Chapter 13: This Is The End (Hold Your Breath And Count To Ten)

Around Now:

It happened when they expected it the least - But again, aren't all bad things? One second they were coming back from school, and the next, all three of them were yanked into an alleyway they didn't even know existed, and with three swift blows, they were knocked out. When they woke up, only two of them were there.

Thankfully, neither of them lost themselves under the shock, and immediately called Judy. Judy asked them to stay where they were, saying that she was on her way, and that they would find him, one way or the other.

That's what she kept saying. Hours became days, and days became weeks and before they knew it, 8 months had passed. But now…

'Please let him be alive.'

That was the only thought racing in his mind as he took down guard after guard.

'Please let him be alive.'

He searched room after room for him.

'Please let him be alive.'

It's been 8 months.

'Please let him be alive.'

8 months of tracking and finding him.

'Please let him be alive.'

8 months of close calls, but not close enough.

'Please let him be alive.'

He finally entered the last door, his heart beating rapidly.

'Please let him be alive.'

And there he was: Lying on the hard floor with nothing but a scratchy, blood stained cloth covering his lower half. His whole body was covered with bruises, scratches, gashes, and burns. His hair was cut short, and his eyes were barely open. If not for the slight rise and fall of his battered chest, he looked dead to the world.

He raced to his side, already taking off his jacket. He was vaguely aware of the others rushing inside beside him, equally worried as him.

But…

'He was alive.'

2 Years Ago:

"Tyson, you have been saying the same thing for the last two hours now," Kai snapped, deftly stepping over a small stone.

"But it IS close this time, I swear - OW!" Tyson interrupted himself as the same stone tripped him, and he bumped into the nearby bigger rock.

Kai turned back to give him a look of exasperation mixed with amusement, and Tyson scowled at him.

"You are a sadist, Hiwatari," Tyson muttered.

"Runs in the family, Kinomiya," Kai replied in a low voice with a self-deprecating, wry look on his face, and Tyson instantly felt bad.

Neither of them talked after that, trekking in silence to their destination - A cave on the top of the small hill. Tyson had insisted that they go there, that that was where Dranzer was, and Kai had no choice but to try this shot at getting his beloved Phoenix back. So, Gramps had driven them to the city where the hill was located, making sure that they were well equipped. Thankfully, Gramps trusted them enough to let them trek alone, on a day in which rain was forecasted. But, they both had a suspicion that Gramps didn't allow this because he trusted them, but because he trusted Dragoon and Dranzer.

They both paused to listen to the low rumbling thunder for a second, before looking at each other.

"Almost there," Tyson said once again, a tad bit too cheerful for Kai's liking.

On that day, Kai got to know that Tyson's definition of 'Almost' is three hours, and by the time they reached the cave, they were thoroughly drenched from top to bottom.

Now:

"Come on, open your eyes already," he murmured, hand still clutching his.

"Nnng…"

"At least some things still haven't changed," he said fondly, voice still a murmur. "Even Daichi wakes up when called just thrice, and you have been out for days!"

Then it happened: Once brown and now Blue met Red. The ocean and the fire clashed with anticipation, frustration, overwhelming grief and happiness, anger that was actually just a mask for desperation, concern, and…

Relief. Sheer, bone rattling relief.

"Kai-"

"-Tyson."

That's it. They just stared at each other. It seemed like they weren't talking but their eyes betrayed the true action taking place there - their eyes were roaming over each other from top to bottom, drinking in the heartbreakingly familiar sight, while still somehow maintaining their eye contact.

And just like that, it was broken by Tyson's breath stuttering over a dry cough. Kai instantly reached over Tyson and got the glass of water with straw for Tyson one handedly. He finally let go of his hand to help him sit up and support his weight while he slowly sipped on the liquid of life. Well, Tyson got why they called water that now.

It would have been great to say that everything was fine the second Tyson woke up, but unfortunately, that wasn't so. The moment Kai placed him back down on the hospital bed after he was done with his water, Tyson's eyes rolled up and he began seizing.

Kai's eyes widened, and for a nano-second that seemed too long, he froze, still holding Tyson's way too fragile shoulders. He abruptly came back to himself, and shouted hoarsely for a nurse, a doctor, anyone, really.

The next second, he was being pulled back by Ray and Max, while the nurses and the doctor rushed in, quickly administering something to Tyson's IV. Kai watched with horror, feeling like he was in a movie.

But no, this was not something that ends in two and half hours or three hours. This was reality. This was Tyson, badly tortured for his true talent and power, forced to do something that he had not one inkling to do, taken away from his friends right after facing three huge losses, and holding on for eight months, without losing hope!

Kai wasn't aware when he started crying, but the next thing he knew, Ray was shushing him, holding him close and rubbing his back. Thankfully, Ray didn't let anyone else come close, not even their team.

"It's not fair!" Kai whimpered, and everyone's heart broke. They knew that this breakdown was something that had been building up for more than a year. Kai had not let himself lose his composure, not even once, ever since Gramps, Hiro, and Mr. Dickinson died. He didn't even cry when Tyson had been taken, instead immediately starting to work on finding him.

He had gotten angry, yes. Frustrated with himself for switching off the Bond, yes. Even more frustrated with himself for not being able to get the Bond back on without Tyson nearby, yes. Absolutely pissed at both Dragoon and Dranzer when they hadn't answered his call until very recently when Tyson had activated that literal Abomination of a bitbeast, yes.

But he hadn't shed one tear. The others thought that it wasn't humanly possible for someone to not cry for this long, but they also knew that Kai and Tyson were nothing if not defying the usual laws of the universe. How else did Tyson hold on? Even after every impossibly terrible thing happened to him one after the other?

But, end of the day, they may be miles more stubborn than others, but they were also humans. And that's why Kai was finally allowing himself to be held by Ray while Tyson was finally showing some signs of life, albeit it was him having a seizure.

Tyson stopped seizing just as abruptly as he had started to, and the doctor and the nurses sighed in unison. The nurses stepped back, but the doctor lingered over Tyson's form for a moment, placing his gloved palm on Tyson's bandaged head before he, too, stepped back and turned to face the others.

He saw Kai's state, and silently murmured to a nurse to "bring a chair and some water for the young man," and the nurse immediately scurried off. He then took in the worry radiating off of everyone, and he immediately morphed his look into a one of reassurance.

"Oh don't worry, he is going to be just fine. Little hiccups like these are normal, given what he has faced in the last few months. His brain and body is still adjusting, but at least now it is under his own control. It will take time and lots of patience, but this young man has shown tremendous signs of healing. By this time, next year, he should be fit as a horse," the doctor said with a smile that was reciprocated by everyone in the room except Kai.

"He's… going to be fine," Kai echoed quietly, voice hoarse and eyes still shedding occasional tears.

"Precisely!" The doctor said.

The doctor took in the young man's appearance, calculating something in his mind, before he made a decision. He asked the others to step back with his eyes, and slowly made his way to the kid. Because that was what he was, really - A kid. A kid who was carrying way too much on his shoulders. His eyes were yet to focus on him, solely focused on the blue haired hero on the medcot.

The doctor sighed and removed his mask and stethoscope, and crouched in front of the kid. He gently placed a palm on his thigh, and the kid's eyes shifted to meet his.

"I know," the doctor murmured. "I know what you are feeling right now. I had a friend like yours who was in a somewhat similar position to your friend's. In fact, it was because of him I decided to become a doctor. Because I didn't want to be that helpless ever again. But you know what? My friend recovered. I did too. And so, you and your friend will, too. It takes a lot of time, and patience, though, but trust me, when you see him run properly and happily, with a huge grin on his face, it will all be worth it. But… But, kiddo, for him to get there, you are needed. You need to take care of yourself, if not for yourself, then for him. That was one of the most important lessons I learnt when I was helping my friend."

The doctor stood up, aware that all the tear filled eyes in the room were on them. But he continued talking to the young man, without a care.

"Here's what we are gonna do - We are gonna get some food inside you, and then set up a cot here, with a saline bag as you look like you need it, and you are gonna sleep. I will wake you up myself when I come to check up on your friend in a few hours. Okay?"

Even though the doc phrased it as a question, Kai clearly knew he didn't have a say in the matter. So he just nodded, dumbstruck. The next few moments passed in a blur for him, and the next thing he knew, he was tucked in by Judy, who placed a small, heartfelt kiss on his forehead.

And Kai-

Kai might have actually found a family. Tyson was back, he was safe. He wasn't okay, but… he will be. All the eight months crashed onto him, and finally, he gave in. He vaguely registered Ray holding his hands, Max holding Tyson's, and Hilary stroking both his and Tyson's hair with either of her hands. Daichi was curled up next to him, and Kenny was sitting on Tyson's cot, near his legs.

Kai turned his head to look at his best friend, his little brother, his strength and his weakness - His Tyson. And, as if by some force, Tyson also turned his head towards Kai, mumbling something under his breath as he did so.

2 Years Ago:

"No way," Kai breathed.

Before him stood a huge abyss, filled with smog. Somehow, the cave had led them to… this place. Tyson shocked him by clearing all the smog with a flick of his hand.

"Wait, how did-" Kai's exclamation was brought to a stop when he saw two things:

Tyson's eyes were glinting brightly, a dark blue hue in them.

The chasm was huge, but it was merely dividing two pieces of land - and the other piece of land in front of them was filled with skeletons and bones. A graveyard.

"Kinomiya," Kai said very slowly, danger dripping in his tone.

"I'll explain in a moment. Right now, I need you to trust me," Tyson said seriously.

Kai was taken aback, but he didn't let it show. And he also knew not to question Tyson. He merely gave a curt nod. Tyson stared at him, long and hard, before he stepped forward and encased Kai in his arms.

"Tyson, what are you-"

"Shh. Just trust me. Close your eyes."

Kai scoffed sharply, before he did as he was told. The next moment, he felt himself and Tyson being raised from the ground, but before he could say anything, he was already in the air. Kai opened his eyes, but all he could see was pitch black. If not for Tyson being right there, Kai could have easily sworn that it felt like he was in true Nothingness.

A few long moments later, he felt that the both of them were being lowered. He slowly looked around, and finally realized that he and Tyson were across the chasm, on the other piece of land. But before he could pull away from Tyson and demand answers, he felt Tyson slump in his arms, and he quickly tightened his hold on Tyson, holding him up so that his knees which had buckled wouldn't hit the hard ground. He slowly lowered Tyson onto the ground, sinking along with him, and tapped Tyson' face and checked his eyes. No response. Tyson was completely and truly out.

"Great, just great," he muttered to himself, shucking off his jacket and bundling it, before placing it under Tyson's head.

Kai then stood up, and looked around. He was confused, and pissed, and he needed Dranzer, dammit! What was Tyson even-

It hit Kai like a bucket of cold water. That unmistakable feeling. His Dranzer. Kai looked around wildly, his eyes roaming and searching for his beloved Bitbeast.

"Dranzer!" He shouted out loud, voice hoarse and desperate.

There was no reply. Not a sound. Kai held his breath, his heart beating like it was trying to get out from his chest. And then he heard it:

The heart achingly familiar cry of his Phoenix.

Kai took off on a run towards the chasm, because that's where Dranzer's cry had come from. But just before he could jump in, he was thrown back on the ground, a bright light erupting from the chasm. He squinted his eyes and finally, finally saw his Phoenix after so long.

"Dranzer," he murmured, revered and awed.

"Nestling," Dranzer murmured, just as silent as him.

Kai had millions of questions running inside his head, but he couldn't voice any of them out. Dranzer seemed to understand what was going on inside his head, and she finally lowered herself to Kai's level, shrinking her size a bit.

"It's okay, Nestling. Everything's gonna be okay now," she murmured, wrapping her wings around him. Kai couldn't help but sink into her embrace, and let her hold him up.

"I missed you," Kai whispered, pained.

"I know, and I missed you too. But this had to be done, Kai. This had to be done by you."

"What had to be done?"

"Freeing me. I was here, in a cage, for so long, with no way out, and it was already a long while before I realized that the only person capable of freeing me is you. And when I learnt that Dragoon could contact the little dragon, I made him reach out to you via Tyson. You had to come here, and you had to accept me again. That was the only way for you to get freed as well."

"Me? Freed? Dranzer, what are you talking about?"

"Hold out your hand," Dranzer instructed, and Kai did as he was told.

Immediately, a small, bright flame erupted from his hand.

"You saw Tyson's powers, right?" Dranzer asked, and Kai nodded, his eyes wide and still on the flame. "These are yours. You can tap into my powers, which are now a part of you, whenever you need it. But of course, there's a condition."

"What is it?" Kai asked, extinguishing the flame by closing his fingers in.

"You need Tyson, and he needs you, for both of you to activate your powers."

"I don't get it," Kai said. "Why?"

"You ask questions whose answers defy the laws of the very universe, Nestling."

"That's exactly what Dragoon said to me," a voice joined them.

"Ah, you are up, little dragon. How are you feeling?" Dranzer asked, swiftly gliding to his side, and Kai followed her.

"Like I got hit by Gramps for about fifty times," Tyson groaned, flopping back on the ground.

"Kai, place your palm on his head," Dranzer instructed, and both of them gave her a dubious look. "Just do it!"

Both the boys knew better than to argue with her, and so Kai did as he was told. For the third time that evening. Night? He really wasn't sure, this place was messing with his internal clock.

The instant Kai placed his palm on Tyson's head, it glowed, and Tyson's eyes went wide, while at the same time, Kai felt a bit dizzy.

"Whoa," they muttered at the same time.

"Yup," Dranzer chirped happily. "Kai has the power to heal others. But it is limited, so use it wisely."

"Will we ever get the answers for all our questions, Dranzer?" Tyson asked quietly after a momentary silence, and Dranzer sighed.

"I don't know, Little Dragon. Maybe, one day. I hope that you do, though. After all, that is all we can do - hope."

"You know, for such a short word, Hope has a huge impact," Tyson remarked, tentatively leaning into Kai, who, after a look from Dranzer rolled his eyes, and held him.

"Look at you, Kinomiya, speaking profound things. And here I thought you actually lacked brain cells, and was just pretending to be smart," Kai remarked, and Dranzer's laugh filled the air. Tyson grumbled, but Dranzer's laugh was so infectious that he couldn't help but join in. Even Kai had an uncharacteristic, soft smile on his face.

And that - that was the beginning of a new Tyson and Kai.

It is going to be a long road to recovery, but for the first time, Kai and Tyson are glad. All of them are. They missed Gramps, Mr. Dickinson, and even Hiro, but they are glad. Because, after a long time, they had something they didn't have:

Hope.

A.N: AAANDD WE ARE DONE! Thank you so much for all the people who voted and commented on this fic, it means a lot to me. This fic means a lot to me. My first ever multi chapter fic, coming to an end. *Teary eyes*

I know, the end seems vague, and rushed. There are so many queries as to - who was Teufel? What did he actually do? And what happens to Tyson and the others now?

Well, my original plan for ending was a bit different, but I am satisfied with this. Dranzer is back, Tyson is back. Things are good. Well, not really, but still. But, the thing is, I don't have the inspiration or the time to continue with this fic. So instead of dragging it on, I brought it to an end. Here's an offer - well two:

Anyone who is interested can DM me and continue this fic. I will definitely lend my help to you. As long as you mention that you are writing a sequel to my work, with a link of this, or a tag of this fic, I am okay with it.

Whenever I get time, I will try to post little snippets set in this universe. You can also give me requests in DMs, and I will do my best to write them out. But beware - patience is needed. I am a slow person with not enough time to write and publish.

Let me know, people! And once again, Thank you very much!