After Marda-B had graciously granted Gray a few weeks of sick leave to recover from his battle with Enjyu, Gray was given his next target to take down. Wen. Mardy-B seems to be out for revenge against those who betrayed the Shadow Alliance. If this pattern continues, then Lee will obviously be after Wen.

As Marda-B did not give any specifics about how to defeat Wen or how to return his bdaman like he did Enjyu, Gray is planning on doing this quick and painless. Wen should not be a problem on his own. He may be flexible, but Gray can defeat him quite easily. Lee is the one Gray suspect to have many tricks up his sleeve.

With that thought, Gray spots Wen as he comes jogging through the woods. They changed their routes after he left or more like was taken. But unfortunately for them, they are not even aware how closely the Alliance is watching them.

"What the….?!" Before Wen realizes what is happening, a branch comes swinging out of nowhere and hits him in his shoulder, throwing him to the ground.

Sure, Gray can defeat him head on, but he would rather make this as short and quick as possible.

"Huh, Gray?" Wen is shocked when he sees Gray stepping out from behind a tree as he pushes himself up onto his knees. He then freezes as he sees the Shadow Alliance's emblem on Gray's poncho.

"Let's just make this as quick and painless as possible." There is a dangerous glint in Gray's eyes. It is not the normal Gray that Wen knows, or anybody else. What did the Shadow Alliance do to him? He has no third eye on his forehead, so he cannot be under Marda-B's mind control.

"Just play dead." With that Gray raises his bdaman and fires.

Before his bda-ball hits its target, it is thrown off course by another bda-ball hitting it.

"What?" Gray looks around, is Lee here somewhere and he didn't even know?

The next moment Lienna steps between him and Wen.

"Move out of the way Lienna, I don't want to battle you." Gray's heart misses a beat and then sinks to the bottom of his shoes and then bleeds out onto the ground at seeing the look on Lienna's face. Gray does, however, manage to keep his mask in place and his tone cold and detached.

"I won't let you hurt Wen." Lienna's tone appears strong, but he knows his sister, he can hear the sadness under there.

Gray pulls out his strike shot, loads it, and aims straight for his sister. He fires the shot but not with any force near as much as he used with Enjyu. With this shot he will only be sending a strong blast of wind that will push Lienna off her feet, nothing more.

"Lienna, watch out!" Wen yells but it is too late.

The impact throws Lienna back but before she can hit the ground Wen catches her and with that, he leaves his own bdaman unattended and Gray seizes the opportunity.

"Are you alright?" Wen is not even bothered with Gray or the situation, he is more worried about Lienna.

This makes Gray incredibly happy, at least she is in good hands.

"Yeah, I'm ok." Lienna's broken voice breaks Gray's heart but he must keep a straight face and keep up the act.

Gray picks up Wen's bdaman as he claims it as his own.

"Brother, why are you doing this?" Lienna pleads as Gray starts to walk away.

Stopping, Gray does not turn around as he answers. "This is one of those things sis that you cannot understand, you just have to accept it."

Gray starts walking away when he stops again. A moment later he slightly turns his head. "I leave Lienna in your hands now, take good care of her Wen." Although it sounds like an order with a threat if not done properly, the undertone of trust is overwhelming.

With that, Gray walks off and disappears into the woods.

When Gray is sure he is far away enough, he looks at Wen's bdaman. That was quick and easy. He really did not want to hurt the person he is entrusting his sister to.

"Did you really think that it would be that easy to defeat one of us?" Lee's voice surprises Gray and he stops and looks around and then spots Lee up in a tree.

The plan was for them to travel in groups that are split up. That was the plan to lure out the Alliance. He was waiting for the best opportunity before stepping in. Wen has never lost that quickly to anyone. But then again, the evidence of why, was lying right in his arms. He knows that his brother is very fond of Gray's sister. Of course, her presence would only be a distraction to him, Gray knows it and he used it.

"Of course not." Gray confesses that he did not really think it to be that easy, but the presence of his sister sure did throw Wen off his game.

"Hmm." Lee silently watches Gray as he thinks about the situation. He looks at Gray, studies him, the new clothes, boots, poncho, the Shadow Alliance's emblem on his new poncho. His bdaman that has been rebuilt. But looking past all that and taking a really good look at Gray, he can see faint bruises, some light scars, he can see that Gray has lost weight. And behind the cold Shadow Alliance look Gray is donning, Lee can see the real Gray, in pain, exhausted and fighting to stay calm, cool and together.

Gray takes out his bdaman as Lee takes out his. But instead of aiming it at Gray, he throws it, and it lands at Gray's feet. Gray's eyes travel from the bdaman on the ground before him, up the tree and he gives Lee a questioning look.

They make eye contact and for a moment it is like Lee is telling Gray that he knows exactly what he is going through.

"Tell them whatever you want." Lee turns and just before he jumps to the next branch he adds. "Tell Marda-B what he wants to hear." With that Lee is gone with the wind.

There are a few hesitant seconds as Gray stares at Lee's bdaman. Two bdaman with one bda-ball? That was too easy. It almost feels like a trap.

Picking up the bdaman, Gray studies the bdaman to see if it is indeed Lee's real bdaman. But after removing parts and replacing them, he finds that it is Lee's real bdaman and there is nothing funny about it.

Gray silently thanks Lee for not making his life more difficult than what it already is.

He is also very thankful that Ababa did not come with to observe, like he did with Enjyu, or else this quick painless exchange would have ended very differently.

Gray returns to the rendezvous point where the ship will collect him. When he steps in, to his surprise he finds Ababa waiting for him. An unsettling feeling stirs in his stomach.

As Gray walks over to sit down across from Ababa, he throws Wen's bdaman and it lands next to Ababa.

"Of course, I did not expect anything less." Ababa coldly responds without even looking at the bdaman that is lying next to him.

As Gray sits down he throws Lee's bdaman over and it falls next to Ababa also. With interest Ababa looks over to the second bdaman.

"Thanks for the bad info. They were definitely not travelling alone." Gray's tone clearly tells that he is not impressed.

Ababa picks up the two bdaman. Wen's bdaman in his right hand and Lee's in his left. A wicked grin appears on his face, he then looks at Gray. "Clearly it was no problem for you." Ababa's tone clearly conveys that Gray better watch his tone.

"Now I hope that you did not over exhaust yourself." Ababa's tone suddenly changes.

"And why is that?" Gray questions with suspicion.

That sinister look is plastered all over Ababa's face. "There's a treat for you when we get back."

There is a pause before Gray responds. "It is a good treat or a bad treat?" Gray is wary of anything that awaits him back at the base. It would seem that Ababa is right about Marda-B still holding a grudge about his betrayal.

Looking down at the two bdaman in his hands, Ababa answers. "Well, Gray that depends on what you are going to do with it."

The ship lands and as they walk into the Shadow Alliance liar, Gray can literally hear his own heartbeat in his ears. His blood is rushing through his veins, and he hates to admit it, but it is from the fear, fear of what awaits him.

With each footstep getting closer to the room where they meet with Marda-B, Gray is sure that his heart rate is picking up pace. Entering the room, they find it to be already shrouded in the purple glow of Marda-B's presence.

"Do my eyes deceive me, or is that two bdaman that you are bringing me, Gray?" Marda-B's voice vibrates through the room and there is a hint of amusement in his tone.

Suddenly it strikes Gray. What if the Shadow Alliance was watching when he battled Wen and saw how Lee just handed over his bdaman. Is that what is going on here? Marda-B clearly told him that he wants everyone he defeats, to crush them just like any other Shadow Alliance member would.

"It really was not a lot of trouble at all." Gray decides to set up his cards for in case that is what is going on here.

The only response that Gray gets from Marda-B is a low, growling laugh. The kind that gives nightmares - nightmares. With that Gray is convinced that Marda-B knows the truth. He better let it out before Marda-B does.

"Lee…" Just as Gray is about to tell of Lee's willing surrender of his bdaman, Marda-B cuts him off.

"Lee is now struck off my list too." Marda-B seems happy with it, so Gray decides not to tell any more.

"There is however something else for you." There is that same tone that Ababa had when he told Gray that there's a treat waiting for him. With that Gray gets that cold feeling again.

Here we go.

"Come Gray." Ababa then turns and walks out.

Gray hesitates for a moment. It is like Marda-B is not yet finished, like he is waiting for something.

Catching up to Ababa, Gray wonders if he should ask what is going on or not.

They come to a door and stepping through it, they find themselves in a big green field with a pink sky. The door behind them then disappears. Gray does not need to wonder where they are, because he knows it well. He's been here many times before, the last time was when he came for his sister.

Gray looks around and then he freezes.

"You have got to be kidding me." Gray dead-pans and his tone clearly reveals that he is ticked-off at his recent discovery.

"Did you really think it will be that easy to get rid of me and replace me?!" Enjuy yells in anger at Gray.

"What is this?" Gray asks Ababa who is starting to walk off to the side.

"I want back into the Shadow Alliance and you're in my way." Enjyu answers before Ababa can get a word out.

"Have you lost your damn mind?!" Gray yells back as he is infuriated at the situation.

"You can't come back." Ababa's very calm tone draws the attention of both boys but more Enjyu's.

Before Enjyu can question what he means, he lets the cat out of the bag. "Gray bought your freedom."

There's a slight pause as it catches Enjyu off guard. He did not know that but to cover his surprise he responds with ingratitude. "Well, I don't want it."

"The only way you will rejoin the Shadow Alliance is by defeating Gray and bringing Marda-B his bdaman. Just like he did with you." Ababa informs him as he has that evil grin on his face.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy?!" Gray cuts in. Enjyu has no idea what he is doing.

"Come now Gray, you cannot honestly tell me that you want to be with the Shadow Alliance." Enjyu uses a mock tone as he answers.

"Oh, and you do?" Gray shoots back in a sarcastic tone.

"Why else would I be here?" Enjyu's tone matter-a-factly.

"Besides the fact that you are crazy, I think that you just cannot live with the fact that I wiped the floor with you." Gray states exactly what he thinks.

"Maybe you have a point there Gray, or maybe I just really want my bdaman back!" Enjyu shouts in return.

Both boys look down in surprise when Enjyu's bdaman is suddenly dropped in front of Enjyu.

"Marda-B will graciously lend you your bdaman for this match. And if you win, you can keep it. But if you lose, you will never see it again." Ababa seems to have some form of amusement in his tone. He seems to be enjoying what is going on here.

But then Ababa adds…"or anything else." Gray catches that.

Or anything else… ? What does that mean?

A furious expression crosses Enjyu's face and then he bends down and grabs his bdaman.

A panicked feeling rises in Gray. When he defeated Enjyu, one of the greatest contributing factors was the element of surprise. He caught Enjyu off guard that day, but now he is fully prepared, and fully determined to win. Gray is not sure that he will even stand a chance against Enjyu like this.

Gray then quickly weighs his options. What will happen if he loses? If there are no consequences, then he can just play possum and let Enjyu win. But what if Marda-B decides to break their deal if he loses. The only ones whose freedom he has secured is, well Enjyu that clearly does not seem to want it. Wen and then Lee. But the others, Yamato, Terry and Bull, he has not sealed the deal to their freedom yet. If he loses and that causes him to lose his deal with Marda-B, then that means that they will still be in trouble and there will be nothing he can do about it. And he has suffered and worked so damn hard for it!

With that, Gray grabs his poncho, pulls it over his head and it glides through the air as Gray throws it down. Everything about Gray, his expression, demeanor, actions, tells that he is furious, and he is going to beat the crap out of Enjyu for it.

A few hours later, Gray and Enjyu are panting, out of breath and both in pain from injuries and smears of blood on both, again like before. The entire field has been the bda-battle field and there is evidence of it all over the place. They shot at each other, got into a few quick scuffles where punches were dealt but overall, it has been a long drawn-out battle. Both with the intention of winning.

Then the moment comes when Enjyu has managed to get Gray in a head lock from behind. "Don't worry Gray, when this is all over, you'll be free." Enjyu whispers it so that Gray is the only one to hear it.

Gray panics. He cannot lose. It is not only his freedom that is at stake here. "You have no idea…."

Before Gray can finish his sentence Enjyu rushes Gray forward and slams him head first into one of the stone pillars. Gray collapses to the ground, out cold with blood seeping from the new open wound on his forehead.

Enjyu gives a last look at Gray's unconscious form and then he picks up his bdaman.

A purple hue starts glowing and then Marda-B appears. There is a low dark chuckle and then Marba-B's chilling voice. "Well done, Enjyu."

Enjyu then extends his arm and holds Gray's bdaman out towards Marda-B. "Just like you ordered, Gray's bdaman with his blood on it."

Just like Gray gave Enjyu's bdaman to Marda-B.

"Welcome back to the Shadow Alliance." Marda-B seemed pleased with the outcome.

"Throw Gray in the dungeons!" Marda-B's voice thunders and then the door appears again, and two robots appear, pick Gray up and starts dragging his unconscious form away.

"We had a deal." Enjyu turns and looks back to Marda-B. The deal was that if he defeats Gray, he trades places with him. Enjuy gets his position back as agent of the Shadow Alliance and Gray gets kicked out, for good.

"I lied." Marda-B's tone has suddenly turned dark and dangerous. A tone that Enjyu knows not to challenge and decides to drop the subject.

After Marda-B's presence is gone, Enjyu is left staring into an open pink sky. He fights off the angered expression that wants to creep over his face. He should have known bargaining with Marda-B was a mistake. How could he be so stupid.

He looks down at his bdaman. Well, at least he got it back.

"Come." Ababa walks past Enjyu, picks up Gray's poncho and enters through the door.

Enjyu then follows Ababa through numerous halls, descending some stairs and then they arrive at a door.

"Home sweet home. I just know that you are going to love your accommodation." Ababa's tone clearly says that Enjyu is going to hate it.

Without giving Ababa the satisfaction of glowering over him, Enjyu opens the door and enters. He finds a moderate-sized room with two single beds. One bed in the left corner of the room and the other bed on the other side of the room.

"Whose is that?" Enjyu points to the bed he does not like and therefore he will not be sleeping on it and so that makes it someone else's.

"That's your bed." Ababa answers with a smile on his face as he walks over to the other bed. "This is Gray's bed." With that Ababa hangs Gray's poncho up on the hook on the wall next to the bed.

The door closing signals Ababa's departure, leaving Enjyu alone staring at Gray's bed.

"Just great."