Disclaimer- Same as before

Ch.4 The Tournament Begins

It was a sunny day, as teams arrived to the arena. There was already a large crowd waiting for them.

"Tyson!"

Tyson turned to see Hilary waving at him. Max gave a light cough from behind Tyson.

"A girlfriend huh?"

Tyson turned to see his cousin and her team mates, just entering the arena.

"Hey Kit," said Tyson.

Kit's eyes narrowed for a split second. "Yes hi," she said, in a low voice.

Ray looked around to catch Dierdra's eye. Dierdra glanced at him then gave him a small smile when she was sure no one else was looking.

"Oh hello."

They all turned to see Brooklyn, standing with the usual smile on his face. Beside him was someone, who was clearly his brother. He had white hair and green eyes. He had a smile that was very similar to Brooklyn's.

"Hi Brooklyn," said Tyson, "um… hi-"

"Eiden," said Brooklyn, putting his hand on his brother's shoulder, "my younger brother, as you can tell."

"Trust me, we could," said Max.

Eiden's eyes traveled over the group, taking in everyone's appearance. They stopped on the Blade Raiders.

"Hello," he said.

"Oh yeah," said Tyson, "I forgot. This is my cousin Kit."

Kit looked as though she was about to start walking again. She stopped when Tyson had said her name.

"Dierdra, Ray's twin sister. And um-"

"Selene and Aeris," said Kit.

"Yeah," said Tyson.

Hilary looked at her watch. "I guess we better go in there and find seats. See you guys later. Good luck."

"Bye Hilary," said Tyson.

Brooklyn looked down at his brother, as they too left.

"Later," said Kit.

"Hey wait for us-"

Dierdra let the door of the arena close behind her.

Many people were already seated. The four of them made their way down, choosing seats very close to the bottom. There was only one other team sitting beside them. Who they were barely registered, until one of the members spoke.

"Oh hello again."

Dierdra turned and realized she was sitting beside Oliver. She felt a twinge of annoyance, but said "Hi" back anyway. Oliver opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. Mr. Dickenson had stood up.

"Welcome," he said, "all of you. This tournament took a while, but here we all are," he glanced behind him, "now we have words from someone else who had a key part in setting up the tournament. Everyone- Valerie Hesarick."

There was a light applause. Kit made a noise that sounded like a low cough.

"What?" asked Selene.

"Valerie Hesarick," said Kit, "Hiro's ex-girlfriend." Her eyes scanned the stands. She could see Tyson's wide grin from where she was sitting. She was brought back to attention when Valerie stood up.

"There is no point in welcoming all of you, seeing as Mr. Dickenson has already done that," she said, "I just need to explain a few things before this tournament can properly begin.

"As you all know, this tournament is taking place during your school year. This does not mean you will be taking a break. Classes have been set up at the local high school for you. We expect all you to attend and do any homework assigned to you." She paused as her eyes scanned the stands. All of the bladders were teenagers. She cleared her throat and continued.

"Many residents here in New York have already come to us with some of their concerns. All of them have to do with all of you having battles in the streets. I know that some people have already stared doing that. We ask that all of you only launch your beyblades here, during your battles." Something about the way her eyes swept the stands again said, 'or else.'

"Thank- you." She sat back down, as Mr. Dickenson got to his feet.

"Now that all speeches are done," he said, "let the tournament begin!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Blade Breakers win round 1!" shouted the announcer.

"Yeah!"

"Tyson, shut up, not many people were paying attention. There are too many battles going on."

Tyson looked back. Ray and Max were both standing, while Kai and Kenny were sitting on the bench.

Not too far away, the Blade Raiders were also finishing their third battle.

"Stadalight, finish him!" shouted Kit. Her bit- beast was a large dragon. Her opponent's blade flew out of the dish.

"Winner, the Blade Raiders!"

Kit turned and looked back at her team. Both Aeris and Dierdra had won their battles within minutes. The third battle was just as quick.

Selene stood up from the bench. "Well that was fast."

"And easy," said Aeris.

All around them, many teams were either starting, or just finishing their third battle.

What seemed like minutes later, all battles were done.

"Round one is finished!" shouted DJ Jazzman. The crowd's cheering got louder.

"Let's go," said Dierdra, whose ears were starting to hurt from how loud the crowd was.

"Yeah," said Selene, "coming Kit?"

""Go ahead, I'll catch up with you guys," said Kit. Hiro was standing a few feet away.

Kit walked up to him, with a small smile on her face.

"Shut up," said Hiro.

"I didn't say anything," responded Kit.

Hiro didn't said nothing, apparently staring off into space.

"You must have known she was going to be here," said Kit.

Again, Hiro didn't say anything.

"Whatever," said Kit, turning to walk away.

"Not a word to anyone Kit."

"If you mean my team, too late."

Kit walked toward the exit her team had gone. She barely registered who was standing there.

"Nice battle."

Kit stopped. Kai had his arms crossed, and was leaning against the wall.

"Are you following me?" asked Kit.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Well this is the second time I have run into you, standing in my way."

"Second time, big deal," said Kai, "and I am not standing in your way this time."

"Good," said Kit, walking past him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dierdra looked around the corner, before walking. She wanted to make sure no one saw her (especially her brother).

It was now 5:00 in the afternoon, and she was in the hotel, where other teams were staying.

Dierdra quickly went into the pool room when she saw Kevin, coming her way. He would be sure to tell Ray that she had been here.

"Hi!"

Dierdra closed her eyes, for a minute, and fought back her desire to shout. She finally turned, and faced Oliver.

"Why are you everywhere I go?"

"I am not," he said.

"Yes you are," said Dierdra, "this better not keep happening."

"What do want me to do? Jump out the way and hide every time I see you coming?"

"Could you do that?"

"I was joking," said Oliver.

"I had to try," said Dierdra, turning her back on Oliver.

"Wait!"

"And why?" asked Dierdra. She turned toward the other door of the pool room, knowing that it was closer to the exit of the hotel.

"Just wait."

"No thank-you," said Dierdra. She stopped when she saw Oliver standing in her path.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Just to talk," said Oliver, "you seem angry at me."

"Well, if that's what you think," she said, as she started walking again.

Oliver still did not move. Dierdra shook her head as she walked around him. She instantly regretted choosing this path, when she slipped on the wet floor.

Dierdra grabbed Oliver's arm, but that did not stop her from falling. Both she and Oliver fell into the pool.

Dierdra was the first to reach the surface.

"Dierdra?"

Dierdra looked up, just as Oliver was also resurfacing. Kevin was standing at the edge of the pool, staring at Dierdra with an amused looked on his face.

"It's been a few years hasn't it?" he asked.

Dierdra looked around her. The ladder was on the other side of the pool, and she wasn't a strong swimmer.

"Kevin, pull me out."

Kevin now had a wide grin on his face. He shook his head, and looked back toward the door. Dierdra couldn't see what he could, as she was too low too see through the window on the door.

Kevin opened his mouth. "Hey Ray! Come see this!"

"You better run Kevin," said Dierdra, struggling to pull herself out. She could hear Oliver behind her, trying to swim toward the edge.

The door to the pool room opened. Dierdra's eyes widened when Ray walked in, followed by Mariah.

Ray stopped and looked at his sister. Behind him, Mariah was shaking with silent laughter. Ray glared at Ray, who was close to laughing himself.

"How-"

"Never mind that," said Dierdra, "just pull me out."

Ray didn't want to pull his sister out just yet, but he knew delaying it would mean a great deal of pain later. He walked to the edge, and grabbed Dierdra's arm. He pulled enough so Dierdra was able to get her knees on the edge of the pool. From there she was able to push herself up out of the water.

Mariah grabbed a towel, still smiling.

"Let's get of her," said Dierdra, turning toward the door.

"Don't you wanna dry off first?"

Dierdra glared at Kevin. Kevin instantly went unusually quiet.

The four of them began to leave, but were stopped by a shout. "What about me?"

Dierdra turned. "You were doing fine earlier," said Dierdra, "you seem to know how to swim. You should be able to swim over to the ladder and pull yourself out."

Dierdra turned her back on him. "If not, we'll send your team down in hour or so to get you."

"HEY!" shouted Oliver, as the door swung shut behind them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End of Ch.4

Ch.5 Blackout