Learning a bit more from Daniel about the other victims, it seemed like Dire fang had been going through his revenge list by order of those he had lost to. Which in turn meant that Red Sunn was next.
'From what I remember Red Sunn is quite the strong fighter. He might be able to handle himself in most situations, but not against an Undead werewolf.' Emily thought.
"You're a more caring person than I thought. While that might not be the best quality for your average gang leader, for our little group it's not exactly bad." Daniel mentioned, making Emily flinch as she had completely forgotten about her role in their little gang.
"Anyway, I think it's for the best if you two start to hang out together. Although Dire fang seems to go after his victims in the order he lost against them, we have to account for the fact. If that's something like his calling card, then he might be coming for you first actually. Either way, there's safety in numbers and at least you know that he's coming after you."
"After your practice, give Red Sunn a call. Let me add his number to your comm. I was going to get you two to meet up with each other more often anyway. Use that time to learn how to cooperate for the next underground fight."
Emily was in the middle of giving her comm to Daniel when she realised something.
"Come again? What's that about an underground fight?" Emily asked.
"Oh yeah, I never got a chance to tell you this weekend our little gang will have their gang debut and the two of you will be entering in a tag team match against Heaven Dune High."
Don't worry, it's a couple of days after that Aerion match of yours. Who knows, maybe you'll see your opponents out on the field." Daniel casually said as he headed for the door.
"Wait." Emily called out, stopping Daniel before he left. "I wanted to ask you about something."
Daniel sighed.
Thank you very much, but I was actually going to ask… if you could spot me some money. I used up everything I've earned to help my family pay off some overdue bills, but we got some new ones coming in, so I needed some more. It won't be for long, you can just deduct it from whatever we'll earn in that tag team match!"
Hearing these words, Daniel's hand left the handle, and a smirk appeared across his face.
you will just have to make do until the tag team match. I promise then you will get a big pay day, as long as you win of course." Daniel said, leaving the room before Emily could say anything else.
*******
Emily had left as soon as rugby practice was over, following an unexpected message on her comm from an unknown number. Given the content of the message it wasn't hard to figure out who it was though.
[Daniel gave me this number and told me to text you. He told me that the two of you have already talked about our little Dire fang situation and our upcoming tag team match. I'll be waiting here.] The sender had attached his location on the map, marking his position.
Arriving at the location, Emily was surprised to see that it was quite a nice looking park. There was a large open green field where people were playing Aerion football, a set of swings and some families. It was half way between Emily's school and Red Sunn's school.
'I don't even know what gang runs this part of Slough. Although the White swan have most of the Slough under their thumb they don't own all of it, this place is so…peaceful.' Emily thought, which was why she was wondering why Red Sunn had asked her to meet up in such a place.
Over here!" Red Sunn shouted, waving with one hand in his pocket and his red hair slightly Unkept. He looked almost exactly the same as when Emily had first seen him in the arena, the only difference was that he was wearing familiar looking clothes. It took her a moment to recognise them as the gang uniform that Daniel had prepared for them...The revised edition_Deep black Jump suit with cream outlines.
"What gives? Here I do my best to make myself presentable by wearing our gang outfit, yet our 'mighty leader' isn't wearing the clothes herself?" Emily wasn't sure whether Red Sunn sounded more annoyed or embarassed about the fact that he was the only one who seemed to have put some thought into this meeting.
"Sorry? I didn't really consider this like a gang meeting and I also just came out of school. Besides, is it really wise to wear our colours so openly? Isn't this like sending a challenge to all the other gangs?" Emily asked.
At this point, Red Sunn couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a big sigh. Someone who was in a gang wasn't supposed to act like that in front of their leader, but the more he interacted with Emily, the more he was convinced that Daniel must seriously be pulling his leg about who the actual leader of their gang was.
"As long as the big gangs don't know who we are and who is supporting us, they won't be messing with us. They just don't roll that way. Why do you think so many colour gangs are able to roam around freely sprouting their colours? Unless it gets pretty serious, those behind them don't usually get involved."
"Secondly, brandishing your colours is the whole point. A gang isn't meant to show any fear, or back down from those around them. If you're serious about starting this gang stuff then you need to do it right!"
Red Sunn had already gotten in a fighting stance, pointing for Emily to go opposite him in the large grass field. They weren't even too far away from where the kids were so the parents were able to easily see them.
"Really, here?" Emily questioned.
"Well from what I've heard, it's not like we have a hideout yet, so yes, here. Don't tell me you're shy, Midnight maiden. When I fight, I always intend to win. You're my partner so I need to see what you got." Red Sunn explained and straight away threw out a kick.
Out of reflex Emily tried to evade it, but she was too slow and as such was only able to partially block the attack. As soon as it hit though, she realised how heavy the hit was and just how powerful the strike was.
[-5 HP]
Red Sunn didn't give Emily much time to think and just kept on attacking sometimes he used his elven magic to inscribe purple runes on his hand. His opponent couldn't do much but try her best to evade and block, but it was near impossible for her to counter given her passive fighting style.
After some more of what could only be called a 'one-sided bullying' Red Sunn called off the fight. Emily was very thankful for that since she was left with merely 31 points of Energy and the pangs in her stomach were getting stronger.
"What's wrong with you? You seem distracted and a little… weak?" Red Sunn asked. "Are you that worried about that whole Dire fang situation?"
Emily shook her head. "No, it's just that I'm exhausted. As I told you, I just came from rugby practice.
Alright that might explain the lack of energy, but not you being distracted. Look, I know Daniel said the two of us should look out for each other, but honestly you just need to look out for yourself. You don't need to worry about me.I also don't have time to babysit you either."
"Heck! I beat the guy three times already and now that I know that he might be after me, I won't mind beating him a fourth time. Maybe I'll even get some sort of reward if I can hand him over to the police."
Emily wanted to say that Dire fang had changed since then, but there was no way that Red Sunn would believe her if she started talking about Undead werewolves. He would probably consider her to be crazy on top of being an incompetent leader and fighter.
Anyway, that was my pep talk. We can meet up and train here before the match. When you have more energy I'll show you a few things, you might know about fighting, but you don't know how to fight." Red Sunn said and got ready to leave. "Next time make sure to have more energy! Also, come in uniform, so I won't look like an idiot!"
"Wait!" Emily called out. "If…something happens… if you happen to see Dire fang or if you think he's somewhere near you, promise you'll text or call me! I'll be there straight away!"
"I already told you, there's no-"
"Please, just tell me!" Emily insisted.
Red Sunn looked into Emily's eyes. He didn't know why it was so important for his leader, but there was more fire in her eyes when she made her request than the whole time the two of them had been fighting.
"Sure, whatever." Red Sunn shrugged and waved her goodbye as he walked off.