A/N: Hey all, not much to say except that this one is probably a hard hitter like its prequel. Please read the warning and consider carefully before continuing, though admittedly, it's considerably more mild than the first one.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Warning: Mature themes, heavy topics (abuse, character death, heart-wrenchers...), possible triggers. Consider carefully before reading.

"Tala Ivanov; you are here-by accused of the murder of Boris Balkov. How do you plead?"

"Guilty."

A collective gasp was heard around the large court room as Tala spoke without hesitation, his face set into an emotionless expression and his lips a thin line on his face.

Just as shocked as the people around him, the Judge stared at Tala with a slightly bewildered expression. Finally getting his bearings, he shook his head and straightened in his seat, a deep frown on his face.

"Yes, well... Tala Ivanov, you are hear-by charged with second-degree murder and sentenced-"

"Wait!"

The Judge paused in surprise, then frowned when he saw Stanley Dickinson getting to his feet from the bench directly behind the redhead.

"There's nothing else to be said." The Judge said firmly and solemnly. "He admitted to the crime, there's nothing else I can do."

The short, stout man frowned up at the middle-aged looking Judge and his eyes shone with a mix of emotions.

"Your Honour, if I might inquire, you have a daughter don't you? Very young I believe?"

The Judge's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous expression on his features to warn the elder man not to over-step his bounds.

"Yes, I do. But that's no ones business and has nothing to do with this case."

The Judge lifted his hammer again and opened his mouth but the small man below him interrupted a second time.

"Please your Honour!" Mr. Dickinson pleaded. "How badly would it wound your heart if the same thing that happened to these poor boys, happened to your daughter?"

The Judge's face darkened dangerously but Mr. Dickinson simply kept his gaze. The Judge frowned and unconsciously looked up at the three boys in the seats behind the redhead, then his eyes fell on Tala. His expression softened ever so slightly as he took in the redhead's stoic, serious, and seemingly emotionless face. But one look into the sapphire orbs told the man that the appearance was all a facade, this was a beaten and broken young man and a terrible, despicable and gut-wrenching crime had been committed against him. The Judges heart went out to the boy.

Finally he looked back down at Mr. Dickinson and his frowned deepened.

"An unspeakable crime has been committed against these young men..." He said softly. "What that beast did to them was far worse then what was done to him... And off the record; he undoubtedly deserved far worse."

The Judge paused and stared at his hands for a moment before swallowing hard, a deep frown on his face, and looking back up at the elderly man with a hard expression but sympathetic eyes.

"But even so, the law is the law. As I've already said old friend, there's nothing more I can do."

Again the Judge raised his gavel but the elder man below him stopped him for a third time.

"Look around!" He said desperately. "Who has shown for that evil man? No one! No one has taken his side and no one believes that these poor boys should be punished for what they've been through. Please, just hear their story."

The Judge again looked down at Tala, who's face was still emotionless, but his body was tense and the Judge's heart lurched painfully. With a heavy sigh he sat back in his seat with a deep and heavy frown.

"Very well." He said softly, his voice barely audible. "Speak son."

A deep frown creased Tala's face. This was what he'd wanted, what he'd been waiting for, what he'd vowed to do. But now being faced with the task of accounting their morbid tale, he found he was again terrified. The thought of speaking against Boris still terrified him.

Suddenly something in the redhead's peripheral vision caught his eye and his head immediately snapped to the side to look at it. He was sure he'd seen a flash of purple, but looking there now, he saw nothing. A cold shiver ran down the Russian young man's spine. Boris was there, he knew he was. He was there to taunt Tala, to scare him into keeping his mouth shut. Even after death, Boris was still torturing him, daring him to tell the truth under pain of consequence.

Tala's face paled.

Eventually, after a very long silence, Tala jumped as a hand was placed on his shoulder. He looked at the hand, then up into the face of Mr. Dickinson. The man gave him a reassuring smile.

"Go ahead son, you deserve to be heard... your story deserves to be heard."

Tala swallowed hard and looked back at the spot he'd thought he'd seen Boris. He stared there for a few moments before finally straightening in his seat. He was traumatised, it was normal for him to see things, and he knew he'd probably see the vile man for the rest of his life. But that shouldn't stop him, he couldn't let it.

Boris was dead. Gone. He couldn't hurt Tala or his friends - or anyone else - ever again. Now it was time for Tala to take his true revenge.

Tala turned back to the Judge and looked deep into his eyes.

"You want to hear a story?" He asked coldly. "Fine. I'll tell you a story."

"Don't forget Tala, your team is depending on you. You'll get a nice reward if you win. However, if you loose..."

A cold shiver ran down Tala's spine as Boris hissed in his ear, his voice trailing off suggestively at the end. The man pulled away from him, knowing his words had sunk in, and walked confidently away to leave Tala alone in the locker room.

Tala stared ahead of him for a long while, his body rim-rod straight and stiff as beads of sweat dotted his forehead. He knew exactly what the purple-haired man meant. They had a match against the Bladebreakers, one that determined the winners of the tournament. The deal was; if Tala won his match, and that resulted in the victory of his team, then Boris wouldn't visit them that night. If he lost however, even if his team still won, there would be dire consequences, and Tala knew exactly what they were.

The loud voice filtering through the speakers overhead snapped the redhead out of his trance.

"The final match of the tournament is about to start, so if you're still getting your snackage and you don't wanna miss any action, then I suggest you hightail it back into the stadium ASAP, cause this next match promises to be intense!"

Tala snorted humorlessly at the voice. Intense it would be, but more-so for him and his teammates then anyone else in the building. With a hard swallow, Tala forced his legs to move and finally exit the locker room.

-;-

Tala took his place on the edge of the beydish, his eyes focusing on the bowl instead of his opponent as he set up his blade and launcher. Unfortunately, his opponent refused to be ignored.

"No matter what kind of past we shared together, I won't ease up. I'm coming at you with everything I've got Tala."

A deep frown creased Tala's face as he looked up into the familiar face across him.

"I expect you to Kai." He said as calmly as he could, unable to force the confidence he usually held into his voice. "But so will I. My need to win is greater then yours. I can't lose this match."

Kai's eyes narrowed slightly, noting the loss of confidence in his ex-teammate's face and feeling there was something he was missing. Still, he didn't plan on loosing, no matter what - he just hoped the meaning behind Tala's words wasn't dire enough to cause the other Russians any real, serious grief.

"Alright, blader's ready!"

Tala's frown deepened as he lifted his launcher over the beydish, his eyes staring almost pleadingly into Kai's.

"3... 2... 1"

"LET IT RIP!" Both boys yelled in unison.

The blades were released and Kai looked down at the bowl to avoid the almost desperate look in Tala's eyes. A sickening feeling clenched his gut as he willed Dranzer to attack Tala's blade. He was Kai Hiwatari; to not exert himself to his fullest in a battle was unheard of! He just hoped to hell Tala could handle the consequences - whatever they were.

The battle was long and hard and Tala felt himself quickly wearing down. He knew his mind was a mess and he was battling poorly because of it. Kai seemed to know this too and was frowning at the redhead in a mix of disapproval and concern. Tala avoided the other teen's gaze and concentrated on the dish. He knew he was loosing, and in a last desperate attempt, he put all his remaining strength into one mighty blow and willed his blade to attack Kai's.

Kai frowned deeply, what was the redhead thinking? He knew this wouldn't work, why was he wasting his strength? What was clouding his focus so much that he would risk such a stupid attempt?

Tala watched with bated breath as Wolborg hurtled towards Dranzer, whom was simply spinning on the spot, not moving. His heart leapt hopefully as the space between their blades rapidly closed. Finally, when Wolborg was upon Dranzer, the redhead held his breath in anticipation. Suddenly Kai's blade disappeared and Tala's eyes widened. He looked around frantically and spotted his opponent too little too late. Kai appeared behind him and thrust his blade hard against Tala's. The redhead watched in horror as his blade flew high in the air, and flipped around. Eventually, seemingly in slow motion, it fell back to the ground and finally hit with a cold, sickening clatter.

Silence filled the stadium for what felt like hours as Tala stared at his blade in horror. Eventually he managed to set his face into an emotionless expression and stooped down to pick up his beyblade. He didn't register the explosion of applause from the crowd as his heart and breathing began to race in nothing short of an extreme panic. How could he have let this happen? What had he done!?

He'd lost.

Kai watched Tala go with a deep frown on his face. He saw through the facade and knew there was something more to Tala's desperation. There was a reason, besides the fact in itself, that he'd been so desperate to win. As the redhead approached his sombre looking team, Kai's eyes fell on Boris, whom was looking at the boys with a very angry expression. Kai's heart lurched. It was because of him, that psycho had something planned for them, he knew it.

Feeling more helpless then he ever had in his entire life, Kai watched the team disappear into the shadows of the exit, ignoring the deafening cheers around him as his heart went out to the team.

-;-

Tala's teeth clenched so painfully his jaws hurt as the whip came down hard on his bare back.

Thirty. That's how many strokes he'd been sentenced with. His eyes squeezed shut tightly and tears lined his long eyelashes as he remembered the conversation between him and Boris upon their return to the abbey.

"Boris! I was the one who lost, I cost us the victory! Don't punish them for my mistake!"

"Shut up Tala!" Bryan had hissed angrily. "I lost too!"

Boris looked between the two for a moment, then smirked.

"You're right. You two are the only ones who lost. Ian and Spencer both won their matches. Why is it you two were so incapable of such a simple win?"

Tala growled angrily.

"Simple my ass!" He snapped savagely. "With all your bullshit in my head, it's a wonder I lasted as long as I did! Kai's a tough opponent and damn-near impossible to beat! And you damn-well know it you psychotic psychopath!"

"Even so," Boris drawled tauntingly "you still lost; which means I must teach you a lesson."

Boris walked up to Tala and took the teen's chin in his hands.

"I must admit though, I am just a little happy you lost; I wasn't sure I would have been able to skip you night."

Tala snarled and yanked his face away from the man, resisting the urge to spit into his face.

Boris smirked, then turned to look at the other boys.

"You two make yourselves scarce. Bryan, follow me."

As the boys plus Boris all walked away, Tala's face contorted in a mask of disgust to hide his fear when the man looked over his shoulder at him.

"I'll deal with you later." He said coldly, disappearing then around the corner.

Tala choked down a scream as another harsh blow was delivered to him. It hurt so badly; he felt like his flesh was being ripped from his bones! Still, he remembered the solitary sounds of the whip during Bryan's punishment and vowed to be as quiet as his teammate had been during his time as well.

"It pains me to do this you know." Boris said tauntingly.

Tala snorted humorlessly, then bit down hard on his cheek as he felt the bite of the whip again. He tasted the blood in his mouth from the torn flesh inside, but it didn't stop him from biting down on it again during the next blow.

"Just two more..." He thought in agony, his vision beginning too swim now.

"I really wish you'd do as I tell you to." Boris said, feigning a hurt tone.

Tala waited until the last two blows had struck before speaking.

"And I really wish you'd drop dead." He spat breathlessly.

Fully expecting it, Tala felt the whip lick his back again, but this time the extra blow was harder and cut much deeper into his flesh then the others did. Unable to stop himself, a blood-curdling scream ripped from his lips when it licked his skin and he felt his body finally give out, unable to reach the ground due to the chains wrapped around and biting into his pale wrists. His head drooped and his chin hit his chest as the white-hot pain rocked his body with enough throbbing force to make his stomach wretch violently.

Tala heard Boris' footsteps and saw his boots as he appeared beside the teen.

"Don't ever talk back to me again, Tala." Boris growled in warning. "Next time I won't go so easy on you."

The redhead wisely kept his mouth shut this time. He knew it would be suicide to sauce back just then but he'd be damned if he'd give the demonic villain the satisfaction of knowing he'd made Tala submit himself to him.

Boris stared down at the teen for a few moments before finally reaching down to unlock the chains and cuffs.

Tala's body fell to the ground in a heap as he was released. He was quickly fading out of consciousness and could deftly register his own blood running down his mangled and exposed back. He heard Boris' footsteps again walking away from him this time and closed his eyes to block the image out.

"I hope you learn from your mistakes Tala." The evil man hissed cruelly. "Bleeding or not, you'll be the first one I come to see tonight."

That was the last thing Tala heard before the blissful darkness finally claimed him.

Tala's eyes narrowed as he stopped talking, his anger and disgust flaring at the swell of his putrid memories. As he slowly faded back into the present however, he realised that he'd just spoken something very intimate and scary out loud to a whole lot of strangers. With a deep frown he hung his head as his stomach threatened to betray him right there on the courtroom floor.

Said entire courtroom was dead silent as they all stared at the tortured teen, most with tears in their eyes or rolling unchecked down their cheeks. Finally, after what felt to the redhead like an eternity, the Judge spoke up.

"I'll need to see some proof." He said quietly.

Tala blinked at him for a moment before his face finally contorted in anger. He reached down to the hem of his shirt and swiftly pulled it over his head. The people behind him - save his teammates, all gasped in horror at what they saw. When Tala turned around to face them so the Judge could see what they had, his face no longer hid the feelings inside; now his eyes were a swirl of emotions, his expression one of an unhealthy mix of self-loathing, embarrassment and shame.

The Judge swallowed against the lump in his throat but couldn't quite manage the feat. He stared at the marred, ghostly white marks on the pale skin and his eyes finally glossed over, blurring his vision considerably. Eventually he cleared his throat and blinked away the inappropriate emotions.

"Alright, put your shirt back on, son." He said as calmly as he could muster, though his voice cracked with the effort. Tala did as he was told and turned back around, the serious and expressionless look back on his face again.

"As much as it pains me to say it... that's not quite enough to keep you out of jail..."

"What about our stories?"

The Judge looked up to see Bryan standing and glaring at him angrily. Before the man could stop or silence him, the lilac-haired teen was blurting out his own gruesome tales of the many things that Boris had done to him. After a lengthy story and showing them his own horrific souvenirs, the teen was finally finished. However, as soon as he was, and before the Judge could say anything, Ian spoke up, immediately followed by Spencer. They all told their sides of the story, all different and equally a gruesome and horrifying. But one fact repeated itself throughout each of the tellings; Tala always got the worst of it.

When the three boys were finally finished, the Judge opened his mouth to speak, but again he was cut off.

"How about these your honour?"

The Judge looked down at Mr. Dickinson and stared at the large manilla envelope he was holding up. After a moment, he sighed heavily and nodded towards the bailiff, who approached the elderly man, received the envelope from him, and brought it to the Judge.

"What are these?" He questioned with furrowed brows. The elderly man frowned.

"Doctor's statements." The man said solemnly.

The Judge swallowed hard and blinked at the elderly man for a moment, then frowned as well and opened the files. One by one the Judge scanned the contents with an expressionless face and the tension in the courtroom was thick and heavy enough to cut with a knife as everyone held their breath.

Finally, when everyone in the room was sure the heavy atmosphere would smother them all, the Judge looked up at Tala, then at the boys behind him; all of whom looked like tiny, timid children, about to be punished for some terrible wrong. A very deep frown creased his face as he took a long, deep breath. He looked down at his gavel and fingered it for a moment, then took another deep breath before straightening to his full height and looking out over the court with an unreadable expression.

"In the case of Tala Ivanov, you are hear-by sentenced to twenty years in a federal prison for the murder of Boris Balkov."

The entire court room broke out into an uproar but the Judge's face turned angry as he banged his gavel furiously on his block.

"Order in the court!" He boomed loudly. Things immediately quieted down to an outraged murmur and the Judge spoke again.

"I have made my decision." He said firmly. He then stood up and gathered his robes around him.

"Bail is set at one point five million." He added quietly. And without another word, the Judge turned and disappeared.

Behind him in the court room, the entire place again erupted in an uproar. Tala had collapsed in his chair and he was staring blankly ahead of him, contemplating his fate. His teammates were all along side him and forced everyone else back and away from the redhead. They tried to talk to him, to comfort him, but no words could ease his mind.

He'd failed. He'd given it his best shot, told the truth, hadn't left out a single detail. Yet still he'd been punished for a crime far less horrific then the ones committed against him. The redhead scowled to think of Boris now, no doubt rolling over in his grave, laughing hysterically at Tala's fate. Even after death, the vile beast still continued to torture him.

"This isn't fair!" Ian exclaimed angrily. He then frowned and looked at Tala with the most sincere expression he'd ever worn.

"I'm sorry Tala... I wish it had been me who... ya know. I might actually feel satisfied then and... I'd gladly take your place. Especially after all you've done for us..."

The other two expressed similar thoughts and continued on until finally Tala held up a hand.

"That's enough." He said tonelessly. "I knew what would happen and now I've got to deal with the consequences. I'll never regret what I've done so long as I live, and maybe I should be punished for that thought alone... it might take a little longer then I'd hoped, but I'll be free one day... just promise to wait for me guys."

Ian frowned and reached out to give Tala a tight embrace.

"I'll wait." He whispered, barely audible.

Tala couldn't resist a faint smile and reached up a single hand to place one the smaller teen's back. A second hand then appeared on Tala's shoulder and he looked up to see Spenser looking down at him with a deep frown.

"Me too." He said firmly.

Bryan's hand came to rest on Tala's opposite shoulder and Tala looked up at him instead.

"We'll keep a beer cold for ya..." He said with a forced half smile, his own voice cracking with his heavy emotion.

Tala swallowed hard and nodded a single time.

"Thank you." He said softly.

There was silence in the court room as the rest of the people had been ushered out; all people who knew Tala and his teammates and had shouted their concerns, comments and sympathies on their way out before the doors finally closed on them. These Tala had only deftly registered but he was grateful to hear them nonetheless.

"What's all this? You four look like someone's died."

The teens all looked up to see Mr. Dickinson standing before them with a small smile. Bryan's face turned vicious.

"Just as well! Tala's going to jail for doing the world a favour!" He snarled furiously.

Spencer gave the teen a stern look, then turned to the elderly man and spoke himself.

"Despite all your efforts, the Judge still ruled against him anyway. I think we have a reason to be angry."

The smile on the elderly man's face widened ever so slightly.

"Tala's not going to jail." He said gently. Noting the confused looks on the boy's faces, he chuckled lightly before continuing. "I've a got a little pocket change put aside for a rainy day."

Four faces contorted in shock but before they could over-come it, the man had disappeared. Bryan was the first one out of his trance.

"P-P-Pocket change!" He sputtered in disbelief. "How the hell much money does he have?!"

Spencer frowned slightly but his body seemed to relax considerably.

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that he's willing to help."

He again placed a hand on Tala's shoulder and looked down at him kindly.

"You're free now Tal - or at least, you will be. Anywhere you wanna go?"

Tala thought for a minute, then looked down at the table before him and starred at it.

"Not right now." He said softly. "Yea I wanna get out of here, but... I think I need to be alone for a while. No offence guys."

Spencer removed his hand and nodded.

"I understand." He said gently. "Just give us a shout when you want that beer..."

Tala nodded and his three friends all bid him farewell before leaving. He stared at the table for another few moments before finally getting up and making his way to the exit.

Tala took a long, deep breath as his eyes slid shut and enjoyed the feeling of the wind caressing his face. He stood straight in the sand of the beach with his arms crossed across his chest. He could feel the wind blowing his bangs around his face and couldn't help a small smile from appearing.

"So this is what it feels like to be free." He thought happily. "I could get used to this..."

Suddenly Tala became aware that he was no longer alone and opened his eyes. Turning to his right, he saw Kai. The blunette was staring ahead of him almost as if he didn't see the redhead there. Tala blinked at him for a few moments, then looked forward again.

"What are you doing here?" The redhead asked softly. Kai was mimicking Tala's pose and didn't look at the other teen as he spoke.

"I was at the hearing a few weeks ago." He said tonelessly, not answering the question.

The comment needing no response, Tala remained silent and Kai spoke again.

"If Mr. Dickinson hadn't bailed you, I would have."

Tala looked over at the blunette, a little surprised. Still Kai didn't look at him.

"I wouldn't have seen you punished for something that needed to happen."

Tala starred at Kai for a moment, then looked forward again, a slightly warm feeling washing over him.

"Thank you Kai." He said softy. "I really appreciate that."

Kai nodded once and a very long silence followed; a peaceful silence that both boys revelled in. Eventually though, Kai spoke again.

"I'm sorry Tala." He whispered softly, barely audible. "I never knew... I guess I wasn't there long enough to-..."

Kai stopped and frowned, then continued again.

"I'm sure he was afraid of me... or more accurately, of my grandfather. Grandfather might not have been the most honorable man, but he never would have allowed something like that to happen - even if it was more because he thought it improper and a disgrace rather then because of any sort of morals..."

Tala silently inhaled deeply, the arms across his chest tightening unconsciously. Yet he still felt he had nothing to say so he remained silent. Once again, Kai broke the silence.

"I knew there was something wrong that day you lost to me at the tournament." He said softly. "You were so weak that day... you weren't yourself at all and I knew you were distracted. If only I knew exactly what was wrong with you, I never would have... I would have let-..."

A deep frown appeared on Kai's face and Tala turned back to him again. He stared at the blunette for a moment then finally spoke.

"I told you I didn't expect you to go easy on me. I've wasted enough time feeling sorry for myself Kai, so don't you start; I don't need your pity. There's nothing you could have done if you had known so let it go."

Kai finally turned to look at Tala and his eyes shone with unshed tears, shocking the redhead to the core. Both teens knew the tears wouldn't fall - that simply wasn't Kai - but for them to be visible at all was a tremendous gesture in itself.

"I really am sorry Tal." He almost choked. Tala blinked at him then finally swallowed hard and nodded.

"I know you are... thanks, Kai."

Kai nodded, then turned away once more and took a deep breath, blinking away the wetness in his eyes.

There was another long silence, this one much more lengthy then the others and both boys knew what the other was thinking. It made Tala feel better to know he really wasn't alone and that he was the one who could laugh at Boris now. The vile stain on society had gotten what was coming to him, and he was gone for good, he couldn't bother any one ever again.

Just like the other times, Kai broke the silence one last time.

"So, how's it feel to finally be free?"

There was a smirk on his face but his tone was soft and comforting. Tala smirked too.

"Feels real." Tala replied. Kai smiled and Tala mimicked him now.

After a few moments the blunette turned fully around to face Tala and reached out to place a hand on the redhead's shoulder.

"It is real Tal." He said gently. "You're free, just like everyone else. You can do what you want, say what you want, go where you want. There's no one left to stop you from living the life you deserve. So live it."

Giving the redhead's shoulder a gentle squeeze, Kai finally walked away, leaving the redhead again to his own thoughts.

Tala stared out over the ocean, the bone-weary tension that had plagued him for as long as he could remember finally beginning to slowly ebb away.

"There's no one left to stop you from living the life you deserve. So live it."

Live his own life, huh?

Blue eyes slid shut and single tear leaked from under a closed lid.

That sounded damn good to him.