The Journey
Chapter Four
"You're gone and I gotta stay
High all the time
To keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
High all the time
To keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Spend my days locked in a haze
Trying to forget you babe
I fall back down
Gotta stay high all my life
To forget I'm missing you
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Staying in my play pretend
Where the fun ain't got no end
Ooh
Can't go home alone again
Need someone to numb the pain
Ooh." (The cover I like best of this song Stay High, is by Against the Current, look it up on youtube :))
"I want to welcome everyone back to the Graham Norton show, we're here with Kira Dickenson and the Majestics. Tomorrow morning they enter the European Preliminaries for beyblade." Graham turned toward us with that television smile on his face. "So tell us, Kira, what made you want to switch up teams? It seemed like you were very at home with the BladeBreakers." I bit my lip as I thought for the correct way to answer this question.
"Well, as I'm sure you've heard Graham, the BladeBreakers aren't exactly..the BladeBreakers anymore. Ray is back with the White Tigers, and Max with the All Starz. No one can really blame me for wanting to do this on my own either. Oliver, Johnny, Enrique and Robert have always been home to me, and doing this last tournament with them seems right to me."
"Last tournament? Do you mean the BBA is ending after this?"
"No...I mean this is my last tournament. I won't be participating in one again." I heard the crowd and my teammates gasp. I hadn't told anyone about this decision, but it was something I had to do. I don't like how it changes people and pulls them apart, so I don't want to have any part of that."
There was something sort of, exhilarating about knowing that I was going to be in this with my oldest friends, and battling my ex-teammates.
We were currently sitting in the waiting room as people went face to face to be part of the European Team to represent our part of the world. The air was heavy and everyone was tense. I think over the past couple of weeks that the boys had begun to take this a little bit more seriously. Something had changed in Johnny and Robert mostly, I think Enrique and Olivier were both here for the ride, knowing they wouldn't stand a chance against the other two.
Ray and Lee and Tyson and that red headed kid Daichi were both representing Asia.
What had happened to Kai? No one really knew. My guts told me that he had gone back to Russia to be with Tala, and Bryan, and with their brute strength...we could be in a lot of trouble.
Sure, I was worried, but I would never let it show. Be confident but never underestimate your opponent. They were facing in the World Championships for a reason.
"Ms. Dickenson and Mr. Jürgens, it's almost your turn." A breath held in my chest as I looked over to my purple haired friend. He had his calm face on, as usual. I would expect nothing less from him, but having to go up against Robert, that excited me to my core. I've only fought Robert a handful of times, and he's fairly good. Better than that, actually.
"You ready, Kira?"
"More than that. You?" I asked as I stood up. He smirked and nodded. Last time we battled was on the cruise ship, and that wasn't even a real battle.
We were led up to the stage and I heard the cheers erupting as my nerves stood on end. After this we were to go to America for the beginning of the first of the World Championships.
"Everyone, I want you to welcome two representatives from the Majestics, Robert Jürgens and Kira Dickenson!" There were blinding lights flashing around as I waved to the cheering crowd. "Players, get ready to battle!" I pulled my hair back into a high ponytail and pulled on my gloves, twisted my blade onto the launcher as everyone counted down.
"LET IT RIP!"
"Go Griffolyon, take her down!" Robert was nervous, I could see it in his face.
"Kira's stats are twice that of Robert's, but Griffolyon is a very old bitbeast, and with age comes wisdom and power. Who will come out on top this round, do you think Brad?"
"I don't know, AJ. I've never seen Kira lose before, but we've also never really seen Robert blade." Draiga easily dodged all of his attacks. It was only a matter of time before I would have to rid of him.
"Do you want me to let you off easy or do you want me to show you what power is?" I gave him a half smile as he grimaced.
"Go for it, Kira. You've taught me well these past couple of weeks. It will not be as easy as you think." I shrugged and giggled to myself.
"Have it your way then." Draiga started to circle around Griffolyon and I saw Robert's blade head to bash into Draiga, and I shook my head.
"Draiga, Arctic Blast!" Ice shards flew out of the blade and the arena we were battling in started to freeze and Griffolyon started to lose its balance as the blade itself started to freeze.
"No..." Robert whispered.
"Draiga, take him out! Heavenly Strike Turbo!" He was finished. His blade started to crack and skid to a stop.
"And that makes Kira the winner! Give a hand to Kira Dickenson, everyone! Next up we will have Johnny and Kira of the Majestics against Miguel and Claude of the Barthez Battalion." I walked over and stood next to Robert as he looked down to me.
"They were the ones yesterday who blew through the competition with no problem. You two better be careful." As we walked back to the waiting room, I sighed.
"Yes, I know. I'm not really worried though. No one has the connection Johnny and I do." I opened the door to the room and Oliver rushed over to congratulate me.
"If anyone's the best choice to represent this team, it's definitely you two!" He breathed out in French and I smiled.
"Where is the buffoon anyway?"
"Amara insisted they sneak away for some alone time." Enrique wiggled his eyebrows and I rolled my eyes. She was really starting to become a nuisance.
"Is this a joke? We have to go battle them in less than five minutes."
"Which reminds me! Let me see your blade." Lucy rushed over and grabbed Draiga from me.
"I'm guessing you won." Johnny smirked as he walked in the room and I huffed, glaring at him.
"You can't just run off like that when we have to battle in like, five minutes Johnny! What if you had been gone for longer and we had been disqualified?"
"Oh calm your tits, sourpuss. We just went out for a little rendezvous, that's all." Amara walked in behind him, her arms crossed over her chest. I felt myself fuming, and I assume Johnny felt the anger from me because he turned to Amara and scratched the back of his head.
"Maybe it's best you go out to the audience now and watch from there. I need Kira focused right now."
I raised my eyebrows and watched for her reaction. She wasn't happy to say the least.
"Seriously, Johnny? I told you about this whole beyblading thing. I don't like it."
"Well you know who doesn't care? Any of us. Now scat." I spat out and turned away from her walking to the other side of the room. I heard the sliding door open and close and I let out a sigh. I don't know what it was about her, but she just made me so... mad.
It was finally time for us to battle against another team, me and Johnny as one. Secretly, I felt as though we had an advantage. Everyone already knew who I was, true...but no one knew how Johnny fought. Sure, a select few had seen Johnny fight two years ago against the BladeBreakers, but it wasn't the whole world. Besides, as a team we would be unbeatable. Johnny and I just go together like cheese and crackers, tea and crumpets, peanut butter and jelly... well you get the picture.
"I know you're stressed out about this battle, Ki...but you can't take it out on Amara. She feels really out of place here since we all beyblade all the time. All she wants is to be your friend."
"Oh is that what she has you believing now? Please Johnny, she hates me. Especially ever since she found out about our connection. Let's be serious, she won't be happy 'til I either drop dead or disappear off the face of the planet and that's not happening any time soon." Johnny sighed as he listened.
"You two need to focus on this battle coming up. They haven't lost a single battle yet." Robert pinched between his brows and I looked up to the tv where this mysterious team appeared, 'The Barthez Battalion.' I had a nervous feeling about them in my gut.
"Yet. But they haven't met the likes of Kira and myself. They have no chance against us."
"Don't be too overconfident, Johnny. Any single blader on this Earth could have the power to beat you and you'd never know it." I whispered and he looked over at me.
"Ms. Dickenson, Mr. McGregor, it's time." The same woman who had gotten me from earlier appeared and Johnny and I locked eyes.
'Let's do this.' He sent me mentally and I nodded.
I felt time stop as we walked up to the stage as DJ Jazz announced us on. I looked over and saw my teammates looking confident, which was definitely important in this case. Once the crowd quieted down, there was a silence among us as Johnny walked over to me.
'You ready?' I heard and I looked at him in the eyes questioningly.
'Me? You're going up first.' I smiled, and he sighed looking at the ground and then over to our opponents. The Barthez Battalion. I followed his line of sight and saw them staring at us deadpan.
Their leader sent a chill down my spine, and for good reason too. They were also undefeated which meant that we had a challenge against us. Johnny was going up first against Claude. 'You can do this, Johnny.'
"Ray, Kira's team's about to fight their last battle in the prelims." Mariah poked her head out of the hut where Ray was staring out across the horizon. Once her voice touched his ears, he turn and started to walk back into the hut.
"I'm surprised they made it so far, a bunch of pompous assholes." Lee grunted.
"Yeah, but a bunch of really good pompous asshole bladers... especially with Kira leading them."
"Do you think they can do it?"
"I think that if Kira thought they weren't going to be able to, she wouldn't have left the BladeBreakers."
"You mean BBA Revolution." Gary interrupted.
"Whatever Gary, it's irrelevant, they're irrelevant... He looks so confident."
'For good reason.' Ray thought, leaning against the wall. Johnny walked forward onto the stage facing his gray haired opponent.
"LET IT RIP!" The guys yelled out in unison. It was a fierce battle from the beginning.
Johnny was doing well in the first part of the battle and knocked Claude out of the ring, but I could see the discouragement and disappointment in Claude's face. There was something strange about the way that they fought. They didn't seem strong. I mean, Salamolyon was kicking the Rapid Eagle's ass. But then, there was a change. Something in Claude was different.
'Johnny, what's going on? You've got this! You can beat him.'
'I don't know, Ki. He just seems...stronger.'
"And Johnny's lost this round! It's down to a sudden death. Whoever comes out on top this time wins." Jazz announced, and I felt my chest tighten. Sure, Rapid Eagle knocked Salamolyon out of the ring, but that didn't mean anything.
"Kira, the stats right don't make any sense. By what I gathered from his previous battles, Claude shouldn't stand a chance, but he's destroying Johnny." Lucy frowned.
"I know Luce, that's what I don't get." I frowned, crossing my arms. "Something funky is going on here." My eyes drifted over to Barthez who was looking pleased with himself. There was a smug grin on his face. Johnny may have lost this battle, but I was going to rip their team apart when I went up there.
"Come on Johnny, you've got this! Don't let those Barthez brat's make you doubt yourself! Remember who you are!" I cheered him on and Johnny straightened himself up.
"Salamolyon, Flaming Death!"
"Too bad, McGregor. All that showing off for nothing. I'm going to end this." Claude spoke shortly and Rapid Eagle spun at Salamolyon and hit the blade with such a force that I heard the crack and watched as the blade flew out, seemingly in slow motion and landed at my feet. My mouth hung agape as the shock set in. Now it was all up to me to save us from being disqualified. I watched as Johnny fell to his knees and his shoulders started to shake.
"And that's it folks, Barthez Battalion takes the cake for this round! Next up will be the ever fierce Kira against the mysterious Miguel." As Jazz continued on, I hurried over to Johnny and kneeled next to him.
"I've failed you..." He whispered, and I sighed shaking my head, taking his face in my hands and lifted him to look at me.
"You haven't failed me... I have a feeling they're not playing fair. Besides, they still have to face me, and that's a fate no one should have to endure." I saw a smile tugging at his lips and I chuckled softly. "We're not going down without a fight, and I'm determined to make sure of that."
"You're one amazing girl Kira, and an inspiration for us all." I heard Oliver speak behind me as I looked at my teammates.
"Nah, I just care about you guys is all." I stood up offering Johnny my hand. "Now excuse me while I go prepare with Lucy one last time before the battle." Lucy smiled and nodded to me, her crystal blue eyes locking with mine. We moved out of the arena into the hallway.
"What was that just now?" She asked nonchalantly, picking at my blade.
"What do you mean?" I responded curiously.
"With Johnny. That was pushing the boundary of friends just a little bit, Ki."
"I was just trying to make sure he was okay, he always gets so serious and down on himself."
"Yeah but we both know he still has feelings for you, and things like that don't go away so easily."
"Hey, he's with Amara now."
"Are you really that dense, Ki?" Lucy scoffed and half laughed looking up from the blade to me. "I doubt he's with her for any reason besides the fact that he's trying to distract himself or try, which is failing terribly might I add, to move on from you. Especially since you're still so hooked on Ray Kon, for whatever reason that is."
"I am not."
"Could've fooled me." She held her hand out and stared me blank in the face. "Anyways, Draiga's ready to go. Just...think about what I've said. You both deserve to be happy and with someone who appreciates you." She smiled and turned to walk back down the hall towards our box. Why, oh why did she have to bring that up right before my battle. Something that was riding desperately on me. I sighed and leaned my head back looking up at the ceiling. I picked my hair up from falling in waves down my back and tied it up in a ponytail.
"Allllright bladers! Let's get this battle on it's way!" I guess that was my cue. I looked down the hall and saw Johnny talking deeply with Robert and Enrique. I started pacing down the hall back towards my teammates, and took off my jacket, tossing it at Enrique. Pulling my blade out I twisted it onto its launcher and pointed it at Miguel. "I guess Kira's ready to get this overwith!" Jazz laughed and spotlights pointed on me and Miguel who casually pulled out his blade and placed it on his launcher and put himself in a similar position. I felt my abs tighten up and my breaths quicken.
'You've got this Kira, don't be so tense..you're even stressing me out over here.'
"LET IT RIP!" Everyone around us called out and I ripped my blade. I felt the cold air rush towards me as Draiga spun out fiercely toward her opponent.
"You know what sucks for you, Kira? There's no way ice can beat fire." Miguel called out, and I smiled softly at his sad attempt to frighten me.
"But light always beats the dark. Besides, you haven't seen anything yet."
"Draiga, Arctic Blast!"
"Dark Gargoyle, Fire Strike." While Draiga may have turned the arena into an ice sheathen rink Miguel's blade wasn't affected by the attack at all really.
"Draiga... Heavenly Strike Turbo!" A white beam flashed from Draiga as my whole blade began to glow, and it crashed into Miguel's and sent him flying back to the wall behind him and his blade also flew, but somehow stayed inside the arena. Strange..that attack should have sent his blade through the wall.
"Oooh, close call for Miguel."
"Too close." Miguel grunted, standing up.
"Unless you want your blade to be smashed into a million pieces, I suggest you give up now."
"I wouldn't count on that if I were you, Kira." Miguel smirked. "Dark Gargoyle, Black Fire attack now!" I felt heat starting to rise as his blade sped up and winced.
"Draiga... Heaven's Wrath!" The two blades collided and huge sparks appeared and suddenly the lights went out around us.
"Kira! You okay?" I heard Johnny call out as people in the audience started screaming and yelling. I felt a hand grab onto me and assuming it was Johnny, I allowed him to lead me out of the auditorium. Dim lights turned back on, and as we got to the hallway, I realized that it wasn't Johnny, it was Barthez himself. He looked too much like someone familiar to my dark memories that it sent a shiver down my spine.
"What do you want?" I looked around, and there was no one in the halls much to my dismay.
"That was a close call today, Kira. And if it hadn't been for me you would have won." He narrowed his eyes.
"Well I'm not a World Champion for nothing." I crossed my arms and backed myself into a wall as he stepped closer to me. Barthez smirked and placed both hands on either side of my face.
"You may be strong but you will be back where you belong in no time, dearest Kirana."
"What are you talking about? Back where I belong?"
"Don't think that Boris has forgotten about you. It's only a matter of time. I will be watching, and.." He lowered his right hand to my left side where I was stabbed the year before. "unless you want something similar to happen, be careful." He smirked and backed away walking down the hall and turning the corner. I was frozen in place, staring in at the wall in front of me as I slid down to the ground. Boris? I thought we had gotten rid of him.. he was in a high security prison along with Voltaire...
"There you are Kira! You had us scared shitless, disappearing like that." I heard Johnny as he ran up to me. "What's going on? What's wrong?"
I slowly looked up to him and felt the tears brimming my eyes. "I think Boris might be back..." He kneeled down next to me with concern in his eyes.
'What do you mean? That's impossible.' He asked me in my head and I closed my eyes.
'I-I can't explain.'
"Well, they've decided to make this a tie. They're going to have us rematch later in the competition." Enrique ran down the hall to where we were. "Ooooh what do we have here? A little love pow wow going on? Not that I'm complaining." He smirked and I wiped my eyes before standing.
"Guess that means that we have to prepare for America." I smiled as Johnny joined me and crossed his arms, sighing.
"Jeez Johnny, what's got you so down?" Enrique looked at him confused. "Did I interrupt Johnny-Kira time? I get it, I'm going I'm going."
'I could kill him...' Johnny grumbled and I laughed.
"Hey you guys, that's not cool with the whole mind talking thing."
Sorry it's been so long you guys :( But I finally updated! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! New York will be next and the BladeBreakers will finally be reunited, wheee!