Chapter Two: Double Vision
Tyson opened his eyes to the bright lights of a white room and the repeating beeps of a heart monitor met his ears.
I'm in the hospital? he thought. He glanced over to see his team standing in the doorway and talking with a middle-aged man in a white coat.
He must be my doctor, he thought. Tyson couldn't help but overhear the conversation between them.
"I'm sorry kids, we tried to get it out of him, but he wouldn't give us his name. You'll have to thank him if you cross paths again,"
"Understood, sir," spoke Kai.
"I'm just glad he was able to get your friend here," the doctor said, starting to leave.
"What do you mean?" asked Ray. The man stopped.
"Just ask your friend. He's awake,"
With that, the gentleman walked down the hall. The guys turned around to see their co-captain looking at them. Tyson smiled, and the Bladebreakers went into the room, Max closing the door behind them.
"Hey, guys, I just woke up,"
"Hey, man," said Ray.
"How are you doing, Tyson? What happened?" spoke Kenny.
"Yeah, we're concerned," Max added. Tyson sat up. He could feel the bandages wrapped around his arms, legs, and torso tightening as he moved.
"You mean the doctor didn't tell you?"
"No, he didn't," Kenny said.
"Some doctor. Well, I was about to get hit by this car and Kai pushed me out of the way. I landed on my umbrella at one point so I guess they're going to keep me overnight. Ya know, just in case I start to bleed internally. But I don't think I will. I think they're just overreacting," Tyson explained.
"How do you know they're going to keep you?" asked Max.
"I was half-asleep and overheard one of the nurses say it. I guess that's what he meant when he said 'glad he got your friend here,'"
"Uh, Tyson," He looked at Ray. "Unless Kai can turn invisible or multiply himself, he's not the one who rescued you,"
"What makes you say that? Of course it was Kai. I know that hairstyle anywhere," Tyson glanced Kai who was sitting on the sofa across from the bed.
"Moron, there are three reasons," Kai started. "One, I was the one who picked up the phone and drove everyone here. I heard it ring while going over our stint in the U.S. Ray was with me when I took the call. Two, I have no idea what you're talking about. Three, we're famous. Has it ever crossed your mind that he might've just been a fan?"
Tyson was shocked, while Kai remained indifferent.
"No need to jump me, dang. Then you must have a twin or something,"
"I'm an only child. You know this,"
"He could be a long lost one," he said, smiling nervously. Kai turned away, glaring holes into the nearby wall.
"Idiot,"
Tyson leaned against his pillow, deciding to give up on the argument. Everyone else stood with confused expressions on their faces.
The next day, Kai paid Tyson's hospital bills, then drove said man and everyone else home in his silver Mazda. After picking up an angry Hilary from her house it took them thirty minutes to get home. Blame Kai, who hadn't told her anything until this morning. Upon arriving they were greeted by grandpa and Hiro, who had decided to return home for his vacation.
"Welcome back Lil' Dude. Glad you're alright,"
"Yeah, you had us worried little brother," The two had embraced Tyson. He was surprised to see his older brother.
"When did you get here, Hiro?"
"Late last night. Gramps informed me of what happened as soon as I landed. We wanted to come see you, but were told by Kai that visiting hours were over and that you'd be home by this afternoon,"
"So that's why you weren't home all day; you were at the airport waiting on Hiro," Grandpa nodded.
"Dude may be a grown man, but he has to follow the airport's rules too,"
"True," Tyson said.
"Someone has to be there to get their family home," Grandpa added.
"I'm aware of that, Grandpa," Tyson mumbled, letting his face fall into his hand. Everyone else just shook their heads.
That night, Kenny was typing away on his laptop while the others were doing miscellaneous things such as reading or watching something mind-numbing on the TV. The TV was on low but loud enough to be heard by those in range and that was fine. So, the only two sounds filling the main room were Chief's typing and whatever show Daichi was watching.
"Bingo!" Everyone looked in the genius's direction. He was grinning from ear to ear.
"Hm, what is it, Kenny?" asked Hilary, who was sitting next to Kai with her head on his shoulder. The silent twenty-year-old just put his nose back in his Shakespearian novel.
"I found something," the computer wiz added.
"What, an article on Ming-Ming's newest concert tour dates?" Ray said. He chuckled at Kenny's irritated expression, and though no one else spoke up, they all agreed. Kenny had a deep obsession with the Idol.
"Anyway," the charming nerd started. He nervously cleared his throat. "I think I've found the person Tyson was talking about. There's not much to go on though,"
"Chief you're amazing," Tyson excitedly got up, as did everyone else. "How'd ya do it?" Tyson said as he sat down next to him.
"It wasn't easy," Kenny started. "All you gave me was a vague description,"
"And?" Max urged. The still goggle wearing youth looked at the man to his left.
"All that ended up giving me was pictures of Kai. Some of which I'd rather not talk about. Ever," He blushed. Tyson looked at his best friend with a cheeky grin.
"Dude-" Kai glared at him, cutting him off.
"Tyson shut up and listen to him before I hit you. You know Kai better than that," Kai nodded, agreeing with Hilary.
"Okay, okay. I was just joking," The man looked at Kenny.
"They were probably just lude fanarts or photoshops. Not that I really care. Idiot," Kai told the man. Luckily for Tyson, their genius was between them.
"No more interruptions, guys. Let's hear what the Chief has to say," Ray said. Hilary nodded. Everyone else sat down, wanting to get a good peek.
The groups' eyes widened. It wasn't a photograph or even an article. It was just a grainy video.
"This is the CT footage from yesterday. My laptop automatically picks up on and enhances audio so we'll be able to hear as well as see him," Kenny started typing again. "If you're wondering how I got this, I hacked the convenience store nearby. I'll erase my tracks right after we watch this," He enlarged the screen, pressed ENTER, and the video started to play.
A few minutes later, Kenny shut down his device and waited for someone, anyone to say something. For him the heavy silence was unbearable.
"Wow," Max was the one to speak first.
"Yeah, no kidding," came Ray.
"He really does look like you, Kai," Hilary commented. Tyson had, of course, filled her in on his theory at dinner, which got him an even more stern lecture than yesterday from the lanky man. Everyone looked at the two-toned blader. After a good two minutes of tense gazes, Kai finally gave them what they wanted, his opinion.
"His features are a little more feminine than mine. He's also a lot thinner, as in, no definitive muscle tone. None that I could see anyway. He looks younger too. Possibly, 13-16. His voice is slightly higher too,"
"Maybe that young boy is an employee of the nearby store and was dressed as you for some costume day or something?" Max inquired.
"Okay, so it's not you," Tyson said.
"We all knew that, Tyson. You just chose not to believe it. Kai's never lied to us, why would he start now," Max added. Tyson had nothing to say to that. Kai sighed.
It was around midnight, and while everyone else was asleep, Tyson lay awake. Feeling restless, and sweating because of the summer heat, Tyson threw his covers off and went for a walk. He knew no cars were out so he wasn't too nervous.
Walking in a pair of black workout shorts and his signature yellow t-shirt, Tyson could feel the cool air of nearby AC units soothing him. His small headache was fading away and he could feel himself becoming groggy, which was a good thing considering how late it was, but now he had to walk all the way back. Tyson groaned at that.
"Why do I have to walk so fast?" he grumbled, turning around.
Suddenly, a dark blue Beyblade flew by him and smashed through the convenience store's massive front window. Tyson fell to the ground as the glass shattered, showered, and littered both him and the concrete.
"Whoa," he managed, eyeing the damage.
Tyson got up and shook off his clothes. Tiny bits and chunks hit the ground as he said,
"Okay, should I just not go for walks anymore? Day or night? Seriously." He heard swift footsteps behind him. Someone was running. He stood erect, in a semi-defensive stance, and turned to see...
"You," Tyson said in shock, relaxing a bit.
"Glad you're feeling better," spoke his best friend's duplicate.
Silently and without saying a word, the teenager stepped through the windowpane, inside the shop, and went to the back wall where he got his top out of the hole he'd made. More glass fell as he went in and out of the store.
"Sorry about that," he said as he stepped out.
"Sorry?!" Tyson said. "That's all you have to say? While I appreciate the apology, I'm not the one who really needs to hear it. It wouldn't surprise me if the guy fires you after what you just did,"
"I don't work here,"
Well, that's ruled out, Tyson thought.
"Still, apologize," Tyson knew it was an accident, the kid had hardly any control over his blade, but still, it's the principle of the matter.
"I'll be sure to," The teen said. He felt a warm sensation in his hand and looked down. "What is it?"
She's uneasy. As am I. I need to get out of here, the boy thought. A red light exuded from the boy's bit chip.
That's odd, Tyson thought. a bit beast?
"Hey," Tyson's voice brought him back to reality. "That's one wicked blade ya got there,"
The teen said nothing, putting it back in his pocket.
"You really are a big fan of Kai, huh," The boy said nothing. Tyson rubbed the back of his head nervously. "If you'd like, I could take you to meet him. He might not talk to you though, just saying, and you'll have to wait until he gets up of course,"
"That's not necessary, really," His heart was pounding. He was why he'd come here, but he couldn't show himself to him, not yet. He took in a breath to steady himself. His gaze lowered to his feet.
This, none of this was supposed to happen. I... he thought.
A familiar sound caught his attention, making him look forward again. Tyson had Dragoon in his hand. His launcher was in the other. There was also a confident smirk on his face.
"Oh, I think it is necessary," Tyson said as he locked and loaded his blade onto his launcher.
Shoot, the boy thought with an irritated growl.
"If I win, you come with me and meet everyone. If you win, I'll say what I wanted to say, then leave. That okay?" Tyson added.
"HEY!" Tyson screamed.
The two-toned teen was running away, in the opposite direction, toward the riverside. Tyson chased after him, launching his blade in mid-run to hopefully slow the kid down. He looked back, hearing the sound of metal right on his heels. Tyson was not far behind.
I can't battle him. He'll-
The boy's thought was halted when he tripped on something solid. Taking note of his surroundings he knew it was a big tree root. He landed on his face and skid down the tiny hill. He heard the rush of water. He realized he'd stopped at the river's edge.
What luck, he thought. Dragoon was spinning near his head now and quick steps stopped at his feet.
"Okay, I won't make you battle," came the navy haired man as he approached him and picked up his sacred friend. The kid lie on the grass, motionless, eyes shut. They opened and he sat up once the champion got his blade.
"Just leave me alone," he said.
"I can't,"
"Why not?"
"Something is drawing Dragoon to you,"
"And?"
"He says that he 'knows' your bit beast," The child's eyes widened. He felt tense. He felt cornered. He was afraid.
What's he going to do? What's my next move, he thought.
"That," Tyson paused, getting the other blader's attention. He knelt down in front of him. "and I can tell just by looking at you that you spent last night outside. How are you not sick?" He extended his hand to him.
"Look, I won't make you talk to anyone, at least not yet, not unless you want to. So, come clean up at my place and stay as long as you like. I'm sure Grandpa won't mind, he's always open to new company. I'm sorry I was so pushy; I do want to know about you and figure out why Dragoon said what he did, but we can discuss that another time," Tyson smiled.
He relaxed in the silence. Kindness, that was what the boy saw in Tyson's eyes. He missed that. Such warmth was something the sad teen hadn't felt in quite some time. He felt at peace, and as the calm night air blew fireflies around them and tossed their hair, Tyson pulled the man up onto his feet.
To be continued…
Please R & R? :) Thank you for reading. :)
