Wild blonde hair twisting, the energy of the room rushed over TK. He could feel the beat, thumping at his fingertips. Howling with glee, he spun out onto the dance floor. This was his arena.

"What use is the sky to those who can't fly?"

On stage, Julie swayed, twisting on her heels as the words burst from her. Before her, the students of Elihu the Young Acadamy jumped in time, yelling and laughing. Lights flashed and spun as she played, her fingers finding the notes with utmost concentration. Julie glanced at Jess.

Jess only gave her a calming wink, before leaving all contact with the world to enter one of her infamous solos. The notes tore through the gym as the party commenced.

The crowd gave room of respect to the figure breaking it down in the middle of the dance floor. TK twisted and slid, feet finding invisible holds as he jerked to the beat. Out of nowhere, a massive form drew next to the dancer, and soon Richie and TK were twirling in sync, calling back some of the best of disco's classics. The other students watched in wide-eyed wonder.

A ways from the mob at the center of the crowd, Elly stood at the outskirts, observing the proceedings. "Such chaos," he muttered to himself.

"High-high-high, we learn to fly. Clouds and storms collide around us…"

Abruptly, Elly found his foot was tapping. Before he could stop it, the other had joined the mutiny.

A crowd had formed around the snack table, plates of cake disappearing quickly. However, no one strayed by the punch bowl.

Behind the drink, a ninja lurked. Hannah scowled. This party wasn't safe. There were too many people, too many potential threats all jostling and stamping their feet. She could taste the salt of excitement on the smoky air. A figure drew near her, and she glared at it.

But Luke just kept walking up to her, until he stood by her side, shivering. He glanced up. "Is it all right if I lurk here with you, Hannah? I get so nervous at parties. I never know what do, or who to talk to, or how to eat while standing up… Don't worry, I won't say anything."

Hannah hesitated. They lurked in silence for a few minutes. There was a cry-Harry had jumped off the stage, and was surfing on a sea of hands.

She coughed. Without looking, she offered Luke a glass of punch.

"I got bones of bamboo, wings of tin. You fly off drops of bourbon, fumes of gin."

Deep in the mob, Albert was tossed like a buoy, waves of humans drowning him.

"Excuse me, miss, care for a dance-" he made out, before another wave sent him sprawling away from the chuckling brunette. Picking himself up, he brushed himself off. Suddenly, Irie started thrashing the bass drums, and the crowd leaped for joy. He was sent plowing into the ground, where he remained, muttering, until TK picked him up and began to twirl him.

A glow illuminated the bottom of the bleachers. Leonard regarded his laptop screen for a moment, and then selected his move.

The Math teacher scratched his chin. "Interesting. Well, see now, I'll parry by moving my queen over here." The teacher (another shy soul), made his move. "And no kid, I'm not calling you Christ."

Emmanuel chuckled as he wandered past. He clapped a hand on Leonard's shoulder. "Glad to see you're enjoying the part-ay, my buddy." He gulped down an entire slice of cake, and tossed the plate down. "Personally, I'm only here for the food and the gi-"

"Pick it up," a sharp voice rang out over the music. Gulping, Emm shrank back as the imposing form of Mrs. Spicer appeared over him. He picked up the plate.

Mrs. Spicer winked at him, and then dove into the crowd to separate a dancing couple that was considerably less than 5 inches apart. And no longer really dancing. Per say.

At the top of the bleachers, Bridget watched the proceedings. It really looked like everyone was having fun…

"Everything proceeds well," she yelled into the mike, over the pound of the bass. "Our target has yet to show movement. We can…"

Bridget trailed off. A shadow had fallen over her. A hand was suddenly reaching for her.

"What' cha doing up here, all by yourself?" the shadow's owner asked, in a rough baritone. She saw a full smile appear, as the young man stooped toward her. Well, Bridget thought. This is unexpected. An NPC made contact. I suppose there's no reason they wouldn't, they are normal students… And, in this case, a particularly well built, student.

"Would you give me the honor of the next dance?"

What the heck.

"Something's come up," Bridget said into the mike. "Don't worry, I'm on it."

"High-high-high, we learned to fly. Faster then our thoughts could travel."

Julie roared with pleasure. This was incredible. That she was able to do this, it was all she ever wanted.

But then she looked out at the dancers, and saw couples dancing in time. Her smile flickered.

High up in the observation box, usually reserved for the commentating of basketball games, Jake was stationed. Normally, Jake told himself, he was not one to miss out on the action like this. But for this mission, he had the key role.

Rubbing his hands with excitement, he gazed out the window, and made out Fred's small form, standing to the side of the stage. Fred had trusted him with the capture of their enemy!

"Well, of course," he sneered to himself, polishing his halberd. Beside him, the gleaming red button blinked. One touch, and the cage would come crashing down at the main exit. "I'm the obvious choice." And she notices me, she picked me for this job, he thought. Like, oh my gosh, she notices me!

Hands at his side, Mike smiled as the river of people moved around him. A dance… well, he still felt awkward. But he could honestly no longer bring himself to care.

He almost stumbled as a strong hand abruptly seized his wrist. Blinking, he stuttered as Winnie dug him out to the middle of the floor.

Mike swallowed. "What's going on? Did I do something wrong-"

"Just be quiet and dance with me. I need a cover," Winnie hissed. She clasped Mike's hands into hers, then glanced over her shoulder. When she turned back, her expression was dark.

They spun in silence for a few moments. Mike worked to keep his footing as others jostled around them.

"She's still by the stage," Winnie muttered finally. She jerked her heard at their Student Body President, calmly watching the party from a chair. "She's stayed out of position X all night. She's been to the food table, broke up a fight in the back of the room, and went to the bathrooms. Through the side exit. It's ridiculous."

Mike was silent. He continued to twirl with his leader. He could feel her hands burning in his. Her jagged steps stabbed alongside his; her gaze did not leave the gym's floor.

"It's almost like… she's avoiding it." Winnie looked up.

Mike gazed back at her. 'She's an unusual girl," he finally replied. "We don't know what she's capable of."

"It," Winnie said back softly. "Angel is an it."

The music picked up around them, Jess's guitar cutting through the pair. The party lights flashed around them, they flickered in and out of the sight of each other.

"Mike," Winnie spoke up. "You pledged you'd fight with the Battlefront. You promised you'd help me. I… can trust you, right?"

The music must be too loud, Mike thought. For a moment, he'd thought he'd heard a waiver in Winnie. A moment of uncertainty in their titan.

I can't lie to her, he realized. I owe her more than that.

"I will always," he murmured to her, "do what is best for the Battlefront. I can't promise I'll always succeed. But I'll always be on your side. I'm trying to help you, Winnie."

He quickly trailed off; no one else had heard his outburst in the commotion. Winnie gazed back at him, her intelligent eyes wide.

Abruptly, Fred stepped away from him. Turning, she fled through the crowd.

Mike stood still, his heart racing. She suspects me.

He grit his teeth. You don't say, noodles for brains, he chastised himself. Winnie's a mad genius. The question is, how much does she know?

He watched her slim form slip out of sight behind the stage. And… how is she going to handle…

Ohhhhh this is so much fun to write.