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Nick roused slowly from her imprisonment on the wall. From the corner of her eye she could see all the monitors, everything was still good. Her fingers made a soft metallic sound as she stretched and flexed them. Because of the wire her arms were unable to move, but that wasn't an issue. By now she had been used to this, it had been almost a year since this was made her home, since she had made that deal. At first she had played the loyal minion to make sure this deal was not broken, but over time as her mind begun to slip away she begun to realize the deal only prolonged the inevitable.

She always had plans of killing the judge to set things right and she had always planned to do that alone. Now more than ever she had seen this to be impossible. She would need help to trap her 'creator'. Since this realization she had spent countless hours dwelling on the deal she had struck with the Judge trying to find a loop hole within it. The judge was very through in hiding any loophole. "You cannot interact with anyone" was her exact wording. Though, 'you' she was talking about Nick. A wide dark grin stretched across Nicks face as she thought further into this. This deal was made with Nick, who she used to be. Nick had long since considered that person dead. The more she tampered with the mechanics of the black fog the more she lost who she really was and became the Iron Judge. There was nothing in the deal about the Iron Judge associating with her former allies.

To one this might seem like the ramblings of an insane being, and that would be partially true, however to Nick it made perfect sense. The Judge would have to hold to the bargain. Nick would never interact with her friends again, she was dead. Now, The Iron Judge was not and not apart of the deal. She is a completely different entity.

With a dark chuckle Nick flexed her right hand, balling it into a tight fist and rolling the wrist a bit as she just barely tugged on the thick wire pinning her arm to the wall. The thick wires groaned a little before they begun to move. What she now knew of the black for helped her realize that was how to remove the wires at her own will, when she desired.

Finally they released her and she fell to the floor, landing cat-like on her feet, crouching a little to absorb the impact. From there she went to grab the mask and cloak and prepare for her first course of action. She would need to wear the mask for now so there would be no more confusion on who she was from the others. Surely the changes in her facial features would raise questions, maybe even convince them, but for now the mask was needed.

Her first stop, Riot's camp. As much as she wished to see Titus first, there was to be a gathering of Rogues soon, and she wanted to catch all of them at once. They would be recruited to her own cause. This was the first step in bringing down the Judge. Any dread she would have felt seeing her only crush in her current state of being was hidden deep withing the tangled maze that was her mind. There was no fear, this was necessary and she had long given up hope of ever being in a relationship with the man. Though, deep down she felt a Kagi like possessiveness of him.

"Well, well, howdy Pinky." A siren-like voice called from behind the tent's door flap before it was pushed aside, letting in some of the afternoon light. A slender woman, dressed in the smallest amount of clothing possible emerged from the light to join Riot. The Savage Fox was always the first to arrive to these gatherings if only to be the first to look over the new men that had joined in.

She looked over the table and from there eyed the other items in the tent. Another tradition that they seemed to go through. She would steal from him and likewise would have something stolen from herself. Some odd ritual that started back, even she doesn't remember when. "Still handy with your fingers I see." She teased as her focus finally settled back on him. "And howdy to you too Mr. Flexible..." Directed to Ander.

Ander was second to enter the tent, not far behind Fox. He had grown much quieter since the events in which he received his scar from the Iron Judge. It was a bitter reminder of what he had lost and what was in store for him now. Something he had yet to even tell Riot. In fact he kept most of the details from Riot. All but the betrayal Marcia had displayed. That he had no trouble in voicing.

He quietly made his way around the table to be by Riots side. Ander completely ignored Fox. He was not in the mood to verbally play about with eh seductive vixen. The nickname she had for him only came from the one time she had seen him performing in his morning Yoga ritual. Unlike most male bandits, he had not gotten into what she had to offer.

A newer bandit made her way through the mass crowd of working rogues. Her pale skin and deep crimson hair caused a few to turn their heads at her as she passed by. Rumor had it that she was of a newer gang, "Iron Fist". The chains looped around her belt softly chimed as they stuck themselves and the whip looped around her belt. This especially caught the attention of some of the more Rogueish-rogues, ones who were on very good terms with Fox. The black leather she wore only made her features stand out pleasantly against the light. Her crimson gaze sharp and uninviting. Some of the men promptly looked away as she laid eyes on them. It wasn't often that the men saw such a tall woman.

She caught the quick gaze and moved her arms over her head to perk things up a bit. Her posture was usually quite good if for no other reason.

"Oh, not much I assume." Fox spoke dismissively as she took her spot a slight to the right of the opposite side of Riot. Her arms went for a chain connected to her pocket and she begun to fidget with it.

She would rather see him than be by him. There was no emotional attachment to the Rogue, however he was nice to look at. Ander wasn't too bad himself for his age. It was also from this point she could see a great deal many more of the Rogues who would gather around the table. Some were eye candy, other not so much.

"Eager as ever." Ander replied.

A good sign. His focus moved from the bandit King to the tent flap as more of the Rogues begun to enter. Wild Dog, Ace of Clubs, Hog, and Avenged. Two were missing, Mantis and Sharp Horse. Ander didn't have a chance to inquire before Hog, appropriately named as he was about the thickest man (and near the tallest of the three), though most of it was muscle, in the room along with the hairiest blurted out. "Damn fools got 'emselves killed by the Imperial Army." He spat on the ground, some of the drool remaining in his long beard. "'Tried to help them, but when it got too dangerous they kept at it. We had to pull out, 'aint gonna kill my good men for a stubborn son of a- Wasn't like them at all... So reckless. 'aint never seen Sharp Horse be so 'termined to take down anyone before." He continued in his deep voice.

Ace, who was quite the opposite of Hog, skinny as a twig and only less limber than Ander himself. The man was also hairless from hair to toe. He was as white as they come and covered with Tattoos of all sorts. "It's their damn general. Hear? They got a new one and they say she is bat s**t crazy." He spoke in a much softer voice, almost as if he were whispering the whole time. Avenged, who was perhaps the youngest of the group and only slightly older than Riot, He stood a little smaller than everyone at 5' 3", and had an average build. He was more known for his stunning emerald eyes and long chestnut hair. And not to mention his skilled silver tongue. He said nothing and instead moved around to have a word with Ander, pulling his attention away from the rest of the group. Riot would be able to hear some of the conversation, being about the Imperial event and some other intel likely requested by Ander himself. Avenged was Ander's information guy when needed.

Just as Ander turned away Iron Fist moved from behind Hog so she could get a look at the table. Her Crimson eyes studied the room closely. The sharp clawed gauntlets clanged silently as she placed a hand on one of the chains strapped to her belt loop. Her upper lip curled just subtly as her eyes landed on Fox, whom was giving Avenged several glances.

"Oh!" Hog blurted. "This 'ere be the Iron Fist, 'elped us escape the Imps. She's got 'erself a new gang in the formin'. Nice lot o' ZOIDS." He pulled at his thick red beard as he usually did when in a good mood. " 'ope you don't mind little boss-" a term he used with respect. Most were littler than him so they were called as such. Only Riot received the 'boss' at the end. "-I let 'er come with my gang this time 'ta get 'ta know ya'. We know 'ow you like the ladies."
He let out a belly laugh and gave Iron fist a pat on the back with his bear like hands.

Iron remained silent even as she was shook a little by the big man's pat. Luckily she had managed to pull her venous attention from Fox and back to Riot as she was introduced. She gave a respectful bow, but said nothing.

Fox's eyes widened and her focus shot to Hog as he reported the death of the two other great rogues. Sharp Horse was one of her long time 'gang' buddies. The two had often performed co-ops on their raids. Mantis was another good friend, but not as close as Horse. He, Sharp Horse, had in fact been one of the few she looked up to and saw him more than a toy to play with. It was as if she had lost the older brother she had always longed for. The blow of the news made her go pail. It was something rogues did not do, especially in front of all the other leaders, and that was cry.

Her jaw clenched. " I don't care if this general is bat s**t crazy... I'm going to-" Her frame begun to quiver with anger. Ace placed a hand on her shoulder to prevent her from finishing her vow. Every rogue knew not to clash with the full force of either army. It was suicide. The real question was why had Mantis and Horse tried? It would be a matter to be discussed surely.

Fox's jaw tightened and she turned her red face away from the table.

Hog watched Fox for a moment that returned all focus to Riot. His belly laughing had already long come to a halt. This was no laughing matter. "We tried t' stop 'em. Fought with 'em a bit, but 'en they didn't pull out we 'ad ta leave 'em. Almost didn't get out. Little boss, it was strange. 'Ain't never seen Silver 'orse o' Mantis be like that. Both 'ere out fer blood."

Ander nodded to Avenged than looked over to Riot. They would have to have a talk in private after this meeting was over. The news he was brought was odd and none the pleasing. It would be hard to deliver such bad news seeing Riot look already not himself, but Ander was not one to delay important things.

This business of arm- Ander looked back at the group standing near the tent's entrance. The feeling in his toes, fingers and forehead went numb as terror struck at his heart. The hand closest to Avenged grabbed him before he could return to the group by the door, than signaled for him to remain where he was. His other hand subtly moved in a position to grab a throwing knife he had concealed ( What rogue doesn't have one? ) His eyes fixed on the new comer. He did what he could to conceal his fear from the others, Which seemed to work nicely. He almost looked like a stoic statue.

"Strange." He spoke flatly, eyes locked. "You just happened to be in the neighborhood I suppose? Or did you have something else in mind?"

Iron gave a single nod. A small, and quite eerie smile formed on her lips. Iron's gesture only made Ander tense more. The others, save for Fox whom was still looking away in anger, exchanged confusing looks between the newcomer and the former king. It was as if the two were talking in some strange code that only they could understand. It was hard to tell if it was just a game of sorts or if it were some unknown rivalry between the two. The woman said nothing to ease these suspicions for them, she only stood there holding her crimson watch on Ander.

Ander's grip tightened around the knife as he judged the consequences of what that action would bring. On the one hand there was his deal with this monster, but if it were lying and he were to be rid of it the deal will be broken and he will be free of it. It wasn't his usual train of thought, in fact he was one of the more 'noble' thieves. But the fact she was here seemed to be breaking some part of their pact.

He side glanced Riot still reluctant to mention any word of what he had done. Than focused back on Iron. Her glare seemed to be mocking him, those tormenting crimson eyes taking amusement in the situation- which was not far from the truth.

"None to be concerned with." Ander spoke with his eyes still locked on Iron's. If only he could get her to leave without another word.

Nick continued to smile. Oh how loyalty seemed to crumble when one was put on the spot!
"On the contrary." She finally spoke, her unworldly and sharp dark voice sent chills even down Hog's thick muscled back. "It concerns everyone here, particularly Rudolf Whitebane, as he is the one I am most interested in." Ander seemed none to pleased with the comment and slowly readied to let loose his knife, however he wasn't the first to make a move.

Fox's attention snapped from her self pity to Iron Fist. Her eyes alight with a fire. Despite their playful banter and jokes on one another Fox still felt more protective of the bandit King than she cared to admit. Especially when one unknown rogue came in to make such demands. Fox's chest felt as if it caged an immense inferno behind it. She placed her hands on the table with a loud thump and pushed her chair back before standing and storming the short distance to Iron's side where she attempted to grab at the wenches shirt collar.
"You n- fck" She started than gargled as the other woman's sharp right hand closed around her neck. From there she was promptly forced to the table with a twisted satisfaction from her captor, who still held tight to her victim. The move was quick enough to leave some in the room dizzy..

None of the other rogues made a move to help Fox, instead they moved back a few paces from the scene exchanging looks from one another and finally settling on Riot. It was out of the ordinary especially for Hog who would have been the first to come to a comrade's aid.

The woman only chuckled at the quick actions of the bandit king. Her face remained unchanged, still showing that sick amusement as she had when the Fox was slammed onto the table.

"I agree.." She spoke as if they were having a normal cival conversation. "Everyone, leave us."

And as if he had given the order himself the other leaders begun to file out of the tent. All but Ander that is, whom remained stubbornly behind, slowly making his way around so that the stranger was in his line of sight again. Fox was slowly retreived by Hog who pulled her carefully away from the table as the stranger let go of her neck. The area where she was gripped was burned as if hot iron was wrapped around her neck. Not life threatening, but it would surely need to be tended to and would most definately scar. The woman's hand remained on the table, the wood begun to sizzle under it.

All the while she held her cold gaze on Riot, still amused. She knew something.

Ander had not time to pull Riot back, the king's actions were too quick and caught him off guard, he would have to act quickly. His teeth grit. Of all the things to catch up to him, why this? and why now? Riot could not have seen that he was holding the knife to the left of the Iron Judge. He'd hit her metalic arm.

He let his blade fly.

*woosh-THUNKclink* It flew past Riot and landed square in the woman's forehead. Her head tilted back a little from the impact than righted itself again, all the while her gaze remained frozen on Riot as if nothing had happened. No blood drew from the woman's 'wound' and the knife point stuck just barely penetrating 'flesh', enough to stick where it landed.

"Riot, get away from it! It's not what you think!" Ander growled.

*Tsk Tsk* The iron Judge shook her head slowly as she reached and yanked the dagger from her face with her right hand. She than closed her palm around it rightly causing the steel to crumple under her grip. The weapon begun to glow hot red than melt in the woman's palm.

"Ander... you should know better than that. It is terrible busyness to try and dispose of your employer." Nick chuckled as she raised her left hand and shook a finger at him as if scolding a child. "Besides, you know you can't kill me... I've got too much to do."

The finger than snapped and her illusion begun to fade, melt away as if the image was made of water. What was left was a tall dark figure wearing the grinning mask of the Iron Judge adorned in the red markings of the creature and a long black cloak.

Ander straightened his posture and moved a hand to another concealed dagger. "'It' is a Judge..." His brow furrowed as he shot Riot a side glance.

"I was hoping you would be spared from any of this." He growled as his full focus moved back to the Iron Judge. "We had a deal you would leave him alone.."

"I said I would not harm him..." The Iron Judge quickly corrected.

The furrow in Ander's brow deepened at Riot's antics. He was used to them, but now was not the time to display them. There was no use in catching this one off guard, nor charming it into submission. Ander held his focus on the Iron Judge but gave Riot a slow head shake.

However, Nick held a hand up to Ander to keep him silent. Riot's antics amused her greatly, her chuckle turned into a laugh as she cast the melted dagger aside. Steam hissed from the vents in her mechanical arm and her right eye brightened.

"You haven't changed a bit... " The Iron Judge chuckled. "and right to the point. Clever boy...You still talk to much."

She placed a claw on the table and begun to walk around it toward Riot. The claw drug along the wooden table leaving a deep gash following her path.

"I have a proposition for you King of Bandits. You see, I grow tired of my 'employer' and wish to crush her little head in the palm of my hand. However, I can't seem to do this without a little bit of chaos." She paused and lifted her hand from the table. "That's where you come in. Agree to help me and I will help you... with your own obligations to the b***h."

Ander shook his head and growled. "I've already agreed to you demands. Leave him out of this monster."