Disclaimer: Beyblade belongs to the one and only Aoki Takao

AN: Stab My Back is the rewritten version of Stranded. I wasn't satisfied with the way I wrote Stranded; I don't know how to explain why, so I won't. I doubt anyone cares anyway. :P The difference between this and Stranded is that there's less emphasis on the OCs (though they are important to the plot) and that there's little emphasis on romance. I apologise if I disappointed the old readers who liked that aspect of the story. Well, I won't ramble on further and I hope everyone enjoys reading this! :D


Prologue

The time for the Beyblade World Championships was drawing near. All over the world, teams were participating in qualifying rounds, hoping to have a shot becoming world champion.

There had been a spike in the number of Beyblading teams since the BEGA incident and to accommodate this increasing number, the BBA had decided to up the number of qualifying tournaments, thus allowing more teams to compete for the world champion title.

As usual, one was held each in Japan, China, USA and Russia. The number of tournaments in Europe had increased to five instead of three; in Germany, Portugal, Spain, Romania and England. Three more were held in Dubai, Brazil and Australia.


Tokyo, Japan

A young redheaded boy could be seen standing by the beystadium, his green eyes staring intently at the clashing beyblades. His jaw clenched as he waited for the perfect moment to strike. He was an impatient person by nature but for once, he kept his impulsive streak in check to ensure his team's victory. If he lost this match, they would be out of the running for the world championships.

"What's the matter?" His opponent, some kid with a fisherman hat jeered, probably trying to provoke him into attacking. "You chicken?"

A sneer twisted his features but he didn't reply, focusing instead on the beyblades. The trash talk tactic might have worked on him last year but not anymore- he had learnt a lot during the previous tournament. He smirked as he spotted an opening in the kid's defense.

This match was his for the taking.

He took a deep breath, raising a fist in the air as he channeled all his energy into the final attack. "GREAT CUTTER!" he yelled. His beyblade whirred as it picked up speed. A yellow dragon spirit emerged from the bitchip with a mighty roar. The royal purple blade slammed into his opponent's red one, sending it flying out of the dish.

"YES!"

"And this round goes to Sumeragi Daichi of the BBA Revolution!" DJ Jazzman announced amidst the cheers. "The score is now 1-1. Who will be moving on to the World Championships, the crowd favourite, the BBA Revolution," At this, the cheers grew louder, "Or will it be the notorious Blade Sharks? Only time will tell. On to the final round! Beybladers, step up to the dish please!"

Daichi returned proudly to his team's bench.

"Your turn, Tyson!"

The three time world champion grinned in reply and slapped his teammate's shoulder as congratulations before running up to the beydish. His eyes met his opponent's, as he pulled himself into a launching stance. A familiar dark-eyed teen stared impassively back; his trademark red bandana covering his jet black hair. "Yo, Carlos, it's been a while!"

The corner of Carlos' lip twitched into a disdainful smirk. "Ready to lose this time, Tyson?"

"Tch, you wish."

"You boys ready?"

The two nodded.

"Alright, on my count, three...two...one...LET IT RIP!"

"Dragoon!"

"Kamaitachi, go!"

The two beyblades landed in the dish; Kamaitachi with a much louder thump than Dragoon. It spun steadily in the middle of the dish with Dragoon circling it. Tyson gazed at the dish with a sense of déjà vu. "Same old trick eh, Carlos?" He ribbed, recalling the battle they had a couple of years ago. Carlos raised an eyebrow.

"Heh, you wish, Tyson," he sneered, mimicking Tyson's earlier tone, his eyes glued to the dish. "I have something new up my sleeve."


Hilary's eyes flickered back and forth as she alternated her gaze between the two bladers, eyebrows burrowing in slight confusion as she listened to their conversation. "Hey Chief, do they know each other?" she asked the bespectacled boy beside her.

"Yup, they do, Hilary. Tyson battled Carlos about two years ago, before the Bladebreakers was formed. Kai was the leader of the Blade Sharks back then."

"Wait, these guys were Kai's old buddies?" Daichi interrupted, eyes wide.

Kenny sighed, "Yes Daichi, they were Kai's old gang," he confirmed, bracing himself for Daichi's incredulous outburst about how fickle Kai was, how he couldn't believe Kai was a thug, et cetera, et cetera.

But unexpectedly, Daichi snorted. "Ceh. No wonder he left them- they're lousy."

"Huh? What do you mean, Daichi? They've improved a lot since the last-"

"Just look, Kenny!" the younger boy interjected, pointing to the beystadium. Kenny looked out just in time to see Carlos' red beyblade get knocked out by Dragoon.

And Tyson didn't even need to use his special attack.

So much for Carlos' new trick, Daichi thought contemptuously.


"AND THE WINNER IS TYSON!" DJ Jazzman said, practically screaming into the microphone as he tried to make himself heard over the frenzied cheers. "Which means the BBA Revolution will be entering the World Championships!"

Tyson grinned widely and waved at the crowd, lapping up all the attention before retrieving Dragoon from the beystadium. Climbing out from the other side, he approached Carlos who was staring at his blade with an unreadable expression on his face. Tyson caught sight of a weasel adorning his bitchip before Carlos slipped the blade inside his pocket.

"That was a good match, Carlos," he told him with a sincere smile, holding out his hand for a handshake. The Blade Shark stared at it for a moment before staring back at his face with an 'are-you-kidding' expression.

"Quit patronizing me, Tyson," he hissed and pushed past him, walking away. Tyson sighed heavily, shaking his head and made his way back to his team, who witnessed the incident.

"Don't mind him, Tyson," Kenny told him, patting his shoulder comfortingly. Beside him, Daichi nodded. "Yeah, he's just sore he lost."

"I guess," Tyson muttered, brightening up a little as he turned to follow Hilary into the backstage area.

"Hold on, BBA Revolution," DJ Jazzman interrupted. The team paused in their tracks and turned back to look quizzically at him, "We have an update from Mr. Dickenson. You are to wait in the locker room for an important announcement. Thank you."


Anger and disappointment coursed through Carlos' veins as he stalked down hallway to his team's locker room. He couldn't believe that he lost that easily to Tyson and he had a bitbeast too. What went wrong? And what makes him so damn unbeatable? He wondered, a frustrated growl thrumming at the back of his throat.

He shoved the door open and stomped in.

"What the…?" Carlos stopped in his tracks. He stared around the room, taking in his teammates who were sprawled on the floor, unconscious. Their clothes were ripped and bloodied cuts littered their skin. His rage diminished- replaced by concern and confusion as he knelt beside his nearest team member, Jerry. He shook his shoulders.

"Hey, Jerry, wake up! What happened here?"

Jerry stirred. "C-carlos? Get…out," he rasped.

"Get out? You're not making any sense. What happened here, Jer?"

"Some guy…took our bitbeasts," he explained, eyes darting from side to side. "You gotta go now, man, before he comes back!"

Dread curled in his stomach. "But what about you guys? I can't leave you here!"

"We'll be…fine. Just go!"

"O-okay," Carlos stood up, breathing heavily, "I'll go get help-"

Behind him, the door slammed shut. Carlos froze, his heart thudding painfully in his ribcage.

"Too late," a voice sang.


"Hurry and switch on the BBA Channel, Daichi," said Tyson as he followed the redhead into the room. "I want to see whether the team listings are out yet."

"Way ahead of ya," he replied smugly, remote control already in hand as he collapsed into the couch.

"-Today marks the end of the qualifying rounds for the Beyblade World Championships," the newscaster said, smiling at the screen. "The final list of all the teams that will be participating in the World Championships is with me right now. Fans will be glad to know that a lot of familiar faces will be appearing this year."

At this, the BBA Revolution grinned at each other excitedly.

"I shall not keep you in suspense any longer; the list will be shown on the screen right about now."

Qualifying Tournament-Team

Australia- Psykicks

Brazil- Justice five

China- White Tiger X

Dubai- XX Inferno

England- Wraith Knights

Germany- Majestics

Japan- BBA Revolution

Portugal- Freedom Battalion (Previously Barthez Battalion)

Romania- Saint Shields

Russia- Blitzkrieg Boys

Spain- F Dynasty

USA- All Starz

Tyson took in the list and whooped. "The lady wasn't kidding about familiar faces!" He exclaimed gleefully, giving Daichi a high five.

"She sure wasn't, "agreed Kenny, "We've practically met all the teams except for the Wraith Knights and the XX Inferno."

"It's like one big reunion," Hilary said. "I can't wait to see all the girls again!"

Daichi frowned as he studied the list. "Wait, wait, wait. You mean you know the…" He squinted at the screen, "Psykicks and the Saint Shields too?"

"Yup! Met them the tournament before last year's."

"Cool! They any good?"

"Duh. They wouldn't make the World Tournament if they weren't now, would they?"

Daichi shrugged. "I was just asking," he grumbled.

"And now we have a live broadcast from the BBA Headquarters for an announcement from the chairman, Stanley Dickenson!" The newscaster continued, causing the Japanese team to pause and pay attention.

Mr. Dickenson replaced the newscaster on the screen.

"Good evening everyone," he said, his voice coming from both the TV and the PA system in the stadium. "I'm sure all of you are excited for the upcoming world championship so I'll make this as quick as possible," his moustache twitched as he smiled at the screen, "this message is intended for the teams that have made it to the Championships.

The BBA would like to invite all of you for a ten-day trip on our luxury cruise before the tournament takes place. As all of you know, Beyblading is a sport that is based on friendship and teamwork. The cruise will serve as a platform for the Beybladers from different teams to bond and get to know each other and perhaps, as an opportunity to learn from each other. We will be sending more details to each team soon. Thank you and have a nice day, everyone."


An unidentified figure smirked as he (she?) bent down to pick up his victim's beyblade. Deft fingers took it apart, letting all the pieces - save for the bitchip- drop unceremoniously to the floor. He studied the weasel on the bitchip and pocketed it with a satisfied smirk. The boss will be pleased.

The person cocked his head as the BBA chairman's voice played on the PA. He listened intently to the announcement, taking his time as he dragged the unconscious Blade Sharks out of sight to ensure that they won't be found so quickly. He was willing to bet that their pride would prevent them from reporting to the authorities when they regained their consciousness. After all, who would want to admit that their whole team lost to a single blader?

He pulled his hood up, effectively hiding his face. Slowly, he made his way out of the building, mulling the information over, the beginnings of a plan forming at the back of his mind.


Unknown location

The bright afternoon light spilled through the window of a lavishly furnished office. Glossy mahogany shelves lined the walls, bound books and folders arranged neatly by colour and size. A man could be seen sitting at a matching desk, reading intently. His jet black hair, which was streaked with gray, was combed back, revealing a high forehead. The wrinkles that marred his face somehow added to his aristocratic looks. A slow smile appeared on his face as he listened to the announcement made by the BBA chairman, informing the world of the cruise that would be taking place for the Beybladers who would be competing in the world championships later this year.

What a wonderful opportunity, he thought delightedly. It was as if fate had decided to lend him a hand. The ship would be a wonderful setting to carry out his plan: being in the middle of the ocean would prevent the Beybladers from escaping and if he executed the plan perfectly, the authorities wouldn't find out either. Well, they would, but it would be far too late by then. He smiled again. The Beybladers wouldn't know what hit them.

He picked up his phone and called one of his trusted subordinates. He waited patiently for the line to connect to Japan. A few seconds later, the call went through. "Your job just got easier, my young friend."

A dark chuckle came from the line. "I'm guessing that you heard the chairman's announcement? The saying is true then- great minds do think alike."