We just passed 50.000 words. O.o
A/N 1: As in the previous chapters – ideas for fic and character development, questions, plotbunnies, suggestions, flames, character pictures, corrections, additions, comments, and everything in between can be mailed to hack_heaven@usa.net
A/N 2: J.DeLuca: Don't worry, I wouldn't even venture into the back of the fridge in the first place, so...('sock smell'? I won't even ask...;)
SilentPegasus: Of course they cheated, dear. They're the bad guys ^_^
Maxwell Dark: Nope. Spring break means that I'll post regularly instead of having to take a break to get the time to plan the future plotline *g*
Italics indicates thoughts/telepathy
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Chapter Twenty-Five: Reality Check, part III
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It was a common movie cliché that when the good guys were in the most need of help, the cavalry would arrive. Unfortunately, real life didn't work that way, and Ryan knew it. The other Guardians probably had no idea of what was happening – or more importantly, *where* it was happening – and Ryan was very well aware that no daring hero would burst through the door and save them from the bad guys.
Suzuka and Kyle's lives depended on him, and Ryan knew better than to take any unnecessary chances. He would do as he was told and hope that Blade – or more likely his team - had enough honor in them to leave the two unconscious Guardians alone.
Blade raised an eyebrow expectantly, waiting for Ryan to speak up.
"To be honest, I don't know what happened," Ryan finally admitted. "It wasn't some deliberate action, if that's what you think."
Blade remained silent, but his look prompted Ryan to continue.
This is probably the only time we'll ever be able to have a fairly civilized conversation without trying to kill each other, Ryan thought, not without a bit of dark amusement. Somehow, the thought comforted him – if he could still see even the faintest bit of irony in the situation, he hadn't been broken yet.
Blade sent Ryan a pointed look that told of dawning impatience, and Ryan forced himself to focus on the task at hand. He concentrated and tried to remember what had happened that night. It felt like it had taken place in another lifetime, and yet it was only three days ago.
"I think it was when I tried to force my way past your mental shields," Ryan finally said. "I tried to force you to stop, while keeping up my own shields. You tried to predict my next move, and keep me out of your head. Our powers must have clashed, it's the only possible explanation."
Blade nodded slowly.
"It makes sense," he admitted, a part of him almost annoyed that Ryan had found an explanation for their strange situation. "So what do we do about it? Recreate the original situation?"
Ryan sighed.
"Much as I hate to admit it...yeah. That might be our only choice."
"All right," Blade said annoyed. "And how do you suppose we do that?"
Ryan shrugged with forced nonchalance.
"*You* try to read *my* mind, *I* try to read *your* mind, and we both try to protect ourselves. The worst that can happen is-"
"-That we go insane," Blade finished pointedly.
Ryan sighed.
"Well...yeah."
"Great...fucking great," Blade muttered.
He started to pace with quick, impatient steps, his hands instinctively closing around the handle of his knives. He didn't like the situation one bit. He wanted his own body back, but the risks were not something to be ignored. On the other hand...whatever happened to Blade, would happen to Ryan as well. It was a small comfort, but it *was* a comfort.
"Blade..." Jordane began, but Blade held up a hand and she stopped.
"No," he said, cutting off any objections Jordane might have had. "No arguments."
He spun around and walked back to Ryan in a few, fast steps.
"Now listen closely, Cretes," he sneered. "We're going to take that risk, do you understand? We're going to take that risk, and if we go insane, then at least I'll find comfort in the thought that you're in the same situation. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes," Ryan replied and sighed.
Zach exchanged a look with Laetitia. Neither liked the situation, but they were not going to argue with Blade - not while he was in that mood.
Jordane closed her eyes briefly.
"Blade..." she tried again.
"No, Melee," Blade replied firmly. "I'm the one who'll feel the consequences if something goes wrong. It's my decision."
Jordane paused, clearly not happy with the situation, then sighed.
"I don't like this."
Do you think I do? he asked her in the innermost corners of her mind, where only she would hear him.
Jordane bit her lower lip.
Just...be careful, she whispered and took a step away from the two men.
Blade nodded, then focused on Ryan. It wasn't going to be easy. He didn't have the same control or training as Ryan had – he didn't have any training, period – so he'd have to use raw force instead. The power usage would result in one hell of a headache, but if things went as they should, Ryan would be the one to enjoy that particular headache once they got back in their right bodies.
"You better be ready," Blade sneered, and without warning he lashed out with his mind.
Fragments of a second later he regretted it.
Every wall, every mental barrier, every protective shield his mind had created to protect his sanity from Ryan's powers – they all caved in, leaving him alone and vulnerable in the hurricane of thoughts that assaulted him. Thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, fears, hopes, dreams, desires - they all melted together, prepared to tear his mind apart the moment he let his last remaining shields down.
Enraged at the sudden mental chaos, Blade reacted the only way he could – he lashed out at Ryan's mind with the full force of his rage and anger, determined not to go down alone.
Ryan gasped at the sudden attack, but then his instincts took over and reinforced his mental shields before the chaos could cause permanent damage. Another attack, followed by even stronger shields, and Ryan decided to finish what they'd started, before they became so absorbed in their mind-war that they would be too weak to escape into the safety of the real world.
This better work...
Ryan took a deep breath and without warning he attacked. It was limited what damaged he could do with Blade's low-level telepathic powers, but it was enough.
A flash of blinding pain exploded in his mind, but this time it felt almost comforting. They'd felt the same pain when the switch had first occurred, which meant that they were doing the right thing...he hoped.
A pair of mental nails dug into his fragile mind, efficiently ending any coherent thoughts. Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, they began to tear his mind apart-
-And maybe this was insanity, but in that case, Ryan no longer cared. With the darkness came oblivion...that was all that mattered.
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"Blade? Come on, wake up, damnit!"
Blade groaned. The voice sounded familiar, but he was too exhausted to even think about whom it belonged to. He moved slightly, and the person took a step away from him.
Smart move, Blade decided.
He opened his eyes ever so slowly, carefully getting used to the phosphorescent lights in the room. He looked up and found Jordane watching him with a concerned expression.
No wonder the voice sounded familiar, he thought.
Blade slowly got up, leaning against the wall, not trusting himself to keep his balance. He rubbed his temples and winced. It had hurt – a lot – but it hadn't been nearly as bad as the first time. Maybe it was because their minds had had such a short time to adapt to their new bodies, or maybe it was because they had been prepared for the painful transfer. Either way, Blade didn't care. He was back in his own body, where he belonged, and that was all that mattered.
"Blade?" Jordane asked uncertainly.
She exchanged a worried glance with Laetitia. If something had gone wrong...
"Yeah," Blade finally said. "It worked."
Jordane's eyes lit up, and she gave him a quick hug and then smiled, a bit embarrassed at her own impulsive action. Laetitia touched Blade's shoulder, and he looked at her.
"It's good to have you back," she said with a small smile.
Blade sighed and brushed a wayward strand of hair out of his face with a tired motion.
"It's good to be back. Trust me on that," he replied.
He shook his head slightly to clear his mind, then looked at the others.
"Let's go," he ordered.
Jordane looked at Ryan, who was slowly getting back on his feet.
"What about Cretes and the other two?" she asked, not caring if Ryan heard her.
Blade paused. All it would take was one word – one word, and the Guardians would lose three of their members. If he ordered Jordane to kill them, she would do so without blinking. Her loyalty to him was absolute; he'd made sure of that long ago. Sure, she might argue with him, but if the push came to shove, she would do as she was told. The incident in the alley had broken her last ounce of rebelliousness, and they both knew it.
One word, but if he gave the order, they would lose any chance of keeping Jhonen on the team. Not that his powers were that useful - it was the principal matter. Jhonen belonged on the team now, and Blade did not intend to scare him away. Besides, what was the fun in killing Ryan if he couldn't defend himself?
"Leave them alone. We'll deal with them another day," Blade finally decided.
He saw a flicker of surprise in Jordane's eyes, but she didn't object. Instead she nodded, and the team left the warehouse as calmly as they had arrived.
Behind them Ryan managed to collect his thoughts for long enough to contact the rest of his team, then leaned against the wall and prepared for a long wait.
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Coming up: The Shadow Alliance takes a night off to celebrate the reunion, and the UST between Jordane and Blade reach a whole new level...
