(… this was inspired after hearing the song 'Dark Woods Circus'... it explores a slightly different origin for characters that went to the HIVE, some created for the show, and some not. Maybe slight AU.)

A woman walked with a purpose.

No one paid a second glance to her- an older woman, in a dark skirt and shirt.

No one knew she was recruiting for a school. And where a better area than to search for students than a place like this?

She managed to slip into a back area, where it was so dark she had to squint to see.

What she saw would've driven a kinder person to tears. It had no effect on her whatsoever.

Several cages, each with a different freak inside. Young freaks. Most quickly cowered to the back of their cages, afraid of what terrible tortures would they suffer this time. A few, however, peered through the bars.

A cyclops, with a bright green eye that seemed to be so different from his dark skin.

An angel with golden eyes.

A shaggy haired overly large child with a small girl cowering behind him.

A pink haired girl with skin like chalk and slitted pupils.

A demon with red eyes, bat ears, and a snake like tongue, his cage next to the angel's.

The headmistress smirked. She had already two recruits, and these five would add to her class. Knowing she had little time to waste, she went to each cage and undid the lock, extending a hand of 'friendship'. The demon didn't say a word, but quickly clung to her leg. The angel quietly cried.

There was a problem with one of the last ones though, the one with the unusually bulky child and the little girl. Clearly the girl had no strengths or abilities, so while the Headmistress escorted the boy out, she shoved the little girl back in.

The girl landed right on her bottom, and her eyes which already seemed large due to how skinny she was went even larger. "But... but... Baron!" She cried, coming up to the front. "What about Selinda?" The boy asked. "She isn't worth your trouble anymore. Come with me and be free." The Headmistress replied shortly.

Baron looked wildly at his little sister and back to the woman. Finally he approached the cage, gave her a kiss good bye, whispered, "Be safe, little sister," and followed the woman, whose voice seemed hypnotizing.

Selinda began sobbing, the tears cutting little tracks on her dirty cheeks. "Nooooo!" She wailed. But it was too late, the woman left, taking the children with her.

(… damn it, NOW I have another idea. I need to stop having every idea hit me at once.

Bye byes, remember to review!)