The man wore a dark grey business suit that managed to cover most of his body, the only parts that should have been revealed were his hands and face. However these bodyparts were covered by what appeared to be bandages wrapped around both, leaving only his eyes and a hint of his mouth visible.

This man was Chance, one of the most powerful criminals in New York. He made annoyed noise as he went over a list of recent losses he had suffered.

"Sir?" One of his attendents asked, normally he made it a policy to be alone, but at the moment he was feeling the desire for human company...even if they weren't speaking. "How badly?"

"Not as much as I first believed...we're lucky...he prefers taking action to the street. He's only caused minor losses in the drug shipments and some gang members...he hasn't even touched a few of our other areas. He's no Batman...still...it's best to remove the weeds BEFORE they become problems...and I believe I know just who to call for that task..."

Chance stood and began walking into another room, this one lined with a number of means of communication, from computers, to video screens and many others, he promptly pressed several buttons before speaking into something.

"Bliss...I know your there. I've got a proposition for you regarding my next...shipment."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!" A scream of pain radiated through the room, followed by another and another. Tracing the sounds you could see the form of a beatiful woman wearing revealing black PVC with brown hair sitting on top of huge gray guy, who'd be the source of the screaming. The woman was Bliss, former member of the Deviants. And the courpse in the making was her current employer, Tindalos, the head master of International Operations. Since the attempted kidnapping and brainwashing of several heroes, including some Teen Titans, all in the name of Tindalos's obsession with the YJer known as Secret, Tindalos began to obsess on a new person...obviously his affections aren't being well...appreciated as Bliss was giving the big guy a barrage of pain pulses.

"Now now Tindalos I thought we discussed this before. No..." "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" "....means...." "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" "Well, would you look at that. You finally got it." A dark smirk crossed Bliss's face as the behemoth fell silent and limp with the exception of a few twitches. Bliss was about to let out a laugh when a call came through.

"Bliss...I know your there. I've got a proposition for you regarding my next...shipment."

Bliss looked up from the courpse to the video screen. "Sorry about that...Chance is it? I was kind of busy. I know of you, and to be honest unless you have something worthwhile to offer me, you might as well not waste my time. Your...shipments are such boring business, and being that are beneath me."

"You have quiet a high opinion of yourself my dear." Chance commented blandly. "But then, generally you've managed to back up your boasting. I'm offering you the potential to increase your own sphere of influence and payback against a certain...freind...of yours. I'm sure you remember Shinobi?" He asked, his mask of bandages ruffling and folding around his mouth to create the faintest hint of a knowing smile. "Were you aware he operates near exclusively in New York? If you were to arrive along with the next shipment I believe I could arrange for a...rematch if you will...that is if you believe your up to fighting him solo."

Chance paused, waiting for her answer, of course he had done three things he believed would cause her to go along with him in this, One: He had offered more power, Two: revenge, and Three: Challanged her ego...the question was if she was smart enough to see the 'trck'.

As Chance talked Bliss seemed like she could have cared less. She continued to stare at her nails as if she was worried she might have broken one in her tangle with Tindalos. It wasn't until Chance mentioned Shinobi that she showed interest, in the form of her sending a pain pulse into the courpse which caused a spasm. Her face suddenly got serious as she glanced down to her stomach which was covered with her outfit and then back to Chance.

"If I can take him solo? One of the mistakes it seems most people make is that they underestimate my abilities. But you specifically called me, so you must believe that I can do the job." Bliss's eyes seemed to flash purple for a second before she turned her attention back to her nails. "I suppose I'll accept your offer. But if you're lying to me about either Shinobi's involvement or being able to strengthen my influence, you'll quickly find yourself in the same position as my former employer." Seeming satisfied with her nails, Bliss looked down at the still form of Tindalos as a way of proving her point.

A dark smirk then crossed her face. "Though...I do have one question bandage boy." Bliss's eyes began to glow purple as an aura of the same purple began to surround her. "What's to stop me from going after Shinobi on my own and simply taking your means of boosting my powers? ...Theoretical question of course."

Chance seemed as impassive as Bliss during her reactions, then again his face WAS hidden behind bandages. He focused behind her as she sent the pain pulse into the corpse. "I see you have no respect for the living OR the dead."

He paused again listening to Bliss speak, taking in her motions trying to find a tell on the young woman. "And whether or not I believe your capable of killing him is irrelevant, your best suited for it. Your powerful, and you have a grudge against him." He steepled his fingers considering the rest of her words. "First you would have to be able to find me to kill me, second, my means of garnering greater power is not an object or something so simple...it is a plan...one I am willing to bring you in on." He paused again, waiting for Bliss to respond.

A devious smile crossed Bliss's face as Chance answered her. "Good answer." Getting off of the Tindalos, the purple aura around her began to dissipate. Though to be honest she wasn't that surprised, there was very little that wasn't known to International Operations. They didn't only keep tabs on the superpowered community but also on crime in general at times, so she did know who she was talking to. "So how exactly am I helping you with said shipment?"

"The police will recieve a 'tip' about an incoming drug shipment, naturally you'll be with it. I'm going to bring it in this time through one of my legitimate businesses, so it will be nigh impossible for them to get a warrent to search the ships. Lately Shinobi seems to have been finding out what the police know...usually taking up where they are incapable of. So naturally he'll show up to check out the tip. Then you may do as you wish. Kill him, capture him, make him your new plaything, as long as he remains out of my way I really don't care."

Bliss smirked as Chance named options that she could do to Shinobi. "Hm, maybe I'll do all of the above." Suddenly a couple of Keepers came storming into the room. "Ms. Callahan! We heard screams coming from...oh $#!+...." Bliss's smirk became all the more darker as she turned to the Keepers. "Send me the specific details and I'll be there. But if you'll excuse me I have a bit of mental rearranging to do." Her purple aura returned once again as the same aura encircled all of the Keepers' heads. "See where curiosity gets you my little kitties? But you still serve a purpose, if you'd take that trash out I'd be very appreciative"

"Yes mistress." The keepers said in unison as they struggled to lift up Tindalos and drag him out of the room.

**One Week Later**


Shinobi crouched in the shadows provided by a burned out light and a pile of trash, listening as close as he could for anything that would tip him off that this was indeed a drug shipment like Rick believed.

'True...this is a bit late for running anything legal...' He thought, but slowly moved closer none the less. That was when he saw all he needed to confirm his suspicions.

1. A man dressed similer too him. Shinobi had fought him before. Dragoncat.

2. An entourage of several members of the Cobra's to help with the heavy lifting.

Now he simply had to wait for the right moment to strike...

_____

"What the hell is this?" One of the Cobra's groaned watching the boat approach. "You'd think with th'kinda dough comin' in the boat'd look a little...cooler..."

"Believe it or not Riley, some people care more about effectiveness then looks." Dragoncat said simply, waiting for the boat to finish docking.

"You weren't paid for idle chatter!" A cold voice came from the top of the boat as it docked. Soon the owner of the voice came walking down to the others. "Now if you get this over and done with quickly enough I'll make it worth your while." Bliss said as softly touched one off the Cobras and while his face was mostly covered you could still make out the goofy smile. "But if everything doesn't go according to plan things will be made very diffucult for all of you. Now move." While it sounded like Bliss was worried about the shipment that was just for looks. As a matter of fact she was already looking around for the ninja as the men started to ship the boxes.

She couldn't see him so she began to look for any peculiar thoughts. There were some coming from the Cobras, mostly were either pretty vulgar or calling her a certain 'b' word, she'd have to "talk" to them about that later. But then she heard the one that gave her a dark smirk. 'Yoo hooo I see youuu.' Bliss sent the thought into Shinobi's head as she looked directly at the hidden pile of trash. "Step it up guys! We have company." Bliss quickly shouted to the Cobras.

"What? Now your psychic too?" Riley said, annoyed as he held one of the crates, however a few other Cobra's looked nervous, apparently the ones thinking things they'd rather Bliss didn't know of.

Dragoncat was making his way after Bliss' gaze cracking his knuckles with each step.

Shinobi did the only thing he could. Stand up with his hands over his head in the typical 'surrender' pose. "Well, I was hoping to go unnoticed a while longer..." He said with a sigh, then kicked one of the garbage can's lids at Dragoncat, catching him by surprise and causing enough of a distraction to move away and get out his Kusari-fundo...

"Well, I was hoping to go unnoticed a while longer..."

"We don't always get what we want do we?" Bliss said as she jumped over Dragoncat's shoulders using the momentum to kick Shinobi across the cheek. When she landed she hit another kick which left an opening for Bliss to bend her leg so that she was choking the ninja, hopefully leaving him open for an attack from Dragoncat. "All we originally wanted from you was to stay out of our way while we got those files. But things didn't work out that way did they?" As Bliss talked her leg began to squeeze more and more.

"Is..this...about the...sword thing?" Shinobi gasped as breathing was becoming more and more problematic for him.

Dragoncat, recovered from his surprise was doing just what Bliss had wanted, attacking Shinobi's midsection, driving more air from his lungs, air he wasn't likely to be replacing soon. Behind him a few of the cobra's were pulling out knives or guns.

Bliss's grip tightened immediately after Shinobi's question. "Let's just say...you left a little...reminder of our time together. A reminder I'm going to repay." As she said this, Bliss threw Shinobi on the ground, simotaneously stealing one of his shuriken, knowing that after the beating he would need to get some air which would give her some time for her attack of choice. Throwing the weapon she was able to make a slight cut in Shinobi's outfit. With the exposed skin, Bliss pounced on Shinobi preparing to give him the mother of all pain pulses.

Shinobi remembered the last time he'd fought Bliss, and the pain pulse she managed to give him after a slight tear was made in his costume. "How about we make a deal?" He asked, as best he could while catching his breath, and getting hold of Bliss's wrists.

"Your turn yourself into prison...and i'll pay for the cosmetic surgery to get rid of the scar?" He asked, planting one foot into her waist, a bit more forcefully then was truely needed, then let himself 'fall' somewhat, rolling as he hit his back, and pushing up with the foot, throwing Bliss as far from him as possible.

As he continued his backwards roll he managed to get on his feet again.

'Crap...one meta behind...one angry group of humans in front.' Was his thought process as he pulled out one of his shuriken as well, and hurled it at a nearby light, creating a tinkling of broken glass, a few sparks, then reducing visibility in the area, just before one of the Cobra's opened fire.

Dragoncat let out a rather creative explative before persuing Shinobi on his own. "Chance must be slipping to have sent some little girl to handle this..."

A very annoyed voice sounded in Dragoncat's mind. 'You do realize I heard that. Shinobi will probably make the same mistake you did just now. You understimate me. I don't need to see him to find him.' A bullet wizzed right past where her and Dragoncat were which made Bliss hiss in reply. "If you can't see him don't shoot blindly! Here, I'll help." Invading the Cobras' minds, Bliss let them know where she could sense Shinobi's thoughts. They were pretty easy to find actually. While she hadn't exactly gotten a lock on Shinobi's brain pattern, most of the Cobras were thinking some pretty perverted things, mostly involving Bliss, and Dragoncat was right next to her, so the nonperverted ones were Shinobi. An odd way to lock on to someone but it worked.

"Hm, that's a pretty generous offer, but I can afford my own doctor. But I quite the counter offer. You stop scurrying in the shadows and I'll make your death at least...somewhat faster than I normally would have." While she knew where Shinobi was it was like he knew that and kept moving making it difficult for the Cobras to really get a bead on him. "You're not answering my generous offer ninja boy. You're beginning to hurt my feelings. I'm beginning to think you don't like me or something."

As usual, with quips, the talking was just to distract him. She was trying to force him into a corner of one of the alleys, but his movements were making things difficult. She was half tempted to just take control of the Cobras and shoot for them.

"Hmm..well...i've grown rather fond of living, you understand don't ya?" Shinobi asked, he could still see well enough to know the Cobra's were following him, then it clicked in his memory: Bliss was a telepath. 'Okay smart guy...just think for a moment...' He thought, again reversing direction and leaping over a pile of crates.

'I just need to think like the Cobra's...' And with that in mind instead of focusing on STOPPING Bliss, he began pushing his thoughts in another direction....a....rather innapropriate direction, particularly since she was trying to kill him.

Bliss's eyes seemed to shoot open as she and the Cobras seemed to stop. She saw the confused look on Dragoncat's face and explained. "He...I can't find him anymore. Either he's learned to teleport...or he's...thinking like everyone else..." As Bliss said that last part it was more of a mumble than anything else. She heard Dragoncat's thought basically wondering if there was anything she could do. "Well...I could give every mind I can find a mental pain pulse." She said as she looked annoyed at Dragoncat. She wasn't very sure what to do now. Even if she heard Shinobi move she couldn't really bead on him because he was registering as a Cobra. She couldn't even send them a mental message, because she'd send it to Shinobi as well.

"Fine...fan out! He should be around that general area." Bliss commanded as she pointed, and then glanced back. It seemed the ship was just about loaded.

Shinobi kept too his hiding place as he looked around, careful to make as little noise as possible. It seemed Bliss was a bit flustered. Must mean his plan was working.

From there he simply had to lie in wait for a moment as the group started to disperse searching for him.

Dragoncat fanned out as well, searching the area for any trace of movement. "Clever boy..." He mumbled, looking where the shadows got darkest.

Shinobi finally grabbed one of the Cobra's when he got near, quickly putting his hand over the gang members mouth to keep him from yelling before using his other arm to bring the handle of his Kodachi down on the back of his head, then laid him down, unconcious, before trying to locate a new hiding place.

He had to reduce the problem with guns and numbers first. Then deal with Bliss and Dragoncat second.

Bliss was trying to keep her cool. This wasn't working, Shinobi had been able hide himself mentally which took away her advantage. Suddenly one of the Cobra's stood out with a sudden throught of fear before he went silent. Of course by the time Bliss found him, Shinobi was already gone. If this kept up, Shinobi would just pick off the Cobras one by one, and at the moment the numbers were an advantage. A dark smirk crossed her face as she got an idea.

Bliss couldn't sense Shinobi, but if he was attacking the Cobras, maybe she'd be able to see him, even if it was for a second through the Cobra's eyes and hopefully Shinobi's. She seemed to stand still but actually she was connecting her mind to all the ones she was reading, and trying to sort out what they were seeing. Soon enough she sensed the fear from another Cobra and was able to make out where he was. "Gotcha." Bliss said both with her mouth and into Shinobi's mind as she flipped over a couple of crates. As she landed, she found herself face to face...well...face to mask anyway with the ninja looking none too happy despite how proud she was of herself.

"No more hiding, little ninja. The mask really works for you, but it does have one inherent flaw." Once again Bliss began to trade blows with Shinobi trying to distract him from her warning before she went for a palm strike right between Shinobi's eyes where there was a hole for Shinobi's eyes, but there was just enough skin showing that Bliss was able to add a significant pain pulse to the blow.

Shinobi was doing his best to pick off the Cobra's, he'd managed to reduce his problem's fairly well by now, but then they decided to compound again as Bliss landed right in front of him.

"Everything has a flaw." He said, trying to sound nonchalant even as he was being hard pressed to keep Bliss at bay. 'I don't remember her being this good...' He thought silently as she landed a palm strike between his eyes.

Then his world erupted into a much worse pain then a simple strike should have caused. As the unprepared ninja staggered back letting out a shout of pain, he bumbed against a wall.

'One exit gone...' He thought quickly taking stock of the situation. Bliss had done a good job of cutting in manuevering room down, strike one against him. His only 'escape' was blocked by Bliss herself. Strike two.

He had no intention of letting Bliss get strike three in as he reached into his gi and produced a kunai, deftly hurling it at her left shoulder as he began to dash to the right.

Dragoncat, attracted to the noise, was quickly making his way to the 'fight'.

"Ah!" Bliss shrieked as she caught the kunai, though she slightly miscalculated and it still went in her shoulder before she could get a hard enough grip to stop it. As she pulled it out, she ripped some of her costume to make a makeshift bandage hoping the commotion was enough that Dragoncat could find the ninja. After she'd taken care of her shoulder she began to make random threats in Shinobi's head trying to throw him off, usually people like that hate it when people get in their heads and she was trying to take advantage of that. 'You know everytime you hurt me all you're doing is adding another pain pulse before I eventually kill you.'

She watched closely as Shinobi fought Dragoncat before she finally pounced almost clinging to Shinobi's back. But this was just so she could get a good chance to reach into the rip she'd previously made in Shinobi's costume and was able to get in another pain pulse. "Ooooo that was a good one, I think that might have actually gotten you back for that first scar. I suppose because of my shoulder I should give you another one huh?" Bliss said with an evil glee. 'Um...Bliss, the ship's been loaded.' A voice said into Bliss's head which came from one of the Cobras. 'Good. Start shipping out, we'll catch up.'

Shinobi's escape was cut short when he found himself confronted by Dragoncat, the older martial artist wasted no time beginning the fight, throwing punches and kicks like they were going out of style.

Shinobi was more focused on keeping himself defended then counter attacking as Bliss started threatening him telepathically. He did his best to shake it off, after all he had dealings with telepaths before. He just wondered if she was more powerful then Mindwarp.

As that thought entered his head he managed to catch one of Draconcat's blows and land a kick in his kidney. As he stumbled Bliss leapt onto Shinobi's back. A random string of obsceneties ran through the ninja's mind as he cursed both his own stupidity and Bliss.

That was when his second pain pulse occured, and now he was beginning to get woozy. In their first meeting he only took one pulse, and that he doubted was at full power. This time Bliss wasn't simply attempting to win a fight...she was out for blood.

Doing his best to keep his act together he began tilting a bit, grabbing whatever part of the Villainess's anatomy he could reach and attempting to hurl her off of himself, as far and as hard as possible.

Bliss felt a sharp pain in her head as Shinobi pulled and threw her off. She immediately felt the back of her head and her eyes went wide as she saw the lock of her hair still in Shinobi's hand. It wasn't too obvious but she could feel where Shinobi had inadvertently ripped her hair out. From the look on her face it was a good thing she hadn't gotten telekinesis like her brother or she might have blown up Shinobi's head right then and there. Turning her head so slowly it was surprising that it didn't make a creak, she looked at Dragoncat. 'On the ship...now!' She practically yelled into his head before turning to Shinobi.

"I'm going to enjoy watching you die. But first, you've definitely earned yourself another pulse. I think I'm going to use both hands this time." Holding out her hand she showed that she'd taken another Kunai while she'd been clinging to his back with her other hand. Bliss dashed forward while throwing the Kunai so that if Shinobi dodged it too far he'd end up ramming right into her knee.

"Why the hell are we retreating damnit?" Dragoncat demanded as his breathing returned to normal from taking Shinobi's kick. "We should just kill him now."

"I suppose you want this back?" Shinobi asked letting the wind carry the strands of Bliss' hair away.

"Ah crap..." He groaned catching a glimpse of his kunai just before she threw it. Now for the hard part, getting his positioning just right on the dodge, or else he'd either get cut, kicked, or both.

Too bad he was still woozy from having a telepath inside his mind multiple times tonight, and two consecutive painpulses. Too his credit he didn't really scream when his kidney felt the impact of Bliss' knee, he just sort of...grunted. But he did try to make his position more defensible, however he needed too, reaching behind his back hoping to unsheat his kodachi in time was his chief idea.

"Why the hell are we retreating damnit? We should just kill him now."

"I didn't say we were retreating. I was telling you to leave. There's a difference, and believe me, it's for your own good. And don't worry, I will kill him.." Bliss said in a dark tone, while she sounded confident, she was stretching out her powers so thin in this fight it was beginning to wear her out. But she had one more trick that just might do the...well...trick. As Shinobi began to tire, Bliss was having an easier time reading his mind, especially after the knee to the kidney.

She could tell he was going to go for the kodachi and quickly dashed forward grabbing his wrist trying to force the weapon back into it's sheath. "Now now. Keep this up and I'll be forced to kill you with my pain pulses instead of torturing you with them." She was hoping that Shinobi'd freak out slightly with her in such close proximity to him since she was close enough to back up her threat. After all, strengthwise he was the stronger one as their struggle for the weapon was slowly showing.

'Last warning, Dragoncat. I can't guarentee my next move won't turn your brain to mush as well if you don't get far enough away from me.' Bliss meant to send the message only to Dragoncat but she was getting tired, so the warning could have been heard by Shinobi as well.

Dragoncat finally seemed to take the hint and leave Bliss to Shinobi. As much as he wanted to deal more damage to the ninja, it certainly wasn't worth angering a metahuman of Bliss' power over.

'Damnit!' Shinobi yelled at himself mentally, he was vaguely aware that Bliss was planning something, but at the moment he was annoyed she had hold of his Kodachi. He focused his mind, coming up with one last plan. Instead of trying to hold his walls up and block Bliss, he quickly let a few of them down, attempting to make Bliss hear his thoughts.

'Interesting fact: If using telepathy is like opening a door, then like any other door...it can swing either way.' He 'thought'. He had no idea if he was strong willed enough to actually force his way into the mind of an accomplished telepath, but he was damn well going to try. If nothing else, the fact that someone ELSE was invading her mind might throw Bliss off balance.

Bliss was visibly surprised as Shinobi opened his mind to her and began trying to force his way into hers. 'Why little ninja, I never knew you wanted to be so intimite with me. So what do you want to know?' Bliss began to think as she let some of her fondest and most twisted memories go into Shinobi's mind as he searched. Like her successfully seducing and manipulating her brother and the countless innocents and guilty people alike that she'd killed in various ways for "fun". She was trying not to let him access anything too personal, but some facts did slip through, for instance the fact that she was tiring and she couldn't keep up such high level of telepathy for long. As well as her turning on the Deviants and her discussion with Chance.

'No need to worry about that stuff though. If you noticed, I did quite the studying on metahumans, was especially intrigued by Black Canary. To think that sound can be used as a weapon. I always wondered if that could be translated mentally. See the tests?' Bliss allows Shinobi to see the Keepers she'd tried a 'psychic scream' onto, and most vividly her successful attempts, paying close attention to the exploding eardrums, and eyes as blood pored from basically every hole in the head. 'I had to admit, I had no clue it'd be that effective...though none of them actually connected to my brain, like you are now. It should be much more potent.' She just gave Shinobi enough time to realize that he'd officially made it easier for her to do her final attack before she started the psychic scream.

As the noise began to penetrate Shinobi's mind he was focusing on every meditation exorcise, and focusing technique he was aware of, attempting anything that could ward off Bliss' attack. If she was going to use psychic warfare, he'd use psychological.

Concentrating on keeping his brain from bursting, and sparing just enough to vocolize his thoughts he 'thought' in a slow, halting fasion.

'So tell me...do you...seduce...so many people...because you don't...feell loved....in your...own life?' The question was simple, but he hoped it would be enough to shatter her focus, or at least, further extend her power, and make her wear out before he did. At the moment, his vision was even starting to fade, but he was staying on his feet out of simple spite.

Bliss's eyes shot open after the remark which did indeed break her concentration. Once the scream stopped she looked extrememly frustrated at she glared at the ninja. "You...you..." Bliss was barely able to get out. That was it, there'd be no way she'd be able to do another mental attack without passing out. As she looked at him, he was obviously just about as out of it as she was. But she had to be smart about it, and the fact was she had two things she could do. One, she could continue the fight physically and hopefully take him out. Or two, she could use her remaining energy to run away, since the ship was well out of distance at this point, she couldn't catch up with it.

As much as she wanted to finish this now, option one was a gamble, option two was a sure thing. If Chance backed up his promise to her she'd be more powerful anyway, beating Shinobi once and for all would be a piece of cake. After all, she was supposed to protect the shipment, killing Shinobi was never an essential part to the plan. Though there's no reason not to fit a little bit of option one in there. Bliss swung a hard kick to Shinobi's side. "You better hope I never find you again. Or you'll find out what happens when my supposed 'lack of love' gets taken out on you." With that Bliss took off into the darkness.

Shinobi gasped in mild(er) pain when Bliss landed her kick, but to his credit remained on his feet as she ran off. He WOULD have gone after her, he SHOULD have gone after her, but the simple truth was he couldn't.

He leaned against a wall breathing heavily, he was too tired to chase her, and even if he caught up too her, he'd have to deal with gun toting gang members as well as Dragoncat. In this moment, he decided that discretion was the better part of Valor...

_____

A few minutes later, in an undisclosed location...

Chance was pacing around a large, well-furnished room. His guests would be arriving shortly, then phase two of his plan would be put into motion. "Bliss had best have played her part..." He said quietly. A chain was only as strong as it's weakest link, and although he tempted Bliss with power, he couldn't be certain she would perform as he desired.

Bliss was barely able to make it to a hotel room with her remaining energy. Her original plan was to get back to her own HQ but it was quite aways from New York, so all she could do was get to the closest secure location. She would have tried to check in with Dragoncat but she wouldn't have been able to send a telepathic message to a cat that was sitting right next to her at the moment. She needed some rest, which was exactly what she was getting in less than a minute as she collapsed on the bed.

Chance was pacing the floor impatiently, although Bliss was not entirely necissary for the next stage of his plan, it would still benefit him if she was at least PRESENT for it. His guests would be arriving soon, and it was past time for her to update her status too him.

Had she failed so soon? Had Shinobi already caught her?

With an annoyed noise he pulled a cellular phone from one of his coats pockets and dialed a number. "Pick up the phone damnit girl..." He growled.

____


Meanwhile, Shinobi was barely dragging himself back to the dojo, to exhausted for anything else at the moment. 'I hope Bliss is feeling this bad...' He thought to himself keeping as hidden as possible, at the moment he really didn't want to risk a run-in with anyone who might have a grudge or desire to make a quick reputation...

Bliss kept waking up as her phone rang and eventually answered it in a slightly annoyed tone. "Whaaaaat? This better be good....oh it's you....awwww Chancey you missed me that much?" Bliss was trying to hide her exhaustion but it was obvious that Chance was quite annoyed at her not answering the phone and it just wouldn't be her if she didn't take advantage. "Don't worry, I wasn't able to kill Shinobi, but your shipment went through and I seriously doubt he'll be in any position to stop you anytime soon... He was barely able to get away, you back up what you said about my powers and he'll be dead the next time we meet."

"I will Bliss. I will." Chance assured her. "And never call me 'Chancey' again. I'm not a damn Pokemon. If you wan't my end of the bargain fulfilled, be at the address I supplied you with in forty-five minutes. And if Shinobi does interfere with my plans well...let's just say, I can make some rather creative tortures of my own."

With that last threat the line went dead, leaving Bliss to her own devices once more.

___

"Gramps?" Shinobi groaned, pulling off his mask as he staggered into the dojo, using the walls to support himelf. It took a little work but he managed to pry open the trap door and descend the steps into the 'Shinobi Cellar'.

"Grandpa?" He croaked again, this time pulling off the cloak and letting it drap onto the floor. Around this time the dizzy spells started kicking in.

"Crap..." He groaned, before letting himself collapse on the cot on the corner.

Bliss flopped back on the bed. She was exhausted but if Chance did have a way to boost her powers more she wouldn't have to deal with the exhaustion anyway. Forcing herself to sit up she dialed a number and pretty soon a former Keeper drove up to the hotel with quite the odd look on his face. She soon realized why he had the expression. "Don't read anymore into this. I'm too tired to drive on my own, so needless to say whatever reason you thought I was calling you to the hotel for ain't happening. And just a warning, you cop a feel while helping me to the car and when I'm rested I'll make you my plaything...and I don't mean in the good way." Bliss threatened as the former Keeper helped her to the car.

She collapsed in passenger seat, and by the time she woke up they were at the address and it was obvious the Keeper had been trying to figure out a way to wake her up without facing her wrath. Bliss stretched and left the car being a little more rested though nowhere near up to 100% which put her slightly on edge as she entered the building.

As Bliss entered one of Chance's attendents came to her, this was obviously not a petty thug, he was too well dressed for that.

"Your Bliss?" He asked, looking her over. "I see. Follow me." He said before she had time to respond. As they walked he led Bliss into a room with a number of occupants, among them Chance himself and a long wooden table.

"Ah, Gentlemen and ladies, this would be our last guest of the evening." Chance said in an almost pleasent voice, like a host greeting his guests.

If Bliss scanned the room she would see an odd assortment of people, an elderly man in a wheelchair hooked to an oxygen tank, a man in a dark blue business suit and black slicked back hair, rather handsome at that, several others who didn't really catch her eye, and two women with asian features sitting next to each other in a corner. Obviously these people were various figures in organized crime rings, and with each of them was a number of 'lackey's or bodyguards, whatever you wanted to call them.

When Bliss saw the room full of people she automatically got a bad feeling. These were obviously heavy hitters and at the moment she didn't have her powers anywhere near their peak. But outwards she was calm and collected and even a bit confident. "Why Chance, if I'd have known you were having such a big meeting I would have dressed up before I came." While Bliss had changed her clothes they weren't dress clothes in any sense and she still bore some remnants of her previous battle, the most obvious being her bandaged shoulder. She might not have been at full power but if she acted like she was hopefully no one would be any the wiser, especially since most of them probably didn't even know who she was. Though as she recognized some of them, they'd know who she was soon enough.

"My freinds, no doubt you are wondering why I convened this group." Chance began simply enough. There were a few nodds and some murmers around the room.

A few bodyguards, expecting an attempted assassination were getting to their guns.

"Well, I adress you in the wake of this Crisis for the common criminals." He said, making a sweeping gesture around the room. "We, among men, hold formidable power. Some of us merely control crime in our area...some of us have even gone so far as to manipulate the government itself! In Cuba, the Mafiosi Meyer Lansky, from New York, was one of Batista's cabinet members!" Chance shouted, trying to add drama and showmanship to his speech.

"However, our time in the spotlight was fading away, by the thirties, we were dealing with the likes of 'Green Lantern' and 'The Flash' and along with heroes, came villains to match them. All of them, began forcing us out of power, weakening out bases as the Gods stepped down from Olympus, Asgard, and any other place, and walked out cities, hurling busses at each other.

And then, and then they organize, the Justice League, and now, this 'Secret society'. Organized villains!" Chance yelled once more, slamming his fists on the table, creating a crack. "If they organize, they could easily push petty crimelords out of business, and threaten the foundation of OUR power.

For this reason we must unite ourselves. We must become their foil! We must create a single, unified, underworld, all OVER the world."


"And if we did that..." The wheelchair bound man asked. "Who would lead it? You?" He finished, then coughed.

"Yes, I won't lie. That is my intention." Chance nodded, calmly.

"Why should we do as you say!?" The man in the business suit demanded, rising to his feet.

"Because gentlemen...you answered my summons. You entered my abode. In here...you are at my mercy." Chance said, putting his hands behind his back. "I will give you all fifteen minutes to decide if you wish to accept, or reject my offer. Those who reject it...will be free to go." He finished, but the way he said 'free to go' left some on edge.

Bliss's cocky smirk continued after Chance finished his speech. She figured she didn't have to actually make a choice since she in a sense was already working for him. But the more she thought of it, the more this would fit her plans exactly. Any way she looked at the situation she'd be the winner. As soon as she got some rest and regained her powers to their full potential, it wouldn't be a hassle to manipulate these crime bosses and take Chance's plan from him. Or she could let him do the dirty work and overthrow him herself. Or if the plan totally bombed she could pick up the pieces and do it correctly herself.

No matter what angle she looked at the situation, she could be a winner and of course that put her in quite the good mood as her devious smile showed as she began to listen to the others as they thought over Chance's proposal. While her powers weren't really working she could hear the occasional psychic whisper, showing the other's obvious distrust of Chance.