AN: Hey ya'll, Mclovin here to bring my second story that I found some motivation to type. I was feeling in love with Roman in particular lately so I figured I'd do something about that.

"YOU FUCKING LIAR"! I heard one of the men from across the room scream as a small table was flipped over and cards were sent flying in multiple directions. I paid little mind to the card game. Nobody would dare to break the rules of our group while I was around. All in all, it was a little depressing to see what our small band of misfits had been reduced to. Where we had been a thriving little community of one-hundred and fifty, we were now at a meagre thirty-three.

"Rather sad to think about what we could of been..." I muttered to myself dejectedly. More than half of us were now in prison. Our whole dream of freeing the people of Vale from the tyranny of the council was fleeting. It was surprising how many of us were still around and hadn't left for 'bigger and better things' as some of the old deserters put it. They claimed our group was 'a relic of the past' and 'could never get itself off the ground'. I remember welcoming their departure for their faithlessness. In our group of revolutionaries, these times were what tested the determination of our members and if there was any benefit from this, it was that by the end we'd manage to sever our weak links.

"M-Ma'm"? I was shaken from my inner thoughts as one of our fresher recruits spoke up. Yes, I suppose I was quite the intimidating figure from up here on my yard chair throne; stacked on top of a row of barrels with makeshift wooden stairs leading upwards towards it.

"Yo. Ya'll are a bunch of nervous wrecks when you first join up. Like, just call me by my name. It's Paraudonuoti, but I like you so much you can call me 'Para' for short". I gave him a smirk and he seemed to loosen visibly in face of my easy going nature. That was better.

"Sure thing Para," he said with a small bit of hesitation, but I waved my hand and bid him confirmation to continue on.

"We'll...it seems as though a lot of the guys are unhappy with the way things have been going. The police have already busted half of us, and another fourth of us have gone on to work for that Torchwick guy...I was just thinking...maybe we should do something to raise morale around here instead of sulking around and waiting for the cops, or even hunters to bust us. I hear Torchwicks been making off with a pretty hefty amount of Dust. Maybe we could try and move in on that front before he gets a whole monopoly on the Dust robbery game? You know"? He paused after his brief monologue and clasped his hands behind his back in hopes that he didn't offend.

I was angry. I shouldn't of been, but I was. Maybe it was my inner acknolwedgment of my failure as a leader, or maybe I really was offended by the fact this grunt seemed to know what was best for our ailing group. I always welcomed an open door policy to suggestions, but having the obvious thrown right in my face was enough to get my blood boiling. The recruit could tell I was annoyed by the furrowing of my brow and lack of response, but before I could formulate a proper one, he stuttered various apologies and ran off towards gods knows where. I wouln't bother looking for him since there was hundreds of places he could hiding in this warehouse complex. I sighed exhasperately, and laid back in my provisional throne. A few more minutes of listening to the bitching of poker games and degenerates fighting over alcohol, and I managed to drift off into a light sleep. I'd need more time to think of a solution to all these crackdowns.

"Now Now Now, I'm sure you kids can do a much better job working for me than for your failure of a boss taking a nap over on that prettied up lawn chair," I heard someone comment and I opened my eyes to reveal everyone crowded by the entrance to the warehouse. What was going on? I groggily stood up and grabbed 'Ifrit', my weapon and personal crafted flamethrower.

"No need to get violent sleeping beauty. I was just pointing out that your guys seemed to be pretty unhappy in this shabby place, when they could be doing so much better working for me," the voice continued. Rubbing my eyes, I managed to place the face to the voice.

"Torchwick"! I shouted and stomped over towards the crowd.

"In the flesh. Now I'm sure you'd love to give me a whole tirade about how I shouldn't be here, and to get out, but just hear me out sweetcheecks".

"Get-"! I had started but Roman had cut me off, predicting my next statement. I glared at the crimelord, but nodded in acceptance. In reality, brokering a deal with Torchwick might have been in our best interests if our small group was to survive much longer.

"You're 'Noble' and 'Righteous' band of anarchists isn't doing too well from what I've heard. It's a shame really. You all did a great job at distracting the police during my Dust heists, but with the intervention of a huntress lately I've found myself requiring the manpower of folks who know how to...get dirty if you get my drift. Juniors men were alright for extortion, but I found their actual combat expertise to be lacking". Roman strutted forward and I didn't bother to raise Ifrit to threaten him. I was interested in hearing the rest of his proposal.

"So what I want is for you to pack up your things and to come work for me instead. Not only will you not be stuck dreaming of the day you can stop the big bad government, but the retirement benefits at 'Torchwick Incorporated' are second to none," he encouraged and flashed a smile at the group.

"You get paid well, I assure you. You'll be going head to head with law enforcement, but with the resources of me and my associates, it'll be much more smooth than with those pea shooters you call weapons". He gestured to the matchlock pistol of one of the greenhorns. I was also rather surprised at the presence of such an ancient weapon.

"Another plus, is that you'll be able to get vengeance for all your buddies that the fuzz has managed to put behind bars. Maybe even free them if the time calls for it"! I found myself rather pleased by the words and his charismatic approach. I had already proved myself as a failure of a leader, and with a man like Torchwick at the head, we might actually have a future for ourselves...myself...instead of lingering in abandoned warehouses. My earlier irritation subsiding in the crimelords presence, I gave the man a toothy grin. Before I even had a chance to accept or deny Roman's offer, I found most of my group heading out the door to a group of trucks situated outside. Some were very intent on taking Roman's offer without my consent it seemed. This was only further confirmation of my failure as group leader.

"Well Torchwick, I can say that it's pretty shitty 'round here. Fuckin roaches and all. The boys wanna go with you regardless of what I choose. So yeah, we'll work for 'ya". I said and strapped Ifrit to my back. My acceptance seemed to please him as he came around and put his arm around me shoulders.

"Great choice hon. I see us doing lots of great work together,"! He assured me.

"Aye. I can tell I'm going to have a lot more fun". I responded with a mischievious grin plastered across my face.

AN: Hope ya'll liked this chapter. I have high expectations for myself with this fic. ^^