A/N: hey people!

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War soared through the pitch black skies on a rust, the same shade as blood, colored horse. Lifeless, however at the same time eager, blue eyes scanned the land. He wouldn't pick the place, his steed knew where they were needed the most.

The horse neighed as if hearing his master's thoughts and continued to move its powerful legs throughout the air.

Screams continued to fill his head. Anger. Betrayal. Jealousy. Rivalry. Want. Desire. Need. All were a part of him and in the end all that was needed was the final push. The desire to spread his power into the world to bring everything into a bloody red, to bring mankind onto their knees begging for help and for mercy.

He tilted his head back and laughed, a chilling icy sound. The horse threw its head back as well. Giving a sound of warning to his master the horse touched the ground softly. War slid off the animal, the sword pressing into his side slightly, and petted him absentmindly. His eyes scanned the area.

A relatively peaceful town if not for two gangs that had made their homes here. The tension was high however there was only the occasionally struggle.

War chuckled slightly as he brought his sword up and slashed it through the air to make the form of an 'X'. Done he leaned against the horse and waited a minute.

It started with a simple shove with the shoulder. One gang member bumping into a rival member. Tempers started to rise and with it a shout. The shout turned into a shove. The shove in a punch. The punch into a fight. The fight with a knife. The knife to the gun.

Other members running out eager to help their own, minds singing and yelling with sudden bloodlust and a need for violence that hadn't been there minutes ago.

Shouts and screams filled the air, both guilty and innocent. People fell to the ground while others ran attempting to protect their loved ones.

War watched everything unfold in front of him with eager eyes. He grinned as blood fell and some even fall to the ground lifeless.

Without turning his head War murmured "Welcome Death."

Death dismounted his own steed, a pale while one, and joined Wars side.

"Funny how little it can take humans to start a fight." Death commented.

War glanced at his companion. The look suited him with his silver hair and blood red eyes.

"They were aching for a fight either way." War said.

Death rolled his eyes. "I didn't ask for a reason, none is needed when it comes to humans. Glad to see you completely stepping into your new shoes."

War blushed lightly. "I haven't stepped into them completely."

Death watched away his concern's. "Give it some more time, you will."

War choose not to comment as he climbed back onto his house. "My work is done; you just need to clean everything up."

"I'm well aware of what I have to do." Death called after him. War paid no attention as he flew into the air.

The screams that had filled his head as well as the insanity. He had let some out in that town to lessen the pressure inside of him. He could think clearly once more.

War petted and ran his fingers through the horses mane. "I think I'm ready to go back home."

Obediently the horse turned a new direction. War closed his eyes in order to savor the last few minutes he had of soaring through the air before the horse touched the ground once more. War remained still, not wanting to break the balance that he had obtained.

Ludwig slowly opened his eyes and slid off the horse slowly. As he murmured his thanks and promises to bring chocolate the next night he petted the horse once more and stepped away. The sword remained against his hip however his armor, cape, and boots disappeared to give way to his jeans, sneakers, and shirt. He slid his fingers along the sword as he pulled key out from his pocket and once he crossed his lawn and to the front door he gently inserted the key into the lock and turned the doorknob.

He kept the balance within him as he slid into the house and punched the alarm system numbers. All he needed was to get up the stairs and into his room; there he could have his mental breakdown.

Light suddenly filled the room and Ludwig cursed his luck. His father was sitting on the couch obviously waiting for Ludwig.

"Hello son." his father, Alvar, said. He kept his hands folded on his lap.

"Hello father." Ludwig said in response. He shifted himself from one foot to the other feeling his body practically humming with energy.

"Son let me ask you a question." Alvar said. "What time have we agreed is your curfew?"

"Nine o'clock on a school night." Ludwig forced himself to say. "Ten when there is no school."

Alvar nodded. "Very good. Now tell me what day is today?"

"Wednesday."

"And is there school tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"One more question son. What time is it?"

Ludwig glanced at the clock on top of the TV, he had long ago learned not to wear his own, and grimaced slightly.

"One fifty three in the morning sir."

Alvar nodded once more. "Now is that remotely close to your curfew?"

"No sir."

Alvar was silent for a moment before he walked to his eldest son. He peered into Ludwigs eyes carefully before his own narrowed and he said "To the lab."

Ludwig tried to keep himself from sighing as he followed his father into the basement that had been remade into a laboratory. He slid his fingers down the sword at his side that Alvar couldn't see.

Some people liked to bring their work home with them, Alvar went to the slight extreme. A high ranked doctor Alvar had brought with him machines Ludwig could only guess at. And ever since he had turned thirteen his father always gave him random times to test his blood.

As Ludwig sat in the familiar chair and rolled his sleeve back to reveal his pale arm Alvar flipped the radio on, whether from desire or instinct Ludwig wasn't sure. His father reached into his desk to withdraw the needle and vial as well as medical wipes.

Alvar opened the medical wipe and swabbed where the vein is before he positioned the needle. He glanced up at his son.

"Last chance to come clean." he said as always.

Ludwig barely refrained from rolling his eyes. "I have nothing to hide."

The answer he received was a sting in the arm as the needle was inserted. Choosing not to watch his blood being drawn Ludwig focused on what the radio was saying.

"And today in California was a gang war that resulted in fifteen gang members and thirteen civilians dead. Approximately thirty of both sides have been injured and are in the hospitals. Nearly forty arrests have been made."

Alvar shook his head. "Too much violence these days. Shame really."

A pale and guilt stricken Ludwig forced himself to nod. "Shame." he croaked.

Alvar slid the needle out of Ludwigs arm and swiftly placed a bandage on the pinpoint. "I'll have the results in a few hours."

Ludwig nodded as he rolled his sleeve down. Despite how many times Pestilence said so he was always afraid that his father would find something in his blood that would suggest Ludwig wasn't completely human.

"Now go to bed, there is school in the morning." Alvar said dismissing his son.

Without saying another word Ludwig ran up the stairs taking them two at a time until he finally reached his bedroom.

Closing the door behind him he slid down and moaned lightly. The energy that was running through him increased and the balance that he had gained from his ride disappeared.

He slid the sword from his side and placed it against the wall. At that moment the worlds hatred and anger crashed onto him causing him to curl into a ball. Anger. Hatred. Jealousy. Despair. Fear. Resistance. Desire. Want. Need. All were elements of war.

Swallowing hard Ludwig barely reached his bed where he collapsed and promptly fell asleep.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

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Until next time.

This is Phoenix-Fire Power over and out.