Weak and Powerless
Chapter 1
Beep. Beep. Beep. An annoying sound rang through the air. Beep. Beep. Beep. What is that noise? A sterile clean smell was enough to prick anyone's noise.
"Kai?" A soft voice asked. "Kai, are you waking up?" The comforting voice came back again. [Who is that? Wait that's my name...Kai], felt lifeless, in mass oblivion. [Was this death?]
"Rei?" The answer came solemnly. "What happened?"
[flashback]
New York City
"Come on Kai, let go for a walk." Rei asked the lone wolf boy smiling contently, whilst staring out the window at the city lights.
With the finals being over, and everything restored to normal, it had been time for the Bladebreakers to have a vacation. It had been partially Max's idea for he wanted to go back and visit with both his parents. However Mr. Dickinson, had second the notion, for it would give the head office of the BBA a chance to question them about the World Championships. To learn what really happened with the mysterious bitbeasts and Dr. Zaggart.
Tyson jumped on the idea to travel again, and the others hadn't disagreed. Kai had been reluctant at first, saying it wasn't a good idea and they should remain in Japan to train. His vote was outnumbered and atlas he decided to come, 'someone had to baby-sit them.'
They had all spent the day at the BBA where they were still trying to recover the lost rock. After that the Tate's had taken them out for dinner and then they had all the returned to the hotel.
"Come on Kai." Rei asked again, disturbing the gray-eyed boy from his thoughts.
"You going for a walk?" Tyson asked eating an apple in the doorway.
"Yep." Rei grinned.
"Can we come?" Asked Hilary appearing behind Tyson, with Max in tow.
"Um..." Rei hesitated then watching Kai who hadn't yet opened his eyes. "Actually it looks like it's just us." He sighed. Kai still remained motionless. Sitting cross-legged on the bed and leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Great! I always wanted to see Central Park at night!" Hilary grinned then grabbing Tyson's arm she dragged him down the hall with the other's following.
Outside the air was cool and damp, but it didn't seem to bother the bladers who walked briskly across the road, heading for the large park.
"Where Kenny?" Rei asked curiously.
"He stayed behind, something about finally installing solitaire." Max laughed bringing his hands up by his mouth so he could rub them together and warm them by his breath.
Hilary was finding it easier to keep her hands warm by holding Tyson's who didn't seem to object, with a sly grin. Rei didn't seem to mind the cold as the four made their way to the park.
It was silent for a long time in the park. Hilary and Tyson went in search of hot chocolate and roasted peanuts, whereas Max and Rei were curious about some action they noticed on the other side of the park.
"Sounds like something's wrong." Rei remarked as they approached the destination.
"Yea, we should go check it out!" Max agreed and quickened his pace when he heard a noise that sounded, dangerously close to someone in pain.
The sight that befell them was not pleasant. This section of the park happened to fade into a not so great part of town. Therefore it attracted a lot of cruel, intentionally harmful people. Several guys stood around a kid, taunting, and kicking him every one and a while if he tried to get away. Laughter from over the crest of a small hill hinted the others were available for back up.
"Hey what are you doing?" Asked Rei angrily as he rushed to the startled kid.
"What does it matter to you?" Replied a tall, gruff guy coolly.
"You're hurting an innocent kid. I have something to say about it." Rei snapped as Max approached the scene more cautiously wishing Tyson and Hilary hadn't left. "Just leave him alone or-"
"Or what, you'll get us good?" They laughed noticing Rei's considerably small size, opposed to their strong builds.
"I just might." He smirked, reaching swiftly for his beyblade.
"So you beyblade do you?" Asked the guy supposed to be the leader. "Well then why don't we beybattle he kid's fate?" He said smoothly pulling out a rough, yet deadly looking blade.
"You're on!" Max spoke up, relieved that they could solve this without fighting. "But I promise you Draciel and Driger won't be a walk in the park." Max smiled slightly at his pun.
"Let it Rip!" Rei, Max and two of the other guys yelled.
"Draciel!"
"Driger! Waste no time!" Both bladers went immediately on the offense, targeting the enemies at once. Just as the battle could have ended, other's sent their beyblades into the action. The numbers had grown while they hadn't been paying attention. In the dark, the grimy figures seemed even more menacing. Even if the two Beybladers had to have taken on a hundred other beyblades, at this caliber, it was no problem for the two champions, who easily focused their skill into their intentions.
Soon the ground was littered with either broken or defeated blades.
"Alright now hand us the boy." Rei said catching Driger easily in his right gloved-hand. "Remember our deal."
"I don't think I do." The leader laughed gruffly, as Max turned and realized in their confidence on winning the battle they had regretfully failed to keep their guard up and were now surrounded. At least the little boy had gotten away.
"Um…Rei?" Max asked backing into the ebony haired boy.
"It's ok Max." Rei tired to reassure the younger blader as he, himself was loosing hope. He usually stood as the tallest but now the gruff gangsters had the advantage as they dwarfed the two Bladebreakers.
"Let's cut off his girlie hair!" One guy laughed as he coughed from drinking.
"Oh and the blondie, lets use him for entertainment." Both boys clenched their fists knowing that their blades wouldn't come in handy in the new situation.
"Don't let them know you're scared." Rei whispered under his breath to Max who was trembling, "they want to see fear."
"Well they got their wish." Max replied with a dishearten voice, as he tried to block out the inevitable.
"Let it Rip!" Came an aggressive yet welcomed voice. Rei and Max, back to back were anticipating the first punch when they heard the voice of their leader. Using his blade as a distraction, Kai leaped from a tree into the middle of the action. Catching Dranzer in his right hand he pocketed the beyblade and turned to face the ringleader.
"Do you mind!" He smirked with a hint of growing aggression. "These happened to be my teammates." He growled.
"Kai!" Rei cried with relief. Then turned to reassure and signal Max to begin fighting their way out.
The scene turned to chaos as the three Bladebreakers began a difficult fight, for their lives. Rei was doing his best to only manipulate self-defense techniques, however when he spun around to observe Max's progress, he discovered that the younger boy was facing a dilemma. Never having a chance such as this, Max was unsure and under confident of his absent fighting skills. He was forced to accept his punishment without any other choice before him. Rei swerved away from a poorly aimed punch and rushed to the blond boy's assistances. Max smiled weakly to Rei and whispered under his breath.
"Thanks, I thought I was a goner."
"Don't talk like that, lets get out of here." Rei failed to return the smile as he planned their escape route.
Meanwhile, the one, who was thought to never interfere with someone else's problems to save his life, was fighting for Max and Rei's. Taunting the older boys, he appeared to dance as he dodged and retaliated on the drunken crowd in equal measure.
"Hey there big shot! Think you can take us all on!" One guy asked almost doubled over, breathing heavily with the scent of alcohol clouding the air. Kai smirked and made a gesture as if to nod. Then he closed in, placing some fancy footwork, followed by a punch to the nose, which left the idiot grounded.
"Good enough answer?" He asked the heavy, unconscious boy.
"You won't get away with that!" His 'friends' shouted and lunged for the blue haired boy. Kai, who was expecting the ambush, was able to dodge the attack catching three of them behind, allowing them to collapse over their fallen ally.
"Dare to try that again?" He turned casually to his sobering victims.
Realizing the actual fight going on, the others were quickly regaining their stances. They now felt it was their turn to grin, for in all the chaos, Kai had failed and overlooked one forgotten factor. They had weapons.
Rei took the lead having Max follow closely behind him in order to shield the scared boy. Just when it seemed possible that there was an opening was before them, one of the overly aggressive boys would block it taunting the two and throwing punches, and whatever else they could muster. Somewhere behind him, the obsidian haired boy heard Kai. Relieved to know he was alright, his feelings quickly changed when he heard him cry out with pain close by. At last an opening was found as the gang was dispersing. Rei hurriedly pushed Max free of the fight but went to find Kai amongst the pandemonium.
Crimson blood was flowing down Kai's left shoulder. His only comfort for the wound was the person who had slit him, had not only lost his knife, but his consciousness as well, the owner of the knife now lay bleeding from a minor wound to his head. The blue haired boy was presently not only able to use his fists, but his worthwhile acquired weapon. He chose to use it lightly though, not wanting to cause any accidental fates. However despite all his determination, the confusion was taking it's toll. He was growing tired and agitated from his efforts. It was then that he felt a hand grip his pained shoulder, out of sheer desperation he whipped around and slashed up the boys face. His eyes widened and his stomach turned when he felt his repercussions. Warm blood now ran down the pale face of his charcoal haired teammate. Rei looked as if he too would be sick as he brought a shaking hand to his face and felt the deep gash on his cheek.
"Kai." He whispered. That's when Kai gave in. He grew confused, and filled with pain. It didn't take long for the gangsters to realize this, as he stumbled after dropping the knife. They crowed around him, not feeling Rei was any longer a threat they disregarded the shaking boy, but instead turned their attentions to revenge.
Rei was exhausted from the fight and in pain from the blood. He fell to his knees finding it impossible to regain his footing to help his doomed leader. "Kai." He whispered again.
Hilary and Tyson were chatting, finding much comfort in one another's company. It was Hilary who first noticed something was wrong. From their view they saw Max lying forgotten on the ground, Rei on all fours and a crowd of laughing aggressive men surrounding what she hoped wasn't Kai. Tyson and Hilary rushed to help praying they weren't to late, but by the time they got there, the older boys had at last grown tired of the upheaval and had left to find entertainment in other ways.
Max groaned and got to his feet. First he noticed Rei, shaking on his hands and knees, then his eyes traveled past him to a mangled body lying lifelessly on the blood stained grass.
"No..." He whispered.
"Max! Max! Max, what happened?" Hilary cried, tears rolling down her face, as she understood that the answer would not be good. Tyson had gone to help Rei to his feet, but Rei had immediately sought out Kai and rushed to his side. The other followed but unlike Rei they were unable to stomach the sight, which held them away a few feet.
Rei grabbed Kai's right hand between his own and quickly checked for a pulse. At first the hand felt cold with no sign of life, but than slowly every few seconds there was a dull thud. Like a candle in the wind, it seemed ready to die at any given moment. Kai hung desperately to life.
Rei tried over and over again to wake him up that night, however Kai hadn't awoken then and wouldn't for at least another month.
[/flashback]
"There was a fight," Rei replied tearfully. "It was big. It almost got the best of you." Rei cringed remembering the night. "And it was my fault."
Kai slowly opened his eyes and they flinched at the light.
"What kind of fight?" He asked with little emotion.
"Max and I had been walking when we thought we heard someone. We had a beybattle and tried to help this boy who was surrounded by a whole bunch of local New York City kids. We won but they decided to fight us instead, that's when you came." Rei spared him the details as he reached for Kai's cold hand, studying his gray eyes closely. "I'm sorry." Kai never responded.
Chapter 1
Beep. Beep. Beep. An annoying sound rang through the air. Beep. Beep. Beep. What is that noise? A sterile clean smell was enough to prick anyone's noise.
"Kai?" A soft voice asked. "Kai, are you waking up?" The comforting voice came back again. [Who is that? Wait that's my name...Kai], felt lifeless, in mass oblivion. [Was this death?]
"Rei?" The answer came solemnly. "What happened?"
[flashback]
New York City
"Come on Kai, let go for a walk." Rei asked the lone wolf boy smiling contently, whilst staring out the window at the city lights.
With the finals being over, and everything restored to normal, it had been time for the Bladebreakers to have a vacation. It had been partially Max's idea for he wanted to go back and visit with both his parents. However Mr. Dickinson, had second the notion, for it would give the head office of the BBA a chance to question them about the World Championships. To learn what really happened with the mysterious bitbeasts and Dr. Zaggart.
Tyson jumped on the idea to travel again, and the others hadn't disagreed. Kai had been reluctant at first, saying it wasn't a good idea and they should remain in Japan to train. His vote was outnumbered and atlas he decided to come, 'someone had to baby-sit them.'
They had all spent the day at the BBA where they were still trying to recover the lost rock. After that the Tate's had taken them out for dinner and then they had all the returned to the hotel.
"Come on Kai." Rei asked again, disturbing the gray-eyed boy from his thoughts.
"You going for a walk?" Tyson asked eating an apple in the doorway.
"Yep." Rei grinned.
"Can we come?" Asked Hilary appearing behind Tyson, with Max in tow.
"Um..." Rei hesitated then watching Kai who hadn't yet opened his eyes. "Actually it looks like it's just us." He sighed. Kai still remained motionless. Sitting cross-legged on the bed and leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Great! I always wanted to see Central Park at night!" Hilary grinned then grabbing Tyson's arm she dragged him down the hall with the other's following.
Outside the air was cool and damp, but it didn't seem to bother the bladers who walked briskly across the road, heading for the large park.
"Where Kenny?" Rei asked curiously.
"He stayed behind, something about finally installing solitaire." Max laughed bringing his hands up by his mouth so he could rub them together and warm them by his breath.
Hilary was finding it easier to keep her hands warm by holding Tyson's who didn't seem to object, with a sly grin. Rei didn't seem to mind the cold as the four made their way to the park.
It was silent for a long time in the park. Hilary and Tyson went in search of hot chocolate and roasted peanuts, whereas Max and Rei were curious about some action they noticed on the other side of the park.
"Sounds like something's wrong." Rei remarked as they approached the destination.
"Yea, we should go check it out!" Max agreed and quickened his pace when he heard a noise that sounded, dangerously close to someone in pain.
The sight that befell them was not pleasant. This section of the park happened to fade into a not so great part of town. Therefore it attracted a lot of cruel, intentionally harmful people. Several guys stood around a kid, taunting, and kicking him every one and a while if he tried to get away. Laughter from over the crest of a small hill hinted the others were available for back up.
"Hey what are you doing?" Asked Rei angrily as he rushed to the startled kid.
"What does it matter to you?" Replied a tall, gruff guy coolly.
"You're hurting an innocent kid. I have something to say about it." Rei snapped as Max approached the scene more cautiously wishing Tyson and Hilary hadn't left. "Just leave him alone or-"
"Or what, you'll get us good?" They laughed noticing Rei's considerably small size, opposed to their strong builds.
"I just might." He smirked, reaching swiftly for his beyblade.
"So you beyblade do you?" Asked the guy supposed to be the leader. "Well then why don't we beybattle he kid's fate?" He said smoothly pulling out a rough, yet deadly looking blade.
"You're on!" Max spoke up, relieved that they could solve this without fighting. "But I promise you Draciel and Driger won't be a walk in the park." Max smiled slightly at his pun.
"Let it Rip!" Rei, Max and two of the other guys yelled.
"Draciel!"
"Driger! Waste no time!" Both bladers went immediately on the offense, targeting the enemies at once. Just as the battle could have ended, other's sent their beyblades into the action. The numbers had grown while they hadn't been paying attention. In the dark, the grimy figures seemed even more menacing. Even if the two Beybladers had to have taken on a hundred other beyblades, at this caliber, it was no problem for the two champions, who easily focused their skill into their intentions.
Soon the ground was littered with either broken or defeated blades.
"Alright now hand us the boy." Rei said catching Driger easily in his right gloved-hand. "Remember our deal."
"I don't think I do." The leader laughed gruffly, as Max turned and realized in their confidence on winning the battle they had regretfully failed to keep their guard up and were now surrounded. At least the little boy had gotten away.
"Um…Rei?" Max asked backing into the ebony haired boy.
"It's ok Max." Rei tired to reassure the younger blader as he, himself was loosing hope. He usually stood as the tallest but now the gruff gangsters had the advantage as they dwarfed the two Bladebreakers.
"Let's cut off his girlie hair!" One guy laughed as he coughed from drinking.
"Oh and the blondie, lets use him for entertainment." Both boys clenched their fists knowing that their blades wouldn't come in handy in the new situation.
"Don't let them know you're scared." Rei whispered under his breath to Max who was trembling, "they want to see fear."
"Well they got their wish." Max replied with a dishearten voice, as he tried to block out the inevitable.
"Let it Rip!" Came an aggressive yet welcomed voice. Rei and Max, back to back were anticipating the first punch when they heard the voice of their leader. Using his blade as a distraction, Kai leaped from a tree into the middle of the action. Catching Dranzer in his right hand he pocketed the beyblade and turned to face the ringleader.
"Do you mind!" He smirked with a hint of growing aggression. "These happened to be my teammates." He growled.
"Kai!" Rei cried with relief. Then turned to reassure and signal Max to begin fighting their way out.
The scene turned to chaos as the three Bladebreakers began a difficult fight, for their lives. Rei was doing his best to only manipulate self-defense techniques, however when he spun around to observe Max's progress, he discovered that the younger boy was facing a dilemma. Never having a chance such as this, Max was unsure and under confident of his absent fighting skills. He was forced to accept his punishment without any other choice before him. Rei swerved away from a poorly aimed punch and rushed to the blond boy's assistances. Max smiled weakly to Rei and whispered under his breath.
"Thanks, I thought I was a goner."
"Don't talk like that, lets get out of here." Rei failed to return the smile as he planned their escape route.
Meanwhile, the one, who was thought to never interfere with someone else's problems to save his life, was fighting for Max and Rei's. Taunting the older boys, he appeared to dance as he dodged and retaliated on the drunken crowd in equal measure.
"Hey there big shot! Think you can take us all on!" One guy asked almost doubled over, breathing heavily with the scent of alcohol clouding the air. Kai smirked and made a gesture as if to nod. Then he closed in, placing some fancy footwork, followed by a punch to the nose, which left the idiot grounded.
"Good enough answer?" He asked the heavy, unconscious boy.
"You won't get away with that!" His 'friends' shouted and lunged for the blue haired boy. Kai, who was expecting the ambush, was able to dodge the attack catching three of them behind, allowing them to collapse over their fallen ally.
"Dare to try that again?" He turned casually to his sobering victims.
Realizing the actual fight going on, the others were quickly regaining their stances. They now felt it was their turn to grin, for in all the chaos, Kai had failed and overlooked one forgotten factor. They had weapons.
Rei took the lead having Max follow closely behind him in order to shield the scared boy. Just when it seemed possible that there was an opening was before them, one of the overly aggressive boys would block it taunting the two and throwing punches, and whatever else they could muster. Somewhere behind him, the obsidian haired boy heard Kai. Relieved to know he was alright, his feelings quickly changed when he heard him cry out with pain close by. At last an opening was found as the gang was dispersing. Rei hurriedly pushed Max free of the fight but went to find Kai amongst the pandemonium.
Crimson blood was flowing down Kai's left shoulder. His only comfort for the wound was the person who had slit him, had not only lost his knife, but his consciousness as well, the owner of the knife now lay bleeding from a minor wound to his head. The blue haired boy was presently not only able to use his fists, but his worthwhile acquired weapon. He chose to use it lightly though, not wanting to cause any accidental fates. However despite all his determination, the confusion was taking it's toll. He was growing tired and agitated from his efforts. It was then that he felt a hand grip his pained shoulder, out of sheer desperation he whipped around and slashed up the boys face. His eyes widened and his stomach turned when he felt his repercussions. Warm blood now ran down the pale face of his charcoal haired teammate. Rei looked as if he too would be sick as he brought a shaking hand to his face and felt the deep gash on his cheek.
"Kai." He whispered. That's when Kai gave in. He grew confused, and filled with pain. It didn't take long for the gangsters to realize this, as he stumbled after dropping the knife. They crowed around him, not feeling Rei was any longer a threat they disregarded the shaking boy, but instead turned their attentions to revenge.
Rei was exhausted from the fight and in pain from the blood. He fell to his knees finding it impossible to regain his footing to help his doomed leader. "Kai." He whispered again.
Hilary and Tyson were chatting, finding much comfort in one another's company. It was Hilary who first noticed something was wrong. From their view they saw Max lying forgotten on the ground, Rei on all fours and a crowd of laughing aggressive men surrounding what she hoped wasn't Kai. Tyson and Hilary rushed to help praying they weren't to late, but by the time they got there, the older boys had at last grown tired of the upheaval and had left to find entertainment in other ways.
Max groaned and got to his feet. First he noticed Rei, shaking on his hands and knees, then his eyes traveled past him to a mangled body lying lifelessly on the blood stained grass.
"No..." He whispered.
"Max! Max! Max, what happened?" Hilary cried, tears rolling down her face, as she understood that the answer would not be good. Tyson had gone to help Rei to his feet, but Rei had immediately sought out Kai and rushed to his side. The other followed but unlike Rei they were unable to stomach the sight, which held them away a few feet.
Rei grabbed Kai's right hand between his own and quickly checked for a pulse. At first the hand felt cold with no sign of life, but than slowly every few seconds there was a dull thud. Like a candle in the wind, it seemed ready to die at any given moment. Kai hung desperately to life.
Rei tried over and over again to wake him up that night, however Kai hadn't awoken then and wouldn't for at least another month.
[/flashback]
"There was a fight," Rei replied tearfully. "It was big. It almost got the best of you." Rei cringed remembering the night. "And it was my fault."
Kai slowly opened his eyes and they flinched at the light.
"What kind of fight?" He asked with little emotion.
"Max and I had been walking when we thought we heard someone. We had a beybattle and tried to help this boy who was surrounded by a whole bunch of local New York City kids. We won but they decided to fight us instead, that's when you came." Rei spared him the details as he reached for Kai's cold hand, studying his gray eyes closely. "I'm sorry." Kai never responded.