Black and White

The White

What is purpose to someone? Some believe that purpose is finding inner peace of mind, embracing what many call true happiness. Some believe that purpose is discovering what you are meant to do in this life, whether that be for yourself or others. There are those that believe purpose is but a word, a construction of the human mind in order to motivate and push ourselves forward towards a self driven goal. It didn't matter to Yohan though, purpose had been lost for so long to him that some would say his heart had turned cold by now.

A blow to the face sent him flying to the floor without a moment's thought, the thought of laughter echoed in his mind at his own efforts. He did not even attempt to dodge or block, it was his way of showing how much the world had changed him. But the laughter soon became quiet when Yohan easily rose to his feet, staring down the bag with a cold glare that would send a shiver down weaker fighters spines. It didn't matter either way to him either way, real or not, flesh or not, violence and was still violence, and the bag came in with full force.

This time Yohan's body went flying to the floor, hitting it with a hard enough impact to send a rush of pain through his body, a small bit of blood had escaped and now rested on the outside of his right mouth. When Yohan remained motionless for a few seconds, the laughter started to pick up again. What was this kid doing? That's what they were probably thinking right now. There was no way he could compete, he had no chance. The laughter was struck down when Yohan quickly rose back up to his feet, the cold glare remained in his eyes as his arm rubbed off the blood from his face. Now the fight got serious, and after pushing the bag as if to intimidate it, the bag suddenly came flying in with a furry of vicious strikes and landing some sudden serious blows to the body.

It didn't matter at this point to him, this was the most "fun" thing he had experienced since summer vacation had started. His body may not look like much, but he could take quite the brutal beating. Although a bag could never hold any blood lust within it like the bullies from his past, something about this one in particular seemed to pull his mind back to past times. It was all the same to him as this point, what more could he expect? As his mind began to numb to any feeling, something inside of him started to take over. He was surprised to find himself moving out of the way of the next incoming attack and swing his leg to connect with the bag, the bag suddenly stopping all movement as if the life had just been ended in it. This was unlike him, no, something else had decided to take over inside of him.

Meanwhile, several people chanted for prayers as a man holding up a book read to them lines with such excitement, it filled them all with a sense of hope. As he finishes reading and puts the book down, he notices one of his scouts rushing over towards him. "My lord, we have terrible news!" The scout managed to huff out to his superior. "A wizard has been spotted on Gaia! We don't know what he plans to do, but I can assume it is nothing good!" The man couldn't help but smile and shake his head as he walked over to place a hand on the scouts shoulder.

"Have no fear, I will look into it. Tell the others to be on their guard, in case I am to fall on this day." Though the scout had his expression change to a more worrying one, the man managed to brush this off as he released the shoulder of the scout before walking forward. When the scout turned around to look at the man, he was already gone. The scout closed his eyes and began a heavy prayer for all to be safe.

Back to Yohan, it all felt strange. He decided to move away from the bags entirely, knowing what he did wasn't out of strength or power. It didn't feel like him just now, it still didn't feel like he was himself. Something was inside of him, bothering him in a way that made him feel sick. He thought about leaving, but it was strange to see two people enter in. One was a small looking child, the other he noticed seemed to look familiar somehow. Great, just what he needed, more people bringing about unnecessary attention.

Now to the wizard mentioned before, who was still in town looking for his ring. The elderly man growled to himself as he could not even sense where his ring was, perhaps it was best to leave and try in another town. Before the wizard could leave, however, three people appeared out of nowhere who suddenly became the sole attention of the wizard. "I wasn't expecting The Order of Gray to step in." The wizard rubs his chin as he stares at the three. "To what do I owe the sudden visit?"

"I thought it was you, of all the people to appear in Gaia." The man in the white robe spoke, rubbing his neck as he closed his eyes, surprising his apprentices and the wizard. "Hey, I'm Delta, nice to meet ya, though I'm sure you already knew of my title among the Order." Delta opened his eyes and gave a slight smile, putting his hands on his hips as he looked around, the rain not even seeming to bother him in the slightest. "So! Tell me. Why are you making trouble?"

"I am NOT making trouble!" The wizard replied angrily towards Delta. His apprentices were too scared to even try to confront this horrifying man, Delta just seemed to keep smiling like nothing wrong was happening. "Someone has stolen my ring! MY! RING! It is my property, and I will take it back, with or without your help!" The wizard slams the end of his staff down on the ground, causing the apprentices to shake where they stood. "Though I never expected help from an Order of fools!"

"No need to be so harsh." Delta looked around before pointing to the two tallest buildings in the town. "If it will make you happy, we shall have a duel up there." Delta smiles as he puts his hands into his pockets. "Of course, if you would rather, I can go out all here and now... Nah, let's go." The wizard growls out at Delta in response, the apprentices were the first to poof, with Delta following suit. The wizard grumbles to himself before poofing as well.

Ricky, on the other hand, had just arrived back home, and noticed how heavy it was raining outside. Groaning out as he felt tired after driving, he got out of the car and walked inside to his home, where he was already soaking wet upon entering. "Everyone can go burn." He mumbled to himself, stomping his way over to his living room as he turns on one of his fans to try and dry himself off. As he stood there with the wind blowing on him, he pulled out the ring and checked it over, his eyes narrowing as he hated how much money he just gave up to the boss. "Why are you so important anyway?"

Once Ricky felt he was dry enough, he turned off the fan and walked over to his couch, sitting down as he turned on the television and began to watch the news. That's when he saw it, the face of his ex-girlfriend. This sent him into a flying rage, grinding his teeth against each other as his eyes again catch the ring and he looks at it more carefully. "Whoever wears this ring shall be allowed three wishes. However, the user can also have whatever desires they want. . .granted? What kind of crap is this?" Ricky looked to the television before looking back to the ring. Slipping it on, he looked back to the television before making his mind up. "A desire granted? I ain't gonna waste a wish on this. I just hope that fool dies, and I hope the whole town learns of it!"

It was around this time that unknown to Yohan, a strange being had formed above him and was quickly looking over several people. Not even he could see or feel it, however, as the mystical spirit-like being used it's eyes to search out and see a girl was making her way towards the gym. With a nod that was to only itself, the being reached a hand inside of itself and pulled out a white orb without any harm to itself. Raising up it's other hand, it slammed down on the white orb and caused it to shatter and break out into four different pieces. The four orbs end up entering into a person each without them feeling a thing: Rina, Taja, Miranda and Sienna. Satisfied with it's selections, it fades away before it could be noticed by the four.

The wizard and Delta both stood on one building, with the two apprentices merely watching from a safe distance. A white barrier had been put up around the both of them as an intense stare went down between the wizard and Delta for some time. Summoning his own staff, Delta points it towards the wizard's direction, as the wizard points his own staff at Delta with the two staffs pointing at each other. A white light forms at the end of Delta's, with a black light forming at the end of the wizard's. The apprentices couldn't help but look on in terror as the battle began, with white and black lights spawning from each staff colliding into each other.

To the four, they wouldn't of been able to hear it before, but now, they could suddenly hear an odd melody being played out. Yohan's attention seemed to shift as he hears this, though no one that did not possess either white or black could listen to it's strange tunes. Yohan rushes outside as he notices the rain had suddenly stopped, his attention looking off towards the direction of the two buildings, though he could not see the two people standing there. A car suddenly rushes past him, his eyes widening as he realized how reckless the driver had been. His eyes shifting to see a woman behind the wheel, he sees the car make a sudden turn and only the melody rang it's bells for a moment before a sudden crash could be heard.

Behind the wizard and Delta began a changing of scene and color, or perhaps, reality itself. Images changing from one to the other, one moment it could be a peaceful looking forest, the next it could be a castle under siege, to a waterfall flowing peacefully, to a battlefield where men fired old fashioned guns at one another. The colors changed with every image that went by them, the sky could be blue one moment, and the next it could be red. Grass could be green one minute, the next it could be red, or yellow, or white. This only got quicker as the strange melody picked up pace, becoming much more faster now as the apprentices could only watch in fear of the duel between the two.

Ricky was caught off guard as suddenly, the news covering his ex-girlfriend changed into about how she had just died in a sudden car crash. His eyes widen in surprise as he felt his heartbeat increase. Had he really done this? He had desired her to die, so she did? That's when a hand touched Ricky's shoulder, and he turned to look over his shoulder to see a strange black creature now in the same room with him, with a menacing Cheshire cat grin at him and dark red eyes staring at him. "Hello Ricky~"

Yohan couldn't really believe what he just heard, standing there made him feel strange. Maybe it was just the beatings going to his head, though he did wonder why he didn't... Oh, wait, there we go! The sudden rush of adrenaline that had kept him going suddenly was pulled right out of his system and made him collapse right down to his knees, his body shivering with pain as everything seemed to rush in at once and made him feel ill. He wasn't a fighter at heart, his body could only take so much before it got to him. He had no idea if he would be okay to walk home or not, but it looked like he might not be leaving from the gym for just a little longer at this rate.

As the wizard and Delta disappeared from sight, the two apprentices followed suit, and with them, the strange melody they had created faded. The town was normal again, but no rain seemed to come down for some odd reason. It was unusual, and by the time the melody faded, the four would unfortunately feel a rush of pain course through each of them, unknowing of the new connection they had just made. Perhaps it was a sign of adjustment? Who knows, but at least they could stand outside without being rushed on by rain!

"Calm down, Ricky!" The creature spoke to the frightened Ricky, who now sat on the floor cowering for his life. "You do not possess the Black, but I will be your catalyst. Since you have fed me that girl's life force, I will be your guardian from here on out. No, do not worry, I am not like the fools who use The White and have some demon bothering the crap out of them. Ah, but where are my manners while starting to explain your new life to you?" The creature temporarily spawned a pair of legs and made a bow to Ricky. "You may call me Djinn. It's a pleasure to be working with you. Oh, and yes, you still have three wishes Ricky~"

Everything happened so quickly. First was the inclusion of a few more people into her Gym, soaking wet and in a hurry, perhaps to get out of the rain. She stood, and put on a smile again as the sounds of Yohan some how getting his ass kicked by inanimate bags filled the back room. Miranda did her job and fetched some towels for Taja, Rina(?), and Sienna.

"Wet enough for you?" She attempted to make small talk as her job required as she offered the females each a towel or two to help them dry off from the storm outside. Next, the rain stopped, and as Yohan moved outside to see the car crash in front of him, Miranda's leg injury suddenly flared, the same pain of the bone snapping flooding her nerves as she suddenly cried out in pain, hands going to the leg in question while she fell to the ground, eyes clamped tightly shut and teeth bared.

The Magic had caused the weakness to grow weaker, it seemed, but also her strengths to grow stronger. Her Canines, normally large and sharp on their own, suddenly became more canine, growing in length and sharpness until they made her look like a wolf while her teeth were bared. She also yiped like a dog who's leg had been broken, just once, before reverting back to her human screams for a moment, and then it was gone.

There was music, the car crashed, and she blinked, sitting up and hesitantly standing, finding she was able to use her leg just fine. "The fuck?" she growled out, confused. She felt...awake. Alive. Powerful. She blinked and ran to her desk to call the paramedics for the woman who had just crashed her car outside.

Taja smiled up at the girl talking and was about to say something when the boy stick ran passed her. Not a second later she heard the crash and turned around to go out but decided against it. She took a step back when it hit her. Her who body felt like something sharp go through her veins. She screamed before falling onto the wet mat. Her eyes welled up with tears, but withing seconds the pain was gone.

Her whole body shook. Today was just a really bad day.

Alarms sounded all over the ship as the ship took heavy fire. "Captain! Enemy forces have breached the first defense line! Squads 14 and 17 have been wiped out completely! Remaining defensive units are being pushed back! We are taking heavy losses and our ship has taken moderate damage!" A crewman shouted as alarms blared all across the ship. Steadily rocking as from the view port of the ship massive gun batteries on the ship echoed across the ship, shaking it very slightly as the massive battleship continued its fire support mission despite taking fire from long range torpedoes and energy fire.

"We will not flee! We are the last bastion for Earth! Prepare the main cannon for fire and all shields to maximum! Ready all engines! We will save the Earth one way or another..." The captain, dressed in a red naval greatcoat gripped the arms of his chair as he gave the order.

The massive six kilometer ship roared to life as it charged forward from the safety of its lines and allies ships were ripped to pieces from the overwealming firepower of the enemy. "Men! Women! I am proud to have served with you all these years! We have faced the grave threat of the machines for two long years! Today we finnaly end this war with our own hands!" The captain roared as the entire enemy force focused fire with everything they had. The shield held on for less than a minute before shattering in a pale blue light, the armored platting of the hull was soon being shot to ribbons but the ship remained on course straight for a gargantuan battleship in sight...

The inside of the ship rocked, holes began to form in the ship as a massive spike of energy charged in the bow of the ship. "Today! We die not by the hands of the machines! But as heroes who shall give their life to finnaly end this! Lets send these machines to the junkyard!" The Captain roared once again followed by the crew as the distance turned from miles...then to inches...and then...

Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!

The sudden noise of an alarm clock startled the man who was putting the final touches in his comic. He flew backwards in his chair before landing hard on the back of his head. Letting out quick yelps of pain, he rolled across the floor rubbing his head as the alarm continued to ring.

After a few minutes of soothing the pain and stumbling to get back up. He managed to turn of the ringing before giving a deep sigh. He must have been a little to engrossed in his work and did not sleep. But it was morning now so he might as well get ready for what he had planned today.

After cleaning up his whole workplace, he neatly tucked them inside a drawer and got dressed for the day. With a tanned shirt, blue pants, brown coat, and his signature smile he wandered over to his kitchen and fashioned himself a nice helping of eggs and bacon.

"Lets see here...What is my schedule like..." The man spoke to himelf as he looked over his schedule. Empty....Empty...and Janitorial work at school. His schedule was rather empty this week it seemed but to clean up a school? That was what he was trained for! Cleaning up a very messy place was what made a janitor a janitor! Oh...He only had half an hour to get a move on...

Forking down his food, he quickly cleaned his dishes, put on his dress shoes and leaped into his car. Getting everything ready he reversed from his driveway and began to drive to the school he was hired part time for. "I am sure to wow the people after they ready my newest comic!" He cheered to himself as he drove.

Sienna Cartlow

Sienna had been most of the way to the gym when several things happened. The first was an odd whistling tune that just suddenly seemed to ‘pop’ into her mind from nowhere. Like someone had suddenly turned on a TV or something nearby. It was such a jarring sensation that she stopped, briefly shielding her eyes from the rain as she peered around the area for the source. She didn’t get to contemplate it long before the second thing occurred. Pelted with gutter water, Sienna yelped and spluttered as she caught sight of a car whipping about in the rain, going far faster than any sane driver would go in this weather. Swearing and shaking herself off slightly, she saw it make a turn off just near the gym, skidding out of control. The cacophonous sounds of a violent crash soon followed, and although that worried Sienna slightly, she couldn’t deny that her first thought was that it ‘served them right’. If only she knew of the truth and lethality of the situation.

As she went to go and investigate the incident (Curious, as she could probably stand to take a peek on the way to the gym), she only managed a couple more steps before the ringing tone in her ears vanished. It was a welcome change, but what came next certainly wasn’t. Crippling, excruciating pain filtered through her body, all at once hammering her like her gut was trying to eat itself and twisting into a spiral of agony. God, it wasn’t that time of the month, what the hell?! Inhaling sharply and clutching her stomach, Sienna sunk to her knees as she gritted her teeth, tears staining her eyes as the stinging sensation refused to go away. Just what was happening to her?! The only solace she had was that the rain had stopped, but she barely registered that fact as she was left incapacitated on the sidewalk.

“Aw, what’s wrong? Does your stomach hurt?” The sultry female voice came from behind Sienna, and she felt a hand gently go to her back, giving it an affectionate rub. Sienna winced as another bout of pain shot through her, and she didn’t even get the chance to tell the lady to buzz off, instead gasping sharply as she went down on all fours, face splashing into a puddle as she turned her head to the side. “You know, you look pretty unsightly like that. Best get your act together before you’re even more humiliated.” Her mystery helper commented, and as the aches finally started to ebb away and let Sienna catch her breath, she began to sit up, falling backwards onto her rear and looking behind her with a glare. “Not in the moo-“ Sienna’s jaw dropped as she was unable to finish her sentence. Whatever she had been expecting when she turned, it wasn’t this.

It was a small, orange feline, no bigger than your average cat. Oddly enough, it had bright yellow eyes, a distinctly curvy tail, but, probably strangest of all was the fact it was speaking. “Surprised? Well, I suppose that makes sense. I know you’re smart, but you’re not very good at seeing things beyond your own perception of the world.” The feline strode past the dumbfounded Sienna, daintily avoiding the larger puddles. Sienna shut her eyes and rubbed her forehead a bit. She had to be going crazy. It was just some cat. She was either imagining things or hallucinating or something – probably from the pain and stress. Maybe she was having an aneurysm?

Slowly getting back to her feet, she watched the feline lead the way towards the Gym and heading inside. Well… Talking cat or not, she had business at the gym. And she needed to dry off, so hopefully they’d be able to accommodate at least that. They’d have showers and stuff at the very least. Slowly trotting into the building and only briefly glancing to the smashed vehicle outside, Sienna continued inside, looking about as she dripped over the welcome mat. The orange cat sat on the nearby desk as if waiting for her to catch up, while the foyer itself was occupied by a few people. Including… Clenching her fist, Sienna looked to the tiny girl that had caused all this chaos. It was time to get back the keys, and also teach the brat a lesson…

“Careful, you don’t know what you’re capable of just yet.” The cat was smirking, if that was possible. The tone of voice was teasing, daring. Almost like the warning was designed just to provoke Sienna more. Deciding not to be so foolish as the respond to the cat, Sienna continued with her initial plan as she strode up to the child and without hesitation, slapped her across the face. She didn’t particular care what the strangers thought of such an action, but the girl needed to be taught a lesson; and since words weren’t working, Sienna saw this as the most practical solution. “What the hell is wrong with you little brat!? You a delinquent or something?! What kind of shitty 10 year old steals store keys of all things?! Are you trying to piss me off and go to juvy or something?!” Sienna was slightly dumbfounded that her slap had the force to knock the girl off her feet, but she was too angry to care at this point. Thrusting out her hand, she glowered at the girl. “Give them back. Now.” There was ice in her voice as her eyes never left Taja, not for a second.

Demons

"So Ricky, you got any questions?" The Djinn asked him, giving him a cocky smirk.

"Heck yeah I do!" Ricky barely managed to pull himself up. "What do you mean I did that?! How?! I didn't shoot her or nothing!"

"I ate her life force." Ricky's expression turned into a frightened one as the Djinn licked it's lips slowly. "See, wishes don't keep me alive. It's the user's desires. I've been pretty much stuck in that ring for a hundred years now, kiddo! That loop hole keeps me alive, so it's the only one I get to tell you. Make sense?"

"Wha... What in the world. I mean, yeah, I wanted her dead, but, to actually have it happen..." Before Ricky could mumble on, the Djinn gives a wicked laugh.

"Allow me to explain. My master put me in this ring a hundred years ago, in order for me to survive. I grant three wishes, sure! But, if you can't tell, I'd poof shortly after without my master. I found people strongly wanted to do things they normally would use wishes for. So it keeps me alive, you get what you want, everyone wins. Well, except our targets." Another wicked laugh escapes the Djinn.

"Okay... Explain to me something. What are you? You say you need a 'master' to survive?"

"That's right, Ricky. I was originally the true nature of my master, before he put me in this ring. You could say I've sort of developed my own personality because of it. Don't go putting on rings expecting more to talk to you though. I'm what you might call a one deal kind of thing. I doubt there's any other demon like me out there. If there are, they aren't as friendly as I am."

"D-demon?"

"Yeah, that's what you guys call us. Don't worry, no one else can even see me though." Ricky had taken the time to calm down while this demon explained to him these things. He had a hard time swallowing it, but well, the situation was kind of an exception.

"Okay. I'm listening."

"You are now a user of The Black, though it's only through me acting as a catalyst. Don't lose that ring, kill any White users you find and keep me alive through requesting other people dead." The Djinn suddenly points a finger at Ricky's face. "DON'T SAY WISH WHEN YOU DO!" It was sudden and frightened him a little, but Ricky nodded all the same.

"What's this Black and White you keep mentioning to me?" Ricky's question made the Djinn chuckle as if recounting a funny joke it just heard.

"The Black and The White are two parts of the same thing, Ricky. Magic is real, and it mainly exists through these two forces. There are exceptions, of course, but who wouldn't want to be lucky enough to get The White or The Black? You can't just get it out of thin air, and even if you somehow managed to, it's a rare thing to happen. You wouldn't believe me though if you saw all the users of it right now." Ricky couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, looks like this thing wasn't going to kill him.

"Alright, I'm with you so far."

"The White's mainly used by self-righteous nut jobs these days, who want to use it to save people, keep justice in order, all that. It used to be more fun back in the day, oh well." The Djinn looked to Ricky briefly with a smirk before going further. "The Black's like the naughty person of the group. Backstabbing, murdering, gambling away someone else's money, you get the idea." Ricky could already feel his eye twitching.

"That doesn't help me understand anything either can really do!" Ricky crossed his arms, for some reason he felt like he was five again.

"Yeah, I figured as much. Talking's no good, see, so I'll show you." This caused Ricky's eyes to widen.

"Show me?"

"Yeah, I'll show you. I know the man you call Boss just helped someone very important make an active Gateway." The Djinn suddenly appeared right in front of his face. "Don't think just because I'm stuck in this ring doesn't mean I'm not watching! I am always watching. Remember that." The Djinn suddenly vanished, leaving Ricky surprised. "Come on." The voice came from behind him, as he turned to see the demon now near his door. "I'll show you the way. Looks like two old guys are fighting in the sky right now, so the rain won't be a problem for a while longer."

Meanwhile with Yohan, it seemed like he had been in this position before. Seeing this car crash suddenly started pulling him back to the past. It happened when he was younger, his parents had decided to take him out for whatever reason, parts were still foggy to him. The actual crash itself was mostly a blur, but he could hear his parents screaming before it all went silent. The part he did remember, however, came after the realization.

He could still remember his young little body just sitting there, his parent's car was trashed beyond repair and smoke seemed to lazily rise up from damaged parts of it. But he could still remember his parent's bodies, which were perfectly in sight for him to see. His heart beat was the only thing his mind could register for hours, his mind may have forgotten most of the experience, but his body could recall every detail of that day as if fresh.

"What's the matter?" A voice pulled him back into reality, causing him to gasp and his eyes to avert towards where he could see smoke lazily rising into the air. A white haired male who looked oddly similar to him started casually walking down the street towards him. "Did you miss me?" A sly half lazy grin came to the white hair male's face, Yohan's eyes suddenly becoming full of fear as he backed himself slightly away from the direction the white haired male was heading. He was back, now of all times, Yohan could feel his heart beat starting to race out of control, his mind racing into a panic as his body starts to break out into a cold sweat.

"No, not you again." Yohan managed to mumble, trying to keep his voice low enough for people not to hear him. "Leave me alone." His body was starting to shake uncontrollably, he felt himself breathing faster all of a sudden, he was starting to feel light headed as he tried to stand up to his feet.

"Why? You called me here." The white haired male taunted him as he gave a smug smile. "I know what you are thinking about. It's rather sad to know you couldn't save them, isn't it?" Yohan had to put his hand up against a wall of the building, his legs barely keeping him up as his focus was starting to rapidly break down. "What are you thinking right now, little Yohan? Do you need seven years more bad luck to remind yourself of the monster that you are?"

"No, stop, please." Yohan's voice was starting to break, he didn't know how much longer he could keep himself sane like this. Of all the times for this to happen, he wasn't in school or at home, the desire gripping his chest tightened it's hold as he felt a chill run down his spine.

"A shell of a man. A coward in the form of flesh. A freak! That's what you are." The white haired male continued to taunt him, despite Yohan's condition growing worse. "You know what you want to do, go on, admit it to the whole world how you feel." The heart beat was starting to grow louder with every pulse in his ears now, his skin quickly became pale as if he had just seen a ghost. "You wish it was you, wasn't it? Does it make you sick to your stomach? Your parents are dead, and do you know why?" The white haired male suddenly appeared at Yohan's side, putting a hand on his shoulder as he leaned in close to his ear. "Because of you."

"GO AWAY!" Yohan's mind broke upon hearing this, swinging his arm wildly at where the white haired male stood. "LEAVE ME ALONE! GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I HATE YOU!" Yohan's aggression felt taxing to his mind, a sudden rush of what felt like energy snapped him back to reality before quickly fading and leaving his body feeling tired and drained. When his focus came back just enough for him to try to find the strange male, he was suddenly gone. He collapsed to his hand and knees, he wanted to go back home and be away from all of this. He didn't belong here, out in the real world. He wanted to be isolated and never come back out, but he needed to survive. All he could do now was close his eyes and try to forget everything.

It took a moment before Taja put two and two together as the redhead walked in. She watched as the girl strolled over to her and without missing a beat slapped her. Of course Taja winched, but she didn't fly back. Her feet took a couple steps back and looked up at the girl amazed that she barely felt it or that the redhead was seriously weak. It wasn't everyday that the girl got slapped, but she had been knocked around a few by her martial arts teacher.

A shadow appeared behind the redhead, but as soon as she focused on it the shadow was replaced by a much taller guy. His red eyes is what she noticed first. They pierced her, kind of like when her dad got angry at her and fussed. "You know, one swift kick to the leg would teach her a grand lesson." His said, egging her. Her head shook no. Maybe if she ignored the guy he would leave.

"Keys are with her." She pointed to the tri-ponytail girl behind the desk. She kept glancing back behind the redhead girl to the slender black hair male behind her. When did he come in? Why didn't the redhead turn around when he talked? She blinked and he was gone, only to be standing next to her. The girl jumped back. "Go away." She mumbled to him.

"Not a chance, doll." He laughed soft, but darkly. She was going to say something else when she heard the scream. Her eyes darted towards the sound. The stick guy was screaming was he seeing things too?

"Poor guy is crazy. Maybe you are crazy too." The red eyed guy next to her said, with no real tone in his voice.

"Look at them."

The voice was strong, confident; hers. Miranda said nothing. "I said LOOK!" the voice snarled. She appeared before Miranda, the newly awoken Werewolf. "Weak, pathetic, worthless. Do you know why the Gods made us? Do you know why Werewolves exist?"

Again, Miranda said nothing, but finally turned her sapphire eyes towards Yohan, Taja, and Sienna, and she blinked, the vision of herself before her eyes again. "We exist to control them. To use them as cattle. Feed them, breed them, eat them. We exist as the true alpha predators of this planet. All the great leaders in history, all of them, werewolves. Like us. Like you."

"Enough." Miranda growled softly to her inner demon, glaring into her soulless eyes. "We were created to guide them. Not use them as cattle."

"Is that what your parents told you? You do know why your parents were banished from Wallace Lands in Ireland don't you?"

Miranda, turned, grabbing her keys from the desk before she moved past her demon to fetch some ice packs for the others, not knowing if the pain was still around for them, as it seemed now that as a werewolf, she had an extreme tolerance for pain of all kinds. Turning, Miranda headed into the Employee's Only room, unlocking it and moving to the freezer where the ice packs were kept. Grabbing a few, she was greeted by the sight of her own demonic self again, eyes glowing amber, canines as large as hers were, clothing torn and muscles bulging. She looked mid-shift.

"Move."

"One swift slam of your hand could kill the child. Send a message. Proclaim your dominance!"

Miranda stared her demon straight in the eyes, her own eyes flashing Amber for a moment. "I am not killing a child." she snarled before moving past and setting the ice packs on the desk.

"If you guys need an ice pack, I've got a few, they've been in there for a few days, should stay cold for a while...."

After a rather quick ten minute drive, Frederick arrived at the school he was supposed to arrive at. Timberland High School of the wonderful town of well...Timberland! Big surprise there.

Parking his modest 4 seat car that just barley reaches to his waist. He stepped out of the car and locked his door taking a good view of the school. Ah school, now those were the old days. It made him feel like a teen again...a teen in a guys body that was. He wondered how far the education evolved...Been at least more than ten years since he last went to school. They probably had more wacky terms in the education system. Maybe something involving squares and triangles...

Instead of wracking his brain even more than in the morning, Frederick soon entered the school and met with the attendant at the entrance. "Good morning sir, may I ask what you are here for?" The lady asked. "Me? Oh, I signed up for the part time janitor work here since the schools janitors got sick. So I am here to take their place for the next few days. All by myself!" He smiled as though trying to clean a whole school from top to bottom by himself was as easy as baking pie...he would admit baking pie was easy.

"Oh, you are Frederick. The janitorial closet should be down the hall to your right. Good luck..." The woman smiled, although she was surprised he would try and clean a whole school.

Frederick followed the directions the woman gave him and there his cleaning equipment was. The mighty broom! The stalwart dustpan! The brave mop! And the loyal cleaning detergent! All just waiting to declare war on the dirt and stains in the whole school. Of course, broom and dustpan would have to brave the whole battle first to get rid of the dirt soldiers.

Imagining the whole place as a cleaning battlefield, Frederick went to work sweeping the entire place. He had to do this before he could mop, common janitorial rules.

Rina sighed. "I was making sure you didn't get hurt," she replied to Taja, gratefully taking the towel from Miranda with a word of thanks. She squeezed the water out of her hair, careful not to get any more on the floor. As she dried off, she made small, pointed comments to Taja about her behavior, coming just short of a lecture. She noticed music, and though its presence struck her as unusual, Rina brushed it off as something Miranda must have just put on.
She was about to go to the desk and apologise for the disturbance when an intense pain exploded in her chest and radiated out through her body. Her hands clapped to her sternum. Was it a heart attack? Had she been shot? Her thoughts were barely formed, scraps stitched loosely together. A small, thin whine escaped her as she fought not to cry. She couldn't breathe and she could barely stand for a few moments until it began to subside.

"What the hell?" As the pain drained from her body, she took stock of her wellbeing. Nothing seemed broken or damaged. Maybe it was just one of those random pains that people sometimes suffered. It was extra vicious if it was, though.
Rina looked around. Everyone else looked distressed, but not because of her. Now that she thought of it, they too had seemed immobile for a moment. It had just taken Rina longer to come to herself.
The ear splitting sound of rending metal and smashing concrete jarred her out of her thoughts. She turned around and saw the car destroyed outside. She hesitated for a moment, then went out to see if the driver was alright, ignoring Sienna. If she was going to be awful, Miranda could deal with it. Or at least Rina hoped she would.
Yohan ran out as well, but she said nothing to him as she went around to the driver's side. He was talking, babbling. Upset, no doubt, by the awful scene. Rina only had to take one look at the woman inside to know that she was dead. No one could survive being scrunched up like that. Besides, Rina was honestly too afraid to reach in and try to feel for a pulse.

"A shame, isn't it?"
Rina looked up to see a naked individual sitting on what was once the trunk of the car. It looked like a man, but clearly wasn't human. It was too pale, too tall, and its face was too flat and masklike for it to be.
"Don't be a little baby, do something."
She didn't respond and instead headed back around toward the gym. Most likely the car was giving off some toxic fumes or something and was subsequently hallucinating. Besides, what the hell could she do? She was going to tell Yohan to move away to a safer distance, but he began to scream at nothing. She had endured enough crazy for the day.
"Don't ignore me, Miss," the thing said coolly, turning around to face her again. Its long, dark hair shifted over its shoulder and covered half of its front.

Rina went back into the gym, only to see almost everyone else talking to themselves as well and Sienna standing in front of Taja.
"Oh, Christ," she murmured. Something was very wrong. She looked back. That thing was still there, closer now. She shook her head and then spoke to Sienna. "What do you want now?" Her voice was tense, clipped. She was unaware of the stolen keys and the words and violence that had just transpired, having been either not paying enough attention or absent when she would have heard about it. "Look, I'll pay you if I have to, I won't even report you to anyone, but we've got bigger problems." Her body felt hot and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could fight someone her size and win. Hell, she felt like she could take on twenty people, and she was more than ready to get rid of this punk. She glanced up at Miranda, her expression still angry. "I'll be all set, thank you."

Sienna Cartlow

Not letting the child out of her sight, Sienna remained at her side as the commotion ran its course. Naturally, a car crash so close to the gymnasium would’ve drawn quite the crowd, but what was with the screaming boy outside? Was he somehow related to the victim or something? Maybe the car had hit someone before the incident? Whatever the case, it sounded like it sucked to be him. She couldn’t stand depressing folk, so she was glad she’d probably have nothing else to do with the weirdo, or hopefully anyone else here once she got the keys back.

The girl who the brat had gestured to, most likely some receptionist, had disappeared off through the staff room door, forcing Sienna to wait uncomfortably in the lobby of the exercise complex to get her keys back. Gyms were a place for insecure losers to flex their egos and try to get others to marvel and think they're tough. Either that or social media poseurs, neither of which appealed to Sienna, so she hadn’t exactly been in this place other than when Rio was feeling particularly guilty about some cake she ate. Briefly, she looked to the towels that had been left for them, grabbing hold of one and briefly drying off the excess water. It did little to help with her soaked jeans and blouse, but they’d only dry with time. At that point, it seemed black hair had returned from the train-wreck outside, looking to Sienna as she queried the reason for her presence. Figured that the broad knew nothing about what happened. Before Sienna could give much of a response, she continued. "Look, I'll pay you if I have to, I won't even report you to anyone, but we've got bigger problems."

“Pay me?” Sienna repeated with genuine surprise. It’s not like this girl was actually responsible for this kid, nor was Sienna seeking any monetary compensation for this shit storm. Still, from what the girl was saying, she just wanted the whole fiasco dealt with and left behind them. Sienna wholeheartedly agreed with that notion. She just wanted to get the keys, finish her shift, and go home and sleep off this crap day. “Listen, I’m just here to get the keys that brat stole, alright? Then I’m outta here. I’ve seen enough of your ugly mugs to last me a life time, trust me. You can deal with whatever bullshit is happening here.” Reaching into her pocket, Sienna tugged out the pack of cigarettes, flipping the lid and drawing it to her mouth as she began flicking her lighter. She didn’t particular care what the policy was here, but her nerves were shot and she needed to calm down.

Finally, the reception girl returned with some ice packs of all things. Like those were gonna help any. Eyerolling at the idiocy of the gym’s secretary, Sienna moved up, smoke wafting from the stick in her mouth. “I’m freezing my ass off, so no thanks. I just want my store keys that this little punk stole and apparently left with you.” Taking in a long draught, Sienna then exhaled, her forehead scrunching as she held her head and shut her eyes. She had a headache now after all of this. Opening them again, she looked to the cat still sitting on the desk. It hadn’t said anything for a while yet, so hopefully that was a sign that Sienna’s delusions were fading. Looking to it more closely, she noticed a collar and name tag buried amongst its fur. Leaning in, which would have looked somewhat strange to all the individuals that couldn’t see her personal demon, Sienna took hold of the small trinket, trying to make out the lettering. “Sinopia…” Sienna muttered aloud, before looking up and meeting the feline’s eyes. What she saw inside made her uncomfortable, and she took a sharp step back.

Of course, Sienna probably looked pretty stupid with the keys right there on the counter. Still, it wasn't entirely her fault. They were under the cat that only she could see after all.

Gateway

Ricky would say he was enjoying the ride with the Djinn, but if he was being honest with himself, this demon creeped him out. One moment it could be serious as stone, the next it could be creepy and twisted. Certain words also seemed to get Ricky in trouble with the Djinn, not in a life threatening way, more because the Djinn turned out to be one of those types of people. The only reason Ricky didn't include them right now was because he didn't want to remember them.

After what felt like eons of horrible puns, the Djinn waved it's hand across the air in front of itself. "Stop here." Ricky had to push hard on the brakes in order to get the car to stop. No rain was honestly the best part about this, he hated driving through the rain. "We have arrived, Ricky. Get out of the car." Ricky shot a glare at the Djinn before getting out of the car and seeing what looked like just a normal building.

"You trying to play a joke on me, demon?" Ricky said with clear venom in his tone.

"Nah. This is the spot, I remember it clearly." The Djinn suddenly casts a look at Ricky, causing him to curiously raise a brow at the demon. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Ricky crosses his arms over his chest.

"Aren't you going to use my power?"

"What for?"

"TO GET INSIDE!"

"Can't you do that yourself?"

"No! Just... Do it! Hurry up!" Ricky groans at the Djinn's persistent, raising up his arms as the demon glares at Ricky.

"Oh magic ring, holding a stupid demon." Ricky claps twice. "Please allow my desire to come true on this day." Ricky claps twice more.

"I hate you. So much."

"Oh, magic ring, magic ring. Grant my desire. Please open a way for us to get inside!" Ricky claps three times before putting his hands on his waist and smugly looking at the demon.

"You will die a horrible death, by my hands alone, I swear this."

"Well, did it work or not, demon?"

"Open the door and see for yourself, moron!" Ricky shook his head at the demon's temper, walking over to the doorknob and taking hold of it. Narrowing his eyes, he slowly pushes the door open and glares back at the Djinn.

"It was unlocked the whole time."

"Gotcha!" The Djinn bursts out with laughter, causing Ricky to kick the rest of the door open. "Hey, quit drawing attention to us, you idiot." The Djinn quickly flies in past Ricky, who walked in behind the demon at his own pace. However, where the demon brought Ricky to made him suddenly drop his jaw in surprise.

"What is that thing?!" Ricky points at what he saw, his mind suddenly exploding with joy as he could see the demon give a sadistic smirk towards him.

"That, Ricky, is a gateway. The only tool that allows one to enter The Other Side~"

Meanwhile with Yohan, he is suddenly snapped back into reality as he got a better hold of his mental state, at least for now. Soon enough, his body began to be cleared of doubt and he could walk without the weight or the burden. But he knew it would be back, it always came back. It made him feel weak and incomplete, in a way it showed him the reality of just how far down he had truly gone without any clear direction to follow on now.

But this didn't seem to bother or stop the others inside, who all seemed to range from not getting along to just being sort of there. How could he argue against them, though? In his eyes, he was worse than a person, so how could a freak justify his own actions against people who were doing wrong in his eyes? Complications only lead to stress, and stress only leads to pain, and pain is something Yohan would rather avoid at any cost.

However, as Yohan got a clear understanding of the situation, he suddenly felt something kick him in the back of his mind. It made him move back into the building, and when he looked right at Sienna, he saw it clear as daylight. "Uh, I thought most buildings had a no smoking thing inside buildings?" He spoke out to her, seeing the smoke rising up ever so eerily and vanishing in the air sent only a pulse of disgust through his body. "I think I'm also missing something here, there are a few more people I can count suddenly that weren't here before."

Rina shot Taja a look. Well, that explained why Sienna was there. She retrieved her phone for the umpteenth time that day and made a call for an ambulance. As she spoke to the operator, she watched Sienna light up a cigarette, suppressing the urge to wrinkle her nose as the smell reached her, and move over to the counter, noticing that she wasn't really looking at it. Rina did, however, and noticed the keys. During a period where she didn't have to speak, she covered the microphone and said, "If you want the keys, then take them."

She was still on the phone when Yohan walked in. She flashed him a strained smile and wave. He might not be all there, but he did look rattled. Who wouldn't be, given the circumstances? In another lull, she covered the phone again.
"We only got here a few minutes ago," she told Yohan. "I passed you outside, but you were…" she shrugged, face red. "Somewhere else."

A scrunched up nose and a growl of annoyance, a growl that shouldn't be coming from a human's throat but was anyway. "Yes! Do it! Kill her for defiling YOUR Gym!" Miranda's Demon yelled in her ears. Miranda shook her head and took a breath before speaking.

"I would prefer if you smoked outside. I won't have my gym smelling like cancer." she said sternly to Sienna as she moved her own set of keys back to the drawer in the desk. It was at that point that Rina pointed out the keys. Looking to them, Miranda walked around the desk and grabbed the keys, stopping for a second; something was...off about that space. She stared at that area, where unbeknownst to the Alpha Werewolf in the room, Sienna's Demon sat like the fat cat it was.

Moving on, she cast a glance to Taja. "You shouldn't take things that aren't yours, little one." She said simply, not in a babying tone or one that would imply talking down to her, but just straight up telling the child what she needed to say. She looked to Sienna.

"Use the keys to slice her throat. Smack the cancer-stick outta her hand and then slash her throat! Do it! If this cow thinks she can smoke in your Gym, she needs to pay!"

Miranda huffed, as if tired or annoyed, and moved to hand the keys over to the red-haired girl before her. She repeated her earlier request. "If you're fine, then smoke outside. Or I will extinguish it for you." with the look in her eyes, it wasn't a threat, but a promise. Miranda's Demon began to snicker as it walked up and began to circle Sienna.

"Look at this one...not unattractive, but not worthy of you. You could use her to polish your boots. Or you can just fucking kill her!" Miranda bit the inside of her lip, she was getting really annoyed really fast with her Demon.

Frederick whistled to himself as he steadily cleaned the school, with one sweep at a time. At the rate he was going, he thought of a way to clean the school faster...and that involved new allies...

Returning to the janitorial closet, he grabbed three brooms and tied them to his back letting the end of the broom touch the floor. Now as he walked he was cleaning! This would speed things up by quite a bit.

Now with his added sweeping power, he began to walk the hallways of the school looking like a cheap cosplayer. One would say the brooms were cannons on his back, but in reality he was just cleaning and looking silly while doing it. Surprisingly he was getting work done in the school, multiple hallways were spotless of dirt...but he was far from finished. But for Frederick cleaning up the mess was his duty, just like his father! He would be proud of him this day!

Taja gave the black hair girl a sorry smile. She didn't mean to cause any harm or drama. The goal was to get the red head girl from point A to point B without any instructions on how. At least it didn't get anyone in too much trouble, or so she thought.

"Well you got the girl to leave the shop unattended to and someone is bound to go in and steal something. Then she is going to get in super duper trouble, might even lose her job. Hey, maybe she even needed that job in order to rent where ever she stayed and to by food. Now she is probably going to become homeless and starving. Oh and let's not forget her smokes. She is probably going to become more violent and end up killing someone." The red eyed guy laughed before patting her head. "Kid, let's be real some of that was selfish."

"I only came here because they wanted me to get her here. And I will go to the store... I will explain everything and how it was my fault. I will even pay the store back." She whispered to the guy. No one seemed to notice him. She thought about it, maybe it had to do with that pain, but she couldn't think too long on it for the tri-ponytail girl was talking to her.

"Yes, ma'am." Was all she said when she started talking to the red hair girl. Honestly, Taja was more scared of the tri-hair girl than the red head. She looked at each girl's arms, stomachs, and legs. The red head looked like a strawberry roll while the tri-hair girl actually looked like someone who can deal with things.

"You sure don't want to mess with this one." The red eyed guy stepped towards the tri-ponytail girl. "She looks like a beast." The way he said beast, his eyes glowing red, and his teeth going sharp made her gasp and stumble back against the stick boy, which made her jump and turn around.

"Sorry, so sorry." She mumbled fast backing up from him.

Sienna Cartlow

"I would prefer if you smoked outside. I won't have my gym smelling like cancer." Came the response of the secretary, which was pretty typical in most places. Sienna was used to it, but you could usually get away with lighting one before they made you stop. This seemed to be no exception. It didn’t really matter either way, she’d be stepping out once she got her keys, so who really cared if she smoked? They could tolerate it for the moment until she was out of here. Sienna simply nodded dimly, rolling the cigarette about her mouth a bit while waiting for her keys.

It was at that point that the black haired chick made some dumb comment that she should just grab her keys, leading Sienna to eyeroll. Well duh, she would once she knew where they were. That girl was acting like Sienna was the stupid one, and it annoyed her. It wasn’t like she was staying because she enjoyed their company, she’d be just as happy as them once she was gone. Turning back to the receptionist who had come around to her side of the desk, Sienna nearly dropped her cigarette when she literally reached through the cat on the desk, pulling out her keys. Blinking a few times, she shook her head. Definitely hallucinating then. If there were still intangible cats in the morning after she slept, she’d have to book a doctor’s visit. Despite her distracting thoughts, she noted that the gym-girl seemed to pause, staring at the spot where she’d taken the keys. Almost like she noticed something was amiss. Sienna raised an eyebrow, but dismissed it. She was getting overly paranoid, it was just a coincidence.

After briefly lecturing the small brat, something Sienna resisted the urge to groan about, the other girl finally handed her back the keys, dropping them into her hands. Sienna grinned, tossing them once into the air and catching them with the same hand, shoving them into her pocket. "If you're fine, then smoke outside. Or I will extinguish it for you." The gym-lady repeated her warning, this time with a bit more edge to it. Sienna didn’t entirely like the tone, but she wouldn’t have to deal with this girl any longer. Besides, she was pretty much done with it at this point, and didn’t exactly need a fresh one for the walk back, especially if it was going to start raining again. “Don’t worry, I’m going. Thanks for my keys.” Taking her cigarette out, she briefly looked about the room for a way to dispose of it. Not seeing any, she did the ‘next best thing’. Squishing the butt of the cigarette onto the desk and leaving a little bit of a mark, Sienna left the rubbish behind as she strode back towards the exit, intending to head back to the corner store and deal with that jerk of a roommate of hers. Behind her, the cat followed, though it wasn’t exactly silent. “Five… Four… Three…” The feline was counting, though Sienna couldn’t entirely tell why.

The Other Side

Well, it seemed like things were wrapping up around here just fine. Good, that meant he could go home without having to worry about being out in public anymore. The car crash was terrible, sure, but accidents happened, this one just happened to be near them. Following Sienna's example, he decided to start heading for the doors, believing there was no real reason for him to stay anymore either. He was, unfortunately, talked to by Rina. She mentioned about his little conversation with the white haired man, though she had no idea it was with him, as he stops and looks over towards her.

"Yeah, thanks for reminding me. I got to take my medication back home." He wasn't exactly lying either, it was about the only thing that kept him from, well, ending up six feet under. Seems like the whole cigarette matter had been settled, and that meant there would be no drama to worry about once he left. He would of left right then and there, if a certain ten year old had not bumped into him and started to apologize. He put on a fake smile and waved her off.

"This has been an interesting experience, so uh, let's try to keep the interesting out from now on." Some might be confused, to him, he pretty much wanted to live a normal life. He started making his way for the doors again, his plan to rush out once Sienna opened them and went out herself. The white haired male, unknown to even him, had appeared again in the Gym itself and took a deep breath through his nostrils.

"Time to go." Was all he said, causing Yohan to feel a shiver down his spine. When he went to look, he was gone again. What did he mean, time to go? It didn't matter, he seemed more than happy for Yohan to leave this place, and that pushed him to go through with his decision. He wasn't about to let this creep ruin the rest of his day, he already seemed crazy to some of these people! Regardless, he could already feel the smell of the outdoors as he was almost outside...

Meanwhile, back with Ricky, what he saw was most unusual. How could anyone use this for transportation? That's the thought that kept running through his mind. It looked like some kind of ring on the wall, certainly making it stand out, though it certainly wasn't alien looking. It reminded him of something a kid would put up on the wall one day out of boredom and the parents decided to help out with the rest.

"Okay, what do you want me to do?" Ricky asked, shifting his eyes to the demon.

"Walk over to it. When you are standing in front of it, you will need to say only one word to use it. However, since those old people are almost done, I will give you the signal for when they have left."

"Wait, we're going to be waiting?" Ricky's eyebrows shot up. "Why? What's the point?"

"Ricky, this gateway will pull in not just us, but anyone close enough within range that has a connection to The White or The Black." Ricky's eyes widened slightly at the demon's words. "If those two get pulled in with us, we're basically screwed. Now, step on over to it!" Ricky grumbled to himself as the demon ordered him around. It seemed like the Djinn really wanted to show Ricky a surprise, at least that was the impression Ricky got after seeing the strange look in the demon's eyes.

"Fine, whatever." Ricky approached the strange circle on the wall, this was suppose to be a Gateway? This must be some kind of prank the demon was pulling on him, but he would go along with it for now, if only out of fear of not being eaten himself. It felt strange to just stand there and have his hand held out on the wall, but Ricky could definitely tell something strange was going on with this spot. He didn't know whether it was due to his connection with the demon or if it was the ring itself doing something, but he could feel something almost wanting to creep itself out of here.

"Okay, say it." The Djinn said without warning, and suddenly, a word popped itself into Ricky's mind. He almost began to cuss out due to his irritation at the demon messing with his head, but instead, Ricky could only call out the word he had thought of first purely by instinct.

"Purgatory!"

Back with Yohan, he finally managed to get himself outside and shook his head as he ran a hand through his hair. Taking out his phone from his pocket, he went to turn it on... Only to receive a static screen? What was going on, this wasn't something that had ever happened before. Putting his phone away, he looked around only to notice all the buildings looked... Whoa, wait a minute! Yohan found himself jumping back as his heart began to race, noticing how all the buildings had just suddenly turned into these weird black structures. They resembled a town though, so what the heck was going on?!

Meanwhile... "Oh dear, I didn't expect the range to be this strong." The Djinn quickly noted, taking a look at the new envrionment around them.

"WHERE THE HECK DID YOU SEND US?!" Ricky demanded.

"The Other Side, moron. I didn't realize this gateway had a powerful pulse to it, though. Looks like this one covered the entire town. Oops?"

"OOPS?! HOW MANY PEOPLE DID I JUST SEND WITH US HERE?!"

"Calm down, idiot. No one without The White or The Black even knows we're here. Although if someone were to have a slight connection with it somehow, they might feel a thing. But otherwise, I doubt we brought anyone with us here." The Djinn suddenly smirked. "You should take a look at the sky, if you don't believe we are in another world~"

Back with Yohan, his heart began to race as his eyes looked up suddenly. What he saw confirmed he was no longer home. The sky was no longer blue for him. It had turned into a light green, almost as if this was how it had always been. But he was still seeing Sienna as well, yet he could no longer make out that a car had just recently crashed near them. But the crazy wasn't done just yet, for a scream erupted out not far from them.

"PLEASE, HELP ME, SOMEONE!" The man screamed out, looking to have been on his way to work. The man didn't notice them, but was just within sight for them all to see him. However, he ends up tripping and collapsing hard on the ground, trying to crawl away now as what came out next made Yohan take a step back out of fear. Some kind of black liquid creature stepped out into the light, having some kind of emotionless human face that looked like it had been cruelly slapped on to this thing as a joke.

"Someone, help me!" The man cried out again, though there would not be a next time. The creature slams what looked like a hand into the man's back, the man suddenly changing his expression to one of pure pain, though he could no longer scream out. Three other creatures walked out into the sunlight, all of them suddenly the man as all he could do was look on over the creatures in terror. Then, the creatures all leaned down and appeared to begin devouring the man, it was hard to tell exactly, but Yohan's mind raced to the first thing he could think of right now. He could tell one thing from all of this, however. They weren't safe out here.

"Come on." He quickly said to Sienna after seeing this, it didn't matter whether she was a horrible person or not, they weren't safe out here, and he quickly rushed for the door back into the structure where the gym used to stand. He opens up the door, though he waits as he gestures for her to come inside quickly. He had no idea if she saw the same thing he did or not, but he wasn't going to take any chances. Looking inside, he could see the others were still there, maybe he wasn't going crazy after all?

Fredrick was uneventfully continuing to clean the school, with the three brooms strapped to his back along with the one still in his hands, he had gathered piles of dust together and easily disposed of the pesky nuisances. It was strange being alone in a massive school, no teachers, no students but he felt something was off for some reason.

Fredrick felt a chill run up his spine as he worked. Causing him to leap into the air in surprise. He looked around, holding the broom like a rifle. "If there is a ghost nearby then would you kindly not cause my back to freak out like a cat near water." He spoke as he looked down empty corridors. "Huh...I knew you were a coward you ghost! Always freaking people out from behind but when faced with a champion of a broom you hide! Just in spite of you I will hard wax these halls later!" He waved his broom around as he went back to cleaning.

Darn ghosts...they don't know the true hardships of being a janitor. It was his duty to make sure people could walk through these hallways without getting dirty! Then he shall clean it again once the day was done...Oh wait...He was only part time here...Well, he would teach the ghost a lesson before he left! He was certain about that.

Rina gladly watched Sienna leave, ignoring the masked-faced thing when it suggested that she trip her. Still, she had to admit that it might give her some satisfaction. Yohan left to, so the girl gave him a small wave and smile.
She finally hung up the phone as she heard sirens blaring outside and saw flashing light signaling the arrival of the people who could clean up the accident. She rubbed her temples, then bent down to Taja's height. "Now, it's been a tiring morning. Let's get you home, alright?" She didn't think that she could bring the child home herself. Most likely she'd have to talk to the police about the accident, even though she hardly saw anything of it. "What's your address? You live near the corner store, right? I can take you back there, then--" She paused. A strange shiver passed through her, she blinked once and then everything changed. The walls were black and smooth like obsidian. The others were there, standing the same distance away from her that they had been before, but it was quiet now, without the noise from the scene of the accident. Rina stood up, looking around to get her bearings.
A quiet muffled scream reached her from outside. When Yohan burst through the door, she jerked around to face him. "What is it? What happened?" Her voice was sharp, lacking any of the warmth it had earlier. Fear was showing on ther pale face.
"Stay close to me, kiddo," she ordered Taja, only sparing a glance for her. Maybe it was just her, but she didn't want to take any chances. Something felt very wrong.

A low feral, canine growl erupted from Miranda's throat, loud and guttural, like that of an actual Wolf, as she watched Sienna put out the cigarette out on her desk. And then leave it there! "Are you going to let her do that? Litter in your gym? Defile your gym? Your Family's legacy!?" Her demon shouted, gesturing wildly to Sienna. And it was right. Miranda wasn't going to let that happen. Not without repercussions.

Moving quicker than most normal people could see clearly, Miranda grabbed Sienna, flipped her around to face her, grabbed the girl by the collar of her shirt with both hands, and lifted her before slamming her against the floor, arms and back muscles flexed, veins bulging, teeth bared with her inch and a half long upper canine teeth and lower canines being one inch long, and her sapphire eyes being Amber. She shivered and snarled as the group passed over to the other side, the feral animalistic growl rumbling forth from the depths of her throat intimidating.

Behind Miranda, now visible to the others, was her Demon. Between the two a black, corrupting band of energy connected by the hips. Miranda's Demon looked very similar to the werewolf: She was tall, had tan skin, black hair, and was muscular. That's about it. For one, she had her hair down, flowing down in otherwise beautiful locks of hair that made her only seem more terrifying. Her eyes glowed Crimson, the color of blood, and her face was deformed and canine in shape, with an elongated snout and with multiple pointed teeth, the canines even larger than Mirandas, and the muscles bulging with effort as well. It wore a sickening smile as it egged on Miranda.

"Yes! Do it! Beat her. Show them their place in life! Beneath you and your boots! Do it! Lift your arm! Swing! Smash in her skull and throw it to the side like trash!"

Miranda's eyes flashed crimson as the Amber became fully took over the color of her eyes, and they went from soft Sapphire, human eyes, to predatory, blood-lust driven eyes of a Wolf on the hunt. Slowly, Miranda's arm began to raise, the fist shaking from how tense the muscles were flexed.

If someone didn't stop Miranda now, she'd kill Sienna.

Taja was more than ready to go home. He cheek ached and she told Miss Lilybottom that she wouldn't be long. She was sure to be worrying right about now. Giving the black hair girl a small smile and nodded to the girl about how she lived by the corner store. The small girl felt something shift, but today was a weird one a sort of paid no mind to it. After everything that had happen today she just sort of shoved it off as one of those feelings.

It took her a second to realize the walls became black. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. Sure enough it wasn't her just seeing things. The demon, her demon, stood next to her. "I see we are on the other side." Said Red eyes.

Taja looked at him, it being the first time that he spoke without taunting her, and then she saw the furry creature behind him. She knew what it was due to cartoons and such; it was egging the tri-ponytail girl. She knew the black hair girl wanted her to stay, but she had to do something.

“Or you could let it be and let the redhead get what she deserves. After all she did slap you across the face. I know how you truly feel, Tata” Red eyes spoke, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Or I can stop it, I can be the better person. Plus I did cause a lot of trouble for her, it was well deserved. And one more thing, don't call me by that name.” She said to him before turning around. Taja ran towards the tri-ponytail girl and yanked her arm hard. “Can you not? Try and show some control, okay?!” She yelled, the werewolf behind both of them was growling, but she ignored it.

Power Locked Within

Well, it seemed as though they were safe... For now. He had no idea where they had ended up, but at least it looked like a town. Though with how barbaric the building looked, it didn't seem like anything human would live here. But there was the man they just saw, why was he the only one among everyone in town who was brought here with them? It hurt his head trying to understand, they certainly didn't have much time to just stand around and chat.

"I didn't want to show up, but it looks like I have no choice." The white haired boy stated, standing behind Yohan but to the left so the others could see him if they chose to look over. It seemed eerie that he looked similar to Yohan, but perhaps this was like Miranda's demon? No, while Miranda's demon leaked with terror, there was something more hidden within this white haired individual. "My, you better do something quick."

"Huh?" Yohan suddenly saw Miranda go nuts, her rage looking to consume her as she moved to grab Sienna and slam her into the bloody floor. Given how rough the building looked similar to rock structures, it looked like it hurt. "Wh-what?!" What was the white haired boy referring to, what was he suppose to do about this?! Miranda was clearly stronger than him, and now she had some kind of crazy version of herself standing behind her?!

"Relax, brute strength isn't everything. You have a power that can do far more than brute strength ever could." The white haired boy spoke up, walking over to place a hand on Yohan's right arm. Yohan's eyebrows suddenly shot up as he noticed some kind of lock on his chest. The lock seemed to be connected to each of them somehow, as each of them had a key on the back of one of their hands. "Your power is about to kick in. It's going to hurt."

"What are you talking -- AAGGH!" Yohan was interrupted by a sudden pain shooting up his right arm, as the key on the back of Miranda's hand began to glow. The lock on Yohan's chest glowed in response, with Yohan screaming out in pain as a white glow began to exit Miranda's body and enter into Yohan's arm. "S-stop it! I don't want to do this!"

"I'm not doing anything. It's you who's doing all this." The white haired boy smirked as he spoke. "You want to help, fool. It's only natural that your power would assist you in such a manner."

"I don't want to hurt anyone!" Yohan tried to resist, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop himself from taking some of Miranda's power. "Stop! No! Wait!!!"

"Too late. Here it comes." The white haired boy stepped away from Yohan as the white glow stopped transferring. Yohan's arm now glowed brightly as it rose up, though to Yohan it felt heavy. "Time for this wolf to get slammed." Yohan's arm fell to the floor, slamming into it as a shockwave only directed at Miranda was sent out as a result, with Miranda's own power it aimed to knock her away from Sienna and off her feet, though aside from feeling a little sore, she would find she was unharmed.

"My, the ten year old is making you all look mature. That's kind of insulting." The white haired boy commented, Yohan taking a second to realize what just happened, as his arm had just returned to normal. It was only when the white haired boy suddenly vanished that he saw Sienna and he rushed on over to her.

"Hey, are you alright?" Yohan spoke out, offering a hand towards Sienna to help her up. "Please don't ask me what just happened, I have no idea what's going on." Though it was only now that Yohan noticed some kind of line between his lock and one of the keys. Hopefully they could find a way back home from this place.

Sienna Cartlow

Sienna wasn’t sure what to expect when Sinopia finished her countdown. In fact, with the current thought that this was still some hallucination, she expected nothing to occur, with the countdown simply something to try and raise her paranoia. How wrong she had been. One moment, she had been standing outside on the dreary sidewalk next to the gym, and the next…

“Zero.” All of a sudden, it was like a wave rippled over the world, and in its wake, everything changed. It almost felt like a wind whipping past her, though she couldn’t physically feel it. Some other sense of hers seemed to move in reaction to it, and internally, Sienna’s intuition and instincts seemed to kick in, silently nudging her in warning that things were most definitely different. The sky was now an off hue of green, and around them, the neat paved paths and roads had given way to rock and crag. It was no longer wet, but instead oddly warm and humid; not that Sienna entirely minded that, but it was another indication that she had somehow moved somewhere else. Hallucination or not, there was more to this than just her eyes playing tricks on her. She could smell it, the change in atmosphere. Even through her sneakers she could feel the difference in the material below her feet. It was all very much real, impossible as this change was.

“Now are you starting to get it?” The feline spoke again, the orange cat moving to rub between her legs and get Sienna’s attention. Blinking in disbelief, Sienna just continued to stand there, barely taking in the boy next to her as she tried to process just what was going on. Blankly, she finally turned to look at the cat, who stared back up at her with a strange intensity. “Like I said before, there’s more to the world than just what you see. You may be smart, but there is so little you actually know.” It was at that point that a scream filled the air, causing Sienna to pivot. Sure, she was a little scared and freaked out at this point, but panicking like that wasn’t going to help anyone-

It was then she saw why the man had screamed, tensing up slightly as the shapeless entities pooled into a vaguely humanoid figure. Black liquid congealed and dripped from its body like tar, its head constantly forming and deforming into faces and expressions that Sienna could only describe as horror or agony. Briefly, the hollowed cavities that were where its eyes could be seemed to peer in her direction, and for the slimmest of moments, she thought she caught sight of a wicked smile across its face. Once more, the man called out for help from this atrocity. Sinopia spoke before Sienna even had a chance to respond. “Don’t. It’s far too late, and there’s no reason to risk yourself for anyone else. Not that I think you would anyway.”

Sienna watched, transfixed by the madness unfolding before her as more of those aberrations appeared, surrounding and engulfing the man in their gooey black death, his suffering silenced near immediately as the dark creatures likely suffocated him as they enveloped his face. Sienna wondered if the faces she’d seen were a reflection of all their past victims. Swallowing nervously as she sat on the sidelines, watching the things continue to dissect their prey like vultures, she faintly heard the boy that had been near her call for her attention to head back inside. Briefly, she looked about to see if there was any better choice than backing into a corner, but the wilderness of this strange new world didn’t look inviting to say the least. A tactical withdrawal it was then.

Moving back, but watching the goop creatures all the time, Sienna saw no need to run at this point. If they hadn’t come for her yet, it was doubtful they would until they were done. No sense wasting her energy at this point. Moving inside after the boy, Sienna moved to shut the door to the gym. Or, what had been the gym – the stony building seemed nothing like the previous place she’d been in other than the basic layout. Taking a breath of relief as she watched the blobs stagger off in another direction, her momentary reprieve was just that as a sudden jerk pulled her from her feet.

Barely having time to react to the sudden shift, Sienna was flung around to face the gym’s receptionist, although in this case, something else seemed to have involved itself. Sienna barely got sight of the hulking shadow of a beast behind Miranda before feeling herself lifted by the collar of her blouse, only to be roughly forced down to the ground on her back and pinned to the floor. Gasping out in pain as she lay winded, Sienna’s gritted her teeth as she winced, trying to bring her arms up to shield her face. She certainly wasn’t a pushover, but it was clear that this girl had her outmatched in the strength department, and the advantage with the way she’d gotten the jump on her. Around her, Sienna could hear the sounds of the ugly monster encouraging the steroid-using freak on top of her to crack her head open on the floor, but for the moment, the blow didn’t come.

Taking stock of the situation, it seemed the receptionist was faintly resisting whatever influence the monster had over her, while the 10-year old of all people had come to Sienna’s aid. Great, what good would she do? And no doubt the brat was gonna brag and boast about this to Sienna after the fact. If this girl and the monster behind her didn’t murder her first. Still, with the opening she’d been given, Sienna wasn’t taking any chances of just lying down and taking a hit. Getting her foot free enough, she used what room she had to hit the girl where it hurt before putting her sole between her and the girl’s stomach, kicking her back and off to get some space. Or at least, she tried to, but it was like hitting a goddamn brick wall. Wincing as she jarred her ankle, Sienna could hear something of a snickering from the nearby feline, who simply walked up next to her face and sat down, eying her.

“For someone so smart, you make a lot of stupid decisions. Try using your head rather than meeting brute strength with your own.” Sienna didn’t have time to comment or complain at Sinopia, as she became aware of more voices in the room, the boy from before and… Well, his albino twin arguing or something before, just like that, the gym-girl was blasted back from her by some sort of energy wave, Sienna left unharmed as she slowly got onto her haunches, sitting up. Just… What in the hell was going on?!

"Hey, are you alright? Please don't ask me what just happened, I have no idea what's going on.” The boy came over, offering a hand to help Sienna up. Not so politely declining, Sienna got herself up to her feet, dusting herself down and rubbing around her collar where her blouse had dug in. Once again, her eyes never left Miranda and the strange monster she was connected to. “I’m confused, irritable as shit, and want to go home. Do you really think I’m gonna say I’m alright?” Sienna snapped with some slight sarcasm, looking about the room briefly to see that black hair was still here too. All of them seemed to have transferred to wherever this was but none of them seemed to have answers. The brat might have known something since she insisted she come here, but Sienna felt like that would be like getting blood from a stone.

“Alright, fine. I won’t ask you, but I do want some goddamn answers into what the hell is going on.” Sienna declared, looking between the less ‘human’ things in the room, Sinopia included. “Assuming that muscles for brains over there can keep her mitts to herself, maybe we can start working out what the heck is happening and get home…” Glaring across all of them, she briefly thought back to how dumb this day had been. If she somehow got fired for this shit, that was going to be the last straw.

Eventually Frederick saw the same hallway twice now...how strange, he just swept this hallway before. Oh wait! That meant he had just finished sweeping the whole school which meant he had to go to phase two of his operation here! And that was the moping along with a bit of wax to give those floors that brand new look to it.

Returning to the custodial closet and untying the brooms from his back. He filled up multiple wash buckets and grabbed four mops. Wetting each one he ties three to his back and held one in his hands. He soon also tied three wash buckets to his legs so he could wheel them around as he cleaned. And to top it all off he grabbed a waxing bottle and began to hard clean the floor like he promised. "You see this ghost! I told you I would hard clean these floors! Good luck sleeping at night when the floor is so shiny!" He waved his mop in the air and he slowly went on cleaning.