Thanks to Dark-Princess0923 and NorthernShinigami for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.

Chapter 49: Hostage

Oliver opened his eyes. His vision was, finally, no longer blurry. And the whisper was no longer demanding.

But he was still not alone. Five of the other Princes were still there, watching him.

"You're stronger than our hosts were," Lilith said. "It would seem we need a new approach."

Before he could ask, two more figures came into view, one that was far too familiar to him.

"Enrique!"

…..

Amphilyon frowned. Something was not right.

He nodded his head to Unicolyon, who had moved to stand next to him. The unicorn Bitbeast looked on edge, but that was understandable. The same expression was on Driger's face.

He looked over towards Black Dranzer, who was being led by Dranzer. It would seem that at least one of the Dark Bitbeasts had agreed to help. It was better than nothing.

His thoughts drifted to his own master, and he couldn't help but worry. He had insisted to go along, but the human had denied the offer. But he had a feeling that the other needed his help. And besides, he should have returned by now.

So, with a firm resolve and a feeling of dread, he separated from the rest of the group, following Enrique's scent. And with every step he took, the feeling of dread grew.

…..

Enrique stared at his friend in shock. When the French boy had seen his friend, he had attempted to lunge at Enrique, wanting to rush to his friend's side. He was grabbed by one of the others.

Enrique was enraged when he saw what state his friend was in. Oliver was extremely pale, and sweat covered his face. Enrique noticed a few blond strands in the normally green locks, and there were hints of blue in his eyes.

"Let him go," Enrique demanded.

"Quiet," the one that held him hissed, tightening his hold.

"This is how it's going to work," a boy with red-purple hair and green eyes said, eyes trained on Oliver. "Since we don't have time, or patience, to wait for Lucifer to wake up, and since there are still some things that we need to do, you will help us with the bit of Lucifer that you can access. Because if you don't…"

The one that held the blond moved one hand to his neck, and Enrique could feel five sharp blade-like objects causing indents on his throat. Knowing that there was nothing in the other's hand prior to this situation, and seeing Oliver's terrified expression, he could only assume that what he felt at his neck were claws.

"I think you get the point," one with red hair said.

Enrique could see Oliver begin to tremble, and there was conflict in his eyes.

"Don't!" Enrique shouted.

"I told you," the one holding him said, "be quiet."

The pressure on his neck increased, simultaneously choking him and piercing his throat.

The action caused more fear to enter Oliver's eyes.

…..

Amphilyon followed the trail, pleased to know that the scent was getting stronger, but worried nonetheless that the scent didn't seem too recent, and seemed to only be leading to a point, and not the source of the scent.

Turning a corner, he paused. A new scent assaulted his senses, one that he did not recognise, but the scent…

It was neither human nor Bitbeast, but something much more sinister.

Feeling cold, he raced towards where Enrique's scent was strongest, worried because the other scent was intermingling with his master's.

He stopped when he reached the point where the scent was strongest. Enrique was nowhere in sight, and the scent had already started to fade.

And now, worry, pure and simple, washed over him.

They had taken his master.

…..

Oliver stared in fear at his best friend. He could already see a few beads of blood blossoming around where the claws were being held against the blonde's neck. He could also see Enrique wince in pain.

"Please," Oliver whimpered. "Don't hurt him. Please."

"Then all we ask is your cooperation," another harsh voice whispered in his ear.

Oliver let out a sob, and only then did he notice that tears had begun to fall.

Slowly, hating himself all the while, he nodded his head.

"Alright," Oliver whispered. "Just, please, leave him alone."

…..

Amphilyon hurriedly made his way back to the others. He had to tell them what he found, or didn't find.

He had to tell them about his master being taken captive as well.

…..

Enrique was taken to a separate room, where he would be out of the way, but still close enough to be brought in order to keep Oliver in line.

As he was dragged to his new quarters, he noticed that they were in a mansion, or perhaps a castle, with stone walls. Based on the architecture, he would venture a guess that they were somewhere in Europe, which was a bad thing, considering the fact that they used to be in America.

Unfortunately, he couldn't tell exactly where.

His room was, surprisingly, well furnished, with a four-poster bed with red sheets, a mahogany dresser, a deep red rug and a black couch. The window was large and, to his chagrin, barred.

He didn't know what they wanted Oliver to do, but he knew that he needed to get his friend out of there, and he needed to get that wretched medallion as far away from Oliver as possible. He could already see that it was doing something to him. Something extremely bad.

And he didn't even have Amphilyon with him. So, how could he get them out of there?

…..

Phantom Driger was stalking through the halls. He couldn't exactly return where the others were – too many Bitbeasts – and he had nothing else to do. He promised a bloodbath, but it would have to be kept on hold.

He frowned, thinking back to what he had witnessed earlier. Why would the Princes of Hell need a hostage to help them convince little Oliver if he was on his way to become a fellow Prince regardless, especially around the others?

Unless, of course, Oliver was putting up more of a fight. But it still didn't make sense. After all, they had all the time in the world. So why would they need to rush things?

He felt a chill go down his spine, and he knew that he was no longer alone. And like a bolt of lightning, he realised what kind of dilemma he was in.

He turned slowly to face his guests.

'Hello, Phantom Driger,' Lucia said, her voice filled with venom.

…..

"Please tell me you're kidding," Tyson groaned.

"No," Amphilyon said. "They have taken Enrique as well."

"But why?" Galux asked. "I mean, Lucifer's going to awaken soon, and Oliver's his host. So why take Enrique?"

Kitsune frowned, before she exchanged a glance with Dea.

"I don't know," she said. "But I think I know someone that might be able to enlighten us."

"Let's just hope he'd be willing to help us," Dea sighed.

…..

"Well, well," Phantom Driger said, looking at the Dark Bitbeasts around him. "Lucia. How may I help you?"

'You know what we want,' Mordred said. 'Where is it?'

"I don't have it," Phantom Driger said. "Oliver does. And he's in the clutches of the Princes of Hell. So, good luck getting to him."

A hand found itself around his neck, the grip tight. While he, the Bitbeast, is in no danger, he had no interest in letting his pet die. He still had business to take care of.

'If our plans go to waste,' Mordred snarled, 'then yours will as well.'

'Don't forget the fact that you're currently in a mortal body,' Lucia said. 'Now, we want the truth. Where is the medallion?'

"I told you," Phantom Driger snarled, "the Princes of Hell have him. Lucifer is awakening, and it seems he chose little Oliver as his new host."

The grip tightened.

'Then if we can't have what we want,' Lucia said, 'you won't get what you've wanted for all this time.'

…..

Ray was having trouble breathing. He didn't know what was going on, but it almost felt as though his throat was being constricted.

"Phantom Driger!" Ray called. "What are you doing?"

'It's not my doing,' the Dark Bitbeast said. 'It seems there's a little snag. I really don't want to do this, but I don't think I have any other choice.'

Before Ray could ask what he meant, there was a flash of white before everything faded to black.

…..

Pegolyon teleported to a deserted location, far from any humans. If he wanted to play his cards right, then he needed to first find his target, and then find out what they were doing. And then manoeuvre himself into a position where he could still have influence.

He sat down, closing his eyes, letting the energy fill him. Letting the visions fill him.

And what he saw did not bode well, no matter from which perspective he looked at it.

…..

Oliver's head was still pounding. For now, Lucifer seemed to have quieted down. But for how long?

Lilith approached him, her face in a wide smile.

"We're going to need you to repeat these words: Pestilentia, et remittat."

Oliver remained silent, and Lilith frowned.

"We could always bring your friend," Lilith said. "I'm sure one of us would like to play."

Oliver shuddered.

"Pestilentia," he whispered, "et remittat."

"Good," Lilith said. "Devolvatin peste."

"Devolvatin peste," Oliver whispered.

He knew that something bad was happening when he saw the medallion around his neck was glowing.