20110425: Happy 19 years and two months to me! It's been such a long time since I've worked on this story - in fact, it's been such a long time since I've been here! Nostaligic... But, after a tryst in far too many other fandoms for me to even begin to digest, I've come back to the original fandom that wrote the stories for me: Beyblade. So here I am again...

This prologue has seen many reworkings I'm suprised at myself that I would want to put it back up and continue with it. But I have a solid storyline again so this story is getting its continuation!

Usual disclaimer stuff:

I don't own Beyblades: many thanks to the creator!

I do own my OCs: blatant copies won't be appreciated.

Forbidden Games

Prologue: Merely By the Winds of Chance

The blue lights, perched on the roof of a police car racing by, swept through a dark alleyway, its sirens wailing. Officers rushed down the adjacent street, whistling and yelling, parting the pedestrian crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea.

Silver-grey eyes watched the commotion attentively from their shadowy hideout as the scene escalated. They held a faint trace of fear and excitement as she watched teenagers being dragged away.

Ominous black thunder clouds rolled in overhead, blocking out the little light and warmth of the sun. Thunder rumbled some way away as fat droplets of water fell from the dark heavens above, growing larger and heavier by the second.

The silver-grey eyes retreated into the too large coat covering it. A soft, effeminate hum filling the air as the rain drenched the figure, forcing the piece of clothing to cling to the small body of a girl.

Moments passed. Then, a whistling sound caught her attention and she lifted her head to see a small brunette, skipping down the street, a hand enclosed around the handle of a large green umbrella. A tall, bulky man wearing a suit and shades trailed behind her protectively.

Sensing eyes upon her, the girl turned her head and hazel-green eyes met silver-grey, curiosity lighting the hazel-green orbs.

"Who are you?" asked the brunette, her voice filled with child-like curiosity.

Silence met her question as the crouching girl retreated back into her coat, back into hiding. Footsteps approached and she looked up, surprised, feeling herself being pulled up by the other.

"What's your name?" the little brunette asked again.

"Melanie."

The girl smiled pleasantly, slowly nodding as she let her newly obtained information sink in. "I like it. Your name is pretty. I'm Laura. Why are you all by yourself?"

Melanie bit her lip: it had been a long time since someone had taken the time to talk and listen to her. She was not sure if she should trust her, but oh, how those green eyes reminded her of her mother!

"I lost my parents in a car crash," she whispered, hoping the sound of the rain thundering down on the umbrella was enough to drown out her voice.

The hand that came to rest on her shoulder was one of comfort.

"Mistress Laura."

Laura nodded, acknowledging the call of the older man. "Come," she said, and held out her small, slightly pudgy hands.

Melanie did not know what to make of the gesture.

"Come with me. At least you won't have to brave the rain by yourself anymore." Those hazel-green eyes held warmth and friendliness, something Melanie had not seen in a long time.

After what felt like an eternity, she accepted the smaller girl's help, the tiniest of smiles lighting up her face.

Review please?