Z Star: And we're back!

Kai: (Sarcastically) Oh joy, I can't wait to start the chapter!

Z Star: -.-; At least have a little bit of enthusiasm!

Kai: Hn!

Z Star: Now who's going to do the disclaimer for me?

Raven: I will! I will! I WILL!

Z Star: All right, all right keep your head on Raven.

Kai: O.O How did she get in here?

Z Star: Ok do your thing Raven.

Raven: Ok, Z Star does not own Beyblade, but she does own me and Pleo (Her own characters)

Z Star: Now let's start the story!

Kai: No, no, no wait a minute! I wanna leave; I don't want to be stuck with you two for the entire chapter!

(Kai tries to get out of his chair but Raven runs round him with a piece of rope and ties him to the chair)

Kai: W-what is going on?

Z Star: Awe Kai, you weren't going to leave us on our own were you?

Raven: Yeah! The fun has just begun! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Kai: HELP!

Chapter Two: Since You've Been Gone

? POV

I was out in the frosty, snow-paved capital that was Moscow. The streets were paved with people; a melody of people's footsteps and car engines filled the air. I was sitting on a park bench, looking up at the sky admiring the cloudy skies. Until I heard a strong, raspy voice.

"Excuse me, but can you tell me where the abbey is?"

I looked in front of me to see a boy. A boy I thought I knew. On his head he had grey bangs covering his forehead and the rest of his hair was blue. My eyes met with his blood red ones and his face. His face had two blue stripes, one on each cheek.

Could have this been the boy from my childhood? Or was it a ghost from the past?

No it can't be him. I swore to that if I ever saw him again I'd rip him to pieces!

Besides he would have recognised me if he were Kai.

"Um, you don't speak English do you? Humph, a lot of help you were…"

"Wait!"

For some reason I had grabbed the boy's wrist, I had no idea why. Maybe I just wanted to be sure this wasn't my Kai. Wait? Did I just call Kai my Kai? No, no I don't think so… I could tell the stranger was uncomfortable under my grip. So I released his wrist

"I know where a hotel is. You go down that road and make a left. Then you take the road that leads to outside the city. Then take a right and you'll see a big building. There's a hotel." I explained.

"Thanks" He said.

"No problem. Sorry for staring at you. I thought you were someone I once knew."

"Humph."

What? Not even a goodbye? Jerk!

I decided to forget about the boy but failed. Why did he want to go to the Abbey? And why did he remind of Kai?

Arch! Why do I keep thinking about Kai? Wait a minute? What time is it? Oh no! If Boris finds out I'm gone he'll kill me!

So I ran all the way back to the Abbey, in ten minutes. Yeah I ran from the middle of the city to the outside of it. Well when you live in the Abbey you have to be at the peak of physical fitness.

I slowly sneaked pass the guards dressed in their black, bizarre outfits. You know for scary looking guys, they're not very smart. Anyone could get past them if they know the right way of doing it.

Running all the way down to the basement, I was back at the training facility room. The sight was horrendous; I looked on as the trainees hung above thousands of deadly snakes and vicious cobras. Even more trainees were strapped by their legs doing sit ups, pointed spikes just below their heads.

Everything about the Abbey was full of darkness. No beyblader here has ever made a smile, never laughed or had a single day of fun in their miserable lives. Here life is about perfecting our skills, making the perfect beyblade technique and defeating your enemies.

All because of two sick men, the lives of these children have been ruined. But it is up to some of us, who have remained strong, to help them through our captivity. Like me and some of my closest friends.

"Hey Pleo! You're back." I heard my redheaded friend; he welcomed me with a friendly glance with his icy blue eyes.

"Hello Tala."

"Where did you go off to this time? Do you know what would have happened to you if Boris noticed you were gone?" Questioned Tala, I swear that sometimes he worries too much about me. For the love of Beyblade he's not my brother! When will he get

that?

"No where special... and to answer your second question, I'm too quick for Boris to catch me." I spoke confidently. Tala smirked.

"You're too cocky Tachikawa. Some day Boris or Voltaire will catch you and you'll face the consequences." He said.

"Lighten up, as long as I'm careful Boris and Voltaire won't catch me." I told him.

"Whatever." Scoffed Tala. "So are you gonna stand there or give me a beybattle?"

A smirk curled my lips, as I confidently made my way to the beyblade dish. I took out my launcher and my most prized possession. My Frostic Dranzer!

"Let it rip!"

Our beyblades flew into the dish, knocking each other in the air. I was the first to land, which gave me the perfect opportunity to attack Tala's Wolfberg. But he wasn't going to take it so the wolf beast retaliated and charged at me.

The only thing I could do was to bring out my beautiful bit beast. She was a beautiful sky blue phoenix; her body embellished with ice that shined like diamonds. Her light turquoise feathers fluttered, as her wailing cry could be heard piercing the air.

"Attack Frostic Dranzer! Dance of Blizzards!" I cried as Frostic Dranzer rose through the air and came back down to earth in a whirlwind of snow and buried Wolfberg, stopping his blade from spinning.

"Damn it!" Tala screamed. "Beaten by a girl again!"

"Don't be sexist Tala!" I said narrowing my eyes at him. "What's the score Ian?"

A very short boy added another point to me on the scoreboard.

"100 to you Pleo and 100 to Tala. It's a tie!" Ian announced.

"A tie again?" Tala asked not believing what he heard. "Great, just great!" He said sarcastically folding his arms. I smiled at him, when Tala pretends to be mad, it's always funny.

"Not it isn't Tala!" A voice boomed the entire hall, sending a chill down every ones spine.

Boris!

"It is your job to become a successful beybladers so Voltaire can finally have world domination!" Boris exclaimed.

As usual he went on and on how we were the pawns in his plan to take over the world of Beyblade. I was sick of it. I was sick of being used by Boris. Everyone here was scared of him. Even me. Even Tala, though we tried not to show it, for the others sake.

Boris told Tala and me if we didn't defeat each other soon, he would make everyone else pay.

"So I don't want excuses! Your goal is to defeat the enemy! And nothing else! Is that clear?"

"Yes master Boris!" Were the words that bellowed through the air. I could sense Ian hiding behind me, not wanting to look into the eyes of our corrupt master. Unfortunately Boris saw this and took advantage of it.

"You!" He pointed at Ian. "Stop hiding behind that woman! Act like a man for once

in your life!"

I felt Ian grip tightly on my right arm, I could tell he was terrified. I wanted to do something, but I felt it would only make the situation worse. Ian still wouldn't come out from behind me, which made Boris more impatient.

"Am I going to have to make you come out Ian!" He bellowed, fiddling with a whip in-between his fingers.

"Ian, please do what Boris says." I begged in a whisper.

But Ian still wouldn't listen or speak a word; he was still paralysed by Boris's grotesque eyes that were burning into him.

"Well if you won't come out on your own, I'll just have to punish you…" Boris colourless, wintry lips made a creepy smile, showing his ghostly white teeth. Just to frighten Ian more Boris took a strike at the floor with the barbed rope.

"That's enough Boris!" I blared out loud. The sound of shocked gasps filled the room, I knew I was in trouble now.

"Pleo what have you done!" A harsh whisper came from Tala. Now I was the one having holes burned into me. Boris's ugly face was now fixed into a virulent glare, his eyes ablaze with rage.

"You dare to tell me what to do young lady?" Was all he said, in a cold tone of voice, which could send deleterious shivers down the most mighty of men.

I didn't utter a response; I felt my heart beating faster than it had in my life. I made quiet, sharp, rasping breaths; my body entire body was so cold that I couldn't move. My skin even turned whiter than it already was. That was how scared I was.

"Don't be shy to speak Ms. Tachikawa, you of all people shouldn't be afraid to speak their mind." Boris satirically commented.

My only reply to his shrill remark, was my famed death glare. But nothing could stop me from shaking uncontrollably and my breathing became louder. Boris started laughing like a mad man at my expense, he knew I was frightened and he was enjoying seeing me squirm. That's how he makes everyone suffer, by using mental torture.

"So now you won't speak." Chuckled Boris, with his arms crossed. "Well maybe you will learn not to talk back at your elders. But I will make sure you know your place, just so this doesn't happen again…"

Boris made his way towards me, now I knew what was coming. All I could do was stand there and glare and nothing else. The next thing I knew I was smacked across the face, so hard that I fell to the cold floor.

For a moment I was stunned into silence. I lay still on that chilly, solid floor; I did not dare to get up. You'd think one of these boys would have came and gave Boris a taste of his own medicine. But that would have only made things worse.

Boris left me there to suffer, an ugly sneer plastered on his face. As soon as he disappeared, everyone rushed to my side.

"You're bleeding." Tala calmly stated, while helping me to my feet. He was right; a small drop of blood came from my mouth, I could feel my cheek felt sore.

"Here Pleo, put this cloth to your face. It will stop the bleeding." A grey haired boy with silver eyes said, handing me the white and slightly damp rag.

"Thank you Alexander."

"Just wait till I get five minutes alone with Boris." grumbled a giant blonde boy in the corner, who wore goggles. "In fact I'll give our master a piece of my mind!"

"Don't Spencer!" I warned him.

"Yeah we've already got one beaten up person." Said Bryan, the stoic lavender haired boy.

I smirked. The Demolition Boys never had to try to be funny; they just were, and their antics always cheered me up. But I noticed one Demolition Boy, standing far away from all of us, with a guilty conscience.

"Ian!" I called. "What's the matter?"

When Ian heard me he jumped like he saw a ghost or something, the poor boy looked so sorrowful.

"Pleo, I almost got you killed!" He exclaimed.

"Ian, Boris only hit me around face, I think I'll survive."

"Yes but still… I'm sorry, I should have done what Boris told me to do! Then you wouldn't be hurt."

"Ian, really it's all right. Boris scares everyone. But next time, just do what he says and don't give him a reason to be angry with you." I told him. Luckily Ian's mischievous smile returned to his lips and got his unruly spirit back.

"I'll remember Pleo."

"Good."

The only thing keeping me from escaping this place, are my friends. They need me; I know it. They may seem tough and scary but underneath that they have hearts of gold.

If only everyone else could see that…

"Alexander!" One of the guards called. "Boris requests that you speak to him now!"

Alexander quivered at the thought of being alone with Boris. But he followed orders anyway.

"Yes sir."

Alexander gave us one final look, as if it was the last time he'd see us. Then finally left the training area. Everyone thought something awful would happen to our friend, but that did not happen till later.

An hour had passed since Alexander left; I was beginning to get worried. But Tala assured me he would be Ok. But no one can be Ok, not with Boris.

Just as I was going to go look for him, Alexander appeared again, smiling. It was strange; I've never seen Alexander smile before. Well I've never seen him make a wide happy grin before.

"Alexander!" I called. "What did Boris want with you?"

"I have great news!" He said, you could tell he was excited, it was like he had been on sugar.

"What is it?" Tala asked suspiciously.

"Boris said that if I win a battle against one beyblader, he'll let me go home!" Alexander said.

"What!" Spencer blurted out.

"It's true! He said if I could defeat a beyblader he picks from the street, he'll give me my freedom!"

"Are you sure Alexander?" I asked.

"Yes Pleo, I've never been more sure in my life!"

"What if he's lying?" Snapped Tala. "Alexander you know Boris never keeps his word. He's got something up his sleeve, I'm sure of it. You don't think Boris would really let you go? Would you?"

You could now see the seriousness in Alexander's face. His eyes were intense, full of calm. He wasn't angry, just trying to prove his point.

"I know Tala. But, I have to take this chance. Even if Boris doesn't keep his promise, at least I know I never gave up hope of escaping."

Everyone was stunned into silence. Nobody dared to give a reply. Not even me.

"I'll see if I can get you guys out of here too. Wish me luck."

Just as Alexander was about to leave to train for his battle, he felt someone's strong grip on his shoulder. He looked behind him to see me, with a warm smile on my face.

"I'm sure you won't need it."

He started smiling too. Everyone in the area surrounded us giving Alexander praise.

"Just be careful Ok." Tala warned, his icy blue eyes showed how deadly serious he was about it too.

"I will."

"And kick this wannabe beyblader's butt!" Joked Ian; you could hear everyone trying to hold back their laughter. Even Tala and I started giggling; it was the crude comments Ian made that helped us keep our sense of humour.

"Shhh!" A chuckling Bryan chided. "Boris will hear."

"Screw Boris!" Ian remarked again, causing everyone to burst out laughing again.

"Ian stop it! Or the guards will come and shut us up!" I mumbled; I had to cover my mouth so I could stop myself laughing like a hyena.

"Sorry." He said with his innocent act. But I could see past it.

"I'll miss these moments." Alexander sadly said. He was very sensitive person, so he was easily upset about leaving all his friends behind.

"Don't worry Alexander, I'm sure we'll see each other again." I said. I didn't really believe it, but who knows, fate has strange ways of bringing people together again and separating them. Like Kai and me …

"Alexander!" A guard dressed in dark purple approached him, and grabbed him by the arm. "Boris has brought your opponent, get ready for your match!"

Alexander nodded.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye."

"If you win that is." Tala abruptly commented. I knew Alexander was used to it, but I punched Tala in the arm anyway. It was my way of telling him 'Don't be mean!'

"We know you will." I added.

"Send us a postcard. Oh and if its not much trouble could you sneak us out?" Spencer asked.

Alexander chuckled, "I'll try."

"It was nice knowing you." Bryan simply said.

"Adios!" Ian said waving goodbye.

"GET MOVING!" The guard screamed dragging Alexander by the arm. But he was still smiling; I was overjoyed to see him so happy.

"Who do you think he'll be facing?" Bryan asked.

"I'm not sure. Probably just some amateur from the street, why don't we go see up on the balcony?" Tala suggested. Outside the abbey, there was this place where we called the 'arena' where the biggest battles happened. Only the star beybladers could watch from the balcony, like the Demolition boys and me.

We spotted Alexander from there, who looked very nervous, actually nervous wasn't the word for what he was feeling. It was weird, he seemed so confident just a minute ago.

"Oh no." Tala mumbled.

"What is it?"

"Look who Alex is battling…"

I looked in Tala's direction. My eyes widened to the size of huge melons. It was the Tyson from the Bladebreakers! Boris knew Alexander would never have a chance at beating Tyson, he was a good beyblader, but he did not gain enough skill to defeat a pro.

But I was about to get a surprise of my own. When I looked further I saw a familiar face. It was the boy from this morning! The arrogant bluenette with the blue shark fin strips on his face. I heard a growl coming from Tala and I turned to him.

"What's the matter with you?" I asked.

"Nothing!" He snapped. "He's got a lot of nerve coming back!"

The cold boy was keeping something from me. I could tell by the way he kept so quiet and didn't say anything during the match. Alexander had tried his best, he had almost beaten Tyson Granger, but the dark skinned boy took victory at the jaws of defeat. Thanks to the mysterious bluenette. But for poor Alexander, he was about to loose everything, and not just his dignity. The next thing we knew, Boris completely destroyed Alexander's beyblade, reducing it to piles of scrap. It was the most heartbreaking scene, seeing Alexander's face. I could have cried…

It was nearly dark; everything was quiet. Tala and me were yet again sneaking around the abbey, avoiding all the guards, and you know by now. It was kind of a game for my redheaded friend and me, to see if we didn't get caught and to get a bit of an adrenaline rush.

But tonight we weren't doing this for fun. Down below the abbey, nothing could compare to the horror that happened above. Bitbeasts were experimented on or artificially made, torture chambers were built for when you got on Boris's wrong side. But the scariest part of the basement was the dungeons. There was nothing but darkness; you couldn't even see the back of your hand. If you a lost beyblade match in public, this is where you would go. You would be starved for a week; take daily visits in the torture chamber and take taunts from Boris and his watchman.

I knew this because I had to nurse the victims' back to health, but even after I healed them, they were never the same.

I breathed heavily, why you ask? You'll find out now.

"Nervous Tachikawa?" Tala asked.

"No." I simply replied.

"Come one Pleo, I know you're afraid of the dark."

"What makes you think that?" I asked.

"I've known you since we were children, you always hated total darkness. You also leave a candle on every time you go to sleep." What Tala said was true.

Ever since I can remember I was afraid of the dark. There was only one thing that stopped me from panicking in the dark was having a light (Duh!) or having a close friend near by.

"I hate you sometimes." I quietly said. I didn't mean it (obviously), so all Tala did was make his trademark smirk. Even in the dark I could recognise it.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of. We're all scared of something, even me." He admitted.

"Tala, I am not scared of anything." I lied.

"That's what we all like to think Pleo. But no matter what, there's always going to be something that will haunt us." Tala coolly replied. I didn't speak another word. Who knew Tala was such a poet? Anyway, the rest of the way we were stayed silent.

We reached the dark, gloomy dungeons and found a prison cell. Behind the bars was a broken hearted Alexander, his skin was paler then ever and he was started to get thinner. He was caged like an animal. The poor boy looked so depressed, all of the spirit he had left was gone. This was one of the reasons I hated Boris so much!

"Alexander!" Tala called.

Alexander slightly tilted his head towards us. His face was so emotionless; his eyes lost their spark, it was like his soul was taken by the devil himself.

"T-Tala… P-Pleo?" He stuttered.

"Yes it's us Alex." I said. Alexander broke down in tears, but he wasn't sad. He was just glad to see some friendly faces.

"Oh please don't cry Alexander." I begged. I took out from my rucksack a large loaf of bread. "Here, eat this."

I handed the bread to Alexander and he grabbed it and stuffed down his mouth like a hungry dog. Thankfully he stopped crying.

"So has Boris punished you yet?" Tala asked. Alexander finished his short meal, licking his fingers and stared up at the Demolition Boy's leader.

"Not yet, but he said tomorrow morning I would have to do intensive training to make up for my loss."

"Intensive training meaning torture?" Tala asked, Alexander nodded.

It was so unfair how Boris tricked Alexander, raising his hopes like that.

I will get revenge Boris I swear. You and Voltaire will rot in hell!

"I'm never going to get out of here am I?" Alexander said, not really expecting an answer.

"Don't worry, we'll free you." I said. "After we've done that you can run away. I swear on my life, you will have your freedom."

I felt Tala grab my arm and made me face him.

"What the hell has gotten into you?" He snarled, making sure Alexander couldn't hear.

"Nothing. I am just trying to help a friend."

"I don't like seeing him in there either, but trying to break him out! That's crazy!"

"It's worth a try. If we help him escape during the world finals, Boris and Voltaire will be too busy to notice that Alexander is gone, and by the time they do, he'll be long gone!" I explained. Tala looked at me as if I was crazy but he said.

"Pleo Tachikawa. This must be the craziest, the most stupid, dangerous idea I've ever heard. But it's brilliant!" Tala said smirking. "Tachikawa, we've got some planning to do!"

"Hooray!" Alexander cheered weakly.

"Don't use too much of your strength Alexander, you'll need it." Tala chided.

"I'll come back and sneak you some breakfast in the morning Alex." I said.

"Ok. But when are you going to break me out?" He asked.

"As soon as we can." I told him. Suddenly a huge crash came from round the corner, from one of the clumsy guards. "Uh oh, we better get going. We'll see you tomorrow Alexander."

"HEY! WHO'S THERE!" Screamed the guard, Tala and me ran out of there as fast as we could, so we wouldn't end up like Alexander. We could hear a group of the guards' thundering steps behind us, I was sure we would be caught.

"We're not going to make!" I panicked, I was beginning to feel so tired, if I wasn't deprived of sleep I could have run out all of the guards by now.

"Not going to make it my ass!" Tala shouted grabbing my arm again and we jumped out the window. I would have screamed all the way down to the ground, but I had lost my voice. Tala and me speedily flew, I thought we would hit the frozen, hard floor, I closed my eyes in fear.

But I realised I had stopped falling. I was sitting on something soft yet prickly. I opened my eyes and saw I had landed on a bush garden.

"Tala?" I called.

At first I worried that Tala might have fallen and been hurt. But then,

"Hey Pleo! Wasn't that exciting?" I saw Tala; safe and sound laid on a rose bush.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" I screamed, now I was fuming. But Tala wasn't scared of my rage; he just smirked at me and pulled me out of the bush garden.

"Next time you jump out of a window, make sure you don't grab me with you!"

Tala started chuckling hysterically, not in my entire life have I seen him like this. Well, not since we were 13.

"Heh, let's go back to our dorm's before the guards come after us… Tachikawa? Pleo? Pleo are you Ok?"

I said nothing. All I did was stand there, as if I was a frozen statue. It had been such a long time since I was last here. Right next to the huge oak tree was the ice coated river, where I almost died.

FLASH BACK

It happened when I was only eleven years old; I was ice skating on the same river, making my way gracefully across the ice. Several people applauded my performance on the ice, but my fifteen minutes of fame was short lived.

"Nice moves Pleo!" Cheered Spencer.

"She's doing well for a beginner." Commented Tala.

"Hn, yeah and great at showing off too." An arrogant yet handsome boy snapped.

"You're just jealous Kai! Because every time you come on the ice you fall flat on your butt!" I laughed.

"Whatever." Kai calmly said with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. I tried winding him up by sticking my tongue out at him, but Kai still didn't do anything.

Me and Kai were always competing with each other, if it wasn't at beyblade, it was ice skating, if it wasn't ice skating it was chess and etc. you get the idea. We'd always look for reasons to fight, but after that day Kai became my best friend.

As I danced across the ice I failed to notice the crack in the diamond-paved floor; I jumped up and spun around in the air landing on the broken ice. I heard the sound of crackling beneath my feet, I thought it was nothing. But before I knew it, I was falling through the ice and under water.

I couldn't swim, so I kept sinking through the freezing water. I violently move my arms and legs about to reach the surface but failed, the only thing I could do was panic. My whole body felt a thousand knives were stabbing into me from the unforgiving cold. I thought I was going to die.

But then I could feel a strong pair of arms wrapped round my waist; I knew it was my saviour. He dragged me up to the surface, swimming us to safety. I could breathe air again; my hero carefully carried me in his arms and gently laid me on the snowy floor.

I opened my eyes to the least likely person who would have cared to rescue me. He was kneeling by my side and his hand on my shoulder, making sure I was Ok. His enchanting eyes were full of concern.

"Kai!" I wailed; I pulled him into my arms as I cried into his chest. I had no idea why I did that, but when I asked Tala why I hugged Kai, he said it was because I was in distress. But Bryan always teased me about it, saying I was in love with Kai. Kai and me beat him up that day, so he never spoke of it again.

I was shocked by the next move Kai made, he had responded to my embrace, holding so close. I could feel my cheeks burn hotly. It was a miracle no one saw though. Kai had one hand on my head, caressing it whispering short yet comforting words.

"It's all right now Pleo. You don't have to be scared anymore." Kai cooed.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Earth to Pleo! Are you there?" Tala's voice boomed through my head, breaking me back from my thoughts.

"Oh sorry Tala…"

"Are you all right? You seemed like you were in deep space." Tala commented.

"No I'm fine." I lied.

"Ok, but you can always tell me if something is on your mind." Tala said making a rare smile. How does he do that?

"Sure Tala." I smiled. He went ahead of me as I sauntered behind. Why can't I stop thinking about Kai? It's been so long ago since he left; I should be over him by now. Damn that boy from the street, now Kai is all I can think about! Sigh I just wish he'd come back.

Kai… since you've been gone, I haven't stopped thinking about you. When you were around, I never had to be afraid. But now… I'm scared for my life every single day…

End of Chapter Two

Z Star: Yay! I thought I'd never finish this chapter before going to Ireland!

Raven: YAY!

Kai: I HATE YOU BOTH!

Z Star: Aww, we love you too Kai!

Kai: NO YOU DON'T!

Raven: Yes we do!

Kai: NO! YOU! DON'T!

Z Star: Just leave him Raven, I'll be in Ireland by the time this argument finishes.

Raven: Ok.

Z Star: Please review and tell me what you think of my character Pleo. I'm sorry to leave you all so soon, but I'll be back on Tuesday. See you!

Raven: Bye for now!

Kai: HELP ME!

Z Star: And sorry the Demolition Boys were OOC, but I wanted to show their lighter side and prove they have a heart.

Reviews:

Crimson Eye: Thank you for the compliment and adding the story to you're favourites list. I thought no one would review this fic until you came along. I hope you liked this chapter.

Maresia Eterna: Thanks for emailing a review. I believe I already sent a reply:) Thanks for you're support!