It was typical of the Phantom omega to make his presence known in such a flashy way. Apparently, the one who came with him was thinking something along the same lines.

"Why couldn't we just use the door like normal people?" The second figure boarded in. His light blue hair was quite eye-catching.

"Blue!" Naomi squealed in delight as she shot up.

Sahara couldn't help but wonder if the girl's influence had something to do with Noah returning to the color. How his hair hadn't died off from all the abuse was a whole mystery of its own.

Arden grabbed Naomi's collar, preventing her from dashing through the crowd toward the newcomers.

"See, I told you she wasn't dying," a calmer voice spoke as Sven followed the other two. He paused, eyes landing on the teens who'd frozen mid-fight. "Though it looks like we once again interrupted quite the event."

Noah squatted on his board, eyes flickering in interest. "Got any room for some extra fists?" he asked eagerly.

Terrell's eyes came to rest on Sahara, only then did the cold in them dissipate somewhat. The boy jumped from his board. Teens backed away all around. He didn't seem to notice at all as he left his sleek board hovering where it was. The Phantom omega walked step by step to where Aaron sat. A new tension filled the air.

Only when he was close did Aaron's eyes flicker open. He sat up, watching the Phantom approach.

All eyes followed Terrell and many people held their breaths.

"Ahh...look who it is–"

The lead Noctorious member never got to finish his sentence as a palm landed on his face. He was mercilessly pushed to the side. The boy stumbled back a few feet before coming to a stop. He rubbed his face, a leer on it, but made no further move.

In a smooth motion, Terrell jumped onto the raised area. Contrary to Sahara's expectation, he ignored her. Instead, his hand shot out. Grabbing Aaron by the collar he hurled him to his feet. Aaron's crew shifted, breaking out of their trance.

Aaron raised a palm to stop them from coming to his aid.

"What's the meaning of this?" Terrell growled.

Aaron calmly leaned his head to the side so that his eyes made contact with Sahara. He raised his eyebrows as though to say "calm your man down."

The Falcon caught on. "Terrell," she spoke softly, getting to her feet. "It was an invite. I came of my own accord."

Though Terrell's grip loosened somewhat, he still held on, eyes narrowing. The two omegas were the same height and so at eye level.

Crash.

A Chair was kicked over.

"If you want to join the party, get in line first!" The dude with red streaks in his hair yelled out of nowhere. Perhaps he didn't like being ignored, or maybe he simply had too much energy he needed to get out.

"Temper. Temper," Naomi clucked as she shook her head in disapproval.

Both twins nodded, agreeing unanimously with her.

"Ohh." Noah shifted to sit, dangling his legs off the edge of his board.

Sven folded his arms, eyeing the Noctorious members with obvious distaste. "Say, aren't those masks a rip off from the Phantoms?" he asked. "What happened, no originality of your own?"

Noah nodded, ignoring the burning glares from all around. "I think that one especially is asking for a thrashing." He nodded to the guy that had yelled.

"What did you say?" The same guy growled. He reached into a pocket and pulled out a blade.

Teens back away all around.

"Ah..." Noah blinked. He pointed a finger at the weapon. "Children shouldn't play knives."

All around, the masked guys turned toward the two Phantom boys, eyes gleaming and weapons clutched ready. Their leader's lips curled as he held the knife out, waving it so teens backed even further.

"Men with no balls try to compensate with weapons," Noami spoke.

Sahara blinked.

"Noooo!" Reagan's hand covered Naomi's mouth, eyes wide with horror. "Who's been teaching our child bad words?"

The knife was twirled once, the leer growing. "If you seek death, you'll find it."

"Nah, I'm good," came Noah's reply.

The armed boy took a step forward.

"Leave." It was a normal word, but when Terrell spoke it the weight suddenly increased tenfold and those around couldn't help but shiver.

The red-streaked dude turned and eyed Terrell. His eyes filled with a gleam.

Terrell let Aaron's shift go. He gave him a shove before turning to face the Noctorious members. "I said," he spoke, "leave."

The air crackled with tension. All around, teens watched with bated breath, waiting for the tension to snap.

However, to the surprise of everyone, the lead Noctorious member grinned, rested all his weight on one leg, and relaxed. The knife returned to the place it had been conjured from. He lifted the pipe in his hand, resting it over one shoulder.

"If you say so," he spoke.

He motioned to his comrades. Without a word of argument, they picked up their things and left in the same manner they had come, swaggering out.

"We'll see you again soon!" the guy in the lead called. Who he was talking to wasn't clear. As he walked by Noah, he purposely bumped into the board, causing it to rock back and forth. Noah wasn't provoked in the least, keeping a friendly smile on his face and wiggling his fingers in farewell.

Sahara watched them go. Just like that? She couldn't help but wonder how easily they followed the request.

No one else had expected this either. Confused gazes were exchanged all around.

"Well, that was anticlimactic," Noah, who now had his chin propped on a hand, sighed.

Aaron made a motion and the frozen teens all around began to work as one, picking up broken furniture.

"Stay for a drink," Aaron addressed Terrell as though nothing out of ordinary had occurred in the last few minutes.

"Not thirsty," Terrell replied coldly. He turned to Sahara. "Partied enough?"

The lead of the Falcon's raised her eyebrows at his accusing tone. Was he...jealous? She considered her options. A wicked gleam filled her eyes and she had the sudden urge to tease her boyfriend. "We were actually just getting started." She sat back down.

Her butt barely touched the couch when a strong hand took a hold of her and pulled her back up.

"I know a better place," Terrell told her quickly.

"Really?" Sahara scrunched her forehead. "But the drinks here are pretty good..."

Terrell scowled. "I'll buy you strawberry milk," he offered.

"How generous," Sahara replied with a straight face. She held back from reminding the Phantom that the drink was his obsession, and not hers...at least she didn't think so...though now the thought of strawberry milk was suddenly making her crave it. Oh boy, she thought as she realized the drink was getting her in its clutches too.

"They have strawberry milk here," Reagan chose the unlucky words as he flicked through the holographic menu.

Arden nudged him.

"What?" Reagan looked up "Ah!" he dropped behind the couch, escaping the murderous glare he was currently be sent by a certain Phantom.

"Blue!" No-one stopped Naomi this time as she made a beeline for Noah.

The boy looked in her direction before scrambling to his feet and scanning the area in panic. He shot Sven a helpless look only for the other boy to shrug.

"Let's go," Terrell told Sahara as he gave her a gentle tug.

She didn't resist.

"Thanks for dropping by," Aaron spoke as Rena joined him back on the raised area. "You were of great help," the omega added.

His words made Sahara pause. She shot him a sidelong glance only to see an actual smile on his face.

Help? Sahara considered as she tried to recall the whole evening to see how exactly she'd helped.

Seeing her confusion, Aaron nodded his head toward Terrell. The latter wasn't watching, tugging impatiently for Sahara to come along. Sahara, however, caught on to something.

Wait a minute... Her eyes narrowed. Did he...did he invite me here because he knew Noctorious would appear? She stared at the omega in a new light. He made certain Terrell would come...forcing them to back off? Her eyes turned into two slits. Or to get them in the same room as a test?

Aaron simply lifted a finger to his lips before gracing her with a wink that was bound to make any girl's heart flutter...unfortunately, Sahara had a Terrell and thus her heart didn't do more than beat at its regular pace.

Terrell tugged impatiently and Sahara found herself pulled along.

"Keep in contact!" Rena called after her as she waved. "Don't forget to pay back for the broken window!" she added, fearlessly addressing Terrell who ignored her.

Arden paused beside the girl, fidgeting with his fingers. Something seemed to be weighing on his mind. He opened his mouth, eyes bright as he looked right at Rena. And, just as the words were about to come out, an arm snaked around his neck and he was dragged along.

"Party's over," Reagan sang as he happily pulled his brother along.

Arden's arms flung around comically as he tried to unsuccessfully break free.

Once again, teenagers parted left and right, making way for the Phantom and the Falcons following.

Naomi had successfully clambered onto Noah's board and was playing with his blue hair, stroking it much like one would a pet. The boy sat, resigned to his fate.

Without a word, Terrell walked by, motioning for his board to follow. Sahara was quite impressed that they chose to use the door for their departure.

Phantoms and Falcons stepped outside.

Night had fallen and the city was fully alive. There wasn't so much as a whisker of Noctorious to be seen in the area.

"So...where's the better party?" Reagan asked eagerly.

"Who said you were invited?" Terrell asked curtly.

Sahara dislodged her hand from his in order to go grab her board. She was nice enough to also get Naomi's. The girl was still playing with blue hair while Noah stayed seated.

"We could go check out the fighting cages," he murmured.

"Fighting cages?" Arden asked.

Sahara turned her board on.

"It's all the rage," Sven stepped in to explain. "Apparently they appeared at moonlight gatherings. Basically, you challenge someone to fight and have a beatdown." He glanced at Terrell. "Compliments of Noctorious is our suspicion."

"So instead of racing, now they're resorting to beating the snot out of each other?" Sahara asked as she let her board float up to hand height. She pushed it, letting it rock back and forth under her hand as she thought the information over. She couldn't help the slight shiver that went through her.

"I've heard several crews split up over a loss in the fighting cage," Sven continued. He was addressing Terrell. "Looks like being the best on a board is no longer the only thing that decides a ranking."

"Luckily we have an all-star," Noah's comment was followed by a wince. Naomi seemed to have decided to attempt to braid the short hair.

"Where the hell is Rayne...or his Keepers?" Arden muttered.

Noah shrugged. "Busy?"

"Doing what...sipping tea and watching Regona tear itself apart?" Reagan spoke up. His bright personality turned serious. He leaned on his brother's shoulder for support. "If you ask me, someone needs to do something about Noctorious."

All eyes turned to Terrell.

The Phantom was shifting impatiently. "Let's go," he told Sahara, seeming not to have heard a single thing said in the last moments.

"Hold on!" Noah jumped from his board. A yelped of pain escaped him. He whirled to find Naomi staring at a tuft of blue hair in her hand. Rubbing the sore spot on his head, Noah turned to face Terrell. "You," he pointed, "are coming with us."

Terrell gazed calmly at Noah. "Make me."

"Oh?" Noah turned to Sven. "You heard him, right?" The boy cracked his neck before beginning to stretch his arms. "It's been a while, but if you're looking for a fight."

Terrell seemed anything but impressed by the threat. He looked to Sahara, eyes communicating his want to leave.

"Terrell," Sven spoke the name soft but firm.

Emitting a sigh, Terrel pinched the bridge of his nose. "What's a guy got to do to get people to stop third-wheeling?"

The twins pointed questioning fingers at themselves, as though asking how they were involved.

"One wheeling. Two wheeling. Three wheeling. Four wheeling..." Naomi began to count the people there, forehead scrunched up in confusion. No one had the heart to tell her that it wasn't how that worked.

Sven boarded over. He paused by Terrell and murmured something in low tones. Terrell's shoulders visibly slumped. Sahara felt her heart sink as she realized that she probably wouldn't get to hang out with him today.

Irritation flittered through her as she chewed her bottom lip.

Noah, who caught the act, walked over. "Yo, why the long face?" he asked.

Sahara kept her eyes on Terrell.

"It's nothing personal. Just lend him to us a bit," Noah told her. He was about to pat her shoulder but seemed to think the better of it.

"A bit?" Sahara asked as her mood drastically decreased. "You've gotten to see him all week."

In the background, the twins had started bickering over finger-pointing and Naomi was still trying to combine different numbers with the word "wheel".

Noah tilted his head. "Huh?" He quizzed. "What are you talking about?"

Sahara turned her eyes to meet his. "He's been busy hanging out with you all week," her voice dropped, "hasn't he?"

Noah shook his head. "What? We've seen him like once. Today we literally just met him when he ran off over here...we thought he was hanging out with you–"

"–Noah," Sven's call cut him off. "Let's go."

Noah gave Sahara an apologetic look. Turning, he motioned for his board. It zipped over with Naomi on top. While the boy tried to find a way to convince the little girl to give up her perch, Terrell walked to Sahara.

"Sorry," he apologized while running a hand through his hair.

"For what?" Sahara probed, still digesting the information she'd just gotten from Noah.

"No time," Terrell muttered. His eyes shifted to where Sven and Noah waited. "I'll take you on a date to make up for it," Terrell quickly added.

"More like a dozen," Sahara muttered.

"A dozen it is." Terrell gave her a quick peck on the forehead. "See you soon!" He turned, motioning for his board and smoothly jumping onto it.

"Terrell!" Sahara called.

"Hmmm?" he turned.

Noah, who had finally dislodged a sulking Naomi, looked relieved to have his board to himself once more.

As Terrell's eyes met Sahara's, questions flew through her mind. Where were you all week? She wanted to ask. Who were you with? The words made her cringe as she considered them to be that of an over a clingy girlfriend. She trusted Terrell, which meant she wasn't going to doubt him.

"What is it?" Terrell asked softly.

Sahara forced a smile on her face. I'll ask him later, in private, she decided on the best course of action. "Don't forget our date," she simply settled on that.

Terrell shot her a lopsided grin that would make any girl faint for excitement.

"Deal!" he turned and boarded off with the other three.

As Sahara watched, the smile dropped.

"Bad daddy," Naomi scolded. She came to stand beside Sahara, folding her arms. Her brown eyes turned to Sahara. "If he gives you trouble," she puffed out her chest and thumped a small first against it, "let me know and I'll teach him a lesson."

Sahara couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her.

"Count us in on that." An arm landed on her left shoulder and Arden's eyes crinkled in a smile.

"Though he'll probably beat me to pulp, I'll be sure to at least land some good punches," Reagan agreed as he appeared on her other side. He shook a fist in the direction Terrell had disappeared into. "Did you hear that?" he yelled. "I'll get at least one punch in!"

Several teens walking by shot him questioning looks.

"Oh boy," Naomi muttered in her best grown-up voice. "Do we know this crazy person?" She began to walk away.

"What person?" Arden agreed as he followed.

"There's another person here?" Sahara joined.

Reagan was left standing alone, one fist still raised and speechless.

"Hey!" he called after a moment. "hey!" He galloped after the three who immediately jumped on their boards and sped off. Still yelling, Reagan gave chase. Laughter echoed in their wake.

Phantoms sped in one way, Falcons in another.

The city lights twinkled in the night. Peaceful from above but very lively below.

Several ongoing moonlight gatherings had crowds trickling to them. However, most teens could be seen gathered around a certain ring. Inside it, two figures faced off.

Pah.

The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed.

Cheers rose from the packed crowd.

One of the figures in the center swayed. Blood poured from a gash. One eye was rapidly swelling shut and his bottom lip was split. The boy clutched his left side with his right hand. Despite his sorry state, there was a light of defiance in his eyes.

His arm dropped and a yell escaped his lungs. He charged, fists flying.

His opponent, shirtless and boasting an eight pack, calmly walked to meet him. He ducked, avoiding the fist which flew over his head. Without turning he fought back, using his elbow to smash it into the back of his opponent's head.

The hit boy stumbled forward. He fell straight through a holographic bar forming the wall of a cage. The crowd moved, making space. One more step...two more and the boy crashed face-first to the ground where he lay still.

The crowd roared and the winner raised a fist, turning to bask in the glory. His own face dripped with sweat. A thin trail of blood ran from a cut to the side of his forehead. Other than that, he looked to have gotten away unharmed.

Someone threw him a towel. The boy used it to wipe his face before tossing it in a random direction. He walked to where a group waited and grabbed the water offered, chugging it.

"Lance," a voice spoke as a familiar figure pushed aside the crowd to join him. The Noctorious member with red-streaked hair had arrived. Behind him, several masked figures glanced around the cheering crowd. Another was riling them up further by walking around in the cleared area and calling for anyone to challenge the winner.

A crew was pulling up the unconscious loser, dragging him away with faces that looked as though they had swallowed something extremely sour.

The winner put the water down, eyes scanning the crowd.

"How'd it go?" he asked the guy with red streaks.

"Party was ruined before it could even start," came the reply.

"That quick, huh?"

"He came. Told us to stand down."

Lance nodded. He tossed the water bottle to a teen nearby.

"No one?" the boy trying to find a challenger mocked. A mask with a skeletal jaw and teeth covered the lower half of his face.

The crowd parted and a teen stepped forward, several others close behind him. One look and one could tell a whole crew had come, supporting their leader.

"Hmm," Lance hummed as he eyed the challenger. "Don't go crazy too soon. We wait," he reminded the guy beside him before stepped forward. A hand reached out, blocking his path.

"Let me." A hand ran through the red-streaked hair. "Didn't get to let loose at all before." He cracked his neck while loosening his shoulders.

Lance stood down, letting the other walk forward.

Cheers rose, bets flew, and another fight picked up where the last left off.

The fighting cage was popular indeed. Behind it, several crews challenged each other to races while crowds watched. A board flew across the finish line, met with cheers from the winning side. A second wobbled in a little later, the border clutching an arm with a face twisted in a grimace.

The smell of blood in the air made the whole atmosphere strangling terrifying as well as alluring to the teens who constantly craved excitement. It wasn't just the fighting cages, but the races themselves seemed to have gotten a lot bloodier.

If one looked closely, they would see several Keepers watching it all from the shadows. Not one of them made a move to interfere as they simple observed.

Though those city lights looked to twinkle peacefully from above, the city was in fact far from peaceful.