A/N: Yes, I'm still alive and kicking – and I've actually managed to scrabble up a new chapter! Phew! (wipes sweat from forehead)

BUT before getting to it… Again, thank you SO MUCH for those AMAZING reviews! (HUUUUUUGS) They've seriously been lifesavers during the insane week I just had! As always, responses to the reviews can be checked out from after the chappy.

And before starting out, uh… A little warning: this chapter became rather long again – twelve and a half pages. (makes an anime fall) And I afraid the next one will "explode" as well. But no worries: after that, the chapters should grow a bit shorter.

Okay, okay, as I've already kept you waiting for well long enough, here it is – chapter eleven! I really hope it was worth the wait!

Unwillingly fluttering his eyes open, Konstantin wasn't exactly sure of where he was. Finally meeting the depressingly grey roof above him, he groaned quietly with defeat.

He was still in that hell-hole, with those bastards. Nothing had changed.

Or… so he reasoned, until a impossibly familiar voice – the same that'd moments ago guided him from the darkness – drifted into his ears, the exact same second as a comforting hand was laid to his shoulder. " Are you awake?" First time in a while, he didn't feel repulsed when a hand stroked his hair. " It's alright, everything's okay. Just stay awake – you've slept long enough already."

Goodness, how his heart hammered as his eyes – widened by disbelief – slowly, slowly turned to meet the man beside him, not daring to even hope… The poor heart nearly stopped when his eyes locked to the auburn ones, identical to his. He didn't even notice the set of tears that broke loose. " P – papa…?"

The man's eyes filled with warmth that could only be found from a loving parent. " Everything's going to work out now", his papa almost whispered. " It's over now. It's time to go home."

He didn't care if this was all impossible, if he was simply imagining things and losing all of his sanity. Ignoring absolutely all voices of reason, he threw his arms desperately around the man, giving a loud cry of utter joy. Right there and then, he decided to never let go again. The man returning his gesture, he cling even more tightly.

To convince himself that this was all real, he buried his face into his papa's jacket-covered chest, frantically taking in the reassuringly familiar scent. " I… I missed you", he practically whimpered, screwing his eyes shut. " I missed you so much."

The man's murmured words brought him chills. " I miss you too, more than you can even imagine." Gently, the man pushed him slightly further, hold on him still remaining. He felt nearly terrified when seeing the almost spilling tears in those fiery eyes. " But Konstantin, I… I need you to be strong, for just a little while longer. This will all be over soon, but… you need to hold on for a little bit more."

He frowned, starting to shiver again. " W – what are you saying…?" His eyes widened with complete, utter terror when he saw that slowly but surely, his papa was turning transparent, fading away right before his eyes. He tried to hold on tighter, but only found his desperate fingers sinking right through. Tears welled into his eyes. " NO!"

By the time the man's eyes slipped closed with pain, he was already almost gone. The hold on him could hardly be felt anymore. " I love you, never forget that." It was fainter than a breath of wind. " One way or another, I'll come back to you, no matter how long it takes." There was a silent, chilling sigh in the air – and then he was gone.

Konstantin hadn't even seen his tenth birthday yet. He was just a child. And this… this would've been too much for anyone.

Feeling absolutely everything inside him falling apart, he opened his mouth and screamed, time after time, not even caring that eventually, he didn't even have his voice anymore. " PAPA!"

¨

" PAPA!"

His eyes – completely blurred by still rolling tears – flew open to meet what seemed like a tiny screen, coloured by terror and heartbreaking desperation. " PAPA!"

But the only reply he got was a stomach-turning, hollow laughter. " So, little one…" The thing covering his eyes – a strange device that indeed included a monitor – was removed, and he found himself staring right at Gabriel's face. " Did you enjoy my show? I must confess, it was quite a trouble to put it together."

He sent the man a death-glare that was piteously hindered by still rolling tears. " You… you fucking bastard!" he hollered in a strangled tone. Only the painfully tight binds trapping his hands and legs kept him from bouncing up and attacking the monster before him. " How… how dare you…?! I'm gonna kill you!"

While the all too familiar burning sensation started to take over his body, the man smirked icily, obviously knowing exactly what was going on inside him. " Unless you want him to get the best of you, I'd suggest you to calm down." The voice was completely emotionless, smooth as velvet. Gabriel took a step closer. " I only showed that… scene to you, because I have a little proposition for you. Such that you might find well worth considering."

He frowned, knowing much better than to trust. " What the hell makes you think I'd accept anything from you?"

Gabriel was completely unaffected by his words, if not mildly irritated. " Because I'm able to give you something no one else can." There was something dangerous in the man's eyes as he pulled out a deeply threatening-looking black beyblade. " Use this – join two bit-beasts for me – and you'll get to see Katia. And also…" The eyes above him turned into those of hunting beast's. " If you do this… little favour for me… I can give you your papa back."

He could've sworn he almost collapsed out of shock. " What?" he wheezed.

Gabriel's eyes flickered with satisfaction. The prey had been caught. " If you spin this blade for me, your family will be complete once more. You'll get to hug see your papa again – this time, for real."

CHAPTER 11: " The road to hell is…
That early morning of winter was one of the most beautiful ones Russia had ever seen. The temperature was far below zero, but the slowly rising, golden sun that made fresh, gently falling snowflakes sparkle in millions of colours easily made up for the coldness. The view easily reminded one of a storybook – or at very least it would've been a perfect snapshot for one of those catalogues created to attract tourists.

Which is why it was surprising for Tyson – who, for a first time since this whole nightmare had started, was actually feeling slightly upbeat – to find such a tense, almost scared look from his older brother's face. Not to mention the expression of expectation and mild disappointment that could be seen marring Brooklyn's eyes.

When they were finishing breakfast, he finally had enough with the tense silence that'd been lingering between them all day. " Alright, you two, just spit it out, will you?" He'd never been one to approach situations like this discreetly. Seeing both Hiro and Brooklyn jump on their seats, he went on. " You two look like you're expecting the end of the world or something. So what the heck is going on?"

Hiro started to cough violently, the bread he'd been chewing stuck into his throat, whereas as Brooklyn arched a delicate eyebrow. " 'Ro? Do you want to tell him?"

Now, Tyson was getting curious. Something juicy was obviously going on… " Tell me what?"

It took a long, heavy pause that was almost too much for Tyson's impatient nature. But eventually, Hiro all but whispered, eyes cast towards the remnants of his toast as though it'd suddenly been the most interesting thing in the world. " Ty, listen up…" Watching his brother clear his throat, Tyson suddenly realized he'd never seen the older this nervous before. " The thing… The thing is… is that… Brook and I, we're… we're dating."

¨

Taught by a long row of unfortunate… confrontations and 'diplomatic negotiations' with Tyson, Hiro knew all too well how irrational, fiery and unpredictable his younger brother's reactions could be. And that's why he prepared himself for yelling, flying things, anything.

But again, his brother managed to surprise him. Both he and Brooklyn's eyes flew to the size of saucers when the younger bluenette burst into a loud, uncontrollable laughter, his body shaking so hard his coffee spilled all over. " That… that's your… 'big bad secret'?" Tyson managed from between smothering bouts of laughter. It took quite a while before the younger had managed to calm down enough to dry his eyes and speak at least somewhat coherently. " I… I'm sorry to disappoint you, but… Big-bro, I've already known, for years – possibly longer than you have. Besides…" There was something between accusation and amusement in Tyson's eyes. " Even if I hadn't known, I sure as hell would've after last night. With the noise you two made, I'm amazed no one in this hotel called the police." A sly grin came to the smaller man's face. " I think you two are cute together."

Eyes still filled with disbelief, he managed to stutter. " So… that's it?"

Tyson blinked, seeming genuinely confused. " Yeah. What were you expecting – lecturing, a tantrum? You know I have absolutely nothing against someone being gay – and for the record, neither do gramps and dad." Just then, his brother's cell-phone started to ring. Heading towards his room to pick up, Tyson went on. " When we get dad back and gramps gets better, you really should tell them – they deserve to know, and they'll be happy for you. Plus, dad already suspects something." With that, he was gone.

Left alone with Brooklyn once more, Hiro slowly turned his head to meet a pair of bewildered aqua-coloured eyes. He gulped a little, not exactly sure of what to say. " Brook…"

But before he could say anything more, Brooklyn had jumped on him with a movement that'd easily outshine any feline, and Hiro's heart made several extra-beats when a pair of hot lips was slammed against his. Chills of pleasure ran down his spine when the orange-haired enigma leaned down and whispered into his ear. " Not…" Despite resistance, he gasped lightly when the other gently bit his ear. " … another…" Next bite, a harder one, was aimed at his neck – right to the spot Brooklyn very well knew drove him crazy. " … word…"

When his hands took a possessive hold of Brooklyn's arse that made the orange-haired one blush brightly, both figured it'd be a crime to leave it there.

¨

In his room, Tyson finally picked up, rolling his eyes at the noises the two caused when leaving the common-space. " Hey Max! Have you guys found anything?"

" Uh… I guess… you could say that… We're heading back to Moscow." Max's voice sounded strange, unfamiliar. " Tyson… Are you sitting?"

Almost reflexively, he slumped to the bed. " Max, you're seriously freaking me out. What's going on?"

" You're not going to believe who we have with us."

Raphael had been working for the ISA for a very, very long time. And during years, he'd been forced to see so much that he'd thought there was nothing that could get under his skin anymore.

Oh how wrong a human can be.

For when he was stood in a train, and saw the young man who's hair now had brown colour instead of silver and blue, his heart almost stilled with shock. " Impossible…", was all he managed to come up with.

His nephew… He was dead. Those freaks – monsters – had killed him, along with the baby… There was no way Kai could've been just sitting there, right before his eyes.

" You know what?" In some miraculous way, Max had managed to sneak up on him without him noticing it. There was a triumphant look upon the blonde's face. " If you would've spent more time with the Bladebreakers in past, you'd know that there's no such thing as impossible."

" Hn", he muttered, eyes still on the brunette. He just couldn't understand…

Before either he or Max managed to say another word, Sonia appeared from behind him. The look upon her face could hardly be described by words when her eyes met Kai. " Holy…" Her widened eyes snapped to Max. " What the hell happened? How is this possible?"

Looking somewhat helpless, Max shrugged. " In all honesty… I have no idea." There was a strange look in his eyes as he gazed towards the silver-haired man beside the brunette. " Dmitri says his father found him from the side of a road. But… That's as far as it goes."

Silence lingered as the trio kept staring at the couple, wondering…

" Once we get him to Russia, we'll have to make sure that's really Kai", Raphael finally stated, seeming deep in thought.

Max frowned. " How could he not be?"

The older man had a somewhat odd expression when glancing at him. " You just said it yourself. There's no such thing as impossible."

¨

The closer the train came to Moscow, the more Dmitri felt Alexander's hand tense in his. Glancing at the brunette, he frowned when seeing the other staring out the window. " Alex? Are you okay?"

The other, not turning his gaze, spoke softly. " They're looking, aren't they?"

Glancing to side, he nodded. " Yeah."

The brunette frowned, still not really knowing what to think about the whole situation, and wrapped his arms tightly around himself.

Those people, they wanted him to be this… Kai so badly, but… No matter how hard he would've wanted to play that role for their sakes, and to have the life Max had been talking about, he couldn't just step into a world where he didn't belong!

" What's wrong?" Seeing his questioning glance, slightly frowning Dmitri went on. " You've been rubbing your neck for a while now… Does it hurt?"

Now that he thought about it, there seemed to be this… burning sensation under the skin he was still touching, and the pain spread widely around that area. He must've been groping the skin for too long. " No, I'm fine. Just…" Hesitantly, he gave the other a feeble smile. " The nerves."

Seeming relieved, Dmitri returned the smile with a wide one. " You shouldn't worry too much – I'm sure it'll be alright, and everything will be much clearer soon. Besides…" When the other's hand took his, he jolted a little, definitely not used to public expressions of affection. But soon, he relaxed to the touch, and could've sworn the hand turned warmer. " I'll be right with you, always."

He couldn't keep the smile away. " Is that a promise?"

Dmitri seemed a little more solemn, though he was still grinning, as he nodded. " Yeah." It was just barely above a whisper. " It's definitely a promise."
They were both about to say something more, when a call announced that they'd just arrived to Moscow.

While he pushed himself up, still holding on to Dmitri's hand without noticing it, he was blissfully unaware of the ominous black patterns that were slowly fading from the skin of his back and neck.

The stinking, somewhat sticky blindfold covering her eyes, Judy Tate had no idea of where she was being dragged as the man she knew as Ilia Repnin guided her with an irony hold. Not a word was passed as they walked, which she more than happily accepted.

Down the stairs, two turns right, then one more to left, long straight line before there was a squeaking door, and then…

Hair in the back of her neck rose all the way up when she heard the silent, muffled whimpers that could easily be identified as those of a child. Nausea rose into her throat. " What the hell have you bastards done?"

After another door that made even more noise than the previous one had been opened, the man wordlessly ripped off the fabric from her eyes. A small gasp escaped her when her 'task' was presented to her.

There, laying on a bed that only just carried her little weight, laid a small, barely conscious and delirious blonde girl, whose sickly pale face was contorted by apparent pain. Her tightly shut eyes made the agony even more apparent, and the way she shivered – accompanied by the abnormal redness of her face – immediately revealed that she was tormented by a extremely high fever. But neither of those things shocked Judy as badly as the child's hand, of which two fingers had obviously been cut off. The only thing nursing the injury was a disgustingly filthy piece of fabric that had most likely once been white. Now it was covered by black dirt, both dried and fresh blood, plus yellow seepage. One look at the hand revealed that it was extremely badly infected.

She forcefully gulped down a vomit, shivering. " You pieces of shit… What the hell have you done to her?"

No emotions could be seen upon Ilia's face while he looked at the child. " I tried to treat her wound, but she kept fighting back so hard that I couldn't even approach her." His eyes held no traces of movement. " She's still valuable to us, so we need her to live. Perhaps she'll let you help."

Judy was shivering so badly that she could barely stand – from both shock and rage – as she glared at the man. " How am I supposed to help without any equipment?"

Giving her a chilling smile, the man handed her a far from clean roll of bandage and a tiny bottle of disinfectant. " I afraid I don't dare to give you anything more – for the sake of my own safety, you see."

She growled loudly, other eyebrow making a twitch. She hadn't worked on the field of medicine for years – not since she jumped into the world of beyblading – and with this equipment, there wasn't much she could do. But still, for the sake of the poor child… " Alright", she hissed, taking the things handed to her. " I'll do whatever I can, but I won't promise you miracles."

Ilia's grin caused her chills. " Very good. I knew you'd turn out to be useful." With that, he begun to leave. " You have fifteen minutes." The door made a miserable, hollow sound when being closed and locked after him.

Turning her attention to the girl, she was almost shocked to find a pair of hazy brown eyes looking back at her. How on earth could the child be awake, in that condition? She, however, disguised those thoughts with a faint fake-smile. " Hey there", she whispered, kneeling to the girl's level. " What's your name?"

" Katia", the child murmured in feeble English after a thick gulp and wince. She then whimpered a bit, one tear of pain rolling. " It… it hurts, my hand…"

Biting her lower lip to keep herself from crying, she nodded. " I know", she shushed, and in a spur of a moment stroked the girl's hair to offer her some consolation. " Now, Katia, listen. I'm Judy, and I'm here to help you. I need to take a look at your hand, okay?" She smiled just a bit when receiving a ghost of a nod. " Good. This may hurt a little, but I want you to try and relax, alright? Remember that I'm only trying to help."

It took all Judy's willpower not to burst into tears herself when she listened to Katia's moans and snivelling as she gently ripped off the bandage that'd been glued tightly to spot by dried blood and pus. She nearly threw up when the cloth was removed, and heavy stink of almost rotten flesh slapped her right against the face. The infection was obviously a lot worse than she'd feared.

Oh dear God…

And at that moment, tears blurring her eyes, Judy made a very important decision.

Whatever the hell it'd take, she'd need to get Katia out of this place, for proper care. Because if she didn't… there was no way the child would survive much longer.

Tala's heart was about to burst completely as he stood right outside the Russian BBA-building, waiting for the car Mr. D had sent to pick up the arrivals from Yakutsk. What Mr. D had told him kept banging his ears over and over again, like some damn mantra.

Alive and well, but…

Amnesia…

Has no recollection of his previous life…

Doesn't believe he's Kai…

… " He won't be able to remember you, Tala." …

He performed a very uncharacteristic jump when Spencer's voice suddenly spoke. " Hey, Tala, are you alright?"

As much as Bryan and Ian would've wanted to come along, the Russians had came to the conclusion that with amnesia and all other changes, meeting all of them at once might be too much for Kai. But Tala had decided to take Spencer with him – for mental support, and to keep him from killing Tyson, who'd also decided to tag along.

Tala felt far above annoyed by the bluenette's mere presence. That, although a logical part of him tried to remind him that the Japanese was one of Kai's best friends, and very much deserved to be there.

Turning his gaze, he met a pair of Spencer's worry-filled eyes. The blonde sighed. " Damnit… You seem just about ready to pass out. Just breathe, okay?"

In any other occasion, he would've punched anyone giving him such an idiotic advice, but now – pathetic as it was – he actually couldn't remember the last time he'd sucked in a proper breath. Glaring at the blonde, he growled, faithful to his deep-rooted stubbornness. " I'm fine."

Spencer dared to smile just a bit, although didn't seem a lot less shocked and anxious than he was. " Good. Because all's gonna work out just fine. And…"

Tyson's voice, more tense than ever, just then disrupted the muscular Russian. " They're finally here."

Soon, there was no coherent thought in Tala's head, as the car Mr. D had arranged was parked just a few steps from them. He literally held his breath while a man he'd never seen before first merged, followed by a female reporter who's face he could dimly remember and Max. But then, the breath he'd been holding back almost suffocated him when a incredibly familiar person came to view, somewhat confused look upon his face.

Kai… He looked a little different – none of the little bump he'd gained during pregnancy was left, his face held a unfamiliar expression, and his hair was brown. But still… Unless this was another trick from those bastards, there was no mistaking about it.

It was virtually impossible to hold back tears of indescribable joy as he kept staring at the man, shivering like a leaf.

Kai… was alive… The love of his life was alive. There was still hope.

But, as Kai's gaze turned towards him, a part of the joy and relief turned into something else entirely when facts hit him hard. Reality came crashing down on him.

When those eccentric eyes – so painfully, breathtakingly familiar – encountered his, horrible, all-consuming coldness filled him as realization sunk in with a bitter aftertaste. There was no remembrance in them whatsoever. In Kai's eyes, he – the phoenix wielder's fiancé, father of his children – was now a complete stranger. Perhaps due to that understanding, Kai's words stung even deeper than they should've. " I've… never met you, have I?" The tone was formal and polite, such that's used when first meeting a person – tenor that shouldn't have belonged into Kai's mouth.

¨

The first thing he noticed when getting out of the car was red, the exact same shade that'd been haunting his dreams.

Unable to understand what exactly drew him into doing so, he almost reflexively lifted his gaze to meet a pair of ice-coloured eyes that were flashing with tightly restrained emotions. And for a moment, he was almost sure… " I've… never met you, have I?"

Gosh, he'd never seen such sadness that then rose into those eyes. But it was almost immediately pushed away by the redhead's sheer willpower, covered by a polite façade. " We… we were… friends, very good ones…" A hand that trembled just a bit was offered towards him. " I'm Tala."

Chills ran all over when he took the hand, felt its warmth. He felt a little dizzy all of a sudden. " Alexander." He gulped thickly, this horrible weight appearing to the bit of his stomach. Why were his eyes stinging? " I'm sorry I can't remember you."

¨

Tala was baffled he could keep himself from crying as those words sunk in. He gulped loudly, laboriously. " It's okay", he rasped. It felt almost unbearably cold when Kai's hand slipped from his. " You… you will, in time." Or at least that's what he prayed for with every single cell in his body.

A tiny, miserable came to Kai's lips. " Yeah. I hope so." And suddenly, the now brunette seemed to drift into somewhere million miles away.

Tala, still struggling to keep himself composed, surprised himself with being slightly grateful when Tyson suddenly barged in, stood practically between him and Kai. No one noticed when the redhead took a couple of steps back and ran.

For a long moment, everyone else just about held their breaths as Tyson stood completely still, as though paralyzed. And then, so abruptly it surprised them all, the Japanese had wrapped his arms tightly around the taller man. " I knew it!" came a somewhat watery cry of victory. " I… I knew you wouldn't have given up that easily. And so did Dranzer."

¨

Feeling the pair of unfamiliar arms wrap around him, he tensed up completely, each and every part of his body wanting to push this person away, to escape from this hold. He… he wasn't ready for this, not yet, possibly not ever! But then… There was also this other part of him, tiny and distant, that found this… almost familiar. Plus, there was something warm glowing against his chest, and he could've sworn he heard a faintest whisper…

' Master?'

Most likely noticing just how tense he was, the bluenette finally let go. There was a look of deep embarrassment upon the other's face while he scratched his head. " Eh, sorry…" For a second time, a hand was stretched towards him. " My name is Tyson. We were once in the same beyblading-team."

He blinked just a little while nodding and taking the hand, dazed.

Team-mates… And, what was that name he'd heard earlier – Dranzer? Why did this all sound so familiar? He found his head throbbing painfully, all the new information and people becoming too much for him.

The headache kept detoriating by the time the last new face – a muscular blonde – offered him a nod of greeting, millions of emotions from shock and ache to relief and elation flashing by his eyes. " And I'm Spencer." After thinking a moment, the man went on, obviously choosing his words carefully. " You have no idea of how good it is to have you back."

Feeling like his head had been about to explode, he forced himself to give an equal nod, so woozy that he was pretty sure he was swaying.

These people… He wasn't supposed to know them – this wasn't his life! So why the heck did everything seem to fit into a place so well? And what was that… flood almost breaking through inside him – the same that gave him this infuriating headache? What was happening to him?

¨

Seeing the spacey look in the brunette's eyes, Dmitri decided that he'd have to do something before these people would cause any further harm. Taking a step towards the young man, he all but growled. Who the heck's idea had it been to have all of these people here all at once?

He, however, bit down those thoughts while wrapping his arms around the slightly shivering Russian. He couldn't help feeling a smallest wave of pleasure when the other relaxed a bit under his touch. " Are you okay in there?"

" Yeah." He could tell the other was lying from the amount of confusion, pain and almost fright in those auburn eyes. The bruenette leaned a little bit closer. " Just a bit… overwhelmed."

Feeling this overpowering need to protect the person he'd learned to care about so much, he wrapped his arms even more tightly around the trembling frame. " Everything's okay." He then shot a nearly murderous glare at the squad of people around them – the ones they'd just met, and the trio who'd showed up to Yakutsk. " How about if I take you somewhere to get some rest? I think there's been quite enough of excitement for you as it is."

The navy-haired one's – Tyson's – eyes immediately narrowed, and a tiny growl could be heard. But before the man or any of the others could actually say anything, a harsh voice stopped him. " I'm sorry, but I afraid I can't let you do that."

Turning their heads – most of them looks of slight resentment upon their faces – they found a approximately forty-years-old man with greenish hair and somewhat rat-like red eyes. There were three guards stood behind him. " Who the hell do you think you are to give us orders?" Sonia hissed, threatening look in her eyes.

The man didn't even flinch, whereas the guards behind him visibly tensed. " I'm Dr. Kirill Plavov. Upon hearing about… your friend being found, ISA decided to send me over to make some experiments and ask a few questions."

Hearing this, the man Dmitri knew as Raphael stepped forward, frowning. " I don't remember agreeing to anything like this."

Dr. Plavov gave him an condescending look. " When it comes to things like this, the command is in a bit more powerful hands than yours."

Seeing two of the guards take a hold of the brunette, Dmitri couldn't hold himself back anymore. Helplessly trying to rip the obviously horrified brunette from their hold, he growled. " Let go of him, damnit! Can't you idiots see you're scaring and hurting him? You can't do this to him!"

The one guard still stood aside gave him a push so strong he almost fell. " Back off. This is none of your business."

" You made it my business the moment you laid your hands on him!" he snarled, still trying to reach out for the person who'd became so very dear to him.

This time, he was restrained by Dr. Plavov. " Don't push your luck." The man gave them all a fiery look. " Let this be a warning. The one who gets into our way, is immediately sued by ISA. Understood?" So saying he left with the guards and the visibly shivering brunette, not taking another glance towards the infuriated group.

It took all Dmitri had not to cry with helplessness. At that moment, only one rational thought came to him.

It'd been a mistake to bring Alex to Moscow. As soon as possible, he'd take the brunette away.

¨

Just like so many times before, Tyson's first reaction to a new problem was rage. Thus, before he managed to do a thing to restrain himself, he roared. " They… They can't do this! They can't just take Kai and use him as a guinea-pig!"

" That's right." The raven-haired older man who'd came with Max and Sonia had a deep frown upon his face. " I'll need to make some phone-calls." So saying, he disappeared.

That didn't ease Tyson's fury at all. He was just about to roar again, when Dranzer's voice stopped him. ' Tyson sama, I… I'm not sure if that man is Master just yet, but… You need to take me to him, now.' The voice was so frantic it truly alarmed him. ' I afraid it's urgent.'

He shivered. ' What are you talking about?'

' There's… There's something inside him, and… Please, just do it, I beg of you! It's a matter of life and death!'

Hearing and actually sensing her terror, Tyson didn't question any further. Ignoring the guards' guns and the shouts of his friends, he sprinted to somewhat puzzled looking Kai, immediately offering him the pendant. " This… This is something you wanted me to have, and… and now, I think you need it, desperately."

Seeming even further mystified, Kai slowly outstretched a hand, then put the pendant around his neck, offering a small nod of recognition. " Thank you."

Despite all Tyson smiled, feeling a wave of relief. At least now, Dranzer was there to protect Kai. " No problem. Besides, she belongs to you anyway."

Before Kai could ask anything more, the guards ripped him to motion once more. In a blink the small group had disappeared into the mazes of the BBA-building. And all Tyson could do was hope that all would turn out fine once more…

" Someone has to stop those idiots." He blinked and turned his head when hearing Max's voice. Blazing look upon his face, the blonde made his way towards the building. " I'm going to talk to Mr. D. If anyone can stop this, it's he."

The silver-haired man who'd came with Kai was immediately moving as well. " I'm coming along. I'm not letting them treat Alex like this."

Alex?, they all mused, but at the moment, they were too worked up with other things to ask.

To the others' mild surprise, Sonia also nodded. " I'm on also on board. And, maybe… Maybe they have some new clues on Black Dahlia and Katia as well."

With the trio gone and most of the mess around his head starting to clear out, Tyson looked at the remaining group – and frowned when discovering something missing. " Hey, where's Tala?"

During his life, he'd grown far too used to the fear that again rushed through when he was dragged into a tiny, completely white room by two guards.

Memories flashed through his terrified mind.

/ Darkness of the room he was in felt suffocating as he listened to the heavy steps approaching. Shivers took over his body and heart thumped as though about to explode, but he didn't cry, didn't utter even a slightest sound. Simply waited for the inevitable.

And then, no matter how many times he'd been through this, he emitted a slightest meow when a hand graphed his hair, so tightly he was almost sure the skin of his head would tear off. " Would you care to explain me what that pathetic excuse of a bey-battle was about?" The male-voice was smooth, yet carried a clear threat.

The pain caused by the man's irony hold made speaking nearly impossible, but he did anyhow. " I… I'm sorry, Master." Some tears of agony escaped, staining the dust-covered floor. " I… I couldn't… I just couldn't kill them… I'm so sorry…"

He was deeply embarrassed and angered by the faint cry that forced itself through when something extremely hard – a metallic pipe, he strongly suspected – hit him, sending him forcefully to floor. To keep himself from whimpering, he bit his lip so forcefully he drew blood. " Being sorry isn't good enough here – you should know that by now", the man told him, voice hissing like electricity. " You are supposed to be a soldier, not a weak coward. If you can't accept that, there's no other choice but to have you terminated."

His shivering grew worse, and he knew the man could see it. " I… I will never disobey again." His lips opened for a couple of times, fumbling for words, while his eyes shut tightly. " If… If you still want me… I'll never cause another disappointment. I'll never fail again."

He couldn't do anything but gasp when a kick – so hard it nearly broke bones – was aimed at his side. " Another round starts in five minutes. Get ready before that." The man's voice was filled with disgust. " Then, we'll see if you're still worthy of the existence I've given you." /

" Please…" Was that his voice? " Please, don't do this… Don't make me…" He didn't want to hurt these people, didn't want to…

Dr. Plavov, apparently, decided that at the moment, he wasn't worth being listened. " Restrain him", the man ordered the two others holding him. " We don't know how dangerous he is just yet – it's best to be cautious."

" Yes, Sir."

At that moment, no matter how desperately he tried to fight it off, something inside him came to life, bubbled all over his veins so painfully it caused him to scream. His moves were no longer in his control as both of his fists flew to side, surprising the two unsuspecting guards and effectively taking them down. Something unfamiliar, menacing, was flowing underneath his skin when he spun around with a furious, screeching sound, enraged eyes that'd turned completely black filled with challenge when meeting those of Dr. Plavov's.

The man's eyes were widened with bewilderment and fascination. " Holy shit…", the man gasped with a shivering voice. " I was right… I was actually right…"

Paying no heed to those words – his only thought to get away, to get as far away from the man as possible – he started to storm towards the elder.

But then, in a flash, everything froze. There was a sound that resembled to a gunshot, and a hot, slightly searing sensation came to his neck.

World turning a little cloudy, his dimming mind still managed to put pieces together while he gradually stumbled to the floor with a growl of defeat and fury.

The third guard… He'd forgotten the damn third guard…

Suddenly, just as the menacing power inside him was about to break loose again, a female-voice echoed inside his head. ' M – Master, please… Please, don't let it take over!' The voice was so familiar, gentle and comforting, that despite everything all fear left him, and tears of joy threatened to fall. ' I know it hurts, but if you give in, there'll be nothing left of you. So please, fight back. If… If you're really the person I hope you are, I know you can. Now matter how little you believe it, you're the strongest person I've ever met. You are strong enough to defeat this.'

And true enough, as he allowed himself to relax and breathe deeply, the pain and torturous burning left him. He was in control again.

Overwhelmed and growing dizzy again, he sent out a thought, though he had no idea to whom – to a fragment of imagination, most likely. ' T – thank you, whoever you are… Thank you…'

Although everything was hazy from thereon, he could still dimly make out words spoken around him, trembled with discomfort when he was being lifted up by the two guards that were up once more. " Quickly, we have to work before he loses consciousness! And make sure he won't be a threat this time!" He was laid down on something, a bed he suspected. Something disturbingly tight immediately came to entrap his hands and legs. " Is he secured?"

" Yes, Sir."

After a beat, his practically unfocused eyes detected a dark figure. " Can you still hear me?" He frowned at the voice that seemed to be coming from somewhere far away. " What's your name?"

His voice worked, though just barely. " A – Alexander…", he rasped, head starting to spin uncomfortably. " Alexander 53…"

The faraway voice, growing even more distant, came again. " When were you born?"

It was so very hard to focus… His eyelids drooped, desperately wanting to close. " Th – this… year…" He licked his heavy lips, barely managed to open them again. " They… They said… February 11th…" He was getting annoyed with these questions – why couldn't they just let him sleep?

Just then, despite his barely coherent state, he was startled when the room's door was thrown open. By then, his eyes couldn't focus on the shape that drifted in. He also couldn't make out the tones of voices anymore. " What on earth do you think you're doing to him? Let him go, now!"

The blurred figure nearby him moved a little. " Mr. Dickinson, I know this seems horrible, but we were forced to restrain him, for his own safety. He attacked two of my men."

" I'm sorry if I don't sound all that sympathetic, but what else did you expect when attacking him like this?"

There was a sound that couldn't be anything but a sigh. " Mr. Dickinson, let me remind you of two things. One, this is an operation ran by ISA – you have no authority over this, even if we're in BBA-headquarters. And secondly, just like you, I'm only doing this to help Kai. Before starting out with the treatment, I need to know exactly how much he remembers and if there's anything that can be done to restore what's lost."

During the pause that followed, his eyes slipped closed despite all resistance. The sound that eventually came was almost too weak to carry into his ears. " How… How is he? Is there a chance…?" The little power behind the voice drifted away.

On the very edge of wakefulness, he could still faintly hear Dr. Plavov's reply, the words remained echoing in his ears. " I'm sorry, but even if this person would be Kai… According to what I've discovered so far, it seems extremely unlikely his memories would ever return."

For some strangest reason – due to his mind being messed up by sedatives, he suspected – those words caused a couple of tears to roll as he drifted away.

¨

Irritation seeping through his veins, Dr. Plavov turned his gaze away from the old man who was frozen with shock caused by his reply, darting his attention to one of the guards. " Opesco, would you please escort Mr. Dickinson out? We still have a lot to do, and he'd be in the way."

He was pleased to discover that the elder was still too much in a shock to put up a fight when being lead out. So much for that problem – for now. There was no doubt in his mind the man would try to stop him again. But by then, he'd already have what he'd came for…

Once he was sure the old man was gone, Dr. Plavov's eyes once more drifted to the now unconscious young man. A gleam of sick satisfaction came to them when they spotted the black patterns that were slowly disappearing from the shivering brunette's skin.

Perfect…

It seemed things were going even better than he'd planned.

Because, whatever this… things before him was, he'd just hit a goldmine with getting to it first.

Ray had a somewhat troubled look in his eyes while he, stood before a mirror, brought a knife to the plait he still had left, hand trembling.

This was it. He'd broken so many rules already, defied the village's strict policy for countless times, driven the elders to the brink of insanity. So, if he'd really do this, there'd be no returning to the village. Was he really ready to pay such a price for freedom?

Then, his eyes darkened and hardened. Hadn't he cut his ties to this place the day he'd ran away before joining the Bladebreakers, all those years ago? He sure as hell wasn't welcomed anymore. So what did have to lose?

Sun sparkled on the knife's metallic surface as it did its work. And when Ray felt the plait grow loose, then fall, a sensation of ease and lightness spread all over. He was finally free.

He was startled out of his thoughts when the guest-hut's door opened. " Uncle Ray, I found the maps…" Seeing his hair – or lack of thereof – Naima emitted a loud gasp of shock, eyes growing huge. " W – what… what have you done?"

A sharp twinge of guilt pierced Ray's heart as he looked into the teenage girl's terrified, disbelieving eyes. He could only hope that eventually, she'd understand… " Everything's alright", he murmured, trying his hardest to sound convincing. He then glanced towards the couple of maps she was holding. " So you found them?"

For a moment Naima simply stared at him, disbelieving once more, then nodded slowly. " Y – yeah. Maps to the neighbour-village, and to that old laboratory-building." Seeming uncertain, she handed him the maps.

He did his best to smile. " Thank you."

There was a frown upon the teen's face. " Uncle Ray… What are you going to do with them?"

Ache pulsating through, he looked away, biting his lip. " I'm… doing a favour to a old, good friend." Seeing the look upon her face, he forced himself to smile again. " There's no need to worry. It'll be alright."

Naima gulped loudly. " I really hope you're right", she whispered. Then, knowing there was nothing more she could do, she started to retreat towards the door. Just before leaving, she looked at him once more. " Just… Don't do anything stupid, alright? Come back safely." For a tiniest of moment, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. " I… I already lost dad and aunt Mariah. I don't want to lose you, too." With that as closure, she was gone.

Staring at the door, Ray was so deep in thought that he jumped with fright when a hand was laid to his shoulder. Turning his head, he blinked a bit when finding Mischa. Funny, he'd already forgotten she was in the room. He blinked again when she handed him a small note.

Are we going now?

Damn, how he hated the idea of getting her involved to this. But she hadn't left him much choice over the matter. Either he'd take her, or she'd stop him from going at all. Plus, after spending two years in the place, she knew it through and through. He needed her.

Gulping thickly, he nodded, then wrote. Yeah. Let's go and get back Kai's daughter.

This could be a terrible, even fatal mistake. Something he'd regret dearly later on.

But… He'd made a promise to rescue this child. And this was the last thing he could still do for Kai. What other choice did he have?

And so they left in silence, both wondering what they'd just gotten themselves into.

Kenny couldn't even count for how many days it'd been since Emily had told him about her engagement with Michael. But ever since, he hadn't dared to go anywhere near her hospital-room, let alone answered the countless of phone-call's with which she'd tried to contact him. He knew perfectly he was being a baby, but what the heck had he been supposed to do? Even a slightest glimpse of her would've cracked the little armour of composure he'd managed to gain. He couldn't take that chance, not yet.

But luckily, he had other things for his mind to work on. Now that Joshua had been discharged from the hospital, his son was staying in he and Irina's hotel-room. (He couldn't understand how he'd been able to take care of the arrangements without seeing Emily.) The child's presence also solved his other problem: dealing with Irina. (With their latest conversation and its somewhat awkward ending fresh in his mind, he wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of talking to her.)

Or well, it'd helped so far. But now – with clock being already ten in the evening – Joshua was fast asleep in Kenny's bed, leaving his father alone and defenceless to the couch with Irina.

After an hour or so, Irina finally cracked. " If you ever want to get things worked out, you'll have to talk to her."

Jumping a bit with fright, he glanced at her with slightly widened eyes. " W – what…?"

Irina rolled her eyes, giving a rather loud growl of irritation. It took a mighty while before she spoke. " Kenny… Do you still love her?"

Very sad but true, Kenny had found himself struck speechless for countless of times in his life. But never like this. He could feel red heat of shame rising to his cheeks as he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. It took ages before a wheeze came. " Y – yeah…" It was the same as admitting that he regretted ever sleeping with her, that… Ushering those thoughts away, he swallowed. " I'm sorry."

Irina snarled a bit. " Haven't we talked this through already? What we had definitely wasn't some 'love-story of the century'. It's not me you should be apologising!" she practically barked out. Turning his gaze, somewhat startled, he met a pair of blazing black orbs. " You and Emily… If you really love her, then stop wallowing in that damn self-pity and get yourself together before you lose her!"

He knew Irina was right. But still… He looked away, frowning. " But… She doesn't feel the same way, not anymore. She wouldn't be with Michael if she did."
Irina snorted. " Geez, you really are a man."

He frowned, and was just about to ask what on earth she was talking about, when there was a knock on the hotel-room's door. Both blinked with surprise. " Who the hell…?" Irina murmured.

Kenny, on the other hand, forced his body and slowly sauntered to the door. He blinked once more, stunned, when finding a very much familiar person. " Hilary?"

There was a somewhat weird look upon her face. " Things are a bit… difficult in Russia right now, so I thought I'd be more useful here." Trying her hardest to seem at least remotely normal, she then gave a impressively well-faked smile. " Do you have any idea of how hard it was to find you guys? Why didn't you answer your cell-phone?"

Kenny felt slightly guilty when realizing he'd forgotten to open his phone, once having turned it off after Emily's about hundredth call-attempt. " I… switched it off. Sorry." Feeling that he needed to show her at least some gratitude for coming all the way to America, he gave her quick hug. " But anyway, I'm glad you're here."

She laughed a bit. " So am I." Just then, she seemed to remember something, and grinned, this time genuinely. " Oh, I almost forgot…" She called out for someone he couldn't see just yet. " Misha, you can come out now!"

The name striking her, Irina dropped the remote-control she'd been holding, and it hit the floor loudly. Turning to look at her with confusion, the two discovered she'd fallen completely, unnaturally pale. Kenny immediately frowned. " Irina, you ok?"

She didn't even seem to hear him, her utterly petrified, burning gaze locked to Hilary. " Please don't tell me…"

A male-voice interrupted her. " Well hi there, Kitten." On the doorway stood Misha, a sinister smirk upon his face. Green eyes filled with something that chilled the other three to bone, he pressed a knife against Hilary's neck. His gaze was locked straight to Irina's while he roughly guided Hilary in and soundlessly the door. " I believe we have some unfinished business to take care of. So why don't we all sit down for a nice little chat?"

Meanwhile in Russia, Konstantin was shivering like a leaf in his tiny cell, although it was surprisingly warm. Long ago dried tears still marred his tensed, distressed face.

Twenty-four hours, Gabriel had told him. That was how long he had to make up his mind. To decide exactly how far he was willing to go to get his papa back.

/ " I need you to be strong, for just a little while longer. This will all be over soon, but… you need to hold on for a little bit more." /

Despite all struggle, a new set of tears came, and he buried his face to his knees, ashamed of himself, lost and terrified. " Will… will you ever forgive me, if… if I'm this weak? Will you understand?"

This was his only chance to get his papa back. How could he not use it? How could he just turn his back and forget?

And, at that bitter moment, he understood.

He couldn't.

Besides… There was no way things could get any worse than this, right?

/ " I love you, never forget that." /

Sobs wrecked his body as he curled even more tightly into himself. " I'm sorry, papa, I'm so sorry… But I… I love you, too…" He could've sworn he felt a familiar touch on his shoulder, which caused him to cry even harder. " Forgive me for this… Please forgive me…"

If… If going all the way to the darkest hell was what it took… Then that's what he'd do.

He'd do anything.

And in darkness, those terrifying patterns came to play on his skin again, and something even darker inside him stirred, knowing it'd won.

At the same time in the BBA-headquarters, the person some called Kai and others Alex had finally drifted into a troubled sleep, taken down by sedatives and hours of tormenting by his new doctor. In his current state, he couldn't know he was being watched.

Dr. Plavov's eyes were filled with triumph, excitement and something that distantly resembled to lust as he stared at the sleeping figure through thick glass.

For all his so-called career, he'd been considered a nobody, a failure, a joke. But now…

This creature, new experiment, could finally be his ticket to appreciation, something only he had access to, the world's most complicated puzzle he'd managed to solve. It was a monster, no doubt about it, but a valuable one of such – and all his. There was no way in hell he'd let something this useful slip through his fingers, no matter how dangerous this creature would turn out to be.

" Truly magnificent, isn't it?"

Startled by the sudden sound, he snapped his head to side to find a white-haired, snake-eyed man stood beside him, also gazing at the sleeping creature. He felt something that could only be called jealousy, furious that someone else was also approaching his study-subject like this. " Who the hell are you?" He'd never cared much about formalities, and he definitely wasn't about to start now.

The man gave him a smile that chilled his spine. " Someone who's just as curious about this… discovery as you are." The snake-eyed then snapped his fingers, as though remembering something. " Ah, I almost forgot… You have a phone-call. I understood it's… urgent."

Dr. Plavov swore under his breath. If it was his wife again… " Fine."

The other man's smile became even more unnerving. " Don't worry about the… subject. I'll be… keeping an eye on it until you're back."

¨

With an experienced hunter's patience, Noah watched and waited. Once the doctor's back was long gone, he allowed his eyes to flash, and started approaching the now unguarded door of the sleeping young male's room.

It was time to complete his newest mission – and to collect his well-earned reward…

TBC.
A/N: Uh… This has got to be a record or something – three cliffies in one chapter, plus Tala having wandered off somewhere! (sweatdrops) Damn, will there be a bunch of brawls in the next chapter!

Uh… I afraid that again, I have an announcement. Since school is AGAIN keeping me so busy I'd like to pull my hair out, it's a bit of a touch and go whether I'll be able to update next week or not. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I'll have time to write, but I can't promise you guys miracles. But no worries: should nothing unexpected happen, the gap (if there'll be one) won't be longer than one week. I promise, I'll update ASAP!

But, until then… Yet again, PLEASE review, because at the moment, I'd desperately need a little burst from you guys to maintain my inspiration! And remember, the more you review, the faster my fingers fly above the keyboard… (grins) (Oh, I'm so not blackmailing!)

Until next time, everyone – whether it's next week, or the one after that! Be good – and don't forget to review!

Miako6: I know exactly what you mean – it's taken me a long time to build up the plot and characters, and to create the "atmosphere". But don't worry – as you can probably see, there'll be A LOT of action in VERY near-future. And oh yes, I can just sense the approaching… "confrontation" of Tala and Dmitri… (grins evilly)

Yet again, thank you SO MUCH for review! 'Hope I'll keep hearing from you during the future chapters!

¨

GabZ: Phew, I'm so glad to think that despite me being so damn busy, the quality of the chapters hasn't suffered!

Oh dear, Tala will have a lot of shocks in store for him – I can already picture him finding out about Kai and Dmitri. I can't believe I'm being this cruel to him – he's one of favourite-characters!

Okay, okay, before I'll start a total rant at myself… Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the AMAZING review – it means a world to have a loyal reviewer such as you! To reward the trouble, I'll work my very hardest to get the next chapter out SOON. (grins)

¨

BloodRedViolet: (sobs) I also can't believe I'm doing this to poor Tala! He's one of my favourite-characters – shouldn't I want to make him happy, not to torture him?! He'd seriously deserve some happiness! (wipes eyes)

But anyway, before I'll end up slamming my head against the table… Thank you SO MUCH for your BAFFLING review – you have no idea of how warm and fuzzy it makes me feel that there's someone out there who likes my story THAT much! (blushes) I really hope I'll keep hearing from you during the future chapters! Remember to keep me posted on your theory, ya?

Laters!

(Oh yes, and don't worry about the delay – it's ALWAYS better late than never!) (smirks)

The OCs in this story:

(These are only the 'important ones', such that make frequent appearances. With the others, like most of the kids – such that appear only once or twice, or don't hold much significance – I'll explain who they are each time they appear.

If you notice someone important missing, just let me know, 'k? With a memory as lousy as mine, at least five's bound to be missing…)

Konstantin Hiwatari-Valkov – Kai and Tala's son, who's recently ended up getting kidnapped by Black Dahlia, as he's (aside his papa) the only one able to handle both Dranzers.

Katia Poldevski – Reporter Sonia's daughter, whom Gabriel and other freaks from Black Dahlia are using to blackmail Sonia.

Dmitri Polinovskaja – A almost graduated doctor, who's been taking care of a mysterious brunette named Alexander (that is highly likely in fact Kai).

Irina Hiwatari – Kai's sister, who's been working for Black Dahlia under a recently revealed code-name Cobra. It appears she has 'history' with Bryan.

Sonia Poldevski – A reporter whom Kai contacted a little before the shooting-incident. She's now determined to find out the truth behind Black Dahlia.

Mischa Kuznetsov – Bryan's sister, who was a test-subject for the freaks from Black Dahlia. As a result of the tests, she lost her hearing, and was locked up into a institution until recently.

Misha (surname unknown) – A soldier of Black Dahlia, who's current assignment is to punish traitor Irina. It's been revealed that he was the one who shot Kai. He's managed to wrap Hilary around his little-finger.

Noah Tataranowicz – A snake-eyed, extremely skilled hit-man of Black Dahlia, who's behind a lot of the bad things the group's gone through. It was recently revealed that he once worked for ISA, but (obviously) betrayed them.

'Dr.' Ilia Repnin – Another hit-man of Black Dahlia, who appears to be next from Gabriel in the hierarchy. He was, for example, behind stealing the new-born baby-girl of Kai and Tala's. He also happens to be responsible for most of the horrible scientific experiments of the organisation (being the 'doctor').

Gabriel Hiwatari – Kai and Irina's father, as well the leader and founder of Black Dahlia. He's the monster responsible for all the suffering the group (along with MANY other people) has gone through.

Commander Raphael Dacosta – Kai and Irina's uncle, and (aside his mother and Mr. D) the only adult the former has been able to trust, as well as Gabriel's twin-brother. He was presumed dead, but is instead now a commander of ISA.