SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1I don't own Beyblade or any of the characters, so please don't sue me, kay?
My first real try at an AU fic. Rei is in the hospital after the World Championships when he's suddenly pulled forward...in time. He finds a pillaged world ten years in the future. His friends are no longer his friends, and are literally at war with each other. And, oh yeah. His future self is dead.
Kai/Rei eventually, Tyson/Max and other pairings to follow.
Out of Time
"Relax, guys!" protested Rei, as his teammates hovered over him in the hospital. "I'm fine!" "If you were fine you wouldn't be in a hospital," countered Kenny. "I still can't believe they let you out to catch Tyson's match with Tala," added Max. "You're in pretty bad shape."
"Broken ribs, fractured ribs, a ton of cuts and bruises...you're a mess, man," said Tyson, looking at the clipboard next to the bed. "You shouldn't get up for awhile."
Rei sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Aren't you guys late for an interview?" he asked. "Tyson, Max, and I are," replied Kenny. "You aren't in condition to, and Kai refused." Rei turned his gaze to Kai, who was leaning against the wall in his usual stance. Figures, he thought, shrugging inwardly. Kai isn't exactly a people-person.
"You three go already," he prodded, turning back to Kenny. "I'll be fine, don't worry." Max protested, "We don't like leaving you alone, Rei." Rei smiled reassuringly. "I'm not. Kai's still here," he replied, as Kai's eyes flickered open and fixed on him.
"Like that's any better," mumbled Tyson. Kai glared at him. "I did hear that, you know," he said coolly. Tyson yelped and backed up. "Okay, maybe we should go. Come on, guys!" he exclaimed nervously, backing out of the room and taking Max and Kenny with him. "See you later Rei, bye!"
Rei chuckled as the door shut. "That was mean," he chided, turning to Kai. "Did I ever claim to be nice?" replied Kai, arching an eyebrow at him. Rei flushed slightly. "Well, no, but...," he trailed off. Wonderful. Now I look like a moron in front of the guy I like. He'd had a crush on Kai for at least a month, but thankfully he hadn't made a total fool of himself...yet.
Kai gave him a quizzical look. "But what?" he inquired. "Nothing, never mind," said Rei, sighing. Silence reigned for about a half-hour, until Rei felt a slight twinge in his chest. "Kai?" he asked at last.
Kai looked at him from where he had been brooding. "Kai!" gasped Rei again, as the pain worsened to a whole other degree. Kai suddenly realized that something was wrong. "Rei?" he asked, coming over. Rei clutched the sheets as his breathing sped up and he began to hyperventilate.
"Rei!" exclaimed Kai, now extremely worried. Rei's eyes suddenly rolled back and the heart monitor flat-lined. Kai paled before he ran out into the hallway. "I need a doctor! He's flat lining!"
"...Ow...," muttered Rei, groaning as he sat up. Where the hell was he? When had he gotten out of the hospital? He was sitting in an alleyway...a very decrepit one at that. "Damn injuries," he muttered, wincing as he got up and using a nearby pole as a crutch. He realized that he was in his normal clothing.
"What the hell is going on?" he wondered, taking a step out into the street and gaping. It was a wreck, wherever he was. The buildings were smashed and crumbling, the sky gray, and the smell of sulfur permeated the area.
"...I must be dreaming," he mumbled, staring in shock. He reached in his pocket and sighed in relief as he felt Drigger. "But if I was dreaming, I wouldn't still be injured," he mused, surveying the area.
Suddenly the sound of fighting reached his ears, and he hurried as fast as he could to the site. If there were people there, they could help him figure out where the hell he was.
He saw two men circling each other. One was dressed like a soldier, and the other was dressed in plain green and brown. "You'll die, you rebel filth!" exclaimed the soldier, lunging. The apparent 'rebel' dodged. "After you, Biovolt scum!" hissed the rebel.
Rei froze. Biovolt? What the hell is happening here?, he wondered, now thoroughly confused. He saw the rebel get slammed to the ground and the soldier turn with a knife in his hands. Without any further thought, he ran and tackled the soldier, slamming him into a wall and knocking him unconscious.
"Oh, smart, Rei," he muttered to himself, as he felt a wound reopen. "Injure yourself further. Way to go."
The rebel stirred and jumped up. He paused as he saw the unconscious soldier and Rei nursing his wounds. "Who are you?" he demanded. "I'm Rei...who are you? Why were you fighting that guy?" asked Rei, as the rebel hauled him up. "Hey, watch it!" he exclaimed.
The rebel stared at him. "No...I don't believe it" he breathed. "You look exactly like him." Rei paused in his struggle to free himself. "I look exactly like whom?" he asked, as the rebel began to walk away with him in tow. "Hey! Let go! Who are you, and where are you taking me!?" he demanded. Then he felt a slight pressure on his neck and everything went black.
He woke up to dim lights and cold steel upon his back. Sitting up, he noted that his wounds had been re-bandaged and that he was actually feeling a lot better. He assured himself of Drigger's presence before warily getting up.
"Glad to see you awake...Rei" said a voice. Rei turned to see a blond-haired, blue-eyed man looking at him. "Where am I?" he asked. "You're in the headquarters of the rebel forces," replied the man. "And that helps...not at all," replied Rei warily.
"Right, you wouldn't know of the war, would you," mused the man. "Follow me. My name is X-952, but you can call me E," he said, standing. Rei sighed. I'm getting a headache, he thought, following the man.
They walked around to training facilities and Rei observed all the fighters training. What's going on?, he wondered. 'E' turned on him and asked, "Do you know what year it is, Rei?" "...2003?" replied Rei, wondering if the man was crazy. "It's the year 2013, actually," replied E bluntly. "And we're in the middle of a war."
Rei felt dizzy for a moment before laughing. "You're joking...right?" he asked, bracing his hand on the wall for support. "I don't joke...at least, not anymore," said E, sounding grave and somber before returning to his factual tone.
"But that's not possible," said Rei, his tone sounding more and more hysterical as he continued. "I just looked at a calendar yesterday. It's been two days since the World Championships, where Bryan tried to kill me. Tyson, Max and Kenny went to an interview. K–." E cut him off. "Don't say his name. It's taboo around here," he said. "Our leader hates it."
Rei shook his head. "No, no, no. This isn't possible. I'm going to wake up any moment and this is all going to be a horrible dream, and I'm going to laugh." E slapped him lightly. "Don't get hysterical," he said patiently, as Rei remembered to breathe and calmed down slightly. "Time travel is perfectly possible now. Someone must have brought you here, but I don't know why."
Rei shook his head as they continued walking. "I don't understand...this is too much," he said, leaning against the wall as the dizziness persisted. "I mean, do you have any proof?"
E smiled sadly at him. "I have more than enough proof, Rei," he said softly, helping him up. "Come on. You'll understand better when I take you to the viewing room." Rei just let himself be lead, too upset by this twist of events.
They entered a dark and eerily quiet room, where there were only a row of chairs and a screen. E flicked on the lights. "Access archive files from the year 2003, after the World Championships," he ordered. "Yes, sir," said computerized voice. Rei jumped slightly upon hearing it. "What...?" he asked, trailing off.
"The rebel you met recognized you yesterday because you've met him before, when he was younger," said E frankly, as the screen flickered to life. "Do you remember Steve, of the All Stars?" "Of course, he and his team came to visit yesterday," said Rei, confused. "That was him," replied E.
Rei froze. The rebel had looked oddly familiar..."That was Steve?" he asked. "Yes. You saved his life," replied E. "But the thing is...you're dead."
Rei was feeling more and more confused by the moment. "I'm...dead?" he asked. "You died one week after the World Championships in the year 2003," said E gently. "Oh," replied Rei, feeling faint all of a sudden. A week from the Worlds...that was five days from when he had apparently left his time.
"What happened?" he asked. "The hospital was attacked by terrorists," replied E grimly. "No one survived." Rei flinched. "I'm sorry," said E gently.
"Sorry?" asked Rei, feeling himself snap. "Sorry? I'm apparently ten years into the future where I don't know anyone and I have no idea what's going on, and oh yeah, I'm dead, and you're sorry?! Well sorry doesn't exactly cut it, okay?! I'm sorry that I took too many painkillers and somehow ended up in this twisted nightmare! That's sorry!" he yelled hysterically.
"...Are you feeling better now?" asked E. Rei paused in his rant. "Actually, yes," he said, feeling a little calmer. "Alright. Watch and see," said E, as the screen showed film.
"And today, we are saddened to report the attack of terrorists on a Russian hospital," said the reporter on the screen, showing the hospital Rei was in–or had been in. "The hospital was completely decimated by a bomb that took out the emergency ward. Then the fires spread throughout the rest of the hospital, and it collapsed. We believe that there are no survivors," said the woman somberly. "Among the many patients were...," she continued to list names until she said, "Rei Kon, of the championship-winning Bladebreakers,..." She continued on, but Rei stopped listening.
"Oh," he said faintly, as the screen flickered. "Yeah," replied E, turning the screen off. He also turned off the cameras in the room. "Rei...after you died, the Bladebreakers completely fractured," he said quietly. "A few weeks after Kai–his name isn't to be spoken anywhere here–went off the deep end and rejoined Biovolt. Tyson got angry and vowed revenge on him. The other teams got enslaved or are on the rebel side, or disappeared."
He paused, heaving a sigh. "The All Stars are on the rebel side. The Majestics and White Tigers are scattered on both sides. The Demolition Boys are, of course, on Biovolt's side. Emily, Robert, Li, and Bryan all disappeared and haven't been seen in months."
Rei shook his head. "Oh, God," he muttered, imagining his friends now. "What about Kenny and Max?" "Kenny's working in the computer labs here," said E, smiling. "As for Max...I'm not surprised that you haven't recognized him yet...I've changed a lot."
Rei stared. "...Max?" he asked disbelievingly. E, now revealed as Max, smiled at him sadly. "I followed Tyson to the rebel side, as did Kenny. But Tyson's been consumed with a need for revenge...even I don't know him anymore." Rei studied him for the first time. Max was wearing brown and green like Steve had, and was a lot taller. "...You got a hell of a lot more ripped," he said finally. Max smiled faintly. "Nearly ten years of fighting does that to you," he replied wistfully. "You have no idea how good it is to see you...even if it's the sixteen-year-old you."
Rei smiled at him slightly before asking, "What's with the one letter name and number thing?" Max frowned. "Biovolt assigned everyone numbers when they took over Russia. But a bunch of us escaped and became the rebel forces. Then...I don't know. I just stopped being Max. That was the name of a happy and carefree fifteen-year old. That wasn't me anymore."
Rei shook his head. "This is all unbelievable," he murmured. "You, Kai, Tyson, Kenny...all the friends we made and the teams we knew...what happened? Why did Kai join Biovolt again, and why did Tyson go all crazy?"
Max shook his head. "The thing is, no one knows why Kai joined Biovolt again. We think it had something to do with your death, but we aren't sure. As for Tyson...he and Kai had a fling about three weeks after your death, right before Kai went back. It was a one-night drunken stand, but apparently Tyson had a slight crush on Kai. Nothing big, just teenage stuff. But he thought Kai really liked him back when in reality Kai was drunk and just using him. So he got pissed. That and the fact that Kai rejoined Biovolt a few days later turned whatever residual feelings that were left into rage and a need for vengeance. He had tried...so hard...to get Kai to be one of us. His betrayal just made Tyson flip out."
He stood. "I'm supposed to take you to him now." Rei shook his head. "I'm not even sure if I want to see him," he said quietly. "The Tyson you described...is nothing like the Tyson I knew." "Nothing's like it used to be," replied Max sadly. "After you died...everything just fell apart."
Rei chuckled. "Never knew I was so important," he joked weakly. "But you were," said Max earnestly. "Honestly, Rei...you were part of the team to the fullest. You dying...it just killed us all inside. I'm not even sure that it would be the same if anyone else had died. You were my confidant, Kenny's work-moderator, Tyson's older brother, the only one capable of communicating with Kai...you were so much to us that we didn't realize it until you were gone."
At this point Rei remembered something very important and gasped. "Oh, Max," he said, sympathetic. "You liked Tyson. You had just told me about a week ago. That must've killed you inside." Max smiled wistfully. "It hurt, a lot. Especially since I know I could've gotten Tyson. His feelings for Kai weren't strong at all, not until that night. He would have at least given me a chance. But I had known...that he had small thing for Kai. So I didn't take the chance."
Rei hugged him, mindless of the fact that this was a twenty-five year old Max who had been through war. Right now, it was just *Max*, and that was all that mattered to him. He pulled away finally and took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's go see Kenny and Tyson," he said finally. Max nodded.
"Kenny hasn't changed much. He doesn't scare easy anymore, and he's a lot taller, but that's about it," informed Max, as they walked down the hallways. "Here we are." They had stopped outside a meeting room.
Max knocked. "Sir, I've brought him to see you and L," he said. "Come in," was the reply. Rei shook his head in disbelief. Max is referring to Tyson as 'sir'?. He followed Max inside.
A tall brunette with darkened glasses was sitting next to a tall and very muscular blue-haired man. I'm never gonna get used to this, thought Rei, staring. "Kenny? Tyson?" he found himself asking. "His name is L. I'm referred to as T," replied Tyson, standing and scrutinizing him. His eyes, which used to be warm and happy, were as cold as ice. Rei wouldn't be lying if he said he saw a slightly scary gleam in Tyson's eyes.
"You're sure this is him?" Tyson asked curtly to Max, never taking his eyes off of Rei. "Yes, sir. He has all of his memories and he has Drigger," replied Max. "Good. He can join us in the fight then, assuming he's been informed?" asked Tyson. "I know what's going on," interrupted Rei. "And don't talk about me like I'm not here".
Tyson let a small smile slip. "Definitely him, what with the attitude," he remarked, before returning to his colder self. "Your designation is R. L, show him to a room." Kenny nodded, getting up.
They walked outside. As soon as the doors shut Rei found himself in a tight hug from the brunette. "I can't believe you're alive, even if you time-traveled," said Kenny quietly. Rei smiled reassuringly at him before they both heard Max and Tyson talking inside.
"Sir, shouldn't we find out who brought him here?" asked Max's voice. "It's of no consequence. He's here, he has Drigger, and he can fight. That's all that matters," replied Tyson's voice curtly. "But sir! Having him here could completely destroy the timeline! He needs to go back to his own time!" protested Max. "Maybe now he'll live and K–." He cut off, not saying the name. "E, he will die," said Tyson's voice coldly. "I don't care if you still believe in his inner good. He has none. He'll pay."
"I don't believe you! All you care about anymore is the fight! They could surrender tomorrow and you'd still keep attacking!" exclaimed Max. "You don't care how many of us die as long as there are more to fight! I don't even know you anymore, *Tyson*! And I don't want to!" There were footsteps. "Where do you think you're going, E?" asked Tyson calmly. "Away from you," hissed Max's voice. "If you leave, you'll be branded a traitor and will be a free target," warned Tyson. "Then so be it. It's better than this," said Max venomously, storming out.
He paused, seeing Kenny and Rei in the halls. "Sorry you had to hear that...it was nice seeing you, Rei. I hope you get back to your time alright. I...I won't be seeing you again." He began to walk off.
"Wait!" exclaimed Rei, voice quiet so they didn't attract Tyson's attention. "I'm coming with you. I have to find a way home, and I know I'm not going to find it here." Max paused for a moment before nodding. "I'd come with you guys if I could, but someone has to keep Tyson from killing himself," said Kenny quietly. Rei hugged him, as did Max. "We'll be fine. I've been planning for this day," said Max grimly, before turning to Rei. "Come on. He won't be quiet for long." Rei turned to Kenny. "Be safe," he said sincerely, before heading after Max.
Max began running as he opened a side panel in the wall and tossed a back pack to Rei. "Keep running, and no matter what don't separate from me," he warned. Rei nodded, putting the pack on and running after Max as they exited the compound.
They had been underground, under an old and decrepit warehouse that probably hadn't even registered as a place to look for rebels. Max headed to a motorcycle and tossed Rei a helmet. "Hop on," he said, before also handing Rei a gun. Rei knew how to use one in his time, and these didn't look much different. "Just in case," said Max grimly, as they sped away.
"We won't be welcome at the complex anymore. We're traitors," stated the blond, as they sped down the empty streets. "I'm sorry...I'm the reason you left," said Rei quietly. "There was a lot of tension that had been building up. Don't blame yourself," said Max, shaking his head. "It was just the final straw."
Then the distant sound of gunshots filled the air. "Shit," swore Max, looking at Rei. "I should check it out, but..." "We can go," said Rei, eyes filling with determination. "Let's move." Max nodded as they turned and headed towards the sound.
Bunches of people dressed normally–or what Rei considered to be normal–were being shoved into a truck by uniformed soldiers.
Max went for the bold approach. "Oi, you guys!" he yelled, standing in the middle of the street. "Why don't you leave the poor people alone?!" The soldiers recognized him and instantly went on the attack, guns out. Max fired, taking down one. Rei gulped nervously and remained hidden in the shadows, his gun ready. He fired at one who was about to take down Max, hitting the shoulder and taking the guard down.
"There's another one!" yelled the lead guard, the captain. Rei swore and came out, gun firing and taking out another guard. Three down, seven to go, he thought, as the guards swarmed him. His injuries slowed him down, but he ignored them as he saw Max fire again, taking another guard out.
Unfortunately, Max didn't see the other guard who crept behind him and held a stun gun to his head, knocking him out. Rei felt a knife at his neck and froze as well.
The head guard observed Max. "Well, well, well. Won't Kai be happy to see that we finally caught Max," he mused. Then he turned to Rei.
Rei saw the red hair and smirked as he was pushed forwards. "Tala," he said dryly. "Long time, no see. Ten years, in fact."
Tala took his sunglasses off and observed Rei, blue eyes narrowed. "Kon?" he asked suspiciously. "Hi there," greeted Rei, smirk deepening as Tala's face paled. "That's not possible. You were murdered," he said frankly.
"Yeah, well. The afterlife was boring, so I decided to come back," said Rei sarcastically, noting Tala's phrasing with suspicion. "You're a real genius. I was brought here from the past." "Still a smart ass," remarked Tala, eyes roving over his body. "You'll change soon enough."
He turned to the nearest guard. "Get him cleaned up and take him to Kai. He'll be surprised to see him," he ordered, as Rei was shoved into the truck with the rest of the people and Max. The doors were shut and locked, and they sped away.
"Thank you for trying to save us," said one man quietly, nursing his arm. Rei shook his head, unwrapping his wrist coverings and bandaging the man's arm. "No thanks is necessary. Where are they taking us?" he asked. "To Biovolt headquarters. We'll be given obedience training and then sent to work," said one woman, tears in her eyes.
"You know General Tala?" questioned another woman. "I knew him a long time ago...when he was beginning to turn good. Then he did a 180 and went back to evil," said Rei, as he propped Max's body up on his shoulder. "I also knew Kai."
"You knew the commander of the Biovolt forces?" questioned the man incredulously. "I did," confirmed Rei, sighing inwardly. If only they knew.
The truck stopped after about an hour. "Everyone out!" commanded the guard. When Rei pulled Max out, the guard stopped him. "You two are going elsewhere," he said, his gun pointed at Rei. Rei sighed and followed the man through a complex series of doorways and mechanized security checks to a small bedroom. The soldier tossed him a package. "Clean up. Commander Hiwatari will be here in an hour," he said, before turning and walking out.
Rei heaved a sigh as he dragged Max to the bed. His friend had gained a lot of muscle mass and was damn heavy. He opened the package to see black military fatigues, bandages, some soap and a toothbrush. He had to wonder why he was being treated so well. Wasn't he the enemy? He entered the adjoining bathroom and took a shower, thankful for the warm water that washed away all the blood and dirt on him.
He re-bandaged himself, dressed, and walked into the room, where Max was just waking up. "Where are we?" asked the blond. "Biovolt headquarters. Kai's supposed to be arriving any minute now," said Rei, drying his hair.
Max frowned. "Why did we get the suite?" he asked, motioning to the room. "Tala recognized me; he was the captain we were fighting," replied Rei. "Hell if I ever knew what was going through his head." Max chuckled, but abruptly stopped as the door swung open. Rei had just finished tying off his hair when he heard, "Well, well, well...look what we have here."
Rei gulped and looked at Kai. He had changed like everyone else seemed to have: taller and a lot more muscular. His triangles were a deep scarlet that matched his eyes and he was dressed as a soldier. He was eyeing Max smugly.
"Long time, no see," he said coldly, echoing Rei's words to Tala. "Not long enough," spat Max, his stance defensive. "What do you want, Kai?"
"A lot of things," replied Kai, not even taking notice of Rei as he sat casually. "But mainly I want you dead. You cost me a lot of good men, Max." "Good. You cost me my best friend," said Max harshly. Kai chuckled mockingly. "Do you really think it was all my fault? Tyson should've known what he was getting into with me. I'm not exactly a commitment kind of guy."
"You used him!" accused Max. "He used you," countered Kai smoothly. "He used your affection towards him to keep you at his side and serving him." Rei had to admit that Kai did have a point, as cruel as it was.
"You know what? We wouldn't even be having this conversation if Rei was still alive!" exclaimed Max, throwing his hands up. Kai glared at him. "Do *not* mention *that* name in my presence," he hissed.
"That would be a problem, then," said Rei, drawing attention to himself for the first time, "As we'll have to find me a different name."
Kai stared at him, and Rei stared back defiantly. This was not the Kai of his time, he figured, so he really had nothing to lose by pissing him off other than his life. Hey, he was going to die in five days anyways. He might as well have his fun while he could.
"This is impossible. You're dead," stated Kai at last, as they continued to lock gazes. "Yes, I've realized that," said Rei, rolling his eyes. "Obviously, I'm younger than I should be. I was brought forward in time ten years, for some reason. I'm sixteen. Apparently you turned back to Biovolt after I died in a hospital explosion and Tyson went off the deep end 'cause you two slept together and you tossed him away the next day. I've gathered all of this. Moving on, can I please get the hell out of here?"
Kai just continued to stare, and now Max did too. Rei shrugged. "What, am I supposed to be afraid of 'Commander Hiwatari'? Sorry, no dice. I'm already dead in this time, and hell, I'm slated to die in five days anyways. Added to the fact that I was never afraid of a friend and never will be, and I'm sure it seems like I have a death wish." Actually, he was fairly sure that he was going insane.
Kai arched an eyebrow. "Have you not heard about the war?" he asked dryly. "I'm the evil one. Max is the good one." "Ah, but I'm not from this time," countered Rei. "I haven't actually seen you do anything bad yet. So until you do we're still friends." In reality he just wanted to stay close to Kai. He missed his old friend–well, sort-of friend. Maybe he could find out what made Kai go back to Biovolt.
"...Your logic is as hard to understand as ever," muttered Kai. Max chuckled at this until he remembered whose company he was in and fell silent.
Kai was still slightly shocked at seeing Rei. He looked at Max and sighed, deciding that he could spare leniency to an ex-friend. He ignored the fact that in reality he just wanted Rei to not hate him.
"You'll be joining the soldiers. If you refuse to cooperate you will be killed," he said turning to Max, his demeanor once more becoming cold and impersonal.
Max paused at this. He's showing me leniency...because Rei is here? When he didn't know about Rei's presence he said he would kill me. But I'd better take it. I need to find a way to get Rei home. "If you find a way to get Rei home to his time, I'll serve you," he said at last.
Rei shook his head. "Don't, Max," he pleaded. He didn't want one of his best friends to give his freedom up for him. Max silenced him with a look. "I want your word that you'll find a way to send Rei home. Then I'll serve you without rebellion," he said firmly.
Kai debated this before saying, "You have my word." Max shook his head. "Your word means nothing to me. But it does to him," he said, pointing to Rei, who flushed slightly as Kai sighed and looked at him. "I give you my word that you'll be sent home," he said at last. Rei nodded solemnly, accepting it.
Max stood, and despite his beliefs, saluted Kai, turning as emotionless as Kai himself. "Sir. Where do I report?" "Three levels down, second door," replied Kai, watching him. Max hugged Rei tightly. "Be safe, and get home," he whispered, as Rei hugged him back. Rei watched, slightly teary-eyed, as Max left.
"Follow me," said Kai shortly, standing up. Rei nodded quietly and followed him down the halls to a meeting room. Tala was reviewing charts. "So, you saw him," he remarked, not looking up.
Rei sighed, exasperated. I just want to go home, he thought plaintively, wanting to see his friends to warn them about this. I believe that this really is the future. But if it is, I have to warn the others, and fast. I need to get home. Somehow he knew that he wouldn't be getting home through Kai, either.
He was led around, then shown back to his room. At night he quietly slipped out of his bed and, using the security pass Kai had given him, slipped out of the Biovolt complex, saying a silent goodbye to both Max and Kai.
"Where to now?" he wondered, surveying the large expanse of city before him. He heard alarms behind him. "Well, anywhere but here," he muttered at last, leaping into the jeep he had stolen and speeding away. Little did he know that he was being followed.
"We finally found him", reported a shadowy figure, watching Rei speed away in the jeep. "Great. Keep on him. We've got to lead him to us," replied his leader. "Right. Out," replied the figure. "Let's see you outrun this, Rei," he murmured, as he leapt on his motorcycle and sped off after the jeep.
Rei yawned, tired. He needed sleep. Not only had he been going without, but his injuries were acting up. He stopped in a secluded area and turned off the engine, using the entire front seat as his bed, and went to sleep, wanting more than anything to wake up in his time.
Of course, if he woke up in his time this wouldn't be much of a story, right? The final part will be up as soon as my beta-reader gets through with it. Reviews and opinions are appreciated, as always!