Chapter 20
The Valkyrie: I'm so glad you think it works. And here's Bryan
Ramen II: Worry not about Bryan... actually, worry lots. You'll see why.
Ashla: I'm in my second year at Uni. And I've been a writer since I was 6, and am doing a writing course at Uni that helps me develop and use my ideas to my advantage, refining my writing. Comes in handy for my fan fic, and my fan fic comes in handing for refining my writing. :D
Acey1: I did psychology in high school. I'd recommend it to anyone, trust me.
Bloody Mary: We all have our things, our different styles and such. And no, Tala's not happy.
Jay Kamiya: Bryan's first impulse is to always help his team. Now you know why.
HimekoSukie: Oh, Bryan's not a nice person. Just over protective. :p
eyriess: After you see what's happening with Bryan, you're going to wish I'd never shown you...
Reiven: I love your gallery. Yes, Rubellite is great. I take a lot of her White Tiger pictures for my own gallery (go through White Tiger Claw). I don't know what we'd do without her. :D
Werewolf of Fire: What Bryan's going through is about to get a whole lot worse...
Lullaby Lily: I like you psycho-analysing my stories. I look forward to your reviews as you dig right down into the psyche of the characters I am portraying. You've been able to grasp the deeper plots and ideas I have going, the almost hidden subtext that I'm sure others will have picked up, but you're the first to mention. And enjoy your time away, and what I sent you. You're in for a shock...
Chaco and Lily: I have no idea who sings Switchblade, only that it's on the Beyblade soundtrack and that I downloaded it from Beyblade Spirit. And yes, cute image. I wish I could draw...
DranzerGirl: The story plant is growing well, trust me. It's just sprouted a great big friend known as Ketsuron that is getting bigger than I originally planned it to grow. Already done some pruning on that one. And I don't know that Blink182 song. Unfortunately.
animeandraia: This fic had you in tears? Is that a good or a bad thing? I'm hoping that it's a good thing. And thank you so much for all the comments!
lilmatchgirl007: Tone down the Bryan torture? Sorry, it's about to get worse, only it's not of a physical nature...
Mizuyah: I'm glad you think it not far fetched. I thought that I might be taking it too far, but I developed the idea a bit, spinning it around and from different angles, and this is what I ended up with. Hopefully all the flaws are out.
KuronekoHikage: There is next to no Kai/Ray in this fic, save the occasional moments. Glad you liked it.
kairia: You'll just have to read on and see.
This chapter is somewhat… interesting. Took a few edits to get it right.
Disclaimer: See first page
His eyes cracked open, and at once he realised he was lying on his back. Hearing a movement he glanced to the side, scowling as he spotted Boris sitting at a table, writing something down in that black book of his he knew to be Boris's diary. Boris wrote everything in his diary, though Bryan had only seen that one entry written on the day that his parents had died. Though Bryan now had to admit that he wished he had read more.
Boris felt his gaze, glancing up, those grey eyes uncovered as his red-lensed goggles sat on the table before him. His eyes narrowed as he smiled faintly, flipping his diary closed as he set down his pen.
"You gave us quite a scare, young Bryan."
Bryan watched him as he stood. "What happened?"
"It would seem your body was unable to withstand that last test. You suffered severe cardiac arrest."
"A heart attack?" Bryan gazed toward the ceiling, noting the single soft light above and frowning. "What did you expect to happen when you jolt that many volts through a person. I am human."
"I am aware of that." Boris gazed down at him. "I witnessed your birth, after all. And I watched you grow over the years. I am fully aware of your limitations, though they exceed those of an average human. But then, you are not average."
Bryan didn't answer, his eyes instead exploring his surroundings, feeling a sense of familiarness that he couldn't place. "Where the heck are we?"
"In a room situated directly between the laboratories and the infirmary."
"Why ain't I back in with Panas? You usually dump me back in hell once I'm patched up."
"In the dungeon, you mean." Boris shrugged, smiling faintly. "I thought you might be interested in seeing this room."
Bryan glanced at him. "Why?"
"This is where you were conceived, young Bryan. Where the modifications we made to you took place. And, ultimately, this is the very room in which you were born."
Bryan narrowed his eyes, regarding the room once more. "Plain."
"Your mother said the exact same thing." Boris reached out, setting a hand gently on Bryan's arm, just above the where the teen was chained to the side rails of the bed. "Did I ever tell you that you inherited her colouring? Though you look more like your father."
"You never spoke of my parents. You said to dwell on them was weak."
"Good to see you were listening." Boris nodded, patting Bryan's hand. "I see no reason for you not to know about your parents, young one. Though I do believe you already know of their fate."
"You mean how you shot them between the eyes?" Bryan glared at him. "Yeah, I know. Saw the footage. Read it in your diary."
"Then you know how regretful I was for needing to do so."
"Regretful?" Bryan snorted, looking away. "Yeah right. You enjoyed it."
"Not at all. I admired your parents for coming to me, for participating willingly in the experimentation. They offered themselves, despite the risk, so they could have the perfect child. You." Boris's grey eyes were soft. "The contract they agreed too clearly stated that they would remain with Biovolt so we could monitor your progress. We even gave your parents high placed jobs within the organisation. However, they decided that once they had what they wanted they would leave, and though I offered alternatives they could not be persuaded otherwise. The only choice I had was to eliminate them."
Bryan snorted. "You neglected to mention you had it all arranged so you got custody of me should anything happen to them."
"Of course. I am your godfather." Boris leant down, smile widening. "What you probably do not know is that Bryan is not your true name. Your parents gave you the name Boris Bryan, though I had it reversed to Bryan Boris."
Bryan blinked. "You're telling me my parents called me Boris?"
"Indeed."
"If they were alive, I'd kill 'em."
"I had a feeling you would say that." Boris laughed softly, smoothing Bryan's hair. "The name change was to avoid confusion, of course. And the fact you were named for me has nothing to do with the fact you were always my favourite."
"Cut the crap." Bryan glared at him. "Tala's your favourite, not me. Always has been."
"Is that truly the way you see it, my son?" Boris trailed his fingers down the side of Bryan's face and down his neck. "Tala is, as I have heard the boys say, a teachers pet. He did all he could to prove he could do as asked, going out of his way to try and win favouritism. And while I will admit I did favour him over the other boys, it was you who I have always admired the most."
Bryan watched him, longing to jerk away from Boris's touch but his wrist restraints held him in place. He gritted his teeth as Boris's hand wandered lower, Bryan slowly becoming aware that under the sheet that covered him, he wore nothing. His clothing had probably been removed sometime during his treatment.
"You are strong yet stubborn, ruthless yet protective. Your mind is a complex puzzle that even after all this time we have not been able to decipher." Boris tugged at the sheet, letting it slip from the bed. "I have always been drawn to you, and yet you hold me at arms length. I can understand why, considering all that I have been forced to do to try to tame you.
"If it were my choice you would still be the captain, not Tala. But following Black Dranzer, when I informed Voltaire of the proceedings, he made it clear that someone whom I can control must be placed in charge of the new team. It was Voltaire who chose Tala over you, not me."
Boris ran his fingers over the inside of Bryan's thigh, a small smile tugging at his lip. "I have a feeling Voltaire knew of my preferences, which is why he suggested you be removed from the Demolition Boys so they could accommodate Kai. To have you, Tala and Kai on the one team again, would have meant sure victory."
Bryan gritted his teeth. "What do you want, Boris?"
"The one thing I know I cannot have." Boris's hand closed around Bryan, stroking gently as he moved around, lowering his lips to kiss the tip. "All these years I have sort my pleasure, I have never pleasured you, have I? Perhaps it is time to amend that."
To be continued…