Chapter 17

Acey1: The world is probably about to end. Tyson just started the wheels turning...

Reiven: I don't really believe in the cyber mind. When it comes to Tala I follow the original series where he's simply genetically enhanced. The cyber thing the American dubbers included sucked. Tala's just stressed. Everything's catching up on him now there isn't much happening to distract him.

MyHeartBleeds: Writing OCs without going overboard is something that comes with experience, trust me. I've come a long way since my first OC flop. Took four years to get to where I am, and I'm still learning. Plus, I've got the advantage of doing a writing course at Uni. It's all trial and error. You'll get it right if you work at it. ;)

The Valkyrie: I know I'm late. I've got a truckload of homework, and slow internet... when it works... [[glares at internet]]

Ashla: Bryan in a dress is part of a scene where Bryan fights an urge to wear his mothers clothes and remembers his make up experiments from the Abbey. It takes place in an experimental fic I'm working on called Fighting Shadows, which is a two parter. Should I ever complete it, it will actually be set two years following this one... if I complete it...

lilmatchgirl007: Gah! Not good imagery! That was uncalled for! [[starts chasing lilmatchgirl007 around with a stick]]

Chaco and Lily: Well, I doubt Tyson could get any dumber. And Kai's influence must pass off somewhere. :p

Kappy Locks: So what happens if all three have mental breakdowns? Does that mean you're 300% right? :p

KuronekoHikage: [[watches Tala fall to ground and get smothered]] I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. [[hears someone holler Tala's name and turns to see Bryan come charging forward with eyes shining blue murder]] Again, not sure if this is a good thing, or a bad thing.

Lullaby Lily: I was hoping for the whole connection thing. I'm glad you liked it. And Tala's depression... probably as unpredictable as his mood swings.

Bloody Mary: Only one of the Abbey guys is optimistic - Boris. But I'm not sure if he counts. And you're right about Tyson. Lol.

Castles in the Sky: Don't worry. I'm in shit for abandoning Star Wars. Well, for abandoning my fics at least. So you're forgiven.

Ramen II: Tala actually heard him, yes. Got another scene like that a coming too. And Tyson isn't really that much of an idiot. A clutz, maybe, but not an idiot.

Mizuyah: My feelings for Tyson are like a saying I once had in my signature on a message board: "At first I was disgusted. Now I'm just amused". But I like his character. I really do.

HimekoSukie: It's more likely that the BBA will find them, but with no leads...

Jay Kamiya: Tala's at a low point, but you really can't blame him. If I were in his shoes, I'd be at a low point too.

ALL: Let's group hug Tala!!! [[runs to catch Tala]]

You're going to hate me when you read this.

Disclaimer: See first page

"Turn it off! Turn it off now!"

The assistant reached out and yanked at the cords, ripping them from their sockets and instantly shutting the machine down, plunging the room into silence. Boris stepped quickly across the room, fingers playing with the keys to the restraints and undoing them, catching Bryan's limp form as it fell and lowering him to the ground.

"Bring the kit!"

The assistant scurried off, Boris kneeling by the teen and swearing softly. They had gone too far that time, took it one step higher than they should have. All Boris had wanted was a scream, but the only scream he had gotten was that of the monitors as Bryan's heart ceased functioning.

"Where are you man?!"

"Here, sir."

Boris took the box, flipping open the lid and taking up the vile, retrieving a syringe. He drew the correct dose, inserting the long needle into Bryan's chest and straight into his heart, injecting the fluid he had had the laboratories create for this exact reason.

"The electrical currents, sir. They must have made his heart convulse. It was a heart attack-"

"I know that, fool. Alert the medical staff that I will be bringing young Bryan down to them shortly. And inform the others that Panas is to be returned to his cell. I will not be conducting any further tests today."

"At once, sir."

Boris listened to the others retreating footsteps as he set the syringe down, checking the young man's pulse once more and growling as he realised Bryan had now stopped breathing, Boris beginning CPR.

"You do not die until I give the order for you to die, young Bryan."

Boris continued to check Bryan's pulse and breathing at random intervals, his teeth clenched as it began to dawn on him that Bryan's body was too tired, too drained. That it was highly probable that he may not be able to resuscitate the young man he had raised since infancy.

This wasn't the first time Boris had had to do this to Bryan, but that other time had not come out of experimentation, but rather an honest accident that had occurred almost 13 years earlier.

Bryan had been a child of five then, and he and a four-year-old Kai had been training with their blades in the grounds of the Abbey. Boris had been observing them from his office, noting how well the two boys were developing when Kai suddenly vanished with a sharp cry, Bryan calling for him.

At once Boris had realised that the boys had been training over the frozen dam Boris had afterwards had filled in. Swearing, Boris had run for the stairs, his then youthful body swift as he raced through the Abbey corridors and out the door toward the dam, Bryan now out of sight as well.

As he neared the crack in the ice the surface had broken, Kai and Bryan coughing as Bryan pushed Kai toward the edge, the younger searching for a grip as he pulled himself out, Bryan moving to go after him only to abruptly vanish.

Boris reached the hole, Kai sobbing as he cried out for Bryan, calling for Boris to find him. Boris dropped down beside the hole, reaching in and flaying, knowing the water wasn't deep where the boys were. Feeling his fingers brush fabric he caught hold, yanking the small form from the icy waters.

Bryan was blue as Boris tugged off his jacket, setting Bryan down on it and checking his vitals, realising at once that the boy was neither breathing nor his heart beating. Boris had begun CPR as Kai looked on, terrified.

Time seemed to slow before Bryan lurched, water erupting from his lungs as Boris rolled him onto his side, thudding the boy gently on the back as Bryan coughed, face screwed up as he wheezed, Kai throwing his arms around him, bawling.

Boris had bundled both frozen boys up in his jacket, picking them up and holding them to his hips as he made his way back toward the buildings, scolding them all the way to the medical wing of the Abbey. He later retrieve their blades, and though he never voiced it out loud, it was moments like that, those moments of self-sacrifice, that made him admire the lavender haired blader all the more.

He paused, checking for Bryan's pulse and smiling as he realised Bryan's heart was once more beating and that, while shallow, he was breathing nonetheless. "Good boy."

Closing up the kit Boris shifted, scooping the teen up in his arms as he stood. Boris gazed down at Bryan through his goggles, Bryan's head against the man's shoulder, expression peaceful though sweat still clung to his skin.

Boris frowned thoughtfully, remembering the first time he had held Bryan, almost 19 years ago. He remembered vividly the young man had came into the world, Boris there as Bryan's mother gave birth, Boris the one to bring the softly whimpering baby to his parents so they could see him for the first time.

A month later, Boris had been the one to take the crying Bryan from his dead mother's arms.

Boris sighed, moving toward the infirmary, the same place that Bryan had been born all those years ago. Bryan may never realise it, but there was no way Boris could ever let him go, his greatest creation.

Boris could never let Bryan die.

Plot twist. :p