Chapter 4

Not Getting Anywhere

Barnaby narrowed his eyes slowly, in hopes of being able to see, such an action did nothing to increase his vision. It might of helped if his head could stay focused on what was happening around him. All the blond knew, was that he wasn't at home and the person kneeling before him wasn't friendly. He decided this only a few moments ago when his head was lifted off the ground by his curls and being gagged made it very hard to tell the man that he didn't appreciate the gesture. Even now, his head remained at an uncomfortable level as the man, who he came to find out, was named Harvey. Well, the one currently holding his head in place was named that anyways. The second one seemed to have disappeared at the word of Harvey, telling him to go find the one in charge.

It was now, that Harvey stared down at the bound Barnaby. "You look like an irritated drunk." He mused lightly and shook the blonds head lightly. "So, you are the great Barnaby Brooks Jr. Who would of ever guessed that out everyone in Sternbild we would happen upon you. Hell, you can't be so big and bad if we were able to kidnap you. But now, I gotta wonder. What in the seven hells are we going to do with you? "

The was a question that was going through the blonds head as well. Why would kidnappers take him? Well, at least he knew who was responsible for all the kidnappings. As much as Barnaby was concerned with his own personal safety, he was more worried on why he couldn't think straight, why he was so tired and lastly, why he couldn't activate his powers. As if on cue, Harvey seemed to know what the blond was thinking and thus announced his inner thoughts. "I bet you're wondering why you can't just break out of those binds and beat the shit out of me, hm?" Mused Harvery. "You see, attached to your right arm is an IV. Which just happens to be pouring Morphine into your system. But from the looks you are giving me, I think you've been on the tap a bit too long." Harvey said with a slight frown.

Morphine was a powerful drug and habit forming. It was a drug used to cancel out pain but the side effects where long listed and without being able to think straight or stay focused, Barnaby was unable to use his powers. That disturbed him even in his drugged state of mind, however, knowing now from the looks of Harvey that they might of given him too much unnerved him. Too much Morphine, or of any drug, can kill. The hero closed his eyes and mentally sighed, how in the hell did he even get himself into this mess?

Harvey tilted his head slightly to the right, reaching up he tapped the medical bag and pondered. How much could a NEXT handle? Well, the ones he had kidnapped before seemed to handle the medication well enough and it kept them under control. Well, he wasn't about to take the hero off it either, not from what he had seen on TV…

Wait a minute. Television. "Hey!" Harvey called out, "Tell Boss I got an idea that he will love! We are gonna be stars!" Turning his attention back towards the hero, he dropped the blonds head back to the cold ground and gave him a quick pat on the face. "And possible as rich as we ever dreamed."

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They had combed the street and the side streets for the past five hours now and not a damn thing had turned up. Not even a single hair of his los partner, Kotetsu was really starting to worry now. The older man stood on the curb with his hand resting on his chin in thought, over his right shoulder was Barnaby's Jacket. Behind him he could hear the others coming around behind him. What could he tell them? That he found nothing, not even a single lead to their missing Bunny? Hell, what was he going to tell Agnes? Ah fuck, she was going to eat him alive! She was going to rant about the ratings going down, tell him it was all his fault that Barnaby left and possibly had been kidnapped! Well, as much as he hated to admit it, she was partly right. It was his fault that Barnaby left.

But he couldn't tell his partner that he was losing his powers. What would he do? Surely, the blond would just tell him to hit the high roads or even look down upon him. But Barnaby was special to Kotetsu, he was his partner in more then one way. Looking down at the road, he brought a hand and rubbed his aching eyes. "Bunny." He muttered to himself. "Why didn't you just come back for your keys and take your car?" he asked to the air, knowing he would not get a reply. "I couldn't of made you that mad, could I?"

Behind him, came Nathan. Fire Emblem stared at his friend and sighed softly, the others soon followed. Nathan looked to each of the heros who only shook their heads. It seems none of them found a trace either and they had let Steve go at last. There was no point in asking the man anymore questions or keeping him any longer. But now as Nathan saw how Kotetsu stood on that curb made him want to rethink the idea of letting the old man go and questioning him until he screamed.

Chewing on his soft lips he took a step forward to speak, however Antonio beat him to the punch. The much older Hero came up to stand beside his best friend. "We couldn't find anything." He spoke softly to Wild Tiger. His brown eyes looking towards the smaller man, "And I take it you didn't either." Kotetsu in reply shook his head softly, "Not a thing. I can't even find any tire markings that might suggest the route they might of taken. It's like they just disappeared completely. Just like Tomoe."

Rock Bison stared at his friend with wide eyes that soon turned pained. So, Kotetsu was thinking about Tomoe and possibly comparing the situation with Barnaby to the one in the past. At one point, Tomoe had been kidnapped back when they where in high school, she had gone missing without a trace but Kotetsu was able to figure everything out and save her life before it was too late. But unlike that time, there was nothing to pick up on, no clues, not a single person stood out among the rest that would remove Barnaby from Kotetsu's life.

"Kotetsu, I'm sure he is alright, he can take care of himself." Unlike Tomoe back then. "I'm sure whatever is going on, he will be back with us soon and if not…you know we are all here for you. We will help get him back." Seeing that Kotetsu mood was darkening, Antonio nudged him carefully. "Besides, I'm sure those kidnappers will show up again and when we capture them, we can beat the information out of them."

And as if God had a sense of humor, the call bracelets went off just then. Startled by such a thing, Kotetsu looked down at it and then back to Antonio and the others. The city was needing them and as much as he hated to, he had to hold off on the search for his partner. As the others turned to get back to HQ, Kotetsu gave the empty road one more look before leaving as well, "We'll find you."

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"And that's my idea!" Harvey finished with a bright smile as he leaned forward on the broken desk that was located in a rundown room, of a rundown warehouse. "What do you think?" He asked his boss who sat back in the shadows, smoking a cigar in deep concentration. "Heh, I love it. Take yourself and four others out to the television station and send out the message." Mused the man in the shadows with a twisted grin.

"What do you want us to do with Brooks?" Asked Harvey. "We could take him with us-"

"Too risky. Lave him here, with me. Though, do make him look nice for the camera, take a picture and show that. Heh, I can't wait to see the look on their faces. All of Sternbild is going to freak and the chaos will be orgasmic." Harvey seemed to smile at his Bosses words. With a quick bow, he turned and left the room quickly. He had men to pick out, a van to steal and a message to send to the city.

Who would of guessed that the kidnapping business would turn out to be pretty damn exciting! He could just see the dollar bills in his eyes and his boss finally getting what he wanted. The death of a few particular NEXT's.

Hey everyone, sorry it took so long to update and I know all of you wanted me to update asap XD I tired. Though I will apologize, it isn't as along as a chapter as I promised or wanted but it will have to do for now. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for all of your support thus far! Btw, I am always willing to take suggestions on the story and what you might like to see or happen. Just cause I find it interesting in what others think and suggest and who knows, it might end up in here. Never know!