Junior's henchmen ran from the entrance, The club was mainly empty, with the exception of Junior and a few of his men tending to maintenance. He lounged in an empty booth drinking some whiskey and looked around, sighing at his expenses. The club was just now rebuilt due to The Ace of Spade's little act that rocked the club just months ago.

Junior: Bored...

Bill: Junior! Junior!

He jolted up from surprise.

Junior: What is it Bill!?

He asked in annoyance.

Bill: He's back sir! H-He's back... f-from the goddamn DEAD!

He panicked, before running away

Junior stood up and walked calmly over to the front, passing the lot of his henchmen either aiming to shoot at the entering figure or running off screaming. He felt a strange sense of déjà vu hit him as he passed a small crowd of his henchmen and sighted the shorter boy clapping slowly, looking all around the place.

Ace: Nice place Junior, good to see you cleaned everything up...

Junior: Well well well, Ace of Spades. Honestly I didn't expect this, then again... You are full of surprises.

Ace: I've come to settle a little deal with you.

Junior: What deal?

Ace: Whoa there, hold your horses... There are approximately 4 meters separating you and me, I can see a small gap in between your henchmen there, when in my semblance form I've measured that I can go 10 meters per 2 seconds... The-

Junior: Okay! Okay! Stop! PLEASE! Stop... Jeez. Get this kid a drink.

Junior yelled, visibly tired out by Ace's logical attack.

Ace: Wow, never thought it would be that easy.

-Ace's POV-

I followed Junior, a henchman whom I recognized walked beside me. He still had the spade tattooed onto his neck, what can I say tattoos are a bitch to remove...

Bill: Long time since I've seen you boss...

Me: It's has been Bill.

I responded. Making my way through the bar, Melanie and Militia stood in a corner, both whispering and pointed at me, giggling. I couldn't pick up on what they were saying though.

I set myself down on a chair, Junior went inside to grab some grub. I sighted a pack of expensive looking cigars set on the table, I looked around, no one was here. I shrugged and smiled as I snatched it. Placing the pack in my pocket while I grabbed one out of the pack, as well as my lighter which I had used for my much older operations regarding TNT predating Beacon. A puff of smoke as I looked around, I was lucky that bluff back there worked... but I shouldn't rely on it so much. Such knowledge of my biggest weakness is enough of a factor in my operations to possibly cost me my life...

???: Hello Ace...

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye. A hooded figure sat right next to me. A feminine voice... I smiled, my cigar sill clenched in my mouth.

Me: Good evening. How may I be of service? Do you need help?

I asked, putting on my typical gentlemen masquerade. The girl kept her gaze forward, I tried to see around her hoodie, but it was big.

???: Nothing much, just wanted to tell you about the Chessboard.

This got me thinking...

Me: Chessboard, what's she talking about. In fact, what's she even doing here. Isn't she a bit too young for bars of this age limit?

???: The contest, it's on.

Me: What contest? Is she challenging me to something?

???: My name's Amber Zarrick.

She piped up, removing her hoodie, revealing a girl obviously aged a bit younger than me. I turned to her, my right scarlet eye flashing red. She faced me and smirked.

Me: Thank you for your name, although I can't kill you with it. That still doesn't answer my question, what contest.

Amber: It's only a little warning bell, the calm before the storm. You see, Ace... or should I say Y/N. Salem has lost all trust in you, she's been bitter about your failures at Atlas and Beacon ever since. She's sent me to retrieve you for her.

Me: Why'd Salem lose trust in me? At the very least if she was disappointed even to the least she'd have me killed back in the Nether realm. I see... you're another proxy of her's I assume?

Amber chuckled.

Amber: No no no, I'm no slave to Salem, unlike you. I'm simply, in your words... Seizing the opportunity.

Me: Then you know not to mess with me then, Imm betting she's told you what I can do.

This is when Amber giggled softly. She got in close to my ear and whispered.

Amber: You see, Junior and his men don't know that your abilities are kaput... But... Uh oh, someone here does...

My eyes widened in surprise.

Me: Salem! That bitch! I thought I told her that I was her most important asset. Why has she sent this... this Faunus girl to get me? Nevertheless, this girl is a threat. No in fact, not even that, she's a goddamn setback, a delay!

Amber: Perhaps I should clarify it a bit for you. I'm not here for you yet. I like a fair fight.

Me: Then you have no knowledge of my moralities and wants? What is it you're here for?

Amber: Just a declaration, you can't have a fair game without your opponents acknowledgement of it even beginning.

She smirked as she leaned with her elbow against the table.

Me: You're challenging me? I see...

Amber: I look forward to seeing you again. Farewell for now.

She whispered once more, before she grabbed my shot drink Junior had long placed on the table, drank it a bit and got off the chair. Walking out of the bar, I watched her as she left. She waved back at me without looking. I jolted in pain as my cigar's flame had reached my lips without me even noticing. It fell on the floor where it continued to burn.

Me: She's a huntress I know it... But something seems so familiar about her... What is it?

I promptly shook the thought off, also getting off my own chair.

Me: JUNIOR!

He walked out behind the doors that led into his room of supplies. I snapped quickly.

Me: Henchmen! Please.

He nodded, knowing what would likely happen again should he disobey.

Me: It's all becoming clear to me... From the very beginning I've taken on enemies one at a time... Now, I guess Lady Luck's thrown a few obstacles my way. Fine then Amber... I can do hide-and- seek as well, once I've disposed of you. there'll be nothing standing between me and Salem. This'll be exciting...

I smiled to myself, as twelve of Junior's henchmen emerged from the back and joined me at my side.

Bill: We're awaiting your orders Ace of Spades.

I looked at him, nodding slowly. Cracking my knuckles.

Me: Well then...