Asylum

By: Darker Evolutions

Rating: R

Warnings: The rating should be warning enough.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters.

A/N: Blah.. Band is taking up so much of my time already this summer, that and school starts soon. Finally have time on my hands so I figured I'd update for my readers. Thank you muchly for the reviews. A short chapter…forgive me!

Summary: Kai, Tala, Ray, and Bryan are members of the Saint Carolin's High School soccer team with a new student placed as their manager. They're also mutants in which the underground organization Biovolt are after. Will they get at each other's throats before they get a chance to find asylum?

Chapter Nine - Picture Perfect

Soccer practice had just ended, the sun starting to lower in the sky and descend towards the horizon. The sky was clear, stars glittering in the blanket of growing darkness as the crescent moon glowing a warm pale yellow. It had been a few days and many had noticed the lacking presence of Tala, Kai, Rei, and Declan. Some were beginning to worry, the mutants making up most of the majority.

Laying back on the row just before the top on the bleachers was Tyson, his arms folded behind his head and one leg dangling off the side from the metal seat. Sitting just a row above him and leaning forward onto his knees with his elbows was Max, his soft yet concerned eyes watching Tyson as he stared up at the sky.

"Something just isn't right," sighed Max with a shake of his head. "I think we've got the gist that Biovolt was involved in all this, but we've never been able to keep someone protected for very long without them taking them and their body showing up later on. I got into my mom's folders--don't tell her--but Biovolt has been chasing after Declan for nearly his whole life."

"You shouldn't worry too much about it Maxie, things will be okay. He's got Kai and the others with him, and they take care of each other. Hiwatari will keep that brother of his inline as well, and don't forget about Rei and how he is so protective of Declan. We can only trust them," smiled Tyson as he turned his dark blue eyes over to the frowning Max.

"Yes, but you would think that Biovolt would've just killed Declan after not being able to catch him for so long… They don't just keep chasing after people," protested Max as he leaned back a bit, his comfortable green tee-shirt shifting over his shoulders. "We know what everyone's powers are around here who is a mutant, right? But what about Declan, what is his power?"

Sitting up Tyson swiveled himself to face Max, leaning forward to cross his arms on the others lap as he looked up at him eye to eye. "You're looking to deep into this, Max. If some of the things that your mom knows, that you know because you read her files sometimes, gets out.. All of us would be in danger. No, I don't very well get along with Kai as I do with others, but we have an understanding that we must protect each other…just like you and I."

"We're a family, all of us mutants, I know that Tyson," exclaimed Max exasperatedly. "But what if there was a bad apple? Someone who was playing both sides? Sure I trust you, Kai, Rei and the gang.. But come on, how good can things get without getting worse for once? Think about it.. I don't want anyone hurt anymore than they already are."

"Maxie.." Sitting up a bit straighter Tyson unfolded his arms, placing a hand on each side of Max's face and looking him directly in the eyes with a calm intensity. "Things get rough, like the time we're going through now, but you can't look down on things like that. You're so full of life, Max. Don't let the bad times drag you down, and true.. There might be a traitor among us, but not Declan. Look inside; you know it, I know it, and so do the three that saved his life."

There was a long moment of silence as Max closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth of Tyson's hands upon his cheeks. As his breathing calmed he gave a nod and a smile, reopening his baby blues to look at the teen in front of him. "Thanks Tyson.. You're right--I shouldn't be looking at him like he's a traitor just because he's different. I want to help though.. But how?"

"The only way we can help, Max. We help them recover and keep people from questioning about why they're all gone. All the mutants at this school need to be reminded of the fact that they need to always be with someone else, preferably another mutant so they're not helpless if Biovolt comes after them. Since Kai isn't here to keep everyone in line we need to do it for him," Announced Tyson with his trademark smile.

A cheerful laugh came from Max as he playfully punched Tyson in the arm with the comment of, "You've always wanted to be in charge." He soon leaned forward, placing his forehead against Dragoon's, a smile upon his youthful face. "But you're still you, always there for everyone no matter what--that's why I love you.' Closing the distance between himself and Tyson Max pressed his lips against the others in a warm chaste kiss.

There was a sudden click and flash of a camera as the two kissed upon the stands in front of the soccer field, a cheerful laugh singing out, just after the picture was taken, at the look on the male's faces. Letting the camera drop around her neck Salima was quick to scale the seats of the bleachers to join the flabbergasted mutants only to grab her camera and snap another picture to capture the priceless looks upon their faces.

"Oh come on you two," laughed the brown-eyed female as she tossed her long braided red hair behind her shoulder before taking a seat next to Max. "You knew it was only a tell of time before I actually got a picture of you two kissing--a beautiful picture I might add--though I promise to give each of you several copies to put in your collection and give to your family and friends. After all you're such a cute couple."

"Stop that already," snapped Tyson in a non-meaningful manner as he pointed a finger at Salima's camera and jabs at the piece of equipment. "You and your pictures are going to get us into trouble one day.. but," smiled Tyson as he released Max and exchanged hugs with the girl. "We love you anyways and would be lost without your picture-fied memories. By the way, I've got a picture that you'd just love to see, though the film needs developed still."

"I know you love me and you can't live without me," smirked the girl before she waved Tyson off to give Max a hug as well. She'd been away the last few weeks on a photography internship and had just returned with a wish to see all her friends again. "And don't worry about that film, just give me the canister and I'll develop it myself so you won't have to pay those outrageous prices the stores give you."

"Glad you're back with us, Salima. You've missed quite a bit while away on that internship of yours--which reminds me to ask how was it?" inquired Max as both he and Tyson resettled themselves to sit next to one another straddling the top seat of the bleachers, the smaller of the two sitting in front of the other as they watched the junior female almost squirm with delight. "And I'll get you that film before we leave to head home--it's in my book bag."

"God was it wonderful! I took soo many pictures, you're not going to believe it until you see it. The places this woman took me to photograph were wonderful, and she gave me so many hint and pointers--she was a Goddess in disguise, I tell you she really was. She even gave me an old camera of hers that was much better than mine and taught me how to develop my pictures better without risking exposure problems. I took a picture for all of you," smiled Salima as she gestured wildly with her hands as she spoke. "And guess what.. She's a mutant, too! Oh it was so wonderful to spend two whole weeks with her; she said I could come visit her and spend a day with her any time I wanted."

Scooting back several feet, moving to kneel on one knee on the bleachers, Salima picked up her camera and took another picture of Tyson and Max, smiling fondly at them both before reseating herself near them again. "Now, you said I missed things while I was gone? What could I have missed other than Biovolt being a pain in our asses?"

"Well you've hit the nail right on the head," commented Tyson as he wrapped his arms around Max's middle, his chin coming to rest on the blonde's shoulder. "We've gotten a new student while you were gone, quite a trip he is, but a good person all-in-all. He's a senior going by Declan Kasch, and the kids in school don't really like him. The reputation he has is rather-"

"Bad, terrible? It's no wonder considering he's been school hopping for years now. Don't give me that look, Tyson Granger, you know I keep up with things when it comes to mutants," chided Salima before giving a thoughtful look. "I keep in contact with mutants from various other places around the continent, and there has been a thread out on him for awhile. In truth I'd like to meet the kid--all the mutants likes him despite the rumors about him--and why are you looking at me like I'm still missing something?"

"Because you are," answered Max in a meek voice as he leaned back into Tyson. "My Mom, you know how she is, wanted to help Declan out.. So Kai and Tala have been around him since he was announced manager of the soccer team, and Rei I guess got on good terms with him when he first arrived here. The three of them went out looking for Declan one day, so that's what I'm assuming after they showed up at my doorstep late that night carrying a nearly dead Declan.. But Biovolt is after him, like all of us, but I think it's more than just that because of the way my Mom is acting so…concerned and worrisome."

""Well look on the good side, Max. We got the kid back, and now we aren't going to let him go again, now are we?" grinned Salima as she stuck her fist out into the air. "Biovolt will never destroy our family--they will be the ones to fall. We'll bring them down! You hear me world, we're going to bring down Biovolt for all mutant kind! We're going to hunt down all the rats that are against us, who leak information, and we are going to survive!"

"Salima! Stop yelling, you're going to attract attention to us, or worse yet someone hear what you're saying," yelled Tyson in a hushed voice as Max muffled a bout of laughter into the palm of his hand. "You're so much more of a loudmouth than I am; unbelievable. Can't you just be normal for once and proclaim things with such importance quietly?" questioned the navy-haired teen in a mock-serious expression.

"Of course she can't be normal," answered a voice from the bottom of the bleachers causing all to snap their heads in the direction of the speaker only to find Bryan standing there with his arms crossed and an amused look in his gray eyes. "She's a mutant, and no mutant can be a normal person ever again; that's why we have to stick together. Anyways.. Your Mother wants you to come home for dinner, Max."

"Bryan!" called out Salima as she no sooner was racing down the bleachers at breakneck speed, lucky as she made it to the bottom without having broken her ankle or leg for that matter. She was quick to jump at the senior and envelope him in a tight leaping hug that send hug staggering a few steps before grunting in response of the greeting. "I missed you, you cold-hearted bastard!"

"I thought Tala was the cold-hearted bastard!" called Tyson from the top of the bleachers with a wide smirk upon his face only to earn an elbow in his side from Max as the other gave him an amused yet warning look. Salima and Tyson soon broke out into laughter with Max soon to join as well with Bryan smirking boldly.

"Now get home, all of you. It's getting late, we have school tomorrow, and it isn't safe to be out this late with Biovolt as active as it is right now." Prying Salima off of him Bryan was only rewarded with the girl clasping onto his hand. Rolling his eyes he allowed it, watching as the two young males descended from the top of the bleachers at their own leisurely pace before giving Salima the roll of film and waving as they turned and walked towards the sidewalk to make their way to Max's home.

"Aw, did you come to walk me home Bryan? How sweet of you," chortled Salima as she tugged Bryan along towards her own home with her foster parents. "It seems things haven't been going very well while I've been gone, hm? I'm glad I'm back though--I missed everyone, you as well."

"You've missed the new kid and Tala fighting with each other every soccer practice and the absence of those two, Kai, and Rei for the past few days… I really don't know what's going on, but I'm sure it has to do with Biovolt. They're going to suffer for killing Ian.. I won't let them get away with hurting anyone else," stated Bryan. "We need to take a stand.."