Silvan Arrow: Hehehehehehe…

Eri: And what, pray tell, do you find so amusing?

Silvan Arrow: Oh, I'm just excited about this chapter, for more than one reason.

Eri: Why are you looking at me like that?

Silvan Arrow: You'll find out soon enough. Now hurry up and do the disclaimer!

Eri: But I already did it once!

Silvan Arrow: Well, too bad! As my main OC, you get to do it again!

Eri: Sheesh, fine! Silvan Arrow does not own Beyblade or any of its characters, but she does own all her OCs.

Silvan Arrow: Thank you! Now, I won't spoil anything yet, but let me just say that this chapter should be the one that everyone has been waiting for since day one! While I think of more silly things to fill the disclaimer section, please enjoy chapter 16!

Chapter 16: Startling Revelations

"You seem to be feeling better today," Eri remarked from her seat beside Hina's bed.

"Yeah, I'm doing a lot better, but the nurses still insist on keeping me bedridden. They treat me like a child!" Hina quipped. Her expression was priceless, and Eri chuckled in spite of herself. "It's not funny!"

Her captain quickly sobered. "I know, I know. But the fact that you're well enough to complain must mean that you're recovering." And Eri had certainly noticed a positive change in her friend's condition over the past few days. She, Sonja, and Nakia were constantly in and out of the hospital to check on Hina and keep her company. Any time not spent in training was spent here; now, whenever one or more of them came around, the receptionist just waved them in without a second thought.

A distant look came over Eri's face, one that Hina was quick to notice. "Eri? Is everything okay?"

"Huh? Yeah…I'm fine. Just thinking."

"You're worried about the semi-finals, right?" Hina pressed. "I can tell. It's written all over your face."

Eri spared a soft smile for her younger teammate. "It continually amazes me how good you are at reading people, Hina. I never can fool you."

Hina sighed. "I just wish I could be of more use to you now. Right now I'm more of a liability than an asset with all these injuries." She held up her right arm, which was still covered in bandages, for emphasis.

"Hey, you've done what none of us have managed to do so far. You defeated a member of Omega Platoon, one of Xhaiden's top soldiers. And most importantly, by doing so you've given us all hope that we can win. I'm proud of you."

Hina managed a tiny smile. "Just make sure you guys give them a serious thrashing for me, okay?" she asked, holding up a trembling hand. Even though she was feeling better, by no means had her strength returned completely.

Eri clasped the proffered hand without hesitation. "Count on it."

After visiting for another half an hour or so, Eri finally left Hina's room so she could get some rest. Instead of heading back to the reception area, however, Eri went down a different hall.

There is no exit in that direction, Pyrix observed.

'I know. I still have one more stop to make before leaving.'

I see, Pyrix replied simply before retreating to the back of Eri's mind.

Eri strode purposefully through the halls until she arrived at another private room. The bed's occupant smiled warmly upon seeing the Russian captain. "Well, if it isn't my favorite visitor."

"Hello, Brooklyn," Eri replied kindly. "I'm glad I caught you while you were awake."

Laughter danced in the prodigy's eyes as he responded, "The nurses were finally satisfied enough with my progress that they didn't see a need to knock me unconscious with morphine again."

Brooklyn's sense of humor was contagious, and Eri couldn't suppress a grin seeing how he kept his chin up despite his current situation. His right arm was broken and supported by a cast, and bandages covered half his face. Several IV drips were attached to his left arm. And that was just on the skin that was visible. Eri had no doubt that his clothing and the blankets of the hospital bed concealed many more bandaged injuries.

After Brooklyn had mysteriously failed to show up for his team's match against Omega Platoon back in India, Eri had smelled a rat and gone looking for him that evening. By tracking Zeus' presence, Pyrix and Eri had found him in an alley badly injured and bleeding. However, what was most disturbing was Pyrix's report that traces of Nithhogr's aura were still present when they found him. Apparently Omega Platoon had seen Brooklyn as their biggest threat in the Justice 5 and had sent Alannah, their most brutal member, to make sure that he didn't make it to their match.

Eri's fist clenched on its own as the memory replayed itself in her mind. After being treated for the worst of his injuries in India, Mr. Dickenson had paid to have Brooklyn flown back to Japan where he could rest easier and get better treatment, and it was obviously paying off.

"I heard about Hina," Brooklyn added in a quieter tone. When Eri raised a quizzical eyebrow, he explained, "The nurses gossip about everything." He gave his trademark whimsical smile. "I'm…sorry for being so rough on her back when we fought your team."

"You don't have to apologize for a victory that you rightfully earned," Eri replied.

The smile didn't diminish from Brooklyn's face. "You are too kind." Then his expression abruptly became serious. "Eri, something isn't right about Omega Platoon. I don't know how to explain it, but something about them is just…sinister. Zeus may be a darkness-element bit beast, but he is not overtly cruel like the ones belonging to Omega Platoon. Be careful when you face them in the semi-finals."

'That's putting it lightly,' Eri thought dryly. Her face took on a determined look as she replied, "I am already taking the necessary precautions. And I swear to you, we will avenge not only our fallen teammate, but you as well."

Not long after Eri left, Hina's eyelids started to droop. 'Stupid pain meds…' she groused mentally. 'I know the nurses put a sedative in them.'

You know they're just trying to get you to rest. Your body still needs to recover, Arashi reasoned.

'Yeah, I know, but it still kills me that I'm stuck here injured and sleeping all day while my teammates are training their butts off for a match that could change our lives forever,' Hina replied irritably.

Mistress, the best thing you can do for them now is to rest and regain your strength. I'll keep watch while you sleep, Arashi reassured.

'All right…' Too tired to argue, Hina let her eyes drift shut, and she gave in to the sweet mercy of sleep.

Two hours later…

…Hina?

The Japanese girl groaned and rolled onto her side, hoping that the annoying voice would go away.

Mistress?

Hina growled and jerked the blanket over her head, muttering "Go away…"

HINA!!!!

"AAH!" Hina sat up with a cry and then realized who had been trying to contact her. "What IS it, Arashi?!" she exclaimed aloud, momentarily forgetting to use her mental pathway.

In her mind's eye, Arashi rolled his eyes and sighed dryly. I was TRYING to tell you that a nurse is coming. She's been checking on you frequently while you've been asleep.

'Well, next time don't give me a heart attack when you need to wake me up,' Hina grumbled.

Arashi was saved from having to give a retort by the nurse poking her head into the room. "Oh good, you're finally awake. There is someone here to see you."

Hina gave the nurse a puzzled look. "I thought my teammates had permission to come and go as they pleased. They don't need to wait until I'm awake."

"Oh, this isn't one of her teammates. His name is…" The nurse checked the name on a clipboard. "…Spencer Petrov. He said he's a friend of yours."

"W-what?! Spencer?" Hina stammered incredulously. Why was he here to see her? "Are you sure?" she asked lamely, not quite trusting her ears.

"Why yes, should I send him in?" the nurse asked, slightly confused by Hina's reaction.

"Um…yeah, sure."

The nurse disappeared, and moments later a familiar tall, blonde Russian walked through the door carrying a glass vase of flowers. "Hey, Hina," he greeted her with a kind smile.

"Spencer…this is a surprise…" Hina replied with a shy smile of her own. She subconsciously pulled the blankets closer to her chin and suddenly became very self-conscious of the bandages that still covered half her face and arms. "What are you doing here? I thought Tala would have you guys training from dawn to dusk before the semifinals."

"Tala ended training early today, plus I've been meaning to come here and see how you were doing. We heard about what happened," Spencer explained. "Oh, I almost forgot…" The faintest of blushes rose to his cheeks as he indicated the vase of flowers in his hand. "Um…here, I thought you might be getting tired of seeing nothing but white."

"Oh wow…they're lovely. Thank you so much," Hina replied gratefully with a blush as Spencer set the flowers on the table beside your bed. Once he had settled into the chair beside her bed, she decided to change the subject to something less awkward. "So, tell me what's been going on in the outside world. I've been bored out of my skull in here…"

Spencer was more than happy to oblige the younger girl's request, and for the next two hours they chatted about anything and everything. Happy things, sad things, even silly things. Hina had never thought of Spencer as the type given to humor, but given the chance, he could tell some downright hilarious stories.

"…And so Tala set Wolborg on Ian, right there in the middle of the street!" Spencer exclaimed. "The poor shrimp was running for a good two hours until he finally remembered that his beyblade had been sitting in his pocket the whole time."

Hina burst out laughing. "I can only imagine the expression on his face when he realized that!" She paused to catch her breath and glanced to the side, and only then did she get a good look at what kind of flowers Spencer had brought. Framed by daisies with delicate white petals and interspersed bundles of sweet-smelling baby's breath were twelve roses of the deepest red, their petals thick and succulent as if freshly cut.

"Um…Spencer?"

Sensing a change in Hina's mood, Spencer replied kindly, "What is it?"

"I'm sure this was just an innocent mistake, but…do you know the symbolism behind a red rose?" Hina stammered quickly, self-conscious of the blush quickly rising on her cheeks.

At that moment, Spencer's expression took on a tenderness that Hina would never have expected from the tall, stoic Russian. "As a matter of fact, I do…" He carefully leaned over the side of the bed and gently pressed his lips to Hina's in a soft, sweet kiss. At first, Hina froze, wide-eyed, until her hormones kicked in and she tentatively returned the kiss, her eyelids fluttering shut.

When Spencer pulled away a few moments later, he noticed Hina's bewildered expression and thought he had made a mistake. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to scare you."

"N-no, it's fine," Hina replied. "That…explains a lot, actually. And I think I've come to a decision of my own."

"And what might that be?" Spencer prodded gently.

A blush still on her cheeks, Hina reached over to the vase, plucked a single red rose out of the bundle, and held it out to Spencer. "Here. I think you can figure out what this means," she explained with a smile that was almost a smirk.

Spencer took the rose with one hand and reached with the other to run his fingers through Hina's soft dark locks, that rare tenderness still warming his face. "Well, I guess the feeling is mutual."

"I suppose it is."

'Well, this is the place,' Bryan mused. He gave a weary sigh. 'And the thing is, I have absolutely no idea why I'm even here again.'

A week had passed since Nakia had given Bryan her little "proposition," and now the lilac-haired Russian was back at the exact same spot on the beach where he had last talked with her. The setting sun painted the canvas of the sky in shades of fiery orange, blushing pink, and royal purple, which reflected off the surface of the water in a dazzling display, but the untouched beauty of nature did not offer Bryan the peace it usually did. Since last week, Bryan's encounter with Nakia had replayed in his mind over and over like a broken record, refusing to be silenced.

Flashback

"Sometimes the simple way isn't always the most rewarding. I've learned that from experience," Nakia continued. "I'm not saying you have to open up right away, but will you at least think about it?" When Bryan didn't answer right away, she gently laid a hand on his arm, feeling his muscles tense up instinctively as she did so, and added, "Tell you what. You go mull it over and meet me back here in a week to tell me what you've decided."

Bryan was dumbstruck at her proposition. "Wait…what are you…?"

Nakia cut him off raising one finger to silence him. "One week. Don't forget, m'kay?" she said with a cheery grin. With that, she turned and started to walk away. She cast a wave back over her shoulder and added in a sing-song tone, "Catch ya later." And then she was gone.

End flashback

After ten minutes of mindlessly watching the waves undulate up and down, Bryan glanced down at his watch. 'This had better not be her idea of a joke.' He turned to leave, but then…

"I'm impressed. You actually showed up." Bryan whirled back around to see Nakia striding confidently towards him, a bright smile on her face.

"You're late," Bryan deadpanned.

"Not according to my watch. Maybe yours needs new batteries," Nakia replied teasingly. Bryan just rolled his eyes. Then her expression became more serious, though kindness and concern still shone in her grayish blue eyes. "Did you think about what I said?"

"Yeah…I did…" Bryan crossed his arms across his chest, which Nakia noted as a subconscious defensive posture, and looked away for several long moments, as if he feared what he was about to say. "I think…I might want to open up, but…I don't know how," he finally admitted hesitantly.

At his statement, Nakia gave an encouraging smile and said softly, "You've already taken the first step in admitting it. That alone takes a lot of courage." She placed a hand on Bryan's arms, much like she had done last week, and this time they uncrossed to hang at his sides almost on their own accord.

Bryan looked at Nakia in bewilderment. She was so slight and delicate compared to him, and yet he found himself rendered powerless around her. No one else had managed to break through his barriers so quickly and easily. To be perfectly blunt about it, Bryan found it rather unnerving. Hers was a different kind of strength, not physical but emotional. In terms of brute strength, he could easily overpower most other males his age, except maybe his teammates, but no amount of physical force would help him here.

Nakia's kind smile morphed into a mischievous grin. "I can probably help you with opening up." Then her expression softened. "For starters…" Then she did the last thing Bryan expected. She stood up on tiptoe, her hands on Bryan's shoulders for support, and gently pressed her lips to his.

Nakia felt Bryan's muscles stiffen beneath her hands and started to pull away when he didn't respond, but suddenly his hands snaked around her body and pulled her to his chest possessively. Nakia gasped softly against his lips in surprise at the sudden movement, and Bryan took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth and lay claim to his territory. He dipped his head lower, fitting their mouths more closely together, so Nakia could stand flat-footed and downed a groan as her hands slid from his shoulders to rest on the hard pectoral muscles of his chest.

Bryan finally pulled away, leaving Nakia wide-eyed and breathless. "What was…" she started.

"How was that for opening up?" Bryan asked with a smirk.

Nakia blushed beet red and stammered, "I…think we're making progress…"

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Tala?" Kai asked.

"Come on, don't tell me you're not the least bit curious as well," Tala replied evenly as he strode purposefully down the crowded sidewalk, his hands shoved in his pants pockets. "I always thought there was something fishy about the Temporal Knights, like they've been hiding something about their past. This whole tournament has been like a puzzle with some of the pieces missing, and I want answers."

"I must admit, I've had my suspicions as well," Kai admitted, thinking back to Sonja's panic attack in India. "And Hina's recent battle with Vala just adds to the mystery."

"Exactly, everything about this team is a mystery," Tala agreed as he walked through the sliding glass doors of the BBA headquarters, Kai beside him. "And there's only one person who can shed some light on this."

The two males took the elevator to the top floor and entered Mr. Dickenson's private office suite. Tala approached the desk where a young blonde secretary worked and asked, "Is Mr. Dickenson here?"

"Well, yes he is, but he is busy with tournament preparations and…"

"Thank you," Tala cut her off abruptly and turned on his heel, heading for Mr. Dickenson's private office. Kai swung into step beside him wordlessly.

"Wait! You can't go in!" But her protests fell on deaf ears and were silenced completely by the sound of a door opening and closing.

Mr. Dickenson looked up abruptly from the paperwork he was reviewing upon hearing his office door open. "Well, hello boys. This is an unexpected pleasure," he greeted them in his usual kind manner. "What can I do for you?"

"We need information," Tala stated simply. "What do you know about the Temporal Knights?"

"What do I know about them?" Mr. Dickenson repeated. "Whatever do you mean?"

This time, Kai stepped in before Tala could say something to set Mr. Dickenson on edge. "We've noticed that suspicious things keep happening around them. In Russia, they disappeared without a trace for a month until the qualifying rounds for the tournament began. The day Omega Platoon's coach appeared at the tournament, Sonja Vasdekis had a panic attack. And then most recently, Hina Akiyama battled Vala Arnardottir, one of Omega Platoon's bladers, outside the stadium and was badly injured."

Tala and Kai both noticed that Mr. Dickenson seemed to grow steadily more nervous as the evidence piled up. Tala decided to press their advantage. "There seems to be some sort of connection between the Temporal Knights and Omega Platoon." A tiny trickle of sweat worked its way free from underneath Mr. Dickenson's hat. "You do know something, don't you?"

"I…I…have been sworn to secrecy!" Mr. Dickenson protested. "Eri made me promise not to tell…"

Tala smirked as Mr. Dickenson realized that he had made a fatal mistake. "So it does have something to do with Eri."

"Mr. Dickenson, you have to tell us," Kai insisted. "Whatever information you have could change the whole tournament, not to mention the Temporal Knights could be at risk."

Mr. Dickenson sighed in defeat as the logic of Kai's reasoning hit home. "I suppose you boys leave me with no choice. Very well, I'll tell you what I know…" And so, he told them everything about the Temporal Knights' history under Xhaiden's brutal training, his connection with BIOVOLT, how he had helped them after they escaped, and how Omega Platoon was the pride and joy of Xhaiden's Abbey.

Tala and Kai stood in stunned silence for several long moments after Mr. Dickenson finished. "I…can't believe it. I had no idea…" Tala murmured.

"I don't get it, Mr. Dickenson," Kai stated. "If you knew Omega Platoon was working for Xhaiden, why did you let them enter the World Championships?"

"Because it was the only way to expose Xhaiden's crimes. Ever since I met the Temporal Knights all those years ago, I have been conducting an extensive investigation of Xhaiden's involvement with BIOVOLT with little success. We assumed he was dead, but when Eri brought news to me that he was alive, she decided to enter her team in the World Championships in the hopes of luring him out into the open."

"You mean they're using themselves as bait?" Tala asked incredulously.

Mr. Dickenson flinched visibly under Tala's enraged glare and held up his hands pleadingly. "Please understand, Tala, that this whole scheme was Eri's idea. I can't have Xhaiden arrested without proof of his misdeeds, and the World Championships are our only chance of procuring the evidence we need."

"I think you've given us plenty to think about. Thank you for the information," Kai said.

"If you would, boys, please keep this little conversation between us…" Mr. Dickenson began.

"I'm sorry, but we need to be getting back to our teammates," Tala interjected. He gave Mr. Dickenson a brief nod of acknowledgement and then turned and left, Kai right on his heels.

'Oh dear…I hope I haven't made a mistake. Eri…please forgive me…' Mr. Dickenson thought miserably.

Once they were outside, Kai commented, "Well, that was a little more than I was expecting."

Tala nodded his assent. "You go back to the others, Kai. I have something to take care of."

Kai had an idea of what Tala was up to, but he didn't press the matter out of respect for his friend. "Sure." He headed off in the direction of the hotel, leaving Tala to go in the opposite direction.

'Lead the way, Wolborg.'

Yes, master.

'So…this is where everything will be decided. If there will ever be a chance to expose Xhaiden for what he truly is, it will be here facing Omega Platoon. I never thought so much would ride on a single match.'

Eri was brought out of her private musings by the echoing sound of footsteps. The footsteps stopped a few feet behind Eri, but she did not turn around to face their owner. She already knew who it was.

"Eri, we need to talk," Tala stated.

Something about Tala's tone of voice grated on Eri's nerves and instinctively set her on edge. She turned to face him. His feet were firmly planted beneath his squared shoulders, and his arms were crossed over his chest. Tala's posture alone indicated that he was disturbed about something, but his eyes betrayed the anger that was simmering just beneath the surface, barely contained by the sheer force of his will.

Eri returned Tala's glare with a hard look of her own. "I see no reason why we need to talk about anything." She started to walk past him toward the exit.

"I know you and your teammates have been hiding something," Tala pressed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Eri replied, not breaking her stride.

"Kai and I went to see Mr. Dickenson today. He told us everything."

Eri stopped and turned her head sideways to glance at Tala out of one eye. "There is nothing to tell," she insisted in a neutral tone, even though her heart was pounding in her throat at Tala's announcement. 'No…Mr. Dickenson wouldn't have…he promised not to tell…'

His frustration finally boiling over, Tala whirled around and shoved Eri forcefully against the wall, keeping a firm grip on her shoulders. He growled ferally in his throat and demanded, "Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded, his voice barely below a shout.

"About what?" Eri asked coldly, glaring back at him with as much venom as she could muster.

"Don't play dumb!" Tala shouted. "Xhaiden. Why didn't you tell me that Xhaiden was an agent for BIOVOLT?"

Eri's eyes widened slightly, the only outward display of her shock. So Mr. Dickenson had told them after all. The sting of betrayal cut past her steel-clad mental barriers effortlessly to the deepest recesses of her soul. "It wasn't any of your business," she replied numbly, keeping her face carefully blanked.

"Wasn't any of my business?!" Tala repeated incredulously. "In case you forgot, my team suffered under BIOVOLT as well, so don't say that this isn't our business!"

Eri set her jaw and continued to glare at him. "What Xhaiden did to me and my team is a burden that no one else should have to bear."

"And who says you have the right to decide that?" Tala asked, his tone softening somewhat. "Look at what he's done to you. You may put up a tough front all the time, but I know you're suffering. You suffer far more than any of your teammates. Why don't you ever let anyone else help?"

Eri looked away from Tala, refusing to look into his eyes any longer, lest their intoxicating gaze hypnotize her yet again. Her heart was racing, but it wasn't from fear or anger. It was…something else. "Because…" she trailed off.

"Because WHY?" Tala prodded, squeezing her shoulders to get her attention.

"Because I didn't want to see you get hurt, that's why!" Eri exclaimed, meeting his gaze with a defiant look of her own. Tala gazed at her incredulously, and he loosened his grip on Eri's shoulders. She looked down, unable to keep up the tough façade anymore, and continued, her voice shaking slightly: "I would do anything to protect those who are dear to me."

Those last words spoke volumes to Tala. Now he finally understood the reason behind her secrecy. "You would do that even at the cost to yourself…" Eri gasped as he suddenly pulled her into a strong embrace, cradling her head gently against his shoulder, allowing his fingers to entwine in her soft, dark brown hair. She instinctively brought up her hands to rest on his chest in an almost defensive response. He held her in silence for a few moments until he felt her body relax against his and her hands fall to hang limply at her sides. "You're such an idiot, Eri. You still don't get it, do you?" Eri's silence gave him the courage to speak around the nervous lump that threatened to constrict his throat. "I don't want to see you suffer like this anymore. Please just let me help."

Eri's reply was so soft he had to strain to hear it, despite how close they were. "…Why?"

Tala took a deep breath to steady his shaking nerves and swallowed down the lump that was quickly rising in his throat. His voice was thick with emotion. "Because I love you."

Eri instantly stiffened, wondering if she had just heard correctly. Never in her whole life had anyone ever used the word "love" in her presence. Of course, she had the love of her teammates, but that kind of love was more like the bond between sisters, not lovers. But now, as she stood enveloped in Tala's arms, pressed against his warm body, she finally knew what it felt like to be protected and sheltered by another.

She didn't have to face the world alone anymore.

It was the most wonderful, liberating feeling in the world.

Eri slowly lifted her head from Tala's shoulder and met his eyes, which only held love and affection for the one trapped in their gaze, and gave him a genuine smile that melted his heart. Tala tenderly cupped Eri's cheek with one hand and slowly leaned inward, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. He let out a low moan when Eri returned the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and reaching up with one hand to run her fingers through his hair.

When they finally pulled away, Eri had to fight to control the flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. After a lifetime of suppressing her emotions, it was like the dam holding them back had finally burst. However, one emotion was felt more strongly than all the others. "I…love you too."

As soon as she whispered those words, Eri broke down in a series of body-wracking sobs. For the first time in years, tears spilled over her eyelids, and she touched them with trembling fingers, marveling at the feel of the hot, salty trails they tracked down her cheeks. To finally be free from a lifetime of self-inflicted solitude…it was almost more than she could comprehend. She could barely even remember the last time she had shed tears, let alone cried, but the young man in front of her had managed to coax both responses out of her. She pressed closer to him, hiding her face in his shoulder, while her fingers clung to the front of his jacket. Tala simply held her and tried to reassure her with softly spoken words as she released all the pent-up emotions that she had held back for so long.

Seeing Eri cry seemed to awaken a sort of primal instinct in Tala. The closest comparison would be an alpha wolf protecting his mate. He had never seen her so vulnerable, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping her anchored to the ground. In his mind's eye, he could see Wolborg lying next to Pyrix, his head draped over hers in a protective gesture as she shared in her mistress' emotions through their bond. Growling softly in his throat, Tala pulled Eri closer, tucking her head under his chin in much the same manner as his bit beast, and vowed silently to protect her from all harm as much as it was in his power to do so.

"You do realize Eri's going to kill you for this," Kai whispered to Tala, a slight teasing glint in his eye.

"I'm fully aware of her murderous tendencies. Now zip it, someone's coming," Tala hissed back.

The two fell into an uneasy silence from behind the bushes they were using as a hiding place, trusting in the cover of night to help conceal them. After walking Eri back to the hotel, Tala had hatched a little scheme of his own and summoned Kai to help him. With the help of their bit beasts, the two of them had located and tailed Omega Platoon from the shadows to try and find out more about them and their relation with Xhaiden. However, they had gotten a little bit more than they had expected. Instead of following one or two of them around the city, the whole team had left the hotel as a group that evening as the sun was setting and gone past the city limits to a clearing in the middle of the woods. Now Raina, Alannah, Ramona, and Vala stood at attention, as silent and motionless as soldiers, as if waiting for someone.

Tala had thought about bringing the rest of the team with them but had decided against it. He was afraid having five bit beasts around would attract too much attention, even if they tried to conceal their presence. Even now, he kept worrying that one of Omega Platoon's bit beasts would sense Wolborg or Dranzer, even though both of them had taken every precaution to minimize their presence.

Just then, two shadowed figures stepped into the moonlight, and Tala instantly wished the others were here for backup, for the two individuals were none other than Xhaiden and Boris. Both men were wearing black, full-length trench coats, which only added to the eerie, silent mood surrounding the clearing. Tala downed the growl that was rising in his throat, and his hands itched for the feel of a loaded launcher upon seeing the embodiment of his worst nightmares standing mere yards away, like a specter melting out of the shadows of his soul. He had assumed Boris was in jail or dead after he had mysteriously vanished following the destruction of the BEGA league. Wolborg growled low in his throat, and Tala quickly clamped a firm mental hold on the bit beast to keep him quiet, lest Omega Platoon sense his presence. A quick glance to his left told Tala that Kai was doing the same with Dranzer. None of the Blitzkrieg Boys' bit beasts were fond of Boris after what he had done to themselves and their masters.

Xhaiden finally broke the haunting silence. "So glad you could make it tonight, girls," he began in a chilling tone that harbored no kindness or affection. He indicated them with a sweep of his hand and looked to his superior. "Here they are, sir."

Boris gave a smile that Kai and Tala knew all too well…and wished they didn't. The trademark mask that covered his eyes only added to the effect. "Ah yes, the pride and joy of the U.S. Abbey, or so you say. Xhaiden, I understand you suffered a minor setback recently."

"Yes sir, and that is precisely why we are all here tonight." He turned a hard look to girls standing at attention. "Vala, come forward," he ordered coldly. She obeyed the command wordlessly.

SMACK!

Vala didn't even flinch even as a red handprint appeared on her cheek. "You insolent wretch! By losing against one of the Temporal Knights, you have brought disgrace upon the name of BIOVOLT! Do you know why I even let you live this long?" He paused for emphasis, knowing that none of them would dare utter a word and expect to live. "It's because I wanted Mr. Balkov to see for himself just how we punish failure." He lashed out with his left hand in a punch faster than Kai or Tala expected, considering his good arm was a stump, that connected with Vala's chin. The Icelandic girl grunted in pain and staggered to keep her footing. Next, Xhaiden pulled a pistol from a holster hiding under his jacket and slammed the butt into Vala's skull, sending her sprawling to the ground in a crumpled heap. Tala and Kai winced visibly at Xhaiden's brutality. He possessed a lot more strength than his scarred, disfigured body indicated. But what totally boggled their minds was how Vala's teammates stood as motionless as statues and made no move to help their comrade.

"Please, sir, forgive my weakness. I've always obeyed you without question!" Vala pleaded. Tala and Kai noticed fear in her eyes for the first time.

"You're even weaker than I thought," Xhaiden growled as he pointed the pistol at Vala's prone form. "I have no further use for you." He clicked off the safety.

Without warning, an explosion sounded from the edge of the clearing that blanketed the entire area in thick, black smoke that had Xhaiden, Boris, and the girls doubled over coughing.

"What is the meaning of this?" Boris demanded between breaths.

"I have no idea!" Xhaiden shouted back. When the smoke finally cleared, Vala was gone. "It appears we had a spy or two watching us."

"Oh well, the loss of the girl doesn't matter. She was useless to us, as you said," Boris said. He turned to Xhaiden, and he glared venomously at the younger man from behind his mask. "What does concern me, however, is that you and your team were foolish enough to be followed without noticing!"

"My sincerest apologies, sir, but…"

"I've had enough of your incompetence for one night, Xhaiden," Boris growled. "See to it that your team wins the tournament, or they won't be the only ones with dire consequences to pay."

Xhaiden lowered his head and scrunched his eyes closed to keep his rage from boiling to the surface, but when he opened his eyes, he directed a cold, knowing look to Raina, Alannah, and Ramona.

'This will not end well for us tonight,' Raina thought grimly.

A half-mile away, Kai and Tala were still sprinting away from the clearing as fast as their legs could carry them, their breath coming in short bursts. Tala carried the limp form of Vala in his arms, while Kai carried his loaded launcher in case he needed Dranzer for round two. The phoenix's smoke screen had helped them make a clean getaway but at the cost of revealing Dranzer's presence. No doubt Xhaiden and Boris had noticed Vala's disappearance by now.

"Are they following us?" Tala asked tersely.

"No, not yet, but don't slow down," Kai replied just as briefly.

Tala nodded in response and kept running. Normally carrying another person would slow him down, but right now his body was too pumped with adrenaline to notice as he kept pace with Kai.

Vala stirred to life in his arms and whispered brokenly, "…Why?"

The innocent question tugged at Tala's sympathy, and for a moment he thought back to this afternoon when Eri had asked the exact same question. 'Sometimes I wonder about that as well.' He replied, "Don't try to talk yet. We'll get you some help."

As they continued running, Tala thought privately, 'So Mr. Dickenson wants proof? I've got all the proof he needs right here…'

End chapter 16

Author's Note: Hehehehehe…I just love this chapter so much! I hope you guys enjoy it too! And to think I finished it while I was busy doing nothing at work! Please review and tell me what you thought! Take care, everyone!