"I'll fight this time," Tyson said when the announcer told the teams to select a player to battle. He faced Kane and Ozuma, readying for the cue to launch his blade.
"It looks like the teams have chosen their leaders to battle!" Jazzman smiled. "This is gonna be one intense fight to the finish! LET IT RIP!"
Tyson launched his Beyblade with all his might. A single collision sent Kane's blade spiralling out of the stadium, defeated.
Dragoon slammed into Flash Leopard, causing Ozuma's blade to ricochet violently against the arena wall with an aggressive slash. Small fragments of Flash Leopard's attack ring flew off as Tyson's blade hacked at it over and over, crashing into it with immense force.
Ozuma was breathing hard. Tyson…I've got to admit, you're one tough customer, he thought. But I'm not losing that easily!
"Take this - Flash Leopard, Cross Fire!" he shouted. The large black leopard clad in purple armour appeared out of its Beyblade, growling threateningly. Then it lunged for Tyson, engulfed with fire.
"Dragoon - Evolution Storm!" Tyson countered. His giant armoured blue dragon materialised briefly with a thunderous roar before the Beystadium - and the entire Tokyo Stadium itself - were filled with a vast swirling hurricane. Ozuma's attack was lost in the ripping gales.
"No…No way!" Ozuma faltered as his blade hurtled past him to clatter to the ground. "He's more powerful than ever - and I didn't stand a chance!"
As quickly as they had come, the fierce winds died down, the hurricane fading to reveal Dragoon spinning in the centre of the arena like nothing had happened. Wordlessly, Tyson caught his white blade as it rebound into his gloved palm.
"Whoa, what a battle!" the announcer exclaimed. "Tyson's the winner and G-revolutions have won the first round."
"Yeah, way to go dude!" Daichi cheered to his partner when Tyson returned to the team bench.
Tyson beamed victoriously. But he knew he should not celebrate too soon because now that he had caught Ozuma off guard, the Saint Shields leader would want revenge the next time time they met. Bring it on, Tyson declared silently.
The second round began with the announcer explaining about another new way to battle in the Olympics. Two teams chose one pair each to battle and how much each pair worked together to achieve victory depended on who won the heat.
Ray and Lee were against Mariam and Joseph. The four Bladers launched their Beyblades at the end of the countdown from three to one. Their blades circled the arena aggressively, remaining in their pairs.
Ray clenched his teeth as Joseph and Mariam's Beyblades suddenly vanished. They're more powerful than before, he realised. Their blades can become invisible as well as their Bit Beasts!
Driger and Galeon were struck with full force from all sides by the unseen opponents, sending them reeling to the edge of the stadium from the impact. Mariam and Joseph came in for the kill, zooming in from either side.
But Ray and Lee were ready for them this time. Driger jumped and landed on top of Galeon with Lee hitting Ray from beneath to propel his Driger MS blade high into the air. Then Lee himself followed suit; Galeon shot vertically after its partner.The blades touched in mid-air, melding together.
Charged with combined awesome power, they struck Vanishing Moot and Sharkrash in the blink of an eye and green and black lightning flashed into the attack with a booming thunderclap as Thunder Slash and Spiral Lightning were performed.
The defeated Beyblades hurtled from the Beystadium.
"And the first heat of the second round goes to Ray and Lee - what a great team they make!" Jazzman remarked. "The synchronisation of their moves and the combination of their attacks were outstanding. Give it up for them, Beyblade fans!"
The crowd roared their approval at his words, cheering excitedly for the Chinese duo.
Chuckling, Ray and Lee waved to the crowd before returning to their team bench. Max and Rebecca were to battle in the next heat, fighting Jim and Salima.
The Psykicks hardly stood a chance against Draciel and Shellshock. Max and Rebecca cleverly combined their Special Attacks to create an unbeatable barrier that deflected all attacks. Their strategy seemed to be working well but Kenny noticed that Rebecca's blade was gradually losing mobility.
"That small blade base coupled with the big heavy weight disc is throwing Shellshock off balance," he stated.
"Yes," Dizzi agreed. "A smaller, lighter customisation for Rebecca's blade would maintain her stability. The Hard Metal System should be perfect for her."
"Right on," the Chief nodded. "I'll upgrade it like I did Goldflame once this battle's over."
It's not long now until the third heat, I thought. I wonder what team-mates our captain will choose…
Salima and Jim's blades were wobbling uncontrollably from attacking Rebecca and Max in vain. My team-mates grinned at each other. It was time to finish them off. Draciel MS and Shellshock flew into the other Beyblades with full force, sending them shooting out of the dish.
"Stadium out!" the announcer declared. "Max and Rebecca are the winners of this heat with their solid defence combination. The G-revolutions are the top team so far in these Preliminaries."
The crowd's cheers filled the Stadium as the Saint Shields and my team selected a pair to battle in the third heat.
Kai nodded silently to me and I inclined my head wordlessly in response, knowing it was our turn to fight. This would be our first battle in the tournament working together. Excitement and nervous anticipation filled me as we walked in silence up to the Beystadium, where Dunga and Ozuma awaited to take us on.
"There's your answer, folks," Jazzman blared out. "G-revolutions' Kai and Alana have chosen to battle in this heat against the Saint Shields' Ozuma and Dunga - this is gonna be a fierce battle! Three, two, one…LET IT RIP!"
We held out our launchers at the ready; Kai facing Dunga, me facing Ozuma. He and I launched our Beyblades smoothly and precisely. Dranzer MS and Goldflame MS spun around Flash Leopard and Vortex Ape, as if sizing them up. Our blades attacked them ferociously and evaded every attempt they made to retaliate.
"I've never seen two Beyblades so perfectly in time before," Ray remarked in wonder. "All those difficult moves…Kai and Alana make it look so easy. They have their eyes on their own blades all the time - it's like they don't need to look around to know where the other is…"
"Freaky, isn't it?" Tyson concurred. "Those moves…I've never seen Kai or Alana use them until now. Ray, I don't think what they're doing's been practiced or thought up on the spot. Their timing's so perfect and flawless it's unreal!"
Max raised an eyebrow. "So what are you trying to get at, Tyson?"
"I'm saying that no one, even if they practiced all their life, could get the timing and unity Kai and Alana have in this battle," Tyson replied. "It's not down to luck either. I think it's instinct."
Hilary inhaled sharply in surprise. "You mean, they just know how to do those moves and where one another is without looking? But that's impossible!"
Max glanced at the backs of his battling team-mates. "Tell that to them."
The team could not understand how Kai and I were so in time with one another…they thought our unity was instinctive, but how could that be if we hadn't Beybladed together as kids or known each other for a long time?
"They say two evenly matched bladers bring out the best in each other," Kenny commented thoughtfully. "But that still doesn't explain why they're so sychronised. I think there's more than meets the eye here, guys…there's something else, something more going on, I'm sure of it! There's something happening between those two - what, I don't know - but it's causing them to achieve that perfect union!"
Even Kai and I did not know what was making our precision and timing so perfect.
What can it be? It's not like we're psychic or anything, I mused. I somehow know where Kai is and how to keep up with him…this is really weird. My friends think it's instinct but that's impossible, right? Then it struck me. It's the love we share…Kai and I have become closer to each other, so it's caused our Bit Beasts to do the same. Whatever Dranzer does, Goldflame can do too. We know each other so well that working together in battle's instinctive for us…This is amazing!
Ozuma and Dunga came in for the attack, combining their Special Attacks. A beam of energy headed straight for our Beyblades. Just with a glance from Kai, I knew what he wanted us to do.
Our Bits lit up, with two shafts of mystical energy - one red, one gold - bursting upward. The awesome forms of our phoenixes appeared, both letting out challenging squawks before performing their tag team attack.
"Phoenix Fury!" Kai and I ordered together.
Flame engulfed the entire building, with Dranzer and Goldflame's battle cries resounding all around.
Inginited by the attack, Flash Leopard and Vortex Ape were hurled from the arena.
As tournament supervisors rushed over to put out the burning Beystadium, Jazzman announced, "The winners are Kai and Alana with their perfect Beyblading skills. A valuable pair to have on the team!"
The crowd cheered their agreement.
Round three, the final of the Preliminaries, was next. It was the G-revolutions versus the Saint Shields in three heats which were straight Beybattles to decide the winning team. In the first heat it would be Daichi up against Joseph, but there was a brief break before the battles would begin for the two teams to take a breather and prepare themselves.
In a locker room, my team all sat at a table and ate the sandwiches Hilary had made. There was a content silence as we tucked in eagerly, with Tyson, Daichi and Rebecca munching the most ravenously. Hilary and Kenny rolled their eyes skyward in exasperation at their team-mates' gobbling while Ray and Max just smiled. Kai and I ate quietly, happy just to relish the taste of the food. Lee shook his head at the wolfing trio.
Tyson belched. "Nice grub, Hil," he smirked.
Lee threw him a withering look.
"The sandwiches were great, Hilary - thanks a bunch!" Max beamed.
"Yeah!" the others concurred.
Hilary blushed slightly at the praise. "It was nothing, guys," she giggled. "Anytime."
"Alright - who wants to battle me?" Tyson piped up.
Daichi sprang to his feet. "I will!"
"Count me in." Max clenched his fists.
"Don't forget about us," Ray and Lee chorused.
Tyson laughed. "Okay then, let's go!"
Whooping and shouting, the five boys rushed out of the room.
Kai and I slipped silently out the door once Kenny and Hilary had chased after their team-mates, heading for the park. We lay in the long grass of a gently rolling hill there without a care in the world. Times alone together like this did not happen very often, as being on a Beyblade team made us busy and stopped us from showing affection (we didn't want everyone to know that we were a couple).
But we shouldn't let that stop us, I thought. Any couple, famous or not, has the right to show love in public. Being with Kai is a sensitive subject for me because I care for him a lot and I'm afraid someone would insult us if we did that kind of thing around others. There's also the fact that Kai doesn't like the limelight and I don't either. Because he's such a famous Beyblader, the media would definitely hear about it if anyone found out he had a girlfriend. We'd be the next day's headline! This is so hard…
"Kai," I began. "Do you think it'd be okay to show love around the team?"
Kai's violet eyes narrowed slightly as he considered this. "Maybe," he answered. "They think I can't love anyone."
I gave him a fond smile. "You can. I wouldn't love any other because there's no one else who'd love me better. No one else can have you."
Kai smirked. "Hn. Is that so?"
His muscular arms snaked around me and I nestled my face into his chest. He was all I was aware of. Whenever he was near me, I was reminded of snow. The smell of winter surrounded him.
I found my fingers travelling up the back of his neck to find his hairline. Unable to resist, I ran my fingers through the soft dark hair. Kai did not complain and his embrace became more affectionate. It felt so good to be in his arms, to feel his touch. I felt his lips touch my forehead.
We looked at each other at the same time and our noses touched because we were so close. Kai kissed me deeper than he had ever done before. His warm tongue slid across my lips almost playfully, his breath mingling with my own. My heart beat faster. Anticipation and excitement surged through me as I realised what he wanted to do.
Before I knew it, my lips had parted and he gently massaged my tongue with his. This was the first time I had been kissed this deeply by a boy, let alone Kai himself.
His lips loosened as he stopped French kissing me. He saw my flushed face and sighed.
"Sorry."
"That's okay," I whispered back kindly. "I don't mind. It's just that no one's ever kissed me like that before…" My flush deepened.
He kissed me but in the normal way this time. Then he caressed my cheek as I looked into his face.
I continued to stroke his hair, my own hazel eyes reflecting the emotions in his. "You're the only one for me," I breathed into his ear, before kissing him back.
Daichi and Joseph faced each othe across the Beystadium. DJ Jazzman did the countdown: "Three, two, one…LET IT RIP!"
As soon as it landed in the stadium, Vanishing Moot became invisible. Spurred on by its owner's energy, the Beyblade flashed across the dish and landed lightning-fast but devastating blows to Strata Dragoon, sending it reeling closer and closer to the arena's edge with each strike.
The team were getting worried. It looked like Daichi was trouble. The small redhead was gritting his teeth in frustration. It's just as I expected, Tyson thought. The Saint Shields aren't gonna underestimate us again - they're grown more powerful since the last time we saw them.
Daichi's blade suffered more decisive hits as the battle continued. Daichi knew it would not be long until Joseph finished him off. There was only one thing for it. He went for broke. "Spike Saw Attack!" he yelled.
Strata Dragoon, now a giant mass of molten rock, scorched across the arena and pummelled the invisible Vanishing Moot to a near standstill before sending it hurtling from the Beystadium.
"It's over!" the announcer shouted. "Stadium Out for Joseph!"
Rebecca was battling Mariam in the next heat. Max was anxious for her as Shellshock would be difficult to control due to its upgrade to the Hard Metal System. Somehow, she would have to master her new blade and fast if she wanted a chance at all at defeating Joseph's sister.
The G-revolutions team watched as she took a pummelling from Sharkrash. Shellshock careered this way and that, beyond control. Unlike me and the others, Rebecca had not had time to train and get used to her MS blade so it was no wonder she was having trouble.
Her MS Beyblade was teetering on the brink of stopping completely when it unexpectedly started to spin faster. Smiles spread across our faces. She was finally beginning to master Shellshock MS!
It was too late though, for Mariam's blade zoomed in to hack down whatever spin she had left. My friend's face fell slightly as her Beyblade lay motionless in the centre of the dish.
"It stopped spinning - Sleep Out!" Jazzman cried. "Mariam of the Saint Shields wins."
Max and I rushed over to Rebecca and put reassuring hands on her shoulders.
"It's okay," Max told her comfortingly. "The MS blades are hard to control but you'll do it in no time. You just need some more training."
"He's right," I agreed. "We'll win the next battle for sure and then we'll represent Japan in the Olympics - right, Max?"
"Yup!" the blond-haired American enthused. "After Kai's battle with Dunga why don't you and I have a match, Rebecca? Let's see what you can do with your new Shellshock!"
The girl's sapphire eyes lit up, meeting Max's happily. "That'd be so cool," she beamed. "You're on, Maxy!"
Max laughed. "Sounds good."
We all watched my boyfriend closely as he battled Dunga. It seemed like he was hardly trying. I saw the frustrated, furious way in which his opponent hacked at Dranzer. Kai was agitating Dunga and baffling the crowd with his lack of action. He was waiting for the right time to strike instead of wasting his energy on useless attacks like his opponent, wearing down Vortex Ape with pure, passive patience. I smiled admiringly at his figure. My clever Kai…
Dunga, pumped up, could not contain his frustration any longer. He flew into a primal rage - and unleashed the full power of Spark Hammer upon Dranzer.
"This time I'll win, Kai!" he roared. His Bit Beast, an enormous black gorilla, lunged at Kai's Beyblade.
Kai faced Dunga, eyes closed and arms crossed. The beginning of a smirk appeared on his emotionless face. "Hn. It's not over yet," was all that escaped his motionless lips.
The trails of his long white scarf streamed out behind him. Dranzer just span on the spot as Vortex Ape came in for the kill.
The split-second before it would strike, Kai's eyes flashed open. His calm violet eyes flared with an inner fire. "Dranzer attack now - Spiral Fireball!"
His Beyblade erupted into flames. The Russian's scarlet phoenix appeared briefly before his blazing blade shot straight through Vortex Ape.
We cheered as Kai's opponent's blade rocketed from the arena. In one fluid movement, Kai had turned on his heel, caught his flying Dranzer MS Beyblade and strode away with a swish of his scarf as he silently tossed it over his broad shoulder. We had won the Preliminaries.
