...Crap. I am seriously putting a lot into this. Sorry for not updating in a while, but stuff had to get done, so yeah. Also, If my dance descriptions aren't up to par, please tell me. TT-TT
Kerith was surprised to find Glitch and Mo together in the elevator of the PentHoüs ascending to the top floor for a Dance-Off between the two crews. He had heard of Hi-Def (snippets from Jaryn), but never really attempted to check who was in the crew. Why bother, when you know you're better than the rest of the pathetic population?
However, what really had him puzzled was his own behavior.
"Then we'll settle it right here and now." Everyone directed their attention to Kerith. Normally, he would let Jaryn do the talking, but this time he chose to speak. "Dance Battle. Let's move."
Something itched underneath Kerith's skin as he gazed restlessly into Glitch's electric eyes. The darkness had come forward, beckoning him to enrapture the innocent dancer before him. Well? What better way to get closer to the prodigy than in a Dance Battle?
Jaryn was smirking strangely, as if her corrupt mind had somehow understood Kerith's wants without selling out the answers to it's host. She kicked the boombox, a familiar song slowly cranking it's way up to it's normal pace.
Sexy Chick.
Oh, Glitch was all his to own tonight.
Yes I can see ya,
'Cause every girl here wanna be ya.
Oh she's a diva,
feel the same and I wanna meet 'er.
Kerith wasn't taking the usual approach to the dance tonight. No, he was going to feature a new set of moves to the game. He began the lyrical section with his right hand shielding his eyes, leaning once to the right, then switching hands and leaning to the left. Kerith held both hands close to his chest and slid them across horizontally so they were angled outwards, away from his body. He switched back to bringing a single arm up quickly to his chest, repeating twice on a single side. "Throw Dem Bows" was the move name; followed by a twist down, arms held bent as Kerith twisted to the left, stood upright and crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on one foot.
The blond finished his solo pretending to tip an imaginary hat to Glitch. "Your move."
They say she low down,
That's just a rumor an' I don't believe 'em,
They say she need to slow down,
the baddest chick around town.
Glitch was pissed. That Glitter freak had really irritated him with his 'I'm So Much Better Than You' attitude. Glitch countered in his own way, sliding his hands horizontally over each other, stopping when they were facing palm up to Kerith, and pretended to compress imaginary garbage. He pulled his left arm back up, alternating his arms overhead as he stepped side to side. The prodigy smirked, pushing both hands forward as he slid his leg back, as if to say 'Slow Down'. Glitch flipped his arms out to the side briefly, before holding them poised in front, alternating pretend punches and moving his feet to the rhythm. To finish, Glitch snapped his arms to the side and placed his right foot forward, bringing his hands back in like a pair of shark jaws.
She's nothin' like a girl you've ever seen before!
Nothin' you can compare to your neighborhood.
I'm try'in ta find th' words to describe this girl,
without bein' disrespectful!
The way that booty movin' I can't take no more,
had to stop what I'm doin' so I can pull her close.
I'm try'in ta find th' words to describe this girl,
without bein' disrespectful!
Damn Girl!
Now for the simultaneous dancing, Jaryn and Mo stepped forward, leaving the mid-section to them. Unlike their partners, Jaryn and Mo stuck closely to the routine dance moves. Kerith understood that Jaryn was only biding her time until she could get her brother back on the floor for a preemptive solo snatch. Glitch believed that Mo was simply trying to prove his moves were higher in perfection than Jaryn's. Both worked hard, but Jaryn's clever strategy provided a smooth transition for her brother to jump in and steal the spot light.
Damn, who's a Sexy Chick?
A Sexy Chick.
Damn who's a Sexy Chick?
A Sexy Chick. (Damn Girl!)
Damn, who's a Sexy Chick?
A Sexy Chick.
Damn, who's a Sexy Chick?
A Sexy Chick.
Damn Girl!
Kerith dazzled the dance floor with the move "Hater Duster", turning to the side and brushing off some unseen dirt, only to switch sides and brush down twice more. He snapped his arms back up and waved them side to side. He kicked his heels in the same manner, moving in a circle to the other side. Kerith repeated "Hater Duster" and "Rocking Horse", mixing it up with another move of his own. He twirled to Glitch's half of the stage, forcing the prodigy to join in with the blond's dance. Both Kerith and Glitch finished up the last verse with a move that had them pushing back and forth with their arms and a Bow at the end.
The raven haired prodigy expected the blond to switch back, but to his surprise, Kerith actually blocked Glitch. Kerith moved his arms in a fighting style, both held to the left, and then to the right. As Glitch tried to flip back across, Kerith stuck both arms out and shifted into the boy's path. The raven haired dancer was thrown off balance, stumbling back, but still standing.
Yes I can see ya,
'Cause every girl here wanna be ya.
Oh she's a diva,
feel the same and I wanna meet 'er.
Kerith smirked He had Glitch exactly in the position he needed to be. Mo wasn't there to back the little guy up, so he'd be unprepared for new moves brought into the equation. Kerith slid his hands across in his beginning move, smiling casually as he swung his arms up high, in, and down low. He repeated "Less Than 3" on the other side as well. At the same time, Glitch attempted to use the "Club Walker" move that was usually standstill, to dance to the other side. Again, he was blocked by Kerith and thrown off balance.
Mo bit his bottom lip. At this pace, Glitch wouldn't have that strength to counter Kerith's moves, and would be reduced to following him instead. He eyed Jaryn smirking from across the floor, worried for his little brother's safety. But he had to keep up with the background dancing, or face the consequences...
She's nothin' like a girl you've ever seen before!
Nothin' you can compare to your neighborhood.
I'm try'in ta find th' words to describe this girl,
without bein' disrespectful!
Kerith could see the young prodigy sweating profusely, his legs shaking slightly. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to counter Kerith's movements, or even keep one step ahead. The blond took a bold move, crossing his arms down and kicking low, throwing in new movements for Glitch to follow. Kerith took two steps sideways towards the raven haired boy, delighted to see him following as planned. The blond had closed the distance between the two, placing his left hand over his heart and extending his right arm towards Glitch, reversing the slower motion evenly. In a rapid switch, Kerith shot his right arm over the left, copying so that his arms had crossed over themselves. Unfortunately as Glitch followed closely, his hands were grabbed by Kerith and held tight.
The way that booty movin' I can't take no more,
had to stop what I'm doin' so I can pull her close.
I'm try'in ta find th' words to describe this girl,
without bein' disrespectful!
Damn Girl!
Kerith grinned, pulling his arms apart and spinning the raven haired boy around like a helpless top. He broke away one of his hands, holding the linked one above Glitch's head and strutted around the boy. Without a warning, Kerith pulled the prodigy in close and held him briefly in his arms. A sudden rush of euphoria washed over the blond and almost made him forget that he still had to finish the dance. Kerith pushed Glitch back towards Jaryn and slid back towards Mo. He brought his right arm and then the left out and around in two half circles for "Pros and Cons". Kerith brought both hands up to his lips and made a half-hearted air kiss, but with a playful wink along with it. The blond was glad Mo wasn't able to see his flirty motions from where he was standing.
Damn, who's a Sexy Chick?
A Sexy Chick.
Damn, who's a Sexy Chick?
A Sexy Chick.
Damn Girl!
Glitch was extremely confused because of Kerith. Was he flirting with him? To Glitch, Kerith had always seemed so cold hearted and unbecoming in any sort of romance. However, his stamina was quickly wearing out, and the butterflies in his stomach from being so close to the blond didn't help either. The raven haired boy was relieved to find Kerith repeating the normal routine moves he had put in before.
Damn, who's a Sexy Chick?
A Sexy Chick.
Damn, who's a Sexy Chick?
Kerith knew his show was almost over and polished his routine by crossing his arms back and forth while leaning to the side. Somehow, Glitch managed to hang on as the blond threw down his arms and made a small hop and slid his left foot forward at the same time that Glitch slid his right foot forward, shifting his body towards Kerith.
Damn, Who's A Sexy Chick...
They were so close, the tips of Kerith's blond hair brushed against Glitch's scalp as the two came to a sliding halt, facing their original sides of the dance floor. Both Jaryn and Mo were staring, though Jaryn continued to keep herself in her finishing position. The two of them were able to remain perfectly still while Glitch was panting heavily and Mo was staring straight at Kerith, horribly disturbed at the intimacy level in his dancing. The Glitterati ended up getting the applause and the Dance Battle win.
The crowd exploded in cheers, chanting Kerith and Jaryn's name in a fashion both found to be extremely annoying, but bearable. Kerith smirked, standing tall and sashaying his hips as he sauntered right in front of Mo.
"It just makes one cringe, all that awkward flailing. I'm surprised you managed to even make it out of the kiddie competitions." The blond grinned, modeling his gorgeous body in front of the B-Boy.
"Shut yo' mouth, you sonnova-!"
"That's right, cry all you want, you pathetically weak kid! You're nothing but a street urchin, taken in out of pity!" Jaryn laughed shrilly, her voice clearly heard over the two arguing men.
Kerith turned around in panic to see Glitch slouching onto the rooftop, his knees pulled together and head bowed in shame and agony. Jaryn was smirking victoriously, kicking Glitch in the stomach for her own sick, twisted pleasure.
"You don't deserve to exist in our presence!"
"And who in their right mind gave you the right to speak for me?'!" Kerith growled. He grabbed his sister's shoulder and yanked her away from the raven haired boy, throwing her to the ground in the process. "I have nothing to do with your actions..."
Kerith reached out a gloved hand to touch Glitch's shoulder, but the young prodigy's mentor slapped the hand away. Mo was doing his best not to growl at the twins, his piercing gold eyes shooting daggers into Kerith's soul.
"-The hell do you think ya'll are doin'? How could anyone be DAT' cruel to a kid?'!" The B-Boy shouted, pulling Glitch into his arms.
Kerith could see the boy clearly crying now, tears running down the sides of his cheeks and splattering onto the ground in silence.
"I wasn't trying to-"
"Save it." Mo growled, snapping back at Kerith, as if he was a dangerous criminal. The blond could only watch in silence as Mo lifted Glitch to his feet and guided the young prodigy into the Glitterati's elevator. Kerith wanted to apologize, but Mo's dangerous glare was enough to convince him to back off. The steel doors slowly closed, separating Kerith from his chance to comfort Glitch
"Kerith! What the hell was that for?'!" Jaryn cried. She lifted herself off the ground and stomped furiously over to her brother.
"Don't be such a jerk, Jaryn. Glitch is 15; he doesn't need to be insulted about his past."
Jaryn ts-ked and threw her hands in the air. "This is what I was talking about! You've gone soft, Kerith! Your behavior is unacceptable for the Glitterati's reputation!"
"Yeah, well, what If I don't want to uphold our reputation?'! What if I want to change?"
"There is no change, there is no way to turn around! We've gone too far to ever go back...!" Jaryn trailed off as she lost interest in the fight. She sank forward into her brother, her head tapping his shoulder lightly. "We're too far gone. It's not possible."
Kerith wrapped his arms around Jaryn holding his twin close. He knew she was unstable and frightened, he could feel the insanity nipping at his own mind, beckoning him to join his sister. He fought it off for Jaryn's sake, to one day be able to piece together their ruined lives. Kerith would deal with this, he just needed time.
A while later, Kerith had his sister in bed, gently caressing her hair as she slept. He loved Jaryn with all of his heart, for risking her freedom to hide him, for keeping his Night Shade secret, and for constantly trying to keep him safe. Jaryn cared more for Kerith than she allowed other people to see. Her constant insults and taunts were only a front to her inner child, a frightened young girl who had lost herself in the dark side of the world. The blond twin wished for nothing more than his sister to be happy.
Kerith slipped into his Night Shade clothing, securing the mask over his face. Jaryn wasn't going to be happy with his behavior, but this identity had become an important part to Kerith. He couldn't simply destroy a part of his being over the wishes of his sister. One day, he hoped she'd understand the method behind curing his madness. Silently, Kerith cracked open his bedroom window and was spirited away into the night.
Glitch was on his last nerve.
"C'mon, G! I wanna go wit ya'!" Lil'T whined, holding Glitch back from exiting the house. He had changed into jeans and a yellow tee shirt, his camera and notepad in a small leather satchel around his shoulder.
"How many times do I have to say this? No way. If you get hurt, I'll never forgive myself." The raven haired boy insisted, trying to shake free from his little sister's grip.
"I didn't wanna get to this, but if ya' ain't gonna take me, I'll just have to tell Taye and Mo 'bout your little- crush on the blond hottie." That stopped Glitch dead in his tracks. He whirled around, staring Lil'T right in her dark green eyes.
"You wouldn't."
"Try me." She grinned.
Glitch groaned. He wasn't getting out of this one unscathed, that was for sure. Gritting his teeth in defeat, the young reporter nodded his head toward the door. Lil'T smiled brightly and hugged her brother.
"Thanks G. I ain't gonna tell nobody 'bout this."
Glitch only hoped she could keep her promise. The two teens crept out into the night as Glitch led the way into a degrading part of town. He knew this wasn't the most brilliant idea, but knowing Night Shade's demeanor, Glitch was sure that he would rescue the two at a single cry for help. The raven haired boy and his sister walked silently down a dimly lit street, both keeping their eyes peeled for anything suspicious.
A glowing orange light caught Glitch's attention. He nudged Lil'T arm and pointed off towards the light and faint black smoke coming from a building.
"Where do you think that light and smoke are coming from?" Glitch asked his sister. Lil'T sniffed the air, a harsh chemical odor emitting from the vile fumes.
"G...that ain't no campfire..." Lil'T trailed off, her eyes focusing on the tower of flames arising from the building.
Both teens paled as they ran towards the flames, cries for help echoing off the stone walls of nearby apartment complexes. Glitch and Lil'T skidded to a stop mere feet from the raging flames. An inferno was consuming the entire building, eating away at the walls and ceiling. Glitch held his arms off to fight off some of the heat, but had to step back to avoid seriously burning his arms.
"Hey! You kids shouldn't be here!" Some random old (and bald) guy shouted.
Glitch narrowed his eyes, pulling out an official reporter badge he had "borrowed" from the office. "Reporter Glitch Tekuno. I suggest you tell us what's happening here, baldie."
Grumbling, hoarse and bitter, scratched out of the elder's throat. "Stupid apartment caught on fire. Everyone got out, but-"
"Help! Someone save us!"
The raven haired boy and his sister snapped their heads up to see a woman and her child screaming out of the third story window. Coughs interrupted their cries as smoke poured from the openings in the walls and windows.
"You were saying?" Glitch growled. The old guy merely shrugged and scooted back from the roaring flames.
Lil'T flipped open her phone and dialed the emergency number.
"Hello? Yes! Uh, no, but apartment complex 22- What do ya mean ya can't get over here?'! That's dope man! We need 'em now!" She scoffed, shutting the phone and slamming it to the ground. "Damn firefighters say they can't get over in time..."
Glitch felt a strange sense of De Ja Vu, as if he had been in a situation like this before. No authority was available to help and you were powerless to fight against the danger lurking in front of you. When a situation like that arose, only one hero could come to your rescue.
"Night Shade..." Glitch whispered to himself.
As if on command, a shadow cloaked in the darkest midnight appeared on the edge of the nearest rooftop. Glitch caught sight of the woman and her child retreating into the burning building as part of the wall near the window collapsed into rubble. Screams and cries of pain echoed around in the raven haired boy's ears, the sound of tenants in fear and panic, and Lil'T's cold hand clamping onto his arm. The shadow perked up immediately, projecting itself from the rooftop's edge, straight into the raging flames. Glitch wanted to scream, but fear caught his breath and closed his windpipe so only a whimper could escape.
"Glitch! Gimme your camera!" Lil'T demanded, yanking Glitch into her side as she snatched the strap from around his shoulder.
"Oww! T, I told you, you can't use it! It's way too expensive!" The young reporter winced at the pain, sliding himself out of the camera strap. "Besides, I'm the reporter here!"
The dark skinned girl shot her brother a death glare. "Shuddup and write th' notes. I got more photography practice in a week than ya'll got in a year's worth of classes ."
Glitch went mute and began writing down notes on the location, time, and events that were happening since the fire. He silently prayed that Night Shade wouldn't ask why Lil'T was here with him, or why she was taking pictures of him. Although, Glitch had to admit, Lil'T was a lot more skilled with a camera than he was.
A loud crash distracted Glitch from his notes. He looked up to see the apartment beginning to collapse on itself. Walls came crashing down, flaming wood support beams tumbled through the floors, and the escape routes became blocked by heavy rubble. Blood drained from the raven haired boy's face. Night Shade was still in there, and so were those two people. Lil'T held her camera at the ready, refusing to believe even for a moment that this was the end of the line.
"C'mon, C'mon. I know ya' can do better than that, Night Shade." She muttered, trying to keep the camera in focus.
Out of the inferno rose a dark shape, its eyes shining an unearthly ice blue. Lil'T snapped the shutter in the camera closed as gasps and shouts echoed across all tenants. Even the old guy stared into the sky towards the shadow cloaked figure. He dropped gracefully to the pavement, mere inches from Glitch and Lil'T, his feet making no noise as he landed. The midnight cloak was spread out around Night Shade in a large tent shape, as if to conceal something.
Night Shade stood up, reeling the cloak gently back behind him. Gasps and shouts from the crowd broke the crackle of flames as the woman and her child appeared at Night Shade's feet. The woman was cradling her child, both suffering from minor burns, but in a stable condition. Glitch wanted to talk to Night Shade, to ask him so many questions, but somehow he couldn't speak in this man's presence. The pencil and notepad slipped from the reporter's hands, his knees turning to jelly and collapsing into themselves. Night Shade glided forward, catching the young reporter under his arms. Glitch breathed in a staccato rhythm, his heart thumping so loud, it sounded closer to a beating drum. The blond lifted Glitch into his left arm, the same way one would cradle a toddler against your shoulder.
Night Shade carried the raven haired boy down a concealed street, Lil'T following him with a smile slowly making its way onto her face. Night shade stopped halfway into the dark corridor and turned to face the dark skinned photographer.
"Take my hand." The words almost ghosted off his lips, they had been spoken so gently. Lil'T could not tear herself from this man's caring eyes and placed her hand into his own.
Night Shade pulled Lil'T into his right arm, holding the siblings as if they were no more than tiny children. The young photographer clutched tight to Night Shade with a fear of falling slowly creeping into her mind. He smiled back at her to reassure the teen that she wasn't in any danger at all. Lil'T smiled back, thrilled as Night Shade took to the rooftops with the siblings, cool night air rushing through her hair and jacket. She laughed and held her arms up in the air, feeling a sensation that could only be compared to gliding across the night sky.
"Dude, I dunno how ya' do it, but this is straight up awesome!" The photographer grinned, laughing as the people below walked dumbly below, obliterate to the three beings rushing across the skyline.
"Your brother has already done this once before!" Kerith laughed over the rushing wind.
"I know! He's real relaxed. I'm glad." Lil'T smiled and settled down on Night Shade's shoulder as they drew closer to their apartment complex. She understood how Glitch could look up to a person like this, one with a heart beat that could sync perfectly with your own. Night Shade seemed almost magical.
Kerith stopped right in front of the gate, same as he had done yesterday. Lil'T jumped down from his right arm and aided the hero in guiding Glitch back onto his feet. He was still in a daze, his normal electric green eyes now dull with darkness. Lil'T frowned, trying to snap her brother back into reality, She had seen this happen only once, when Mo first brought home the little guy.
They were both twelve and intrigued by their older-brother's dancing styles and moves. One big difference stood between Mo and Glitch's brother, though. Mo was always encouraging Lil'T to dance with all her heart, and to keep on struttin' her stuff. Glitch's brother constantly picked on him, saying how downright awful his dancing was, and how he'd never be perfect with the kind of attitude he was showing. Glitch was ice cold that day, all life drained from his face, his eyes, and quite possibly part of his soul. Taye, Mo, and Lil'T worked hard each day to be there with Glitch and reopen his heart to the world.
Their persistence had worked, but now Lil'T faced her greatest fear once again.
"Is he going to be okay?" Kerith searched the raven haired boy's face. He was taken back by the blank stare and darkness shrouding Glitch's eyes. The blond could feel the negativity welling up in the boy's soul, like a geyser prepped to blow at any time.
Lil'T had begun to panic, pulling at her dark hair. "We gotta do somethin', man. If I don't get G outta this state..."
Kerith took out the notepad and pencil he had picked up earlier, and placed them safely within the young reporter's hands. Glitch snapped out of his trance as the rough paper slid against his fingers. He looked up into Night Shade's eyes, enraptured by the concerned look and care in the icy depths.
"I saved this for you." Kerith muttered softly, knowing his entire reputation as the unknown hero would come crashing down over his head.
"Why give it back?" The blond snapped his head back to meet Glitch. "I mean, you ripped out all the other notes I had. Why didn't you take them like you did before?"
"I-um...er..."
"Duh, G. Night Shade obviously cares enough to let ya' write an article on 'im." Lil'T rolled her eyes, pulling Glitch towards their apartment. "Now let's go, 'fore he changes his mind."
"Wait-!" Glitch cried, breaking away from his sister. "Night Shade!"
Kerith turned around, surprised to see Glitch running back to him for something.
"I need to know something." The raven haired boy said firmly. "Can you make a promise?"
The blond nodded. He still hadn't given up on the promise he made to Jaryn years ago, when she had first shown signs of mental illness. Kerith had given his word that he'd find a way to cure his sister, no matter how long it took.
"Promise me that you'll let Lil'T and I continue the articles on you."
Kerith froze dead still. Glitch was asking him to continue risking his life on the streets, bringing the police one step closer to pegging him as a suspicious character, or worse, a criminal. At the same time, the blond couldn't find the strength to tell the teen no. He had put Glitch through a lot of trouble just to save him. Kerith had even managed to get his sister hooked on his heroics.
"I promise, that what you say shall become true. And, should you ever seek the need to contact me, I shall come at your call." Kerith placed a gloved hand obediently over his heart, removing his hat and bowing before Glitch.
"Oh, uh...okay! Just, please don't bow like that, it's a bit strange." Glitch winced, holding his hands up in a defensive stance.
"Yeah, dudes! We'll be a team! The Reporter, The Photographer, and The Hero!" Lil'T grinned, pouncing on her brother's back.
Glitch laughed and shook Lil'T from his back. "Alright, we'll make a team. How does that sound to you, Night Shade?"
Kerith nodded. "It's alright with me."
"Sweet! We're gonna be the best newspaper team ever!" The dark skinned photographer pumped her fist high in the air, dancing around as she pulled Glitch along. "We'll see you tomorrow! Right now, G's got massive writin' ta do!"
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Glitch squeezed in as Lil'T dragged him into their apartment.
Kerith sighed. Why did he give Glitch the notes? Whether it was from the motherly feeling to protect hand help Glitch, or because he felt bad about scaring the two, Kerith had no fears to his reputation as he handed over the notepad. But the blond was still curious as to why he did not muster the strength to compliment Glitch on his clothing choice. The bright yellow shirt he was wearing had it's collar pulled out, worn and whitening jeans to match the light colors. It reminded Kerith of the sun and the beach, two beautiful things he was afraid to behold, for fear of his own turbulent, subconscious dreams.
With heavy heart, Kerith journeyed silently back to his home. Only darkness populated the PentHoüs now, a sanctuary for the two demons that lived within.
Too much? I dunno anymore...
Review please, that's all I have to say...