[Coolshaymin]

The Black Market continued as it did normally, various shops of varying levels of shadyness. Among these, Vanish T. was doing his usual side work of finding shady individuals by posing as a shop keeper in the Black Market. Though you would suspect an undercover official to not be welcome here, Vanish T rarely made any effort to bother the other store keepers unless necessary. Plus, his undefined amount of power in the sphere was convincing enough to not get on his bad side. This time he was using an illusion of a Brown and purple Goomba with an eyepatch and a slightly different sword. Keeping different illusions to trick the ignorant was often a valuable tool... Though him offering a trial drew question to why he was here.

Anyway, Vanish T sighting aside, it was time to try and track down the thought to be untrackable, Assasain Guy.

[Mr. Game & Watch]

While one such as Vector tended to not be welcomed around the Black Market, the crocodile was slightly different than most. He was not as well-known as others from his universe, not to say that there weren’t more obscure than him, but his reputation was lesser known than those of Tails, Sonic, and the rest. Besides, his organization helped out any in need, not just the specific group of do-gooders, however, Vector usually favoured them. On top of that though, he resembled closest to the Kremling species, not closely, but large and reptilian was enough to fit the bill.

Upon entering the shady end of town his sharp eyes scanned around for his first target. He wasn’t entirely sure where he’d begin here, but no doubt a shop keep would be willing to toss around some information with him. Vector’s vision honed in on a stall nearby, the Shy Guy running the place caught his attention the most. He wasn’t precisely using him as a means to finding another Shy Guy, but as the Pichu stated the metal and poison used at the crime scene were primarily smuggled from their native habitat so it was a good place to start.

The rather tall figure loomed over the stall of the Shy Guy, observing his collection of goods before speaking up. He decided to open with something rather simple and neutral. “Excuse me sir, I fancy myself a weapon. What’s the best you got?” the crocodile leaned in, placing his elbow on the countertop. “I’m looking for something not too basic, more specifically a weapon worthy of a name, like Excalibur, yadda yadda.”

[Coolshaymin]

The Shy Guy was looking through some stuff under the makeshift counter until he heard the crocodile's voice and hit his head. "Oh, a weapon worthy of Excalibur you say? Well, sure that is easy, give me a sec!" The Shy Guy said as he went under the desk and started chucking various kinds of junk all over the place. "How about this?!" He said pulling out a shiny silver like sword. "Made out of Shy Guy Brand Steel. The only material that is better is Yoshtanium but that is only wielded by higher ups in the Shy Guy armarda, so this is the best you can get! With its shiny gems straight from the Shy Guy Mines, it can even make a great collector's item! It is finely crafted and it can be yours! So, what do you say about this magneficent item my reptilian friend?" The Shy Guy advertised.

[Mr. Game & Watch]

A grin grew on the crocodile’s snout. The Pichu mentioned that the metal used was one exclusive to Shy Guys and Yoshis, so that narrowed it down to the two that the Shy Guy mentioned. Unfortunately, the Pichu didn’t state which of the two it was, at the moment that would be an important piece of information considering that the rarity would narrow down the possibilities of the culprit. That might’ve been Vector’s fault for letting Hades do the majority of the questioning.

Vector had a slight fascination with testing out the blade itself, but odds were the shop keep wouldn’t let him touch the merchandise under he purchased it. Especially a high quality blade of this caliber. Although, he could be using his tongue to sell the blade for better than it actually was. Either way didn’t matter much.

“Hmmm, this does look good, but you said there was better. We’re talking infected here, they can come in a variety of different sizes and shapes. I need the best there is, something I can rely on without doubt. This Yoshtanium sounds like a better product, a good salesman wouldn’t mention it if they didn’t have some in stock. How much would it cost for me to get my hands on a blade like that? Any size would work for me.”

(Chr = 14 + 2)

“Don’t you worry about the expenses, I have more than enough to cover it.” That mere statement was enough to make him cringe internally. This mission seemed to be emptying his pockets with every step further he made. Hopefully that Kackle assist trophy was the most he was going to lose on this case, but so far his offers keep delving him deeper into the possibility of being in debt. It was for a good cause, so he supposed that could hold him over for a little while.

[Coolshaymin]

The Shy Guy thought over Vector's offer for a moment before answering. "Okay, I think I can get you something. However, the price will be really-AGH!" The Merchant began before he suddenly got hit by a shuriken that seemed to come out of nowhere and there was no clear sign of whoever threw it to trophisize the merchant. On the Shuriken however was a note.

"Meet me in the shopkeeper's basement, I may have the info you seek." The note was straight to the point. Sure enough, behind the stand was a trapdoor leading into some kind of underground the room. It was pitch black except for a single light shining down the center, being the only lightsource in the darkness. There seemed to be no other sign of life in the basement.

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Right before Vector could get the final word out of the Shy Guy, it seemed as though someone would prefer to keep him quiet. That wasn’t all too promising, especially when what he was about to say would’ve opened a new door in this case. A very small door, but all the same it would be good for them.

Vector leaned over the table to check on the shop keeper, he was definitely down for the count. On top of that, there was a note on the very weapon that ‘killed’ him. Sure enough there was a hatch leading to some sort of basement underneath the creature’s trophy. Regardless of that, this was hardly a good idea. On one hand, this could be leading straight into a trap, while on the other if the mysterious killer wanted to take him out they would have done so already and spared the shop keeping Shy Guy. If all went south he could easily contact Chaotix headquarters, there was a collection of walkie talkies in his boot on standby. Best that he fulfill the attacker’s wishes.

The crocodile began to walk around the stand, though the gleam of the sword he was being presented earlier caught his eye. He did say that the weapon was expensive, and there was a void of that Kackle assist trophy that needed to be filled. Besides, the rent for Chaotix headquarters wasn’t going to pay itself. Vector’s lizard eyes shifted about to check for anyone around and then proceeded to swiftly pocket the sword. Could also provide some nice evidence in his favour.

He proceeded to kick the trophy out of the way and creaked open the hatch to the basement, climbing his way down if need be.

[Coolshaymin]

At the basement floor, the place remained still and silent, that is until the hatch above him snapped shut. There seemed to just be silence and nothing seems to be moving in the darkness. The only light was the light in the center, though there may be something hiding in the darkness. Either way, Vector seemed to be alone, that is until out of the darkness leapt a Black Shy Guy with a  oriental sun hat and a Katana like Blade and a scar on his mask's left eye and brought his sword down onto the Crocodile Detective before jumping back into and blending in with the darkness. Strangely, it seemed like the assassain did not put too much strength into that swing, almost as if he was testing the detective.


vCxiq7Tdp_1d20+6(... Wow... He did not put much effort into that test)

Challenge Time!: Beat the Asassain's sneak attacks with a DEX roll of your own to block them 3 times in order to earn his trust.1d20+6

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Vector did what little inspection of the room as he could before the door swiftly closed, blocking out the largest source of light in the area. Well, it would seem that his hypothesis was correct in this being a trap, not like it took a detective to figure that one out. The crocodile put his guard up as he crept in further to the nearly light void room. Without so much as a warning, one of the tiny humanoid beings flew out from the shadows and attempted to strike at him.

(Dex = 12 - 1)

Oddly enough, Vector was able to out speed the assassin and block the sword strike with his cuff. Again, it was strange that his strike was so easily deflected, almost like he wasn’t trying to harm him outright. Either that or this little felon was a rookie. Either option lead to an interesting development, however, he’d prefer to balance this test a bit more into his favour. He pulled out the spar set of night vision goggles that Bowser provided him for helping in destroying K Rool’s base. He snapped them on quickly and pulled out the sword he borrowed from the clerk and readied himself for the warrior’s next attack. He might have a bit of difficulty trying to sneak up on Vector now that he could see which way he’ll be coming from.

[Coolshaymin]

Success Count: 1

The Asassain continued to run around Vector while he put on the goggles in his own attempt at mind games. If he did not strike immediately it would throw the opponent off and make it more surprising when it happened, like properly placed jumpscares. Of course, this was assuming his opponent did not have a tool to see into the darkness. After a bit of stalling the sneaky shy guy jumped back in for another slash.


M|ZTVyhgp_1d20+6(... Wow... It will take a perfect roll from Vector to beat this.)

This attack was delivered much faster than the first, being like a sudden leap out of nowhere from his running patterns. Upon seeing the Croc put on some eyewear, the Shy Guy got an idea as he jumped into the various supplies storage containers around the dark room and started jumping from one to one very quickly, showing this Asassain clearly had some form of experience.1d20+6

[Mr. Game & Watch]

(Dex = |bJBJafFp_1d20 + 2 = Perfect)

Vector was approximately a mile off from his target when he attempt to deflect his next swing despite being much more able to see his dark in the dark. Perhaps he under estimated the stumpy figure or what was more likely is that he got lucky with the Shy Guy's first strike. Either way, Vector would strongly prefer to have someone like Espio here. If not to combat the ninja himself, to at least aid Vector by spewing stuff about mystic Ninja mumbo jumbo to either get him in the right mindset or to confuse the target into submission. Although, he could see no way shape or form how Hades would help in this situation, besides violently destroying everything so that the ninja didn't have any cover.

The crocodile was quick to calm himself down after receiving the strike, tightening his grip around the hilt of his sword and attempting to focus better on his surroundings. It felt like someone Espio would suggest, stay vigilant and focused. Honestly though, Vector wasn't sure if he had the patience required for the field.1d20 + 2

[Coolshaymin]

IQW0UeaLp_1d20(Decided to start doing it without the mod)

Once the Asassain felt like Vector was confused enough he popped out of a box and leapt at Vector, ready for another slash before jumping back into the darkness and trying the same trick again. After a short while of that he would go in for another slash before returning to the same tactics.


p_1d20 (Second slash to try and speed things up.)1d20·1d20

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Vector's breathes became shorter and more at ease as he tried to regain focus. He tried his best to focus on the words of Espio, but anything he said was usually short winded and followed up by a comment from Charmy, which in terms of calming him down it had a rather neutralizing effect. As for the things he remembered Espio saying, it usually had the word ninja inserted into it and that wasn't helping him.

(Dex = m1ZeIfOzp_1d20 + 2 Would've succeeded without dropping the mod)

Vector honed in on his target once he revealed himself from the storage boxes, quickly deflecting the Shy Guy's blade with his own. The crocodile's snout grew a little smirk. With that, his sparring opponent fled back into the darkness where he could clearly see him moving around. The little bugger decided to try the same tactic, but given that it proved unsuccessful the first time and that Vector thought his opponent would be much more clever than that, the lime lizard thought he was disguising his old trick with a new surprise tactic. With that in mind, he prepared a stance different than the last to try and out predict the assassin.

(Dex = p_1d20 + 2)

Unfortunately he over predicted his opponent and yet again he was able to bash the reptilian with his blade. Feeling as though he made a bad play, Vector ground his steel shattering teeth. Getting fed up with this nonsense, he threw away his blade and prepped a better stance for the warrior's next strike. This time, he readied his jaws, planning to shatter that pest's blade by force. 1d20 + 2·1d20 + 2

[Coolshaymin]

The quick and silent asassain once again went into the darkness. However instead of trying the same trick, he started running behind the boxes and stuff to block himself from the night vision. He kept running until he was satisfied before jumping from behind the box he stopped at and going for another slash before jumping back into the shadows.


wavv0biVp_1d20( Whatever you do, do not roll a 1 or 2.)1d20

[Mr. Game & Watch]

(Dex = 10 + 2)

Vector’s iron bending teeth were able to snag the assassin’s weapon with relative ease and in accordance to that he promptly yanked it out of his grasp to end the escapade once and for all so that he could finally get somewhere. He would’ve broken his patience much earlier if his headphones weren’t blaring his favourite song of his royalty free soundtrack. Well, that and the cold musings of Espio.

“Alright, I disarmed yah!” the crocodile announced as his head scoped around the room. He pulled his goggles off of his eyes and stomped his mighty boot on top of the two disarmed swords so that no funny business would play out. “If yah deem yourself as honourable you’d come to see your equal, am I right?” Vector called out once more. He understood that ninjas had their own way of dealing with business, but he just wanted to get to the meat of this investigation already. It wasn’t like he was given an unlimited amount of time to get this done after all.

Vector felt the need to spout out some more words, but at this point he chose to keep his large yapper shut. He was lucky enough to get this far so might as well not waste it by mouthing off to the suspect. He was open to any information at this point. It was an assassin and a Shy Guy, but that didn’t necessarily mean it was the one he was looking for. Although, given the size of the population in the Life Sphere, it was a likely candidate. Either way, it was a good hunch that he’d set him on the right path in terms of this Assassin Guy.

[Coolshaymin]

"Equal? I would not say that. After all, a smart detective like you surely figured out I was not going all out, correct? But you did past the test," a voice came out from the darkness as the ninja like shy guy walked into the light with the crocodile. "Yoshitanium, let and easy to wield, but you used that against me, quite clever. I have a guess you were looking for me, well here I am, the Shy Guy known as Asassain Guy. You are free to ask me any questions," The shy guy said, readjusting his oriental sunhat. It is interesting to note that while he said Vector was free to ask question, the Shy Guy did not say he would answer them, though it would take some smarts to realize he has an alterior motive.