Chapter -7-

I woke up feeling pretty good. I looked over and Drago was leaning back in his chair.

"Drago…thank you. You did a good job…I feel pretty good."

"You had internal bleeding from the fight? How did you last that long? As a matter of fact why didn't you do anything about it? For the god's sake I…WE need you and you almost died! If I hadn't saved you…If…"

"I'd have KILLED you brother…ME…" Drago said with a whimper.

I motioned him to come over and I hugged him.

"I heal faster…I assumed it took care of itself…I guess it hadn't and I over did it. Thank you Drago. I love you."

Drago nuzzled into my chest and I kept on with the embrace. These kids…they were so important to me…I'd die…for them…and the Master…

"Brother…would you read to me again? I tried to read it while you were asleep but it is so much better hearing you do it!"

I nodded and picked up my poetry book and began to recite to Drago. He sighed deeply and within a few stanzas he was out. He must've stayed up all night watching me.

I looked up and Tai was standing at the foot of my bed. In his bandaged state he looked very intimidating the way he was standing over us.

"Tai? You're up! That gel must have done better than I expected it to do."

"Brother. Spar me…spar me now. Please…I need to know if I'm healed."

"Tai…you are still bandaged up…you can't wait until you get cleaned up?"

"No…I…I have got to know…I've got to know if I can fight…"

I woke up Drago and he looked up at his brother and smiled….until he saw the look on Tai's face.

"Tai? are you ok?"

"Fine…just…have to know…have to know…"

I wasn't sure what was wrong with him but I sure as hell wasn't fighting him in this condition.

"Tai…I think you need to lie back down…the bio gel has affected you. It can happen…most the time people that are given the gel are fine, like Drago…but I had to use a ton more on you…I think it has affected your mind."

"I am FINE…just need to fight you…I need to FIGHT…you."

I assumed the gel had send a huge rush of adrenaline to his brain…and the last thing he had been doing (fighting me) had been pushed back to the forefront…the gel had almost put him into a rage.

"Come on Tai, let's go back to bed…calm down…the gel has sent some strange thoughts to your brain…they will dissipate if you just calm down and rest."

"NO! I AM FINE! FIGHT…ME!"

Tai threw Drago into the floor and pulled me out of bed. Up close I could tell he had a chemical imbalance from his glassy eyes. I pushed away from him and put him in a sleeper hold.

"Come on Tai…go to sleep…calm down…sleep…sleep…"

"NO…NO…NOOOO I HAVE GOT TO FIGHT!" Tai thrashed and thrashed. I finally snapped my fingers and command him to sleep.

"I obey." Tai immediately collapsed into my arms asleep. Thank God.

"Brother…what the hell is wrong with him?"

"Just the gel side effect. He'll be fine. Put him back to bed for me."

"Sure…"

"Brother, I'm going to take a long shower…I need something to relax me."

"Fine. I'll be watching Tai."

I waited for Drago to leave the room and stepped over to Tai. I snapped my fingers.

"Tai, wake up and listen."

"Yes Acornian Royal. I will obey."

"You will no longer be enraged when I release you from this trance. You will be back to normal. Your body will fight the gel. Do you understand?"

"Yes Acornian Royal. I will do what you commanded."

I closed my eyes and hoped for the best. "Good, then I command you to come out your trance."

Tai shook his head and moaned for a few seconds. He then re-opened his eyes…they were back to normal.

"Brother…thank you for taking care of me." Tai said softly.

"No problem. You are worth it. Drago…you…the Master…all worth it to me."

"Am I better?" Tai said softly.

"I think so. Can you stand?"

Tai got out of bed and took off his bandages. He looked as good as he did before I almost killed him two weeks ago. He hadn't lost any of his muscle thank god, or else I'd have to force him to pound the weights again…and they hated that.

"Yeah…my legs are pretty strong under my weight…I can rotate both arms fully…and I'm not seeing double vision. Thank you big brother…you nursed us back to health…"

"I…look…I didn't mean to hurt you that bad. I couldn't control myself. The Master had me fully into my warrior state…you were an enemy that had to be stopped as quickly as possible. I promise you I'll make it up to both of you."

Tai hugged me. "You already did big brother. I love you so much."

I sighed in relief…my nightmare was finally over. Both my brothers were back at full health and I could continue their training the next morning.

After a remotely quiet evening, I awoke early and went to set-up the weapon training in the basement of the gym. Before I could get back to wake the boys, the Master was standing in the doorway with Amadeus.

"My slave, you have done well. You have not only obeyed me to the letter by injuring the people you cared most about, but you then healed their bodies in record time, while managing to make them care even more about you. Most people wouldn't love their attacker more than before the attack, but you managed it. You may wonder…how I know those kids care more…well…I have them here…"

My brothers were behind the Master smiling and waving at me. I shook my head in embarrassment…I loved those boys but they still acted more like kids than the warriors they were bred to be.

"What's wrong my slave, you look displeased that the boys have managed to love you more than ever."

I shook my head.

"No…that isn't it. They just need to act more like warriors sometimes."

The Master snapped his fingers and said "Warriors it is time to awaken."

The two boys immediately quit goofing around and went to attention. Both boys puffed their chests and stood awaiting instruction.

"Is this what you wanted them to be my slave? Mindlessly obedient and subservient to us? In this form they are no longer your little brothers, they are emotionless killing machines that do not care about anything but obeying the Master."

"Of course, they don't have to be this way, you can train them to be warriors with their minds intact, however, if they aren't ready this will do. I enjoy having them be quiet and murderous. I mean look at them. They are perfect looking and they aren't even teens yet."

I agreed with the Master as always. Tai and Drago looked like they were almost fully grown adults and they were barely into double digits. Tai of course was not really 10, he just thought he was…in reality he was only a few weeks old…Drago was probably pushing 11 at the oldest.

"Tai, can you tell us what you are programmed to do?"

Tai stepped forward. "Yes Master. I am programmed to rend and destroy. I will kill all those who oppose the Master. I have no emotion and will destroy everything with no remorse. I am programmed by the Master to only obey the Prince when in the field."

"Master, I thought we were going to bring these people back to us. Not kill them. Have you changed our command?"

"No. He is just programmed to kill unless told otherwise. Watch."

"Tai, all enemies are to be captured for reprograming. Do you understand?"

"Yes Master…I will not kill…I will capture."

The Master looked at me and smiled. "Is that better my slave? As I said he is a mindless warrior now…he will do exactly what and only what he is told."

I frowned. "Master…I am not going against you so please don't think it as I say this…those boys were willing to do whatever it took when they had their minds…why did they have to lose their will? They would have followed me to their deaths for you and I still will. Master…I beg you…can I please have them back? I will of course obey you no matter what…but can you forgive us?"

"I am not mad at you my slave. It is in your blood to lead and make those around you unable to do anything but obey you. You were trained by the best and your charisma even in this state is far above the average Mobian. What I do expect you to do is keep these boys in line from now on and make sure they know who their Master is. Drago will do what you and Tai do, so make sure Tai understands what he must be…or this is the fate of both your brothers…I'm sure you don't want them to be soulless killing machines like Amadeus is."

"No…Gods no…I want them back the way they were…if you will allow it."

"Oh, I will allow it. I'd rather see them the way they were as well. But I cannot have them think they can go against me…and you have to know that you are mine forever and will never be free."

"I understand…I and my brothers are your slave for eternity."

"Good…Drago…Tai…You are commanded to go back to bed and forget what you have been told this morning. When your brother awakens you in a few minutes all will be normal again."

Both boys nodded and walked back to the dorm silently. The Master looked at me with his smile.

"Thank you Prince. You are smarter than I thought! You are going to be a great slave." He motioned towards Amadeus. "Let's go Prower. We've got things to do."

"Yes…Master…" Amadeus said softly as he followed the Master out and back to the lab.

I breathed a sigh of relief. The boys would not remember this and I could deal with them. I couldn't bear to see them soulless like that. I loved them too much.

I cleaned the mess up from their entrance and went back to the dorms. Both boys were asleep. Drago was snoring loudly and Tai was sitting on his bed…it looked like he was upset.

"Tai?" I said in a concerned voice.

"Brother? Something happened to me this morning…I can't remember, but I remember…I remember wanting to kill…and destroy everything…What happened to me?"

I sat down beside Tai and commanded him to fall into his trance and be prepared to obey.

"Yes…Royal…please command me."

"Tai, you cannot remember what happened this morning. I command you to wipe your memory from the past three hours and go back to sleep once I break you from this trance."

"As you wish Royal…It will be done…are there any other commands?"

"Yes. From now on you will treat the Master as the Master. He is the main reason you live and unless you don't want your emotions you must treat him right. We are his slaves for all eternity."

"As you command Royal…it will be done."

The Puma stood up to his full height and puffed his chest at me.

"Remember…if you force this body back the way it was you will lose the warrior side of Tai. He will be a normal boy again. You will lose the warrior that he wants to be. You will lose a warrior that wants nothing but to obey you and love you."

"He already loves me without the blank mind. I don't have to convince him of that."

I snapped my fingers and told him to break the trance. He moaned and fell back to the bed asleep.

I went over to the wolf boy and smiled. His innocent looks made me glad the Master had allowed me to fix their issue with him. I'd never be able to watch them like I saw this morning. I sat down on Drago's bed beside him and fell asleep myself. The morning had taken its toll.

"Brother! Wake up! We are all late!" I heard as Drago nudged me until I woke up.

"Huh…Oh…hey boys…its ok…I've already set everything up down in the gym. We won't be too far behind."

"Well…I can't get Tai up! He is out! Can you wake him so we can get to work!"

I walked over to my brother and stood over him. "Tai. awaken. It is time."

Tai's eyes shot open.

Then Tai let loose a huge yawn.

"Brother! I slept so well! I had a dream that we all were with the Master and he said I was the best warrior in the world! It made me so happy!"

I hugged Tai tight. I didn't want to lose him again.

"Brother? I love you too…but you are cutting my air off. Can you let go?"

I let go and looked at my young warrior. I'd make him and Drago into warriors…no matter what. They couldn't be turned back into those things.

Tai can you stand I want you to inspect your body and tell me what you still need to work on.

Tai checked his body all over and then turned back to me. "Um…I'd say my core…I don't think I've done enough. I am mostly flat. My chest is stronger…so I guess that would even things up…I'm no where near as strong as you or Drago as it is."

"That isn't true Tai, you are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You are young, you have to remember that you aren't going to look as strong at 11 as you will at 16 or older. Drago looks stronger because of his race. They always look incredibly strong at any age just about. Am I right Drago?"

"Yeah! We are just built to look strong. Tai I don't know what you are concerned about since I can't beat you in a sparring match."

"I know but I'm just saying…Brother wanted to know what I felt was my weakness and that is it. Both of you are far superior in your looks than I am, even if big brother is much older….and your race is built different than mine."

"Never mind worrying about that Tai, we have training to accomplish today. I need to work on marksmanship with the both of you. After all, if we don't need to fight hand to hand we shouldn't. If you are good with weapons, you'll risk harm to yourself much less than using melee tactics."

I took the two boys into the basement of the gym and set them up with small arms and began to teach them the basics. I taught them how to reload quickly and how to manage the recoil of larger small arms. By the end of the first day of training, Tai could already get all his shots on the vital areas without missing.

Drago on the other hand was not as good at accurate fire. He didn't miss the targets all that much, but he did not hit the vital areas nearly as often as he should've. I knew Drago was more of a melee fighter than a gunfighter, but he would have to learn if we were going to take people alive.

"Brother…why…why can't I hit these targets accurately? I focused as hard as I could, but I can't hit it more than 70% of the time…am…am I a failure?"

I shook my head. "Drago, not every soldier is as good at small arms as hand to hand or even heavy arms… You are doing fine, perhaps rifles are more your style."

I gave Drago a rifle and taught him how to hold it and within a few minutes he was firing with ease. Tai had no issue with it either, but I was more relieved that Drago was good at it.

"Good job Drago, I'd say we will use you as the long distance attacker when we are required to go on non-lethal missions."

Drago smiled. "Thanks big brother! Thanks for not giving up on me!" Drago hugged me then went to clean his weapons. Before I could do anything, Tai walked over and smiled.

"Big brother…are we doing alright? I mean I don't know much about guns or anything…I didn't miss much. Will the Master be happy with us?"

"Master will be happy, I know he will!" Drago shouted. "We are awesome!"

"…Master…will…be…pleased…"

"Who said that?" Tai said as he looked around the room.

I turned around and a figure was in the doorway. I couldn't tell who it was.

"Come in here…who are you?"

"Yes…Master…" The voice said softly.

The figure came in the room and I assumed it was the wolf that Sean and Amadeus had almost killed. His eyes were very glassy and a grayish color. He looked very confused and distant.

"Brother? Who is that?" Tai asked. "I've never seen him before…he looks…off…"

"I think he was brought in by Sean and Amadeus…but they accidentally shot him in the head…he may not be fully healed yet. Perhaps he got loose."

"No…Master…send me…to…Prince…" The boy said. "Master….say…train…me…"

"How can you train someone that is so far gone. What can he possibly do?"

"I…can…fight…" The boy said confidently. "I …good…warrior…"

The boy looked at me with his sad eyes. "Please…Master say…you help….make…me…whole…again…"

Tai nudged me. "Brother…you've got to help him! He looks so sad…I want to help!"

"I have no choice if the Master demands it….I must do it." I said with a sigh. "I just don't know if I can do anything…his mind seems incredibly damaged."

"Boys, will you clean the rest of the mess up here…I'm going to go with this boy up to the Master and see what exactly he wants me to do with him. I really do not know what to do with him in this damaged state."

"Ok brother, we will get things done here…we will meet you back in the room later." Tai said.

"No promises that I'll leave any dinner!" Drago said with a big grin.

I glared. "I had better have dinner left. If you eat it…I'll…beat you down again!"

I pulled the injured wolf by the arm and drug him back to the Master. I wasn't sure if he was supposed to be here or not. I felt he had wandered away before he could be completely finished and the Master had not noticed yet…or he wanted us to have a reminder that we could all be in the shape this kid was in.

Then again, this poor kid got shot and basically was dead for several hours until the Master found a way to use the healing gel to bring him back before life completely left his body…although his mind had to be without oxygen for some time.

I walked into the Master's laboratory and noticed he wasn't there…so I then went to his room down from the lab and knocked.

The Master opened the door, he had been asleep. He looked incredibly tired.

"Prince? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"No…well…maybe…I found this wolf child watching us train this morning. Is he supposed to be with us? I know you said Amadeus was going to be with us soon, but this boy seems to still be completely out of it. Is he ready? I will take him back if so, I was just worried that he had somehow escaped the lab unfinished."

The Master rubbed his eyes for a second and his mind realized what I was saying.

"What? The boy got out? He must have finished healing sometime after I finally went to bed. I stayed up the past few days working on him and dealing with you and your boys. I hadn't slept in four days."

Perhaps that was why the Master had been so paranoid with my brothers…he was so worn down he became paranoid. Either way I was glad he didn't take our will away for a long period.

"So he isn't supposed to be with us?" I asked.

"He isn't even aware of where or what he is right now Prince. Can't you tell?"

"Yes Master, that is why I was concerned and came to you."

"…Master…came….to…" The wolf murmured in a far away voice.

The Master glared at the poor little wolf.

"I am exhausted my slave. I command you to take him back to the lab and put him back into his healing chamber. Get Sean and have him walk you through how to complete his mind. It won't matter what his memories are as I could not save any of his previous mind…and trust me…I tried."

I could tell the Master was not happy that he had failed.

"Now you know why I am making sure your boys know how to shoot and are aware of non lethal rounds. This cannot happen again…unless you have absolutely no choice…you understand?"

"Yes Master…I agree…we cannot allow it to happen again. We need all the Mobians we can get."

"Correct…and right now we cannot create anymore beings like Tai…as I have none of the materials to make another…and…I will not kill a Mobian to create one…at least…not at this point."

"I will take him Master. Is Sean nearby?"

"He should be somewhere in the lab. Just call for him and I'm sure he'll come soon. He was probably resting."

I nodded and took the poor boy back to the lab and put him into the chamber. I called for Sean and he came out of the back room.

"Hey…Prince…what do you need?" Sean asked sleepily.

"We must finish this wolf child…he broke out and wandered the base mindlessly today. The Master wanted us to finish his mind."

Sean nodded and prepped the computer.

"All right Prince…what are we going to do?"