Chapter 6
Reiven: Seme/Uke? Seme: Dominant. Uke: Submissive. I think I got them the right way around. [[sweatdrop]]
Acey1: Continuity is always an issue. I've got to edit some of my upcoming fic Overture because scenes clash with things spoken of in Honesty and Honesty II.
lilmatchgirl007: Nothing wrong with sitting on the fence. Sometimes its safer up there. Just watch out for flying bullets. :p
Bloody Mary: I know of some people who can make it permanent, and Bryan is rather mature for his age. Just wish I knew a guy like him. Well, maybe not exactly not like him. And you may be right about the sex thing.
russle: And just what was freaky about it? Was it because of who was doing the talking? It might happen. Better than them comparing... I'll shut up now [[blush]]
Yaoi Tiger: Mariah a twit? [[grins]] Ooo, I like that...
HimekoSukie: I like writing messed up relationships. Can you tell? :p
Cat in the web: I am so glad you like the fic. I love hearing that. Call it an ego builder. No such thing as too much ego. :p
Jay Kamiya: I have a fic where I plan Tala and Kai being twins, but mainly I write them as cousins. It's great for plot twisting. ;)
eyriess: I'll have you know I can stop anywhere I like. I'm not called evil for nothing, after all. :p
Mizuyah: I guess you'll just have to read on and see!
Disengage: The chicken/bit beast thing was exactly what I had in mind when I wrote it. Besides, who likes being called chicken?
Lullaby Lily: The whole "experience" thing I'm not giving away since the answer is two chapters away. And remember, Bryan has been programmed to block all emotion but hate. It's simply a matter of unlearning what he has learned. Dammit! There I go quoting Yoda! Me and my Star Wars mind... [[sigh]]
Blk Dranzer: Ian isn't a weak little kid. He wouldn't be on that team if he was. He's annoying, but not weak. I don't know why everyone sees him that way, really.
KuronekoHikage: 11pm to 1:30am is my fic writing time. I function better of a night. And you'll see what I mean about the tears...
Castles in the Sky: I do believe I mentioned the sequel at the end of the last one. And yes, both are write. There is no real wrong in the arguments. Then again...
Warning: beyblade battle ahead. Proceed with caution. Beware of flying dish chunks. Enter at own risk. Watch out for… you get the idea. :p
Disclaimer: See first page
Many looked up as the two bladers entered the room, Kai and Bryan soon chasing them away. They stood on opposite sides of the main dish, blades at the ready as they spotted a movement out the corner of their eye and glanced around to spot Kenny perching himself some distance away, setting up his laptop.
Bryan looked toward Kai and raised an eyebrow, the Phoenix rolling his eyes as he set himself. On a silent count they released their blades, throwing everything into the battle. The ground shook from the ferocity of the attacks, Kenny letting out a cry as he quickly moved further away so not to be hit by debris.
"Come on, Falcon!" Kai called. "This can't be all you've got!"
"Give me a break, Phoenix." Bryan narrowed his eyes. "I'm still nursing a broken arm here, remember?"
"If you let them put plaster on it, it would heal faster."
"Not that I won't let them more than they won't." Bryan smirked. "Can't have me with a weapon, now can we?"
Kai laughed. "Point taken. One of the reasons why I've never been allowed to have crutches."
"And yet they give us Beyblades." Bryan sniggered. "Let's turn up the heat."
"Get too close to the fire and you're bound to get burned."
Dranzer ignited into a fireball, slamming down toward Falborg who expertly swept aside, circling around its opponent before the wind began to pick up. Kai was forced to widen his stance as the wind threatened to pull him from his feet, his scarf flapping wildly as he gazed down into the battle through the circling windstorm.
"Whatsa matter, Phoenix? You're looking a little windswept. Maybe you should have put on a wind breaker before you tried for the eye of the storm."
"Fire storm." Kai gritted his teeth. "Dranzer! Let's show him what we can do!"
"Give it up, Kai. I know all your moves better than you do." Bryan's eyes narrowed as he studied the other through the fiery gale. "It's pointless."
"I never back down." Kai glared at him. "Dranzer!"
"Enough games. Falborg! Cut this overcooked pigeon down to size!"
Kenny gaped before he was forced to shield his eyes from the explosive light as the facility shook. As the light faded he gazed up in time to see Bryan and Kai catch their retreating blades, both men chuckling as Kai made his way around toward the other.
Bryan gestured toward him. "You've improved."
"I've been working hard." Kai shrugged, grinning. "Though I might not have remembered, I always knew there was some reason why I needed to be as strong as I could possibly be. Now I have my memory back I remember that it's so I can beat you."
"That's as close as you're ever going to get, Hiwatari."
"We'll see."
"Your readings were off the chart!" Kenny exclaimed as his fingers flew over the keyboard. "Dizzi could barely comprehend the power you both had. She nearly burnt out her circuits just trying to keep up!"
"Then she shouldn't have been trying."
Kai shot Bryan an amused look. "Is it possible for you ever to be civilised toward someone?"
Bryan raised an eyebrow. "I'm civilised to you, ain't I?"
"Perhaps." Kai shrugged, gesturing back toward the dish. "Up for a second round?"
"Got nowhere I need to be." Bryan smirked. "Don't think that you're going to be able to beat me, Phoenix. I've seen your moves now and I've seen just how much you've improved since the Championship. I know what to expect."
"Oh really." Kai made his way back toward his side of the dish, readying his launcher. "Well you can expect me not to go easy on you."
"If you went easy I would be demanding a refund." Bryan shot him a sly look. "Right after I finished beating the crap out of you."
"You always were a charmer, Bryan." Kai winked. "Ready?"
"You might want to think about battling some other time." They looked up to see Mr Dickenson standing in the doorway, a concerned look on his face as his gaze moved over them. "I'm afraid there's been something of a disturbance in the foyer. A young man was dumped outside and is in a rather bad condition. I believe he's from the Abbey."
Bryan lowered his launcher. "Get a name?"
"I'm afraid he is in no condition to speak. All I can tell you is that he has red hair and grey eyes and keeps saying that he must speak to someone named 'Iceheart'."
"Aizik." Bryan shoved his blade away, moving toward the door. "Where is he now?"
"I believe they were taking him to the hospital wing."
"Bryan, who is-" Kai frowned as the other kept going, forcing him to hurry after the elder teen as Mr Dickenson and Kenny followed behind. "Bryan!"
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"Can you tell us your name?"
The 18-year-old made no reply, continuing to shiver as he kept his eyes squeezed closed against the pain and darkness. Remaining aware was hard, but he knew he must in this place filled with his enemies, and somewhere amongst them was him.
"This guys a loop," Tyson said, shaking his head. "You won't get anything out of him, Mrs Tate. He probably doesn't even speak any English."
"It is possible." Judy looked up from where she sat beside the blanket wrapped young man toward the others gathered. "But I must say I am rather curious as to who this Iceheart is. We at least must try and find out so we can find them."
Grey eyes cracked open as the door opened, brightening faintly as he smiled weakly. "Iceheart!"
"What the hell happened to you?" Bryan looked down at him, running his gaze over the other. "Fall down the stairs again, Aizik?"
Michael looked up. "You know this guy?"
"I know all the boys in the Abbey, Parker." Bryan returned his gaze to the Russian. "Well?"
"Boris." Aizik shuddered. "He found out, Iceheart. He found out about what really happened. Found out who was involved."
Tyson narrowed his eyes toward Bryan. "Take it your Iceheart then. Suites you."
Max elbowed him. "Quiet, Ty."
"He found out and he got mad." Aizik shuddered. "He… he did this to me."
Bryan set his jaw. "They say you were dumped here."
Aizik nodded. "They wanted you to see… to see what would happen to the others."
Hearing a soft curse they looked back to see Tala moving into the room, Ian and Spencer just behind him. Tala's blue eyes narrowed as he set his jaw. "How did Boris find out? As far as we knew he only thought Ian and Spencer assisted."
"One of the boys talked." Aizik bit his lip. "He's dead now. One of the others killed him. But he told it all. He told about the planning, about my role, about Panas's role-"
"Panas?" Kai shot a sharp look toward Bryan. "Panas is still at the Abbey?"
"Captain of the reserves," Bryan answered, eyes distant. "Where's Panas, Vorobev? What did Balkov do with Fomin?"
Aizik swallowed hard. "They wanted me to deliver a message…"
"Answer me."
"They wanted me to tell you… to tell you…"
Bryan reached out, catching him by the collar and jerking him to his feet, Bryan's eyes flashing as he growled. "What the hell did Boris do to Panas?"
"He's… he… dungeon. Boris… he beat him… he called him traitor and dragged him away…" Aizik's skin continued to pale as the last of his energy slowly drained away from him. "Boris… he wanted me to tell you… to tell you if Iceheart don't return he… he…"
Bryan's eyes narrowed. "He will what?"
"He…" Aizik's legs gave out, causing Bryan to shift his grip so not to choke him. "He… he'll kill him."
Well, this certainly complicates things. --;;