The Power of Persuasion

Dear Kenny,

I know we have not been very good, or close for that matter, in the past, but I would like to change that. Something to remind you of what happen in my view seven years ago when your team stole the victory right from under the Demolition Boys' noses.

"You were never worth the effort, Ivanov! I hope you're happy with what you did. Where will you go now? Who's going to care for you?"Boris yelled as the Russian Armed Forces dragged him off to the waiting cruiser. Master Voltaire allowed himself to be escorted in a much more dignifying way. Beside me, the youngest of our team- Ian as you remember, I'm sure- trembled with rage and fear where he stood.

Brian and Spencer stood like the statues in the center of the ancient Romanov castle on that icy day. The fateful day that I lost purposely to Tyson. The one day that I felt like jumping for joy because I was finally free to make my own decisions in life. I saw Tyson approach from my left and the others gave me a knowing look of approval. I whispered a few well deserved words of praise into Ian's ear before walking over to meet with Granger halfway. Those words caused all of the barriers around the young one's mind, heart, and soul to break letting loose a flood of tears that would not stop for days to come. An innocent little boy caught up in a finely threaded web of deceit and controversy now huddled in a crying mess against Brian's uniform.

"Tyson." I was clam, I know, but what I really wanted to do was hug the bastard till he either said uncle or died from lack of oxygen.

"Tala, I want to thank you on behalf of the Blade Breakers." What? Was this Tyson being serious for once in his life? OK, ok! No more joking. "Russia was an awesome experience and you were one helluva challenge for me, Tala. Thank you." I smiled. Yes, I actually smiled at him.

"Let me shake your hand, Tyson. You just made my day a whole lot brighter." Instead of the polite handshake I was expecting, I got a full forced hug. I must have surprised Kai when I returned the gesture so freely. I know I surprised you, Kenny. Nothing ever got past your wiz-kid mind back then. Probably the same now as you ever were, right?

Let me get to the point of this letter. You see, you have haunted my very dreams at night, blurred my vision when I'm awake, and you are the reason I can no longer talk without saying your name. I've got to hand it to you, Kenny. You never gave up on anything when we were kids because you used both your head and your heart to help you solve your problems no matter how many times your team bit the dust. Know what I just discovered? I have a heart too. I can love freely who I choose to love without fear of rejection because I now know that this is the way that life is. You win, you loose, you love, you learn, and that's life for you. Kenny, I'm sorry for the things I've done in the past. I really am. I wasn't in my right mind, but then when am I ever? When you get this, please tell everyone I said hello- that includes Tyson. I know it's been seven years, but can we put the past behind and start over? There is something you need to know though and I only trust one person with the information I'm giving. That person is you, Kenny.

With love,

Tala A. Ivanov

A very handsome 20 year old Kenny put the letter carefully aside before looking out his living room window. The flat he shared with Tyson was not large but it was big enough for the two of them. Kai had paid for the furnishings, Tyson plastered the walls with old and new pictures of everything from the team to new beyblades, and Kenny, himself had done the interior decorating with the help of the ever vigilant Dizzy. He stifled a laugh as he went over the letter from memory.

"You should go to him." Dizzy said from her perch on the coffee table while Kenny paced in front of the window. "Bet there won't be a dry eye, or data board for that matter, in the house."

"Not that easy. I do have a very important job to do here, Dizzy."

"Go, Ken. Dizzy's right you should go to him and see what it is he wants to talk to you about. Can't be that bad." Tyson said picking up the letter. OH- oh! I like this: 'You never gave up....no matter how many times your team bit the dust.' Classic. Really, it is."

"Ha-ha, Ty. Get real."

"You want me to what?"

"Get real."

"I did that when I told you about the letter you got from Tala you nut case."

"Lay off, Tyson." Kai growled from the doorway. "He's going, alright. Even if I've got to call Max and Rei to come and help put him onto the plane. But he is going to Russia." "Kai!" Kenny turned away to look out at the sinking sun. He suddenly felt like all of his cares and worries were going to sink with it. And for that he was glad.

"What about my position at Bey Haven? Who's going to fill in for me?"

"I've already called Emily and she's on her way here from New York now to take over your position for a while or however long you're going to be gone for." So Kai had this all planned out for him all along? "Besides, you have vacation time coming to you soon so take your time and take a break. OH, and just to be sure you don't try to work from Russia, you are to leave Dizzy with me. Now get your tight little ass down to that limo." Kenny gave an agitated sigh. He had lost a three to one battle right off from the start.

"Fine I'll go. But I still need to pack some clothes."

"There's thirty thousand dollars in your account. I deposited it there yesterday so you can buy some new clothes when you get there." Another sigh. Kai was going to pay dearly for this one.

Meanwhile, in a townhouse in downtown St. Peterborough, Russia a now twenty one year old Tala sat by his telephone waiting for the call from Kai that would change his life for good. It had to of taken at least three of them to get him to come to Russia. It had taken Brian, Ian, and Spencer to get him to finally write to the lithe brunette. Ian was the one who eventually won him over with gentle words of friendship and encouragement. Something the red head was not expecting to hear.