Disclaimer: This is a rewrite of a story I had originally posted some time ago and vowed to finish one day. That said, I don't own Magic the Gathering or any of its other related intellectual property.

"Victor Strava! Open the door right now! We know you're in there!" came an angry shout as the armored fist of a Boros Wojek pounded menacingly at the wooden door.

Bright light from the late afternoon sun still hung high over the blue skies of Ravnica as a small group of heavily armed Azorius Arresters and Boros Wojeks crowded the dusty narrow alley and took ready positions along the front door of the old tenement building. No signs of life came from within the dingy run down structure while small chunks of bleached sandstone flaked off the sides. By now, onlookers on the streets had cleared out or retreated into their homes so as not to get in the way of the intimidating soldiers who had gathered.

Alexi Lazlo stood patiently on the sidewalk palming the hilt of the gladius short sword while waiting for a response. He was a tall Azorius Arrester near the age of thirty; moderately handsome with dark features, short hair and a reserved manner about him. Alexi slowly glanced to his shorter companion, a sergeant of the local Boros Wojeks by the name of Lechner. He had worked with Lechner before and the two men had a fairly friendly rapport with each other despite their different guild affiliations. The stocky Wojek shifted restlessly and gripped the flanged mace in his hand. He was always a bit impatient and jumpy, just itching to take action and jump into a fight.

"Well Lazlo? Are we going to move, or what?"

Alexi regarded him calmly before banging the door with his own fist, "This is your last chance Strava! We know you're growing illegal substances in this building and we have a signed warrant here. Open the door!"

The law enforcers heard banging and shuffling going on inside and Alexi turned to give an affirmative nod to the Wojek warriors clad in chain mail armor. The senior Arrester made room for two burly Wojek soldiers as they hefted a small steel battering ram and smashed the door open in one great swing. Inside the darkened room, the Golgari necromancer Victor Strava sprung up in surprised panic as the Arresters and Wojeks barged into the tenement building causing the criminal to take off running toward the stairs. Before the law enforcers could give chase, they raised their lanterns and spotted the shambling forms of several humanoid monsters made of fungi and vegetation lurking in the dark corners of the first floor living room. The creatures snarled and moaned as they turned their attention on the living intruders.

Giving a shout, the Wojeks wearing red and white drew blades and closed ranks to take on the menace while some blue clad Arresters in half plate armor readied their maces to back up the Boros soldiers. As a furious and messy melee erupted on the building's first floor, Alexi Lazlo raced inside and pushed through the combatants. He slashed aside a couple of the necromancer's fungi servants before charging through the dingy corridors of the building after the criminal. Not far ahead, the Golgari fugitive scrambled out a window to another set of alleyways, hearing the pounding footsteps of his pursuer close by.

As he burst through the window to the cobblestone streets, the Golgari outlaw squinted at the bright sunlight and blindly dashed to the edge of a dead end in the alleyway. Moments later, Strava whirled around in fear to see the blue and white uniform of the Azorius Arrester emerge from the rear door. Alexi cornered the outlaw and brandished his gladius.

"Surrender Strava! There's nowhere left to run!" Alexi called, advancing slowly on the criminal while leveling his short sword.

The Golgari fugitive's clothes and skin were crusted in filth and he wore a desperate look in his eyes as he brushed aside some of his long dark dread-locks. Taking one last look down the edge of the alleyway, Strava reached for a jagged dagger at his side and brought it across his palm while he began to chant guttural words to some kind of evil spell. Dark green tendrils of necrotic energy began to surround the necromancer in a sinister aura as Alexi shook his head slowly, "When will they ever learn?"

The Arrester immediately reached in his cloak and brandished a metallic badge shaped like the traingular insignia of the Azorius Senate with blue and silver enameling. As he did, he muttered an incantation of his own, drawing power from the arcane words of the Azorius Senate's very laws. While Alexi himself was not a lawmage and unable to perform advanced spellcraft, he was still able to make use of the enchanted badges issued to Arresters which allowed them to counter magic and restrain enemies in a limited capacity. To many of the Senate's enforcers, they informally referred to these badges as their lucky "charms."

With a swift motion, Lazlo hurled a blue wave of counter magic which struck the necromancer and dispelled his foe's power. As the Golgari's aura dissipated, Strava's limbs went stiff and he fell over helpless as magical interlocking runic triangles bound his arms and legs together to effectively detain him.

Standing over his prisoner, Alexi Lazlo sheathed his sword and handcuffed the Golgari outlaw. "Victor Strava, I'm placing you under arrest for illegal practice of necromancy, possession of illegal substances, endangering the safety of this neighborhood, and resisting officers of the law."

As Lazlo hauled the prisoner to his feet, a younger junior Arrester emerged from the stairwell and gave a wave as he approached. His suit of silver steel half plate armor had been splattered with some gore from the battle with Strava's plant minions, but the young Arrester looked none the worse for wear. "The building's clear sir. We've eliminated the fungi guards and the Wojeks report no casualties."

"That's good news. Nice work," Alexi smiled handing off Strava to the Arrester. "Gather your men and take Strava back to the precinct for processing. We'll let our advokists and the court system handle it from there."

"I imagine Captain Pulaski will be pleased when he hears the news." the younger nodded with a tired grin. "I heard Strava's been a wanted man for several months and just kept slipping away."

"It wasn't an easy case, but I'm glad it's finally over." Alexi sighed in agreement following his comrade back out of the alley and to he front of the dingy building. "Crime has been up lately but I'm praying things settle down for a while now."

"Wishful thinking sir, but we'll make do," the younger Arrester said with a salute as he and some of the other Azorius enforcers began heading back to their precinct building.

Alexi watched the younger officer leave and gave a tired nod over to Sergeant Lechner and the Boros Wojeks who had assisted in the operation. "You confiscated the illegal fungus and narcotics sergeant?

Lechner nodded, "We've got enough to put that guy away at a trial. As for the rest... it looked pretty putrid so we're going to burn it before it hurts anyone else."

Seeing that everything was in order, the Wojek sergeant extended a tired hand to Alexi and gave a quick shake, "Always a fun time Arrester Lazlo. Until the next raid?"

Alexi gave an amused smile and nodded before he began walking out of the alley to head back into the bustling main streets of Ravnica's 10th District. Rows of noisy merchant stalls lined the wide boulevard as human customers conversed with elves, minotaurs, and blue skinned vedalkin. Underfoot, the occasional goblin couriers would quickly scurry about weaving through the legs of the taller people and lumbering loxodons to make their deliveries. Back out in the main roads of the district, things seemed almost normal again in a surreal sort of way... as if the people here never even noticed the violent incident that had just taken place in the side streets just now.

While Alexi was eager to return to the Azorius district headquarters to give his report, he was in no particular rush to be reassigned just yet. As he continued walking along a bustling street back toward his office, he was content to mix back into the crowds and enjoy the feeling of being one with the pulse and flow of the city he had sworn to protect and serve.

Behind a thick oak desk, Captain Pulaski sat surrounded by several large stacks of paper. Within his spacious office of the Azorius 10th District branch hall, several neat orderly rows of paperwork and court files lined the counters and shelves giving one the impression that this was the office of a very hardworking public official... or a compulsive packrat. While the late middle aged man with gray hair continued to scribble notes into a file, fading rays of the early evening sun streamed in from the windows as he heard a rapping at the door. He stopped a moment and put his plume down. "Come in."

As the door opened, the Arrester Captain glanced up to see Alexi Lazlo enter with a small sheaf of papers in his hand. The younger man stopped to give a respectful bow before offering the paper, "Captain Pulaski, I'm here with my written report of this afternoon's arrest."

"Ah yes," Pulaski said with a slow smile toward the Arrester, "I received word that you managed to apprehend that necromancer Strava. He's been a pain in our side for some time now. Well done my boy."

"Thank you sir," Alexi said with a professional nod as he stood at rigid attention, "Will that be all then?"

Captain Pulaski fixed his blue eyes on the young enforcer and shook his head, "I'm afraid not son. I have a new assignment for you... a potentially important one."

Alexi maintained a neutral face, trying his best not to show his disappointment while any hope of some much deserved rest had now vanished. "What would you have me do, sir?"

The captain beckoned the Arrester over to sit in a nearby chair and handed him a file from his desk. "We received a report earlier today of a double homicide at a hotel in the other end of the district. One of the victims was a high profile Azorius advokist by the name of Piotr Jelenik. He had recently been serving as an assistant district attorney and prosecuting some major court cases for the guild."

Alexi skimmed over the papers of the initial report, "What about the judicial branch of our guild? Have the Sova been notified?"

Pulaski nodded, "Yes... but you know them. It will take some time before they even decide on a course of action. For the time being, they've authorized us enforcers in the Lyev branch to take the lead in the investigation. I've organized for a coach to take you to the crime scene when we're finished here. You should have time enough to take a closer look at the report along the way."

Alexi looked up again from the file, "I understand Captain, but you said there were two deaths. Who was the other victim?"

Pulaski gave an uncomfortable look, "A young woman by the name of Mireia, a courtesan with supposed connections to a high end brothel."

"Now I can see why this is a sensitive matter," Alexi remarked grimly, "I'm sure the last thing the Azorius Senate wants spread around is that one of their top prosecutors was fooling around with a hooker on the side."

"Indeed," Captain Pulaski remarked. "But despite the unusual nature of this case, it's not completely secret. One of the district's judges, Judge Acastus wanted to lend some help. Jelenik clerked for Acastus several years back and was considered a friend. When the judge got the news, he decided to send one of his best resources to help in the investigation. Arrester Lazlo, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Alexi gave a puzzled expression and turned as an attractive young woman in her mid twenties entered the office wearing a white and blue uniform specific to the Azorius guild's judicial officers and lawmages. She had long golden blonde hair tied up neatly, a slender feminine figure and fair colored skin and features. She marched up to Pulaski's desk and gave a polite bow of the head before, she turned crisply and fixed her blue eyes on Alexi.

"It's nice to finally meet you Arrester Lazlo," she said with an amused smile.

"And you are?" the skeptical Arrester prompted with a suspicious frown.

"Anastasia Radic," she answered, "I transferred in recently as a Deputy of Acquittals for the 10th District. Judge Acastus assigned me to aid you in the investigation so you can consider me your Sova branch liaison."

Alexi looked to his watch captain for a moment then turned slowly back to Ana, "Deputy Radic, you do realize that the function of the judicial officers may get in the way of our branch's operations here, right?"

"Not necessarily true," she corrected, "Protocol still allows us lawmages joint involvement at the local level... unless you'd prefer I acted as the oversight to the investigation instead?"

Alexi grimaced slightly before speaking in a patient tone, "I appreciate the offer Deputy Radic, but I won't be needing any help."

Ana sighed, "A potentially serious scandal for our guild, and you're pushing away the aid of a fellow agent? I'm not here to spy or meddle with the enforcers if that's what you're thinking."

Alexi forced a thin smile, "Miss Radic..."

"Call me Ana," the Deputy smirked back.

"Ana..." Alexi corrected himself with a sigh while pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance, "I'm saying this out of concern for your safety. Pounding the pavement on this investigation might get dangerous and it might not be the best place for a judicial branch lawmage."

"I appreciate the concern but you won't have to worry about me," Ana answered producing some authorized papers and handing them to him. "I've done some joint training with the Boros Wojeks and I've done more than just act as a sheltered courtroom bailiff.

Alexi cast a pleading look over to Captain Pulaski who did his best to stifle an expression of amusement.

"Judge Acastus said that you'd be uncooperative," Ana stated bluntly, "He also said you were stubborn and a little bit arrogant too."

Alexi narrowed his eyes slightly before she paused a moment and continued, "But he also said that you were disciplined, persistent, and one of the best investigators and veteran Arresters in the district."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence Ana," the Arrester smirked back as he tapped the shorter woman on the head with her papers before returning them, "But flattery will get you nowhere."

Captain Pulaski folded his hands, "It's best you play along and work with the Sova on this one Alexi. You've done lots of good work here but you can't be a solo act forever son. It might be time that you took on a partner again. Besides, it never hurts to have a second opinion in these cases or someone to watch your back."

Alexi wrinkled his features and gave a grudging sigh of resignation to his superior, "I... suppose so. It seems I have little choice in the matter now Captain, so if that will be all?"

Pulaski gave a nod, "There should be squad of local Arresters securing the scene for you when you arrive. Keep me appraised of any developments. Good luck you two."

Alexi gave a respectful nod and turned to his new partner, gesturing toward the doorway of the cluttered office, "Our coach awaits. After you Miss Radic."

Arrester Lazlo and Deputy Radic hurried down the busy halls of the Senate's district headquarters. Ornate pillars and statues of white marble lined the way while they navigated past busy clerks, armored Arresters, and blue robed advokists carrying sheafs of legal papers. As they headed down the whitewashed steps of the building out toward a waiting coach, they saw that the sun had dipped lower in the sky and the evening lights of the city were beginning to be lit. By the time they'd reach the scene, it was likely night would fall.

After alighting in the carriage and departing the district guildhall, Ana gave a curious look to her new partner and decided to make some conversation, "You look a little worn out Alexi. Busy day?"

He turned to look at the young woman and gave a shrug, "Sorry... I've been pounding the pavement all day and I just got back from a big arrest this afternoon... a dangerous Golgari necromancer. Honestly, my head is still spinning."

"I see," Ana said sympathetically, "It seems like no matter what we do, the crime and the violence never let up, do they?"

"I made a similar remark to an Arrester earlier today," Alexi replied, "You've also been worried about the rise in the violent Rakdos riots lately, huh?"

Ana nodded in concern, "Everyone knows those Rakdos cultists are a pack of bloodthirsty psychopaths, but no one in the district seems to know what's been stirring them up so much recently. If our hands have already been full with stopping them, it 's only harder when other troublemakers try to take advantage of the situation."

"Well, it's going to be up to us to keep that from happening, starting with this new case," Alexi answered solemnly. After a pause, he took a moment to study his partner, "I probably don't need to ask this, but I will anyway. You know how to handle a weapon if things should get interesting?"

The blonde haired woman smiled and gestured to a small concealed sword at her belt. It was tucked away under a fold of her white tunic. "Anyone who did a little training with the Boros Legion learns it never hurts to carry some added insurance with you Arrester Lazlo. You won't have to worry about me if things go sideways."

Alexi gave an impressed nod and cracked a hint of a smile as he pulled out the new case file, "Funny. Because you didn't strike me as a typical lawmage. I was expecting more of a scrawny paper pusher who would jump at their own shadow."

Ana stared at him incredulously for a minute before breaking out into mild laughter. "I'll take that as a compliment Mr. Lazlo. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't think you were a typical Arrester either."

Alexi raised an eyebrow as Ana continued, "It's nice to see not all the Arresters are big, dumb thugs who can't string a sentence together either."

For the first time that day, Alexi gave a small laugh... which was admittedly a bit uncharacteristic for him. He wasn't quite sure what to make of his new counterpart just yet. Whether Ana was more amusing or irreverent, he wasn't quite sure. For the time being though, he figured he could work with the lawmage. He didn't know how good she'd be in the field yet, but she did seem competent enough.

With that, his thoughts turned back to the investigation and he tiredly opened the file to begin studying his new assignment. It would be a while yet before they reached the hotel while evening shadows began to drape the city and the outsides of the small carriage. It was in that fading light that Arrester Lazlo wondered what new dark secrets he would now have to uncover in order to bring justice for one of his own slain guild members.