Author's Note: Hello...I wonder if anyone's still interested in this fic. It's been a long time, and I'm truly sorry for the delay which was unavoidable. Well, here's the next installment. Hope you enjoy it. Comments are welcome.
Warning: As before. I'll be a little more specific: Kai/Tyson against the backdrop of Kai/Hilary.
PROPHECY – IV
"So...what was that all about?" Tyson asked curiously as he and Max made their way back to the camp after retrieving Kai's knife and Hilary's bag from where they had fallen. "Who's she?"
"An old friend," Max replied. Tyson noted that he seemed distracted and was frowning slightly.
"Why is she here? I thought you said-"
"I really don't know, Tyson. You heard her. She heard what had happened and wanted to make sure Kai - we were all alright."
"And she crossed a deep and scary forest all by herself in order to do that? She's brave."
"Oh, Hilary has never lacked courage. Even when we were young…She's the most spirited girl I know."
Tyson threw Max a sideways glance and grinned. "Someone's got a crush, I think."
"Huh?" Max looked puzzled and then, to Tyson's amusement, his face reddened. "No – no, you've got it wrong. I'm – it's not what you think."
"Really? Then why are you blushing? You look just like Kenny does when someone mentions his beloved Ming Ming."
"Hey, you'd blush too if someone suggested that you had a crush on your best friend's – er...that is-" Max broke off suddenly, not sure how to continue.
There was a momentary pause, then Tyson spoke, "Ah...so she and Kai, huh?" He tried to wrap his mind around the idea of Kai being involved – romantically – with someone. Kai just didn't seem the type.
"She's been in love with Kai since forever."
Which explains why she ran after Kai back there. "Does she believe in dragons as well?"
Max hesitated. "She...well, she believes in Kai...and that's all that matters. We all thought that one day they would get married. But...it's all past now."
"Why? Because of this Balkov mess? They can still-"
"It's because of Ryan. Hilary's brother. He was once Kai's closest friend. His land, White Country, adjoins Phoenicia and we used to be traditional allies. But when Balkov's threat loomed, Ryan's father decided to play safe and withdrew his support. He apparently didn't believe Phoenicia could last long, either under the Council or Kai. And maybe he didn't want Balkov to target his land for supporting us. It was a shrewd political move that Ryan decided to continue when he came to power. As far as he is concerned, friendship and politics don't mix well."
There was so much bitterness in Max's voice that Tyson was rather taken back. He opened his mouth to ask further but something in Max's expression told him to back off. He could understand it; Ryan's betrayal was still a festering wound and if Max felt this way, Tyson could only guess what Kai must have gone through. And now that Hilary was here...
No wonder he seemed less than thrilled to see her.
They covered the rest of the distance in silence and once they'd reached the camp, Max went off to hunt for food. Tyson didn't offer to accompany him since he sensed Max wanted to be alone for a while. Feeling at loose ends, he flopped down under tree and closed his eyes. Idly he wondered how Kai and Hilary were getting on. What would happen now that she was here?
Tyson sighed and his thoughts turned to his own friends. What were they doing now? Were they still searching for him? Did they believe him to be dead? Grandpa...how was he taking the news? If only he could send some sort of message to them...if only he could find his way back home...
I wonder if I'll ever see them again.
The sound of footsteps pulled him out of his reverie and he opened his eyes, expecting to see Max or even Kai.
It was Hilary.
She looked just as surprised to see him there. They stared at each other, rather at loss for words. Then she asked, "Where's Max?"
"Gone foraging for food. Where's Kai?"
Tyson wished he could take back his query as he watched her face wilt. Apparently the reunion hadn't been a particularly happy one.
"He's – he'll be back in a while." Hilary perched on a small log of wood a little away from him. Tyson sat up slowly. There was an uncomfortable silence as Hilary looked around, studying her surroundings while Tyson watched her curiously. He didn't know what to make of her. The girls of his acquaintance were generally from the beyblading world one way or the other and it was easy to relate to them. This was different. How did one go about making polite small talk with a strange girl who knew nothing about bit beasts or last year's best battle or the latest beyblade stats?
Hilary raised a hand to flick back a lock of brown hair that had fallen over her eye and Tyson noticed the scratches and cuts that decorated her arms and face. Some were deep and fresh, still oozing blood, while some were scabbed and looked a few days old.
"You're hurt."
She glanced at him surprised and then grimaced as she followed his gaze. "Oh, these...they're nothing."
"They don't look like nothing. You must ask Max for something to put on them."
"I'm fine," she insisted politely.
"I can't believe you actually came all the way here by yourself. Max told me there are some dangerous wild animals in here. Weren't you scared?"
She shrugged half-embarrassed.
"Well, I wouldn't have lasted a day out here all by myself. You're very brave."
Hilary smiled slightly and then sighed. "K- some people don't share your view. They think I was terribly stupid." A shadow passed over her face and she turned to look away.
Tyson decided that Kai was a rat to treat his girlfriend so callously when she had come all the way just for him.
"Don't feel bad if Kai said something. He's just worried, you know." Why am I defending him?
Hilary eyed him skeptically.
"I mean, he's obviously protective of you. He doesn't want to see you hurt, that's all. Hey, if I had a girlfriend, I wouldn't want her here with me. This place is dangerous, you know."
"But I was worried too. Why doesn't he understand that?" To his alarm, he saw her eyes start to fill. She wasn't going to cry, was she? He didn't know how to deal with crying girls.
"Er..."
"Does he think it was easy for me to come all the way here? I knew it was dangerous, but I couldn't just sit there and worry my head off while he – he..." The tears were suddenly replaced by fire as she scowled angrily. Tyson watched her in confusion as she got up and started pacing. "If he thinks I'm just going to quietly listen to him, then he's thinking wrong. I'm not going back."
"Oh..."
"Max is here. Why can't I be here too? Does he think I'm going to betray him? Like Ryan? Does he think it doesn't kill me to – to know that Ryan..." And just as suddenly, she deflated and slumped back on the log, her head buried in her hands.
Tyson wished Max or Kai would hurry up and return. He was completely out of his depth here.
ooo
Not too far from the campsite, two friends sat discussing the latest turn of events.
"So, what have you decided?" Max asked quietly.
"We have to take her back. It's too dangerous for her here."
Max nodded, having expected Kai to say just that. "But will she agree?"
"She has no choice."
"It's risky...you know that, don't you? Balkov's spies will be all over the place. The two of us are hardly any challenge for an army like his. And if you're caught, Kai -"
"There's no other way, Max. I can't afford to let her remain with us and she can't return on her own. This is the only option we have."
Max said nothing more, but he couldn't help feeling afraid for Kai.
ooo
"I'm sorry," Hilary said quietly after a while. "I...shouldn't have said all that. I don't know what you must be thinking of me."
"It's alright," Tyson said, relieved that the storm had passed. "Everyone is entitled to blow off steam once in a while."
"I don't think I know your name."
"It's Tyson."
"And I'm Hilary," she smiled at him wanly.
"I know. Max told me."
"So, have you known Kai for long?" Hilary asked curiously.
"Not long enough. I mean, we bumped into each other, so to speak, a few days back."
"Aren't you from Phoenicia then?"
"Nope. I'm a stranger to these parts." Tyson frowned slightly before adding, "I think."
Hilary stared at him puzzled. He hesitated, and then explained, "I'm lost. Max and Kai found me in the forest. They couldn't tell me how to get home, so they let me tag along."
"Where are you from?"
"Bey City. Have you heard of it?"
"Bey City? Hmm..." Hilary looked thoughtful for a moment, and then shook her head. "I don't think I've heard of it. It doesn't sound familiar."
Tyson tried not to feel too disappointed. If Kai and Max hadn't a clue, then why would Hilary? "Yes...I suppose it's somewhat off the beaten track."
Hilary waited for Tyson to continue. She knew there had to be more to the story. Why would Kai let a perfect stranger accompany him, particularly at a time like this? But Tyson was silent.
"So, what do you do in Bey City?"
"I beyblade," Tyson replied, smiling.
"Beyblade? What's that?"
Tyson's smile turned into a huge grin. "Oh, it's nothing...just the greatest sport in the whole world. And I am the world champion."
He was in the midst of explaining a particularly intricate point of a beyblading defence move when Kai and Max returned. As expected, Hilary did not care much for Kai's decision and made her opinion known loud and clear. But Kai was adamant and in the battle of wills that ensued Hilary came out a distant second. She gave in and it was decided that they would start out for the White Country the next day.
Six days of hard trekking finally brought them to the borders of the White Country. And the moment they crossed it they were surrounded by soldiers and taken captive.
ooo
"I can't say I'm overly impressed by the hospitality of this country," Tyson commented as he paced the anteroom restlessly. "How long are they going to keep us here? Does it really take that long to come up with some gesture of gratitude?"
His companions made no response. Max tried to settle himself more comfortably amid the plush cushions on the armchair he was occupying and ignored Tyson's rant. He had no answer to give to Tyson as he himself was non-plussed and somewhat worried at the turn of events. After being apprehended, instead of being thrown directly into the dungeons or taken straight to Ryan, the three of them had been brought to this anteroom to wait, while Hilary had been taken right away to Ryan. If Ryan meant to hold them captives – and Max didn't discount that thought – then why were they being made to wait? And if, on the other hand, Ryan's intentions were honourable, then again, why the long wait? True, they were in a nicely furnished antechamber and had relative privacy...yet, it felt a bit like a game of cat-and-mouse. Max hated the indecisiveness of the entire situation. He stole a glance at Kai who stood leaning against the wall, apparently in deep thought. It seemed to Max that Kai didn't want to accept even the slightest form of hospitality from Ryan. He had been standing thus for the past two hours.
"...I mean, Hilary must have told her brother what had happened. So what's keeping him?" Tyson continued to grumble.
Ryan was just playing mind games, Max decided. Maybe this was a way of scoring a point, or telling Kai something...or annoying them until they took matters into their own hands. How could Ryan have changed so much? Max felt a weight settle on his heart as he remembered all those past occasions when they had been honoured guests at this palace, instead of...Has it been so long ago? All that time we spent together...our friendship...how could they not mean anything to you, Ryan? How could you forsake Kai...?
"I can't wait to meet this ex-friend of yours. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. Just what-"
"You'll do no such thing," Kai's voice coolly cut through Tyson's rant. Both Tyson and Max turned to stare at Kai in surprise. Kai's eyes were fixed on Tyson.
"But, Kai..."
"Don't get me wrong, but this is none of your concern. I would prefer it if you did not involve yourself in this matter."
Tyson glared at Kai. Kai stared back, unmoved until Tyson finally gave in, trying not to feel somewhat hurt by Kai's words and the implied exclusion. An uneasy silence fell between them. Finally, just as Max was coming to the conclusion that Ryan must have forgotten about them, a couple of palace guards entered to escort them to Ryan.
The audience room they were led to was huge and richly furnished, designed to intimidate and awe visitors. The guards entered and announced the visitors before letting them in. Kai entered first, followed by Max. Eager to get a glimpse of the infamous Ryan, Tyson peered around Max and as his eyes took in the sight before him, he gasped in disbelief.
The room was furnished in shades of white and gold, opulent yet airy. Guards were strategically positioned near all entrances and exits. And in the centre of the room, watching them with an expressionless face stood a figure. The figure was attired in rich blue robes, but there was no mistaking the long black hair bound into a single plait...or the golden eyes that were riveted on their little group...or the face that he had last seen just days before...They could belong to only one person in the world-
"Ray...RAY...! I don't believe it...Is it really you?"
Tyson pushed past Max and Kai and rushed forward, his face blazing with wild joy and hope.
"How - how did you get here, Ray? Did you come looking for me? Are the others here as well? Do you know how we can get back? How did -"
He suddenly found his way barred by two guards and stopped short. What was happening? Tyson looked in confusion at the blue-robed figure who had not moved from his position but was now eyeing Tyson incredulously.
"Ray...?"
Those golden eyes bored into him and Tyson felt a cold shiver run up his spine. This...this couldn't be Ray. He looked like Ray but those eyes...never, in all the time he had known Ray, had Tyson seen such a cold expression in those eyes. The eyes swept past Tyson and rested on his two companions who had been watching the scene in stunned silence.
"Kai. Max."
This isn't Ray... Such cold voice...It can't be Ray. This is...
"Ryan."
Ryan...Ryan... Hilary's brother and Kai's backstabbing ex-friend...Tyson felt dizzy with shock at the revelation. Surely it couldn't be...?
"I didn't expect to meet you under such circumstances. Hilary has told me what had happened. I apologize for my sister's appalling behaviour and thank you for bringing her back to me safely."
Neither Kai nor Max said anything in response.
"In return, I promise you a safe journey up to the borders of my country. You will come to no harm, but once you cross the border, you are on your own. I regret that this is the best I can do."
That's it? That is the best he can do?
"Your generosity knows no bounds. Thank you," Kai replied in a low and equally cold voice and turned to leave.
Tyson's shock was rapidly turning into white hot rage. This person...this Ryan...how dare he look like Ray and speak so coldly? How dare he treat Kai so callously? Ryan's golden eyes came back to settle on Tyson and he clenched his hands in fury. His voice trembled with suppressed emotion.
"You...you look so much like my friend...for a moment there I actually thought...I thought you were him. But...now I see that I was mistaken. Ray would...Ray would never turn his back on a friend...Ray is the bravest person I know. You...you are just a coward."
Two things happened in rapid succession. Guards sprang forward to grab Tyson and the next moment Kai's voice hissed in warning, "Leave him alone."
All, except Tyson who was staring accusingly at Ryan, turned to look at Kai and recoiled in shock. Kai's eyes were on Ryan and they seemed to be shooting malevolent sparks of fire. A reddish haze was slowly enveloping him and the air was suddenly heavy with menace that seemed to be emanating in waves from the exiled prince.
"Kai..." Max breathed softly, blue eyes wide. But Kai, blinded by red-hot rage, was impervious to his friend's entreaty. For the first time in his life, Max felt afraid of his friend. He shot a look at Ryan, who hesitated, then nodded to the guards. The guards immediately let go of Tyson and stepped back. The haze dispersed and the air seemed to lighten up in relief as Kai calmed down.
"My offer still stands. You are safe until you reach the borders. Beyond that, you are on your own," Ryan said after a moment of silence, his voice as cold as before.
Without a word, Kai turned and walked out of the room. Max gently pulled Tyson along as he followed Kai without a backward glance. The guards dismissed, Ryan stood alone in the centre of the vast, echoing chamber, his eyes seeing nothing, one word reverberating in his head...
Coward...
ooo
Light filtered through the canopy of thick branches and leaves into the clearing where a lone boy stood, grim determination in every line of his body and on his face. In the stillness, the only sound that could be heard was the boy's laboured breathing.
Tyson took position once more, arms outstretched and eyes focused, and shouted, "3...2...1...Let it rip!"
The beyblade shot out of the launcher and raced across the clearing, spinning lazily before it slowed down and wobbled to a halt. Tyson shouted in frustration. He didn't understand what was going on. Something seemed to be wrong with Dragoon. He had been trying for a while now but couldn't get it to launch properly or spin like before. What was the matter?
"Alright, Dragoon, one more time. And let's get serious, okay?" He picked up his beyblade, slotted it back into the launcher and started again. "3...2...1...Let it rip!"
He released the beyblade and watched in disbelief as it crashed into a nearby tree and came to a stop.
"Dammit! Why? Why can't I get it right? It's been only a few days...I can't have lost my touch! What's the matter with me?"
Dammit Kenny! Where are you when I need you?
Gritting his teeth, he shook his head and picked up his beyblade. He positioned it in the launcher and pulled the ripcord again.
"3...2...1...Let it rip!"
Some distance away, beyond Tyson's range of vision, two pairs of eyes watched him curiously.
"What is he doing?" Kai muttered. "He's been at it for hours."
Max was equally mystified. "He appears to be...practising."
"Practising what?"
Max shrugged. "He somehow reminds me of you...when you are hard at training. All that focus...and frustration..." He shot a teasing grin at Kai.
"I practice for a reason. And I practice with a sword. What's that thing in his hand?"
"Umm...I think that's what he calls a beyblade. You remember...he kept on and on about some tournament that he didn't want to miss? Maybe this is how they battle it out there, wherever he is from."
Kai frowned slightly. "It seems rather pointless. And...why now, all of a sudden?"
Max didn't reply. They had left the White Country borders a few days back, but had been too concerned with getting back to the relative safety of the forest interiors to completely relax their guard. Today was the first day they were finally able to rest and Tyson had used the opportunity to take out his beyblade and practice. Since leaving White Country, Tyson had been unusually quiet and withdrawn, and Max was convinced that it had something to do with what had happened at the palace. It seemed like a freaky coincidence that Ryan resembled Tyson's friend Ray. It must have been quite a shock to Tyson. Of course, that hadn't been the only shocking incident...
"Kai?"
"Hmm?"
"There's something that has been bothering me for a while." Kai tensed. He knew what Max was driving at. "What happened there at Ryan's palace when you...you know...?"
Kai could feel the blue eyes trained on him, but he kept his gaze fixed on Tyson. "I don't know."
"You were practically on fire. One wrong move...and Ryan would have been reduced to ashes. You didn't seriously think Ryan would hurt Tyson, did you?"
Kai hesitated before answering, "I didn't think at all. It just...happened. Something seemed to take over me." It had been instinctive. Something had snapped inside him on seeing Tyson being manhandled – that was all he remembered. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't rationalize it. It had to do with Tyson, but what? How? Why?
Kai watched as Tyson sank to his knees after another apparently failed attempt and slammed his fist into the ground in frustration and anger. He could feel Tyson's despair as if it was his own. How often had he himself been driven to such despair as he struggled to find a way out of his problem? The sense of helplessness and futility...yes, he could completely empathize with Tyson.
His attention temporarily diverted from Kai, Max winced sympathetically as he watched Tyson and decided that enough was enough.
"Hey, Tyson, what are you doing?" he asked casually as he approached him.
Tyson didn't reply for a long moment as he knelt there on the ground, eyes closed. "Practising," he finally said.
"What's wrong?" Max asked quietly as he sat down next to Tyson.
Tyson shook his head and sighed. "I can't do it. My beyblade is not responding to me." He looked sadly at the beyblade that lay forlornly some feet away.
"Maybe you're trying too hard," Max suggested, wishing he knew more about this beyblading to offer more concrete advice.
"It's never happened to me before. It's...scary. Beyblading...it's my life, you know. Without it...I don't know what I'd do. My friends, my team...they are all depending on me. If I lost it, I'd be letting them down so badly...I couldn't stand it."
Max was silent as he watched Tyson rub his eyes angrily.
"Your friends...are they all beybladers like you?"
"Not all," Tyson replied with a short laugh. "Kenny has a beyblade, but he prefers his laptop. He's the one who configures and upgrades our beyblades and keeps them in shape. Kenny's a genius. He can figure out where we're going wrong and how to improve our game. We would be very lost without him. I wish he were here. He would be able to tell me what I was doing wrong." Tyson sighed wistfully.
"What about Ray?"
"Ray...is one of the best beybladers I know. He was my rival, and a formidable one at that. But once I had defeated him, we became friends and teammates. He has taught me a lot." The image of a blue-robed figure with cold-eyes imposed itself in his mind and he scowled. "He has never once let me down. He always fights fair, no matter what. And he has always believed in me."
"Sounds like a good friend."
"He is. If he had been your friend instead of that Ryan, you guys would still be back in your palace. Ray would never have abandoned Kai. Not ever." Max said nothing and Tyson continued, "And then, there's Mariah. She's Ray's girlfriend but she's a good beyblader as well. Kane and Selima travel all around the world, learning new techniques and teaching as well. Ozuma is very powerful as well, though we started off on the wrong foot. Mr. Dickinson who gave me my first chance...my Grandpa, who never lets me miss practice...I wonder what they're all doing now. Maybe they think I'm dead. Sometimes...sometimes I fear I'll never see them again." His voice trailed off sadly.
A hand reached down to pick up the beyblade. The next moment a shadow fell on him and he looked up to see Kai standing there in front of him, regarding him solemnly. Tyson blinked and slowly got to his feet. They stood looking at each other for a long moment before Kai spoke.
"I don't know where you are from. But once this -" he waved a hand around, indicating the forest around them "- is over, I will do everything in my power to send you back to your home. I give you my word."
Tyson didn't know what to say. "I..."
Max got to his feet and shot Kai a questioning look. "You do know what you are saying, don't you, Kai?"
Kai nodded. "I do."
Max stared at Kai for a long moment, then turned to Tyson. "It's alright, then, Tyson. Kai has given his word. You can trust him," he said cheerfully.
"What - what do you mean?"
"Nothing much, just that a Hiwatari never goes back on his word, no matter what," Max explained, giving Tyson a friendly thump on the back.
Tyson stared at Kai in bewilderment. "This isn't like those unbreakable vows you read about in books, is it? I mean...you are not going to die if you fail, are you?"
Kai was somewhat taken aback. "I don't know. No Hiwatari has ever failed to keep his word till date."
"I...you don't have to...I'm sure things will work out...it's not your fault."
"Perhaps. I'll help you anyway I can. Once this war is over, I'll have resources at my command. We'll find a way to send you home."
Kai's eyes held a very earnest expression, something he had not seen before and Tyson found that he could not look away. Faint hope and a profound sense of gratitude coupled with some nameless emotion welled up in him. Now he knew why Max, Tala and Hilary risked so much for Kai. There was something very dependable about him. Something very inspiring...
"Does she believe in dragons as well?"
"She believes in Kai...and that's all that matters."
Perhaps now he could understand. Kai was different. He was special. He was worth risking life and limb. And he was, at that moment, holding out his hand to Tyson, holding out Dragoon.
Tyson reached to take his beyblade and watched as Kai turned to leave. He wanted to thank Kai, tell him that he appreciated the offer, that he believed the war would be over soon.
"Kai..."
Kai stopped and turned back to face Tyson who was gazing at him with an odd expression on his face. "What is it?"
"I...I hope you find your dragon."
(To be continued...)