The darkness closed in around him, nearly suffocating him. Everywhere he looked all he saw was black. Voices began to whisper in all directions. He knew they were talking about him, but who they were and what exactly they were saying was incomprehensible to him. And the walls. With every second, he could feel the already tight space closing in on him more. He was utterly alone. The voices were unfamiliar and gave no hint of lending a hand. He was gone.

Tala awoke from his nightmare with sweat pouring from his body. All around him the walls remained in their usual place. The darkness still remained, but showed none of the ferocity that he'd seen in his dream. A dream. That's all it was. Nothing more than that. Everything was as it had been before he had slipped off. Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine, just relax. But the haunting dream still remained with him. Although he knew that the walls would remain where they were cemented in the ground and that the darkness would always been in the room with no light, the thought of being entirely alone couldn't be forgotten. It's true. I am alone.

I guess it was only a matter of time. Honestly, how long would they stay with me when they realized that it was me that was causing all their pain? That's the only thing I'm good for now. Hurting those around me. Glancing down at the only friend that still remained with him, Tala sighed at the thought of Wolborg being held back by him. How many times has he thought of leaving, only for me to need his help and causing him to stay? I'm just a burden to those around me.

That's why I lost. That's why I stood no chance of winning. Everything believed the match was a sure thing. 'Tala will win hands done.' 'There's no chance that wanna be will ever beat the champion!' 'Well isn't obvious enough who'll win? Anybody who bets on Tyson would have to be as stupid as him.' But I think I knew the truth. Deep down, I think I knew it all along. I saw how he battled before. He fought with a spirit and passion that I'd never known. In the end that's why he won. He believed in what he was fighting for and me, I knew nothing of what I was doing. As usual I was just following orders.

I wish I could at least have apologized for everything that has happened. He probably thinks of us as nothing more than robots, just empty shells of humans that willing to do anything to win. But everything happened so fast. We just finished the match and we were rushed out of the place, there was just no time for talking. I'd like to told him the truth about everything and how if I could do things over again, it wouldn't have been that way. But with the way things are right now, I doubt I'll be talking or seeing anyone anytime soon. Or for that matter, anytime in my life.

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"Are you sure we're going the right way? I think I remember seeing that hallway before." Spencer once more questioned Ian's sense of direction. After every turn they would take, Spencer would throw out his opinion on Ian's leadership.

"We've been wandering around for hours now. Don't you think the midget knows where he's going?" Brian responded with a sarcastic sense of humor. Ian's face became distorted in rage by their snide remarks.

"You know, if you don't like the way I'm leading why don't you two just take over? I'd like to see any one of you do any better than I've done! You'd see that it's not as easy as I make it look!"

"Well it's about time you told us to." Spencer strongly stepped forward to assume the lead, at the same Brian also moved forward.

"What do you think you're doing?" Brian's eyes sparked with the threat toward his leadership abilities. Although he'd never been able to demonstrate them, he knew they were there. And with Spencer attempting to seize his newly given position, Brian felt it was the highest matter of importance to deal with it now.

"I think it's obvious enough. We all know who should be leading, so I think it'd be in your best interest to get back." Spencer towered over Brian in such an intimidating way that any wise person would have backed down. But Brian, being just as stubborn as Spencer, stepped toward the older teen.

"I'm leading." The venom in Brian's voice could be felt in the air. Ian stepped back from the older boys to give them room to continue their fight with their fists. "Why don't you just get back into your position. Behind the leader."

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"I said shut up midget!" Brian yelled toward Ian.

"Why don't you make me, you stupid walking zombie!" Ian retorted.

"Both of you knock it off!" Spencer intervened between the two, before they could begin exchanging more than words.

"Stay out of this you ogre!" Brian mumbled, trying to get around Spencer, to clobber Ian.

"What did you call me?" Spence around to face Brian was still to occupied with Ian. The short boy was now more content with making faces at Brian than coming up with insulting names. Plus it was easier to annoy him with than words.

"I said what did you call me?" Spencer thundered.

"That munchkin is gonna get it, once I deal with you." Brian stepped forward to close the gap between Spencer and him.

"I am not a munchkin. It's not my fault we have an ogre on the team that makes me look short."

"You're naturally short, Ian. Get over it." Spencer yelled, his back still turned.

"And you're naturally ugly. Why don't you get over that?" Ian saying, making a face similar to Spencer's.

"Would all of you just stop! You're all acting like a bunch of two year olds with these insults. Spencer, you're a giant. Ian, you're unnaturally short. Brian, learn to deal with Ian. Get over your problems because Boris will be here soon."

"The short versions of your speeches are always less entertaining. I hope that's not the way you're going to led us to victory, Captain." Brian spoke, but was obviously annoyed by Tala's interruption.

"No, I think I'll led us to victory by showing you all how a champion team acts."

"And I suppose they love each other and give high-fives when someone does a great job. Oh and it's okay if one of loses cause I'm sure you'll teach us how to give hugs and say it's okay, we'll get them next time."

"Why don't you just get off your high horse. You're not the only person on the team. We're going to win because we're going to be the best." Tala glared back at Brian. Several minutes of silence passed before Tala regained his composure and spoke.

"So does anyone have anything to say?" Tala stared at each of the three boys, who in return, glanced at each other. "Alright, Ian. What do you have to say?"

"Well, I just wanted to say to Brian, that if he thinks I'm high fiving him after he called me all those names, he's more of an dolt than I thought." Ian yelled sticking his tongue out for emphasis.

"You little dwarf!" Tala and Spencer both grabbed a hold of Brian, just to give the poor kid ahead start. "When I get a hold of you, I'm going to strangle you!"

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"Terrible. Terrible. Terrible." He chuckled more to himself than the muscular guards towering over him. "It must be so hard for them to work together without someone to lead them. I suppose that's what they're fighting about. Just like a pack of wild dogs. Phew. I suspect it would be challenging to replace such a leader like Tala. The perfect leader. He held them together so well. And now look at them. At each other's throats. I hate to see them like this. Why don't you all pay them a visit and help them resolve their problems?"

"Yes sir."

"And while you're at it, step up security around Tala's cell. I doubt the fools will try, but just incase. After all, no harm ever came from a few extra precautions."

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"Will you both just shut up! All you two have accomplished since I gave you the chance to lead is arguing. I don't see how all that is helping us right now. You two just follow me from now on." Ian jumped back in front of the older boys and with light footsteps resumed his leading.

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In the distant a heavy boots pounded against the floor. Dozens of men had combed through the numerous corridors of the Abby, but still had not captured or found the three bladers. The men were ready to quit and just forget about the three. After all, how much damage could three kids cause? But their gut instincts told them other wise.

"Mr. Boris wouldn't have much such a big deal over capturing them, if they weren't a threat to security." Tony blurted out to reassure his men. He'd been through hell and high water with Boris. Out of all in the group of men, Tony had been serving at the Abbey the longest. He knew, or believed to know, Boris. The man was a god to him.

"True, but have you seen Mr. Boris lately? He's not acting completely rational right now. Are you sure we should be doing this?" Ed was second in command, behind Tony. He had a bad habit of questioning orders, which caused a ton of mishaps during operations.

"You should have more faith in the crazy man. I'm sure he knows what he's doing." Tommy was the kind have person who said just what he was thinking. It was sometimes enough to make them want to strangle the guy.

"Yeah he's sending us on a wild goose chase to capture some bratty kids, return them to their little cages, so we can continue to baby-sit them. Whoopee." Freddy was the groups logic man, in his own way. He never enjoyed anything they did at the Abby but just refused to leave.

The group of elite four continued down the halls, scouring for any signs of the runaways. Luckily for the bladers, Ian had known what he was doing and managed to avoid them.

"How long do you think we can keep them out of our hair?" Spencer whispered to his companions.

"Hopefully long enough to get out of here." Ian responded. "I think we need to make a right up here, then we should keep going straight till we hit those metal doors. You know which ones I mean?"

"No, but don't worry we nothing but complete faith in you." Brian's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"When we get outta here, you'd better be ready for the fight of your life." Ian's glare matched the viciousness in his voice, but didn't faze Brian.

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"For your sake, I hope you have the three escapees waiting outside gentlemen." Boris's voice oozed with rage, while his eyes held a hint of fatality in them. His words alone would have been enough to back up his threat.

"Well sir, you see…we couldn't….that is we didn't…" Freddy's logic disappeared along with his vocabulary. Staring into the eyes of Boris was like looking death in the face.

"SPIT IT OUT YOU PATHETIC FOOL!" Boris had lost the little bit of patience his had. He could no longer deal with such incompetents soldiers.

"We couldn't find them, sir. But…" Tony's strong voice stepped forward to answer his boss's order.

"You couldn't find them." Boris's sadistic laugh was worse than him screaming threats. "You couldn't find them! YOU COULDN'T FIND THEM!" Or at least they thought.

"How could you not find three, just three, teenage boys! I know you're not geniuses, but neither are they! My god, is this entire world full of idiots! I can't believe you four. You're a disgrace to the Abby, yourself, but most importantly me! But being the kind soul that I am, I will give you one more chance to redeem yourselves. I had to call the guards at Tala's cell to check one of your missed inspections. I want you four to go and guard it before anything happens to him."

All four men quickly turned and graciously scrambled toward the exit, hoping to escape before Boris could offer another set of screams at them. But their attempt failed.

"Oh and boys, try not to screw this one up. There are a lot of people out in the world who currently need jobs . It's not as hard to replace bad help. Remember life goes by too fast to give third chances nowadays."

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I hope those three are alright. Knowing those idiots, though, they're probably arguing over who gets to be leader. Hm. They should be out of here by now. Maybe they made it across town already. Ian can run pretty fast if provoked enough, which I'm sure is what Brian and Spencer are doing.

More footsteps in the halls echoed into Tala's cell. There had to have been at least five with that group. Although the sirens hadn't gone off yet, Tala felt giant wave of worry, guilt, and fear rush over him.

"They can't be inside. They can't be inside. They should be out of here by now." Somehow repeating those words didn't bring the reassurance that Tala needed. "Just calm down, the guards just could be out on a practice drill or something." As if hearing Tala's doubts, two guards walked by his cell whispering words. Scrambling toward the bolted door, Tala pressed his ear up against the door. Straining to hear their conversation, Tala nearly stopped breathing, just catch a few words.

"Boris is sure they're still in here. It's just a matter of time before they get lost and we find them. Those three don't stand a chance against."

"No. No. No! They've got to be out of here. They still can't be inside. They got out. It's not them. They…can't…they're still inside. Those brainless, hopeless, dimwits! What are they waiting for?" Tala whispered to Wolborg, who was staring with understanding at his master and friend.

But the wolf's attention was diverted by the sound of pounding. The wolf's ear perked up at the noise. It was obvious enough that someone was trying to get. Most likely the guards. They probably just misplaced their key or something. But that noise…it sounds like…but it couldn't be. It wasn't the familiar sound of boots, yelling, or even guns going off. Not it sounded more like…

"A beyblade!"

"Would you like to keep your voice down? We're trying to perform a rescue mission here." Brian's smartass remarks could still be heard over the shrill crashes of beyblades and through the thick cell door.

"Don't worry Tala, we'll have you outta that cell in no time." Ian sounded more confident than ever.

"Anything I can do?" Tala yelled over the piercing sound of their blades.

"Well now that you mention it, you could get off your butt and start helping us." Spencer's deep voice was unmistakable, mostly because people couldn't refuse his orders.

"I suppose I could, since I have nothing better to do. I'll try not to get in the way, cause from the way it sounds, it seems like you guys have it all worked out."

"Yeah right. Just get to work before Boris and his goofy guards get back here and find out what we're up to." Ian yelled with a hint of fear in his voice.

Within several minutes and tons of attacks, the four boys had torn a big enough hole in the door for Tala to crawl out of.

"You know if you hadn't been so big, we could have been out of this place a long time ago." Brian smirked at their old captain.

"It's nice to see you again too." Tala smiled back.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get outta here before those four…"

Before Ian could finish his sentence the Demolition Boys were under fire from the four guards. The four ran with lightening speed toward the other hallway, which they hoped led to an exit. Unfortunately the guards persuaded them, guns and all.

"Stop right there! We don't want to hurt you." Tony yelled as the boys continued to runaway.

"Yeah, we have orders to bring you back alive." Tommy yelled.

"Sh. They don't need to know that. If they find out that we can't kill them, we lose one of our advantages." Freddy whispered.

"That's too bad. We didn't receive any orders, so I guess we can just play our own way. And it really doesn't bother me to have to hurt you. In fact…" Brian stopped and launched his blade toward the men. "I think I'd enjoy it."

Unable to dodge the surprise attack from the boys, Tommy's head fell victim to Falborg's attack. The man crumbled to the floor like a rag doll. The other three men stood in awe at the strength of the attack. Tony was the first to realize what was actually happening.

"They're going to attack us! Get ready." Tony shouted out his orders to the two remaining men.

"Are you kidding? You've got to be joking? Did you see what that kid did to Tommy! This job isn't worth getting killed!" Freddy crawled, quite quickly, on his hands and knees away from the pending destruction.

"Freddy get back here! Freddy…oh forget him. Ed come on get ready. That kid's getting ready for another attack."

"Ha! That kid's got nothing planned." Ed began a fit a insane laughter toward Tony.

"What are you talking about? Didn't you see what happened?"

"What happened was, the kid just had a lucky shot."

"I don't need lucky shots. Unlike you two, I rely solely on my skill and not luck or weapons." Brian chimed in after hearing their discussion on him.

"Brian come on! We've got better things to do." Tala yelled at him from down the corridor.

"I guess luck really does like the weak." Brian turned, reluctantly, to follow Tala and the other two boys. "But just know that if you follow, you'll be wishing Boris had gotten you first." Brian flashed a quick look of death toward the men, that would have sent any smart person running. Turning to rejoin his teammates, Brian nearly collided with Tala's blade.

"Tala what are…" Brian's question was lost to the sound of a collapsing roof.

All three boys turned around to see what havoc their captain had caused. Nothing put a pile of debris could be seen. Dust surrounded all of them, but it was clear enough to make their way through the halls. The Demolition Boys received no more visitors and they ran through the hallways toward freedom.

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I haven't heard from them in awhile. They can't be alright. Maybe I should try to get to them. Just to see if they're even alive. What am I talking about? Of course they're alive! At least they'd better be, for Boris's sake. If he so much as even touches, he'll live to regret it. I'll make sure they won't ever have to go through that hell again. But it's not right. Me being here and them inside that prison. That place is worse than a prison. It's hell on Earth. You guys had better be alright.


Well it took me long enough to get this chapter up, huh? I apologize for my extreme lateness. My brain just left me for about three months. I hope every enjoyed. I really want to thank all you reviewers. You guys are great! One more chapter to go.

ACChan