So hi,

This chapter doesn't have much in it, but builds to the next one.

Thanks to my first reviewers:

Koipbuiop and guest "Baby Freddy" (sorry I'm not sure what you mean by "one of these stories" Freddy) It means a lot to me! I don't have much to say other than enjoy!

Gregor found himself with his father in the principals office after school. He'd been in there a few times, but mostly because his teachers were worried about his grades, and withdrawn behavior. Since the school was small, they didn't exactly have a counselor so everyone in the building doubled as something else.

The room was painted a light blue and had pictures of the principal and his kids and diplomas framed on the wall behind him. He had a nice walnut desk, and the room's floor was covered in white tile with crimson red patterns. It was quite roomy, and had two chairs opposing the big man, Gregor was one, and his father the other.

"Gregor, if I am not incorrect you fought with Brian Lewis this afternoon right?" asked Gregor's principal hands clasped in front of his face.

"Yeah, sure if you can call it a fight," Gregor snorted lounging in his chair.

"We've taken the liberty to ask a few people about the incident, and they all tell us you started the fight wi-"

"ARE YOU RETARDED? WHY WOULD I START A FIGHT WITH THAT OAF?" Gregor shouted interrupting his principal. His principal silenced the enraged senior, and continued where he left off.

Ignoring Gregor's rude interruption the Principal continued.

"As I said we talked to the people who watched this whole thing unravel, and while some said you were only protecting Peter most said you started it. Now when we talked to Amanda and Peter they said it was Brian's fault, but we think they were traumatized by he whole ordeal, so we aren't factoring in their opinion in this matter. Now I can see your face, and we won't be punishing just you, since no faculty saw it we only have witness reports, and since the whole thing is still in the dark we are going to punish both of you. You and Brian both will be suspended until further notice," finished the Principal.

"Thank you Principal Brown," said Gregor's dad, "We understand the circumstances, and only wish to talk with Gregor's teachers to get the work he will miss."

"That is fine, your son's punishment is effective immediately," Principal Brown said to Gregor's father before turning to Gregor, "You have tomorrow to come in and get your work."

With that he dismissed the boy and, continued his discussion with his father. Gregor walked out of the office, and found his way out of the brick building greeted by a soothing pink winter sunset. The sun waved good bye as it begun its decent behind the hills.

It had taken an additional hour or so for the two adults to sort the mess out, and come to an understanding. All that time Gregor just sat on the front steps thinking about what had happened. What a day, save a kid and take the fall, he thought. Gregor knew he had done the right thing by intervening, but almost regretted doing so. It was because of his impulsive nature in the first place that had landed him in every bad scenario he could think of. He muled over many subjects in his mind before he focused his thoughts onto a girl. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply letting every last ounce of breath leave his lungs.

She stood tall and proud, her body composed with confidence and radiating power. A thin golden band lay nested in her silver-blonde hair, almost taunting the rest of the world. 'look at me' it pleaded. The girl had a scar running down the side of her face, a think whitened line that ran from her temple to her chin. The scar rested upon her pale, creamy skin, pale an understatement. She waved at Gregor as he unwillingly rose from the stairwell. Her companion, a golden bat the size of a small VW bug also awkwardly waved a wing. She could've passed as a normal person saying good bye to a friend after a party, but her eyes betrayed her. Her beautiful violet eyes. They told a different story, not this casual good bye, but a good bye for ever. They were filled with passion, love, sorrow, and above all else pain. It was not the pain you felt after you skinned your knee, or broke a bone. But instead it was a pain that reflected a broken heart, a final farewell, a farewell to someone that was closer to them than their own skin. Gregor's eyes reflected that of the girls.

Gregor sighed, even though he once knew the girl so well, the memory was fading. Certain details faded, somethings might have changed in his mind, the last time he saw her was easily over 5 years ago. Every hour since they parted ways he had wondered what she did...

"Gregor," his dad whispered shaking his son's shoulder, breaking Gregor out of his deep thought.

Coming to his senses he got up, and started walking to the car. A lot had happened that day, and more would come. The two got into the family minivan, and headed home. For the most part the ride home was uneventful, the drive that usual took the duo 20 minutes took 15. The only thing that caught Gregor's attention was a dark shape in the air. He thought he saw a dark shape anyways, he was tired, and kind of out of it.

As they two pulled into the dirt driveway Gregor's mom opened the front door. A white apron covered the woman's front side, and only the blue sleeves of her dress peeked out on her shoulders. Her face showed little emotion, her mouth only slightly turned down on the sides in a small frown. Gregor was surprised his mom didn't come out of that door frame flailing her arms, words sharper than daggers flying out of her mouth. Every time he messed up that was her reaction. He shrugged it off, and climbed out of the car.

"Gregor, a word with you," came a small voice originating from his mother.

"Uhhhh sure," Gregor responded, scratching the back of his head.

"I know what happened between you and that brute," his mother spitting out the last words.

"Look mom I'm sorry, I really am. But at the same time, I'm not. Peter needed my help, and I-" Gregor started.

"Gregor, I know the whole story. I know what you did was right, I just wish you, well, hadn't acted in violence."

"Mom... you know that I know some people only understand one language. Sometimes that language comes in the form of a knee in their stomach, and a fist in their face. While it isn't the best, I had to do it." With those last words Gregor left his mother in the door way and pushed past her into their house. He needed to shower, and eat. He checked his watch on his wrist and it read 5:30. Sauntering over to the bathroom Gregor stripped out of his clothing. Turning on the water, her turned to the mirror. He looked at his reflection he had grown, he was now a towering 6'1" and was well defined, not buff, but had a sturdy build, muscles built up from the work he did on his farm. He had matured since his departure from the Underland, he now had a face of a man, the baby fat melted off leaving only a nose straight as an arrow and a jawline worthy of Hollywood. His chocolate eyes had given way to a new shade of hazel, his irises bordered by an emerald green. His once shaggy hair had but since then evolved into the wavy mess it now was. He skimmed over his whole body before his eyes landed inevitably on his chest. Gregor winced at the five long white ridges on his chest. He skimmed his fingers over them, one per and was taken back to a time seemingly eons away.

' I need to get in closer to be be able to take him out'

'Hang on'

Twists and turns, an opening at his leg.

A feeling of dismay.

The white rat's jaws coming down on Ares's neck.

The Bane's claws ripping through armor, skin, and muscle.

No Matter how much time he had spent away from the Underland that image repeated itself. Over and over. Mouth open, and closing down on Gregor's best friend's neck. Over and over again. He felt at his neck, the claw of Ares strung on a length of elastic that came from a climbing rope. On the verge of tears he hopped into the shower which had warmed up since he turned it on. Gregor just sat there for a while, warm water running over his figure. He suddenly lashed out hitting the tiled wall, he ignored the pain in his right hand, and left it there on the area stuck by his hand. One sole tear leaked from his eye, and off his face.

"I'm so sorry, Ares, I am so, so, sorry," he sobbed. Gregor never cried, the only thing he ever cried about was Ares. Now he found himself at it again, his one lone tear washing down the drain. He sat there shoulders slumped fist on the wall for a while just begging Ares forgiveness.

Gregor was refreshed after his shower, and new set of clothes, and dinner. He now laid on his roof, stargazing, wondering if Luxa ever visited the Central park exit to look at the sky he now watched. He just observed as the stars twinkled and shone brightly, he cocked his head at the moon, which let off only a small sliver of light, a cresent belonging to a smiling face. He checked his wrist mounted clock, and read 11:35. He's sat there in a zen like state for three hours almost. He let out a little sigh, followed by a rare grin, as he found himself talking to his picture. He didn't even remember taking it out, but he didn't care.

His one sided conversation was ended when he heard a familiar voice, a voice that brimmed with intelligence.

"Gregor, is that you on the roof?"

He thought to use his echolocation since he couldn't see but 3 feet around him. He clicked his tongue, and the image created was that of a boy, too short to be peter, too skinny for his father. He knew the voice, and could only think of one boy who actually sounded intelligent.

"Hazard?"

I did it guys. I'm a Do-er, chapter two is done. Quite frankly not my finest work but it does the job. Hope you enjoyed at least! Also, I don't actually know how to make that little line appear between my story, and this little bit at the beginning and end. If anyone knows it'd be great if you could let me know! Drop a review if you have the time, as a new author it really means a lot! Follow and Favorite if you want I guess... Honestly I don't even know if anyone reads this. Oh well...

For now, -Pinchee