YAY SUMMER VACATION! Well now I'm bored as hell… Oh well. More time to write, eh?
tornadicwulf666: Max is a fun person to make hyper—but I like making him serious too. He's just to cute… Heh. And thank you—I had fun writing the plane scene!
00kamijin: I'm glad you like Hurri-Jin-chan! He'll be showing up a lot more, so I was hoping he wasn't gonna get on my reader's bad lists… XD And thank you! I was also kinda worried people would get a little… eh… edgy with me for having so many OC's, AND having them resemble the actual characters…. I'm glad so far that I'm not getting chewed for it. Things always have a reason, right? And as for the making you laugh big time— I'm very glad it made you laugh! Max is one of the easiest characters to say something random and have people laugh at it… kinda like his infamous "I bwame you, Ray" in my other fic.
Juuri-Koni-Ka: Wow, people see to really like Hurricane Jin XD And yes, he will show up in near future. And the far future… -slaps hand over mouth- OOPS. Said too much! And…uh…- shifty eyes- maybe… … Okay, yes, yes, I DID. SO SUE ME. And who are you to call me Tala? XD rawr. Either way…
Chapter 5: Distrust of Friends
The teams had arrived in Russia ahead of schedule and some had went out to get to the tournament early, some went out to explore, while others… such as Tyson… decided to just crash in the hotel room for an hour or so.
"WAKE— UP— WAKE— UP— WAKE— UP— WAKE— UP— WAKE— UP—"
Max bounced up and down on Tyson's bed hyperly, saying a word for each of his bounces. Max frowned slightly and kept bouncing as Tyson laid there, unphased and still asleep.
"WAKE—UP—WAKE—UP—WAKE—UP—WAKE—UUUPPPP!" Max fell down onto his knees as the bed slowly stopped shaking. "Awwwww, Tyyysoonn!" Max whined, pouting, "Wake up already!"
"Years of having to wake him up on the team and you still don't know how to wake him up?"
Max cocked his head and looked to the doorway, seeing Hiro in it, smirking at him while leaning on the door frame. Max grinned,
"I thought I'd do it the fun hyper way today!" Max chirped as Hiro laughed. "I had sugar!"
"Let's do it the easy way, today. We got 15 minutes," Hiro smiled, "So…Max…Ray's making lunch right?"
"…?" It took Max a minute to catch on. "Oh! Oh…Yeah! He is! WHOO-HOO, uh…" Max quickly thought of a food, "PANCAKES! … Yeah, uh…pancakes…" And as if on cue, Tyson shot up,
"FOOD!" Tyson looked around frantically, stomach growling as Max and Hiro burst into laughter. Tyson glared harshly at them as Max grinned,
"Morning sunshine," Max teased. "Ready for the tournament, sleepy-head?"
——XX
"Aw man, I can't believe we're going to another tournament! HAHA! This is so —!" Tyson was cut off.
"Cool, by any chance?" Max finished with annoyance. Tyson looked at the blonde curiously. Max was scowling with his head propped up with his elbow, his right eye twitching as he looked out the window.
"How'd you—?" Once again, Max cut Tyson off.
"Know? Oh, simple…. " Max grinned before quickly scowling again and yelling loudly, "YOU'VE ONLY BEEN SAYING IT FOR THE ENTIRE 30 MINUTE RIDE!"
Tyson flinched as Max growled and resumed his earlier position, "Uhh…sor…ry?" Tyson mumbled his apology as Ray, who was across from them in the bus, laughed as the other 3 teams looked on curiously.
"Ahh, leave Max alone, Ty." Ray sweatdropped, smirking, "He's lost all his energy from when he was bouncing around sugar-high with Mystel." Ray pointed back to Mystel, who seemed in the exact same mood as Max as he sat next to Garland. Tyson shrugged and leaned back in the seat, sighing,
"I am so excited though… I wanna learn more about those Black Cats. 'Specially that Summer kid—she's just so different…" Tyson mused, blinking and not noticing Brooklyn furrow his eyebrows in thought.
'Different…' He thought to himself, frowning. 'Summer…isn't she…the most diverse in age? No, it couldn't be…could it?'
Tyson pouted, "I mean… What that Jin guy said…Ugh... That guy just BUGS me!" He huffed.
"I didn't think he was half-bad," Hilary grinned, "I thought he was really nice!" Tyson gave her a blank, irritated expression. "…What?" Hilary frowned, blinking.
"You have a bad taste in guys," Tyson said boredly as Hilary growled and glared, mumbling something that sounded strangely like: "Like you don't!"
———XX
"Ah, teams, glad you could come!" Mr. Dickinson smiled as Tyson and the rest of the teams came off the bus, walking into the building with fans on the sidelines, behind a yellow line which guards were making sure no one passed. Colourful signs waved back and forth that read "WE (heart) YOU (insert name here)".
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Tyson laughed as the door shut behind them, shutting out the cheering fans.
Mr. Dickinson smiled, "Glad." He said as he started leading the 3 teams into a room, where some familiar teens turned to them.
"Well look who decided to show up, after all!" Johnny smirked, "Hey there guys. Gals."
"Bonjour," Oliver said politely, smiling at the teens.
"Hello again, my friends," Robert gave a small bow and held his hand out as Tyson shook it.
"Long time no see, Majestics!" Tyson smiled as everyone behind him said hello, then went off and talked to the other teens. "Where's Enrique, Johnny?" The bluenette asked after a minute of not spotting Enrique walking up to Hilary and trying to impress her.
Johnny scowled, "What do I look like? His babysitter?" The redhead gave an annoyed sigh and crossed his arms. "He's getting chased by Raul for hitting on Julia." A pause. "…Again."
"Figures," Max mumbled, still in his bad mood. Oliver looked at the scowling blonde,
"My, what's wrong with you, Max? You look like a blonde Kai, there…" Oliver pointed out. "Mystel, too."
Max growled, "Can it." Oliver simply sweatdropped, slightly taken back, and didn't push it. The blonde then simply turned and sat down in a chair, crossing his arms with closed eyes. Kai glared at Max,
"Are you mocking me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Max didn't respond, which made Kai glare harder. "Stop mocking me!"
"Oh, uh, Mr. Dickinson…" Kenny went up to the chairman, "Where are…the Black Cats?"
"Hmm?" Mr. Dickinson looked down at the young teen, "They're scattered around, I believe…Who are you looking for?"
"Kyoishi," Kenny replied. "The prodigy girl…"
"Ah, yes, her," Mr. Dickinson smiled, "She's right over there, actually." The elderly man pointed to the corner of the room, where a young girl was sitting, staring out the window. She stared blankly out at the outside world with her head supported up by her hand. She had long ginger-reddish hair that went down past her waist and she had bangs, almost like Brooklyn's, which fell over her face. She wore something like a white trench coat with blue trimming the edges and two belts that were on her arms, just below her shoulder blades, as well as two black belts around her waist. She wore baggy white cargo pants with brown tennis shoes and blue fingertip-less gloves. Her eyes were a turquoise colour and she had an earring on her left ear.
"Thanks!" Kenny smiled and bowed before running over to her, "Kyoishi! Kyoishi!"
The girl lifted her head from her hand and looked at Kenny with gentle turquoise eyes. She cocked her head curiously and although she was staring straight at Kenny, she seemed to stare right through him, as if she wasn't looking at him at all.
"Uh, my name's Kenny…you can call me Chief. I, uh, wanted to talk to you…" Kenny said shyly. Kyoishi nodded, but held up 4 fingers, pointed to herself, and shook her head. "…?" Kenny blinked, "Uh…I'm sorry—what?"
"She sayin' call her Kyo," A voice said from behind Kenny. The brunette spun around and looked down, seeing a smiling Summer behind him. "She don' like bein' called Kyoishi."
"Oh, uh, sorry Kyo…" Kenny apologized, turning to the girl. Kyo simply nodded. "So uh…Kyo, can I ask a couple of questions?" Kyo yet again nodded. "Thanks. Uh…for starters…you're on the Black Cats team again, right?"
Kyo nodded.
"I see…uh…do you know any one by the name of 'Hurricane Jin'?" Kenny questioned as Kyo blinked, looking slightly taken back. She closed one eye in thought before frowning and sadly shaking her head 'no.' "Oh…well thanks anyways."
Kyo cocked her head and smiled lightly, as if to ask 'Welcome; anything else?'
"Oh, no…not at all. Thanks a lot!" Kenny bowed and scuttled off as an announcement came on, broadcasted by none other than DJ Jazzman.
'Beeeeeyyyybladers! Please report to the stadium! The tournament is about to BEGIN!'
"Ah, SWEET!" Max punched the air, apparently out of his gloomy stage, "WEWT! LET'S KICK BUTT! HAHA!"
Ray sighed, "Damn, did he get into the sugar?" A pause… "Again?"
Kai groaned, "Apparently so."
"Great, now he's gonna be hyper throughout the entire match…" Ray grumbled.
"I liked him better angsty," Kai complained as all the teens started out the door, Summer grabbing Kyo's jacket and tugging her along as the prodigy traveled blindly behind her.
———XX
"Welcome BLADERS!" DJ shouted as everyone cheered, "We welcome you to yet another wonderful tournament! Let's all play by the rules and a nice clean tournament! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND LET IIITTTT RIIIIP!"
The first match was the White Tiger X and some team called Tidal Wavers. To get to the BBA's match, we'll just say the White Tiger X's had no trouble winning the 3 matches.
"And now, we welcome the World Champions…you know 'em… you love 'em… THE BBA REVOLUTIONS!" DJ yelled loudly into the microphone as the crowd cheered loudly, some bearing signs. Tyson waved to the crowd cheekily, but when his eyes found on person in the crowd, his hand immediately dropped, his jaw dropped, and his eyes went wide.
"Good lord…that is not my Grandpa waving a giant "LET'S GO LITTLE HOMMIES, GO BBA REV DUDES!" sign… right? PLEASE TELL ME it's NOT." Tyson complained loudly as Max glanced over to where Tyson's Grandfather was.
"Okay," Max said cheerfully, "It's not!" Tyson simply glared at the hyper blonde.
"And the challengers!" DJ yelled, "The newest team on the block, you probably don't know 'em, but you're GONNA love 'em… The ABYSS RIDERS!"
Tyson sweatdropped, "Is it just me or do they remind you of the Dark Bladers?"
"You're just seeing similarities in people EVERYWHERE this month, aren't you?" Hilary whined.
"Next you're gonna say that Hurricane Jin guy looked like Hiro!" Daichi grumbled angrily.
"You know…he kinda did…" Tyson mused.
"TYSON!"
"Guys!" Ray stepped in between them, "C'mon! No fighting, at least not NOW!"
First Match: Max VS Rylie (water VS darkness)
Max sighed as he started going up to the dish, seeing as his teammates were busy arguing who was going up to battle first. Ah did he miss the days of having a coach to figure this out. A boy with black hair and orange highlights stepped up to the dish on the opposing side.
"For the first match is MAX MIZUHARA of the BBA REVOLUTIONS versus RYLIE OCEANIRO of the ABYSS RIDERS!" DJ introduced the two battlers.
"Aye," Rylie smirked as he pulled out his launcher, "Ready to go down, mate?"
"Huh, an Australian kid?" Max grinned as he clicked his beyblade into his launcher and got into position, "This is how we say that in America… Don't count your chickens before they hatch, kid!" A pause. "Er…wait…that…that's not it…"
"Now let's introduce our stadium!" DJ yelled as he motioned the floor in front of the two boys as it started opening up, a dish coming into view— a fairly large dish with tons of buildings and narrow streets with a park and a lake near Max's side of the dish. "This is the New York city dish! With twisting and tight turns and limited movement space, this makes one tough dish! Let's see how these two bladers handle it!"
Max blinked at the dish, not seeming all too interested in it or surprised. Rylie was carefully inspecting it and curiously looking around the dish as the two boys got ready.
"BLADERS ARE YOU READY? AND THREE! TWO! ONE…!"
Max and Rylie smirked, "LET IT RIP!" Draciel and Rylie's blade flew into the dish, Draciel hanging near the water.
"Aww, what's the matter, mate? Afraid to try and catch my Nightmare Wolf? You know, Max, she likes to play games… as do I," Rylie smirked, showing off 2 long canine fangs.
"Me? What? No WAY!" Max laughed, "I like playing hardball, though. How 'bout you?"
"I'm no baseball boy," Rylie shrugged. "Never have been…"
"Yeah, you know, me neither…Don't see how Mike likes it so much…I mean it's just hitting a tiny little ball with a stick…"
Rylie's black blade raced through the narrow streets of the dish easily as Max spun around in the park area, preferring to stay to his defensive strategy and open spaces.
"…Okay, this is getting me annoyed," Max whined as Draciel spun faster. "C'mon, take me, you puppy!"
"Puppy? I take that as an insult! That's wolf to you, turtle-boy!"
"TURTLE-BOY?" Max yelled, taken back. The blonde huffed as Nightmare Wolf started picking up speed as well, zooming towards the park. As the blade neared the park, Max decided he had had enough, "I've enough of your little games!" Max threw his hand forward, "GO DRACIEL! HEAVY…VIPER… WALL!"
"Oy, this is why I love the desert…no water!" A large rush and tidal wave of water that flooded the stadium as well as some of the platform soon smothered Rylie's complaint out. "GAH!" The black and orange haired teen was thrown back from the dish as the wave splashed over the platform and got some of the other teams members wet as well. Max stood triumphantly from the other side, smirking, and a little wet as well from the splash.
Rylie spit out some water, growling, as he picked up his blade from beside him. The teen stood up only to come face to face with Max.
"Hey, nice match!" Max grinned and held out his hand, "Maybe a rematch some time? You're pretty good."
Rylie's glare faded as he smirked and showed off his fangs again, "Aye," He grasped Max's hand. "Nice match as well, mate. G'job— and a rematch sounds plenty good, Max. You're a great blader. I'll be cheering for you if your team makes it past us—prolly will, though. G'luck!" Rylie grinned as well as the two boys laughed before running back to their teams.
Second Match: Ray VS Nicci (Earth VS Wind)
"The first match goes to MAX OF THE BBA REVOLUTIONS!" DJ yelled excitedly as he dried his bandanna out since he had also gotten wet. From the Abyss Rider's side a boy with shoulder length brown hair jumped up to the platform, bouncing with his black headband around his forehead slipping down. "Now the next match will be between Nicci of the ABYSS RIDERS and… " DJ paused, waiting to see who would step up from the BBA Revolutions bench.
Ray turned to look at Tyson, who was still arguing with Daichi, Max was talking rapidly to Kai in…what seemed to be Russian and Kai was glaring at him with one eye. Hilary and Kenny were huddled around Dizzi, Kenny typing rapidly while talking to Hilary about battle strategies.
"Err… I'll go," Ray said to himself as he scampered up onto the stage, smirking.
"Well what do you know, folks!" DJ yelled, pointing to the two boys, "Two neko-jins versus each other! THIS OUGHTA BE GOOD! Playing for the BBA Revolution is everyone's favorite neko-jin— RAY KON!" Ray smiled and waved to the cheering crowd, spotting the Black Cats in the audience, Cyra and Rin watching intently and waving to Ray when he spotted them. Ray waved back.
"Let's get this match started!" DJ motioned to the dish, expecting it to move. "…Okay, well, you're in the same dish apparently. ANYWAYS! BLADERS ARE YOU READY?" The two neko-jins got out their launchers. "THREE! TWO! ONE!"
"LET IT RIP!" The boys yelled as they launched their blades into the dish. Both blades landed in the park and immediately began grinding against each other, sending sparks everywhere.
"You're not defensive like your friend, are ya?" Nicci asked, cocking his head and grinning. "I was hoping you weren't."
"Why's that?" Ray asked curiously as Driger slammed hard into Nicci's orange blade.
"Personally, I prefer head on head!" Nicci pointed his ripcord to his beyblade, "Let's go, Leoness!" The orange beyblade suddenly jolted to the side and sprayed water everywhere, creating 8 or 9 images of the beyblade that circled Driger.
"Ah, great!" Ray complained, "I had to go through this with Jin of the Gale, now I gotta go through it with you?" Ray could hear Tyson laughing from the bench at the mention of the rainy battle that took place between his brother and Ray. The black-haired neko-jin simply sweatdropped and sighed.
"Uh…o… kay…" Nicci said slowly, not having one clue what his neko-jin opponent was murmuring about. "Err…"
"Meh, whatever." Ray looked at the lake, "Let's get rid of your water source then! GO DRIGER! LET'S MAKE A WAVE!" Nicci's eyes widened.
"I'm starting to dislike this dish," He muttered as he adjusted his headband. "Leoness, keep a cats eye look out!"
"DRIGER! INTO THE WATER!" Ray commanded as the tiger did as he was told and the blade plunged deep into the murky water. Nicci gulped,
"This ain't gonna end well…" The boy muttered as a huge tidal wave erupted from the lake in the dish, drenching Ray, Nicci, and all of their teammates (except for Kenny who decided to take refuge behind Kai, who didn't seem to happy). And DJ got wet again too. "Always with the water! ALWAYS!" Nicci complained as he shook himself, water spraying everyone. "Can't stand water!"
"Neither can I," An annoyed Ray spoke from across the dish, soaking wet from his own attack.
"We are cats, after all," Nicci said with a sigh. "Nice match."
"… Oh, it's over?" Ray blinked and looked down next to Nicci's feet as he picked up his blade. The force of the tidal wave apparently had catapulted the beyblade out.
"Aye, don't give me that," Nicci glared.
"No, I meant… ah, forget it." Ray walked up and held out his hand. "Good match, Nis."
"Oy, as was yours," Nicci replied and gripped his hand. "G'luck. We'll be rootin' for ya!" Nicci grinned and bounced off the platform, glomping Rylie once he got back to his team, who glared and growled a "get the hell off me."
Third Match: BBA Revolutions win the 2/3 match count. No Third match will be played.
"AND THE WINNER IS RAY KON OF THE BBA REVOLUTIONS!" DJ yelled as the crowd went wild, screaming and cheering the BBA Revolutions names.
Nicci waved as did Rylie and their two other teammates as the ran out of the stadium, still waving.
"Well…" Kenny smiled, "He won the match at least."
"Yeah," Max agreed, sighing, "But do Tyson and Daichi know that?"
The two teammates glanced over at Daichi and Tyson, who were still arguing about who should go up.
Max and Kenny sweatdropped and Kenny mumbled, "I don't think so…"
———XX
"Haha, guys, those matches were AWESOME!" Tyson punched the air as he and his teammates walked down the hallway of the stadium.
Ray sighed, "Wow, you were WATCHING?" Ray frowned as Max frowned as well.
"Could've fooled me," Max said glumly. "I thought you were just arguing with DAICHI!" Whatever Tyson was going to retort was cut off.
"Maxie!"
"Huh?" Max turned around and looked behind himself, "MOM!" Max giggled and raced up to Judy, glomping and hugging her tightly. Judy smiled and ruffled her son's hair,
"I watched your match, Max! You've become such a great beyblader!" Judy hugged Max back, grinning. She glanced up at Ray, "You did very well as well, Ray!"
"Heh," Ray put his hand behind his head, chuckling, "Thanks Mrs. Mizuhara." Max grinned up at his mom before letting go, smiling.
"DAT WAS AWESOME!" Before Max knew it, he was tackled backwards, landing with a THUD! "YAY MAXIE!"
"Huh?" Max blinked at the 6-year-old blonde who tackled him. "Oh, Summer! HI!"
Another familiar face ran around the corner, "Summer! No! I told you no tackling people! Apologize!"
Summer frowned and got off Max as Judy helped him up, "Sorry Max …" The blonde bowed her head.
"No worries, kid!" Max laughed and ruffled Summer's hair more than it already was, "I didn't mind." Summer grinned as she scampered back to her older sister, Autumn.
"Hey Aut, when you guys battling?" Tyson asked curiously as the girl blinked.
"Uhhh… " Autumn sweatdropped, "I honestly don't know. Falcon has the line-ups and all that… I think we're battling next actually!" Autumn laughed, grinning.
"I get to battle first! I get to battle first!" Summer cried excitedly. Autumn looked at her blankly, irritated,
"Says who?"
"Falcon!" Summer grinned and jumped up and down.
"You'll cost us the first match, twerp!" Autumn groaned. Summer simply giggled and stuck her tongue out at her 16-year-old sister.
"Who're you battling?" Max asked before the two sisters got into a feud.
"Uhhhh…" Autumn tapped her head in thought, "Oh! I think we're battling the Majestics, actually."
"ENRIQUE! GIVE IT!"
"Haha, try to catch me, Ollie!"
"Good god…Enrique, Oliver, cease this at once!"
"Idiots! Total IDIOTS!"
Enrique ran around the corner with Oliver's hat, Robert muttering behind them as Johnny grumbled about his "idiotic teammates."
"Well, speak of the Euro-Devils…" Ray laughed as Enrique held the hat up high and away from Oliver, who was jumping trying to get it from the older boy. Johnny was still muttering about "idiotic teammates" and Robert was just sighing.
"Hey there, guys!" Max grinned and waved. Johnny looked at him with annoyance,
"Hey Max." Johnny said, irritated. He finally growled and yelled loudly, "YOU IDIOT! ENRIQUE JUST GIVE HIM BACK THE FLIPPIN' HAT!"
Enrique looked at Johnny, surprised, before grumbling and dropping Oliver's hat.
"Hmph…" Oliver muttered in French as he picked it back up and positioned it back on his head. "Merci, Johnny…"
"Trust me, it was my pleasure…" Johnny grumbled, rubbing his head. "And my headache…"
"Hey," Hilary smiled, "Aren't you guys battling next?"
"That'd be correct," Robert smiled and nodded.
"Can't wait for the battle, then," Autumn gave a two-fingered salute, a bow, before running off.
"…G'luck," Summer said, suddenly losing her cheeriness and turning dead-serious, "I'm…afraid you're gonna need it."
"Huh?" Johnny looked at the 6-year old, "What do you—?"
"Summer, c'mon!" Autumn called, "Coach wants you to do a few practice matches!"
"…Right," Summer nodded glumly. "Coach…" She muttered angrily. She sighed before looking up at Kai, almost looking as if she was begging for help. "…" She turned and walked slowly and glumly around the corner, something none of the others ever seen her do—normally she bounced and grinned.
"What was that all about…?" Daichi asked curiously.
"I don't know," Kai replied honestly, "But I have a feeling it's not good…"
———XX
"AND THE 2ND MATCH GOES TO JOHNNY OF THE MAJESTICS!" DJ yelled as Johnny smiled back at his teammates before holding out his hand to his opponent.
"Nice match, Rin," Johnny smiled and winked as Rin grinned and gripped his hand.
"You too, Johnny," Rin replied. "You're stronger than you look…"
Johnny huffed, "…What's THAT supposed to mean?"
Whatever Rin was going to say was drowned out as DJ started announcing. "This is turning into one exciting round, wouldn't you agree folks? With the AMAZING victory by the little tyke of the B— YOWCH!" DJ jumped and let out a "YIPE" as he was kicked hard in the shin by Summer, who instead of just kicking normally did a spin kick onto the poor announcer's shin.
Summer growled, fuming, "Who're you callin' little?" Autumn sweatdropped, scampering onto the platform and grabbed the cursing Egyptian girl before she tackled the injured announcer.
"Wow, she has one good kick, folks…" DJ mumbled as Summer yelled, as she was being dragged off by her sister, something to him in Egyptian. Mystel, who was sitting next to his teammates and the Blitzkrieg Boyz in the stands, blushed, looking shocked.
"Whoa…She's got a mouth on her as well," Mystel commented, chuckling nervously as he kept blushing. Garland looked at him curiously,
"Uh…Mystel…What did she say?" Garland asked curiously as Mystel blushed deeper.
"You…you honestly don't want to know…" Mystel replied. "Let's just say…you're lucky you don't speak Egyptian…" Garland raised an eyebrow in confusion, but simply shrugged it off.
DJ rubbed his sore shin as he mumbled before speaking up, "As I was saying…With the AMAZING victory by the li— "
Autumn shook her head and move her hand across her neck in a "cutting" motion.
DJ paled, "I mean the Amazing victory by the Egyptian tyke Summer of the Black Cats! Robert put up a good battle, but even he couldn't stand up to her power—shocking…literally! Now, Johnny and Summer will face off in the final 3rd match to decide who will move on! ARE YOU READY BLADERS?"
Summer bounced up to the stadium, glaring at DJ before grabbing her slingshot launcher out and waving to the crowd as they cheered loudly. Johnny stepped back up to the dish, the crowd cheering loudly for him as well.
"Let's see if you're really just big talk," Johnny smirked as he got out his normal, non-axe launcher.
"Thanks for not callin' me little," Summer grinned and set her beyblade into her launcher, "I owe you for that."
"I'd like to keep my knee-cap in tact," Johnny replied as he clicked his beyblade on and got into position.
"That'd be the smart thing to do," Summer replied, smirking. "Let's get this over with quickly…"
…
"AND JOHNNY TAKES THE MATCH!" DJ yelled as Johnny bent down and rested on his ankles as he shook hands with Summer.
"Nice match, twerp," Johnny said, smirking. Summer ignored the "twerp" comment,
"Yeah, you too, cone-head," Summer replied, grinning before she bowed and scampered off to her teammates.
"CONE-HEAD! YOU LITTLE EGYPTIAN BRAT! GET BACK HERE!" Johnny yelled furiously as he stood up and shook his fist angrily at Summer, who just giggled it off and started running to the other end of the stadium to the left of her. "I SAID GET BACK HERE!"
Robert, Oliver, and Enrique just watched as Johnny started chasing the girl all around the stadium, DJ staring at them blankly. "Errr… Looks like a game of fox and hare…"
Autumn sighed as all the others on the Black Cat bench sweatdropped, "Here we go again…" Autumn murmured.
———XX
"Wow, what an exciting first day," Tyson commented as he, his teammates, the Blitzkrieg Boyz and BEGA 5 followed behind him on their way to the Kinomiya dojo. They had decided to take the longer route, through the forest, instead of the city.
"Yeah," Max agreed, grinning, "I can't wait for the next round! There were 15 rounds today, right? Since 30 teams competed?"
Brooklyn nodded, "That'd be correct." He smiled as Max bounced up and down, grinning.
"Those matches really got me pumped! Just sitting on the bench made me keyed up! HAHA!" Mystel cried excitedly, giggling. "I can't wait fro the next round, either!"
"Ditto," Hilary agreed. "Those matches were all great!"
"The second round is gonna be even better, I bet!" Ian chirped, grinning. "The competition's already tight!"
Bryan smirked lightly, "Yeah, cause your nose takes up all the room."
"WHY YOU…!"
Tala sighed, "C'mon you idiots, no fighting…" Bryan and Ian stuck their tongues out at the other before crossing their arms and pouting. "Oy…"
Ray's ears suddenly twitched, "Hmm? Hey, hear that?"
"Hear what?" The others all asked, looking at the neko-jin curiously.
"Listen…!" Ray commanded. They all strained their ears when suddenly something skidded to a stop in front of them, tripped, and ended up upside down.
"Ugh…" Jin groaned, sitting up. "Owwch, she has a close arrow fire…"
"Hurricane Jin!" Tyson exclaimed as the boy slowly got up, muttering in Russian (which roughly translated to: "Ow my back…damn I'm getting to old for this….")
"That's me," Jin murmured as he cracked his back, "Ow! Dammit, I will kill her for that acupuncture!"
"Acupuncture? Her? Who!" Max blinked in confusion.
"Ugh, explain later, pain now…" Jin cracked his back again, stretching his arms and legs. "Dammit… Arca, make a mental note for us never to go near that damned place again…"
A girl with orange hair, attired exactly like Jin, except in blues and reds, nodded while tying her hair back into a ponytail. She looked younger than Jin, but about the same age as the rest of the gang—16 or so.
"Who's she?" Mystel asked curiously, gesturing to the girl who slowly made her way to Jin, her hands in front of her as if she couldn't see.
"Arca." Jin replied, smiling. "She's my partner I told you about. She keeps all the mental notes."
Tala raised an eyebrow, "I see…"
"Yup," Jin nodded, "But she don'."
"Eh…?" Garland cocked his head while crossing his arms, "What do…?"
"She's BLIND!" Ian threw his arms up, "What the hell! Isn't she kinda…useless as a partner!"
Arca frowned and Jin sighed, "Hey, hey! She can still HEAR you, you know!" Jin glared, "Man, you are the most annoying brat I've ever… No, wait…I'm forgetting my brother."
They all sweatdropped.
"Were you being chased?" Hiro asked, noting the two teens were covered with daps of blood, cuts, and leaves from when they were running. "By who?"
"Eeehhh…" Jin huffed, "I think I found your Nighthawk, though. She's really— YIPE!" Jin jumped to the side as an arrow shot right next to him.
Arca poked Jin's shoulder, gesturing behind her.
"Fine, fine. We had better get… " Jin turned to the teams, "Be wary, my friends. Take care." He turned to leave, grabbing Arca's hand.
"WAIT!" Max yelled before Jin rushed off. The bluenette skidded to a stop and turned around.
"What!" He asked irritably, glaring. "What is it!"
"This picture…" Max held out the picture of the two males on it that said 2025 on the back. "Who is it of?"
Jin looked closely at the picture, "Oh, the picture…? It's— AH!" Jin fell forwards onto his knees, holding his left arm. "The…h-hell?"
Arca slapped her hands to her mouth in a silent scream as the others eyes all widened.
"What happened?" Tyson asked as Arca scuttled over to Jin and helped him up. "Jin? What happened!" Tyson pressed after he received no response.
"Aww, no worries… He's just fine…" A figure stepped out from the bushes, smirking. She wore a long black cloak with a hood, concealing every part of her other than her lower face.
Tala's eyes widened, "It…it couldn't be…" He mumbled quietly. Something about that girl made him uneasy… bar the fact she had an kouchi dialect, wore a dusty black cloak, and that you couldn't see her face. The uneasiness made him frown, licking his dry lips as the girl spoke again.
"Weeelll," The figure smirked, "If it ain't Vision-boy and the Mecha-kid…" Brooklyn and Tala glared at her for the nicknames.
"Nighthawk…" Brooklyn said slowly. The girl glared at him. "I had a feeling it was you…You must have known I, and apparently Tala as well, had a vision of you…"
"Nice to know," Nighthawk said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She looked down at the wounded Jin, who was currently struggling to stand up, even with Arca helping him. "Ah, seems I managed to hit him afterall!"
"Bastard," Jin cursed, growling at the girl.
"Now, now, Hurricane," Nighthawk teased, "Wouldn't want your brother to find himself in a bit of a situation now would ya?"
Jin cursed, "Leave 'im be…" Nighthawk shrugged,
"If ya cooperate." She turned to the gang, "I suggest ya pull outta the tourn'ment. Now."
"Why!" Tyson snapped, "Why should we!"
Nighthawk smirked, "Because. If you don't, the Black Cats will most likely destroy you. Kyo's power is not to be tampered with, nor taken lightly."
"She's not even battling!" Kenny exclaimed.
"Be prepared for whatever might become." Nighthawk replied, "You never know…expect the unexpected."
Brooklyn glared, "What are you saying?" The others nodded all nodded,
"Yeah, what ARE you saying!" Tyson asked, clenching his fists. Nighthawk waved a hand up and down at the boy boredly.
"I'm sayin' you're in for it. Even if you just battle Summer, ya'll ain't gonna come outta it unscathed." Nighthawk smirked, shrugging. "A coma is the least bit of damage you'll probably get from her…she's not the spitting image of her father in body, but she is in mind and power."
"Her…father?" Kenny asked curiously, "Who is he? Who's Summer's father?"
Nighthawk scoffed, "That… you'll have to figure out on your own. No point in asking Summer because she'll just tell you what all of those kids on the Black Cat team will tell you…"
"Which…is?" Ray pushed after Nighthawk didn't go on. She sighed, irritated,
"They'll all say the same phrase: I'm an orphan, I never remembered my parents." Nighthawk replied. "Except… except for ONE person. That person is Kyo. Kyo is the only non-orphan on that team, but you won't get anything out of her in this lifetime."
"Why not?" Max and Mystel asked in unison. They looked at each other curiously before looking back at Nighthawk seriously.
"Ya'll ask too many questions…" Nighthawk glared at them darkly.
"Fine, fine," Garland sweatdropped, "We'll figure it out on our own. Man, you have a temper problem."
"What'd you say, Tinsel boy?" Nighthawk snapped, growling.
"IS EVERYONE CALLING ME TINSEL BOY NOW?"
Tala just sighed, ignoring the teen, "Why can't Kyo tell us?" Nighthawk glared at Tala, who glared just as fiercely back. The gang looked between the two before Jin suddenly gasped,
"What the… what's that light?" He pointed upward to a large column of light shining in the distance.
"It's like a pillar…" Mystel said distantly, seeming entranced. "A pillar of light…"
"What could it be?" Bryan asked, blinking. As entranced was the gang, they turned to Nighthawk when they heard her take a step back,
"NO! KUSO!" She cursed, grinding her teeth angrily, "That idiot is seriously trying the plan NOW? He doesn't have the Princess's bit beast yet! He'll blow the place up! UGH!" Nighthawk stomped her foot down irritably, "Must I ALWAYS be the brains of that nitwit? UGH!" She turned and started running, but not before her hood fell down. The others, too distracted with the column, didn't notice. But Tala's eyes went wide as the girl ran off,
"No…it… it couldn't be…" Tala muttered, "She…she almost…looked like…Falcon…"
—————XX TBC…
Uh…gasp? Well, things are finally gonna start heating up, getting more suspenseful!
Tala: … uh oh…
Kai: -sigh- This doesn't sound good…
Me: You're so pessimistic to me! –whines-
Uh, yeah… heh. R&R Please! Makes me a happy wolfie to know my readers like what I write. Stay tuned for chapter 6, "Her Betrayal" !