To my reviewers,

Hey guys thatnks loads for the awesome reviews though I don't think I quite deserve them. Well heres the next chapter and I would warn you but you'll just have to see for yourself and I pray you don't kill me for whats about to happen. And so without further ado….

Chapter 14: Now without you

Angel lay weakly and silently in her cold dark cell. She had been right to expect that she would receive punishment for her "slip-up" earlier today…and it had not been fun. She had been beaten sorely and now she lay in some underground cell of darkness with but a single small barred window above her head in the wall. She looked up tiredly at the warm light that was now fading from it. 'Don't go.' she thought as she stumbled to her feet and painfully managed to pull herself up with the chains that bound her to the wall, high enough so she could look out the window.

The sun was setting, leaving the world to darkness taking with it the warm comforting light of day. Angel watched in sadness as the light disappeared more each second and darkness started to consume her world. It seemed to her that it was a sunset she was watching…but her own soul. It was as if she were watching the light that warmed and calmed her slowly start to diminish as darkness started to take over and enslave her.

"Don't leave me." she muttered with tears in her eyes.

If one had looked at her now one would have thought her insane, but to Angel, she wasn't crying over a sunset, she was crying out of fear. She suddenly felt that there was no escape. She suddenly realized what she had gotten herself into and that now she had but two choices…and neither of them were good. 'Why?' she wondered, 'Why me?' The light that always had glowed in her eyes despite her cold attitude was flickering on its own, as if being blown out by a storm from within. As the last rays of light disappeared from the skies Angel slumped to the floor in despair, the words of her 'Coach' echoing in her mind hollowly as she lay there in the dim loneliness of her cell of night.

Flashback

Angel slumped painfully against the cold stone wall of her cell as Coach grinned evilly standing before her. The beating had finally ceased, for a moment, as Angel took advantage of the time to regain her breath, but it was then that the "side-effects" kicked in yet again. Her head throbbed, her sight shifted in and out of focus quickly, her stomach burned as well as her throat and every muscle tensed and throbbed. Her new wounds felt as if one fire while her bruised ribs felt like they were broken. Gasping for air that wouldn't seem to fill her lungs, Angel held her stomach tightly and gnashed her teeth in pain. What was happening? Why aren't these side-effects going away? If anything they were getting worse!

The Coach laughed down at her in mockery.

"Painful, isn't it." he sneered.

Angel managed to scowl and glare at him through gnashed teeth and eyes that were on the brink of shedding tears.

"I bet you're wondering why these side-effects wont go away. Aren't you." he taunted as Angel maintained her glare which only wavered slightly.

"Here, Captain, take this. It will make the side-effects stop." he said in a silky yet wickedly amused tone that made Angels blood boil as he held out an injection she instantly recognized.

"Never!" she spat recognizing the dark drug that would control her. The drug that would plunge her into complete darkness as it did with Tristan and Lance.

"Now, now Captain. There's something else you need to know about these side-effects." he grinned maliciously before kneeling next to her and leaning in to whisper in her ear,

"As you probably have been thinking, these aren't normal side-effects…and you're right. To cut to the chase, your body is being shut down, destroyed by a poison we added to your first injection. You're dying Captain. Unless you take this drug, the poison will continue its course and you will die. This drug is the only antidote. I suggest you rethink your decision."

With that he stood to his feet leaving the injection on the cold ground within arms reach of Angel and started for the iron bar door to her cell when he stopped and looked once more at the now shocked Angel,

"Oh and Captain one more thing, Don't forget our deal. If you don't win all fo your matches, or if you aren't here to fulfill your duties to Genecite…your friends die.:

With that he laughed maniacally and walked down the corridor of cells before closing the door to the dungeon and climbing up stairs to the surface.

Angel lay shocked and pained against the wall in complete shock. 'I'm dying?' Those two words kept flying around in her head as it suddenly all made sense. 'Oh Ryker, what have I done? There's no way I can win now. I will never be free again.'

End Flashback

A silent tear made its way down Angel's cheek as Ryker glowed comfortingly in her pocket trying to soothe his despaired mistress. 'I cant turn back to the darkness. I made a promise to Will, to myself. I cant. I cant allow the evil within me to be used as a weapon. Yet I cant let them down. Without Jess, without event he Bladebreakers, without Kai…I will lose it. If they died because of me, I'm almost sure to turn evil out of pain. Yet whose to say I won't be made to hurt them in my evil state? And yet if I don't turn I will die as well as they…just for spite. I cant win Ryker. I cant win!' Angel slammed hr fist into the hard stone wall in anger and gasped in pain as she pulled it back with her knuckles bleeding. 'I cant even die without getting them killed.'

'Ryker" Angel thought again after a moment of silence. 'forgive me for getting you into this. I wish I had set you free a long time ago.'

"I would not have wished that. It's alright young mistress, I'm not going to leave you…and I do not wish to."

'Ryker, if I turn evil, what's going to happen to you?'

Ryker remained silent.

'Ryker'

"I don't know. I don't believe I will turn evil unless something is don't to me."

'I understand. I wish I could set you free but…'

"Don't worry, I will help you protect your friends."

'Thank you.'

"You must know then what you have to do."

'Yes. But promise me something.'

When Ryker was silent Angel understood to continue.

'Keep watch over me. Don't let me do anything that would harm my friends. Don't let it take me too far. Please Ryker, promise me that when its safe, you'll help me find my way back.'

"You have my word, young mistress."

'Thank you Ryker. At dawn…it will happen.'

Angel leaned back further against the wall in silent grief wishing she could have said goodbye at least to Kai and Jess knowing that now she may never see them again as her true self. Desperately wishing she could explain all this to them that they would forgive her and understand that this isn't what she wanted. Desperately wising she could see them just one more time. But alas she couldn't. Even if they were here she couldn't tell them anything. If they knew it could get them killed. Angel hung her head in grief and frustration as she closed her eyes and found her mind recalling the image of Kai as he stood looking at her in the moonlight the night before she returned to Genecite. He looked like he had cared for her that night. Perhaps Jess was right, maybe somehow he did like her. He said he'd come for me…she mused sadly. 'But sadly I fear he wont want to keep his promise after seeing me tomorrow.' with a quiet sigh of sadness Angel let her mind wander sadly zoning out, knowing that sleep would not come to her tonight.

Noiselessly Kai entered the strange barracks. It had been a bit difficult finding this place since the dirt road branched out almost every 20 feet it seemed but in the end Kai was able to make out the feint tire tracks of the limo and now found himself in a silent empty, and pitch black entryway. He pondered which way to go noticing one short hallway off to the side which looked like a dead end, then another hallway next to that one followed by a massive hallway next to that one then followed by a massive staircase straight ahead of him. But which way would lead him to Angel? Suddenly a door opened cascading a very feint glow into the short hallway on the far side of the entryway. Kai quickly blended into the shadows as a figure emerged carrying a torch. He instantly recognized him as Angels' Coach. What had he been up to? Kai tensed and felt sick at the malicious broad, triumphant grin plastered on the coach's' face as he walked right past Kai and out the door without a worry. He had no need to keep an eye on Angel anymore, at least not much of one. She wasn't going anywhere now.

Kais sighed in relief at not having been caught. His instincts told him that that grin had had something to do with Angel. He didn't know how but he could just feel something was wrong, horribly wrong with Angel. Hoping he made the right choice Kai walked silently through the short hallway before noiselessly opening the door Coach had just left from and creeping inside. A long narrow staircase wound its way below him and silently he followed it desperately hoping he was going the right way and that Angel was alright. Down further he crept carefully till he came at least to s single doorway. Without a sound he opened the door to reveal a dungeon. Cells lined both sides of the underground room of stone with a single pathway between them. Picking up pace Kai started looking through each one aided by the pale moonlight. His heart started sinking as cell after cell turned out to be empty. Had he gone the wrong way? Was Angel even here? Suddenly his heart stopped as he looked into the last cell and saw a familiar looking figure slumped against the cell wall chained, beaten and with head bowed.

"Angel." Kai whispered opening the cell door and rushing to her. He knelt before her worriedly when she made no move to look at him. She looked to be in a lot of pain and had most definitely been beaten a second time.

"Angel." he said again as he gently lifted her head up to look at him.

"Kai" she whispered as if afraid that if she said his name too loudly he'd disappear.

"I'm here." he answered as her gaze seemed to focus.

"Why are you here?" she asked puzzled yet pain was evident in her speech.

"I came for you. As I said I would."

Angel stared at him dumbfounded as he pulled a lock pick out of his pocket and started picking the locks on her wrists.

"Don't bother." she finally stated coming out of her initial shock.

"What do you mean? I'm not leaving here without you." Kai stated still working on the very stubborn lock which finally gave way with a click. He quickly then moved to the second one.

"I cant come with you. I cant go back."

"Look Angel if its about the others don't worry they'll forgive you and if they don't they'll have to answer to me."

"No Kai. I don't think I can explain it to you…its to dangerous. But I cant leave Genecite."

"why"

"I told you I cant tell you-"

"'its too dangerous' yeah well I don't care. Just tell me Why."

"I-I-" Angel couldn't find the words to tell him as she simply turned away from him as the final lock opened feeing her with a click.

Kai sighed to himself a bit frustrated before starting again.

"Angel," he said turning her head once more to look at him, "why?"

Seeing the look in his eyes Angel couldn't keep it from him any longer and bowed her head in defeat.

"I'm dying Kai." she stated.

"What?" he asked shocked.

"They tried a drug out on me my first day back one that brought out the evil deep inside of me temporarily. What I didn't know was that they had laced a poison within it that is gradually destroying me. If I don't keep taking the drug, I will die. Yet if I take it, it will turn me evil and make me a weapon for them to wield at will." Angel balled her hands into fists in frustration as she waited for a response form Kai.

For awhile all he could do was sit in shocked silence. Angel was dying? He let her words sink in further before he desperately tried to think of a solution.

"What if we could find another antidote?"

"Sadly that drug is the only antidote." Angel replied glumly pointing at the injection on the ground before meeting his gaze again.

For once his normally emotionless wall had been breached by sadness and panic. She could see it in his eyes how he was beating his mind about…looking for a solution.

She put a hand to his cheek as she watched his eyes glance back and forth searchingly at the floor, bringing his eyes back to hers.

"either way I die. I just cant seem to win this one." she said sadly.

"You cant die! I cant lose you like this.!"

"Kai."

"No Angel! There has to be a way. There's always a way."

"Without the drug the poison will waste not time finishing the job."

"Then perhaps the drug cam be overcome or adapted."

"No!" Angel said forcefully stopping Kai as she stood up and walked to the other side of the cell with her back to him. She sighed in pain and frustration before beginning again sadly. "Cant you see Kai, I'm trapped."

Kai walked over to her and stood behind her patiently. His heart breaking into small pieces as he held back tears.

"Angel?" he questioned gently." Tell me what it is that your trying to hide so much."

Angel turned to stare at him with teary eyes before finally speaking as her eyes locked with his.

"I'm scared Kai, scared of the darkness. If I take the drug, I may never come out of it. I may be trapped forever within its chains while it destroys whatever it is commanded to. I'm terrified that If I take it, I'll never come back."

To Angels shock Kai simple pulled her into a tight, protective embrace as she let a few tears fall down her cheeks.

"I'm scared too." he whispered in her ear, " scared of losing you for good and not even having the chance to save you. Please Angel, take the drug. Stay alive, and I will find a way to bring you back."

"Why would you go through so much trouble?" Angel asked pulling back a bit to stare at him.

"Because I care about you Angel."

"What If I cant be brought back?"

"That's not going to happen."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because nothing will keep me from finding you again. Nothing."

Gently he wiped the tears from her eyes as she fell back into his embrace, her head resting tiredly on his shoulder as she basked in the overwhelming feeling of security that washed over her. For the first time in days, she felt safe and protected. She felt at peace.

For what seemed to be an eternity they remained so till some of Angels common sense returned to her.

"You must go," she said pulling back from him gently, " if you're caught her they could kill you, Jess, or even one of the other Bladebreakers."

Kai's mind was thrown into an impasse. Half of him knew she was right and knew he must leave while the other half wanted only to stay. To protect her, to be with her. Protesting that he couldn't leave without her. Not knowing what to do Kai remained fixed to the spot when something caught his eye. A pale red liquid on Angels hand. Reaching out he took Angels hand in his own and looked at the jagged cut along her knuckle. Gently he touched it noting it was still bleeding sluggishly. Tearing a section of his scarf he wrapped it tightly around her sore and bleeding knuckles.

"Thanx" she smiled weakly when he had finished, " but you still have to go."

Kai looked up at her clearly pained and was about to protest when she put a finger to his lips momentarily, cutting him off.

"I know Kai, I know. But right now you must leave. If you don't it will just make things worse. Please." He still looked unconvinced." How can you save me if you get yourself killed?"

Kai had no other choice but to nod in frustrated agreement.

"Could you help me get these back on?" she questioned referring to the chains as she walked back over to the wall.

Kai hesitated as his mind clearly raged against him. How could he chain her back up and leave? How! Yet he had to…somehow. Kai nodded determinedly as he walked over to the chains and after a moment of hesitance redid the locks slowly around her wrists gently making sure not to hurt her. Before bowing his head down towards her in frustration and sadness.

She smiled weakly up at him as he stared down at her sadly.

"Thank you Kai." she suddenly whispered.

"For what?"

"For caring about me and for coming after me."

"Always he whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek gently as he forcefully made himself walk away from her. His hand tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear as he stepped away from hr and out toward the iron bar door.

"Stay alive Angel, just please stay alive, and I'll find you."

With that he disappeared down the corridor and out of Angel sight leaving Angel to hope he'd make it out safely.

For the longest time Angel could but stare after him. 'He came for me' she thought still in initial shock. She could still feel the warmth on her cheek from where he had kissed her. ' Now I have to take the drug, for Kai's sake.'

"I thought you were terrified of taking it." Ryker asked knowingly.

'I am, but between you and Kai I know I'll come back from the darkness.'

"That's right young mistress, we will bring you back."

Angel nodded appreciatively to Ryker before closing her eyes and falling into a light sleep. Her fears of tomorrow and darkness strangely calmed by the promises of Kai.

Kai rode his bike back to their hotel room deep in thought. He had to find a way to bring Angel back he thought as he noiselessly entered the room to find all of his team-mates fast asleep. Realizing he needed his rest for tomorrows match he lay down on the floor by the window where the Badebreakers had left him a pillow and blanket. He lay down tiredly as his questioning thoughts of how to bring Angel back lulled him into a shallow sleep.

Angel awoke at sunrise. Pulling herself up to the window she let the sunrise' beautiful light warm her cold body watching it spread its wings and encompass all that had been lost in the darkness into her warm and hopeful light. Smiling hopefully to herself Angel let herself down and standing numbly to her feet picked up the injection. She looked at it fearfully before remembering Kai's promise. Then with a feint encouraging glow from Ryker she put the injection to her arm.

"So it begins." she muttered jamming it into the correct blood vein.

Forcefully she pushed down on the injection and the drug flowed into her. Angel let out an inhuman shriek of pain as every muscle felt as if on fie. Her head pounded, her heart raced. All of her wounds burned and seared with pain. She sank to her knees in pain knowing what came next. And so with trust in Kai and Ryker Angel let go as the darkness consumed her.

Two stories above her, Coach sat behind his desk staring off into space when the sound he had hoped to hear filled his ears. An in-human shriek of pain echoed nearly silently in his office as a cold and wicked grin spread across his evil features and his dark emotionless eyes widened in even darker triumph. 'Finally, our perfect weapon is ready for her test-run.'

Well hey you know the routine…please review. And sorry but I had to do it. Please don't shoot me. I promise you however bad things may get, however hopeless things seem everything in the end will work out the way it should. I promise. Lol. SO hey please review.