A/N:

Oh cool, not only do we get a chapter featuring a poem or flashback, but we get a chapter featuring both a poem and a flashback. Two for one!

I think I actually enjoyed writing that cute, little flashback of the team as children more than this massive chapter of angst... and more angst... and don't forget the tears. Wow...

The poem is about Silver and features a bit of his backstory. Not too much is revealed here though ;)

The rest of this fanfiction is basically angst-fest. I've been way too cruel to Brandon in this story... Don't worry though, he'll smile again someday! *Eats ice cream in depression.* You know how hard it is to write him? I tried so hard to keep him in character. I think I succeeded this time though!

Once again, even here I tried to throw in some humor here in there. There's a reference I made to the RWBY Volume III soundtrack with one of Silver's first lines. Let's see how it plays out.

As you can tell by reading this chapter, I like guns.

It took a while to find a good name for this chapter. For a long time it was A Cowardly Blue Jay, but I changed it to Mangled because I thought it fits better.

Enjoy Angst-Fest and it's festivities of feels! :D :P :(

~ Ashla

Even against Wyatt's advice, Brandon had to stay up a little that night. Further researching on the company that was possibly his near future, Brandon finally dozed off at twelve...

And yet he woke up early, even before his mother, and high tailed it to the garage. He had more questions racing around his mind more than ever, and his sleep had been plagued with nightmare after nightmare. Brandon had absolutely no intentions on having any run-ins with his mom that morning. So there he was, driving to the base more exhausted and spent than the previous day. With circles visibly under his eyes, he sighed as he pulled in, "Wyatt's going to kill me when he sees how bad I'm doing."

The crimson car also parked in the garage said that Rhett too had come early... wow. Rhett was not a morning person.

Still, Brandon winced upon realizing he was still the last one here, Gage is always here before anyone else... Not good, Brandon.

Brandon opened the door to the observation room... and noted how Rhett had fallen asleep in one of the chairs all over again. Brandon rolled his eyes and walked over to Wyatt, who was half asleep at the cameras himself, eyes barely staying open.

"Long night?" Brandon asked.

"How does Gage do it?"

Brandon smirked, nudging his shoulder, "Caffeine."

Wyatt rubbed his eyes, "I'll never criticize how many energy drinks he inhales again..."

Brandon glanced at the cameras himself, all was peaceful in Hot Wheels City. The red sunrise was odd though, the morning sky was usually blue.

Brandon was tired enough, his mind escaped to the superstitious thinking that he judged Rhett how many times for, Is it a bad omen?

Wyatt, in his adorable sleepiness, finally dozed off where he was. Of course, his head dropped and hit the alarm button. Red light flashing, horn blaring, Wyatt instantly lifted his head again, eyes wide open.

Rhett too woke up, jumping from his chair in alert, "Salmon!"

Brandon reached and pressed the button, turning the alarm off. With all quiet again, Brandon crossed his arms, glaring at the two, "Guys, just a heads up, I'm exhausted, did not sleep well at all last night, and I really don't have a lot of patience today."

Wyatt and Rhett, who were tired as well, exchanged worried faces, then they looked back to Brandon.

Rhett yawned, "Glad to see I'm not the only one..."

Then a smaller and quieter alarm sounded from the observation keys. Brandon and Wyatt scrambled to the controls, looking up at the screen and noticing that familiar, grey car speeding through downtown.

"He just popped up outta nowhere!" Wyatt cried.

Rhett moaned, "I have a bad feeling about this..."

Engines were raring, rubber felt hardcore friction against the road, emotions were high... team morale was low.

Morale was so low.

Everyone was tired and run out. Even Wyatt, who was always a basket full of sunshine, seemed to be down. Brandon caught it all, and it put even more pressure on his back. Gritting his teeth, he turned to his tablet and checked the radar, "Okay, let's see if we can catch him this time... Fingers crossed..."

Silver's signature signal appeared on the radar, he was only a block away. "Rhett, Silver's at Borderline Road, try to get to the other side to block him. Wyatt, I'd say some air cover would be fine and dandy."

Wyatt responded, "Don't know if the rooftops can support the weight of my truck. You got time to make some calcul-"

"-No time for that! Silver's on the move and we have to trap him."

Rhett scoffed, "Okay, I'm on it..." And he departed from the rest of the group.

Only two left, Brandon narrowed his eyes, tone more threatening, "Wyatt..."

"Brandon, I would say it's funny how our roles are reversed for once, but this is dange-"

"-Wyatt!" Brandon shouted.

Wyatt sighed, "If I die, it's your fault." And he jumped away.

Brandon rolled his eyes, "Oh, you'll live..."

With that he hastily turned the car, seeing Silver just at that side. Brandon bit his tongue, eyes shining in determination as he hit the button for his submachine gun. Silver saw and swerved towards the end of the road. True to the plan though, Rhett blocked that side of the road. Brandon activated the aiming mechanism for the gun through his helmet, actually smirking at how well they were doing, "Brandon likie, let's make this quick..."

Before Brandon could aim the gun though, Silver took a surprising move and swerved into the skinny alleyway, Circle Tracker on one set of wheels to fit tight, and zoomed out without much sweat. Having not caught this error in the first place, Brandon growled.

Thankfully, he was not the only "plan builder" on the team. From his side of the street, Rhett pointed to the direction Silver went, speaking into the comn, "I'll circle around to Chef Street, Brandon, take left Wain Street?"

Brandon also opened the comn again, "Yeah, let's do that." He then called Wyatt, "Change of plans, can you follow Silver around until we catch up?" Brandon was already on the move, driving through the shortcut to Wain Street.

Wyatt responded instantly, "Got it!"

On his side of the story, he jumped onto a set of rooftops for a better view. He actually noticed Circle Tracker quite easily and drove on after it, keeping on top for a good vantage point. He was so tired though, even subconsciously, a person who always had low observational capabilities was particularly oblivious to much surroundings... and it would be his literal downfall...

As for Brandon, he caught up quickly thanks to his booster rockets, turning from Wain Street to Chef Street hastily. Whether it be his exhaustion or some form of miscalculation on his tablet - or both - he failed to figure out how close the silver sports car was to the bend. Of course, gasping loudly and slamming the brakes were what came with seeing the blinding silver sparkle right in front of him. Brandon's helmet even jerked, he came to such a sudden stop. He looked up, he literally had stopped a millionth of an inch from his opponent.

But something else was not right.

Brandon opened his car door. Circle Tracker was in mint condition... but it was that familiar, yellow truck turned on its back that caused an adrenaline rush.

Brandon pretty much screamed, not even going for a medical kit as he burst out racing towards the truck, "Wyatt!"

Only several feet made in progress though, Brandon was quite amusingly tripped by a silver boot, belonging to an anonymous driver, and he landed on his face.

"Surprise!" Silver called in sarcastic happiness, "Welcome to the bloodbath, jump into the tub! We have rubber duckies and-"

Brandon rose to his feet, remembering how this guy had wreaked psychopathic warfare on Wyatt and Gage before, "Enough!"

Silver took one or two casual steps back, tossing a lazy arm towards him, "How demanding. Are all LeBay's like this?"

His helmet not even off to reveal his identity, Brandon was shocked, "Wha- how- how did you-"

Silver scoffed, "I've done my research, and I have informants."

Brandon's eyes narrowed, "I don't know where you're going with this, but-"

"-Don't threaten me, Brandon LeBay," Silver pressed, "Your family has such a controversial history, I wonder why the government isn't hunting you all down."

That side of him that was somehow like his mother broke out, "How dare you insul-"

"-Refusing to follow the code of ethics and hiding it really well, conducting research and analyses that would usually be illegal, basing scientific research facilities in the most ragtag places in the country. Before Hot Wheels City was first transformed by Rev, the research facility run here was put here because this town was so lame, it would never draw attention." Still pointing out every wrong in Brandon's lineage, Silver stepped closer to Brandon, bold and demanding.

"The LeBay's have several European ties ancestrally, but the brilliant scientist who started it all was a twisted, sick scientist in Nazi Germany. He only fled to the U.S. after World War Two ended. Because he did so well at covering his crimes, it was get out of jail free." Silver tilted his head, so close to Brandon that the gadget guy started to back away, "Your own grandfather was capable of receiving a life sentence for a controversial experiment on the emotions of human newborns. Like his father before him, he was incredible at hiding evidence."

Brandon's eyes were wide, not at all denying the dirty secrets of his family, but still stunned on how he could of obtained such crucial and well hidden information.

"I wonder what you're like, Brandon LeBay," Silver continued, "I wonder how good you are at the deception game. Tell you what I can infer, you're so wrapped up in your lies, even your closest friends do not know what your most traumatic life experiences were. You're such a liar, you've been lying to yourself about your future. You could be a success, but you're far from that. You're too weak, too soft."

The words sliced at him like the sharpest knife, knees shaking in panic as Silver so accurately listed off his deepest fears. "You're the opposite of everything you should be, and everything anti-what-you-want-to-be, all at the same time. You're caught in double lives of who you are and who you're expected to be. That other shoe is going to drop, you're going to destroy both sides."

"No..." Brandon whispered, backing against a brick wall at the other side of the road.

Still, Silver marched forward, "You are going to fail your family. You are going to fail your mother."

"No..." Brandon softly repeated.

Silver tossed an arm to Wyatt's car wreck, "You're going to fail your friends."

Brandon's eyes flashed towards the wreckage, "No." His eyes darted back to Silver, "No!"

Brandon was helpless though as Silver walked right up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Everything you've worked so hard for will burn at your own fingertips. Blood will spill, and it will be your fault."

Silver pulled one hand up to his black visor, "And any blood spilled this day is on your hands..." He pulled right up to him. He cupped his other hand, it covering any signs of identity, as he slightly lifted his visor as to whisper more words into Brandon's ear. His breath was like a cloud burst of warm air against Brandon's ear, despite his helmet still being on. He somehow felt it. And the words, oh those words... they were enough to crush him weak as a sheet of thin paper.

For several long moments, the onslaught of venomous whispers continued. Then, out of the blue (or red) a familiar hot rod roared down from Wyatt's side of the street. Silver heard it and pulled his visor fully down again and ran towards his own car. While Wyatt's truck wreckage blocked Rhett from pursuing him, there were always plan B's with this unpredictable kid. Rhett jumped from his vehicle with a classic hunting rifle, face hardened with determination as he shouted, "Stand down!"

Silver still was outside his car, so he took his sweet time to shake his head, "How about... no."

And he stepped into the car, slamming the door.

Rhett growled, just as frustrated as the rest of the club, and instantly opened fire. Several harmless bullets were fired as Circle Tracker backed up. Silver obviously was not giving a care and rammed into Brandon's own vehicle to get out of the way. With the entire front of Brandon's baby ruined, Circle Tracker swiftly drove away.

Well... that went well.

Brandon was still even processing what on earth just happened as Rhett dropped his rifle, running towards the wreckage of Wyatt's truck and bent down to the broken glass. Rhett was relieved to see Wyatt was conscious and banging on the trapped door to get out.

Over at Brandon's end, he undid his secure helmet slowly before yanking it off his head. With fury and pure rage behind his every move, he threw his helmet against the asphalt road in defeat.

Back at the now mellow (and broken) truck, Rhett pulled off his helmet, "Got you, buddy!" And he broke the glass with the round, red helmet. Rhett helped to pull the second youngest out, Wyatt coughing as he instantly stood up.

"You okay?" Rhett asked, placing his hands on his shoulders.

After taking a moment to calm down, Wyatt looked at something behind them, "I'm fine, but... It's Brandon I'm worried about."

Rhett turned around to see Brandon on his knees, staring at the tossed helmet several paces in front of him. As the wind softly blew, rustling his blond hair, Brandon's burning eyes, all full of self loathing and hidden insecurity, stared upon his azure helmet. His right eye shed only a single tear for a million deep regrets.

I ate the dust, in the rich I lust
All rights I was denied, but I...
I'm a human, an interesting human
But still the same as you

In a system where they knew
Of my powers as I grew
I was broken and abused
And now it's my turn to give some to you

Challenge the best, come down like the rest
I'm at the top, don't try to be what you're not
I lurk in the shadows, I'll make your heart hallow
Broken like me, forsaken like me

I grow in my strength as you are drained
All childish innocence is vain as I take it away
You still think you got this? Well, this is a war
And you shall be crushed like never before

More insecurities due, my eyes see right through
All vulnerability exposed, I see the bare truth
Your science has ruined me, love has forgotten me
But these nocturnal eyes they see what you need
You need to be beat

Look over your shoulder, I dare, I'm right there
With glowing eyes I wait to strike
The whispers I feed you, put into the trap to
Destroy you, and I hope I've made your life...

... so, so lonely and miserable

I finally burst out of the brush, feel the adrenaline rush
I sink my teeth in, feed on your weakness
I tackle you down, no mercy allowed
I'm the predator, I'm the champ, I've won
You have been beaten, the battle is done

Brandon pretty much kept the mini-hydrator ray in his car at all times. It was simple to hydrate both Brandon and Wyatt's vehicles and head right back to the base - as Brandon's tablet had been severely damaged by the crash and tracking Silver again was currently unattainable. Even during the procedure, and driving back to the garage, Wyatt and Rhett easily realized Brandon needed his space and gave it to him. Wyatt had never once in his life seen Brandon this... infuriated. It actually scared even the stunt man enough not to even approach him. Even so, he and Rhett both could see something behind the rage - it was directed more at himself than anything else. Wyatt and Rhett had silently agreed to give him the drive back to the garage to cool off.

The entire ride back was occupied by complete silence.

When they got back to the base, they all entered through the garage. Wyatt attempted to approach Brandon, who threw his helmet angrily onto the sofa and instantly was stalking towards the elevator. Rhett watched with worry from the sidelines as Wyatt walked after him, "Brandon, buddy, listen-"

Brandon turned to him, lashing his arm as he shouted, "-Shut up, Wyatt!"

Wyatt stopped dead silent, eyes wide in shock at Brandon's attack. Brandon immediately saw just where he went wrong though, and dropped his head in a sigh.

"Sorry, Wyatt," he lifted his head, eyes visibly misty as he spoke from a place of defeat, "But I need to be alone right now."

With that being said, Brandon walked up to the elevator and pushed the button down. As the elevator fell, Wyatt steadily took several steps back and fell onto the couch, looking equally defeated. Rhett walked up to him, placing his hand on the couch arm as he watched Wyatt just stare at the empty elevator shaft. After several moments, Wyatt looked at Rhett.

"I know Brandon," Wyatt said, "I know him. He's upset about somethin', and it's not related to Silver. I don't know though, h-he never talks about his personal life 'ta anybody. How can..."

Rhett's face hardened as Wyatt lowered his head again. A fresh wave of determination overtaking, "I could talk to him."

Wyatt's head snapped back to Rhett, a small smile spreading across his face, "You think you can?"

Rhett stood a little straighter, "I've always had ways of getting to him, one way or the other."

Wyatt's eyes shone with melancholy amusement, his smile growing warmer, "'Ya sure do, cowboy..."

A small wave of confidence crossed Wyatt's face as he reached and nudged Rhett's arm, "Go git' 'em."

Rhett smiled back at him, nodding curtly, "I won't let you guys down."

Wyatt nodded back, "I know. Out of the four of us, you're the one who's most trustworthy."

Rhett blushed only a little at the rare privilege of receiving a compliment from Wyatt and walked over to the elevator door that only just came up. Once at the door, he gave Wyatt one last determined look. Wyatt nodded back as the door closed.

With the door closed, Wyatt's smile faded. His eyes shone in worry. "I trust you, Rhett, it's Brandon I'm worried about..."

"Guys, we've known each other our whole lives. Cars always brought us together."

Red hair bobbing as he ran down the sidewalk, Rhett waved the poster in his hand as he approached the group, "Guys, look, a car show!"

Three people instantly snapped their attention to him. Rhett skidded to a halt, catching his breath as he handed the poster to Gage, "Look!"

Excitement shining in his oak colored eyes, Gage took the poster and looked at it, "Oh, cool! This town finally has something exciting going on! And it's cars!"

Another hand reached and grabbed the poster straight from Gage's hand.

"Hey!" Gage shouted as Wyatt scanned it over.

Wyatt was just as excited as the other two, "You think there's trucks there?"

Gage chuckled, "Nah, Wyatt, it's a car show. Not a monster truck rally."

As Gage yanked the poster back, Wyatt crossed his arms, "Well, there should be trucks!"

"What's so exciting about a bunch of automobiles anyways?"

All people stopped what they were doing and turned to the fourth member of the group. Brandon was, as usual, wearing heavy clothes that only barely hid how scrawny he was. He looked at him with an inquisitive eyebrow raised.

Immediately, Wyatt responded, "It's cars, that's why it's so awesome!" He ran up to Brandon, wrapping his arm around him as he slowly spanned his hand out like he was showing him the world, "Cars and trucks and buses are what 'git us around, transport goods..."

"Personal space, Wyatt..." Brandon winced.

Wyatt took no notice though as he continued, "They basically run the world! Like horses ran the great, wild west, baby! Cars are almost as awesome as me!"

"Remember my bubble, Wyatt?" Brandon tried to get away from his sturdy arm, "Remember my line? Cross my personal space line and you die?"

Wyatt finally let go of him, taking several paces back, "Sorry..."

Gage continued where Wyatt left off, "Oh my gosh, Brandon, cars are the best! Not to mention the cars from, like, the 'glory days,' and the sick paint jobs and wicked, cool hood ornaments."

Rhett hyperactively jumped up and down, "Oh, Brandon, you have to come to the car show with us!"

Brandon took a moment to just stair at the three before sighing, shoving his hands into his pockets, "Fine..."

"Yaayyyyyy!" Rhett spun in a circle once before turning to Gage, "Game plan, Gage?"

Gage did what he did best (not trolling Wyatt, the other thing,) "Okay, since we're in this together we all should put some effort into the plans. I'll take care of paying to get in. Rhett, how much change you got?"

Rhett dug back into his memory banks, "Um... ..."

"Ask your mom if you can bring money for fair food. Hey, Brandon!"

"Huh?" Brandon snapped out of staring off into space.

"You think you can bring a picnic blanket?"

Brandon shrugged, "Sure."

Gage turned to Wyatt, who was flexing his newly developing muscles, "Wyatt!"

Wyatt stared at him.

Gage responded, "You bring - uh..."

"Awesomeness." Wyatt returned to his self indulgence.

"Yeah," Gage rolled his eyes, "You bring that."

Rhett slightly jumped in place, "Oh boy, this is going to be the event of the summer!"

Gage smirked and took a last look at the poster, "We all meet up at the park, next to the twin cherry trees at five tomorrow evening."

He handed the poster back to Rhett as he walked off. Wyatt noticed him leaving and raced after him, "Hey, we're not done yet, Gage!"

Rhett rolled his eyes as he watched the arch rivals walk off arguing, then smiled as he addressed the other person in the group, "You're going to love it, Brandon, you-"

Rhett turned around just to see that Brandon already had been walking away, keeping to his inverted self. Rhett's smile slowly dropped, he realized he was alone again.

Watching Brandon walk off, he could only sigh as he thought to himself, Someday...