Blazin Shadow: OMG, Behind again! Oh well, you can blame Tala and Kai. It's their fault for keeping me their prisoner.

Kai: Hn!

Tala: Is not! You've not been pulling your weight!

Blazin Shadow: Whatever, I'm going to answer my fans now and get on with the show!

Responses:

Storm of insanity: As I said I weren't having a go, but it's nice to see that you've come around to liking yaoi. To me it's interesting writing a boy/boy fic. You shouldn't say you're stupid either, it's more that no-one's shown you another way of thinking. To be honest I was the same way when I started, but now I'm hooked. As for Ray calling Kai his Blueberry, I thought it was so sweet, but you're right, it didn't fit well with Kai's persona, so I dropped it rather quickly. And yes, Bryan is a bad guy in this fic, I hate repetition also and try my hardest to avoid it. There are no hard feelings on you not liking yaoi before, as I said I was once like that myself, so I can't judge, I just try to help people along to more, open-mind thinking.

Kai Hiwatari1: I've said I prefer happy endings, but I can't guarantee that Black Dranzer will get out of Kai's body. You'll have to wait and see.

False-Image: I suppose even though I'm writing many stories at once, I try to differentiate them as much as possible. I'm glad you like both stories.

Keena Kon: WHAT! You're not gonna help me, but I thought you liked my story? You can't leave me to Tala and Kai, they're sadistic!

ghostymangarocker: Yay! More praise, I'm so happy. And Kai, did you hear that, back off! I need my space!

AnimeBando33: Okay, I've updated, don't have a spas and read on!

Kai-lovr: Aw, so not only a lover of Kai, but Tala too? Maybe you could help me by getting them to leave me alone! I need some serious alone time and they keep prodding me!

Droopy1389: Loves hot bishies running, huh? I'll have to remember that, but for now it's on to pummel Bryan, quite literally.

Gasara: You'd like Ray with his tope off? My God! Um, I don't know about that, but what about Kai? Um future chapters….yes…..

fluffys-sidekick: next chapter up, hope you like it.

I'm only awake when a full moon: At least you tried to save me, I know some who are too afraid of Tala and Kai. Don't worry one of us will think of something.

Hikata: Have I updated soon enough, Hm? Well, If I haven't, enjoy it anyway, okay!

ShadedRogue: Didn't you also find it funny that they both kiss on a balcony? You're right, it was a long time afterwards, but it was only a side plot and not as important on my story scale, if that makes sense. It's like an extra. Anyway, enjoy.

Windstar: You shouldn't apologize for your sense of humor, mines kind of psychotic aswell, so just be yourself. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the last.

Chapter 24: Welcome to Life.

The need for air became more desperately pressing, setting his lungs aflame. Reluctantly, Tyson acknowledged his need, pulling his lips from Max's. His hand slipped through blond locks to cup a flushed cheek with adoration.

Max still had his eyes closed, chest heaving slightly. Tyson watched as those lids fluttered to reveal blue-eyes shimmering like a vast ocean, and could feel a silly grin grow across his face. A shy smile responded, a hand sliding into Tyson's own hair.

"You've lost your hair-tie." Max murmured.

Tyson nodded absently, not really taking in Max's words. Leaning forward, the words passed by a second time; his lips brushed over Max's again, before Tyson pulled back in shock.

His hand slipped through his own hair, realizing that Max's words were the truth. He searched the ground and picked it up with a chuckle when he found it lying innocently on the floor.

"I think we should go back inside." Max said as Tyson bound his hair in the familiar low pony-tail.

"Do we have to?" Tyson whined, pulling Max towards himself suggestively.

"Yes Tyson, we have to." Max held a secret smile. "The others will wonder where we are. Now don't pout!"

"But I wanna stay out heeeeeerrrrrrreeeeeee!" He stuck his lower further out, which only made Max laugh.

Max gave Tyson a small but sweet peck on the lips, before pulling out of his embrace. Clasping one hand, Max tugged Tyson towards the door leading to the chaotic hospital room. Tyson relented, letting himself be dragged. Though only after two steps, Max halted. Max turned to him suddenly, an optimistic glint in his wide eyes.

"I think we should save our happy news for when we celebrate Black Dranzer's death and Kai's freedom." Max said firmly.

When, not if. Tyson thought with amazement, Even if doom was inevitable, Max would still find something to be happy about.

Tyson nodded with a solemn smile and as Max led him to their parents, Tyson's admiration for Max's determined optimism was renewed with vigor. Judy, Max's mum, was the first to look up. With a comforting smile, she patted the bed beside her. Max was quick to run over. Tyson smiled softly at the blondes enthusiasm, which was soon replaced with a puzzled frown as he noticed Robert at the head of the small cluster.

"Yo, little dude, sit already! You interrupted the rich dude speaking!" Grandpa was the next one to notice them.

Tyson sat down beside Max, "What's going on?"

"Well, as I was just saying." Robert said tiredly, shuffling nervously in his seat, "I have some good news, and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

"The good, definitely." Tyson answered immediately, "We could all do with a change in luck."

"Okay," Robert smiled as he pulled out a familiar black laptop from behind him; "We managed to retrieve this at the crime scene."

"Oh, Kenny will be pleased!" Kenny's mum gasped happily. Robert handed it over to her, "We'll give it to him as soon as he awakens!"

Robert nodded, "Also, we have Voltaire, Bryan and the other scientists and aristocrats in cells. Mr. Dickenson believes that Voltaire holds the information that will help us to extract Black Dranzer."

"And what's the bad news?" Max murmured hesitantly.

Here, Robert cleared his throat, the troubled look flittering across his features, "I've just come from a negotiation between Mr. Dickenson and Voltaire." –Robert inhaled sharply- "Voltaire won't give us the whereabouts of this information unless we can guarantee to him full immunity."

"WHAT!" Tyson jumped out of his seat in outrage; "You can't be serious! You cannot tell me that he is considering this! Voltaire is a raving loony, and if he is released then none of us can rest! We'll always be watching our backs in fear!"

"Isn't there another way?" Max asked, "What about you mom, don't you have a solution? And isn't anybody looking for these documents?"

"I'm sorry sweetie," Judy murmured while stroking his hair tenderly, "But none of the practices we came up with were reliable or safe to pursue."

"And since we left the Abbey Ian and Spencer have been leading the crew that have been searching through the entire Abbey, they are currently searching Voltaire's mansion." Robert's shoulders slumped slightly; "They haven't found anything."

"So they're just going to let Voltaire go?" Tyson snarled bitterly, "You do know that he tried to sell us off like we were cattle, don't you?"

Robert winced silently at hearing that, but held onto his resolve. With grim determination, he mumbled, "Is that more important than the safety of your friend?"

Tyson's jaw fell slack in shocked disbelief. He gulped audibly, feeling the uncomfortable stone-like lump that had suddenly lodged itself in his throat. Trembling fiercely, Tyson gasped, "Of course not! But--!"

"No 'buts', Tyson." Robert leaned calmly forward, his lilac eyes boring into his own, "If we release Voltaire, do you honestly think that Mr. Dickenson will allow him anywhere near you? I highly doubt it," –Robert sighed deeply-- "Understand, Tyson, keeping you safe from Voltaire is within his capabilities, but Kai, Kai is in serious trouble. He is trapped within his own body, a body which is controlled by Black Dranzer, a body which Black Dranzer so desperately needs in order to wreck havoc on this world. Kai is in a place where none of us can reach him, a place only Voltaire has directions to."

"How is he?" Tyson breathed, hardly knowing if he wanted the answer or not.

"In a bad way." Replied Robert sullenly, "Physically, he is pretty bad, and since he's been at the BBA hospital ward, only Black Dranzer has spoken to us. Kai has been completely dormant."

Before another tense silence ensued, the door abruptly swung open, admitting a rather hysterical doctor. He looked in his late twenties with disheveled sandy hair and wild, shocking blue eyes: a total mess. Huffing and puffing while clutching his chest, roving eyes landed on Judy's form and he shuddered.

"I'm so sorry Judy!" The doctor gasped, the anguish in his voice as clear as day. "You were right, and I should have listened! But I wanted to make everything alright, so I went ahead and did it anyway--!"

Judy by that time had moved herself before the doctor, grabbing him by the shoulders and steadying him.

"Whoa, whoa Jason, just calm down." Judy appeared to be in control, but Tyson could feel the panic edge in her tone, "Now take a deep breath, and tell me."

"I…I…." Jason took a couple of deep breaths, but the shimmering eyes did not dim, in fact they were even more painfully emotional, "I went ahead with the last idea you dashed Judy, I put the needles into Kai's body…"

"Tell me you didn't." Judy's tone was nothing like Tyson had ever heard before, and judging by Max's hurtful expression, neither had he. It was deadly calm.

But Jason's head flopped down like he had lost the strength to hold it up. Shamefully, he whispered, "…I did…"

"And…?" She held her breath, as did Tyson, who couldn't understand most of the conversation, but was getting a basic gist. He could feel the suffocating tension, could almost taste the pain that was about to come.

"Black Dranzer could feel the electricity pumping through Kai's body, and withdrew, replacing his spirit with Kai's!" It was just a whisper, and Tyson knew only one thing.

"YOU HURT KAI!" He roared.

"Don't you think he's been through enough?" Max asked and Tyson moved to grab his slender hand.

The doctor cringed at the violent tone, and Judy was giving him a disapproving glare, but Tyson was passed caring.

"Where is he?" He growled low in his throat, "Where?"

"Room 13." Jason whispered in monotone.

Tyson nodded resolutely and made his way to the entrance, with Max's hand still pressed against his own. As Bruce grabbed his shoulders, he shrugged them off, swerved around Judy and Jason and was gone, not caring in the least that all he wore was plain, white pajamas.

888

He didn't know where he was; all he knew was that he was hiding from the voice. The world around him was covered with shadow, the voice echoing sometimes far away, and then somewhere nearby. But it hadn't found him yet. Kai was thankful for that, for subconsciously he knew that it only meant trouble.

At one point, he felt an insistent tug, dragging him up towards a ball of white light. There he felt heavy and violently sick, blinding hot pain coursing through his system mercilessly. There was a man there, a horrified face that stopped the pain, and Kai would've thanked him, but the moment it stopped, Kai felt incredibly exhausted. He remembered seeing the mans lips move, but he could hear nothing. It felt like he was drowning, water muffling everything else. Then the darkness dominated, and the voice was so close, he fled, barely escaping.

Now he was crouched in a crevice, listening for signs of the voice.

…Come here, little Kai… It was the voice…Come out and play…

…No… Kai thought, withdrawing further into himself …No, please don't find me…

The voice felt closer, but had yet to find him. Kai froze, huddling against the wall and silently praying for it to breeze passed unaware.

It seemed as if his prayers were answered, the voice silencing.

Kai sighed in relief while feeling every muscle in his body slowly relax. But then he heard something else, and all senses flew up on full alert.

"…Kai…?" It sounded vaguely familiar, though Kai was still suspicious.

"Please don't ignore me." It was slightly fuzzy, but Kai could understand each word perfectly.

"Wake up, buddy."

…I am awake dumb-ass…! Kai thought harshly, but then stiffened, placing the voice with a face …Tyson…?

"Kai, we're so worried about you." Tyson continued, "Just open your eyes!"

… THEY ARE OPEN, TYSON…! Kai fumed inwardly …CAN'T YOU SEE ME…!

"Kai, we're waiting for you." Another voice, Max, "If you can't open your eyes, flex your fingers if you can hear us."

…BUT THEY ARE OPEN…! Kai shook his head stubbornly, but as if they had a life of their own, his fingers flexed.

But no one responded. Frustrated beyond comprehension, Kai looked out into the black void, as if it would produce the answer to his riddle. And then he heard the one thing that he didn't miss…

…Head towards the light if you want to see them…the voice jeered in a fake sing-song tone …and know that I will take you when you get back…Head towards the light…the light…the light, Kai…if you want to see your friends…one last time…

Kai shuddered in despair, clenching his eyes against the malicious cackle that reverberated around him, taunting him. The voice was waiting for him to come out of hiding; to do God knows what to him.

…I'm sorry Tyson…I can't…

888

"We could have had a replay. It's a shame Boris went to Hell, isn't it. I'm sure he would love to play with his favourite toy all over again, especially with the little boyfriend watching."

Tala could feel the rage within him, overwhelming him. Bryan sat there so smug, his lilac eyes practically laughing in their faces.

"You sick bastard!" Tala hissed, stepping forward.

Bryan made to stand up, sensing the immediate danger he was in, but Tala was already all over him. A fist clenched a handful of his shirt, just beneath the neckline and twisted painfully tight, dragging and slamming him against the wall. Bryan tried to release the death grip on him, but Tala effortlessly slammed him against the wall again, making him see stars.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't torture you within an inch of your life!" Tala growled, twisting the shirt until Bryan began choking.

Tala could see Bryan struggling for breath, could feel desperate hands clawing at his fist, silently begging for freedom. But Tala could not bring himself to let him go. He could only watch and find a sick satisfaction in the others pain. Bryan could not answer, that he knew, but he still waited, slowly tightening the leash he had on the teens throat.

"He isn't worth it." Came a small voice, holding wisdom.

Tala's eyes widened in shock, dropping Bryan in his stunned stupor to face the only other occupant of the room. Ray was exactly where Tala had left him, in the doorway of the cell. He held a bewildered look, glancing at the pitiful mass slumped on the floor to Tala who was nothing short of baffled.

"Ray?" He questioned, "Don't you want to see him suffer?"

"Oh yes." Ray murmured softly, "He will face full punishment of the law, Mr. Dickenson will see to that. But seeing you smash Bryan against the wall made me realize that it is pointless, and makes us as bad as the people who did this to us in the first place. I have been so consumed by guilt and anger and fear. I should be with Kai, asking for his forgiveness, helping him get rid of Black Dranzer."

"Kai is the one who needs my attention." Ray concluded softly, "Kai is the one who is worth it, the one I'll fight for. Not that!" He sneered in the direction of the lifeless form that was gasping for breath.

Tala nodded condescendingly, "Then go." He urged quietly.

"Kai needs you too." Ray replied.

"…Yeah…" Tala mumbled, he turned and gave Bryan one last kick in the ribs, "Okay then, now I'm ready. Let's go."

Tala guided Ray out of the cell, which locked behind them. They walked passed the guard who was trying to suppress his own smirk of satisfaction, and as they made to go up the stairs, Ray thanked him.

"For what?" Tala asked.

"For helping me get my priorities right." Ray said, smiling at him, "For getting my head together."

"Kai will forgive you, Ray." Tala answered, "There's nothing you could've done."

Ray nodded solemnly, and picked up the pace.

"I know that now." Ray murmured, "But I wish it were different."

"Me too, Ray." Tala mumbled, "Me too."

888

"Just so you know, the ambush was a complete success." Johnny stated smugly.

Johnny was standing proudly in a dimly lit cell, identical to that of Bryan's, facing another prisoner. The man sitting on the bed however, was not impressed. Wearing the simple prisoner uniform, the middle-aged man only glared back in anger and disappointment.

"You disappoint me, Jonathan." The man snarled, "I had high hopes for you."

"My name is Johnny." Johnny replied, he snorted in disbelief, then said, "I might not be the nicest person in the world, but I refuse to become you!"

"It is a shame then that you look like me." The man sighed mockingly, "You can never escape your heritage, Jonathan. You will always have my blood in you. You've already proved to be like me when you betrayed me to the BBA. Looking out for number one, like I do. You've just been de-railed, is all. You'll soon find your way again. It's destiny."

"Yeah well, I don't believe in destiny." Johnny retorted, "I just came to let you know that Voltaire is away in jail, Boris is dead and the experimentation on the Bladebreakers has been flushed down the toilet."

"That is a pity." The man answered, stroking the red hair on his chin thoughtfully, "Poor Voltaire, he must be furious."

"And you're not?" Johnny asked skeptically.

The man shrugged, "Not really, deals come and go, but what can you do? Life goes on and as long as I live, then there's always another chance. Opportunities lie everywhere, you just got to know which one to go for."

"Nice." Johnny sneered sarcastically, "Enjoy your life in prison, dad!"

He turned to go, his hand just slipped onto the wood to knock when his father answered.

"Don't worry, Jonathan, I'll be out of here before you know it." He leaned forward, his eyes insane, "And then you'll pay!"

"Now there's a threat, if ever I've heard one." Johnny rolled his eyes sarcastically, "Look, I'm shivering in my boots!"

He knocked on the door, and as he was let out, one could see he was actually shaking in his boots. Once he was out of sight of the guard standing before his fathers cell, the façade he plastered around himself began to crack, and he slumped against the wall. Fear clouded his shuttered eyes, a cold chill swept through his entire being and he wrapped his arms around himself protectively. No matter how much he denied it to everyone, he was utterly frightened of his father, and now he had openly defied him.

"Hey."

Johnny looked up in disbelief, his hands dropping to his sides in fear of being seen appearing vulnerable, to find Enrique standing just before him, a warm, understanding smile on his lips.

"You okay?" He asked.

Johnny pushed himself off the wall, intent on walking away, when a hand grabbed his arm. Johnny shrugged him off and whirled around to face him, deadly anger blazing.

"Just leave me alone, okay Enrique, I'm not in the mood for this right now."

"It's okay to be afraid, Johnny." Enrique said sympathetically, "Your father isn't exactly the nicest of people. Just know that we're here if you need someone to talk to."

Johnny nodded curtly, acknowledging his friends help, and briskly walked away.

888

Mr. Dickenson sat at a shadowed table, this time accompanied by Oliver. Opposite him, sat Voltaire with his lawyer, both of whom were highly smug. On the table sat a small machine, the cogs turning with a little red light blinking, indicating that it was recording everything said. Next to it was a few sheets of paper, determining the conditions of Voltaire' full immunity.

"Agreement acknowledged at 10.30am on Thursday 30th of July." Mr. Dickenson said stiffly, "Now Voltaire, where is Boris's information regarding the experimentation on Kai?"

"All information I received from Boris concerning the experiment with Black Dranzer is hidden deep within my mansion…"

Oliver clicked on the walkie talkie within his hand, nodding at Voltaire to continue.

"…Under my bed is a small lion-skin rug, pull it up. Pull up the third piece of wood from the wall. It will be securely nailed so make sure they don't strain themselves." Voltaire smirked but Mr. Dickenson just scowled, so he continued, "Under that there will be a small keyboard that locks my vault. It's coded K92 S10. The vault is implanted in the wall behind my wardrobe. That's where they'll be!"

Oliver nodded curtly, then spoke into the walkie talkie, "Did you get all that?"

("We've already opened the vault. Give us a second.") It was Ian, sounding kind of breathless on the other end, ("Spencer's just gotten to the vault, and it seems that…yes! They're here Mr. Dickenson! We've got them! Everything is on these pages, from first rough drafts to finalized formulas and the design of the capsule where the experiment took place. We'll bring these back for analysis right away!")

"Thankyou Ian." Mr. Dickenson answered.

Oliver switched off the walkie talkie, and begrudgingly slid the papers across the table to Voltaire who signed them with eagerness. Voltaire stood up, as did he lawyer, the lawyer stating that Voltaire would like to be released immediately.

"Of course." Mr. Dickenson mumbled unenthusiastically, "Oliver will show you the way out."

Voltaire smiled cruelly down at the French youth, who although unnerved, stood his ground.

"This way monsieur." Oliver left the interview room, turning right. The lawyer followed with Voltaire clutching the papers like a life line.

"Oh, by the way." Voltaire said, turning back to face Mr. Dickenson who was slouching in his seat, "Tell my grandson I wish him well."

A cruel smirk etched across his face and he left, his cackle bouncing off the walls. Mr. Dickenson cringed at the noise, his mind wondering yet again if he had made the right choice as his stomach cramped in fear.

888End chapter twentyfour.888

Okay, this is interesting, a fan 'I'm only awake when a full moon' has answered my call. It's the bit in the italics, then I've continued the plot from there, okay. Now on with the humor show.

I'm only awake when a full moon: Loads Sniper Rifle I could hit them if they would stop moving!

Tala: Kai did you hear something?

I'm only awake when a full moon: Opps.

Kai: Yeah, it came from outside. I'll go check it out while you keep gaurd.

I'm only awake when a full moon: Okay, gotta use all the camofluage i have.

Kai: hits snow with pitch fork Come out already! Yes i know you are in there.

I'm only awake when a full moon: Epp!Runs out side only to find the full moon is gone OH SH...Z.

Kai: May as well take her inside.

Kai enters the house and hurry's to the room where Blazin Shadow and Tala are sitting. Bringing the body inside, Kai shuts and locks the door.

Blazin Shadow: Who's she?

Kai: Pathetic rescuer. Some kind of weird animal thing.

Kai lobs the girl carelessly on the floor. Then rolls her on her back with his foot.

Blazin Shadow: Don't do that! She's a fan!

Tala shrugs, Kai smirks.

Kai: Trespassing.

Tala: What can we say? It's her own fault.

Blazin Shadow: It's yours for hurting her!

Kai: Hey, she would have bitten me!

Tala: Anyway, who are you to tell us anything, you're our prisoner, remember?

Blazin Shadow: YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME, I'M THE AUTHOR!

Kai: So?

Tala brings out a rifle.

Blazin Shadow gulps audibly and cowers slightly.

Blazin Shadow: Where did you get that?

Tala: Her.

The girl groans and twitches.

Kai: We're wasting time, now get on with it.

Blazin Shadow: Okay…

Reluctantly, Blazin Shadow sits on the chair before the computer.

Blazin Shadow: By fans. HELP ME! THEY'RE MAD, THEY'RE OUT TO KILL ME.

Tala: SHUT HER UP!

Kai slaps Blazin Shadow around the head and shuts down the internet.

Kai: Now write. And no more funny business.

Blazin Shadow gulps in fear.

Blazin Shadow: Y'know, they remind me of Boris and Voltaire….