He was pulled up the stairs, his arms being held onto tightly by the less than friendly guards. The portraits hung on the walls were replaced with air. The passageway seemed to get narrower, the guards no longer able to walk side by side. One standing in front the other behind. Kai suppressed a groan of annoyance, they allow him in then take him captive.

Being led down the tight hall Kai tried to talk to Dranzer, but the phoenix refused to answer.

'Dranzer, Dranzer what's wrong?' He asked, worry starting to well up inside him.

The phoenix remained silent, a noise similar to static crackled in his mind, but the woman's voice didn't fade through.

'Dranzer, what's wrong? You're starting to worry me.' Clenching his hands he was stopped in front of the door one of his arms being released briefly while the stoic man before him tapped against the door three times.

"Enter." A cold voice rang through the door, not particularly loud but carrying easily.

The guard pushed against the door, a long creak sounding as the hinges were forced open.

An oversized room greeted him, torches lit on either side and illuminating what seemed to be a throne room. The stain glass window behind the regal chair shone in thin golden strands of light, framing the stern looking man seated in his chair, guards stood in a line before him.

Kai was led inside, the guards holding onto him tightly as they showed him to the aged man.

"Sir, I present you with the intruder."

"Intruder? You let me in." He muttered wincing as a backhand slapped him across the back of his head.

"Quiet, you're lucky Lord Voltaire has decided to see you. Worthless rats such as you should be killed on sight."

"Silence!" Voltaire boomed, slamming his clenched hand onto the gold arm of his chair. "Everyone, leave my throne room. Leave Kai here with me."

His eyes widened slightly as he was released and the guards marched out. How did he know his name? Had the guards told him? He couldn't see how. There didn't appear to be any electronics. The heavy door slammed shut behind them, leaving the bluenette with the ominous man.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise Kai, now isn't it?"

"Shut up old man. How the hell do you know my name?" He spat, his hands clenched. This wasn't working out, he couldn't even remember his plan. Did he have one?

"That is no way to speak to me Kai. We haven't seen each other in a very long time. I would have thought you'd be happier."

"I don't know, nor do I care, who the hell you are. What do you want? You invite me in and then take me captive. What the hell? Now what do you want?"

"Can't a man simply want a chat?"

"I suppose, no, no I'm not having a chat. But I suppose."

"I'm not giving you an option Kai. We're talking. Understand?"

"I guess, what happens if I don't want to talk?"

"I have my ways. I always get what I want. And right now that's a friendly chat." The old man crossed his legs and settled his hand on his knee. "So Kai, tell me. What's happened with you and your brother?" The question made him freeze in confusion. What?

"How do you know about Tala?"

"I know a lot about you Kai."

"That doesn't answer my question. How do you know about Tala?" He repeated, his hands clenching. He may have been stood back most of his life for Tala but now he wasn't going to let that happen. He had to protect his brother.

"I know about him like I know about you. How could I not? How could I not know about my own grandsons?"

"What did you say?" He asked, unable to keep the shock from his voice.

"What? You're my grandson. Surely they told you."

"No, they didn't."

'Don't listen to him Kai.' Dranzer interrupted, sounding weak but she was forcing herself to be heard.

"You and your brother are my grandsons. I wouldn't lie to you Kai. You're my family. You and Tala."

"No, you're lying, you have to be, how can you be family?" His brows were pulled together in confusion as he tried to figure it out. He was lying. Wasn't he?

"My son is your father. Surely you didn't think Susumu had no parents. He's here, in my home."

Voltaire stood from his chair, walking leisurely towards the bluenette. He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, making him turn. Ignoring the glare thrown at him.

"Come Kai." He instructed, leading him towards the door he'd just come through.

"Where're we goin'?" Kai demanded, digging in his heels. Voltaire, despite his age, was still strong and pulled the boy to follow.

"You'll find out."

oooo

Tala sat with the group rubbing his finger over the bit chip. Wolborg had been dragged back in half an hour ago during their hunt for Kai. And now Tala had his head in his hand holding onto the wolf's chip. No one sat near him, all receiving a glare when they tried. He only wanted Kai near him, none of the others.

"You still mopin'? If your brother's as tough as ya say then he should be fine." Ian asked, standing before him. And though Tala was seating they were looking eye to eye.

"I-I know, but, he's my brother. I just want him here with me. I'm worried. We're never away from each other for long. I don't know how to deal with this."

"That ain't healthy." He stated, sitting beside him, not caring for the look that was being thrown his way. "You're not conjoined, give him a little space. He'll be fine. I wouldn't have brought you both out here if I thought he'd die that easily."

"Die!" Tala caught onto the one word he didn't want to hear, his head snapping up painfully.

"No, no, he's not going to die. I'm just saying. You know what, I'm not talking about this. I'll go out with you later, once Wolborg recovers we'll go back over the woods, Wyborg'll help. We'll get Kai back for you." A smile crossed Tala's face.

"Thank you, it means a lot. I can't stand the thought of him out there alone."

"You don't seem to have faith in him."

"I do, Kai's stronger than I give him credit for. But, he's my little brother, I'm supposed to annoy the hell out of him and protect him."

"I thought you were twins?"

"I'm a little older than him. We don't know how we know that but we do." Tala explained, wringing his hands together. Ian nodded slowly, but kept his mouth shut. Instead he stood, clapped his hands together to gain Tala's attention, gave the boy a small hidden smile and left. The fire from the centre of camp engulfing him, flicking above his head.

Once he was sure he'd gone Tala slumped back forwards. Itching to get out there and save his brother. He just knew he needed him.

oooo

They walked through halls, Voltaire's hand on Kai's back, pushing him forwards. Kai glanced back at him every few seconds, unsure as to what was happening. He didn't know anything. He was beginning to lose his sanity. He had a grandfather, a father, and they were on the other side. On the enemies side. That couldn't be right. His family would never be corrupt, just look at Tala, he would never accept it. He was the most committed person when it came to doing the right thing. Considering he agreed.

"What do you think of my home Kai? This could all be yours and Tala's one day." Voltaire broke the semi-comfortable air surrounding them.

"I suppose it's nice. I've never even seen something like this back home. I mean back on earth." He stumbled over his words slightly, still hating that he referred to that hellhole as home.

"I see, well, this is a family home. It's been passed down from father to son for years. Eldest son gets the home, but you two are twins. I won't consider minutes in age." Kai nodded, not having any words. This seemed farcical. How could this be his future home? It was five times the size of his old one and despite the ancient look to it was surprisingly warm. Heat seeping through the stones from an unknown unseen source. "What do you think Kai? Could you see yourself living here?"

"And Tala."

"Yes, Tala too. He's going to live here, you're family." Voltaire assured, acting nothing like how Kai'd imagined. He'd heard he was a horrible man, that he was corrupt. That he was leading to the planets downfall. This was nothing like what he'd imagined, it wasn't making sense. Who was lying?

He stayed quiet, following Voltaire down another corridor. Lights lined the hall, but there were no doors down the sides. Just one at the very end of the hall. The door padlocked shut. Kai's eyes flitted between Voltaire and the door, he took a step back trying to keep his face neutral.

"Don't worry Kai, this is just a precaution." He assured as they neared the door. "But you mustn't touch it without my permission. Understand?" The bluenette nodded, his hand unconsciously going to his chest and wrapping around the phoenix bit. The usually cool metal burning hot, almost unbearably so. He could hardly stand holding onto the female.

'Kai, leave.' She managed to say, willing her master to turn and run.

But he didn't.

His curiosity was too high, he stared at the door itching to see what was behind it. Voltaire had only just met him but knew him like Tala did. His curiosity always got the better of him. The thought of being left out irritated him more than was humanly possible.

Voltaire settled his hand on the handle to the door, jolting Kai out of his thoughts. His eyes refocused and he nodded, urging the man to open the door and reveal what was hidden.

The elder smirked, swinging the door open and revealing an almost empty room, one stand set in the middle, a cage surrounding the object stood on top, chains strung from the ceiling coming down and meeting inside the cell box.

"Kai, meet Black Dranzer."

Please read review