A/N: It's an update! Amazing, right? Anyway, there's quite a bit of jumping back and forth from characters in this chapter, so I do apologise. Other than that, read on!
Chapter 22 – Day 22
"Johnny is my little brother and I will protect him." - Kai
Ray stumbled slightly down the hall, as an explosion rumbled through the ground. He stopped and turned, looking down the way he came. His grip on Johnny tightened as a dark figure appeared.
"Easy Ray, it's just me!" Kaz rushed out as he dashed over. Ray relaxed slightly, but still looked apprehensive. "I collapsed the ceiling, so they'll have a bit of trouble coming after us."
Ray nodded, "All right, let's go." Together, the two walked away in awkward silence. After awhile, Ray sighed.
"Kaz," Ray said, "I have to ask you, what-"
"Was that?" Kaz finished, before he shrugged. "That was my bitbeast, Nikolai. He is a type of phoenix similar to Dranzer."
"Really? Is that why he looked like Black Dranzer?" Ray asked, and Kaz hesitated. "Kaz?"
"No. Black Dranzer looks like Nikolai because Black Dranzer partly came from Nikolai." Kaz said quietly.
"But Black Dranzer came from Dranzer!" Ray blurted. Kaz nodded, looking away.
"That's true, most of Black Dranzer was basically a man-made version of Dranzer. The only difference is that Nikolai acted as its base instead." Kaz explained.
"Why wouldn't Biovolt have just used Dranzer as the base too?" Ray asked.
"As you probably know, Black Dranzer was a bit unstable. Nikolai's ability to absorb and contain massive amounts of power was used to counteract that. Obviously, it didn't work properly. Instead, Black Dranzer used that ability to draw in more power, for instance, absorbing all those other bitbeasts. All of their man-made bitbeasts were given that ability as well, and all went out of control at some point." Kaz stated.
Ray was silent for a long while. "How do you know both Johnny and Kai?"
Kaz grinned. "That's not for me to explain."
There was a stunned silence about the hall. Tala watched on in amusement as his companions' faces shifted into interesting expressions before one finally broke the silence.
"What?" Raul asked faintly, glancing at the others. Oliver and Robert both were shocked, mouths open in a rather undignified manner while Enrique merely looked amused and a little impatient. Bryan seemed just as surprised – or as surprised as the Russians seemed to get- but Tala clearly believed what he was saying and Kai was not disagreeing. "You're… you're joking right?"
When the two in question did not say anything, he continued. "But… but Kai and Johnny? Brothers? How is that even possible? You guys don't even look alike!" Tala elbowed Kai sharply in the ribs.
Kai sighed. "Same mother, different fathers." He grumbled, sending a glare in Tala's direction. Bryan's face darkened.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner? What was with all the secrecy?" Bryan questioned.
"Is that why Tala lied to my sister? To keep Johnny a secret?" Raul blurted. His face was burning, he knew, but he could feel the anger pulsing inside him. His sister was hurt and confused because of Tala's actions.
"Yes." Kai said simply, "Johnny is my little brother and I will protect him."
Bryan snorted, "and yet, he's currently missing. Most likely in the hands of your grandfather."
"Look," Tala said, meeting everyone's gazes one by one. "Can we discuss this later? We still need to find and rescue Ray and Johnny." The group fell silent.
"Oh!" Enrique suddenly exclaimed, fumbling for his phone. "I forgot! I had Kaz scout around, see if he could find Johnny." Kai's eyes narrowed.
"You what? Kaz wont wait for us to come back him up, he'll try and get Johnny out on his own." He practically snarled and Enrique flinched but opened his mouth to retort.
"Enough, you two." Tala cut in, glaring at both of them. Kai grunted, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the wall. Enrique just shook his head and put his phone to his ear, fidgeting impatiently.
In the background, Bryan seethed, glaring at Kai while Robert, Oliver and Raul looked uncertain.
"Kaz? Hey, how's it going? Did you…? Huh, well, we're on our way then." Enrique hung up, looking perturbed.
"So," he said to the group, "Kaz's found Johnny and Ray and they are escaping as we speak. Unfortunately, Balkov, Voltaire and Doctor Stanaslov are there as well. He wants us to meet him at the exit; he's given me the location."
"Let's go." Kai said, pushing past Bryan and down the hall. Scowling, Bryan followed, the rest of the group trailing after.
Johnny winced, forcing his eyes open. He found he was still on Ray's back. Ray and Kaz were talking quietly to each other as they walked.
"I'm goin' ta be sick." He forced out, lurching to the side. Ray immediately stopped and lowered him down as Johnny expelled any left over stomach content onto the floor and continued to dry heave.
"Oh man, Johnny." Kaz's voice entered his ears. A hand was on his back, rubbing soothingly. Johnny soon calmed down, coughing and spitting out the foul tasting substance. Tiredly, he rested his burning forehead onto Ray's shoulder.
"Sorry." He mumbled, closing his eyes. Ray's hands tightened on his legs as the Chinese teenager slowly pulled him up his back and carefully stood.
"It's all right, Johnny." Ray said, "at least you gave us a warning." Kaz laughed.
"Yeah, that could've been a lot worse." He teased.
Johnny forced his eyes open and glanced around. "Where're we goin'?"
"Back to your bro, Jay." Kaz said simply. Ray's brows furrowed.
"You have a brother, Johnny?" He asked and Johnny groaned while Kaz winced.
"Sorry, Jay." Kaz apologized but Johnny just sighed.
"It's fine. Yeah, I have a brother, and a sister too. But they're only half siblings; we've got the same mum." Johnny explained, allowing his eyes to drift shut.
"Are they nice?" Ray asked, trying to keep the redhead awake. Both Kaz and Johnny laughed at that, though Johnny's laugh soon turned into a coughing fit.
Once he was done, he replied. "You could say that." He sighed, "Can you put me down now? I can walk."
"It might be better if I just carry you." Ray said, smiling reassuringly.
"… if you don't put me down, I will throw up on you."
"What's going on?" Hilary exclaimed. "Why are so many 'bladers missing?"
"Did Balkov come back and take them?" Max pondered and everyone fell silent.
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
"Hey guys, did you miss me?" Tyson grinned, barging into the room.
"Tyson! Where have you been?" Max greeted cheerfully. All at once everyone in the room started asking questions.
"With us." Another voice cut in. They all turned to see three men standing in the doorway. The red haired man stepped forward.
"Mr. Dickinson, I presume?" He said, looking to the elderly man. Dickinson straightened.
"And you would be Mr. McGregor?" Stanley asked. Don laughed as the teenagers and adults in the room started.
"Yes, I am Donald McGregor, Johnny's father. Behind me are, Joshua Drake a long time friend of the family and Jason Hiwatari, Kai's father." He explained and gasps and loud exclamations exploded throughout the room.
"It is a pleasure, Mr. Hiwatari." Dickinson spoke. "I have only seen you in pictures but I can say with utmost certainty, that your son looks a lot like you."
Jason chuckled quietly and waved. "Hello everyone. Kai's always looked a lot like me, used to drive my wife nuts." He coughed weakly. "Does anyone know where my children are at?"
"Children?" Judy asked politely, frowning ever so slightly.
"He must mean Kimmy. She's Kai's sister." Max intruded. "But she left a few days ago."
Jason nodded. "Ah, Kimberly always had trouble listening and staying put." Beside him, Joshua laughed. Ignoring him, the Hiwatari continued. "And where is Kai?"
At this the teenagers exchanged uneasy glances. Mr. Dickinson sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, Mr. Hiwatari, we do not know. I assume Tyson has told you about your son's… condition." At Jason's nod, he continued. "From what we know, he's back to normal now, but has left with Tala, Bryan, Raul Fernandez, and the remaining Majestics to retrieve two of their friends."
Jason's eyes narrowed. "The remaining Majestics? Who's missing?"
"I believe that would be Johnny." Don interrupted. Jason's face paled as he turned to him.
"What? Again? No wonder Kai's so set on getting him back. At least Tala and Enrique are there to back him up." Jason muttered, scowling. "How did this happen? Is there no security around here?"
"Excuse me, what do you mean again?" Dickinson inquired, ignoring the jab at security.
"As in, this has happened before." Jason said slowly, "Do you know where they went? I need to get them back." As he said this, he took the phone Joshua had held out to him and began pressing buttons. He soon placed it to his ear and turned his back to the room.
"Hello? Kaz? Yes, yes it's me. Don and Josh got me out. Yeah, I know. Oh, that's good! We were worried, can I? Ah, thanks!" Jason grinned and covered the mouthpiece. "Kaz's found Johnny and another boy named Ray. He says they're on their way to meet up with Kai and the others."
Several occupants in the room breathed out sighs of relief. Mariah cheered loudly and Michael and Emily high fived. Tyson sagged against Max, whom in turn, sagged against his mother. Judy, looking relieved herself, merely glanced at the two boys before looking back to their guests.
"What are we waiting for?" Tyson blurted, breaking the silence. "Let's go get them!"
"Not so fast." Donald McGregor cut in. "We can't just barge in there, Biovolt's been a real pain for a long time an' has many friends in the legal system. We break in and we'll be the ones gettin' in trouble."
"But… but, it's your son in there that they kidnapped!" Emily protested, clutching her laptop. Next to her, Michael nodded, looking determined.
"That doesn't matter anyway, they're comin' out on their own." Donald shrugged, not looking particularly concerned.
"He could at least look worried about his own son." Max muttered quietly, overheard only by the teens next to him, who kept silent.
"Why don't we simply meet them at the halfway point?" Josh suggested. "That way, there's no legal problems and we can help the kids out if they need it."
"They'll need our help." Dickinson said, "they're only boys after all."
Many of the 'bladers and some of the adults looked amused.
"You do realize Kai, Tala and Bryan are with them, right?" Ian questioned. "They've dealt with Balkov and Voltaire more times than I can count. You'd probably just get in there way if you got involved."
Kai stepped out of the car as soon it came to a stop, Bryan right behind me. Tala sighed in exasperation as he trailed after them. The three Majestics and Raul climbed out, Robert thanking Gustav –his butler who had accompanied him for this trip- for driving them.
"I will await for appearance around the corner, Master Robert." Gustav said. "Please ensure Master Jonathan's safety as well as your own, sir."
"I'll do my best." Robert said, nodding. Gustav pulled away from the curb and drove off out of sight.
"Where do we go from here?" Raul wondered. Kai snorted, already walking in the direction of one of the buildings down the street. Bryan growled at him.
"Kaz said that they were in the "guest" section of the building." Tala clarified as the group followed the irate Hiwatari. "Kai's familiar with the layout of this area as Voltaire used to bring him when he checked out that everything was going according to plan."
"Oh." Raul said softly, blushing. From next to him, Oliver looked around curiously.
"It's an awfully abandoned area." He remarked.
"Would you want to live or work around here when you know Biovolt's your neighbour?" Bryan asked, rhetorically.
"Enough of this." Enrique said impatiently. "We need to work together and get along so we can get Kaz, Ray and Johnny out of there safely. Oh, and a plan would be good."
"Plan: get in, get them, get out." Kai said bluntly as he came to a stop at the corner of the building.
"How eloquent of you." Enrique said dryly. Tala glared at them both.
"No security cameras or motion detectors." Tala commented, "this place must not have been very important."
"It was simply research here. They rarely kept any of the kids here, usually only businessman who were interested in Biovolt's projects." Kai explained.
"Except a few days ago." Enrique interrupted. "Kaz broke in and got out a group of kids who were lined up for experimentation. Cyros was included."
Kai glanced at him. "He all right?"
"Yeah." Enrique shrugged. "Kaz brought him home right after he rescued them."
"Good." Kai murmured before picking the lock on the door. The door popped open. Kai simply entered the building and the other teens were quick to follow.
"We're almost there." Ray encouraged, gently tightening his grip on Johnny's waist. The redhead huffed, a bead of sweat running down his strained face.
Kaz was ahead of them, making sure they were clear of other individuals. He yelped and jumped back as he turned a corner. Ray and Johnny stiffened but Kaz simply scowled.
"A little warnin' next time! You Abbey boys 're too quiet for your own good." Kaz said.
"Too bad." Kai said dryly. Ray perked up.
"Kai!" He exclaimed cheerfully, while, next to him, Johnny sagged slightly.
"Ray, glad you're back." Kai greeted, a ghost of a smile on his face. His eyes fell on Johnny and his expression turned impassive.
"Johnny." He stepped forward and carefully came to the boy's other side, pulling his arm over his shoulder.
"Hey Kai." Johnny said quietly, accepting the extra help without complaint.
Tala, Bryan, Raul, Enrique, Oliver and Robert turned the corner. Bryan froze before he looked angry.
"I don't care if that old man's related to you, Kai, I'm ready to hurt him." He grumbled.
"I won't stop you." Kai said as he and Ray helped Johnny move forward.
"Let's get out of here first." Oliver insisted, glancing down the hallway. He looked about ready to pull Johnny into a hug but was firmly restraining himself. Robert merely kept his eyes locked onto the redhead's form with a frown on his face.
"Oliver's got a point. It'll be better if we battle them on our turns." Tala agreed, already heading back the way they had come.
They had all managed to escape the building before they reached trouble. Voltaire, Balkov and Stanslov were all waiting outside for them. With them, were a group of armed men.
"Kai." Voltaire greeted, stepping forward. "If you would leave that useless half-brother of yours behind, you would have nothing holding you back."
"Half-brother?" Ray murmured, before his eyes widened. 'Johnny said he had two half-siblings! So Kai and Kimmy are related to Johnny?'
"Never." Kai said firmly and Ray felt comforted at his captain's stubborn exterior.
"Kai." Voltaire reprimanded, but he got no further when a large gust of wind knocked the three men off their feet and into the nearby wall. The teens used this to their advantage and quickly slipped by them to the road.
"That was anticlimactic." Enrique muttered.
A limousine pulled up alongside and stopped. Robert opened the door and motioned everyone inside. They all clambered in and the limo sped off.
"Thank you, Gustav." Robert said, leaning back into his seat.
"It was no problem, Master Robert. I see you have retrieved Master Jonathan, and Master Ray as well." Gustav commented as he drove away.
Johnny sighed heavily, slumping back into his seat, wincing slightly.
"Was that wind you, Bryan?" Ray asked curiously, catching everyone's attention.
"They were in the way." Bryan defended, then paused. "It's not like I caused permanent damage." He muttered.
Raul chuckled but quickly turned it into a cough, his face flushing. Enrique did not bother to cover his up and openly laughed. Bryan glared at him and he immediately fell silent.
The limo slowed down and pulled up to a curb. Raul could see the BBA stadium in front of them as well as a group of 'bladers gathered out front.
Kai stepped out first, followed by Bryan who helped ease Johnny out of the vehicle and onto solid ground. Johnny grunted and leaned against Bryan heavily but the other boy did not look like he minded. Kai however, was eying them and frowning, until Tala came up and elbowed him in the ribs.
"Kai! Tala!" A voice called, both boys in question stiffened at the familiarity in the tone. Kai turned and his eyes widened fractionally before he was quickly impassive.
"Dad." He murmured as the man came to a stop in front of them. Jason eyed the both of them before he promptly pulled them into a tight hug.
"I was so worried!" He exclaimed. "You're evil grandfather and his evil ideas tainting your youths! You poor boys! Don't worry he won't come near you again!"
Kai and Tala managed to extricate themselves from the hug.
"Dad." Kai interrupted, his eye twitching. "We're fine."
"'Fine?'" Jason repeated. "No. Fine would be you and your brother and your friends not hurt and in pain. This is not fine." He motioned to Johnny before he frowned to himself.
"Johnny!" He called out, spinning and rushing over to pull the boy into a tight albeit gentler hug. Johnny let out an 'oomph' but did not protest, relaxing into the embrace.
Tyson and the other 'bladers watched with open mouths. Don chuckled and stepped forward, placing a hand on Jason's shoulder.
"He does need to breathe, Jase." He said, still chuckling as Jason flushed and released Johnny, stepping back.
"Are you all right? We should get you a doctor!" At that exclamation, Jason began to look around wildly as if a doctor would appear if he looked hard enough. The Blitzkrieg Boys all sighed heavily as Jason continued to cause a scene in public.
"If only we could blame that on drugs and years of captivity." Ian muttered to himself.
So, hope you enjoyed! This story is coming to close very soon. Let me know what you think.