A/N.HOLY FRIGGIN MOZZLETOFF!

Seven-friggin-hundred reviews!...PLUS! Geezums -I'm so jumpy! Thank. You. ALL. Man!I'm so fired up to write a good Daphne and MSeed scene! (Though, that's still for a later chapter :3) Like...gosh darn it, I'm crying againn. D': Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU SO FRIGGIN MUCH! You have no idea how much I enjoy your reviews! They never ever fail to make my mood brighten. I say thank you a lot, so you might find it annoying but ALL OF YOU are amazing. Just amazing. Do you guys think this story will get to 1,000 by the time it's done?...Nah, that's a bit of a stretch, but that'd be so cool! ^^

With that, I'd like to send my congrats to GoodetoKnow for being the 700th reviewer!Like I've done before, you get to ask me four spoiler questions that I will answer honestly, or you may give the prize away. Or you may suggest a different prize -no one-shots though. (You've already given me three questions, so you can luck out on that 4th one if you want) I'm as busy as a bee. It's a wonder I can keep up with school and FTFT. :3

I...am going to try to reply to all anon. reviews that have questions or things I feel the need to reply to. Hopefully my eyes won't start crossing when I'm halfway through them. ^^

Oh! And the reason why I emphasized no character death: Obviously, I don't want you all to start screaming at me for what happened at the end of Ch. 51 -you'd have survived, of course. :) But if I hadn't, then you would be ripping your hair out in frustration, wondering what would happen to Sage and if he died. That idea seemed cruel, so I just wanted to assure you guys on that. Make sense? Hope so! ^^

QotW: (This isn't the QotW, but do you guys want me to do more of those song QotW's, or ask regular questions, scenarios, and riddles? Okay, now here's the Question:) What scares you the most (or close to, or at least something that makes you jumpy if you're not scared easily)? I'll just answer mine now:

Being alone, I think. And knowing that you'll be leaving Earth less than 100 years (unless you drink from the Fountain of Youth or something). It's scary, thinking about what's going to happen to you after you pass away. Man, this was a creepy answer -I'll pick something lighter next chapter.

Oh, and I'm following Curlscat's idea and your answer will only qualify if you comment about the chapter itself also. If you just give an answer -even if it is the best- it shall be rejected! ^^

Can anyone recite the preamble of the Constitution without looking at Google or something? ^^ Schoolhouse Rock, rocks.

Oh, and one more thing: Daphne's been wearing these weird pants -those straight-legs, or whatever they're called- these past few chapters (since Wendell and Ariana picked her up to go to the fair). Keep that in mind. Also, I might be wrong on my memory, but I think Bryant knows MSeed is a fairy. Well, he does in this chapter.

Thank you all again! Here's Chapter 52!

Chapter 52: Burns and Breeches

It felt like time had stopped. Seeing someone shot was a lot different than hearing about it. The scene of his body tumbling to the ground played over and over again in my head. Sage lay stationary on the ground while Bryant hummed to himself, stroking his pistol with his thumb. Ariana let out a horrified croak, her eyes glued to Sage's motionless body.

I felt like someone had poured a bucket of ice water over me, and through my veins. Numbness spread through me. Bryant shot Sage. Sage could be dead.

"Sage?" I called, staring at his motionless body. "Sage! Sage, get up!"

No response.

My chest tightened. "Sage, please! Please!" I pleaded pathetically. "Sage, get up! Don't die!"

"Daphne," Ariana started in a quiet voice, sounding like she had been crying. "He could be alive… The bullet didn't go through his heart or head…"

Ariana had a point. He had been shot in the stomach. Wendell survived two bullets. Sage had to be able to survive one! But he was still unconscious and hurt. There was still the chance he could die.

I looked from Bryant, to Sage, and back to Bryant again, helplessness welling up in me again. Everyone was being harmed, and it was my fault. Sage didn't even do anything! Neither did Ariana! Anger filled me and I clenched my fist, taking a menacing step towards Bryant. "You—"

"You… bastard."

My eyes shot open, and I twirled around to see Mr. Firay pushing himself off the ground.

"Mr. Firay!" I cried in disbelief and relief.

Mr. Firay didn't even look at me. His eyes were focused on Bryant, anger blazing in them. Bryant smirked back at Mr. Firay, cocking his head to the side.

"You're alive?"

"And you're about to be dead," Mr. Firay growled, starting towards Bryant. He took about three steps, then let out a groan, and started falling.

I quickly stepped forward to catch him, grasping onto his shoulders. His weight almost knocked me over, and I struggled to keep him upright. Bryant chuckled from where he was, shaking his head pitifully.

"Matt, you can't even stand. What makes you think you're going to kill me?"

Mr. Firay shoved me away from him. "I can stand fine."

"Mr. Firay—" I protested, staggering back a few steps. He ignored me, swaying on his feet for a few seconds.

"That was a pretty cheap shot earlier," Mr. Firay commented, sarcasm dripping in his voice. "Are you really that pathetic? It's a wonder how you became gang leader."

Bryant leered at Mr. Firay. "Regretting leaving?"

"As if," Mr. Firay spat angrily.

Bryant shrugged his shoulders. "You and Sage were the greatest assets. You could still be. Sage…" Bryant glanced at Sage's body on the ground. "Well, he could have been."

"I'm not going back," Mr. Firay declared stubbornly. "Especially not under the likes of you."

"Likes of me?" Bryant responded with a bark of laughter. "Where do you get off acting so high and mighty?"

Mr. Firay didn't respond, making Bryant scowl in irritation. "You really piss me off."

"Good."

"Mr. Firay!" I warned quietly, staring at him with wide eyes. Was he trying to incite Bryant?

Bryant's eyes slid over to me, and I saw Mr. Firay's shoulders tense. I glared at Bryant as viciously as I could. He laughed at me expression.

"Oh, someone is angry," he taunted.

"I'm—"

"Daphne don't talk to him," Mr. Firay ordered flatly.

I looked towards Mr. Firay in surprise. He still had his back to me. Why didn't he want me talking to Bryant? Bryant turned his attention back to Mr. Firay, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance

"Don't tell her what to do," Bryant demanded.

Mr. Firay laughed once. "What? Are you her father?"

Bryant smirked. "Nope, but maybe her boyfriend soon." Mr. Firay's fist clenched. "Isn't it curious?" Bryant continued. "How much she looks like my old Daphne?"

"She isn't your old Daphne."

"Nor is she yours."

"She's got nothing to do with this," Mr. Firay snapped.

Bryant raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is she a sore spot? Because you couldn't protect her, like you promised?"

"I—"

"Come to think of it, she gave you two chances, right?" Bryant stated, tapping his chin with his finger. "And you failed both times?"

Mr. Firay's shoulders sagged. "That's…"

"And now it's going to happen again, huh? You're going to let the person you care for the most suffer the same fate? There's nothing you can do about it either."

Mr. Firay stayed silent. For a moment, the only noise I could hear were Ariana's shaky breaths, Mr. Firay's heavy breathing, and my own heart in my ears. I was shaking uncontrollably. Not from fear, but from anger. Bryant was dabbing salt in Mr. Firay's wounds. He was going into the past that didn't need to be delved into.

Bryant snickered. "You're not that good upon keeping your promises, huh? Did you promise this Daphne over here the same thing? That you would protect her, just like old Daphne?"

"Mr. Firay," I whispered so only he could hear me, clenching my fists. "Don't let him talk to you like that!"

Bryant seemed to be irritated with Mr. Firay's lack of response. "Keeping silent? Is the guilt too much for you? Knowing that, once again, you're going to lose Daphne to me. Maybe this is what you deserve. For being a liar. For promising that you'll protect someone and failing. What kind of man are you, Matt? Do you think you're better than me?" Bryant guffawed. "Oh, isn't that a thought? Poor Matt. It seems like you're—"

My hand made contact with Bryant's face. The loud slap resounded through the room. Bryant stared at me in surprise while I returned his look with a furious glare, breathing heavily.

"Matt is more of a man than you could ever wish to be," I told him through clenched teeth. "The past doesn't matter. What's done is done. Mistakes are forgiven. What matters is today. And today, you're nothing compared to Mat—"

Without warning, Bryant backhanded me. I cried out in surprise, stumbling back a few steps. Mr. Firay yelled Bryant's name from behind me angrily and Ariana screamed loudly. Before I could react, Bryant shoved me, looking furious.

"Matt is a better man than me? Matt, who couldn't protect the other Daphne? Matt, who can't protect anyone? Mustardseed, this selfish sparkly bastard who got you tangled up in this mess?"

"I got myself tangled up!" I shouted at me, shoving him away from me. "Don't touch me!"

Bryant quickly grabbed my hair, pulling me closer to him. "Tell me, Daphne. Are you blind?"

My hand flew to his hand in my hair, grasping on tightly. Pain shot through my head as he pulled on my hair roughly.

"You know, if it wasn't for Matt I wouldn't have met you," he told me. "This wouldn't be happening. Don't you blame Matt at all?"

"Mr. Firay isn't the psycho who wants to kidnap me just because I look like his old girlfriend!"

Bryant's eyes hardened. "Surely you don't think Matt likes you for you."

"He does," I stated stubbornly. "Mr. Firay knows me, Bryant. You don't know anything about you. I'm not Daphne Pierce! I'm Daphne Grimm!"

Bryant growled, yanking me closer to him with my hair again. I cried out in pain, wildly swinging my fist. When I felt it make contact with Bryant's face, once again I was shoved backwards. This time I ran into something hard, and a strong arm shot by my face, punching Bryant, who already had his eyes shut from my punch, in the face. Mr. Firay grabbed my shoulder painfully, yanking me away from Bryant.

"Run," he ordered quietly, shoving me behind him.

Bryant swung his fist at Mr. Firay's face. Mr. Firay dodged, once again pulling me roughly to the side so I wouldn't be hit. This time he shoved me sideways, and I staggered a few steps away from him before falling. Ariana was screaming something at me, but I was too focused on Mr. Firay and Bryant to understand her. Bryant managed to knick Mr. Firay on the side of the jaw, and Mr. Firay retaliated by landing a blow on Bryant's right temple. Anyone watching knew Mr. Firay had the advantage.

But anyone watching also knew something wasn't right with Mr. Firay.

His breathing was heavier than it should have been, and his movements slower and sloppier than usual. While he still had the upper hand, he was handicapped by the injury on his forehead. I had to think quickly. That injury would not fare well in this fight… If Mr. Firay was hit there again, even if he was an Everafter, something serious could happen.

"I thought Everafters were all powerful and strong," Bryant taunted, only slightly breathless. "Feeling a little tired?"

"No," Mr. Firay responded, dodging another of Bryant's swings.

Bryant smirked. "Liar."

Mr. Firay landed a hard blow on Bryant's lower jaw. Bryant's eyes shot open in surprise, and he let out a little gasp. Mr. Firay smirked slightly as Bryant closed his eyes, staggering backwards. Relief washed through me immediately. It was over.

Suddenly Bryant's eyes snapped open, a smug smile on his lips as he brought his arm straight into Mr. Firay's face. Right where the injury before was. A split-second of terror passed, and I blinked. When I opened my eyes, Mr. Firay was crumpled on the floor. Bryant kicked him savagely. Ariana started screaming again as a gasp escaped my lips.

Now it was my turn to step in again. With my chest constricted tightly, I stepped in-between the two men, holding up my hands, my eyes shut tight. Bryant immediately stopped assaulting Mr. Firay. When I opened my eyes I saw Bryant staring down at me with a scowl.

"T-the cops will be here soon," I told him in a quiet, shaky voice.

Realization flashed on Bryant's face and for a minute he looked panicky. "Shit." Then he calmed down again, giving me a hard look. "Then you have two choices, Daphne: Watch as yet another person close to you dies, or come with me." He looked meaningfully at Ariana.

"Daphne," Ariana started, but I shook my head at her.

"No more," I said quietly, my eyes flickering down to Mr. Firay's once again motionless body. "Bryant, I'll go with you. Don't hurt them anymore! Please!" I begged, tears springing to my eyes. "I promise to do anything you ask. Just let them go."

Bryant sighed contently. "That's what I like to hear. Good choice, Daphne."

"Daphne…"

I ignored Ariana, keeping my eyes focused on Bryant and his gun. My eyes flickered to the staircase on the other side of the room. The staircase I had fallen through not so long ago… An idea suddenly formed in my mind, and I caught my breath.

"Hey," Bryant said, stooping down next to the Peter Pan's body. "Pete, wake up. Cops are coming soon."

"Ariana," I started in the quietest voice I could conjure. "Listen closely."

Ariana made a sound that showed me she was listening.

"I'm going to lead Bryant upstairs," I told her, my trying to keep my voice calm. "I want you to escape."

"What about—"

I shook my head slightly. "The cops will help Mr. Firay and Sage. Just escape as soon as we're on the sixth stair on the staircase, okay?"

"Why—"

"Okay?" I repeated forcefully.

"Okay," Ariana mumbled begrudgingly. "Will you be okay?"

I glanced at her. "I hope."

Bryant made a sound of disagreement with his tongue, pushing himself back into a standing position. "Seems like Sage really packed a punch. It's such a shame…" Bryant glanced at Sage's body on the ground.

"Bryant," I started, keeping my voice steady. "My phone is in that room over there," I said, pointing to the far side of the room, on the second floor. "While looking for Ariana I dropped it in there."

"And?" Bryant asked, raising an eyebrow.

I gave him a flat look. "If the cops find it in there, they'll have a lead. Aren't you planning on kidnapping me?"

Bryant looked surprised for a minute, than concern flashed across his face. "Shit. You're right."

"Are you going to go get it?" I questioned.

"Yeah, and you're coming with me," he stated, grabbing my arm. "Let's go."

I gave Ariana a meaningful look before following Bryant to the other side of the room. To cover any noises of Ariana moving, I decided to talk.

"How come you only brought two people with you?"

Bryant shrugged. "I felt like any more would be too suspicious. People at the fair were already giving suspicious looks to Peter, Jamie, and myself. Besides, I knew you'd come around if I threatened Matt and your friends. In that way, you're just like my old Daphne."

A cold chill ran through me. Yeah, just like her…

Bryant started climbing the steps, still with me in tow. I counted in my head as he climbed.

One.

Two.

Three.

I swallowed nervously. What if the steps didn't give out? What if we made it to the top of steps? What would I do then? Try to run? What if Ariana hadn't made it out by then? My plan would be ruined. This was the only thing I had left to rely on. If this didn't work then…

Four.

Five.

Six.

Bryant stepped on the seventh step, then the eighth, and then the ninth. The one above it, the tenth, was the one I had fallen through before. Bryant over stepped it, putting his foot down on the eleventh. I held my breath, waiting, watching. Bryant put all his weight on the step.

Nothing happened.

Immediately panic welled up inside of me. Why didn't the step give way? Bryant had to weigh at least one hundred pounds more than me! Without thinking, I quickly jumped onto Bryant's back. Bryant let out a groan of surprise, falling back onto the eleventh step. This time there was a distinguishing crack.

"What the hell?" Bryant shouted as his foot plummeted through the stair.

I felt myself falling as well, and I gasped in surprise, throwing my arms forwards, trying to grab the next stair. Luckily, I managed to get a good grasp, but I felt Bryant's hand close over my leg. I was yanked down, my nail scraping against the wood as my hand slipped closer to the edge.

Panic flared within me again. I hadn't expected Bryant to be able to grab me before he fell!

"Don't you dare let go," Bryant growled. "Or you'll regret it."

"I don't plan to let go," I shot back.

"Good."

I tried pulling myself up, but with Bryant clinging onto me, it was fruitless. My arm was already tiring, and we hadn't even been hanging for a minute. It took all my willpower to keep hanging on while my arm protested painfully. I looked over my shoulder, my eyes widening in surprise when I noticed Ariana wasn't by the door anymore. Nor was Mr. Firay. Or Sage. How had Ariana carried both of them out already?

I shook my head. I shouldn't be worried about how she did, I should be happy she managed to do it. Now all I needed to do was find a way out of the mess I got myself into. My hand slid another inch closer to the edge and I groaned, struggling to hold on. My guess was that the drop was a good fifteen-to-twenty feet. If I landed wrong, it would be enough to severely injure.

To my embarrassment, I felt my pants sliding lower. I really wanted to pull them up, but I couldn't afford to pull them up. Plus, with Bryant clinging onto them it wasn't surprising that they were falling down… I let out a small gasp.

Bryant was holding onto my pants.

Not me.

My pants.

I looked down to double check that he actually was clinging onto my pants, not my ankle. He really was. Just as my pants slid down another inch, my hands slipped again. My nails scraped on the wood and some slivers got stuck under my fingernails, making me wince in pain. I had to make Bryant let go.

I started moving my feet together, trying to take off my shoes.

"What are you doing?" Bryant demanded. "Stop moving your feet."

My first shoe came off without a problem, and I heard it fall to the ground below. It was a terrifying five seconds. My next shoe came off just as easily. The next thing I had to take off would be a bit more difficult.

I could already feel my face heating up. A part of me really didn't want to do it, but the rational part told this was the only way to save myself. I made sure I had a good grasp on the wood with my left hand before letting go with my right. I then remembered the wand, and grabbed it from my pocket, holding it between my teeth. It might be useful. Instantly my left hand slid down against the wood. Now I was barely hanging on.

In one swift motion, I pulled off my belt. Immediately, my pants began slightly off. Bryant only had time to let out a surprised shout before my pants came completely off.

I had to remember to thank my mom for picking up boxers at the store for me, and thank myself for not wearing girly panties today. Heck, from this day on I'd wear nothing but boxers.

A cold feeling suddenly went through me when I felt hands clamp on my ankles. Bryant let out a laugh. "Thought you could get rid of me so easily, did you?"

I panicked. What should I do? What should I do? He was holding onto my ankles tight, and grasping the floor above me was getting harder. I tried to calm down, then a thought ran through my head. This wouldn't have happened if I'd just use the wand. I wondered if I could cast spells using my teeth. Shaking my head in a circle, the wand started to glow.

"Gi're 'om 'agic!" I said with my teeth clenched. Suddenly, there was heat on my legs, and I heard Bryant let out a little gasp.

"Ow, hot, hot!" The heat immediately disappeared when Bryant let go. There was a thump and a long, low groan from under me. Using all my strength, I hoisted myself back onto the steps. As soon as I was safe, my arms gave out, and I let out a relieved breath. There has never been a time when I loved magic as much as I do right now. I reached for the wand, but then I heard another groan from under me, making me jump. I swiped it from the ground and was on my feet, scampering down the steps. I turned to go grab my pants, but instantly scolded myself. Bryant was definitely still conscious. I had to get out of here now.

"Don't move," I heard Bryant order.

A sudden, awful, anxious feeling washed over me. I suddenly dropped the wand –a stupid move. It felt like time had slowed down as I turned and faced Bryant. Have of me expected what I saw, while the other half didn't. First I glanced at his hands, seeing the red burns on them. Then a startled squeak escaped my mouth when my eyes focused on the gun Bryant was pointing at me.

Bryant attempted to push himself to his feet, but he groaned and eased his body back to the ground. "You…" he growled, glaring at me. "You'll regret this."

"No I won't," I said boldly, even though my voice was shaking.

Bryant never lowered the gun pointed at me. "Daphne, I don't understand why you don't want to come with me. I wasn't going to hurt you."

"Wasn't?"

Bryant narrowed his eyes. "After the way you've acted tonight, I think you deserve punishment."

"Punishment?" I cried shrilly. "I deserve punishment? After you kidnapped my best friend, almost killed the man you know I love, and shot Sage? And I still deserve punishment? For what? For not wanting to go with a creep like you? Bryant, you better listen to me. I'm not Daphne Pierce. I'm Daphne Grimm. I'm not in love with you, nor will I ever be. You don't know me, Bryant!"

Bryant gave me a harsh glare. "Come here."

"No!"

"Fine, you leave me no choice." Bryant readjusted the gun in his hand.

I felt my heart drop. "Bryant, don't…"

"If I can't have you, no one can," he told me, reminding me of one of the many horror movies Ariana, Wendell, and I watched last summer. Except this wasn't a horror movie. This was my life.

Before I could protest, I watched as Bryant's finger squeezed the trigger. I cried out, raising my hands to cover my face, even though I knew that wouldn't help anything. I could feel the bullet tearing through my skin, ready to render me useless.

A/N. Dun dun dun. Alrighty. Let's get to the anons! Finally!

(Ch. 51 Anon[s])

Yellow.r0se not logged in: Sage's my favorite person, too. I'm glad you understand. Ah, that's all right, as long as I hear once from you, I'm good. How's the new iPod? Or have you not gotten it yet? Thanks! :D Yeah, but you know me –these chapters get done at night, so I don't think so well. :3 Here's the update! Hope you enjoyed.

Countrygirl: That's fine. :D Oh, I see. That makes sense. Lol, hyperventilated. :D ALWAYS in April. But it's good because it's usually longer. Like –it feels longer. I dunno how to describe. :3 Oh, we took ITBS this week and last –FINALLY OVER!

PenguinLoverGurl: That's okay. :D Aw, I'm glad you're loving the story! I know –I'm cruel. XD Not really –what would be worse is if he was murdered. He's not. :D Lol, I do, too. …WHAT? 5th graders like that kind of music? Oh geezums, the kids are becoming adults. It's horrifical. There are kids in my sister's grade (she's in 2nd) and they're dating and kissing and AHHH! Not my sister, of course. But AAAAHHH! What is happening to our future generations? Yep, in FL. Nope, nowhere near that city, lol. Um, I live in the southwest is all I'm going to say. :3 Thanks for the review!

Killerbunnies: In April. Not really –because all the other schools have it earlier, we're like the only kids out and it's hilarious. XD Lol. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed that Prince Charming thing. I liked that scene, too. :D

(Ch. 50 Anon[s])

LLAMACORN RIDER: (I'll reply to your signed in review –hopefully- soon) Lol, I'm like that sometimes. :D Haha, that means I must be good with suspense. :DD I don't think it's healthy, but…it's like candy: Once you taste it, you have to keep eating it. I'm not using drugs as a simile because I'd never want to have drugs after it burns my throat or whatever. :3 I'm glad I brightened your day! ^^ Lol –you know what the irony of my mistake is? I JUST took an English test on "Troublesome Verbs" and they talked about using "would have" and "would of". XD Lol. I thought that was funny. Glad you liked the chapter!

(Ch. 48 Anon[s])

Rockinjellybeans: …Um, I'm not sure how to reply to this. Firstly, I'll say that you totally made me squirt ice tea out of my nose (IT HURTS! Not as much as Coke, of course) and secondly, they're not in a relationship yet. Heck, they're not going to be that close until maybe the sequel. And…I've just turned 13. I'm not…I can't…:3 If I ever do…which is unlikely…I'll get my co-writer person to do it (yes, you, Jordan) because she's a lot more knowledgeable than me…well, her brother is. But. We'll think about it. Thanks for the –cough- interesting review. xDD

Longliveharrypotter: I'm so glad you understand what I mean. :D …A TWO WEEK VACATION? Man, you are the most thoughtful reviewer I've ever come across. That's sweet. But I don't want to disappoint you and any other friends, so I'll just keep updates to two a week. :D Thanks, though! That's really generous!

Rosebud143: Well look! I'm replying! ^^ Sorry it's late, though. :3 Anyways, that's really sweet of you. :D Aw, I'm really glad you liked it. No, sorry I didn't –at least, I don't recall having them kiss. XD AW! YOU'RE GENEROUS, TOO! I love generous reviewers, putting others before themselves. :D Cool! I don't think I've ever had a number 1 fan. ^^

PHEW. Gosh, that was freakin' long. It would've been longer if I replied to EVERY SINGLE reviewer. Just know –those of you anons that I didn't reply to- that your reviews made me happy! It's just there are so many, and I decided to reply to the ones who and questions and stuff. Thank you, all. :D

So, I tried to incorporate some magic –sorry it wasn't much. Now that I think of it, this isn't much of a magic-filled story, nor will it really be. This was really just an action-y story. :3 Sorry.

Tired, tired…But, another chapter's coming Sunday! Or wait, do you want Monday? Which do you prefer?

Sorry if some of this didn't make sense, or if there were many errors. It's 10:46 EST now, and I'm tired. I have violin and piano tomorrow. YAAYAYAYAYYAY!

Marukaite chikyuu, marukaite chikyuu, marukaite chikyuu, boku HETALIA! :D

~Lara