Dance With the Devil

[Wyatt]

To stir the pot....
To unlock the door...
To light the fume...
To right the wrong...
Means that one has to go through hell and back..
To risk messing up the recipie...
To risk using the wrong key....
To risk getting burned....
And to risk.....for lack of a better phrase..
A Dance with the Devil.


A red figure walked the hallway's of 259. His red overcoat and gaucho flapped with each stride. The shades that covered the figures intense gaze shimmered beneath each florescent light. But the extravagant clothing wasn't a reflection of the stone calm expression that was plastered upon the figure's face.

Wyatt was on a mission or goal to put it lightly...and he would stop at nothing to see it through to the end. Also the entire school was on a lunch break, perfect timing.....but the perfect place was still a problem.

A student happened to be walking in the opposite direction of Wyatt....and with a more intense look realized that this kid was just a sophomore. The air about this kid seemed to scream it which was proved by the kids attire and attitude.

With an outstretched arm did Wyatt stop the boy in his tracks. The boy's face went from surprise to annoyance as Wyatt spoke to him in a calm monotonic manner.

"I apologies for the shock but I am looking for any one of the following individuals... Mitsuki Park, Zacharia Rose, Johnathon Winters, John Ong and Aureus Hayes. I would like to know if you've seen any of them my friend"

The sophomore was quick to reply as Wyatt called out most of the movers/shakers of 259.

"And why would I tell you that?" said the annoyed boy pushing his way through Wyatt's outstretched arm.

Wyatt turned his head to watch the kid stop away. A small smirk cracked his calm face as Wyatt began to continue on his path. Wyatt was mostly interested in meeting the pillars or School Captain...a chance to challenge them would on the agenda.....but so was the non-titled people.

Memories rushed the senior's mind on how the pillars and School Captains were challenged. It usually involved some kinda ruckus or plot. But Wyatt wouldn't stoop that low.....looking for them was more humble anyway.

But the question on his mind was the length of time he would have to spend in search for them, plus the red cladded figure had only year book photo's to go by in his search. Maybe news of his search would spread and one might turn up.....but that was a long shot....

[Deleted]

Ah lunch… the one period where every student had free time due do what they pretty much pleased. The courtyard, cafeteria, and rooftops usually became crowded quite quickly. Saint opted for solitude while eating his lunch and read his books, this time the subject was Islam. The pillar gathered his things from his locker and began the lengthy walk to the mulberry tree just off campus where his was able to find the tranquility he enjoyed so much. Lucky the hallways were emptying relatively quickly making it easier going for the tall youngster to make his way.

As Saint continued on his path he happened upon a oddly dressed student all in red, granted he had his own dressing quirks most noted being the large white leather coat that he was almost never without. Sure enough the student body president could tell that the man was looking for something and having a hard time of finding whatever that was and so Saint would offer his assistance. Being a pillar sort of meant he had to help. He walked up to the man in red with a friendly smile on his face.

“Can I help you, sir?”

[Wyatt]

The offer of assistance made Wyatt come to an abrupt halt. This was better the perfect...with a local's assistance leading the way the effort into finding these people wouldn't prove to be hard at all.

These thoughts rushed in the senior's mind as he turned to face the person who offered their help. Wyatt could instant tell before he even saw the face that this person was a student, and with luck...a senior like himself.

But what Wyatt's eye's behind the deep red shades witnessed made Wyatt ponder a word to describe a setting that was beyond perfect. The perircing stare almost would bore through the white coated figure as Wyatt's calm expressionless face hid the great bemusement that dwell within.

Wyatt didn't even have to pull the ripped yearbook picture out that lie within the many pockets inside his overcoat, the mental picture and name was good enough from what Mr.Malice provided plus the yearbook that was found.

Zacharia Rose....this kid also went by some other name but a birth name was satisfactory for Wyatt.

"Yes you can indeed help me my friend, I am looking for a number of people, would you happen to know any of the following Mitsuki Park, Johnathon Winters, John Ong and Aureus Hayes.?"

Wyatt would leave Zacharia's name out, for the obvious reason that he found one of them already. A small smirk would crack Wyatt's stone calm face as he continued to look at the student waiting for a response.

[John]

John "The Raging Flame" Ong was in his usual spot in the hallway just sitting there against some lockers, he wasn't wearing his flame coat today, but he was wearing his white tank top and black cargo pants. His white hair and dark red eyes would probably tell someone he was albino... If it wheren't for the fact his skin was tan. An oddity, but it was him. He would have his red gloves on, the ones with the fire symbol on the back of them. Another student would appraoch him, as John didn't have any lunch money he didn't eat lunch. So he wasn't enterupting anything. He'd speak to him too, thats odd.

"Hey, John... Theres this guy all in red looking for you..."

John would look at the kid with a raised eye brow.

"So?"

The kid would scratch his head and look away, then back at him.

"Well, its not just you hes looking for, he's looking for Winters, Mitsuki, Aureus, and Saint too."

Ok, that got John's attention. He'd stand up pushing off the ground with his right hand and get to walking.

"Where was the last place you saw him?"

"Not far from here, just around the corner actually."

And then John was walking. He was surprised at the amount of peace going through this place, and even he had no intention of breaking the peace. He had a bandage across his right temple, a band aid really, but it was over a cut. He'd turn the corner, and stop, leaning against the wall, as invisible as he could be. The guy wasn't kidding about the all red concept. And Saint had already been found, maybe if he listened in he could get information on this.

"... any of the following Mitsuki Park, Johnathon Winters, John Ong and Aureus Hayes.?"

Ok, even better he caught the guy asking for them... Well as interesting as it was to hear it, he didn't hear any mention of Saint's name... did that mean this guy knew who he was talking to? Must of, Saint was considerably polite, so there was probably an introduction already. What did this guy want?

[Deleted]

For a moment Saint pondered, not his answer as that was simple, more why or how this man came to have such a list of people to meet. It wasn’t hard to pick out that it was a list consisting of the captain, the eldest pillar, a threat to the captain, and a very accomplished fighter. In fact all of them were accomplished fighters, maybe that was the purpose of it. Now this was not suspicion but merely curiosity and nothing more. Nonetheless the student body president nodded politely.

“Yes I know them, though I can’t say I could be sure of where to find them right now I am sorry to say. Might I inquire as to why you wish to meet them Mr…?”

The question was two-pronged actually, the straight forward version of why and the subtle one asked by the drawn-out Mister at the end, which was an inquiry of the man’s name. Oddly enough it was a rare time as Saint usually introduced himself before asking other people their name’s but with the recent events as this school and the looming possibility of a war even the trusting pillar had had his guard raised. Add to that a list of the major players (Note: Saint never thought himself as a major player in the school despite his title) and it was almost natural. So, Zachariah stood there awaiting any answer he could get quite politely, all the raised guards that have been mentioned being completely mental as his arms rested limply by his sides.

To be mentioned Saint had not noticed John as all his attention was on the man in red as it was the polite thing to do when speaking with someone. Add to that the glasses made the man hard to read and if one read into the manner of dress well… a man completely in red with eyes hidden wasn’t a ringing image of good.

[Wyatt]

"Quite understandable....but at least you know them my friend....and it's Wyatt, Wyatt Gennis which isn't of importance right now...."

Finished Wyatt as he gave a small bow taking off his gaucho showing his long black hair fall. But as Wyatt corrected himself and re-fitted his hat upon his head the gaze behind Wyatt's shades still burned to wards Zacharia.

"What is important is that you tell me who these people really are.....names and titles...well thats easy to figure out...but the rest must be told by the mouths of allies and enemies I'm afraid....and if you wish to know why I want to know this....I feel a more open area is required....say outside or a gymnasium....one can not be to careful as my past has taught me"

The most important thing right now to the red coated and hatted senior wasn't the idea of finding an area where one couldn't be followed or overheard easy....but the open area itself was important. Plus Wyatt spoke no lies, a more open area was required to explain why he was searching for these people.

Wyatt dug into his black dress pants and pulled out an old gold pocket watch to check the time. Before beckoning Zacharia to follow him into the nearest open area which happened to be out side. These was some distance, enough for Zacharia to maybe give details about the people that Wyatt sought.

Wyatt's shades were glowing brighter then ever......even if Wyatt saw John, who was hidden out of sight it would not hinder his plans at all, all was as it should be....

Does the fish know where the river leads?
Does the Sheep know where the Sheppard herds?
No...
But its a wonderful sight to see a sheep in new pastors or a fish in open waters.....

[John]

~Open area? Hmm, that sounds like a challange to battle to me.~

John knew those terms well. Even though he perferred the close quarters of the hall way due to his fighting style, an open area left everything to be determined, and was ideal for a 1 on 1 fight, and maybe for an unknown number versus 1. John liked those better cause he got more fun out of it that way, but now wasn't the time. The fire bug would follow the two if thats where they where going, making a point to not act like he cared. He wasn't going to hide either, if they went outside he would obviousely be following them.

This guy wanted information on him and Saint, not to mention the other hard hitters. It wouldn't of been an issue, but it just perked John's curiosity too much. Being his dealings with Zack Asiv, and Sean Barker he wasn't sure if this guy was a remnent of Asiv, or worked for Barker, but thats what he wanted to find out.

[Deleted]

With a kind smile Saint bowed back to his new acquaintance before listening to the slightly circular explanation of why. Needless to say it was a bizarre explanation that caused the creation of more questions than it answered. It would be a lie to say that the way everything was going wasn’t causing a sinking feeling within his core.

“I’m Zachariah Rose, it is a pleasure to meet you Wyatt.”

Granted Saint had a sneaking suspicion that Wyatt already knew what his name was but still it was proper to introduce himself formerly. After which the pillar followed the beckoning senior with very little thought to the possible traps that a more cautious student may have foreseen. It was just his nature, even if he did think of all the possible traps that could be looming from these odd circumstances, Saint would still trust that the other person had no such intentions. Unless that person had given him previous reason to believe that the trap was the more likely scenario, which Wyatt had not. Regardless, as they walked Saint thought about what exactly to tell the senior, as all the little details about the brewing conflict seemed all to gloomy.

“Well, Mitsuki is the school’s captain, Aureus is a pillar… varsity captain I believe and I do not think the other two have titles to speak of. Beyond that I’m not sure what to tell you, Wyatt.”

Of course, Saint could have spilled every little detail he knew of the other students but that would have been distasteful but also by halting his own divulgence of details at the quite obvious facts he hoped to gain more information from Wyatt.

[Wyatt]

An eye brow would slowly appear over Wyatt's shades at Zacharia's comment that he wasn't sure what else he could say about the list of names that Wyatt had mentioned.

Wyatt would have chuckled but that would have given the impression that he knew that Zacharia wasn't disclosing much information due to the unique situation. After all, a pillar/student-prez should know these things inside out.

"No worries, One shouldn't be afraid of what one doesn't know"

Simply stated Wyatt looking at Zacharia through the corner of his red shades. The gaucho that sat atop Wyatt's head was no longer horizontal but with a quick adjustment the hat was returned to perpendicular state to Wyatt's head.

As Wyatt opened the doors to the school grounds of 259, the wind made his red coat flap against the legs. The beautiful spring sun warmed the skin very well as Wyatt almost glided across the grass. Another thing that people would have noticed if they were intently walking was that Wyatt preferred walking on the soft grass then hard concrete. Why? It just made one feel closer to the earth...plus walking on grass is more comfortable then hard stone will ever be.

Wyatt finally deemed the area along the West side of 259 a perfect spot. Low human traffic, open space, few obstacles and the natural setting outside was way better then the urban school hallways.

The air would be still as Wyatt turned to face Zacharia. Wyatt's expression was still as calm as ever. There wasn't going to be much information that would come out of Zacharia's mouth at this moment so... it was time....

"OK, time to reveal the some truths to you.....Zacharia Rose pillar and Student president of Public High school 259."

The red cladded figure would brush a spec of dust from his white collard dress shirt that was partial visible from within the red coat.

"I am going to attack you know......why? For your title...for your respect...for my pleasure.....you decide. Like I said earlier this isn't about me...its been entirely about you and the names that I stated earlier..."

Wyatt's voice was as calm and monotonic as ever as he stared through Zacharia. Wyatt still didn't reveal why he was doing the things which were occurring today.....but it was critical that this had to be done.

"This is also the best type of scenario for you my friend? You do not know me so why hold back? Fight me to defend your title......to defend your pride...for your pleasure...for other reasons....just give it your all."

One of the reasons that Wyatt was doing this was that even though the school was enjoying a brief moment of peace....it still didn't mean that a storm would never come.

"Are you ready my friend.....here I come..."

A small smirk cracked his calm face as he charged at Zacharia at only 1/3 speed with a fist held behind his body aimed at Zacharia's head. The attack was a rookie move, simple easy to predict and doge and would give a bad impression upon the attacker and the defender.

If Jon Ong, who's presence wasn't noticed by Wyatt yet, decided to interfere or observe it would still be more then anything that Wyatt could hope for. That would be a critical step in finding out who a person really was.

[John]

John followed them outside, not far tagging along, walking casually. His dark red eyes never leaving the two as he followed. He'd try and detach himself from them if Wyatt turned to look at Saint. Making himself less visible, though he perferred to play it straight out, he had learned how to follow and listen from other people. Though how you can miss tan skin, white hair, and red eyes is beyond his knowledge, but that didn't matter much to him, it was details. He leaned against a tree as they took up positions next to the building.

John learned that there was no introduction's till now, and Wyatt himself spoke up that he knew who he was talking too. Wyatt's continueing in pushing the subject of a fight didn't go well with John's plans. What small amount of plans he actually kept he didn't like them being toyed with in this manner. So he would wait for that moment, Wyatt wasn't moving too fast, Saint was a defense fighter, John had seen it before, not to mention 'All your dough are belong to us' he felt he kinda owed the guy. John was stilla poor individual, but that didn't stop him from having a small sense of right and wrong, even if he didn't much care for niceties.

Once Wyatt's attack would come in, John would burst out with everything he had, to get in the way of the attack and grab for it, to block it with his left hand, while his right side was too Saint.

"Sorry, I can't really let you fight Saint. If you do however, it will be through me, or both of us, but I dont see the odds being on your side either way."

[Wyatt]

"And what would prompt such an act of kindness John Ong?"

Wyatt's shades would flicker as he looked upon the new arrival. The mind of the red coated figure was replying mental images and information about John Ong. Even though the mental info was limited, the name and face was there which was enough for now.

Wyatt also had a feeling that he would be followed, attacking in such a slow and predictable manner would draw out any allies mostliekly....which it did.

"Also odds are a fickle mistress I'm afraid...they tend to poorly treat the ones who use most"

Wyatt would then would do a very quick back flip. As Wyatt did this he would bring his right foot upward against John's chin in an attempt to knock him up and back unto Saint.

Wyatt's red overcoat would also help to hide the attack due to its length. He would also look like a red blur as he spun in the air.

[Deleted]

The word to describe Saint the moment they arrived at their destination was disappointment. He wasn’t shocked at the fact that Wyatt was going to attack as so many times that was the way of things here, though the forewarning was a pleasant surprise. The disappointment came from the fact that the student body president had thought most seniors merely wanted to graduate and get out, no bothers to or from the student hierarchy. Thinking over the ‘reasons’ given Saint had no will to, defending his title wasn’t all that important to him, his pride was derived from peace, and he drew no pleasure from fighting. His only reason for ever raising his hand was to defend himself, perhaps that was good enough for Wyatt, frankly the pillar did not like the implication that not knowing someone was good enough reason to be more willing to harm them. Wyatt may not have meant it that way but that was how Saint took it.

Nonetheless the pillar was under attack and had to do something if he didn’t want to be struck. Naturally as a man of peace his first motion was backward. Oddly enough John burst out and stopped the attack before Saint really had to do anything. A few blinks of surprise from the pillar as John took on the role of his bodyguard at least for the moment. How long had John been following them? Or was it just lucky timing? The bigger problem was that John had not introduce himself… so how did Wyatt no his name? Given everything Saint had a great suspicion of the answer… but time to return a favor.

Wyatt had hurled himself into a back flip and being this a fight Saint knew the type of attack as he’d used it often in spars. As quick as he could Saint grabbed John by the shoulders and yanked him backward out of the way of the flailing foot. Something about the way Wyatt spoke made this fight seem… worth it, like this man was trying to impart some lesson to them. At least Saint hoped that was the case because it made him feel better about the situation in its entirety. There was one question Saint had to ask before things got any farther.

“Are you here under orders from someone else or by your own volition?”

The answer was important for one reason, if someone could get Wyatt, who seemed an intelligent person and capable fighter, to do as they command they would be a serious threat. Regardless of the answer Saint would prepare himself more so for this contest, knowing full well that if John and himself were to have any sort of success they would have to work together without communication. A truly difficult task.

[Wyatt]

OCC: my attack is assuming that both Saint and John are both pretty close together (Shoulder to shoulder almost)

IC:

A simple question....and Wyatt would answer because the answer it self was a simple in it self.

"My orders do not come from another being my friend..."

The orders which drove Wyatt to act. Call it a personal quirk or a divine drive...but in a darkened world someone had to find the lights.

As Wyatt landed bending his knees to soften the impact on the ground Wyatt would launch himself at the two defending figures. The speed at which Wyatt dashed was at his maximum speed to get into extreme close conditions between the two opponents....a very strange strategy from the red cladded man.

The red overcoat that Wyatt wore flapped violently as Wyatt reached the center of the two fighters (Possible dodgeing any small counters along the way if thrown). Wyatt then would place one of his legs against one of Saint's legs which would be closest to Wyatt , and the other against John's closest leg. Wyatt would then place his elbows perpendicular against his opponents shoulders (The ones that would be closest to him)

The whole point behind this maneuver was that all attacks that would come from the legs/arms closest to Wyatt would be very ineffective and all movement from those areas (which would be pretty hard to see) would be detected by Wyatt's arms and legs which made contact to those areas.

Wyatt's opponents would have to turn away, or use their furthest limbs to attack......which was what the man behind the glowing red shades wanted.

[John]

John didn't see the kick coming, but had help in avoiding it from the tug he felt behind him, he felt the wind whip at his face from the red coat the man whore. Seemed it was a near miss and probably not easily done without Saint's assisstance. John felt at his chin knowing there could of been a rather strong foot planted against it moments ago, Saints question came and went, and Wyatt answered. Seemed John could rest easy knowing this was just some insane attempt from a new guy to get a place in the school... Or something like that. didn't matter, right now he was in the mood for a fight.

Wyatt's advance came quickly, much faster than before, he had been holding back it seemed, cunning trick to bring out those that would challange a weaker opponent. seemed he had a tactic that wasn't clear to him just yet, but John didn't like being touched like that. His own hand would reach up to the arm on his shoulder and grab it if he could. His eyes if one could see them where open and it would appear as if the eye where shattering into light as a dark red glow would come from them, assuming he would be able to grab the hand/arm his hand would erupt into flames.

The aim was to cause pain and make an oppening for Saint to attack if it could distract Wyatt long enough.

[Wyatt]

Wyatt had expected that either John or Saint to react in that way....what Wyatt didn't expect was that John's hand erupted into flames. This minor disruption in...well reality...made Wyatt quickly abandoned his current strategy in lue of a more....exit strategy.

As John made his grab upon Wyatt's shoulder he would us his other arm to pin the hand against his shoulder. Even though the pain intensified it was the best way..in Wyatt's mind to escape. Wyatt's red overcoat flapped as he quickly spin around John pulling John's arm behind his back then giving John a push so that he would stumble into Saint which would stop Saint from attempting to stop Wyatt's retreat back.

There were a few small flames upon Wyatt's coat elbow and fighting glove which were quickly patted out. Wyatt's gaze then swiftly returned to John, a slight smirk cracking Wyatt's calm face.

"Well that was...as some would call it...interesting"

Chuckled Wyatt feeling the burns upon his hand and elbow. It seemed that people in 259 were capable of far more things then beating each other up with their limbs.

"Hopefully you don't mind me doing this.....but I really would like to test this one move out in combat my friend"

Wyatt's arms were swung around his body making a Yin-Yang symbol if a visible line was traced along the arms movements. Wyatt's red shades glowed as his hands were cupped together in front of his chest. A small red light would glow from within the cupped hands. Then a small red swirling orb would quickly seep out of his hands before Wyatt released it.

With Wyatt giving a large exhale Wyatt slowly brought his hands apart releasing the reddish orb. The reddish orb exploded into life expanding quickly around Wyatt with a 7m radius into a prefect half sphere on the ground. The red void was created and seemed to pulsate as dark red like veins seemed to keep the surface of the void together.

Saint and John would most likely be caught within the void and now would be experiencing a 4x gravity downward while Wyatt was only feeling a 2x gravity from generating a difference of density within his own body.

A small chuckle would escape Wyatt as he looked upon his opponents to see what their reaction would be....