SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1I don't own Beyblade or any of the characters, but I'm sure you knew that.
The second and last part to this little story. I hope you all enjoy it.
Out of Time
Instead, he woke up to dim lights and steel...again. "That's it. I'm not sleeping anymore," he said plainly, pissed off as he sat up. "Where the hell am I now?" "Welcome to the Underground," said a brunette female, watching him. Rei threw up his hands in exasperation. "What, is that the *other* bad guy? Or another good guy? Please clarify," he said, frustrated. The woman bristled.
"It's alright, Em. He has the right to be confused. Take him to the main planning room, please," requested a voice over an intercom, startling them both. Rei sighed as the lady...M or whatever letter it was...motioned for him to follow. I give up. Let things happen as they will, he thought, following her out into the hallway. He saw windows and realized that ironically, 'the Underground' was actually above ground. It almost made him laugh. Almost.
"So what, who are you?" he demanded at last, as they stopped in a room filled with computer equipment. "We're the Underground. We are neither rebels, nor do we work for Biovolt. We want peace," said M, looking at him. "We monitor Biovolt and the rebels and try to keep them from having major skirmishes."
Rei scrutinized her. "…Emily?" he asked at last, shocked. Not 'M'...but 'Em'...as in a nickname, he realized. She smirked slightly at him. "Brilliant, Sherlock," she said dryly. "Be nice, Em," chided a new voice, and not the one Rei had heard over the speakers. "He's not from around here."
"That's one way to put it," said Rei sarcastically, turning around to see the new guy who appeared. He would recognize his old friend anywhere. "Li," he said simply. "Rei," greeted Li in response. "You both were supposed to have disappeared," said Rei, now confused for what seemed like the umpteenth time in the past few days.
"They didn't technically 'disappear'. None of us did," said a new male, joining them. Rei tilted his head, vaguely recognizing the accent of the person. "Robert?" he asked at last. Robert nodded.
"Would someone please explain what the fuck is going on before I go even more insane?" demanded Rei. "That would be fun to see," remarked a voice that Rei would never forget. "Bryan", he hissed, turning to see his rival. Bryan raised an eyebrow. "I'm on the good side now, you don't have to glare," he said. "Well gee, considering the fact that you just put me in the hospital less than two weeks ago in my time, I'm not exactly inclined to hospitality in your case," spat Rei in response.
"Cool it, all of you," said a new voice, the one that had come over the loudspeakers. "Now what?" whined Rei aloud, turning. He heard a chuckle. "Believe me, you want to see me. Don't you want to know, Rei? Why you were brought here, why the hospital really exploded, why Kai joined Biovolt...aren't you curious? Have you realized that the hospital exploding was no accident?" Rei's eyes narrowed as he remembered what Tala had said. 'You were murdered'. Not killed, but murdered. As in, intentionally. Oh God..., he thought. There was a lot more going on than he realized.
"S'alright. I had to have Bryan tell me to figure it all out myself," said the voice, as a new male stepped out of the shadows. Holy fuck, thought Rei, staring.
It was himself. Well, an older, taller, more muscular him. Rei scrutinized his elder body with shock, noticing the right eye in particular. The eye appeared normal, but the skin had an X-shaped scar over it.
"But...I...you..." he began. The other Rei smiled at him. "Hey." "You're dead!" accused Rei. "...Nope," replied his other self casually. Rei paced back and forth. "No, no, no!" he exclaimed. "The one fact that was repeated to me over and over again while I was here was 'you're dead'. Or some variation of it, but that's beside the point. It was the one thing I was counting on! Why am I not dead?!" he demanded, staring at his other self.
Elder Rei arched an eyebrow. "I really was kinda spastic, huh?" he asked Li. "I didn't want to say anything..." trailed off Li.
"Stop! Just tell me what's going on!" said Rei, sick of all the stories and lies.
"I brought you here from your time to mine. I had Li find you…he took you from the jeep and brought you here. Our link with Drigger enabled me to do it on my own" explained the other Rei, motioning for Rei to sit down as he did. "Why?" asked Rei, shaking his head. "Because I needed you to see," replied his other self. "I needed you to see what would happen if you were in the hospital five days later."
"I was murdered, wasn't I," said Rei quietly. It wasn't a question. Elder Rei nodded. "It was the eve of the fourth night. The doctor had put me on painkillers, and I was sleepy, dazed. Boris...he and some men came in and planted explosives all around the wing. They planted one directly in my room, and he smirked at me before leaving. I thought...I thought it was all a bad dream," he said bluntly. "But then the next morning the hospital exploded."
"How did you survive, then?" asked Rei. Elder Rei held up a very familiar bit chip. "Drigger. He had just enough power to save me...he couldn't help the others," he said. "Even so, I was badly injured. The room had collapsed before he could teleport me, you see. I washed up on the shore of a river some hundred miles away from the hospital about a week later. When I awoke, an old lady was tending to my wounds...but she couldn't help my legs. I was paralyzed."
He took a deep breath and exhaled before continuing. "It was temporary, obviously, but I couldn't go anywhere until I had healed, and neither could Drigger. By then the invasion had already started. I left the cabin where the woman had helped me and traveled back. But I was still in no condition to reveal myself. I knew that I had to be able to defend myself. I also needed informants, people who could get me information on both Biovolt and the rebels, who were just beginning to grow in number. I needed to observe before taking action."
Rei nodded in understanding as his other self continued. "So I waited, and I healed. It took five long years for me to walk again, to run. It took another year before I was back in shape. Then I trained for yet another year, doubling any physical attributes and beginning to build a network."
He glanced at Li. "Li came first. He was working for the rebels, but he wanted peace as well. I found him after a fight tending to a wound...I revealed myself to him and we talked. He became my main spy for the rebels."
Rei held up his hand. "Can I just ask how you got that scar?" he asked, pointing to his elder self's eye. The elder Rei smirked slightly. "From my fight with Bryan." Rei instantly felt around his own eye. He hadn't actually looked in a mirror since the fight...
"No, not that fight. The second one. Hang on, you'll see," said the elder Rei. Rei gaped at him. Second fight? I'm insane in the future if I went up against Bryan again.
"Li got Emily onto the scene, and she became my computer genius. She was the one who got all this," Elder Rei motioned to the room and building in general, "Running".
He continued. "Robert was working for Biovolt unwillingly, and easily joined my side once I found him. Bryan..." He smirked at the lavender-haired one, who glared at him. "Get it over with," said Bryan, sighing.
"I decided I needed someone who was really *in* Biovolt to the fullest. Who else but my old rival?" asked Elder Rei, smirking. "So I found him and revealed myself–you should've seen his face–and challenged him to a fight. If he won, he got to kill me. If I won, he had to join me."
Rei smirked. "Obviously we kicked his ass," he said smugly. Elder Rei smirked back. "Of course." Bryan glowered at them both.
"Anyway," continued Elder Rei, "Bryan brought a ton of useful information...including why Kai rejoined Biovolt". His expression turned serious. "Boris passed the hospital attack off as a terrorist attack, right? That's what everyone thought?" Rei remembered Max and the news clip and nodded.
Elder Rei shook his head. "Kai thought so too. And who better to give him revenge than Biovolt and Black Dranzer?" he asked rhetorically. Rei blinked. "Wait, revenge? Where did that come in?" he asked.
"For God's sake, you're as dense as he was...which makes sense, actually," said Bryan, pausing before shaking his head and continuing. "You're missing the motivation in all of this. Kai liked you, moron."
Rei blanched. "W–What!?" he yelped. "The motivation for revenge," said his elder self. "Kai liked you. You died, apparently by a terrorist attack. Kai goes off the deep end and wants revenge. Who better to give it to him than Boris and Biovolt?"
Robert continued. "Kai mourns for about a week after your death, then Boris approaches him and twists his thinking, persuades him. But Kai isn't entirely stupid, and so said he would think about it."
"During this 'thinking' time, he gets drunk, meets Tyson, and in their mourning, they sleep together. Kai leaves the next morning and heads to Biovolt. You know the story from there," said Bryan, shrugging.
Rei shook his head. "You have your story wrong," he said. "Kai just barely tolerates me. He barely tolerates any of us. The most emotion he's shown towards me is the whole 'friend' bit during my match with Bryan, and even then it was strained."
"He really is dense," muttered Bryan. Elder Rei rolled his eyes. "Shut up. You only knew because you overheard Boris talking," he retorted.
"Hey! More important matters at hand here!" said Rei, breaking apart their argument. "What exactly did Bryan overhear?"
Bryan shrugged. "The whole story," he replied. "Boris wanted Kai back on their side. He knew Kai liked you. He decided that you were an obstacle that had to be taken care of."
"So he made the hospital explode?! Isn't that just a little overkill!?" asked Rei. "He had to be able to pass the blame onto someone," clarified Bryan. "And he's psychotic. He was willing to kill anyone to get to his goal. In any case, he blew up the hospital hoping to force Kai into coming back to Biovolt. And it worked. Not even the rebel forces know this secret. It's probably the best kept one of the war, besides the fact that you're actually alive and kicking in this time."
Rei shook his head, still shocked. "You're telling me that my death was the catalyst to a *war*?" he asked incredulously. "You can't be serious!"
"A little event–no offense to either of you–can sometimes lead to catastrophe," replied Robert simply.
"So...what do you want me to do about all of this?" asked Rei finally. "I mean, why bring me here?"
"So you can change things," replied his elder self seriously. "Like I said, time travel is possible because we both have the power of Drigger. I used my link with you to pull you forwards to this time so you can stop this war from ever happening."
"And how would I accomplish that?" asked Rei. "For one thing, don't get blown up," said Li dryly. "Get a guard posted at the door or something, get them to evacuate all the people."
"Tell Max to tell Tyson how he feels," added Elder Rei. "If Tyson and Max end up together, all the better so Tyson will have someone who truly loves him."
"And obviously, tell Kai you like him," said Emily at last. Rei blanched. "Erm..." he said hesitantly.
His older self waved the others away. "I'll handle this, guys. Go inform everyone else of what's been going on." They nodded and left.
Rei blinked as the Elder Rei turned to him. "He does like you in your time. I can promise you that...but he isn't going to come to you. That isn't the way Kai works, and you know it. Besides, if you don't tell him now, you'll regret it...trust me." His tone changed to wistful at this, and Rei felt sympathy for this other him who had obviously lived a hard life.
"Believe me, more than anything I wish I could've helped the guys out. But going out and revealing myself when I couldn't even walk and had no clue as to what had been going on...that would have been suicide, and therefore pointless," his other self pointed out, sighing. "Until about two years ago, Boris was in the spotlight, and the most powerful person in Biovolt. Then he became old, and even more senile than he had been. Then Kai was the leader of the movement."
He sighed, shaking his head. "Even if everything were to work out somehow, everyone is against Kai and everyone at Biovolt, even the ones who were enslaved. But I know...that Kai would be on our side, if I hadn't gotten 'killed'."
Rei shook his head. "...I never would have wished any of this on any of us," he said, biting his lip. "God...I couldn't even believe half the things I saw. Everyone's changed so much..."
"War does that to you. I know that you don't particularly like what you see in me," said his older self bluntly. "I'm a lot more ruthless and vicious than I ever was when I was you, and I hate it too. I don't like commanding strong leaders like Li and Robert, but for some reason they look to me for guidance now. I've changed...I can't see you in me anymore."
Rei thought about this. It was true...he and his future self were a lot different. "I don't like being this way. I would take back the past ten years if I could, but I can't. You can," said Elder Rei seriously.
"How can you be so sure...that any other future would be better than this?" asked Rei. "It has to be. It's the only hope I really have left," said the other Rei frankly. "Losing all of your friends and having them change to the point of not being able to recognize them...it's the worst feeling in the world. I don't want any of you to have to feel that if I can help it."
At this point Bryan burst in, tossing a gun to Elder Rei. "We've got a serious confrontation in sector six," he said grimly, as Elder Rei's eyes darkened. "How serious is 'serious'?" he asked. "Kai and Tyson. Max, Kenny are there too...Boris is flying in," said Bryan. "The Demolition Boys, the All-Stars...any of the teams that survived are there."
"Fuck," muttered Elder Rei, loading his gun. "Looks like the time we've been waiting for is here. At least the truth will be out in the open."
Rei said urgently, "Let me go ahead of you." Elder Rei paused. "What?!" he and Bryan asked in unison. "Both sides won't hurt me," said Rei fiercely, completely sure. "Kai has a debt to pay and Tyson doesn't hate me and won't risk killing me if I still have Drigger. Let me try to calm them down, then you all come in."
"You're absolutely insane," said Bryan. "Let him go. He's right," said Elder Rei, tossing Rei a belt with a gun in it. "Just in case. Go with the first transport, now," he said. Rei nodded and took off.
He arrived at the sight and raced to the large armies facing each other. He saw the Demolition Boys on Kai's side, and the All Stars on Tyson's. Mariah standing by Tyson, Kevin by Kai–Gary had passed away of illness a few years ago. Johnny was on Kai's side, Enrique on Tyson's side, as Oliver had died in a surprise attack. Max was standing at Kai's right, facing Kenny on Tyson's right.
"You really are a traitor to the fullest, E," sneered Tyson, glaring at his once-friend. "My name is Max, and I have a reason for being here," stated Max coldly, glaring at his ex-best friend.
Rei was overcome by a deep sense of sadness at the separation of people who had once been the closest of friends, and gulped nervously as he saw Boris landing and approaching Kai. "Attack!" ordered the old man. "What are you waiting for?"
Kai remained motionless and silent. Tyson glowered at him. "If you won't fire first, I will," he said coldly, raising his arm for his side to load.
Rei, without conscious thought, ran in between the lines. "Stop!" he yelled, startling both sides. "Get out of the way, Rei," said Tyson. Kai shook his head. "You shouldn't be here. This is none of your concern," he said.
Boris stared at him. "Kon? But you're dead!" he accused. "Yeah, I've been hearing that a lot lately," shot back Rei, glaring at him.
He turned to Kai. "And yes, this does concern me. Both of you are my friends. Can't you see what you've done?" he asked earnestly. "Look at the teams you've split up, the friends your war has separated. Look at Max and Kenny. They're on opposite sides, and yet once all of you dared to call yourself a team. I know what happened. I know *all* of it. And I don't care. You're all still my friends," he finished.
"He's right. This war is senseless," said Emily softly, appearing next to him. Her old team gaped at her. "There's no point in fighting anymore when there's nothing to fight for," said Robert logically, as he joined them. "Land is free for the taking, resources ample...you have no one to fight for other than yourselves, and you both have all the power you need." Johnny and Enrique stared at him.
"But...you two disappeared," said Kenny, speaking at last. "How..."
"We were recruited," said Li simply, as he took his place next to his allies. Mariah and Kevin paled.
"Not exactly voluntarily, mind you," said Bryan dryly, appearing next to him. Tala and Spencer, the only other Demolition Boys left, looked at him, shocked.
"By whom?" asked Tyson at last. "By me," said Rei simply, hearing soft footsteps. "Or should I say, me?" finished Elder Rei, as he stood in front of everyone.
Kai, Tyson, Max, and Kenny all stared in utter disbelief and shock, as Elder Rei observed them all impassively. "Long time, no see," he said calmly.
"But...you...you're dead!" said Kenny at last. Elder Rei shook his head. "Obviously not," he said. "I was merely incapacitated."
Max was the first to break his place and rush at Elder Rei, hugging him tightly. "You're real," he said, looking at Elder Rei with teary eyes. The older Rei smiled slightly. "Hey, Maxie. I missed you," he said quietly. Kenny was next. "I missed you too," added Elder Rei, as Kenny hugged him.
"You were killed! This is impossible!" exclaimed Boris angrily. Elder Rei separated from his friends to glare angrily at Boris. "You would like to think so, wouldn't you? You murderer!" he spat, disgusted. "You deserve to die for what you did!"
"What?" asked Max. "Boris was behind the hospital explosion. It was no terrorist attack–well, I guess Biovolt could be considered a terrorist," said Elder Rei, as both Tyson and Kai paled.
"You told me it was a terrorist attack," said Kai icily as he spoke for the first time, turning his cold gaze on Boris. "He has no proof!" exclaimed Boris, before a neat red hole appeared in his head and he fell to the ground. "Rei's word is worth more than any proof he could have," said Tyson, throwing down his still-smoking gun before walking over to Elder Rei.
"How..." he began, trailing off. He had missed Rei desperately. "A lot of hard work," replied Elder Rei wryly. "Tyson...you have to let whatever's bothering you go. It's been ten years. Listen to my younger self. Look at all the people you've separated. Look at Enrique and Johnny...they're on opposing sides. Same with Mariah and Kevin. They all used to be best friends...you can't let what happened get to you. I *know*. I know what happened, and I know that it was wrong for Kai to do what he did, but it was also your fault, and you know it. The Tyson I knew...he took responsibility. He valued friendship above *everything*, especially personal grudges. You've gotta let it go."
Tyson shook his head, the words that had been repeated to him so many times finally sinking in. "I...don't know...how. Not anymore," he said quietly, speaking the honest truth. "It's been such a long time..."
"You can start by giving me a hug and telling me how much you missed me," said Elder Rei, tone teasing. Tyson hugged him tightly, his eyes watering. "You have no idea...how much I've missed you, my friend," he said softly, shutting his eyes tightly.
Rei sighed in relief as he watched his future self and Tyson hug. The tension suddenly seemed to dissipate from the area, as he spotted Enrique and Johnny rush over to Robert, and Mariah and Kevin rush over to Li. The All Stars raced over to Emily, and he also saw Bryan walking over to the Demolition Boys.
The rest of the soldiers seemed to realize that there would be no fighting that day, and so backed off, weapons going down.
Tyson let go of Elder Rei at last, and backed away, allowing him to walk over to Kai. "Hey," said Elder Rei simply, looking at him. Kai fell to his knees, an unexpected reaction. "You're...alive," he murmured disbelievingly. "We already covered this, Kai," said Elder Rei teasingly, kneeling down to face him. Kai reached a hand out to him and Elder Rei took it, pulling Kai forward so his head rested on Elder Rei's shoulder. Kai shut his eyes. "I...missed you," he admitted softly.
"I missed you too," replied Elder Rei, smiling at him. He was surprised to find dampness on his shirt as Kai buried his head in his shoulder, but he just smiled a little more and held Kai closer.
Tyson saw this, but his demons had been killed and he was now just thankful that Rei was alive and well, both of them. He turned to the younger version of his friend. "I'm sorry about what I said about you. You do matter, whether you have Drigger or not," he said sincerely.
Rei smiled at him and hugged him, much to his surprise. But Tyson just smiled and hugged back a little. Then he turned to Max and Kenny. "I owe you two the biggest apology. I abused our friendship and I hurt you both...I guess it took a huge wake up call to get me to realize it," he said quietly, eyes downcast. Max eyed him for a moment before breaking out into a grin. "We'll always forgive you as long as you always come back," he said, hugging Tyson. Kenny was next. "Even if you were an asshole," added the super-genius.
Rei smiled slightly as the trio reunited. People had sensed that the war was finally coming to an end, and he saw soldiers of both sides mixing and mingling.
He walked quietly over to his older self and the older Kai, noting that they seemed much happier in each other's arms. The harshness that his other self had exuded had disappeared, and the aloofness and apathy that had clouded Kai's eyes was gone, leaving only relief and a hint of joy.
"It's time for me to go," he stated, looking at himself. "It is. I'm going to snap the link keeping you here. You can go back to your time and change things," said Elder Rei, as he and Kai stood.
"But you all ended up okay. Are you sure you want me to stop this chain of events?" asked Rei. "God, yes," said Kai, speaking up. "I don't know exactly what's going on, but there are so many things I would take back if I could. All the people lost...if you can change things, do it."
Elder Rei smiled at him, their hands entwined. "You'll see," he said simply, before turning to his younger self. "Change things," he said, nodding his head. "Don't worry about us. I'm you. Kai is your Kai; it's just that different things have changed us all. You won't regret it, I promise you."
Rei thought about this. "I'll do my best," he promised. His elder self hugged him. "Do not fear telling Kai how you feel. It's either that or wait ten long years," he said, whispering. "And remember everything I've told you."
"How will I know that this wasn't a dream?" asked Rei. Elder Rei pointed to the gun clipped to Rei's belt. "Hang onto that. When you get back, if you change things it will disappear. If it doesn't, you have failed. That technology was invented just a few months ago." Rei nodded. "Sorry. This is going to hurt us both," said Elder Rei. Rei smirked slightly. "S'okay. I think I'm ready," he replied, taking one last look around. "And if this doesn't work...Good luck." "You too," replied Elder Rei. "Drigger!" he summoned.
Rei was happy to see that his bit beast hadn't changed at all. "Drigger!" he called, summoning his own bit beast. The identical tigers had a glowing green link between them. They roared, and the link snapped. The last thing Rei saw before he blacked out was his older self smiling at him.
It was like being plunged into ice cold water, and held underneath until you couldn't bear it anymore. Rei gasped for breath as he jolted upright, heart monitor beeping wildly.
He panted and tried to regain his wits, but before he could he felt a hand on his back, supporting him. "Rei!?" That was Kai's voice...and not the older Kai's, either. His vision cleared and he saw a seventeen-year-old Kai looking at him, eyes wild with concern and worry. And Rei saw what his other self had said would be there. "Kai," he said, suddenly very happy to be alive and with his captain. He hugged Kai tightly, mindless of his I.V.s.
Kai silently thanked whatever higher power there was and hugged Rei back gently, careful of his ribs. "Rei...are you okay?" he asked. "Yeah, why?" asked Rei, blinked at him as he pulled away. "...Your heart monitor. It went flat," said Kai quietly, the past few seconds flashing by him. "I thought you were dead." Rei shook his head, leaning on Kai. "No...I...I don't know," he replied at last, feeling the weight of the gun in his hand and deciding not to tell Kai anything at the moment.
"You're okay, aren't you?" asked Kai, sounding uncharacteristically hesitant. "I feel fine," assured Rei. Kai stood. "I'm going to go get a doctor to make sure," he said, his usual shield beginning to come up as he realized what a fool he had just made of himself.
Rei panicked for a split second. I might never get the chance to tell him how I feel, he thought, his elder self flashing though his mind. "Wait!" he exclaimed. Kai turned back toward him. "I...um...well," stuttered Rei. He saw Kai shrugging and turning to leave again when he blurted out, "I like you!"
Kai whipped around, eyes wide and surprised. Rei flushed, his gaze downcast. "I have...for awhile...I just never got the nerve to tell you. It's cool if you don't feel the same way, but I...mmph." His last words were muffled as Kai kissed him gently before pulling away. "I don't trust you not to give me another near-heart-attack," said Kai, turning back. "I'll go get a doctor...I'll be right back." He flashed Rei a slight smile and headed out.
Rei nearly melted, smiling. That was Kai's way of saying he liked him too. The future me was right...it was definitely worth it, he thought, his hand brushing across his lips. Definitely.
Kai returned a few minutes later, a doctor in tow, and quietly sat at Rei's bedside as the golden-eyed blader was checked over. "I don't understand...there was nothing that should've caused him to relapse like this," said the doctor, frowning. "I'm afraid you're going to have to be in here for another few days just in case." Rei sighed. "Of course," he said, as the doctor left.
Kai smirked slightly at him. "Getting sick of hospitals?" he asked, his hand finding its way to Rei's. Rei took it gladly and replied, "Definitely." "Then you shouldn't get hurt so often," said Kai, his tone teasing though his demeanor normal. Rei huffed. "Thanks, Kai," he said, yawning. Then the other part of the future occurred to him, and he asked, "I know...it's kinda stupid, but would you stay here with me? I...don't like being alone."
Kai blinked at him. "If you want me to. Wouldn't you rather have one of the others, or Mariah?" he asked. Rei shook his head. "No. You," he replied, yawning. Kai shrugged. "I'll stay," he promised, brushing a few stray locks of hair out of Rei's face. "You sleep." Rei nodded, yawning again before drifting off. He had four days to plan.
He woke up to see the moonlight shining in on his window. Kai was asleep, his head and arms on the bed. Rei smiled down at him and sighed, thinking. How am I supposed to warn everyone about Boris's attack? If I could get Kai to believe me, he could warn people, or at least stop Boris...but I can't exactly tell him that I traveled to the future. He decided that he would just have to try. The issue was too important for Kai not to believe him.
Kai watched Rei brood for three straight hours the next morning before finally asking, "What's wrong?" "Nothing," replied Rei, still unsure. "You're lying," replied Kai, blunt as ever. "I just...you're never going to believe me," said Rei frankly.
"Try me," replied Kai. "Boris is going to blow up the hospital in two days," said Rei, looking straight at him. Kai nearly fell over. "What?!" he asked, regaining his composure. "Boris is going to plant explosives in the hospital tomorrow night, and detonate them the next morning," repeated Rei.
"Rei...are you serious?" asked Kai, looking at him. Rei nodded. "Very," he replied grimly. To his shock Kai didn't call a mental institution right away. "How do you know?" asked Kai. Rei decided to tell the next closest thing to the truth. "Drigger showed me," he responded, thanking God for his lying abilities. He felt bad about it–he hated lying–but it was necessary this time.
"Drigger showed you?" questioned Kai. Getting visions through one's bit beast, though rare, was not unheard of. "Yes," replied Rei, looking at him straight on. "We've got to do something."
The next night, Rei was alone in his room. The doctors had given him some heavy painkillers, and he was drifting off. He was to the brink of drifting off when he heard noises. He saw Boris's head looking into his room, and then saw him step fully into the room.
"This one's just for you, Kon," sneered Boris, smirking at Rei's still body before attaching the last explosive to the wall and heading out.
The next morning at nine, the hospital exploded. But no one died. The previous day, every single patient had been quietly transferred to the next nearest hospital, except for a few patients on each floor, who remained to fool Boris into thinking that no one suspected a thing. Rei was one of them. Kai had orchestrated the whole set up using Voltaire's money, which he had inherited. The Bladebreakers and any teams still in Russia transported the last few patients as soon as Boris left. Kai testified against Boris, as he had been hiding under Rei's bed when Boris had come in that night.
"How did you know?" asked Tyson incredulously, as Rei leaned against Kai, who flushed slightly before placing an arm around him. There had been no point in hiding their relationship. "Drigger told me," replied Rei, silently thanking his future self. He had watched that morning as the gun faded away to nothing. The future–the one he had seen–was no more, and he hoped for a better and brighter one.
"That's really awesome, Drigger warning you like that. I'm so glad he did", said Max, hugging him from his other side. "We could've lost you otherwise." Rei smiled lightly at him. "Why don't you two catch a movie or something?" he suggested, looking at Tyson and Max. "Kenny's working on his laptop, I can't go out yet, and I don't think Kai wants to do anything." Max flushed slightly, smiling gratefully at him. Tyson blinked, but nodded, getting into the idea. "Sounds good. Let's go, Maxie!" he exclaimed, pulling his best friend out the door.
"...Why do I get the feeling that you know more than you let on?" questioned Kai suspiciously. "Max told me he liked Tyson about a week ago," countered Rei, curling into his captain. Kai decided just to drop it. Rei had his own reasons for what he did, and Kai trusted him implicitly. And that was all that really mattered at the moment.
All done. My epic two-part…thing…is finished. I don't think there will be a sequel…everything is pretty much resolved. I tried my best to deal with the whole concept of time traveling. As always, any reviews and comments are greatly appreciated!