Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or its characters in any way. I own all my OCs and I have permission to use Tari Hiwatari from SMIFFYizDAbest. Anything else is coincidental.

The Future Continues...

And a new story from CK is on at last! This story continues from the series that has 'A New Blader', 'Temptations of Power', 'Loyalties' and 'Russian Future' so I strongly recommend you read them all before starting this - it might help to read 'The Past is Prelude' and 'A Dangerous Road' as they're backstories for OCs Marina and Pyro.

As it continues from those stories, don't ask questions about Kiri not being alive, Katrina not existing, no Zedar and no Dawn as all that don't fit in this timeline, okay?

Enjoy the story ^^

Chapter 1: It's All Over?

It has been one full year since the events that resulted in Pyro and Venera's partnership defeat. In that time, Venera had been discovered dead from effects of the battle, mainly the attack that Pyro had accidentally hit her with. Pyro himself had been strangely low-key, not causing any problems.

As for the good guys, things had been going well. Kai, Tala, Brooklyn, Tari and Marina were all working normally, or rather...Kai, Tari and Marina were. Brooklyn and Tala still had a bad habit of taking things easy, albeit the fact their kids were now 19/20 mark and planning their own futures.

Gou and Kyra, son of Kai and daughter of Tala, had been married by now and were due back from their honeymoon this very day. They were living in Russia together now. Kai missed seeing his son all the time, but knew he had grown and was happy. As for Alex, Tala's son, and Katie, Brooklyn's daughter, they were going through a rough patch as Katie had been given some bad news by doctors and wasn't likely to have children of her own. It wasn't impossible, but more unlikely. They lived in Japan together as Tari had won over against Tala, plus Tala knew his son was happy.

For the other young members, Luke, Brooklyn's son, and Jake, Gou's best friend from school, they had yet to even find a girl, but weren't too depressed by it. Luke seemed to be more of a solo act, taking from his mother and uncle's trait. Jake had himself a job interview to be an athletics teacher as he was such a jumpy teen a few years back. He was now 20, but still able to do his own thing. They hung out a few times as they both lived in Japan.

Meanwhile at the BBA office in Japan, Kai was top guy and was very busy, but he was waiting for Tari to enter his office with the next report of the morning.

"A lot has happened in this past year...a lot." he said to himself as he sat back in the chair. He looked up at the ceiling and frowned. Same old, same old every day. He wasn't getting any younger either. He was 45 now... "45...it still feels like yesterday I was 17 and battling Tyson in the tournament before BEGA. In some ways, it's like nothing changed, but in others...it's a whole new life." he continued.

He just closed his violet eyes in thought when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in." he said and the door opened.

"Afternoon, Kai. How are the reports going?" asked a dual brunette with dark violet eyes as she walked into the room with a folder of new reports.

Kai frowned and said "They're keeping me busy, Tar, that's enough."

"You're not in a good mood about it then." she said with a smirk.

He hn'd and changed the subject by asking "How is Katie doing? Have she and Alexander sorted themselves out yet?" He had been calling Alex by his full name for a short while now because of the rough business involving Katie not likely having children.

Tari sighed. "Well, Alex is still down and upset about it. They both are, what can be expected really, but he's easing steadily as he's being comforting and I know he won't leave her. He isn't cruel, Kai. He loves her." she explained.

Kai nodded. "Yeah, I know he does. I just hope Katie will be all right. Getting that news broke her heart." he said.

Tari nodded and sniffed slightly. She had felt really down for her daughter through this, but she had been able to support her as she was in Japan and all with her husband. Kai looked up and was about to say something when his phone rang, so he answered it.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Hiwatari, Mrs. Valkov has an urgent message for you." said the assistant.

"Marina? Put her through." he said.

"Yes, Sir." she replied and Kai waited.

"Hello, Kai." came Marina's voice.

"Hi, Marina. Is something wrong over there?" Kai asked. It probably sounded paranoid asking like that, but he had rarely got an 'urgent' call that was good news.

"Oh, nothing's wrong, Kai. On the contrary, things can't be better. There's been a news report on TV concerning a certain someone." she said.

Kai raised an eyebrow. Tari noticed and tried to listen in, so Kai rolled his eyes and put the phone on speaker instead for her.

"So, who is it? Venera wasn't special enough to be put on the news, we just happened to find that out, while Voltaire, Boris and Ember are old news and, well, forgotten...in the public's eye." he said and looked at Tari who half-smiled.

"Well, it's not about any of them, Kai. It's about Pyro." she said.

Kai and Tari's eyes widened. None of them had heard mention of Pyro for a year, excluding a few times Marina had nightmares and his name cropped up.

"Go on, Marina, what was this news?" asked Tari.

"Okay, well, I don't want to hold you guys in suspense so long, plus it's good news so I'm excited." Marina replied.

Kai and Tari looked at each other. Good news about Pyro...what could that be?

"Marina, what is the news?" Kai asked, a little snappy, but he hated not knowing things.

"All right, all right. Here goes: Pyro was found unconscious in an alleyway by some half-drunk whoever and taken to hospital. They found he had a few injuries left over from...that battle you and Tala had with him, plus severe mental effects to his little mind. He died last night from it!" she explained, her tone getting higher and more happy as she told them Pyro died.

Kai and Tari let it sink in then both smiled. With Pyro dead...it was over. He was the last main threat as Voltaire, Boris, Ember and Venera were already gone now.

"Now that is good news, Marina. I bet you and Tala are well happy." said Tari.

"Yes we are. We were going to have a little celebration, but I reminded Tala that you guys would be working and not even know the news, but how about tomorrow? Fancy coming down for a get-together. Bring the others too. I'm sure Jake would like to see Gou again." Marina said.

She sounded so excited that Kai just smirked and said "All right, Marina. Myself and Tar will get everyone together and we will see you tomorrow."

"We look forward to it too. I'm sure Gou and Kyra will love the news as they're getting back today anyway aren't they?" asked Tari.

"Yes they are. Okay then, tomorrow, see ya." said Marina.

"See ya then." said Kai and put the phone down.

"Well, what do you know, Kai? Pyro is dead." said Tari with a smile.

"Yeah. It's about time too." said Kai with a smirk and both Hiwatari siblings let out a laugh.

Later, once they had an opportunity, they informed Alex and Katie, as well as getting to Luke and Jake, so everyone knew.

The following day in Russia, in Tala and Marina's base, they had the place set up for the little celebration. The first to arrive were Gou and Kyra as they had got back the night before and were all ready for this.

"Hiya, Mum." said Kyra as she came in.

Marina hugged her daughter and smiled. "Hello, Kyra. The honeymoon was good then?"

Kyra was released from the hug and said "Yeah, it was good, except Gou forgot the sunscreen one day and could have been mistaken as my hair." and she chuckled.

"Yeah well, it wasn't me who saw the beach and went hyper." said Gou as he came in behind her.

"Hello, Gou. A burnt Hiwatari huh? Wait til your dad gets here." said Tala with a smirk.

"Oh, don't Tala, I don't need that hanging on me because of Dad." said Gou.

Tala laughed until Marina nudged him.

"Anyway, Mum, it is good to know the freak is gone. No more worrying for us anymore. I bet it feels good, well, not to have to keep watching out for him." said Kyra.

"Yeah, it does." said Marina and smiled.

The group headed further inside and shortly after came the bigger group, as Kai, Tari, Brooklyn, Alex, Luke, Katie and Jake all came together.

"Well, well, has it been a while or what, Dad?" asked Alex with a chuckle as he greeted his dad.

"It has." said Tala and smiled.

"Hello, Katie." said Marina gently to the orange haired young woman.

"Hello, Marina. I'm glad to have heard of Pyro's death. He was a sicko with a capital S." she said and smiled softly. It seemed both younger Valkovs were keeping the personal stuff out of this reunion.

"It's good to be back." said Kai. "Now, where is Gou? Kissing Kyra in a spare room already?" he asked with a chuckle.

"For your information, Dad, I'm right here." said Gou as he came over.

"Didn't get much of a tan did you, Squirt?" asked Kai as he looked over his son.

"No, but you know I'm too pale for that. Like yourself." replied Gou with a little smirk.

Kai hn'd and Tari rolled her eyes, same old, same old.

"Gou! God, it feels like years, man!" shouted a voice and suddenly Gou found himself being tackled by his friend, Jake.

"Uh, yeah, Jake, now get off, my reputation suffering." Gou muttered.

The others chuckled as Jake got off of Gou and helped him up.

"Nothing's changed." said Luke as he followed into the base too.

"Hi, Cous. Got anything to tell?" asked Gou.

"We'll do that in the room with drinks shall we?" interrupted Tala.

"You want to be drunk this early, Tala?" asked Kai with a smirk.

Tala just frowned and everyone laughed. It was good to be reunioned.

Later, when the group were settled and laughing, enjoying themselves, Marina decided it was time for everyone to tell how things were going...and she chose Brooklyn to start as he was the oldest and her cousin.

"Okay, well, what can I say, Marina? I haven't done anything much. In fact, I've bladed occasionally, but mostly just..." he started.

"...being your usual lying around self?" continued Tala.

Brooklyn frowned and said "In honesty, I'm feeling old." and he shrugged.

"Oh, come on, Brooklyn. I'm the same age as you. 45 isn't old." said Kai.

"I guess." the nature blader replied.

"Brookie, you're still that young, sweet 21 year old I fell in love with." said Tari playfully.

Brooklyn blushed deeply causing the whole group to laugh at him.

"Kai, Tar, how has it been for you at work?" asked Marina.

"Busy." the two siblings answered at the same time then frowned at each other, causing more laughter.

"Not much to say then." chuckled Marina. "I've found my job a little easier, though I have a few reports from last month to finish. And Tar, Kai sent those over."

Kai paled as Tari glared at him. She didn't know he had transferred work over to Russia because of being overloaded.

"Kai?" Tari asked.

"They were long, hard and I couldn't afford to work on them with the tournament schedules for all the new kids beyblading." he explained.

"Poor, Kai, poor." said Tala with a shake of the head.

"You can't talk, you don't work." snapped Kai at the red headed male.

"Cool it, boys." said Marina before Tala could snap back.

The rest giggled or smiled as Kai and Tala hn'd.

"As for Tala, same as Brooklyn, enjoying the easy life." Marina added. Tala chuckled then Marina turned to Gou and Kyra. "Newlyweds?"

Gou smiled and said "It's going good. Not looking forward to going back to work though."

"Poor Gou. But at least it doing good. Um, Alex?" asked Marina.

Alex sighed and said "Well, better. Me and Katie aren't arguing anymore, but she isn't ready to try for kids in case...well, in case she can't, you know."

Katie felt tears welling in her eyes, but brushed them away. Brooklyn felt horrible his daughter was so sad and he couldn't do anything, but what could be done?

"At least things are a little better. I'd hate for you two to break up because of this." said Marina, and Alex nodded as he put an arm around Katie lightly. "So, Luke, how about you?" she added.

"I'm more of an alone act than before I guess, but I'm trying to teach beyblading to kids in a school in Japan. The Head there thinks blading focuses the kids on learning and employed me because of my beyblading near their school and the kids watching me like an idol." Luke explained.

"You'll get an ego now." Gou said. "They need a real beyblader to teach them. Someone like me."

Kai shook his head and Jake jumped up with "That's an ego, Gou, my man."

"Yeah, and it's cool." replied Gou.

"Oh, grow up, Gou." said Kai eventually and everyone laughed again as Gou death glared his dad, who glared back.

"And for you, Jake. How things going?" asked Marina to break the tension between the Hiwatari father and son.

"Well, it's been quite cool. My parents won the lottery and went on a long break, lucky buds. My uncle did some workout that scared Dad as he has always feared Uncle Rick's brotherly protectiveness over Mum. As for myself, I've been doing good. I had a job interview to be an athletics teacher yesterday and I'm awaiting a call back from them." he said.

"An athletics teacher?" asked Gou.

"I was a jumpy person back in the day, I still am. I'm only 20, Gou, come on. Yeah, that's the plan for me." answered Jake.

"Well, it sounds like all of us have been doing fairly good then." said Marina with a smile.

"It sure does. But we can't stay here forever." said Gou.

"You can stay for tonight, Gou. This base still has plenty of rooms...even if you must share with Kyra." said Tala.

"Tala, they've been together for a while now and they're married. You couldn't stop them if you wanted to, but I will make this clear to Gou." said Kai then turned to face his son, who paled behind his blue triangles he still wore. "Don't be getting her pregnant just yet." he said.

"Dad!" exclaimed Gou, almost immaturely, almost like "as if I would" sort of way.

Everyone laughed as Gou was beginning to blush as well. Jake then came over to Gou and patted his head.

"It's all right, Gouy. Daddy just being mean." he said in a kid-like voice.

"Jake, get off now!" Gou snapped and threw Jake's hand off of his spiked hair.

The group laughed again as Jake and Gou had a friendly tackling fight in the room. With Pyro dead, their problems were all over...or is there more to come in time...?

Note

So, a question on the first chapter, aren't I mean? Muhahaha ^^

Not much to explain, but pics of the OCs in this chapter are on my Deviant Art account if you're interested.

Til next week *winks*