Author's Note: Hello, ladies and gentlemen!

Thanks to a certain Midnight1336, I'm back with a new chapter! :D

What exactly is going to happen, you ask?

Well, this more-so depends on you guys. I've decided this will be a 'testing' chapter. Sort of continue on with Beast-Boy's animalistic side in sort of a "Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde" kind of thing, like the Beast is trying to take control of him.

If you guys like how it is, I'll keep it. If you don't, tell me what you don't like, and I'll make sure to change it.

I hope you all enjoy it!

Your friend, Cody.


The stipulation was simple: if they won, Gar would be released. If they lost, Gar would have to stay. They barely made it through the fight, and almost lost Richard. But thanks to Cyborg and his newly-created "Sonic Cannon," as he liked to call it, Plasmus was defeated. That just meant one thing...

Gar was free.

At least from The Crypt.

In any event, his friends were elated. They were standing in front of The Crypt entrance, underneath the arena, waiting for their friend to emerge. Even though it had only been just a few minutes, it felt as though it was taking forever. They were starting to get worried. And the dim lighting, along with a few blood spots on the wall, didn't exactly ease the mood.

"Do you think he made it?" Cyborg wondered.

"I hope so." Richard answered.

"I do hope our friend is well." said a worried Kori, her hands laced together, "This place is most unsettling."

"I'm sure he's fine." Rachel assured her friends, but in truth, she was worried herself. She couldn't explain why, but she was.

It was then the doors to The Crypt began to open. They watched the guards exit through first, not paying any attention to the four of them as they past through. After the guards left, Gar finally appeared.

"Gar!" Richard called out excitedly.

They were about to run and hug Gar to celebrate his release, but something stopped them. Their smiles disappeared into questionable expressions. Gar exited The Crypt, but there was no smile, no cheerful disposition, just a frown and cold demeanor. He didn't even seem to notice the others as he walked past them. That, or he just didn't care.

"Uh, Gar?" Richard spoke.

"You okay?" Cyborg asked.

Gar payed no mind to them as he walked through.

"Have any good freak-outs lately?" Rachel asked.

That made Gar stop, and turn back to come face-to-face with Rachel.

"I just got sick of being pushed around."

With that, Gar silently stormed off from his friends, leaving them in a mix of confusion, and worry.


Brother Blood sat in his swivel chair, an irritated look on his face. He stared across the desk at Gar, who looked rather uninterested in being in Blood's office. He knew why he was here, too. Apparently, the Master from The Crypt spoke to the guards of what happened before releasing Gar. In turn, the guards told Brother Blood.

And now, here they were, face-to-face.

"I have heard stories of your fight in The Crypt, Gar. Or is it Beast-Boy now? I have to say, I like that very much."

Gar, or Beast-Boy, stood there with his arms crossed, replying flatly, "Whatever."

"And might I say, I have heard many tales from The Crypt, but none as great as yours!" Blood stood up from his chair, arms raised in the air, "Setting people on fire! Crushing them with your bare hands! Even severing Wildebeest's head! It's marvelous!"

"I did what I had to do."

Blood placed his hands on his desk, "But I agree! The Crypt is filled with some of the worst prisoner's I've had. It was about time someone took them out." he then smiled, "And I look forward to seeing it for myself."

Beast-Boy's eyes furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"I have already planned for you to fight in the arena. Tonight, so you have enough rest."

A half-smile grew on Beast-Boy, "I can't wait."

Beast-Boy was about to walk out of the office, but Blood had one more thing in mind.

"Before you go." Beast-Boy looked turned around, and saw three stacks of money sitting on the desk. "Claim your reward. Both are for you and your friends. It may not be enough for your freedom just yet, but I'm sure you will manage."

Beast-Boy walked over to the desk. He picked up the stack of money on the right. It wasn't like Cyborg's earlier winning, where it was just $10. No, this was an actual stack... in $5's. He counted them together, and it was $50. He averted his eyes to Blood.

"Thanks. I'll make sure they get them." he said, taking the other two stacks with him out the door.

Beast-Boy closed the door behind him, finally out of Brother Blood's sight. Finally, he was out of there.

Now... what to do with the money? he asked himself as he walked down the hall.

Keep the money.

Beast-Boy stopped in his tracks once he heard someone spoke. It wasn't Rachel, it was too low, too... growling.

Why should you share your wealth with the likes of them?

There it was again! Beast-Boy looked in every direction to find the voice, but there was no-one there.

"Who's there?" he called out. There was no answer. He sighed, "I must be hearing things."

But just to be sure, he decided to go to the restroom to splash his face, get his head clear. After turning the water on, he cupped the water in his now bare hands and threw it against his face. He let the cold relaxing liquid wash away whatever paranoia he was having. What was that voice? he wondered. He turned the faucet off, and rested his hands on the granite counter, watching the water swirl down the drain like a whirlpool. He felt a little better now, no more voices again.

So far, so good.

But once he got a look of himself in the mirror, Beast-Boy immediately turned around. He thought he saw something. Something Beast-like? Smiling at him? No, no. That can't be. Now he's seeing things? Are you serious?

They won their money in the arena, while you sat in a hospitable bed. It isn't fair, is it?

There it was again! Who the hell was that!?

"Hello?" Beast-Boy called out again, and like before, there was no answer. Now, he was starting to get a little more paranoid.

It's probably Cyborg playing a trick on me, he thought bitterly.

"Cyborg, this isn't funny! Come out, now!" he received no answer. "Cyborg!" nothing but silen...

Poor, poor Beast-Boy.

The voice spoke again!

Beast-Boy quickly turned around to look in the mirror... and what he saw... he couldn't believe.

It was the Beast.

Your friends only think of themselves. While you lied there in that hospital bed, they decided to fight for their own freedom. While you were down there in The Crypt, suffering the way you were, they only cared about themselves! I gave you the strength to destroy your opponents. I gave you the means to persevere. Why should you share the wealth of those who betrayed you, when your freedom is just around the corner?

He looked at the trio of money-stacks laying on the counter. One for him, one for Cyborg, and one for Richard. He did say he would give them to Cyborg and Richard... but why should he? While they were out fighting, he was in a hospital bed! Why should they get rewards for fighting in an arena, while he fought through Hell?! It wasn't fair!

It isn't fair, he thought. I deserve this money! Not them!

Beast-Boy clenched the money in his hands with anger. He wasn't going to let them take what he deserved the most! He took each stack of money, and hid them inside his jacket pocket.

He wasn't about to let his freedom slip away.