With his wrists free, Iggy shook out whatever soreness there was, rolling his shoulders and allowing his wings to unfurl just a bit. The men left and Iggy tracked their movements until they reached where the tile began again, another door shutting. Too late to run. He couldn't have anyway. A voice, masked with mild static - so Iggy could guess it came from some sort of loudspeaker, informed them of their current task. Fight. Win, eat. Lose, starve. Simple enough, in theory. Iggy's brow dipped as he repeated the instructions again in his head. Attack Jack. Protest, and there's something worse in store. That's not fair! ...but since when has anything been fair for the two teens. Iggy frowned, murmuring a quick apology of "Sorry" before he raced forward. Maybe if he did it fast. Just knock Jack down, catch him by surprise and bring him to the ground, that'll count as a win. Now, Iggy wasn't entirely sure just how tall Jack was, but he aimed for where he hoped the other's mid section was, intent on tackling the boy down. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he truly was ashamed of how quickly he gave in and followed orders here. Sometimes, it was just easier to give up and do what was asked.

His head flicked upward as the instructions were given. Wait.. they wanted him to attack Iggy? No. He wouldn't.. he couldn't. Next thing he knew though, and the winged kid was charging towards him! Jack reacted quickly though and dove to the ground before popping back up on his feet once more. Pulling at his hair, his hands slid down to rest on his shoulders as he weighed his options. Well, he wasn't going to harm the other. That much was certain. So, he decided to fake a battle, and then let Iggy be victorious. It would be better than having to freeze him, or do some damage that might not be able to be undone. "Come on. You can do better than that." He taunted, alerting him of his new position.

He overshot, or at least, that's how it appeared. Iggy spread his wings farther to encourage the teen to keep his balance, even as he flailed his arms. The texture of the ground changed, which may have also aided in tripping him up. He would have liked to run a hand over the ground, to determine what he was stepping on, but considering the circumstances perhaps this wasn't the best time. His wings were tucked against his body again when he heard Jack's voice. Didn't the other boy know he was blind...? Iggy was baffled. How easy it would be for Jack to win this fight. Why wasn't he taking this weakness, this vulnerability, to his advantage? Iggy didn't think about it much longer, edging forward in the direction he heard Jack was. "I'd hate to be you right now. Taken down by a blind kid. Tsk." He shook his head, taunting right back. Though, as he moved, he felt himself growing more and more nervous. Jack had said he was being bred to become a weapon... Whatever that meant, Iggy had a feeling it wasn't too good.

Jack didn't move. That thought came next. As Iggy continued to edge forward he realised the soft breathing remained in the same spot, that he didn't hear Jack's foot steps. Maybe Jack has really given up, maybe this place really broke him that far... Either way, Iggy lunged again.

In his mind, Jack did run over all the many ways he could have defeated the other. Just a little coat of frost on the grass, a bolt of ice. It would have been easy, and yet, he knew within that eating a meal while Iggy sat hungry... His morals were too high to allow such a thing to happen. He was the most flawed super soldier every created, because his heart proved larger than his mind. This time, as he opponent neared, Jack made it seem like he was ready to jump out of the way again. Instead, though, he was hit head on and tackled to the floor. Not the most pleasant way to go down, but the grass at least cushioned the landing some. He gave a groan before locking eyes with the blank one's that belonged to Iggy. "Go ahead.. finish me off." He whispered, knowing the blind boy's sensitive ears who hear him.

"What?" He questioned in his own near silent whisper. Jack was allowing him to win. Although the thought should have occurred sooner, shouldn't have been a surprise, Iggy still found himself in a state of some shock. To keep up with the charade of a fight, Iggy moved to straddle Jack, pinning his wrists down though it was all just going through the motions. He exerted no strength or energy, Jack willing and allowing. "You're nuts." Iggy hissed. "You KNOW you're supposed to win." Jack was trained, so he said. The scientists, the whitecoats, wouldn't be pleased to see their creation fail so easily. "C'mon. Fight me." Of course Iggy didn't want to fight. He didn't want this, but he also didn't want whatever would be in store for Jack later... There's no denying it now. He's somehow gone and gotten himself attached in the short time they've known each other.

A million possibilities raced through his mind. There was certainly temptation to use his abilities and knock Iggy out. But, there was some many things that could go wrong. "I could kill you.." Jack warned, trying to rationalize with him. But, it was unneeded as the speakers once again hummed.

"Very well. The challenge is over. Hybrid will be taken back to the containment area to eat for at least trying. Frost shall be escorted to room 501 for further testing."

Underneath Iggy's weight, Jack's whole body went tense. More testing? Who knew what new horrors awaited him for allowing the other to beat him. Last time he was hauled off to that same room, it had taken him weeks to recover. His head rolled to the side, and eyes closed. While earlier the bit of company had been a
blessing, he now saw the curse behind it. SHIELD meant for him to get attached, just so that they could use Iggy to bleed out his kindness. Shatter the caring child that remained.

Iggy tilted his head upwards, towards the loud voice. He won. But this was wrong wrong wrong. He turned his head back towards Jack when he felt the tremor of fear pass through the other boy. Room 501 isn't good. He made a note of it. Iggy released the elemental's wrists, making a move to get off of him and kneel instead beside Jack, fingers brushing against the grass on the ground (so that's what it was)."I told you... You should have tried. Maybe if you tried they'd go easier on you." Not that Iggy knew the mannerisms of the men and women here, if his statement held any truth. He heard the door open, men returning to his side. Their hands gripped his arms tight, tight enough to perhaps leave bruises on his pale skin, and pulled him up to his feet and away from Jack. Although he was to be fed, this seemed to be a small achievement...

While Iggy was probably right about him trying, Jack couldn't even begin to see past all the damage he could have caused. The newcomer was blind, and most likely weak and hungry from the trip. Now, though, he would be allowed to rest and eat. But, at what cost? Not long before Iggy was escorted out—more scientists made their way into the room. Each of them gave their once prized creation a stern glare before thrusting him back on his feet and clamping together his wrists without mercy. One of them even came around front to back hand his face, leaving a patch of glowing red over his right cheek. It stung greatly, but he reacted no further than a low whimper. After all, the worse was still to come.

Marched through even more veins of hallways, the pale teen was soon placed right at the entrance to 501. Jack gulped as the most familiar face he knew was there to greet him. "Well, let us not waste any time." Dr. Remons sighed, pushing open the door with one hand and motioning for small band of SHIELD employees to bring Jack inside. The poor boy dug his heels into the floor trying to escape his fate, but he was drug within all the same.

Four hours.. That was how long the 'testing' lasted, and by the time he was walked out, Jack was barely recognizable. The white locks of his hair had been snipped and plucked, his arms were covered in welts from the thick needles they jabbed into his skin. He was mentally and physically exhausted. How long had he powered away on that climbing machine? How long had he laid tied to a bed as the whitecoats decided to play a risky game? Jack, like most mutations, had the ability to heal shockingly fast. And so, to test this theory, one of them had taken one of his thin boned legs in between their hands, and snapped the extremity in two. It was to be monitored then how long it would take the bone to refuse. For now, though, his fractured leg was set into a brace before he hauled back off to the containment area.

A final shove earning him entrance to the circular room, the door was slammed shut behind him. Jack winced, but then just hobbled towards his little ledge. Tears still clung to his cheeks as he lowered himself onto the rough surface, and pulled himself up so that he was laying down and staring towards the ceiling.

Iggy, like the rest of the human avian hybrids, ran through calories incredibly fast. He had a high metabolism, required when it came to flying. Can he fly? He's not even sure, never got the chance to find out, and yet his body takes and takes from him despite never enjoying the activity. He never had enough to eat, and he often fantasied on the matter. What did it mean to be full? What did it feel like? Iggy knew the doctors and scientists that made up his life had to know about his required calories intake, and Iggy knew they kept him under it for a purpose. Although the meal given to him by SHIELD has more calories, fills him better, it's still not enough and after Iggy had all but inhaled the food, he still wished for more.

There wouldn't be any, of course. Instead, Iggy was led off to where he had at first mistaken the room to be that where he first met Jack, with a sinking feeling he realised the echoes were wrong. Too many people. He was somewhere new and he didn't like the sounds. Iggy pulled against the two men, and there came a command to restrain him. But Iggy continued to tug and tug and- There was the familiar feeling of a needle jabbing it's way into his arm. A quick sharp sting. Iggy stopped, a cold feeling of dread filling his blood. That could have been anything. They could have given him anything. Were they going to kill him now? A lethal injection for defeating their soldier? Oh god, he had his last meal without realising it. And he didn't even get the chance to feel full!

Iggy's mind raced to the worse possible scenario, and in the end, his legs fell asleep and his muscles refused to work and he almost crashed to the ground if not for those two men who held him steady, even as his chin rested on his chest, his blind eyes half-lidded. The whitecoats used this as a chance to bind his wings. Make sure they won't open unexpectantly again. He's pretty sure someone's taunting him, one of the men holding him? Someone mentioned just having the wings clipped, but another protested with the fact there was still work to be done, and that would interfere with scheduling. With his wings securely bound, Iggy was half-dragged, half-walked back to the containment area, the drug already working it's way through his system, his high metabolism racing away. He bet that injection was supposed to knock him straight out. Maybe they'll try a higher dose next time.

With time, the rest of the drug wore off, and Iggy was left to explore the circular room. He came across a ledge, one he knew was opposite of where Jack had been before, and he wondered how he had managed to miss it. Nevertheless, he dumped himself onto it, curling up with his knees almost to his chest, his arms wrapping around himself. Whatever was binding his wings was extremely uncomfortable and had him buzzing with nervous energy, unable to unfold his wings in the slightest. As bad as all that seemed... it wasn't quite as bad as when the door opened again and he heard Jack enter, his weight and foot steps familiar. But- No. Different. Iggy sat up, resting his weight on an elbow, tilting his head to listen as the other boy moved. "...what did they do to your leg?"

At first, Jack didn't want to speak to Iggy. In fact he didn't. While he knew that all the damage done was at his own hand, his own fault. He couldn't help but blame a little on the boy who was trotted back to receive dinner while he was wallowing agony for what seemed like forever. Even as he laid there, his whole body racked with a burning sensation that resided mainly in his leg. On the plus side, maybe he would be exempt from fighting until it healed? Oh, who was he kidding? The white coats would probably still have him running drills, to see how much pressure could be placed on the fracture before it rejoined. A choked sob escaped him at the thought, which then died to a low whimper as he shifted himself to face the wall.

"It's broken." He finally said, making sure it was loud enough for the other to hear. No sense having to repeat the same dreadful news twice. But, even so his voice betrayed him, shaking and breaking even with the two words he dared to say out loud. Before he could stop himself, the tears were springing to his eyes again and sobs threatened to pass through his lips. Jack was an absolute wreck.

Now that's a sound Iggy is definitely familiar with. The sound of someone trying to mask their sobs, hide their tears. He picked up on it easily, the hitch in breathing, the shuddering gasp when a breath is taken. Even if Jack hadn't spoken, revealing an equally broken voice, Iggy would have known. "They broke it?" He repeated incredulously. What a horrible punishment for losing a fight. Iggy sat up completely, swinging his legs over the edge of the ledge. He could rant and protest from dawn to dusk, but that wouldn't do a thing. Jack's leg was broken, the scientists would continue with their work, and they were the victims. Iggy suddenly felt irrationally angry with Jack. "You should have fought me!" But even in anger, his voice is carefully controlled. "That was really stupid what you did."

"W-Why? So you could lose and end up w-with the s-same fate? I'm stronger. I can handle this.." Jack insisted, despite his wavering voice. It wasn't as though he hadn't realized this was a possible outcome, and as much as it hurt right now Jack knew that his leg would be fully healed in a matter of days. The physical torment that he received really wasn't what would pain him in the end. However, the lack of food would. Already the boy was feeling light headed from all the vials of blood drawn, and his stomach rumbled and groaned. "If you are really that upset with me, go ahead. Yell, shout at me. I don't care." His own anger sparking, Jack's voice steadied for the time.

"You don't know what would have happened, or how strong I am. I probably wouldn't have received as harsh a punishment." Iggy reasoned, an edge to his voice. He never had a chance to talk back, barely had a chance to talk at all. Now he's free to do so, no need to hide how he feels. Years of growing up in a dog cage didn't have the best effect on his social abilities though. "I'm not gonna yell at you. I mean, I want to. But I won't." He gripped his hands together, his expressive features turning to one of thought. "You're hungry." He noted aloud though there's truly no reason to. It's not like anyone else was around to benefit from the rather obvious observation. Iggy bit back a comment on how Jack wouldn't be so if he had just fought him! "When's the next time they feed us? I'm no doctor, and I sure don't want to be, but I'm pretty sure you need food and stuff so you can heal."

The conversation with Iggy was turning into one that Jack just didn't want to have. If the plot was to show him how idiotic it was to care for another, it was working. Already he was becoming thick skinned, and envisioned what would happen should they be faced towards each other again. There would be little mercy, spawned by his own suffering. "Hours. Maybe Days." Jack growled before curling into himself even more. The brace slipped slightly, and caused a sudden cry of pain. Unwilling to move to examine the wound, he just laid his palm against the black material strapped to his limb. With a little frost and ice, it would rock solid and hold together better, not to mention that the chill would help the process of healing.

Days? Not good... Although Iggy is trying to encourage Jack to fight him next time - because there will more than likely be a next time - there's no way the blind kid would be able to truly take the far more trained elemental. Not without some dumb luck. At the cry, Iggy cringed, letting his breath out in a huff. Didn't sound good. "I can take a look at it..." Metaphorically speaking. Iggy began to get up off his ledge. Why would he even offer? The words that came from his own lips managed to confuse him.

Hearing the other, he lifted himself from the ledge slightly to look over towards Iggy. "I-I guess..." He was also confused as to why the winged boy would even care about his injury. Not to mention the fact that there was nothing he could possibly fix or even help the wound. Still, there was no harm in just looking. So, he waves him over and chips off the little cocoon of ice that had built up.

Iggy managed to move flawlessly from his side of the circular room, to Jack's. Once he got the layout of a place in his head, it was like he wasn't even blind. He stopped next to Jack's ledge, fingers lightly brushing against the other boy's legs, searching for the injury. "Ouch," he said as if agreeing with Jack. The splint didn't really seem to be in the right place, so he did his best to gently push it back where it was meant to be. As gentle as he was trying to be, there was still some jostling. Like he said, he wasn't a doctor.

As the brace was moved, Jack gave another whimper, though he tried his best to not sound overly hurt. He didn't want to appear weak even then. However, as the brace was slipped into its rightful place, all the discomfort melted away. "Thank you.." He breathed a sigh of relief, laying back fully onto the ledge. The only sound after that was his breathing, which came heavy and metered.

"Sounds like I did something right." Iggy nods in approval, his fingers giving Jack's leg another once over before moving away. He'll take that thank you and deep breathing as a sign that the leg at least feels somewhat better, and Iggy was genuinely pleased he could do something to relieve Jack's burden. He waited there, eyes staring blankly at Jack's leg's general direction. "Have they done this whole thing before? Breaking your leg?"

The boy shook his head before remembering that the person he was talking to couldn't see such a response. "No.. they've never done this before. I think they are trying to teach me that losing a fight equals more pain. But.. see, when they make me fight. They make me kill. I don't—/WON'T/ hurt you." He takes the conversation as an opportunity to think about something other than his throbbing leg and empty tummy. "I-I've gone against other's in the past.. I-I.. they didn't survive. Never before have felt so horrible with myself. Even tried ending my life once.." While he had hoped Iggy would never learn of the awful tasks he performed, after today Jack felt it was necessary to warn the other.

The smallest of smiles flickered briefly across Iggy's face. "Well, thanks. Nice knowing you won't try to kill me. But if you're going to let me win... at least put some effort into it. You didn't even try." If Jack's going to continue refusing to fight, he might as well try to ease up on the treatment he might earn afterwards. At the very least, they'll look at Jack and know that he's tried, but won't punish him AS harshly. Iggy knows Jack would still be taken back to that room, the one that had the other tensing up, but maybe if they saw Jack actually hold his ground for a time... He rubbed at his eyes tiredly but quickly dropped his hands upon Jack's difficult reveal of something more personal. Lack of social norms or not, Iggy nods a bit to let Jack know he's listening, and with all the tact the blind boy had, he tried to give some form of encouragement. "It's not your fault the people here suck." Never said it was a good piece of encouragement.

"Next time we fight, I'm not going easy. But, I'm not going to hurt you either. If we fight, that is. They might find something even worse to thrust the two of us into." From what memory he had of the drills, very few of them were the same. It made it impossible for him to know what to expect, and even more frightening than if the schedule had been a fixed one. After all, the original 'battle' failed to produce the results they wanted. Surely those scientists would be working out another way to force them into a more heated collision.

"Worse than having us compete to prove who's stronger?" The idea that there is indeed something worse than that wasn't unfathomable. In fact, having the two fight seemed to be one of the more tame ideas. Iggy wonders if through some sick twist, he'll begin to miss his previous treatment when faced with these so called tests. He began to move back to the ledge he found and has since claimed as his own. He dropped onto it, the hardness of the surface not bothering him. Why should it? It's far better than what he's use to. "You'd think they'd get bored with all this after while... Apparently not. Where do they even get the money to fund this?" Iggy asked rhetorically, bitter.

Jack didn't answer. He didn't want to know if there really were families and organizations that gave up their money for this. His mind raced with all the events that occurred that day, eventually causing his eyes to lull closed. "We should get some sleep." He finally insisted. "Tomorrow will most likely be similar to today. So, we should try and build up some strength." Easier said than done when you feel like a million knives had sliced through your skin. But, luckily exhaustion overwhelmed the pain. Soon he would be out like a light.