Ryo was wrong; he did get his chance at the karaoke machine after all. Unfortunately, he didn’t get as big of an audience as the girls had, but he was satisfied as long as the girls and his buddies were there to cheer him on. Truthfully, he could have done without Oriana’s clinging to the stage and drooling but all was well. After he had finished his little “performance” he stylishly jumped off stage and to his waiting friends.

Sage was looking a little bored. He was leaning his chair back on its two back legs and drumming his fingers against the table where they were all congregated. Being ever so observant, Rowen took notice to this.

“You guys up for anything else?” Rowen asked his friends.

After taking a huge swig of Cye’s Coke despite the Brit’s protests, Ryo shrugged, “Whatever.”

Cye eyed Ryo evilly and took back possession of his precious caffeine, “Its up to the ladies.”

“What else is there to do?” Tamara asked.

“We could go dancing.” Sage suggested.

“Or swimming.” Cye added.

Ryo nearly choked, “At night?! Cye, buddy, what drugs are you on?”

Cye shot Ryo an aggravated glare, “It’s perfectly normal to swim at night!”

“Anou…”Oriana began, “We’ve already gone swimming today… I don’t want to ruin these clothes anyway.”

“I’m all for skinny dipping…” Emi grinned evilly and was eyeing Rowen, hoping for a repeat performance of what occurred earlier that day. Cye’s arm went around Emi’s shoulders, happy for her support.

“Isn’t there a fair in town?” Ryo asked curiously.

Tamara’s eyes lit up, “Now that sounds like fun!”

Oriana eyed Cye’s coke with pleading eyes, he had been the only one with enough sense to order one, “Can I have a sip of your drink Cye?”

Cye nodded and pushed the large drink to her before sending a snide comment in Ryo’s direction, “Nice people who ask can…unlike some rude person I know.”

“Any other suggestions?” Rowen asked, looking at everyone. When no one said anything, he spoke up again, “Let’s take a vote then.”

To Cye’s displeasure, the votes were mostly in favor of dancing. Begrudgingly, though careful to not show his discontent, he stood and left the Mad Hatter with the others as they all made their way out of the building and into Mia’s jeep.

Back in Code Red everyone was doing their own thing. The energy in the building was increasing with every second that passed. On the dance floors, people were gyrating to the music in sexually provocative ways with one another, their sweaty bodies never losing their rhythm to the beat of the ever-changing dance tracks. Occasionally you could hear shrieks of delight from the happy crowd. With humor, one could compare it to the likes of a snake-mating ball.

In the darkest corners of the club where the strobe lights couldn’t reach, if you looked hard enough, you could spot movements in the shadows caused by couples getting hot and heavy making out. Of course those weren’t the only places where there was half-drunken lip locking, people were going at it in the middle of the dance floor, but it was most heaviest in the dark places where people were less likely to get caught and thrown out for uncivilized conduct in a public place.

Sekhmet and Venom were dangerously close to becoming one such couple. Their bodies were intertwined and they moved gracefully in step to one another and to the beat of the music, it seemed to be a game of seduction. Who would seduce the other first?

“You’re a wonderful dancer.” Sekhmet complimented Venom, having leaned down with his mouth inches from her ear to be better heard over the music.

Tightening the hold her arms had of his neck, drawing her upper body closer to his she smiled and purred a response, “Not so bad yourself.”

His hands traveled from her mid-back to her hips, pulling her even closer to him so that her exposed belly was against his own covered abdomen. They continued dancing in this position for sometime, just reveling in each others company.

In another part of the club, Purple had long grown tired of dancing and had dragged an unwilling Cale off the dance floor and to a couple of empty chairs to sit down and rest her aching feet. They just sat and made small talk while watching the goings on around them. Cale had to use an amazing amount of restraint to keep himself from stranding Purple and diving back into the throng.

Drinking in the scene, Purple could swear she saw two familiar mops of green hair going at it in the crowd. She smiled and shook her head amused, stopping when she saw Cale eyeing her funny. ”What?”

“What’s so funny?” Cale asked.

“Thought I saw Sekhmet and Venom in the crowd is all.”

“Ah.” Damnit, being a gentleman was killing him.

“You’re bored aren’t you?” Purple asked a little disappointed, she wasn’t stupid.

“Huh? Nah, I’m alright!” Cale denied.

She stood and, taking his hands in hers, pulled him out of his chair making him stand, “It’s not like you’re tied to me or anything, get your ass out there.”

“But you—"

“Pfbt! I’ll be fine.” Purple said cheerfully, “Give me a few more minutes and I’ll be rejuvenated and ready to hit the floor again.”

When Cale hesitated again still being gentlemanly, she shoved him into the crowd smirking, and was about to sit back down when she decided to get a drink.

Meanwhile at the bar Crimson downed yet another alcoholic beverage as Anubis watched on. He had lost count of how many she had had a long time ago. He himself had had a few, but not as many, and was surprised she could still maintain her balance on the barstool.

Crimson caught his stare and rolled her eyes good-naturedly, “What’s with you?”

Anubis’ eyes widened, ‘Her speech isn’t even slurring…’

Crimson giggled, “Thinking hentai thoughts about me are we ‘Nubie?”

“What the hell?” Anubis countered, his latest sip of drink would have sprayed out had he not been able to recover quickly, “You are so full of yourself, you know that?”

She stuck her tongue out at him, “Am not.”

“Very mature.” Came a teasing voice behind Crimson.

She spun around in her barstool to come face to face with Purple…and have the room spin around her in return. To keep from falling over she blindly reached out her hand for something solid to hold onto which ended up being, unfortunately for him, Anubis. Unable to keep her steadied due to the fact that her actions threw him off guard, they both tumbled to the ground in a heap of arms and legs.

Anubis smirked and shook his head, ‘It was only a matter of time…’ “So, who’s the one thinking the hentai thoughts now eh? If you wanted me that bad you could have just said something.”

“Just help me up.” Crimson mumbled against his shirt. Laughing, Anubis complied.

“What have you been drinking anyway?” Purple asked, picking up Crimson’s drink and sniffing it.

When she sat back down on her barstool, Crimson took back possession of her drink rather quickly and took another sip of it, “Vodka. Damnit, why’d you have to scare me like that Pur?”

“Didn’t mean to.” Purple offered with a grin as she sat down next to Crimson. “Seen any of the others?”

Anubis shook his head, “No one.”

“Damn.” Purple muttered.

“Already tired?” Crimson asked. “The night’s still young.”

“Clubbing really isn’t my scene.” Purple explained.

Out in the middle of the dance floor, Kayura was dancing solo. Closing her eyes, she let the music hit her like waves and allowed her body and emotions to take over as she blocked out the noise and sights of the crowds surrounding her on all sides and rode the rhythm. Kayura had had much luck with keeping up a steady flow of dance partners, she even managing to snag Dais for one or two songs.

She wasn’t the least but surprised when she felt a pair of hands lightly grasp her hips and a warm body press against her back, melding itself to her position and flowing with her movements perfectly. Smiling, she placed her hands over the mystery man’s and moved his hands to her stomach.

“Feeling bold are we?” The mystery man chuckled in her ear.

‘That voice…’ Kayura turned her head slightly to view her captor, “Cale!”

“The one and only.” He answered suavely. “Damn, I should take you dancing more often. You’re good.”

Kayura blushed, “Aw hell…”

“No, really.”

Over at the entrance of the club stepped in the Ronins and the girls, completely unaware that their Dynasty companions were mixed in with the crowds of partygoers. Much like Asa had, Sage disappeared into the crowd almost immediately after entering the building.

Oriana squealed, “Dance with me Ryo!” The bearer of Wildfire didn’t have much of a choice and was dragged into the multitude by the excited redhead.

Two pairs of eyes lit up as the other two girls got the same idea as Oriana. The instant they both each grabbed an arm belonging to the archer, they eyed each other evilly.

“Rowen,” Emi purred in what she hoped was her sweetest ‘no one can resist me’ tone, “Want to dance with me?”

Tamara gave Rowen her best puppy-dog eyes, “Me first? Please Ro-chan?”

‘Uh-oh’ Cye thought as he stood with the three, ‘Chic fight…’. To avoid the foaming girls, he decided to abandon Rowen and make his way to the bar. Avoiding Rowen’s pleading expression for help being shot at the back of his head, Cye casually made his exit. “Catch you three later.”

“Bye bye Fish Fry!” he heard both girls call out before resuming their battle over Rowen.

Rowen sweatdropped, about to buckle under the pressure caused by the two females. Their insistent stares were enough to cut through steel. Or at least he felt that way. “How about we dance together? All three of us?” Rowen offered.

He wasn’t surprised when neither went with the idea and he sighed, “Well…Emi you did ask first…” She cheered and linked her arm around Rowen’s while Tamara sulked. Rowen couldn’t help but feel a little bad from the look on her face. Before leading Emi into the mob, he winked at Tamara and said he’d save a few dances for her. Tamara then decided she’d try to find Cye and went off in search of him in the direction she saw him walk off.

Back with Sekhmet and Venom, things continued to get hotter between the two. Venom was about to find herself happily lip locking with the snake lord until something, or rather someone, bumped into them. Whether it was on purpose or accidental, they didn’t know. Either way it was, it left them both ticked at being interrupted.

“Watch where you’re going moron.” Sekhmet growled, not bothering to see who it was that caused the disruption, his eyes refusing the leave their gaze on Venom.

“Sekhmet? What the hell are you doing here?”

At the mention of his name, Sekhmet turned around still rather agitated, and was surprised to see Ryo standing there, “Wildfire?” He huffed, “What do you think I came to a nightclub to do?”

“Not to dance it seems.” Ryo attempted to joke.

“You’re testing your luck Ronin." Sekhmet shot, his eyes falling upon the scared looking redhead hiding behind Ryo and peeking at Sekhmet from behind his shoulder. An evil smile formed on his face and he let out a freaky, “Boo.”

Oriana ‘meeped’ scared and her grip on Ryo’s hand tightened. Ryo winced at her iron clasp, “He won’t bite, Oriana. His face is more hideous than anything he could ever try to do to you.”

Sekhmet was about to jump on Ryo and beat him to a bloody pulp for the comment until Venom stopped him, looking at Oriana she asked, “Aren’t you Oriana? I mean…you were the one on the list who always had the biggest obsession with him…” She pointed to Ryo at the word ‘him’.

Ryo fidgeted nervously and Oriana’s face flushed an even redder shade than her hair at Venom’s not so modest question, “H-hai. I’m her. You are…”

“Venom!” Venom exclaimed, taking Oriana’s hand and shaking it.

Oriana laughed, “Nice to meet you…again.”

“I’m assuming the others are here with you.” Venom stated.

Oriana nodded, “We left them at the entrance not to long ago.”

“Cool, maybe we could all do something together later.” Venom suggested.

“That would…uh…be nice.” Ryo replied, wanting to end the girls’ chitchat. “Still want to dance Oriana?”

“Do I!” Oriana exclaimed, “Let’s go!”

Ryo smirked as she started to drag him off again with a wave in Sekhmet and Venom’s direction, ‘That ended that.’

“Now…” Sekhmet began, his voice husky in Venom’s ear, “Where were we…”

Again at the bar, Crimson’s alcohol supply had been cut off by a concerned Purple who, by the action, earned herself several colorful curses from an annoyed Crimson.

“I can fuckin’ handle another drink, damnit. Give me back my money!”

Purple shook her head stubbornly, “Nuh-uh.”

Crimson growled and crossed her arms in front of her chest pouting. Her gaze turning upward towards the mirrored ceiling, she caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd heading their way and an idea struck. “Say, guys, isn’t that Cye?”

“Where?” The minute Anubis’ and Purple’s heads turned to look in the direction that Crimson had pointed, she grabbed Anubis’ drink and downed the rest of it, a Cheshire-like grin spreading over her face happily as she sat it back on the bar before her crime could be caught.

“I didn’t see any Ronin Rejects in the crowd, what are you talking about?” Anubis asked and then, noticing his empty glass, shook his head amused. “You’re a sly one…making something like that up just so-"

“I didn’t make it up!”

“Oh, come on Crimson…” Purple sighed.

“Really!”

Anubis sighed and had his drink refilled by the bartender, now careful to keep it away from Crimson’s grasp this time.

“Fancy seeing you here Anubis.” came a voice with a heavy British accent behind Anubis causing the warlord of cruelty to almost spit out some of his drink in surprise again.

“Told ya.” Crimson smirked.

Anubis turned around, “Hello Torrent.”

“Must you still call me that?”

“Can’t kill a habit.” Anubis replied apologetically. “Sorry.”

Cye took a seat on the stool next to Anubis when he noticed Crimson and Purple watching him from their stools on the other side of Anubis, “Friends of yours?”

“These losers? Nah.” That earned him a whack on the head from Crimson and a huff from Purple. “Ow! Jeez, I was joking! You don’t have to be abusive!”

Using her energy to concentrate on hitting Anubis rather than trying to sit up straight, Crimson almost would have lost her balance again had it not been for Anubis’ arm steadying her again, “Jesus, you are one odd woman when drunk.”

“I’m not drunk! Just…vertically challenged.”

“Whatever.” Purple smirked.

Anubis sighed and shook his head, “The blonde is Purple. And this Vodka Vacuum is Crimson.”

“Nice to meet you, ladies.” Cye greeted. “I’m—"

“Cye, Ronin of Torrent.” Purple grinned, proud of herself.

“…Yeah.” Cye raised an eyebrow, “Oh, yeah, you’re the one who appeared shortly after we found Emi, TK, and Oriana…”

Purple nodded and, catching sight of TK pushing her way through the crowd, waved her over. “Yo TK! Over here!”

Tamara searched for the source of the voice that called out her name and saw Purple waving her arms around frantically trying to get her attention. Smiling she waved back and made her way to the bar. Her eyes lit up when she saw Cye sitting there as well. She took a seat on the bar between Cye and Anubis, much to the displeasure of the bartenders. “Hey Cye…Purple!”

“Emi won, huh?” Cye asked Tamara.

“Unfortunately…” Tamara answered, “That’s why I was looking for you. I wanted to know if you’d like to dance.”

“So I’m second best to Rowen on your list?” Cye joked.

“Well, I mean...not that you aren’t c--” Tamara stammered.

Cye grinned. “I’m teasing, TK.”

“Don’t tell me Rowen has gotten popular with the ladies.” Anubis commented.

“It seems so.” Cye answered.

“It’s official, hell has frozen over.”

“What? Again?” Cye joked. Anubis couldn’t help but crack a smile.

“Hey! You downing my Ro-baby?” Tamara poked Anubis in the chest.

“What if I am?” Anubis retorted lightly.

It occurred to Tamara finally that she was prodding the chest of a former dark warlord and removed her finger quite fast, laughing nervously, “Um…nothing. Was just gonna say I was gonna kick your ass or something.”

“Mighty brave words from someone who doesn’t know me.”

“Ehehe…um, Cye?”

Cye grinned and, offering Tamara an escape, “Let’s do.”

Jumping off the bar, Tamara joined Cye on the dance floor while Crimson, Purple, and Anubis looked on.

“How rude,” Crimson stated, “She didn’t even bother to acknowledge me.”

“Oh my!” Anubis mocked with a twinkle in his eye, “The world will end because someone didn’t speak to Crimson!” Purple cracked up at that while Crimson muttered a few choice words about what bad things should happen to Anubis’ manhood.

From his perspective on the second level, Dais could see all the goings on down below and kept tabs on the current happenings of everyone that he knew…and wished he didn’t know. He had spent most of his time at the club in this same spot, leaning on the railing and watching everyone beneath. People watching always proved to be entertaining. He loved dancing too, but the place was just too crowded for his tastes. Casually sipping on his Strawberry Daiquiri, complete with a lime and a mini umbrella, he scanned the crowd and spotted Asa and Sage dancing together. An evil smile played upon his lips when he got an idea.

Sage and Asa were dancing facing one another, Sage’s hands resting relaxed around her waist and Asa’s left arm wound around his neck, her right one hanging by her side. Dancing low to the ground with knees bent, their legs were intertwined and it almost looked like Asa was riding Sage’s knee.

Asa silently sang along with the music, mouthing the words. Though it was still in the nineteen eighties in this world, the music was still good, and having been born in the eighties she knew most of the songs. Suddenly she felt a tickling sensation travel up her right arm. Thinking at first it was Sage trying to pull a move on her, she looked over at her arm expecting to see one of Sage’s hands. What she found, instead, was a fair sized Black Widow spider crawling up her arm.

Sage’s gaze followed her’s and he freaked when he saw the spider. They stopped dancing and eyed the creature warily, “Where’d that thing come from?”

Asa snorted, “Where do you think it came from?” Her index finger from her left hand rested on her right arm in front of the spider to try to get it to crawl on top of the finger and it do so. “I have a sneaky suspicion this was Dais’ doing.” Eyes scanning the club to try and find the suspected guilty person, her eyes met Dais’ and, smirking, took the spider between her fingers and squashed it, satisfied when she saw him glare at her for the action. Dais was astonished, any normal girl would have screamed or something.

Sage let out a whimper when Asa wiped her dirtied hand on his nice dress shirt. Asa smiled apologetically and asked did he want to dance or just stand there looking stupefied.

And so continues the night at Code Red. What else is in store for our lucky ladies and the Ronins and Warlords? There’s only one way to find out :). Stay tuned!