Motel and caused several Street Dogs to freeze. In his room Top Dog had actually smashed his desk to splinters, "If it isn't one fucking thing, it's another! Now Violet Wave thinks they can snag some territory? Over my body! Troy!"

"Yes Boss?"

"You're guarding Highward Street. Gather those under you. If that bastard Tsunami shows his face, let him know I'll be the first to put a scar on it."

Troy nodded, "On it Boss."

"Good!"

Top Dog had never felt so humiliated. Sure his sudden rise to District would meet some resistance. But to think so many people would look down on his Street Dogs. Was his Rep worth nothing?! He even subdued a First Generation legend, and yet they still acted like he wasn't someone to be wary against.

This would not stand! If Violet Wave acted again he wouldn't care if a war sparked between them! Suddenly gaining control of two Districts should be enough to deter the others anyway!

Moreover other people were making their move. A small figure entered a club, a single person following them. Various lights flashed about as music played. Dancing throughout the club the smell of sweat and alcohol assaulted their senses. Ignoring this the two moved through the crowd. Arriving at a door someone extended a hand, "Sorry, VIP only."

"I think I should classify as VIP."

"Name?"

"Stella."

The bouncer's eyes narrowed but they stepped aside, "Forgive me for not recognizing you sooner."

"I don't like stepping into this place anyway."

Stella and her guard walked forward, but the bouncer blocked the guard, "Sorry, even if you are a District, only you can pass."

Stella's eyebrows raised, "I brought a single person to show my sincerity, but to think you won't let me even have that?"

"Procedure."

"How about you let him through, spare me the Rep?"

"It's procedure."

Stella's hair began to flow mysteriously, "You're gonna make me act here?"

"Let them through!", a voice called from inside.

The bouncer glanced towards the source before fully retracting their hand. Stella glared at them but she and her guard walked into the VIP area. The music here was muffled, clearly intended for a different kind of vibe. The dark carpeted floor was incredibly clean, something Stella considered impressive.

Approaching a circular couch a figure was relaxing against it, "If it isn't the Young Miss of Royal Dominion! Walking directly in my homebase with just a single guard? I'm tempted."

"You know better."

They laughed, "I suppose!"

This figure was none other than Tsunami. Still dressed in his windbreaker outfit he relaxed against the couch while sipping out of a fancy glass. Gesturing to one side with his free hand he invited, "Sit! You're clearly not here to say hi."

"Obviously."

Stella sat properly while gauging Tsunami. She was actually taking a huge risk walking directly into Violet Wave's territory. If she pushed too much here, facing the entirety of Violet Wave was a high possibility. Thus she made sure not to perform any reckless actions. This included the Tension dance.

Tsunami casually sipped his drink, "So! Why are you here?"

"I've come to propose an offer."

"Bold."

"I've come to discuss about the Street Dogs. Their rise to District suddenly is a worrisome thing."

"Don't tell me you're worried about some new skin District!"

"They subdued Black Iron."

"He's an old fox! A relic of the past. Is there joy to be taken out of beating an old man?"

"You know how hard it is to get past his ability."

"So?"

"The Street Dogs managed it somehow, and subdued him overnight."

With a roll of his eyes Tsunami placed his drink down, "Look. They're nothing. In fact I've already started making moves on their territory! Just recently I took Highward Street from them. Once I'm done taking over that entire District, we can talk all the pleasantries we want."

"On the off chance they're more troublesome than you expect?"

Tsunami's gaze turned cold, "I'll handle them myself. You're not doubting my strength are you?"

"No, but you know as much as I that one person is only capable of so much. So listen to my offer."

Remaining quiet was Tsunami's way of signaling her to continue.

With a casual motion of her hand Stella explained, "We ally ourselves. Take over the Street Dogs District. Then we split the territory, fifty-fifty."

"Pah! You think I'm gonna let you take the territory I had planned?"

Stella was a bit helpless against this attitude. So she had to alter her initial offer a bit, "I'm not finished. After that we continue working together, this time we head for Green Garden."

This caught Tsunami's attention, "Green Garden. . . ? Not bad. I wasn't entirely confident going against Wild Soul, but with your prowess. . ."

"Tempting isn't it? Everyone knows how much you wish to expand your territory. So I'm offering half of that too. With it we both profit from the exchange."

Finger gently rubbing the edges of his glass Tsunami asked, "Which half? We both know why Green Garden is as tempting as it is."

"You want that half? I can't give you that much."

"You know damn well that place is worth a District alone."

"Which is why I'm not willing to give it up."

Tsunami stared into Stella's eyes. Not afraid to match them Stella stared back and the tension began to rise a bit. With a smirk Tsunami bargained, "I'll give you that half. In exchange I want the entirety of Barberry."

Such a counter offer would have been immediately met with ridicule. After all Tsunami was trying to obtain not only an entire District, but also half of another in one move. Yet Stella didn't hesitate, "Fine."

Tsunami's face twisted into a mocking expression, "Alright, we both make a move on Barberry first then?"

Stella was alarmed. The confidence Tsunami displayed wasn't from arrogance. Rather it seemed like she just walked into a trap. Yet try as she might the only assumption she could think of was that Barberry was holding some potential. Enough to where Tsunami was willing to drop the matter on which half of Green Garden he was going to get.

It was too late to backtrack now. Stella proposed, "We keep prodding them from outside. Have them constantly send reinforcements to protect their borders. Once a majority of their force is away, we strike their homebase and wipe out the important members."

"Simple but effective. This strategy. . . it was what you used back then no?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Then I'll hold up my end. My trouble with Highward Street should be enough. But I'll expand across the border a bit. Ruffle their fur."

"My Royal Dominion will do the same. I'll send someone your way when I find an opening."

"Oh? How would I know it's not a trap?"

"Betraying you before we take Green Garden? I'm not a moron."

"Fair enough. You can take your leave then."

"I'll look forward to your cooperation."

With a disinterested tone Tsunami replied somewhat sarcastically, "To a fruitful collaboration."

Stella left the club. Although she felt there was something amiss with Tsunami's attitude with the whole situation, the outcome was acceptable. Accompanied by her bodyguard she returned to her District. As she walked through the Streets she couldn't help but notice the extreme difference in condition. Being closer to outskirts of the city naturally meant the quality of living was poorer. Yet among the old decrepit buildings and broken Streets was the high quality club that was Violet Wave's homebase.

It just went to show how much that gang invested into the building. For Violet Wave to make such a place despite the low cash flow was incredibly impressive. Although Tsunami was twisted in the head, Stella couldn't help but commend his leading capability. It was because of this that she chose to ally with him in the first place. That and also her plan of taking Green Garden.

Feeling pleased overall Stella returned to her homebase with a glowing expression.