I probably shouldn't start posting this yet, but I'm really excited for this story. Like my other story "Dragon," this one's Douglas-centric, and focuses on his relationships with the whole family. As the story progresses more of his and Chase's relationship will come into focus. This story will deal with mental illness and other medical conditions later on. There will also be major character deaths. Chapter one will begin in "Bionic Showdown." There will be more on that when I get chapter one up. I have been doing extensive research on mental illnesses and their effects. Much of this is inspired by the personal story of Nick Traina (from the band Link 80), the son of author Danielle Steel.

If any of you lovely readers have any questions, feel free to PM me. Now on with the story.

Beneath the Dawn

Prologue

Donald Davenport always knew that there was something seriously wrong with his younger brother. Neither of them had been typical children, but Douglas's atypical behavior went beyond what would be considered normal even for them. While he had begun talking in complete coherent sentences at a younger age than most children, Douglas had accomplished the feat at an even younger age. They were both little charmers in their own right, but Douglas always had the edge – and not because he was younger. There is something very different about him, something… Wrong. Whenever either of them would become obsessed with something – whether it was a certain superhero, sport, or whatever – Douglas would take it to the extreme. He would be solely obsessed with that one thing for years. His room would be filled with anything pertaining to his obsession; from Spiderman to Star Wars to far more disturbing things. And those "disturbing" things came long before the idea of bionics ever manifested itself in either of their minds. It wasn't the thing itself that was so disturbing, it was Douglas's obsession with it. Most of his obsessions were with the normal things that fascinated most boys their ages: comic books, sports, TV shows, video games. But this particular obsession would last for most of his life. It would grow and mature along with him. And while Donald would never openly admit it to anyone – including himself – it scared him.

No one was sure how or why this obsession manifested itself. The two of them had been fascinated with the classic movie monsters; Dracula; the Mummy; Frankenstein's monster; as well as zombies and other creepy creatures. Douglas, however, took it much further than some boyhood enthrallment. He became obsessed with darkness and death. Not his own or anyone else's, just death in general. He had made hundreds of drawings in black and other dark colors of people killing each other, blood dripping from severed limbs, swords drawn or plunged into people, arrows sticking out of them. Fortunately, that would be gone by the time Douglas turned eight and his obsession with Star Wars would begin, something far more benign. It was when he was in sixth grade that his demons truly began to surface.

Douglas had his serious mood swings that would last for months. He would be angry and spiteful for a while, consistently, then irritable and uncontrollable and then finally he would be sweet, kind and loving – the Douglas that Donald new was the true Douglas. Donald couldn't deny the fact that he could be full of self, even then. There were times he cared only about himself, others feelings didn't matter; but Douglas would take it too far, almost turning it into an art form. He sometimes found his little brother's antics amusing, like the time he effectively blocked the driveway with the skateboard ramp he had built himself. Douglas lived in his own world, a world that was all about.

And then… One of the worst possible thing that could happen to their family took place.

When Douglas was ten, something happened to their father at his job. Donald never could figure out exactly what had occurred, but it changed the man – for the worse. Everything changed. The dynamics of their family were destroyed. Douglas had always been difficult and his obstinateness only escalated when their father changed. Despite it all, Douglas never hurt anyone, physically. He may have spouted off insults with the acidic wit that he had, but he never hurt anyone or anything. And despite their father's change, the man never laid a hand on them, no matter how angry he got. Although, there were times when Donald was sure the man wanted to beat them both.. He would become violent – which Donald owed to his excessive drinking – throwing things and abusing them verbally. Especially Douglas. These episodes would occur when Douglas was in his happy, loving state – his normal state. It was then that Donald made the promise to always protect his little brother from their father. A promise that he quickly broke. He hated himself for it and had tried to make up for it once Douglas got out of the house and far away from their parents. However, it would turn into an epic fail. He should have dug deeper, worked harder to find out what was so wrong with his brother. No one else believed there was anything wrong with him, not even their mother. But he had so badly wanted out, that he left his brother behind.

They made a temporary reconciliation and began "Davenport Industries." It was the beginning of bionic technology and the beginning of the end of their relationship. It wasn't meant to be used on human beings – or any form of life. But they tried it, anyway. Subjects A, B, and C. That title change fairly quick. It sounded too weird to both of them. These subjects were children. They needed actual names. And since Douglas was the one who had so enthusiastically donated his DNA, he got first pick on names. He insisted on Chase. Donald let him have that one; but because he was part of the project, he insisted on at least having a say in naming the two older ones. Douglas reluctantly agreed and they easily agreed on Adam, since the boy was the first – and a boy. It made perfect sense to them. However, for the little girl, a week-long argument ensued. From Bethany to Bronwyn, they finally decided – and agreed-upon, Bree. Douglas then gave her the nickname "Breezy;" which ended up being rather appropriate.

During those first five years of the project, for reasons Donald could never figure out, Douglas's behavior patterns from their childhood and youth were minimal. He was still difficult and temperamental, but he didn't exude the major and long-lasting mood swings. Donald was happy at the possibility that his younger brother had grown out of whatever had plagued him for all those years. Yet, far into the back of his mind, it scared him. By the time Chase was a toddler, Donald began to notice his brother reverting back to his old behaviors. It was subtle at first. Little things, revolving around the project.

Then it happened. Donald had no idea what had been going on his brother's head during those six years. What he had feared most for his brother was coming to fruition. Douglas's deep seeded obsessions were back. This time, however, it had the potential to become utterly destructive. Douglas was now obsessed with the perfect soldier. He had to be stopped. Looking back on it, it wasn't the smartest move; but Donald forced him to leave. And it nearly backfired. Two months after he was let go, Douglas managed to make his way back to the labs, take the kids and disappear. While Donald didn't fear for their lives, he still had to find them and it would take almost four months before it dawned on him where Douglas had taken them. Their old home.

He always knew there was something horribly wrong with his younger brother. But that wasn't going to get in his way this time. He knew he had to rescue those kids. Yet, despite knowing that something was horribly wrong with his Douglas, what Donald Davenport failed to see was at the one who truly needed rescuing was his brother.

LabRats

Hope this piqued your interest.