Cheers of a booming crowd echoed through the once vacant, dreary, alley. Music blared out of the speakers vibrating the area around them. The DJ stood boldly at his modest looking booth, changing the music with ease; conducting the dance floor as he pleases. Bodies were packed tightly next to each other. Sweat rubbed against them and the sweltering heat that radiated off of them was almost suffocating, but no one seemed to care. Multi-colored neon lights flashed quickly then disappeared, only to be replaced by another. Moving their bodies rhythmically, dancers swept across the dance floor. Their moves catching the eyes of so many other, but they weren't the stars of this show.
On the other side of the alley stood a teenager that looked slightly out of place. He had a mask painted on his face. Hair slicked back, wearing a loose plain grey tank and baggy camo pants, he glanced wearily at the crowd. This wasn't his first time in this sort of setting. He had been at places like this for years now, but there had been a pretty large gap since the last time. He pulled out his smartphone and punched in a number. The other person picked up only after two rings.
"I thought you said that you were going to be here?" He hissed into the phone, just as the person picked up.
He heard a chuckle from the other side. "Chill Toru, I'll be there in a few," the person on the other side assured nonchalantly, "I just got help up by that woman again, I bringing the rest of the crew so just wait a minute."
Toru rolled his eyes. "Fine then but I expect the best from all of you guys," he replied, his lips tugging up slightly up into a smirk.
The man on the other side snorted. "Do you really think we would be any less? I'm hurt Toru. Well if you're going to say that. Can't wait to see your performance steal the show once more."
"Yeah, yeah sure. Now hurry up it's about to start," He grunted. Toru heard a small click indicating that the person on the other side had hung up. He slowly withdrew his phone and gazed up to the sky. The stars shined brightly like a million lanterns floating up in the dead of night lighting it up. The moon was not yet full, but it was still the highlight of the night illuminating everything it touched.
"Minimal exposure" was a motto Toru lived by. Don't stand out. The world was hash and cold to those who were different, and he accepted that. It had never really bothered him anymore after he embraced the truth. Even if he did try to fight it he knew there wouldn't be anyone else to back him up. In the world only 99% of the world were born with Irises, so if he ever meet one there was almost no chance of them making that change. It was human nature to detest the unnatural, the new. Then why did one meddling kid have to press him until he saw a new side, even if it was only for a few hour.
"That was amazing! Ah. I know it's rude to stare, but really where did you learn how to do that!"
How long had it been since he first met the guy. Maybe four, five years ago. It's funny how time flies. To be honest it only felt like it was yesterday when this boy came into his life. Toru could still remember the words that came out of the kid's mouth that made him freeze up. It made Toru rethink everything he had known up to that point. Would his life really be better if he just stayed in the shadows with no one, but himself, by his side? Well, he wouldn't be alone of course. He still would've had Hijiri by him, but not being able to show what he was capable of, was he really content with that?
"Hey Mizushima Toru, that's you right? I've seen your sister around here. She does ballet right?" The boy pestered. He looked about same age as Toru did. "Anyways I have a proposal for you. Would you like to join me in making a street dancing team?"
The teenager quickly turned around as he felt a tap on his back. He hadn't heard any footsteps coming up from behind him. His sharp black eyes meeting a familiar face. Shiny, jet black hair was tied into a tight bun. Like Toru, he was wearing a matching grey tank with camo pants but he was also sporting an extra bomber jacket. Soft friendly face in contrast to his own static dull expression, but the teen's eyes told a whole other story. The eyes were intense piercing right through Toru with an unusual taunting expression. Well, at least it was unusual for anyone else, but this was a normal greeting for the two of them.
"Told you we'd make it," The teen bragged, grinning as he lazily placed his arm around his shoulder. "I thought you would have more faith in us, Phantom."
Toru scoffed at the alias given to him when he had first joined the group. "Ten minutes later then our time we agreed upon," he retorted immediately removing the arm from his shoulder, "what did you do this time to piss her off?"
The teen gasped, mock hurt, "Oh woe to me, forgive oh king how could I ever pay for my misdeeds," He exclaimed dramatically, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He of course was met with a fist on his temple, "Ow Toru, what the heck was that for!"
"Stop messing around King," Toru sassed, "honestly the theatrics are getting old."
"Theatrics, Old! Excuse me, this is art to be able to act this well, with a face like this," 'King' quickly shot back.
A cough interrupted the two. They turned around to see the rest of the gang standing behind them impatiently. "Will you two stop flirting, we have go we're about to on, so hurry up," One of them exclaimed. Toru quickly shot a withering glare at him.
"Alright, come on Phantom we best hurry up. We don't want to keep our opponents waiting," King said, gesturing to the party on the other side of the alley.
Toru looked back at the crowd. It was a place where who you are in the world doesn't matter anymore. All the labels, all the cruelty of the world all seemed to dissipate once he was there. Iris Zero or not, that had no effect on the dance floor.
"So, what?" The boy asked making chills go up Toru's spine, "What does being an Iris Zero have to do with dancing? Does having an iris make you dance better?"
Toru nodded. "Okay come on you guys let's get going," He commanded. Carrying himself confidently he lead the crew, King by his side. The partiers separated, making a path for the dancers striding to the middle of the crowd. Their destination, the dance floor. There was already a group waiting there. It seemed as if there they were anticipating their arrival.
He could hear the DJ announcing as they stepped onto the floor, "Look who finally decided to show up! The Heroes of the Floor!" The name was King's choice. It had been a small inside joke between the two of them that no one seemed to have gotten, but it really didn't matter to the rest of the team. They thought it suited them.
The dance floor was now a battle field of wit and skill. Instead of guns, bombs, and knives they had flips, break dancing, and taunts. The pressure increasing though they haven't even started yet. They could see on the other side their foes for the night. Their opponents are an intimidating bunch. Renownedly know for their creativity while under tough situation.
The crowd now had their full attention to the dancers. Placing their bets on who would win, the bids getting higher and higher into an outrageous number, two hundred, four hundred, six hundred just to see who would make it into the semifinals to get to the regionals. Even if it was only for two high school teams they both attracted countless people.
"Ladies and Gentleman!" The DJ shouted, filled with bubbling excitement, "You've followed us for this long and now the time is finally here. The team who wins this advances to the Regionals." He jumped out of his booth and ran to the middle of the dance floor. "On your left we have the Hip Hop Rebels!" He continued, "And on your right we have the group that emerged from the ashes, The Heroes of the Floor! Now everyone let's begin." Cheer erupted from the audience. The DJ grinned at the teams the quickly ran back to his booth and put in a new CD on the turntable.
Music blasted out through the speakers getting the battle started. With a quick blink of an eye the Rebels took the initiative to to steal the first attack. With insync choreography their performance was exploding with energy. Their leader stepped closer making the Heroes back up. One of them huffed in annoyance making the first move to counter. Two others quickly joined. The way the three danced you could've sworn that they had no bones what so ever.
The Rebels were quick to respond to the counter with their own flips and skillful moves, catching the eyes of many. King let out a hearty laugh and grinned, but it quickly turned into a condescending smirk. Eyes analyzing every movement done, Toru had seen that face a million time already. King strided forward his movements stiff and robotic only to drop down and do two flips. Toru joined along with the rest of the team perfectly coordinated.
King moved closer to the leader until their noses almost touched, the smirk never leaving his face. They could all see the the leader's discomfort. King did a back-flip away from the leader and confidently moved his hand into a 'bring it on' gesture.
"Oh, looks like the King made this personal!" The DJ cried.
The opposing team took a blow backing away from the humiliation. Their leader scowled running back up. Determination filled in every step. They could see it in his eyes. The Rebels weren't planning on giving up anytime soon. Excelling in every move, the Heroes were at a disadvantage. Toru's eyes narrowed examining the dancers. He couldn't seem to find an opening to get in. Pressure and tension weighed him down. Time was running out.
He felt a warm hand on his shoulder relieving him of the stress built up. "Go show them what you're made of Phantom," King ordered, pushing him up slightly.
There it was, the opening. It was his time now, he could feel the blood pumping in is veins. The world around him seemed to have stopped. He could hear the beating of his heart thumping rhythmically with the music. He had done this a million times, but the excitement that came with it was always the same. In front of him were people who didn't care about who he was at school, not at the moment at least. Iris zero or not there was none of that there.
"Minimal exposure! That's a load of BS if you're asking me," the boy shouted, "Tell me this Mizushima-san wouldn't you, even if it was for just a moment be able to prove your worth, be able to do something without have people ridiculing you for being an Zero! What's the point in being able to dance like that when no one else is watching."
Without any warning Toru jumped into the middle of the floor dazzling the audience as he moved quickly across the floor. Adrenaline rushed through his veins. The heat of the spotlight on him seemed hotter than ever, sweat drenched the dancers and the thrill of the moment lifted the overwhelming pressure. Then he quickly drop to the ground breakdancing with his crew behind him with their own choreography. It was that feeling of freedom that came with dancing that drew him to it. With all eyes on him, the name Phantom seemed a little ironic. Breakdancing was always a part of the show for every team, but Toru made it seem like it was something new. With his own creativity masterfully crafted and in unison with the rest, the crowd was blown away.
"Look at that people!" The DJ yelled, "you have just witnessed the amazing performance of the Phantom!"
The music was abruptly cut off, the battle had ended. Toru, exhausted moved back to the his team. King slap his back, and he let out a little yelp. There was still a tense atmosphere that loomed over the alley. The battle may have been over, but the winner still hadn't been decided yet. Toru's eyes went back and forth from the rebels to the judges. The judges were talking inaudibly with the other team itching to hear the who would advance into the semifinals. King narrowed his eyes as the DJ came back up to the dance floor with a clipboard in his hand. That piece of paper on the clipboard would decide everything. The suspense was rising every second the DJ pulled the microphone closer to his mouth.
They had worked so hard to lose now, please, just please.
"AND THE WINNER IS…" The DJ paused for effect then grinned, "THE HEROES OF THE FLOOR!"
The crowd went insane. Cheer and cries filled the night sky as the Heroes screamed in joy. The King pulled the team into a bone crushing group hug. Tears filled a few of their eyes. They had won. Toru glanced over at the other side, the rebels filled with anguish at the fact their performance wasn't good enough. He knew exactly how they felt. King withdrew the hug and walked towards the other team. The leader of the team glare sharply at him, but he just replied with a good-natured smile.
"Good game," He remarked as he stretched out his hand, "You guys almost had us beat, if you keep improving I bet next time we'll see you in regional."
The leader scoffed and slapped his hand away. "Next time we'll beat you," He hissed while walking away the others joining him.
"Rude," He huffed while walking back to his team. Everyone turned to look at him with grins on their faces. "Well, It looks like we're going to Regional !" He shouted. Toru gave him a small tired smile and joined in with the cheering. They made it.
Hey guys this is my first fanfiction ever so i hope you guys like it, I saw that Iris Zero had almost no fanfictions at all, so I gave this a shot. If there is any of you guys who would like to beta the newer chapter that are coming out please Pm me I'm is desperate need for a beta
