Max: okay, this is the last chapter for now, since Darina's leaving, but she'll be back like in a week, so expect another chapter then.

Kerda: Yes, and we get a vocation.

Tyson: YOU get a vocation; I work at other fics also. But I like it and I want to work there.

Kai: Hmph.

Kerda: Oh, we didn't see you there, Kai, then how about you say the disclaimer.

Kai: Like WHAT!? What am I supposed to say about this?!

Max: Err, never mind.(*Tyson: what a grouch!) Hey, everybody, thank you for your reviews and have a good reading time with this chapter.

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~Rei's POV~

       Ahhhhh!!! I quickly found my strength and tried to pry whatever was on me OFF, but it hung on. Before I could muffle out a surprised yell, a hand covered my mouth. Well, at least I know it's a someONE. 

       " Shhh," I voice whispered into my ear. Rei, it's me." Korea? My heart pounded like a fist against my chest, but I knobbed and the hand left my mouth.

       " Korea?" I asked, turning at the small dark spot in front of me.  Oh, god, you scared me half to death!" I heard a giggle next to me. Pardon?

      " Sorry, Rei, but I needed to move silently and we can't have you make any extra noise," Korea replied. I saw the black spot shift uncomfortably.

      " Where is brother and the others?" the younger voice asked. Umm, good question.

       " We got separated when I saw you sneaking around," I began to explain. I waited until the others moved forward, the snuck into this room and that's when I found you, or…you found me." I heard a sigh from the darkness.

       " Well, that's just perfect," I never heard Korea so sarcastic. Even her voice showed it, if she didn't say anything. But I knew what she meant; this didn't kind of frustrate me.

       " I think…we'd better go on, since we won't find a thing just standing here all night," I said, trying to feel around and find the nearest wall.

      " Okay, you're right," Korea said as the shadow grabbed one of my hands. Only I'm sticking with you, okay?" I felt a smile crawl onto my face, but it turned into a frown when I thought of my angel friends. If we stick around here, we might never find either them or the others.

       " Korea, can I ask you a question?" I began, still feeling around for a wall.

       " Yah, what is it?"

       " Why did you disappear at the city when we first arrived here?"

       " Oh, brother asked me to search around our house to make sure everybody are asleep," Korea replied. I wonder…

       " And are everybody asleep?" I asked again out of curiosity. Korea shifted uncomfortably again. Was that a good sign?

       " Well, I haven't…checked the whole house yeeettttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!" Korea began, but let out a yell when I finally put pressure on something rather than the cold stone I was feeling. It was a circle sticking to the wall and the second I tried to push it, I felt the floor disappear under Korea and me, making us slide down some cold chute.

      I was so surprised by that fall through, I forgot to yell while I slid down wide eyed, my gaze only looking for a way out of this crazy metal slide! Korea seemed to be stunned also, because she stopped yelling and grabbed on tighter to me.

        I felt Korea' hand let go of my shirtsleeve and we got separated in the pipe's blackness. Geez, how long IS this thing?!

        Just as I thought the end would never come, a flash of light nearly blinded me and my body hit a solid ground beneath it. Before I could open my eyes, something ELSE fell on me, knocking the wind out of my lungs. I didn't have to be a genius to figure out what landed on me…

       " K…K-Korea," I said, gasping out of the weight that lay on my back.

       " Uhhh, sorry Rei," she jumped off of me, giving a nervous laugh. I finally opened my eyes and looked around. The first thing I noticed was the lanterns on the stony walls around us. Then, Korea came into view.

       I had to keep myself from laughing when I saw how she looked. Her ponytail was up on her head, covering her eyes and making her resemble Kenny. She was only wearing one of her sandals, when as for the other… 

      Ou! That's the one that just hit me on the head. Oh, joy…

     " Where are we, I wonder," Korea said, picking up her second sandal and putting it on. I got up and rubbed my head.

      " Don't know," I finally said, seeing her staring patiently at me. Looking around the lantern-lighted walls, I noticed there was a long passage stretching out in front of us. Korea must have also noticed it, because she said:

      " I wonder where this leads." I shrugged.

      " Maybe…we should see for ourselves," I commended, taking a step towards the passage. Besides, I don't see another way out, so our best bet is to go this way. Okay?" Korea knobbed silently and we started walking down the never-ending seeming passage. The air was chilly, so I figured we were somewhere in the underground part of Korea's house.                           

      " It sure is getting dark," Korea said, pressing closer against me. For the first time, I noticed that the lanterns were flickering. The stone-made walls ended, and were now replaced by concrete walls with old wines on them. Interesting…

     Suddenly, a strong wind came out of nowhere, causing whatever was left in those lanterns to burn our. I stopped dead in my tracks, listening to the silence that suddenly dawned on to the place. Korea also seemed to have gone stunned, because she stopped moving totally, leaving the sound of her loud breathing mixing with some kind of dripping coming from further down the passage.

      My heart was beating twenty beats a second, but I told myself to calm down and ask Korea if she was all right.

      " Korea, is everything okay?" I asked her. The figure clutching my arm shifted a little.

      " Fine," it finally responded in a tiny voice. I let out a sigh of relief and decided to keep moving.

     " Hold on to me," I warned Korea as I stepped down the concrete on the floor. We don't want to get separated." Korea just kept breathing hard. I guess she was still frightened with what happened.

      " It's okay," I tried to calm her down. Don't breathe so hard, the wind just probably blew out the candles in those lanterns."

      " But, I'm not…breathing…hard," Korea's voice replied, getting tinier at the word "hard". Huh?

      " But if that's not you or me, then who…" I stared into the darkness, listening to the loud breathing as it echoed in the tunnel. With each passing second it seemed to be closer…and closer…an…

      A roar interrupted the silence of the passage, nearly making me tip over. My eyes went wide as I realized that whoever was breathing so hard was coming this way! Whoever or whatever. I gulped slightly as two beams of light appeared somewhere in the depths of the tunnel.

      " What's that?" Korea asked, gripping me tighter. I held my breath as I realized that those lights were a pair of eyes. That's when I head it…the sound of large paws hitting the ground! 

      " Korea," I began, watching the eyes get closer. I think we're in trouble." Before Korea could respond, a roar came from those eyes and the breathing got even noisier. I wasn't sure whether to run back or stay and fight. But I knew I had to make a quick choice.

      Before I could even make a step, something jumped on me, pinning me roughly to the ground! I heard Korea yell as she was sent backwards into the tunnel, letting go of me. No!

      I turned my head just to be face to face with the glowing fire eyes of whatever was on me. It's crushing weight nearly choked me, but I picked my hand up to find its head and maybe get it, when my hand stumbled against something things sharp and wet. I quickly pulled my hand back before a loud snap came from the eyes. I realized what I accidentally touched…the thing's TEETH, or even better, FANGS! 

      Something warm hit my shoulder. I touched it. Urrrggghhh! Saliva! But a horrible thought popped into my mind before I could comment anymore about how disgusting it to be covered with warm, sticky creature slobber! Its mouth was probably open!!! Uh-oh…

     ROOAAAAARRRR!!! I heard the thing on me let out a long roar and I felt one of its paws get off my hand and, to my guess, go up in the air. It was going to strike me! And judging by the size, it wouldn't be pretty.

     My mind raced in search of ideas, as I knew it would only be a few seconds before the paw lands on me. This sort of reminded me of Panalopy's and mine first meeting!

      Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. I took my blade out in the blink of an eye. I pointed it at the green eyes.

     " Drigger, light up!" I'm not sure what I yelled, but a bright light flashed from my bey blade into the creature's face.

      RIIIIIIIIIIIAAAA!!! The thing screeched as the light his its eyes. It got off me, trying to cover its eyes from the blinding light. I didn't waste any time looking for Korea.

      " Rei!" I heard her call out to me I all the light and something small grabbed my around the waist.

      " Korea, are you okay?" I asked, looking back at the screeching creature.

      " Uh-ha," the girl knobbed back. I heard the screeching stop and suddenly, I saw what the figure was. It looked like a saber tooth tiger with lion paws, and a LOOOOONNNG panther tail. And those blood-red eyes that were now fully opened, staring at us.

      " Korea, quickly, hold on to me," I yelled and opened up my wings. Drigger stopped glowing and the creature lunged at me. Korea barely had time to hold on before I went up and when the animal bumped into the wall.

      There was a tunnel shake when the creature crashed into the wall, letting another screech escape from its throat. The rocks from above the tunnel I was flying in began to fall down in pieces.

      " No, the tunnel, i-it's collapsing!" I said. Suddenly, a large stone fell from the ceiling in front of me, knocking me backwards as I struggled to balance myself in the air. Rocks were flying at us from the broken up bounder that crashed on the ground. Dust was flying around everywhere.

      " Ahhhhh!" Korea yelled, shutting her eyes tightly. I felt her hands slipping off me. Not good.

      " Korea!" I felt her hands let go of me and she gave out a yell as she started to fall. Before I could do anything, she quickly spread out her wings and joined me in the air.

      " R-Rei," she coughed from tall the rock dust. I…I…can't breathe!" Uh-oh, the dust must have gotten to her. I quickly gabbed her and started to fly forward over the falling rocks, getting hit a little by their scratching surface. Finally, through all the dust, I saw a light. It wasn't that far away and just as we were about to reach it, I noticed that the rocks on top of the exit began to also crumble. No!

      " Korea, hold on," I said and picked up my greatest speed, flying out of the tunnel before the boulders from the exit blocked the tunnel. I was send flying at a wall from the crash, letting go of Korea so she wouldn't get hurt. Instantly, I was driven into the wall and pushed backwards from it by the strength of the hit.

     Landing harshly, I tried to move my pain filled body. But, before I could, I heard Korea run up to me and sit down beside me.

     " Oh, Rei, thank you!" her voice said above me and I slowly opened my eyes. Shades of gray were flying around me, as well as light yellow, black, white and red. I waited till the colors took their shapes and sat up. I saw Korea looking at me with a worried look.

      " I'm sorry, it was all my fault," she sputtered out quickly. If I didn't let go, you wouldn't get hurt!" I smiled at her.

       " It's okay, it was an accident," I responded, ruffling her hair. Besides, everything's okay now, isn't it?" She thought for a moment, before knobbing an unsure knob.

       I looked around. Walls stretched out before me, but that's the only thing I noticed. No exit! I started to panic, frantically searching for a way out.

      " Korea, I think we're trapped," I said, gulping. Korea froze, but then looked around also. Her eyes opened wide in horror as she saw that we were caved in.

       " What'll we do?!" she also began to panic. I took a deep breath and thought for a moment.

      " Korea, do you know about that tunnel that we just went through?" I asked finally. Korea shook her head "no". Okay, new plan, search for secret passages!

I began feeling around the wall for a any kind of switches of buttons.

      " Rei, what are you doing?" Korea asked, a sarcastic/confused expression on her face.

      " Searching for secret passages," I replied, not looking away from the wall. I heard Korea sigh and come next to me. She started to search also…

                                               ***

     " Okay, this isn't working," I said, sitting myself down to sit. It felt like the whole day passed, but neither Korea nor I found anything that could even help us out. Korea sat down behind me.

     " So what do we do now?" she asked. There are no secret passages around here and the entrance is blocked and we're separated from the others and we may never find our way back up and…and…and I'm sorry, Rei, this is all my fault. If I haven't sneaked around the halls to try and catch your attention, we might have never gotten lost in this mess."

      " It's okay, calm down, we still need to think about this whole thing," I said, looking at her welcomingly. Besides, we haven't lost the fight yet, so let's begin the second round with a fresh idea."

      " Okay," Korea knobbed. But while we think, how about we do something." I looked around. Do what, there isn't even anything here!

     "  Like what?" I asked finally. She shrugged. Greeeeatttttt!

     " How about we tell stories, poems, sing songs while we think to each other?" Korea asked and I saw a spark of hope in her pleading eyes. Wow, she must really like literature or something!  

     " Okay," I said. So, what should we start with." Korea thought for a moment again.

     " How about you tell me your favorite poem?" Korea suggested. (Don't mind, just two poems in this chapter, that's all). I thought for a moment. What would be my favorite poem? I laughed out loud of nervousness, why, I don't know.

     " My favorite poem," I said sheepishly, letting out another laugh. Well, I don't know, but I guess it would be…" I swam into my memory, searching for a favorite poem. God, I knew TOO MANY!!! Korea stared at me curiously.

      " What is it?" she asked again. One of my favorites struck my head.

      " Okay, this one's probably the best for me," I said, turning to her eager face. It's called "A Soul of Friendship:

Have you ever felt like you knew someone a long, long time ago
Another place, another time, a friendship of the souls
Two people who share a bond for reasons neither know
A feeling that they were friends, a long, long time ago

Did they stumble onto each other by pure circumstance
Or was it fate and destiny that played a certain hand
Two beings intertwined, they are worlds apart
But the soul, it knows no difference, in matters of the heart 

Somehow they are drawn together, fate has brought them back
Each living worlds apart, they journey separate paths.
So when this life is over, and a new life begins,
Once more their souls will find each other, two souls that others know as friends."

       " Wow…" Korea's eyes were shuddering. It's beautiful. So expressive!"

       " Yes," I agreed with her. I read it somewhere on the computer, written by a famous poet or something. It caught my eyes instantly." Korea knobbed and I knew she took an instant liking in that poem.

       " So…do you have a poem to share with me?" I asked slowly. Korea put on a thoughtful look, but then a warm smile slowly spread over her face and she looked back at me.

       " Yes, I do have a poem," she said. It's called "Crimson":

They used to call me yin-and-yang

For I was light and dark

To be remembered, when I decide to leave again

I'll leave in sins of time my mark

A crimson for one whose soul is pure

Who never tells a lie

What happiness provides them cure

Opening angel wings when die

Their friends always surround them

So they never are come alone

But they don't know what blackness feels like

Sitting emptily at home

Waiting for somebody to come and say at least a word

So they'll know they still exists

Crawling around the light, and hiding in the dark

Looking back, a saddened shadow in the mist

If I leave black, of no return

Then people judge me that

Or if they call me crimson then

I know I'm welcomed home instead

So even if I die when left, don't cry, I won't shed a tear for myself

Since others say gods can see in me no sins

Remember me, because I know I changed from black

Remember me, for those who see that now I am crimson."

       " That's really nice," I commended. Who wrote that?"

       " I did," Korea said shyly. It's not that bad, is it? I mean, I tried to make a poem that could reflect people and the changes in them."

       " So, who do you think you are," I asked, but quickly stopped any other things I was going to say when Korea frowned light with a smile on her face.

       " I'm a black person and I've always been one," she said, her heads down, but suddenly smiled. You, on the other hand, are crimson. You are mostly cheerful, surrounded by friends all the time and you're heart is as pure as diamond, as well as you open angel wings to fly to heaven. And look at me, the only friends I have are you and the others, everybody else hate me and I always waited for someone to notice me and…"

      " We notice you, Korea," I interrupted her. You're our friend and we all love you."

     " Then I'm changing from black to crimson," Korea laughed suddenly. I smiled. No, Korea, you are crimson! 

     " This is all okay, but we still need a way out," Korea suddenly said, jumping up. Come on, help me search." I was about to walk over to her, when suddenly…

        The wall behind me slid open when I leaned against it. I nearly tripped backwards and a lot of dust flew around as I could see what was going on.

       " Rei, I think you found it!" Korea yelled from the dust clouds streaming around us. I gulped. Yah, but found WHAT?

       Suddenly, out of the opened wall, a hand grabbed my shoulder, making me yell of surprise and freeze…

Whose hand was it? Where exactly are Rei and Korea? Will Rei and the others ever find the other angels? Did the other group notice that Rei was missing? If they did, will they find him?  Find out in the next chapter.

Tyson: Oh, well, this is a goodbye for a week to you all. But hey, I'll see you in other fics, so, I don't say goodbye, Kerda does.

Kerda: Thank you all, as this was our three-part-special. See you all in eight days!