"Come in," Mr. Dickenson's voice was cheerful and calm. The troupe of girls walked in and sat down. Samantha saw her grandfather's white mustache twitch lightly on perceiving Sasha, but he wisely refrained from saying anything and turned his attention to her.

She noted that she had been right about the guests. Tyson, Kenny, Ray, Max, Kai, Mariah, Hilary, Tala, Bryan, whom she recognized from the Abbey, Lee and two other boys whom she didn't know were all sitting in the drawing room. One of them had flaming red hair and a haughty expression to rival even Kai's. The other had violet hair and sat with his arms folded. Both were pale and at first glance Samantha termed them to be the Majestics.

"Ah, yes. Here are my girls," Mr. Dickenson made the introductions and Samantha heard the boy with red hair referred to as Jonnie while the other was Robert.

"Now, my dear," said her grandfather to her. "I've been debating on this matter for a while, and after getting some help from Kenny," he gestured to the orange-haired boy who smiled sheepishly. "We have decided who is to represent your team in the tournament."

"Is that fair?" Samantha interrupted cuttingly.

Her grandfather raised his eyebrows. "Considering the fact that this year's team does not have experienced bladers in the fields of tag-team matches, it's only fair that we go according to stats. You girls are experienced in that area. We have some last minute entries as well," he nodded to Tala and Bryan. "And Kenny has managed to get some information on Perro," he turned to Cleo. "But we must still see what he can do. So, if you are willing, a little demonstration after lunch."

Cleo shrugged as if it didn't matter to her and Mr. Dickenson turned back to Samantha. "I gave him all the information I could about Vera, but unfortunately, that wasn't enough. So, he would-"

"Not a demonstration," interjected Kenny hastily. "I've heard of the Jewel Light attack and I think I want to keep my skin."

"I have other attacks."

"Really?" Kenny looked exited.

"Bitbeasts with more than one attack are rare," said Kai, a little coldly from the shadowy part of the room.

Samantha felt indignation bubble up inside of her, but she was cut off by Tyson. "Aww, come on old sour-puss," he said, completely oblivious to the signs Ray was giving him, indicating for him to shut up. "Try not to underestimate her too much. She's probably more than a match for you anyway."

If looks could kill, Tyson would definitely have been dead and buried. Samantha chocked back a laugh at Tyson's expression of shock and was sure that nobody had understood the comment, but she saw Jonnie look suspicious.

"Now," continued Mr. Dickenson as if no interruption had occurred. "Samantha, I want you to battle one of the boys here," he nodded to Robert, who moved his head slightly to show he was willing. "Robert is one of the strongest bladers in Europe, and they mostly have the same style. You remember your past battles, I hope?"

"Yes, grandfather."

"Good, now, time for lunch."

The meal was a quiet affair for her, but Samantha knew perfectly well that Mariah was trying to catch her attention. She, Hilary, Ray, Max and Tyson were talking and Mariah kept trying to draw the leader of the Hex Girls into the conversation, but Samantha was perfectly aware of her intentions. She only answered when she needed to and remained silent when nobody applied to her, which most unfortunately wasn't often. But whatever the topic was, everyone seemed to have a say in it. Kai had even gone as far to grunt when Mariah asked him something. The two Majestics, Demolition Boys and Lee kept joining in at intervals and Mr. Dickenson seemed interested as well.

She was seated next to her grandfather, who was at the head of the table. Next to her was Kai, and they seemed to have a mutual agreement of neither touching nor talking to one another. Samantha was perfectly satisfied and she was sure Kai, who never talked much anyway, wasn't bothered.

After lunch, Mr. Dickenson accompanied the teens to the garden, where servants had set up the dish.

"You first Cleo," said Kenny, opening his laptop. "Why don't you battle…" he glanced around and said, "Tala, you up for it?"

Tala, who had been looking in the opposite direction, nodded absently. Samantha received a poke in the ribs from Mariah and suppressed a smile. Tala winked at Cleo before fitting his blade in his launcher. Cleo, though slightly pink, rolled her eyes carelessly and fitted her own, pure white blade in a matching launcher.

Tyson stood near the centre. "Three, two one, let it rip!"

The two blades landed in the dish and immediately began attacking each other. Tala smirked at Cleo and said, "Don't take it personally, Cleopatra, but I don't go easy on anyone."

Cleo tossed her hair over one shoulder and grinned back cheekily. "And I don't go easy on guys just because they're cute."

Samantha could see Tala was completely taken aback by her response and he lost concentration for a few seconds. But that precious time was all Cleo needed.

"Perro! Finish him!"

The magnificent she-wolf appeared and charged with full speed at her the opposing blade. Tala switched into attack mode as well.

"Walburg! Ice storm!"

The two blades clashed in a shower of sparks and shards of ice. Samantha saw a shard hit Cleo's cheek and create a small cut, which drew out crimson blood. But Cleo hardly seemed to notice, which was probably a good thing. Her friend hated blood.

Finally, a loud bang sounded and smoke filled the garden. Coughing and spluttering, the two opponents peered through the haze to make out the figures of two blades, both lying still in the dish.

The smoke slowly cleared and Samantha saw with satisfaction that both Tala and Kai were stunned with the result. They had obviously underestimated Cleo. Samantha inwardly laughed. Well, they could see very clearly now that the girl wasn't just a pretty face. She wouldn't be on the team, best friend or not, if she wasn't talented.

"Err, so I guess Cleo wins the match."

Tyson's voice jolted Tala back to his senses. His first reaction was to scowl, but the fact that Cleo was standing less than a foot away from him didn't help. So he changed the frown into a charming smile and said, "Well, you got lucky, but next time I won't go easy on you."

Cleo rolled her eyes again. "Honestly, I've never met anyone more conceited in my life." She tossed him his blade and walked back to her friend.

"Good enough for you, Captain?"

Samantha smiled. "I didn't expect you to beat Tala," she admitted. "But a tie was exactly what I was hoping for, if not expecting. Now," she pointed to her cut. "Get Melissa to check that."

Cleo nodded and squeezed her friend's shoulder. "Go knock that guy dead," whispered Cleo. Samantha, having no idea who she was referring to, merely shrugged and made her way to the dish.

"Well, lest see if you're as good a blader as Kai gives you credit for."

Robert's remark left Samantha bewildered. "Pardon?"

"You heard me," he said. "Kai seems to believe that you are an exceptionally talented person who has complete control over her Bitbeast."

"What else has he been saying?"

"Things which are obviously none of your concern," said Robert.

Samantha raised her eyebrows, a dangerous gleam coming into her eyes. Her Bitbeast was able to channel her mistress's emotions into herself, increasing her power level. Vera could tell her mistress was offended and her voice rang clearly in her mind.

This boy underestimates you. The match will be yours easily.

'I don't want you to reveal yourself any more than necessary,' thought back Samantha. 'One attack to finish him off.'

As you wish.

"Right, you guys ready?" Tyson stepped up to the dish.

Robert attached his blade to the launcher and Samantha pulled out her mauve blade, letting the chip flash in the sun. She could feel Vera's eagerness for a battle, but there was another eagerness which frightened her. Vera had been originally the Bitbeast of death, due to her formidable attacks. But generations of careful handling had been good for her. She was now harmless when it came to killing, but quite powerful despite it all.

She got ready and Tyson raised an arm. "There, two, one, let it rip!" his arm came down in a swiping motion and the two beyblades collided in midair.

'I want to make this quick and painless, but long enough for Kenny to get my stats.'

Vera heard her mistress's request and acted accordingly. She showed her speed, her power and her defense. Robert threw attack after attack and Vera met it head-on.

"Her power is off the charts!" exclaimed Kenny. "And she's not even doing anything."

"It isn't always about your strength," said Samantha, her eyes never leaving the clashing beyblades. "Defense and speed require power as well."

"Alright, that's it. Finish her!" Robert sounded frustrated. Samantha knew why. She hadn't even broken a sweat and he looked as if he had just fought in a tournament.

"This quickly? I was just getting warmed up. But if you insist…" Samantha grinned devilishly. "Vera! Jewel Shadow!"

Vera rose out of the blade with a cry and her tails glowed violet. Bathed in the color, Robert's beyblade seemed incapable of going anywhere. Suddenly, a ghoulish shadow began creeping from beneath the vixen's paws and crept slowly towards the opponent.

"What is this?" asked Robert in amazement.

"This," said Samantha levelly. "Is one of my perfected attacks."

The black shadow, like a huge blanket, covered the beyblade. Robert tried to call his Bitbeast, but in vain. Vera's shadow prevented him from doing anything.

A pinprick of light began to pear through the darkness. It grew bigger and bigger until the whole dish was glowing brilliantly. Then, a sound like a cannon firing was heard and Robert's blade was thrown out of the dish, while Samantha's just spun there like nothing had happened.

"Uh, okay," Tyson sounded confused. "Samantha wins."

Robert picked up his beyblade from the ground and stuck out his hand at Samantha, who had just called her blade back to her. "I underestimated you," he admitted. "And for that, I apologize."

Surprised, but pleased at receiving an apology, she accepted his hand. She then turned to her friends, namely Ray, Lee, Mariah, Cleo, Melissa, Sasha and her grandfather. Seeing their surprised expressions, she couldn't help but chuckle warmly and ask, "What, you didn't expect me to lose, did you?"

"No, I absolutely didn't," said her grandfather. He smiled at her. "But that was quite extravagant."

Samantha shrugged. "Well, Vera's that type of Bitbeast."

"And I'm glad she is," said Mariah. Then she said in a sly tone, "Adds a bit of glamour to your otherwise dull profile doesn't it girls?"

Seeing their Captain's death glare, the girls merely nodded weakly, but Sasha shook her head vehemently.

"Hilarious, Mariah. You're quite the comedian," said Samantha sarcastically.

"I try," responded the pink-haired girl, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder.

"Glamour or not, that was a good match," said Ray and Lee nodded in agreement.

"Thanks," she said smilingly. Looking over her shoulder, she caught Kai's eye and could have sworn there was a smile on his face before she had looked. But that was quite impossible. Getting a smile out of Kai Hiwatari was like getting jam from a stone.


"Well, Kenny, now that your data is there, what have you got for us?" asked Mr. Dickenson that evening. Everyone was still there. They had opted to stay and see who was selected from the girls. Kenny had been given the basement lab for his work. Mr. Dickenson and Ray had jus come to check on him.

"Well, sir, it's a tough choice," admitted Kenny. "But according to stats, it's Cleo and Samantha, no doubt about that."

The old man nodded. "But otherwise?"

"Well, no matter what, it's still these two. But I can see that if Sasha improves her technique, she could be as good as them. Melissa's already said she's rather help me in the technical work, so that doesn't matter."

"To be on the safe side, I'd say we should go with Cleo and Samantha, don't you?" said Ray. "Samantha says that Sasha's really lazy sometimes."

Mr. Dickenson nodded. "That she is. Well, Kenny, what do you think?"

"That's the only plan we've got."

"I suppose so. Now, about the tag-teams…"

"Yeah, about that," Kenny adjusted his glasses. "There's only one person I can find who can rival or beat Samantha. Cleo can go with Tala, that's easy, and we'll keep Bryan as a reserve."

"But who can team up with Samantha?"

Kenny winced. "She might not like it, and neither will he, but Kai's the only one for the job."

Ray blinked. Then he nodded. "I know what you mean. They have almost the identical style."

"If it's the only way," said Mr. Dickenson. "Then I'm sure Samantha will consent. And Kai will have no problem. They are the ideal match, are they?"

Kenny nodded and Ray grinned. "Don't let Mariah hear you. She'll think you want to be a matchmaker, sir."

"Between these two?" Mr. Dickenson chuckled. "I can't say I haven't thought of it myself."

Kenny laughed. "And I think that with Ray and Lee, Max and Tyson, Cleo and Tala, Samantha and Kai, Robert and Jonnie and Bryan as a reserve, we're sure to win."


And update! wow! with five cousins, two sets of grandparents and three friends living in the same house as me, its a woonder i was able to update! but i did...

soooo... do i get some reviews for my work? bless you if you're going to review!!