They boarded for a good while before Rolland began to slow down. Sahara noted they were passing through an alley so narrow the boarders had to go in single file. And then they broke out into the open.

Sahara blinked in surprise as she saw they had reached an area surrounded by a grass and trees. Though the grass looked like weeds had grown over, there was little trash in the area.

Rolland pulled to a complete stop.

"I brought her," he said giving Sahara a shove.

She jumped from the board and turned. A guy was waiting, leaning against the wall. His brown eyes lazily drifted to her before he ran a hand through his short blond hair.

"Sure that's her?" he asked.

Rolland just grunted in reply.

The other guy stood up straight. "This way," he beckoned for Sahara.

She paused before following. Rolland and the other two stayed behind.

Though questions raced through her mind, Sahara didn't say a word as she followed the guy who was leading. She was scared, yet she also knew what she had to do. Rolland had asked her if she was the leader of the Falcons, thus she was sure that the Omegas were expecting someone brimming with confidence.

They passed under an archway made of bricks before heading towards a large door that stood ajar. Sahara noted it was an odd building the door was leading into. From the outside she could already see that the top half of the walls were made from glass, making her wonder what it was used for.

When the guy before her stopped walking, Sahara hurried to catch up. He waited at the side of the door. Realizing he wanted her to go first, Sahara walked past him, all the time wondering what she was going to find inside. What she saw was far from what she expected to find.

There were flowers growing all around. A tree stood to one side and a brook flowed past it, the sound of it bubbling cheerfully giving the place a soothing effect. Sahara stared in surprise as two butterflies chased each other right past her face. She didn't even realize that the guy who had led her here had disappeared.

"Beautiful," she whispered. "It's like an indoor garden."

"You pretty much hit the nail on the head," a voice said right beside her ear.

Sahara jumped in surprise. She would have turned to see who it was, yet the person already walked past her. He took three steps before turning to face her. Sahara's eyes traveled up, taking in the rose he held in one hand before meeting a pair of clear blue eyes. She was shot a dazzling smile by a guy with hair that looked to be dyed pure white. For some strange reason, it fit him well.

"So you're the girl we've heard so much about," he said before taking a whiff of the flower.

Sahara stood, captivated by him.

"Interesting," the guy said before walking on.

Sahara caught sight of the guy hovering on a board nearby. He had red hair and green eyes and was currently staring at her with a not so friendly expression.

"Doesn't look like I expected," he said. "She's supposed to be able to board?"

"Now, now, Calvin, be nice," the guy with white hair told him as he paused and tapped the rose against the guy's board.

"Don't talk to me you creep," the guy named Calvin growled.

The white haired guy simply grinned as he turned to face Sahara. "I guess I should say welcome." He spread his hands out. "Like our little place?"

Sahara didn't reply.

"Sadly it seems to be the only place where we ever meet on...good terms," the guy added.

"Like you would want to meet more, Glen," another voice said.

Sahara saw a guy step into her vision from the right. He was tall and had dark brown hair. When he turned his eyes on her Sahara felt herself shrink back. The guy's eyes were so dark they looked black, yet it was not this but the way she felt that they pierced right through her, that made her feel scared.

"Tut, tut, Theodore, maybe I actually enjoy those rare moments we spend together," the white haired guy, called Glen, replied.

The tension in the air gave away that these guys didn't exactly get along. On top of that, there was something about the presence of the three guys that left Sahara overwhelmed. She couldn't explain it, but she felt like there was something about them which just set them apart from any one she had met in Regona so far. She knew almost immediately that she was no match for them.

"I don't understand why we're here anyway," Theodore muttered.

"What's with the noise?" a new voice spoke.

Surprised, Sahara looked to her right. She noticed a guy lying among the flowers. He sat up, his grey eyes bleary. His longish black hair was pulled back in corn rolls at the top, but the bottom ends were not pulled in with the rest. There was something more intimidating about him than the others.

"Why can't you all just learn to shut up and appreciate the silence?" the guy asked.

"He's awake," Calvin said dryly. "I was kind of hoping you'd stopped breathing."

"I can make that a reality for you," Theodore smirked.

The guy on the ground stared coldly at the two. "Are you threatening me?"

"Now, now," Glen quickly jumped in. "How about we all remember the reason we're here?" he turned to Sahara who watched the exchange in silence. "Also, we have a guest."

All eyes turned on her making her suddenly feel very self-conscious.

"What a waste of time," the guy sitting up said before he flopped back down and closed his eyes in disinterest.

"Sorry for Aaron's rudeness," Glen said calmly as he faced Sahara. "He tends to have bad people skills." He tossed the rose aside and then sat on a stone step. Leaning back he seemed to take a moment to examine Sahara. "So, how about you tell us something about yourself?"

That took Sahara by surprise.

"You're seriously wanting to chit chat?" Calvin asked.

"Um..." Sahara spoke up. "Why exactly am I here?"

Theodore's eyebrows rose and Calvin shot her a blank look. Glen simply smiled while Aaron looked fast asleep.

"Maybe because we were curious," Theodore spoke up for the others.

That didn't answer Sahara's question. "Curious?" she asked.

"Yes," Glen got up again. "You see, how is it..." he walked towards her as he spoke, "that a newcomer appears from nowhere." He paused and picked another flowed, breaking it so that it still had half of its stem. "That within a few weeks she has gathered an exceptional crew," upon reaching Sahara, he began to walk around her, examining the flower in his hand all the while, "that this crew begins to rise bit by bit, faster than others before, not losing a race." He began his second round around her. "And that their leader gets a reputation for being an exceptional boarder with talent like no other..." he paused before her, "which is odd since no one has ever seen her race."

Is he calling our bluff? Sahara wondered as her heart beat faster.

"But the best part," Glen told her, all trace of friendliness disappearing from his face, "is that she doesn't exist in the records of Regona at all." He crushed the flower in one hand.

Sahara felt her heart stop as the hostility in the room around her rose. Theodore and Calvin were staring at her with the same unfriendly expression on their face.

"Perhaps the reason," Glen said as he leaned his face closer to Sahara's, "is that she isn't a resident of Regona City at all."

Sahara felt sweat forming on her brow. She didn't know why, but something told her this wasn't good.

"So tell me, leader of the Falcons," Glen said, "Just who are you and your crew really?"

Sahara swallowed. Her mouth felt dry. She didn't know what to say.

"Forget it," Calvin said as he stepped from his board. His eyes were glued on Sahara. "I'm telling you, she knows something."

"About what?" the words slipped from Sahara's mouth.

Glen stared at her. "The WIS virus," he said.

The tension in the room grew by tenfold. Sahara's eyes widened. Terrell had warned her over and over again about how citizens of Regona saw outsiders since the virus hit.

Are they suspecting me? She felt panic hit. Is this what it's all about? "W-what are you saying?" she stuttered.

"It's taken us a while, but I think we've finally come up with a clue as to where the virus could have come from," Glen said.

"You," Calvin finished.

Sahara turned to meet his cold eyes.

"Waking around looking all innocent, yet, you're involved with it, aren't you?"

"That's ridiculous!" Sahara replied in her defense.

"Really?" Theodore asked as he glared at her. "Then how come you aren't in the records? If you have so much talent in boarding, why have you stayed in hiding till now? Wasn't it to try and blend in and avoid attention for the time being? Now that time has passed you've gathered together accomplices and aim to make a shot at the top. Was spreading the virus not enough? You want to take Regona too?"

"Nothing you're saying makes sense!" Sahara protested.

"Doesn't it?" Glen asked. He grabbed Sahara's hand and lifted it. "That bracelet doesn't belong to you, does it?"

"Many people have different ones these days," Sahara replied as she tried to pull free.

"You were trying to stay in hiding," Glen told her as he ignored her protests and refused to let go.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sahara told them truthfully.

"Really?" Glen let her hand free.

"Really," Sahara replied as she rubbed her wrist.

Calvin sighed. "This is a waste of time. Words never do any good. I say we take her in and reveal her for what she really is." He stared right at Sahara. "You thought you could run forever, did you? That the lives of millions of people you took could just be easily forgotten as you lived on?"

As he walked towards Sahara she shrank back. The aura he was radiating scared her. It was almost as though he had murderous intent.

"Calvin," Theodore reached out an arm and stopped him.

"What?" Calvin snapped.

"Calm down, we won't find out anything at this rate. We need to know who else was involved. You're scaring her."

"Scaring her?" Calvin asked. He glared at Sahara with a hate she had never felt directed at her before. "We know it was her, we have the evidence."

Evidence? Sahara's mind whirled. She really didn't know what was going on.

"My sister and my parents were killed by that virus. We all lost someone!" Calvin added. "The one responsible is right before us and you want me to calm down?"

The words made the blood drain from Sahara's face. They really think it was me!

"If we want her to talk we can just force the answers from her mouth!" those word's made fear creep into every fiber in her body. Sahara found herself shaking in her boots. She could tell from Calvin's face that he was serious. He wasn't joking; the guy wanted to hurt her, to make her pay for something she had no part in.

This is crazy! Sahara thought. She wanted to run, however, she knew she couldn't. "I really don't know what you're talking about," she whispered.

"Shut it!" Calvin glared at her. "You're a killer, someone who should pay for what she did!"

Killer, the word made something inside Sahara snap. "There are many things I am and have done. Things I am not proud of," Sahara spoke in a low voice. She surprised even herself when she mustered a glare. Her anger build. "I don't know why you think I have any involvement in the virus or where you're getting your information, but I can tell you this," she was fuming, "I. Am. No. Killer."

The three guys stared at her; Aaron looked like he was still sleeping.

"You..." Calvin began. Sahara didn't let him continue.

"You may be Omegas or whatever, but this is anything but mature." She straightened her shoulders. "I've just about had it with being pushed around in this crazy city. I don't know what it is with you people!" Her hands were shaking with anger. "Accusing me is one thing, suggesting my crew was involved, who do you think you are?"

The guys were frozen.

"Don't think you know anything about us." Sahara hissed. "Do you know how hard we've tried to reach the top? We worked so hard only to find out the entire thing has been rigged. We're at the top and yet no one will accept us because of some fake crews. On top of that, some crazy jerks drag me out here only to have accusations thrown at me and my crew in my face?" She took a deep breath, trying to calm her anger. "This is a waste of time. Summoned by the Omegas? What a joke," she turned on her heels. "At least accuse me of something I am guilty of next time. Otherwise, don't waste me or my crew's time. We have our hands full trying to figure out how to be accepted at the top." She took three steps when someone grabbed her arm.

"Not so fast," Calvin hissed.

He whirled her to face him. "Nice speech and all, trying to make yourself sound like the victim." His eyes were cold. "But you have a lot of lives to answer too." His hand tightened around Sahara's wrist.

"I told you, it wasn't me," Sahara told him as she tried to keep the fear at bay.

"Say," Theodore spoke up for the first time in a while.

Sahara saw that he was crouching, watching the whole exchange. "Are you really as good a boarder as they say?" he asked Sahara.

Sahara froze.

"If so, shouldn't you be a match for any one of us?" Theodore continued. "If that's the case," he got up, "How about we settle this over a race?"

Sahara's heart sank.

"You beat any one of us and we'll take your word for it that you have nothing to do with this..."

"But we have proo...!" Calvin began to protest.

"You can be on your way," Theodore cut him off. "You loose and we're in the right."

"That's not fair," Sahara protested.

"Why not?" Theodore asked as he stared right at her. "Have your crew not refused to let you race even the most talented as they say they are no match for you?"

It's a hoax! Sahara's mind replied. A bluff!

"If I lose...what exactly would happen?" she attempted.

"Let's just say," Theodore told her calmly, "That if you win you get to keep the most important thing to you as of this moment."

"Which is?"

"You're life," Theodore's words hit Sahara like a sledge hammer.

"What?" she asked feeling numbness take over.

"A race to prove your innocence as well as a shot for the very top, it's not a bad deal," Glen agreed.

"Yet you want me to bet my life?" Sahara asked in a panic.

Glen shrugged and Calvin looked like he was considering the idea.

"No way!" Sahara told them as she took a step back.

The other three simply stared at her, showing her that they were dead serious.

"What's wrong with you?" Sahara whispered.

"I'd say you have no choice," Glen told her calmly. "Choose, which one of us do you want to race?"

Sahara shook her head as she took another step back.

"Say, an offer to race an Omega?" a familiar voice spoke. "I certainly came at an interesting moment,"

Aaron's eyes slowly opened and the other three Omegas tensed, seeming surprised that they had not sensed the new presence till then.

Sahara whirled. Seeing nothing she looked up. There was a familiar black board with Terrell sitting on top. His relaxed pose suggested he had been there for a while. Her board was floating right behind his in a tow.

What...how...? Sahara tried to figure out when he could have gotten there.

Terrell stood and lowered his board so that he was in front of Sahara. "I won," he told her cheerfully. "I knew Naomi would pick rock," he added triumphantly.

Sahara could only assume he was referring to the game of rock, paper, scissors. Whatever the case, she was just happy he was here.

"We good?" another voice asked.

"Oh yeah," Terrell scowled, "I also picked something up along the way."

Sahara watched in surprise as none other than Noah, walked through the door, a board tucked under his arm.

"Yo, long time," he told Sahara cheerfully.

"Who are you?" Calvin asked with narrowed eyes.

Aaron slowly sat up, his eyes turning towards Terrell.

"A knight in shining armor," Terrell replied.

"More like a wolf in disguise," Noah said. "The dude is a chick magnet like non..." he never got further as Terrell hit him in the stomach.

"You're loud," Terrell told him as Noah doubled over.

"I'm ok," Noah gasped as he held up a hand to give a thumbs up.

Sahara noticed how Aaron's eyes widened slightly before his face returned to neutral. Glen had his eyebrows raised while Calvin and Theodore both looked like they weren't sure if the newcomers were a threat or not.

"So, from what I picked up," Terrell spoke as he casually jumped from his board. "Is that you nit twits think that this one here," he put an arm around Sahara, "had something to do with the virus?"

"We don't think, we know," Calvin replied haughtily.

Terrell chucked.

"What's so funny?" Calvin asked.

"The fact that just how impossible it is," Terrell replied. "Her being involved with the virus?" he asked as he jerked a thumb at Sahara. "You don't know just how far off the mark you are."

"Who are you?" Theodore growled.

"And what is it with this place anyway?" Terrell ignored him as he looked around. "Flowers and butterflies, you don't really picture this kind of scenario together with the Omegas."

Calvin shifted and Glen's fingers twitched.

"Terrell," Noah scolded. "Be nice."

"I don't recall asking you to come," Terrell replied.

"Hey, you think I wouldn't tag along?" Noah replied.

Terrell ignored him. "Out of everything I heard," he said as he turned to the four Omegas. "One thing really caught my interested." His hand disappeared from Sahara's shoulder and he stepped in front of her. "You challenged her to a race and said if she won she would reach the ultimate top?"

"Now just a minute, Terrell..." Noah warned.

Terrell ignored him and Sahara couldn't help wonder what was going on.

"Yet if she lost you said she would be staking her life?" Terrell's lips twitched into a half smile. "It sounds to me like you were threatening her." He pointed the finger at the guys. "You know what happens when you threaten this girl?" His smile disappeared completely and his eyes flashed. "You make me very angry," Terrell finished with his voice dropping dangerously.

The guys looked anything but impressed.

"But first," he looked to the back of the room, "why don't you come out instead letting your second in commands act things out. Even letting them use your names, honestly, it's not helping at all, They're still doing a lousy job."

Sahara watched in wonder as four figures appeared from seemingly nowhere. No sooner did her eyes land on them than she felt fear grasp here. There was something about these guys that made her realize they were on a whole other level.

"Who are they?" Sahara whispered as she watched them walk forward in awe.

The four guys below parted respectfully, each taking a position behind the newcomers. The guy who had been lying on the ground, whom Sahara had thought was Aaron, got up and joined them without a word.

"Them?" Noah asked.

"That's the real Theodore," he nodded at a new comer with sandy blond hair and cold grey eyes, "Calvin," he referred to a guy with darker skin and black hair and eyes, "Glen," he was a guy with platinum blond hair and light blue eyes, very much like the Glen Sahara had met first, "and Aaron," Noah nodded to the last of the four who had hair that looked as though it had been dyed grey. "In other words," Noah leaned closer to Sahara, "The real Omegas."

"What?" Sahara asked. The others were fakes? What exactly is going on here?

"This is an interesting turn of events," the real Aaron spoke. "Though I'm afraid you haven't introduced yourself yet," he was looking at Terrell, who seemed to hold everyone's attention.

"I'm just someone here to stop an innocent from being accused...then again," Terrell relaxed, resting on one leg, "Your purpose for bringing her here never because you found evidence against her. It was just something you thought you would throw in the mix to make things more interesting, wasn't it?" Terrell asked.

The Omegas didn't reply as they seemed to calmly assess him.

"Don't tell me Rayne asked you to find someone to blame for the virus to give him another reason to maintain his position," Terrell added dryly.

"He has nothing to do with this," Glen replied calmly.

Just the way the real Omeg's held themselves made Sahara shiver. These guys were filled with confidence. They seemed to see Sahara, Terrell, and Noah as nothing more than insects before them; and in their presence she felt like one too.

"In the end the Omegas really aren't any different from the Keepers," Terrell sighed. "You're all just Rayne's dogs, aren't you?"

A muscle in Calvin's jaw jumped, yet he said nothing. The fakes, in the meantime, looked ready to kill Terrell...all except the fake Aaron who kept his calm.

What's his problem? Sahara couldn't help but wonder. "Is he trying to get us killed?" she muttered.

"Terrell always has had a talent for making people mad," Noah whispered. "Maybe it's his face," he added jokingly.

It didn't make Sahara feel any better. She didn't understand why Terrell didn't know what she did. These guys before them were at a different level, she and Terrell could never be a match for them.

"The Omegas do not work for Rayne. It is true that at times we work with him when we have the same goals," Calvin spoke.

"Sure," Terrell replied, his tone suggested he didn't believe it at all.

"Perhaps you would introduce yourself," Glen suggested, "Especially if you're so bold as to speak whatever nonsense that comes to your mind."

Terrell avoided the request completely. "I see that no matter what the root for this ridiculous accusation against the Falcon's leader is," he crossed his hands across his chest, "the Omegas seem to be interested in one thing. That is to see her race." His eyes were bright. "You're all curious, aren't you, as to just how good she is?"

Theodore smiled. "You're a smart one, aren't you?"

"You don't know the half of it," Terrell replied calmly.

Noah chuckled at that one, making the second in commands turn and glare at him.

Terrell cocked his head to the side. "I'm sorry to announce that you won't have the pleasure of seeing Sahara race."

"Oh?" Aaron asked.

Sahara was confused.

"Because, you aren't worth her time," Terrell continued.

Is he still keeping up the bluff? Sahara wondered. What's wrong with him? This is the end. There's no way they'll accept it!

"That being said. How about as a member of her crew I accept the challenge on her behalf?" Terrell added as he calmly placed a hand into his pocket.

There was a moment of silence.

Aaron chuckled and Glen couldn't help but smile as though there was some joke he had just heard

Calvin snorted and Sahara felt shock. Was Terrell actually saying he wanted to race? He had always refused in every single race they had, yet now he wanted to race an Omega?

He's lost his mind! Sahara thought in despair.

Noah simply let out a sigh and leaned back, his eyes briefly meeting the fake Aaron's.

"You heard me," Terrell said calmly. "I challenge the Omegas." He lifted his eyes.

The second in commands simply exchanged smirks, as though they were hearing something entertaining.

Theodore let out a sigh. "Which one?" he asked in a bored tone, as though hearing challenges all the time.

"I'll do it; I'll make it quick," Calvin volunteered. He looked eager at a race.

"I don't think you understand," Terrell spoke in a soft voice. "I'm challenging all four Omegas to a race."

There was stunned silence.

"He's lost it," Sahara whispered.

"Oh boy," Noah simply said as he ran a hand though his hair.

"I think you're the one that doesn't understand," Glen took a step forward. "We challenged the leader of the Falcons, not you. We won't accept a replacement that easily. If you want to challenge us then I suggest you re-read the Creed. It's not possible for someone like you. Unless and Omega directly challenges you, you have to be an Omega to challenge another Omega." He ended with a patient smile. It disappeared when there was a soft chuckle from Terrell.

"Oh, I know the Creed alright," Terrell spoke. A smile spread across his face.

"Great, now he's smiling," Noah muttered as he turned away, as though giving up on the situation.

"Things are simple," Terrell continued. He lowered a hand and flicked his fingers. His board shot up beside him. "You can't refuse my challenge."

"And why not?" Glen asked with a sigh that showed he was loosing interested.

"Because," Terrell slowly looked up. "I'm an Omega too."

Sahara's heart just about stopped beating.

"There he goes, using the title when it pleases him," Noah muttered with a shake of his head. "Sometimes I think he's a real idiot. I'm telling you, he's such a handful as a leader. It makes me wonder why anyone would ever follow him in the first place."

Sahara turned to stare at him. "What do you mean?" she asked.

The four Omegas in the meantime, looked like they caught on. If Sahara wasn't mistaken, their second in command's suddenly looked a lot less confident.

"Well, well," Theodore's lips twitched into a smile. "I was beginning to think you were a made up story."

Terrell simply smiled.

"So," Aaron spoke, "You've finally appeared...Phantom."