The World Championships
Chapter 2 The Australian Qualifiers, Block A
It was eight o clock in the morning when Qantas Flight 874 reached Melbourne Airport. The plane gently landed and taxied down the runway, before being towed towards the exit tunnel. Upon the plane reaching the exit tunnel, the G-Revolutions woke up slowly, before adjusting their seats.
"Well, here we are, so let's get to the stadium to watch those preliminaries" Tyson said brightly, rubbing his eyes.
"Tyson, we need to check into our hotel first and then we'll go to the stadium" Kenny replied.
Tyson wasn't exactly happy with this, but the Australian preliminaries didn't start until half past ten, thus enabling the G-Revolutions time to check into their hotel and put their baggage away. The G-Revolutions quickly took to collecting their baggage from the airport, before going outside to wait for their taxi.
As the G-Revolutions hauled their baggage to the taxi, Tyson spotted another Beyblade team, consisting of three boys and two girls along with a man clad in a black business suit and shoes. The man also had hazel green eyes and a neck length mullet. Kai looked over at the man, he could feel something strange about him.
The G-Revolutions went over to the other Beyblade team, when Tyson promptly struck up conversation.
"So, what are you guys doing here" he asked.
"We're here for the same reason you are" replied a girl with long turquoise hair that reached her mid back and blue eyes.
"You're here to watch the preliminaries too, right?" Tyson asked.
"That's correct" the turquoise haired girl stated.
"Are you looking forward to them" Tyson queried.
"Yeah, I was too psyched to sleep when I was on the plane what about you" the girl answered.
"Yeah, I'm interested to see who'll make the team" said Tyson.
Suddenly, Kenny interrupted.
"Tyson, sorry to break up your conversation but our taxi's outside" he said.
"I've got to go but I look forward to seeing you at the tournament though, and I'm Tyson by the way" Tyson said quickly, extending his hand.
"Taylor" the girl replied.
"It's nice to meet you" Tyson stated.
"You as well, Tyson" said Taylor, she shook Tyson's hand before they parted company.
As soon as the G-Revolutions had left to go to their taxi, the man with the mullet looked down at Taylor.
"Who was that you were talking to?" he asked.
"Tyson Granger, the Beyblade World Champion" Taylor answered.
"Ah, so the world champion is going to watch the preliminaries, eh" the man said.
"He certainly is, Mr. Coupe" Taylor stated.
"Well, it'll be interesting to see how our illegal Beyblades can be used in the championships" Mr. Coupe smirked.
"What illegal Beyblades?" Taylor asked, irked about the mention of the subject.
"The ones we used to win Vietnam's preliminaries" Mr. Coupe replied.
"I don't remember using any illegal Beyblades there" Taylor stated.
"Daryl, jog Taylor's memory" Mr. Coupe stated, pointing to a boy with wildly spiked blue-black hair and green eyes.
"Thanks to Mr. Coupe's illegal work and the risks we took in our battles, we've won the preliminaries" Daryl stated.
"You're welcome, Daryl we'll be implementing those in the championships but for now we have to get to the hotel" Mr. Coupe replied.
Mr. Coupe led the five members of Risk Factor away from the airport lobby, towards the exit where another taxi arrived. However, this taxi was different from the one that the G-Revolutions were in, it was more like a van. Then the two taxis drove away, following one another at first.
"Man, it was certainly interesting to meet another Beyblade team at the airport" Tyson stated.
"It was but we'll be competing against them in the championships" Kenny replied.
"The only downer was that there might be another Barthez situation" Tyson added.
"I don't think they're anything like Barthez's old team" Kenny reassured.
"Yeah but, there was something about Mr. Coupe that reminded me of Barthez" Tyson replied.
"I'm sure Mr. Coupe is nothing like Barthez" Kenny stated.
"How can you be sure" Tyson asked.
Kenny was silent for a minute, trying to think of an answer. The awkward silence was because despite trying to reassure Tyson, he didn't know Mr. Coupe at all.
For the duration of the taxi journey, Tyson was looking over his shoulder, observing Risk Factor's taxi, if it was following them. As Risk Factor's taxi turned off, Tyson could see Taylor waving to him. He waved back and gave her a thumb up, she did the same to him.
After another twenty minutes of driving, the G-Revolutions reached their hotel in Melbourne. It was a huge hotel, with a spacious lobby and fish tanks dotted all over it. Kenny went up to the reception desk and spoke to the receptionist about the booking.
The booking was quickly sorted, and a porter helped them take their bags up to their rooms, all of which were on the same floor. However, they left their bags in their rooms and kept their Beyblades on hand, ensuring that they would be safe for the Championships. After their bags were put away and everyone had showered and got back into their clothes, the G-Revolutions went back down to the lobby, it was now nine o clock in the morning.
"What time's the taxi going to be here?" asked Max.
"In ten minutes" Kenny replied, looking at his watch.
"Good, I'm really looking forward to it" Tyson chipped in.
Sure enough, Kenny was right because the taxi had arrived bang on time. Now that the taxi had arrived, everyone rushed out to get in, filling it up fast. The driver then turned on the gas pedal, pulling away from the hotel.
As the G-Revolutions travelled away, Tyson noticed another taxi coming up behind them. He turned his head round, spotting Mr. Coupe in the front seat of the other taxi. Tyson could see that Mr. Coupe was in a foul mood, his eyebrows were practically knitted together.
Tyson couldn't help laughing when he saw the look on Mr. Coupe's face, especially as they passed one another. Mr. Coupe, on the other hand didn't look amused, he shot Tyson a stern look but that didn't bother the world champion.
About an hour later both taxis arrived at the Docklands Stadium, the drivers parked and the G-Revolutions and Risk Factor got out of them. Tyson looked over at the stadium, the place was packed to the brim. He could see countless Beybladers and spectators, luckily Kenny was prepared with their booking reference so there'd be no problems there.
Kenny quickly sorted out the seats for the G-Revolutions, while Mr. Coupe did the same for Risk Factor. While this was being done, the G-Revolutions started mingling with Risk Factor, interacting with them. However, this stopped when Kenny and Mr. Coupe had sorted the seats and the two teams split up, before going to spectate.
As the two teams parted company, Tyson wondered to himself whether Risk Factor could be trusted. However, he couldn't let that distract him from the tournament. The G-Revolutions walked up to their seats in the front row, right opposite the stadium, Tyson could see Risk Factor sitting at the very top but on the opposite side.
"Welcome to the Australian preliminary tournament, this tournament will determine who will represent Australia in the world championships. There are five blocks in the tournament and the winner of each block's gauntlet will become a representative of the Australian team" DJ Jazzman announced.
A loud cheer rang from the crowd, flooding through the stadium. The G-Revolutions could see countless Beybladers, all of whom were wearing wristbands to represent their tournament block. All the block A beybladers were wearing blue wristbands, while those in block B were wearing red.
The block C beybladers were wearing yellow wristbands, Block D beybladers' wristbands were green. Finally, the Block E beybladers' wristbands were purple.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls get ready to Beyblade because it's now time for the Block A qualifiers, first up from block A will be Xavier Smith" DJ Jazzman shouted, as a boy with blue dreadlocks and green eyes stepped up
"Xavier's no slouch, especially with his Forest Crotalus' Rattling Poison Tooth attack, he'll be infecting his opponent" Brad Best stated.
"His opponent will be the ever rough and rugged, Darrion Walker" DJ Jazzman stated.
Darrion Walker was a well-known Beyblader from Honolulu, Hawaii and he had already won three national tournaments.
"Darrion's an unpredictable blader with his Rock Unicornis bit beast, one wrong move with him could spell disaster for the opponent" AJ Topper said.
The two beybladers took positions in front of one another, eyes gleaming and ready to battle.
"Let's see what stadium they'll be battling in" DJ Jazzman said.
In seconds the stadium appeared, it looked like Ayers Rock in the dish with a small amount of water surrounding it.
"Alright Beybladers get ready" DJ Jazzman announced.
Xavier and Darrion took their positions opposite each other, preparing their Beyblades and launchers.
"Three, two, one Let it rip" DJ Jazzman stated.
Both Xavier and Darrion released their Beyblades into stadium.
"Rock Unicornis attack Now," Darrion commanded.
Darrion's grey and blue Beyblade zoomed towards Xavier's gold Beyblade.
"Dodge now" Xavier snapped.
Forest Crotalus evaded Rock Unicornis and spun behind it.
"Rock Unicornis, charge"
Darrion's beyblade zoomed towards Forest Crotalus, like a rocket. Xavier saw this and quickly reacted, ordering his blade to dodge. Rock Unicornis crashed into the far side of the stadium, miraculously though it still spun.
"Rock Unicornis, Ramming Wrecker attack"
An armoured black rhinoceros appeared and snorted, before charging towards Forest Crotalus.
"Darrion clearly wants to end this quick, he's calling out the big horns" Brad Best stated.
"Xavier's gonna be history if he doesn't act soon"
"Forest Crotalus, back spin and go behind him"
Xavier's beyblade passed Rock Unicornis, confusing Darrion.
"What the deuce"
"Nice try, Darrion"
"Oh yeah, go Rock Unicornis"
Rock Unicornis turned and slammed Forest Crotalus hard, sending it into the wall. Xavier cursed furiously, but he wasn't discouraged.
"Counter attack now"
Forest Crotalus slammed aggressively into Rock Unicornis, knocking it around like a tennis ball. Darrion looked on, shocked as Xavier's beyblade banged him around.
"That's it, keep it up"
"Fight him Rock Unicornis"
"You're welcome to try"
Suddenly, Rock Unicornis began to viciously attack, striking faster and faster with every passing second.
"Shoot"
"Keep going Rock Unicornis"
Rock Unicornis began pushing Forest Crotalus into a corner, grinding hard and viciously.
"Now back away"
"What's going on, why's he backing away"
"Now, Ramming Wrecker again"
"Perfect"
As Rock Unicornis shot forwards, Xavier stayed relaxed while his beyblade spun. He waited patiently for Rock Unicornis to get in close, once it was close enough, he struck.
"Forest Crotalus, Rattling Poison Tooth" Xavier commanded.
A golden yellow rattlesnake with black crossbands appeared, biting the leg of Rock Unicornis. Rock Unicornis began to fade from the poison and fell over, Forest Crotalus gave one slam more and sent Rock Unicornis flying out of the stadium.
"Winner Xavier" DJ Jazzman announced.
Darrion picked up Rock Unicornis and slunk away, defeated.
Forest Crotalus returned to Xavier's hand, he walked back to the blue sky box.
"That Xavier must be really good if he beat Darrion so quickly" said Ray.
"He's clearly no push over with that speed" Tyson added.
"Xavier clearly knew what he was doing" Daichi stated.
"You shouldn't underestimate him, but he was good" Kai added.
"Ah so Xavier defeated Darrion, but how will he fare against us" said Mr. Coupe
"It will be interesting to see"
"Yes it shall"
Before long, DJ Jazzman announced the next players for Block A.
"Next up for block A is the ever risky Jack, his Jormungandr bit beast could really send you for a ride.
"His opponent is the unpredictable Mexican beauty, Juanita Suarez"
"Juanita may be attractive, but with her Saint Joan bit beast, she can cut you down to size"
"Beybladers, get ready"
A fourteen-year-old boy with black hair and green eyes, stood at one side of the shamanic stadium and a seventeen-year-old girl with waist length fiery red hair and blue eyes stood at the other.
Jack took his launcher and grey beyblade from his jeans, while Juanita took her gold beyblade and launcher from her Mexican dress.
"3, 2, 1 let it rip!!"
Upon hearing that statement, Jack and Juanita launched their beyblades.
"Go for it, Jormungandr"
Jormungandr slammed into Saint Joan like a hammer.
"Counter attack Saint Joan" Juanita's beyblade pushed Jormungandr back hard.
"Jormungandr, fight back"
"Attack Saint Joan"
Jormungandr and Saint Joan locked against each other, rubbing in opposite directions.
"Saint Joan, Golden Slash attack"
"Jormungandr, Blazing Dragon Strike"
An enormous serpent like beast roared, breathing a powerful blast of green fire from its mouth. But not before a short haired woman, clad in armour appeared, the blade of her sword was glowing gold and the two collided in a stalemate.
"What's going on, neither beyblade is visible"
"Who won?"
In minutes, the light faded and Jormungandr was lying motionless. Saint Joan was still spinning, Juanita caught her beyblade and walked away, blowing Jack a kiss.
"Jormungandr is out, as is Jack"
"Juanita is the winner"
"Lets make it official"
"Jack put up a good fight, but Juanita just had the win"
"Well, she might be interesting to face"
"That's if she makes the team"
"Good point"
"She beat Jack really quick"
After Juanita went back to the blue sky box, DJ Jazzman announced the the next combatants.
Tyson looked down, his eyes recognised the familiar afro of one of the bladers.
"Third up is the ever reckless Chad Danforth"
"Sick, my cousin's competing as well"
"Chad's your cousin"
"You got that right, Kai, my dad's older brother's middle son"
"Really"
"Yeah"
"Chad is one wild beyblader, with his Blazetail bit beast's Quill Cascade attack"
"His opponent is none other than the overweight but fierce, Willoughby Hooper-Smith"
"Willoughby's no slouch with his Taurus bit beast's Grand Fissure, but how will he fare against Chad"
"Now let's see what stadium Chad and Willoughby will face off in"
"How interesting, Pearl Harbour"
"3, 2, 1, Let it rip"
Chad and Willoughby launched their blades onto the harbour's edge.
"Taurus, Grand Fissure"
A huge bull appeared, stomping viciously and the ground started to shake.
"Nice try, fat boy"
"What do you mean"
"Go Blazetail, Quill Cascade"
A red tailed hawk emerged, screeching, it beat its mighty wings and projected a powerful feather gust.
"Oh no" screamed Willoughby
"Afraid so, fat boy"
Chad's red beyblade slammed Willoughby's green one, right out of the dish and it broke in half at Willoughby's feet. Blazetail returned to Chad's open hand, as quickly as it defeated Taurus.
After defeating Willoughby, Chad returned to the Block A skybox where he listened for the next battle. Before long, DJ Jazzman was picking out the next bladers.
"Its time for Block A's Fourth Round, Beybladers, get ready"
"Here comes the wild and rugged, Juan Carlos Ruiz"
"Juan Carlos is one crazy blader, with his Venom Cobra bit beast, he can poison you out"
"His opponent is none other than the ever mysterious Amber Brooks"
"Amber is no slouch, with her Sucharin's Melting Flare attack, she'll burn the competition"
"Lets see what stadium they'll face off in"
The floor opened to reveal a canyon bowl, composed of rocks on all sides.
"3,2,1, Let it Rip"
Juan Carlos launched Venom Cobra into the bowl. Amber promptly followed suit, releasing Sucharin.
"Sucharin attack"
"Counter Venom Cobra"
Sucharin and Venom Cobra struck one another, rubbing each other in opposite directions.
"Keep attacking while you can, Sucharin"
"Fight him Venom Cobra"
"Sucharin, Melting Flare"
A gold Chinese dragon with red eyes appeared, it shot a powerful blast of molten fire from its mouth. The gold beyblade was encased in fire, it slammed Juan Carlos' yellow beyblade, striking it and breaking it into pieces.
Juan Carlos fell to his knees, while Sucharin remained spinning before returning to Amber's hand.
"Winner Amber"
"That Amber is one excellent blader, if she beat Juan Carlos so quickly"
"She'd definitely be good competition if she makes the team"
"That's if she makes it"
"That was one intense battle, now we have one more before the deciding gauntlet"
"Bring on Block A's final Beybladers"
In seconds, the final two Beybladers stepped up, the first was Kayden and the second was Guy.
"Kayden is one rugged challenger, his Ladon bit beast can really tie an opponent up"
"His opponent Guy, is nobody's fool, he may lack in offence but makes up with a terrific defence"
"Now lets see what stadium these two will face off in"
The stadium rose from the ground, it resembled a junkyard, laden with rusty cars and cranes.
"3,2,1 Let it rip"
Both Kayden and Guy launched their Beyblades into the stadium, with great force.
"Attack Ladon" Kayden shouted
"Fight back, Tricera"
Ladon and Tricera slammed each other, left, right and centre.
"Tricera, tri pronged charge"
"Evade Ladon"
A triceratops with black armour appeared, which shot towards Ladon. But Ladon dodged like a lightning bolt.
"Curses"
"Nice try, now its my turn"
"Really, Tricera, attack again"
"Perfect"
"What do you mean"
"Watch and learn'
"Watch and learn what"
"Ladon, Poisonous Acid Blast'
A rainbow coloured python appeared, it shot a powerful blast of green acid from its mouth. The acid hit Tricera square in the face, burning it. While its green beyblade slammed Tricera right out the stadium..
"Kayden is the winner"
"Now all winners from Block A, come down as it is now time for the deciding gauntlet"
In seconds, Xavier, Juanita, Chad and Amber came down to join Kayden.
"Beybladers, are you ready"
"Yes" the five winners shouted back in unison
"Now, the rules of the gauntlet are as follows, all five participants will launch simultaneously. Second, no alliances are allowed to be formed. Thirdly, If there is any ganging up, those responsible for it will be disqualified and last but not least, the last blader standing will be the winner"
"Now lets see the stadium, we're battling in"
"How clever, a pirate ship stadium, love the motorised sharks in the water"
"3,2,1 Let it rip"
All five beybladers launched their Beyblades into the pirate ship.
"We've got to win this, Saint Joan, Golden Slash attack"
"Nice try, Sucharin, Melting Flare"
At that precise moment, Sucharin and Saint Joan appeared and executed their special attacks. A stalemate occurred, in which a blinding light flash took over the stadium, before stopping to reveal Saint Joan still spinning and Sucharin broken into pieces.
Upon seeing this, Amber picked up her broken beyblade and walked away.
"Ladon, Poisonous Acid attack"
"Oh yeah, Saint Joan, Golden Slash"
Saint Joan and Ladon appeared, blasting their special attacks. A splash was heard in the water, and one of the sharks ate Saint Joan.
Juanita walked away, her beyblade was catapulted towards her and she did so.
With Amber and Juanita defeated, only Chad, Kayden and Xavier were left.
"Attack Blazetail"
"Counterattack Ladon"
Xavier watched while, Chad and Kayden's Beyblades tore into each other. His Beyblade, however, was playing it safe. "Keep going round the outside, Forest Crotalus"
Xavier's beyblade was circling, round and round the pirate ship's deck like a dog chasing its tail.
"Why's Xavier not attacking"
"I don't know, but he's not going to stop me getting on the Australian team"
"We'll see about that one"
"Ladon attack, knock him out"
"Oh yeah, Blazetail go"
"Keep attacking, Blazetail"
"Bring it"
"I will, Kayden"
"You're going down"
"We'll see"
"Go in for the attack, Blazetail"
"You too, Ladon"
"Poisonous Acid"
"Quill Cascade"
Ladon and Blazetail appeared and unleashed their special attacks. Both collided in a stalemate, resulting in a cloud of wood flying up. In seconds, as the cloud dissipated and the smoke cleared, both Ladon and Blazetail had stopped spinning, while Forest Crotalus was still spinning.
"Both Ladon and Blazetail have stopped"
"But what about Xavier and his blade"
"Its still spinning"
"Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner and the first representative for Australia's team, Xavier Smith"
Forest Crotalus returned to Xavier's open hand as he raised his arm in victory. Xavier walked over to Chad and Kayden, he extended his hand and each of them shook it.
"Good battle guys, lets do it again"
"Definitely"
"Look forward to it"
"What a show of good sportsmanship by Xavier"
Toronto, Canada
In a spacious hotel lobby in Toronto, Canada, five beybladers, three boys and two girls were watching the Australian qualifiers.
"I don't know what strategy Xavier was using, but I have to say it was very efficient" said Logan
"We can agree on that, but whether he can implement that in the championship is anyone's guess" added Anna
"You're definitely right Anna, but I've known a blader to play it safe in battle" stated Jared
"Relax Jared, its a risky strategy but it can produce results" River chipped in
"Just cause they were good in this case, doesn't mean they'll be the same every time" Kira added.
"You make a good point Kira, but you can't deny that Xavier must be a good blader" Anna stated.
"Well he certainly seems it, but we'll have to see how he tangles against Frozen Fortitude" Logan replied.
"No doubt my Frosttusk Monocerous is going to drill him into next week"
"Like your confidence Jared, but best not get overconfident"
"You got that right Logan, but when we see him in the championships, I look forward to facing him"
"All I can say is that my Glacial Quickhatch is ready to go"
"Glad you're enthusiastic Kira, but we've got to be careful"
"Too right Anna, who knows what we'll be up against"
"We should look forward to it, but still keep our guard up"
"Definitely, but its going to be great fun"
"Now who's ready for the championships" Logan asked, pointing his fist out in front of him
"I'm ready to see Frozen Fortitude win" Jared stated, placing his fist next to Logan's
"Definitely, its time to get the gold" said Anna
"Count me in" River added
"I look forward to competing but also to having fun, it'll be fun to make some new rivals and friends" Kira chirped.
The other three bladers placed their fists, along with Logan and Jared's.