XP: Cheerios! Sorry for taking so long this time. O levels coming up and school and people and... yeah.
Thanks to: Yuriy, ash1692, scarlette shizuru, maham123, Guest, Night, IceKrystal, Nazrita, Pheonix09 and rangerapprentice for reviewing! I love you all, new reviewers and old fans alike!
In case ppl are getting confused... so far, in very brief terms:
Something happened to Tala and he lost his voice, causing the panic of Blitzkrieg boys. In the end, they decided to go Japan due to Kai, and they lived with the Bladebreakers. Kai introduced Chiba, his psychologist, to Tala. All was fine and dandy, until Tyson's dad and brother come back. And from there, things spiralled downwards. Maxie's mom is screaming at Kai to give back her son, Tala lost his memories, but regained his voice, proving that trauma made him lose his voice, and Tyson is horribly upset due to his family, so they decided to stay at Kai's mansion. There, Bryan got alcohol poisoning and was sent to the hospital. And, now it is clear that almost all of them need Chiba's help.
***Start of chapter fourteen***
The emergency light blinked off, and Tala immediately stood up from his chair, making poor sleepy Ian who was leaning on Tala fall and hit his head on the chair. Ian muttered under his breath in pain. Spencer was still in deep sleep, his arms crossed and head tilted backwards. Max and Tyson were sleeping side by side, with Tyson's cheek resting on Max's head which was resting on Tyson's shoulder. Kai was also moving forward, being used to sleepless nights. Rei was going over to wake everyone else up with a yawn.
The doctor walked out, and was surprised by the large amount of teens outside. He then frowned, thinking they were all drinking buddies.
"How is Bryan?!" Tala asked anxiously, grasping the coat of the doctor, only to be pulled gently away by Kai.
"Doctor, how is he?" Kai asked quietly, translating.
"He's safe now, we flushed the poison out of his system," The doctor sighed. "But it was a close call. If you guys didn't call an ambulance in time... you really need to look after him, and stop drinking so much..."
"We will," Rei promised with a tired smile. "Can we see him?" He asked, upon seeing Tala look fretfully in the direction of the door.
"Well, yes, he's still asleep though. Keep it down," The doctor said wearily, before leaving with the nurses behind him.
Tala rushed in first, frowning. Bryan looked very pale, lying on the hospital beds like that. The Blitzkrieg boys never liked hospitals, especially Ian. He sat next to Bryan, scrutinizing Bryan's face to see if he was really okay. He contemplated shaking Bryan awake.
"The doctors wouldn't lie, Tala," Rei reassured.
"The doctors always lie," Ian protested.
FLASH.
"What do you mean we have to do a body check-up?" Ian growled, and was held back by Spencer.
"That is... all beybladers have to do it before a competition to check their body's state and see whether it's fit for beyblading..." The bba member explained nervously. "You have to do it before you can compete."
"We are all fine," Spencer declared.
"It's also to check for drug and steroid usage," another bba member glowered at them, full of suspicion.
"We didn't have to do this last year," Tala raised an eyebrow. "Or the years before."
"Exactly, it was a new rule. Suspicions have been raised since you guys keep winning. Especially since Biovolt will do anything to win..." the bba member glowered at them.
"I'll fucking kill you!" Bryan snarled. "We didn't cheat!"
"Bryan!" Tala hollered in alarm as Bryan stalked forward with a raised fist, stopping Bryan in place.
"It's just a body check up?" Tala asked quietly.
"TALA!" Bryan and Ian protested.
"It's fine, all beybladers have to do it," Tala masked a subtle order in his sentence. Defeated, Ian and Bryan backed down.
They were lead to an elevator, to higher floors and brought to separate examination rooms.
"Why the fuck are you wearing a white lab coat?!" Bryan screamed and pointed at the doctor.
"Well, all doctors wear labcoats," The doctor said placatingly.
"Then why the fuck are you holding that in your hand!" Bryan shrieked.
"Don't get near me with that needle!" Ian cried out hysterically.
"We have to take a blood sample for tests..." The doctor explained as Ian ran to the furthest corner of the room, trying to get away.
"What do you mean strip?" Spencer boomed. "I refuse to do it! Get away from me!
Hearing the distressed voices of his team mates, Tala glowered at the doctor in front of him. "I demand to know what is going on!"
"Boys, Boys!" Mr Dickenson arrived, standing in the corridor. "Calm down! Come out here for a minute."
Tala came out quickly, looking at the doors of his other team mates. Spencer came out looking less than happy. Bryan opened the door and shut it with a loud slam, growling murderously. His whole body was tensed, like he was ready to fight for his life. When Ian didn't come out, Tala rushed to the room Ian was brought into. Ian was curled up in the corner, shivering and hugging his knees, eyes wide and panicked like a wild animal.
"Ian!" Tala went to him immediately, squatting down in front of Ian. "Ian, it's Tala. Can you hear me?"
"You fucking bastard! What did you do to him!" Bryan growled protectively, immediately going over to the doctor to punch the lights out of him.
"Bryan!" Spencer held him back by restraining him with his large arms. "No! If you do that, we'll get disqualified!"
"Ian!" Tala touched Ian's arm lightly, causing Ian to jolt and strike out, punching Tala's cheek. Tala winced in pain, watching as Ian came back to the world.
"T-Tala?" Ian mumbled, eyes wide as saucers, reaching out to rub Tala's burning cheek. "Oh my god, Tala, I'm sorry..."
"It's fine," Tala murmured, ruffling Ian's hair.
"I know you guys don't like doctors..." Mr Dickenson said sympathetically. "Look, why not Tala just come with me for checkup? One of you will do. I will be present to make sure nothing happens. And I'll make them wear casual clothing."
"But sir...!" The bba member protested.
"Quiet. I'm the head of bba," Mr Dickenson said with authority
"But Tala-!" Ian protested.
"It's fine," Tala repeated, sternly this time with the air of a captain.
"If they do anything to you..." Spencer growled protectively. Bryan cracked his knuckles.
"I know," Tala smiled lightly, getting the message.
Tala was led to a well lit room that was multi-colored instead of the blinding whiteness they hated. The doctor there was indeed wearing normal clothing. Mr Dickenson sat down on a couch at the side of the room and waited. Tala moved forward and stood at attention in front of the doctor, tense and soldier-like. Upon seeing his straight back and poise, Mr Dickenson shook his head sadly.
"Good morning, Tala," The male doctor greeted gently. "Today, I need to give you a body check-up, a scan to check your bones, and a blood sample to check for abnormalities like drugs or alcohol okay?" The doctor explained patiently. "We also need to check your mobility and vision just in case. There have been cases of beyblade battles gone wrong and I do not want to witness it again, the people who despair due to not being able to beyblade ever again."
Tala nodded seriously.
"To do that, I need you to take off your clothes and dress in a hospital gown, and I'll need to take blood sample and stuff, is that alright with you?" The doctor asked in concern.
Tala nodded again.
He began to take off his clothes, accepting the gown offered to him. Mr Dickenson frowned at the numerous scars he could see on Tala's back when Tala removed his shirt in one swift motion.
"Tala... what happened to cause the wounds on your back?" Mr Dickenson asked worriedly.
"Beyblade injuries," Tala deadpanned like a script.
"Tala, you need to tell us what's going on so we can protect you," The doctor said gently.
Tala's cold look did not change at all, making Mr Dickenson frown in disappointment.
The door burst open, and Tala looked over calmly to see a seething Boris and an enraged Voltaire with the Blitzkrieg boys hesitantly behind them, a few steps away.
"What are you doing to our champion!?" Boris demanded, pushing the doctor away and tearing the hospital gown into two. Tala quietly slipped back into his shirt, looking unaffected.
"It is a mandatory health check-up..." Mr Dickenson explained, getting up. He cast a glance to a stony Tala, looking submissive and docile, much like a statue. "They need to do it to compete."
"They can have check-ups with our own doctors," Boris hissed. All Blitzkrieg boys suppressed shudders. A disturbed look passed between Ian and Bryan. Those words 'our doctors' basically meant painful torture sessions with scientists experimenting on them.
"We don't trust Biovolt," Mr Dickenson frowned, standing straighter and puffing his chest out to look bigger.
"Well, too bad, Hiwatari Enterprises can crush your little BBA in seconds," Voltaire snorted. "Leave my beybladers alone, all I'll make sure all your beybladers have no future!"
It was true. Defeated and indignant, Mr Dickenson backed off with a simmering glare. That was one of the reasons why he could not cross Biovolt. It was backed by Hiwatari Enterprises, which could crush the dreams of all the kids out there who want to beyblade.
And as the Blitzkrieg boys left, they all had different expressions. Ian looked downright miserable, Spencer seemed glad to leave, Bryan was still angry and Tala... he just shot Mr Dickenson this knowing look like he knew what would happen, that he knew he wouldn't save them.
***End flash***
"Bryan..." Tala whispered, reaching out a hand to brush stray strands of hair away from Bryan's forehead. Bryan's eyes starting to open blearily, blinking at the harsh hospital light. Tala smiled as Bryan's hand found his and gripped it weakly.
"Bryan Kuznetsov! How many times have I told you not to drink so much?" Spencer raged, storming into the hospital room, grabbing his shirt and shaking him harshly.
"Spencer! Calm down! You're in the hospital!" Ian freaked out, trying to pull Spencer off but to no avail due to his tiny stature.
"Stop it!" Tala called out in distress. "He's gonna-"
Bryan promptly threw up.
"Eww," Max mumbled.
"Eww!" Tyson shrieked.
"Oww," Bryan groaned at Tyson's shriek.
"I'll go get the nurse!" Rei rushed out.
"Spencer, stop, it was partly my fault," Kai sighed, prying Spencer's hands away from Bryan. "I should've kept a closer eye on him-"
WHACK!
Silence filled the room as Kai moved his tilted head to glare at Spencer from underneath his hair. His cheek was rapidly becoming red.
"Calm the fuck down, Spencer, or I'll drag you out and wipe your face on the concrete," Kai snarled.
"I told you that you had anger management issues," Ian mumbled quietly, still grabbing onto the back of Spencer's shirt.
Spencer turned on Ian instead, so fast that his shirt ripped, fire burning in his eyes.
"Oww," Max mumbled, rubbing his upper arm, near his shoulder. He had moved in front of his friend in time to block the hit. Seeing the pained face of Max, Spencer seemed to be startled, moving back.
Max's baby blue eyes reflected pain as they stared up in confusion at Spencer.
And then Spencer was being shoved onto the floor, and punches were being rained onto his face and chest.
"Fuck, Kai! Stop it!" Tala pulled Kai back by wrapping his arms around Kai's shoulders and Kai growled, thrashing in his grip. "KAI!" Kai was like wild animal, with his messy hair, burning eyes, snarling lips, blue face paint and red cheek. "Kai, please!"
"Kai, I'm okay," Max called out hesitantly, and Kai seemed to freeze, breathing deeply.
"Spencer, are you okay?" Tala helped Spencer up from the floor, who was groaning in pain.
"What's going on here!" The nurse demanded with a worried looking Rei behind.
"Nothing," Tyson laughed sheepishly, moving in front to take the nurse's attention. "Um, can you help clean up Bryan's shirt and stuff? He just puked."
"And three ice packs," Ian mumbled, watching the bruise form quickly on Max's arm.
"And three ice packs," Tyson relayed, giving a charming smile.
Exasperated, the nurse shooed them out of the room to clean up, calling her colleague to give them the ice-packs.
Kai seemed to be deep in thoughts, breathing deeply, unresponsive to the world as Rei dragged him out awkwardly. Spencer was pulled out by an angry Tala and a depressed Ian, and Max and led by Tyson.
"Kai, what's wrong?" Rei asked worriedly.
"...I'm a red eyed monster," Kai breathed, leaning against the wall and tilting his head back with eyes closed in frustration.
Rei blinked in confusion.
The ice packs came, and Rei pressed it gently on Kai's cheek. Kai didn't even respond to it. "I gave in to him. How could I..."
"Kai, it's not your fault, Spencer totally deserved it," Ian huffed, staring up daringly when Spencer glared at him, growling. "Yeah? Look me straight in the eye and admit you didn't lose control. You hurt both Kai and Maxie."
Max was holding an ice pack to his shoulder, which throbbed and ached like hell. Tyson seemed very sympathetic and was fussing over him, asking if he needed anything, and that he should sit down, or go home to apply medication...
Spencer suddenly looked defeated when he saw Tala's tight frown and disappointed eyes. There was also underlying fear in there, which made Spencer's heart wince in guilt. "... Max, I'm sorry... Kai, I lost my cool back there..."
"Yeah..." Kai nodded, still seeming out of it. "You need to see Chiba."
"Yeah, I will," Spencer murmured. "I'll make Bryan go too... and Ian."
"I guess I'll go if you go," Ian shrugged.
Kai nodded his thanks to Rei, and took over the ice pack, pressing it against his own cheek. His cheek was only reddened, but Max's shoulder seemed to be getting worse by the minute, growing a darker patch of purple. Spencer was holding the ice pack over his face, where he got hit by Kai repeatedly.
Tala was left confused, wondering why the heck there was suck thick tension now. Was it because of him? They were fine yesterday. Or the day before. Everyone lived happily in peace. But now, with Bryan down, with an volatile Spencer and an angry Kai, a pissed off Ian, a hurt Max, a quiet Tyson, and a very fretful Rei, he wondered what he should do to restore the peace. Would he know if he remembered? Did he want to remember? Kai didn't seem to want him to remember, and the Blitzkrieg boys seemed to have mixed feelings. He remembered some bits and pieces that left him wanting to remember more precious memories with his team mates.
Kai was quietly brooding, dark aura spilling over and making the situation feel tense and uncomfortable. He was blaming himself for his lack of control. He could've beaten Spencer to death if Tala and Max didn't stop him. All he saw at that moment was red, and his rational mind flew off to the clouds, leaving something dangerously close to that...
The sickeningly sweet smile of his reflected at himself, his wide, wide red eyes. The somewhat creepy, innocent look that laughed at himself.
No matter where he looked, it was himself. That mirror room they looked him in to drive him insane. To make him watch what he has become and slowly become broken.
His clothes, blood soaked, the sticky blood everywhere, those blood splatters on his cheeks...
He just laughed and laughed, manically throwing his head back, rocking himself back and forth. Just giggling, finding himself amusing. He smeared the blood everywhere with his dirtied fingers, fingers that sought pleasure from killing. He had laughed nonstop, until... he stopped and really stared at himself.
Then he felt so, so sick.
He had puked, and his knees had become weak, so he fell and scrambled away from the mirror on all fours, shaking his head in disbelief. He clutched his hair in his hands, wanting everything to go away, and he looked up again with tear filled red eyes... to see the murderer he has become, the cold sticky blood that covered him.
"Kai? Kai!"
Kai looked up into the concerned eyes of Tyson, and realised his breathing was erratic, and his fists were clenched so tight they were starting to turn white. He composed himself.
"Kai, are you okay?" Tyson asked worriedly. All eyes were on him.
"...Hn," Kai grunted, turning to leave, not wanting them to see him in this state.
They gave him space, knowing he needed time alone. Awhile later, Spencer had also left, face dark with shame at his outburst.
Soon, the nurse inside the room was done, and Tala rushed back to his best friend's side again.
"Hey cap'n," Bryan greeted cheerily. "Did you see that nurse? Hell'a hot."
"You idiot! Joking even at this time!" Tala snorted, whacking Bryan gently. Bryan only grinned in response.
"Hey twerp, you really need to stop agitating Spencer," Bryan murmured as Ian came into view.
"That's what I do best though?" Ian smirked. "Annoying people."
"You okay Max?" Bryan asked in concern when Max stepped forward to greet him, still holding the ice pack to his shoulder. Max nodded and gave a little smile, but the stark difference between his milky white skin and the ugly purple bruise was obvious.
"I get why Kai exploded, he's always been protective of you," Bryan started with a smirk. "I get it. It's like how all of us would pummel a guy if they dare hurt Ian."
"I could've handled it," Ian pouted.
"Yeah right you could," Bryan snorted, though he left it at that, not taunting Ian anymore. "But knowing him, he's probably blaming himself now."
"Why?" Tyson voiced, and everyone turned to look at him. "Why is he blaming himself? He's our captain, but we know nothing about him, and when he see him like that..."
"We want to help," Rei said sincerely. "Bryan, do you know what's wrong?"
"Well," Bryan scratched the back of his head. "I do know some things, but I don't know if Kai'll hate me for saying it."
"Please, Bryan," Max pleaded. "Kai needs to get better, and we want to help."
"... There was this side of him that they called -01..."
XP: So? Curious about -01? :D