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I walk through the makeshift "streets" of Tombstone's shantytown warehouse. It's still just as amazing as the first time I walked through it. Like something out of a post apocalyptic dream, but the people seem to be thriving. They seem to be happy. As great as that is, it doesn't change the fact that they're all going to be in danger sooner rather than later. Mayor Cassidy isn't going to let a place like this run a part of the city. Especially not when the Ink is flowing from this part of the town.

Walking behind Aaron Davis, I'm led to Tombstone's meeting room. The stark albino skin of the mountain of a man is still a bit surprising. It's like the most terrifying thing you've ever seen of, but made of snow. It's a baffling thing for the mind to wrap itself around.

"Welcome back, Spider," his voice rumbles like thunder. "Davis says you have something to tell me? Something about cops coming into my part of town? You know that's not going to fly, right?"

"You know what you think flies and what doesn't is irrelevant in this situation, right?" I shoot back before even thinking of the repercussions. A hush falls over the warehouse around us. I keep my cool outwardly, but really hope my suit doesn't show nervous sweats. "So let's forget I said that in that tone. My point is they're going to come into the Bronx, Tombstone. Whether you like it or not, they're going to come. And if you fight them, people will die. Your people. Their people. Either way, people are going to die. And then it's going spiral out of your control. And then more people are gonna die. And then more. And then more. Until there's none of you left."

The imposing gang leader's eyes squint at me. I almost flinch, thinking he's going to burn a hole through me or something. He has a presence to him. It makes it less of s surprise that so many of these people believe that he can protect them. Still, he's hiding something. I can sense it. Or maybe I'm just hoping he's hiding something so that the inevitable fight I see in our future will be easier on me.

"Okay," he grumbles. "The cops can go after the Octopus. If they come anywhere near this warehouse, I'm gonna make sure that never happens again."

I shrug, "Deal."

Turning towards the exit, I see that Davis is following me, "You my escort out as well?"

"Nah, nothing like that," he shakes his head. "But the way you talked to the big man...he's not gonna like that."

"Aaron, I'm gonna level with you," I respond, "I don't care. He's doing good here. I'm not gonna deny that. But if he keeps up this lone gunslinger versus the world thing, he's going to get you people killed. And I'm not going to sit back and watched that happen. If I have to take him down, I will. But I don't want to have to do that. I hope you know that."

"Yea, I got you," he looks down at the ground. "Just try to make sure that doesn't happen, okay?"

"I'll do my best."

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The incense hangs heavy in the air, the smell centering me into meditation. It's been a while since Sensei Dragon and I had a training session, and I could use one to center myself after the confrontation with Tombstone. The more I played it out in my head the other night, the more I realized that Tombstone acting like the king he fancied himself was even more dangerous that I thought. He is going to go up against another megalomaniac in Cassidy. It's not going to end well.

"You're not centered," Dragon opines with closed eyes. "How can you meditate if you are not centered?"

"Sorry," I shake my head. "Got a lot going on in the world of superheroics."

"Yes, the police are going to raid the Bronx looking for the Octopus," he sighs. "Or so I've heard."

"Jeez if you know about it the whole city is gonna know about it," I sigh. "So much for the element of surprise."

"I may have some sources on the force," he shrugs.

"If you do, imagine what someone with money has," I joke back.

"That's a low blow."

"You walked right into it, sensei," I pat him on the shoulder.

"Maybe so. Maybe so," he concedes. "What part are you going to play in this?"

This is a test, of course. Basically all of his questions are tests. That's how it goes with kung fu masters, I guess. One of the few things that the movies got right. Who would have guessed?

"I'm going to observe," I explain. "At least as long as I can. I want them to flush the Octopus out. When they do, I'll swoop in and take him off the board."

He nods in agreement, "Sounds solid to me."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Don't let it go to your head."