To all readers: My comptuer is broken and I will need to get a new one. Until then there will be a long period between updates and/or possible new stories. I can still respond to PMs and take responses, though anything will might be a ways away. Sorry, but please enjoy the story!

Chaotic Neutrals

Angel's POV

I began seeing the battles in the Dromes as the equivalent to a gladiator arena. Crowds of people in Chaotic sat and watched if they weren't going to Perim or having their own matches, cheering on the combatants whether they knew them or not. Manny, Kit and Kat would always cheer vocally, but I more sat behind and looked on. I knew I would never fully understand it, but I was just so curious as to how battles worked here. Conditions and weather were real in the Dromes, but how the negation of pain was applied was beyond me! I just finally figured that if nobody was being hurt, there really wasn't any problem. Except… I still haven't been challenged.

Except for when Kat challenged all of us for our first day, I didn't receive any challenges, even when the others did. I knew that in addition to Kat, Manny had challenged and been challenged by at least four other players. Last I heard, Kit had made friends and enemies in about 3 different Dromes. While Kat… she was practically carrying the Underworld banner and gathering followers right and left! Me? My adventuring had been plenty enough, but no one aside from our little group so much as talked to me. I was putting in the effort for new scans and traveling through Perim to get them, but I felt like I was being left out on half the game.

"Beep! Beep! Beep!" Manny came walking up to my table, talking in his robot voice. "Analysis complete: Sista in the dumps! Priority level: Blue. Engage." He sat down across from me while I laughed at his antics.

"Good to see ya, Manny. How did it go?" 'It' referring to a trade he'd been doing with another Mipedian player.

"Meh." He shrugged. "It was fair, I guess. But now you! You're supposed to be PerimPride, not BlugonBumer."

I do appreciate Manny's way of trying to cheer me up. "I just… I dunno, maybe it's not even really a problem."

"It's got you just sitting around a staring at a soda for an hour. I'd call that a problem." said Manny. "Spill it, Majors."

I should have known. Manny's been with me through every odd phase, every awkard situation (wait, he caused most of those…), and every low point in my life, if anyone can tell when I'm seriously off my game: it's him. "Well…" I tried to explain. "We've all been having a good time in Chaotic so far and…"

"And?" Manny pushed.

"And you, Kat and Kit have all been doing great in your Drome battles."

"So have you!"

My face dropped to my Are-You-Kidding face. A face Manny, despite occasional observation, is oblivious to. Manny is Manny! "Which time?" I asked him.

Manny opened his mouth like he was about to start in a bold description, but, for once, nothing came out of his mouth. "Just a sec!" he said. He sat down and started messing up his hair trying to recollect a memory. I went back to drinking my soda. Manny's eyes lit up as he looked at my unchanging expression, and again nothing came out.

I'll give him one minute, tops. Two more times Manny looked like he remembered something, but couldn't utter so much as a syllable.

Until finally, he admitted. "Angel…. I can't remember the last time you battled in Chaotic."

"That's because I haven't." I told him.

Shocked, Manny exclaimed, "What?"

I said. "Other than Kat, no one has challenged me. We've been here for almost two weeks now, and I've only been in the Dromes once."

That's basically it. I've been putting in the work to be challenged, yet no one has even asked me to. Manny's face twisted in disbelief, then it shaped itself back into a look of understanding.

"Well, I guess that is kind of a downer." He said. "So why don't you issue someone a challenge?"

I stopped mid-slurp. To be honest… I hadn't thought of that. All my friends had gotten people who came to them, so I just figured I would wait my turn. I looked to the side, feeling so embarrassed even though it was Manny I was talking to. "Um… I guess, I figured I could wait?"

Manny shook his head. "Oh no, you're done waiting, girl. I'm going to help you issue a challenge and get you you out of this soda-watching-waiting slump!"

"But what if-" I started to say, then I stopped myself. There was something else I was afraid of. And I really didn't want Manny to know.

Luckily, he ignore my hesitation and pulled me over to one of the 'selection' tables. (A/N: Do Not know what they are really called. Sorry.)

Somehow, Manny had decided that my non-challenge streak was an all-around crisis and rallied the twins into it. I was sitting down, looking at other players' stats while my friends talked above me.

"Oh! Do that one!" Kat pointed down at an Mipedian player. "Totally trounced that guy! Believe me, it will be an easy win."

Kit pushed over, next to his sister. "It's not always good to target the easy players though. Angel, the better rep means the more valuable cards and locations you can get later on. Look, here's another Overworld player. Her deck looks pretty up to scratch, so all you'll need to do is plan and go in ready for a fight."

Manny made a raspberry noise. "Pftttt! Dudes, don't slow her roll. Ange, you're good against Underworlders, just beat the lava out one and the rest of your challenges will be coming easy-peasy."

Both Kit and Kat glared over at Manny. "Whoa. Whoa." Kit said slowly. "Easy from beating an Underworlder? Care to rephrase that, Manny?"

"Nope!" Manny said, oblivious to the twins' glares. "I knows ma girl's strengths. She buried your sister on day one. How you ask? Overworld vs. Underworld. Ka-Blamo!"

Manny's over-the-stop and loud explanation had gathered two crowds around us. One was behind Kit and Kat, looking annoyed, while the other was backing up Manny with snide looks. I could practically feel the tension rising! It didn't take long for one of the on-lookers to react.

"Hey, what gives you the right to say Underworlders are weaker than Overworld?"

"Yeah!" Another shouted. "I've been wiping the floor with the Mipedians since I got here! That tribe sucks!"

That made Manny mad. "Oh yeah? I know you, you're LavaLady898! In all you're battles you either hide and let the Location do all the work or completely rely on your Gear! But I guess it's just like an Underworlder to talk the talk and not walk the walk!" That's really the best diss I've ever heard him give. But I really don't like where this is going.

"So true!" called a Mipedian supporter.

The arguing went on and on. Until it wasn't just Mipedians against Underworlders, but all general Overworld dwellers vs. all general Underworld! I tried talking to Kat, Kit and Manny, but over the many voice echoing around Chaotic, it was impossible to get them to listen.

"Thieving Underworld scum!"

"Arrogant Overworld tyrants!"

"Bone-brained barbrians!

"Cold-blooded creepers!"

"Overrated Overlords!

"Frankenstein rejects!"

Until, finally I'd had enough. "SHUT IT ALREADY!" The entire room went quiet. Except for Manny muffled laugh. I said, "Look, the rest of you go back to whatever it is you were doing. My friends were just suggesting on who I should challenge." And more directly to my three friends I said, "And guys? Imput appreciated, but I need to decide this on my own. My deck is mixed too, so I'm not really on one tribe's side or another."

"But your deck is mostly Overworld." Kat pointed out.

One guy I had never even seen before came and pointed in my face. "That makes you a two-faced, Overworlder!"

Before I could say anything back, Manny slapped the guy's hand away, "Hey, back off!"

"Who's gonna make me?" he challenged.

"How about Vinta, Ghatup and Siado?"

"Bring it, nerd!"

In a short amount of time, it seemed that all of Chaotic had learned about Manny's match. His opponent, the one who pointed a finger at me turned out to be a Danian player known as RockItRoy. Manny assembled his deck among Mipedian and Overworld supporters. While the twins went over to listen in on RockIt with the others Underworld and Danian players.

Me?

I sat at my table. Alone. While all my friends planned to destroy each other. I had even lost Kit! The most rationale-minded person had gone over screaming for war alongside his sister. Feeling depressed, I opted to sit out of this, switching my soda for a chocolate Shimark Shake and watch the madness unfold. I sighed, "This is gonna end in blood." Plus, a possible break up over a meaningless fight. I've seen this before…

Another voice came up chuckling. "I wouldn't worry about that." This voice was different, in that it wasn't a kid's. I looked across from me to see an adult! I have seen adults around here, a handful at most. The Stranger-danger I we all learn in elementary school kind of kept a boundary from any of us actually talking to any of them outside Chaotic matches. "There is no chance of anyone losing blood inside a Drome. Plus, this kind of thing has happened before."

The guy just hesitated before taking seat across from me. I stared back at him, keeping my straw in my mouth and wondering what exactly I should say. The atmosphere was awkward enough with ferocious screams and taunts flying behind us. This guy looked like he belonged in an office, not a battle arcade. He had blackish, combed over hair that almost matched his eyes. He was also dressed in what looked like a casual business suit, which seemed to clash with his bright and welcoming way of talking.

Breaking the silence he said, "Sorry. I forgot to introduce himself! I'm Kristopher Prentum."

Good manners kicked in and I smiled before telling him, "Nice to meet you. I'm…" I debated whether to tell him I was PerimPride or Angel Majors.

He answered for. "Angel Majors, right?"

I nearly tipped over my milkshake in surprise! Is this guy a stalker or something? How did he know my name? I need to give him a piece of my mind, then I'll run over to tell Manny about this creep! Or maybe Kat? Apparently noticing my concern, Mr. Prentum waved held up his hands and laughed awkwardly. "Whoa, whao! It's actually okay. I'm sort of a monitor here in Chaotic. I helped send out all the names to the new players and I happened to remember yours."

All suspicious thoughts ceased in my head. The way he explained that was very sincere, and it did make some sense. I guess I also felt sort of relieved that there was a higher authority here in a place that was mostly kids. "Oh," I said, feeling embarrassed. "I see. Then… should you be doing something to stop all this?" I gestured to the two sides of fans behind me.

Mr. Prentum simply shrugged. "Like I said, this is really nothing. Chaotic Players have been putting on this debate forever, it was never solved then it's not likely to be decided now."

"That's true, I guess." Admitingly, if there was no fighting over Tribe preference, a lot of Chaotic's thrill would be lost. "But doesn't this seem like it's already gotten out of hand?"

"I'll be watching for anything serious. But one of the rules of my job is that I can't interfere unless the well-being of a player is at risk." Mr. Prentum then changed the subject. "And besides, I am quite curious as to why you, an Overworlder, are here all by yourself instead of joining in the fray!"

From the sound of it, this man was actually enjoying the conflict. Which did hit a nerve for me. "Because my three friends are at the center of all this nonsense." I said. "Preference for one tribe or another I can get. The right to speak your mind, I get. But now that we know Perim is real, it seems more like we're acting like the Creatures who are the ones really going to war."

The man's casual smile did not change. "And?"

"And?" I repeated. "And this is stupid! The war in Perim is not our problem. I don't see why anyone would take a fight so seriously when they don't even remember what the fight is about! Manny, Kat and Kit were just helping me choose someone to challenge and now it's deteriorated into this!"

Behind us, the two groups were following their champions to one of the BattleDromes. I could see Manny looking straight ahead with his game face, while on the other side, Kit and Kat were right behind the big-mouth Danian guy. Putting my hands between my head and shaking it side to side, I said. "Oh, somebody isn't going to be happy when they lose."

It was then than Mr. Prentum's smile dropped into a look of concern. "You're really concerned about your friends in this aren't you Angel." He said.

"Yeah," I admitted. "I don't know, maybe it's just me. I love going to Perim… I just don't know how things are supposed to work here in Chaotic." I hadn't even confessed this to Manny. Earth is my home, Perim my dreamland, but Chaotic? Perim is the place of my childhood stories, the Wonderland where Dad would tell me on drives to school and when he came home. He did mention Chaotic a few times, but it was only in the context that what was happening in Perim was the real adventure. I know the rules of Perim. The ways of Chaotic? It's all a blank space…

Mr. Prentum looked sympathetic, then he said, "Hey, don't act like you sitting here and you're friends being out there is in any way your own fault. When a group this big gets excited, it can be easy to follow along when you really get involved. Your friends will be back once they cool down."

Now I laughed, a bit forced though. "Manny, the one battling, I think he just got upset because that other guy started picking on me. The twins… Kit might come back before Kat. I just want to understand why they've all gotten other challenges and I haven't."

"I think I saw your match, Angel. Intress vs. Chaor… since it was one of the first battles, everyone was watching!"

"And I was so excited!" I squealed. "I literally changed into Interess! I super scared of being hurt, but then I went through the whole battle and it was good!" I became a little more self-aware at that point. I gathered my self-control and looked the man in the eyes as I said. "My Dad taught me everything I know about Perim. Nothing could have prepared me for the Dromes."

I watched Mr. Prentum. He had been fairly talkative in our conversation, when he got quiet it became difficult to read his expressions. "Angel?" He asked me in a quiet tone. "Do you know why the tribes started fighting?"

"Um… not really." I told him. "My Dad said it was both the Underworld and the Overworld Tribe thought that the other had stolen the Cothica. But he also told me that in the past the Tribes had been stealing things like water supply and enslaving other tribemates. It's all kind of confusing." The truth was that Dad hadn't really finished all of his stories. "To me it just seemed that they always find a new reason to fight, sometimes not even a good reason.

"Perhaps that's it!" Mr Prentum suddenly brightened up. "Maybe you can't get into the Drome matches because you haven't really had the chance to really connect with a Creature! In your Drome match you did great, you just couldn't tap into Intress because you couldn't really get into her mind! You need a chance you get out of your own head and into another's!"

"You think?" I asked eagerly. More than finding a challenger, I wanted to figure out why I wasn't as into this place as my friends were.

"PerimPride, I challenge you to a match in the Crellan Drome. The conditions: you can only use scans you've gotten from Perim yourself."

But a challenge is still a challenge! "You're on!" I jumped up, excitedlu grinning.

Inside the Crellan Drome, I pulled up all the scans of the Creatures I had met in Perim. Mr. Prentum let me take my time choosing even once he was ready. "Remember," he said, "You're still you in there. The trick is to let them move the way your Creature is supposed to. Relax and give them the control. You'll be able to feel and sometimes even see what they have already."

"But how will I come back if I need to?" I asked. I am such a scardey-cat in this place!

Mr. Prentum answered respectfully, "Then your will can turn control back over to you. And I can tell, you have plenty of will-power!"

I smiled over at him, and looked at my board, finally relieved to get some real assurance and looked between my three Creatures. I had Ebberim, Ghatup and Frafdo. Since I fel like I was already friends with Ebberim I put her up first, followed by Ghatup and, finally, the grumpy Frafdo. Once I locked my deck, both all our Creatures appeared on the board.

Mr. Prentum had some pretty amazing Creatures. Like Mommark, Gespidan and even Maxxor! "I take it you're an Overworld Player." I observed.

"I thought you were too. But if stuck with our conditions, it looks like you've given the Mipedian Tribe a try."

As he said that, I remembered the day I met Ebberim and Ghatup. The music, the giant chest, meeting Iflar, running from the guards, and busting Mudeenu. It was a good memory. Then I remember some of the Underworld player's remarks against her tribe. At the time I hadn't thought of it, but they had no right to say those terrible things about her home! Chances are none of them have ever been there! They called her weak, disgusting and a liar. I should have joined Manny in defending them! And Iflar?! He's the next King of the Tribe, he's been one of the nicest Creatures I've met since coming here! Mudeenu is the one getting nasty and trashing their reputation!

"Looks like someone found their spark!" My opponent grinned. Guess I'm pretty easy to read. "It's a risk to me, but why don't you attck first?" he offered.

"Gladly," I replied with a hint of anger.

Mr. Prentum spun his location deck, unperturbed. It landed on Kiru City. "Mommark attacks… Ebberim."

With that our scanners were taken down and a familiar ring of light formed around our feet. I felt myself changing. This time was different than Interess. My body seemed to get a bit colder, starting from my stomach and spreading out to my growing limbs. Green scales quickly grew all over me and I found myself wearing an outfit that Cleopatra might have owned! My fingers had also melded together into just four digits. I didn't check to see if I had a tail or not. I could also tell that face had changed, along with my hair.

I stood ready, with a face of determination that I could not imagine the real Ebberim ever having on her kind one. 'Mommark' stood across from me. "Ready to 'Get Chaotic?'" He asked.

"Bring it!" said Ebberim's voice.

The bright flash took over, and my sight gave wat to Kiru City.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Like I said, it will ba a while before part two!

But here's some questions:

Who is Kristopher Prentum, and why was he so eager to talk to Angel?

Does he have a reason for trying to help her?

Have any of you ever been in a situation like Angel is where you can't understand and feel alienated?