Chapter 2
Acey1: I always get darker as I go. That's how I've won those awards for my Star Wars fics. Call it a trademark.
Shadows of Grey: Set them up, break them up? Hm, come to think of it... :p Anyway, glad to have you with us. Now hang onto you seat and enjoy the ride. ;)
Lullaby Lily: Well, I can tell you that they aren't out of the darkness just yet, and this fic really is their journey into the light. I hope you enjoy it.
Rei-Is-Mine: Confused at the beginning? By the dream you mean? Hope it makes sense now.
Werewolf of Fire: Updating right now.
Disengage: That's my main message in my fics, that there is no happily ever after. It's unrealistic. That's why my fics are so dark. You should see what I do in Insecure...
Mizuyah: What sort of fics do you write? I specialise in Angst and, more recently, Humour. I have trouble with Romance.
Bloody Mary: Cheat! Yes, trouble on the horizon. You didn't honestly think things would turn out okay, did you?
lady snowblossom: I should be thanking you for the poem. And is it just me or is Adult Fan Fiction not working? I went to update Centrepiece and it wouldn't open.
eyriess: Don't worry, I miss stuff all the time too. :p
Blk Dranzer: Glad you like the start. I'm never any good with beginnings. But if you like it...
phoenix of order: Finding Ian dead was good... if Bryan wasn't so overprotective. Even the shrimp is in his care you know. And Bryan is still emotionless... or so he says. ;)
KuronekoHikage: lol. I take it that means you like it?
Just a set up/catch up chapter. Nothing exciting.
Disclaimer: See first page
"I don't care what you think, arsehole. This is where I'm sitting, so shove off."
"Why I oughta-"
Spencer reached out and pulled Ian away. "Cool it, friend."
Tyson smirked, sticking his tongue out at the younger, and causing Ian to roar in rage. Kai shot Tyson a warning look that Tyson ignored, continuing to pull faces. Ian struggled against Spencer's grip, shouting every insult under the sun before he let out a sharp bark of pain, hand flying to the back of his head as the small round object fell to the ground.
Spencer smiled faintly, looking back. "Still got a good aim."
Bryan shrugged, joining them, eyes dropping to take in one of the gathered. "You need to control your teammates better, Phoenix."
"I try." Kai shrugged, sipping his drink. "I usually just ignore them."
"It's more amusing to hear them scream in pain."
Ian glared at him. "I still say you're insane."
"Old news, kid." Bryan glanced back as Tala moved to join them. "You took your time, Captain."
Tala shot a dark look at him. "It would seem somebody tied my shoelaces together while I was in the shower. Again."
"Yes, you always seem to be in the shower."
"Jerk." Tala moved around the table and sat down, smiling as he looked up. "Morning, Kai."
"Morning, Tal." Kai sipped his coffee again. "Having trouble with your team?"
Tala shrugged. "I usually just ignore them. That, or let Bryan handle it."
Bryan slid into the spot next to him. "At least I'm good for something."
"You're the best blader the Abbey ever produced. Of course you're good for something."
Ian clambered up into the next seat, Spencer joining him. Ian looked toward Tala. "So Tal, when are we going to ditch this place and move on?"
Tala sighed, rubbing his eyes. "When the BBA sorts out this whole negotiation thing Boris has kick started."
Max looked up. "What's to negotiate? You guys escaped, what could he want?"
"Us back," Ian said flatly. "He wants his revenge."
Michael looked up from where he was sitting at the end of the table. "What will he do with you guys if, you know, he does get you back at the Abbey."
"Lab experiments," Ian growled. "Like Alexander."
Tyson choked on his food, Ray reaching out to slap him on the back, loosening it.
Kai's eyes narrowed, fixed upon one of the Russians. "But not for one of you, am I right Bry?"
Bryan returned his gaze, a silent reply.
Ray shifted, looking from Kai to Bryan and back. "Um… can I ask something?" Kai looked at him. "What's the relationship between you and Bryan?"
Kai smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Tiger. Bryan was my best friend when I was little, like you and Lee." He looked toward the lavender haired team. "Not sure if that friendship remains, though."
"Well, you did almost kill us," Bryan replied dryly, though a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.
Kai pelted a muffin at him, Bryan catching it easily, causing Kai to shake his head in defeated. "Some things don't change."
Kevin looked up toward them. "What's the big deal about escaping the Abbey, anyway? Hasn't anyone tried it before?"
"Many guys have," Ian answered. "But we're the first to ever make it. The others usually got picked up at the fence after they set off the parameter sensors or got caught on the cameras."
Tyson scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah, we know about those."
Ian smirked, remembering how he and Tala had been sent to deal with the Blade Breakers while Boris had had Kai running the gauntlet. "Well, the other boys had found a passage that comes out at the graveyard, so we used them as cover and then jumped the fence…"
Bryan tuned out, knowing how the story ended. Instead, he turned his attention toward the adults on the table behind him, frowning as he heard Judy Tate and Stanley Dickenson talking.
"So you have no idea what this project might be?"
Judy shook her head. "The Russian team have always been rather secretive over their affairs. I have never occurred this 'ultimate' project in my research on them, which makes me wonder if he is making it up."
"I doubt Mr Balkov would be so upset over something he made up, Director. But if he will leave the boys in peace if he can retrieve this project, then we must find out its significance."
"Or what it is."
Bryan's lavender eyes narrowed, only to look to the side as he heard Tala calling his name.
"Did you honestly get so close to the guards to actually filter that petrol?"
Bryan shrugged, picking up his drink. "It worked."
"But it was reckless."
Bryan sniggered. "I am not known for being cautious, Wolf."
Tala narrowed his eyes, turning to listen to something Steve was saying, Bryan casting a glance behind him. The adults were gone, Michael having already noticed this and moving after them. Bryan finished his breakfast and beverage, setting the cup on the table and sliding from his chair without a word and heading for his room.
Some good news for everyone who, in Out of the Darkness, kept asking about Kai. Kai will feature as a main character in this story. No need to nag me this time around. :D