Chapter 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bryan was transfixed on nothing but maybe the tiny glass window that allowed him to be watched. His eyes were hollow and empty, his lips showed no expression, not even a frown. His grey fluffy hair was messy and manic and pale skin was as plain as the snow.

"Get him out. I want to see if he's another failure too" Boris glared at the quivering doctor. He left Kai's unconscious body still strapped in the restraints to inspect the newly awake teen.

The doctor quaked over to the Blitzkrieg boy's door, he swiped his card and the door beeped as access was granted. The skinny professor opened the door slightly and backed away to let it swing open on its own. Bryan looked perfect.

Bryan was a special "student" to Boris. Years ago, Boris handpicked a small selection of Biovolt soldiers to take part in an experiment. To see if attacking the bladers as well as their beyblades had a positive out come. Bryan showed excessive positive results. He, as well as the others were trained to shoot their blades at life-size dummy's and mannequins. They were taught where vital and sensitive organs were, where pressure point were situated, the areas of which to attack if you wanted a quick match if you get what I mean. They were taught how to be discrete about it too so as not to be caught by the beyblade officials that monitored matches for anything illegal. The BBA rules and regulations safety act (that all beybladers have to sign before entering matches) state that the beyblade must stay in the Beydish during battle and cannot make any contact with their opponent. Any such contact will mean instant disqualification of the blader and his/her team. Boris noticed that bitbeasts weren't mentioned anywhere in the safety act and if the bitbeasts couldn't be seen, then they can't be disqualified for it.

Bryan was Boris's star pupil. At the age of 8 Bryan could hit a mannequin meters away with his eyes shut and have Falborg reduce it to ribbons within seconds. His aim was perfect, his judgement was flawless and ferocity was unmatched by anyone at Biovolt. Even the much appraised Kai couldn't contend with Bryan's sensational appetite for destruction.

"How are you feeling Bryan?" asked Boris expectantly with his arms crossed and black goggles shimmering.

Bryan turned his head to face Boris. His body didn't move, eyes didn't blink and expression never changed. He was like an automated robot with steely eyes and tongue as heavy as iron. A tongue so heavy in fact he didn't reply.

"Say something Bryan" ordered Dr Grimegcov

"The drug numbs all sense of emotion and even thoughts are slurred. He may not be able to speak yet" the man added

"Will you shut up and get that jacket off him." stabbed Boris

The nervous doctor jumped immediately to his task. He undid the tight buckles and the straight jacket fell away.

Boris grinned. "Follow me Bryan… I have a special task for you." As always, in the dim stagnant light his teeth shone a creamy yellow glow.

Bryan passed a series of tunnels and large walk through pipes on his travels with Boris. Not that he cared or remembered anything; he didn't feel fear, hate, distrust, the cold. His entire mind said to walk and that was it. Boris told him to walk and therefore he did. He marched with his hands by his sides and delicate padded feet splashed in the shallow puddles of the tunnel floor. They reached a large brown door which was heaved open by 2 henchmen that travelled ahead of Boris. The doctor stayed behind to put Kai back into his jacket and "room". Dr Grimegcov decided it was best to stay away from Boris for as long as possible. Boris was too violent for his comfort. Grimegcov cared very little for the boys at Biovolt and after years of service at "Balcov Abbey" he was used to their screams and cries. He was available and Biovolt was paying, so there was no problem. Besides who would employ a corrupted cocaine sniffing doctor anyway.

Bryan was made to stop before a large silver beydish. Boris took Bryan's two hands and held them up from their previous dangling positions. An upgraded Falborg and gun-like launcher were placed into his frozen hands. Bryan stared coldly blank at them.

"Launch Falborg into the beydish" ordered Boris gruffly

"…Falborg…" grunted Bryan croakily.

"Yes Brian, now launch her into the beydish, I know you can do it." pressed Boris.

Bryan loaded his beyblade into the launcher and aimed for the beydish.

"Let it RIP" murmured Brian

Bryan pulled the trigger and Falborg shot into it in a flash. It grazed, scratched and whipped around it wildly. Bryan watched its changes of direction and grace around the beydish.

"Fal…borg…I remember… " he whispered inside himself.

Bryan still remained as robotic as before, no smiling and no frown as Boris looked at him with content.

"Now Bryan. Recall her" Ordered Boris

Falborg completed a full circuit of the dish then bounced into her masters ready to receive hand. He just continued to stare at the spot she had exited the dish from. Zombie like. She felt slightly warm and her faint heat spread through Bryan's hand. He realized he liked it and wrapped his fist tightly around her. His whole body felt dead, cold, pale and very porcelain.

"Bring it in!" Bellowed Boris loudly.

A goon strode through the open door wheeling something into the hall. It had wheels underneath and was covered by a white sheet. Bryan gazed at it. The goon abandoned it at Boris's side.

"You may remember this Bryan… you used to train with these" Smirked Boris

Boris took a corner of the sheet and tugged it off causing a sharp slipping sound. Beneath the white Perspex sheet was a dummy.

It was white and padded like most crash test dummies. It had a red and black target poster stuck on its chest complete with bull's-eye in the middle.

Bryan stared at it as emotionless as before. Boris strode clear away from it.

"Launch Falborg at it Brian, Rip it to pieces!" growled Boris like a nasty hunter would yell his dogs to do to a fox.

Flashback

Little 8 year old Bryan dressed in Biovolt rags aimed his grey beyblade at the crash test dummy and fired. Boris and several analysts watched by. The beyblade shot straight through the left of the chest, otherwise the heart region and back out the other side with little effort at all. Stuffing bled out of the back of the dummy and sprayed in little tufts on the floor behind it.

"Excellent Bryan, now onto stage two…" applauded Boris

Another beyblader was placed opposite Bryan. He was Bryan's age and size and aimed his beyblade at him ready to fire.

"Now do the same again Bryan" cackled Boris expectantly. He grinned evilly in grim wait for what would happen next.

Bryan loaded his beyblade and fired.

End of flashback

"I SAID RIP IT TO PIECES BRYAN!" Yelled Boris angrily

Bryan injected his beyblade into the launcher and stationed himself ready to shoot. His legs wide apart and arms outstretched ready to pull the trigger for its release. His eyes and body language were aiming at the target. Though strangely he could see two targets. Identical in everyway although one was moving slightly and shifted whilst the other stayed still. Bryan's face didn't show any confusion or surprise. Automatically he shifted his arms to point at the other target. The moving one.

Boris suddenly became very flustered.

"What are you doing Bryan!! Stop it. Your target is over there!!" yapped Boris as he pointed wildly at the only target in the room.

Bryan stood ready and aiming at the target that seemed to jiggle around more now that he was aiming at it.

"Let…it…"

"NO BRYAN! STOP IT!! NOW!!!" yelled Boris frantically backing away as fast as he could without tripping; his hands waving in front of him protectively.

"rip…"

click

Bryan pulled the trigger but nothing shot out of the launcher. His arms and launcher/ gun remained in the air.

Boris gasped in astonishment and relief. Trembling, he marched heavily over to Bryan and snatched the launcher out of Bryan's hands.

He rapidly inspected it and found that the Falborg had jammed in the launcher. In his numbness, Bryan had loaded it wrong.

Boris was livid. He took Bryan by the scruff of his t-shirt and shook him back and forth.

Just at that moment Dr Grimecgov burst into the room.

"The other 2 Blitzkrieg boys… Ian and Spencer are awake"

"Bryan was hallucinating and nearly KILLED ME!" growled Boris loudly.

"Bring Spencer and Ian to me NOW!! We begin their training at once!"

The crooked doctor hurried off without hesitation accompanied by two Balcov henchmen. Their stamping feet could be heard echoing through the empty halls and disintegrate as they distanced further.

Boris snapped back to Bryan. The grey haired blader didn't seem to care. Boris held him in the air like a large heavy rag doll and glared at his "perfect soldier" furiously.

Boris sighed and dropped the boy to his feet. Bryan landed without a flaw and continued to stare into the nothing of oblivion. Boris backhanded Bryan across his left cheek then swang his hand back across the other cheek. Bryan produced no defence for himself and took the onslaught as he was supposed to and as a child, had always done.

Moments passed and foot steps could be heard from the corridors getting louder and louder. Boris stared at the ajar brown doors in anticipation. He cracked his head to the side at the expected arrivals that had just entered.

Here they are Boss. Spencer and Ian stood side by side. They looked as hollow as Bryan. Cold, merciless eyes stared blankly, backs up straight, hands by their sides like soldiers awaiting orders.

"Spencer… Ian. How nice to see you again." Smirked Boris like a snake.

"Don't just stand there. Get them their beyblades!" He snapped.

"Training begins immediately!"

Spencer, Ian and Bryan were all as hollow and robotic as each other. Their eyes were grey, lifeless stones in their numbed skulls. The only thing remotely lively about them was the opaque fog escaping their lips as their faintly warm breath leaked into the air.

The former Demolition boys lined up like a firing squad of beybladers. Boris ordered them over and over and over again to fire their beyblades into a large steely dish bellow their feet. Each launch; landing, swirl and pattern their beyblades spun wasn't much different from the last launch, and the launch before that. The scene was much like a black and white movie. Hardly a sound, a bleak monochrome setting in a winters Abbey.

It was raining outside. The rain tapped the windows rhythmically, the old leaves lay pregnant with raindrops and today no birds were singing.

"They're playing it again Tyson."

The bladebreakers had gathered in the living room. Ray stood with his arms crossed. Hilary, Daichi and Kenny sat on the sofa and Max on the floor with his legs and arms crossed. Fatigue bitten and red eyed they watched the news broadcast.

"I know Ray they've been playing it all day." Said Tyson who had his arms crossed leaning back up against the wall. His brown eyes hidden under the shadow of his cap.

"I still can't believe the Blitzkrieg boys are missing too." added Max.

"More evidence to suggest its Boris's work?" hinted Hilary.

"Definitely" Kenny darkly replied.

Television

Good afternoon Tokyo. This is news at 12 and I'm Misumi Ohara.

We received groundbreaking news today about the disappearance and possible kidnapping of Kai Hiwatari. Once the beyblade champion of Japan and currently a team member of the infamous Bladebreakers. He was last seen Saturday 12th of September heading towards the BBA headquarters. He was wearing a long-sleeved navy shirt and black jeans. (Old video footage of Kais beybattles was shown on screen and a then a series of photos. One photo with his team, another photo taken by a fan and another was a mug shot). This footage was taken within minutes before he went missing. (The footage taken at the grocery store was played on screen) Police and detectives are eager to hear from anyone who may know where he is? Where he was going? And if anyone was with him at the time. They are also interested in the two behind Mr Hiwatari shown here (a zoomed in image of the two cloaked people entered the screen) Police want to know who they are? and where they were going that day. Now…more disturbing news…. The Russian beyblade team, the Blitzkrieg boys are also nowhere to be found. They were last seen Sunday 13th of September. Suspicions arose Monday when Tala Ivanov, (mug shot shown) Ian Papov (mug shot shown), Bryan Kuznetzov (mugshot shown)and Spencer ­­­Petrov (mug shot shown) didn't turn up for work. In a small housing district of Moscow a local passer-by noticed their front door half open. When she went to investigate, their house had been ransacked. She then called the police. A full investigation is now underway. Japanese and Russian police believe these disappearances maybe linked. They are urging anyone with any information to please come forward and contact authorities immediately.

Weather broadcast for today is some showers in the northern part of Tokyo, in the Kanto district….

"The police decided they may get more answers asking for the publics help, other than that what they showed us yesterday, they haven't got much evidence to work with." Said Kenny in his usual unbroken voice.

"GGGRRR but we know Boris has got something to do with it!" Growled Tyson whilst leaving his darkness of the wall.

"Why can't the police just track down Boris and arrest him. Chances are where he is, Kai and the Blitzkrieg boys won't be far." Tyson exclaimed with tight fists.

"It's not that simple Tyson. You heard what the police officers said. They've been trying to catch Boris since the last beyblade World Championships and nutter, nothing, zilch." Added Max with a frown.

Ray put himself forwards to say. "So what do we do now? We can't just sit here and pretend everything's hunky-dory."

"The police said they'll call us" Murmured Kenny.

"Kai's in trouble and we've just gotta sit here and wait for a call! I'm sorry guys I can't do it. I've got to do something or ill go Mad." cried the female Bladebreaker.

"Yeah I feel the same Hilary but what can we do, we discussed this before. We can't just go without a heading. I know first assumption is Russia but do you really think Boris would set up there; I mean it would be too obvious. Wouldn't it?"

"That guy creeps me out! When we find him, we'll give him what for. He nearly ruined the last World Championships and now he's doing the same to this one." Screeched Daichi.

Tyson dropped his head. He felt so helpless, so pitiful.

"RING RING…. RING RING went the Grangers home phone.

"I'll get it dawgs!" came the hip reply from the resident elder.

Tyson's grandpa grabbed the phone before anyone could offer to. Seconds passed and the Bladebreakers waited for grandpa to tell them who was calling.

"Urmm Maxy It's ya ma' on the phone. She wants a chat wit ya"

"Mom?" Max uncrossed his legs and bounced to grandpa.

He took the headset with a fresh grin.

"Heya Mom, How've you been, I've missed you."

"Max I've been fine. Now more importantly I've just seen the news"

"You have?"

"Yes. And you're sure this isn't just another one of Kais disappearing acts. Its just you told me once that Kai goes off on his own and will be gone for days, sometimes weeks without a word. What makes this any different?"

"He always leaves a note or tells one of us that's he's going. Also he left clothes, a towel, toothbrush. He simply went out and never came back. Something just doesn't smell right. Then the Blitzkrieg Boys go missing which in my eyes, all fingers point to Boris. We don't know what he wants Kai and the Blitzkrieg boys for exactly but he's up to something.

"Boris Balcov! Mmm Ok Max, it's all starting to make sense now."

"We've been told by the police not to do anything and its driving us crazy. Mom we can't sleep, Tyson and I have lost our appetite, we've got the next Beyblade tournament coming up and we haven't even trained yet." Max's voice was becoming flustered and emotional.

"Ok Maxy, don't panic. I've got a plan. We've been working on this new bitbeast tracking device. It's as powerful as a satellite and it's safe to say its accuracy is astounding. Did Kai have his bitbeast Dranzer with him when he left?"

"I think so. He never puts it down."

"Well as long as Kai still has Dranzer with him then we should be able to track him down no problem."

"Really MOM!! REALLY!!"

Tyson and the rest of the gang could hear Max's ecstatic cries and leapt to join him.

Max covered up the phone with his hands for a second and whispered aloud.

"My Moms got a tracking device and she thinks we'll be able to track Kai down ourselves with it" Max's voice was bubbling with excitement.

He then briskly put the phone back to his ear once more.

"Max? Maxy? You there?"

"Yeah I'm here Mom"

"I said. I'm sorry but I can't leave work right now. I'm up to my neck in research and you know if I could help then I would leave for Japan right now, and this work is going to take at least a week to complete, but….. I've got a surprise for you…As we speak Emily and Rick are packing their things and are boarding a flight to Japan in a couple of hours. They should be with you by tomorrow afternoon. I've sent Emily as she's the only one other than me who knows how to work the device. And Rick, well he's been bugging me for something to do and to be honest it would be nice to get him out of my hair."

"NO WAY! Really MOM!!! That's great!! The guys will be thrilled"

"Ok Max I've got to go now. You take care of yourself you hear me."

"I will do Mom. You too!"

"Give your Dad a big kiss for me and we'll speak soon. Love you Max"

"Yeah love you too Mom"

Max dropped the phone onto its former resting place and rolled his fingers into a riled fist.

"Everyone! My mom is sending Rick and Emily over to help us look for Kai. Emily will be bringing a tracking device she and my Mom have been working on and she said it's dead accurate."

"Tracking device?" Kenny recalled

"Yeah! She said it's programmed to search for bitbeasts and supposed to be as effective as a satellite. So she thinks we'll be able to find Kai in no time"

"That's if he still has Dranzer with him and Dranzer hasn't been taken away from him" Said Tyson dampening the atmosphere.

"Well it's a start." Said Ray with a happy grin.

"Better than nothing" remarked Max.

"And with the help of two more people to keep us going I'm certain well find Kai"

"Yeah. No sweat. We'll have him back by the end of the week I'm sure of it" squealed Hilary

Tyson's Grandpa had been watching his brood of teens from behind and suddenly felt their bountiful energy return. It warmed his heart and he chuckled.

"That's it home dawgs, ya gotcha groove back. Just like thatcha frowns turned up side down. You kids 'll do just fine, I believe in ya. K-man no worries dude, they're comin to getcha."

"I don't believe it Mariam. Kai from the Bladebreakers, missing?" said Josef holding up a newspaper with the headlines Bladebreaker. Missing beyblade champ, possible kidnapping.

"I know Josef. Does Ozuma know yet? Answered Mariam whilst perched on a crate

"Know what?" Bounced Ozuma's voice throughout the abandoned warehouse.

"Oh Ozuma… I didn't hear you come in" jumped Josef in surprise.

"Hey Dunga, you took your time at the store" jeered Mariam as typically as she always did.

"What?? They moved everything around ok, I couldn't find stuff. Ozuma will back me up, right Ozuma" snorted Dunga defensively.

"Know what Mariam?" said Ozuma in a stern voice.

"This" With that she handed Ozuma the ink laden paper.

"This is bad"

"I know… It looks like the matches won't be all that interesting this year with Kai out of the picture" quirked Josef with his hands in the air carelessly.

"It's not the tournaments I'm worried about. I wonder who's in possession of his bitbeast, the sacred spirit Dranzer" grumbled Ozuma.

"Man yeah I didn't think of that"

"If that power falls into the wrong hands the whole world could be in danger let alone Kai" said Mariam.

"We need to find out what Tyson knows… and quick"

Kai couldn't think. His mind was just one endless blur. He lay dumb in a Z-ed shape on the white tiled floor of his "room" bound in the straight jacket that restricted him so tightly. The brain that he used so well was simply a lump within his skull, useless at best.

Tala now stared emptily at the grey mist of his mind ahead of him. The walls were endless and the white glare of the clinical walls reminded him of snow.

"Get them out here now!"

"Eeep yes Sir"

The doctor dragged Kai out of his cell by his straight jacket and Kai slid across the floor. Kai remained on the floor; his groggy form wasn't capable of standing just yet. On the other hand Tala was marched out like his team mates did hours before, to slave over the beydish. Cold, unfeeling and emotionally defective the proud leader of the Blitzkrieg boys complied with every command given.

29minutes later Kai obediently joined them.

Boris had pressed and chanted at Bryan, Ian and Spencer for over 4 hours.

The twisted doctor had been lingering by the door and needed to tell Boris sometime but didn't know how and when to mention it.

"Boris sir, don't you think we should give the boys some food now. If we don't they may collapse of exhaustion"

Sure enough, the boys were swaying on their feet and with each passing launch of their beyblades their stance was getting weaker and weaker.

Boris replied with a "Fine but make it quick. They have 15minutes"

The Blitzkrieg boys plus Kai were taken to the large mess hall and fed gruel otherwise known as "army slop" containing all the essential minerals, fibre and stuff the body needs. A cheap food; the type that can be bought for minuscule pence from a supermarket. Only they were treated with a little added sugar and honey. The added flavouring wasn't only for the boys benefit; it was only so that they could train longer.

The boys were told to eat whatever the chipped bowls contained and so they did without question or expression. There was no joy on their faces as the food was placed in front of them, the fuel their stomachs furiously growled for many hours ago.

14minutes later the former Blitzkrieg boys and flippant Bladebreaker was led back to the familiar and deeply scratched large steel beydish.

"Ok Boys let it rip and I want it perfect this time"

Their launches, attacks and speed had to be perfect. Boris couldn't fail again, not after last time.

"Harder Boys, Faster!!! I want your beyblading skills to be flawless"

"Again!! Let it rip again!!!"

"Let IT RIP!!"

It had been a long day for the young and anxious teens but things were finally brightening up. Even though the TV no longer provided entertainment and their appetite suffered badly, at least hope was on the horizon. The felt hope and anticipation for the arrival of the bitbeast tracker and the ever brainy Emily plus, her accomplice Rick. The Bladebreakers were sat on their knees around the dining table in the traditional Japanese manner. Ray had spent over an hour preparing, cooking and serving his friend's favourite Chinese dish, only for their forks to push the batter coated prawn balls and noodles around a plate. Ray half expected Tyson, Max and Daichi to wolf their food down like rabid animals; they had hardly eaten a thing all day. Tyson nibbled on bit of batter that had chipped off, Daichi slurped a couple of strands of noodle and Max just stared at his lap. Ray kind of expected this weird eating behaviour from them, because he didn't feel like eating either. However it was Hilary who was acting the strangest. She adversely was stuffing her face; one would call that "comfort eating".

"Come on PEEPS!!!" Yelled Grandpa Granger slamming his fists on the table thus causing the bewildered Bladebreakers to jump in surprise, his character as wild as always. All eyes were on Grandpa Granger as they all knew words were going to be said.

"Whatcha so gloomy about Dawgs!!

"We got help comin in tha morning. They'll track down K-man and well have him back in no time, ya hear."

"I think I can speak for the whole team Grandpa Granger sir" Exclaimed Kenny speaking up.

"We just don't wanna get our hopes up for a device that may not be as good at Judy said it would be and we don't even know if Kai still has Dranzer."

"I just hope he's ok" Murmured Max.

Hilary coughed to interfere. "My main concern is Biovolt. I mean we all know what they're capable of and that Boris will stop at nothing to get what he wants. What if that creep has brainwashed Kai?"

"Yeah and what if he turns his back on us?!" Daichi butted in.

"You button it Daichi!!!! Tyson glared furiously at Daichis' last comment. Naturally the short red-head retaliated.

"Well he's upped and ditched us before. Just switched sides because he felt like it!!"

"You take that back Daichi!!" Tyson thundered loudly whilst gritting his teeth and hands on the table. Like a cat he was poised to leap over the table to attack Daichi if he didn't watch his mouth.

Daichi copied the threatening stance "Face it Tyson. No one's said it up till now because they're all frightened how you're going to react. We'll Tyson I'm gunna say it"

"Don't say it Daichi, you know that's not true that were ALL thinking what I think you're gunna say" Scolded Ray with a cross face and open stance.

Tyson glared at his partner with a flash of hurt in his angered eyes.

"Don't you think Kai's just upped and left because he WANTED to join the Blitzkrieg boys? He's bored of us Tyson!"

Tyson turned to stone with rage. His jaw dropped slightly and eyes were dagger like.

Hilary, Max and Kenny were petrified to say anything. Daichi had crossed the line. Big time.

Even Grandpa Granger didn't know what to say.

Tyson lost it.

"The only reason Kai ditched us last time was because he wanted a shot at me! He did whatever was necessary to face me in a match. He's a true beyblader with heart and spirit." Tyson smacked the table hard and with cracking force.

"That he is Tyson, That he is… but sorry, my main concern is the whereabouts of the sacred spirit Dranzer."

All eyes looked around frantically for the familiar voice and its owner.

"Long time no see guys" quirked Mariam with her hands on her flirtatious hips.