Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2000 15:55:48 EST
From: Papito6187@aol.com
Subject: Beryl Saga 5

Yeah, I know I said I'd post the fight scene during the week, but I figured
that I'd just post it along with the next chapter. So, here it is! The long
awaited fight scene AND the next chapter! Again, congrats to all the people
who played the game and the one person that came the closest to the right
answer. So, here it is, go read! Go on! I don't mind! Have fun!

When we last left our heroes . . .

Lance helped Beryl up and they began the next round. Again their swords
were clinging.  After about 5 minutes, Lance managed to knock Beryl's sword
out of his hand. Beryl did a crescent kick and Lance's sword flew to the
side. Beryl did a jump kick and his foot connected with Lance's chin. Lance
fell to the floor and Justin had to hold JC back from running over to
him. Beryl helped Lance up and though a little dizzy, he was able to
continue. As powerful as Beryl appeared to be, Lance was the better
swordsman. The next 2 rounds were won by Lance, which in turn made him win
the match. Like before, Beryl healed himself and Lance after the match.

And now the continuation. . .

JC was the last one. Both Beryl and JC were eager to fight each other, to
see how the other fought hands on. JC grabbed his staff and headed to the
center mats. Beryl once again pulled out his sword. The rest of the guys
watched intently at the showdown that was now about to take place. They
were all pretty much thinking the same thing. JC was the chosen one, but
the way Beryl moved and how he used his powers made them wonder who was
more powerful. They bowed to each other and put up their weapons.  The
match started, Beryl brought down his sword and JC blocked it with the
staff. JC pushed the sword off and swung his staff to hit Beryl. Beryl
quickly blocked with his sword and did a back flip to back away. Once Beryl
landed on his feet, he was met by JC, who did a fly kick and kicked him in
the chest. Beryl fell to the floor and Lance now had the prideful smile
that his boyfriend was kicking ass. Beryl teleported back up to his
feet. They bowed to each other and started the next round. JC twirled his
staff and brought it down and Beryl blocked it with his sword. Beryl swung
his sword and almost cut JC. The strike went down his shoulder and was
blocked before it reached the middle of his chest. The cut was so close
that is sliced JC's shirt. If Beryl had been fighting to kill, he would've
took out a good portion of JC's upper body. The score was now 1 to 1.
Before they started the next round JC ripped off what was left of his
shirt. Lance almost died at the sight of JC's hot, sweaty, chiseled, sexy
body. They bowed and started the next round.

JC swung his staff and knocked Beryl's sword out of his hand. He grabbed
Beryl by his shirt, lifted him up and threw him across the room. Beryl
landed up against some crates, which upon impact broke. The impact of the
crates caused his shirt to be ripped all along his back. Beryl slowly got
up dusted himself off, then, tore off the rest of his shirt. Joey just
about melted at the sight of Beryl's tanned, buff body, but as Beryl walked
back to the center, Joey cringed at the sight of the scratches on Beryl's
back from the wood.  They bowed to each other and Beryl put his hands up
and got into a fighting stance without his sword. JC wondered why Beryl
didn't go get his sword but dismissed it as soon as the match started. He
decided he would try using the staff as 2 weapons. He pressed the center
release button and the staff was turned into 2 sticks. He started to swing
them at Beryl, who blocked each attempted hit with his forearms. JC brought
the sticks down and Beryl caught them. His hands turned to fire and the
metal sticks burned JC's hands causing him to let them go quickly. Beryl
now had the sticks in his hands. JC was prepared for Beryl to strike him
with them, but Beryl just threw them aside. They both anticipated each
other's every move. When Beryl threw a punch, JC blocked it with his
arm. When JC went to throw a kick, Beryl blocked it with his leg. After 10
minutes of that, Beryl did a back flip, crouched down on his knees, put
both arms out straight in front of him and brought his hands side by side,
palms facing up. JC moved in to attack and as soon as he was close enough,
a dark green beam shot out from Beryl's hands and hit him in the chest,
sending him flying through the air to land on the mats. A little dazed, JC
got up and walked back to the center mats. They bowed to each other and
started the last round.

The score was 2-2 the next hit would determine the winner. They fought hand
to hand with no weapons, no magic, and no other power being used but their
combat abilities.  The guys watched in awe. They were surprised at how they
kept anticipating each other's every move every hit that was thrown was
blocked by the other. They all thought the same thing, "Had JC met his
equal?" Their question would soon be answered.  Beryl threw a punch, which
was caught by JC, who flipped Beryl on the ground. He went to throw a punch
but it was caught by Beryl, who then grabbed JC by the neck with his legs
and flipped him. Once JC hit the floor, they both jumped back up to their
feet, twirled around and hit each other in the back of the head at the same
time. The force of the punches was so much that it caused them to fall to
the floor. They guys watched with more interest as JC and Beryl both lay
there on the floor not moving. After a couple of minutes of them not
getting up, Lance and Joey ran over to them. As they each kneeled by their
respected men they both got worried. Suddenly, both JC's and Beryl's eyes
shot open. They did a reverse tuck and roll which turned into 2 back
flips. Once both were back on their feet, they got a running start and flew
in the air at each other, both with their right leg sticking out attempting
a fly kick. Their feet both connected with each other's chest, but as JC
got hit, he rotated to the right, extended his left leg and kicked Beryl
across the face. Since JC had one hit up on him, he won the match. Beryl
fell to the floor and JC landed perfectly. He walked over to Beryl and
helped him up. They both had pretty bad cuts and bruises, so when Beryl
healed the two, he took a little longer than with the others.

Because I am telepathic and because I have all 5 powers, there are some
things that I can do that y'all can't."

"Like?"

"Like that! That's a combination of my telepathy, wizardry, and
teleportation. But don't get me wrong, there are things that you guys can
as that I can't."

"Like what?"

"Can we go into that later? We really gotta get ready!" JC said.

"He's right. We'll talk about this later." Beryl said.

"Man!" Justin whined.

Beryl laughed slightly at Justin's enthusiasm.

"We'll take the shower up here." JC said.

"Who's we?" Beryl asked.

"Me and Lance. We'll shower together then whoever wants to go after can
go."

"Um... ok."

"Hey Beryl, can you show me how to use those knives now while they're
showering?"  Chris asked.

"I dunno, we really gotta get ready!" Lance said.

"It won't take that long." Beryl said, "Let's go downstairs, we'll use that
shower after we're done."

"Hey! I don't shower with dudes!" Chris said mockingly.

"Dumb ass!"

"I'll use the shower down there first then." Joey said.

"Ok, I guess I'm showering up here then." Justin said.

"Aight, let's go get a change of clothes or something and go downstairs."

"That's cool, I'll just teleport back to my room when I'm done." Chris
said.

"Oh! Just so all of you know, shaving cream is in the medicine cabinet."
Beryl said.

"Thanks!" JC said.

Joey, Chris and Beryl all went back downstairs. Joey went in the shower
first and Beryl gave Chris the throwing knives.

"The good thing about these things is that it's light weight, but heavy
enough to strike hard. It's also made of a special metal that doesn't show
up under metal detectors."

"Cool! So how do I throw them?"

"There's a few ways, but this is the best way."

He put the handle between his index finger and thumb.

"You can throw it underhand, overhand, or side hand, all effective
depending on where you're throwing them."

"Cool, let me try!" Chris said.

"Ok, aim for that box over there with the bull's eye!"

The first few throws missed entirely, the next couple hit the box but not
the target. The next 4 hit somewhere inside the target and finally after
all that, the rest of them hit the bull's eye.

"Now, the good thing about these weapons is that it's the perfect weapon
for your power." Beryl said.

"Yeah cause since I teleport and turn invisible I can throw them from
anywhere and not be seen."

"Exactly!"

Joey came out of the shower in a towel, his bright red hair all wet and
dripping. He walked into the practice room and said,

"Shower's free!"

Chris and Beryl turned their heads towards Joey. Beryl almost couldn't help
but drool at the sight of Joey standing there in nothing but a towel. He
didn't hear what Chris was trying to say,

"BERYL!!!"

"Huh? What?" Beryl said coming out of his trance.

"You wanna go in first?"

"Uh.. no, go ahead! I'll wait!"

"You sure?"

"Yeah, yeah! Go ahead!"

"Ok.."

Chris made his way towards the bathroom with a confused look on his
face. As soon as Chris was out of the picture, Beryl went over to Joey and
said,

"You did that on purpose didn't you?"

"Who me?" Joey said feigning innocence.

"Yeah you!" Beryl said pulling Joey into a kiss.

They broke apart momentarily for Beryl to say,

"I've been waiting to do that for hours!"

They went in for another kiss and stood there.

Justin was on his way downstairs. JC had asked him to check up on them to
make sure that they were getting ready. He got out of the elevator and made
his way towards the practice room. What he saw both shocked him and made
him happy. He saw Beryl and Joey standing there making out.

"So that's what you meant when you said he knew!!" Justin shouted causing
Joey and Beryl to separate in fear.

"Uh.. Justin! Um.. let me explain!" Joey said nervously.

"It's about damn time! So why did you act like nothing was going on?"

"Huh?"

"Cause it was his decision on when to tell you guys!" Beryl said.

"OK, somebody tell me what's going on here please?!?"

"Justin knows that I like you."

"I know, you told me."

"And I didn't tell him about us."

"You told me that too!"

"SO then what's the problem?"

"I dunno! Look, Justin, please don't tell the guys!"

"I won't! Remember, I did the same for JC and Lance. But remember how you
and Chris felt after you knew that we were keeping it from you!"

"I know, but first we gotta figure out what we're gonna do before we go and
tell the guys."

"Ok, that's understandable, my lips are sealed!"

"Thanks!"

"Thanks blondy!" Beryl said.

"Ok, you guys gotta get ready!" Justin said, "I'm about to go get in the
shower myself. So come on Joe, let's go."

"I'll be right there." Joey said.

"I'll be upstairs!"

"Aight!"

Justin left and Chris stuck his head in and said,

"Shower's yours! I'll be in my room!"

Chris teleported up to his room and Joey and Beryl were finally alone.

"So when are we gonna figure out what we're gonna do?? Beryl asked.

"Tonight after the awards!" Joey said, "I'm not gonna go to any of the
after parties. We'll come straight back here!"

"You sure?"

"Yeah!"

"Ok, I'm gonna get ready."

"K, see you in a few!"

They gave each other a quick kiss and Joey went upstairs, while Beryl made
his way to the bathroom.

After Beryl finished in the bathroom, he teleported to his room. He put on
a pair of black boxer-briefs and a black wife beater. He telepathically
told the guys to come in his room.  Once they all got there, Beryl asked,

"So what should I wear? I mean, I've seen them before on TV but how are you
guys going?"

"Well, don't get too dressy, but don't get too casual either." JC said.

"Ok, let me see."

Beryl went into his closet and pulled out a long sleeved black silk shirt,
a pair of black dress pants, and a black vest.

"How's this?" He said showing them his clothes.

"A little dark don't you think?" Lance said.

"It's fine!" Joey said.

"Cool!" Beryl said.

Before getting dressed, Beryl grabbed 2 black nylon packs from his night
table. He strapped one on his arm and one on his leg.

"What are those?" JC asked.

"The one on my arm has 5 throwing knives and a pouch for smoke bombs, the
one on my leg has 4 stakes." Beryl said.

"I doubt you'll need them for tonight though!" Justin said.

"Always be prepared for a battle! You never know when or where there will
be trouble. I travel everywhere with this stuff. Since I can't bring my
sword with me everywhere, this is for my protection."

"But people will be able to see it!" Lance said.

"Not with his clothes on!" Joey said.

"Watch, just wait till I put my stuff on."

While Beryl got dressed the guys talked. Justin noticed Joey staring at
Beryl and he just smiled. JC noticed it too as well as Justin smiling.

"You know too huh?" JC asked Justin telepathically.

"Huh? What? W. what are you talking about?" Justin replied nervously.

"Joey and Beryl. I can tell you know so don't try and lie."

"Um."

"I found out last night. They were making out in the kitchen."

"Um."

"They don't know I know and they won't until they come to us!"

"Um."

"Lance knows too and I'll make sure he doesn't say anything."

"Um."

"Calm down bro! I won't say nothin!"

"Um.. ok, ok! I give up! They're gonna tell you once they figure out what
they're gonna do!" Justin said giving in.

"It's ok! Calm down Curly!"

"Just don't tell them I told you!"

"You didn't!"

"Oh yeah!"

"So? How do I look?" Beryl said fully dressed.

Joey was speechless. JC saw this and decided to divert the attention from
him and said,

"Wow! You look great! Doesn't look as dismal as I thought!"

"Yeah, and the weapons don't show either." Lance said.

"Told you!" Beryl said.

"They're gonna think you're somebody famous!" Justin said.

"Whatever! Y'all ready to go?"

"Yeah!" They all said.

"Ok then!"

Beryl waved his hand and they were back in Chris' room at the Premier Hotel
on 44th St between 6th Ave & Broadway. Once they were back they heard some
banging and faint yelling out in the hall. Chris stuck his head out in the
hallway and once he saw what it was he stuck his head back in quickly and
shut the door.

"What is it? Vampires?" Justin asked.

"It's too early!" Beryl said.

"Worse! It's Britney and she looks pissed!" Chris said as the banging was
now on his door.

"Shit! I forgot all about her!" Justin said.

"We can face demons and some of the most dangerous beings to walk the
earth, yet you can't even face your own girlfriend!" Joey said.

"Open up Chris!" Britney yelled while pounding on the door.

"What should I do?!?" Chris asked.

"I know! Quick open the door!" Justin said.

"Are you crazy?! She's on a warpath! She's gonna kill you!"

"Just do it!"

"Ok.. It's your funeral!"

Chris opened the door quickly and as soon as she was in view, Justin froze
her.

"What now?" Joey asked.

"You stay here and we're gonna go over to the elevator and make like we
just got in!"  Justin said.

"Ok, let's do this before she unfreezes!" JC said.

They ran down the hall to the elevator and pressed the up button. Chris
stayed in front of the door and Britney unfroze.

"Where's Justin?!? I know he's in here!" She said pissed off.

"Hey Britney!" Chris said.

"Don't you hey Britney me! Where the hell is he?"

"Justin went out with the others!"

"Then where the hell have you been? I've been pounding on all your doors
for about an hour!"

"I fell asleep in the tub with my walkman on, I didn't hear you!"

<DING>

Britney and Chris turned their heads towards the elevator where they heard
laughing.  Out walked JC, Lance, Joey and Justin. Britney walked over to
Justin and yelled,

"Where the hell were you last night and all of today?!?"

"We were out with our friend Beryl here." Justin said as they all turned
around expecting to see Beryl behind them, "Where'd he go?!?"

"I'm waiting!"

"Uh."

"It's ok baby! You don't have to explain, everything's fine!" Britney said
as her eyes widened.

They all looked at her with a shocked look. Suddenly, Beryl appeared out of
nowhere.  He had his hands on Britney's temples and his eyes closed. They
all got a comforting look on their faces and sighed in relief.

"Thanks!" Justin said.

Beryl teleported back behind the group and Britney said,

"Oh! So you must be Beryl! I've heard so much about you! Justin's always
saying how close y'all are!"

They guys just smiled and tried to hold back their laughs.

"Come on, we've gotta go get our stuff." JC said getting focussed.

As they all got in front of the elevator, Justin froze Britney and said,

"Just so we know, where exactly is your place? I mean, we can't always rely
on you teleporting us there."

"Well my building, though it may not look like it on the inside, is a
former museum. It's on 5th Ave between 70th & 71st St." Beryl said.

"Wow! A whole block?" Lance said.

"Almost. It's 3 floors and it extends into a 5 story complex which is where
the practice room and living areas are, it also has a basement garage that
leads out a secret passage."

"What's in the garage?" Chris asked.

"A black firebird, a black Ninja motorcycle and a black Harley."

"Phat, but don't you just teleport everywhere?"

"Usually, but I do use them sometimes."

"So what's in the other area?" Joey asked.

"Here's the elevator!" Britney said unfreezing.

The guys all chuckled and Britney didn't know why. They all boarded the
elevator and went to pick out their clothes. To arrive, they each picked
out different things. As well as a separate outfit to perform in.

"Uh. guys?" Justin said once they were alone.

"Yeah?" They all said.

"How come nobody's flipped on us for missing rehearsals yesterday? And what
about the dance moves?"

"Who said you missed it?" Beryl said.

"Huh?" they all said.

"I told you I'd take care of everything."

"What are you talking about?" JC asked.

"You guys weren't there, but you were!"

"Huh?" They all said again.

"You know you weren't there, but they don't."

"Stop talking in riddles!" JC said.

"You were there! And you know the moves! Don't worry about it!"

"No we do.." Chris said, as Beryl waved his hand and they all got a sense
of knowledge about them.

"Ok, that's it! You're teaching me everything once we get home!" Justin
said.

They all laughed and Lance said,

"Alright guys, we gotta get over to the stage to work out the
choreography."

"Beryl you can't go in with us, that is, at least visible!" Chris said.

Beryl, unbeknownst to anyone but the guys, accompanied them to the
rehearsals. As the time passed and show time approached slowly more and
more, the guys were getting excited about performing. They knew that their
chances of winning were slight, but they were still optimistic about
things.

"Ok, now that no one's around, can you PLEASE clear up some major
confusion?"  Justin pleaded.

"Where's the confusion?" Beryl asked.

"First off, how is it that they thought we were there?" Justin asked.

"Yeah, and how all of a sudden we knew the choreography?" Chris added.

"Simple! Are you familiar with the mirror spell?" Beryl asked.

"Yeah! It was one of the first one's I did!" Justin said.

"Well, it was a modified version of that."

"How?"

"They last longer and they don't shatter like glass. Instead, they just
vanish. And since they are exactly like you, nobody noticed that it wasn't
really you. Since they are apart of you, I was able to transfer their
knowledge of the choreography, which I'm sure you've had some time to work
on prior, into your brains."

"So it was a combination of your ESP and wizardry right?"

"Yup!"

"Ok, next. How do you own a museum?" JC asked.

"Well, it hasn't been a museum for over a decade. When it was a museum
though, it lost it funding and soon went bankrupt. Some rich dude who,
owned and provided funding for it was arrested for fraud, embezzlement and
for stealing most of the exhibits. He lost all of his money and
possessions. Those things that weren't stolen were auctioned off. The
building was ceased by the government and sold to my uncle and father."

"Let me guess, they knew about your family and had to do everything they
could to help?" Lance asked.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Similar thing happened to us." JC said as a look of disgust came over him.

"I see."

Beryl sensed the tension in the air about the situation they were referring
to and said,

"So, anything else?"

"Yeah, what's in the other part of the building?" Joey asked.

<KNOCK> <KNOCK>

"Come in!" JC said as Beryl turned invisible.

"Here's the passes that you requested." A person with a headset and
clipboard said walking in, "And they've opened the catering hall, so if
you're hungry just get somebody to escort you over there."

"Ok, thanks!" Lance said as the staff person stepped out and Beryl
reappeared.

"Here! Put this on and you won't be bothered by any of the staff
here. Security's really tight tonight!" JC said handing the passes to
Beryl.

"Let's go get some grub!" Justin said.

"I hear that!" Joey said.

"I'm not that hungry, I'm gonna walk around and I'll meet you there in a
little while!" Beryl said.

"You sure?" Joey asked.

"Yeah!"

"Ok, we'll meet you there then."  --------------------------------

"When are we going to do this already? The longer we wait, the more
powerful he gets!"  Sarah complained.

"Patience my dear, we will get him." Lord Samuel said.

"We can't wait any longer! I got some information on those people who were
helping."

"And what did you find out?"

"You're not going to like this. They are the chosen ones!"

"What?!"

"They're the ones who took out Lael."

"Lael was weak! It was a mistake ever turning him!"

"They also took out Xhang!"

"The god?!?"

"Yes sir."

"Then you are right. We must act fast. Any other useful information?"

"Yes, the chosen ones appear to be quite famous."

"I would think so! They killed a vampire god!"

"No sir. I mean in the public eye."

"How so?"

"They're a boy band."

"And that is?"

"They're a group of singers."

"I see. Well, we're just going to have to use that to our advantage!"
----------------------


"Sorry I'm late!" Beryl said.

"What took you so long?" a female voice said.

"You know how it is! They're famous so they had to take care of stuff!"

"Yes, I know."

"You were right! They're good! But why didn't any of you let me know it was
them?"

"Too risky. Don't worry about that now though! I've known them for a long
time now, they're good guys. I want you to watch out for each other!"

"We are going to be able to pull this off right?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"There are just some things that I, even as an oracle, cannot see the
outcome of."

"Well, I guess it's up to us then! What are you doing here tonight?"

"I'm presenting the first award. But that's not important! Don't worry,
while you and Joey are off discussing your relationship, I'll be watching
over them at the after party."

"Thank you!"

"Now go! They're waiting for you!"

"Bye!"

Beryl left and the oracle said,

"Be brave Beryl, don't give in!"  --------------------------


TBC . . .

Oooh.. a new character! Hee hee hee.. Can you guess who she is? There's no
prize for this, I'm just curious if you can remember, based on the clues
I've given. If you think you know, email me and let me know. So, until next
time, questions, comments, suggestions all welcome! Email me at
Papito6187@aol.com. BYE!!!