The Gang

The Battle

Tessa's POV
Back at the gang hideout...
I hated it so much. I hated asking those no good, selfish, rich bastards for help. If only I wasn't so desperate for money, then I wouldn't have had to do such a despicable thing. And now they're coming over.

"Tessa, mind telling me why you're letting these rich guys in our hideout?" Joe asked.

"It's not like I had a choice. It was a condition they had. Ugh. Rich people are so infuriating. I can't wait until this whole deal is over and done with," I replied angrily. Joe quickly scurried out of the room. Everybody knows better than to bug me while I'm in a pissed mood like this.

1 hour later...

"Listen up, everybody! Anytime now, our 'guests' will be coming. They are dangerous men so don't let your guard down for a second. If you see anything suspicious, signal me and I'll decide the best course of action. Thank you," I said.

15 mins later...

The bidders arrived at my compound. I made up a fake hideout in the opposite direction of the real one. No way in hell am I letting those rich bastards know the location of my hideout.

"Welcome, bidders," I said. All my people are giving them dirty looks and if looks could kill, they'd all be dead within the first five seconds they stepped into our territory.

"Really? Because I don't feel very welcomed," said Ota.

"Yes, well, nobody here takes well with rich ba-people."

"How come?" Baba asked.

"They've all been wronged by rich people in one way or another. That's why you're not too welcomed here. And it looks like you brought more company than I thought," I said as the other Ice Dragons walked in.

"Precautions," said Soryu.

"Wow. You really don't trust me, do you?"

"Why should we?" Eisuke asked.

"Valid point. Well, take a seat and let's get down to business." The five of then cautiously sat down. "I have the information I promised. Do you have the money you promised?"

"Of course," Eisuke said holding up a suitcase.

"Good. Let me count it." They looked at me weirdly. "I don't trust you guys either."

"Fair enough." That's when Joe and Paul came in frantic.

"Tess, the Black Pythons are attacking," Joe whispered in my ear.

"Now of all times? They couldn't have had worse timing. Alright, ready yourselves! This is going to be a hell of a bloodbath," I exclaimed.

"Hey, what's going on?" Ota asked.

"Enemy attack. Terrance, you and your team will focus on getting the innocent into the safety rooms. Then join us in the fight when all of them are safe."

"Yes, ma'am," he responded.

"Tess, we're low on weapons from our last fight. The next shipment wasn't going to come in until next week," said Joe.

"Shit. Alright, change of plans. Plan Alpha!"

"But Tess..."

"Just get out of here and make sure everyone is safe."

"Tess, this isn't the way you should do things."

"What choice do I have at this point? Half are people are gone on other jobs. A quarter of them are dead from the last battle. We're low on weapons. We can't take them on in this state and I'm not going to throw away all your lives. It's okay, Joe. I've been ready to die the minute I picked up a weapon. Besides, you know me. I'm not one to go down easily. Now, go!"

"Understood, ma'am." With hesitation, they all left.

"Thank you. Now, which one of you wants to be my first victim?" So the battle begins.

Soryu's POV
"Is she seriously going into this battle alone? There's no way she can defeat a whole gang single-handedly," I said.

"Do not doubt our leader so much. She can handle her own," the guy named Joe said.

"Well, we need her alive in order to keep her part of the deal," Eisuke said.

"Why aren't you worried about her?" Baba asked Joe.

"Of course I'm worried about her. We all are, but orders are orders. Ugh. Why does she always do this. Always sacrificing herself like this. Why can't she think of herself for once?"

"Joe, we don't know her story," said Paul. "We can't judge her actions."

"I know, but it's frustrating how she always tries to carry the burden by herself. She never asks for our help. She always goes out of her way to help someone. She never thinks of herself first. Remember that time she almost does of starvation because she kept giving her food to other people?"

"Hold up. You don't know her story. She never tells you anything. Why do you follow her?" Mamoru asked.

"She saved us. We owe her our lives. Anyone here would gladly give up our lives to protect her," said Paul. "Although she has this tough exterior, she has more kindness in one finger than anyone else has in their whole bodies."

"You guys sure seem to think highly of her," said Baba.

"Of course."

"But you don't know what she's done in the past. What if she caused harm to innocent people and helping you guys was just her way of redemption?" Eisuke asked.

"Her past does not define her. We don't care about her past. All we care about is the person she is today."

"Right. And right now she's fighting a gang of over 200 people by herself in order for us to escape," said Joe. "And if you ever talk badly about her again, we will have your head."

"I'm not too worried," said Eisuke. "Soryu, we need that information she has. We cannot afford to have her get killed in this battle." I know that, but I also can't involve the Ice Dragons in this battle. Otherwise, other gangs will attack us.

"What do you think we should do about it?" I asked knowing full well what he's going to say.

"Help her."

"That's not in your character, Eisuke."

"It's for information. Nothing else. I just want to know where my sister is. I'm sure you want the leader of the Ice Dragons to leave as soon as possible. Mamoru probably wants to know what happened to his partner. Ota probably wants credit for his artwork all those years ago. And I'm sure Baba wants to know the thief that helped him all those years ago." He's right.

"Fine. Let's help."

"Hold on. I can't let you do that. Leader's orders," said Joe.

"You can't stop us. We're not in your gang so she has no power over us," said Eisuke with his famous smirk. "Let's go." Once we arrived outside, we were shocked at the sight. She had taken out 3/4 of the Black Pythons within that short time we were talking, but she looks absolutely exhausted, like she's going to pass out any minute. Gotta to hand it to her. I'm impressed. The Black Pythons Are supposed to be the second strongest gang in the world. Her being able to take out so many of them by herself shows exactly how powerful she really is. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Tessa's POV
I'm almost out of energy. I only have one bullet left. All I need to do is take out the leader. If I do that, I win, but I only have one chance at this so I can't screw it up.