Acceptance

By EpitomeOfMisery

Chapter I: Rise from the ashes

Today was the day. The opening of the new BBA building in place of BEGA. The start of a new era of Beyblading.

"Oh man, I can't wait." Three time world champion and winner of the BEGA justice 5 tournament, Tyson Granger, beamed. It was his responsibility to cut the ribbon and open the new Beyblading headquarters.

"Just wait and see! I'll train till I'm number one!" Daichi boasted.

They currently stood amongst a large crowd that had gathered around the new building, all wearing VIP badges.

"It's great that everyone's going to get to train together for the new tournament. Then we'll get to battle against all our old enemies who have now become friends." Max said.

"Just remember you guys, though the new tournament is friendly, we should still train hard." Kenny lectured, always cautious.

"I can't wait to see everyone again." Hillary said. "It's going to be great. I just hope the old BEGA team get on with everyone."

The previous BEGA team had now joined the BBA after Boris' organisation had been shut down and the five of them had realised they were working for a man with nothing but evil intentions.

The others teams that had helped the G revolutions to win had returned home for the past week and were returning to Japan today. There was friendly tournament starting soon to celebrate the BBA's re-opening.

But the biggest change of all was the ex-BEGA team joining what had been their previous enemies.

Garland stared out the window of the limousine his team were currently travelling in. In the seat next to him was a happily smiling and changed, for the better, Brooklyn who was stroking the small white mouse on his shoulder.

A small smile spread across the team captain's face. He was glad to see Brooklyn finally free of his fear of loosing.

Opposite the two of them sat Ming-Ming. On her aqua hair was a white fluffy designer cap with matching boots, leather white skirt and jacket, over a pale blue low cut top.

Jumping up and down beside her was the platinum blonde Mystel. As usual he couldn't sit still and hopped in his seat.

Behind himself and Brooklyn was Crusher, also gazing out of the window. The small doll his sister made was peeking out his pocket.

As the sleek black car pulled up outside the BBA, all five bladers looked up, unbuckling their seat belts and climbing out.

They stood on the concrete ground as the car pulled away. Cameras instantly turning and flashing at them.

Ming-Ming instantly flaunted herself in front of the cameras, smiling and poising. Unlike the others who stayed in the background.

After pushing their way through the mob of reporters, they saw Tyson and a few of the other teams standing up front.

Said world champion turned and saw them approaching. "Hey guys!" he shouted loudly, waving madly.

Garland led the group up to them. "Hello, Tyson." He greeted, shaking hands with the Japanese boy.

"H-Hiya, M-Ming-Ming." Kenny stuttered, sidling up to the singer.

Blinking at the sound of her name, she turned and gave Kenny a smile which resulted in the brunette blushing furiously.

The other teams were crowded behind Tyson, all looking at the BEGA team curiously. The world champ seemed kind and willing to forget the past, but a fair few of the others had their doubts.

From the other side of the large field outside, ice blue eyes flashed with anger. Hands closed into fists, biceps tensed under the white bandages that covered the majority of his body. The parts not covered, littered with cuts and bruises. All because of that one figure his eyes were now fixed upon…

Garland.

"Tala?" Bryan spoke up next to him. "Are you alright? We can go back inside if you want. You are supposed to be resting."

Tala shook his head, not looking away from the tall blader who had represented the man he hated.

The opening ceremony was over within an hour and all the announcements about the friendly tournament made. Tyson cut the ribbon and cheers erupted from the crowd as the BBA was officially back up and running.

Afterwards most of the professional bladers were standing around chatting.

Tyson noticed the BEGA team standing to the side and waved to them. He felt sorry for them being left out. "Hey guys! Come join in."

The five of them glanced at each other before joining the large group.

Brooklyn had soon very shyly joined in a conversation with the girls, calling a few birds to him as a few of the female bladers complimented on how sensitive he was.

Crusher was having a small conversation with Ray about how his sister, Monica, had been getting on. The two already seemed to be good friends.

Hillary was glaring as Ming-Ming talked to Kenny and making him blush a lot.

Mystel was talking to the White Tiger X about how much he had liked their hometown.

Garland stood at the side, no one talking to him. Tyson smiled and asked him an occasional question, but the most never said a word to him.

He looked around at his teammates. "What are they doing that I'm not?" he muttered to himself. He looked up as he saw a couple of the girls glance at him before whispering to each other. He listened in on the conversation, only catching a few words.

…Battle… vicious… cold-hearted… mean… how could he…?

Garland listened harder, but the next word was all he needed to understand.

…Tala…

Was everyone excluding him just because he beat that ex-student of Boris'? He had heard that Tala had been rushed to hospital and ended up in a coma. But he was awake now, so what was everyone's problem?

As it got darker, everyone trailed inside.

As everyone approached the dinner hall, Garland stayed at the back, no one talking to him. The door closed behind Ming-Ming who was standing in front of him as he stopped and azure eyes fixed on a lone figure leaning against the wall down a side corridor.

Gritting his teeth he turned on his heel, approaching the thin form.

Tala sighed, leaning back against the wall, closing his eyes briefly.

"Hey."

Ice blue orbs flew open as a voice addressed him, eyes instantly narrowing as he saw who was standing before him. "What do you want?" He growled.

"To warn you." Garland replied casually.

Tala looked at him suspiciously. A dreaded feeling rising within him. Boris had gotten out of jail once, who said he could not do it again. "About what?"

Garland moved so fast even Tala's quick reactions had no time to dodge. Before he knew it Garland's hand was round his throat and he was slammed back against the wall.

The former BEGA captain held him tightly, eyes burning. "I'm only warning you once. So you'd better act fast."

"…What?" Tala choked out. Normally he would have possessed the strength to throw Garland off of him, his abbey training came in useful sometimes, but in his still recovering state after what the same blader now holding him did to him, he was helpless.

"You know what." Garland withdrew slightly, before shoving him back again. "I'm being rejected here. Everyone's looking at me like I'm evil and it's all because of you."

Tala grabbed the teen's wrists, trying to pry him off. "I haven't… done any-thing." He struggled to speak as the hand around his throat tightened. "You're acting… crazy."

"I'm being nice enough to give you a warning. But if you cross me, I'm going to get you."

Tala fought against him, trying to get his hands off of his throat before he choked. "You're as bad as Boris."

Garland's grip tightened. "You know what, I preferred working for Boris. He gave me everything I could ever want. And best of all, you weren't there to turn people against me."

Tala looked at him as if he was insane. "How can you enjoy being brainwashed?"

Garland moved his other hand to grab Tala's wrist, examining the cuts and bruises. A sick smirk came onto his features. "I've hurt you badly once, Tala." He stared into the ice blue irises. "I can do it again."

"Why did you let Boris influence you?" Tala growled, gritting his teeth at the pressure Garland was putting on his wounds. "Your under his control."

"This isn't about Boris." Garland seethed, twisting Tala's arm. "This is your only warning. If you don't stop playing the sympathy act and making people think the worst of me, I'll take it out on you."

"I can't help what everyone else… thinks."

Garland slammed him again. "Well your going to have to. Either improve my reputation or… well, you'll just have to wait and see. You haven't seen what I can do yet." He released Tala.

The Russian was completely unprepared and fell back against the wall, breathing heavily.

"This was only a taster. I'm not sure you'll want the main course." With that he turned away, leaving Tala on the floor, rubbing his neck.

The Japanese athlete made his way into the dining room, sitting beside Brooklyn. He glanced over at the table where Bryan, Spencer and strangely Kai, were sitting. They were talking to each other quietly, looking concerned.

Turning his attention back to the boy next to him, he saw Brooklyn's little white mouse peeping out of his pocket.

He looked back to the Blitzkrieg boys' table just in time to see Kai get up and leave the room, Bryan and Spencer staring after him.

A frown crossed his tanned face as he realized he should have made sure Tala wouldn't tell anyone what he did. But if the Russian knew what was good for him, he would keep quiet.

He was surprised at himself as he didn't feel the slightest bit guilty. Maybe threatening him like that was a bit too far, but it felt good, like he had all the power. He'd known he had Tala at his mercy. And why shouldn't he? He was being shunned, all because of the red head that everyone felt sorry for. Why should Tala get all the sympathy? He didn't have to go through with that battle, he could have backed down. But he had to try and prove he was better, so it was his own fault.

A few minutes later Kai came back and said something to the two Blitzkrieg boys. Then they all left.

Garland's eyes narrowed. If Tala had told anyone, he would make him pay.

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