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Abby led her up a set of stairs and into a small appartment on the northwestern side of the city. "Well, it's not too much, but it's home," The girl said, as they stepped through the small hallway and into an equally tiny kitchen.

"It's cool," AJ said sincerely. "I've always lived outside of cities, not within them."

The younger seemed interested, taking her bags and throwing them into the living room. "Well, I know your flight came in from Kyoto, you have designer purses, and you brought a really awesome car with you, so your rents have to be rich."

"It's my boyfriend's car," AJ replied. "He's letting me borrow it because he's got tons of money. Probably wants me to wreck it so he can get a new one. And my parents have cash, don't get me wrong, but they're never around."

The newly appointed hostess nodded, leading AJ back into the tiny kitchen. "Dad's always busy with this job or that, but not typically does he work so many hours. He's been staying later and later. As a matter of fact, I know he has yet to come home tonight. Says his work doesn't get cell phone reception either, so it bloody pisses me off."

AJ smirked. "He's a busy guy, I can tell."

"Our money typically comes in spurts. Dad will finish one job and move on to the next, so we try and plan it out to pay the rent. Eventually, he wants to get moved back to the United States, where I was born."

"Cool," The champ stated, as Abby pulled out two cups from the cupboard.

"You like tea?"

"Yeah."

"This is England," the girl warned. "English tea?"

AJ nodded. "I love all kinds of tea. My one friend makes the best Chinese tea. He's got his ying and yang and zen all ballanced."

"You'll have to tell me about him," Abby told her. "And that boyfriend of yours. Is he hot?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Audrey responded, and the duo laughed.

From nearby, the front door of the appartment opened, and a tired looking Rex Banner walked in the door. "Hello there Abby," He said, hugging his daughter and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Miss Cassandra," He said, with a smile. "It's nice to see you. Your parents were exstatic to know that your flight came in without a hitch."

"Likewise," 'Cassandra' responded, shaking the man's hand. "I assume we have much to talk about."

Rex smirked. "Yes, that we do, but it can wait for the morning. I don't have to be back until around two."

"Afternoons, Dad?" The younger girl asked, crossing her mocha-colored arms.

"Yes, I'll be working from two to eleven, but I may have to sneak in some overtime."

"Great." Abby looked to AJ. "We'll have to order out now, because I can not cook."

AJ laughed gently. "No problem, I'm a fairly decent chef. That Chinese friend of mine was like a gormet, five-star chef. He taught me a little bit, not to mention that I'm on my own a lot. Consider yourself cooked for," She said with a smile.

"Was that your boyfriend's car?"

AJ nodded, figuring that her boyfriend's lambo - with a Dranzer1 license plate - would attract some attention, but not as much as it would if Kai were to drive it himself.

"Your boyfriend has a Dranzer fettish?" Abby asked sincerely. "That's too cute."

Rex sat down at the small table in the kitchen, pulling up a third chair for AJ. For a while, silence reigned over them, as the suited man seemed to have a conversation with the American via glances.

"What's going on?" Abby asked.

"Nothing," Rex said. "Now, Cassi, do you beyblade?"

"I do," The girl responded casually.

"You and Abby will have to practice together."

Judging by the look upon Rex's face, it meant to eighty-six Viatsu's involvement in any of those battles, for fear of damage to the younger woman. AJ seemed to agree, again using her eyes to relay the message. Viatsu then appeared within the confines of her mind, reminding her of the fact that she was not to be somekind of wickedly talented beyblader.

Do not draw attention to yourself unless it's necessary, the two beasts relayed to her. Like the Lambo. Was that really necessary?

A sarcastic comment flooded her mind. Oh yes, she communicated back, The Lambo was definitely necessary.

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Tyson's stomach growled. "Guysss," He whined, holding onto the surprisingly toned noise-maker. "I'm starving! Can't we stop and get something to eat?"

It was sweatdrops all around for the gang walking alongside him. "Tyson," Hilary complained, "You ate both my food and Daichi's on the plane, not to mention your own dinner. How in the heck can you be hungry?"

The London nightlife was almost the exact same as Bakuten's. People did not meander around the more suburban areas at night, but the inner-city area was a great deal like a Las Vegas strip, where excitement found them around every corner.

Ray Kon looked around fleetingly. Nothing looked like it would be accessible to them, and any hotel they went to would not have a buffet open this late. Being the temporary leader of the group, he merely shrugged and continued to look for a decent place to 'nourish' Tyson. How that kid could contain his weight and and figure was beyond all laws of physics - or as Hilary put it - against all laws of decency.

The group was going to meet up with AJ at an undisclosed location tomorrow. They would be contacted by AJ that morning, but she would have to sneak out of her current location.

"Hey!"

All eyes went to a bright flash in the distance.

"Oh man," Tyson said, his hunger currently forgotten. "That looked like-"

There was another spasm of light, and if it wasn't for the eerie bright green color, they would have assumed it to be lighting... that went the opposite direction. A dark cloud seemed to brew over a location in the distance, and they could have sworn that the air seemed to cackle of static.

Max looked to Tyson, who looked to Ray. The neko-jin nodded. "We gotta go find her."

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Two hours previous, Abby Banner had challenged her current visitor and new-found friend, 'Cassi Davis,' to a beybattle. It was a no consequences battle, and both sides were interested in one thing: having fun. Despite the fact that one was an undercover ex-champion, and the other was an undercover CIA agent's daughter.

"You're totally going down," 'Cassi,' said deviously, her beyblade's speed increasing, mostly to boast of skill.

Abby rolled her eyes.

The battle continued, both sides gaining and losing the advantage as the sun set. Eventually, Abby grew sick of waiting around, calling upon a cheetah bit beast with surprising speed and evasiveness. While 'Cassi' knew she could land a hit on the girl, an average blader would stand to chance.

Lowering her defenses, Abby quickly overcame the ex-champion, who smiled graciously as the Brit defeated her. "You're amazing," AJ Carson said simply. "Have you ever thought of blading with the BBA? Stanley Dickenson would die to have you."

The mocha skinned girl pulled her long, dark hair back into a ponytail. "You really think so? I'm not the best, but I'm not too shabby. I thought you'd school me in a second."

"Your speed is wicked," AJ stated. "I'd love to see you battle a well-known blader. You'd take the world by storm."

Abby rubbed her hand behind her head. "Sure I would," she said sarcastically. "And AJ Carson's going to come out from behind me in the flesh and say the same."

"Don't doubt it."

"What was that?"

Audrey sweatdropped. "Nothin'," She murmurred, while the two bit beasts in her mind became the voices of reason that would slowly drive her insane. They carried on conversation, explaining the imortance of a low profile, something that she was good at when hiding her relationship with Kai.

Amber eyes met her own green ones. "Alright, if you say so." The look on her face stated that she was not entirely convinced, but Abby had shrugged it off. "Wanna give it another go?"

"Sure."

They continued to battle, and each time - Abby lost two victories later - the ex-champ felt like the power within her, within Viatsu, was beginning to swell.

"Again?"

"Hang on," AJ said, moving away from her opponent, following a victory. "Give me a moment, I need to readjust my attack ring."

Once in the corner of the small backyard, AJ glanced at her beyblade, though the bit chip was safely tucked inside her pocket.. Alright, she channeled mentally, Viatsu, what in the world is going on?

The evolution, Another voice answered, not being Viatsu. Mistress, your bit beast is drawing close to an evolution. Perhaps you should cease battling, she may not be able to control herself much longer...

Thankfulness waded across the link between the girl and her lover's phoenix partner. It was returned with a great warmth.

Viatsu?

The girl's question was answered with a weary voice. Mistress?

What can I do for you?

A tad bit of shock met the champ's side of their link. You're doing everything you can. Master Kai will soon be returned to you, and we can return to the world of the living. I will be fine once we are no longer restricted, though I fear that the power may be overwhelming for you at first. Be careful of your emotions-

We'll be getting ourselves in trouble, AJ mentioned casually, But that's nothing out of the ordinary. Do not restrict yourself for my sake. I'll be okay. We're partners, remember?

You're far too gracious, Audrey. No wonder Master Kai loves you so much.

Master Kai?

You're two halves of one whole, are you not? Dranzer and I view you as ours. Partnerships do extend beyond the normal realms, sometimes.

A second mystical voice filled the conversation. Mistress, in case you had neglected to notice, Miss Abby is staring.

I suppose I should act like I'm not having inward conversations with bit beasts, when in reality I have two but she doesn't think that I have any... The girl continued her mental ramble to the two celestial beings.

Do you ramble to Kai this much? Dranzer chirped.

No, Viatsu answered tiredly. I am privy to this behavior. It's gotten to the point where I understand it.

"Uhh, Cass?"

AJ, being accustomed to the new name, tilted her head in her companion's direction. "Nani... I mean, what?"

"Do you have any idea who the guy in the suit is?"

A white hot sensation tingled at her neckline as Dranzer grew defensive. The awakened sense of danger emerged and Viatsu seemed to surge in her fingertips. Following where Abby pointed, the two girls saw a man staring at them with vicious intentions glimmering in his eyes.

"You should go inside, Abby," AJ said quietly.

The girl laughed. "Sure, Cass, I'll go inside and leave you alone with the creepy man in black. That sounds safe."

The man smirked and took a step back. "Don't worry, there's one for each of you."

From out of nowhere, Abby Banner found her backyard overwhelmed by strangely outfitted beybladers. "Whoa," Abby said surprised, "Those kids have Carson Enterprise logos on their shirts. What the hell?"

AJ spat at the ground. "You're lookin' for a beybattle, aren't you?"

The black haired kid accross from her smirked at his sandy-haired partner. "Nah, I was actually in it for the tea and crumpets. What do you think, Yankee?"

She felt a familiar spark ignite in her veins as adrenaline leaked into her system. Mentally, she felt Viatsu tense up. Their bond became crystal clear as Abby launched her beyblade in sync with the other two boys. Viatsu did not like the situation, while Dranzer's bit chip nearly burned the skin between her collarbones. The phoenix seemed to pick up a strange sensation.

"They've got - oh man," AJ said simply, as her beyblade barely withstood a collision with her opponent's blade. "Ab, trust me, they've got really strong bit beasts."

"How would you know?" The sandy haired blader asked. "What do you know about us?"

AJ said nothing, focusing on her losing - wait, what the hell was going on here, she thought, losing?! - battle. Every once and a while the two evil bladers would combine attacks, thus putting AJ out of commision quickly.

"Carmella, attack!" The cheetah arose when called, glancing around threateningly at the two boys.

The two Carson Enterprise beybladers looked at each other and cracked malicious smiles. "Let's go," They said their bodies seeming to take on a bit of stress as their beyblades glowed like Abby's.

In an unheard of move, well, one that the BBA would have probably proceeded to have a cardiac arrest over, she slipped her hand into her pocket and pushed her bit chip upon the beyblade.

"Bloody hell," The girl said, as her beyblade was slammed into pieces by her two opponents. They seemed to advance upon her beyblade as it glowed an infectious orange-ish color. "Don't touch her, you assholes!"

"Showtime," AJ said aloud, in a heated whisper, before turning her voice up to a challenging tone. "Hey, idiots, why don't you mess with someone your own size?"

"Didn't we destroy you already?"

Keep it to a minimum, if you can, Audrey communicated, re-launching her beyblade. She felt a pained response from Viatsu. The evolution was not easy for her to hold in, she could tell.

Gears clicked into alignment like a spinal cord sliding in line after a long sleep. The beyblade hummed in excitement, colliding with the other two like a comet headed for an asteroid. "Hey," Her sandy-haired opponent said angrily, "Where'd this power come from?"

AJ threw out her hand defensively in front of Abby. "Get behind me," The champ said simply. Her eyes were narrowed dangerously, the darkness seeming to intensify her greenish-blue orbs. "They won't touch your bit beast."

The black and green beyblade snapped at the other two, causing them to attack back, their bit chips surging with angry power. "Now you've made us mad," Abby's original opponent said angrily. "You may have a supercharged beyblade, but we've got supercharged bit beasts."

Intense laughter errupted from AJ's mouth. "And I've been mad since your stupid-ass boss kidnapped my family. So let's see... I think you should be afraid."

They looked at her confusedly. "You trying to tell us that you're that dead chick?"

Abby gasped. "What you said before, under your breath..."

"Viatsu, let 'em have it. I'm done playing around."

A bright green electricity erruped throughout the air, sparking high, skyward. Dranzer glowed threateningly around her, her phoenix form suddenly visible as a protective barrier against the discharge of energy from Viatsu's raging form.

The four-legged creature's body was completely black, her eyes viciously green, though the hint of blue - identical to Audrey's - caught her in an intense, almost surreal look. The dimming streetlights hummed out of power as the bit beast sucked it up, releasing a second bout of light, colliding with the two summoned bit beasts of AJ's opponents.

A moment later, Dranzer shot off, scorching the road as she glided throughout the city.

"Suzaku," the champion said, squeezing the vacant bit chip around her neck. The blinding light, and the trail left on the ground into the distance tipped her off. It would lead her to Kai. "It is so on," AJ said, gazing up to Viatsu, who reared her head in pleasure. It would be fun.

"What the hell?"

"Viatsu, go for it!" A green wave of light overcame the bit beasts, who were fryed from the electric discharge of the final attack, thus suspending them in light, which burst into vicious flames. The bladers were already beaten, laying on the ground nearby.

AJ flicked her hair over her shoulder, recalling her beyblade. "And I didn't even call an attack. That is so killer." Squeezing the beyblade in thanks to her partner, she grabbed Abby's wrist.

"You," The girl said angrily, breaking out of the champion's grip. "It's not possible!"

"Yeah, my name is Audrey Carson, ex-world champion, and supposed dead person." She grabbed the girl's wrist. "Anything that you've got in there that's worth takin', let's have it. We've gotta go."

Abby looked at her in astonishment. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Your Dad said not to."

"He knows?"

"You'd be fuckin' surprised if you knew just what your dad knows. He's helpin' mine."

"Wow... Dad's helping the champion?" She received a nod from AJ. "Holy crud." The duo headed into the house. "I need to grab a beyblade, then we'll get out of here. Where are we going?"

AJ followed her into the house, then out the front to her car. Abby followed her, the shock just beginning to wear off. It was replaced with a sense of adrenaline that she wasn't used to. "See that scorch mark? Consider that the trail. We're gonna go bust out some people. I'm sure we'll meet your dad along the way."

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Notes: Okay, another one done. Review peoples! Please?!?!

I'll love you forever!

Distant Storm