Chapter 26

Confrontational Choices

Mr. Craybits was pacing up and down in his room. Ever since Klaus had shown him to it, he heard nothing. He was starting to feel nervous, very nervous.

Chewing on his thumb while once again walking in the same pattern he had for the last hour, Fred felt worried. There was no reason to be, not really. He had been honest with Klaus and had nothing to hide.

The longer he waited though, the more worried he got. So when he heard the elevator door open for the second time that day, he wanted to put himself out of his misery.

He paced for another second while mustering the courage to face whoever had entered the floor that he realized was bereft of other guests earlier that day.

Balling his fists, Fred walked over to the door and put his hand on the handle. He would meet his maker, face his death with his chin held high, and go out swinging.

Fred flung the door open, when hurried steps got closer and saw the scariest thing he had ever encountered.

Billy was not running he was way too sore for that. The young man was not walking either. It was more like a rushed gait that bordered on jogging. He was deep in thought. His face set in worry and contemplation when a door next to him got ripped open.

Billy jumped back in freight, and Fred let out a scream, much like a girl before slamming the door shut again. Billy swore and lowered his fists. The guy had nearly given him a heart attack.

Then he heard whoever it was on the other side. "What is that stench?"

"It is me, you idiot." Shouted Bily while starting his walk-jog again.

The door opened, and Fred peeked out. 'The stories are true, that must have been a demon?' The myriad of tattoos and abundance of piercings had convinced Fred.

He poked his head out and scrunched up his face in disgust. The smell was lingering. He saw Billy enter his room and swallowed hard. He was not comfortable staying this close to one, especially one that toted such a horrendous odor around. 'I will go to the reception and ask them to change my room.'

Mind made up, Fred went to pack a few things and then headed downstairs to reception.

Klaus was standing in the lobby, afraid his weight would ruin the plush couches that were neatly arranged into a simple waiting area. He could control the maw, but his emotions at the moment made it difficult. Lucklily his weight was not enough to crack the expensive looking tiles in the lobby. In his hand were two folders that Pride had handed to him before disappearing somewhere. In one was everything they had on the Spartan, and in the other was the information on one Frederich Craybits.

Leo had been sitting unperturbed until Pride brought the folders. He was not surprised when he saw his own, but he fidgeted and tried to peek when he read the name on the other one.

Klaus could see Leo inching closer in his peripheral vision, so he closed the folder after confirming that Fred had spoken the truth.

Leo leaned back and regarded Klaus while the young dragon placed the folders on a small tea table to the side.

"What are you doing here?" Asked Klaus, finally.

"I came with Liz. I thought that was obvious." Answered Leo.

Klaus sighed, he did not have time for games. He was irritable, wanted to find out what happened and then go to bed.

"You can leave." Said Klaus almost lazily.

Leo frowned and sat back on the couch before crossing his arms in silent protest. The Spartan was torn. Fred was his friend and schoolmate. Among all the wealthy scions, Leo found a boy with a humble upbringing that was as crazy about training as he was.

It had come as a big surprise when said friend cornered him one day. Blaming the Sparta family for his sister's injuries. She had come back from the Secret Worlds with the last batch of people that Morgose Dalmora was also present with. It would have been a cause for celebration if Fred's sister had not come back in a wheelchair.

The argument devolved into a fistfight, one which marked the end of their friendship. Leo did not believe the reason Fred gave for his sister's wounds.

After all, Fred had said that his brother initially lost a duel to her, but when Fred's sister turned her back, his brother attacked and cut through her spine.

Leo could not accept losing the friendship and the story about his brother. So, he went to investigate. He found out that Fred was telling the truth. When he confronted his brother, they fought and the steward who looked after them in their parent's stead. Gave Leo a warning and a chance to redeem himself.

He was to get into a team and go to the Secret Worlds with Klaus Alexandros Roth. Leo could not stomach that either; he could not ingratiate himself to a rich scion surrounded by the very things his parents had gone to fight.

The fact that he insulted Klaus, the guy who had taken so much from Cornelius and his ilk, made him a pariah. No one wanted him in their team.

It was the last straw, the steward was furious. Leo was kicked from the house and banished for a year so he could. "Fend for himself and assess his priorities."

That was why he had gone to the club, Leo was free to make his own choices for the first time in a long while, and the Spartan could not find Fred at his house which was nearby. He wanted to desperately see his friend and apologize. He would even offer to go to the Secret Worlds with Fred and whatever team he managed to join, to help find a solution for his sister's problem.

Leo's feet just carried him blindly to the place. He was despondent after the door was slammed in his face. The Spartan went to visit Fred's house often, and he was not welcome anymore.

Then he saw a thing of beauty; Liz, a young woman who used the weight of her opponent perfectly to end a fight instantly.

She caught his attention immediately, and so he ended up at the hotel.

When he saw the folder along with his own, he knew his friend was somehow involved with Klaus. He wanted to apologize and if he could, save him from Klaus. It was the same with Liz.

His plan had hit a snag though.

So far, Klaus had not acted the way he thought he would, and Liz seemed to put stock in Klaus for some reason.

Leo was too proud to tell Klaus all of this, which was turning out to be a mistake.

Klaus was regarding Leo. His patience, which used to be tempered and honed by years of abuse from bullies and the like no longer existed.

The young dragon was growing angry. If not for learning to hone his anger with Pain, Klaus would already have lashed out. He also detected a sense of danger from Leo. So he was looking at Leo like one would at prey which could bite.

The main reason he did not move yet was Liz, Klaus considered her a friend and according to her, Leo had saved them. Billy did not count because Klaus was undecided. Billy represented everything Klaus tried not to be when he was aspiring to reach his goal of becoming a lawyer.

From the information Klaus had on Billy, the young man was doted on. Everything he wanted was given to him, and Billy squandered it. He did not take school seriously. Partying most of the night and sleeping most of the day.

The only reason, Klaus was giving him a chance was because of Pain's recommendation.

Leo was the opposite, he worked hard using what he had to better himself. His attitude was the main problem. Klaus had read in his file what one of the teachers said. "Bullheaded and highly opinionated. It is a shame because he could be a good leader."

Leo suddenly jumped up. Klaus followed his gaze and saw Fred with a bag over his shoulder. He frowned. 'Does he want to leave?'

Fred's file was full of praise. The only negative thing was one teacher that called him naive. He worked hard, did his best in everything. There was one interesting thing though. A part of the file could not be read. Klaus recognized it to be the Secret Worlds at work.

Leo stepped past Klaus. He had wanted to speak to Fred for a long time and thought he would not get a chance. They had fought together in mock battles in school, a thing which only served to cement their friendship. The friendship he messed up.

The Spartan wanted to call out, but Klaus was in front of him again. Thinking the worst, Leo sped past Klaus. The young dragon followed.

Klaus soon realized, Leo was fast, very fast.

He reached out and just managed to hook his fingers into the Spartan's already bloodstained shirt. Leo felt his shirt tighten, and without thinking, drove his elbow backward. It made solid contact, Klaus grunted and let his anger loose.

Klaus had held back so many times in the past few weeks, not this time. Leo came into his house, under Klaus' goodwill after insulting his ancestors.

The reason why he chased after Leo no longer mattered.

Leo felt his elbow gripped, and then he was airborne. He went flying back the way he had come, crashed through the tea table and couches. His arm hurt, but he was up a second later. The Spartan ducked a straight punch and blocked a knee. The momentum threw him back and into a couch, which then tumbled over.

Leo grimaced, his arms were on fire.

The couch went sliding out of the way with a simple shove from Klaus. Nothing would come between him and his prey.

Leo grabbed a broken piece of the tea table. The way it broke, made it pointed. Not the best weapon, but he knew Klaus' strength was above his own.

"Come on then!" Shouted Leo, he had never met a Spartan that would back down from a fight.

Klaus said nothing and threw another straight punch, which transitioned into an uppercut combo. Leo ducked the first and just managed to lean back for the second. He rolled to the side and swiped at Klaus' knee with the piece of wood.

It got promptly checked with a shin. Leo grabbed it with both hands and stabbed upwards. Klaus slapped the point aside, the force ripping it from Leo's hands and past Klaus' torso.

Klaus aimed a kick at Leo's prone form.

Leo once more rolled out of the way, wincing as broken glass from the table cut into his back. If not for his extensive practice, he would be mincemeat.

"Stop running, you monkey." Growled Klaus while in pursuit.

Fred was watching, torn between helping his old friend and impressing his new possible benefactor. He started running over, shouting at the two. "Stop!"

He was ignored, and Klaus who had just cornered Leo, was about to finish things.

Old loyalty won out, and he raced towards Klaus. He did not know why Leo, was there but at that moment, he did not think and just reacted. Leo and Fred had been in many scrapes together. Fred felt guilty about what happened and wanted to apologize many times, but could not bring himself to. To him, It seemed he would not get a chance unless he intervened.

He jumped intending to kick Klaus with both his legs. Klaus slipped to the left and then shoved the airborn teen. Fred shot off and went through one of the large windows that afforded a view of the road outside. Fred smashed into the asphalt and rolled a few times, the broken glass along with the road grating and slicing at his skin.

"No!" Leo screamed and rushed towards Klaus.

Klaus threw a wide haymaker that would turn Leo's head into pulp. Leo ducked it, but the dragon had grown wise to his tricks and followed his arm through while lowering his shoulder right into Leo's chest.

Leo felt the air leave his lungs and flew back before hitting the lobby tiles, bouncing once and then sliding the rest of the way until he smacked into a wall.

He coughed, trying to breathe and looked up with panicked eyes, Klaus was coming.

The elevator dinged and out spilled Billy, Liz, and Pride.

The three reacted differently.

Liz sprinted off to try and stop Klaus.

Billy closed his eyes and felt even more worried.

Pride just stood there and frowned at the mess they had made. She had received word that the Scientia and Beatrice were on their way. She looked towards the entrance and there they were.

Beatrice was standing with her mouth hanging open. Amelia was hidden behind her two guards. Said, guards looked on impassively until one turned to her and asked. "Are you sure you want to enter the Secret Worlds with this animal?."

"Bollocks, now you made him look this way." Beatrice chimed and started to step away from the guard.

Klaus stopped walking towards Leo and narrowed his eyes at the one who spoke.

His rational thoughts were slow to come compared to those who screamed for violence.

Leo moved, Klaus reacted and had him up against the wall the next moment.

"Klaus, let him go." Liz was next to him and tried to pull at the arm that had Leo pinned.

"No." Was all he said while Leo struggled to breathe under his grip.

"Young Master now is not the time to play." This voice got more of a reaction. Klaus looked at Pride.

Tattoos flashed on Leo's arms and he kicked Klaus on his chest. Klaus flew back and across the room before hitting a wall. It broke and half his body sank into it. 'Stupid, always kill prey instantly.' He berated himself, ignoring the pain on his chest which was fading a lot slower than he expected it would.

Leo had used stigmata while Klaus was distracted. It was just a flash, a single instant of use that left him on the verge of unconsciousness. He stayed awake with sheer will while scowling at Klaus while struggling to keep upright on on all fours.

Pride raised an eyebrow and looked at the boy who was a lot paler and gasping for breath. Pain, with demon enhanced strength could not even move Klaus like that. 'He could prove useful.'

She then turned to Liz. "Don't just stand there like an Idiot, take him away."

Pride walked and stood between Klaus and the retreating Liz and Leo.

That kick had hurt, but Klaus was up for more. He knew that he could not fight the demons yet though. Pain, had proven it often.

It was hard to let it go. Leo was being let into his house without permission. Klaus felt his guts twist. He would have to accept it for now, but Pride was added to the list with Pain. 'They will suffer for this indignity.'

Pride could almost see as the gears in Klaus' mind worked, and she smiled.

Silence walked in on the far side, carrying a beat-up Fred. Klaus felt a little spike of guilt but then remembered, Fred attacked him first.

Pride turned to the Scientia and gawking Beatrice. "Follow me."

She turned to Klaus. "Go clean up and meet up with us in the same conference room as before."

The two guards hesitated, one looked at Pride and spoke. "We have traveled far and would ask a few hours of rest before we discuss things."

"No, we have waited long enough. We speak in half an hour." Said Klaus before Pride could reply.

He was tired, angry and they had already tested the young dragon's patience long enough..

The two Sciencia looked like they wanted to protest, but Amelia pushed through her guards and followed Pride who had started walking after Klaus' words. Amelia was trying not to breathe too deeply. The stigmata use and fight was causing havoc with her sensitive sense of smell.

Klaus followed them to the elevator, but Amelia held up a shaky hand. Her face was flushed and had hurried breathing. "Please come with another one."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, but Billy saved the day by tapping him on the shoulder. "Come, let's take this one."

The distraction gave enough time to allow the elevator doors to start closing.

Klaus and Billy got in another elevator.

A shaky receptionist slowly peeked over a counter and looked at Silence who was waitng for one of the elevators to come down again.

The demon gave her a horrifyng smile and then held his index finger in front of his lips.

Billy let out a sigh, he wanted to speak to Klaus and get everything out of the way. However, he was scared. Billy had always thought of Klaus as the smart and careful type.

He looked Klaus over, he was covered in dust and small debris but otherwise looked unscathed. Klaus' hands were flexing intermittently and his eyes were closed while he took deep breaths. To Billy, it seemed like Klaus was trying to calm down and it wasn't working.

'Would be smart to wait before I tell him.' Thought Billy until he saw Klaus looking at him with those strange eyes in the mirror's reflection.

"Why do you stink like fear?" Asked Klaus.

Billy thought quickly and hard. In the end, he couldn't stand those eyes and he knew any plans he made were useless. So he hit the stop button of the elevator and told Klaus everything.

Klaus never spoke and just listened to Billy right up to end. Then he simply nodded.

Billy looked at Klaus with a disbelieving gaze. "That's it? No shouting or punching me to death?"

Klaus frowned at him and then pressed the button so the elevator could move again. "I'm not thinking with a sober mind right now. Just give me some time to calm down. Besides, the decision is not just up to me. It should be the group's choice. Don't say anything in front of those Sciencia pricks though."

Billy smiled. "I like angry Klaus, he is more approachable."

"Really?" Asked Klaus, his voice still sounding like half a growl.

The elevator door opened and Billy stepped out. "Yep."

"I would have kicked you out if it were up to me." Said Klaus and walked past him.

Billy felt a mixture of panic, anger, and fear. He threw all caution to the wind. If he could not stay in the team, he might as well die.

"Who are you to judge me!"

One moment Klaus was walking away. Billy blinked, and Klaus had him by the shirt.

"I have seen people with far less than you, turn to drugs." While Klaus spoke, Billy could feel himself start to lift from the ground.

"I have seen people throw their lives away and sell themselves and those they held most dear, hurting innocents, children." Klaus shook Billy with every word and from what little he could see through his rattling vision.

Klaus was crying.

When little, Klaus had felt the same frustration he was experiencing at that moment. He wanted to shake the older kids, beat them, smash them. Anything to change their minds after what happened to Macy.

That is why he did not speak for a long time after the event because he knew. He knew it would never be words. It would be screams.

"They did it all because they thought they had no choice, no options!"

Billy's ears rang at the sheer volume Klaus put into the words. They were filled with frustration and hurt.

Klaus then shoved him into a wall, driving the air from Billy's lungs, stunning him.

"There is always a choice. Confront yours, then make better ones or fuck off!" Were the last words Billy heard before the door to Klaus' room slammed shut.