RTC: Hi, I'm back! Sorry about the lack of enthusiasm, but I'm a bit worn out and drained from writing this and a chapter for my other fic in a few hours. Yikes! That's what Happens when you leave things until the last minute, I guess.

Kai: Great, she's back. I keep hoping she'll forget about this fic.

Kari: Awe, that's not very nice. You know she's stressed out a bit.

Kai: Who's side are you on anyway?

Kari: Nobody's. I just think you and RTC could be nicer, but since she's... Okay, I can't describe her mood, but it's not the greatest. So I'm not going to offend her. (Besides, she seems to have it in for me at the moment.)

RTC: Thank you. Disclaimer please.

Kai: Last time I checked, Ray-Tiger-Cat did not own Beyblade.

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Plan Up In Smoke

"I can't believe we're actually doing this, Alex," Ryan whined.

"Are you afraid? Because I think we all are," Alex replied. The four boys were in their room, gathering up all their items. They each had a small backpack and they packed the stuff in there. They successfully managed to get out of the room and to the roof of the abbey without alerting anyone.

"Looks like we're clear," Scott mumbled.

"Okay, it's now or never. Let's go!" Alex said, trying to conceal his fear. He took out a long rope made from sheets and other odd items and attached it to the roof. "So, who's first?" When no one volunteered, Alex started climbing down the rope himself, praying that it was long and strong enough to get him to the ground. Thankfully, the rope held and Alex was crouched at the base of the building. "Come on, it's not that bad." He understood the fear of climbing down a three story building, it was natural. Slowly and carefully, his friends came down and settled next to Alex.

"Now comes the dangerous part," Athrun whispered, "Running across the yard while insane guards will try to shoot you and make it over the fence.

"Yeah, on your mark, get set, go!" Ryan ordered before they could lose their nerve. As it happened, he was the slowest in the group. As Athrun had predicted, the guards spotted them and opened fire.

"NO!" screamed Alex. He had been shot in the shoulder. Ryan immediately ran over and grabbed him. Both Athrun and Scott had almost reached the fence. They turned back, but Alex told them to keep going. Ryan practically dragged Alex to the fence.

"Come on, you have to climb!" Ryan ordered.

"I'm trying. I really am," Alex mumbled. The other two were almost over the fence, but suddenly, Athrun got shot. He fell off the fence and landed in a bloody heap on the ground. He was dead.

"NO!" the other three boys shouted. It was very unnerving to see a friend die.

"Let's go, Alex," Ryan said. Suddenly he got shot too.

"Ryan! Get up!" Alex screamed.

"Leave, we are not all going to be killed like this. Go and try to save yourself."

"No way!"

"Well, Athrun and I will die no matter what, but you have a chance to live. Besides, this way, you can report Boris and save the other children. Go! It's my dying wish. Please?"

"Okay," Alex said with tears running down his cheeks fast. He clambered over the fence, sheer determination driving him to do as his first and best friend in the world had asked. He and Scott made it out alive and got to the airport; Scott having bandaged Alex's shoulder and carrying him all the way there. When they tried to call Scott's grandmother, they got an unpleasant surprise.

"Didn't you know? That lady was murdered a few years ago and we couldn't find the killer," said her maid, who had stayed in the house working for another family. Both boys were left to wonder what they could possibly do now.

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RTC: Okay, so the part where Ryan died was over dramatic. I know that. And I know, it's way too short, but I'm feeling really tired and have a case of writer's block, so I'll leave it there. Besides, I like cliffies. Bye for now!