Chapter 35

LAD: You're glad that the scene cut away from Kai? And I was very tempted to have Tala bleed to death. And he'd deserve it for underestimating his opponent... again. You know, if it weren't for the element of surprise, Antwan could have taken down Bryan...

Narratress: Both are possible, you know. Guess you'll have to find out which one. XP

M.S.K: Who do you prefer? Bryan, or Black Dranzer?

Koneko no Rei: Don't worry, I did have fun with Kevin and Lee, although they kept fighting on me. They fought over what to eat, where to go, what to do... ((sigh)) Men. And Tala will be all right... maybe... depends what happens between him and Bryan. XD

Slave of Darkness: Hopefully I can live up to your expectations. Fingers crossed.

Zap Cannon: It's so tempting to push you off that cliffee... ;)

Curtis Zidane Ziraa: Just because he's back with Ray doesn't mean that he will be grounded. That's one big power trip Kai will be only at the moment. And the weather is so cold due to a certain wolf...

Nights Child: I just got a good mark at Uni for an assignment, so my sacrifices must be worth it. And to see you throw Tala off a cliff... XP

Kiko cat: Confusing for you? How so? And can you kick Tala's butt anyway? It would be funny!

Shirogane Ayumi Asagi Kiyoshi: You'll just have to wait and see. ;)

Mika: Vacation? I'm so jealous. Good to have you back. And what sort of stupid thing were you thinking about?

erotas: I agree with you. There's a reason why I'm not with my ex-boyfriend, so I'm on Tala's side all the way. And I'm glad you like my writing. I'm not the best around, but I try to get up there. Hard work, too. I won't stop - although there is a chance I may change fandoms...

Chaco and Lily: Actually, yes, Panas is always drunk. I've been doing a lot of work with his character lately to smooth out his personality and character, and he's become an alcoholic with issues. Bloody Mary knows said problems and issues quite well. She's been working on him with me. Not saying how - you may get the opportunity to find out. And no guarantee's that Genesis will be beaten...

Taiy-Chan: What? No 'Go Kai'! lol. XD

lady snowblossom: Tala? With forest green hair? ((raotflmao)) Sounds like you've had a rough week. ((huggles)) I'll update Centrepiece when I have the time for it. AFF.N takes a little while to update with, hence why I don't update as often as here. So... how goes I'm A Father?

Kuroneko Hikage: That's okay. How come they moved the computer? Do you know? Was it because you were spending so much time talking to me and not working? And I bet I can go to the shrine. A goddess has no limits. XP

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Disclaimer: Please see first page

"What are you doing here?" Tala's grip tightened around Wolborg as he growled, glaring daggers across the space. "Leave me alone, Kuznetsov. You had no right to interfere. I want nothing more to do with you, so just take your blade and get out of here."

Bryan's eyes narrowed, their corners tightening as he watched him. "So sorry for saving your life."

Tala's head came up, eyes flashing. "Why did you?"

"Because I love you."

"Oh yeah? Well what about Ray?"

"What about Ray?" Bryan glared at him, Tala shivering slightly at its ferocity. "Do you honestly think Ray will ever come close? Besides, Ray is Kai's, now and forevermore. I do not regret what happened, for it makes me realise just how weak I truly am. I am mortal, just like the next person, and like mortals I have the weakness of lust. Yes, Tala, lust. That's all it was. Drinking only added to it, and I am ashamed to think I could not control it."

"Lust?" Tala's gaze hardened. "What about trust? In sleeping with Ray you betrayed both myself and Kai, and you will never be able to regain that, no matter how hard you try. And it will be worse for Kai. You were his best friend, and you just went right ahead and screwed his lover without a second thought-"

"Of course there wasn't a second thought. I was drunk!" Bryan growled. "We had no control. None at all. It wasn't until afterwards, when we realised what we'd done, we knew we had done wrong. We are both kicking ourselves. Don't think it's any easier on us-"

"Well what do you want us to think? Well?" Tala scowled. "You hurt me, Bryan. You cut me deep."

Bryan averted his eyes. "That was never my intention."

"What was your intention?"

"I had none." Bryan sighed raising his eyes and nodding to the side. "If you told me to jump off this cliff right now, I'd do it."

Tala shot him a hard look and turned away. "Don't be dramatic."

"Well what do you want me to do?" Bryan watched him as he moved along the ledge. "These last few days have been a living hell. I know you're hurting, and it wounds me to think I am the source of that pain. If you want me out of your life, fine. But there is no way I can live without you."

"Oh really? Well perhaps you should have thought about that before you decided to ride the kitten."

Bryan raised an eyebrow. "Actually, I think it might have been the other way arou-"

"Shut up!" Tala spun, eyes flashing as he snarled. "I do not need to know the petty details of your affair. You want to jump off the cliff, fine! Go ahead."

Bryan watched him. "That your final answer?"

"Yes!"

Bryan shrugged, turning and moving toward the cliff edge. Tala blinked, straightening sharply as the elder reached the point of no return, his anger diminishing as his stomach turned sour. He wouldn't…

Bryan vanished.

"No!"

Tala tore toward where he had last seen his teammate, dropping to his knees beside the edge and peering over. He gasped, eyes darting around into the blackness, tears collecting in his eyes. "I didn't mean it… shit… what have I done… Bryan…"

"Actually, you did mean it. You just didn't think I'd actually do it."

Tala blinked, leaning further over as Bryan poked his head out of the small nook below where Tala knelt, Tala's anger resurfacing. "You prick…"

"Hn." The sparkle in his eyes faded as Bryan's expression turned serious. "I had to be sure your words came from the heart. Had you continued to simply just walk away… I would have really done it."

Tala brushed a tear from his eye, glaring at him. "Don't scare me like that."

"I was just following orders, Captai-"

"Shut up! You should know better than to follow my orders when I'm angry."

"Stubborn, is a better word I believe." Bryan frowned, eyes narrowing. "Are you crying?"

Tala wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "Your fault."

"Ain't it always?"

Tala had to smile. "You certainly have an interesting way of seeing if I'm serious or not."

"What do you expect? Anyhow, a gun might have been a little too permanent, considering I only have an automatic on me."

"Unload the gun and there will still be one in the chamber." Tala nodded, blinking. "How are you going to get up?"

"I haven't the slightest clue." Bryan looked up. "Eh, Tal, maybe you shouldn't lean so far-" Tala let out a sharp cry as he slipped, Bryan reaching out to catch him and drag him into the nook. Bryan raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the sheepish Wolf. "Over."

Tala blinked at him innocently as he regained his footing, glancing out of the nook. "I guess it's now a question of how we are going to get up."

"Indeed." Bryan frowned as Tala stepped back from the edge to press himself up against the elder. "Vertigo?"

"Excuse."

Bryan frowned. "Excuse?"

Tala smirked as he crossed his arms over his chest, leaning heavier against Bryan's chest. "And a good one at that."

Bryan's eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "Sometimes Tal, I swear you're as bad as I am."

"Worse, I would think. You do it without making it look obvious." Tala turned, reaching up to trail his fingers over Bryan's jaw. "So if a terrorist had Ray and I at gunpoint, and you could only save one of us, which would it be?"

"I think the answer would be obvious." Bryan shrugged. "I'd stand back and let you both kick the terrorists arse."

Tala growled. "Bryan…"

"Honestly, Tal, I'd save you."

Tala tugged at the elder's goatee. "Or are you just saying that?"

"I swear it upon the graves of my parents."

Tala nodded, reaching up to straighten Bryan's jacket. "Why did you do it? Knowing what my reaction would be?"

"I wish I could answer, Tal. If I knew, I would. But then, I've always been one to tempt fate, and I could never resist the bottle when depressed. And the reason I didn't say anything is cause I knew you would kill me… wait." He paused, reaching out and patting Tala's pockets, causing the younger to frown.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking for weapons in case you still are planning to kill me."

Tala had to laugh. "I'd just grab your automatic. Either that, or simply throw you over the cli- Hey!" He slapped Bryan's hand away. "And you complain that my hands wander."

Bryan smirked. "How do I know you're not keeping a weapon down there?"

"Bryan, Bryan, Bryan." Tala leant forward, pressing himself against the elder. "You should know by now that I do have a weapon down there. And a fully loaded one at that."

"Charming." Bryan glanced upward. "We really should see how the others got on."

Tala brushed his lips against Bryan's. "They can wait."

"Hn." The kiss deepened, Bryan pulling Tala closer as arms tightened around his neck, something playing through Bryan's mind and causing him to pull back. "I thought you said you wanted nothing more to do with me."

Tala shrugged, pressing his lips against Bryan's in a gentle, playful kiss. "I lied."

((o-o-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-o-o))

"You go Kai!"

Tyson laughed as Black Dranzer took down Haryon, Afra watching helplessly as Black Dranzer absorbed Haryon's energy to join the other beasts it had just stolen. Kai smirked, retrieving the blade and casting his gaze around, allowing it to fall on the remaining main Genesis blader. Kiran looking up sharply as he felt Kai's gaze.

"How about you?" Kai set his blade. "You think you can take me on?"

"Yes, but I'm not going to." Kiran shrugged it off, uncaring. "You're just a waste of my time."

"Oh really. So should I just relieve you of your bit beast and leave it at that?"

"Do what you wish, Hiwatari, but you will find you have more important things to do." Kiran glanced back, nodding behind him. "You honestly didn't think we wouldn't have reinforcements, did you?"

The war cry echoed off the remaining walls of the warehouse, the BBA bladers swearing as dozens of beyblades appeared, an army of bit beasts raining down toward them. Kai growled, launching Black Dranzer and calling upon his captured beasts, Steve grabbing him and pulling him aside before a chunk of rock could crush the crimson-eyed Russian.

"We're in trouble," Mariah said softly. "Does anyone have any ideas?"

"The key to being a good blader," Guotin said, taking a step back, "is knowing when to retreat."

"Honourably spoken," Robert agreed. "Though I believe the time to retreat has passed. It would appear we have been surrounded."

"We're in big trouble here, guys." Tyson set his jaw, feeling Max press against him as the elder shot his gaze around, looking for a retreat. "I say we fight our way out."

"Yes." Kai straightened. "Black Dranzer attack!"

His cry was echoed as the others called their beasts into battle, the shockwave as the two forces collided almost knocking them all from their feet. The odds slowly came to bare as the BBA bladers found themselves forced back, the main focus of Genesis' strength being directed on Black Dranzer, the ultimate beast finding itself slowly driven down.

A bright light from above caused them to pause, looking up. The battle halted as they took in the glowing ball of orange light, elements of red, yellow and black mixing through it. The ball seemed to grow, unease playing through their stomachs as Kiran gave a cry of warning, abruptly launching Chimyon.

The Chimera moved toward the ball, gathering strength to destroy it. They watched as Chimyon approached, slowing as it seemed to hit some sort of outer barrier. Kiran called for the other Genesis bladers to attack, but they didn't seem to have noticed Chimyon's failure, hypnotised by the glowing orb that hovered just above their heads.

Abruptly the ball fell, slamming into Chimyon and ripping the beast apart. Genesis gasped as their own beasts followed soon after, Tyson moving to attack only to have Howin grab his arm. Tyson looked up, Howin meeting his gaze and shaking his head.

"It is an ally."

Tyson frowned. "What is that?"

Howin's eyes sparkled knowingly as he looked up. "Galeon and Galmon battling as one."

"What?" Tyson's eyes widened. "Did you just say…"

As abruptly as it had begun it was over, Genesis staring at their ruined blades in shock, Kiran growling as he pointed back over the BBA bladers heads. "Ki!"

They spun, spotting Kevin and Lee perched on one of the warehouse roofs, Kevin sniggering as Lee casually wiped a smudge of dirt off his blade. Kevin slid from where he balanced, dropping easily to the ground as he approached.

"I've been waiting for you, Ki." Kiran snatched up his blade, clutching its ruins tightly. "I've been holding back waiting to face the only one who ever defeated me, and now you're here I am unable to battle!"

"Stiff shit. Just means you can't throw anymore rocks at me." Kevin smirked, crossing his arms over his chest as he stopped before the Genesis blader. "You really are a sore loser. Besides, no one said you had to attack us."

Kiran growled, taking a swing at Kevin only to have the neko-jin duck out the way, the same happening with the next swing. Kiran spun, snatching up a bit of pipe and swinging it hard toward Kevin's head, the Monkey twisting back out of his way. Guotin searched the ground quickly, finding what he was looking for and picking it up.

"Kiki! Catch!"

Kevin twisted in the air, easily catching the length of rod Guotin threw him and bringing it up, blocking Kiran's next blow. Kevin's pupils slitted as his fangs glittered, Kevin matching Kiran blow for blow. With one deft movement he knocked Kiran's pipe aside before pivoting on his back foot, catching Kiran in the head with a roundhouse kick, knocking the Genesis blader to the ground.

Kevin snagged Kiran by the throat, dragging him to his feet as he squeezed. "Give me one good reason not to kill you."

Kiran tried to loosen Kevin's fingers, gasping. "Mercy…"

"You tried to kill me, you insulted my friends, and you and your damned teammates have caused nothin' but pain. You deserve no mercy."

"P-p-please…"

"Kiki!" Guotin reached out, gripping Kevin's shoulder. "Let him go."

"But Dad, he-"

"I know, son." Guotin sighed. "But to kill him makes you no better than them. Let him go, Kevin. Let the authorities deal with Genesis. Let him wish you had killed him."

Kevin set his jaw, sighed as he let Kiran slide to the ground. "You're right."

"Come on." Guotin pulled Kevin back as the sirens drew closer. "They won't go anywhere, and I'm sure there are those who wish to see you."

"Yeah." Kevin looked back at him, smiling faintly. "Thanks for stopping me."

"Thank me later." He squeezed his son's shoulders, smiling. "I'm your father. I couldn't allow you to live with a memory like that. Besides, your mother would have killed me if I hadn't stopped you."

That first scene was actually the very first thing I wrote for this fic. I actually wrote it while I was writing Honesty II, which I wrote before Overture, so it's been around a while. And Kevin just kicked arse. :D

Update: Believe is one chapter away from completion...