Chapter Eight: Final Chance

Due to all my story files deleted themselves from my computer D:, I have to reread Chapter Eight, 'Checkmate', 'Powerless', songfics, 'Waiting to Exhale', yaoi stories (Vanilla Ice Cream and You Are Mine), and about a million other stories. Fortunately, most of them didn't last and most of them were lyrics I remember and can just copy and paste from the internet. Damn it, the laptop's being stupid DX. Now, I gotta start over. I'll have everything back by tomorrow. But this chapter's gonna have a bunch of fighting element scenes in it. Bear with me, since I haven't updated in 4 months. _ Also, the F-bomb is dropped… at least twice. ^^; So… just read, 'kay? XD Also review and enjoy! :D

"C'mon, Tucker, hurry up!" Sam hissed as she pulled Tucker up the stairs. It was the day the Foleys were visiting Vlad for business reasons. As one of the nobles of Vlad's estate, Tucker's father was entitled to explain the recent business being done throughout the state and his palace.

"I'm coming, okay? I'm in no hurry," Tucker sighed, trying to pry away from her grip. But she continued to pull him inside. The adults were already assembled in the dining room. The only sound that could be heard from them was boring speech topics, such as the development of their company, and the clinking of fine china tea cups. They continued down the hallway towards Danny's room.

Both of them were silent as they walked along the narrow hallway. For a moment, only the sound of breathing and footsteps could be heard from either of them. Finally, Tucker spoke. "Uh, Sam… are you sure this guy is safe? I mean, the way you describe him, I really don't think we should trust him at all."

Sam heavily sighed and paused. She turned to him and said, "For the last time, Tucker, Danny isn't dangerous. If he was, would I even be taking you to him? Now, answer that."

He thought a moment before saying, "Well, it depends. Are you trying to get back at me for… oh, I don't know… the other day when you tried to kill me?" He recalled, still wincing from the pain in his chest when she attacked with her lightning.

Sam's frown dissipated from her face. She let out a tired sigh before saying, "Look, I'm really sorry, Tuck, but I don't know what came over me. I mean, ever since I was about… 3 years old, I would get angry and then… that just happens. Suddenly, I'd calm down and be okay. Someone else might not be, but…" She turned away. "Let's keep going."

They continued on before reaching a large, white door just down the hall from the pantry. "Alright, Tucker, this is where he should be," Sam whispered. She reached out for the brass doorknob before asking, "Are you sure you wanna do this?"

Tucker nodded. "Why not? He's not that dangerous, I bet." A sly smirk appeared on his face. She just shook her head, unaware that her friend was plotting something.

Sam turned the knob and slowly opened the door. She peered inside before she motioned Tucker to come in. They both eased their way into the room and glanced around. For a moment, all they could see where the white, blood-written walls, a filthy pillow along with a ragged blanket, a small dresser, a trash can filled with butterscotch wrappers, and a small window with thin blue curtains.

"Danny?" Sam called out, widening the door open even further. They walked around, searching for any signs of him. Tucker walked right up to the wall and placed his finger on it. He carefully read the sloppy, smudged writing that may have been done by someone who was left-handed. He slowly read a few lines of it:

I've been to about 20 foster homes. Not one of them wanted me. Probably because I was useless. One after another they misused me, discarded me and hurt me.

"Hey, Sam? Did you actually read this?" Tucker called out to her. Sam walked over and followed her eyes to what he was pointing at. "Yeah, I did. Here, read around right… here." She moved her finger along the wall until she reached the part that led him to tell her the story.

My first foster home has the kindest lady who ever lived. Her name was Alyssa Chapelton, but she preferred me to call her mother.

Anyway, she would always care for me. She fed me, washed me, tended to me when I was sick, helped me with my schoolwork, even tucked me in at night.

Yeah, she was a true angel from Heaven.

But her husband, yes, her husband.

He was a true bastard from Hell.

Little did she know, but when she'd go out and run errands for only a little while, he'd stay and 'take care of me'. Then, behind closed doors, he did the most ruthless, vile and terrible things to me both physically and mentally that I can't even repeat them.

Because of him, I am immune to pain.

Because of him, I was afraid of everyone and everything that day.

Because of him, I'm no longer 'clean', so to speak.

Because of him, I never saw Alyssa again.

Tucker stared at the writing for a second, before turning back to her. "And you expect me to believe-"

"Damn it, Tucker, just keep reading, okay??" Sam said in frustration. He just shrugged. "Alright, but I'm telling you…"

My God, the first man that I ever lived with whom I was to call 'father' because I loved Alyssa like my 'mother'….

That damn, no good bastard…. He did the unspeakable.

He freakin' raped me.

Yes, you heard it right.

He did this to me.

I died that day.

I died inside…

Tucker finally reached the end, where he almost had to bend all the way over to read it. The writing became thicker and thicker, until he could almost consider it as illiterate.

"Maybe… he's just a storyteller…" Tucker whispered, his voice betraying how he really felt. He stood up and stretched a bit before turning to her once more. "Well, Sam, either your little friend here is a master storyteller, or he's lying. I mean, who would admit to all that- on a white wall with blood? It's just not normal…"

Sam pushed him away. "It is for him! He has nothing, Tucker! He's never been loved except by his first mother- who died in a fire when he was a baby, if you're forgetting- and his first foster mother. Even that was screwed up by that bastard who raped him!" She cried out, stalking from the room. Suddenly, the door slammed from behind them. Tucker and Sam jumped a bit before shooting their heads in that direction.

Danny's hand was pressed against the door, forbidding their escape. A dark glare was glued perfectly on his face and his eyes had a reddish glint to their texture. If looks could kill, they'd already be dead, judging on his appearance.

But his eyes were directed at Tucker. He stared at him with his death glare, shooting pins and needles if he could, into the boy. Tucker just stared back, with a more casual, yet demanding glare on his face. Both boys stared into each other's eyes for a moment, waiting to see which one of them would make the first move.

Finally, Danny spoke, his voice dark and hoarse. "You wouldn't happen to be Gregory, would you?" He hissed venomously.

"No, I just so happen to be Tucker Foley, son of the Foley noblemen. And you wouldn't be Daniel, would you?" Tucker replied, this time in a mellow tone.

"Yes, I am. Daniel James… servant boy." Danny responded, his voice refusing to change tones.

They remained silent once again. Sam just stood in the background, waiting for one of them to make a move. Her amethyst went back and forth between Danny and Tucker. "Uh… guys…?" She managed to whisper.

Suddenly, the smirk that Tucker briefly had on his face returned once more. "Hey, Sam. How come you never told me how… weak and pathetic your friend here looks? I mean, one gust of wind and he's toast." He teased, not averting his eyes from Danny for one second.

That really got him. Danny's eyes widened in anger. He was about to lunge towards him, but Sam was fast enough to grab his arms just in time. She pinned them to his back the best way she could with his struggle. "I'll show you pathetic and weak, you bastard!" He cried out.

Sam glared at him as well. "Tucker! Stop pissing him off!" She shouted.

Tucker refused to stop there. His smirk grew as he said, "Why? If you ask me, he can't do much, so…" Before he could say anymore, he found himself pinned to the ground. Apparently, Sam lost her grip on Danny and he managed to attack.

"You really don't know what I can do, do you?" He spat out, his voice malicious and evil. He grabbed him by the neck and tried to strangle him when he was thrown into the air and landed on his back. For a second, Danny was surprised. He wasn't sure what happened… or how Tucker managed to attack him like that. "Unless…" He thought, thinking of what Vlad told him earlier about the benders of the country. 'There are four different benders- waterbenders just like you, only waterbenders are very rare here, firebenders, which are very common in this estate, earthbenders, who happen to be here or there sometimes, and air benders, whom we hardly ever see here.'

Maybe he was an earthbender…?

He noticed that he was no longer able to get up. His wrists were as though they were bolted to the ground. He tried to move them, but it was pointless. "Let me go!" He cried out, struggling to get free. Tucker stood in front of him, a smile plastered on his face. "Why don't you let yourself go? After all, you told me you weren't weak and pathetic…"

While he continued to struggle free without much success, Tucker shook his head in mock shame. "Oh, you poor boy. I knew you didn't have much potential…" He sighed and walked off. Just as he turned around to leave, he heard the sound of rocks exploding and flying everywhere. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing Danny a few feet away. His eyes glared murderously at him, his fists balled tightly. "You have no idea what the hell you just did," He hissed.

"Oh, I know what I did…" As if on cue, Tucker bolted out of the room and down the hallway, laughing. With the anger swelled inside him, Danny let out a low growl and ran after him. Sam just shook her head tiredly and ran after the two.

They were a few feet apart, racing down the hallway and finally out the back door. They ran through the back yard, racing pass the forest of trees in their way.

"I'll show you how pathetic I am!!" Danny screamed, creating weak water whips in midair and tossing them at Tucker. Unfortunately, before they even got to him, they dissipated in midair. Tucker glanced over his shoulder, spotting the failed attempt Danny had with his waterbender. "You're a waterbender, huh? I always thought they were so strong, but I supposed you proved me wrong yet again." He tormented some more, before avoiding a slightly stronger water whip Danny aimed at him.

"You'll pay for that, you son of a bitch!" Danny cried out some more. With all the fallen branches and roots on the ground, it was difficult to maze his way through the woods.

Suddenly, they both stopped.

Sam paused a few feet behind them, wondering why they they suddenly stopped. "Wha-"She started, when she spotted them in a stand-off; neither of them moving. They eyes were locked with the same expression. It was a mystery at this point of who was the prey or the predator.

She watched to the side, deciding that they'd settle this on their own.

"You can't waterbend here, you poor pathetic soul. So… what's it gonna be, then?" Tucker finally said, readying a battle stance. Danny was about to do the same, when he remembered the day Master took him out to the lake to test his Waterbending abilities. His eyes flickered with excitement and future victory.

Without a word, Danny took off in the other direction. Tucker raised an eyebrow, wondering where he was going and why he was running off.

"You're not getting away from me that easily," Tucker mumbled, taking off after him. Sam just watched the two run off once again, already ticked enough at the continuous 'workout' she was getting. She tiredly followed them towards the lake. "Can't either of you go 5 seconds without wanting to beat the crap out of each other?!" She called out.

Once again, they stopped, but this time the lake was blocking their path. Danny stared at the water wavering along with the breeze as he felt it energize him. He took in a deep breath, closed his eyes and spread his arms out like an eagle. He calmly brought his hands back together and pressed them against each other. He sighed before he shot his eyes open and twisted his arms upward. The water followed his movements as he formed a giant tidal wave. Tucker's emerald green eyes followed his motions, mesmerized by his graceful form before remembering the water was being used as an attack. But before he could create a rock shield, the wave crashed into him full force. He let out a surprised cry as he collided with a nearby tree. Sam winced a bit, but kept her distance.

"Is that all you got?" Tucker hissed, struggling to pull himself to his feet. Danny crossed his arms over his chest in victory. A triumph smirk mingled on his lips when he called out, "Not even close. In fact, I don't think I even tried," A sour laugh escaped his throat.

The mockery and smug attitude Tucker held before was gone. It was replaced with anger and revenge. He stood with a battle stance as he said in a dark voice, "Don't think I'll go so easy on you, servant boy. I'll give you all I got."

He created a moving layer of tunneled rocks towards Danny. But surprisingly, Danny nimbly jumped out of the way just in time before the rocks collided with a still boulder. He landed on one hand and jumped back onto his feet. Both Sam and Tucker were surprised at his movements. "Wha…?" They both whispered in awe. It was almost as if Danny were some sort of skilled acrobat.

Danny stared at them with a genuine smile on his face. "What, you didn't think a lowly servant boy like me could do something that… skilled?" He asked.

Suddenly, he ran towards a tree on the opposite side of the garden, leaped up and grabbed a tree branch, flipped a few times around it and landed, with the help of a bit of gliding, on top of the water fountain without missing a beat. The two couldn't believe their eyes.

Danny really was something special.

Of course, Tucker had a feeling he'd use the water fountain as a source of energy. To his advantage, he ran towards the marble structure and pushed his hands forward. The fountain began to shake right under Danny. For a second, he was a little startled, but he jumped off and landed right in front of it. He pushed his own arms forward as the water shot into the sky and headed to Tucker. This time, he was prepared. He created a ramp and let the water slide right off the rock into the air. But that didn't stop Danny. He quickly took control of the water once more and twisted his hands back and forth, allowing the water to become tighter and shaped. He created a series of daggers and structured them sharp enough to directly aim at the target and rain down on him. Both shocked and somewhat afraid, Tucker feebly covered his head with his hands and fell to his knees. Unfortunately, a few of the daggers struck him in the arms, legs and hands. He cried out in pain, carefully pulling away the spikes. A few small holes that pierced his body began to bleed. He winced in pain, but refused to back down from the battle.

"Wow, Foley, I thought you were gonna 'give all you got'. But apparently, your best wasn't good enough…" Danny taunted before crossing his arms over his chest and turned to walk away. Tucker stared at him for a moment before screaming in anger. He slammed his heel in the ground and created a boulder large enough to break a few bones to the target. He aimed it perfectly at Danny's retreating form and pushed it forward. "Danny! Look out!!" Sam cried out, already thinking what the horrible impact would do.

Danny glanced around, but as soon as he did, his eyes widened. He was about to create an ice bridge to dodge it, but he was too late. The boulder collided with his body and he crashed into the ground. Tucker carefully lifted the rock from the boy's body and tossed it to the side. He watched as Sam ran to his side to check on his injuries. She gently caressed his hands in hers as she inspected his wounds. His face, arms and legs were scratched and bruised. Bits of dry blood and fresh blood stained his skin. His wrist was somewhat twisted as a sign of being sprained. He groaned in pain, carefully sitting himself up- with a bit of help from Sam.

"Danny, are you okay?" She asked softly, her eyes weary with worry. Danny coughed a little and unconsciously smiled at her. He brought his hand to her head, playing with her silky black hair in his hands. He finally opened his eyes and replied, "Yeah, I'm good. How's your buddy over there?" He pointed at Tucker, who remained silent during the entire conversation. He was holding his bleeding arm in his hands, biting his bottom lip. His emerald eyes weary stared back at them, both with remorse and sorrow. He opened his mouth to say something, but just as he did, a wave of weakness washed over him and he collapsed. Sam was about to rush to his aide as well, when she felt a hand grab her wrist. She glanced back at Danny, who had a sober expression on his face. "Take him to the bathroom. I'll be there shortly," He said without much of an explanation. She nodded slowly and ran over to her best friend. She gave Danny one last look before lifting Tucker's arm over her shoulder and carefully helping him towards the mansion.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Danny made his way to the bathroom, carefully using his flying and intangibility powers Vlad showed him a few days ago. He arrived there in one piece, but quickly regretted it when a sharp pain of agony ran through his chest. He hissed in pain and fell on the bathtub's rim. He closed his eyes for a moment, waiting for the pain to cease to a stop.

Almost immediately, the door opened. Sam was still assisting Tucker, but he can back into consciousness. She helped him adjust himself on the bathroom counter and quickly rummaged through the medicine cabinet. She took out some bandages, gauze, rubbing alcohol, ointment and a bag of cotton balls. She placed them on the counter and inspected each boy, trying to figure out which one had the most serious wounds. It was difficult to tell, considering the amount of damage the both unleashed on each other. She went to Danny and whispered, "I'm gonna try to see what I can fix, but it won't be easy." She warned, her eyes giving him a grim look. He just shrugged. "Hey, I'm alright. I can just heal myself," He leaned over the tub and turned the faucet on to cold water. He ran his hands over it for a few seconds before holding a handful of it and wrapping it around his wrist. With a blue glow, his wrist slowly healed and in a matter of minutes, it was back to normal.

"Waterbender, duh." He said, with a smirk. Sam and Tucker glanced at each other for a moment, before they shrugged and dropped the shock from their faces.

"I'll be right back. I gotta make sure they know we're not up to anything," Sam quickly said before darting out of the room.

The two boys remained silent for a while, averting their eyes from making any contact with the other.

"You know, I figured you were telling the truth about… everything." Tucker whispered softly, suddenly interested in the soap dish on the counter. Danny looked up at him. "What?" He asked, momentarily pausing from his healing session. "I-I mean… I have the power to tell if people are lying or not… and about your life…" Tucker took a deep breath before finishing, "You weren't lying."

Their eyes suddenly locked, where emerald green stared into washed-out baby blue. Finally, Danny whispered, "What you said before about me being weak and pathetic… was true. I couldn't even protect myself from that… monster 10 years ago…" He felt a tear slide down his cheek but quickly wiped it away before Tucker saw him crying. Unfortunately, he wasn't fast enough. His expression changed from sober to saddened and guilty. He felt a tug at his heart… almost as though he knew how Danny felt. Of course, no one he knew could go through that much pain without already being dead.

Maybe Danny was stronger than he though.

Without hesitation, Tucker slid off the counter and walked in front of Danny. He rested a gentle hand on his shoulder and smiled. Danny slowly looked up, his eyes now laden with tears.

"I know you've been though a hard time all your life… what with losing your family in a fire and all… but you're stronger than that. I know it took me a while to see this, but someday, you'll be able to prove it to yourself." Tucker said, his eyes twinkling as he smiled genuinely. Danny rubbed his eyes with his hand and gave him a watery smile back. Suddenly, he grabbed him and gave the teenager a heartfelt hug. Tucker was surprised by this sudden notion, but slowly patted his back. "Alright, enough of that before Ms. Know-it-all comes back," He chuckled lightly.

Danny quickly pulled away. He gave an embarrassed chuckle as his face turned bright red. "Sorry about that." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Tucker just raised his eyebrows and then, without warning, punched him in the arm.

"Hey! What the hell was that for??" Danny cried out, rubbing his arm angrily.

"That how I show affection. Oh, and don't worry I did the same to Sam… I'll never make that mistake again," Tucker explained laughing a bit. Danny's frown dissolved into a smile and he returned the favor with a punch of his own. They laughed for a little while until Sam came back. "So, I see you too are finally getting along now…" She said with a satisfied smirk. Tucker just shrugged. "Hey, I'm willing to give him a chance. So is he," Danny nodded in agreement.

Sam smiled and shook her head before exiting the room once more. "C'mon, they made us some sandwiches for lunch," She gestured towards the kitchen. The two smiled widely, realizing how hungry they were after the battle. As they left the room, Tucker leaned over and whispered in Danny's ear, "I still don't really trust you…"

Danny chuckled and replied, "Neither do I… and this time I'm talking about you."

They shared another laugh and followed Sam to soothe their empty stomachs.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Daniel! I need to have a word with you… now." Vlad called from the dining room, his voice solid and dark.

Danny walked in with a broom in his hands, once again dressed in his rags. His eyes stared fearfully at Vlad, who was sitting at the table with a cup of tea in his hands. "Yes, Master?" He asked softly. Vlad sat down his teacup and rose from the table. He walked over to Danny, towering over him for a moment. Suddenly, Vlad's hand struck his hand across Danny's face, receiving a pained cry from him. Tears came to his eyes as his cheek pounded painfully. He placed a shaky hand on his cheek tenderly. "W-what did I do, Master?" He asked sorrowfully. Vlad's lips twisted into a hatred frown. He kneeled down to Danny's height and grabbed him by his wrists. He pulled him so close that they were inches away from each others' faces. "You know damn well what the hell you did!" He growled. He let go of his left wrist and punched him in the stomach. He jolted forward, squeezing his eyes shut. Vlad grabbed him by his shoulder and pinned him to the wall. Danny winced in pain, knowing the outcome of the beating tonight.

"How dare you battle the Nobleman's son?! What the hell is wrong with you??! WHAT THE HELL WHERE YOU THINKING?!?" Vlad screamed, anger consuming him even more.

Danny remained silent, his eyes avoiding any connection to Vlad's.

"ANSWER ME, DANIEL! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?" He bellowed. His eyes were burning with both hatred and… how did they become a pupil less shade of crimson?

"I-I'm sorry, M-Master! I-it was just t-that… he t-t-old me some things and… I-I just.. snapped." Danny quietly said.

Vlad stared at him for a moment before letting him go. Danny slid to the floor and tried to cower in the corner. He was already afraid of the dangers awaiting him that came from Vlad's anger. He took a deep breath before asking, "You mean to tell me that he insulted you and you snapped?"

Danny nodded.

"And you expect me to believe that?" He grabbed Danny once more, this time slamming the side of his face into the wall. "Do you expect me to believe that fucking lie? Do you really??" He cackled, a crazed glare in his eyes. Danny squeezed his eyes shut. Master never used this kind of language on him before. He never really yelled at him like this, either.

This wasn't gonna be fun.

SOOOOOOO Sorry I had to cut this chapter short. They're taking our laptops today and I can't transfer my documents to my old-ass computer. :( So I'll finish this in chapter nine over summer break. I'll finish the story…. Before I graduate XD. This chapter was crap, I know and you don't have to tell me this. But… read and review- positively, please! :D