Remembrance- 911 Tribute, a metal fight beyblade/メタルファイトベイブレード fanfic

This is probably the longest one- shot as a tribute you'll ever read.

So, before we begin, I'd like for everyone to keep in mind, this one- shot is a tribute to all those who died during 9/11/01. Also, expect a long AN at the end.

Christina strummed her guitar, listening to her brother's voice. She winced as he hit note to high. She sighed, irritated.

"Bro, I know you're not that good of a singer, but even so... This ought to be a piece of cake for you!" Christina said, shrugging out of the guitar strap, "Here, take the strings, and let me sing it."

Chris glared at his sister, but took the guitar anyways, and began strumming them.

Crissie began singing.

"Why are we here?" Masamune asked, annoyed as he was drug into Central Park, "And why are there so many people?"

"Take this." Macy answered, handing her brother a candle and holder, "And be quiet."

Masamune grumbled under his breath, but otherwise stayed quiet as his sister drug him to the front of the crowd.

He immeadiatly stopped talking when he realized what was up.

"Ladies and gentlemen." A woman's voice caught his attention, and Masamune looked up to see Christina on a small platform behind the pictures and names, "Tonight, we honor those who died during the fall of the Twin Towers and crash of the Pentagon."

Christina was dressed in a beautiful red dress, white heels, and had a blue star necklace on. Her hair was tied back in a blue, white, and red striped ribbon, and also had on silver bangles.

Chris walked up next to his sister then, dressed in a red dress shirt with white shoulders and blue stars, black jeans, and black boots. A black guitar with the design of the American flag was draped over his shoulder.

Masamune suddenly felt like he should be in something different.

Then, the Orion Blader began strumming the strings, and Christina singing.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

A flame on Masamune's far right lit up, and slowly, the flame was passed down, lighting all the candles.

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

The flame passed to the Striker Blader, and he lit his sister's candle, who then in turn lit up Tabitha- who Masamune had just noticed- and turned back to the stage, her expression solemn.

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
You the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
You the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

The song came to an end as Christina sang the last line.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

The quietly applauded, and Masamune nearly collapsed when Christina said her next words.

"And now, I'd like to welcome Zeo Abyss of Team Dungeon to the stage, who lost a family member during the fall of Team Dungeon." Christina then handed the microphone to Zeo as he walked up, dressed in a simple white shirt, blue and red striped tie, and black shoes and jeans. Christina came back a second later, her own guitar strapped over her shoulder.

There's a story that my daddy tells religiously
Like clockwork every time he sees an opening
In a conversation about the way things used to be
Well I'd just roll my eyes and make a bee-line for the door
But I'd always wind up starry-eyed, cross-legged on the floor
Hanging on to every word
Man, the things I heard

It was harder times and longer days
Five miles to school, uphill both ways
We were cane switch raised, and dirt floor poor
'Course that was back before the war
Yeah, your uncle and I made quite a pair
Flying F-15's through hostile air
He went down but they missed me by a hair
He'd always stop right there and say...

Son graduatin' college, that was mama's dream
But I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned 18
Cuz when you gotta fast car you think you've got everything
I learned quick those GTO's don't run on faith
I ended up broken down in some town north of L.A.
Working maximum hours for minimum wage
Well, I fell in love, next thing I know
The babies came, the car got sold
I sure do miss that old hot rod
But you sure save gas in them foreign jobs
Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down
If you're ashamed how I turned out
Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow
Said, lemme tell ya right now

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million
Just be thankful to be workin'
If you're doing what you're able
And putting food there on the table
And providing for the family that you love
That's something to be proud of

And if all you ever really do is the best you can
Well, you did it man

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin'
Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Yeah, that's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Now that's something to be proud of

So he lost his uncle during the 9/11, huh? Masamune thought, I never knew...

The crowd, once again, applauded silently, through there was a few murmurs of appreciation.

Suddenly, Macy handed Masamune handed him her candle and, with Tabitha, walked on stage.

Toby sidled up to Masamune, whispering, "I can't believe they're putting on such a tribute. They really outdid themselves."

Masamune simply nodded.

The music started up and Tabitha began.

Well she seemed all right by dawns early light
Though she looked a little worried and weak
She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again
But daddy left the proof on her cheek
And I was only eight years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way
So I took myself down to the fair in town
On Independence Day

Christina took over.

Well word gets around in a small, small town
They said he was a dangerous man
But mama was proud and she stood her ground
She knew she was on the losin' end
Some folks whispered and some folks talked
But everybody looked the other way
And when time ran out there was no one about
On Independence Day

All three girls began singing.

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay it's Independence Day

Macy began singing.

Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July
By the time that the firemen come
They just put out the flames, and took down some names
And sent me to the county home
Now I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong
But maybe it's the only way
Talk about your revolution
It's Independence Day

Once again, all three girls sang.

The song ended, and Macy and Tabitha walked off while Christina replaced her guitar.

"Okay everyone, we have one more performace tonight, and that's my brother." Christina said, and behind her, Chris yelped and tried to scuttle away, but his sister grabbed his collar, "Let me have the guitar bro."

There was a few silent chuckles through the crowd at the scene as Crissie took the guitar and after a moment's thought, began strumming the strings, and the tune was a little upbeat.

Chris began singing.

American Girls and American Guys
We'll always stand up and salute
We'll always recognize
When we see Old Glory Flying
There's a lot of men dead
So we can sleep in peace at night
When we lay down our head

My daddy served in the army
Where he lost his right eye
But he flew a flag out in our yard
Until the day that he died
He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me
To grow up and live happy
In the land of the free.

Now this nation that I love
Has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flyin' in
From somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see clearly
Through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world
Like the 4th of July

Hey Uncle Sam
Put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty
Started shakin' her fist
And the eagle will fly
Man, it's gonna be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom
Start ringin' her bell
And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Brought to you Courtesy of the Red White and Blue

The song slowed a little.

Justice will be served
And the battle will rage
This big dog will fight
When you rattle his cage
And you'll be sorry that you messed with
The U.S. of A.
`Cause we`ll put a boot in your back
It`s the American way

The song sped back up a little.

The song ended, and the crowd applauded.

Macy turned to her brother, only to find he wasn't there.

Now, where the hell did he get too? Macy thought

Macy found her brother in his room, and she entered quietly, seeing him staring at a picture of himself, his sister, and their parents.

Macy silently shut the door behind her, and walked over to her brother's side, sitting on his bed, "You don't remember them, do you?"

Masamune shook his head, "You only ever told me about them. But... how did they die? You've never told me that."

"Dad..." Macy sighed, "He worked in the Pentagon. He... died in the 9/11 crash. And mom died in the crash in Pennsylvania."

Masamune looked back to the picture, and Macy noticed how his shoulders slumped.

"Hey... press play on my CD player over there, will ya?" Masamune suddenly whispered.

Macy leaned over the bed, doing as said. A familiar tune filtered through the speakers, and she had to smile.

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Meanwhile, with the rest of Team Dungeon, they were all at Dungeon Gym, each of them honoring their own dead relatives that had died on this day.

Sometimes, just remembering someone was enough to honor them.

Okay... so here's the list of songs featured...

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson, Something to Be Proud Of by Montgomery Gentry,Independence Day by Martina Mcbride, Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue by Toby Kieth, and finally, God Bless the U.S.A, by Lee Greenwood.

I hope you all enjoyed this one- shot, and will always remember and honor the ones that died for us in battles, and those who lost their lives on patriotic days like this one.