==Hi, everyone! I'm back with the second update for this week. There is a chance I can update one more time, but I can't promise anything as of now. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading. Please review! Sorry I don't have much to say this time around :) ==

Major Lazer - "Know No Better" feat. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, & Quavo

Wild ones, like we fresh out the cage. Showtime, baby, fresh off the stage. Bad lil mama, fresh off the page. Front like you love it, but you know that you hate it. Yeah you know no better. Yeah you know no better. Yeah you know no better. Ooh. Yeah you know no better. Say you different. Who you kidding? Yeah you know no better. Ooh, save that talk for the ones who don't know no better. 'Cause, baby, I know you better...

Haunted: Collapse into Caliginosity

Chapter 56:

All We Know Is Falling

The three of us were making fools of ourselves because we were celebrating way too hard. The remaining teams watched us hug each other enthusiastically.

"Poison Posse has been awarded new uniforms," John Cranjis continued, despite our racket, "and a sponsor vehicle. Puma Energy also requests to host tonight's battle between you and Hood Ratz. Please greet your new sponsor. Next up is Slain."

Trent shoved Linus out of the aisle as the well dressed sponsor representative stepped out of the door with someone else at his side. I didn't get a good look until we entered the brighter hallway, but we ended up greeting a younger gentleman who had gelled hair and a handshake that was ready to make business. "I'm Richard Posa," he said, making direct eye contact with each of us. "This is my intern, Gabriel Howard."

Gabriel, a young college student who had his attention buried in an electronic tablet, simply waved without sharing a glance.

"We are from Puma Energy, an energy drink company. Our CEO is thrilled to have his life's work be represented by Poison Posse. Please, may we work out some business deals?"

"Definitely," Linus replied, taking step after Gabriel toward the adjoining hallway filled with doors to conference rooms. I stayed in place, looking over my shoulder to see Rollin leaned against a wall. He was alone this time, probably thinking we could be alone together again.

"Five minutes," I mouthed to him, knowing our plan.

He smirked and winked.

"Macca?" Trent called.

I quickly caught up in time for the door to be held open for me.

The conference room was silent compared to the noisy hallway. Its walls were a calm beige that surrounded a round, gray table with flexible chairs all the way around it. We took our seats next to Richard and Gabriel.

"Shall we begin with paperwork or getting plans together in time for tonight?" Richard proceeded, receiving a briefcase from Gabriel.

"I'd personally like to discuss the uniforms," Trent excitedly answered. "If that's okay with you, of course."

"Perfectly fine." He opened the briefcase and pulled out a manilla folder. "Our art department actually came up with a design that will be easy to incorporate the Poison Posse logo. We, of course, made precautions in case we didn't buy you out." A thin stack of paper got pulled out, and we were shown three identical copies of a stenciled t-shirt. A powerful black puma was captured in a still shot crashing through a barrier that had pieces flying in all directions. The big cat's stride showed it was ready to strike with an extended paw and unsheathed claws. Rattled letters that spelled out "Puma Energy" showed at the bottom, the "Ninjago Breakdance Tournament" was printed in bold letters against the broken barrier, and an outlined box in the corner was reserved for the Poison Posse logo.

"That's freaking awesome," Linus voiced, rubbing his palms together.

"The shirts will, of course, be green, but the art itself will be blue. Now, is there anything else you would like to add before its submitted?"

"I think it would be cool if you added a poison bottle somewhere," I shared.

"No problem," Richard closed, pulling out a fourth copy and handing it to Gabriel. The intern took the paper without peeling his eyes from the tablet and then proceeded to quickly sketch out a poison bottle in the reach of the puma. He also filled in the empty box with "Poison Posse" to bring it all together. He held up the finished product.

"Sweet," we responded.

Richard took the paper and put it back in the folder. "When it comes to the sponsor vehicle, we would like to use the Ferrari."

I laughed. "Absolutely. Go right ahead."

Gabriel turned his tablet around to show us a car template that had the same art on it that was also on the shirts, except there was no mention of Poison Posse on it. "It's already been submitted," he informed us.

"Good work," Richard praised. He turned his attention back to us. "I would suggest we make other deals later on in the tournament to keep things interesting for the viewers."

"Actually, sir," I politely interrupted, "I believe Hood Ratz and their sponsor want to work out another deal with us."

Linus and Trent looked at each other. This was the first time they were going to hear about this.

"What kind of deal?" Richard asked, leaning back in his seat.

"Well, can they join us so we can discuss it?"

"If they're here, then yes."

I got out of my seat and went to the door. Cracking it open, I found Rollin with a short line filed behind him. The two business men, who were the last to enter, greeted Richard with a handshake and sat across the table from him and Gabriel. Rollin, Kyle, and Peter filled up the rest of the chairs at the table across from Linus, Trent, and me.

"Mr. Posa," MPH Radio's main representative began, "we have been informed that Poison Posse and Hood Ratz would like to put on a show for the viewers before the battle tonight. So far we have been told that major advertising for both our companies will be incorporated, but we wanted to talk to you about it, too."

"What exactly is the kind of 'show' we are talking about?" Richard specifically inquired.

"We were wanting to basically have a party with the audience so we can expose the true entertainment the battle is supposed to fuel when it comes to competition," Rollin explained. "We figured Macca's music abilities and a good set up would provide a good foundation to what could be a good time for everybody on and off the platform."

Richard scratched his chin.

"I think what Rollin is trying to say is that we want to have an interactive concert," Kyle smoothed over.

"Okay, but do you have a plan?"

The three guys all widened their eyes. "Uh..." Peter trailed, lost for words. They were clearly not prepared for this conversation.

"I was thinking we first pull out the Ferrari to get everybody hyped up for the battle," I fantasized on the spot, "but then instead we come out with my DJ equipment and get it put together like a race car pit crew. We can start playing a typical beat that everyone will be able to clap along with or something like that."

"Then my brother can come on with his dancers and build it all up," Rollin said.

I looked at him. "Who's your brother?"

"Calico Pat, the rapper."

I accidentally slammed my hands against the table. "No way! Can you call him up?"

"I already did. He's up for anything."

"How long do you think this...performance will last?" Richard wondered, sensing we were on to something.

"I would say no longer than ten minutes," I promised. "And I know this is all sudden and not usually done, but can we have permission to impress you tonight?"

He thought for a moment. We all stared at each other, suddenly having the desire to begin work. The clock on the wall said it was twelve-thirty-seven in the afternoon. If we could get started as soon as this meeting was over, we could get at least four to roughly five hours of work in for the show. Unfortunately, that was all. There was no wiggle room for anything else, including lunch. I wasn't sure about anyone else, but I was starving. Someone could run and get a pizza quickly for us to scarf down in less than three minutes.

"For that," Richard suddenly said, "I will need to know what kind of advertising is involved. If it's enough, then we'll provide the right amount of money."

"How about the screen above the platform has both companies advertised throughout the entire show and we also do a special thanks at the end?"

"That's enough for me," MPH Radio's representative confirmed.

"I'll put in half the money if you will put in the other half," Richard bargained. "I won't go anything higher. I'm already paying enough for one night without this unplanned performance."

"Deal." The two stood up and reached across the table to shake on it.

In the ten minutes that followed, Linus, Trent, and I signed a bunch of paperwork for the tournament. It consisted of legal standings like how our sponsor was the one who could decide what money goes to and how our sponsor was allowed to pull funding if we broke guidelines as a team. However, once it was all done, we were fighting time.

"I'll drop my car off for the paint job," I indicated as we jogged out of the hangar. "Trent, head over to help Rollin and Peter with lights. I'm going with Linus to get my equipment."

"Kyle's getting lunch?"

"I told him to just get a couple large pizzas for us. We gotta hurry, though!"

We each went separate ways in the parking lot to our vehicles. There was no seatbelt involved; I hopped in, started the engine, and gunned it all the way to the back.

The people working all stopped what they were doing in a room full of different kinds of cars to see me pull up in the infamous purple automobile. It was completely silent when I parked at the entrance and got out. Once I locked eyes with someone, I tossed him the keys. "Puma Energy," I informed him. "Should already be in the computer."

He nodded.

Linus pulled up in his blue four door just as I turned around. The passenger door flew open, so I accompanied him quickly. He didn't wait for me to buckle in before driving off to exit the premises.

"You think we can coordinate this thing in four hours?" I asked, locking in the seatbelt.

"Why have we just learned about this today?" he complained. "You know I hate it when you put me in situations like these!"

I sat there, astonished by how mad he was. "This is going to be fun, Linus! Lighten up a bit."

"Lighten up? This is nothing but stress for all of us. Is this why you suddenly left during the auction? So you could have a secret meeting without us?"

"It was Rollin's idea."

"Since when have you and Rollin become a thing? You've only met him like one other time."

"There's nothing between us. He was just trying to think outside the box a little bit."

"Well I would appreciate it if you included Trent and me on these kinds of things in the future. It's just super annoying when we're just pushed to the side because we're not famous like you are."

My blood began to boil. "I didn't do this because I think I'm better than you," I grimly stated. "Just chill out and work with me. It'll be fun once it's all finished."

"I fucking hope you're right. I'm not doing this with you again."

I grimaced in silence for the next few minutes. This was supposed to be fun for everybody, not only for me.

Our first destination was my apartment. We had to illegally park in front of the complex and dash in to get the turntables, laptop, and cords. Erica, the front desk woman, watched us frantically come in and out with handfuls of fragile equipment. It all got put in the backseat and then we were off again.

I had to make emergency phone calls for dancers who could be there as soon as possible. If they could help us out, then they would get paid for their time.

"Please, I know I'm asking a big favor that's also inconvenient timing, but do you think you can make it?" I practically begged.

"I'm sorry, Macca, but I already promised my sister I would go to dinner with her tonight. I wish I could," she replied.

"Okay. Thanks anyway." I had to hang up immediately so I could call someone else, but I looked up to see us pulling into the parking lot of the venue. I expected it to be next to deserted besides the small number of cars that belonged to Trent, Kyle, Rollin, and Peter, but there was a tour bus unloading people, also. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," I said. "Nobody else is allowed to be here besides us."

Without waiting to help Linus unload the equipment, I jogged up to the bus to see a tall man in very colorful and exotic clothing standing outside the door with people still filing out to go inside the building.

"Calico Pat," I panted.

He turned around, revealing green hair hidden under a hood and sunglasses hiding his face. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Macca Soxx," he greeted, tucking his hand under my chin. "Still as beautiful as a goddess, I see."

I smiled. "I take it Rollin called you up?"

"Baby brother chose the right day to ask. I had absolutely nothing going on for once in my life. Once he said your name, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't miss."

"Thank you so much for coming. You brought dancers?"

"I brought everybody I could. Rollin told me you needed a lot of people."

"It certainly makes my life easier now. I'll meet back up with you inside."

He gave a single nod and began to follow his people inside. I rushed back to Linus to help get the rest of the equipment. When we waddled inside, we entered a large lobby that had ticket booths to the left and empty concession stands to the right. Three sets of double doors were in the middle for the main entrances into the arena. Calico Pat had his dancers sit in the seats with Trent and Peter on the stage as they got cords in designated spots and lights pointed in certain directions by means of remote control. Kyle had a table put up with opened pizza boxes on it, but when Linus and I got to the platform, he gave us a hand getting it all on a collapsible table in the center.

There was an available microphone that was already turned on. I picked it up. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice," I said, stepping away for a moment. "You are all professionals, so I bet we can get all this done in four hours. Let's all just relax in the meantime as we get everything together."

The dancers went back to their conversations while we finished getting everything hooked up. Cords were connected to their correct docks, and I filled my laptop with tracks i could think of from the top of my head. To test everything, I played something random and adjusted the volume.

"It's M, the A, the C, the C, the A. Macca! It's M, the A, the C, the C, the A. Macca!"

I shut it off. Everyone had their eyes on me, waiting for further instruction.

Sweat beaded and streamed down my chest from the many hours of practicing the show. Our time was up, but we got it done just barely. Official tournament workers arrived to get everything prepped for the lower division battles to start, so we had to clear the arena. Calico Pat was in another wing, practicing the routine with his dancers.

The back was starting to get busy from getting vehicles in their places and teams showing up. The front was getting packed with people waiting to get in. Needless to say, the place was getting noisy fast. I needed a place to cool off for the time being. We weren't battling for another few hours, so I went outside.

The quiet didn't last, however. I knew he was following me when he accidentally let the door shut with a screech.

I turned my head to find Rollin, who had a face full of cringe. "Yeah, I'm not good at stealth," he chuckled.

"I knew it was you."

"Really? Are you that lonely?" he played, squeezing me tight.

I pretended to choke from the pressure. "No."

He stood next to me. "I don't know about you, but I'm excited about tonight."

"Because you know you're gonna lose?" I laughed.

"Well, that and I get to call you my girlfriend by the time it's all over."

"Uh, no. You don't get to call me your girlfriend."

He seemed surprised. "Why? I thought you liked me."

"You're a nice guy but...I'm not just not interested right now."

"Is there someone else?"

It was confusing to respond straightaway. For me, there was nobody I was looking at in particular. But there was still that White Ninja I had to think about.

"No, there isn't someone else. I've just decided that I don't want anything for a couple years."

"How about I try to win you over?"

"How do you think you're gonna do that?"

"I don't know yet, but I'll find a way." He brushed a piece of my hair away to uncover my cheek. I let him press his lips against my skin. "You will be mine, Macca Soxx," he flirted.

He walked away to go back inside. Deep down, I knew I was weak enough to give in, but I was also aware of the danger it would bring. I didn't truly know Rollin for who he really was. Pretty faces usually meant heartbreak, and he already qualified for the first part of that personal truth.

I'd like to thank Dbee717 for favoriting/following me and this story AND for leaving 15 freaking reviews XD and thank you PixelatedNinjas for reviewing again!