I'm still working on Ax3 and Wake, but I wanted to write something totally different for a change. That, and I have the attention span of a squirrel so if I don't have more than three projects going at one time I get bored and scamper off to do something different…

Disclaimer: Beyblade, all associated characters and themes belong to Aoki Takao-sensei. Story and unknown characters belong to me. No money-makey, I write to amuse myself.

Here we go!

Natural Selection

1. Those Once Fallen

A lone figure stood at the edge of the golden sand dunes that stretched out to the far horizon before her and beyond. Clothed from head to foot in thick beige robes to protect from the harsh rays of the sun, only a pair of striking eyes could be seen through the gap between the wraps covering the nose and mouth and the hood.

An image of the ground far below with a vast shadow soaring over the sand flashed in her mind, the cool coil around her neck rubbing its head against the base of her throat.

Not now, we've flown enough, she thought back, absently lifting a gloved hand to trace the outline of the creature. We're too close to the border.

Flickers of disappointment faded to where the creature's mind melded with her own.

It still felt strange to have another mind settled in the back of her own, increasing her knowledge and magic one hundred fold. Her side still tickled with the electricity that had taken over her body the second she had first joined with the spirit. It felt stranger still when she remembered that she was now an outlaw to her own kind. From beneath the wraps her mouth twisted into a scowl.

Just because she was young...

Sensing her distress, the little creature began to hum, nuzzling her throat with its head. Images of rolling hills and wispy clouds intermingled with the colors of inquiry, comfort, and the beginnings of fierce protectiveness coursing from its mind to hers. Whispers of questions in a voice like a silver bell flitted through her mind, but none of them were even vaguely intelligible. The emotions, however, were.

The spirit was concerned.

We'll fly in a little while, I promise, she thought, smiling slightly when she felt the creature's head rub against her finger. So we go this way, huh?

The spirit bobbed its head up and down, cool scales sliding over her throat. The colors it sent changed from comforting to excitement, images of vast sand dunes and rivers of fire not far behind.

Now that the spirit seemed satisfied with her comfort and destination, it settled down to rest its head along her collar, nestled comfortably beneath the light robes and over her own pale skin.

Once she had regained her bearings, she slid down the slope of sand and made her way farther south.

Ozuma lifted a hand to shield his eyes against the glare of the sun. A dark cloud was forming over the northwestern horizon, moving swiftly toward the walls of the city. He cursed, rounding on booted heel and dodging peasants unfortunate enough to get in his way.

This was the third dust storm in a week, something that didn't bode well for those in the land of fire. While they thrived in the desert heat, even they couldn't survive if caught in the throes of a raging storm outside the city walls.

His spirit half, Flash-Leopard, bounded beside him in a blur of black and red, its cries resounding through the stone walls. Through its mind he passed what he saw, throwing image after image of past storms and the new one coming up on the horizon, into the minds of those other spirits around him to warn their Fay halves.

The dark-haired Fay swung around a pillar of stone, dropping down beside a flight of stairs to continue running the second his feet hit the ground. "Get the canvas up! Storm coming from the northwest!" he shouted, snapping his fingers and sending little sparks of flame to burn the ropes that held the vast canvas at bay. Sheets of thick cloth fell down to the ground, providing a shield to protect those unable to help themselves.

"How close, Ozuma?" Johnny yelled from nearby.

"Close enough for me to run," he snapped, throwing bolts of fire at the coils of rope that held back the rest of the canvas. "Get to shelter now!"

The deafening peal of a bell forced Ozuma's hands to his ears, but the warning was enough to get even the most stubborn citizens to shelter.

"We're all gonna die!"

Then again, some of us never learn... Ozuma thought in annoyance as he spied Midge sitting in a heap of rags on the ground, staring stupidly at the oncoming cloud, a high-pitched keening emitting from his open mouth. Torn between the vague sense that he needed to protect even the lowliest of his kind and the desire to let the idiot die, Ozuma was saved the decision when the head of the cloud burst over the top of the wall.

Flash-Leopard leaped before its Fay counterpart, shielding him as best it could with its body. Ozuma wrapped one arm around the spirit's barrel, holding it close as he tumbled beneath a canvas and landed in an undignified heap near the fortress wall.

"They're getting worse."

Ozuma shook the sand from his hair in time to see the black-clad figure of Mellanie, a fellow Fay of fire standing nearby. Her spirit half sat beside her, bat-like wings folded and armored head regarding him coolly.

"Everything's getting worse," he grumbled, dusting himself off. Flash-Leopard braced all four paws and shook the sand from its body, sending it flying everywhere.

"Mm..." Mel turned her head to watch the wall of dust slam into the walls, remaining unperturbed by the shock that ran through the stone and into her body. "How quickly did it move?"

"Faster than anything I've ever seen." The shorter Fay stood up, angling his head to look into the silver-blue eyes of the female Fay. "It was just a shadow on the horizon and then it hit the walls not two minutes later."

Obsidian brows furrowed. "The Phoenix should know about this." Without an invitation for him to follow she stepped over the flickering flames in the hearth nearby, vanishing from sight, her spirit half following closely behind. Ozuma did the same, Flash-Leopard at his side, and disappeared into the flames.

"We can't defend against the storms, Phoenix. What should we do?"

The shadowed figure stood from the throne, throwing the crimson silk curtains aside. Clad in black trousers and tunic tied at the waist by a sapphire sash, the Phoenix strode away from the wall toward the blazing hearth behind the two kneeling subjects. "Only those of Air could have done this."

Ozuma and Mel exchanged looks once the Phoenix had passed between them. The Fay of air had once been allies of fire until the Great War had split the four kingdoms into bitter rivals. Now not one kingdom trusted another, the Fay of fire holding a particular sore spot to those of air because of their betrayal.

"You think they mean to start the War again?"

The Phoenix didn't move from his place before the flames and he was silent for a long time. Light and shadow battled for dominance on his expressionless face, gently rustling the thick silver bangs that hung over his brow to shadow crimson eyes. What do you think, Dranzer?

The firebird stirred from its roost in the rafters high above, opening one sky blue eye to regard its Fay counterpart. Something is amiss, the creature allowed. But I know not what it is.

Instead of answering the question voiced earlier, the Phoenix continued to stare into the flames. "Leave me."

Ozuma and Mel bowed deeply, doing as they were ordered. The moment they were gone from the room, the firebird dropped gracefully from the rafters, beating its great wings until it landed on the shoulder of its partner. There is great unrest amongst the spirits, it said. We grow weaker as each year comes to pass.

The Phoenix looked sharply at the creature on his shoulder. The magic...

Is disappearing from our Kingdom, the firebird finished. Its eyes locked on those of its Fay, glimmering with a trace of sadness. If it should continue, we shall perish.

- Tsudzuku -

Okay then... As it turns out, I'm in desperate need of OCs. The ones I need the most are those of Fire. So if you want to offer your OC, give me a full profile like this:

Name (First name only):
Appearance (including eyes, hair, height, and any special features your OC might have):
Element (Fire, Earth, Water, or Air):
Personality:
Bitbeast (including name, personality, and appearance):

Until next time, review! Let me know what you think!