A/N: No, I don't own Newsies. Yes, I know that this will remind people of the book Downsiders. And I thank the people who created both! Before each chapter I will post who is who, just so it doesn't get confusing...thanks to Bittah for this idea;)

Tragic...Bridget

Marsh...Catheryne

Ice...Kyle

Fantasy...Piper

Pebble...Adora

:CHAPTER ONE:

A HISTORY LESSON

"It is rumored that the Underworld first came to be ten generations back and many, many years ago. There was a time when all Underdwellers were Topdwellers, living above the land. No one knows exactly how we came to live in the world beneath. Some say there was war and devastation forcing us below; others say there was a great flood that would surely wash away anything above land. Whatever it was, it created our future...what is now all that we know...the Underworld. Of course, there are still rumors. Rumors that someone may know how our society truly came to be. A secret passed down from generation to generation by the clan leaders, perhaps? Who knows. Certainly not I. But before you continue on to the ceremony, there is one more thing you must all understand; Your life in the Upperworld will be hard, but hold no fear. Always remember that you are never as alone as you think you are."

The four girls continued to gaze up at the thin, middle aged man. His eyes usually seemed bright, but on this particular day they seemed heavy with a wisdom beyond his years. He was Bernard Xavier Red, uncle to Catheryne Paris Red and Kyle Alexander Red.

Catheryne was sitting the furthest left of all the girls. She had dark green eyes and reddish-brown hair, which she frequently twisted around her left fingers. To her right sat he best friend since birth Bridget Titania Red, a girl with shoulder length pitch-black hair that slid messily around her face in a very strange manner. However, he strangest feature was her hands—or hand, as she was simply born without the left one.

A small girl with bright red hair that framed her tiny face was leaning her head on Bridget's shoulder. Her honey colored eyes were gazing up at Bernard with an innocent excitement. She was Adora Bianca White, youngest of the four. To her right the last girl sat in a slump, attempting to hide her great height. She had short, dirty blonde hair and a freckled nose. Her name was Piper Dolce White, and she was the oldest of the friends. One thing all the girls had in common was their extremely light skin, as they had lived their entire lives by the light of fire alone.

Tonight was going to be the most important night of their lives. Every year a group of 18 teenagers (9 boys and 9 girls, 6 teens from each of the three clans: Red, White, and Black) is chosen at random to journey above to the Upperworld. At the end of their three month stay, they are given the choice of forever living in the Upperworld or forever staying in the Underworld. In the many years this tradition has been carried out, not one person has chosen to stay above. This year, however, it seemed that might change.

"Good Luck, girls," Bernard said, smiling a toothy grin. He picked up the old, brown satchel he carried with him everywhere and headed off to the Red Clan's Living Chambers.

"I'm so...excited!" Adora said, bursting into a fit of happy giggles. Catheryne and Piper smiled, nodding their heads in agreement.

"I wonder what the sun is life," said Piper.

"Or the water that falls from the Sky! Kyle said it was called...rain, I believe?" Catheryne eagerly replied. The three continued to talk excitedly. The fourth girl, however, did not seem quite as happy. Instead, Bridget sat in silence, gazing at the dirt.

"Bridget...Bridget, you all right?" Catheryne said, a concerned look in her eyes.

"What? Oh, yeah. I'm just going to go back to the chambers. Y'know, make sure I've got everything," Bridget said as in a daze she wandered out of the Main Hall and through the second passage. But Bridget did not head straight to the Red Clan's Chambers...instead she headed back into the Main Hall's second entrance and quickly went down into the Third Passage.

"What's wrong with Bridget?" Adora questioned.

Piper smirked a bit and said, "Prolly going off to kiss Kyle goodbye." She and Adora giggled. Catheryne, however, did not find this funny in the least. Bridget had been her best friend since forever, yet she was quite touchy on the subject of her brother and Bridget's feelings for each other.

"I hate to say it, but maybe it's better they are separated for a while. After all, Kyle turns 18 the day we return, and we all know once he does he has to marry Serena and take over the duties as Leader of the Red Clan. They've been promised since birth! Yet both my brother and Bridget refuse to see that. What will Bridget do then?" Catheryne snapped.

Adora's eyes seemed filled with sadness. "Catheryne, they love each other."

"I know...but I am sick and tired of covering for them. I've been doing it for the past three years!

"Come on, it's not like it's a secret, Catheryne! People just pretend not to know. But...you are right, there's nothing much they can do..." Piper said with a sigh.

Meanwhile, Bridget had reached a small nook at the end of the third passage. Waiting there for her was Kyle. She ran to him, and they embraced.

Kyle smiled and said, "Oh Bridget, what till you hear. I've got a solution to all our problems!"

"Kyle, please don't..."

"Bridget, I'm coming with you.

Bridget scoffed. "You can't, you know that! You've already had your three months in the Upperworld. You know you can't return again. And when I get back you know you must marry..." she turned from him, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"I will not marry Serena. I will leave with you for the Upperworld tonight, and we will go someplace far away from here...and I will marry you." Kyle placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her towards him, then he spoke again. "It will be alright."

Bridget pulled away. "Don't say that, you know it won't, you know we can't."

"But I will go with you and we'll—"

"They will kill you if you do!"

Bridget stared up at him in silence. She loved everything about him so much. She loved his featherlike hair that had once been blonde but had somehow been mysteriously dyed black. She loved how it would fall perfectly across his slim face, never covering his beautiful dark, brown eyes. The thought of never seeing him again hurt her more than she could bare.

"I don't give a damn about what they would do, Bridget."

"Kyle, I have to go..."

He stopped her and took her into his arms, pulling her into one last, passionate kiss. "I love you, sweetheart."

Bridget couldn't take it anymore, she ran back off down the passage.

Kyle looked after her with longing. "I love you..."