CHAPTER 8: DEAD END?

(POV: Mysterious Narrator.)

Hours after Thomas had his nightmare, Billster and Hunter were busy fighting. As the blades clashed, the tunnel was lit up with blue and red glows. Suddenly Hunter parried Blue-Spark, and was just about to-do the killing blow when Billster's left hand ignited in a blue flame and was punched dead center in the man's stomach. Hunter then slid back and widened his eyes in surprise as he'd hissed in pain.

"What... the..."

"You honestly think that sword-craft is the only thing I've honed and learned at that boarding school?" Billster smirked knowingly. "Boy, you are a real idiot, Hunter. That school I went to, also taught basic martial arts and self defense. I know quite a few kinds of takedowns and kicks and utilized them in my fighting style."

"Ok..." Hunter replied. "But what about that flame?"

"Oh, that?" Billster said with a taunting tone. "That is one of the few abilities I have with my connection with Blue-Spark. You see, with my connection with Blue-Spark, I can summon the flame of the sword on my hands and feet, just by having it move about through my mana circuitry. I can even make my punches and kicks VERY deadly if I wanted to. So.." The 14 year old went on, smirking. "Are you still confident about taking me on?"

Hunter just gave a nervous gulp, after hearing Billster's words. From how things looked, the man of crimson was not expecting this level of power from the boy who used to be emotionless. This fact was to only be further proven right with the fear that glistened within his eyes.

"Well.." Hunter finally spoke. "It appears that I'm clearly outmatched in a fight against you, Billster. In normal situations, I would summon a pet of mine from another realm, but alas, I've got none that would survive the conditions here. So, for now, I'll take my leave." He said as he then opened a portal. "Savor this victory while you can, Billster. For it will not last long."

And with that, Hunter stepped through the portal, leaving Billster by himself. The 14 year old then turned and sprinted off to find Timothy and the rest of the group. Meanwhile, Gordon and Douglas were traveling through their tunnel. The two continued on and on, until they reached a dead end. Both being exhausted and frustrated, Gordon and Douglas sat down.

"Argh! How undignified!" Gordon grumbled. "Walking through a tunnel that went on for who knows how long, but to only find a dead end!"

"It's just a tunnel, Gordon." Douglas replied. "What were you expecting to find? Treasure?"

"Though finding treasure would be thrilling and exciting, I was actually hoping to find us another way out of this realm."

"Aye, that would be nice." Douglas sighed. "But, we might not find another way. For all we know, we might be stuck here for good."

"Maybe you're right Douglas." Gordon then sighed. "Maybe we'll never get back to sodor. Come on..." He then said as he stood up. "Let's head back the way we came."

"Right behind you." Douglas replied.

And so as Douglas was about to walk back with Gordon, he saw something that caught his eye.

"Gordon! Wait!"

Gordon sighed in annoyance and turned to face the Scottish teen.

"What is it, Douglas?"

"Look at them cracks within that wall of rocks there. I think there might be a glow of some kind."

Gordon stepped closer towards the rocks, and his eyes widened as he saw a faint orange glow emitting from the tiny cracks within them.

"You're right Douglas. There is a glow. An orange one."

"Orange aye? Ya thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Only one way to find out." Gordon replied, as Douglas then eagerly placed a small explosive on the rocks."

"Cover your ears! This noise is gonna be a doozy!"

"Right!" Gordon replied, as he then covered his ears.

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

"BOOM!"

As the rocks then fell, and the dust scattered through the place, Gordon and Douglas heard familiar voices from the other side.

"Ah! Are we being attacked?!"

"I'm not sure, Percy, but be on your guard."

"There's no need to be alarmed!" Gordon then said as he and Douglas stepped through the dust. Just our attempt to find you guys."

Everyone within the cave gave a sigh of relief as they saw Gordon and Douglas.

"Well It's about time you showed up!" James stated in his usual vane fashion.

"For one thing.." Duck remarked. "I'm just glad to see that you're both okay."

"Aye!" Donald added. "Never scare me like that again, Dougie!"

"With what? The explosive?"

"No you silly git! I was referring to the fact that we were split!"

Douglas chuckled as he hugged his brother, smiling at the fact that they were finally together again. Then as the friends chattered, Gordon looked over to see Thomas wounded. The sturdy teen then walked over to him and sat next to him.

"You okay little Thomas?"

"Well, I'm alive. that's one thing." He replied as he then looked down sadly. "Though I know that I can't fight in my current condition, I just can't help but feel really useless right now, being in a state that I can't assist you lot in."

Though Gordon was a teen who can prove to be very proud and pompous, he's also very compassionate and caring towards his friends. Yes, they do bug him once in a while, but he'll use his strength to help them when they need it.

"Thomas, You're not useless, and you never will be." The Greasley replied. "Though right now, you can't help us in a fight, that doesn't make you useless, but rather, someone truly in need. All of us had times like that, Thomas, where we can do so little, and in one way or another, you helped us. Now, it's our turn to help you. So please don't beat yourself up."

Thomas then smiled slightly as he took in Gordon's words, for they cheered him up a bit.

(To be continued...)