I know I said that I wasn't going to write but I kept getting the urge to carry on. I finally got some time away from Homework!

Chapter Seven Ray's Fall From Grace and Max's Refusal

"Where's Mariah?" Ray demanded angrily.

Ray was waiting in the room that they were woken up in. He watched Tyson and Kai leave. He watched Grace and Hilary being freed.

Voltaire watched the anger in Ray. Yes. Dark energy. He knew Ray's weakness. That Mariah girl. He could control Ray using Mariah.

"She's safe"

"No, she's not safe! She's locked in a cell!" Ray yelled. The walls shook. Green energy circled round him.

It was Driger. Voltaire smiled evilly.

"Exactly. There is a way of preventing that happening. You can stop your enemy's from kidnapping and harming her. I can understand, she's a very beautiful girl. There is only one way to protect her."

Ray became curious. "How?"

"Learn a new way of Blading. Use more of your anger to fuel your performance. In the end you will come out the winner."

I must use more to reel him in. He's thinking about it now I must hit him hard enough that he'll join us, Voltaire thought.

"You'll be able to protect her from one of you biggest enemies, your uncle I presume. The one that abused the one you hold dear (A/N Mariah). If you join us, you'll learn methods of darkness."

Ray's glare at the mention of his uncle could kill anyone who stared into his eyes. His uncle had been sexually abusing Mariah ever since she was little. Because she was a "filthy half-caste". She didn't have enough bravery inside to tell anyone until recently. When Ray's father found out, he disowned his brother. This angered Ray's uncle, so he struck again.

"Live here and you'll be able to live free with Mariah without any nosy parents telling you what to do and not to do. You'll have a life with her. A private one. All I ask in return is that you do as we command."

Ray's face softened at the thought of her. Voltaire waited for an answer. Ray closed his eyes. Half of him was yelling No! Don't do it! The other half was yearning for a life with his only love. (A/N Soppy, I Know) He ignored his first thought and let his heart choose. Knowing that he was making the biggest mistake of his life………. He agreed.

Max however would NOT stay and join Biovolt's minions. Even though Molly's life was at risk. Kenny was offered a position as Biovolt's technical mastermind. He, like Max, turned it down refusing to throw his life away. Max eventually agreed to join them. But it was only a lie. He would fool them for a while, and then escape with Molly. Maybe Kenny too if he could manage it.

Mariah was also free. Ray walked with a guard to release her. As soon as the guard had swiped a card in the digital lock next to the door, he disappeared. As soon as Mariah saw Ray standing at the door, she ran and jumped, he caught her and they hugged. He put her down and stared down. They looked at each other; Ray leaned in and swept her up with a long meaningful kiss.

"You're free" he whispered into her neck.

"Are we ready to go home now?" she looked up at him. Her face full of worry.

"We're not going home. We're staying here. As residents." he replied.

One tear drop fell down her cheek.

"It's alright. Biovolt aren't as bad as we thought they were. I'm part of their society."

Ray caressed he cheek.

"I thought they wanted me dead."

"You're with me. They can't harm you. I won't allow it………………"

Mariah put her head on his shoulder. Wondering what the fate of the world would be.